š CURRENT AFFAIRS ā 26 AUGUST 2026 | WEDNESDAY
š INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & ISSUES
š UNCERD ā Grave Concern on Rights in India
š¢ UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) expressed grave concern over alleged violations involving SCs, STs, Dalits, Bengali-speaking Muslims, non-citizens and Rohingya refugees
š¢ Reports cited concerns over racially motivated violence, excessive force, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, torture and sexual violence
š¢ Concerns linked to increased police check posts, racial profiling and targeted operations
š¢ UNCERD recommended prompt investigation of alleged violations, action against hate speech/crimes and respect for the principle of non-refoulement
š¢ Indiaās delegation rejected the findings as sweeping generalisations, citing constitutional safeguards and the existing legal framework
š Operation Economic Outcast ā US Sanctions on Indian Firms
š¢ The US sanctioned four India-based companies under Operation Economic Outcast
š¢ Action relates to importing or facilitating Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products
š¢ Transactions involving Iranian petroleum products were valued at around USD 119 million
š¢ US authorities stated that the measures aim to restrict Iranās financial resources and warned trading partners of penalties
š 9th National Security Strategies Conference
š¢ Security agencies directed to intensify measures against infiltration
š¢ Focus on using AI-based analysis on Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) platforms and developing SOPs
š¢ Key areas: counter-terrorism, narcotics control, illegal migration, cybercrime and proxy warfare
š¢ Discussions also covered trial in absentia for fugitives, UAPA investigations, sub-aerial threats, blue economy security, information warfare and biosecurity
š¢ Over 850 participants, including senior police officials, CAPFs and domain experts, attended the conference
š AGRICULTURE
š Periyar Kullan ā National Recognition
š¢ ICAR-NBAGR recognised Periyar Kullan as Keralaās second indigenous cattle breed, after the Vechur cow
š¢ Also known as Kuttampuzha cattle and Andukanni
š¢ Mainly found in central Kerala, particularly Ernakulam and Thrissur regions
š¢ Population estimated at around 1,000 cattle
š¢ Small-to-medium-sized cattle weighing around 150ā200 kg
š¢ Adapted to semi-feral and silvopastoral grazing systems
š¢ Milk yield: around 2.5ā4 litres/day
š¢ Milk contains A2 beta-casein, with about 4.5% fat and 9.1% SNF
š ENVIRONMENT
š Assam Elephant Habitat Recovery
š¢ Assam Forest Department and Aaranyak are managing invasive alien plants in Khalingduar Reserve Forest, Udalguri
š¢ Major invasive species removed: Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata and Mikania micrantha
š¢ Cleared biomass is converted into biochar
š¢ Seed-ball regeneration is used to restore grasses, herbs and shrubs
š¢ Biochar is a porous, charcoal-like material produced by heating organic biomass with little or no oxygen
š¢ Restoration aims to recover the elephant forage base, support herbivores and improve habitat quality
š Construction Restrictions around Jojari River
š¢ Supreme Court prohibited construction within 100 metres of the Jojari River
š¢ Hazardous industries prohibited within 500 metres of the flood line/flow path
š¢ Jojari and Bandi rivers eventually merge with the Luni River near Balotra
š¢ Restrictions introduced as an interim safeguard against river pollution and ecological damage
š¢ Rajasthan Government directed to prepare a 20-point resolution plan
š¢ An Integrated Coordination Group has also been formed
š¢ Industrial relocation may be required to protect the riverine ecosystem
š SECURITY
š ICGS Ajit ā Fast Patrol Vessel
š¢ Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) handed over ICGS Ajit (Yard 1277) to the Indian Coast Guard
š¢ Indigenous content exceeds 65%
š¢ Dimensions: 51.43 m long and 8 m wide
š¢ Displacement: 330 tonnes
š¢ Maximum speed: 27+ knots
š¢ Endurance: 1,500 nautical miles
š¢ Crew: 6 officers and 35 sailors
š¢ Roles include EEZ surveillance, fisheries protection, coastal patrolling, anti-smuggling, anti-piracy and search & rescue
š First All-Women Commando Course ā CISF
š¢ CISF launched its first all-women commando training course
š¢ 30 women personnel undergoing an 8-week advanced course at Barwaha, Madhya Pradesh
š¢ Training includes physical fitness, weapons training, live-fire drills, rappelling and survival exercises
š¢ Commandos will serve in Quick Reaction Teams and Special Task Forces
š¢ First phase plans to train 100 women from aviation security and sensitive units
š¢ Around 2,400 recruits are expected to undergo training next year
š¢ Aim is to increase womenās representation in CISF from 8% to 10%
š MISCELLANEOUS
š Judicial Service Practice Requirement
š¢ Supreme Court reduced the mandatory legal practice requirement for entry-level judicial service examinations from 3 years to 1 year
š¢ Candidates appearing between 25 May 2025 and 31 March 2027 are eligible irrespective of prior practice experience
š¢ Selected candidates will undergo 1 year of academy training + 1 year of structured clerkship
š¢ The May 2025 ruling had introduced the 3-year practice requirement for fresh graduates
š¢ Modification seeks to balance practical legal exposure with judicial training and ease entry into the judicial service
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