IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs Analysis
Archives
(PRELIMS Focus)
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU): Global Platform for Parliamentary Diplomacy
Polity & Governance
Why in News?
An Indian parliamentary delegation led by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh is participating in the 153rd IPU Assembly in Arusha, Tanzania, from 5–9 October 2026. The Assembly focuses on “Enhancing good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust and opportunities for all.”
Inter-Parliamentary Union – Key Facts
- Established: 1889; headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Nature: Global organisation of national parliaments; promotes parliamentary dialogue, diplomacy, democracy, peace and sustainable development.
- Membership: 183 national parliaments currently.
- Works on democracy, human rights, gender equality, peace and security, climate change and sustainable development.
- Its Governing Council is the principal policy-making body.
- The IPU Assembly brings parliamentarians together to debate international issues and adopt resolutions.
153rd IPU Assembly – 2026
The Indian delegation is participating in discussions covering democracy and human rights, peace and security, women’s participation, AI, critical minerals, counter-terrorism, maritime security, climate change and mountain/ocean ecosystems.
Source/Reference:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2318590®=48&lang=2
NMESIS: Mobile Land-Based Anti-Ship Warfare in the Indo-Pacific
Science & Technology
Why in News?
The United States is set to deploy the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) to Yonaguni Island, Japan’s westernmost inhabited island, during the Keen Sword joint exercise. Yonaguni lies about 110 km from Taiwan, making the deployment strategically significant in the Western Pacific.
NMESIS – Key Facts
- Full form: Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System.
- Developer/User: US Marine Corps (USMC).
- Type: Ground-based, mobile anti-ship missile system designed for sea denial and littoral defence.
- Uses the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) mounted on a remotely operated ROGUE Fires vehicle, derived from the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle platform.
- NSM range: More than 185 km (100 nautical miles).
- The missile is designed for precision engagement of maritime and land targets and can fly at low altitude with manoeuvring capability to reduce detection by radar.
Strategic Significance
NMESIS supports the US Marine Corps’ distributed maritime operations, allowing relatively small mobile units deployed across islands to threaten hostile surface vessels from land. This strengthens sea denial rather than requiring large naval platforms to control the sea.
Yonaguni Island: Part of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, located in the Ryukyu/Nansei island chain, close to Taiwan.
Sources/References:
https://defence-blog.com/u-s-anti-ship-missiles-head-to-japans-westernmost-island/
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): Assistive Support for Senior Citizens
Polity & Governance
Why in News?
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organised a distribution programme under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) in Delhi-NCR on 2 October 2026, distributing 662 aids and assistive devices to 114 senior citizens. The government has also decided to expand distribution of assistive devices to beneficiaries living in Senior Citizens’ Homes across the country.
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana – Key Facts
- Launched: 1 April 2017.
- Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
- Nature: Central Sector Scheme.
- Objective: Provide free physical aids and assisted-living devices to senior citizens suffering from age-related disabilities/infirmities.
- Implementing agency: Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), a Central Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry.
- Eligible beneficiaries include senior citizens belonging to BPL categories and low-income groups; the current eligibility framework includes a monthly income up to ₹15,000.
Assistive Devices
Examples include walking sticks, wheelchairs, walkers, hearing aids, spectacles, artificial dentures and mobility/support devices.
Scale & Linkage
From FY 2017-18 to FY 2025-26, 589 camps benefited 8.53 lakh senior citizens, with more than 46.32 lakh assistive devices distributed. RVY functions within the broader Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY) framework.
Source/Reference:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2318364®=48&lang=2
Coppersmith Barbet: Rare Yellow Colour Variant in Hyderabad
Environment & Ecology
Why in News?
A rare cream-yellow colour variant of the Coppersmith Barbet was photographed on the outskirts of Hyderabad, Telangana. It is reportedly the first documented record of this unusual colour form in Telangana. The bird was observed feeding on wild figs alongside normally coloured barbets.
Coppersmith Barbet – Key Facts
- Scientific name: Psilopogon haemacephalus.
- Family: Megalaimidae (Asian barbets).
- Distribution: Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia.
- Habitat: Gardens, groves, plantations and sparse woodland.
- Nature: Resident bird, not a migratory species.
- Nesting: Excavates holes in tree trunks for nesting.
- Named after its characteristic metallic, repetitive call, resembling a coppersmith striking metal.
- IUCN: Least Concern (LC).
- Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule II.
Rare Yellow Variant
The unusual plumage is associated with leucism resulting in xanthochroism. Reduced melanin causes the blue structural colour of feathers to disappear, making yellow pigmentation more prominent. It is not albino, as the bird retains dark eyes and characteristic red/yellow facial patches.
Source/Reference:
3D Concrete Printing Technology: Additive Manufacturing for Affordable Housing
Science & Technology
Why in News?
Andhra Pradesh has launched a pilot project to use 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) for rural housing under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G). The pilot at Burripalem and Obulnayudupalem in Guntur district involves 177 houses, with a project cost of ₹14 crore and an expected completion period of six months.
What is 3D Concrete Printing?
3DCP is a form of construction-scale additive manufacturing in which a computer-controlled robotic printer deposits specially formulated concrete/cementitious material layer by layer through a nozzle, based on a digital/BIM design. Unlike conventional construction, it can reduce dependence on formwork and sequential manual masonry.
Key Advantages
- Faster construction and reduced labour requirements.
- Lower material wastage and reduced dependence on conventional formwork.
- Enables complex/customised designs.
- Potential applications in affordable housing, disaster-relief shelters, remote-area infrastructure and defence structures.
- Requires concrete mixes with appropriate extrudability, buildability and rapid setting properties.
Source/Reference:
Rapunzel Syndrome: Rare Complication of Hair Ingestion
Science & Technology
Why in News?
Doctors in Kerala surgically removed around 1 kg of hair from the stomach and small intestine of a nine-year-old girl diagnosed with Rapunzel syndrome. Investigations revealed severe intestinal obstruction caused by the accumulated hair mass.
What is Rapunzel Syndrome?
- A rare gastrointestinal condition in which a trichobezoar (hairball) formed in the stomach extends into the small intestine.
- It is strongly associated with trichotillomania and trichophagia.
- Trichotillomania: Recurrent urge to pull out one’s own hair.
- Trichophagia: Repeated swallowing/eating of hair.
- Hair is resistant to digestion and can gradually accumulate with food and mucus, forming a compact mass.
Clinical Features
- Abdominal pain, bloating and nausea
- Vomiting and reduced appetite
- Weight loss
- Intestinal obstruction
- In severe cases, gastrointestinal perforation or malnutrition may occur.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Ultrasound, CT scan and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy can help detect the hair mass. Large or obstructive trichobezoars generally require surgical removal; psychological assessment may also be important to prevent recurrence.
Source/Reference:
(MAINS Focus)
India's Rising Supercomputing Ecosystem
GS III – Science & Technology / GS III – Economy
High-Performance Computing, Indigenous Innovation, and Digital Infrastructure
Introduction
India’s supercomputing journey has evolved from PARAM 8000 (1991) to a national ecosystem under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), launched in April 2015 with an outlay of about ₹4,500 crore. As of September 2026, India has deployed 40 supercomputers with a combined capacity of 68 PF, including 13 high-end systems exceeding 1 PF, 12 mid-range systems (500 TF-1 PF), and 15 systems below 500 TF. NSM plans to establish 50 supercomputers with cumulative capacity exceeding 123 PF. The Mission is jointly steered by DST and MeitY, implemented by C-DAC, Pune, and IISc, Bengaluru, following a ‘Build approach’ with three concurrent phases: assembly, manufacturing, and design and manufacturing support.
The Strategy Behind NSM
Objectives
- Build self-reliance in supercomputing.
- Strengthen high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities.
- Promote supercomputing for research, development, and problem-solving.
- Establish a globally competitive supercomputing ecosystem.
Implementation
- Steering: DST and MeitY.
- Implementing Agencies: C-DAC, Pune; IISc, Bengaluru.
- Approach: ‘Build approach’—assembly, manufacturing, design and manufacturing support.
Evolution of PARAM Series
- PARAM 8000 (1991): 1 gigaflop; India’s entry into indigenous supercomputing.
- PARAM Yuva: 54 teraflops; supported weather forecasting, computational fluid dynamics.
- PARAM Rudra: Built using indigenously designed and manufactured Rudra servers; 6,000 servers deployed, 1,500 under manufacturing.
Indigenous Components Developed Under NSM
Hardware
- Rudra Series of Servers: Indigenously designed by C-DAC; technology transferred to Indian EMS partners.
- PARAM Rudra Series: Built using Rudra servers and indigenous system software stack; supports astronomy, material science, atomic physics, earth sciences.
- High-Speed Interconnect Network: 100 Gbps and 200 Gbps speeds; enhances data transfer.
- Indigenous Cooling Technology: Developed and demonstrated; now in deployment stage.
- PARAM Shavak: Supercomputing-in-a-box for students and researchers in engineering colleges and universities.
Software
- HPC System Software Stack: Complete stack developed and integrated with supercomputing systems.
- HPC Applications: Developed and deployed across genomics, drug discovery; supports IMD, CWC, CPCB, Ministry of AYUSH.
National Applications of Supercomputing
Key Applications
- Genomics and Drug Discovery Platform: Used during COVID-19 to screen existing drugs and predict side effects.
- Urban Environment Decision Support System: Tracks weather and air pollution; predicts heavy rain and pollution.
- Seismic Imaging Suite: Improves oil and gas exploration; matches commercial seismic imaging tools.
- Early Warning System for Flood Prediction: Forecasts floods up to 2 days in advance; used for Mahanadi River basin.
- Forest Fire Spread Model: Combines satellite remote sensing with computational models; tested in Sikkim Himalayas.
- Materials Science and Computational Chemistry Applications: Simulations of atoms, molecules, and alloys.
SDG Contribution
- NSM contributes to 11 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—climate action, education, innovation, economic growth, and collaboration.
Building a Skilled Workforce
Research and Training Impact
- Researchers Supported: 16,000+; PhD Scholars: 2,900+; Institutions: 400+.
- Compute Jobs Executed: 1.5 crore+; Research Publications: 1,990+ (as of September 2026).
Training Initiatives
- HPC and Deep Learning Awareness Programmes: Workshops across India.
- Hackathons and Bootcamps: Hands-on experience in HPC, AI, Generative AI.
- Faculty Development Programmes: With AICTE; HPC, AI, ML, DL.
- EduHPC Workshop: Annual training for faculty.
- High-Performance Scientific Computing Course: SWAYAM/NPTEL platform.
- HPC Shiksha Portal: Access to HPC resources, recorded lectures, learning materials.
- NSM Users Forum: Platform for technical discussion and knowledge sharing.
National Knowledge Network (NKN)
- Role: Backbone of India’s supercomputing ecosystem; connects supercomputing facilities across academic and research institutions through a high-speed national network.
- Impact: Enables access to advanced computing resources and collaboration across geographical boundaries.
Way Forward
Expanding Capacity
- Target: 50 supercomputers; 123 PF+ cumulative capacity.
- Focus: Faster, energy-efficient, reliable systems.
Indigenous Capabilities
- Hardware and Software: Strengthen Indian capabilities.
- AI-HPC Integration: Address challenges in weather, climate, healthcare, agriculture, energy, drug discovery, engineering, scientific research.
Ecosystem Collaboration
- Government, Academia, Industry, Startups, Research Institutions: Turn advanced computing into practical solutions.
- Vision: Secure, sustainable, self-reliant supercomputing ecosystem.
Conclusion
India’s supercomputing ecosystem has evolved from PARAM 8000 (1991) to 40 supercomputers delivering 68 PF (September 2026), with a target of 50 supercomputers exceeding 123 PF. NSM has developed indigenous servers (Rudra), interconnect networks (100-200 Gbps), cooling technology, system software, and applications addressing national needs—genomics, drug discovery, flood prediction, forest fire management, and materials science. The Mission has supported 16,000+ researchers, 2,900+ PhD scholars, 1.5 crore+ compute jobs, and 1,990+ publications. With NKN as the backbone and a range of training initiatives, NSM is building a skilled workforce. By integrating AI and HPC, India can turn advanced computing into practical solutions, drive innovation, and build a secure, sustainable, and self-reliant supercomputing ecosystem.
Practice Question
- India’s National Supercomputing Mission has built an indigenous ecosystem—from PARAM Rudra servers to HPC applications—strengthening self-reliance and addressing national needs. Critically examine the achievements, applications, and way forward for India’s supercomputing mission. (250 words, 15 marks)
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2318908®=3&lang=1
Disabled Citizens and the Future of AI
GS II – Social Justice / GS III – Science & Technology
Disability Rights, Artificial Intelligence, and Inclusive Technology
Introduction
AI offers transformative promise for disabled citizens—independence in reading documents, understanding photographs, and navigating government forms. Yet, disabled people are being brought into the AI conversation late, if at all. In the November 2024 Rajive Raturi judgment, the Supreme Court held that accessibility is a facet of the fundamental right to life and dignity, and that India’s accessibility rules were toothless. Nearly two years later, petitioners are back in court because too little has changed. The Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities penalised 155 establishments, government ministries among them, for inaccessible websites and apps. This is the ground on which India is now deploying AI—and AI is not neutral.
Inherent Bias in AI Systems
Evidence of Disability Bias
- AccessEval Benchmark: 21 language models tested across nine kinds of disability; models became more error-prone, more negative in tone, and more likely to stereotype when disability entered the question.
- CLIP Image Model: 15 percentage points less accurate on photographs taken by blind and low-vision users; objects central to disabled lives (white cane, Braille display) appeared up to 17 times less often in training datasets.
- Everyday Interactions: Tell a mainstream chatbot you are blind and want to become a software engineer; it often opens with “I’m sorry you’re blind”—the model answered as if the person had reported a loss, not asked a career question.
The NClude Survey
- Users Surveyed: 2,462 users of the NClude platform (uses AI models to help disabled people complete job applications and government forms).
- Findings: 1,313 users completed a task previously closed to them; only 543 managed it through AI alone; the rest needed staff intervention.
- Implication: A system without fallback leaves users to improvise a workaround.
Compliance Gap
- 2016 Act: Required accessible digital services since 2019; compliance remains the exception.
- Penalties: 155 establishments penalised for inaccessible websites and apps.
The Infrastructure Dimension
Data Centre Expansion
- Projection: India’s data-centre capacity to more than quadruple by 2030, to 6.5 GW or more.
- State Competition: Power subsidies and duty waivers; Maharashtra relaxed renewable-energy requirement from 100% to 51%.
- Unasked Questions: What does the new load do to a grid straining at summer peaks? What does server heat add to already hot cities?
Impact on Disabled Citizens
- Dependence on Powered Equipment: Wheelchairs, oxygen machines—cannot be switched off when the grid strains.
- First to be Stranded: Power cuts or inaccessible emergency alerts throw daily life into disorder.
- Not a Distant Debate: For millions of disabled Indians, this is immediate and personal.
Way Forward
Testing for Disability Bias
- Mandatory Testing: Any AI system the government deploys should be tested for disability bias.
- Training Datasets: Genuine disability representation, gathered with consent.
Conditions on Data Centres
- Renewable Sourcing: State incentives should carry conditions on renewable sourcing.
- Grid and Heat Impact: Conditions on grid and heat impact.
Disability Voice
- Participation: Disabled Indians must have a voice in deciding what this technology becomes—from training data to the grids that keep them running.
- Not Adapting to Systems Built Without Them: Disabled people should not be made to adapt to systems built without them.
Conclusion
AI offers transformative promise for disabled citizens, but this promise will not reach them on its own. AI is not neutral—models become more error-prone, negative, and stereotyped when disability enters the question. The NClude survey shows that only a fraction of users complete tasks through AI alone; most need human fallback. Meanwhile, data-centre expansion raises questions about grid strain and heat impact—issues that disproportionately affect disabled citizens dependent on powered equipment. Any AI system the government deploys should be tested for disability bias. Training datasets need genuine disability representation, gathered with consent. State incentives for data centres should carry conditions on renewable sourcing and grid impact. Disabled Indians must have a voice in helping decide what this technology becomes.
Practice Question
- AI is not neutral, and disabled citizens are being brought into the conversation late, if at all. Critically examine the challenges of disability bias in AI systems and suggest measures for inclusive and accessible technology. (250 words, 15 marks)
