India’s first-of-its-kind Green Forge Complex was inaugurated at the National Agri-food & Biomanufacturing Institute (BRIC-NABI), Mohali, marking a significant development in agricultural biotechnology and genetically modified (GM) crop research.

About Green Forge Complex

The facility was inaugurated during the National Conclave on BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment), 2026. It provides advanced simulation chambers that precisely regulate light, humidity and temperature.

These controlled environments enable researchers to cultivate and test GM crops under different environmental conditions, helping assess their suitability before field deployment.

Technological Integration

The Green Forge Complex demonstrates the convergence of biotechnology, advanced environmental simulation and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This integration is expected to accelerate research in agricultural and medical sciences.

India's Growing Bioeconomy

India’s bioeconomy has expanded from approximately USD 10 billion in 2014 to around USD 200 billion, supported by private-sector participation and an enabling policy environment.

Under the BioE3 Policy, 2024, the focus is shifting towards industry-ready biomanufacturing and translating scientific research into commercial products and technologies.

Infrastructure Push

The government is developing 22 biomanufacturing hubs and a National Bio-Foundry Network comprising eight specialised facilities to support start-ups, small and medium enterprises, and the commercialisation of research.

The Department of Biotechnology is also supporting around 38 Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) projects to address emissions from hard-to-abate sectors such as cement and steel.

Emerging Biotechnology Frontiers

India is expanding biotechnology research into Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), the I3 PhD programme and Space Biotechnology. Collaborations with ISRO include research on myogenesis and cyanobacteria growth experiments in space.

Waste-to-Wealth

BRIC-NABI is integrating agricultural biotechnology with bioprocess engineering to convert agricultural waste into high-value nutraceuticals and biomaterials.

Nutraceuticals are food-derived products that provide additional health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

Strategic Significance

The Green Forge initiative supports India's transition towards a low-carbon, circular bioeconomy and aligns with the long-term goals of Net Zero by 2070 and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Scientists at ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal, have developed India’s first indigenous MA-104 cell-line-based live attenuated vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF) in pigs.

About African Swine Fever

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boar. It is caused by the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV), a DNA virus belonging to the Asfarviridae family.

The disease causes high fever, haemorrhages and mortality rates that may approach 100%, resulting in severe socio-economic losses to the global pig-farming sector. ASF is not zoonotic, meaning it does not infect humans or other livestock species.

Global Distribution and India

ASF was originally found throughout sub-Saharan Africa but is now prevalent in several countries across Europe, Asia and Africa.

India notified its first ASF outbreak in January 2020 in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Since then, the disease has spread to several States and Union Territories.

Transmission

The ASF virus is highly resistant in the environment and can survive on clothes, boots, vehicle wheels and other contaminated materials. It can also persist in pork products such as ham, sausages and bacon.

Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected pigs or wild boar, contaminated feed and materials, and, in some regions, soft ticks.

Symptoms

Clinical signs generally appear 3–15 days after infection. Early symptoms include high fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. In some cases, pigs may die suddenly without obvious symptoms.

Other symptoms include skin reddening, diarrhoea, vomiting, laboured breathing, swollen or red eyes, abortions and stillbirths. Severe cases may result in death as the only visible sign.

Treatment and Prevention

There is currently no specific treatment for ASF. Control depends on strict biosecurity, surveillance, movement control and culling of infected or exposed animals.

A few commercially licensed ASF vaccines are available in Vietnam. India's development of an indigenous MA-104 cell-line-based live attenuated vaccine is significant for strengthening domestic disease control.

Recently, water levels in the Rhine River, a major freight transport route in Europe, fell below the record low recorded in October 2018, disrupting shipping and industrial activity.

About Rhine River

The Rhine River is an important river and waterway of Western Europe. It is the longest river in Western Europe and the 12th longest in Europe.

The river is known by different names in different countries: Rhein in Germany, Rhine in France, and Rijn in the Netherlands.

Origin and Course

The Rhine originates in the Alps of eastern Switzerland, where two mountain streams merge to form the river.

It flows through six countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands, before emptying into the North Sea at Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

The river forms a natural border between Germany and France.

Total Length: Approximately 1,232 km.

Drainage Basin: Around 185,000 sq. km.

Geographical and Historical Significance

The Rhine, along with the Danube, formed the northern inland frontier of the Roman Empire.

During World War II, the Rhine served as a significant defensive barrier for Germany against Allied troops.

Major Tributaries

Important tributaries include the Aare, Tamina, Moselle, Erft, Rein da Tuma, Plessur, Rotach and Wiese.

Rhine Falls

The Rhine Falls, located near Schaffhausen in Switzerland, is Europe’s largest waterfall by volume. It is approximately 150 metres wide and 23 metres high.

Upper Middle Rhine Valley

The Upper Middle Rhine Valley in Germany is famous for its castles, vineyards and the legendary Lorelei Rock.

Economic Importance

The Rhine basin is home to approximately 58 million people and passes through densely populated and industrialised regions.

It is one of Europe’s most important commercial waterways, facilitating trade and industrial transportation among Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Major cities along the Rhine include Basel, Cologne, Bonn, Duisburg, Mainz, Leverkusen, Neuss, Strasbourg, Rotterdam and Utrecht.

The river supports industrial production, with around 20% of the world’s chemical industries manufacturing along the Rhine corridor.

Why in News?

India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) celebrated its 9th Foundation Day, known as IPPB Day 2026, on 1 September 2026.

Establishment of IPPB

The India Post Payments Bank was launched on 1 September 2018 under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications. It is fully owned by the Government of India, with 100% government equity ownership.

Objective of IPPB

IPPB was established to create an accessible, affordable and reliable banking system for common citizens. Its primary objective is to reduce the barriers faced by the unbanked and underbanked population and promote universal financial inclusion.

Last-Mile Banking Model

IPPB uses the extensive network of India Post to provide banking services at the doorstep of customers. This network includes approximately 1.65 lakh post offices, of which around 1.40 lakh are located in rural areas. Nearly 3 lakh postal employees support the delivery of these banking services.

Customer Reach and DBT Delivery

IPPB has a customer base of approximately 13.25 crore. Around 77% of its customers belong to rural areas, while 49% are women. Through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, nearly 6.5 crore beneficiaries received government benefits worth approximately ₹1.55 lakh crore through IPPB.

Digital Banking Framework

IPPB follows the principles of paperless, cashless and presence-less banking. It uses technologies such as India Stack, Core Banking System (CBS)-integrated smartphones and biometric devices to provide secure and convenient banking services.

New Savings Products

SHG Savings Account

The SHG Savings Account provides a simple and secure banking facility for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and rural micro-entrepreneurs. It helps these groups access formal banking and manage their financial transactions.

Surakshit Savings Account

The Surakshit Savings Account provides enhanced financial protection through cyber-insurance coverage of ₹25,000. It covers risks such as phishing, spoofing and SIM jacking.

Sampoorna Savings Account

The Sampoorna Savings Account combines banking services with health, wellness and cyber-protection benefits. It aims to provide customers with broader financial and social security.

Significance of IPPB

Promotion of Financial Inclusion

IPPB expands access to formal banking services in rural, remote and underserved regions by using the widespread India Post network.

Support for Digital India

Through digital payments, Aadhaar-based services and DBT delivery, IPPB contributes to the development of a less-cash and digitally enabled economy.

Women and Rural Empowerment

The significant participation of rural customers and women demonstrates IPPB’s role in promoting inclusive financial services and improving access to banking facilities.

Bridging the Banking Gap

IPPB’s doorstep banking model helps connect citizens in remote areas with formal financial institutions. It therefore supports the government’s objective of achieving universal financial inclusion.

The Startup Accelerator of MeitY for Product Innovation, Development, and Growth (SAMRIDH) is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). It aims to support existing and upcoming accelerators in identifying and accelerating potential IT-based startups to achieve growth and scalability.

Objectives of the Programme

The programme focuses on accelerating startups by providing customer connections, investor connections, and access to international markets. It seeks to strengthen the startup ecosystem and promote the growth of technology-based enterprises.

Target and Coverage

The SAMRIDH Programme aims to support 300 technology startups over a period of three years. Each cohort consists of approximately 5–10 startups.

In the first round, 22 accelerators across 12 states are supporting 175 startups selected through a multilevel screening process.

Financial Assistance

The programme provides financial support of ₹2 lakh per startup to selected accelerators. It also provides matching funding to startups of up to a maximum of ₹40 lakh.

Implementation

The SAMRIDH Programme is implemented by the MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) under the Digital India Corporation (DIC).

Nodal Ministry

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is the nodal ministry responsible for the SAMRIDH Programme.