1 . India’s Ramsar Sites Reach 103
Syllabus Mapping: GS-III: Environment & Ecology | Wetland Conservation | Biodiversity | Climate Change
- India’s Ramsar site tally reached 103 with the addition of Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Uttar Pradesh), announced by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on 15 October 2026.
- The additions strengthen India’s wetland conservation efforts, particularly in biodiversity protection, water security, climate resilience and livelihood support.
- The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty adopted in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran, which entered into force in 1975. India became a Contracting Party in 1982.
- Ramsar designation recognises wetlands of international importance based on ecological criteria. It does not automatically confer national park or wildlife sanctuary status.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) coordinates national wetland conservation policy, while State and Union Territory authorities play important roles in site management and implementation.
- The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, provide the regulatory framework for identified wetlands and restrict specified activities that can damage them.
- The National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) supports wetland and lake conservation through measures such as wastewater treatment, shoreline protection, catchment treatment and biodiversity conservation.
- Amrit Dharohar, launched in 2023, promotes Ramsar-site conservation through biodiversity enhancement, nature tourism and livelihood opportunities for local communities.
2. Seva Sankalp Abhiyan: Rehabilitation of Naxal Violence Victims
Syllabus Mapping: GS-II: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections | GS-III: Internal Security | Left-Wing Extremism- Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed an assistive-device distribution programme under Seva Sankalp Abhiyan on 15 October 2026, marking 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public service.
- The second phase of the Divyang Seva Camp aims to rehabilitate persons with disabilities, including tribal victims of Naxal violence, through assistive devices and support for dignified living.
- The camp held in Jagdalpur from 5–7 October 2026 benefited over 3,600 persons with disabilities, including more than 1,570 beneficiaries from Bastar.
- The initiative seeks to address the long-term humanitarian consequences of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), particularly among tribal communities affected by violence and IED blasts.
- Rehabilitation involves restoring mobility, improving access to education and employment, and enabling independent living. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 provides the broader legal framework for disability rights and inclusion.
- The government emphasised that eliminating Naxalism must be followed by rehabilitation, restoration of essential services and dignified livelihoods for affected communities.
- Around 8,526 Naxalites have surrendered. Among them, 7,328 have received bank accounts, 1,620 have received reward money, 7,882 incentives, 455 jobs and 129 land allotments.
- Welfare measures for surrendered Naxalites and affected communities include 4,014 houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, skill training for over 2,308 tribal people and 6,763 new ration cards.
- Infrastructure expansion includes 2808 families receiving free electricity, 372 new road projects, 670 small bridges and Aadhaar enrolment for 48,526 people. Forty-four Gram Panchayats have received recognition under the Ilwad Panchayat Awards.
- The Chhattisgarh government is promoting regional recovery through the Bastar Olympics, Bastar Pandum, Niyad Nellanar and Chief Minister’s Samuhik Bus Yojana.
- Niyad Nellanar focuses on extending basic infrastructure and essential services to remote, violence-affected villages. Bastar Pandum promotes tribal art, cultural traditions and community participation, while the Bastar Olympics encourages youth participation in sports.
- More than 500 security camps have been established, with over 200 proposed for conversion into Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera.
3. KAUMARACON-2026 and Digital Initiatives of All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA)
Syllabus Mapping: GS-II: Health | Government Policies and Interventions | GS-III: Science & Technology | Research and Development |
- Vice-President P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated KAUMARACON-2026, the third international conference on Kaumarabhritya, and launched digital initiatives of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) on 15 October 2026.
- Kaumarabhritya is the branch of Ayurveda concerned with paediatric healthcare, including child nutrition, growth, development and disease management.
- The Vice-President called for scientific research and clinical validation of Ayurveda to establish the efficacy of traditional healthcare practices and strengthen their global acceptance.
- AIIA celebrated its 10th Foundation Day. The government aims to develop the institute on a level comparable with AIIMS through research, innovation and academic excellence.
- The Ministry of AYUSH was established as a separate ministry in 2014 to promote Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy.
- The Vice-President highlighted interdisciplinary collaboration between the Ministry of AYUSH and institutions such as ICMR, CSIR, DBT, DST and AIIMS to strengthen research and integration between traditional and modern healthcare.
- The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, established in Jamnagar, Gujarat, supports global research, evidence generation and international cooperation on traditional medicine.
- Digital initiatives launched at the event included the AYUSH Start-up Portal, AIIA–iCAINE website and Ayurveda Digital Innovation and Venture Acceleration Facility (AyuDIVA).
- These initiatives aim to support innovation, entrepreneurship and technology adoption in the traditional healthcare ecosystem.
- The Vamana App and Panchakarma Assessment App were also launched to support digital applications in Ayurvedic clinical practice and assessment.
- Vamana and Panchakarma are Ayurvedic therapeutic procedures. Their clinical use requires appropriate assessment, trained practitioners and attention to patient safety.
- An international MoU was exchanged between Maharishi International University (MIU), USA, and AIIA, New Delhi, promoting institutional collaboration.
4. TAKSHANAM: Exhibition of Indian Sculpture at NGMA
Syllabus Mapping: GS-I: Indian Art and Culture | Sculpture | Cultural Heritage | GS-III: Creative Industries | Entrepreneurship
- Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated TAKSHANAM at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi, on 15 October 2026.
- The exhibition brings together over 250 sculptures by 150 artists, showcasing traditional heritage, contemporary practices and changing forms of Indian sculpture.
- Inspired by the Sanskrit root takṣ , meaning to carve, shape or fashion, the exhibition explores the relationship between material, form, artistic thought and experience.
- It features two sections: Eminent Artists, showcasing veteran practitioners, and Open Call Artists, featuring around 80–90 jury-selected artists. Works from NGMA’s collection are also displayed.
- For the first time, NGMA has introduced the sale of artworks at the exhibition to connect artists with collectors and art enthusiasts and provide financial opportunities. The initiative addresses challenges faced by sculptors, including high material costs, specialised skills and long production timelines.
- The exhibition traces India’s sculptural heritage from the Harappan civilisation to temple sculpture and contemporary art.
- Important examples include the Harappan Dancing Girl (bronze) and Priest-King (steatite), along with sculptural traditions associated with Ajanta, Ellora and Khajuraho.
- Contemporary Indian sculptors, including Anish Kapoor and Subodh Gupta, reflect the continuing evolution and international reach of Indian sculpture.
- Sculpture uses materials such as stone, metal, terracotta, wood and contemporary industrial materials, reflecting changing artistic techniques and cultural contexts.
- The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) functions under the Ministry of Culture and works to preserve, promote and exhibit modern and contemporary Indian art.
5. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)
Syllabus Mapping: GS-II: Education | Government Schemes and Interventions | Human Resource Development | Inclusive Growth
- The Ministry of Education organised an Orientation-cum-Review Workshop on NMMSS in Bhopal on 14 October 2026 to review implementation and strengthen scholarship registration and verification.
- The workshop focused on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), application verification and coordination among State, District and Institute Nodal Officers.
- NMMSS is a Central Sector Scheme aimed at reducing school dropouts after Class VIII and encouraging meritorious students from economically weaker sections to continue education up to Class XII.
- Eligible students receive an annual scholarship of ₹12,000, supporting educational continuity and reducing financial barriers.
- The selection examination is conducted by the respective States/Union Territories, while registration, authentication and scholarship disbursement take place through the NSP.
- The scheme seeks to improve access to secondary and higher secondary education by supporting students at risk of discontinuing their studies for financial reasons.
- For academic year 2026–27, the application registration deadline is 31 October 2026. The stated objectives are 100% scholarship saturation and zero dropouts among eligible beneficiaries.
- Verification deadlines are 15 November 2026 for Institute Nodal Officers (INOs) and 30 November 2026 for District Nodal Officers (DNOs).
- The Ministry emphasised timely verification, clear responsibilities and coordination among State Nodal Officers (SNOs), DNOs and INOs to improve scholarship delivery.
