MoES-Puducherry MoU to boost Blue Economy and marine research

Exam-focused facts from the 16 February 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Puducherry, signed an MoU to strengthen marine research, coastal resilience and Blue Economy initiatives in the Union Territory.
The MoU outlines cooperation across six strategic pillars: sustainable marine fisheries, offshore wind energy, desalination technologies, ocean climate advisory and real-time monitoring, permanent coastal management, and marine spatial planning.
The agreement will remain in effect for five years and includes designated Nodal Officers, Joint Working Groups, and annual progress reviews.