NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENTS

GeodCon-26

Context: GeodCon-26 is the first national conference in India dedicated to geodesy, organised to deliberate on recent scientific progress in geospatial science. The conference took place at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) in New Delhi.

Geodesy

Geodesy is the scientific discipline that studies the Earth’s shape, dimensions, gravitational field, and accurate positioning on its surface.

It forms the fundamental scientific basis for cartography, satellite navigation, and geographic positioning systems.

- Geodesy plays a crucial role in planning infrastructure, managing disasters, monitoring climate changes, and ensuring national security.
- Precise geodetic measurements are essential for satellite-based navigation systems such as NavIC and Global Positioning System (GPS), along with other satellite technologies.

Geodesy acts as the core scientific backbone of the geospatial ecosystem, enabling accurate Earth observation and spatial data interpretation.

National Geospatial Policy 2022

The policy aims to boost India’s geospatial sector by enhancing accessibility to geospatial data and encouraging technological innovation.

It makes geospatial information more open and accessible, allowing government bodies, private firms, researchers, and citizens to use such data more freely.
The policy encourages greater involvement of private companies and startups in developing geospatial technologies and services.
Geospatial data enabled by the policy supports infrastructure development, urban planning, disaster response, and national security initiatives.

Digital Twin system

Context: The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority in Tamil Nadu has become India’s first major port to introduce a Digital Twin system.

A Digital Twin refers to a real-time virtual representation of a physical asset, infrastructure, or system, allowing continuous monitoring and analysis.
The platform combines information from multiple technologies such as IoT sensors, GPS tracking systems, LiDAR mapping, drone surveillance, and CCTV networks to build an interactive digital model of the port.
This system enables real-time tracking and visualisation of port operations, including berth availability, ship movements, crane operations, and storage yard usage.
An AI-driven monitoring mechanism helps forecast possible failures in cargo-handling equipment, which improves operational efficiency and reduces vessel turnaround time.

About V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority

- VOC Port, earlier known as Tuticorin Port, is an artificial deep-water port that functions throughout the year. It is located in Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu.
- The port is named after V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, who established the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company in 1906, regarded as India’s first indigenous shipping enterprise.

VOC Port is also being developed as a Green Hydrogen production and export hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Current Facts

Vijayaraman was appointed as the State Information Commissioner of Tamil Nadu.
The Right to Information Act, 2005, was amended through the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. This amendment restricts the disclosure of personal information, even in the interest of the public good.
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019

Small Modular Reactors

Context: India is working on three types of indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as part of the Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat.

About Small Modular Reactors

- SMRs are compact nuclear fission reactors with a power output of up to 300 MWe, which is roughly one-third the capacity of traditional nuclear reactors.

The indigenous SMR designs are being developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).

India’s Recent Nuclear Power Reforms

India plans to increase its nuclear energy capacity from 8.18 GW to about 100 GW by the year 2047.

Under the Nuclear Energy Mission, the country aims to develop at least five domestically built SMRs by 2033.

The SHANTI Act, 2025 permits private companies to participate in the nuclear power sector.
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has been given statutory authority, strengthening its role as an independent regulator for nuclear safety and oversight.

International Solar Alliance

Context: The International Solar Alliance (ISA) launched the Green Hydrogen and Storage Start-up Challenge 2026.
The initiative aims to identify and support innovative startups that are developing advanced technologies in green hydrogen production and energy storage systems.

About International Solar Alliance (ISA)

ISA is a global intergovernmental body committed to promoting the large-scale adoption of solar energy in order to support the transition towards a carbon-neutral world.

The alliance was established in 2015 through a joint initiative of India and France during the COP21 Climate Conference held in Paris.

ISA follows the “Towards 1000 Strategy”, which seeks to mobilise USD 1,000 billion in investments in solar energy by 2030, while providing clean energy access to 1,000 million people and facilitating the installation of 1,000 GW of solar power capacity worldwide.
This initiative is expected to reduce global solar-related emissions by around 1,000 million tonnes of CO₂ every year.
The alliance currently includes 125 member and signatory countries.

Four Strategic Pillars

Catalytic Finance Hub: Works to unlock and channel large-scale investments for solar energy projects.
Global Capability Centre and Digitisation: Encourages innovation, digital solutions, and skill development in the solar sector.
Regional and Country-Level Engagement: Focuses on customised actions and support for different countries and regions.
Technology Roadmap and Policy: Promotes the adoption and deployment of emerging solar technologies through policy guidance.