UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 11-07-2026

One Liners 11-07-2026

Geography

Thorium Mineral Deposit

A recent discovery revealed that thorium deposits cover 700 acres, with 20 acres designated for a mining auction.

• Thorium is a naturally occurring radioactive metal and a potential alternative nuclear fuel.

• Discovered in – Gundlupet taluk, Chamarajanagar district, Mysuru, by Geological Survey of India (GSI).

• Significance

  • It is considered an important fuel for advanced nuclear power generation.

  • It is eco-friendly and reduces emissions, unlike uranium.

  • Applications include aerospace, jet engines, specialised alloys, and high-technology industries.

• India context

  • GSI surveys discovered 8.5 lakh tons of thorium deposits across India.

  • Deposits have been found in coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha.

  • These reserves are vital for India’s energy security, industrial growth, and strategic development.

• Note - Monazite, a rare earth mineral containing thorium and uranium, was discovered.

Social Issues

World Population Day

• Observed on – July 11.

• Designated by – United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

• Objective – To focus public attention on population-related issues like family planning, maternal health, gender equality, and sustainable development.

• Theme for 2026 – “Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people – today and for the future.”

• Demographic Data (2026)

  • The global population is about 8.2–8.3 billion, with India the largest, followed by China and the United States.

Polity & Governance

Amendment to Drugs Rules, 1945

• Aim – To regulate high alcohol-containing drug formulations.

• Reason for amendment  

  • Certain medicinal products (e.g., tinctures of cardamom, ginger, and other aromatic preparations) were exempt under Schedule K.

  • Some contained 80–90% v/v ethyl alcohol, raising concerns about misuse for intoxication.

  • References from State Governments highlighted risks of diversion and abuse.

• Key Change -

  • Formulations with more than 12% v/v ethyl alcohol in quantities over 30 mL will no longer be exempt under Schedule K.

  • These products are now included in Schedule H1, requiring:

    • Licenses under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

    • Dispensing only against prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner.

    • Stricter record-keeping.

International Relations and Issues

Australia–Canada–India Technology and Innovation Partnership (ACITI)

Recently, the trilateral partnership countries signed the Australia–Canada–India Technology and Innovation Partnership (ACITI) MoU.

• Objective – To boost collaboration in critical and emerging technologies while complementing existing bilateral initiatives between the three countries.

• Significance

  • To leverage the strengths of three countries to drive green energy innovation, resilient supply chains and critical minerals.

  • To support net zero goals and promote greater diversification of supply chains for a secure, sustainable and resilient future.

  • To develop and wider adoption of AI to improve the lives of citizens.

LoAs For Sustainable Fisheries in the High Seas

The Vice-President of India launched the national programme for issuance of Letters of Authorisation (LoAs) for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas at Bhubaneswar.

• LoAs – It is an authorisation letter (Pass) that allows Indian fishermen to go beyond 200 nautical miles and fishing in international waters.

  • It is vessel-specific, non-transferable, and fully online.

  • It is a mandatory provision under the guidelines for sustainable harnessing of fisheries in the high seas by Indian-flagged fishing vessel.

• India’s Current Status – India is the world’s 2^nd largest fish-producing country, contributing around 8% to global fish production.

100 Years of India–New Zealand Sporting Relations

Recently, the Indian PM attended a Gala Lunch hosted by PM Christopher Luxon in Auckland.

• Historic Milestone

  • It marks 100 years of sporting ties in 2026.

  • The partnership dates back to Major Dhyan Chand’s hockey team's visit a century ago.

  • PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit New Zealand in 40 years.

• India–New Zealand Joint Action Plan on Sport

  • The Sports Joint Action Plan expands cooperation beyond cricket, anchored in rugby and hockey.

  • Focus areas -

    • High-performance training

    • Coaching programs

    • Sports science & analytics

    • Business-to-business sports models

    • Exchanges between national federations

• Strategic Partnership

  • It coincides with a broader improvement in bilateral ties:

    • Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed earlier in 2026.

    • Cooperation in trade, maritime security, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

Economy

V-Shaped Recovery

The IMF projects a V‑shaped global recovery: weaker growth this year versus pre‑war forecasts, followed by a rebound next year.

• V-Shaped Recovery – It is an economic scenario where an economy suffers a sharp, steep decline in metrics like GDP or employment, followed by an equally rapid and robust rebound, swiftly returning to its previous peak.

RBI’s 3 key surveys

• Aim – To provide critical inputs for formulating monetary policy.

• 3 key surveys

• 'Inflation Expectations Survey of Households'

  • Objective - To capture subjective assessments on price movements and inflation, based on their individual consumption baskets.

  • Conducted across - 19 cities

  • Methodology –

  • Qualitative responses from households on price changes (general prices as well as prices of specific product groups) in the 3 months ahead as well as in the one year ahead period.

  • Quantitative responses on current, 3 months ahead and one year ahead inflation rates.

• Rural Consumer Confidence Survey'

  • Conducted across – 31 States/ UTs.

  • Objective – To collect current perceptions and one-year-ahead expectations of households on general economic situation, employment scenario, overall price situation, own income and spending from the households residing in the rural and semi-urban areas.

• Urban Consumer Confidence Survey

  • Conducted across – 19 cities, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram.

  • Objective – To seeks qualitative responses from households, regarding their sentiments on general economic situation, employment scenario, price level, households' income and spending.

Environment

Aldrin Pesticide

Kota mugger crocodile deaths: Banned pesticide Aldrin found in Chandraloi River; forest department denies responsibility.

• Aldrin – A pesticide from the organochlorine group, listed as banned; its manufacture, import, and use were banned in India in the 1990s.

• Reason for Ban –

  • It persists in the environment for a long time and pollutes soil and water.

  • It gradually accumulates in the food chain cause serious adverse effects on the nervous system of humans and wildlife.

• Chandraloi River – It is a small perennial tributary of Chambal River in Rajasthan.

Recognition of Coimbatore Farmer as UN FAO ‘Soil Hero’

V.T. Valluvan, a 59-year-old natural farmer from Coimbatore district, was recently awarded third place in the UN FAO Soil Hero Guardian contest.

• He was recognised for increasing soil organic carbon content to 1.56%.

• This is the first time India has received this recognition.

Soil Health Guardian

• It is also known as “Soil Health Guardian” or “Soil Hero Guardian”.

• Initiated by – the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the Global Soil Partnership.

• Aim – To recognises farmers and land managers who adopt innovative, regenerative agriculture.

• Focuses on -

  • Improve soil health.

  • Increase organic matter.

  • Prevent soil degradation.

7th Meeting of Governing Body of National CAMPA

• CAMPA – Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management & Planning Authority.

• Held in – Coimbatore, under Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

• Objective – To review CAMPA’s performance and clear new proposals to strengthen afforestation, forest conservation, and wildlife protection nationwide.”

• New wildlife and forestry conservation projects

• Recommended by – the Executive Committee of National Authority.

• Projects –

  • Conservation and Recovery Action Plan for River Dolphins,

  • Project Snow Leopard Phase-II (including second cycle of population estimation),

  • Conservation Action Plan for the Indian Rhinoceros,

  • a pan-India conservation approach for the wild Water Buffalo.

  • It continued support for the conservation of Manipur's Brow-antlered Deer (Sangai).

Energy

India Briefly Crosses 50% Clean Power Mark

Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy announced that clean energy met over 50% of India’s electricity demand for the second time.

• First occurred on July 29, 2025, at 51.5 per cent.

• Key highlights

• Total electricity demand reached 221.5 gigawatts (GW).

• Renewable generation, including solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear sources, accounted for approximately 110 GW.

• Installed Capacity as of July 2026

  • Total installed capacity – 542.3 GW.

  • Thermal power capacity – 250.8 GW.

  • Renewable power capacity – 282.7 GW.

• Significance

• It reinforces India’s ongoing transition to clean power.

• It underscores the importance of energy security, climate resilience, and sustainability.

Index

Global Liveability Index, 2026

The Global Liveability Index 2026 was released recently.

• Released annually by – Economist Intelligence Unit.

• Coverage – 173 cities worldwide on 30 indicators.

• Objective – To identify those offering the highest quality of life.

• 5 Categories

  • Stability,

  • Healthcare,

  • Culture and environment,

  • Education, and

  • Infrastructure.

Key Findings

• Top 3 Cities – Copenhagen (Denmark), followed by Vienna (Austria) and Melbourne (Australia).

• Indian Cities – New Delhi (120), Mumbai (121), Chennai (123), and Bengaluru (127).

• Cities from India’s neighbourhood – Karachi (170) & Dhaka (171).

• Gulf cities fell due to the Iran war, Chinese cities rose on healthcare investment.

• Least Liveable City – Damascus (Syria).

Miscellaneous

Best Egmont Case Award (BECA), 2026

Best Egmont Case Award (BECA) 2026 was presented during the Egmont Group Plenary held in - Baku, Azerbaijan.

• Objectives – To recognizes outstanding operational cases that demonstrate excellence in

  • Financial intelligence,

  • Cross-border collaboration, and

  • Global fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

• 2026 Winners

  • Taiwan’s investigation of the Prince Group (winner) – Investigations into money laundering and terrorism financing.

  • Financial Intelligence Unit–India (FIU-IND) (runner up) – case regarding a large-scale cyber fraud.

Egmont Group

• A leading international platform for anti-money laundering information exchange, consisting of financial intelligence units from across the world.

• Established in – Brussels in 1995.