Current Affairs 26 October 2025
China’s CR450 Becomes World’s Fastest High-Speed Train
- China has achieved another milestone in rail technology as its newly developed CR450 bullet train set a world record by reaching a staggering speed of 453 km/h during pre-service testing.
- The CR450, unveiled on the Shanghai–Chengdu high-speed corridor, represents a major leap forward for China’s already dominant high-speed rail industry and is expected to enter commercial service in 2026 with an operating speed of 400 km/h.
- It features a 15-metre aerodynamic nose cone for reduced air drag and noise.
Uttarakhand to Impose Green Tax on Vehicles from Outside States from December 2025
- Uttarakhand is set to introduce a green tax on all vehicles entering the state from December 2025 as part of its broader environmental conservation and pollution control efforts. The initiative, led by the state transport department, aims to protect the Himalayan ecosystem and maintain cleanliness across popular tourist destinations.
- New Green Tax Mechanism in Uttarakhand
- According to state officials, varying rates have been fixed for different categories of vehicles: ₹80 for small vehicles, ₹250 for small cargo vehicles, ₹140 for buses, and between ₹120 and ₹700 for trucks depending on their weight. The collection process will be fully automated, using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras installed at 37 entry points along the state borders. These cameras will capture vehicle registration numbers and transmit the data to a vendor appointed by the transport department.
Scientists Discover ‘Super-Earth’ GJ 251 c Just 20 Light-Years Away
- Astronomers have identified a promising new exoplanet, GJ 251 c, located just 20 light-years from Earth, which may possess characteristics conducive to supporting life. The discovery, made by an international team including researchers from Penn State University, represents a major advancement in the ongoing search for Earth-like planets within our galactic neighbourhood.
- Discovery of GJ 251 c
- GJ 251 c is classified as a “super-Earth” — a type of exoplanet larger than Earth but smaller than gas giants such as Neptune. Preliminary data suggests the planet is nearly four times as massive as Earth and is likely composed of rocky material. Scientists believe its proximity to its host star places it within the “habitable zone,” also known as the Goldilocks Zone, where liquid water could potentially exist on its surface.
