Removal Process of Chief Election Commissioner

• Opposition parties are set to initiate a removal motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
• This is the first such removal motion against a CEC appointed under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023.
• Legal Continuity: Section 11(2) of the CEC Act, 2023, provides that the grounds and procedure for removal are identical to Article 324(5) of the Constitution.

Removal Process of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)

• Constitutional Basis: Article 324(5) states that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) can be removed in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
• Grounds: He can be removed only for proven misbehaviour or incapacity.
• Initiation: A removal motion may be introduced in either House of Parliament and must be signed by at least 100 Lok Sabha members or 50 Rajya Sabha members.
• Presiding Officer: The Speaker/Chairman may admit or refuse the motion after examining whether it meets the required conditions.
• Committee: If admitted, the presiding officer constitutes a three-member committee comprising

1. The Chief Justice or a sitting Judge of the Supreme Court,
2. A Chief Justice of a High Court, and
3. A distinguished jurist.

• Inquiry: The committee frames charges, conducts an investigation, and submits its findings to the presiding officer.
• Continuity: The motion does not lapse due to prorogation of the House or dissolution of the Lok Sabha during the inquiry process.
• Special Majority: If the committee finds the CEC guilty, each House must pass the motion by –A majority of the total membership of that House, & A majority of not less than two-thirds of members present and voting.
• Same Session: Both Houses must pass the removal resolution in the same session of Parliament.
• Presidential Order: An address is presented to the President, who must order the removal of the CEC.
• Past Record: No Chief Election Commissioner has ever been removed from office to date.
• The President removes other Election Commissioners and Regional Commissioners on the recommendation of the CEC, without any parliamentary involvement.

Union Cabinet approves extension of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) up to 2028

• Union Cabinet extended Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) until December 2028 and allocated more funds to achieve its goal.
• This extension, JJM 2.0, shifts focus from building infrastructure to delivering citizen-centric services for a sustainable 24×7 water supply.
• Key Target: Extend tap water connections to all 19.36 crore rural households to reach the national goal.
• Sujalam Bharat: This new digital platform will assign each village a unique Sujal Gaon/Service Area ID to digitally map drinking-water supply systems.
• Jal Arpan Initiative: A formal handover protocol involving Gram Panchayats and village committees (Paani Samitis), ensuring transparency and accountability.

About Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

• JJM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, launched in 2019 under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Objective: Provide safe drinking water through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to all rural households under “Har Ghar Jal” vision.
• Target: Supply of 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd) of prescribed quality water on a sustained basis.
• Funding Pattern: Centre–State cost sharing is 90:10 for Himalayan & NE States and UTs with legislature; 50:50 for other States; 100% Central funding for UTs without legislature.
• Urban Component: JJM–Urban was announced in Budget 2021–22 under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to provide universal water supply in all statutory towns.
• Key Achievements: Around 81.71% (15.82 crore) rural households currently have tap water connections, with 100% coverage in 11 States and UTs.

Centre Invokes Essential Commodities Act to Regulate Natural Gas Supply

• The Central Government has issued the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, invoking powers under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (ECA).
• It was prompted by the ongoing conflict in West Asia which has severely disrupted liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Key Provisions of the Order

• Four-Tier Priority Allocation Framework: To manage the limited supply, the allocation framework is based on consumers'' average gas usage over the past six months.
• Gas redistribution: Gas supplies will be partially or entirely curtailed for non-priority industries, including power plants and petrochemical facilities.
• Gas Pooling Mechanism: Gas diverted from non-priority to priority sectors will be sold at a newly determined pooled price.

About ECA, 1955

• Objective: It allows the government to regulate production, supply, and prices of essential goods to prevent hoarding, black marketing, and shortages.
• Section 3 of the ECA empowers the Central Government to regulate the supply and distribution of petroleum and petroleum products and related trade for securing their equitable distribution.

Other Measures Taken

• 25 day inter- booking period to avoid hoarding/black marketing of LPG.
• Imported LPG is being prioritised to essential non domestic sectors such as Hospitals and Educational institutions.
• A High-level Committee constituted to review supply to other non-domestic sectors E.g. hospitality sector

National Leprosy Eradication Programme

• Context (PIB): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) highlighted the role of National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) in reducing India’s leprosy prevalence.
• NLEP is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at achieving a leprosy-free India. It is now integrated into the National Health Mission (NHM) and operates under the MoHFW.
• Key Goal: To achieve “Leprosy Mukt Bharat” by 2027, three years before the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 2030.
• Framework: National Strategic Plan and Roadmap (2023–2027) guides last-mile elimination.
• Current Status: India eliminated leprosy as a public health problem in 2005; prevalence is now at 0.57 per 10,000 population.

Key Components of NLEP

• Active Detection: A comprehensive Active Case Detection and Regular Surveillance (ACDRS) combine previous initiatives for proactive screening.
• Standardised Treatment: Public health facilities provide free Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) using Rifampicin, Dapsone, and Clofazimine.
• India declared leprosy a notifiable disease and revised treatment protocols (2025), aligning with WHO standards.
• Disability Support: Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR) offer reconstructive surgery, protective footwear, and ₹12,000 welfare allowance for surgery patients.
• Awareness Drive: Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC) is observed annually on 30 January (Anti-Leprosy Day) to reduce stigma.
• Digital Monitoring: Nikusth 2.0 platform provides real-time reporting and patient tracking to strengthen national leprosy surveillance.

FDI Policy for Investments from Land Bordering Countries

• The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy governing investments from countries sharing land borders with India (LBCs).
• In April 2020, the Government amended the FDI policy to prevent opportunistic takeovers of Indian companies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The policy affected investments from countries such as China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan and Afghanistan.

Key Changes Introduced in the FDI Policy

• Beneficial Owner: Beneficial Owner has been defined based on the Prevention of Money Laundering Rules, 2005, to improve transparency in investment ownership.
• Automatic Route: Investments with non-controlling beneficial ownership up to 10% from land-bordering countries are allowed under the automatic route, subject to sectoral caps.
• Disclosure to DPIIT: Investee companies must report details of such investments and ownership structure to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
• 60-Day Approval: Investment proposals requiring government approval will be processed within a fixed timeline of 60 days.
• Strategic Sectors: Fast-track approvals apply to sectors such as capital goods, electronic capital goods, electronic components, polysilicon and ingot-wafer manufacturing.
• Majority Indian Ownership: Majority ownership and control must remain with resident Indian citizens or Indian-owned entities to safeguard national interests.

Expected Benefits of the Policy Reform

• Higher FDI: The amendments are expected to increase foreign investments from global funds, especially in startups and advanced technologies.
• Domestic Manufacturing: Investments will support manufacturing in electronics, capital goods and solar sectors.
• Technology Transfer: Joint ventures with foreign firms will enable access to advanced technologies and innovation.
• National Economic Goals: Higher FDI inflows will supplement domestic capital and support initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat, contributing to economic growth and industrial development.
• FDI refers to investment made by a foreign company or individual in a business or assets in another country, with the aim of establishing a lasting interest or control.
• It usually involves setting up subsidiaries, acquiring shares, or forming joint ventures in sectors such as manufacturing, services, or infrastructure.

Bharat-Made Trainsets for Bullet Train Project

• India’s first bullet train corridor, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (HSR), will start operations with indigenously developed B28 trainsets.

B28 Bullet Trainsets

• Developer: The trainsets are being developed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) in Bengaluru.
• Design Speed: About 280 kmph, with initial operational speed around 250 kmph on the corridor.
• Future Upgrades: Planned to enhance the capability to 320–350 kmph.
• They are intended to reduce dependence on imported rolling stock, particularly Japan’s E10 Series Shinkansen bullet train.
• Safety Features: The trains will operate with advanced safety and signalling systems, including European Train Control System Level-2, enabling safe high-speed operations.

Bullet Train Project in India

• First HSR: India’s first bullet train project is the Mumbai–Ahmedabad HSR Corridor (508 km) connecting Maharashtra and Gujarat.
• Implementing Agency: The project is being implemented by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) under the Ministry of Railways.
• Collaboration: India is adopting Japanese Shinkansen high-speed rail technology with financial and technical assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
• Union Budget 2026–27 announced new high-speed rail corridors as “growth connectors,” including Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi, and Varanasi–Siliguri.

India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Export Surge

• Source (PIB): Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri highlighted the growth in India’s agricultural and processed food exports during AAHAR 2026.

About AAHAR

• It is a premier Business-to-Business (B2B) international exhibition for the food and hospitality sector, held annually in New Delhi.
• Organisers: India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) & Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
• Culinary Diplomacy: It promotes “Brand India” by showcasing GI-tagged agricultural products and indigenous superfoods like millets (Shree Anna).

India’s Agri-Food Export Performance

• Global Position: India has become the seventh-largest exporter of agricultural produce globally.
• Export Value: Food and agricultural exports have reached nearly ₹5 lakh crore ($55 billion) annually.
• Processed Foods: Exports quadrupled from 2014 to 2025, now making up over 20% of agri-exports.
• Sectoral Growth: Rice exports rose by 62%, while fruit and pulses exports tripled; cereal exports doubled from 2014 to 2025.
• Commodity Leaders: Rice makes up over 20% of agri-exports; marine products and meat-dairy exports are emerging key sectors.

Key Drivers of Export Growth

• FTA Expansion: India concluded 9 Free Trade Agreements in the last 3.5 years, expanding access to 38 developed economies.
• Market Diversification: India expanded into new markets like Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries.
• Quality Standards: Improved compliance supported by MPEDA certifications increased global acceptance of Indian products.
• MPEDA: Marine Products Export Development Authority is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, established in 1972 to promote marine product exports.

SIPRI Report Finds India as Second-Largest Arms Importer

• Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released a new report titled “Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2025.”
• SIPRI: Established in 1966, is an independent international think tank based in Sweden that conducts research on conflict, armaments, and disarmament.

Key Global Findings

• Global Trend: International arms transfers increased by 9.2% compared to the 2016–2020 period.
• European Surge: Arms imports by European nations rose by 210%, driven by the Russia–Ukraine war.
• Global Leaders: United States remained the largest exporter with 42% share, while Ukraine became the largest importer with 9.7%.
• Export Decline: Russia’s arms export volume declined by 64%, reducing its share of exports to 6.8%.

India Specific Findings

• Import Rank: India remained the 2nd largest arms importer, making up 8.2% of global arms transfers.
• Supplier Shift: Imports from Russia fell to 40%, while those from France (29%) and Israel (15%) grew.
• Domestic Growth: India’s overall arms imports declined by 4% due to defence indigenisation initiatives.

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

• The Standing Committee on Railways recommended that the Ministry of Railways periodically assess passenger satisfaction at redeveloped Amrit Bharat Stations.
• Launch: The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme was launched in 2023 by the Ministry of Railways.
• Objective: To redevelop railway stations with improved passenger amenities, better accessibility, and integration with local city infrastructure and transport systems.
• Coverage: Out of the 1,337 stations identified for redevelopment by the Ministry of Railways, 172 have been completed.
• Key Features: Development of modern station buildings, improved waiting halls, lifts, escalators, clean toilets, digital information systems, and better passenger circulation.

Consumer Feedback Mechanism of Indian Railways

• Rail Madad Portal: Rail Madad allows passengers to register complaints and feedback online.
• Passenger Helpline (139): Railway Helpline 139 enables passengers to give feedback or lodge complaints via call, SMS, or IVRS during travel.
• One Station One Product Scheme: Launched by Indian Railways, the scheme allows stations to sell region-specific products such as handicrafts, handlooms, & items, boosting local economy & tourism.

MoEFCC Proposes SCEIA and SAEIA to Prevent Environmental Clearance Delays

• MoEFCC has proposed establishing the Standing Committee on Environment Impact Appraisal (SCEIA) and the Standing Authority on Environment Impact Assessment (SAEIA).
• Rationale: The bodies will maintain continuity in the Environmental Clearance (EC) process when the state-level SEAC or SEIAA become non-functional.
• Legal Basis: Their authority derives from the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, issued under the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986.
• State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) is the primary state-level regulatory body responsible for granting Environmental Clearances (EC) for Category B projects.
• State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) is the technical advisory body responsible for the scientific evaluation of Category B project proposals and for recommending them to SEIAA.

Standing Committee on Environment Impact Appraisal (SCEIA)

• SCEIA will function as an interim appraisal body when State Expert Appraisal Committees (SEACs) become non-functional due to delayed reconstitution or term expiry.
• Purpose: It aims to fast-track the Environmental Clearance (EC) process and prevent administrative delays at the state level.
• Coverage: SCEIA primarily evaluates Category B projects requiring state-level technical appraisal.
• Activation: If a SEAC fails to complete the project appraisal within 120 days, the application automatically transfers to SCEIA through the PARIVESH portal.
• Tenure: SCEIA operates for six months upon activation, extendable by up to an additional six months.
• Cessation: Its operation for a particular state ceases once the regular SEAC and SEIAA are reconstituted.

Standing Authority on Environment Impact Assessment (SAEIA)

• SAEIA is a proposed authority empowered to grant Environmental Clearance (EC) when state-level authorities become non-functional.
• Purpose: It assumes statutory powers when the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) lapses due to tenure expiry or delayed reconstitution.
• Activation: Project proposals automatically transfer to SAEIA if the SEIAA fails to communicate its clearance decision within the statutory timeframe.
• Control: Unlike SEIAAs, which are Centre-constituted based on state nominations, the Central Government directly appoints and controls the SAEIA.

Institutional Relationship with SCEIA

• Functional Role: SCEIA conducts technical appraisals, while SAEIA is the final decision-making authority for environmental clearance.
• Timeline: SAEIA must issue a final decision within 30 days of receiving the SCEIA recommendations.
• Category B projects are developmental projects with localised environmental impacts, appraised by SEAC and granted Environmental Clearance (EC) by SEIAA at the state level.
• Category A projects are large-scale developmental activities that require a mandatory Environmental Clearance (EC) from the MoEFCC after appraisal by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC).

PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• The Union Government has allocated ₹2,500 crore for the fisheries sector under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in the Union Budget 2026–27.

About PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):

• PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is a flagship umbrella scheme for the sustainable and responsible development of India’s fisheries sector, designed to modernize the fisheries value chain and improve the socio-economic welfare of fishers and fish farmers.
• Launched in: The scheme was launched on 10 September 2020.
• Ministry: It is implemented by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.

Aim:

• To enhance fish production and productivity in a sustainable and inclusive manner.
• To modernize fisheries infrastructure and strengthen the value chain including post-harvest management and marketing.
• To increase income and livelihood opportunities for fishers and fish farmers while ensuring ecological sustainability.

Key Features of the Scheme:

• Large Investment Framework: The scheme was approved with a total investment of about ₹20,050 crore for holistic fisheries sector development.
• Two Implementation Components: It operates through Central Sector (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) components.
• Infrastructure Development: Focus on fishing harbours, cold chain facilities, processing units, and modern fish landing centers.
• Aquaculture Promotion: Support for activities such as biofloc farming, sea cage farming, seaweed cultivation, ornamental fisheries, and pearl farming.
• Fisher Welfare Measures: Financial assistance for fishing boats, gear upgrades, and support during fishing ban periods.
• Sustainable Fisheries Management: Promotion of artificial reefs, mariculture, and ecosystem restoration to replenish fish stocks.
• Capacity Building: Training programmes and skill development initiatives for fishers and entrepreneurs.

Significance:

• Strengthens India’s position as the second-largest fish producer globally, contributing nearly 8% of global fish production.
• Supports millions of fishers and coastal communities through income generation and employment opportunities.

Savitribai Phule

• Union Home Minister paid tribute to Savitribai Phule on her death anniversary, recognizing her pioneering role in promoting women’s education and social equality in India.

Savitribai Phule: Who she was?

• Savitribai Phule (1831–1897) was a pioneering Indian social reformer, educator, poet, and women’s rights activist from Maharashtra. She is widely regarded as India’s first female teacher and a leading figure of the social reform movement against caste and gender discrimination during the 19th century.

Early Days:

• Savitribai Phule was born on 3 January 1831 in Naigaon, Satara district (Maharashtra) to Khandoji Neveshe Patil and Lakshmi.
• She was married at a young age to Jyotirao Phule, a prominent social reformer.
• At a time when education for women was discouraged, Jyotirao Phule educated Savitribai at home, after which she received teacher training in Pune and Ahmednagar.

Contribution to the Freedom Movement and Social Reform:

• Pioneer of Women’s Education: In 1848, Savitribai and Jyotirao Phule established India’s first school for girls in Pune (Bhide Wada), challenging rigid social norms.
• Education for Marginalized Communities: She opened schools for Dalits and backward castes, helping expand access to education for oppressed communities.
• Fight Against Social Evils: She campaigned against child marriage, sati, caste discrimination and supported widow remarriage.
• Women’s Empowerment: She founded the Mahila Seva Mandal, encouraging women to discuss their rights and social issues.
• Social Welfare Initiatives: The Phule couple established Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha, a shelter to prevent female infanticide and protect widows.
• Satyashodhak Samaj: She actively worked with the reformist organization founded by Jyotirao Phule to fight caste oppression and promote equality.
• Literary Contributions: She authored works like Kavya Phule and Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar, promoting education and social awareness.

Last Days:

• During the 1897 bubonic plague outbreak, Savitribai and her adopted son Yashwantrao opened a clinic to treat affected patients.
• While serving infected individuals, she contracted the plague and died on 10 March 1897, sacrificing her life in service of humanity.

HALEU–Thorium Fuel for Nuclear Reactors

• Researchers from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) have found that HALEU–Thorium nuclear fuel may not fit well into India’s existing nuclear programme.

What is HALEU–Thorium Fuel?

• HALEU–Thorium fuel is an advanced nuclear fuel that combines High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) with thorium.
• This combination forms the basis of the ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life) fuel concept.

Claimed Advantages of HALEU Fuel

• Higher Fuel Efficiency: HALEU allows higher burn-up, producing more energy from the same amount of nuclear fuel.
• Longer Reactor Operation: Fuel lasts longer in reactors, reducing the frequency of refuelling.
• Reduced Nuclear Waste: Higher burn-up results in less spent fuel compared to conventional uranium fuel.
• Supports Advanced Reactors: Suitable for next-generation reactors such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced nuclear systems.
• Potential Thorium Use: When combined with thorium, it can help produce uranium-233, supporting future thorium-based fuel cycles.

Technical Concerns Identified by BARC

• Not a Drop-in Replacement: Thorium absorbs neutrons strongly, making existing reactor shutdown rods about 26% less effective.
• Reactor Redesign Required: Using HALEU–Thorium may require modifications to the emergency shutdown and safety systems of current PHWRs.
• Long Stabilisation Period: Reactors may take 7–10 years to reach stable operation, with lower power output and higher economic costs during the transition.
• Low Plutonium Production: The fuel produces around 20 times less plutonium, which could disrupt India’s second stage of the nuclear programme that depends on plutonium.

India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme

• Proposed by Homi Jehangir Bhabha to utilise India’s limited uranium and vast thorium reserves for long-term energy security.

Stage I – Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)

• Uses natural uranium (U-238 with small U-235) as fuel.
• Produces plutonium-239 as a by-product for the next stage.

Stage II – Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs)

• Uses plutonium-239 with uranium-238 as fuel.
• “Breeds” more fissile material and begins thorium utilisation.

Stage III – Thorium-Based Reactors

• Uses thorium-232 to produce uranium-233, which becomes the main fuel.
• Designed for long-term sustainable nuclear energy.
• Significance: India has one of the world’s largest thorium reserves, especially in coastal monazite sands.
• India recently passed the SHANTI Act, allowing private sector participation in deploying advanced nuclear technologies.

Scientists Rewire Bacteria to Produce Designer Proteins

• Scientists have developed a synthetic biology technique that enables bacteria to produce complex designer proteins using artificial amino acids.
• Transport Barrier: Artificial amino acids cannot enter bacteria naturally because bacterial transport systems recognise only natural amino acids or peptides.
• Amino Acid: An organic molecule that serves as a building block of proteins. These molecules link together to form polypeptide chains, which fold into functional proteins.
• Artificial Amino Acid: Synthetic molecules that mimic natural amino acids but contain novel chemical groups absent from the 20 amino acids used in natural proteins.
• Designer Protein: Engineered protein containing artificial amino acids, giving it properties and functions not found in natural proteins.

Process of Producing Designer Proteins in Bacteria

• Plasmid Insertion: Scientists insert engineered plasmids, carrying the genetic blueprint for the designer protein, into bacteria.
• Peptide Delivery: Artificial amino acids are packaged inside peptides that bacteria absorb as nutrients.
• Cell Release: Once inside the cell, enzymes break down the peptide, releasing the artificial amino acids.
• Protein Synthesis: Ribosomes use these artificial amino acids to synthesise designer proteins.
• Peptide: Short chains of 2-50 amino acids linked by peptide bonds; longer chains are typically classified as proteins.
• Plasmid: A small circular DNA molecule capable of independent replication and used to introduce new genes into bacteria.

Potential Applications

• Targeted Delivery: Designer proteins can attach drugs to a precise site on a carrier protein for delivery to diseased tissue.
• Multifunctionality: Artificial amino acids allow a single protein to carry multiple functional chemical groups simultaneously.
• Therapeutic Proteins: The system may be applied to mass-produce artificial proteins suited for a wider range of therapies.
• Medical Imaging: Artificial amino acids can include fluorescent groups or atoms like chlorine and fluorine to improve medical and research imaging.

India-New Zealand Centenary Sports Cooperation Programme

• Source (PIB): India and New Zealand launched the Centenary Sports Cooperation Programme to celebrate 100 years of bilateral sporting relations.
• Origin: The centenary commemorates the 1926 Indian Army hockey tour to New Zealand – one of the earliest major sports engagements between the two nations.
• Focus Sports: The programme identifies six priority sports for collaborative development – rugby, rowing, canoeing, sailing, athletics, and cycling.
• NIS Integration: New Zealand’s coach development framework will be integrated into the curriculum of the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala.
• Cultural Week: A proposed Sports and Culture Week aims to showcase athletes, coaches, and indigenous sporting traditions from both countries.

Defence Forces Vision 2047 Roadmap

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the ‘Defence Forces Vision 2047’ roadmap to modernise India’s military for a Viksit Bharat.
• Developer: Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) developed the roadmap.
• Theatre Command: It aims to build an integrated theatre command operating jointly across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains.
• Aatmanirbharta: The roadmap focuses on expanding indigenous defence technology and reducing import dependence.
• Tech Focus: It integrates AI, autonomous systems, and advanced surveillance technologies for future-ready capabilities.
• Approach: The vision adopts a phased, “whole-of-nation” approach, combining military strength with diplomatic and economic instruments of power.

Lake and Air Watch initiative

• The Gujarat government has launched the ‘Lake and Air Watch’ initiative to monitor and improve lake health and air quality across cities using satellite and real-time monitoring systems.

About Lake and Air Watch Initiative:

• The ‘Lake and Air Watch’ initiative is a technology-driven environmental monitoring programme launched by the Gujarat Urban Development Mission (GUDM) under the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department of Gujarat.

Key Features:

• Satellite-based Lake Monitoring: Satellite technology will track lake area changes, algae growth, waste accumulation and water quality indicators.
• Real-Time AQI Monitoring: Installation of air quality monitoring stations across 17 municipal corporations and 152 municipal areas.
• Automated Alert System: The platform will generate automatic alerts if air pollution levels rise or lake conditions deteriorate, enabling timely intervention.
• Integrated Digital Dashboard: Data from multiple departments will be consolidated into a centralized dashboard displaying maps, trends and alerts.
• Citizen Transparency: Environmental data will be shared with the public to promote awareness and community participation.
• Budget Allocation: The initiative has an estimated allocation of ₹10 crore for implementation.

Significance

• Helps protect urban lakes from pollution, siltation and ecological degradation.
• Improves urban air quality management through real-time monitoring and quick response mechanisms.
• Supports climate resilience and sustainable urban development.

Jhumka

• The traditional Indian jhumka earrings came into global discussion after a luxury fashion brand showcased them at Paris Fashion Week as an authentic vintage accessory without acknowledging Indian craftsmanship, triggering debates on cultural appropriation.

About Jhumka:

• A jhumka is a traditional bell-shaped Indian earring characterized by a dome-like structure that hangs below the ear stud. It is one of the most iconic forms of Indian jewellery, commonly worn during weddings, festivals, and cultural ceremonies.

Origin:

• The jhumka dates back to around 300 BCE, with references found in ancient temple sculptures and royal ornaments across South India and the Deccan region.
• The design gained prominence during the Chola dynasty, when metallurgy and temple jewellery flourished.
• Over centuries, the ornament evolved through Mughal, temple, and courtly jewellery traditions, spreading across India.

Key Characteristics:

• Bell-shaped Dome: Distinctive half-dome structure resembling a bell.
• Three-Dimensional Design: Unlike flat danglers, jhumkas have a sculptural and layered form.
• Movement and Sound: Designed to sway gracefully with movement.
• Decorative Elements: Often embellished with pearls, gemstones, beads, or layered chains.
• Traditional Craftsmanship: Typically made using gold, silver, oxidized metal, or temple jewellery techniques.

Difficult to patent heritage crafts:

• Patents and design laws protect new and original inventions, whereas heritage crafts like jhumkas, bandhani or chikankari are centuries-old designs, making them ineligible for patent protection.
• Traditional crafts are usually developed collectively by communities over generations, not by a single identifiable creator, which makes assigning legal ownership difficult.
• Many heritage crafts are part of oral traditions and cultural practices, lacking formal documentation required for patent applications.
• Existing IP regimes (copyright, patents, trademarks) focus on individual creations or brand identity, leaving traditional cultural expressions insufficiently protected.

Significance:

• Represents India’s rich jewellery heritage and traditional craftsmanship.
• A key element of bridal and festive jewellery across multiple regions of India.
• Reflects cultural continuity from ancient temple art to modern fashion.

GPS Jamming and Electronic Interference

• The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to a 55% surge in electronic warfare incidents, with over 1,650 vessels experiencing GPS jamming and spoofing near the Strait of Hormuz.

About GPS Jamming:

• GPS Jamming is a form of electronic warfare where a terrestrial device emits high-power radio frequency signals to overpower or drown out the relatively weak signals coming from GNSS satellites (like GPS, GLONASS, or NavIC).

How it Works?

• Satellite signals travel thousands of kilometers and are extremely faint by the time they reach Earth. A jammer works by broadcasting noise on the same frequency as the GPS signal (L1 and L2 bands). This creates a high signal-to-noise ratio that prevents the receiver on a ship or aircraft from locking onto the satellite data, effectively blinding the navigation system.

Types of GNSS Interference:

• Jamming (Denial of Service): Complete loss of signal. The receiver shows No Signal or Searching, forcing the operator to use manual navigation.
• Spoofing (Deception): A more sophisticated attack where the jammer sends a fake signal that mimics a real one. The receiver believes it is in a different location (e.g., a ship in the Strait of Hormuz might suddenly appear to be at an inland airport).

About Electronic interference:

• Electronic interference, commonly known as Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), is the invisible pollution of the digital age. It occurs when an unwanted electromagnetic field disrupts the normal operation of an electronic device or communication system.

How Electronic Interference Works?

EMI operates through a three-part chain:

1. The Source: An object that generates electromagnetic energy (e.g., a motor, lightning, or a smartphone).
2. The Path (Coupling): The medium through which the energy travels to reach the victim device.
3. The Victim: An electronic device whose performance is degraded by the incoming energy.

The Four Coupling Mechanisms?

• Radiated: The interference travels through the air as radio waves. This is common with cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, and radio stations.
• Conducted: The interference travels through physical wires, such as power cables or signal lines. A common example is mains hum in speakers.
• Inductive (Magnetic): Occurs when a magnetic field from one wire leaks into a nearby wire without touching it.
• Capacitive (Electric): Occurs when two nearby conductors store an electric charge between them, causing voltage noise to transfer across.

Types of Interference:

• Narrowband: Affects only a specific, small frequency range. This is usually man-made noise from radio transmitters or mobile phones.
• Broadband: Affects a wide range of the radio spectrum. This is often caused by malfunctioning equipment, sunspots, or natural phenomena like lightning.
• Continuous: Interference that is constantly emitted (e.g., background radiation from a power line).
• Impulse/Transient: A short-duration burst of energy, such as a lightning strike or an electrostatic discharge (ESD) from your finger.

Asteroid 2024 YR4

• NASA has officially ruled out the possibility of asteroid 2024 YR4 colliding with the Moon on December 22, 2032. Refined calculations using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have confirmed the object will pass at a safe distance of 21,200 km.

About Asteroid 2024 YR4:

• 2024 YR4 is a Near-Earth Object (NEO) classified as an Apollo-type asteroid (Earth-crossing). Discovered in December 2024 by the ATLAS survey in Chile, it briefly gained international attention as one of the most hazardous objects found in recent decades, reaching a Torino Scale rating of 3—the highest since the infamous asteroid Apophis in 2004.

Origin and Formation

• Main Belt Suburb: Recent studies link its origin to the central region of the Main Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter.
• The Yarkovsky Effect: Scientists believe it was nudged toward Earth by the Yarkovsky effect, where uneven heating from the Sun acts as a mini-thruster, gradually shifting its orbit over millions of years.
• Former Boulder: Its size and solid composition suggest it may have once been a large boulder perched on the surface of a much larger rubble-pile asteroid before being chipped off by a collision.

Characteristics:

• Size: Estimated to be between 53 and 67 meters in diameter (roughly the size of a 15-story building).
• Shape: Observations indicate a distinctly flattened, oblate shape, often described as a hockey puck.
• Composition: It is a stony S-type asteroid, composed primarily of silicates and nickel-iron.
• Rapid Spin: It has an exceptionally fast rotation period of approximately 19.5 to 20 minutes.

Significance:

• It was the first asteroid to trigger a coordinated international response from the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG).
• Tracking the asteroid in early 2026 while it was extremely faint demonstrated the James Webb Space Telescope’s capability to assist in planetary defence, a role for which it wasn’t originally designed.

Malawi

• India has dispatched 1,000 MT of rice to Malawi for drought relief and food security.
• Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, situated within the East African Rift Valley.
• Boundaries: It is bordered by Tanzania (north and northeast), Zambia (west), and Mozambique (east, south, southwest).
• Physiographic Regions: Great Rift Valley, central plateau, highland region, and isolated mountain ranges.
• Highest Peak: Sapitwa Peak (3,002m) is the highest point in Malawi and South-Central Africa.
• Major Waterbody: Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa), situated in the Great Rift Valley, covers about 20% of Malawi’s land area.
• Lake Malawi National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1984), renowned for its diversity of freshwater fish (cichlid).