Spirit of ‘Nagrikdevo Bhava’

• Prime Minister of India dedicated ‘Seva Teerth’ to the nation, emphasizing the guiding principle of ‘Nagrikdevo Bhava’ (Citizen is God).
• The initiative symbolically reinforces the government’s commitment to citizen-centric governance under the vision of India First.

About Spirit of ‘Nagrikdevo Bhava’:

• ‘Nagrikdevo Bhava’ translates to “May the citizen be treated as God”, drawing inspiration from the ancient Indian ethos of Atithi Devo Bhava.
• It places the citizen at the center of governance, redefining public service as a sacred duty rather than mere administrative responsibility.

Philosophical Foundation

• Rooted in Indian civilizational values, particularly the concept of Seva (selfless service) and Dharma (duty-bound conduct).
• Resonates with Gandhian philosophy of Antyodaya, which prioritizes the welfare of the last person.
• Aligns with the constitutional morality embedded in Articles 14 and 21, ensuring dignity and equality of every citizen.
• Reflects the ethical dimension of governance where public office is seen as a trust (Lok Seva).

Significance

• Citizen-Centric Governance: Reinforces service delivery reforms like Digital India, Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity, and Direct Benefit Transfer.
• Administrative Accountability: Encourages transparency, responsiveness, and grievance redressal mechanisms.
• Moral Legitimacy of State Power: Shifts governance from authority-driven to service-driven administration.
• Inclusive Development: Supports the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision by ensuring that growth benefits every citizen.

Complaints Against Judges in India

• The Union Law Minister informed the Lok Sabha that the office of the Chief Justice of India received 8,630 complaints against sitting judges between 2016 and 2025.

Complaints Against Judges in India:

• Complaints against judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts relate to allegations of corruption, sexual misconduct, abuse of authority, or serious impropriety.

Key Data & Facts (2016–2025)

• Total Complaints: 8,630 complaints received by the CJI’s office.

Year-wise Trends

• Mechanism: Complaints can also be routed through CPGRAMS and are forwarded to the CJI or respective High Court Chief Justices.
• Legal Framework: Removal of judges is governed by Articles 124(4) and 217 of the Constitution and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, requiring a special majority in Parliament.

Significance

• Judicial Accountability: Rising complaints highlight the importance of maintaining public trust in the higher judiciary.
• Transparency Gap: Lack of publicly available data on action taken fuels concerns over opacity in the in-house procedure.
• Institutional Credibility: Ensuring ethical conduct is central to upholding judicial independence and rule of law.

40 Years of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

• Union Minister extended greetings to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) on its 40th establishment day.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA):

• APEDA is a statutory export promotion authority established under the APEDA Act, 1985 (Act 2 of 1986) to promote the export of agricultural and processed food products from India. It replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC).

Established In

• Act passed: December 1985
• Came into effect: 13 February 1986
• Administrative Ministry: Functions under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.

Key Functions of APEDA

• Export Promotion & Market Development: Provides financial assistance, market intelligence, and global branding support to boost agri-exports.
• Registration of Exporters (RCMC): Registers exporters of scheduled products and ensures compliance with export norms.
• Quality Standards & Certification: Fixes export standards and monitors quality, including inspection of meat and processed products.
• Packaging & Value Addition Support: Promotes improved packaging, labeling, and value-added processing to enhance global competitiveness.
• National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP): Acts as Secretariat for certification and regulation of organic exports.
• Data Collection & Trade Statistics: Collects and publishes export data to support policy formulation and trade planning.
• Monitoring Imports of Sugar: Entrusted with oversight of sugar imports.
• Wide Product Coverage: Includes fruits, vegetables, basmati rice, meat, dairy, cereals, honey, guar gum, floriculture, herbal plants, cashew, beverages, and more.

Significance of APEDA

• Boost to Agricultural Exports: India’s agricultural exports have crossed $50 billion in recent years, with APEDA playing a pivotal facilitative role.
• Farmer Income Enhancement: By opening new international markets, APEDA strengthens rural livelihoods and aligns with the goal of doubling farmers’ income.

Novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2)

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified an additional novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) to strengthen global outbreak response.

Novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2):

• nOPV2 is a next-generation oral polio vaccine designed specifically to combat outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). It is used in outbreak response immunization campaigns across affected countries.

Developed by:

• The vaccine was developed under the framework of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

Aim:

• To stop transmission of poliovirus type 2 during outbreaks.
• To reduce the risk of vaccine-derived virus mutations.
• To accelerate progress toward global polio eradication.

Key Features:

• Genetically more stable than older oral polio vaccines, lowering the risk of seeding new outbreaks.
• Suitable for all age groups in outbreak settings.
• Available in multi-dose vials (20 and 50 doses) for large-scale campaigns.
• Flexible storage conditions, aiding immunization drives in diverse field settings.
• WHO prequalification ensures compliance with international safety, quality and efficacy standards, enabling procurement by agencies like UNICEF.

Significance:

• Strengthens global vaccine supply and manufacturing resilience.
• Supports rapid outbreak containment in under-immunized populations.
• Contributes to declining wild polio cases and reduction in cVDPV2 transmission.

Aerospace Manufacturing in India

• Despite record growth and strategic opportunities, a significant engineering skills gap could hinder India’s aerospace manufacturing ambitions.

India’s Aerospace Manufacturing Landscape

• Market Position: India is the world’s third-largest aviation market, with a domestic requirement of ~3,300 new aircraft by 2044.
• Component Manufacturing: The market for aerospace parts manufacturing in India is expected to reach $21.5 billion by 2030.
• MRO Sector: The Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector is projected to be a $4 billion industry by 2031, transitioning from a service-import model to a domestic service hub.
• Private Assembly: The Tata-Airbus consortium established India’s first private Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara to manufacture 40 C-295 aircraft.

Govt. Initiatives for Aerospace Manufacturing

• Indigenisation List: The Ministry of Defence issued five Positive Indigenisation Lists, comprising over 5,000 items, to embargo imports and ensure a domestic market.
• Infrastructure Support: Two dedicated Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu offer subsidised land and “plug-and-play” infrastructure for aviation units.
• Fiscal Incentives: The Centre reduced the GST rate on MRO services from 18% to 5% and aligned place-of-supply rules to make Indian MROs globally competitive.
• Investment Policy: The government now permits up to 74% FDI in defence manufacturing under the automatic route to encourage foreign OEMs to set up manufacturing units.
• Digital Interface: The SRIJAN Portal lists aviation items previously imported by Defence PSUs, helping private industries identify parts for reverse engineering.
• Procurement Norms: The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) and Public Procurement orders mandate domestic manufacturing clauses in major procurements.

SHANTI Act & Nuclear Liability Debate

• SHANTI Act, passed in Winter Session, opens nuclear sector to private participation and modifies liability provisions under Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA).
• Liability dilution combined with private entry may disproportionately favour corporate profitability over systemic risk allocation.

Key Features of the SHANTI Act

• Private Sector Entry: Ends the Union government’s exclusive control by permitting private entities to operate nuclear power plants, marking a major policy shift.
• Supplier Indemnity: Channels liability primarily to operators by removing the “right of recourse,” preventing operators from suing suppliers for defective equipment.
• Liability Caps: Operator liability capped between ₹100 crore – ₹3,000 crore, while total accident liability capped at 300 million SDR (~₹3,900 crore).
• Clause 46 Omission: Omission of Clause 46 of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA), 2010 removes victims’ ability to seek remedies under other civil or criminal laws.
• Regulatory Framework: The Act provides a legislative basis for the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) but links member selection to a committee constituted by the Atomic Energy Commission.

Liability & Safety Concerns

1. Supplier Indemnity Debate

• Design Defect Evidence: Major nuclear accidents globally have been linked to design flaws. E.g. Fukushima (containment weakness), Chernobyl (reactor instability), Three Mile Island (control room failures).
• Safety Incentive Distortion: Supplier indemnity weakens accountability pressures that normally enforce stringent quality assurance and engineering safeguards.
• Risk Transfer Mechanism: Liability burden effectively shifts from suppliers → operators → state/victims, diluting the polluter-pays principle.

2. Liability Cap vs Potential Damage

• Scale Mismatch: SHANTI Act caps total liability at ~₹3,900 crore, while Fukushima damages are estimated at ~₹46 lakh crore.
• Compensation Deficit: Even the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) pools are unlikely to cover >1% of catastrophic loss scenarios.
• Absolute Liability Dilution: Indemnification for “grave natural disasters” softens India’s traditionally strict hazardous industry liability framework.

Way Forward

• Liability Rebalancing: Restore calibrated supplier accountability to preserve safety incentives. E.g., Hybrid liability frameworks used in select OECD nuclear regimes.
• Regulatory Independence: Strengthen AERB autonomy to avoid regulatory capture risks. E.g., Independent nuclear regulators in the US (NRC) & France (ASN).
• Safety Investment Mandate: Enforce stricter plant resilience and multi-hazard disaster preparedness requirements for nuclear installations. E.g., Post-Fukushima global safety upgrades.

The Sangtam Community

• The apex body of Nagaland’s Sangtam community has passed a resolution to protect pangolins within its jurisdiction.

The Sangtam Community:

• Sangtam Naga are one of the recognized Naga tribes of Nagaland, primarily inhabiting Kiphire and Tuensang districts in eastern Nagaland.
• They are part of the larger Naga ethnic group of Northeast India and follow strong customary governance traditions.

Origin:

• According to oral traditions, the Sangtams trace their migration through regions of present-day Myanmar before settling in present eastern Nagaland.
• The term “Sangtam” is believed to have evolved from “Sangdang”, an ancestral village name that was later recorded in British administrative reports in the late 19th century.

Key characteristics:

• Strong traditional governance system led by village councils and apex tribal bodies.
• Organized into six major clan groupings (Shuh), reflecting deep-rooted lineage structures.
• Inhabit ecologically rich landscapes marked by dense forests, shifting cultivation, and biodiversity hotspots.
• Community resolutions play a decisive role in regulating social practices and natural resource use.

Significance:

• The Sangtam region lies near the India–Myanmar border, a critical wildlife trafficking route.
• Their collective decision-making system makes them crucial stakeholders in biodiversity protection.
• The recent pangolin protection resolution reflects the growing importance of indigenous community-led conservation in safeguarding threatened species.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secures Victory in Parliamentary Election

• The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, secured a decisive victory in Bangladesh’s 2026 General Elections.
• Political Shift: The Awami League, previously led by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, remained barred from participating as its registration stayed suspended.
• Referendum Outcome: Held alongside the elections, a referendum on the “July Charter” received a “Yes” vote from approximately 70-73% of voters; proposed reforms include –

1. Imposing a two-term limit for the Prime Minister.
2. Restructuring parliament into a bicameral legislature.
3. Establishing a neutral caretaker system to oversee future elections.
4. Increasing women’s representation and strengthening judicial independence

Key Implications for India

• Security Risks: Northeast India’s internal security is at renewed risk as the new regime may adopt an accommodative stance toward dormant insurgent groups.
• Extradition Crisis: Bilateral diplomatic channels will be strained by the new government’s formal pursuit of Sheikh Hasina’s extradition.
• Connectivity Projects: Regional integration faces setbacks as the administration plans a strategic review of key transit agreements, including energy pipelines and port access.
• Border Friction: Operational tension is expected along the frontier, as the BNP manifesto mandates a “zero-tolerance” policy on border killings and alleged “push-ins.”
• Water Diplomacy: Negotiations may become contentious as Dhaka prioritises “equitable redistribution” for the Teesta and Padma rivers, ahead of the Ganga Water Treaty’s 2026 expiry.
• Geopolitical Shift: India’s regional influence may wane as Bangladesh recalibrates its foreign policy towards a “diversified partnership,” deepening ties with China and Pakistan.

Rafale Jet

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared the proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Indigenisation: Ninety-six jets will be produced domestically through a strategic partnership, and the fleet will integrate indigenous weapons like Astra and BrahMos-NG missiles.

About Rafale Fighter Jet

• The Rafale is a 4.5-generation, canard-delta-wing, multirole combat aircraft manufactured by Dassault Aviation of France.
• Operational Role: It operates as an “Omnirole” platform capable of executing air superiority, ground support, and nuclear deterrence missions in a single sortie.
• Engine Capabilities: It has a twin-engine configuration that enables Supercruise, enabling supersonic flight without afterburners.
• Speed & Altitude: It has a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and maintains a service ceiling of 50,000 ft.
• Radar System: It features the RBE2 AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar for simultaneous detection and tracking of multiple targets.
• Electronic Warfare: The SPECTRA (Self-Protection Equipment Countering Threats to Rafale Aircraft) suite provides long-range detection and jamming capabilities.
• Enhancements: The fleet incorporates 13 India-specific enhancements, including Israeli helmet-mounted displays, low-band jammers, and cold-start capability for high-altitude bases.

Weapon Systems

• Air-to-Air Missiles: The aircraft deploys the Meteor, a ramjet-powered Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile (>150 km), and the versatile MICA for interceptions.
• Deep Strike Capability: The SCALP (Storm Shadow) air-launched cruise missile neutralises high-value fortified targets deep within enemy territory.
• Precision Munitions: The HAMMER rocket-boosted weapon delivers high-altitude precision air-to-ground strikes.
• Nuclear Capability: The platform is capable of delivering nuclear weapons, significantly strengthening the air leg of India’s Nuclear Triad.

Air-Ship Based High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS)

• Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of Air-Ship Based High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS) for the Indian Air Force.
• They are named pseudo-satellites because they perform basic satellite functions, but they do not require a rocket for launching.

High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS)

• Category: Solar-powered unmanned aerial platform operating in the stratosphere (~18–20 km altitude) with persistent satellite-like surveillance and communication capabilities.
• Operational Concept: Designed to remain airborne for months or even years, using daytime solar energy and high-density battery storage during night cycles.
• Pseudo-Satellite Role: Provides persistent regional coverage without costly rocket launches.

Key Applications

• Military Functions: Persistent Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) operations, Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), telecommunications, remote sensing.
• Communication Support: Functions as a “tower in the sky” for secure communication networks.
• Civilian Uses: Disaster management, 5G extension, precision agriculture, environmental monitoring.

Why India Needs HAPS?

• Doklam Lesson (2017): The Doklam standoff exposed the need for continuous, real-time surveillance to track mobilisation and infrastructure activity near sensitive border points.
• Persistent Surveillance Gap: Conventional UAVs typically offer 24–48 hours of endurance, while LEO satellites move on fixed paths and can’t “hover” over one spot continuously.
• Border Scale Challenge: India has ~15,000 km of land borders across high-altitude, desert and forest terrains, where ground-based sensors have blind spots.

National Call of BIRAC–RDI Fund announced under RDI Initiative

• First National Call of ₹2,000 Crore BIRAC–RDI Fund was announced under ₹1 Lakh Crore Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Initiative to boost Biotech Sector.

About BIRAC-RDI Fund

• Overview: Launched in November 2025 under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), anchored by the Department of Science & Technology (DST).

Key Features & Focus Areas:

• Aim: To bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial-scale manufacturing ("Lab-to-Industry").
• It supports technologies Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above through a mix of equity, convertible instruments, and long-term debt.
• Fund Manager: The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
• Sectors: It complements the BioE3 Policy and targets next-generation products in Biopharma, Bio-industrial manufacturing, Bioenergy, etc.

About RDI (Research, Development, and Innovation) Scheme

• Under the aegis of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
• Financial Outlay: ₹1 lakh crore over six years, including ₹20,000 crore in FY 2025-26.

Objectives:

1. Encouraging Private Sector Involvement: in cutting-edge research and innovation.
2. Promoting Strategic Technologies such as deep tech, biotech, AI, etc.
3. Fostering Self-Reliance and Economic Security.

India’s Bioeconomy Sector

• India''s bioeconomy has grown from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, with a target of $300 billion by 2030.

Prime Minister Approves Major Schemes for Women, Youth and Vulnerable Citizens

Key Decisions Taken

• PM RAHAT (Road Accident Holistic Action for Treatment) Scheme launched
• Purpose: To prevent deaths due to lack of immediate medical help by covering expenses for accident victims.
• Coverage: Cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh.
• Lakhpati Didi Initiative: Target revised
• Target doubled to support 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by March 2029.
• The earlier target of 3 crore Lakhpati Didis achieved ahead of the original March 2027 timeline.

About Lakhpati Didi Initiative (2023)

• Objective: To enable rural SHG women to move out of poverty by diversifying livelihoods through skilling, financial inclusion, market access etc.
• E.g. running small enterprises or livestock management
• Definition: A Lakhpati Didi is an SHG member with a sustainable annual household income of ₹1,00,000 or more.
• Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development (under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM))
• Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (FFS 2.0) approved with a corpus of ₹10,000 crore
• FFS 2.0 for startups, unveiled in the Budget 2025-26, focuses on the manufacturing and high-technology sectors, requiring longer-term funding.

About Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS)

• Flagship initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Startup India Action Plan.
• Managed by: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
• It supports SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), which in turn invest in startups, expanding access to domestic risk capital and strengthening entrepreneurship.

Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana

• Data released in Lok Sabha revealed that less than half of the students trained under PM-DAKSH scheme between 2021 and 2024 were placed.
• Institutes must provide employment to 70% of trainees from Short Term Training Courses, or forfeit 30% of the training cost per candidate.

About PM DAKSH (2020-21)

• Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Aim:  To provide free of cost skills through quality institutions so that candidates from its target group can find employment.
• Target group: SC, OBC, Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and De-notified Tribes Safai Karamcharis including waste pickers, Transgenders.

Eligibility

• Age Criterion: 18-45 years
• OBC and EWS: Annual income family below Rs.3 lakh.
• Note: It has been merged with the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.