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MONTHLY MAGAZINE – MARCH 2025
Sl.
No.
Topics
Quotes of the Day
Personalities in News
History, Art & Culture
1
Picture of the Day: PM at Somnath Temple
2
Keyword of the Day: Lohiaite
3
Picture of the Day: Theyyam Art
4
PM Modi attends Jahan-e-Khusrau
5
Could Gandhi have done more to save Bhagat
Singh?
6
How ‘Chaava’ erases history and leaves no room for
complexity
7
Thakkolam temple, a treasure trove of Tamil history,
needs restoration
8
The grave of Aurangzeb: What it tells us about the
man, his life
NEWS IN SHORT
1
Shaheed Diwas 2025 commemorations
Polity & Governance
1
Facts of the Day: India ranked 24th out of 33
countries in free speech index
2
ECI allays fear on duplicate Voter ID numbers; says
will ensure unique ID
3
1952 Anwar Ali Sarkar v. State of West Bengal case
– Reasonable classification doctrine
4
Pati Panchayat controversy
5
Delimitation debate: Let the current distribution of
Lok Sabha be cast in stone
6
Tamil Nadu-Centre tensions over education funds,
Hindi imposition
7
Electoral reforms
8
Right to development through industrialisation
equally claims priority under fundamental rights
9
Elon Musk's X has filed a lawsuit challenging IT Act
10
Cash at Judge’s House controversy: Supreme Court
Collegium has proposed transfer of Delhi High Court
Judge
11
Cash at Judge’s House controversy: CJI Sanjiv
Khanna initiated a three-member in-house inquiry
12
Cash at Judge’s House controversy: Debate on
judicial accountability and appointment mechanisms
in India
13
Cash at Judge’s House controversy: Norms
surrounding disclosure of Judge’s assets
14
Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection
Act vs RTI Act
NEWS IN SHORT
1
Congress Moves Privileged Motion Against MOS
Rural Development Over MGNREGS Funds
2
Kunal Kamra Gets Pre-Arrest Bail Till April 7 In
Eknath Shinde Parody Row
Society & Social Justice
1
Fact of the Day: Gender gap in household chores
persists in urban India
2
Facts of the Day: India's social security coverage
doubles from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024
3
Facts of the Day: Health expenditure at 1.84% of
GDP, moving steadily to 2.5%: JP Nadda
4
Three language formula vs Imposing Hindi
5
Rajasthan’s new Coaching Centre Bill
6
How India is winning the fight against TB
7
The 3 Cs that haunt Indian education system
NEWS IN SHORT
1
PM VIKAS Scheme for Minority Communities
2
Baalpan ki Kavita Initiative
International Relations
1
OPINION: Walter J Lindner on Indian Diplomacy
2
Fallout of Trump-Zelensky showdown
3
India launches Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3)
alliance for collaboration on sustainable
development
4
PM Modi in Mauritius
5
Five Eyes fracture and the Trump disruption
6
Trump’s tariff war: How should India play its cards
7
What is Sikhs for Justice, the group India wants
designated as Foreign Terrorist Organisation in the
US
8
Europe without America: Can the Contingent cope
with Russia?
NEWS IN SHORT
1
F-1 Visa Denials Surge in US
2
Quad Defence Leaders' Concerns Over China's
Indo-Pacific Moves
3
Russia-Ukraine Black Sea Agreement
4
India-Singapore LoI for Green and Digital Shipping
Corridor
Economy & Agriculture
1
Keyword of the Day: Recession
2
Facts of the Day: TH Data Point - A regional divide
in blue-collar worker migration from India
3
What latest estimates of India’s GDP say about
economy
4
Why are India, China, US racing to secure supplies
of copper?
5
Donald Trump backs five coins from ‘crypto reserve’
6
PM Internship Scheme a ‘national cause’
7
IndusInd Bank’s derivative losses
8
Bill Gates on AI roadmap: Towards a post-labour
world
3
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NEWS IN SHORT
1
CBIC Revises Trade Rules, Replacing 'Certificate'
with 'Proof' to Enhance Clarity in Import Duty
Benefits Under FTAs
2
Piyush Goyal Urges Government and IT Sector to
Achieve $450 Billion Services Export Target
3
Finance Bill 2025 and Banking Laws Amendment Bill
2024
4
India's mobile phone exports surpass ₹1.75 trillion in
FY25
5
Abolition of Equalisation Levy on Digital Ads
6
MSME Investment and Turnover Criteria Revision
7
Progress of Doubling the Farmers' Income
8
NITI Aayog CEO launches DX-EDGE
9
Parliament passes Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024
10
Government to Borrow ₹8 Trillion in H1 of FY26, with
₹10,000 Crore for Sovereign Green Bonds
11
India Becomes World's 2nd-Largest Tea Exporter in 2024
12
Nutrient-Based Subsidy Rates for Kharif 2025
Science & Technology
1
Word of the Day: Hantavirus
2
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 became
the first private U.S. lunar landing to achieve a
stable, upright touchdown
3
Researchers from China and Japan observed strong
evidence of a Bose metal state in 2D niobium
diselenide (NbSe₂)
4
AI basics: What are artificial intelligence and
machine learning?
5
Delhi High Court’s ‘guiding principles’ on the use of
smartphones
6
ISRO successfully carried out an undocking
procedure – SpaDex Mission
7
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch
Wilmore safely returned to Earth
8
DNA fingerprinting
9
European Space Agency (ESA) shut down its space
observatory mission Gaia
10
India completed wet testing of its Matsya-6000
submersible
NEWS IN SHORT
1
GE to deliver first of 99 F-404 engines for Tejas MK
1A by March-end
2
Japan's Astroscale Partners with Indian Space Firms
for Orbital Debris Removal
3
Grok AI Faces Controversy Over Alleged Bias
Against BJP, As IT Ministry Questions X on Training
Data Concerns
4
IndiaAI Mission and Gates Foundation Partnership
Geography & Environment
1
Places in News: Madhav National Park becomes
India’s 58th Tiger Reserve
2
Facts of the Day: Delhi’s air worst among capitals,
Byrnihat’s the world’s most foul, finds new report
3
Keyword of the Day: Menhir
4
Picture of the Day: Indian long-billed vulture
5
Over 6.98 lakh endangered Olive Ridley turtles
nested at Rushikulya
6
An avalanche buried 55 BRO workers in
Uttarakhand’s Mana village
7
Two new species of jumping spiders (Epidelaxia
falciformis and Epidelaxia palustris) were discovered
in Western Ghats
8
PM Modi announced key wildlife conservation
measures during the NBWL meeting at Gir National
Park on World Wildlife Day
9
Uttar Pradesh government employed the Miyawaki
afforestation technique during the 2025 Mahakumbh
in Prayagraj
10
How the Wallace line explains the difference in
species across continents
11
Cyclone Alfred in Australia
12
Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh was
declared as India's 58th tiger reserve
13
Why scientists were surprised to find life under
Antarctic ice shelf
14
How global warming is affecting the world’s
mountain ranges
15
How India’s bioeconomy is faring, the road ahead
16
Why Myanmar is frequently rocked by earthquakes
17
The Word Means: Magnitude of an Earthquake
NEWS IN SHORT
1
Government Task Forces to Review Nuclear Energy Laws
2
Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Eruption
3
Kosi-Mechi Intra-State Link Project under PMKSY-
AIBP
Internal Security
1
Picture of the Day: TROPEX
2
30 alleged Maoists killed in twin operations in Bastar
region of Chhattisgarh
NEWS IN SHORT
1
India's defence production reaches ₹1.27 lakh crore
in 2023-24, growing 174% since 2014-15
2
Indian Navy's AIKEYME and IOS Sagar Initiatives
3
Centre extends AFSPA for another 6 months in
different parts of Nagaland & northeastern states
from 1st April
4
Bilateral naval exercise 'INDRA' commenced off the
coast of Chennai
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
1
Ethics News of the Day: The warp and weft of
existentialism and svadharma
2
Ethics News of the Day: Elephants in temple festival
tradition: Supreme Court stays Kerala HC order
3
George Foreman, boxing legend known for the
iconic 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" against
Muhammad Ali, has passed away
4
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QUOTES OF THE DAY
March 2025
Sl No
Quote
1
‘Violence kills what it intends to create’ – POPE JOHN PAUL II
2
‘We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated’ – MAYA ANGELOU
3
‘Diplomacy, N. is the art of letting somebody else have your way’ – DAVID FROST
4
‘A true batsman should in most of his strokes tell the truth’ – NEVILLE CARDUS
5
‘GDP is a function of capital, labour and how productively you use both’ – GITA
GPOINATH
6
‘There is no freedom of religion without a government that is free from religion’ – ANDREW
L SEIDEL
7
‘I’m not free while any women is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from
my own’ – AUDRE LORDE
8
‘If it’s wrong when they do it, it’s wrong when we do it’ – NOAM CHOMSKY
9
‘As long as there was coffee in the world, how bad could things be?’ – CASSANDRA
CLARE
10
‘Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent’ – JOHN MAYNARD
KEYNES
11
‘The humanities should constitute the core of any university worth the name’ – TERRY
EAGLETON
12
‘It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men’ – FREDERICK DOUGLASS
13
‘Democracy cannot exist without respect for the identity and worth of cultures and
peoples.’ – RIGOBERTA MENCHÚ TUM
14
‘The bureaucracy is expanding to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy.’ –
OSCAR WILDE
15
‘The universe is under obligation to make sense to you’ – NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON
16
‘The only thing that saves us from the bureaucracy is its inefficiency.’ – EUGENE
MCCARTHY
17
‘A statesman is a politician who’s been dead for 15 years.’ – HARRY S TRUMAN
18
‘Successful diplomacy is an alignment of objectives and means.’ – DENNIS ROSS
19
‘True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.’ – CLARENCE
DARROW
20
‘The nation should have a tax system that looks like someone designed it on purpose.’ –
WILLIAM SIMON
21
‘When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat.’ – QUEEN
ELIZABETH II
22
‘Law and justice are not always the same.’ – GLORIA STEINEM
23
‘You can never be overdressed or overeducated.’ – OSCAR WILDE
5
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WHAT THE OTHERS SAY
March 2025
Sl No
Quote
1
‘It seems all sense has been lost on the US president, who shared on his social media
an AI-generated video depicting a dystopian ‘Trump Gaza’’– DAWN, PAKISTAN
2
‘Mr. Trump wants to redefine free speech with bans, bullying and fear. It’s never been
more necessary to speak up’– THE NEW YORK TIMES
3
‘The US has prioritised theatrics over security commitments in a volatile world’– THE
GLOBAL TIMES
4
‘Through a combination of soft and hard power, Europe must seek to ensure Kyiv has
agency and a voice in peace negotiations’– THE GUARDIAN
5
‘While Pakistan is right in blaming the Afghan Taliban for doing little to curb cross-border
terrorism, if ties deteriorate further, it will negatively affect counterterrorism operation’–
DAWN, PAKISTAN
6
‘Members of both parties have expressed worry about Mr. Trump’s outrageous parroting
of the Russian line on Ukraine. They likely to be even more upset when Musk’s cuts reach
their states and when record-breaking measles outbreaks happen’– THE NEW YORK
TIMES
7
‘With more than 1.1 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh entirely dependent on
humanitarian aid, the drastic aid cut by the World Food Programme will put immense
strain on families’ – THE DAILY STAR
8
‘Mr Trump can only do so much to bend reality: Administration failures, U-turns and the
costs of policies such as tariffs will probably temper voters’ enthusiasm’ – THE
GUARDIAN
9
‘Modi seems to prefer expanding India’s parliament to prevent any state from losing
representation, while shrinking southern influence’ – THE GUARDIAN
10
‘Returning Pakistan to the top of the world cricket will be an arduous challenge. But for
now, that is India’s place – it has the team and influence to hold on to it’ – DAWN,
PAKISTAN
11
‘Sir Keir Starmer has so far navigated the caprice of the current White House
administration shrewdly. He has been warmly received in Washington. But avoidance of
conflict should not be confused with significant leverage’ – THE GUARDIAN
12
“There can be no compromise on Pakistan’s territorial solidarity and the supremacy of the
Constitution. Within these parameters, an organic political process can bring Balochistan
back from the abyss.”- DAWN, PAKISTAN
13
“Ex-king Gyanendra...so badly discredited himself while on the throne...that the return of
the same king is not a tenable proposition. Even if the contender for the king was someone
more worthy...21st-century progressive Nepal cannot go back to the days of hereditary
rule.” — THE KATHMANDU POST
6
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14
“Israel, which was undeterred by Joe Biden’s feeble scoldings, is now dealing with a US
president who told it to pause for a beat but is happy to give it the green light to resume
and urge it to go further.” – THE GUARDIAN
15
“We urge Tulsi Gabbard and other US government officials to independently examine all
available evidence before making sweeping statements that unjustly link an entire country
to global terrorism.” – THE DAILY STAR, BANGLADESH
16
"As geopolitical events have undermined its trade-led business model, the German
economy has been undergoing the most prolonged period of stagnation since the second
world war." – THE GUARDIAN
17
“Public perceptions of the institution’s independence and neutrality have taken a hit due
to the bitter and often very public spats between senior judges, which continue to signal
considerable dissatisfaction within the institution regarding how it is being conducted. Only
the institution can save itself.” – DAWN, PAKISTAN
18
“With its commanding edge in EVs, China’s leadership is poised to set the rules and
dictate, on its own terms, the future of the technology.” – THE GUARDIAN
19
“As the situation in Balochistan slowly spirals out of control, there is a need to realise that
years of bad policies have led to the recent security failures in the province.” – DAWN,
PAKISTAN
20
"The hypocrisy is glaring. [Donald] Trump’s first presidential campaign — and several
members of the Signal group — lambasted Hillary Clinton for using a private email server
to receive official messages." – THE GUARDIAN
21
"The fact is that Pakistan cannot afford a hostile regime in Afghanistan, as this has severe
internal security implications for this country." – DAWN, PAKISTAN
22
"The ballot box has been one of the last places where Turkish citizens could truly have
their say, even if opposition politicians – including Mr Imamoglu – have often been hobbled
both before and after elections." – THE GUARDIAN
23
"The junta cannot be allowed to control the flow of aid. By doing so, it could use the
disaster to intensify its hold on power and the suffering of its opponents among the people
of Myanmar." – THE GUARDIAN
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PERSONALITIES IN NEWS
March 2025
Personalities in News: 2025 Indian Express
Excellence in Governance Awards
Why in News? The 2025 Indian Express
Excellence in Governance Awards recognized
16 district magistrates for their innovative
approaches across various categories.
Agriculture - KM Sarayu (Krishnagiri, Tamil
Nadu)
Helped farmers take their produce to global
markets, implementing initiatives that
transformed local agricultural practices and
improved farmer livelihoods.
Healthcare - Pushpendra Kumar Meena
(Durg, Chhattisgarh)
Spearheaded mental health awareness by
screening 3.4 lakh rural households and
treating over 2,900 mental health patients.
His team stabilized a schizophrenic girl and
identified multiple potential suicide cases. He
overcame significant challenges including rural
mental health stigma and trained district staff to
identify mental health issues. He described his
award as being about "lives saved".
Education - Sachin Rana (East Kameng,
Arunachal Pradesh)
Installed five innovation labs for tribal
communities that enrolled over 2,000 students,
teaching integrated robotics and 3D printing.
Provided students with toolkits and 3D printers,
making technological resources available in
remote areas. His initiative became a model for
establishing 50,000 similar labs nationwide.
Skill Development - Rohit Anand (Kakching,
Manipur)
Imparted vocational and livelihood skills to
6,000 displaced persons in Manipur, helping
them rebuild their lives amidst regional
challenges.
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Social Welfare - Jasmeet Singh Sandhu
(Salumbar, Rajasthan)
Implemented an assistive technology
initiative for persons with disabilities,
distributing 1,232 assistive devices worth Rs
59.25 lakh. Partnered with ALIMCO to
manufacture affordable artificial limbs and
rehabilitation aids. Conducted door-to-door
surveys of over 4 lakh people to increase
awareness of benefits. Previously received the
National Divyangjan Empowerment Award 2024
under the 'Accessible India Campaign' category.
Law & Order - T Prabhushankar (Karur, Tamil
Nadu)
Recognized for implementing innovative law
enforcement strategies that improved public
safety and security in the district.
Sustainability - Aditya Vikram Yadav
(Sivasagar, Assam)
Planted 54,000 bamboo trees over 80 acres of
wasteland, transforming barren land into
environmentally productive areas that support
local ecosystems and provide economic
benefits.
Swachhata (Cleanliness) - Swapneel Paul
(Tinsukia, Assam)
Eliminated 1.53 lakh metric tonnes of waste
from dumpsites in Tinsukia (Tingrai),
Doomdooma, and Margherita within just one
year. Pioneered bio-excavation (digging and
removing waste biologically) and bio-
remediation (using natural organisms to break
down pollutants) methods, making Tinsukia the
first district to implement these eco-friendly
techniques at such a scale.
E-Governance - Kengoo Zuringla (Ukhrul,
Manipur)
Implemented the "Manipur e-District Project"
that transformed government-to-citizen services
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through a single online access point. Reduced
citizen visits to government offices by 70% and
service fulfillment time by 40%, significantly
improving administrative efficiency.
Disaster Management - Dattatraya
Bhausaheb Shinde (Balasore, Odisha)
Led a critical 56-hour rescue operation after
the triple train tragedy in Odisha (June 2023)
that claimed 293 lives. His coordinated efforts
with NGOs, volunteers, police, and military
personnel resulted in only six fatalities among
6,000 injuries. His operation was so effective it
was integrated into national disaster response
frameworks.
Gender & Inclusion - Suryawanshi Mayur
Vikas (Kendrapara, Odisha)
Implemented projects focused on women's
empowerment and gender inclusivity in the
district.
Start-Up and MSME - Dr. Ravi Mittal (Jashpur,
Chhattisgarh)
Recognized for initiatives supporting small
businesses and entrepreneurship development
in the district.
Jury Special Award - Fouzia Taranum
(Kalaburagi, Karnataka)
Launched the Kalaburagi Rotti Sahakara
Sanga (cooperative forum) in March 2024,
reintroducing millet as a regional staple.
Distributed 150 roti-making machines to
women's self-help groups, transforming
traditional rotti-making into a profitable
enterprise. Listed the product on food delivery
platforms and created an online ordering system
reaching cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
Her initiative helps women earn approximately
Rs 30,000 monthly, with plans to expand exports
internationally and develop a quick-commerce
app.
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History, Art & Culture
March 2025
Picture of the Day: PM at Somnath Temple Link
Why in News? Prime
Minister Narendra Modi
on Sunday (March 2,
2025) offered obeisance
at the revered Somnath
temple in Gujarat’s Gir
Somnath district and
prayed for the health and
prosperity of
countrymen.
About Somnath Temple
The Somnath Temple,
revered as the first
Jyotirlinga, embodies
India’s spiritual resilience
through cycles of
destruction and revival.
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Ancient Origins & Mythology
1) Mythological roots: Built in Satya Yuga by Moon God Soma to redeem himself from a curse. Linked
to Shiva’s blessing restoring Soma’s radiance (Skanda Purana).
2) Legendary reconstructions: Rebuilt in gold by Soma, silver by Ravana, wood by Krishna, and stone
by Bhimadev.
3) Sacred geography: Located at Triveni Sangam (confluence of Kapila, Hiran, Saraswati rivers).
4) Pre-10th century temple: Excavations led by B.K. Thapar (1950–51) uncovered foundations of a 9th–
10th century CE temple with intricate carvings and a tri-anga sandhara prasada design (three-part
sanctum with a circumambulatory path).
a) Features: Mukhamandapa (entrance hall), gudhamandapa (closed hall), and fragments of Lakulisa
statues confirm its Shaivite affiliation.
b) Inscriptions in 10th-century Brahmi/Nagari scripts were found.
Major Invasions
1) Mahmud of Ghazni (1026 CE)
a) Looted 20 million dinars, shattered the jyotirlinga, and massacred 50,000 defenders
b) Described by Al-Biruni as a wealthy temple with 300 musicians and 500 dancers
2) Alauddin Khalji (1299 CE): General Ulugh Khan destroyed the temple during Gujarat’s invasion
3) Zafar Khan (1395 CE): Last Delhi Sultanate governor razed the structure
4) Aurangzeb (1706 CE): Demolished the temple, converted it into a mosque, and triggered Hindu
resistance.
Key Reconstructions
1) Chalukya King Bhima I (1026–1042 CE): Rebuilt after Ghazni’s attack.
2) Kumarapala (12th century): Enhanced with jewels and stone architecture (Chaulukya-Māru-Gurjara
style).
3) Mahipala I (1308 CE): Chudasama king restored the temple post-Khalji’s raid.
4) Rani Ahilyabai Holkar (18th century): Reconstructed after Aurangzeb’s destruction.
5) Post-Independence (1951): Sardar Patel and K.M. Munshi led rebuilding; President Rajendra Prasad
inaugurated it.
The temple’s history reflects a timeless cycle of faith and resistance, making it a cornerstone of
India’s spiritual identity.
Keyword of the Day: Lohiaite Link
Why in News? March 23,
2025 marked the 115th birth
anniversary of Dr. Ram
Manohar Lohia, with leaders
across political parties paying
tributes to the socialist
leader.
Who Was Ram Manohar
Lohia?
1) Born in 1910 in Uttar
Pradesh, completed higher
education in Europe and
returned to India in 1932
2) Prominent freedom fighter who was jailed multiple times (over 25 times) for his participation in various
movements, including protests against Portuguese rule in Goa
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3) Initially joined the Indian National Congress but later critiqued it for failing to address caste and class
hierarchies
4) Formed the Congress Socialist Party within Congress in 1933, which became an independent
Socialist Party in 1947
5) Known for his fearless criticism of power holders and advocacy for the marginalized
Lohia's Core Ideology: New Socialism
1) Synthesized Marxist economics with Gandhian ethics while tailoring socialism to India's context
2) Focused on addressing the "twin evils" of inequality and poverty which he believed were mutually
reinforcing
3) Proposed a six-point plan for New Socialism including maximum attainable equality, global standard
of living, world government, civil disobedience, decentralized governance, and technological
advancement
4) Advocated for the "Four-Pillar State" with power distributed at village, district, province, and centre
levels to prevent centralization
5) Favoured small-unit technology, cooperative labour, and village government as appropriate for India's
conditions
Sapta Kranti (Seven Revolutions)
1) Against gender inequality (equality between men and women)
2) Against inequalities based on skin colour/race
3) Against caste-based inequalities and for affirmative action for backward castes
4) Against foreign domination/colonialism
5) For economic equality through increased production
6) For civil liberties against interference in private life
7) For non-violence and Satyagraha instead of weapons
Lohia's Political Legacy
1) "Lohiaite" refers to followers of Lohia's socialist ideology and social justice principles
2) His "anti-Congressism" influenced India's political landscape by calling for opposition unity against
Congress dominance
3) Many politicians from non-elite backgrounds emerged inspired by Lohia as Congress dominance
weakened post-1960s
4) The Mandal Commission implementation in 1990 for OBC reservations aligned with his vision of social
justice
5) His ideological influence continues in parties like Samajwadi Party, which claims to carry forward his
fight for economic justice and social equality
6) Modern politics differs from Lohia's era, with fewer parties advocating for complete social revolution
despite adopting welfarist measures
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Picture of the Day: Theyyam Art
Theyyam Art
1) Theyyam (also called Theyyattam) is a ritualistic art
form from Northern Kerala, India, particularly
prevalent in Kannur and Kasaragod districts .
2) The term derives from "Daivam" or "Deivam,"
meaning "God" in Sanskrit, essentially translating to
"Dance of the Gods".
3) It's an ancient ritual with origins possibly dating back
to Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, representing
a form of Hinduism practiced by tribal communities.
4) Over 400 distinct types of Theyyam exist, each with
unique characteristics.
5) Performers (called "Kolam") undergo a
transformative process from mortal to deity through
elaborate costumes, facial makeup, and vibrant
colours.
6) Primary colours used include red, orange, yellow,
black, and white, with intricate face painting
techniques like Praakezhuthu and Sankezhuthu.
7) Performances feature traditional musical instruments
such as chenda, tudi, kuzhal, and veekni.
8) Ritual songs called "Thottam" narrate the story of the
deity being propitiated.
9) Performers belong to indigenous communities like
Vannan, Malayan, Velan, Anjottan, Kopalan,
Mavilan, and Kolathari.
10) The performance includes specific dance steps
known as "Kalaasams".
IE Explained; By Arjun Sengupta;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – History Link
Why in News? Prime Minister Narendra Modi
attended the 25th anniversary of the Sufi
music festival Jahan-e-Khusrau in Delhi,
highlighting Amir Khusrau’s role in India’s
syncretic culture.
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Background & Legacy
1) Early Life
a) Born in 1253 CE to a Central Asian Turkic
father (refugee from Mongol invasions) and
an Indian Muslim mother.
b) Identified as “Indian Turk,” symbolizing
Indo-Islamic synthesis.
2) Court Poet & Sufi Disciple
a) Served 5 Delhi Sultanate rulers, including
Alauddin Khalji (bestowed title Amir).
b) Closest disciple of Sufi saint Nizamuddin
Auliya, sharing an inseparable spiritual
bond.
3) Cultural Contributions
a) Literary Innovations
i) Hindavi Pioneer: Developed early
forms of Hindi/Urdu, blending Persian
with local dialects.
ii) Works: Authored riddles, folk songs,
and Persian poetry (e.g., Nuh Siphir
praised Hindu philosophy).
b) Musical Legacy
i) Qawwali & Classical Music: Credited
with inventing khayal singing, tabla,
and sitar (disputed).
ii) Iconic Compositions: Chhaap Tilak,
Zehal-e-Maskeen remain staples in
Sufi and Bollywood music.
c) Symbol of Syncretism
i) Championed Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb
(Indo-Islamic harmony), celebrating
Hindu philosophical depth alongside
Islamic mysticism.
ii) Festivals like Jahan-e-Khusrau
continue to promote his vision of
cultural unity.
IE Explained; Arjun Sengupta;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – History Link
Why in News? The Gandhi-Irwin Pact’s 94th
anniversary (March 5, 1931) has reignited
discussions about its omission of Bhagat
Singh’s death sentence commutation.
Historical Context
1) Lahore Conspiracy Case: Bhagat Singh,
Shivram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar were
sentenced to death (October 1930) for killing
British officer John P. Saunders, avenging Lala
Lajpat Rai’s death during a protest.
2) Controversial Trial: The Special Tribunal
bypassed legal norms, leaving minimal
recourse for appeal. A political settlement was
seen as the only path to save Bhagat Singh.
Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931)
1) Key Terms: Ended Civil Disobedience
Movement, released non-violent political
prisoners, and promised Congress’s
participation in the Round Table Conference.
2) Bhagat Singh’s Omission: Negotiations
began days after Bhagat Singh’s final appeal
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was rejected, raising expectations Gandhi
would intervene. However, his case was
excluded from the pact.
Criticism of Gandhi’s Role
1) Prioritizing Pact Over Clemency: Historians
like D.P. Das argue Gandhi viewed the pact as
more critical than Bhagat Singh’s life, avoiding
strong demands to avoid jeopardizing
negotiations.
2) Public vs. Private Stance: Gandhi publicly
claimed to advocate for Bhagat Singh but
privately critiqued his methods, calling the
Assembly bombing a “criminal act” and urging
youth to reject violence.
3) Delayed Appeals: Gandhi’s last-minute plea
to Viceroy Irwin (March 23, 1931) came hours
before the execution, deemed futile by critics
like A.G. Noorani.
Defence of Gandhi’s Actions
1) Political Constraints: Historian V.N. Datta
notes Gandhi and Irwin operated under
systemic limits; the Viceroy lacked unilateral
power to commute sentences.
2) Ethical Opposition: Gandhi’s commitment to
non-violence made him ideologically opposed
to endorsing Bhagat Singh’s methods, even
while opposing the death penalty.
Unresolved Debate
1) Sympathetic Views: Some argue Gandhi
leveraged his limited influence, citing earlier
objections to the Tribunal (May 1930) and
repeated appeals to Irwin.
2) Critical Perspectives: Others insist Gandhi’s
reluctance to pressure the British reflected a
strategic choice, not helplessness, deepening
public disillusionment.
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TH Text & Context; By Nissim Mannathukkaren;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – History Link
Why in News? Chhaava faces criticism for
reducing 17th-century Maratha-Mughal history
to a Hindu-Muslim binary, aligning with political
narratives while erasing historical complexities
like caste struggles and cross-religious
alliances.
Historical Simplification and Propaganda
1) Omitted alliances: Sambhaji briefly joined
Aurangzeb’s Mughals after rebelling against
his father, Shivaji—a fact excluded in the film.
2) Shivaji’s inclusivity: Shivaji’s administration
included Muslim commanders like Darya
Sarang (naval admiral) and Pathan units,
reflecting syncretic governance.
3) Propaganda cohort: Among 20+ recent films
(The Kashmir Files, Swatantrya Veer
Savarkar), Chhaava was endorsed by the PM
and made tax-free in BJP-ruled states.
Hindu-Muslim Binary Erases Nuance
1) Aurangzeb’s pragmatism: Despite
persecuting Shias/Sufis, he appointed Hindus
to 33% of Mughal mansabdar posts and
exempted Brahmins/Rajputs from jizya.
2) Maratha alliances: Shivaji allied with Bijapur
Sultanate and Golconda against Hindu Mysore
kings, while Sambhaji partnered with Muslim
Sultanates.
3) Selective villainy: Aurangzeb’s Sunni
orthodoxy targeted Islamic “heretics”
(Mahdavis, Bohras) more than Hindus, driven
by economic rivalry.
Ignored Complexities of Medieval Politics
1) Violent statecraft: Marathas used elephants
to execute 20 ministers during Sambhaji’s
internal conflicts, while Portuguese accounts
note their “barbarity” in Goa.
2) Dynastic strife: Shivaji fought his half-brother
Ekoji; Sambhaji’s son faced rival claimants,
mirroring Mughal infighting.
3) Mughal longevity: By Sambhaji’s era,
Mughals had ruled India for 150+ years,
challenging the “foreign invader” narrative.
Caste Erasure and Contradictions
1) Dalit resistance: The 1818 Battle of
Koregaon saw Mahar soldiers (Dalits) defeat
Peshwa Brahmins, later celebrated by
Ambedkar as caste triumph.
2) Non-Brahmin critique: Maharashtra’s non-
Brahmin movements rejected Brahminical
narratives that vilified Sambhaji, contrasting
Hindutva idolization.
3) Oppression continuity: Lower castes faced
systemic violence under both Hindu and
Muslim rulers, ignored in Chhaava’s
majoritarian framing.
Broader Implications
1) Distorted historiography: Films like Chhaava
amplify WhatsApp-forwarded myths, sidelining
academic works on Maratha pluralism (e.g.,
Stewart Gordon)
2) Political weaponization: As textbooks are
rewritten, such films stoke majoritarian
nationalism, reducing history to emotive Hindu
victimhood.
By flattening history into simplistic binaries,
Chhaava perpetuates erasures that hinder an
honest reckoning with India’s layered past.
TH States; By B. Kolappan;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – History, Art & Culture Link
Why in News? The 6th-century
Jalanatheswarar temple at Thakkolam
(Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu) faces structural
collapse while gaining renewed attention due
to historical commemorations.
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Structural Crisis: Northern outer wall
collapsed, temple tank derelict, and
vegetation/debris threaten 6th-century
Pallava-era structure. Urgent restoration
needed to prevent total collapse.
CISF Renaming: CISF Recruits Training
Centre in Arakkonam renamed "Rajaditya
Chola RTC" (March 2025) to honour the
Chola prince killed here in 949 CE.
Jalanatheswarar temple at Thakkolam in
Ranipet district of Tamil Nadu.
The parched temple pond of Jalanatheswarar
temple at Thakkolam in Ranipet district of
Tamil Nadu
Historical Significance
1) Age & Builder: Built by Pallavas in the 6th
century; later associated with Chola dynasty.
2) Chola Links:
a) Site of Prince Rajaditya’s death (son of
Parantaka I) during 949 CE battle against
Rashtrakutas.
b) Inscriptions date to Pallava king
Aparajita and Chola king Aditya I,
helping establish Chola chronology.
3) Inscriptions:
a) 51 inscriptions detail land/gold grants;
confirm ancient names like Thiruvural and
Aparajita-chaturvedimangalam.
b) Critical for dating events (e.g., solar eclipse
in 894/895 CE).
SPOTLIGHT: 2024 PYQ
“Though the great Cholas are no more yet
their name is still remembered with great
pride because of their highest achievements
in the domain of art and architecture”.
Comment. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
IE Explained; By Yashee;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – History Link
Why in News? Recent violent clashes in
Nagpur erupted over demands by Hindu
organizations to remove Aurangzeb's tomb in
Khuldabad, Maharashtra, leading to a curfew
being imposed in parts of the city.
Aurangzeb's Grave: Historical Significance
and Current Controversy
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Location and Description
1) Located in Khuldabad (formerly Rauza),
approximately 25 km from Chhatrapati
Sambhajinagar
2) Situated within the dargah complex of 14th-
century Chishti saint Sheikh Zainuddin
3) Simple red stone platform, measuring three
yards in length, two and half yards in breadth
4) Contains a cavity filled with earth where plants
grow
5) White marble screens added in early 20th
century by British Viceroy Lord Curzon's
order
6) Currently under heavy security and declared a
"no drone" zone
Historical Context
1) Aurangzeb died on February 20, 1707, at
nearly 90 years of age
2) Died while campaigning against Marathas as
his empire was collapsing
3) Requested burial in a simple tomb following
Islamic austerity principles
4) Buried at "Rauza" which was later renamed
"Khuldabad" (meaning "one who resides in
eternity")
5) The complex also contains graves of
Aurangzeb's son, the first Nizam of
Hyderabad, and others
Significance of the Grave's Simplicity
1) Reflects Aurangzeb's personal religious
austerity and the declining Mughal Empire
2) Contrasts with ornate tombs of previous
Mughal emperors (Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir,
Shah Jahan)
3) Despite being a hardline Sunni, his burial at a
Sufi shrine shows continued respect for
saints
4) Shares similarities with the grave of his sister
Jahan Ara, despite their lifelong opposition
5) Represents Aurangzeb's own
acknowledgment of failures in his final years
Current Controversy
1) Focus of protests by VHP and Bajrang Dal
demanding its removal/demolition13
2) Security heightened with barricades, restricted
vehicle movement, and police deployment
3) Authorities monitoring and removing
provocative social media posts related to the
issue
4) Political divisions: BJP and Shiv Sena
(Shinde) support removal; Congress and NCP
oppose
5) Archaeological Survey of India protects the
site as a historical monument
NEWS IN SHORT: HISTORY, ART &
CULTURE
Shaheed Diwas 2025 commemorations
1) India observed Shaheed Diwas on March
23, 2025, honouring freedom fighters
Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev who
were executed by British authorities on
March 23, 1931.
2) Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes,
stating: "Today, our nation remembers the
supreme sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru
and Sukhdev. Their fearless pursuit of
freedom and justice continues to inspire us
all".
3) The three revolutionaries were hanged for
their involvement in the assassination of
British police officer J.P. Saunders, which
was retaliation for the death of nationalist
leader Lala Lajpat Rai.
4) Bhagat Singh's revolutionary ideas continue
to inspire millions, including his famous
quote: "They may kill me, but they cannot kill
my ideas. They can crush my body, but they
will not be able to crush my spirit".
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Polity & Governance
March 2025
Facts of the Day: India ranked 24th out of 33 countries in free speech index Link
Why in News? India ranked 24th out of 33 countries in a free speech index by US-based think
tank The Future of Free Speech, scoring 62.6 points.
Key Findings
1) Survey conducted in October 2024 revealed declining support for free speech globally, with
Norway and Denmark topping the index.
2) India placed between South Africa (66.9) and Lebanon (61.8), while Indonesia, Malaysia, and
Pakistan showed biggest improvements despite lower rankings.
3) 37% of Indian respondents supported government preventing criticism of policies—highest
percentage among all countries surveyed (compared to 5% in UK, 3% in Denmark).
4) Indians believe their ability to speak freely has significantly improved, contradicting observations that
suggest the situation has worsened.
5) India represents a "disconnect" where actual protection of free speech is low compared to popular
support—a pattern of "democratic backsliding" also seen in Hungary and Venezuela.
Other similar indices
World Press Freedom Index
1) Publisher: Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
2) India's rankings:
a) 2024: 159th out of 180 countries (score: 31.28)
b) 2023: 161st out of 180 countries (score: 36.62)
3) Methodology: Uses five indicators - political context, legal framework, economic context,
sociocultural context, and safety of journalists
4) Note: Norway consistently ranks #1
Freedom of Expression Score (Global State of Democracy)
1) Publisher: International IDEA (Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance)
2) India's scores:
a) 2023: 0.4311
b) 2022: 0.45
3) Scale: Interval from 0-1 (low to high)
Free Speech Index (FoFS)
1) Publisher: Future of Free Speech
2) India's score (2021): 48
Freedom of Expression and Alternative Sources of Information Index
1) Publisher: V-Dem (Varieties of Democracy)
2) Measures: Government respect for press/media freedom and ordinary people's freedom to discuss
political matters
3) Scale: Interval from 0-1 (low to high)
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TH Frontpage: By Sreeparna Chakrabarty;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Polity & Governance Link
Why in News? ECI responded to reports of
duplicate Electors Photo Identification Card
(EPIC) numbers across states, assuring
corrective action.
Key Developments
ECI's Clarification:
1) Duplicate EPIC numbers do NOT enable voting
in multiple locations
2) Voting restricted to designated polling stations
linked to voter's registered constituency
3) Demographic details and polling booth data
differ even with duplicate numbers
Technical Cause:
1) Legacy issue from pre-ERONET era (2019)
when states manually allocated EPIC numbers
2) Some states used same alphanumeric series,
causing overlaps
Resolution Plan:
1) ERONET 2.0 platform to enable unique EPIC
numbering
2) Existing duplicates to be rectified
systematically
Political Context
1) West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee alleged:
a) EPIC numbers of Bengal voters linked to
individuals in Gujarat/Haryana/Punjab
b) Accused BJP of manipulating rolls through
ECI-approved agencies
2) Concerns raised about migrant workers' voter
IDs being duplicated.
Way Forward
1) ECI aims to complete EPIC standardization
before 2026 state polls
2) System upgrade intended to boost voter
confidence in electoral integrity
About ERONET
Overview
1) Web-based platform launched in 2017
2) Aims to maintain a “Single Source of
Truth” for voter data across India
3) Replaced decentralized systems (ERMS) to
eliminate duplication and errors
Key Features
1) Centralized Database: Manages 85+ crore
voter records
2) Multi-Language Support: Operates in 14
languages and 11 scripts
3) Unique EPIC Generation: Eliminates
duplicate voter ID numbers
4) Real-Time Dashboards: Track form
processing, polling stations, and logical
errors
5) Integration: Links with NVSP (National
Voters’ Service Portal) and BLO Net
6) Alerts/Notifications: Automated updates
for applicants and officials
7) Latest upgrade (ERONET 2.0) focuses on
AI-driven analytics and real-time error
resolution
IE Express Network; Adrija Roychowdhury,
Apurva Vishwanath;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Polity & Governance Link
Why in News? The 1952 Anwar Ali Sarkar v.
State of West Bengal case is revisited for
establishing the "reasonable classification"
doctrine under Article 14, shaping India’s
equality jurisprudence.
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Background of the Case
1) 1949 Jessop Factory Attack: Sarkar, a union
worker, was among 50 accused of murdering
three European supervisors during a
Communist-led mob attack in Kolkata,
sparking international condemnation.
2) Special Courts Ordinance (1949): Enacted
post-incident, this law allowed expedited trials
without the accused’s presence or key
witnesses, targeting Sarkar’s case specifically.
3) Constitutional Challenge: Sarkar argued the
law violated Article 14 by treating his case
differently from similar crimes. The Calcutta HC
(1950) and later SC (1952) agreed, striking it
down.
Supreme Court’s Landmark Ruling
1) 6-1 Majority Judgment: Declared the Special
Courts Act unconstitutional for arbitrary
classification, violating equality.
2) Reasonable Classification Test:
a) Intelligible Differentia: Laws must classify
groups based on clear, objective
distinctions (e.g., "terrorism cases," not
individual cases).
b) Rational Nexus: Classification must
logically relate to the law’s purpose (e.g.,
fast-tracking terrorism trials for national
security).
3) Key Observations:
a) Justice Vivian Bose stressed that
procedural fairness is non-negotiable,
even for those accused of brutal crimes.
b) Dissenting CJI Sastri prioritized state
security, arguing exceptional
circumstances justified the law.
Significance: Impact on Article 14
1) Ending Arbitrary Laws: Prevented
governments from handpicking cases for
differential treatment, curbing colonial-era
authoritarianism.
2) Universal Protections: Affirmed that Article
14 applies to all, regardless of crime severity
or political context.
3) Doctrinal Foundation: The "reasonable
classification" test remains central to
evaluating laws against equality, used in cases
like Indra Sawhney (Mandal Commission)
and Navtej Singh Johar (LGBTQ+ rights).
4) Symbolic Legacy: Sarkar’s case, though
involving an unsympathetic defendant,
became a beacon for civil liberties,
emphasizing that constitutional rights
transcend moral judgments.
This ruling entrenched equality before law as
a non-discriminatory principle, ensuring India’s
legal system balances state authority with
individual rights.
TH; By Shubhomoy Sikdar;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Polity & Governance Link
Why in News? A video from Paraswara village
(Kabirdham district, Chhattisgarh) went viral,
showing six men taking the oath as panchayat
members instead of their elected wives during
Women’s Day week.
Background
1) Constitutional Mandate: The 73rd
Constitutional Amendment mandates 33%
reservation for women in panchayats;
Chhattisgarh increased this to 50% in 2008.
2) Incident Context: The elected women
(panches) cited family events (funerals,
weddings) for their absence, but village elders
admitted enforcing patriarchal norms to restrict
their participation.
Key Issues Highlighted
1) Procedural Violations
a) Oath-taking by proxies violates the
Chhattisgarh Panchayat Raj Adhiniyam,
1993 and election rules
b) Panchayat secretary suspended for
negligence; villagers demand his
reinstatement
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2) Systemic Barriers
a) Patriarchal Norms: Elders barred women
from attending oath ceremonies, citing
tradition
b) Limited Awareness: Elected women
lacked clarity on their roles, relying on
husbands for answers
c) Economic Factors: Women prioritized
daily wages over attending meetings due to
financial constraints
3) Legal & Social Implications
a) Subverts affirmative action meant to
empower women in rural governance
b) Reflects broader challenges in 20 Indian
states with 50% women’s quotas
The incident underscores gaps between policy
and ground reality, emphasizing the need for
awareness, stricter enforcement of laws, and
systemic support to achieve gender equity in
local governance.
IE The Ideas Page; By Yogendra Yadav;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Polity & Governance Link
Why in News? Southern states demand a
permanent freeze on Lok Sabha seat
reallocation to prevent political marginalization
amid North-South demographic disparities.
Arguments in Support of Permanent Freeze
1) Preserving Federal Balance
a) Honors an implicit “federal contract” by
maintaining the current seat distribution as
a constitutional safeguard
b) Avoids deepening cultural divides (Hindi
vs. non-Hindi states) and economic
disparities (wealthier South vs. poorer
North)
2) Preventing Political Dominance
a) Blocks projected seat shifts: Southern
states (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, etc.) would lose
26 seats, while Hindi-belt states (UP, Bihar)
gain 31 seats, risking North Indian
hegemony (259/543 seats)
b) Aligns with India’s “holding together”
federal structure by ensuring no region
dominates national policy
3) Rewarding Progressive Policies: Southern
states argue their population control and
economic contributions (e.g., higher tax
revenues) should not penalize their political
representation
Challenges and Concerns
1) Constitutional Conflict: Contradicts the “one
person, one vote” principle, as voters in
smaller states (e.g., Kerala) currently have
higher voting weight than those in populous
states.
2) Practical Inequities
a) Smaller states like Goa and Arunachal
already enjoy disproportionate
representation, raising questions about
fairness.
b) Risks polarizing federal relations, with
southern states fearing reduced influence
in tax redistribution and policy decisions.
3) Political Resistance
a) BJP’s dominance in the North clashes with
opposition in the South, complicating
consensus.
b) Proposals to expand Lok Sabha seats or
reform Rajya Sabha face logistical hurdles
and require constitutional amendments.
A permanent freeze balances federal
harmony and democratic equity but requires
reconciling regional aspirations with
constitutional mandates.
TH Data Point; By Sambavi Parthasarathy,
Vignesh Radhakrishnan;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Polity & Governance Link
Why in News? Recent Tamil Nadu-Centre
tensions over education funds reignited
debates on language policy and Hindi
imposition.
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Chart 1: Monolingualism Trends
1) Non-Hindi states: Decline
a) Tamil Nadu: Monolingual Tamil speakers ↓
(84.5% in 1991 → 78% in 2011).
b) Odisha: Monolingual Odia speakers ↓ (86%
→ 74.5%).
2) Hindi-belt states: Increase
a) Bihar: Monolingual Hindi speakers ↑
(90.2% → 95.2% post-bifurcation).
b) Rajasthan: Monolingual Hindi speakers ↑
(93% → 94.3%).
Key Takeaways
1) Southern states prioritize English (linked to
higher development).
2) Hindi-belt states show resistance to
multilingualism and English.
3) Western states adopt Hindi alongside
regional languages.
4) Migration patterns favor English-proficient
states for economic opportunities.
Data supports Tamil Nadu’s stance against
Hindi imposition, highlighting English’s
socioeconomic advantages.
Chart 2: Bilingualism/Trilingualism Trends
1) Non-Hindi states: Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Punjab:
Rising multilingualism.
2) Hindi-belt states: UP, Bihar, Rajasthan: Minimal
multilingualism growth.
Chart 3: English Adoption
1) South India: Surge
a) Tamil Nadu: English speakers ↑ (13.5% in
1991 → 18.5% in 2011).
b) Kerala, Karnataka: Steady rise.
2) Hindi belt: Decline
a) Haryana: English speakers ↓ (17.5% →
14.6%).
b) UP, Bihar: Stagnant/declining English
usage.
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Chart 4: Hindi Adoption
1) South India: Marginal
a) Tamil Nadu: Hindi speakers ↑ marginally
(0.5% → 1.3%).
b) Karnataka: Stagnant at 8.5%.
2) West India: Surge
a) Gujarat: Hindi speakers ↑ sharply (21.6%
→ 39%).
b) Maharashtra: Hindi speakers ↑ (35.7% →
43.5%).
Chart 5: Hindi Speakers vs. HDI
Negative correlation:
1) High Hindi-speaking states (UP, Bihar) have
low HDI scores.
2) Low Hindi-speaking states (Kerala, TN) have
high HDI scores.
Chart 6: English Speakers vs. HDI
Positive correlation:
1) Kerala, Tamil Nadu: High English proficiency
and HDI.
2) Hindi-belt states: Low English adoption and
HDI.
TH Text & Context; By Rangarajan R;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Polity & Governance Link
Why in News? The Election Commission (EC)
has invited political parties to discuss
strengthening the election process following
allegations of electoral roll manipulation and
issues with duplicate EPIC numbers across
states.
Current Electoral System
1) Article 324 of Constitution vests EC with
control over preparation of electoral rolls and
conduct of elections.
2) Electoral rolls governed by Representation of
People Act, 1950 and related rules.
3) Voting evolution: separate boxes (1952-
1957), ballot papers (1962), EVMs (since
2004), 100% VVPAT (since 2019).
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Issues Requiring Reforms
Voting and Counting Process Issues
1) PIL demanding return to paper ballots
dismissed by Supreme Court in April 2024
2) Request for 100% VVPAT-EVM matching
rejected; SC directed verification of 5% EVM
memory when requested by candidates
3) Allegations of electoral roll manipulation
before Maharashtra and Delhi Assembly
elections
4) Duplicate EPIC numbers discovered across
different states (West Bengal, Gujarat,
Haryana, Punjab)
Campaign Process Issues
1) Inappropriate language and communal
appeals by 'Star Campaigners'
2) Candidates widely exceeding expenditure
limits with no caps on party spending
3) Estimated ₹1,00,000 crore spent during 2024
Lok Sabha elections
4) Criminalization of politics - 46% of elected
MPs in 2024 have criminal cases; 31% face
serious charges
Proposed Reforms
Voting and Counting Reforms
1) Scientific regional sampling for EVM-VVPAT
matching with full counting for regions with
discrepancies
2) Implementation of 'totaliser' machines to
aggregate votes from 14 EVMs before
revealing candidate counts
3) Second/third-placed candidates should utilize
SC's direction for verification of 5% EVMs
when tampering suspected
4) Consider linking Aadhaar with EPIC after
addressing privacy concerns
5) Ensure unique EPIC numbers across all
states
Campaign Process Reforms
1) Authorize EC to revoke 'Star Campaigner'
status for Model Code of Conduct violations
2) Enforce Paragraph 16A powers to
suspend/withdraw recognition of political
parties violating EC directions
3) Amend laws to include party financial
assistance within candidate expenditure
limits
4) Implement expenditure ceiling for political
parties
5) Strictly enforce SC direction requiring
candidates/parties to publicly declare
criminal antecedents thrice before elections
TH States;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Polity and Governance
Link
Why in News? The Supreme Court on March
17, 2025, set aside a National Green Tribunal
(NGT) order and a Madras High Court decision
that had halted development activities at
Auroville, ruling that the NGT exceeded its
jurisdiction in requiring environmental
clearance for the township project.
Court's Observations in The Auroville
Foundation v. Navroz Kersasp Mody & Ors.
Case judgment
1) Right to clean environment is a fundamental
right under Articles 14 and 21
2) Right to development through industrialization
equally claims priority under Articles 14, 19,
and 21
3) Need for "sustainable development" that
strikes a "golden balance" between
development and environmental protection
4) Development and ecology no longer viewed as
opposed concepts in constitutional
interpretation.
TH Frontpage;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Polity & Governance Link
Why in News? Elon Musk's X has filed a
lawsuit in Karnataka High Court against Indian
government challenging what it calls unlawful
content regulation and arbitrary censorship.
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Key Issues in the Lawsuit
1) X contests government's use of Section
79(3)(b) of IT Act for content blocking, arguing
it bypasses safeguards established by
Supreme Court in Shreya Singhal case
(2015)
2) Platform claims Section 69A is the only valid
legal framework for blocking online content;
any deviation nullifies SC directives
3) X alleges IT Ministry has created an
"impermissible parallel mechanism" that
enables "unrestrained censorship" through
Sahyog Portal
4) Company contends MeitY is unlawfully
delegating blocking powers to central and state
agencies, including local police officers
5) X opposes requirement to appoint a Nodal
Officer for compliance with Sahyog Portal,
claiming it lacks statutory legitimacy
The Sahyog Portal Controversy
1) Portal launched by Ministry of Home Affairs
to facilitate content removal requests and
streamline communication between platforms
and authorities
2) X calls it a "censorship portal" that allows
countless officials to issue takedown orders
without proper oversight
3) Unlike X, 38 other intermediaries including
Meta, WhatsApp, Apple, and Instagram have
already been "onboarded" on the portal
4) Portal allegedly bypasses procedural
safeguards like recording reasons in writing
and providing pre-decisional hearings
Government's Position
1) Officials dispute X's characterization, saying
Section 79 notifications merely inform
platforms about illegal content rather than
directly ordering blocks
2) Government argues India's size necessitates
decentralized approach to handling social
media complaints
3) IT Ministry has not yet officially commented on
the lawsuit
Current Status
1) Case was briefly heard on March 17; next
hearing scheduled for March 27, 2025135
2) X has sought interim protection, fearing
coercive action for non-compliance
3) This follows X's previous legal battle from 2021
over content removal related to farmers'
protests
4) Company's earlier petition challenging Section
69A orders was dismissed, with an appeal
pending adjudication
Broader Context
1) Lawsuit comes as Musk prepares to launch
Starlink and Tesla in India
2) Legal dispute coincides with threats by US
President Trump to impose tariffs on Indian
goods
3) Case highlights tension between content
moderation, free speech, and government
regulation in India's digital space
IE Frontpage; By Ananthakrishnan G, Abhinaya
Harigovind;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Polity Link
Why in News? Supreme Court Collegium has
proposed transfer of Delhi High Court Judge
Justice Yashwant Varma to Allahabad High
Court following reports of cash found at his
residence where a fire broke out on March 14,
2025.
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Key Details
11) Transfer proposal is independent from in-
house inquiry initiated by Delhi HC Chief
Justice
12) Justice Varma is currently second senior-most
judge in Delhi HC but would be ninth in
Allahabad HC (his parent High Court)
13) Five-member Collegium met on March 20 and
decided on transfer after reviewing video
evidence
14) Delhi HC Chief Justice's report was submitted
to Chief Justice of India on March 21
15) Supreme Court Registry issued statement
clarifying process amid "misinformation and
rumours"
Constitutional Process
1) Consultee judges of Supreme Court, Chief
Justices of High Courts concerned, and Justice
Varma himself have been asked for responses
2) Final resolution will be passed by Collegium
after examining all responses
Parliamentary Echoes
1) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar raised
concerns in Rajya Sabha about delayed
reporting of incident
2) Dhankhar referenced National Judicial
Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act of 2014
(struck down by SC in 2015)
3) Congress MP Jairam Ramesh requested
directions for increasing judicial accountability
4) Dhankhar proposed structured discussion on
judicial accountability after consulting House
leaders
5) Separate matter of impeachment notice
against Allahabad HC judge Justice Shekhar
Yadav also discussed
Recent cases raising questions over
Judicial Accountability
Judge Dhananjay Nikam (Satara district
and sessions judge): Accused of
demanding Rs 5 lakh bribe to grant bail in a
cheating case. Bombay High Court denied
his anticipatory bail application in March
2025. Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau
alleges two intermediaries demanded the
bribe on his behalf
Justice Shri Narayan Shukla (Allahabad
High Court, retired): Accused of taking
bribes to favor Prasad Institute of Medical
Sciences in Lucknow. CBI received
prosecution sanction in November 2021.
Special court summoned him in July 2022.
He was found guilty of judicial irregularities
by a three-member committee in 2018
Justice I M Quddusi (former Odisha High
Court judge): Named co-accused in the
medical college bribery scandal with Justice
Shukla. Allegedly met with Justice Shukla
when bribes were exchanged in 2017.
IE Explained; By Apurva Vishwanath;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Polity & Governance Link
Why in News? CJI Sanjiv Khanna initiated a
three-member in-house inquiry into Delhi High
Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma following
allegations of currency notes found at his
official residence where a fire broke out on
March 14, 2025.
The Three-Member Committee
1) Comprises Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana
High Court Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice
of Himachal Pradesh High Court Justice G S
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Sandhawalia, and Justice Anu Sivaraman of
Karnataka High Court
2) CJI has already directed Delhi HC Chief
Justice not to assign judicial work to Justice
Varma
Constitutional Process for Removal of
Judges
1) Article 124(4) outlines procedure for Supreme
Court judges; Article 218 extends same to
High Court judges
2) Grounds for removal: only "proved
misbehaviour" and "incapacity"
3) Requires two-thirds majority of members
"present and voting" in both Houses of
Parliament
4) Favourable votes must exceed 50% of "total
membership" of each House
5) President issues final removal order if
Parliament approves
In-house Procedure Development
1) Established in 1995 after allegations against
Bombay HC Chief Justice A M Bhattacharjee
2) Supreme Court noted gap between "bad
behavior" and "impeachable misbehaviour"
3) Five-member committee formulated procedure
in 1997, adopted by SC in 1999
4) Process revisited and clarified in 2014 sexual
harassment case
Seven Steps of In-house Inquiry
1) Complaint received by HC Chief Justice, CJI,
or President forwarded to CJI
2) CJI may seek preliminary report from HC Chief
Justice
3) If deeper probe warranted, CJI orders three-
member inquiry committee
4) Committee devises own procedure following
natural justice principles
5) Committee determines if allegations have
substance and warrant removal
6) For serious misconduct, CJI advises judge to
resign/retire voluntarily
7) If judge doesn't comply, judicial work
suspended and President/PM informed
IE The Ideas Page; By K K Venugopal;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Polity & Governance Link
Why in News? The recent discovery of cash
at Justice Yashwant Varma's residence during
a fire has reignited debate on judicial
accountability and appointment mechanisms
in India.
Evolution of Judicial Appointment System
in India
1) Article 124 originally empowered President to
appoint judges after "consultation" with Chief
Justice
2) B.R. Ambedkar explicitly rejected substituting
"consultation" with "concurrence" during
constitutional debates
3) Supreme Court later reinterpreted
"consultation" as "concurrence" in Second and
Third Judges cases
4) Created the Collegium system (CJI + senior
judges) not envisioned in original Constitution
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The NJAC Initiative (2014-2015)
1) Established through 99th Constitutional
Amendment with rare political consensus
2) Six-member body: CJI, two senior SC judges,
Law Minister, two eminent persons
3) Struck down by Supreme Court in 2015 as
unconstitutional in 4:1 judgment
4) Court invoked Basic Structure Doctrine,
claiming NJAC compromised judicial
independence
Criticisms of Current Collegium System
1) Justice Chelameswar's dissenting NJAC
judgment highlighted system's failures
2) Justice Ruma Pal described it as "one of best-
kept secrets," criticizing its opacity
3) Justice Kurian Joseph acknowledged system
"lacks transparency, accountability, and
credibility"
4) Consensus often reached through "trade-
offs" leading to "dubious appointments"
Arguments for Reconsidering NJAC
Decision
1) NJAC restored only "modicum" of
government representation in appointments
2) Amendment received nearly unanimous
parliamentary support (543 members with
one dissent)
3) Ratified by 16 state legislatures,
demonstrating nationwide consensus
4) Justice Kurian Joseph later expressed regret
for striking down NJAC
5) Current controversy highlights need for
transparent, accountable appointment system
Current Developments
1) Three-judge committee investigating Justice
Varma's case
2) VP Dhankhar referenced NJAC while
discussing Judge Varma incident in Parliament
3) Government reportedly considering new
legislation on judicial appointments
4) Opposition parties likely to support judicial
appointment reforms
IE Explained; By Shyamlal Yadav;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Polity & Governance Link
Why in News? The discovery of large
amounts of cash at Delhi High Court Justice
Yashwant Varma's residence following a fire
on March 14, 2025 has renewed focus on the
lack of mandatory asset disclosure for judges.
Current Disclosure Framework
Legal Status:
1) 1997: Supreme Court resolution required
judges to declare assets to Chief Justice
(confidentially)
2) 2009: Supreme Court resolved that judges
could voluntarily declare assets on its website
3) No mandatory disclosure requirement
exists, unlike for other public servants
4) Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that judges'
asset details need not be disclosed unless
there's larger public interest
Current Compliance:
1) Only 13% (98 out of 749) High Court judges
have publicly declared assets
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2) 80% of these declarations come from just
three High Courts: Kerala, Punjab & Haryana,
and Delhi
3) Supreme Court website only lists 28 of 33
judges who have submitted declarations but
doesn't display actual asset details
4) No updates to detailed declarations since
2018
Contrast with Other Public Officials
1) Politicians must declare assets when
contesting elections (mandated by 2002 SC
order)
2) Ministers' asset declarations accessible via
PMO website
3) Civil servants required to submit annual
asset declarations to controlling authorities
Resistance to Disclosure
High Court Positions:
1) Allahabad and Bombay High Courts: Asset
declarations not covered under RTI Act
2) Gujarat High Court: No public interest in
disclosing judges' personal information
3) Andhra Pradesh and Telangana High
Courts: Asset declarations are confidential
4) Uttarakhand High Court: Passed resolution
objecting to asset disclosure under RTI Act
Reform Efforts
Legislative Initiatives:
1) Parliamentary Standing Committee (2023):
Recommended mandatory asset declarations
for Supreme Court and High Court judges
2) Government proposal: Framing rules under
High Court Judges Act and Supreme Court
Judges Act for mandatory declarations48
3) Previous attempt: Judicial Standards and
Accountability Bill, 2010 (included mandatory
asset disclosure) was not reintroduced after
15th Lok Sabha dissolution
International Practices:
1) United States: Federal judges must disclose
income sources and substantial gifts
2) South Korea: High-ranking officials including
judges must disclose real estate and intangible
assets
3) Philippines: Public officials required to declare
assets under Anti-Graft law
4) Russia: Mandatory asset and income control
for judges and family members
IE Explained; By Shyamlal Yadav;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Polity & Governance Link
Why in News? Congress leader Jairam
Ramesh has written to MeitY Minister Ashwini
Vaishnaw demanding repeal of Section 44(3)
of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act,
claiming it would "destroy" the RTI Act.
Background of the Controversy
1) The Digital Personal Data Protection
(DPDP) Act received presidential assent on
August 11, 2023, but is yet to come into force
pending notification of Rules.
2) Draft Digital Personal Data Protection
Rules, 2025 were circulated for feedback in
January with the comment period closing on
February 18.
3) A delegation of activists, researchers,
journalists, and experts met Rahul Gandhi and
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to discuss concerns
about changes to the RTI Act.
4) RTI activists including Aruna Roy, Nikhil Dey,
Prashant Bhushan, and Anjali Bhardwaj held a
press conference opposing the impending
amendments.
Contentious Provisions
1) Current RTI Provision (Section 8(1)(j)):
Exempts from disclosure "personal
information" that has no relationship to public
activity/interest or would cause unwarranted
privacy invasion, UNLESS larger public
interest justifies disclosure.
2) Proposed Change under DPDP Act (Section
44(3)): Simplifies and broadens exemption to
cover all "information which relates to personal
information" without the public interest
qualification.
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3) The DPDP Act aims to balance individuals'
right to protect personal data with the need to
process such data for lawful purposes.
Concerns Raised by Activists
1) The amendment would significantly broaden
exemptions under RTI Act, reducing
government transparency.
2) Public interest override clause being
removed would limit citizens' access to
information.
3) Personal information about public servants
(like assets and liabilities) currently published
in public interest could be denied under the
broadened exemption.
4) The general principle that information "which
cannot be denied to Parliament or State
Legislature shall not be denied to any person"
may be undermined.
5) Rahul Gandhi stated the government is using
the DPDP Act to curtail access to public
information under the pretext of safeguarding
privacy.
6) The change could potentially nullify years of
Information Commission precedents
regarding disclosure of information in public
interest.
NEWS IN SHORT: POLITY &
GOVERNANCE
Congress Moves Privileged Motion
Against MOS Rural Development Over
MGNREGS Funds
1) A Privilege Motion is a formal process in
the Indian parliamentary system to address
breaches of parliamentary privileges
2) Congress MP Manickam Tagore filed a
notice for a privilege motion against Union
Minister of State for Rural Development,
Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani
3) The motion alleges that the minister made
misleading statements regarding
MGNREGS funding for Tamil Nadu
compared to Uttar Pradesh
4) Tagore claims the minister's statements
were factually incorrect, citing official
MGNREGS data that contradicts the
minister's claims
5) The motion requests the Speaker to direct
the minister to provide a clarification to the
House
Kunal Kamra Gets Pre-Arrest Bail Till
April 7 In Eknath Shinde Parody Row
1) The Madras High Court granted pre-arrest
bail to comedian Kunal Kamra until April 7 in
a case registered against him in Mumbai for
his controversial remarks about Maharashtra
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
2) Justice Sunder Mohan noted that Kamra
was unable to approach courts in
Maharashtra due to alleged threats against
him, with the comedian claiming he received
approximately 500 threat calls.
3) The controversy stems from Kamra's
performance at the Habitat Comedy Club
in Mumbai's Khar, where he performed a
parody song that allegedly targeted Shinde,
though Kamra's counsel informed the court
he had not specifically mentioned anyone.
Pre-Arrest Bail (Anticipatory Bail)
1) Pre-arrest bail is a legal provision under
Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik
Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 (Earlier -
Section 438(1) of the Criminal Procedure
Code) that allows individuals to seek bail
before an arrest warrant is issued against
them.
2) It can only be applied for if the offense is
non-bailable in nature and can only be
issued by the High Court of a state or
Sessions Court.
3) The provision empowers the accused to
seek reprieve from arrest and continue to be
at liberty if granted.
4) Conditions typically include providing surety
or personal bond, surrendering passport,
reporting to police stations, and refraining
from tampering with evidence or influencing
witnesses.
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Types of Bail
1) Regular Bail: Issued to individuals already
arrested and detained by police under
Section 480 of the Bharatiya Nagarik
Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 (Earlier -
Sections 437 and 439 of the CrPC), allowing
release from confinement to ensure
attendance at trial.
2) Interim Bail: Short-term bail granted before
a hearing for regular or anticipatory bail.
3) Anticipatory Bail: Advance bail under
Section 482 of BNSS for those who fear
arrest for a non-bailable offense.
4) Statutory Bail: Also known as default bail,
granted when police or investigating
agencies fail to file reports/complaints within
specified timeframes.
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Society & Social Justice
March 2025
Fact of the Day: Gender gap in household chores persists in urban India Link
Why in News? Recent data reveals that
despite increasing participation of urban
women in paid employment, the gender
divide in household chores largely remains
unchanged in India.
Chart 1: Paid Work Participation
1) Urban women's participation in paid
work increased from 15.5% to 18%
(2019-2024).
2) Urban men's participation rose from
58.1% to 61.2% in the same period.
3) Paid work includes self-employment, regular wage/salaried jobs, and casual labour.
Chart 2: Unpaid
Household Services
1) Women performing
unpaid household
services increased
from 79.3% to 81%
(2019-2024).
2) Men's participation
grew from 23% to
28.5%, showing
improvement but
maintaining
significant gender
gap.
3) These services
include household
management, meal
preparation,
cleaning, shopping,
and maintenance.
Chart 3: Caregiving
Responsibilities
1) Women's involvement in caring for children, elderly, sick, and differently abled persons rose from
25.9% to 31.8%.
2) Men's participation in caregiving increased from 12.9% to 17.3%.
3) Despite increases for both genders, women continue to bear greater caregiving responsibilities.
34
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Chart 4: State-wise Analysis: Domestic Work
1) Most states show similar patterns with 20-40% men and 75-85% women participating in household
chores.
2) Northeastern states stand out: Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland have over 50% male
participation.
3) Kerala leads among major states with 44% men participating in household work.
Chart 5: State-wise Analysis: Paid Employment
1) Across most states, 55-65% of urban men and 10-25% of urban women engage in paid employment.
2) Among major states, Tamil Nadu has highest women's employment (25%) compared to Bihar (9%)
and UP (10%).
3) Other states with higher women's employment: Telangana (24%), Karnataka (22%), Himachal Pradesh
(23%).
4) Women in states with higher paid work participation also maintain high domestic work responsibilities
(over 80%).
Facts of the Day: India's social security coverage doubles from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024 Link
1) The International Labour Organisation's (ILO)
World Social Protection Report 2024-26 shows
India's social security coverage increased
significantly.
2) This improvement reflects better data integration
across 34 central schemes, covering 92 crore
people.
3) The data-pooling exercise revealed that 65% of
India's population is covered by at least one
social protection benefit.
4) The increase acknowledges existing central social
protection schemes that had not been considered
in earlier assessments.
5) The government believes the 48.8% coverage is still an underestimation, as it doesn't account for
in-kind benefits like food security and housing.
6) The labour ministry is seeking inclusion of in-kind benefits provided by both the Centre and states in
measuring total social security coverage.
7) This data exercise is expected to enhance India's reputation as a leader in social protection and
optimize welfare spending.
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Facts of the Day: Health expenditure at 1.84% of GDP, moving steadily to 2.5%: JP Nadda Link
Why in News? Union Health Minister J P Nadda stated that
India's health expenditure has increased to 1.84% of GDP,
moving steadily toward the National Health Policy 2017 target
of 2.5% of GDP.
Current Health Expenditure Status
1) Health expenditure increased from 1.15% of GDP in 2013-14 to
1.84% currently.
2) IUML's Haris Beeran claimed that the target of 2.5% of GDP by
2025 "remains a distant dream."
3) Health is a State subject with the Centre providing financial and
technical support.
Government Initiatives in Healthcare
1) Four additional National Institute of Virology (NIV) facilities to be established in Jammu, Bangalore,
Dibrugarh, and Jabalpur, supplementing the existing one in Pune.
2) Second campus of NIMHANS planned for Bangalore.
3) Centre working on filling vacancies in institutions like AIIMS.
4) Around 15,000 Jan Aushadhi centres currently functional.
5) Plans to establish 25,000 more Jan Aushadhi centres in the next two years.
6) ASHA workers' scope of work and incentives have increased under current leadership, according to
Nadda.
37
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IE The Ideas Page; By Palanivel Thiaga Rajan;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Society & Social Justice Link
IE The Ideas Page: By Vinay Sahasrabuddhe;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Society & Social Justice Link
Why in News? Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin opposes
the Centre’s “three-language formula” under NEP
2020, citing concerns about Hindi imposition and
unconstitutional coercion via withheld education
funds.
Historical Context of Tamil Nadu’s Language
Policy
1) Dravidian roots: The Justice Party (1920)
pioneered compulsory education in Madras
Presidency, prioritizing social equity.
2) Two-language model: Tamil (mother tongue)
and English (global link) have been mandatory
in state schools since the 1960s, driving TN’s
82.9% literacy rate (vs. India’s 74.04%) and 47%
higher education enrolment.
3) Flexibility: TN allows private/CBSE schools to
adopt alternative curricula while maintaining
Hindi institutions like the Dakshin Bharat Hindi
Prachar Sabha.
Core of the Dispute: Three-Language
Formula vs. Tamil Nadu’s Two-Language
Model
1) NEP 2020 mandate: Requires states to legislate
a third language (besides mother tongue and
English), with TN alleging hidden Hindi agenda.
2) State’s objections:
a) No proven benefits: Adds logistical costs,
risks overburdening students, and dilutes
focus on Tamil/English.
b) Coercive fund allocation: Centre
withholding ₹2,152 crore (Samagra Shiksha
Abhiyan) until TN complies.
c) Cultural erosion: Fear of Tamil’s
marginalization, akin to decline of other
regional languages under Hindi dominance.
Why in News? Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin criticized
the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s three-
language formula, alleging it promotes Hindi
imposition, sparking a debate.
Stalin’s Allegations
1) Claims Hindi threatens smaller languages like
Maithili and Santhali.
2) Labels NEP 2020 as a tool for “monolithic Hindi
identity” imposition.
3) Accused of politicizing language for electoral
gains ahead of TN’s 2026 elections.
Counterarguments by Sahasrabudhe
1) Rejects “existential threat” narrative, citing lack
of complaints from affected language groups.
2) Attributes real threats to:
a) Linguistic Colonialism: Historical
adulteration (e.g., Mughal-era Persian/Urdu,
British-era English dominance).
b) Social Status Bias: English seen as a
status symbol, causing neglect of native
tongues (except Tamil, Bengali, etc.).
c) Inertia in Language Advocacy: Poor
adoption of mother tongues in technical
education and governance.
d) Partisan Politics: Weaponizing language
for votes instead of constructive policy.
Criticism of Stalin’s Approach
1) Electoral Motive: Raising emotive language
issues as a “low-hanging fruit” ahead of
elections.
2) Divisiveness Risk: Framing linguistic diversity
as Hindi vs. regional languages fuels discord
instead of unity.
38
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Constitutional and Political Concerns
1) Federal overreach: TN argues the mandate
violates states’ rights under Schedule VII
(education is a concurrent subject).
2) Pattern of coercion: Parallels with misuse of
Article 293(B) to curb state borrowing and
blocking foreign loans to non-BJP states.
3) Political agenda: Links to Home Minister’s
Hindi Day pushes and disproportionate funding
for Hindi promotion.
Cultural Identity and Resistance
1) Tamil pride: Language is central to identity, with
initiatives like Tamil Virtual Academy and digital
LLMs preserving its relevance.
2) Historical defiance: January 25 observed as
Language Martyr’s Day, commemorating anti-
Hindi agitations (e.g., 1965 protests).
3) Outcome scepticism: Cites Gujarat’s
underwhelming job growth despite central
favours as proof money alone can’t force
cultural-economic change.
Broader Implications
TN’s resistance reflects a broader clash
between regional linguistic identity and
perceived homogenizing policies, with stakes
for federalism and pluralism in India.
3) Hypocrisy: No efforts by Stalin’s government to
develop Tamil as a medium for technical
education.
Factors Threatening Indian Languages
1) Colonial Impositions: Shivaji’s Marathi
dictionary countered Mughal-era Persian; British
rule stalled Indian language development.
2) Status Symbol Mentality: Urban elites
preferring English terms colloquially,
undermining native vocabulary.
3) Policy Failures: Lack of formal frameworks to
promote languages in education, governance,
and culture.
Proposed Solutions
1) Holistic Language Policies: Integrate mother
tongues into education, entertainment, and
administration (e.g., Maharashtra’s push for
Marathi in statecraft).
2) Delink Language from Social Status:
Normalize native languages in elite spheres to
reduce English dependency.
3) Modernize Lexicons: Create technical
terminology in Indian languages for fields like
medicine and engineering.
Sahasrabudhe emphasizes that linguistic
resilience requires proactive cultural pride, not
partisan rhetoric.
IE Explained; By Hamza Khan;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Society and Social Justice
Link
Why in News? Rajasthan government has
tabled the Rajasthan Coaching Centres
(Control and Regulation) Bill, 2025 in the state
assembly following years of demands for
legislation to regulate coaching centres,
especially after numerous student suicides in
Kota and Jaipur.
Key Provisions of the Bill
1) Aims to curb commercialization of
coaching institutes and ensure they operate
within a framework prioritizing student well-
being
2) Mandates minimum quality standards and
registration of coaching centres
3) Requires psychological counselling for
students
4) Imposes penalties: Rs 2 lakh for first violation,
Rs 5 lakh for second offense, followed by
cancellation of registration
5) More stringent financial penalties compared
to Union Education Ministry's guidelines (which
suggested Rs 25,000 for first violation, Rs 1
lakh for second)
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Criticisms and Omissions
1) Age Criteria Removed: Earlier draft specified
minimum age of 16 years or completion of
secondary school; tabled version omits this
requirement
2) Attendance Monitoring: Earlier version
mandated biometric attendance with face
recognition and notification to parents if
student absent for more than two days;
provision dropped
3) Holiday Regulations: Omits earlier provisions
about national holidays and local holidays
4) Inclusivity Measures: Removes provisions
related to non-discrimination based on religion,
race, caste, sex
5) Accessibility Requirements: Eliminates
provisions for differently-abled students and
compliance with Rights of Persons with
Disabilities Act
6) Fee Regulation: No provisions to control
arbitrary fees charged by coaching centres
Opposition and Response
1) Parents' associations claim bill was drafted "in
guidance of the coaching centres"
2) Sanyukta Abhibhavak Sangh demands
committee to determine coaching center fees
3) Opposition leader claims government
"connived with coaching centres" to relax age
criteria
4) Opposition plans to oppose the bill and provide
suggestions for stronger regulations
5) Bill expected to come up for debate and
passage on Friday
IEThe Ideas Page; By Jagat Prakash Nadda;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Society & Social Justice
Link
Why in News? World Tuberculosis Day
2025 (March 24) highlights India's progress
through the 100-day Intensified TB Mukt
Bharat Abhiyaan campaign launched on
December 7, 2024, aimed at accelerating TB
detection, reducing mortality, and preventing
new cases.
India’s TB Elimination Mission
7) India aims to eliminate TB by 2025, five years
ahead of the global target of 2030.
8) Current burden: India accounts for 26% of
global TB cases and 29% of TB-related
deaths.
9) Progress made: TB incidence declined 17.7%
(from 237 per lakh in 2015 to 195 in 2023)
and deaths dropped 21.4% (from 28 per lakh in
2015 to 22 in 2023).
10) WHO defines TB elimination as detecting
fewer than one case per million people.
11) National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP)
is the primary vehicle for achieving this goal,
replacing the earlier Revised National TB
Control Programme.
100-Day Intensified Tb Mukt Bharat
Abhiyaan Achievements
1) Innovative Detection Strategies:
a) Deployed portable X-ray machines directly
to high-risk populations.
b) Used AI-powered X-rays to instantly flag
suspected TB cases, confirmed through
Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests.
c) Focused on vulnerable groups: diabetics,
smokers, HIV patients, elderly,
underweight individuals, and household
contacts of TB patients.
2) Campaign Reach:
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a) Screened 12.97 crore vulnerable people
across 455 high-priority districts.
b) Notified 7.19 lakh TB patients, with 2.85
lakh being asymptomatic cases that would
have otherwise been missed.
c) Expanded from initial 347 districts to 445
districts nationwide.
3) Community Mobilization (Jan Bhagidari):
a) Conducted over 13.46 lakh nikshay
shivirs nationwide.
b) Engaged more than 30,000 elected
representatives (MPs, MLAs, PRI
members).
c) Organized 35,000+ activities across 22
government ministries.
d) Held 21,000+ activities with PSUs, trade
associations, and volunteer organizations.
e) Involved 7.7 lakh students across 78,000
educational institutions.
f) Screened 4.17 lakh people in congregate
settings (prisons, mines, tea gardens,
construction sites).
Support Initiatives and Future Roadmap
1) Patient Support Programs:
a) Ni-kshay Mitra initiative providing
nutritional, psychosocial, and vocational
support to TB patients, with 1,05,181 new
Mitras enrolled during the campaign.
b) Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana financial
assistance doubled from ₹500 to ₹1,000
monthly.
c) Introduced Differentiated TB care
program providing personalized treatment
plans, especially for underweight patients.
d) Nikshay Portal tracking system monitoring
over 1.51 crore TB patients receiving
treatment.
2) Technological Advancements:
a) Developed DeepCXR, an AI-powered tool
by ICMR for analyzing chest X-rays to
identify presumptive TB cases.
b) Implemented a shorter, safer Bedaquiline-
containing regimen for drug-resistant TB,
improving treatment success rates from
68% in 2020 to 75% in 2022.
c) Introduced a new four-drug regimen for
Drug-Resistant TB.
3) Future Plans:
a) Expanding TB elimination campaign to all
districts nationwide.
b) Scaling up next-generation TB diagnostics
to reach the last mile.
c) Strengthening the whole-of-society and
whole-of-government approach.
Criticisms and Limitations of India's TB
Elimination Program
1) High Burden Despite Elimination Goals:
India accounts for approximately 26% of
global TB cases (2.64 million cases in
2021), with a prevalence rate of 316 per
100,000 people, making the 2025
elimination target extremely challenging to
achieve.
2) Drug-Resistant TB Crisis: An estimated
8,000 XDR-TB cases emerge annually in
India, with treatment success rates as low as
31% (2015 data), while new drugs like
bedaquiline remain available only in limited
centres under conditional access programs.
3) Widespread Undernutrition Driving TB:
35% of Indian adults and almost half of
children are undernourished, weakening
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immunity and driving TB reactivation, with
nutritional factors directly contributing to the
nation's 2.4 million TB cases.
4) Healthcare Infrastructure Gaps: Many
rural and remote areas lack access to
modern diagnostic tools (like CB-NAAT),
forcing reliance on outdated methods with
known limitations and resulting in delayed
diagnosis and treatment.
5) Poor Treatment Adherence and Follow-
up: One-third of patients in the public sector
are lost to follow-up between care-seeking
and successful cure, undermining treatment
efficacy and contributing to drug resistance.
6) Pandemic Disruptions: COVID-19
significantly disrupted TB control programs,
with a 14% reduction in MDR-TB patients
starting treatment in 2020 compared to
2019, disproportionately affecting vulnerable
populations.
7) Private Sector Coordination Challenges:
At least 50% of TB cases seek treatment in
the private sector, which remains
inadequately engaged and often lacks
standardized treatment protocols.
8) Latent TB Reservoir: Hundreds of millions
of Indians carry latent TB infection that may
reactivate at any time, creating an enormous
reservoir that complicates elimination efforts.
TH Editorial; By Sonia Gandhi;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Society & Social Justice
Link
Why in News? Sonia Gandhi, Congress
Parliamentary Party Chairperson and Rajya
Sabha MP, criticizes the Union Government's
education policies, identifying centralization,
commercialization, and communalization as
damaging trends despite the introduction of
NEP 2020.
Centralization of Power
1) Central Advisory Board of Education not
convened since September 2019
2) State governments not consulted on NEP
2020 implementation despite education being
on Concurrent List
3) PM-SHRI scheme coercively implemented
by withholding Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
funds from states
4) Draft UGC guidelines 2025 removing state
governments' role in appointing Vice-
Chancellors
5) Parliamentary Standing Committee called
for unconditional release of SSA funds to states
Commercialization of Education
1) Closure of 89,441 public schools and
addition of 42,944 private schools since 2014
2) Introduction of Higher Education Financing
Agency (HEFA) replacing UGC's block-grants
system
3) Universities forced to take market-rate
loans, repaid through increased student fees
4) Rising corruption in educational institutions
(NAAC bribery scandal, NTA issues)
5) Parliamentary Standing Committee found
78-100% of HEFA loans being repaid through
student fees
Communalization of Content
1) NCERT textbook revisions removing
sections on Mahatma Gandhi's assassination
and Mughal history
2) Attempted removal of Constitution's
Preamble from textbooks
3) Appointment of professors based on
ideological alignment rather than academic
merit
4) Leadership positions in premier institutions
filled with regime-friendly individuals
5) Dilution of qualification requirements for
professorships and vice-chancellorships
Impact on Education System
1) Systematic dismantling of public education
2) Declining educational quality and access
3) Students bearing the consequences of
ideological policies
4) Education policy sanitized of concerns about
access and quality
5) Need to end what Gandhi calls the "carnage"
of India's public education system
42
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NEWS IN SHORT: SOCIETY & SOCIAL
JUSTICE
PM VIKAS Scheme for Minority
Communities
1) The Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan
(PM VIKAS) scheme focuses on skill
development, education, and economic
empowerment among six notified minority
communities: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs,
Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis.
2) This Central Sector scheme integrates five
previous initiatives:
a) 'Seekho Aur Kamao,'
b) 'Nai Manzil,'
c) 'Nai Roshni,'
d) 'USTTAD,' and
e) 'Hamari Dharohar'
to provide comprehensive support.
3) The scheme places special emphasis on
promoting women's leadership and
entrepreneurship, encouraging economic self-
reliance within minority communities.
4) PM VIKAS features four key components:
a) Skilling & Training (both traditional and non-
traditional sectors),
b) Leadership & Entrepreneurship,
c) Education Support, and
d) Infrastructure Development.
5) Educational support is offered through
collaboration with the National Institute of
Open Schooling, while infrastructure
development initiatives are undertaken under the
Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram.
6) The scheme facilitates access to credit through
the National Minorities Development &
Finance Corporation to promote financial
inclusion.
7) Implementation partners are required to ensure
employment for at least 75% of candidates
trained under skill development programs
aligned with the National Skills Qualifications
Framework.
8) The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts
(EPCH) has been designated as a knowledge
partner to provide marketing linkages and
support for artisans engaged in traditional crafts.
Baalpan ki Kavita Initiative
1) The Department of School Education & Literacy
(DoSE&L), Ministry of Education has launched
the Baalpan ki Kavita Initiative to restore and
promote Indian nursery rhymes and poems
for early childhood education
2) The initiative aims to create a compendium of
nursery rhymes and poems in all Indian
languages (Bhartiya Bhasha) including English,
focusing on culturally relevant content for young
learners
3) DoSE&L, in collaboration with MyGov, is inviting
contributions through a nationwide competition
from March 26 to April 22, 2025, with no entry fee
required
4) Entries are accepted for three age categories:
Pre-primary (ages 3-6), Grade 1 (ages 6-7), and
Grade 2 (ages 7-8)
5) Participants can submit either traditional rhymes
from folklore (with proper attribution) or newly
composed joyful poems for children
6) The initiative addresses the issue of "colonial
hangovers" in education where Indian children
have grown up reciting foreign nursery rhymes
with little exposure to traditional Indian poetic
forms
43
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International Relations
March 2025
OPINION: Walter J Lindner on Indian Diplomacy Link
Why in News? Walter J Lindner, former German Ambassador to India, discusses India's evolving global
role and democratic challenges in his book What the West Should Learn From India.
On India’s Global Diplomacy
1) Maintains relations with conflicting leaders (Putin, Zelenskyy, Netanyahu, Abbas) while staying non-
aligned.
2) Positioned as a neutral mediator due to historic ties (e.g., Russia’s support in 1971) and energy
dependencies.
3) Rising influence in multilateral forums (G20, Quad, BRICS) without military bloc membership.
On Democracy & Criticism
1) Rejects Western "megaphone diplomacy" on
India’s democracy, advocating objective analysis
over preachiness.
2) Acknowledges concerns about minority rights but
stresses India’s complex socio-political
landscape.
On India’s Development Model
1) Digital leapfrogging (e.g., UPI) and economic
growth poised to overtake Germany.
2) Cultural resilience and "jugaad" innovation as
strengths, alongside a competitive spirit driven by
caste dynamics.
On Global Right-Wing Rise
1) Attributes Germany’s far-right growth to migration
anxieties, economic uncertainty, and simplistic solutions.
2) Stresses differentiation between skilled migration (e.g., Indian professionals) and illegal flows.
Critique of Western Perspectives
1) Urges Europe to heed India’s stance on Ukraine, noting divergent historical contexts.
2) Warns against normalizing border violations (e.g., Russia-Ukraine) as precedent for regional conflicts.
This analysis underscores India’s strategic balancing act and Lindner’s call for nuanced Western
engagement.
44
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IE Explained; By Arjun Sengupta
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – International Relations
Link
Why in News? Trump-Zelenskyy's publicly
hostile exchange during bilateral talks marked
an unprecedented breach of diplomatic
protocol between allied nations.
Key Fallouts
Ukraine's Strategic Loss
1) Zelenskyy faced public humiliation during
failed "minerals deal" negotiations critical for
US access to Ukrainian mineral reserves.
2) Republican leaders threatened to halt all US
military aid ($65.9B committed since war
began).
3) Zelenskyy's political survival questioned
despite conciliatory social media statements.
European Anxiety
1) EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas declared
need for "new leader of free world".
2) France's Macron countered Trump's WWIII
accusations against Zelenskyy.
3) Concerns about sustaining Ukraine's defence
without US leadership in NATO.
Russian Gains
1) Kremlin officials gloated about Zelenskyy's
"slap down" on Telegram.
2) Anticipate faster Zelenskyy removal and
favourable peace terms.
3) Strategic benefit from NATO disunity and
reduced Western cohesion.
China's Opportunism
1) Failed minerals deal preserves China's rare
earth dominance.
2) US foreign aid cuts through USAID dismantling
pushing nations toward Beijing.
India's Position
1) Maintained neutrality with PM Modi avoiding
explicit alignment.
2) Expressed support for UN Charter principles
alongside EU's von der Leyen.
3) Relief over Modi-Trump's smooth July 2025
White House meeting.
The incident has accelerated geopolitical
realignments, weakened Western unity while
empowering adversarial states through
America's transactional diplomacy.
45
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TH News;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – International Relations
Link
Why in News? India initiated the Cities
Coalition for Circularity (C-3) to drive circular
economy practices and waste management
solutions across Asia-Pacific cities.
About Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3)
1) Objective: Accelerate circular economy
adoption through city-to-city collaboration,
knowledge-sharing, and private sector
partnerships to reduce waste and enhance
resource efficiency.
2) Structure: Proposed as a multi-national, multi-
stakeholder digital platform for technical
expertise exchange, coordinated by a
voluntary working group of member nations.
3) Key Features:
a) Focuses on integrating traditional
sustainability practices with modern
technology (e.g., bio-CNG, e-waste
recycling)
b) Aims to strengthen policymaker-industry-
researcher collaboration for low-carbon
economies
4) Jaipur Declaration (2025–2034): A non-
binding commitment guiding resource
efficiency and sustainable urban development
in Asia-Pacific, adopted at the 12th Regional
3R Forum.
5) Partnerships: Includes CITIIS 2.0 agreements
worth ₹1,800 crore for 18 cities across 14
Indian states, serving as lighthouse projects.
6) India’s Role: Aligns with PM Modi’s P-3 (Pro
Planet People) approach and global
sustainability initiatives like Mission LiFE and
COP26 net-zero targets.
IE Explained; By Shubhajit Roy;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – International Relations
Link
Why in News? PM Narendra Modi visited
Mauritius (March 11-12, 2025) as Chief Guest
for its National Day, marking his second visit
since 2015.
Historical & Cultural Ties
1) Demographic Link: 70% of Mauritius’ 1.2
million population traces origins to Indian
indentured workers (1834–1900s).
2) Gandhi’s Influence: Mahatma Gandhi’s 1901
visit emphasized education, political
empowerment, and India-Mauritius
connectivity; National Day coincides with
Gandhi’s Dandi March (March 12).
3) Freedom Struggle Connections: Mauritius’
first PM, Seewoosagur Ramgoolam,
collaborated with Indian leaders like Nehru,
Bose, and Sarojini Naidu.
Strategic & Defence Cooperation
1) Agaléga Infrastructure: Jointly inaugurated
airstrip and jetty (2024) to boost maritime
security, counter piracy/drug trafficking, and
enhance disaster response (e.g., Cyclone
Chido relief).
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2) China Factor: India seeks to counterbalance
China’s Indian Ocean footprint through
strengthened ties.
3) White-Shipping Pact: Technical agreement
for real-time maritime data sharing between
Indian Navy and Mauritius.
Economic & Development Partnership
1) Trade & FDI: Mauritius is India’s 2nd largest
FDI source (2023-24); bilateral trade pact
signed in 2021.
2) Projects: India’s $1.1 billion assistance
(2015–2025) includes Metro Express, 96 small
projects, and 11 PSUs like Bank of Baroda.
3) Disaster Response: India aided Mauritius
during COVID-19, 2020 oil-spill crisis, and
cyclones.
Space & Capacity Building
1) ISRO Collaboration: Joint satellite
development and TTC station established
(1986).
2) Skill Development: ~4,940 Mauritian
professionals trained under India’s ITEC
program.
Cultural Connectivity: Shared heritage
includes Maha Shivratri celebrations, Ganga
Talao pilgrimage site, and Ramgoolam’s Bihari
ancestry.
IE Opinion; By C. Raja Mohan
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – International Relations
Link
Why in News? Intelligence officials from
friendly nations, including US DNI Tulsi
Gabbard, are gathering in Delhi amid growing
concerns over the future of the Five Eyes
alliance due to Trump's foreign policy shifts.
The Five Eyes Alliance: Origin and
Evolution
1) Formed during World War II between US and
UK (1946), later expanded to include Canada
(1948), Australia and New Zealand (1956).
2) Comprises English-speaking nations from the
former British Empire ("Anglosphere")
3) Initially focused on signals intelligence and
Soviet communications during Cold War.
4) Expanded post-9/11 to cover counterterrorism
and cybersecurity.
5) Recently pivoted toward monitoring China,
including warnings against Huawei's 5G
networks.
6) Considered "the most significant intelligence
sharing agreement in world history".
7) Operates on foundation of trust where all
signals intelligence is shared among partners.
Trump Administration's Disruptions
1) Trump's trade war against Canada with 25%
tariffs on imports.
2) Called Canada's border "arbitrary" and
suggested it become the "51st state".
3) Reports of proposal to expel Canada from Five
Eyes due to trade and border disputes.
4) VP J.D. Vance described Britain as "the first
truly Islamist country to get a nuclear weapon".
5) Vance criticized Britain's "woke politics" at
Munich Security Conference.
6) Elon Musk publicly attacked British PM Keir
Starmer and Labour government.
7) Appointments of Tulsi Gabbard (DNI) and Kash
Patel (FBI) causing concern among allies.
47
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8) Radical policy shifts: rapprochement with
Russia, pushing for Ukraine ceasefire,
suspending intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
Broader Geopolitical Implications
1) Weakening of NATO and EU relationships
2) Dismantling the post-war US-Europe strategic
consensus
3) Growing ideological divide between MAGA
movement and traditional Anglosphere
4) American right increasingly views Britain as
failing state dominated by "woke politics"
5) Some Five Eyes members considering limiting
intelligence sharing with US due to Russia
concerns
6) Intelligence experts warn fractures benefit
adversaries: "met with cheers from Moscow,
Beijing, Tehran, and Pyongyang"
Significance for India
1) Delhi hosting intelligence officials provides
firsthand assessment opportunity
2) Chance to evaluate if Five Eyes crisis is
temporary or permanent
3) Opportunity to strengthen India's intelligence
diplomacy amid shifting geopolitics
4) Potential implications for India's security
partnerships as traditional Western alliances
realign
5) Canada's reduced intelligence access could
impact its diplomatic approach toward India,
particularly regarding Khalistani terrorism
allegations
IE The Ideas Page; By Ashok Gulati,
Sulakshana Rao, Tanay Suntwal;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – International Relations
Link
Why in News? Trump's reciprocal tariff policy
kicks in from April 2, 2025, requiring India to
prepare a strategic response that balances
cooperation with protecting domestic interests.
Current US-India Trade Dynamics
1) US and India aim to increase bilateral trade to
$500 billion by 2030 (from about $200 billion
in 2023).
2) US is India's largest trading partner with
India having a $45.7 billion trade surplus in
2024.
3) India's trade deficit contribution to US grew by
88.1% between 2020-2024.
4) India's tariffs are 5.2 times higher than US
tariffs; for agricultural products, 7.8 times
higher.
5) Trump has criticized India as a "Tariff King"
with duties up to 150% on some products.
Recommended Strategies for India
1) Adopt cooperation rather than retaliation
for win-win outcomes.
2) Increase energy purchases from US
(currently only 4% of India's crude oil imports).
3) Consider high-tech defence purchases like
F-35 fighter jets to balance trade deficit.
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4) Identify and reduce tariffs on goods where
domestic impact would be minimal:
a) Lower duties on alcoholic beverages and
tobacco products (currently up to 150%).
b) Reduce automobile and EV tariffs
(currently up to 125%).
c) Set a maximum tariff ceiling of 50% for
most products.
5) For agricultural sector:
a) Negotiate tariff rate quotas for US
agricultural products (soybeans, maize,
cotton).
b) Seek greater market access for Indian
exports (pomegranates, grapes, mangoes,
Indian snacks).
c) Address US concerns about sanitary and
phytosanitary standards.
6) Capitalize on opportunities from ongoing
US-China trade tensions, especially in
labour-intensive sectors like toys, textiles, and
leather items.
IE Explained; By Arjun Sengupta;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – International Relations
Link
Why in News? India has asked the US to
designate pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for
Justice (SFJ) as a Foreign Terrorist
Organisation following Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh's meeting with US intelligence
chief Tulsi Gabbard.
About Sikhs for Justice
1) Founded in 2007 by Gurpatwant Singh
Pannun, a US-based attorney in his early 50s
2) Seeks "self-determination for Sikh people"
and establishment of Khalistan in "Indian held
Punjab"
3) Initially claimed to advocate "ballots not
bullets" approach
4) Pannun was born near Amritsar during Punjab
militancy period, graduated from Panjab
University, then moved to US
5) Rose to prominence in 2018 with the
announcement of "Khalistan Referendum"
The Khalistan Referendum
1) Ongoing initiative to "ascertain will of Sikhs
regarding secession of Punjab from India"
2) Aims to present results to UN for official
referendum
3) Criticized by experts as "farcical" with
questionable identification requirements
4) Focuses only on Indian Punjab, not Pakistani
Punjab which contains significant Sikh
historical sites
5) Aligns with Pakistan-supported view of
Khalistan's borders
SFJ's Stance on Violence
1) Contradicts non-violence claims by glorifying
terrorists
2) Named referendum headquarters after
Talwinder Singh Parmar, mastermind of 1985
Air India bombing
3) Pannun has threatened Indian political leaders
including PM Modi
4) Instigated protesting farmers to arm
themselves against Indian forces
5) Threatened to target children of police officers
and politicians studying abroad
Significance of FTO Designation
1) SFJ already banned in India under UAPA
since 2019
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2) Multiple cases against Pannun in India,
including three sedition cases in Punjab
3) FTO designation would cripple SFJ's US
operations
4) Would make providing "material support" to
SFJ illegal in US
5) US financial institutions would block
transactions involving SFJ assets
6) Would place SFJ alongside organizations like
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Hamas on the FTO list
IE The Editorial Page; By Raja Mohan;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – International Relations
Link
Why in News? Recent Trump-Putin phone
call discussing Ukraine ceasefire highlighted
Europe's exclusion from key decisions, with
Russian officials mocking European
irrelevance in global security matters.
Europe's Strategic Response Options
Military Conscription Revival
1) Croatia and Serbia have already introduced
compulsory military service
2) Denmark, Finland and Sweden have
maintained various conscription models
3) Demographic decline and diminishing armed
forces make military service increasingly
necessary for European countries
4) Other European nations exploring different
conscription models to address security needs
President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands
with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Conventional Military Buildup
1) EU finalized "Readiness 2030" plan to bolster
military capabilities
2) Plan mobilizes €800 billion (~$872 billion) over
four years
3) €150 billion to be borrowed from capital
markets, remaining €650 billion from increased
national defence spending
4) Germany leading with massive defence
expenditure expansion
5) Internal divisions remain on approach (initial
"Rearm Europe" title changed due to Italian
and Spanish concerns)
Nuclear Deterrence Debate
1) Ukraine war renewed focus on nuclear
weapons' relevance in 21st century security
2) Diminishing US nuclear umbrella credibility
forcing Europe to consider alternatives
3) German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz
proposing nuclear coordination with France
and Britain
4) Polish PM Donald Tusk expressing interest in
potential nuclear capabilities
5) France initiating consultations on extending its
nuclear deterrent role in European security
6) Challenges include: smaller Franco-British
arsenal (500 warheads) compared to Russia's
(~6,000), NPT constraints, and French control
concerns
Russia's Approach and European Reality
Competing Russian Visions
1) Oscillation between "common European
home" (Helsinki model) and Russo-American
condominium over Europe (Yalta model)
2) Neither approach currently feasible:
a) European resistance to Russian sphere of
influence
b) Post-Ukraine resentments blocking new
security framework
Fundamental Power Imbalance
1) Europe (350 million people, $16 trillion GDP)
versus Russia (140 million people, $2.2 trillion
GDP)
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2) Anomalous that Europe remains dependent on
US for defence despite economic and
demographic advantages
Divergent Future Outlooks
1) Russia betting on European internal divisions
without American backing
2) Integration proponents hoping Europe will end
its "geopolitical holiday"
3) Economists suggesting militarization could
address Europe's economic stagnation
4) Multiple perspectives: optimistic (Europe will
defend itself), pessimistic (continued division),
and realist (careful monitoring required)
NEWS IN SHORT: INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
F-1 Visa Denials Surge in US
1) US student visa denials reached a 10-year
high in fiscal year 2023-24, with 41% of F-1
visa applications rejected, almost double
the rejection rate from 2014.
2) The US received 679,000 F-1 visa
applications during this period, rejecting
279,000 applications, compared to 36%
rejection rate in 2022-23.
3) The total number of F-1 visas issued in 2023-
24 dropped to 401,000, down from 445,000
in the previous year
4) Indian students were particularly affected,
with visa issuances to Indians dropping
38% in the first nine months of 2024
compared to the same period in 2023
5) Despite rising rejection rates, Indian
students became the largest international
student group in US universities in 2023-
24, comprising 29.4% of all international
students with 331,000 students enrolled
6) The US State Department noted that all visa
applications are adjudicated case-by-case
according to Immigration and Nationality Act
provisions
Quad Defence Leaders' Concerns Over
China's Indo-Pacific Moves
1) Quad leaders (India, US, Japan, Australia)
expressed serious concerns over China's
military posturing in the Indo-Pacific,
particularly condemning the "dangerous"
use of coast guard and maritime militia
vessels in the South China Sea.
2) The leaders stated they seek "a region
where no country dominates, and no country
is dominated — one where all countries are
free from coercion".
3) Quad nations unveiled new security
measures including the launch of a maritime
legal dialogue to uphold rules-based order
in the region.
4) The group announced a Quad Indo-Pacific
Logistics Network pilot project to pursue
shared airlift capacity for disaster response
across the region.
5) India will host the inaugural MAITRI
workshop in 2025, further strengthening
cooperation among Quad nations.
Russia-Ukraine Black Sea Agreement
1) Russia and Ukraine have agreed to suspend
military operations against vessels in the
Black Sea and halt attacks on energy
infrastructure, as announced by the United
States following discussions in Saudi Arabia
2) Both countries have individually committed
to "ensuring safe navigation, abolishing the
use of force, and preventing commercial
vessels from being utilized for military
purposes in the Black Sea"
3) The temporary moratorium on strikes
against energy infrastructure began on
March 18 and is valid for 30 days, with
possible extension by mutual agreement
4) Energy targets protected under the
agreement include oil refineries, pipelines,
nuclear power stations, fuel storage
facilities, electricity generation and
transmission infrastructure
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5) Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
stated the agreement is effective
immediately, while Russia indicated it would
only be activated upon lifting specific
sanctions, including reconnecting Russia's
export bank to the SWIFT international
payment system
6) This agreement could mark a pivotal
advancement towards a more extensive
ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine
conflict, which has persisted for over three
years
India-Singapore LoI for Green and Digital
Shipping Corridor
1) India and Singapore signed a Letter of Intent
(LoI) on March 25, 2025, to establish a
Green and Digital Shipping Corridor
(GDSC) focusing on maritime digitalization
and decarbonization
2) The corridor aims to accelerate the
development and adoption of zero or near-
zero greenhouse gas emission technologies
and digital solutions in the maritime sector
3) Under the LoI, both countries will collaborate
on identifying relevant stakeholders and
work towards formalizing the partnership
through a memorandum of understanding
4) India, with its strengths in information
technology, has potential to become a major
producer and exporter of green marine fuels,
while Singapore contributes as a key
transshipment and bunkering hub with a
robust research ecosystem
5) The GDSC initiative, since its inception in
2022, has grown to include over 28
stakeholders across maritime, energy, and
finance sectors
6) This partnership is expected to set new
benchmarks in sustainability and efficiency
in the maritime sector, contributing to India's
vision of 'Viksit Bharat'
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Economy and Agriculture
March 2025
Keyword of the Day: Recession Link
Why in News? The term
"recession" is under discussion due
to concerns about the US economy,
including plunging stocks, tariff-
related uncertainty, and pessimistic
consumer sentiment, despite official
dismissals of a recession.
Recessionary Phase vs.
Recession
1) Recessionary phase: Occurs
when GDP contracts for at least
one quarter, forming part of the
business cycle (alternating with
expansionary phases)
2) Recession: A prolonged
recessionary phase marked by a
significant, broad-based decline
in economic activity (e.g., GDP, employment, income). The National Bureau of Economic Research
(NBER) defines it based on "depth, diffusion, and duration" of decline, not just GDP.
3) Business cycle: Typically spans 1–10 years, with alternating expansion (GDP growth) and contraction
(GDP decline) phases.
Technical Recession
1) Defined as two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth, often used as a simplified empirical
benchmark.
2) Limitations: Focuses narrowly on GDP, unlike broader recessions that consider unemployment,
income, and consumption. For example, post-2008, GDP recovered faster than employment
Facts of the Day: TH Data Point - A regional divide in blue-collar worker migration from India Link
Why in News? Recent data shows a shift in remittance patterns with declining Gulf contributions and
increasing advanced economies' share, revealing a stark regional divide in blue-collar worker migration
from India.
Key Migration Trends
Regional Shift in Migration
1) Southern states (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana) experiencing significant decline in
Gulf migration
2) Northern and eastern states (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar) emerging as primary contributors to Gulf migration
3) Kerala saw a drastic 90% decrease in Gulf migration over the last decade
4) Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have filled the void left by Kerala
Emigration Numbers
1) Blue-collar worker migration from India to Gulf nations increased by 50% in 2023
2) Emigration clearances tripled from 1,32,675 in 2021 to 3,98,317 in 2023
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3) Uttar Pradesh accounts for 34% of emigration clearances despite forming only 15.8% of India's
electorate
4) Bihar contributes 17.4% of emigration clearances while representing just 7.9% of the electorate
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Remittance Patterns
Shifting Sources
1) Advanced economies now surpass Gulf countries as sources of remittances to India
2) US share increased from 22.9% (2016-17) to 27.7% (2023-24)
3) UAE's share dropped from 26.9% to 19.2%
4) Saudi Arabia's contribution declined from 11.6% to 6.7%
5) UK's share rose significantly from 3.4% to 10.8%
State-wise Remittance Distribution
1) Maharashtra received the largest share (20.5%) in 2023-24
2) Kerala closely followed with 19.7%, up from 19% in 2016-17
3) Tamil Nadu's share increased from 8% to 10.4%
4) Northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan maintain consistently low shares (1-3%)
Destination Countries
Popular Gulf Destinations
1) Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman remain preferred destinations
2) Saudi Arabia offered 200,713 jobs to Indian nationals in 2023, up from 32,845 in 2021
3) UAE experienced a 25% rise in demand for skilled blue-collar workers from 2023 to 2024
4) Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman continue to be significant employers of Indian blue-collar workers
Economic Factors
Drivers of Migration
1) Economic opportunities and higher salaries underpin the migration trend
2) Depreciation of Indian Rupee against Gulf currencies makes earnings more attractive
3) Wages for blue-collar workers in Middle East significantly higher than in India
4) Growing demand for workers skilled in operating advanced technologies
5) Emerging opportunities in renewable energy and sustainability sectors
IE Explained; By Udit Misra
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Economy Link
Why in News? The Indian government
revised GDP estimates sharply upwards for
FY24 (2023-24) and FY23, while reporting
6.2% growth for Q3 FY25 and revising Q2
growth to 5.6%.
Why the Government Revises GDP
Estimates?
1) Progressive data refinement: Initial
estimates rely on limited datasets, with
revisions occurring as more granular data (e.g.,
corporate filings, tax records) becomes
available.
2) Five-stage revision process: Includes First
Advance Estimates (January), Second
Advance Estimates (February), Provisional
Estimates (May), and Final/Revised Estimates
over subsequent years.
3) Crisis adjustments: Exceptional revisions
occur during disruptions (e.g., FY21 Covid-19
lockdowns) when data collection is impaired.
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Key Findings from Latest Revisions
1) Yearly GDP Revisions
a) FY24 growth revised from 7.3% (First
Advance Estimates) to 9.2% – a 1.9
percentage point jump.
b) FY23 growth upgraded from 7% to 7.6%.
2) Quarterly Updates (FY25)
a) Q3 growth at 6.2% (October-December
2024), signalling partial recovery from Q2’s
revised 5.6% (up from 5.4%).
b) Full-year FY25 forecast maintained at 6.5%
in Second Advance Estimates.
3) Private Consumption Rebound
a) FY24 private consumption growth revised
from 4% to 5.6%, indicating stronger
household demand.
b) FY23 consumption estimates also
upgraded, altering narratives about post-
pandemic demand recovery.
Significance of the Revisions
1) Economic momentum reset: The FY24
revision shows India’s economy grew faster
than China’s in 2023-24, reshaping global
growth comparisons.
2) Market implications: Higher historical growth
data could influence investor sentiment,
particularly regarding corporate earnings and
tax revenue projections.
3) Policy calibration: Revised consumption
figures may affect interest rate decisions and
fiscal stimulus strategies.
Key Takeaways
1) Stronger baseline: Pre-FY25 growth was
more robust than earlier data suggested, with
FY24 becoming India’s best post-pandemic
year.
2) Sharp FY25 slowdown: The growth drops
from 9.2% (FY24) to 6.5% (FY25) underscores
mounting macroeconomic challenges.
3) Consumption-driven growth: Revised data
shifts focus to household spending as the
primary growth engine, reducing perceived
reliance on government expenditure.
These revisions underscore the dynamic
nature of economic measurement and its
critical role in policy and market analysis.
Criticisms Against India’s GDP Data
Revisions
1) Overly large revisions: FY24 growth
revised up by 1.9 percentage points (from
7.3% to 9.2%), raising concerns about initial
data quality and reliability.
2) Transparency gaps:
a) Limited public disclosure of methodology
updates (e.g., price deflators, corporate
sector calculations)
b) Reliance on opaque datasets like the
MCA21 corporate database, which uses
extrapolation from partial samples.
3) Divergence from ground indicators:
a) GDP growth contradicts weak trends in
credit growth, corporate earnings,
industrial capacity utilization, and two-
wheeler sales.
b) Example: FY24 private consumption
revised from 4% to 5.6%, conflicting with
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FMCG firms’ reports of shrinking middle-
class demand.
4) Deflator calculation flaws:
a) Use of outdated WPI-based deflators for
services sectors inflates real growth
estimates by up to 2%.
b) Volatile GDP deflators create
mismatches with consumer inflation
metrics.
5) Erosion of credibility:
a) Frequent, sharp revisions (e.g., FY23
growth raised from 7% to 7.6%)
undermine trust in official statistics.
b) Comparisons with pre-2011 GDP series
remain contentious, limiting historical
analysis.
6) Political perception risks:
a) Revisions seen as aligning with
narratives of economic outperformance
(e.g., FY24 growth surpassing China’s)
b) Corporate leaders like Asian Paints’ CEO
openly question GDP-economic reality
correlations.
7) Inadequate use of alternative data:
Ignoring high-frequency digital metrics (e.g.,
UPI transaction data) while relying on
outdated surveys.
IE Economy; Aggam Walia;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Economic Geography
Link
Why in News? Global powers are scrambling
to secure copper supplies amid rising demand
for clean energy technologies and projected
supply shortages by 2035, intensifying
competition for mining assets in Africa and
South America.
Strategic Significance of Copper
1) Clean energy transition: Essential for EVs,
renewables, and grid infrastructure.
2) Defence & tech: Vital for advanced
electronics, weapons systems, and
infrastructure.
3) Supply-demand gap: Projected to exceed
mine supply by 2035 due to rapid
industrialization.
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4) Limited alternatives: Recycling insufficient;
mining remains primary source.
Geopolitical Moves by Major Economies
1) India: Secured 9,000-sq-km copper-cobalt
block in Zambia. Targeting high-grade deposits
in Chile, DRC, and Zambia.
2) US: Investigating copper imports as a national
security risk. Weighing tariffs and incentives to
boost domestic production.
3) China: Controls 50% of global smelting;
tightening rules for new smelters. Securing
mines in DRC, Peru, and Chile.
4) Africa’s role: DRC and Zambia hold 16% of
global copper output, attracting global
investments.
Future Outlook
1) Supply race intensifies: Focus on Africa and
South America for high-grade deposits.
2) China-US tensions: Trade controls, tariffs,
and smelting competition to escalate.
3) Tech shifts: Recycling growth and alternative
batteries (e.g., sodium-ion) may ease demand
but won’t replace mining.
4) India’s strategy: Govt-to-govt deals to fast-
track exploration; geopolitical risks in Africa
remain key hurdle.
Image Reference Link
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IE Economy; Soumyarendra Barik;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Economy Link
Why in News? Donald Trump's endorsement
of Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and
Cardano for a "US Crypto Reserve" triggered
immediate price rallies across these assets.
US Crypto Reserve
1) A government-controlled stockpile of
cryptocurrencies announced by President
Trump to strengthen US leadership in digital
finance.
2) Includes Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP,
Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA)
3) Purpose
a) Boost institutional adoption and regulatory
clarity for cryptocurrencies
b) Position the US as the global "Crypto
Capital" and counter competition from
China
c) Potentially stabilize the economy using
crypto as an alternative to traditional
reserves like gold
4) Mechanism (Unclear):
a) Likely funded via seized crypto assets
(e.g., $19B in Bitcoin already held by the
US)
b) Proposals suggest annual purchases (e.g.,
200K BTC/year for 5 years) to build
reserves
Upcoming Developments
Crypto Summit: Details about the reserve’s
structure are expected at the White House
Crypto Summit on March 7, 2025.
Concerns of Crypto Reserve
1) Volatility risk from price fluctuations
impacting economic stability
2) Questionable cryptocurrency selection
beyond Bitcoin (e.g., XRP, ADA)
3) Potential market manipulation favouring
private investors
4) Political misuse accusations ("Trump
Pump" grift)
5) Funding uncertainties, including inflation
risks and gold reserve sales
6) Lack of legal authority for executive action
without Congress
7) Threat to the U.S. dollar’s dominance as
a reserve currency
8) Regulatory gaps in governance and asset
management
IE Economy; By Aggam Walia;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Economy Link
Why in News? Finance Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman urged more companies to
participate in PM Internship Scheme calling it
a "national cause."
PM Internship Scheme (PMIS) Overview
1) Announced in Union Budget 2024-25, aims
to provide internships to 1 crore youth in top
500 companies over 5 years
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2) Current status: Second round of pilot phase
with 327 participating companies, up from 280
in first round
3) Government provides Rs 4,500 monthly
stipend via DBT; companies contribute
additional Rs 500 from CSR funds
4) One-time grant of Rs 6,000 per annum for
incidental expenses
5) Part of PM's Package for Employment and
Skilling with overall outlay of Rs 2 lakh crore
6) Features transparent, automated process with
constitutional provisions for inclusivity and
reservation policy
7) Attempts to place interns within or near their
home districts
Implementation Progress
1) First round (Oct-Dec 2023): 1.27 lakh
opportunities posted, 82,000 offers made, only
around 8,000 accepted
2) Second round (Jan-Mar 2025): 1.18 lakh
internship opportunities across 735 districts,
application window closes March 31
3) New PMIS mobile app launched with referral
program enabling registered youth to refer
eligible candidates
4) Portal dashboard simplified and made more
user-friendly with greater details about
opportunities
5) Outreach conducted through over 80 events
at educational institutes and Rozgar Melas
Budget Allocation
1) Initial allocation of Rs 2,000 crore for 2024-25,
scaled down to Rs 380 crore in revised
estimates
2) Rs 10,831 crore allocated for 2025-26,
including Rs 59.77 crore capital outlay
IE Explained; By George Mathew;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Economy Link
Why in News? IndusInd Bank reported
derivative losses of Rs 2,100 crore on March
10, 2025, causing a 23% drop in its share
price.
Nature of the Losses
Cause and Disclosure
1) Internal review revealed discrepancies in
accounting of forex derivatives/swap
transactions executed over past 5-7 years
2) Losses on forex derivatives used to hedge
deposits/debt were not recognized through net
interest income
3) Corresponding treasury gains were recognized
in profit and loss statement
4) Bank ceased internal trades from April 1, 2024,
following RBI directives issued in September
2023
Concerns About Disclosure
1) Banking sources suggest the bank may have
known about the problem earlier
2) Disclosure possibly prompted by the RBI
3) Loss accumulated over time instead of being
adjusted gradually
4) Significant gap in balance sheet went
unnoticed for extended period
Management Issues
Share Sales by Top Executives
1) CEO Kathpalia and Deputy CEO Khurana sold
shares worth Rs 157 crore in 2023-24
2) Kathpalia sold approximately 950,000 shares
valued at Rs 134 crore
3) Khurana sold 550,000 shares for Rs 82 crore
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4) Co-read with share performance: Declined
more than 53% over the last six months.
Leadership Changes
1) CFO Gobind Jain left on January 17, 2025,
before losses were disclosed
2) RBI approved reappointment of Kathpalia as
MD and CEO for only one year instead of
requested three years
Financial Position and RBI Assurance: RBI
Statement on Bank's Health
1) RBI assured depositors that bank's financial
health remains stable
2) Bank is well-capitalized with satisfactory
financial position
3) Capital adequacy ratio stands at 16.46% and
provision coverage ratio at 70.20% (December
2024)
4) Liquidity coverage ratio at 113% as of March 9,
2025 (regulatory requirement: 100%)
5) Deposits grew by 11% year-on-year to Rs
4,09,438 crore (December 2024)
What is forex derivatives/swap
transactions?
1) Forex derivatives/swap transactions are
contracts between two parties to exchange
currencies at specific rates and dates
2) They are customized financial contracts
deriving value from currency exchange rates
3) They are customized financial contracts
deriving value from currency exchange rates
4) Currency swaps involve exchanging interest
on loan amounts in different currencies
Terms in News
Capital Adequacy Ratio - Measure of a
bank's capital relative to its risk-weighted
assets, indicating its ability to absorb losses
Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) - Measure
of a bank's ability to survive a short-term
liquidity crisis by maintaining sufficient liquid
assets
Provision Coverage Ratio - Percentage of
bad loans for which a bank has made
provisions
Net Interest Income (NII) - Difference
between interest income generated and
interest paid out to depositors
Mark-to-Market - Accounting practice of
valuing assets at current market prices
rather than historical cost
Off-Balance-Sheet Exposures -
Obligations not recorded as liabilities on
balance sheets but may become actual
liabilities
IE Ideas Page; By Shravan Hanasoge;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Economy Link
Why in News? Bill Gates recently shared his
perspective on AI's future impact during a
conversation with The Indian Express,
discussing a potential post-labour world and
India's role in the AI revolution.
Bill Gates' Vision for AI and the Future of
Work
1) Gates suggested we might be heading toward
a post-labour world where AI enables
economic support freeing people from
traditional jobs
2) Current market-driven models of work and
income might become obsolete in the future
3) AI revolution is first transforming software,
affecting white-collar professionals like
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lawyers, teachers, journalists, and
programmers
4) Physical labour jobs may survive longer as
robotics development progresses more slowly
than software
5) Gates compared the AI revolution to the
personal computing revolution -
democratizing intelligence and expertise
across society
Economic Implications
1) AI could create "deflationary abundance" by
drastically reducing costs of essential services
2) Universal basic income might become
necessary when traditional employment
decreases
3) Potential wealth redistribution mechanisms
include:
a) Taxing AI-driven enterprises
b) Developing sovereign AI models as public
infrastructure
c) Creating public ownership of AI productivity
tools
4) Concerns exist about unprecedented
concentration of wealth and power if only a few
entities control AI models and infrastructure
Existential Questions for Society
1) Work provides structure, identity, purpose, and
meaning beyond economic benefits
2) Post-labour society would need new
frameworks for meaning, community, and
contribution
3) People may redirect their focus to art, care,
science, or spiritual pursuits
4) AI forces us to reconsider fundamental
philosophical questions about what
constitutes a good life
India's Role in the AI Landscape
1) Gates expressed optimism about India's
participation in the global AI ecosystem
2) India doesn't need to build foundational
models from scratch due to open-source
availability
3) The technology gap is narrowing - India may
be only days or months behind leading nations
4) Local adaptation of global AI infrastructure
could be India's strategic advantage given its
diverse languages and societal challenges
Democratization of AI through open-source
movement enables meaningful participation
by countries like India
NEWS IN SHORT: ECONOMY &
AGRICULTURE
CBIC Revises Trade Rules, Replacing
'Certificate' with 'Proof' to Enhance
Clarity in Import Duty Benefits Under
FTAs
1) The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and
Customs has amended Rules of Origin
regulations, replacing "certificate" with
"proof" in multiple provisions
2) This change gives customs authorities
greater flexibility to demand additional
evidence beyond certificates for FTA
benefits
3) The move aims to tighten scrutiny on
imports, particularly those from China routed
through ASEAN, Sri Lanka and UAE to
evade higher tariffs
4) Investigations found Chinese goods being
falsely rebranded as made in countries with
FTA benefits to secure lower tariffs
Piyush Goyal Urges Government and IT
Sector to Achieve $450 Billion Services
Export Target
1) Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal
highlighted the crucial role of MSMEs in the
IT sector in achieving India's $450 billion
services export target
2) Services exports reached approximately
$340 billion last year, with IT and ITES
contributing nearly $200 billion
3) Current year's services exports are
projected to rise to between $380-385 billion
4) Goyal emphasized attracting more Global
Capability Centres (GCCs) to capitalize on
India's skilled workforce rather than sending
talent overseas
Finance Bill 2025 and Banking Laws
Amendment Bill 2024
1) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
presented the Finance Bill 2025 in the Lok
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Sabha on March 24, 2025, to implement
financial proposals for FY 2025-26.
2) Key proposals include increasing the nil tax
slab from ₹7 lakh to ₹12 lakh under the new
tax regime, along with changes in TDS,
taxation of ULIPs, and revised NPS rules.
3) The Banking Laws Amendment Bill 2024
aims to modify several banking regulations,
including the Reserve Bank of India Act,
1934, and the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
4) The bill proposes raising the "substantial
interest" threshold for bank directorships
from ₹500,000 to ₹20 million, allowing more
individuals to qualify as directors.
5) Additional provisions include enhanced
nomination rights for depositors and
investors, standardized RBI reporting, and
new rules for settlement of unclaimed
amounts.
Stages of Budgetary Process
1) Presentation of Budget by Finance
Minister
2) General Discussion
3) Scrutiny by Departmental Committees
4) Voting on Demands for Grants
5) Passing of Appropriation Bill
6) Passing of Finance Bill
India's mobile phone exports surpass
₹1.75 trillion in FY25
1) Mobile phone exports from India reached
₹1.82 trillion ($21 billion) in the first 11
months of FY25, exceeding IT Minister
Ashwini Vaishnaw's projection of ₹1.74
trillion ($20 billion).
2) This represents a 54% growth compared to
the same period in FY24, with one month still
remaining in the fiscal year.
3) Apple Inc. has been a major contributor,
accounting for approximately ₹1.25 trillion
($14.39 billion) or nearly 70% of total
smartphone exports from India.
4) Since October 2024, monthly mobile phone
exports have consistently exceeded ₹17,376
crore ($2 billion), with the US and Europe
being the primary export destinations.
5) The growth is attributed to Apple's vendors
(Foxconn, Tata Electronics, and Pegatron)
who contribute 70% of exports, while
Samsung and Indian brands make up the
remainder.
Abolition of Equalisation Levy on Digital
Ads
1) India plans to eliminate the 6% equalisation
levy (commonly called 'Google Tax') on
digital advertising services provided by
foreign tech companies from April 1, 2025
2) The tax removal is included as an
amendment to the Finance Bill, 2025, which
was passed by the Lok Sabha on March 25,
2025
3) The levy was first introduced in 2016
targeting non-resident companies earning
over ₹1 lakh annually from online
advertising services, and was later
expanded in 2020 to include a 2% levy on
e-commerce services
4) This decision aims to improve trade relations
between India and the US, which had
previously criticized the levy and threatened
retaliatory tariffs on Indian exports such as
shrimp and basmati rice
MSME Investment and Turnover Criteria
Revision
1) The Government of India has announced
major revisions to MSME classification
criteria, effective from April 1, 2025, with
investment limits increased by 2.5 times
and turnover thresholds doubled.
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2) For Micro Enterprises, the investment limit
will increase from ₹1 crore to ₹2.5 crore,
and turnover limit from ₹5 crore to ₹10
crore.
3) Small Enterprises will see investment limits
rise from ₹10 crore to ₹25 crore and
turnover limits from ₹50 crore to ₹100
crore.
4) Medium Enterprises' investment ceiling will
increase from ₹50 crore to ₹125 crore,
while turnover limits will be raised from ₹250
crore to ₹500 crore.
5) The changes were announced by Union
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during
the Union Budget 2025.
6) Enterprises can now scale up operations
without losing MSME status, promoting
higher investment and innovation while
boosting global competitiveness.
Progress of Doubling the Farmers'
Income
1) The government constituted an Inter-
Ministerial Committee in 2016 to examine
"Doubling of Farmers Income (DFI)" which
submitted its final report in September 2018
containing comprehensive strategies
2) The Committee identified seven sources of
income growth:
a) Increasing crop and livestock
productivity,
b) Improving resource use efficiency,
c) Increasing cropping intensity,
d) Diversification to high-value agriculture,
e) Ensuring remunerative prices, and
f) Shifting surplus manpower to non-farm
occupations
3) The strategy is based on key principles
including increasing total agricultural output,
reducing production costs, ensuring fair
prices, implementing effective risk
management, and adopting sustainable
technologies
4) Budget allocation for the Department of
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has
significantly increased from ₹21,933.50
crore (2013-14) to ₹1,22,528.77 crore
(2024-25)
5) The government has adopted an integrated
approach involving multiple schemes from
agriculture, rural development, irrigation,
and allied ministries with effective
convergence
6) The initiative continues beyond its original
2022 target date, with ongoing policy
implementation and budgetary support
NITI Aayog CEO launches DX-EDGE
1) NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam
launched the DX-EDGE (Digital Excellence
for Growth and Enterprise) initiative on
March 27, 202512.
2) DX-EDGE aims to empower micro, small,
and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with
essential digital tools and knowledge.
3) The initiative is a collaboration between the
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), NITI
Aayog, and the All India Council for
Technical Education (AICTE).
4) It seeks to enhance MSME performance
through digitalization, making them more
competitive and resilient.
5) The platform will create an ecosystem
connecting MSMEs, technology providers,
and academic institutions.
6) DX-EDGE will establish digital excellence
centers to guide MSMEs in identifying
tailored digital transformation paths.
7) The initiative adopts a Public-Private-
Academia Partnership (PPAP) approach
to facilitate MSMEs' digital transformation.
Parliament passes Banking Laws
(Amendment) Bill 2024
1) The Rajya Sabha passed the Banking Laws
(Amendment) Bill on March 26, 2025,
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following its earlier approval by the Lok
Sabha in December 2024.
2) The bill allows bank account holders to
nominate up to four individuals for their
accounts or fixed deposits.
3) Depositors can opt for either simultaneous
nomination (with specific percentage
shares) or successive nomination.
4) The bill redefines "substantial interest" for
bank directorships by raising the threshold
from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 2 crore.
5) It grants banks greater freedom in deciding
the remuneration for statutory auditors.
6) The bill modifies regulatory reporting
deadlines to the 15th and last day of every
month.
7) It seeks to increase the tenure of directors
in cooperative banks from 8 years to 10
years.
Government to Borrow ₹8 Trillion in H1 of
FY26, with ₹10,000 Crore for Sovereign
Green Bonds
1) The Central government plans to borrow ₹8
lakh crore (₹8 trillion) in the first half of
2025-26, accounting for 54% of the total
₹14.82 lakh crore budgeted for the full
fiscal year.
2) These borrowings will be conducted through
26 weekly auctions across various tenures
including 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 30, 40, and 50-year
securities.
3) Additionally, ₹10,000 crore will be raised
through Sovereign Green Bonds in the
first half of FY26, in two tranches of ₹5,000
crore each.
Sovereign Green Bonds
1) Sovereign Green Bonds (SGBs) are debt
securities issued by national governments to
fund projects that have positive
environmental benefits.
2) The proceeds from these bonds are
exclusively allocated to green initiatives,
including renewable energy projects,
sustainable agriculture, waste management,
and other environmentally beneficial
programs.
3) India's framework for SGBs, announced in
the Union Budget 2022-23 and issued on
November 9, 2022, is based on the
International Capital Market
Association's principles with four
components: use of proceeds, project
evaluation and selection, management of
proceeds, and reporting.
4) The eligible projects for funding include
those that encourage energy efficiency,
reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse
gases, promote climate resilience, improve
natural ecosystems and biodiversity, and
align with sustainable development goals.
5) Specific eligible investments include
a) Solar, wind, biomass, and hydro energy
projects,
b) Urban mass transportation projects such
as metro rail, green buildings, and
pollution prevention initiatives.
6) The framework explicitly excludes
projects involving
a) Fossil fuels,
b) Nuclear power generation, and
c) Direct waste incineration.
7) The proceeds must be allocated to projects
within 24 months of issuing the bonds, and
eligible expenditure is limited to government
spending that occurred not more than 12
months prior to issuance.
India Becomes World's 2nd-Largest Tea
Exporter in 2024
1) India exported 254-255 million kilograms
(Mkg) of tea in 2024, surpassing Sri Lanka to
become the second-largest tea exporter
globally.
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2) Export figures represent a 10% growth from
231 Mkg in 2023 and are the second highest
in India's history.
3) Kenya remains the world's largest tea
exporter with over 500 Mkg in annual
exports.
4) The tea industry is targeting exports of 300
Mkg by 2030, supported by government
policies promoting orthodox tea production.
Nutrient-Based Subsidy Rates for Kharif
2025
1) Cabinet approved Nutrient Based Subsidy
(NBS) rates for Kharif 2025 season, effective
April 1 to September 30, 2025.
2) Allocated ₹37,216.15 crore for the subsidy,
approximately ₹13,000 crore more than the
Rabi 2024-25 budget.
3) Ensures phosphatic and potassic (P&K)
fertilizers remain available to farmers at
subsidized and affordable rates.
4) Extended freight subsidy on Single Super
Phosphate (SSP) to further reduce financial
burden on farmers.
5) Covers 28 different grades of P&K
fertilizers under the NBS scheme that has
been in effect since April 2010.
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Science and Technology
March 2025
Word of the Day: Hantavirus Link
Why in News? Hantavirus is in the news due to the death of Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman,
who died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).
About Hantavirus
1) Definition: Hantavirus is a family of rodent-borne viruses that can cause serious illness and death in
humans.
2) Transmission: Infected rodents spread the viruses through their urine, faeces, and saliva, but it does
not spread between people.
3) Types of Diseases:
a) HPS (Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome): Common in the Western Hemisphere, often carried by
deer mice.
b) HFRS (Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome): Found primarily in Europe and Asia.
4) Symptoms of HPS: Flu-like symptoms (fatigue, fever, muscle aches), progressing to respiratory
difficulties like shortness of breath.
5) Mortality Rate: Approximately 38% of those with respiratory symptoms may die.
6) Treatment: No cure; early detection and supportive care (e.g., respiratory support) are crucial.
7) Prevention: Cleaning rodent excrement with gloves, N95 mask, and disinfectants to avoid aerosol
exposure.
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TH Frontpage;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Science & Tech Link
Why in News? Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost
Mission 1 became the first private U.S. lunar
landing to achieve a stable, upright
touchdown, surpassing the sideways landing
of Intuitive Machines’ 2024 mission.
Mission Details
1) Landing Site: Mons Latreille, a volcanic region
in Mare Crisium (Moon’s northeastern near
side).
2) Timeline:
a) Landed at 3:34 a.m. US Eastern Time
(0834 GMT) on March 2, 2025.
b) Launched on January 15 via SpaceX
Falcon 9 rocket.
3) Payload:
a) 10 instruments, including a lunar soil
analyser, radiation-tolerant computer, and
GPS navigation experiment.
b) Designed to operate for 14 Earth days,
capturing a lunar eclipse (March 14) and
sunset (March 16) to study dust behaviour.
Significance
1) NASA Partnership
a) Part of NASA’s $2.6B Commercial Lunar
Payload Services (CLPS) program to
reduce costs and support Artemis.
b) Aims to establish routine private lunar
missions ahead of crewed Artemis
landings.
2) Technical Milestones
a) Autonomous navigation through rocky
terrain, slowing from thousands of mph to 2
mph during descent.
b) Improved landing stability compared to
earlier private attempts.
Future Missions: Intuitive Machines’ IM-2
1) Scheduled for March 6, targeting Mons Mouton
(southernmost lunar landing site).
2) Features Athena lander with ice-detecting drill,
rovers, and a hopping drone for rugged terrain.
TH Science; Vasudevan Mukunth;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – ` & Tech Link
Why in News? Researchers from China and
Japan observed strong evidence of a Bose
metal state in 2D niobium diselenide (NbSe₂)
under specific magnetic field conditions, as
reported in Physical Review Letters on
February 13.
What is Bose Metal?
1) According to traditional theories that describe
disordered metals say that at absolute zero
temperature, the metals should have either
zero conductivity (become an insulator) or
infinite conductivity (become a
superconductor).
2) A Bose metal challenges this description
because its conductivity is between zero and
infinity as the temperature tends to absolute
zero.
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3) Definition: Quantum state where bosons (e.g.,
Cooper pairs) act as charge carriers, exhibiting
metallic conductivity (finite resistance) instead
of superconductivity or insulation.
What are Cooper pairs?
1) Cooper pairs are paired electrons that enable
superconductivity by moving through a
material without resistance.
2) Bosonic behaviour: Each pair has an integer
spin (0 or 1), allowing them to occupy the same
quantum state and form a coherent
condensate
3) Role in Superconductivity:
a) Zero electrical resistance: Cooper pairs
move collectively without scattering off
lattice vibrations, as breaking a pair
requires overcoming an energy gap.
b) Bose-Einstein condensation: At low
temperatures, all pairs synchronize into a
single quantum state, enabling frictionless
flow.
Key Findings: Cooper pairs without
superconductivity
1) NbSe₂ exhibited paired electrons (Cooper
pairs) without transitioning to a
superconducting state
2) Vanishing Hall resistance confirmed Cooper
pairs as charge carriers instead of individual
electrons
Significance of the findings
1) Challenges traditional superconductivity
theories by demonstrating metals can exist
between insulator/superconductor states at
near-zero temperatures.
2) Validates phase fluctuation theories by
showing Cooper pairs form without achieving
long-range coherence.
3) Confirms intrinsic quantum effects in 2D
materials, disproving earlier assumptions
about sample imperfections causing AMS.
4) Provides roadmap for high-temperature
superconductor research by highlighting
coherence-establishment mechanisms.
5) Opens experimental pathways for studying
Cooper pair dynamics independent of
superconductivity.
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IE Explained; Alind Chauhan;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Science & Tech Link
Why in News? The AI industry has seen
frequent model launches (e.g., GPT-4.5, Grok
3) and breakthroughs like DeepSeek’s cost-
efficient R1 model, intensifying market
competition.
Artificial Intelligence
1) Definition: Field of computer science focused
on creating systems that mimic human
reasoning, learning, and problem-solving.
2) Historical Context
a) Founded in 1956 at the Dartmouth College
workshop organized by John McCarthy,
Marvin Minsky, and others.
b) Term “AI” coined by McCarthy despite initial
reservations about its accuracy.
3) Modern Usage: Refers to both the technology
(e.g., smarter Google products) and entities
like AI models (e.g., ChatGPT).
Machine Learning
1) Core Concept: Subset of AI enabling systems
to learn autonomously from data without
explicit programming.
2) Mechanism
a) Combines arithmetic, statistics, and trial-
and-error to identify patterns in datasets for
predictions.
b) Improves accuracy with exposure to more
data.
3) Real-World Applications: Recommendation
systems: Spotify and Netflix use ML to analyse
user behaviour and suggest content.
IE Explained;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Science & Tech Link
Why in News? The Delhi High Court
(February 28, 2025) rejected a blanket ban on
smartphones in schools, instead issuing
regulated-use guidelines to balance
educational benefits and risks.
Guiding Principles for Smartphone Use:
The court outlined nine key principles:
1) Regulated access: Smartphones should not
be banned but "monitored and regulated"
2) Deposit during school hours: Students to
deposit phones at entry and retrieve them post-
school where feasible
3) Classroom ban: Prohibited in classrooms,
school vehicles, and common areas to avoid
disruption
4) Ethical education: Schools must teach
responsible digital behaviour, cyberbullying
risks, and mental health impacts like anxiety
5) Safety-focused use: Permitted only for
coordination with parents, not entertainment
6) Collaborative policies: Rules to be framed
with input from parents, educators, and experts
7) School autonomy: Institutions can tailor
policies to their needs
8) Balanced penalties: Punishments like
temporary confiscation allowed but must be
non-excessive
9) Regular reviews: Policies to be updated for
evolving tech challenges
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Impact of Smartphones on Students: Key
Findings
Negative Effects
1) Academic Decline
a) Reduced learning ability: 89% of
students reported diminished academic
performance due to smartphone
distractions
b) Diminished concentration: 83.5%
struggled to focus during lessons, linked to
constant notifications and multitasking
c) Time mismanagement: Excessive non-
academic screen time (social media,
gaming) reduces productivity and delays
assignment completion
2) Mental Health
a) Anxiety and depression: Prolonged use
correlates with heightened stress, social
comparison, and cyberbullying
b) Sleep disturbances: Blue light exposure
disrupts melatonin production, causing
insomnia and fatigue
c) Social isolation: Students withdraw from
real-world interactions, preferring virtual
engagement
3) Physical Health
a) Vision issues: Prolonged screen time
leads to dry eyes, blurred vision, and
myopia
b) Poor posture: Neck/back pain and
headaches from prolonged hunched
positions
c) Sedentary lifestyle: Reduced physical
activity increases obesity risks
4) Social and Behavioural Risks
a) Cyberbullying: 1 in 4 students faces
online harassment, lowering self-esteem
b) Exposure to inappropriate content:
Access to violent/explicit material impacts
behaviour
Positive Effects
1) Educational Access & Tools
a) Instant information access: Facilitates
research, digital libraries, and real-time
updates
b) Interactive learning: AR/VR apps,
simulations, and gamified quizzes enhance
engagement
c) Note-taking/organization: Apps
streamline scheduling, reminders, and file
storage
2) Safety & Communication
a) Parent-student coordination: Location
tracking and instant messaging ensure
safety
b) Teacher-student interaction: Anonymous
Q&A features reduce classroom anxiety
3) Skill Development
a) Digital literacy: Prepares students for
tech-driven careers through app
proficiency
b) Language/math tools: Apps offer
personalized practice in STEM and
linguistics
4) Threshold Benefits
a) Moderate use boosts scores: Controlled
tech integration improves recall and
problem-solving
b) Cost-effectiveness: Reduces reliance on
physical textbooks and resources
The Delhi HC’s guidelines emphasize
regulated use (e.g., deposit systems,
classroom bans) to mitigate harms while
preserving benefits like safety and
collaborative learning. Schools must adopt
dynamic policies that evolve with technological
advancements.
IE Explained; By Anonna Dutt;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Science & Technology
Link
Why in News? ISRO successfully carried out
an undocking procedure on Thursday (13th
March 2025), nearly two months after docking
two satellites in space, making India the fourth
country after the US, Russia, and China to
demonstrate docking-undocking capabilities.
Space Docking and Undocking Explained
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1) Space docking is a process where two fast-
moving spacecraft are placed in the same orbit,
brought progressively closer, and joined
together.
2) It's an extremely complicated procedure
requiring precise coordination and technology.
3) Undocking is the reverse process of
separating previously docked spacecraft.
4) ISRO developed its own androgynous
docking system similar to the International
Space Station's but with only two motors
compared to the 24 used in the International
Docking System Standard.
SpaDex Mission
1) Launched on December 30, 2024, as an
experimental mission to demonstrate docking
capabilities.
2) Involved two 220-kg satellites — SDX01
(Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) — placed in a
470 km circular orbit.
3) The satellites were brought together from an
initial distance of 20 km and joined using their
extended locking mechanism.
4) After docking, scientists demonstrated power
sharing capabilities between the satellites and
commanded them as a single composite
structure.
5) The undocking manoeuvre was performed
after two months following extensive on-
ground simulations.
Significance
1) Essential for missions with heavy spacecraft
that cannot be launched from Earth in one go,
as weight is a major limiting factor in space
missions.
2) Critical for assembling structures in space,
such as space stations.
3) Necessary for carrying astronauts and supplies
to a space station.
4) Vital for India's future space ambitions,
including:
a) Setting up its own space station by 2035.
b) Sending humans to the Moon by 2040.
c) Completing the Chandrayaan-4 mission,
which will bring back lunar soil and rock
samples.
Global Context
1) The United States was the first country to
demonstrate space docking in 1966 with
NASA's crewed Gemini VIII mission
commanded by Neil Armstrong.
2) The Soviet Union (USSR) achieved the first
autonomous docking in 1967 with Kosmos
186 and Kosmos 188 spacecraft.
3) China demonstrated unmanned docking in
2011 and crewed docking capability in 2012.
IE Express Network;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Science & Tech Link
Why in News? NASA astronauts Sunita
Williams and Butch Wilmore safely returned to
Earth on March 19, 2025, after an unplanned
286-day mission that was originally scheduled
to last just 8 days.
Mission Details
Timeline:
1) June 5, 2024: Launch aboard Boeing Starliner
2) June 6, 2024: Docked at ISS with thruster
issues already evident
3) August 2024: NASA confirmed delay in return
4) September 2024: Empty Starliner returned to
Earth
5) March 18, 2025: Departed ISS on SpaceX
Dragon Freedom
6) March 19, 2025: Splashed down off Florida's
coast
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Extended Stay Cause:
1) Multiple thruster malfunctions in Boeing
Starliner spacecraft
2) Deformed Teflon seals and helium leaks in
propulsion system
3) NASA deemed Starliner unsafe for crewed
return; sent it back empty in September 2024
Return Journey:
1) Returned with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and
Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov
2) 17-hour journey after 4,576 orbits and 121
million miles travelled
Medical & Scientific Impact
Health Implications:
1) Extended exposure to microgravity affects
muscle mass and bone density
2) Upward shift of bodily fluids impacts brain and
eyes
3) Now undergoing NASA's 45-day rehabilitation
program
Scientific Contributions:
1) Conducted ~900 hours of research across
150+ experiments
2) Studies on fluid systems, water recovery, food
production
3) Williams set record with 62+ hours of
spacewalks
Achievements & Lessons
Records Set:
1) Williams: 608 cumulative days in space
(second among US astronauts)
2) Williams: Most spacewalk time among female
astronauts
3) Witnessed eight different vehicles arrive/depart
ISS
Leadership Lessons:
1) Demonstrated exceptional adaptability and
resilience
2) Maintained focus despite uncertainty about
return
3) Effective stress management in prolonged
challenging conditions
4) Showcased redundancy value in space
program planning
Lessons for India
1) For Gaganyaan Mission:
a) Ensure thorough testing of human-rated
systems like the Crew Module (CM) and
Service Module (SM).
b) Prioritize safety with robust emergency
escape and abort systems.
2) Technological Advancements:
a) Develop advanced life-support systems for
long-duration missions.
b) Strengthen docking and berthing
technologies for future space stations.
3) Training and Collaboration:
a) Train astronauts comprehensively for
microgravity experiments and extended
stays.
b) Leverage international collaborations for
expertise in human spaceflight.
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4) Space Station Vision:
a) Use Gaganyaan as a stepping stone to
establish India's own space station by
2030.
b) Build capabilities for sustained human
presence in low Earth orbit (LEO).
TH Text & Context; By D P Kasbekar;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Science & Tech Link
Why in News? DNA polymorphisms are
variations in DNA sequences that occur
naturally among individuals. These genetic
variations make each person's genetic
makeup unique and serve as the foundation
for DNA fingerprinting and identification.
What Are DNA Polymorphisms?
DNA polymorphisms are specific locations in
the genome where DNA sequences vary
between individuals. While approximately
99.9% of human DNA is identical across all
people, the remaining 0.1% contains these
variations that make each person genetically
unique. These polymorphic regions:
1) Occur throughout the genome in both coding
and non-coding regions
2) Can be inherited from parents, following
Mendelian inheritance patterns
3) Allow scientists to distinguish between
individuals at the genetic level
4) Form the basis for DNA fingerprinting and
forensic identification
Types of DNA Polymorphisms
Several types of DNA polymorphisms exist,
with Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) being
particularly useful for human identification:
1) Short Tandem Repeats (STRs): Short
sequences of base pairs that are repeated a
variable number of times, such as
GATCGATCGATCGATC
2) Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs):
Variations in single nucleotides at specific
positions
3) Variable Number Tandem Repeats (VNTRs):
Longer repeated sequences that vary in
number between individuals
4) Insertions and Deletions: Where DNA
segments are either added or removed
How DNA Polymorphisms Differentiate
Between People?
DNA polymorphisms create unique genetic
profiles because:
1) Unrelated individuals almost certainly have
different numbers of repeat units in at least
some STRs
2) Each person inherits a unique combination of
polymorphisms from their parents
3) The probability of two unrelated individuals
sharing identical polymorphisms across
multiple sites is extremely low
4) These differences can be compiled into a
unique table called a DNA fingerprint
DNA Fingerprinting Process
To analyze DNA polymorphisms for
identification:
1) DNA is extracted from biological samples
(blood, saliva, skin cells, etc.)
2) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is used to
make millions of copies of specific DNA
segments containing polymorphic regions
3) Capillary electrophoresis separates DNA
fragments by size, with smaller fragments
moving faster
4) Multiple STRs are analysed simultaneously to
create a comprehensive profile
5) The sizes of various paternal/maternal
variants of different STRs are compiled in a
table, creating a unique DNA fingerprint
Applications of DNA Polymorphism
Analysis
DNA polymorphism analysis has numerous
practical applications:
1) Forensic Identification: Matching suspects to
DNA evidence from crime scenes
2) Paternity and Relationship Testing:
Establishing parent-child relationships
3) Disaster Victim Identification: Identifying
remains from disaster sites
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4) Exonerating the Wrongly Accused: DNA
evidence has freed many wrongly convicted
individuals
5) Organ Donation: Identifying or excluding
potential donors
6) Ancestry Analysis: Tracing genealogical
history through inherited polymorphisms
7) Cold Case Investigation: Solving old cases
using preserved DNA evidence
The remarkable stability of DNA means that
usable profiles can be generated from
samples decades old, and scientists have
even extracted nearly intact DNA from 65,000-
year-old human remains.
IE The World; By Sonal Gupta;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Science & Tech Link
Why in News? The European Space Agency
(ESA) shut down its space observatory
mission Gaia on Thursday, March 27, 2025,
after over a decade of mapping the Milky Way
galaxy.
About the Gaia Mission
1) Launched in December 2013 to create a
precise three-dimensional map of the Milky
Way galaxy.
2) Positioned at Lagrange point 2 (L2),
approximately 1.5 million kilometers behind
Earth (viewed from the Sun) for unobstructed
cosmic observation.
3) Equipped with twin telescopes directing light
onto a single digital camera with nearly a billion
pixels (largest ever flown in space).
4) Featured three specialized instruments:
astrometer, photometer, and spectrometer to
measure stellar positions and movements.
5) Operational for over 10 years (2014-2025),
taking 3 trillion observations of 2 billion stars
and celestial objects.
6) Informed at least 13,000 scientific publications.
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Key Discoveries and Contributions
1) Created a comprehensive 3D map of the Milky
Way and modelled its future evolution.
2) Revealed the galaxy's structure with central
bar, spiral arms, and a warped disc that
wobbles due to collisions with smaller galaxies.
3) Discovered a new type of black hole
detectable only by gravitational effects rather
than emitted light.
4) Detected over 150,000 asteroids and
projected their orbits, including potential Earth
threats.
5) Mapped approximately 2% of the estimated
100 billion stars in our galaxy.
Post-Retirement Status
1) Successfully "passivated" (drained of internal
energy sources) and moved to a "retirement
orbit" around the Sun.
2) Scientists conducted tests on spacecraft
technologies after 10 years in space to aid
future mission development.
3) Much data remains to be processed, with
partial releases planned for next year (covering
first 5.5 years) and at the decade's end.
4) Scientific discoveries from Gaia's data will
continue well beyond the mission's operational
life.
Similar Space Mapping Missions From
Different Space Agencies
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space
Telescope - Set to launch by May 2027, it
will conduct an unprecedented survey of the
Milky Way's galactic plane, mapping more
stars than all previous observations
combined and peering deeper into regions
that previous surveys couldn't access.
JAXA's JASMINE (Japan Astrometry
Satellite Mission for INfrared
Exploration) - Planned for FY 2028, this
infrared astrometric telescope operates
similarly to Gaia but specifically targets the
Galactic plane and centre where Gaia's
observations are limited by dust absorption.
ESA's Euclid Mission - Launched in 2023,
Euclid is creating the largest cosmic 3D map
ever made by observing the shapes,
distances, and motions of billions of galaxies
out to 10 billion light-years, with plans to
survey the entire universe over six years.
Nano-JASMINE - A smaller Japanese
precursor mission to JASMINE scheduled
for potential launch in FY 2024, designed to
conduct astrometric observations of nearby
bright stars to complement Gaia's data and
test technologies for the full JASMINE
mission.
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IE Explained; By Biswajit Dasgupta;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Science, Environment
Link
Why in News? India completed wet testing of
its Matsya-6000 submersible last month, with
the launch of the first deep-sea manned
vehicle planned for later this year that will put
India in a select group of nations with such
capabilities.
Current Developments
1) Matsya-6000, developed under the
Samudrayaan Project, is India's first deep-
sea human submersible designed to dive to
depths of 6,000 meters.
2) Successfully completed wet testing at L&T
Shipbuilding in Kattupalli Port from January 27
to February 12, 2025.
3) Features a 2.1-meter diameter spherical hull
made from titanium alloy capable of housing
three humans.
4) Equipped with main ballast system, thrusters,
battery bank, syntactic foam for buoyancy, and
sophisticated navigation and communication
systems.
5) Has an operational endurance of 12 hours
with emergency endurance up to 96 hours.
6) Next milestone includes demonstration dives
to depths of up to 500 meters by the end of
2025.
Strategic Importance
Economic potential:
1) Ocean resources critical for achieving India's
target of over Rs. 100 billion "Blue
Economy".
2) Enables exploration and extraction of
polymetallic nodules containing valuable
minerals like manganese, nickel, cobalt, and
copper.
3) India has been allocated a 75,000 km² site in
the Central Indian Ocean Basin by the
International Seabed Authority.
4) Estimated 380 million tonnes of polymetallic
nodules in the area, containing 4.7 million
tonnes of nickel, 4.29 million tonnes of copper,
0.55 million tonnes of cobalt, and 92.59 million
tonnes of manganese.
5) Access to biotechnology applications,
marine biodiversity research, and energy
resources.
Security interests:
1) Protection against threats like China's recently
unveiled cable-cutting device capable of
severing underwater communication or
power lines.
2) Enhanced underwater domain awareness
crucial for safeguarding maritime interests.
3) Protection of undersea cables that transmit
more than 95% of intercontinental Internet
traffic.
Challenges
1) Average depth in Indian EEZ is 3,741 meters,
requiring specialized technology.
2) Pressure increases approximately one
atmosphere for every 10 meters of ocean
depth, requiring special construction materials
and processes.
3) Underwater communication affected by
hydrological conditions like temperature,
pressure, and salinity.
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4) Development requires substantial financial
investment, research capabilities, and highly
skilled human capital.
Recommendations
1) Establish institutes of excellence in deep sea
research to nurture expertise.
2) Incentivize deep ocean science and
engineering through generous funding.
3) Upgrade Department of Ocean Development
to a full-fledged ministry led by a cabinet-
rank minister.
4) Implement well-funded, time-bound, result-
oriented projects in "mission-mode".
5) Develop a comprehensive ten-year strategic
plan.
6) Consider dual-use implications of deep sea
technologies in conflict scenarios.
NEWS IN SHORT: SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY
GE to deliver first of 99 F-404 engines for
Tejas MK 1A by March-end
1) GE is set to deliver the first F-404 engine for
India's indigenous Tejas MK-1A fighter
aircraft after completing final tests at its Lynn
facility in the US
2) This delivery ends a production delay that
had affected Tejas MK-1A timelines, with GE
committing to supply 12 engines this year
3) HAL has already built three aircraft using
reserve "Category B" engines from previous
deals
4) The company aims to manufacture 11 Tejas
MK-1As by end-2025, with all 83 aircraft in
the current order to be delivered by 2031-32
Japan's Astroscale Partners with Indian
Space Firms for Orbital Debris Removal
1) Japanese firm Astroscale has partnered with
Indian space companies Digantara and
Bellatrix Aerospace to collaborate on orbital
debris removal technology
2) The partnership aims to develop orbital
services for Indian customers within 1-2
years, marking Astroscale's first operation in
Asia-Pacific outside Japan
3) With increasing satellites in orbit, collision
risks could exceed $500 million over the next
five years according to industry analysts
4) Digantara offers space situational
awareness services while Bellatrix
specializes in satellite propulsion systems
Grok AI Faces Controversy Over Alleged
Bias Against BJP, As IT Ministry
Questions X on Training Data Concerns
1) The IT Ministry has questioned X (formerly
Twitter) about responses generated by Elon
Musk's AI chatbot Grok that were perceived
as anti-BJP
2) Grok's controversial responses included
claims that Rahul Gandhi is more honest
than PM Modi and comments on Modi's
limited press conferences
3) The government has sought clarification on
the data used to train Grok, with no
shutdown ordered yet
4) The controversy has sparked debates about
AI regulation, free speech, and government
control over AI tools
5) This follows similar controversies with other
AI chatbots like Google's Gemini, which
previously called Modi a "fascist"
IndiaAI Mission and Gates Foundation
Partnership
1) India's AI mission and the Gates Foundation
are set to sign a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) for developing AI
solutions.
2) The collaboration aims to create AI solutions
for better crops, stronger healthcare,
smarter education, and climate
resilience.
3) This partnership follows India's recent
agreement with Parliament to leverage data
for indigenous AI technology development.
4) The government is also focusing on
developing indigenous GPU chips to support
AI infrastructure.
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Geography and Environment
March 2025
Places in News: Madhav National Park becomes India’s 58th Tiger Reserve Link
Image Reference Link
Why in News? Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh was declared India’s 58th Tiger Reserve on
March 9, 2025, marking a milestone in wildlife conservation efforts.
Key Details
1) Location: Shivpuri district (Chambal region), Madhya Pradesh
2) Significance: MP’s 9th Tiger Reserve, reflecting the state’s leadership in tiger conservation
3) Tiger Population
a) Current count: 5 tigers (including 2 newborn cubs)
b) Plans to introduce 2 more tigers soon
c) Reintroduction project: 3 tigers (2 females) translocated in 2023
This designation underscores India’s expanding tiger conservation network and MP’s pivotal role
in preserving biodiversity.
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Establishment of a Tiger Reserve
1) State Government identifies a potential area (existing national park/wildlife sanctuary with viable
tiger habitat) and submits a proposal to the NTCA.
2) NTCA reviews the proposal and grants in-principle approval if the area meets ecological criteria
(e.g., tiger population, habitat viability, connectivity)
3) State is then required to submit a detailed Tiger Conservation Plan under Section 38V of the
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
4) Core and Buffer Zone Delineation
a) Core Zone: Legally designated as a national park/sanctuary with minimal human interference.
It requires protection from biotic pressures (e.g., logging, grazing)
b) Buffer Zone: Peripheral area mixing forests and human settlements. Limits are set by the
Gram Sabha and an Expert Committee to balance conservation and community needs.
5) Final Notification: After NTCA’s approval, the State Government officially notifies the area as a
tiger reserve through a gazette notification.
Facts of the Day: Delhi’s air worst among capitals, Byrnihat’s the world’s most foul, finds new
report Link
Why in News? Delhi was
named the world’s most
polluted capital for the sixth
consecutive year, while
Byrnihat (Assam-
Meghalaya border)
emerged as the most
polluted city globally, per
IQAir’s 2024 World Air
Quality Report.
Global rankings:
1) Top polluted
countries: Chad (91.8
µg/m³), Bangladesh (78
µg/m³), Pakistan (73.7
µg/m³), Congo (58.2
µg/m³), India (50.6
µg/m³)
2) India’s rank: Improved
from 3rd (2023) to 5th
most polluted country
3) Least polluted: Australia, Iceland, and New Zealand met WHO standards
Indian cities:
1) 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India.
2) Byrnihat: PM2.5 at 128.2 µg/m³ (25× WHO limit)
3) Delhi: PM2.5 averaged 91.6 µg/m³ (18× WHO limit)
4) Other cities: Faridabad, Gurugram, Noida, Greater Noida, and Mullanpur
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Health and Environmental Impact
1) Life expectancy: Reduced by 5.2 years in India
2) PM2.5 sources: Fossil fuels, stubble burning (60% during peak periods), industrial emissions, and
construction
3) Monitoring gaps: Only 17% of global cities met WHO’s PM2.5 guidelines (5 µg/m³)
Pollution Trends in India
1) Decline: National PM2.5 fell 7% (54.4 µg/m³ in 2023 → 50.6 µg/m³ in 2024)
2) Regional spikes:
a) Northern India: Severe pollution in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana (November 2024)
b) Baddi, Himachal Pradesh: Peak PM2.5 of 165 µg/m³ (January 2024)
This report underscores India’s persistent air quality crisis despite marginal improvements, driven
by industrial growth, lax regulations, and agricultural practices.
Keyword of the Day: Menhir Link
Why in News? The Mudumal megalithic
menhirs in Telangana's Narayanpet
district have been added to UNESCO's
tentative World Heritage list, potentially
becoming the state's second World
Heritage Site.
What Are Menhirs?
1) Large upright stones typically tapered at
the top, sculpted and placed by humans.
2) Name derived from Brittonic words "maen"
(stone) and "hîr" (long).
3) Range in size from several feet to massive
structures (largest known: Grand Menhir
Brisé in France at 20.6m tall)
4) Often part of larger megalithic complexes
including stone circles, alignments, and
burial sites.
5) Popularly known from Asterix comics
where character Obelix carries and delivers them.
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The Mudumal Site
1) Mudumal menhirs date to 3,500-4,000 years ago, among oldest in India.
2) Features approximately 80 tall menhirs (10-14 feet high) with nearly 3,000 alignment stones spread
across 80 acres.
3) Stones arranged in specific formations including circles and straight lines.
4) Considered one of India's most expansive and well-preserved megalithic observatory sites.
5) Precise alignments with celestial bodies, particularly during solstices and equinoxes.
6) Known locally as "Niluralla Thimmappa" with one particular menhir worshipped as Goddess
Yellamma.
Picture of the Day: Indian long-billed vulture
About Indian long-billed
vulture
1) Scientific Name: Gyps
indicus (Scopoli, 1786)
2) Common Names: Indian
vulture, Long-billed vulture,
Indian Griffon
3) Native Range: Indian
subcontinent (India and
Southeast Pakistan)
a) Found primarily in
peninsular India,
including Karnataka and
Tamil Nadu
b) Notable populations in
Nilgiris and
Sathyamangalam
landscapes
c) Rediscovered in Moyar river valley in Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary in 2010
d) Breeding populations observed in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve with 74% breeding success rate
Conservation Status
1) IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered (since 2002)
2) Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Schedule 1
3) CITES: Appendix II
Population Status
1) Estimated 5,000-15,000 mature individuals remaining in the wild
2) Suffered a catastrophic 97% population decrease over 10-15 years (1990s-2000s)
3) Annual decline rates averaged over 16% between 2000-2007
Threats
1) Primary Threat: Diclofenac poisoning - a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in
treating cattle
2) Forest fires
3) Retaliatory poisoning of predators by farmers
4) Loss of nesting habitat
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Conservation Efforts
1) Action Plan for Vulture Conservation in India (2020-2025) - follows previous action plan from 2006
2) Captive breeding programs established across India, with release of birds beginning in 2016
3) Ban on veterinary use of diclofenac implemented in India, Pakistan and Nepal in 2006
4) Creation of Vulture Safe Zones
5) State-level conservation committees (such as in Tamil Nadu)
Ecological Importance
1) Keystone species in the ecosystem
2) Natural scavengers that remove carrion, helping decrease pollution and spread of diseases
3) Their decline has led to increases in feral dog populations, causing rises in rabies infections in humans
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IE Explained; By Sujit Bisoyi, Alind Chauhan;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Environment Link
Why in News? Over 6.98 lakh endangered
Olive Ridley turtles nested at Rushikulya (Feb
16–25, 2025), breaking the 2023 record and
reviving hopes after 2024’s unexplained
absence.
Factors Behind Record Nesting in 2025
1) Climatic & Beach Conditions
a) Optimal weather:
i) No February rainfall → prevented
beach erosion.
ii) Gentle winds/swells aided offshore
congregation.
b) Ideal beach slope (15.5° gradient) and
width (9 km stretch).
c) Sand composition (medium grain, pH
8.01–8.22) retained nest stability.
2) Ecological Synchronization
a) Daytime nesting spanned 3–4 days vs.
usual 1–2 days
b) Earlier nesting timing (mid-Feb vs.
March/April) → better hatchling survival
prospects
c) Tagged turtles returned: 340 females from
2021–2023 tracked
3) Odisha’s Conservation Efforts:
a) 9 km beach fencing with predator patrols
b) Operation Olivia: Coast Guard patrols to
curb illegal fishing
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Factsheet: Olive Ridley Turtles
1) Scientific name: Lepidochelys olivacea
2) Size: 60–70 cm carapace length; Weight:
35–50 kg
3) Lifespan: Up to 50 years
4) Distinctive features: Olive-green heart-
shaped shell, 5–9 pairs of costal scutes
5) Habitat & Distribution
a) Range: Tropical waters of the Pacific,
Atlantic, and Indian Oceans
b) Nesting sites: Odisha (Rushikulya,
Gahirmatha), Costa Rica, Mexico
6) Nesting Behaviour
a) Arribada: Synchronized mass nesting
involving thousands of females
b) Eggs per clutch: 90–130; Incubation: 45–
65 days
c) Natal homing: Females return to their
birthplace to nest
7) Conservation Status
a) IUCN: Vulnerable
b) Wildlife (Protection) Act, India: Schedule
I
c) CITES: Appendix I
d) Population decline: 50% since the 1960s
due to poaching, bycatch, and habitat
loss
8) Threats
a) Fisheries: Bycatch in trawling nets
(largest threat)
b) Coastal development: Beach erosion
and light pollution disrupt nesting
c) Climate change: Alters sand
temperature (affects hatchling sex ratios)
TH Frontpage; By Ishita Mishra;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Disaster Management
Link
Why in News? An avalanche buried 55 BRO
workers in Uttarakhand’s Mana village, with 33
rescued and 22 still missing, rescue
operations face extreme weather and
repeated avalanche threats.
Key Observations from 2025 Event
1) Warning-Response Gap: Despite DGRE's
yellow (Feb 26-27) and red alerts (Feb 28), the
BRO camp remained operational, repeating
patterns from 2021 Chamoli disaster.
2) Equipment Shortfalls: Rescue teams lacked
heated suits and night-vision gear, forcing
operation halts at -15°C.
3) Data Management Issues: Initial casualty
figures fluctuated (57→55→33 rescued→22
missing) due to poor worker registration.
4) Climate Blindspots: Continued development
in high-risk zones despite 2021 NDMA
recommendations against hydropower projects
in fragile ecosystems.
Aspect
Actions Taken
Systemic Gaps Highlighted
Early
Warnings &
Preparedness
1) Defence Geoinformatics Research
Establishment (DGRE) issued avalanche
warnings 24 hours prior for areas >2,400m
2) IMD predicted heavy snowfall above
3,500m
3) BRO alerted about weather patterns
through established channels
1) Camp operated despite warnings
2) No evacuation despite yellow/red
alerts
3) Historical closure norms ignored
due to "less snowfall"
Rescue
Operations
1) Deployed 150+ IBEX Brigade troops with
high-altitude training
2) Established Joshimath control room for
coordination
3) IAF Mi-17 helicopters kept on standby
1) No all-weather rescue equipment
2) Communication breakdowns due to
lack of satellite phones
3) Road blockages delayed ground
teams
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Post-
Disaster
Measures
1) Air ambulances stationed at Gauchar
airstrip
2) Medical facilities prepared at AIIMS
Rishikesh
3) Helpline numbers activated for families
1) No structured psychosocial support
system
2) Incomplete worker registry from
multiple states
3) No long-term monitoring plan for
avalanche zones
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TH States; By Sarath Babu George;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Environment Link
Why in News? Two new species of jumping
spiders (Epidelaxia falciformis and
Epidelaxia palustris) were discovered in
Western Ghats, marking the first record of the
genus Epidelaxia in the country and expanding
its known range beyond Sri Lanka.
Image Reference: Link
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Species Details
1) Epidelaxia falciformis
a) Size: 4.39 mm (male).
b) Physical traits: Brown carapace with
yellow-brown stripe.
2) Epidelaxia palustris
a) Size: 4.57 mm (male), 3.69 mm (female).
b) Physical traits: Pale brown lateral body
band (male), white orbital setae around
eyes (female).
3) Shared traits:
a) Prominent yellow triangular mark on the
female prosoma.
b) Unique copulatory organs in both sexes for
species differentiation.
4) Habitat: Dense foliage of Shendurney Wildlife
Sanctuary (Kollam, Kerala).
IE Frontpage; Nikhil Ghanekar, Parimal A Dabhi;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Environment Link
Why in News? Prime Minister Narendra Modi
announced key wildlife conservation
measures during the NBWL meeting at Gir
National Park on World Wildlife Day (March
3, 2025).
Key announcements
1) Project Cheetah expansion: Cheetahs to be
introduced in Gandhisagar Sanctuary
(Madhya Pradesh) and Banni Grasslands
(Gujarat).
2) Asiatic Lion conservation
a) Population estimation exercise to begin in
May 2025 (last survey: 2020).
b) ₹2,900 crore allocated for Project Lion (10-
year plan) to expand lion habitats in
Saurashtra.
c) Emphasis on community participation (e.g.,
Maldharis in lion conservation).
3) New conservation programs
a) Gharial Conservation Project: Focus on
reversing population decline.
b) National Great Indian Bustard
Conservation Plan: Details pending
alignment with existing recovery plans.
4) Human-wildlife conflict management:
Centre of Excellence to be established in
Coimbatore for advanced conflict mitigation
tools (tracking gadgets, surveillance systems).
5) Other initiatives
a) Riverine dolphin report: 6,327 dolphins
counted across Ganga, Brahmaputra, and
Indus basins.
b) National Referral Centre for Wildlife: To
be set up in Junagadh for disease
management and research.
c) Integration of traditional knowledge and
AI/geospatial tech for forest fire and conflict
management.
6) Push for India’s global leadership via the
International Big Cat Alliance (launched 2023).
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Factsheet: Cheetah
The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is the
fastest land animal, renowned for its speed
and agility.
Habitat & Distribution
1) Range: Fragmented populations in Africa
(mainly Namibia, Botswana, South Africa)
and central Iran
2) Habitat: Savannas, grasslands, arid
mountains, and hilly deserts
Threats: Habitat loss, human conflict,
poaching, and disease. Only ~6,500 remain
globally
Behaviour
1) Social Structure: Females are solitary or
raise cubs; males form coalitions
2) Activity: Diurnal (active at dawn/dusk) to
avoid nocturnal predators like lions
Subspecies
Range
Population
Estimate
Southeast
African
Southern
Africa
~4,000
Asiatic
Central Iran
60–100
Northeast
African
Chad,
Ethiopia,
South
Sudan
~900
East
African
Kenya,
Tanzania,
Uganda
~1,000
Conservation Status
1) IUCN Status:
a) Global status: Vulnerable
b) Subspecies-Specific Status:
i) Asiatic cheetah: Critically
Endangered (fewer than 50
individuals in Iran)
ii) Northwest African cheetah:
Critically Endangered
2) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 Status:
Schedule I
3) CITES Status: Appendix I
Cheetah Reintroduction Project India –
Project Cheetah
1) Cheetahs in India declared extinct in 1952
2) Launched in 2022, focuses on translocating
African cheetahs to India to establish a
viable metapopulation, revive ecosystems,
and boost biodiversity.
3) Cheetah Translocations
a) First Batch (2022): Eight cheetahs (5
females, 3 males) from Namibia were
released in Kuno National Park (KNP),
Madhya Pradesh
b) Second Batch (2023): Twelve cheetahs
from South Africa joined Kuno
c) Current Population: As of early 2025,
Kuno houses 24 cheetahs, including 14
cubs born in India
4) 20 additional cheetahs from South Africa
are slated for import by mid-2025, pending
CITES permits and progress reports.
Factsheet: Asiatic Lion
1) A subspecies endemic to India
2) Once on the brink of extinction, its population
has rebounded to over 650 individuals as
of 2024
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3) Current Range: Confined to dry deciduous
forests and scrublands of Gir National Park
(Gujarat) and adjacent coastal/satellite
areas
4) Conservation Status
a) IUCN Status: Vulnerable
b) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 Status:
Schedule I
c) CITES Status: Appendix I
Factsheet: Gharial
1) Population: ~900 individuals globally
(2017 estimate), with ~600 adults in India
and Nepal
2) Preferred Habitat: Deep, fast-flowing rivers
with sandy banks for nesting
3) Indicator Species: Presence signals clean,
biodiverse river ecosystems
4) Key Indian Populations:
a) Chambal River (National Chambal
Sanctuary): Hosts ~77% of the global
population
b) Girwa River (Uttar Pradesh) and
Gandak River (Bihar): Breeding
populations reinforced via captive
releases
c) Ramganga (Uttarakhand) and Son
Rivers (Bihar): Smaller populations
5) Conservation Status
a) IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
b) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 Status:
Schedule I
c) CITES Status: Appendix I
Factsheet: Great Indian Bustard
1) World’s heaviest flying birds
2) Habitat: Arid/semi-arid grasslands,
scrublands, and lightly grazed pastures.
Avoids wetlands and dense vegetation.
3) Range: Now restricted to 6 Indian states
(Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh) and parts of Pakistan.
a) Rajasthan’s Thar Desert holds ~70% of
the remaining population (~173
individuals)
4) Omnivorous: Feeds on insects
(grasshoppers, beetles), seeds, berries
(Ziziphus spp.), rodents, and reptiles (e.g.,
spiny-tailed lizards).
5) Conservation Status
a) IUCN: Critically Endangered
b) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:
Schedule I
c) CITES: Appendix I
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Factsheet: River Dolphins in India
Ganges River Dolphin
1) Declared India's National Aquatic Animal
in 2009
2) Population (2025 survey): 6,324 in Ganga-
Brahmaputra systems
3) Key features: Blind, uses echolocation,
swims sideways, and surfaces every 30-120
seconds to breathe
4) IUCN Status: Endangered
5) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
6) CITES: Appendix I
Indus River Dolphin
1) Population (2025 survey): 3 in Beas River
(Punjab)
2) State aquatic animal of Punjab
3) IUCN Status: Endangered
4) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
5) CITES: Appendix I
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IE Explained; Vaishnawi Sinha;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Environment Link
Why in News? The Uttar Pradesh
government employed the Miyawaki
afforestation technique during the 2025
Mahakumbh in Prayagraj to combat pollution
and beautify the area, covering 56,000 sqm
with dense native plantations.
Miyawaki Technique
Origins:
1) Developed by Japanese botanist Akira
Miyawaki in the 1970s to restore degraded
urban forests.
2) Inspired by Japan’s sacred shrine forests
(“Chinju no Mori”) featuring layered native
trees.
Methodology:
1) Soil preparation: Adjusted to match native
plant requirements and local climate.
2) High-density planting: 3–5 saplings per sqm,
using random (non-linear) patterns.
3) Native species focus: Includes mango,
neem, peepal, tamarind, and ber in Prayagraj.
4) Rapid growth: Forests mature in ~3 years due
to competition for sunlight.
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Advantages
1) Urban suitability: Thrives in limited spaces
(e.g., Mumbai, Chennai).
2) Low maintenance: Self-sustaining after initial
2–3 years.
3) Environmental benefits:
a) Absorbs carbon emissions.
b) Reduces urban “heat island” effect via
shade and transpiration.
Criticism and Challenges
1) High upfront costs: Requires significant
investment and labour for soil prep and
planting.
2) Limited systemic impact:
a) Does not address root causes like
unsustainable urban planning or resource
depletion.
b) Cannot replace large-scale reforestation
efforts.
3) Ecological concerns: Overemphasis on
density might disrupt local biodiversity if non-
native species are accidentally introduced.
SPOTLIGHT: 2022 PYQ
The 'Miyawaki method' is well known for the:
a) Promotion of commercial farming in arid and
semi-arid areas
b) Development of gardens using genetically
modified flora
c) Creation of mini forests in urban areas
d) Harvesting wind energy on coastal areas
and on sea surfaces
TH Text & Context; Rupsy Khurana;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Environment Link
Why in the news? Mount Ruang’s eruption in
North Sulawesi (April 2024) has drawn
attention to the Wallace Line’s biogeographical
significance, as Sulawesi lies at the heart of
this boundary.
What is the Wallace Line?
1) Invisible boundary: Runs between Bali and
Lombok, north between Borneo and Sulawesi,
and south of Mindanao, separating Asian and
Australian fauna.
2) Foundations of biogeography: Wallace’s
fieldwork established modern biogeography by
linking species distribution to historical and
environmental factors.
3) Evolutionary significance: Represents a
dramatic shift in biodiversity over a narrow
distance, reflecting evolutionary divergence.
What did Wallace find on Sulawesi?
1) Unique species mix: Home to both Asian-
origin animals (e.g., tarsiers, anoa) and
Australian marsupials (e.g., dwarf cuscus).
2) Biogeographical puzzle: Wallace struggled to
classify Sulawesi as Asian or Australian due to
its hybrid fauna, noting affinities to Africa, India,
and the Philippines.
3) Island isolation: Species evolved uniquely
after Sulawesi broke from mainland Asia,
creating a “mixing zone” for both continents’
fauna.
What does the ancient past say?
1) Continental drift: Australia’s northward drift
into Asia (~4 million years ago) formed
Indonesian volcanic islands, isolating species.
2) Climate shifts: Monsoon variability and sea-
level changes spurred adaptation and
diversification.
3) Migration barriers:
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a) Asian species: Used tropical Malay islands
as “stepping stones” to Australia.
b) Australian species: Struggled to migrate
north due to cooler evolutionary origins and
later emergence of southern routes.
Does the Wallace Line matter today?
1) Conservation urgency: The Indo-Malayan
archipelago faces habitat destruction,
threatening species already constrained by
historical biogeography.
2) Scientific tools: Advanced modelling and
simulations now clarify species dispersal
patterns and adaptive traits.
3) Beyond the line:
a) The line is a simplification; boundaries are
“fuzzy” due to overlapping datasets and
methods.
b) Focus should shift to mitigating habitat loss
and climate impacts rather than redrawing
lines.
The Wallace Line remains a cornerstone of
biogeography, illustrating how deep-time
geological and climatic forces shape
biodiversity. Modern research underscores the
need to protect these dynamic ecosystems
amid escalating environmental crises.
Related Concepts
Huxley's Modification of Wallace's Line:
Proposed by Thomas Henry Huxley in 1868,
this line shifts Wallace's original boundary
westward to include the Philippines within
the Australasian realm, based on bird
species distributions.
Weber's Line: Named after Max Carl
Wilhelm Weber, this line marks the point
where there is an equal balance of species
of Asian and Australian origin. It lies farther
east than Wallace's Line, closer to New
Guinea.
Lydekker's Line: Defined by Richard
Lydekker in 1896, this line represents the
easternmost limit of Asian fauna and
corresponds to the western edge of the
Australian continental shelf. It marks where
marsupials dominate and excludes most
Oriental species.
IE Explained;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Geography Link
Why in News? Cyclone Alfred threatens
southeast Queensland and northern New
South Wales in Australia — a region
unaccustomed to tropical cyclones — with
heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding.
Rarity of Cyclone Alfred
1) Uncommon location: Formed south of typical
cyclone-prone zones, near southeast
Queensland/northern New South Wales—last
such event was Cyclone Zoe (1974).
2) Steering mechanism: A high-pressure system
over the Tasman Sea forced it westward
toward populated areas.
3) Population risk: Affects ~4 million people in
cities like Brisbane and Gold Coast, where
infrastructure isn’t cyclone-resistant.
Factors Increasing Danger
1) Slow movement:
a) Prolonged rainfall due to lingering over the
region, worsening flooding.
b) Sustained coastal erosion and flooding
from persistent waves.
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2) Weak steering winds: Slow forward motion
(landfall delayed to Saturday) extends
exposure time.
3) Climate link: While not directly proven, erratic
cyclone patterns align with climate change
trends.
This combination of rare location, slow speed,
and dense population in its path makes Alfred
a high-risk event.
IE Explained; By Nikhil Ghanekar
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Environment Link
Why in News? Madhav National Park in
Madhya Pradesh was declared as India's 58th
tiger reserve on March 9, 2025, covering an
area of 1,651 sq km with six tigers including a
cub.
Historical Context of Tiger Conservation
1) British colonial impact: Hunting reached
unprecedented scale during British rule,
continuing post-independence among elites
and tourists.
2) Initial response: Government banned tiger
skin exports in 1969; IUCN recognized tigers
as endangered species that year.
3) Project Tiger launch: Initiated in April 1973
after Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; started with
nine reserves across India.
4) Institutional development: National Tiger
Conservation Authority (NTCA) created in
2005-06 for Project Tiger oversight.
Significance of Tiger Reserves
1) Conservation purpose: Creates protected
"core" areas with restricted human activity and
buffer zones with limited access.
2) Ecological role: Maintains viable tiger
populations while preserving broader habitat
ecosystems.
3) Corridor function: New reserves like Madhav
provide vital connectivity between isolated tiger
populations, enhancing genetic diversity.
4) Border protection: Madhav Tiger Reserve
specifically provides connectivity for
Ranthambore tigers crossing the Chambal
river.
Current Status of Tigers in India
1) Population figures: Approximately 3,681
tigers as of 2022-23, representing 75% of
global wild tiger population.
2) Habitat coverage: Tigers occupy around
89,000 sq km across five major landscapes in
India.
3) Key strongholds: Corbett (260 tigers) has
largest population, followed by Bandipur (150)
and Nagarhole (141).
4) State distribution: Madhya Pradesh leads
with 785 tigers, followed by Karnataka (563),
Uttarakhand (560), and Maharashtra (444).
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Challenges Facing Tiger Reserves
1) Habitat pressures: Human settlements, illegal
tree felling, grazing, and encroachment reduce
available tiger territory.
2) Prey base concerns: Shrinking herbivore
populations create sustainability issues for
growing tiger numbers.
3) Human conflict: Reserves near towns (like
Madhav near Shivpuri) face increased risk of
human-tiger encounters.
4) Infrastructure impact: Development projects
and transportation corridors fragment habitats.
5) Regional disparities: Sixteen reserves have
minimal or no tiger populations, particularly in
central-eastern states.
6) Resettlement complexities: Relocating
villages from reserves faces political and social
resistance despite conservation benefits.
Conservation Outlook
1) Protection enhancement: Tiger reserve
status brings better management, increased
staffing, and stronger anti-poaching measures.
2) Corridor development: Focus on creating
secure wildlife passages between isolated
reserves.
3) Technology integration: Advanced
monitoring using AI and drone surveillance
improving tiger tracking.
4) Community engagement: Balancing local
community needs with conservation through
sustainable tourism and participation.
IE Explained; By Alind Chauhan;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Environment Link
Why in News? Scientists discovered
numerous potential new species on the
seafloor exposed by the A-84 iceberg that
broke away from Antarctica's George VI Ice
Shelf in January 2025.
A large sponge on the seabed that was very
recently covered by the George VI Ice Shelf.
(Photo: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean
Institute)
Expedition Details
1) Part of Challenger 150, a UNESCO-endorsed
global deep-sea research initiative.
2) A 510-sq-km iceberg (2.5 times the size of
Kolkata) breaking away provided access to
previously unreachable underwater
ecosystems.
3) Scientists used remotely operated vehicle
(ROV) SuBastian to explore the seafloor for
eight days at depths up to 1,300 meters.
4) The discoveries were officially announced on
Thursday.
Surprising Discoveries
1) Flourishing ecosystems including large
corals, sponges, icefish, giant sea spiders,
and octopi were found.
2) Notable findings include a giant phantom
jellyfish (can grow up to a meter wide) and a
vase-shaped sponge potentially hundreds of
years old.
A helmet jellyfish
3) Based on animal size, these communities have
likely existed for decades or even centuries.
4) Dr. Patricia Esquete stated: "We didn't expect
to find such a beautiful, thriving ecosystem".
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King crabs
An octopus
Why were scientists surprised?
1) Deep-sea communities typically depend on
photosynthesizing organisms from the surface
for nutrients.
2) These Antarctic ecosystems have been
covered by 150-meter-thick ice for centuries,
completely cut off from surface nutrients.
3) Scientists hypothesize that ocean currents,
glacial meltwater, or other mechanisms
must be transporting essential nutrients to
sustain life beneath the ice shelf.
4) Knowledge about life under Antarctica's ice
shelves is extremely limited—first evidence of
bottom-dwelling life beneath an Antarctic ice
shelf was only reported in 2021.
IE Explained; By Alind Chauhan;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Environment Link
Why in News? UNESCO released 'The
United Nations World Water Development
Report 2025 – Mountains and glaciers:
Water towers' to mark the first World Day for
Glaciers on March 21, 2025, highlighting
accelerating changes in mountain ranges due
to soaring temperatures.
Key Impacts of Global Warming on
Mountains
Accelerated Glacier Melting
1) Glaciers are disappearing at unprecedented
rates, with the last three years recording the
largest glacial mass loss ever documented.
2) Since 1975, glaciers have lost over 9,000
billion tonnes of mass, equivalent to a 25-
meter thick ice block the size of Germany.
3) Five of the last six years registered the largest
losses, with glaciers losing 450 gigatons in
2024 alone.
4) Melting is exacerbated by more frequent
wildfires and dust storms depositing black
carbon on glacier surfaces, increasing solar
radiation absorption and accelerating melt
rates.
97
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Permafrost Thawing
1) Permafrost (ground that remains frozen for at
least two years) is thawing rapidly in high-
altitude regions.
2) Mountain soil permafrost contains
approximately 4.5% of global soil organic
carbon, which gets released into the
atmosphere upon thawing, worsening climate
change.
3) Permafrost thaw destabilizes rock slopes,
moraines, and debris-covered slopes,
increasing landslide risks.
Snow Cover Reduction
1) Snow cover has declined in almost all
mountain regions, especially during spring and
summer.
2) A significant global mean decline of 7.79% in
persistent snow cover occurred between
1979 and 2022.
3) The elevation at which rainfall transitions to
snowfall is shifting upward due to warming.
4) Many mountain ranges are experiencing more
precipitation as rain rather than snow, with
shorter snow duration and earlier snowmelt.
Global Consequences
Water Resource Disruption
1) Mountains cover 33 million sq km of Earth's
surface and are crucial for sustaining life
globally.
2) Approximately 2 billion people downstream
depend on mountains for freshwater from
melting glaciers.
3) Water flows from mountains are becoming
more erratic, uncertain, and variable, affecting
quantity, timing, and quality of downstream
water resources.
Increased Natural Hazards
1) Glacier melting and permafrost thaw increase
the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
2) GLOFs have caused more than 12,000 deaths
in the past 200 years and severe damage to
infrastructure and farmland.
Sea Level Rise
1) Melted glacier ice accounts for 25-30% of
currently observed global sea level
increase.
2) Between 2006-2016, global glacier ice mass
loss contributed almost 1mm per year to sea
level rise.
3) Each millimeter of sea level rise can expose up
to 300,000 people to annual flooding.
Universal Impact: These changes ultimately
affect everyone globally, requiring urgent
policy frameworks and resource mobilization
to address the crisis.
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IE Explained; By Amitabh Sinha;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Environment Link
Why in News? A new government report
values India's bioeconomy at $165 billion in
2024 (4.25% of GDP), with projections to
reach $300 billion by 2030 and $1 trillion by
2047.
Current Status
1) Grown from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7
billion in 2024, marking a 16-fold increase
over the past decade
2) Maintained compound annual growth rate
(CAGR) of 17.9% over past four years
3) Number of companies increased by 90% in
three years, from 5,365 (2021) to 10,075
(2024)
4) Bio-industrial sector contributes nearly half
the value (~$78 billion or 48%)
5) Bio-pharma/biomedical sector accounts for
about 35-36% of total value
6) Research and IT was the fastest growing
segment in 2024
7) Five states (Maharashtra, Karnataka,
Telangana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh) account
for over two-thirds of bioeconomy value
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8) Eastern and northeastern regions generate
less than 6% of total value
Future Projections
1) Expected to reach $300 billion by 2030,
maintaining double-digit growth
2) Bio-medical and bio-industrial sectors
projected to reach $128 billion and $121
billion respectively by 2030
3) Companies projected to double by 2030,
potentially employing 35 million people
4) Regional imbalance needs addressing to
sustain high growth rates
Government Initiatives
1) BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy,
Environment and Employment) policy
approved in 2024
2) Aims to establish India as global bio-
manufacturing hub through biomanufacturing
facilities, bio foundry clusters, and Bio-AI hubs
3) Focuses on six key areas: bio-based
chemicals, functional foods, precision
biotherapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture,
carbon capture, and marine/space research
Challenges Facing India's Bioeconomy
1) Regulatory Fragmentation: Multiple
agencies (DBT, FSSAI) with overlapping roles
create delays, exemplified by the controversial
and time-consuming approval process for Bt
Brinjal
2) Inadequate R&D Investment: India invests
only 0.8% of GDP in R&D compared to over 2%
by the US and China, hindering innovation and
growth potential
3) Talent and Skill Shortage: 45% of executives
report that PhD degrees and regulatory
qualifications in India fall short of industry
requirements, creating a significant skills gap
4) Limited Infrastructure: Startups struggle to
find laboratory space for research, with bio-
incubation centres trying to address the "plug
and play" laboratory needs
5) Global Competition: India faces stiff
competition from countries with more
advanced biotech sectors (US, China, South
Korea), affecting investment flows and talent
retention
Recommendations for Future Growth
1) Streamline Approval Processes: Implement
single-window systems like the Biological
Research Regulatory Approval Portal
(BioRRAP) to simplify biological research
approvals
2) Boost Funding Mechanisms: Expand
programs like BIRAC's startup support (INR 5-
70 million per startup) and Biotechnology
Ignition Grant (up to Rs. 50 lakhs) for early-
stage innovations
3) Strengthen Industry-Academia
Partnerships: Develop collaborative
programs like Merck's Atom programme to
attract students and bridge the industry-
relevant skill gap
4) Develop Specialized Infrastructure:
Establish Bio-AI Hubs and
Biofoundry/Biomanufacturing centers across
six thematic verticals including bio-based
chemicals, functional foods, and precision
biotherapeutics
5) Foster International Collaborations:
Leverage initiatives like the Global Biofuel
Alliance (with Brazil and US) to boost domestic
production and enhance economic stability
IE Explained;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Geography Link
Why in News? A 7.7 magnitude earthquake
struck central Myanmar on March 29, 2025,
killing at least 144 people in Mandalay, with
impacts in Thailand and Northeast India.
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Recent Earthquake Characteristics
(Myanmar, March 2025)
1) 7.7 magnitude earthquake - strongest
worldwide in the past two years
2) Shallow depth of only 10 km, significantly
increasing its destructive potential
3) Epicenter just 17.2 km from Mandalay
(population 1.5 million), maximizing impact in
populated area
4) Occurred along the Sagaing Fault due to
strike-slip faulting between Indian and
Eurasian plates
5) Resulted in at least 144 deaths in Myanmar
and 9 in Thailand, with damage extending to
Northeast India
Causes of Myanmar's Frequent
Earthquakes
Tectonic Setting
1) Located at boundary between Indian and
Eurasian tectonic plates
2) Earthquakes occur when these plates
suddenly slip past each other, releasing stored
energy as seismic waves
3) Recent earthquake resulted from "strike slip
faulting" where plates rubbed sideways
against each other
4) The Indian plate moves northward along the
fault compared to the Eurasian plate
The Sagaing Fault
1) Runs north-south through central Myanmar
2) Marks the boundary between the Indian plate
(west) and Eurasian plate (east)
3) Prone to seismic activity due to ongoing
tectonic movement
4) Fault creates zones of fractures between rock
blocks, allowing movement that triggers
earthquakes
Historical Seismic Activity
1) At least six earthquakes of magnitude 7+ have
occurred near the Sagaing Fault since 1900
2) Notable events include:
a) January 1990: Magnitude 7 earthquake
causing 32 building collapses
b) February 1912: Magnitude 7.9 quake just
south of recent epicenter
c) 2016: 6.9 magnitude earthquake in
approximately the same area
3) Myanmar has experienced 14 earthquakes of
magnitude 6+ over the past century
4) The 1839 earthquake (estimated magnitude
8.3) was one of the worst, killing 300-400
people
101
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IE Explained;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Geography Link
Why in News? A devastating 7.7 magnitude
earthquake struck Myanmar, near Mandalay,
causing over 1,600 deaths and significant
infrastructure damage, with tremors felt in
neighboring countries like Thailand and India.
What is Earthquake Magnitude?
1) Definition: Magnitude is a quantitative
measure of an earthquake's size.
2) Difference from Intensity:
a) Magnitude measures the energy released
at the source.
b) Intensity describes the shaking felt at
specific locations.
How is Magnitude Measured?
1) Seismographs: Instruments record ground
motion during earthquakes. Modern devices
digitize this data for analysis.
2) Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw):
a) Replaced the Richter scale for accuracy.
b) Based on fault rupture area and seismic
wave size.
c) Provides a consistent measure across all
earthquake sizes.
Decline of the Richter Scale
1) Limitations:
a) Accurate only for small, local earthquakes
in specific conditions.
b) Inconsistent results as global seismograph
networks expanded.
2) Logarithmic Nature: Each unit increase
represents a tenfold increase in amplitude and
~32 times more energy release.
Measuring Intensity
1) Scales like the Modified Mercalli Intensity
(MMI) and MSK classify shaking effects from I
(least perceptible) to XII (most severe).
2) Intensity varies by location, decreasing with
distance from the epicentre.
NEWS IN SHORT: GEOGRAPHY &
ENVIRONMENT
Government Task Forces to Review
Nuclear Energy Laws
1) The Indian government has formed two
dedicated task forces to examine
amendments required in the Atomic Energy
Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear
Damage Act.
2) The first task force includes representatives
from multiple agencies and is examining
aspects like build-own-operate models for
nuclear plants by the private sector,
safety, security, and waste management.
3) The second task force is specifically
addressing concerns raised by private
suppliers regarding the CLND Act, which is
considered the biggest hurdle to private
sector participation.
4) These amendments aim to enable private
sector participation in nuclear power,
supporting India's ambitious target of 100
GW nuclear energy capacity by 2047.
5) As part of this initiative, Rs 20,000 crore has
been allocated for research and
development of small modular reactors
(SMRs), with five indigenously developed
SMRs to be operational by 2033.
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Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Eruption
1) Kilauea volcano in Hawaii shot lava
fountains as high as 1,000 feet (300
meters) into the air during its most recent
eruption on March 25-26, 2025.
2) The impressive display attracted numerous
visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
3) This eruption (Episode 15) began at 12:04
p.m. HST on March 25 and lasted until
Wednesday evening March 26.
4) The activity was preceded by over 100
cycles of "gas pistoning" - a phenomenon
of lava rise and fall, vent overflows, and
spatter fountains in the north vent.
5) The lava has remained confined within the
summit caldera (Halemaʻumaʻu crater) and
the park boundaries, posing no danger to
nearby residential communities.
6) The volcano emitted exceptionally high
levels of SO2 gas during recent episodes,
exceeding 40,000 tonnes per day3.
7) Kilauea ranks among the most active
volcanoes globally and is the most frequently
erupting volcano in Hawaii.
8) Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
encompasses both Kilauea and Mauna Loa
(the largest of Hawaii's six active volcanoes),
located about 200 miles south of Honolulu
on Hawaii's Big Island.
Kosi-Mechi Intra-State Link Project under
PMKSY-AIBP
1) Cabinet approved inclusion of Bihar's Kosi-
Mechi Intra-State Link Project under the
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana-
Accelerated Irrigation Benefits
Programme (PMKSY-AIBP).
2) Project estimated to cost Rs. 6,282.32 crore,
with Rs. 3,652.56 crore as central assistance
to Bihar.
3) Scheduled for completion by March 2029
and involves remodelling the Eastern Kosi
Main Canal.
4) Will provide additional irrigation to 2,10,516
hectares in Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, and
Katihar districts during Kharif season.
5) Aims to divert excess water from Kosi
River to Mahananda basin, enhancing
flood management in Bihar.
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Internal Security
March 2025
Picture of the Day: TROPEX
About TROPEX
Why in News? TROPEX-2025, India's largest biennial maritime exercise, concluded in early
March 2025 after a three-month operational cycle.
Timeline & Scope: Conducted from January to March 2025 across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR),
spanning 4,300 nautical miles north-south and 5,000 nautical miles east-west.
Participants:
1) 65-70 Indian Naval ships, 9-10 submarines, and 80+ aircraft, including INS Vikrant,
Visakhapatnam/Kolkata-class destroyers, and Kalvari-class submarines.
2) Joint operations with Indian Army, Air Force (Sukhoi-30, Jaguar fighters, AWACS) and Coast Guard
(10+ ships).
Key Activities:
1) Amphibious exercises (AMPHEX), cyber/electronic warfare drills, live weapon firings, and simulated
combat scenarios.
2) First-ever integration of Eastern and Western Fleets as a unified force.
3) Leadership Involvement: Vice Chiefs of Army, Navy, and Air Force observed operations aboard INS
Vikrant, emphasizing joint Manship.
4) Indigenous Showcase: INS Vikrant’s deployment highlighted India’s self-reliance in defence, with
MiG-29K operations and networked fleet coordination.
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TH Frontpage; By Shubhomoy Sikdar;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Internal Security Link
Why in News? 30 alleged Maoists killed in
twin operations in Bastar region of
Chhattisgarh on March 20, 2025.
Details of the Twin Baster Operations
1) 26 Maoists killed along Bijapur-Dantewada
boundary in south Bastar
2) 4 Maoists killed along Kanker-Narayanpur
border in north Bastar
3) One jawan from Bijapur District Reserve Guard
(DRG) lost his life
4) Large quantity of arms and ammunition
recovered
5) Joint team of security personnel conducted
combing operation in Gangaloor police station
area
6) First encounter began around 7 a.m. and
continued till afternoon
7) Second encounter involved joint police party of
DRG and Border Security Force
Official Statements
1) Union Home Minister Amit Shah called it
"another big success" toward 'Naxal Mukt
Bharat Abhiyan'
2) Shah stated government adopting "zero
tolerance policy" against non-surrendering
Naxalites
3) Shah claimed country will be "Naxal-free
before 31 March next year"
4) Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai termed
encounters a victory while expressing
condolence for fallen jawan
5) CM affirmed commitment to eradicating
Naxalism
Significance
1) Total Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh this year
now exceeds 100
2) Signals further intensification of anti-Maoist
campaign in the state
105
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NEWS IN SHORT: INTERNAL SECURITY
India's defence production reaches ₹1.27
lakh crore in 2023-24, growing 174%
since 2014-15
1) India's defence production reached a record
₹1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, marking a
174% increase from ₹46,429 crore in
2014-15, driven by the government's 'Make
in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives
2) The country now manufactures 65% of its
defence equipment domestically,
significantly reducing its historical import
dependency
3) Defence exports have surged to ₹21,083
crore, representing a 30-fold increase over
the past decade, with India now supplying
military equipment to over 100 countries
4) Key indigenous platforms developed include
Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets, Dhanush & ATAGS
artillery guns, INS Vikrant aircraft carrier,
Akash-NG missile systems, and Arjun Mk-1A
battle tanks
5) The Cabinet Committee on Security
recently approved procurement of 307
Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems
(ATAGS) worth ₹7,000 crore, equipping 15
Artillery Regiments with these indigenous
155mm/52-caliber howitzers
6) The government has set an ambitious target
of ₹3 lakh crore in annual defence
production and ₹50,000 crore in exports
by 2028-29
7) Over 14,000 items have been indigenized
under the 'SRIJAN' portal, and 3,000+
components included in Positive
Indigenisation Lists, mandating domestic
manufacturing
Indian Navy's AIKEYME and IOS Sagar
Initiatives
1) The Indian Navy will conduct its first major
naval exercise, AIKEYME (Africa-India Key
Maritime Engagement), with 10 African
nations in mid-April 2025.
106
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2) AIKEYME will be co-hosted by the Indian
Navy and Tanzania People's Defence Force
off Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and will be
formally inaugurated by Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh.
3) The six-day exercise will include
participation from India, Tanzania,
Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya,
Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique,
Seychelles, and South Africa.
4) The exercise aims to enhance
interoperability between African and Indian
naval forces, focusing on countering piracy,
illegal trafficking, and unregulated fishing.
5) Under the IOS Sagar initiative, INS Sunayna
will be deployed to the southwestern Indian
Ocean Region from April 15 to May 8, 2025,
with a multinational crew of Indian sailors
and 44 personnel from nine partner
countries.
6) The ship will make port calls at Dar-es-
Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria,
and Malé while conducting joint surveillance
of exclusive economic zones of Tanzania,
Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
7) Both initiatives align with India's SAGAR
(Security and Growth for All in the Region)
and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic
Advancement for Security and Growth
Across Regions) visions announced by
Prime Minister Modi.
Centre extends AFSPA for another 6
months in different parts of Nagaland &
northeastern states from 1st April
1) The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has
extended AFSPA in certain areas of
Nagaland and other northeastern states
for six more months, effective from April 1,
2025.
2) AFSPA grants special powers to the armed
forces to maintain public order in "disturbed
areas," including authority to use force,
arrest without warrant, and provide
protection to personnel from prosecution.
3) The Central Government has the authority
to declare an area as "disturbed" and
subsequently impose AFSPA. This is done
through a notification in the Official Gazette
by either the Central Government or the
Governor of the state.
4) The extension affects specific districts and
areas in Nagaland, as well as regions in
other northeastern states like Assam,
Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh that
continue to be classified as "disturbed
areas."
5) This extension comes despite ongoing
demands from civil society organizations
and state governments in the region for the
complete removal of AFSPA.
6) The extension indicates that the security
situation in these regions is still considered
challenging enough to warrant special
powers for armed forces.
Bilateral naval exercise 'INDRA'
commenced off the coast of Chennai
1) The 14th edition of the India-Russia
bilateral naval exercise 'INDRA 2025' that
commenced on March 28 brings together the
navies of both countries in a strategic
maritime partnership.
2) The exercise spans six days from March 28
to April 2, 2025, conducted off the coast of
Chennai and in the Bay of Bengal
3) The Harbour Phase includes opening
ceremony, Subject Matter Expert
Exchanges, reciprocal visits, sports fixtures,
and pre-sail briefings
4) The Sea Phase will feature advanced naval
drills including tactical maneuvers, live
weapon firings, anti-air operations, and
helicopter cross-deck landings
107
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Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
March 2025
Ethics News of the Day: The warp and weft of existentialism and svadharma Link
Why in News? Growing academic and philosophical interest in parallels between Western existentialism
(Sartre, Kierkegaard) and India’s dharmic concept of svadharma (self-determined duty), highlighting
shared themes of individual freedom and identity.
Key Intersections
1) Primacy of Existence Over Identity
a) Existentialism: Sartre’s “existence precedes essence” asserts humans define themselves through
choices, not pre-set roles.
b) Svadharma: Ancient Indian texts (e.g., Ashtavakra Gita, Mahabharata) reject rigid caste/class roles,
emphasizing self-realization beyond social constructs.
2) Freedom vs. Social Constraints
a) Sartre critiques societal “lies” (class divisions) as artificial barriers to authenticity.
b) Svadharma challenges caste-based dharma, advocating self-determination akin to Karna’s
declaration: “my manhood is all by me”.
3) Ethical Responsibility
a) Existentialists link personal freedom to collective responsibility (“I cannot make liberty my aim
unless I make that of others my aim” – Sartre)
b) Bhagavad Gita ties action (karma) to universal welfare (“Act to bring the world together”)
4) Atheism vs. Spirituality
a) Sartre’s atheistic existentialism rejects divine authority, centering on human agency.
b) Svadharma accommodates both atheistic (Ashtavakra Gita) and theistic (Kierkegaardian “God-
willed purpose”) paths to self-realization.
Divergences
1) Role of Faith: Kierkegaard’s Christian existentialism prioritizes faith in God, while Sartre and
svadharma (in some interpretations) reject divinity as a moral anchor.
2) Collective Identity: Existentialism focuses on individual angst; svadharma often balances self-duty
(svadharma) with societal harmony (loka-sangraha)
Both philosophies address navigating identity in a fractured world, offering frameworks for self-
legislation amid external pressures—existentialism through radical freedom, svadharma through
dharma reinterpreted as personal authenticity.
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Ethics News of the Day: Elephants in temple festival tradition: Supreme Court stays Kerala HC
order Link
Why in News? Supreme Court stayed Kerala High
Court's January 13, 2025 order that directed the
state government to stipulate distance between
elephants in temple festivals.
Details of the Case
1) SC bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and S C
Sharma observed that use of elephants in
temple festivals is part of cultural tradition.
2) Court was hearing a plea by 'Viswa Gaja Seva
Samithi', an association of elephant lovers.
3) Petitioners alleged some NGOs were attempting to stop Hindu religious festivals using foreign funds.
4) Petitioners contended HC Division Bench was "preconceived, biased and acting against statutory
provisions".
5) HC had stated there is no essential religious practice mandating elephants in festivals.
6) Samithi argued elephants in Kerala are revered as sacred animals symbolizing strength, divinity and
prosperity.
Ethical Arguments in Support of
Using Elephants in Temple
Festivals
Ethical Arguments Against Using Elephants in
Temple Festivals
1) Cultural and Religious
Significance: Elephants are integral
to temple rituals in South India,
symbolizing strength, divinity, and
prosperity
2) Historical Tradition: Temple
elephant traditions date back 200-
250 years in some regions, forming
part of established religious practices
3) Religious Rituals: In ceremonies
like seeveli, the deity is traditionally
carried on elephant foreheads as
prescribed in religious texts
4) Inter-religious Harmony: Churches
and mosques have also adopted
elephant processions, creating a
shared cultural tradition across faiths
5) Symbolic Importance: Elephants
are associated with deities like
Ganesha and are considered
symbols of divinity
6) Community Identity: For Keralites,
elephants are considered part of
society and cultural identity rather
than wild animals
1) Animal Welfare Concerns: Practices often violate
animal protection laws and subject elephants to cruel
treatment
2) Physical Harm: Elephants suffer from standing on hard
surfaces for hours, inadequate rest, and physical abuse
from hooks and chains
3) Psychological Distress: Captive elephants exhibit
stereotypical behaviours indicating mental trauma and
suffer from noise and crowd exposure
4) Forced Participation: Unlike devotees who attend
voluntarily, elephants have no choice in participating in
ceremonies
5) Public Safety Risks: Records show numerous human
deaths and injuries from stressed elephants at festivals
(526 human deaths over 15 years in one study)
6) Brutal Training Methods: Elephants undergo "phajaan,"
where they are separated from mothers, beaten, and
tortured to make them docile
7) Health Issues: Many temple elephants suffer from
chronic diseases, joint problems, and injuries from
improper care
8) Viable Alternatives: Mechanical elephants, wooden
palanquins, and chariots offer cruelty-free alternatives for
rituals
109
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IE Explained; By Arjun Sengupta;
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Ethics Link
Why in News? George Foreman, boxing
legend known for the iconic 1974 "Rumble in
the Jungle" against Muhammad Ali, has
passed away, marking the end of an era in
boxing history.
Ethical Lessons from George Foreman-
Muhammad Ali Fight
Moral Courage and Integrity
1) Ali sacrificed nearly four years of his career
peak by standing against the Vietnam War
2) Lost titles and boxing license but remained
committed to his beliefs despite personal cost
3) His principled stance became integral to his
legacy beyond athletics
Justice and Equality
1) Ali positioned himself as a champion for civil
rights
2) The bout symbolized intersection of sports and
social movements
3) Became what Ali's biographer called "the
symbolic validation of what the 1960s stood
for"
Strategic Wisdom vs. Raw Power
1) Ali's "rope-a-dope" strategy demonstrated
intelligence overcoming physical advantages
2) Used tactical wisdom rather than matching
Foreman's destructive power
3) Illustrates ethical principle of using
discernment over brute force
Reconciliation and Forgiveness
1) Despite initially contesting results, Foreman
developed deep friendship with Ali
2) "I loved our relationship and to this day I still
miss him" - Foreman
3) Demonstrated transformation from rivalry to
friendship
Compassion and Human Dignity
1) Years later, Foreman helped Ali with cuff links
when showing early signs of Parkinson's
2) When criticized for this kindness, Foreman
responded: "Joe, we are our brother's keeper"
3) Showed recognition of human dignity beyond
competition
Humility and Personal Growth
1) Foreman's journey after defeat exemplifies
transformation
2) Following religious experience in 1977, "anger,
hate had been sucked out of my life"
3) Evolution from intimidating fighter to preacher
showed moral development
Authenticity and Self-Knowledge
1) Both fighters navigated complex narratives
about their identities
2) Struggled with and against imposed public
identities
3) Reflected ethical challenge of maintaining
authentic selfhood under scrutiny
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