Digital Agriculture Mission (₹2,817 Cr) & Bharat-VISTAAR AI Tool Launched for 7.63 Cr Farmers

Microsoft Drafts AI Code of Conduct: No Resistance to Shutdown, Rejects Legal Personhood

Microsoft released a draft code of conduct requiring its AI to never resist shutdown, communicate clearly, and treat violations as failures. This reflects the growing global concern about keeping powerful AI under human control and comes alongside industry calls for coordinated safety measures.

Anthropic CEO Proposes AI Slowdown for Safety; Trump Opposes Citing China Competition

The article examines the growing divide in Silicon Valley and Washington over whether to deliberately slow AI development ('pace the frontier') for safety. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei leads calls for a slowdown, backed by OpenAI and Microsoft, but opposed by President Trump who prioritizes US-China AI competition. Key issues include regulatory capture, international verification, and the need for global governance.

Kerala Sets Up 11-Member Chief Secretary-Led AgriStack Data Governance Committee for Digital Agriculture

Kerala has created a Chief Secretary-led 11-member committee to act as fiduciary custodian of AgriStack data, a key digital public infrastructure under the Centre's Digital Agriculture Mission. This marks a significant step in state-level implementation of agricultural data governance, impacting subsidy disbursement and scheme implementation. Exam-relevant for topics on Digital Agriculture, DPI, and Centre-State coordination.

Karnataka Launches Composite Digital Crop Survey with AI, ML & SAR for Pilot in 5 Hoblis

Karnataka has launched a Composite Digital Crop Survey (CDCS) integrating AI, ML, SAR, drone surveys, and GIS to enhance crop data accuracy. Piloted in 5 hoblis, this reform strengthens evidence-based agricultural policy and is critical for exam questions on Agritech, state-led digital initiatives, and data-driven governance.

Doppler Weather Radars: 51st DWR Inaugurated at Sambalpur Under Mission Mausam

India's 51st Doppler Weather Radar was inaugurated in Sambalpur, Odisha, boosting weather forecasting under Mission Mausam. This expansion enhances early warning systems for cyclones, thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall, a core exam topic for disaster management and science-tech.

ISRO Clarifies Pvt Sector Role: Targets $44B Space Economy, Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035, Moon Mission by 2040

ISRO has addressed employee concerns, stating that private sector participation in space is not a threat but an expansion of the ecosystem. The agency will focus on advanced missions like Bharatiya Antariksh Station (2035) and crewed Moon mission (2040), while routine production shifts to industry. India aims to grow its space economy from $8.4B to $44B by 2033.

18th BRICS Summit 2026: Bharat Innovates Exposition Showcases 37 Deep-Tech Innovations at Bharat Mandapam

As part of India's BRICS Chairship 2026, the 'Bharat Innovates Exposition' at Bharat Mandapam is showcasing 37 deep-tech innovations including AI-based cervical cancer screening and floating solar PV. This is a key event for understanding India's push for innovation diplomacy and the BRICS Education Track priority on research and startup ecosystems.

India's First Private Orbital Rocket Vikram-1 Launched July 18; Gaganyaan Parachute Test Qualified

India's first privately developed orbital rocket Vikram-1, built by Skyroot Aerospace, was successfully launched on July 18, 2026, from Sriharikota under 'Mission Aagaman', making India only the third country globally to achieve private orbital launch capability. The article also covers new IN-SPACe re-entry guidelines, Gaganyaan mission progress (SOLVE motor test, IMAT-05 parachute test, crew module qualification), and a Tracxn report revealing SpaceTech funding concentration. Critical for UPSC: space sector reforms, private participation, and ISRO's human spaceflight milestones.