I.              PM Modi''s Landmark Visit to Cyprus: Strengthening Bilateral Relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a significant state visit to Cyprus, marking the first by an Indian Prime Minister in more than 20 years. During his trip, he engaged in high-level talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, highlighting the deep-rooted and strategic partnership between the two democratic nations.

Major Outcomes of the Visit

• Prestigious Honor for PM Modi: Cyprus bestowed its highest civilian award—the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III—on PM Modi, recognizing his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.
• Ocean Governance and the Commonwealth: A key focus was the implementation of the 2024 Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, which promotes sustainable ocean use, climate resilience, marine biodiversity, and capacity-building among Commonwealth nations. This aligns with the outcomes of the first Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting held in Cyprus in April 2024, which led to the establishment of the Blue Charter Centre of Excellence.
• Diplomatic and Institutional Cooperation: India and Cyprus agreed to deepen diplomatic engagement through regular high-level talks and activate institutional frameworks via their foreign ministries. A comprehensive bilateral Action Plan is in development to guide this collaboration.
• Support for Cyprus’s Sovereignty: India reaffirmed its backing for Cyprus’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and endorsed the UN-backed framework for a bizonal, bicommunal federation. Both sides rejected unilateral measures that could disrupt peace negotiations.

Security and Defence Collaboration

• The two nations strongly condemned terrorism, including recent incidents in Kashmir.
• They pledged to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, defence manufacturing, maritime safety, and coordinated crisis response.

Boosting Connectivity and Trade

• Both leaders supported the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), viewing it as a transformative initiative for global connectivity. Cyprus expressed willingness to become a key logistics hub for Indian exports to Europe.

Enhanced EU–India Relations

• Cyprus committed to bolstering India-EU relations, especially during its upcoming EU Council Presidency in 2026.
• Both sides pushed for finalizing the EU–India Free Trade Agreement by the end of the year and committed to continued engagement through the EU–India Trade and Technology Council and the 2025 Strategic Roadmap.

Economic, Innovation, and Cultural Partnerships

• India and Cyprus agreed to expand their economic ties, including plans for a Cyprus–India Business Forum and a potential MoU focused on innovation, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and joint research.
• A Mobility Pilot Program is expected by late 2025, along with efforts to promote tourism, cultural exchange, and explore direct flight routes.

Action Plan 2025–2029

A structured five-year roadmap will guide the strategic partnership, with regular monitoring by both countries'' foreign ministries to ensure consistent progress.

India’s Support for Cyprus Sends a Message to Turkey

India used the visit to reaffirm its unwavering support for Cyprus''s independence and sovereignty—an implicit rebuke to Turkey amid strained India–Turkey relations. Tensions have risen due to Ankara’s criticism of India’s actions in Kashmir and its pro-Pakistan stance following recent attacks and counter-terror operations in India.

PM Modi’s visit to the historic heart of Nicosia, which overlooks the Turkish-controlled northern region of the island, was a symbolic gesture of solidarity with Cyprus.

Background: The Turkey–Cyprus Conflict

The division of Cyprus traces back to ethnic tensions between Greek and Turkish Cypriots following independence from British rule in 1960. A 1974 coup favoring unification with Greece led to a Turkish military intervention, resulting in the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)—recognized only by Turkey.

The island remains split, with a UN buffer zone separating the two sides. Numerous UN-mediated talks have failed to resolve disputes over land, governance, and energy exploration—especially in the resource-rich Eastern Mediterranean.

II.            India’s 2027 Census: A Historic Digital and Social Mapping Milestone

India is set to launch its 16th nationwide Census in two phases, beginning with snow-bound areas on October 1, 2026, and the rest of the country on March 1, 2027. This will be a landmark effort as India''s first digital Census and the first caste-based population count since 1931.

A Gazette notification under the Census Act, 1948, has initiated preparatory steps, including house-listing and housing surveys.

How the Census Will Be Conducted: Key Phases and Timeline

The Census will proceed in two main stages:

1. House-Listing and Housing Census (2026): Focuses on gathering data about:
• Household structure and building use
• Construction material, number of rooms, and ownership status
• Access to basic amenities: water, sanitation, electricity
• Cooking fuel and household assets (TVs, phones, vehicles, etc.)
2. Population Enumeration (February 2027): Collects detailed information such as:
• Name, age, sex, and relationship to head of household
• Marital status, education, job, religion
• Caste or tribe classification, disabilities, and migration background
• Even the homeless will be included in the count

A Digital Leap Forward: The First Technology-Driven Census

This edition marks India’s full transition to a digital enumeration model, utilizing mobile technology and cloud platforms for real-time data collection and supervision.

Key Digital Features:

• Self-Enumeration: Households can submit their own data via a government website or app. After doing so, they receive a unique code for verification by an enumerator.
• Smart Tools for Enumerators: Field workers will use smartphones or handheld devices loaded with a Census app. Though paper forms are still an option, digital data collection is encouraged with better pay incentives and high smartphone penetration.
• Real-Time Monitoring: The Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) enables:
• Live dashboards
• Instant issue resolution in the field
• Automated tracking and quality checks

Caste-Based Enumeration: A Historic Inclusion

For the first time since colonial times (1931), the Census will collect caste-related data for all communities, a major development in understanding India’s social composition and informing policy decisions.

How the 2027 Census Differs from 2011

Overcoming Key Challenges

1. Low Digital Literacy

• Response: Comprehensive training programs with mock drills and regional language support.

2. Poor Internet Connectivity

• Response: App functions offline and syncs data once reconnected to the internet.

3. Software and App Errors

• Response: Real-time tech support and diagnostic tools for enumerators in the field.

4. Inaccurate GPS Data

• Response: Supervisors will manually verify and correct household coordinates.

5. Public Hesitancy

• Response: Enumerators trained in communication, data privacy protocols, and trust-building. Refusals are flagged for review.

6. Data Duplication or Errors

• Response: Automated alerts for anomalies (e.g., implausible ages or duplicate entries) and supervisor audits to maintain accuracy.

III.          India’s News Ecosystem Transforms with AI and Influencers at the Forefront

India''s news consumption habits are undergoing a profound shift, as outlined in the 2025 Reuters Digital News Report. The convergence of generative AI and social media influencers is reshaping how Indians—especially the younger generation—access, interpret, and share information.

A Fragmented Media Environment Powered by AI and Influencers

The report highlights the emergence of a fragmented but vibrant alternative news ecosystem, where AI tools and online personalities play an increasingly central role. Instead of traditional sources like newspapers, TV, or official news websites, people are turning to more personalized, video-driven, and informal news formats, often curated or created by influencers or AI platforms.

Generative AI’s Growing Role in News Access

India leads globally in the adoption of AI for news consumption. Key findings include:

• 44% of Indian respondents are comfortable using AI tools like ChatGPT or Perplexity AI to consume news.
• Nearly 1 in 5 Indians uses AI chatbots for news updates weekly, the highest rate among surveyed countries.

These tools are praised for simplifying complex issues, offering personalised summaries, and helping users explore topics interactively. However, the growing reliance on AI also raises questions around content accuracy, editorial integrity, and potential misinformation.

Influencers Redefining News Delivery

Alongside AI, a new class of digital news influencers is gaining prominence on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. These creators, with millions of followers, offer commentary, analysis, satire, and explainers—often in relatable, entertaining formats.

They increasingly function as alternative news anchors, particularly appealing to younger viewers who distrust or avoid traditional media.

India Embraces Video as the Primary News Format

India is part of a broader global trend where video has overtaken text as the preferred news format. Key trends include:

• Platforms like YouTube are central hubs for political debates, educational explainers, and ideological content.
• Young Indians (18–34) overwhelmingly favour social media and video content over conventional news websites.

This generational shift is compelling even mainstream media houses to adopt video-first strategies, including short-form clips and interactive visual content.

Declining Influence of Traditional News Outlets

Legacy media—TV channels, newspapers, and even established digital news portals—are losing ground:

• Only 24% of Indian respondents aged 18–34 rely on news websites.
• In contrast, 41% prefer platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or WhatsApp for news.

This erosion challenges the economic and editorial foundations of traditional journalism and forces media institutions to digitally innovate and experiment with new formats, including AI-generated content.

Trust and Misinformation: A Persistent Challenge

• Global trust in news remains stagnant at 40%.
• In India, WhatsApp, while not broadly seen as high-risk due to its private nature, has still been involved in high-profile misinformation incidents.
• 11% of Indian users admit that even friends and family contribute to the spread of fake news—highlighting trust gaps in personal networks.

Way Forward: The Need for Digital Literacy and Ethical Innovation

The rise of AI tools and influencer-led news represents a democratization of information, making news more on-demand, vernacular, and accessible. However, it also creates new vulnerabilities around accuracy, editorial responsibility, and public trust.

To safeguard the future of informed discourse:

• Digital literacy must be strengthened.
• Content regulation needs thoughtful implementation.
• Traditional media must evolve, embracing new formats without compromising journalistic values.

India stands at a crossroads, with a chance to lead in innovative yet responsible news media, blending technology with credibility.

I.              Kanchuria Tripuraensis and Kanchuria Priyasankari

• New Discoveries: Two new earthworm species—Kanchuria tripuraensis and Kanchuria priyasankari—have been identified in Tripura.
• Conservation Concerns: Environmental activists have raised concerns about promoting wildlife safaris in the Kali Tiger Reserve, fearing ecological disruption.
• Naming Significance:
• Kanchuria tripuraensis is named after Tripura, where it was found thriving in rubber and pineapple plantations—showcasing the biodiversity potential of cultivated landscapes.
• Kanchuria priyasankari is named in honor of Prof. Priyasankar Chaudhuri, recognizing his 40+ years of contributions to earthworm taxonomy.
• Genus Update: These two additions raise the number of known species in the Kanchuria genus—endemic to Northeast India—to 10.
• Regional Biodiversity: With this discovery, Tripura now has 38 documented species of megadrile earthworms, making the Eastern Himalaya–Northeastern Hills the second-richest region in India for earthworm diversity.

II.              Portulaca Bharat

·       New Discovery: A newly identified flowering plant species named Portulaca bharat has been discovered in the rocky, semi-arid Aravalli hills near Jaipur.

·       Conservation Status: As no other populations have been found, the species has been provisionally classified as “Data Deficient” under the IUCN Red List criteria.

·       Vulnerability: The plant’s narrow endemism and strict habitat requirements make it highly susceptible to habitat degradation and climate change.

·       Genus Overview: The genus Portulaca includes approximately 153 species worldwide, mostly found in tropical and subtropical climates.

·       Adaptations: These are succulent plants, known for their resilience, water-storing tissues, and ability to thrive in extreme environments.

·       Indian Context: In India, there are 11 recorded species of Portulaca, including four endemic species, typically occurring in dry and semi-arid regions.

III.          Kali Tiger Reserve – Conservation Concerns:

• Tourism Concerns: Environmental activists are raising alarms about the growing promotion of wildlife safaris, fearing negative impacts on the reserve''s ecosystem.
• Location:
• Situated in Uttara Kannada (North Canara) district, Karnataka.
• Previously known as the Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve.
• Lies in the central part of the Western Ghats, a region recognized for its ecological sensitivity.
• Constituent Protected Areas:
• Formed by the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park, which are adjacent and constitute a single protected stretch.
• Geographic Connectivity:
• Borders the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka) to the north.
• Connected to Radhanagari and Koyna wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra, forming a larger wildlife corridor.
• Water Source:
• Named after the Kali River, a crucial water source for the region, which flows through the reserve.
• Vegetation:
• Dominated by moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests.
• Contains rich evergreen patches in western areas and valleys.
• Flora:
• Hosts a mix of hardwood species such as teak, silver oak, Malabar tamarind, jamba, and lantana.
• Dense undergrowth with bamboo, shrubs, and varied vegetation.
• Fauna:
• Inhabited by diverse wildlife: Tigers, Leopards, Elephants, Bison, Wild dogs, Sambar, Spotted deer, Sloth bears, Wild boars, and monkeys like Hanuman langur and Bonnet macaque.
• Rich avian diversity includes all four species of hornbills.
• Known for having one of the highest populations of Great Indian Hornbills in the Western Ghats.
• A notable habitat for the elusive black panther.

IV.          Valley Fever:

A recent study indicates that dogs might help detect the early spread of Valley Fever, offering a novel public health tool.

• Also known as acute coccidioidomycosis. Caused by Coccidioides fungi, specifically two species commonly found in soil.
• Geographic Distribution: Southwestern U.S., Pacific Northwest, Parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America.
• Transmission: Not contagious—does not spread from person to person or between animals and humans. Infection occurs when people or pets inhale airborne spores disturbed by: Farming, Construction & Strong winds
• Risk Factors: Primarily affects the lungs. Older adults (60+) are more susceptible.
• Symptoms of Valley Fever: Many infected individuals show no symptoms. Cold- or flu-like, Pneumonia-like symptoms. Symptoms usually appear 5 to 21 days after exposure.
• Severe Cases: In rare cases, the fungus spreads beyond the lungs via the bloodstream, causing disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Can affect skin, bones, joints, lymph nodes, the central nervous system, or other organs.
• Treatment of Valley Fever: Mild Infections often resolve without treatment. Moderate to Severe Cases are treated with antifungal medications. In chronic or serious cases, surgery may be required to remove infected lung tissue.

V.             Achal Fast Patrol Vessel:

• The Achal Fast Patrol Vessel was recently officially launched in Goa.
• It is the fifth vessel in a series of eight Fast Patrol Vessels being built by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
• The ship has been designed and constructed following strict dual-class certifications from the American Bureau of Shipping and the Indian Register of Shipping.

Key Features:

• Contains more than 60% indigenous components.
• Measures 52 meters long and 8 meters wide, with a displacement of 320 tons.
• Powered by a CPP-based propulsion system, enabling speeds up to 27 knots.
• Its main functions include protection, monitoring, control, and surveillance, aimed at securing offshore assets and island territories.
• The launch represents a significant step in the ongoing collaboration between the Indian Coast Guard and GSL, advancing the goal of self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta) in defence manufacturing.

VI.          Extended Trajectory-Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM)

• India is gearing up to test its most advanced indigenously developed hypersonic missile, the ET-LDHCM.
• Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of a classified project called ‘Project Vishnu’.
• The missile is designed to be launched from land, sea, or air, increasing India’s operational flexibility across different platforms and mission types.
• Once deployed, India will join a select group of countries—including the US, China, and Russia—that possess hypersonic weapon systems.
• The ET-LDHCM can reach speeds of up to Mach 8 (around 11,000 km/h).
• It supports both conventional and nuclear payloads, carrying warheads between 1,000 and 2,000 kg, with an effective range of about 1,500 km.
• Unlike ballistic missiles, this missile travels at low altitudes and can adjust its flight path mid-course.
• Its combination of high speed, low-altitude flight, and in-flight manoeuvrability helps it evade radar detection and air defence systems, enabling deep penetration strikes.
• Powered by a scramjet engine that uses atmospheric oxygen for propulsion, representing a major advancement in missile technology.
• Constructed with materials that resist extreme heat and oxidation, the missile can endure temperatures over 2,000°C.

VII.        What is Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)?

• SAR is a technology that actively collects data by emitting pulses of energy and then measuring the energy that bounces back after interacting with the Earth''s surface.
• Recently, NASA announced that the NASA-ISRO SAR mission has arrived at ISRO’s spaceport in Sriharikota.
• SAR captures images based on how the emitted energy pulses reflect off physical features like mountains, forests, sea ice, and even environmental factors like soil moisture.
• This technology can produce clear, detailed images regardless of darkness or cloud cover, making it highly valuable for all-weather, day-or-night observations.
• SAR systems send out microwave pulses, then receive the echoes reflected from surfaces such as land, oceans, ice, or man-made structures.
• Advanced signal processing techniques convert these echoes into high-resolution images.
• A crucial component of SAR is its antenna—while larger antennas generally provide better resolution, they are more challenging to build and operate, which is why SAR uses clever processing to simulate a large antenna.

VIII.      What is Rinderpest?

• Rinderpest, also called cattle plague, is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects cloven-hoofed animals, especially cattle and buffalo.
• The disease is caused by a virus belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family, genus Morbillivirus.
• While some wild and domestic cloven-hoofed animals like sheep and goats show mild symptoms, cattle and buffalo can suffer mortality rates up to 100% in vulnerable herds.
• Besides cattle and buffalo, it can infect species such as zebus, water buffaloes, African buffaloes, eland, kudu, wildebeest, various antelopes, bushpigs, warthogs, and giraffes.

Transmission

• The virus spreads through close contact between infected and susceptible animals.
• It is present in nasal secretions even before symptoms appear and later in most body fluids.
• Animals either die from the disease or recover, develop immunity, and clear the virus.

Symptoms

• In cattle, symptoms include: Fever, Mouth sores, Nasal and eye discharge, Severe diarrhea and dehydration, Death usually occurs within 10 to 15 days.
• In other species, symptoms tend to be milder.
• The disease does not affect humans, so there’s no public health risk.

Historical and Global Context

• Rinderpest historically affected animals in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
• It was officially eradicated in 2011.

Rinderpest Holding Facility (RHF)

• To prevent re-emergence, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) restrict Rinderpest Virus storage to six high-security labs globally.
• India’s ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal is designated as a Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility.
• NIHSAD is a Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) lab and serves as India’s official repository for Rinderpest Virus-Containing Material (RVCM) since 2012.

IX.          Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III

• The Prime Minister of India was recently awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III by Cyprus.
• This is the highest civilian award given by Cyprus, named in honor of the nation’s first president, Archbishop Makarios III.
• The Order includes several ranks, with the Grand Cross being among the top distinctions, likely second only to the Grand Collar.

Key Facts about Cyprus

• Cyprus is a Eurasian island nation situated at the northeastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, just south of the Anatolian peninsula (modern-day Turkey).
• It ranks as the third largest island in the Mediterranean, following Sicily and Sardinia.
• Important cities include Limassol, Larnaca, Famagusta, and Paphos.
• The island’s highest peak is Mount Olympus, standing at 1,952 meters.
• The capital city is Nicosia.

X.             Samarth Incubation Programme

• The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), a telecom R&D body under India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has launched the Samarth Program.
• The initiative aims to help startups develop sustainable and scalable business models by offering financial grants, advanced resources, and expert guidance to move ideas from concept to market.

Key Features

• Selected startups receive:
• A grant of up to ₹5 lakh.
• Fully equipped office space for six months at C-DOT campuses in Delhi and Bengaluru.
• Access to C-DOT’s laboratory facilities.
• Mentorship from C-DOT technologists and external industry experts.
• Supports startups working in areas such as telecom applications, cybersecurity, 5G/6G, artificial intelligence, IoT, and quantum technologies.
• The program runs in two cohorts of six months each, hosting up to 18 startups per cohort—supporting a total of 36 startups.
• Successful startups may qualify for further collaborations and funding under the C-DOT Collaborative Research Program (CCRP).

Implementation Partners

• The program is implemented with support from:
• Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)
• TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs)