Daily PIB Highlights (22nd & 23rd March 2026)

Topic 1: Exercise Lamitiye 2026 and INS Trikand’s Port Call

GS Paper 2: India and its neighborhood- relations; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Context: The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Trikand concluded its port call at Port Victoria, Seychelles, marking the completion of the maiden tri-services edition of Exercise Lamitiye 2026.

Exercise Lamitiye 2026: A Historic Shift

“Lamitiye” means ‘friendship’ in the Creole language. This 2026 edition is significant for several “firsts”:

• • Maiden Tri-Services Edition: For the first time, the exercise evolved from a bilateral army exercise to a joint operation involving the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force along with the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF).
  • Naval Debut: This marked the first-ever participation of the Indian Navy in Exercise Lamitiye.

Key Operational Phases

The exercise was divided into harbour and sea phases to test different facets of maritime and land-based security:

1. Harbour Phase:

• • Focused on VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) training.
  • Included joint boarding drills conducted onboard INS Trikand to standardize procedures between the two nations.

2. Sea Phase:

• • Joint Operations: INS Trikand exercised with the Seychelles Coast Guard Ship (SCGS) Le Vigilant.
  • Elite Forces Integration: Joint boarding operations were undertaken by a combined team of Indian Navy MARCOS (Marine Commandos) and the Special Forces of the SDF.
  • Amphibious Landing: The exercise culminated in the landing of Indian and Seychelles Army troops on Praslin Island.

Strategic Significance: MAHASAGAR Vision

The port call and joint exercise align with India’s broader maritime doctrine in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR):

• • MAHASAGAR: Stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Region. It is an extension of the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.
  • Preferred Security Partner: Reaffirms India’s commitment to being the “First Responder” and a reliable security anchor for island nations in the Western Indian Ocean.
  • Capacity Building: India handed over critical spares and essential stores to the Seychelles Government, strengthening their independent maritime patrol capabilities.

UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check

Conclusion:

By transforming Exercise Lamitiye into a tri-service engagement, India has signaled a deeper level of military integration with Seychelles. This move is crucial for countering non-traditional threats like piracy, drug trafficking, and illegal fishing in the strategically sensitive Western Indian Ocean.

Topic 2: Bharat Electricity Summit (BES) 2026 – Roadmap for a Resilient Power Sector

GS Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy; Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth; Conservation, environmental pollution, and degradation.

Context: The maiden edition of the Bharat Electricity Summit (BES) 2026 concluded in New Delhi. It served as a global platform to showcase India’s transition toward a high-renewable, digitalized, and future-ready power ecosystem.

Summit Scale and Global Footprint

• • Participation: Over 35,000 attendees, 28 States/UTs, 6,000+ delegates, and 80+ Start-ups.
  • Bilateral Engagements: High-level meetings with nations including Malawi, Tajikistan, Mauritius, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.
  • India-Africa Strategic Meet: Focused on a “win-win” cooperation for grid modernization and last-mile connectivity in the Global South.

Strategic Targets and Milestones

India is positioning itself as a global leader in the green energy transition:

• • Renewable Milestone: India has crossed 50% non-fossil fuel capacity.
  • 2030 Goal: On track to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity.
  • Solar Growth: Solar capacity has surged from 2.8 GW in 2014 to over 143 GW today.
  • Total Installed Capacity: Currently exceeds 520 GW.

Key Policy Reforms and Insights

The summit highlighted three critical insights into the evolution of the Indian power sector:

1. State-led Innovation: States (like Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh) are acting as engines for renewable policy evolution.

2. Distribution (DISCOM) Reforms: Emphasis on smart metering, cost-reflective tariffs, and improving the financial viability of distribution companies.

3. Integrated Ecosystem: Moving toward a system where renewables, storage, and digital technologies (AI/ML) evolve as a cohesive unit.

Future Infrastructure and Investment

The summit outlined a massive capex pipeline to support projected demand growth of 30% by 2030:

• • Transmission: India needs to add 1.37 lakh circuit km by 2030, requiring an investment of ₹9 lakh crore.
  • Energy Storage: Storage requirements are expected to increase 5x by 2031-32. Pumped storage potential is estimated at over 200 GW.
  • Long-term Investment: Achieving the 2070 Net Zero goal may require over USD 22 trillion.
  • Manufacturing: Industry bodies indicated a ₹32,000 crore capex pipeline for domestic power equipment manufacturing.

Digital and Technological Transformation

• • India Energy Stack: Inspired by the success of digital public infrastructure (like UPI), this aim is to create seamless, interoperable energy systems.
  • AI & Digital Twins: Leveraging machine learning for predictive grid operations and cybersecurity.
  • Smart Meters: Transitioning consumers into “prosumers” who actively participate in the energy market.

Key Reports Released

1. Rating Regulatory Performance of States 2025: By the Power Foundation of India.

2. Ash Generation & Utilisation Report 2024-25: By the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

3. Establishing a Sodium-ion Battery Ecosystem: By CEEW, focusing on diversifying battery chemistries beyond Lithium.

UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check

Conclusion:

The Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 reaffirmed India’s role as the “Green Energy Hub” for the Global South by integrating Next-Gen Storage, Nuclear baseload, and the India Energy Stack.

Topic 3: Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar

GS Paper 3: Disaster and disaster management.

Context: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has highlighted the ongoing nomination process for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar, a prestigious national award recognizing excellence in the field of disaster management.

Significance and History

• • Inception: Instituted by the Government of India to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of individuals and institutions in disaster risk reduction.
  • Announcement Date: Every year on 23rd January, marking the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose (Parakram Diwas).
  • Objective: To promote innovation, highlight best practices, and inspire a “whole-of-society” approach to building a disaster-resilient India.

Scope of Recognition

The award covers the entire disaster management cycle, ensuring that efforts beyond just “response” are valued:

1. Prevention & Mitigation: Reducing the impact of future disasters.

2. Preparedness: Early warning systems and community awareness.

3. Response & Relief: Immediate humanitarian assistance.

4. Rehabilitation & Reconstruction: Long-term recovery.

5. Research & Innovation: Developing new technologies for disaster management.

Award Categories and Prizes

The award is conferred in two distinct categories:

• • Institutional Category: Consists of a certificate (Scroll) and a Plaque. In previous years, the cash prize was ₹51 lakh (to be used only for disaster management activities).
  • Individual Category: Consists of a certificate (Scroll) and a Medal. In previous years, the cash prize was ₹5 lakh.

Nomination and Eligibility

• • Who can apply: Indian citizens and institutions (including NGOs, academic bodies, private sector, and government entities).
  • Nomination Process:
    • Online Submission: Applications must be submitted through the National Awards Portal (https://awards.gov.in).
    • Flexibility: Both self-nomination and third-party nomination are permitted.
    • Timeline: Nominations are open throughout the year to capture real-time excellence.

Strengthening National Resilience

By celebrating exceptional efforts, the award serves as a:

• • Dissemination Tool: Successful models of disaster response are shared across the country.
  • Motivation Factor: Encourages district authorities and civil society to strive for “best-in-class” disaster preparedness.

UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check

Conclusion:

The Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar is more than a trophy; it is a mechanism to institutionalize “Disaster Resilience” as a national priority.

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