GS2

GS2 – International Relations Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act & Trump’s Modern-Day Trade Wars Former US President Donald Trump’s reintroduction of aggressive tariff measures in 2025 has drawn parallels with the infamous Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of the Great Depression era. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act (1930) Overview: Enacted under President Herbert Hoover, the …

GS2 – International Relations – International Organisations During the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, the Indian Prime Minister unveiled a series of India-led initiatives aimed at deepening regional cooperation. Major Indian Initiatives Under BIMSTEC Human Resource Development – BODHI Initiative India launched the BIMSTEC for Organised Development of Human Resource Infrastructure (BODHI) …

GS2 – International Relations Poland, Finland, and the Baltic nations (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) have announced intentions to exit the Ottawa Convention. About  Also known as the Mine Ban Treaty, it is an international disarmament agreement that prohibits the use, development, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. The treaty was …

GS2 – International Relations – Key Issues Following the attacks on October 7, it has been reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) activated the Hannibal Directive at multiple military locations infiltrated by Hamas. The directive is controversial due to its ethical implications and operational intent. What is the Hannibal …

GS II-International Relations Significance for Both Countries Mutual Support at International Forums India supports Sri Lanka’s application to join BRICS. Sri Lanka backs India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council (2028–29). Shared Interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Strong commitment to freedom of navigation, countering …

GS II International Relations The Indian Prime Minister took part in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, which was held under the chairmanship of Thailand. The summit was conducted under the theme “BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient, and Open,” and centered around enhancing regional cooperation and addressing key regional and global challenges. Major Highlights …

GS II – International Relations At the 11th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting in Brazil, India called upon all 11 BRICS members to endorse the ‘Baku to Belem Roadmap’, an ambitious initiative aimed at securing $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for climate action in developing nations. What is the ‘Baku to …

GS II-Ethics The International AI Safety Report 2025 and a proposed UK legislation criminalising AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) have brought global attention to the dark side of artificial intelligence. What is Digital Child Abuse via AI? This form of abuse involves the creation, distribution, or possession of CSAM …

GS II-Health Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently emphasized the significance of incorporating compassion into primary healthcare systems through a new report. What is Compassion in Healthcare? Definition: Compassion in the healthcare context refers to a blend of empathy, attentive listening, and taking context-sensitive actions in response to …

GS II-Health Key Developments in TB Treatment WHO Recommendations (2022): The World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed the six-month BPaL regimen (bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid) and BPaLM regimen (BPaL + moxifloxacin) as viable options for drug-resistant TB treatment. Advanced Diagnostic Expansion: India plans to scale up the Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) …

GS II-Governance Understanding Euthanasia Euthanasia, commonly referred to as mercy killing, involves intentionally ending a person’s life to relieve suffering, particularly in cases of irreversible and terminal illnesses. Legal Framework of Euthanasia in India Supreme Court’s 2018 Judgment The Supreme Court legalized passive euthanasia in 2018, allowing the withdrawal of …

GS II-International Relations Strategic Importance of the Red Sea Route The Red Sea corridor serves as the shortest maritime route for trade between India and Europe. This passage facilitates approximately 12% of global trade and accounts for nearly 30% of worldwide container traffic. While the Cape of Good Hope route …

GS II-Initiatives About the Program KIRTI is a significant component of the Khelo India initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Objective: To foster a strong sports culture among students aged 9 to 18 years, ultimately enhancing India’s potential to secure medals in international competitions. The program …

GS II-Schemes The Government of India has released operational guidelines for implementing the ‘Incentives to DISCOMs’ component under the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, a scheme introduced by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Objectives of the Scheme The initiative seeks to expand solar rooftop capacity and enable …

GS2 (Polity & Judiciary) Understanding Bail and Bail Conditions Bail refers to the legal process by which an accused person is released from custody, typically upon payment of a sum of money, ensuring their return for court proceedings. Bail conditions are specific requirements imposed by the court that an accused …

GS2 (Polity & Citizenship) The Supreme Court overturned a Foreigners’ Tribunal (FT) decision that had declared Md Rahim Ali, an Assam resident, as a foreigner. The tribunal’s ruling was based on minor inconsistencies in the spelling and dates on his documents. Significance of the Judgment This ruling provides relief to …

GS2 (Governance & Laws) Overview of the Enemy Property Act, 1968 Enactment: The Act was introduced following the Indo-China conflict of 1962 and the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971. Definition of Enemy Property: It refers to any assets owned, held, or managed on behalf of an individual, entity, or …

GS II-Health Context US pharma company Eli Lilly is set to introduce Mounjaro in India. It is one of the most advanced weight loss drugs, primarily used for managing type 2 diabetes and now also approved for weight loss. Key Ingredient & Mechanism Active Ingredient: Tirzepatide (a prescription-only injectable drug). …

GS II-Judiciary Context The Chief Justice of India (CJI) recently initiated a three-member in-house inquiry into allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, leading to his transfer to the Allahabad High Court. This has reignited discussions on judicial transparency. Judicial Transfers in India Constitutional Basis: Article 222 of the Indian Constitution grants …

GS II-Schemes Context The PM Internship Scheme app was introduced to streamline the application process after the pilot phase saw limited participation. Overview of the Scheme Objective: The scheme aims to facilitate internships for 1 crore youth over five years in India’s top 500 companies, bridging the gap between academic …