Relevance: Polity & Governance (Judiciary) •  Source: The Hindu India’s lower judiciary, which forms the backbone of the justice system, handles nearly 85% of all pending cases. Yet it suffers from chronic pendency, outdated procedures, and limited administrative reforms, leading to what experts call a cycle of litigation → delay → stagnation. Why Pendency Persists The article…

Relevance: GS II – Indian Constitution & Governance; GS III – Indian Economy Source: Press Information Bureau; Ministry of Finance updates The Sixteenth Finance Commission (16th FC), chaired by Arvind Panagariya, has submitted its report for the period 2026–2027 to 2030–2031 to the President of India. The report outlines tax-sharing formulas, grants-in-aid, and financial principles that will…

Relevance: Science & Tech (Biotech, Ethics) • Source: UNESCO, The Hindu Neurotechnology includes tools that monitor, read, or modify brain activity—from brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) to implants helping paralysed people move. With rapid commercial and medical expansion, UNESCO has issued the first global ethical guidelines to safeguard mental privacy and human autonomy. Why Oversight Is Needed Neurotech market…

 Relevance for UPSC (GS Paper I – Modern Indian History) • Source: The Hindu Who Was Batukeshwar Dutt? Batukeshwar Dutt (1910–1965) was a revolutionary associated with the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and a close comrade of Bhagat Singh. On April 8, 1929, Dutt and Bhagat Singh exploded harmless smoke bombs in the Central Assembly Hall in…

 Relevance for UPSC (GS Paper II – International Relations) • Source: The Hindu News A decade after the India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III, 2015), India is reviewing its engagement with Africa. With 17 new missions, $100+ billion trade, and deeper capacity-building programmes, the need is to convert goodwill into tangible outcomes. Why Africa Matters Africa will host 25%…

Relevance for UPSC (GS Paper III – Economy & Trade)  Source: The Hindu BusinessLine / News Report India’s goods exports to the United States fell by 9% (y-o-y) in October after sharp US tariff hikes—some up to 50%—made Indian products costlier. Labour-intensive sectors like engineering goods, textiles, leather and gems-jewellery saw the steepest decline. India’s trade surplus…

Relevance for UPSC (GS Paper III – Environment & Agriculture) Source: Economic Times PepsiCo announced that it aims to scale regenerative farming across 10 million acres globally by 2030, including India, as part of its sustainable agriculture programme. What is Regenerative Farming? A set of farming practices that restore soil health, increase biodiversity, and enhance ecosystem functions…

Relevance for UPSC (GS Paper III – Environment & Ecology) • Source: Times of India The report highlights rising threats to India’s medicinal plant diversity due to over-harvesting, habitat loss and climate stress, reinforcing the need for stronger conservation measures. What is Herbal Biodiversity? Herbal biodiversity refers to the variety, genetic diversity, and natural habitats of plants…

Relevance for UPSC (GS Paper III – Defence & Security) • Source: Indian Defence Review Swedish defence firm Saab has unveiled the A26 submarine, claimed to be the world’s first fifth-generation submarine, introducing major advances in stealth, endurance, and modular undersea warfare. What Are Fifth-Generation Submarines? They represent the latest class of high-stealth, long-endurance, multi-mission platforms built…

Relevance for UPSC (Paper III – Environment & Ecology): Community-based conservation, Wildlife (Protection) Act Source: The Hindu (Frontline); Roundglass Sustain Context  The Bugun Liocichla, discovered in 2006 and found only near Eaglenest, Arunachal Pradesh, highlighted the region’s unique biodiversity. Its protection is led by the Bugun tribe, after whom the bird is named. In 2017, they partnered…

Relevance: GS Paper I – Modern Indian History (British Administration);  Source: The Hindu archives, British Parliamentary Records The Charter Act of 1793 extended the East India Company’s commercial privileges for 20 years and further strengthened British political control in India. It largely continued the framework of the Regulating Act, 1773 and Pitt’s India Act, 1784, but increased…

Relevance: GS Paper III – Environment & Pollution; Source: The New Indian Express, recent scientific studies A new assessment warns that India now faces a rising pollutant: airborne microplastics. These tiny particles—released from tyres, synthetic textiles, road dust, and plastic waste burning—are now found across major Indian cities and even remote regions. What Are Microplastics? Microplastics are…

 Relevance: GS Paper III – Environment & Ecology; Source: Nature Reviews Biodiversity A recent study highlights that the biodiversity inside mangrove ecosystems—trees, fish, crabs, molluscs, microbes—directly strengthens key ecosystem services such as carbon storage, shoreline protection, and fisheries support.  And climate change and sea-level rise threaten these biodiversity-driven functions. Key Insights Mangroves with richer species diversity, such…

 Relevance: GS Paper III – Environment & Climate Change; Source: The Hindu Analysis, International Climate Observatories A massive brown ribbon-like plume has been spotted by satellites stretching across the Atlantic Ocean from the Western Sahara to the Caribbean.  Made of Saharan dust, Amazon wildfire smoke, and carbon-rich fine particles carried by strong trade winds. Why It Matters…