Regional AIM SUMVAAD North

Context: Atal Innovation Mission organized the Regional AIM SUMVAAD – North Edition in Mohali to strengthen incubator networks, promote inclusive entrepreneurship, and enhance State–Centre collaboration in the innovation ecosystem. 

About the Regional AIM SUMVAAD

• The Regional AIM SUMVAAD – North Edition was convened by Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, in Mohali with participation from government officials, academia, startups, incubators, industry leaders, CSR partners, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders. 

• Representatives from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi participated in the conclave. 

• The event focused on strengthening incubation ecosystems, scaling state-led innovation initiatives, and improving collaboration among governments, academia, incubators, and industry. 

• Discussions emphasized innovation-driven economic growth, startup opportunities in emerging sectors, and inclusive entrepreneurship. 

• A special session on “Incubators in Hospitals” highlighted the role of hospital-based incubation ecosystems in promoting MedTech innovation and healthcare entrepreneurship. 

• A major highlight was the launch of the Punjab & Jammu and Kashmir Incubation Consortium (PI-RAHI), aimed at fostering regional innovation partnerships and creating opportunities for startups and youth. 

• The conclave also served as a platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and strategic collaboration to strengthen India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026

Context: Recently, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change launched the website, logo, and promotional film for the 1st International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026, to be held in New Delhi from June 1–3, 2026.

About the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) 

• It is an inter-governmental global alliance launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023 during the 50th anniversary celebration of Project Tiger at Mysuru. 

• The alliance aims to strengthen international cooperation for the conservation of seven major big cat species — Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma.

• IBCA brings together big cat range countries, observer countries, scientific organisations, conservation partners, and corporates to address threats such as habitat degradation, poaching, illegal wildlife trade and lack of financial and technical resources. 

• India’s successful conservation initiatives, such as Project Tiger, Asiatic lion conservation and Project Cheetah, form the foundation of the alliance’s collaborative approach. 

• The upcoming summit is expected to adopt the first-ever global declaration on big cat conservation, titled the “Delhi Declaration”, promoting a landscape-based and cooperative conservation framework.

School Management Committee (SMC) Guidelines 2026

Context: Union Ministry of Education launched the School Management Committee (SMC) Guidelines 2026 to strengthen community participation, school governance, and holistic child development in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

About the School Management Committee (SMC) Guidelines 2026

• The Guidelines supersede earlier SMC/SMDC frameworks issued under the Right to Education Act, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. 

• They aim to align school governance with NEP 2020 by promoting foundational learning, inclusive and equitable education, and outcome-based local governance. 

• A single SMC will now function for all grades from Balvatika to Grade 12. 

• SMCs are envisioned as “school community governing institutions” involving parents, teachers, local authorities, alumni, academicians, ASHA/ANM workers, and school heads. 

• Committee size will vary according to student enrolment: 12–15 members (up to 100 students), 15–20 members (100–500 students), and 20–25 members (above 500 students). 

• Key focus areas include Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), child safety, mental health, digital transparency, inclusivity, and support for Children With Special Needs (CWSN). 

• SMC meetings must be conducted at least once every month with a minimum quorum of 50%. 

• The guidelines provide for Academic and School Building sub-committees, preparation of a three-year School Development Plan (SDP), social audit, and community resource mobilisation through parents, alumni, volunteers, and CSR initiatives. 

• SMCs will also monitor schemes such as Samagra Shiksha, PM POSHAN, ULLAS, and initiatives like Vidyanjali.

Maiden Flight-Trial of Indigenous TARA Glide Weapon System

Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Air Force successfully conducted the maiden flight-trial of the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon system off the coast of Odisha.

About the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) Weapon

• TARA is India’s first indigenous glide weapon system designed to convert conventional unguided warheads into precision-guided weapons for engaging ground-based targets. 

• It is a modular range extension kit developed by Research Centre Imarat along with other DRDO laboratories. 

• The system enhances the range, accuracy, and lethality of low-cost aerial weapons. 

• It provides stand-off strike capability, allowing aircraft to release weapons from outside enemy air-defence range. 

• The weapon system has been developed with Development-cum-Production Partners (DcPPs) and the Indian defence industries.

IIT Delhi Study on SO2 Emission Deaths

Context: A recent study by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) has estimated that effective mitigation of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions from coal-fired power plants (CFPP) could prevent over 1.24 lakh premature deaths annually in India.

Key Findings of the Study

• The study found that SO₂ emissions from coal-fired power plants contribute substantially to the formation of secondary PM2.5 particles, which are linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. 

• The researchers found that a decrease in these emissions could reduce annual PM2.5 exposure by 0.3-12 microgrammes per cubic metre and ambient SO₂ levels by 0.1-13.6 parts per billion across states. 

• According to the researchers, complete mitigation of SO₂ emissions from CFPPs could prevent: 

• Nearly 1,24,564 all-cause deaths annually, 
• Around 14,777 cardiovascular deaths, and 
• About 8,476 respiratory deaths every year in India.

• The study estimates that strict enforcement of existing emission norms could reduce coal power plant-linked SO₂ and PM2.5 emissions by more than 80% by 2030. 

• Researchers recommended large-scale adoption of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems in thermal power plants to curb sulphur emissions. 

About Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂)

• Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) is a toxic air pollutant mainly released from coal-based thermal power plants, petroleum refining, metal smelting, and transport emissions. 

• In the atmosphere, SO₂ reacts to form secondary inorganic aerosols such as sulphates and nitrates, which contribute significantly to PM2.5 pollution. 

• Exposure to SO₂ and PM2.5 is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including asthma, bronchitis, and premature mortality. 

• SO₂ is one of the pollutants monitored under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) notified by the Central Pollution Control Board. 

• India is among the world’s major emitters of SO₂, with coal-fired thermal power plants being the largest source.

Union Health Ministry Launches JANANI Platform

Context: In a significant step towards strengthening maternal and child healthcare services in the country, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the JANANI (Journey of Antenatal, Natal and Neonatal Integrated Care) platform.

About JANANI Platform

• JANANI is a service-oriented digital platform designed to comprehensively monitor and maintain digital health records of women during their reproductive age. 

• Developed as an upgraded version of the existing RCH portal, the platform creates a longitudinal health record by capturing key service delivery events across the continuum of care. 

• The platform aims to ensure seamless tracking of maternal and child health services, covering antenatal care, delivery preparedness, delivery, postnatal care, newborn care, home-based newborn and young child care, and family planning.

• Key features of the platform include:

• QR-enabled digital Mother and Child Health (MCH) cards, 
• biometric verification, 
• automated high-risk pregnancy alerts, and 
• access to nearby healthcare facilities and the expected place of delivery.

• It supports citizens by enabling timely scheduling and monitoring of antenatal care visits and immunizations, along with alerts and reminders to ensure that no critical health milestone is missed.

• The platform is designed with strong interoperability features, enabling integration with national platforms such as U-WIN and POSHAN, thereby facilitating seamless data exchange, improved coordination across programmes, and comprehensive monitoring of beneficiaries across sectors.