UPSC

The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, at the  High-Level Roundtable on Connectivity and Economic Growth  in New Delhi, highlighted the  India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)  as a transcontinental initiative poised to redefine global trade dynamics and strengthen international economic cooperation. What is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor?  About:  The IMEC is a strategic multi-modal connectivity initiative launched through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the  G20 Summit 2023 in New Delhi.  Signatories include  India, US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union.   The initiative is a part of the  Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) , launched by the G7 in 2021.  IMEC seeks to position itself as a viable alternative to  China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)  by promot...

  NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, days after Parliament passed the contentious legislation following marathon debates in both Houses. The Rajya Sabha cleared the Bill in the early hours of Friday with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, following nearly 17 hours of discussion. The Lok Sabha had passed the legislation earlier this week after a 13-hour marathon debate. PM Statement: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the move as a “watershed moment,” saying that the waqf system had long suffered from a lack of transparency and accountability. “This legislation will boost transparency and safeguard people’s rights,” he posted on X. The Act aims to reform the governance of waqf properties, enhance transparency in dealings, and ensure representation from different Muslim sects in waqf boards. It also includes provisions to safeguard heritage sites, improve social welfare, and support the economic inclusion of marginaliz...

 Why in News?: The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023 introduced under the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022, replaces the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme to establish the Indian Carbon Market (ICM), aligning with India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. What is the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme?: CCTS: The CCTS is a market-based mechanism introduced to regulate and trade carbon credits under the ICM. The CCTS aims to decarbonize the Indian economy by pricing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and facilitating carbon trading. Transition from PAT to CCTS: The PAT scheme focused on energy efficiency improvements in energy-intensive industries through Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts). CCTS replaces PAT, shifting the focus from energy intensity to reducing GHG emission intensity, monitoring emissions per tonne of GHG equivalent. It issues Carbon Credit Certificates (CCC), each representing a one-tonne CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) reduction. ...

The Namami Gange Programme (NGP) has marked significant progress in its mission to rejuvenate the sacred River Ganga. It was launched in 2014 with a Rs 20,000 crore budget until 2021, and now extended to March 2026 with Rs 22,500 crore (total: Rs 42,500 crore). What is the Namami Gange Programme? About: It is a flagship programme for the rejuvenation of the Ganga River and its tributaries by reducing pollution, improving water quality, and restoring the river’s ecosystem. Implementation: Five-Tier Structure for Ganga Rejuvenation. Pollution Abatement (Nirmal Ganga): Setting up sewage treatment plants (STPs), reducing industrial and domestic waste discharge. Improving Ecology and Flow (Aviral Ganga): Restoring natural flow and biodiversity, implementing water conservation measures. Strengthening People-River Connect (Jan Ganga): Promoting community participation and awareness, involving local stakeholders in conservation efforts. Facilitating Research and Polic...

Sanjay Kishan Kaul: Retired Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul has been appointed a member of the Bahrain International Commercial Court by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He is among the nine members appointed to the newly established BICC. Leading arbitrator Jan Paulsson has been appointed as BICC president and former British judge Sir Christopher Greenwood as its vice president. BICC: The BICC is a part of the Bahrain government’s “Team Bahrain” to enhance private sector investment in the country by providing a forum for dispute resolution between parties. The BICC will have exclusive jurisdiction within the country to hear international commercial disputes and will also be empowered to hear arbitration-related matters. Resolutions: Justice Kaul retired on December 25, 2023, after serving as a judge of the apex court for over six years. During his tenure he authored decisions in several important rulings, including a concurring opinion in the landmark nine-judge bench c...

Ind & SL Relation: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to India, also his first overseas trip in keeping with tradition, marks a continuity in India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations. The joint statement, after his meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, covered aspects similar to the one subsequent to the visit of his predecessor, Ranil Wickremesinghe, in 2023. Mr. Dissanayake’s assurance that Sri Lanka will not permit its territory to be used in any manner inimical to India’s security and regional stability, on the face of it, appears to be a reiteration of Colombo’s long-standing position, but it was significant in view of a perception that Mr. Dissanayake’s Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is a Left-leaning pro-China party. India viewed his observation as one that could have a bearing on the clearance for Chinese ships visiting Sri Lanka in the light of the Wickremesinghe government’s one-year moratorium (after India’s concerns) on all “foreign research vessels” vi...

  Introduction: The  2011 Census of India  reported that 2.21% of the Indian population lives with disabilities, but this is a significant  underestimation . The  2019 Brief Disability Model Survey by WHO  estimated the prevalence of  severe disability among Indian adults at 16% . This disparity highlights the need for accurate data collection mechanisms to plan inclusive policies effectively.   United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD): India ratified the  United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)  in 2007. The Convention emphasizes a  rights-based approach  to disability, focusing on dignity, equality, and inclusion. The UNCRPD obligates states to align their national legislation with the Convention’s principles.   Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection o...

Ayushman Bharat scheme : Delhi Chief Minister says exploring the possibility of running it alongside their free treatment facility extended to city residents; Bidhuri promises scheme roll-out by BJP if it wins the Assembly election ; Delhi High Court seeks response from  AAP govt. over programme’s non-implementation Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Thursday said her government is “in-principle” ready for the implementation of the Centre’s flagship health insurance scheme — Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) — in the Capital. However, the CM said they are exploring the possibility of running it concurrently with the free treatment facility being provided by them at the Delhi government hospitals as the ₹5-lakh annual health cover being offered under the plan leaves a large number of needy patients outside its ambit. “We do not want anyone to not get free treatment. So, we have given directions to the Health Department to come up with a solution...

Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Small Island Developing States (SIDS) refer to a group of small island nations and territories that face shared challenges in sustainable development, alongside significant social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities.   Some of SIDS include the Maldives, Seychelles, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Guyana, and Singapore.  SIDS are primarily located in three major geographical regions: the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Atlantic, Indian Ocean & South China Sea (AIS) regions.  At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development 1992, SIDS were formally recognized as a special case due to their unique environmental and developmental challenges.  How is Climate Change Affecting SIDS?  Increased Vulnerability of SIDS:  SIDS suffer 3-5 times more climate-related losses relative to government revenues compared to other countries.  Even wealth...

Geopolitical Landscape: The geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, have implications for India's foreign policy. India’s strategic positioning, emphasizing a non-aligned approach while fostering relationships with both Western nations and Russia, is crucial. The recent G20 summit highlighted India’s role as a key player in international diplomacy, focusing on sustainable development and global economic stability. Economic Developments: Domestically, India's economy is experiencing a robust recovery post-pandemic. The government’s initiatives, like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, aim to boost manufacturing and attract foreign investment. Key economic indicators such as GDP growth, inflation rates, and unemployment figures are essential for candidates to understand the broader economic narrative. Environmental Issues: Climate change remains a pressing concern. India's commitment to achieving net-zero emissi...