The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” Important Note: Don’t forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today’s test 🙂 After completing the 5 questions, click on ‘View Questions’ to check your score, time taken, and solutions. .To take the Test Click Here

Archives (PRELIMS  Focus) Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary Category: Environment and Ecology Context: Bihar is set to get its second tiger reserve as the NTCA has given in-principle approval to declare Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) a tiger reserve. About Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary: Location: It is located in the Kaimur District of Bihar. It is located in the famous Kaimur Hills range.  Famous destinations: The Kaimur Hills, known for their invincibility, are home to two forts and the ancient Mundeshwari Temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in India. Area: It is the largest sanctuary in the state and occupies an area of about 1342 sq.km. Rivers and lakes: It is bounded by the Son River to the north and the Karmanasa River to the south. The valley part is filled with many waterfalls such as Karkat and Telhar and various lakes such as Anupam Lake. Connectivity: It is connected to the Bandhavgarh-Sanjay-Guru Ghasidas-Palamau tiger meta-population landscape through fragmented forest patches along the Son basin.  Historical significance: Prehistoric rock paintings, stone inscriptions, and monuments have also been discovered here. Prehistoric murals found in the “Lakhania” and other hilly regions and the prehistoric fossils of the Pre-Cambrian times in the “Salakhan” area bear testimony to the ancient origin and existence of this region. Tribes: The Oraon tribe is believed to have originated from this region. Flora: A large variety of vegetation is found in the mixed, dry, deciduous forests that cover the area, the primary tree vegetation being Baakli, Mahua, Dhaak, and Bamboo.  Fauna: The wildlife comprises of Black Bucks, Chinkaras, Four-Horned Deers, Blue-Bulls, Sambar, Cheetals, Bears, Leopards, etc. Apart from these pythons, Gharials/Crocodiles and different species of snakes are also found. Source: The Times of India Pralay Missile Category: Defence and Security Context: Recently, India’s newly developed Pralay missile cleared user evaluation trials on the eve of the New Year 2026, paving the way for its early induction into the armed forces. About Pralay Missile: Nature: It is an indigenously-developed quasi-ballistic missile employing state-of-the-art guidance and navigation to ensure high precision. It is a solid propellant quasi-ballistic missile. Development: It has been developed by Research Centre Imarat and in collaboration with other Defence Research & Development Organisation labs. Industry partners: These include Bharat Dynamics Limited & Bharat Electronics Limited and many other industries and MSMEs. Range: The missile has a range of 150-500 km and can be launched from a mobile launcher. Payload capacity: It has a payload capacity of 500-1,000 kg. Capability: The missile is capable of carrying conventional warheads. Speed: The missile reaches terminal speeds of Mach 6.1 and can engage targets such as radar installations, command centers, and airstrips. Guidance system: It is equipped with state-of-the-art inertial navigation system and integrated avionics for pinpoint accuracy, with a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters. Source: The New Indian Express Candida Auris Context: The drug-resistant fungal species Candida auris is turning more deadly and is spreading globally, according to a study led by Indian researchers. About Candida Auris: Nature: It is a fungus that causes serious infections. Known as a “superbug,” it is often resistant to multiple classes of antifungal drugs, including azoles, polyenes, and echinocandins. Discovery: It was first discovered in 2009 in Japan but an analysis of the fungus revealed that it was already identified in 1996 in South Korea. Symptoms: A person infected with this life-threatening fungus experiences symptoms like fever, sepsis, aches and fatigue. Target: It mainly affects patients who already have many medical problems or have had frequent hospital stays or live in nursing homes. It is more likely to affect patients who suffer from conditions such as blood cancer or diabetes, have received lot of antibiotics or have devices like tubes going into their body. Transmission: It can spread indirectly from patient to patient in healthcare settings such as hospitals or nursing homes as it remains on people’s skin and objects such as hospital furniture and equipments like glucometers, temperature probes, blood pressure cuffs, ultrasound machines and nursing carts etc. for quite a long time. Concerns: According to health care agencies, almost half of the patients who contract Candida Auris die within 90 days. Some types of Candida Auris fungi are resistant to the first line and second line anti-fungal medications. Treatment: This fungal infection can be serious and even fatal as there is no specific treatment for it. WHO Classification: It is listed as a “Critical Priority” pathogen in the World Health Organization’s first-ever list of fungal priority pathogens. Precautions: Family members of patients with C Auris infection, public health officials, laboratory staff and healthcare personnel can all help in stopping its spread. Once the patient is diagnosed with having C Auris, the healthcare facilities should place the patient in a separate room as soon as possible. Wounds should be bandaged to prevent any fluids from seeping out and infecting others. It is also important for healthcare facilities to regularly and thoroughly clean and disinfect affected patient’s room with special cleaners known to work against fungi. Cleaning hands with hand sanitizer or soap and water before and after touching a patient with C Auris or equipment in his/ her room. Source: DD News Justice Mission 2025 Category: International Relations Context: Recently, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) fired off rockets near Taiwan and conducted military drills for a second day, as part of its “Justice Mission 2025”. About Justice Mission 2025: Nature: It is a high-intensity, two-day joint military exercise conducted by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), involving live-fire missile launches, air sorties, and naval maneuvers around Taiwan. Objective: It is designed to simulate blockade operations and precision strikes against Taiwan’s ports and maritime targets. Location: It is conducted around Taiwan, including waters to the north and south of the island. The missile launches were observed from Pingtan Island, the closest Chinese territory to Taiwan. Nations involved in the mission: China: It was represented by People’s Liberation Army (ground forces, navy, air force, missile units). Taiwan: It was the target of the drills and it responded with heightened military readiness. Major aims of the mission: To send a deterrent signal against Taiwan’s independence assertions. To warn the US and its allies against military support and arms sales to Taiwan. To demonstrate China’s capability to blockade and isolate Taiwan during a conflict. Key features of the mission: Live-fire missile launches targeting surrounding waters. Naval deployments simulating maritime blockades and anti-submarine warfare. Joint operations integrating air, sea, missile, and ground forces. One of the largest drills near Taiwan in recent years, indicating escalation. Source: The Indian Express Baltic Sea Category: Geography Context: Recently, Finland suspected a ship of damaging cable in Baltic Sea, which is believed to have damaged an undersea telecoms cable which across the Gulf of Finland. About Baltic Sea: Location: The Baltic Sea is a semi-enclosed inland sea in Northern Europe, forming an arm of the North Atlantic Ocean. Connectivity: It is connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Danish Straits. Significance: It separates the Scandinavian Peninsula from continental Europe. Neighbouring countries: These include Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland, and Sweden. Major rivers: Over 250 rivers drain into the Baltic Sea. The Neva River (Russia) is the largest among them. Major Gulfs: These include Gulf of Bothnia, Gulf of Finland, Gulf of Riga. Area: It covers an area of 377,000 sq. km, with a length of 1,600 km and a width of 193 km. Salinity: Salinity is lower than in the world’s oceans due to freshwater inflow. Source: DD News (MAINS Focus) The Water Divide: Access without Quality (GS Paper II – Governance & Social Justice | GS Paper III – Water Resources, Public Health)   Context (Introduction) The Indore water contamination tragedy, which led to multiple deaths and illness among over 2,000 residents, exposes a critical gap in India’s water governance: rapid expansion of piped water access without commensurate assurance of water quality at the consumer end.   Current Status: Water Quality and Water Stress in India High coverage, low safety: NFHS-5 shows 96% of households use “improved” drinking water sources, yet WHO estimates that unsafe water causes over 1.5 lakh deaths annually in India, mainly from diarrhoeal diseases. Urban vulnerability: Even “clean” cities like Indore and campuses like VIT Bhopal (2025 jaundice outbreak) reveal that municipal supply is not inherently safe. Severe water stress: NITI Aayog’s Composite Water Management Index warns that 600 million Indians face high-to-extreme water stress, with 21 cities projected to run out of groundwater. Chemical contamination: Government data shows fluoride, arsenic, iron and nitrate contamination affecting drinking water in over 300 districts, especially in central and eastern India. Infrastructure deficit: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs notes that over 40% of urban water is lostthrough leakages, increasing contamination risks. Disease burden: India accounts for a disproportionate share of global water-borne diseases, with children under five most affected.   Core Issues in Water Quality Governance Coverage-first approach: Jal Jeevan Mission prioritised tap connections; however, quality monitoring has lagged behind scale, leading to unsafe last-mile delivery. Inadequate testing frequency: Many States test water only periodically, not continuously, allowing contamination to go undetected for weeks. Ageing pipelines: Old, corroded pipes often run alongside sewage lines, causing cross-contamination, as seen in Indore and earlier cases in Chennai and Bengaluru. Fragmented accountability: Water sourcing, treatment and distribution fall under different agencies, diluting responsibility when failures occur. Weak enforcement: BIS drinking water standards exist, but penalties for municipal non-compliance are rare. Poor public disclosure: Unlike air quality indices, real-time water quality data is rarely shared with citizens, delaying preventive action.   Government Efforts and Policy Measures Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): Provided tap connections to over 13 crore rural households, with a mandate for water quality testing labs, though utilisation varies widely across States. Swachh Bharat Mission: Reduced open defecation from 39% (2014) to single digits, indirectly lowering faecal contamination, but sewerage coverage remains incomplete. AMRUT & AMRUT 2.0: Target urban water supply and sewerage; however, CAG reports highlight delays and under-utilisation of funds. National Water Policy: Advocates integrated water resource management and pollution control, but implementation remains uneven. Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance Programme: Exists on paper, yet many districts lack functional labs or trained personnel. NITI Aayog alerts: Repeatedly flagged declining groundwater quality and urged States to treat water safety as a public health priority.   Way Forward: Reforms Needed From access to assurance: Treat potable quality at the delivery point as a core service obligation, not an optional add-on. Real-time monitoring: Deploy sensor-based testing and community-level kits for early detection of microbial and chemical contaminants. Infrastructure renewal: Replace ageing pipelines and ensure physical separation of drinking water and sewage networks. Clear accountability: Assign a single authority at the city/district level responsible for end-to-end water safety. Strict enforcement: Mandate compliance with BIS standards, backed by financial penalties and independent audits. Citizen awareness: Publish water quality dashboards and issue timely advisories, similar to air quality alerts.   Conclusion India’s water challenge has moved beyond scarcity to safety. As NITI Aayog cautions, expanding access without quality assurance risks turning a welfare success into a public health crisis. Safe drinking water must shift from intent-driven policy to enforceable, transparent governance.   Mains Question “Ensuring piped water supply without guaranteeing its quality undermines public health outcomes.” Discuss India’s water quality challenges and suggest reforms.(250 words)   Source: The Hindu Has Housing Become Prohibitively Expensive in Indian Cities? (GS Paper II – Social Justice | GS Paper III – Urbanisation & Inclusive Growth)   Context Urban housing in India has shifted from being a basic necessity to a largely unaffordable commodity. In cities such as Patna, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, even modest 2 BHK homes increasingly cost ₹1 crore or more, far out of reach of average urban incomes. This has revived concerns about whether India’s urbanisation model is excluding the majority from the promise of “housing for all”.   Current Situation: Severe affordability mismatch: With India’s per capita income at about ₹2.4 lakh (World Bank, 2024), house prices in major cities often exceed 20–30 times annual income, far above global affordability norms (5–7 times). Vacancy paradox: Census 2011 recorded over 1.1 crore vacant urban houses, yet slums and informal settlements continue to expand, highlighting misallocation rather than absolute scarcity. Land-driven price inflation: Construction costs form a minor share of final prices; land values, speculation, FAR manipulation and developer margins dominate pricing. Financialisation of housing: Housing increasingly functions as a store of value for investors rather than shelter for residents, leading to hoarding and “parked apartments”. Peripheralisation of the poor: New housing supply often pushes low-income groups to distant peripheries, increasing commute costs and reducing access to education, healthcare and jobs. Deepening urban inequality: Essential workers—construction labourers, sanitation staff, care workers—remain systematically excluded from formal housing markets.   Structural Reasons Behind Unaffordability Distorted land policy: Weak regulation enables land hoarding, speculative holding, and post-facto FAR increases, converting public planning powers into private windfalls. Real estate–led urban development: Cities are increasingly viewed as revenue-generating assets rather than shared social spaces, prioritising high-value transactions over social equity. State retreat from rental housing: Public and social rental housing has declined sharply, despite rising migrant populations and informal employment. Inadequate inclusionary zoning: Unlike countries such as the Netherlands, Indian cities rarely mandate affordable or social housing within private developments. Transit-first fallacy: Transport expansion without parallel development of social infrastructure fails to compensate for spatial exclusion. Weak urban governance: Fragmented responsibilities between State governments, urban local bodies and development authorities limit coherent housing policy.   Evaluation of ‘Housing for All’ (PMAY–Urban) Achievements Sanctioned over 1.2 crore houses under PMAY–Urban, with focus on Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Low-Income Groups (LIG). Encouraged formalisation through credit-linked subsidies and beneficiary-led construction. Improved housing quality for many slum households through in-situ redevelopment. Limitations Affordability gap persists: Even subsidised units remain unaffordable for informal workers with unstable incomes. Location disadvantage: Many PMAY houses are built on city fringes, disconnected from livelihoods. Ownership bias: Overemphasis on ownership ignores the urgent need for affordable rental housing, especially for migrants. Limited scale relative to demand: Urban housing shortage, especially for EWS/LIG, remains substantial. Weak regulation of private markets: PMAY does not address speculative land practices driving overall price inflation.   Way Forward Re-centre housing as a social good: Shift policy imagination from GDP maximisation to spatial justice and urban citizenship. Land reforms: Introduce anti-speculation taxes, vacant house levies, and transparent land valuation to curb hoarding. Inclusionary zoning: Mandate a fixed share of affordable/social housing in all large private developments. Revive rental housing: Expand schemes like ARHCs with strong tenant protections and public provisioning. Integrated urban planning: Combine housing, transit, employment and social amenities, following models such as Singapore’s new towns. Strengthen ULB capacity: Empower urban local bodies with planning authority, fiscal autonomy and accountability.   Conclusion India’s urban housing crisis is not a failure of construction but of policy imagination. Without correcting land governance and rebalancing markets toward social need, “Housing for All” risks becoming a slogan rather than a lived reality. Sustainable urbanisation demands that cities be planned not just to generate wealth, but to enable dignified living for all who build and sustain them.   UPSC Mains Question “India’s urban housing crisis reflects not scarcity, but structural exclusion.” Evaluate the effectiveness of PMAY–Urban in addressing housing affordability.(250 words, 15 Marks) Source: The Hindu    

Archives (PRELIMS  Focus) Dulhasti Stage II Hydropower Project Category: Geography Context: A panel under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently approved the Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project in Jammu & Kashmir. About Dulhasti Stage II Hydropower Project: Location: It is a 260-megawatt hydropower project proposed on the Chenab River in the Kishtwar District of Jammu and Kashmir.  Nature: It is an extension of the existing 390 MW Dulhasti Stage-I Hydroelectric Project (Dulhasti Power Station), which has been successfully operating since its commissioning in 2007. Construction: It is developed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) Limited on a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) basis. Cost: The project is estimated to cost more than Rs 3,200 crore. Type: It is a run-of-the-river project. It uses the natural flow and elevation drop of Chenab river to produce electricity without creating a large reservoir for water storage. Composition: The project includes a surge shaft, a pressure shaft, and an underground powerhouse housing two 130 MW units, resulting in a total installed capacity of 260 MW and an annual energy generation. Mechanism: Under the plan, water will be diverted from the Stage-I power station through a separate tunnel measuring 3,685 metres in length and 8.5 metres in diameter to form a horseshoe-shaped pondage for Stage-II. Source of water: The project will divert water from the Stage-I power station through a 3,685-metre-long tunnel. It also aims to draw water from the Marusudar River (a major tributary of the Chenab) via the Pakal Dul project to optimize generation. Strategic significance: The project gained momentum after the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), 1960, following the Pahalgam terror attack. Source: The Tribune INSV Kaundinya Category: Defence and Security Context: Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi congratulated the designers, artisans, shipbuilders and the Indian Navy for their dedicated efforts in bringing  INSV Kaundinya to life. About INSV Kaundinya: Nature: It is a stitched ship which is inspired by a fifth-century vessel shown in Ajanta cave paintings. Nomenclature: It is named after Kaundinya, a legendary Indian mariner credited with founding the Funan kingdom in Southeast Asia (modern-day Cambodia/Vietnam) about 2,000 years ago Collaboration: It is a joint initiative of the Indian Navy, Ministry of Culture, and Hodi Innovations. Technique used: It has been built using traditional stitching techniques instead of metal nails. Artisans from Kerala used coconut fibre, coir rope, wooden joinery, natural resins, and cotton sails. Use of motifs: It features symbolic motifs like Gandabherunda (mythical two-headed eagle), a Simha Yali and a Harappan-style stone anchor on the deck. Significance: It showcases India’s ancient maritime traditions. It reflects India’s historic role in trade, cultural exchange, and modern maritime diplomacy. Source: PIB AILA (Artificially Intelligent Lab Assistant) Category: Science and Technology Context: Recently, researchers at IIT Delhi developed an AI system named AILA that can perform real scientific experiments, just like human scientists. About AILA (Artificially Intelligent Lab Assistant): Nature: It is an AI agent which can independently run complex scientific experiments, analyse results, and make decisions in real time. Development: It was developed by IIT Delhi researchers in collaboration with scientists from Denmark and Germany. Difference with earlier AI tools: Unlike earlier AI tools that mainly helped with writing or data analysis, AILA works directly with laboratory instruments.  Significance: It can operate real scientific equipment, particularly the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), one of the most delicate and complex instruments used to study materials at the nanoscale. Uniqueness: The agent has helped reduce the time taken to optimize high-resolution AFM imaging from 24 hours to 7–10 minutes. It performs experiments much like a trained scientist. Interface: It utilizes a chat-based interface where instructions in plain English are converted into executable computer code. Mechanism: When AILA is instructed to perform an experiment, it writes the necessary code, operates the scientific instrument, collects data, and analyses the results on its own. The entire scientific workflow, data generation, processing, and interpretation, is automated through AILA. Source: Business Today Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Category: Environment and Ecology Context: Fisher-folk have urged the Centre to include their representatives in policymaking bodies to attain the goal of responsible fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).           About Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Definition: An EEZ is an area of the ocean, generally extending 200 nautical miles (230 miles) beyond a nation’s territorial sea, within which a coastal nation has jurisdiction over both living and non-living resources. Associated convention: The concept of an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) was adopted through the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.  Rights involved: Under international law, within its defined EEZ, a coastal nation has: Sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing natural resources of the seabed, subsoil, and waters above it. Jurisdiction as provided for in international law with regard to the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations, and structures; marine scientific research; and the protection and preservation of the marine environment. Other rights and duties provided for under international law. Fishing quotas: UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) indicates that the coastal state determines the acceptable level of fishing quotas in its EEZ, with a focus on sustainable management.  Exchange of information: Provisions under UNCLOS also provide for the regular exchange of information about the populations of resources in an EEZ in order to promote international scientific cooperation. Removal of marine hazards: EEZs have also been used to determine which country is responsible for removing marine hazards such as space debris. Rights of other states: UNCLOS establishes rights for how other countries may access the waters in an EEZ. Other States have the right for their ships and aircraft to traverse the EEZ and its airspace and to lay cables and pipelines. India and EEZ: India’s maritime zones are defined by the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976. India’s EEZ covers approximately 2.30 to 2.37 million sq. km and includes areas around the Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Source: The Hindu Businessline Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Category: Polity and Governance Context: Recently, CAQM outlined a detailed strategy to curb air pollution in Delhi, projecting an increase in the number of clear “blue-sky” days over the next three to four years. About Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): Nature: The CAQM is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021. Objective: It aims for betterment in terms of coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Replacement: It replaced the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), which was a non-statutory body created by the Supreme Court. Focus on Delhi-NCR: It undertakes action for the prevention and control of Air pollution in Delhi-NCR and coordinate its actions on monitoring of air quality with the government of Delhi and the adjoining states, which includes Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.  Binding orders: All the directions and orders by the Commission are of binding nature, and any person, officer, or authority shall be bound to comply with the same. Accountability: The commission is directly accountable to the parliament.  Major powers: Restricting activities influencing air quality. Investigating and conducting research related to environmental pollution impacting air quality, preparing codes and guidelines to prevent and control air pollution, Issuing directions on matters including inspections, or regulations, which will be binding on the concerned person or authority. Composition: It will be chaired by a government official of the rank of Secretary or Chief Secretary. It will also have five ex officio members who are either Chief Secretaries or Secretaries in charge of the department dealing with environment protection in the States of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Source: The Times of India (MAINS Focus) A Multipolar World with Bipolar Characteristics (GS Paper II: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s Interests)   Context (Introduction) The global order in 2025 is undergoing a structural transition marked by diffusion of power across regions, yet dominated by an intensifying U.S.–China rivalry, with Russia acting as a pivotal swing power shaping strategic outcomes.   Current Situation: Nature of the Emerging Global Order End of unipolarity: The post–Cold War U.S.-led unipolar moment has decisively ended, visible since Russia’s annexation of Crimea (2014) and its sustained capacity to defy Western sanctions. Persistence of U.S. dominance: The U.S. remains the world’s largest military spender and technological leader but no longer enjoys uncontested influence. China as systemic challenger: China’s economy has reached roughly two-thirds of U.S. GDP and continues to grow faster, translating economic strength into military and technological power. Russia as swing power: Despite a weaker economy, Russia’s nuclear arsenal, energy resources and willingness to use force preserve its great power status. Bipolar core: Strategic outcomes are increasingly shaped by U.S.–China competition, lending bipolar characteristics to an otherwise multipolar system. Fluidity and uncertainty: Unlike the Cold War, the emerging order lacks stable blocs, increasing unpredictability and risks of miscalculation.   India’s Position in the Emerging Order Natural middle power: India’s economic size, demographic strength and geopolitical location place it among key middle powers navigating the transition. Strategic autonomy: India avoids formal alliances, engaging simultaneously with the U.S., Russia, China, Europe and the Global South. Issue-based alignment: Participation in QUAD, BRICS, SCO and G20 reflects India’s multi-alignment approach. Economic opportunity: Supply chain diversification and re-globalisation offer India manufacturing and investment prospects. Security challenges: Intensifying U.S.–China rivalry and China’s regional assertiveness directly affect India’s neighbourhood. Diplomatic leverage: Fluid multipolarity expands India’s space for agenda-setting in global governance reforms.   Need of the Hour: Policy Imperatives for India Strengthen strategic autonomy: Maintain flexibility to avoid entanglement in great-power rivalry. Deepen economic resilience: Accelerate manufacturing, technology and energy security to withstand global fragmentation. Shape regional order: Play a stabilising role in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region. Lead Global South: Use platforms like G20 and BRICS to amplify developing country concerns. Reform multilateralism: Push for UN and global financial institution reforms reflecting new power realities. Balance deterrence and diplomacy: Manage China challenge while keeping dialogue channels open.   Conclusion The emerging world order is multipolar in structure but bipolar in strategic thrust. For India, this transition presents both risks and opportunities. By sustaining strategic autonomy, strengthening domestic capacity and practising proactive diplomacy, India can convert global uncertainty into long-term strategic advantage.   UPSC Mains Question “In a world that is multipolar but strategically bipolar, middle powers have greater responsibility but narrower margins for error.” Discuss with reference to India’s foreign policy choices. (250 words,15 marks )   Source: The Hindu Hate Crimes and Internal Migration: Lessons from the Angel Chakma Case (GS Paper II – Polity: Fundamental Rights, Social Justice | GS Paper I – Society)   Context (30–40 words) The death of Angel Chakma, a student from Tripura, following a violent assault in Uttarakhand has once again exposed the persistence of hate crimes in India, particularly against people from the Northeast, raising concerns over dignity, equality and internal security.   Current Status of Hate Crimes in India Rising incidents: NCRB data shows a steady rise in crimes motivated by identity—caste, tribe, region, religion—though “hate crime” is not a separate legal category. Northeast vulnerability: Students and migrant workers from the Northeast frequently report racial profiling, stereotyping and violence in mainland cities. Under-reporting: Fear of harassment, delayed FIRs and social pressure lead to significant under-reporting of hate-based violence. Legal fragmentation: Hate crimes are prosecuted under IPC provisions (murder, assault) and special laws like SC/ST (PoA) Act, without recognising bias motivation separately. Institutional response: Bodies like NHRC often intervene post-facto, highlighting systemic gaps in prevention. Public protests: Repeated incidents trigger protests and solidarity marches, reflecting erosion of trust in local law enforcement.   Structural Reasons Behind Hate Crimes Stereotyping and racism: Racialised perceptions of Northeast citizens as “foreign” persist despite constitutional equality. Weak deterrence: Low conviction rates in atrocity-related crimes reduce deterrence value of existing laws. Delayed policing: Past cases (e.g., Nido Tania, 2014) show delayed FIRs and poor sensitivity training. Urban anonymity: Migrants lack local social capital, making them easy targets. Social media amplification: Hate narratives spread rapidly, normalising everyday discrimination. Limited awareness: Citizens often remain unaware that racial abuse and targeted violence constitute serious offences.   Key Reports and Committees Bezbaruah Committee (2014): Recommended treating racial discrimination as a specific offence. Called for fast-track courts for crimes against Northeast citizens. Emphasised police sensitisation and legal awareness campaigns. NHRC Observations: Repeatedly flagged lack of uniform hate crime data. Highlighted failure of States to implement preventive mechanisms. Law Commission Discussions: Suggested need for recognising motive-based crimes to strengthen prosecution.   Previous Similar Cases  Nido Tania (2014, Delhi): Death following racist assault; led to Bezbaruah Committee. Manipuri student attacks (Bengaluru, 2017): Highlighted pattern of regional bias. Recent assaults on migrant workers: Indicate spillover of identity politics into everyday violence.   Actions Taken in the Angel Chakma Case Criminal action: Multiple arrests including adults and juveniles; absconding accused pursued across borders. Legal provisions invoked: SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955. Compensation: Interim relief provided to the victim’s family under statutory schemes. NHRC intervention: Notice issued to district authorities, demanding accountability. Political condemnation: Cross-party condemnation reflects national concern, though policy response remains limited. Public scrutiny: Protests and civil society pressure have kept the issue in national focus.   Gaps and Challenges No hate crime law: Absence of a distinct legal category obscures motive-based violence. Policing deficits: Lack of cultural sensitivity training among frontline police. Jurisdictional bias: Victims face hostility when crimes occur outside home States. Weak data: NCRB does not publish consolidated hate crime statistics. Reactive approach: State response remains largely post-incident. Trust deficit: Repeated denials of bias undermine faith in institutions.   Way Forward Legal recognition: Introduce hate crime as a distinct offence, incorporating motive-based sentencing. Implement Bezbaruah Committee recommendations: Fast-track courts, special cells and monitoring mechanisms. Police sensitisation: Mandatory training on diversity, internal migration and racial discrimination. Data reform: NCRB to publish disaggregated hate crime data. Preventive outreach: University and city-level support systems for migrant students and workers. Social transformation: Public campaigns reinforcing constitutional fraternity and national integration.   Conclusion The Angel Chakma case is not an isolated crime but a mirror to deeper social fault lines. Without legal clarity, institutional sensitivity and preventive frameworks, hate crimes will continue to threaten India’s constitutional promise of equality, dignity and unity in diversity.   UPSC Mains Question “Hate crimes are not merely law-and-order issues but reflect deeper social and institutional failures.” Discuss in the context of recent incidents involving internal migrants in India.(250 words, 15 marks)   Source: The Hindu