SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum: India will host its inaugural edition in New Delhi, 20–22 November 2026; Pakistan’s National Heritage and Culture Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi has been invited.
SCO Summit 2027: Pakistan will host the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit in Islamabad in 2027.
Interlink: https://t.me/bpscweb/46668
#CA2026
#SUMMIT
SCO Summit 2027: Pakistan will host the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit in Islamabad in 2027.
Interlink: https://t.me/bpscweb/46668
#CA2026
#SUMMIT
Bhaskaracharya II: Explained gravity in Siddhanta Shiromani around 950 years ago; stated that Earth attracts objects towards itself.
Ancient Indian geography: Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads and the Suryasiddhanta describe India’s geography.
Ancient India as a scientific centre: Ujjain was considered the central point of the Earth which was the prime meridian and ancient Indian units of time calculated, including ghatika and muhurta.
Aryabhata: Explained that Earth rotates on its axis; also calculated the duration of a year with remarkable accuracy.
Ancient Indian astronomy: Siddhanta Shiromani discusses the relationship between the Earth and celestial bodies.
Varna system:Four varnas- Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra- and notes that social position was linked to birth.
Harappan decline: Cites climate shifts, river-course changes, natural calamities and declining trade with Sumeria; moves away from foreign invasions as the cause.
Women in the Vedic period: Mentions female scholars such as Lopamudra, Ghosha, Gargi, Maitreyi and Apala.
Anna Mani: Indian meteorologist (1918–2001), known as the “Weather Woman of India”; her contributions helped reduce dependence on foreign weather forecasting.
Chandragupta Maurya: The Arthashastra is presented as dealing with governance, taxation, defence, intelligence and politics.
#HISTORY
Ancient Indian geography: Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads and the Suryasiddhanta describe India’s geography.
Ancient India as a scientific centre: Ujjain was considered the central point of the Earth which was the prime meridian and ancient Indian units of time calculated, including ghatika and muhurta.
Aryabhata: Explained that Earth rotates on its axis; also calculated the duration of a year with remarkable accuracy.
Ancient Indian astronomy: Siddhanta Shiromani discusses the relationship between the Earth and celestial bodies.
Varna system:Four varnas- Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra- and notes that social position was linked to birth.
Harappan decline: Cites climate shifts, river-course changes, natural calamities and declining trade with Sumeria; moves away from foreign invasions as the cause.
Women in the Vedic period: Mentions female scholars such as Lopamudra, Ghosha, Gargi, Maitreyi and Apala.
Anna Mani: Indian meteorologist (1918–2001), known as the “Weather Woman of India”; her contributions helped reduce dependence on foreign weather forecasting.
Chandragupta Maurya: The Arthashastra is presented as dealing with governance, taxation, defence, intelligence and politics.
#HISTORY
❤1
India and Mexico signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) to formally launch negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), with Mexico seeking an early-harvest arrangement to liberalise trade in selected goods.
#CA2026
#AGREEMENT
#CA2026
#AGREEMENT
IWAI
1. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
Established on 27 October 1986 under the IWAI Act, 1985.
Administrative Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
Functions: Development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
40th Raising Day: 27 October 2026.
2. National Waterways (NWs)
National Waterways Act, 2016: Declared 111 National Waterways, covering 20,187 km across 23 States and 4 Union Territories.
NW-1: Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly river system; Haldia to Prayagraj.
NW-2: Brahmaputra River; Sadiya to Dhubri.
NW-3: West Coast Canal and associated waterways in Kerala.
NW-4: Godavari–Krishna river system and associated canals.
NW-5: Brahmani–Mahanadi delta system and East Coast Canal.
NW-16: Barak River.
Note: NW-1 was declared a National Waterway in 1986, before the National Waterways Act, 2016.
3. Important schemes and projects
1. Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP)
Objective: Improve navigability and cargo capacity of NW-1.
Route: Varanasi to Haldia, approximately 1,390 km.
Revised cost: ₹5,061.15 crore; supported by the World Bank.
Infrastructure: Multimodal terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj and Haldia; Intermodal Terminal at Kalughat, Bihar; navigation lock at Farakka.
2. Arth Ganga Initiative / JMVP-II
Objective: Promote socio-economic development and livelihoods along the Ganga.
Connects farmers, fishers, artisans and small producers with markets through affordable waterway transport.
Focuses on local economic development alongside the development of NW-1.
3. Jalvahak Scheme
Launched on 15 December 2024 to shift cargo from road and rail to inland waterways.
Offers incentives of up to 35% of actual operating expenditure on eligible long-haul journeys exceeding 200 km.
Covers NW-1, NW-2 and NW-16, including eligible routes under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol.
Supports scheduled cargo services operated by Inland and Coastal Shipping Limited (ICSL).
4. Jal Samriddhi Portal
Facilitates online applications for No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for constructing jetties and terminals.
Simplifies approvals and encourages private investment in inland-waterway infrastructure.
4. Important digital portals and systems
CAR-D (Cargo Data Portal): Collection, analysis and dissemination of cargo and cruise traffic data.
PANI (Portal for Asset & Navigation Information): Information on waterways, navigation assets, jetties and connectivity.
LADIS (Least Available Depth Information System): Provides information on available water depth in navigation channels.
RIS (River Information Services): Vessel tracking, navigation safety and traffic management.
Jalyan & Navic Portal: Digital services related to vessel registration, surveys, certification and crew-related requirements.
Naudarshika: National River Traffic and Navigation System for safer and more efficient vessel movement.
5. Other initiatives and technical terms
Jal Samriddhi: Supports simplified approvals for waterways infrastructure.
Jalvahak: Promotes cargo movement through inland waterways using financial incentives.
Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off): Vehicles are driven directly onto and off vessels.
Ro-Pax (Roll-on/Roll-off Passenger): Combines vehicle and passenger transport.
Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanism (QPOM): Facilitates the passage of vessels through certain pontoon bridges.
Indo-Bangladesh Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade: Allows designated waterways in India and Bangladesh to be used for transit and trade.
Inland Vessels Act, 2021: Provides a uniform legal framework for the regulation of inland vessels across India.
6. Cargo movement and targets
Inland-waterway cargo increased from 18 MMT in 2013–14 to 218 MMT in 2025–26.
Maritime India Vision 2030: Target of 200 MMT of inland-waterway cargo by 2030; surpassed in 2025–26.
Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: Targets over 500 MMT of inland-waterway cargo and more than 50 operational National Waterways by 2047.
#CA2026
#GEOGRAPHY
1. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
Established on 27 October 1986 under the IWAI Act, 1985.
Administrative Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
Functions: Development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
40th Raising Day: 27 October 2026.
2. National Waterways (NWs)
National Waterways Act, 2016: Declared 111 National Waterways, covering 20,187 km across 23 States and 4 Union Territories.
NW-1: Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly river system; Haldia to Prayagraj.
NW-2: Brahmaputra River; Sadiya to Dhubri.
NW-3: West Coast Canal and associated waterways in Kerala.
NW-4: Godavari–Krishna river system and associated canals.
NW-5: Brahmani–Mahanadi delta system and East Coast Canal.
NW-16: Barak River.
Note: NW-1 was declared a National Waterway in 1986, before the National Waterways Act, 2016.
3. Important schemes and projects
1. Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP)
Objective: Improve navigability and cargo capacity of NW-1.
Route: Varanasi to Haldia, approximately 1,390 km.
Revised cost: ₹5,061.15 crore; supported by the World Bank.
Infrastructure: Multimodal terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj and Haldia; Intermodal Terminal at Kalughat, Bihar; navigation lock at Farakka.
2. Arth Ganga Initiative / JMVP-II
Objective: Promote socio-economic development and livelihoods along the Ganga.
Connects farmers, fishers, artisans and small producers with markets through affordable waterway transport.
Focuses on local economic development alongside the development of NW-1.
3. Jalvahak Scheme
Launched on 15 December 2024 to shift cargo from road and rail to inland waterways.
Offers incentives of up to 35% of actual operating expenditure on eligible long-haul journeys exceeding 200 km.
Covers NW-1, NW-2 and NW-16, including eligible routes under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol.
Supports scheduled cargo services operated by Inland and Coastal Shipping Limited (ICSL).
4. Jal Samriddhi Portal
Facilitates online applications for No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for constructing jetties and terminals.
Simplifies approvals and encourages private investment in inland-waterway infrastructure.
4. Important digital portals and systems
CAR-D (Cargo Data Portal): Collection, analysis and dissemination of cargo and cruise traffic data.
PANI (Portal for Asset & Navigation Information): Information on waterways, navigation assets, jetties and connectivity.
LADIS (Least Available Depth Information System): Provides information on available water depth in navigation channels.
RIS (River Information Services): Vessel tracking, navigation safety and traffic management.
Jalyan & Navic Portal: Digital services related to vessel registration, surveys, certification and crew-related requirements.
Naudarshika: National River Traffic and Navigation System for safer and more efficient vessel movement.
5. Other initiatives and technical terms
Jal Samriddhi: Supports simplified approvals for waterways infrastructure.
Jalvahak: Promotes cargo movement through inland waterways using financial incentives.
Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off): Vehicles are driven directly onto and off vessels.
Ro-Pax (Roll-on/Roll-off Passenger): Combines vehicle and passenger transport.
Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanism (QPOM): Facilitates the passage of vessels through certain pontoon bridges.
Indo-Bangladesh Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade: Allows designated waterways in India and Bangladesh to be used for transit and trade.
Inland Vessels Act, 2021: Provides a uniform legal framework for the regulation of inland vessels across India.
6. Cargo movement and targets
Inland-waterway cargo increased from 18 MMT in 2013–14 to 218 MMT in 2025–26.
Maritime India Vision 2030: Target of 200 MMT of inland-waterway cargo by 2030; surpassed in 2025–26.
Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: Targets over 500 MMT of inland-waterway cargo and more than 50 operational National Waterways by 2047.
#CA2026
#GEOGRAPHY
❤2
India–New Zealand’s 100 years of friendship (1926–2026): India and New Zealand commemorated the milestone through Under-20 men’s, women’s and mixed-team rugby matches held on 27 October 2026 at the State Sports Complex, Rajgir, Bihar.
#BIHARspecial
#BIHARspecial