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PIB digest for Saturday, 24 October

Saturday, 24 October6 briefs

  • 11 Crore Farmer IDs Created Ahead of Schedule

    Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare · Science & Tech

    The Government of India has achieved its target of creating 11 crore unique Farmer IDs under the Digital Agriculture Mission, five months ahead of the March 31, 2027 deadline. Over 6 crore farmers have already received direct benefits using this verified digital database to streamline access to agricultural schemes and credit.

    This milestone illustrates the application of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in agriculture under governance and technology themes, showcasing e-governance initiatives for direct benefit transfers and administrative efficiency.

    Key objectives
    • Reached target of creating 11 crore Farmer IDs five months ahead of the March 31, 2027 deadline.
    • Over 6 crore farmers have already received direct benefits under various schemes through the Farmer ID-based service delivery system.
    • Digital Agriculture Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet on September 2, 2024.
    • Facilitates transparent access to bank loans, Kisan Credit Cards, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, disaster relief, and MSP procurement.
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  • Indigenous AIP System Achieves Key Milestone

    Ministry of Defence · Security

    The Ministry of Defence inaugurated the 'Setting to Work Phase-2' activity for the indigenously developed Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system Energy Module by DRDO's Naval Materials Research Laboratory at Hazira, Gujarat. The system will enhance the underwater endurance of the Indian Navy's Kalvari-class submarines.

    This development highlights indigenous defense manufacturing and technological self-reliance under the security syllabus theme of defense technology and indigenization.

    Key objectives
    • Inauguration of Setting to Work Phase (STW)-2 activity of the indigenous AIP system Energy Module developed by Naval Materials Research Laboratory, DRDO.
    • AIP system increases the underwater endurance of diesel-electric submarines by reducing dependence on atmospheric oxygen.
    • The AIP Energy Module will be integrated on Kalvari-class Submarine by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in early 2027.
    Read full article

  • World's First Air Pollution Analysis Facility Inaugurated

    Ministry of Earth Sciences · Environment

    Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the world's first 'Air Pollution Analysis' facility named AATAL at IITM’s Delhi Branch under Mission Mausam. The laboratory is integrated with AIRWISE to provide real-time source apportionment, toxicity analysis, and 400-metre resolution air-quality forecasts for Delhi-NCR.

    This initiative illustrates the application of advanced scientific tools and atmospheric research for evidence-based environmental management, directly relevant to UPSC syllabus topics on environmental pollution, degradation, and government policies for conservation.

    Key objectives
    • Inaugurated the world's first Integrated Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosol Toxicity Analysis Laboratory (AATAL) at IITM’s Delhi Branch under Mission Mausam.
    • Integrates with AIRWISE to provide 72-hour air-quality forecasts at a spatial resolution of 400 metres.
    • Identifies real-time pollution sources (such as vehicular emissions, biomass burning, and dust) and evaluates potential health implications.
    Read full article

  • Digital India BHASHINI Showcases Multilingual AI at ETD-2026

    Ministry of Electronics & IT · Science & Tech

    The Digital India BHASHINI Division showcased its multilingual AI solutions at the 29th International Symposium on Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD-2026) at IIT Delhi, exploring ways to make scholarly research and academic content accessible across Indian languages.

    This initiative illustrates the application of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and artificial intelligence for inclusive language governance and accessible education, aligning with UPSC syllabus themes on science and technology developments and e-governance applications.

    Key objectives
    • Showcase BHASHINI's multilingual AI and DPI capabilities at ETD-2026, IIT Delhi.
    • Explore extending AI-powered document translation to electronic theses, dissertations, and research repositories like Shodhganga.
    • Highlight technical features such as Shrutlekh for real-time transcription and BHASHINI Pragati for structured large document translation.
    Read full article

  • Agricultural Biological Resources Generate ₹1.04 Crore in ABS Benefits

    Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · Environment

    The National Biodiversity Authority disbursed around ₹1.04 crore in Access and Benefit-Sharing funds from agricultural resources to state and UT biodiversity boards to support conservation initiatives.

    This release illustrates India's implementation of Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanisms under the Biological Diversity Act, highlighting key topics for UPSC under environmental governance, biodiversity conservation, and international environmental conventions.

    Key objectives
    • Disbursed around ₹1.04 crore of Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) amount among 27 State Biodiversity Boards and two UT Biodiversity Councils using an area-based approach.
    • Contributions received from companies for utilizing agricultural biological resources including pearl millet, jowar, maize, rice, and bottle gourd for research and commercial purposes.
    • NBA has released over ₹204 crore in total ABS benefits till date, aligned with the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and international frameworks like the Nagoya Protocol and Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
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  • Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)

    PIB Backgrounder · Polity

    The Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 came into force on July 1, 2026, providing a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment per financial year.

    This release illustrates welfare administration, decentralized grassroots planning, and governance reforms relevant to Indian Polity and social sector schemes in the UPSC syllabus.

    Key objectives
    • Statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment per financial year for rural households.
    • Focuses on water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and extreme weather mitigation.
    • Utilises Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs) for participatory, bottom-up, GIS-based grassroots planning.
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