📅 Week at a Glance Week 10 was defined by three big themes: a geopolitical explosion in West Asia (US-Israel strikes on Iran, Strait of Hormuz fears, direct energy-security alarm for India), a clutch of landmark economic governance developments (16th Finance Commission report, GDP base year revision to 2022-23, Micron’s semiconductor facility, EASE 9.0), and a streak of defence and foreign policy milestones (India-Canada CEPA launch, PM Modi’s Knesset address, Exercise Vayushakti-26, INS Anjadip commissioning, DRDO VSHORADS trials). International Women’s Day on March 8 rounded out the week with gender, representation, and STEM discussions.

Polity & Governance

Bulldozer Justice — Supreme Court Guidelines Under Test — Mar 2

Multiple state governments continued demolitions as punitive action against accused individuals before any court verdict, raising fresh constitutional concerns. The Supreme Court’s landmark November 2024 guidelines (Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K.V. Viswanathan) mandated 15-day written notice, personal hearings, video documentation, and personal liability of officials for any demolition by the state. At stake are Articles 14 (equality), 21 (right to shelter and dignity), and 300A (no deprivation of property save by authority of law). The 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) had shifted property from Fundamental Rights to a constitutional right — but the procedural safeguards remain enforceable through courts. UPSC angle: Prelims: Articles 14, 21, 300A; Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978); Olga Tellis v. BMC (1985); 44th Amendment. Mains GS-2: Separation of powers; rule of law vs. rule by law; substantive due process.

16th Finance Commission Submits Report for 2026-31 — Mar 3

The 16th Finance Commission, chaired by Arvind Panagariya, submitted its report to the President on March 3, 2026, covering the award period 2026-27 to 2030-31. The Commission maintained vertical devolution at 41% of Union net tax revenue — the same as the 15th Finance Commission — and recommended total grants of ₹9.47 lakh crore over five years. A significant addition is the introduction of GDP contribution (10%) as a new criterion in the horizontal distribution formula, alongside income distance (45%), population (15%), area (15%), forest and ecology (10%), tax effort (2.5%), and demographic performance (2.5%). UPSC angle: Prelims: Article 280, Arvind Panagariya, 41% devolution, new GDP criterion. Mains GS-2: Fiscal federalism; redistributive vs. growth-oriented devolution criteria; cess/surcharge exclusion from divisible pool.

Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023 — Discussed on Women’s Day — Mar 8

International Women’s Day reignited debate on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, which provides one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. Implementation remains linked to delimitation following a future census, but the broader policy significance — how representation shapes legislative agendas on care economy, health, water, and local accountability — was the focus of analysis. India’s experience with reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions shows that descriptive representation can alter spending priorities. UPSC angle: Prelims: Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023; one-third reservation. Mains GS-2: Political representation and democratic inclusion; local governance and women.

Economy & Development

India’s GDP Base Year Revised to 2022-23 — Mar 3

MoSPI released revised National Accounts Statistics adopting 2022-23 as the new base year, replacing the outdated 2011-12 base. The revised data shows real GDP growth at 7.6% for 2023-24. The most significant methodological change is the adoption of double deflation — separately deflating gross output and intermediate inputs at the industry level — under the SNA 2008 international framework. Nominal GDP for 2023-24 stands at approximately ₹295 lakh crore (~$3.57 trillion). Fiscal deficit was revised to 4.5% of GDP; government debt stands at 58.1% of GDP. UPSC angle: Prelims: MoSPI, double deflation, SNA 2008, MCA21 database, base year history. Mains GS-3: GDP measurement methodology; single vs. double deflation; informal sector coverage.

India-Canada CEPA Negotiations Launched — Mar 2

PM Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney formally launched CEPA negotiations on March 2 at Hyderabad House, New Delhi, with a bilateral trade target of USD 50 billion by 2030 (up from ~USD 8-9 billion currently). Terms of Reference were released. The launch is significant as India-Canada relations had severely deteriorated following the 2023 Nijjar assassination controversy. Priority sectors identified include pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, seafood, electronics, chemicals, pulses, and coal. UPSC angle: Prelims: CEPA vs. FTA (CEPA = goods + services + investment + IP); Mark Carney; USD 50B target. Mains GS-2/3: India’s trade diplomacy; India-Canada bilateral reset.

Micron’s ₹22,516 Crore ATMP Facility Inaugurated at Sanand — Mar 3

US semiconductor firm Micron Technology inaugurated its Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) facility at Sanand, Gujarat — the first major semiconductor manufacturing facility in India, supported by the India Semiconductor Mission under the ₹76,000 crore Semicon India Programme (administered by MeitY). The facility produces DRAM and NAND flash memory chip packaging. This followed the Gujarat SemiConnect Conference 2026 (March 1-2, Gandhinagar) focused on India’s semiconductor ecosystem. UPSC angle: Prelims: India Semiconductor Mission, MeitY, Semicon India ₹76,000 crore; Tata Electronics fab (Dholera SIR, Gujarat); ATMP vs. fab distinction. Mains GS-3: Semiconductor policy; supply chain de-risking.

PSB Reforms EASE 9.0 Launched — Mar 3

The ninth edition of the Enhanced Access and Service Excellence (EASE) programme was launched by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and Ministry of Finance. EASE 9.0 is built around the RISE pillars: Responsible banking, Inclusive finance, Smart operations, and Ecosystem development. A key focus is the Global Capability Centre (GCC) strategy for public sector banks — SBI has established its first GCC in Karnataka. India hosts 185-190 BFSI GCC entities; the sector is projected to reach $125 billion by 2032. UPSC angle: Prelims: EASE (Enhanced Access and Service Excellence), IBA, RISE pillars, GCC, SBI Karnataka GCC. Mains GS-3: PSB reforms; India’s GCC ecosystem.

Global Capability Centres — India’s Services Upgrade — Mar 7

India hosts more than 1,700 GCCs employing roughly 1.9 million professionals, according to NASSCOM assessments. GCCs have moved beyond back-office functions into engineering design, R&D, cybersecurity, AI and analytics, and global product management — representing a shift from cost arbitrage to capability arbitrage in services exports. UPSC angle: Prelims: NASSCOM, 1,700+ GCCs, 1.9 million employees. Mains GS-3: Services-led growth; urban labour markets; India’s place in global corporate networks.

Environment & Ecology

West Asia Conflict — India’s Energy Security Emergency — Mar 2

The US launched “Operation Epic Fury” and Israel launched “Operation Lion’s Roar” against Iran following the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader. Iran retaliated with “Operation True Promise 4.” This directly threatened the Strait of Hormuz — the 33 km-wide chokepoint through which ~20 million barrels of crude oil and ~30% of global LNG transit daily. India imports 85-88% of its crude oil, with 2.5-2.7 million barrels/day passing through Hormuz. India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves (managed by ISPRL) hold 5.33 MMT — only ~9.5 days of consumption. India also has significant Chabahar Port investments (~₹2,100 crore, 10-year lease signed May 2024) and 9 million nationals in the Gulf. UPSC angle: Prelims: Strait of Hormuz (33 km, ~20 mbpd), SPR locations (Vishakhapatnam, Mangaluru, Padur), ISPRL, IMEC route, CAATSA. Mains GS-2/3: India’s West Asia policy, strategic autonomy, energy security.

Tamil Nadu’s First Dark Sky Park — Kolli Hills — Mar 2

Tamil Nadu inaugurated its first Dark Sky Park at Ariyur Shola Reserve Forest, Kolli Hills, Namakkal district — costing ₹1 crore and featuring three advanced telescopes and solar-powered infrastructure. The park operates from January 15 to June 15 annually. India’s first Dark Sky Park was at Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh (2024). Dark Sky Parks minimise light pollution — a non-chemical form of environmental pollution that disrupts nocturnal animal behaviour, bird migration, marine turtle nesting, and insect activity. UPSC angle: Prelims: Dark sky parks; light pollution; IDA (International Dark-Sky Association); Kolli Hills (Eastern Ghats — not Western Ghats). Mains GS-3: Non-chemical environmental pollution; biodiversity protection.

Germany’s €20 Million Climate Resilience Initiative — Mar 2

Germany announced a €20 million grant to India under a Climate Resilience Initiative, targeting five ecological zones: Himalayas, island regions, Western Ghats, Northeast India, and Lower Gangetic floodplains. Interventions include forest restoration, biodiversity corridors, and flood control. It supports India’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) submitted to the UNFCCC in 2023 under the Indo-German Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (2022). UPSC angle: Prelims: NAP (National Adaptation Plan), NDC, Indo-German Green Partnership. Mains GS-3: Climate adaptation; bilateral environment cooperation.

Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary — Indian Bison Fest & World Wildlife Day — Mar 2-3

Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary (Bargarh district, Odisha) hosted the Indian Bison (Gaur) Fest coinciding with World Wildlife Day (March 3). The Gaur (Bos gaurus) — India’s largest wild bovine, IUCN Vulnerable, Schedule I WPA — is the sanctuary’s flagship species. Debrigarh lies adjacent to Hirakud Reservoir on the Mahanadi — India’s first major multipurpose river valley project (completed 1957, 25.8 km long). World Wildlife Day commemorates the signing of CITES on March 3, 1973. UPSC angle: Prelims: CITES (1973, in force 1975; India joined 1976); Gaur/Indian Bison (Bos gaurus, Vulnerable, Schedule I); Hirakud Dam (Mahanadi, Odisha, 1957); Debrigarh is NOT a Tiger Reserve.

Thermal Power Plant Emission Norms — Governance Challenge — Mar 5

India’s 2015 environment norms for thermal power plants set tighter limits on SO2, NOx, particulate matter, and water consumption, requiring flue-gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems. Compliance remains uneven — power producers cite high retrofit costs while public health advocates note the hidden costs through asthma, heart disease, and acid deposition. The debate illustrates the governance challenge of balancing energy security, cost recovery, and the right to clean air. UPSC angle: Prelims: SO2, NOx, FGD, 2015 emission norms. Mains GS-3: Thermal power regulation; pollution governance; energy-environment trade-off.

“Dark Oxygen” and Deep-Sea Mining — Mar 5

Scientific discussion continued around dark oxygen — oxygen generation without sunlight-driven photosynthesis, potentially linked to polymetallic nodules on the seabed. Nodules contain manganese, nickel, cobalt, and copper — critical for batteries and clean-energy technologies. If deep-ocean ecosystems generate oxygen through electrochemical processes, deep-sea mining carries greater biodiversity risk than previously understood. UPSC angle: Prelims: Polymetallic nodules (Mn, Co, Ni, Cu); deep-sea mining; ocean floor ecosystem. Mains GS-3: Marine mineral resources; environmental precaution; battery minerals.

GenomeIndia Project and Mission Amrit Sarovar — Mar 7

The GenomeIndia Project — creating a large genomic reference dataset from diverse Indian populations, linked to the Indian Biological Data Centre — supports precision medicine and rare-disease research. Mission Amrit Sarovar, which creates/rejuvenates village ponds through convergence of MGNREGA, district planning, and community participation, remains a model for local water conservation relevant to groundwater recharge and climate adaptation. UPSC angle: Prelims: GenomeIndia, Indian Biological Data Centre; Mission Amrit Sarovar, MGNREGA convergence. Mains GS-3: Water conservation; biotechnology governance.

Science & Technology

Exercise Vayushakti-26 — IAF’s Largest Air Combat Showcase — Mar 2

India’s premier air combat exercise was held at Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, before President Droupadi Murmu. Over 130 aircraft participated in a simulated live combat theatre format — the first time this format was used. Aircraft included Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk trainers, C-130J, C-295, C-17 transports, ALH Dhruv, and LCH Prachand. Pokhran is also the site of India’s nuclear tests — Pokhran-I (Operation Smiling Buddha, 1974) and Pokhran-II (Operation Shakti, 1998). UPSC angle: Prelims: LCH Prachand (India’s first indigenously developed light combat helicopter, HAL); Rafale (French multirole fighter, 36 IAF + 26 Navy); Pokhran nuclear tests. Mains GS-3: Defence indigenisation; IAF modernisation.

DRDO VSHORADS — Three Successful Trials — Mar 2

DRDO successfully conducted three consecutive flight trials of VSHORADS (Very Short Range Air Defence System) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha. VSHORADS is a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) — shoulder-fired, targeting low-altitude aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and drones — developed to replace the ageing Russian Igla MANPADS under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. UPSC angle: Prelims: VSHORADS (MANPADS, shoulder-fired), ITR Chandipur (Odisha, Bay of Bengal coast), Igla (replaced). Mains GS-3: Defence indigenisation; MANPADS vs. BVRAAM distinction.

INS Anjadip Commissioned — Third ASW Shallow Water Craft — Mar 2

INS Anjadip, India’s third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), was commissioned on February 28, 2026 at Chennai Port in the presence of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, with 80%+ indigenous content: 77m length, 1,400 tonnes displacement, 25 knots speed. Named after Anjadip Island, Karwar, Karnataka. UPSC angle: Prelims: GRSE (Defence PSU, Kolkata); ASW SWC; Anjadip Island (Karwar, Karnataka); indigenous content >80%. Mains GS-3: Naval indigenisation; ASW capability.

IndiaAI Mission — Compute and Ecosystem Policy — Mar 6

The IndiaAI Mission (approved 2024, outlay ~₹10,372 crore) focuses on building AI capacity as a national ecosystem through access to compute, datasets, skills, application development, and safe AI. PLFS (Periodic Labour Force Survey, conducted by NSO) data on labour force participation rates, worker population ratio, and unemployment rates continues to be central to diagnosing India’s jobs picture. UPSC angle: Prelims: IndiaAI Mission (₹10,372 crore, 2024); PLFS (NSO); LFPR, WPR, unemployment rate. Mains GS-3: AI infrastructure policy; labour statistics and economic diagnosis.

World Engineering Day and Genomic AI — Mar 4

World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (March 4, UNESCO, recognised 2019, partner body WFEO) focused on smart engineering and digitalisation for sustainability. Evo 2 — a genomic AI model developed with contributions from Arc Institute, Stanford-linked researchers, and NVIDIA — underlined how AI is transforming biomedical research, raising biosecurity and genetic data governance concerns. UPSC angle: Prelims: World Engineering Day (March 4, UNESCO, 2019); WFEO; Evo 2 (Arc Institute, genomic AI). Mains GS-3: Science policy; AI-biotech convergence; biosecurity.

International Relations

PM Modi’s Israel Visit — First Indian PM to Address Knesset — Mar 2

PM Modi’s visit to Israel (February 26-27, 2026) was historic: he became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Knesset and the first to receive the Medal of the Knesset. He also visited Yad Vashem (Holocaust memorial, Jerusalem). Bilateral agreements covered geophysical exploration, maritime heritage, digital payments, agriculture, AI, and cybersecurity, and a Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation, and Prosperity was announced. India-Israel relations were upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in 2017 during Modi’s first Israel visit. UPSC angle: Prelims: Knesset (Israel’s unicameral parliament, 120 members); Yad Vashem; Medal of the Knesset. Mains GS-2: India-Israel strategic relations; India’s West Asia policy.

Chagos Archipelago Dispute — Decolonisation and Diego Garcia — Mar 6

The Chagos Archipelago dispute involves Mauritius’s claim that the islands were unlawfully separated before independence, while the strategic reality centres on the Diego Garcia military facility. The ICJ advisory opinion of 2019 held that decolonisation of Mauritius had not been lawfully completed. The issue combines international law, strategic geography (central Indian Ocean), and the politics of colonial cartography — making it an important IR and geography topic. UPSC angle: Prelims: Chagos Archipelago, Diego Garcia, Mauritius, ICJ advisory opinion 2019, Indian Ocean. Mains GS-2: Decolonisation; Indian Ocean geopolitics; extra-regional military presence.

Exercise Varuna — India-France Maritime Cooperation — Mar 7

Exercise Varuna, the bilateral India-France naval exercise, reflects strategic partnership built over years of Indian Ocean cooperation. The exercise builds interoperability in air defence, anti-submarine operations, and maritime surveillance — significant because France maintains its own Indian Ocean presence and is a major defence technology partner for India. UPSC angle: Prelims: Exercise Varuna (India-France); India-France defence partnership; Indian Ocean. Mains GS-2: India’s multi-alignment; bilateral defence partnerships.

NITI Aayog–JICA Phase II SDG Partnership — Mar 3

NITI Aayog and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) signed a Phase II MoU covering urban development, disaster risk reduction, agriculture, healthcare/WASH, climate, and digital transformation. Japan has been India’s largest bilateral development assistance partner since 1958 — cumulative ODA of ₹4.4 lakh crore. Notable Japan-funded Indian projects: Delhi Metro, Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed Rail. UPSC angle: Prelims: JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency); India-Japan ODA (since 1958, ₹4.4 lakh crore); $75 billion currency swap; IPEF. Mains GS-2: India-Japan bilateral relations.

Social Issues

International Women’s Day 2026 — Work, Representation, STEM — Mar 8

International Women’s Day (March 8) focused debate on women’s labour force participation as a development indicator, constraints from unpaid care work, childcare, and safe transport, and the persistent under-representation of women in STEM fields. India’s women’s education levels have risen, but gaps remain in workforce participation, wage equality, and digital access. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (2023) offers a constitutional pathway for political representation but implementation awaits delimitation. UPSC angle: Prelims: Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023; PLFS women LFPR. Mains GS-1/2: Gender inequality; women in workforce; democratic representation.

World Obesity Day — Double Burden of Malnutrition — Mar 4-5

World Obesity Day (March 4) and the World Obesity Atlas highlighted that obesity is a systems failure — shaped by food environments, marketing, urban design, and weak preventive healthcare — not simply individual lifestyle choices. India faces a double burden: undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency, and stunting alongside rising obesity and diabetes. Policy responses require food labelling, school nutrition rules, walkable cities, and primary healthcare screening. UPSC angle: Prelims: World Obesity Day (March 4); World Obesity Federation; double burden of malnutrition. Mains GS-2: Preventive public health; nutrition policy; urban health.

World Hearing Day — Child Hearing Care — Mar 3/6

World Hearing Day (March 3, WHO) with the 2026 theme of hearing care for children (communities to classrooms) highlighted that hearing loss affects speech development, school performance, mental health, and long-term productivity. In India, the issue connects with newborn screening, school health, assistive devices, and inclusive education. UPSC angle: Prelims: World Hearing Day (March 3); WHO; 2026 theme. Mains GS-2: Disability governance; inclusive education.

Persons & Awards in News

  • Utsav Charan Das (1946–2026) — Padma Shri 2020; foremost practitioner of Ghoda Nacha (traditional Odia folk dance depicting Mahabharata/Ramayana scenes); performing career of 60+ years; died February 26, 2026 in Cuttack at age 80 — Mar 2
  • Mark Carney — Canadian Prime Minister (succeeded Justin Trudeau, March 2025); co-launched India-Canada CEPA negotiations — Mar 2
  • President Droupadi Murmu — Chief Guest at Exercise Vayushakti-26, Pokhran — Mar 2
  • Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi — Chief of Naval Staff; presided over INS Anjadip commissioning — Mar 2

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: India-Canada CEPA (USD 50B target, Mark Carney, Hyderabad House); Vayushakti-26 (Pokhran, LCH Prachand, 130+ aircraft, Droupadi Murmu); INS Anjadip (GRSE, ASW SWC, 77m, 1,400T, Anjadip Island Karwar); VSHORADS (MANPADS, Chandipur ITR, replaces Igla); PM Modi–Knesset (first Indian PM); Yad Vashem (Jerusalem); 16th Finance Commission (Art. 280, Arvind Panagariya, 41%, ₹9.47 lakh crore grants, GDP contribution 10%); GDP base year 2022-23 (MoSPI, double deflation, SNA 2008, 7.6% growth); EASE 9.0 (IBA, RISE pillars, GCC); Micron ATMP (Sanand, ₹22,516 crore, ISM, MeitY); Gaur/Debrigarh (Hirakud, Mahanadi); CITES (March 3, 1973); Dark Sky Park (Kolli Hills, Eastern Ghats; Pench = first); IndiaAI Mission (₹10,372 crore); Chagos/Diego Garcia (ICJ 2019); Exercise Varuna (India-France); Nari Shakti Vandan 2023; Strait of Hormuz (33 km, 20 mbpd, SPR: 5.33 MMT, 9.5 days); IMEC (G20 New Delhi, Sept 2023); Chabahar (10-year lease May 2024, IPGL); CAATSA (August 2017).

Mains GS-1: International Women’s Day — gender data gaps, women in STEM, representation in governance; 19th-century reform movements and women’s rights.

Mains GS-2: India-Canada relations and CEPA diplomacy post-Nijjar reset; India-Israel strategic partnership; Finance Commission and fiscal federalism; Separation of Powers — bulldozer justice and rule of law; UNSC reform and India’s permanent membership bid.

Mains GS-3: GDP base year revision — methodology and implications for growth measurement; India semiconductor strategy — Micron ATMP, India Semiconductor Mission, supply-chain resilience; Energy security — West Asia conflict, Strait of Hormuz, India’s SPR; PSB reforms and EASE 9.0; defence indigenisation — DRDO, VSHORADS, CAATSA constraints.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

Week 10 — Key Numbers:

  • India-Canada CEPA trade target: USD 50 billion by 2030 (current: ~USD 8-9B)
  • Exercise Vayushakti-26: 130+ aircraft, Pokhran, Rajasthan
  • INS Anjadip: 77m length, 1,400 tonnes, 25 knots, 80%+ indigenous content
  • VSHORADS: tested at ITR Chandipur, Odisha; 3 consecutive successful trials
  • India GDP growth (2023-24, new base): 7.6% real; fiscal deficit: 4.5% of GDP
  • 16th Finance Commission: 41% vertical devolution; ₹9.47 lakh crore grants; new: 10% GDP criterion
  • EASE 9.0: RISE pillars; India GCCs: 1,700+ centres, 1.9 million employees
  • Micron ATMP facility, Sanand: ₹22,516 crore; supported by Semicon India ₹76,000 crore
  • Strait of Hormuz: ~33 km wide; ~20 million barrels/day crude; ~30% global LNG
  • India’s crude import dependence: 85-88%; SPR capacity: 5.33 MMT (~9.5 days)
  • SPR locations: Vishakhapatnam (1.33 MMT), Mangaluru (1.5 MMT), Padur (2.5 MMT)
  • Indians in GCC: ~9 million; annual remittances: ~$40 billion
  • IMEC announced: G20 New Delhi Summit, September 9-10, 2023
  • Chabahar 10-year lease: May 2024; investment: ~₹2,100 crore; operator: IPGL
  • IndiaAI Mission: ₹10,372 crore (approved 2024)

Key Persons in News:

  • Mark Carney — Canadian PM (succeeded Trudeau, March 2025); launched CEPA with India
  • Arvind Panagariya — Chairman, 16th Finance Commission; ex-NITI Aayog VC (2015-17)
  • Utsav Charan Das — Padma Shri 2020; Ghoda Nacha (Odia folk dance); died Feb 26, 2026 at 80
  • Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi — Chief of Naval Staff; INS Anjadip commissioning

Key Places in News:

  • Pokhran — Exercise Vayushakti-26; also: Pokhran-I (1974, Smiling Buddha), Pokhran-II (1998, Operation Shakti)
  • Chandipur, Odisha — DRDO ITR; VSHORADS tested here
  • Karwar, Karnataka — Anjadip Island (INS Anjadip named after it)
  • Kolli Hills, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu — Tamil Nadu’s first Dark Sky Park; Ariyur Shola Reserve Forest; part of Eastern Ghats
  • Bargarh, Odisha — Debrigarh WLS; Hirakud Reservoir; Indian Gaur habitat
  • Sanand, Gujarat — Micron ATMP facility; also Tata Electronics (Apple iPhone ATMP)
  • Jerusalem — Yad Vashem (Holocaust memorial); Israeli Knesset
  • Diego Garcia — US military facility in Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean

Key Schemes/Laws/Reports:

  • Article 280 — Constitutional basis for Finance Commission
  • Article 300A — Right to property (not a Fundamental Right); 44th Amendment 1978
  • 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) — Removed property from Fundamental Rights; inserted Art. 300A; PM Morarji Desai
  • CAATSA (2017) — Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act; Section 231 targets Russian defence transactions
  • SNA 2008 — UN System of National Accounts 2008; international GDP estimation standard
  • CITES — Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species; signed March 3, 1973; in force 1975; India joined 1976
  • India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) — Under MeitY; ₹76,000 crore Semicon India programme (2022)
  • EASE reforms — PSB reform series since 2018; EASE 9.0 uses RISE pillars
  • Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 — One-third reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies; awaits delimitation

Sources: Daily editions The Hindu, PIB, GKToday