India and the United States have announced a framework for an interim trade agreement aimed at reducing tariffs and enhancing market access. India will remove or reduce tariffs on industrial goods and various agricultural products, while the U.S. will lower its tariffs on Indian imports to 18%. A significant aspect involves India's commitment to purchase $500 billion worth of U.S. products, including energy and aircraft, over five years. However, sensitive agricultural items like dairy remain excluded. The deal also addresses non-tariff barriers and digital trade rules, signaling a strengthening of bilateral economic ties and supply chain resilience.
The framework aims for an interim agreement leading toward a more comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
India has committed to purchasing $500 billion in U.S. goods, including energy, aircraft, and technology products, over the next five years.
The U.S. rescinded 25% punitive tariffs on Indian goods, which were originally imposed in August 2025.
Exam Points
The U.S. reduced tariffs on several Indian imports to 18% from the previous 50%.
India's purchase commitment includes $500 billion over five years.
The deal excludes sensitive items like maize, rice, soya, poultry, milk, and cheese.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has officially abandoned a 17-year-old resettlement plan for Dal Lake dwellers, which had achieved only 27% progress since its inception in 2009. Originally conceived to relocate 9,000 families to preserve the lake's ecosystem, the project faced implementation hurdles and a lack of basic infrastructure at resettlement sites. The government has now shifted to an 'in-situ conservation' model, where 58 existing hamlets within the lake will be developed as 'eco-hamlets.' This new approach, recommended by a high-level committee, recognizes dwellers as an integral part of the lake's vibrant ecosystem while focusing on sewerage networks and modular treatment plants.
The original ₹416.72-crore resettlement plan was approved in 2009 but failed to meet its objectives over nearly two decades.
The new policy replaces relocation with the development of 58 'eco-hamlets' within the water body.
A high-level committee headed by the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir recommended the shift, viewing dwellers as essential to the lake's character.
Exam Points
The original project was approved in 2009 and achieved only 27% progress in 17 years.
The new plan involves developing 58 existing hamlets as eco-hamlets.
A ₹212.38-crore project for Dal-Nigeen conservation has been accepted in principle by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
In a significant boost to India's Project Cheetah, a Namibian cheetah named 'Aasha' gave birth to five healthy cubs at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh. This event marks a milestone in the world's first intercontinental large wild carnivore translocation project. With these births, the total cheetah population in India has risen to 35, which includes 24 Indian-born cubs and 11 translocated adults. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted the birth as a sign of the project's progress. Field directors and veterinary teams are monitoring the cubs' health from a distance to ensure minimal human interference.
The birth of five cubs to the cheetah 'Aasha' strengthens the genetic pool of the reintroduced population in India.
India's total cheetah count now stands at 35, reflecting successful breeding within the Kuno National Park ecosystem.
Project Cheetah is a high-profile conservation effort involving the translocation of cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa.
Exam Points
Total cheetah population in India reached 35 (24 Indian-born, 11 translocated adults).
The birth took place on February 7, 2026, at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
The mother cheetah, 'Aasha', was translocated from Namibia.
Bamboo, often referred to as 'green gold,' is being rediscovered for its immense nutritional and industrial potential. Recent studies highlight that bamboo shoots and leaves are rich in essential amino acids, vitamins (A, B6, E), and antioxidants, which help regulate blood sugar and prevent heart disease. Beyond nutrition, bamboo is a sustainable alternative to plastics, used in bio-refineries for ethanol production and various handicrafts. The Indian government has launched the National Bamboo Mission 2025 to expand cultivation, strengthen industry linkages, and reduce import dependence. India currently ranks among the top three global exporters of bamboo products.
Bamboo shoots are recognized as a 'superfood' containing essential nutrients that combat diabetes and lipid levels.
The National Bamboo Mission 2025 aims to increase plantations on non-forest lands and enhance farmers' income.
India is a major global player in bamboo exports, alongside China and Vietnam, producing textiles, furniture, and bio-fuel.
Exam Points
India is among the top three exporters of bamboo globally.
A bio-refinery in Numaligarh, Assam, is slated to produce 50,000 MT of ethanol from bamboo.
The National Bamboo Mission 2025 was launched to expand cultivation and industry linkages.
The 2026-27 Union Budget has significantly increased the allocation for the AYUSH Ministry to ₹4,408 crore, reflecting a strategic shift toward traditional medicine. Key initiatives include establishing three new All-India Institutes of Ayurveda and the Bharat-VISTAAR AI assistant for medicinal plant farmers. The budget also focuses on upgrading hospitals and drug-testing laboratories. Furthermore, the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to open European markets for AYUSH practitioners and products by recognizing Indian qualifications and safety certifications. However, challenges remain regarding scientific validation and the presence of heavy metals in some traditional formulations.
The AYUSH Ministry's budget saw a substantial increase to ₹4,408 crore in the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Three new AIIMS-like Ayurveda institutes are planned to set global standards for traditional medicine research and treatment.
The Bharat-VISTAAR AI assistant is designed to provide real-time advice to farmers growing medicinal plants.
Exam Points
Budget allocation for AYUSH increased to ₹4,408 crore (up from ₹3,992 crore in 2025-26).
The National AYUSH Mission budget was hiked by 66% to ₹1,300 crore.
The AYUSH sector is estimated to be worth $26.5 billion by 2026.
The Sammakka-Saralamma Maha Jatara, popularly known as the Medaram Jatara, is Asia's largest tribal congregation, held biennially in the Mulugu district of Telangana. The festival honors the courage of mother-daughter duo Sammakka and Saralamma, who fought against the Kakatiya rulers over unjust taxes during a famine. Millions of devotees, both tribal and non-tribal, gather in the tiny forest village of Medaram to offer prayers and perform rituals, including taking a holy dip in the Jampanna Vagu. Recognized as a State festival since 1998, it represents the rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions of the Koya tribe.
Medaram Jatara is a biennial festival and is considered the largest tribal gathering in Asia.
The festival commemorates the struggle of Sammakka and Saralamma against the Kakatiya dynasty's tax collection.
It was officially recognized as a State festival by the government in 1998.
Exam Points
The festival takes place in Medaram, Mulugu district, Telangana.
It honors the Koya tribal goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma.
The holy dip is taken in the Jampanna Vagu rivulet.
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