🔆 India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) 2025

📍 Theme
“Advancing Internet Governance for an Inclusive & Sustainable Viksit Bharat”

📍 Core Outcomes
✅ Strong push for an open, trusted, inclusive internet ecosystem.
✅ Focus on digital inclusion, last-mile connectivity & rural access.
✅ Emphasis on 5G expansion, digital public infrastructure & consent-based Data Protection Act.
✅ Strengthening India’s defences against cyberattacks, misinformation & AI misuse.
✅ Clear vision for responsible AI — ethical deployment & user protection.

📍 Key Discussions
✅ Panels on DNS security, cybersecurity readiness, data protection, content moderation, AI for public good, and opportunities for young innovators.
✅ Global participation: UN Internet Governance Forum, Meta, Google Cloud, academia & civil society.

📍 Government Highlights
✅ India aims to ensure safe, affordable, reliable internet for all.
✅ Multi-stakeholder governance model reaffirmed.
✅ NIXI Internet Intern Scheme → 10,000+ students, many now in global policy roles.

📍 Why It Matters
✅ India is one of the world’s largest digital populations — shaping global internet norms.
✅ The forum strengthens institutional mechanisms for informed, inclusive digital decision-making.

📍 Mains Question
Q. How does the India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) contribute to building an open, trusted and inclusive digital ecosystem? Discuss with reference to AI governance and digital public infrastructure.



#gs2 #polity
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#polity_governance

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🔆 Meghalaya’s First Block-Level Climate Vulnerability Assessment

📍 Key Findings
✔️ 25 of 39 blocks fall under high or very high climate vulnerability.
✔️ Conducted by the Meghalaya Climate Change Centre (MCCC) under the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE).
✔️ Uses a national framework integrating biophysical + socio-economic indicators.

📍 Major Drivers of Vulnerability
✔️ Low household income
✔️ Limited access to credit & public health
✔️ Poor irrigation & nutrition infrastructure (Anganwadis)
✔️ Scarce forest resources
✔️ High rural population density
✔️ Low female workforce participation

📍 Why It Matters
✔️ Block-level mapping reveals localised risks that district-level data misses.
✔️ Helps design targeted adaptation strategies for the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
✔️ Supports climate-resilient livelihoods & rural development.

📍 Mains Question
Q. Why are block-level climate vulnerability assessments crucial for Himalayan states like Meghalaya? Discuss their relevance for targeted climate adaptation.

📍 #DisasterManagement

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🔆 India at WorldSkills Asia 2025 – Finishes 8th in First-Ever Participation

📍 Summary
✅ India made a strong debut at WorldSkills Asia Competition (WSAC) 2025, securing 8th rank among 29 nations.
✅ Participation led by MSDE, NSDC, and Sector Skill Councils; 23 competitors in 21 skill categories, supported by 21 experts.
✅ Medal tally:
• Silver – Painting & Decorating
• Bronze – Industrial Design Technology; Robot System Integration
• Medallions for Excellence – Software App Dev, Web Technologies, Electrical Installations
✅ Women competitors emerged as standout achievers, highlighting the rising role of women in India’s skilling ecosystem.
✅ Performance reflects India’s rigorous talent pipeline, industry-led training, and growing global footprint in future-ready skills.
✅ Sets a strong precedent for India’s ambition to emerge as a global hub for skilled talent, supported by continuous nationwide skilling initiatives.

🔆 UPSC Mains Question
📍 “India’s performance at WorldSkills Asia 2025 highlights the strength of its skilling ecosystem. Discuss how global skill competitions contribute to human capital development and India’s economic aspirations.”

🔆 #GS3

🔆 SIM Binding

📍 Current Update
✅ DoT has ordered major communication apps to implement SIM binding to curb cyber frauds.
✅ Issued under Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules, 2025.

📍 What is SIM Binding?
✅ A security process that links the user’s app to the exact SIM card used at registration.
✅ App keeps checking SIM identifiers → mismatch = access blocked.

📍 Regulatory Terms
✅ Introduces TIUE (Telecommunication Identifier User Entity)
→ Non-licence entities using telecom identifiers like mobile numbers.

📍 How It Works
✅ App functions only if the registered SIM is active in the handset
✅ Web/desktop logins auto-expire every 6 hours → must re-link via QR code

#prelims #GS3
#science_and_technology
#science_technology

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🔆 Sanchar Saathi App

📍 Current Update
✅ DoT has ordered all smartphone makers to pre-install Sanchar Saathi on devices.

📍 About the App
✅ Citizen-centric platform (app + website)
✅ Launched by DoT in 2023
✅ Focus: User security, identity protection, fraud control & awareness

📍 Key Features / Services
✅ Chakshu Tool: Report spam/fraud calls, SMS, WhatsApp scams
✅ Block Lost/Stolen Phones: Trace & disable devices across India
✅ Know Your Mobile Connections: See all SIMs issued in your name
✅ Check Device Genuineness: Verify if handset is legitimate
✅ Report International Calls Masquerading as Local

#goverment_schemes

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🔆 India to Chair International IDEA (2026)

📍 What’s Happening?
✅ CEC Gyanesh Kumar will assume the Chairship of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) on December 3, 2025, in Stockholm, Sweden.
✅ This is seen as global recognition of India’s free, fair & transparent election system.

📍 About International IDEA
✅ Founded: 1995 | Type: Inter-governmental organisation
✅ Members: 35 countries + US & Japan as Observers
✅ Holds UNGA Observer Status since 2003
✅ Works on electoral assistance, democratic governance, political participation, and global capacity building.

📍 India’s Role
✅ Founding member; active in electoral research, training & governance support.
✅ As the world’s largest democracy (90+ crore electors), India will guide IDEA’s agenda in 2026, strengthening global Election Management Bodies.

📍 Mains Question
Q. How does India’s chairship of International IDEA enhance its soft power and global leadership in democratic governance?

📍 #GS2

🔆 Food Irradiation

📍 What is Food Irradiation?
✅ A food-processing method where food is exposed to ionising radiation — Gamma rays (Cobalt-60), Electron Beams (e-beam), or X-rays.
✅ Used to kill insects, bacteria, moulds, delay ripening/sprouting, and extend shelf life.
✅ Does not make food radioactive; endorsed as safe by WHO, FAO, IAEA, and multiple scientific bodies.

📍 Why is Food Irradiation Needed?
✅ Seasonal gluts & long transport chains cause huge wastage.
✅ India’s hot, humid climate accelerates spoilage and pest attacks.
✅ India loses 40–50% of food & food grains post-harvest — due to:
• Insect infestation
• Microbial contamination
• Sprouting
• Over-ripening
• Poor shelf life & weak cold chain
✅ Highly useful for seafood, meat, poultry, spices, potatoes, onions, fruits, cereals.

📍 Benefits:
✅ Extends shelf life
✅ Makes food safer without chemicals
✅ Reduces post-harvest losses
✅ Supports exports by meeting quarantine norms

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#science_and_technology
#science_technology

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🔆 IndiaAI & UN Women: Global Call for Gender-Transformative AI Solutions

📍 What’s Happening?
✅ IndiaAI (MeitY) + UN Women India launched a global call for abstracts showcasing real-world AI solutions that advance gender equality, inclusion & empowerment across the Global South.
✅ Part of the run-up to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026.

📍 Who Can Apply?
✅ Innovators, researchers, practitioners, domain experts with scalable AI solutions in:
— Health, Finance, Climate Resilience, Education, Safety, etc.
✅ Submit 250-word abstract by 15 December 2025.

📍 What Happens Next?
✅ Shortlisted entries write a full chapter (750–800 words).
✅ Final compendium: “Top 15 AI Solutions from the Global South” to be launched at the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 (15–20 Feb, New Delhi).

📍 Goal
✅ Promote responsible, inclusive, gender-responsive AI adoption & provide a global platform for scalable, measurable solutions impacting women and girls.

📍 Mains Question
Q. How can AI-driven solutions advance gender equality in the Global South? Discuss with reference to recent India-led initiatives.

📍 #GS-II | Gender | S&T

🔆 India’s Water Management & Conservation – Key Facts

📍 Flagship Initiatives
✅ Atal Bhujal Yojana: Community-led groundwater management across 8,203 Panchayats in 7 states (Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, UP).
— Focus: demand-side interventions, community participation, institutional strengthening.

📍 Catch the Rain Campaign (JSA–CTR)
✅ Mapping, geo-tagging, and inventory of water bodies using remote sensing, GIS, NRSA data & NWIC databases.
✅ Enables data-driven conservation at district level.

📍 Digital Water Governance Tools
✅ India-WRIS Portal: Consolidated geo-tagged database of India’s water bodies; operational since Nov 2023.
— Integrates Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Atal Bhujal, Minor Irrigation Census, NWIC, etc.
— Used for planning, awareness, and monitoring.

📍 Advanced Tech Interventions
✅ NAQUIM: Nationwide aquifer mapping by CGWB using RS, GIS, Heliborne surveys.
✅ Real-time monitoring of groundwater using 23,000+ Digital Water Level Recorders (DWLRs).
✅ In-GRES: Web-based resource assessment tool for schemes like MGNREGA, Atal Bhujal, Jal Shakti.
✅ Flood Watch India app: Real-time flood forecasts for 592 stations, reservoir storage of 150+ major reservoirs.
✅ GIS-based monitoring for PMKSY-SMI, RRR, Atal Bhujal structures.
✅ Extensive use of satellite & remote sensing data via BISAG-N & Space Application Centres.

📍 Central Role
✅ Water is a State subject, but the Centre supports via technology, finance, monitoring tools & digital platforms.

📍 Mains Question
Q. Discuss how digital technologies are transforming water management in India. Evaluate their impact on groundwater conservation.

📍 #GSIII

🔆 Operational Guidelines of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

📍 Why in Focus?
Government outlined updated operational norms, grievance systems, and validation rules for PMFBY to ensure transparent crop insurance processing.

📍 Key Highlights:
✅ Applications undergo Quality Check & Validation on NCIP — requiring correct land details, sowing data & Aadhaar-based name match.
✅ 60-day deadline after cut-off date for premium debit/enrollment (31 July–Kharif; 31 Dec–Rabi).
✅ Deficient applications sent back via CSC/Intermediary/Banks; rejections can be appealed through KrishiRakshak Portal, helpline 14447, or DGRC.
✅ Delay in claim settlement allowed, but no penalty mechanism for wrongful rejection at district/state level.
✅ Multi-level monitoring: District Monitoring Committee (DM), State Monitoring Committee (Principal Secretary Agriculture).
✅ 24×7 grievance support through KRPH with 500+ executives.

📍 Implications:
✅ Strengthens transparency & accountability in crop insurance.
✅ Enhances grievance redressal for farmers.
✅ Ensures better compliance with PMFBY rules.

✅ Prelims Question:
Which portal handles quality check and validation of PMFBY applications?
A. e-NAM
B. National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP)
C. PM-KISAN Portal
D. AgriStack Portal
Ans: B

✅ Mains Question:
Evaluate how the revised operational guidelines of PMFBY improve transparency, grievance redressal, and accountability in India’s crop insurance ecosystem. (150 words)

#Agriculture

🔆 RSP Now Mandatory on All Pan Masala Packs (From Feb 1, 2026)

📍 What’s New?
✅ Govt notifies Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2025 amendment.
✅ All pan masala packs, including small packs ≤10g, must display Retail Sale Price (RSP).

📍 Why Important?
✅ Ensures clear, transparent pricing for consumers.
✅ Prevents misleading or deceptive pricing on small packs.
✅ Enables better informed purchasing decisions.

📍 GST Impact
✅ Mandatory RSP enables proper GST-based valuation for every pack size.
✅ Supports accurate tax assessment, stops revenue leakage.

📍 Mains Question
Q. How do Legal Metrology amendments strengthen consumer protection and support GST compliance?


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#polity_governance

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DISCRIMINATION IN UPSC INTERVIEWS

🔆 Mapping of Heatwaves: IMD’s New Tools for Preparedness

📍 Why in Focus?
IMD has strengthened heatwave forecasting, mapping, and sector-specific alerts, improving India’s disaster preparedness.

📍 Key Highlights:
✅ GIS-based Heatwave Portal shows real-time heatwave status & 5-day forecasts at district/sub-city levels.
✅ Climate Hazards & Vulnerability Atlas maps 13 hazards, incl. heatwaves—identifies high-risk hotspots monthly & annually.
✅ IMD issues impact-based, colour-coded warnings using parameters like max/min temperature, humidity, wind & persistence.
✅ Specialised heat alerts for plains, hills, coastal regions, plus a dedicated bulletin for Indian Railways.
✅ Heatwave information shared via GIS for customised use by sectors (health, energy, agriculture); actionable plans follow NDMA guidelines.

📍 Implications:
✅ Boosts anticipatory action & early warning systems.
✅ Enhances planning for critical sectors (transport, health, energy).
✅ Supports district-level vulnerability mapping for climate resilience.

✅ Prelims Question:
The IMD’s Climate Hazards & Vulnerability Atlas provides:
A. Only temperature maps
B. District-level maps for 13 hazards, incl. heatwaves
C. Satellite rainfall forecasts
D. Agro-advisory services
Ans: B

✅ Mains Question:
Explain how IMD’s heatwave mapping tools and impact-based warning systems strengthen India’s disaster preparedness and climate resilience. (150 words)

✨ #GS3 #environment

🔆 Promoting Alternative Income Sources for Farmers

📍 Why in Focus?
Government highlighted a comprehensive strategy and multiple schemes aimed at boosting farmer incomes and diversifying agriculture.

📍 Key Highlights:
✅ Integrated strategy: higher productivity, lower production cost, better remunerative returns, diversification, post-harvest value addition & climate adaptation.
✅ DA&FW budget rose from ₹21,933 cr (2013-14) to ₹1,27,290 cr (2025-26).
✅ 28+ schemes support income enhancement: PM-KISAN, PM-KMY, PMFBY, AIF, FPO promotion, NBHM, NMNF, PM-AASHA, AgriSURE, PMDMC, SH&F, etc.
✅ MSPs fixed for 22 crops + FRP for sugarcane on CACP recommendations.
✅ MSP considerations: cost of production, demand–supply, price trends, inter-crop parity, ToT, and 50% margin over production cost.

📍 Implications:
✅ Strengthens farm resilience & income stability.
✅ Encourages crop diversification & allied activities.
✅ Supports long-term agricultural sustainability.

✅ Prelims Question:
Which of the following bodies recommends MSPs to the Government of India?
A. NITI Aayog
B. Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP)
C. NABARD
D. Krishi Vigyan Kendra
Ans: B

✅ Mains Question:
Explain how the Government of India’s multi-scheme strategy supports alternative income sources for farmers and strengthens long-term agricultural sustainability. (150 words)

#GS3 #GS2 #Agriculture

🔆 Women Participation in Paramilitary Forces

📍 Why in Focus?
Govt detailed steps to enhance women’s recruitment and working conditions in CAPFs.

📍 Key Highlights:
✅ 33% reservation at Constable level in CRPF; 14–15% in BSF, SSB & ITBP.
✅ Separate accommodation, rest rooms, toilets, and creches/day-care provided.
✅ Women-centric medical support, Help Desks & confidential grievance systems.
✅ Regular gender-sensitisation workshops; deployment in section strength/buddy pairs.
✅ Flexible time & shift systems adopted where possible.

📍 Implications:
✔️ Safer, inclusive environment
✔️ Higher recruitment & retention of women
✔️ Strengthening gender balance in security forces

✅ Mains Question:
Discuss the measures taken by the Government to enhance women’s participation and safety in the CAPFs.

✨ #GS2 #GS3