Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the dismantling of a Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network, backed by the ISI, in a major counter-terror operation ahead of Independence Day. Security agencies detained 253 people across 14 States and arrested over 200 operatives. The network was linked to grenade attacks, improvised explosive device (IED) blasts, petrol bomb incidents, and targeted killings. Coordinated raids on August 12 thwarted plans for subversive activities. The operation reflects the government's "zero-tolerance" policy towards terrorism, involving real-time intelligence sharing between Central and State police forces.
A Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network, backed by the ISI, was dismantled in a major counter-terror operation.
The operation led to the detention of 253 people across 14 States and the arrest of over 200 operatives.
The network was involved in grenade attacks, IED blasts, petrol bomb incidents, and targeted killings.
Exam Points
253 people were detained across 14 States, and over 200 operatives arrested.
The network was linked to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
More than 80 FIRs registered under UAPA, BNS, Arms Act, NDPS Act, and Explosive Substances Act.
The Supreme Court questioned whether the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act of 2025 could prevent constitutional courts from granting suitable compensation to nuclear disaster victims. A petition challenged the Act's provisions limiting liability for operators, suppliers, and manufacturers, and capping the government's residual liability at SDR 300 million and operator liability at ₹3,000 crore. Petitioners argued these caps are abysmally low, undermining victim compensation and incentivizing profit over safety, citing high costs of past global nuclear disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima.
The Supreme Court is examining if the SHANTI Act, 2025, can bar courts from granting suitable compensation in nuclear accidents.
The Act caps operator liability at ₹3,000 crore and government's residual liability at SDR 300 million.
Petitioners argue these caps are too low and could undermine victim compensation and safety.
Exam Points
SHANTI Act, 2025: Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act.
Operator liability capped at ₹3,000 crore.
Government's residual liability capped at SDR 300 million.
A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit found that the Green India Mission (GIM), aimed at healing India's forests, achieved almost nothing in a decade. GIM improved forest quality over only 0.11 million hectares, far short of its 1.4 million hectare target, and barely expanded forest cover by 4%. The mission, once a key pillar of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008), has been sidelined, replaced by the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' drive. The ISFR 2023 shows a green cover gain of 1,445 sq km, but only 156 sq km is true forest, with dense canopy thinning into scrub, indicating a focus on plantation numbers over ecological restoration.
The CAG audit found that the Green India Mission (GIM) largely failed to meet its objectives of improving forest quality.
GIM only achieved 0.11 million ha of forest quality improvement against a target of 1.4 million ha.
The mission, part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, has been replaced by the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' drive.
Exam Points
Green India Mission (GIM) target: Improve forest quality over 1.4 million ha.
GIM achievement: 0.11 million ha.
ISFR 2023: Green cover gain of 1,445 sq km, with only 156 sq km as true forest.
India's rapid transition to a nationwide E20 fuel regime (20% ethanol blended petrol) by April 1, 2026, faces significant challenges. While aimed at reducing crude oil import dependency and carbon emissions, consumer surveys highlight widespread mileage loss (over 10%) and increased maintenance in pre-2023 legacy vehicles (77% of the fleet). Concerns include ethanol's solvent properties causing material compatibility issues, chemical contamination risks, and the elimination of unblended petrol. IIT Kanpur reports minimal efficiency loss in controlled tests, but industry and consumer reports indicate field issues, underscoring the need for independent real-world studies and clearer labelling.
India mandates a nationwide E20 fuel regime (20% ethanol blend) from April 1, 2026.
A significant portion of India's vehicle fleet (77%) comprises legacy vehicles not designed for E20.
Concerns include mileage loss, material compatibility issues (corrosion, seal degradation), and chemical contamination risks.
Exam Points
E20 fuel mandate effective from April 1, 2026.
Approx. 70 million vehicles (23%) are E20-compatible; 240 million (77%) are legacy.
Over 66% of pre-2023 vehicle owners report >10% mileage loss.
The Afghanistan embassy in New Delhi for the first time celebrated the 2021 Taliban 'victory day', marking their takeover of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021. Taliban representative Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor emphasized Afghanistan's shift towards stability, reconstruction, and economic growth under Islamic system, moving away from warfare. The event was attended by diplomats from multiple countries including Russia, U.S., China, Qatar, Libya, Bhutan, Mongolia, Oman, and UAE. Despite India not formally recognizing the Taliban government, India-Afghanistan trade remains around $1 billion, signaling continued pragmatic engagement amidst ongoing challenges like governance and human rights concerns.
The Afghanistan embassy in New Delhi hosted the first-ever celebration of the 2021 Taliban 'victory day'.
The event marked the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, and the end of the U.S.-led military presence.
Diplomats from several countries, including the U.S. and China, attended the event.
Exam Points
Taliban 'victory day' marks August 15, 2021.
Event attended by diplomats from Russia, U.S., China, Qatar, Libya, Bhutan, Mongolia, Oman, UAE.
India-Afghanistan trade remains around $1 billion.
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