News in Shorts: 26 February 2026

Principle of “Just Deserts”

Context: The principle of “just deserts” has been discussed recently in the context of criminal justice policy debates and sentencing reforms.

About the Principle of “Just Deserts”

• The principle of just deserts is a theory of punishment in criminal justice that holds that offenders should be punished in proportion to the seriousness of their crime. 
• The core idea is that punishment is justified because the offender morally deserves it.

Key Features

• Retributive Theory: Rooted in retributive justice punishment is imposed because a wrong has been committed, not primarily to deter or reform.
• Proportionality: The severity of punishment must be proportionate to the gravity of the offence (e.g., minor theft vs. murder).
• Moral Responsibility: Assumes individuals are rational agents responsible for their actions.
• Backward-Looking Approach: Focuses on the past act (the crime committed), unlike deterrence which looks to future prevention.

Blockchain India Challenge

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the Blockchain India Challenge to promote blockchain-based digital governance solutions.

About the Blockchain India Challenge

• The Blockchain India Challenge is a national initiative launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
• It aims to encourage Indian startups to design and pilot blockchain-based solutions for government departments.
• The challenge focuses on developing permissioned blockchain systems ensuring regulatory control, security, auditability, and tamper-proof records.
• Objective
  • To strengthen digital governance by creating secure and transparent blockchain solutions for public service delivery.
  • To develop ten impactful use cases across diverse governance sectors.
• Support Mechanism: It promotes collaboration between Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)-recognised startups and government departments to transform innovative ideas into deployable, field-ready solutions.
  • Selected startups will receive stage-wise funding support to implement solutions in real-world administrative contexts.

About Blockchain System

• A blockchain system is a decentralized and distributed digital ledger technology that records transactions across multiple computers in a secure, transparent, and tamper-resistant manner.
• Permissioned Blockchain systems commonly used for government and enterprise applications to ensure regulatory control and data security.
• Key Features
• • Distributed Ledger: Data is shared and synchronized across a network of nodes rather than stored in a single central authority.
  • Immutability: Once recorded, transactions cannot be altered without network consensus.
  • Transparency and Auditability: All authorized participants can verify transactions, ensuring trust.
  • Cryptographic Security: Transactions are secured using encryption and consensus mechanisms.

Epstein-Barr Virus

Context: Scientists reported promising monoclonal antibodies in mice that may prevent Epstein-Barr virus infection, advancing prospects for an effective vaccine.

About Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)

• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common herpesvirus that infects humans and establishes lifelong latency after initial exposure.
• It is best known for causing infectious mononucleosis and is associated with several chronic and malignant conditions.
• Affected Population: Nearly 95% of the global population is infected with EBV at some point in their lives. 
  • While most infections are asymptomatic or mild, immunocompromised individuals, including organ transplant recipients, are at higher risk of severe complications.
• Impact on Health: 
  • EBV is linked to infectious mononucleosis, multiple sclerosis, and several cancers, including EBV-associated lymphomas. 
  • In transplant patients, viral reactivation can lead to life-threatening complications, highlighting the need for effective preventive strategies.

About the Epstein-Barr Antibodies

• Researchers developed monoclonal antibodies targeting two viral surface proteins gp350, which helps the virus attach to cells, and gp42, which facilitates viral entry.
  • Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are laboratory-produced proteins that act like natural antibodies to boost the immune system and target specific diseased cells, such as cancer or viruses
• Developed By: The study was conducted by scientists at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, USA and published in Cell Reports Medicine.

Significance

• Prevention of Infection: One antibody targeting gp42 successfully prevented EBV infection in mice with human immune systems.
• Partial Protective Effect: An antibody targeting gp350 provided partial protection, indicating multiple targets may enhance vaccine design.
• Future Vaccine Potential: These findings mark a significant step toward developing antibody-based therapies or vaccines to prevent EBV infection and related complications.

Kaziranga National Park Waterbird Count

Context: During the 7th waterbird census, a rare Eurasian diving duck Smew, was recorded for the first time in Kaziranga National Park, raising climate concerns.

Key Findings of the Waterbird Count (2026)

• Slight Decline: The census recorded 105,540 waterbirds belonging to 107 species, which is 6,522 individuals and 17 species fewer than 2025.
• First-Ever Smew Sighting: The rare smew (Mergellus albellus) was sighted in Rowmari-Donduwa beels, marking its debut in the Kaziranga landscape.
• Important Wetland Hotspots: Rowmari Beel recorded the highest abundance (15,661 birds) and diversity (77 species), reaffirming floodplain resilience.
• Threatened Species Presence: The census documented 18 species listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Key Concerns

• Climate-Driven Range Shifts: The smew’s vagrant presence indicates possible migratory shifts linked to climate change.
• Habitat and Pollution Threats: Wetlands face risks from encroachment, hunting, oil pollution, and hydrological disruptions affecting migratory refuelling sites.
• Declining Waterfowl Numbers: The dip in overall numbers signals the need for stronger wetland conservation measures.

About Smew (Mergellus albellus) 

• The smew (Mergellus albellus) is a small migratory diving duck native to Eurasian taiga breeding grounds.
• Feature: Male smews have a black-masked white body, while females have a mottled brown body.
• Habitat: It prefers sheltered, fish-rich freshwater lakes and wetlands during winter.
• Distribution: It breeds in northern Europe and Siberia and winters in Europe and parts of Asia.
  • It is a rare winter visitor to India.
  • Sightings are sporadic and localised, mainly in northern or central Indian wetlands, including Haiderpur in Uttar Pradesh
• IUCN Status: Least Concern
  • Though global populations are declining due to habitat loss and human pressures. 
    • Globally, there are an estimated 130,000 smews.
• Protection in India: It is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which safeguards migratory birds and their habitats.

MILAN 2026 Maritime Exercise

Context: Recently, the Indian Navy’s major multilateral maritime exercise MILAN 2026 concluded with a closing ceremony held onboard the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off the coast of Visakhapatnam.

About Exercise MILAN

• Origin: It was launched in 1995 under the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
• Initial Participants: Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand (4 navies) and has now expanded to over 50 nations across Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

About MILAN 2026

• Exercise MILAN 2026 is the 13th edition of India’s flagship biennial multilateral naval exercise. 
• Location: Visakhapatnam from 15 to 25 February 2026.
• Participation: 70+ Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs), including first-time participants like Germany, Philippines, and UAE.
• Strategic Vision: Aligned with MAHASAGAR (Maritime Association for Holistic Advancement and Security for All in the Region) and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

TERI’s World Sustainable Development Summit 2026

Context: Recently, Union Minister for Environment, Shri Bhupender Yadav, inaugurated the Silver Jubilee (25th) edition of TERI’s World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS).

World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2026

• An annual conference organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). 
  • It was instituted in 2001, as the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS).  
• The 2026 edition of WSDS will mark the Silver Jubilee (25th edition) of the Summit
• 25th edition Theme: Transformations: Vision, Voices, and Values for Sustainable Development
• Significance: It is the only independently convened international summit on sustainable development based in the Global South.

Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO)

Context: Recently, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) was awarded the contract by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to build the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in Hingoli, Maharashtra.

About Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)

• Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is an interferometer-based observatory designed to detect gravitational waves.
• Scientific collaboration: It is  a scientific collaboration and marvel of engineering that consists of two facilities in the United States, one in the Pacific Northwest at Hanford, Washington, and another near the Gulf of Mexico in Livingston, Louisiana. 
• Working Principle
• • Uses laser interferometry.
  • Two 4-km-long L-shaped vacuum tunnels.
  • A laser beam is split and reflected off mirrors.
  • Recombined beams form an interference pattern.
  • Even minute stretching or compression of space is detected.

What is LIGO-India?

• LIGO-India is an advanced gravitational-wave observatory planned to be located in India.
• The project received in-principle approval from the Government of India in 2016.
• Location: Aundha, Hingoli District, Maharashtra.
• Cost: Approximately ₹2,600 crore.
• Operational Goal: Expected to be completed within 48 months (by 2030).
  • Once operational, LIGO-India will join a network of gravitational wave detectors including existing LIGO detectors in the U.S., VIRGO in Italy, and KAGRA in Japan, forming a global observatory network.
• Aim: To detect gravitational waves from the universe.
• Implemented by:
  • Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
  • Department of Science and Technology (DST)
  • International Collaboration: National Science Foundation (USA) under a Memorandum of Understanding.
• Significance for India:
  • Strengthens India’s Astrophysics & Space Science leadership.
  • Promotes cutting-edge technology development (lasers, optics, vacuum systems).
  • Boosts Make in India & industrial participation (e.g., L&T).

Scientific River Ranching in Ganga

Context: Namami Gange’s scientific river ranching revived Ganga’s native fish stocks by releasing indigenous fingerlings over a decade.

What is Scientific River Ranching?

• Definition: It is a scientific stock enhancement method involving the release of hatchery-reared native fish fingerlings into natural rivers.
• Objective: To rebuild declining fish stocks, conserve aquatic biodiversity, and improve river ecosystem health.
• Scientific Basis: 
• • Use of wild broodstock to maintain genetic purity.
  • Release at scientifically identified stretches.
  • Fingerlings reared to optimal size to improve survival rate.
• Difference from Aquaculture: In Aquaculture fish are grown for harvest in controlled ponds/tanks, while in river ranching, fish are released into open rivers to strengthen wild populations.

Scientific River Ranching in Ganga

• Scientific river ranching is a key intervention under the Namami Gange Programme to reverse the decline in native fish populations in the Ganga.
• Causes of Declining Fish Population: Habitat degradation, pollution, altered flows, and unregulated fishing. 
• Implementing Agency: ICAR–Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI).
• Scale (2017–2025): 169 river ranching programmes conducted across ecologically critical stretches of the Ganga and its tributaries.
  • 205.5 lakh (20.55 million) indigenous fish seeds/fingerlings released.
• Species focus: Emphasis on native/indigenous species to conserve biodiversity, preserve genetic integrity, and support sustainable riverine fisheries. Key species include:
  • Indian Major Carps (IMCs)
  • Mahseer
  • Native catfishes
  • Chitala
  • Freshwater scampi
  • Hilsa

Speaker of the Knesset Medal

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Speaker of the Knesset Medal.

• He became the first international recipient, marking a historic diplomatic milestone.

About the Honour of the Knesset

• The ‘Speaker of the Knesset Medal’ is the highest honour conferred by the Knesset, the Parliament of Israel.
• It recognises distinguished global leaders for exceptional contributions to strengthening relations with Israel.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first foreign leader to receive this prestigious medal.
• Significance
• • The award symbolises the deepening of India–Israel strategic relations, particularly in defence, agriculture, water management, and technology cooperation.
  • It reflects growing bilateral trust and shared geopolitical interests in West Asia.

Other Highest Civilian Awards Conferred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi

• Order of Zayed (United Arab Emirates, 2019)
• Order of St. Andrew the Apostle (Russia, 2019)
• King Abdulaziz Sash (Saudi Arabia, 2016)
• Order of the Nile (Egypt, 2023)
• Legion of Merit (United States, 2020)
• Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (France, 2023)
• Order of Fiji (Fiji, 2014)

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