Current Affairs, 9 January 2026

Implementing agencies

NDLM is implemented by NDDB together with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The database is called Bharat Pashudhan.

Coverage

Over 35.68 crore Pashu Aadhaar IDs had been generated till November 2025.

1962 helpline

The 1962 app gives information on best practices and schemes. The toll-free 1962 number brings veterinary services to the doorstep through Mobile Veterinary Units.

AMCS

The Automatic Milk Collection System, built by NDDB, records milk quantity, quality and fat, and pays farmers directly into bank accounts. It covers over 26,000 societies in 12 states/UTs.

Don’t confuse with Pashu Aadhaar vs Aadhaar: Pashu Aadhaar tags animals with a 12-digit ear-tag code; Aadhaar identifies people and is issued by UIDAI.

Don’t confuse with INAPH vs INSPRM: INAPH captures breeding, nutrition and health data at the farmer's doorstep; INSPRM is the national portal for semen production and resource management.

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 · Q2Promote livestock rearing for non-farm rural employment and income in India
2. 2015Mains GS3 · Q4How Digital India helps farmers improve productivity and income, and government steps
3. 2014Mains GS2 · Q15Whether Aadhaar and NPR should run concurrently; their developmental potential

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

Full form and aim

MISHTI stands for Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes. It stresses restoration, shoreline protection, biodiversity and livelihoods.

Link to Mangrove Alliance for Climate

The mission contributes to the goals of the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC). India became an active member at COP-27 of the UNFCCC.

Role of National CAMPA

The CEO of National CAMPA presented the objectives and implementation framework of MISHTI at the workshop.

Ministry

MISHTI is handled by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Announcement

MISHTI was announced in the Union Budget 2023-24.

Don’t confuse with MISHTI vs Mangrove Alliance for Climate: MISHTI is a national Indian scheme. MAC is an international partnership on mangroves that India joined.

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. 2019Mains GS1 · Q5Discuss causes of mangrove depletion and their importance for coastal ecology
2. 2022Mains GS3 · Q18Explain causes and effects of coastal erosion and available coastal management techniques
3. 2023Mains GS3 · Q17Comment on National Wetland Conservation Programme and Ramsar wetlands in India
4. 2026Prelims Q23Which statements explain mangroves' rationale for climate resilience and coastal protection

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

Who tested it

DRDL, the Hyderabad-based DRDO laboratory, ran the test. The combustor and test facility were designed by DRDL and built by industry partners.

Earlier test

A subscale long-duration test was held on 25 April 2025.

Speed class

A hypersonic cruise missile can exceed five times the speed of sound, over 6,100 km/hr, for extended periods.

Engine principle

The engine is air-breathing and uses supersonic combustion to sustain long-duration flight.

Don’t confuse with Scramjet vs ramjet: A ramjet burns fuel in subsonic airflow after slowing the air. A scramjet burns fuel in supersonic airflow.

Don’t confuse with Hypersonic cruise vs hypersonic glide vehicle: A cruise missile is powered by an air-breathing engine throughout flight. A glide vehicle is boosted by a rocket and then glides unpowered.

Defence: Prelims tests exercises (with whom), equipment (who makes it) and firsts.

No Mains angle on this one yet.

1. 2023Prelims Q58Which statements on ballistic and cruise missile propulsion and classification are correct?

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

Who runs it

NIDMS belongs to the National Security Guard, the federal counter-terror force under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Data it holds

NSG's database has data on all bomb explosions from 1999 onwards. It will now be opened to police forces and agencies across the country.

Who can use it

It is a two-way online platform for NIA, state ATSs, state police and all CAPFs.

Link to ICJS-2

NIDMS will be added to ICJS-2, which is built on the 'One Data–One Entry' concept.

NSG origin

The NSG was established in 1984.

NSG regional hubs

NSG hubs are in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. A new hub is being set up in Ayodhya.

Don’t confuse with NIDMS vs CCTNS: NIDMS holds IED and explosion incident data. CCTNS links police stations' crime and criminal records online.

Don’t confuse with NSG vs NIA: NSG is a rapid-response force for counter-terror and anti-hijack operations. NIA is the agency that investigates terror cases.

Defence: Prelims tests exercises (with whom), equipment (who makes it) and firsts.

1. 2015Mains GS3 · Q18What ISIS is, its mission, and dangers to India's internal security
2. 2023Mains GS3 · Q19Internal security challenges faced by India and roles of central intelligence and investigative agencies
3. 2023Mains GS3 · Q20Major sources of terror funding in India and efforts to curtail them

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

Type of scheme

Samagra Shiksha is an integrated, centrally sponsored scheme for school education.

Coverage

It covers school education from pre-primary to senior secondary level without segmentation.

Link to NEP 2020

Samagra Shiksha is described as the operational expression of the National Education Policy.

Merged schemes

Launched in 2018-19, it subsumed Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan and Teacher Education.

Funding

Being centrally sponsored, cost is shared between the Centre and States, with a different ratio for the North-Eastern and Himalayan States.

Don’t confuse with Samagra Shiksha vs Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan covered only elementary education; Samagra Shiksha covers pre-primary to Class XII and absorbed it.

Don’t confuse with Samagra Shiksha vs NEP 2020: NEP 2020 is the policy framework; Samagra Shiksha is the scheme through which the Centre funds much of its school-level implementation.

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. 2020Mains GS2 · Q18Whether NEP 2020 conforms to SDG-4 and restructures education
2. 2022Mains GS2 · Q18Whether RTE Act 2009 promotes incentive-based children's education adequately
3. 2013Mains GS2 · Q12Critically evaluate restructuring of centrally sponsored schemes for vulnerable sections
4. 2006Prelims Q94Which statements on RTE, SSA computer education, and Concurrent List are correct
5. 2017Prelims Q88Purpose of Vidyanjali Yojana for school education support

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

Four-tier structure

NCORD has Apex, Executive, State and District level committees.

Who heads each tier

Home Secretary heads the Apex committee, the MHA Special Secretary the Executive committee, Chief Secretaries the State committees and District Magistrates the District committees.

Purpose and year

NCORD was set up in 2016 to improve coordination among states, the MHA and stakeholders on drugs.

Three-pronged approach

Ruthless action on the drug supply chain, a strategic approach to demand reduction and a humane approach to harm reduction.

Don’t confuse with NCB vs NCORD: NCB is an enforcement agency under MHA. NCORD is a coordination mechanism with four tiers that NCB organises.

Don’t confuse with NCORD vs NAPDDR: NAPDDR is the Social Justice Ministry's demand-reduction plan. NCORD is the MHA's enforcement coordination structure.

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. 2024Mains GS3 · Q9Explain narco-terrorism as a threat and suggest counter-measures.
2. 2018Mains GS3 · Q20Drug trafficking linkages with gunrunning, money laundering, human trafficking; counter-measures.
3. 2019Mains GS4 · Q11Ethical dilemma of officer amid narcotics menace and political patronage in frontier state.
4. 2024Prelims Q34Which activities involve identifying narcotics on passengers or aircraft?

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