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Current Affairs – February 02, 2026

Prelims Cracker

{GS2 – Polity} SC Rules Menstrual Health a Fundamental Right **

  • Context (TH | IE): The Supreme Court recognised menstrual health as a fundamental right under Article 21 in Dr Jaya Thakur v. Government of India.

Key Directions Issued by the Supreme Court

  • Infrastructure Mandate: All government and private schools must ensure functional, gender-segregated, disabled-friendly toilets with continuous water supply and soap.
  • Free Sanitary Pads: All schools must provide free oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins (ASTM D-6954 standard) to girls in Classes 6–12.
  • MHM Corners: Schools must establish Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHN) corners with emergency supplies and safe disposal facilities.
  • Awareness & Training: NCERT and SCERTs must integrate menstruation-responsive curricula and train both male and female teachers.
  • Accountability: District Education Officers (DEOs) must conduct annual inspections; non-compliant private schools risk de-recognition.
  • Monitoring: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and State Commissions should oversee implementation.
  • Article 21: The Court embedded menstrual dignity within the right to life, holding that a lack of MHM violated decisional autonomy and bodily privacy.
  • Articles 14 & 15: The Court applied ‘substantive equality’, invoking Article 15(3) to address menstruation as a biological basis of structural exclusion.
  • Article 21A: It recognised MHM as vital to the right to education, as its absence causes high absenteeism and dropout among adolescent girls.
  • RTE Section 3: The Court reinterpreted free education to include the removal of gender-specific financial barriers, identifying ‘period poverty’ as an obstacle to completing education.
  • RTE Section 19: It held that the school norms and standards under the Act are mandatory constitutional obligations, not merely procedural guidelines.

Read More > Draft National Menstrual Hygiene Policy, 2023

{GS2 – Polity} 16th FC Recommendations **

  • Context (TOI | TH): The 16th Finance Commission retained 41% tax devolution share for States while pushing outcome-linked spending and stricter fiscal discipline.

Key Recommendations by the 16th Finance Commission

  • Vertical Devolution: States’ share in the divisible tax pool retained at 41%.
  • Transparency Push: Annual disclosure of net tax proceeds certified by CAG under Article 279.
  • Output-Based Spending: Centrally Sponsored Schemes linked to real-time measurable outcomes.

Fiscal Reform Push

  • Scheme Rationalisation: High-powered committee to review and close inefficient schemes.
  • Fiscal Discipline: States’ fiscal deficit capped at 3% of GSDP; Union target 3.5% of GDP.
  • Off-Budget Borrowings: States advised to discontinue hidden borrowings & bring them on-budget.
  • Subsidy Rationalisation: Rising subsidy burden flagged as fiscally unsound, with borrowing for transfers discouraged and sunset clauses recommended to curb long-term strain.
  • PSU Reforms: States urged to evaluate PSU performance, with inactive enterprises recommended for immediate closure to reduce recurring fiscal pressure.

Revised Horizontal Devolution Formula

Criterion

15th FC

(2021-26)

16th FC

(2026-31)

Per Capita Income Distance

45%

42.5%

Population

15%

17.5%

Demographic Performance

12.5%

10%

Area

15%

10%

Forest Cover

10%

10%

Contribution to GDP (New)

10%

Tax and Fiscal Efforts

2.5%

Horizontal Devolution Impact

  • Southern Share Rise: All five southern States saw higher devolution shares, Andhra Pradesh (4.217%), Karnataka (4.131%), Kerala (2.382%), Tamil Nadu (4.097%) and Telangana (2.174%).
  • North Share Dip: Uttar Pradesh’s share fell to 17.619% and Bihar’s to 9.948%, despite remaining top recipients due to population base.

Major Policy Shifts

  • GDP Criterion Added: Replaced the tax effort indicator to reward efficiency and fiscal performance.
  • Revenue Deficit Grants Dropped: No revenue deficit or state-specific grants during the award period.
  • Performance Grants: Local body funds split into basic and performance-linked components.

Local Body & Disaster Funding

  • Funding: ₹7.91 lakh crore for local bodies (FY27–FY31), disaster corpus of ₹2.04 lakh crore for States, along with a real-time disaster data platform.
  • Property Tax Reform: GIS-based digital systems for better assessment and collection.
  • New Disasters Added: Heatwaves and lightning to the notified national disaster list.

About Finance Commission (FC)

  • The Finance Commission (FC) is a constitutional body constituted by the President under Article 280 of the Constitution.
  • Quasi-Judicial body constituted every 5th year or at a time as the President deems necessary.
  • It consists of a chairman and 4 other members to be appointed by the President. They are eligible for re-appointment.

{GS2 – Social Sector} SC Prohibits the Use of Stem Cell Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Context (TH): Supreme Court has strictly prohibited the use of stem cell therapy as a routine clinical treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
  • Medical Status: The court affirmed the National Medical Commission’s stance to classify the therapy for autism as an experimental procedure rather than an established standard of care.
  • Liability: Medical practitioners offering this therapy as a commercial service are now liable for professional misconduct and medical malpractice.
  • Consent Validity: The court ruled that “informed consent” obtained from parents is legally invalid because the treatment lacks proven scientific efficacy and safety.
  • Permissible Scope: The administration of stem cells is permitted only when conducted within the strict framework of approved and monitored clinical trials.

About Stem Cell Therapy

  • Biological Nature: Stem cells are undifferentiated biological cells capable of differentiating into specialised tissues and of self-renewing through division.
  • Therapeutic Function: Regenerative medicine utilises these viable cells to repair, replace, or regenerate dysfunctional tissues in the body.
  • Harvesting Sources: Therapeutic cells are derived from three main sources: adult tissues (such as bone marrow), early-stage embryos (embryonic stem cells), and umbilical cord blood.
    • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs): Scientists can reprogram adult somatic cells into an embryonic-like state to create “man-madestem cells, bypassing the ethical concerns of using embryos
  • Transplant Types: Therapies are categorised into –
    1. Autologous Transplant: In this mode of therapy, the patient serves as their own donor, minimising the risk of immune rejection.
    2. Allogeneic Transplant: This method involves harvesting stem cells from a matched healthy donor, which carries a higher risk of Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD).
  • Administration: Clinical delivery is performed through various methods, including Intravenous (IV) infusion, Intrathecal (spinal fluid) injection, or direct site injection.

Regulation of Stem Cell Therapy in India

  • Legal Status: Under the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019, stem cell-derived products are classified as “New Drugs” and require clinical trials before public use.
  • Approving Body: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is the primary authority for approving clinical trials and granting market authorisation.
  • Internal Compliance: Every research institution is required to establish an Institutional Committee for Stem Cell Research (IC-SCR) to ensure mandatory oversight.
  • Research Framework: The National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research, 2017 (ICMR & DBT), categorise research into Permissible, Restricted, and Prohibited levels to regulate conduct.
  • Approved Treatments: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) for blood cancers is the primary established standard of care.
    • Limited market authorisation has also been granted to specific stem cell products, e.g., Stempeucel for Critical Limb Ischemia/Buerger’s Disease.
  • Banned Activities: India strictly prohibits research on human germline gene therapy, reproductive cloning, and the growth of embryos in vitro beyond 14 days.
  • Restricted Projects: Research involving the creation of human embryos (IVF) specifically for deriving stem cells requires strict approval from the National Apex Committee.
  • Investigational Use: All other applications (e.g., for autism, cerebral palsy, or anti-ageing) are classified as “experimental” to limit use to monitored clinical trials.
  • Marketing Ban: The Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954, strictly prohibits advertising unproven stem cell “miracle cures” to protect the public from exploitation.

Read More> Stem Cell Therapy

{GS3 – IE} Highlights of Union Budget 2026-27 **

  • Context (TH): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her 9th consecutive Union Budget for the fiscal year 2026-27.
  • Milestone: This presentation marked the first instance in India’s parliamentary history where an annual Budget was tabled on a Sunday.
  • Strategic Vision: The Union Budget 2026–27 centres its overarching vision on Viksit Bharat (Developed India) and Yuva Shakti-driven growth.
  • Three Duties: The budget is anchored in three “Kartavyas to: (1) Accelerate and sustain economic growth, (2) Fulfil citizens’ aspirations, and (3) Ensure universal access to resources and opportunities.
  • Six Interventions: The government identifies six key intervention areas under the first Kartavya (duty) to strengthen India’s economic foundation.
    1. Strategic Manufacturing: Scale seven frontier sectorsBiopharma, Semiconductors, Rare Earths, Electronics, Textiles, Chemicals and Capital Goods – to reduce import dependence.
    2. Industrial Modernisation: Rejuvenate traditional industrial clusters through technological upgrades to restore global cost-competitiveness.
    3. MSME Empowerment: Transform small enterprises into global champions via the SME Growth Fund and the “Corporate Mitras” initiative.
    4. Infrastructure Investment: Sustain the multiplier effect by deploying record Capex and developing new High-Speed Rail and Freight corridors.
    5. Energy Resilience: Deploy Critical Minerals corridors and Carbon Capture (CCUS) technology to ensure long-term security.
    6. Urban Development: Unlock the economic potential of cities through integrated planning and “Challenge Modefunding.

Key Highlights of Union Budget 2026-27

Macroeconomic Framework & Fiscal Policy

  • Fiscal Deficit: The fiscal deficit target for FY 2026-27 is set at 4.3% of GDP to adhere strictly to the fiscal consolidation glide path.
  • Debt Trajectory: The government has introduced a new fiscal plan to stabilise the Debt-to-GDP ratio at 50% (±1%) by FY 2030-31.
  • Capital Expenditure: A record ₹12.2 lakh crore has been allocated for capital expenditure (Capex) to sustain the high-multiplier effect of infrastructure-led economic growth.
  • Total Outlay: The total estimated expenditure for the financial year 2026-27 stands at ₹53.47 lakh crore.

Industry, Manufacturing & MSMEs

  • Biopharma SHAKTI: A ₹10,000 crore scheme is launched to position India as a global hub for biologics and biosimilars by upgrading NIPERs and clinical trial infrastructure.
    • The government will establish three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) and upgrade seven existing ones.
  • Semiconductor Mission: ₹1,000 crore is allocated for FY2026-27 to support ISM 2.0, emphasising a shift from assembly to higher-value manufacturing and indigenous IP creation.
  • Electronics Manufacturing: The government expanded the outlay for the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) to ₹40,000 crore to capitalise on investment momentum.
  • Container Ecosystem: A dedicated ₹10,000 crore scheme aims to build a domestic container-manufacturing ecosystem, reducing dependence on Chinese imports.
  • Chemical Parks: The government will support states in establishing three dedicated Chemical Parks through a “Challenge Mode” with “plug-and-play” infrastructure.
  • Critical Minerals: Dedicated “Rare Earth Corridors” will be developed in coastal states like Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu to secure the full value chain from mining to manufacturing.
  • Legacy Clusters: A new scheme aims to modernise 200 legacy industrial clusters to improve their cost competitiveness through technology upgrades and common facility centres.
  • SME Growth Fund: A dedicated ₹10,000 crore fund is set up to scale high-potential MSMEs into “Champion” enterprises capable of competing in global value chains.
  • Corporate Mitras: A para-professional cadre will be trained to assist MSMEs in Tier-II & Tier-III cities with complex regulatory filings.

Infrastructure, Energy & Connectivity

  • City Economic Regions: An allocation of ₹5,000 crore per City Economic Region (CER) over five years is proposed to develop integrated zones through a “Challenge Mode”.
  • Carbon Capture (CCUS): A ₹20,000 crore outlay is announced to deploy Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) technologies for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors like steel and cement.
  • Freight Corridors: A new dedicated freight corridor connecting Dankuni (West Bengal) to Surat (Gujarat) is proposed to streamline east-west logistics.
  • Waterways: The government aims to operationalise 20 new National Waterways, prioritising NW-5 in Odisha, to shift cargo transport to greener modes.
  • Coastal Cargo: A promotion scheme aims to increase the share of inland waterways and coastal shipping to 12% by 2047.
  • Seaplane VGF: A new Viability Gap Funding scheme has been launched to indigenise seaplane manufacturing and operations for last-mile connectivity and tourism.
  • High-Speed Rail: Seven new high-speed rail corridors, including Mumbai-Pune, will be developed as “Growth Connectors” to enable rapid inter-city mobility.

Agriculture & Rural Economy

  • Bharat-VISTAAR: A multilingual AI tool will integrate with AgriStack portals to deliver real-time, personalised advisory services to farmers.
  • Fisheries: A record allocation of ₹2,761 crore is proposed to strengthen the fisheries value chain, with a focus on modernising landing centres and cold chains under the PMMSY.
  • High-Value Crops: Special support is announced for cultivating sandalwood, agar trees, walnuts, and almonds to help farmers diversify into high-margin plantation crops.
  • Global Branding: The government sets a target to achieve “Global Brand Status” for Indian cashew and cocoa by 2030 to enhance export realisation.
  • Veterinary Support: A loan-linked capital subsidy is introduced to support the training of 20,000 new veterinary professionals.
  • Khadi & Village Industries: The “Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj” initiative will strengthen the ecosystem for Khadi, handloom, and handicrafts to create non-farm employment.

Women-Led Development (Nari Shakti)

  • SHE-Marts:Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts” will be set up as community-owned retail outlets to allow women’s SHGs to sell products directly.
  • Enterprise Ownership: The government aims to transition “Lakhpati Didis” from credit-linked livelihoods to actual enterprise ownership via equity-like support.
  • STEM Hostels: One dedicated girls’ hostel will be constructed in each district to improve the retention of female students in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) streams.
  • Mission Shakti: The allocation for Mission Shakti is increased to ₹3,605 crore to strengthen the institutional architecture for women’s safety.

Social Justice & Inclusive Welfare

  • Divyang Kaushal Yojana: A new skill program will train Divyangjan for high-demand roles in IT and AVGC to ensure their economic independence.
  • Divyang Sahara Yojana: The government will fund the procurement of modern assistive devices through strengthened ALIMCO centres to improve the mobility of the disabled.
  • Mental Health: A new National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS-2) will be set up in North India to bridge the regional gap in tertiary mental healthcare.
  • Geriatric Care: A training programme is launched to create a workforce of 1.5 lakh multiskilled caregivers, addressing the rising demand for elderly care.
  • Purvodaya: The Purvodaya” initiative will focus on the holistic development of five Eastern states – Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh – to reduce regional disparities.

Services, Technology & Tourism

  • AVGC Labs:Content Creator Labs” will be set up in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges to build a talent pipeline for the booming Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector.
  • Cloud Tax Holiday: Foreign companies providing cloud services to global customers from Indian data centres receive a tax holiday until 2047 to incentivise data localisation.
  • Safe Harbour: The Safe Harbour limit for IT services has been increased to ₹2,000 crore to provide tax certainty and reduce transfer pricing litigation.
  • Digital Tourism: A “National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid” will be created to document all places of tourist significance for better trip planning.
  • Adventure Trails: Dedicated tourism trails will be developed for niche activities like turtle watching, birdwatching and mountain trekking to diversify tourism offerings.

Financial Sector Reforms

  • Banking Committee: A “High-Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat” will be constituted to review the sector and recommend reforms.
  • Investment Liberalisation: The portfolio investment limit for individual Persons Resident Outside India (PROI) in listed Indian companies has been increased to 10%, with the aggregate limit raised to 24%.
  • Municipal Bonds: The government will provide a ₹100 crore incentive to encourage large cities to issue high-value municipal bonds exceeding ₹1,000 crore each.
  • TReDS Mandate: The use of the TReDS platform is now mandatory for all CPSE procurements from MSMEs to ensure timely payments and address the working capital crunch.
  • FAST DS Scheme: A one-time “Foreign Assets Disclosure Scheme” offers conditional relief for declaring overseas assets valued at up to ₹5 crore.

Taxation Reforms (Part B)

  • New Tax Code: A simplified new “Income Tax Act, 2025” will replace the existing 1961 Act from April 1, 2026, to reduce litigation.
  • TCS Reduction: Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on overseas tour packages and education remittances has been reduced to a flat 2% to reduce upfront cash outflow.
  • MACT Exemption: Interest awarded by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) to natural persons is now fully exempt from tax, providing relief to accident victims.
  • Buyback Tax: Income from share buybacks will now be taxed as capital gains in the hands of shareholders to bring parity with dividend taxation.
    • To ensure parity and prevent tax arbitrage, promoters will be subject to an additional buyback tax, resulting in an effective tax rate of about 22-30%
  • F&O Taxation: Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on Futures and Options has been hiked to 0.05% and 0.15%, respectively, to curb excessive speculative trading.
  • MAT Rationalisation: The Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) will be reduced to 14% and treated as final tax liability in the old regime from April 2026.
  • Decriminalisation: Technical defaults like failure to produce books are converted from criminal offences to civil fees to improve the ease of doing business.
  • Return Filing: The due date for filing ITR for non-audit business taxpayers has been extended to August 31 to provide sufficient time for compliance.

{Prelims – Geo} Solar Cycle *

  • Context (TH): IIT Kanpur researchers have published a new data-driven method to predict solar cycles.
  • A solar cycle is an approximately 11-year period of changing solar activity, primarily driven by the Sun’s magnetic field.
  • Mechanism: This cycle is powered by differential rotation, a process in which the Sun’s equator rotates faster than its poles, stretching and twisting magnetic field lines.
  • Activity Phases: The Sun shifts from solar minimum, with few sunspots, to solar maximum, with frequent eruptions, then declines again.
    • Sunspots are cooler, darker regions of intense magnetic activity and serve as the primary markers for tracking the cycle’s progress.
  • Magnetic Reversal: At the peak of each cycle (11 years), the Sun’s magnetic poles reverse polarity, requiring two solar cycles—known as the Hale Cycle—to return to their original orientation.
  • Cycle Mapping: Sunspots appear at higher latitudes and migrate toward the equator, following a ‘Butterfly Diagram’ pattern as the cycle advances.
  • Impacts: Enhanced solar activity intensifies the solar wind and geomagnetic storms, disrupting satellites, GPS, and power grids. Solar cycles also influence global climate patterns and auroras.

Read more > The Sun’s Internal Structure and Atmosphere

{Prelims – Eco} CHAKRA Centre of Excellence

  • Context (TH): State Bank of India launched CHAKRA – Centre of Excellence to finance technology-driven and sustainability-focused sunrise sectors.

About CHAKRA (Centre of Excellence)

  • Acronym: Cell Chemistry, Hydrogen (Green), Advanced Computing (Data Centres), Charismatic Living (Smart Infrastructure), Renewable Energy & E-Mobility, and Advanced Electronics/Semiconductors.
  • Core Aim: Accelerate funding for next-generation, technology-led and sustainability-focused sectors.
  • Transformation Role: Designed to support India’s transition towards innovation-based growth.
  • Capital Scale: These sectors are projected to unlock ~ ₹100 lakh crore cumulative investment by 2030.
  • Advisory Support: Assists SBI’s Project Finance and Structuring teams with domain knowledge.
  • Ecosystem Hub: Enables collaboration across financial institutions and innovation networks.
  • Focus Sunrise Sectors (8): Renewable Energy, Advanced Cell Chemistry & Battery Storage, Electric Mobility & Charging Infrastructure, Green Hydrogen & Green Ammonia, Semiconductors, Decarbonisation Technologies, Smart Infrastructure, Data Centre Infrastructure

About Sunrise Industries

  • These are innovation-driven, high-growth emerging sectors aligned to future needs and market trends, marked by rapid expansion, strong investment flow and a vibrant start-up ecosystem.
  • Sunrise industries may shift to maturity & eventually become sunset industries if innovation stagnates/demand declines. Thus, to sustain momentum, dynamic policy frameworks are required.

{Prelims – Initiatives} Grain ATMs in Bihar

  • Context (IE): Bihar approved pilot installation of automated “Grain ATMs” (Annapurti) in Patna to modernise Public Distribution System (PDS) delivery.

About Grain ATMs (Annapurti)

  • Institutional Collaboration: Technology developed by the World Food Programme in partnership with the Food Corporation of India and State governments.
  • Nodal Agency: Bihar Food and Consumer Protection Department manages rollout.
  • Cost Sharing: Maintenance and security funded jointly by the Centre and States
  • Space Provision: State governments allocate physical space for machines.

Key Features

  • Automated Machines: Dispense wheat and rice directly to beneficiaries like banking ATMs.
  • High Capacity: Can release up to 50 kg of grain within five minutes, improving service speed.
  • 24×7 Operation: Machines can function round-the-clock, including through solar power.
  • Database Linked: Connected to the PDS database using internet-enabled systems.

Working Mechanism

  • Card-Based Access: Beneficiary swipes ration/ATM card linked to the National Food Security Programme.
  • Aadhaar Authentication: Biometric verification ensures rightful beneficiary access.
  • Quantity Selection: User selects grain type and approved quantity.
  • Digital Update: PDS records automatically updated with printed transaction slip.

{Prelims – PAN} India Added Two More Ramsar Sites *

  • New Additions: Patna Bird Sanctuary becomes Uttar Pradesh’s 11th Ramsar site, while Chhari-Dhand becomes Gujarat’s 5th and the first from the Kutch region.

Patna Bird Sanctuary

  • Geography: Located in the Jalesar tehsil of Etah district, this sanctuary spans only 108 hectares, making it the smallest bird sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh.
  • Ecological Role: The wetland serves as a critical stopover for migratory birds travelling along the Central Asian Flyway.
  • Avian Diversity: With over 50,000 birds, the Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) is recorded as the most abundant migratory species.
  • Species Congregation: It serves as a Sarus Kem (congregation zone) for resident Sarus Cranes (Antigone antigone) in the dry summer months.

Chhari-Dhand

  • Geography: Deriving its name from Kutchi words for a “salty shallow wetland,” the wetland is situated on the edge of the arid Banni Grasslands near the Rann of Kutch.
  • Hydrology: It is a seasonal desert wetland that fills with water only during the monsoon via north-flowing rivers and hill runoff.
  • Previous Status: The site gained prominence when Gujarat declared it the state’s firstConservation Reserve” in 2008.
  • Conservation Significance: Chhari-Dhand provides critical habitat for the Critically Endangered Sociable Lapwing and the Vulnerable Common Pochard.
    • It is a major wintering ground for the Common Crane and the Greater Flamingo.
  • Mammalian Fauna: This ecosystem supports unique desert mammals such as the Chinkara, Caracal, Desert Cat, and Indian Wolf.

About Ramsar Sites

  • Ramsar Sites are Wetlands of International Importance designated under the Ramsar Convention.
  • Origin: The Convention was adopted in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971 to promote the conservation and wise use of wetland ecosystems.
  • Global Observation: World Wetlands Day is observed annually on February 2nd to commemorate the signing of the Ramsar Convention.
    • 2026 Theme: “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage”.
  • Ratification: India ratified the treaty in 1982 to align with global conservation standards.
  • Current Count: As of February 2026, India has 98 Ramsar Sites.
  • State Leaders: Tamil Nadu leads the list with 20 sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh (11) and Bihar (6).
  • First Sites: Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) were designated India’s first Ramsar sites in 1981.

Read More> Ramsar Sites in India

{Prelims – Defence} Third Edition of Future Warfare Course

  • Context (PIB): The 3rd edition of the tri-services Future Warfare Course is underway at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.
  • The programme is conducted by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies.
  • Objective: To prepare the Indian Armed Forces for technology-driven, multi-domain warfare amid evolving doctrines and strategies.
  • Key Focus: Exploration and demonstrations of emerging technologies, including AI, machine learning, hypersonics, robotics, and quantum computing.
  • Participants: The Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as representatives from the defence industry, including startups, MSMEs, DPSUs, and private-sector firms.
  • Rank-Agnostic Structure: The course brings together officers across ranks to integrate tactical, technical, and strategic operational expertise.

{Prelims – Awards} Grammy Awards 2026

  • Context (TH): The 68th annual Grammy ceremony witnessed multiple historic wins reflecting growing global and cultural diversity in music.

About the Grammy Awards

  • Nature: Prestigious annual music awards established in 1959, presented by the Recording Academy (USA) to recognise outstanding artistic and technical excellence.
  • Categories: Cover albums, songs, performances, production and technical contributions.
  • Name Origin: Derived from “gramophone”, reflecting the trophy’s gramophone-shaped design.
  • Indian Presence: Around 15 Indians have won Awards, including A.R. Rahman and Zakir Hussain.

Key Highlights of 2026 Edition

  • New Categories Added: Recently introduced awards for African Music, Pop Dance, and Alternative Jazz to reflect evolving genres.
  • Unique First Win: Dalai Lama won his first Grammy for audiobook, narration and storytelling recording.
  • Rap Milestone: Kendrick Lamar became most awarded rapper with 27 Grammys, surpassing Jay-Z’s.
  • EGOT Achievement: Steven Spielberg became an EGOT winner after winning Best Music Film.
  • Historic Win: Bad Bunny won Album of the Year (Debí Tirar Más Fotos), the first Spanish album to do so.
  • Song of the Year: Billie Eilish won for Wildflower from her 2024 album.

{Prelims – In News} New Aadhaar App

  • Context (TH): Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched a new Aadhaar app to simplify and secure identity verification and storage.
  • The app allows users to share only essential details, in compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act).
  • It enables offline identity verification via encrypted QR codes, aiding remote & low-connectivity areas.
  • It allows managing up to five Aadhaar profiles on one device, supporting “One Family – One App”.
  • The app allows users to update their registered mobile numbers directly in the app for a nominal fee.
  • A QR-based digital contact card allows Aadhaar-linked identity sharing without physical visiting cards.
  • The app uses AI-powered face ID to verify users, reducing impersonation and identity fraud.

Read More > Aadhaar

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