Current Affairs, 4 January 2026

Implementing bodies

MeitY runs the scheme. C-DAC is the nodal agency and has set up the ChipIN Centre.

Design infrastructure

The ChipIN Centre provides a National EDA Tool Grid, an IP core repository, MPW prototyping support and post-silicon validation support.

Parent programme

The Semicon India Programme has an outlay of ₹76,000 crore. It covers semiconductor and display manufacturing and the design ecosystem.

Don’t confuse with DLI vs PLI: DLI reimburses design costs and pays sales-linked incentives for chip design. PLI schemes pay incentives on incremental sales of manufactured goods.

Don’t confuse with DLI vs C2S: DLI backs companies with incentives and design tools. C2S builds chip design manpower in academic institutions.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

1. 2025Mains GS3 · Q16Challenges facing India's semiconductor industry; features of India Semiconductor Mission.
2. 2025Mains GS3 · Q12Rationale, achievements, and improvements of the Production Linked Incentive scheme.
3. 2026Mains GS3 · Q12Startups' role in entrepreneurship and challenges; suggested measures to overcome them.
4. 2026Prelims Q83Which semiconductor plant and location pairing is not correctly matched?
5. 2023Prelims Q88Statements on India's PLI scheme and its beneficiaries, with explanation linkage.

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Duty on institutions

Government-funded or recognised educational institutions must ensure inclusive education, accessible infrastructure and reasonable accommodation.

DALM Project

Earlier called the Braille Press Project, it runs under SIPDA. It has given materials to 1,69,782 students since 2014.

Don’t confuse with Braille vs language: Braille is a tactile code that can write many languages. It is not a language.

Don’t confuse with RPwD Act, 2016 vs RCI Act, 1992: The RPwD Act is the rights law. The RCI Act set up the statutory body that regulates rehabilitation training and professionals.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

1. 2026Prelims Q56Which statements on the RPwD Act and Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan are correct?
2. 2022Mains GS2 · Q7Whether the RPwD Act remains a mere legal document without sensitisation; comment.
3. 2017Mains GS2 · Q7Whether the RPwD Act 2016 ensures effective empowerment and inclusion; discuss.
4. 2026Mains GS1 · Q9Understand disability and substantiate the need for an inclusive policy framework.
5. 2011Prelims Q34Which legal benefits are available to persons with disabilities, such as free schooling and ramps?

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Legal basis

The rules were notified in 2020 under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.

Golden Hour

The law defines the Golden Hour as the first hour after a serious injury, the most critical time for medical intervention.

Protection from liability

A helper acting in good faith is protected from civil or criminal liability.

Witness rights

A Good Samaritan need not give personal details unless they choose to be a witness, and is examined only once at a convenient time and place.

Hospital duties

Hospitals cannot demand payment from the helper for emergency care.

Reward

A helper who gets a victim medical attention within the Golden Hour gets ₹25,000 and a certificate, up to five times a year.

Don’t confuse with Good Samaritan Rules vs Rah-Veer scheme: The rules give legal protection from liability and harassment. The scheme gives a cash reward and certificate.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

1. 2017Mains GS4 · Q12Ethical dilemma after colleague's fast driving injures motorcyclist in accident
2. 2017Mains GS4 · Q10Ethical response when encountering an accident with injured relatives needing immediate help

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Change announced

The mandatory three-year existence condition is relaxed for deep-tech startups seeking DSIR recognition of in-house R&D centres.

DSIR structure

DSIR comprises a department, the autonomous CSIR, and two PSUs, CEL and NRDC.

Incentives

DSIR's role goes beyond certification to fiscal incentives such as customs duty exemptions.

Women's participation

Over 10,000 women beneficiaries and over 55 women-led SHGs use DSIR schemes.

RDI Fund

The ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund targets startups at a higher technological maturity; early-stage ones use schemes of DST, CSIR, TDB and others.

Don’t confuse with RDI Fund vs DSIR recognition: The RDI Fund finances more mature technologies. DSIR recognition gives R&D units fiscal benefits like customs duty exemption.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

1. 2015Mains GS3 · Q12Initiatives to propel research in premier institutes for gainful innovation
2. 2014Mains GS3 · Q10Why scientific research in Indian universities is declining; critically comment
3. 2015Mains GS4 · Q11Ethics of a pharma firm's R&D costs for drug repurposing
4. 2006Prelims Q109Who is the President of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research?

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.