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Type: PIB

  • 18th BRICS Summit concludes in New Delhi with the New Delhi Declaration

    Why in News

    The 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September 2026 under India’s BRICS Chairship. The grouping adopted the New Delhi Declaration on 12 September 2026.

    Core facts

    BRICS is a plurilateral grouping originally of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, now expanded to 11 members. India’s presidency theme is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. The PIB Backgrounder records the bloc’s weight as 49.5% of global population, 40% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 26% of global trade. Named institutional outcomes across ministerial tracks include a BRICS Centre of Excellence on Agro Ecology and a Digital Agriculture Network, a BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyle (2026 to 2029), BRICS CONNECT for Skilling, a Smart Grids and Energy Storage Digital Centre of Excellence, an MSME Cooperation Portal, a Startup Innovation Fund and a Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework. Alongside the summit, the BRICS Bharat Innovates Exposition at Bharat Mandapam showcased 37 Indian deep technology startups.

    Static Context

    The first BRICS summit was held in 2009 at Yekaterinburg, Russia, as BRIC. South Africa joined in 2010, making it BRICS. The bloc runs the New Development Bank (NDB), headquartered in Shanghai, and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), a currency swap facility for members facing balance of payments pressure. The 2014 Fortaleza Declaration established the NDB. India previously chaired the grouping in 2012, 2016 and 2021. Membership expansion has added Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia in recent cycles, with a separate partner country category.

    Prelims angle

    Track the host city and chair of each recent summit, the members added in the latest expansion, the theme wording, and the two BRICS institutions (NDB and CRA) with their headquarters and functions. Fortaleza links to the NDB.

    Mains angle

    GS2, groupings involving or affecting India. Frame BRICS as a counterweight in global governance that amplifies the Global South, its role in multilateral reform, and the friction between expansion and cohesion. India’s bilateral engagements with African and Global South leaders on the summit sidelines illustrate the outreach dimension.

    Matching Previous Year Question

    “[2025] Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:
    I. The 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.
    II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.
    III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    (a) I and II
    (b) II and III
    (c) I and III
    (d) I only
    Answer: (a)”

    “[2026, GS2, 10 marks] BRICS acts as a powerful counterweight in global governance, actively amplifying the voice and influence of the Global South. Explain the role of BRICS in projecting itself as an alternative to other groupings.”

    PIB Link

    https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2309642&reg=3&lang=1 and the BRICS PIB Backgrounder https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=159946&ModuleId=3&reg=3&lang=1

  • Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic PNG Connections

    Why in News

    The Press Information Bureau (PIB) issued a PIB Backgrounder on the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic Piped Natural Gas (PNG) Connections. Piped Natural Gas (PNG) is cooking gas supplied to homes through a pipeline network rather than in cylinders.

    Core facts

    The scheme incentivises City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities to expand domestic PNG connections. City Gas Distribution (CGD) is the network that retails natural gas to households, commercial units and vehicles in a defined geographical area. The nodal ministry is the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Release specific outlay and connection figures could not be verified, as the PIB detail page did not resolve this run.

    Static Context

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) authorises and regulates CGD networks. The PNGRB was set up under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006. It regulates refining, storage, transport, distribution and marketing of petroleum products and natural gas, and grants CGD authorisations through competitive bidding rounds. Domestic PNG and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) together form the priority segment for gas supply, which receives domestic gas allocation on a priority basis. The scheme sits alongside the clean cooking access agenda pursued earlier through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), which provided Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections to poor households.

    Prelims angle

    The regulator to remember is the PNGRB and the range of activities it regulates. Distinguish PNG (piped, network based) from LPG (cylinder based) and CNG (vehicle fuel). Note the priority allocation of domestic natural gas to the CGD household segment.

    Mains angle

    GS3, energy and infrastructure. A question can frame domestic gas access as a clean energy transition and last mile infrastructure issue. The scheme links to energy security, import dependence on natural gas, and household air quality gains from switching away from solid fuels.

    Matching Previous Year Question

    “[2025] Consider the following activities:
    I. Production of crude oil
    II. Refining, storage and distribution of petroleum
    III. Marketing and sale of petroleum products
    IV. Production of natural gas
    How many of the above activities are regulated by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board in our country?
    (a) Only one
    (b) Only two
    (c) Only three
    (d) All the four
    Answer: (b)”

    PIB Link

    https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2309647&reg=3&lang=1

  • Fueling the Blue Economy: six years of the fisheries flagship scheme

    Fueling the Blue Economy: six years of the fisheries flagship scheme

    Why in News

    The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) completed six years. PMMSY is the flagship scheme for the fisheries sector.

    Core facts

    1. Budget: A record ₹2,500 crore was allocated in the 2026 to 2027 Budget Estimate. Total outlay since the 2020 to 2021 year is ₹20,750 crore.
    2. Fish production: It rose from 141.64 lakh tonnes to 197.75 lakh tonnes. The base year is 2019 to 2020. The latest figure is for 2024 to 2025.
    3. Exports: Fisheries exports rose from ₹46,663 crore to ₹73,890 crore over the same span.
    4. Employment: The scheme supported employment for 58 lakh persons. It backed 2,195 Fish Farmers Producer Organizations.
    5. Structure: PMMSY runs a Central Sector component and a Centrally Sponsored Scheme component.
    6. Sub scheme: The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM MKSSY) has an estimated ₹6,000 crore outlay for 2023 to 2024 up to 2026 to 2027. It formalises the sector through digital identities.
    7. Digital platform: The National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) launched in September 2024. It recorded over 37.23 lakh registrations as of 8 September 2026.
    8. Coastal villages: 100 coastal villages are identified as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages. Each carries a ₹200 lakh unit cost, fully government funded.
    9. Livelihoods: The fisheries sector sustains nearly three crore livelihoods.

    Static Context

    1. PMMSY launched in 2020. The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying runs it.
    2. Blue Economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for growth, livelihoods and ocean health. PMMSY aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life Below Water.
    3. A Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) filters and reuses water. It allows intensive fish farming on minimal land and water.
    4. Biofloc technology recycles nutrients using beneficial microbes with minimal water exchange.

    Prelims angle

    PMMSY launch in 2020 under the Department of Fisheries; PM MKSSY as a Central Sector sub scheme; NFDP launch in 2024; the working principle of Recirculatory Aquaculture System biofilters that convert ammonia to nitrate; PMMSY link to Sustainable Development Goal 14.

    Mains angle

    GS Paper 3, economics of animal rearing and allied sectors. The Blue Economy frame fits a question on fisheries as a driver of coastal livelihoods and sustainable growth.

    Matching Previous Year Question

    “[2023] With reference to the role of biofilters in Recirculating Aquaculture System, consider the following statements:
    1. Biofilters provide waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed.
    2. Biofilters convert ammonia present in fish waste to nitrate.
    3. Biofilters increase phosphorus as nutrient for fish in water.
    How many of the statements given above are correct?
    (a) Only one
    (b) Only two
    (c) All three
    (d) None

  • BRICS: evolution, cooperation and India’s leadership ahead of the 18th Summit

    BRICS: evolution, cooperation and India’s leadership ahead of the 18th Summit

    Why in News

    India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit on 12 to 13 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. BRICS is a grouping of major emerging economies.

    Current stage and next milestone

    India chairs BRICS for the fourth time in 2026. The leaders’ sessions run on 12 to 13 September 2026. The chairship has already run over 350 ministerial meetings across 25 cities.

    Core facts

    1. Origin: The acronym BRIC was coined in 2001 by Goldman Sachs. It projected Brazil, Russia, India and China as future major economies.
    2. Formation: South Africa joined in 2010, forming BRICS.
    3. Membership now: The grouping has 11 full members: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. A Partner Country framework adds ten more nations.
    4. Weight: Members hold 49.5% of global population, 40% of global Gross Domestic Product and 26% of global trade.
    5. India’s chairships: They occurred in 2012, 2016, 2021 and 2026.
    6. Theme 2026: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
    7. Three pillars: Political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation, and cultural exchanges.
    8. 2026 agenda: Agriculture, health, urban infrastructure, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, supply chains and climate resilience.

    Static Context

    1. The New Development Bank (NDB) is the BRICS development bank. It was set up at the 6th Summit via the Fortaleza Declaration of 2014. Its headquarters is in Shanghai.
    2. The Contingent Reserve Arrangement is the BRICS currency swap framework for balance of payments support.
    3. The 16th Summit was held at Kazan, Russia, in 2024. The latest expansion admitted Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

    Prelims angle

    NDB headquarters at Shanghai and its Fortaleza Declaration origin; BRICS membership list and the 11 member count; India’s chairship years; the NDB is a BRICS body, not an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation body.

    Mains angle

    GS Paper 2, global groupings affecting India’s interests. BRICS suits a question on its role as a counterweight in global governance and a platform for the Global South.

    Matching Previous Year Question

    “[2025] Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:
    I. The 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.
    II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.
    III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    (a) I and II
    (b) II and III
    (c) I and III
    (d) I only
    Answer: (a)”

    “[2026, GS2, 10 marks] “BRICS acts as a powerful counterweight in global governance, actively amplifying the voice and influence of the Global South.” Explain the role of BRICS in projecting itself as an alternative to other groupings.”

  • Seventh Gender Samvaad centres women’s leadership in rural livelihoods

    Why in News

    The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY NRLM) held the seventh Gender Samvaad on women’s agency in livelihoods.

    Core facts

    1. Theme: The edition focused on moving women from participation to leadership in livelihoods.
    2. Scale: Over 6 lakh stakeholders joined. Participation rose from 1,400 in April 2021 to near 6 lakh by September 2025.
    3. SHG base: The Self Help Group (SHG) movement represents over 100 million women.
    4. Lakhpati Didi: 346 million Lakhpati Didis earn over ₹1,00,000 a year. A Lakhpati Didi is an SHG woman with annual household income at or above ₹1 lakh.
    5. State models cited: Maharashtra’s Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill recognises women without formal land titles. Odisha’s Bhubaneswar Declaration advances women’s land rights. Andhra Pradesh’s natural farming is led by women’s SHGs.
    6. Institution building: The focus is on strengthening Cluster Level Federations, Producer Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO). Governance, financial record keeping and credit readiness are flagged for the United Nations International Year of Women Farmers 2026.
    7. Entrepreneurship drive: The National Campaign on Entrepreneurship II runs from 21 August to 21 November 2026. It promotes enterprise development, value chains and market access for SHG women.

    Static Context

    1. DAY NRLM launched in 2011 as Aajeevika. It mobilises rural poor women into SHGs and their federations. The Ministry of Rural Development runs it.
    2. Gender Samvaad launched in April 2021. It is a joint platform of DAY NRLM and the Institute for What Works to Advance Gender Equality (IWWAGE). It shares gender practice across State Rural Livelihoods Missions.
    3. An SHG is a small voluntary savings and credit group, usually of 10 to 20 members. The SHG Bank Linkage Programme connects these groups to formal bank credit.

    Prelims angle

    DAY NRLM launch as Aajeevika in 2011 under the Ministry of Rural Development; Lakhpati Didi income threshold of ₹1 lakh; the SHG Bank Linkage Programme; distinction between Self Help Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations.

    Mains angle

    GS Paper 2, development processes and the role of SHGs. The theme fits a question on SHGs as vehicles of women’s economic empowerment and poverty reduction.

    Matching Previous Year Question

    “[2012] How does the National Rural Livelihood Mission seek to improve livelihood options of rural poor?
    1. By setting up a large number of new manufacturing industries and agri-business centres in rural areas
    2. By strengthening ‘Self-Help Groups’ and providing skill development
    3. By supplying seeds, fertilizers, diesel pumpsets, and micro-irrigation equipment free of cost to farmers
    (a) 1 and 2 only
    (b) 2 only
    (c) 1 and 3 only
    (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Answer: (b)”

    “[2020, GS2, 15 marks] “Micro-Finance as an anti-poverty vaccine, is aimed at asset creation and income security of the rural poor in India”. Evaluate the role of Self Help Groups in achieving the twin objectives along with empowering women in rural India.”

  • Securing Farmers’ Future with Dignity: seven years of the farmer pension scheme

    Why in News

    The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM KMY) completed seven years. PM KMY is a voluntary contributory pension scheme for small and marginal farmers.

    Core facts

    1. Launch: PM KMY launched on 12 September 2019.
    2. Core benefit: It assures a minimum pension of ₹3,000 per month from the age of 60.
    3. Enrolment: Total enrolment is 24,96,252 farmers as of February 2026. Haryana leads with 5.75 lakh. Bihar follows with 3.46 lakh.
    4. Outlay used: Government investment since 2019 is ₹540.66 crore.
    5. Administration: It is a Central Sector Scheme under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is the pension fund manager.
    6. Eligibility: It covers farmers holding cultivable land up to two hectares. The entry age band is 18 to 40 years. Names must appear in land records as of 1 August 2019.
    7. Contribution: The farmer pays ₹55 to ₹200 per month by entry age. The government matches the farmer’s contribution equally.
    8. Family pension: A surviving spouse receives 50% of the pension, that is ₹1,500 per month.
    9. Exclusions: Income tax payers, registered professionals and beneficiaries of other pension schemes are barred. These other schemes include the National Pension System (NPS), the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM SYM) and the Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maandhan (PM LVM).
    10. Enrolment route: Enrolment runs through Common Service Centres using Aadhaar, a bank account and mobile One Time Password. A farmer may route PM KISAN benefits into the PM KMY contribution.

    Static Context

    1. PM KISAN is the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. It transfers ₹6,000 per year in three instalments to landholding farmer families.
    2. A Central Sector Scheme is funded fully by the Union government. A Centrally Sponsored Scheme splits funding between the Centre and the states.
    3. LIC is a statutory insurer. It was set up under the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956.

    Prelims angle

    PM KMY pension amount of ₹3,000 and entry age 18 to 40; LIC as the fund manager; the two hectare landholding ceiling; the distinction between Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored schemes; overlap bars with PM SYM and NPS.

    Mains angle

    GS Paper 2, welfare schemes for vulnerable sections. The scheme suits a question on old age income security for the unorganised and agrarian workforce.

    Matching Previous Year Question

    “[2016] Regarding ‘Atal Pension Yojana’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
    1. It is a minimum guaranteed pension scheme mainly targeted at unorganized sector workers.
    2. Only one member of a family can join the scheme.
    3. Same amount of pension is guaranteed for the spouse for life after subscriber’s death.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    (a) 1 only
    (b) 2 and 3 only
    (c) 1 and 3 only
    (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Answer: (c)”

  • Inclusive and trusted intelligent finance pitched at Global Fintech Festival 2026

    Why in News

    The Ministry of Communications set out India’s digital finance record at the Global Fintech Festival 2026 in Mumbai.

    Core facts

    1. Guiding frame: Finance must become inclusive before it becomes intelligent. Connectivity, compute and trust are named the new digital trinity.
    2. Internet access: It expanded from 25 crore users to 100 crore users over a decade.
    3. Broadband access: It grew from 6 crore to 103 crore, a 16 fold rise in ten years. About 6.5 lakh villages now join the digital economy.
    4. 5G rollout: The fifth generation (5G) network covers 99.9% of districts and 85% of the population within 26 months of its 2022 launch. It runs on over 5 lakh base stations with ₹4.5 lakh crore capital expenditure.
    5. Data price: Data costs about 10 cents per gigabyte. India is stated as the world’s most affordable data market.
    6. Unified Payments Interface (UPI): UPI is a real time retail payment system linking bank accounts for instant transfers. It processed 24,162 crore transactions worth ₹314 lakh crore in the 2025 to 2026 financial year. It forms 84% of domestic digital transactions and 49% of global real time payment volumes.
    7. UPI abroad: It is live in nine countries at no cost. Expansion to 20 more nations is planned.
    8. Financial inclusion base: 60 crore Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts are open. 9 billion documents sit on DigiLocker, the government’s digital document wallet.
    9. Rural coverage: Under Digital Bharat Nidhi, 22,000 towers are being placed across 34,000 villages without telecom links.
    10. Fraud tools: Sanchar Saathi blocks suspicious connections and stolen devices. ASTR, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool, cut 88 lakh suspicious mobile connections. The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator blocks fraudulent transfers before withdrawal.
    11. Stated vision: A Trust Grid would integrate telecom, digital identity, UPI and financial systems. The 6G mission targets 10% of global patents.

    Static Context

    1. UPI is operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). NPCI is an umbrella body for retail payments set up in 2008 under the guidance of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association.
    2. Digital Bharat Nidhi is the successor to the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). It was renamed under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. It funds telecom access in commercially unviable rural and remote areas.
    3. PMJDY launched in 2014 as the national financial inclusion mission. It provides basic savings accounts, RuPay cards and overdraft access.
    4. DigiLocker operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It issues and stores verified documents linked to Aadhaar.

    Prelims angle

    UPI versus Central Bank Digital Currency (Digital Rupee) distinctions; the operator of UPI is NPCI, not RBI; Digital Bharat Nidhi sits under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and replaces the USOF; PMJDY launch year 2014; Sanchar Saathi as the fraud reporting platform.

    Mains angle

    GS Paper 3, Indian economy and inclusive growth. The digital public infrastructure stack can frame a question on how far technology driven financial inclusion closes welfare and credit gaps.

    Matching Previous Year Question

    “[2026] Which one of the following statements about Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Central Bank Digital Currency (Digital Rupee) is NOT correct?
    (a) UPI is a real-time payment system but Digital Rupee is akin to sovereign paper currency
    (b) In case of UPI, settlement for end users happens instantly; in case of Digital Rupee, wallet balance gets transferred to another wallet (no traditional settlement)
    (c) UPI transactions are recorded by banks and reflected in bank statements; in case of Digital Rupee, no data is captured in bank statements
    (d) In both the cases (UPI and Digital Rupee), the liability lies with the users and their respective banks
    Answer: (d)”

    “[2023, GS3, 10 marks] What is the status of digitalization in the Indian economy? Examine the problems faced in this regard and suggest improvements.”

  • INS Mysore arrives at Lumut, Malaysia for Exercise Samudra Laksamana [MENTION]

    PIB class: Press Release. Ministry: Ministry of Defence.

    Why in News

    Indian Naval Ship (INS) Mysore arrived at Lumut, Malaysia for the 4th edition of Exercise Samudra Laksamana.

    Static Context (the exam value sits here)

    1. Exercise Samudra Laksamana is the bilateral naval exercise between India and Malaysia. It builds maritime interoperability between the two navies.
    2. Lumut hosts the main base of the Royal Malaysian Navy. It sits on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia facing the Strait of Malacca.
    3. INS Mysore is a guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy. It belongs to the Delhi class of destroyers.
    4. The exercise supports India’s Act East Policy and Indo Pacific outreach. Malaysia is an ASEAN member and a maritime neighbour across the Bay of Bengal.

    Prelims angle

    Pairing exercises with countries. Samudra Laksamana is India and Malaysia. Location cue Lumut and the Strait of Malacca as a chokepoint. Distinguish from other India naval exercises such as Varuna with France and Malabar with the United States, Japan and Australia.

    Mains angle

    GS3, security, and GS2, India and its neighbourhood. Naval diplomacy and maritime security cooperation in the Indo Pacific.

    Matching Previous Year Question

    “No direct PYQ on this bilateral exercise was traced in the provided files. Closest tracked Microtheme is Defence and India’s maritime security cooperation.”

  • Fueling the Blue Economy [PIB Backgrounder]

    PIB class: PIB Backgrounder. Unit: PIB feature unit.

    Why in News

    PIB published a thematic Backgrounder titled Fueling the Blue Economy.

    Core facts (static, definitional)

    1. The Blue Economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, livelihoods and jobs, while preserving ocean ecosystem health. It covers fisheries, shipping, ports, coastal tourism, marine minerals and marine renewable energy.
    2. Governing frame: India’s draft Blue Economy policy treats the ocean as the sixth dimension of national growth alongside land based sectors.
    3. Release specific figures: Not verifiable this run and therefore omitted.

    Static Context

    1. The Deep Ocean Mission is India’s flagship ocean programme. It funds deep sea exploration, a manned submersible named Samudrayaan, and survey of sea bed minerals and biodiversity. The nodal body is the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
    2. The Sagarmala Programme drives port led growth. It links port modernisation, coastal shipping and inland waterways under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
    3. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana supports fisheries. It targets higher fish production, aquaculture and fisher incomes.
    4. India holds a large maritime footprint. It has a coastline of about 11,000 kilometres and an Exclusive Economic Zone of about 2 million square kilometres, which anchors the Blue Economy potential.

    Prelims angle

    The definition of the Blue Economy. Deep Ocean Mission and Samudrayaan under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Sagarmala under the shipping ministry. The Exclusive Economic Zone extending to 200 nautical miles under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrass.

    Mains angle

    GS3, conservation and economy, and GS1 geography, ocean resources. Balancing marine resource extraction with ocean ecosystem health, and the Blue Economy as a driver of coastal livelihoods.

    Matching Previous Year Question

    “[2026] Consider the following statements with reference to the Sagarmala Programme of the Government of India: I. The Sagarmala Programme seeks to achieve port-led economic growth through cost-effective and sustainable coastal infrastructure. II. The success of the Sagarmala Programme is reflected in significant growth in coastal and inland waterway shipping, along with improved global port rankings. III. Sagarmala 2.0 aims to position India as a global maritime innovation hub aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047 visions. Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct? 1. Statement II validates the effectiveness of the strategies envisioned in Statement I. 2. Statement III extends the objectives of Statement I by embedding them into a future-oriented innovation framework. 3. Statement I contradicts Statement III by focusing only on traditional infrastructure instead of modern innovation. Select the answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 3 only. Answer: (b)”

    “[2014, GS1, 10 marks] Critically evaluate the various resources of the oceans which can be harnessed to meet the resource crisis in the world.”

  • 9th ASEAN India Ministerial Meeting reaffirms commitment to food security and resilient value chains [Dossier]

    PIB class: Press Release. Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

    Why in News

    The 9th ASEAN India Ministerial Meeting on agriculture reaffirmed commitment to food security, sustainable agriculture and resilient value chains.

    Core facts

    1. The forum: ASEAN is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a ten member regional grouping. India is a dialogue partner and a strategic partner of ASEAN.
    2. Stated themes: Food security, sustainable agriculture and resilient agricultural value chains formed the agenda of the ministerial meeting.
    3. Figures and specific deliverables: Not verifiable this run and therefore omitted.

    Static Context

    1. ASEAN was established in 1967 through the Bangkok Declaration. Its members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
    2. India ASEAN relations run through a structured framework. India joined as a sectoral dialogue partner in 1992 and a full dialogue partner in 1996. The relationship became a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.
    3. The ASEAN India Trade in Goods Agreement is under review. Agriculture cooperation runs through a rolling plan of action agreed by the two sides.
    4. Food security cooperation links to India’s Act East Policy. It ties agriculture trade to India’s wider Indo Pacific engagement.

    Prelims angle

    ASEAN founding year 1967 and the Bangkok Declaration. The ten members. India’s status as a Comprehensive Strategic Partner since 2022. India ASEAN connectivity projects such as the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project and the India Myanmar Thailand Trilateral Highway.

    Mains angle

    GS2, regional groupings affecting India’s interests. Agriculture and food security cooperation as a pillar of the Act East Policy and of India’s Indo Pacific strategy.

    Matching Previous Year Question

    “[2026] Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project 2. IMT Trilateral Highway 3. Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 2 only. Answer: (a)”