Why in News? Our Lady of Grace Cathedral, Vasai (Maharashtra) has received the Award of Merit at the 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. About the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation Established Objectives About Our Lady of Grace Cathedral, Vasai Historical Significance
INS Anjadip
Why in News? The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Anjadip, the third vessel under the eight-ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) project, into the Eastern Naval Command. What is INS Anjadip? INS Anjadip is a modern Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) designed for operations in coastal and shallow waters. It is a reincarnation of the earlier Petya-class Corvette of the same name, which was decommissioned in 2003. Construction and Indigenous Content ASW-SWC Project
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Launches Teacher App 2.0 with AI Integration
Source: News on Air Context: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today launched the Teacher App 2.0 – Powered by AI in collaboration with Bharti Airtel and CK12 Foundation in New Delhi. Developed by: Objective: About Teacher App 2.0 Government’s AI Vision in Education Language and Technology Focus
States’ Electricity Transition (SET) Report 2026
Source: BL Context: The States’ Electricity Transition (SET) Report 2026, a joint study by Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and Ember, analysed 21 States, representing 95% of India’s power demand. Overall Finding India’s electricity transition at the state level is progressing, though unevenly.Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan have emerged as leaders in: Coverage Assessment Framework (3 Dimensions) 1. Decarbonisation Top Performers: 2. Power Ecosystem Readiness & Performance Top Performers: 3. Market Enablers Top Performers:
New RBI Norms May Trim Banks’ Fee Income
Source: FE Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued draft and final guidelines aimed at curbing mis-selling of financial products and tightening broker funding norms. Analysts say these measures could dent banks’ fee income—especially from bancassurance and capital market-related activities. What Do the New Mis-Selling Guidelines Propose? The new norms aim to: Key Change: Banks cannot bundle third-party products with their own offerings. Likely Impact: Tighter Broker Funding Norms RBI’s final guidelines (issued February 13) tighten exposure to stock brokers. Key Provisions: Banks typically charge 50–100 basis points annually on bank guarantees. Reduced reliance on guarantees may lower fee income. Capital Market Exposure Cap:
India’s Listed Food Companies Improve Protein Supply Chain Practices: APB100 Report
Source: BL Context: India’s listed food companies are making faster progress in managing protein-related supply chain risks across meat, dairy, poultry and seafood. However, climate action and animal welfare remain major gaps, according to the Asian Protein Buyers (APB) 100 benchmark released by Asia Research and Engagement (ARE). What is APB100? India’s Performance Areas Where India Performs Strongly India shows strongest progress in foundational supply chain governance, including: These indicate companies are building basic oversight of protein supply chains. Major Gaps: Climate and Animal Welfare Climate Animal Welfare These weaknesses mirror broader challenges across Asia.
PRAHAAR: India’s First Counter-Terrorism Policy
Source: IE Context: India has formally adopted its first comprehensive national counter-terrorism doctrine, PRAHAAR, marking a shift from a largely operational response to a structured, long-term strategic framework. The policy has been issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and institutionalises a pro-active, intelligence-driven, whole-of-government approach to terrorism. Core Objective PRAHAAR aims to: It seeks to deny terrorists resources, legitimacy, space and operational capability. Seven Pillars of PRAHAAR The doctrine is structured around seven strategic pillars: This structure reflects a full prevention-response-recovery cycle. Nature of Threats Identified The policy recognises both traditional and emerging forms of terrorism: Conventional threats Emerging threats The policy emphasises technology-enabled and networked terrorism as the new reality. Institutional and Operational Measures The policy stresses uniform procedures and interoperable capabilities nationwide.
India–France Amending Protocol to Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC)
Source: PIB Context: India and France have signed an Amending Protocol to update their Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (originally signed in 1992). The agreement was signed during the visit of the President of France to India. The protocol aims to modernise tax rules, reduce disputes and boost investment and economic cooperation between the two countries. What is a DTAC? A Double Taxation Avoidance Convention is a tax treaty between two countries to: Key Changes in the Amending Protocol 1. Capital gains taxation — source country gets full rights Tax on capital gains from sale of shares will be levied in the country where the company is resident. Meaning:If shares of an Indian company are sold, India gets full taxing rights. 2. Removal of Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) clause The MFN clause has been deleted. Impact: 3. New dividend tax structure Earlier: flat 10% withholding tax.Now: 4. Fees for Technical Services (FTS) redefined Definition aligned with the India–US tax treaty.This narrows and clarifies scope of taxable technical service income. 5. Service Permanent Establishment (PE) introduced Provision added to tax profits from services performed in a country beyond a defined threshold. Meaning:Foreign service providers operating substantially in India may be taxed in India. 6. Stronger tax cooperation 7. Alignment with global tax reforms Incorporates provisions of the BEPS Multilateral Instrument (MLI), which aims to:
The Splendour of the Hoysalas
Source: TH Context: In 2023, the Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Scholars are now also highlighting lesser-known Hoysala monuments in rural Karnataka such as Koravangala and Doddagaddavalli. Who Were the Hoysalas? The Hoysala Empire (11th–13th century CE) ruled large parts of present-day Karnataka.They are renowned for transforming temple architecture through extraordinary sculptural detail and decorative richness. Their temples represent the culmination of medieval Deccan temple architecture. Major Hoysala Temples Halebidu – Hoysaleshwara Temple Belur – Chennakeshava Temple Somanathapura – Keshava Temple Lesser-Known but Important Sites Recent attention is shifting to rural Hoysala monuments such as: UNESCO World Heritage Recognition (2023) The “Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas” were recognised for:
New Delhi Declaration – AI Impact Summit 2026
Source: Mint Context: The AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi concluded with 89 countries and international organisations endorsing the New Delhi Declaration, a global framework to guide the development and governance of Artificial Intelligence. What is the New Delhi Declaration? The New Delhi Declaration (2026) is a multinational consensus framework for responsible, inclusive and cooperative development of AI. Core Aim Bridging the AI Divide The declaration aims to ensure that key AI resources — such as computing infrastructure, data and technical knowledge — are not concentrated in a few advanced economies, but are widely accessible for: Seven Pillars (“Chakras”) Framework The declaration is structured around seven strategic pillars, including: This provides a holistic governance architecture covering access, safety, innovation and sustainability.
