India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0

• The Union Budget 2026-27 officially launched India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0, building on the first phase of ISM to make India a global semiconductor hub.
• ISM 2.0 shifts India’s strategy from building physical fabrication assets to developing a comprehensive high-value ecosystem.
• Objective: To achieve 70–75% self-sufficiency in domestic chip requirements by 2029 through locally designed and manufactured chips.
• Expanded Scope: The new phase focuses on the upstream supply chain, including semiconductor equipment, specialised materials, and component manufacturing.
• IP Creation: A major pillar is the creation of “Full-Stack Indian IP” to own the intellectual property of chip designs rather than manufacturing foreign designs.
• R&D Upgrade: The Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali, is being transformed into a future-ready R&D hub with an indigenous facility for domestic prototyping.
• Skill Development: It emphasises skilling initiatives through the Chips to Startup (C2S) programme and industry partnerships.

About India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

• ISM was launched in 2021 as an independent business division of the Digital India Corporation, under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).
• Financial Assistance: It provides fiscal support of 50% of the project cost across all eligible semiconductor manufacturing categories.
• Design Incentives: The Design Linked Incentive (DLI) offers up to 50% reimbursement of eligible expenditure for domestic design projects.
• Key Achievement: ISM has enabled 10 major projects across six states, with a cumulative investment of around ₹1.60 lakh crore.

Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission

• The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance medicine safety, quality and healthcare professional capacity.
• A pharmacopoeia is an official, legally binding compendium of quality standards that ensure the identity, purity, and strength of medicines within a jurisdiction.

About Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC)

• IPC is an autonomous institution, established in 2005 (operational since 2009), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is headquartered in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
• Its primary function is to set standards for all drugs manufactured, sold, and consumed in India to ensure quality, safety, and efficacy.
• Legal Authority: The standards prescribed by IPC are legally binding under the Second Schedule of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
• Key Publications: The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP), the official book of standards for drugs, and the National Formulary of India (NFI), a manual promoting the rational use of medicines.
• Pharmacovigilance: IPC serves as the National Coordination Centre (NCC) for the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) to monitor Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) .
• Materiovigilance: It serves as the NCC for the Materiovigilance Programme of India (MvPI) to monitor the safety of medical devices.
• Global Recognition: The commission is designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmacovigilance within Public Health Programmes.

India and Seychelles Adopted the Joint Vision for SESEL

• India and Seychelles published a joint vision document titled “India-Seychelles Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages” (SESEL)
• Diplomatic Milestone: The document was released during President Patrick Herminie of Seychelles’ visit to New Delhi, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations.

Key Highlights of India-Seychelles Joint Vision

• Vision SESEL: The ‘SESEL‘ Joint Vision outlined a comprehensive roadmap to align Seychelles’ development with India’s Vision MAHASAGAR.
• Regional Security: India welcomed Seychelles’ decision to join the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) as a full member to enhance maritime security coordination.
• Global Coalitions: Seychelles agreed to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) to strengthen its climate adaptation and disaster response capabilities.
• Development Finance: India announced a new $175 million economic package, including a $50 million grant, to support social housing, e-mobility, and vocational training in Seychelles.
• Institutional Capacity: A Seychelles Hydrographic Unit (SHU) will be created with Indian assistance to improve blue economy mapping and maritime safety.
• Pharmaceutical Access: The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) standards were recognised for procuring affordable generic medicines in Seychelles.
• Digital Cooperation: Seychelles will adopt India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to facilitate digital payments and governance systems.

About India-Seychelles Relations

Strategic Location: Seychelles is a central pillar of India’s SAGAR vision, monitoring critical sea lines in the Mozambique Channel.

Economic Transition: Bilateral trade remains modest at around $100 million, with cooperation shifting toward the Blue Economy and sustainable fisheries.

Security Partnership: India acts as a net security provider by gifting assets like patrol vessel PS Zoroaster and Coastal Surveillance Radar Systems.

Joint Exercise: The biennial Lamitiye exercise strengthens cooperation in counter-piracy and counter-terrorism operations.

Infrastructure Aid: India supports development by funding key public projects, including the new Police Headquarters and the Magistrates’ Court.

Cultural Bridge: The Indian-origin diaspora constitutes about 10% of the population and strengthens people-to-people ties.

Key Divergence: The naval facility project on Assumption Island remains stalled due to local political and environmental opposition.

India-Greece Joint Declaration of Intent for Defence-Industrial Cooperation

• India and Greece signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen bilateral defence-industrial cooperation.
• Strategic Roadmap: Both nations agreed to formulate a five-year roadmap to align India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat‘ initiative with Greece’s ‘Agenda 2030‘ defence reforms.
• Maritime Surveillance: Greece will deploy a Liaison Officer to the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram.

Overview of India-Greece Bilateral Relations

• Strategic Partnership: The relationship was elevated to a ‘Strategic Partnership‘ during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Greece in 2023.
• Mediterranean Gateway: Greece serves as India’s primary gateway to Europe and the entry point for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
• Trade Volume: Total bilateral trade reached $1.4 billion in FY 2024-25, with a mutual target to double it by 2030; the trade balance is heavily skewed in India’s favour.
• Export Basket: Aluminium products, electrical machinery, organic chemicals, marine products, etc.
• Import Basket: Mineral fuels (petroleum products), scrap aluminium, kiwi, olives, etc.
• Military Cooperation: In 2025, the Indian Navy and the Hellenic Navy held their maiden bilateral maritime exercise in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Air Exercise: The Indian Air Force also participates in the multinational air exercise ‘INIOCHOS‘, hosted annually by the Hellenic Air Force.
• Migration Agreement: The Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA) regulates the legal migration of the skilled Indian workforce to Greece.
• Sovereignty Support: Greece supports India’s stance on Kashmir and on permanent membership in the UNSC, while India supports Greece on the Cyprus issue.
• Key Divergences: Greece’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its NATO-aligned stance against Russia.

Integrated Farming Models for Small Farmers

• Union Agriculture Minister urged Agri-scientists to develop integrated farming models while interacting with scientists at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research near Bengaluru.
• Integrated Farming Models (IFMs): A farm-system approach that combines crops, livestock, fisheries, poultry & horticulture on the same holding to maximise income, resilience & resource efficiency.

How Integrated Farming Models Can Help Small Farmers?

• Higher Farm Income: Integrated farming systems raise net farm income by 30–60% compared to monocropping through diversified outputs (ICAR field studies).
• Risk Reduction: Farmers adopting mixed crop–livestock systems experience ~20–25% lower income variability during droughts and price shocks (NITI Aayog assessments).
• Employment Generation: Integrated farms generate 250–350 person-days/ha/year, compared to 120–150 days under cereal monocropping, improving family labour use (ICAR).
• Cost Efficiency: Recycling of manure and residues cuts chemical fertiliser and feed costs by 15–25%, improving profit margins (FAO–ICAR joint studies).
• Nutritional Security: Households practising integrated farming show 15–20% higher dietary diversity, improving protein and micronutrient intake (NFHS-linked rural nutrition studies).

Challenges Faced

• Credit Constraints: Nearly 45% of smallholders face difficulty accessing formal credit for allied activities.
• Initial Investment Needs: Integrated models require 20–30% higher upfront capital than single-crop systems, deterring adoption by marginal farmers.
• Institutional Coordination: Fragmented schemes across crops, livestock and fisheries delay convergence benefits; only ~30% of districts show effective scheme convergence.

Way Forward

• Cluster Scaling: Promote agro-climatic, location-specific IFM clusters with common infrastructure and advisory; E.g., National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture – Rainfed Area Development (RAD).
• Flexible Financing: Enable states to fund customised IFM assets (sheds, ponds, fodder units, pack-houses) through flexible grants; E.g., Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
• Nutrient Cycling: Strengthen organic nutrient loops linking livestock and crops to cut input costs and improve soil health; E.g., Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana.
• Lab-to-Land: Compress technology transfer timelines by deploying scientists directly in villages for adaptive trials and demos; E.g., Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan.

Advancement in CAR-T Cell Therapy

• Researchers at IIT Bombay have developed a safer method for detaching and recovering lab-grown T-cells, removing a key bottleneck in CAR-T Cell Therapy.
• The team used 3D electrospun scaffolds (mimicking body tissue) and the enzyme Accutase to gently extract cells, ensuring higher viability than traditional methods.
• Significance: This innovation can potentially lower costs and increase production scale for indigenous therapies such as NexCAR19.

About CAR-T Cell Therapy

• Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy that genetically modifies a patient’s own T cells to target and destroy cancer cells.
• The T cells are isolated from the patient’s blood, modified to express a specific receptor ‘CAR’ (Chimeric Antigen Receptor), and re-infused.
• The ‘CAR’ acts like a GPS, guiding T-cells to attach to specific antigens, such as CD19, present on cancer cell surfaces.
• Living Drug: These modified cells remain in the body and can continue to multiply, providing long-term immunity against cancer recurrence.
• Indigenous Development: India launched Nexcar19, its first homegrown CAR-T therapy, in 2024, developed by IIT Bombay, Tata Memorial Centre, with industry partner ImmunoACT.
• The NexCAR19 treatment costs roughly 1/10 of the cost of international treatments.
• T-cells are a type of White Blood Cell (lymphocyte) that identify and destroy infected cells, thereby coordinating the overall immune response.
• CARs are proteins that enable T cells to recognise an antigen on targeted tumour cells.

Form 7 Controversy

• Form 7 has become controversial during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls after allegations of bulk, fraudulent deletion requests targeting eligible voters.

About Form 7:

• Form 7 is a statutory form used to object to the inclusion of a name (one’s own or another person’s) in the electoral roll on specified grounds such as death, duplication, shifting of residence, ineligibility by age or citizenship, or misrepresentation.

Legal basis:

• Governed by the Election Commission of India
• Prescribed under Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, framed under the Representation of the People Act, 1950
• As per Section 13(2), objections must be filed in Form 7 by a person whose name is already on the electoral roll
• Booth Level Agents (BLAs) are also permitted to file objections

Aim:

• To maintain the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls.
• To remove ineligible, duplicate, shifted or deceased voters.
• To prevent electoral fraud and ensure free and fair elections.

How it works?

• Any registered elector of the constituency (including Booth Level Agents) can file Form 7.
• Objection can be raised against another voter or for self-deletion.
• On receipt, the Booth Level Officer (BLO) conducts physical verification (multiple visits if required).
• The concerned voter is issued a notice and hearing by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).
• Appeals against ERO’s decision lie with the District Magistrate within 15 days.
• Filing a false declaration is punishable under Section 32 of the RP Act, 1950.

Key features

• Expanded scope (2022 amendment): Any voter in a constituency (not just same booth) can object
• Mandatory verification: Especially if an applicant files more than five objections
• Grounds-based deletion: Death, absent/shifted, duplicate entry, underage, non-citizenship
• Due process safeguards: Physical verification, notices, hearings, and appeal mechanism
• Legal deterrence: False claims attract imprisonment up to one year or fine or both

Issues / concerns

• Alleged coordinated submissions seeking mass deletions.
• Reports of voters denying having filed Form 7 despite signed forms.
• About 6.5 crore names removed as ‘ASD’ (Absent, Shifted, Dead/Duplicate), with high numbers in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat.

DNA-Based Solution to Data Crisis

• With global digital data growing exponentially, researchers at Arizona State University have demonstrated DNA-based systems for ultra-dense, durable and secure data storage.
• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): The hereditary molecule present in all living organisms, arranged in a double-helix structure, capable of storing vast amounts of information in a highly stable form.

Challenges in Conventional Data Storage

• Physical Scaling Limits: Silicon-based chips are nearing atomic-scale limits, making further miniaturisation difficult without sharp rises in error rates and fabrication costs.
• Rising Energy Demand: Data centres already consume ~1–1.5% of global electricity, and AI-driven workloads are projected to double energy demand by the early 2030s.
• Short Storage Lifespan: Hard drives, SSDs and magnetic tapes typically last only 10–30 years, forcing repeated data migration and increasing long-term management costs.
• Security Vulnerabilities: Centralised digital storage systems are exposed to cyberattacks, ransomware and data corruption, requiring constant active protection.

DNA as a Data Storage Platform

• Ultra-High Density: DNA can theoretically store ~215 petabytes per gram, enabling extreme miniaturisation of data archives compared to silicon media.
• Fast Readout: DNA nanostructures generate electrical signals via nanoscale sensors, decoded by machine learning without slow sequencing.
• Energy Efficiency: DNA storage needs negligible energy for long-term preservation.
• Structural Encryption: DNA origami hides information within complex 2D and 3D molecular patterns, unreadable without specialised imaging and AI tools.
• Expanded Code Space: Combining sequence and structural encoding creates exponentially large encryption possibilities, strengthening data protection.
• Extreme Durability: DNA remains stable for millennia; recovery of ~2-million-year-old DNA shows resilience against time and harsh environments.

Foundation Stone laid for Amaravati Quantum Valley

• Foundation stone laid for Amaravati Quantum Valley at Uddandarayunipalem, Andhra Pradesh, positioning Amaravati as India’s quantum-tech hub.

About Amaravati Quantum Valley

• Nature: India’s first integrated quantum valley ecosystem for research, design and IP creation.
• Vision: Replicate a HITEC City-like transformation from IT to quantum technologies.
• Industry Partners: Collaboration with IBM, Tata Consultancy Services, and Larsen & Toubro.
• Talent Pipeline: Launch of Wiser Quantum Talent Hub; CoE to train ~35 lakh students by 2035.

About National Quantum Mission (NQM)

• Launch: Approved by the GOI in 2023 for the period 2023–2031 with a Financial Outlay of ₹6,000 crore to build indigenous quantum capabilities across computing, communication, sensing and materials.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Science & Technology, through the Department of Science & Technology.

Thematic Hubs under NQM

• Quantum Computing: Development of intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50–1,000 physical qubits using multiple platforms.
• Quantum Communication: Creation of a nationwide quantum-secure network using Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) for strategic and civilian use.
• Quantum Sensing & Metrology: Deployment of ultra-sensitive quantum sensors for navigation, timing, gravity measurement and defence applications.
• Quantum Materials & Devices: Research on next-generation quantum materials to support hardware, chips and cryogenic systems.

Significance of NQM

• Strategic Security: Quantum-secure communication reduces cyber vulnerability as data breaches cost India ~₹2,300 crore annually on average (CERT-In).
• Economic Opportunity: Global quantum technology market projected to exceed $90–100 billion by 2040, positioning India to capture high-value IP and jobs.
• Talent & Innovation: NQM supports India’s aim to train tens of thousands of quantum-skilled professionals, strengthening R&D depth as India already produces ~1 million STEM graduates annually.
• The UN has declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ).

Neolithic Artefacts Found at Tekkalakote in Karnataka

• Recent excavations at Tekkalakote in Karnataka’s Ballari district have uncovered significant Neolithic artefacts and human skeletal remains dating back 3,000 to 5,000 years.
• Historical Significance: The site offers a rare, multi-period record of human activity, primarily spanning the Neolithic to the Early Historic period.
• Settlement Architecture: Inhabitants lived in circular thatched huts; some featured a unique “umbrella” design supported by a single central post.
• Burial & Rituals: The community practised both extended pit burials and urn burials; the presence of ash mounds indicates ritualistic dung burning.
• Gold Usage: Tekkalakote provides some of the earliest evidence of gold craftsmanship in the Southern Neolithic, including ear ornaments and toe rings.
• Ceramic Traditions: Burnished grey ware and Black-and-Red Ware were found, often decorated with engravings of bulls, snakes, and peacocks.

Lyriothemis keralensis Dragonfly

• Scientists discovered a new dragonfly species, Lyriothemis keralensis, in Kerala’s low-lying coastal regions.
• Physical Traits: Commonly called ‘Slender Bombardier’ It has a noticeably slimmer abdomen and distinct reproductive structures compared to its closely related species.
• Sexual Dimorphism: Males have a blood-red abdomen with black markings, while females have yellow and black colouration.
• Habitat Preference: The species thrives in human-modified landscapes, particularly in pineapple and rubber plantations; it inhabits shaded irrigation canals and seasonal pools.
• Seasonality: This dragonfly remains a seasonal resident, primarily active during the monsoon months.
• Ecological Role: It functions as a natural bio-control agent by regulating populations of disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes.

Global CyberPeace Summit 2026

• The Global CyberPeace Summit 2026 concluded in New Delhi ahead of Safer Internet Day (February 10).
• The Summit is a global multi-stakeholder conference organised by the non-profit CyberPeace.
• It established “Trust and Safety” as a central pillar of digital governance, expanding beyond cybersecurity to include digital resilience and misinformation.
• Key Launches: The Global Quantum Threat Alliance, an AI Scholarship by the EC Council, and a Centre of Excellence (CoE) focused on Automotive Cybersecurity
• Focus Areas: It addressed the convergence of AI and cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection, and a “Netizen Townhall” to include internet users in policy discussions.
• Significance: It shifted cybersecurity from a technical issue to a human-centric “cyber-peace” concern, emphasising the protection of vulnerable groups.
• Safer Internet Day is observed annually on the second Tuesday of February to promote safe and responsible use of digital technologies.

World Defence Show 2026

• The third edition of the World Defence Show (WDS 2026) is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• WDS is a biennial exhibition hosted by Saudi Arabia and organised by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI).
• It serves as a primary global platform for showcasing advancements across the air, land, sea, space, and security domains.
• The 2026 theme, “The Future of Defence Integration“, emphasises collaboration across all five domains to address modern security issues.
• Key Highlights: The exhibition featured a naval security zone, an unmanned systems zone, and a future defence lab focused on AI, robotics, and quantum technologies.
• India’s Participation: India inaugurated its first dedicated pavilion to showcase indigenous capabilities, including tanks, missiles, and radar systems.
• Significance: It aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 target of localising 50% of defence spending and strengthens India-Saudi Arabia relations.

SCALP Long-Range Missiles

• The Indian Air Force is finalising a €300 million deal with France to procure additional SCALP missiles for its Rafale fleet.
• Cruise Missile: The SCALP, also known as Storm Shadow, is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile jointly developed by France and the UK.
• Target Profile: It is designed for “fire-and-forget” deep-strike missions against stationary targets like hardened bunkers and command centres.
• Core Specifications: The missile carries a 450 kg BROACH warhead, has an operational range of 560 km, and travels at high subsonic speeds (Mach 0.8–0.95).
• BROACH: Bomb Royal Ordnance Augmented Charge is a dual-stage, tandem warhead that first penetrates reinforced concrete or soil, then detonates inside for maximum damage.
• Triple Guidance: It uses a combination of Inertial Navigation, GPS, and Terrain Reference Navigation (TRN) to ensure high resilience to jamming.
• Stealth Features: The missile employs a low-observable airframe and flies at very low altitudes (terrain-hugging) to evade enemy radar detection.
• Terminal Accuracy: In the final phase, an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker matches the target view with stored images to ensure pinpoint accuracy.
• Operational History: India reportedly used SCALP missiles in Operation Sindoor to destroy terrorist headquarters in Pakistan.

SATYA Portal

• The Ministry of State for Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) inaugurated the STQC Lab Automation Portal, ‘SATYA’, in New Delhi.
• STQC: The Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification Directorate is an attached office of MeitY, ensuring the quality, security, and reliability of electronic and IT products nationwide.
• Objective: The portal is designed to modernise and digitise the quality assurance services offered by the STQC Directorate.
• Development: The platform was developed in partnership with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
• Key Features: The portal enables a fully digital workflow for certification and testing, automates laboratory processes, and includes a dedicated Ticketing System for faster grievance resolution.
• Significance: The initiative advances citizen-centric governance, aligning with Digital India, Minimum Government – Maximum Governance, and Ease of Doing Business.

Mangrove clam (Geloina erosa)

• The ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has successfully achieved induced breeding of the mangrove clam under captive conditions, a rare global scientific feat.

Mangrove clam (Geloina erosa):

• An ecologically important bivalve (mud/mangrove clam) found in mangrove and estuarine ecosystems of South and Southeast Asia; locally called “Kandal Kakka” in northern Kerala.
• Scientific name: Geloina erosa (also placed under the genus Polymesoda in some literature).

Habitat:

• Organic-rich muddy substrates of intertidal mangrove zones.
• Tolerates a wide salinity range (brackish to near-freshwater).
• Deep-burrowing, semi-infaunal species; adults often landward, juveniles more tide-independent.

Key characteristics

• Large-sized mud clam: One of the world’s largest mangrove clams, reaching ~10 cm shell width, making it valuable both ecologically and as a food resource.
• Efficient filter feeder: Filters suspended particles and plankton from water, recycling nutrients and improving estuarine water quality.
• Distinct gonadal identification: Sexes are identified by gonad colour and structure, not external organs, aiding reproductive studies and broodstock selection.
• Ecosystem stabiliser: Burrowing behaviour stabilises sediments, enhances nutrient cycling and strengthens overall mangrove ecosystem resilience.

Method used to restore / conserve

• Induced breeding in hatchery: CMFRI achieved controlled spawning under captive conditions, overcoming dependence on wild seed collection.
• Complete life-cycle closure: Successful rearing from embryo to larva to spat (from ~18th day) proves hatchery-scale feasibility.

Hatchery seed production for multiple uses:

• Grow-out farming: Enables estuarine aquaculture with minimal external inputs.
• Mangrove ranching: Seeds can be released into degraded mangroves to restore natural populations.
• Stock enhancement: Reduces harvesting pressure on wild clam beds by replenishing natural stocks.

Significance

• Requires minimal feed and infrastructure, making it environment-friendly and climate-resilient.
• Integrates aquaculture with ecosystem regeneration, reinforcing mangrove–benthic linkages.
• Provides an affordable high-protein seafood source for coastal and estuarine communities.