In News:

An evaluation study commissioned by NITI Aayog and submitted to its Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) has highlighted that beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana continue to incur significant out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE), especially in private hospitals. This raises concerns regarding the scheme’s effectiveness in delivering financial protection.

About PM-JAY

• Launched in 2018 under the Ayushman Bharat initiative, PM-JAY is the world’s largest government-funded health assurance programme, aimed at advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and reducing catastrophic health expenditure.
• It is implemented by the National Health Authority in coordination with State Health Agencies.

Salient Features

• Provides ?5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization
• Covers pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses (3 days prior, 15 days after)
• Includes all pre-existing diseases from Day 1
• Based on SECC 2011 criteria, with no cap on family size, age, or gender
• Ensures cashless, paperless treatment and national portability across empanelled hospitals
• Expanded in 2024 to include all citizens aged 70 (Ayushman Vay Vandana Card) and frontline workers

The scheme follows a cost-sharing model between Centre and States (60:40; 90:10 for special category states).

Key Findings of the Evaluation Study

The study reveals structural gaps in financial protection:

Persistent Out-of-Pocket Expenditure

• Average OOPE in private hospitals: ~?53,965 per hospitalization
• Average OOPE in public hospitals: ~?21,827
• Private care costs are more than twice that of public facilities

Limited Cashless Access

• Only 35% beneficiaries experienced fully cashless treatment
• Around 65% incurred direct expenditure, contradicting the scheme’s core promise

Marginal Financial Relief

• Average OOPE under PM-JAY: ~?34,790
• Uninsured patients: ~?38,084
• Indicates limited reduction in financial burden

Major Cost Drivers

• Medicines and diagnostics
• Transportation (explicitly not covered under the scheme)

Achievements of PM-JAY

Despite challenges, PM-JAY has significantly expanded healthcare access:

• 42 crore Ayushman Cards issued
• ~11 crore hospital admissions recorded by 2025
• Improved healthcare access for vulnerable populations
• Promoted gender inclusion, with women accounting for nearly half of beneficiaries
• Strengthened digital health ecosystem through platforms like Ayushman App

In News:

The 7th edition of the India–Japan Joint Military Exercise ‘DHARMA GUARDIAN’ commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubattia (Uttarakhand) from 24 February to 9 March 2026. The exercise represents a significant pillar of growing defence cooperation between India and Japan.

About Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN

• Type: Annual Joint Military Exercise
• Participants:
  • Indian Army
  • Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF)
• Venue: Conducted alternately in India and Japan
• Participating Contingents (2026)
  • 120 personnel from each side
  • JGSDF represented by the 32nd Infantry Regiment
  • Indian contingent drawn from the Ladakh Scouts

Aim and Objectives

The primary objective of Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN is to:

• Strengthen military collaboration
• Enhance interoperability
• Improve combined capability to conduct joint operations in semi-urban environments
• Synchronise tactical drills and joint planning processes
• Integrate modern technologies into operational frameworks

The exercise focuses on contemporary operational challenges and coordinated response mechanisms in hostile conditions.

Key Tactical Activities

The exercise includes intensive operational drills such as:

• Establishment of a Temporary Operating Base (TOB)
• Development of an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) grid
• Setting up Mobile Vehicle Check Posts
• Conducting Cordon and Search Operations in hostile environments
• Executing Heliborne Operations
• Undertaking House Intervention Drills

These activities simulate counter-terror and semi-urban combat scenarios, enhancing readiness and operational synergy between the two forces.

Strategic Significance

1. Strengthening India–Japan Defence Partnership

• Reinforces the Special Strategic and Global Partnership
• Enhances operational trust and coordination
• Deepens land warfare cooperation

2. Indo-Pacific Security Architecture: India and Japan are key stakeholders in ensuring a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific. The exercise strengthens defence preparedness in a strategically sensitive region.

3. Interoperability and Modern Warfare Preparedness:

• Promotes joint planning and technology integration
• Enhances capability in hybrid and semi-urban warfare
• Supports coordinated responses to emerging security threats

Other India–Japan Military Exercises

India and Japan conduct multiple bilateral and multilateral exercises across services:

• Malabar Exercise (Naval)
  • Participants: India, Japan, USA, Australia
  • Focus: Maritime security and Indo-Pacific stability
• JIMEX (Japan-India Maritime Exercise)
• SHINYUU Maitri (Air Force Exercise)

Together, these exercises indicate expanding tri-service defence engagement.

In News:

At the India AI Summit held at Bharat Mandapam, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare launched two key national initiatives - the Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India (SAHI) and the Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI (BODH). Together, these initiatives seek to establish a structured, ethical, and technology-driven framework for integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into India’s healthcare ecosystem, aligning innovation with public health priorities.

Rationale: The Need for Governance in Health AI

Artificial Intelligence holds transformative potential in areas such as diagnostics, disease surveillance, medical imaging, predictive analytics, and health system management. However, its deployment raises critical concerns related to:

• Data privacy and security
• Algorithmic bias and accountability
• Clinical validation and safety
• Ethical use and regulatory oversight

In a country with diverse health challenges and socio-economic disparities, the integration of AI must be inclusive, evidence-based, and aligned with public welfare objectives. SAHI and BODH aim to address these systemic gaps.

SAHI: Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India

SAHI serves as a national guidance framework for the responsible adoption of AI in healthcare.

Core Objectives:

1. Safe and Ethical Deployment – Establishes principles for transparency, accountability, and fairness in AI systems.
2. Evidence-Based Validation – Emphasises scientific testing and performance benchmarking before large-scale adoption.
3. Data Stewardship and Governance – Provides direction on responsible data use, storage, and sharing.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation – Ensures continuous oversight of AI solutions in real-world settings.
5. Support to States and Institutions – Aligns AI adoption with local health priorities and public health objectives.

By offering strategic direction on governance, validation, and deployment, SAHI aims to mainstream AI within India’s health infrastructure while preventing misuse or premature adoption.

BODH: Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI

Complementing SAHI, BODH is a privacy-preserving benchmarking platform developed by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur in collaboration with the National Health Authority.

Key Features:

• Enables rigorous evaluation of AI models using diverse, real-world health data.
• Operates without sharing underlying datasets, thereby preserving patient privacy.
• Functions as a digital public good under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
• Strengthens transparency and quality assurance in AI-based health solutions.

By creating a standardised benchmarking environment, BODH promotes trust and reliability in AI systems used for clinical or administrative purposes.

Significance

1. Institutionalising AI Governance – Moves beyond pilot projects to structured regulation.
2. Enhancing Trust – Ensures accountability and public confidence in AI tools.
3. Promoting Interoperability – Aligns with ABDM’s digital health ecosystem.
4. Global Competitiveness – Positions India as a responsible innovator in health AI.
5. Equity in Healthcare Delivery – Supports inclusive and evidence-based adoption across regions.

In News:

India has achieved a significant milestone in its semiconductor journey with the development of DHRUV64, the country’s first 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core indigenous microprocessor. Developed by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP) of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), DHRUV64 represents a major step towards technological self-reliance in advanced chip design, a core requirement for India’s digital and strategic autonomy.

Why Indigenous Microprocessors Matter

Microprocessors form the backbone of modern digital infrastructure, powering devices ranging from smartphones and automobiles to defence systems, satellites and medical equipment. For India, dependence on imported processors poses risks related to supply chain disruptions, strategic vulnerabilities and high foreign exchange outflows. Given that India consumes nearly 20% of globally manufactured microprocessors, indigenous capability is critical for sustaining the country’s expanding digital economy.

Key Features of DHRUV64

DHRUV64 incorporates modern architectural features that enhance efficiency, multitasking capability and system reliability. Its design enables seamless integration with diverse external hardware platforms, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including:

• 5G and telecom infrastructure
• Automotive electronics
• Industrial automation
• Consumer electronics
• Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystems

The processor thus bridges the gap between strategic requirements and commercial scalability, a long-standing challenge in India’s chip ecosystem.

Strategic Significance for India

DHRUV64 strengthens India’s indigenous processor pipeline and reduces long-term reliance on foreign technologies. It contributes to:

• Secure digital infrastructure, especially for strategic sectors
• Technological sovereignty in critical electronics
• Capacity building for India’s large pool of chip design engineers

The development of DHRUV64 builds upon earlier indigenous processors such as SHAKTI (IIT Madras), AJIT (IIT Bombay), VIKRAM (ISRO–SCL) and THEJAS64 (C-DAC), collectively fostering a national processor ecosystem rather than isolated projects.

Role of RISC-V and Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Programme

DHRUV64 has been developed under the Digital India RISC-V Programme (DIR-V) initiative, which aims to establish India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM).

RISC-V, being an open-source instruction set architecture, eliminates licence fees and enables shared innovation among academia, startups and industry. Its adoption:

• Lowers entry barriers for indigenous chip development
• Encourages collaborative research and standardisation
• Supports long-term scalability of Indian processors

Under DIR-V, DHRUV64 is the third fabricated chip, following THEJAS32 and THEJAS64, while next-generation DHANUSH and DHANUSH System-on-Chip (SoC) variants are currently under development.

Impact on R&D, Innovation and Human Capital

DHRUV64 provides a homegrown, affordable platform for startups, academia and industry to prototype and scale computing products without foreign dependence. It strengthens India’s R&D ecosystem by:

• Enabling low-cost system architecture experimentation
• Supporting indigenous product development
• Enhancing skill formation for semiconductor professionals

Given that India already accounts for nearly 20% of the world’s chip design workforce, such platforms are crucial for converting talent into domestic intellectual property.

Institutional and Policy Support Framework

India’s indigenous processor development is supported by a coordinated institutional ecosystem:

• MeitY: Provides policy direction, funding and long-term planning through programmes such as MDP, DIR-V, Chips to Startup (C2S) and the India Semiconductor Mission.
• C-DAC: Leads processor IP design, SoCs, development boards and toolchains, and is spearheading future RISC-V processors like Dhanush and Dhanush .

Key national programmes strengthening this ecosystem include:

• India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) – facilitating large-scale semiconductor investments
• Chips to Startup (C2S) – building manpower and fabless design capacity
• Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme – incentivising semiconductor design
• INUP-i2i Programme – providing access to national nanofabrication facilities

In News:

The Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, informed the Rajya Sabha about the implementation status of the PM VIKAS scheme.

About the Scheme

• Full Name: Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS)
• Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Launch: Guidelines approved in January 2025; implementation underway
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Minority Affairs
• Target Groups: Socio-economic empowerment of six notified minority communities, with special focus on artisans, women, and youth

Core Objectives

• Skill Development
  • Training in both traditional and non-traditional trades
  • Employment-linked, need-based courses
• Cultural Preservation
  • Promotion of traditional arts, crafts, and literature
  • Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)
• Educational Inclusion
  • Support for school dropouts from minority communities
  • Certification at 8th, 10th, and 12th levels through open schooling via the National Institute of Open Schooling
• Women Leadership & Entrepreneurship
  • Confidence building, leadership training
  • Financial and enterprise support
• Infrastructure Support: Convergence with Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram for minority area development

Key Features

• Financial Support: Provided through the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC)
• Market Linkages: Facilitated by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts
• Artisan Cluster Model: “Hub and Spoke” model to develop Vishwakarma Villages for craft-based livelihoods
• Pan-India Implementation: Funds are not directly allocated to States; projects are executed through approved agencies and PIAs

In News:

The Union Budget 2026–27 introduced the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative (MGGSI) as a focused intervention to revitalise India’s traditional rural industries. The programme seeks to strengthen khadi, handloom, and handicrafts by improving competitiveness, market access, and sustainability of artisan livelihoods. In doing so, it draws inspiration from the Gram Swaraj vision of Mahatma Gandhi, which emphasised self-reliant villages built on local production and decentralized economic power.

Objectives and Target Groups

MGGSI is designed to make traditional sectors economically viable in a modern market environment while preserving India’s craft heritage. It focuses on:

• Weavers and artisans in khadi, handloom, and handicrafts
• Village industries and rural micro-enterprises
• Beneficiaries under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative
• Rural youth, encouraging them to view traditional industries as viable careers

The initiative recognises that these sectors not only sustain livelihoods but also represent cultural capital and employment-intensive growth, particularly in labour-surplus rural regions.

Addressing Structural Challenges

Traditional craft sectors suffer from long-standing bottlenecks:

• Fragmented supply chains that raise costs and reduce efficiency
• Inconsistent quality standards, limiting access to premium and export markets
• Weak branding and marketing, leading to dependence on middlemen
• Limited integration with modern retail and e-commerce platforms

MGGSI aims to address these constraints through institutional support, quality standardisation, design innovation, and better market linkages. It encourages artisans to adopt modern production techniques and tools without compromising traditional craftsmanship.

Market Access and Branding

A core pillar of MGGSI is improving global and domestic market access. The initiative promotes:

• Professional branding and packaging
• Entry into organised retail chains
• Access to export markets
• Integration with digital and online marketplaces

This shift from subsistence production to market-oriented enterprise aligns with the broader “Vocal for Local” philosophy and the push to strengthen MSMEs as engines of inclusive growth.

Link to Gandhi’s Gram Swaraj Vision

Gandhi’s concept of Gram Swaraj envisioned villages as self-sufficient republics, economically independent and socially cohesive. However, contemporary rural India faces challenges such as agrarian distress, migration, inequality, and weak non-farm employment opportunities, which prevent villages from achieving that ideal.

MGGSI attempts to reinterpret Gram Swaraj for the 21st century by:

• Promoting local production for wider markets
• Generating non-farm rural employment
• Reducing distress migration
• Enhancing economic self-reliance through village industries

Thus, instead of isolation, the modern approach combines local production with global connectivity.

In News:

The Department of Posts (DoP) under the Ministry of Communications has proposed a new digital addressing framework called DHRUVA (Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address). It aims to create a standardised, interoperable, and user-centric digital address system as part of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiatives.

What is DHRUVA?

DHRUVA is designed as a national digital address framework that allows individuals to use UPI-like virtual address labels such as “name@entity” instead of repeatedly sharing full physical addresses.

These virtual labels act as proxies for real-world locations and are built on the concept of Address-as-a-Service (AaaS), a system for secure, consent-based management and sharing of address data.

Key Features

1. Virtual Address Labels: Users will be able to share a simple label (similar to a UPI ID or email ID) instead of filling out detailed address forms across platforms.

2. Consent-Based Access: Users can authorise companies to access their address information for a limited duration, after which access must be renewed. This gives citizens control over who can view their address.

3. Interoperability &Standardisation: DHRUVA aims to standardise address formats and ensure interoperability across government services, e-commerce platforms, logistics providers, and emergency services.

4. Public–Private Participation: Private firms can participate in the ecosystem, similar to how the UPI system involves banks and fintech firms. A not-for-profit entity (on the lines of NPCI) may oversee operations under government supervision.

DIGIPIN: Foundational Layer

DHRUVA builds upon the DIGIPIN (Digital Postal Index Number) system.

Key Facts about DIGIPIN:

• Developed by the Department of Posts with IIT Hyderabad and NRSC, ISRO
• A 10-character alphanumeric code representing precise geographic coordinates
• Each code corresponds to roughly a 4 m × 4 m grid (earlier approximated as ~14 sq m area)
• Open-source and covers the entire territory of India
• Useful in areas where traditional textual addresses are unclear or absent

DIGIPIN improves location accuracy for rural areas, logistics, emergency response, and public service delivery.

Institutional Framework

• Address labels will be issued by Address Service Providers (ASPs)
• Consent management will be handled by Address Information Agents (AIAs)
• The platform will be designed with multilingual and mobile-first access
• It may integrate with identity systems like Aadhaar for verification

Significance

• Reduces repetitive address entry across digital platforms
• Enhances privacy through consent-based data sharing
• Improves e-governance, e-commerce, logistics, and emergency services
• Strengthens India’s digital infrastructure alongside Aadhaar and UPI

In News:

India has launched Operation Sagar Bandhu, a rapid Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission, to support Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which triggered severe floods and landslides across the island nation, causing over 80 deaths and large-scale displacement.

Background and Launch

Cyclone Ditwah brought intense rainfall from mid-November, leading to riverine flooding particularly in Sri Lanka’s Western Province and widespread damage to homes and infrastructure. In response, India initiated Operation Sagar Bandhu as part of its Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, underscoring its commitment to regional solidarity and maritime cooperation.

Relief Deployment and Coordination

The operation is coordinated by the Ministry of External Affairs, with operational support from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force.

• Sea-based relief: India’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and frontline warship INS Udaigiri reached Colombo carrying emergency supplies and HADR equipment.
• Air-based relief: An IAF C-130J transport aircraft delivered approximately 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food.

This sea–air integrated logistics ensured swift delivery to affected areas and flexibility to scale assistance as conditions evolved.

Humanitarian Impact

Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre reported extensive flooding across multiple provinces, thousands of affected families, and damage to hundreds of homes. Heavy rainfall warnings exceeding 150–200 mm in several districts raised concerns of further inundation. India’s relief supplies were handed over to Sri Lankan authorities to support immediate shelter, sanitation, and food needs.

Diplomatic Significance

India’s leadership highlighted solidarity with its “closest maritime neighbour.” The mission demonstrates India’s readiness to act as a first responder in the Indian Ocean Region, reinforcing trust and cooperation during crises. It also showcases India’s growing HADR capability, combining naval reach, airlift capacity, and inter-ministerial coordination.

In News:

India hosted the 2nd Regional Open Digital Health Summit (RODHS) 2025 in New Delhi, bringing together South-East Asian countries to accelerate Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), open standards, and interoperable digital health systems.

About RODHS 2025

• Nature: A regional, multi-stakeholder platform to advance open, interoperable, people-centred digital health systems across the WHO South-East Asia Region.
• Organisers:
  • National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics & IT
  • National Health Authority (NHA)
  • World Health Organization South-East Asia Regional Office (WHO-SEARO)
  • UNICEF
• Participation: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, Maldives and other South-East Asian countries.
• Context: Builds on momentum from the inaugural summit (Nairobi) and aligns digital health with SDGs and health security.

Key Objectives

• Integrate DPI and open standards into national health systems to support UHC.
• Promote interoperability, trust, skills, and community-centric design.
• Develop country-specific roadmaps for scalable digital health implementation.
• Move from pilot projects to population-scale systems.

India’s DPI Showcase

India highlighted its DPI stack and health platforms as scalable digital public goods:

• Aadhaar (digital identity)
• UPI (digital payments)
• CoWIN (vaccination platform)
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) (national digital health ecosystem)

These were presented as models for secure data exchange, federated architecture, and nationwide scale.

Major Themes & Discussions

• Open Standards & Interoperability:
  • Adoption of WHO SMART Guidelines (Standards-based, Machine-readable, Adaptive, Requirements-based, Testable).
  • FHIR as the global standard for health data exchange; emphasis on governance, workforce capacity and sustained investment.
• Foundational DPI for Health:Role of digital identity, payments, registries and data exchange layers in resilient health ecosystems.
• AI & Generative AI in Health:Use-cases in diagnostics, clinical documentation, multilingual engagement and data integration-enabled by interoperable data.
• Equity & Trust:UNICEF and WHO stressed privacy, child-centric design, health-worker enablement, and community adoption.

Outcomes & Significance

• Reinforced regional cooperation for interoperable digital health.
• Positioned DPI + open standards as core enablers of UHC and health system resilience.
• Encouraged joint governance between health and IT ministries to avoid silos.
• Emphasised that success should be measured by health outcomes, not just digital adoption.

In News:

Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has been awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2024, recognising her global contributions to human rights, social justice and inclusive governance.

About the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize

• Instituted:1986, in memory of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
• Instituted by: Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust
• Official Name:Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development
• Nature: Annual international award
• Eligibility: Individuals or organisationsirrespective of nationality, race or religion
• Award Components:
  • ?25 lakh cash prize
  • Citation

Objectives of the Award

The prize recognisescreative and sustained efforts towards:

• Promotion of international peace, disarmament, racial equality, and harmony among nations
• Strengthening economic cooperation and a new international economic order
• Accelerating the all-round development of developing countries
• Using science and modern knowledge for the larger good of humanity
• Expanding freedom, human dignity and the human spirit

Why Michelle Bachelet was Awarded

• Political Leadership: Two-time President of Chile (2006–10, 2014–18); first woman to hold the office
• Global Human Rights Role: Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and first Director of UN Women
• Domestic Reforms in Chile:
  • Education and tax reforms
  • Establishment of the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality
  • Creation of the National Institute for Human Rights and the Museum of Memory and Human Rights
  • Promotion of women’s political participation and LGBTQ rights
• Global Standing: Known for advocacy on civil liberties, democratic values and protection of vulnerable groups

Select Past Recipients

• 1987: Mikhail Gorbachev
• 1989: UNICEF
• 1997: Jimmy Carter
• 2003: United Nations & Kofi Annan
• 2013: Angela Merkel
• 2014: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• 2017: Manmohan Singh
• 2019: Sir David Attenborough
• 2021: Pratham NGO
• 2022: Indian Medical Association & Trained Nurses Association of India
• 2023: Daniel Barenboim & Ali Abu Awwad

In News:

Infrastructure major Larsen & Toubro (L&T), in partnership with BAE Systems, has secured a contract from the Indian Army to supply BvS10 Sindhu, a specialised all-terrain armoured vehicle. The platform will be manufactured in India, strengthening indigenous defence production.

About BvS10 Sindhu

• Base Platform: BvS10 (Bandvagn S10), a proven articulated all-terrain vehicle used by several European militaries.
• Sindhu Variant: An upgraded, India-specific version adapted for the country’s terrain and climatic extremes.
• Manufacturing: To be produced by L&T at its Armoured Systems Complex, Hazira (Gujarat), with design and technical support from BAE Systems Hägglunds (Sweden), the original BvS10 manufacturer.

Design & Capabilities

• Articulated Configuration: Two connected vehicle sections improve mobility over terrain where conventional wheeled or tracked vehicles struggle.
• All-Terrain Performance: Optimised for high-altitude areas, deserts, marshlands, snow, and flood-prone regions.
• Amphibious Capability: Can operate in waterlogged and flooded environments, enhancing operational reach.
• Protection & Mobility: Armoured design balances crew protection with high mobility in adverse conditions.

Operational Flexibility

The BvS10 Sindhu can be reconfigured for multiple roles, including:

• Troop transport
• Command post
• Ambulance/medical evacuation
• Recovery and logistics support
• Weapon-armed variants

This modularity suits the diverse mission profiles of the Indian Army across varied theatres.

Global Usage (Base BvS10)

• In Service: Austria, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom
• On Order / Selected: Germany; selected for the U.S. Army’s Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV) programme

This underscores the platform’s global acceptance and proven performance.

Industrial & Strategic Significance

• Make in India / Atmanirbhar Bharat: Indigenous manufacturing with global OEM support enhances self-reliance.
• Lifecycle Support: The contract includes integrated logistics support for deployment, maintenance, and sustainment.
• Capability Boost: Addresses mobility gaps in extreme and amphibious terrains, critical for border and disaster-response operations.

In News:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is preparing for the first test of Dhvani, India’s next-generation hypersonic missile system. Its development marks a major advancement in India’s indigenous strategic and aerospace capabilities, placing the country among a select group working on Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) technology.

What is Dhvani?

• Dhvani is an upcoming hypersonic missile being developed by DRDO.
• It is designed as a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV), enabling high-speed, maneuverable flight at hypersonic speed (greater than Mach 5 or approx. 7,400 km/h).
• The system departs from conventional ballistic or cruise missile trajectories by:
  • Being launched to very high altitudes, and
  • Then gliding at hypersonic speeds toward the target with significant maneuvering capability.

This flight profile complicates detection and interception by most existing missile defence systems.

Key Technical Features

1. Speed & Range

• Expected to fly at Mach 5–6+.
• Estimated operating range: 6,000–10,000 km (long-range strategic class).

2. Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Design

• Blended wing–body configuration
  • Approx. 9 m length
  • Approx. 2.5 m width
• Optimized for lift generation and maneuverability during hypersonic glide.

3. Thermal Protection System

• Uses ultra-high-temperature ceramic composites.
• Can withstand 2,000–3,000°C generated during atmospheric re-entry and sustained hypersonic flight.

4. Stealth Features

• Stealth-shaped geometry with:
  • Angled surfaces
  • Smooth contours
• Intended to reduce radar cross-section (RCS) and enhance survivability against surveillance systems.

5. Guidance & Precision: Designed to strike both land and maritime targets with high accuracy.

Technology Background

• Dhvani builds on technologies proven in the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), including:
  • Scramjet propulsion research
  • Thermal shielding systems
  • High-temperature material development

The success of HSTDV provided DRDO the platform to develop operational HGV systems such as Dhvani.

In News:

The Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Pilot Project, launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) through the Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE), is a rural digital empowerment initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide by integrating physical infrastructure with digital service delivery (“phygital model”). It leverages BharatNet — India’s flagship rural broadband programme — to ensure seamless access to essential citizen-centric services.

Pilot Locations & Implementation

The pilot is being implemented in three villages, each hosting a Samriddhi Kendra:

• Ari & Umri (Madhya Pradesh) – Partner: Digital Empowerment Foundation
• Narakoduru (Andhra Pradesh) – Partner: Corpus Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.
• Chaurawala (Uttar Pradesh) – Partner: I-Novate Infotech Pvt. Ltd.

These Kendras act as integrated digital service hubs, providing both physical support and digital-enabled services.

Objectives:

• To create a replicable and scalable rural digital service model.
• To deliver last-mile digital access through BharatNet-powered connectivity.
• To enhance education, agriculture, health, governance, and financial inclusion in rural areas.
• To enable digital entrepreneurship and strengthen participation in the digital economy.

Key Features & Services

1. Education & Skilling

• Smart classrooms, digital content
• AR/VR-based learning
• Skill development aligned with national skilling schemes

2. Agriculture

• IoT-based soil testing
• Drone-enabled services (monitoring, spraying)
• Smart irrigation solutions

3. Healthcare

• Teleconsultations
• Health ATMs for diagnostics
• Basic emergency care support

4. e-Governance

• Assisted access to government services
• Document facilitation
• Grievance redress mechanisms

5. E-Commerce & Entrepreneurship

• Integration with ONDC
• Digital marketplace access for local products
• Support for rural microenterprises

6. Financial Inclusion

• Digital banking services
• Payment systems & UPI-assisted transactions

7. Connectivity Backbone

• BharatNet FTTH connectivity
• Village Area Network (VAN)
• Public Wi-Fi hotspots

Significance

• Strengthens Digital India at the grassroots.
• Demonstrates a phygital last-mile service delivery model.
• Enhances socio-economic outcomes in rural areas by integrating technology with governance and service delivery.
• Designed as a sustainable and scalable model for nationwide expansion.

In News:

• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched the Scheme for Innovation and Technology Association with Aadhaar (SITAA) to advance India's digital identity framework and safeguard Aadhaar against evolving cyber threats, particularly AI-driven deepfakes, spoofing, and biometric fraud.
• The initiative reflects India's objective to build secure, scalable, indigenous, and globally benchmarked identity solutions, aligning with the broader vision of Digital Public Infrastructure and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Key Objectives

• Strengthen the security and reliability of Aadhaar authentication.
• Develop cutting-edge biometric and AI-based security technologies.
• Foster collaboration among startups, academia, and industry for co-development.
• Encourage indigenization of identity-tech solutions.
• Build future-ready digital identity systems capable of countering emerging threats.

Strategic Partnerships

To operationalize the programme, UIDAI has partnered with:

• MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) – for technical mentoring, incubation and accelerator support.
• NASSCOM – for industry linkages, global outreach, and entrepreneurship support.

Pilot Phase Focus Areas

The SITAA pilot has launched three innovation challenges open to eligible startups, research institutions, and industry partners (applications open till 15 November 2025):

Why SITAA Matters

• Deepfake threat escalation: Attempts to bypass biometric security demand next-gen AI counter-measures.
• Contactless biometrics: Essential in post-pandemic authentication models and mobile-first delivery.
• Demographic and environmental variability: Aadhaar works across diverse conditions and populations, making robust tech essential.
• Strengthening trust in India’s digital public infrastructure systems like Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, and ABHA.

Technological Focus Areas

• Advanced biometrics (face, fingerprint)
• AI-driven liveness and spoof detection
• Privacy-preserving authentication methods
• Secure digital identity frameworks
• Mobile-first biometric solutions

In News:

India is on the verge of a historic breakthrough with the upcoming test of Dhvani, a cutting-edge hypersonic missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This missile positions India among an elite group of nations with hypersonic capabilities, including the United States, Russia, and China.

About Dhvani:

• Dhvani is being developed as a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV), capable of speeds exceeding Mach 5 (over 7,400 km/h).
• Unlike conventional missiles that follow predictable trajectories, Dhvani is launched to extreme altitudes and then glides toward its target with high maneuverability, making detection and interception extremely difficult. It is designed to strike both land-based and maritime targets with precision.
• Estimated ranges are 6,000 to 10,000 kilometers, potentially doubling the reach of India’s current Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile.

Design and Technology:

• Dimensions: Approximately 9 meters long and 2.5 meters wide with a blended wing-body configuration.
• Heat Protection: Uses ultra-high-temperature ceramic composites to withstand 2,000–3,000°C during atmospheric reentry.
• Stealth Features: Angled surfaces and smooth contours reduce radar visibility.
• Indigenous Development: Built on technologies demonstrated by the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), including scramjet propulsion and thermal shielding.

Strategic Implications:

The Dhvani missile significantly enhances India’s strategic deterrence, creating a technological edge in South Asia. Its ability to perform unpredictable maneuvers during the terminal phase renders most current missile defense systems ineffective, thereby deterring adversaries.

Global Context:

Dhvani is comparable to China’s DF-ZF, Russia’s Avangard, and U.S. programs such as Dark Eagle and HACM, which face developmental delays. India’s achievement demonstrates self-reliance in critical defense technologies and strengthens its capability for both regional security and global power projection.

In News:

Launched in 2015, the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) is a flagship financial inclusion initiative of the Government of India. The scheme seeks to provide affordable credit to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) engaged in non-farm income-generating activities, thereby integrating them into the formal financial ecosystem.

Objective

• PMMY aims to “fund the unfunded” by facilitating access to institutional credit for small entrepreneurs who traditionally lack collateral or formal financial history.
• The scheme empowers these enterprises through loans provided by Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Cooperative Banks, Private Banks, Foreign Banks, Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs), and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).

Key Features and Loan Details

• Loan Amount: Up to ?10 lakh for non-farm income-generating activities across sectors such as manufacturing, processing, trading, and services.
• Eligibility: Any Indian citizen with a viable business plan for such activities can apply for a MUDRA loan through approved institutions.
• Subsidy: PMMY does not directly offer subsidies; however, if linked to other government schemes with capital subsidies, those benefits can be availed concurrently.

Categories of MUDRA Loans

Achievements under MUDRA 1.0

• Credit Outreach: Over ?27.75 lakh crore has been disbursed to nearly 47 crore beneficiaries, expanding access to formal credit for small entrepreneurs.
• Social Inclusion: Around 69% of loan accounts are held by women, while 51% belong to SC, ST, and OBC categories — strengthening financial inclusion and social equity.
• Employment Generation: The scheme has spurred job creation and self-employment, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, fostering local entrepreneurship and economic decentralisation.

Vision for MUDRA 2.0

To further enhance the scheme’s reach and impact, the proposed MUDRA 2.0 envisions the following reforms:

• Wider Outreach: Greater focus on underserved rural and semi-urban regions through digital platforms and community-level facilitation.
• Financial Literacy & Mentorship: National-level programmes to improve awareness about budgeting, savings, digital transactions, and credit management to ensure sustainable enterprise growth.
• Enhanced Credit Guarantee Scheme (ECGS): A robust guarantee mechanism to minimise lender risk and encourage more credit flow to micro enterprises.
• Real-Time Monitoring Framework: Technology-driven systems for tracking disbursal, utilisation, and repayment to ensure transparency and reduce misuse.
• Impact Evaluation: Periodic socio-economic assessments to measure outcomes on income generation, employment, and business viability.

In News:

• A remote village in Gujarat’s Kutch district, Matanomadh, is emerging as a potential analogue site for India’s future Mars missions.
• Researchers from the Space Applications Centre (ISRO), Savitribai Phule Pune University, and the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences have confirmed the presence of jarosite, a mineral also discovered on Mars, making the region significant for planetary studies.

Jarosite and Its Relevance

• Composition: Jarosite is a yellow-brown mineral composed of potassium, iron, and sulphate, typically formed in arid, saline environments under extreme geochemical conditions.
• Formation: On Earth, it is linked to volcanic activity, where volcanic ash containing sulphur reacts with water-rich environments.
• Global Occurrence: Rare on Earth; found in Mexico, Canada, Japan, Spain, USA (Utah, California), and in India at Kerala’s Varkala cliffs and now Kutch.
• On Mars: First detected in 2004 by NASA’s Opportunity Rover at Meridiani Planum, jarosite is considered strong evidence of water activity on the red planet.

The Kutch Discovery

• Age: Jarosite deposits at Matanomadh have been dated to around 55 million years ago (Paleocene period).
• Geological Significance: Indicates that environmental and chemical conditions in Kutch millions of years ago resembled those on Mars.
• Current Findings: The mineral occurs as fine deposits mixed with clay. When mixed with water, this clay expands—closely resembling Martian sulphate-clay formations.

Importance for Space Research

• Field Analogue for Mars: The site provides a natural laboratory to test rovers, instruments, drilling, geochemistry, and astrobiology experiments for upcoming missions like Mangalyaan-2.
• Astrobiology Potential: Sulphates such as jarosite can trap organic molecules, offering clues to possible microbial life.
• Palaeo-evolution Insights: Helps decode the geological and chemical history of Mars.
• Complementary Sites: While Ladakh’s Tso Kar Valley (HOPE Mission) simulates Martian living conditions, Kutch offers geological parallels for studying surface mineralogy.

Challenges

• The site is currently waterlogged and threatened by coal mining activities in the vicinity. Scientists have urged that Matanomadh be declared a site of planetary geo-heritage to protect its unique deposits.

In News:

The Indian Army recently conducted Exercise Yudh Kaushal 3.0 in the high-altitude Kameng region of Arunachal Pradesh, reaffirming its preparedness for next-generation warfare in extreme Himalayan terrain.

The exercise underscored the Army’s shift towards multi-domain operations, greater reliance on emerging technologies, and closer engagement with the domestic defence industry.

Key Highlights of the Exercise

• Terrain & Conditions: Conducted in high-altitude, harsh Himalayan conditions, validating combat effectiveness and operational resilience.
• Technological Integration: Featured drone surveillance, precision strikes, real-time target acquisition, air–littoral operations, and synchronized battlefield tactics, reflecting the Army’s technological adaptation.
• Debut of ASHNI Platoons: Marked the first operational deployment of the newly raised ASHNI platoons, designed to combine advanced technology with traditional combat expertise for decisive battlefield advantage.
• Indigenous Defence Industry Participation: Reflected India’s emphasis on Atmanirbhar Bharat and the “Decade of Transformation,” with active involvement of the domestic defence sector.

Strategic Significance

• Demonstrated India’s ability to conduct large-scale, coordinated operations in sensitive border regions.
• Validated the Army’s preparedness for multi-domain conflicts involving land, air, cyber, and unmanned systems.
• Reinforced the importance of self-reliance in defence technology by incorporating indigenous systems in live combat simulations.
• Showcased India’s resolve to maintain combat superiority in high-altitude operational theatres along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

In News:

The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), launched in March 2020 as a COVID-19 relief measure, has evolved into one of the world’s largest food security initiatives.

Implemented under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, the scheme provides free rice and wheat to eligible households through the Public Distribution System (PDS). While it has ensured nutritional security for ~81 crore people, the soaring food subsidy bill (?2.03 lakh crore in FY26) has prompted the Union government to initiate a review for fiscal sustainability.

Key Features of PMGKAY

• Coverage: ~81.35 crore beneficiaries (75% rural, 50% urban population).
• Entitlements:
  • Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): 35 kg per family per month.
  • Priority Households (PHH): 5 kg per person per month.
• Annual Distribution: 56–58 million tonnes of foodgrains.
• Mode of Delivery: ~5.4 lakh fair price shops (FPSs).
• Cost: Entirely free of cost since January 2023 (earlier, NFSA beneficiaries paid nominal prices).
• Transparency Measures: 83% Aadhaar-based e-KYC completed; 204 million household ration cards seeded.

Current Review and Concerns

• Rising Subsidy Burden
  • Food subsidy bill has crossed ?2 lakh crore in FY26, widening the fiscal strain.
  • Gap between economic cost (procurement, storage, transportation) and issue prices has grown, since prices were never revised after NFSA’s enactment.
• Ineligible Beneficiaries
  • About 10% of the 800 million listed beneficiaries were found in government databases (taxpayers, vehicle owners, company directors, etc.).
  • Several beneficiaries did not lift their share of grains for months.
  • States like Rajasthan, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh have started removing ineligible ration cards.
• Re-verification Drive
  • States asked to reverify ration cards issued a decade ago to weed out ineligible households and add new ones.
  • Field verification and inter-ministerial data convergence with CBDT, CBIC, MCA, Road Transport, and PM-Kisan databases are being carried out.
• Equity Concerns
  • In some cases, single-member AAY households received 35 kg/month, raising questions on fairness.
  • Conversely, deserving families remain excluded due to outdated lists.

Reform Measures Underway

• Database Cleansing: Aadhaar-based authentication to ensure rightful targeting.
• Infrastructure Creation: ?1.25 lakh crore project for modern grain storage in cooperatives and integration of PACS godowns into the supply chain.
• Policy Options:
  • Introducing a partial cost-sharing model for better-off sections.
  • Rationalising coverage to focus more on nutritional outcomes (shift to nutri-cereals).
  • Savings redirected towards agri-R&D, irrigation, and value chain efficiency.

In News:

Despite rising bilateral tariff tensions, India and the United States have commenced their largest-ever edition of the YudhAbhyas Army exercise at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The two-week-long exercise underscores the strategic depth of the India–US defence partnership, even amid political and trade frictions.

About YudhAbhyas Exercise

• Nature: Annual bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the US Army.
• Initiation: Started in 2004 under the India–US Defence Cooperation Framework.
• Hosting: Conducted alternately in India and the US.
• Focus: Joint training in counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, mountain and high-altitude warfare.

2025 Edition Highlights

• Location: Fort Wainwright, Alaska — subarctic conditions comparable to Himalayan terrain.
• Indian Participation: Over 450 soldiers from the Madras Regiment.
• US Participation: Troops from the 5th Infantry Regiment “Bobcats”, Arctic Wolves Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division.

Training Features

• Joint heliborne operations.
• Surveillance and UAV deployment.
• Rock-craft and mountain warfare.
• Casualty evacuation and combat medical aid.
• Integrated use of artillery, aviation, and electronic warfare.

Strategic Significance

• Operational Readiness
  • Enhances interoperability and coordination in extreme cold climates, vital for Himalayan and Arctic theatres.
  • Strengthens joint capabilities in counter-terrorism, peace support, and disaster relief operations.
• Defence Cooperation Beyond Exercises
  • The US has secured Indian defence deals worth over $25 billion since 2007.
  • Recent major acquisitions:
    1. 99 GE-F404 turbofan engines (for Tejas Mk-1A fighters) worth $716 million.
    2. Proposed deal for 113 more engines worth $1 billion.
    3. 31 MQ-9B Predator drones worth $3.8 billion, deliveries expected in 2029–30.
• Geopolitical Context
  • Exercises continue despite 50% tariffs imposed by the US on India under President Trump, straining economic ties.
  • Defence cooperation remains resilient, reflecting two decades of strategic partnership.
  • India balances ties with Russia and cautiously re-engages with China, maintaining its strategic autonomy.
• Quad Linkages
  • Parallel planning is underway for the Malabar Naval Exercise among Quad nations (India, US, Japan, Australia) off Guam in November 2025, further deepening maritime security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific.

In News:

The Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme, launched on 1st June 2020 amidst the COVID-19 crisis, has emerged as a landmark initiative for supporting urban street vendors by providing collateral-free working capital loans, promoting digital inclusion, and enabling social security access.

In August 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the restructuring and extension of the scheme till 31st March 2030, with an enhanced outlay of ?7,332 crore to benefit 1.15 crore beneficiaries, including 50 lakh new entrants.

Key Features of the Restructured Scheme

• Enhanced Loan Tranches
  • 1st tranche: ?15,000 (earlier ?10,000)
  • 2nd tranche: ?25,000 (earlier ?20,000)
  • 3rd tranche: ?50,000 (unchanged)
• UPI-linked RuPay Credit Card
  • Available for vendors who have repaid the second loan.
  • Ensures instant credit access for business and personal needs.
• Digital Incentives
  • Cashback up to ?1,600 on digital transactions.
  • Promotes financial literacy and digital adoption.
• Expanded Coverage
  • From statutory towns to census towns, peri-urban areas, in a phased manner.
• Capacity Building & Convergence
  • Training in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and digital skills.
  • Food safety & hygiene certification for street food vendors in partnership with FSSAI.

‘SVANidhi se Samriddhi’ Component

• Ensures saturation coverage of welfare schemes for vendors’ families.
• Monthly Lok Kalyan Melas to connect beneficiaries with schemes like PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, and PM Jan Dhan Yojana.

Achievements Till Date (as of July 2025)

• 96 lakh loans disbursed worth ?13,797 crore to 68 lakh vendors.
• 47 lakh digitally active beneficiaries with over 557 crore transactions worth ?6.09 lakh crore.
• ?241 crore cashback earned by vendors.
• 46 lakh beneficiaries profiled across 3,564 ULBs, leading to 1.38 crore scheme sanctions.
• Recognitions:
  • PM’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration (2023) for Innovation.
  • Silver Award (2022) for Government Process Re-engineering in Digital Transformation.

In News:

On the eve of the 79th Independence Day, President DroupadiMurmu approved the awarding of seven SarvottamYudhSeva Medals (SYSM), the nation’s highest wartime distinguished service honour, to the leaders of Operation Sindoor, marking the first such awards since the Kargil War.

About the SarvottamYudhSeva Medal:

• Institution: 26 June 1980, to recognise distinguished service of the highest order during war, conflict, or hostilities.
• Eligibility: All ranks of the Army, Navy, Air Force, including Territorial Army Units, Auxiliary and Reserve Forces, and lawfully constituted Armed Forces when embodied. Nursing officers and members of the Nursing Services are also eligible. Awards can be given posthumously.
• Design: Circular medal, 35 mm in diameter, gold gilt, with the State Emblem and inscription “SARVOTTAM YUDH SEVA MEDAL” on the obverse, and a five-pointed star on the reverse. The ribbon is golden with a red vertical stripe in the centre. Subsequent awards are recognised by a Bar on the ribbon with a miniature insignia.
• Significance: Considered the wartime equivalent of the Param VishishtSeva Medal (PVSM) for exceptional service in peacetime. Previously awarded to three officers for Kargil War leadership: Lt Gen Amarjit Singh Kalkat, Air Marshal Vinod Patney, and Lt Gen Hari Mohan Khanna.

In News:

In his 12th Independence Day address from the Red Fort (15 August 2025), Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY). With an ambitious financial outlay of nearly ?1 lakh crore, the scheme aims to generate over 3.5 crore jobs in two years, representing a landmark initiative to strengthen the bridge from Swatantra Bharat to Samriddha Bharat through massive employment creation.

Objectives

The scheme seeks to:

• Boost formal job creation by offering direct financial incentives to both employees and employers.
• Promote workforce formalisation by bringing more workers under the ambit of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
• Encourage savings and financial literacy among youth entering the workforce for the first time.
• Catalyse employment growth in the manufacturing sector, a critical pillar of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Key Features of the Scheme

Part A – Support to First-Time Employees

• Targets first-time employees registered with EPFO.
• Provides one month’s EPF wage support up to ?15,000, disbursed in two instalments:
  • First instalment after 6 months of continuous service.
  • Second instalment after 12 months, subject to completion of a financial literacy programme.
• Incentive is partly locked in a savings/deposit account to encourage long-term financial discipline.
• Employees earning up to ?1 lakh per month are eligible.
• Expected to benefit 1.92 crore first-time employees.

Part B – Incentives for Employers

• Employers will be incentivised to create additional formal jobs, with a focus on manufacturing.
• Incentive: up to ?3,000 per employee per month for two years, provided the employment is sustained for at least six months.
• For the manufacturing sector, support will extend to the 3rd and 4th year as well.
• Expected to facilitate the creation of 2.6 crore jobs.

Incentive Payment Mechanism

• Payments to employees under Part A will be made via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) using the Aadhaar Bridge Payment System (ABPS).
• Payments to employers under Part B will be credited directly into PAN-linked accounts.

In News:

The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) has been significantly expanded by the Government of India and is now operational in all 36 States and Union Territories, covering 751 districts. As of June 30, 2025, a total of 1,704 dialysis centres are functional under the programme.

Background and Objectives

• Launched in 2016, the PMNDP aims to provide free dialysis services to patients suffering from end-stage kidney failure, with special focus on Below Poverty Line (BPL) beneficiaries.
• It is implemented under the National Health Mission (NHM) in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
• The programme addresses the rising burden of chronic kidney disease and aims to ensure equitable access to life-saving renal care across India.

Key Features

• Dialysis Services: Supports both Haemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis.
• Infrastructure Expansion: Initially recommended at all district hospitals, with flexibility to scale down to Community Health Centres (CHCs), especially in remote and tribal regions.
• PMNDP Portal: Integrates all NHM-supported dialysis centres, facilitates creation of a renal registry, and ensures service portability within states (“One State–One Dialysis”) and eventually nationwide (“One Nation–One Dialysis”).
• Funding Mechanism: The NHM provides financial assistance to States/UTs for setting up and operating dialysis centres.
• Implementation Strategy: Expansion is based on gap assessments carried out by States/UTs as part of their annual Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).

Significance

• Health Equity: Extends life-saving kidney care to vulnerable groups, including rural and tribal populations.
• Cost Reduction: Provides free dialysis, reducing the out-of-pocket burden on families.
• Data Integration: The renal registry aids in epidemiological tracking and planning of kidney health interventions.
• Public Health Impact: Strengthens India’s healthcare delivery under Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals.

In News:

The Setubandha Scholar Scheme (also referred to as Setubandha Vidwan Yojana) is a pioneering national initiative launched by the Ministry of Education to integrate scholars from traditional gurukuls into India's mainstream research ecosystem—especially at premier institutions like IITs.

Key Highlights:

• Objective: To formally recognise traditional learning and connect Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) with modern scientific disciplines.
• Implementing Agency: Indian Knowledge System (IKS) division under the Central Sanskrit University (CSU).
• Eligibility: Minimum 5 years of rigorous study in a recognised gurukul and proven expertise in Shastras or traditional knowledge. No formal academic degree is required.
• Age Limit: Maximum 32 years.

Fellowships & Research Grants:

• Research Domains (18 Fields): Ayurveda, health sciences, mathematics, astronomy, physics, grammar, strategic studies, political theory, cognitive science, architecture, performing arts, and more.
• Notable traditional categories include Anvikshiki Vidya (philosophy), Ganit-Bhaut-Jyotish Vidya (mathematics, physics, astronomy), and Bhaishajya-Arogya Vidya (health sciences).

Policy Context: NEP 2020 and Beyond

The scheme is a direct outcome of reforms envisioned under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes integrating traditional Indian knowledge systems with modern education, promoting multidisciplinary learning, and creating a flexible, inclusive research environment.

NEP-Driven Initiatives Linked to Setubandha:

• Nipun Bharat: Improved foundational literacy and numeracy by Class 2.
• Vidya Pravesh & Balvatikas: Early childhood education integration.
• Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Yojana: Democratizing Indian language access.
• National Digital Depository for IKS: Repository of classical knowledge.
• PM Shri Schools: Model schools aligned with NEP's vision.
• Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and Multiple Entry-Exit options.
• Anusandhan NRF & PMRF 2.0: Boosting research funding and fellowships.
• Global Outreach: Foreign universities (e.g., Deakin, Wollongong) setting up campuses in India.

Wider Impact and Significance:

• Institutional Recognition: For the first time, gurukul-trained scholars can pursue advanced research alongside IIT peers.
• Inclusivity in Education: Enables non-formal scholars to access elite academic spaces.
• Global Relevance: As interest grows in Ayurveda, Yoga, Sanskrit linguistics, and indigenous governance, India is positioning itself as a global knowledge hub.
• Empowerment of Marginalised Groups: Over 7.12 lakh girls in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, and hostel schemes for PVTGs reflect NEP’s inclusive approach.

In News:

The Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) initiative is a nationwide cultural mapping project launched by the Ministry of Culture on 27th July 2023 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It operates under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) and is implemented by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).

Key Highlights:

• Objective: To digitally document and preserve the intangible cultural heritage of all 6.5 lakh villages across India through a comprehensive virtual cultural portfolio.
• Current Status (as of 2025):

• Over 4.7 lakh villages have been culturally mapped.
• The data is accessible on the MGMD web portal.

• Thematic Categories: Each village is documented based on one or more of seven cultural themes:

1. Arts and Crafts Villages
2. Ecologically Oriented Villages
3. Scholastic Villages (linked to texts and scriptural traditions)
4. Epic Villages (associated with Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, and oral epics)
5. Historical Villages (linked to local or national history)
6. Architectural Heritage Villages
7. Other culturally significant villages (e.g., fishing, horticulture, pastoral communities)

Significance:

• Preservation of Heritage: Helps safeguard India’s diverse village-level traditions and practices.
• Cultural Inclusion: Recognizes lesser-known cultural narratives and identities.
• Rural Development: Encourages economic and artistic growth through cultural awareness.
• Digital Cultural Infrastructure: Enables access to cultural data via online platforms.

About National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM)

Launched in 2017, the NMCM is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Culture aimed at documenting and promoting India’s cultural diversity with a focus on grassroots-level heritage.

Key Components:

• Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) – Mapping of village-level cultural assets.
• Sanskritik Pratibha Khoj – Campaigns to discover artistic talent and promote folk and tribal arts.
• National Cultural Workplace (NCWP) – A digital platform and mobile app to create databases of artists, art forms, and cultural services.

This initiative strengthens India’s commitment to heritage conservation, digital documentation, and self-reliant cultural development, in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat.

In News:

The Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has recently inaugurated the 75th Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) at the Government Medical College, Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in India's efforts toward inclusive social welfare.

About PMDK

The Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) is a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at delivering integrated rehabilitation and assistive services under one roof. It caters primarily to:

• Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), as identified under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
• Senior Citizens, especially those from economically weaker sections (EWS).

These centres offer comprehensive services including:

• Assessment and evaluation
• Counselling
• Distribution of assistive devices
• Post-distribution follow-up care

Institutional Framework

PMDKs operate under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, and are implemented by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), a Central Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).

Schemes Implemented through PMDKs

• Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP Scheme): Aims to assist Divyangjan with suitable, durable, and scientifically manufactured aids and appliances.
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): Focuses on providing free-of-cost assistive devices to senior citizens from BPL or economically weaker backgrounds.

Beneficiary-Oriented Impact

• With the inauguration of the latest centre in Badaun, the total number of operational PMDKs in the country has reached 75.
• These centres have collectively benefited over 1.4 lakh individuals, distributing assistive devices worth ?179.15 lakh.
• Devices offered include:
  • Tricycles, wheelchairs, walkers
  • Hearing aids and artificial limbs
  • Other mobility and sensory support equipment

Significance and Relevance

The PMDK initiative plays a crucial role in addressing the accessibility gap in health and welfare services for Divyangjan and elderly citizens. By establishing these centres at regional medical hubs, the government is:

• Reducing the travel burden and logistical challenges for beneficiaries.
• Ensuring dignified, timely, and localised support.
• Strengthening the implementation of constitutional and legal mandates under Articles 41 and 46, which call for state support to the vulnerable sections of society.

In News:

In a landmark initiative for tribal inclusion, the Government of India has launched the Dharti AabaJanbhagidari Abhiyan (DAJA)—India’s largest-ever tribal outreach and empowerment campaign. The programme aims to ensure saturation of welfare schemes and promote tribal pride and participation, covering over 1 lakh tribal villages and PVTG habitations across 31 States and Union Territories.

What is DAJA?

• Full Name: Dharti AabaJanbhagidari Abhiyan — named in honour of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a revered tribal freedom fighter.
• Launched by: Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
• Nature: A people-centric campaign focused on participatory governance and last-mile delivery of services among Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Objectives of DAJA

• Saturate government welfare schemes across all tribal settlements.
• Empower over 5.5 crore tribal citizens through Janbhagidari (people’s participation).
• Preserve and promote tribal identity and cultural heritage, invoking the legacy of Birsa Munda.
• Strengthen last-mile governance through technological and administrative convergence.

Key Features:

Feature                                        Description

Geographic Coverage    -    1 lakh+ tribal villages, including remote PVTG habitations, across 31 States/UTs.

Scheme Integration    -     Converges services such as Aadhaar, Ayushman Bharat, PM Kisan, PM

                                              Ujjwala, Jan Dhan, pension schemes, and Forest Rights Act (FRA) claims.

Five Foundational Pillars        -

• Janbhagidari (people’s participation)
• Saturation of welfare benefits
• Cultural inclusion
• Convergence of schemes
• Last-mile delivery