Current Affairs – January 27, 2026

{GS2 – MoIB} Digital Content Age-Based Classification System **

Context (IE): The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting proposed the Draft IT (Digital Code) Rules, 2026, to regulate online obscenity and classify digital content.

Legal Basis: The draft rules are proposed under Section 87(1) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Constitutional Balance: The framework follows Supreme Court directives to balance the freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) with the reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2).
Broadcast Alignment: The draft draws heavily on the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994, and extends similar content standards to digital platforms.

Key Provisions of the Draft Rules

Age Classification: The draft proposes a five-tier classification system for online content, comprising U (Universal), U/A 7+, U/A 13+, U/A 16+, and A (Adult).
Mandatory Labels: Platforms must clearly display age ratings and content warnings regarding violence or nudity before each programme begins.
Professional Content: Exemptions apply to content meant exclusively for professional audiences, medical, scientific, or academic users.
Content Restrictions: Digital platforms are barred from hosting material that attacks religions, promotes communal disharmony, or glorifies violence, crime, or substance abuse.
Parental Safeguards: Platforms must provide parental controls for 13+ content and verified access systems for adult-only material.
Intermediary Liability: Non-compliance with obscenity laws attracts civil consequences for Online Curated Content Providers (OCCPs).
Obscenity Definition: Content is considered obscene if it is lascivious, prurient, corrupting to viewers’ minds, or offensive to good taste or decency.

Concerns Regarding the Draft Rules

Digital Fit: Applying broadcast-era standards to on-demand platforms may conflict with the flexibility of digital content consumption.
Vagueness Risk: Subjective terms like “decency” create uncertainty and raise concerns about selective or arbitrary enforcement.
Speech Impact: Strict liability provisions could deter content creators, resulting in a chilling effect on free expression and creative freedom.
OTT Distinction: Eliminating the distinction between push-based television and pull-based OTT content remains a key industry objection.

Read More > Obscene Online Content

Context (TOI): The UGC notified the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, creating enforceable mechanisms to prevent discrimination across universities.

Status of Discrimination in Universities

Rising Complaints: Caste-discrimination complaints reported to UGC rose 118.4% from 173 (2019–20) to 378 (2023–24), indicating persistent campus-level grievances.
Pending Pipeline: Despite high disposal rates, pending cases increased from 18 (2019–20) to 108 (2023–24), suggesting recurring disputes and uneven resolution.
High-Profile Flashpoint: The Rohith Vemula case (University of Hyderabad, 2016) & Payal Tadvi case (Mumbai, 2019) became a nationwide symbol of alleged institutional caste exclusion.

Changes Made in the UGC Regulations 2012

Advisory to Enforceable: Earlier rules lacked penalties; 2026 norms allow strict UGC action.
Clear Procedures: Time-bound complaint inquiry and appeal mechanisms introduced.
Expanded Coverage: OBCs explicitly included in the caste-based discrimination definition.
Broad Scope: Includes explicit, implicit, indirect and structural forms of unfair treatment.

Key Provisions Under UGC Anti-Discrimination Regulations, 2026

Institutional Mechanisms Created

Equal Opportunity Centre (EOC): Mandatory nodal body in every HEI responsible for implementing equity policies, coordinating with authorities and handling discrimination grievances.
Equity Committee: Multi-stakeholder inquiry body under the EOC, chaired ex officio by the Head of the Institution, comprising senior faculties, non-teaching staff, civil society members and student representatives, with mandatory inclusion of SC, ST, OBC, women and persons with disabilities.
Equity Squads: Mobile vigilance teams tasked with frequently monitoring vulnerable campus locations to prevent discriminatory practices.
Equity Ambassadors: Designated nodal persons in departments, hostels, libraries and other units to promote equity values and facilitate complaint reporting.
24×7 Equity Helpline: Round-the-clock grievance access ensuring confidentiality, with serious cases linked to law enforcement where penal provisions apply.
Ombudsperson: Independent and impartial appellate authority to hear appeals against Equity Committee decisions, ensure fairness and issue binding directions to institutions.

Complaint Handling Process

Multi-Channel Reporting: Online portal, email, written complaints and helpline access.
Fast Timelines: The Equity Committee is required to convene within 24 hours of receiving a complaint and complete the inquiry process by submitting its report within 15 working days.
Appeal System: Ombudsperson review within 30 days with an external oversight mechanism.

Why are the Regulations Opposed?

Demographic Policing Fear: Regulatory reach may indirectly shape campus social composition.
No Safeguard Clause: No explicit protection against false or malicious complaints.
Reputational Harm: No mechanisms for confidentiality or redress for the accused during inquiries.
Timeline Pressure: Compressed inquiry periods may compromise thorough fact examination.
Criminal Escalation: Helpline linkage to police may deter open academic engagement.

Way Forward

Clear Thresholds: Issue detailed guidelines on evidence standards and interpretation limits; E.g., service conduct rules with defined inquiry benchmarks.
Confidentiality Norms: Protect the identity of respondents during inquiry stages to prevent stigma; E.g., sealed proceedings in sensitive disciplinary cases.
Capacity Training: Professionalise Equity Committees through structured training modules; E.g., IIIDEM-style institutional capacity building models.
Timeline Flexibility: Allow graded inquiry timelines in complex cases for fair investigation.

{GS2 – Polity} Republic Day 2026

Context (TH | TH | TOI): India celebrated its 77^th Republic Day on 26 January 2026, marking the enforcement of the Indian Constitution on this date in 1950.

Why is 26 January celebrated as Republic Day?

INC adopted Purna Swaraj (Lahore, 1929) and observed 26 January 1930 as Independence Day; hence, the Constitution was enforced on 26 January 1950 to honour this legacy.
On 26 January 1950, the Constitution came into force, and India became a Sovereign Democratic Republic (Dr Rajendra Prasad became the first President).

Chief Guests: For the first time, two European Union leaders attended as chief guests—Antonio Costa (European Council President) and Ursula von der Leyen (European Commission President).
Central Theme: “150 Years of Vande Mataram” commemorating 150^th anniversary of the national song.
- The poem Vande Mataram (“I bow to thee, Mother”) was composed in Bengali script by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 and adopted as India’s National Song on January 24, 1950.

Other Themes Tableaux and events highlighted “Viksit Bharat” and “Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka”.
Gallantry Award: Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), received the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award.
Public Participation: The “Jan Bhagidari” initiative continued, with around 10,000 guests invited, including PM Shram Yogi Maandhan scheme beneficiaries.

Notable Tableaux and Displays

Ministry of I&B: Presented “Bharat Gatha,” tracing India’s storytelling from ancient oral traditions (Shruti) to Lord Ganesha’s writing of the Mahabharata (Kriti) and modern cinema (Drishti).
Ministry of Home Affairs: Featured two tableaux—one on “Jan Kendrit Nyay Pranali” and the other on “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
Uttar Pradesh: Highlighted Bundelkhand’s cultural and industrial heritage, featuring Kalinjar Fort, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, and “One District One Product” (ODOP) crafts.
Kerala: Showcased modernisation through India’s first Water Metro and the achievement of 100% digital literacy.
Nari Shakti: Female personnel from CRPF and SSB performed a motorcycle display with high-skill formations like the “Desh Rakshak” pyramid.

Key Military Innovations and Displays

Military Debuts: Several indigenous systems made their first appearance —
- Suryastra: India’s first indigenous, universal, multi-calibre, long-range rocket launcher system for surface-to-surface strikes.
- Bhairav Light Commando Battalion: A unit of around 250 personnel, for rapid-response and high-intensity missions, bridging the gap between infantry and Para Special Forces.
- Shaktibaan Regiment: A drone warfare unit under the Regiment of Artillery, specialising in unmanned aerial combat using swarm drones and loitering munitions.

EU Military Presence: An EU military contingent joined the parade, marking its first participation outside Europe and signalling deeper India–EU strategic ties.
Battle Array Format: The Indian Army showcased its first-ever “Phased Battle Array Format,” demonstrating real-time coordination between ground reconnaissance and aerial combat assets.
Animal Contingent: The parade featured Bactrian camels, Zanskar ponies, and black kites, highlighting their operational roles in high-altitude and modern warfare.
Indigenisation Displays: Included T-90 Bhishma, Arjun MBT, BrahMos missiles, and the Navy tableau featuring INSV Kaundinya.
Operational Tribute: Several tableaux and aerial formations honoured Operation Sindoor 2025.

Read More > 150^th Anniversary of Vande Mataram

{GS3 – IE} India Recorded 19.6% Tax-to-GDP Ratio in FY2024 **

Context (ET): A recent report from Bank of Baroda estimated India’s overall tax-to-GDP ratio, including both central and state taxes, at 19.6%.

Central Taxes: At the central government level, gross tax revenue was recorded at 11.2% of GDP in FY24 and is projected to increase to 11.7% in FY25.
Direct Taxes: The direct tax-to-GDP ratio hit a 15-year high of 6.64% in FY24 and is expected to rise to 6.7% in FY25.
Tax Buoyancy: Long-term tax buoyancy stands at 1.1, indicating that tax revenues are growing slightly faster than nominal GDP.
Global Comparison: India’s 19.6% ratio exceeds emerging economies like Malaysia and Indonesia but remains below the OECD average (34%) and advanced economies.

About Tax-to-GDP Ratio

The tax-to-GDP ratio measures a country’s total tax revenue as a share of the size of its economy.
Method: It is calculated by dividing the country’s total annual tax revenue by its nominal GDP for the same fiscal year.
Fiscal Capacity: The ratio is the key indicator of “Fiscal Capacity”, showing how effectively the state can mobilise domestic resources to finance expenditure.
Economic Signal: A higher Tax-to-GDP ratio indicates a formal economy with a broad tax base, whereas a lower ratio suggests a large informal sector or tax evasion.
Global Benchmark: The World Bank recommends a 15% tax-to-GDP ratio as a tipping point for sustainable growth and poverty reduction.

Positive Implications of High Tax-to-GDP Ratio

Fiscal Stability: A higher tax-to-GDP ratio supports fiscal consolidation by reducing dependence on market borrowing.
Public Investment: Higher revenues allow greater capital spending on infrastructure, welfare schemes, and social security.
Redistribution Effect: Growth driven by direct taxes helps reduce income inequality through progressive redistribution of wealth.

Potential Risks of High Tax-to-GDP Ratio

Consumption Impact: Excessive taxation reduces household disposable income, thereby weakening private consumption demand.
Inflation: High indirect taxes, like GST or excise duties, raise prices and amplify inflationary pressures.
Investment Climate: Punitive tax regimes may discourage investment and encourage capital flight to low-tax jurisdictions.

Tax Buoyancy

Tax buoyancy measures the responsiveness of tax revenue growth to changes in nominal GDP.
Calculation: It is calculated by dividing the percentage change in tax revenue by the percentage change in nominal GDP.
High Buoyancy: A value above 1 indicates revenues growing faster than the economy, driven by efficiency or base expansion.
Low Buoyancy: A value below 1 indicates tax collections are lagging behind economic growth due to tax evasion, exemptions, or a large informal sector.
Long-term: A consistently high tax buoyancy above 1 automatically increases the tax-to-GDP ratio.

Read More> India’s Taxation System

{GS3 – IE} Gold Surge Amid De-Dollarisation

Context (IE): In Jan 2026, gold crossed $5,000 per ounce for the first time as the US dollar hit a four-month low, with central banks accelerating gold purchases amid uncertainty under Donald Trump.

De-dollarisation

It refers to the gradual reduction in reliance on the US dollar for global trade, reserves and financial transactions by countries and institutions.
It involves shifting towards alternative currencies, gold and regional payment systems to reduce exposure to US monetary and geopolitical influence.

Evidence of Rising Gold Accumulation

RBI Holdings Surge: RBI’s gold reserves rose in value by nearly 70% during 2025, significantly increasing gold’s share in India’s total foreign exchange reserves from 12% to 17%.
Global Buying Trend: Central banks across emerging economies led by Poland (95 tonnes), Kazakhstan (49 tonnes) and Brazil (43 tonnes) made large-scale gold purchases in 2025.
Safe-Haven Shift: Gold became the primary contributor to overall reserve growth, while foreign currency assets increased by only around 5% during the same period.

Signs of De-Dollarisation

Dollar Weakening: The US dollar declined by nearly 9% in 2025, marking its sharpest annual fall in almost a decade amid rising policy uncertainty.
Falling Reserve Share: The dollar’s share in global foreign exchange reserves dropped to 58.5% in 2024, the lowest level recorded in over 30 years (IMF data).
Bond Diversification: India reduced its US Treasury holdings from $234 billion in 2024 to $186.5 billion by November 2025, while China’s holdings hit a 16-year low.

Drivers of De-Dollarisation & Gold Surge

Role of Trump’s Policies

Trade Uncertainty: Aggressive tariff hikes, sanctions threats and unpredictable trade actions increased global financial volatility, weakening confidence in dollar stability.
Currency Weaponisation: Freezing of Russia’s foreign exchange reserves after the Ukraine invasion reinforced fears about the safety of dollar-denominated assets.
Geopolitical Pressure: Threats against BRICS nations and European partners accelerated diversification away from US financial instruments.

Broader Global Shifts

Commodity Repricing: A growing share of global energy and commodity trade is now conducted through non-dollar-denominated contracts, reducing dollar dominance.
Capital Retrenchment: European investors holding nearly $10.4 trillion in US portfolio assets are increasingly debating partial exits amid policy risks.
Multipolar Finance: Emerging economies are diversifying reserves across gold, regional currencies and alternative assets to reduce US-centric exposure.

Read More> De-dollarisation

{GS3 – IE} PFRDA Constituted SAARG Committee to Modernise NPS *

Context (CNBC): PFRDA has constituted the Strategic Asset Allocation and Risk Governance (SAARG) committee to modernise the National Pension System (NPS) investment framework.

Objective: The committee aims to align NPS investment practices with global best practices for long-term retirement wealth creation.
Chairperson: The nine-member SAARG committee is chaired by Narayan Ramachandran, former CEO of Morgan Stanley India.
Key Mandates: The committee serves as a specialised body to review, recommend, and modernise the NPS within a nine-month timeline; specific mandates include:
- Reassess equity, debt, and money market allocation models to balance risk and return.
- Examine new investment options to improve diversification and mitigate market risks.
- Compare NPS guidelines with leading global pension systems to adopt best practices.
- Develop asset-liability management (ALM) and valuation standards for alternative investments.
- Integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and climate-transition risks into NPS investment decisions.

Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)

About: PFRDA is the statutory regulatory body responsible for the supervision and development of India’s pension sector.
Legal Status: It was set up as an interim body in 2003 and later became a statutory body under the PFRDA Act of 2013.
Jurisdiction: The authority functions under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance.
Schemes: It regulates the National Pension System (NPS), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), and NPS Vatsalya.
Regulation: PFRDA registers and regulates pension funds, Central Recordkeeping Agencies, custodians, and trustee banks.

{GS3 – Envi} Ocean Floor Emerging as the World’s Largest Dump Site

Context (TOI): A 2021 review paper, “The Quest for Seafloor Macrolitter,” warns that the seafloor has become a permanent waste reservoir.

The study focuses on anthropogenic items larger than 2.5 cm (macrolitter), which constitute most of the mass of ocean-floor debris, unlike microplastics.
Monitoring Challenge: Most data come from bottom-trawl fishing surveys, which damage seabeds and exclude cliffs and reefs, leaving out nearly half the seafloor.

Key Findings of the Study

Global Sink: Over 90% of marine plastic ultimately sinks, making the seafloor a cumulative, semi-permanent plastic repository.
Dominant Materials: Plastics account for about 62% of seafloor litter, followed by metal, glass, processed wood, and abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear.
Geomorphic Hotspots: High-density “patches” occur in submarine canyons and enclosed seas, such as the Mediterranean.
Persistence: Cold, dark, low-oxygen deep-sea conditions inhibit polymer degradation, enabling litter to persist for centuries.

Ecological Impacts of Seafloor Litter

Biodiversity Risk: Seafloor macrolitter affects more than 700 marine species; about 17% of these are listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Ghost Fishing: Abandoned synthetic fishing gear continues to capture and kill marine fauna for decades, depleting stocks and disrupting deep-sea food webs.
Ecosystem Alteration: Large items like containers and tyres form artificial reefs, allowing invasive species to colonise deep-sea soft sediments, changing local ecology.
Chemical Leaching: Litter transports toxic chemicals (xenobiotics) and heavy metals, which can enter the food chain and reach humans through seafood.

Key Recommendations

Non-Invasive Tools: Greater use of ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) and AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) for comprehensive, low-impact seafloor monitoring.
Data Harmonisation: Standardising reporting units is essential for global comparative assessments.
AI Integration: Machine-learning tools are required to process vast video datasets generated by underwater survey drones.
Upstream Mitigation: Since deep-sea cleanup is unviable, policy must prioritise source-to-sea waste reduction and circular economy measures.

Read More > Marine Pollution

{GS3 – S&T} Eliminating Malaria by 2030

Context (TH): Under the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016–2030), India targets zero indigenous malaria cases by 2030, with nationwide transmission interruption by 2027.

India’s Progress in Eliminating Malaria

District Milestone: 160 districts across 23 States/UTs reported zero indigenous cases between 2022–2024, indicating widespread transmission interruption progress (MoHFW).
Case Reduction: Malaria incidence fell by nearly 80% between 2015 and 2023 nationwide.
Regional Share: India accounted for 73.3% of South-East Asia’s 2.7 million cases in 2024.
State Example: Tamil Nadu cases declined from 5,587 (2015) to 321 (2025).

Key Strategies Adopted by India

Surveillance Strengthening: Real-time case detection, digital reporting and rapid outbreak response to interrupt local transmission chains; E.g. Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).
Universal Diagnosis: “Test, Treat, Track” ensures early confirmation and complete treatment across public health systems; E.g., National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2023–2027).
Vector Control: Large-scale larval management, insecticide spraying and preventive measures reduce mosquito breeding and spread; E.g., National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP).

Major Challenges Ahead

Migration Risk: Population movement from endemic neighbouring States contributes to reintroduction, with imported cases forming a growing share in low-burden districts.
API Disparity: In 2023, 34 States/UTs achieved an Annual Parasite Incidence (API) below one, while Tripura (5.69) and Mizoram (14.23) remained high (MoHFW).
Urban Malaria: Rapid urbanisation increases breeding sites, with urban areas accounting for a rising proportion of reported malaria cases annually.
Plasmodium Vivax Burden: Plasmodium vivax causes nearly two-thirds of malaria cases in the South-East Asia Region, complicating efforts to eliminate the disease.
Drug Resistance Threat: Partial resistance to artemisinin derivatives has been confirmed or suspected in at least eight African countries, posing global treatment risks.

Way Forward

Migrant Monitoring: Active surveillance among migrant workers from endemic regions prevents importation-led outbreaks; E.g., targeted screening under state malaria elimination drives.
Resistance Tracking: Continuous monitoring of drug and insecticide resistance guides treatment and control strategies; E.g., National Malaria Drug Resistance Monitoring Network.
Cross-Border Coordination: Institutionalise joint surveillance and response in border and migrant-heavy corridors; E.g., WHO-led Greater Mekong Subregion malaria elimination cooperation model.
Digital Surveillance: Use integrated digital health platforms for real-time case alerts and outbreak prediction; E.g., Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

About Malaria

Nature: Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals.
Causative Agent: It is caused by single-celled microorganisms of the Plasmodium group of protozoans (microscopic heterotrophs that live as predators or parasites).
Transmission: Infected female Anopheles mosquitoes transmit Plasmodium parasites through bites. The parasites multiply in the liver and destroy red blood cells (RBCs).
Symptoms: High fever, chills, yellow skin, seizures and severe body weakness in advanced cases.
Treatment & Prevention: Malaria is both preventable and curable; E.g., WHO-approved vaccines like R21/Matrix-M and RTS, S, combined with artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs).

Plasmodium Group of Protozoans

Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax pose the greatest threat.
Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae generally cause a milder form of malaria.
Plasmodium knowlesi rarely causes disease in humans.

{Prelims – Awards} Padma Awards 2026 *

Context (TH): The President of India announced the conferment of Padma Awards 2026.
A total of 131 Awards were approved—5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri.
Padma Vibhushan: Posthumously awarded to Dharmendra Singh Deol (Art) and V. S. Achuthanandan (Public Affairs).
Padma Bhushan: Prominent awardees include Alka Yagnik (Art), Mammootty (Art), Uday Kotak (Trade & Industry), and Vijay Amritraj (Sports), Shibu Soren (Public Affairs, Posthumous),
Padma Shri: Notable recipients include Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur (Sports), R. Madhavan (Art), and Vladimir Mestvirishvili (Posthumous), the first foreign coach to receive Padma Shri.

About Padma Awards

The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours, instituted in 1954. They are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day.
The Awards were suspended during 1977–1980 and 1992–1995 due to political and legal reasons.
Categories: Initially classified as Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg, and Tisra Varg, these were renamed in 1955.
1. Padma Vibhushan: The highest Padma award, conferred for exceptional and distinguished service.
2. Padma Bhushan: Second-highest Padma award, granted for distinguished service of a high order.
3. Padma Shri: Third-highest Padma award, given for distinguished service in any field.
Eligibility: All persons are eligible irrespective of status; serving government servants are excluded except for doctors and scientists.
Selection Body: The Padma Awards Committee, constituted annually by the Prime Minister and headed by the Cabinet Secretary.
Approval Process: Committee recommendations are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President for final approval.
Award Presentation: Conferred by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, awardees receive a Sanad (certificate) and a medallion, but no cash grant or monetary benefit.
Constitutional Validity: In Balaji Raghavan vs Union of India (1995), the Supreme Court held that Padma Awards are not “titles” under Article 18(1) and cannot be used as name prefixes or suffixes.

Read More > Padma Awards

{Prelims – Species} Kerala Declared Bacillus subtilis as State Microbe *

Context (TH): Kerala became India’s first state to officially designate a State Microbe, Bacillus subtilis, to promote microbiome awareness.

Institution Launch: The announcement coincided with the opening of the Centre of Excellence in Microbiome (CoEM) in Thiruvananthapuram.

CoEM is India’s first state-level institution dedicated solely to microbiome research.

About Bacillus Subtilis

Bacillus subtilis, known as hay or grass bacillus, is a rod-shaped, Gram-positive bacterium.
Natural Habitat: It naturally occurs in soil, vegetation, and the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and ruminant animals.
Survival Trait: The bacterium forms protective endospores that withstand extreme heat, radiation, and prolonged environmental dryness.
Metabolic Nature: It is a facultative anaerobe capable of growth in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor environments.

Key Applications of Bacillus subtilis

Probiotic Use: Supports gut health and immunity in humans and animals.
Fermentation: Used in fermenting traditional foods like Kinema in Sikkim and Akhuni in Nagaland.
Crop Protection: Acts as a bio-fungicide and plant growth promoter by colonising crop root systems.
Industrial Use: Produces industrial enzymes like amylases and proteases, and vitamins B2 and K2.
Bioremediation: Cleans heavy metals and hydrocarbons from contaminated soil and water.
Research: Serves as a model Gram-positive organism due to its natural ability to take up foreign DNA.

India’s National Microbe

National Microbe: In 2012, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) declared Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus as India’s National Microbe.
Global Event: The declaration was made during the COP-11 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), held in Hyderabad.
Selection Rationale: It was chosen to highlight the importance of invisible biodiversity and the bacterium’s everyday role in fermenting milk into curd (dahi).