Daily Current Affairs 11 July 2026 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 11 July 2026 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

El Nino Explained for UPSC

Source: Indian Express
GS I: Salient features of World’s Physical Geography.   GS III: Disaster Management, Environment, Agriculture

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. El Niño
3. Reasons for the Strengthening El Niño
4. Impact of El Niño on India
5. India’s Preparedness

Why in the News?

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has estimated an 81% chance of the current El Niño becoming very strong during October–December.

News in Brief

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has cautioned that a stronger El Niño may lead to below-normal monsoon rainfall over parts of the country.
• If this happens, it could be one of the strongest El Niño events since 1950.
• IMD has also indicated that the present El Niño is likely to continue into 2027, with possible impacts on agriculture, water availability, and the economy.

El Niño

• El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a large-scale ocean–atmosphere climate phenomenon over the tropical Pacific Ocean.
• It develops when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific become warmer than normal, weakening the trade winds and altering global weather patterns.
• Although it originates in the Pacific, its effects are felt across many regions, including India.
• El Nino and La Nina, the two phases of ENSO (El Niño–Southern Oscillation) and can trigger extreme weather, droughts, and heatwaves across the globe.
• Over the Indian Ocean Region it can adversely affect rain.
• The ENSO phase and intensity of El Niño and La Niña is determined by monitoring the surface temperature of a specific region of the Pacific Ocean called the Niño 3.4 region.
• This region is the standard reference area used by meteorological agencies such as NOAA.
• El Niño is declared when the sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly in this region is at least +0.5°C (along with supporting atmospheric conditions).

During El Niño

• Trade winds weaken or may even reverse.
• Warm surface waters shift eastward towards South America.
• Upwelling along the Peru coast weakens.
• The central and eastern Pacific become warmer than normal.
• Rainfall shifts eastward, while India, Australia, and Indonesia often experience reduced rainfall.

During La Niña

• Trade winds become stronger than usual.
• Upwelling along the Peru coast intensifies.
• The eastern Pacific becomes cooler than normal.
• Rainfall increases over the western Pacific, often supporting a stronger Indian monsoon.

Classification of El Niño Intensity

• The Niño 3.4 Index measures SST anomalies in the central equatorial Pacific.

Reasons for the Strengthening El Niño

• The current El Niño is strengthening due to a combination of oceanic and atmospheric factors:
  • Warm subsurface waters in the Pacific are supplying additional heat to the ocean surface.
  • Weakening trade winds allow warm surface waters to spread eastward across the Pacific.
  • Positive ocean–atmosphere feedback further reinforces the warming and weakens the trade winds.
  • Eastward movement of warm water increases sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific.
  • High ocean heat content provides the energy needed to sustain and intensify the event.
  • Climate change may increase the frequency and intensity of extreme El Niño events, although research on its exact influence is still evolving.

Impact of El Niño on India

• Monsoon – Weakens the Southwest Monsoon, causing delayed onset, prolonged dry spells, uneven rainfall, and below-normal precipitation.
• Agriculture & Water Resources – Affects Kharif crops, lowers yields, increases irrigation demand, and reduces reservoir levels, river flows, and groundwater availability.
• Economy & Energy – Lower farm output can fuel food inflation, reduce rural incomes, and increase dependence on thermal power due to lower hydropower generation.
• Environment & Health – Increases the risk of heatwaves, droughts, forest fires, water scarcity, and heat-related illnesses, while also affecting biodiversity.
• Note:
  • El Niño is only one of the factors that influence the Indian monsoon.
  • Its impact depends on the interaction of other climate systems such as the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), Western Disturbances, Eurasian snow cover, Arabian Sea warming, and local atmospheric conditions.
  • A positive IOD can partly offset the adverse effects of El Niño, which is why not every El Niño year results in drought.

India’s Preparedness

• Improved seasonal forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
• Expansion of the Doppler Weather Radar network for better weather monitoring.
• Reservoir and water resource management to address rainfall deficits.
• Promotion of climate-resilient agriculture and drought-tolerant crop varieties.
• Drought contingency plans for vulnerable regions.
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to provide crop insurance.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) to promote micro-irrigation and efficient water use.
• Implementation of the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) for disaster preparedness and response.

Key Takeaways

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements:

1. El Niño is associated with warming of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
2. El Niño generally strengthens the Indian Summer Monsoon.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Mains Practice Question

Q. Discuss the impact of extreme El Niño events on India’s agriculture, water security, disaster management and economic growth. Suggest suitable adaptation strategies. (15 Marks)

Landslide Early Warning Systems In India

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Disaster Management

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Landslides
3. Major Causes of Landslides
4. Landslide Early Warning Systems (LEWS)
5. Landslide-Prone Regions in India
6. Significance of Early Warning Systems

Why in the News?

Recent landslides in the Western Ghats, particularly Wayanad (Kerala), and other parts of India have revived discussions on the urgent need for Landslide Early Warning Systems (LEWS).

News in Brief

• Growing frequency of landslides has shifted the focus towards proactive landslide risk management using advanced early warning systems.
• Indigenous institutions are developing advanced forecasting and monitoring technologies for vulnerable regions.
• Research efforts focus on improving disaster preparedness and timely response in the Himalayas and Western Ghats.

Landslides

• A landslide is the downward movement of rock, soil, or debris along a slope under the influence of gravity.
• It is one of the most common geological hazards in mountainous and hilly regions and can be triggered by both natural processes and human activities.
• India is highly vulnerable to landslides, particularly in the Himalayas, North-East, Western Ghats, and parts of the Eastern Ghats.

Major Causes of Landslides

Natural Causes

• Intense rainfall, cloudbursts, and prolonged monsoon precipitation.
• Earthquakes that destabilize slopes.
• Volcanic activity in geologically active regions.
• Weathering, erosion, and river undercutting.
• Naturally steep and fragile hill slopes.

Human-Induced Causes

• Deforestation and removal of vegetation cover.
• Road construction, hill cutting, and tunneling.
• Mining, quarrying, and blasting activities.
• Hydropower and infrastructure projects in fragile terrains.
• Unplanned urbanization and encroachment on unstable slopes.

Landslide Early Warning Systems (LEWS)

• A Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) is a technology-based disaster management mechanism that continuously monitors environmental and geological conditions to assess landslide risk.
• By analyzing rainfall patterns, slope movement, soil moisture, and ground stability, the system issues timely alerts before slope failure, enabling evacuation and reducing casualties and economic losses.

Working Mechanism of LEWS

• The system combines multiple technologies for accurate forecasting:
  • Ground-based sensors such as tilt meters, accelerometers, pressure gauges, ground movement sensors, and rain gauges continuously monitor changes in slope stability.
  • Satellite-based remote sensing and GIS provide terrain mapping, land-use analysis, and historical landslide inventories to identify vulnerable locations.
  • Weather forecasting models integrate high-resolution rainfall predictions with rainfall threshold analysis to estimate the probability of slope failure.
  • Once critical thresholds are exceeded, automated alerts are transmitted to district authorities and local communities for timely response.

Indigenous Early Warning Models

• IIT Mandi Model
  • Researchers at IIT Mandi, led by Prof. Dericks Praise Shukla, have developed an indigenous probabilistic forecasting model for the Himalayan region.
  • The model integrates rainfall forecasts, slope stability, rock type, soil characteristics, and population exposure to identify vulnerable areas and provide advance warning for evacuation.
• Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Model
  • Amrita University has established sensor-based monitoring networks on vulnerable slopes to track real-time ground movement.
  • The system has demonstrated its effectiveness in supporting timely evacuation during landslide events, highlighting the potential of indigenous technologies in disaster risk reduction.

Landslide-Prone Regions in India

• The Himalayan States—Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh—experience frequent landslides due to steep terrain and active tectonics.
• In the North-East, states such as Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Meghalaya remain highly vulnerable because of intense rainfall and fragile geology.
• The Western Ghats, covering Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, are also major landslide hotspots during the monsoon season.

Significance of Early Warning Systems

• Effective early warning systems save lives by enabling timely evacuation.
• Reduce damage to infrastructure and property
• Strengthen disaster preparedness
• Improve response planning by local authorities
• Support long-term resilience in landslide-prone communities.

Challenges

• The effectiveness of LEWS is constrained by the highly localized nature of landslides
• Limited sensor coverage in remote regions
• Inadequate high-resolution rainfall forecasts
• High installation and maintenance costs
• Difficult terrain
• The need for better coordination among scientific institutions, meteorological agencies, and disaster management authorities.

Government Initiatives

• India has adopted several measures to strengthen landslide management, including
  • The NDMA Guidelines on Landslides
  • The National Landslide Risk Management Strategy (2019)
  • The Geological Survey of India (GSI) Landslide Atlas
  • The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP)
  • IMD’s rainfall forecasting services
  • ISRO’s satellite–based monitoring for hazard assessment.

Way Forward

• India should expand sensor networks across vulnerable regions
• Strengthen high-resolution weather forecasting,
• Integrate Artificial Intelligence, GIS, and satellite data for real-time risk assessment
• Improve community awareness and preparedness
• Enforce sustainable land-use regulations in hill areas
• Establish a comprehensive nationwide Landslide Early Warning Network to minimize disaster risks and enhance resilience.

Key Takeaways

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Which of the following are major landslide triggers?

1. Heavy rainfall
2. Earthquakes
3. Deforestation
4. Mining

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2, 3 and 4
D. 1 and 4 only

Answer: C

Mains Practice Question

Q. Discuss the causes of landslides in India. Examine the role of technology and early warning systems in mitigating landslide disasters. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

Cybercrime In India

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Internal Security, Basics of Cyber Security

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Cybercrime and its Types
3. Status of Cybercrime In India
4. Government measures
5. Way Forward & Conclusion

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) briefed the Prime Minister on India’s strengthened cybercrime response, highlighting key measures to combat digital fraud and improve cyber security.

News in Brief

• The government highlighted timely interventions to prevent cyber fraud and introduced mechanisms for faster compensation to victims.
• The e-Zero FIR system has been rolled out to enable immediate registration and investigation of major cyber financial crimes.
• The Centre is strengthening the national cybercrime ecosystem by blocking malicious digital platforms and expanding coordination among law enforcement agencies, banks, and cyber security institutions.

Cybercrime and its Types

• Cybercrime refers to illegal activities committed using computers, mobile devices, digital networks, or the internet.
• It may target individuals, organizations, or governments, causing financial, data, or security losses.

Types of Cybercrime

• Online Financial and UPI Fraud – Fraudsters trick people into transferring money through fake investment offers, shopping websites, or payment requests.
• Phishing and OTP Scams – Fake emails, messages, or calls are used to steal banking details, passwords, or OTPs.
• Identity Theft and Social Media Impersonation – Personal information is misused or fake social media accounts are created to deceive people.
• QR Code Fraud – Victims are tricked into scanning fake QR codes that result in unauthorized money transfers.
• Malware and Ransomware – Harmful software infects devices to steal data, disrupt systems, or lock files until a ransom is paid.
• SIM Swap Fraud – Fraudsters obtain a duplicate SIM card to gain access to bank accounts and digital wallets.
• Deepfake Fraud – AI-generated fake voices or videos are used to impersonate individuals and commit financial or other frauds.
• Cryptocurrency Scams – Fake investment schemes or fraudulent crypto platforms are used to cheat investors.
• Cyber Terrorism – Cyber attacks are carried out against critical infrastructure or government systems to threaten national security.

Status of Cybercrime In India

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA):

• India has witnessed a sharp rise in cybercrime complaints, reflecting the growing scale of digital fraud.
• Cyber financial crimes have resulted in significant monetary losses for individuals and businesses.
• Timely intervention by law enforcement and financial institutions has helped freeze fraudulent transactions and recover part of the stolen money.
• The trend highlights the need for faster investigation, stronger cyber security infrastructure, greater public awareness, and improved recovery mechanisms.

Government measures

Legal and Investigation Reforms

• E-Zero FIR system
  • The Union Ministry of Home Affairs’ Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has  introduced an automated E-Zero FIR system.
  • The e-Zero FIR system has been introduced in select States and Union Territories as part of a phased rollout.
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs is progressively expanding its implementation across the country to establish a uniform and efficient mechanism for investigating cyber financial crimes.
  • Objective
    • To ensure immediate registration of serious cyber financial crimes without waiting for jurisdictional formalities.
  • Key Features
    • Complaints can be lodged through:
      • National Cybercrime Reporting Portal
      • Cyber Helpline 1930
    • Complaints involving financial loss above ₹10 lakh are automatically converted into e-Zero FIRs.
    • Police investigation starts immediately.
    • Jurisdiction can be decided later.
    • Helps prevent criminals from moving stolen money rapidly.

Institutional Framework

• Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C)
  • Provides a comprehensive framework to enable Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to deal with cybercrimes in an organized and coordinated manner.
  • It supports capacity-building through specialised training programmes, research, and development of technical tools.
  • It also facilitates real-time information sharing and coordinated investigations
  • Enables effective action against cybercriminal networks, including those engaged in financial frauds and other organized cyber offences.
• National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP)
  • The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal is India’s central platform for reporting cyber offences.
  • Developed by
    • Ministry of Home Affairs
    • Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)
  • Features
    • Online complaint registration
    • Tracking complaint status
    • Financial fraud reporting
    • Child pornography reporting
    • Women and child cybercrime complaints
    • Integration with police agencies
    • Integration with banks and payment systems
• Cyber Helpline 1930
  • Purpose
    • A dedicated national helpline for reporting financial cyber fraud immediately.
  • Importance
    • Early reporting increases the chances of freezing stolen money.
    • Banks receive alerts quickly.
    • Payment gateways coordinate with police.
    • Prevents further transfer of funds.
• Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS)
  • The platform connects:
    • Banks
    • Financial institutions
    • Payment gateways
    • Police agencies
    • NCRP
  • It enables immediate freezing of suspicious transactions.

Preventive and Enforcement Measures

• Suspect Registry
  • The Suspect Registry maintains an extensive database of suspected fraudsters, mule accounts, fake identities, fraudulent mobile numbers, and suspicious devices, enabling proactive detection and disruption of cybercrime networks.
• Blocking of Digital Platforms
  • The Government has blocked a vast network of malicious digital platforms, including URLs, mobile applications, and websites, under the Information Technology Act, 2000 to safeguard India’s sovereignty, integrity, and public order.
• Mule Account Detection
  • Law enforcement agencies have identified and frozen a large network of mule bank accounts used by cybercriminals to receive and transfer proceeds of financial fraud.
• Suspicious Identifier Flagging
  • Authorities have flagged a wide range of suspicious digital identifiers, including mobile numbers, email IDs, bank accounts, and devices, to disrupt cyber fraud networks and strengthen preventive enforcement.

Way Forward & Conclusion

• As cyber threats become more sophisticated, India must strengthen its cyber security ecosystem by expanding e-Zero FIR nationwide, enhancing cyber forensic and investigation capabilities, improving coordination among law enforcement agencies, banks, and technology platforms, and promoting digital literacy.
• A robust legal framework, supported by advanced technologies and public awareness, will be crucial for building a secure, resilient, and trusted digital ecosystem aligned with the vision of Digital India.

Key Takeaways

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding e-Zero FIR:

1. It allows cyber financial crime complaints above a prescribed threshold to be automatically converted into FIRs.
2. Jurisdiction is decided after registration to enable immediate investigation.
3. It is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

Mains Practice Question

Q. ‘A resilient cyber security ecosystem is essential for achieving the goals of Digital India.’ Comment.

Cotton Productivity in India: Challenges

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Major Crops – Cropping Patterns, Environmental Degradation, Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications 

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Cotton in India
3. What is GM Cotton?
4. Reason for Decline of Cotton Productivity
5. Way Forward

Why in the News?

India’s cotton productivity debate has gained attention amid discussions on approving new GM cotton varieties, with emphasis on improving soil health, agronomic practices, and climate resilience rather than relying solely on genetically modified seeds.

News in Brief

• The debate on reviving India’s cotton sector has highlighted that approving new GM cotton varieties alone is unlikely to significantly increase productivity.
• Declining soil health, climate change, pest resistance, and poor agronomic practices are identified as the major causes of stagnant cotton yields.
• The focus should shift towards soil restoration, efficient irrigation, integrated crop management, and climate-resilient cotton varieties under the Cotton Technology Mission to ensure sustainable productivity.

Cotton in India

Importance of Cotton

• Supports the textile industry, one of India’s largest manufacturing sectors.
• Provides raw material for the garment and apparel industry.
• Contributes significantly to cotton yarn, textiles, and garment exports, earning valuable foreign exchange.
• Provides livelihood to over six million cotton farmers and millions more engaged in ginning, spinning, weaving, processing, and marketing.
• Generates substantial rural employment, especially in cotton-growing regions.
• Contributes to the growth of allied industries such as textiles, handicrafts, and apparel manufacturing.

Cotton Cultivation in India

• India has the largest area under cotton cultivation in the world.
• Cotton is cultivated in both irrigated and rainfed areas, with nearly two-thirds of the crop grown under rainfed conditions, making production vulnerable to climate variability.
• Cotton is mainly grown in the Kharif season and requires:
  • Warm climate (21–30°C)
  • Moderate rainfall (50–100 cm)
  • Frost-free conditions
  • Deep black cotton (regur) soils, though it is also grown in alluvial and red soils.

Major Cotton-Producing States

• Gujarat
• Maharashtra
• Telangana
• Andhra Pradesh
• Rajasthan
• Madhya Pradesh
• Punjab
• Haryana

Challenges in India’s Cotton Sector

• Stagnating productivity despite widespread adoption of Bt cotton.
• Declining soil fertility and organic carbon.
• Climate change leading to heat stress, droughts, and erratic rainfall.
• Rising pest resistance, especially pink bollworm.
• High dependence on rainfed agriculture.
• Increasing cost of cultivation and input use.

What is GM Cotton?

• Genetically Modified (GM) Cotton is cotton whose genetic material (DNA) is altered using biotechnology to introduce desirable traits such as insect resistance or herbicide tolerance.
• The objective is to reduce crop losses, lower pesticide use, and improve farm management.

Bt Cotton

• Bt Cotton contains a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
• The gene produces a Bt protein that is toxic to bollworms, one of the most destructive pests of cotton.
• It reduces the need for chemical insecticides against bollworms.
• Approved for commercial cultivation in India in 2002.
• Bt Cotton is currently the only commercially approved GM crop in India.
  • GM mustard has received regulatory approval but is not yet commercially cultivated on a large scale.

New GM Cotton Technologies

• The next-generation GM cotton technologies proposed for approval:
  • BG-II RRFlex- Combines insect resistance with herbicide tolerance.
  • Bollgard-III- Designed to provide broader and longer-lasting protection against insect pests.
  • Herbicide-Tolerant (HT) Cotton – Allows the use of specific herbicides for effective weed control.
  • ThryvOn Technology – Provides protection against sap-sucking pests such as aphids and thrips.
• Intended Benefits
  • Better weed management.
  • Enhanced protection against insect pests.
  • Reduced pesticide use.
  • Easier and more efficient farm operations.
  • Lower labour requirements for weed control.
• Concerns Highlighted
  • While these technologies can improve pest and weed management, they do not directly increase cotton yields.
  • Sustainable improvements in productivity require:
    • Better soil health.
    • Improved agronomic practices.
    • Efficient water management.
    • Climate-resilient cotton varieties.
    • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to tackle pest resistance.

Reason for Decline of Cotton Productivity

• Poor soil health has reduced cotton productivity due to declining Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), nutrient imbalance, and land degradation.
• Climate change has increased heat waves, erratic rainfall, and drought, adversely affecting cotton yields.
• Pink bollworm has developed resistance to Bt cotton, reducing its effectiveness against pests.
• Imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers has lowered soil fertility and nutrient-use efficiency.
• Water stress has become a major challenge as most cotton cultivation in India is rainfed.
• Continuous monocropping has depleted soil nutrients and increased pest and disease incidence.

Way Forward

• Restore soil health by increasing Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) through organic manure and crop residues.
• Promote balanced fertilizer use based on soil health cards and nutrient requirements.
• Improve irrigation efficiency through micro-irrigation and better water management.
• Adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to reduce pest resistance and pesticide use.
• Develop climate-resilient cotton varieties to withstand heat, drought, and emerging pests.
• Strengthen agricultural extension services to disseminate scientific farming practices.
• Approve new technologies only after rigorous scientific assessment and biosafety evaluation.
• Encourage crop diversification and sustainable farming to improve soil fertility and long-term productivity.

Key Takeaways

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding GM crops in India:

1. Bt cotton is the only commercially approved GM crop in India.
2. Bt cotton contains a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis that provides resistance against bollworms.
3. New GM cotton technologies directly guarantee higher cotton yields.

Select the correct answer using the code given below

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 3 only

d) 1,2 and 3

Answer: a) 1 and 2 only

Mains Practice Question

Q. Critically examine the role of genetically modified (GM) cotton in improving cotton productivity in India. Suggest measures for sustainable growth of the cotton sector. (150 words)

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