1. PM MODI UNVEILS ‘MANAV’ VISION AT GLOBAL AI IMPACT SUMMIT 2026
SUBJECT: NATIONAL ISSUES / POLITY * Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, attended by heads of state from over 20 countries.
- The PM unveiled the “MANAV Vision” (Human-centric AI), emphasizing that India’s AI roadmap focuses on “Welfare for All” (Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay) rather than mere profit.
- A comprehensive AI Governance Framework was introduced under the IndiaAI Mission, establishing seven core Sutras including fairness, accountability, and safety to mitigate deepfake risks.
- The Government of India launched Bharat VISTAAR, an AI-driven platform that integrates AgriStack (digital land records) with ICAR data to provide real-time advisory to farmers via voice assistants.
- During the summit, Google announced a $15 billion ‘America-India Connect’ subsea cable initiative to fortify India’s digital infrastructure and data connectivity.
- Concepts: Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) – The backbone of India’s tech governance; Ethical AI – Aligning technological advancement with constitutional values of equity.
2. SUPREME COURT CRITICIZES ‘FREEBIE CULTURE’ AMID TAMIL NADU POWER PLEA
SUBJECT: ECONOMY / POLITY * The Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, slammed the “freebie culture,” stating it hampers the nation’s economic development and shifts funds away from infrastructure.
- The observations came while hearing a plea from the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) regarding a rule in the Electricity Amendment Rules, 2024.
- The bench questioned the feasibility of providing free electricity to all citizens regardless of their financial status, warning against “appeasement policies” that ignore revenue deficits.
- The Apex Court suggested that states should prioritize employment generation and long-term development over short-term welfare largesse like free cycles or electricity for the wealthy.
- The Court issued notices to the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government, highlighting that most states are already in a revenue-deficit state.
- Concepts: Revenue Deficit vs. Fiscal Deficit – Understanding state financial health; Article 282 – Discretionary grants and the limits of welfare spending.
3. TAMIL NADU ALLIANCE SHIFTS & ECO-TOURISM PUSH IN UNION BUDGET
SUBJECT: TAMIL NADU / NATIONAL * In a significant political development, the DMDK, founded by the late Vijayakanth, has formally joined the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance ahead of the upcoming State Assembly elections.
- Veteran leader ‘Panruti’ S. Ramachandran announced the formation of a new party, MGR ADMK, focusing on ideological revival rather than immediate electoral participation.
- The Union Budget 2026 has earmarked special funds for Eco-Tourism Trails in Tamil Nadu’s Podhigai Malai and Pulicat Lake, aimed at sustainable development in these biodiversity hotspots.
- Scholars at an international conference in Chennai documented new Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions found in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, proving ancient maritime trade links between the Red Sea and the Tamil coast.
- The Tamil Nadu Assembly discussed decongestion plans for temple towns, with the government approving new bus stands for Swamimalai and Ayyampettai to manage pilgrim footfall.
- Concepts: Biodiversity Hotspots – Significance of Western Ghats; Epigraphy – The study of inscriptions as a source of historical reconstruction.
4. INDIA AND FRANCE ELEVATE TIES TO ‘SPECIAL GLOBAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP’
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS * French President Emmanuel Macron and PM Modi elevated bilateral relations to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership” during the President’s state visit to Mumbai and Delhi.
- The leaders virtually inaugurated the Airbus H-125 Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Karnataka, a joint venture with Tata Advanced Systems—the first private sector helicopter line in India.
- India and France launched the “Year of Innovation” and a dedicated Innovation Network to collaborate on Global Health, Space, and Civil Nuclear energy.
- The India-France Centre for AI and Global Health was inaugurated at AIIMS, Delhi, to leverage AI for early disease detection and metabolic health sciences.
- In a diplomatic milestone, Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the PM of Bangladesh, ending the interim administration of Muhammad Yunus and resetting regional stability.
- Concepts: Strategic Autonomy – India’s independent foreign policy stance; Bilateral Trade – Moving toward a $100 billion target with key European partners.
5. RAJNATH SINGH CO-CHAIRS DEFENCE DIALOGUE; ‘HAMMER’ MISSILES TO BE MADE IN INDIA
SUBJECT: DEFENCE * Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin co-chaired the 6th Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru, focusing on co-production.
- A landmark agreement was signed between Bharat Electronics (BEL) and Safran Electronics to manufacture the Hammer air-to-ground missiles in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
- Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, concluded a high-level visit to India, reinforcing the 10-year defense partnership framework.
- The CRPF established 43 temporary operating bases at altitudes up to 6,000 feet in J&K to counter relocating terror cells in the upper reaches of the valley.
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved India’s first underwater twin-tube road-cum-rail tunnel project beneath the Brahmaputra River to enhance strategic connectivity.
- Concepts: Indigenization (Aatmanirbharta) – Reducing dependence on foreign military imports; Interoperability – The ability of Indian and partner forces (like the Quad) to operate together.
