🗞️ Why in News India assumed chairmanship of the Kimberley Process 2026; India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 got Rs 1,000 crore allocation with a Quantum Valley inaugurated in Amaravati; Seychelles joined the Colombo Security Conclave; and India ranked 2nd in LEED green buildings and 45th in the Network Readiness Index 2025.

India Assumes Kimberley Process Chairmanship 2026

India assumed the 2026 chairmanship of the Kimberley Process (KP) — the international certification scheme established in 2000 to prevent trade in conflict diamonds (blood diamonds). The KP has 60 participants representing 86 countries.

Key facts:

  • India processes ~90% of the world’s diamonds; accounts for 75% of global diamond turnover by value
  • Majhgawan mine (Madhya Pradesh): India’s only active diamond mine
  • India produced over 3 million lab-grown diamonds (LGDs) in 2023 (~15% global share)
  • Union Budget FY26: removed customs duty on carbon seeds for LGD production

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: KP founding year (2000), 60 participants/86 countries, India’s diamond processing share (90%), Majhgawan mine (MP), LGD carbon seeds duty removal. Mains GS-2: India’s role in international certification bodies; GS-1: Mineral resources.

India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 — Rs 1,000 Crore Allocation

ISM 2.0 received a Rs 1,000 crore allocation in Budget 2026-27. ISM 1.0 (launched 2021) had a Rs 76,000 crore incentive outlay (up to 50% fiscal support). Under the mission, 10 projects worth Rs 1.60 lakh crore have been approved across 6 states.

Key facts:

  • India’s semiconductor market: grew from $38 billion (2023) to $45–50 billion (2024-25); projected USD 100–110 billion by 2030
  • Target: 70–75% self-sufficiency by 2029; capability for 3nm/2nm chips by 2035
  • Zetwerk Electronics facility (Rs 100 crore) inaugurated in Bengaluru by MeitY Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw — equipped with SMT (Surface Mount Technology) and FATP (Final Assembly, Testing and Packing) lines

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: ISM 1.0 launch year (2021), Rs 76,000 crore outlay, ISM 2.0 Rs 1,000 crore, 10 projects Rs 1.60 lakh crore, $100–110B market target by 2030. Mains GS-3: Semiconductor strategy, Make in India, strategic manufacturing.

India’s First Quantum Valley — Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh

Foundation stone for India’s first Quantum Valley was laid at Uddandarayunipalem village, Thullur mandal, Amaravati by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu. Partners include IBM, TCS, L&T, C-DOT, and C-DAC.

Key facts:

  • Features a 133-qubit quantum computer centre
  • Focus areas: quantum computing, AI, cybersecurity, healthcare, defence, finance
  • Completion timeline: August 2026 (main complex), December 2026 (quantum computer)
  • WISER Quantum Talent Hub: target to train 35 lakh students by 2035

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: Location (Amaravati/Thullur), qubit count (133), key partners (IBM, C-DAC, C-DOT), completion timelines, WISER Talent Hub 35 lakh target. Mains GS-3: Quantum computing policy, India’s technology ecosystem.

Colombo Security Conclave Expands — Seychelles Joins

Seychelles joined the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), bringing membership to: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh, Seychelles. CSC was founded in 2011 as a trilateral mechanism (India-Sri Lanka-Maldives), revived in 2020 as the CSC.

Key facts:

  • Permanent Secretariat: Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Five pillars: Maritime security, counter-terrorism, anti-trafficking, cybersecurity, HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief)
  • Aligned with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and MAHASAGAR initiative

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: CSC founding year (2011), member countries (6), Secretariat location (Colombo), 5 cooperation pillars, SAGAR vision, MAHASAGAR. Mains GS-2: India’s Indian Ocean diplomacy, neighbourhood policy, regional security architecture.

India’s Next-Generation Tsunami Warning System

A Rs 300-crore Regional Service Centre (RSC) is planned for Vijaynagar, Swaraj Dweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It will detect both seismic and non-seismic tsunamis (current systems are earthquake-focused only) and serve Indian Ocean countries.

Key facts:

  • ~270 km of sub-sea cables planned along tectonic plate zones
  • Nodal agency: INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services), Hyderabad
  • Current system gap: non-seismic tsunamis (caused by underwater landslides or volcanic eruptions) are not detected

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: INCOIS (Hyderabad), RSC location (Swaraj Dweep/Andaman), cost (Rs 300 crore), cable length (270 km), non-seismic tsunami. Mains GS-1: Natural disasters, geophysical hazards; GS-2: Disaster management infrastructure.

Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2025 — India Ranks 45th

India ranked 45th in NRI 2025 (up 4 places from 49th in 2024); score improved from 53.63 to 54.43. India ranked 1st globally in AI publications, ICT services exports, and e-commerce legislation.

Key facts:

  • Ranked 2nd among lower-middle-income countries (after Vietnam)
  • Coverage: 127 economies, 53 indicators, 4 pillars — Technology, People, Governance, Impact
  • Published by: Portulans Institute

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: India’s rank (45th, up from 49th), Portulans Institute, 4 pillars, 127 economies, India 1st in AI publications + ICT services exports. Mains GS-3: Digital infrastructure, e-governance, India’s technological readiness.

India Ranks 2nd in LEED Green Building Certifications

The US Green Building Council (USGBC) / Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) 2025 report placed India 2nd globally — up from 3rd in 2024 — with 611 projects covering 16.1 million sq m.

Key facts:

  • 1st: China (26.6 million sq m, 1,939 projects); USA: overall leader (50.1 million sq m, 2,228 projects)
  • LEED = Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
  • Top growth sector: Industrial manufacturing and warehousing
  • Global: 7,500+ commercial projects, 147 million sq m certified

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: LEED full form, India’s rank (2nd), USGBC, GBCI, India’s projects (611) and area (16.1M sq m). Mains GS-3: Sustainable construction, green infrastructure, climate commitments.

New Species — Bay of Bengal and Kerala

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered two new polychaete (marine worm) species in Digha and Bankiput, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal: Namalycastis solenotognatha and Nereis dhritiae (named after Dhriti Banerjee — first female Director of ZSI). Family: Nereididae.

A new dragonfly species Lyriothemis keralensis (common name: “Slender Bombardier”) was identified in low-lying coastal areas of Kerala; published in the International Journal of Odonatology.

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: ZSI discovery location (Purba Medinipur WB), species names, Dhriti Banerjee (first female ZSI Director), Nereididae family, Lyriothemis keralensis (Kerala), International Day of Arabian Leopard (Feb 10). Mains GS-3: Biodiversity, ZSI’s taxonomic role.

International Day of Arabian Leopard (February 10)

February 10 is observed annually as the International Day of the Arabian Leopard — 2026 marks the 3rd UN observance. The day was launched by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), Saudi Arabia, in 2022; UN formally recognised it by Resolution A/RES/77/295 (June 2023), with the first UN observance on February 10, 2024.

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: Date (Feb 10), UN Resolution A/RES/77/295, RCU (AlUla, Saudi Arabia), first UN observance (2024), Arabian Leopard = rarest leopard subspecies. Mains GS-3: Wildlife conservation, international conservation frameworks.

Japan’s First Female Prime Minister — Sanae Takaichi

Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female Prime Minister after her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won 316 seats (out of 465) in the lower house — surpassing the 1986 LDP record of 300 seats. Coalition with Nippon Ishin Party (JIP, 36 seats) gave a 352-seat two-thirds super-majority; absolute majority threshold: 261 seats.

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: Takaichi (first female Japanese PM), LDP 316 seats, 465-seat lower house, 261-seat majority threshold, JIP 36 seats. Mains GS-2: Comparative government, Japan’s political landscape, India-Japan relations.

India-Greece Defence Cooperation

India and Greece signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Defence Industrial Cooperation and exchanged a Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026 at a New Delhi meeting of Defence Ministers. A five-year roadmap is under development.

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: Joint Declaration of Intent, Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan 2026, India-Greece. Mains GS-2: India’s European defence partnerships, bilateral relations.

SAFF U-19 Women’s Football — India Wins

India won the SAFF U-19 Women’s Football Championship (7th edition) defeating Bangladesh 4-0 in the final at Pokhara Rangasala Stadium, Nepal (February 7, 2026). This is India’s 3rd SAFF U-20/U-19 Women’s title (previous: 2022, 2024). Best Goalkeeper: Munni (India); Fair Play Award: India.

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: 7th edition, venue (Pokhara, Nepal), final score (4-0), India’s title count (3rd), Best GK Munni. Mains GS-2: Sports diplomacy, regional cooperation.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Kimberley Process:

  • Founded: 2000; participants: 60 representing 86 countries
  • India: processes ~90% of world’s diamonds; 75% of global diamond turnover by value
  • Majhgawan mine (Madhya Pradesh): India’s only active diamond mine
  • India LGD output: 3 million+ (2023); ~15% global share

India Semiconductor Mission 2.0:

  • ISM 1.0 launched: 2021; outlay: Rs 76,000 crore (up to 50% fiscal support)
  • ISM 2.0 Budget 2026-27: Rs 1,000 crore
  • Approved projects: 10 worth Rs 1.60 lakh crore across 6 states
  • Market target: USD 100–110 billion by 2030; self-sufficiency: 70–75% by 2029

Quantum Valley — Amaravati:

  • Location: Uddandarayunipalem, Thullur mandal, Amaravati, AP
  • Quantum computer: 133 qubits; completion: Dec 2026
  • Partners: IBM, TCS, L&T, C-DOT, C-DAC, SRM University
  • WISER Talent Hub: 35 lakh students by 2035

Colombo Security Conclave (CSC):

  • Founded: 2011 (trilateral); revived as CSC: 2020
  • Members (6): India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh, Seychelles
  • Secretariat: Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Pillars (5): Maritime security, counter-terrorism, anti-trafficking, cybersecurity, HADR
  • SAGAR = Security and Growth for All in the Region

Next-Gen Tsunami Warning (RSC):

  • Cost: Rs 300 crore; Location: Vijaynagar, Swaraj Dweep, Andaman & Nicobar
  • Sub-sea cables: ~270 km; Nodal agency: INCOIS, Hyderabad
  • Unique feature: detects non-seismic tsunamis (landslides/volcanic origin)

Network Readiness Index 2025:

  • Publisher: Portulans Institute; economies covered: 127; indicators: 53
  • India rank: 45th (up from 49th); score: 54.43
  • India 1st globally: AI publications, ICT services exports, e-commerce legislation

LEED Rankings 2025 (USGBC/GBCI):

  • LEED = Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
  • India: 2nd (611 projects, 16.1M sq m); China: 1st; USA: overall leader

New Species:

  • Nereis dhritiae: named after Dhriti Banerjee (first female ZSI Director)
  • Lyriothemis keralensis: “Slender Bombardier” dragonfly; Kerala
  • Arabian Leopard Day: February 10; UN Resolution: A/RES/77/295 (June 2023)

Sports:

  • SAFF U-19 Women’s Football: India 3rd title; final: 4-0 vs Bangladesh at Pokhara, Nepal

Sources: Drishti IAS, AffairsCloud, Next IAS