On the right to a healthy environment

Why in the News Severe winter smog in Delhi-NCR, repeated resort to emergency measures such as work-from-home and school closures, and judicial monitoring of pollution control have once again exposed the limits of India’s environmental governance framework. Despite decades of environmental legislation and court-led expansion of Article 21, air pollution continues to cause large-scale morbidity… Continue reading

In Bangladesh, fake promises and a false enemy

Why in the News Bangladesh’s temporary suspension of visa and consular services at its missions in New Delhi and Agartala signals heightened diplomatic sensitivity. Bangladesh is undergoing a phase of acute political uncertainty following the removal of Sheikh Hasina, accompanied by the rapid capture of state institutions by right-wing Islamist forces. Introduction Bangladesh’s political crisis… Continue reading

NASA Loses Contact with MAVEN

Why in the News? The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has lost contact with its Mars orbiter Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN), which has been studying the Red Planet’s atmosphere for over a decade. About MAVEN Mission Launch: by NASA Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida Mars orbit insertion: September 2014 Mission type: Mars orbiter… Continue reading

Anjadip Inducted into Indian Navy

Why in the News? The Indian Navy received Anjadip, the third of eight Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), on December 22, 2025 at Chennai. About Anjadip and ASW SWC Project Type: Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft Role: Anti submarine warfare, coastal surveillance, mine laying Length: Around 77 metres Propulsion: Waterjets Distinction:… Continue reading

Southern Ocean

Why in the News? Scientists have found that the Southern Ocean mitigates global surface warming by absorbing a large share of carbon released by human activities. About the Southern Ocean Also known as the Antarctic Ocean Fourth largest ocean by surface area Described by the International Hydrographic Organisation as the southernmost part of the World… Continue reading

Chillai Kalan Begins in Kashmir

Why in the News? The higher reaches of Kashmir Valley witnessed snowfall and the plains received rain as Chillai-Kalan, the harshest 40 day winter phase, began on December 21, 2025. What is Chillai Kalan Meaning: Big cold in Kashmiri Duration: 40 days Period: December 21 to January 30 Significance: Coldest phase of winter in Kashmir… Continue reading

Syria Latest News

Why in the News? Recently, the US military carried out a strike against the Islamic State group in Syria. About Syria Location Located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea Lies in southwestern Asia Part of the Levant region Bordering Countries North: Turkey West: Lebanon East: Iraq South: Jordan Southwest: Israel Capital City Damascus… Continue reading

[22nd December 2025] The Hindu OpED: Unlocking the Potential of India-Africa Economic Ties

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2021] “If the last few decades were of Asian’s.” In the light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years. Linkage: This question is directly relevant as it examines India’s expanding strategic, economic and diplomatic footprint in Africa. India’s recent focus on trade diversification, manufacturing partnerships, MSME integration, and… Continue reading

GDP is growing rapidly, Why isn’t private capex?

Introduction India recorded real GDP growth of over 8% in the recent quarter, even after adjusting for the post-COVID base effect. However, this growth has not translated into a revival of private capital expenditure (capex). Private investment as a share of GDP remains near 11-12%, significantly below earlier peaks. This divergence between output growth and… Continue reading

Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile System

Why in the News? The United States Army and United States Navy have successfully completed integrated testing of the Dark Eagle Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) system. About Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile System Hypersonic missile system developed for the United States Army • Non nuclear, ground-launched weapon system • Designed for strategic attack missions •… Continue reading

Bharat Taxi Initiative

Why in the News? The Government of India has launched the Bharat Taxi Initiative, a cooperative-based national ride-hailing platform. About Bharat Taxi Initiative First of its kind cooperative driven, citizen first ride hailing initiative India’s first cooperative taxi network Drivers become shareholders and co owners of the platform Aims to provide fair income, transparency, and… Continue reading

Kavachi Volcano

Why in the News? Scientists have reported rare underwater footage showing sharks living inside the crater of Kavachi volcano, near the Solomon Islands. This discovery challenges earlier assumptions about marine survival in extreme volcanic environments. About Kavachi Volcano A shallow submarine volcano located in the South Pacific Ocean Situated south of Vangunu Island in the… Continue reading

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

Why in the News? The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, extended greetings to all personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal on its Raising Day. About Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Formerly known as Special Service Bureau Established: 15 March 1963 Background: Formed after the Sino Indian Conflict of 1962 Force Type: Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) Administrative… Continue reading

[20th December 2025] The Hindu OpED: Significance of a strong defense industrial base

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2021] Analyse the multidimensional challenges posed by external state and non-state actors to the internal security of India. Also discuss measures required to be taken to combat these threats. Linkage: This question is relevant to GS III as it examines internal security challenges posed by external state and non-state actors. The article… Continue reading

Shanti Bill: How India is overhauling its nuclear power regime

Why in the News? The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancing Nuclear Energy for Transitioning India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 was passed by Parliament, replacing two foundational laws, the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. This marks the first comprehensive overhaul of India’s nuclear power regime since independence. Introduction India’s nuclear… Continue reading

Child trafficking a deeply disturbing reality, says SC

Why in the News The Supreme Court, while upholding a conviction under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, described child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation as a “deeply disturbing reality” in India. Introduction Child trafficking in India operates through organised, layered networks involving recruitment, transportation, harbouring, and exploitation. Despite statutory safeguards, judicial approaches have often… Continue reading

Hormuz Island

Why in the News? • A rare natural phenomenon turned the coastlines of Hormuz Island into a blood red landscape, drawing global attention About Hormuz Island • Location: Iran, on the Strait of Hormuz • Lies between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman • Situated about 8 km off the Iranian coast •… Continue reading

Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in the News? • Forest Department officially recorded sightings of two Wild Dogs (Dholes) in Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary About Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary • Location: Madhya Pradesh • Connectivity: Linked through corridors with Ratapani Tiger Reserve • Vegetation Type: Dry deciduous forests Dhole (Asiatic Wild Dog) Basic Facts • Wild canid carnivorous species • Known… Continue reading

Freshwater Sponge

Why in the News? • Scientists from Bose Institute studied freshwater sponges from the Sundarban delta• Identified their potential role as bioindicators of toxic metal pollution About Freshwater Sponges • Among the earliest multicellular eukaryotes• Play a key role in maintaining aquatic ecosystem health• Found in clean streams, lakes, rivers, and estuarine systems• Grow on… Continue reading

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