1. Bharati Aur Bibo
Syllabus mapping:- GS-1: Indian History, Women in Indian History, Culture + GS-2: Women Empowerment, Social Justice
The 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2026) hosted the World Premiere of Bharati Aur Bibo.
- Educational animation series (Edutainment format)
- Focuses on inspiring women personalities from Indian history and society.
- Bharati is accompanied by a magical companion “Bibo”. Bibo symbolizes the feminine form of Bharat.
- Aims to make historical narratives accessible to children. The series profiles four real-life women icons of India.
- Ahilyabai Holkar depicts the Maratha queen’s rise from the royal household of Indore
- Rani Durgavati traces the Gondwana queen’s reign and her defiance of the Mughal Empire under Akbar
- Rani Rashmoni follows the Kolkata social reformer who challenged the East India Company, built public welfare infrastructure, and pushed reform alongside Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, including a law banning polygamy.
- Saalumarada Thimmakka, distinct in tone from the royal narratives, portrays the Karnataka environmentalist who, denied formal education and married off young, went on to plant and nurture hundreds of trees as her own children, later honoured with the Padma Shri.
2. Deuterated Compounds Production Plant and Prototype Sodium Cell
Syllabus mapping-GS-3: Science & Technology, Nuclear Technology, Energy Security.
- DAE Inaugurates Deuterated Compounds Production Plant and Commissions Prototype Sodium Cell at Heavy Water Board Facilities, Vadodara
- These facilities strengthen indigenous production of specialised deuterated compounds and nuclear grade sodium for strategic and nuclear energy applications.
- Nuclear Grade Sodium: This is an indispensable liquid metal coolant used in Fast Breeder Reactors which are a core pillar of India’s three stage nuclear power program. It effectively transfers intense heat from the reactor core while maintaining optimal pressure and absorbing neutrons safely.
- Deuterated Compounds: These are specialised materials(like heavy water and deuterated solvents) where hydrogen atoms are replaced with the heavier stable isotope deuterium. They are critical for frontier scientific research, neutron scattering and creating “heavy” variants of therapeutic drugs (deuterated drugs) that exhibit superior stability and reduced side effects in the body.
3. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee
Syllabus Mapping: GS-1: Modern Indian History, Personalities | GS-2: Polity, National Integration
- Born: 6 July 1901, Calcutta.
- Education: Son of Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee (“Tiger of Bengal”); studied at Presidency College and later became a barrister.
- Became the youngest Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University in 1934 at the age of 33.
- Joined Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha in 1939 to protect the interests of Hindus in Bengal amidst rising communal tensions.
- Member of the Constituent Assembly that framed the Constitution of India.
- Independent India’s First Minister for Industry and Supply (1947-1950).
- He resigned from the Union Cabinet in 1950 over differences regarding the Nehru-Liaquat Pact.
- Established the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) in 1951, the ideological predecessor of the BJP.
- Jammu & Kashmir Movement: Opposed the separate flag, separate constitution and permit system in J&K.
- Famous Slogan: “Ek Desh Mein Do Vidhan, Do Nishan, Do Pradhan Nahin Chalenge.”
- Died in custody at Srinagar on 23 June 1953 after being arrested for entering Jammu & Kashmir without a permit.
4. Tri-Commissioning of INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray
Syllabus mapping- GS-3: Defence Technology, Indigenisation of Defence, Maritime Security
- PM commissioned three Indian Navy ships on21st June, 2026.
- INS Dunagiri, an advanced stealth frigate, INS Sanshodhak, a Survey Vessel Large and INS Agray, an anti-submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft.
- Designed by Indian Navy’s Design Bureau and Garden Reach Ship Builders.
- The ships have over 75% of indigenous contents.
- Project 17A (P-17A)
- Project 17A (P-17A) is a programme for constructing 7 advanced stealth guided-missile frigates for the Indian Navy.
- It is the successor to the Project 17 (Shivalik-class) frigates and incorporates significant improvements in stealth, survivability, automation and combat capability.
- Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB).
- Constructed by: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai & Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata
- The project is a major component of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence Manufacturing.
- Ships Under Project 17A: INS Nilgiri, INS Udaygiri, INS Himgiri, INS Taragiri, INS Dunagiri, INS Vindhyagiri and INS Mahendragiri
5. India’s Space Odessey
Syllabus Mapping: GS-3: Space Technology, Science & Technology, Indigenisation
Government highlighted India’s space achievements during the last 12 years, showcasing the growth of indigenous capabilities, private participation and global leadership in the space sector.
- Chandrayaan-3 (2023): India became the first country to achieve a soft landing near the Lunar South Pole.
- Aditya-L1 (2023): India’s first dedicated solar mission placed at the Sun-Earth L1 Lagrange Point.
- Gaganyaan Mission: India’s first human spaceflight programme currently under preparation.
- Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS): India plans to establish its own space station by 2035.
- Space Startups: Increased from 1 in 2014 to 400+ by February 2026.
- IN-SPACe: Created as a single-window agency to promote and regulate private participation in the space sector.
- NSIL (NewSpace India Limited): Commercial arm of ISRO responsible for commercialization of space technologies.
- FDI Reforms: Government liberalized FDI norms in the space sector to attract global investment.
- SPADEX Mission: Demonstrated indigenous space docking capabilities critical for future space station and human spaceflight missions.
- NavIC: India’s indigenous regional navigation satellite system.
