UniFocus IAS ( UNIFOCUS UNIVERSAL )

IIT Madras Launches Cancer Genome Database to Transform Cancer Research in India DRDO carries out successful demonstration of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet technology Government Fixes MSPs for 22 Crops Annually Based on Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices Recommendations COOPERATIVE OMBUDSMAN INDIA - KYRGYZSTAN JOINT SPECIAL FORCES EXERCISE KHANJAR COMMENCES IN ASSAM India Joins BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies to Support Manufacturing and MSMEs

It was launched by  IIT Madras in collaboration with Karkinos Healthcare, Mumbai, the Chennai Breast Clinic and Cancer Research and Relief Trust, Chennai. The institute has made this database publicly accessible at bcga.iitm.ac.in to researchers and clinicians in India and abroad. The Research was led by the Institute’s Centre of Excellence on Cancer Genomics and Molecular Therapeutics.  It was funded under the Government of India’s ‘Institutions of Eminence’ initiative. This Genome Atlas also provides knowledge on the genetic basis of cancer progression and evolution. IIT Madras

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has carried out successful demonstration of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha at around 1045 hrs on February 03, 2026. The successful demonstration places India into an elite league of nations possessing this technology that enables developing long-range air-to-air missiles to give tactical edge over the adversaries. The Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) is a missile propulsion system that includes a thrust modulated ducted rocket with a reduced smoke nozzle-less missile booster. The thrust modulation in the system is achieved using a hot gas flow controller. The system utilises a solid fuelled air-breathing ramjet engine. It is an extremely long-range missile with a projected range of 350 km. As per International Institute for Strategic Studies, this kind of propulsion system drastically enhances the range with higher average speed. The missiles which u...

Every year, Government fixes Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for 22 mandated agricultural crops for the country as a whole, based on the recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP), after considering the views of State Governments and Central Ministries/Departments concerned. The 22 mandated crops include 14 Kharif crops viz. paddy, jowar, bajra, maize, ragi, tur (arhar), moong, urad, groundnut, soyabean, sunflower, sesamum, nigerseed, cotton and 6 Rabi crops viz. wheat, barley, gram, masur (lentil), rapeseed & mustard, safflower and two commercial crops viz. jute and copra. The Union Budget for 2018-19 had announced the pre-determined principle to keep MSPs at levels of at least one and half times of the cost of production. Accordingly, Government had increased MSPs for all mandated Kharif, Rabi and other Commercial crops with a minimum return of 50 percent over all India weighted average cost of production from year 2018-19 onwards. Increased MSP has be...

Following the amendment to the Multi State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, the Cooperative Ombudsman has been appointed by the Ministry of Cooperation vide Gazette notification dated 05.03.2024. The Cooperative Ombudsman enquires into the complaints by members of the Multi State Cooperative Societies regarding their deposits, equitable benefits of Society's functioning or any other issue affecting the individual rights. Cooperative Ombudsman is also the Appellate Authority for any appeal filed by any member against the Order passed by the Cooperative Information Officer. Multi State Cooperative Society Rules, 2002, provide a simple standardized procedure for filing of complaint/appeal. This being a new initiative, the members are continuously advised and guided regarding the procedure for filing of complaints. PIB

The 13 th   edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR, scheduled from 04 to 17 February 2026, has commenced in Missamari, Assam. Exercise KHANJAR is an annual training event conducted alternatively between India and Kyrgyzstan. The last edition of the exercise was conducted in Kyrgyzstan in March 2025. The Indian Army contingent comprising 20 personnel is represented by troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and the Kyrgyzstan contingent also comprising equal strength is represented by ILBRIS Special Forces Brigade. Aim of the exercise is to exchange best practices and experiences in Counter Terrorism and Special Forces Operations in urban and mountainous terrain. The exercise will also focus on developing advanced Special Forces skills of sniping, complex building intervention and mountain craft. Exercise KHANJAR will provide an opportunity for both sides to fortify defence ties while addressing common concerns of international terrorism an...

India joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) at an event organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi. The BCIC, launched in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), serves as a one-stop centre providing integrated support services to manufacturing companies and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across BRICS countries, with a focus on strengthening Industry 4.0 competencies. On the occasion, a Trust Fund Agreement was signed between DPIIT and UNIDO. The Agreement was signed by Economic Adviser, DPIIT, Shri Agrim Kaushal, and Director, UNIDO, Dr. Cristiano Pasini, formalizing India’s participation in the BCIC framework. The National Productivity Council (NPC) has been designated as the India Centre for BRICS Industrial Competencies. Under the policy guidance of DPIIT and with technical support from UNIDO, NPC will sp...

  The Finance Minister announced the   launch of India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0   to produce equipment and materials, design full stack Indian IP, and fortify supply chains. The focus will be on industry led research and training centres to develop technology and skilled workforce. Provision of Rs. 1,000 crores has been made towards this for FY 2026-27. ISM 1.0 has expanded India's semiconductor sector capabilities and ISM 2.0 will build on the same. The  Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) , launched in April 2025 with an outlay of 722,919 crore, already has investment commitments at double the target. It has now been proposed to increase the outlay to  Rs. 40,000 Crores  to capitalize on the momentum. In order to support the IT sector as India's growth engine and to provide tax certainty, Budget 2026-27 has proposed new safe harbour provisions for IT/ITeS with higher threshold and competitive margin. India is a global leader in softw...

  The EU and India concluded negotiations today for a historic, ambitious and commercially significant free trade agreement (FTA), the largest such deal ever concluded by either side. It will   strengthen economic and political ties   between the world's second and fourth largest economies, at a time of rising geopolitical tensions and global economic challenges, highlighting their joint commitment to   economic openness and rules-based trade . European Commission President, Ursula  von der Leyen,  said: “The EU and India make history today, deepening the partnership between the world's biggest democracies. We have created a free trade zone of 2 billion people, with both sides set to gain economically. We have sent a signal to the world that rules-based cooperation still delivers great outcomes. And, best of all, this is only the start - we will build on this success, and grow our relationship to be even stronger.” The EU and India already trade over...

  PART-A Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Union Budget 2026-27 in the parliament today. The highlights of the budget are as follows: The first Budget prepared in Kartavya Bhawan, is inspired by 3 kartavyas: First kartavya is to accelerate and sustain economic growth, by enhancing productivity and competitiveness, and building resilience to volatile global dynamics. Second kartavya is to fulfil aspirations of  people and build their capacity, making them strong partners in India’s path to prosperity Third kartavya, aligned with vision of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, is to ensure that every family, community, region and sector has access to resources, amenities and opportunities for meaningful participation. Budget Estimates The non-debt receipts and the total expenditure are estimated as ₹36.5 lakh crore and ₹53.5 lakh crore respectively. The Centre’s net tax receipts are estimated at ₹28.7 lakh crore. The gross market borrowings ...