Current Affairs

The National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), under the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY), has officially integrated its NIELIT Digital University (NDU) platform with the digital learning resources of Saylor Academy (USA). This collaboration aims to provide Indian learners with free, self-paced, globally relevant courses in AI, programming, and data science.

The push for democratizing digital education is a core component of the Digital India initiative and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. NIELIT acts as the premier capacity-building arm of the government in Information, Electronics & Communications Technology (IECT). The NIELIT Digital University (NDU) is designed to offer accessible, on-demand skilling and upskilling opportunities, particularly reaching learners in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Saylor Academy is a non-profit initiative based in the US that offers free, open-source online education. By aggregating global content on an Indian platform, the government is focusing on creating a future-ready, globally competitive workforce capable of navigating the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

GS2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources; GS3: Awareness in the fields of IT, Computers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, scheduled for October 2026. The conclave aims to break institutional silos and bring together startups, researchers, policymakers, and global scientific leaders, including three Nobel Laureates.

The ESTIC was conceptualized to unite the scattered science and technology ecosystem under a single umbrella, moving away from isolated annual events. It operates under a "whole-of-government" approach, guided by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, and organized primarily by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). The conclave strongly aligns with the national goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, emphasizing deep-tech startups, artificial intelligence, ocean technologies (like the Deep Ocean Mission), and advanced healthcare.

GS3: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology; Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met with Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th Imam of the Ismaili community, in New Delhi. They discussed expanding India's collaboration with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) across crucial sectors like healthcare, agriculture, rural development, and women's empowerment.

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a prominent global network of private, non-denominational development agencies originally founded by the late Aga Khan IV. It operates in over 30 countries, focusing on improving the quality of life in developing regions, irrespective of faith, origin, or gender. In India, AKDN has a long-standing history of contributing to rural socio-economic progress, education, and heritage conservation. This meeting highlights India's strategic intent to leverage international philanthropic partnerships to accelerate grassroots development.

GS2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests; Important International institutions, agencies and fora.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed the International Space Summit in Paris, advocating for global cooperation, sustainability, and peaceful space exploration. Highlighting India’s major space achievements like Chandrayaan-3, he reiterated the country's ambitious goals to establish an indigenous space station by 2035 and land an Indian on the Moon by 2040.

The governance of outer space is broadly guided by international treaties like the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which designates space as the "province of all mankind." With the rapid commercialisation of space and increasing orbital debris, multilateral forums like the International Space Summit are crucial for formulating sustainable space policies. India's space diplomacy, deeply rooted in its Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (One Earth, One Family, One Future) philosophy, emphasizes cost-effective, inclusive, and peaceful exploration. The Indo-French space partnership is one of India's oldest and most trusted, dating back to the 1960s when France assisted in setting up the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Kerala.

GS2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests; GS3: Awareness in the fields of Space.

The Sikkimese feature film 'Numahangma', directed by Niyara Subba, has been selected for the 2nd Nepal Indigenous Film Festival (NIFF) 2026 to be held in London. The film beautifully portrays the real-life struggles and perseverance of a woman balancing her family responsibilities and her path to success.

The recognition of indigenous cinema on international platforms highlights the rich cultural diversity and grassroots storytelling of Northeast India. The film had previously gained acclaim at the Yakthung Cine Awards International. The term 'Yakthung' is deeply cultural, serving as the traditional endonym for the Limbu community, an indigenous Himalayan tribe. Promoting such regional narratives helps preserve local dialects, folklore, and indigenous socio-cultural struggles in a rapidly modernising world, ensuring that tribal voices reach a global audience.

GS1: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has announced the Maharashtra State Edition of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2027. This dynamic platform empowers youth aged 15 to 29 years to share innovative ideas for India's development, with top participants earning the rare opportunity to present their vision directly to the Prime Minister at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

The VBYLD is a modernised, intellectual restructuring of the traditional National Youth Festival, which has historically been held to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. By shifting the focus from purely cultural exchange to merit-based policy innovation and leadership, the initiative strongly aligns with the government's grand vision of Viksit Bharat @2047—transforming India into a fully developed nation by its 100th year of independence.

GS2: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors; Issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Justice Alpesh Yeshwant Kogje recently took the oath of office as the 30th Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court at a ceremony held in Bhopal. The oath was administered to him by the Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Mangubhai Patel.

The appointment of High Court judges is a crucial aspect of the Indian judicial system. While the appointment notification is officially issued by the President of India under Article 217 of the Constitution (after consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the state Governor), the formal oath of office is administered by the Governor of the respective state under Article 219. The Madhya Pradesh High Court was established in 1956 and has its principal seat in Jabalpur.

GS2: Structure, organization and functioning of the Judiciary.