Category: INTERNATIONAL
Context: Iran held nuclear talks in Istanbul with diplomats from Britain, France, and Germany (E3 countries) to resolve the deadlock over its nuclear programme.
The meeting ended with an agreement to continue discussions. The focus was on whether to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran using the “snapback” mechanism, especially if progress isn’t made by August. The E3 had warned of sanctions if Iran fails to meet its nuclear obligations. While Iran remains skeptical of Western intentions, European leaders are concerned about Iran’s lack of transparency. Both sides agreed to meet again, but tensions remain over trust and commitment.
Learning Corner:
E3 Group:
The E3 refers to a group of three major European countries: France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. They often coordinate on foreign policy, especially on global security and non-proliferation issues.
Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS
Category: POLITY
Context: The Supreme Court of India has rejected a plea seeking the start of the delimitation process for constituencies in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N.K. Sinha ruled that the delimitation carried out in Jammu & Kashmir under a special provision cannot be used as a precedent for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, as J&K is a Union Territory governed by a distinct constitutional framework.
The Court emphasized:
Learning Corner:
Delimitation in India
Delimitation refers to the act of redrawing the boundaries of electoral constituencies to ensure fair representation based on population changes.
Constitutional Basis:
Key Points:
Purpose:
Delimitation is thus a constitutional tool to uphold democratic fairness while balancing administrative and political considerations.
Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS
Category: INTERNATIONAL
Context : Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), is visiting Australia from July 26 to 28, 2025, to witness the 11th edition of Exercise Talisman Sabre (TS25).
TS25 involves 19 countries and features complex joint training across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains, including live-fire and amphibious operations.
For the first time, six Indian officers are participating as Staff Planners, marking a shift from previous observer roles in 2021 and 2023. Their involvement includes planning and coordination in joint operations. The visit reflects India’s growing role in regional defense cooperation and its commitment to strengthening military interoperability and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
Learning Corner:
Military Exercises by India
India conducts a wide range of bilateral, multilateral, and domestic military exercises aimed at strengthening military preparedness, enhancing interoperability, and fostering diplomatic ties.
Types of Military Exercises:
Bilateral Exercises:
Multilateral Exercises:
Tri-Service Exercises:
Domestic Exercises:
Source : PIB
Category: INTERNATIONAL
Context: Clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces near their disputed border have resulted in at least 11 deaths
The fighting has centered around contested areas near the ancient temples of Prasat Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear. The use of heavy artillery and fighter jets marks a major escalation. Both nations blame each other for starting the conflict and have recalled ambassadors and closed border crossings.
Over 138,000 Thai civilians and thousands of Cambodians have been displaced. International appeals for a ceasefire and diplomatic resolution have intensified amid fears of a broader regional conflict.
Learning Corner:
Preah Vihear Temple:
Prasat Ta Muen Thom:
Source: THE HINDU
Category: POLITY
Context: The Export Promotion Mission, launched in the Union Budget 2025–26, aims to drive export-led growth by empowering MSMEs
Key Objectives
Major Components
Special Initiatives
Source: PIB
Kargil war (fought between India and Pakistan) and in April, 2025, Pakistan-based terrorists launched a terror attack on innocent civilians at a popular tourist spot in Pahalgam.
Kargil was a watershed moment for India in its conventional fighting capability, Pahalgam has set the bar against any future terror attack in India. Over two decades, India has steadily re-strategized its security policies, sending out a clear message to Pakistan and the world that India will not tolerate any future mis-adventure.
Kargil War (May–July 1999)
Pahalgam Attack (April 22, 2025)
Military Modernisation
Cold Start Doctrine
Focus on Mountain Warfare
Joint Coordination in Armed Forces
Kargil (1999) to Pahalgam in 2025, India’s security doctrine has evolved from reactive defense to decisive deterrence. Strategic reforms, military modernisation, and political will have together redefined India’s stance on cross-border terrorism. However, the Indian political and military leadership has to remain vigilant and stay ahead of the curve.
Until the late 1980s, the value of mangroves was primarily understood by the communities that lived around them and relied on them for fishery resources and their livelihoods. However, mangroves now occupy a central position in the area of disaster risk reduction in coastal areas, climate adaptation through carbon sequestration, enhancement of coastal fishery resources, or the conservation of shoreline bird sanctuaries.
26th July is celebrated as World Mangrove Day which commemorates the significance of mangroves in coastal resilience and climate mitigation.
Mangroves are salt-tolerant coastal forests that thrive in brackish water. Known for their dense root systems, mangroves provide critical ecosystem services by stabilizing coastlines, preventing soil erosion, and acting as nurseries for various marine species.
Common mangrove species in India include Rhizophora, Avicennia, and Sonneratia.
Hence restoration of mangroves is important, based on the principles of ecology, economics, and equity as well as research on the utilisation of mangrove genetic resources to develop new saline-tolerant crops (by transferring genes for salinity tolerance from mangroves to rice and other crops).
Case study: Mangroves has played a key role during the 1999 Odisha super cyclone and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, in reducing the loss of life and damage to property and natural resources, paved the way for valuing large-scale restoration of mangroves, in India and globally.
Mangroves have evolved from being viewed as expendable marshy lands to becoming global symbols of ecosystem-based resilience, thanks to the pioneering efforts of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan. His vision integrated science, policy, and community participation, making mangrove conservation central to both disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
Q Discuss the ecological and economic significance of mangrove forests in the context of climate change and coastal resilience. Highlight India’s efforts in mangrove restoration. (250 words, 15 marks)