Articles on 17 November 2025

by Vajiram & Ravi - 17 November 2025

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily articles for 17 November 2025, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

Charter Act of 1793, History, Provisions, Impact, Significance

November 17, 2025
Charter Act of 1793

The Charter Act of 1793 was a major law passed by the British Parliament to renew and regulate the East India Company’s role in India. It reaffirmed the Company’s trade rights, strengthened its administrative structure, and clarified that its political authority acted on behalf of the British Crown. This act consolidated British power in India, laying foundations for how the Company would govern Indian territories in the years ahead.

What Is the Charter Act of 1793?

The Charter Act of 1793 (also called the East India Company Act, 1793) extended the East India Company’s charter for another twenty years. It maintained the Company’s exclusive trade rights in India, reinforced its political role, and gave greater power to the Governor-General. At the same time, it strengthened British governmental oversight and confirmed that the Company governed Indian territories on behalf of the British Crown.

Charter Act of 1793 Historical Background

To understand why the Charter Act of 1793 was passed, we need to look at previous laws and political developments.

  • Regulating Act of 1773: This was the first major step by Parliament to regulate the East India Company. It created a Supreme Council in Bengal and established a Supreme Court in Calcutta. 
  • Pitt’s India Act of 1784: This act introduced a dual system of governance: the East India Company managed commerce, while the British government (through the Board of Control) overseen political matters. 
  • Amendment Act of 1786: In 1786, a supplementary act strengthened the Governor-General’s power. Lord Cornwallis, then Governor-General of Bengal, was given the authority to override his council in certain cases. 
  • By the early 1790s, the East India Company had grown powerful politically and financially, owning large territories in India and generating large revenues. British policymakers saw the need to renew its charter but also to impose more control, both to secure profits and maintain political stability.

Charter Act of 1793 Provisions

The Charter Act of 1793 introduced several important provisions. We can divide them into political, economic, administrative, and judicial categories.

Political Provisions:

  • The Act made it clear that the East India Company’s political role was on behalf of the British Crown, not for its own sovereignty. 
  • Royal approval was required for key appointments: the Governor-General, governors of presidencies (Madras, Bombay), and the Commander-in-Chief all needed the King’s sanction. 
  • When the Governor-General was present in Bombay or Madras, he outranked the governors of those presidencies.
  • In Bengal, if the Governor-General was absent, he could appoint a Vice-President from among the civilian council members.

Economic/ Trade Provisions:

  • The Company’s trade monopoly in India was renewed for another twenty years. 
  • The Company was required to pay a fixed sum of £500,000 (5 lakh pounds) annually to the British government from its Indian revenues, after covering its expenses. 
  • Salaries and pensions for the Board of Control (in London) and other officials involved in Indian governance were to be paid from Indian revenue. 
  • The Act allowed “privilege trade” (also called “country trade”): the Company could grant licences to individuals (including its own employees) to trade in India. This opened the door for private trade (for example, opium trade to China). 
  • Senior Company officials were not permitted to leave India without permission. If they did so without permission, it was treated as resignation. 
  • The Company’s dividends for its shareholders could be raised up to 10%.

Administrative Provisions:

  • The Governor-General was given expanded powers: he could override his Council in certain situations (a power previously given to Cornwallis in 1786, now extended to all future Governors-General). 
  • Control over the presidencies of Madras and Bombay was strengthened: the Governor-General had executive authority over them. 
  • The Board of Control (based in Britain) had its composition altered. It would now consist of a President and two junior members (not necessarily from the Privy Council). 

Also Read: Charter Act 1833

Judicial/ Legal Provisions:

  • The Act separated the revenue administration from judicial functions. This meant that district collectors or revenue officers no longer acted as judges in revenue courts (the “Maal Adalats” were abolished). 
  • It reaffirmed the existing higher courts: the Sadar Diwani Adalat (civil appeals) and the Sadar Nizamat Adalat (criminal appeals) in Calcutta remained, with the Governor-General and Council assisting, along with native law officers. 
  • Provincial appellate courts continued at Calcutta, Dacca, Murshidabad, and Patna to hear lower-level appeals. 

Charter Act of 1793 Governor-General

During the period of the Charter Act of 1793, John Shore was the Governor-General of Bengal, and his role reflected the new powers granted by the Act.

  • John Shore (Governor-General, 1793-1796): He was in office precisely when this Act came into force. He operated under the new framework, which gave him substantial power to override his Council when necessary.
  • Role under the Act: Under this Act, Shore’s authority was not just administrative but also executive: he could enforce decisions, manage presidencies, and act with greater autonomy because the Act recognized stronger central power. 
  • While the Act extended Cornwallis’s “override” power (first granted in 1786) to future Governors-General, Shore was the first to benefit from this in practice.

Also Read: Charter Act 1853

Charter Act of 1793 Impact

The Charter Act of 1793 created wide-ranging effects on administration, economy, politics, and judiciary by strengthening central authority and expanding Company control.

1. Administrative Impact

  • Increased power of the Governor-General weakened provincial autonomy.
  • Strengthened centralized decision-making across presidencies.
  • Separation of revenue and judicial functions improved administrative clarity.
  • Continued British dominance in senior offices without Indian participation.
  • Standardized administrative processes across territories.

2. Political Impact

  • Reaffirmed the Company’s rule as an extension of the British Crown.
  • Reduced independence of Madras and Bombay governments.
  • Governor-General gained overriding authority, reducing council resistance.
  • Strengthened British control over Indian territories.
  • Reinforced the dual-control structure created under Pitt’s India Act.

3. Economic Impact

  • Renewed East India Company’s trade monopoly for 20 years.
  • Increased financial burden on India due to salaries paid from Indian revenues.
  • Allowed licensed private trade, expanding commercial activities.
  • Permitted Company dividends up to 10 percent.
  • Supported revenue extraction to fund British administrative costs.

4. Judicial Impact

  • Abolished revenue courts (Maal Adalats), clarifying judicial functions.
  • Sustained higher courts like Sadar Diwani and Sadar Nizamat Adalats.
  • Encouraged professional judicial processes.
  • Reduced misuse of revenue powers by collectors.
  • Continued British dominance in judicial administration.

5. Social Impact

  • No policy introduced for education, social reform, or welfare.
  • Limited Indian participation maintained social distance between rulers and subjects.
  • Privilege trade indirectly affected local communities and artisans.
  • Increased central authority shaped social hierarchy under colonial rule.
  • Strengthened British socio-political dominance in Indian society.

Charter Act of 1793 Significance

The Charter Act of 1793 was not revolutionary, but it had deep and lasting significance in the evolution of British governance in India:

  1. Consolidation, not radical change: The Act reaffirmed existing structures rather than disrupt them, giving stability to the British administration. 
  2. Strengthened central power: More authority was given to the Governor-General, making administration more centralized. 
  3. Financial exploitation: By charging administrative salaries to Indian revenues, the Act deepened the economic burden on Indian territories. 
  4. Trade control: The renewal of the Company's monopoly ensured continued economic domination, but the allowance for “country trade” also opened new trade channels. 
  5. Judicial reform: Separating revenue collection from judicial duties meant more impartial justice and stronger legal institutions. 
  6. Political legitimacy: By affirming that the Company acted on behalf of the Crown, the Act clarified that British sovereignty over India was through the Crown, not just the Company. 
  7. Administrative continuity: It ensured continuity through reappointment of officials and stable governance for another two decades.

Charter Act of 1793 Drawbacks

Although the Charter Act of 1793 strengthened British control, it had several important limitations and negative consequences:

  1. No Indian representation: Indians had no real role in governance or high administration under this Act. 
  2. Economic burden on Indian revenue: Paying British officials from Indian revenues transferred the financial cost of administration to India. 
  3. Trade monopoly persisted: The continuation of the Company’s monopoly limited free trade and economic opportunities for others.
  4. Encouragement of “country trade”: The license trade (privilege trade) included opium trade with China, which had long-term negative effects.
  5. Centralization risk: Stronger power to the Governor-General meant less autonomy for local presidencies, reducing decentralization. 
  6. Administrative overreach: The Governor-General’s expanded powers could suppress dissent within his Council. 
  7. Senior official restrictions: Ban on leaving without permission curtailed freedom for Company officers and discouraged initiative. 
  8. Limited judicial reform: While there was separation of powers, only limited improvements were made; system still favored British officers.
  9. Salaries tied to Indian revenue: Paying the Board of Control from Indian income entrenched financial dependence.
  10. Short-term charter: Extending for only 20 years meant uncertainty, requiring further renewal and leaving room for future conflicts.

Charter Act of 1793 Impact on Later Charters (1813 & 1833)

The Charter Act of 1793 laid the foundation for future reforms by strengthening centralized authority, formalizing Crown supervision, and clarifying administrative powers. These features exposed governance gaps that later Acts addressed.

  • Continued monopoly led to demand for free trade, prompting the Charter Act of 1813.
  • Centralized administration highlighted the need for clearer legislative powers, shaping the Charter Act of 1833.
  • Increasing political control set the stage for complete restructuring under later Acts.
  • Financial dependence on Indian revenue pushed future reforms toward accountability.

Charter Act of 1793 UPSC

The Charter Act of 1793 was a careful balance of British expansion and control. It offered stability by renewing the East India Company’s charter, reaffirmed its trade monopoly, and strengthened central governance under the Governor-General. At the same time, it institutionalized financial burdens on Indian territories and limited meaningful participation by Indians. In effect, the Act advanced British imperial interests while laying down administrative and judicial structures that would influence the course of colonial governance for decades.

Charter Act of 1793 FAQs

Q1: What was the main purpose of the Charter Act of 1793?

Ans: Its main purpose was to renew the East India Company’s powers and continue its trade monopoly for 20 more years.

Q2: Did the Charter Act of 1793 change the administrative structure?

Ans: Yes, it strengthened the Governor-General’s authority and reduced the independence of provincial presidencies.

Q3: How did the Charter Act of 1793 affect trade?

Ans: It continued the Company’s trade monopoly but allowed licensed private “country trade,” including opium trade to China.

Q4: Which Governor-General worked under the Charter Act of 1793?

Ans: John Shore (1793-1796) was the Governor-General when the Act was implemented.

Q5: Did the Charter Act of 1793 include Indians in governance?

Ans: No, the Act did not provide Indians any meaningful role in high administration or decision-making.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Headquarter, Objectives

November 17, 2025
International Atomic Energy Agency

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is a key global organization that promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy, ensures nuclear safety, and works to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Established in the 1950s, it acts as the world’s nuclear watchdog and a technology-sharing platform. The IAEA brings together nearly all countries in the world under a common framework to cooperate on nuclear science, security, and development.

International Atomic Energy Agency

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was born out of the U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace” speech to the United Nations General Assembly in 1953, which advocated for a global body to manage nuclear energy for peaceful ends. Its statute came into force on 29 July 1957, making it an independent intergovernmental organization under the UN system. Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, the IAEA reports to both the UN General Assembly and Security Council, though it retains considerable autonomy.

Also Read: World Trade Organisation

International Atomic Energy Agency Objectives

The mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is threefold:

  1. To assist its member states in applying nuclear science and technology for peace, development, and health; 
  2. To develop and enforce nuclear safety and security standards, protecting people and the environment from ionising radiation; 
  3. To verify through its inspection system that nuclear materials are used only for peaceful purposes, especially under treaties such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). 

International Atomic Energy Agency Structure

Structurally, the IAEA has a General Conference (all member states), a Board of Governors (35 members), and a Secretariat run by a Director General. Its departments include those focused on nuclear energy, safety, sciences and applications, safeguards, and technical cooperation. 

International Atomic Energy Agency Functions

The International Atomic Energy Agency performs a number of critical functions that balance nuclear development with non-proliferation risks:

  • Safeguards and Verification
    • The IAEA’s Department of Safeguards inspects nuclear facilities to make sure that nuclear materials declared by states are not diverted to weapons programs. 
    • These safeguards are technical measures, including inspections, surveillance, and sampling, to independently verify nuclear material inventories.
    • It applies these measures under safeguards agreements, often linked with the NPT, to give the international community confidence that states comply with their non-proliferation commitments. 
  • Promoting Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
    • The IAEA encourages research and development in peaceful nuclear applications, such as medicine (radiotherapy), agriculture, water management, and industry. 
    • It acts as a facilitator for technology transfer: helping developing countries to build the infrastructure and capacity to use nuclear technologies safely. 
    • The Agency runs its own scientific laboratories (e.g., in Seibersdorf, Vienna, Monaco) to support technical cooperation and knowledge-sharing. 
  • Nuclear Safety and Security
    • The IAEA develops safety standards for nuclear facilities and radiation protection, promoting high levels of nuclear safety globally. 
    • It assists member states in building their regulatory frameworks, responding to emergencies, and strengthening physical security of nuclear materials.
    • The Agency also works to prevent illicit trafficking of nuclear materials, helping states detect and respond to unauthorized transfers.
  • Technical Cooperation and Capacity Building
    • Through its technical cooperation programme, the IAEA provides training, expert advice, equipment, and funding to assist member states, especially developing ones. 
    • It supports public health via nuclear techniques (e.g., in cancer treatment) and environmental protection (e.g., via monitoring of water and soil). 
    • It fosters international collaboration by organizing conferences, fellowships, and research activities.

Also Read: United Nations Environment Programme

International Atomic Energy Agency Process

The verification work of the International Atomic Energy Agency is central to its role as a nuclear watchdog. It operates in the following manner:

  • Inspectors: The IAEA employs highly trained nuclear safeguards inspectors who visit nuclear sites around the world. 
  • Types of Inspections: There are routine inspections, special inspections, ad-hoc inspections, and safeguard visits. 
  • Technical Measures: Inspectors use surveillance cameras, seals, sampling of nuclear material, and environmental swipe samples to verify compliance.
  • Analytical Work: Samples taken from facilities (e.g., swipe samples) are analysed in IAEA labs to detect undeclared nuclear material or activities. 
  • Conclusions: Based on the data collected, the IAEA draws “safeguards conclusions” about whether a state is compliant with its obligations.

International Atomic Energy Agency Impact

The role of the International Atomic Energy Agency extends far beyond mere monitoring. It has several remarkable strategic importance and global impacts as:

  • It builds trust among nations by providing independent verification of nuclear programmes, reducing geopolitical tensions.
  • It helps harness nuclear energy for sustainable development, especially in countries that lack access to clean energy sources.
  • The IAEA’s work in nuclear safety helps to prevent accidents and manage emergencies, protecting millions of people from radiological harm.
  • By promoting technical cooperation, it supports global development in sectors like health (cancer treatment), agriculture, and water management.
  • Its tripartite mission: non-proliferation, safety, and development, is unique in the U.N. system and underpins its relevance in international politics, security, and science.

International Atomic Energy Agency Recent Developments

In recent years, the International Atomic Energy Agency has been at the center of several high-stakes issues:

  • Iran Oversight: In late 2024, Iran agreed to “tougher monitoring” by the IAEA at its Fordow nuclear enrichment facility, amid concerns about uranium enrichment levels.
  • Conflict Risk in Ukraine: The IAEA has repeatedly warned about drone attacks near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, calling them a serious nuclear safety hazard.
  • Contamination Concerns in Iran: After Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s Natanz nuclear site, the IAEA reported possible radiological and chemical contamination inside the facility, though external radiation levels remained normal. 
  • Inspection Resumption: In September 2025, the IAEA and Iran struck a deal to resume UN nuclear inspections at all Iranian sites, following earlier access restrictions. 
  • Nuclear Safety Advocacy: Director General Rafael Grossi has repeatedly underscored the vulnerability of nuclear sites in conflict zones, calling for stronger safeguards and adherence to defined safety principles.

Also Read: International Labour Organisation

International Atomic Energy Agency Challenges

Maintaining a balance between development, non-proliferation and safety is difficult in a rapidly changing geopolitical context. Below are some critical challenges the International Atomic Energy Agency faces, and ways it can strengthen its role:

Challenges:

  1. Rising geopolitical tensions threaten access to conflict-zone nuclear sites.
  2. Some states resist full cooperation or limit inspection access.
  3. Insufficient resources to monitor all nuclear facilities effectively.
  4. Rapid technological changes in nuclear technology outpace regulatory capacity.
  5. Risk of illicit trafficking of nuclear materials persists.
  6. Cybersecurity risks affecting nuclear safety systems.
  7. Inconsistent national regulatory standards across member states.
  8. Disinformation undermining public trust in nuclear safety.
  9. Financial constraints limiting technical cooperation to developing states.
  10. Climate change increasing stress on nuclear infrastructure and safety systems.

Way Forward:

  1. Strengthen diplomatic engagement to protect inspectors in conflict zones.
  2. Promote universal adoption of the Additional Protocol for deeper access.
  3. Increase funding and manpower for the Department of Safeguards.
  4. Enhance capacity-building on emerging technologies like small modular reactors.
  5. Expand programs to detect and interdict illicit nuclear material movement.
  6. Invest in cybersecurity for nuclear installations.
  7. Harmonise safety regulations via stronger international standards.
  8. Develop communication strategies to counter nuclear-related misinformation.
  9. Scale up technical cooperation tailored to the needs of developing nations.
  10. Integrate climate risk assessments into nuclear safety planning.

International Atomic Energy Agency UPSC

The International Atomic Energy Agency plays a foundational role in ensuring that nuclear energy is used for the benefit of humanity, not for its destruction. Through its threefold mission, promoting peaceful nuclear applications, enforcing safeguards, and upholding safety standards, it provides a critical framework for global trust and cooperation. In a world facing geopolitical divides and technological challenges, the IAEA remains indispensable to nurturing sustainable development and securing nuclear peace.

International Atomic Energy Agency FAQs

Q1: What is the International Atomic Energy Agency?

Ans: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to promoting peaceful uses of atomic energy, ensuring nuclear safety, and verifying non-proliferation.

Q2: What are the main functions of the International Atomic Energy Agency?

Ans: Its main functions are applying safeguards, assisting in nuclear technology for development, promoting safety, and providing technical cooperation.

Q3: How does the International Atomic Energy Agency enforce nuclear safeguards?

Ans: It uses inspections, surveillance, sampling, and analytical laboratories to verify that nuclear material is used only for peaceful purposes.

Q4: Why is the International Atomic Energy Agency important for global security?

Ans: `Because it builds trust among nations by verifying compliance with non-proliferation treaties, reducing the risk of nuclear weapons spread.

Q5: What recent challenges has the International Atomic Energy Agency faced?

Ans: Challenges include restricted inspection access in conflict zones, evolving nuclear technologies, budget constraints, and geopolitical tensions.

World Bank, Headquarter, History, Objectives, Structure, Functions

November 17, 2025
World Bank

The World Bank is a global development institution, offering financial and technical assistance to developing countries. It plays a vital role in reducing poverty, promoting education, healthcare, infrastructure, and sustainable development across nations.

World Bank

The World Bank was founded in 1944 with the mission to foster reconstruction and development in war-torn and poorer countries. It provides financial resources, knowledge, and solutions to combat poverty and build shared prosperity.

World Bank Historical Background

The History and Origins of the World Bank is discussed below:

  • The World Bank emerged from the Bretton Woods Conference held in July 1944 in New Hampshire, USA. 
  • Its legal foundation, the Articles of Agreement of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), was ratified on December 27, 1945.
  • The Bank officially began operations on June 25, 1946, focusing initially on reconstruction in Europe after World War II. 
  • Over the decades, its mission evolved from reconstruction to development, focusing on poverty reduction, infrastructure, human capital, and institutional reforms in developing countries.

World Bank Group Structure

The term “World Bank” actually refers to two of the five institutions under the World Bank Group. These institutions work together in a complementary way- IBRD and IDA as the “public development” arm, and IFC, MIGA (and sometimes ICSID) reinforcing private sector development.

The core institutions are:

  1. IBRD (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development):
    • Provides loans to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries.
    • Raises capital from global financial markets to finance development projects. 
  2. IDA (International Development Association):
    • Gives concessional loans (credits) and grants to the world’s poorest countries. 
    • Financed by contributions from donor countries rather than capital markets. 

Supporting institutions within the World Bank Group:

  1. IFC (International Finance Corporation):
    • Focuses on private sector development in emerging economies. 
    • Provides investments, equity, and advisory services.
  2. MIGA (Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency):
    • Offers political risk insurance to foreign investors. 
    • Encourages foreign direct investment in risky or less developed environments.
  3. ICSID (International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes):
    • Provides a legal framework for resolving investment disputes between governments and foreign investors through arbitration.

Also Read: International Monetary Fund

World Bank DataBank

The World Bank DataBank is an online analysis and visualization platform that provides access to hundreds of economic, social, demographic, and development indicators from trusted global datasets. It allows users to create custom queries, generate charts, compare countries, and download data in multiple formats. Frequently used for research and policy planning, the DataBank includes databases such as World Development Indicators, Gender Statistics, and Education Statistics.

World Bank Objectives

The World Bank’s mission is broadly to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity. It does this by:

  • Providing low-interest or interest-free loans, grants, and risk guarantees.
  • Offering technical assistance, policy advice, and capacity building to governments. 
  • Supporting large-scale infrastructure projects (roads, power, water) to develop physical capital. 
  • Encouraging private sector-led growth via IFC and MIGA by mobilizing investments and managing risk. 
  • Generating and sharing knowledge: policy research, data analysis, and development diagnostics (e.g., Systematic Country Diagnostics) help countries set priorities. 

World Bank Funding Mechanism

The financial model and funding mechanism of the World Bank has been discussed below:

  • The World Bank raises capital through member subscriptions (paid-in capital) and issuing bonds in international markets. 
  • Its financial structure allows it to leverage shareholder capital efficiently: a small injection from member states helps the Bank borrow and lend much more. 
  • For instance, capital contributed by shareholders has enabled over 50 times leverage in terms of financing delivered- grants, loans, guarantees, and equity.
  • Run-rate earnings from its investments help sustain operations, and surplus income supports concessional lending (especially via IDA). 

World Bank Functions

Several major functions and activities performed by the World Bank is mentioned below:

  • Project Finance: It funds infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, and environmental projects in developing countries.
  • Policy Reform: It provides policy-based lending, advice, and technical assistance to improve governance, public finance, and institutional capacity.
  • Poverty Monitoring & Research: The Bank publishes data, reports, and development indicators to track poverty, inequality, and growth trends globally.
  • Debt Risk Management: Through risk guarantees and innovative financial products, it helps countries manage debt vulnerabilities.
  • Private Sector Mobilization: IFC and MIGA drive private investments in developing markets by reducing investment risk and offering financing solutions.
  • Crisis Response: The Bank supports countries during global shocks, natural disasters, pandemics, or economic crises, via rapid financing and development tools.
  • Climate Finance: It invests heavily in climate adaptation and mitigation projects and helps countries build resilience to climate change.

World Bank Achievements

The impacts and achievements by the World Bank that has been achieved till today has been mentioned here:

  • The World Bank has financed thousands of development projects globally that have improved infrastructure, education, water supply, and health services. 
  • Over time, it has contributed to building roads, power plants, and schools in many low- and middle-income nations. 
  • Its Systematic Country Diagnostics help governments identify the largest development bottlenecks, leading to targeted reforms. 
  • Thanks to its financing model, small initial contributions by member nations lead to large development impacts, making its capital highly efficient. 

World Bank Criticisms

Various Criticism and debates arise around the world regarding the functioning, powers and activities of the World Bank as given here:

  • The governance structure is often criticized: voting power is tied to economic size, giving developed countries more influence, while poorer borrower nations have less say.
  • Structural adjustment lending in past decades drew major criticism: some argue that policy reforms imposed by the Bank undermined social sectors in borrowing countries. 
  • There is an ongoing debate about “mission creep”: as the Bank moves into climate change, health, and social issues, some argue it is straying from its development mandate. 
  • Private sector mobilization can create tension: balancing profit-oriented investments (via IFC/MIGA) with poverty-reduction goals raises questions of priorities. 

World Bank Recent Developments

In recent years, several important changes and new initiatives have shaped the World Bank’s role:

  1. Enhanced IMF-World Bank Climate Cooperation: In 2024, the Bank and IMF deepened their partnership, combining technical assistance, financing, and policy advice to help countries scale up climate action.
  2. Private Sector Investment Lab Expansion: The Bank added corporate leaders like Bayer and Hyatt CEOs to its Private Sector Investment Lab, focusing on regulatory clarity, guarantees, FX risk, equity, and securitization. 
  3. Debt Transparency Campaign: In 2025, the World Bank pushed for radical debt transparency, urging developing countries and lenders to publicly disclose off-budget borrowing and restructuring terms to avert future crises.
  4. Long-term Pakistan Partnership: The Bank approved a 10-year, US$20 billion lending framework for Pakistan, prioritizing climate resilience, education, malnutrition, and energy reform. 
  5. Scaling Guarantees: The World Bank Group has committed to tripling its risk-insurance and guarantees to US$ 20 billion annually by 2030, integrating efforts across IBRD, IFC, and MIGA. 
  6. Restructuring Knowledge System: From January 2026, the World Bank is merging the knowledge teams of IBRD/IDA and IFC into a unified “One World Bank Group” system under five verticals: People, Prosperity, Planet, Infrastructure, and Digital.
  7. Energy and Jobs Push: Under President Ajay Banga, the Bank aims to electrify 300 million Africans by 2030 (“Mission 300”), while also expanding healthcare to 1.5 billion people and investing in agriculture via AgriConnect. 
  8. Debt-for-Development Tools: The Bank is deploying innovative mechanisms like debt-for-development swaps, and has started nine such transactions to ease debt burdens and free up financing. 
  9. Transparency & Anti-Corruption: It is using data-driven tools (digital IDs, AI, fraud detection) to help countries fight corruption and improve public finance systems. 
  10. Raising Private Capital via Structured Products: The Bank’s IFC has bundled its loans into rated securities (e.g., a US$ 510 million transaction) to attract institutional investors.

Also Read: United Nations Population Fund

World Bank Challenges

Recent reforms show promise, but the World Bank still faces significant challenges and must take strategic steps to remain effective.

Challenges:

  • Governance imbalance concentrating power in wealthier countries.
  • Risk of “mission creep” undermining core development mandate.
  • Debt sustainability and hidden borrowing in borrower nations.
  • Mobilizing sufficient private capital in high-risk markets.
  • Climate finance demands exceeding current capacity.
  • Frequent restructuring may disrupt institutional continuity.
  • Managing guarantee risks while scaling up.
  • Ensuring impact of development vs. profit for private sector arm.
  • Building trust with civil society on transparency and accountability.
  • Capacity gaps in low-income countries to absorb and use funds effectively.

Way Forward:

  • Reform voting structure to give more voice to low-income countries.
  • Reaffirm core poverty focus even while prioritizing climate and social sectors.
  • Enforce debt reporting standards and transparency.
  • Strengthen risk-sharing tools and guarantee frameworks with private investors.
  • Scale up concessional climate funding via blended finance.
  • Stabilize institutional reforms with clear long-term strategy.
  • Provide concessional guarantees to encourage private risk-taking.
  • Develop strong impact metrics for both private and public investments.
  • Increase stakeholder engagement and public disclosure.
  • Invest in capacity building to enhance project implementation and outcomes.

World Bank UPSC

The World Bank remains a cornerstone of global development, combining financial firepower with deep policy expertise. From its origins in post-war reconstruction to its evolving role in climate action, private sector mobilization, and debt transparency, the Bank continues to adapt to the world’s greatest challenges. While the recent reforms point toward bolder ambitions, addressing governance, debt, and accountability will be essential to sustain its mission of building a more equitable and resilient world.

World Bank FAQs

Q1: What is the World Bank?

Ans: The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans, grants, and technical help to developing countries to support development and reduce poverty.

Q2: How is the World Bank structured?

Ans: It is part of the World Bank Group, which includes IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, and ICSID – each serving different development and financial roles.

Q3: What is the difference between IBRD and IDA?

Ans: IBRD lends to middle-income countries at near-market rates, while IDA offers very concessional credits and grants to the poorest nations.

Q4: How does the World Bank fund its operations?

Ans: It raises money via member subscriptions and by issuing bonds in global capital markets, then leverages that to finance development.

Q5: What are recent developments at the World Bank?

Ans: Recent moves include boosting debt transparency, scaling up guarantee tools, merging knowledge teams, and launching climate-finance initiatives and long-term country partnerships.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

November 17, 2025
United Nations Industrial Development Organization

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is a specialized UN agency responsible for promoting industrial development in developing and transition economies. Established during a period of rapid decolonization, UNIDO was created to support countries that lacked an industrial base and required structured international assistance. Today, it plays a pivotal role in helping governments implement inclusive and sustainable industrial policies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

UNIDO was founded on 17 November 1966, became a specialized UN agency in 1985, and is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. As of October 4, 2024, it has 173 member states participating in its governance systems, including the General Conference and the Industrial Development Board. The organization is led by Director-General Gerd Müller, who assumed office in December 2021.

UNIDO’s core mandate is to promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID), a mission strengthened through the 2013 Lima Declaration. With a staff of around 670 personnel and more than 2,800 international and national experts deployed annually, UNIDO operates in over 60 countries through regional and country offices, as well as specialized technical centres and technology hubs.

Also Read: International Labour Organisation

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Historical Background

UNIDO emerged from the UN's recognition in the 1950s that developing nations required institutional support for industrialization. After several studies commissioned by ECOSOC, the UN established UNIDO in 1966. In 1975, the Lima Declaration pushed for developing countries to increase their share of world industrial output to 25 percent by 2000. After significant geopolitical shifts and internal reforms, UNIDO became a specialized UN agency in 1985.

During the 1990s, UNIDO faced a major crisis as several major donors, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, withdrew membership. However, after strong reforms in 1997 and continued restructuring in the 2000s, UNIDO regained stability and international recognition for its development impact.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Purpose

UNIDO's mandate is anchored in the concept of Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID). The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda formally recognizes UNIDO’s role, particularly under SDG-9. Under its programmatic framework, UNIDO operates in four strategic areas:

  1. Creating Shared Prosperity: UNIDO supports the development of agro-industries, women-led enterprises, and youth entrepreneurship. It assists in transitioning informal enterprises into formal sectors and provides livelihood restoration support in post-crisis environments. These interventions strengthen local economies and create employment opportunities.
  2. Advancing Economic Competitiveness: UNIDO focuses on improving investment flows, SME productivity, technology upgrading, and trade capacity. By supporting national and sectoral policies for competitiveness, UNIDO helps countries align production with global standards and technological advancement.
  3. Safeguarding the Environment: UNIDO promotes cleaner industrial production, green technologies, circular economy models, and environmentally sound practices. It supports countries in fulfilling multilateral environmental agreements by offering technical assistance, training, and clean energy solutions.
  4. Strengthening Knowledge and Institutions: UNIDO develops global knowledge systems for industrial policymaking. It helps build strong institutions at national and local levels through capacity-building programmes, industrial knowledge hubs, and partnerships.

Also Read: World Trade Organisation

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Structure

UNIDO’s governance is organized through three key policy-making bodies:

  1. General Conference- Meets biennially, sets policies, approves budgets, and elects the Director-General.
  2. Industrial Development Board- Comprises 53 elected member states; meets one or two times a year to review programmes and budgets.
  3. Programme and Budget Committee- Consists of 27 elected members and oversees financial and budgetary planning.

Members are divided into four lists (A, B, C, D) to ensure equitable geographical representation.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Global Presence

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) maintains several platforms. These platforms promote technology transfer, clean production, SME linkages, and South-South cooperation:

  • Regional Offices covering multiple countries,
  • Country Offices,
  • Focal Points within national governments, and
  • UNIDO Desks in UNDP offices.

It also operates specialized technical centres such as:

  • Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs),
  • National Cleaner Production Centres (NCPCs) established jointly with UNEP,
  • International Technology Centres, and
  • Industrial Subcontracting and Partnership Exchanges (SPX).

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Challenges

Despite several advancements and progress, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) faces several backlashes and challenges such as:

Key Challenges

  • Funding volatility due to withdrawal of major donors in past decades.
  • Overlapping mandates with other UN agencies causing resource dilution.
  • Need for rapid technological modernization, especially digital industrialization.
  • Growing climate obligations requiring green industrial transitions.
  • Capacity constraints in least developed countries.
  • Geopolitical tensions affecting global industrial cooperation.

Way Forward:

  • Increasing multi-partner trust funds for stable financing.
  • Enhancing coordination with UNDP, UNEP, FAO to avoid mandate duplication.
  • Expanding programmes on Industry 4.0, AI, robotics, and digital skills.
  • Prioritizing green manufacturing and circular economy models.
  • Strengthening national institutions and industrial policies through local capacity-building.
  • Encouraging South-South and triangular cooperation to share industrial best practices.

UNIDO in the African Industrial Decade (IDDA III)

The UN General Assembly proclaimed 2016-2025 as the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA III) under Resolution A/RES/70/293. IDDA III aims to promote industrial job creation, value addition, and structural economic transformation. UNIDO leads implementation in partnership with:

  • African Union Commission,
  • Economic Commission for Africa,
  • NEPAD,
  • Regional Economic Communities.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) UPSC

UNIDO remains a central institution for promoting industrial development worldwide. Through its focus on inclusive growth, environmental protection, SME competitiveness, and global partnerships, it continues to support countries in achieving sustainable industrial futures. Its reforms, global reach, and technical expertise underline its continuing relevance in a rapidly changing industrial world

United Nations Industrial Development Organization FAQs

Q1: What is United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)?

Ans: UNIDO is the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. It works to promote industrial development, economic growth, and sustainable technology in developing countries. Its main aim is to reduce poverty by helping industries become stronger, cleaner, and more efficient.

Q2: What are the key functions of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)?

Ans: UNIDO helps countries by improving manufacturing sectors, supporting small and medium industries, encouraging clean and environment-friendly technologies, promoting innovation, and building skills through training and technical support.

Q3: Why is United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) important for developing countries?

Ans: UNIDO supports developing nations by providing technical expertise, modern industrial strategies, and global partnerships. This helps countries create more jobs, reduce inequality, and improve their industries in a sustainable way.

Q4: How does United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) promote sustainable development?

Ans: UNIDO encourages green technologies, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and cleaner production methods. It works closely with governments and industries to ensure that economic growth does not harm the environment.

Q5: How does India work with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)?

Ans: India collaborates with UNIDO on projects related to clean energy, MSME development, skill training, circular economy, and industrial innovation. UNIDO helps India strengthen its manufacturing sector and align industrial growth with global sustainability standards.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Objectives, Structure

November 17, 2025
Food and Agriculture Organization

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a leading specialized agency of the United Nations, dedicated to eradicating hunger, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture worldwide. Founded in 1945, it serves as a global knowledge hub, technical advisor, and policy-maker, guiding countries toward food security and resilient agrifood systems. FAO’s work spans agriculture, forestry, fisheries, rural development, and natural resource management, making it a cornerstone of global efforts to ensure everyone has access to sufficient, healthy food.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was established on 16 October 1945, in Quebec City, Canada, in the aftermath of World War II, to address widespread food scarcity and famine. Headquartered in Rome, Italy, it has 195 members, including 194 countries plus the European Union. Its mission is succinct: to achieve food security for all, meaning that everyone, everywhere, has regular access to enough high-quality food. 

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Objectives

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) pursues several interlinked goals:

  • Eradicate hunger and malnutrition: FAO strives to eliminate chronic undernourishment and improve dietary quality by advising nations on food production and distribution.
  • Boost agricultural productivity: It helps countries increase yields in farming, forestry, fisheries, and livestock.
  • Improve living standards of rural populations: FAO supports rural development because most of the world’s poor depend on agriculture.
  • Promote sustainable use of natural resources: The organization encourages practices that protect land, water, forests, and biodiversity. 

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Structure

The governance of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is based on its biennial Conference, attended by all member states and the European Union, which sets policy direction. From the Conference emerges a 49-member Council, acting as the FAO’s executive body. FAO also has a Director-General, who heads the Secretariat. As of the latest data, the Director-General is Qu Dongyu. Its presence is global, with field offices in over 130 countries, allowing FAO to provide on-the-ground technical assistance.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Programmes

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) runs a wide variety of programmes aimed at transforming agrifood systems and addressing food insecurity:

  1. Field Programme: Supports developing countries by giving technical advice and training in agriculture, water management, forestry, fisheries, and nutrition.
  2. Digital Agriculture & Innovation: FAO promotes digitalization through initiatives like its Digital Villages Initiative, bringing technology to rural communities. 
  3. Blue Transformation: To meet future demand for aquatic foods, FAO aims to grow aquaculture by 35% by 2030, under its “Blue Transformation” roadmap. 
  4. Science and Evidence: FAO coordinates global science policy through its Chief Scientist role, and champions research to align agrifood systems with sustainability goals. 
  5. Right to Food: Uses Right to Food Guidelines to support legal, policy, and institutional frameworks that ensure everyone’s access to food. 
  6. Financing for Development: In July 2025, FAO launched the Financing for Shock-Driven Food Crisis (FSFC) Facility, a mechanism for anticipatory financing to prevent food crises. 

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Global Food Security and Nutrition

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) plays a critical role in monitoring and reporting global food security trends. Its key reports, such as the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI), highlight global hunger, undernourishment, and food inequality. For instance, FAO data indicates that between 2019 and 2023, 152 million more people suffered from hunger, rising the prevalence of undernourishment to 9.1% of the world population in 2023. The report also emphasizes that this hunger is not merely due to lack of production but is driven by inequality, access, and affordability. FAO’s work helps shape global and national policies to reduce food insecurity, promote healthy diets, and support social protection systems.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and SDGs

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is deeply integrated into the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It particularly contributes to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), by promoting food security, nutrition, and resilient food systems. FAO’s initiatives also support SDG 13 (Climate Action) through sustainable land and water management, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) by improving food systems’ efficiency. Through its global coordination role, FAO aligns partner governments, UN bodies, and stakeholders to transform agrifood systems sustainably. 

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Research

Science and innovation are at the heart of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It fosters research to make agriculture more productive but also more sustainable. For example, FAO has supported work on artificial intelligence (AI) for agriculture. In collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), it has published research on using AI to predict micro-climate conditions, optimize pesticide usage, and support precision farming. FAO also promotes evidence-based policies through its SCOPE mechanism, providing country-level macro- and micro-economic analysis to guide agrifood system transformations. These research-backed tools help integrate climate change mitigation, technology, and socio-economic development in agricultural planning.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Fisheries and Aquaculture

Fisheries and aquaculture are a major focus for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The Blue Transformation agenda seeks to scale up sustainable aquatic food production to meet growing global demand. FAO encourages responsible fishing practices through its Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF), helping countries manage marine resources, reduce overfishing, and preserve biodiversity. It also combats marine pollution, for example via initiatives like GloLitter, and supports legal reforms in fisheries legislation to enhance sustainability. By linking coastal restoration to community livelihoods, FAO promotes both environmental health and food security for fishing communities. 

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Technical Cooperation

One of FAO’s strengths lies in technical assistance and capacity building. It provides policy advice, training, and infrastructure support directly to countries. Through partnerships with civil society and trade unions, FAO engages with farmers, fishers, and rural workers to ensure inclusive policy dialogue. FAO also promotes village-to-village cooperation: under its Digital Villages Initiative, rural communities “twin” to share knowledge, best practices, and technologies. These efforts help strengthen resilience, empower communities and increase the adoption of sustainable farming practices.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Finance

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has introduced innovative financial tools to respond to shocks. In July 2025, it launched the Financing for Shock-Driven Food Crisis (FSFC) Facility. This facility is designed to act before food crises escalate, using scientific triggers and pre-planned action to fund anticipatory responses rather than costly emergency aid. FSFC mobilizes blended finance, combining public funds, private-sector resources, and insurance mechanisms, to make interventions faster and more cost-effective. This shift from reactive to proactive financing is crucial, especially as climate change, conflict, and economic instability drive increasingly frequent food crises.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Challenges

Despite its broad mandate, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) faces key challenges that limit its impact:

  • Funding volatility: FAO relies heavily on voluntary contributions, making long-term planning difficult.
  • Complex geopolitics: Conflict and political instability can disrupt its operations and food-security work.
  • Climate change: Increasing climate shocks strain agricultural systems and undermine FAO’s sustainable development goals.
  • Digital divide: Unequal access to technology in rural areas hampers digital agriculture initiatives.
  • Resource degradation: Soil erosion, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss challenge FAO’s sustainability mission.
  • Inequality and access: Hunger often stems from poor access and affordability, not just lack of food.
  • Institutional capacity: Some member countries lack strong institutions to absorb FAO’s policy advice.
  • Coordination with other UN bodies: Aligning with multiple UN agencies and donors can be challenging for systemic agrifood transformation.
  • Monitoring and evaluation: Measuring the true impact of its diverse programs across contexts is difficult.
  • Debt burden in recipient countries: Many nations FAO assists are heavily indebted, limiting their capacity to invest in long-term agricultural transformation.

Way Forward:

To overcome these challenges, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) can pursue a number of strategic reforms and innovations:

  • Stabilize funding by encouraging predictable, multi-year contributions from member states.
  • Strengthen crisis-response finance through scaling up the FSFC model.
  • Expand climate-smart agriculture by promoting agroecology, regenerative practices, and carbon-sequestering farming.
  • Bridge the digital divide by supporting rural connectivity and training for small farmers.
  • Promote local ownership by building capacities within national institutions for policy-making and evaluation.
  • Enhance partnerships with private sector, civil society, and farmers' organizations for inclusive programs.
  • Integrate food system transformation with SDG strategies at national and regional levels.
  • Improve data and evidence systems using AI, remote sensing, and predictive analytics to monitor food systems.
  • Advocate for equitable food access and social protection, especially for marginalized communities.
  • Promote financial innovation, like blended finance and insurance, to support smallholder farmers and resilient supply chains.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) UPSC

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) remains a vital actor in the global fight against hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and environmental degradation. By combining technical expertise, scientific research, and policy advice, FAO empowers countries to transform agrifood systems. Yet, it faces serious challenges, from volatile funding to climate risks. Strengthening its financial instruments, scaling up digital inclusion, and deepening local partnerships are crucial ways forward. Through these efforts, FAO can accelerate its mission of building a world free from hunger and ensuring sustainable, resilient food systems for all.

Food and Agriculture Organization FAQs

Q1: What is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)?

Ans: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized UN agency focused on ending hunger, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture globally.

Q2: When was the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) founded?

Ans: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was founded on 16 October 1945 in Quebec City, Canada.

Q3: How does the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) help countries?

Ans: FAO helps by providing technical advice, training, data, and policy support in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and rural development.

Q4: What major initiatives does the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) run?

Ans: Major initiatives include the Digital Villages Initiative, Blue Transformation for aquaculture, science and AI research, and anticipatory financing for crises via FSFC Facility.

Q5: What are the biggest challenges for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)?

Ans: Key challenges for FAO include funding instability, climate change impacts, digital divide, coordination complexity, and ensuring equitable access to food.

African Union (AU), History, Members, Objective, Structure

November 17, 2025
African Union

The African Union (AU) is a continental organization that seeks to unite Africa’s 55 countries for common goals in peace, security, and development. Established as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), it represents Africa’s attempt to strengthen its voice globally and coordinate cooperative solutions for the continent’s most pressing issues.

African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) was formally launched in 2002, replacing the OAU, with the aim of promoting greater unity, economic development, and political cooperation among African nations. It consists of about 55 members at present out of which half of the members were joined under OAU in 1963.

African Union (AU) Historical Background

The key milestones in the development and evolution of the African Union (AU) has been listed below:

  • The Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was founded on May 25, 1963, by 32 African states. 
  • It aimed at decolonization, promoting solidarity among African states, and defending their territorial integrity. 
  • Over decades, the OAU mediated conflicts, supported liberation movements, and represented Africa in global forums. 
  • However, by the late 1990s, leaders felt a need for a more effective and economically focused organization, leading to the idea of the AU. 
  • The Constitutive Act of the African Union was signed on July 11, 2000 in Lomé, Togo, and came into force on May 26, 2001. 
  • The AU officially replaced the OAU in July 2002.

Also Read: World Trade Organisation

African Union (AU) Objectives

The Constitutive Act sets out the guiding aims and principles of the African Union (AU), which drive its work:

  1. Unity and Solidarity: To deepen unity, cohesion, and solidarity among African states and peoples.
  2. Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity: To respect the sovereignty and borders of member states. 
  3. Economic Integration: To accelerate political and socio-economic integration across the continent.
  4. Peace and Security: To promote peace, stability, and prevent conflicts. 
  5. Good Governance and Human Rights: To uphold democratic principles, human rights, and rule of law. 
  6. International Cooperation: To work with global partners, but on African terms, for development. 
  7. Sustainable Development: To work for improving quality of life through coordinated development. 

African Union (AU) Structure

The African Union (AU) is composed of several important organs and institutions that help it achieve its mandate:

  • Assembly of Heads of State and Government: The highest decision-making body of the AU. 
  • African Union Commission (AUC): Acts as the AU’s executive/secretariat, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  • Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC): Made up of ambassadors from member states, coordinates the Assembly’s work. 
  • Pan-African Parliament (PAP): A legislative organ intended to provide a democratic voice for Africans. 
  • Peace and Security Council (PSC): Responsible for conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and security on the continent. 
  • African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM): A self-monitoring mechanism encouraging good governance and policy benchmarking among member states.
  • Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC): Civil-society participation organ for the AU. 
  • Specialized Technical Committees, Court of Justice, African Central Bank, African Monetary Fund, African Investment Bank, etc. 
  • African Space Agency (AfSA): A newer AU organ, with its headquarters in Cairo, promoting cooperation in space policy.

Also Read: United Nations Environment Programme

African Union (AU) Functions

The African Union (AU) plays several critical roles on the continent:

  1. Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution
    • Through its Peace and Security Council, the AU designs and deploys peace support operations. 
    • For example, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is a planned mission taking over from previous operations. 
  2. Promoting Good Governance
    • Via the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), member states voluntarily assess and improve governance standards. 
  3. Economic Integration & Development
    • The AU promotes African integration through infrastructure projects, trade, common markets, and shared development goals. 
    • A key vision is Agenda 2063, the AU’s long-term strategic blueprint for Africa’s development. 
  4. Health & Social Development
    • The AU responds to continental health crises. For instance, it has played a coordinating role via the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in past outbreaks. 
  5. Science, Technology & Innovation
    • Through the African Space Agency, the AU supports a continent-wide collaboration in space-related research and policy. 
    • It also backs initiatives to improve science infrastructure, such as through partnerships for projects like the African Light Source. 
  6. Representation in Global Affairs
    • The AU works to present unified African positions in global diplomacy, such as on climate change, UN reform, debt, and trade. 

African Union (AU) Agenda 2063

The African Union (AU)’s vision for the future depicts under the Programme Agenda 2063. The features highlighted are:

  • Agenda 2063 is the AU’s long-term strategic framework, adopted in 2015.
  • It sets out a 50-year vision for Africa, focusing on inclusive growth, sustainable development, democratic governance, and technological advancement. 
  • Some flagship projects under Agenda 2063 include plans for a continental high-speed rail network, free movement of people, and a powerful integrated economy. 
  • The first Ten-Year Implementation Plan under Agenda 2063 provides measurable targets across economic, social, and political domains. 

African Union (AU) Finance

The Financing of the African Union (AU) has the below mentioned features:

  • In 2016, African leaders adopted a 0.2% levy on eligible imports to create a more sustainable financing mechanism for the AU. 
  • This mechanism was intended to provide predictable funds for the Peace Fund and reduce reliance on external donors. 
  • However, the AU continues to face a heavy dependence on external funding: at one point, about 66% of its budget came from international partners. 
  • According to the AU’s own records, not all member states pay their assessed contributions on time, creating financing gaps. 
  • While the Peace Fund has made strides, raising almost 96% of an initial US$400 million target entirely from member states by 2024, full financial independence is still a goal.

Also Read: International Labour Organisation

African Union (AU) Achievements

The key achievements of the African Union (AU) has been mentioned here:

  • Conflict Mediation and Peace Operations: The AU has been central in negotiating peace deals and deploying missions in conflict zones like Somalia. 
  • Good Governance Promotion: Through the APRM, countries peer-review and improve governance, democratic norms, and policy-making. 
  • Pan-African Integration: Agenda 2063’s ambitious roadmap, especially economic integration, is driving long-term structural cooperation. 
  • Health Initiatives: The AU has coordinated continental-level health responses, notably through the Africa CDC. 
  • Institution Building: The AU has created new institutions like the African Space Agency to promote science and innovation.
  • Global Voice: The AU increasingly articulates common African positions in global forums, influencing debates on climate, trade, peace, and development.

African Union (AU) Challenges

The African Union (AU) faces major challenges that limit its potential, and there are clear ways forward to address these issues.

Challenges:

  • Heavy dependence on donor funds limiting autonomy. 
  • Fragmented institutional structure with overlapping responsibilities. 
  • Incomplete implementation of key reform proposals.
  • Many member states delay or default on financial contributions. 
  • Weak coordination between AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
  • Bureaucratic inefficiency and limited managerial capacity. 
  • Inadequate transparency and accountability over the AU’s budget and spending.
  • Political instability and conflict in several member states hamper peace efforts. 
  • Limited capacity to fully implement Agenda 2063 initiatives quickly. 
  • Coordination challenges between the AU Commission, PRC, and Assembly. 

Way Forward:

  • Increase member-states’ financial contributions and enforce timely payments.
  • Strengthen financial independence by fully operationalizing the 0.2% import levy.
  • Simplify and streamline institutional structure to reduce fragmentation.
  • Improve transparency in budgeting and public reporting of AU finances.
  • Deepen coordination with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) for regional integration.
  • Enhance capacity-building in managerial and administrative skills within the AUC.
  • Fully implement Reform Agenda (2018) to enhance decision-making and accountability.
  • Focus on conflict-prone zones and bolster the Peace Fund with sustained funding.
  • Accelerate flagship projects under Agenda 2063 with clear milestones.
  • Strengthen peer-review mechanisms like the APRM to drive governance improvements.

African Union (AU) UPSC

The African Union (AU) plays a vital role in uniting Africa’s nations around shared visions of peace, development, and integration. Despite facing serious challenges, especially in financing, governance, and coordination, its institutional framework, programs like Agenda 2063, and peacekeeping missions demonstrate its commitment to long-term transformation. Strengthening financial autonomy, improving efficiency, and enhancing accountability will be critical for the AU’s success. With the right reforms, the African Union can truly become a strong continental force that shapes Africa’s future.

African Union (AU) FAQs

Q1: What is the African Union (AU)?

Ans: The African Union (AU) is a continental organization of 55 African states, focused on unity, peace, development, and collective self-reliance.

Q2: When was the African Union (AU) founded?

Ans: The AU was officially launched in July 2002, succeeding the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

Q3: What are the main objectives of the African Union (AU)?

Ans: The AU aims for unity, economic integration, peace and security, good governance, human rights, and sustainable development.

Q4: How is the African Union (AU) funded?

Ans: The AU is funded through member state contributions and a 0.2% levy on eligible imports, but still heavily relies on external donor funds.

Q5: What is Agenda 2063 of the African Union (AU)?

Ans: Agenda 2063 is the AU’s 50-year strategic framework, adopted in 2015, aimed at transforming Africa through development, integration, and sustainability.

UPSC Daily Quiz 17 November 2025

November 17, 2025
UPSC Daily Quiz

The Daily UPSC Quiz by Vajiram & Ravi is a thoughtfully curated initiative designed to support UPSC aspirants in strengthening their current affairs knowledge and core conceptual understanding. Aligned with the UPSC Syllabus 2025, this daily quiz serves as a revision resource, helping candidates assess their preparation, revise key topics, and stay updated with relevant issues. Whether you are preparing for Prelims or sharpening your revision for Mains, consistent practice with these Daily UPSC Quiz can significantly enhance accuracy, speed, and confidence in solving exam-level questions.

[WpProQuiz 24]

UPSC Daily Quiz FAQs

Q1: What is the Daily UPSC Quiz?

Ans: The Daily UPSC Quiz is a set of practice questions based on current affairs, static subjects, and PYQs that help aspirants enhance retention and test conceptual clarity regularly.

Q2: How is the Daily Quiz useful for UPSC preparation?

Ans: Daily quizzes support learning, help in revision, improve time management, and boost accuracy for both UPSC Prelims and Mains through consistent practice.

Q3: Are the quiz questions based on the UPSC syllabus?

Ans: Yes, all questions are aligned with the UPSC Syllabus 2025, covering key areas like Polity, Economy, Environment, History, Geography, and Current Affairs.

Q4: Are solutions and explanations provided with the quiz?

Ans: Yes, each quiz includes detailed explanations and source references to enhance conceptual understanding and enable self-assessment.

Q5: Is the Daily UPSC Quiz suitable for both Prelims and Mains?

Ans: Primarily focused on Prelims (MCQ format), but it also indirectly helps in Mains by strengthening subject knowledge and factual clarity.

Folk Dances of India, Check State Wise Folk Dances List Here

November 17, 2025
Folk Dances of India

India is a land of diverse cultures, with each region showcasing unique traditions, languages, and art forms. Among these, Folk Dances of India play a significant role in reflecting the country's cultural richness. From the classical to regional folk performances, dance is an essential part of India's heritage. For candidates preparing for government exams, understanding List of Folk Dances of India is crucial. This article covers the most commonly asked folk dances, focusing on those that have appeared in past exams and those likely to feature in future ones, ensuring thorough exam preparation.

Folk Dances of India

Folk dances in India are dance forms which represent different communities and are performed during celebrations such as births, festivals, weddings, and other special occasions. These dances aren’t performed by professionals but by people who carry forward age-old traditions, showcasing the cultural identity and values passed down through generations. Unique to each region, these dances showcase the cultural identity and narrates tales of heritage, joy, and the shared history of the community.

Folk Dances of India Historical Background

The history of Indian folk dances goes back to ancient agricultural communities. Early human settlements performed group dances to thank nature, celebrate good harvest, pray for rain and mark important events. As kingdoms, trade routes and communities evolved, these dances absorbed new cultural influences such as tribal customs, local mythology, regional music and craftsmanship. Over time, folk dances became part of community identity and were performed during festivals, fairs and seasonal rituals. Many dances also served social purposes such as community coordination, storytelling or strengthening unity within villages.

Folk Dances of India Categories

To understand them better, folk dances can be studied region-wise or theme-wise. Below are the major categories.

1. North Indian Folk Dances

These dances are energetic, vibrant and often linked with agriculture and festivals. Major Examples:

  • Bhangra (Punjab): Performed during Baisakhi; celebrates harvest.
  • Gidda (Punjab): Women’s dance expressing folk stories and humor.
  • Rouf (Jammu and Kashmir): Slow, graceful steps performed during Ramadan and spring season.
  • Kud (Jammu): Performed by villages to thank local deities.
  • Features: Use of drums like dhol, colorful attire, group movements, and strong community participation.

2. West Indian Folk Dances

These dances highlight desert culture, royal traditions and festive celebrations. Major Examples:

  • Garba (Gujarat): Performed in circles during Navratri with clapping patterns.
  • Dandiya Raas (Gujarat): Stick dance performed in pairs.
  • Ghoomar (Rajasthan): Graceful circular movements performed by women.
  • Kachhi Ghodi (Rajasthan): Mock horse dance narrating heroic tales.
  • Features: Rich costumes, mirror-work dresses, use of traditional instruments like dhol, nagada, shehnai.

3. East Indian Folk Dances

These dances are deeply influenced by nature, harvest rituals and tribal life. Major Examples:

  • Bihu (Assam): Celebrates Assamese New Year and spring; involves fast beats.
  • Chhau (Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand): Martial art-based dance with masks.
  • Santhali Dance (Jharkhand/West Bengal): Tribal dance celebrating community unity.
  • Jhumur (Bengal region): Rhythmic dance expressing daily rural life.
  • Features: Bamboo instruments, rhythmic footwork, storytelling through movements.

4. South Indian Folk Dances

These dances focus on temple traditions, local myths and agricultural celebrations. Major Examples:

  • Kummi (Tamil Nadu): Simple clapping dance by women.
  • Karagattam (Tamil Nadu): Balancing pots decorated as temple offerings.
  • Theyyam (Kerala): Ritual dance where performers take the form of deities.
  • Dollu Kunitha (Karnataka): Drum-based vigorous dance by men.
  • Oggu Katha (Telangana): Storytelling dance glorifying local heroes and Gods.
  • Features: Strong devotional links, colorful makeup, ritual elements and fast rhythms.

5. Central Indian Folk Dances

Central India has a strong tribal cultural base and most dances here connect with forests, festivals and local beliefs. Major Examples:

  • Gaur Dance (Madhya Pradesh/ Chhattisgarh): Tribal dance honoring hunting traditions.
  • Saila Dance (Chhattisgarh): Performed during post-harvest season.
  • Matki Dance (Madhya Pradesh): Women perform balancing acts with pots.
  • Features: Use of natural materials, vibrant group movements and symbolic animal or nature-inspired steps.

List of Folk Dances of India

We have shared the List of Folk Dances of India according to different states. In exams such as UPSC, there are questions which can be related to the State Wise List of Folk Dances in India:

  • Andhra Pradesh: Kuchipudi, Dappu, Dhimsa, Kolattam, Vilasini Natyam, Andhra Natyam, Bhamakalapam, Veeranatyam, Dappu, Tappeta Gullu, Lambadi, Dhimsa, Kolattam, Butta Bommalu.
  • Assam: Bihu, Gamocha, Tabal Chongli, Natpuja, Bichhua, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Naga dance, Khel Gopal, Tabal Chongli, Canoe, Jhumura Hobjanai.
  • Bihar: Jata-Jatin, Bakho-Bakhain, Panwariya, Sama Chakwa, Bidesia
  • Gujarat: Garba, Dangi, Hallisaka, Gheriya Nritya, Dandia (On Navratri), Rathwa ni Gher (On Holi by Rathwa Tribe), Dandiya Ras, Tippani Juriun, Bhavai
  • Haryana: Jhumar, Phag, Daph, Dhamal, Loor (by Women), Ratvai (By Mewati Tribes), Gugga, Khor, Gagor
  • Himachal Pradesh: Jhora, Chharhi, Thoda (Sports Dance/ Martial Art form), Chham (By Buddhist to ward off evil spirit), Nati ( Guiness Book of World), Jhali, Dhaman, Chhapeli, Mahasu, Dangi
  • Jammu and Kashmir: Rauf, Dhumal, Hafiza, Bhand Pather, Hikat, Mandjas, Kud Dandi Nach, Damali
  • Karnataka: Yakshagana, Bolak-aat, Ummatt-aat, Dollu Kunitha, Hampi, Bayalata, Veeragase (During Dussehra), Bhootada Kola (Walking on bed of hot coal), Huttari, Suggi, Kunitha, Karga, Lambi
  • Kerala: Kathakali (Classical), Kummattikali (Mask dance), Kolkali, Padayani, Ottamthullal, Mohiniattam, Kaikottikali
  • Maharashtra: Lavani, Povada, Dhangari Gaja, Lezim (During Ganesh Festival), Nakata, Koli, Gafa, Dahikala, Dashavatar or Bohada
  • Odisha: Mayurbhanj Chhau (Martial Art form derived from Tribal), Savari, Ghumara, Munari, Chhau, Odissi (Classical), Dalkhai, Sakhi Kandhei (Puppet Dance), Paika, Gotipua, Tiger Nach (Bagh Nach on Chatra month), Ranapa (Enacting Chapters from life of Lord Krishna)
  • West Bengal: Jatra, Baul, Marasia, Mahal, Kathi, Gambhira, Dhali, Bhatiyali Geet, Gambira (Using Wooden Masks), Alkam (Famous Dancing, Singing), Keertan
  • Punjab: Dhaman, Bhand, Naqual, Baga (Martial Dance), Heer Geet, Tappa (Often shows soreness of a lover), Viyahula Giddha (During Marriage), Bhangra (Bhangra word derived from Hemp), Daff
  • Rajasthan: Ghumar, Chakri, Bhavai, Jhulan, Gangaur, Terah Taali, Suisini, Kalbelia (UNESCO Recognised dance form), Ghoomar (State Dance of Rajasthan), Khayal (By Bhawai Tribe), Jhulan Leela, Jhuma, Suisini, Ghapal, Kalbeliya
  • Tamil Nadu: Bharatanatyam, Kummi, Karagam, Natyanjali (Tribute to Lord Shiva), Kolattam, Kavadi
  • Uttar Pradesh: Nautanki, Raslila, Kajri, Jhora, Chappeli, Jaita
  • Uttarakhand: Garhwali, Kumayuni, Kajari, Jhora, Raslila, Choliya (Martial art/ Sword Dance), Hurka Baul, Chappeli
  • Goa: Tarangamel, Dhalo, Kunbi (Tribal Dance), Dhangar (Shepherd Community during Navratri), Koli, Dekhni, Fugdi, Shigmo, Ghode Modni, Samayi nrutya, Jagar, Ranmale, Gonph, Tonnya mell
  • Madhya Pradesh: Jawara, Matki, Phulpati (By unmarried girls of Malwa Community), Aada, Khada Nach, Phulpati, Grida Dance, Selalarki, Selabhadoni, Maanch
  • Chhattisgarh: Gaur Maria, Panthi, Gaur, Saila (By Boys after harvest Season), Sua (Tribal Dance Women dance like a Parrot), Raut Nacha, Pandwani, Vedamati, Kapalik, Bharthari Charit, Chandaini
  • Jharkhand: Alkap, Karma Munda, Agni, Jhumar, Janani Jhumar, Mardana Jhumar, Paika, Karma (During Autumn Season), Birhor (By Tribe Birhor), Kadsa (Carrying Kalasha), Phagua, Hunta Dance, Mundari Dance, Sarhul, Barao, Jhitka, Danga, Domkach, Ghora Naach
  • Arunachal Pradesh: Buiya, Rikhampada, Ponu Yoksi, Bardo Chham, Ponung, Popir, Chalo, Wancho, Pasi Kongki, Ponung, Popir, Bardo Chham
  • Manipur: Dol Cholam, Thang Ta, Lai Haraoba, Pung Cholom, Khamba Thaibi, Nupa Dance, Raslila, Jagoi, Khubak Ishei, Lhou Sha
  • Meghalaya: Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Laho, Nongkrem (By Khasi Tribes during Wangla Festival), Chad Sukra (Celebrate as a sowing festival), Behdienkhlam
  • Mizoram: Cheraw Dance, Khuallam, Chailam, Sawlakin, Cheraw (Traditional Bamboo Dance), Khullam (Performed by village Guests), Chawnglaizawn, Zangtalam, Par Lam, Sarlamkai/Solakia, Tlanglam
  • Nagaland: Rangma, Bamboo Dance, Zeliang, Nsuirolians, Gethinglim, Temangnetin, Hetaleulee, Leshalaptu, Aaluyattu (By konyak tribe)
  • Tripura: Hojagiri, Maimata (By Kaloi Community)
  • Sikkim: Chu Faat Dance, Sikmari, Singhi Chaam or the Snow Lion Dance, Yak Chaam, Denzong Gnenha, Tashi Yangku Dance, Khukuri Naach, Chutkey Naach, Maruni Dance, Chu Faat (By Lepcha Community, in honour of Mount Khangchendzonga), Maruni, Limbo or Subba (Chyap Brung music instrument is used), Lama or Chham (Masked Dance by buddhist lamas during Pong Lhabsol Festival)
  • Ladakh: Spao
  • Lakshadweep: Lava, Kolkali, Chakali, Parichakali

Classical Dances of India

India's classical dance forms are a significant part of its cultural and religious heritage. These dances hold deep connections to Hindu mythology, often symbolizing devotion to Hindu deities. Here is a List of Classical Dances of India, each with its own unique style and cultural significance:

List of Classical Dances in India
Dance Form

State

Bharatnatyam

Tamil Nadu

Kathak

Uttar Pradesh

Kuchipudi

Andhra Pradesh

Odissi

Odisha

Kathakali

Kerala

Sattriya

Assam

Manipuri

Manipur

Mohiniyattam

Kerala

Folk Dances of India Significance

Folk dances play an important role in shaping cultural identity and social harmony. They preserve ancient customs and provide a platform for storytelling and expression. Many folk dances strengthen unity within communities, promote physical coordination and help transmit values and history to younger generations. They also attract tourism, support local artisans, and generate economic opportunities for performers, musicians and costume makers. In modern times, folk dances are performed in schools, cultural festivals, national events and international platforms to showcase India’s cultural diversity.

Folk Dances of India Challenges

Several Challenges faced in Preserving the Folk Dances of India:

  • Urbanization and modernization have reduced community participation.
  • Youth migration to cities leads to loss of performers in rural areas.
  • Decline in traditional instruments affects authenticity.
  • Commercialization sometimes modifies original forms.
  • Lack of documentation leads to disappearance of many tribal dances.
  • Insufficient government funding for local artists prevents regular performances.

Folk Dances of India Government Initiatives

Various national and state-level initiatives aim to preserve folk dances. These efforts help maintain the continuity of folk traditions and create new platforms for artists.

  • Sangeet Natak Akademi documents and promotes traditional performing arts.
  • Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) conduct fairs and cultural festivals.
  • Ministry of Culture’s schemes support folk artists financially.
  • Tribal Research Institutes record tribal dances and customs.
  • School and university festivals promote youth participation.
  • Republic Day cultural segments regularly showcase dances from different states.

Folk Dances of India UPSC

Folk dances of India are living expressions of the country’s cultural richness. They represent daily life, beliefs, nature, festivals and emotions of common people. Each region of India has unique folk forms that highlight its history, geography and traditions. Though modernization has created challenges, strong cultural pride and government initiatives continue to protect these art forms. Preserving folk dances ensures that future generations understand and appreciate the diversity, unity and heritage of India.

Folk Dances of India FAQs

Q1: Which is the national dance of India?

Ans: India does not have an officially declared national dance, but Bharatanatyam is among the most revered classical dance forms.

Q2: Which is the oldest dance of India?

Ans: Odissi is the oldest dance of India.

Q3: Bihu is folk dance of which state in India?

Ans: Bihu is folk dance of Assam.

Q4: What is Kashmiri folk dance called?

Ans: Bacha Nagma is one of the major folk dance forms found in the Kashmir valley. It is also referred to as Bacha Gyavaun in certain parts of Kashmir.

Q5: What is folk dance of Gujarat?

Ans: The dance form of Dandiya.

Ammonium Nitrate

November 17, 2025
Ammonium Nitrate

Ammonium Nitrate Latest News

Ammonium nitrate, one of the substances responsible for the Delhi explosion recently, was used in five deadly blasts in the Mumbai city in the past after being mixed with other products.

About Ammonium Nitrate

  • Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) is a crystal-like white solid which is made in large industrial quantities. 
  • It is a salt of ammonia and nitric acid.
  • It is commonly used in agriculture as a high-nitrogen fertilizer, and it has also been used as an oxidizing agent in explosives.
  • It has a melting point of 170°C. 
  • It is highly soluble in water; heating of the water solution decomposes the salt to nitrous oxide (laughing gas). 
  • It is one of the base ingredients used in the manufacture of commercial explosives. It is the main component of slurry explosives used for mining.  

What Makes Ammonium Nitrate So Explosive?

  • Ammonium nitrate is not an explosive by itself. 
  • Other ingredients like fuel, etc., have to be added to make it an explosive. 
  • For such explosive mixtures to explode, initiators like detonators are required. 

Legal Controls on Ammonium Nitrate in India

  • Under rules introduced in 2012 and updated in 2021, any mixture containing over 45% ammonium nitrate is legally classified as an explosive.
  • A District Magistrate may permit possession of up to 30 metric tonnes, while larger quantities need approval from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). 
  • PESO issues licences for the manufacture, storage, transport, and use of large quantities of ammonium nitrate.

Source: TOI

Ammonium Nitrate FAQs

Q1: What is the chemical formula of ammonium nitrate?

Ans: NH4NO3

Q2: What is the physical appearance of ammonium nitrate?

Ans: It is a crystal-like white solid.

Q3: What are the major uses of ammonium nitrate?

Ans: It is commonly used in agriculture as a high-nitrogen fertilizer, and it has also been used as an oxidizing agent in explosives.

Foraminifera

November 17, 2025
Foraminifera

Foraminifera Latest News

A global review of tiny sea animals called foraminifera has identified 57 new living species.

About Foraminifera

  • Foraminifera, or forams for short, are single-celled organisms that live in the open ocean, along the coasts, and in estuaries. 
  • Most have shells for protection and either float in the water column (planktonic) or live on the sea floor (benthic). 
  • Of the approximately 8,000 species living today, only about 40 species are planktonic, thus the vast majority of foraminifera live on the sea floor.
  • They live in a number of different habitats at the sea bottom and most ‘crawl around’ using their pseudopodia. 
  • They are generally less than 500 microns (½ mm) in size, though some tropical species can grow to 20 cm. 
  • Because they don’t have a wall around their cell membranes, they are extremely flexible and can change shape.
  • What does “foraminifera” mean?
    • The shells have hundreds of tiny holes called foramen, the Latin word for window. 
    • The organism pushes extensions of its cytoplasm called pseudopodia (or false feet) through these holes to gather food.
  • What Do They Eat?
    • Foraminifera eat detritus on the sea floor and anything smaller than them: diatoms, bacteria, algae, and even small animals such as tiny copepods.
  • How Do They Build Their Shells?
    • Forams are unusual among single-celled organisms because they build shells made of calcium carbonate (calcareous) or from tiny grains of sand stuck together (agglutinate). 
    • Despite their small size and relatively simple biology, forams build complex shells, consisting at their simplest of one chamber (like a vase or tube) to many chambers that coil in elaborate ways.

Source: PHYS

Foraminifera FAQs

Q1: What is Foraminifera?

Ans: Foraminifera are single-celled organisms that live in the open ocean, along the coasts, and in estuaries.

Q2: What is the usual size of most foraminifera?

Ans: They are generally less than 500 microns (½ mm) in size.

Q3: Why are foraminifera extremely flexible?

Ans: They lack a wall around their cell membrane.

Q4: How do foraminifera build their shells?

Ans: They build shells made of calcium carbonate (calcareous) or from tiny grains of sand stuck together (agglutinate).

Gulf Cooperation Council

November 17, 2025
Gulf Cooperation Council

Gulf Cooperation Council Latest News

Recently, the Gulf Cooperation Council has approved a landmark one-stop travel system designed to streamline movement across member states. 

About Gulf Cooperation Council

  • It is a regional political and economic alliance established in 1981.
  • Member countries: It comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
  • Objective: To foster economic, security, cultural, and social cooperation among its members.
  • Background: It was formed in response to escalating regional tensions, particularly the Iranian Revolution (1979) and the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988).
  • Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Organizational Structure of the Gulf Cooperation Council

  • Supreme council
    • It is the highest authority of the GCC, composed of the heads of the member states.
    • Its presidency rotates alphabetically according to the names of the countries.
    • It convenes in a regular session annually.
  • Ministerial council
    • It is composed of foreign ministers or their representatives from member states.
    • It proposes policies and implements decisions of the Supreme Council.
  • Secretariat general: Its responsibilities include preparing studies to enhance cooperation, coordination, and integration in joint Gulf projects and initiatives.

What is a One-stop Travel System?

  • It is part of the GCC’s ambitious push to eliminate redundant travel procedures and foster stronger cooperation between member states. 
  • It will allow Gulf citizens to complete all travel procedures including immigration, customs and security checks at a single checkpoint.

 Source: News On Air

Gulf Cooperation Council FAQs

Q1: What is the primary objective of GCC?

Ans: o promote economic integration among member states.

Q2: When was the GCC established?

Ans: 1981

Siliguri Corridor

November 17, 2025
Siliguri Corridor

Siliguri Corridor Latest News

Amid shifting regional dynamics following the change of regime in Bangladesh and concerns over China’s growing presence near the vulnerable Siliguri corridor, the Indian Army has reinforced its eastern frontier by establishing three new garrison locations.

About Siliguri Corridor

  • It is a narrow stretch of land in West Bengal that connects India’s mainland to its northeastern states.
  • It is around 170 km long and 60 km in width, with its narrowest section being just 20-22 km.
  • Overall, it is 12,200 sq.km. in area.
  • This corridor shares its border with Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh and is only 130 km away from China’s Chumbi Valley.
  • Its geographical fragility and criticality have earned it the nickname “Chicken’s Neck” in strategic and military circles.
  • It is the only land link between our Northeast region and the rest of the country.
  • Any disruption in this corridor — be it from military conflict, natural disaster, or internal unrest — would sever India’s northeastern states from the rest of the country.

Source: TH

Siliguri Corridor FAQs

Q1: Which Indian state contains the Siliguri Corridor?

Ans: West Bengal

Q2: The Siliguri Corridor connects mainland India to which region?

Ans: Northeast India

Q3: What is the narrowest width of the Siliguri Corridor?

Ans: 20–22 km

Q4: Approximately how far is the Siliguri Corridor from China’s Chumbi Valley?

Ans: 130 km

Caracal

November 17, 2025
Caracal

Caracal Latest News

In a groundbreaking discovery, the elusive Asiatic Caracal has been spotted at Ramgarh in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

About Caracal

  • It is an elusive medium-sized wild cat species.
  • Scientific Name: Caracal caracal.
  • It is often referred to as the desert lyn;, however, they are more closely related to the African golden cat and the Serval.
  • In India, it is called siya gosh, a Persian name that translates as ‘black Ear’.

Caracal Distribution

  • It is native to Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, northwestern India and arid areas of Pakistan.
  • Their numbers in India have dwindled to an estimated 50, primarily in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Caracal Habitat

  • It can be found in many environments, such as semi-deserts, savannahs, shrublands, steppes, forests, and woodlands. 
  • It prefers dry areas with very little rainfall.

Caracal Features

  • The caracal has a solid build, long legs, a short face, and tufted ears. 
  • They are the largest of Africa’s small wild cats, with males reaching 31 inches in length and females 29 inches in length. 
  • A vital feature of the cat is the black tufts on its ears. 
  • The cat’s fur is generally a red-tan or sand, although some black caracals have also been seen. 
  • Dark lines and white spots can be found near the nose and eyes. 
  • The fur is short and thick, and the cat’s back legs are longer than the front.
  • They are remarkable jumpers and can jump up to 3 meters (10 feet) into the air to knock flushed birds down with their paw. 
  • They can reach speeds of up to 50 mph (80 kph) when in full flight.
  • Like most species of cat, the caracal is predominantly nocturnal.
  • They live in small herds and their shy and elusive nature makes them difficult to spot in the wild.

Caracal Conservation Status

It is classified as ' Least Concern' under the IUCN Red List.

Source: DH

Caracal FAQs

Q1: Caracals are most closely related to which wild cats?

Ans: African golden cat and serval.

Q2: In which regions of the world is the caracal naturally distributed?

Ans: It is native to Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, northwestern India and arid areas of Pakistan.

Q3: In which Indian states are caracals primarily found today?

Ans: Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Q4: What is the IUCN Red List status of the caracal?

Ans: Least concern

e-Jagriti Platform

November 17, 2025
e-Jagriti Platform

e-Jagriti Platform Latest News

The e-Jagriti Platform has emerged as a transformative digital grievance redressal system, registering over two lakh users since its launch on January 1, 2025. 

About e-Jagriti Platform

  • The e-Jagriti is a flagship initiative by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
  • It is aimed at strengthening the consumer dispute redressal system across the country.

Features of e-Jagriti Platform

  • Global Accessibility: NRIs and citizens can file and manage cases from any location, with secure end-to-end encryption and role-based permissions.
  • Inclusivity: Features like multilingual interfaces and accessibility tools make it user-friendly for diverse demographics.
  • Integrated Platforms: It integrates legacy systems like Online Case Monitoring System (OCMS), E-Daakhil, NCDRC Case Monitoring System, CONFONET OCMS, e-Daakhil, NCDRC CMS and CONFONET into a single, seamless interface.
  • AI-Powered smart search: It has case filing, online fee payment, case monitoring modules for seamless disposal of cases by all the Commissions, has Smart search facility on archived consumer complaints / cases / judgements using AI technology for metadata and keyword creation, and Voice-to-text conversion of judgements, case history and other details using AI / ML technology.
  • It enables consumers to file complaints, track case statuses, and access judgments online.
  • The platform plays a vital role in digitizing consumer commissions and empowering citizens by providing easy access to legal remedies.
  • It provides simple, fast and a more cost-effective consumer disputes redressal software solution at all levels.

Source: PIB

e-Jagriti Platform FAQs

Q1: What is the primary objective of the e-Jagriti platform?

Ans: To enable consumers to file complaints and track case statuses online.

Q2: What is the benefit of using the e-Jagriti platform?

Ans: It provides user-friendly interface and real-time updates.

India’s Role in Global Precision Medicine Market – Explained

November 17, 2025
Precision Medicine

Precision Medicine Latest News

  • The global precision medicine market is expanding rapidly, projected to cross $22 billion by 2027, with India emerging as a key player.

Precision Biotherapeutics

  • Precision biotherapeutics refers to medical interventions optimised for a patient’s specific genetic or molecular profile, rather than relying on generalised population-level data. 
  • This approach allows for early diagnosis, personalised treatment, and fewer adverse effects.
  • Key technologies shaping this field include:
    • Genomic and Proteomic Analysis: Decoding individual genetic and protein signatures to identify disease-causing mutations.
    • Gene Editing Therapies: Tools like CRISPR-Cas9 modify defective genes to correct underlying causes of disorders such as thalassemia and sickle-cell anaemia.
    • mRNA and Nucleic Acid Therapeutics: These therapies, popularised during the COVID-19 pandemic, use RNA molecules to instruct cells to produce or suppress specific proteins.
    • Monoclonal Antibodies and Biologics: Laboratory-engineered molecules that precisely target disease-related proteins, used in treatments for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune diseases.
    • AI-Driven Drug Discovery: Machine learning models analyse vast datasets to predict molecule interactions, accelerating the discovery of new drugs.
  • Together, these technologies represent a shift from symptom management to disease correction at the molecular level, offering transformative potential for chronic and genetic illnesses.

The Global Precision Medicine Landscape

  • The precision medicine industry has seen exponential growth over the past decade.
  • According to Precedence Research, the global market, valued at approximately $12 billion in 2023, is expected to surpass $22 billion by 2027.
  • Key drivers of this growth include:
    • Advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and gene editing technologies.
    • Rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders.
    • Integration of AI and big data analytics in clinical decision-making.
    • Increased investment from pharmaceutical and biotech companies in personalised drug development.
  • The United States, Europe, and China currently lead global innovation in precision medicine. 
  • However, developing economies like India and Brazil are fast emerging as competitive hubs due to their cost advantage, skilled workforce, and growing genomic research infrastructure.

India’s Position in the Precision Medicine Ecosystem

  • India contributes nearly 65% of deaths from non-communicable diseases, underscoring the need for advanced diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. 
  • The country’s diverse genetic landscape, one of the most complex in the world, makes it an ideal testing ground for precision biotherapeutics.
  • Research and Institutional Strength
    • The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has identified precision biotherapeutics as one of six focus areas under its Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment (BioE3) policy. 
  • Genomic Initiatives and Localisation
    • Projects like GenomeIndia and IndiGen are building reference genomic databases representing India’s vast population diversity. 
    • Such datasets enable customisation of global drug molecules to Indian genetic profiles, addressing the common issue where foreign-developed drugs show reduced efficacy among Indian patients.
  • Challenges Hindering India’s Precision Medicine Growth
    • Regulatory Gaps: There is no unified framework governing gene and cell therapies. Current regulations are fragmented and unclear on therapeutic use.
    • High Cost and Limited Access: Advanced biotherapeutics remain affordable only to urban elite, with costs running into lakhs per treatment.
    • Manufacturing Bottlenecks: India lacks large-scale facilities for biologics and cell-based therapies, forcing dependence on imports.
    • Ethical and Data Privacy Concerns: Genomic data, if not protected by robust data protection laws and consent frameworks, risks misuse and discrimination.
    • Addressing these gaps is crucial for India to emerge as a trusted global leader in affordable precision healthcare.

Opportunities for Growth

  • India’s advantages lie in its cost-effective research environment, data analytics capabilities, and biotechnology talent pool. 
  • By fostering public-private partnerships, strengthening biomanufacturing infrastructure, and creating ethical genomic data-sharing frameworks, India can:
    • Localise global therapies at lower costs.
    • Expand precision medicine access to rural populations.
    • Attract international investment in R&D and clinical trials.
  • Collaborations with global institutions, coupled with government support under ‘Make in India’ for Biotech, could position India as a global hub for precision therapeutics in the next decade.

Source : TH

Precision Medicine FAQs

Q1: What is precision medicine?

Ans: Precision medicine involves tailoring treatments based on an individual’s genetic, molecular, or cellular characteristics.

Q2: How large is the global precision medicine market?

Ans: The global precision medicine market is expected to exceed $22 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of over 10%.

Q3: What are the key technologies driving precision biotherapeutics?

Ans: Genomics, proteomics, gene editing (CRISPR), mRNA therapeutics, monoclonal antibodies, and AI-driven drug discovery are central technologies.

Q4: What are India’s main challenges in developing precision medicine?

Ans: India faces regulatory uncertainty, high treatment costs, limited biomanufacturing capacity, and genomic data privacy concerns.

Q5: How can India become a leader in global precision medicine?

Ans: By investing in R&D, expanding genomic databases, strengthening regulation, and localising high-cost therapies for affordable access.

CAG’s New Audit Priorities in India’s Path Toward Viksit Bharat 2047

November 17, 2025
CAG’s New Audit Priorities

CAG’s New Audit Priorities Latest News

  • On Audit Diwas (16 November), Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) K. Sanjay Murthy outlined an expanded set of national audit priorities.
  • Audit Diwas commemorates the appointment of India’s first Auditor-General in 1860, marking the institution’s 166th year.
  • The shift aligns with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and evolving governance challenges.

Key Audit Focus Areas Announced by the CAG

  • Urban governance audit - Reinvigorated audits of Urban Local Governments (ULBs):
    • Rationale: Over 50% of India’s population will be urban by 2047.
    • Coverage: 101 major cities will be covered under the theme “Ease of Living”.
    • Parameters to be assessed: Infrastructure availability, environmental sustainability, service delivery efficiency, local economic growth.
    • Impact: Audit insights to affect over 40 crore urban citizens and guide urban policy reforms.
  • MSME sector audit - Ease of Doing Business for MSMEs:
    • Significance of MSMEs: MSMEs contribute significantly to employment generation, exports, regional economic growth.
    • Focus of audit: Paperless, faceless processes; ease of interface with government systems; efficiency of grievance-redressal mechanisms.
    • Objective: Identify procedural bottlenecks and strengthen MSME competitiveness.
  • Foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) audit:
    • Human capital development is considered essential for the developed nation goal.
    • Pan-India assessment of early-grade learning outcomes, implementation of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Mission.
    • Importance: Strong FLN outcomes are sine-qua-non for Viksit Bharat 2047 and align with NEP 2020.
  • Audit of multimodal logistics and Indian railways (under PM Gati Shakti framework):
    • A comprehensive cross-sectoral review of port connectivity, railways and freight corridors, logistics terminals, and inter-agency coordination.
    • Aim: To evaluate readiness for seamless multimodal transport and reduction of logistics costs.
    • Includes extensive consultations with the Ministry of Railways, port authorities, private freight operators.

Digital Transformation Initiatives of the CAG

  • CAG-Connect portal: It provides a real-time digital ecosystem linking 10 lakh auditee entities with audit offices. It ensures traceability, transparency, and efficient audit workflows
  • Development of CAG-LLM (Large Language Model): An indigenous AI-driven LLM designed to - 
    • Unlock institutional knowledge from decades of audits.
    • Process over 20,000 inspection reports annually.
    • Enable smarter, data-driven audits.
  • Capacity building and future-ready audit workforce: Partnership with IIT Madras for training in data science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, IT auditing. Till now around 250 officers are trained, and the target is to train 5,000 officers in 5 years.

Significance of Auditing Highlighted by the Vice-President

  • Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, who inaugurated the Audit Diwas celebrations, highlighted CAG’s role in promoting transparency, accountability and good governance in the management of public resources. 
  • He commended the institution’s significant strides in transforming audit processes to act as a facilitator of good governance and to strengthen executive accountability.
  • He emphasised that audit was no longer a retrospective exercise but a forward-looking instrument of reform, foresight, and innovation. 
  • He expressed confidence in the CAG’s role as a trusted partner in the Government’s pursuit of holistic development across the economic, social, technological, environmental, and institutional spheres.

Challenges

  • Data gaps and poor digital readiness among ULBs and MSME departments.
  • Coordination issues in multimodal logistics across multiple agencies.
  • Ensuring cybersecurity and privacy with digital audit tools.
  • Integration of AI systems like CAG-LLM into traditional audit workflows.
  • Standardising frameworks for measuring Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business across states.

Way Forward

  • Strengthen digital capabilities of states, ULBs, and MSME agencies.
  • Institutionalise AI-supported auditing and data analytics.
  • Expand audits to include climate resilience, smart city projects, and social sector delivery.
  • Enhance stakeholder consultations for the multimodal transport audit.
  • Promote inter-ministerial coordination for PM Gati Shakti evaluations.
  • Build workforce capacity through continuous training and certification.

Conclusion

  • The CAG’s renewed audit priorities reflect a major shift towards proactive, real-time, future-ready auditing. 
  • By leveraging technology, strengthening institutional capacity, the CAG aims to significantly enhance transparency, accountability, and governance effectiveness in India's path toward Viksit Bharat 2047.

Source: IE

CAG’s New Audit Priorities FAQs

Q1: What is the significance of CAG’s renewed focus on auditing ULBs under the “Ease of Living” framework?

Ans: It strengthens evidence-based urban governance by assessing infrastructure, sustainability and service delivery across 101 major cities.

Q2: How does the CAG’s audit of MSMEs contribute to improving the Ease of Doing Business in India?

Ans: The audit identifies procedural bottlenecks and evaluates digital, paperless, faceless systems to enhance regulatory efficiency and MSME competitiveness.

Q3: Why is the pan-India audit of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) critical for Viksit Bharat 2047?

Ans: Because strong FLN outcomes form the base of human capital development essential for India’s transition into a developed nation.

Q4: What is the role of the CAG’s multimodal logistics audit?

Ans: It evaluates planning, coordination and connectivity across ports, railways and freight systems to ensure integrated logistics and cost efficiency.

Q5: What is the relevance of CAG-LLM and CAG-Connect Portal in transforming India’s audit ecosystem?

Ans: These digital tools enable real-time connectivity with 10 lakh entities and AI-driven analysis of audit data.

Why Banks Are Raising Tier II Bonds: Surge in Long-Term Capital Issuance

November 17, 2025
Tier II Bonds

Tier II Bonds Latest News

  • Banks are rapidly issuing Tier II bonds to strengthen their capital base at a time when companies are raising record amounts through IPOs. 
  • The banking system is expected to raise about ₹25,000 crore this financial year, with ₹10,000 crore already raised.
  • The surge is fuelled by three key factors:
    • High demand for long-term debt instruments,
    • Expectations of a repo rate cut in the upcoming monetary policy, which would make current borrowing costs attractive, and
    • Regulatory requirements pushing institutions to invest in such bonds.
  • Together, these conditions have created a favourable window for banks to tap the market aggressively.

What Tier II Bonds Are and Why Banks Use Them

  • Tier II bonds are long-term debt instruments that banks issue to strengthen their capital base. 
  • With a minimum tenure of five years, they help banks meet Basel III capital adequacy norms and create an additional buffer to support future credit expansion.
  • These bonds allow banks to raise low-cost, long-term capital without diluting equity, making them an efficient funding tool. 
  • Experts note that Tier II instruments also improve a bank’s capital-to-risk weighted assets ratio (CRAR) by adding extra stability to its balance sheet.
    • CRAR is a key financial metric that measures a bank's capital against its risk-weighted assets to assess its financial strength. 
    • It is calculated by dividing a bank's capital (Tier 1 and Tier 2) by its risk-weighted assets and is expressed as a percentage. 
    • A higher CRAR indicates a bank is more capable of absorbing potential losses, which promotes financial stability and protects depositors. 

Banks Step Up Tier II Bond Issuances Amid Favorable Market Conditions

  • India’s top banks are accelerating Tier II bond issuances. 
    • SBI recently raised ₹7,500 crore at a competitive 6.93% via 10-year bonds, while ICICI Bank raised ₹1,000 crore in June. 
    • Experts estimate that banks may collectively raise up to ₹15,000 crore by December.
  • Many lenders waited earlier due to ample liquidity, lower deposit rates, and expectations of future rate cuts, which would reduce borrowing costs. Last year, banks had raised nearly ₹31,000 crore through Tier II bonds.
  • This renewed surge reflects improving market appetite and banks’ need to strengthen their capital base.

Why Banks Are Turning to Tier II Bonds

  • Banks are issuing more Tier II bonds because current market conditions make long-term borrowing cheaper than raising funds through deposits. 
  • With corporate issuers favouring shorter-term bonds this year, there is strong demand for long-duration, high-quality debt, creating a favourable window for banks.

Market Factors Driving the Surge

  • Expectation of a repo rate cut in December is encouraging investors to lock in long-term yields now.
  • Scarcity of top-rated long-tenor bonds has boosted appetite for Tier II issuances.
  • SBI’s aggressively priced 6.93% bond has acted as a benchmark, increasing confidence among other banks.
  • Provident and pension funds must meet regulatory investment quotas, pushing demand for long-term corporate bonds.

Regulatory and Strategic Considerations

  • Some banks also need to refinance older bonds whose call options were exercised. 
  • With stable markets and attractive yields, banks see this as the right time to strengthen capital buffers rather than wait for uncertain conditions later in the year.

Tier II Bonds Are Not the Primary Funding Source

  • Experts note that Indian banks still rely mainly on deposits for growth and capital needs. 
  • Most large banks have adequate internal capital generation and sufficient buffers, so future Tier II issuances will depend on how attractive market conditions remain.

Source: IE | BFSI

Tier II Bonds FAQs

Q1: What are Tier II bonds?

Ans: Tier II bonds are long-term debt instruments issued by banks to strengthen capital under Basel III norms, offering a low-cost way to boost CRAR without equity dilution.

Q2: Why are banks rushing to issue Tier II bonds now?

Ans: Strong demand for long-tenor bonds, expected RBI rate cuts, and investor appetite have created ideal conditions for banks to raise cheaper long-term capital.

Q3: How much capital are banks expected to raise through Tier II bonds?

Ans: Banks may raise around ₹25,000 crore this year, with ₹10,000 crore already raised and another ₹15,000 crore expected by December.

Q4: What market factors are driving investor appetite for Tier II bonds?

Ans: Scarcity of high-rated long-duration bonds, stable yields, pension fund investment requirements, and SBI’s benchmark pricing have boosted demand significantly.

Q5: Do Indian banks rely heavily on Tier II bonds for growth?

Ans: No. Indian banks remain deposit-funded with strong capital buffers. Tier II issuances are opportunistic, depending on market conditions and refinancing needs.

Bhang vs Cannabis in India: Why Bhang Is Legal but Growing Cannabis Isn’t

November 17, 2025
Bhang

Bhang Latest News

  • The Kerala High Court has dismissed a petition by a man who was caught with five cannabis plants on a terrace. 
  • He argued that since the plants had no “flowering or fruiting tops”, they couldn’t be considered ganja, which is illegal under the NDPS Act.
  • The Court rejected this argument, explaining that the law makes a clear distinction:
    • “Ganja” refers only to the flowering tops of the cannabis plant.
    • But the Act separately bans the cultivation of any cannabis plant, regardless of whether it has flowers or not.
  • The ruling settles a common misunderstanding — some parts of the cannabis plant may be exempt from the definition of a narcotic drug, but growing the plant itself is always illegal in India.

How the NDPS Act Defines Cannabis in India

  • Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985— introduced under strong global pressure — India did not ban every part of the cannabis plant. 
  • Instead, the law defines “cannabis (hemp)” narrowly:
    • Charas: the resin extracted from the cannabis plant, including hashish oil.
    • Ganja: only the flowering or fruiting tops of the plant.
    • Excluded: the seeds and leaves, as long as they are not accompanied by the tops.
  • In short, the law criminalises the intoxicating parts (resin and flowering tops) but not the seeds and leaves by themselves.

Why Bhang Is Legal: The Leaves-and-Seeds Loophole

  • Bhang remains legal in India because the NDPS Act excludes cannabis leaves and seeds from the definition of “cannabis”. 
  • Since bhang is made from leaves, it is not treated as a narcotic drug, even though other parts of the plant — like the resin (charas) and flowering tops (ganja) — are banned.
  • However, bhang isn’t completely unregulated. The NDPS Act leaves its control to state governments, allowing them to regulate or even ban its production and sale.
  • As a result:
    • States like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan license bhang shops.
    • Others, like Assam, have banned it under state laws.
  • So, bhang is legal not because cannabis is allowed, but because the law treats leaves differently from the intoxicating parts of the plant.

Why Growing Cannabis at Home Is Illegal Even If Bhang Is Legal

  • Although cannabis leaves are not banned under the NDPS Act, growing the plant itself is a crime. 
  • The Kerala High Court reaffirmed this by pointing to Section 8(b), which clearly bans the cultivation of any cannabis plant unless authorised for medical or scientific use.
  • The law defines a “cannabis plant” as any plant of the genus cannabis, without distinguishing between plants with flowers and those without. 
  • The Court also clarified that “cultivation” includes raising or gardening a plant even in pots, not just farming in fields.

How the NDPS Act Punishes Cannabis Offences

  • The NDPS Act sets different punishments depending on the type and quantity of cannabis involved:
  • Small quantity
    • Ganja: up to 1 kg
    • Charas: up to 100 g
    • Punishment: Up to 1 year in jail, or a ₹10,000 fine, or both.
  • Commercial quantity
    • Ganja: 20 kg or more
    • Charas: 1 kg or more
    • Punishment: 10–20 years rigorous imprisonment + ₹1–2 lakh fine
  • Intermediate quantity (between small and commercial)
    • Punishment: Up to 10 years in jail + ₹1 lakh fine
  • Cultivating cannabis plants (even a few)
    • Punishment: Up to 10 years rigorous imprisonment + ₹1 lakh fine
  • In short, penalties rise sharply with quantity — and cultivation itself is treated as a serious offence.

When Cannabis Can Be Grown Legally in India

  • Even though the NDPS Act bans cannabis cultivation, it allows important industrial and medical exceptions. 
  • Section 14 of the act lets the government permit cultivation specifically for fibre, seeds, horticulture, or medical research.
  • Using this provision:
    • Uttarakhand became the first state (in 2018) to license industrial hemp, a low-THC variety of cannabis.
    • Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh have followed with similar permissions.
    • The Union government has granted licences to scientific bodies like CSIR to grow cannabis for medical studies.
  • India’s first medical cannabis clinic opened in Bengaluru in 2020, prescribing cannabis-based medicines for certain conditions.
  • Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court has been examining a petition challenging the cannabis ban, arguing that the restrictions are outdated and lack scientific basis.

Source: IE | ZN

Bhang FAQs

Q1: Why is bhang legal but cannabis illegal in India?

Ans: Bhang is made from cannabis leaves, which are excluded from the NDPS Act definition. But cultivation of the cannabis plant itself is strictly prohibited, making the plant illegal.

Q2: What parts of the cannabis plant are banned under Indian law?

Ans: The NDPS Act bans resin (charas) and flowering tops (ganja). Seeds and leaves are excluded unless accompanied by tops, which is why bhang remains legal.

Q3: Why can’t you grow cannabis at home even for leaves?

Ans: Section 8(b) bans cultivation of any cannabis plant. The law makes no distinction between flowering and non-flowering plants, making all home cultivation illegal.

Q4: What are the punishments for cannabis-related offences?

Ans: Possession penalties depend on quantity—small, intermediate, commercial. Cultivation can lead to up to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹1 lakh.

Q5: When is cannabis cultivation allowed legally?

Ans: Section 14 allows licensed cultivation for industrial hemp, fibre, seeds, or medical research. States like Uttarakhand and institutions like CSIR are authorised under this provision.

Thames River

November 17, 2025
Thames River

Thames River Latest News

A video of an Indian man washing his feet in London's River Thames has gone viral recently.

About Thames River

  • It is a 346-km river that flows through southern England.
  • It is the longest river in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom, right after the River Severn. 
  • Course: 
    • Origin: Its source is at Thames Head, near Kemble in the Cotswold Hills, Gloucestershire County.
    • It flows into the North Sea via the Thames Estuary.
    • The Nore is the sandbank that marks the mouth of the Thames Estuary and the confluence point of the Thames and the North Sea. 
  • The Thames’ basin covers an area of approximately 16,130 sq.km.
  • The Thames is tidal a few miles upstream from London. Past London it becomes an estuary.
  • Main Tributaries: 
    • Lea, Leach, Churn, Coln, Windrush, Kennet, Evenlode, Ock, and Loddon. 
    • The River Kennet is the largest one at 45 miles long.
  • The river passes numerous popular cities along its way, such as London, Reading, Hendley-on-Thomas, Windsor, and Oxford, where it is also called the Isis River.
  • It provides two-thirds of London’s drinking water.
  • It has been a vital transportation route since ancient times, facilitating trade and commerce between London and other parts of England.
  • There are 16 bridges that cross the River Thames in Greater London alone, most prominently the Golden Jubilee Bridges and the Millennium Bridges for pedestrians.

Source: NDTV

Thames River FAQs

Q1: What is the total length of the River Thames?

Ans: 346 km

Q2: The River Thames flows through which country?

Ans: United Kingdom

Q3: Where does the River Thames originate?

Ans: Its source is at Thames Head, near Kemble in the Cotswold Hills, Gloucestershire County.

Q4: Into which water body does the Thames flow?

Ans: North Sea

Daily Editorial Analysis 17 November 2025

November 17, 2025
Daily Editorial Analysis

Delhi’s Air, A ‘Wicked Problem’ in Need of Bold Solutions

Context

  • Each winter, as a grey haze descends upon Delhi and air pollution reaches severe levels, the city returns to a predictable yet devastating cycle.
  • Schools close, flights are cancelled, and citizens don masks as the Air Quality Index (AQI) breaches 400.
  • Yet this recurring crisis is treated as a seasonal inconvenience rather than a chronic public-health emergency and a deep structural failure.

Structural Roots of a Persistent Crisis

  • Despite repeated round tables, expert meetings, and policy discussions, progress remains minimal.
  • Long-term exposure to Delhi’s toxic air can reduce life expectancy by up to 10 years, while air pollution costs the country 36% of its GDP, over $36 billion annually. Instead of long-term solutions, governments often resort to short-term fixes such as cloud-seeding or air purifiers in offices.
  • Delhi’s geographical position, a basin flanked by the Aravalli hills, creates natural barriers to air dispersal.
  • Winter’s temperature inversion and low wind speeds trap pollutants close to the surface, turning the city into a bowl of poison.
  • While similar meteorological issues once afflicted Los Angeles, that city responded with aggressive policy reforms and technological innovation, an approach Delhi has yet to mirror.

Human Choices That Intensify the Problem

  • Human activity worsens the crisis significantly. Delhi NCR’s 3 crore vehicles, many diesel-powered and poorly regulated, continuously release nitrogen oxides and PM2.5.
  • Enforcement of BS-VI norms remains inadequate. Construction contributes nearly 27% of PM2.5 pollution, with dust-control norms routinely violated.
  • Industries in neighbouring states emit sulphur dioxide and other toxins, often using outdated technologies.
  • Meanwhile, stubble-burning in Punjab and Haryana, despite subsidies and court orders, remains widespread because farmers lack economically viable alternatives.
  • Seasonal activities such as Deepavali firecrackers and open waste burning create further dangerous spikes.
  • Delhi's air crisis is thus a wicked problem, multifaceted, cross-cutting, and politically entangled, requiring more than isolated interventions.

A Rare Window of Political Alignment

  • For the first time, Delhi and the surrounding NCR states, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, are governed by the same political party as the central government.
  • This is a unique chance to eliminate intergovernmental friction and launch a joint Clean Air Mission with scientific expertise, coordinated enforcement, and shared accountability.
  • Global models offer clear guidance. London implemented an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), modernised transport, and improved building efficiency.
  • Los Angeles enforced strict vehicle-emission standards and promoted clean fuel technologies.
  • Beijing’s airpocalypse led to sweeping reforms: relocating industries, banning coal, and deploying real-time monitoring, achieving a 35% reduction in PM2.5 levels in five years.
  • Delhi must adopt its own Unified Airshed Management Plan, treating the NCR as one pollution zone, with real-time public dashboards, electrified public transport, and strict dust and waste regulations.
  • Farmers need scaled-up access to Happy Seeders and bio-decomposers to make stubble management economically feasible.

Beyond Policy: The Behavioural Dimension

  • Air pollution is not only a governance issue but a behavioural challenge.
  • Citizens must recognise that clean air is a shared responsibility. Awareness campaigns, school programmes, and community initiatives can shift mindsets and build a culture of accountability.

Conclusion

  • Delhi’s air crisis is not an act of nature; it is the result of policy inertia, fragmented governance, and collective choices.
  • Treating it as a temporary winter nuisance guarantees ongoing illness, economic damage, and environmental decline.
  • But confronting it as a structural problem with sustained, coordinated action offers a path forward.
  • Delhi can breathe again, but only if we embrace the urgency, political will, and public commitment needed to rewrite this narrative; the real question is no longer what must be done, but whether we will finally act.

Delhi’s Air, A ‘Wicked Problem’ in Need of Bold Solutions FAQs

 Q1. Why does Delhi face severe air pollution each winter?
Ans. Delhi faces severe winter pollution because geographical traps and temperature inversion prevent pollutants from dispersing.

Q2. How does air pollution affect India’s economy?
Ans. Air pollution affects India’s economy by causing healthcare costs, productivity losses, and GDP losses worth 1.36% annually.

Q3. What human activities worsen Delhi’s air quality?
Ans. Human activities such as vehicle emissions, construction dust, industrial pollution, and stubble burning worsen Delhi’s air quality.

Q4. What unique opportunity exists for Delhi and NCR states now?
Ans. A unique opportunity exists because Delhi and the NCR states are governed by the same political party, allowing coordinated action.

Q5. How can citizens contribute to cleaner air?
Ans. Citizens can contribute to cleaner air by adopting responsible behaviour and participating in awareness and community initiatives.

Source: The Hindu

The POCSO Act is Gender-Neutral by Design

Context

  • The Supreme Court recently issued notice in a case involving a woman accused of penetrative sexual assault under Section 3 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
  • This decision has reignited debate on whether the law applies equally to all genders.
  • While the petitioner asserts that the Act is gender-specific, a comprehensive examination shows that POCSO is inherently gender-neutral.

Interpretation of the Supreme Court’s Judgement: A Gender-Neutral Reading of Section 3

  • The General Clauses Act and Gendered Pronouns

    • The petition argues that Section 3 applies only to male offenders because it uses the pronoun
    • However, Section 13(1) of the General Clauses Act (GCA), 1897 states that words importing the masculine gender shall be taken to include females.
    • Since the POCSO Act does not explicitly restrict perpetrators to men, the law must be read in a gender-neutral

  • Breadth of Acts Defined Under Section 3

    • Section 3 defines penetrative sexual assault in a manner that encompasses:
      • Digital penetration
      • Object penetration
      • Oral penetration
    • Acts where a person induces the child to perform sexual acts with themselves or others
    • These are offences that can be committed by individuals of any gender, reinforcing that the statute’s construction is gender-inclusive.

Legislative Intent: Evidence of Deliberate Neutrality

  • Government Clarifications

    • The Ministry of Women and Child Development has repeatedly affirmed that POCSO is a gender-neutral Act.
    • These official responses demonstrate a clear legislative intention.

  • The 2019 Amendment’s Statement of Objects and Reasons

    • When the POCSO Amendment Bill (2019) was introduced, it explicitly described the Act as gender-neutral, leaving little room for restrictive interpretations.

  • Why Gender-Specific Interpretation Would Be Incorrect

    • While one parliamentary reply emphasised that the Act protects boys also, this cannot be misread to imply that only victims are gender-neutral while perpetrators are not.
    • For comparison, Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (erstwhile IPC Section 375) uses the explicitly gendered terms a man and a woman.
    • The absence of such language in POCSO reflects a deliberate legislative choice to ensure broad applicability.

Normative Justifications: Upholding the Law’s Protective Purpose

  • Recognising Diverse Forms of Abuse

    • In Sakshi v. Union of India (2004), the Supreme Court observed that child sexual abuse includes a wide range of sexual conduct, many of which do not depend on the perpetrator’s gender.

  • Acknowledging Female Perpetration

    • Although most reported cases involve male perpetrators, research shows that women can and do commit sexual offences against children.
    • A gender-specific reading would make such experiences invisible and deny certain victims justice.

  • Protecting Children Above All

    • The central purpose of POCSO is to safeguard children from sexual abuse, irrespective of the sex or gender identity of the offender.
    • A gender-neutral interpretation ensures no gaps in protection and no category of offender escapes accountability.

Conclusion

  • A holistic analysis of the statute, its legislative history, and its protective intent demonstrates that the POCSO Act is designed to be gender-neutral.
  • Interpreting Section 3 to apply only to male offenders would contradict both the letter and spirit of the law.
  • To fulfil its core objective, comprehensive protection of children, the Act must continue to be applied irrespective of the perpetrator’s gender.

The POCSO Act is Gender-Neutral by Design FAQs

Q1. Is the POCSO Act gender-neutral in its application to perpetrators?

Ans. Yes, the POCSO Act is gender-neutral and applies to perpetrators of all genders.

Q2. Why does the use of the pronoun “he” in Section 3 not restrict the law to male offenders?

Ans. It does not restrict the law because the General Clauses Act states that masculine words include females unless the context indicates otherwise.

Q3. What evidence shows that Parliament intended POCSO to be gender-neutral?

Ans. Official statements from the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the 2019 Amendment’s Statement of Objects and Reasons clearly describe the Act as gender-neutral.

Q4. Can women commit offences defined under Section 3 of POCSO?

Ans. Yes, women can commit these offences because the acts defined under Section 3, such as digital or oral penetration, are not gender-specific.

Q5. Why is a gender-neutral reading of POCSO important?

Ans. A gender-neutral reading is important because it ensures all children receive protection and justice, regardless of the offender’s gender.

Source: The Hindu

Daily Editorial Analysis 17 November 2025 FAQs

Q1: What is editorial analysis?

Ans: Editorial analysis is the critical examination and interpretation of newspaper editorials to extract key insights, arguments, and perspectives relevant to UPSC preparation.

Q2: What is an editorial analyst?

Ans: An editorial analyst is someone who studies and breaks down editorials to highlight their relevance, structure, and usefulness for competitive exams like the UPSC.

Q3: What is an editorial for UPSC?

Ans: For UPSC, an editorial refers to opinion-based articles in reputed newspapers that provide analysis on current affairs, governance, policy, and socio-economic issues.

Q4: What are the sources of UPSC Editorial Analysis?

Ans: Key sources include editorials from The Hindu and Indian Express.

Q5: Can Editorial Analysis help in Mains Answer Writing?

Ans: Yes, editorial analysis enhances content quality, analytical depth, and structure in Mains answer writing.

Senkakau Islands

November 17, 2025
Senkakau Islands

Senkaku Islands Latest News

Recently, a China Coast Guard ship formation passed through the disputed waters of the Senkaku Islands.

About Senkaku Islands

  • Location: These are an uninhabited group of islands situated in the East China Sea.
  • The islands comprise Uotsuri Island, Kuba Island, Taisho Island Kitakojima Island, Minamikojima Island, Tobise Island, Okinokitaiwa Island, and Okinominamiiwa Island. 
  • The total land area of all the islands is roughly 6.3 square kilometers.

Features of Senkaku Islands

  • This island consists of conglomerate sandstone (alternate layers of sandstone and conglomerate in some parts), tuff, andesite, andesitic lava, coral outcroppings elevated above sea level during the Holocene era, and other rocky material. 
  • The surrounding area is highly volcanic and features faults associated with this volcanic activity, and this affects land formation.
  • Dispute: The Senkaku Islands (called the Diaoyu Islands by China) have long been disputed between China and Japan.
  • Administration of Senkaku Islands: Currently, Japan administers and controls the Senkaku Islands as part of the city of Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture.

Source: TH

Senkaku Islands FAQs

Q1: Where are the Senkaku Islands located?

Ans: East China Sea

Q2: Which country currently administers the Senkaku Islands?

Ans: Japan

Sakurajima Volcano

November 17, 2025
Sakurajima Volcano

Sakurajima Volcano Latest News

Recently, Japan’s Sakurajima volcano erupted multiple times and sent a plume of smoke and ash as high as 4.4 kilometres into the air.

About Sakurajima Volcano

  • Location: It is located on the southern tip of Kyushu island near the city of Kagoshima, Japan.
  • It is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes and eruptions of varying levels take place on a regular basis.
  • Sakurajima is a stratovolcano formed from layers of lava and ash. It is situated on a convergent plate margin.
  • It is an andesitic volcano (meaning it has a high gas content and is very viscous) located at the southern edge of the Aira caldera.
  • It is formed by the central cones of the Kitadake (northern peak) and the Minamidake (southern peak).
  • Sakura-jima formed an island until 1914, when an explosive eruption produced enough material to join the island to the peninsula on the east.

What is Volcano?

  • A volcano is an opening on the surface of a planet or moon that allows material warmer than its surroundings to escape from its interior.
  • When this material escapes, it causes an eruption and it can last days, months, or even years. 
  • This eruption can be explosive, sending material high into the sky. Or it can be calmer, with gentle flows of material.

Source: DD News

Sakurajima Volcano FAQs

Q1: Sakurajima Volcano is located on which island?

Ans: Kyushu

Q2: What type of volcano is Sakurajima?

Ans: Stratovolcano

Portugal

November 17, 2025
Portugal

Portugal Latest News

Recently, violent weather from Storm Claudia killed three people and injured dozens in Portugal.

About Portugal

  • Location: It is the westernmost country of mainland Europe, located on the Iberian Peninsula.
  • Bordering Countries: It shares land border with Spain (north and east),
  • Maritime border: It is bounded by the North Atlantic Ocean to the south and west.
  • It also administers two autonomous regions: the Madeira and Azores archipelagos, located in the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Capital city: Lisbon

Geographical Features of Portugal

  • Climate: Its climate is very much like that of most Mediterranean countries. This means it's hot in the summer and temperate in the winter.
  • Rivers: The Tagus River, flowing west into the Atlantic ocean, divides Portugal into mountainous northern regions and rolling plains in the south.
  • Highest Point: Ponta do Pico (Pico Alto), located in the Azores.
  • Natural Resources: It mainly consists of iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum.

Source: News On Air

Portugal FAQs

Q1: What is the capital of Portugal?

Ans: Lisbon

Q2: Where is Portugal located?

Ans: Western Europe

Enquire Now