IIT Madras has developed BharatGen, a home-grown large multimodal model (LMM) capable of understanding and generating content across text, images, audio, and video in multiple Indian languages. Designed to support Indian cultures and knowledge systems, BharatGen aims to promote India's self-reliance in critical technologies, reduce dependence on global AI platforms, and foster innovation across sectors like education, healthcare, and governance. Backed by UNDP reports and alignment with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Digital India, the model seeks to bridge the digital divide and position India as a key player in the global AI ecosystem.
BharatGen is India's first home-grown large multimodal model (LMM) developed by IIT Madras.
It supports text, images, audio, and video across diverse Indian regional languages and culture.
The model aims to reduce dependency on global AI platforms and boost technological self-reliance.
Exam Points
Developed by IIT Madras.
Supports multimodal capabilities across text, image, audio, and video.
Aims to strengthen Atmanirbhar Bharat and Digital India initiatives.
According to a recent UNDP report, India's extensive coastal ecosystems—including mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes—hold high potential for blue carbon storage. These ecosystems absorb and store carbon dioxide, mitigate climate change, support biodiversity, and protect coasts against extreme weather. The report emphasizes the need for large-scale conservation, improved monitoring systems, policy support, and community participation to unlock this potential. Harnessing blue carbon can help India transition from being an ecosystem taker to a global solution provider for sustainable development.
India's coastal mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes serve as vital natural carbon sinks.
They offer co-benefits like climate mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and coastal protection.
The UNDP report calls for policy support, community participation, and large-scale conservation.
Exam Points
India has a coastline of approximately 7,500 km rich in coastal ecosystems.
Endorsed by the UNDP report regarding blue carbon storage.
Mangroves and salt marshes act as natural carbon sinks storing carbon for centuries.
Net direct tax collections in India rose by 13% to reach ₹12.12 lakh crore by September 17, driven by higher corporate and non-corporate tax receipts and better advance tax mop-ups, according to CBDT data. Corporate tax collections rose 19.5% while non-corporate tax (individuals and HUFs) grew by 6%. The sustained rise in collections reflects the resilience of the Indian economy, improved digital systems, a broader tax base, and enhanced compliance, which together provide strong fiscal space for development spending and reduce reliance on borrowings.
Net direct tax collection grew by 13% to reach ₹12.12 lakh crore by mid-September.
Corporate tax rose by 19.5% while non-corporate tax saw a 6% increase.
Higher advance tax payments and data-driven compliance helped boost collections.
Exam Points
Net direct tax collection reached ₹12.12 lakh crore as of September 17.
Corporate tax mop-up stood at ₹5.56 lakh crore (19.5% growth).
Non-corporate tax stood at ₹6.16 lakh crore (6% growth).
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