The Daily Digest

UPSC

West Bank Settlements: Israel

Recently, the Israel's Supreme Court has rejected a petition against the eviction of more than 1,000 Palestinian inhabitants of a rural part of the occupied West Bank in an area which Israel has designated for military…
Bilateral Groupings & Agreements Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India's Interests For Prelims: Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Golan Heights For Mains: Arab-Israeli War (194…
Recently, tensions flared up again at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque between the Palestinians and Israeli police.

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

BBNJ Agreement Enters Into Force

The world’s first legally binding global treaty to protect marine biodiversity in international waters the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement came into force on 17th January 2026
International Treaties & Agreements The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement , the world’s first legally binding treaty to protect marine biodiversity in international waters , came into force on 1…
BBNJ Agreement: Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) , adopted under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982 .

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

International Criminal Court (ICC)

The International Criminal Court faces renewed pressure as the U.S. targets the Court and Venezuela and Chad announce withdrawals from the Rome Statute.
Bilateral Groupings & Agreements The International Criminal Court (ICC) is facing renewed pressure after the United States launched measures against the Court, including sanctions on ICC officials and efforts to encoura…
The developments have renewed concerns over the legitimacy, universality and effectiveness of the international criminal justice system .

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) 2026

SIMBEX-2026, the 33rd edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise, is being held at Visakhapatnam to strengthen naval cooperation and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests Recently, the 33 rd edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-2026) commenced at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh , with th…
Origin: Initiated in 1994 as Exercise Lion King , SIMBEX is one of the Indian Navy's longest-running bilateral maritime exercises, conducted annually without interruption, including during the COVID-19 pandemic through…

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

Fair International Law: Navigating the Authoritarian Challenge

The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to Navi Pillay highlights the importance of a fair, rights-based international legal order amid global conflicts, violations of the UN Charter and the rise of Authoritarian International Law
International Treaties & Agreements Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests Important International Institutions For Prelims: 2026 Nobel Peace Prize , United Nations Charter , Internati…
The awarding of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to South African jurist Navi Pillay (former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights) has arrived at a critical geopolitical juncture.

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

Tuna Export Hub in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The government hopes that tuna fishing, processing, and exports can provide substantial employment opportunities for local communities, especially for fishermen, workers in processing units, and entrepreneurs in related…
Government Policies & Interventions Environmental Pollution & Degradation Recently, the Fisheries Department plans to develop the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands as a tuna export hub.
The global tuna market is worth USD 41.94 billion and the Indian Ocean is considered the second-largest tuna region , producing 21% of the world's tuna.

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

18th G20 Summit in New Delhi

The 18th G20 Summit was hosted in New Delhi, India, highlighting global challenges and opportunities.
Important International Institutions Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests For Prelims: African Union , Global Biofuels Alliance, Financial Inclusion Document, World Bank, India – Mid…
The summit was the first time India hosted the G20 Leaders' Summit.

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

CAG Report on National Social Assistance Programme

Comptroller and Auditor General of India report exposes irregularities in implementation, impacting financial aid to vulnerable groups in India.
Issues Arising Out of Design & Implementation of Policies Government Policies & Interventions For Prelims: National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) For Mains: Significa…
A recent report on the performance audit of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) from 2017-18 to 2020-21" by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has revealed several irregularities and lapses i…

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

UNCLOS

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an international agreement that establishes guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources
Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India's Interests For Prelims: Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone, UNCLOS For Mains: UNCLOS and maritime disputes such as in the South China Sea and East China Sea.
Recently, India reiterated its support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

India's Highest High Court Bench Inaugurated in Leh

Chief Justice of India inaugurated the Ladakh Bench of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court in Leh, making it India's highest-altitude High Court bench at 3,500 metres
Chief Justice of India (CJI) inaugurated the permanent Ladakh Bench of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court in Leh, at an altitude of approximately 3,500 metres , making it India's highest-altitude High Court ben…
Establishment: The bench was established under the Union Territory of Ladakh (Sitting of Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh in Ladakh) Regulation, 2026, promulgated by the President under Article 2…

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

INS Tarkash Participates in IBSAMAR IX 2026

INS Tarkash will participate in IBSAMAR IX 2026 in South Africa, a trilateral naval exercise aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation, interoperability and security in the Indian Ocean Region
Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests The Indian Navy ' s frontline guided-missile stealth frigate INS Tarkash is on an overseas deployment to South Africa to participate in the ninth…
About IBSAMAR: It is a biennial trilateral maritime exercise involving the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa under the IBSA framework , conducted since 2008 to promote joint training and the exchange of operation…

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

World Food Day and 80th Anniversary of FAO

On the occasion of World Food Day and Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) 80th anniversary, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare highlighted India’s journey from food deficiency to self-sufficiency
Important International Institutions On the occasion of World Food Day and Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) 80 th anniversary , the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare highlighted India’s journey from foo…
World Food Day, marks the founding of the UN’s FAO on 16 th October 1945.

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

WTO’s Appellate Body

The Appellate Body, set up in 1995, is a standing committee of seven members with a limited four year term that presides over appeals against judgments passed in trade-related disputes brought by WTO members.
Bilateral Groupings & Agreements For Prelims: World Trade Organization, WTO’s Appelate Body, Anti-dumping Duties For Mains: Issues with the WTO’s appellate Body and Implications There was no discussion to revive the Wor…
About: WTO was established to provide a platform for negotiations for liberating trade and creating rules, as well as to monitor and administer multilateral trades.

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

India Rejects PCA’s Decision on the Indus Waters Treaty

India has rejected the May 2026 award issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague on maximum pondage limits for hydroelectric projects on the Indus river system.
Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests India has rejected the May 2026 award issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague regarding the “maximum pondage” (water stor…
India reiterated that the tribunal is “illegally constituted” and maintained that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) , 1960, remains in abeyance following the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack.

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

UN Human Rights Council

UN Human Rights Council
Important International Institutions Recently, the United States announced that it would rejoin the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council that it left in 2018.
The USA will return to the Council as an observer with the aim of seeking election as a full member.

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

UN Principles for People with Disabilities

UN Principles for People with Disabilities
Government Policies & Interventions The United Nations (UN) has released its first-ever guidelines on access to social justice for People with Disabilities (PwD) to make it easier for them to access justice systems arou…
The guidelines outline a set of 10 principles and detail the steps for implementation.

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

Bharat Pavilion Showcases Indian Water Technologies at WETEX 2026

Indian companies showcased indigenous water treatment and environmental technologies at WETEX 2026 in Dubai under the Bharat Pavilion to promote services exports and strengthen international partnerships
Bilateral Groupings & Agreements Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology Recently, Indian companies showcased indigenous water treatment, environmental and sustainability technologies at the Water, Energy, Techn…
About WETEX: The 28th edition of a major international exhibition organised by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), focusing on water, energy, technology and environmental sustainability.

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

IISER Develops Solid Material for Hydrogen and Methane Production

IISER Thiruvananthapuram researchers developed a solid compound that can release hydrogen and methane at relatively low temperatures, offering a possible new approach to fuel-gas storage
Environmental Pollution & Degradation Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Thiruvananthapuram , developed a solid compound that releases hydrogen and methane when heated.
The compound, called magnesium hydridomethylzincate , is made of magnesium, zinc, hydrogen and carbon and remains solid at room temperature.

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

Anti-Submarine Warfare Launch

Malpe and Mulki, part of the Eight Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Craft (SWC) project of the Indian Navy were launched in Kochi.
Scientific Innovations & Discoveries Various Security Forces & Agencies & Their Mandate Recently, Malpe and Mulki , the fourth and fifth ships of the Eight Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Craft (SWC) project…
INS Mahe, INS Malvan, and INS Mangrol were unveiled in 2023.

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

Export Promotion Mission

The Government launched the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to boost MSME and labour-intensive exports
Government Policies & Interventions For Prelims: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises , Directorate General of Foreign Trade , Niryat Protsahan & Niryat Disha, For Mains: Growth & Development, Transforming India’s Export…
The Government of India has approved the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) , aiming to boost exports—especially from Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) labour-intensive sectors and low-export-intensity regions.

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana

The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for 2026–27 to 2030–31
Government Policies & Interventions Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation and renaming of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) as the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana , along with revisi…
About: Originally launched as the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) on 15th August 1995 , it provides financial assistance to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households facing old age, widowhood, disability or the de…

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

Make in India

Make in India aims to transform the country into a leading global manufacturing and investment destination.
Government Policies & Interventions For Prelims: Make in India, Foreign Direct Investment, Ease of Doing Business, Production Linked Incentive (PLI), National Single Window System (NSWS), One-District-One-Product (ODOP)…
These conditions were in violation of the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order, 2017, issued to protect the interests of local suppliers and to promote manufacturing and production of goods and service…

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

Navi Pillay Awarded Nobel Peace Prize 2026

South African jurist and human rights champion of Indian descent (Tamil Nadu), Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize
South African jurist and human rights champion of Indian descent (Tamil Nadu), Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, was named the recipient of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize .
However, the historic announcement was immediately overshadowed by a major geopolitical development.

drishtiias.com22d ago

UPSC

The Bay of Bengal as India’s SHANTI Anchor

India has proposed the Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity (SHANTI) framework while launching its candidature for the UN Security Council (UNSC) 2028–29 term.
Government Policies & Interventions For Prelims: UN Security Council , Bay of Bengal , MAHASAGAR , SAGAR , BIMSTEC , Golden Triangle For Mains: India's Maritime Security Strategy and Indo-Pacific Policy, SHANTI Framewor…
SHANTI provides a normative framework for shared maritime spaces, with the Bay of Bengal serving as the ideal region to operationalise it before expanding it across the wider Indo-Pacific.

drishtiias.com22d ago

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