PIB Summaries 24 January 2026

Content

1. Indian Railways Deploys Humanoid Robot ASC ARJUN
2. One District One Product (ODOP)

---

Indian Railways Deploys Humanoid Robot ASC ARJUN

---

Background & Why in News ?

• Indian Railways deployed its first humanoid robot ASC ARJUN at Visakhapatnam Railway Station (PIB, 23 Jan 2026).
• Objective: enhance passenger safety, security, surveillance, and service delivery through indigenous AI-enabled systems.
• Aligned with India’s broader push towards AI adoption in public service delivery and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Key Features & Functional Capabilities

Security & Surveillance

• Face Recognition System (FRS) for intrusion detection.
• AI-based crowd monitoring with real-time alerts to RPF control rooms.
• 24×7 patrol capability along predefined routes.

Emergency Response

• Fire and smoke detection sensors for early warning.
• Supports faster response during stampede, fire, or sabotage scenarios.

Passenger Services

• Automated public announcements in English, Hindi, Telugu.
• Interactive interface for guidance and basic assistance.
• Human-centric design: Namaste gesture for passengers; salute for RPF.

Operational Technology

• Semi-autonomous navigation with obstacle avoidance.
• Optimises manpower deployment, especially during peak hours.
• Indigenous design & development completed in ~1 year at Visakhapatnam.

Governance & Administrative Significance

• Reflects technology-led policing by RPF.
• Supports Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.
• Reduces over-reliance on human surveillance in high-footfall zones.
• Pilot model for scaling across major junctions and terminals.

Economic & Efficiency Dimension

• Cost-efficiency over lifecycle: upfront capex vs long-term manpower savings.
• Potential reduction in:
  • Security breaches
  • Emergency response time
  • Overcrowding-related disruptions
• Boosts domestic robotics and AI ecosystem under Make in India.

Social & Ethical Issues

• Public trust & acceptance of humanoid surveillance.
• Risk of algorithmic bias in FRS.
• Need for:
  • Transparent SOPs
  • Human-in-the-loop oversight
  • Clear grievance redress mechanisms

Internal Security & Technology Dimension

• High relevance for:
  • Anti-sabotage measures
  • Crowd control during festivals, elections, disasters
• Integrates AI, robotics, IoT → part of smart transport infrastructure.
• Supports national security preparedness in critical infrastructure.

Data & Evidence

• Indian Railways transports ~23 million passengers/day (pre-COVID baseline).
• RPF responsible for security across 68,000+ km rail network.
• AI-based surveillance increasingly used globally in metros (Japan, China, EU hubs).

Challenges &Gaps 

• Privacy concerns due to FRS without a comprehensive data protection law (DPDP Act rules still evolving).
• Interoperability issues with existing CCTV and control room systems.
• Maintenance & skill gaps at divisional level.
• Risk of tech-solutionism without addressing structural crowd management issues.

Way Forward

• Frame clear SOPs for AI use aligned with DPDP Act principles.
• Ensure human override & auditability in AI decisions.
• Gradual scaling via pilot evaluation at high-footfall stations.
• Integrate with:
  • National Smart Cities Mission
  • India AI Mission
• Regular ethical AI audits and bias testing.

---

One District One Product (ODOP)

---

Why in News ?

• ODOP, a flagship initiative that began in Uttar Pradesh (2018), has now been scaled nationally to 770+ districts.
• Recognised as India’s most prominent place-based economic transformation model.
• Strengthened through:
  • GeM–ODOP Bazaar
  • PM Ekta (Unity) Malls
  • Global promotion via Indian Missions & G20 platforms.

Core Idea & Philosophy

• Identify one unique, district-specific product based on local skills, raw material, and tradition.
• Provide end-to-end support:
  • Branding & GI linkage
  • Skill upgradation
  • Credit & toolkit support
  • Market & export access
• Converts cultural capital into economic capital.

Institutional & Governance Framework

Nodal & Implementing Structure

• Nodal Ministry: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
• Implementation through:
  • State Governments
  • District Administrations
• States/UTs select products based on existing ecosystem & comparative advantage.
• Final product list communicated to DPIIT.

Scale & Coverage

• 770+ districts covered (as of Dec 2025).
• 1,200+ ODOP products listed on DPIIT digital portal.
• Product range:
  • Handicrafts
  • Textiles
  • Agri & food products
  • Minerals & local manufacturing.

Economic & Developmental Significance

Balanced Regional Development

• Shifts focus from metro-centric growth to district-led development.
• Reduces regional disparities by:
  • Unlocking local strengths
  • Building district-level value chains.

Employment & Livelihoods

• Empowers:
  • Artisans
  • Weavers
  • Farmers
  • SHGs & MSMEs
• Promotes rural entrepreneurship aligned with Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Export Promotion

• Integrated with:
  • Districts as Export Hubs
  • Make in India
  • Vocal for Local
• Enables districts to directly participate in global trade networks.

Market Access & Digital Integration

E-Commerce & Platforms

• Dedicated ODOP storefront on Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
• State-level e-commerce platforms for wider outreach.
• DPIIT digital portal for visibility & discovery.

Physical Market Infrastructure

• PM Ekta (Unity) Malls as permanent national showcases.

PM Ekta (Unity) Malls: Structural Game-Changer

Concept & Design

• Dedicated retail & experience hubs for:
  • ODOP products
  • GI-tagged goods
  • Handicrafts
• One earmarked space for each State/UT.

Key Facts

• ₹5,000 crore interest-free support (≥ ₹100 crore per state).
• 29 Unity Malls approved across 27 states.
• Operates under PPP model with state ownership.
• Features:
  • Iconic architecture
  • Multilingual signage
  • Experience zones, theatres, food courts.

Governance Impact

• Converts ODOP from a scheme into a permanent market institution.
• Enhances branding, footfall, and sustained income.

Case Study: Uttar Pradesh – Model State

Trade & Exhibition Platforms

• UP International Trade Show (UPITS) 2025:
  • ODOP Pavilion with 466 stalls.
  • Business leads worth ₹20.77 crore.
• Mahakumbh 2025 (Prayagraj):
  • 6,000 sq. m ODOP exhibition zone.
  • Showcased 75 GI-tagged products, including 34 from Kashi region.

Quantified Impact in UP

• Exports increased by 76%:
  • ₹88,967 crore (2017–18) → ₹1.71 lakh crore (2023–24).
• ₹6,000 crore sanctioned under ODOP Margin Money Scheme.
• 1.25 crore+ artisans trained and provided modern toolkits.

Global Outreach & Soft Power Dimension

International Promotion

• 80+ Indian Missions promoted ODOP products abroad.
• ODOP products used in G20 diplomatic gifting.
• International retail presence:
  • 2 stores in Singapore
  • 1 store in Kuwait

ODOP Wall Initiative

• Curated district product displays at:
  • SARAS Aajeevika Stores
• Enhances visibility for:
  • Rural artisans
  • Women SHGs
• Strengthens cultural diplomacy + economic diplomacy.

Social, Cultural & Ethical Dimensions

• Preserves intangible cultural heritage.
• Restores dignity to artisanal labour.
• Encourages inter-generational skill transmission.
• Promotes inclusive growth without forced urban migration.

Challenges / Gaps / Criticisms

• Uneven capacity across districts for:
  • Branding
  • Quality control
  • Export compliance.
• Risk of:
  • Over-commercialisation of heritage.
  • Product standardisation diluting uniqueness.
• Need stronger convergence with:
  • Logistics
  • Testing & certification labs
  • Design & innovation support.

Way Forward 

• District-level ODOP cells with design, export & digital experts.
• Stronger linkage with:
  • GI Registry
  • Skill India
  • ONDC.
• Outcome-based funding tied to:
  • Income rise
  • Export growth
  • Job creation.
• Global branding strategy similar to Japan’s OVOP model.
• Regular product rotation & innovation to avoid stagnation.