📰 PIB Notes UPSC – 17 August 2026
📅 Monday, 17 August 2026
9 Topics Covered Today
📚 UDISE+ 2025-26 School Education Report
🚕 Bharat Taxi – Cooperative Ride-Hailing
🤝 SMILE Scheme
🎯 SEED Scheme – DNT/NT/SNT
🌾 India's Grasslands Guide – UNCCD COP17
🪖 MAITREE-XV Indo-Thai Exercise
⚓ INS Sudarshini – Lokayan 2026
💣 IN-USN EOD Exercise 2026
📡 7th BRICS ICT Meeting Pune
Ministry of Education – PIB Backgrounder
📚 UDISE+ 2025-26 Report – School Education Progress under NEP
📝 Key Notes
- UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus) — digital platform of Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L); launched in 2018-19
- Key data repository for tracking NEP 2020 implementation
- 2025-26 Report Coverage: 14.67 lakh schools, 1.03 crore teachers, 24.72 crore students
- Avg 7 teachers and 169 students per school
- Overall Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR): 24:1 — well within NEP 2020 benchmark of 30:1
- Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER):
- Secondary stage: 71.7%
- Middle stage: 89.6%
- Stage-wise enrolment distribution: Secondary 27.16%, Preparatory 25.60%, Middle 25.58%, Foundational 21.66%
- Stage-wise PTR (2025-26):
- Foundational: 10:1
- Preparatory: 12:1
- Middle: 17:1
- Secondary: 21:1
- Dropout Rates: Preparatory 1.8%, Middle 3.6%, Secondary 7.0% — declining trend
- Retention Rates: Foundational 98.5%, Preparatory 91.1%, Middle 83.7%, Secondary 51.9%
- Transition Rates: Foundational→Preparatory 99.2%, Preparatory→Middle 93.8%, Middle→Secondary 88.3%
- Single-teacher schools decreased by ~3% to 1,00,843; zero-enrolment schools dropped by 29% to 5,663
- Gender & Social Inclusion:
- Girls: 48.4% of total enrolment; Women teachers: 54.9%
- OBC 44.9%, General 27.5%, SC 17.7%, ST 10%
- CWSN — 57.16% boys, 42.84% girls
- Infrastructure — Schools with: Electricity 95%, Drinking water 99.5%, Girls' toilets 98.5%, Boys' toilets 97.2%, Libraries 90.5%, Computers 69.9%, Internet 67.4%, Ramps with handrails 58.2%, Rainwater harvesting 29.9%
24.72 Crore
Total Students Enrolled
24:1
Overall PTR (NEP norm: 30:1)
89.6%
Middle Stage GER
54.9%
Women Teachers Share
14.67 Lakh
Total Schools in India
–29%
Zero-Enrolment Schools YoY Decline
📋 Stage-wise Key Indicators (2025-26)
| Stage | PTR | Retention | Dropout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundational | 10:1 | 98.5% | — |
| Preparatory | 12:1 | 91.1% | 1.8% |
| Middle | 17:1 | 83.7% | 3.6% |
| Secondary | 21:1 | 51.9% | 7.0% |
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- UDISE+ launched in 2018-19; comprehensive school database under DoSE&L, Ministry of Education
- NEP 2020 introduced 5+3+3+4 school structure: Foundational (5 yrs), Preparatory (3), Middle (3), Secondary (4)
- NEP-recommended PTR: not more than 30:1; India's overall PTR of 24:1 exceeds this benchmark
- GER (Gross Enrolment Ratio) — ratio of students enrolled to eligible age-group population; can exceed 100% due to over/under-aged students
- CWSN = Children With Special Needs — key inclusive education indicator
- SC + ST enrolment together = 27.7% of total school enrolment
- DoSE&L — Department of School Education and Literacy; one of two departments under Ministry of Education (other: Higher Education)
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. As per the UDISE+ 2025-26 report, consider the following statements:
1. India's overall Pupil-Teacher Ratio is 24:1, which is within the NEP 2020 benchmark.
2. Girls constituted 48.4% of total school enrolment.
3. The dropout rate at the Secondary stage was 7.0%.
4. The Foundational stage has the highest stage-wise PTR at 21:1.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 4 is wrong — the Foundational stage has the lowest PTR at 10:1 (not highest). The Secondary stage has the highest PTR at 21:1. Lower PTR at foundational stage ensures better individual attention for young learners.
Ministry of Cooperation – PIB Backgrounder
🚕 Bharat Taxi – India's First Cooperative-Based Ride-Hailing Platform
📝 Key Notes
- Bharat Taxi — India's first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform
- Established on 6 June 2025 under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002
- Advances the vision of "Sahkar se Samriddhi"
- 8 founding cooperative institutions: NCDC, IFFCO, NABARD, KRIBHCO, Amul, NAFED, NDDB, NCEL
- Drivers called "Sarathis" — become member-owners; vision: "Saarthi Hi Maalik"
- Ownership by purchasing shares (₹100 each; minimum ₹500 = 5 shares)
- Reserved seats for Sarathi members on Board of Directors
- Zero-commission, surge-free pricing:
- Subscription-based model — Sarathis retain full fare earnings
- 20% of cooperative earnings credited to Sarathis' capital
- 80% distributed based on kilometres travelled
- Only 7% service charge at airport prepaid booths
- As of 25 July 2026: ~8 lakh registered Sarathis, ~41 lakh registered customers
- Operational in Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Jaipur, Kanpur, Pune
- Coming soon: Ranchi, Patna, Guwahati, Bhopal, Kolkata, Indore, Nagpur
- Target: Nationwide by 2029
- Ride Categories: 2-Wheeler (Bike Taxi), Auto, Economy Cab, Premium Sedan, XL Cab, Rentals, Out-Station, Scheduled Rides
- Women-Centric Initiatives:
- Sarathi Didi — women passengers choose rides with women drivers
- Bike Didi — 150+ women drivers joined by Feb 2026
- Digital Integration under Digital India: DigiLocker, UMANG, API Setu
- Partnerships: Delhi Traffic Police, Delhi Metro, Airport Authority, IFFCO Tokio, SBI, Paytm
- Social Security: eShram registration + Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (₹5 lakh medical cover) + personal accident insurance of ₹5 lakh via IFFCO Tokio
6 June 2025
Bharat Taxi Established
~8 Lakh
Registered Sarathis (July 2026)
~41 Lakh
Registered Customers
Zero Commission
Financial Model for Sarathis
2029
Nationwide Rollout Target
8 Founders
NCDC, IFFCO, NABARD, KRIBHCO, Amul, NAFED, NDDB, NCEL
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- Ministry of Cooperation — created in July 2021; separated from Ministry of Agriculture; promotes cooperative movement
- Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 — governs cooperatives operating across more than one state; ensures democratic functioning and autonomy
- NCDC (National Cooperative Development Corporation) — statutory body under Ministry of Cooperation; supports cooperative development
- NCEL (National Cooperative Exports Limited) — established 2023; promotes cooperative exports
- Sahkar se Samriddhi = Prosperity through Cooperation; guiding vision of Ministry of Cooperation
- India accounts for more than one-fourth of world's cooperatives
- DigiLocker — under MeitY; secure cloud-based digital document storage
- UMANG = Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance
- API Setu — open API platform for secure interoperable data sharing across e-governance
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. With reference to Bharat Taxi, consider the following statements:
1. It was established under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.
2. It follows a zero-commission model where Sarathis retain their fare earnings.
3. NCDC, IFFCO and NABARD are among its founding institutions.
4. The Sarathi Didi feature enables male passengers to choose women drivers.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 4 is wrong — the Sarathi Didi feature allows women passengers (not male passengers) to choose rides operated by women drivers, enhancing safety and comfort for female commuters.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
🤝 SMILE Scheme – Rehabilitation of Marginalised Individuals
📝 Key Notes
- SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) — Umbrella Central Sector Scheme
- Rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging + Welfare of Transgender persons
- Sub-scheme for persons engaged in begging launched 12 February 2022
- Vision: "BhikshaVrittiMukt Bharat" (Begging-Free India)
- 42,589 identified/surveyed; 12,710 rehabilitated
- Covers medical facilities, counselling, education, skill development, livelihood
- Transgender Welfare Component:
- 23 Garima Grehs established across 17 States/UTs (shelter homes)
- 1,041 transgender persons rehabilitated through Garima Grehs (last 3 years)
- 33,303 identity cards issued via National Portal for Transgender Persons
- 147 AB PM-JAY transgender cards issued (via NHA MoU)
- 725 got skill development training; 150 got Entrepreneurship Development training
- 3 National Transgender Employment Melas — 223 beneficiaries
- Institutional mechanisms:
- Transgender Protection Cells in 27 States/UTs
- 30 Transgender Welfare Boards set up by States/UTs
- Third-party evaluation by NIRDPR, Hyderabad (Sep-Oct 2025) — findings incorporated for 16th Finance Commission cycle (2026-27 to 2030-31)
42,589
Persons Identified/Surveyed (Begging)
12,710
Rehabilitated (Begging Sub-Scheme)
23 Garima Grehs
Transgender Shelter Homes (17 States/UTs)
33,303
Transgender Identity Cards Issued
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- SMILE is a Central Sector Scheme (100% central funding); different from Centrally Sponsored Schemes
- Garima Greh — shelter homes for transgender persons providing food, medical care, recreational facilities, skill development, and livelihood support
- National Portal for Transgender Persons — issues transgender certificates under Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019
- Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY — world's largest govt-funded health insurance scheme; ₹5 lakh per family per year
- NIRDPR (National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj) — HQ Hyderabad; conducts third-party scheme evaluations
- SMILE-BEGGARY portal — dedicated portal for the sub-scheme on begging rehabilitation
- 16th Finance Commission cycle: 2026-27 to 2030-31 (5-year cycle for Central Sector scheme continuation)
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. Which of the following statements about the SMILE Scheme is/are correct?
1. It is an Umbrella Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
2. It includes a sub-scheme for comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of begging.
3. Garima Greh shelters are provided under the scheme for destitute transgender persons.
Select the correct answer:
All three statements are correct. SMILE is indeed an Umbrella Central Sector Scheme covering both the sub-scheme for begging rehabilitation (aiming for BhikshaVrittiMukt Bharat) and the Transgender Persons Welfare component (which includes Garima Greh shelter homes established across 17 States/UTs).
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
🎯 SEED Scheme – Empowerment of DNT/NT/SNT Communities
📝 Key Notes
- SEED (Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs) — implemented for welfare of De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities
- Implemented by Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC)
- DWBDNC constituted in February 2019
- National Commission for DNT, NT & SNT constituted in January 2015; submitted report in December 2017
- Four Components of SEED Scheme:
- Quality coaching for DNT candidates for competitive examinations
- Health insurance for DNT communities
- Community-level livelihood initiatives
- Financial assistance for construction of houses
4 Components
Education, Health, Livelihood, Housing
Feb 2019
DWBDNC Constituted
Jan 2015
National Commission Constituted
Dec 2017
National Commission Submitted Report
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- DNTs (De-notified Tribes) — communities notified as "criminal tribes" under Criminal Tribes Act, 1871; de-notified after independence (1952)
- NTs (Nomadic Tribes) — communities traditionally following nomadic lifestyle
- SNTs (Semi-Nomadic Tribes) — communities with partly nomadic lifestyle
- Renke Commission (2008) — earlier commission on DNTs; recommendations shaped later welfare policies
- Idate Commission (2015) — the National Commission that submitted its report in Dec 2017; led to DWBDNC formation
- DNTs/NTs/SNTs face historical stigma and lack of documentation; SEED addresses socio-economic gaps
- Distinct from ST classification — many DNTs are classified as SC, ST, OBC or Others across different states
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. The SEED Scheme is implemented for the welfare of which communities, and by which institutional body?
SEED targets De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic (DNT/NT/SNT) communities — implemented by DWBDNC (Development and Welfare Board for DNTs) constituted in February 2019, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The scheme has four components: education, healthcare, livelihoods, and housing.
Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
🌾 India's First Grasslands & ONE Guide Launched at UNCCD COP17
📝 Key Notes
- India launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) of India
- Venue: UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on 17 August 2026
- Video message by Shri Bhupender Yadav, Environment Minister
- Key message: Grasslands, scrublands and ravines historically judged as "wasteland" for absence of trees — but shelter unique species and sustain pastoral communities
- Minister recalled traditional Oran and gauchar landscapes of Rajasthan
- "Healthy grasslands are indispensable for biodiversity, livelihoods and climate resilience"
- Organised by ATREE (Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment) in collaboration with:
- IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
- CoE-SLM (Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management)
- ICFRE (Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education)
- SAC, ISRO (Space Applications Centre)
- ONEs covered: Himalayan & Terai grasslands, Thar & Banni landscapes, Deccan savannas, rocky plateaus, ravines, scrublands, coastal ecosystems, desert landscapes
- Thematic sections: pastoralism, fire ecology, carbon sequestration
- Ecological role: Support biodiversity, soil/water processes, store substantial soil carbon, sustain pastoral livelihoods
- Contributes to India's Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets
UNCCD COP17
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
First-Ever Guide
India's Grasslands & ONE Guide
Oran / Gauchar
Traditional Rajasthan Landscapes
ATREE + IUCN
Key Organisations for Publication
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) — one of the 3 Rio Conventions (with UNFCCC and CBD); adopted 1994; India ratified 1996
- UNCCD COP17 — held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in 2026; India hosted COP14 in New Delhi (2019)
- LDN (Land Degradation Neutrality) — UNCCD's key goal under SDG 15.3; India committed to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030
- ATREE — Bangalore-based research institution focusing on ecology and environment
- IUCN — global authority on nature conservation; publishes IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- ICFRE — under MoEFCC; HQ Dehradun; also administers Green Credit Programme
- SAC (Space Applications Centre) — ISRO's premier centre for space applications; HQ Ahmedabad
- Oran — sacred community-conserved grasslands/forests in Rajasthan; traditional biodiversity conservation practice
- Banni Grasslands — in Kutch, Gujarat; one of India's largest tropical grasslands; home to Maldharis
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. With reference to India's Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems launched at UNCCD COP17, consider the following:
1. The Guide was launched in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in August 2026.
2. It covers Himalayan grasslands, Thar landscapes, Deccan savannas and coastal ecosystems.
3. ATREE partnered with IUCN, CoE-SLM, ICFRE and SAC-ISRO for its publication.
4. The Guide is directly linked to India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under UNFCCC.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 4 is wrong — the Guide is linked to India's Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets under UNCCD, not NDCs under UNFCCC. UNCCD, UNFCCC and CBD are three separate Rio Conventions with distinct commitments. LDN is a specific UNCCD goal under SDG 15.3.
Ministry of Defence – Indian Army
🪖 Exercise MAITREE-XV – 15th India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise
📝 Key Notes
- MAITREE-XV (2026) — 15th India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise
- Venue: Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp, Surat Thani, Thailand
- Dates: 18 to 31 August 2026
- Instituted in 2006
- Previous edition (14th): held at Foreign Training Node, Umroi, Meghalaya in September 2025
- Contingent strength: 85 personnel each from India and Thailand
- Indian Army: primarily 9 Gorkha Rifles
- Royal Thai Army: 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division
- Focus: Company-level joint training for operations in jungle and semi-urban terrain
- Combined capabilities in Counter-Insurgency/Counter-Terrorism Operations
- Under Chapter VII of UN Charter
- Activities: Field exercises, combat discussions, lectures, demonstrations, validation exercise
MAITREE-XV
15th India-Thailand Exercise (2026)
Surat Thani
Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp, Thailand
85 Each
Contingent Strength (India + Thailand)
Since 2006
Year of Institution
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- MAITREE — flagship India-Thailand joint military exercise; started 2006
- 9 Gorkha Rifles — famous Indian Army infantry regiment with Gorkha soldiers; known for jungle warfare expertise
- Chapter VII of UN Charter — "Action with respect to Threats to the Peace"; provides for UN Security Council authorized military action
- Umroi — Foreign Training Node in Meghalaya; hosts many international joint exercises with India
- Other key India-Thailand engagements: Sea Vigil-IME, SIAM BHARAT (Air Force), joint naval patrols
- India-Thailand relations: Both partners in ASEAN Regional Forum, BIMSTEC, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. Exercise MAITREE, whose 15th edition began in August 2026, is a joint military exercise between India and which country?
Exercise MAITREE is a joint military exercise between India and Thailand, instituted in 2006. MAITREE-XV (2026) is being held from 18-31 August 2026 at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp, Surat Thani, Thailand. It focuses on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in jungle and semi-urban terrain under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
Ministry of Defence – Indian Navy
⚓ INS Sudarshini – Lokayan 2026 (Port Call at Azores, Portugal)
📝 Key Notes
- INS Sudarshini — Indian Navy's sail training ship
- Deployed for Lokayan 2026 — major overseas deployment
- Concluded port call at Ponta Delgada, Azores (Portuguese territory) on 16 August 2026
- Portuguese Navy engagement:
- Deck reception onboard Portuguese Navy's sail training vessel NRP Sagres
- Reciprocal reception onboard INS Sudarshini for local military, diplomats, Indian diaspora
- Celebrated India's 80th Independence Day at Ponta Delgada on 15 August 2026 with Colours ceremony
- Next Destination: Lisbon
- Joint PASSEX (Passing Exercise) with NRP Sagres scheduled for 21 August 2026
- Features coordinated sail manoeuvres and communication drills
INS Sudarshini
Indian Navy Sail Training Ship
Lokayan 2026
Overseas Deployment Mission
Azores, Portugal
Recent Port Call (Ponta Delgada)
21 Aug 2026
PASSEX with NRP Sagres
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- INS Sudarshini — three-masted, square-rigged sail training ship of Indian Navy; commissioned in 2012; based at Kochi
- PASSEX (Passing Exercise) — routine naval exercise conducted when ships of two navies cross paths; involves manoeuvres and communication drills
- NRP Sagres — Portuguese Navy's iconic sail training vessel; three-masted barque
- Azores — Portuguese autonomous archipelago in mid-Atlantic Ocean; important maritime waypoint
- Sail training ships teach cadets traditional seamanship, discipline, teamwork; also serve as diplomatic ambassadors
- India also operates INS Tarangini (Kochi-based sail training vessel)
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. INS Sudarshini, currently deployed under Lokayan 2026, is best described as:
INS Sudarshini is a sail training ship of the Indian Navy. It is a three-masted vessel used for training naval cadets in traditional seamanship. During Lokayan 2026, it recently visited Ponta Delgada (Azores, Portugal) and will conduct PASSEX with Portugal's NRP Sagres on 21 August 2026.
Ministry of Defence – Indian Navy
💣 IN-USN Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise 2026 – 8th Edition
📝 Key Notes
- 8th edition of the IN-USN (Indian Navy-US Navy) EOD Exercise 2026 concluded
- Venue: Southern Naval Command, Kochi
- Concluded on 14 August 2026
- Focus: Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operations
- Real-time threats from IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices)
- Render-safe procedures, mine neutralisation
- Employment of unmanned underwater systems
- Included Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs)
- Cross-training in diving disciplines:
- Wreck location and salvage
- Specialist equipment employment
- Slithering operations
- Enhances interoperability, mutual understanding and specialised maritime operational cooperation
8th Edition
IN-USN EOD Exercise 2026
Kochi
Southern Naval Command Venue
14 Aug 2026
Exercise Conclusion Date
EOD Focus
IEDs, Mine Neutralisation, Diving
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) — safely detecting, disarming and disposing of explosive weapons; critical for military and civilian security
- IEDs — homemade bombs used in asymmetric warfare/terrorism; key threat requiring specialist EOD capabilities
- Southern Naval Command — HQ in Kochi; the Indian Navy's training command; also hosts many international naval exercises
- Other key India-US naval exercises: MALABAR, Tiger Triumph, Salvex, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)
- PASSEX and MALABAR are with wider partner navies; IN-USN EOD is bilateral India-US
- India's growing focus on EOD reflects modern warfare threats — cyber, drone, IED-based hybrid warfare
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. The 8th IN-USN Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise 2026 concluded at which naval command headquarters, and with which foreign navy was it conducted?
The 8th edition of the IN-USN EOD Exercise 2026 concluded at Southern Naval Command, Kochi on 14 August 2026. It was conducted with the United States Navy (USN). The exercise focused on IEDs, mine neutralisation, unmanned underwater systems, wreck location and salvage — enhancing interoperability in specialised maritime operations.
Ministry of Communications – DoT
📡 7th BRICS ICT Working Group Meeting – Pune
📝 Key Notes
- India hosting 7th BRICS Working Group Meeting on ICT Cooperation in Pune
- Under India's BRICS Chairship 2026
- Inaugurated by Shri Amit Agrawal, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
- ICT Track Theme: "Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future"
- India's overarching BRICS 2026 theme: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability"
- Council of BRICS Institute of Future Networks met — reviewed activities of national branches and Study Groups on:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Next Generation Communications
- Internet applications in Industry 4.0
- Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Exposure
- Additional meetings:
- Focus Group on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
- Digital BRICS Task Force meeting
7th Meeting
BRICS ICT Working Group
Pune
BRICS ICT Meeting Venue
4 Study Groups
AI, Next-Gen Comm, Industry 4.0, EMF
DPI Focus
India's Push for Digital Public Infrastructure
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- BRICS — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (original 5); expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia
- India holds BRICS Chairship in 2026; theme: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability"
- Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) — India's flagship soft power export; includes UPI, Aadhaar, DigiLocker, DIKSHA (Modular Open Source Identity Platform)
- Industry 4.0 — fourth industrial revolution; integration of IoT, AI, Big Data, Cloud, Robotics in manufacturing
- EMF (Electromagnetic Field) exposure — public health concern from telecom towers; regulated by DoT in India
- DoT (Department of Telecommunications) — under Ministry of Communications; regulates telecom in India
- India-led global DPI initiatives include India Stack and MOSIP (open-source ID platform)
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. Consider the following about the 7th BRICS ICT Working Group Meeting held in Pune (August 2026):
1. The theme of India's ICT Track is "Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future".
2. Study Groups under the BRICS Institute of Future Networks include AI and Next Generation Communications.
3. India hosted the meeting under its BRICS Chairship 2026.
4. The overarching BRICS 2026 theme focuses on Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
All four statements are correct. India is hosting the 7th BRICS ICT Working Group Meeting in Pune under its 2026 Chairship. The BRICS ICT Track theme is "Innovate, Cooperate and Transform for a Resilient Future" — a nested acronym on ICT itself. The overarching BRICS 2026 theme covers Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability. Study Groups cover AI, Next-Gen Communications, Industry 4.0 applications, and EMF exposure.
PIB Notes UPSC – 17 August 2026: These comprehensive PIB (Press Information Bureau) notes for 17 August 2026 cover key UPSC-relevant topics including the UDISE+ 2025-26 School Education Report highlighting India's PTR of 24:1, 24.72 crore student enrolment and rising GER, the launch of Bharat Taxi — India's first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act 2002, the SMILE Scheme for rehabilitation of marginalised persons engaged in begging and transgender welfare through Garima Grehs, the SEED Scheme for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic (DNT/NT/SNT) communities implemented by DWBDNC, India's first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems launched at UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the 15th India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV at Surat Thani, INS Sudarshini's Lokayan 2026 port call at Azores and upcoming PASSEX with Portugal's NRP Sagres, the 8th IN-USN EOD Exercise at Kochi with the US Navy, and the 7th BRICS ICT Working Group Meeting in Pune under India's BRICS Chairship 2026. Includes interactive MCQs, Prelims-relevant facts and detailed explanations for UPSC CSE, SSC and State PSC preparation.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What are the key highlights of the UDISE+ 2025-26 Report on Indian school education?
The UDISE+ 2025-26 Report reveals that India has 14.67 lakh schools, 1.03 crore teachers and 24.72 crore students. The overall Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) is 24:1, which is well within the NEP 2020 benchmark of 30:1. The GER at Middle stage is 89.6% and Secondary is 71.7%. Girls constitute 48.4% of enrolment and women teachers 54.9%. Single-teacher schools reduced by 3% while zero-enrolment schools declined by 29%. Digital infrastructure is expanding with 69.9% schools having computers and 67.4% with internet.
Q2. What is Bharat Taxi and how is it different from other ride-hailing platforms?
Bharat Taxi is India's first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform, established on 6 June 2025 under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002. Unlike commercial ride-hailing apps that charge commissions and use surge pricing, Bharat Taxi follows a zero-commission, surge-free model. Drivers called "Sarathis" become member-owners by purchasing shares (₹100 each) and get representation on the Board of Directors. It was founded by 8 cooperative institutions including NCDC, IFFCO, NABARD, KRIBHCO, Amul, NAFED, NDDB and NCEL. As of July 2026, it has ~8 lakh registered Sarathis and ~41 lakh customers, with nationwide expansion planned by 2029.
Q3. What is the SMILE Scheme and its Sub-scheme for BhikshaVrittiMukt Bharat?
The SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) Scheme is an Umbrella Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It has two main components: (i) rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging (aiming for BhikshaVrittiMukt Bharat — Begging-Free India, launched 12 Feb 2022), and (ii) welfare of transgender persons through Garima Grehs (23 shelter homes across 17 States/UTs). So far, 42,589 persons have been identified and 12,710 rehabilitated under the begging component, while 1,041 transgender persons have been rehabilitated through Garima Grehs.
Q4. Who are DNTs, NTs and SNTs, and what does the SEED Scheme provide for them?
De-notified Tribes (DNTs) are communities that were notified as "criminal tribes" under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871 and de-notified after independence. Nomadic Tribes (NTs) and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (SNTs) follow traditionally nomadic or partly nomadic lifestyles. The SEED (Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs) is implemented by the DWBDNC (constituted Feb 2019) and provides support through four components: (1) quality coaching for competitive exams, (2) health insurance, (3) community-level livelihood initiatives, and (4) financial assistance for house construction.
Q5. What is significant about India's Grasslands Guide launched at UNCCD COP17?
India launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) at UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on 17 August 2026. The Guide recognises grasslands, savannas, deserts and scrublands (often mislabelled as "wastelands") as ecosystems that shelter unique species and sustain pastoral communities. It covers Himalayan grasslands, Thar, Banni, Deccan savannas and coastal ecosystems. Published by ATREE with IUCN, ICFRE, SAC-ISRO support, the Guide contributes to India's Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets under UNCCD and highlights the ecological importance of Oran (sacred groves) and gauchar (village grazing lands).
Q6. Which India-partner military exercises took place in August 2026?
Multiple India-partner defence engagements took place in August 2026: (1) Exercise MAITREE-XV — the 15th India-Thailand joint military exercise held from 18-31 August 2026 at Surat Thani, Thailand, focusing on jungle and semi-urban counter-insurgency operations; (2) 8th IN-USN EOD Exercise — India-US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal exercise concluded at Southern Naval Command, Kochi on 14 August 2026; (3) INS Sudarshini's Lokayan 2026 — port call at Ponta Delgada, Azores (Portugal) with a joint PASSEX with Portugal's NRP Sagres scheduled for 21 August 2026.
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