Technology Services – Reimagination Ahead Roadmap

• NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub has released a 10-year roadmap titled Technology Services – Reimagination Ahead to scale India’s B tech services sector to – 850B by 2035.

What is It?

• The roadmap is a strategic 10-year blueprint prepared by the NITI Frontier Tech Hub, aimed at transforming India’s technology services sector from a labour-arbitrage model to an AI-native, IP-led, and platform-driven ecosystem.

It envisions:

• Scaling the sector from billion to – 850 billion by 2035
• Moving from back-office outsourcing to global AI system architecture leadership
• Strengthening India’s position in next-generation digital infrastructure and AI services
• The roadmap highlights AI as a structural inflection point, shifting value creation toward outcome-oriented services and proprietary innovation.

Five Priority Growth Levers Identified

• Agentic AI: Focus on autonomous AI systems capable of decision-making and task execution across industries.
• Software & Products: Transition from service-only exports to IP-driven software products and SaaS platforms.
• Digital Infrastructure: Strengthening cloud, data centres, semiconductor ecosystems, and AI compute capacity.
• Innovation-led Engineering: Scaling high-value R&D, chip design, embedded systems, and deep-tech engineering services.
• India-for-India Solutions: Building AI solutions tailored for domestic needs (governance, healthcare, agriculture), which can later scale globally.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) Base 2024=100

• MoSPI has released the first CPI (Base 2024=100) press note on 12 Feb 2026, reporting Jan 2026 retail inflation at 2.75%.

Consumer Price Index (CPI):

• Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in retail prices of a fixed basket of goods and services consumed by households, and is India’s headline retail inflation indicator (YoY % change in CPI).
• Published by: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) through NSO (National Statistical Office). Price collection is done by the Field Operations Division (NSO).

Base year:

• New base: 2024 = 100
• Earlier base: 2012 = 100
• Weights source: Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023–24.

Methods used:

• Jevons index (at item level): For each item, MoSPI compares prices in many markets and takes an average based on percentage change (ratio), so one very high/low price doesn’t distort too much.
• Young / Modified Laspeyres (for bigger groups): After finding price changes for many items, it adds them up using fixed spending weights (how much households typically spend on each item). So, items you spend more on (like food/rent) influence CPI more than items you rarely buy.
• Combined CPI (India total): India’s final CPI is made by mixing Rural CPI and Urban CPI in proportion to their share in total consumption (weights). So if rural consumption weight is higher, rural CPI influences the all-India CPI more (and vice-versa).

Key features of CPI 2024 series

• New international system (12 categories instead of 6): Earlier, prices were grouped into 6 big categories. Now they are divided into 12 clearer categories, like health, transport, education, communication, etc.
• More items included (358 instead of 299): The price basket now covers more products and services people actually use today, so inflation reflects real life better.
• More focus on services: Earlier, services (like education, transport, OTT, healthcare) were fewer. Now more services are included, because people spend more on services today than before.
• Detailed data every month: Now inflation data is available not just for India overall, but also for each state, and separately for rural and urban areas, every month.
• Modern price collection (using tablets): Earlier, data was written on paper. Now officers use tablets (digital devices) to collect prices.
• Online prices included: Since many people shop online now, prices from online platforms (like OTT subscriptions or flight tickets) are also included.
• Official government data used for some services: For things like rail fares, postal charges, petrol, diesel, LPG, official government price data is used directly to ensure accuracy.
• The new series introduces rural house rent for the first time, significantly improving the coverage of rural housing consumption.

Privilege Notice

• The Union Government has announced that it will move a Privilege Notice against Leader of Opposition for allegedly making baseless and misleading statements during the Budget discussion in the Lok Sabha.

About Privilege Notice:

• A Privilege Notice is a formal complaint raised by a Member of Parliament (MP) alleging that a breach of privilege or contempt of the House has occurred.
• Parliamentary privilege refers to certain special rights and immunities enjoyed by Parliament and its members to ensure they can perform their duties without obstruction or intimidation
• If these rights are violated, it may amount to a breach of privilege and can be punished by the House.

Articles Associated:

• Article 105 – Powers, privileges and immunities of Parliament and its Members (for Parliament).
• Article 194 – Similar provisions for State Legislatures.
• Article 122 – Courts cannot question the validity of parliamentary proceedings on grounds of procedural irregularity.
• Article 105(2) provides immunity to MPs for anything said or any vote given in Parliament.

When Can a Privilege Notice Be Moved?

• A member is obstructed from performing parliamentary duties.
• There is misleading of the House by providing false information.
• There is defamation or attack on the dignity of Parliament or its members.
• There is publication of distorted or expunged proceedings.
• There is contempt of the House, i.e., any act that lowers its authority.
• The Speaker (Lok Sabha) or Chairman (Rajya Sabha) decides whether the matter should be admitted.

Powers of Parliament to Punish:

• Each House has the power to punish for breach of privilege or contempt.

Punishments may include:

1. Admonition (warning)
2. Reprimand
3. Imprisonment
4. Suspension (for members)
5. Expulsion (for members)

• These powers are considered essential to protect the authority and dignity of Parliament.

Procedure of a Privilege Notice:

• A member submits a written notice to the Speaker/Chairman.
• The Presiding Officer decides whether it is admissible.

If admitted, it may be:

• Taken up in the House directly, or
• Referred to the Committee of Privileges for investigation.
• The Committee examines evidence and submits a report.
• The House debates and decides the punishment, if any.

Significance:

• Protects the dignity and authority of Parliament.
• Ensures accountability of members for statements made inside the House.
• Maintains discipline and decorum in parliamentary debates.

Tangkhul Hui and Kombai to be added to Assam Rifles dog squad

• Assam Rifles is planning to induct two indigenous dog breeds—Tangkhul Hui (Manipur) and Kombai (Tamil Nadu) into its dog squad, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign breeds over the long term.

Assam Rifles dog squad:

Assam Rifles (India’s oldest paramilitary force) runs a dedicated Assam Rifles Dog Training Centre (ARDTC), Jorhat, where trained dogs support operations as:

• Trackers follow human or animal trails across difficult terrain during operations.
• Guard dogs provide security to camps, convoys, and border posts.
• Detection dogs assist in identifying hidden arms, explosives, or narcotics.

About Tangkhul Hui (Haofa) breed:

• Tangkhul Hui (Haofa) is an indigenous working dog traditionally raised by the Tangkhul people in Ukhrul district (Manipur), historically used for hunting.
• The Tangkhul Hui breed has already been part of a pilot project since 2022, with six dogs already trained and deployed in narcotics detection.

Key characteristic:

• Highly disease-resistant and known for strong stamina rather than speed.
• Intelligent, alert watchdog traditionally used for hunting, typically black with white markings.
• Exists in two size varieties and has a limited population, making it a rare indigenous breed.

About Kombai breed (Polygar dog):

• Kombai is a strong, indigenous working dog from Tamil Nadu (Theni district; named after Kombai town), traditionally kept for guarding and protection and sometimes used for hunting.
• The Kombai breed has not been added yet; the first batch (2 males, 8 females) is scheduled for induction in April 2026. Full integration of both breeds is expected by March 2027.

Key characteristics:

• Strong physical build: Broad, muscular and athletic body suited for demanding guard and working roles.
• Distinct appearance: Short, smooth coat (usually reddish-brown) with a characteristic black mask-like muzzle.
• Loyal and protective nature: Deeply attached to owners and highly defensive when sensing threats.
• Traditional working role: Historically used for guarding property and occasionally for hunting large game.

Dal Lake

• The Jammu & Kashmir government has shelved the ₹416.72-crore Dal Lake restoration plan and proposed an in-situ conservation strategy allowing dwellers to remain within the lake ecosystem.

Dal Lake:

• Dal Lake is a famous urban freshwater lake and wetland ecosystem, often called the Jewel in the crown of Kashmir. It is central to tourism, fisheries, floating agriculture, and the cultural identity of Kashmir.

Location:

• Located in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Surrounded by Mughal gardens such as Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh.

Origin & Formation:

• Dal Lake is part of the Kashmir Valley lacustrine (lake-formed) system, created by tectonic and glacial processes that shaped the Himalayan basin. It forms part of a larger natural wetland complex.

River Connection:

• Hydrologically connected to the Jhelum River system.
• Receives water from inflowing streams and drainage channels from surrounding catchments and drains into the Jhelum through controlled outflows.

Key Features:

• Covers about 18 sq km, forming part of a larger 21 sq km wetland system.
• Divided into four basins: Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nagin.
• Known for floating gardens (Raad) used for vegetable cultivation.
• Famous for houseboats and shikaras, supporting tourism and livelihoods.
• Experiences freezing during severe winters.
• Ecologically important but faces pressures from sewage discharge, encroachment, eutrophication, and declining water circulation.

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati

• Prime Minister of India paid tribute to Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati on his 202nd birth anniversary, highlighting his lifelong role in social reform, education and cultural awakening.

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati: Who he was?

• Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati (1824–1883), born Mool Shankar, was a Hindu ascetic, Vedic scholar and social reformer who founded the Arya Samaj (1875) to reform Hindu society and restore what he saw as the original Vedic spirit.

Early life:

• Born on 12 February 1824 at Tankara (Kathiawar region, present-day Gujarat) in a Brahmin family.
• A childhood temple incident (questioning idol worship) and the deaths of close family members deepened his search for truth.
• Left home to avoid an arranged marriage and spent years as a wandering ascetic; later became a disciple of Swami Virajananda, who guided him toward a return to the Vedas mission.

His philosophies

• Back to the Vedas: Vedas as the primary and most authentic source of dharma/knowledge.
• Rational reform: opposed blind ritualism, superstition, and practices he considered irrational.
• Social equality: challenged caste-by-birth and supported dignity of all individuals; emphasized merit-based social roles.
• Women’s upliftment: supported women’s education, opposed social practices like child marriage, and encouraged reforms in family and society.
• Ethical life & discipline: stressed truth, self-control (brahmacharya), yoga, and moral conduct.

Contribution to socio-religious movement

• Founded Arya Samaj (1875)—a reform movement promoting Vedic learning, social reform, education, and national-cultural awakening.
• Encouraged debate, public reasoning, and scriptural study accessible beyond narrow priestly control.
• Inspired later reform and nationalist currents through emphasis on self-respect, reform, and indigenous awakening.

Literary works:

Dayanand wrote 60+ works, including major texts such as:

1. Satyarth Prakash (his most influential work).
2. Sanskarvidhi (on sacraments/rites in a reformed framework).
3. Rigvedadi Bhashya Bhumika and partial Vedic commentaries (Rigveda/Yajurveda).

• He also established/linked efforts for publishing and spreading Vedic literature through institutions like Paropakarini Sabha (Ajmer).

Last days:

• In 1883, while in Jodhpur under royal patronage, he fell critically ill after being poisoned (as widely alleged in narratives), and despite treatment efforts he died on 30 October 1883 in Ajmer.
• His final phase is remembered for unwavering commitment to reform despite strong opposition.

Dornier 228 Aircraft

• The Ministry of Defence has signed a ₹2,312 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to procure eight Dornier 228 aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard.

Dornier 228:

• The Dornier 228 is a twin-engine, turboprop Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) utility aircraft designed for passenger, cargo, and special mission operations. It is widely used for maritime patrol, border surveillance, search and rescue, and transport roles.

Manufactured By:

• Originally developed by Dornier GmbH (Germany) in the early 1980s.
• License-produced and currently manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at its Kanpur facility.

Types / Variants:

• Dornier 228-100 / 200: Early 15- and 19-seater variants.
• Dornier 228 NG (Next Generation): Upgraded version with glass cockpit and five-blade propellers.
• Hindustan-Dornier 228: Civilian and military variants produced by HAL.
• Maritime Patrol Version: Equipped with surveillance radar and mission systems.
• Business / Air Ambulance Variant: Modified for VIP and medical roles.

Key Features

• Capacity: Up to 19 passengers – Designed as a light commuter aircraft, it can carry 15–19 passengers or equivalent cargo loads efficiently.
• Engine: Twin Garrett TPE331 turboprop engines.
• Powered by two reliable turboprop engines known for durability, fuel efficiency, and high performance in varied climates.
• STOL Capability: Operates from short and unpaved runways
• Its special wing design allows take-off and landing on short, rough airstrips, ideal for remote and coastal regions.
• High Endurance: The standard Dornier 228 manufactured by HAL typically has a maximum endurance of approximately 5 to 6 hours.
• Rectangular Fuselage: Large side-loading doors for cargo flexibility.
• The box-shaped body and wide doors allow easy loading of cargo, stretchers, or mission equipment.
• Advanced Avionics (NG Variant): Glass cockpit, digital displays, autopilot options.
• Modern navigation systems improve situational awareness, safety, and enable single-pilot operations.
• Maritime Equipment: 360° surveillance radar, infrared sensors, real-time datalink.
• Equipped with specialized sensors for coastal surveillance, detecting vessels, and transmitting live data to ground stations.

Significance:

• Enhances coastal surveillance, EEZ monitoring, and anti-smuggling operations for the Indian Coast Guard.
• Procurement under the Buy (Indian) category promotes indigenous defence manufacturing.
• Production generates employment and strengthens HAL’s supply chain of ancillary industries.

RBI Draft Guidelines for Loan Recovery Agents

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued comprehensive draft guidelines to strictly regulate the conduct of bank employees and loan recovery agents.
• Scope: The directions apply to all Commercial Banks (including RRBs and Small Finance Banks) and are proposed to take effect from July 1, 2026.

Key Highlights of the Draft Guidelines

• Civil Conduct: Bank employees and agents must interact strictly in a civil manner; it prohibits harsh recovery practices like abusive language or threats.
• Contact Restrictions: Recovery calls and visits are restricted to the 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM window; agents are prohibited from calling during occasions such as bereavement or weddings.
• Authorisation Protocols: Banks must notify borrowers in writing before assigning an agent, who must carry an authorisation letter and an ID card during visits.
• Agent Certification: Recovery agents must complete ethical debt collection training and obtain certification from the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF).
• Privacy Protection: Agents should respect the borrower’s Right to Privacy by communicating only with the borrower or the guarantor, and not with family or colleagues.
• Grievance Redressal: Recovery cases can be forwarded by the banks to an agent only after resolving pending grievances of the borrower.
• Incentive Reform: Banks are to ensure that their incentive structures do not induce or encourage unethical recovery practices.

Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)

• The climate action organisation, the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), seeks to expand its presence in India’s private sector.
• About SBTi: SBTi defines and promotes best practices for emissions reduction and for net-zero targets aligned with Paris Agreement, for businesses and financial institutions.
• Partnership: Founded in 2015 as a joint initiative of CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI), and WWF, it is now an independent UK charity.
• Core Objective: It aims to mobilise the private sector for urgent climate action by independently assessing and validating corporate emissions targets.
• Mitigation Hierarchy: The initiative requires companies to adhere to a strict hierarchy that prioritises deep emission cuts over carbon offsetting.
• Near-Term Targets: Participating companies must set initial 5- to 10-year goals to reduce their carbon footprint rapidly.
• Net-Zero Standard: To formally claim “Net-Zero,” a company must reduce its absolute emissions by at least 90% by 2050.
• Residual Neutralisation: Only the final residual emissions (approximately 10%) can be neutralised through permanent carbon removal technologies.
• Assessment Criteria: To receive validation, companies must account for their carbon footprint across three specific scopes – direct emissions, purchased energy, and value chain emissions.
• Corporate Advantage: Commitment to SBTi targets enhances brand reputation among global investors and future-proofs operations against upcoming climate regulations.
• Global Adoption: Over 11,000 companies and financial institutions are engaged with SBTi, representing nearly 40% of global market capitalisation and approximately 30% of GHG emissions.
• Indian Context: While India leads emerging economies in engagement, fewer than 500 Indian companies are committed or validated.

Davos Compact on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2025

• The World Economic Forum (WEF) launched the Davos Compact on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2025 to address the global health crisis of drug resistance.
• Non-State Members: It serves as a voluntary non-state counterpart to the UNGA 2024 Political Declaration on AMR.
• Dual Target: The pact aims to prevent 100 million deaths and mitigate a projected $1.7 trillion loss by 2050 from unchecked drug resistance.
• Implementation Arm: The Unified Coalition for the AMR Response (UCARE) serves as the dedicated body to execute the goals; it focuses on 4 pillars –

1. Innovation: R&D for new antibiotics and diagnostic tools,
2. Awareness: Public advocacy and policy engagement,
3. Agri-Food: Reduce antibiotic use in livestock,
4. Funding: Close the investment gap by mobilising private and philanthropic capital.

• One-Health Alignment: Signatories pledge to align their operations with the “One Health” approach, linking human, animal, and environmental health.
• Equitable Access: The agreement ensures affordable access to essential and newly developed antibiotics for low- and middle-income countries.
• Pollution Control: It includes measures to minimise the discharge of antimicrobial waste from manufacturing facilities into water bodies.
• Regional Epicentre: South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa were identified as the crisis epicentres due to high population density and antibiotic consumption patterns.

About Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

• AMR occurs when microorganisms evolve to withstand medications, making standard treatments ineffective and allowing infections to persist.
• Primary Drivers: The misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in human medicine, agriculture, and livestock sectors accelerate the development of resistance.
• Health Impact: AMR increases mortality, prolongs hospital stays, and escalates economic burdens due to drug-resistant infections.
• Mortality Projection: It is projected to cause 39 million deaths between 2025 and 2050.

National Biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs)

• India established the first government-supported national biobank dedicated to LSDs.
• Although individually rare, LSDs impose a significant cumulative burden due to high mortality, lifelong disability, and underdiagnosis, with India estimated to host 12,000+ patients.

About Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs)

• Disease Category: LSDs comprise 70+ rare inherited metabolic diseases caused by genetic defects affecting lysosomal enzyme activity.
• Pathological Mechanism: Defective or deficient lysosomal enzymes lead to progressive accumulation of toxic substrates such as lipids and complex sugars, resulting in widespread cellular damage.
• Clinical Complexity: LSDs exhibit highly variable multi-system symptoms including neurodegeneration, skeletal abnormalities, and organ enlargement.
• Treatment Limitations: Disease-modifying therapies exist for only a limited subset of LSDs, with available treatments like Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT) often costing ₹1 crore+ per patient annually.

About National Biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders

• Sample Repository: The biobank integrates biological samples from 530 patients across 15 states, linked with detailed clinical, biochemical, and genetic datasets for comprehensive analysis.
• Data Integration Role: Combines genomic DNA, plasma, urine samples, enzyme activity profiles, and mutation information, enabling multi-dimensional disease investigation.
• Institutional Collaboration: Developed through coordination among 28 medical and research institutions, reflecting a nationwide cooperative approach.
• Funding & Leadership: Funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and led by FRIGE (Foundation for Research in Genetics and Endocrinology), Ahmedabad.

Lion-Tailed Macaque Population Rising in Human Landscapes

• Recent studies reveal a surge in lion-tailed macaque populations in human-dominated landscapes, particularly in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats.

About Lion-Tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus)

• The Lion-Tailed Macaque, also known as the Wanderoo, is an Old-World monkey endemic to the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats.
• Physical Appearance: It is distinguished by a silver-white mane encircling its face and a tail ending in a lion-like black tuft.
• Habitat Preference: The species exclusively inhabits the upper canopy of tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen rainforests.
• Geographic Range: Its fragmented population is found in the Anamalai, Nilgiri, and Ashambu hills across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and the Sirsi-Honnavar rainforests in Karnataka.
• Unique Behaviour: It is the most arboreal of all macaque species, spending nearly its entire life in trees and rarely descending to the ground.
• Social Structure: Unlike aggressive urban macaques, these are shy, diurnal animals that live in small, hierarchical groups and avoid human contact.
• Ecological Role: As a frugivorous omnivore, it plays a vital role in seed dispersal for indigenous rainforest trees, aiding ecosystem regeneration.
• Key Threats: Habitat fragmentation from tea and coffee plantations, road kills, and poaching.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Endangered; CITES: Appendix I; WPA: Schedule I

Vidyanjali Programme

• Vidyanjali programme has onboarded ~8.5 lakh schools and 5+ lakh volunteers, strengthening government schools through structured community participation.

About Vidyanjali Programme

• Launch & Alignment: Launched in September 2021 by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Core Objective: Designed to strengthen Government and Government-aided schools, the initiative aims to improve learning environments and student support through voluntary contributions.
• Digital Platform Model: Functions as a structured digital interface connecting volunteers, alumni, civil society organisations (CSOs), and CSR partners directly with schools.
• Governance & Accountability: Operates through approval, monitoring, validation, and feedback mechanisms, ensuring transparency while allowing states to review progress via dashboards.

Types of Contributions

• Service Activities: Includes subject mentoring, career counselling, AI & coding workshops.
• Student Support: Volunteers assist Children with Special Needs (CWSN), sports & life-skills development.
• Asset Contributions: Provision of Teaching Learning Materials, ICT facilities, and sanitation infrastructure.
• Sustainability Inputs: Contributions include renewable energy solutions, improving long-term resilience.

Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan

• PM Narendra Modi has inaugurated Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan-1 and 2 in New Delhi.
• Seva Teerth (formerly Executive Enclave) will house the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Cabinet Secretariat, and the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
• Kartavya Bhavan-1 & 2 constitute the new Common Central Secretariat (CCS), which hosts key ministries, including Finance, Defence, Health, and Education.
• The complexes meet 4-Star GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) standards and feature renewable energy and water conservation systems.
• Significance: The project replaces ageing infrastructure with a modern, efficient ecosystem to break down silos and improve coordination for citizen-centric governance.