Blog

Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)

Polity

PM E-DRIVE

Environment

Context

• The Delhi Government has announced the induction of 2,800 new low-floor electric buses under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE)
• Objective – to strengthen public transport and accelerate the transition towards sustainable urban mobility.

PM E-DRIVE

• The scheme was launched by the Government of India in 2024 to accelerate the transition towards electric mobility.
• The scheme has a total financial outlay of ₹10,900 crore.
• Duration: Initially approved for two years (2024–26), its duration has now been extended to 31 March 2028, while retaining the same outlay.

Objectives:

• To accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across the country.
• To develop a robust EV charging infrastructure.
• To strengthen the domestic EV manufacturing ecosystem.
• To reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower vehicular emissions.
• To promote the Make in India initiative through the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP).
• The scheme supports the procurement of 14,028 electric buses across nine major cities with populations exceeding 40 lakh.

Major Abhilasha Barak Conferred UN Award

International

Context

• Prime Minister congratulated Major Abhilasha Barak on being conferred the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.

About

• Major Barak is currently serving with the United Nations mission in Lebanon, has been honoured with the award for her outreach efforts with women and girls during her deployment in the West Asian nation.
• She is also the first woman combat helicopter pilot of the Indian Army.
• Nomination – Each year, the awardee is selected from among candidates nominated by force commanders and heads of mission from all peace operations.
• India is among the largest troop and police contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions.

United Nations peacekeepers

• The United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers, commonly known as the ‘Blue Helmets’
• They are military, police, and civilian personnel deployed by the United Nation
• Objective – to help countries transition from conflict to peace.
• Duties – It includes protecting civilians, preventing conflict, strengthening security, and supporting peace processes.
• Peacekeeping operations are authorized by the UN Security Council and supported by member states, with personnel drawn from many countries around the world.

Food Planet Prize 2026

Miscellaneous

Context

• The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme has won the Food Planet Prize 2026.

About the Prize

• The Food Planet Prize was established in 2019 by the Curt Bergfors Foundation, Sweden.
• It is regarded as the world’s largest environmental award dedicated to transforming global food systems.
• The award carries a prize of US$ 1.5 million (about ₹14 crore).
• Note – APCNF’s selection marks the first time an Indian initiative has won the award.

Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF)

• Launched in 2016
• Launched by – Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS)
• Mandate – the programme promotes natural farming by reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
• Uniqueness – it covers over 8,000 villages and nearly 18 lakh farmer families, making it one of the world’s largest community-led agroecology initiatives.
• The Andhra Pradesh model is now being studied and replicated in several Indian states, as well as countries like Sri Lanka and Zambia.

Additional Information – Natural Farming

• It is a chemical free farming, involving livestock (preferably local breed of cow) integrated natural farming methods and diversified crop systems rooted in the Indian traditional knowledge.
• It is largely based on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations; maintaining soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs.

National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)

• Launched in – November 2024
• It is a centrally sponsored Scheme
• Objective – to promote chemical-free, ecosystem-based natural farming rooted in traditional knowledge.

India–Venezuela

International

Context

• Acting President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, visited India and held talks with PM Modi.

Key Outcomes of the Visit

• Towards a Long-Term Energy Partnership: Both sides discussed moving from spot purchases to long-term crude oil supply contracts. 
• Cooperation in Critical Minerals: Discussions covered critical minerals, gold, and diamond mining. 
• Cooperation in Other Sectors: Agriculture and farm mechanization, Animal husbandry, Transportation and logistics, Automotive manufacturing, Science and technology.

Significance of Venezuela for India

• Energy Security: Venezuela possesses the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves.
• India is the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil and imports more than 85% of its oil requirements.
• Indian refineries are well-equipped to process Venezuela’s heavy crude oil.
• Stronger ties can deepen India’s engagement with the Latin American region and reduce overdependence on traditional energy suppliers.
• Securing Critical Minerals for Future Industries: Venezuela possesses significant reserves of critical minerals, including rare earth elements, nickel, and other strategic resources.
• India’s Latin America Outreach: Venezuela serves as an important gateway for expanding India’s economic and diplomatic engagement in Latin America.

Venezuela

• • Location: Venezuela is located on the northern coast of South America.
  • It is bordered by Colombia to the west, Brazil to the south, Guyana to the east, and the Caribbean Sea lies to the north.

• Capital: Caracas.

Major Physiographic Regions:

• Northwestern Venezuela is traversed by the northeastern extension of the Andes.
• The Lake Maracaibo Basin is a major geological and geographical region in northwestern Venezuela.
• Llanos the vast, tropical savanna plains occupying over 250,000 square kilometers of central Venezuela.

Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme, 2026

Government Schemes

Context

• The Department of Higher Education has invited applications for the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026. 

About

• Launched in  – 2026

• • Implementation- It is a flagship national initiative by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. 

• Objective- : To bring Indian-origin researchers working abroad to leading Indian institutions for high-impact research in priority sectors.

Key DetailsGoal: 

• Aim – Bring top global Indian talent back to India.
• Target – Select 120 researchers over 5 years.
• Funding – Up to ₹5 crore in grants (and up to ₹14 crore total package).

Who Can Apply?

• Indian nationals, OCIs, and PIOs working abroad fit into three tracks:

1. Young Research Fellows: Up to 5 years after PhD.
2. Senior Fellows: 5 to 10 years after PhD.
3. Research Chairs: 10 or more years after PhD.

Focus Areas & Locations

• Sectors: 13 fields like AI, Semiconductors, Space, Health, and Green Energy.
• Host Places: Top institutes like IISc, major IITs, and national labs.

Neelkanth Mishra Appointed as World Bank Executive Director

International

Context

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Neelkanth Mishra as Executive Director, World Bank Headquarters, Washington, DC, for a tenure of three years. 
• He succeeds Parameswaran Iyer, who has held the position since February 2023.
• The Executive Director is part of the World Bank’s board, which oversees policies, lending decisions and development priorities. 

World Bank

• It was founded in 1944.
• The World Bank is like a cooperative, made up of 189 member countries. 
• It provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries to reduce poverty and promote economic development.

Main Institutions of the World Bank Group:

• IBRD (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development): It lends to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries.
• IDA (International Development Association): It provides low-interest loans and grants to the poorest countries.
• IFC (International Finance Corporation): It supports private-sector development.
• MIGA (Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency): It encourages foreign investment by providing guarantees.
• ICSID (International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes): It resolves investment disputes.

Flagship Reports by World Bank – 

• World Development Report (WDR): The premier annual report focusing on a specific, critical aspect of development economics (e.g., jobs, digital dividends, or climate change).
• Global Economic Prospects (GEP): Examines global economic trends and prospects, with a specific focus on emerging markets and developing economies.
• Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report: Tracks the World Bank’s goals of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity.
• Human Capital Index (HCI): Measures the contributions of health and education to the productivity of the next generation of workers.

India–UK Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO)

International

In News

• The India–UK Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO) has been formally launched. 

About

• It is a joint digital platform launched in New Delhi on June 4, 2026.
• Launched by – IIT-ISM Dhanbad (through its TEXMiN foundation) & University of Cambridge.
• Objective – It tracks minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel across the globe. It warns of risks like war, export blocks, or price changes.

Significance – 

• It helps governments plan trade and build mineral stockpiles.
• These minerals power electric vehicles, solar panels, and defense tools. 
• The project helps both nations secure raw materials and reduce their dependence on single countries like China.

National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)

• Launch: The NCMM was approved by the Union Cabinet of India in January 2025, with a total outlay of approximately ₹16,300 crore over a period of 7 years (up to 2030–31).
• It is anchored under the Ministry of Mines.
• Objectives: Ensure a reliable and sustainable domestic supply of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, rare earth elements (REEs), titanium, and others.
• Reduce India’s import dependence for minerals vital to the energy transition (EVs, solar panels, wind turbines, batteries) and defence/electronics sectors.

Kaziranga Records First Yellow-throated Marten

Environment

Context

• Kaziranga National Park has confirmed the presence of a yellow-throated marten for the first time.

Yellow-throated Marten

• • Scientific name: Martes flavigula.
  • It belongs to the weasel family (Mustelidae), which also includes otters, badgers, and wolverines.
  • It is a diurnal (active during the day), tree‑climbing mustelid that assists seed dispersal, a role that supports healthy forest regeneration and ecosystem balance. 
  • Distribution – It is found across the Himalayas, South Asia, Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and parts of Russia. 
  • In India, the yellow-throated marten is found across the Himalayan region and in other parts of the northeastern region, including Assam. 

• IUCN Status: Least Concern.

• It is protected as a Schedule II animal under India’s Wildlife Protection Act.

Additional Information- Kaziranga National Park

• It is located in the northeastern state of Assam.

• • It was established in 1908 as a reserve forest and became a national park in 1974.
  • It was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1985.
• It is the largest habitat of theIndian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis).

Padma Barrage

Geography & Environment

Context

• Bangladesh has approved a large river engineering project called the Padma barrage, on the Padma river, which is Bangladesh’s stretch of the Ganga, in Rajbari district. 

Padma River

• The Padma River is one of the largest and most important rivers in Bangladesh. 
• It is the main distributary of the Ganges River after the Ganges enters Bangladesh from India. 
• The Padma flows southeast, joins the Jamuna River (the lower Brahmaputra), and later merges with the Meghna River before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
• It is a major part of the world’s largest delta system, the Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna Delta. 

Additional Information – Ganga River System

The Ganga River System is India’s largest river basin. 

• Origin – The river starts as the Bhagirathi from the Gangotri Glacier.
• Name: It becomes the Ganga when it joins the Alaknanda at Devprayag.
• RiverLength: It is 2,525 km long.
• States: It flows through five states: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
• The Delta: It splits in West Bengal. One part goes to Bangladesh (called Padma). It helps form the Sundarbans Delta, the biggest delta in the world.

Important Tributaries

• Left-Bank (North): Ramganga, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi.
• Right-Bank (South): Yamuna (the longest one) and Son.

Key Exam Facts

• National River: Named India’s National River in 2008.
• Ganga Dolphin: This is India’s National Aquatic Animal. It is endangered.
• Namami Gange: The main government project to clean and protect the river.

Zimbabwe

Geography

Context

• India and Zimbabwe agreed to enhance bilateral defence ties by expanding existing cooperation.

About

• Zimbabwe is a landlocked country situated in south-central Africa between the Limpopo and Zambezi rivers, covering an area of over 390,000 sq km.
• It is bounded by Zambia to the north and northwest, South Africa to the south, Mozambique to the east and northeast, and Botswana to the southwest.
• Zimbabwe lies entirely north of the Tropic of Capricorn and forms part of the southern African plateau.
• The Victoria Falls, located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is the world’s largest sheet of falling water.

National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2026

Polity

Context

• The Government of India has announced the winners of the National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2026.
• A total of 17 initiatives were selected across seven award categories, comprising 10 Gold Awards, 6 Silver Awards, and 1 Jury Award.

National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG)

• Mandate- The awards are presented annually to promote excellence in e-governance and digital public service delivery.
• They recognize innovative use of technology to improve governance, transparency, accountability, and citizen-centric services.
• It is instituted by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
• The awards cover initiatives implemented by Ministries, Departments, States, UTs, Districts, Urban Local Bodies, and Gram Panchayats.

Major Award-Winning Initiatives (Gold and Silver Awardees)

• • Agri Stack: Developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
  • Creates a digital ecosystem for farmers through unique farmer identities and land-linked databases. 
  • It facilitates targeted delivery of subsidies, crop insurance, credit, advisories, and government schemes.
  • e-Jagriti: It is a digital platform for filing and tracking consumer complaints, and developed by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

• Mahakumbh 2025 Digital Governance Model: Implemented by the Prayagraj Mela Authority.

• It demonstrated large-scale use of technology in managing one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.
• Blood Bag Traceability and Citizen Interaction Portal: It is developed by Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC) and enables end-to-end tracking of blood units from donation to transfusion.
• AI-enabled Clinical Decision Support system in eSanjeevani telemedicine service: It is developed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

Government Schemes

News

• The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament recently raised serious concerns about the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) as the scheme appears to have been training people for industries that aren’t necessarily hiring.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

• Objective – It is a government scheme to train youth in useful job skills. 
• It started in 2015 under the Skill India Mission.
• Implementation – Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
• Targeted beneficiary – School dropouts and unemployed youth.

Key features – 

• Short-Term Training (STT): Free training in digital skills, life skills, and trade work.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Exams and certificates for people who already have skills but no official degree.
• Special Projects: Custom training for unique jobs or tough areas like tribal regions

PMKVY 4.0?

• Modern Skills: Focuses on new tech like AI, robotics, drones, and 5G.
• Real Work Experience: Includes on-the-job training.
• Skill India Digital Hub: Uses a digital app for easy signup and tracking.

Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) Initiative

Governance

Mission Senehjori

Government schemes

Context

• Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) has launched Mission Senehjori,
• It is a flagship initiative to transform Assam’s Muga silk sector into a globally competitive luxury textile ecosystem.

About

• The mission aims to strengthen host-plant cultivation, modernise reeling infrastructure, promoting Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) & expanding global market access under the unified “Senehjori” brand.
• Implementation – Government of Assam, the Central Silk Board, the Ministry of Textiles, and other central agencies.

Central Silk Board

• It is a statutory body under the Union Ministry of Textiles, established by the Central Silk Board Act, 1948 (later amended as Central Silk Board (Amendment) Act, 2006).
• Mandate – It is responsible for formulating policies and implementing programs for the development of sericulture and silk industry.
• Headquarter: Bengaluru, Karnataka

Sericulture Basics

• Sericulture involves cultivating silkworms (primarily Bombyx mori for mulberry silk) that feed on leaves like mulberry, oak, castor, and arjun to spin cocoons.
• These are processed into yarn and fabric, blending agriculture and industry.
• Note – India is the only country that produces all 4 major varieties of natural silk.

1. Mulberry Silk (70% of India’s total output);
2. Tasar (Tussar) Silk (Derived from wild silkworms);
3. Eri Silk (aka ‘Ahimsa Silk’);
4. Muga Silk (A Geographical Indication (GI) product).

• Assam produces around 90% of the world’s Muga silk
• India is today the second-largest producer of silk globally, accounting for nearly 25% of global silk output, next only to China.

Right to be Forgotten

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

Context

• The Delhi High Court held that the Right to be Forgotten is an important part of the fundamental right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Right to be Forgotten

• It is the right to ask organizations to remove your personal data from the internet, search engines, and public databases under specific conditions.
• It helps people protect their online reputation and privacy so they are not permanently judged by past mistakes or outdated information

How It Works

• The right to be forgotten is also called the right to erasure.
• It allows you to ask a company or search engine (like Google) to delete or hide links about you.
• You can usually ask for your data to be removed if the information is outdated, incorrect, or irrelevant.

Position of the Right to be Forgotten in India

• India does not yet have a specific law on the Right to be Forgotten.
• However, the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 and several court judgments have recognised this right.
• The Supreme Court’s K.S. Puttaswamy judgment (2017) recognised informational privacy as part of the right to privacy.

Meteor Explosion

Science & technology

Context

• NASA has confirmed that a bright fireball meteor exploded in the sky

Asteroid vs. Meteoroid vs. Meteorite:

• Asteroid: Small rocky body orbiting the Sun.
• Meteoroid: Smaller particle from an asteroid or comet orbiting the Sun.
• Meteor: A meteoroid that enters Earth’s atmosphere, creating a streak of light (shooting star).
• Meteorite: A meteor that survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on Earth’s surface

Additional information – Global Asteroid Missions

• DART Mission (NASA, 2022): The first planetary defense test aimed at changing an asteroid’s trajectory by crashing a probe into it, specifically targeting the binary asteroid Didymos.
• OSIRIS-REx (NASA, 2016-2023): Sample return mission to asteroid Bennu, providing insights into the solar system’s formation.
• Hayabusa2 (JAXA, 2014-2020): Successfully collected samples from asteroid Ryugu, including essential ingredients for life.
• Lucy Mission (NASA, 2021-Present): A 12-year journey to study multiple Jupiter Trojan asteroids.
• Hera Mission (ESA, 2024 Launch): Will study the impact crater produced by DART to analyze its deflection success.
• Tianwen-2 (China, 2025 Planned): A mission to sample the near-Earth asteroid Kamo’oalewa

RudraM-II

Science & technology

Context

• India successfully flight-tested the indigenous RudraM-II Air-to-Surface Missile, strengthening its indigenous defence and precision-strike capabilities.

RudraM-II

• Type – It is an air-to-surface missile
• Developed by – Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, the nodal DRDO laboratory.
• Speed – Mach 5.5,
• Range – 300 km
• Payload capacity – 200 kg.
• Significance – It can be deployed from aircraft like Sukhois flying at altitudes ranging from 3 to 15 km.
• The new missile will eventually replace the older Russian-origin Kh-31 anti-radiation missiles currently in service.

Do You Know?

• RudraM-I, the earlier variant in the RudraM series, has a range of 100–250 km and can attain speeds of up to Mach 2.