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SDB 06-02-2026

Spardha Daily Brief - 06/02/2026

International Relations

Project Vault: The Mineral Shield

The United States launched Project VaultA $12 billion initiative to secure supply chains for critical minerals, essential for batteries, EVs, and defense., a $12 billion initiative focusing on strategic rare earth elements.

  • US investment of $1.3 billion in Pakistan's Reko Diq mine.
  • $10 billion sourced from US Export-Import Bank.
  • Structured as a public-private partnership with repurchase obligations.
  • Targets minerals for batteries, EVs, jet engines, and high-tech electronics.

BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies

India officially joined the BRICS BCIC at Vanijya Bhavan, strengthening cooperation within the BRICS framework.

  • Partnership: United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
  • India's Implementation: National Productivity Council (NPC).
  • Objective: Promoting Industry 4.0 and digital transformation for MSMEs.

India's Sovereign AI Stack

Vision: AI for Humanity

India's AI StackA complete ecosystem of infrastructure, models, and apps ensuring digital sovereignty and population-scale impact. aligns technology with social commitment.

$126BMarket Size (2030)
$17TGDP Impact (2035)
₹10,300+ Cr allocated for IndiaAI Mission. The Compute Portal offers cloud access to 38,000 GPUs & 1,050 TPUs.
  • • Hardware: SHAKTI and VEGA indigenous processors.
  • • Sovereign AI: 3,000 next-generation GPUs being deployed in a secure cluster.
  • • Semiconductors: ₹76,000 Cr outlay with 10 approved fab/packaging projects.

The 5 Layers of AI Stack

Application
AI Models
Compute
Infrastructure
Energy
Hover over layers above to see technical details.

Schemes & Society

SAMRIDH Programme

Startup Accelerator of MeitY for Product Innovation, Development and Growth.

  • Targets support for 300 tech startups over 3 years.
  • Matching funding up to ₹40 Lakh per startup.
  • 22 accelerators across 12 states supporting the first cohort.
  • Enhances investor connect and international market access.

Yuva Sahakar & Bharat Taxi

Yuva Sahakar Scheme

Encourages newly formed cooperatives with innovative ideas. Provides 2% interest subvention by NCDC. Linked to ₹1,000 Cr Innovation Fund.

Bharat Taxi

India's first cooperative ride-hailing platform. Driver-owned model with zero commission and no surge pricing. Registered under Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act 2002.

Tribe Spotlight: Hakki Pikki

Identity & Culture

  • • Tribe: Hakki Pikki (Scheduled Tribe, Karnataka).
  • • Name Origin: 'Hakki' (Bird), 'Pikki' (Catcher).
  • • Language: 'Vaagri' (Indo-Aryan, UNESCO Endangered).
  • • Customs: Clan-based structure, matriarchal customs, and cross-cousin marriage.
  • • Current Status: Global entrepreneurs selling herbal products and alternative medicines.

Denotified Tribes (DNTs)

Demanding constitutional recognition and a separate column in the 2027 Census.

Earlier listed under Criminal Tribes Act (1871-1947), repealed in 1952.

SEED Scheme: ₹200 Cr allocation (2021-26) for coaching, housing, and livelihood support.

Geography & States

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary

Gujarat: Recorded 5 Lakh+ birds (21% increase).

Shallow natural lake with 36 islets west of Ahmedabad. Designated as a Ramsar Site (2012)Wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention for waterfowl habitat..

Flora: 48 Algae, 72 Flowering species.
Fauna: Over 250 species, Wild Ass, Jungle Cat.

UP Pharma Hub

₹10,000 Crore MoUs signed at Pharma Conclave 1.0 (Lucknow).

  • Triple S Guarantee: Safety, Stability, Speed.
  • Bulk Drug Park: Planned in Lalitpur.
  • Infrastructure: 55% of India's expressways located in UP.
  • Deregulation: Removal of criminal provisions in 13 state Acts.

El Chichón Volcano (Mexico)

A stratovolcano in Chiapas composed of lava domes. 1982 eruption involved explosive high-sulfur magma. Currently features an acidic crater lake showing unusual seismic changes.

Memory Check

Tap the cards to reveal the answers.

US investment in Reko Diq mine?
$1.3 Billion
'Vaagri' language UNESCO status?
Endangered
SAMRIDH matching funding?
₹40 Lakh
Percentage of expressways in UP?
55% of Total
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