Category: INTERNATIONAL
Context: India’s population has touched 1.4639 billion (146.39 crore) in 2025, officially making it the most populous country in the world
Decoding Context:
According to the UNFPA State of World Population Report 2025, this figure marks a major demographic milestone with long-term implications.
Key Highlights:
Fertility & Reproductive Trends:
Policy Focus:
Conclusion:
India stands at a pivotal moment in its demographic journey. While falling fertility rates and better life expectancy are positive signs, realizing the benefits of this transition depends on inclusive policies, reproductive agency, and economic empowerment of the working-age population.
Learning Corner:
Decadal Census in India – Brief Note
Definition:
The Census of India is a decennial (once every 10 years) exercise conducted to collect comprehensive demographic, socio-economic, and housing data of the country’s population. It is the largest administrative and statistical exercise in the world.
Historical Background:
Key Features:
Census 2021 (Postponed):
Importance of the Census:
Challenges:
Conclusion:
The decadal census remains a cornerstone of India’s governance and development planning. With growing demands for more granular socio-economic data (e.g., caste census), its scope and complexity are increasing, making its timely and transparent execution more critical than ever.
Source : THE HINDU
Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Context The Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment in Germany has set a new world record for the smallest upper limit on the mass of the electron neutrino
Decoding Context:
How It Works:
Key Highlights:
Significance & Future Prospects:
Learning Corner:
What are Neutrinos?
Neutrinos are fundamental subatomic particles that belong to the family of leptons in the Standard Model of particle physics. They are:
Types of Neutrinos:
There are three known flavors of neutrinos, each associated with a charged lepton:
Key Properties:
Property | Value / Note |
---|---|
Charge | 0 (neutral) |
Spin | ½ (fermion) |
Interaction | Weak nuclear force, gravity only |
Mass | Extremely small, non-zero (~<1 eV) |
Speed | Close to speed of light |
Neutrino Sources:
Important Phenomena:
Why Are Neutrinos Important?
Neutrino Comparison Table
Property | Neutrino | Electron | Photon |
---|---|---|---|
Type | Lepton | Lepton | Boson (Force carrier) |
Electric Charge | 0 | −1 | 0 |
Mass | Very small, non-zero | ~9.11 × 10⁻³¹ kg | 0 |
Interaction | Weak force, gravity | EM, weak, gravity | Electromagnetic only |
Spin | ½ (Fermion) | ½ (Fermion) | 1 (Boson) |
Speed | Close to light speed | Much slower | Speed of light |
Penetrating Power | Extremely high | Low | Moderate to high |
Source: THE HINDU
Category: ECONOMICS
Context : The U.S. dollar has fallen nearly 10% in 2025, making it one of the weakest performers among major U.S. asset classes
Decoding Context:
The decline is driven primarily by a global surge in hedging activity among foreign investors, reflecting growing uncertainty in U.S. policy and market behaviour.
Key Reasons for Dollar Weakness
Learning Corner:
Currency Appreciation and Depreciation: Concepts and Impact on Trade
Definitions
Impact on Trade
Impact | Appreciation of Currency | Depreciation of Currency |
---|---|---|
Exports | Becomes costlier in global markets → ↓ | Becomes cheaper → more competitive → ↑ |
Imports | Becomes cheaper → import bill ↓ | Becomes expensive → import bill ↑ |
Trade Balance | May worsen (exports ↓, imports ↑) | May improve (exports ↑, imports ↓) |
Current Account Deficit | Likely to increase | May reduce |
Foreign Investment Appeal | Attracts more capital (safe haven effect) | May reduce unless higher returns offered |
Inflation | Lower (cheaper imports, e.g., oil) | Higher (costlier imports) |
Link to US Dollar (USD) Appreciation or Depreciation
Since the US dollar is the dominant global reserve and trade currency, any movement in USD impacts almost every major economy, including India.
If the US Dollar Appreciates (e.g., due to Fed rate hikes, risk aversion):
If the US Dollar Depreciates (e.g., due to US economic slowdown, Fed rate cuts):
Source : THE HINDU
Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Context : The Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) and Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) have signed an MoU to develop next-generation multilingual AI solutions for Indian Railways’ digital platforms
Decoding Context
Key Objectives:
Strategic Importance:
This collaboration supports the Digital India mission by removing language barriers in public services and enhancing digital inclusivity. It is expected to benefit millions of railway passengers, especially non-English speakers.
This initiative marks a major leap in citizen-centric digital transformation for Indian Railways.
Learning Corner:
Brief Note on BHASHINI
BHASHINI (BHASHa INterface for India) is a flagship initiative under the Digital India programme, launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. Its core mission is to enable access to digital services in all 22 scheduled Indian languages, breaking the language barrier in technology adoption across the country.
Key Features:
Significance:
Source: PIB
Category: ECONOMICS
Context : Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared an article on the progress made in Technical textiles
Decoding Context:
India’s technical textiles sector is witnessing rapid growth, driven by two major government initiatives: the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Together, these programs aim to transform India into a global leader in this high-value, innovation-driven segment.
Key Outcomes (as of 2025)
Indicator | Value |
---|---|
Domestic Market Growth (Annual) | 10% |
Exports (Technical Textiles) | $2.9 billion |
Total Investment Attracted | ₹5,218 crore |
Employment Generated | 8,500+ jobs |
Sector Turnover | ₹3,242 crore |
Export Revenue (TT alone) | ₹217 crore |
Conclusion
NTTM and PLI have redefined India’s approach to technical textiles—from an import-dependent industry to one that is self-reliant, innovative, and globally competitive. The sector is now crucial to India’s strategic interests in defence, infrastructure, health, and sustainability.
Learning Corner:
Source : THE ECONOMIC TIMES
Kerala’s push for legal flexibility in managing human-wildlife conflict underscores the need to harmonise conservation goals with ground realities. A rational and humane approach must guide reforms in the Wildlife (Protection) Act to ensure both ecological integrity and human security.
Q The increasing frequency of human-wildlife conflict in India poses serious governance and legal challenges. Critically examine the limitations of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, in managing such conflicts. Should states be given more flexibility in responding to localized threats? (250 words, 15 marks)
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, supported by over 100 countries. This move recognizes the vital yet underappreciated role of women in agriculture and seeks to raise awareness about the challenges they face.
1. Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP): Aims to upgrade skills, enhance resource access, and promote sustainable agriculture among women farmers.
2. Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation: Provides 50%–80% subsidies for machinery purchase by women farmers.
3. National Food Security Mission: Allocates 30% of its budget to women farmers in various States/UTs.
4. National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF): Promotes sustainable farming practices through women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs) like Krishi Sakhis and Pashu Sakhis. Empowers women by involving them in the entire agricultural value chain—from pre-production to post-production.
5. Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme: Targets the gender gap in agricultural extension services. Promotes Farm Women’s Food Security Groups (FSGs) – 2 per block annually with ₹10,000 support per group. Reserves 30% of scheme beneficiaries and resources for women farmers.
6. Central Sector Scheme of Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (AC&ABC) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare: Women entrepreneurs are eligible for a 44% subsidy, compared to 36% for others.
Implemented in Nagaon district, Assam, ENACT empowers women farmers through access to climate-resilient solutions and localized advisories.
Women’s empowerment in agriculture index
The declaration of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer offers a historic opportunity to recognize and support women in agriculture. Strengthening their role can ensure food security, climate resilience, and gender equality, making agriculture truly inclusive and sustainable.
Mains Practice Question
Q “Land ownership and access to institutional support remain the biggest barriers to empowering women in Indian agriculture.” Examine the challenges faced by women farmers and evaluate the effectiveness of government initiatives in addressing them.(250 words, 15 marks)
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