PIB digest for Sunday, 18 October

Sunday, 18 October4 briefs

• India at SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting

  Ministry of Defence · IR

  Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will visit Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to represent India at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on October 19-20, 2026. The meeting focuses on strengthening multilateral cooperation in trade, economy, investment, connectivity, innovation, and cultural-humanitarian exchanges.

  This event is important for UPSC syllabus under International Relations, highlighting India's active engagement and regional diplomacy within multilateral groupings like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

  Key objectives

  • Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to represent India at the 25th SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on October 19-20, 2026.
  • Focus on strengthening multilateral cooperation in trade, economy, investment, connectivity, innovation, and cultural-humanitarian exchanges.
  • Review progress of ongoing cooperation initiatives and decisions concerning the Organisation's financial and institutional functioning.

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• STPI Tech Conclave Highlights AI in Healthcare

  Ministry of Electronics & IT · Science & Tech

  Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and CIIE, IIT BHU, organised a Tech Conclave on 'AI for Health & Assistive Technologies' in Varanasi to explore practical AI applications in healthcare and citizen well-being. The event brought together government officials, academic experts, and startups to discuss scaling health solutions through initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission.

  This release illustrates the growing intersection of emerging technologies and public welfare, which is vital for UPSC aspirants studying government initiatives in science, technology, and innovation ecosystems.

  Key objectives

  • Organised by Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE), IIT BHU, at IIT BHU, Varanasi.
  • Explored the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, disease screening, medical diagnostics, remote ICU monitoring, and assistive technologies.
  • Highlighted government initiatives including the IndiaAI Mission and STPI's network of 27 Centres of Entrepreneurship to support startups and research translation.

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• NCRTC Celebrates Three Years of Namo Bharat Operations

  Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs · Infrastructure

  The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) celebrated Namo Bharat Diwas 2026 to mark three years of operations, highlighting milestones like the full operationalization of the 82-km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor and green energy initiatives such as a 110 MW captive solar power plant.

  Illustrates the expansion of modern rapid regional transit infrastructure and sustainable urban mobility networks, which are crucial for regional economic development and are covered under the UPSC General Studies Paper-III (Infrastructure) syllabus.

  Key objectives

  • Marked three years of Namo Bharat operations along the 82-km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor which recorded over 4.5 crore passenger journeys.
  • Highlighted sustainability initiatives like Solar on Track and the development of a 110 MW captive solar power plant.
  • Noted upcoming priority corridors including Delhi-Panipat-Karnal and Delhi-Gurugram-Behror, alongside DPR-stage corridors like Ghaziabad-Jewar and Noida-Faridabad-Gurgaon.

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• ICAR-CPRI Develops Nutrient-Rich Biofortified Potato Varieties

  PIB Backgrounder · Agriculture

  ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI) has developed biofortified coloured potato varieties—including Kufri Neelkanth, Kufri Manik, and Kufri Jamunia—rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, iron, and zinc to combat hidden hunger. Kufri Jamunia, released in 2024, exhibits superior nutritional profiles and high yields, making it suitable for cultivation across the North Indian plains.

  This release highlights agricultural innovation through crop biofortification by ICAR-CPRI, directly illustrating themes related to food security, agricultural research, and nutritional interventions under the UPSC syllabus.

  Key objectives

  • Develop biofortified coloured potato varieties to address hidden hunger and improve nutritional security.
  • Release nutrient-rich potato varieties like Kufri Neelkanth (2018), Kufri Manik (2021), and Kufri Jamunia (2024) containing higher anthocyanins, iron, and zinc.
  • Promote cultivation of Kufri Jamunia in the North Indian plains with a yield potential of 32-35 tonnes per hectare.

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