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April 29th and 30th Current Affairs

Home / UPSC / Current affairs / UPSC Current Affairs – April 29th and 30th

Table of Contents

Index of Industrial Production (IIP) Growth Slows to 4.1%

India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew by 4.1% in March 2026, lower than the 5.1% growth recorded in February 2026. The slowdown was mainly due to weaker electricity generation and moderation in manufacturing growth.

What is IIP?

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is a key economic indicator released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). It measures the short-term growth of industrial sectors in India.

It tracks output in three major sectors:

  • Manufacturing (highest weight)
  • Mining
  • Electricity

Key Highlights

  • Overall IIP growth: 4.1%
  • Manufacturing growth: 4.3%
  • Mining growth: 5.5%

Electricity growth: 0.8%

Reasons for Slowdown

  1. Weak electricity generation reduced industrial momentum.
  2. Rising global uncertainties and supply disruptions affected industrial activity.
  3. Input costs increased due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Positive Indicators

  • Strong growth in capital goods indicates improving investment activity.
  • Manufacturing and mining sectors remained resilient.
  • Industrial growth for the full financial year 2025-26 remained stable at around 4.1%.

UAE Exits OPEC+: Major Shift in Global Oil Politics

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced its decision to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+ alliance with effect from 1 May 2026. The development became an important international news because it may significantly impact global oil prices and energy geopolitics

What is OPEC?

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is an intergovernmental organization formed in 1960 at the Baghdad Conference by:

  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Kuwait
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Venezuela

Its headquarters is in Vienna

Objectives of OPEC

  • Coordinate petroleum policies among member countries
  • Stabilize global oil prices
  • Ensure steady income for oil-producing nations
  • Manage oil supply through production quotas

What is OPEC+?

OPEC+ is a broader alliance created in 2016 that includes OPEC members and major non-OPEC oil producers such as:

  • Russia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Mexico
  • Oman

It was formed to exercise greater control over global crude oil supply and prices.

Why Did UAE Exit?

Major reasons include:

  1. Disagreement over production quotas with Saudi Arabia.
  2. UAE wants freedom to increase oil production and expand market share.
  3. Strategic shift toward independent long-term energy policies.
  4. Geopolitical tensions in West Asia, especially around the Strait of Hormuz and the Iran conflict.

Global Impact

  • Weakens OPEC’s collective influence over oil prices.
  • May lead to increased oil production by UAE.
  • Could create volatility in international crude oil markets.
  • Signals growing divisions among Gulf nations.

Impact on India

India imports nearly 85% of its crude oil needs, and UAE is one of India’s major oil suppliers.

Possible benefits for India:

  • Lower global crude oil prices
  • Better energy security
  • More competitive oil supply agreements
  • Reduced import bill if oil prices decline

Supreme Court Upholds Mandatory Admissions Under RTE Act

Why in News?

The case arose after a private school in Uttar Pradesh refused admission to a student selected under the RTE quota. The Supreme Court ruled that schools cannot delay or question the State’s selection process once students are allotted seats.

What is the RTE Act, 2009?

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 was enacted to implement Article 21A of the Constitution.

Key Features

  • Provides free and compulsory education to children aged 6–14 years.
  • Applies to elementary education up to Class 8.
  • Mandates 25% reservation in private unaided schools for:
    • Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
    • Disadvantaged groups
  • Prohibits:
    • Capitation fees
    • Screening tests for admission
  • Prescribes norms for:
    • Infrastructure
    • Teacher-student ratio
    • School quality standards

Constitutional Provisions Related to RTE

    • Article 21A → Right to free and compulsory education (6–14 years)
    • 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002 inserted Article 21A.
    • Article 45 → Early childhood care and education.
    • Article 51A(k) → Duty of parents to provide education to children.
    •  

Importance of the Judgment

      1. Promotes Social Inclusion

      The Court emphasized that children from different socio-economic backgrounds studying together promotes equality and social integration.

      1. Strengthens Equality

      The judgment reinforces:

      • Article 14 (Equality)
      • Article 21A (Education)
      • Constitutional vision of inclusive education.
      1. Prevents Discrimination
      Private schools cannot create procedural barriers against poor students.

Challenges in Implementation

  • Delay in reimbursement to private schools
  • Lack of awareness among poor families
  • Documentation problems
  • Hidden expenses like books and uniforms
  • Weak monitoring mechanisms

Iran War Continues to Shake Global Economy and West Asia

The ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States remained a major international issue with rising concerns over global energy security, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and increasing geopolitical instability in West Asia.

Why in News?

Report highlighted:

  • Iran’s warning of a “long and painful” response if the US resumes attacks.
  • Continued disruption in global oil supply chains.

Rising crude oil prices due to closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Background of the Conflict

The conflict escalated after coordinated US-Israel military strikes on Iranian military and strategic targets under Operation Epic Fury. Iran retaliated by targeting:

  • US military facilities,
  • Israeli assets,
  • Gulf energy infrastructure.

A temporary ceasefire was announced in April 2026, but tensions remain high and negotiations have not fully succeeded.

Strait of Hormuz: Why Important?

    • The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow sea passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.

      Importance:      

      • Around 20% of global oil and gas trade passes through it.
      • Major oil exporters using this route:
        • Saudi Arabia
        • Iraq
        • UAE
        • Kuwait
        • Iran
      Iran threatened and partially blocked the strait during the conflict.

Global Impact of the War

  1. Rising Crude Oil Prices

Brent crude crossed $120 per barrel, creating inflationary pressure worldwide.

  1. Threat of Global Stagflation

High oil prices may cause:

  • Inflation
  • Slow economic growth
  • Supply chain disruptions

This raises fears of stagflation globally.

  1. Energy and Trade Disruptions
  • Shipping routes affected
  • Fertilizer supply impacted
  • Maritime security concerns increased.

Impact on India

India is highly vulnerable because:

  • It imports nearly 85% of crude oil.
  • A large Indian diaspora lives in Gulf countries.

Major Concerns:

  1. Rising fuel prices and inflation
  2. Pressure on rupee and fiscal deficit
  3. Threat to energy security
  4. Impact on Chabahar Port and IMEEC connectivity projects
  5. Risk to Indian citizens in West Asia

India has advised citizens to leave Iran and called for restraint and diplomacy.

India’s Diplomatic Position

India is following a policy of:

  • Strategic autonomy
  • Balanced relations with:
    • Iran
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Gulf nations

India has emphasized:

  • Dialogue,
  • Peaceful resolution,
  • Protection of maritime trade routes.

Leaf Spot Disease Threatens Arecanut Cultivation in Karnataka

Leaf Spot Disease affecting arecanut plantations became an important agriculture and environment-related issue in news. The disease has severely affected arecanut farmers in Karnataka, especially in Dakshina Kannada and surrounding regions. To tackle the issue, the ICAR–Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) launched scientific field demonstrations and installed automatic weather stations to study the disease spread

What is Leaf Spot Disease?

    • Leaf spot disease is a group of plant diseases mainly caused by:

      • Fungi
      • Bacteria
      • Other microorganisms

      In arecanut, the disease is mainly linked to fungal infection. It damages leaves and reduces photosynthesis, weakening the plant.

      Symptoms

      • Brown or black spots on leaves
      • Yellow margins around lesions
      • Drying of leaves and fronds
      • Premature leaf fall
      Reduced crop productivity

Why is it Spreading Rapidly?

    • Major causes include:

      1. Heavy rainfall and excess moisture
      2. Climate change and humidity
      3. Airborne fungal spores
      4. Poor drainage and overcrowded plantations

      The disease spreads faster during prolonged wet conditions.

Government and Scientific Response

Role of CPCRI                                      

The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) under ICAR is conducting:

  • Three-year field demonstrations
  • Scientific crop management studies
  • Nutrient management experiments
  • Disease monitoring in arecanut gardens

Automatic Weather Station

An automatic weather station was installed in Sullia taluk, Karnataka, to study:

  • Rainfall
  • Temperature
  • Humidity
  • Climate conditions responsible for disease spread

Management Measures

Experts recommended:

  • Proper drainage
  • Removal of infected leaves
  • Balanced nutrient supply
  • Use of Bordeaux mixture and fungicides
  • Biological control using Trichoderma

Scientific plantation management

Importance for India

Arecanut is an important plantation crop in:

  • Karnataka
  • Kerala
  • Assam

The disease threatens:

  • Farmer income
  • Plantation economy
  • Agricultural sustainability

It also highlights the link between:

  • Climate change
  • Crop diseases
  • Food and livelihood security.

    Arecanut is an important plantation crop in:

    • Karnataka
    • Kerala
    • Assam

    The disease threatens:

    • Farmer income
    • Plantation economy
    • Agricultural sustainability

    It also highlights the link between:

    • Climate change
    • Crop diseases
    • Food and livelihood security.

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