{"id":85611,"date":"2026-09-26T18:08:32","date_gmt":"2026-09-26T12:38:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=85611"},"modified":"2026-09-26T18:08:50","modified_gmt":"2026-09-26T12:38:50","slug":"news-in-short-26-09-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/26-09-2026\/news-in-short-26-09-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 26-09-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Attorney General of India<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Polity and Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A Supreme Court advocate sought<strong> statutory consent of the Attorney General of India <\/strong>to initiate <strong>criminal contempt<\/strong> action against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The prior consent of the Attorney General of India is mandatory<\/strong> when a private individual or a third party files a criminal contempt petition in the Supreme Court under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Attorney General of India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Article 76<\/strong> of the Constitution provides for the <strong>office of the Attorney General of India.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The President<\/strong> shall appoint a person who is <strong>qualified to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court to be Attorney-General for India.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Attorney General of India (AGI) is the <strong>highest law officer <\/strong>of the Union Government and <strong>serves as its principal legal adviser.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Qualifications: <\/strong>A person must be a citizen of India; and have been a judge of a High Court for at least 5 years, or an advocate of a High Court for at least 10 years, or be a distinguished jurist in the President&#8217;s opinion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Functions and Duties:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gives legal advice to the Government of India on matters referred to him\/her.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Performs other legal duties assigned by the President.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Represents the Union Government before the Supreme Court and High Courts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can appear in all courts in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advises the government on constitutional and other legal matters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rights and Privileges:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Has the right to speak and take part in the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament, their joint sittings and parliamentary committees of which he\/she may be named a member.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does not have the right to vote in Parliament.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enjoys the privileges and immunities available to a Member of Parliament.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tenure and Removal:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Constitution does not prescribe a fixed tenure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Attorney General holds office during the pleasure of the President.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Constitution does not prescribe a specific procedure for removal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/advocate-seeks-to-file-contempt-plea-in-supreme-court-against-cec\/article71502947.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/IR&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ship <strong>Shaunak<\/strong> sailed from Chennai for Perth, Australia, as part of the <strong>QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Quad nations launched the inaugural \u2018<strong>Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission<\/strong>\u2019.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is aimed at enhancing <strong>maritime interoperability and professional exchanges<\/strong> among India, Australia, Japan and the United States.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Six officers, designated as \u2018Sea Riders\u2019, have embarked onboard Shaunak for the mission.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is aligned with the QUAD Foreign Ministers\u2019 Joint Statement which reiterated the grouping\u2019s commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Importance&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It reflects India\u2019s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision and the ICG\u2019s emphasis on collective engagement and cooperation with partner maritime forces to contribute to a secure maritime environment across the Indo-Pacific.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Know about QUAD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Origin:<\/strong> The QUAD emerged from humanitarian cooperation after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Japan proposed the framework in 2007, but it became inactive after Australia stepped back in 2008. It was revived in 2017 amid growing Indo-Pacific strategic concerns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Focus:<\/strong> Regional security, economic cooperation, maritime safety, infrastructure, and supply-chain resilience. It is not a formal military alliance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vision:<\/strong> The 2021 QUAD Leaders\u2019 Summit adopted the \u201cSpirit of the Quad\u201d, supporting a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, based on democratic values, rule of law and freedom from coercion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Initiatives:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>QUAD At Sea Ship Observer Mission<\/strong>: Launched under the 2024 Wilmington Declaration to strengthen maritime domain awareness, interoperability and operational coordination.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Malabar Exercise: <\/strong>Multilateral naval exercise involving all four QUAD countries, aimed at improving maritime coordination, interoperability and readiness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quad Plus:<\/strong> Engagements have included countries such as South Korea, New Zealand and Vietnam, indicating scope for wider cooperation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Source : <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/icg-ship-shaunak-sails-for-australia-with-quad-officers-onboard\/article71509417.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Ministry of Finance has completed the <strong>review of India\u2019s 2016 Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) <\/strong>and sent the revised framework for Cabinet Secretariat approval.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is essentially an agreement between two countries to protect <strong>investments made by investors<\/strong> of one country in the other.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It provides <strong>foreign investors with certain legal safeguards<\/strong> against adverse government action and, in specified circumstances, allows them to seek international arbitration if a dispute cannot be resolved through domestic legal remedies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The<strong> current framework (2016 Model)<\/strong> requires a foreign investor to wait for five years before initiating a treaty-based arbitration against India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why the 2016 Model Needed Revision?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Too much litigation before arbitration:<\/strong> For example, a foreign company facing a tax dispute would need to spend years in Indian courts first, which most global investors find impractical and risky.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Narrow definition of &#8220;investment&#8221;:<\/strong> The 2016 model defines investment narrowly, covering mainly enterprises with real assets and risk, and leaving out things like portfolio investment or loans. This means many forms of foreign capital simply don&#8217;t get treaty protection at all.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weak Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause:<\/strong> The model restricts investors from claiming better treatment that India may have given to another country under a different treaty. This makes India&#8217;s offer look less generous compared to other countries&#8217; BITs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source :<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/business\/new-model-bit-sent-to-cabinet-4-5-agreements-to-soon-be-finalised-sources-10893541\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Guidelines For Design of Access-controlled High-speed National Highways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced <strong>comprehensive guidelines <\/strong>for the planning and design of access-controlled high-speed <strong>National Highways, other than Expressways.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About&nbsp; guidelines<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The guidelines aim to bring uniformity in the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), ensure consistency in technical standards, strengthen road safety and improve operational efficiency across the National Highway network.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It will apply to all upcoming four- and six-lane <strong>Greenfield and Brownfield high-speed access-controlled National Highways<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is part of the Government\u2019s long-term vision of developing a world-class National Highway network <strong>under Viksit Bharat 2047.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"ccc9c3\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #ccc9c3;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"546\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-213.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-85612\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-213.png 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-213-300x213.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Interchanges with ramps will be provided at crossings with Expressways, National Highways, State Highways and important arterial roads generating substantial traffic.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Such interchanges will also be provided to facilitate connectivity with major traffic-generating destinations, including ports, airports, Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), industrial areas and major tourist destinations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The guidelines prescribe the construction of a one-metre-high boundary wall along the outer edge of the corridor to strengthen access control and prevent encroachments, unauthorised entry and the movement of stray cattle onto high-speed corridors,\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Importance&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The comprehensive guidelines represent a significant step towards standardising the planning and design of fully access-controlled National Highways.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The new guidelines provide a uniform set of technical and safety provisions for such corridors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :<a href=\"https:\/\/ddnews.gov.in\/en\/nhai-issues-new-guidelines-for-design-of-access-controlled-high-speed-national-highways\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">DD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">GI-Tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/15-02-2022\/agricultural-products-export-development-authority-apeda\">(APEDA)<\/a> facilitated the flag-off of a one MT consignment of GI-tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal from Karnataka to the Maldives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gulbarga Tur Dal, also known as Kalaburagi Togari Bele, is a variety of pigeon pea, commonly known as Arhar Dal or Toor Dal, cultivated in the Kalaburagi region of Karnataka.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Karnataka is the <strong>largest tur dal-producing state<\/strong> in India, contributing over <strong>40 percent<\/strong> of national output, with Kalaburagi district alone producing the majority of the state&#8217;s yield.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gulbarga Tur Dal received <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/04-08-2026\/gi-tags-india\"><strong>Geographical Indication (GI)<\/strong><\/a><strong> registration in 2019<\/strong> and is recognised for its distinctive taste and quality.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cultivation of Tur Dal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tur dal thrives in <strong>tropical and semi-arid regions<\/strong>, with an annual rainfall of around <strong>600\u2013650 mm<\/strong> and temperatures of <strong>26\u00b0C\u201330\u00b0C <\/strong>during the <strong>rainy season<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It grows well in <strong>black cotton soils<\/strong> because these soils retain moisture, which benefits the crop during dry spells. It can also thrive in <strong>loamy and well-drained alluvial soils<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0<strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/newsonair.gov.in\/gi-tagged-gulbarga-tur-dal-exported-to-maldives-from-karnataka\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Keralam\u2019s Revised Ecologically Sensitive Area Proposal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keralam has urged the Centre to reduce the proposed Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) in its Western Ghats region from <strong>9,993.7 sq km to 8,590.69 sq km, <\/strong>restricting it to forest areas and excluding populated areas, agricultural land and plantations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The<strong> 2013 Kasturirangan Committee<\/strong> report had proposed declaring <strong>13,108 sq km <\/strong>covering <strong>123 villages in Keralam as ESA.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Following protests and concerns over livelihood impacts, the <strong>Oommen V. Oommen Committee<\/strong> recommended reducing the area to <strong>9,993.7 sq km.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Of this, <strong>9,107 sq km<\/strong> was forest land and <strong>886.7 sq km<\/strong> was non-forest area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keralam is now seeking to exclude the 886.7 sq km of non-forest area, limiting the ESA to <strong>8,590.69 sq km and 98 villages.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The issue reflects the broader challenge of <strong>balancing Western Ghats conservation with livelihood and development concerns<\/strong> in densely populated regions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ESAs are areas around protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that act as buffer zones, helping reduce the impact of human activities on biodiversity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are governed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and were outlined in the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002\u20132016) of the MoEFCC.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Gadgil Committee and Kasturirangan Committee<\/strong> recommended identifying ecologically fragile areas, particularly in the Western Ghats, for stronger conservation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Activities in ESAs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Prohibited: <\/strong>Commercial mining, polluting industries, large hydroelectric projects, sawmills, commercial use of wood.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regulated: <\/strong>Tree felling, construction of hotels\/resorts, commercial use of water, electrical cables, changes in agricultural practices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Permitted: <\/strong>Organic farming, rainwater harvesting, renewable energy, existing agricultural practices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Kasturirangan committee report<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The High-Level Working Group (HLWG) chaired by <strong>Dr. K. Kasturirangan <\/strong>was constituted in <strong>2012<\/strong> to examine the recommendations of the <strong>Gadgil Committee<\/strong> on the conservation of the Western Ghats.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The committee recommended designating <strong>37%<\/strong> of the Western Ghats, covering approximately <strong>59,940 sq. km<\/strong>, as an <strong>Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).<\/strong> It focused more on development balance and economic activities.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It emphasised regulating development in identified sensitive areas while allowing more flexibility in other regions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It recognised the importance of sustainable livelihoods, but with less emphasis on forest rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It argued for <strong>strengthening the existing framework<\/strong> of environmental clearances and setting up of a <strong>state-of-the-art monitoring agency.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newindianexpress.com\/states\/kerala\/2026\/Sep\/25\/keralam-sends-ecologically-sensitive-area-proposal-to-centre-prepares-revised-map\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Coffee Board Moves Towards Sustainability Certification for Coffee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Coffee Board of India<\/strong> has developed sustainability standards and is in the process of implementing a <strong>certification process<\/strong> for Indian coffee.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India, the <strong>world\u2019s seventh-largest coffee<\/strong> producer and fifth-largest exporter, exported coffee worth more than $2 billion in 2025-26, with nearly 39% comprising value-added products.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indian coffee\u2019s <strong>distinctive advantage <\/strong>lies in its <strong>traditional shade-grown cultivation<\/strong>, which the Board aims to leverage through the new sustainability standards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The certification will be done at <strong>three levels<\/strong> &#8211; first will be done by the Board based on self certification by the growers. The second level will involve independent third-party verification, while the third level will benchmark Indian standards against internationally recognised sustainability frameworks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Coffee Production<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Brazil<\/strong> is the world\u2019s largest coffee producer, contributing about <strong>40% of global production<\/strong>, followed by <strong>Vietnam<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India primarily produces two main varieties of coffee: <strong>Arabica and Robusta<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Karnataka<\/strong> leads coffee production in India, followed by <strong>Kerala and Tamil Nadu<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Climatic Conditions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Coffee plants require a <strong>hot and humid climate<\/strong>, with temperatures ranging between <strong>15\u00b0C and 28\u00b0C<\/strong> and annual rainfall of <strong>150\u2013250 cm<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Coffee Board of India<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a <strong>statutory organization<\/strong> constituted under <strong>Section (4) of the Coffee Act, 1942<\/strong> and functions under the administrative control of the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Board comprises <strong>33 members<\/strong>, including the Chairman and the Secretary &amp; Chief Executive Officer.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Board mainly focuses on research, extension, development, market intelligence, domestic and external promotion, and welfare measures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/Industry\/coffee-board-brews-sustainability-push-with-new-certification-framework\/article71509209.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Bio-Based Biodegradable Plastic Under BioE3<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Biotechnology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Union Government has formally launched the commercial use of bio-based biodegradable plastic based on Polylactic Acid (PLA), developed by Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) under the BioE3 framework.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is PLA?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Polylactic Acid (PLA)<\/strong> is a<strong> bio-based polymer<\/strong> produced from renewable biological feedstocks, such as sugar-derived materials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the PLA pathway, <strong>sugars can be fermented to produce lactic acid<\/strong>, which is then converted into PLA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PLA can be used to <strong>manufacture packaging materials, films, containers and other plastic products,<\/strong> depending on the grade and formulation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>BioE3 Framework<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>BioE3 stands for <strong>Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It seeks to <strong>promote high-performance biomanufacturing<\/strong> and the transition of biotechnology from laboratory research to commercially viable products.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The framework focuses on areas such as:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bio-based chemicals and enzymes,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Functional foods and Smart proteins,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Precision biotherapeutics,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Climate resilient agriculture,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carbon capture and its utilization,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Futuristic marine and space research.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2314491&amp;reg=6&amp;lang=1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Cool Leaders Award<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The inaugural Cool Leaders Award was launched in<strong> September 2026, <\/strong>during the <strong>Global Cooling Pledge Assembly held in Singapore.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The<strong> &#8220;Cool Leaders&#8221; award<\/strong> is a global recognition initiative launched by the <strong>UNEP Cool Coalition.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It recognises outstanding leadership in advancing sustainable cooling and protecting people from extreme heat. <strong>The first Cool Leaders are:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Singapore,<\/strong> for leadership in passive cooling and heat resilience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The United Arab Emirates, <\/strong>for leadership in district cooling and advancing cooling in global climate and development policy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dong Mingzhu, Chairwoman of Gree Electric Appliances,<\/strong> for spearheading the development of ultra-efficient, low-carbon cooling technologies, including the Zero Carbon Source air-conditioning system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The UNEP Cool Coalition <\/strong>is a global platform driving system-level change on <strong>sustainable cooling.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was launched in <strong>2019 <\/strong>as a flagship initiative of the UN Secretary-General\u2019s Climate Action Summit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It brings together over 250 actors to deliver efficient, climate-friendly cooling solutions aligned with the<strong> Paris Agreement, the Kigali Amendment, and the 2030 Agenda.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>About the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The UN Environment Programme is the <strong>leading global voice on the environment, founded in 1972.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>UNEP hosts the United Nations Environment Assembly,<\/strong> the world\u2019s highest-level decision-making body on the environment, with a universal <strong>membership of all 193 United Nations\u2019\u202fMember States.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the Global Cooling Pledge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was launched at <strong>COP28 in 2023 <\/strong>and is the <strong>world\u2019s first collective global commitment<\/strong> to reduce the climate impact of cooling while expanding access to sustainable cooling.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It aims to:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>reduce cooling-related emissions by at least 68% below 2022 levels by 2050,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>significantly increase access to sustainable cooling by 2030,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and collectively increase the global average efficiency rating of new air-conditioning equipment sold by 50% by 2030 from the global 2022 installed baseline.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unep.org\/news-and-stories\/press-release\/cool-leaders-roadmap-and-nature-cooling-global-cooling-pledge-acts\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>UNEP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\n<strong> <\/p>\n<p>Context<\/p>\n<p> <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">\n<p>A Supreme Court advocate sought statutory consent of the Attorney General of India to initiate criminal contempt action against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).\n<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>\n<strong> <\/p>\n<p>Attorney General of India<br \/>\n<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">\n<p>Article 76 of the Constitution provides for the office of the Attorney General of India.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">\n<p>The President shall appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court to be Attorney-General for India.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/26-09-2026\/news-in-short-26-09-2026\"   class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85611","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85611","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85611"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85611\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85614,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85611\/revisions\/85614"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85611"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}