India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

In February 2026, the President of France visited India and attended the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit 2026, where both countries elevated their ties to a historic “Special Global Strategic Partnership.” 

• Building on 25 years of strategic cooperation and the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, they agreed to expand collaboration in defence, civil nuclear energy, space, AI, and multilateral affairs. 

What are the Key Outcomes of the President of France's visit to India? 

• Defence and Strategic Cooperation: Contract to procure 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets finalized. Inauguration of H125 Final Assembly Line (TATA-Airbus) – first private sector helicopter facility in India. Constitution of a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group for emerging critical technologies. 
• Nuclear Energy Cooperation: Strengthened cooperation on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) under 2025 Declaration of Intent. Cooperation across the value chain including Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant Project. 
  • France lauded India's target of 100 GW nuclear power by 2047 and reforms allowing private investment (SHANTI Act, 2025). 
• Space Cooperation: Third India-France Strategic Space Dialogue to be held in 2026. India to participate in the International Space Summit (July 2026, France). 
• Artificial Intelligence and Innovation: Launch of India-France Innovation Network; French National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology-Department of Science and Technology binational centre for digital sciences; and Joint Center for Advanced Materials. 
• Indo-Pacific Cooperation: Enhanced engagement under Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and Indian Ocean Rim Association (under India's Chairship). Cooperation in trilateral formats with Australia and UAE. 
• Climate Change and Environment: Both leaders welcomed the success of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) held in Nice in June 2025 and appreciated the entry into force of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Treaty). 
• Health Cooperation: Research Centre for AI in healthcare involving Sorbonne University, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi, and Paris Brain Institute. 
  • Cooperation between PariSanté Campus and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms; Health Data Hub and Indian Council of Medical Research. 
• Education and Culture: Target of 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030 (from current 10,000). Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum cooperation with France Muséums Développement. Namaste France 2028 to mark 30 years of strategic partnership. 
• Regional Issues:  
  • Ukraine: Support for cessation of hostilities and just peace based on UN Charter principles (sovereignty and territorial integrity). 
  • Gaza: Support for Peace Plan for Gaza (UNSC Resolution 2803) and two-state solution. 
  • Iran: Emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy. 
• Multilateral Issues: France reiterated firm support for India's permanent membership of UNSC; coordination on regulation of veto in mass atrocities. 
  • The French President invited the Prime Minister of India to attend the 2026 G7 summit in France and also extended an invitation to the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi (May 2026) to strengthen Africa partnerships. 

What are the Key Highlights of the India-France Strategic Partnership? 

• Strategic Partnership: The India–France Strategic Partnership, established in 1998, is founded on three key pillars, i.e., non-interference in internal affairs, commitment to strategic autonomy, and avoiding involvement in each other’s alliances and coalitions. 
• Defence Cooperation: Defence cooperation lies at the core of the India–France relationship, with France emerging as India’s 2nd-largest arms supplier after Russia. 
  • Key acquisitions include Rafale jets, 26 Rafale-Marine fighters, and Scorpene submarines, while joint exercises—Shakti (Army), Varuna (Navy), and Garuda (Air Force)—enhance tri-service cooperation with France. 
  • France's willingness to offer top defence systems and technology transfers distinguishes it from other Western partners. 
• Economic and Trade Relations: France is India’s 3rd-largest EU trading partner (after the Netherlands and Germany), with bilateral trade more than doubling to Euros 12.67 billion in 2024-25, a figure expected to grow following the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.  
  • As the 11th largest foreign investor, France has cumulatively invested Euros 9.79 billion from April 2000 to March 2025, accounting for 1.61% of total FDI inflows. 
• Civil Nuclear Cooperation: India and France signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2008. Both nations have agreed to partner on cost-effective SMRs, supported by India's Rs 20,000 crore Nuclear Energy Mission for faster deployment. 
• Space and Aerospace Cooperation: In 2021, ISRO and CNES signed a new space cooperation agreement at the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) in Bengaluru. India's space startups are benefiting from France's expertise in AI-based satellite applications.
  • Both have a joint satellite mission named TRISHNA Mission (Thermal Infrared Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment). 
• Artificial Intelligence: Both nations have unveiled the India-France Roadmap on Artificial Intelligence (AI), focusing on safe, open, secure, and trustworthy AI. Indian startups are participating in the French startup incubator Station F. 
• Maritime Cooperation: Maritime collaboration is guided by the India-France Roadmap on Blue Economy and Ocean Governance (2022). France, with its territories in the Indo-Pacific, aligns with India's vision of a free, open, and rules-based maritime order. 

What are the Key Areas of Concern in the India-France Relations? 

• Defence Procurement and Technology Transfer Delays: Projects like Rafale jets, Scorpene submarines, and jet engine collaborations slowed due to contract negotiations, policy changes, and localisation demands. 
• Differing Defense and Security Priorities: India's regional focus and "non-aligned" policy sometimes clash with France's global interests (e.g., differing stances on Russia-Ukraine conflict). 
• Market Access Issues: France seeks greater access for its pharmaceutical, luxury goods, and defence industries, while India demands easier entry for IT, agriculture, and generic drugs. India faces difficulties exporting to France due to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, discouraging Indian products from entering the French market. 
• Disagreements on Global AI and Data Regulation: France supports the EU's strict General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) model, while India prefers a flexible, innovation-friendly approach under its Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. 
  • Disagreements over open-source AI, cybersecurity norms, and digital sovereignty could limit deeper AI cooperation. 
• Divergences on Strategic Autonomy: India's strong ties with Russia (for energy and defence) create tensions with France, which has strongly opposed Russia's Ukraine invasion. India refused to join NATO-led sanctions on Russia after the Ukraine war, while France has been a key military backer of Ukraine. 
• Immigration and Mobility Restrictions: Despite growing ties, visa restrictions, work permit limits, and recognition of Indian qualifications remain challenges for Indian students and professionals. 
  • India seeks easier residency and work opportunities for its skilled workforce, but France prioritises EU-wide immigration policies, limiting flexibility. 

What Measures are Required to Further Strengthen India-France Relations? 

• Deepen Defense and Security Collaboration: Accelerate joint production and research in defense technologies, including co-manufacture of precision-guided missiles, helicopters, and advanced jet engines, while emphasizing India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative for self-reliance. 
• Advance Energy Cooperation: Broaden collaboration in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and clean technologies to support mutual climate goals, including joint investments in critical minerals and advanced materials. 
• Enhance Economic and Trade Ties: Leverage the recently signed India-EU Free Trade Agreement to reduce trade imbalances and tariffs, aiming for balanced growth in bilateral trade.  
  • Establish dedicated joint working groups to address market access barriers and promote sectors such as aeronautics, space, and high-speed rail. 
• Technological Partnerships: Launch the India–France Year of Innovation 2026 by setting up centres of excellence in artificial intelligence, digital sciences, and biotechnology, fostering collaboration among startups, research institutions, and industry. 
• Strengthen Cultural Exchanges: Expand educational, cultural, and mobility programs, including the establishment of cultural centers like the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Paris and cooperation on heritage projects such as the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal. 

Conclusion 

The partnership has decisively expanded across defence, nuclear energy, AI, space, and multilateral diplomacy under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap. Key outcomes include Rafale-Marine jets, SMRs, and Indo-Pacific collaboration. However, resolving procurement delays, trade imbalances, and geopolitical divergences through sustained dialogue remains essential for long-term strategic autonomy and global influence. 

Drishti Mains Questions India–France relations have evolved beyond defence procurement into a comprehensive strategic partnership. Examine.

80 Years of the RIN Revolt

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

18th February, 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) Revolt of 1946, a short-lived but momentous armed uprising, symbolising militant anti-colonial resistance and rare Hindu-Muslim unity in the final phase of British rule. 

What is the Royal Indian Navy Revolt 1946?

• About: It was a large-scale insurrection, with over 20,000 naval ratings participating. It involved 78 ships and 20 shore establishments, including HMIS Talwar in Bombay, and spread to naval bases in Karachi, Madras, Cochin, Vishakhapatnam, Calcutta, and the Andaman Islands.  
  • Sympathetic strikes also occurred in the Royal Indian Air Force in Bombay, Poona, Calcutta, Jessore, and Ambala. 
• Immediate Triggers and Grievances: The revolt was sparked by ratings at HMIS Talwar in Bombay over poor food quality, low wages, racial discrimination, abuse by superior officers, and the arrest of a rating for scrawling 'Quit India' on the ship. 
• Broader Political Links: A Naval Central Strike Committee was formed, and they protested against the trials of Indian National Army (INA) prisoners of war and the use of Indian troops to restore French and Dutch colonial rule in Vietnam and Indonesia. 
• Broader Context of INA Trials: 
  • Trials: The British held the first trial at the Red Fort in Delhi in November 1945, putting a Hindu (Prem Kumar Sehgal), a Muslim (Shah Nawaz Khan), and a Sikh (Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon) in the dock together. 
  • Congress Support: At its September 1945 Bombay session, Congress passed a strong resolution supporting the INA cause. The defence was organized by Bhulabhai Desai, Tej Bahadur Sapru, Kailash Nath Katju, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Asaf Ali. 
  • Diverse Support: The campaign saw participation from diverse groups, including the Muslim League, Communist Party of India, Unionists, Akalis, Justice Party, Ahrars, RSS, Hindu Mahasabha, and the Sikh League. Even loyalists and government employees collected funds. 
• Symbols of Unity: During the uprising, naval ratings organized a procession carrying a portrait of Subhas Chandra Bose.  
  • On the mast of the rebel fleet, they defiantly hoisted the flags of the Congress, the Muslim League, and the Communist Party (hammer and sickle) together. 
• Escalation to Armed Conflict: The peaceful hunger strike transformed into an armed uprising when British military forces opened fire on the naval ratings.  
  • In response, ratings inside the barracks waged a pitched battle with firearms, and rebel ships in the harbour manned their guns, threatening a full-scale military conflict to defend their comrades on shore. 
• Communal Unity on the Streets: The revolt triggered a popular uprising in Bombay. Hindu and Muslim protesters jointly took to the streets, observing a hartal. The crowd raided post offices, dug up tram tracks, set up barricades with boulders and barrels, lit bonfires, and torched buses and military vehicles. 
  • Bombay's mill district emerged as the epicentre. All textile mills, railway workshops, and factories were closed. 
• Brutal Suppression and Casualties: To restore order, the British government mobilized army battalions and armoured vehicles. British troops armed with machine guns and bayonets indiscriminately fired on the crowd. 
• End of the Revolt and Its Leaders: The revolt ended on 23rd February, 1946, after Sardar Patel and Muhammad Ali Jinnah persuaded the ratings to surrender, assuring them that national parties would prevent any victimisation.  

What is the Significance of the Royal Indian Navy Revolt 1946? 

• Impact on British Policy: These upsurges forced the British to extend concessions: 
  • The Cabinet Mission was sent to India in January 1946. 
  • On 1st December, 1946, the government announced only INA members accused of murder or brutality would be tried. 
  • Imprisonment sentences for the first batch of INA prisoners were remitted in January 1947. 
  • Indian soldiers were withdrawn from Indo-China and Indonesia by February 1947. 
• Eroding British Control Over Armed Forces: The mutiny starkly illustrated that the loyalty of Indian personnel in the colonial military — a cornerstone of British rule — could no longer be taken for granted. It contributed to British realisation that retaining control through force had become untenable. 
• Acceleration of British withdrawal: The uprising occurred at a critical juncture when negotiations for independence were underway. It is widely regarded as having hastened the British decision to expedite departure. 
• Symbol of Nationalistic Awakening and Unity: Despite its spontaneous and largely leaderless character, the revolt displayed remarkable cross-communal solidarity among Hindu and Muslim sailors amid rising communal tensions elsewhere.  
  • Participants raised flags of the Indian National Congress, the Muslim League, and the Communist Party of India, while slogans such as "Quit India," "Jai Hind," and "Inquilab Zindabad" reflected broader anti-colonial sentiment inspired by events like the Quit India Movement and Azad Hind Fauj. 
  • Progressive poet Sahir Ludhianvi immortalised this unity as "a flower of hope amidst a garden scorched and desolate" (Jhulse hue viraan gulshan me, ek aas-umeed ka phool khila), emphasising its rarity amidst escalating communal discord. 
• Precedents for Post-independence India: The episode reinforced the principle of civilian supremacy over the military, as political leaders intervened to end the unrest and the British suppressed it through superior force. It also exposed the limitations of armed challenges in the final phase of colonial rule. 

What were the Limitations of the Royal Indian Navy Revolt 1946? 

• Absence of Centralised Leadership: The revolt was largely spontaneous and leaderless. Although a Naval Central Strike Committee emerged, it lacked an experienced military or political command structure. 
• Lack of Support from Major Political Organizations: The Indian National Congress and the All-India Muslim League condemned the uprising and urged the sailors to surrender.  
  • Mahatma Gandhi criticized the action for proceeding without political authority, while Ballabhbhai Patel viewed it as a threat to a negotiated, non-violent transfer of power. This political isolation deprived the mutineers of legitimacy and broader mobilization. 
• Limited Scope and Failure to Link with Wider Forces: The revolt did not secure coordinated support from the Indian Army. It remained confined to naval personnel and select urban centres like Bombay, Karachi, and Madras, without developing into a general armed insurrection. 
• Superior British Military Response: The British assembled an overwhelming force, including Royal Navy warships and loyal troops, to isolate the rebels. The mutineers, lacking heavy armament, ammunition reserves, or defensible positions, faced inevitable defeat.  
• Strategic Context of Independence Process: The uprising occurred when constitutional negotiations, including the impending Cabinet Mission, were advanced. Major political actors prioritized a peaceful, negotiated exit over mass disorder. The revolt's radical character clashed with the prevailing preference for a controlled transition. 

Conclusion 

The Royal Indian Navy Revolt 1946 was a watershed moment that exposed the crumbling foundations of British military authority in India. Though short-lived and suppressed, it demonstrated unprecedented Hindu-Muslim unity, accelerated British withdrawal, and reinforced the principle of civilian supremacy over the armed forces for independent India. 

Drishti Mains Question: The Royal Indian Navy Revolt of 1946 was more than a mutiny; it was a popular uprising that symbolized the erosion of British authority. Analyze.

Tribal Protests Over Forest Rights Act

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

Recently, tribal farmers in Maharashtra held long marches demanding effective Forest Rights Act implementation, land titles, irrigation, jobs and education reforms. 

What are the Issues Faced by the Forest Dweller Communities? 

• Pre Colonial Era: Before colonialism, local communities had traditional rights over forests in their area or even a wider region. Even if kings or chieftains claimed hunting rights in specific forests, local communities still had access to all other benefits from the forests. 
• Colonial Era: The colonial government introduced Indian Forest Act, 1878 which was based on the idea  of ‘eminent domain’ (that the ruler always owns all property),. 
  • The Imperial Forest Department was established to harvest and transform the forest to maximise timber and revenue. 
    • It was also tasked with protecting ‘state’ property against local communities, now deemed trespassers. 
  • The injustices imposed by this colonial forest policy took multiple forms: 
    • Now that forests were seen as primarily a timber resource, shifting cultivation was banned.  
    • The so-called survey and settlement of agricultural lands was incomplete and biased in favour of the state.  
    •  ‘Forest Villages’ were created to ensure labour for forestry operations , wherein forest land was leased for agriculture to households (mostly Adivasis) in return for compulsory labour (virtually bonded). 
    • Since forests were now state property, all access to forest produce was limited, temporary and chargeable, and always at the mercy of the forest bureaucracy that was armed with police powers.  
      • Any concessions to local livelihood needs were termed ‘privileges’ that could be modified or withdrawn any time.  
    • Even where access was permitted, the local community had no right to manage the forest, as the state logged valuable forests and made heavily used forest de facto open-access. 
• Post Independence Era:  
  • After Independence, things didn’t change much. When the government hurriedly brought princely States and zamindari estates into the Union, they declared their forest areas as state property without checking who was living there.  
  • People who had been living there for generations suddenly became 'encroachers.'  
  • The government then leased out forest lands under various campaigns, such as ‘Grow More Food’, to meet the needs of a growing population, but they were never properly regulated.  
  • People displaced by dams were not given alternative lands and ended up 'encroaching' on forest land elsewhere. 
  • The Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 (FCA), again conceived within the framework of eminent domain.  
    • Many communities were forcefully moved to establish sanctuaries and national parks.  
  • When using forests for development, the opinions of local people were not considered, and despite charging significant fees, they were not adequately compensated for the impact on their lives. 
  • The prolonged non-recognition of cultivated forest land has led to recurring mass mobilisations and long marches by tribal communities.

What are the Issues in Implementation of the Forest Rights Act? 

• Individual Rights vs. Community Rights: Politicians in some states have predominantly focused on individual rights, turning the Act into an 'encroachment regularization' scheme. This approach neglects the recognition and protection of community rights, which are essential for sustainable forest management. 
• Poor Recognition of Individual Forest Rights (IFRs): The recognition of Individual Forest Rights has been done poorly, often compromised by resistance from the Forest Department, apathy from other departments, and misuse of technology. 
  • In some regions, more than 45% of claims have reportedly been rejected, and many approved claims provide smaller land areas than actually cultivated. 
• Digital Processes in Areas with Poor Connectivity: Implementation of digital processes, such as the VanMitra software in Madhya Pradesh, has posed challenges in areas with poor connectivity and low literacy rates. This exacerbates existing injustices and hinders the effective filing and processing of claims. 
• Incomplete Recognition of Community Forest Rights (CFRs): The slow and incomplete recognition of community rights to access and manage forests (CFRs) is a significant lacuna in FRA implementation. The forest bureaucracy is resistant to these rights, potentially impeding the empowerment of local communities in managing their forests. 
• Forest Villages Not Addressed: The issue of 'forest villages' has not been adequately addressed in most states, indicating a lack of comprehensive implementation. 
  • Despite statutory authority under the Forest Rights Act and PESA, Gram Sabhas are often sidelined during claim verification and approval. 

What Steps Are Needed to Address Issues in FRA Implementation? 

• Empowerment of Gram Sabha: Ensure that the Gram Sabha, the local self-government in villages, is actively involved in decision-making processes related to forest management. 
• Inclusive Decision Making: Encourage the inclusion of rights holders in the decision-making processes to ensure that their perspectives and needs are considered. 
• Accountability Measures: Implement accountability measures for any violations or non-compliance with the FRA, ensuring that responsible authorities are held accountable. 
• Integrated Planning: Develop integrated plans that consider both the development and conservation needs of forests while respecting the rights and interests of forest dwellers. 
• Strengthen PESA Implementation: Enhance tribal self-governance in Scheduled Areas and expand employment opportunities for educated tribal youth. 
• Link Livelihood Support with Land Rights: Integrate irrigation, MSP access and rural infrastructure support with forest rights recognition for socio-economic empowerment. 
• Convergence-Based Development Planning: Combine forest rights recognition with agriculture, water management and education interventions in tribal regions. 

Conclusion 

The tribal protests in Maharashtra highlight structural failures in land governance, welfare delivery, and rights recognition in Scheduled Areas. Weak implementation of the Forest Rights Act, livelihood insecurity, and administrative bottlenecks have sustained tribal distress, necessitating a rights-based approach that balances conservation with community participation, corrects land records, and strengthens local self-governance. 

Drishti Mains Question: How do implementation gaps in the Forest Rights Act undermine tribal livelihoods and participatory forest governance? Examine with reference to recent protests in Maharashtra.

Bio-based Chemicals

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

Bio-based chemicals represent a strategic sector for India to leverage its agricultural base, reduce import dependence on petrochemicals, and align with global sustainability goals. 

What are Bio-based Chemicals? 

• About: Bio-based chemicals are chemical substances derived wholly or in part from renewable biological resources (plants, agricultural residues, forestry materials, marine sources, algae) rather than from fossil fuels such as petroleum, natural gas, or coal.   
  • Enzymes are biological catalysts widely used in detergents, food processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, pulp and paper, and increasingly in biomanufacturing, often working at lower temperatures and pressures to reduce energy use and emissions. 
• Production Methods: Production typically involves biorefineries where biomass feedstocks undergo processes such as fermentation, enzymatic conversion, thermochemical treatment, or catalytic upgrading. 
  • Common methods include microbial fermentation of sugars or starches to produce organic acids and alcohols, or extraction and modification of plant-derived oils and lignocellulosic materials. 
• Examples of Bio-based Chemicals: 

Chemical	Production Method	Applications
Lactic acid	Fermentation of carbohydrates	Biodegradable plastics (polylactic acid), food preservatives, cosmetics
Succinic acid	Derived from glucose/sugars	Intermediate for polymers, solvents, pharmaceuticals
Bio-based glycerol	By-product of biodiesel production	Pharmaceuticals, personal care, chemical feedstock
Bio-ethanol and bio-butanol	Fermentation	Solvents, fuels, chemical building blocks
1,3-Propanediol	Fermented from glycerol/sugars	Polyesters for textiles, cosmetics, industrial uses
Bio-based surfactants and lubricants	Derived from plant oils	Detergents, paints, adhesives

• India's Current Status and Potential: India has strong fundamentals including a large agricultural base, deep expertise in fermentation from pharmaceuticals and vaccines, and a growing manufacturing sector.  
  • Expanding this space could reduce import dependence on petrochemicals (e.g., India imported USD 479.8 million worth of acetic acid in 2023), create new markets for agricultural produce, and position India as a competitive supplier of sustainable industrial inputs.  
  • India has prioritised bio-based chemicals and enzymes under the Department of Biotechnology's BioE3 policy. 
• Global Best Practices:  
  • European Union: The EU Bioeconomy Strategy and Action Plan provides coordinated support for bio-based chemicals as part of circular bioeconomy goals. 
  • United States: The USDA BioPreferred Program mandates federal procurement preference for certified bio-based products, creating early markets for producers. 
  • China: National bioeconomy development plans explicitly prioritise high-value bio-based chemicals and enzyme technologies as strategic sectors. 
• Advantages: Principal advantages include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, decreased dependence on non-renewable resources, enhanced biodegradability, and alignment with circular economy principles through the valorisation of agricultural and industrial waste streams. 
• Risks and Challenges: Key risks include low cost competitiveness against petrochemicals, which deters private investment during scale-up, and uncertainty over reliable feedstock availability and infrastructure.  
  • Market adoption also poses a challenge, as manufacturers may be reluctant to switch from existing inputs even when costs are comparable. 

Bharat VISTAAR

Source: PIB 

Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture launched Phase-1 of the AI-based ‘Bharat VISTAAR’ scheme in Jaipur, Rajasthan, amid the AI Summit in Delhi to digitally empower farmers.

• About: ‘Bharat VISTAAR’ is a multilingual Artificial Intelligence(AI) based conversational advisory system that allows farmers to ask agriculture-related questions through mobile or smartphone and receive instant solutions. 
• Objective: To make agriculture accessible, affordable and technology-driven through AI-based personalised advisory and strengthen farmer self-reliance. 
• Helpline Access: Farmers can dial the helpline number 155261 to get immediate answers in their local language (currently Hindi and English, soon expanding to 11 languages) and check real-time mandi prices across India. 
• Integrated Platform: It combines AgriStack, Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR) knowledge systems, India Meteorological Department (IMD) weather inputs, market prices and government schemes into one digital interface. 
• Farmer ID: A digital Farmer Identity Card will store farmer data and integrate services like PM Fasal Bima Yojana and Soil Health Card. 
• Services: Provides guidance on soil testing, seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, loans, insurance and scheme benefits while improving productivity and reducing risks. 
• Other Initiatives: Alongside the launch, a farmer-centric AI Hackathon and the Agri Kosh AI Strategy Roadmap were unveiled to promote innovation in agricultural technology. 

Read more: India-AI Impact Summit 2026

SAHI & BODH Health AI Initiatives

Source: TH 

Recently, the Union Health Minister launched two digital initiatives, Secure AI for Health Initiative (SAHI) and Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI (BODH), at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 to strengthen India’s health AI ecosystem. 

• SAHI (Governance Framework): SAHI functions as a national roadmap and policy framework guiding responsible AI adoption through accountability, privacy protection and citizen-centric safeguards. 
• BODH (Validation Platform): BODH provides a structured platform to test, benchmark and validate AI health solutions for performance, safety and real-world readiness before deployment. 
• Objective: To ensure AI solutions in healthcare are safe, reliable, evidence-based and people-centric while strengthening public trust. 
• Digital Health Backbone: The initiatives build on the vision of the National Health Policy 2017 and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (2020) to create an interoperable and scalable digital health infrastructure. 
• Data & Infrastructure: The framework promotes interoperable and consent-based health data systems to ensure security and public trust in digital health technologies. 
• Collaboration: It enables coordinated participation of government, academia and industry to integrate AI solutions in healthcare responsibly. 
• Impact: AI tools can improve diagnostics, accelerate drug discovery, strengthen clinical decision-making and make healthcare delivery affordable and accessible.

Read more: India-AI Impact Summit 2026

Bee Corridor

Source: PIB 

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched a first-of-its-kind initiative to develop pollinator or ‘Bee Corridors’ along National Highways to promote ecological infrastructure development. 

• About: The ‘Bee Corridor’ will have a continuous stretch of flowering trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses that will provide year-round nectar and pollen through staggered seasonal flowering cycles. 
• Objective: The project shifts highway plantations from ornamental greenery to biodiversity-supportive vegetation to protect honeybees and other pollinators. 
• Species Selection: Native species such as Neem, Karanj, Mahua, Palash, Bottle Brush, Jamun and Siris will be planted, while flowering weeds, dead wood and hollow trunks will be retained for pollinator habitats. 
• Implementation Plan: Corridors will be developed along suitable highway stretches and vacant NHAI land, with flowering clusters every 500 m–1 km based on bee foraging distance. 
• Plantation Target: Approximately 40 lakh trees are planned to be planted during 2026–27, of which nearly 60% will be under the Bee Corridor initiative, with at least three pollinator corridors to be developed in the initial phase.

Read More: National Highways Authority of India, National Beekeeping & Honey Mission

Exercise MILAN 2026

Source: TOI 

The Indian Navy has established a dedicated MILAN village in Visakhapatnam to facilitate cultural and social exchanges among delegates participating in 13th Exercise MILAN 2026 (15th to 25th February 2026). 

• 13th Exercise MILAN 2026 features participation from over 70 countries, including first-timers like Germany, the Philippines, and the UAE. 

Exercise MILAN 

• About: MILAN is a biennial (once every two years) multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy. Launched in 1995 under the Andaman and Nicobar Command with participation from just four foreign navies—Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—it has since grown into one of the largest maritime engagements in the Indo-Pacific region. 
• Core Objectives: Aims to foster mutual understanding, trust, and professional interaction among maritime partners to promote a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based maritime order. 
• Structural Phases: Comprises two main phases: the Harbour Phase (seminars, subject-matter expert exchanges, etc.) and the Sea Phase (focusing on interoperability, HADR, anti-submarine warfare, and tactical manoeuvres). 
• Policy Alignment: The exercise serves as a key platform for India's Act East Policy 2014, the MAHASAGAR vision, and its role as a preferred security partner in the Indo-Pacific. 

Read More: India's Maritime Strategy

AI-Preneurs of India

Source: PIB 

The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under NITI Aayog, launched "AI-Preneurs of India",a flagship coffee table book, at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. 

• Key Features of the Book: Chronicles the entrepreneurial journeys of 45 pioneering AI startups selected from a nationwide network of Atal Incubation Centres (AICs). 
  • Employs a "founder-first" storytelling approach highlighting motivations, perseverance, and challenges faced by entrepreneurs, rather than focusing solely on technical achievements.  

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) 

• About: The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) , launched by NITI Aayog in 2016, is the Government of India's flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the country.  
  • It fosters a problem-solving mindset in students and strengthens the entrepreneurial ecosystem in schools, universities, and research institutions. 
• Key Programs under AIM: 

Program	Target Group	Key Features/Objective
Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs)	School students (Grades 6–12)	Established in schools to foster innovation through tools such as 3D printing, robotics, and electronics.
Atal Incubation Centres (AICs)	Startups and entrepreneurs	Business incubators that promote startups by providing mentorship, funding, and technical support.
Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACICs)	Underserved regions	Promote innovation in Tier 2/3 cities, tribal areas, and underserved communities.
Atal New India Challenges (ANIC)	Technology-based innovators	Support innovations addressing national challenges through funding and mentorship.
Mentor India	Entrepreneurs and innovators	Engages 6,200+ mentors across sectors to guide entrepreneurs and innovators under AIM programs.

Read More: Atal Innovation Mission 2.0