🗞️ Why in News India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was operationalised with 11 agreements; India faced US pressure over Russian oil purchases as India-Russia trade reached USD 68.72 billion; RBI doubled MSME collateral-free loan limits and launched Mission SAKSHAM; and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses advanced with Rs 11,440 crore outlay targeting 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31.

India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

India and Malaysia operationalised a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with 11 agreements signed during the PM’s visit to Kuala Lumpur. Key outcomes: Malaysia-India Digital Council (MIDC) formally established; INR-MYR local currency settlement agreed; Malaysia acceded to the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA); Thiruvalluvar Chair operationalised at Universiti Malaya.

Key facts:

  • Bilateral trade: USD 19.86 billion (2024-25); Malaysia = India’s 3rd largest ASEAN trading partner
  • Indian diaspora in Malaysia: ~2.7 million PIOs
  • Joint exercises: Harimau Shakti (Army), Samudra Lakshmana (Navy), Udara Shakti (Air Force)
  • Malaysia’s Malayan tiger: critically endangered; <200 individuals
  • Historical ties: Chola period (9th–13th century CE)

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: MIDC, INR-MYR settlement, IBCA, Thiruvalluvar Chair (Universiti Malaya), three joint exercises, bilateral trade USD 19.86 billion, Malaysian diaspora 2.7M PIOs. Mains GS-2: Act East Policy; ASEAN; India-Malaysia bilateral relations.

India-Russia-US: Balancing Act Under Pressure

The US claimed India agreed to stop buying Russian oil as part of India-US trade negotiations — India did not confirm this publicly. India-Russia trade: USD 68.72 billion (2024-25), with imports of USD 63.84 billion (mostly crude oil) and exports of USD 4.88 billion.

Key facts:

  • ~60% of India’s military inventory is of Russian origin (Su-30 MKI, T-90 Bhishma, S-400)
  • BrahMos cruise missile (~2.8 Mach): India-Russia JV
  • Kudankulam NPP (Tamil Nadu): ROSATOM-built; Units 1-2 operational; 6 units planned (6,000 MW)
  • CAATSA (2017): US law mandating sanctions for significant Russian defence purchases; India received waivers for S-400
  • Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation: 1971; Strategic Partnership: 2000; Special and Privileged: 2010

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: India-Russia trade (USD 68.72B), CAATSA 2017, Su-30 MKI, T-90, S-400, BrahMos (2.8 Mach), Kudankulam (ROSATOM, Tamil Nadu, 6,000 MW), Treaty 1971. Mains GS-2: Strategic autonomy; multi-alignment; India-Russia-US triangle.

RBI Credit and Consumer Protection Reforms

RBI announced several reforms: collateral-free loan limit for MSMEs doubled from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh; banks permitted to extend finance to listed REITs (previously only InvITs); consumer fraud compensation up to Rs 25,000 for small-value fraudulent digital transactions; harmonised rules for loan recovery agents; new guidelines against mis-selling of insurance/MFs by banks.

Key facts:

  • Mission SAKSHAM (Sahakari Bank Kshamta Nirman): Launched for Urban Cooperative Banks; ~1.40 lakh participants; training in regional languages; sector-wide capacity building and certification
  • REIT vs. InvIT: REITs = commercial real estate (≥80% completed properties); InvITs = infrastructure (highways, power, renewables, up to 70% debt)

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: MSME collateral-free limit (Rs 20 lakh), Mission SAKSHAM (full form, 1.40 lakh participants), REIT/InvIT distinction, Rs 25,000 digital fraud compensation. Mains GS-3: Banking regulation; financial inclusion; MSME credit; consumer protection.

Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

Rs 11,440 crore mission (2025-26 to 2030-31) targets 350 lakh tonnes of Tur, Urad, Masoor by 2030-31 — up from 252.38 lakh tonnes (2024-25). 1,000 pulse mills to be established (Rs 25 lakh subsidy each). SATHI Portal for seed authentication. 100% assured MSP procurement for 4 years via NAFED and NCCF under PM-AASHA.

Key facts:

  • Imports (2023-24): 47.38 lakh tonnes — India is largest producer yet imports due to demand-supply gap
  • India’s global position: Largest producer AND consumer (~25% of global production)
  • Pulses’ share in foodgrain: fell from 16% (1950) to ~8% (2022-23)
  • Protein contribution: 20–25% of Indian dietary protein; ICMR recommended: 85 g/day
  • Area target: +35 lakh ha → 310 lakh hectares total
  • Farmer incentive: Rs 10,000/hectare for model farming

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: Rs 11,440 crore, target crops (Tur/Urad/Masoor), 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31, SATHI Portal, NAFED, NCCF, PM-AASHA, 1,000 mills, Rs 25 lakh/mill, 16% → 8% foodgrain share, 85g/day ICMR, Leguminosae family. Mains GS-3: Food security; agricultural self-sufficiency; pulse price inflation.

India’s Space/Astronomy Budget

Union Budget 2026-27 allocated Rs 13,416.20 crore to the Department of Space. Investments include the National Large Optical-Infrared Telescope (NLOT) (under development) and the National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) — planned near Pangong Lake, Ladakh.

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: Space budget Rs 13,416.20 crore, NLOT, NLST (Pangong Lake, Ladakh). Mains GS-3: Space science infrastructure; India’s space policy.

Mental Health — Second NIMHANS Announced

Union Budget 2026-27 announced a second NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences) to be set up in north India. Existing institutions at Ranchi (Central Institute of Psychiatry) and Tezpur (Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health) to be upgraded.

Key facts:

  • First NIMHANS: Bengaluru, Karnataka (autonomous institution under MoHFW)
  • Economic Survey 2025-26 flagged rising digital addiction and screen-related mental health problems among children

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: NIMHANS (Bengaluru), second NIMHANS (north India), Central Institute of Psychiatry (Ranchi), LGBRIMH Tezpur. Mains GS-2: Public health; mental health policy; digital addiction.

India-Canada Security Talks

NSA Ajit Doval held security talks in Ottawa, Canada, signalling diplomatic normalisation after relations strained since the June 2023 Nijjar killing allegation by PM Trudeau. Canada had suspended CEPA (India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) negotiations in response.

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: Ajit Doval (NSA), CEPA, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Khalistan issue. Mains GS-2: India-Canada relations; diaspora-linked diplomatic tensions.

Treescapes 2026 — South Asia Agroforestry Congress

The first South Asian Agroforestry and Trees Outside Forests (AF-TOF) Congress — named Treescapes 2026 — was held, providing the first regional platform for advancing agroforestry across South Asia. Key challenges: access to finance, policy gaps, low farmer awareness.

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: Treescapes 2026, AF-TOF (Agroforestry and Trees Outside Forests). Mains GS-3: Agroforestry; climate-resilient farming; carbon sequestration; rural income diversification.

Thwaites “Doomsday Glacier” — Accelerating Melt

The Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica (part of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet; drains into the Amundsen Sea) continues to melt at accelerating rates. It is classified as one of 16 global climate tipping elements and could cause catastrophic sea-level rise if fully destabilised.

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: Thwaites Glacier location (West Antarctic Ice Sheet, Amundsen Sea), nickname “Doomsday Glacier”, 16 tipping elements. Mains GS-3: Climate change; sea-level rise; polar science; tipping points.

AYUSH Sector

Union Budget 2026-27 expanded resource allocation for the AYUSH sector (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy). Growing global demand for traditional medicine systems.

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: AYUSH full form, components, Ministry of AYUSH (established November 2014). Mains GS-2: Health policy; India’s soft power (AYUSH diplomacy).

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

India-Malaysia:

  • Bilateral trade: USD 19.86 billion (2024-25); Malaysia = 3rd largest ASEAN partner
  • Indian diaspora: ~2.7 million PIOs
  • 11 agreements; MIDC established; INR-MYR settlement; Malaysia joined IBCA
  • Joint exercises: Harimau Shakti (A), Samudra Lakshmana (N), Udara Shakti (AF)
  • Thiruvalluvar Chair at Universiti Malaya; Malayan tiger: <200 individuals

India-Russia Trade:

  • Total: USD 68.72 billion (2024-25); Imports: USD 63.84 billion; Exports: USD 4.88 billion
  • Military: ~60% Russian origin; Su-30 MKI, T-90 Bhishma, S-400 (5 squadrons)
  • BrahMos: ~2.8 Mach; Kudankulam: ROSATOM, 6,000 MW planned
  • CAATSA: 2017; Treaty of Friendship: 1971; Special Partnership: 2010

RBI Reforms:

  • MSME collateral-free limit: Rs 20 lakh (doubled from Rs 10 lakh)
  • Digital fraud compensation: Rs 25,000
  • Mission SAKSHAM: Urban Cooperative Banks; ~1.40 lakh participants
  • REITs: commercial real estate (≥80% completed); InvITs: infrastructure (≤70% debt)

Mission Aatmanirbharta in Pulses:

  • Outlay: Rs 11,440 crore; Crops: Tur, Urad, Masoor
  • Target: 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31; current: 252.38 MT; imports: 47.38 MT (2023-24)
  • SATHI Portal; NAFED + NCCF; 1,000 mills @ Rs 25 lakh each; Rs 10,000/ha
  • Foodgrain share: 16% (1950) → ~8% (2022-23); ICMR: 85 g/day

Space Budget 2026-27:

  • Dept. of Space: Rs 13,416.20 crore
  • NLOT (optical-infrared telescope, under development)
  • NLST: Near Pangong Lake, Ladakh

Mental Health:

  • NIMHANS (first): Bengaluru
  • Second NIMHANS: North India (announced Budget 2026-27)
  • Central Institute of Psychiatry: Ranchi; LGBRIMH: Tezpur

Thwaites Glacier:

  • Location: West Antarctic Ice Sheet; drains into Amundsen Sea
  • Nickname: “Doomsday Glacier”
  • One of 16 global climate tipping elements

Sources: Drishti IAS, Next IAS