Phase-II of VVP to be launched on February 20, 2025 from Assam’s Cachar district by Union Minister of Home Affairs. 

About VVP

• Aim: to saturate all villages in such blocks in 4 thematic areas - all-weather road connectivity, telecom connectivity, television connectivity and electrification through scheme convergence.
  • VVP-I: Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2023 for select villages adjoining the northern border. 
  • VVP-II: Central Sector Scheme approved in 2025, covering identified villages adjoining international land borders of 15 States and 2 UTs, other than northern border already covered under VVP-I. 
• Objective: to ensure prosperous and safe borders, control trans-border crime and assimilate the border population with the nation and inculcate them ‘as eyes and ears of the border guarding forces’, crucial for internal security.

Recently, at India AI summit, Reliance chairperson committed investment to fund nationwide edge computing network.

About Edge Computing 

• Edge computing lets devices process data locally (on the device or a nearby server).
  • Only essential data is sent to the central data center, thus, reducing latency.
  • E.g. A security camera in a remote warehouse uses AI to detect suspicious activity and sends only relevant clips to the main data center, instead of streaming footage 24/7.
• Difference from 
  • Fog Computing: Fog computing stores and processes data between the cloud and edge when edge devices lack enough computing power.
  • Cloud computing: Cloud computing uses centralized data centers (more latency). 

The Science and Technology Minister announced that the government will establish Bio-AI Mulankur hubs.

About “Bio-AI Mulankur” hubs

• Aim: To create integrated, closed-loop research platforms where AI-based predictions and laboratory validation operate in a unified framework.
  • The hubs will focus on genomics diagnostics, biomolecular design, synthetic biology and Ayurveda-based research, aligned with BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Environment, Economy and Employment).
• Implementing agency: Department of Biotechnology (DBT) along with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

Recently, ‘Bharat GI’ was unveiled at India AI impact summit. 

About Bharat GI 

• It is a national umbrella initiative toshowcase India’s unique GI products to the globe.
• Launched by: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of commerce. 
• Benefits: provides stronger international recognition, premium positioning, and market access for Indian artisans and farmers.

Scientists unlocked a new cathode material enabling Zinc-Ion Batteries for grid storage

About Zinc Ion Battery

• It is a type of metal-ion battery, similar in some ways to the widely known lithium-ion batteries.
• Significance: Zinc ion battery is comparatively cheaper, more environment friendly and safer as compared to lithium ion battery 

Basic Components of batteries

• Cathode: Common materials used- Nickel, cobalt, manganese, aluminium etc.
• Anode:  Common materials used- Graphite, zinc, silicon, lithium etc.
• Electrolyte:  A solution that facilitates the flow of ions between the anode and cathode.

A UN mission in Sudan reported indications of genocide in the siege of El-Fasher city by a paramilitary group. 

About the Sudan conflict 

• Military factions: Sudanese Armed Forces (official military) vs Rapid Support Forces (paramilitary group)
• Major Places affected 
  • Khartoum  (Capital city) 
  • Darfur Region (West Sudan)- El Fasher (capital of North Darfur), El Geneina, Zamzam Displacement Camp etc.
  • Other regions: Kordofan region(capital- El Obeid), Blue Nile state
• Communities affected: Masalit, Zaghawa, Fur 

Recent scientific analysis of lion-tailed macaques shows steady primates population and, in some locations, even increasing within plantation-dominated terrains.

About the Lion tailed macaque

• Conservation status
  • IUCN Status: Endangered
  • CITES Listing: Appendix I
  • WPA Status: Schedule I and  IV
• Characteristics:  Sometimes called bearded monkeys due to grey mane around their face.; tail resembles a lion’s tail.
• Habitat:  Evergreen rainforests of southern Western Ghats (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka).
  • Nilgiri-Silent Valley landscape, the Anamalai-Parambikulam complex, the Sharavathi Valley in Karnataka and the Agasthyamalai ranges spanning southern Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
  • Two genetically distinct subpopulations of the species have been identified north and south of Palghat Gap.
• Threats:  Extensive agriculture, Urbanization and Mining, Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals Logging & wood harvesting etc.

Recently the International Energy Agency (IEA) released the State of Energy Innovation 2026 report.

Key highlights 

• Strategic Shift: Geopolitics and supply chain security are now the primary engines of innovation, alongside climate goals.
• Uneven Spending: While R&D spending is rising, public funding intensity hasn't returned to the peaks of the 1980s
• Valley of Death: Many technologies are "mature" but fail at the scale-up stage due to a lack of early-stage funding.

About IEA (HQ: Paris, France)

• Genesis:  Founded in 1974 following the 1973 oil crisis within the OECD framework
• Aim: Provides analysis, data, policy recommendations, and solutions to help countries provide secure and sustainable energy for all.
• Membership:  32 Member countries and 13 Association countries (India is an associate member)
  • To become a member of IEA, a country must be a member of OECD in addition to other requirements.

India attended Trump’s Gaza board meeting as an observer.

About Board of Peace

• It was established in January 2026.
• It originated from the US President's 20-point peace plan for Gaza (endorsed by UN Security Council through Resolution 2803)
• Objective:  To transform Gaza into a demilitarized and economically stable territory.
• Membership:  Chaired by US President with an executive board of select global leaders; invitation-based members, including fixed-term and paid permanent members.