Editorials

The Defence Minister recently held a bilateral meeting with Japan’s Defence Minister, Gen Nakatani, in New Delhi. Essential Information About Japan Capital: Tokyo, situated in the east-central region of Honshu. Official Language: Japanese. Currency: Japanese Yen. Government: A parliamentary system under a constitutional monarchy. Geography: An island nation in East …

India has recently taken delivery of a new batch of Igla-S air defence missiles from Russia, a move that comes in the wake of increasing tensions with Pakistan following the recent terror incident in Pahalgam. Overview of the Igla-S The Igla-S is a Russian-made Man-Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS). This …

A team of international archaeologists has uncovered what is currently the oldest known spear tip found in Europe—remarkably, it was made not by modern humans, but by Neanderthals. Location and Discovery Process The spear tip was unearthed in a cave situated in Russia’s North Caucasus region, embedded in an ancient …

GS1 – Geography Context:   Indian scientists have successfully charted the plasma movements within the Sun’s Near-Surface Shear Layer. About NSSL The Near-Surface Shear Layer is a turbulent zone extending roughly 35,000 km beneath the Sun’s visible surface, where a significant drop in plasma rotational speed with increasing depth is …

GS-2: International Relations Key Points: The article explores a major reconfiguration of the global order, moving from U.S.-dominated unipolarity post-Cold War to a multipolar framework. The rise of China and India, coupled with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, drives this transition. Post-World War II global institutions struggle to adapt to these changes. …

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) have successfully developed a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) that enables individuals with paralysis to control a robotic arm using only their thoughts. This system has proven to be stable over a period of seven months, requiring minimal recalibration. What is a Brain-Computer …

A recent study revealed that daily exposure to phthalates is associated with 350,000 (13%) global deaths due to heart disease in 2018 among individuals aged 55 to 65 years. About Phthalates Phthalates are a group of chemical substances primarily used in plastic products, especially in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics. They …

India has once again been included on the “priority watch” list in the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) Special 301 Report concerning intellectual property rights. Overview of the Special 301 Report The Special 301 Report is a yearly publication by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), as required by the Trade Act …

A global team of solar scientists, including researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), has successfully mapped the dynamic plasma currents in the Sun’s Near-Surface Shear Layer (NSSL), uncovering patterns that align with the Sun’s 11-year magnetic activity cycle, commonly known as the sunspot cycle. About the Near-Surface Shear …

Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) in Mohali have made significant advances in understanding proton adsorption on catalyst surfaces, which could lead to more efficient production of green hydrogen. Key Scientific Discoveries A new heterostructure combining Copper Tungsten Oxide (CuWO₄) and Copper Oxide (CuO) has been …

Location: Egypt is situated in northeastern Africa and extends into southwestern Asia via the Sinai Peninsula, making it a transcontinental nation. Borders: It shares borders with Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and Israel and the Gaza Strip to the northeast. Coastlines: Egypt has coastlines along the Mediterranean …

The NAI, operating under the Ministry of Culture, serves as the repository for all non-current government records, which are made available for use by administrators and researchers. It is responsible for preserving records of lasting value to the Government of India and is the largest archival collection in South Asia. …

In a recent incident at Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha’s Balasore district, forest officials apprehended a poacher during a confrontation involving gunfire. The poacher’s uncle, however, managed to escape. Overview of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary Situated in Odisha’s Balasore district, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary lies within the Eastern Ghats and spans an …

The sixth meeting of the India–Bhutan Joint Group of Customs (JGC) was recently convened in Thimphu, Bhutan. Overview of Bhutan Bhutan is a Himalayan nation without direct access to the sea, sharing borders with India on the south, east, and west, and with China (Tibet Autonomous Region) to the north. …

Nestled in Michigan—a state renowned for its automotive industry—Mackinac Island offers a quiet retreat where cars are prohibited and horse-drawn carriages are a common sight. Overview of Mackinac Island Mackinac Island is both a city and an island situated in northern Michigan, USA. It lies at the northeastern edge of …

A team of scientists from China, the United Kingdom, and the United States has been studying the inner dynamics of Bolivia’s Uturuncu Volcano. Their collaborative research has helped pinpoint the reasons behind the volcano’s ongoing activity, easing concerns about a potential eruption in the near future. Overview of Uturuncu Volcano …

Gavi, the global public-private health partnership, is working to persuade the administration of former President Donald Trump to continue its critical financial contributions. The alliance is highlighting how U.S. support could benefit the domestic vaccine sector. About Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Gavi …

UPSC Relevance GS-3: Science and Technology (Indian achievements, space technology) GS-2: Governance (development policies) Key Points Dr. K. Kasturirangan, former ISRO Chairman, transformed India’s space program by operationalizing space services for societal benefit. His tenure advanced satellite communication (INSAT), remote sensing (IRS), and lunar exploration (Chandrayaan-I). He shaped the National …

UPSC Relevance GS-2: Social Justice (welfare schemes, protection mechanisms) GS-2: Governance (transparency, accountability, statutory bodies) Key Points Over a dozen annual reports from the National Commissions for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), Scheduled Tribes (NCST), and Other Backward Classes (NCBC) remain unpublished, some for up to seven years. NCSC and NCST haven’t …

UPSC Relevance GS-2: International Relations (India-France bilateral ties) GS-3: Security (defence procurement, national security) Key Points India and France will finalize a ₹63,000 crore deal for 26 Rafale-M jets on April 28, 2025. The deal includes 22 single-seat and four twin-seat jets for aircraft carrier operations. Delivery will begin in …