18 April 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS Paper-3: Environment & Ecology

⭐ Veli–Akkulam Estuary

⭐ Why in News

The Veli–Akkulam estuary is facing gradual ecological degradation.

⭐ Location

• Situated along the Thiruvananthapuram coast, Kerala.

⭐ Type & Nature

• A small, shallow, bar-built estuary.

• Part of the Kerala backwater system.

• Connected to the Lakshadweep Sea.

⭐ Structure

• Divided into two parts by a man-made bund:

• Western Veli estuary

• Northeastern Akkulam estuary

⭐ Sea Connectivity

• Connection with the sea is intermittent.

• Opens mainly during the monsoon, when sandbars are naturally breached.

⭐ Key Cause of Degradation – Invasive Species

• Increasing dominance of invasive species.

• Decline in native fishes like Karimeen, barbs, and indigenous catfish.

• Rapid spread of Mozambique tilapia and Nile tilapia.

• Invasive species outcompete native fauna for food and habitat.

GS Paper-3: Economy / Science & Technology

⭐ India’s First Semiconductor Fabrication SEZ

⭐ Why in News

• India’s first semiconductor fabrication Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has been

notified at Dholera (Gujarat) by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

• Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing, in collaboration with a Taiwanese firm, will

set up a chip fabrication unit here.

⭐ Key Focus of the SEZ

• Production of semiconductor chips for sectors like:

• Automobile

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Data storage

• 5G technologies

⭐ Significance

• Strengthens the India Semiconductor Mission.

• Reduces import dependence on chips.

• Boosts domestic microelectronics manufacturing capacity.

⭐ What is a Special Economic Zone (SEZ)?

• A demarcated area treated as a duty-free enclave.

• Considered foreign territory for trade operations, especially for:

• Duties

• Tariffs

• Exports/imports

GS Paper-3: Environment / Economy

⭐ CAFE III Norms (Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency)

⭐ Why in News

• The Union Government and automobile industry have reached a broad

consensus on draft CAFE Phase-III norms.

⭐ Purpose

• Aim to ensure a fleet-wide reduction in carbon emissions.

• Push the transport sector towards higher fuel efficiency standards.

⭐ Implementation Timeline

• CAFE-III norms to be effective from 1 April 2027.

• Automobile companies get a 5-year transition period to align their product

portfolios.

⭐ Emission Targets

• Current emission level: 113 g CO₂/km

• Target: 78.9 g CO₂/km

• Aligned with India’s global climate commitments

⭐ Compliance Framework

• Standards will be tightened gradually each year.

• Designed to avoid sudden disruptions in manufacturing cycles.

⭐ Credit Trading Mechanism

• Manufacturers exceeding targets can earn surplus efficiency credits.

• These credits can be traded with non-compliant manufacturers.