Current Affairs

Current Affairs — 13 August 2026

13 August 2026

Charges against Justice Varma 'proved' by inquiry committee over burnt currency discovery

A three-member inquiry committee, constituted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, found charges "proved" against former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma. The charges relate to the discovery of burnt currency at his official residence. The committee concluded that Justice Varma's explanations were "evasive and unsatisfactory" and that material evidence was not properly secured. The report, tabled in Parliament, highlighted serious questions about integrity and conduct expected of a higher judiciary judge. The government may continue removal proceedings despite his resignation, which had commenced before he stepped down.

  • A Lok Sabha Speaker-constituted inquiry committee found charges against former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma to be "proved".
  • The charges stemmed from the discovery of burnt currency at his official residence, for which his explanations were deemed "evasive and unsatisfactory".
  • The committee's report, tabled in Parliament, questioned the judge's integrity and conduct expected of a higher judiciary.
Exam Points
  • Inquiry committee constituted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
  • Former Delhi High Court judge involved: Justice Yashwant Varma.
  • Panel members included Supreme Court judge Justice Aravind Kumar (Chairperson), Bombay High Court CJ Justice Chandrashekhar, and Senior Advocate B.V. Acharya (Karnataka HC).
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Retail inflation reaches 19-month high of 4.45% in July due to rising food and fuel prices

India's retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), surged to a 19-month high of 4.45% in July 2026, primarily driven by escalating food and fuel prices. Data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation showed increased costs for transport, food, restaurants, and accommodation services. Food inflation specifically quickened to 5.2% in July from 5.05% in June. While some services like health and recreation saw easing inflation, the overall trend indicates persistent inflationary pressures, exacerbated by global edible oil prices and potential crop damage from monsoon, according to experts.

  • Retail inflation in India reached a 19-month high of 4.45% in July 2026, primarily driven by increases in food and fuel prices.
  • The Consumer Price Index (CPI) data revealed that transport, food, restaurants, and accommodation services became costlier.
  • Food inflation rose to 5.2% in July 2026, up from 5.05% in June.
Exam Points
  • Retail inflation (CPI) in July 2026 was 4.45%, a 19-month high.
  • Food inflation in July 2026 was 5.2%.
  • Restaurant & Accommodation Inflation in July 2026 was 7.7%, the highest this year.
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Psychiatric genetics: Understanding its scope and limitations for Indian families

The article explores what psychiatric genetics can offer Indian families, emphasizing that while it can reduce blame and acknowledge biological factors in mental illness, it cannot determine destiny. It highlights that genes indicate vulnerability, not fate, and that polygenic risk scores developed from European ancestry databases may not be accurate for India's diverse population. The author stresses the importance of protecting privacy and focusing on early intervention and support rather than relying solely on genetic labels, advocating for proper exercise of psychiatric genomics involving diverse populations and ethical considerations to avoid misuse or commercialization.

  • Psychiatric genetics can help reduce blame and acknowledge biological contributions to mental illness, but it does not determine an individual's destiny.
  • Polygenic risk scores, often developed from European populations, may not accurately reflect the genetic diversity within India.
  • The genome-wide association study (GWAS) identifies common genetic variants associated with conditions, but no single gene determines complex psychiatric disorders.
Exam Points
  • Genome-wide association study (GWAS) is a key research tool in psychiatric genetics.
  • The GenomIndia project generated whole-genome data from 10,000 healthy, unrelated Indians across 83 population groups.
  • A 2022 schizophrenia study identified associations at 287 genomic regions.
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Reforming the Food Security Act for nutrition security and diversified diets

The article advocates for a timely reset of the Food Security Act to address nutrition security beyond just foodgrain access. It highlights that despite significant progress in reducing stunting, malnutrition, maternal undernutrition, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) persist. The proposed National Food Security (Amendment) Bill, 2026, links Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) entitlements to household size, aiming to correct inequity and promote diversified diets rich in carbohydrates and low in protein. The goal is to move beyond cereal-centric diets to ensure comprehensive nutrition, while also financing diversification and leveraging fair price shops for last-mile nutrition support.

  • The National Food Security Act needs a reset to prioritize nutrition security alongside foodgrain access.
  • The proposed National Food Security (Amendment) Bill, 2026, links Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) entitlements to household size to address inequity.
  • The focus should shift from cereal-centric diets to diversified diets rich in carbohydrates and low in protein.
Exam Points
  • National Food Security (Amendment) Bill, 2026 is proposed.
  • Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) entitlements are linked to household size.
  • NFHS-6 (2023-24) data shows stunting among children fell from 35.5% to 29.3%.
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India's military transformation requires intellectual leadership and strategic foresight

The article argues that India's military transformation necessitates deeper intellectual engagement, strategic foresight, and strong political support. It highlights that past reforms have been top-down and focused on restructuring rather than a holistic national security architecture. Obstacles include a lack of consensus among services, slow intellectual upgrade, and a legacy mindset influenced by post-colonial ethos. The author emphasizes the need for senior military leaders to drive strategic thinking, foster innovation, and build future-ready forces with clarity and depth, moving beyond operational assignments and company policy to embrace intellectual freedom and a whole-of-government approach.

  • India's military transformation requires intellectual leadership, strategic foresight, and strong political support.
  • Past reforms have been lop-sided, focusing on restructuring rather than a whole-of-government national security architecture.
  • Obstacles include a lack of consensus among services, slow intellectual upgrade, and a legacy mindset.
Exam Points
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first Combined Commanders Conference was in 2014.
  • General K. Sundarji attempted an intellectual transformation in the Indian Army in the late 1980s.
  • The PME (Professional Military Education) system offers scope for greater focus on whole-of-government national security.
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