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PCS ParikshanPunjab Switch to Hindi
Punjab Agricultural University Joins BRICS Network University on Food Security
Why in News?
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has been included in the BRICS Network University under the thematic area of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security.
Key Points
- Unique status: PAU is the only state agricultural university from India chosen in this thematic cluster, highlighting its research stature and contributions.
- Peer representation: In the same thematic area, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Delhi represents the national institute category.
- Focus: The inclusion emphasises sustainable agriculture, food security, and innovation in agri‑food systems among BRICS nations.
- Purpose: This will facilitate multilateral research, education and innovation frameworks to address urgent global agri‑food challenges.
- Global grouping: The BRICS Network University includes partner institutions from the BRICS bloc — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia — aimed at academic and research cooperation.
- International partnerships: The BRICS platform will allow PAU to co‑create solutions for food security, climate adaptation and sustainable rural livelihoods with partner universities.
- Timing significance: Inclusion comes as India prepares for BRICS Chairmanship in 2026.
- Benefit: Farmers, researchers and students across member countries.
| Read More: BRICS, Sustainable agriculture, Food Security, |
National Current Affairs Switch to Hindi
Andhra Pradesh to Develop Satellite Launch Facility on Hope Island
Why in News?
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced plans to develop a satellite launching facility on Hope Island.
Key Points
- Location: The proposed satellite launching facility will be built on Hope Island in Kakinada Bay, Andhra Pradesh.
- Strategic distance: Hope Island lies about 600 km from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, India’s principal spaceport.
- Coastal advantage: Hope Island’s coastal location provides a strategic advantage for launch trajectories over the Bay of Bengal and minimal population risk.
- Project name: Part of the Space City project, intended to create a space and aerospace hub.
- This highlights Andhra Pradesh’s growing focus on technology, innovation and industrial development in high-tech sectors.
- Collaboration with: Greenko Group.
- Space ecosystem vision: The facility aligns with Andhra Pradesh’s vision to position itself as a hub for aerospace and commercial space activities.
National Current Affairs Switch to Hindi
National Capacity Building Programme for Tribal Healers in Hyderabad
Why in News?
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched a National Capacity Building Programme for Tribal Healers in Hyderabad, Telangana.
Key Points
- Launch venue: The Programme for Tribal Healers was held in January 2026 at Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad, to enhance tribal health services.
- Addressed by: The event was addressed by Jual Oram, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs.
- Objective: The programme aims to
- Recognise and engage tribal healers as collaborative partners in public health outreach and tribal health transformation.
- Strengthen last-mile health service delivery in geographically and culturally isolated tribal regions.
- Eliminate communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and leprosy in tribal areas.
- National Tribal Health Observatory: A MoU with ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar was signed to establish India’s first Bharat Tribal Health Observatory (B-THO) under Project DRISTI for tribe-disaggregated health data and research.
- Project DRISTI: A national initiative by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with ICMR to create a tribe-disaggregated health information system.
- Aimed at improving healthcare planning, disease monitoring, and policy decisions for tribal populations.
- Bharat Tribal Health Observatory (B‑THO): A first-of-its-kind national health observatory established under Project DRISTI.
- To collect, analyse, and share health data of tribal communities, integrate tribal healers into the health system, and support disease prevention and research in tribal areas.
| Read More: Communicable diseases, ICMR, |
