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
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
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
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
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
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?
Clinical Features
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:
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
Implementation
Evolution of PARAM Series
Indigenous Components Developed Under NSM
Hardware
Software
National Applications of Supercomputing
Key Applications
SDG Contribution
Building a Skilled Workforce
Research and Training Impact
Training Initiatives
National Knowledge Network (NKN)
Way Forward
Expanding Capacity
Indigenous Capabilities
Ecosystem Collaboration
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
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
The NClude Survey
Compliance Gap
The Infrastructure Dimension
Data Centre Expansion
Impact on Disabled Citizens
Way Forward
Testing for Disability Bias
Conditions on Data Centres
Disability Voice
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
