2 Minute Series_24 January 2026

 24^th January 2026

1. Disturbed Areas Law: Recently, Rajasthan plans to introduce a Disturbed Areas law to curb “demographic imbalance” and “improper clustering”, similar to Gujarat’s model.

• About Gujarat Disturbed Areas Act: Enacted in 1991, following repeated episodes of communal violence in the state.
• The law was introduced to curb distress-driven property sales during periods of unrest.
• Its core objective is to protect vulnerable property owners from being coerced or intimidated into selling assets at undervalued prices.
  • Operational Mechanism of the Act: The state government is empowered to declare any locality a “disturbed area” if it has a history of communal tensions, riots, or mob violence.
• In such notified areas, transfer of immovable property—including land, houses, or commercial establishments—cannot take place without prior permission of the district collector.
• Any property transaction executed without official approval is considered legally invalid (void).
• Rajasthan’s draft Bill (2026) uses language such as:
• Demographic imbalance: Refers to a perceived uneven concentration of particular communities in an area, used to justify state intervention in property transactions.
• Improper clustering: Implies settlement of people from the same community in close proximity, viewed by the state as socially or communally sensitive.

2. India’s first Glass Museum: Recently, India’s first Glass Museum is being set up in Firozabad, aiming to redefine its identity beyond “churiyon ka shehar”.

• Key Highlights: Built on 25,700 sqm, three-storey structure; ₹47 crore project with ~70% construction completed.
• Ultra-modern architecture with an entirely glass façade, symbolising the city’s craft legacy.
• Museum traces the evolution of glass from ancient civilisations to modern Firozabad’s industry.
• Displays include glassware, craft exports, architectural glass, not limited to bangles alone.
• Themed galleries: Dedicated sections on history of glass, glass products, digital storytelling and AR–VR (Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality) immersive experiences
• Early-to-modern artefacts: From beads, ornaments, attar bottles to designer bangles, chandeliers, modern glass products.
• Focus on digital timelines, interactive narratives, participatory learning instead of static displays.
• European-style live glass-blowing sessions allowing visitors to watch artisans at work.

3. ASC ARJUN: Recently, Indian Railways deployed a humanoid robot, ASC ARJUN, at Visakhapatnam Railway Station to integrate artificial intelligence and robotics into public infrastructure.

• About ASC ARJUN: An AI-enabled humanoid robot deployed for railway station operations. It functions in coordination with the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
• Primary roles include strengthening security, assisting passengers, and managing crowds during peak hours.
• Key Features: Integrated Face Recognition System (FRS) for intrusion detection and identification of suspicious activities
• Automated public announcements in English, Hindi, and Telugu
• Assists in safety messaging, crowd regulation, and emergency guidance
• Semi-autonomous movement with obstacle-avoidance capability
• Enables 24×7 platform patrolling, ensuring continuous surveillance without fatigue
• Facilitates early warnings and rapid response to accidents or fire hazards
• Enhances approachability through ‘Namaste’ gestures for passengers

4. ACC-PLI Scheme: Recently, India’s Advanced Chemistry Cell–Production Linked Incentive (ACC-PLI) scheme has been facing major implementation challenges, according to a joint report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis and JMK Research and Analytics.

• About ACC-PLI Scheme: Launched in October 2021 by the Ministry of Heavy Industries
• Aims to: Catalyse domestic manufacturing of advanced battery cells
• Reduce import dependence, especially on China
• Lower battery costs
• Accelerate adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems
• Why Advanced Chemistry Cells Matter: Used in EVs and grid storage
• Based on lithium-ion and emerging chemistries
• Distinct from traditional lead-acid batteries
• Key Highlights by the Report: Technology & ecosystem deficit: Lack of cell know-how, mineral refining, and component base sustains dependence on Chinese imports.
• Visa bottlenecks: Delays in clearances for Chinese experts have slowed equipment setup and technology transfer.
• Unviable timelines & localisation norms: Two-year deadlines and high DVA targets are unrealistic without developed upstream supply chains.

5. Diversification of Fisheries Sector: Recently, the Union Fisheries Ministry urged States and the fisheries sector to diversify fish species and markets amid export uncertainties and climate risks.

• Key Highlights: Advisory issued after meetings with State fisheries departments, farmers, fish workers, processors and exporters.
• Reason for diversification: Tariff-related uncertainty in seafood exports
• Climate change impacts
• High disease risk when farmers depend on a single species
• States encouraged to identify new global markets and adopt modern aquaculture technologies.
• Promotion of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) to raise multiple species in the same farming space.
• Disease risk lesson: Overdependence on a single species can spread disease across States
• Example: White Spot Syndrome Virus (2006–07) wiped out black tiger shrimp farming
• States advised to promote scampi, tilapia and pangasius instead of rohu and catla, which have limited global demand.
• To reduce dependence on whiteleg shrimp, scientists are improving indigenous prawn varieties with strong export demand.
• High-demand finfish: Seabass and Karimeen (pearl spot)
• Seabass and pearl spot to be promoted in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, where groundwater salinity is high.
• Marine cage culture models being implemented in Karnataka, Goa and Andhra Pradesh.
• Indian pompano, silver pompano, cobia, grouper and seabass identified as suitable species.

6. Granth Kutir: Recently, the Indian President inaugurated Granth Kutir at Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking a significant step towards preserving and celebrating India’s classical linguistic heritage.

• About Granth Kutir: A dedicated cultural space showcasing India’s classical language heritage through books and manuscripts.
• Collection size: About 2,300 books and ~50 manuscripts.
• Classical languages covered (11): Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, Bengali.
• Subject coverage: Epics, philosophy, linguistics, history, governance, science, devotional literature, and the Constitution of India in classical languages.
• Manuscript features: Many handwritten-on palm leaf, paper, bark and cloth, reflecting traditional knowledge systems.
• Institutional support: Developed with support from Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, States, universities, cultural bodies and donors.
• Technical expertise: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) providing conservation, documentation and display support.
• Iconic works highlighted: Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads (Sanskrit)
• Tirukkural (Tamil)
• Gathasaptasati (Marathi)
• Vinaya Pitaka (Pali)
• Jain Agamas & Prakrit inscriptions
• Charyapadas (Assamese, Bengali, Odia)
• Mahabharata (Telugu)
• Kavirajamarga (Kannada) and Ramacharitam (Malayalam)

7. Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary: Recently, a forest fire has been reported inside Sikkim’s Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary near the Indo-China border.

• About Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary: A high-altitude protected area and a notified Important Bird Area (IBA), noted for its rich Himalayan biodiversity and strategic frontier location.
• Location: East Sikkim, Sikkim, along India’s eastern Himalayan belt.
• Elevation range (~1,300 m to over 4,000 m): Supports a continuum of subtropical, temperate, and alpine ecosystems, hosting climate-sensitive species.
• Geographical spread (~12,400 hectares): A large, contiguous forest landscape facilitating wildlife movement and sustaining high-altitude watersheds.
• Regional Connectivity: Shares its eastern boundary with Bhutan.
• Lies close to China (Tibet Autonomous Region) via the Nathu La–Jelep La corridor.
• Extends southwards towards West Bengal, linking with Neora Valley National Park, enhancing landscape-level connectivity.
• Significance: Three distinct biogeographic zones: Eurasian High Montane (Alpine & Tibetan)
  • Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest
  • Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forest
• Floral Diversity: Dominated by rhododendron forests, silver fir, juniper, oak formations, and dense bamboo undergrowth.
• Faunal Richness: Mammals include Tiger, Leopard, Takin, Musk Deer, Goral, Serow, and Asiatic Black Bear.
• Avifauna includes Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, and threatened species such as Wood Snipe (Vulnerable) and Tibetan Eared Pheasant (Near Threatened).

8. Lambada Tribe: Recently, the long-standing dispute over Scheduled Tribe status for the Lambada community in Telangana has once again come before the Supreme Court of India.

• About Lambadas: Also known as Banjaras, constitute one of the largest tribal communities in India. They are primarily concentrated in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Recognised as a Scheduled Tribe in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and several other states. However, in some states, they are classified under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category
• Traditionally, the community followed a nomadic lifestyle, earning their livelihood as traders and transporters. They are culturally distinct, recognised for their vibrant attire, heavy silver jewellery, embroidery, and rich folk traditions.
• The Lambadas speak Gor Boli (Lambadi), an Indo-Aryan language.
• It is commonly written using Devanagari or Telugu script, depending on the region.
• Settlement Pattern: They live in separate hamlets known as “Tandas”. Each Tanda is led by a Naik, who functions as the traditional village head.
• Livelihood Patterns: While earlier dependent on trade and transportation, the community has diversified its occupations. Presently, they are engaged in agriculture, livestock rearing, wage labour, handicrafts, and allied activities.
• Cultural Expressions: Popular folk performances include the Lambadi Dance and Fire Dance, known for rhythmic movements and colourful costumes. Major festivals celebrated include Teej, Diwali, and Holi.