INS Taragiri Boosts India’s Naval Power under Project 17A
• INS Taragiri is the 4th stealth frigate under Project 17A, enhancing India’s maritime deterrence.
• Built by Mazagon Dock with 75% indigenous content, supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• Equipped with advanced stealth design, modern missiles, ASW systems, and CODOG propulsion.
• Part of Project 17A (7 frigates), strengthening India’s naval capability against regional challenges like China.
Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 & India’s Power Sector Transformation
• Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 (New Delhi) highlighted India’s shift from power deficit to renewable-led surplus, with ₹50 lakh crore investment potential by 2032.
• It emerged as a global platform with 25,000+ participants from 80+ countries, showcasing innovation with 100+ startups in the power sector.
• India’s installed power capacity reached 520 GW (2026), with renewables contributing ~75% of recent additions; solar grew from 3 GW (2014) to 140 GW.
• Power shortage reduced from 4.2% (2013–14) to 0.03% (2025), alongside universal electrification and improved rural supply.
• Reforms like RDSS, smart meters, and DISCOM turnaround (₹2,701 crore profit) strengthened financial health and efficiency.
Resumption of India-China Border Trade via Lipulekh Pass
• India-China border trade through Lipulekh Pass will resume in June 2026 after a six-year halt due to Covid-19 and border tensions.
• The move follows the 2025 agreement to reopen key Himalayan routes (Lipulekh, Shipki La, Nathu La) and improved road connectivity.
• Nepal has opposed the decision, reiterating its claim over the Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura region.
• The dispute stems from differing interpretations of the Kali River’s origin under the Treaty of Sugauli (1816).
• Lipulekh Pass remains strategically and historically important as a trade route and gateway to Kailash Mansarovar.
Porous Indo-Myanmar Border Raises Security Concerns
• Arrest of foreign nationals in Mizoram highlights vulnerabilities along the 1,643-km Indo-Myanmar border guarded by Assam Rifles.
• Free Movement Regime (FMR) allows limited cross-border movement, now restricted to 10 km to address security concerns.
• Border fencing and infrastructure projects face major delays, with minimal completion despite large-scale approvals.
• Porous border enables insurgency, smuggling, trafficking, and refugee influx, especially after Myanmar’s 2021 coup.
• Strengthening surveillance (CIBMS), unified command, and local community engagement is essential for effective border management.
FCRA Amendment Bill 2026: Strengthening NGO Accountability
• The Bill empowers the government to appoint a designated authority to manage or dispose of assets created from foreign funds of NGOs with cancelled/suspended FCRA licences.
• It expands the definition of “key functionary,” making directors, trustees, partners, etc., personally liable for violations.
• Prior Central government approval is required before any investigation into FCRA-related cases.
• Introduces fixed timelines, automatic cessation of registration, and clearer rules for fund utilisation and asset handling.
• Proposes reducing maximum punishment from 5 years to 1 year with rationalised penalties.
SC Upholds Women Officers’ Rights, Flags Gender Bias in Armed Forces
• The Supreme Court highlighted systemic gender bias in promotions and medical evaluations of women officers, especially in ACR gradings.
• It reaffirmed women officers’ right to Permanent Commission (PC) and equal pensionary benefits across the Armed Forces.
• Denial of equal opportunities violates Articles 14, 15, and 16, ensuring equality, non-discrimination, and equal employment opportunity.
• Women faced limited training and career growth, impacting their service profiles compared to male counterparts.
• The judgment strengthens gender equality in the military, building on reforms like the Babita Puniya case and NDA entry for women.
Biopharma SHAKTI Scheme: Boosting India’s Biopharma Innovation
• Union Budget 2026–27 launched Biopharma SHAKTI to promote biologics and biosimilars using advanced non-animal methodologies (NAMs).
• ₹10,000 crore outlay over 5 years to build a strong ecosystem for high-value biopharmaceuticals and reduce import dependence.
• Focus on NCDs like cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases, improving affordability and access to advanced therapies.
• Promotes cutting-edge technologies like organoids, organ-on-chip, and 3D bioprinting for safer and efficient drug development.
• Strengthens research, infrastructure (NIPERs), and regulatory systems to position India as a global biotech leader.
AssamSAT Initiative: First State-led Satellite Programme
• Assam becomes the first Indian state to launch AssamSAT, a constellation of earth-observation satellites for disaster management and border security.
• Plan includes at least 5 LEO satellites with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for all-weather, day-night imaging.
• Moves beyond dependence on National Remote Sensing Centre for satellite data, enabling faster response.
• LEO ensures high-resolution imaging and low latency, crucial for real-time monitoring of floods and borders.
• Initiative marks growing role of states and private sector in India’s space ecosystem.
Modified UDAN Scheme: Boosting Regional Air Connectivity
• Union Cabinet approved Modified UDAN (2026–2036) with ₹28,840 crore outlay to enhance affordable regional air connectivity.
• Addresses past issues like low route viability, discontinued routes, and underutilized airports.
• Extends Viability Gap Funding (VGF) from 3 to 5 years and shifts funding directly to the government.
• Focuses on infrastructure expansion—100 new airports and 200 helipads in remote and hilly regions.
• Promotes indigenous aviation (HAL Dhruv, Dornier) and supports airport operations for long-term sustainability.
Bab-el-Mandeb Strait Crisis: Threat to Global Trade
• Iran’s threat to weaponize the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait amid the West Asia crisis raises serious concerns for global energy and trade security.
• Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen can disrupt Red Sea routes, expanding the conflict beyond the Persian Gulf region.
• The strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a key chokepoint between Yemen and Djibouti/Eritrea.
• Around 10–12% of global trade and major oil/LNG shipments pass through this route, making it strategically vital.
• Any disruption forces rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope, increasing time, costs, and global inflationary pressures.
S-400 Induction Strengthens India’s Air Defence Shield
• India is expediting induction of remaining S-400 Triumf systems from Russia to enhance national airspace security.
• A long-range SAM system with 40–400 km range, capable of countering stealth aircraft, UAVs, and ballistic/cruise missiles.
• Advanced radar can track ~300 targets and engage up to 36 simultaneously, ensuring multi-layered defence.
• Out of 5 squadrons (USD 5.43 bn deal, 2018), 3 are operational; remaining to be delivered by end-2026.
• Integrates with India’s BMD and Project Kusha, strengthening defence against China-Pakistan two-front threat.
Grameen Credit Score: Boosting Rural Financial Inclusion
• Government mandates adoption of Grameen Credit Score (GCS) to assess rural borrowers, especially first-time and unbanked individuals.
• An alternative credit model using social and behavioural data instead of traditional credit history (like CIBIL).
• Aims to expand credit access for SHGs, small farmers, and rural micro-enterprises.
• Includes features like credit cards up to ₹5 lakh and a standard 300–900 scoring range.
• Helps create individual credit identities, shifting from group-based lending to personalized credit access.
