[22nd November 2025] The Hindu Op-ED: The new direction for India should be toward Asia

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2024] The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China’s supply chain and as a strategic ally to counter China’s political and economic dominance. Explain this statement with examples. Linkage: This question is relevant as the article highlights India’s discomfort with Western strategic pressure and the U.S. attempt… Continue reading

Overcoming resistance: On the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2025–29)

Introduction The Government has introduced the second iteration of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) in response to escalating resistance to antibiotics across sectors. While version 1 generated marginal gains and placed AMR on India’s health agenda, its sluggish implementation led to persistent misuse of antibiotics, weak state collaboration, and rising resistance. New… Continue reading

The story behind Himachal Pradesh’s traditional Raulane Festival

Why In The News? Bright, colourful, and captivating photos of the Raulane festival from Himachal Pradesh have recently gone viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion about the festival’s unique rituals and the rich cultural heritage of this centuries-old tradition. About Raulane Festival: Location & Timing: The Raulane festival is celebrated in Kalpa, located in… Continue reading

CPCB to monitor Yamuna with Delhi and Haryana

Why In The News? Drain water overflow is contaminating the Yamuna, prompting the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to inform the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), and Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) will jointly conduct quarterly monitoring to track pollution and coordinate… Continue reading

Pharmacogenomics: reading genes to tailor prescriptions for individuals

Why In The News? Pharmacogenomics is transforming healthcare by showing how genetic differences affect individual drug responses. This breakthrough emerging technology is replacing traditional “start low, go slow” trial-and-error prescribing with personalised, precision-based treatment that improves effectiveness and reduces harmful reactions. 1) What is Pharmacogenomics? Definition & Purpose: Studies how genetic variations affect drug response,… Continue reading

NSA hosts 7th meeting of Colombo Security Conclave in Delhi

Why In The News? At the 7th NSA-level Colombo Security Conclave meeting, member states prioritised cooperation on five pillars: maritime security, counterterrorism and radicalisation, trafficking and transnational crime, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, aiming to strengthen regional security coordination. About Colombo Security Conclave (CSC): Regional Grouping: A security platform… Continue reading

[21st November 2025] The Hindu Op-ED: India’s fisheries and aquaculture, its promising course

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2015] Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India. Linkage: Same as livestock rearing, fisheries are a key allied sector driving rural non-farm jobs, and are in news due to FAO support and Blue Economy… Continue reading

Search on for five declared foreigners by Assam tribunal

Why In The News? Police in Assam’s Sonitpur district are searching for five people declared non-citizens by a Foreigners’ Tribunal after they repeatedly failed to appear for hearings, prompting the tribunal to issue an ex-parte order. 1) About Foreigners Tribunal (FT): Legal Basis: Quasi-judicial bodies established under the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964, issued under Section… Continue reading

SC clarifies Governor’s powers: How SC answered 14 questions President posed

Introduction The Supreme Court’s opinion on the President’s 14 queries recalibrates the balance between Raj Bhavan and elected state governments. It ends the uncertainty around “pocket veto”, clarifies that gubernatorial discretion is narrow, and rejects any judicial power to impose timelines on constitutional authorities. The ruling is significant because it formalises procedural discipline without enabling… Continue reading

Is federalism in retreat under single party hegemony?

INTRODUCTION The rationalisation of GST ushered in a new era of indirect taxation but triggered concerns among several States regarding declining revenue autonomy. Disputes around compensation, centrally-sponsored schemes, disaster relief funding, and Finance Commission recommendations have reached the Supreme Court, raising a fundamental question: Is Indian federalism being structurally reshaped under a single-party political hegemony?… Continue reading

Crop-residue burning turning India into global methane hotspot, UN report warns

Why In The News? India has been identified as a major methane-emission hotspot from crop-residue burning, according to a UN report released on November 17, 2025 at COP30 in Belem, Brazil. Stubble burning, already a key air-pollution source, is now flagged as a major climate threat, and reducing it would benefit both public health and… Continue reading

NCDC flags study on rising antibiotic resistance in India

Why In The News? The NCDC has rejected a Lancet study claiming that over 50% of Indian patients undergoing a specific gastrointestinal procedure are colonised with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), calling the findings inaccurate. 1) What is Antibiotic Resistance: Definition: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) become resistant to antimicrobial drugs such… Continue reading

SC allows CAQM to take ‘proactive’ measures to curb Delhi air pollution

Why In The News? The Supreme Court allowed CAQM full freedom to take proactive anti-pollution measures in Delhi-NCR, including applying GRAP-IV options like work-from-home and 50% office attendance during the ongoing GRAP-III stage. About the Judgement: Supreme Court’s Direction: SC empowered CAQM to take proactive pollution-control measures in Delhi-NCR. Bench Observation: CJI Gavai urged stakeholder… Continue reading

[20th November 2025] The Hindu OpED: Hidden cost of polluted groundwater

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2024] The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe freshwater. What are the alternative technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies citing their key merits and demerits. Linkage: This PYQ is important for UPSC as freshwater scarcity and contamination are core GS-III themes. The… Continue reading

The threat of digital tradecraft in terrorism

Introduction The blast near Delhi’s Red Fort on November 10, killing 15 and injuring over 30, exposed the operational use of encrypted digital platforms, dead-drop communication, and modular terror cells. The investigation demonstrates a transition from traditional networks to digitally shielded ecosystems, reducing visibility for intelligence agencies and constraining surveillance outcomes. The new face of… Continue reading

More than two decades later, there is light at the end of the Red Corridor

INTRODUCTION Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) has historically affected large tribal hinterlands across central India. Recent field reports indicate a visible decline in Maoist hold, accompanied by expanding state presence, renewed market activity, and local confidence in security forces. The transformation represents a significant shift from earlier decades marked by fear, isolation, and violence. Why in the… Continue reading

SC advisory on Presidential Reference on Governors’ timelines

Why In The News? The Supreme Court will issue an advisory opinion on a Presidential Reference questioning its authority to impose timelines and prescribe procedures for Governors and the President when handling State Bills sent for assent or consideration. 1) About the Judgement: Scheduled Advisory Opinion: The Supreme Court is set to deliver its advisory… Continue reading

SC strikes down provisions of Tribunal Reforms Act, tells govt. to set up panel

Why In The News? Supreme Court struck down provisions of the Tribunal Reforms Act 2021, saying they gave government excessive control over tribunal appointments, functioning and salaries, undermining independence. 1) About the Supreme Court Judgement on the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021: Striking Down Provisions: The Supreme Court struck down provisions of the Tribunal Reforms… Continue reading

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