1 .Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 – Ornamental Fisheries Development
Syllabus Mapping:GS III: Fisheries • Blue Economy • Aquaculture • Coastal & Island Economy • Sustainable Development
- Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 is the Strategic Action Plan for development of India’s ornamental fisheries sector, to be released at Agatti, Lakshadweep.
- The Action Plan aims to provide a uniform framework for scientific management, biosecurity, quality assurance and regulatory compliance across the ornamental fisheries value chain.
- It will standardise practices related to broodstock management, breeding, hatchery operations, quarantine, health management, traceability, handling, transport and trade.
- Ornamental fisheries have potential for livelihood generation, exports and value addition, while ensuring conservation of marine ecosystems.
- Lakshadweep has been identified as having significant potential in marine ornamental fisheries and sustainable blue-economy activities.
- India’s marine resource base includes a coastline of ~11,099 km and EEZ of ~24 lakh sq. km; marine fisheries potential within the EEZ is estimated at 6 lakh MT.
- Lakshadweep’s EEZ is nearly 4 lakh sq. km, about 17% of India’s total EEZ, with a lagoon area of over 4,200 sq. km.
- Lakshadweep has significant tuna resources, particularly Yellowfin Tuna and Skipjack Tuna, which form the backbone of its marine fisheries.
- Lakshadweep has been notified as a dedicated Seaweed Cluster to promote cultivation, processing, value addition and market linkages.
- Government’s fisheries strategy increasingly focuses on cluster-based, value-chain-oriented development, sustainable marine resource utilisation and Blue Economy.
- India exported seafood worth around ₹73,890 crore in FY 2025–26, highlighting the sector’s importance for exports, employment and livelihoods.
2. Integrated Fertilizer Management System (iFMS) – Data-Driven Fertilizer Management
Syllabus Mapping:GS III: Agriculture • Fertilizer Subsidy • Agricultural Inputs • DBT • Digital Governance
- Integrated Fertilizer Management System (iFMS) is the digital backbone of India’s fertilizer management, developed and technically supported by NIC for the Department of Fertilizers.
- iFMS integrates the fertilizer supply chain covering production, imports, movement, stocks, retail sales and subsidy processing.
- It covers 14+ crore Aadhaar-linked buyers, 5 lakh+ retailers and around 7 crore MT annual fertilizer transactions.
- Meri Fasal Mera Byora (MFMB) integration and subsequent linkage with AgriStack enable fertilizer purchases to be connected with farmer, land and crop information.
- Framework for Fertilizer Sale (FFS): integrates a mobile-based fertilizer booking system with the existing iFMS Point of Sale (PoS)
- Under FFS, fertilizer booking is linked to the farmer’s AgriStack ID, with verification of land and ownership details; a QR-based booking is generated for purchase at PoS.
- This enables analysis of fertilizer consumption per hectare, crop-wise/product-wise use and landholding-wise consumption, supporting more targeted fertilizer management.
- Vehicle Location Tracking System (VLTS) strengthens digital monitoring of fertilizer movement from dispatch to destination, helping identify delays and unusual movement.
- iFMS also supports fertilizer subsidy processing, with subsidy payments linked to actual sales recorded through the PoS network.
3. Aranmula Uthrittathi Vallamkali – Kerala’s Cultural Heritage
Syllabus Mapping:GS I: Indian Culture • Art & Culture • Festivals • GI Tags
- Aranmula Uthrittathi Vallamkali is a traditional boat race of Kerala, held on the River Pamba and associated with Onam and the sacred tradition of Vallasadya.
- The race features decorated Palliyodams, with 100+ oarsmen rowing in coordinated rhythm, reflecting teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship.
- Vallasadya is a traditional ceremonial feast associated with the Sree Parthasarathy Temple, Aranmula, and the Palliyodams.
- Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple is an important Vaishnavite religious and cultural centre, dedicated to Lord Krishna in his Parthasarathy form.
- Aranmula Kannadi is a GI-tagged traditional metal mirror from Aranmula, known for its distinctive manufacturing technique and craftsmanship. It is made using a special metal alloy and differs from conventional glass mirrors.
- River Pamba is culturally significant in Kerala and is closely associated with the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
- Onam is Kerala’s major harvest festival, traditionally associated with the annual return of King Mahabali.
- The festival reflects Kerala’s broader traditions of boat races, temple-linked cultural practices, community participation and performing/ritual traditions.
- The “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” approach highlights the integration of development with preservation of India’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
4. “Oliy Darajali Do’stlik” Order – Uzbekistan’s Highest Honour
Syllabus Mapping:GS II: India & Central Asia • International Relations • Bilateral Relations • Cultural Diplomacy
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the “Oliy Darajali Do’stlik” Order (Order of Highest Friendship) by Uzbekistan for his contribution to strengthening India–Uzbekistan friendship.
- It is Uzbekistan’s highest honour for foreign leaders.
- The award reflects the deep-rooted civilisational and cultural ties between India and Uzbekistan and the strengthening of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- India and Uzbekistan share historical links through trade, culture, language, art and people-to-people exchanges, including connections associated with the Silk Routes.
- Uzbekistan is a Central Asian country and is strategically important for India’s engagement with the Central Asian region.
5. Sree Narayana Guru
Syllabus Mapping: GS I – Modern Indian History • Social Reform Movements • Art & Culture
- Sree Narayana Guru was a philosopher, spiritual leader, poet and major social reformer of Kerala who challenged caste hierarchy, untouchability and social discrimination.
- Born at Chempazhanthy, near Thiruvananthapuram, in present-day Kerala; he was proficient in Sanskrit and Vedanta.
- Aruvippuram Pratishta (1888): consecrated a Shiva idol at Aruvippuram, challenging caste-based restrictions on temple consecration; this became a landmark of Kerala’s social reform movement.
- His core message: “One Caste, One Religion, One God for Man”, reflecting his emphasis on human unity and equality.
- SNDP Yogam – 1903: associated with the establishment of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, which worked for the educational, social and economic advancement of oppressed communities.
- Sivagiri, Varkala became his major spiritual and social centre; he established a school there for deprived sections.
- Sarada Mutt/Temple at Sivagiri (1912): dedicated to Goddess of Learning, reflecting his emphasis on education.
- Advaita Ashram, Aluva: an important centre associated with his spiritual and reformist activities.
- Important works: Atmopadesa Satakam, Daiva Dasakam and Darsanamala; his writings drew on Advaita Vedanta and ethical/spiritual self-realisation.
- Aluva Sarva Mata Sammelanam (All Religions Conference), 1924: promoted religious harmony and inter-faith understanding.
- Mahatma Gandhi visited Sivagiri in 1925 and met Sree Narayana Guru; Rabindranath Tagore also visited him in 1922.
- Kerala Renaissance: his movement is an important part of the broader Kerala social reform/renaissance, alongside figures such as Chattampi Swamikal, Ayyankali and Vakkom Moulavi.
