October 3, 2025

Current Affairs

Monument Conservation Opens to the Private Sector

Context: In a landmark move, the Government of India is opening the conservation of protected monuments to private participation for the first time, ending the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) exclusive control. The initiative will work through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, inviting corporates, PSUs, and private organisations to contribute.

Implementation Framework

Funding Mechanism: All contributions will flow through the National Culture Fund (NCF), set up in 1996.
- NCF offers 100% tax exemption for donations.
- Till now, NCF has mobilised around ₹140 crore from corporates/PSUs.
Operational Model:
- Donors may select empanelled conservation architects (shortlisted by the Ministry of Culture).
- External implementing agencies can be hired for execution.
- Each project must follow the National Policy for Conservation of Ancient Monuments (2014).
- Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) require ASI’s approval.
Pilot Phase: A list of 250 monuments will be opened for donor participation.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) – At a Glance

Founded: 1861 by Alexander Cunningham.
Headquarters: New Delhi.
Parent Ministry: Ministry of Culture.
Mandate: Archaeological explorations, excavations, conservation, site museums, and epigraphical research.
Current Role: Manages conservation of ~3,700 protected monuments.

Significance of the Move

Resource Mobilisation: Expands conservation funding beyond limited government budgets.
Efficiency: Brings in professional expertise and corporate accountability.
Heritage Protection: Ensures faster preservation of monuments that face neglect due to resource crunch.
Public Engagement: Encourages wider participation in safeguarding cultural heritage.

Way Forward

Successful implementation will depend on robust regulatory oversight by ASI to maintain authenticity and prevent over-commercialisation of heritage sites.

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

Context: The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), established under the ANRF Act, 2023, has recently launched SARAL (Simplified and Automated Research Amplification and Learning) — an AI-driven tool to make scientific research more accessible and comprehensible to the public.

About ANRF

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation is a statutory body functioning under the Department of Science & Technology (DST). It replaces and subsumes the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), serving as the apex body to provide strategic direction to research and development (R&D) across the country.

Core Objectives:

To seed, grow, and promote R&D across universities, colleges, and research institutions.
To foster innovation and interdisciplinary research aligned with India’s developmental priorities.
To encourage private sector participation, with an ambitious funding target of ₹50,000 crore (2023–2028) — about 70% expected from non-government sources.
To act as a single-window system for funding and supporting R&D activities nationwide.

Alignment with NEP 2020:

The ANRF plays a key role in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes research-driven higher education. By supporting university-based research and collaboration between academia and industry, ANRF aims to transform India into a global research and innovation hub.

Strategic Vision:

The foundation seeks to advance India’s capabilities in emerging fields through initiatives such as the AI Science & Engineering Open India Stack — a framework envisioned to revolutionize research in:

Drug and chemical discovery
Aerospace design
Advanced materials
Climate and weather prediction

SARAL Initiative:

The newly launched SARAL tool represents a major leap toward democratizing science communication.

Using Artificial Intelligence, SARAL can generate summaries of complex research papers in easily understandable formats such as videos, podcasts, posters, and presentations, making scientific knowledge more accessible to students, policymakers, and the general public.

Conclusion

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) marks a transformative step in India’s journey toward becoming a knowledge-driven economy. Through funding, innovation, and the integration of AI tools like SARAL, ANRF aims to bridge the gap between research and society — ensuring that science becomes both inclusive and impactful.

150 Years of the National Song - Vande Mataram

Context: The Union Cabinet has announced a year-long celebration marking 150 years of India’s national song, Vande Mataram, to honour its historical and cultural significance in the nation’s freedom struggle.

About Vande Mataram

Composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra Chatterji in 1875, Vande Mataram first appeared in his patriotic novel Anand Math (1882). The song became a rallying cry for freedom fighters, symbolizing devotion to the motherland and inspiring countless Indians during the national movement.

On January 24, 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, declared Vande Mataram as the National Song of India, granting it equal status with the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana.

Although the Constitution of India, under Article 51A(a), enjoins citizens to respect the Constitution, its ideals, institutions, the National Flag, and the National Anthem, it does not specifically mention the National Song.

Nevertheless, Vande Mataram remains deeply revered as a symbol of India’s unity, sacrifice, and spirit of independence.

Significance:

The 150th anniversary celebration aims to rekindle the spirit of patriotism and pay tribute to Vande Mataram—a song that continues to evoke pride and remind citizens of India’s collective struggle for freedom.

UPSC DigiLocker & “My UPSC Interview” Portal

Context: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced that caste, income, and disability certificates of candidates will now be verified through DigiLocker to prevent forged submissions. As part of its centenary celebrations, UPSC has also launched the “My UPSC Interview” anecdote portal for serving and retired officers.

About DigiLocker

What is it?
A flagship initiative under the Digital India Mission offering citizens a secure, cloud-based platform for accessing and sharing authentic digital documents.
Launched by: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Aim: Digital empowerment, paperless governance, and faster service delivery through legally valid digital documents.

Key Features

Digital Document Wallet: Stores Aadhaar, PAN, driving license, caste, and educational certificates in digital format.
Legally Recognised: Equivalent to originals under Rule 9A of IT Rules, 2016.
Citizen-Centric: Anytime, anywhere access with user consent for sharing.
Real-Time Verification: Documents are fetched directly from issuing authorities, ensuring authenticity.
Eco-Friendly: Reduces paperwork and administrative burden.

UPSC’s “My UPSC Interview” Portal

What is it? A digital platform launched during UPSC’s centenary year (2026) inviting serving and retired civil servants to share their interview experiences.
Objective:
- Build a repository of real-life anecdotes for aspirants.
- Enhance transparency in recruitment.
- Preserve institutional memory.
Outcome: Selected entries will be compiled and published in 2026 as part of centenary celebrations.

Significance

For Candidates: Ensures authenticity of submitted documents and prevents fraudulent claims.
For UPSC: Improves efficiency, transparency, and trust in the recruitment process.
For Governance: Promotes paperless, sustainable practices in line with Digital India goals.