Centre Notifies Telecommunications (Regulatory Sandbox) Rules, 2026

What’s the News?

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications has notified the Telecommunications (Regulatory Sandbox) Rules, 2026, enabling startups, companies, researchers and individuals to test innovative telecom technologies, services and business models in a controlled regulatory environment with temporary regulatory exemptions.

What is a Regulatory Sandbox?

• A Regulatory Sandbox is a controlled testing environment where new technologies, services, products and business models can be tested with limited users under regulatory supervision.
• It allows temporary exemptions from specified provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act, 1997.
• The Central Government can establish sandboxes on its own initiative or approve proposals submitted by eligible applicants.

Provisions of the Rules

• Eligibility: Authorised telecom entities, companies, societies, partnership firms, statutory bodies, Indian citizens and R&D institutions recognised by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Application Fee: Non-refundable processing fee of ₹10,000.
• Validity: Maximum initial period of 24 months, extendable by up to 12 months at a time.
  • Extension requests must be submitted at least 30 days before expiry.
• Application Process: Applicants must submit proposals through the designated government portal, including previous laboratory testing reports and details of regulatory exemptions sought.

User Safeguards and Government Oversight

• User Protection: Prior informed consent is mandatory, and test users cannot be charged for participation.
• Commercial Restrictions: Technologies and services undergoing testing cannot be commercially marketed during the trial period.
• Data Protection: Compliance with applicable data protection and security laws is mandatory.
• Record Retention: Testing records must be maintained for at least one year after the sandbox expires.
• Government Oversight: The government can monitor trials, suspend or revoke approvals, and permit subsequent commercial deployment in accordance with applicable laws.

Additional Info

• Telecommunications Act, 2023:
  • Section 27: Empowers the Central Government to establish regulatory sandboxes to encourage telecom innovation.
  • Section 56(2)(y): Provides rule-making powers concerning the manner and duration of regulatory sandboxes.
• Telecom eServices Portal: Designated by the DoT for digital implementation of the sandbox rules.
• TRAI: A statutory regulatory body established under the TRAI Act, 1997. Prior consultation with TRAI is required for exemptions from provisions of that Act.

Sources

• TelecomLive
• Business Standard
• ETGovernment

Centre Launches Khet Bachao Abhiyan–Rabi 2026 to Promote Sustainable Farming

What’s the News?

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan–Rabi 2026 from Karnal, Haryana, led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The campaign aims to reach approximately 1 crore farmers and other participants, promoting sustainable agriculture, soil health, balanced fertiliser use, crop diversification and efficient management of agricultural resources.

Objectives of Khet Bachao Abhiyan

• Soil Health: Promote soil testing-based fertiliser application, including awareness about green ammonia and biological inputs.
• Crop Diversification: Encourage cultivation of oilseeds, pulses and horticultural crops, intercropping and productive use of rice-fallow lands.
• Sustainable Farming: Promote natural farming, regenerative agriculture, integrated pest management and proper crop residue management.
• Water Conservation: Encourage rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and efficient water-use practices.
• Farmer Support: Facilitate Farmer IDs, awareness of crop insurance under PMFBY, and wider coverage under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme.

Implementation and Outreach

• Target Coverage: Approximately 1 crore participants through the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) networks.
• Implementation Teams: Around 4,150 teams, involving Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and ATMA.
• Human Resources: More than 12,000 agricultural scientists and ATMA functionaries are expected to participate.
• Outreach Activities: Kisan Chaupals, farmers' conferences, training sessions and field demonstrations at state, district, block and Gram Panchayat levels.
• Coordination: Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, State Agriculture Departments, ICAR institutions, State Agricultural Universities, FPOs, cooperatives and SHGs.

Additional Info

• ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency):
  • A district-level institution supporting decentralised agricultural extension and farmer training.
• KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendras):
  • ICAR-linked district-level agricultural knowledge and training centres facilitating technology demonstrations and capacity building.
• ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research):
  • An autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
  • Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Rabi Crops:
  • Generally sown during October–December and harvested during March–April.
  • Major crops include wheat, gram, mustard, barley and peas.

Sources

• NationPress
• Argus News English

India and Singapore Begin 33rd SIMBEX Naval Exercise in Visakhapatnam

What’s the News?

The Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) have commenced the 33rd edition of the Singapore–India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-2026) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The six-day exercise aims to enhance maritime cooperation, operational interoperability and joint preparedness to address security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

• Participating Warships: India's INS Nilgiri and INS Kamorta hosted the opening ceremony, while Singapore's RSS Supreme arrived to participate.
• Key Officials: Rear Admiral Manoj Jha of the Indian Navy and Colonel Bertram Ang, Fleet Commander of the RSN, attended the opening ceremony.

Phases of SIMBEX-2026

The exercise comprises two phases:

• Harbour Phase (3 days):
  • Professional interactions and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs).
  • Cross-deck visits, sporting activities and joint operational planning conferences.
• Sea Phase (3 days):
  • Conducted in the Bay of Bengal.
  • Includes Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), anti-surface and anti-air warfare exercises.
  • Features seamanship exercises and coordinated tactical manoeuvres.

About SIMBEX

• Full Form: Singapore–India Maritime Bilateral Exercise.
• Inception: Started in 1994 as Exercise Lion King.
• Participants: Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy.
• Nature: Annual bilateral maritime exercise and one of the Indian Navy's longest-running bilateral naval engagements.
• Objectives:
  • Enhance operational interoperability and maritime combat readiness.
  • Strengthen defence cooperation and mutual understanding.
  • Promote maritime security, peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Additional Info

• INS Nilgiri:
  • Lead ship of the Project 17A class of stealth guided-missile frigates.
• INS Kamorta:
  • Indigenous anti-submarine warfare corvette built under Project 28.
• RSS Supreme:
  • Formidable-class stealth frigate of the Republic of Singapore Navy.
• Eastern Naval Command:
  • One of the Indian Navy's three operational naval commands.
  • Headquarters: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Sources

• The Hindu
• The Times of India

IBSAMAR IX 2026 Concludes in South Africa

What’s the News?

The 9th edition of the India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise (IBSAMAR IX 2026) concluded at Simon’s Town, South Africa, bringing together the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa.

The 10-day trilateral naval exercise, led by India, aimed to enhance maritime interoperability, operational cooperation and mutual understanding among the three navies.

• Indian Participation: INS Tarkash, a guided-missile stealth frigate of the Indian Navy.
• Theme: Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain.

Highlights of IBSAMAR IX 2026

The exercise comprised two phases:

• Harbour Phase:
  • Professional exchanges, joint operational planning and communication training.
  • Cross-deck familiarisation and interactions among naval personnel.
• Sea Phase:
  • Surface warfare, anti-air warfare and anti-submarine warfare drills.
  • Maritime interdiction, anti-piracy operations and helicopter operations.
  • Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS), Search and Rescue (SAR), damage control and firefighting exercises.

About Exercise IBSAMAR

• Full Form: India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise.
• Inception: 2008.
• Frequency: Biennial (every two years).
• Participants: Indian Navy, Brazilian Navy and South African Navy.
• Framework: Conducted under the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum.
• Objectives:
  • Strengthen maritime security and naval cooperation.
  • Enhance interoperability through joint maritime operations.
  • Promote safe, secure and open seas under a rules-based maritime order.

Additional Info

• Participating Naval Assets:
  • India: INS Tarkash with a Chetak helicopter.
  • Brazil: BNS Barroso, a corvette equipped with a Lynx helicopter.
  • South Africa: SAS Amatola (frigate), SAS King Sekhukhune I and SAS Adam Kok III (patrol vessels), and SAS Manthatisi (submarine).
• IBSA Dialogue Forum:
  • Established in 2003 through the Brasília Declaration.
  • A trilateral cooperation platform comprising India, Brazil and South Africa.
  • Focuses on South-South cooperation, development and reform of global governance institutions.

Sources

• DD India
• Nation Path India

CDSCO Approves Qfitlia for Haemophilia Bleed Prevention

What’s the News?

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has granted marketing authorisation to Qfitlia (Fitusiran), developed by French pharmaceutical company Sanofi, for preventing bleeding episodes in patients with haemophilia A and B.

It is India's first approved antithrombin-lowering therapy for routine bleeding prevention in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and above, including patients with or without clotting-factor inhibitors.

About Qfitlia (Fitusiran)

• Developer: Sanofi Healthcare.
• Active Ingredient: Fitusiran.
• Technology: Small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy.
• Mechanism: Reduces antithrombin, a natural anticoagulant protein, to improve blood clotting without replacing deficient clotting factors.
• Administration: Subcutaneous injection, requiring as few as 6 injections annually, depending on individual dosing.
• Clinical Evidence: Approval was based on the ATLAS Phase III clinical development programme, which demonstrated a reduction in bleeding episodes.
• Significance: Provides preventive treatment for both haemophilia A and B, including patients who develop inhibitors against conventional clotting-factor replacement therapies.

What is Haemophilia?

• Haemophilia is a rare, inherited, lifelong bleeding disorder caused by deficiency or dysfunction of specific blood-clotting factors.
• It primarily affects males due to its X-linked recessive inheritance pattern.
• Major Types:
  • Haemophilia A: Deficiency of clotting factor VIII.
  • Haemophilia B: Deficiency of clotting factor IX.
• Symptoms: Prolonged bleeding, spontaneous internal bleeding and joint damage.
• India's Burden: Approximately 28,900 registered haemophilia patients.
• Treatment Approaches:
  • On-demand therapy: Treats bleeding after it occurs.
  • Prophylaxis: Preventive treatment to reduce bleeding episodes.

Additional Info

• CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation):
  • India's national regulatory authority for drugs and medical devices.
  • Functions under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  • Headed by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
  • Responsible for drug approvals, clinical trial oversight and regulation of specified categories of drugs.
• World Haemophilia Day:
  • Observed annually on 17 April.
  • Organised globally by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH).

Sources

• The Economic Times
• The Hindu BusinessLine

France Reports First Human Case of Shamonda Virus

What’s the News?

France has confirmed the world's first documented human infection with the Shamonda virus (SHAV), previously detected only in animals, particularly cattle.

The infected patient, who was severely immunocompromised and undergoing treatment at Hospices Civils de Lyon, died after developing neurological complications.

• Suspected Transmission: Bite of an infected Culicoides midge in eastern France.
• Public Health Assessment: French authorities have identified no health risk to the general population so far.
• WHO Response: The World Health Organization (WHO) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) are coordinating with French authorities to investigate the infection.

What is Shamonda Virus?

• Classification:
  • Family: Peribunyaviridae.
  • Genus: Orthobunyavirus.
  • Category: Arthropod-borne virus (Arbovirus).
• First Discovery: Identified in Nigeria in the mid-1960s.
• Transmission: Primarily transmitted among animals through bites of Culicoides midges (small, blood-feeding insects).
• Primary Hosts: Cattle, with infections also reported in sheep, goats and horses.
• Geographical Distribution:
  • Previously detected in parts of Africa and Japan.
  • First detected in Europe during the summer of 2026, including France, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Symptoms and Health Implications

• In Animals:
  • Fever, lethargy and diarrhoea.
  • Reduced milk production in infected dairy cattle.
• In Humans:
  • The first documented patient developed serious neurological complications.
  • The precise route of human infection and the virus's contribution to the patient's death remain under investigation.
  • Human-to-human transmission has not been established.

Additional Info

• One Health Approach:
  • An integrated approach recognising the interconnected health of humans, animals and ecosystems.
  • Used in investigating emerging zoonotic infections and coordinating disease surveillance.
• ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control):
  • Established in 2005.
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden.
  • An agency of the European Union responsible for infectious disease surveillance and public health risk assessment.
• WHO (World Health Organization):
  • Established: 7 April 1948.
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
  • A specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.

Sources

• ABP Live
• Euronews
• The Indian Express