29 April 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS Paper 2 – International Relations

⭐ Science Panel for the Global Energy Transition (SPGET)

⭐ Why in News

• The Science Panel for the Global

Energy Transition was launched on

24 April 2026 in Santa Marta,

Colombia to accelerate the global

phase-out of fossil fuels.

⭐ Nature of the Panel

• SPGET is a global, science-driven body that provides policy-relevant guidance to

support the transition away from fossil fuels.

⭐ Origin & Background

• The idea emerged during discussions at the COP30 plenary in Belém.

⭐ Mission

• To provide rapid, science-based, and policy-oriented advice to governments.

• To enable faster and more effective global energy transition strategies.

⭐ Objectives

• To set country-specific and sectoral milestones aligned with limiting global

temperature rise to 1.5°C.

• To guide policies for the gradual phase-out of fossil fuels.

⭐ Institutional Support

• Backed by the Brazilian COP30 Presidency.

• Supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth and

Colombia’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.

GS Paper 3 – Security

⭐ INS Kalpen

⭐ Why in News

• INS Kalpeni recently arrived at Gan, marking a significant step in India–Maldives

maritime cooperation.

⭐ Classification & Type

• INS Kalpeni is a fast attack craft of the Indian Navy.

⭐ Class & Construction

• It belongs to the Car Nicobar-class of waterjet fast attack vessels.

• Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for the Indian Navy.

⭐ Commissioning & Naming

• Commissioned on 14 October 2010.

• Named after Kalpeni Island in Lakshadweep.

⭐ Base & Command

• Stationed at Kochi.

• Operates under the Southern Naval Command.

⭐ Primary Roles

• Coastal surveillance and defence.

• Conducts anti-smuggling operations.

• Engages in boarding, search, and seizure missions.

• Performs search and rescue (SAR) operations.

GS Paper 3 – Environment & Biodiversity

🌿 Eulophia Picta

🌿 Why in News

• A rare orchid species, Eulophia picta,

has been recorded for the first time

in central Andhra Pradesh, marking

a new regional occurrence.

🌿 Nature & Classification

• It is a terrestrial orchid that thrives in warm climates.

• Typically a medium to small-sized plant.

🌿 Common Names

• Commonly called the Nodding Swamp Orchid.

• Also known as the Pink Nodding Orchid.

🌿 Habitat & Distribution

• Distributed widely from India through Southeast Asia to Australia.

• Grows in moist grasslands, sandy coastal belts, and rainforest regions.

• Also found in semi-deciduous and dry deciduous lowland forests up to ~1000 m

altitude.

• Possesses underground spherical pseudobulbs.

🌿 Morphological Features

• Leafy plant with 3–5 broad, smooth, ribbed leaves.

• Produces up to 20 flowers, usually pale pink (rarely white).

• Flowers are tubular and remain partially closed.

• Inflorescence initially curves like a shepherd’s crook, later straightens.

• Develops ribbed seed capsules as it matures.