SEMICON India 2026: India’s Semiconductor Push
Exam Relevance: UPSC Prelims/HPAS: Semiconductors, Semicon India Programme, Chips to Startup Programme and Pax Silica. UPSC Mains GS-II: International cooperation and strategic partnerships. UPSC Mains GS-III: Science and technology, industrial development, infrastructure and technological self-reliance. Why in News? Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2026 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, bringing together global semiconductor companies, policymakers and investors. The event’s theme, “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem,” highlights India’s efforts to develop a complete semiconductor value chain, covering chip
Kishau Multipurpose Project: Key Facts, Yamuna Water Sharing and Significance
The Kishau Multipurpose Project has come into focus after six Yamuna basin states signed an agreement to move ahead with the long-pending project. Located on the Tons River along the Himachal Pradesh–Uttarakhand border, the project is significant for water storage, irrigation, hydropower and Yamuna river management. Exam Relevance UPSC: Prelims | GS-II – Centre-State Relations & Cooperative Federalism | GS-III – Water Resources, Infrastructure and EnvironmentHPAS/HAS: Prelims | Mains | Himachal Pradesh Geography, Economy, Environment and Current
Himachal Pradesh Fully Literate: Meaning, ULLAS & HAS Relevance
Understanding the 95% benchmark, ULLAS, FLNAT and Himachal Pradesh's literacy achievement Source: The Indian Express | Additional inputs: Ministry of Education, PIB & PLFS Himachal Pradesh has emerged as one of India’s leading states in literacy, recording a 99.55% literacy rate under the ULLAS programme. The State was recently honoured at the national level on International Literacy Day, September 8, 2026, and now stands second after Goa, which has reported 99.7% literacy. Himachal Pradesh had formally been
Striped Hyena: Ecological Role, Conservation Status and Threats
Why in News? The Striped Hyena has recently been in the news due to growing focus on its ecological role as a scavenger, new studies on its presence in human-dominated landscapes, rare sightings, and concerns over its conservation. Experts have stressed the need for better population data, habitat protection and public awareness, as negative beliefs and superstitions continue to affect the species. Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) About: The striped hyena belongs to the family Hyaenidae. It is one of
Himalayan Glacier Collapse: Nepal Flood Lessons for India
The suspected Himalayan glacier collapse behind Nepal’s devastating flash flood has highlighted the growing vulnerability of the Himalayan region. The incident is especially important for India, where similar glacier-related disasters have occurred in recent years. Exam Relevance: UPSC Prelims GS-I | UPSC Mains GS-I & GS-III | HPAS Prelims GS-I | HPAS Mains GS-I — Geography, Environment & Disaster Management. For India, the event carries particular significance because the Himalayan states have experienced similar disasters in Kedarnath
India’s First Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs)
Recently, India launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) of India at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The Guide is an important initiative to recognise the ecological, socio-economic and cultural importance of India’s grasslands and other naturally open landscapes, which have often been neglected or wrongly classified as wastelands. What are Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs)? Open Natural Ecosystems are