📍 Topic of the Day: Great Nicobar Project

The ₹81,000–₹92,000 crore Great Nicobar Project has received environmental clearance from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on February 16, 2026. The tribunal ruled that its strategic importance outweighs environmental concerns, subject to safeguards.

Key Components

The 30-year mega project aims to develop Great Nicobar into a strategic economic and defence hub near the Strait of Malacca. It includes:

An International Transshipment Port at Galathea Bay (14.2 million TEU capacity)

A Civil-Military Dual-Use Airport

An Integrated Township (149 sq km)

A 450 MVA Gas-Solar Power Plant

Strategic Importance

Located just ~160 km from the Malacca Strait, through which nearly 30% of global trade passes.

Strengthens India’s maritime presence and counters China’s “String of Pearls.”

Reduces dependence on foreign transshipment hubs like Singapore and Colombo.

Enhances capabilities of the Andaman & Nicobar Command.

Environmental & Social Concerns

Diversion of ~130 sq km rainforest; felling of up to 1 million trees.

Threat to endangered species like leatherback turtles and the Nicobar megapode.

Risk to indigenous communities such as the Shompen (PVTG).

Located in Seismic Zone V, raising disaster vulnerability concerns.

Conclusion

The project represents a major strategic and economic push in the Indo-Pacific, but it raises serious environmental, ecological, and tribal rights concerns. The debate highlights the challenge of balancing national security and development with sustainability and indigenous protection.

Daily Current Affairs Snippets – 20 Feb 2026

Quick revision of today's top stories

1 Salem Sago – GI Export Boost

First GI-tagged consignment of Salem Sago flagged off to Canada.
➨ GI Tag: September 2023 (Salem, Tamil Nadu)
➨ Known as “Land of Sago” (80% of India’s production)
➨ Derived from tapioca (cassava) starch
➨ Local name: Javvarisi (Sabudana)
➨ Uses: Food, textiles, paper, pharma & alcohol industry
➨ Gluten-free, high carbohydrate energy source

2 Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute Test

DRDO conducted qualification-level load test for Gaganyaan mission.
➨ Acts as “first brake” during re-entry
➨ Stabilizes 5.3-ton Crew Module
➨ Conical ribbon-type (5.8 m diameter)
➨ Part of 10-parachute recovery sequence
➨ Joint effort: ISRO & DRDO
➨ Crucial for India’s human spaceflight capability

3 Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP–II)

Phase II launched for border village development.
➨ Covers borders with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan & Myanmar
➨ Targets 1,954 villages (15 States + 2 UTs)
➨ Outlay: ₹6,839 crore (100% Central funding)
➨ Prevents out-migration & security vacuum
➨ Focus: Roads, telecom, electrification & TV access
➨ Uses PM Gati Shakti for monitoring

4 NIGRANI App – Minority Area Monitoring

Launched under Ministry of Minority Affairs.
➨ Tracks projects under PM Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK)
➨ Real-time physical & financial monitoring
➨ Uses geo-tagging & digital reporting
➨ Prevents “ghost projects”
➨ Supports Viksit Bharat @2047 governance

5 Meri Parampara–Meri Virasat Initiative

Cultural preservation initiative by Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
➨ Protects tribal customs, festivals & oral traditions
➨ Aligned with PESA Act, 1996
➨ Implemented in Jharkhand & Chhattisgarh
➨ Village-level documentation drive
➨ Promotes climate-sustainable tribal lifestyles

6 Zinc-Ion Batteries (ZIBs) – New Breakthrough

CeNS Bengaluru developed improved cathode for ZIBs.
➨ Uses aqueous (non-flammable) electrolyte
➨ Zinc 300× more abundant than lithium
➨ Cycle life: 3,000–10,000+ cycles
➨ Ideal for grid storage (lower energy density than LIBs)
➨ Challenges: Dendrite growth & hydrogen evolution
➨ Boosts Atmanirbhar Bharat in energy storage

7 M.A.N.A.V. Vision – India AI Summit 2026

PM Modi unveiled human-centric AI framework.
➨ M – Moral & Ethical Systems
➨ A – Accountable Governance
➨ N – National Sovereignty (data ownership)
➨ A – Accessible & Inclusive AI
➨ V – Valid & Legitimate systems
➨ Promotes Global South-centric AI governance

8 CHEOPS Mission – Exoplanet Discovery

The Characterising ExOPlanet Satellite discovered “inside-out” planetary system.
➨ ESA Small-class mission (launched 2019)
➨ Measures exoplanet size via transit photometry
➨ Helps calculate planetary density
➨ Sun-synchronous orbit (~700 km altitude)
➨ Extended till 2026 (possible till 2029)

9 Galathea Balasubramaniani – New Reef Crab

New 3 mm reef crab discovered in Lakshadweep.
➨ Found near Agatti Island
➨ Belongs to genus Galathea (squat lobsters)
➨ Published in Zootaxa journal (Feb 2026)
➨ Plays key role in coral reef recycling
➨ Highlights fragile marine biodiversity

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📍 Topic of the Day: India, Where the AI World Assembles

The article highlights India’s emergence as a major global hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI), marked by the successful hosting of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The summit brought together global leaders, CEOs of major AI firms, policymakers, and researchers from over 100 countries, positioning India as a key player in shaping global AI governance.

Key Highlights

Global Participation: Leaders from top tech companies and governments attended, enhancing India’s stature as a convenor of global AI dialogue.

AI Impact Expo: Showcased AI innovations across healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance with a focus on scalable, citizen-centric solutions.

Investments & Infrastructure: Announcements of AI research labs, supercomputing facilities, cloud expansion, and startup support to strengthen India’s domestic AI ecosystem.

Policy & Ethics: Emphasis on ethical AI, data privacy, inclusive growth, and balanced regulation.

Global South Leadership: India positioned itself as a voice for equitable AI access for developing nations.

Skill Development: Focus on AI literacy, reskilling, and workforce preparation for an AI-driven economy.

Significance for India

Global AI Leadership – India is transitioning from participant to policy shaper in global AI governance.

Economic Growth – AI-driven productivity, innovation, and foreign investment boost economic expansion.

Technological Self-Reliance – Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat through domestic AI capacity.

Inclusive Development – AI solutions aim to address healthcare, agriculture, and governance challenges.

Strategic & Security Benefits – AI integration in cybersecurity and national security strengthens resilience.

Human Capital Advantage – Expands India’s role as a global AI talent hub.

Key Challenges

Digital divide between urban and rural areas

Translating summit announcements into implementation

Ethical and regulatory risks (privacy, bias, misuse)

Workforce disruption and skill mismatch

Infrastructure constraints (HPC, electricity, cloud capacity)

Cybersecurity vulnerabilities

Global competition from US, China, EU

Risk of widening socio-economic inequality

Conclusion

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 marks a strategic milestone in India’s journey toward global AI leadership. It reflects India’s ambition to combine innovation, regulation, and inclusivity, leveraging AI for economic growth and social transformation while addressing ethical, infrastructural, and governance challenges.

For governance and policy discussions, the summit demonstrates that technological leadership must be balanced with responsible regulation and inclusive development.

Daily Current Affairs Snippets – 21 Feb 2026

Quick revision of today's top stories

1 Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme

➨ 12th edition inaugurated at Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh
➨ Flagship initiative of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), supported by NEC
➨ 14-day exposure programme for youth (15–29 years) from 28 non-NER States/UTs
➨ 1,280 students in 40 batches; focus on cultural immersion & academic interaction
➨ Part of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” initiative
➨ Aim: Strengthen national integration & bridge regional gaps

2 Pax Silica Coalition

➨ India joined US-led Pax Silica coalition (Feb 20, 2026)
➨ Focus: Securing resilient supply chains for semiconductors, AI & critical minerals
➨ Counters “weaponised dependency” in global tech supply chains
➨ Boosts India’s semiconductor ecosystem & AI governance role
➨ Strategic counterbalance to China’s dominance in critical minerals

3 Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine

➨ India replaced TT vaccine with Td in immunization programme
➨ Launched at Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli
➨ Td protects against both tetanus & diphtheria (booster every 10 years)
➨ Aligns with WHO recommendation (2006, reaffirmed 2017)
➨ Prevents resurgence of diphtheria as immunity wanes

4 Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) 2.0

➨ Nationwide water conservation drive under Ministry of Jal Shakti (launched Sept 2024)
➨ Over 17 lakh works onboarded; 11.7 lakh completed
➨ Focus: Rainwater harvesting & groundwater recharge
➨ Training of “Jal Mitras” for community participation
➨ Enhances groundwater security & climate resilience

5 CJ-1000 Hypersonic Missile (China)

➨ Scramjet-powered hypersonic missile (Mach 5+)
➨ Road-mobile; capable of striking land, sea & air targets
➨ Difficult to intercept due to high speed & maneuverability
➨ Intensifies global hypersonic arms race
➨ India advancing HSTDV & BrahMos-II programmes

6 National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)

➨ Marked 23rd Foundation Day (19 Feb 2026)
➨ Established under Article 338A (89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003)
➨ Constitutional body safeguarding rights of Scheduled Tribes
➨ Powers of civil court; submits reports to President
➨ Monitors implementation of ST welfare schemes

7 Public Trust Doctrine (PTD) – Supreme Court Ruling

➨ Reaffirmed in State Bank of India v. Union of India (2026)
➨ Held telecom spectrum is a public resource, not a tradable corporate asset
➨ Insolvency law cannot override public resource governance
➨ Expands PTD from environmental resources to strategic assets
➨ Strengthens intergenerational equity & state accountability

8 Mount Kanlaon Eruption

➨ Moderately explosive eruption on Feb 19, 2026
➨ Located on Negros Island, Philippines
➨ Stratovolcano; part of Pacific Ring of Fire
➨ Height: 2,465 meters (highest in Visayas region)
➨ Important for hazard monitoring & disaster preparedness

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23 Feb 2026 Editorial Snippet: AI, Equity & Justice 🤖⚖️
Topic: GS-2 (Social Justice) & GS-3 (Science & Tech)

Is Artificial Intelligence truly 'Neutral' or 'Objective'? No. AI systems learn from historical data. If that history contains biases—like gender bias in hiring or racial bias in policing—the AI will simply automate and amplify that discrimination at scale.

🔹 Equity vs. Equality in AI:

Equality: Treats everyone exactly the same, ignoring historical disadvantages.

Equity: Recognizes that different communities start from different positions. It involves auditing datasets for representation gaps and adjusting models so that vulnerable groups aren't disproportionately harmed.

AI should not just be efficient; it must be equitable!

#UPSC2026 #ScienceAndTech #SumatiIAS #DailyEditorial #CurrentAffairs #AIEthics

📝 Justice in AI: The 4 Dimensions (GS-4 Ethics Fodder)

Whenever you face a question on "Ethics in Technology" or "AI Bias" in your Mains exam, use these 4 Dimensions of Justice to structure your answer:

1️⃣ Procedural Justice: Are the AI's decisions explainable? Can a common citizen appeal or contest them?
2️⃣ Distributive Justice: Who gains the economic value from this AI? Who bears the risks?
3️⃣ Corrective Justice: What happens when an AI tool (e.g., healthcare AI) harms someone? Who is accountable?
4️⃣ Participatory Justice: Are the communities most affected by the AI involved in its design and governance?

💡 The Indian Context: Given India's deep socio-economic diversity, linguistic plurality, and digital divide, ethical \AI is a constitutional commitment to equality and dignity. Initiatives like NITI Aayog's 'Responsible AI for All' explicitly highlight the principles of inclusivity and non-discrimination to solve social challenges.

#Ethics #IASMains #UPSCPreparation #Governance #SumatiIAS #DigitalIndia

✍️ Daily Mains Answer Writing Practice 🎯

Question: "AI is often described as objective and neutral, but in reality, it reflects human choices and biases." In the context of India's socio-economic diversity, discuss the need for embedding equity and justice in AI policy. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

💡 Key Points for Your Conclusion (The Way Forward):

✅ Establish mandatory Transparency Standards for high-impact AI systems.
✅ Ensure robust regulatory oversight with Independent Audits.
✅ Invest in Inclusive Datasets that accurately reflect India’s diversity.
✅ Promote collaboration between the government, academia, civil society, and the tech industry.

Practice this question today and drop your main points in the comments! 👇

#AnswerWriting #UPSCMains #IAS2026 #SumatiIAS #DailyPractice