Context:
The Maharashtra government has withdrawn its decision to make Hindi the default third language in primary schools amid political uproar and public backlash.
Language Issue in India After Independence
Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a 9-day, 5-nation diplomatic tour from 1st to 9th July 2025, covering Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.
Key Strategic Themes Emerging from the visit:
Context:
President Trump announced a 50% tariff on copper imports and threatened up to 200% tariffs on pharmaceutical imports during a cabinet meeting on July 8, 2025. This aims to bolster domestic production but raises concern over trade tensions and price inflation
India–US Relations
Evolution of India–US Relations
Significance of Bilateral Relations
Recent Developments and Forthcoming Initiatives
Challenges in India–US Relations
Way Forward
PYQ: Q. Discuss the evolution of India-US defence cooperation in recent decades. What are the challenges that need to be addressed to deepen this strategic partnership? (2020) |
Context:
The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry recently highlighted the need to shift India’s startup landscape from surface-level business model innovation to Deep Technology (DeepTech), emphasising fundamental scientific research and engineering-driven entrepreneurship.
DeepTech
Core Fields:
Key Issues for a DeepTech Ecosystem
Way Forward: DeepTech as Strategic National Asset
Context:
The Bihar Cabinethas approved the application of the domicile rule to the existing 35% reservation for women in all state government jobs, marking a significant policy shift before the upcoming state elections.
Policy Overview
Domicile Criteria in Bihar
To qualify as a domicile of Bihar, a person must fulfill at least one of the following:
Vertical and Horizontal Reservation: Vertical Reservation
Horizontal Reservation
Application Mechanism
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Context:
Karnataka has sought the Centre’s approval for key water projects—Yettinahole, Kalasa-Banduri, and Upper Bhadra—and urged notification of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II award amid legal, environmental, and funding hurdles.
Yettinahole Project:
Kalasa-BanduriNala Project:
Upper Bhadra Project:
Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II Award:
Constitutional and Statutory Framework:
Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the “Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross”—Brazil’s highest civilian honour for foreign dignitaries—during the 17th BRICS Summit 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, recognising India-Brazil strategic ties.
Context:
The Great Hornbill, Kerala’s State Bird and typically a forest-dwelling species, was recently sighted in the coastal region of Kakkampara near Ezhimala in Kannur district — an unusual habitat for the species, raising ecological and conservation interest.
Species Overview:
Typical Habitat and Distribution:
Ecological Significance:
Context:
A British F-35B stealth fighter jet from the UK’s Carrier Strike Group made an emergency landing in Kerala due to a technical malfunction and is being repaired with support from Indian authorities.
5th-Generation Fighter Jet:
Key Capabilities:
Current Global Operators:
Strategic Need for India
Context:
Researchers at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) have successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to enhance phosphate uptake and transport in japonica rice by modifying a phosphate transporter gene (OsPHO1;2), potentially reducing fertilizer use and increasing crop yield.
CRISPR-Cas9 Technology in Agriculture:
Impact on Fertilizer Use and Yield:
India’s Fertilizer Dependency:
Regulatory and Biosafety Aspects:
Scientific Significance:
Context:
At the June 2025 NATO Summit, member states pledged to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, a sharp increase from the earlier 2% target. This decision reflects a rising global trend in militarisation amid ongoing conflicts, but raises concerns over its implications for development, health, and climate goals.
Practice Question:
"Rising global militarisation poses serious trade-offs for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Critically examine in the context of recent NATO defence spending commitments." (250 words)
Donald Trump’s unilateral policies signal a shift toward a "rogue superpower" U.S., posing key diplomatic challenges and strategic recalibrations for India.
Practice Question:
The rise of American unilateralism under recent administrations has challenged the post-WWII global order. Critically evaluate how India’s foreign policy must adapt to the structural and ideological shifts in U.S. domestic politics. (250 words)
Context:
The Union Cabinet recently approved a ?1-lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme, to be anchored by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). The aim is to increase private sector participation in basic scientific research, with a long-term goal of reversing the existing 70:30 public-private R&D funding ratio.
Practice Question:
India's efforts to enhance private sector investment in scientific research have often fallen short due to structural, financial, and institutional bottlenecks. Critically evaluate the recently launched ?1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme in this context. Also, suggest measures to improve the innovation ecosystem in India. (250 words)
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