Daily Current Affairs - 9th & 10th February 2026
- Kaushal
- Feb 10
- 20 min read
Updated: Feb 13
Comprehensive UPSC Current Affairs Summary | PM’s Malaysia Visit, BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies, FORGE Critical Minerals Initiative, Integrated Farming System Push, 16th Finance Commission, 50 Years of Bonded Labour Abolition Act, Exercise KHANJAR, National Quantum Mission & Amaravati Quantum Valley, Kavach & Frontier Science Advances, Bharat GenAI, CCUS Push in Union Budget 2026–27, IEA Electricity Outlook 2030, Lake Urmia Rain Induction and more.
If you missed Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP) | Nov - Dec 2025, read it hereTable of Content
SECURITY / DEFENCE
Prime Minister of India’s Official Visit to Malaysia
The Prime Minister of India undertook an official visit to Malaysia to deepen bilateral engagement.
During the visit, both sides issued a Joint Statement.
The Joint Statement emphasized a shared commitment to regional stability.
It also highlighted the goal of economic integration between the two countries.
The statement underscored technological synergy, meaning cooperation in advanced and emerging technologies.
India–Malaysia diplomatic relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in August 2024.
A Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) denotes cooperation across strategic, defence, economic, and people-centric domains.
Key Highlights of the Joint Statement
Strategic and Defence Cooperation
Both countries agreed to enhance strategic and defence cooperation.
A Strategic Affairs Working Group (SAWG) was established.
SAWG provides an institutional mechanism for regular dialogue on strategic and security issues.
A Su-30 Forum was also established.
The forum enables cooperation between the Indian and Malaysian Air Forces.
Cooperation focuses on maintenance and technical expertise.
This collaboration aims to reduce defence supply-chain vulnerabilities.
India and Malaysia conducted the 5th edition of the joint military exercise “Harimau Shakti”.
Both sides reiterated a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism.
They called for concerted international efforts to combat terrorism.
Energy and Climate Cooperation
Malaysian companies announced expansion of investments in India.
Investments will focus on solar energy projects.
Cooperation will also extend to green hydrogen development.
Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources.
Both countries reaffirmed a shared commitment to achieving net-zero emissions.
Net-zero emissions refer to balancing greenhouse gas emissions with absorption or removal.
The Joint Statement emphasized semiconductor cooperation.
Cooperation will focus on workforce development in the semiconductor sector.
It will also strengthen supply chain resilience.
Institutional tie-ups between research and academic bodies were encouraged.
Trade and Investment Cooperation
Both sides agreed to pursue balanced and diversified trade relations.
Semiconductors were identified as a priority sector.
The digital economy was also highlighted as a key area of cooperation.
Local currency settlement using INR–MYR was encouraged.
This mechanism is supported through cooperation between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Bank Negara Malaysia.
Local currency settlement reduces dependence on third-country currencies.
The Joint Statement reaffirmed cooperation in trade and investment.
It also emphasized collaboration for resilient supply chains.
Advanced manufacturing was identified as a strategic growth area.
Food Security and Agriculture
Malaysia reaffirmed its commitment as a reliable supplier of palm oil to India.
Palm oil is a key edible oil for India’s food security.
Both sides agreed to cooperate across the oil palm value chain.
The value chain includes cultivation, processing, and distribution stages.
Cooperation will also focus on downstream and value-added palm oil products.
Malaysia expressed support for the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
CDRI is an India-led global initiative promoting disaster-resilient infrastructure.
Regional and Multilateral Cooperation
Both countries reiterated commitment to reforms in the United Nations (UN).
Malaysia supported India’s permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council (UNSC).
The Joint Statement reaffirmed support for ASEAN Centrality.
ASEAN Centrality highlights ASEAN’s leading role in regional decision-making.
Both sides supported the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
They also endorsed India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
IPOI focuses on maritime security, sustainable oceans, and regional cooperation.
The Joint Statement reaffirmed commitment to UNCLOS, 1982.
UNCLOS is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Both countries emphasized freedom of navigation and overflight.
India–Malaysia Relations
Malaysia is India’s third-largest trading partner within ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
India and Malaysia share strong people-to-people ties.
Malaysia records the largest participation in Pravasi Bharatiya Divas events.
Malaysia hosts approximately 2.75 million Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs).
This is the second-largest PIO population globally after the United States.
Malaysia is home to around 2.9 million members of the Indian diaspora.
This constitutes the third-largest Indian diaspora population worldwide.
India enjoys a strong cultural and soft-power presence in Malaysia.
Malaysia has nearly 20,000 Hindu temples and Gurudwaras.
Indian languages continue to be widely spoken and preserved.
BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC)
India has Joined BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) to support manufacturing and MSMEs.
BRICS is a group of eleven countries which serves as a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries from the Global South.
About BCIC
Launched in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
It serves as a one-stop centre providing integrated support services to manufacturing companies and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across BRICS countries, with a focus on strengthening Industry 4.0 competencies.
National Productivity Council (NPC) has been designated as the India Centre for BCIC.
FORGE Initiative
The United States announced the launch of the Forum on Resource, Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE) during the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial.
Ministerial was hosted by US in Washington DC, bringing together delegations from over 50 countries (including India) to advance collaboration on securing and diversifying global critical mineral supply chains.
About FORGE
FORGE has been created as a successor to the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP).
MSP aimed to bolster critical minerals supply chains to support economic prosperity and climate objectives.
Objective: FORGE partners will collaborate at the policy and project levels to advance initiatives that strengthen diversified, resilient, and secure critical minerals supply chains.
Integrated Farming System (IFS)
The Union Agriculture Minister urged scientists to develop Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) for small and marginal farmers.
This focus is significant because ~89.4% of Indian farmers operate on small landholdings of less than 2 hectares.
What is Integrated Farming System (IFS)?
Integrated Farming System (IFS) is a synergistic agricultural approach where different farm enterprises support each other.
It integrates crop production, which provides food grains and fodder, within a single farm unit.
It includes livestock, which contributes milk, manure, and draft power.
It incorporates horticulture, which focuses on fruits and vegetables for higher economic returns.
It integrates fishery, which uses farm ponds for protein production and supplementary income.
It includes poultry, which provides eggs, meat, and organic manure.
It may also include apiary (beekeeping), which enhances pollination and generates income from honey.
Significance of IFS for Small Farmers
IFS enhances income security by creating diversified revenue streams.
Diversification protects farmers against crop failure and market price volatility.
This system can increase net farm income through continuous and year-round earnings.
IFS improves resource efficiency by enabling on-farm recycling of nutrients.
Nutrient recycling refers to the reuse of crop residues and animal waste as manure and feed.
This process reduces input costs on chemical fertilizers and commercial feed.
IFS ensures nutritional security for farming households.
It provides access to milk, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and fish.
This dietary diversity helps combat rural malnutrition, especially among women and children.
IFS promotes ecological diversity through scientific cropping practices.
These practices include intercropping, which involves growing two or more crops together.
They also include mixed crop rotation, which helps maintain soil fertility and control pests.
Such practices reduce competition for water, nutrients, and space.
Challenges in Adopting IFS
IFS is capital intensive, requiring high initial investment.
Infrastructure such as cattle sheds, fishponds, and poultry units adds to establishment costs.
There exists a knowledge gap among traditional farmers.
Effective IFS management requires technical and scientific skills.
IFS is labour-intensive, as multiple farm components need regular attention.
Government Initiatives Supporting IFS
The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) focuses on climate-resilient agriculture.
Under NMSA, the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) component is the primary programme promoting location-specific IFS clusters.
The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) provides financial flexibility to states.
RKVY supports diverse IFS models and required infrastructure development.
The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) promotes organic farming practices.
It encourages organic nutrient cycling between crop and livestock components.
The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan aims to bridge the lab-to-land gap.
It deploys agricultural scientists to disseminate region-specific IFS models.
The ICAR–All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on IFS is a national research initiative.
AICRP is developing location-specific IFS models across 25 states.
These models aim to optimize productivity across different agro-climatic zones of India.
16th Finance Commission
The 16th Finance Commission (FC) has made recommendations to strengthen rural and urban local bodies in India.
These recommendations cover the five-year period from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
The Commission has recommended a total grant of approximately ₹7.9 lakh crore for local governments during this period.
The grant is intended to improve fiscal capacity and service delivery of local bodies.
Challenges in Local Body Financing
Local bodies face structural revenue gaps, meaning their own revenue sources are inadequate.
Property tax collections remain low, which is a major cause of weak local finances.
Low collections occur due to incomplete and inaccurate property records.
Another reason is low coverage of properties under the tax net.
Undervaluation of properties further reduces potential property tax revenue.
Local bodies suffer from overdependence on Union and State governments for finances.
Panchayats derive over 90% of their revenues from grants, indicating weak fiscal autonomy.
There is limited access to debt and capital markets for urban local bodies.
Municipal borrowings in India are estimated at less than 0.05% of GDP, reflecting shallow market participation.
The municipal bond market remains underdeveloped, restricting long-term financing options.
Data gaps and weak accounting systems undermine financial planning and transparency.
Delays in the constitution of State Finance Commissions (SFCs) weaken fiscal decentralization.
Key Recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission
The Commission recommended strengthening the property tax base across States.
States should develop a citizen-friendly GIS-based property tax IT system.
A GIS-based system uses digital mapping to accurately identify and value properties.
The Commission proposed a rural-urban split of grants.
The aggregate grant should be divided in a 60:40 ratio between Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
The Commission introduced an Urbanisation Premium to manage rapid urban expansion.
An allocation of ₹10,000 crore has been earmarked for this purpose.
The premium aims to incentivize the merger of peri-urban villages with nearby large cities.
Peri-urban villages are rural settlements located on the outskirts of expanding urban areas.
This incentive applies to ULBs with a population exceeding 1 lakh.
The Commission recommended a Constitutional amendment to enhance its functional autonomy.
It proposed removing the requirement under Articles 280(3)(bb) and 280(3)(c).
These Articles currently bind the Central Finance Commission to make recommendations “on the basis of” State Finance Commission reports.
The Commission emphasized the adoption of best practices in fiscal decentralization.
It recommended that NITI Aayog study the functioning of State Finance Commissions (SFCs).
NITI Aayog should publish a compendium of best practices for adoption by States.
Sources of Local Body Financing
Local bodies can raise own tax revenue under Article 243X of the Constitution.
Article 243X empowers States to authorize local bodies to levy and collect local taxes.
Local bodies also earn non-tax revenue. Non-tax revenue includes licensing fees and fees for granting permits.
Inter-governmental transfers form a major source of local body financing.
These transfers include Finance Commission grants, State transfers, and scheme-specific funds.
Local bodies can access borrowings as a financing mechanism.
Borrowing instruments include municipal bonds and general obligation bonds.
The Commission highlighted the need for innovative financing mechanisms.
These include pooled financing for small ULBs, which combines borrowing capacity.
Land monetization, which involves leveraging public land assets for revenue, was also emphasized.
Ad hoc judges
Supreme Court Collegium has cleared 5 ex-judges in ad hoc role for Allahabad High Court.
About Ad hoc Judges
Article 224A empowers the Chief Justice of a High Court to request a retired judge of any High Court to sit and act as a judge, with the prior consent of the President of India.
Appointment is temporary: The person serves only for the period specified and is not treated as a permanent judge.
Jurisdiction and powers: Enjoys the same powers, jurisdiction, and privileges as a regular High Court judge while in office.
Sahyog Portal
Delhi High court said the “safe harbour” protections available to intermediaries under Section 79 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 do not shield platforms from participating in the Sahyog portal.
Section 79 grants immunity to digital platforms (intermediaries) from liability for third-party content, provided they act as neutral hosts.
About Sahyog Portal
Mission: To create an effective framework and ecosystem for the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of Cybercrime.
Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs
Functions:
Automate the process of sending notices to intermediaries by the Appropriate Government or its agency under IT Act, 2000.
Facilitate removal or disabling of access to any information, data or communication link being used to commit an unlawful act.
Bring together all Authorized Agencies and all the intermediaries on one platform.
50 Years of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
India marks 50 years of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 (BLSA).
The Act was enacted in February 1976.
The legislation represented a major milestone in advancing equality and human dignity in Indian society.
Constitutional and Legal Framework Against Bonded Labour
The Indian Constitution prohibits bonded labour through multiple fundamental rights.
Article 21 guarantees the right to life with dignity, which includes freedom from forced labour.
Article 23 explicitly prohibits traffic in human beings and forced labour.
Article 24 prohibits child labour in hazardous occupations, which often overlaps with bonded labour.
The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 provides the primary statutory framework.
Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 criminalizes trafficking and forced labour.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 replaced the Indian Penal Code to modernize criminal law.
Key Provisions of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
The Act completely abolished the bonded labour system in India.
It declared all forms of bonded labour illegal and unenforceable.
The Act cancelled all existing bonded debts.
It mandated the immediate release and freedom of all bonded labourers.
The Act provides protection from eviction for freed bonded labourers.
This protection applies to lands that bonded labourers occupied prior to release.
The Act mandates district-level enforcement mechanisms.
District Magistrates are designated as the primary implementing authorities.
Vigilance Committees assist in identification, release, and rehabilitation of bonded labourers.
The Act emphasizes rehabilitation as a core obligation of the State.
Rehabilitation is implemented through Central and State government programmes.
Support includes financial assistance, land allocation, housing, and livelihood support.
The Act provides for rescue operations through periodic surveys and special drives.
These efforts have identified and released lakhs of bonded labourers over decades.
Why Does Bonded Labour Persist Despite the Law?
Persistent poverty continues to drive individuals into exploitative labour arrangements.
The informal sector lacks formal contracts and effective regulation, enabling abuse.
Caste hierarchies and social discrimination contribute to the persistence of bonded labour.
Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities are disproportionately affected.
Official data shows only about 3 lakh bonded labourers have been freed or rehabilitated since 1978.
This figure indicates serious gaps in identification, enforcement, and rehabilitation.
Low conviction rates weaken the deterrent effect of the law.
The absence of a victim-centric approach further reduces accountability of offenders.
Eliminating bonded labour requires a coordinated multi-pronged strategy. This strategy must combine legal reforms, robust monitoring, and effective rehabilitation support. Social awareness and community participation are essential to prevent re-bondage. Sustained political will will ultimately determine the success of bonded labour eradication efforts.
Exercise KHANJAR
The 13th edition of the Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR begins at Misamari in Sonitpur district of Assam.
About Exercise KHANJAR
Annual bilateral military exercise between India and Kyrgyzstan.
Aims to enhance interoperability between the Special Forces of both nations, with a focus on joint operations in urban warfare and counter-terrorism scenarios under the United Nations mandate.
Foundation Ceremony of Amaravati Quantum Valley
The Foundation Ceremony of Amaravati Quantum Valley was recently held.
Amaravati is being developed as a major hub for quantum research and innovation.
This development is being undertaken under the National Quantum Mission (NQM).
About the National Quantum Mission (NQM)
The National Quantum Mission (NQM) is a flagship initiative of the Government of India.
The mission aims to build national capabilities in Quantum Technology (QT).
Quantum Technology uses qubits as the basic unit of information.
Qubits can exist in superposition, unlike classical bits that take values only as 0 or 1.
The overall budget allocation for NQM is approximately ₹6,000 crore.
The mission period extends from 2023–24 to 2030–31.
Aim of the National Quantum Mission
The primary aim of NQM is to seed, nurture, and scale up scientific and industrial research and development.
The mission seeks to create a vibrant and innovative ecosystem in quantum technology.
Four Thematic Quantum Domains under NQM
NQM is structured around four thematic hubs, each focusing on a key quantum domain.
Quantum Computing
Quantum Computing focuses on building machines that process information using qubits.
This thematic hub is led by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
Quantum Sensing and Metrology
Quantum Sensing and Metrology uses quantum effects to achieve ultra-high measurement precision.
This domain is spearheaded by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B).
Quantum Communication
Quantum Communication enables secure transmission of information using quantum principles.
This thematic hub is led by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M).
IIT Madras works in association with the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), New Delhi.
Quantum Materials and Devices
Quantum Materials and Devices focus on developing materials required to build quantum hardware.
This domain is coordinated by the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D).
Key Objectives of the National Quantum Mission
One objective of NQM is the development of intermediate-scale quantum computers.
The mission targets 20–50 physical qubits within three years.
It further aims to scale up quantum computers to 1,000 qubits within eight years.
Another objective is to advance quantum communications infrastructure.
This includes satellite-based secure quantum communication over distances of 2,000 km.
It also involves establishing inter-city Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) networks.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) enables encryption that is theoretically immune to hacking.
NQM also focuses on advanced quantum sensing and metrology.
This includes the development of high-sensitivity magnetometers.
It also involves creating atomic clocks for precision navigation and timing.
Another objective is synthesizing next-generation quantum materials.
These materials include superconductors, which conduct electricity without resistance.
They also include topological materials, which have stable quantum states useful for qubits.
Significance of the National Quantum Mission
NQM is a strategic and national security necessity for India.
It facilitates unhackable quantum encryption for sensitive communications.
This capability strengthens security in defence, banking, and digital infrastructure.
The mission enhances India’s global standing in frontier technologies.
It positions India among a select group of countries with dedicated quantum missions.
NQM has the potential to transform multiple economic sectors.
In healthcare, it can enable precision radiation therapies.
It can also support faster drug discovery and personalized medicine.
In the economy, NQM is expected to drive job creation.
It is likely to support quantum-focused startups and innovation ecosystems.
The mission can also boost India’s space economy through advanced sensing and communication technologies.
Phases of matter
In a study scientists observed a reversible phase transition from superfluid to supersolid for the first time ever.
It will help understand quantum phase transitions, explore new states of matter, advance quantum materials science etc.
About Phases of matter
There are four states of matter: solid, liquid, gas and plasma.
But there are other possibilities such as,
Superfluid: A rare quantum state of matter in which a fluid flows without any friction or viscosity.
Supersolids: Rare and exotic quantum state of matter that behave like a solid and a superfluid at the same time.
Almond Kit syrup adulterated with Ethylene Glycol
The Tamil Nadu government issued a notice against a batch of Almond Kit syrup.
The notice was issued after the syrup was found adulterated with ethylene glycol.
About Ethylene Glycol (EG)
Ethylene Glycol (EG) is an organic chemical compound.
It is colorless, which makes visual detection difficult.
It is odorless, which prevents detection through smell.
It has a sweet taste, which increases the risk of accidental ingestion.
It is water-soluble, meaning it dissolves easily in liquids.
Uses of Ethylene Glycol
Ethylene glycol is widely used as an antifreeze.
Antifreeze prevents engine fluids from freezing in low temperatures.
Ethylene glycol is also used as a coolant in automotive systems.
Ethylene glycol is an ingredient in hydraulic fluids.
Hydraulic fluids transmit power in mechanical and industrial systems.
Ethylene glycol is used in printing inks.
It is also used as a paint solvent, which helps dissolve pigments.
Ethylene glycol acts as a chemical reagent in industrial manufacturing.
It is used in the production of polyesters, which are synthetic polymers.
It is also used in manufacturing explosives.
Ethylene glycol is used to produce synthetic waxes.
Toxicity and Health Risks
Ethylene glycol is highly poisonous to humans and animals.
Ingestion can be potentially fatal if not treated promptly.
Automotive antifreeze is the most common source of ethylene glycol poisoning.
Such antifreeze formulations typically contain around 95% ethylene glycol.
Space Situational Awareness
Indian aerospace firm Azista Space successfully demonstrated "in-orbit snooping" (or "space watch") by capturing images of the International Space Station.
This strengthens the country’s space situational awareness capabilities.
About Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
It is a comprehensive monitoring, tracking, and prediction of man-made satellites, space debris, and natural objects (like asteroids) in Earth’s orbit.
Significance: Ensure the safety and sustainability of space activities by analysing potential collisions and enabling avoidance maneuvers.
Initiatives of ISRO:
NEtwork for space objects TRacking and Analysis (NETRA) project
IS4OM (Space Situational Awareness Control Centre) at Bengaluru.
CAR-T Cell
A new study has shown a gentler way to recover lab-grown T-cells without damaging them.
About T-cells
They are white blood cells that detect infections and abnormal cells like cancer.
They either kill diseased cells directly or activate other immune cells.
Their precision makes them central to modern immunotherapy.
What is CAR T-cell therapy?
Doctors collect T-cells from a patient’s blood.
In the lab, these cells are genetically modified to carry Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs).
CARs act like targeting systems, helping T-cells recognise cancer cells.
The engineered cells are multiplied and infused back into the patient.
Bharat GenAI
Bharat GenAI is a national artificial intelligence initiative of India.
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology announced a key update on the project.
Bharat GenAI will complete text-based AI models in all 22 scheduled Indian languages.
This milestone is expected to be achieved within the current month.
At present, Bharat GenAI supports 15 Indian languages.
About Bharat GenAI
Bharat GenAI is the first government-supported national initiative for developing sovereign foundational AI models.
Sovereign AI models are systems developed and controlled domestically to ensure data security and strategic autonomy.
These models are tailored specifically to Indian languages and societal contexts.
Technological Scope of Bharat GenAI
Bharat GenAI operates across multiple AI modalities.
One modality is text-based systems, also known as Large Language Models (LLMs).
Large Language Models are AI systems trained on vast text data to understand and generate human-like language.
Another modality is speech-based AI systems.
These include Text-to-Speech (TTS) technologies.
Text-to-Speech converts written text into spoken audio.
Speech systems also include Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR).
Automatic Speech Recognition converts spoken language into machine-readable text.
Bharat GenAI also includes vision-language systems.
Vision-language systems integrate visual inputs with natural language understanding.
Institutional Leadership and Implementation
Bharat GenAI is spearheaded by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay).
Several other academic and research institutions are participating in the initiative.
The project is supported by Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs).
These TIHs are located at IIT Bombay and IIT Madras.
The TIHs operate under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
NM-ICPS is a national mission aimed at advancing cutting-edge technologies across interdisciplinary domains.
CCUS in Union Budget 2026–27
The Union Budget 2026–27 proposed an outlay of ₹20,000 crore for Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technologies.
This allocation reflects India’s commitment to deep decarbonisation of industrial sectors.
The proposal aligns with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) CCUS Roadmap, 2025.
Sectoral Focus under the CCUS Roadmap
The roadmap aims to deploy CCUS technologies at scale across key industries.
These deployments are expected to achieve higher technology readiness levels.
The targeted sectors include the power sector.
The roadmap also covers the steel industry, which is emissions-intensive.
The cement sector is another priority due to process emissions.
Oil refineries are included as major point sources of CO₂.
The roadmap also focuses on the chemicals industry.
About Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS)
Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) refers to technologies that capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) before it enters the atmosphere.
CO₂ is usually captured from large point sources such as power plants and industrial facilities.
These facilities typically use fossil fuels or biomass as energy sources.
Captured CO₂ may be used on-site for industrial applications.
If not used on-site, the CO₂ is compressed for transportation.
Transported CO₂ can be utilized in industrial processes.
CO₂ can also be injected into deep geological formations for permanent storage.
Such formations include depleted oil and gas reservoirs.
They also include saline aquifers, which are porous rock formations filled with saltwater.
Major CCUS Technologies
Chemical solvent-based absorption captures CO₂ using liquid solvents.
Cryogenic separation removes CO₂ by cooling gases to extremely low temperatures.
Direct Air Capture (DAC) extracts CO₂ directly from ambient air.
Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) uses injected CO₂ to increase oil extraction from mature fields.
Bio-Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) combines biomass energy with carbon capture for negative emissions.
Need for CCUS Deployment
CCUS is essential for reducing emissions in hard-to-abate sectors.
Hard-to-abate sectors include cement, steel, and chemicals, where alternatives are limited.
CCUS enables least-cost low-carbon hydrogen production.
Low-carbon hydrogen supports decarbonisation across multiple economic sectors.
Achieving the global net-zero target by 2050 requires large-scale CCUS deployment.
Global pathways estimate a need for at least 1 billion tonnes per year of CCUS capacity by 2030.
CCUS helps maintain export competitiveness of carbon-intensive products.
This is crucial in the context of carbon-related tariffs such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Challenges in CCUS Adoption
CCUS technologies face insufficient technological maturity.
The cost across the CCUS value chain remains prohibitively high.
Carbon capture is the most expensive stage of the value chain.
There is limited testing and scaling of CCUS technologies in India.
Insufficient funding constrains large-scale deployment and commercialization.
Department of Science and Technology (DST) CCUS Roadmap
Phase 1: Research and Pilots (2025–2030)
Phase 1 focuses on supporting breakthrough research programmes.
These programmes emphasize materials discovery for efficient CO₂ capture.
The phase includes the creation of critical CCUS research facilities.
It also supports pilot-scale CCUS projects.
Phase 2: Scale-Up and Regulation (2030–2035)
Phase 2 aims to initiate a hub-and-cluster deployment model.
A hub-and-cluster model co-locates industries to share CO₂ infrastructure.
The phase includes drafting national Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) regulations.
It emphasizes accelerating mineralization projects.
These projects focus on basalt formations such as the Deccan Traps.
Phase 2 also aims to create linkages with carbon markets.
Phase 3: Commercialisation (2035–2045)
Phase 3 focuses on commercial-scale CCUS deployment.
It targets the development of two commercial CCS hubs.
These hubs will be located in major industrial clusters.
The phase integrates CCUS with India’s hydrogen economy initiatives.
It also aims to complete regulatory frameworks for CCS commercialization.
IEA Report on Electricity Analysis and Forecast to 2030
The International Energy Agency (IEA) released its annual report on global electricity systems and markets.
The report is titled “Electricity 2026”.
The analysis provides electricity demand and supply forecasts up to 2030.
Key Findings of the IEA Report
The report highlights accelerating global electricity demand.
Global electricity demand is forecast to grow at an average rate of 3.6% per year through 2030.
This growth rate is higher than projected global GDP growth.
The demand surge is driven by electric vehicles (EVs).
Electric vehicles increase electricity consumption by replacing internal combustion engines.
Data centres are another major driver of electricity demand growth.
Data centres require continuous power for cloud computing and artificial intelligence workloads.
Air conditioning demand is also rising due to urbanisation and rising temperatures.
The report projects a major shift on the electricity supply side.
Low-emissions sources are expected to meet all additional global electricity demand.
Low-emissions sources include renewable energy and nuclear power.
By 2030, low-emissions sources are projected to account for nearly half of global electricity generation.
Renewable energy includes solar, wind, hydro, and other non-fossil sources.
Nuclear energy provides firm low-carbon baseload electricity.
The report notes an important trend in power sector emissions.
Global power sector CO₂ emissions are expected to plateau.
A plateau indicates stabilisation of emissions without further growth.
Lake Urmia
Authorities in Iran have sprayed clouds with chemicals to induce rain over Urmia lake basin to combat the country's worst drought in decades.
About Lake Urmia (or lake Oromeeh)
Location: Situated in the Azerbaijan region of northwestern Iran.
It is the largest lake in the Middle East.
Terminal Lake: The lake has no outlet, making it a "dead end" for a large drainage system, making it extremely saline.
Water Sources: Talkheh river in the northeast and the twin rivers Zarīneh (Jagātu) and Sīmīneh (Tatavi) in the south.
Protected Status: Ramsar Site and part of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB)
National Disaster Management Guidelines
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has released National Disaster Management Guidelines on Comprehensive Disaster Victim Identification and Management.
It is India’s first-ever Standard Operating Procedure for the identification of victims in the event of “mass fatality incidents”.
It recommends creation of a ‘National Dental Data Registry’; use of “forensic archaeology” to help in identification of bodies; etc.
About NDMA
A statutory Body mandated by the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Acts as the apex body for Disaster Management in India.
Headed by: Prime Minister of India
Mandate: To lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management.
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