Prelims Current Affairs includes Fp-7 Missile, Mumbai’s Jawahar Dweep Becomes India’s First Plastic-Free Oil Terminal, Pm-Dhara Scheme, International Whaling Commission (Iwc-70), India Bans Paraquat Dichloride & Kumkum Mohod, Sujeet Kalkal Named First Recipients Of New Ioa Awards

DEFENCE

1. FP-7 MISSILE

Current Context: Ukraine used its domestically developed FP-7 tactical ballistic missile in combat for the first time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced.

ABOUT FP-7 MISSILE

• FP-7 is a Ukrainian short-range/tactical ballistic missile developed by the Ukrainian defence company Fire Point.
• Nickname: Pelican.
• It is a ground-launched missile designed for rapid strikes against targets at tactical and operational depths.
• Reported range: Up to about 200-250 km.
• Warhead: Reported at around 150-200 kg, with publicly available figures varying by source.
• Maximum speed: About 1,500 metres per second.

POLITY

2. MUMBAI’S JAWAHAR DWEEP BECOMES INDIA’S FIRST PLASTIC-FREE OIL TERMINAL

Current Context: The Jawahar Dweep Marine Oil Terminal under the Mumbai Port Authority was declared India’s first plastic-free oil terminal on 2 October 2026 during Swachhata Abhiyan 2026.

ABOUT JAWAHAR DWEEP

• Jawahar Dweep is a Marine Oil Terminal that handles crude oil and petroleum products.
• The terminal was originally commissioned during 1954-56 with three jetties and was then known as Butcher Island, later renamed Jawahar Dweep.
• The declaration reflects the terminal’s efforts to eliminate single-use plastic from its operations.
• It forms part of Mumbai Port Authority’s broader programme to reduce single-use plastics, improve waste management and promote sustainable port operations.

SCHEMES

3. PM-DHARA SCHEME

Current Context: The Union Cabinet approved the ₹1.86 lakh crore PM-DHARA scheme to strengthen India’s Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) and facilitate the evacuation of renewable energy.

ABOUT PM-DHARA

• The scheme is designed to support the integration of up to 135 GW of renewable energy across States and Union Territories, along with 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
• Full Form: PM-Developing Harmonized and Accelerated Renewable-energy Access.
• Approval date: 30 September 2026.
• Implementation target: By FY 2032-33.
• The scheme is essentially the Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) initiative for strengthening intra-state transmission infrastructure along with battery storage.

MAJOR COMPONENTS

• Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS): developing and strengthening transmission networks within States and UTs.
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): to support 50 GWh of battery storage capacity.

WHY IS PM-DHARA NEEDED?

• Rapid growth of solar and wind power requires stronger transmission networks to carry electricity from renewable-rich areas to consumption centres.
• Renewable generation is intermittent, particularly because solar power is available only during daylight hours.
• Battery storage can store surplus electricity and release it during peak demand or non-solar hours.
• The scheme will address transmission congestion, renewable-energy curtailment and grid flexibility.

SUMMITS

4. INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION (IWC-70)

Current Context: India reaffirmed its commitment to the conservation of whales and other cetaceans at the 70th meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC-70) held in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, from 28 September to 2 October 2026.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION

• It was established under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW), 1946, signed in Washington, D.C. on 2 December 1946.
• The IWC was established to regulate whaling and ensure the conservation of whale stocks. Its work has expanded to address broader threats to cetaceans.
• Membership: The IWC currently has 89 member governments.
• 2026 significance: The year 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the signing of the ICRW.

INDIA AND IWC

• India became an IWC member in 1981 and has supported whale conservation through international cooperation.
• India emphasised the importance of scientific information on population status, distribution, movements, breeding ecology and threats for effective conservation.
• Under India’s Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, cetacean species occurring in Indian waters receive the highest level of legal protection

ENVIRONMENT

5. INDIA BANS PARAQUAT DICHLORIDE

Current Context: The Central Government has prohibited the registration of Paraquat Dichloride and cancelled existing registrations, citing risks to human beings and animals.

ABOUT PARAQUAT DICHLORIDE

• Paraquat Dichloride is a non-selective, contact herbicide used to control weeds.
• It is a highly toxic pesticide, and exposure can cause serious poisoning.

WHY WAS IT BANNED?

• The Government concluded that the use of Paraquat Dichloride involves risks to humans and animals requiring immediate regulatory action.
• The Government’s 2026 review also noted that Paraquat Dichloride had already been banned or severely restricted in more than 70 countries.

LEGAL BASIS

• The prohibition was issued under Section 27(2) read with Section 28 of the Insecticides Act, 1968.

AWARDS & HONOURS

6. KUMKUM MOHOD, SUJEET KALKAL NAMED FIRST RECIPIENTS OF NEW IOA AWARDS

Current Context: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) named archer Kumkum Anil Mohod and wrestler Sujeet Kalkal as the inaugural recipients of the Jaspal Rana Award and Raja Randhir Singh Award, respectively, for their performances at the Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games 2026

ABOUT THE AWARDS

• Instituted by the IOA to recognise the best female and male sportspersons of the Asian Games..

KUMKUM MOHOD

• 17-year-old archer, made her Asian Games debut.
• Won three medals, including two gold medals.

SUJEET KALKAL

• 23-year-old wrestler, won gold in men’s 65 kg freestyle.
• In semifinal, defeated reigning Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka of Japan.
• In final, came back from 2-9 down to win 10-9 against Abdulmazhid Kudiyev.

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