July 17, 2026 - Current Affairs

India’s Bioeconomy Roadmap 2035

Context

NITI Aayog has recently announced the Roadmap for Building India as a Leading BioEconomy Powerhouse by 2035. The roadmap offers a detailed strategy to make India one of the top three biotechnology powers in the world by 2035.

Key Highlights of the Roadmap

India’s Ambitious Bioeconomy Targets: Grow from $10 billion in 2014 and $195.3 billion in 2025 (4.8% to national GDP) to $691 billion by 2035, and $2.6 trillion by 2047.

Create more than 30 million high-value jobs in biotechnology, healthcare, agriculture, industrial biotechnology and the environment.

Panel Flags Autonomy Risks under VBSA Bill

Context

The joint parliamentary committee has noted that the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 will lead to the concentration of extensive regulatory powers in a single central regulator.

Key Features of the Bill

Regulatory Body: The Bill establishes the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (the Commission) as an apex regulatory authority for higher education.

It replaces the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). The Commission will comprise the Regulatory, Accreditation, and Standards Councils.

CAG Audit Flags Diversion of DMFT Funds in Chhattisgarh

Context

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has highlighted serious irregularities in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) and utilisation of District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) funds in Chhattisgarh.

Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY)

Launched: In 2015 by the Ministry of Mines.

Objective: To ensure that mining-related revenues are utilised for the socio-economic development and welfare of mining-affected people and areas.

SC’s Proposed Regulations for AI Use in Courts

Context

The Supreme Court (SC) recently released the draft of Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Courts, 2026, aimed at developing a governance framework for use of AI in the judiciary.

About

The Draft Regulations will come into force for the SC on any date notified by the Chief Justice of India.

For High Courts and courts and tribunals under their jurisdiction, they will come into force separately on the dates notified by that High Court’s Chief Justice.

India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Train

Context

PM Modi flagged off India’s first Hydrogen powered train running between an 89-km stretch of Jind and Sonipat in Haryana, under the jurisdiction of Northern Railway’s Delhi Division.

India's First Hydrogen-Powered Train

Key Features of the train:

The train was developed by Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF).

News In Short 17-07-2026

Context

The indigenous Korku community of Madhya Pradesh have demanded the forest department and district administration to remove encroachments from forest lands.

About

Korkus is a Munda ethnic group concentrated chiefly in Madhya Pradesh and parts of Maharashtra.

Based on the 1991 census, the total population of Korku was 4,52,149.