Operation Chakra-VI, Venezuela Earthquake, NASA Mission | Current Affairs 2026

Current Affairs 2026

1. Telangana’s AI-Enabled Emergency Response System

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has introduced an AI-powered voice assistant to the cybercrime helpline (1930) that has reduced the waiting time for a caller to almost zero, and enabled faster action against online fraud.

Key Highlights:

• AI voice assistant automates cybercrime reports
• Help line 1930 waiting time has been removed.
• Faster reporting allows authorities to quickly halt fraudulent transactions.
• Boosts the odds of recovering stolen money in the “golden hours” following fraud.

Importance

• Increases efficiency of emergency response.
• Supports the prevention of cybercrime and support to victims.
• Demonstrates the usage of Artificial Intelligence in government.

Prelims Facts

• Telangana capital city: Hyderabad Cyber crime helpline: 1930 Agency: Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB)

2. Operation Chakra-VI by CBI against Digital Arrest Fraud Why in News?

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun Operation Chakra-VI to break up digital arrest fraud networks across the country. Authorities searched more than 80 places in 16 states.

What is Digital Arrest Scam?

Fraudsters may pose as:

• Police Officials CBI Officials ED Officials Judges
• Victims are led to believe they are involved in illicit activities and are coerced into sending money.

Key points

• “More than 60 special teams have been sent.”
• Operations in 16 States.
• Investigation tied to over 200 cyber fraud cases.

About the Exam

• Headquarters: New Delhi, CBI
• Founded: 1963 Parent Ministry: Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)

3. PM Modi Offers Help After Earthquake in Venezuela Why in News?

On 24 June 2026, two powerful earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes hit western Venezuela. India also expressed solidarity and offered help for relief and rehabilitation operations.

Key points

• Epicentres near Montalban and Yumare
• beyond the west of Caracas.
• It is seriously damaged.
• Venezuela Facts and Statistics

Venezuela

• Capital: Caracas
• Currency: Venezuelan Bolivares
• President Nicolás Maduro

4. India to Conclude 2036 Olympic Bid Process in 2029

The International Olympic Committee has voted to endorse a new mechanism for selecting the hosts of the 2036 Olympic Games. Host selection is likely to be finalized by 2029.

Key Highlights

• India is still a big competitor.
• Decision before 2029 likely.
• Adopted at the 146th IOC Session in Lausanne.

About the IOC

• International Olympic Committee (IOC)
• Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
• Founded: 1894 Importance of the Exam
• “Hosting the Olympics could be a big step for India.

5. Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026 Establishes Blood Standards

The Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026 has become the first pharmacopoeia in the world to develop distinct standards for blood and blood components.

Key Highlights

• Published January 2, 2026.
• Release : Union health minister J.P. Nadda.

Includes:

• 20 new monographs:
• 2 updated monographs
• Standards are enforced by law.

Importance

• Improves blood safety
• Improves blood bank quality assurance.
• Decreases infections due to transfusions.

Exam Details

• Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission Headquarter: Ghaziabad, UP
• Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

6. India aims for 100 GW of pumped storage capacity

India targets 100 GW pumped storage hydropower by FY 2035-36

What is hydro electricity pumped storage?

A system with two reservoirs at different elevations:

• During low demand periods water is pushed up.
• When demand is high , the water is released and power is generated .

Main Highlights

• Roadmap prepared by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
• Current operating capacity: approx. 7.2 GW.
• Potential identified: ~288 GW.

Importance

• Facilitates incorporation of renewable energy.
• Stabilizes the power grid.
• Backs India’s 500 GW non-fossil energy target by 2030.

Exam Details

• Ministry: Power, Power: Ministry
• Implementing Agency : CEA –

7. RBI Retains ₹1 lakh crore Threshold for NBFC Upper Layer Why in News?

The Reserve Bank of India maintained the ₹1 lakh crore asset-size cut-off for classifying NBFCs within the Upper Layer framework.

What is NBFC Upper Layer?

As per RBI Scale Based Regulation:

• Base Layer Middle Layer Upper Layer Top Layer
• Upper Layer comprises systemically important and large NBFCs.

Importance

• Builds financial resilience.
• Strengthens monitoring of major NBFCs.

RBI Details

• Reserve Bank of India RBI
• Year Founded: 1935
• Head office: Bombay

8. PM accelerates e-Zero FIR launch for cybercrime

In the 52nd PRAGATI meeting, PM Modi has asked the states to establish the integrated e-Zero FIR system for incidents of cyber fraud.

What is e-Zero FIR?

e-Zero FIR is a Zero FIRs: A computerized technique to turn validated cyber fraud complaints into Zero FIRs.

Features

• It applies to fraud above ₹10 lakh.
• Complaints received through:
• Cybercrime Reporting National Portal
• Helpline 1930 FIR can be filed irrespective of jurisdiction.

Importance

• More rapid investigations.
• Better recovered stolen cash.
• Reduces process delays.

Exam Facts:

• PRAGATI = Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.

9.India-US Advance Interim Trade Agreement Talks

India and the United States continued negotiations on an Interim Trade Agreement and a wider Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).

Main Objectives

• Boost bilateral trade.
• Improve market access.
• Improve collaboration on technology.
• Deepen strategic relationships.

Test info

• India and the United States are two of the world’s biggest commercial partners.

10. NASA to Launch Rapid Boost Mission to Rescue Telescope

NASA is working on the Swift Boost Mission to boost the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which is steadily losing altitude.

Swift Satellite

• Neil Gehrels / Swift Observatory
• Published: November 2004

Studies:

• Gamma Ray Bursts
• The blackholes
• Supernovae
• Neutron stars

Objective

• Increase service life.
• Prevent premature orbital decay.

Exam Facts

• NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

11. Bangladesh joins global coalition for big cats

Bangladesh has become the 27th member country of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).

Who is IBCA?

Big Cat Alliance Global

Focus Species

• Tiger Lion Leopard Snow Leopard Cheetah Jaguar Puma Significance
• International collaboration for nature protection.
• Research and knowledge exchange.

Bangladesh Test Facts

• Capital: Dhaka Currency: Taka

12. J&K wants UNESCO tag for Sufiyana music

Jammu & Kashmir’s Sufiyana Mousiqi has been nominated for inclusion in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

About Sufiyana Music

• Kashmir’s classical music tradition.
• Heavy Persian and Central Asian influence.
• Played on traditional instruments.
• Related to the Sufi mystical tradition.

Importance

• Cultural heritage preservation.
• Kashmiri art gains international acclaim

Test Facts

• UNESCO
• Headquarters – Paris, France

13. BrahMos Missiles in IAF’s Sukhoi Fleet

The Indian Air Force is enhancing its strategic strike capability by integrating BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles with its Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft.

Key Highlights:

• BrahMos is one of the fastest operating supersonic cruise missiles in the world.
• Air-launched version carried by Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets.
• Provides a long-range precision strike capability.

Information on BrahMos

• BrahMos
• Joint enterprise between India and Russia.

Speed: ~Mach 2.8–3.0

Can be started from:

• Land Sea Air About the Suhoi-30MKI

Su-30MKI Sukhoi

• Multi-role combat aircraft.
• Back bone of Indian Airforce.

Facts about the examination

• BrahMos Aerospace is an Indo-Russian joint venture.
• Named after the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva.