Why in News

The Cabinet Secretary chaired a meeting of the NCMC to review preparedness for cyclonic storm ARNAB in the Bay of Bengal.

It is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast as a very severe cyclonic storm by the forenoon of 28 October.

Cyclone status and forecast

• The IMD said the deep depression moved nearly westwards and became cyclonic storm ARNAB, centred about 650 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 730 km east-southeast of Kakinada at 0530 hrs IST on 26 October.
• It will move west-northwestwards till 27 October and then northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.
• It is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam with sustained winds of 115–125 km/h, gusting to 140 km/h.
• After landfall, it is likely to affect districts in Telangana, southern Odisha, south and central Chhattisgarh, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Background

• The NCMC is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and deals with major crises and disasters at the national level.
• The Disaster Management Act, 2005 provides for the NDMA (national level), State Disaster Management Authorities and the NDRF. The SDRF is the state-level response force.
• Yanam is a part of the Union Territory of Puducherry, located on the Andhra Pradesh coast.
• The IMD classifies a very severe cyclonic storm as one with sustained winds of about 118 to 165 km/h.
• A cyclonic storm moves from a depression and a deep depression in the IMD’s classification, by wind speed.

Why in News

The Defence Minister called for “Aatmanirbharta 2.0” in defence at SWAVLAMBAN 2026, the Indian Navy’s fifth Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar, on 26 October. It stresses top-end technologies, stronger R&D and resilient supply chains.

Key Points

• The seminar: It runs on 26–27 October at the Manekshaw Centre on innovation and indigenisation, and covers quantum, AI, autonomous systems and hypersonic technologies.
• Next phase: Self-reliance must focus on advanced, cost-effective and globally competitive products, and on quality, not only quantity.
• Supply chains: A time-bound roadmap and advance buffer stock checks are needed, as dependence on materials such as rare earth elements is a risk.
• Dual Technology Roadmap: It should cover technologies for civil and military use and for all three Services and the Coast Guard.
• R&D: The Defence Ministry wants funding for high-risk, high-reward projects and more private sector participation.
• iDEX: Navy challenges rose from 20 to 229 since 2022, with 41 AoN cases (over ₹3,500 crore) and 25 contracts (over ₹1,900 crore).
• Remaining gap: Import dependence, especially Buyer Nominated Equipment.

Background

• iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) supports start-ups and MSMEs in developing defence technologies.
• Positive Indigenisation Lists name defence items that cannot be imported.
• SIDM is the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers, an industry body.
• Buyer Nominated Equipment is equipment specified by the Navy for ships, often from foreign suppliers.

Why in News

The Lok Sabha Speaker inaugurated the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026 at the Samvidhan Sadan in the Parliament House Complex, New Delhi, on 26 October. The Prime Minister also interacted with the parliamentary delegations from BRICS countries.

About the Forum

• Theme: “Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development”.
• Format: A two-day forum for parliaments of BRICS member and partner countries, on four linked pillars: resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
• Link with earlier notes: As the Iranian Embassy had said earlier, Iran’s Speaker was not attending the forum, and a parliamentary delegation would take part instead.

Main messages

• Joint Statement: The Speaker called the unanimous adoption of the Joint Statement at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, held under the Prime Minister’s chairmanship, a landmark. The real challenge is to turn its commitments into tangible outcomes.
• Role of parliaments: Through law-making, budgets, debate and oversight, parliaments can turn commitments into action and act as bridges of understanding that ease tensions.
• Global South: BRICS should make the voice of the Global South felt through concrete policies and cooperation.
• Development and environment: The two are inseparable, so policies must protect the interests of future generations.
• Youth: Parliaments should listen to young voices and channel their talent into nation-building.
• BRICS vision: The Speaker referred to the Prime Minister’s vision of BRICS as an “ecosystem of solutions”.
• Others present: The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha also addressed the gathering.

Why in News

The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2026 on 27 October at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. It runs for three days, from 27 to 29 October.

About the Conclave

• Participants: Leading scientists, researchers, academicians, policymakers, industry leaders, start-ups and international experts.
• Thematic areas: 12 thematic areas, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced materials, manufacturing, healthcare, energy, climate and ocean sciences.
• Focus: Research priorities, national capabilities and turning scientific advances into practical applications.

About the Exhibition and New Initiative

• Exhibition: A technology and innovation exhibition of indigenous scientific achievements, with about 150 deep-tech start-up stalls.
• Engagement tools: Thematic videos, technology demonstrations, documentaries, information kiosks and augmented and virtual reality experiences.
• Global Connect Networking Event: A new initiative with more than 300 invited participants from academia, research institutions and industry in India and abroad, to explore international research partnerships, industry-academia collaboration and ways to move innovations from laboratories to markets.