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16/02/2026

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CA-16/02/2026

• Prime Ministerial Greetings: PM Modi greeted the community with the phrase "Herath Poshte!" (meaning "may there be abundance/blooming"), praying for wellness and success.
• Celebrations in Kashmir: Large gatherings were witnessed at the historic Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar, which was illuminated for the occasion.
• Symbol of Harmony: The festival was highlighted for its "Salaam" tradition, where Muslim neighbours visit Pandit families to extend greetings, reinforcing the spirit of Kashmiriyat.
• Legislative Holiday: The Jammu and Kashmir government declared a holiday for Pandit employees and legislators during the ongoing Budget session to mark the occasion. 

• Significance: Known locally as the "Night of Hara" (Lord Shiva), it commemorates the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
• Duration: Unlike the single-night Maha Shivratri celebrated elsewhere, Herath is a 15-day-long festival starting from Okdoh (the first day of the dark fortnight of Phalguna).
• Vatuk Pooja: The central ritual involves worshipping Vatuk Bhairav (a form of Shiva). Instead of a Linga, deities are represented by water-filled vessels (Kalash) adorned with flowers and walnuts.
• Walnuts as Prasad: Soaked walnuts (Doon) are a critical symbol of prosperity. They are kept in sacred vessels and distributed as Prasad to family and neighbours on Dooni-Mavas.
• Unique Food Traditions: Distinct from the vegetarian fasts observed in other regions, Kashmiri Pandits traditionally prepare fish and mutton dishes like Rogan Josh and Yakhni as part of the festive feast.
• Herath Kharch: Elders traditionally give monetary gifts, known as Herath Kharch, to children and younger family members.
• Salaam: The day following the main puja is called Salaam, dedicated to social visits and exchanging greetings with friends from all communities. 

• National Conference 2026: A two-day event at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, Mumbai, concluded on February 15, focusing on integrating modern research with traditional Unani wisdom.
• Major Infrastructural Upgrades: Union Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav inaugurated the renovated Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine (RRIUM) co-location centre at J.J. Hospital, Mumbai, upgraded at a cost of approximately ₹3.84 crore.
• NABL Certification: The Biochemistry and Pathology laboratories of RRIUM, Mumbai, received NABL accreditation, signifying a move toward globally benchmarked, evidence-based research.
• Digital Initiatives: Launch of the CCRUM Collaborative Expression of Interest (EoI) Web Portal and mobile applications designed to enhance access to authentic Unani knowledge. 

• Core Theme: The focus is on using "Innovation" (modern tools like AI, Genomics, and Bioinformatics) and "Evidence" (scientific validation through clinical trials) as the two pillars for the next era of Unani medicine.
• Strategic Vision: Aligns with the Viksit Bharat @ 2047 goal to establish Unani medicine as a globally accepted, credible component of mainstream healthcare.
• Key Sessions & Topics:
  • Drug Standardization: Focus on ensuring quality and safety through robust data.
  • Regimenal Therapies: Showcasing evidence for classical therapies like Hijamah (cupping), Dalak (massage), and Hammam (steam bath).
  • Mizaj-e-Insan Assessment: Introduction of a standardized questionnaire to assess individual human temperament, a core Unani concept.
• Global Recognition: The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published official benchmarks for Unani training and treatment, signaling its emergence as a global healthcare system.
• Collaborations: The event saw the exchange of one international and eight national MoUs to promote academic and research excellence.
• Annual Commemoration: World Unani Day is observed every February 11 to honour the birth anniversary of Hakim Ajmal Khan, a pioneer of Unani medicine in India. 

• Pilot Launch: The first-of-its-kind CBDC-based PDS pilot was inaugurated in Gujarat (districts like Ahmedabad, Anand, and Valsad).
• Strategic Expansion: The government announced plans to quickly scale this to the Union Territories of Chandigarh, Puducherry, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
• Technological Milestone: India is among the first major economies to test Programmable CBDC for large-scale social welfare delivery. 

• What it is: A programmed form of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) e-Rupee. These are digital tokens specifically "locked" for the purchase of foodgrains.
• How it Works:
  • Direct Credit: Monthly coupons are credited directly to a beneficiary's RBI-enabled digital wallet.
  • Redemption: Beneficiaries scan a QR code at an authorised Fair Price Shop (FPS) to instantly debit the coupon and receive their entitled grains.
  • Validity: Coupons have a set timeframe (e.g., 30 days) to prevent unspent subsidies from accumulating.
• Core Benefits:
  • Eliminates Biometric Issues: Relieves beneficiaries from repeated biometric authentication failures caused by poor connectivity or physical wear.
  • Anti-Diversion: Because the tokens are programmable, they cannot be spent on non-essentials or converted to cash elsewhere.
  • Traceability: Provides a real-time, digital audit trail of every gram of foodgrain distributed, from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to the end user.
• Accessibility: While primary usage is through smartphones, the government is exploring SMS-based vouchers and offline solutions to support beneficiaries with basic feature phones.
• National Vision: Framed under the slogan "Har Dana, Har Rupiya, Har Adhikar," the reform aims to ensure transparent and corruption-free delivery of subsidies. 

• Green Hydrogen Milestone: The conclave served as the stage for the announcement that India has officially achieved its pilot-scale target of producing Green Hydrogen at under $2 per kg, a critical threshold for global competitiveness.
• New Policy Launch: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) introduced the "National Energy Storage Mission 2.0" during the event to address grid stability.
• Global Collaboration: A major India-EU Solid-State Battery Alliance was signed during the conclave to reduce dependency on lithium-ion imports.

• Objective: To bridge the gap between laboratory research and commercial energy solutions, focusing on "Lab-to-Market" transitions.
• Theme: The 2026 edition focused on "Resilient Energy Systems for a Net-Zero World."
• Key Focus Areas:
  • Nuclear Renaissance: Discussions on the rapid deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for industrial decarbonization.
  • Deep Geothermal Energy: Exploration of India's volcanic and hot-spring regions for 24/7 clean baseload power.
  • Circular Economy: Innovation in recycling solar panels and wind turbine blades to recover critical minerals like silver and silicon.
• Major Announcements:
  • RISE Fellowship: A new ₹500-crore fund was announced to support 1,000 young researchers working specifically on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS).
  • Decentralized Solar: A push for integrating AI-driven "Smart Microgrids" in Himalayan and island territories to ensure 100% energy reliability.
• Participants: Hosted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in collaboration with premier institutes like the IITs and international bodies like the International Energy Agency (IEA).
• Viksit Bharat Connection: The conclave emphasized that energy independence is the cornerstone of India becoming a developed nation by 2047, aiming for a 500 GW non-fossil capacity well before 2030. 

• Cashless Treatment: Provides every eligible road accident victim with cashless medical treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per person.
• Golden Hour Focus: Prioritizes admission and treatment within the first hour of an accident (the "Golden Hour"), which can prevent nearly 50% of accident deaths.
• Coverage Duration: The cashless benefit is available for a maximum of seven days from the date of the accident.
• Stabilisation Periods: Includes stabilization treatment for up to 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and up to 48 hours in life-threatening cases.
• Integration with 112: Linked with the national Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 112, allowing victims or Good Samaritans (Rah-Veers) to call for ambulance assistance and location of the nearest designated hospital.
• Digital Framework: Implemented by amalgamating the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) eDAR (Electronic Detailed Accident Report) platform with the National Health Authority (NHA) TMS 2.0 (Transaction Management System).
• Funding Mechanism:
  • Reimbursements are made via the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF).
  • For insured vehicles, payments come from general insurance companies; for uninsured or Hit-and-Run cases, the government provides budgetary allocation.
• Grievance Redressal: Managed at the district level by a nominated officer under the District Road Safety Committee, chaired by the District Magistrate. 

• Urgent Conservation Warning: Experts recently warned that the species is facing rapid declines, particularly due to frequent forest fires during its breeding season and the conversion of mid-altitude grasslands into agricultural terraces.
• Status Review: Scientific bodies like BirdLife International are currently reviewing its global threat status, with indications that it may qualify for an upgrade from 'Vulnerable' to 'Endangered'.
• Success of Reintroduction: Success stories from Himachal Pradesh continue to be cited, where captive-bred birds from the Chail Pheasantry have successfully survived and integrated into wild populations. 

• Scientific Name: Catreus wallichii, named after Danish botanist Nathaniel Wallich.
• Local Names: Commonly known as 'Chir' (after Chir Pine forests) or 'Chaidh'.
• Physical Appearance:
  • Unlike most colourful pheasants, it has relatively dull buff-grey plumage to blend into dry grass.
  • Features a long, pointed, barred tail and a distinctive crimson-red facial patch.
• Habitat & Distribution:
  • Found in steep, rocky hillsides with shrubs and tall grasses between 1,200 and 3,350 metres.
  • Endemic to the Western Himalayas, spanning northern Pakistan, India (Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand), and central Nepal.
• Unique Behaviour:
  • Ground-Dwelling: It is extremely wary and skulking, often digging for roots and tubers with its bill.
  • Natal Philopatry: Individuals tend to stay near or return to their birthplace for breeding.
  • Call: Known for a loud, piercing series of notes, typically delivered at dawn and dusk.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.
  • India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I (Highest protection).
  • CITES: Appendix I.
• Major Threats: Habitat loss due to livestock grazing, illegal hunting, and unregulated forest fires that destroy ground nests. 

• New Discoveries (2026): Researchers from Karnataka and Odisha identified two new species of the genus Aenictus in the Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Ecological Significance: These ants are considered keystone predators that regulate arthropod populations and shape forest biodiversity through massive daily consumption of invertebrates.
• Dietary Research (2025): Recent studies on the species Labidus coecus have provided experimental evidence that these ants may be attracted to and consume vertebrate meat (such as beef), expanding their known ecological role beyond preying on invertebrates. 

• Taxonomy: All true army ants belong to the subfamily Dorylinae.
• Nomadic Lifestyle: They do not build permanent nests. Instead, they form bivouacs—temporary structures made entirely of the interlocking bodies of worker ants to protect the queen and brood.
• Raiding Behaviour: They conduct highly synchronized mass raids, often referred to as "legionary behaviour". A single colony can kill up to 100,000 insects in a single day.
• Sensory System: Most species are practically blind and rely heavily on chemical pheromones to communicate and navigate in straight columns.
• Caste System:
  • Queen: A single, wingless reproductive female capable of laying 3 to 4 million eggs per month.
  • Soldiers: Large ants with oversized heads and sharp mandibles for defense and butchering prey.
  • Workers: Smaller sterile females responsible for foraging, caring for the young, and building the bivouac.
• Habitat: Primarily found in tropical and subtropical ecosystems across the Americas, Africa, and Asia. 

• Period: Flourished during the Late Intermediate Period (900–1450 CE) on the southern coast of modern-day Peru.
• Economic Mastery:
  • Guano Trade: They were the first to harvest guano from offshore islands at a massive scale, using it to turn desert land into fertile maize fields.
  • Maritime Traders: Renowned as the "Phoenicians of the Americas," they maintained vast trade routes using large balsa wood rafts with sails, reaching as far as Ecuador and potentially Central America.
  • Triangular Trade: They exchanged dried fish and guano for copper and wool from the highlands and luxury Spondylus shells from the north.
• Social Organization: A highly specialized society divided into three main economic groups: farmers, fishers, and merchants.
• Capital: Centered at La Centinela, a large archaeological complex featuring adobe pyramids and palaces decorated with marine-themed stucco.
• Religious Beliefs: Worshipped the jaguar god Chinchay and the oracle Chinchaycamac; their worldview was deeply tied to the ecological cycle of the sea and land.
• Inca Annexation (c. 1476 CE): Unlike many other conquered states, the Chincha were integrated through a "peaceful" alliance. The Lord of Chincha held such high prestige that he was one of the few allowed to be carried on a litter in the presence of the Inca Emperor.
• Decline: The civilization collapsed in the mid-16th century following the Spanish conquest, primarily due to the introduction of European diseases which caused a 99% population decline. 

• Placement Data: Recent parliamentary disclosures indicated that placement rates for trained beneficiaries remain below 50% for the period 2021–2024.
• Strict Funding Norms: To improve outcomes, the government has mandated that training institutes must provide employment to 70% of trainees or forfeit 30% of the training cost.
• Expansion & Skill India Integration: The scheme has been increasingly integrated with the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) for registration and monitoring.
• Skill Training for PwDs: Recent inaugurations, such as programs for Persons with Disabilities in Shillong, have expanded the scheme's reach to specialized target groups. 

• Objective: To enhance the competency levels of socially and economically marginalized sections to make them employable for both wage and self-employment.
• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Target Groups:
  • Scheduled Castes (SCs).
  • Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs).
  • De-notified Tribes (DNTs).
  • Safai Karamcharis, including waste pickers and their dependents.
  • Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and Transgenders.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Age: 18–45 years.
  • Income: No limit for SCs, DNTs, or Safai Karamcharis. For OBCs and EWS candidates, family income must be below ₹3 lakh per annum.
• Types of Training:
  • Up-skilling/Re-skilling: 35 to 60 hours, focusing on existing artisans or workers.
  • Short-Term Training: 300 hours (approx. 3 months), aimed at immediate job roles.
  • Long-Term Training: 650 hours or more, providing in-depth specialization.
  • Entrepreneurship Development: 90 hours, focused on self-employment ventures.
• Key Benefits:
  • Free Training: 100% grants provided by the government.
  • Stipends: Monthly stipends (e.g., ₹1,000–₹1,500) for non-residential training.
  • Wage Compensation: Provided to those undergoing up-skilling to cover potential income loss during training.
• Assessment: Minimum 70% attendance is mandatory to appear for assessments. 

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