Tuesday, 6 October 2026

Why in news?

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the first indigenously built Fleet Support Ship (FSS) named 'Surya' and laid the keel for the fifth vessel of the series at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam.

Key points

1. 1This marks a significant step towards self-reliance in naval shipbuilding.
2. 2The FSS 'Surya' is designed to refuel and resupply warships at sea.
3. 3It has 82% indigenous content and utilizes integrated modular construction.
4. 4HSL's modernized slipway and Goliath crane will enhance its shipbuilding capacity.

Background & context

Fleet Support Ships (FSS) are crucial for maintaining naval presence at sea by enabling warships to operate for extended periods without returning to port for refueling and resupply. India has previously operated ships like INS Shakti, INS Jyoti, INS Deepak, and INS Aditya.

Why in news?

The Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission (TGERC) approved true-up charges of ₹5,420.23 crore to be recovered from consumers, leading to an increase in electricity tariffs.

Key points

1. 1Electricity prices will increase by ₹0.30 to ₹0.50 per unit for non-agricultural consumers.
2. 2The hike is to recover true-up charges for energy consumed in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
3. 3True-up charges represent the difference between the cost of power supplied and the price recovered.
4. 4The recovery period for these charges will be 26 to 29 months.
5. 5Agricultural pump-set consumers are exempt, with the government to be approached for their costs.

Background & context

True-up charges are mechanisms used by regulatory commissions to reconcile the actual costs incurred by electricity distribution companies (Discoms) with the revenue earned from consumers. This typically occurs due to unforeseen increases in fuel costs, power purchase expenses, and operational expenditures.

Why in news?

Bypolls were conducted for five Assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha constituency amidst allegations of voter intimidation and irregularities.

Key points

1. 1Voting took place in West Bengal (Rejinagar), Tamil Nadu (Madurantakam, Dharapuram), Puducherry, and Assam (Nagaon Lok Sabha).
2. 2Allegations of voters being denied the right to vote and polling agents being prevented from entering booths were reported.
3. 3A candidate in Tamil Nadu claimed spending ₹31 crore for the election, prompting an ECI inquiry.
4. 4High voter turnout was recorded in Tamil Nadu's constituencies.
5. 5EVM glitches were reported in some polling stations in Madurantakam.

Background & context

Bypolls are elections held to fill vacancies in legislative bodies (Parliament or State Assemblies) that arise due to death, resignation, or disqualification of a member. They are crucial for reflecting the current political sentiment of a constituency and can impact the overall strength of parties.