The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2025 has revealed that more than 295 million people in 53 countries and territories faced acute hunger in 2024.
About the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC):
Publication: The GRFC has been published every year since 2016 by the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC).
Supporting Organisations: It is backed by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN) and includes input from UN agencies, the EU, and various NGOs.
Purpose: Provides a consensus-based analysis of acute food insecurity and malnutrition worldwide.
Key Highlights from GRFC 2025:
Scope: The 2025 report covers 65 countries, with complete data for 53. India was not included in the analysis.
Global Hunger Level: In 2024, 295 million people faced acute food insecurity, up 13.7 million from 2023 — the sixth consecutive year of rising hunger.
Severity: 23% of the analysed population experienced food insecurity, remaining above 20% for five years.
Catastrophic Hunger: A record 1.9 million people were in Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Phase 5—catastrophic levels of hunger.
[UPSC 2023] Which of the following countries has been suffering from decades of civil strife and food shortages and was in the news in the recent past for its very severe famine?
As of February 2025, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) protected a record 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles during their mass nesting at the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha.
About Operation Olivia:
Launch: Operation Olivia is an annual conservation mission by the Indian Coast Guard, started in the early 1980s.
Main Objective: It aims to protect Olive Ridley turtles during their nesting season, from November to May.
Primary Locations: The operation focuses on Odisha’s coast, especially Gahirmatha Beach, Devi River mouth, and Rushikulya River mouth.
Turtle Nesting Scale: Over 8 lakh turtles arrive annually at these sites to nest.
Surveillance Efforts: The Coast Guard has conducted more than 5,387 surface patrols and 1,768 aerial missions.
Community Engagement: Fishermen are encouraged to use Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) that allow turtles to escape fishing nets.
About Olive Ridley Turtles:
Appearance: Named for their olive-green shell, or carapace.
Diet: They are Omnivores, though feeding mainly on jellyfish, crustaceans, and molluscs.
Nesting Behaviour: Known for Arribada, a phenomenon where thousands of females come ashore simultaneously to lay eggs.
Habitat Range: Found in warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
CITES: Included in Appendix I, banning international trade.
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I, offering the highest legal protection in India.
[UPSC 2002] The sea coast of which one of the following states has become famous as a nesting place for the giant Olive Ridley turtles from South America?
Options: (a) Goa (b) Gujarat (c) Odisha* (d) Tamil Nadu
Current Affairs is one of those areas in UPSC preparation that quietly shapes everything from GS1 to GS4, from Essay to Ethics. And yet, it’s the part most aspirants either overdo or avoid entirely. With so many sources, bulky monthly magazines, and constantly shifting headlines, it’s easy to feel lost. You either spend hours collecting PDFs you never revisit, or skip the topic altogether hoping it won’t matter. But in reality, current affairs is everywhere and if you don’t master it early, it becomes your biggest blindspot in Mains.
The good news? You don’t need 3 hours a day or five different sources. What you need is structure. That’s exactly what Nishith Sir, Faculty at Civilsdaily, is going to share in this special session. After mentoring thousands of aspirants across multiple UPSC cycles, he has developed a simplified weekly plan, one that shows how you can master current affairs for UPSC 2026 in just 7 focused hours a week.
And this is especially helpful if you’re a working professional or a full time college student. If you’re balancing classes, jobs, or internships, time is your most limited resource. You don’t have the luxury of sitting with newspapers all day or reading multiple CA compilations. That’s why this session will focus on a practical plan that helps you make the most of your limited hours. With just one hour a day (or even fewer spread across the week), you can stay updated, make mains ready notes, and stop feeling like you’re always playing catch up.
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It will be a 45 minute webinar, post which we will open up the floor for all kinds of queries which a beginner must have. No questions are taboo and Hemant Sir is known to be patiently solving all your doubts.
Join us for a Zoom session on 21st May at 7 PM. This session is a must-attend for you If you are attempting UPSC for the first time or have attempted earlier and now preparing for next year, then it is going to be a valuable session for you too.
See you in the session”
Register for the session for a focussed UPSC 2026 Prep
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These masterclasses are packed with value. They are conducted in private with a closed community. We rarely open these webinars for everyone for free. This time we are keeping it for 300 seats only.
Scientists now believe the Moon’s near side looks different from its far side due to its internal structure and volcanic past, revealed by NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission.
About the GRAIL Mission:
Launch: NASA launched the GRAIL mission in 2011 to study the moon’s internal structure.
Spacecraft Used: It used two spacecraft, Ebb and Flow, flying in tandem to detect gravity variations.
Objectives: The mission measured tiny changes in distance between the two spacecraft caused by differences in the moon’sgravitational field.
Scientific Outcome: The data revealed important details about the moon’s crust thickness, interior composition, and subsurface features.
Key Findings: Reasons for the Moon’s Asymmetry
Tidal Deformation: The nearside bends more than the farside due to Earth’s gravity, a process called tidal deformation.
Internal Activity: The nearside is geologically warmer and more active, suggesting internal structural differences.
Volcanic History: Ancient volcanic activity on the nearside formed large basaltic plains, while the farside remained rugged and less active.
Heat Distribution: Elements like thorium and titanium accumulated on the nearside, making it 100–200°C hotter than the farside.
Crust Thickness: The nearside has a thinner crust, allowing magma to escape, while the farside’s thicker crust trapped heat and blocked eruptions.
Thermal Contrast: The thinner crust also allowed more heat-producing elements to concentrate, increasing the temperature gap between the two sides.
Why do these findings matter?
Support for Lunar Missions: Insights from GRAIL help design better navigation and timing systems for future lunar operations.
Applications: GRAIL’s method can be applied to other moons like Enceladus and Ganymede, which may hold potential for life.
[UPSC 2007] NASA’S Deep Impact space mission was employed to take detailed pictures of which comet nucleus?
[UPSC 2017] Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgement on ‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with reference to appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India.
Linkage: NJAC Act was struck down (the Collegium system) had its detailed guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in the Third Judges case, which itself was a Presidential reference made under Article 143. Therefore, understanding the advisory jurisdiction under Article 143 and its outcome in the Third Judges case is essential background for critically examining the NJAC judgment.
Mentor’s Comment: The Supreme Court recently set time limits for Governors to decide on state bills, so they can’t delay action forever—a practice often called a “Pocket Veto.” The Court said Governors must act within one or three months, based on the case. This raised doubts about the Court’s powers under Article 142, so President Murmu asked for its advice under Article 143.
Today’s editorial talks about Article 143 of the Constitution, where the President has asked the Supreme Court for its opinion on the powers and responsibilities of the President and Governors. This topic is useful for GS Paper II (Indian Polity) in the UPSC Mains exam.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
President Droupadi Murmu has used Article 143 of the Constitution to ask the Supreme Court for its opinion on some important questions about the powers and duties of the President and Governors, especially related to how and when they should act on state bills.
What are the provisions?
Article 143(1): The President may refer any matter to the Supreme Court for its opinion. In the first case, the Supreme Court may tender or may refuse to tender its opinion to the president.
Article 143(2): Allows the President to refer disputes arising from pre-Constitution agreements, including state-related matters, for the Supreme Court’s opinion. The Supreme Court must tender its opinion to the President. The Supreme Court’s opinion is advisory—not binding or precedent-setting—but carries strong persuasive value.
Article 145: Such references must be heard by a bench of at least five judges.
Note: The President makes these references based on the Cabinet’s advice.
What is the historical context?
The advisory jurisdiction of India’s Supreme Court under Article 143 originates from the Government of India Act, 1935, which gave the Governor-General the power to refer important legal questions to the federal court for opinion.
What were past instances?
Delhi Laws Act Case (1951): Clarified the scope of delegated legislation by the legislature to the executive.
Kerala Education Bill (1958): Interpreted the balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles, especially regarding minority education rights under Article 30.
Berubari Union Case (1960): Held that ceding Indian territory to another country requires a constitutional amendment under Article 368.
Special Courts Bill (1978): Stated that references must be specific and that the Court may decline to answer vague or political questions.
Third Judges Case (1998): Laid down detailed guidelines for the appointment of judges and established the collegium system.
What is the significance of Article 143 and its colonial legacy?
Provides Advisory Role to the Executive: Allows the President to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on complex legal or constitutional issues, helping the executive navigate difficult questions. Eg: President referred the question on delegated legislation in the Delhi Laws Act case (1951).
Ensures Constitutional Clarity: Helps resolve ambiguities or uncertainties in law, thus guiding governance and preventing conflicts. Eg: The Berubari case (1960) clarified constitutional procedures for ceding Indian territory.
Maintains Separation of Powers: The advisory nature avoids direct judicial interference in executive functions while still providing legal guidance. Eg: The Supreme Court may decline vague or political questions, as in the Special Courts Bill reference (1978).
What key issues are raised in the latest Article 143 reference?
Judicial Review of Executive Discretion: The reference questions whether the judiciary can review the discretionary powers of the President and Governors, particularly regarding the assent to bills under Articles 200 and 201.
Imposition of Timelines on Constitutional Authorities: It seeks clarity on whether the Supreme Court can prescribe timelines for the President and Governors to act on bills, given that the Constitution does not specify such timeframes.
Concept of ‘Deemed Assent’: The reference challenges the Supreme Court’s introduction of the ‘deemed assent’ concept, questioning its compatibility with the constitutional framework.
Scope of Article 142 Powers: Article 142 gives the Supreme Court power to pass orders to do “complete justice”, but it must be within constitutional bounds. In the present reference questions whether this provision allows the Court to create new rules not found in the Constitution.
Justiciability of Executive Actions Pre-Legislation: The reference probes whether actions of the President and Governors concerning bills can be subjected to judicial review before the bills become law.
Impacts Federalism and Democratic Functioning: The Supreme Court’s opinion will influence the Centre-State power dynamics and safeguard democratic processes. Eg: The Cauvery dispute advisory opinion (1992) that reinforced limits on the Court’s advisory role to respect federalism.
How does India’s advisory jurisdiction compare globally?
India
Canada
United States
Origin / Legacy
Inherited from Government of India Act, 1935
Similar colonial legacy
No advisory jurisdiction
Nature of Opinion
Non-binding but persuasive
Non-binding but persuasive
No advisory opinions given
Who Can Refer
President on Union Council of Ministers’ advice
Federal and provincial governments
Not applicable
Judicial Approach
Supreme Court may decline to give opinion
Supreme Court provides opinions on request
Strict separation of powers, no advisory role
Example (Eg)
Article 143 references (e.g., Berubari case)
Reference re Secession of Quebec (1998) – clarified constitutional secession rules
In Muskrat v. United States (1911), the Supreme Court rejected advisory jurisdiction
Way forward:
Clarify Constitutional Timelines: Amend or clarify constitutional provisions to explicitly define timelines for presidential and gubernatorial actions on bills, reducing ambiguities and potential conflicts.
Strengthen Centre-State Dialogue: Promote cooperative federalism through regular dialogue and dispute resolution mechanisms to prevent politicization of constitutional functions and ensure smooth governance.
A protest has erupted in Goa after a scientific paper on water availability and diversion in the Mahadayi basin reignited its long-standing dispute with Karnataka.
About the Mahadayi River:
Origin: The Mahadayi River (Mhadei in Goa) originates in Bhimgad, Karnataka, in the Western Ghats.
Length and Flow: It flows 81 km, passing through Karnataka (35 km), Goa (45 km), and Maharashtra (1 km) before reaching the Arabian Sea.
Basin Area: Covers 2,032 sq km—78% in Goa, 18% in Karnataka, and 4% in Maharashtra.
Significance: Forms the Mandovi River, essential for drinking water, agriculture, and navigation in Goa.
Tributaries: Kalasa Nala, Surla Nala, Haltar Nala, Poti Nala, Mahadayi Nala, Pansheer Nala, Bail Nala, Andher Nala and many more. It has a catchment area of 2032 sq.km.
Topography: Elevation ranges between < 0m and > 980m w.r.t Mean Sea Level, slope of the catchment varies up to 150%. Very high slope we observed in the Ghats (Braganja Ghats).
Waterfalls: Variations in the terrain has led to formation of various water falls such as the Doodhsagar falls,Vajra poha falls etc.
Ecology: Supports rich biodiversity, including the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.
[UPSC 2013] Constitutional mechanisms to resolve the inter-state water disputes have failed to address and solve the problems. Is the failure due to structural or process inadequacy or both? Discuss.
Chinese researchers found that A-to-I mRNA editing, once considered random, plays a key role in development, especially in the wheat pathogen Fusarium graminearum.
About A-to-I mRNA Editing:
mRNA: Our cells use DNA as a guide to make proteins. First, they copy DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA).
A-to-I editing: This is a process where the letter adenosine (A) in mRNA is changed to inosine (I) by special enzymes called ADARs. The cell reads inosine as guanine (G), which can change the protein being made.
Why it matters:
It helps the cell make different versions of proteins without changing the DNA.
It can remove early stop signals, allowing full proteins to be made.
It helps the cell adapt to different conditions or stages of life.
What did scientists discover in the fungus?
Fungal Discovery: Scientists found that the fungus edits over 26,000 mRNA sites during reproduction, not during normal growth.
Development Role: This editing fixes early stop signals in key genes, helping the fungus develop and reproduce properly.
Stress Adaptation: Some genes work better unedited under stress, showing the fungus edits only when needed for survival.
Does this happen in humans?
Yes, A-to-I editing is common in humans:
In the brain: It helps with brain growth, memory, and learning.
In the immune system: It helps fight infections and control inflammation.
Health Implications:
Health Risks: Faulty editing is linked to epilepsy and certain cancers.
Therapeutic Potential: Understanding this process can lead to new treatments and improve gene-editing technologies.
[UPSC 2016] In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term ‘transcriptome’, sometimes seen in the news, refers to:
Options: (a) a range of enzymes used in genome editing (b) the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism * (c) the description of the mechanism of gene expression (d) a mechanism of genetic mutations taking place in cells
The RBI may transfer a record ₹2.5–₹3 lakh crore surplus for 2024–25 after its recent review of its Economic Capital Framework (ECF).
About Surplus Transfer by RBI:
Legal Basis: Under Section 47 of the RBI Act, 1934, the RBI must transfer its net surplus from its income to the central government.
Tax Exemption: As per Section 48, the RBI is exempt from income tax and direct taxes.
Timeline: RBI has recently changed its accounting year from June-July to April-May.
Recent Transfers: In 2023–24, RBI transferred a record ₹2.11 lakh crore; estimates for 2024–25 range between ₹2.5 and 3 lakh crore.
Reserve Allocation: Some surplus may be set aside for contingency or asset development funds.
Policy Debate: The government often seeks higher transfers, while the RBI stresses on maintaining financial stability and autonomy.
Past Disagreements: Tensions have occurred but are usually resolved through mutual agreement.
How does the RBI generate its surplus?
Foreign Investments: RBI earns returns from investing in foreign government bonds, treasury bills, and deposits with other central banks.
Domestic Bonds: It receives interest on Indian government securities (G-secs) held in its portfolio.
Bank Lending: Income is earned by lending short-term funds to commercial banks via repo operations.
Commission Services: The RBI charges commissions for managing borrowings and public debt for the central and state governments.
Main Expenditure: Costs include printing currency, staff salaries and pensions, bank commissions, and dealer fees.
Net Surplus: The surplus is what remains after expenses, provisions, and reserves are accounted for.
Back2Basics: Economic Capital Framework (ECF)
Purpose: The ECF guides how much capital RBI must retain and how much surplus can be transferred.
Y.H. Malegam Committee (2013): It reviewed the adequacy of reserves and surplus distribution policy in 2013, recommended a higher transfer to the government.
Introduction: Finalised in 2019, based on a committee led by Bimal Jalan.
Goal: Seeks to balance government funding needs with RBI’s financial resilience.
Reserve Components: Defines key buffers like the Contingency Risk Buffer (CRB), Revaluation Reserves, and Asset Development Fund.
Minimum CRB: Requires at least 5.5% of RBI’s balance sheet to be held as contingency reserve.
Transfer Stability: Allows for more consistent surplus transfers when RBI’s earnings are strong.
[UPSC 2021] In India, the central bank’s function as the ‘lender of last resort’ usually refers to which of the following:
1.Lending to trade and industry bodies when they fail to borrow from other sources.
2.Providing liquidity to the banks having a temporary crisis.
3.Lending to governments to finance budgetary deficits.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Options: (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only * (c) 2 and 3 (d) 3 only
India became the 3rd largest wind and solar producer in 2024, after China and the US.
Installed wind capacity: 50 GW as of March 31, 2025.
In 2024, wind and solar contributed 10% of electricity—solar 7%, wind 3%; hydro added 8%, totalling 22% from clean sources.
Solar capacity grew by 24 GW in 2024, doubling 2023’s figure; wind grew by 3.4 GW.
Leading wind additions: Gujarat (1,250 MW), Karnataka (1,135 MW), Tamil Nadu (980 MW).
Top wind states: Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra; targets: 140 GW wind and 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030.
Land Use & Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF): Wind farms occupy just 2% of land, allowing agriculture on the rest; CUF ranges between 16%–19%, with peak generation during monsoon months.
[UPSC 2014] The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of:
Options: (a) Equatorial climate (b) Mediterranean climate (c) Monsoon climate * (d) All of the above climates
Recently, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has approved a 166.8-km four-lane highway from Shillong to Silchar. This highway will later be extended to Zorinpui in Mizoram and will link the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP) with a fast road network running through the center of Northeast India.
What is the Kaladan project’s role in Northeast India’s connectivity?
The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP) offers a strategic alternative to the narrow and vulnerable Siliguri Corridor (“Chicken’s Neck”), currently the only land route connecting the Northeast to the rest of India. Eg: Direct Kolkata–Mizoram route via Myanmar.
The project significantly shortens the transport distance (by around 1,000 km) and time (3–4 days), facilitating faster movement of goods and people, and promoting trade and investment in the resource-rich but infrastructure-poor Northeast.
Why have India-Bangladesh ties worsened recently?
Political Shift and Leadership Change: The ousting of pro-India Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 disrupted longstanding bilateral ties. Her party, the Awami League, was subsequently banned by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, raising concerns in India about democratic processes and political inclusivity.
Strained Diplomatic Exchanges: Interim leader Muhammad Yunus made statements perceived as antagonistic by India, such as referring to Northeast India as “landlocked” and suggesting Bangladesh as the “only guardian of the ocean.” These remarks, especially during his visit to China, were viewed by India as a shift towards a more China-aligned stance, causing diplomatic unease.
Trade Restrictions and Economic Tensions: In response to Bangladesh’s interim government’s approach, India imposed restrictions on Bangladeshi exports to its Northeast region.
Why has the Kaladan project been delayed?
Security Concerns: Ongoing civil unrest in Myanmar, especially in Rakhine State, has disrupted construction and posed risks to workers. Eg: In 2024, the Arakan Army seized Paletwa, making the area unsafe for project activities.
Incomplete Infrastructure: Critical segments of the project, especially the road link from Paletwa to Zorinpui, remain unfinished. Eg: The 109 km road stretch needed to connect the waterway to the Indian border is still under construction.
Operational Hurdles: Difficult terrain, weak contractor coordination, and reliance on local sub-contracting have caused delays. Eg: Despite awarding the contract to IRCON in 2022, progress has been slow due to logistical difficulties.
How does the new Shillong-Silchar-Zorinpui highway enhance the connectivity of the Kaladan project?
Strategic Redundancy: The highway provides an alternative route to the vulnerable Siliguri Corridor, ensuring uninterrupted access to the Northeast. Eg: In response to Bangladesh’s “landlocked” remark, India approved the ₹22,864 crore Shillong–Silchar highway to bypass Bangladesh.
Integrated Multi-Modal Link: It seamlessly connects to the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, facilitating efficient cargo movement between Kolkata and the Northeast. Eg: The Shillong–Silchar highway acts as a continuation of the Kaladan project, linking the Northeast to Kolkata via Myanmar.
Economic Development: Enhanced connectivity boosts trade, tourism, and economic activities in the Northeast region. Eg: The new corridor is expected to spur economic development by improving road connectivity and reducing travel time.
Reduced Transit Time: The highway shortens travel time between key cities, facilitating faster movement of goods and people. Eg: The 166.8 km highway will cut travel time between Shillong and Silchar from 8.5 hours to 5 hours.
Way forward:
Strengthen Security and Coordination: Enhance cooperation with Myanmar and local stakeholders to ensure safe and timely completion of the Kaladan project’s remaining sections, addressing security challenges in Rakhine State.
Expand Infrastructure Integration: Accelerate development of connecting highways and transport networks in Northeast India to fully leverage the Kaladan corridor for economic growth and strategic resilience.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2013] The protests in Shahbag Square in Dhaka in Bangladesh reveal a fundamental split in society between the nationalists and Islamic forces. What is its significance for India?
Linkage: The political and social changes happening inside Bangladesh are important for India to understand, because they can affect India’s security and ties with its neighbour. Recently, Bangladesh’s sentiments (like cut the “Chicken’s Neck” of India) have raised concerns for India, especially around the narrow “Chicken’s Neck” – the only land link between mainland India and the Northeast. That’s why the Kaladan project is very important. It will give the Northeast a direct link to the Bay of Bengal, reducing dependence on Bangladesh.
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