Author: instakas

PRASHAD Scheme

Governance

In News

• Union Civil Aviation Minister announced plans to enhance pilgrimage tourism in Andhra Pradesh under the PRASHAD scheme.

Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) Scheme

• Launched in – 2014–2015
• Financing – Central Sector Scheme
• Implementation – Ministry of Tourism
• Objective- It focuses on developing and identifying pilgrimage sites across India to enrich the religious tourism experience.
• Significance – It improved infrastructure in tourism areas—roads, transport, sanitation, and utilities—and enhanced both residents’ quality of life and the overall experience for tourists.

Prime Minister Launches Full Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor

Economy

News

• The Prime Minister inaugurated India’s first Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) and dedicated the 82-km Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor to the nation.

Namo Bharat

• It is India’s first Regional Rail connecting key urban nodes across the National Capital Region via high-speed rail corridors (82-km long corridor).
• It is a rail-based, high-speed, high-frequency and sustainable transit system with a design speed of 180 Kmph and an average speed of 100 Kmph which aims at bringing people and places closer to NCR.
• Implementing agency – National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
• Significance- Bharat will provide fast, safe, and comfortable regional commute and encourage more people to switch to public transport by way of seamless integration among public transit systems in the region.

Biopharma Shakti

Economy

Context

• India announced a massive investment of ₹10,000 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27 for the biotechnology sector.

Biopharma Shakti

• The aim is to focus on boosting the production of biologics and biosimilars through a new initiative called the Biopharma Shakti.
• The initiative aligns with the aim of transforming India into a leading global biopharma industry and capturing 5% of the global biopharmaceutical market share.
• The initiative is designed to support domestic development and manufacturing of high-value biopharmaceutical products and medicines, reduce import dependence, and enhance India’s competitiveness in global biologics supply chains.
• Biopharma involves production, manufacturing, or extraction of therapies through biological organisms, such as human cells, fungi, or microbes.
• Some examples of biopharmaceuticals include vaccines, antibody treatments, gene therapies, cell implants, modern insulin, and recombinant protein drugs.

Bela Gram Emerge as First Net-zero Village

Environment

News

• Recently, Bela Gram has become India’s first net-zero panchayat.

Basic term – Net zero

• It refers to achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere, effectively reducing human-caused emissions to a net value of zero

Bela Gram

• It is situated in the Bhandara district of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.
• It was recognized as India’s first net-zero panchayat during Mumbai Climate Week 2026 for its sustainable and carbon-neutral initiatives.
• The panchayat leadership plays a vital role in shaping localised climate action and combating climate change.
• It planted over 90,000 trees, transitioned from smoky chulhas to LPG.
• It installed solar panels, promoted waste segregation, and eliminated single-use plastics.
• It received the 2024 Rashtriya Panchayat Puraskar.

Other panchayat-led climate initiatives across India

• Perinjanam, Kerala – “Solar Gramam” project: 850 households became rooftop solar prosumers, reducing bills by 80% and lowering emissions.
• Siyari, Jharkhand – Water conservation, revived lakes, solar irrigation, streetlights, and plantation of thousands of fruit and shade trees using District Mineral Fund support.
• Badakichab, Odisha – Indigenous women mapped commons and planted over 16,000 trees on 10 hectares of unused land, restoring forests.
• Garhi, Bihar – Built 45 mud check dams, 90 boulder dams, and ponds to tackle water scarcity, flash floods, and soil erosion.
• Kolar, Karnataka – Revived lakes and groundwater, reduced chemical fertilizer use, and implemented climate-resilient agriculture practices.

Red Sanders

Environment

Context

• The busy Tirupati pilgrimage route has made Red Sanders smuggling easier in southern Andhra Pradesh.

Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus)

• Endemic Species: Found only in three districts of southern Andhra Pradesh — Chittoor, Nellore, and YSR Kadapa.
• Largest Reserve: Located in the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, part of the Eastern Ghats, covering about 4,755 sq km.
• Growth: A slow-growing species that takes 25–40 years to reach maturity.

Conservation Status:

• Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
• Included under CITES, which strictly regulates international trade.
• Protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

India AI Impact Summit 2026

Science and Technology

Context

• The India AI Impact Summit 2026 concluded in New Delhi recently.

Background of AI Summits

• 2023 Bletchley Park Summit (UK): The first global AI summit was held at Bletchley Park and focused on safety. It brought together countries and experts to discuss AI risks and resulted in the Bletchley Declaration.
• 2024 Seoul Summit (South Korea): The second summit was held in Seoul in May 2024, building on the discussions from the Bletchley Park meeting and broadening to include innovation and inclusivity alongside safety.
• 2025 AI Action Summit (Paris, France): In February 2025, the AI Action Summit took place at the Grand Palais in Paris. It was co-chaired by France and India and followed the earlier Bletchley Park and Seoul events.
• 2026 India AI Impact Summit (New Delhi): This is the next major summit in the series, held in India in February 2026.

India–AI Impact Summit 2026

• Hosted by – the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• It will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
• The Three Sutras: Three foundational pillars, known as ‘Sutras’ e. People, Planet and Progress, define how AI can be harnessed through multilateral cooperation for collective benefit.

Outcomes of the summit

• New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact: Endorsed by 89 countries and international organisations (including the US, China, and France).
• It is a non-binding agreement focused on the democratisation of AI.
• It is guided by the philosophy of “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” (Welfare for all, Happiness for all).
• MANAV Vision: India unveiled the MANAV governance framework, which stands for Moral and ethical systems, Accountable governance, National sovereignty, Accessible and inclusive, and Valid and legitimate.
• Pax Silica Initiative: India formally joined this US-led coalition aimed at securing resilient supply chains for semiconductors, advanced hardware, and critical minerals.
• New Delhi Frontier AI Commitments: A voluntary framework signed by global tech giants (Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, Anthropic) to ensure AI systems are effective across diverse languages and cultures, particularly for the Global South.

Technological & Social Deliverables

• Indigenous Sovereign AI: Launch of several “Made in India” Large Language Models (LLMs):
• Sarvam AI: Unveiled multi-billion parameter open-source models trained on Indian data.
• BharatGen: A 17-billion-parameter multilingual foundational model.
• ai: Launched a multilingual voice model supporting 12 Indian languages.
• Sectoral Impact: Showcased AI applications like Kisan E-Mitra (agriculture), ai (healthcare diagnostics), and the Bhashini platform for real-time translation.

Strategic Framework: Sutras & Chakras

• The summit’s architecture was built on:
• 3 Sutras (Pillars): People, Planet, and Progress.
• 7 Chakras (Working Groups): Human Capital, Inclusion, Safe & Trusted AI, Resilience/Sustainability, Science, Democratising Resources, and Economic Development

India’s Indigenous Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine

Health

Context

• The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare launched the indigenously manufactured Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine at the Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh.

Td Vaccine

• The Td vaccine protects against tetanus and diphtheria, two potentially fatal bacterial diseases.
• It replaces the earlier Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccine, expanding protection to include diphtheria.
• In 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that countries transition from Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccine to Td vaccine.

Tetanus

• Tetanus is a non-contagious infection that affects the nervous system, leading to painful muscle stiffness and spasms.
• Cause: It is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which is commonly found in soil, dust, and animal manure.
• Transmission: The bacteria typically enter the body through a break in the skin, such as a deep cut, puncture wound (like stepping on a rusty nail), or burn.

Diphtheria

• Diphtheria is a highly contagious infection that primarily affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.
• The toxin released by the bacteria can travel through the bloodstream and damage the heart (myocarditis), kidneys, and nerves.
• Cause: It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria.
• Transmission: It spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets (coughing or sneezing) or by touching contaminated objects.

India Joins Pax Silica

Science & Technology

Context

• Recently, India has formally entered the US-led Pax Silica coalition, marking a significant moment in the geopolitics of semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and critical mineral supply chains.

‘Pax Silica’

• launched in – December, 2025
• It is a coalition comprising the United States, Australia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, and now India.
• Objective – It is a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain from critical minerals.
• The term ‘Pax Silica’ derived from Latin ‘Pax’ (peace) and ‘Silica’ (a core compound in semiconductors).
• Significance – It symbolizes the pursuit of technological peace and prosperity through resilient, transparent, and cooperative supply chains.

Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) Scheme

(Government schemes)

Context

• The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament criticised the government for implementation of the Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) scheme.

SANKALP Scheme

• Implementation – Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
• It was launched in 2018,
• It was designed to strengthen short‑term skill training through better institutional frameworks, enhanced industry linkages, and targeted inclusion of marginalised communities.
• Funding: The scheme was slated to be financed through a World Bank loan of ₹3,300 crore, State leverage of ₹660 crore, and industry leverage of ₹495 crore.

International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)

Economy

In News

• The US Supreme Court ruled that President Trump lacked authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 to impose broad import tariffs, citing limits on presidential power over taxation and the “major questions” doctrine.

International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)

• Enacted in 1977,
• It empowers the President to address “unusual and extraordinary” foreign threats to national security, foreign policy, or the economy after declaring a national emergency.
• In response, the President invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to proclaim a new 10% temporary tariff on goods from all countries, effective immediately, as a balance -of-payments measure.

Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)

Syllabus: GS3/ Defence

In News

• India assumed the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) from Thailand.

Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)

• It is a voluntary naval forum launched by the Indian Navy in 2008
• Mandate – to boost maritime cooperation among littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• IONS promotes mutual understanding among navies through biennial conclaves of chiefs, working groups, and activities like workshops and exercises.
• Key focus areas include maritime security (anti-piracy), Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and capacity building to address regional threats collaboratively.
• It features a rotating chairmanship (India held it multiple times) and divides 25 member states into four sub-regions: South Asian (e.g., India, Bangladesh, Maldives), West Asian, Southeast Asian/Australian, and East African.
• Nine observers participate; no fixed headquarters exists.

Malabar Pied Hornbill

Syllabus: GS3/Species

In News

• The Chhattisgarh Forest Department is setting up six “hornbill restaurants” in the Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve to provide a permanent habitat for the rare Malabar Pied Hornbill and promote forest regeneration.

Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus)

• It stands 2 to 2.5 feet tall, has a large beak and vibrant plumage.
• Habitat – It inhabits moist evergreen and tall deciduous forests, plantations, and low-altitude riparian areas
• Occurs in the western Ghats, and in eastern/central India from south-west West Bengal and Bihar, to Andhra Pradesh, India, as well as Sri Lanka
• They are recognised as keystone seed dispersers in tropical forests.
• IUCN Status – ‘Nearly Threatened’

Iran Shuts Strait of Hormuz

Syllabus: GS1/Geography

In News

• Iran temporarily closed parts of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil passe

Strait of Hormuz

• Location – The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
• At its narrowest point it is about 33 kilometres wide, with shipping lanes just a few kilometres across in either direction.
• Significance- Nearly half of India’s crude oil and around 60 per cent of its natural gas imports pass through the strait.

Bihar’s Ban on Open Sale of Meat

Syllabus: GS2/Governance; Health

Context

• The Bihar government announced a ban on open-air and unlicensed meat sales in urban areas.

About

• It prohibits the sale of meat and fish in open spaces, such as roadsides, weekly markets or public thoroughfares, within urban municipal areas.
• Sales are now restricted to licenced shops that comply with hygiene standards such as proper waste disposal.
• Violations can attract penalties under the Bihar Municipal Act, 2007, including fines, seizure of goods and shop closures.
• Other States: Many states have regulations calling for licensed and enclosed sale of m eat and fish. These states include Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand.

Loggerhead Turtles

Syllabus: GS3/Species in News

Context

• According to a recent study, warmer oceans and declining food availability are affecting the reproductive and migratory patterns of loggerhead turtles.

Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta)

• The loggerhead turtle is named for its large head, which supports powerful jaw muscles that enable them to feed on hard-shelled prey, such as whelks and conch.
• Distribution – They are found across the Caribbean region, Atlantic Ocean, the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean and the North and South Pacific Ocean
• The Loggerhead sea turtle is a large omnivorous marine reptile recognized as one of the seven extant species of sea turtles.
• They can live up to 80 years or more.
• IUCN conservation status – Vulnerable

ISA Launches Global AI-for-Energy Mission

Syllabus: GS3/Environment

News

• The International Solar Alliance (ISA) launched the Global Mission on AI for Energy at the India AI Impact Summit 2026
• Objective – to accelerate AI adoption in clean energy across 120+ member countries, emphasizing digital infrastructure like India’s Energy Stack.

AI-for-Energy Mission

• It places digital infrastructure and citizen-centric platforms at the centre of the energy transition.
• It aims to bring together governments, industry, financial institutions and multilateral organisations to scale digital and AI-enabled clean energy systems.

Additional Information – International Solar Alliance

• Started – The ISA, is an Indian initiative that was launched by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France on 30th November 2015 in Paris.
• Solar powered countries – It is an initiative with 124 solar resource rich countries lying fully or partially between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn.
• Objective – To collectively address key common challenges to the scaling up of solar energy in ISA member countries.
• Headquarter –  National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) campus, Gurugram.

Closure of FRA Cells in Odisha Triggers Central Scrutiny

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

Context

• The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has initiated inquiries into the directives given by the State government of Odisha to shutdown of Forest Rights Act (FRA) Cells at multiple administrative levels.

Forest Rights Act, 2006

• The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, popularly known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
• It legally recognizes the rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers over forest land and resources they have traditionally used for generations.

VoicERA Launched on BHASHINI National Infrastructure

Governance

In News

• The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD), under the Digital India Corporation (DIC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched VoicERA.

India’s National Voice AI Stack (VoicERA)

• It is an open-source, end-to-end technology framework designed as DigitalDigital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
• Public Platform: Deployed on the BHASHINI National Language Infrastructure to provide a national execution layer for multilingual voice services.
• Purpose: To enable government departments and innovators to build voice-based citizen services—such as agricultural advice, education support, and grievance redressal—in local Indian languages.

Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the World Food Programme (WFP)

Economy

In News

• The Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the supply of rice in support of global humanitarian operations aimed at combating hunger.

World Food Programme

• It was established in 1961.
• Mandate – It serves as the United Nations’ primary food-assistance branch and the world’s largest humanitarian organization focused on combating hunger and enhancing global food security.

Food Corporation of India (FCI)

• It is a statutory body established under the Food Corporations Act, 1964.
• It functions under India’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
• Objective – It ensures national food security via procurement, storage, distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS), and buffer stock management for contingencies like droughts or floods.
• Headquartered in New Delhi.

Municipal Bonds

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

In News

• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) recently organized a high-level consultation to deepen India’s municipal bond market, aligning with efforts to boost urban infrastructure financing.

Municipal Bonds

• Municipal bonds are marketable debt instruments issued by ULBs, either directly or via intermediaries like corporate municipal entities or special purpose vehicles.
• First issued by Bengaluru in 1997, they finance capital projects (e.g., water supply, sewerage), refinance loans, and cover working capital needs.

Project Vault

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• The United States unveiled Project Vault, an independently governed and operated public-private partnership.

Project Vault

• It is aimed at establishing a strategic domestic reserve of critical minerals in the United States.
• Significance – to reduce dependence on foreign-controlled supply chains.

Additional Information – Critical Minerals

• These are minerals that are essential for economic development and national security.
• The lack of availability of these minerals could potentially lead to “supply chain vulnerabilities and even disruption of supplies”.

List of Critical Minerals

• A total of 30 minerals were found to be most critical for India : Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, PGE, Phosphorous, Potash, Rare Earth Elements (REEs), Rhenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium, Selenium and Cadmium.

India’s Policy Push for Mineral Exploration

• Domestic Reserves: India has vast untapped mineral potential, with lithium in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Rajasthan, and REEs in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
• Policy Initiatives: National Mineral Exploration Policy (NMEP), 2016 and Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2021 have accelerated exploration through private participation and advanced surveys.
• KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd) is acquiring overseas mineral assets to ensure supply security.
• National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) – It aims to strengthen the value chain from exploration to recovery.

Google’s America-India Connect Initiative

Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology

Context

• Google announced the collaborative infrastructure initiative named America-India Connect.

America-India Connect Initiative

• A new international subsea gateway will be established in Vizag.
• Three new subsea paths connecting India to Singapore, South Africa, and Australia.
• Significance – The new infrastructure is expected to support rising demand for cloud computing and AI services in India, while also strengthening connections with Africa, Australia and parts of Southeast Asia.

Vibrant Villages Programme–II

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

In News

• The Vibrant Villages Programme–II is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Union Home Minister at Nathanpur village in Assam’s Cachar district.

Vibrant Village Programme(VVP)

• LAunched by – Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Aim: To enhance infrastructure in villages along India’s border with China, in states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Activities under the VVP include: building infrastructures such as housing, tourist centres, road connectivity, providing decentralized renewable energy, direct-to-home access for Doordarshan and educational channels, and support for livelihood generation.

Trump’s Board of Peace

Syllabus: GS2/ IR

In News

• India participated as an observer in the recent inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace on Gaza, held in Washington DC and hosted at the Donald J Trump Institute of Peace.

Board of Peace

• It is an international body chaired by US President Donald Trump, created to oversee the October 2025 ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and manage Gaza’s post-war transition.
• The initiative was proposed in October 2025 and was endorsed the following month by the United Nations Security Council.

Members

• Around 35 global leaders have agreed to join the proposed Board of Peace, out of about 50 invited.
• Participants include key Middle Eastern allies such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar and Egypt, along with NATO members Turkey and Hungary. Several other countries across Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America—including Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Morocco, Armenia and Azerbaijan—have also joined.
• Membership terms would run for three years, with the option of renewal.
• Countries seeking to extend their participation beyond the initial term may be required to contribute $1 billion, while short-term participation would not involve any financial commitment.

Mandate of Board

• The Board will supervise a transitional Palestinian technocratic administration in the Gaza Strip, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
• The Board’s mandate also includes efforts to disarm Hamas and oversee the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF), a multinational peacekeeping mission tasked with maintaining security and training a new Palestinian police force.

Bharat GI

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

In News

• ‘Bharat GI’, a national initiative to promote India’s Geographical Indication-tagged products globally, was highlighted at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

Bharat GI

• It serves as an umbrella brand showcasing unique Indian GI products like Coorg coffee and Darjeeling tea on international platforms.
• It is launched by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce.
• It leverages digital tools, including AI-driven traceability and market analytics, to connect artisans directly with global buyers.

Additional Information – Geographical Indication or GI Tag

• It is a name or a sign given to certain products related to a specific geographical location or origins like a region, town, or country.
• A certification for unique products – GI Tag may be regarded as a certification for a particular product with certain specific qualities or has a specific reputation because of its geographical origin.
• GI Tags can be issued for wine and spirit drinks, foodstuffs, agricultural products, handicrafts, and industrial products.
• Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) – At the International level, GI is governed by the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO’s) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
• Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act – In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into force in September 2003.
• Darjeeling tea  – The first product in India to be accorded with the GI tag was Darjeeling tea in 2004-05.

India–UK Offshore Wind Taskforce

Syllabus: GS2/IR

News

• India and the United Kingdom launched the India–UK Offshore Wind Taskforce.

India–UK Offshore Wind Taskforce

• Objective – to provide strategic leadership and coordination for building India’s offshore wind ecosystem.
• Significance- It is aimed at accelerating cooperation in offshore wind development as part of their broader clean energy partnership under Vision 2035.