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Author Archives: NEXT IAS Current Affairs Team

Seed Act 2026 and Its Impact on Farmers

Context

  • Recently, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) briefed in detail about the features of the Seed Act 2026 and its impact on farmers.

    • Key Reasons For Bringing New Seed Act (Seed Act 2026)

  • Outdated Nature of the Seed Act, 1966: The Seed Act of 1966 was enacted when seed market was largely public-sector driven; hybrid and genetically improved varieties were limited; and digital systems and traceability were non-existent.
  • Today, the seed sector is vast, private-sector dominated, and technologically advanced.
  • The old law lacks provisions for digital monitoring, modern certification standards, and effective enforcement mechanisms.

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    UN High Seas Treaty Comes Into Effect

    Context

  • A UN-backed treaty on biodiversity in international waters, formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, has entered into force, creating the first legally binding global framework to conserve and sustainably use the high seas.

    • What are the High Seas?

  • High seas refer to ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction, i.e., beyond 200 nautical miles (Exclusive Economic Zones – EEZs).
  • They cover nearly two-thirds of the global ocean and about half of the Earth’s surface.
  • Earlier governed mainly by general principles under UNCLOS, with limited biodiversity-specific regulation.

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    18th Japan-India Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue

    In News/Context

  • At the 18th India–Japan Strategic Dialogue, India and Japan reaffirmed the upward trajectory of their Special Strategic and Global Partnership, with a strong focus on economic security, resilient supply chains, critical technologies, and defence cooperation.

    • Key Highlights

  • Announced the launch of Japan–India Private-Sector Dialogue on Economic Security (B2B) in early 2026.
  • It will help in identification of five priority areas: semiconductors, critical minerals, ICT, clean energy, and pharmaceuticals.

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    संयुक्त राष्ट्र उच्च समुद्री संधि प्रभावी 

    संदर्भ

  • अंतरराष्ट्रीय जलक्षेत्र में जैव विविधता पर संयुक्त राष्ट्र समर्थित संधि, जिसे औपचारिक रूप से बायोडायवर्सिटी बियॉन्ड नेशनल जुरिस्डिक्शन (BBNJ) संधि कहा जाता है, प्रभावी हो गई है।

    • उच्च समुद्री क्षेत्र क्या हैं?

  • उच्च समुद्री क्षेत्र वे महासागरीय क्षेत्र हैं जो राष्ट्रीय अधिकार क्षेत्र से बाहर होते हैं, अर्थात् 200 समुद्री मील (विशेष आर्थिक क्षेत्र – EEZs) से परे।
  • ये वैश्विक महासागर का लगभग दो-तिहाई और पृथ्वी की सतह का लगभग आधा हिस्सा कवर करते हैं।

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    News In Short 16-01-2026

    In News

  • According to a new report ,2025 was the third warmest year on record and the warmest La Niña year.

    • La Niña

  • It  is the cool phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
  • It is a Pacific Ocean weather pattern where warm water and clouds shift westward.
  • This causes heavier rainfall in regions like Indonesia and Australia.

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    A Decade of Startup India

    Context

  • PM Modi participated in a programme marking a decade of the Startup India initiative on National Startup Day.

    • India’s Startup Ecosystem

  • India has rapidly evolved into one of the world’s largest startup ecosystems, with more than 2 lakh startups as of 2025 . 
  • India has the 3rd largest startup ecosystem in the world.
  • Major hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR have been at the forefront of this transformation. 

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    Achieving Efficiencies in MSME Sector through Convergence of Schemes: NITI Aayog

    Context

  • The NITI Aayog has released a report titled ‘Achieving Efficiencies in MSME Sector through Convergence of Schemes’, presenting a detailed framework to strengthen the effectiveness of government interventions in the MSME sector.

    • Need for Convergence of Schemes

  • Avoid duplication and inefficiency: The Ministry of MSME currently oversees 18 schemes with overlapping objectives, leading to fragmented implementation and reduced outreach.
  • Enhance efficiency and outcomes: Convergence simplifies access for beneficiaries, reduces administrative complexity, and ensures resources translate into measurable results.

    • Read More

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