Blog

‘PRAHAAR’, India’s First National Counter-terror Policy

Governance

Context

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) unveiled India’s inaugural National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy, titled ‘PRAHAAR’.

‘PRAHAAR’, India’s First National Counter-terror Policy

• It is this principled approach which informs the Indian policy of ‘zero tolerance’ against terrorism. 

The counter-terrorism strategy of India, ‘PRAHAAR’, flows from these ideals: 

• Prevention of terror attacks to protect Indian citizens and interests; 
• Responses, which are swift and proportionate to the threat posed; 
• Aggregating internal capacities for achieving synergy in a whole-of-government approach; 
• Human rights and ‘Rule of Law’ based processes for mitigation of threats; 
• Attenuating the conditions enabling terrorism, including radicalization; 
• Aligning and shaping the international efforts to counter terrorism;
• Recovery and resilience through a whole-of-society approach.

National Monetisation Pipeline 2.0 (NMP 2.0)

Economy

Context

• Recently, the Union Finance Minister has launched the National Monetisation Pipeline 2.0 (NMP 2.0).

National Monetisation Pipeline 2.0 (NMP 2.0) 

• It is the second phase of India’s asset monetisation programme, covering the five-year period from FY 2025–26 to FY 2029–30. 
• Objective – it aims to unlock value from existing (brownfield) public infrastructure by leasing it to private players for a fixed period while the government retains ownership

National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) 

• It is the Indian government’s plan to lease out existing public infrastructure—like highways, railways, and power lines—to private companies for a specific period. 
• The government retains ownership, while private firms operate the assets and pay the government for the right to earn revenue from them. 

Key Aspects of NMP:

• • Goal: To unlock funds from underutilized, built assets (“brownfield” projects) to invest in new infrastructure development.
  • Mechanism: Rather than selling, the government uses public-private partnerships (PPPs) to transfer operating and maintenance rights.
• Sectors: Major sectors included are roads, railways, power pipelines, telecom, and airports

Green Ammonia

Environment

In News

• India’s energy transition is increasingly focusing on green hydrogen and its derivatives, with green ammonia emerging as a crucial pathway.

Green ammonia

• It is produced using green hydrogen, and is emerging as a leading clean fuel for fertilizers, energy, and marine applications. 

Benefits of Green Ammonia

• Decarbonization of Fertilizers: India’s fertilizer sector, heavily dependent on imported ammonia, can significantly cut emissions by adopting green ammonia.

Additional Information – Green Hydrogen

• Green Hydrogen: It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy.
• Benefit: It is a clean burning element that can decarbonise a range of sectors including iron and steel, chemicals, and transportation. 
• Hydrogen can be stored for long periods of time which can be used to produce electricity using fuel cells.

National Green Hydrogen Mission

• Aim: To make India a global hub for the production of green hydrogen.
• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy(MNRE) 

Hydrogen

• Symbol and Atomic number – Hydrogen is the chemical element with the symbol H and atomic number 1. 
• Hydrogen is the lightest element and the most abundant chemical substance in the universe, constituting roughly 75% of all normal matter.
• It is colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, and highly combustible gas.

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari

History

Context

• The President of India, unveiled a bust of Shri Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the first and only Indian Governor General of independent India at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

1. Rajagopalachari 

• • Early Life: Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, popularly referred to as Rajaji, was born in 1878 in Thorapalli, Tamil Nadu.
  • He participated in agitations against the Rowlatt Act, the Non-Cooperation movement, the Vaikom Satyagraha, and the Civil Disobedience Movement and was jailed five times between 1912 and 1941.

• Post-independence, Rajaji served as the last Governor-General of India till 1950.

• • He briefly served as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister between 1952 and 1954.
  • He founded the Swatantra Party in 1959, representing classical liberal economic ideas.
  • Literary Contribution: His most popular works include a retelling of the Mahabharata and Ramayana in English, and Ramayana – Chakravarti Thirumagan in Tamil.
• In 1954 he was conferred with the Bharat Ratna for his contribution to Indian politics and literature.

‘Rah-Veer’ scheme

Governance

In News

• The Delhi government is going to implement the Centre’s ‘Rah-Veer’ scheme to motivate citizens to assist seriously injured road accidents.

‘Rah-Veer’ scheme

• • The scheme, aligned with the Good Samaritan Rules under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.

• It provides legal protection and financial incentives to encourage prompt humanitarian action.

• Features: citizens who help seriously injured road accident victims within the “golden hour” will receive a ₹25,000 cash reward.
• A district-level committee will evaluate cases, and the reward will be directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. 
• Additionally, 10 outstanding Rah-Veers annually will receive ₹1 lakh and a certificate.
• Significance – It aims to overcome citizens’ hesitation to assist accident victims due to legal or procedural fears.

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.