🗞️ Why in News The Union Cabinet approved India’s first underwater Brahmaputra rail-road tunnel (Rs 18,662 crore); the DAC cleared High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS) for the IAF; Opposition filed a notice to remove Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla; and new radiocarbon dating suggests the Indus Valley Civilisation began ~8,000 years ago.

Polity & Governance

Notice for Removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

Over 100 Opposition MPs submitted a notice seeking the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, citing “partisan conduct” and denial of speaking rights to the Leader of Opposition.

Constitutional and procedural framework:

  • Article 94©: A Speaker or Deputy Speaker “shall vacate his office if he is removed by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then members of the House” — this requires an effective majority (majority of total membership, not just present and voting)
  • 14-day advance notice is mandatory before such a resolution can be moved
  • Admissibility threshold: At least 50 members must sign the notice for it to be admitted
  • Speaker’s rights during removal proceedings: The Speaker may participate in the debate and exercise a casting vote in case of a tie — but cannot exercise their regular vote
  • Rule 186 of Lok Sabha Rules governs the procedure for removal motions

Historical context: No Lok Sabha Speaker has ever been successfully removed. Failed attempts include 1954 (G.V. Mavalankar), 1966 (Hukam Singh), and 1987 (Balram Jakhar). The high threshold (effective majority) makes removal procedurally very difficult.

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Brahmaputra Rail-Road Twin Tunnel — Cabinet Approval

The Union Cabinet approved India’s first underwater rail-cum-road tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra river in Assam.

Key specifications:

Parameter Details
Route Gohpur (NH-15) to Numaligarh (NH-715), Assam
Total corridor length 33.7 km
Main tunnel 15.79 km twin-tube (one rail tube + one 4-lane highway tube)
Additional 1.26 km road cut-and-cover + 4 km rail cut-and-cover
Cost Rs 18,662 crore (EPC mode)
Travel time Reduces 240 km/6-hour journey via Kaliabhomora Bridge to a direct connection

Significance:

  • Will be only the second such underwater structure globally on completion
  • Reduces North Bank-South Bank travel time in Assam dramatically
  • Employment: ~80 lakh person-days during construction
  • Connects: Numaligarh, Tezpur, Gohpur, Dibrugarh, Itanagar
  • Provides access to 4 railway stations, 2 airports, and 2 inland waterway terminals
  • Strategic for Kaziranga National Park access and northeast military logistics

Northeast’s First Emergency Landing Facility — Assam

PM Modi inaugurated the Northeast’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) at Moran, Dibrugarh district, Assam, on the Moran Bypass stretch of NH-15. ELFs are specially strengthened sections of national highways designed for emergency use and take-off/landing by military aircraft. They are critical for defence logistics in border areas where conventional airfields may not be accessible.

Defence & Security

HAPS for IAF — DAC Approval

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for Air-Ship Based High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (AS-HAPS) systems for the Indian Air Force — part of a broader Rs 3.60 lakh crore DAC package.

HAPS — Key Features:

  • Solar-powered unmanned aerial platforms operating in the stratosphere at 18–20 km altitude
  • Can stay airborne for months (replacing the gap between satellites and conventional UAVs)
  • Equipped with optical and infrared sensors for persistent ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance)
  • Approximate HAPS component: ~Rs 15,000 crore

Strategic context: Addresses surveillance and communication gaps identified during the 2017 Doklam standoff with China. HAPS can provide continuous wide-area surveillance of the Himalayan border region without satellite costs.

Indigenous development: NAL (National Aerospace Laboratories) tested a prototype in February 2024 at Challakere Aeronautical Test Range, Karnataka. Target: 30-metre wingspan HAPS at 23 km altitude by 2027, with participation from HAL and NewSpace Research and Technologies.

Science & Technology

New Astronomical Telescopes for Ladakh — Budget 2026-27

The Union Budget 2026-27 allocated funds for three major astronomical facilities at Ladakh’s Hanle Dark Sky Reserve — the world’s largest high-altitude dark sky reserve:

Telescope Specifications Location Purpose
NLST (National Large Solar Telescope) 2-metre aperture Merak region, Pangong Tso Solar dynamics, magnetism, space weather
NLOT (National Large Optical-Near Infrared Telescope) 13.7-metre segmented mirror (90 hexagonal segments) Hanle Exoplanet research, stellar evolution, supernovae
HCT Upgrade (Himalayan Chandra Telescope) 2.01m → 3.7m segmented primary Hanle Multi-purpose optical astronomy

Timeline: NLST in 5–6 years; NLOT in ~1 decade. HCT is currently remotely operated from CREST facility, Hosakote, Karnataka (Indian Institute of Astrophysics).

Indus Valley Civilisation May Date Back 8,000 Years

New radiocarbon dating of pottery fragments and animal remains from the Bhirrana archaeological site in northern India suggests organised human settlement stretching back approximately 8,000 years — well before the traditionally accepted Harappan chronology (2600–1900 BC). This would place the formative phase of Indus Valley Civilisation well before Egypt’s earliest pharaohs and suggests gradual cultural evolution rather than a sudden urban emergence.

Environment & Ecology

Sangtam Tribe — Tribal Resolution for Pangolin Protection (Nagaland)

The United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (apex body of the Sangtam tribe, Kiphire and Tuensang districts, Nagaland) passed a formal tribal resolution to protect pangolins within their jurisdiction — a significant community-led conservation initiative.

Pangolin context:

  • Pangolins are described as the “world’s most trafficked wild mammals” (scales for traditional medicine, meat for bushmeat trade)
  • Two species in Northeast India: Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla)
  • The India-Myanmar border (~1,643 km) is a major corridor for pangolin smuggling to international markets
  • Initiative supported by: Wildlife Trust of India under the Countering Pangolin Trafficking Project (backed by Wildlife Conservation Network’s Pangolin Crisis Fund)

Economy & Finance

NITI Aayog — Viksit Bharat + Net Zero Reports

NITI Aayog released 11 reports from 10 Inter-Ministerial Working Groups outlining India’s roadmap for simultaneous achievement of Viksit Bharat (USD 30 trillion economy by 2047) and Net Zero by 2070. Key projections:

  • GDP: USD 4.18 trillion (2025) → USD 30 trillion (2047)
  • Electricity share in final energy demand: 21% (2025) → 60% (2070)
  • Renewable capacity: ~164 GW (2025) → 6,000+ GW (2070)
  • Nuclear power: 8 GW → 300+ GW by 2070
  • Critical mineral demand increase: 51% in Net Zero scenario
  • Total investment needed by 2070: USD 22.7 trillion; financing gap: USD 6.5 trillion
  • Green jobs in energy sector: 7 million by 2050
  • Urban population: 37% (2023) → 51% (2047) → 65% (2070)

DISCOM Reforms — AT&C Losses at Historic Low

India’s power distribution companies (DISCOMs) reported significant turnaround metrics:

  • AT&C (Aggregate Technical and Commercial) losses declined from 22.62% to 15.04%
  • DISCOM Profit After Tax: Rs 2,701 crore (FY 2024-25) — first overall profitability in years
  • Legacy dues reduced from Rs 1,39,947 crore (June 2022) → Rs 4,927 crore (January 2026)

Key reform schemes: UDAY (2015) — states took over 75% of DISCOM liabilities; RDSS (Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme) — Rs 3,03,758 crore (FY 2021-22 to 2025-26); Late Payment Surcharge Rules; IPDS (Integrated Power Development Scheme).

ACC-PLI Scheme — Battery Manufacturing

The Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, launched in October 2021 by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, targets 50 GWh of domestic battery manufacturing capacity by 2026:

  • Financial outlay: Rs 18,100 crore
  • Incentive: Up to Rs 2,000 per kWh
  • Minimum investment threshold: Rs 1,100 crore per applicant
  • Domestic value-addition requirement: 25% (Year 2) → 60% (Year 5)
  • Allotted so far: 30 GWh capacity
  • Focus: Lithium-ion batteries for EVs and grid energy storage

Reliance Industries — Venezuela Crude Oil Licence

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) received a US government licence to directly import Venezuelan crude oil without violating US sanctions against Venezuela. The imports will be processed at Jamnagar refinery — the world’s most complex refinery. Venezuela’s heavy crude is valuable for complex refineries capable of processing high-sulphur, high-viscosity grades.

International Relations

India-Seychelles — USD 175 Million Special Economic Package

During Seychelles President Patrick Herminie’s visit to India, a USD 175 million Special Economic Package was announced. Coverage: social housing, e-mobility, health, vocational training, defence, maritime security. 7 MoUs were signed covering digital transformation, meteorology, governance, and health. Framework: Vision MAHASAGAR — India’s extended Indian Ocean outreach initiative.

Health

WHO Prequalifies nOPV2 — Novel Oral Polio Vaccine

WHO prequalified nOPV2 (novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2) — genetically re-engineered to be more stable than earlier OPV2, targeting circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). The old OPV carried a rare risk of mutating and triggering outbreaks; nOPV2 reduces reversion risk while maintaining transmission-blocking capability. WHO prequalification enables UNICEF and UN agencies to procure it globally. Global leaders pledged USD 1.9 billion to accelerate polio eradication, targeting ~370 million children annually.

Agriculture

Rajasthan — India’s Largest Wool-Producing State

Rajasthan produced 16,013.50 thousand kg of wool in FY24, contributing 47.53% of India’s national output (total: ~33.69 million kg). Key indigenous breeds: Marwari and Chokla. India ranks 9th globally in wool production and 2nd in sheep population globally.

Sports

IMACC 2026 — Eastern Himalayas

The International Military Adventure Challenge Cup (IMACC) 2026 was held in the Eastern Himalayas, with participation from 7 countries: Bhutan, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia. IMACC promotes defence cooperation through adventure activities.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Brahmaputra Rail-Road Tunnel:

  • Route: Gohpur (NH-15) → Numaligarh (NH-715), Assam
  • Tunnel length: 15.79 km twin-tube | Total corridor: 33.7 km
  • Cost: Rs 18,662 crore (EPC mode)
  • Employment: ~80 lakh person-days
  • Global distinction: “Only the second such structure globally” on completion

Speaker Removal — Article 94©:

  • Requires: Effective majority (majority of total membership)
  • Pre-condition: 14-day advance notice
  • Threshold for admission: 50 members
  • No Lok Sabha Speaker has ever been successfully removed
  • Previous failed attempts: 1954 (Mavalankar), 1966 (Hukam Singh), 1987 (Jakhar)

HAPS for IAF:

  • Altitude: 18–20 km (stratosphere)
  • Duration: Can stay airborne for months (solar-powered)
  • Function: Persistent ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance)
  • Context: Addresses gaps from 2017 Doklam standoff
  • Indigenous: NAL prototype tested at Challakere (Feb 2024)

Ladakh Telescopes:

  • NLST: 2-metre solar telescope, Merak (Pangong Tso), 5-6 year timeline
  • NLOT: 13.7-metre optical-NIR telescope, Hanle, ~1 decade
  • HCT upgrade: 2.01m → 3.7m, Hanle; remote-operated from CREST, Hosakote
  • Location: Hanle Dark Sky Reserve, Ladakh (world’s largest high-altitude DSR)

NITI Aayog Net Zero + Viksit Bharat:

  • GDP target: USD 4.18T (2025) → USD 30 trillion (2047)
  • Renewable target: 164 GW → 6,000+ GW (2070)
  • Nuclear: 8 GW → 300+ GW (2070)
  • Investment needed: USD 22.7 trillion by 2070; financing gap: USD 6.5 trillion

Pangolin Protection:

  • Species in NE India: Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) + Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla)
  • Status: World’s most trafficked wild mammals
  • Sangtam tribe resolution: Kiphire and Tuensang districts, Nagaland
  • India-Myanmar border: ~1,643 km (major trafficking route)

Other Relevant Facts:

  • Bhirrana site (IVC): Radiocarbon dating suggests settlement ~8,000 years ago; challenges traditional 2600 BC Harappan start
  • AT&C losses: 22.62% → 15.04%; RDSS scheme: Rs 3,03,758 crore (FY22–26)
  • ACC-PLI: Rs 18,100 crore; 50 GWh target; min investment Rs 1,100 crore; incentive Rs 2,000/kWh
  • WHO nOPV2: Targets cVDPV2 (circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2); USD 1.9 billion pledged globally
  • Rajasthan wool: 47.53% national output; breeds: Marwari + Chokla; India 9th global, 2nd in sheep population
  • ELF (Emergency Landing Facility): Strengthened highway stretch for military aircraft; first in NE at Moran, Dibrugarh

Sources: Drishti IAS, GKToday, IndiaBix