1.Circular Economy in Agriculture 2.Bee Corridor 3. 80th Anniversary of the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Revolt 4.G7 Summit 2026 5. AI-Preneurs of India

1.Circular Economy in Agriculture

Why in news?

The Government of India recently highlighted the progress of the “Waste-to-Wealth” mission. The GOBARdhan Scheme has now covered over 50% of India’s districts.

About Circular Economy in Agriculture:

What is it?

• A circular economy in agriculture is a regenerative system where waste is minimized and resources are kept in use for as long as possible.
• Instead of the traditional take–make–dispose model, it follows the 6 Rs — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refurbish, Recover, and Repair — to transform crop residues, animal manure, and food waste into valuable inputs such as bio-CNG, compost, and biochar.
• It promotes resource efficiency, climate resilience, and income diversification within the agricultural ecosystem.

Key Data & Facts:

• Waste Volume: India generates approximately 350 million tonnes of agricultural waste annually.
• Energy Potential: Agricultural residues can generate over 18,000 MW of power every year.
• Market Value: India’s circular economy is projected to reach a trillion-dollar market value and create 10 million jobs by 2050.
• Food Waste: Globally, 1.3 billion tonnes of food are wasted annually. In India, nearly 60% of food waste occurs at the household level.
• GOBARdhan Progress: As of January 2026, 979 operational biogas plants are functioning across India under the GOBARdhan scheme.

Importance of Circular Economy in Agriculture:

• Reintegrating organic waste reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers.E.g. Use of biogas slurry under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) guidelines helps restore soil carbon depleted by intensive farming.
• Capturing methane from decomposing waste lowers greenhouse gas emissions.E.g. The Unified GOBARdhan Portal tracks compressed biogas (CBG) production, contributing to India’s Net Zero goals by preventing open decomposition.
• Converting waste into wealth generates additional revenue streams.E.g. Farmers in Punjab and Haryana sell crop residue for ex-situ management instead of burning it, earning extra income per acre.
• Reuse of treated wastewater reduces pressure on groundwater.E.g. Jal Jeevan Mission promotes use of treated greywater for orchards and kitchen gardens.
• Aligns with global sustainability frameworks such as SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).E.g. Biochar application sequesters carbon in soil for centuries while improving moisture retention in drought-prone regions.

Initiatives Taken So Far:

• GOBARdhan Scheme: Converts cattle dung and organic waste into Compressed Biogas (CBG) and organic manure.
• Crop Residue Management (CRM): Provides subsidies for machines like Happy Seeders and has established over 42,000 Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs).
• Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): Has sanctioned ₹66,310 crore for post-harvest infrastructure, including 545 organic input production projects.
• Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF): A ₹15,000 crore fund supporting dairy, meat processing, and scientific management of animal by-products.
• Jal Jeevan Mission & Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0: Focus on solid and liquid waste management to ensure ODF Plus villages.

Challenges Associated with Circular Agriculture:

• High Initial Investment:Biogas plants and residue management machinery require substantial capital.E.g. Small farmers struggle with collateral requirements despite AIF support.
• Logistical Bottlenecks:Collection and transportation of biomass from fragmented landholdings is costly.E.g. Short harvesting–sowing window (2–3 weeks) in stubble-burning regions limits ex-situ management.
• Technological Gaps:Advanced biochar engineering and modular waste conversion reactors are still evolving.E.g. Deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for localized agricultural energy faces regulatory and expertise constraints.
• Behavioral Inertia:Deep-rooted practices like stubble burning persist due to convenience and cost perceptions.
• Market Linkages:Limited market demand for organic manure.E.g. Organic fertilizers struggle to compete with subsidized chemical urea.

Way Ahead:

• Incentivizing Carbon Credits: Integrate farmers into voluntary carbon markets for biochar and biogas adoption.
• Strengthening FPOs: Empower Farmer Producer Organizations to manage CHCs and bio-CNG clusters.
• R&D in Bio-Innovation: Invest in engineered biochar and microbial solutions for rapid in-situ residue decomposition.
• Policy Parity: Provide organic fertilizers similar policy and distribution support under the Fertiliser Control Order.
• Awareness Campaigns: Scale up Jan Andolan to promote waste segregation and economic benefits of circular practices.

Conclusion:

The transition to a circular economy in Indian agriculture is essential for long-term food security, soil regeneration, and climate resilience.

By scaling initiatives like GOBARdhan and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, India is transforming agricultural waste from an environmental liability into a trillion-dollar economic opportunity.

The Waste-to-Wealth model will be central to achieving a sustainable and prosperous Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Prelims Question:

Q. With reference to Circular Economy in Agriculture in India, consider the following statements:

1. The GOBARdhan scheme aims to convert organic waste into compressed biogas and manure.
2. Crop Residue Management (CRM) includes financial support for machinery like Happy Seeders.
3. Circular agriculture promotes the take–make–dispose model for efficient production.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1 only(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Mains:

Q. Explain the concept of circular economy in agriculture. Discuss the role of initiatives such as GOBARdhan and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund in transforming agricultural waste into economic opportunities. What challenges must be addressed to scale circular agriculture in India?

2.Bee Corridor

Why in News?

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced India’s first dedicated ‘Bee Corridors’ along National Highways to support pollinators and integrate biodiversity into infrastructure development.

What are Bee Corridors?

• Bee Corridors are linear stretches of pollinator-friendly vegetation developed along highways.
• They consist of flowering trees and plants designed to provide year-round nectar and pollen to honeybees and other pollinating insects.
• The initiative integrates ecological restoration with highway plantation planning, making infrastructure development climate-sensitive and biodiversity-supportive.

Aim

• To reduce ecological stress on pollinators.
• To ensure sustained nectar availability throughout the year.
• To strengthen agricultural productivity through enhanced pollination.
• To promote environmentally sustainable infrastructure models.

Key Features

• Native and Nectar-Rich Plantation Mix:Plantation includes indigenous species such as Neem, Karanj, Mahua, Palash, Jamun and Siris, which support biodiversity and are adapted to local climatic conditions.
• Staggered Blooming Cycle:Species are selected to ensure flowering across different seasons, preventing food scarcity for bees.
• Strategic Spacing:Flowering clusters are planted every 500 metres to 1 kilometre, aligned with the average foraging range of honeybees.
• Climate-Sensitive Planning:The corridors are integrated into highway greening policies, reducing carbon footprint and supporting ecosystem services.

Ecological Significance

• Pollinators are essential for the reproduction of a large proportion of food crops, fruits and oilseeds.
• Creates micro-habitats for insects, birds and small fauna along transportation corridors.
• Addresses threats such as habitat fragmentation, pesticide exposure and climate stress.
• Healthy pollinator populations contribute to balanced ecological cycles.

Agricultural Importance

• Pollination enhances yield and quality in crops like mustard, sunflower, fruits and vegetables.
• Stable pollinator populations are directly linked to long-term agricultural sustainability.
• Encourages beekeeping activities, supplementing farmer income under allied agricultural sectors.

Broader Policy Relevance

• Aligns with sustainable infrastructure principles by integrating ecological design into highway projects.
• Supports climate-resilient land-use planning.
• Demonstrates the concept of development with ecological responsibility.

Challenges

• Risk of vehicular pollution affecting bee health.
• Need for pesticide-free maintenance of corridor vegetation.
• Long-term monitoring and ecological impact assessment required.
• Coordination between highway authorities and environmental agencies.

Conclusion

The Bee Corridor initiative represents a progressive step toward harmonising infrastructure expansion with biodiversity conservation. By embedding ecological services into national highway planning, India moves toward a development model that recognises pollinators not merely as environmental assets but as pillars of agricultural and economic sustainability.

Prelims Question

Q.With reference to pollinators in India, consider the following statements:

1. Pollinators are critical for the productivity of several food crops.
2. Habitat fragmentation is one of the major causes of pollinator decline.
3. Honeybees generally forage within a limited range of a few hundred metres to a few kilometres.

How many of the above statements are correct?(a) Only one(b) Only two(c) Only three(d) None

Answer: (c)

Mains Question

Q.Discuss the role of pollinators in agricultural sustainability. Examine how initiatives such as Bee Corridors can reconcile infrastructure development with biodiversity conservation.

3. 80th Anniversary of the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Revolt

Why in News?

February 18, 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the 1946 Royal Indian Navy (RIN) Revolt, a major uprising against British rule.

About 80th Anniversary of the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Revolt:

What Was the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Revolt?

• The Royal Indian Navy (RIN) Revolt was a five-day armed uprising (February 18–23, 1946) by Indian naval ratings against British colonial authority.
• It began as a protest over poor service conditions but quickly transformed into a broader anti-colonial rebellion involving sailors, industrial workers, students, and civilians.
• The revolt is also referred to as the RIN Mutiny and is considered one of the final mass uprisings before India’s independence in 1947.

Historical Background:

• Indian naval ratings faced racial discrimination, poor-quality food, low wages, and harsh disciplinary practices under British officers.
• The revolt was influenced by the spirit of the Quit India Movement and the public sympathy generated by the trials of the Indian National Army (INA) officers.
• The appointment of openly racist officers such as Arthur Frederick King at HMIS Talwar intensified resentment among Indian sailors.
• Growing nationalist sentiment within the armed forces reflected the weakening legitimacy of British rule in India.

Leaders Associated:

• Prominent leaders of the uprising included B. C. Dutt, M. S. Khan, Madan Singh, Salil Shyam, and Rishi Dev Puri.
• A Naval Central Strike Committee (NCSC) was formed to coordinate actions and articulate demands.
• The leadership symbolised cross-community unity, reflecting a broader nationalist outlook beyond sectarian divides.

Events of the Revolt:

• Beginning at HMIS Talwar (Bombay):The revolt began on February 18, 1946, at HMIS Talwar in Bombay with a hunger strike over poor food quality and discriminatory treatment.
• Naval ratings raised nationalist slogans such as “Quit India” and “Jai Hind.”
• The uprising spread to 78 ships and 20 shore establishments across Bombay, Karachi, Madras, Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata, and the Andaman Islands.
• Nearly 20,000 naval ratings participated in the strike.

Popular Support

• Workers, students, and civilians joined in solidarity.
• Hindu-Muslim unity was prominently displayed, with Congress, Muslim League, and Communist Party flags hoisted together.
• The Bombay Uprising of 1946 refers to the mass protests and street clashes that erupted in Bombay (now Mumbai) in support of the naval revolt.
• Armed Confrontation:British troops opened fire in Bombay to suppress demonstrations.
• Street battles occurred in mill districts such as Kamatipura and Madanpura.
• Approximately 200 civilians were killed during suppression efforts.

End of the Revolt:

• Political leaders from both the Congress and the Muslim League urged restraint, fearing uncontrolled violence.
• Naval ratings surrendered on February 23, 1946.
• Leaders were arrested, and the revolt was militarily suppressed.
• Despite its suppression, the uprising deeply shook British confidence in retaining control over India.

Significance:

• The revolt demonstrated that even the armed forces — the backbone of colonial authority — were no longer fully reliable for the British.
• It accelerated British deliberations regarding the transfer of power.
• At a time of intensifying communal tensions, the revolt showcased rare inter-communal unity through joint nationalist action.
• The movement extended beyond naval personnel, drawing workers, students, and civilians into coordinated resistance, highlighting the mass character of India’s final phase of the freedom struggle.

Prelims Question:

Q. With reference to the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Revolt, consider the following statements:

1. The revolt began at HMIS Talwar in Bombay.
2. It was influenced by the trials of the Indian National Army officers.
3. The revolt remained confined only to naval establishments and did not receive civilian support.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1 only(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Mains:

Q. The 1946 Royal Indian Navy Revolt marked a turning point in the final phase of India’s freedom struggle. Discuss its causes, course, and significance in hastening the end of British colonial rule in India.

4.G7 Summit 2026

Why in News?

French President Emmanuel Macron has invited the Prime Minister of India to attend the 52nd G7 Summit (2026), to be held in France.

What is the G7 Summit 2026?

• The G7 Summit 2026 is the annual meeting of leaders of the world’s seven advanced democracies to deliberate on global economic stability, geopolitical tensions, climate change, financial governance and emerging technological challenges.

Host Country: FranceVenue: Évian, France

About the G7The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal forum of major industrialised democracies that meet annually to coordinate policy responses to global economic and political challenges.Members:United StatesUnited KingdomFranceGermanyItalyJapanCanadaThe European Union participates as a non-enumerated member, represented by the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission.

Origin and Evolution

• Established in 1975 at the Rambouillet Summit in France.
• It emerged in response to the 1973 oil crisis, global recession and inflationary shocks, requiring coordinated macroeconomic stabilisation.
• Initially formed as G6, Canada joined in 1976, transforming it into G7.
• From 1997 to 2014, Russia joined, forming the G8. However, Russia was suspended in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea.
• Over time, the forum evolved from a financial coordination platform into a broader governance mechanism addressing climate change, global security, health crises and technological governance.

Key Functions of the G7

• Macroeconomic CoordinationAligns fiscal and monetary strategies among major economies to manage inflation, debt and financial instability.
• Global Governance InfluenceShapes norms in trade, debt restructuring, development finance and institutional reforms in bodies like IMF and World Bank.
• Security CoordinationFacilitates joint responses to geopolitical crises, sanctions regimes and conflict management.
• Climate and Energy LeadershipPromotes climate mitigation targets, renewable energy transitions and sustainable finance commitments.
• Ministerial EngagementsSectoral tracks such as finance, health, digital governance and environment prepare policy frameworks ahead of the leaders’ summit.

Significance of the G7

• Collectively accounts for nearly 40% of global GDP, giving it substantial influence over global financial markets.
• G7 communiqués often shape international responses to crises, including pandemics, debt distress and geopolitical instability.
• Serves as a coordination mechanism among Western democracies on issues of security, technology governance and supply-chain resilience.

India’s Relevance

• Though not a member, India has frequently been invited as an outreach partner, reflecting its growing global stature.
• India’s participation enhances its engagement in discussions on climate finance, Global South concerns, digital governance and multilateral reform.
• It also strengthens India’s positioning as a bridge between developed economies and emerging markets.

Conclusion

The G7 Summit 2026 in France underscores the continued relevance of advanced democracies in shaping global governance frameworks. India’s invitation signals recognition of its economic weight and geopolitical importance in a multipolar world. Engagement with the G7 allows India to amplify Global South priorities while advancing its own strategic and economic interests.

Prelims Question

Q.With reference to the G7, consider the following statements:

1. The G7 was originally formed in response to the 1973 oil crisis.
2. Russia is currently a member of the G7.
3. The European Union participates in G7 meetings though it is not counted among the seven members.

How many of the above statements are correct?(a) Only one(b) Only two(c) Only three(d) None

Answer: (b)

Mains Question

Q.Examine the evolving role of the G7 in global governance. Discuss the strategic significance of India’s participation as an outreach partner in the G7 process.

5. AI-Preneurs of India

Why in News?

The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog launched AI-Preneurs of India at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

What is AI-Preneurs of India?

• AI-Preneurs of India is a flagship coffee table book documenting the journeys of 45 pioneering AI startups solving real-world problems across sectors.
• It is the 7th edition of AIM’s “Innovations For You” series and highlights India’s expanding deep-tech and artificial intelligence startup ecosystem.

Aim of the Initiative

• To showcase purpose-driven AI innovation aligned with national development priorities.
• To position India as a responsible global AI contributor focusing on inclusive, ethical and impact-oriented AI entrepreneurship.
• To demonstrate how public incubation ecosystems can nurture globally competitive startups.

Key Features

• The publication focuses on entrepreneurial journeys, challenges and motivations, moving beyond purely technical narratives.
• The featured startups operate across more than 30 sectors including healthcare, agriculture, climate action, education, fintech and governance.
• Startups incubated through Atal Incubation Centres across multiple states are included, reflecting innovation beyond metropolitan clusters.

• Emphasis is placed on solutions addressing real societal problems such as early disease detection, precision farming, waste management and digital governance.
• The initiative illustrates the collaboration between government-backed incubation platforms and private sector AI innovators.

About Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)

• AIM is a flagship initiative of NITI Aayog aimed at fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in India.
• It operates through mechanisms such as Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL), Atal Incubation Centres (AIC), and sector-focused innovation programmes.

Significance

• Promotes AI for Social GoodHighlights India’s approach to leveraging AI for inclusive development rather than purely commercial applications.
• Strengthens Innovation InfrastructureEnhances credibility of India’s public incubation model in building mission-driven deep-tech startups.
• Global PositioningProjects India as a responsible AI ecosystem focused on ethics, accessibility and societal impact.
• Encourages Youth EntrepreneurshipInspires emerging entrepreneurs by documenting real-life innovation journeys

Conclusion

AI-Preneurs of India reflects India’s evolving transition from a service-driven digital economy to a deep-tech innovation hub. By documenting impact-oriented AI ventures, the initiative strengthens India’s narrative of responsible AI leadership while reinforcing the ecosystem created under the Atal Innovation Mission.

Prelims Question

Q.With reference to the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), consider the following statements:

1. It is implemented by NITI Aayog.
2. It supports innovation through mechanisms such as Atal Incubation Centres.
3. It functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

How many of the above statements are correct?(a) Only one(b) Only two(c) Only three(d) None

Answer: (b)

Mains Question

Q.Discuss the role of public incubation ecosystems such as the Atal Innovation Mission in strengthening India’s AI startup landscape. How can India balance innovation with responsible AI governance?