Daily PIB Highlights (9th March 2026)

Topic 1: Strengthening India’s Intellectual Property (IP) Ecosystem

GS Paper 3: Issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights; Science and Technology- developments and their applications; Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

Context: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, addressed the National IP Awards & IP Conference 2026 in New Delhi. He set a vision to make India’s IP approval system one of the top five globally in speed, transparency, and efficiency.

Major Statistical Milestones (Decadal Growth)

India has witnessed a paradigm shift in its innovation landscape over the last decade:

• • Global Innovation Index (GII): India’s rank improved from 81st (2015) to 38th (2026).
  • Patent Filings: Registered a 215% growth in the last decade, moving from 14th to 6th globally.
  • Women in IP: Patent filings by women have increased by a staggering 345 times over the past 12 years.
  • Fee Reductions: The government has reduced IP-related fees by 50% to 80% for startups, MSMEs, and women entrepreneurs to make the system accessible.

Strategic Initiatives for “New India”

Minister Goyal highlighted several upcoming and ongoing measures to bolster the innovation culture:

1. Innovation in Schools: As announced in the Union Budget, the government is establishing 50,000 new innovation labs in schools to nurture curiosity and problem-solving among students from a young age.

2. Capacity Building: Massive recruitment is underway at the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) to clear backlogs and accelerate disposal speeds for trademarks, patents, and GIs.

3. Fast-Track Mechanisms: Proposed for women entrepreneurs and startups to bring their ideas to market more quickly.

4. Atmanirbhar & Global Trade: India has signed 9 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in the last 3.5 years, providing preferential access to nearly two-thirds of global trade.

Focus Areas for Innovation

• • Geographical Indications (GI): Emphasis on registering traditional products and designs to protect India’s diverse heritage.
  • Tier-2 & Tier-3 Growth: Using the IIT Madras incubation model to upgrade startup hubs in remote regions like Sikkim and northern India.
  • Anusandhan: Highlighting the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan” (Anusandhan = Research).

UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check

Feature	Details
GII Rank 2026	38th (Significant jump from 81 in 2015).
Patent Filing Rank	6th globally.
CGPDTM	Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (under Ministry of Commerce & Industry).
WIPO	World Intellectual Property Organization (India aligns its standards with WIPO).
Fee Reduction	Up to 80% for startups and women entrepreneurs.

Conclusion:

Minister Goyal’s roadmap for “Innovate, Patent, Produce and Prosper” emphasizes that IP is no longer a niche legal area but a core economic driver.

 

Topic 2: Gyan Bharatam Mission

GS Paper 1: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Context: Announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, Gyan Bharatam is a flagship mission of the Ministry of Culture dedicated to India’s manuscript heritage.

• • Financial Outlay: The Standing Finance Committee (SFC) has sanctioned ₹491.66 crore for the period 2025–2031.
  • Core Objectives: Unearthing, safeguarding, and preserving vast manuscript collections.
  • Key Components: * Survey and registration of manuscripts.
    • Building robust technology infrastructure and partnerships.
    • Documentation, conservation, and digitization.
    • Publication, capacity building, and research.

 

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is increasingly deploying “Non-Invasive” technologies before physical excavation to ensure precision.

• • Advanced Tools used: LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar), and Drone surveys.
  • Key Sites implemented:
    • Rajgir (Bihar)
    • Rakhigarhi (Haryana)
    • Bhismaknagar (Arunachal Pradesh)
    • Warangal Fort (Telangana).

 

The government highlighted strict legal frameworks used to protect Centrally Protected Monuments from unauthorized construction.

• • Legal Framework: * Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.
    • Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971.
  • Adopt A Heritage 2.0: Launched in September 2023, this program allows private/public sectors and NGOs to adopt monuments.
  • Strict Boundary: Partners are limited to non-conservational aspects (amenities like washrooms, signage, illumination). Core conservation work remains the exclusive domain of ASI experts.

 

The National Archives of India (NAI) is democratizing access to historical documents through its online portal.

• • Portal Name: Abhilekh-Patal.
  • Current Status (as of Feb 2026):
    • 0.38 crore digitized records.
    • Over 18.23 crore pages hosted.
    • 0.73 crore reference media available for global researchers.

UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check

Feature	Details
Gyan Bharatam	Mission for Manuscript preservation (2025-2031).
Abhilekh-Patal	Online portal of the National Archives of India.
LiDAR	Remote sensing method using light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges to the Earth.
AMASR Act	The primary legislation governing archaeological sites in India.

Conclusion:

The Ministry of Culture is shifting towards a technology-first approach—using LiDAR for discovery and AI-ready portals like Abhilekh-Patal for preservation. The Gyan Bharatam Mission represents a significant fiscal commitment to ensuring that India’s “written” history (manuscripts) receives the same protection as its “stone” history (monuments).

 

Topic 3: Exercise LAMITIYE – 2026

GS Paper 2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Context: The Indian Armed Forces contingent has arrived in Seychelles to participate in the 11th edition of the Joint Military Exercise “LAMITIYE-2026”.

Overview of Exercise LAMITIYE

• • Etymology: ‘LAMITIYE’ means ‘Friendship’ in the Creole language.
  • Frequency: A biennial (once every two years) training event conducted since 2001.
  • Venue: Seychelles Defence Academy (09–20 March 2026).

Strategic Significance of the 2026 Edition

This edition is a major departure from previous years due to its expanded scope:

• • Tri-Service Participation: For the first time, all three services of the Indian Armed Forces are participating.
  • Contingent Composition:
    • Indian Army: Personnel from the ASSAM Regiment.
    • Indian Navy: Participation of the stealth frigate INS Trikand.
    • Indian Air Force: Deployment of a C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft.

Objectives and Training Focus

The exercise is designed to enhance interoperability in complex security environments:

1. Sub-conventional Operations: Focus on neutralizing threats in Semi-Urban environments.

2. Peacekeeping Operations (PKO): Improving coordination and synergy during international peacekeeping missions.

3. Technology Integration: Showcasing and exploiting New Generation Equipment and technology through joint tactical drills.

4. Bilateral Ties: Exchanging skills and “Good Practices” to promote military-to-military relations.

Exercise Structure

The 12-day program follows a structured progression to ensure maximum learning:

• • Initial Phase: Combat discussions, case studies, lectures, and demonstrations.
  • Middle Phase: Field Training Exercises (FTX).
  • Final Phase: A two-day Validation Exercise to test the effectiveness of the joint planning and execution.

UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check

Feature	Details
Exercise Name	LAMITIYE (India-Seychelles).
Type	Biennial Tri-Service Exercise (since 2026).
Location	Seychelles.
INS Trikand	A Talwar-class stealth frigate of the Indian Navy.
C-130J	Tactical airlift aircraft used for special operations.
Creole	The native language of Seychelles.

Conclusion:

Exercise LAMITIYE-2026 underscores India’s commitment as a “Net Security Provider” in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

 

Topic 4: Renewable Energy (RE) Integration & Transmission Infrastructure

GS Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy; Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation; Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

Context: The Ministry of Power provided a comprehensive update on India’s strategy to integrate over 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and 600 GW by 2032 through massive grid expansion and storage solutions.

National Transmission Backbone: Expansion Targets

Under the National Electricity Plan (NEP) Volume-II (Transmission), India is building a future-ready grid to handle intermittent green energy:

• • Network Growth: Projected to reach 6.48 lakh circuit kilometer (ckm) by 2031-32.
  • Transformation Capacity: Increasing to 2,345 Giga Volt Ampere (GVA).
  • Inter-Regional Capacity: Planned to jump from 120 GW (Jan 2026) to 168 GW by 2032.
  • Current Status: Commissioned RE capacity stands at approximately 263 GW as of January 2026.

Green Energy Corridors (GEC)

The GEC scheme facilitates the evacuation of power from RE-rich states to the national grid.

• • Phase I & II: Implementing intra-state transmission in 10 states (including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and UP) to evacuate 44 GW. So far, 26 GW is integrated.
  • Phase III: A new GEC-III scheme for large-scale integration is currently under consideration.

Addressing Intermittency: Storage & Hybrid Solutions

To ensure grid stability when the sun isn’t shining or wind isn’t blowing, the government is pushing storage technologies:

• • Pumped Storage Projects (PSP): Transmission systems for 35.6 GW of PSP are planned by 2031-32, with a long-term goal of 100 GW by 2035-36.
  • Battery Energy Storage (BESS): Integration of 47 GW BESS by 2031-32.
  • Viability Gap Funding (VGF): Two schemes (launched March 2024 and June 2025) are supporting 43.8 GWh of battery storage.
  • PLI Scheme: Outlay of ₹18,100 crore for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) batteries to establish 50 GWh manufacturing capacity.

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY)

Launched in February 2024, this scheme promotes distributed solar power at the household level.

• • Target: Rooftop solar for 1 crore households by FY 2026-27.
  • Budget: ₹75,021 crore.
  • Progress: 31.04 lakh households benefited as of February 2026.
  • Key Reforms: * Direct subsidy disbursal to bank accounts via a National Portal.
    • Collateral-free loans (up to 10 years) integrated with the JanSamarth portal.
    • Waived technical feasibility requirements for loads up to 10 kW.

Regulatory Innovation (CERC)

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) introduced the Connectivity and GNA (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2025.

• • Time-Block Connectivity: Introduces “solar-hour” and “non-solar-hour” connectivity.
  • Impact: Enables optimal use of existing wires by allowing different RE sources (like wind at night and solar by day) to share the same transmission infrastructure.

UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check

Feature	Details
Non-Fossil Target	500 GW by 2030; 600 GW by 2032.
RE Capacity (Jan 2026)	~263 GW.
GEC States	10 States (RJ, KA, AP, HP, MP, KL, GJ, UP, MH, TN).
PSP Target	100 GW by 2035-36.
PMSG: MBY	Targets 1 crore homes; 31 lakh achieved so far.

Conclusion:

India’s energy transition has moved from “capacity addition” to “grid sophistication.” by combining high-capacity Inter-State Transmission Systems (ISTS) with decentralized rooftop solar and large-scale storage (PSP/BESS).

 

Topic 5: National Highways – Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) 2025–26

GS Paper 3: Infrastructure: Roads; Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

Context: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has released its first-ever Annual Report on the National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) for the year 2025–26. This report is a result of a collaboration between NHAI and the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO.

What is the NH-GCI?

The Green Cover Index is a technology-driven, quantitative assessment of plantations within the Right of Way (RoW) along the National Highways.

• • Measurement: It uses high-resolution satellite sensors from ISRO to detect chlorophyll content, providing an objective measure of vegetation on both the left and right sides of the highways.
  • Metric: The NH-GCI is reported as a percentage value representing the proportion of land covered by green cover.
  • Granularity: The data is analyzed at a high resolution of one kilometre stretches.

Scope of the First Assessment (2025-26)

The first cycle provides a baseline for future monitoring:

• • Coverage: Approximately 30,000 km of National Highways across 24 States.
  • Period: Data for this report was collected between July and December 2024.
  • Framework: The initiative is part of a three-year MoU signed in January 2024 between NHAI and NRSC-ISRO.

Strategic Significance

This index represents a “macro-level” estimation mechanism that replaces traditional, manual, and time-consuming surveys.

1. Macro-Level Monitoring: Offers a robust, cost-effective, and time-efficient way to track the “Green Transformation” of the highway network.

2. Comparative Analysis: The findings will allow for ranking of highway stretches and states based on their greening efforts.

3. Targeted Interventions: Identifies specific areas with low green cover, enabling NHAI to plan precise plantation drives and maintenance.

4. Environmental Accountability: Reflects a commitment to environmental sustainability and carbon sequestration by tracking the actual health (chlorophyll) of the plantations.

UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check

Feature	Details
Partnership	NHAI + NRSC (ISRO).
Technology	Satellite-based detection of chlorophyll content.
RoW	Right of Way (The total land area acquired for the highway).
Unit of analysis	Every one kilometre.
Status	First-of-its-kind quantitative report.

Conclusion:

The NH-GCI is a leap from “counting saplings” to “measuring green health.” By leveraging space technology to monitor every kilometer of the highway network, NHAI is ensuring that the “Green Highways Policy” is backed by objective, scientific data, making the mission of a sustainable, carbon-neutral road network a measurable reality.

 

Topic 6: Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN)

GS Paper 2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; Mechanisms, laws, institutions, and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) provided an update on the implementation of the skilling and entrepreneurship component of the PM JANMAN scheme, specifically focusing on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

About PM JANMAN Mission

Launched in early 2024, the mission is a whole-of-government effort to saturate PVTG households and habitations with basic facilities.

• • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA).
  • Scope: 11 critical interventions across 9 line Ministries.
  • Target: Enhancing the socio-economic conditions of PVTGs through safe housing, clean water, education, health, and connectivity.

Role of Ministry of Skill Development (MSDE)

The MSDE is responsible for the skill and entrepreneurship development component, primarily through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs).

• • Implementation Agencies: * National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD).
    • Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE).
  • Collaborator: Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
  • Operational Goal: Operationalize 500 VDVKs by 31.03.2026, covering over 41,000 members.

Current Progress (as of 28.02.2026)

The mission is nearing its operational targets for the first phase:

• • Operational VDVKs: 489 out of the target 500.
  • Members Trained: 38,391 PVTG members have completed the Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP).
  • Focus on Women (Andhra Pradesh): In the districts of Eluru, ASR, Parvathipuram Manyam, and Srikakulam, 5,135 tribal women have been trained and benefited.

11 Critical Interventions & Ministries

PM JANMAN ensures convergence of multiple schemes to reach remote tribal hamlets:

Intervention	Related Scheme	Ministry
Pucca Houses	PMAY-Gramin	Rural Development
Piped Water	Jal Jeevan Mission	Jal Shakti
Mobile Medical Units	National Health Mission	Health & Family Welfare
Electrification	RDSS / Solar Power	Power / MNRE
Skill Development	VDVKs / PMKVY	Skill Dev. & Tribal Affairs
Connectivity	PMGSY (Roads) / USOF (Mobile)	Rural Dev. / Communication

State-wise Performance Highlights

• • Highest Target States: Madhya Pradesh (83 VDVKs), Andhra Pradesh (73), and Rajasthan (50).
  • Saturation: States like Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Telangana have achieved 100% operationalization of their targeted VDVKs.
  • Rajasthan: Leads in the absolute number of members trained (8,659 members).

UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check

Feature	Details
PVTG	Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (75 groups identified in India based on Dhebar Commission criteria).
VDVK	Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (Market-linked tribal producer companies).
NIESBUD	Located in Noida; focuses on entrepreneurship training.
IIE	Located in Guwahati; focuses on Northeast and tribal skilling.
TRIFED	Acts as the coordinator for tools and mobilization of VDVKs.

Conclusion:

PM JANMAN is moving from a “policy announcement” to a “measurable transformation” at the grassroots by linking traditional forest knowledge with modern entrepreneurship through VDVKs.

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