Introduction

For a UPSC aspirant, the years 2025 and 2026 represent a period of profound transition in India’s developmental trajectory. From achieving strategic autonomy in space and energy to pioneering affordable, high-tech healthcare solutions, the nation is aggressively pursuing the goals of Viksit Bharat @2047. This period is characterized by “indigenization”—whether it is through the indigenous atomic clocks of NavIC, the home-grown CAR-T cell therapy for cancer, or the localized Small Modular Reactors for clean energy.

The following compendium integrates high-priority domestic breakthroughs with global socio-economic benchmarks, providing a structured roadmap for GS Paper 2 (International Relations/Social Justice) and GS Paper 3 (Economy/Science & Technology/Environment).

1.UNICEF Reports for UPSC (2025-26 Edition)

UNICEF’s reports track the “human development” side of growth, often focusing on the vulnerabilities of the next generation.

1. The State of the World’s Children (SOWC) 2025

• Title: Ending Child Poverty: Our Shared Imperative
• Concept: UNICEF’s flagship annual report. The 2025 edition shifts focus from general poverty to Multidimensional Child Poverty.
• Key Findings (Global):
  • Deprivation Scale: Over 400 million children globally live in extreme poverty, missing out on at least two daily needs (nutrition, sanitation, or education).
  • Stagnation: While global poverty declined by 10% over the last decade, progress is stalling due to national debt and climate shocks.
• India Context:
  • About 206 million children in India lack access to at least one essential service.
  • The report highlights India’s National MPI success (248 million people escaping poverty) but warns that 62 million children still face “compounded deprivations” (two or more areas).

2. Child Nutrition Report 2025

• Title: Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children
• Concept: Analyzes the shift from undernutrition to the rise of childhood obesity.
• Latest Milestone: In 2025, for the first time in history, the global prevalence of obesity (9.4%) among 5–19-year-olds surpassed underweight (9.2%).
• India Specifics: India is facing a “Double Burden.” While stunting remains a challenge, 27 million Indian children are projected to be obese by 2030.

3. Prospects for Children in 2025

• Concept: A “future-looking” outlook report focusing on systemic resilience.
• Key Warning: 1 in 6 children (473 million) now live in conflict zones—the highest proportion since the 1990s.
• Debt vs. Development: In over 40 low-income nations, debt interest payments now exceed spending on health or education.

Why in the News? (2025-2026 Context)

1. Climate-Child Nexus: 4 out of 5 children in India are now exposed to at least one extreme climate hazard (heatwaves, floods) annually. UNICEF is advocating for “Child-Responsive Climate Policies.”
2. Digital Divide: The 2025 reports emphasize “Learning Poverty,” where children in rural India are falling behind due to a lack of digital infrastructure, even as schools reopen post-pandemic.
3. World Children’s Day (Nov 20, 2025): The SOWC 2025 was launched specifically to push for “Child-Centric Budgets” in the 2026-27 fiscal cycle.

2. ILO Reports (2025-26 Edition)

1. World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) Trends 2026

• Concept: The flagship annual report analyzing global and regional labor market trends.
• Latest Data (Jan 2026):
  • Unemployment Stability: Global unemployment is projected to remain at 4.9% through 2026.
  • The “Jobs Gap”: A more critical metric than unemployment. It measures people who want to work but don’t have a job, projected at 408 million globally for 2026.
  • Informality: Global informality is rising, with 2.1 billion workers (mostly in Africa and Southern Asia) lacking social protections.
• India Context: India remains the fastest-growing major economy, but the ILO highlights that its structural transformation has slowed, with a significant portion of the workforce still stuck in low-productivity agriculture (over 40%).

2. The State of Social Justice: A Work in Progress (2025)

• Why in News? Released to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1995 World Summit for Social Development.
• The Paradox: Humanity is wealthier and more educated than ever, yet 71% of global income outcomes are still determined by the “lottery of birth” (country, gender, or caste).
• India Note: The report praises India for reducing multidimensional poverty but warns that it remains one of the world’s most unequal countries.

3. Global Wage Report 2024-25

• Focus: Real wage growth vs. Inflation.
• Latest Findings: For the first time in years, real wages in India showed a “positive” trend compared to many G20 nations, though the gap between top-tier tech salaries and rural agricultural wages is widening.

4. Profits and Poverty: The Economics of Forced Labour (2024)

• Concept: Quantifies the “illegal profits” generated from forced labor.
• Shocking Data: Forced labor generates $236 billion in illegal profits annually (a 37% increase since 2014).

Why was ILO in the News Recently? (2025-26)

1. India-ILO MoU (2025): India signed a landmark agreement with the ILO to develop the International Reference Classification of Occupations (IRCO). This helps in “Skill Mapping” so that Indian workers’ certifications are recognized globally for overseas jobs.
2. AI & “Entry-Level” Risk: In 2025, the ILO warned that Generative AI poses a higher risk to educated youth in high-income and middle-income countries (like India) by automating entry-level cognitive tasks.
3. The NEET Crisis: ILO data for 2025 showed that 260 million young people globally are NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training), with Southern Asia having one of the highest concentrations.

3. WEF Reports (2025-26 Edition)

The WEF publishes several flagship reports that serve as benchmarks for global competitiveness and future readiness.

1. Global Gender Gap Report 2025

• Concept: Benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key dimensions: Economic Participation, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.
• Latest Data: * Global Status: At the current rate of progress, it will take 131 years to reach full parity.
  • India’s Rank: India is currently ranked 126th out of 146 countries (as per 2024-25 trends). While it has closed over 64% of its overall gender gap, Political Empowerment and Economic Participation remain the weakest areas.
• Why in News? Recent discussions have focused on the “Care Economy” and how AI might disproportionately affect women’s administrative roles.

2. Global Risks Report 2026

• Concept: Released every year before the Davos meeting, it uses a “Global Risks Perception Survey” to identify the biggest threats over the next 2 and 10 years.
• Top Risks (2026):
  • Short-term (2 years): AI-generated Misinformation/Disinformation and Extreme Weather Events.
  • Long-term (10 years): Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse, and Critical Change to Earth Systems.
• Why in News? For the first time, “Misinformation” has consistently outranked traditional economic risks like inflation or recession.

3. Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2025

• Concept: Benchmarks countries on the performance of their energy systems and their readiness for transition to a secure, sustainable, and inclusive energy future.
• India’s Progress: India is recognized as a “fast-mover” due to its massive push in solar capacity and green hydrogen.
• Key Findings: Global energy transition is plateauing due to energy security concerns and high interest rates.

4. Global Competitiveness Report (GCR)

• Concept: Assesses the “Productivity” of nations using 12 pillars including Institutions, Infrastructure, and Innovation.
• Note: This report underwent a major overhaul post-pandemic to focus more on “Future Readiness” and “Sustainability” rather than just GDP growth.

5. Chief Economists Outlook (Quarterly)

• Concept: A pulse check on the global economy.
• 2026 Outlook: Highlights a “fragmented” global economy where some regions (India, SE Asia) are booming while others face stagnation.

Why was WEF in the News? (2025-26 Context)

1. AI Governance Alliance: In 2025, the WEF launched a major initiative to harmonize global AI regulations, which India has actively joined.
2. Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA): A WEF-led initiative to use philanthropic capital to unlock trillions for climate action, frequently mentioned in the context of India’s Green Credits scheme.
3. Davos 2026: The theme centered on “Rebuilding Trust in an Era of Fragmentation,” emphasizing the need for global cooperation on trade and climate.

4. Bacterial Bioremediation of Plasticizers

1. What are Plasticizers? (The Concept)

Plasticizers are chemical additives (mostly Phthalates) added to polymers like PVC to increase their flexibility, transparency, and durability.

• The Problem: Unlike the plastic itself, plasticizers are not chemically bound to the polymer. They easily leach out into water, soil, and even food.
• Health Risks: They are known Endocrine Disruptors (mimic hormones) and are classified as potential carcinogens.
• Persistence: High-molecular-weight plasticizers like DEHP (Diethyl Hexyl Phthalate) are notoriously difficult to degrade and remain in the environment for decades.

2. The IIT Roorkee Innovation (2025-2026)

A research team led by Prof. Pravindra Kumar discovered a way to “eat” these chemicals using a specific metabolic pathway.

• The Microbe: The team identified the soil bacterium Sulfobacillus acidophilus.
• The Enzyme: They isolated the Esterase enzyme (EstS1).
• The Mechanism: Through a process called hydrolysis, the enzyme breaks down the complex DEHP molecule into simpler, non-toxic components: Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and 2-ethyl hexanol.
• Sequential Degradation: By using a sequence of five different enzymes (integrated into E. coli via genetic engineering), the researchers successfully converted these plasticizers all the way into Water (H₂O) and Carbon Dioxide (CO₂).

3. Latest Update: The “Nano-Enabled” Method (Jan 2026)

In early 2026, researchers further enhanced this process by using Nanotechnology. They developed Nanophosphates that act as “slow-release nutrient reservoirs.” These nanoparticles feed the bacteria (Rhodococcus jostii RHA1), allowing them to degrade plasticizers within just 3 hours—even in plain water without any external fertilizers.

Why in the News?

• Namami Gange & Swachh Bharat: The technology is being touted as a key tool for cleaning up the Ganga and other water bodies where microplastics and leached chemicals are a major concern.
• Carcinogenic Alarms: With rising cancer rates globally, the ability to remove DEHP (a primary carcinogen found in everything from toys to medical tubing) is a public health priority.
• Circular Economy: This aligns with India’s Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules which emphasize the life-cycle management of plastics.

5. NVS-02 satellite

What is NVS-02?

NVS-02 (Navigation Satellite-02) is the second satellite in ISRO’s second-generation (NVS) series, designed to replace and augment the aging IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System) constellation.

Key Technical Features

• Launch Vehicle: Launched aboard the GSLV-F15 (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle).
• Weight: Approximately 2,250 kg (much heavier than the 1,425 kg first-gen satellites).
• Orbit: Placed in a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), intended to reside at 111.75ºE, replacing the IRNSS-1E satellite.
• Mission Life: Enhanced longevity of over 12 years (compared to 10 years for the first generation).
• NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) or IRNSS (Indian regional navigation satellite system) is India’s regional navigation system made up of 7 operational satellites in orbit (3 in Geostationary orbit and 4 in Geosynchronous Orbit).
• The Primary service area is India and 1500 KM around it.

Technological Advancements

1. L1 Band Signal: Unlike first-gen satellites (L5 and S bands), NVS-02 includes the L1 frequency. This is the same band used by civilian GPS, making NavIC compatible with everyday devices like smartphones and fitness trackers.
2. Indigenous Atomic Clock: It carries a Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (RAFS) developed by ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad. Atomic clocks are the “heart” of navigation satellites, determining position accuracy by measuring time to the billionth of a second.

Why in the News? (The 2025-26 Context)

1. ISRO’s 100th Launch: The NVS-02 launch (January 29, 2025) marked the 100th spaceflight mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota—a massive historic milestone.
2. Strategic Setback: In early 2025, NVS-02 faced a technical challenge. While the launch was successful, a malfunction in the thruster valves prevented the “orbit-raising” maneuvers. This left the satellite in an elliptical orbit rather than its final circular geostationary slot.
3. Critical Dependency: In March 2026, the failure of the atomic clock on another operational satellite (IRNSS-1F) highlighted the urgent need for the successful deployment of the remaining NVS series (NVS-03, 04, and 05) to ensure the continuity of India’s sovereign navigation services.

6. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

GBS is a rare, non-communicable autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

How it Works: Molecular Mimicry

• The Trigger: Most cases follow a viral or bacterial infection (respiratory or gastrointestinal).
• The Mechanism: The immune system produces antibodies to fight the infection. However, because certain proteins on the surface of these germs look like proteins on our nerves (a concept called Molecular Mimicry), the antibodies begin attacking the myelin sheath (the protective coating of nerves).
• The Result: Without the myelin sheath, nerves cannot transmit signals effectively, leading to muscle weakness, numbness, and eventually paralysis.

Why in the News? (The 2025-26 Outbreaks)

1. The Pune & Maharashtra Outbreak (Early 2025)

In February-March 2025, Pune reported one of the largest GBS clusters globally, with over 225 cases and 23 deaths.

• Source: Investigations by NITI Aayog and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) pointed toward contaminated water in newly merged urban areas.
• The Culprit: The bacteria Campylobacter jejuni, often found in untreated water and undercooked poultry, was identified as the primary antecedent trigger.

2. The Madhya Pradesh Outbreak (January 2026)

In early 2026, an outbreak in the Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh led to several fatalities, including children.

• State Response: The MP government declared a health emergency in the affected blocks and announced that the state would bear the full cost of treatment (IVIG therapy).

3. Post-Pandemic Trends (March 2026)

Health experts in cities like Bengaluru reported a 15–20% rise in GBS cases post-COVID-19. Studies suggest that certain viral infections, including COVID-19 and Zika, may increase the long-term risk of developing autoimmune neurological disorders.

7. First indigenous “living drugs” for blood cancer

What is a “Living Drug”?

A “Living Drug” refers to CAR-T Cell Therapy. Unlike traditional chemical drugs (pills) or biologicals (vaccines) that are cleared by the body, this is a cell-based gene therapy that uses a patient’s own living immune cells as the medicine.

How it Works: The “Serial Killer” Mechanism

1. Extraction: T-cells (the “soldiers” of the immune system) are harvested from the patient’s blood.
2. Genetic Engineering: In a lab, a specific gene for a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) is inserted into these T-cells. This “programs” them to recognize a specific protein on cancer cells (usually CD19).
3. Multiplication: These newly created “CAR-T cells” are grown into the millions.
4. Infusion: The “armed” cells are re-injected into the patient. Because they are living, they multiply inside the body and continuously hunt down cancer cells.

Why in the News? (2024–2026 Milestone)

India has approved two major “Living Drugs” that have revolutionized domestic cancer care:

1. NexCAR19 (The Indigenous Pioneer)

• Developed by: ImmunoACT (an IIT Bombay-incubated company) in collaboration with Tata Memorial Hospital.
• Approval: Authorized by the CDSCO in late 2023; launched commercially in April 2024 by President Droupadi Murmu.
• Uniqueness: It is a “humanized” CAR-T therapy, which makes it safer and reduces severe side effects like “Cytokine Storms.”

2. Qartemi (The Second Approval)

• Approved: January 2025.
• Developed by: Immuneel Therapeutics (backed by Biocon’s Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and oncologist Siddhartha Mukherjee).
• Significance: Specifically targets B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, expanding the range of treatable blood cancers in India.

The “Affordability” Breakthrough

Internationally, CAR-T therapy costs approx. ₹3–4 Crore ($400,000). India’s indigenous versions are priced between ₹30–45 Lakh, making them 90% cheaper and positioning India as a global hub for affordable biotechnology.

Key Terms

• CD19: The “flag” or antigen on B-cell cancer cells that CAR-T cells target.
• Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): A common side effect where the immune system overreacts; India’s humanized therapy minimizes this.
• Relapsed/Refractory: Terms used for cancer that has returned or stopped responding to chemotherapy; this is where “living drugs” are used.

8. Vikas Engine 

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully demonstrated the restart capability of its Vikas Engine at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri

What is “Engine Restart”?

In a typical mission, a rocket engine fires once and is discarded. Restart capability means the engine can be shut down in space and reignited multiple times.

• Multi-Burn Missions: Allows a single rocket to place different satellites into different orbits by “hopping” between them.
• Stage Recovery (Reusability): To bring a rocket stage back to Earth (like SpaceX’s Falcon 9), the engine must restart to perform a “retro-burn” to slow down and land vertically.
• The 2025 Test Specifics: * First Firing: 60 seconds (Steady state).
  • Shut-off Period: 120 seconds (Simulating coasting in space).
  • The Restart: Successfully reignited for a 7-second duration.

The Vikas Engine: ISRO’s Workhorse

Named after Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai, the Vikas engine is a liquid-fueled engine that has been the backbone of Indian spaceflight since the 1970s.

Why was this in the News? 

1. Transition to Reusability: This test is the technical foundation for the RLV-LEX (Reusable Launch Vehicle) program. Recovering stages could cut launch costs by over 50%.
2. Gaganyaan Mission: A “Human-Rated” version of the Vikas engine (L110-G) is mandatory for the crewed mission. Restart capability adds a layer of safety for abort scenarios and precise orbital maneuvering.
3. Commercial Competitiveness: With the global market shifting toward reusable tech, this keeps NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) competitive in the commercial launch market.

9. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

What is a Small Modular Reactor (SMR)?

According to the IAEA, SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors with a power capacity of up to 300 MWe per unit—roughly one-third of the capacity of traditional reactors.

• Small: Physically a fraction of the size of conventional reactors.
• Modular: Systems and components can be factory-assembled and transported as a single unit to the site.
• Reactor: Uses nuclear fission to generate heat for electricity, hydrogen production, or desalination.

SMRs vs. Conventional Reactors

Why in the News? (2025-26 Updates)

1. Nuclear Energy Mission (Budget 2025-26): The Union Government announced an outlay of ₹20,000 crore for the R&D and deployment of SMRs.
2. The 100 GW Target: SMRs are critical to India’s roadmap to reach 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047 (up from ~8.1 GW in 2025).
3. Indigenous Developments (March 2026): BARC and NPCIL are developing three specific models:
   • BSMR-200: A 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor.
   • SMR-55: A 55 MWe modular design.
   • HTGCR: A High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor for hydrogen generation.
4. SHANTI Act, 2025: A new legislative framework proposed to allow private sector participation in nuclear energy, previously a state monopoly.

10. Nuclear fission

What is Nuclear Fission?

Nuclear fission is a reaction where the nucleus of a heavy atom (such as Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239) splits into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing a massive amount of energy, along with neutrons and gamma rays.

How it Works

1. Neutron Bombardment: A slow-moving (thermal) neutron strikes a heavy, unstable nucleus.
2. Splitting: The nucleus becomes highly unstable and splits into smaller “fission fragments” (e.g., Barium and Krypton).
3. Chain Reaction: The reaction releases 2-3 additional neutrons. If these neutrons hit other fissile atoms, a self-sustaining controlled chain reaction begins.
4. Energy Release: According to Einstein’s E=mc², the tiny amount of mass “lost” during the split is converted into a vast amount of thermal energy.

Why is it in the News? (2025–26 Updates)

1. The SHANTI Act, 2025

The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act was passed in late 2025. It effectively ends the state monopoly on nuclear power by allowing private sector participation and foreign investment (up to 49%) in nuclear energy production.

2. PFBR Criticality (Target: 2026)

The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, managed by BHAVINI, is expected to achieve first criticality by late 2025/early 2026. This marks the definitive transition to Stage II of India’s three-stage nuclear program.

3. Target 100 GW by 2047

Under the “Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat,” India has officially scaled its target to achieve 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047, up from the current ~8.8 GW (as of March 2026).

India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Program

Conclusion

The developments of 2025–2026 underscore a shift in the UPSC syllabus from theoretical concepts to applied technology and policy convergence. For an aspirant, these topics are not isolated facts but interconnected solutions to India’s core challenges: energy security (SMRs), technological sovereignty (NavIC), and inclusive health (CAR-T).

Success in the 2026-27 exam cycle will depend on the ability to link these “current” updates with “static” foundations—such as connecting the SHANTI Act to the Three-Stage Nuclear Program, or linking UNICEF reports to the National MPI. As India navigates the risks of AI and climate change, these interventions will form the backbone of the “Viksit Bharat” narrative.