1. National Policy on Geothermal Energy 2025 Launched
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy launched the National Policy on Geothermal Energy 2025 to tap India’s estimated 10 gigawatt geothermal potential for sustainable development.
- The policy aims to integrate geothermal resources into the renewable energy mix, supporting India’s Net Zero by 2070 target through exploration, research, and public-private partnerships.
- It offers fiscal incentives, technology transfer, and regulatory frameworks to expedite projects in geothermal hotspots like Ladakh and Puga Valley.
- The initiative is expected to generate 5,000 megawatts by 2030, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and boosting rural employment and energy security.
- Concepts: Renewable Energy Targets under India’s Nationally Determined Contributions; Public-Private Partnership models in the energy sector.
- The policy aligns with the Ethanol Blending Programme, promoting green hydrogen and circular economy principles for economic resilience.
- Challenges include high initial costs and geological risks, addressed through collaborations with Iceland and Japan.
2. Saudi Arabia-Pakistan Mutual Defence Pact Signed
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
- Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a landmark mutual defence agreement, committing to a joint response against aggression, building on their 1960s security ties.
- The pact includes military training, intelligence sharing, and joint exercises, amid escalating regional tensions in the Middle East and South Asia.
- India expressed cautious concern, with the Ministry of External Affairs monitoring implications for national security and urging respect for mutual sensitivities in bilateral relations.
- Saudi Arabia, India’s fifth-largest trade partner with $52 billion in bilateral trade, underscores the need to balance strategic partnerships.
- Concepts: Article 51 of the UN Charter on collective self-defence; India’s non-alignment policy in evolving geopolitics.
- The agreement may impact the Quad and I2U2 frameworks, prompting India to strengthen defence diplomacy with Gulf nations.
- Analysts see this as Saudi Arabia diversifying from US alliances, while Pakistan seeks economic aid amid IMF negotiations.
3. India Ranks 38th in WIPO Global Innovation Index 2025
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- The World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index 2025 ranked India 38th out of 139 economies, retaining its top spot in Central and Southern Asia.
- India scored 38.2, excelling in innovation over-performance for the 15th consecutive year, driven by startups, research and development investments, and digital infrastructure.
- Key strengths include knowledge workers, information and communication technology services exports, and venture capital deals, with gains in patent filings and university rankings.
- The report highlights India’s shift to an innovation-driven economy, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative for self-reliance.
- Concepts: Intellectual Property Rights under the TRIPS Agreement; Role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in innovation ecosystems.
- Global leaders include Switzerland (1st), Sweden (2nd), and the US (3rd); India’s rise reflects its potential in artificial intelligence and biotechnology sectors.
- Recommendations include increasing women in STEM and addressing urban-rural innovation gaps for inclusive growth.
4. Supreme Court Upholds Waqf Amendment Act 2025
SUBJECT: POLITY
- The Supreme Court dismissed challenges to the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, upholding Parliament’s decision to enhance digitization and transparency in waqf property management.
- The verdict affirms constitutional validity, mandating Aadhaar-linked surveys and online registries to curb encroachments and disputes.
- It balances minority rights under Article 26 with public interest, rejecting claims of religious interference.
- The Act introduces a centralized portal for waqf boards, expected to resolve over 5 lakh pending claims and unlock assets worth Rs 1 lakh crore.
- Concepts: Article 26 on freedom to manage religious affairs; Doctrine of Basic Structure in legislative amendments.
- The ruling aligns with ongoing Places of Worship Act hearings, reinforcing secularism and federalism in property governance.
- Critics call for greater minority consultations, while supporters praise it as a step toward efficient welfare delivery.
5. India-AI Impact Summit 2026 Logo and Initiatives Unveiled
SUBJECT: NATIONAL ISSUES
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology unveiled the logo and flagship programs for the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for February 19-20 in New Delhi.
- As the first Global South-hosted AI summit, it will highlight AI’s role in inclusive growth, sustainability, and social equity through global collaborations.
- Key initiatives include the AI for All challenge, ethics guidelines, and sector-specific applications in healthcare and agriculture.
- The event aims to position India as a leader in responsible AI, expecting 5,000 delegates from 50 countries.
- Concepts: Digital India Mission; AI governance under the IndiaAI Mission with a Rs 10,000 crore allocation.
- It addresses ethical concerns like bias mitigation, aligning with the UN’s AI for Good framework.
- Expected outcomes include policy blueprints for skilling 1 crore youth in AI and boosting GDP by 10% through technology adoption.
