APPSC Daily Current Affairs - 9th February 2026
Relevance:
GS Paper III – Infrastructure, Ports, Economic Development, Logistics
Important Keywords
For Prelims:
- Sagarmala Programme, Harit Sagar Guidelines, Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP), Maritime Single Window – Sagar Setu 2.0, Port-led Industrialisation, Vessel Turnaround Time.
For Mains:
- Role of port infrastructure in economic growth, Coastal development and logistics efficiency, Green port initiatives and sustainable maritime transport, Port-led industrialisation under Sagarmala.
Why in News?
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways informed Parliament that four major ports are currently under construction in Andhra Pradesh, reflecting the Centre’s focus on strengthening maritime infrastructure and boosting coastal economic activity.
Ports Under Construction
- Mulapeta Port (formerly Bhavanapadu) – Srikakulam district
- Machilipatnam Port – Krishna district
- Ramayapatnam Port – SPSR Nellore district
- Kakinada SEZ Port – Kakinada region
These projects aim to enhance cargo handling capacity and support industrial growth along the eastern coastline.
Government Initiatives for Port Modernisation
Key measures include:
- Mechanisation of berths and terminals
- Construction of new berths
- Capital dredging to accommodate larger vessels
- Integration with road, rail, and waterways
- Digitalisation of port processes
- RFID-based gate automation
- Container scanners for faster clearance
These steps seek to reduce logistics costs and improve operational efficiency.
Sagarmala Programme
Financial assistance is provided under five pillars:
- Port modernisation
- Port connectivity enhancement
- Port-led industrialisation
- Coastal community development
- Coastal shipping and inland water transport
Green and Digital Maritime Initiatives
- Harit Sagar Guidelines: Promote environmentally sustainable ports.
- Green Tug Transition Programme: Shift harbour tugs from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives.
- Sagar Setu 2.0: Maritime Single Window to streamline documentation and reduce vessel turnaround time.
- Cruise Bharat Mission: Focus on expanding cruise tourism.
Significance
- Strengthens India’s maritime trade capacity.
- Boosts Andhra Pradesh as a logistics hub on the east coast.
- Encourages port-led industrial corridors.
- Generates employment and promotes coastal development.
- Supports export competitiveness by reducing transport costs.
Challenges
- Environmental concerns related to coastal ecosystems.
- Land acquisition and rehabilitation issues.
- Need for last-mile connectivity.
- Climate risks such as cyclones affecting coastal infrastructure.
Way Forward
- Adopt climate-resilient port infrastructure.
- Strengthen multimodal connectivity.
- Expand green port practices.
- Encourage private investment through PPP models.
- Align port growth with regional industrial strategies.
CARE MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements regarding port development in Andhra Pradesh:
- Mulapeta Port was formerly known as Bhavanapadu Port.
- The Sagarmala Programme focuses only on port modernisation and connectivity.
- The Green Tug Transition Programme promotes the adoption of environmentally sustainable harbour vessels.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 3 only
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct — Mulapeta is the renamed Bhavanapadu port.
- Statement 2 is incorrect — Sagarmala has five pillars, including coastal community development and port-led industrialisation.
- Statement 3 is correct — GTTP aims to transition to greener tug operations.
Relevance:
GS Paper II – Polity & Governance (Parliamentary Procedures, Accountability, Transparency)
Important Keywords
For Prelims:
- PM CARES Fund, Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF), National Defence Fund (NDF), Rule 41 of Lok Sabha, Consolidated Fund of India, Public Charitable Trust, Article 12 (Definition of State), RTI Act.
For Mains:
- Transparency vs executive discretion, Parliamentary oversight and accountability, Status of public charitable trusts linked to government, Ethical governance and public fund management.
Why in News?
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) informed the Lok Sabha Secretariat that questions regarding PM CARES Fund, PMNRF, and the National Defence Fund are not admissible under parliamentary rules, as these funds are based on voluntary contributions and are not financed through the Consolidated Fund of India.
About the Three Funds
PM CARES Fund
- Established: March 27, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Nature: Public charitable trust.
- Objective: Provide relief during emergencies and distress situations.
- Balance (2022–23): Approximately ₹6,283.7 crore.
Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF)
- Established: 1948 to assist displaced persons after Partition.
- Current Use: Relief for victims of natural disasters, accidents, and riots.
National Defence Fund (NDF)
- Purpose: Welfare of armed forces personnel and dependents.
- Administered by an executive committee chaired by the Prime Minister.
Rules Cited by PMO
The PMO invoked Rule 41(2) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha:
- Rule 41(2)(viii): Questions cannot relate to matters not primarily the concern of the Government of India.
- Rule 41(2)(xvii): Questions cannot address bodies not primarily accountable to the Government.
Since these funds rely entirely on voluntary donations and are not funded by government revenue, they fall outside routine parliamentary scrutiny.
Government’s Legal Position
- PM CARES is not constituted under the Constitution or any statute.
- It is neither owned nor controlled by the government.
- Therefore, it is not a “public authority” under the RTI Act.
Supreme Court’s View (2020)
- Refused to transfer PM CARES funds to the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
- Held that both funds serve distinct purposes.
- Noted that CAG audit applies to NDRF, while PM CARES, being a charitable trust, does not require such audit.
Key Constitutional and Governance Issues
- Raises debate on parliamentary accountability.
- Tests the boundary between public institutions and private trusts linked to public office.
- Connects to Article 12 discussions on whether such entities qualify as “State.”
Significance
- Clarifies procedural limits of parliamentary questioning.
- Reinforces the legal distinction between government funds and charitable trusts.
- Highlights evolving governance mechanisms during emergencies.
Concerns
- Reduced legislative scrutiny may affect perceptions of transparency.
- Public donations create expectations of accountability.
- Ambiguity over institutional status can trigger legal debates.
Way Forward
- Consider voluntary disclosure standards for high-profile public trusts.
- Strengthen audit transparency without compromising legal structure.
- Clarify regulatory frameworks for quasi-public funds.
- Enhance communication to maintain public trust.
CARE MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the NDMA’s Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Guidelines:
- PM CARES Fund is financed through the Consolidated Fund of India.
- Rule 41 of Lok Sabha restricts questions on matters not primarily the concern of the Government of India.
- The Supreme Court mandated CAG audit of PM CARES Fund.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Incorrect: PM CARES relies on voluntary contributions.
- Statement 2 – Correct: Rule 41 limits admissibility of such questions.
- Statement 3 – Incorrect: CAG audit applies to NDRF, not PM CARES.
Relevance:
GS Paper III (Economy & Science & Technology): Knowledge economy, exports, MSMEs, innovation, soft power
Important Keywords
For Prelims:
- AYUSH, National AYUSH Mission (NAM), All India Institute of Ayurveda, WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, Jamnagar, Bharat-VISTAAR, India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
For Mains:
- Traditional Medicine as Soft Power, Evidence-based Healthcare, Regulatory, Harmonisation, Global Market Access, Medicinal Plant Supply Chain
Why in News?
- The Union Budget 2026–27 significantly enhanced financial allocations for the AYUSH sector.
- The India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has eased market access for Indian AYUSH practitioners and products in Europe.
- Together, these developments indicate a policy shift to transform AYUSH from a welfare-oriented domestic health system into a globally competitive economic sector.
Understanding AYUSH in India
- AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.
- The sector operates under the Ministry of AYUSH, established in 2014.
- Integration with public healthcare is primarily achieved through the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) and co-location of AYUSH services in PHCs, CHCs and district hospitals.
- Institutional support includes:
- Institutes of National Importance (e.g., All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi)
- Research councils such as the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences
- Regulatory bodies like the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine and National Commission for Homoeopathy
- Drug standardisation through the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy
Budgetary Boost to AYUSH (2026–27)
Rising Financial Allocations
- ₹4,408 crore in 2026–27
- ₹3,992 crore in 2025–26
- ₹2,122 crore in 2020–21
This trend reflects a long-term policy commitment to mainstream AYUSH within India’s healthcare and economic framework.
Key Budget Announcements
Three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda
- Envisioned as AIIMS-like centres combining patient care, research and medical education.
Upgradation of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, Jamnagar
- Positions India as a global leader in setting standards for traditional medicine.
66% increase in funding for the National AYUSH Mission
- Modernisation of hospitals and dispensaries
- Preventive healthcare focus
- Co-location with modern medical facilities
Upgradation of AYUSH pharmacies and drug-testing laboratories
- Addresses quality control and international compliance.
Bharat-VISTAAR (AI-based assistant)
- Supports medicinal plant farmers with real-time guidance on crop quality, market prices and export certification.
India–EU FTA: Expanding Global Access
Professional Mobility
- In EU countries without specific traditional medicine regulations, Indian AYUSH practitioners can practice using Indian qualifications.
Business and Investment Opportunities
- Legal certainty for Indian firms to establish:
- Wellness centres
- Ayurvedic clinics
- Traditional medicine services across all 27 EU member states.
Trade Facilitation
- Mutual recognition of certain laboratory test results and safety certifications.
- Reduces duplication, cost and delays in exporting AYUSH products.
Protection of Traditional Knowledge
- Recognition of India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) helps prevent biopiracy and wrongful patent claims.
Economic and Strategic Significance
- AYUSH sector estimated to be worth $26.5 billion (₹2.3 lakh crore) in 2026.
- Startups and MSMEs contribute nearly 80% of the sector’s value.
- Strengthens:
- Export-led growth
- Rural livelihoods through medicinal plant cultivation
- India’s soft power and health diplomacy.
Concerns and Criticisms
Scientific Validation
- Critics, including the Indian Medical Association, argue many AYUSH therapies lack randomised controlled trials and robust empirical evidence.
Safety Issues
- Reports of heavy metals (lead, mercury) in some formulations have triggered international health advisories.
Mixopathy Debate
- Blurring of boundaries between AYUSH and allopathy, including:
- Surgical training for Ayurveda postgraduates
- Prescription of allopathic medicines
- Has led to protests, legal challenges and concerns over patient safety and antibiotic resistance.
What Does the Boost Mean for AYUSH?
- Signals a shift from:
- Welfare-adjacent healthcare
→ Regulated, standardised, export-oriented industry
- Welfare-adjacent healthcare
- New institutions and regulatory upgrades aim to recast AYUSH as scientific and accountable, not lineage-based.
- Global exposure will increase scrutiny, pushing higher standards of evidence, safety and governance.
Conclusion
The combined impact of enhanced Budget support and expanded EU market access marks a decisive transition for AYUSH. From a primarily domestic cultural health system, AYUSH is being repositioned as a global economic and diplomatic asset. While the reforms promise growth, exports and soft power, they also demand stronger evidence, regulation and accountability. Ultimately, the success of this transformation will depend on India’s ability to balance tradition with science and heritage with global credibility.
CARE MCQ
With reference to the AYUSH system in India, consider the following systems of medicine:
- Allopathy
- Yoga and Naturopathy
- Unani
- Siddha
- Homoeopathy
Which of the above are included under the AYUSH framework of India?
- 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
- 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
- 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
- 1 and 2 only
Answer: A
Explanation:
- AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy.
- Allopathy refers to modern Western medicine and is not part of AYUSH.
