Science & Technology – Biotechnology/Neuroscience (Brain networks, neurodegenerative diseases)

News Context

A recent study (published in Nature) has identified a new brain network—Somatic Cognitive Action Network (SCAN)—linked to Parkinson’s disease, with implications for targeted therapies like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

Key Findings & Facts

What is SCAN?

• A higher-order brain network involved in movement coordination and cognitive control. 
• Located within the motor cortex, but integrates signals beyond simple motor functions. 
• Identified using Precision Functional Mapping (PFM)—a high-resolution brain-mapping technique. 

SCAN in Parkinson’s Disease

• Shows abnormal over-connectivity with: 
  • Basal Ganglia (movement regulation) 
  • Thalamus (signal relay) 
• Not observed in other disorders like ALS → potential disease-specific biomarker. 

Therapeutic Implications

• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) targeting SCAN: 
  • Reduced tremors, rigidity, and instability (trial with 18 patients). 
• Offers non-invasive alternative to: 
  • Levodopa (drug therapy with side effects) 
  • Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) (invasive, costly) 

Important Keywords

• Parkinson’s disease 
• SCAN (Somatic Cognitive Action Network) 
• Precision Functional Mapping (PFM) 
• Basal ganglia, Thalamus 
• TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) 
• DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) 

UPSC-Oriented Analysis

• Links static concepts (brain anatomy, motor control) with dynamic research advances. 
• Possible MCQs on: 
  • Difference between motor-effector vs higher-order networks 
  • Role of basal ganglia in movement disorders 
  • Comparison: TMS vs DBS vs drug therapy 

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/newfound-brain-network-scan-implicated-in-parkinsons-disease/article70801578.ece

Polity & Governance – Union Territories, Administrative divisions, J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019

News Context

A Private Member’s Bill in the J&K Assembly seeks divisional status for Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley, along with creation of 16 new districts, highlighting issues of decentralisation and regional imbalance.

Pir Panjal & Chenab Valley

1. Pir Panjal Region

• Located in Jammu and Kashmir (Jammu division) 
• Comprises districts: 
  • Rajouri, Poonch 
• Named after Pir Panjal Range (part of Lesser Himalayas) 
• Key features: 
  • Border region along Line of Control (LoC) 
  • Predominantly hilly & forested terrain 
  • Connectivity challenges (passes like Mughal Road) 

2. Chenab Valley Region

• Also in Jammu and Kashmir 
• Comprises districts: 
  • Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban 
• Named after Chenab River 
• Key features: 
  • Mountainous & remote terrain 
  • Rich in hydropower potential 
  • Prone to landslides & natural hazards

Relevant Prelims Keywords

• J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019: The legal framework governing the UT’s administrative changes.
• Private Member’s Bill: A Bill introduced by any MP/MLA who is not a Minister.
• Consolidated Fund of the UT: The primary account for govt. revenue and expenditure.
• Regional Autonomy: The decentralization of power to sub-regions to address developmental imbalances.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/jammu-kashmir-new-divisions-bill-pir-panjal-chenab-valley-10609446/

• Subject: Indian Heritage & Culture & Current Affairs

News Context:
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun large-scale excavation at Balirajgarh in Madhubani district, Bihar. The site, declared protected in 1938, is believed to be a gateway to ancient Mithila and possibly the administrative capital of the legendary Videha Kingdom. Previous explorations (2013-14) revealed a massive brick fortification spanning 176 acres.

Key Details & Facts:

Historical Timeline & Cultural Phases (Proposed):

Artefacts Unearthed (Previous Digs):

• Ancient beads
• Copper objects
• Bone tools
• Terracotta figurines & toys
• Punch-marked coins

Relevant Keywords for Prelims:

• Dynasties: Videha, Mauryan, Sunga, Kushan, Gupta, Pala
• Archaeological Terms: NBPW (Northern Black Polished Ware), virgin soil, cultural fabric, habitation mound
• Institutions: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Patna Circle
• Geography: Mithila, Madhubani, Balirajgarh, Babubarhi
• Mythological Connect: King Bali (legendary capital)
• Modern Link: Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture

Core Theme:

1. Gateway to Ancient Mithila: Balirajgarh is believed to be the administrative hub of the Videha Kingdom, an Iron Age polity associated with King Janaka and the philosophical traditions of the Upanishads.
2. Continuous Habitation Across Dynasties: ASI surveys indicate settlement continuity from pre-Mauryan times through Sunga, Kushan, Gupta, and Pala periods – spanning over 2,000 years.
3. Objective of Current Excavation: To reach “virgin soil” and determine if the site predates the Mauryan era. If confirmed, it would push the documented history of Mithila back by several centuries into the Iron Age.
4. Tourism & Cultural Heritage: A modern museum (modelled after Patna Museum) is planned to preserve findings and boost local economy through heritage tourism.

UPSC-Oriented Analysis (Static-Dynamic Linkage):

• Static: Geographical location of Mithila (northern Bihar, southern Nepal). Chronology of dynasties – Maurya (322 BCE), Sunga (185 BCE), Kushan (1st cent CE), Gupta (4th cent CE), Pala (8th cent CE). NBPW as a marker of the second urbanisation (c. 600 BCE). Punch-marked coins – earliest Indian coinage.
• Dynamic: ASI’s use of modern tools (satellite imagery, systematic mapping) – shift from traditional to scientific archaeology. Parliamentary Committee involvement – reflects policy focus on heritage preservation and tourism-linked economic development.

Source/Reference: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/administrative-hub-of-iron-age-kingdom-asi-dig-at-bihars-balirajgarh-seeks-answers-on-ancient-mithila-history-10608595/

• Subject: Science & Technology & Current Affairs

News Context:
NASA is preparing for the launch of Artemis 2, possibly this week (March/April 2026), which will carry four astronauts around the Moon – the first human mission to lunar vicinity since Apollo 17 (1972). Concurrently, NASA unveiled a decade-long roadmap to establish a permanent lunar base, shifting from “flags and footprints” to sustainable human presence.

Key Details & Facts:

Other Players in Lunar Exploration:

Relevant Keywords for Prelims:

• Programmes: Artemis Programme, Apollo Programme, ISS (International Space Station), NISAR (NASA-ISRO joint mission).
• Spacecraft/Vehicles: Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS).
• Accords/Principles: Artemis Accords (non-binding bilateral principles for sustainable lunar exploration).
• Technologies: Nuclear propulsion (Space Reactor 1 Freedom), in-situ resource utilization (ISRU).
• Institutions: NASA, ISRO, CNSA (China), Roscosmos (Russia).

Core Theme:

1. Paradigm Shift in Lunar Exploration: Unlike Apollo’s short-duration landings (1969-72), the current phase aims for sustained human presence – a permanent base akin to the ISS, serving as a stepping stone for Mars and deeper space.
2. Artemis Architecture: Phased approach – Artemis 1 (uncrewed), Artemis 2 (crewed flyby), Artemis 3 (landing), followed by regular missions (every 6 months) involving private and international partners.
3. Multipolar Space Race: Unlike the Cold War-era US-USSR rivalry, today’s lunar exploration involves multiple players – USA (Artemis Accords), China (2030 human landing), India (2040 human landing) , with strategic alignments and competition coexisting.
4. India’s Positioning: ISRO is both a collaborator (Artemis Accords signatory; NISAR partnership) and a competitor (independent human landing plans by 2040), positioning itself strategically in the new space order.

UPSC-Oriented Analysis (Static-Dynamic Linkage):

• Static: Difference between low-earth orbit (ISS at ~400 km) and lunar distance (~400,000 km). Historical timeline – Apollo 11 (1969), establishment of ISRO (1969). Types of space missions: orbiter, lander, crewed, robotic.
• Dynamic: Artemis Accords – India’s strategic alignment with US space programme; implications for future collaboration vs. autonomy. ISS retirement (2028-2030) and emergence of multiple space stations (commercial, Chinese, Indian). Nuclear propulsion – efficiency gains and non-proliferation implications.

Source/Reference: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/nasa-moon-base-plan-artemis-ii-lunar-mission-10607597/

• Subject: International Relations & Current Affairs

News Context (March 2026)

The G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held on March 26–27, 2026, at Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay near Paris, under France’s G7 Presidency. The meeting focused on resolving major geopolitical crises, with the West Asia conflict (Iran-Israel war) and Russia-Ukraine war as central themes.

Key developments included:

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar participated as an invited partner, highlighting UNSC reforms and the urgency of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for international shipping.
• Ukraine was also invited, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha attending alongside member states.
• The meeting concluded with a joint statement urging an end to attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure in the Iran-Israel conflict, and emphasizing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
• A G7 task force was established to combat drug trafficking through a network of ports.

Key Details & Facts

Invited Partners (2026 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting)

France invited representatives from Brazil, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine to participate.

Core Theme

Evolution from Economics to Geopolitics
The G7 was established as an economic coordination forum following the 1970s oil crisis. It has since expanded to address international security, counter-terrorism, climate change, and global health.

Major Achievements
The G7 has been instrumental in creating:

• Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
• Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
• Muskoka Initiative (maternal, newborn, and child health) 

France’s 2026 Presidency Priorities
France’s priorities include:

• Addressing global macroeconomic imbalances
• UNSC reforms and strengthening humanitarian supply chains
• Securing critical mineral supply chains
• Combating organized crime and drug trafficking
• Establishing a G7 task force on port security 

India’s Engagement
India is a regular invited partner to G7 summits (invited in 2019 by France and in 2025 by Canada). At the March 2026 meeting, India advocated for:

• UNSC permanent membership
• Streamlining peacekeeping operations
• Ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz 

UPSC-Oriented Analysis (Static-Dynamic Linkage)

Static:

• Difference between G7, G20, and G77 – membership, mandate, and global representation
• History: 1975 (Rambouillet) → 1976 (Canada joins) → 1998 (Russia joins → G8) → 2014 (Russia suspended)

Dynamic:

• Russia’s exclusion and its implications for global governance
• G7 vs. BRICS – as alternative platforms for emerging economies
• Critical Minerals Action Plan (Canada 2025 Presidency) – competition with China for supply chains 
• India’s balancing act – engaging with both G7 (West) and BRICS/SCO (East) simultaneously

Source/Reference: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/g-7-meet-underlines-fracture-in-west-need-for-india-to-step-up-10608492/

UPSC Mains Subject: GS Paper II – International Relations (Bilateral Relations)
Sub-topic: India’s Neighbourhood Policy; Nepal Relations; Regional Connectivity

Introduction

Balen Shah’s swearing-in as Nepal’s first Madhesi Prime Minister signals both continuity and change. Representing a Gen-Z shift beyond traditional party frameworks, he brings new foreign policy perspectives. As Nepal recalibrates ties with India, China, and the US, New Delhi must respond with patience, proactive engagement, and swift diplomacy to reinvigorate its “Neighbours First” policy.

Main Body

Historical Context: India-Nepal Relations

The New Leadership: Balen Shah’s Ascension

Key Insight: This is not a leader inheriting old foreign policy understandings—India must engage with a new political imagination.

India’s Strategic Imperatives

Lessons from Recent History: Avoid Past Mistakes

Principle: Tread lightly and positively as the Shah government finds its feet.

China Factor: Balancing Regional Dynamics

Way Forward: “Neighbours First” in Practice

• Swift Invitation: Invite Prime Minister Shah to Delhi at the earliest—avoid the delay that marked Oli’s tenure
• Focus on Immediate Needs: Assist with fuel, fertilizer, and economic stabilization during global shocks
• Deepen Hydropower Integration: Expedite power purchase agreements; invest in cross-border transmission infrastructure
• People-to-People Ties: Leverage familial and cultural bonds; simplify travel and transit for Nepali citizens
• Respect Sovereignty: Avoid any perception of interference; engage Nepal’s new leadership on its own terms
• Update Institutional Frameworks: Revitalize bilateral mechanisms; consider modernizing the 1950 Treaty

Critical Analysis: Strengths & Gaps

Conclusion

Balen Shah’s rise signals a generational shift in Nepal. India must respond with patient diplomacy, swift outreach, and economic support—avoiding past missteps—to strengthen ties and advance “Neighbours First,” as a stable Nepal is vital for regional and India’s strategic interests.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

1. “Nepal’s new leadership represents a generational shift that demands a recalibrated Indian approach.” Critically examine the challenges and opportunities in India-Nepal relations. What principles should guide India’s neighbourhood policy in this new context? (250 words, 15 marks)

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/neighbours-first/article70799573.ece

UPSC Mains Subject: GS Paper III – Security (Defence) | GS Paper III – Science & Technology
Sub-topic: Modern Warfare; Defence Technology; Indigenous Innovation

Introduction

Iran’s low-cost Shahed drones (~$20,000–30,000) expose costly defence systems by exploiting economic asymmetry—cheap attacks versus expensive defence. Seen also in Russia–Ukraine, they are reshaping warfare, compelling a shift toward cost-effective strategies and indigenous counter-drone capabilities.

Main Body

The Economic Asymmetry: Attacking Cheap, Defending Expensive

Key Imbalance: A $20,000 drone forces a $4 million missile response. Within five days of the Iran war, the US and allies fired over 800 such interceptors—stocks that take years to replenish.

Operational Vulnerabilities of Advanced Systems

Strategic Dilemma: Even wealthy Gulf states find current defence posture unsustainable—overstretched pilots, exhausted inventories, and prohibitive costs.

Cost-Effective Countermeasures: Global Innovations

Limitations: Laser effectiveness degraded by rain, fog, smoke; most systems still in early deployment.

Lessons for India: Indigenous Innovation & Integration

Geopolitical Implications for India

Critical Analysis: Strengths & Gaps

Conclusion

The Iran war highlights a shift in warfare economics: cheap drones can overwhelm costly defence systems. For India, this demands investment in indigenous drone and counter-drone tech, integration with air defence, and development of low-cost interceptors and agile, innovation-driven defence strategies.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

1. Cheap drones have created an economic asymmetry in warfare by making attacks inexpensive and defence costly. Critically examine their impact on modern warfare and discuss implications for India’s defence preparedness and indigenous defence strategy. (250 words, 15 marks)

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/iran-drone-shahed-us-israel-gulf-future-warfare-10603928/