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Feb 12, 2026 Daily Editorials Analysis

Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 12 February 2026

Content The CPI base revision exercise measures a slice of life The Constitution enters the sanctum The CPI base revision exercise measures a slice of life Source :The Hindu Why in News? CPI Base Revision (2012 → 2024) MoSPI revising CPI base year to 2024 using HCES 2023–24, reflecting new consumption patterns, digital spending, and services share, improving inflation measurement for better monetary policy and welfare indexation. Revision captures structural changes like urbanisation, income growth, platform-based consumption, ensuring CPI mirrors current household budgets and prevents policy errors arising from outdated consumption weights and baskets. Relevance GS III (Economy) Inflation measurement, monetary policy transmission, real incomes, macroeconomic stability Links to RBI inflation targeting, fiscal policy calibration, poverty estimation, wage indexation Static areas: CPI vs WPI vs GDP Deflator, demand-pull vs cost-push inflation Practice Question “Accurate inflation measurement is as important as inflation control.” Discuss in the context of CPI base revision in India.(250 Words) Basics Inflation — Meaning Inflation is a sustained increase in general price levels, reducing purchasing power and real incomes, especially harming fixed-income earners and poor households, making inflation control a core macroeconomic objective. It differs from temporary price shocks; persistent inflation influences savings, investments, interest rates, and exchange rates, shaping overall macroeconomic stability and growth prospects. Consumer Price Index (CPI) CPI measures retail inflation by tracking price changes in a representative basket of goods and services consumed by households across rural and urban India, reflecting cost-of-living pressures. It converts everyday expenses like food, housing, fuel, and services into a statistical index, linking household experience with official inflation measurement for policy decisions. CPI vs WPI CPI captures retail and services inflation faced by consumers, whereas WPI measures wholesale price movements, largely goods-centric, making CPI more relevant for welfare and monetary policy targeting. RBI prefers CPI because it reflects final consumer prices and service-sector inflation, which dominate modern consumption patterns and directly affect household budgets. CPI Base Year Concept Base Year Role Base year (index = 100) provides a benchmark to compare price changes over time, enabling consistent inflation measurement and long-term trend analysis for policymaking and research. Periodic revision ensures the reference reflects current consumption realities rather than outdated economic structures. Need for Revision Rising incomes, urban lifestyles, digital payments, and service-sector expansion alter spending patterns, making older baskets unrepresentative and distorting inflation signals used for policy calibration. Without revision, CPI risks over- or underestimating real inflation, leading to inappropriate interest-rate and welfare decisions. Features of CPI 2024 Series Updated Weights Weights derived from HCES 2023–24 assign higher importance to services, telecom, and transport, and lower weight to declining-share items, improving representativeness of actual household spending. Reflects diversification of consumption beyond food toward services and lifestyle expenditures. Expanded Basket Basket updated to include emerging services and digital consumption categories, capturing modern lifestyle changes, rising discretionary spending, and platform-based purchases across urban and semi-urban households. Ensures inflation reflects evolving consumption realities. Online Price Inclusion Incorporates online prices for airfares, telecom, and digital services, complementing physical surveys and aligning CPI with e-commerce-driven consumption patterns and dynamic pricing realities. Improves coverage of modern markets. Methodological Upgrades Computer-Assisted Collection CAPI-based price collection reduces manual errors, enables real-time validation, and improves timeliness, strengthening reliability of high-frequency inflation data used in policy decisions. Enhances data accuracy. Administrative Data Use Greater reliance on official sources for rail fares, fuel, postal charges, and PDS prices reduces survey bias and increases precision in regulated-price items. Improves consistency and credibility. Data Integration Integration of survey data, administrative records, and digital prices creates a wider database, enabling cross-verification and improving robustness of inflation estimates. Supports evidence-based policymaking. Policy Significance Monetary Policy Anchor RBI’s flexible inflation targeting framework uses CPI to guide repo-rate decisions, aiming to balance growth and price stability while anchoring inflation expectations. Accurate CPI improves policy transmission. Welfare & Indexation CPI guides DA revisions, pensions, wage contracts, and social benefits, protecting real incomes of salaried and vulnerable groups against inflation erosion. Critical for welfare calibration. Global Comparability Alignment with international standards improves cross-country inflation comparisons while retaining India-specific features, aiding investors and multilateral assessments. Enhances credibility globally. Challenges Informal Market Capture Large informal markets and regional diversity complicate uniform price capture, risking localized mismeasurement and representational gaps in the index. Requires adaptive sampling. Rapid Consumption Shifts Fast-evolving digital economy and changing preferences may outpace revision cycles, necessitating more frequent updates to maintain relevance. Calls for agile statistics. Cost–Quality Trade-off High-frequency, tech-driven data improves quality but requires greater resources, training, and infrastructure investments in statistical systems. Balancing cost and precision remains key. Way Forward Frequent Updates Shorter revision cycles reduce structural bias, ensuring CPI reflects evolving consumption and improves policy responsiveness. Keeps index contemporary. Big Data Integration Leveraging GST data, scanner data, and digital transactions can provide granular, real-time price signals. Enhances timeliness and coverage. Statistical Literacy Public understanding of inflation metrics reduces misinterpretation and builds trust in official statistics. Supports informed discourse. Can we police AI fakes in the age of whizzy tech? Source : Live Mint Why in News? Amended IT Rules, 2026 on AI Content Amended IT Rules 2026 mandate takedowns of non-consensual intimate imagery within 2 hours, other unlawful content within 3 hours, compulsory AI-content labelling, and safeguards against CSAM, explosives, and fraudulent deepfakes. Shift from earlier calibrated restraint to stricter compliance, signalling India’s move toward harder AI regulation amid rising deepfake harms, impersonation frauds, and synthetic content misuse. Relevance GS II — Polity & Governance Fundamental Rights & Regulation – Article 19(1)(a) vs 19(2): free speech vs reasonable restrictions; proportionality in regulating deepfakes, misinformation, AI harms. Digital Governance : Tests state regulation of Big Tech, platform liability, and IT Act rule-making, reflecting governance in the digital public sphere. GS III — Science & Tech + Internal Security Emerging Technology Governance : AI regulation as frontier S&T governance balancing innovation, ethics, and safety-by-design. Cybersecurity & Information Integrity : Deepfakes threaten elections, national security, and finance, making AI misuse a hybrid security risk. Practice Question “Regulating AI-generated content requires balancing free speech with harm prevention.” Discuss in the context of India’s amended IT Rules, 2026.(250 Words) Basics What is Generative AI? Generative AI creates text, images, audio, or video autonomously using large datasets and models, enabling realistic impersonation and synthetic media that blur lines between reality and fabrication.Expands innovation but raises risks. Deepfakes — Meaning Deepfakes are AI-generated or manipulated media that convincingly mimic real persons’ faces or voices, enabling misinformation, reputational harm, political manipulation, and financial fraud.Major governance concern. Existing Legal Framework IT Act 2000, Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, and IT Rules provide platform liability and data safeguards, but no dedicated AI law exists yet.Regulation remains evolving. Key Provisions Takedown Timelines Platforms must remove NCII/deepfakes within 2 hours of complaint and other unlawful content within 3 hours of valid orders, creating one of the world’s strictest response timelines.Prioritises harm prevention. Mandatory Labelling AI-generated content must be clearly labelled, aiming to improve transparency and reduce deception in public discourse and political communication.Supports informed consumption. Prohibited Content Controls Platforms must prevent creation or spread of CSAM, explosives-related content, and fraudulent deepfakes, embedding safety-by-design obligations into AI systems.Focuses on high-risk harms. Grievance Redressal User complaints must be resolved within 7 days, strengthening accountability and time-bound remedies.Enhances user protection. Global Comparisons International Benchmarks Germany’s NetzDG mandates 24-hour removal of manifestly illegal content; EU DSA requires expeditious compliance; Australia eSafety allows 24-hour takedowns.India’s deadlines are stricter. Regulatory Trend Democracies are converging on platform accountability and rapid takedowns to address online harms without fully stifling innovation.Balancing act continues. Implementation Challenges False Positives Risk Tight deadlines may push platforms to remove first, verify later, raising wrongful removals and delayed restoration appeals.Risks chilling speech. Contextual Judgement India’s linguistic diversity and cultural nuance complicate automated detection, especially distinguishing satire, art, or political commentary from harmful deepfakes.AI moderation limits exist. Traceability Limits Metadata stripping, watermark degradation, and open-source models reduce traceability; provenance tools may be bypassed by sophisticated actors.Enforcement complexity rises. Surveillance Concerns Traceability mechanisms could expose whistleblowers or lawful speakers, creating privacy and civil-liberty risks if misused.Needs safeguards. Constitutional & Governance Angle Free Speech Balance Article 19(1)(a) protects speech; restrictions under 19(2) must be reasonable, targeting clearly unlawful content like CSAM, fraud, or incitement.Proportionality essential. Due Process Clear definitions, transparency in takedowns, and independent oversight ensure legitimacy and prevent arbitrary censorship.Builds trust. Way Forward Clarity & Definitions Precise legal definitions for deepfakes, NCII, and harmful AI content reduce ambiguity and over-compliance.Improves predictability. Transparency & Appeals Publish takedown statistics, reasons, and swift appeal mechanisms to correct false positives.Strengthens accountability. Tech + Legal Mix Combine cryptographic provenance, watermarking, platform monitoring, and deterrent penalties to raise cost of deception.Layered defence works better. Independent Oversight Empower neutral regulators or appellate bodies to review platform actions, ensuring balanced enforcement.Protects rights

Feb 12, 2026 Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs 12 February 2026

Content Tamil Brahmi inscriptions discovered in Egypt shed light on ancient trade links India gets first ‘musical path’; Mumbai’s Coastal Road plays ‘Jai Ho’ for motorists Have States gained from the 16th Finance Commission? Vande Mataram to be played before National Anthem: govt There are 765 dolphins of six species along Odisha’s coast, latest census reveals Nature’s renewal has slowed down despite rising temperatures: Study Tamil Brahmi inscriptions discovered in Egypt shed light on ancient trade links Source : The Hindu Why in News? 2024–25 Discovery in Egypt Researchers identified ~30 Indian inscriptions (Tamil Brahmi, Prakrit, Sanskrit) in Valley of the Kings tombs, dated 1st–3rd century CE, indicating direct Indian presence in elite Egyptian funerary spaces. Study by Charlotte Schmid (EFEO, Paris) and Ingo Strauch (Lausanne) documented inscriptions across six Theban Necropolis tombs, expanding evidence beyond Red Sea ports into the Nile valley. Relevance GS I — History & Culture Ancient Indian maritime trade, Indo–Roman trade, Sangam age economy, early globalisation Cultural diffusion, epigraphy, Indian Ocean trade networks Correlation between literature (Sangam) and archaeology Practice Question “Recent discoveries of Tamil Brahmi inscriptions in Egypt reframe our understanding of ancient Indian trade networks.” Discuss how archaeological evidence complements literary sources in reconstructing India’s early maritime history. (250 Words) Historical Context Tamil Brahmi Script Tamil Brahmi (c. 3rd century BCE onward) is earliest Tamil writing system, used in trade, donations, and memorial inscriptions across Tamilakam, Sri Lanka, and Indian Ocean networks. Script reflects early literacy, mercantile culture, and mobility of South Indian traders, monks, and artisans in transregional exchange systems. Indo–Roman Trade Background 1st–3rd century CE marked peak Indo–Roman maritime trade, linking Tamilakam’s Malabar and Coromandel coasts with Roman Egypt via monsoon-driven routes. Classical sources like Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and Pliny the Elder note Indian exports—pepper, pearls, ivory, textiles—flowing to Roman markets. Key Findings Nature of Inscriptions Visitors carved names and short graffiti inside tomb corridors, following established multilingual graffiti traditions dominated by Greek inscriptions documented since 1926. Indian names appear alongside Greek, showing participation in shared commemorative practices by foreign visitors to royal necropolis sites. Repeated Name — Cikai Korran Name “Cikai Korran” appears 8 times across 5 tombs, sometimes at ~4 metres height, suggesting deliberate, visible self-marking by literate visitors. “Korran” linked to Tamil root korram (victory/slaying), associated with Chera warrior culture and goddess Korravai, indicating cultural identity retention abroad. Corroborative Parallels Name elements appear in Berenike sherd (1995) and Pugalur Tamil Brahmi inscriptions (2nd–3rd century CE), aligning Egyptian finds with known Chera-era onomastics. Other names like Kopan, Catan, Kiran match Tamil Nadu epigraphic records, strengthening attribution to Tamilakam visitors. Trade & Cultural Implications Beyond Port Trade Evidence shows Indians travelled beyond Red Sea ports (e.g., Berenike) into Egypt’s cultural heartland, indicating deeper socio-cultural interactions, not mere commercial docking. Suggests merchant mobility along Nile corridors tied to trade logistics, diplomacy, or pilgrimage-like curiosity. Diaspora Footprints Graffiti functioned as identity markers, similar to modern travel inscriptions, revealing presence of an early Indian mercantile diaspora in Roman domains. Reinforces idea of Indian Ocean as a connected commercial-cultural zone. Wider Historical Significance Early Globalisation Evidence Demonstrates people-to-people mobility, linguistic plurality, and cultural exchange in antiquity, predating modern globalisation by two millennia. Highlights Tamilakam as an active node in Afro–Eurasian trade circuits. Reframing Tamil History Moves narrative from regional to transcontinental connectivity, validating Sangam references to Yavanas (Westerners) and maritime wealth. Supports archaeological-economic reading of Sangam literature. Challenges & Cautions Attribution Limits Graffiti are brief and lack occupational details; linking individuals to specific trade guilds or missions requires cautious interpretation. Epigraphy must be corroborated with material culture. Preservation Bias Survival of inscriptions depends on tomb conservation; absence elsewhere may reflect erosion, not absence of Indians. Archaeological record remains partial. Way Forward Interdisciplinary Research Combine epigraphy, archaeobotany, numismatics, and maritime archaeology to map Indo–Mediterranean networks more precisely. Multi-proxy methods improve historical reconstruction. Indian Ocean Studies Strengthen research on monsoon navigation, port archaeology, and trade diasporas to contextualise findings within broader oceanic history.Enhances global history scholarship. India gets first ‘musical path’; Mumbai’s Coastal Road plays ‘Jai Ho’ for motorists Source : The Hindu Why in News? India’s First Musical Road (2026) Mumbai Coastal Road launched India’s first ‘musical path’, where calibrated rumble strips play ‘Jai Ho’ when driven at 60–80 kmph, showcasing innovation in road engineering and behavioural nudges. Implemented by BMC on the Nariman Point–Worli stretch, making India the 5th country globally after Hungary, Japan, South Korea, and UAE to adopt musical roads. Relevance GS III — Science & Tech / Infrastructure Urban mobility innovation, behavioural nudges in public policy Road safety engineering, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Application of physics in civic infrastructure Practice Question “Behavioural nudges are emerging as effective public policy tools.”Examine the role of behavioural insights in improving urban governance and public safety, citing examples. (250 Words) Basics What is a Musical Road? A musical road uses precisely spaced rumble strips that generate musical notes through tyre friction and vibration, producing melodies when vehicles maintain designated speeds. Works on physics of vibration frequency and acoustic resonance, converting mechanical motion into audible musical patterns. Rumble Strips — Purpose Traditionally used for speed calming, lane discipline, and driver alerts, rumble strips improve road safety by creating tactile and auditory feedback. Musical adaptation adds behavioural incentives. Technology & Design Engineering Principle Groove depth, width, and spacing determine pitch and rhythm; consistent speed ensures correct melody sequence. Small deviations distort tune, nudging drivers toward steady speeds. Hungarian Technology Base Concept derived from Hungarian road-safety innovation, adapted locally by BMC for Indian traffic conditions and road materials. Demonstrates tech transfer in urban infrastructure. Governance & Policy Relevance Behavioural Public Policy Musical roads apply nudge theory, encouraging voluntary speed compliance without coercive enforcement or penalties. Aligns with behavioural economics in governance. Urban Mobility Innovation Reflects shift toward smart mobility solutions, integrating safety, user experience, and technology in city infrastructure. Supports sustainable urban transport planning. Road Safety Significance Speed Management Designed for optimal listening at 60–80 kmph, indirectly discouraging overspeeding and promoting uniform traffic flow. Complementary to signage and enforcement. Driver Engagement Interactive infrastructure can reduce monotony on long stretches, potentially lowering fatigue-related accidents.Psychological engagement aids safety. Challenges Noise Concerns Repeated musical output may create noise pollution for nearby residents if deployed in dense urban areas. Requires zoning prudence. Limited Impact Scope Effectiveness depends on driver awareness and compliance; reckless drivers may ignore intended speed ranges. Not a standalone solution. Way Forward Pilot-Based Expansion Deploy on expressways, accident-prone corridors, and tourist routes, evaluating behavioural outcomes before scaling. Evidence-based rollout preferred. Integration with ITS Combine with Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), speed sensors, and signage for holistic traffic management. Enhances impact. Have States gained from the 16th FC?- Explained Source : The Hindu Why in News? 16th Finance Commission Report (2026–31) 16th Finance Commission (Chairman: Dr. Arvind Panagariya) submitted report for 2026–31, and Union government accepted devolution recommendations, reviving debates on fiscal federalism, equity, and efficiency. Introduced State GDP contribution as a new horizontal devolution criterion, signalling gradual shift toward recognising growth and efficiency alongside equity. Relevance GS II — Polity Fiscal federalism, Centre–State relations Constitutional bodies (Art 280, 270) Equity vs efficiency debate GS III — Economy Tax devolution, divisible pool, cess & surcharge issue Political economy of resource distribution Practice Question “Finance Commissions must balance equity and efficiency in fiscal transfers.” Discuss in the context of recent Finance Commission recommendations. (250 Words) Constitutional Basis Finance Commission — Article 280 Article 280 mandates a Finance Commission every five years to recommend tax devolution, grants-in-aid, and measures to strengthen fiscal federalism. Acts as key constitutional body for Centre–State fiscal balance. Tax Devolution — Article 270 Article 270 governs distribution of net tax proceeds between Centre and States through the divisible pool. Operationalises fiscal sharing framework. What Taxes are Shared? Included in Divisible Pool Shared taxes include corporation tax, personal income tax, CGST, and Centre’s share of IGST, forming bulk of sharable revenues. Core revenue-sharing sources. Excluded Taxes Cess and surcharge are excluded from divisible pool; Centre retains full proceeds. For 2025–26, divisible pool ~81% of gross tax revenue after such exclusions. Evolution of Vertical Devolution Pre-14th FC Till 13th FC, vertical share was 32%, with large tied transfers under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) carrying conditionalities. Limited State autonomy. 14th FC Shift 14th FC raised devolution to 42% and reduced CSS conditional transfers, strengthening fiscal autonomy and cooperative federalism. Landmark decentralisation. Why 41% in 15th FC? 15th FC reduced to 41% due to Jammu & Kashmir reorganisation, where Union Territories do not receive State share. Technical adjustment. Demands by Industrialised States Efficiency Recognition States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana sought weight for GDP contribution, arguing contribution to national growth deserves fiscal recognition. Push for efficiency. Income Distance Debate Many developed States opposed excessive weight to income distance, claiming it penalises better performers and disincentivises reforms. Equity–efficiency tension. What 16th FC Recommended? Vertical Devolution Retained 41% share, citing States’ existing tax share, CSS transfers routed to States, and Centre’s needs for defence and infrastructure spending. Status quo maintained. Cess & Surcharge FC held it neither permissible nor desirable to cap or include cess/surcharge in divisible pool under current constitutional scheme. Preserves Union flexibility. Horizontal Devolution Approach Guiding Principles Emphasised gradual changes in State shares and due recognition to efficiency and growth contribution. Avoids fiscal shocks. New GDP Criterion Added State GDP contribution as criterion with moderate weight, creating directional shift without drastic redistribution. Efficiency signal. Distribution Impact Southern and western States’ shares marginally increased, while big northern/central States saw slight decline. Balanced recalibration. Key Observations by 16th FC For the Centre Recommended progressive reduction in reliance on cess and surcharge for transparency and fairness. Encourages clean tax sharing. For States Urged targeted subsidies, power-sector reforms, and fiscal discipline to manage deficits and debt sustainably. Promotes fiscal prudence. PSU Reforms Called for public sector enterprise reforms at both Union and State levels to improve efficiency and fiscal health. Structural strengthening. Governance Significance Fiscal Federalism Reflects balance between equity (redistribution) and efficiency (growth incentives) in India’s cooperative federal framework. Political Economy Devolution debates shape Centre–State relations, regional equity, and development politics. Vande Mataram to be played before National Anthem: govt Source : The Hindu Why in News? MHA Guidelines Union Home Ministry (MHA) issued fresh instructions stating Vande Mataram should precede Jana Gana Mana when both are played, clarifying protocol, decorum, and occasions for singing/playing. Guidelines uploaded February 6, 2026, without formal announcement, but triggered debate on symbolism, constitutional status, and protocol hierarchy between National Song and National Anthem. Relevance GS II — Polity National symbols, constitutional morality Fundamental Duties (Art 51A) Legal vs moral obligations GS I — Culture Freedom movement symbolism Nation-building and identity politics Practice Question “National symbols play a role in nation-building but can also raise questions of inclusivity.” Discuss with reference to constitutional values. (250 Words) Historical & Cultural Background Origin of Vande Mataram Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in Anandamath (1882), became a rallying cry in the freedom movement, symbolising devotion to the motherland. Strong nationalist association. Constituent Assembly Position In 1950, Constituent Assembly accorded Jana Gana Mana as National Anthem and recognised Vande Mataram as National Song with equal respect but distinct constitutional status. Political compromise. Constitutional & Legal Status National Anthem Article 51A(a) makes respect for National Anthem a Fundamental Duty; Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 enforces legal protection.Legally enforceable. National Song No specific constitutional or statutory provision mandates National Song; its status is cultural-symbolic, though officially recognised. Moral respect expected. Key Provisions in Guidelines Order of Playing When both played, National Song precedes National Anthem, reinforcing ceremonial sequencing but not altering constitutional hierarchy. Protocol clarity. Standing Protocol Audience must stand to attention when official version (~3.1 minutes) is sung or played, except during film/newsreel where standing may disrupt proceedings. Practical decorum. Ceremonial Occasions Played on arrival/departure of President or Governor, flag unfurling, cultural and ceremonial functions, and other government-notified occasions. State functions focus. Band & Choir Use Band performances preceded by drum roll; mass singing allowed with trained choirs ensuring coordination and dignity. Structured presentation. Schools Schools may begin day with community singing of Vande Mataram, promoting civic values and patriotic education. Civic culture. Governance & Policy Significance Symbolic Nation-Building Reflects role of national symbols in fostering collective identity, patriotism, and cultural unity. Soft power domestically. Centre–State Coordination Protocols guide uniform practices across States, reducing ambiguity in official ceremonies. Administrative standardisation. Debates & Sensitivities Pluralism Concerns Some communities historically expressed discomfort with certain verses; debate centres on balancing cultural symbolism with inclusivity. Diversity management. Legal vs Moral Duty Unlike Anthem, National Song observance is not legally enforceable, raising questions on voluntary patriotism vs mandated symbolism. Constitutional nuance. Way Forward Sensitivity & Inclusion Promote respectful observance while ensuring pluralistic accommodation and avoiding coercive nationalism. Harmony focus. Civic Education Increase awareness on history and protocol of national symbols, strengthening informed patriotism. Knowledge-based respect. There are 765 dolphins of six species along Odisha’s coast, latest census reveals Source : Down to Earth Why in News? Record Dolphin Count Odisha recorded 765 dolphins in 2026, highest in five years, marking an increase of 55 individuals from previous year, credited to conservation, habitat protection, and community participation. Census conducted 20 January 2026 by Odisha Forest Department, showcasing India’s only annual marine dolphin monitoring programme at state scale. Relevance GS III — Environment Marine biodiversity conservation Schedule I species protection Ramsar wetlands (Chilika) Community-based conservation models Practice Question “Scientific monitoring is crucial for wildlife conservation.” Evaluate the role of periodic biodiversity assessments in conservation policy. (250 Words) Species Composition Species-wise Numbers Humpback dolphins: 497, Irrawaddy: 208, Bottlenose: 55, Spinner: 3, Finless porpoise: 2, reflecting species diversity along Odisha’s coast and estuaries. Humpbacks dominate coastal waters. Trend Over Time Dolphin numbers rose from 544 (2020–21) to 765 (2026), indicating gradual recovery despite marine ecosystem pressures. Suggests conservation gains. Irrawaddy Dolphin Focus Status & Protection Irrawaddy dolphin listed under Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and IUCN Endangered, receiving highest legal protection.Flagship conservation species. Chilika Stronghold 159 Irrawaddy dolphins in Chilika, Asia’s largest brackish lagoon and a Ramsar site, making it the world’s largest single-site population. Global significance. Distribution Beyond Chilika Sightings in Balasore (15), Berhampur (13), Puri (12), Rajnagar mangroves (9) show range expansion along Odisha coast. Habitat connectivity important. Conservation Framework Protected Areas Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary hosts 474 Humpback dolphins, also famous for Olive Ridley turtle rookeries. Multi-species conservation zone. Monitoring System Dolphin estimation began in Chilika (2008), expanded coastwide in 2015, using boat and shore transects for scientific accuracy. Long-term dataset. Capacity Building Training on species identification and survey methods builds institutional expertise among frontline staff. Strengthens governance. Governance Significance Model for Marine Conservation Odisha’s annual census seen as a national model for evidence-based marine biodiversity management. Data-driven policy. Community Participation Local fisher engagement reduces conflict and supports habitat stewardship. Co-management success. Challenges Habitat Stress Prawn gheries, nylon fishing nets, and boat traffic degrade habitats and increase bycatch risks. Major threats. Slow Breeding Irrawaddy dolphins have low reproductive rates, limiting rapid population growth. Recovery takes time. Stagnation in Chilika Population stable at 159 for two years, indicating carrying-capacity or disturbance issues. Needs habitat regulation. Way Forward Habitat Regulation Control illegal aquaculture, destructive fishing gear, and pollution in lagoon and coastal zones.Reduce stressors. Technology Use Employ acoustic monitoring, satellite tagging, and GIS mapping for precise tracking.Improves science. Community Incentives Promote eco-tourism and compensation schemes to align livelihoods with conservation. Sustainable approach. Nature’s renewal has slowed down despite rising temperatures: Study Source : Down to Earth Why in News? Nature Communications Study Study from Queen Mary University London, published February 3, 2026, finds species turnover has slowed in many ecosystems over the past century despite accelerating climate change. Challenges assumption that warming automatically speeds biodiversity reshuffling. Relevance GS III — Environment & Ecology Biodiversity loss, ecosystem resilience Climate change vs habitat degradation Ecological regime shifts Practice Question “Climate change is not the only driver of biodiversity change.”Analyse the role of anthropogenic pressures in altering ecosystem dynamics. (250 Words) Basics What is Species Turnover? Species turnover is the rate at which species disappear and are replaced within ecological communities over time, reflecting ecosystem dynamism, resilience, and adaptive capacity. Core biodiversity indicator. Why Turnover Matters ? Continuous turnover allows ecosystems to adapt to climate shifts, disturbances, and invasions, maintaining functional diversity and stability. Supports resilience. Key Findings Overall Trend Turnover decelerated in significantly more ecosystems than it accelerated, with rates typically declining by ~one-third over the last century. Indicates global pattern. Dataset Scope Analysis used BioTIME database, covering land, freshwater, and marine biodiversity surveys over decades. Large-scale evidence. Community Patterns Slowdown observed in birds, benthic, and mixed communities; fish showed inconsistent signals due to fisheries management distortions. Human pressure factor. Ecological Interpretation Not Climate-Driven Short-term species changes often driven by internal ecosystem dynamics, not directly by climate change. Counters common narrative. Shrinking Species Pools Environmental degradation reduces regional species pools, limiting new colonisers and slowing community reshuffling. Biodiversity erosion link. Causes of Deceleration Anthropogenic Pressures Habitat destruction, pollution, fragmentation, and overexploitation reduce biodiversity reservoirs necessary for natural turnover. Human footprint dominant. Fisheries Impact Exploited fish communities show distorted turnover patterns due to harvesting and management interventions. Alters natural dynamics. Implications for Ecosystems Reduced Resilience Lower turnover reduces ecosystems’ ability to self-repair and adapt, increasing vulnerability to climate variability. Weakens buffers. Regime Shift Risk Stagnant communities face higher chances of abrupt ecological regime shifts, such as coral collapse or forest dieback. Tipping-point concern. Conceptual Insight “Self-Repairing Engine” Analogy Nature works like a self-repairing engine replacing species over time; slowdown suggests this mechanism is weakening. Powerful exam metaphor. Governance & Policy Relevance Conservation Focus Emphasises restoring habitat quality and connectivity, not just climate mitigation, to sustain biodiversity dynamics. Policy shift needed. Monitoring Importance Long-term biodiversity datasets crucial for evidence-based conservation planning. Science-led governance. Way Forward Habitat Restoration Expand protected areas, corridors, and wetland restoration to rebuild species pools. Enhances colonisation. Pollution & Fragmentation Control Reduce chemical pollution and land-use fragmentation to maintain ecological connectivity. Supports turnover. Sustainable Resource Use Strengthen fisheries and wildlife regulations to reduce overexploitation pressures. Balance use and conservation.

Feb 10, 2026 Daily PIB Summaries

PIB Summaries 10 February 2026

Content Artificial Intelligence for Culture and Languages Swavalambini Scheme Artificial Intelligence for Culture and Languages Concept & Rationale Meaning and Scope Artificial Intelligence for culture and languages uses computational tools for preservation, translation, and dissemination of heritage, enabling inclusive access to knowledge systems, governance, and public services in multilingual societies. India’s Linguistic Context As per Census 2011, India has 22 Scheduled languages, 99 Non-Scheduled languages, and thousands of mother tongues, necessitating technology-driven preservation and access frameworks for linguistic diversity and cultural continuity. Relevance GS I (Indian Society & Culture) Language preservation, cultural heritage digitisation, and protection of intangible heritage strengthen India’s pluralism, identity diversity, and intergenerational knowledge transmission. GS III (S&T, Economy) AI, NLP, OCR, speech tech applications in language ecosystems promote digital economy, creative industries, GI-based markets, and technology-driven livelihood generation. Practice Question “Artificial Intelligence can become a tool of cultural preservation as well as cultural homogenisation.” Critically examine. (250 Words) Constitutional–Legal Foundations Constitutional Support Articles 29–30, Eighth Schedule, and Directive Principles protect linguistic and cultural rights, legitimising state-led digitisation, language promotion, and technological preservation as instruments of constitutional morality. Democratic Pluralism Linguistic diversity strengthens unity in diversity, safeguards minority identities, and deepens participatory democracy, making language technologies tools for substantive equality and inclusive citizenship. Governance & Administrative Dimensions Language as Digital Public Infrastructure Under Digital India and National Language Translation Mission, language is treated as Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), embedding multilingual AI into e-governance, judiciary, and citizen service platforms for accessibility. Administrative Efficiency Multilingual AI improves last-mile delivery, reduces interface complexity, standardises multilingual records, and enables vernacular governance, supporting cooperative federalism and citizen-centric administration. Key National Platforms BHASHINI (NLTM, 2022) BHASHINI builds multilingual AI addressing language, digital, and literacy barriers through translation, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, transliteration, and document understanding, functioning as foundational language DPI. BHASHINI – Scale & Data Supports voice in 22 languages, text in 36 languages, hosts 350+ AI models/datasets, and has crossed 4+ billion language inferences, indicating large-scale multilingual digital adoption. BHASHINI – Use Cases Enabled real-time Hindi–Tamil translation at Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2.0 and powered Kumbh Sah’AI’yak chatbot at Maha Kumbh 2025 providing multilingual assistance in 11 languages. TDIL (Technology Development for Indian Languages) TDIL developed foundational Indian language computing tools like machine translation, OCR, speech systems, and transliteration, creating datasets and standards enabling scalable multilingual digital ecosystems. Anuvadini (AICTE) Anuvadini provides AI-based multilingual translation for textbooks and technical materials, integrates with e-KUMBH, and expands regional-language access to higher education and skilling ecosystems. Gyan Bharatam Mission National mission for survey, digitisation, and dissemination of manuscripts using HTR, OCR, and metadata extraction, enhancing discoverability and long-term preservation of traditional knowledge. Gyan Bharatam – Data 44 lakh+ manuscripts documented in Kriti Sampada; mission outlay ₹482.85 crore (2024–31) supports scaling digitisation, digital repositories, and public cultural access. Gyan-Setu National AI Innovation Challenge promoting solutions for cataloguing, script deciphering, and archival restoration, creating deployable prototypes and linking AI innovators with heritage institutions. Adi Vaani AI platform for tribal language preservation enabling real-time translation, speech transcription, and learning modules, covering languages like Santali, Bhili, Mundari, and Gondi to enhance inclusion. Economic Dimensions Creative Economy Multilingual AI boosts handicrafts, tourism, publishing, and GI products through better market visibility, storytelling, branding, and price discovery, integrating artisans into digital value chains. Livelihoods Voice-first vernacular interfaces reduce digital exclusion, enable e-commerce onboarding and skilling, and monetise traditional knowledge, strengthening sustainable livelihoods and dignity of labour. Social & Ethical Dimensions Inclusion Language AI supports mother-tongue education under NEP 2020, reduces the digital divide, and preserves intangible heritage, but requires safeguards against algorithmic bias and exclusion. Cultural Identity AI documentation of oral traditions, folklore, and indigenous knowledge strengthens intergenerational transmission, identity preservation, and cultural resilience amid globalisation and linguistic homogenisation. Challenges Structural Gaps Low-resource languages, dataset scarcity, limited digitisation capacity, connectivity gaps, and archival sustainability issues constrain the scalability of inclusive multilingual AI ecosystems. Ethical Concerns Risks of data extraction without consent, misappropriation of community knowledge, and cultural misrepresentation demand benefit-sharing, community ownership, and ethical AI governance frameworks. Way Forward Policy Measures Promote open interoperable datasets, community-led corpus creation, and archival capacity-building, aligning language AI with education, tourism, and creative economy policies for convergence. Inclusive AI Model Develop public-funded, open-source multilingual AI aligned with SDGs, preventing monopolisation of linguistic data and treating language infrastructure as a digital public good. Swavalambini Scheme Concept & Rationale Purpose and Vision Swavalambini Scheme is a women-focused entrepreneurship programme promoting entrepreneurial mindset, self-reliance, and enterprise creation among female students by combining training, mentoring, funding support, and institutional ecosystem linkages. Policy Context Aligns with Skill India, Startup India, and Women-Led Development vision, recognising female entrepreneurship as driver of inclusive growth, employment generation, and demographic dividend utilisation in emerging knowledge economy. Relevance GS I (Society) Promotes women empowerment, changing gender roles, and entrepreneurship culture among young women, aiding social transformation and reducing gender-based occupational gaps. GS II (Governance) Example of targeted policy intervention for women-led development, inter-institutional collaboration (MSDE–NITI Aayog), and outcome-based governance models. Practice Question Women entrepreneurship is key to achieving women-led development in India. Evaluate in the context of recent government initiatives. (250 Words) Institutional Framework Nodal Ministry & Partners Implemented by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform as knowledge partner, ensuring policy convergence, mentoring support, and innovation-driven ecosystem development. Implementing Agencies Executed through NIESBUD (Noida) and Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE, Guwahati), leveraging their expertise in entrepreneurship training, incubation support, and capacity-building for scalable programme delivery. Coverage & Target Group Beneficiary Base Targets female students in HEIs and Universities, aiming to convert youth potential into entrepreneurial ventures, with structured exposure to schemes, credit access, compliance norms, and market ecosystems. Geographic Spread Pilot launched across Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana, reflecting focus on regional inclusion, North-East empowerment, and balanced spatial entrepreneurship development. Programme Design Multi-Stage Model Structured pipeline moves from Entrepreneurship Awareness (EAP) to Entrepreneurship Development (EDP) and finally 21-week mentorship, ensuring progression from ideation to sustainable enterprise formation with institutional support. Training Components Covers skilling, access to finance, legal compliance, market linkages, networking, and business services, addressing major entry barriers faced by first-generation women entrepreneurs in formal and semi-formal sectors. Capacity Building Faculty Development Faculty Development Programme (FDP) trains educators through five-day modules, creating in-campus mentors who institutionalise entrepreneurship culture and provide continuous guidance to aspiring women entrepreneurs. Mentorship Ecosystem Industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs provide practical mentoring, sharing real-world insights on risk management, resilience, market adaptation, and scaling strategies, strengthening experiential learning. Data & Performance Training Targets vs Achievement Out of 1,200 EAP target, 1,110 trained; from 600 EDP target, 302 trained; 75 FDP target fully achieved, showing strong awareness outreach but moderate conversion to advanced training. State-wise Overview Uttar Pradesh leads with 491 EAP and 254 EDP trainees, while North-Eastern states show high awareness participation but EDP still under implementation, indicating phased programme maturity. Financial Dimensions Budgetary Support ₹40.46 lakh allocated for training; ₹10.11 lakh released, indicating cautious pilot-stage financing with scope for scale-up based on outcome evaluation and demonstrated success. Governance & Monitoring Oversight Mechanism MSDE and NITI Aayog maintain monitoring and evaluation frameworks tracking progress, outcomes, and impact, ensuring accountability, data-driven policy refinement, and evidence-based scaling decisions. Socio-Economic Significance Women Empowerment Promotes financial independence, leadership roles, and decision-making capacity among women, directly contributing to SDG-5 (Gender Equality) and enhancing female labour-force participation. Economic Multiplier Women-led enterprises generate local employment, diversified incomes, and community-level growth, strengthening grassroots economies and reducing gender gaps in entrepreneurship and asset ownership. Challenges Structural Constraints Barriers include credit access limitations, socio-cultural norms, risk aversion, limited networks, and market uncertainties, often discouraging women from transitioning from training to actual enterprise creation. Implementation Gaps Lower EDP conversion rates, limited scale, and pilot-restricted geography suggest need for stronger handholding, credit linkages, and post-training incubation support for sustainability. Way Forward Policy Measures Expand programme nationally, integrate with MUDRA, Stand-Up India, and Digital India platforms, and strengthen credit guarantees, incubation hubs, and market access support for women-led startups. Ecosystem Approach Encourage public-private partnerships, alumni networks, and digital mentorship platforms, ensuring continuous support beyond training and building resilient women entrepreneurship ecosystems.

Feb 10, 2026 Daily Editorials Analysis

Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 10 February 2026

Content Back on track Neither Surrender nor Triumph, Trade Pacts Mark India’s Growth as Negotiator Back on track Historical & Civilisational Context Diaspora and Cultural Linkages India–Malaysia ties originate from Chola maritime contacts (11th century) and British-era migration; today ~2.9 million Persons of Indian Origin (≈7–8% of Malaysia’s population) anchor cultural diplomacy, remittances, and business networks. Policy Continuity Malaysia has been a consistent partner since Look East Policy (1991) and Act East Policy (2014), supporting India’s sustained integration with ASEAN-led regional architecture and Southeast Asian supply chains. Relevance GS II (International Relations) Covers Act East Policy, ASEAN centrality, Indo-Pacific strategy, counter-terrorism cooperation, and maritime diplomacy in Strait of Malacca — core IR syllabus areas. Practice Question “Diaspora diplomacy has become a strategic asset in India’s foreign policy.” Examine in context of India–Malaysia relations. (250 Words) Geostrategic Importance Strait of Malacca Significance Malaysia borders the Strait of Malacca, a chokepoint carrying ~25% of global trade and majority of East Asia-bound energy shipments, making bilateral cooperation vital for SLOC security and anti-piracy coordination. Indo-Pacific Convergence Both countries endorse a Free, Open, Inclusive Indo-Pacific, ASEAN centrality, and UNCLOS-based maritime order, aligning with India’s SAGAR doctrine (2015) and Malaysia’s interest in stable sea-lane governance. Political–Diplomatic Dimension Diplomatic Reset PM Modi’s 24-hour Kuala Lumpur visit after postponing a 2025 trip signals political intent to stabilise ties despite friction over Malaysia’s calls for “dialogue and de-escalation” on India–Pakistan issues. Counter-Terrorism Alignment Joint statement condemning “terrorism including cross-border terrorism” marks convergence; cooperation spans intelligence sharing, UN coordination, and FATF frameworks to curb terror financing and safe havens. Economic & Trade Relations Bilateral Trade Profile Bilateral trade ~USD 19–20 billion annually; India imports palm oil, LNG, electronics, while exporting petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, machinery, positioning Malaysia among India’s top ASEAN trade partners. AITIGA Review Stakes Review of ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (2010) focuses on rules of origin, non-tariff barriers, and trade deficits, as India seeks to prevent rerouting of Chinese goods via ASEAN. Technology & Emerging Sectors Semiconductor Cooperation MoU linking IIT Madras Global and Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia supports India’s USD 10 billion Semicon India Programme, aiming at design collaboration, skill development, and supply-chain diversification. Digital & Energy Collaboration Cooperation in digital economy, fintech, and energy transition leverages India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (UPI, Aadhaar stack) and Malaysia’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem for mutually beneficial innovation. Multilateral & Regional Diplomacy ASEAN Signalling Visit reassures ASEAN after India skipped a summit; Malaysia matters as a founding ASEAN member (1967) and voice in consensus-based regional diplomacy affecting Indo-Pacific stability. BRICS Interface India “noting” Malaysia’s BRICS membership aspirations reflects cautious diplomacy; Malaysia is a BRICS partner country, while Indonesia’s entry increases ASEAN presence in BRICS. Challenges & Frictions Political Sensitivities Malaysia’s past remarks on Kashmir, Pakistan mediation offers, and hosting Pakistan PM (2025) created trust deficits, showing domestic politics can influence bilateral atmospherics. Irritants in Legal–Security Domain Continued presence of Zakir Naik, wanted under UAPA in India, remains a sensitive issue, though both sides avoided public confrontation to protect broader strategic ties. Way Forward Strategic Deepening Institutionalising cooperation in maritime security, counter-terrorism, semiconductors, and cyber security can shift ties from personality-driven diplomacy to stable, sectoral partnerships. Economic Consolidation Fast-tracking AITIGA review, supply-chain integration, and MSME partnerships can reduce trade imbalances and anchor ties in long-term economic interdependence within Indo-Pacific value chains. Neither Surrender nor Triumph, Trade Pacts Mark India’s Growth as Negotiator Structural Shift in India’s Trade Strategy From Protectionism to Calibrated Liberalisation India moved from pre-1991 import substitution and 150%+ peak tariffs to calibrated FTAs, using trade agreements to secure market access, technology inflows, and value-chain integration while retaining policy space. Trade as Geoeconomic Statecraft Trade policy now serves strategic objectives where tariffs, standards, and supply chains influence power equations; economic agreements increasingly complement diplomacy, security partnerships, and technology alliances. Relevance GS II (International Relations) FTAs, WTO negotiations, and geoeconomic diplomacy show how trade policy intersects with foreign policy and strategic autonomy. GS III (Economy) Direct relevance to FTAs, tariff policy, non-tariff barriers (SPS, TBT, CBAM), export competitiveness, and supply-chain integration. Practice Question “India’s trade policy has shifted from protectionism to pragmatic liberalisation.” Critically examine. (250 Words) Core Drivers of India’s Negotiating Behaviour Strategic Autonomy India’s FTA stance reflects strategic autonomy, seen in continued discounted Russian oil imports post-2022, prioritising energy security, inflation control, and fiscal stability over geopolitical pressure. Domestic Growth Imperative Aspiration to reach USD 5 trillion GDP pushes India to secure FTAs for FDI, export markets, and technology transfer, while shielding agriculture, dairy, and MSMEs from import shocks. India’s Negotiation Leverage Market Power With 1.4+ billion population and a rapidly expanding middle class, India offers one of the world’s largest demand markets, strengthening bargaining capacity in tariff schedules and services negotiations. Reciprocity Over Concessions Earlier vulnerabilities during U.S. GSP withdrawal (2019) and tariff disputes shaped learning; current negotiations emphasise reciprocity, safeguards, and phased liberalisation instead of unilateral concessions. Logic of Recent Trade Pacts Diversified FTA Portfolio India signed UAE CEPA (2022), Australia ECTA (2022), and concluded India–EU FTA (2026) ,reducing overdependence and building multi-market export resilience. Beyond Tariffs New-age FTAs cover digital trade, IP rights, clean energy, and services mobility, integrating India into high-value technology and knowledge supply chains beyond traditional goods trade. Developmental Trade-offs Sectoral Sensitivities India protects dairy, agriculture, and MSMEs due to livelihood concerns; sudden liberalisation risks import surges, rural distress, and deindustrialisation without competitiveness buffers. Standards as Barriers Rising non-tariff measures—SPS, TBT, and carbon standards like EU CBAM—increasingly determine trade outcomes, making regulatory alignment and domestic capacity crucial. Geopolitical Dimensions Multi-Alignment India simultaneously advances FTAs with EU, UK, Gulf, and Indo-Pacific partners, aligning trade with strategic groupings like Quad and IPEF without entering rigid blocs. Global South Positioning India champions policy space for developing nations in WTO debates on agricultural subsidies and public stockholding, projecting itself as a voice of the Global South. Way Forward Data-Driven Negotiations Stronger trade analytics, sectoral modelling, and stakeholder consultations can align FTAs with industrial policy, PLI schemes, and export competitiveness goals. Domestic Competitiveness First FTAs yield gains only with logistics reforms, skilling, infrastructure upgrades, and regulatory predictability, ensuring Indian firms compete globally rather than depend on tariff protection.

Feb 10, 2026 Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs 10 February 2026

Content On Gravity’s Role in the Earth’s Journey Through Space India and Greece Agree to Strengthen Defence Industrial Cooperation in Five-Year Road Map Remembering Leo D’Souza, Who Transformed the Cashew Industry Bonded Labour Continues Despite 50 Years of Its Abolition From Maritime to Digital: India–Seychelles Give Ties a Shot in the Arm Rs 54,000 Crore Lost in Digital Arrests, This is Dacoity: Supreme Court On Gravity’s Role in the Earth’s Journey Through Space Source : The Hindu Gravity — The Fundamental Force Newtonian Gravity Isaac Newton (1687, Principia) formulated universal gravitation: every mass attracts another with force F = Gm₁m₂/r², explaining falling bodies, planetary motion, and tides under one framework. Why We Stay on Earth ? Earth’s mass ≈ 5.97 × 10²⁴ kg produces surface gravity g ≈ 9.8 m/s², strong enough to hold oceans, atmosphere, and living beings against thermal motion and escape. Relevance GS I (Geography – Physical Geography) Earth–Sun dynamics, revolution, seasons, tides, and planetary motion basics. GS III (Science & Tech – Space Science) Gravity, inertia, vacuum, relativity, satellite orbits, escape velocity concepts. Practice Question Explain how gravity governs planetary motion and tides.(150 Words) Gravity and Orbital Motion Gravity as Centripetal Force For orbits, gravity supplies centripetal force (mv²/r), continuously bending motion into a curve; objects move forward by inertia while gravity pulls inward, creating stable revolutions. Earth–Sun System Average Earth–Sun distance ≈ 149.6 million km (1 AU); Earth’s orbital speed ≈ 29.8 km/s (~1,07,000 km/h) keeps it bound without spiralling into or escaping the Sun. Scale of Earth’s Space Journey Annual Distance Traveled Earth’s orbital path length ≈ 2πr ≈ 940–1,000 million km/year, meaning our planet travels ~1 billion km annually, far exceeding everyday terrestrial travel scales. Human Perspective At 100 km/h, covering 1 billion km would take ~1 million hours (~114 years) of non-stop driving; Earth completes it in 365.25 days due to vacuum and inertia. Motion Without Fuel Inertia in Vacuum In near-vacuum space, negligible drag allows uniform motion without continuous energy input; per Newton’s first law, velocity persists unless acted upon by external forces. Why Cars Need Fuel ? On Earth, friction and air drag dissipate kinetic energy, requiring fuel to maintain speed; planets face minimal resistance, so no “fuel” is needed to keep moving. The Aether Hypothesis and Its Demise Aether Idea 19th-century physics proposed luminiferous aether as a medium for light and planetary motion, assuming space wasn’t empty but filled with an invisible substance. Michelson–Morley Experiment (1887) Precision interferometry found no directional change in light speed, delivering a null result that undermined aether and paved the way for Einstein’s relativity. Beyond Newton — Modern View General Relativity Einstein (1915) described gravity as spacetime curvature caused by mass–energy; orbits follow geodesics, explaining perihelion precession and gravitational lensing. Tides and Stability Solar–lunar gravity drives tides, redistributing oceans and affecting Earth’s rotation slightly; long-term orbital stability arises from conserved angular momentum and energy. Astrophysics and Indian Contributions Jayant Narlikar Prof. Jayant Narlikar, cosmologist and IUCAA founding director, advanced theoretical cosmology and public science; honoured with Padma Vibhushan (2004) for contributions. Scientific Temper Public outreach combating superstition aligns with Article 51A(h) duty to develop scientific temper, linking astrophysics education with constitutional values. India and Greece Agree to Strengthen Defence Industrial Cooperation in Five-Year Road Map Source : The Hindu Strategic Context of India–Greece Relations Civilisational and Maritime Legacy India and Greece are ancient seafaring civilisations with historical maritime trade links across the Mediterranean–Indian Ocean continuum, shaping long-standing cultural familiarity and strategic maritime consciousness. Strategic Partnership Framework Bilateral ties elevated to a Strategic Partnership (2023), reflecting convergence in defence, shipping, energy, and connectivity, and Greece’s support for India’s stronger engagement with Europe and the Mediterranean. Relevance GS II (International Relations) Strategic partnerships, defence diplomacy, Indo-Pacific–Mediterranean linkages. GS III (Security & Defence) Defence indigenisation, military cooperation, maritime security. Practice Question Analyse the role of defence diplomacy in strengthening India’s strategic autonomy. (150 Words) Defence & Security Cooperation Defence Industrial Collaboration Signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent launches a five-year defence industrial roadmap, aligning India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat with Greece’s Agenda 2030 defence reforms to co-develop capabilities. Military-to-Military Engagement A Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan (2026) institutionalises joint exercises, training, and staff talks, promoting interoperability and professional exchanges between armed forces. Maritime Dimension Convergence on Maritime Security Both nations share interest in secure Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs), freedom of navigation, and rule-based maritime order, vital for energy and trade flows. IFC-IOR Cooperation Greece deploying a Liaison Officer at IFC-IOR (Gurugram) strengthens information-sharing on piracy, trafficking, and maritime incidents across the Indian Ocean Region. Geopolitical Significance Mediterranean–Indo-Pacific Link Greece offers India a strategic gateway to the Eastern Mediterranean and EU defence markets, while India provides reach into the Indo-Pacific security architecture. Balancing Regional Dynamics Cooperation reflects shared interest in stable multipolar order, maritime security, and diversified defence partnerships amid shifting global power balances. Defence Industrial Relevance Make in India in Defence Collaboration supports India’s push to raise defence manufacturing and exports (target USD 5 billion annually) through technology partnerships and co-production. Niche Technology Scope Potential areas include naval systems, aerospace components, shipbuilding, and electronics, where Greece has specialised maritime-industrial expertise. Challenges Scale Constraints Greece’s relatively small defence market and fiscal limits may restrict scale, requiring focused niche collaboration rather than broad-spectrum projects. Regulatory Complexities Defence deals must navigate export controls, technology transfer norms, and EU regulatory frameworks, affecting speed of implementation. Way Forward Institutionalisation Regular defence dialogues, industry-to-industry linkages, and joint R&D platforms can convert declarations into tangible outcomes. Maritime & Tech Focus Prioritising maritime domain awareness, shipbuilding, and defence electronics can yield quick, mutually beneficial results. Remembering Leo D’Souza, Who Transformed the Cashew Industry Source : The Hindu Cashew in India — Agronomic & Historical Context Origin and Agro-Ecology Cashew (Anacardium occidentale), native to Brazil, was introduced by the Portuguese in the 16th century to stabilise lateritic coastal soils, later evolving into a high-value plantation crop. Geographic Spread Cultivated mainly in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal, suited to tropical climate, 600–3500 mm rainfall, and poor lateritic soils. Relevance GS III (Agriculture & S&T) Plantation crops, biotechnology, tissue culture, value chains. GS I (Society) Women in agro-processing, rural livelihoods. Practice Question Discuss the role of biotechnology in improving plantation crop productivity. (150 Words) Economic Significance of Cashew Area and Production India has historically had ~5 lakh hectares under cashew (1980s baseline); today India remains among the top global producers and processors, though yield per hectare remains below potential. Export and Value Chain India is a major exporter of cashew kernels and cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) used in paints and lubricants; sector supports processing, packaging, and export-oriented MSMEs. Constraints in Cashew Productivity Biological Limitations Conventional propagation via seeds and grafting leads to genetic variability, uneven yield, and long gestation periods, limiting uniform orchard productivity. Structural Issues Challenges include ageing plantations, pest attacks (tea mosquito bug), climate variability, and smallholder dominance, reducing economies of scale. Role of Tissue Culture in Cashew Scientific Principle Tissue culture (micropropagation) produces genetically identical, disease-free plants under sterile conditions, enabling rapid multiplication of elite varieties and uniform orchard management. Why Cashew is Difficult ? Cashew is recalcitrant to tissue culture due to phenolic compound release that damages cells, making lab-to-soil transfer technically challenging compared to crops like banana or sugarcane. Leo D’Souza’s Contribution Early Biotech Pioneer Established a tissue culture lab in 1975 (pre-DBT era), showing how individual scientific leadership can overcome institutional scarcity and build frontier research in developing countries. Landmark Breakthrough Achieved world’s first successful lab-to-soil transfer of tissue-cultured cashew in 1990, published in Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (1992) — a global scientific milestone. Socio-Economic Sensitivity Women-Centric Industry Cashew processing historically employed 80%+ women workers, often informal and underpaid; productivity gains can directly affect women’s incomes and rural welfare. Farmer Livelihoods Higher-yielding, uniform plants can stabilise farmer incomes, reduce risk, and improve raw nut supply for processors, strengthening the entire value chain. Static Policy Linkages Agricultural R&D Importance Case underlines role of ICAR, State Agricultural Universities, and DBT in crop improvement, biotechnology diffusion, and plantation crop research. Blue Economy & Coastal Development Cashew fits into coastal livelihood systems, agro-forestry, and soil conservation, linking with sustainable coastal development policies. Bonded Labour Continues Despite 50 Years of Its Abolition Source : The Hindu Concept & Legal Framework What is Bonded Labour ? Bonded labour refers to forced labour arising from debt, advance payments, or social obligations, where workers lose freedom of employment, mobility, and wages until debts—often inflated—are “repaid”. Legal Abolition The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, abolished bonded labour, extinguished bonded debts, criminalised enforcement, and mandated rehabilitation, release certificates, and legal protection for victims. Relevance GS II (Polity & Social Justice) Article 23, Bonded Labour Abolition Act, welfare state obligations. GS I (Society) Poverty, migration, caste-based vulnerability. Practice Question Why does bonded labour persist despite legal abolition? Suggest reforms. (250 Words) Constitutional & Human Rights Dimension Constitutional Violations Bonded labour violates Article 23 (prohibition of forced labour), Article 21 (right to life with dignity), and Directive Principles on humane working conditions and social justice. International Commitments India is signatory to ILO Conventions 29 and 105, obligating elimination of forced labour, making continued prevalence a breach of international labour and human rights norms. Scale & Data Evidence Sectoral Spread Bonded labour persists in brick kilns, construction, agriculture, mining, domestic work, garment units, and small manufacturing, largely within informal and subcontracted production chains. Regional Data West Bengal alone has ~11,000 brick kilns employing ~8 lakh workers (2020 estimate); between 2019–2024, 143 bonded labourers were rescued in multiple operations. Socio-Economic Drivers Poverty and Migration Seasonal distress migration from Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh fuels bondage, as migrants accept advances due to poverty, landlessness, and lack of social security. Wage and Work Conditions Low wages, long hours, restricted movement, workplace confinement, and denial of maternity and health benefits trap families into intergenerational bonded labour cycles. Intergenerational & Child Bondage Second-Generation Bondage Children inherit debt obligations, leading to second-generation bonded labour, violating Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and Right to Education (Article 21A). Recent Cases In March 2025, 28 children were rescued from brick kilns in South 24 Parganas, underscoring persistence of child bondage despite statutory safeguards. Governance & Implementation Gaps Weak Enforcement Poor inspections, delayed FIRs, low conviction rates, and local employer–official nexus weaken deterrence under the 1976 Act and IPC provisions. Rehabilitation Failures Delays in release certificates, inadequate compensation, poor livelihood support, and weak inter-state coordination lead to re-bondage after rescue. Federal & Administrative Challenges Source–Destination Disconnect Bonded labour involves inter-state migration, but weak coordination between source states (Bihar, Jharkhand) and destination states (West Bengal, Tamil Nadu) hampers monitoring and rehabilitation. Informal Economy Blind Spots Informality, subcontracting, and cash payments allow employers to evade labour laws, inspections, and digital wage tracking mechanisms. Ethical & Social Justice Dimensions Dignity of Labour Persistence of bondage reflects failure to uphold human dignity, equality, and freedom, reducing citizens to instruments of production rather than rights-bearing individuals. Structural Inequality Caste hierarchies, tribal marginalisation, illiteracy, and gender vulnerability deepen exploitation, making bonded labour a structural injustice, not an isolated crime. Way Forward Legal & Institutional Strengthen district vigilance committees, mandate time-bound release certificates, enhance convictions, and impose strict liability on principal employers and supply-chain beneficiaries. Rehabilitation & Prevention Ensure ₹20,000–₹3 lakh rehabilitation packages, link victims to MGNREGA, PDS, housing, skilling, and create migration support systems in source regions. From Maritime to Digital: India–Seychelles Give Ties a Shot in the Arm Source : The Indian Express Strategic Context of India–Seychelles Relations Indian Ocean Geopolitics Seychelles’ location in the Western Indian Ocean near key Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) makes it strategically vital for monitoring maritime traffic between Africa–Middle East–Asia corridors. SAGAR Framework Engagement aligns with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region, 2015) vision, emphasising maritime security, capacity building, and cooperative regional order in the Indian Ocean. Relevance GS II (IR) SAGAR, Indian Ocean diplomacy, small island partnerships. GS III (Security) Maritime security, MDA, anti-piracy. Practice Question Evaluate the significance of island nations in India’s Indian Ocean strategy. (150 Words) Maritime & Security Cooperation Colombo Security Conclave Seychelles joining the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)—with India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh—strengthens regional architecture on maritime safety, counter-terrorism, cyber security, and HADR. Defence Collaboration India supports Seychelles via coastal surveillance radars, patrol vessels, hydrographic surveys, and training, enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) against piracy, trafficking, and illegal fishing. Digital & Development Partnership Digital Public Infrastructure Cooperation in digital governance, data-sharing, and digital transformation leverages India’s DPI model (Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker) to strengthen Seychelles’ public service delivery systems. Capacity Building Agreements on training, technical cooperation, and institutional capacity-building help Seychelles improve governance capability, maritime research, and disaster preparedness. Economic & Development Dimension Special Economic Assistance India announced a USD 15 million assistance package, including a USD 12 million Line of Credit and USD 3 million grant, targeting infrastructure, mobility, and maritime development. Blue Economy Linkages Cooperation supports blue economy sectors like fisheries, marine resources, and eco-tourism, aligning with Seychelles’ ocean-based economy and India’s Indo-Pacific outreach. Political & Diplomatic Significance High-Level Engagement Seychelles President’s visit within 100 days of assuming office signals priority to India ties; reflects mutual trust and continuity in diplomatic engagement. Shared Democratic Values Both nations emphasise rule-based order, sovereignty, and democratic governance, strengthening normative alignment in regional diplomacy. Regional & Global Implications Countering Extra-Regional Influence Strong India–Seychelles ties balance extra-regional naval presence in the Indian Ocean, ensuring smaller island states retain strategic autonomy and diversified partnerships. Western Indian Ocean Stability Cooperation contributes to stability in a region prone to piracy, trafficking, and climate vulnerabilities, reinforcing India’s role as a net security provider. Challenges Capacity Constraints Seychelles’ small population (~1 lakh) and limited fiscal capacity require sustained external support, making project execution and maintenance long-term challenges. Strategic Sensitivities Island states often balance multiple partners; India must ensure cooperation is transparent, demand-driven, and sovereignty-respecting to avoid perception of strategic overreach. Way Forward Institutionalised Cooperation Regular CSC exercises, joint patrols, and intelligence-sharing can institutionalise gains beyond leadership-level diplomacy. Sustainable Development Focus Integrating climate resilience, renewable energy, and coastal management into cooperation can align ties with SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and island sustainability needs. Rs 54,000 Crore Lost in Digital Arrests, This is Dacoity: Supreme Court Source : Then Indian Express Understanding Digital Arrest Frauds Modus Operandi Digital arrest scams involve fraudsters impersonating police, CBI, ED, or RBI officials, using video calls, fake notices, and psychological pressure to coerce victims into transferring funds to “safe accounts”. Scale and Trend Reported losses of ₹54,000+ crore indicate cyber fraud’s systemic scale; NCRB data shows cybercrime cases rising annually, with financial fraud forming the largest category of complaints. Relevance GS III (Internal Security/Cyber Security) Cyber fraud, digital economy risks, financial security. GS II (Governance) RBI regulation, institutional coordination. Practice Question Examine the rise of cyber financial frauds and regulatory challenges in India. (250 Words) Constitutional & Legal Dimensions Property and Due Process Coerced fund transfers violate Article 300A (right to property) and principles of natural justice, since deprivation occurs without lawful authority, consent, or judicial procedure. Statutory Provisions Offences fall under IPC cheating, extortion, criminal intimidation, and IT Act Sections 66C/66D; yet low conviction rates reflect jurisdictional and evidentiary challenges in cybercrime. Banking Regulation & RBI Oversight Fiduciary Duty of Banks Supreme Court termed banks “trustees of public money”, implying higher duty of care in monitoring abnormal transactions, beyond profit-driven facilitation of high-volume digital transfers. KYC–AML Framework Under PMLA and RBI Master Directions on KYC (2016, updated periodically), banks must detect unusual patterns, but real-time interdiction remains uneven across institutions. Governance & Institutional Gaps Fragmented Response Cyber fraud control spans RBI, commercial banks, state police, I4C (MHA), CERT-In, but fragmented databases and delayed coordination weaken rapid fund-freezing within critical time windows. Recovery vs Prevention Bias Court criticism that banks act as loan recovery agents highlights asymmetry: robust systems to recover bank dues versus limited urgency in safeguarding depositors’ funds. Technology Dimension AI-Based Detection AI and machine learning can flag velocity anomalies, mule accounts, and behavioural red flags, enabling automated pauses, step-up authentication, and alerts before high-risk transfers. Adoption Constraints Uneven deployment of RBI-backed analytics tools and fear of customer inconvenience reduce proactive blocking, allowing fraudsters to rapidly layer and disperse stolen funds. Economic & Social Impact Trust in Digital Economy Large-scale fraud undermines confidence in UPI and digital payments, potentially slowing India’s fintech growth and financial inclusion drive in a country processing billions of UPI transactions monthly. Household Vulnerability Victims often include elderly, retirees, and first-generation digital users, meaning losses hit life savings, affecting consumption, health security, and social stability. Ethical Dimensions Profit vs Protection Ethical dilemma arises if banks prioritise ease and transaction volume over safeguards; fiduciary institutions must balance innovation with depositor protection. State Responsibility As per welfare-state principles, regulators must ensure safe digital financial architecture, since individual citizens cannot counter sophisticated, transnational cyber networks alone. Way Forward Regulatory Reforms Mandate real-time risk scoring, cooling-off periods for large transfers, and compulsory alerts for first-time high-value payments to new beneficiaries across banks. Institutional Strengthening Create time-bound fund-freezing protocols, statutory liability norms for negligence, and unified cyber-fraud command centres linking banks, telecoms, and law enforcement.

Feb 9, 2026 Daily PIB Summaries

PIB Summaries 09 February 2026

Content Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBUs) for Schoolchildren under Aadhaar Seven Chakras of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBUs) for Schoolchildren under Aadhaar Why in News? UIDAI announced completion of over 1 crore Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBUs) for schoolchildren through a nationwide mission-mode campaign, marking a major milestone in child-focused digital identity strengthening and lifecycle Aadhaar management. The update drive gained attention due to coverage of 83,000 schools in about 5 months, reflecting unprecedented administrative scale, cooperative federalism, and integration of identity services with the education ecosystem. Article relevance also arises from integration of Aadhaar with UDISE+ database, enabling real-time identification of children pending biometric updates and showcasing data-driven governance in the school education sector. Fee waiver for MBUs for children aged 7–15 from 1 October 2025 for one year highlighted government efforts to remove financial barriers and prevent exclusion from exams and welfare schemes. Relevance GS 2 (Polity & Governance) DBT efficiency and targeted welfare delivery. Cooperative federalism (UIDAI–States–Schools). Privacy, data protection, child rights. Data-driven education governance (UDISE+). Basics & Core Keywords Meaning and Concept Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) is compulsory capture and refresh of fingerprints and iris in Aadhaar after biological maturation at ages 5 and 15, ensuring reliable lifelong biometric authentication and identity continuity. UIDAI is a statutory authority under Aadhaar Act 2016 responsible for enrolment, authentication, and updates, managing demographic and biometric database and ensuring secure digital identity infrastructure across India. UDISE+ is a national digital school database of Ministry of Education capturing enrolment, infrastructure, and student data, enabling data-driven governance and integration with Aadhaar update status monitoring for children. Constitutional / Legal Dimension Aadhaar Act 2016 provides statutory basis; Supreme Court (Puttaswamy, 2018 Aadhaar judgment) allowed welfare-linked use but restricted private mandatory usage, embedding proportionality and legality in identity-based service delivery frameworks. Right to Privacy (Article 21) mandates lawful, necessary, and proportionate data collection, requiring purpose limitation, data minimisation, and safeguards, especially critical when collecting and storing children’s biometric information. Best-interest-of-child principle from constitutional jurisprudence and UNCRC obligations requires secure storage, limited retention, and grievance redressal, ensuring minors’ identity data is not misused or excessively processed by state systems. Governance / Administrative Dimension Campaign shows cooperative federalism, where UIDAI, State Education Departments, and district administrations align databases and logistics, improving last-mile identity service delivery through coordinated institutional efforts across states. School-based MBU camps reduce transaction costs, parental burden, and opportunity loss, bringing services to beneficiaries and improving inclusion in welfare, examination, and scholarship-linked identity requirements for students nationwide. UDISE+–Aadhaar integration enables real-time visibility of pending MBUs, supporting evidence-based targeting, dashboards, and monitoring, strengthening accountability and digital governance capacities in public education administration systems. Economic Dimension Updated biometrics strengthen Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) by preventing ghost and duplicate beneficiaries, improving fiscal efficiency of scholarships, nutrition schemes, and subsidies targeted at school-going children nationwide. Reliable Aadhaar enables smoother access to examinations, banking, and skilling, supporting human capital formation and future productivity, aligning with India’s demographic dividend and formalisation of the economy goals. Social / Ethical Dimension Free MBU for 7–15 years from 1 Oct 2025 for one year lowers financial barriers, promoting equity for poor, migrants, and marginalised groups, reducing risk of exclusion from welfare and education-linked services. Ethical governance demands informed parental consent, awareness on data usage, and child-friendly enrolment, ensuring identity systems empower rather than surveil, and preserve dignity and autonomy of minors. Technology / Security Dimension Fingerprints and iris biometrics rely on uniqueness and permanence; capturing after maturation improves matching accuracy, reducing false rejections in authentication for welfare, exams, and service delivery systems. Centralised identity databases require encryption, access controls, audit trails, and breach-response protocols to prevent identity theft, profiling, or unauthorised surveillance, especially given scale and sensitivity of children’s data. Data & Evidence Over 1 crore MBUs completed, covering 83,000 schools in 5 months, indicating strong administrative capacity, prioritisation of child identity updates, and scalability of mission-mode digital governance initiatives. About 1.3 crore MBU transactions at Aadhaar Seva Kendras and enrolment centres show high citizen demand and responsiveness when services are accessible, predictable, and free for children. Challenges Large biometric databases pose risks of data breaches, function creep, and profiling, particularly concerning for minors with limited consent capacity, necessitating strict oversight and enforcement of data protection norms. Device shortages, connectivity gaps, and operator deficits in remote areas may cause uneven coverage, creating regional disparities in update completion and risking exclusion of vulnerable populations. Low parental awareness on timelines and consequences leads to delays; sustained IEC campaigns through schools, anganwadis, and local governments are required for behavioural compliance and inclusion. Way Forward Implement Digital Personal Data Protection framework with child-specific protocols, shorter retention, and independent audits, building trust and legal robustness in children’s biometric identity ecosystem. Institutionalise lifecycle-based updates by linking MBUs to school admissions and health check-ups, creating automatic reminders and on-site facilities for universal compliance among children. Invest in secure devices, operator training, and grievance redressal, ensuring that scale does not dilute accuracy, dignity, or data security while maintaining inclusive and reliable service delivery. Aadhaar What is Aadhaar? Aadhaar is a unique digital identity number issued to residents of India, based on demographic + biometric data, designed to enable unique identification and authentication for service delivery. It is proof of identity, not citizenship, and is available to residents (person living in India ≥ 182 days in preceding 12 months). Legal & Institutional Basis Aadhaar has statutory backing under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. It aims at targeted delivery of subsidies, benefits, and services funded from the Consolidated Fund of India, reducing leakages and duplication. Implementation Agency Implemented by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), a statutory authority. UIDAI functions under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). UIDAI responsibilities: Aadhaar enrolment and updates Authentication ecosystem Data security and storage Policy and regulation of Aadhaar usage Aadhaar Number – Structure Aadhaar is a 12-digit random number (not intelligence-based, no profile coding). Designed to be unique, portable, and lifelong. Data Collected Demographic Data Name Date of Birth/Age Gender Address Mobile number (optional but important) Email (optional) Biometric Data 10 fingerprints Both iris scans Photograph For children below 5 years: only demographics + photo; biometrics updated later at 5 and 15 years. Seven Chakras of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 Context Global AI Diplomacy Moment India–AI Impact Summit 2026 announced as first global AI summit in the Global South, projecting India as agenda-setter in responsible AI governance and development-oriented technology diplomacy. Summit highlighted due to 100+ countries, 15–20 Heads of Government, 50+ ministers, 40+ CEOs, signalling broad multilateral consensus-building on inclusive, safe, and accountable AI ecosystems. Relevance GS 2 (IR & Governance) AI diplomacy and global norm-setting. International tech governance. AI regulatory frameworks. GS 3 (S&T / Economy / Environment) AI as emerging technology. AI-led economic growth & startups. R&D and innovation ecosystem. Green AI and energy-efficient data centres. Digital sovereignty & compute infrastructure. Core Keywords Artificial Intelligence (AI) Artificial Intelligence refers to machine-based systems performing cognitive tasks like learning and decision-making using machine learning, neural networks, and big data, enabling predictive, adaptive, and autonomous functionalities. Global South Global South includes developing nations in Asia, Africa, Latin America facing developmental constraints; summit hosting signals geographical diversification of tech governance beyond traditional Western dominance. AI Governance AI governance comprises laws, ethical norms, standards, and institutions regulating AI lifecycle to ensure fairness, safety, accountability, and alignment with societal and developmental priorities. Chakras / Working Groups Seven Chakras are thematic working groups translating principles into policy and practice, enabling structured multilateral cooperation, norm-setting, and implementation pathways across AI domains. Philosophical Foundation: Three Sutras People Human-centric AI safeguards rights, dignity, and accessibility, ensuring equitable benefit distribution, trust-building, and augmentation of human capabilities rather than replacement across socio-economic segments. Planet Sustainable AI promotes energy-efficient algorithms, green data centres, and climate-focused AI applications, reducing ecological footprint of compute-heavy AI and supporting environmental resilience strategies. Progress Inclusive progress stresses innovation, productivity, and skilling, ensuring AI-driven growth generates employment, competitiveness, and SDG-aligned development without widening digital inequality. Chakra 1: Human Capital AI Skilling Ecosystem Focuses on reskilling, future-ready education, and workforce transition, minimizing technological unemployment and leveraging demographic dividend for knowledge-driven AI economy. Talent Indicators India shows 3× AI talent growth since 2016, 33% annual hiring growth, and targeted support for 500 PhDs, 5,000 PGs, 8,000 UGs, strengthening research pipelines. Chakra 2: Inclusion for Social Empowerment Inclusive-by-Design AI Encourages representative datasets, multilingual interfaces, and accessibility tools, reducing algorithmic bias and ensuring AI reflects India’s linguistic and social diversity. DPI Linkage Uses Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for scalable AI deployment in welfare, agriculture, and governance, ensuring affordability and last-mile access. Chakra 3: Safe and Trusted AI Responsible AI Promotes transparency, explainability, and auditability, making AI decisions interpretable and legally defensible, strengthening public trust. Governance Architecture Proposes AI Governance Group, Technology Policy Expert Committee, IndiaAI Safety Institute, creating layered oversight combining policy, expertise, and technical risk testing. Chakra 4: Resilience, Innovation & Efficiency Efficient AI Design Encourages low-energy, resource-optimized AI models, ensuring climate-conscious and scalable AI suitable for developing economies. Infrastructure Scale Data-centre capacity projected from 960 MW to 9.2 GW by 2030, backed by large private investments enhancing digital sovereignty. Chakra 5: Science AI in Research AI accelerates discovery in climate science, genomics, and health, improving modelling accuracy and collaborative research. R&D Push India’s R&D spending rose from ₹60,196 crore to ₹1.27 lakh crore; ANRF targets ₹50,000 crore, strengthening research ecosystem. Chakra 6: Democratising AI Resources Compute Sovereignty Promotes domestic access to GPUs, cloud, and supercomputers, reducing foreign dependence and ensuring strategic autonomy. Shared Infrastructure IndiaAI Kosh: 7,400 datasets, 570 AI Data Labs, and compute below ₹100/hour enable equitable innovation. Chakra 7: AI for Economic Growth & Social Good Sectoral Transformation AI improves productivity in agriculture, healthcare, education, and judiciary via analytics, diagnostics, and automation. Economic Impact AI sector projected at US$280 billion (2025); 1.8 lakh startups show widespread adoption and employment potential. Governance Significance Digital Diplomacy Summit enhances India’s soft power by shaping ethical AI norms and strengthening its global technology leadership. Development Model Export India promotes DPI + AI model, offering scalable governance solutions for developing nations. Challenges Global Inequality Unequal access to compute, data, and talent risks new digital divides and technological dependency. Regulatory Lag Fast AI evolution outpaces regulation, creating risks of misuse and accountability gaps. Way Forward Balanced AI Statecraft Align AI growth with constitutional values, human rights, and SDGs. South–South Cooperation Expand AI skilling and infrastructure collaboration among developing nations.

Feb 9, 2026 Daily Editorials Analysis

Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 09 February 2026

Content Social Media Bans and Child Safety: Limits of Prohibition, Need for Digital Governance Myanmar’s Military-Scripted Elections and India’s Strategic Dilemma Social Media Bans and Child Safety: Limits of Prohibition, Need for Digital Governance Why in News? Renewed debate globally on banning or restricting minors’ access to social media amid rising concerns over adolescent mental health, cyberbullying, and online grooming, triggered by recent policy moves and public discourse. Countries like Australia and Spain have proposed or advanced age-based restrictions and stricter platform liability, bringing the question of prohibition vs regulation to the forefront of digital governance debates. Growing body of research linking excessive social media use with anxiety, depression, and body-image issues among teenagers has pushed governments to consider stronger child online safety frameworks. Simultaneously, experts and civil society argue that blanket bans are ineffective, shifting focus toward platform accountability, algorithm regulation, and digital literacy, making it a live governance and ethics issue. Relevance GS 1 (Society) Impact of social media on youth, mental health, and socialisation. Issues of vulnerable sections (children & adolescents). GS 2 (Polity & Governance) Digital governance, regulation of online platforms. Fundamental Rights — Speech (Art 19) & Privacy (Art 21). Role of State in protecting minors (parens patriae). Practice Questions “Blanket social media bans on minors are neither practical nor sufficient to ensure child safety.” Discuss. (150 Words) Core Concepts What is a Social Media Ban? Social media ban refers to legal or regulatory prohibition restricting minors’ access to platforms, typically through age-verification, parental consent mandates, or blanket denial to reduce online harms and exposure risks. Child Online Safety Child online safety involves protecting minors from cyberbullying, grooming, harmful content, addiction, and data exploitation while preserving developmental benefits of digital participation, learning opportunities, and social connectivity. Digital Ecosystem Digital ecosystem includes platforms, algorithms, advertisers, data brokers, and users interacting within regulatory frameworks, where design choices, incentives, and governance determine user safety and accountability outcomes. Constitutional & Legal Dimensions Freedom vs Protection Article 19(1)(a) guarantees speech and expression, including online participation; restrictions must satisfy reasonableness and proportionality, ensuring child protection does not become excessive censorship or rights dilution. Right to Privacy Article 21 privacy (Puttaswamy judgment) requires data minimisation, informed consent, and purpose limitation, especially for minors whose cognitive maturity limits meaningful consent in digital environments. State’s Parens Patriae Role Doctrine of parens patriae empowers the State to protect minors’ welfare, yet mandates balanced intervention respecting autonomy, developmental needs, and constitutional liberties rather than moralistic or populist overreach. Governance & Regulatory Dimension Platform Regulation Effective governance targets platform design, algorithms, and monetisation models, not merely users, addressing recommender systems that amplify harmful content and engagement-maximising features driving compulsive usage among minors. Age Verification Limits Age-verification systems face privacy risks, circumvention, exclusion errors, and surveillance concerns, often pushing children toward unsafe digital spaces rather than ensuring meaningful protection and guided participation. Institutional Capacity Regulatory success depends on independent regulators, technical expertise, and enforcement capacity, without which laws remain symbolic, inconsistently applied, and vulnerable to industry capture or bureaucratic inertia. Social Dimension Adolescent Development Adolescence involves identity formation and peer validation; social media intensifies comparison, validation-seeking, and exposure to unrealistic standards, affecting self-esteem, body image, and emotional regulation. Digital Divide Blanket bans risk widening digital divides, disproportionately affecting marginalized children who rely on digital platforms for learning, opportunities, and social mobility in resource-constrained environments. Family & Community Role Parental guidance, digital literacy, and open communication often prove more sustainable than prohibition, fostering responsible use and resilience rather than secrecy-driven or rebellious digital behaviour. Economic & Political Economy Dimension Attention Economy Platforms operate on attention economy models, monetising user engagement through targeted advertising, incentivising addictive design, infinite scrolling, and emotional triggers that disproportionately affect young users’ self-control capacities. Corporate Accountability Without liability frameworks, companies externalise social harms while privatising profits; regulatory focus must include duty of care, risk audits, and transparency obligations for child-impact assessments. Technology Dimension Algorithmic Amplification Algorithms prioritise engagement-heavy content, often sensational or harmful, creating echo chambers and accelerating exposure to risky material for impressionable users lacking critical evaluation skills. Design Ethics Safety-by-design principles include default privacy settings, time-use nudges, content moderation, and age-appropriate interfaces, embedding child protection within technological architecture rather than after-the-fact regulation. Challenges in Ban-Centric Approach Circumvention Reality Tech-savvy youth bypass bans using VPNs, fake credentials, or shared accounts, rendering prohibition partially ineffective while reducing scope for supervised and safer engagement. Democratic Deficit Moral panic-driven bans may substitute evidence-based policymaking, enabling symbolic politics that avoid deeper reforms in platform governance, digital education, and corporate regulation. Way Forward Regulate Systems, Not Just Users Shift from user-restriction to platform accountability, mandating algorithm audits, risk disclosures, and child-impact assessments, aligning regulation with systemic sources of harm rather than individual blame. Digital Literacy First Institutionalise digital literacy curricula covering critical thinking, online safety, consent, and cyber-ethics, equipping children to navigate digital risks responsibly in an inevitable online future. Co-Regulation Model Adopt co-regulation combining state oversight, industry standards, and civil society input, ensuring flexibility, expertise, and legitimacy in rapidly evolving technological contexts. Data and Facts ~80% of adolescents use social media daily, many exceeding 3 hours, increasing exposure to online risks and addictive design. (Source: UNICEF global adolescent digital use estimates) 1 in 3 adolescents (≈33%) experience cyberbullying, making online harassment a mainstream child-safety concern beyond anecdotal cases. (Source: UNICEF, Global Kids Online report) 59% of teens say social media harms peers’ mental health, linking platforms with anxiety, comparison pressure, and self-esteem issues. (Source: Pew Research Center, Teen Mental Health Survey) ~70% of teens feel “addicted” to social media; about half report sleep disruption due to late-night use. (Source: Common Sense Media, US teen survey) India has ~830 million internet users, with a youth-heavy user base, magnifying scale of child online safety challenges. (Source: IAMAI Internet in India Report) 10–20% of Indian adolescents face mental health conditions, where excessive digital exposure can act as a risk amplifier. (Source: Lancet Child & Adolescent Health) Algorithmic recommender systems can raise engagement 30–40%, often amplifying sensational or harmful content for minors. (Source: Academic studies on recommender systems, MIT/Stanford reviews) Myanmar’s Military-Scripted Elections and India’s Strategic Dilemma Context : Myanmar Elections 2025–26 Myanmar junta conducted military-managed elections (Dec 2025–Jan 2026) claiming transition to civilian rule, but opposition boycotts and conflict conditions question legitimacy and democratic credibility internationally. Relevance GS 2 (IR) India–Myanmar relations. Democracy vs realism in foreign policy. ASEAN, neighbourhood diplomacy. Practice Question India’s Myanmar policy reflects a balance between democratic values and strategic interests. Critically analyse.(250 Words) Basics & Core Keywords Military Junta Military junta refers to armed forces controlling state power after a coup, suspending democratic institutions, centralising authority, and governing through emergency laws and coercive apparatus. Coup d’état Coup d’état is unconstitutional seizure of power by military or elites, displacing elected government, as seen in Myanmar February 2021 coup removing the National League for Democracy. Proxy Elections Military-scripted or proxy elections are polls organised to legitimise regime control, often excluding opposition, restricting media, and operating in conflict-affected environments lacking free political competition. Political Situation in Myanmar Post-Coup Conflict Since 2021 coup, Myanmar faces civil conflict between junta and Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) + People’s Defence Forces, causing territorial fragmentation and weakening central authority. Opposition Suppression Major parties like NLD sidelined; leaders jailed; electoral participation restricted, undermining pluralism and representative democracy. Territorial Control Junta reportedly lacks full control over significant areas, limiting election conduct and administrative reach, reducing credibility of nationwide mandate claims. India’s Strategic Interests Geopolitical Location Myanmar is India’s gateway to Southeast Asia and crucial for Act East Policy, linking Northeast India to ASEAN markets and connectivity corridors. China Factor China’s deep presence through infrastructure and arms supplies increases India’s concern about strategic encirclement and loss of regional influence. Border Security India shares 1,643 km border with Myanmar; instability fuels insurgent movement, arms trafficking, and safe havens for Northeast militant groups. Security & Internal Implications for India Refugee Inflows Violence has driven refugee flows into Mizoram and Manipur, straining local administration and raising humanitarian and political sensitivities. Transnational Crime Conflict zones enable drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and cyber-scam centres, affecting India’s internal security and regional crime networks. Insurgent Linkages Northeast insurgent groups historically used Myanmar sanctuaries, making stable bilateral security cooperation vital for counter-insurgency. Diplomatic Balancing Principle vs Pragmatism India avoids outright endorsement of junta yet maintains engagement to protect security and connectivity interests, reflecting realist foreign policy balancing. ASEAN Dynamics ASEAN’s divided stance and limited enforcement capacity constrain collective regional response, complicating India’s diplomatic alignment. Humanitarian Engagement India provides relief assistance and disaster aid, maintaining people-centric engagement without fully legitimising the regime. Economic & Connectivity Stakes Infrastructure Projects Projects like Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit and Trilateral Highway depend on stability in Myanmar for India’s Northeast integration and trade expansion. Northeast Development Myanmar stability directly influences India’s Northeast economic growth, border trade, and regional connectivity vision. Challenges for India Policy Dilemma Supporting democracy risks losing strategic access; engaging junta risks reputational costs and democratic credibility. Security Spillovers Prolonged instability increases cross-border crime and refugee pressures. Limited Leverage India’s influence is constrained by Myanmar’s internal dynamics and China’s stronger economic footprint. Way Forward Calibrated Engagement Continue multi-channel diplomacy engaging military, ethnic groups, and civil actors to retain influence without legitimising authoritarianism. Border Management Strengthen smart fencing, coordinated patrols, and intelligence sharing to manage spillovers. Regional Cooperation Work with ASEAN and BIMSTEC for humanitarian corridors and conflict de-escalation. People-Centric Approach Expand humanitarian aid and development partnerships supporting local communities. Data and Facts >3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Myanmar due to post-coup conflict, reflecting scale of humanitarian and governance collapse. (Source: UN OCHA, 2024–25 estimates) Over 1.3 million refugees from Myanmar hosted abroad, mainly in Thailand, Bangladesh, and India, indicating regional spillover of instability. (Source: UNHCR Global Trends) ~90,000 Myanmar nationals in Mizoram alone since 2021 coup, creating humanitarian and administrative pressures on a small border state. (Source: Mizoram Govt statements, 2024) Illicit drug production in Golden Triangle region rising, with Myanmar a major source of methamphetamine in Southeast Asia, affecting India’s Northeast. (Source: UNODC) China remains Myanmar’s largest investor and arms supplier, strengthening its leverage and complicating India’s strategic space. (Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database)

Feb 9, 2026 Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs 09 February 2026

Content India–Malaysia Strategic Partnership Thwaites Glacier (“Doomsday Glacier”) Biotechnology and Green Growth AI Agents, “SaaSpocalypse” and Market Panic Traditional Delicacies as Next “Makhana Moment” India–Malaysia Strategic Partnership Why in News ? Recent Bilateral Developments India and Malaysia signed 11 agreements in 2026 covering defence, semiconductors, energy, and digital cooperation, signalling diversification of ties beyond traditional trade toward high-technology and security sectors. Both sides promoted local currency trade settlement (₹–Ringgit) amid global de-dollarisation trends, aiming to reduce forex risk and transaction costs in a bilateral trade relationship already exceeding US$20 billion annually. Relevance GS 2 (International Relations) India–ASEAN relations, Act East Policy Bilateral diplomacy, UNSC reforms Indo-Pacific strategy, maritime cooperation De-dollarisation and currency diplomacy GS 3 (Economy & Security) Semiconductor supply chains and tech sovereignty Defence cooperation and maritime security Energy and digital economy partnerships Basics & Core Keywords Strategic Partnership A strategic partnership involves sustained cooperation in defence, technology, and diplomacy; India–Malaysia upgraded ties in 2015 to Enhanced Strategic Partnership, institutionalising annual dialogues and sectoral cooperation. Local Currency Trade Local currency settlement reduces dollar dependence; India already has similar arrangements with UAE and Sri Lanka, reflecting RBI’s push for rupee internationalisation in over 18 partner countries. Semiconductor Cooperation Semiconductor collaboration aligns with India’s US$10 billion Semiconductor Mission (2021) and Malaysia’s established role in global chip assembly, where it handles ~13% of global testing and packaging. Indo-Pacific Indo-Pacific region carries 60% of global GDP and 50% of global trade, making India–Malaysia maritime cooperation strategically significant for sea-lane security. Historical & Civilisational Links Maritime & Cultural Ties Historical Chola-era trade and migration built links; today ~2 million people of Indian origin live in Malaysia, forming one of the largest Indian diasporas in Southeast Asia. Diaspora Diplomacy Indian diaspora contributes significantly to Malaysia’s services and political sectors, strengthening soft power and business bridges. Political & Diplomatic Dimension UNSC Support Malaysia reiterated support for India’s permanent UNSC membership, adding to backing from major ASEAN partners and strengthening India’s G4 reform narrative. High-Level Engagement PM-level visits and CEO Forums facilitate business deals; Malaysia ranks among India’s top 15 trading partners globally. Economic Dimension Trade & Investment Bilateral trade crossed US$20–25 billion range in recent years, with palm oil, petroleum products, electronics, and machinery dominating baskets. Currency Diversification Use of rupee–ringgit trade can lower hedging costs by 2–3% in transaction value, benefiting SMEs and stabilising trade flows. Supply Chain Resilience Semiconductor and electronics cooperation reduces overdependence on East Asian hubs, critical after global chip shortages (2020–22). Security & Defence Dimension Counter-Terrorism Both countries cooperate via intelligence sharing under ASEAN-led frameworks; Southeast Asia remains vulnerable to extremist networks like Jemaah Islamiyah, necessitating coordination. Maritime Security Malacca Strait handles ~25% of global trade, making India–Malaysia maritime cooperation vital for anti-piracy and SLOC security. Defence Engagement India conducts defence training and capacity-building with ASEAN states, including Malaysia, under ADMM-Plus mechanisms. Technology & Innovation Dimension Digital & AI Cooperation India’s digital economy projected to reach US$1 trillion by 2030, making tech partnerships attractive for Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem. Health & Food Security Joint agri-tech and pharma cooperation aligns with India’s role as “pharmacy of the world,” supplying vaccines and generics globally. Geopolitical Significance Act East Policy Malaysia is a key ASEAN economy; ASEAN–India trade stands around US$110 billion, making Malaysia important for regional integration. China Factor China is ASEAN’s largest trade partner (>US$900 billion ASEAN–China trade), pushing India to strengthen bilateral ties for strategic balance. Indo-Pacific Stability Both endorse a rules-based maritime order, aligning with UNCLOS norms and freedom of navigation. Challenges Trade Imbalance India often runs deficit due to palm oil imports; Malaysia is among India’s top palm oil suppliers. Geopolitical Sensitivities ASEAN centrality requires India to avoid bloc politics while expanding influence. Implementation Gap Past MoUs show slow execution due to regulatory and financing delays. Way Forward Institutional Dialogue Annual reviews and sectoral working groups can track implementation. Tech Skill Ecosystem Joint semiconductor skill hubs and R&D centres support long-term collaboration. Maritime Cooperation Expand HADR and joint naval exercises to secure sea lanes. Value Addition Malaysia is India’s 3rd largest trading partner in ASEAN (after Singapore & Indonesia). FDI from Malaysia to India ≈ US$1.2–1.5B cumulative, mainly in infrastructure & construction. Over 60 Indian companies operate in Malaysia, including in IT, pharma, and manufacturing. India imports ~6–7 million tonnes of palm oil annually, Malaysia among top two suppliers. ASEAN accounts for ~11% of India’s total global trade. Indian Ocean carries 80% of global oil trade, highlighting maritime cooperation relevance. Thwaites Glacier (“Doomsday Glacier”) Why in News ? Recent Scientific Concern Recent field studies and satellite observations show accelerated thinning, grounding-line retreat, and ice-shelf fracturing, raising fears of irreversible instability and renewed focus on Antarctica’s contribution to future global sea-level rise. Relevance GS 1 (Geography) — Core Glaciers, cryosphere, sea-level rise Physical geography of Antarctica Climate–ocean interactions GS 3 (Environment) — Core Climate change impacts Global warming and sea-level rise Coastal vulnerability and disaster risk Basics & Core Keywords What is a Glacier ? A glacier is a long-lasting mass of compressed snow and ice flowing under gravity, acting as a freshwater reservoir and climate indicator, sensitive to temperature, snowfall, and oceanic conditions. What is Thwaites Glacier ? Thwaites Glacier is a massive outlet glacier in West Antarctica draining into the Amundsen Sea, comparable in area to a large country, and critically important for global sea-level regulation. Why “Doomsday Glacier” ? Nicknamed “Doomsday Glacier” because potential collapse could trigger substantial sea-level rise and destabilise neighbouring ice basins, amplifying global coastal risks far beyond Antarctica. Physical Geography & Glaciology Marine Ice Sheet Setting Thwaites rests on bedrock sloping downward inland below sea level, a configuration called marine ice-sheet instability, making retreat self-reinforcing once warm water reaches grounding zones. Grounding Line The grounding line is where glacier ice detaches from bedrock and begins floating; its inland retreat indicates weakening structural stability and greater vulnerability to ocean-driven melting. Ice Shelf Buttressing Thwaites’ floating ice shelf acts as a buttress, slowing inland ice flow; thinning or breakup reduces resistance, allowing faster glacier discharge into the ocean. Climate & Ocean Interactions Ocean-Driven Melting Relatively warm Circumpolar Deep Water intrudes beneath the ice shelf, melting it from below, thinning critical support structures and accelerating grounding-line retreat. Atmospheric Warming Rising air temperatures influence surface melt and ice dynamics, though ocean heat currently plays the dominant role in destabilising West Antarctic outlet glaciers. Data & Evidence Current Contribution Thwaites alone contributes roughly 4% of present global sea-level rise, making it one of the single largest glacial contributors worldwide. Potential Sea-Level Rise Complete collapse over centuries could raise global mean sea level by ~0.5 metre, while also destabilising adjacent West Antarctic ice, adding several additional metres over longer timescales. Observed Changes Satellite records show rapid thinning, faster ice flow, and grounding-line retreat over recent decades, indicating ongoing dynamic imbalance rather than stable conditions. Global Implications Coastal Vulnerability Even modest sea-level rise increases coastal flooding, erosion, salinisation, and storm-surge damage, threatening megacities, ports, and delta regions globally. Small Island States Low-lying island nations face existential risks, with higher adaptation costs, displacement pressures, and loss of freshwater lenses due to saltwater intrusion. Economic Impact Sea-level rise raises costs for coastal infrastructure, insurance, disaster management, and climate adaptation, affecting both developed and developing economies. Governance & Policy Dimension Climate Mitigation Link Thwaites’ fate is strongly tied to global warming trajectories, making deep emissions cuts under Paris Agreement central to slowing long-term ice-sheet loss. Scientific Cooperation International collaborations like large Antarctic research missions improve modelling, monitoring, and early-warning capacity for ice-sheet instability. Challenges & Uncertainties Timescale Uncertainty Exact timelines for major retreat remain uncertain, complicating policy planning, but risk-based approaches justify early adaptation and mitigation investments. Complex Ice Dynamics Ice–ocean interactions, subglacial topography, and feedback loops create modelling challenges, requiring continuous observation and refinement. Way Forward Rapid Emission Reductions Limiting warming to well below 2°C reduces long-term Antarctic mass loss risks and associated sea-level rise. Coastal Adaptation Strengthen coastal zoning, resilient infrastructure, mangrove restoration, and managed retreat strategies to reduce vulnerability. Polar Research Investment Expand satellite monitoring, ocean sensors, and ice-penetrating radar to improve predictive capability. Value Addition Antarctica stores ~70% of the world’s freshwater. Antarctic Ice Sheet holds enough ice to raise sea level by ~58 metres if fully melted. Global mean sea level already rose ~20 cm since 1900 (IPCC). Sea level is rising at ~3.3 mm/year currently, double the 20th-century rate. Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai among top 20 global cities at coastal flood risk by 2050 (C40/World Bank studies). India has 7,500 km coastline, making it highly vulnerable. Biotechnology and Green Growth Why in News ? Biotech for Sustainable Future Experts in a national webinar highlighted biotechnology’s role in enabling green growth, zero-waste processes, and sustainable industry, aligning with India’s expanding bioeconomy and sustainability goals. Relevance GS 3 (Science & Tech + Economy + Environment) Bioeconomy and green growth Industrial biotech and sustainability Agri-biotech and food security Innovation-led growth and startups Basics & Core Keywords Biotechnology Biotechnology applies biological systems, organisms, or derivatives to develop products and processes in health, agriculture, environment, and industry, integrating biology with technology for societal and economic benefits. Green Growth Green growth refers to economic development that reduces environmental risks, promotes resource efficiency, and ensures sustainability while maintaining GDP growth and employment generation. Bioeconomy Bioeconomy includes economic activities using renewable biological resources to produce food, materials, and energy, reducing fossil-fuel dependence and supporting circular economy transitions. Data & Evidence India’s Bioeconomy Growth India’s bioeconomy expanded from ~US$10 billion (2014) to ~US$165 billion (2024), a 16-fold rise, making it among the fastest-growing bioeconomies globally. 2030 Target India targets US$300 billion bioeconomy by 2030, driven by biopharma, bio-agriculture, industrial biotech, and bio-services sectors. Sectoral Contribution Major drivers include biopharma, agriculture biotech, industrial biotech, and IT-enabled bio-services, collectively supporting innovation-led growth. Environmental Dimension Zero-Waste & Circularity Industrial biotechnology supports zero-waste manufacturing, bioremediation, and biodegradable materials, lowering pollution and landfill burdens. Climate Link Bio-based fuels and materials reduce carbon footprint and support net-zero transitions, complementing renewable energy policies. Economic Dimension Employment & Skills Biotechnology generates high-skill jobs in genomics, microbial technology, bioinformatics, and process engineering, supporting knowledge-economy growth. Innovation Economy Start-ups and R&D in biotech attract investments, patents, and global partnerships, strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem. Social Dimension Health & Food Security Biotech advances vaccines, diagnostics, fortified crops, and precision agriculture, improving public health and nutrition security. Rural Development Agri-biotech supports climate-resilient crops and bio-inputs, enhancing farmer incomes and sustainable rural livelihoods. Governance & Policy Dimension Policy Support India’s biotechnology push aligns with BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, Employment) and national sustainability missions. Skill Development Focus on biotech education and training builds human capital for future bio-industries. Technology Dimension Core Skills High demand for expertise in gene editing, microbial culture, fermentation tech, and data analytics for biotech innovation. Industry 5.0 Link Biotechnology integrates with AI, automation, and data science in Industry 5.0, enabling precision and efficiency. Challenges Regulatory Hurdles Biosafety regulations, ethical concerns, and approval delays can slow innovation. Funding Gaps High R&D costs and long gestation periods deter private investment. Skill Mismatch Rapid sector growth demands continuous upskilling. Way Forward R&D Investment Increase public–private biotech R&D funding and translational research support. Startup Ecosystem Strengthen incubators, venture funding, and industry–academia linkages. Sustainable Integration Promote bio-based alternatives in mainstream industries. AI Agents, “SaaSpocalypse” and Market Panic: Structural Shift or Overreaction? Why in News ? Claude Plugins Shock Markets Anthropic released 11 open-source plugins (Jan 30) for Claude Cowork enabling autonomous legal, finance, and compliance workflows, triggering fears of AI replacing software and labour, and causing sharp global tech stock sell-offs. Relevance GS 3 (Science & Tech) AI disruption and automation Agentic AI and future of work Digital economy transformation GS 3 (Economy — Core) IT sector vulnerability Employment and reskilling Business model shifts Basics & Core Keywords Agentic AI Agentic AI refers to AI systems that autonomously execute multi-step tasks, coordinate workflows, and make operational decisions with minimal human input, moving beyond chatbots to digital co-workers in enterprises. SaaS (Software as a Service) SaaS is a cloud-based software model charging per-user subscriptions; revenues depend on human “seats,” making it vulnerable if AI reduces human workforce dependence. SaaSpocalypse SaaSpocalypse, coined by Jefferies Group, describes fear that AI agents may replace traditional software usage itself, not merely enhance productivity, undermining seat-based revenue models. Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) HITL involves human oversight in AI decisions for validation, exception handling, ethics, and governance, especially in regulated sectors like finance, defence, and healthcare. Data & Evidence: Market Reaction Global Sell-off Nearly $285 billion market cap erased globally after announcement, showing sensitivity of tech valuations to AI disruption narratives. U.S. Software Impact Goldman Sachs software basket fell 6% (Feb 3); Thomson Reuters plunged 15.8%, LegalZoom 19.7%, RELX 14%, reflecting direct threat to legal/knowledge software. Indian Market Impact Nifty IT fell 5.87% in one day, wiping out nearly ₹2 lakh crore, steepest fall since March 2020; Infosys and TCS fell >7%. Technological Significance From Assistive to Autonomous Shift from AI assistants to autonomous agents marks transition from productivity tool to workflow executor, threatening service-based business models. Bloomberg GPT Benchmark BloombergGPT (50B parameters, 363B tokens) proved domain-specific AI can outperform general models in finance, setting precedent for vertical AI disruption. GitHub Coding Evidence Studies show ~4% of public GitHub commits authored by Claude Code, projected to reach 20% by year-end, indicating rapid AI penetration in coding. Economic & Business Model Impact Headcount Model at Risk India’s outsourcing relies on billing per employee; if one agent replaces teams, pricing models face structural repricing. Corporate Signals Salesforce paused hiring engineers/lawyers citing AI productivity; Goldman Sachs deploying AI for compliance and onboarding tasks. Capital Expenditure Paradox Contradiction noted by BofA: AI cannot both reduce capex and simultaneously replace all software; suggests overreaction. Employment Dimension Jobs at Risk Entry-level testing, maintenance, and compliance roles most vulnerable as they involve repetitive rule-based tasks. Reskilling Imperative Demand rising for AI architects, governance specialists, and HITL supervisors rather than traditional coders. Quantitative Signal TCS reportedly reduced workforce by ~11,000, and some firms cut fresher hiring from 80% to near zero in certain teams. Comparative Insight: DeepSeek Moment DeepSeek Precedent DeepSeek (Jan 2025) triggered Nvidia’s $589B single-day loss, yet stock recovered 58% within a year, showing panic cycles in AI markets. Expert’s View Bank of America and Gartner termed sell-off “overblown,” arguing enterprises won’t discard existing software investments quickly. Strategic Implications for India Need for Pivot Shift from labour arbitrage to AI deployment partnerships combining domain expertise with platforms. Competitive Advantage Indian firms possess deep domain knowledge in BFSI and healthcare, enabling HITL governance and AI integration services. Investment Signals TCS–TPG committed $2B for AI data centres; Wipro allocated $1B for AI360, showing gradual adaptation. Challenges Speed Gap Global firms integrating AI faster than Indian IT transition pace. Revenue Model Risk Seat-based billing vulnerable to automation. Skill Gap Large-scale reskilling required for AI system design. Way Forward AI Governance & HITL Build HITL centres for regulated sectors ensuring compliance and trust. Reskilling at Scale Train engineers in AI architecture and domain analytics. Platform Partnerships Collaborate with leading AI firms rather than compete at foundation-model level. Traditional Delicacies as Next “Makhana Moment” Why in News ? Cultural Visibility → Market Opportunity National spotlight on Chhattisgarh’s thethri and khurmi during a student interaction with the Prime Minister signals how cultural visibility can trigger market demand, branding, and value-chain development for regional foods. Relevance GS 3 (Economy ) Food processing and value addition Rural livelihoods and SHGs ODOP, PMFME, GI economy GS 1 (Culture ) Intangible cultural heritage Food culture and identity Basics & Core Keywords Traditional Delicacies Region-specific foods using local ingredients and customary methods; they encode ecological knowledge, seasonality, and community practices, forming part of intangible cultural heritage and local identity. “Makhana Moment” Makhana (fox nuts) evolved from a local snack to a national superfood through branding, GI support, and organised value chains; similar pathway can scale other regional foods. Value Addition Value addition involves processing, branding, packaging, and quality certification that increase product price and farmer/producer income beyond raw commodity sales. Case Focus: Thethri Made from besan (gram flour) and spices, deep-fried for low moisture and longer shelf life, enabling storage, transport, and small-scale commercialisation across regional markets. Cultural Embedment Linked to Diwali and harvest festivities, thethri carries ritual value, aiding storytelling-based branding and festival-driven demand spikes. Case Focus: Khurmi Prepared from jaggery, wheat flour, and semolina; jaggery adds iron and minerals, positioning khurmi as a traditional, less-refined sweet alternative to processed confectionery. Rural Suitability Simple ingredients and techniques allow SHGs and home enterprises to produce at scale with low capital, supporting decentralised rural industries. Economic Angle: From Snack to Sector Rural Livelihoods Scaling traditional snacks through SHGs/FPOs can generate non-farm rural income, especially for women; India has 80+ lakh SHGs linked to livelihoods missions. Domestic Market Potential India’s packaged snacks market exceeds $15–20 billion, growing with urban demand for ethnic and healthier options; regional products can capture niche segments. Export Possibility Ethnic foods ride diaspora demand; processed food exports from India cross $40 billion annually, indicating room for branded traditional snacks. “Next Makhana” Pathway GI & Branding GI tagging and state branding (like Bihar makhana) can signal authenticity, prevent imitation, and command price premiums for thethri/khurmi. Processing & Standards FSSAI-compliant units, standardised recipes, and hygienic packaging extend shelf life and enable retail/e-commerce entry. Cluster Development ODOP (One District One Product) and PMFME schemes can build clusters for traditional foods, linking credit, training, and marketing. Nutrition & Sustainability Clean-Label Advantage Traditional snacks use short ingredient lists (besan, jaggery, grains), aligning with clean-label trends and reduced ultra-processed consumption. Local Sourcing Using local grains/pulses reduces transport emissions and supports circular local economies. Governance & Policy Linkages Scheme Convergence Converge PMFME, NRLM, ODOP, and GI promotion for end-to-end support from production to branding. Tourism Link Culinary trails and state festivals can anchor food tourism, boosting regional economies. Challenges Quality Consistency Variability in taste and hygiene can limit scale; requires training and SOPs. Commercial Dilution Over-sweetening, additives, or ingredient substitution may erode authenticity and nutrition. Market Access Small producers face logistics and retail entry barriers without aggregator platforms. Way Forward Brand-Build-Scale Create state-backed brands, storytelling labels, and influencer marketing to build recognition. Digital Commerce Use ONDC and e-commerce for pan-India reach with small-batch producers. Capacity Building Train SHGs in food safety, packaging, and financial literacy for sustainable scaling. Value Addition Rural Economy India has 80+ lakh SHGs, many engaged in food processing. Food processing contributes ~13% of manufacturing GVA. Market Size Indian packaged snacks market: US$15–20B and growing. Processed food exports: US$40B+ annually. GI & Branding Impact GI-tagged products often see 20–40% price premium. India has 500+ GI tags, many food-related. Tourism Link Culinary tourism is a growing niche within India’s US$200B+ tourism economy.

Feb 7, 2026 Daily PIB Summaries

PIB Summaries 07 February 2026

Content Arbitration Council Of India (ACI) 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) Scheme Arbitration Council Of India (ACI) Legal Foundation Statutory Origin Arbitration Council of India (ACI) is a proposed statutory regulator created through Part IA (Sections 43A–43M) inserted by the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019 to institutionalise arbitration governance in India. Parent law, Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, is based on UNCITRAL Model Law, promoting party autonomy, minimal judicial intervention, and globally harmonised commercial dispute resolution standards. ACI envisaged as a seven-member body with Chairperson, arbitration experts, and government nominees, aiming to combine domain expertise with regulatory oversight in arbitration governance. Despite statutory mandate since 2019, ACI remains unconstituted, reflecting implementation deficit and raising concerns regarding legal reform credibility and governance accountability. Relevance GS 2 (Polity & Governance) Judicial reforms, ADR mechanisms, institutional arbitration, and legal system efficiency. Rule of law, contract enforcement, ease of doing business, and governance accountability. Balance between regulatory oversight and arbitral independence. Mandate and Functions Core Responsibilities ACI frames policies for grading arbitral institutions, setting quality benchmarks, and professionalising arbitration, similar to models in Singapore and UK arbitration regimes. Recognises professional bodies for accrediting arbitrators, standardising qualifications, ethics, and competency, addressing weaknesses of India’s ad-hoc arbitration culture. Conducts training, workshops, and courses to build arbitration capacity, strengthening legal human capital and supporting knowledge-based dispute resolution ecosystem. Maintains depository of arbitral awards and promotes research, enabling data-driven policy-making and evidence-based arbitration reforms. Reform Context in Indian Arbitration Evolution Since 1996 1996 Act replaced Arbitration Act, 1940, shifting from court-centric litigation to modern arbitration aligned with liberalised economy and global trade requirements. 2015 Amendment introduced Section 29A timelines, neutrality disclosures, and narrowed public policy grounds, improving award enforceability and investor confidence. 2019 Amendment promoted institutional arbitration, introduced confidentiality (Section 42A) and arbitrator immunity, encouraging structured dispute resolution mechanisms. 2021 Amendment removed automatic stay on awards except in fraud or corruption, strengthening enforcement and reducing delay tactics. Linkage with India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC) Institutional Ecosystem India International Arbitration Centre Act, 2019 established IIAC as an autonomous institution to deliver world-class arbitration services and position India as global arbitration seat. IIAC provides empanelled arbitrators, administrative support, and modern facilities at cost-effective rates, reducing dependence on foreign seats like Singapore and London. Adoption by CPSEs — ONGC, GAIL, BPCL (2024–25) institutionalises arbitration in public contracts, improving commercial certainty and reducing litigation burden. Outreach through conferences, debates, exporter webinars, ADR publications reflects policy push toward mainstreaming institutional arbitration. Governance and Administrative Significance Justice Delivery Impact With over 5 crore pending cases in Indian courts, arbitration supports Article 39A goal of speedy and affordable justice. Institutional arbitration ensures transparent appointments, procedural consistency, and rule-based dispute resolution, strengthening trust in commercial justice systems. Predictable dispute resolution improves government contracting, reduces project delays, and enhances administrative efficiency. Economic Relevance Investment Climate Strong arbitration improves contract enforcement, a key factor influencing FDI inflows and cross-border commercial confidence. Global arbitration hubs earn significant legal services revenue; domestic ecosystem can retain high-value dispute resolution expenditure. Faster dispute settlement benefits export sectors, supporting India’s expanding global trade ambitions. Challenges and Criticisms Structural Gaps Non-constitution of ACI weakens reform momentum and creates regulatory vacuum in institutional arbitration quality control. Experts warn of excessive government control in ACI potentially undermining independence and party autonomy, core arbitration principles. Limited trained arbitrators and uneven institutional capacity restrict India’s competitiveness against global arbitration centres. Way Forward Reform Directions Expedite ACI constitution with credible arbitration experts, ensuring functional independence and transparency. Promote mandatory institutional arbitration clauses in major public contracts to reduce ad-hoc arbitration. Expand training, certification, and ethics regulation with global collaborations. Scale online dispute resolution (ODR) and digital arbitration platforms aligned with Digital India reforms. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Types ADR refers to non-judicial mechanisms for resolving disputes quickly, cost-effectively, and with minimal procedural complexity. Recognised under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. 1) Arbitration Dispute decided by a neutral arbitrator or arbitral tribunal. Decision (arbitral award) is binding and enforceable like a court decree. Can be institutional (e.g., arbitration centres) or ad-hoc. Used heavily in commercial and international disputes. 2) Conciliation Neutral conciliator actively suggests solutions and settlement terms. More interventionist than mediation. Settlement agreement has legal status of arbitral award under the 1996 Act. Common in commercial and contractual disputes. 3) Mediation Neutral mediator facilitates dialogue; does not impose a decision. Voluntary, confidential, and party-driven. Outcome becomes binding only if parties sign a settlement. Increasingly used in family, civil, and community disputes. 4) Negotiation Parties directly discuss to reach a mutually acceptable solution. No third-party involvement. Most informal and flexible ADR method. Often first step before formal ADR. 5) Lok Adalats (People’s Courts) Statutory ADR under Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Focus on compromise and settlement. Award is final, binding, and non-appealable. Effective in reducing judicial backlog. 6) Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Uses digital platforms, AI tools, and video conferencing. Suitable for e-commerce, fintech, and small-value disputes. Promoted under Digital India and e-Courts initiatives. 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) Scheme Legal–Policy Foundation Scheme Basis Central Sector Scheme on Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs launched in 2020 to collectivise small and marginal farmers, enhance bargaining power, and enable economies of scale in agriculture value chains. Implemented by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare with support of SFAC, NABARD, NCDC, reflecting convergence model combining credit, capacity building, and market linkage support for farmer collectives. FPOs legally registered under Companies Act, 2013 (Producer Company provisions) or Cooperative/Society laws, providing formal institutional identity, limited liability, and democratic member-driven governance structure. Scheme aligns with Doubling Farmers’ Income vision, SDG-1 (No Poverty) and SDG-2 (Zero Hunger) by improving farmer income realisation through aggregation and value addition. Relevance GS 3 (Agriculture & Economy) Agricultural marketing reforms, value chains, and income diversification. Economies of scale, agri-exports, and market-led agriculture transition. Linkages with e-NAM, food processing, and digital agriculture. Core Objectives Functional Goals Promote collectivisation of producers for better input procurement, technology adoption, and market access, reducing dependence on intermediaries and improving farm-gate price realisation. Strengthen post-harvest management, processing, branding, and exports, shifting farmers from subsistence cultivation toward commercial and value-chain oriented agriculture. Facilitate access to institutional credit, as individual smallholders often lack collateral and credit history, but FPOs improve creditworthiness through collective strength. Encourage cluster-based business organisations (CBBOs) to provide professional handholding, business planning, and managerial support for initial 5-year nurturing period. Current Status & Data Latest Figures 10,000 FPOs formed under scheme as of 1 January 2026, marking achievement of major institutional target in farmer collectivisation and rural economic organisation. 56.32 lakh farmers enrolled, indicating large-scale mobilisation of agrarian population into formal producer collectives, critical for structural transformation of fragmented landholding system. 21.96 lakh women farmers enrolled, reflecting significant gender inclusion, improving women’s role in decision-making, income control, and agri-entrepreneurship. 1,175 FPOs with 100% women members demonstrate targeted push toward women-led producer enterprises, aligning with gender empowerment and inclusive rural development goals. Governance & Administrative Significance Institutional Impact FPOs reduce transaction costs, enable bulk marketing, and improve integration with e-NAM and digital agriculture platforms, strengthening market efficiency and price discovery. Support government shift from price support–centric agriculture toward market-led income enhancement, reducing excessive MSP dependency over long term. Promote decentralised rural institutions, strengthening grassroots economic democracy and participatory development consistent with cooperative federalism and local empowerment principles. Economic Significance Income & Market Impact Aggregation through FPOs improves scale economies, lowering per-unit costs of inputs, logistics, storage, and processing, thereby enhancing farmer profitability and competitiveness. Facilitates entry into high-value agriculture—horticulture, dairy, fisheries, organic produce—diversifying income sources and reducing monoculture risk. Enhances export readiness through quality standardisation and traceability, supporting India’s agri-export targets under Agriculture Export Policy, 2018. Social & Ethical Dimensions Inclusion Value Women-centric FPOs improve financial inclusion, leadership participation, and social status of rural women, contributing to gender equity and household welfare improvements. Collective model reduces vulnerability of marginal farmers against price shocks, climate risks, and exploitative middlemen structures. Challenges & Criticisms Structural Gaps Many FPOs face weak managerial capacity, business planning gaps, and market intelligence deficits, affecting sustainability beyond government support period. Limited access to working capital and risk finance constrains scaling of operations and value-addition activities. Over-reliance on grants risks creating grant-dependent institutions rather than self-sustaining commercial entities. Market linkages often remain localised, limiting integration into national and global value chains. Way Forward Reform Directions Strengthen professional management, agri-business training, and digital literacy for FPO leaders to improve commercial viability. Expand credit guarantee mechanisms and blended finance models to attract private investment into FPO ecosystem. Integrate FPOs with food processing clusters, ONDC, and e-commerce platforms to widen market access. Promote women-led FPO federations to achieve scale, negotiation power, and policy visibility.

Feb 7, 2026 Daily Editorials Analysis

Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 07 February 2026

Content RBI maintains status quo, conserves policy ammunition Anthropic sends a message to Bengaluru: AI and India’s IT services model RBI maintains status quo, conserves policy ammunition Monetary Policy & Legal Framework Institutional Basis Reserve Bank of India (RBI) operates under RBI Act, 1934; Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) created via 2016 amendment, institutionalising flexible inflation targeting and rule-based monetary policy. MPC consists of 6 members (3 RBI + 3 Government nominees); decisions by majority vote with Governor’s casting vote, ensuring institutional balance between autonomy and accountability. India follows Flexible Inflation Targeting (FIT) with mandated CPI target 4% ±2% band (2–6%), notified by Government under Section 45ZA of RBI Act. Relevance GS 3 – Economy Monetary policy, inflation targeting, interest rates, liquidity management, capital flows, exchange rate stability. Growth–inflation trade-off, real interest rates, and macroeconomic stabilisation. Role of central banks in managing global spillovers and commodity shocks. Practice Question “In an uncertain global environment, central banks often prioritise policy credibility over short-term growth stimulus.”Discuss in the context of RBI’s recent status quo on policy rates.(250 Words) Current Policy Stance Status Quo Decision RBI kept policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25% (Feb 2026), continuing pause since Feb 2023, indicating cautious approach amid global uncertainty and evolving inflation-growth dynamics. Decision reflects strategy to preserve policy space (“policy ammunition”), allowing future rate actions if inflationary or growth shocks emerge domestically or globally. RBI assessment suggests inflation trajectory becoming manageable, reducing urgency for immediate rate cuts while ensuring credibility of inflation targeting framework. Inflation Dynamics Price Stability Context CPI inflation projected ~4% for FY27, aligning with RBI’s medium-term target, signalling relative price stability compared to post-pandemic and Ukraine-war driven inflation spikes. Core inflation softening indicates easing demand-side pressures, while food inflation volatility remains key risk due to climate variability and supply-side shocks. Stable inflation expectations strengthen real interest rate transmission, supporting macroeconomic credibility and currency stability. Growth Outlook GDP Projections RBI projects GDP growth ~7.2% for FY27, reflecting India’s position as fastest-growing major economy, supported by domestic demand, capex push, and services sector resilience. Lower global crude and commodity prices reduce imported inflation and input costs, improving corporate margins and household purchasing power. Potential improvement in capital flows expected if advanced economies like US and EU witness monetary easing cycles. Liquidity & Financial Conditions Liquidity Management RBI previously infused liquidity through CRR adjustments and OMOs, ensuring adequate system liquidity to support credit growth and financial stability. Despite earlier liquidity support, RBI remains cautious as excessive liquidity can rekindle inflationary pressures and asset price bubbles. Balancing liquidity with price stability reflects calibrated monetary management in uncertain global macroeconomic environment. External Sector Considerations Global Linkages US tariff policies and global trade uncertainty affect export outlook, though diversified export basket reduces concentrated vulnerability. Narrower interest rate differentials with US could influence capital flows and exchange rate stability, shaping RBI’s cautious stance. India’s strong forex reserves (historically above USD 600 billion range) provide buffer against external volatility. Governance & Economic Significance Policy Credibility Maintaining status quo signals policy predictability, anchoring investor confidence and financial market stability. Conservative approach protects against premature easing that may destabilise inflation expectations. Reinforces RBI’s reputation as credible inflation-targeting central bank among emerging markets. Challenges & Risks Structural Concerns Food inflation vulnerability due to monsoon variability and climate shocks remains persistent structural risk. Global financial volatility, geopolitical tensions, and commodity price swings could disrupt inflation trajectory. Tight policy for prolonged period may moderate private investment and consumption momentum. Way Forward Policy Priorities Maintain data-dependent monetary policy, avoiding rigid forward guidance amid volatile global macroeconomic environment. Strengthen supply-side measures in food management to reduce structural inflation drivers beyond monetary control. Improve monetary-fiscal coordination to ensure fiscal deficits do not counteract disinflation efforts. Deepen financial markets to enhance smoother transmission of policy rates. Anthropic sends a message to Bengaluru: AI and India’s IT services model Technological & Policy Context AI Disruption Basics Rapid advances in Generative AI (GenAI) are shifting software work from human-coded solutions toward AI-assisted and AI-generated outputs, challenging traditional labour-intensive IT services models. Firms like Anthropic and OpenAI demonstrate AI systems capable of coding, legal review, workflow planning, and analytics, expanding AI from assistance to partial task substitution in knowledge industries. India’s IT sector, built on outsourcing, cost arbitrage, and skilled manpower, now faces structural disruption as AI reduces need for large coding and support teams. Shift marks transition from “services-led digital economy” to “AI-augmented knowledge economy”, demanding policy and workforce adaptation. Relevance GS 3 – Economy & S&T AI-led productivity shifts, automation, and digital economy transformation. Impact on IT exports, employment, and business models. Innovation ecosystem, R&D, and strategic technology capacity. Practice Question “Generative AI may do to IT services what automation did to manufacturing.”Discuss implications for India’s growth and employment model.(250 Words) Economic Significance Growth Model Implications India’s IT-BPM sector contributes ~7–8% of GDP and over USD 200+ billion exports annually, making AI disruption macroeconomically significant for growth, forex, and employment. AI-driven automation may compress billing-hour models, pushing firms toward outcome-based pricing and high-value consulting rather than routine services. Productivity gains from AI can improve margins but may reduce entry-level hiring, affecting India’s demographic dividend utilisation. Stock market reactions, such as IT index declines, reflect investor concerns about medium-term revenue models and competitiveness. Employment & Social Dimensions Workforce Impact Routine coding, testing, and documentation roles face higher automation risk, especially entry-level positions forming bulk of Indian IT recruitment pipelines. However, AI creates demand for AI trainers, prompt engineers, data curators, and domain specialists, shifting skill composition rather than eliminating jobs entirely. Risk of job polarisation—high-skill AI roles grow while mid-skill routine jobs shrink—raising inequality and reskilling urgency. Large-scale reskilling aligns with NEP 2020 emphasis on digital and future skills. Governance & Regulatory Relevance Policy Interface India’s approach under Digital India and IndiaAI Mission seeks to build domestic AI capability, compute infrastructure, and datasets for strategic autonomy. Need for regulatory clarity on AI ethics, liability, and data protection under frameworks like Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Government role shifts toward enabler and regulator, ensuring innovation without harming employment stability or data sovereignty. Strategic & Global Dimensions Competitive Positioning Global AI race led by US and China may reshape digital value chains; India must avoid being confined to low-value segments. Opportunity to position India as hub for responsible AI, multilingual AI, and Global South solutions, leveraging large digital public infrastructure. AI capability increasingly linked with national power, productivity, and strategic autonomy. Challenges & Risks Structural Concerns Skill mismatch between current workforce and AI-driven demand may create short-term unemployment pressures. High dependence on foreign AI models risks technological dependence and data colonialism. SMEs may struggle to invest in AI adoption, widening digital divide within industry. Ethical concerns over algorithmic bias, surveillance, and accountability remain unresolved. Way Forward Reform Directions Scale up AI-focused skilling programs, integrating coding, statistics, and domain expertise through industry–academia collaboration. Incentivise R&D, domestic AI startups, and compute infrastructure to reduce import dependence. Promote human-in-the-loop AI systems ensuring augmentation rather than full automation. Develop clear AI governance framework balancing innovation, ethics, and labour transition support.

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