NSA hosts 7th meeting of Colombo Security Conclave in Delhi

IOCR | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

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 comprising India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius; Seychelles is an observer.
Objective: To enhance regional security and address transnational threats of common concern.
Origin: Began in 2011 as the Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation between India, Maldives, Sri Lanka.
Hiatus: Became inactive after 2014 due to India-Maldives tensions.
Revival: Rebranded as CSC in 2020; Mauritius and later Bangladesh joined.
Participation: Involves NSAs and Deputy NSAs of member states.
Key Areas of Cooperation:
- Maritime safety and security
- Counterterrorism and radicalisation
- Combating trafficking and transnational organised crime
- Cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief

[UPSC 2017] Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)

1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.

2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only* (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Air Pollution

India recorded the highest GHGs emissions for 2024

IOCR | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

The United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) 2024 Emission Gap Report (“Off Target”) released before COP30, says India saw the world’s largest rise in greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, adding 165 MtCO₂e.

India recorded the highest GHGs emissions for 2024

About the Emission Gap Report:

Overview: It is an annual flagship publication by UNEP that measures the gap between current national emission pledges (NDCs) and the cuts required to meet the Paris Agreement goals of limiting global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C.
Purpose: Evaluates global progress, national commitments, and policy effectiveness, recommending actions to close the “emissions gap.”
Scope: Assesses emissions from energy, land use, and industry, comparing policy trajectories with required emission reduction pathways.

Key highlights of the 2024 Edition- “Off Target”:

Core Message: Warns that the world remains far off track to achieve the 1.5°C limit.
Global Emissions: Hit a record 57.7 gigatonnes CO₂ equivalent (GtCO₂e) in 2024, a 2.3% rise from 2023.
Warming Projections:
- Current policies → ~2.8°C by 2100.
- Full NDC implementation → only 2.3–2.5°C limit.
G20 Role: Account for 77% of global emissions, led by China, USA, India, EU, Russia, and Indonesia.
NDC Submission: Only 64 countries (63% of global emissions) updated their NDCs by 2024; most G20 nations off-track for 2030–2035 goals.
Sectoral Breakdown:
- Fossil fuels – 69% of total emissions.
- Methane – 16%.
- Land-use change – significant share of increase.
Temperature Outlook: Predicts a temporary overshoot of 1.5°C by the early 2030s without rapid global action.

India-Specific Findings:

Emission Growth: India saw the largest absolute rise in 2024, +165 MtCO₂e, the world’s highest single-country increase.
Growth Rate: 3.6%, second only to Indonesia (4.6%).
Per Capita Emissions: 3 tCO₂e, less than half the global average (6.4 tCO₂e).
Global Ranking: 3rd-largest emitter, after China and the USA.
NDC Commitments: Aims to reduce emission intensity by 45% (2005–2030) and achieve 50% non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
Progress: Overachieved by 15% on emission intensity but has not submitted an updated 2025 NDC.
COP30 Outlook: India’s rapid emission rise and missed NDC update may invite scrutiny, though low per capita emissions and developmental equity support its climate position.

[UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:
I. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO2/capita.
II. In terms of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in Asia-Pacific region.
III. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of CO2 emissions in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I and III only (b) II only (c) II and III only * (d) I, II and III

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Financial Sector Assessment (FSA) Report by World Bank

IOCR | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Important International Institutions

Why in the News?

The World Bank’s November 2025 Financial Sector Assessment (FSA) Report says India must deepen financial reforms and boost private capital to reach its $30 trillion economy goal by 2047.

What is the Financial Sector Assessment (FSA) Report?

Overview: It is a joint evaluation by the IMF and World Bank under the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP), launched in 1999 to review a country’s financial stability and institutional soundness.
Objective: Assesses the resilience, inclusiveness, and stability of the financial system, analysing how well it supports sustainable and equitable growth.
Scope: Covers banks, NBFCs, insurance, capital markets, and payment systems, along with regulation, supervision, and crisis management frameworks.
Methodology: Uses stress tests, policy diagnostics, and supervisory assessments to evaluate financial soundness and regulatory effectiveness.
Frequency: Conducted every 5–7 years, tracking policy reforms and emerging risks in both advanced and emerging economies.

Key Highlights: India’s FSA Report 2025

Improved Stability: Found India’s financial system more diversified, inclusive, and resilient than in 2017, aided by regulatory reforms.
Reform Success: Credited India for recovering from the 2010s banking crisis and COVID-19 shocks through RBI’s tighter supervision of banks and NBFCs.
Regulatory Strengthening: Praised the extension of RBI’s authority over cooperative banks and scale-based regulation for NBFCs.
Digital Financial Inclusion: Highlighted India’s UPI, Aadhaar, and Jan Dhan ecosystem as global benchmarks for financial access and gender inclusion.
Capital Market Expansion: Reported capital markets’ size rising from 144% to 175% of GDP since 2017, driven by investor confidence and strong infrastructure.
Policy Recommendations: Advised improving credit-risk management, developing conduct-risk oversight for mutual funds, and empowering self-regulatory bodies.
Private Capital Mobilization: Urged creation of credit-enhancement and securitization platforms to attract global long-term investors.
Strategic Vision: Emphasized that continued reforms, deeper markets, and financial integration are essential to achieving India’s $30 trillion economy goal by 2047.

[UPSC 2015] Which one of the following issues the ‘Global Economic Prospects’ report periodically?
Options:
(a) The Asian Development Bank
(b) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(c) The US Federal Reserve Bank
(d) The World Bank*

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Nuclear Diplomacy and Disarmament

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO)

IOCR Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Why in the News?

China has rejected President Trump’s claim of secret nuclear tests, reaffirming its commitment to the CTBT amid renewed U.S. calls for nuclear testing and revived Cold War–style tensions.

About Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO):

Establishment: Formed in 1996 under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) to build and operate a verification regime ensuring compliance with the global ban on nuclear explosions.
Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.
Mandate: To monitor adherence to the CTBT through a global verification system capable of detecting any nuclear test anywhere in the world.
Verification System: Operates the International Monitoring System (IMS) with 337 facilities, including seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound, and radionuclide stations to detect underground, underwater, or atmospheric nuclear tests.
Data Centre: The International Data Centre (IDC) analyses and distributes real-time data to member states, providing early warning of suspicious activities.
Preparatory Commission: Functions until the CTBT formally enters into force, maintaining operational readiness and supporting states’ verification capabilities.
Scientific Applications: The IMS also contributes to tsunami warning systems, atmospheric research, and disaster response, reinforcing the CTBTO’s global utility beyond disarmament.

Back2Basics: How are CTBT and NPT related?

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) are closely linked pillars of the global nuclear arms control regime:

1. Shared Goal: Both aim to prevent nuclear proliferation and promote disarmament.
2. Scope Difference: The NPT focuses on stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting peaceful nuclear use; the CTBT bans all nuclear explosions for any purpose.
3. Chronological Link: The NPT (1970) came first, creating the legal framework for non-proliferation; the CTBT (1996) built on it by prohibiting testing, reinforcing the NPT’s disarmament pillar.
4. Verification and Compliance: The CTBT adds technical verification through the International Monitoring System, complementing NPT’s safeguards under the IAEA.
5. Disarmament Pathway: Ratification of the CTBT is often viewed as a key step toward fulfilling Article VI of the NPT, which obliges nuclear powers to pursue disarmament.

Status of the Treaty and Ratification Gap:

Adoption: It was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1996 and opened for signature on September 24, 1996.
Membership: As of 2025, 187 states have signed and 178 have ratified the treaty.
Enforcement: It will become legally binding only after 44 specific “Annex 2” states, those with nuclear technology at the time ratify it.
Pending Ratifications: Eight critical states have not ratified the treaty- China, Egypt, Iran, Israel, and the United States (signatories but unratified), and India, Pakistan, and North Korea (non-signatories).
Recent Setback: In 2023, Russia revoked its ratification, though it continues to observe a testing moratorium, weakening the treaty’s political momentum.
Global Compliance: Despite legal limbo, a de facto moratorium on nuclear testing has largely held since the 1990s; only North Korea has violated it with tests since 2006.
Significance: The CTBT remains a cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime, its verification network providing both deterrence and transparency even without formal legal enforcement.

[UPSC 2015] Consider the following countries:

1. China 2. France 3. India 4. Israel 5. Pakistan

Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?

(a) 1 and 2 only * (b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

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State of Food and Agriculture Report, 2025

IOCR | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Major Crops & Cropping Patterns

Why in the News?

The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) Report 2025, released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on 3 November 2025, highlights the alarming global impact of human-induced land degradation.

About the SOFA Report:

Goal: Aims to help governments design sustainable land management and food security policies.
Publication: Released annually by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as one of its flagship analytical reports.
Focus (2025 Edition): Examines human-induced land degradation and its effects on agricultural productivity, poverty, and ecosystem stability.
Analytical Scope: Integrates soil data, land use patterns, crop yields, and socioeconomic indicators to identify global vulnerability hotspots.

Key Global Findings (2025):

Population Exposure: Around 1.7 billion people live in land-degraded regions with declining agricultural output.
Deforestation Drivers: Agricultural expansion remains the cause of nearly 90% of global forest loss.
Land Use Trends (2001–2023): Global agricultural land shrank by 78 mha (–2%); cropland increased by 78 mha, while pastures declined by 151 mha.
Land Abandonment: About 3.6 mha of cropland is abandoned annually due to soil degradation.
Restoration Potential: Reversing 10% of degraded cropland could feed 154 million people yearly; restoring abandoned land could feed 476 million.
Vulnerability Hotspots: Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia face the highest overlap of degradation, poverty, and child malnutrition.
Farm Structure Inequality: Small farms (<2 ha) constitute 85% of all farms but hold only 9% of farmland; large farms (>1,000 ha) control nearly 50% of it.
Degradation Masking: Large farms offset degradation through high input use, while smallholders face disproportionate yield losses.

India-specific Insights:

Overview: India among countries with highest yield losses due to human-driven land degradation.
Regional Impact: Eastern and southern India worst affected owing to dense population and intensive cropping.
Major Causes: Include soil erosion, nutrient depletion, deforestation, and over-irrigation.
FAO Recommendations:
- Scale up sustainable land management, soil health, and watershed programs.
- Promote precision farming, agroforestry, and organic inputs for soil restoration.
- Strengthen smallholder resilience through credit, technology, and market access.
- Integrate land restoration with national missions like PM-KUSUM and PMKSY for long-term sustainability.

[UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:

1. India is a member of the International Grains Council.

2. The country needs to be a member of the International Grains Council for exporting or importing rice and wheat.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Options: (a) 1 only* (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

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BRICS Summits

BRICS Pay and the Push to De-dollarize Global Finance

IOCR | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Why in the News?

Since 2014, BRICS nations have worked to cut dependence on the U.S. dollar, launching the New Development Bank (NDB), Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), and now BRICS Pay to promote local currency trade and rival the SWIFT system.

BRICS Pay and the Push to De-dollarize Global Finance

About BRICS Pay Initiative:

Overview: BRICS Pay is a proposed cross-border digital payment and settlement platform developed by the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) to facilitate trade in local currencies and reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar and the SWIFT network.
Origins: The idea emerged after the 2014 Fortaleza Summit, where BRICS established its own financial architecture, the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).
Purpose: To enable direct financial transactions among member nations using local currencies, minimizing the role of Western-controlled financial systems and avoiding U.S.-led sanctions.
Development Path:
- 2017: BRICS agreed to enhance currency cooperation via swaps, local currency settlements, and direct investments.
- Early 2020s: The BRICS Payments Task Force (BPTF) was created to design interoperable systems.
- 2024 Kazan Summit: Leaders highlighted strengthening of correspondent banking networks and settlements in local currencies under the BRICS Cross-Border Payments Initiative.
Prototype: A demo of BRICS Pay was unveiled in Moscow (October 2024), marking a concrete step toward implementation.
Supporting National Systems:
- India: Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
- China: Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS)
- Russia: System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS)
- Brazil: Pix instant payment system
Strategic Importance: The initiative seeks to establish a self-reliant financial network, bypass SWIFT, and enhance monetary sovereignty among emerging economies.

Back2Basics: Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) System

Establishment: Founded in 1973 by 239 banks from 15 countries to standardize and secure cross-border financial communications.
Headquarters: La Hulpe, Belgium.
Nature: A messaging network, not a bank, it does not hold or transfer funds but enables secure interbank communication for financial transactions.
Coverage: Connects over 11,000 financial institutions across 200+ countries, making it the largest international payment messaging system.
Operation:
- Assigns each member a Bank Identifier Code (BIC) of 8–11 characters.
- Standardizes message formats to ensure seamless global financial communication.
- Facilitates fund transfer instructions, trade settlements, and foreign exchange operations.
Governance:
- Supervised by G10 central banks, the European Central Bank (ECB), and the National Bank of Belgium.
- Managed by a 25-member board of directors, representing about 3,500 member institutions.
Strategic Role:
- Forms the backbone of global finance, allowing efficient movement of capital.
- Exclusion from SWIFT acts as a powerful economic sanction tool, isolating nations (e.g., Russia and Iran) from the international financial system.
Significance: SWIFT’s dominance reflects Western control over global finance, making it a central target for alternative networks like BRICS Pay, China’s CIPS, and Russia’s SPFS that seek a multipolar monetary order.

[UPSC 2023] With reference to the Central Bank digital currencies, consider the following statements:

1. It is possible to make payments in a digital currency without using US dollar or SWIFT system.

2. A digital currency can be distributed with a condition programmed into it such as time-frame for spending it.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2* (d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

IOCR Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Why in the News?

The 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit (2025) is being held in Gyeongju City, South Korea

About Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC):

Establishment: Created in 1989 as a regional economic forum to enhance the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific region.
Objective: Promote balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative, and secure growth, and accelerate regional economic integration.
Membership: Comprises 21 member economies– Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.
Secretariat: Headquartered in Singapore, coordinating policy dialogues, working groups, and capacity-building across member economies.
Decision-Making Principle: Functions on voluntary, non-binding, and consensus-based commitments rather than treaty obligations.
Economic Scale: Represents 2.9 billion people, accounting for ~60% of global GDP and ~48% of global trade.
Terminology: Refers to its members as “economies” (not countries) to accommodate non-sovereign entities like Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Major Frameworks:
- Bogor Goals (1994) – Free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific.
- APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 – Envisions an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040.
Focus Areas: Trade liberalisation, digital economy, supply chain resilience, sustainable energy, and inclusive growth.

India and APEC:

Membership: India is NOT a member but has shown consistent interest since the early 1990s, aligning with its Look East / Act East Policy.
Geographical Criterion: APEC’s membership is limited to Asia-Pacific economies, while India is categorised under South Asia, restricting eligibility.
Economic Context: India’s gradual liberalisation in the 1990s contrasted with APEC’s open market orientation, reducing its early appeal to members.
Political Resistance: China has reportedly opposed India’s entry to maintain regional influence and prevent rival power balancing.
Moratorium: A 1997 freeze on new memberships continues to block India’s formal inclusion.
Current Engagement: Participates in Track-II dialogues, observer consultations, and partner discussions with APEC economies.
Strategic Significance:
- APEC economies drive 60% of world GDP and 48% of global trade.
- Membership would improve market access, FDI inflows, and digital integration.
- Enhances India’s engagement with U.S., Japan, China, and ASEAN through multilateral diplomacy.
Alternative Platforms: India engages APEC members via BRICS, QUAD, IPEF, and RCEP-linked forums, expanding Indo-Pacific economic influence.
Future Outlook: Once the moratorium is lifted, India’s robust economic scale, digital economy, and supply chain capacity make it a strong candidate for future APEC membership.

[UPSC 2017] With reference to `Asia Pacific’ Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD)’, consider the following statements:

1. The first APMCHUD was held in India in 2006 on the theme `Emerging Urban Forms – Policy Responses and Governance Structure’.

2. India hosts all the Annual Ministerial Conferences in partnership with ADB, APEC and ASEAN.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2*

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Terrorism and Challenges Related To It

International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (CFT)

IOCR | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Why in the News?

Iran has officially ratified the UN International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), signalling a major policy shift toward international financial reintegration.

Why such move by Iran?

Economic Isolation: Iran’s blacklisting by FATF in 2020 and U.S.-led sanctions have severely restricted its banking access, trade, and foreign investment.
Reformist Agenda: President Pezeshkian’s government seeks economic stabilization through engagement, not confrontation, with Western institutions.
Trade Barriers: Even traditional allies like Russia and China face difficulty trading with Iran due to its non-compliance with FATF norms.
Diplomatic Leverage: CFT accession signals willingness to reform and could help Tehran negotiate sanction relief or trade facilitation.
Political Balance: The government faces domestic opposition from hardliners who fear the law will expose Iran’s support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, but reformists view it as essential for economic recovery.

About the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (CFT):

Adopted: 1999 by the UN General Assembly; entered into force in 2002.
Parties: Ratified by 188 countries including India, making it one of the most widely accepted anti-terror treaties.
Objective: To criminalize, prevent, and punish the financing of terrorism and enhance international cooperation against terror-linked financial networks.
Definition: Financing terrorism includes collecting or providing funds—directly or indirectly—with intent or knowledge that they will be used for terrorist acts causing death or injury to civilians or non-combatants.
Key Provisions:
- States must criminalize terror financing in domestic law.
- Freeze, seize, and confiscate assets linked to terrorism.
- Ban misuse of banking secrecy to block investigations.
- Facilitate extradition, legal cooperation, and mutual assistance.
- Ensure political or ideological motives cannot justify terrorist financing.
Legal Mechanism: Creates obligations for states to report suspicious transactions and cooperate across jurisdictions for enforcement.

FATF and CFT: Complementary Global Frameworks

CFT (1999): Provides the legal foundation, obligating states to define and criminalize terror financing under international law.
FATF (1989): Provides the operational and policy framework, setting 40 detailed recommendations for implementation, monitoring, and compliance.
Interaction:
- FATF requires its members to implement CFT obligations in national systems.
- CFT establishes criminalization and cooperation, while FATF ensures compliance, enforcement, and evaluation.
Iran’s Case:
- FATF blacklisted Iran for failure to adopt CFT and AML standards.
- Ratification of CFT is Iran’s first step toward FATF re-evaluation and possible removal from the blacklist.
- Compliance would enable Iranian banks to restore correspondent relations and resume limited international transactions.

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Foreign Policy Watch: United Nations

UN Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP)

IOCR | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Important International Institutions

Why in the News?

India has been elected as Co-Chair of the Regional Committee of the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP) for a three-year term till 2028.

About UN-GGIM-Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP):

Objective: Maximises social, economic, and environmental benefits of geospatial data through regional collaboration, innovation, and policy harmonisation.
Overview: It is one of the five regional committees under the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM).
Function: Serves as the highest inter-governmental platform in the region for joint decision-making on geospatial data generation, governance, and utilisation.
Mandate: Coordinates geospatial policy, promotes data standardisation, and supports applications in sustainable development, disaster management, and environmental monitoring.
Establishment: Formed in 1995 as the Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); rebranded in 2012 following UN-GGIM’s global launch in 2011.
Membership: Comprises 56 national geospatial agencies from across the Asia-Pacific region.
Secretariat: Hosted by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) since 2018, providing institutional and technical support.

India’s Role and Significance:

Leadership Role: India elected Co-Chair (2025–2028), reflecting global recognition of its geospatial governance and digital mapping expertise.
Strategic Influence: Strengthens India’s position in regional policy formation, data ethics, and standardisation frameworks.
Policy Alignment: Complements India’s National Geospatial Policy 2022, Digital India, and PM GatiShakti National Master Plan initiatives.
Regional Contribution: India to lead capacity-building, data interoperability, and open-access frameworks for disaster management and climate resilience.
Institutional Integration: Links ISRO’s remote sensing and Survey of India’s ground mapping to regional development goals.
Global Impact: Positions India as a knowledge hub in geospatial innovation and ensures its active role in defining global spatial data standards for sustainable growth.

[UPSC 2023] Consider the following infrastructure sectors :

1. Affordable housing 2. Mass rapid transport 3. Health care 4. Renewable energy

On how many of the above does UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative focus for its investments?

Options: (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three* (d) All four

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Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

IOCR | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Why in the News?

The 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting was recently held in Kampala, Uganda.

About the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

Overview: A grouping of states not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc, established to uphold sovereignty, independence, and neutrality during the Cold War.
Formation: Founded in 1961 at Belgrade, Yugoslavia, emerging from the 1955 Bandung Conference (Indonesia) which laid down the Ten Principles of Bandung as its ideological foundation.
Founding Leaders:

1. Jawaharlal Nehru (India)
2. Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt)
3. Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia)
4. Ahmed Sukarno (Indonesia)
5. Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana)

Membership:
- 120 countries: 53 from Africa, 39 from Asia, 26 from Latin America & the Caribbean, and 2 from Europe.
- Includes Palestine as a member and 17 observer nations with 10 observer organisations.
- Represents nearly 60% of UN membership, making it the second-largest intergovernmental bloc after the UN.
Structure: NAM functions without a permanent secretariat, charter, or budget, relying on rotational leadership and consensus-driven decision-making.

Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

India’s Contemporary Role in NAM:

India advocates for reinvigorating NAM as a platform for South-South cooperation in technology, trade, and climate resilience.
It seeks to make NAM relevant in a multipolar world, focusing on digital equity, global governance reforms, and sustainable development.
India views NAM not as an anti-West bloc but as a forum of balanced autonomy, promoting strategic non-alignment and global partnership in the 21st century.

[UPSC 2009] Among the following Presidents of India, who was also the Secretary General of Non-Aligned Movement for some period ?

Options: (a) Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (b) Varahairi Venkatagiri (c) Giani Zail Singh * (d) Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma

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Type: IOCR

Why In The News?

About Colombo Security Conclave (CSC):

Why in the News?

About the Emission Gap Report:

Key highlights of the 2024 Edition- “Off Target”:

India-Specific Findings:

Why in the News?

What is the Financial Sector Assessment (FSA) Report?

Key Highlights: India’s FSA Report 2025

Why in the News?

About Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO):

Back2Basics: How are CTBT and NPT related?

Status of the Treaty and Ratification Gap:

Why in the News?

About the SOFA Report:

Key Global Findings (2025):

India-specific Insights:

Why in the News?

About BRICS Pay Initiative:

Back2Basics: Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) System

Why in the News?

About Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC):

India and APEC:

Why in the News?

Why such move by Iran?

About the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (CFT):

FATF and CFT: Complementary Global Frameworks

Why in the News?

About UN-GGIM-Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP):

India’s Role and Significance:

Why in the News?

About the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

India’s Contemporary Role in NAM: