National Issues

Context: The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in Maharashtra, launched four months before elections, offers ₹1,500 monthly financial aid to poor women. This has sparked debates about whether such Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes amount to voter bribery or genuine welfare measures. Key Features of Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana …

Context: The Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides report, jointly released by UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), was published on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The report highlights the intentional killing of women and …

Context (TH) Despite a global consensus on combating climate change, fossil fuel subsidies persist as a major hurdle for governments. By making fossil fuels cheaper, these subsidies encourage their continued use, ultimately undermining global climate objectives. Global Scope of Fossil Fuel Subsidies OECD Estimates: Approximately $1.5 trillion annually (2022). IMF …

Context: The recent agreement between India and China aims to address border issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that intensified after 2020. This agreement focuses on easing tensions, disengaging troops, and lowering military presence. Here are the key points: Patrolling Protocols: The agreement restores patrolling routes to their …

Context: Recent Supreme Court rulings have brought attention to the high prevalence of child marriage in India, despite the enactment of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) nearly two decades ago. India remains home to one-third of the world’s child brides. Historical Background of Child Marriage Laws in India …

Context: AFSPA has recently been extended in four districts of Assam, following disturbances related to the situation in Bangladesh. History of AFSPA British Ordinance of 1942: This ordinance was first introduced by the British during World War II to suppress the Indian independence movement. Initial Implementation (1958): It was first …

Context: Recent incidents like the Mysuru-Darbanga Express collision highlight the persistent safety and operational challenges facing Indian Railways. Challenges of Indian Railways: Frequent Train Accidents: High-profile accidents such as Balasore (2023) and Kavaraipettai (2024) point to significant safety gaps, with human error (55.8%) and signaling issues being the primary causes. …

Context The global food insecurity situation is critical, with the FAO reporting that approximately 2.33 billion people worldwide face moderate to severe food insecurity. In India, the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 was introduced as a crucial step toward ensuring food security. However, concerns have been raised regarding the …

Context The Satark Nagrik Sangathan’s 2023-24 report has brought attention to issues with the RTI Act, highlighting the pressing need for reforms. Overview of the RTI Act 2005 The RTI Act, enacted in 2005, grants citizens the right to request information from public authorities, promoting transparency, accountability, and participatory governance …

Unemployment is defined as the condition of being without a job despite actively seeking employment and possessing the necessary qualifications, skills, and willingness to work. Types of Unemployment Frictional Unemployment: Temporary joblessness when individuals are between jobs or changing careers. Structural Unemployment: Occurs due to a mismatch between job seekers’ …

Context: Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister met with the Sri Lankan President to discuss collaboration across various sectors, highlighting the ongoing partnership between the two nations. Recent Developments in India-Sri Lanka Relations: Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC): India and Sri Lanka jointly launched the MRCC with a $6 million grant …

Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare published the India TB Report 2024, which reveals a decrease in the mortality rate from Tuberculosis (TB), dropping from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 23 per lakh in 2022. Key Highlights of the Report Trends in TB Cases and Deaths: …

Context (TH): The Ministry of Education has provided a definition for ‘literacy’ and ‘full literacy’ as part of its efforts to enhance adult literacy through the New India Literacy Programme (NILP). New India Literacy Programme (NILP): A five-year initiative (2022-27) that aims to enroll 1 crore learners over the age …

Context (TH): Recent government decisions that prioritize imports over local production could undermine India’s domestic pharmaceutical sector and potentially result in increased drug prices. Ensuring the availability of affordable medications is vital in India, where out-of-pocket health expenditures made up nearly 47.1% of total spending in 2021. Current Scenario India, …

Context: Recently, the Sabarmati Express derailed near Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, after its engine collided with an object on the tracks. Over the last five fiscal years ending in FY23, India has experienced an average of 44 significant train accidents annually. These consequential accidents include incidents that result in injuries, fatalities, …

Context: The Government of India recently announced a significant recruitment drive for lateral entrants, addressing an “acute shortage” of IAS officers. Lateral entry allows experts from outside the traditional government structure to be appointed to mid and senior-level roles, bypassing the conventional UPSC examination process. This initiative aims to infuse …

Context: India has granted refuge to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following her forced departure from Bangladesh, despite the absence of an official refugee policy in the country. Defining Refugees: Refugees: Individuals compelled to leave their home country and seek safety in another due to the threat of persecution, …

Context: The underrepresentation of SC/ST and OBC officers in senior civil service roles underscores the prevailing dominance of upper castes within the bureaucracy. Challenges in Achieving Social Justice: Underrepresentation of SC/ST Officers: The limited presence of SC/ST officers in high-level government positions restricts their impact on policy-making. For example, only …

Context India’s neighboring countries have undergone significant political transformations, posing challenges to its diplomatic strategies and prompting a reassessment of regional engagement to safeguard its interests. Diplomatic Challenges in India’s Neighborhood Myanmar’s Military Coup (2021): The military takeover disrupted India’s relationship with Myanmar, affecting security collaborations and infrastructure projects. Taliban …

Context: In India, although over half of the 642 million eligible voters are women, women’s safety issues receive little attention from political candidates, highlighting a significant discrepancy. Current Situation: Daily, approximately 90 rape cases are reported, nearly half of the women experience domestic violence, and two-thirds of Dalit women face …