The Department of Space faces a stagnant budget, with increasing operational costs eating into R&D and infrastructure funds. While the 2020 reforms aimed to 'unlock' the sector for private players like Skyroot and Agnikul, the transition is in a 'growing pains' phase. The government is leaning on NSIL, ISRO's commercial arm, to bridge the capital gap. Industry bodies like ISpA and SIA-India advocate for classifying the space sector as 'critical infrastructure' and moving towards a 'Department buying from industry' model, similar to NASA, to foster a robust private ecosystem and lower borrowing costs for startups.
The Department of Space budget is increasingly consumed by operational costs rather than new infrastructure or R&D assets.
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is being positioned to replace tax-funded infrastructure with growth funded by commercial revenue.
Industry bodies are requesting the space sector be classified as 'critical infrastructure' to lower borrowing costs for private players.
Exam Points
NSIL (NewSpace India Ltd) is the commercial arm of ISRO.
India earned over $143 million and €272 million from foreign satellite launches between 2015-2024.
The Indian Space Association (ISpA) represents major private players like Bharti Airtel and L&T.
The Pune Rural Intervention in Young Adolescents (PRIYA) trial has established a significant link between maternal Vitamin B12 levels and the long-term health of offspring. Research indicates that B12 acts as a 'regulator of regulators,' influencing gene expression through epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation. Deficiency during pregnancy is linked to neural tube defects and poor fetal growth. The study suggests that B12 supplementation in adolescents and pregnant women could prevent 'diabesity' (diabetes and obesity) in future generations. Experts recommend incorporating B12 into national health policies to improve nutritional status and human capital development.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is widespread in the Indian population, particularly among vegetarians.
The PRIYA trial found that B12 supplementation in adolescents improved birth outcomes for their future children.
B12 influences enzymes called methylases, which add methyl groups to DNA to regulate gene expression.
Exam Points
The PRIYA trial stands for Pune Rural Intervention in Young Adolescents.
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of Vitamin B12 mentioned is 2 micrograms.
B12 is essential for the formation of blood cells and the functioning of nerve cells.
India and the European Union (EU) are negotiating a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), often called the 'mother of all deals' due to the combined $24 trillion market size. The deal aims to eliminate duties on over 90% of India's export value, benefiting sectors like textiles, gems, and traditional medicine (AYUSH). However, significant hurdles remain, including the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and India's 'red lines' on sensitive agricultural products like beef and dairy. The agreement also seeks to improve India's investment climate to attract European capital and enhance bilateral services trade.
The FTA covers a combined market size of approximately ₹2,091.6 lakh crore ($24 trillion).
The EU is expected to eliminate duties on about 70.4% of tariff lines immediately upon the deal's implementation.
India has kept sensitive sectors like beef, dairy, and certain agricultural products out of the deal's scope.
Exam Points
Bilateral merchandise trade between India and the EU stood at $136.54 billion in 2024-25.
The deal aims for implementation in the calendar year 2026.
AYUSH practitioners may be able to provide services in the EU under the new regulations.
The Supreme Court has stayed the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026. These regulations were intended to replace the 2012 version to address caste discrimination on campuses. However, they faced backlash for being 'vague' and potentially 'biased.' Critics argued that the 2026 rules diluted the 2012 protections by removing specific instances of discrimination and failing to define 'caste-based discrimination' clearly. The court will now hear petitions filed by the mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, who allege that the 2012 rules were never properly implemented.
The 2026 UGC regulations were criticized for lacking a clear definition of 'caste-based discrimination.'
Protesters argued the new rules dropped provisions regarding 'false complaints,' which could lead to misuse.
The 2012 regulations had identified 25 specific types of discrimination, which were absent in the 2026 version.
Exam Points
The University Grants Commission (UGC) notified the new Equity Regulations on January 13, 2026.
The 2012 regulations provided for Equal Opportunity Cells and SC/ST Cells in institutes.
The committee that drafted the revised regulations was chaired by Professor Shailesh N. Zala.
The Indian government has sanctioned a massive infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island, including a transshipment terminal, airport, and township. While strategically significant for monitoring the Strait of Malacca, the project faces intense criticism for its ecological and social impact. It threatens the habitat of the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes and involves clearing nearly 130 sq. km of pristine rainforest. Environmentalists argue that compensatory afforestation in Haryana cannot replace tropical rainforests. Concerns also persist regarding the displacement of indigenous tribes and the potential for 'genocide' due to contact with outsiders and loss of ancestral lands.
The project includes an International Container Transshipment Terminal at Galathea Bay, a strategic maritime location.
Great Nicobar is home to two Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): the Shompen and the Nicobarese.
The project involves the felling of approximately 9.64 lakh trees in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Exam Points
The project cost is estimated at ₹72,000 crore and covers 166 sq. km (18% of the island).
Galathea Bay is a crucial nesting site for the giant leatherback turtle.
The Forest Rights Act, 2006, requires 'gram sabhas' consent for diverting forest land.
India's ₹18,100 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC) is struggling to meet its targets. Launched in 2021 to reduce reliance on Chinese imports, the scheme aimed for 50 GWh capacity by 2025, but only 1.4 GWh has been commissioned. Major bottlenecks include unrealistic two-year 'gestation periods' for building gigafactories, stringent Domestic Value Addition (DVA) requirements, and a lack of domestic mineral processing facilities for lithium and cobalt. Furthermore, delays in visa approvals for Chinese technical experts have hindered progress, as India currently lacks a skilled workforce for cell manufacturing.
The ACC PLI scheme is 'technology agnostic,' supporting various chemistries like Lithium-ion and Sodium-ion.
As of October 2025, only 2.8% of the targeted 50 GWh capacity has been realized.
The scheme's evaluation criteria prioritized DVA over prior manufacturing experience, favoring novices over established players.
Exam Points
The total outlay for the ACC PLI scheme is ₹18,100 crore.
Beneficiaries include Ola Electric, Reliance New Energy, and Rajesh Exports.
The scheme requires 25% Domestic Value Addition (DVA) within two years and 60% by the fifth year.
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