Daily Current Affairs & Analysis: PIB UPSC 07 October 2026
Comprehensive Prelims-cum-Mains 10-Topic Dossier covering official government releases, policies, technology, art & heritage, environment, and governance.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
🌱 1. Strategy for Environmental Economic Accounts in India (2026–2030)
⚡ Key Highlights:
- Strategic Roadmap: NSO, MoSPI released the ‘Strategy for Environmental-Economic Accounts in India 2026–2030’, succeeding the 2022–2026 strategy, featured in the official PIB UPSC 07 October 2026 release.
- Expanded Thematic Modules: Integrates Material Flow Accounts (MFAs), Ocean Accounts, Energy & Carbon Stock Accounts, Soil & Water Quality, Croplands, Urban Ecosystems, and Pollination Services.
- Global Accounting Alignment: Follows the UN System of Environmental-Economic Accounting Central Framework (SEEA-CF) and SEEA Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA-EA), while harmonizing with the upcoming 2025 System of National Accounts (SNA).
- Institutional Decentralization: Establishes Inter-Ministerial Technical Working Groups and supports State Directorates of Economics & Statistics (DES) to institutionalize Natural Resource Accounting (NRA) at the sub-national level.
🧠 Prelims Static Pointers:
- UN SEEA Framework: Adopted by the UN Statistical Commission (UNSC) as an international statistical standard. It pairs environmental data (physical & monetary) with standard national economic accounts (GDP).
- EnviStats India: MoSPI’s flagship annual environmental publication presenting physical asset accounts for forests, minerals, water, and land cover.
- Policy Relevance: Key to measuring "Green GDP" (GDP minus the monetary cost of natural capital depletion and environmental degradation) and tracking Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Target 14.
⚡ Practice MCQ 1: Environmental Economic Accounts
With reference to the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) in India, consider the following statements:
1. MoSPI is the nodal ministry implementing SEEA in India in alignment with UN statistical standards.
2. Material Flow Accounts (MFAs) and Ocean Accounts are core thematic pillars under India's 2026–2030 roadmap.
3. SEEA mandates the direct replacement of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with Green GDP in annual Union Budget presentations.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. MoSPI is the nodal ministry implementing SEEA in India in alignment with UN statistical standards.
2. Material Flow Accounts (MFAs) and Ocean Accounts are core thematic pillars under India's 2026–2030 roadmap.
3. SEEA mandates the direct replacement of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with Green GDP in annual Union Budget presentations.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
🏛️ PYQ: UPSC CSE 2012 (Economy & Environment)
What is "Green Accounting" or "Green GDP"?
Which of the following best describes the fundamental objective of Green National Accounting?
Which of the following best describes the fundamental objective of Green National Accounting?
Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY)
⚙️ 2. National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing (NSAM & NSAM 2.0)
⚡ Key Highlights:
- Vision & Targets: MeitY evaluated the National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing (NSAM), detailed under the PIB UPSC 07 October 2026 technology dossier, targeting a 5% global 3D printing market share, $1 Billion GDP addition, 100+ startups, and 500+ indigenous AM products.
- Skilling & Incubation Progress: Over 1.54 lakh individuals trained, 56 dedicated AM startups nurtured, and 65 indigenous technologies/materials commercialized across defense, aerospace, and medical engineering.
- Aerospace & Defense Breakthroughs: Agnikul Cosmos developed Agnibaan-SOrTeD, the world's first single-piece 3D-printed semi-cryogenic rocket engine. Indian Army deployed 3D-printed rapid permanent dwelling units in Ahmedabad Cantt and Eastern Ladakh.
- Construction & Healthcare Innovations: Deployment of Kelvin 6K Pro construction 3D printers utilizing eco-geopolymers and recycled concrete; production of patient-specific bioceramic bone implants. Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) received ₹20 lakh grants to integrate 3D printers in schools.
🧠 Prelims Static Pointers:
- Additive vs Subtractive Manufacturing: Additive builds objects layer-upon-layer from Computer-Aided Design (CAD) files, eliminating tooling costs and reducing raw material waste by up to 90% compared to traditional subtractive CNC milling.
- Key AM Technologies: Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Stereolithography (SLA), and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).
- Nodal Centers: National Centre for Additive Manufacturing (NCAM) Hyderabad and Maker Village Kochi driving indigenous IP in metal powders and bio-resins.
⚡ Practice MCQ 2: Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)
Consider the following statements regarding the National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing (NSAM):
1. Additive manufacturing constructs components layer-by-layer directly from 3D digital design data.
2. The strategy explicitly promotes indigenous intellectual property in metal powders and bio-compatible resins.
3. Additive manufacturing cannot be deployed in structural aerospace or high-load rocketry components.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. Additive manufacturing constructs components layer-by-layer directly from 3D digital design data.
2. The strategy explicitly promotes indigenous intellectual property in metal powders and bio-compatible resins.
3. Additive manufacturing cannot be deployed in structural aerospace or high-load rocketry components.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
🏛️ PYQ: UPSC CSE 2018 (Science & Technology)
"3D printing" has applications in which of the following?
1. Preparation of confectionery items
2. Manufacture of bionic ears
3. Automotive industry
4. Reconstructive surgeries
5. Data processing technologies
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1. Preparation of confectionery items
2. Manufacture of bionic ears
3. Automotive industry
4. Reconstructive surgeries
5. Data processing technologies
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
🎬 3. IICT Mumbai & 'Create with AI' Initiative in Filmmaking
⚡ Key Highlights:
- National Centre of Excellence (NCoE): The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT, Mumbai) is the apex NCoE for the AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) sector, set up at Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari (Film City), Mumbai.
- 'Create with AI' Showcase: IICT and YouTube debuted four pioneering AI-generated short films:
- Chekavar: Historical drama recreating the 1741 Battle of Colachel where King Marthanda Varma of Travancore defeated the Dutch East India Company.
- CHANAKYA: Epic political narrative utilizing synthetic AI character modeling.
- DEVI: The Nine Astras: Indigenous mythological fantasy developed in real-time game engines.
- Laika: Emotional sci-fi narrative exploring early space exploration.
- Creator Economy Metrics: Gen Media India report reveals generative AI workflows save content creators ~390 hours annually, yielding an average 20% productivity increase.
🧠 Prelims Static Pointers:
- Historical Context (Battle of Colachel 1741): Fought between the Kingdom of Travancore and the Dutch East India Company (VOC). It marked the first instance of an Asian kingdom decisively defeating an organized European naval colonial power in India.
- AVGC Promotion Task Force: Constituted under MIB to establish institutional standards, National Centres of Excellence, and skilling curricula under NEP 2020.
- IndiaAI Mission: Approved with an outlay of ₹10,372 crore to build sovereign compute infrastructure, AI datasets, and foundation models.
⚡ Practice MCQ 3: AVGC-XR & Artificial Intelligence
Consider the following statements regarding the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT):
1. It has been set up as a National Centre of Excellence for the AVGC-XR sector under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
2. Generative AI tools in cinematography assist in pre-visualization, synthetic scene generation, and vocal rendering.
3. India currently prohibits the integration of artificial intelligence in commercial media and entertainment.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. It has been set up as a National Centre of Excellence for the AVGC-XR sector under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
2. Generative AI tools in cinematography assist in pre-visualization, synthetic scene generation, and vocal rendering.
3. India currently prohibits the integration of artificial intelligence in commercial media and entertainment.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
🏛️ PYQ: UPSC CSE 2020 (Science & Technology)
With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?
1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
2. Create meaningful short stories and songs
3. Disease diagnosis
4. Text-to-Speech conversion
5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
2. Create meaningful short stories and songs
3. Disease diagnosis
4. Text-to-Speech conversion
5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Ministry of Culture
🎨 4. PM Mementos Auction & 4,000-Year-Old Dhokra Art of Chhattisgarh
⚡ Key Highlights:
- e-Auction for Namami Gange: The 8th edition of the Prime Minister's mementos e-auction (`pmmementos.gov.in`) directs all proceeds toward the Clean Ganga Fund (Namami Gange Project).
- Showcase of Chhattisgarh Tribal Crafts: Prominently features 16 traditional art forms from Bastar and Raigarh, led by the ancient Dhokra Craft.
- Technological Continuity: Dhokra utilizes the cire perdue (lost-wax) technique, handcrafting non-ferrous bell-metal artifacts using beeswax, clay cores, and open-pit furnaces. It has a continuous 4,000-year lineage tracing back to the Harappan bronze 'Dancing Girl' of Mohenjo-daro.
- Other Distinctive Heritage Items:
- Ramnami Samaj Stole: Sacred white fabric inscribed entirely with "Ram Ram" in black ink, representing an anti-caste devotional movement founded in the 1890s in Chhattisgarh.
- Madia-Madin Tribal Bust: Depicting the Abujhmadia Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) wearing traditional bison-horn headgear.
- Bastar Iron Craft (Loha Shilp): Wrought iron sculptures crafted from recycled scrap metal without mechanical welding.
🧠 Prelims Static Pointers:
- GI Tagged Status: Bastar Dhokra (Bastar, Chhattisgarh) holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag under the Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999.
- Artisan Communities: Practiced primarily by the Ghadwa community in Bastar and Jhara artisans in Raigarh.
- Non-Replicable Feature: Because the outer clay mold is intentionally broken to extract the finished brass/bronze casting, every Dhokra piece is an irreproducible original.
⚡ Practice MCQ 4: Dhokra Metal Craft
Regarding the traditional craft of "Dhokra", consider the following statements:
1. It is a non-ferrous metal casting craft using the ancient lost-wax technique.
2. The craft shares technological lineage with the bronze 'Dancing Girl' of Mohenjo-daro.
3. In Dhokra casting, the reusable terracotta molds allow mass identical reproduction of figurines.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. It is a non-ferrous metal casting craft using the ancient lost-wax technique.
2. The craft shares technological lineage with the bronze 'Dancing Girl' of Mohenjo-daro.
3. In Dhokra casting, the reusable terracotta molds allow mass identical reproduction of figurines.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
🏛️ PYQ: UPSC CSE 2021 (Art & Culture)
With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs of traditional crafts and their associated regions:
1. Dhokra Art — Bastar (Chhattisgarh)
2. Rogan Painting — Kutch (Gujarat)
3. Khavda Pottery — Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu)
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
1. Dhokra Art — Bastar (Chhattisgarh)
2. Rogan Painting — Kutch (Gujarat)
3. Khavda Pottery — Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu)
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
🌾 5. India–Ghana Agricultural Partnership & South-South Cooperation
⚡ Key Highlights:
- Bilateral Research Pact: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) signed a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ghana’s CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI, Kumasi) to advance agricultural science, climate adaptation, and post-harvest engineering.
- Horticultural & Tuber Research: Focuses on transferring high-yielding, heat-tolerant tomato lines (ICAR-IIHR Arka series) and value-addition protocols for tropical root crops (cassava, yam, cocoyam) developed by ICAR-CTCRI Thiruvananthapuram.
- Cold Chain & Mechanization: Facilitates joint deployment of decentralized solar-powered cold storages and small-farm mechanization equipment tailored for West African smallholders.
- South-South Solidarity: Strengthens India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) commitments by sharing open-access agro-technologies without restrictive intellectual property barriers.
🧠 Prelims Static Pointers:
- ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research): Autonomous body established in 1929 (as Imperial Council of Agricultural Research) under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, operating under DARE (MoA&FW).
- Africa's Staple Root Crops: Cassava (*Manihot esculenta*) is a drought-hardy carbohydrate source crucial for food security across Sub-Saharan Africa.
- IAFS Framework: The India-Africa Forum Summit serves as the apex multilateral mechanism guiding development credit (Lines of Credit via EXIM Bank) and agricultural technical training.
⚡ Practice MCQ 5: India-Africa Cooperation
In the context of India's agricultural diplomacy and South-South Cooperation, which of the following best reflects the core objective of ICAR's institutional partnerships in Africa?
🏛️ PYQ: UPSC CSE 2016 (International Relations)
Consider the following statements regarding the 'India-Africa Forum Summit':
1. It serves as an official platform for African-Indian relations within South-South Cooperation.
2. Agriculture, healthcare, and digital skilling form pivotal pillars of India's development compact with Africa.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. It serves as an official platform for African-Indian relations within South-South Cooperation.
2. Agriculture, healthcare, and digital skilling form pivotal pillars of India's development compact with Africa.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
🦁 6. Central Zoo Authority (CZA) & Regional Zookeeper Capacity Building
⚡ Key Highlights:
- Capacity Building Program: The Central Zoo Authority (CZA), in partnership with the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM, Bhopal), conducted a regional 3-day zookeeper training program at Van Vihar National Park & Zoo (Bhopal).
- Core Focus: Veterinary care standards, captive animal welfare, modern enclosure enrichment, and biosecurity protocols to prevent zoonotic transmission in ex-situ facilities.
- Conservation Breeding Mandate: CZA coordinates scientific conservation breeding for 73 critically endangered Indian species (including the Asiatic Lion, Snow Leopard, Great Indian Bustard, and Pygmy Hog).
🧠 Prelims Static Pointers:
- Statutory Origin: Constituted under Section 38A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (inserted via the 1991 Amendment).
- Organizational Structure: Chaired by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change; comprises up to 10 members and a Member Secretary.
- Regulatory Powers (Section 38H): No zoo in India can operate without recognition from the CZA. It has the authority to derecognize sub-standard zoos and order the rehabilitation of animals.
- National Studbooks: Maintains detailed pedigree databases to prevent inbreeding depression in captive endangered animal populations.
⚡ Practice MCQ 6: Central Zoo Authority
Consider the following statements regarding the Central Zoo Authority (CZA):
1. It is a statutory body constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. No zoo in India can operate without obtaining recognition from the Central Zoo Authority.
3. It maintains the National Studbooks for coordinating conservation breeding programs of endangered fauna.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. It is a statutory body constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. No zoo in India can operate without obtaining recognition from the Central Zoo Authority.
3. It maintains the National Studbooks for coordinating conservation breeding programs of endangered fauna.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
🏛️ PYQ: UPSC CSE 2014 / 2022 (Environment Institutions)
With reference to the statutory bodies in India, consider the following statements:
1. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
2. Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
2. Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Prime Minister's Office / MHA / DARPG
🏛️ 7. 25 Years of Governance Reforms & Public Administration Paradigm
⚡ Key Highlights:
- 25-Year Governance Retrospective (2001–2026): Commemorating 25 continuous years of citizen-centric administrative reforms tracing back to 7 October 2001.
- Disaster Risk Governance: Reconstruction of earthquake-devastated Kutch (2001) established global standards in Owner-Driven Reconstruction (ODR), aligning with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
- Infrastructure & Feeder Segregation: Jyotigram Yojana (2006) pioneered rural power feeder segregation, ensuring 24x7 3-phase power for domestic lighting while supplying regulated scheduled power for farm tube-wells.
- Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Evolution of the JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) executing direct welfare transfers across 300+ central schemes, eradicating ghost beneficiaries and fiscal leakages.
- Capacity Building: Mission Karmayogi (National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building) driving competency-based civil service training via the iGOT platform.
🧠 Prelims Static Pointers:
- Good Governance Index (GGI): Bi-annual assessment released by DARPG covering 10 governance sectors (Agriculture, Commerce, HRD, Public Health, Infrastructure, Economic Governance, Social Welfare, Judiciary, Environment, Citizen-Centric Governance).
- NeSDA (National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment): Evaluates state and central portal efficiency across service accessibility, content availability, ease of use, and security.
- Constitutional Foundations: Article 38 & 39 (DPSPs) directing the state to secure a social order promoting welfare and minimizing income inequalities.
⚡ Practice MCQ 7: Governance Reforms
Regarding modern public administration and e-governance reforms in India, consider the following statements:
1. The JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) serves as the core digital pipeline for Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT).
2. The Good Governance Index (GGI) is published biennially by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
3. Feeder segregation in rural electrification separates domestic lighting load from agricultural irrigation power supplies.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. The JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) serves as the core digital pipeline for Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT).
2. The Good Governance Index (GGI) is published biennially by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
3. Feeder segregation in rural electrification separates domestic lighting load from agricultural irrigation power supplies.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
🏛️ PYQ: UPSC CSE 2021 (Governance & Economy)
With reference to the "Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)" scheme, consider the following statements:
1. It aims to eliminate intermediaries and curb leakages in the delivery of welfare subsidies.
2. Aadhaar payment bridge system facilitates credit directly into the bank accounts of authenticated beneficiaries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. It aims to eliminate intermediaries and curb leakages in the delivery of welfare subsidies.
2. Aadhaar payment bridge system facilitates credit directly into the bank accounts of authenticated beneficiaries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Ministry of Steel / Health & Family Welfare
🧠 8. Workplace Mental Health & 'Peace of Mind' at Workplace
⚡ Key Highlights:
- Mini Chintan Shivir: The Ministry of Steel organized a specialized workshop on 'Peace of Mind at Workplace', focusing on stress mitigation, occupational ergonomics, and institutional mental health for public sector executives.
- Sankalp Se Siddhi Framework: Promotes mental resilience, institutional empathy, and positive public management practices in public sector enterprises (SAIL, NMDC, RINL).
- World Mental Health Context: Organized leading up to World Mental Health Day (10 October), emphasizing psychological well-being as a determinant of administrative output.
🧠 Prelims Static Pointers:
- Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States): 24x7 toll-free mental health helpline (14416 / 1800-891-4416) launched in October 2022. Apex nodal agency is NIMHANS (Bengaluru) with technology support from IIIT-Bangalore.
- Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: Enforces the Right to Mental Healthcare (Section 18). It effectively decriminalized attempts to commit suicide by establishing a legal presumption of severe stress (superseding Section 309 of IPC).
- KIRAN Helpline: 24x7 mental health rehabilitation toll-free helpline (1800-599-0019) administered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (DEPwD).
⚡ Practice MCQ 8: National Mental Health Initiatives
With reference to mental healthcare initiatives in India, consider the following statements:
1. The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 explicitly decriminalized attempt to commit suicide under Section 309 of the IPC.
2. Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) operates as a 24x7 free tele-mental health service.
3. NIMHANS Bengaluru serves as the apex nodal centre for Tele-MANAS.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 explicitly decriminalized attempt to commit suicide under Section 309 of the IPC.
2. Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) operates as a 24x7 free tele-mental health service.
3. NIMHANS Bengaluru serves as the apex nodal centre for Tele-MANAS.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
🏛️ PYQ: UPSC CSE 2023 (Social Justice & Health)
Consider the following statements regarding the 'National Tele Mental Health Programme' (Tele-MANAS):
1. It was announced in the Union Budget to provide access to quality mental health counseling across the country.
2. International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) provides technological support for the platform.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. It was announced in the Union Budget to provide access to quality mental health counseling across the country.
2. International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) provides technological support for the platform.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways
⚓ 9. Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) & Maritime Amrit Kaal
⚡ Key Highlights:
- GTTP Decarbonization Mandate: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) reviewed the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) to phase out diesel harbour tugs and replace them with zero/low-emission tugs powered by Green Hydrogen, Battery-Electric systems, or Green Methanol.
- Target Timelines: Mandates that 50% of all tugs operating at Major Ports must convert to Green Tugs by 2030, and 100% by 2040.
- Initial Major Port Rollout: Phase 1 deployment across Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPA), Deendayal Port (Kandla), Paradip Port, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Tuticorin).
- Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: Envisions quadrupling port cargo handling capacity to 10,000 MTPA, achieving 100% green energy at major ports, and expanding coastal shipping modal share to 12%.
🧠 Prelims Static Pointers:
- NCoEGPS (National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping): Headquartered at Gurugram, Haryana, set up by MoPSW in partnership with TERI to drive maritime green technology research.
- Harit Nauka Guidelines: Strategic policy framework for green transition of all inland passenger vessels, ferries, and river cruise boats.
- IMO GHG Targets: Aligned with the International Maritime Organization's revised 2023 Strategy to achieve net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by or around 2050.
⚡ Practice MCQ 9: Green Tug Transition Programme
With reference to the 'Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP)', consider the following statements:
1. It aims to phase out conventional fossil fuel-powered tugs in major ports and replace them with green hybrid/electric vessels.
2. The National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) at Gurugram serves as its nodal research institution.
3. It is administered under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. It aims to phase out conventional fossil fuel-powered tugs in major ports and replace them with green hybrid/electric vessels.
2. The National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) at Gurugram serves as its nodal research institution.
3. It is administered under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
🏛️ PYQ: UPSC CSE 2017 (Infrastructure & Ports)
What is the primary objective of the 'Sagarmala Project'?
Ministry of Defence / Heavy Industries
🛡️ 10. Defence Indigenisation & Strategic Manufacturing
⚡ Key Highlights:
- Aatmanirbhar Defence Milestone: Annual domestic defence production reached an all-time high of ₹1.27 lakh crore, with defense exports crossing ₹21,000 crore to over 85 nations.
- Positive Indigenisation Lists (PILs): MoD has notified over 5,000 items across five Armed Forces PILs and five DPSU PILs, imposing phased import bans and reserving procurement exclusively for Indian domestic industry.
- DAP 2020 Procurement Hierarchy: Buy (Indian-IDDM) [Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured with ≥50% indigenous content] is accorded the highest priority over all other acquisition categories.
- iDEX & Innovation Funding: Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) provides grants up to ₹1.5 crore (and up to ₹10 crore under DISC and PRIME) to startups, MSMEs, and individual innovators.
- Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs): Dedicated corridors established in Uttar Pradesh (6 nodes: Agra, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow) and Tamil Nadu (5 nodes: Chennai, Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem, Tiruchirappalli).
🧠 Prelims Static Pointers:
- Strategic Partnership (SP) Model: Chapter VII of Defence Acquisition Procedure enabling Indian private enterprises to establish long-term manufacturing joint ventures with foreign OEMs for fighter aircraft, submarines, and armored vehicles.
- Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) Corporatization: 41 ordnance factories restructured into 7 fully government-owned Corporate Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) like Munitions India Ltd, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd, etc.
- FDI Limits: 74% FDI allowed under Automatic Route for defence manufacturing, and up to 100% via Government Approval Route where modern technology is accessed.
⚡ Practice MCQ 10: Defence Indigenisation
With reference to India's defence indigenisation policies, consider the following statements:
1. Under DAP, 'Buy (Indian-IDDM)' category is accorded the highest priority for capital equipment procurement.
2. Items notified under Positive Indigenisation Lists (PILs) are banned from direct foreign procurement after specified embargo timelines.
3. iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) provides funding grants exclusively to state-owned Defence PSUs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. Under DAP, 'Buy (Indian-IDDM)' category is accorded the highest priority for capital equipment procurement.
2. Items notified under Positive Indigenisation Lists (PILs) are banned from direct foreign procurement after specified embargo timelines.
3. iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) provides funding grants exclusively to state-owned Defence PSUs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
🏛️ PYQ: UPSC CSE 2019 (Security & Indigenisation)
What is the significance of the "Strategic Partnership (SP) Model" in India's defence procurement?
| ⚡ Prelims Quick Recall Fact Matrix (PIB UPSC 07 October 2026) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Topic / Initiative | Nodal Body / Statutory Basis | Key High-Yield Fact |
| SEEA India (2026–2030) | MoSPI / UN SEEA Framework | Pioneers Natural Resource Accounting (NRA) for Green GDP and ecosystem valuation. |
| NSAM 2.0 (3D Printing) | MeitY | Aims for 5% global AM share; powers rocket engines (Agnibaan) and high-altitude defense shelters. |
| IICT Mumbai (Create with AI) | Ministry of I&B / NCoE AVGC-XR | National Centre of Excellence fostering AI in cinema, saving ~390 creator hours annually. |
| Dhokra Metal Craft | Bastar, Chhattisgarh | Non-ferrous lost-wax (cire perdue) bell metal art tracing back 4,000 years to Harappan times. |
| India-Ghana Agriculture MoU | ICAR / MoA&FW & CSIR-CRI Ghana | South-South collaboration for cassava, yam, tomato lines, and solar cold storage transfer. |
| Central Zoo Authority (CZA) | Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 | Chaired by Union MoEFCC Minister; oversees captive zoo standards and conservation breeding. |
| 25 Years of Governance Reforms | PMO / DARPG / MHA | Evolution of citizen-centric delivery: Jyotigram Yojana, JAM Trinity, faceless tax & NeSDA. |
| Workplace Mental Health | Ministry of Steel / NIMHANS | Tele-MANAS digital tele-counseling support under Mental Healthcare Act 2017. |
| Green Tug Transition (GTTP) | MoPSW / NCoEGPS | 50% harbour tugs converted to green hydrogen/electric by 2030; 100% by 2040. |
| Defence Indigenisation | Ministry of Defence / DAP | Highest priority to 'Buy (Indian-IDDM)' and Positive Indigenisation Lists (PILs). |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (Prelims & Mains High-Yield)
The SEEA 2026–2030 strategy formulated by MoSPI institutionalizes Natural Resource Accounting (NRA) in India. It harmonizes environmental accounts (water, energy, forests, ocean ecosystems, carbon) with national income accounts, enabling policymakers to evaluate sustainable development and calculate Environmentally Adjusted GDP.
Traditional subtractive manufacturing carves, cuts, or mills out material from a larger block, generating substantial raw material waste. In contrast, Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) builds components layer-by-layer directly from digital 3D design files, minimizing waste and enabling complex monolithic geometries (such as single-piece rocket engines).
Dhokra art utilizes the lost-wax (cire perdue) process where a detailed wax model over a clay core is wrapped in a terracotta mold. When molten bell metal is poured, the wax melts away. Once cooled, the mold is permanently broken, ensuring that every handcrafted Dhokra artifact is unique and non-replicable.
The CZA is established under Section 38A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is chaired by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and includes up to 10 members plus a Member Secretary. It regulates zoo recognition, sets standards for veterinary care and housing, and manages studbooks for endangered species breeding.
Administered by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, GTTP aims to replace fossil-fueled harbour tugboats with green vessels (battery-electric, green hydrogen, or green methanol). Major Indian ports must convert 50% of their tugs by 2030 and achieve 100% green transition by 2040.
