News 1:Centre Unveils Policy to Tackle Terrorism Threats
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
- Policy Launch: The Union Home Ministry on Monday released India’s first-ever national anti-terror policy, titled PRAHAAR, uploaded on the Ministry’s website.
- Comprehensive Threat Assessment: The policy states that India faces terrorist threats on all three fronts—water, land, and air. It notes that beyond cross-border sponsored terrorism, “criminal hackers and nation states continue to target India through cyber-attacks” .
- Critical Sector Protection: Capacities have been developed to protect critical sectors of the economy, including power, railways, aviation, ports, defence, space, and atomic energy, from both state and non-state actors .
- Ideological Stance: The policy underlines that “India does not link terrorism to any specific religion, ethnicity, nationality or civilisation.” However, it explicitly notes that India has been affected by “sponsored terrorism” from across the border, with “Jihadi terror outfits as well as their frontal organisations” continuing to plan and execute attacks .
- Genesis: Union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced on November 7, 2024, that a National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy was being drafted. The April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror incident accelerated consultations with States’ anti-terror units .
The Threat Landscape: A Three-Dimensional Assessment
| Dimension | Threats Identified |
| Land | Cross-border sponsored terrorism; Jihadi outfits (al-Qaeda, IS) using sleeper cells; local terror groups; radicalization of youth |
| Water | Maritime terrorism threats; coastal security vulnerabilities; threats to ports and offshore installations |
| Air | Drone-based attacks (Punjab, J&K); threats to aviation sector; potential for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) terrorism |
| Cyber | Criminal hackers; nation-state actors; use of encryption, dark web, crypto wallets for anonymous operations |
| CBRNED | Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive, and Digital materials—a growing area of concern |
- Cross-Border Sponsorship: The policy explicitly acknowledges that India has been affected by “sponsored terrorism” from across the border, with handlers using latest technologies, including drones, to facilitate attacks in Punjab and J&K .
- Terror-Crime Nexus: A significant observation is that “increasingly, terrorist groups are engaging organised criminal networks for logistics and recruitment to execute and facilitate terror strikes” .
B. Technological Challenges: The New Battlefield
| Technology | Exploitation by Terrorists | Counter-Challenge |
| Social Media | Propaganda, radicalization, recruitment, communication | Monitoring without infringing privacy |
| Instant Messaging Apps | Encrypted communication (WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram) | Lawful interception challenges |
| Dark Web | Anonymous operations, crypto transactions | Tracing and attribution |
| Cryptocurrency Wallets | Terror financing, anonymous donations | Disrupting financial flows |
| Drones/UAVs | Weapon delivery, surveillance (Punjab, J&K cases) | Airspace monitoring, counter-drone tech |
| CBRNED Materials | Potential for mass-casualty attacks | Detection, prevention, response |
- The CBRNED Challenge: The policy flags that “disrupting/intercepting terrorist efforts to access and use CBRNED materials remains a challenge for Counter Terrorism agencies” .
- Drones and Robotics: “The threat of state and non-state actors misusing drones and robotics for lethal purposes remains another area of concern” .
Core Features of the “Prahaar” Approach
1️⃣ Pre-emptive / Retaliatory Strikes
- Targeting terror launch pads, training camps, and infrastructure across borders.
2️⃣ Precision Operations
- Limited, calibrated military responses to avoid full-scale war.
3️⃣ Zero Tolerance Doctrine
- No distinction between terrorists and their sponsors.
4️⃣ Integration of Intelligence & Military Action
- Coordinated use of intelligence agencies and armed forces.
News 2:India a Big Contributor to Global Toxicity by Pesticides
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
- The Shocking Statistic: India is among just four countries (along with China, Brazil, and the United States) that contribute almost 70% of the world’s total applied toxicity (TAT) from pesticides—the collateral damage inflicted on non-target species including pollinators, soil organisms, fish, and terrestrial arthropods .
- Global Commitment: In 2022, at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), countries committed to reducing pesticide risk by 50% by 2030. However, a new study published in Science reveals that efforts are “not on track”—global TAT actually increased between 2013 and 2019 .
- The Study’s Scope: Researchers calculated TAT across more than 600 pesticides in 65 countries from 2013 to 2019—the first-ever global assessment of its kind. Toxicity increased in India, the US, Brazil, and several African nations .
- Crops Most Affected: Pesticides were used most heavily on fruits, vegetables, maize, soybean, rice, and other cereals .
- Outdated Law: The Insecticides Act, 1968, governing pesticide use in India, is “obsolete.” It focuses on agricultural use with few provisions for “ordinary use” in homes, hotels, construction, and transport, while India uses at least 66 pesticides that are banned elsewhere .
- New Legislation: The Pesticides Management Bill, 2025, expected to pass in March, aims to reduce environmental risk and promote biological and traditional-knowledge-based pesticides. Experts warn it could be “worse-off” than the 1968 Act without proper inputs .
Prelims 360
What are Pesticides?
Chemical or biological substances used to control:
- Insects (insecticides)
- Weeds (herbicides)
- Fungi (fungicides)
- Rodents (rodenticides)
🔹 Usage Pattern in India
- India is among the top producers of pesticides globally.
- However, per hectare consumption is relatively low compared to many developed countries.
- High-use crops:
- Cotton
- Paddy
- Vegetables
- Plantation crops
Major Producing States:
- Maharashtra
- Gujarat
- Uttar Pradesh
- Telangana
Soil-Based / Soil Condition–Based Pesticides
🟤 Acidic Soils
- Liming is done first; pesticide stability may vary.
- Copper-based fungicides often used carefully.
⚫ Alkaline Soils
- Organophosphates (e.g., Chlorpyrifos) degrade faster.
- Need careful dosage management.
🟢 Sandy Soils
- High leaching risk.
- Low-persistence pesticides preferred (e.g., biological agents).
🟤 Clay Soils
- Strong adsorption of pesticides.
- Higher persistence possible.
Government Schemes to Reduce / Control Pesticide Use
1️⃣ National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
- Promotes eco-friendly farming.
- Encourages Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
2️⃣ Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
- Promotes organic farming.
- Cluster-based organic production.
News 3: Four Die After Consuming ‘Adulterated Milk’ in A.P.
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
- The Incident: Four elderly persons have died from acute renal failure after consuming adulterated milk in Rajamahendravaram City, East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Twelve people, including the deceased, fell ill after consuming the milk .
- Victims’ Condition: Eight victims are suffering from anuria (absence of urine) and are undergoing treatment. Three of them are children aged below four years and are in critical condition .
- The Vendor: The victims consumed milk supplied by the same vendor, Addala Ganeswara Rao, who procured milk from 46 dairy farmers and supplied to 106 families. The vendor has been detained .
- Official Response: District Collector Kirthi Chekuri stated that a State-level expert team has collected blood samples from 73 families who consumed the milk, as well as samples of fodder given to cattle. Samples have been sent to the forensic laboratory .
- Ex Gratia: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh each for the families of the deceased .
- Political Reaction: Former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged “negligence in enforcing food safety norms” and demanded strict action .
Prelims 360
What is Food Adulteration?
Food adulteration means:
- Addition of inferior, harmful or cheaper substances to food
- Removal of valuable ingredients
- Contamination during storage, transport or processing
👉 It may be intentional (economic gain) or accidental (poor hygiene).
Examples of Adulteration
- Milk mixed with water or detergent
- Turmeric with lead chromate
- Mustard oil with argemone oil
- Artificial ripening of fruits using calcium carbide
🔹 Legal & Regulatory Framework in India
1️⃣ Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act)
- Consolidated earlier food laws
- Replaced Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954
- Establishes a single regulatory authority
2️⃣ Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
🔹 Nodal Authority
- Established under FSS Act, 2006
- Under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
🔹 Functions:
- Framing food safety standards
- Licensing and registration of food businesses
- Specifying Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs)
- Food recall procedures
- Risk assessment & scientific panels
🔹 Key Regulatory Tools
1️⃣ Licensing & Registration of Food Business Operators (FBOs)
2️⃣ Food labelling standards
3️⃣ Limits on additives & contaminants
4️⃣ Food testing laboratories
5️⃣ Penalties & imprisonment for serious violations
🔹 Penalties Under FSS Act
- Monetary penalty for substandard food
- Severe penalty for unsafe food causing injury/death
- Cancellation of license
🔹 Consumer Protection Angle
- Linked to:
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019
- Consumers can file complaints for unsafe food.
News 4 :What Happens to India’s Russian Oil Imports, $500-bn U.S. Import Goal?
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
- Delegation Postponed: The Indian trade delegation’s visit to Washington (scheduled for February 23-25, 2026) to finalize the Interim Agreement was postponed at the last minute. Both sides agreed to reschedule “after each side has had the time to evaluate the latest developments and its implications”—referring to the US Supreme Court’s February 20 ruling striking down IEEPA tariffs and President Trump’s subsequent Section 122 tariffs .
- Russian Oil Imports: The value of India’s crude oil imports from Russia fell to a 38-month low in December 2025, with Russia’s share dropping to less than a quarter (from 34% a month earlier). Meanwhile, oil imports from the US rose almost 31% over December 2024, at prices nearly 8% higher than Russian crude .
- The $500 Billion Target: A joint statement had outlined India’s intention to import $500 billion worth of energy products, aircraft and parts, precious metals, technology products, and coking coal from the US over the next five years .
- Key Legal Shift: With the Supreme Court striking down IEEPA tariffs, the US “no longer has any law under which it can penalise India for buying Russian oil,” according to trade experts. Any future tariffs would require legislative backing from the US Congress .
- EU and Japan Reactions: The EU stated it needs more clarity before ratifying its US deal, while Japan indicated its auto-tariff-related deal remains unaffected .
News 5 :Final Poll Rolls After SIR Show Tamil Nadu Has 5.67 Crore Voters
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
- Final Publication: The Election Commission of India published the final electoral rolls for Tamil Nadu on Monday, February 23, 2026, following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise .
- Total Electors: The State now has more than 5.67 crore (56.7 million) electors .
- Gender Composition:
- Women: 2,89,60,838 (approximately 2.90 crore)
- Men: 2,77,38,925 (approximately 2.77 crore)
- Third Gender: 7,617
- Net Change Since Draft Rolls: Compared to the draft rolls published in December 2025 (which had 5.43 crore voters), the final rolls show a net increase of approximately 24 lakh voters—achieved through inclusion of 27.53 lakh new eligible electors and deletion of 4.23 lakh ineligible electors .
- Context of Nationwide SIR: This publication follows the earlier release of final rolls for nine States/UTs (including Gujarat, Kerala, Rajasthan, etc.) where an average of 8% voters were deleted. Tamil Nadu’s numbers are now available, completing the picture for another major State .
EDITORIAL 360
India’s Energy Shift Through the Green Ammonia Route
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
- India’s Energy Vision: At the India Energy Week (IEW) in January 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi positioned India’s ambitions at the “centrestage of the global energy discourse,” highlighting investment opportunities worth $500 billion across the sector. The goal is to move from energy security to energy independence .
- Green Ammonia’s Role: Green ammonia—produced by combining nitrogen with green hydrogen—is emerging as a critical vector for India’s energy transition, with applications ranging from fertilizers to clean energy and marine fuel .
- Global Context: Strategic adoption of green ammonia is advancing across regions, including the European Union (EU), India, and South Korea. Aggregated procurement mechanisms (e.g., H2Global in EU, Korea’s CHPS tender, India’s SECI auction) are laying the foundation for a global market .
- India’s Landmark Auction: Under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) concluded a green ammonia tender in August 2025, attracting 15 bidders and resulting in seven successful awardees with 13 delivery contracts .
Price Breakthrough: Discovered prices ranged from ₹49.75 to ₹64.74/kg ($572-744/tonne) , narrowing the gap with grey ammonia ($515/tonne) and setting global benchmarks 40-50% lower than H2Global auction prices .
PRELIMS 360
What is Green Ammonia?
Green ammonia is ammonia (NH₃) produced using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels, making it a low-carbon or carbon-free fuel and fertilizer input.
🔹 How is It Produced?
Step 1: Green Hydrogen Production
- Water electrolysis using renewable energy (solar/wind)
- No CO₂ emissions
Step 2: Ammonia Synthesis
- Green hydrogen + Nitrogen (from air)
- Process: Haber–Bosch process
- Final product: NH₃ (Ammonia)
🔹 Why is It Important?
1️⃣ Decarbonization of fertilizer sector
2️⃣ Energy storage medium (hydrogen carrier)
3️⃣ Maritime fuel alternative
4️⃣ Potential export commodity
🔹 Difference: Grey vs Blue vs Green Ammonia
| Type | Source of Hydrogen | Carbon Emissions |
| Grey | Natural gas | High |
| Blue | Natural gas + Carbon Capture | Moderate |
| Green | Renewable energy | Very low |
Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT)
SIGHT is a key financial support component under the
🔹 National Green Hydrogen Mission
It aims to reduce the cost of green hydrogen and green ammonia and make India a global production and export hub.
🔹 Objective of SIGHT
- Promote domestic manufacturing
- Make green hydrogen cost-competitive
- Reduce import dependence (especially natural gas & ammonia)
- Support India’s Net Zero (2070) target
🔹 Implementing Ministry
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
🔹 Two Major Components of SIGHT
1️⃣ Incentives for Green Hydrogen Production
- Financial incentives per kg of green hydrogen produced
- Time-bound decreasing incentives
- Encourages early adoption & scaling
2️⃣ Incentives for Electrolyser Manufacturing
- Supports domestic manufacturing of electrolysers
- Reduces import dependency
- Boosts “Make in India” in clean tech
🔹 Financial Outlay
- Significant allocation (around ₹17,000+ crore under overall mission framework)
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI)-like model
🔹 Why Electrolysers Matter?
Electrolysers split water into:
- Hydrogen (H₂)
- Oxygen (O₂)
Cost of electrolyser = major factor in hydrogen pricing.
