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CEC slams exit polls, trends on TV channels; calls for corrective steps

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4) Topic: GS2 – Governance Context ● Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar criticised the distortion caused by exit polls, highlighting the gap between expectations and actual results. ● He called for transparency in exit poll methodology and self-regulation by media bodies. ● He also condemned…

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Delhi High Court Issues Directives to Improve Access to Orphan Drugs for Rare Disease Patients

(Source: Indian Express; Section: Explained; Page: 13) Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health Context: The Delhi High Court recently issued directives to improve the availability of “orphan drugs,” which are used to treat rare diseases. Rare diseases, as defined by the WHO, are conditions that affect fewer than 1 in 1,000 people. In India,…

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Why precision medicine in India can’t advance without biobank laws

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7) Topic: GS3 – Science and Technology Context ● Precision medicine, driven by genomics and emerging technologies like gene editing and mRNA therapeutics, is transforming healthcare globally. ● India’s biobanking ecosystem is growing but faces challenges due to inconsistent regulations around data protection and ethical…

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Why is the textile industry struggling to perform better?

Why is the textile industry struggling to perform better? (Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10) Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy – Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth. Context ● The Indian textile and apparel sector aims to achieve a $350 billion annual business by 2030, generating…

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Global Digital Compact: advancing digital innovation in a sustainable fashion

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 11) Topic: GS2 – International Relations Context ● The Global Digital Compact (GDC), adopted at the UN’s ‘Summit of the Future,’ aims to harness and regulate digital technologies for global benefit. ● While it offers a framework for cooperation, significant challenges and limitations in implementation…

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What does USCIRF report say about India?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10) Topic: GS2 – International Relations Context ● The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a report highlighting deteriorating religious freedom in India, citing violence against minorities and government repression. ● India’s Ministry of External Affairs rejected the report, labelling USCIRF as…

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AI Pioneers Hopfield and Hinton Awarded Nobel Prize for Revolutionizing Machine Learning with Neural Networks

(Source: Indian Express; Section: Explained; Page: 19) Topic: GS3 – Science and Technology Context: The article highlights the groundbreaking contributions of John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton in developing neural networks, which have revolutionized artificial intelligence and earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics. Analysis of News:    Artificial Intelligence: A Game Changer Nobel Prize for AI…

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On ‘casteist’ provisions in prison manuals

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10) Topic: GS2 – Governance Context On October 3, the Supreme Court declared caste-based division of labour in prisons as unconstitutional, violating prisoners’ fundamental rights. Provisions in State prison manuals, which reinforced caste inequalities, were struck down. The court directed States and Union Territories to…

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How high-performance buildings are the next step towards a sustainable future

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 11) Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy – Infrastructure Context As India’s urban population grows, adopting high-performance buildings (HPBs) can address sustainability challenges and meet climate goals. HPBs optimise energy efficiency and enhance occupant well-being, positioning them as vital for future urban development. Importance of Sustainability…

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India’s Farm Sector Growth Driven by Livestock and Fisheries, Crop Growth Lags: NITI Aayog Report

(Source: Indian Express; Section: Explained; Page: 14) Topic: GS3– Agriculture Context: India’s agriculture sector has shown improved growth over the past two decades, particularly under the Narendra Modi government. The NITI Aayog paper highlights that agriculture’s Gross Value Added (GVA) growth averaged 2.9% annually from 1984-2004, but increased to 3.5% during the UPA government (2004-2014)…