Women MSMEs still struggle for credit despite schemes

Why in the News? Women-led MSMEs are a key part of India’s economic growth, but they still remain underserved. Even though they make up 20% of all registered MSMEs, they contribute only 10% of the total income and receive disproportionate credit and lack of support. Why do women-led MSMEs face persistent credit gaps? Discriminatory Credit… Continue reading

BRICS Rio Declaration, 2025

Why in the News? Gathering in Rio de Janeiro on July 6–7, leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa adopted the BRICS Rio Declaration 2025 — marking a decisive shift in the bloc’s evolution. Back2Basics: BRICS BRICS represents a coalition of nations committed to fostering economic growth, development cooperation, and global governance reform.… Continue reading

Operation Med Max

Why in the News? The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted a global drug network spanning four continents through secret Operation Med Max. Back2Basics: Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Institutional Mandate: The NCB is India’s central drug law enforcement and intelligence agency, functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Establishment: It was established on 14th November… Continue reading

Invisible Exports of India

Why in the News? As of 2024–25, India’s “invisibles” trade—comprising services exports and private money transfers—has not only surpassed its merchandise exports but also emerged as a key stabiliser of the current account deficit. What are Invisible Exports (in India’s context)? What is it: Invisible exports refer to international trade in services and income flows… Continue reading

1000 quakes rattle Japan’s Tokara Islands

Why in the News? Japan has recorded over 1,000 tremors in two weeks near the Tokara Islands, signalling a surge in seismic activity. Why is Japan so prone to earthquakes? Tectonic Plate Convergence: Japan lies at the junction of four major tectonic plates—the Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian, and North American—which constantly collide and shift. Subduction… Continue reading

In news: Nagari Pracharini Sabha

Why in the News? As language debates rise in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, the historic Nagari Pracharini Sabha, key to promoting Hindi and Devanagari, quietly resumed its work after decades. Hindi Under the British: A Language in Waiting Until the late 19th century, Persian remained the court language in much of India. Even by 1861,… Continue reading

[7th July 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: The new battle challenge of China-Pakistan collusion

PYQ Relevance: [UPSC 2018] The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same. Linkage: The Article state that China’s traditional strategy involves “building up Pakistan’s strategic and… Continue reading

Common goals: On India and a five-nation tour

Why in the News? Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s multi-country diplomatic tour Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, and onward to Brazil and Namibia signals a strategic shift in India’s foreign policy toward deepening its engagement with the Global South. What were the key outcomes of recent bilateral visits to Global South nations? Upgraded Strategic Partnerships: India… Continue reading

International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for FAO

Why in the News? India has expressed serious concerns over proposed changes to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)—popularly known as the Plant Treaty. About the Plant Treaty, 2001: Adoption: It was adopted by the FAO on 3rd November 2001 and came into force in 2004. Purpose: It governs… Continue reading

How Heat led to Protocells formation on Earth?

Why in the News? A new Nature Physics study suggests that warm volcanic rock surfaces may have concentrated organic molecules in watery cracks, triggering life-like chemistry—offering a clue to how protocells formed without membranes before life began. What are Protocells? Overview: Protocells are primitive, cell-like bubbles believed to be early precursors of real biological cells.… Continue reading

India is 4th most Equal Society: World Bank

Why in the News? As of 2025, India ranks as the world’s fourth most equal country in terms of income distribution, according to the World Bank’s Spring 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief. About the World Bank’s Spring 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief: What It Is: The Poverty and Equity Brief is a biannual publication by… Continue reading

In news: Seine River

Why in the News? French authorities have opened up the Seine River to public swimming for the very first time since 1923. About the Seine River: Overview: it is a major waterway in northern France, flowing through some of the country’s most important cultural and economic regions. Length and Rank: It is approximately 777 km(483… Continue reading

‘3 by 35’ Initiative by WHO

Why in the News? The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched the “3 by 35” initiative, urging countries to raise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by at least 50% by 2035 to fight rising chronic diseases. About the ‘3 by 35’ Initiative: Launch and Objective: The ‘3 by 35’ initiative was launched by… Continue reading

Conflict in Middle East: As world watches oil, why India must watch its fertiliser supply

Why in the News? The Iran-Israel conflict has drawn global attention for its impact on oil prices, but a less visible and equally serious issue is emerging in fertiliser supply, which poses a significant risk to farming and food security in India. What are the fertiliser security risks for India amid geopolitical conflicts? Disruption of… Continue reading

WTO Agreement on Safeguards (AoS)

Why in the News? Invoking the Agreement on Safeguards (AoS), India has notified the WTO of its plan to impose $724 million in retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. for breaching trade commitments through unilateral auto import duties. What is the Agreement on Safeguards (AoS)? Overview: It is a World Trade Organization (WTO) treaty that allows… Continue reading

CJI assures ‘complete transparency’ in Collegium System

Why in the News? Recently, CJI B.R. Gavai affirmed that the collegium system will ensure merit, transparency, and inclusive representation, and will not be swayed by external pressures. What is the Collegium System? About: The Collegium System is the process by which judges are appointed and transferred in the Supreme Court and High Courts of… Continue reading

Oil Exploration in the Andaman Basin

Why in the News? The Union Minister for Petroleum has revealed that India is on the brink of a Guyana-like oil discovery in the Andaman Sea Do you know? Guyana, now a major oil-producing nation, has seen 47% average real GDP growth since 2022, driven by offshore oil. About the Oil Exploration in Andaman… Continue reading

[pib] SAKSHAM-3000

Why in the News? The Ministry of Communications has launched SAKSHAM-3000, a 25.6 Tbps indigenous switch-cum-router, to boost India’s data, cloud, and telecom infrastructure, marking a major leap in advanced networking technology. What is SAKSHAM-3000? Overview: It is a high-speed switch-cum-router developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) to strengthen India’s digital infrastructure.… Continue reading

Who are the Girmitiyas?

Why in the News? PM Narendra Modi, while speaking in Trinidad and Tobago, paid tribute to the Girmitiyas—19th-century indentured Indian labourers who helped shape Indo-Caribbean culture. About Girmitiyas: Overview: The word “Girmitiya” comes from “agreement,” which was pronounced as “girmit” by Indian labourers who signed contracts to work abroad. Origin of the Labourers: Most Girmitiyas… Continue reading

National Sports Policy, 2025

Why in the News? The Union Cabinet recently approved the National Sports Policy, 2025. About the National Sports Policy, 2025: It is a comprehensive policy approved by the Union Cabinet to transform India into a leading sporting nation. It replaces the earlier 2001 policy and aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and the… Continue reading

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