Category: Current Affairs
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Multidimensional Indices in Indian Healthcare
Reforming Social Protection with Multidimensional Indices Context: India’s poverty measurement has evolved from pre-independence subsistence-based estimates to modern multidimensional frameworks. This shift recognises poverty as a complex interplay of deprivations across health, education, and living standards, not just income. What Is the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and Why Was It Introduced? The Multidimensional Poverty Index…
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AUKUS and Indo-Pacific Security
Context: The Indo-Pacific region’s rapidly evolving security dynamics have made multilateral defence cooperation critical. More on News In 2021, AUKUS—a trilateral security alliance between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—was launched with a strategic focus on countering China’s rising assertiveness. However, in 2025, the future of AUKUS appears uncertain as the White House…
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India’s Poverty Debate
The truth about poverty in India Context: In April 2025, the Government of India issued a press release titled “India’s Triumph in Combating Poverty”, citing the World Bank’s Poverty and Equity Brief which stated that 171 million Indians were lifted out of extreme poverty in the last decade. More on News Earlier this month, the…
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Bonalu
Month-long Bonalu starts in Hyderabad Context: Month-long Bonalu festival has started in Hyderabad’s Sri Jagadambika Ammavari Temple at Golconda Fort. What is Bonalu? It is a Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Mahakali, celebrated predominantly in the state of Telangana, especially in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The festival takes place annually during the…
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South Asia Regional Centre of International Potato Centre (CIP) in India
Centre approves South Asia unit of International Potato Centre at Agra Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of the South Asia Regional Centre of the International Potato Center (CIP) in Singna, Agra district, Uttar Pradesh. About CIP Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Lima, Peru. CIP is a leading research-for-development organisation dedicated to…
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Enabling voting rights for migrants
Enabling Voting Rights for Migrants: A Critical Step Towards Inclusive Democracy Context: Bihar, a State with one of the highest out-migration rates in India, is set to go to the polls later this year. Given that over half of Bihar’s households are impacted by migration, this low turnout is likely linked to the significant number…
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India’s Crude Oil and Natural Gas Consumption: A Growing Energy Security Risk
India’s Crude Oil and Natural Gas Consumption Crisis: Why Import Dependency Hurts Context: India’s energy security challenge has become more pressing in the backdrop of renewed geopolitical tensions in West Asia. In June 2025, Brent crude prices surged to $81.40 per barrel, following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities—raising fears of a potential disruption in…
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India’s Middle-Class Conundrum
The middle class seems missing from our growth story Context: India’s economy posted a strong 7.4% year-on-year growth in Q4 of FY 2024–25, and is expected to grow at 6.5% for the full fiscal year. More on News While this marks a moderation from the 9.2% expansion recorded in 2023–24, India remains one of the…
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CAR T-Cell Therapy
Technique to make CAR T-cells in vivo could transform cancer care Context: A recent study published by US and international researchers introduced a novel in vivo approach that engineers T cells inside the body using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) carrying messenger RNA (mRNA), bypassing the need for lab-based cell modification and chemotherapy. What is…
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Global SDG Index 2025
India breaks into top 100 in global SDG rankings Context: India has made a significant leap in its journey toward sustainable development, securing the 99th spot out of 167 countries in the 2025 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, released by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. What are the Key Findings? First time in…
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India’s Cyber Forensics Push Since 2020
India’s Cyber Forensics Push Since 2020: Building National Capacity for Digital Investigations Context: Since 2020, India has intensified its cyber forensics capabilities to combat rising cybercrimes, enhancing national security through advanced labs, specialised training, and legal reforms to ensure robust digital investigations. What Prompted India’s Push for Cyber Forensics Since 2020? Surge in Cybercrime: India…
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Asia Warming Twice as Fast as Global Average: WMO Report Warns of Deadly Climate Crisis
Asia warming nearly twice as fast as global average: WMO report Context: The State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) reveals that Asia is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average. This accelerated warming is causing more frequent and intense heatwaves, glacier retreat, sea-level rise, and…
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India’s Inflation and Unemployment
Inflation falls but not unemployment Context: India’s inflation fell to 2.8% in May 2025, earning the RBI praise for economic management. However, rising unemployment and slowing GDP growth paint a more troubling picture. What are the Impacts? Inflation Drops, But Unemployment Rises: According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), India’s unemployment rate rose from…
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India’s Oil Import Strategy
India’s oil imports from Russia, Africa, US and Latin America Context: With escalating tensions between Israel and Iran and a renewed threat from Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz, Indian refiners are accelerating efforts to diversify crude oil supplies away from West Asia. More on News Industry experts and data suggest a clear pivot…
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Military Strikes and Iran’s Nuclear Programme
Iran’s n-programme, the illusion of a surgical strike Context: Amid renewed tensions in West Asia, both Israel and the United States have launched airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, targeting key facilities and top scientists. More on News Iran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks, some of which breached Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system. …
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US Strikes Iranian Nuclear Sites
Pakistan’s role in the U.S.-West Asia calculus Context: On June 22, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a military strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities, escalating tensions in an already volatile West Asia. More on News This unprecedented move could reshape the region’s geopolitical dynamics for decades. Echoing previous U.S. interventions in Iraq (1991, 2003)…
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Government Launches Forest Rights Act (FRA) Cells
In forest rights push, Centre sanctions over 300 FRA cells to ‘facilitate’ implementation Context: In a notable shift from past policy, the Union Government has initiated direct involvement in the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 by setting up structural mechanisms at both district and state levels. The initiative is part of the…