1.Centre to set up a dedicated body to protect ports, ships
GS Paper III: Internal Security-Maritime Security
Context: Government approved creation of BoPS as a statutory body under Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
- Decision taken in a high‑level meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah with Ports and Civil Aviation Ministers.
Why it is important
- India’s ports handle bulk of external trade, so a dedicated security body reduces risks of terrorism, piracy and sabotage.
- Strengthens maritime domain awareness and cyber security, protecting port IT systems and critical infrastructure.
Why BoPS was needed
- Existing arrangements were fragmented between multiple agencies without a single regulatory overseer for port and ship security.
- Rising cyber threats, complex supply chains and higher traffic required graded, risk‑based security standards for all ports.
Key features of BoPS
- Statutory body under Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
- Headed by a Director General, an IPS officer (Pay Level‑15); DG Shipping will act as DG BoPS in a one‑year transition.
- Modelled on Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) with mandate over vessels, port facilities, offshore and off‑lying installations.
Main functions of BoPS
- Frame and enforce security standards, SOPs and guidelines for ships, ports and related facilities.
- Conduct security audits, inspections and certifications, including of Recognised Security Organisations (RSOs).
- Ensure timely analysis, collection and exchange of security‑related and cyber‑security information.
- Coordinate with central and state agencies for graded, risk‑based security measures based on vulnerabilities and trade potential.
Port vs aviation security bodies
Institutional parallels
| Aspect | Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) – Maritime | Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) – Aviation |
| Legal basis | Created under Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 as statutory body. | Functions under Aircraft (Security) Rules and related aviation laws. |
| Parent ministry | Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. | Ministry of Civil Aviation. |
| Head | Director General, senior IPS officer (Pay Level‑15). | Director General, usually senior IPS officer. |
| Core mandate | Security of ships, ports, offshore facilities and maritime IT systems. | Security of civil airports, aircraft operations and related facilities. |
| Key functions | Prescribes port security norms, audits, approves plans, coordinates agencies. | Sets aviation security standards, conducts audits, regulates security agencies. |
| Cyber focus | Dedicated division for port IT and cyber protection. | Increasing focus on aviation cyber security, but without separate port‑style division mentioned. |
| Field implementation | Works with CISF, state police, port authorities and RSOs at ports. | Works with CISF, airport operators, airlines and state police at airports. |
2. The significance of a strong defence industrial base
GS Paper II- International Relations
Context :core arguments
- Article discusses strategic need to build a strong defence industrial base (DIB) for Viksit Bharat 2047.
- Argues India must cut import dependence, seize export opportunities, and reform institutions/procedures.
What is defence industrial base?
- Network of public, private firms, R&D labs, shipyards, MSMEs producing arms, platforms, spares.
- Includes design, testing, certification, maintenance and export support ecosystem.
India’s earlier problems
- Restrictive policies kept private sector out, heavy reliance on imports.
- Ordnance factories monopolised production; low innovation, delays, cost overruns.
- Structural vulnerability: economic drain and exposure to external supply shocks.
Importance of defence industrial base
- Ensures reliable supply during crises and wars, reduces strategic blackmail.
- Saves foreign exchange, creates high‑skill jobs, drives advanced technology ecosystem.
- Enhances diplomatic leverage via exports and defence partnerships.
Reform phase: major policy shifts
- Liberalised FDI norms, opened production to private sector, corporatised OFB.
- Expanded “Make” and indigenisation lists; push for start‑ups, iDEX, innovation.
- Defence production and exports risen; India now exporting to 80+ countries.
Global security environment & lessons
- Conflicts in Europe, West Asia, Asia expose fragility of global supply chains.
- Countries with strong defence industries remained more resilient and autonomous.
- Lesson: national security now inseparable from domestic industrial strength.
Emerging global opportunities for India
- Europe raising defence spending, seeking new, cost‑effective suppliers.
- Saturation of traditional suppliers opens space for Indian platforms.
- India’s Indian Ocean location and active diplomacy favour it as defence supplier.
What still holds India back?
- Complex regulations deter MSMEs, start‑ups and foreign partners.
- Slow export licensing, technology‑transfer and JV approvals.
- Policy uncertainty and weak long‑term demand visibility limit investment.
Role of DRDO – need for re‑orientation
- DRDO crucial in building strategic capabilities and indigenous tech.
- Now must focus on core frontier research, leave production to industry.
- Needs sharper division of responsibilities and greater industry collaboration.
Defence exports: institutional gaps
- No single empowered export promotion/clearance agency; processes fragmented.
- Weak project management for long‑term lines of credit and G2G deals.
- Need a dedicated, professionalised export facilitation organisation.
Financial challenges
- Firms struggle for competitive credit; defence projects are capital‑intensive.
- Lack of tailored export financing and insurance instruments.
- Inadequate long‑term funding for R&D and scale‑up phases.
Testing and certification challenges
- Limited, overburdened test ranges and labs; long queues and delays.
- Fragmented standards, multiple agencies, unclear procedures.
- Lack of globally recognised certification hampers export competitiveness.
Key steps suggested
- Simplify procedures, ensure policy continuity, set up single‑window export desk.
- Create specialised export finance, expand integrated testing/certification hubs.
- Use more G2G agreements, lines of credit and long‑term service commitments.
Conclusion: strategic necessity, no choice
- Strong DIB is not optional; it is central to India’s security and economic goals.
- Reduces import dependence, boosts jobs, innovation and geopolitical leverage.
- Consistent reforms can make India a confident, capable defence producer‑exporter.
3. Corporates have fundamental duty to protect the ecosystem, asserts SC
GS paper III-Environment of Ecology
Context :Supreme Court judgment on December 20, 2025, held CSR as constitutional duty to protect
environment and endangered species like Great Indian Bustard.
Background of the Judgement
- Petitions filed against power projects (solar/wind) in Gujarat and Rajasthan threatening Great Indian Bustard habitat.
- Expert committee recommended priority conservation areas (14,013 sq km in Rajasthan, 740 sq km in Gujarat).
Core Issue Before the Court
- Whether companies have fundamental duty to protect ecosystem under Article 51A(g) and whether CSR funds can be mandated for conservation of endangered species.
Key Observations of the Supreme Court
- CSR inherently includes environmental responsibility, not mere charity.
- Corporations have constitutional duty to protect environment, including wildlife.
- Polluter-pays principle mandates companies bear cost of species recovery.
- Companies are not “guests” in the environment; they share responsibility.
Constitutional Basis of the Judgement
- Article 51A(g): Fundamental duty to protect and improve natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife.
- Article 21: Right to life includes right to healthy environment.
- Extends to corporations as “persons” under the Constitution.
Environmental Principles Applied by the Court
- Polluter-pays principle – companies must bear recovery costs.
- Precautionary principle – prevent extinction risks.
- Intergenerational equity – protect for future generations.
- Sustainable development – balance development with conservation.
4. No formal policy yet on AI use in courts, Centre tells Lok Sabha
GS paper III-science of technology
CONTEXT: The Union Government recently informed Parliament that Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tools are being integrated into the e-Courts project to enhance judicial efficiency and improve access to justice. This move highlights the growing role of technology in reforming India’s judiciary, especially in reducing case pendency, speeding up case disposal, and making court processes more transparent and citizen-friendly. With initiatives like LegRAA, SUPACE, and Digital Courts .
What is Artificial Intelligence in the Judiciary?
Artificial Intelligence in the judiciary refers to the use of advanced technologies like:
- Machine Learning (ML) – to identify patterns in judgments and case data
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) – to understand and process legal language in judgments, petitions, and orders
- Optical Character Recognition (OCR) – to digitize and search scanned documents
- Speech recognition and translation tools – to convert spoken words into text and translate judgments across languages
These tools are being used to support judges, lawyers, and court staff in legal research, case management, and citizen services. Importantly, AI is being deployed as a decision-support system, not as a replacement for judicial discretion or human judges.
Key AI-Based Initiatives in Indian Judiciary
- Legal Research Analysis Assistant (LegRAA)
- Developed under the e-Committee of the Supreme Court.
- Helps judges with legal research, case law analysis, and identifying relevant precedents.
- Reduces time spent on manual searching and improves consistency in citing judgments.
- Digital Courts 2.1 (Paperless Courts)
- Aims to create fully digital, paperless courts.
- Features include:
- Integrated judgment databases
- Annotated document management
- Automated drafting templates for orders and judgments
- Voice-to-text (SHRUTI) and translation (PANINI) tools to assist judges in real-time.
- SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court Efficiency)
- Experimental AI platform in the Supreme Court.
- Helps judges understand complex factual matrices of cases.
- Enables intelligent, context-aware searches of precedents and case law.
- Nyaya Shruti & e-Sakshya (ICJS)
- AI-enabled platforms for virtual hearings and digital evidence management.
- Support video conferencing, virtual testimonies, and digital recording of evidence.
- Enhance speed, reduce adjournments, and improve transparency in criminal justice delivery.
5. Erivan Anomalous Blue
GS paper III-Environment and Ecology
Context : Armenia has unveiled the official logo for COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to be held in Yerevan in October 2026, with the Erivan Anomalous Blue butterfly (Polyommatus eriwanensis) at its centre.
This rare, endemic butterfly is being used as a symbol to connect local biodiversity with global conservation goals, highlighting the conference’s theme of “Taking action for nature.”
What is the Erivan Anomalous Blue?
The Erivan Anomalous Blue (Polyommatus eriwanensis) is a species of blue butterfly that is:
- Endemic to Armenia and found only in southern Transcaucasia.
- Named after Yerevan (historically called Erivan), the capital city of Armenia.
- A range‑restricted, habitat‑specific species, making it highly sensitive to environmental changes like habitat loss, climate shifts, and changes in plant availability.
Habitat and Ecology
- Habitat: Inhabits calcareous grasslands in Armenia, typically at elevations of 1,200–2,200 metres above sea level.
- Life cycle: It has one generation per year; adults are active from mid‑June to mid‑July.
- Host plant: The larval host plant is still unknown, which limits detailed ecological assessment and conservation planning for this species.
- Distribution: Its range partly overlaps with protected areas like the Khosrov Forest State Reserve and Gnishik Protected Landscape.
Conservation Status
- Global/Regional Red Lists: Not included in the IUCN Global Red List or the European Red List.
- National status: Listed as Endangered in the Red Book of Animals of Armenia (2010).
- Indicator value: Like many butterflies, it acts as an indicator species, reflecting the health of grassland ecosystems.
Why is it in the COP17 Logo?
- Symbolism: The Erivan Anomalous Blue represents local, tangible biodiversity and links Armenia’s unique species to global biodiversity targets.
- Theme connection: The logo’s slogan “Taking action for nature” emphasizes moving from commitments to implementation of the Kunming‑Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
- Design feature: The logo uses 23 blended colours, symbolizing the 23 targets of the framework and showing that progress on one target depends on action across all.
- Precedent: This follows the trend of COP logos featuring ecologically significant local species, such as the Inirida flower at COP16 in Colombia.
About COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- What is COP17?
- The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, a UN treaty adopted in 1992.
- It is the supreme decision‑making body for global biodiversity governance, where countries review implementation and adopt new decisions.
- Host and timing
- Host country: Armenia
- Venue: Yerevan
- Scheduled for October 2026.
- Key agenda
- First global review of how countries are implementing the Kunming‑Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
- Focus on accountability, monitoring, and accelerating action to meet the 23 targets (e.g., 30×30, subsidy reform, habitat protection).
- Relevance for UPSC (Environment & International Relations)
- Important for topics like:
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its COPs.
- Global biodiversity frameworks (Kunming‑Montreal GBF).
- Role of indicator species and local biodiversity in global conservation.
- India’s position and commitments in international environmental negotiations.
- Important for topics like:
6. IN-SPACe & Antariksh Prayogshala (Space Labs)
GS Paper III – Science & Technology
CONTEXT : IN-SPACe has invited proposals from academic institutions across India to set up Antariksh Prayogshala (Space Labs) at select colleges and universities. This move aims to strengthen the space technology ecosystem by giving students and researchers access to space-related infrastructure, tools, and expertise.
What is IN‑SPACe?
- IN‑SPACe stands for Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre.
- It is an autonomous, single‑window nodal agency under the Department of Space (DoS), created as part of India’s space sector reforms.
- Its main role is to enable and regulate the participation of private players (Non‑Governmental Entities – NGEs) in space activities, while ISRO focuses on R&D and strategic missions.
Mandate and Key Functions
- Promote and enable space activities by private companies, startups, and academic institutions.
- Authorize and supervise space activities of Non‑Governmental Entities (NGEs), including:
- Launch vehicles and satellites
- Space‑based services (e.g., communication, remote sensing)
- Facilitate access to ISRO/DoS infrastructure (launch pads, testing facilities, ground stations, etc.).
- Establish new space infrastructure and facilities to support the growing space ecosystem.
- Act as the interface between ISRO and private/academic players, assessing their needs and coordinating with ISRO for resource sharing.
Structure of IN‑SPACe
IN‑SPACe operates through three main directorates:
- Promotion Directorate (PD)
- Promotes space activities among private players and academia.
- Identifies opportunities and supports capacity building.
- Technical Directorate (TD)
- Provides technical evaluation and safety assessment of private space projects.
- Ensures compliance with technical and safety norms.
- Program Management and Authorization Directorate (PMAD)
- Handles authorization, licensing, and monitoring of space activities.
- Manages program timelines and coordination with ISRO/DoS.
Antariksh Prayogshala (Space Labs)
- IN‑SPACe is inviting proposals to set up Antariksh Prayogshala (Space Labs) in select academic institutions across India.
- These labs will:
- Provide students and researchers with hands‑on experience in space technology.
- Support development of small satellites, payloads, and related systems.
- Strengthen the academic‑industry‑government linkage in the space sector.
- The initiative aims to:
- Build a skilled workforce for the space industry.
- Foster innovation and R&D in space tech at the university level.
- Expand India’s space ecosystem beyond ISRO to include startups and academia.
- making it a narrowly endemic species with a very restricted geographic range.
- It inhabits calcareous grasslands at elevations of 1,200–2,200 m and is not widely distributed across Eurasia; its distribution is highly localized.
- Though not listed in the IUCN Global or European Red Lists, it is classified as Endangered in the Red Book of Animals of Armenia (2010), indicating clear conservation concern at the national level.
