Topic 1: Amul & IFFCO Achieve Top Global Rankings – India Leads Cooperative Excellence
GS Paper 3: Agriculture | GS Paper 2: Governance & Inclusive Development | Cooperative Federalism
Context:
Union Home Minister & Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah congratulated Amul (GCMMF) and IFFCO for securing Rank 1 and Rank 2 globally among the Top 10 Cooperatives of the world. He called it a “proud moment for Bharat”, attributing the success to millions of women dairy producers and farmers.
Key Highlights:
1. Global Recognition
-
- Amul (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation – GCMMF) → Rank 1
- IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited) → Rank 2
- Ranking based on global cooperative performance, scale, and socio-economic impact.
2. Empowerment Impact
-
- Recognizes the contribution of millions of rural women (Amul) and over 40,000 cooperative societies + 36,000,000 farmers (IFFCO).
- Strengthens global visibility of the Indian cooperative ecosystem.
About Amul (GCMMF)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Dairy Cooperative (owned by 36 lakh+ women producers) |
| Formed | 1946 – Anand, Gujarat |
| Known For | White Revolution, Operation Flood |
| Significance | Made India the largest milk producer globally |
About IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Multi-state farmers’ cooperative |
| Formed | 1967 |
| Members | 36,000+ cooperative societies |
| Specialty | 100% farmer-owned – largest cooperative fertilizer producer in the world |
A cooperative is “A voluntary, democratic, member-owned organization formed to meet common economic, social, and cultural needs.”
Key Features of Cooperatives
1. Democratic control: One member, one vote.
2. Profit-sharing: Surplus is distributed among members.
3. Social purpose + Economic efficiency.
Role in India
-
- 8.5 lakh cooperatives covering agriculture, dairy, credit, housing, fisheries.
- Pillar of rural livelihood and inclusive growth.
- Ministry of Cooperation created in 2021 to strengthen cooperative-based economic development.
Strategic Significance
| Impact Area | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Women empowerment | Amul is the world’s largest women-owned dairy cooperative |
| Farmer income enhancement | IFFCO supports small farmers with low-cost fertilizers & agri-services |
| Inclusive growth model | Ensures wealth distribution to members instead of private shareholders |
| Global leadership | Positions India as a role model in cooperative-driven development |
This achievement demonstrates that cooperatives are not just business models but engines of social transformation.
Topic 2: India–UK Science & Technology Partnership (IN-UK-STP) Dashboard Unveiled
GS Paper 2: International Relations | GS Paper 3: Science & Technology, Innovation Policy
Context:
Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, and the National Technology Adviser to the United Kingdom, Dr. David Warren Smith, unveiled the pilot version of the IN-UK-STP Dashboard at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The dashboard captures the depth and scale of India–UK science, innovation, and technology collaborations.
Key Highlights:
Digital Dashboard Launched
-
- Developed jointly by:
- Office of PSA (India)
- British High Commission in India
- Maps 143 bilateral S&T projects (2018 onwards) – covering:
- Funding value
- Implementing partners
- Funding agencies (both India & UK sides)
- Developed jointly by:
Strategic Alignment of Projects
-
- Projects mapped to:
- India–UK Science and Innovation Council (SIC) priorities
- 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Priority technology domains (AI, biotechnology, space, clean tech, etc.)
- Projects mapped to:
Enables visibility of how joint projects contribute to global & national science goals.
Way Forward:
The bilateral team agreed on next steps:
| Recommendation | Objective |
|---|---|
| Include outcome/impact metrics (publications, patents, startups, HR development, private partnerships) | Shift from activity tracking → impact measurement |
| Continuously update dashboard with real-time data from India & UK institutions | Ensure decision-makers get real-time analytics |
Strategic Significance
| Dimension | Impact |
|---|---|
| Science Diplomacy | Positions India–UK partnership as a global model in innovation diplomacy. |
| Evidence-Based Decision Making | Helps prioritize funding, identify gaps, avoid duplication. |
| Technology Leadership | Supports emerging domains like AI, DeepTech, Space, Clean Tech. |
| SDG Alignment | Ensures science collaboration delivers measurable societal impact. |
Conclusion:
The IN-UK-STP Dashboard institutionalises science and technology collaboration between India and the United Kingdom.
Topic:3 APEDA facilitates export of fortified rice from Chhattisgarh to Papua New Guinea
GS Paper 3: Economy – Agricultural Exports, Food Processing | GS Paper 2: Governance – Nutrition Security
Context:
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, facilitated the export of 20 MT fortified rice from Chhattisgarh to Papua New Guinea (PNG). This reinforces India’s position as a dependable exporter of value-added and nutrition-focused agri-products.
Key Highlights:
1. Export Milestone
-
- Export quantity: 20 metric tonnes of fortified rice.
- Exporting entity: M/s Sponge Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., Raipur
- Destination country: Papua New Guinea
- Facilitated by: APEDA, under Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
2. Chhattisgarh’s Growing Export Ecosystem
-
- The state has been promoting rice + fortified rice exports through capacity-building of farmers, millers, and exporters.
- Enhances global visibility of Chhattisgarh’s agri-value chain.
- Demonstrates Chhattisgarh’s emerging role in the nutrition-focused global food supply chain.
About Fortified Rice:
Fortified rice is produced by mixing micronutrients into rice flour and shaping it to resemble rice grains.
| Micronutrients commonly added | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Iron | Prevents iron-deficiency anemia |
| Folic Acid | Supports maternal & child health |
| Vitamin B12 | Supports metabolism and nerve function |
Mixed with regular rice to enhance nutritional value of staple diets.
Strategic Significance
| Dimension | Impact |
|---|---|
| Nutrition Diplomacy | Enables India to contribute to global nutritional security |
| Agri-value addition | Shift from “exporting raw commodity → exporting processed & fortified products” |
| Economic Growth | Enhances farmer income & boosts agro-processing exports |
| Global Branding | Positions India as supplier of safe, high-quality, and science-backed food products |
Conclusion:
The export of fortified rice from Chhattisgarh to Papua New Guinea marks a significant step in India’s agri-export strategy from commodity-based trade to high-value, nutrition-oriented food exports.
Topic 4: DST-backed startup demonstrates India’s first 500 km Quantum-Safe Network
GS Paper 3: Science & Technology – Emerging Tech, Cyber Security | GS Paper 2: Governance – Digital Infrastructure
Context:
A Bengaluru-based startup QNu Labs Pvt. Ltd., supported by the National Quantum Mission (NQM) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), successfully demonstrated India’s first extensive Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) network spanning 500 km. The breakthrough was announced at ESTIC 2025, in the presence of Dr. Jitendra Singh and senior science leadership.
Key Highlights
1. India’s first 500 km quantum-safe fiber network
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- Network deployed over existing optical fiber infrastructure.
- Demonstration establishes end-to-end quantum key exchange across >500 km using multiple nodes.
- Aligns with the vision of secure digital infrastructure for India’s digital economy.
2. Contribution from Defence
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- Implementation supported by Indian Army (Southern Command Signals & Corps of Signals).
- Army provided controlled access to fiber network in Rajasthan Sector.
- Demonstrates Defence–Industry–Research collaboration.
3. Technology Showcase at ESTIC 2025
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- Launch of Quantum Suraksha Kavach (QSK) rack – hardware integration for QKD systems.
- Demonstrated QKD system installed inside QSK rack.
4. Quantum Cybersecurity Innovations
-
- Startup also developed QSIP (Quantum Random Number Generator – System in Package).
- Provides quantum-certified randomness for cryptographic algorithms.
- Protects against current and future quantum attacks.
- The QSIP system was presented to the Prime Minister of India during ESTIC 2025.
- Startup also developed QSIP (Quantum Random Number Generator – System in Package).
National Quantum Mission (NQM)
-
- QNu Labs is one of eight startups supported under NQM.
- Funding was facilitated through I-Hub Quantum Technology Foundation, a Technology Innovation Hub under NMICPS, hosted by IISER Pune.
Strategic Significance
| Dimension | Impact |
|---|---|
| Quantum-Safe Cybersecurity | Protects communications from hacking, including future quantum-computer attacks. |
| Atmanirbhar Bharat in Deep-Tech | Indigenous QKD network reduces dependence on foreign cryptographic technologies. |
| National Security | Defence involvement enables secure military communication networks. |
| Second Quantum Revolution | Positions India among early adopters in large-scale quantum communication. |
| Innovation Ecosystem (STRIDE Model) | Demonstrates synergy among Science + Research + Industry + Defence. |
Conclusion:
The 500 km quantum-safe network marks a major milestone for India’s National Quantum Mission, establishing India as a frontrunner in quantum-secure communications and strengthening national preparedness against cyber threats and future quantum attacks.
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