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India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar emphasized the need to invest more efforts and resources into improving connectivity with Central Asia. The remarks were made during the India–Central Asia Business Council meeting ahead of the 4th India–Central Asia Dialogue (2025). Key focus areas included Chabahar Port, the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and the use of national currencies for trade settlement.
PYQ:Q. Examine the strategic significance of the Chabahar port for India. How does it affect India’s relations with Iran and Afghanistan? (2017) |
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As of early 2025, more than eight years since the implementation of the IBC (2016), India has seen a total recovery of ?3.89 lakh crore with a recovery rate of 32.8% under the framework. However, recent judicial interventions like in the Bhushan Power and Steel case and rising concerns over delays and implementation challenges have renewed debates on the efficacy and predictability of the Code.
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016:1. What is Insolvency?
2. Background and Rationale
3. Key Objectives
4. What is Bankruptcy?
5. Salient Features of IBC
6. Institutional Framework under IBC
7. Process of Insolvency Resolution
8. Priority Order in Liquidation (Waterfall Mechanism)
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Two Chinese nationals have been accused by U.S. authorities of smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a potent plant pathogen, into the U.S. without authorization. This has reignited global concerns over agro-terrorism, biosecurity, and the role of state-sponsored scientific espionage—particularly amid deteriorating U.S.-China relations.
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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the integration of a new automated voter turnout reporting feature in its unified mobile application ECINET, to be launched before the Bihar Assembly Elections in November 2025. This move follows criticism regarding delayed and inconsistent voter turnout data during the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, raising concerns over transparency and electoral integrity.
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The Government of India launched the ‘Ayush Nivesh Saarthi’ portal during the Ayush Stakeholder/Industry Interaction Meet held at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. Developed by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with Invest India, the portal aims to attract domestic and foreign direct investment (FDI) in the traditional medicine sector, aligning with India’s goal to become a global hub for holistic healthcare and wellness.
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The Tamil Nadu government has launched multiple biodiversity and conservation initiatives, including the establishment of the Greater Flamingo Sanctuary at Dhanushkodi on World Environment Day 2025. These efforts aim to protect migratory bird habitats, promote ecotourism, restore native ecosystems, and enhance environmental standards across the state.
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)Taxonomy and Conservation Status
Habitat and Geographic Distribution
Presence in India
Migration and Breeding
Biological and Ecological Characteristics
Ecological Indicator:
Feeding Habits
Conservation Concerns
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The Assam Cabinet approved the sixth expansion of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve by adding 47,306.33 hectares to enhance biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism. The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, currently spans 1,302 sq. km. and hosts over 2,600 one-horned rhinos and a high tiger density
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The article critiques increasing institutional and regulatory control over freedom of expression, particularly within Indian universities, amidst ongoing court cases addressing restrictions on speech. It argues for a reaffirmation of constitutional values in light of India’s declining press freedom and rising censorship trends in academia.
Q. "In a constitutional democracy, the right to freedom of speech is not just a legal entitlement but a foundational pillar of human dignity and public accountability." Critically examine the statement in the context of increasing institutional restrictions on academic expression in India.
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India’s decadal population census, originally scheduled for 2021 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is now expected to conclude by March 2027. It will be the first digital census, and its data will serve as the foundation for the next delimitation of Lok Sabha and State Assembly constituencies, which is constitutionally mandated to occur after 2026.
Q. Discuss the multifaceted implications of India’s delayed but digital 2027 Census, with special reference to its impact on governance, caste-based welfare planning, and the upcoming delimitation of constituencies.
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The newly elected UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signed a cooperation agreement with the European Union, re-establishing collaboration on food safety, fisheries, defence, and border management post-Brexit. This diplomatic reset, while regional in appearance, carries strategic implications for India’s export systems, geopolitical alignments, and diaspora mobility.
Q. Post-Brexit, the UK-EU diplomatic reset presents both opportunities and challenges for India in trade, geopolitics, and mobility. Critically analyse the implications of this reset on India’s strategic positioning in the global order.
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