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Bulgaria joins the eurozone

Why in the news? Bulgaria officially adopted the euro as its national currency on January 1, 2026, replacing the Bulgarian lev and becoming the 21st member of the eurozone. About Bulgaria What it is Bulgaria is a Balkan country in southeastern Europe. It has been a member of the European Union since 2007 and NATO… Continue reading Bulgaria joins the eurozone

[2nd January 2026] The Hindu OpED: Mandating student presence, erasing learning

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2022] The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting an incentive-based system for children’s education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse. Linkage: The question links directly to GS II-Education and Human Resource Development, highlighting the limitations of compulsion-based policy instruments in achieving… Continue reading [2nd January 2026] The Hindu OpED: Mandating student presence, erasing learning

Why does India need climate resilient agriculture

Introduction India’s food system faces mounting stress from climate variability, declining soil health, and environmental degradation. Agriculture must simultaneously ensure food security for a growing population and adapt to rising climate risks. Conventional farming systems, particularly in rainfed regions, are proving inadequate under these pressures. Climate-resilient agriculture offers a pathway to sustain productivity while safeguarding… Continue reading Why does India need climate resilient agriculture

As EU carbon tax kicks in, India’s metal exports face price threat

Introduction The European Union has begun implementing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), imposing a carbon-linked levy on imports from carbon-intensive sectors. India, a major exporter of steel and aluminium to the EU, now faces higher compliance costs and potential loss of competitiveness. The mechanism represents a departure from tariff-based trade barriers towards climate-conditioned trade… Continue reading As EU carbon tax kicks in, India’s metal exports face price threat

AI Impact Summit 2026 

Why in the News? Narendra Modi will inaugurate the AI Impact Summit to be held from 15 to 20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, with participation from over 100 countries, according to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. About AI Impact Summit The AI Impact Summit is a global high level platform focused on… Continue reading AI Impact Summit 2026 

Amazonian Stingless Bees 

Why in the News? Municipalities in Peru passed a landmark ordinance granting legal rights to Amazonian stingless bees, making them the first insects in the world to receive such recognition. About Amazon’s Stingless Bees Stingless bees belong to the Meliponini group and either lack stingers or have non functional stingers, making them harmless to humans.… Continue reading Amazonian Stingless Bees 

Nimesulide Ban 

Why in the News? The Government of India has banned manufacture, sale and distribution of oral formulations of Nimesulide above 100 mg with immediate effect under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. About Nimesulide Nimesulide is a Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) used for acute pain relief and fever reduction. Key… Continue reading Nimesulide Ban 

Market Access Support (MAS) Intervention  

Why in the News? The Government of India has launched the Market Access Support (MAS) Intervention under the Export Promotion Mission to strengthen global market access for Indian exporters, especially MSMEs and first time exporters. About Market Access Support (MAS) Intervention The Market Access Support (MAS) Intervention is a government backed programme providing financial and… Continue reading Market Access Support (MAS) Intervention  

Pralay Missile 

Why in the News? Defence Research and Development Organisation conducted a salvo launch of two Pralay missiles in quick succession from the same launcher off the Odisha coast, marking a key milestone in user evaluation trials. About Pralay Missile Pralay is an indigenously developed, solid propellant, quasi ballistic, surface to surface missile designed for high… Continue reading Pralay Missile 

Candida auris

Why in the News? An Indian led study has warned that Candida auris, a drug resistant fungal pathogen, is becoming more virulent and spreading globally, with high mortality rates even after treatment, raising serious public health concerns. About Candida auris Candida auris is a multidrug resistant fungal pathogen. It causes severe invasive infections, particularly in… Continue reading Candida auris

PathGennie Software

Why in the News? The Ministry of Science and Technology has announced the development of PathGennie, a new open-source computational software that can significantly speed up drug discovery by accurately simulating drug–protein unbinding, a crucial step in understanding drug efficacy and safety. What is PathGennie? PathGennie is an open-source computational framework designed to simulate rare… Continue reading PathGennie Software

Copper

Why in the News? Copper prices touched a record high of over USD 12,000 per tonne in 2025, driven by US tariff uncertainty, global supply disruptions and rapidly rising demand from AI infrastructure, clean energy systems and electric vehicles. Characteristics of Copper Chemical Characteristics Symbol: Cu Atomic weight: 63.546 amu High resistance to corrosion and… Continue reading Copper

Secondary Pollutants

Why in the News? A recent analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air has revealed that secondary pollutants now contribute nearly one third of Delhi’s annual PM2.5 load, highlighting a major shift in the nature of urban air pollution. What are Secondary Pollutants? Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly from pollution… Continue reading Secondary Pollutants

[1st January 2026] The Hindu OpED: India’s space programme, a people’s space journey

[UPSC 2016] Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How has the application of this technology helped India in its socio-economic development? Linkage: The article illustrates India’s progression from landmark space missions to a citizen-centric space ecosystem supporting disaster management, agriculture, infrastructure, and governance. Mentor’s Comment India’s space programme has entered… Continue reading [1st January 2026] The Hindu OpED: India’s space programme, a people’s space journey

Myanmar’s military regime seeks legitimacy through a sham election

Introduction Myanmar’s military regime is conducting elections not as a democratic transition but as an instrument to entrench control under the 2008 Constitution. The polls exclude most opposition forces, occur only in junta-controlled areas, and coincide with intensified violence against civilians. The election mirrors the military’s 2010 strategy but unfolds under far more adverse domestic… Continue reading Myanmar’s military regime seeks legitimacy through a sham election

India’s status as world’s rice leader augurs a water crisis

Introduction Rice production has expanded sharply due to assured procurement, rising subsidies, and export demand. However, groundwater-dependent irrigation has become the dominant mode in northern India. Despite strong monsoons in recent years, extraction rates exceed natural recharge. Government classification of aquifers as “over-exploited” or “critical” signals a structural imbalance between agricultural policy and water resource… Continue reading India’s status as world’s rice leader augurs a water crisis

[31st December 2025] The Hindu OpED: A multipolar world with bipolar characteristics

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2019] “The long-sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised nations has disappeared on account of its new-found role in the emerging global order.” Elaborate. Linkage:  The question directly aligns with GS Paper II (International Relations) by examining how the shift from a unipolar to a multipolar-bipolar global… Continue reading [31st December 2025] The Hindu OpED: A multipolar world with bipolar characteristics

Too good to last: The headwinds facing the economy are not going away soon

Introduction Industrial growth in November 2025 presents a paradox. While headline numbers suggest recovery, disaggregated analysis reveals that the drivers are temporary and non-replicable. The data underscores the disconnect between short-term industrial momentum and longer-term macroeconomic constraints such as weak consumption, sluggish investment, and external pressures. Why in the News India’s Index of Industrial Production… Continue reading Too good to last: The headwinds facing the economy are not going away soon

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