Current Affairs 14 May 2026

China Develops AI System for Converting Wastewater into Fertilizer.

• Chinese researchers created an AI-based electrochemical process to convert nitrate-polluted wastewater into sustainable agricultural ammonia.
• Uses machine learning to design optimal Dual-Atom Catalysts (DAC) for nitrate electroreduction.
• Operates at room temperature with renewable electricity, achieving ~3× higher efficiency than previous methods.
• Environmental benefits:
• Reduces aquatic dead zones (eutrophication).
• Lowers industrial pollution, global CO2 emissions (1.4%), and energy use (2%) linked to traditional ammonia production.
• Replaces the fossil-fuel-intensive Haber-Bosch process.
• DAC ensures maximum atomic efficiency, outperforming single-atom or bulk metal catalysts.

DRDO Tests Hypersonic Missile Scramjet Combustor Successfully.

• Defence Research & Development Laboratory conducted a long-duration test of an actively cooled full-scale scramjet combustor on May 9, 2026.
• Test Venue: Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) Facility, Hyderabad.
• Performance: Continuous engine run-time of over 1,200 seconds, surpassing previous 700-second benchmark.
• Key Technologies:
• Liquid hydrocarbon endothermic fuel
• High-temperature thermal barrier coating
• Developed by DRDL with private industry partners.
• Strategic Use: Forms the foundation for India’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Program.

ICMR and ICAR Introduce SEHAT Health Convergence Programme.

• ICMR and ICAR launched the SEHAT initiative to link agriculture with public health outcomes.
• SEHAT: Science Excellence for Health through Agricultural Transformation.
• Aim: Shift from curative to preventive healthcare by integrating agriculture, nutrition, and research.
• Focus: Address undernutrition and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
• Five priority pillars:
• Biofortified and nutrient-rich crops to reduce malnutrition
• Integrated farming systems for dietary diversity and income growth
• Mitigation of occupational health risks for farmers
• Promotion of functional foods for NCD prevention
• One Health approach for human–animal–environment disease surveillance
• Jointly supported by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.

Indian Coast Guard Holds ACV Girder Ceremony in Goa.

• Ministry of Defence conducted the Girder Laying Ceremony for 4th, 5th, and 6th Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) of the Indian Coast Guard in Goa.
• Venue: Rassaim Yard, Chowgule Shipyard, Goa.
• Built by Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd. under Aatmanirbhar Bharat (50% indigenous content).
• Contract for six ACVs signed on October 24, 2024.
• Purpose: High-speed coastal patrol, reconnaissance, interception, interdiction, and search & rescue operations.
• ACVs (hovercrafts) operate over land, water, marshy, and shallow areas.

West Bengal Introduces Annapurna Bhandar Scheme.

• West Bengal introduces the Annapurna Bhandar scheme from June 1, 2026.
• Provides ₹3,000 monthly direct financial assistance to eligible women.
• Replaces the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.
• Free travel for women in all state-run buses from June 2026.
• Integrates several central schemes, including Ayushman Bharat, PM Jan Arogya Yojana, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, PM SHRI Schools, PM Vishwakarma, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Ujjwala Yojana 3.0.
• Includes measures for BSF land transfer for border fencing and implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).