Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) 2026 is the 9th edition of the flagship interactive initiative of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, organised by the Ministry of Education.
The initiative aims to transform examination-related stress into a positive learning experience, promoting confidence, positivity, and holistic development among students.
PPC 2026 has achieved a major milestone with over 4.5 crore registrations, including students, parents, and teachers from across the country.
The high level of participation highlights the programme’s growing national reach, relevance, and acceptance.
Pariksha Pe Charcha serves as a dialogue platform where students, parents, and teachers discuss:
Examination preparedness
Stress and anxiety management
Life skills and well-being
Over the years, PPC has evolved into a Jan Andolan (people’s movement), fostering a supportive and constructive approach towards examinations.
As part of the lead-up to PPC 2026, a nationwide run-up programme will be conducted in schools.
The run-up programme will take place from 12 January to 23 January 2026.
The dates coincide with significant national observances:
12 January – Swami Vivekananda Jayanti (National Youth Day)
23 January – Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti (Parakram Diwas)
The run-up programme will commence with Swadeshi Sankalp Daud, a student-led run/walk symbolising self-reliance and youth participation.
A series of student-centric engagement activities will be organised nationwide during the run-up period.
The programme will conclude on 23 January 2026 with quiz and writing competitions.
These concluding activities will be held at identified Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country.
Overall, PPC 2026 reinforces the government’s commitment to student well-being, stress-free examinations, and holistic education.
BHASHINI Samudaye: Strengthening India’s Language AI Ecosystem
Overview
The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD), under MeitY, organised BHASHINI Samudaye: Strengthening India’s Language AI Ecosystem in New Delhi, in collaboration with Wadhwani AI.
The workshop aimed to consolidate India’s language AI ecosystem through collaboration, participatory governance, and shared ownership of public digital infrastructure.
The initiative aligns with the National Language Translation Mission (NLTM) and the broader Digital India vision.
Strategic Vision
BHASHINI is positioned as a sovereign, inclusive, and AI-powered national language platform.
Emphasis on public-good AI, ethical data practices, and community participation.
Focus on ensuring language does not remain a barrier to governance, public services, or digital inclusion.
Key Stakeholders
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
Digital India BHASHINI Division
Academic institutions and language experts
Civil society organisations and data practitioners
Industry partners and AI implementers
International philanthropic partners (e.g., Gates Foundation)
Major Discussions and Themes
Evolution of BHASHINI from rule-based systems to AI-driven multilingual engines.
Importance of ecosystem partnerships in scaling language AI for governance, education, and service delivery.
Role of participatory governance in managing language data and AI infrastructure.
Need for high-quality, domain-specific, and bias-aware datasets across languages.
Key Sessions and Focus Areas
Scaling BHASHINI Together: Platform capabilities, strategic priorities, and collaboration models with states and institutions.
Roadmap Presentation: Plans for platform expansion and deeper ecosystem engagement.
BHASHINI Samudaye Platform: Mechanisms for collaborative contribution, feedback, and governance.
BHASHINI in Action: Live demonstrations and real-world use cases.
BhashaDaan Platform: Citizen participation in multilingual data creation.
Expression of Interest (EoI): Call for partnerships to strengthen ethical, inclusive, and scalable data systems.
Language and Technology Scope
Support for all 22 scheduled Indian languages, along with non-scheduled languages and dialects.
Coverage of sentence-level, discourse-level, and conversational translation.
Special focus on under-resourced languages, including Dravidian languages.
Use Cases Highlighted
Governance and public service delivery
Education and early childhood learning
Content translation and dubbing for wider outreach
Sectoral applications in healthcare, agriculture, and climate action
Key Outcomes
Reinforced commitment to shared ownership of India’s language AI infrastructure.
Strengthened alignment among government, academia, civil society, and industry.
Clear pathways for collaborative data creation and long-term partnerships.
Launch of Dataset Onboarding Supporting Team (DOST) to systematically onboard high-value datasets into BHASHINI and AI Kosh.
Dataset Onboarding Supporting Team (DOST)
Launched in collaboration with the Gates Foundation and implemented by Civic Data Lab.
Aims to address gaps in multilingual text, speech, and regional datasets.
Supports creation of inclusive, public-good, and bias-aware AI infrastructure.
Focus sectors: governance, education, healthcare, agriculture, and climate.
Overall Significance
Marks a critical step toward democratised, scalable, and citizen-centric AI in India.
Reinforces India’s leadership in public digital infrastructure for language AI.
Positions BHASHINI as a foundational platform for linguistic inclusion, digital empowerment, and equitable access to AI-enabled services.
YUVA AI FOR ALL
Context and Occasion
The Government of India commemorated National Youth Day on January 12, 2026, reaffirming its commitment to youth empowerment.
The occasion linked Swami Vivekananda’s vision of enlightened youth with preparing young citizens for an AI-driven future.
Launch of the National AI Literacy Program
The National AI Literacy Program was officially launched at the Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Summit in Jaipur on January 6, 2026.
The launch was led by:
Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma, Chief Minister of Rajasthan
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Electronics & IT, Railways, and Information & Broadcasting
Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Electronics & IT and Commerce & Industry
The program aligns with:
The vision of Viksit Bharat
Expansion of Digital Public Infrastructure
India’s commitment to inclusive, responsible, and democratic adoption of AI
YUVA AI FOR ALL – Flagship Course
YUVA AI FOR ALL is the flagship foundational course under the National AI Literacy Program.
Designed to make AI literacy a core life skill, especially for youth (Yuva Shakti).
Course duration is slightly over 4 hours, making it accessible and time-efficient.
Requires no prior technical or programming background, ensuring inclusivity.
Curriculum Coverage
The course covers essential AI concepts, including:
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
Technologies behind AI
Using AI to learn, create, think, and plan
AI ethics and responsible use
Future trends and implications of Artificial Intelligence
Accessibility and Reach
The course will be available in 11 Indian languages:
It is free of cost and accessible on multiple digital platforms:
FutureSkills Prime
iGOT Karmayogi
DIKSHA
Other leading ed-tech portals
Learners receive an official Government of India certificate upon completion.
Vision and Expected Impact
The program aims to create a nationwide movement of collective AI learning.
Target of mobilising 10 lakh learners within one year, as stated by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Special emphasis on enabling:
Youth and citizens to understand how AI works and where it is used
Small-scale enterprises to use AI for productivity and daily operations
Broader Significance
The National AI Literacy Program represents a major step toward democratising AI knowledge in India.
Envisioned as a long-term, scalable, and inclusive AI literacy movement, not a one-time initiative.
Strengthens India’s preparedness for both the opportunities and responsibilities of an AI-driven future.
Contributes to India’s leadership in AI for public good through coordinated efforts involving:
Central and State governments
Educational institutions
Industry partners
Digital platforms
NPS Vatsalya Scheme Guidelines 2025
Overview
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has issued the NPS Vatsalya Scheme Guidelines 2025.
NPS Vatsalya is a contributory savings and long-term financial security scheme designed exclusively for minors.
Announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 and launched on 18 September 2024 by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs.
Objective: Allow parents/guardians to systematically build long-term savings for children and ensure continuity after the minor attains majority.
Eligibility
Open to all Indian citizens, including NRIs/OCIs, below 18 years of age.
Minor is the sole beneficiary.
Account opened in the name of the minor, operated by the guardian.
Contributions
Minimum initial and annual contribution: ₹250.
No maximum contribution limit.
Contributions can also be gifted by relatives and friends.
Pension Fund Selection
Guardian can choose any Pension Fund registered with PFRDA.
Partial Withdrawals
Allowed after 3 years from account opening.
Up to 25% of own contributions (excluding returns).
Permitted for:
Education
Medical treatment
Specified disabilities
Allowed twice before 18 years and twice between 18–21 years, subject to conditions.
Upon Attaining Majority (18 years)
Fresh KYC mandatory.
Options until 21 years:
Continue under NPS Vatsalya
Shift to NPS Tier I (All Citizen Model or any other applicable model)
Exit with conditions:
Up to 80% as lump sum
Minimum 20% to be annuitised
Full withdrawal allowed if corpus ≤ ₹8 lakh
Community-Level Incentives
Incentivisation framework for Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, Bank Sakhis, etc.
Aim: Promote awareness and onboarding, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
Objectives & Significance
Nurture a culture of savings from an early age.
Promote financial literacy and planning for minors.
Aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
Brings clarity, transparency, and uniformity for all stakeholders.
Supports long-term financial security and creation of a pensioned society.
BSL-4 Bio-Containment Facility in Gujarat
Event Overview
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, laid the foundation stone of the BSL-4 Bio-Containment Facility at the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), Gandhinagar.
Dignitaries present included Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel and Deputy CM Shri Harsh Sanghavi.
The facility is being built at a cost of ₹362 crore, covering 11,000 sq. meters.
Significance of the Facility
India’s second BSL-4 laboratory after the National Institute of Virology, Pune.
It is the first state government-built BSL-4 lab in India.
Provides a safe platform for research on highly infectious and deadly viruses, including zoonotic diseases.
Reduces India’s dependence on foreign countries for testing dangerous pathogens.
Supports One Health Mission by focusing on human-animal disease transmission.
Science, Technology, and Biosecurity
Aims to strengthen health security, bio-safety, and biotechnology development.
Built after studying BSL labs worldwide to meet global standards.
Expected to create opportunities for young scientists in biotechnology.
Biotechnology Sector Growth
India’s bio-economy grew from USD 10 billion (2014) to USD 166 billion (2024).
Number of biotech startups: 500 (2014) → 10,000+ (2025).
Bio-incubators: 6 (2014) → 95 (2025), incubation space: 60,000 sq. ft → 9 lakh sq. ft.
India produces 60% of the world’s vaccines, including Cervavac and the first DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine.
Government Initiatives
Bio E-3 Policy: Focuses on Economy, Environment, and Employment.
Genome India Project: Sequencing data of over 10,000 individuals stored.
Gujarat’s biotechnology infrastructure: Gujarat Biotechnology University and GBRC; state among top 5 in biotech, aiming to become number 1 with this BSL-4 lab.
Targets: ₹20,000 crore investment and 1 lakh jobs in the biotechnology sector.
Facility supports Deep Ocean Mission.
Public Health Achievements
India successfully managed COVID-19 vaccination for 1.4 billion people.
Developed vaccines domestically and supplied to 70 countries.
Highlights India’s capacity to respond to pandemics and future biosecurity threats.
Emerging Challenges
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Called a “silent disaster,” posing a major threat to future generations.
Facility will aid in research to combat AMR and enhance permanent biosecurity.
Key Takeaways
The lab will enhance India’s biosecurity, research capacity, and self-reliance in handling high-risk pathogens.
Youth engagement, infrastructure development, and investment in biotechnology are central to India’s growth in this sector.
Marks Gujarat as a biotechnology hub, setting a national benchmark for state-led innovation in biosecurity.
Task Force on Unified Framework for Development of Coaching Ecosystem
Overview
The Department of Sports constituted a Task Force to review India’s coaching ecosystem in line with international best practices.
The Task Force was led by Indian badminton national head coach Shri Pullela Gopichand.
Aim: Strengthen coach education, professionalisation, and capacity building to support India’s vision ofViksit Bharat @2047 and becoming a leading global sporting nation.
Key Recommendations
National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB)
Proposed as the apex national body for coach education, accreditation, and governance.
Responsibilities:
Set national coaching standards
Approve coaching pathways
Accredit institutions
Ensure consistency, transparency, and quality across all sports and regions
Tiered National Coaching Pathway
Levels:
Level 0: Universal entry
Grassroots → Intermediate → Elite → National Team Coach
Multiple entry routes:
Former athletes
Physical education teachers
Sports science graduates
Merit-based progression linked to measurable outcomes and continuous professional development
Practice-First Coach Education Model
Training philosophy: Practice → Theory → Practice
1,800 hours of coach education:
~78% on hands-on field experience, mentored internships, supervised coaching
~22% on sports science, psychology, ethics, safety, performance analytics
TOPS for Coaches Initiative
Inspired by the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for athletes
Support for high-potential/high-performing coaches:
Financial and institutional support
Advanced training
Technology adoption
International exposure
Specialized coaching services and innovation
National Sports Science Helpline
24/7 advisory service for science-based decision making in coaching
Services: injury prevention, nutrition, training load, rehabilitation, performance analytics
Accessible via toll-free number, mobile app, and online portal
Key Takeaways
The report aims to professionalise and standardise coaching in India.
Focuses on hands-on practice, mentorship, and scientific support for coaches.
Encourages merit-based progression, multiple entry points, and continuous learning.
Aims to strengthen India’s performance ecosystem, preparing coaches for elite and national-level competition.
Seeks to create a sustainable, future-ready coaching infrastructure, aligned with international best practices.
Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs)
Overview
India’s logistics costs have reduced to 7.97% of GDP, reflecting progress through reforms, integrated planning, and digital integration.
The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan provides a unified framework connecting railways, highways, ports, and airports, supporting Ease of Doing Business, Make in India, and regional growth.
Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) are central to modernizing India’s logistics sector and promoting multimodal connectivity.
Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs)
Railway cargo terminals handle loading, unloading, and transfer of goods between rail and other transport modes.
GCTs integrate rail with road, ports, and airports, reducing delays, congestion, costs, and emissions.
Operate under Engine-on-Load (EOL) system: locomotive stays at terminal during loading/unloading to reduce detention time.
Equipped with modern mechanized cargo-handling facilities and silos to improve efficiency.
Objectives: Increase railway freight share, reduce logistics costs, and support sustainability goals.
Key Features of GCTs
Promote seamless multimodal connectivity.
Encourage private sector participation for capacity expansion and innovation.
Simplified approval processes for faster execution.
Locations selected for balanced regional development.
Align with national priorities: Ease of Doing Business, Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat.
GCT Policy, 2021 (Ministry of Railways)
Accelerates modern cargo terminal development, upgrades existing facilities, and strengthens freight ecosystem.
Provides cost exemptions, freight rebates, asset maintenance, connectivity rights, and commercial land use.
Strategic focus: Reduce bottlenecks, improve turnaround, and enhance India’s global logistics competitiveness.
Progress Achieved
306 GCT proposals approved, 118 commissioned, with a combined traffic handling capacity of 192 million tonnes per year.
Private investment of ₹8,600 crore mobilized.
Rail freight costs less than half of road transport; CO₂ emissions from rail are ~90% lower.
Additional 2,672 million tonnes of freight shifted to rail since 2014, saving 143.3 million tonnes CO₂.
Freight revenue of GCTs has risen over fourfold between 2022–23 and 2024–25.
Key GCT Examples
Manesar (Haryana)
Largest automobile GCT (46 acres) linked to Maruti Suzuki plant.
Track length 8.2 km; handles 4.5 lakh automobiles per year.
Connected to Patli station via 10 km dedicated rail link (Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor).
Expand multimodal connectivity and regional trade.
Six additional terminals under construction (Baihata, Habaipur, Jogighopa, Kendukona, Basugaon, Chayagaon).
New Sanjali GCT (Gujarat)
First facility built on private land under GCT Policy, along Western Dedicated Freight Corridor.
Strategic hub for high-speed, high-capacity cargo movement.
Way Forward
Expand private participation to accelerate terminal development.
Identify new GCT locations based on industry demand and regional growth.
Strengthen digital integration via Gati Shakti platform for real-time tracking and predictive analytics.
Long-term goal: Position India as a global logistics hub while advancing sustainable transport solutions.
Conclusion
GCTs combine infrastructure, digital integration, and private participation to modernize India’s logistics sector.
They address inefficiencies, reduce costs, and improve environmental sustainability.
GCTs are set to make India’s logistics more efficient, competitive, and future-ready, strengthening the nation’s role in global trade.
Invitation to Pax Silica
India will be invited to join “Pax Silica”, a U.S.-led eight-nation initiative.
Focus areas: semiconductors, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence.
Announcement made by incoming U.S. Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor.
India was not part of the original launch in Washington (December), which included Japan, Australia, Israel, UAE, South Korea, Singapore, the U.K., and the Netherlands.
Inclusion reflects U.S. intent to deepen strategic technology and supply-chain cooperation with India.
Indian Olympic Association Reactivated National Olympic Academy
Launch of New Initiative
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) launched the National Olympic Education and Development Programme (NOEDP).
The initiative was announced during the IOA Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Ahmedabad.
Reactivation of National Olympic Academy (NOA)
Alongside NOEDP, the IOA formally reactivated the National Olympic Academy (NOA).
The reactivation signals a renewed emphasis on Olympic education and institutional strengthening in India.
Leadership and Structure
The National Olympic Academy, Ahmedabad will serve as the central hub of the programme.
P.T. Usha, President of the IOA, will serve as the President of the NOA.
Gagan Narang, Olympic medallist, has been appointed as the Director of the NOA.
Objectives of NOEDP and NOA
Promote athlete-centric development across sports disciplines.
Strengthen Olympic education, values, and awareness in India.
Build institutional capacity within the Indian sports ecosystem.
Role of the National Olympic Academy
Act as the cornerstone institution for:
Olympic education and learning
Research and academic engagement
Dialogue on sports policy and athlete development
Serve as a national centre aligned with the Olympic Movement’s educational goals.
