Archive

1. The Union Cabinet approved Phase III of the Biomedical Research Career Programme for 2025–26 to 2030–31, with an extended service phase continuing from 2031–32 to 2037–38.

2. The total outlay for BRCP Phase III is ₹1,500 crore, of which the Department of Biotechnology will contribute ₹1,000 crore and the Wellcome Trust will contribute ₹500 crore.

1. India’s bioeconomy expanded from USD 10 billion in 2014 to USD 165.7 billion in 2024, and contributed about 4.25 percent to a national GDP of USD 3.89 trillion.

2. India aims to raise its bioeconomy to USD 300 billion by 2030, reflecting the sector’s growing importance in sustainable growth, innovation, biotechnology, healthcare, and industrial transformation.

1. India’s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development rose from ₹60,196.75 crore in 2010–11 to ₹1,27,380.96 crore in 2020–21, showing a more than twofold increase.

2. Per capita research and development expenditure increased from PPP$ 29.2 in 2007–08 to PPP$ 42.0 in 2020–21, indicating a steady rise in innovation spending.

1. As of February 2026, India’s regulated drone ecosystem included over 38,500 registered drones, 39,890 DGCA certified remote pilots, and 244 approved Remote Pilot Training Organisations across India currently.

2. Under the SVAMITVA scheme, nearly 3.44 lakh villages were targeted, and drone surveys were completed in 3.28 lakh villages by December 2025, covering about 95 percent overall target.

1. India’s first passenger train ran on 16 April 1853 between Bombay and Thane, covering about 34 to 35 kilometres, with 14 carriages, around 400 passengers, and locomotive Falkland.

2. By 1880, the railway system had expanded to about 9,000 miles, nearly 14,500 kilometres, showing rapid network growth during the steam era across much of India by then.

1. GLP-1 drugs are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists used for treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity by stimulating insulin release and suppressing excess glucagon.

2. These drugs slow gastric emptying, increase the feeling of fullness, reduce appetite, and thereby contribute to weight loss in patients using them.

1. Multi-Hazard Early Warning Decision Support System (MHEW-DSS) was officially launched in January 2024 as a real-time digital forecasting platform developed in-house by the India Meteorological Department.

2. The system was developed under Mission Mausam and marks a shift from fragmented forecasting processes to an integrated and automated forecasting and warning generation framework.

1. India’s space programme, led by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), began with a rocket launch in 1963 and expanded from Aryabhata in 1975 to major global missions steadily.

2. By 2025, India had launched over 400 satellites for 34 nations using its launch vehicles, strengthening its reputation for reliable, cost-effective, and internationally trusted space services worldwide today.

1. India’s semiconductor market was valued at 38 billion dollars in 2023, rose to 45-50 billion dollars in 2024-25, and is projected to reach 100-110 billion dollars by 2030.

2. India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) was approved by the Union Cabinet in December 2021 with an outlay of 76,000 crore rupees to support fabrication, display manufacturing, and chip design initiatives.

1. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 was passed by Parliament on 21 August 2025 to prohibit harmful online money games and promote safer digital gaming.

2. The Bill seeks to protect citizens from addiction, financial ruin, social distress, and deceptive gaming platforms that exploit users through misleading promises of quick financial returns.