Source: TOI Context: India has received the fourth squadron of the Russian-made S-400 long-range air defence missile system from Russia, as part of the USD 5.43-billion contract signed between India and Russia in 2018 for the acquisition of five S-400 regimental systems. The fourth squadron arrived in May 2026, and is expected to be deployed in an operational area shortly. Three S-400 squadrons had already been inducted into service before this; the fourth has now arrived after delays caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which had disrupted defence supply chains between Russia and several global partners. Key Highlights Key capabilities of the S-400: Feature Detail Type Long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system Maximum range About 400 km (longest-range variant) Engagement altitude From a few metres to 30+ km Targets Aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, short and intermediate-range ballistic missiles Simultaneous targets Can track 300+ targets and engage multiple simultaneously Multi-layered missiles Different missiles for short, medium, long, and very-long range Mobility Highly mobile, road-based; can deploy and relocate quickly Background Concepts What is the S-400 Triumf, and What Makes It a Top-Tier Air Defence System? The S-400 Triumf (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) is a Russian-made long-range, mobile, surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by Almaz-Antey, designed to protect large air-defence areas against a wide range of aerial threats. It entered service with the Russian Armed Forces in 2007 and has been exported to several countries, including China, Turkey, Belarus, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and India. What makes the S-400 a top-tier air defence system: (a) Multi-target tracking: Can track over 300 targets simultaneously and engage multiple simultaneously. (b) Multi-layered missile mix: The system fires different types of missiles for different ranges: (c) Wide altitude coverage: From a few metres above ground (against cruise missiles) to about 30 km altitude (against ballistic missiles). (d) High mobility: The system is road-mobile, allowing fast deployment and relocation, which makes it less vulnerable to enemy strikes. (e) Robust radars and command systems: Each S-400 unit includes multiple radars for early warning, target acquisition, fire control, and a command-and-control vehicle. (f) Engagement of multiple threat types: Aircraft (including stealth), drones, cruise missiles, and short to intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to the recent delivery of the fourth S-400 squadron, consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q2. Consider the following statements about the S-400 Triumf air defence system: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four (Statement 4 is wrong; the S-400 can track over 300 targets simultaneously and engage multiple targets at the same time.) Q3. With reference to India’s air defence architecture, consider the following statements: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q4. Consider the following statements about the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Indian defence imports: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four (Statement 4 is wrong; the Russia-Ukraine conflict has not ended India’s defence relationship with Russia; India continues to acquire major Russian systems, including the S-400, and remains a significant defence partner.) Answer Key

Source: News on Air Context: The Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education has officially opened applications for the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026. The PMRC is a national talent-repatriation initiative that creates a direct pathway for top Indian-origin researchers working in leading foreign universities, private laboratories, and tech industries to take up high-level research positions in premier Indian institutions, especially in 13 strategic technology areas critical to India’s economic and security future. About Scheme The scheme will link global Indian talent with the country’s rapidly expanding research, development, innovation and technology ecosystem across 13 thematic areas of national priority, including Advanced Computing, Semiconductors and Cybersecurity.   Key Facts 13 Prioritised Strategic Thematic Areas: Category Areas Computing and Tech (4) Advanced Computing (AI, Quantum, Supercomputing), Semiconductors, Next-Generation Communications, Cybersecurity Industrial and Infrastructure (4) Manufacturing and Industry 4.0, Advanced Materials and Critical Minerals, Space and Defence, Atomic Energy Sustainability and Biology (5) Energy, Sustainability and Climate Change, Biotechnology, Healthcare and MedTech, Agri and Food Technologies, Blue Economy Difference from PMRF (often confused): Indicator PMRC (this scheme) PMRF (Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship) Target Indian-origin researchers abroad Indian students pursuing PhDs in India Stage Mid- to senior-level researchers Doctoral (PhD) candidates Aim Talent repatriation Top domestic doctoral fellowships About the News (Q&A) What is the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme? A government scheme to attract top Indian-origin researchers working abroad to take up research positions in top Indian institutions, particularly in 13 strategic technology areas. Who administers and funds it? The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, with an Empowered Committee chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India for evaluation and selection. Background Concepts (Q&A) What is the “National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)”, and Why is It Central to the PMRC? The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) is the Government of India’s official ranking system for higher education institutions, launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Education (then Ministry of Human Resource Development). The framework ranks institutions across multiple categories, including Overall, Universities, Engineering, Management, Pharmacy, Medical, Law, Architecture, Dental, Research, Agriculture, Innovation, and State Universities. NIRF rankings are based on five broad parameters: (a) Teaching, Learning, and Resources, covering faculty-student ratios, infrastructure, and PhD output. (b) Research and Professional Practice, covering publications, citations, intellectual property, and funded research. (c) Graduation Outcomes, including placement, higher studies progression, and exam results. (d) Outreach and Inclusivity, including gender diversity, regional diversity, and outreach to disadvantaged groups. (e) Perception, based on a wide survey of employers, academics, and professionals. NIRF is central to the PMRC because the host eligibility criteria are tied directly to NIRF ranks. Institutions in the Top 100 of NIRF Overall or Engineering, or Top 50 of NIRF Research, are eligible to host PMRC researchers. This use of NIRF acts as a quality filter, ensuring that incoming global talent is hosted only by institutions with strong academic and research environments, with the infrastructure and culture to support high-end work. Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026, consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q2. Consider the following statements about the institutional eligibility under the PMRC scheme: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four (Statement 4 is wrong; the PMRC scheme is restricted to government Higher Education Institutions meeting NIRF criteria, NOT all private universities.) Q3. With reference to the 13 strategic thematic areas under the PMRC scheme, consider the following statements: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four (Statement 4 is wrong; Sports and Recreation is not one of the 13 prioritised thematic areas.) Q4. Consider the following statements about the broader research ecosystem in India: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four (Statement 4 is wrong; PMRF and PMRC are different schemes: PMRF supports doctoral students in India, while PMRC targets Indian-origin researchers abroad at mid and senior levels.) Answer Key

Source: PIB Context: Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and the Chief Minister of Assam have launched Mission Senehjori on 2 June 2026, an Atmanirbhar North East project aimed at transforming Assam’s Muga silk, the only silk in the world that is golden in colour and produced exclusively in Assam, into a globally competitive luxury ecosystem. The mission is anchored by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), in convergence with the Ministry of Textiles and the Government of Assam, and will work along the entire farm-to-foreign-shores value chain. Key Facts Why Muga silk matters: Indicator Detail Produced exclusively in Assam (a globally unique product) Colour Natural golden tint, brightens with age Geographical Indication (GI) tag Yes (since 2007) Host plants Som (Persea bombycina) and Soalu (Litsea polyantha) trees Current rearer-weaver income (annual) About ₹18,000 to ₹21,000 Main goals: (a) Raise annual incomes of Muga rearers and weavers (currently very low). (b) Capture full premium value of Muga silk from the farm gate to international markets. (c) Position Muga silk as a traceable, GI-tagged, high-end global commodity. (d) Preserve Assam’s silk heritage and culture. Why this matters: (a) Muga silk is one of Assam’s most unique cultural and economic assets, but rearers and weavers earn very low incomes. (b) The golden colour and rarity give Muga strong luxury-market potential, especially in Japan, the EU, and the Middle East. (c) GI authentication and digital traceability can protect Muga from cheaper imitations. (d) FPOs and Farmer Interest Groups give weavers and rearers collective bargaining power. (e) Silk tourism can create additional employment and link the textile story to cultural experience. (f) Fits the Aatmanirbhar North East vision and the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 focus on traditional, place-based industries. Other Indian silks for context: Silk Where Produced Type Muga Assam (only place in the world) Wild silk, golden Eri / Endi Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, parts of NE Wild silk, vegan (non-violent) Tasar Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, MP Wild silk Mulberry Karnataka, AP, TN, WB, J&K Cultivated silk (largest share) About the News (Q&A) What is Mission Senehjori? A cluster-based, value-chain-focused textile initiative to transform Assam’s Muga silk into a globally competitive luxury brand, anchored by MDoNER in partnership with the Ministry of Textiles and the Government of Assam. What is special about Muga silk? Muga silk is produced exclusively in Assam, has a natural golden colour that brightens with age, holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag since 2007, and is reared on the leaves of Som and Soalu trees. Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to Mission Senehjori, consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q2. Consider the following statements about the key targets and components of Mission Senehjori: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q3. With reference to Muga silk, consider the following statements: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four (Statement 4 is wrong; Muga is a wild, non-mulberry silk, not a cultivated mulberry silk.) Q4. Consider the following statements about Geographical Indication (GI) tags in India: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Answer Key Exam Relevance Exam Relevance UPSC Prelims GS Paper II on Government Schemes; GS Paper III on Indian Economy (Textiles, GI, Exports) UPSC Mains GS Paper II on Welfare schemes, North East development; GS Paper III on Indian Economy, Textiles, IPR BPSC and State PCS Schemes, Economy, Current Affairs Banking and NABARD General Awareness on rural livelihoods and FPOs NABARD Grade A Very high importance on rural development, FPOs, sericulture

Context: The Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme has completed six years of implementation since its launch in June 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme is a central sector micro-credit programme for urban street vendors and hawkers, jointly administered by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Ministry of Finance. Its goal is to provide formal, collateral-free working capital loans, support digital onboarding of vendors, and create a social security net through convergence with other welfare schemes. The scheme offers loans in three progressive tranches of ₹15,000, ₹25,000, and ₹50,000, with each higher tranche unlocking automatically upon timely repayment of the previous loan. Key Highlights Key Features Feature Details Working Capital Loans Collateral-free working capital loans are provided in progressive tranches of ₹15,000, ₹25,000, and ₹50,000 to eligible street vendors. Interest Subsidy Vendors receive a 7% annual interest subsidy on timely or early repayment of loans. Digital Incentives Street vendors are encouraged to adopt digital payments and can earn cashback incentives on retail and wholesale digital transactions. Credit Expansion Vendors who successfully repay their second loan tranche become eligible for UPI-linked RuPay Credit Cards with credit limits up to ₹30,000. Extended Timeline The scheme’s lending period has been extended until March 2030, aiming to benefit 1.15 crore street vendors, including 50 lakh new beneficiaries. Capacity Building & Entrepreneurship Development Beneficiaries receive training in financial literacy, digital literacy, and food safety & hygiene in collaboration with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). PM SVANidhi (Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi) PM SVANidhi (Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi) is a Central Sector Scheme launched in June 2020 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in collaboration with the Department of Financial Services (DFS). The scheme was introduced in response to the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a first-of-its-kind micro-credit initiative aimed at supporting street vendors by providing easy access to formal credit. Key new facts: Indicator Detail Extended lending timeline Until March 2030 Target beneficiaries 1.15 crore street vendors New beneficiaries to be added 50 lakh new vendors Implementation partner Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) SIDBI’s role Technical and implementation partner; manages the credit guarantee trust fund The 8 Schemes under “SVANidhi se Samriddhi”: # Scheme Purpose 1 Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) Life insurance cover of ₹2 lakh for ages 18-50, premium ₹436/year 2 Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) Accident insurance of ₹2 lakh for ages 18-70, premium ₹20/year 3 PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) Zero-balance bank account, RuPay debit card, accident and life cover 4 Building and Other Construction Workers (BoCW) Registration Welfare board benefits for construction workers 5 PM Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana Voluntary pension for unorganised workers, ₹3,000/month after age 60 6 One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) Portability of ration entitlement across India 7 Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) Cash incentive for institutional deliveries, especially in LPS states 8 PM Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) Maternity benefit of ₹5,000 for the first child (PMMVY 2.0 includes second child if female) About the News (Q&A) Why has the scheme been extended until March 2030? (a) To deepen coverage to 50 lakh new vendors. (b) To support the next generation of street-vendor entrepreneurs. (c) To allow time for credit history building, digital adoption, and welfare convergence to mature. (d) To sustain the momentum of formal credit absorption into informal urban markets. What is the role of SIDBI in PM SVANidhi? SIDBI is the technical and implementation partner. It: (a) Manages the Credit Guarantee Trust Fund that secures the loans offered by banks under the scheme. (b) Helps banks underwrite collateral-free risk by providing a safety net in case of defaults. (c) Coordinates the technology platform for application processing, loan tracking, and digital onboarding. What is the importance of “SVANidhi se Samriddhi”? It transforms the scheme from a credit programme into a holistic welfare net by linking vendors to 8 core central government welfare schemes, covering life insurance, accident insurance, banking, pension, ration portability, maternal benefits, and construction-worker welfare. Background Concepts (Q&A) What is “SVANidhi se Samriddhi (SSS)”, and Why is Welfare Convergence Important? SVANidhi se Samriddhi (SSS) is an important sub-programme of PM SVANidhi, designed to link street vendors and their families to eight selected Central Government welfare schemes, in a single, integrated manner. The idea is that a street vendor often qualifies for many welfare benefits, like food rations, maternal benefits, life and accident insurance, pension, school scholarships, health insurance, and skill training, but does not know how to access them, or has to fill multiple separate applications. Under SSS, field volunteers and ULB officials carry out socio-economic profiling of the vendor’s family, identify their eligibility for various schemes, and facilitate their enrolment, creating a one-stop welfare gateway. Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to the PM SVANidhi scheme, consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q2. Consider the following statements about the incentives offered under PM SVANidhi: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four (Statement 4 is wrong; the scheme offers a 7 per cent interest subsidy on timely repayment, NOT only market-rate loans.) Q3. With reference to the six-year performance of PM SVANidhi, consider the following statements: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q4. Consider the following statements about the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All

Context: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has celebrated the 37th Raising Day of Project UDAYAK at Doomdooma, Assam. Project UDAYAK is a specialised territorial project of the BRO, established in 1989, that is responsible for the development and maintenance of a vast network of strategic roads, bridges, helipads, and border fencing in some of the most remote and difficult terrains of Northeast India, particularly across the eastern districts of Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Assam. Key Highlights Geographic coverage: State Key Districts Arunachal Pradesh (eastern districts) Anjaw, Lohit, Dibang Valley, Longding, Tirap, Changlang Assam Areas linked to the eastern Arunachal frontier Strategic frontier coverage: Border Nature Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China India’s de facto eastern Himalayan frontier, especially in Arunachal Pradesh Indo-Myanmar Border About 1,643 km long, of which around 520 km lies in Arunachal Pradesh Other key areas of work: Area Detail Border Fencing Major fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border to curb insurgency and illegal movement Civil-Military Integration Medical camps, Swachhata Abhiyan, road safety awareness in remote border hamlets Disaster Response Restoration of roads damaged by landslides, floods, and earthquakes Tribal Outreach Engagement with local tribal communities of eastern Arunachal Pradesh About the News (Q&A) What is Project UDAYAK? A territorial project of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) that builds and maintains strategic roads, bridges, helipads, and border fencing in the easternmost districts of Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Assam, including along the LAC with China and the Indo-Myanmar border. Which districts does it cover? In Arunachal Pradesh: Anjaw, Lohit, Dibang Valley, Longding, Tirap, and Changlang, plus areas in Assam linked to the eastern Arunachal frontier. Background Concepts (Q&A) What is the “Border Roads Organisation (BRO)”, and What is Its Mandate? The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is India’s premier road construction agency for border and strategic areas, established on 7 May 1960 to develop and maintain roads, bridges, tunnels, airfields, and related infrastructure in mountainous, snow-bound, and difficult terrains, particularly along India’s land borders. BRO has played a central role in shaping the infrastructure of the Himalayan and Northeast frontier. Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to Project UDAYAK, consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q2. Consider the following statements about the districts and activities under Project UDAYAK: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q3. With reference to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), consider the following statements: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q4. Consider the following statements about the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the Indo-Myanmar Border: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four (Statement 4 is wrong; the Indo-Myanmar border is NOT entirely fenced, and fencing is being executed in phases. The FMR has been restricted, not entirely abolished, with controlled movement still allowed under regulated conditions.) Answer Key Exam Relevance Exam Relevance UPSC Prelims GS Paper III on Internal Security (Borders, BRO, FMR); GS Paper II on Government Schemes UPSC Mains GS Paper III on Internal Security, Border infrastructure; GS Paper II on India and its neighbourhood, Myanmar BPSC and State PCS Security, Defence, Current Affairs Banking and NABARD General Awareness, moderate importance SSC, Insurance, Railway Static and Current GK on BRO, BRO Projects, Indo-Myanmar Border Defence, NDA, CDS Very high importance on BRO, border infrastructure, LAC, Indo-Myanmar CAPF and Police exams Very high importance on border security and infrastructure

Context: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and the Union Minister of Jal Shakti have jointly launched the MAHA Water Mission, a ₹200-crore national initiative aimed at accelerating innovation in India’s water sector. MAHA stands for Missions for Advancement in High-impact Areas. The mission is designed to bridge the gap between fundamental research and field deployment, by creating an integrated pathway for technology development, validation, and commercialisation of high-impact water solutions. It is being run as a three-way collaboration between the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), the Ministry of Jal Shakti, and the Department of Space / Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Key Highlights Three lead institutions: Institution Role Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Research funding and coordination Ministry of Jal Shakti Nodal water sector ministry, on-ground reach Department of Space / ISRO Satellite, geospatial data for water mapping Five priority themes of the mission: # Theme 1 Water Resource Assessment and Sustainable Management 2 Drinking Water (Quality and Access) 3 Water Quality and Ecological Health 4 Water Use Efficiency and Circular Economy 5 Climate Resilience and Adaptation About the News (Q&A) What is the MAHA Water Mission? A ₹200-crore national mission that funds multidisciplinary research, prototypes, and field deployment of high-impact water-sector solutions, jointly driven by ANRF, Ministry of Jal Shakti, and ISRO. Why is ISRO involved? Because satellite and geospatial data are essential for water resource mapping, watershed planning, river-flow analysis, reservoir monitoring, and climate-water assessment, all of which ISRO has unique capacity to provide. Background Concepts (Q&A) What is “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari”, and Why is Citizen Participation Critical in Water Management? “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari” is a citizen-participation initiative of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, anchored under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain umbrella, focused on rainwater harvesting, water conservation, and the rejuvenation of traditional water bodies, with active involvement of communities, panchayats, local NGOs, and ordinary citizens. The idea is that India’s water problems cannot be solved by ministries and engineers alone; they require changes in everyday behaviour at the household, farm, and community level. The new JSJB-CTR Portal and App complements MAHA Water Mission by: (a) Enabling citizens to track and report water conservation work in their area. (b) Providing real-time monitoring of water bodies, rainwater harvesting structures, and recharge projects. (c) Generating data that supports both research under MAHA and policy decisions under Jal Shakti. (d) Building public ownership of water as a shared resource. In a country where water belongs to no one until it disappears, citizen participation is the most powerful glue between policy, technology, and lived experience. Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to the recently launched MAHA Water Mission, consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q2. Consider the following statements about the five priority themes of the MAHA Water Mission: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q3. With reference to the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), consider the following statements: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four (Statement 4 is wrong; ANRF funds research across science, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and arts, NOT only physical sciences and engineering.) Q4. Consider the following statements about the JSJB-CTR Portal and App: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four (Statement 4 is wrong; the portal and app are explicitly designed for ordinary citizens, alongside officials, to track and report water conservation work.) Answer Key Exam Relevance Exam Relevance UPSC Prelims GS Paper III on Environment (Water), Science and Technology (ANRF, ISR

Source: News on Air Context: The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has crossed a landmark milestone of over 90 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHAs) generated across India. The ABDM is a flagship national digital public infrastructure (DPI) project, implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), and was launched in September 2021. It functions as a single, unified digital highway linking the entire healthcare ecosystem, citizens, doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, diagnostic centres, and insurers, into an integrated, transparent, and interoperable digital framework. The mission’s vision is to bridge the information gap between public and private healthcare, create a single source of truth for health data, and give citizens full ownership of their lifelong, longitudinal health records. Key Highlights Aim: (a) Build an integrated, transparent, interoperable digital health infrastructure for India. (b) Bridge the public-private divide in healthcare data. (c) Create a single source of truth for health records. (d) Give citizens absolute ownership of their lifelong health records. Six foundational building blocks: Component What it does Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) 14-digit unique digital health identifier; master key to link and share medical history Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR) Verified central database of doctors, nurses, paramedics, modern and traditional medicine Health Facility Registry (HFR) Master registry of public and private hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres, pharmacies Health Information Exchange and Consent Manager (HIE-CM) Routes medical records with explicit, electronic, revocable patient consent Unified Health Interface (UHI) Open network protocol for teleconsultations, diagnostics, and digital health services National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) Digital platform to standardise and speed up health insurance claim settlements About the News (Q&A) What is the ABDM? A digital public infrastructure (DPI) project that creates a unified national digital health framework linking citizens, providers, and insurers, implemented by the NHA under the MoHFW since September 2021. What is the ABHA, and why is it called a “Health Aadhaar”? ABHA is a 14-digit unique digital health identifier. Just as Aadhaar is the master ID for identity and UPI is the rails for payments, ABHA is the master key for digital health records. Citizens can link their medical history to it and share it securely with doctors and hospitals when needed. Background Concepts (Q&A) What is “Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)”, and Why is It Relevant to Health? Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is a set of shared, open, interoperable digital systems that serve as the basic plumbing for public and private services in a country, similar to how roads, electricity grids, and water supply are physical infrastructure. DPI is typically built on three layers: identity (e.g., Aadhaar), payments (e.g., UPI), and data exchange (e.g., Account Aggregator, DigiLocker, ABDM). The key features of DPI are: (a) public-good orientation, the infrastructure is built or backed by the state but open to use by both public and private actors; (b) open standards and APIs, so that many companies and applications can plug in; (c) interoperability, so that data and services can flow across providers; and (d) consent and privacy by design. In health, DPI is especially important because medical data is highly sensitive, traditionally siloed within individual hospitals, and difficult to share across providers. ABDM brings the three DPI layers to the health system: ABHA as the identity layer, HIE-CM and UHI as the data and service exchange layers, and NHCX as the financial-settlement layer. India is now seen globally as a pioneer of digital public infrastructure, and its Health Stack (ABDM) is being studied by many developing countries as a possible model. Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q2. Consider the following statements about the six foundational building blocks of ABDM: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q3. With reference to Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), consider the following statements: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four (Statement 4 is wrong; DPI is explicitly designed to be open to both public and private actors, NOT restricted to government use only.) Q4. Consider the following statements about the National Health Authority (NHA): Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Answer Key

Context of the News India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), defined as the number of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births, has improved by just one point from 88 in 2021-23 to 87 in 2022-24, according to the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) bulletin released by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs. The headline is a near-stall in national progress, after two decades of sharp improvement, with India having cut MMR from 212 in 2007-09 to 88 in 2020-22, putting the country on track for the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3.1) target of reducing the global MMR to less than 70 by 2030. Key Highlights Two-decade trend: Period MMR (per 1,00,000 live births) 2007-09 212 2020-22 88 2021-23 88 2022-24 87 SDG target: Indicator Target SDG 3.1 Reduce global MMR to less than 70 per 1,00,000 live births by 2030 State-level performance: Category States Strong improvers Odisha, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Telangana (cut MMR by 11-29 points) Moderate improvers Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (cut by 10 points each) High-birth states improving Bihar, Madhya Pradesh Worsening states Jharkhand (biggest), Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat State with India’s highest MMR Uttar Pradesh at 154 (nearly twice the national average) Regional and global comparison: India vs Country Status China, Sri Lanka, Bhutan Well ahead of India Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar Behind India Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam Ahead of India Sub-Saharan Africa Very high MMR, pulls global average up About the News (Q&A) What is the main finding? India’s MMR has moved only by one point, from 88 to 87, between 2021-23 and 2022-24, suggesting that national progress has slowed sharply after two decades of rapid decline. How does this compare to earlier years? India had cut MMR from 212 in 2007-09 to 88 in 2020-22, a major achievement. Compared to this rapid pace, the latest one-point change is a near-stall. Which states have improved? (a) Odisha, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Telangana (cut MMR by 11-29 points). (b) Tamil Nadu, West Bengal (cut by 10 points each). (c) Bihar, Madhya Pradesh (both high-birth states). Which states have worsened? (a) Jharkhand (biggest increase). (b) Uttar Pradesh. (c) Gujarat. Uttar Pradesh now has India’s highest MMR at 154, nearly twice the national average. How does India compare globally? India is behind: China, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam. India is ahead of: Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar. The global average is higher than India because of very high MMR in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Background Concepts (Q&A) What is the “Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)”, and How is It Different from Other Maternal Indicators? The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the number of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births in a given period. A maternal death is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management (but not from accidents or incidental causes). MMR measures the risk of dying from pregnancy or childbirth per pregnancy, and is the most widely used indicator of maternal health. India tracks MMR through the Sample Registration System (SRS), run by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner. Two related but different indicators are: (a) The Maternal Mortality Rate, which measures the number of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in a given period. It reflects both the risk of pregnancy and the frequency of pregnancy in the population. (b) The Lifetime Risk of Maternal Death, which measures the probability that a 15-year-old female will eventually die from a maternal cause. It combines the per-pregnancy risk (MMR) with the fertility rate (TFR). MMR is preferred globally because it isolates the risk per pregnancy, making it comparable across countries with different fertility rates. India’s MMR of 87 (2022-24) means about 87 women die for every 1,00,000 live births, a sharp improvement over 2007-09 (212) but still higher than the SDG target of 70. What are the Main Causes of Maternal Mortality in India, and What is the Policy Response? In India, the main causes of maternal mortality include: (a) Postpartum haemorrhage (severe bleeding after delivery), the single largest cause globally and in India; (b) Hypertensive disorders, including pre-eclampsia and eclampsia; (c) Sepsis and infections after delivery; (d) Obstructed labour and complications during birth; (e) Unsafe abortion; and (f) Indirect causes like anaemia, malnutrition, malaria, and tuberculosis, which weaken pregnant women and increase the risk of dying during pregnancy or childbirth. India’s policy response is built around strengthening the entire continuum of maternal care, through programmes like: (a) Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), a conditional cash transfer to encourage institutional deliveries, especially in EAG states. (b) Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), which provides free delivery, free Caesarean section, free drugs, diagnostics, blood, and transport for pregnant women in public facilities. (c) Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA and e-PMSMA), which provides free, comprehensive antenatal care on the 9th of every month, with special attention to high-risk pregnancies. (d) Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN), which guarantees zero-tolerance for denial of services to pregnant women in public health facilities. (e) LaQshya, which focuses on improving the quality of care in labour rooms and maternity operation theatres. (f) Anaemia Mukt Bharat and POSHAN Abhiyaan/POSHAN 2.0, which address anaemia and nutrition in adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. (g) Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY 2.0), a maternity benefit scheme. Together, these programmes have helped drive India’s MMR from 212 to 87 in about 15 years, but the last mile, especially in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gujarat, will require stronger system-level reforms. Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to India’s latest Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) figures, consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q2. Consider the following statements about state-level MMR trends in India: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3