“Palanivelu GUTS”
Event Overview
- The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, released the Hindi edition of “Palanivelu GUTS”, the autobiography of renowned surgeon Dr. C. Palanivelu.
- The Vice-President described the book as an inspiring testament to courage, perseverance, ethical values, and innovation in medicine.
Recognition of Dr. Palanivelu’s Contributions
- Dr. Palanivelu was praised for his pioneering role in laparoscopic and robotic surgery in India.
- His work has transformed surgical practices and earned international recognition.
- He demonstrated vision and courage by adopting minimally invasive surgery at a time when it was still nascent and widely doubted in India.
Historical Significance
- In the early 1990s, when laparoscopic surgery faced scepticism, Dr. Palanivelu recognized its potential.
- He introduced laparoscopic surgery in Coimbatore in 1991, establishing the first laparoscopic surgery centre in South India.
Theme and Message of the Book
- The title “Palanivelu GUTS” symbolizes not only surgical expertise but also personal resilience and moral courage.
- The autobiography chronicles the journey of a man from humble beginnings who overcame resistance and setbacks through:
- Discipline
- Hard work
- Ethical conviction
Cultural and National Context
- Reflecting on India’s diversity, the Vice-President reaffirmed that the nation remains united by shared values and aspirations.
- The release of the Hindi edition was highlighted as significant for wider accessibility, especially for Hindi-reading audiences seeking inspiration.
Respect for Teachers and Traditions
- Dr. Palanivelu’s practice of instituting awards in the names of his teachers and mentors was appreciated.
- This was linked to India’s tradition of reverence for “Gurus”, emphasizing humility and gratitude as essential to excellence.
Social Responsibility and Public Service
- Dr. Palanivelu was commended for:
- Training surgeons in remote and underserved areas
- Developing cost-effective surgical techniques
- These efforts have expanded access to advanced healthcare across socio-economic groups.
Outcomes of the Visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to India
Overall Significance of the Visit
- The visit marked a major expansion of India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, covering investment, defence, energy, space, technology, trade, food security, culture, and people-to-people ties.
- Outcomes reflect a shift from transactional cooperation to long-term, institutional and future-oriented collaboration.
Agreements / MoUs / Letters of Intent
- Investment Cooperation for Dholera Special Investment Region (Gujarat)
- LoI between Government of Gujarat and UAE Ministry of Investment.
- Focus on UAE partnership in developing strategic infrastructure:
- International airport
- Pilot training school
- Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility
- Greenfield port
- Smart urban township
- Rail and energy infrastructure
- Aims to position Dholera as a global manufacturing and logistics hub.
- Space Sector Collaboration
- LoI between IN-SPACe (India) and the UAE Space Agency.
- Objective: Joint development of space industry and commercial infrastructure, including:
- Launch complexes
- Manufacturing and technology zones
- Incubation centres and accelerators for space start-ups
- Training institutes and exchange programmes
- Strengthens cooperation in commercial and private space ecosystems.
- Strategic Defence Partnership
- LoI between India and UAE to establish a Strategic Defence Partnership Framework.
- Cooperation areas include:
- Defence industrial collaboration
- Defence innovation and advanced technologies
- Training, education and doctrine
- Special operations and interoperability
- Cyber security and counter-terrorism
- Long-term LNG Supply Agreement
- SPA between HPCL (India) and ADNOC Gas (UAE).
- Provision for 0.5 MMPTA LNG supply for 10 years starting 2028.
- Enhances India’s energy security and supply diversification.
- Food Safety and Agricultural Trade Cooperation
- MoU between APEDA (India) and UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
- Establishes sanitary and quality standards to facilitate trade.
- Promotes exports of rice and agricultural products from India.
- Benefits Indian farmers and contributes to UAE food security.
Key Announcements
- Supercomputing Cluster Collaboration
- Agreement in principle between C-DAC (India) and G-42 (UAE).
- Establishment of a supercomputing cluster in India under the AI India Mission.
- Facility to be accessible for research, application development and commercial use by public and private sectors.
- Trade Expansion Target
- Commitment to double bilateral trade to over US$ 200 billion by 2032.
- Emphasis on:
- Linking MSMEs of both countries
- Market access through Bharat Mart, Virtual Trade Corridor, and Bharat–Africa Setu
- Civil Nuclear Cooperation
- Agreement to deepen cooperation following India’s SHANTI Act, 2025.
- Focus on:
- Large nuclear reactors
- Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
- Advanced reactor systems
- Nuclear plant operations, maintenance, and safety
- UAE Companies in GIFT City, Gujarat
- First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) to open a branch in GIFT City to promote trade and investment.
- DP World to establish operations for global ship leasing activities.
- Reinforces GIFT City’s role as an international financial and maritime hub.
- Digital / Data Embassies
- Both sides agreed to explore the establishment of Digital or Data Embassies.
- Envisages data infrastructure under mutually recognised sovereignty arrangements.
- ‘House of India’ in Abu Dhabi
- Agreement in principle to establish a flagship cultural centre.
- Will include a museum of Indian art, heritage and archaeology.
- Strengthens cultural diplomacy and soft power.
- Youth Exchange Programmes
- Agreement in principle to promote youth delegation exchanges.
- Aims to foster:
- Academic and research collaboration
- Cultural understanding
- Long-term people-to-people ties between future generations
Strategic Takeaways
- Visit deepened cooperation in emerging domains such as AI, space, nuclear energy, cyber security, and digital sovereignty.
- Reinforced UAE’s role as a key strategic, economic and energy partner for India.
- Emphasised inclusive growth, technology-driven development, and long-term regional stability.
Election Commission Of India to host IICDEM-2026
Overview of IICDEM 2026
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) is fully prepared to host the inaugural India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026.
- The three-day international conference will begin on 21 January 2026.
- It is being organized by the India International Institute of Democracy & Election Management (IIIDEM).
- Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Global Significance
- IICDEM 2026 is set to become the largest global conference hosted by India in the field of democracy and election management.
- Participation includes:
- Nearly 100 international delegates
- Representatives from over 70 countries
- Officials from international organisations
- Members of foreign diplomatic missions in India
- Academic scholars and election practitioners from across the world
Programme Structure
- The three-day event will feature:
- Inaugural Session
- Election Management Bodies (EMBs) Leaders’ Plenary
- EMB Working Group Meetings
- General and Plenary Sessions
- Thematic sessions will focus on:
- Global electoral challenges
- Model international electoral standards
- Innovations and best practices in election management
Thematic Deliberations and Academic Participation
- A total of 36 thematic groups will conduct detailed deliberations.
- These groups will be:
- Led by Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of States and Union Territories
- Supported by national and international academic experts
- Participation from leading academic institutions includes:
- 4 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
- 6 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
- 12 National Law Universities (NLUs)
- Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC)
Bilateral Engagements and Digital Initiatives
- ECI will conduct over 40 bilateral meetings with EMBs from different countries.
- Objective: Enhance international cooperation and address shared electoral challenges.
- ECI will formally launch ECINET, a one-stop digital platform providing comprehensive election-related information and services.
Exhibition and Knowledge Showcases
- An exhibition will run alongside the conference showcasing:
- The scale and complexity of conducting elections in India
- ECI’s recent initiatives to strengthen:
- Preparation of electoral rolls
- Conduct of elections
- These are described as the two foundational pillars of India’s electoral system.
Special Screening
- The documentary series “India Decides” will be showcased on Day One.
- The series highlights:
- The making of the world’s largest election
- The Lok Sabha Elections 2024
Overall Importance
- IICDEM 2026 reinforces India’s role as a global leader in democratic practices and election management.
- The conference promotes knowledge sharing, innovation, and international collaboration in strengthening democratic institutions worldwide.
C-DOT Receives SKOCH Award 2025 for Cell Broadcast Solution
About the Award
- SKOCH Award 2025 was conferred to Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) during the 104th SKOCH Summit on the theme “Resourcing Viksit Bharat”.
- The award recognizes excellence in governance, development, and citizen-centric projects, across government and private sectors in India.
- Covers sectors such as finance, technology, health, education, and grassroots initiatives.
- Honours projects making a significant positive impact on citizens and the nation.
About C-DOT’s Cell Broadcast Solution (CBS)
- CBS is a disaster and emergency communication platform.
- Integrates multiple agencies on a single unified platform:
- India Meteorological Department (IMD) – Weather alerts
- Central Water Commission (CWC) – Floods
- Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) – Tsunamis and oceanic events
- Defence Geo-informatics Research Establishment (DGRE) – Landslides
- Forest Survey of India (FSI) – Forest fires
- State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) and NDMA for approval and management
- All mobile operators for delivery of messages
- Provides end-to-end, near real-time delivery of emergency alerts to affected areas via cellular networks.
- Features:
- Geo-targeted alerts
- Multi-hazard coverage
- Multilingual support (21 languages)
- Fully automated and cost-effective system
- Aligns with UN initiatives:
- Early Warnings for All (#EW4All)
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)
- Supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Enhances India’s disaster resilience and public safety capabilities.
Significance and Impact
- CBS strengthens public safety and timely dissemination of life-saving information.
- Supports inclusive digital infrastructure, reaching even remote and vulnerable regions.
- Positions India among a select few countries globally with this advanced CBS technology.
- Supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat by promoting indigenous, homegrown technologies.
About C-DOT
- Premier Telecom R&D Centre under Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India.
- Key contributor to government initiatives:
- Digital India
- Make in India
- Working on futuristic technologies:
- 5G and 6G
- Quantum computing
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
About SKOCH Award
- The SKOCH Award is one of India’s most prestigious independent awards recognizing excellence in governance, development, finance, technology, education, healthcare, and social sector initiatives.
- Instituted by SKOCH Group, a leading research, consulting, and knowledge dissemination organization in India.
- Honors individuals, projects, and institutions (both government and private) that have significant positive impact on society and citizens.
INS Sudarshini – Lokayan 26 Voyage
Overview
- INS Sudarshini, a sail training ship of the Indian Navy, will embark on Lokayan 26, a 10-month transoceanic expedition, starting 20 January 2026.
- The voyage covers over 22,000 nautical miles, visiting 18 foreign ports in 13 countries.
- Symbolizes India’s maritime heritage and the vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world as one family) in maritime diplomacy.
Key Highlights
- Participation in prestigious international tall-ship events:
- Escale à Sète, France
- SAIL 250, New York, USA
- INS Sudarshini represents India’s seafaring legacy and maritime traditions at these events.
Training and Capacity Building
- Over 200 trainees from the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard will undergo intensive sail training.
- Training includes:
- Long-range ocean navigation
- Traditional seamanship
- Life onboard a tall ship
- Trainees will interact with counterparts from other navies, fostering:
- Professional exchanges
- Friendship and mutual understanding
Maritime Diplomacy and Cooperation
- INS Sudarshini will engage in:
- Training interactions with foreign navies
- Maritime partnership engagements, strengthening cooperation
- Supports India’s MAHASAGAR vision (promoting maritime security, cooperation, and presence).
- Serves as a tool of cultural diplomacy, building bridges of trust and cooperation globally.
About INS Sudarshini
- Second sail training ship of the Indian Navy.
- Has already covered over 1,40,000 nautical miles in previous missions.
- Continues to be a symbol of India’s maritime professionalism, goodwill, and global presence.
Significance
- Enhances India’s maritime footprint and international cooperation.
- Promotes traditional seamanship skills among naval and coast guard personnel.
- Strengthens cultural diplomacy and showcases India’s seafaring heritage.
- Contributes to international naval collaboration and mutual understanding.
Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund Scheme
Overview
- The RDI Fund scheme is a ₹1 lakh crore initiative to catalyze private sector-led research and innovation in India.
- Launched following PM Shri Narendra Modi’s announcement on 3 November 2025, with formal implementation guidelines and a dedicated digital portal.
- Approved by the Union Cabinet on 1 July 2025.
- Objective: Support high-risk, high-impact research and strengthen linkages between laboratories, startups, and industry.
Key Implementation Details
- Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs):
- Technology Development Board (TDB) – All RDI sunrise and strategic sectors
- Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) – Biotechnology and allied domains
- First calls for proposals to be issued by the end of January 2026.
- Each SLFM will receive ₹2,000 crore in the first quarter, totaling ₹4,000 crore initial allocation.
- Other potential SLFMs: Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), NBFCs, Focused Research Organizations (FROs). Last date for applications: 31 January 2026.
Objectives of the RDI Fund
- Promote private sector participation in research.
- Support translational research from TRL-4 onwards.
- Facilitate stronger industry–lab–startup linkages for commercial and societal application.
- Translate public R&D funding into measurable outcomes for industry and society.
- Streamline processes based on stakeholder feedback to ensure transparency and ease of participation.
Governance and Review
- Review chaired by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, attended by secretaries and senior officials from science departments.
- Empowered Group of Secretaries approved TDB and BIRAC as SLFMs.
- RDI Fund execution aligns with priorities of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
- Emphasis on timely execution, coordination among departments, and transparent procedures.
Significance
- Enables high-impact, private sector-led research in India.
- Supports innovation-driven ventures beyond TRL-4.
- Strengthens India’s research ecosystem by linking public research, startups, and industry.
- Focuses on national development priorities and commercialization of scientific outputs.
India Launch Responsible Nations Index (RNI)
Event Details:
- Occasion: Launch of the Responsible Nations Index (RNI)
- Date & Venue: January 2026, Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi
- Organiser: World Intellectual Foundation (WIF)
Purpose and Significance of RNI:
- Introduces a global framework to evaluate nations on:
- Ethical governance
- Social well-being
- Environmental stewardship
- Global responsibility
- Moves beyond conventional metrics of national success such as economic prosperity or military power.
- Represents a paradigm shift from power-centric to responsibility-centric assessment.
Key Dignitaries & Speakers:
- Ram Nath Kovind, Former President of India – Chief Guest; stressed:
- Ethical governance as essential for sustainable progress
- Inclusive development
- Moral responsibility as a foundation for national and global growth
- N. K. Singh, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission – chaired Expert Panel Discussion
- Shri Sudhanshu Mittal, Founder & Secretary, WIF – highlighted RNI’s focus on aligning governance with ethical and humanitarian values
Academic and Research Collaboration:
- RNI is the outcome of a three-year academic and policy research initiative led by WIF
- Contributions from:
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
- Indian Institute of Management Mumbai (IIM Mumbai)
Expert Panel Discussion:
- Theme: “From Human Well-being to Global Stewardship: Rethinking Responsibility, Prosperity and Peace in the 21st Century”
- Focused on:
- Redefining national success in an interconnected, globalized world
- Linking human well-being with global responsibility and peace
Report Release & Outcome:
- Launch of the Responsible Nations Index Report
- Initiates a global dialogue on responsible nationhood
- Encourages cooperative international progress based on ethical, humanitarian, and sustainable principles
Broader Implications:
- Encourages governments to prioritize responsibility over raw power or economic metrics
- Could influence policy-making, international rankings, and global governance standards
- Highlights the growing importance of moral and ethical considerations in assessing national success
Quantum Computing: Quantum Algorithms and Qiskit
Overview of the Initiative
- Andhra Pradesh has enrolled 55,000 students in a large-scale quantum computing skilling programme.
- The course is titled “Quantum Computing: Quantum Algorithms and Qiskit”.
- It will be delivered through the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) and begins from Monday.
Institutions and Organisation
- The programme is organised by the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE).
- Course delivery involves:
- Faculty from IIT Madras, a leading academic institution in advanced technology education
- IBM Quantum, providing industry expertise and exposure to real-world quantum computing platforms
Course Content and Skill Focus
- The course emphasises practical, hands-on learning, not just theory.
- Key areas covered include:
- Quantum algorithms
- Quantum error correction, a critical challenge in quantum computing
- Qiskit programming, IBM’s open-source quantum computing framework
- The curriculum is designed to equip students with job-relevant and research-ready skills in quantum technologies.
Significance of the Mass Skilling Approach
- With 55,000 participants, the initiative represents one of India’s largest state-level quantum skilling efforts.
- It reflects a shift from elite, small-batch quantum education to broad-based capacity building.
- The programme aims to prepare students early for opportunities in:
- Quantum software development
- Research and higher studies
- Emerging quantum technology industries
Broader Context and Implications
- The initiative aligns with India’s broader push under the National Quantum Mission to develop a skilled quantum workforce.
- It positions Andhra Pradesh as a proactive state in adopting future technologies.
- Collaboration between academia (IIT Madras), government (APSCHE), and industry (IBM Quantum) highlights a triple-helix model for advanced tech education.
New Genus and a New Species of crustacean – Indiaphonte bijoyi
Discovery Overview
- A tiny crustacean discovered in the Kavaratti lagoon of the Lakshadweep islands has been identified as both a new genus and a new species.
- The organism belongs to:
- Class: Copepoda
- Family: Laophontidae
- Order: Harpacticoida
- Due to its microscopic size, the species can only be studied using a microscope.
Scientific Naming and Significance
- The species has been named Indiaphonte bijoyi.
- Indiaphonte (genus): Honours India
- bijoyi (species): Named after S. Bijoy Nandan, marine scientist and academic leader
- Naming reflects both national recognition and contributions to marine science.
Researchers and Publication
- The species was described by:
- Neelima Vasu K., Department of Marine Biology, Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat)
- Samuel E. Gómez-Noguera, copepod taxonomist, UNAM University, Mexico
- The discovery has been formally documented in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa, lending scientific credibility.
Morphological Characteristics
- Body structure:
- Semi-cylindrical and dorsoventrally depressed
- Wider at the centre and tapering towards the posterior
- Features antennae-like appendages at the front.
- Sexual dimorphism observed:
- Females slightly larger than males
- Body length ranges from 518 to 772 micrometres
Taxonomic Importance
- The genus Indiaphonte is classified as new because:
- It exhibits a unique combination of morphological traits
- These traits do not match any known genus within the Laophontidae family
- Highlights the continued relevance of morphological taxonomy in biodiversity research.
Ecological Role
- Indiaphonte bijoyi is part of Meiofauna:
- Tiny invertebrates less than 1 millimetre in size
- Live in sediments of marine and freshwater environments
- Despite their size, meiofaunal organisms:
- Play a crucial role in nutrient cycling
- Contribute to sediment stability
- Support overall ecosystem health
Broader Context
- The family Laophontidae includes:
- Around 350 species across 77 genera
- One of the most diverse families within Harpacticoida
- The discovery underscores:
- The rich but underexplored biodiversity of Indian coastal and island ecosystems
- The importance of microscopic fauna in ecological assessments
India’s power distribution utilities turned Profitable
Return to profitability
- India’s power distribution utilities (discoms and power departments) posted a net profit of ₹2,701 crore in FY 2024–25, marking a major turnaround after years of losses.
- This reverses a long-standing trend since the unbundling and corporatisation of State Electricity Boards.
Key driver: sharp reduction in State discom losses
- State-run discoms reduced their after-tax losses by ~80% between FY 2023 and FY 2025, which primarily enabled the sector-wide shift to net profits.
- Collective losses had fallen from ₹67,692 crore in FY 2013–14 to ₹25,553 crore in FY 2023–24, before turning positive in FY 2024–25.
Operational efficiency gains
- Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses declined from 22.62% in FY 2013–14 to 15.04% in FY 2024–25.
- This reflects improvements in:
- Network efficiency
- Theft control
- Metering and billing
- Revenue collection
Improved financial sustainability
- The ACS–ARR gap (average cost of supply minus average revenue realised) narrowed sharply from ₹0.78/kWh (FY 2013–14) to ₹0.06/kWh (FY 2024–25).
- A smaller gap indicates that discoms are now recovering most of their costs, reducing operating losses.
Impact of regulatory reforms
- The Electricity (Late Payment Surcharge) Rules played a critical role in enforcing payment discipline.
- Outstanding dues to power generating companies declined by 96%, from ~₹1.35 lakh crore in 2022 to ₹4,927 crore by January 2025.
- Payment cycles improved from 178 days (FY 2020–21) to 113 days (FY 2024–25), strengthening liquidity across the power value chain.
Policy outlook
- The government expects the upcoming Electricity Amendment Bill, 2026, to further support the move toward long-term profitability.
- The Bill is intended to address structural weaknesses in distribution and promote efficiency and competition.
Government assessment
- Power Minister Manohar Lal described the developments as a “new chapter” for the power distribution sector.
- The Ministry highlighted that performance has improved across both financial and operational indicators, not just profitability.
Broader significance
- The turnaround suggests that sustained policy interventions, tighter financial discipline, and efficiency-focused reforms can stabilise India’s most vulnerable segment of the power sector.
- However, the narrow ACS–ARR margin implies that continued reforms are necessary to ensure durable and resilient profitability.