India's administrative system, dominated by generalist bureaucrats, often fails to integrate scientific expertise into policymaking. While scientists are employed in various departments, they lack a specialized framework for career progression and authority, remaining bound by rules designed for general administration. The proposed Indian Scientific Service (ISS) would be a permanent, all-India cadre recruited through rigorous selection. This service would provide independent scientific input, ensure transparency in assessments, and help India address complex challenges in climate change, public health, and emerging technologies. By moving beyond its colonial administrative legacy, India can build a more resilient, evidence-based governance structure for the future.
India lacks a specialized framework for scientific governance, unlike many advanced countries with dedicated scientific cadres.
Current scientific roles in government are often advisory or ad-hoc, lacking structural reform to define their role within governance.
The proposed ISS would include specialized cadres for sectors like Environment, Marine Sciences, and Public Health.
Exam Points
Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 currently govern many scientific roles.
Proposed specialized cadres include the Indian Environmental and Ecological Service and Indian Marine and Ocean Services.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have some separate rules but remain limited.
The economic relationship between India and the UAE has seen significant growth following the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2022. Bilateral trade reached $100 billion five years ahead of schedule, leading to a new target of $200 billion by 2030. The corridor is evolving beyond oil trade into sectors like advanced manufacturing, financial services, and green energy. Major investments from DP World, ADNOC, and Mubadala are flowing into India, while Indian enterprises are expanding internationally. The partnership is also exploring cooperation in AI infrastructure and digital public infrastructure, positioning both nations as leaders in the Global South.
The 2022 CEPA eliminated tariffs on roughly 90% of tariff lines, boosting non-oil trade significantly.
A new bilateral trade target of $200 billion has been set for 2030, reflecting the rapid pace of integration.
The corridor is being reshaped by investments in low-carbon chemicals, solar-plus-storage projects, and healthcare.
Exam Points
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed in 2022.
Bilateral trade target: $200 billion by 2030.
UAE entities have invested over $22 billion in India since 2000.
As AI transformation unfolds unevenly across Asia, there is an urgent need for a shared governance framework to build trust among stakeholders. Different countries have varying agendas: South Korea focuses on chip dominance, Singapore on being a 'pace-setter,' and China on sovereign control. India, positioned as a leader in the Global South, advocates for a 'human-centric' approach. A trusted AI ecosystem requires foundational layers like representative data infrastructure, resilient AI infrastructure, and widespread AI literacy. A regional framework would ensure technological progress translates into inclusive human development while mitigating risks like misinformation and deepfakes.
AI governance must balance innovation with accountability to prevent risks like misinformation and debt traps.
India's AI Governance Guidelines (November) and South Korea's AI Basic Act (January 2026) are key regional legislative steps.
A common framework should be interoperable with global norms, such as UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
Exam Points
South Korea’s AI Basic Act came into force on January 22, 2026.
UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI and ISO 42001/42005 are global standards mentioned.
India announced its AI Governance Guidelines in November 2025.
As of December 31, 2025, India had 574 prisoners on death row, a 43.5% increase since 2016. Despite this rise, there is a growing hesitancy in the appellate judiciary to confirm death sentences. Over the last decade, High Courts decided 1,085 death sentences, with 34.65% resulting in acquittals and only 8.31% being upheld. The Supreme Court has not confirmed any death sentences in the last three years, even acquitting and releasing 10 death row prisoners in 2025. These trends highlight concerns regarding the handling of evidence and procedural fairness in trial courts.
The number of people on death row has steadily increased since 2020, reaching 574 by the end of 2025.
High Courts show a high rate of acquittals (34.6%) and commutations for death penalty cases.
The Supreme Court has shown significant restraint, with zero confirmations in the 2023-2025 period.
Exam Points
Total death row prisoners as of Dec 31, 2025: 574.
High Court acquittal rate for death sentences (last decade): 34.65%.
Supreme Court acquitted and released 10 death row prisoners in 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the AI Impact Summit 2026 and the India AI Expo in New Delhi. The event, attended by global tech leaders and representatives from 20 countries, focuses on a 'human-centric' approach to AI for the 'economic good of all.' Unlike developed nations seeking regulatory frameworks, India emphasizes equitable access to AI resources and rule-making for developing economies. The summit features three thematic chakras: People, Planet, and Progress. It aims to showcase AI's transformative potential in the Global South and includes bilateral talks with leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron.
The summit is the first of its kind to be hosted in a Global South country, focusing on inclusive AI development.
The 'India AI Expo' features pavilions from 13 countries and demonstrations of AI startups.
India advocates for the voice of developing economies in global digital policy forums.
Debris bearing the ISRO logo and the National Emblem was discovered on an uninhabited island in the Maldives. Experts believe the debris, likely a payload fairing, originated from the LVM3-M6 mission launched on December 19, 2025. This mission was a dedicated commercial flight that successfully deployed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite for U.S.-based AST SpaceMobile. The LVM3 is India's heaviest rocket, featuring a three-stage design. This incident follows a similar discovery in Sri Lanka in late 2025, highlighting the geographical spread of space debris from Indian launches.
The debris was found on L. Kunahandhoo island in the Maldives on February 12.
The LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3) is ISRO's heaviest rocket, used for significant commercial and national missions.
The LVM3-M6 mission was a commercial launch for the U.S. company AST SpaceMobile.
Exam Points
LVM3-M6/BlueBird Block-2 Mission launch date: December 19, 2025.
The Piton de la Fournaise volcano, located on the French overseas island of La Réunion in the Indian Ocean, erupted for the second time this year on February 13. Known as one of the most active volcanoes globally, the eruption featured significant smoke and lava flows in the island's southeast region. Such eruptions are frequent for this shield volcano, which is a major geological feature of the Réunion hotspot. The event underscores the active tectonic and volcanic nature of the Indian Ocean basin.
Piton de la Fournaise is a shield volcano and one of the most active in the world.
It is located on La Réunion, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean.
The volcano is associated with the Réunion hotspot, which also played a role in the formation of the Deccan Traps in India.
Exam Points
Location: La Réunion Island (French territory), Indian Ocean.
An interim trade agreement between India and the U.S. has raised concerns regarding its impact on key stakeholders, particularly farmers. While the U.S. will reduce tariffs on certain Indian industrial goods, India has made concessions on agricultural imports and committed to purchasing $500 billion in U.S. energy and tech products over five years. Critics argue the deal lacks explicit protections for sensitive agricultural products like cereals, unlike previous Indian FTAs. Furthermore, the agreement addresses long-standing Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), potentially opening Indian markets to Genetically Modified (GM) food products, raising questions about food security and sovereign decision-making.
The deal involves India reducing tariffs on a wide range of U.S. food and agricultural products.
A major commitment includes India purchasing $500 billion worth of U.S. goods, including aircraft and technology, over five years.
There are concerns that the deal might allow the import of GM food products, which India has historically resisted.
Exam Points
U.S. tariff reduction on Indian imports: from 50% to 18%.
India's purchase commitment: $500 billion over 5 years.
The deal follows the 25% tariffs on Indian steel and 10% on aluminum imposed previously by the U.S.
Bio-based chemicals, produced from biological feedstocks like sugarcane and corn, offer a sustainable alternative to petrochemicals. India is well-positioned to scale this sector due to its large agricultural base and expertise in fermentation. The government has prioritized this area under the Department of Biotechnology’s BioE3 policy. While the India enzymes market is growing, it remains consolidated, with a few top players holding 75% of the market share. Challenges include the high cost of bio-based products compared to petrochemicals and the need for shared biomanufacturing infrastructure like biofoundries to reduce capital risk for firms.
Bio-based chemicals include organic acids, bio-alcohols, and solvents used in diverse industries.
India's BioE3 policy (Economy, Environment, and Employment) is the primary driver for this sector.
The sector aims to reduce India's heavy import dependence on petrochemicals.
Exam Points
India imported approximately $479.8 million worth of acetic acid in 2023.
Top players account for more than 75% of the Indian enzymes market share.
Policy Framework: BioE3 policy by the Department of Biotechnology.
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