🔆 PARTITION OF BENGAL (1905)

🔆 BACKGROUND
🟢 Bengal was an extensive province of 189,000 square miles, with a population of nearly 8 crore.
🟢 It included Bengali-, Hindi-, Oriya- and Assamese-speaking regions. Calcutta was also the capital of British India.
🟢 Lord Curzon proposed partition, citing administrative convenience, but nationalists viewed it as an attempt to weaken Bengali nationalism and divide people along religious lines.

🔆 PARTITION: 16 OCTOBER 1905
🟢 Western Bengal: Included western Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, with Calcutta as its capital. Bengalis became a linguistic minority within this enlarged province.
🟢 Eastern Bengal and Assam: Had a population of approximately 3.1 crore, with Dhaka as its capital and a Muslim majority.

🔆 OBJECTIVES & NATIONALIST RESPONSE
🟢 Administrative justification: To improve the administration of an excessively large province.
🟢 Political motive: To weaken Bengali political influence by dividing Bengalis between two administrations.
🟢 Divide and rule: The partition was widely perceived as an attempt to deepen Hindu–Muslim divisions.
🟢 Nationalist opposition: Indian nationalists condemned the partition, triggering the Anti-Partition and Swadeshi Movements.

🔆 ANNULMENT OF PARTITION: 1911
🟢 Following sustained protests, the partition was annulled in 1911.
🟢 Bihar and Orissa were separated into a distinct province, while Assam became a separate province.
🟢 The capital of British India was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi.

🔆 SIGNIFICANCE
🟢 Strengthened the Swadeshi Movement and the boycott of British goods.
🟢 Marked a major phase of mass political mobilisation against colonial rule.
🟢 Demonstrated how colonial administrative decisions could intensify nationalist resistance.

🔆 MAINS QUESTION
📍 GS Paper I – Modern Indian History

“ The Partition of Bengal in 1905 was not merely an administrative reorganisation but a turning point in Indian nationalism.” Examine.

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Exercise VARUNA
✅24th edition of VARUNA -Indian Navy & French Navy.
✅INS Trishul -Toulon, France on 22 September 2026.
✅Includes harbour and sea-based professional engagements, cross-deck visits and operational interactions.

🔆 ONE-LINERS | 08 OCTOBER 2026

🔆 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & ISSUES
📍 First International Cargo to Bangladesh
🟢 On 5 October 2026, the first post-independence international cargo voyage from Bogibeel Terminal, Dibrugarh, to Bangladesh was flagged off.
🟢 Vessel: DLB Patkai, pushed by tug Kushal Konwar.
🟢 Cargo: 540 metric tonnes of methanol, produced by Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd. (APCL), Namrup.
🟢 Route: National Waterway-2 (Brahmaputra) + Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR).
🟢 Destination: Pangaon Port/Narayanganj, Bangladesh; total journey approximately 1,300 km.
🟢 Significance: Revives Upper Assam’s historic riverine trade links and provides a cost-effective alternative to road and rail transport.

🔆 ECONOMY
📍 RBI Removes Paytm Payments Bank from Scheduled Banks List
🟢 RBI removed Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. (PPBL) from the Second Schedule of the RBI Act, 1934.
🟢 The decision followed cancellation of its banking licence due to regulatory non-compliance and concerns regarding depositor interests.
🟢 March 2022: PPBL was barred from onboarding new customers.
🟢 January–February 2024: Restrictions were imposed on fresh deposits, credits and top-ups in accounts, wallets and prepaid instruments.
🟢 The Delhi High Court subsequently ordered the bank’s winding up.

🔆 EDUCATION
📍 University of Colorado Denver Campus in Hyderabad
🟢 University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the UGC to establish a degree-granting campus in Hyderabad.
🟢 Proposed to be the first public American university campus in India and the first foreign university campus in Telangana.
🟢 Target launch: August 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.
🟢 Proposed programmes: Business, computing, engineering and analytics.
🟢 Strategic partner: Emeritus, supporting non-academic operations.
🟢 CU Denver was established in 1973 and is classified as an R1 research institution.

🔆 ENVIRONMENT
📍 New Lineage in India’s Cheetah Population
🟢 Five cheetah cubs were born at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, on 5 October 2026.
🟢 Mother: KJP21, an Indian-born female cheetah of Namibian descent.
🟢 Father: A male cheetah brought from Botswana.
🟢 India’s total cheetah population reached 60, including 41 born on Indian soil.
🟢 Significance: Introduces the first Botswana-lineage offspring bred in India, supporting genetic diversity and the long-term goal of a self-sustaining population.

🔆 SECURITY
📍 M51.3 Ballistic Missile
🟢 M51.3 is an upgraded, three-stage, solid-propellant submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) developed by ArianeGroup for France.
🟢 Entered operational service on 24 October 2025.
🟢 Approximate dimensions: 12 m long, 2.3 m diameter and over 50 tonnes.
🟢 Estimated range: 9,500–10,000 km; reported re-entry speed: Mach 20–25.
🟢 Carries the TNO-2 nuclear warhead.
🟢 Designed for France’s Le Triomphant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).
🟢 An unarmed test launch from Le Vigilant was reported on 6 October 2026 in the North Atlantic.

🔆 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
📍 10th India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026
🟢 Held from 7–10 October 2026 at Yashobhoomi (IICC), New Delhi.
🟢 Theme: “Scale Without Boundaries.”
🟢 Organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).
🟢 Participation: 100+ countries, 500+ global exhibitors and 600+ tech startups.
🟢 Four pillars:
🟢 Srishti – AI, 5G/6G, semiconductors and deep tech.
🟢 Samvardhan – Infrastructure, smart mobility and industrial robotics.
🟢 Sashakt – Inclusive digital access and empowerment.
🟢 Suraksha – Cybersecurity, quantum communications and resilient digital ecosystems.

📍 World Space Week 2026
🟢 Observed globally from 4–10 October 2026.
🟢 Theme: “Rocket Revolution.”
🟢 Focus: Commercial spaceflight, reusable rockets, lower launch costs and expansion of the space economy.
🟢 4 October 1957: Launch of Sputnik 1, the first artificial Earth satellite.
🟢 10 October 1967: Entry into force of the Outer Space Treaty, governing the peaceful exploration and use of outer space.

🔆 MISCELLANEOUS

📍 SAREX-2026
🟢 The 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise was conducted by the Indian Coast Guard off Paradip, Odisha, on 8 October 2026.
🟢 Theme: “Leveraging Technology to Strengthen SAR Preparedness and Maritime Safety.”
🟢 Inaugurated on 7 October by Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth.
🟢 Simulated scenario: Mass rescue following a passenger aircraft carrying 228 people ditching at sea and colliding with MV Zumba.
🟢 Assets included 15 Coast Guard ships, 2 Navy ships, IAF aircraft and helicopters, alongside other agencies.
🟢 32 observers from 30 countries participated.
🟢 Supports regional cooperation under India’s SAGAR and MAHASAGAR visions.

📍 2026 Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians
🟢 Prof. Mahesh Kakde of IISc Bengaluru received the 2026 Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians from Developing Countries.
🟢 Awarded by ICTP and the International Mathematical Union (IMU).
🟢 Prize: US$10,000; eligibility generally covers researchers under 45 from developing countries.
🟢 Recognised for contributions to algebraic number theory, arithmetic geometry and non-commutative Iwasawa theory.
🟢 His research includes work related to the Gross–Stark and Brumer–Stark conjectures.

📍 World Cotton Day 2026
🟢 Observed on 7 October 2026.
🟢 Theme: “Cotton for Good: Building Prosperity Through Trade, Transformation and Partnership.”
🟢 Main global event held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
🟢 First launched in 2019 by the Cotton-4 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali, alongside international organisations.
🟢 The UN General Assembly officially proclaimed it in 2021.
🟢 Cotton is grown in 75+ countries, supporting approximately 24 million growers and 100 million families.
🟢 India is among the world’s largest cotton producers and is the largest consumer.
🟢 India’s observance included the Global Cotton Conference organised by CITI in New Delhi.

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Supreme Court Sunday hearing: Key takeaways

#SupremeCourt directed that:

• Delhi Metro and railway services must operate normally. Restrictions are permissible only when justified under Article 19(2).

• Internet services must remain available in accordance with law, without affecting statutory powers to impose lawful restrictions.

• Movement of people and vehicles across Delhi must not be unnecessarily obstructed. Barricades must be reviewed immediately based on law-and-order and traffic requirements.

• No unlawful detention is permitted. Any detention must follow legally established procedure.

• Peaceful assemblies must be allowed in accordance with law, especially outside areas where prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS are in force.

• Any notice board announcing Section 163 restrictions near the Supreme Court must be removed, if still in place, to ensure unhindered access to the Supreme Court and other courts.

• The Court recorded the assurance that lawyers, journalists and other professionals will not be obstructed in performing their duties.

• Notice was issued in the contempt proceedings alleging violation of the Court’s October 9 order. Authorities must file a compliance report by Tuesday, October 13, including details of Metro restrictions and railway advisories.

• Habeas corpus petitions alleging mass detentions and other connected matters will be heard with the main cases on October 13.

CJP Protests: Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka released from detention by executive magistrate with conditions imposed.

Conditions imposed on Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka include not indulging in any activity that breaches peace and tranquillity for the next one year

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🔆 ONE-LINERS | 09 OCTOBER 2026

🔆 INFRASTRUCTURE
📍 First 3D-Printed Rural Housing Pilot Project
🟢 India’s first 3D-printed rural housing pilot launched under PMAY-G 2.0 in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.
🟢 177 houses: 100 in Burripalem and 77 in Pothuru/Obulnaidupalem.
🟢 Cost: ₹13.93 crore (excluding taxes); Union Government contribution ₹9.44 crore and Andhra Pradesh Government contribution ₹4.49 crore.
🟢 Technology: 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP), with technical guidance from CSIR-CBRI, Roorkee.
🟢 Each house can be printed in around 10 days; project completion target is six months.

📍 US-Led Initiative on Structural Excess Capacity
🟢 India joined the USA and 13 other economies in a joint ministerial initiative addressing structural excess capacity and non-market policies.
🟢 Structural excess capacity occurs when manufacturing capacity significantly exceeds domestic and global demand.
🟢 Risks: Overproduction, dumping, artificial price reductions, job losses and displacement of domestic industries.
🟢 Initial focus sectors: Automobiles/EVs, batteries, chemicals, foundational semiconductors and solar panels.

🔆 ECONOMY
📍 India’s First High-Altitude Snow Leopard Safari
🟢 Flagged off in Ladakh on 7 October 2026 by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.
🟢 Developed by SHAN Society in partnership with the Ladakh Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment.
🟢 Initial locations: Rumbak, Shang and Uley, with six specially designed open-back vehicles.
🟢 Ladakh houses 477 of India’s estimated 718 snow leopards.
🟢 Other wildlife: Himalayan ibex, blue sheep (bharal), Tibetan wolf and Himalayan fox.
🟢 Promotes community-based ecotourism, local employment, wildlife guiding and nature interpretation.

🔆 ENVIRONMENT
📍 Windergy India 2026
🟢 The 8th edition was inaugurated in Chennai on 8 October 2026 by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi.
🟢 India’s wind power capacity: 59.20 GW as of 30 September 2026.
🟢 Target: 100 GW installed wind capacity by 2030.
🟢 Record annual capacity addition: 6.05 GW in FY 2025–26.
🟢 Participation: Around 400 exhibitors, 20+ countries and 500 delegates.
🟢 Country pavilions: Denmark, Germany and Spain.
🟢 Tamil Nadu’s initiatives include its Wind Repowering Policy.
🟢 Reports released: Energy Transition in Tamil Nadu and Reimagining Contractual Mechanism for Indian Wind Sector.

📍 Nameri Tiger Reserve – Global Conservation Recognition
🟢 Nameri Tiger Reserve, Assam, received CA|TS Approved status on 10 September 2026.
🟢 CA|TS = Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards, a global framework for assessing tiger-reserve management.
🟢 Assesses wildlife protection, habitat management, tiger monitoring, protected-area administration and community participation.
🟢 All four Assam tiger reserves now have approved status: Kaziranga, Manas, Orang and Nameri.
🟢 Location: Sonitpur district, Assam.
🟢 Total area: 464 sq km; core area: 200 sq km.

🔆 HEALTH
📍 Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2026
🟢 Observed throughout 1–31 October 2026.
🟢 Theme: “Every story is unique, every journey matters.”
🟢 Focus: Awareness, early detection, timely diagnosis and support for affected individuals and families.
🟢 Important dates: 13 October – Breast Cancer Awareness Day; 15 October – Global Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day; 17–23 October – Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week; 23 October – Wear It Pink Day.
🟢 Warning signs include a new breast/underarm lump, swelling, skin dimpling, changes in breast shape, nipple inversion or unusual discharge.

🔆 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

📍 3rd International Bharat 6G Symposium 2026
🟢 Inaugurated by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi.
🟢 Organised by the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA).
🟢 Five new MoUs signed with GSMA, one6G Association, GTI Alliance Ltd., 6G Industry Forum (6GIF) and VoICE.
🟢 Partnership network expanded to 17 collaborations.
🟢 Nine white papers covered 6G roadmap, Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), Fixed Wireless Access, optical technologies, spectrum readiness, sustainable 6G, cellular–Wi-Fi synergy, private networks and 6G security.
🟢 Objective: Build an indigenous, secure, sustainable and globally competitive 6G ecosystem.

📍 World Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day 2026
🟢 Observed on 8 October 2026 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in New Delhi.
🟢 Focus: Hydrogen standards, safety protocols and technical measures.
🟢 A new hydrogen website and R&D scheme with a dedicated roadmap were launched.
🟢 A report mapping gaps in India’s hydrogen standards was released with support from Boston Consulting Group.
🟢 Discussions covered safety in hydrogen production, storage, transportation and facility operations.

🔆 REPORTS & INDEX

📍 World Development Report 2026
🟢 Published by the World Bank Group on 4 August 2026.
🟢 Title: “The Promise of Artificial Intelligence.”
🟢 Examines AI’s potential to accelerate development in low- and middle-income economies.
🟢 High automation risk from generative AI: 14.2% of jobs in high-income countries versus 4.5% in low- and middle-income economies, according to the supplied report summary.
🟢 AI could improve productivity in 16.2% of jobs in developing economies.
🟢 Potential applications: Telemedicine, precision agriculture and personalised education.

📍 World Bank: India’s AI Readiness
🟢 The World Bank ranked India among the top 10 emerging-market performers in AI readiness, according to its 6 October 2026 assessment.
🟢 Report: “India and Artificial Intelligence: Seizing the Development Opportunity.”
🟢 Key strengths: Technical workforce, globally integrated IT sector and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
🟢 Private AI investment: US$1.2 billion in 2024 → US$4.1 billion in 2025.
🟢 GCC employment: 1.9 million in 2024 → 2.36 million in 2025.
🟢 Around 23% of Indian firms reported using some form of AI, compared with 43% in the US.
🟢 Recommendations: Improve AI infrastructure, business environment, access to AI technologies and workforce skills.
🟢 World Bank’s FY2026–27 growth forecast for India: 7.1%.

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Pakistan has declared an emergency in its northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province amid a deteriorating law and order situation in the region, effectively bringing the provincial government to an end

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🔆 UIDAI Launches Aadhaar Face Authentication SDK & Sandbox

📍 Why in News?
At the Global Fintech Fest 2026, UIDAI launched a Face Authentication SDK and Sandbox to enable banks and fintechs to integrate Aadhaar-based face authentication directly into their own apps.

📍 What Has Been Launched?
🟢 Face Authentication SDK: A code library allowing partner apps to natively integrate face capture, liveness/anti-spoofing checks and encrypted data handling.
🟢 Sandbox: An isolated testing environment allowing partners to test the complete authentication journey, including failure scenarios, before deployment.
🟢 Playbook on Ease of Onboarding: A companion document for BFSI entities integrating with UIDAI’s authentication ecosystem.

📍 What Has Changed? — FaceRD to Native SDK
🟢 Earlier: Users needed a separate government-issued FaceRD app running alongside the bank/fintech application.
🟢 Now: The SDK enables face authentication within the partner’s own single application, simplifying onboarding.

📍 Aadhaar Face Authentication
🟢 Face Authentication is one of UIDAI’s three authentication modes, alongside OTP and fingerprint.
🟢 Technology was launched in 2021.
🟢 UIDAI reports 500+ crore transactions processed and adoption by nearly 200 entities.
🟢 It supports use cases such as Jeevan Pramaan, Ayushman Bharat onboarding, SIM e-KYC, PM-KISAN, PM Awas Yojana and PM e-DRIVE.

📍 Role in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
🟢 Aadhaar authentication provides a digital identity layer for welfare delivery, financial services and e-KYC.
🟢 Native integration can make authentication more seamless and accessible for BFSI onboarding.
🟢 The initiative strengthens the broader India Stack/DPI ecosystem, alongside platforms such as Aadhaar, UPI and DigiLocker.

📍 Privacy & Security Concerns
🟢 Privacy and Consent: Embedding biometric capture in third-party apps expands the surface across which facial data is collected.
🟢 Spoofing Risks: AI/ML-based liveness and anti-spoofing technologies continue to evolve; sandbox testing improves preparedness but does not guarantee foolproof security.
🟢 Digital Divide: Face authentication assumes access to a suitable smartphone, camera and processing capability, potentially excluding some intended beneficiaries.
🟢 Strong consent, encryption, purpose limitation, data minimisation and accountability are therefore important safeguards.

📍 Key Terms
🟢 UIDAI: Statutory authority under the Aadhaar Act, 2016 responsible for issuing and authenticating Aadhaar numbers.
🟢 SDK: Software/code library used by developers to integrate a particular capability into an application.
🟢 Sandbox: Isolated environment used to test a system before production deployment.
🟢 DPI: Digital infrastructure enabling interoperable delivery of public and private services.

📍 Key Takeaway
The move from FaceRD → native SDK represents the next stage of Aadhaar authentication, making biometric verification more seamlessly embedded in digital services while making privacy, security and inclusion critical to responsible DPI expansion.

📌 UPSC Mains Model Question

“Aadhaar-based authentication technologies are evolving to support India’s Digital Public Infrastructure.” Discuss and examine the privacy safeguards needed as biometric authentication is embedded within third-party applications.
(15 Marks | 250 Words)

#Economy #pib

🔆 ONE-LINERS | 10 OCTOBER 2026

🔆 POLITY & GOVERNANCE
📍 National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing (NSAM) 2.0
🟢 Led by MeitY; aims to build India’s digital and 3D manufacturing ecosystem.
🟢 Target: USD 5 billion domestic AM market and 5% of the global market by 2030.
🟢 Focus: indigenous innovation, MSME support, electronics, defence, sustainability and global standards.
🟢 Phase 1 (launched February 2022): trained 1.54 lakh+ individuals, supported 56+ start-ups and developed 65 India-specific technologies.
🟢 Established 7 Development and Deployment Centres across Hyderabad, Mehsana, Pune, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, Mandi and Bengaluru.
🟢 2nd National Additive Manufacturing Symposium (NAMS) held in New Delhi on 13 March 2026.

🔆 INFRASTRUCTURE
📍 Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar
🟢 Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved renaming Noida International Airport, Jewar; announced by CM Yogi Adityanath on 9 October 2026.
🟢 Located in Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, serving the National Capital Region.
🟢 Inaugurated on 28 March 2026; commercial operations commenced on 15 June 2026.
🟢 Developed through a public-private partnership involving Yamuna International Airport Pvt. Ltd. and Noida International Airport Ltd.
🟢 Phase I: 12 million passengers annually; planned ultimate capacity: 70 million passengers annually.

🔆 HEALTH
📍 JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Initiative
🟢 Launched on 8 October 2026 under Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan to mobilise youth for TB elimination.
🟢 More than 6,347 squads; each comprises one Class-I government officer, five NCC cadets and five MY Bharat volunteers.
🟢 Functions: door-to-door screening, diagnostic referrals, treatment adherence and reduction of TB-related stigma.
🟢 Phase 1 covers 55 districts across 11 States/UTs, with planned expansion to 804 districts.
🟢 Implemented jointly by the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Youth Affairs and Sports, and Defence.
🟢 Activities monitored through the TB Mukt Bharat App, which also features the Khushi Avatar.

📍 World Mental Health Day — 10 October
🟢 2026 theme: “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.”
🟢 Announced by the WHO and World Federation for Mental Health.
🟢 WHO Atlas 2024: 80% of mental health policies/plans involved input from people with lived experience; 59% of mental health legislation consulted them.
🟢 45% reported ongoing collaboration with advocacy groups; 37% included people with lived experience in primary-care training.
🟢 Deinstitutionalisation: 9% of systems fully transitioned to community care, while 53% remained in early transition stages.

🔆 SECURITY
📍 EyeROV TROUT — Indigenous Underwater ROV
🟢 India’s first indigenous military-grade underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), developed by Kochi-based EyeROV.
🟢 Developed under the iDEX DISC 7 SPRINT Challenge for the Indian Armed Forces.
🟢 Two of five ordered systems delivered to the Indian Navy on 7 October 2026.
🟢 Operational depth: up to 300 metres; qualified by Directorate of Quality Assurance (Naval).
🟢 Applications: underwater surveillance, search and recovery, harbour security inspections and threat detection.

🔆 SCIENCE
📍 Wētāpunga — World’s Heaviest Insect
🟢 Scientific name: Deinacrida heteracantha; native to New Zealand.
🟢 Adult females can weigh around 70 grams and measure up to 10 cm in body length, with legs extending up to 20 cm.
🟢 Flightless and unable to jump; feeds mainly on green foliage, leaf litter and protein.
🟢 Invasive predators and habitat loss restricted the species largely to Little Barrier Island by the 1990s.
🟢 A 15-year captive-breeding programme led by New Zealand conservation partners enabled over 45 translocations, releasing approximately 11,000 individuals across eight predator-free islands and two fenced mainland sanctuaries.
🟢 Conservation status improved from Nationally Endangered to Nationally Increasing.

🔆 REPORTS & INDEX
📍 UNCTAD Trade and Development Report 2026
🟢 Title: “The Geoeconomics of Development.”
🟢 Global economic growth projected at 2.6% in 2026, compared with 2.9% in 2025.
🟢 Global merchandise and services trade expected to grow around 4% in real terms in 2026.
🟢 Asia is projected to contribute 59% of global economic growth; developing-economy growth is expected to slow to 4%.
🟢 Country growth projections: India 7.3%, China 4.5% and Indonesia 5.2%.
🟢 AI-related goods accounted for around one-sixth of global goods trade value and 42% of its growth in 2025.
🟢 An advanced AI server-rack case study found 68% of traced value went to profits, while workers received less than 15%.
🟢 Key concerns: AI-driven financial vulnerabilities, geoeconomic fragmentation, energy-price shocks and declining development assistance.
🟢 Middle East conflicts pushed oil prices above USD 110 per barrel; official development assistance is projected to fall nearly 7%.

🔆 MISCELLANEOUS
📍 Central Asian Flyway (CAF) Digital Hub
🟢 Open-access regional platform developed by the Central Asian Conservation Network (CACN) for migratory-bird conservation.
🟢 Covers 30 countries across North, Central and South Asia and supports information on 600+ bird species.
🟢 Features: bird-collision reporting, ringing and resighting records, educational resources and a multilingual regional database.
🟢 Supports cross-border collaboration among researchers, birdwatchers, educators and conservation agencies.
🟢 Complements international cooperation under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the Central Asian Flyway Initiative.

📍 Iron Age Skeletal Remains — Tamil Nadu
🟢 Complete skeletal remains of two Iron Age individuals were discovered at Thelunganur, near Salem, Tamil Nadu.

#CurrentAffairs