News in Shorts 13 October 2026: TAPAS-1, PMDDKY, WEO Report 2026 & Exercise KONKAN-26

TAPAS-1

Context: Ahmedabad-based space-tech startup Satleo Labs launched TAPAS-1 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

• It is described as India’s first private thermal-imaging payload for commercial use.

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About TAPAS-1

• TAPAS: Thermal Access Platform for Analytics & Solutions, a thermal infrared imaging payload developed by Ahmedabad-based Satleo Labs in about 12 months. TAPAS-1 is a CubeSat-category payload, 
• Satleo Labs: Founded in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in 2023 by Shravan Singh Bhati (space-tech entrepreneur), Dr Ranendu Ghosh (retired ISRO scientist) and Urmil Bakhai (business strategist).
• Technical Features:
• • Weight: 1.5 kg.
  • Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), at an altitude of approximately 500 km.
  • Technology: Captures thermal infrared images showing variations in Earth’s surface temperature.
  • Data Processing: Artificial Intelligence (AI) will analyse the data to generate actionable insights.
  • Operational life: Expected to remain in orbit for three years.
• CubeSat: A class of miniaturised satellites based on standard modular units, typically measuring 10 × 10 × 10 cm per unit. CubeSats commonly use commercially available components

Applications

• Agriculture: Monitor crop health, agricultural stress and water requirements to improve farm planning.
• Urban planning: Map urban heat variations and support heat-stress management.
• Disaster management: Detect and monitor forest fires and other disasters.
• Climate and weather: Support climate modelling, extreme-weather analysis and storm prediction.
• Defence and geology: Provide thermal intelligence and support geological surveys.

Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)

Context: PMDDKY completed its first year on 11 October 2026, with Gaya (Bihar), Nagaur (Rajasthan) and Umaria (Madhya Pradesh) securing the top three overall rankings.

About Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)

• PMDDKY is a district-centric agricultural development scheme that converges 36 Central schemes across 11 Ministries and Departments.
• Launch: The scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2025–26 and formally launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 11 October 2025.
• Objective: To improve agricultural productivity, increase cropping intensity, promote crop diversification, strengthen irrigation and storage infrastructure, and expand institutional agricultural credit.
• Implementation Period: The scheme covers 100 identified districts with low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement, with implementation planned for six years from 2025–26 to 2030–31.
• Implementation Mechanism
  • National Level: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (A&FW) through the Department of A&FW (DA&FW)  leads PMDDKY.
    • The National Executive Committee is headed by the Union Agriculture Minister, while the National Monitoring Committee is chaired by the DA&FW Secretary.
  • State Level: The State Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti, headed by the State Chief Secretary, reviews and monitors District Action Plans (DAPs).
  • District Level: The District Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti, headed by the District Collector/District Magistrate, prepares and implements DAPs.
• Technical Support: NITI Aayog supports dashboard-based monitoring and Agricultural Universities are providing technical guidance.
• Key Initiatives under PMDDKY
  • District-Centric Planning: District-specific action plans are prepared according to soil conditions, rainfall, cropping patterns, water availability and farmers’ needs.
  • Sustainable Agriculture: The scheme promotes crop diversification, sustainable farming practices, water conservation and improved soil health.
  • Post-Harvest Infrastructure: It seeks to augment storage facilities at the panchayat and block levels to reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ returns.
  • Agricultural Credit and Irrigation: The scheme facilitates access to short-term and long-term institutional credit while improving irrigation infrastructure and water management.
• Top-Performing Districts: Gaya (Bihar) secured first position in the overall district performance rankings followed by Nagaur (Rajasthan) and Umaria, (Madhya Pradesh)
• Thematic Recognition: Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) showcased water conservation and drought resilience; Alluri Sitharama Raju (Andhra Pradesh) highlighted high-value horticulture; and Banka (Bihar) presented the Lilawaran Natural Farming Land Revival Model.

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World Economic Outlook (WEO) Report 2026

Context: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised India’s GDP growth forecast to 7% for both 2026–27 and 2027–28 in its October 2026 WEO update.

About the World Economic Outlook Report

• The World Economic Outlook (WEO) is the IMF’s flagship report analysing global macroeconomic developments and projecting short-term and medium-term economic trends.
• Published By: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) publishes the report twice yearly, typically in April and October, with interim updates generally released in January and July.
• Focus Area: The report examines global economic growth, inflation, international trade, financial stability and policy challenges across advanced, emerging and developing economies.

Key Highlights of WEO Report 2026

• Global Growth Outlook: Global economic growth is projected at 3.1% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027, reflecting resilience amid geopolitical conflicts and trade-related disruptions.
• India’s Economic Outlook: India’s GDP growth forecast was raised to 7% for both 2026–27 and 2027–28, supported by resilient domestic demand, robust services activity, favourable demographics and structural reforms.
  • It was estimated at 6.5% for 2026 in the April edition of WEO Report.
• Fragmented Global Growth: Advanced economies are projected to grow by 2.1% in 2026, while emerging market and developing economies are expected to expand by 3.7%, reflecting uneven economic performance.
• Inflation and Commodity Prices: Global headline inflation is projected to rise amid energy supply disruptions and higher commodity prices, complicating central banks’ efforts to maintain price stability.

Lakshadweep Achieves 100% Literacy Rate

Context: Recently, Lakshadweep was declared a 100% literate Union Territory after all eligible learners cleared the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT).

About 100% Literacy Rate

• A 100% literacy rate signifies that all eligible learners in the assessed population have acquired the literacy competencies required under the applicable assessment framework.
  • Under ULLAS the benchmark for 100 % literacy means 95% literacy among individuals aged 15 years and above.
• States and Union Territories declared fully literate: Mizoram (2025), Goa (2025), Ladakh (2024), Tripura (2025), Uttarakhand (2025), Himachal Pradesh (2025), Chandigarh (2025), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (2025), Sikkim (2025) and Lakshadweep (2026).
• Key Conditions of Literacy
  • Foundational Skills: Learners must demonstrate reading, writing and basic numeracy with comprehension.
  • Assessment: Eligible learners must successfully clear the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT).
  • Inclusive Access: Doorstep assessments, home-based teaching and re-testing help learners who cannot attend examination centres.

About ULLAS–Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram

• ULLAS stands for Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society and is also known as the New India Literacy Programme under the Ministry of Education.
• Launch: The Centrally Sponsored Scheme was approved for implementation during Financial Years 2022–2027 and aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Nodal Agency: Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), under the Union Ministry of Education.
• Objective: To provide functional literacy and essential life skills to non-literate adults aged 15 years and above who missed formal schooling.
• Target: It targets 5 crore learners over five years, at an intended rate of one crore learners annually.
• Focus Areas
• • Foundational Literacy and Numeracy: Develops reading, writing, comprehension and everyday mathematical calculation skills.
  • Digital and Financial Literacy: Enables learners to use digital devices, access online government services and understand savings, banking and digital transactions.
  • Essential Life and Vocational Skills: Promotes legal awareness, knowledge of basic rights and job-oriented skills to support informed participation in society and economic empowerment.
  • Community-Based Learning: Uses schools and community spaces as learning centres, supported by volunteerism and periodic FLNAT assessments.

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Exercise KONKAN-26

Context: INS Trishul arrived at Plymouth, United Kingdom, to participate in the bilateral maritime exercise KONKAN-26.

About Exercise KONKAN-26

• Participants: Indian Navy and Royal Navy of the United Kingdom.
• Location: Off Plymouth, United Kingdom.
• Nature: Bilateral maritime exercise conducted in two phases.
• Objective: To enhance interoperability, mutual understanding and operational coordination between the two navies.
• Key Activities: Exchange of best practices and coordinated maritime operations in complex operational scenarios.

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