Daily Current Affairs

WHAT IS THE NEWS? The Indian Air Force hosted the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 26 September to 12 October 2026. The multinational exercise (theme: 'Power in Partnership') included seven Friendly Foreign Countries (Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, UAE and USA) and 32 observer nations. KEY FACTS - Date of PIB release: 12 October 2026 (Posted at 5:42 PM). - Participants: Seven Friendly Foreign Countries as named above; 32 observer nations. - Scope: Complex joint missions involving combat, transport, surveillance and air-to-air refuelling; industrial tours, professional exchanges and cultural interactions (International Night, yoga, heritage visits). - Indigenous platforms showcased: LCA Tejas and LCH Prachand, illustrating defence indigenisation (Aatmanirbharta). - Public outreach: Open Day drew more than 20,000 visitors. - Strategic context: Exercise builds interoperability, showcases India’s aerospace capability and supports defence diplomacy; release references operational relevance from 'Operation Sindoor'. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? - Defence diplomacy & interoperability: Multinational exercises build trust, interoperability and shared best practices among air forces — important for regional security architecture and crisis response. - Atmanirbharta in defence: Participation and display of indigenous platforms (Tejas, Prachand) underscore India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing and operational employment of home-grown systems. - Public engagement: Large public outreach strengthens civil–military linkages and national narrative on modernisation of armed forces. UPSC PRELIMS ANGLE - Remember: Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 (IAF) ran at Jodhpur from 26 Sep–12 Oct 2026; seven Friendly Foreign Countries participated (Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, UAE, USA) and 32 observer nations. - Facts for prelims: inclusion of indigenous platforms LCA Tejas and LCH Prachand; Open Day attendance >20,000 — useful for quick factual recall. UPSC MAINS ANGLE - International Relations & Strategic Studies (GS Paper II/III): Use Tarang Shakti as an example to discuss India’s defence diplomacy, strategic partnerships, and balancing relations through military cooperation without formal alliances. - Security and governance: Exercise illustrates readiness, jointness among services and civil–military coordination; relate to national security strategy, force modernisation and defence industrial policy (Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing). - Socio-political dimension: Public outreach and cultural engagement show soft-power elements of military diplomacy and domestic legitimacy of expenditure on defence modernisation. KEY TAKEAWAYS - Tarang Shakti 2026 highlights India’s growing role as a security partner and a platform for defence cooperation. - The exercise combines operational training, industry exposure and public diplomacy — a multidimensional tool for strategic engagement. - Showcases progress in indigenous aerospace platforms, reinforcing the government’s self-reliance objectives in defence.

WHAT IS THE NEWS? Prime Minister Dhan‑Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) completed one year since its formal launch on 11 October 2025. The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare held an event on 12 October 2026 to mark the anniversary, reviewed year‑one progress and recognised best-performing districts under the scheme. KEY FACTS - Date of PIB release: 12 October 2026 (Posted at 4:11 PM). - Event attendance: More than 370 delegates including Union Ministers, Secretaries, Central Nodal Officers, District Collectors, KVK scientists and progressive farmers. - Best-performing districts (overall): 1) Gaya (Bihar) 2) Nagaur (Rajasthan) 3) Umaria (Madhya Pradesh). - Scheme design: District-centric approach covering 100 identified districts (selected for low productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement); monitors performance on 121 indicators through a dedicated dashboard with monthly rankings. - Objectives and focus areas: Enhance productivity, increase cropping intensity, strengthen irrigation and water management, facilitate access to agricultural credit, promote high-value agriculture, augment post-harvest infrastructure, encourage sustainable practices and improve farmer incomes. - Convergence: PMDDKY brings together 36 Central schemes from 11 Ministries/Departments along with State schemes under a convergent framework. - Campaign announced: 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' scheduled from 22 October to 30 November 2026 to promote soil health and judicious use of fertilisers. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? - Implementation model: District-centric, indicator-driven monitoring and monthly rankings are intended to encourage transparency, accountability and healthy competition across districts. - Convergence approach: PMDDKY exemplifies a whole-of-government approach by integrating multiple central schemes to address district-specific agricultural bottlenecks. - Policy focus: Emphasis on productivity, irrigation, credit and post-harvest measures aligns with broader goals of agrarian resilience, income enhancement and supply-chain improvements. UPSC PRELIMS ANGLE - Memorise: PMDDKY formally launched 11 October 2025; completed one year on 11 October 2026; event on 12 October 2026 (PIB). - Important specifics: scheme covers 100 districts; monitors 121 indicators; brings together 36 Central schemes of 11 Ministries — useful for prelims matching or governance-related factual questions. - Notable districts to remember for current affairs: Gaya (Bihar), Nagaur (Rajasthan), Umaria (Madhya Pradesh) recognised as best-performing. UPSC MAINS ANGLE - Governance & public policy (GS Paper II/III): Discuss PMDDKY as a case of targeted, district-level intervention to tackle structural agricultural weaknesses — use to evaluate decentralised planning, inter-governmental coordination and outcome-oriented benchmarks. - Agriculture & rural development (GS Paper III): Analyse how convergence of schemes, focus on irrigation, credit and post-harvest infrastructure can influence productivity and farm incomes; weigh implementation challenges (state capacity, extension, credit access, market linkages). - Environment & sustainability: 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' emphasis on soil health and judicious fertiliser use connects to sustainable agriculture and long-term natural resource management. KEY TAKEAWAYS - PMDDKY’s first year focused on setting foundations; second-year emphasis is on measurable, outcome-oriented implementation at district level. - District monitoring (121 indicators) and convergence of central schemes are central to the programme’s implementation strategy. - Scheme highlights link to wider themes: agricultural productivity, irrigation, credit, post-harvest infrastructure and sustainable farming practices (relevant for policy answers and case studies).