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📌 Why in News?
Researchers at DRDO’s Centre for Personnel Talent Management (CEPTAM) have developed a magnetorheological fluid-based semi-active vibration isolator for controlling vibrations in sensitive systems. Concurrently, developments span across the scaling of Geographical Indication tags toward a 2030 target and the allocation of ₹29,054 crore for the new phase of the Khelo India Scheme (2026-31) to target a top-10 finish at the 2036 Olympics.
Syllabus & Relevance
Prelims Domain: General Science, Economy, National Sports Initiatives.
GS Paper/Topic: GS-3 (Science and Technology, Economy, Intellectual Property, Export Promotion), GS-2 (Governance, Social Sector).
Current-Static Link: Smart materials application, Intellectual Property Rights under TRIPS, and Sports infrastructure and administration in India.
Why it matters for India
These developments directly impact India's technological self-reliance in aerospace and defence, rural economic empowerment through traditional wealth and GI exports to markets like the UK, USA, UAE, and Oman, and India's strategic push to transform into a global sporting powerhouse by 2036.
Static Foundation
Magnetorheological (MR) fluids consist of magnetically responsive particles suspended in a carrier fluid, changing viscosity rapidly under a magnetic field.
Geographical Indications are protected under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, aligned with WTO TRIPS.
The Khelo **India Scheme **is a central sector flagship programme focused on reviving sports culture at the grassroots level.
Intellectual Property rights safeguard traditional regional products from imitation and enhance consumer trust.
National sports development targets bridge gaps in infrastructure, talent identification, and coaching standards.
Data, Reports, Cases & Examples
Over 800 registered GI products in India, with 607 GIs granted since 2014, aiming for 10,000 GI registrations by 2030.
Uttar Pradesh leads with 81 **GI-**tagged products, followed by Tamil Nadu (76) and Maharashtra (55).
₹29,054 crore allocated for the new Khelo India Scheme (2026-31), out of a total sports outlay of ₹36,441 crore.
3 MT of Indi Lime exported to Oman under the India-Oman CEPA in December 2025.
Karnataka GI fruits export generated 40-50% higher returns in the Maldives.
Muzaffarnagar Jaggery exports reached 30 MT to Bangladesh in 2025, benefiting 545 farmers.
Prelims Quick Facts
MR fluids change their apparent viscosity and flow behaviour rapidly when exposed to a magnetic field.
In the absence of a magnetic field, MR fluid particles remain relatively randomly dispersed.
The Geographical Indications of Goods Act has been operational since 2003.
Darjeeling Tea was India's first GI product registered in 2004-05.
The 2025 amendment reduced GI filing fees by 80% and renewal fees to ₹500.
The Khelo India Athletes pool is targeted for expansion to ~28,000 Emerging Khelo India Athletes.
Trap 1: Electrorheological fluids are controlled by magnetic fields instead of electric fields.
Trap 2: GI tags provide perpetual protection without any requirement for renewal after 10 years.
Mains-only layer✍️ Open Mains Perspective & Answer FrameworkClick to expand ↓
Mains Perspective
Background
India's strategic framework encompasses technological innovations like DRDO's MR fluid isolators, heritage preservation via GI tags to boost rural artisans' incomes by 20-30%, and large-scale sports restructuring under Khelo India to transition from a 71st rank in Paris 2024 to a top-10 finish in the 2036 Olympics.
Significance
MR fluids offer critical applications in defence, aerospace, and precision engineering. Simultaneously, GI registration protects authentic heritage, curbs counterfeiting, and secures international market access through trade agreements like the India-Oman CEPA. The Khelo **India Scheme **expands multi-tier training centres from 1,000+ to multiple per district, fostering a robust sports pipeline.
India-specific Implications
Indigenous smart materials reduce reliance on foreign vibration-control technologies. GI certification transforms rural clusters into export hubs, evidenced by successful shipments of Indi Lime, Salem Sago, Joha Rice, and Tezpur Litchi. The sports outreach aligns with national goals like the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and the 2036 Olympics.
Challenges and Criticisms
Obstacles include awareness gaps regarding GI registration among small producers, enforcement issues against counterfeiting, language barriers for local sports coaches, and India's status as a persistent doping hub.
Way Forward
Streamlining registration processes, scaling regional awareness campaigns, empowering local authorities for IPR enforcement, expanding institutional sports academies, and enforcing stringent anti-doped measures are vital for holistic national progress.
Answer Framework
Introduction: Briefly introduce India's multi-pronged developmental thrust across high-end indigenous technology (MR fluids), traditional wealth monetization (GI tags), and structural sports revamping (Khelo India Scheme).
Body Dimensions: Detail how technological self-reliance benefits critical sectors like aerospace and defence; evaluate how GI tags protect regional heritage while driving rural economies and exports; analyze the strategic roadmap of the Khelo India Scheme (2026-31) in overcoming grassroot gaps and doping concerns to reach a 2036 Olympic milestone
Conclusion
Emphasize that harmonizing indigenous innovation, stringent legal protection, and transparent institutional implementation will secure sustainable economic growth and global competitiveness.
Possible Mains Question
GI tags have emerged as a powerful tool for protecting India’s cultural heritage and creating economic opportunities for local communities. Critically examine.