The Government of India approved a new scheme called Tex-RAMPS to strengthen research, data systems, innovation, and competitiveness in India’s textiles sector. The scheme aligns with India’s push to make its textiles ecosystem future-ready, technologically advanced, and globally competitive.
What is Tex-RAMPS?
Tex-RAMPS = Textiles Focused Research, Assessment, Monitoring, Planning and Start-up Scheme. It is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Ministry of Textiles.
Outlay & Duration
Total Outlay: ₹305 crore
Period:FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31
Co-terminus with the upcoming Finance Commission cycle
Objectives
To future-proof India’s textiles & apparel (T&A) ecosystem by:
Strengthening research and innovation
Building robust data systems
Enhancing global competitiveness
Supporting start-ups
Improving capacity development across the sector
Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the (2019)
(a) Department of Science and Technology
(b) Ministry of Employment
(c) NITI Aayog
(d) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
A study published in Nature (Nov 2025) found that grey seal milk contains 332 different oligosaccharides—33% more than human breast milk, previously considered the most complex.
Key Findings
Highest Oligosaccharide Diversity
Grey seal milk contains 332 oligosaccharides (Human milk: ~100).
This is the largest number ever recorded in any mammal’s milk.
Functions of Oligosaccharides
Boost immunity (protect against bacteria & viruses).
Support gut microbiome formation.
Aid digestive tract development.
Provide energy and growth support for pups.
Why Grey Seal Milk is So Complex?
Grey seals:
Live in harsh, high-risk environments.
Mothers fast for ~18 days while feeding pups.
Pups grow extremely rapidly during this period.
Complex sugars help pups survive extreme conditions and develop strong immunity quickly.
Study Details
Conducted by the University of Gothenburg (Sweden).
Samples collected from Atlantic grey seals on a small Scottish island.
Analytical method used: Deep mass spectrometry.
A very advanced method of mass spectrometry that can detect hundreds to thousands of molecules in a sample with very high accuracy.
Consider the following:
1. Bats
2. Bears
3. Rodents
The phenomenon of hibernation can be observed in which of the above kinds of animals?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) Hibernation cannot be observed in any of the above
This PYQ is chosen because it directly addresses the peculiar biological feature (hibernation) that allows mammals to survive challenging environmental conditions, which conceptually mirrors the adaptive features of the grey seal
A new study (Current Pharmaceutical Analysis, 2025) suggests that common plant molecules from Aloe vera—especially Beta sitosterol—may inhibit key enzymes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Findings are based entirely on in silico (computer simulation) techniques.
What is Computer Simulation (In Silico Research)?
Computer simulation, often called in silico research, refers to the use of computational tools and algorithms to model biological, chemical, or physical processes.
It allows scientists to predict molecular interactions, drug behavior, and biological outcomes without physical experiments.
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
Most common form of dementia.
Characterised by:
Memory loss
Cognitive decline
Accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles
Loss of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter linked to learning and memory.
Enzymes involved in acetylcholine breakdown:
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)
Current drugs (e.g., donepezil, rivastigmine) work by inhibiting these enzymes but do not stop disease progression.
Why Aloe vera?
Used for 3000+ years in traditional medicine.
Contains bioactive compounds such as Beta sitosterol, Succinic acid, polysaccharides, and phenolics.
Major Findings
Beta sitosterol showed strong binding affinity to both enzymes:
AChE: −8.6 kcal/mol
BChE: −8.7 kcal/mol
The binding strength is higher than that of other screened compounds like Succinic acid.
ADMET results suggest:
Good absorption
Low toxicity
Favourable pharmacokinetic profile
Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned? (2022)
(a) Cloud Services
(b) Quantum Computing
(c) Visible Light Communication Technologies
(d) Wireless Communication Technologies
This PYQ is chosen because it tests a fundamental concept related to the cutting edge of computational power and modelling, which is the operational domain of computer simulation.
According to a study published in Canadian Family Physician, Vitamin B12 deficiency often shows early dermatological symptoms—such as pigmentation, dryness, and inflammation—before neurological or hematological complications appear.
What is Vitamin B12?
Water-soluble vitamins are essential for: Red blood cell formation, Nerve function, DNA synthesis and Cell growth and repair
Why Skin Shows Early Signs?
B12 deficiency → reduced RBC production → low oxygen delivery to skin → visible skin changes.
Weak immunity and impaired nerve function further worsen dermatological issues.
High-Risk Groups
More prone to Vitamin B12 deficiency:
Vegetarians/vegans
Adults > 50 years
Individuals with:
Gastritis, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease
Those taking:
Antacids (PPIs/H2 blockers)
Metformin
People with poor nutrient absorption
Consider the following pairs: Vitamin : Deficiency disease (2014)
1. Vitamin C : Scurvy
2. Vitamin D : Rickets
3. Vitamin E : Night Blindness
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 only (d) None
Every topper’s journey begins with a simple truth, clarity beats intensity. If you are targeting UPSC 2027, the next 18 months are the foundation of your entire attempt, how you use them will decide whether you stay stuck in cycles or break through like a ranker.
In this special session, I will walk you through exactly how I turned my failures into my final success, and how you can start your UPSC 2027 journey with clarity, confidence, and strategy, not confusion.
Shivali Thakur , UPSC CSE 2024 Ranker
What I will cover (practical, no fluff):
1. How to Start the 2027 Attempt the Right Way
Avoiding the biggest early stage trap: studying without structure.
How to align your daily schedule with UPSC’s demand curve.
The 4 key subjects to anchor your early foundation.
2. What I Did Differently in My Last Attempt
Why content isn’t enough, the mindset and consistency shift I made.
How I integrated Mains answer writing from the very beginning.
Managing burnout, distraction, and motivation over multiple attempts.
3. The 18 Month Roadmap for 2027
Month by month preparation flow for Prelims, Mains, and Optional.
How to overlap GS, optional, and current affairs smartly.
When to start tests, notes, and revision cycles.
4. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Misguided obsession with notes and test series.
Copying topper routines that don’t fit your stage.
Ignoring revision and answer writing till too late.
5. Q&A + Real Insights from My Journey
What I learned across 6 attempts before clearing UPSC CSE 2024.
How to stay balanced through uncertainty and self doubt.
Why attend this session:
To build a realistic, structured, and achievable roadmap for UPSC 2027.
To learn from a ranker who turned multiple failures into success.
To get your early stage doubts answered directly by Shivali Thakur.
To leave with clarity, plan, and direction for the next 18 months.
It will be a 45 minute session, post which we will open up the floor for all kinds of queries which a beginner must have. No questions are taboo and Shivali Ma’am is known to be patiently solving all your doubts.
Join us for a Zoom session on 29th Nov 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 2026/2027, then it is going to be a valuable session for you too.
See you in the session”
Register for the session for a complete in-depth UPSC Prep
(Don’t wait—the next webinar/session won’t be until Mid Dec’25)
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.
[UPSC 2024] Discuss the merits and demerits of the four ‘Labour Codes’ in the context of labour market reforms in India. What has been the progress so far in this regard?
Linkage: The article’s debate on worker protection vs. industry flexibility directly reflects the merits and demerits raised in this PYQ. It also covers the slow implementation and stakeholder resistance, matching the question’s focus on progress.
Mentor’s Comment
The introduction of India’s four consolidated labour codes has triggered a high-stakes national debate on whether they truly modernise labour regulation or dilute long-standing protections. This article dissects the core arguments expanding them into a UPSC-focused analytical framework. The aim is to help aspirants understand the political economy of labour reforms, their implications for workers and industry, and their place in India’s growth policy discourse.
WHY IN THE NEWS?
India’s four consolidated labour codes, wage, social security, industrial relations, and occupational safety, have reignited debate as trade unions accuse the government of diluting protections while industries argue they streamline a fragmented regulatory environment. The issue is significant because India has not attempted such a comprehensive codification since Independence, and the codes come at a time when informal workers form 93% of the workforce but only 7% receive social security. The codes also affect hiring, firing, job security, and collective bargaining, core issues shaping labour productivity and industrial peace.
INTRODUCTION
India’s labour market operates at the intersection of rapid economic modernization and persistent structural informality. The four new labour codes aim to consolidate 29 existing laws, reduce compliance rigidity, support ease of doing business, and expand social security. However, the reforms have triggered disagreements between trade unions, who fear erosion of worker rights, and industries, who seek flexibility to improve competitiveness. This article examines the institutional debates and policy implications emerging from the new codes.
The Historical Context of Labour Law Reform
Fragmented Legislation: Consolidated 29 separate laws, many framed in the 1940s-50s, marked by overlapping definitions, multiple inspections, and differing interpretations across states.
Changing Labour Landscape: Witnessed rapid industrial growth, gig work, platforms, logistics, contract labour, and digital-era employment, demanding updated regulatory structures.
Productivity Imperatives: Industries argue workers must be protected and empowered but rigidities must reduce to strengthen India’s global competitiveness.
What Necessitated the Labour Codes?
Regulatory Overlap: Multiple laws with inconsistent provisions complicated compliance and enforcement.
Economic Modernisation Need: Traditional industry structure gave way to gig work, platform work, logistics, e-commerce and new forms of employment, requiring modern regulation.
Social Protection Gap: Only 7% of workers covered by social security; informal economy workers remain largely unprotected.
Investment Climate Concerns: Procedural delays in hiring/firing, disputes, and closures deterred global investment.
Do the Labour Codes Promote or Restrict Worker Rights?
Trade Union Concern-Reduced Security: Fears that fixed-term contracts, easier retrenchment thresholds, and union restrictions weaken bargaining power.
Collective Bargaining Apprehension: Codes allow only a single negotiating union, potentially marginalising smaller unions.
Industry Perspective-Greater Formalisation: Codification ensures predictable rules, reduces litigation, and encourages job creation.
Worker Protection Measures: Codes extend minimum wage applicability, mandate formalised contracts, introduce new safety norms, and expand the definition of employees.
How Will the Codes Impact Social Security and Gig Workers?
Social Security Expansion: Gig and platform workers added under social security, but benefits remain contingent upon schemes and government implementation.
Funding Challenges: Industry argues government and employees must co-contribute; trade unions insist government should shoulder primary responsibility.
Small Share of Gig Workers: Currently form a small slice of the informal sector but rapidly growing; require future-ready welfare structures.
Do the Codes Improve Industrial Relations and Productivity?
Industry View: Ensures Stability
Predictability and ease of compliance strengthen investment climate and reduce industrial disputes.
Trade Union View: Risk of Industrial Unrest
Dissatisfaction due to inadequate representation and perceived dilution of rights may trigger strikes.
Flexibility vs. Protection Debate: Government seeks a balance between global competitiveness and worker protection.
Will the Codes Expand Organised Employment?
Industry Assertion: Broader wage definitions, coverage of establishments, and social security norms bring more workers under formal sector protections.
Union Counterpoint: Without job stability, contract labour proliferation may worsen precarity.
CONCLUSION
India’s labour codes represent an ambitious attempt to modernise outdated labour laws, enhance productivity, and integrate India into global manufacturing networks. However, the success of these reforms will depend on transparent implementation, a balanced approach to worker protection, and sustained dialogue with trade unions. A labour ecosystem that provides both flexibility and security is essential for equitable and sustainable growth.
The G20 emerged from the ashes of the 2008 crisis as the principal platform steering global financial stability, representing both advanced and rising powers. Over time, however, geopolitical rifts, protectionist shifts, and weakened multilateralism have steadily eroded its efficacy. The absence of great powers, divergent national priorities, and competing minilaterals now raise questions about the G20’s ability to act as an anchor for global economic coordination.
Why in the News
The G20 has entered a phase of visible fragmentation as major powers like the US, China, and Russia increasingly skip or downgrade their participation, marking a sharp contrast to its central role during the 2008 global financial crisis. Trump chose to boycott the 2025 G20 summit, which was hosted by South Africa in Johannesburg. The earlier summits, including Bali 2022 and New Delhi 2023, were marked by absence of key leaders such as Putin and Xi, signalling an unprecedented weakening of multilateral cooperation. The article highlights how the G20, once elevated to the “premier forum for international economic cooperation,” is now reduced to a middle-power platform with diminishing relevance. This drift, caused by unilateralism, great-power tensions, and rival blocs, is a major setback for global governance.
How Did the G20 Rise From Crisis to Centrality?
Global Financial Crisis (2008): Elevated from a finance ministers’ forum to a leaders’ summit after the Lehman collapse, recognising the need for collective economic stabilisation.
US-EU Leadership: President Bush convened the first summit; European leaders pushed to formalise it as the central platform for crisis response.
Inclusive Membership:Plural representation of middle powers, India, China, Brazil, Indonesia, gave the G20 legitimacy beyond the G7.
Why Is the G20 Losing Relevance Today?
Great-Power Withdrawal:Absence of Xi and Putin (2023) indicates declining commitment by major actors.
Shift to Bilateralism: 2022 Bali summit dominated by US-China bilateral diplomacy, overshadowing collective agenda.
Competing Priorities: US focus on securitising trade; China’s rivalry; Russia’s Ukraine conflict, reducing appetite for multilateral compromise.
Fragmentation: Emergence of parallel groups like G2 ideas, Quad, IPEF, diluting G20 centrality.
What Role Did Unilateralism Play in Weakening the G20?
America First (Trump Era):
Protectionist shift and retreat from multilateral commitments.
Trade war with China and sanctions redirected US focus to bilateral power play.
Undermined collective financial architecture, making G20 coordination difficult.
Decline in Issue Ambition: Meetings shifted from global macroeconomic governance to modest incremental outcomes.
Loss of Crisis-Time Authority: Unlike 2008-09 summits which produced coordinated fiscal and financial action, recent meetings lacked decisive outcomes.
What Does the G20 Drift Mean for India?
Opportunity Shrinks: India’s earlier success, G20 admitting AU under its presidency, may not translate into sustained influence without great-power participation.
Rise of Minilaterals: Quad, I2U2, IPEF may overshadow the G20’s relevance for India’s long-term strategic and economic diplomacy.
Squeezed between Powers: India must balance ties with the US, China, and Russia while leading middle-power groupings.
Reduced Global Economic Voice: Weak G20 undermines India’s push for reforms in global financial architecture and voice of Global South.
Conclusion
The G20’s drift reflects the broader fragmentation of global governance, marked by strategic rivalry, unilateral policies, and weakened collective will. Without full engagement of great powers, the forum risks becoming symbolic rather than substantive. For India, the challenge is balancing leadership of the Global South with managing rival great-power agendas in an increasingly divided world.
PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2023] ‘Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO’. In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in mitigating problems.
Linkage: Great-power rivalry within SCO mirrors the G20’s paralysis, where conflicting interests of major powers weaken collective decision-making. India’s balancing role in SCO highlights how middle powers attempt to preserve multilateral relevance amid widening geopolitical fractures.
The original article presents two contrasting viewpoints on the legacy of Thomas BabingtonMacaulay and the larger question of whether India still carries a “colonial mindset.” One side argues that India must overcome colonial-era mental frameworks in governance and education, while the other contends that modern education, introduced during Macaulay’s era, opened unprecedented avenues for mobility, equality, and intellectual emancipation. The debate extends far beyond Macaulay himself, touching upon structural, cultural, and linguistic dimensions of Indian society.
WHY IN THE NEWS
Recent political speeches invoking the need to shed the “colonial mindset” have revived discussions originally linked to Macaulay’s educational policies. This has become a major talking point because India is undergoing curricular reforms, language policy changes, and institutional restructuring aimed at “decolonising” governance. The article’s sharply divergent interpretations of Macaulay’s role illustrate how deeply contested India’s intellectual foundations remain, signalling a transition moment in national identity formation.
Colonial Mindset and Institutional Continuity
Bureaucratic culture: India’s administrative behaviour still follows colonial-era norms which are hierarchical functioning, rigid procedure, and deference to authority.
Governance style: Parliamentary debate formats, legal drafting, and official communication structures reflect patterns institutionalised in the 19th century.
State-society distance: Colonial governance cultivated separation between rulers and the public; remnants of this continue to shape administrative attitudes today.
Language Politics and the Question of English
Symbolic centrality: English remains associated with power, aspiration, and official legitimacy, a legacy reinforced since Macaulay’s time.
Cultural alienation: Critics argue that English-medium dominance creates distance from Indian culture and languages.
Functional utility: Supporters highlight that English acts as a bridge across states, classes, and caste barriers, enabling mobility in education and employment.
Access to Knowledge: Who Controlled Learning?
Caste-linked exclusion: Traditional Sanskritic education was historically limited to higher castes, restricting intellectual opportunities for marginalised groups.
Modern education’s rupture: English-medium education introduced during and after Macaulay’s reforms allowed many excluded communities, especially lower castes, to enter learning spaces earlier denied to them.
Emergence of new elites: Modern schooling produced a new professional class that reshaped politics, administration, and social reform movements.
Cultural Legitimacy and Competing Knowledge Traditions
Hierarchy of knowledge: Colonial frameworks often positioned Western science and literature as superior, affecting how India valued its own traditions.
Reclaiming indigenous systems: The current push for “decolonising education” attempts to restore space for Indian languages, philosophies, and scientific knowledge.
Plural intellectual heritage: The article stresses that Indian modernity today requires balancing global knowledge with regional identities, rather than choosing one over the other.
Political Use of Historical Figures: The Macaulay Symbol
Simplification of history: Macaulay is used as a political metaphor, either as a symbol of cultural loss or as an emblem of liberation through modernity.
Narrative battles: Both sides selectively highlight aspects of his legacy to advance contrasting visions of nationalism and development.
Identity construction: The debate signifies broader attempts to define what should constitute “Indian” knowledge and national pride.
CONCLUSION
The debate around Macaulay is not merely about a historical figure but about India’s contemporary struggle between decolonisation, modernity, and social justice. The article shows that India’s identity debates hinge on deeper questions: who gets access to knowledge, which languages define opportunity, how institutions remember their past, and what kind of society India aspires to build. A nuanced understanding requires moving beyond binaries, embracing global knowledge while valuing indigenous intellectual traditions.
Value Addition
Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800-1859)
A British historian, politician, and member of the Governor-General’s Council in India (1834-1838).
Key architect of British cultural, educational, and legal policy during early colonial rule.
Major Contributions / Reforms
Macaulay’s Minute on Education (1835)
Pushed for English-medium education replacing Persian & Sanskrit as official languages of instruction.
Advocated creating a class of “persons Indian in blood and colour but English in taste, morals and intellect.”
Led to Anglicist victory over Orientalists.
Directly shaped India’s modern schooling structure.
Introduction of English Education
Helped expand Western science, literature, and rational thought in India.
Facilitated spread of modern professions, law, medicine, engineering, administration.
Enabled mobility for communities excluded from traditional Sanskritic learning.
Indian Penal Code (IPC)
Macaulay chaired the First Law Commission (1834).
Drafted the IPC (completed 1837, enacted 1860), foundation of India’s criminal law for 163 years.
Promoted uniform, codified, written law replacing diverse customary systems.
Civil Services Ethos
Strengthened the model of a centralised, rule-bound bureaucracy.
Contributed to long-term continuity of British administrative culture in independent India.
Cultural-Epistemic Impact
Elevated Western knowledge as superior to traditional Indian systems.
Influenced linguistic hierarchies, English became linked to power, prestige, and opportunity.
Triggered long-term debates on colonial mindset, cultural legitimacy, and identity.
Criticisms (For Balance in Mains Answers)
Dismissed Indian literature as inferior (“A single shelf of a good European library is worth the whole native literature of India and Arabia.”).
Accused of fostering elitism and alienation through English dominance.
Reinforced cultural and epistemic hierarchies privileging the West.
Positive Interpretations
English education enabled lower castes to bypass restricted Sanskritic order.
Opened pathways to modernity, science, constitutionalism and global mobility.
Created early Indian public sphere, newspapers, debates, modern nationalism.
Conclusion for Mains
Macaulay’s legacy is complex, he entrenched a colonial mindset but also enabled modern intellectual and social transformation. His ideas continue to influence India’s education, law and cultural debates even today.
PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2014] Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from mid-eighteenth century till independence.
Linkage: The question aligns with the article’s themes of colonial economic restructuring, knowledge hierarchies, and institutional continuity introduced under British rule. It is relevant because British economic policies shaped the social, cultural and educational divides that the article highlights through the Macaulay debate.
A 3.5-billion-year-old Martian crater has been named after Indian geologist M.S. Krishnan. The naming was approved by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
Several other names proposed by Kerala scientists for Martian landforms were also approved.
About the Martian Crater
Estimated to be 3.5 billion years old, dating back to Mars’ early geological history.
Located in a region studied for traces of ancient water and habitability.
Who Was M.S. Krishnan?
Full name: Maharajapuram Seetharaman Krishnan
One of India’s most influential geologists, known as a foundational figure in modern Indian geological studies.
Served as Director, Geological Survey of India (GSI) (1950–1956).
Major Contributions
Mapped India’s geological structures, including:
Indian stratigraphy
Peninsular shield
Himalayan formations
Played a leading role in mineral exploration and petroleum geology in India.
Contributed to studies on:
Gondwana formations
Economic geology
Earth resources of India
Famous Work
Author of the landmark textbook “Geology of India and Burma”, a globally referenced work in earth sciences.
About the International Astronomical Union (IAU)
Founded: 1919
A senior international body that governs professional astronomical activities worldwide.
Mission: Promote and safeguard astronomy through research, communication, education, development, and international cooperation.
Headquarters: Paris, France
India is a member of it
What is the purpose of ‘evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (ELISA)’ project? (2017)
(a) To detect neutrinos
(b) To detect gravitational waves
(c) To detect the effectiveness of missile defence system
(d) To study the effect of solar flares on our communication systems
This PYQ is selected because it directly tests knowledge of a major international scientific venture in the field of astronomy/cosmology, which is conceptually linked to the mandate of the IAU
At the 3rd Annual General Meeting of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the growing importance of the Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Programme and India’s rising biotech innovation ecosystem.
Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Programme
It is one of the programmes launched under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI).
A Government of India initiative to bridge the gap between research and enterprise.
Encourages young scientists, innovators, and researchers to become scientist-entrepreneurs.
Helps convert lab research → market-ready innovations.
About BRIC
Established: 2023
Type: Pan-India umbrella network of biotechnology research institutions.
First major experiment in merging multiple institutes under one collaborative body.
Ranked as India’s top organization in biological sciences research (Nature Index India 2025).
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding National Innovation Foundation India (NIF)? (2015)
(1) NIF is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology under the Central Government.
(2) NIF is an initiative to strengthen the highly advanced scientific research in India’s premier scientific institution in collaboration with highly advanced foreign scientific institution.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
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