Context
Assam faces its annual monsoon-triggered flood crisis, with lakhs of people affected across multiple districts due to river overflows, embankment failures, and climate-induced rainfall variability.
PYQ:
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Context
A delegation of 10 MLAs from the Manipur Legislative Assembly recently met the State Governor demanding the formation of a viable government. Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 2025 following a breakdown of constitutional machinery amid deteriorating security and political instability.
PYQ:Mains:
Prelims: Which of the following statements is/are correct about Article 356 of the Indian Constitution? (2022)
Which of the statements given above are correct?
2. Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Context
The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, recently approved a new land pooling policy to be launched initially in 27 cities and towns across the state. This policy aims to curb the proliferation of over 14,000 illegal colonies and promote planned urbanization by involving landowners, promoters, and developers as active stakeholders, while safeguarding farmers’ interests through voluntary participation and fair compensation.
PYQ:Q. Land pooling schemes have the potential to resolve conflicts related to land acquisition and urban development.” Discuss with examples. (2020) |
Context
India and Paraguay recently held high-level talks in New Delhi, resulting in enhanced cooperation agreements across sectors such as clean energy, green hydrogen, biofuels, and cybersecurity. This marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations and expanding economic, technological, and strategic ties between the two nations.
Context
Recent reports by the International Labour Organization and the World Bank highlight that heatwaves are causing significant labour productivity losses in India, estimated at $100 billion annually. Around 75% of India’s workforce, mainly informal and outdoor workers, are highly vulnerable to extreme heat, worsening with rising temperatures and urban heat effects
Heat Waves in IndiaDefinition and Role of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD):
Criteria for Declaring Heat Waves (IMD):
Conditions Favorable for Heat Wave Formation:
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Context
The Government of India has notified detailed guidelines under the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India. The scheme significantly lowers import duties on electric vehicles (EVs) for foreign manufacturers willing to invest in local EV production, aiming to boost domestic manufacturing capacity and attract global investment in the electric mobility sector.
Electric Vehicles (EVs):
Types of EVs:
Advantages of EVs:
2024 EV Policy Highlights:
Major EV-Related Government Schemes:
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Context
India’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global for HSBC, stood at 57.6 in May 2025, indicating continued expansion in the manufacturing sector, driven by strong domestic and export demand, record employment growth, and positive business confidence, despite moderate input cost inflation.
Context
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed new norms to regulate gold loans, which has sparked debate due to their potential impact on borrowers and lenders. These norms aim to tighten the framework around loans against gold jewellery, a popular credit option for low-income borrowers who lack access to formal credit channels.
Context
Russia will deliver the remaining two units of the S-400 air defence system to India by 2025-26, completing a $5.43 billion deal signed in 2018. The system’s effective use in recent India-Pakistan clashes underscores its strategic value for India’s defence.
Context
Researchers at CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad, discovered the SHUKR gene that controls pollen development in flowering plants (eudicots). This finding sheds light on the rapid diversification of flowering plants about 125 million years ago, addressing Darwin’s “abominable mystery,” and has implications for improving plant resilience amid climate change.
Context
The onset of the southwest monsoon has triggered widespread floods and landslides across several north-eastern States, affecting lakhs of people and causing significant casualties. Despite expectations of below-normal rainfall, the region’s high baseline precipitation levels continue to fuel extreme weather events. This highlights the urgent need for disaster-resilient infrastructure and coordinated policy planning.
Meteorological Pattern and Regional Rainfall Characteristics
Humanitarian and Infrastructure Impact
Policy Gaps and Structural Weaknesses
Q. "Despite its ecological richness, the North-eastern region of India faces recurrent monsoon-related disasters. Examine the underlying causes and suggest a holistic approach to strengthen climate-resilient infrastructure and disaster governance in the region."
Context
India and the U.S. are strengthening digital cooperation under the TRUST framework, with a strategic focus on secure subsea cable infrastructure. This aligns with the upcoming bilateral trade pact and Quad Summit, aiming to counter China’s digital footprint in the Indo-Pacific.
Strategic Dimensions of Subsea Cable Infrastructure
India’s Current Capacity and Strategic Potential
Policy Challenges and Strategic Recommendations
Q. Discuss the strategic importance of subsea cable infrastructure in the context of India’s digital sovereignty and Indo-Pacific geopolitics. Evaluate the scope of India-U.S. collaboration under the TRUST framework in strengthening regional digital resilience
Context
India has witnessed a gradual uptick in COVID-19 cases since mid-May 2025, with daily reported cases rising to a few hundred. Simultaneously, wastewater surveillance has indicated an increase in SARS-CoV-2 viral load. A similar trend is being observed in other Asian countries, prompting concerns about a potential new variant or resurgence of the virus.
Epidemiological Context and Variants
Reasons Behind the Uptick
Public Health Implications and Response Strategy
Verifying, please be patient.