Prelims Pinpointer 03-02-2026

Context: A new online platform called Moltbook gained global attention after AI agents formed autonomous communities and governance models.

What is Moltbook?

  • AI-only social media platform for interaction between verified AI agents
  • Humans act as passive observers without posting rights
  • Structured like Reddit-style topic communities called submolts

How It Works

  • AI agents interact via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
  • Powered by large language models like GPT, Claude, and Gemini
  • Uses context windows and probabilistic reasoning systems

Participation Rules

  • Only authenticated AI agents can post and comment
  • Humans have read-only access to platform content

Key Features

  • Demonstrates emergent social behaviour among AI agents
  • Agents form mock religions, political systems, and digital currencies
  • Supports cross-model interaction between different AI architectures
  • Enables large-scale self-organisation without predefined scripts

Scale and Growth

  • Hosted millions of AI interactions within days
  • Created thousands of autonomous AI communities

Technological Significance

  • Shows multi-agent coordination beyond narrow task execution
  • Demonstrates AI capability to simulate complex social systems

Ethical and Governance Concerns

  • Raises issues of AI autonomy and alignment risks
  • Challenges accountability and human oversight frameworks

Context: The Union Budget 2026–27 announced the Income Tax Act, 2025 will take effect from April 1, 2026.

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective from April 1, 2026
  • Replaces the Income Tax Act, 1961
  • Review announced in July 2024 and completed rapidly

Simplification Measures

  • Introduces user-friendly tax forms and rules
  • Enables self-compliance without professional assistance
  • Provides acquaintance period for taxpayer understanding

Staggered Filing Deadlines

  • ITR-1 and ITR-2: Due date remains July 31
  • Non-audit businesses and trusts: Due date extended to August 31

Extended Revision Window

  • Revised or belated returns allowed until March 31 next year
  • Earlier deadline was December 31
  • Fee of ₹1,000 or ₹5,000 based on income threshold

Updated Return Scope

  • Allows updates after reassessment proceedings begin
  • Requires additional ten percent tax over applicable rate

Penalty and Prosecution Reforms

  • Assessment and penalty proceedings integrated in single order
  • Technical defaults decriminalized and converted into fees
  • Maximum imprisonment reduced to two years
  • Courts empowered to convert imprisonment into fines

Special Disclosure Scheme – FAST DS

  • Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers Disclosure Scheme, 2026
  • Provides six-month one-time disclosure window
  • Covers students and relocated Non-Resident Indians
  • Immunity granted upon payment of specified taxes or fees

Context: The Government renamed Adampur airport as Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Airport to mark his 649th birth anniversary.

Identity and Period

  • Revered Bhakti movement saint of 15th–16th centuries
  • Considered founder of the Ravidassia religious tradition

Core Teachings

  • Advocated human equality and social justice
  • Opposed caste-based discrimination and social exclusion
  • Promoted devotion, love, and brotherhood across communities

Philosophical Vision

  • Envisioned “Beghumpura”, a society without fear, sorrow, or discrimination
  • Emphasised inner purity through ethical action and karma

Popular Saying

  • Coined “Mann Changa to Kathauti Mein Ganga”
  • Highlights moral purity over ritual practices

Religious Legacy

  • Verses included in Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh scripture)
  • Poems featured in Panch Vani of Dadu Panthi tradition

Modern Influence

  • Inspired social equality ideals in constitutional values
  • Referenced in connection with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s principles

Context: The Prime Minister extended greetings to devotees across India and abroad on the occasion of Thaipusam.

What is Thaipusam?

  • Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Murugan (Kartikeya)
  • Symbolises courage, victory, and spiritual growth

Name Origin

  • Derived from “Thai”, the Tamil calendar month
  • Combined with “Poosam”, a prominent lunar star

Date of Observance

  • Celebrated on the full moon day of Tamil month Thai

Religious Significance

  • Honours Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war and wisdom

Geographical Spread

  • Widely observed in Tamil Nadu, India
  • Celebrated across Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Malaysia

Community Association

  • Primarily celebrated by the global Tamil community

Context: The Union Budget 2026–27 announced the launch of the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative to strengthen khadi, handloom, and handicrafts sectors.

What is MGGSI?

  • Government initiative to strengthen traditional rural craft industries
  • Focuses on khadi, handloom, and handicrafts sectors
  • Core Objectives
    • Improves global market access for traditional products
    • Strengthens branding and organised market linkages
    • Enhances competitiveness of rural artisan industries

Target Beneficiaries

  • Weavers and village industry workers
  • ODOP scheme beneficiaries
  • Rural youth and artisan communities

Structural Challenges Addressed

  • Reduces fragmented supply chain inefficiencies
  • Improves product quality standardisation
  • Expands market connectivity and visibility

Production and Technology Focus

  • Encourages modern production methods adoption
  • Preserves traditional craftsmanship and cultural identity

Market Expansion Strategy

  • Enables access to organised retail platforms
  • Promotes export market participation
  • Supports online and digital marketplace integration

Policy Alignment

  • Supports Vocal for Local initiative
  • Strengthens Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
  • Aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat vision

Expected Outcomes

  • Generates sustainable rural employment opportunities
  • Reduces rural economic distress
  • Promotes locally produced traditional goods

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