PIB Summaries 05 March 2026

Content

• AI in Education
• World Wildlife Day 2026

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AI in Education

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Why is in News ?

• PIB highlighted India’s expanding AI education ecosystem through NEP 2020, IndiaAI Mission and skilling programs to build a global AI talent pipeline aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
• India faces a significant AI workforce gap, with an estimated requirement of over 1.25 million AI professionals by 2027, compared to the current talent pool of around 600,000–650,000 professionals.
• New collaborations such as the Perplexity–AICTE partnership, expansion of AI curriculum in schools, and initiatives like YuvAi and SOAR demonstrate government efforts to institutionalise AI learning across education levels.

Conceptual Foundations: What is AI in Education?

• Artificial Intelligence in education refers to the use of machine learning, natural language processing, data analytics and automation to enhance teaching-learning processes, personalise education pathways, and improve administrative efficiency in educational institutions.
• AI-enabled education systems allow adaptive learning environments, where algorithms analyse students’ performance data to deliver customised content, improve engagement, identify learning gaps early, and support differentiated instruction across diverse learner groups.
• Globally, AI in education forms the backbone of the emerging EdTech ecosystem, integrating intelligent tutoring systems, automated grading, predictive learning analytics and generative AI tools into mainstream pedagogy.

Static Policy Background in India

• India’s policy approach towards AI began with NITI Aayog’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (2018) titled “AI for All,” which identified education, healthcare, agriculture and smart mobility as priority sectors for AI adoption.
• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recognised artificial intelligence, big data and machine learning as transformative technologies and recommended integrating computational thinking, digital literacy and multidisciplinary technological education across schooling and higher education.
• The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 operationalises NEP provisions by embedding digital and AI competencies in school curriculum design, teacher training, and digital learning platforms across India’s federal education system.

Constitutional and Institutional Framework

• Education falls under the Concurrent List (Entry 25, Seventh Schedule), allowing both Union and State governments to formulate policies, which necessitates coordinated implementation of AI education reforms across diverse regional education systems.
• Constitutional provisions such as Article 21A (Right to Education) and Directive Principles like Article 41 underscore the state’s responsibility to promote education and skill development, including emerging technological competencies like artificial intelligence.
• Key regulatory bodies guiding AI education integration include UGC for universities, AICTE for technical institutions, and NCERT and CBSE for school education, ensuring standardised curriculum frameworks and quality assurance mechanisms.

India’s AI Ecosystem: Key Data and Trends

• India’s AI ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with 89% of new startups in 2024 being AI-powered, while nearly 87% of enterprises have adopted AI technologies in operational processes and service delivery.
• According to NASSCOM estimates, India’s AI market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 25–35% until 2027, creating large-scale demand for skilled professionals and advanced research capabilities.
• India currently possesses an AI workforce of 600,000–650,000 professionals, but the projected demand of over 1.25 million professionals by 2027 highlights the urgency of scaling AI education and skilling initiatives.

AI Integration in School Education

• Under NEP 2020, the Ministry of Education has introduced AI modules from Class VI onwards, enabling early exposure to computational thinking, algorithmic reasoning and problem-solving through experiential and project-based learning approaches.
• The CBSE curriculum includes a 15-hour Artificial Intelligence skill module, while AI is offered as an optional subject for Classes IX to XII, encouraging interdisciplinary technological literacy among students.
• NCERT has integrated AI concepts into Class XI Computer Science and Informatics Practices textbooks, while AI-powered translation tools are being used to convert early-grade textbooks into 22 Indian languages.

AI Platforms Supporting Education

• The DIKSHA platform (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) integrates AI-powered features such as keyword-based video search and text-to-speech functionality, enabling accessible learning for visually impaired students and improving digital pedagogy.
• The SWAYAM platform, India’s national MOOC initiative, offers over 110 artificial intelligence courses developed by IITs and IISc, with more than 41 lakh learners enrolled across diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
• The SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) initiative introduces AI literacy for students in Classes 6–12 while also training teachers through a 45-hour “AI for Educators” module focusing on pedagogy and ethical AI usage.

AI in Higher Education

• The UGC undergraduate curriculum framework (2022) includes emerging technological domains such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, drone technologies and deep learning applications in healthcare and environmental sustainability.
• AICTE has integrated AI components across engineering and IT-related courses, while promoting innovation through hackathons, startup incubation programmes and scholarships like PRAGATI to increase women’s participation in technology education.
• The Perplexity–AICTE collaboration provides AI research and learning tools to approximately 40 million students across 14,000 institutions, supporting experiential learning and research-oriented education aligned with NEP objectives.

IndiaAI Mission and Educational Ecosystem

• The IndiaAI Mission launched in March 2024 with a financial allocation of ₹10,371.92 crore over five years aims to build national AI computing infrastructure, datasets, talent pipelines, and sectoral applications.
• The mission emphasises AI research, education, startup innovation, and responsible AI governance, thereby creating an integrated ecosystem linking academia, industry, government and research institutions.
• It also supports the development of AI Centres of Excellence, open datasets and high-performance computing infrastructure, essential for advanced research and innovation in artificial intelligence technologies.

AI Research and Innovation Initiatives

• The Srijan Centre for Generative AI at IIT Jodhpur, established through collaboration between IndiaAI and Meta, focuses on advancing open-source generative AI technologies and research applications in multiple sectors.
• The YuvAi initiative targets training 100,000 young developers aged 18–30 in generative AI technologies through courses, hackathons, innovation accelerators and mentorship programmes for AI startups.
• Several institutions including IIT Delhi, IIT Roorkee, NIT Raipur and IIIT Delhi are developing projects on synthetic data generation, algorithmic bias mitigation, privacy-preserving machine learning and explainable AI frameworks.

AI for Inclusive and Special Education

• Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to support students with specific learning disabilities (SLDs) such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia through adaptive learning tools and assistive educational technologies.
• Applications such as Readabled for dyslexia training and ScreenPlay for early autism detection illustrate how AI tools can enable early diagnosis, personalised interventions and improved learning outcomes for differently abled students.
• AI-driven platforms also address the shortage of specialised educators, enabling scalable support systems that assist teachers in identifying learning gaps and designing inclusive educational strategies.

Economic Significance of AI Education

• AI-driven education is crucial for harnessing India’s demographic dividend, enabling the country to supply skilled AI professionals to global markets and strengthen its position in the knowledge economy.
• The integration of AI in education supports future workforce transformation, as emerging industries increasingly demand interdisciplinary expertise combining technology, analytics, domain knowledge and ethical understanding.
• By developing a large AI talent pool, India can become a global hub for AI research, innovation and digital services, enhancing its competitiveness in the global digital economy.

Social and Ethical Dimensions

• AI-enabled educational systems can significantly reduce regional and socio-economic disparities by providing high-quality digital learning resources to students in rural, tribal and aspirational districts.
• At the same time, concerns arise regarding algorithmic bias, data privacy risks, academic integrity issues and excessive dependence on AI tools, requiring robust ethical governance frameworks.
• UNESCO emphasises the importance of human-centred AI in education, ensuring that technological adoption enhances teacher capabilities rather than replacing human interaction in learning environments.

Key Challenges

• The digital divide remains a major challenge, as uneven internet connectivity, lack of devices and limited digital infrastructure continue to restrict access to AI-enabled education in rural and economically weaker regions.
• India faces a shortage of trained AI educators and researchers, limiting the effective integration of advanced AI technologies into school and university curricula across states.
• Regulatory gaps related to AI governance, data protection, algorithmic transparency and ethical usage remain unresolved, raising concerns about misuse of student data and unfair algorithmic outcomes.

Way Forward

• India should develop a comprehensive National AI Education Framework aligning school curricula, higher education programmes and skill development initiatives to create a coherent pipeline of AI talent.
• Large-scale teacher capacity-building programmes focusing on AI pedagogy, digital tools and ethical AI usage are necessary to ensure effective classroom implementation.
• Expansion of AI research infrastructure, Centres of Excellence and high-performance computing facilities in universities can strengthen India’s global competitiveness in AI innovation.
• Stronger public–private partnerships with global technology firms, startups and research institutions can accelerate innovation, improve curriculum relevance and promote industry-linked skill development.

Prelims Pointers

• IndiaAI Mission launched: March 2024.
• Budget allocation: ₹10,371.92 crore over five years.
• SOAR Initiative: AI readiness programme for students in Classes 6–12.
• FutureSkills PRIME: joint initiative of MeitY and NASSCOM.
• Education in Constitution: Concurrent List (Entry 25, Seventh Schedule).

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World Wildlife Day 2026

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Why This Issue is in News ?

• World Wildlife Day (3 March) commemorates the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in 1973, highlighting the global commitment to regulate wildlife trade and conserve biodiversity.
• The 2026 theme “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods” emphasises the importance of plant-based resources for healthcare systems, traditional knowledge preservation, and sustainable livelihood generation.
• For India, the theme is significant because the country hosts around 15,000 medicinal plant species, of which nearly 8,000 species are used in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani.
• Rising global demand for herbal medicines, nutraceuticals and plant-based pharmaceuticals has increased pressure on wild medicinal plant resources, making conservation and sustainable utilisation an urgent policy priority.

Conceptual Foundations: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs)

• Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) refer to plant species whose leaves, roots, seeds, bark, flowers or oils possess therapeutic properties used in traditional medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and nutraceutical industries.
• These plants form the foundation of traditional medical systems, including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbal medicine traditions practiced across Asia, Africa and Latin America.
• MAPs also play a vital ecological role by supporting pollinators, maintaining soil fertility, and contributing to biodiversity conservation, thereby linking healthcare systems with ecological sustainability.

Global Context and Significance

• According to the World Health Organization, approximately 70–95% of people in developing countries rely on traditional plant-based medicine for primary healthcare due to accessibility, affordability and cultural acceptance.
• The global herbal medicine market is expanding rapidly due to growing interest in natural therapies, preventive healthcare and nutraceutical products, creating both economic opportunities and conservation challenges.
• However, overharvesting, illegal trade, habitat destruction and climate change threaten many medicinal plant species worldwide, highlighting the need for stronger conservation frameworks and sustainable harvesting practices.

India’s Medicinal Plant Diversity

• India is one of the 17 mega-biodiversity countries, possessing nearly 7% of global biodiversity due to its diverse ecosystems ranging from tropical forests to alpine Himalayan landscapes.
• The country hosts approximately 45,000 plant species, of which around 15,000 are recognised as medicinal plants, reflecting centuries of traditional ecological knowledge embedded in indigenous communities.
• Nearly 70% of medicinal and aromatic plants occur in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Himalayan region and Aravalli ranges, making these ecosystems critical hotspots for conservation efforts.

Data and Evidence on Medicinal Plant Economy

• The study “Medicinal Plants in India: An Assessment of their Demand and Supply” (Ved & Goraya, 2017) estimated India’s annual domestic demand for medicinal plants at approximately 5,12,000 metric tonnes.
• The study documented 1,178 medicinal plant species actively traded in India, with 242 species traded in high volumes exceeding 100 metric tonnes annually, reflecting the sector’s large economic footprint.
• The Botanical Survey of India has recorded over 5,250 plant species and documented around 9,567 traditional medicinal uses, demonstrating the deep connection between biodiversity and traditional healthcare systems.

In-situ Conservation Mechanisms

• In-situ conservation involves protecting species within their natural habitats, enabling ecosystems to maintain natural evolutionary processes and ecological interactions necessary for long-term biodiversity survival.
• India has established Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas (MPCAs) across biodiversity hotspots to protect rare, endangered and threatened medicinal plant species within natural ecosystems.
• Currently, 115 MPCA sites have been established across the country, serving as demonstration models integrating biological conservation with preservation of indigenous health traditions and community participation.

Ex-situ Conservation Approaches

• Ex-situ conservation involves preserving plant genetic resources outside their natural habitats, typically through seed banks, botanical gardens, tissue culture laboratories and germplasm repositories.
• In India, the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi maintains approximately 9,361 medicinal and aromatic plant accessions in the National Seed Gene Bank.
• Ex-situ conservation is particularly important for species with poor seed formation or those propagated vegetatively, ensuring long-term genetic preservation and enabling reintroduction into natural ecosystems.

Institutional Framework for Medicinal Plant Conservation

• The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) under the Ministry of AYUSH is the apex institution responsible for promoting conservation, cultivation, research and sustainable trade of medicinal plants.
• NMPB implements the Central Sector Scheme on Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants, focusing on habitat conservation, cultivation support, quality assurance and supply chain development.
• The scheme has an allocated outlay of ₹322.41 crore for the period 2021–22 to 2025–26, supporting conservation infrastructure, farmer training, research initiatives and market linkages.

Government Schemes and Initiatives

National AYUSH Mission (NAM)

• The Medicinal Plants component of NAM (2015–2021) promoted large-scale cultivation of medicinal plants through integration with agricultural systems, enabling crop diversification and enhancing farmers’ income.
• The initiative aimed to strengthen supply chains for Ayurvedic and herbal pharmaceutical industries while simultaneously reducing pressure on wild medicinal plant populations.

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

• Medicinal plants are currently promoted under MIDH, a centrally sponsored scheme that supports horticulture expansion, value chain development and farmer income enhancement across all states and union territories.
• The scheme encourages scientific cultivation practices, improved planting material and integrated farming systems, making medicinal plant cultivation a viable livelihood option for rural communities.

Aushadhi Vanaspati Mitra Programme

• The Aushadhi Vanaspati Mitra Programme (AVMP) recognises individuals, institutions and communities contributing significantly to medicinal plant conservation, cultivation and sustainable utilisation.
• By providing recognition and incentives, the programme encourages community participation in biodiversity conservation, particularly among traditional healers and forest-dependent communities.

Digital and Market Support Initiatives

• The e-CHARAK portal and mobile application, developed by the National Medicinal Plants Board, provides a digital marketplace connecting farmers, traders, researchers and pharmaceutical companies involved in medicinal plant trade.
• The platform regularly publishes market prices of around 100 medicinal plant species across 25 herbal markets, improving price transparency and enabling farmers to make informed cultivation and marketing decisions.
• Such digital platforms also strengthen supply chain efficiency, reduce information asymmetry and support the formalisation of herbal medicine markets in India.

Livelihood Support and Community Participation

• Government initiatives provide financial and infrastructural support to Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs), Self-Help Groups, Van Panchayats and Biodiversity Management Committees involved in medicinal plant conservation and cultivation.
• These programmes promote value addition activities such as drying, grading, storage and processing, enabling rural communities to capture higher economic value from medicinal plant resources.
• Community participation also strengthens local stewardship of biodiversity resources, ensuring conservation outcomes while generating sustainable livelihoods for forest-dependent populations.

GI Tags and Protection of Traditional Knowledge

• Geographical Indication (GI) tags help protect region-specific medicinal plants and associated traditional knowledge, ensuring recognition, market value and intellectual property protection for indigenous products.
• Examples include Navara Rice from Kerala, Green Cardamom from Kerala and Karnataka, Ganjam Kewda from Odisha, and Saffron from Jammu and Kashmir, all recognised for medicinal and therapeutic properties.
• Recently, Nagauri Ashwagandha from Rajasthan received a GI tag (2025), strengthening India’s efforts to safeguard medicinal plant heritage and promote value-added herbal products.

Environmental and Ecological Importance

• Medicinal plants contribute significantly to ecosystem stability by supporting pollinators, improving soil health and maintaining forest biodiversity, thereby strengthening ecosystem resilience.
• Conservation of medicinal plant diversity also supports climate change adaptation, as diverse plant genetic resources provide resilience against pests, diseases and changing climatic conditions.
• Sustainable management of MAPs therefore aligns with global commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Challenges

• Overexploitation of wild medicinal plants due to rising commercial demand has resulted in declining populations of several species, particularly in biodiversity hotspots like the Himalayas and Western Ghats.
• Illegal trade and unsustainable harvesting practices threaten rare medicinal plant species and undermine conservation efforts in protected and community-managed forests.
• Weak supply chains, lack of scientific cultivation practices and limited access to markets and processing infrastructure reduce economic returns for farmers cultivating medicinal plants.

Way Forward

• Strengthening community-based conservation approaches, particularly through Biodiversity Management Committees and People’s Biodiversity Registers, can ensure sustainable utilisation of medicinal plant resources.
• Expansion of scientific cultivation and agroforestry models for medicinal plants can reduce pressure on wild populations while generating stable income for farmers.
• Enhanced research on plant genomics, sustainable harvesting techniques and quality certification is necessary to support India’s herbal medicine industry and global competitiveness.
• Greater international cooperation under CITES, CBD and WHO frameworks can help protect traditional knowledge, regulate wildlife trade and promote equitable benefit sharing.

Prelims Pointers

• World Wildlife Day: observed on 3 March.
• Commemorates: adoption of CITES (1973).
• India: one of 17 mega biodiversity countries.
• Medicinal plant species in India: ~15,000.
• Species used in traditional medicine: ~8,000.
• Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas (MPCAs): ~115 sites in India.

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