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17/02/2026

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CA-17/02/2026

• Origin & Creator: Invented in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu (also known as Guru Gomke) in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
• Language: It is the official and indigenous writing system for Santhali, an Austroasiatic language spoken by the Santhal tribe.
• Alphabet Structure:
  • It consists of 30 letters.
  • Unlike many Indic scripts that are abugidas (syllabic), Ol Chiki is a true alphabet, giving vowels equal status with consonants.
  • The shapes of the letters are based on natural objects and actions relevant to tribal life, such as birds, hills, and traditional tools.
• Constitutional Status: The Santhali language, along with its Ol Chiki script, was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution in 2003 via the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act.
• Geographical Reach: It is primarily used in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, and Assam, as well as by Santhali-speaking populations in Bangladesh and Nepal.
• Digital Growth: The script is supported by Unicode and is increasingly used in digital media, school textbooks, and literature. 

• Venue: Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi (Centenary Inauguration).
• Dignitaries: Attended by President Droupadi Murmu, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram, and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
• Felicitations: The President honoured 10 achievers from the Santal community for their work in promoting the script. 

• Commencement & Scale: The exercise began on 15 February 2026 and will run until 25 February 2026. It is the largest in its history, featuring 72 participating nations.
• Trifecta Event: For the first time, India is hosting MILAN alongside the IFR and IONS Conclave, creating a massive convergence of global naval diplomacy and operational drills.
• MILAN Village: On 15 February 2026, the Indian Navy inaugurated the 'MILAN Village', a cultural experience zone designed to foster camaraderie through Indian cuisine, handicrafts, and live performances.
• Operational Vision: The event is the first major operational manifestation of PM Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), announced in 2025. 

• Location: Hosted at Visakhapatnam, the headquarters of the Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command.
• Theme: The official theme is "Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration".
• Key Participants:
  • Major Powers: Includes the United States, Russia, Japan, Australia, France, and Germany.
  • New Entrants: Featuring first-time participation from countries like the Philippines, Germany, and the UAE.
• Operational Phases:
  • Harbour Phase: Focuses on professional seminars, subject matter expert exchanges, and cultural events at the MILAN Village.
  • Sea Phase: Involves complex multi-domain maneuvers, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), air defence drills, and search-and-rescue operations.
• Major Assets:
  • Indian Navy: Showcasing indigenous muscle with aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, along with Visakhapatnam-class destroyers and Nilgiri-class stealth frigates.
  • Foreign Assets: Notable foreign warships include Russia’s RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov and Australia’s HMAS Warramunga.
• Significance: It reinforces India’s role as a "Preferred Security Partner" and a "Builder's Navy," demonstrating its ability to bridge opposing global powers (like the US and Russia) in a single cooperative framework. 

• Launch Event: Unveiled at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• National Roadmap: These initiatives represent the first structured national framework for regulating and scaling AI tools across hospitals and public health programs.
• Ayushman Bharat Integration: Both are positioned as digital public goods under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). 

• Purpose: A national governance and guidance framework designed to enable the safe, inclusive, and evidence-based adoption of AI.
• Key Focus:
  • Ethics & Inclusion: Outlines ethical safeguards to ensure AI tools reach rural and underserved populations.
  • Strategic Direction: Provides a roadmap for data stewardship, validation standards, and monitoring of AI solutions.
  • Complementary Role: Emphasises that AI must assist, not replace, healthcare workers and doctors. 

• Purpose: A privacy-preserving benchmarking platform used to rigorously evaluate AI models before they are deployed at scale.
• Developers: Created by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur in collaboration with the National Health Authority (NHA).
• Key Features:
  • Data Privacy: Uses real-world health data for testing without sharing or exposing the underlying raw datasets.
  • Validation Ecosystem: Allows independent testing of AI tools for diagnostics, triaging, and surveillance to build public trust.
  • Mechanism: Utilises federated learning frameworks to maintain high standards of patient data protection. 

• Global Mapping Launch: Scientists are launching the Human Exposome Project (HEP), a massive international collaboration to decode the "hidden 80%" of disease causes not explained by genetics.
• UNESCO Partnership: On 8 December 2025, a formal partnership was initiated between the Global Exposome Forum, UNESCO, and the Human Cell Atlas to integrate exposomics into global science policy.
• Policy Shift: Experts are calling for a shift in public health from a "one-product-one-regulation" model to one that considers the cumulative effect of chemical mixtures on human health. 

• Definition: Coined in 2005 by Dr. Christopher Wild, the exposome represents the totality of exposures an individual experiences from conception to death and how they impact health.
• Three Domains of Exposure:
  • Internal: Biological processes like metabolism, hormones, inflammation, and the gut microbiome.
  • Specific External: Direct external factors such as diet, tobacco use, occupation, infectious agents, and pollutants.
  • General External: Broader social and environmental context, including climate, urban/rural environment, and socioeconomic status.
• Exposomics: The emerging field that studies the exposome using high-tech tools like wearable sensors, satellite data, and "omics" (genomics, metabolomics, etc.) to link environmental contact with molecular changes.
• Scientific Significance: Research shows that genetics alone accounts for only about 10–20% of chronic diseases (like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease), while the remaining burden is caused by environmental factors.
• Innovation – Adductomics: A new technique that measures "adducts" (chemical markers left on blood proteins) to act as a biological sensor of past exposures that cannot be measured directly.
• India's Context: India faces a high environmental disease burden (nearly 25% globally); adopting exposomics is seen as a key step for early disease prediction and cost-effective preventive care in the country. 

• India highlighted bio-based chemicals and enzymes, as key to linking climate action, industrial growth, and rural incomes through biomass like sugarcane and residues.
• Indian government announced Biopharma SHAKTI, a ₹10,000 crore initiative designed to transform India into a global hub for biomanufacturing, which includes the production of these sustainable chemical alternatives.

• Biopharma SHAKTI Launch: In the Union Budget 2026–27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced this dedicated five-year strategy. It focuses on building a nationwide network for biopharma innovation and advanced manufacturing.
• BioE3 Policy Implementation: India has prioritised bio-based chemicals under the BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment), aiming to create a circular bioeconomy.
• Import Reduction Goal: The sector is under focus as India seeks to cut its massive trade deficit in petrochemicals; for instance, the country imported approximately $480 million worth of acetic acid in 2023 alone.
• COP 29 and Net Zero: Rising global demand for "drop-in" green chemicals is being driven by corporate commitments to reach net-zero emissions, with bio-based chemicals estimated to reduce lifecycle emissions by 30–80% compared to petrochemicals. 

• Definition: These are industrial chemicals produced from renewable biological feedstocks—such as sugarcane, corn, starch, wood chips, and agricultural residues—rather than fossil fuels like oil or coal.
• Production Methods: They are typically manufactured through fermentation, enzymatic processes, or chemical conversion within integrated biorefineries.
• Major Categories & Examples:
  • Organic Acids: Lactic acid (used in bioplastics), succinic acid, and acetic acid.
  • Bio-Alcohols: Bio-ethanol (fuel additive) and glycerol (pharmaceuticals/cosmetics).
  • Polymers: Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and bio-based PET.
  • Surfactants: Cleaning agents and personal care ingredients that are less harmful to skin.
• Economic Impact: The global market for bio-based platform chemicals is projected to grow significantly, reaching approximately $120 billion in 2026 with a steady CAGR of nearly 10% through 2034.
• Key Players in India: Companies like Praj Industries, Godavari Biorefineries (which recently launched a new specialty biochemical plant), and Jubilant Ingrevia are leading the domestic transition.
• Challenges:
  • Cost Disadvantage: Currently, production costs are often higher than traditional petrochemicals when crude oil prices are low.
  • Food vs. Fuel: Sourcing raw materials from food crops like corn or soy can spark concerns regarding food security and land use. 

• Flag-off Ceremony: The Kaushal Rath was officially launched on 10 February 2026 as a mobile awareness center to travel across Delhi-NCR and underserved regions.
• Summit Precursor: These initiatives serve as a major precursor to the India AI Impact Summit 2026, aimed at positioning India as a global leader in responsible AI.
• National Goal: Part of the IndiaAI Mission to empower 1 crore (10 million) citizens with foundational AI skills. 

• What it is: A fully equipped mobile computer lab designed to bring AI education directly to the doorsteps of students and youth in semi-urban and underserved areas.
• Features:
  • Equipped with internet-enabled systems and audio-visual tools.
  • Offers on-the-spot registration for the Yuva AI for All course.
  • Provides hands-on exposure to Generative AI tools and real-world Indian use cases.
• Reach: Travels to schools, colleges, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and community hubs. 

• Course Details: A free, 4 to 4.5-hour self-paced online course designed for beginners.
• Curriculum: Consists of six modules covering AI fundamentals, ethics, and practical applications like the CRAFT prompting formula.
• Accessibility:
  • Zero-coding requirement: Suitable for all backgrounds (Arts, Commerce, Science).
  • Languages: Available in English and Hindi, with plans for 11 regional languages (e.g., Bengali, Tamil, Telugu).
  • Platforms: Accessible via FutureSkills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi, and DIKSHA.
• Certification: Learners receive an official Government of India certificate upon successful completion. 

• Fountain Revival (Feb 2026): After nearly two years of silence and a ₹15 crore loss due to idle equipment, work has officially restarted to replace damaged underwater cables.
• NGT Intervention (Feb 2026): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently ordered the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to submit a time-bound plan to stop untreated sewage from flowing into the lake.
• Supreme Court Verdict (Oct 2025): The apex court upheld the legality of "temporary" constructions like the viewing gallery and floating restaurant, stating they do not violate wetland rules as the lake was originally built for irrigation.
• Restoration Audit: A technical team from France visited in early 2026 to audit the fountain's multimedia system and supervise the installation of new specialized components. 

• History: Built in 1799 by the Bhonsle kings of Nagpur, it is over 225 years old and was originally intended for irrigation and drinking water.
• Geography: Covers approximately 60 acres (24 hectares) in the western part of Nagpur.
• Beautification Project: A massive ₹200 crore+ redevelopment includes:
  • A 350-metre gallery for 4,000 spectators.
  • A multi-level parking plaza for nearly 1,000 vehicles (85% complete as of early 2026).
  • A unique artificial steel banyan tree viewing platform.
• Musical Fountain: Designed to be a world-class attraction featuring music by A.R. Rahman and narration by Gulzar, Amitabh Bachchan, and Nana Patekar.
• Environmental Concerns: Despite its development, the lake suffers from eutrophication (algae blooms) and persistent sewage discharge from nearby settlements.
• Legal Status: While not a statutory wetland, the Supreme Court ruled it must still be protected under the "Doctrine of Public Trust," meaning no permanent concrete structures can be built inside the main waterbody. 

• The 39th AU Summit in February 2026 brought together leaders to discuss critical issues such as water security, peace and security in Sudan and the DRC, and the "legitimacy crisis" with African youth.
• President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi became the new AU Chairperson for 2026.
• The 2026 theme is “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063”.
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the need for a permanent African seat on the UN Security Council.
• The summit included a briefing on South Africa’s 2025 G20 Presidency. 

• 2026 Focus (Water & Sanitation): The adopted Africa Water Vision 2026 aims for climate-resilient water security, recognizing the link between water access, employment, and health.
• Peace & Security: Efforts are underway to revive dialogue in the Sudan crisis and unify diplomatic approaches. The AU remains committed to "Silencing the Guns". Several countries, including Sudan, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger, are suspended due to unconstitutional changes in government.
• Economic & Structural Integration: Priority is given to accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Discussions included the New African Financial Architecture (NAFA) to mobilize African capital and reduce reliance on external donors.
• Historical Justice: The AU extended the focus on Reparations for the decade 2026–2036.
• Governance & Challenges: The AU faces a "legitimacy crisis" among its youth and continues to grapple with financial dependence on external donors. 

• Survey Findings (Kerala): The latest 2026 census recorded 17 active nesting sites in North Kerala (Kannur and Kasaragod), a modest rise from 13 in 2024. However, this remains below the historical high of 25 nests recorded in 1996.
• Rare Sighting: Birdwatchers recently reported a rare sighting of the eagle in Mukkombu, Tiruchi, far from its usual coastal habitat, marking the first sighting in that inland region in over 30 years. 

• Apex Indicator: As an apex predator, it is considered a vital indicator of marine and coastal environmental health.
• Physical Features:
  • Size: Enormous raptor with a wingspan of up to 2.2 metres (7.2 feet).
  • Appearance: Adults have a striking white head and belly with dark grey wings and a wedge-shaped tail.
  • Sexual Dimorphism: Females are noticeably larger and heavier than males.
• Diet & Hunting:
  • Mainly feeds on fish, sea snakes, and turtles.
  • Known for kleptoparasitism (stealing food from other birds like ospreys) and hunting fruit bats.
• Nesting & Behaviour:
  • Fidelity: They are monogamous and often reuse the same nest for decades, renovating it with fresh sticks and seaweed each year.
  • Breeding Season: In India, they typically breed between October and March.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern globally, but many local populations (like those in Kerala and Australia) are in decline due to habitat loss.
  • Indian Law: Protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Threats: Habitat destruction (cutting tall trees like Casuarina and Ficus), human disturbance during nesting, and "ecological traps" from power lines and towers. 

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