Topic 1: Prime Minister Greets Nation on Valmiki Jayanti
GS Paper 1: Indian History & Culture | GS Paper 2: Social Justice
Context: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Valmiki Jayanti (also known as Pragat Diwas), highlighting the profound and enduring influence of Maharishi Valmiki’s pure and ideal thoughts on Indian society.
About Maharishi Valmiki (The Adi Kavi):
-
- Adi Kavi (First Poet): Valmiki is revered as the Adi Kavi (First Poet) in Sanskrit literature, credited with creating the first shloka (verse) that defined the form for Sanskrit poetry.
- The Ramayana: He is the original author of the Sanskrit epic Valmiki Ramayana, a foundational text of Hindu philosophy and culture, consisting of approximately 24,000 verses divided into seven Kandas (cantos).
- Life as a Symbol of Redemption: His life story, which describes his transformation from a dacoit named Ratnakar to a revered sage after an encounter with Sage Narada and years of penance, is a powerful symbol of repentance, forgiveness, and spiritual transformation.
- Role in the Epic: In the Ramayana, he provides shelter to Sita Mata in his hermitage where her twin sons, Lava and Kusha, were born. He became their mentor, teaching them the Ramayana he composed.
- Valmiki Jayanti: It is celebrated on the Purnima Tithi (Full Moon day) in the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin (usually September or October).
Maharishi Valmiki’s Core Teachings:
-
- Social Harmony: His teachings, deeply rooted in social harmony, emphasize equality and acceptance for all, transcending divisions of caste or status.
- Ethical Conduct (Dharma): The Ramayana provides a timeless moral framework, portraying Lord Rama as the Maryada Purushottama (ideal man) and setting standards for righteous conduct, duty, and governance.
- Compassion and Equality: The epic teaches that true strength and progress come from inclusivity and recognizing the dignity of every individual, a message that continues to inspire national unity.
Strategic Significance
-
- Honors the foundation of Sanskrit classical poetry and underscores India’s global contribution to literature and thought.
- The celebration encourages national self-reflection on ethical conduct, self-improvement, and transformation, aligning with the pursuit of a virtuous society.
- Valmiki’s legacy serves as a potent reminder of inclusiveness and equality, inspiring efforts to uplift marginalized sections and promoting the dignity of labour.
- Reinforces the importance of India’s epic tradition and its role in sustaining collective moral and cultural memory.
Topic 2: India-AI Impact Summit 2026 Logo Launched
GS Paper 2: Governance (e-Governance, Policy) | GS Paper 3: Science & Technology (IT)
Context: The Government of India unveiled the logo for the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 (to be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on Feb 19–20, 2026). The logo, chosen through a MyGov contest, reflects India’s vision for Responsible AI innovation.
Key Highlights
-
- Summit Host: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
- Winning Designer: Shri Ajith P. Suresh (selected from 599 entries).
- Core Symbolism: The logo is a blend of tradition and modernity, uniting ethics with innovation.
| Logo Element | Symbolism | Key Message |
|---|---|---|
| Ashoka Chakra (Centre) | Tradition, Justice, Constitutional Values | Represents Ethical Governance and India’s leadership in Responsible AI. |
| Neural Network Flares (Radiating) | Transformative Power of AI | Represents AI's ability to bridge divides across languages, industries, and geographies for inclusive progress. |
| Vibrant Gradient | Innovation and Inclusivity | Reflects India’s diverse industries, cultures, and communities driving the AI revolution. |
Strategic Significance
-
- Positions India as a global thought leader focused on ethical and responsible AI development for the greater good of humanity.
- Emphasizes that AI is a tool for social development and equitable progress, aligning with India’s philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The world is one family).
- The logo’s constitutional symbolism reinforces that India’s digital journey is anchored in Justice, Ethics, and Democratic Values, ensuring public trust in digital governance.
Conclusion
The logo seamlessly unites tradition with modernity and ethics with innovation, effectively capturing the spirit of the Summit: charting a path where AI advances inclusive growth and serves humanity.
Topic 3: IICT, FICCI, and Netflix Partner to Nurture AVGC-XR Talent
GS Paper 2: Governance | GS Paper 3: Indian Economy
Context: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) signed a landmark MoU with Netflix India at the 25th FICCI Frames event. The partnership aims to nurture India’s next-generation AVGC-XR talent (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality).
Key Highlights
-
- Goal: To build the next generation of creative technology professionals in the AVGC-XR sector.
- Support: The collaboration leverages IICT’s academic base, FICCI’s industry network, and Netflix’s creative expertise.
- Benefits for Students:
- IICT will develop industry-driven curricula.
- Students get hands-on experience through workshops and masterclasses led by professionals.
- Scholarships will be provided to underrepresented talent via the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity.
- Industry Guidance: Netflix will participate in IICT’s R&D Council, Academic Council, and Industry Development Council to offer strategic guidance.
- Government View: Sh. Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, stated that India’s media sector is on the cusp of a global breakthrough powered by imagination and technology.
Strategic Significance
-
- Directly strengthens India’s creative economy and digital content ecosystem, aligning with the goal of making India a global hub for AVGC-XR.
- Bridges the gap between academia and industry by ensuring that training is aligned with global best practices and the demands of the international entertainment sector.
- The provision of scholarships through the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity specifically supports underrepresented talent, ensuring the benefits of the creative economy are inclusive and equitable.
- The partnership model, involving a government-backed institution (IICT), an industry body (FICCI), and a global content platform (Netflix), is a strong example of public-private collaboration essential for driving innovation and sustainable growth.
Topic 4: Ministry of Textiles Celebrates ‘World Cotton Day’ 2025
GS Paper 3: Indian Economy (Agriculture, Industry) | GS Paper 2: Governance (Welfare Schemes)
Context: The Ministry of Textiles celebrated World Cotton Day 2025 with the theme “Cotton 2040: Technology, Climate & Competitiveness.” The event focused on boosting the sector’s global competitiveness and achieving ambitious sustainability goals.
Key Highlights
-
- Sector Targets (by 2030):
- Achieve USD 350 billion textile sector size.
- Reach USD 100 billion in exports.
- Achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
- Brand Promotion: Launching Kasturi Cotton Bharat as a globally recognized symbol of purity, quality, and sustainability, comparable to international brands.
- Productivity Challenge: India’s yield (450 kg/hectare) is low compared to global standards (2,000 kg/hectare). A Mission for Cotton Productivity is under consideration to address this gap.
- Technology Focus: Emphasis on technology-led transformation, including precision farming, advanced breeding, digital traceability, and the adoption of High Density Planting System (HDPS).
- Policy Linkage (MoS): The Kasturi Cotton initiative supports the Government’s ‘5F’ vision (Farm-Fibre-Factory-Fashion-Foreign).
- Industry Action: Multiple MoUs were signed with industry, farmers (AIFCA), and R&D bodies to promote the new Kasturi Cotton Bharat brand.
- Supporting Schemes: The Ministry supports the industry through existing schemes like ATUFS, PM MITRA, and NTTM.
- Sector Targets (by 2030):
Strategic Significance
-
- Aims to achieve high growth and USD 100 billion in exports while simultaneously committing to carbon neutrality by 2030, positioning the textile sector as a model for sustainable development in the Viksit Bharat journey.
- The push for a Mission for Cotton Productivity and increased MSP directly addresses low yield, aiming to enhance the income and prosperity of the six million cotton farmers who form the ‘soul’ of Indian agriculture.
- Creating a recognized, traceable, and sustainable brand (Kasturi Cotton Bharat) ensures India meets global trade demands (non-negotiable trade parameters) for quality assurance and sustainability certifications.
- Promotes climate-smart practices like efficient water use and soil conservation, ensuring environmental protection in India’s predominantly rain-fed cotton regions.
