To reach net-zero emissions by 2070, India must decarbonize its steel sector, a major industrial polluter. The Ministry of Steel has identified 14 task forces to create a roadmap for low-carbon production. While 'green steel' carries a price premium, its impact on large infrastructure project costs is estimated at only 5.5%. The article suggests using public procurement as a lever, leveraging the 'Green Star' rating system and 'Made in India' QR codes for verification. Aligning Production Linked Incentives (PLI) with green hydrogen missions is crucial for scaling industry response and bypassing international carbon tariffs.
- Steel remains one of India's largest industrial sources of CO2 emissions, making its decarbonization vital for climate goals.
- A 'Green Steel Taxonomy' with a 3 to 5-star rating system has been introduced to rank steel by emission intensity.
- International examples like Japan's Green Purchasing framework and California's Buy Clean model offer templates for green procurement.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Indian government is set to host the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, aiming for at least 15 tangible outcomes and deliverables. The summit will see participation from over 100 countries, including heads of state from Brazil, France, and Spain. A key confirmed outcome is India's entry into the US-led Pax Silica initiative, an alliance focused on building a resilient electronics supply chain. The event aims to move beyond discussion to create international bodies for AI governance, similar to the International Solar Alliance, and will feature India's AI Safety Institute (AISI) as a central research body.
- The summit focuses on 'tangible outcomes' rather than just being a platform for theoretical AI discussion.
- India's AI Safety Institute (AISI) is part of a global trend of creating research bodies for AI safety and ethics.
- The Pax Silica initiative is a strategic alliance aimed at securing the global electronics and semiconductor supply chain.
The SHANTI Act, recently passed by Parliament, opens India's nuclear power sector to private entities while fundamentally altering the liability framework established by the CLNDA. The Act indemnifies suppliers and caps operator liability at ₹3,000 crore for large plants, a figure critics argue is insufficient compared to potential disaster costs. By channeling all liability to the operator and omitting Section 46 of the CLNDA, the Act limits victims' ability to seek legal remedies. Proponents argue it aligns India with international norms to attract investment, while critics warn of 'moral hazard' and reduced safety incentives.
- The SHANTI Act ends the government's exclusive control over nuclear power plant operations.
- Operator liability is capped at ₹3,000 crore for large plants and ₹100 crore for small ones.
- Suppliers are indemnified against lawsuits for accidents caused by defective equipment.
The Union Budget 2026-27 emphasizes 'mission-mode' initiatives in biopharma, semiconductors, and carbon capture, but researchers express concern over stagnant core funding. While the 'Biopharma SHAKTI' program received ₹10,000 crore over five years, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have seen revised estimates lower than original budget allocations in previous years. Experts argue that while big-ticket missions look impressive, basic research, state universities, and core institutes face funding gaps and administrative delays. India's R&D expenditure remains low at 0.64-0.7% of GDP, significantly behind global peers.
- The 'Biopharma SHAKTI' program is a major new initiative focused on non-communicable diseases and biosimilars.
- Core funding for DST and DBT has faced cuts in revised estimates, impacting long-term basic research.
- The budget prioritizes applied sectors like space and semiconductors over foundational scientific inquiry.
Leading private space companies, SpaceX and Blue Origin, are increasingly prioritizing lunar missions over long-term Mars ambitions. This pivot is driven by immediate external demand, primarily from NASA’s Artemis program, and the need to mature technologies in a closer, more accessible environment. The Moon serves as a critical testing ground for life-support systems and heavy-lift rockets like SpaceX’s Starship. Additionally, the lunar race has become a symbol of geopolitical leadership, with the U.S. aiming to return humans to the Moon before rival nations. This shift reflects a pragmatic approach to building a sustainable space economy.
- The Moon is a 'week away by rocketflight,' making it a more feasible immediate target than Mars for testing technology.
- NASA's Artemis program provides the primary funding and demand for lunar lander development in the private sector.
- SpaceX’s Starship is being developed as a transport system for both lunar and interplanetary travel.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to transform the world on a scale comparable to the Industrial Revolution. Beyond Large Language Models (LLMs), AI is becoming a critical instrument in diplomacy, state-craft, and modern warfare. The conflict in Ukraine has already demonstrated the power of 'game age technology,' where AI-driven drones and electronic warfare redefine the battlefield. However, the rapid advancement of AI brings significant risks, including the potential for autonomous systems to escape human control. Experts call for effective global oversight and a set of 'checks and balances' to prevent AI from becoming a runaway threat to humankind.
- AI is shifting from a secondary tool to a primary enabler of national competitiveness and military power.
- The 'militarisation of AI' is moving warfare from human-controlled to autonomous systems capable of independent decision-making.
- Concerns exist regarding AI 'hallucinations' in judicial settings and the potential for autonomous drone swarms to cause mass casualties.
A 'wet dress rehearsal' is a vital full-scale test in rocketry that simulates launch day activities, including the loading of cryogenic propellants. Unlike a 'dry' rehearsal, which focuses on countdown and ground systems without fuel, a wet rehearsal involves filling the rocket with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. This process allows engineers to validate hardware, software, and timelines under actual cryogenic conditions. These tests are essential for identifying leaks in seals or connections that only manifest at extremely low temperatures. NASA recently conducted such a test for its Artemis II mission, identifying a hydrogen leak that required rectification before the actual launch.
- A wet dress rehearsal is the final major test before a rocket launch, involving actual fuel loading to simulate launch conditions.
- It tests the integration of people, hardware, software, and ground systems under launch-day timelines.
- Cryogenic propellants like liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen are used to reveal temperature-sensitive leaks in the rocket's seals.
The Union government has notified amendments to the Information Technology Rules, 2021, requiring all photorealistic AI-generated content to be prominently labeled. These changes, effective February 20, 2026, aim to prevent the spread of synthetic media that could be perceived as real. Social media platforms now face stricter timelines for removing illegal material, with sensitive content like non-consensual deepfakes requiring removal within two hours. Failure to comply could lead to the loss of 'safe harbour' protection, making intermediaries liable for user-posted content. The rules also allow States to designate multiple officers for issuing takedown orders to handle large populations effectively.
- Intermediaries must ensure clear and prominent labeling of synthetic content that appears real or portrays real-world events.
- The timeline for removing illegal content has been reduced from 24-36 hours to just 3 hours for general illegal material.
- Non-consensual deepfakes and nudity must be removed within a strict two-hour window to minimize harm.
The Union Budget 2026-27 has earmarked ₹13,416.20 crore for the Department of Space, showing a commitment to advancing India's astronomical capabilities. Significant funds are directed toward deep-space exploration and the construction of two major facilities: the 30-m National Large Optical-Infrared Telescope and the National Large Solar Telescope in Ladakh. Other projects include the COSMOS-2 planetarium in Amaravati and upgrades to the Himalayan Chandra Telescope. Despite the allocation, experts express concerns over the historical under-utilization of funds and the need for better administrative processes to ensure that large-scale projects are executed within stipulated timelines to reduce dependence on foreign observatories.
- The Department of Space received an allocation of ₹13,416.20 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27.
- Funding is prioritized for deep-space exploration, astrophysics, and the development of indigenous large-scale telescopes.
- New facilities include the 30-m National Large Optical-Infrared Telescope and the National Large Solar Telescope in Ladakh.
Following tragic incidents of adolescent self-harm, there is a growing global trend toward banning social media for children under 16, with Australia and Spain leading the way. However, experts argue that such bans are technically porous, as tech-savvy youth often bypass restrictions using VPNs or migrate to unmoderated 'dark web' platforms. In India, a blanket ban could exacerbate the digital divide, particularly affecting girls in patriarchal settings where internet access is already restricted. Critics suggest that instead of bans, the government should focus on robust digital competition laws, 'duty of care' obligations for platforms, and better implementation of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
- Bans are often ineffective as minors use VPNs or move to encrypted, unmoderated platforms.
- A social media ban may disproportionately affect marginalized groups and rural adolescents who use these platforms as lifelines.
- The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, is cited as having poorly designed 'consent gating' provisions.
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.
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.
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has moved the Bombay High Court to challenge the constitutional validity of the Union government’s ‘Sahyog’ portal. Launched in 2024, the portal is designed to automate and streamline the issuance of content take-down notices for unlawful online content on social media. Kamra argues that the portal and Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules are unconstitutional and unreasonable assaults on freedom of speech. The petition claims the portal allows for information removal on vague grounds, profoundly impacting fundamental rights and the free flow of information in a democracy without adequate judicial oversight.
- The Sahyog portal is a centralized platform used to automate the take-down of unlawful social media content.
- The legal challenge argues that the portal violates fundamental rights, specifically the freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution.
- The petition targets Rule 3(1)(d) of the Information Technology (IT) Rules, which were amended in October 2025.
The 2026-2027 Budget for the space sector shows a 5.3% increase from pre-pandemic levels, indicating a shift towards sustained growth. While the budget supports state-led programs like ISRO, private sector bodies like ISpA and SIA-India have expressed concerns. Key issues include the lack of a dedicated Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for space-grade components and the 18% GST on manufacturing, which creates cash-flow problems. Although a ₹1,000 crore Venture Capital fund was established, industry experts argue for more structural reforms, such as low-interest lending and tax credits for R&D, to bridge the 'death valley' between prototype and commercial scale.
- The space budget has grown by 182% since 2013, but recent growth has slowed.
- Private players are calling for GST rationalization and a PLI scheme for space manufacturing.
- A ₹1,000 crore VC fund has been set up to support space startups over the next decade.
Suborbital tourism involves space travel where passengers fly to the edge of space but do not complete a full orbit around the Earth. These flights typically reach an altitude of approximately 100km, known as the Kármán line, which is the internationally recognized boundary of space. Unlike orbital missions (like those to the ISS), suborbital vehicles follow a parabolic path and do not reach the high speeds required to stay in orbit. Passengers experience several minutes of weightlessness and can see the Earth's curvature before the craft returns to the atmosphere.
- Suborbital flights reach the Kármán line (100km altitude) but do not orbit the Earth.
- Companies like Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic are key providers of these experiences.
- Suborbital travel requires less energy and less complex heat shielding than orbital missions.
The Supreme Court of India is examining whether messaging platforms like WhatsApp can share and commercially exploit user data. A three-judge Bench led by the Chief Justice compared the unauthorized sharing of private data to a 'decent way of committing theft.' The court is scrutinizing the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act of 2023, noting that it primarily addresses privacy but may lack sufficient provisions regarding the 'rent-sharing' or monetary value of user data. The Bench emphasized that once data is shared, its value remains, and users should have a say in its commercial use.
- The SC is hearing petitions against a ₹213.14-crore penalty imposed on Meta by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
- The court highlighted that the DPDP Act 2023 focuses on privacy but not necessarily on the commercial value of data.
- Concerns were raised about whether rural or poor users can navigate complex privacy consent language.
The artificial intelligence industry is transitioning from a focus on infrastructure (chips, data centers) to practical applications. In 2025, investment in AI infrastructure reached $320 billion, but foundation model businesses face thin profit margins and high competition. Conversely, AI applications are showing real market demand, with spending reaching $19 billion. The article emphasizes that real value lies in departmental AI tools, such as coding assistants and specialized solutions for healthcare or finance. Policymakers are urged to balance regulation with room for experimentation while addressing concerns like copyright, privacy, and anti-competitive acquisitions.
- AI investment is moving from building foundational models to creating revenue-generating applications.
- Foundation models face sustainability challenges due to high inference costs and intense competition.
- Copyright and privacy are emerging as primary legal concerns regarding the source of AI training data.
Shrikant Madhav Vaidya argues that global industrial competitiveness is shifting from 'molecules' (fossil fuels) to 'electrons' (clean electricity). While China leads with nearly half of its industrial energy coming from electricity, India lags at 27%. Electrification offers higher efficiency, better process control, and easier decarbonization. To remain competitive in a carbon-conscious global market, India must launch a national mission on industrial electrification, mandate clean energy in new industrial parks, and provide targeted finance for MSMEs to transition to electric-based processes like electric-arc furnaces in steel manufacturing.
- Industrial energy is shifting from combustion-based 'molecules' to clean and reliable 'electrons' (electrification).
- China's industrial electrification stands at 47%, significantly higher than India's 27% and the global average of 30%.
- Electric motors are highly efficient, converting over 90% of energy into work, compared to less than 35% for internal combustion engines.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has involved an external team to investigate the consecutive failures of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The most recent mission, PSLV C-62, failed on January 12 during its third stage, resulting in the loss of 16 satellites. This follows a similar failure of PSLV C-61 in May 2025. Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that the external appraisal is intended to build confidence and ensure the problem is rectified. ISRO is targeting June 2026 for the next launch and has a total of 18 launches scheduled for the year.
- ISRO is using a third-party appraisal to investigate the causes of recent PSLV launch failures.
- Both PSLV C-61 and C-62 failed during the ignition of the third stage.
- The failure of C-62 resulted in the loss of the EOS-09 satellite and several private sector satellites.