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Obesity: soft core of an epidemic of non-communicable diseases

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7) Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health Context The article discusses how obesity is a significant contributor to non-communicable diseases, increasing the risk of conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, certain cancers, and negatively impacting overall quality of life. Obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)…

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Govt. report reveals stark infrastructure gap in Indian schools

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6) Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Education Context Recent government data from UDISE+ reveals significant gaps in electricity, drinking water, toilets, and disabled-friendly facilities across Indian schools. Facility Total Schools Schools with Functional Facility Schools without Functional Facility Electricity 14.71 lakh 13.19 lakh 1.52…

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Experts on GM crop panels to declare conflict of interest

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6) Topic: GS2 – Governance, GS3 – Agriculture Context ● The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has amended rules governing the selection of experts for the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), which regulates genetically modified (GM) seeds in India.   Amendment to…

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End of an Era: Russia Halts Gas Transit Through Ukraine Amid Geopolitical Strains

(Source – Indian Express, Section – The World- Page No. – 10) Topic: GS2 – International Relations Context The cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine marks a historic shift in Europe’s energy dynamics, driven by geopolitical tensions and efforts to reduce dependency on Russian energy. Analysis of the news: End of Russian Gas Transit…

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In search of a ‘grand strategy’ for India’s foreign policy in the 21st century

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 11) Topic: GS2 – International Relations Context ● This article in The Hindu discusses three books by Sreeram Chaulia, T.V. Paul, and Dhruva Jaishankar – exploring India’s grand strategy, foreign policy evolution, and its pursuit of global power in the 21st century.  India’s Core Strategic…

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Four UN environmental summits fell short in 2024. What happened?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7) Topic: GS2 – International Relations,  GS3 – Environment Context ● Four major United Nations-led summits on biodiversity (Colombia), climate (Azerbaijan), land degradation (Saudi Arabia), and plastics (South Korea) failed to produce significant outcomes.  Failures at Key Environmental Summits These meetings aimed to align global…

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Geopolitical Shifts in 2025: Opportunities and Challenges for India

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 09) Topic: GS2 – International Relations Context ● The article explores India’s geopolitical prospects in 2025 amidst regional upheavals, global conflicts, and evolving alliances, highlighting challenges and opportunities for its foreign policy.  Analysis of the news: A Dynamic Geopolitical Landscape in 2025 The year 2025…

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The nature of dissent in the Indian judiciary

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10) Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity – Judiciary Context ● The article compares U.S. Supreme Court dissents, influenced by political appointments, with India’s diverse judicial dissents—political, social, and intellectual.  Dissent in Democracies: A Comparative Overview: Role of Dissent in Democracy Dissent is an essential component…

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H-1B Visa Debate: Divisions Emerge Among Trump Supporters Over Skilled Immigration

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained – Page No. – 18) Topic: GS2 – International Relations Context ●The article explores the divisive debate among Trump supporters over the H-1B visa program.  Analysis of the news: Controversy Over H-1B Visas in the US The debate over skilled immigration, particularly the H-1B visa program, has resurfaced…

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Unconventional methods like AI-based warfare a big challenge, says Rajnath

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4) Topic: GS3 – Internal Security Context ● Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the growing challenge posed by unconventional warfare methods, including Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based warfare, cyber attacks, and other advanced forms of conflict.  Types of Emerging Threats AI-Based Warfare: Leveraging AI for decision-making and…