Nalanda University: History and Revival
- Background: Prime Minister commended Nalanda University for reviving the ancient Indian tradition of ‘Shastrarth’ (intellectual debate).
About Shastrarth
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- Shastrarth is an ancient Indian tradition involving the discussion and exchange of ideas regarding sacred texts and philosophical concepts.
- It was a key method for teaching, learning, and testing knowledge through logical debate at the ancient universities of Nalanda and Vikramshila.
- This tradition was revived through the ‘Shastrarth 2026’ event, held prior to the third convocation ceremony of the modern Nalanda University.
About Nalanda University
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- Nalanda University was the world’s first residential university (where students lived and studied on campus).
- It was established in 427 CE by Kumaragupta I at Rajgir, Bihar.
- The university served as a major center of learning for over 800 years, until the 12th century CE.
- It is estimated to have had around 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students.
- Students and scholars came here from countries such as China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
- The Chinese scholar Xuanzang provided significant accounts of Nalanda; he took numerous Buddhist texts back to China and translated them into the Chinese language.
Revival of Nalanda
- In 2006, former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam proposed reviving this ancient university.
- The Indian Parliament passed the ‘Nalanda University Act, 2010‘; this paved the way for the establishment of the modern Nalanda University.
Unified Health Interface (UHI)
- Background: Recently, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare launched the Unified Health Interface (UHI).
About UHI
- A digital health network operating under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
- Integrates various health applications and services onto a single platform.
- Helps people easily discover verified healthcare providers.
- Functions as a service layer of the ABDM.
Functioning of UHI
- Operates through the ABDM gateway managed by the National Health Authority (NHA).
- Routes user requests to registered healthcare providers.
- Enables the discovery, booking, and availing of healthcare services through any UHI-enabled application.
- Uses ABHA as the patient’s unique health identity.
- Verifies doctors via HPR and hospitals via HFR.
- Shares health records only with the patient’s consent.
Objectives
- Interoperability: Works across all UHI-enabled applications.
- Equal Access: Provides equal visibility to all verified providers.
- Verification: Permits only verified doctors and hospitals.
- Open System: Supports application development in any language and on any device.
New FCRA 2.0 Portal & e-OCI Card (2026)
- Context: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah launches FCRA 2.0 Portal and e-OCI Card.
About FCRA 2.0 Portal
- FCRA = Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010
- Regulates foreign donations received by NGOs, associations, and individuals.
- Objective: Ensure foreign funds are used legally and transparently.
Key Features of FCRA 2.0
- Fully digital end-to-end portal.
- Online registration and licence renewal.
- Online filing of annual returns.
- Aadhaar-based authentication.
- e-Sign facility.
- OCR-based document verification.
- Hosted on MeghRaj (Government Cloud).
- Integrated with PAN, Aadhaar, OCI, NGO Darpan, banks, and ICAI UDIN.
- AI chatbot and FCRA mobile app to be introduced.
- Reduces paperwork and speeds up approvals.
- Enables real-time monitoring of foreign contributions.
About e-OCI Card(OCI = Overseas Citizen of India)
- A digital version of the OCI card that simplifies services for Overseas Citizens of India.
Key Features
- Benefits over 50 lakh OCI cardholders.
- Digital verification.
- Unique lifelong registration number.
- No need to reissue the OCI booklet after getting a new passport (after 20 years, as per the new system).
- Eliminates the risk of losing or damaging physical documents.
- Faster and more convenient online services.
Governance
- Digital governance
- Ease of doing compliance
- Transparency
- Citizen-centric administration
Legislative measures
- FCRA Act, 2010
- OCI provisions under the Citizenship Act, 1955
Prelims One-Liners
- FCRA – Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010
- Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs
- FCRA 2.0 launched: 30 June 2026
- Purpose: Digital monitoring of foreign contributions
- e-OCI: Digital Overseas Citizen of India Card
- Beneficiaries: More than 50 lakh OCI cardholders
- Government Cloud: MeghRaj
Authentication: Aadhaar + e-Sign + OCR
EPFO CITES Upgrade
- Context: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) upgraded its IT system under the Centralised IT-Enabled System (CITES) project. Due to database consolidation, some online services were temporarily unavailable from 26 June to 1 July.
About CITES
- CITES = Centralised IT-Enabled System.
- Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
- Aim: Create one national EPFO database and provide faster, transparent, and paperless services.
Key Features of the New System
- One national centralised database.
- Members can visit any EPFO office in India.
- Online KYC updates and claim processing.
- Unified digital portal using the existing UAN and password.
- Faster PF transfers and claim settlements.
- Online query resolution with fewer claim rejections.
- Complete service history and PF balance visible in one place.
Benefits
- Faster and paperless services.
- Greater transparency.
- Reduced physical visits.
- Easier transfer of PF accounts.
- Better service delivery through automation.
Prelims One-Liners
- EPFO – Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation.
- CITES – Centralised IT-Enabled System.
- Developed by – Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
- Objective – Centralise EPFO services and improve efficiency through automation.
- Key Benefit – One national database and seamless online PF services.
New Criminal Laws & ICJS
- Context: From 1 January 2027, all investigations, police procedures, and criminal trials under India’s new criminal laws will be conducted through a digital workflow.
Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS)
- ICJS = Interoperable Criminal Justice System.
- Integrates: Police, Courts,Prisons,Forensic Laboratories,Prosecution
- Data will be stored on the Government cloud platform MeghRaj.
New Criminal Laws (Effective: 1 July 2024)
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) → Replaced Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860.
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) → Replaced Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973.
- Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita (BSS) → Replaced Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
Important Features
- Digital FIRs and online case management.
- Zero FIR has statutory recognition under BNSS.
- FIRs can be filed in 23 languages.
- Bhashini App translates FIRs into the local language.
- Police cannot refuse to register a Zero FIR.
- Data accessible nationwide through a unified platform.
Forensic Reforms
- Forensic investigation is mandatory for offences punishable with 7 years or more.
- 25 new Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs) added (129 in 2023 → 154 in 2025).
- More than 700 Mobile Forensic Units deployed.
Achievements
- 74.66 lakh FIRs registered under BNS.
- 63,572 Zero FIRs registered under BNSS.
- National implementation score increased from 46.47% (Jan 2025) to 70.06% (June 2026).
- 46.5 lakh digital evidence (Sakshya) IDs generated.
- 56.74 lakh e-summons served.
Prelims One-Liners
- ICJS – Interoperable Criminal Justice System.
- Government Cloud – MeghRaj.
- Effective date of new criminal laws – 1 July 2024.
- Digital criminal justice rollout – 1 January 2027.
- Zero FIR – Can be filed at any police station regardless of jurisdiction.
- Forensic investigation – Mandatory for offences punishable with 7 years or more.
