Petrol and diesel prices were raised for the third time in eight days on Saturday, increasing by an average of 90 paise per litre across all variants. This cumulative hike, since May 15, amounts to approximately ₹4.8 per litre for both fuels. CNG prices also rose by ₹1 a kg, with a cumulative increase of ₹4 a kg in North India. The hikes are attributed to rising crude oil prices and disruptions in energy supplies due to the West Asia conflict, putting increased pressure on oil marketing companies. Kolkata experienced a comparatively steeper hike.
Petrol and diesel prices increased for the third time in eight days, with an average hike of 90 paise per litre.
The cumulative increase since May 15 is approximately ₹4.8 per litre for both petrol and diesel.
CNG prices also saw a cumulative rise of ₹4 a kg in several North Indian cities.
Exam Points
Average price hike: 90 paise per litre for petrol and diesel.
Cumulative increase since May 15: approximately ₹4.8 per litre for both fuels.
India's crude oil basket averaged $107.96 per barrel in May until Friday.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that India plays a crucial role in the U.S. Indo-Pacific policy during his visit to New Delhi. He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and extended an invitation for Modi to visit Washington later this year. Rubio's four-day trip includes bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and attendance at the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting. He emphasized that one of his missions was to 'renew' Quad engagement, crediting Modi and former U.S. President Donald Trump as key drivers of the India-U.S. engagement.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted India's significant role in the U.S. Indo-Pacific policy.
Rubio met PM Narendra Modi and invited him to Washington later this year.
His visit aims to renew Quad engagement and strengthen India-U.S. ties.
A new 24-year study in Assam reveals a severe human-elephant conflict (HEC) crisis, driven by shrinking forests, fragmented animal corridors, and expanding human settlements and monoculture plantations. The study, covering 2000-2023, recorded 1,806 HEC incidents, resulting in 1,468 human deaths and 337 injuries. Conflict hotspots are concentrated near fragmented forests, agricultural fields, and tea plantations. Researchers recommend restoring forest connectivity, protecting corridors, improving water access, and using 'buffer crops' and elephant-friendly fences as solutions to mitigate the conflict.
A 24-year study in Assam highlights a severe human-elephant conflict (HEC) crisis.
Key drivers of HEC include shrinking forests, fragmented corridors, and expanding human settlements and plantations.
The study recorded 1,806 HEC incidents, leading to 1,468 human deaths and 337 injuries between 2000 and 2023.
The Hutti Gold Mines Company Ltd., India's sole functional gold mine located in Raichur district, Karnataka, experienced a significant financial windfall due to soaring global gold prices. The company projects an additional revenue of ₹633.34 crore in 2025-26, with the average gold selling price increasing by 34.11%. Its total revenue is expected to rise from ₹1,342.90 crore in 2024-2025 to ₹1,910.62 crore in 2025-2026, with net profit nearly doubling. Despite its production of 1,691.57 kg of gold, Hutti meets less than 1% of India's annual gold demand.
Hutti Gold Mines Company Ltd., India's only functional gold mine, is experiencing a financial windfall due to soaring international gold prices.
The company projects a significant increase in revenue and net profit for 2025-26.
The average gold selling price increased by 34.11%, contributing to the profit surge.
The government's new rural jobs scheme, Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G), set to replace MGNREGA from July 1, will allocate higher funds to larger, poorer States. Draft rules propose using the 16th Finance Commission's horizontal devolution formula, which prioritizes States based on per capita GSDP distance. Unlike MGNREGA's 100% Centre-funded wage system, VB-G RAM G introduces a 60:40 Centre-State shared wage responsibility. From the second year, a portion of funding will also be based on 'performance criteria' such as timely wage payments and work completion.
The new VB-G RAM G scheme will replace the 20-year-old MGNREGA from July 1.
Funding allocation to States will be based on the 16th Finance Commission's horizontal devolution formula, prioritizing poorer States.
The scheme introduces a shared wage responsibility between the Centre and States at a 60:40 ratio, unlike MGNREGA's 100% central funding.
Exam Points
New scheme name: Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G).
Replaces: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Allocation formula: Based on 16th Finance Commission indicators.
Despite government claims of meeting record peak electricity demand, reports of power cuts persist across India, raising questions about the grid's resilience. India's peak power deficit on Friday stood at 1.7 GW, indicating load shedding in some areas. Experts suggest the actual deficit might be higher due to unreported local outages and suppressed demand. Key issues include inadequate distribution infrastructure, transmission bottlenecks preventing power flow, and challenges in integrating fluctuating renewable energy sources. While renewables are growing, their intermittency poses a burden on grid managers, especially during peak demand when solar power generation declines.
India's electricity grid faces scrutiny over its resilience amidst record peak demand and persistent power cuts.
Official figures show a peak power deficit of 1.7 GW, leading to load shedding in some regions.
Experts argue that actual power deficits may be higher due to unreported local outages and suppressed demand.
Exam Points
Peak electricity demand on Thursday: nearly 271 GW.
Peak power deficit on Friday: about 1.7 GW.
Renewables contribution to electricity generation: 17%.
The Trump administration announced a significant policy change requiring non-immigrants seeking Green Cards to apply from their home countries, reversing a decades-long practice. Previously, individuals with legal status in the U.S., including those married to citizens or on work/student visas, could complete the entire permanent residency process domestically. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) framed this as a return to the 'original intent of the law' and closing a 'loophole,' aiming to reduce the number of people gaining permanent residency. The effective date and impact on ongoing applications remain unclear.
The U.S. government has mandated that Green Card seekers must now apply from their home countries.
This policy reverses a long-standing practice that allowed non-immigrants to complete the process while in the U.S.
The change affects various categories, including individuals married to U.S. citizens and those on work or student visas.
Exam Points
Issuing authority: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Administration: Trump administration.
Policy change: Non-immigrants must apply for Green Cards from home countries.
Senior U.S. and Iranian officials indicated they are nearing a breakthrough in talks to strike a draft deal, though caution remains regarding ending the conflict in West Asia. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed progress, stating the two sides were 'getting a lot closer' to an agreement. Concurrently, Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir arrived in Tehran to bolster mediation efforts, meeting Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss diplomatic initiatives aimed at preventing further escalation. The situation is considered sensitive, with speculation fueled by Trump's decision to skip his son's wedding due to 'government circumstances.'
U.S. and Iranian officials are reportedly close to a breakthrough in talks for a draft deal.
Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, visited Tehran to mediate and prevent further escalation in West Asia.
U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged significant progress in the negotiations.
Exam Points
Pakistan's army chief: Asim Munir.
Iran's Foreign Minister: Abbas Araghchi.
U.S. President: Donald Trump.
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