Stay ahead in your UPSC preparation with the top editorials and issue-based analysis from The Hindu, Indian Express, and relevant reports. All topics below are linked to GS1 , GS2 & GS3, with a focus on exam-relevant insights, keywords, and actionable conclusions.
Centre to Resume Talks with Kuki-Zo Insurgents
🔸 Why in News?
The Union Home Ministry (MHA) is set to resume negotiations with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups in Manipur after nearly two years. The discussions will focus on renegotiating the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with stricter ground rules.
🔸 Key Developments
- No Immediate Extension of SoO – The pact will be renegotiated before any extension is granted.
- Removal of Camps Near Meitei Areas – The Centre has demanded relocation of insurgent camps away from valley districts dominated by the Meitei community.
- Security Forces’ Recommendation – Officials suggest reducing the number of camps from 14 to 7 to minimize tensions.
- Tripartite Agreement – The SoO pact, signed in 2008, involves the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), United Peoples’ Front (UPF), MHA, and Manipur government.
🔸 Strategic & Political Impact
- Peace Process Revival – The talks aim to restore stability in Manipur following ethnic clashes in 2023.
- Security Concerns – The Centre is assessing border security before finalizing the agreement.
- Political Solution Framework – Any resolution will be subject to the SoO framework.
🔸 Way Forward
- Dialogue with Insurgent Leaders – The Centre will meet Kuki-Zo representatives on June 9.
- Ground Rule Adjustments – New conditions will tighten monitoring of insurgent activities.
- Regional Stability Measures – Security forces will increase surveillance in sensitive areas.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- Security & Diplomacy (GS-II) – Role of peace agreements in insurgency resolution.
- Governance & Policy (GS-II) – Impact of tripartite agreements on regional stability.
- History & Ethnic Conflicts (GS-I) – Background of Kuki-Zo insurgency in Manipur
Delhi & Rajasthan Begin Storing Biometrics of Arrestees
🔸 Why in News?
Delhi and Rajasthan have become the first states in India to record and store biometric data of arrestees, including fingerprints, retina scans, and iris scans. This is being done under the Criminal Procedure Identification Act (CrPI), 2022, which has now been implemented on a pilot basis.
🔸 Key Highlights
- Biometric Data Collection – Includes finger-impressions, palm-prints, footprints, photographs, iris and retina scans.
- Centralized Storage – Data is being stored in a central server for analysis and future reference.
- No DNA Collection Yet – Due to forensic limitations, DNA samples are not yet being collected.
- National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Oversight – The NCRB is responsible for implementing the Act and has finalized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for biometric data collection.
🔸 Legal & Security Implications
- Enhanced Criminal Identification – Helps in tracking repeat offenders and solving cases faster.
- Privacy Concerns – Critics argue that biometric storage raises data security and privacy issues.
- Future Expansion – The NCRB plans to roll out biometric collection in 1,300 police stations across India.
🔸 Way Forward
- Improving Forensic Capabilities – Authorities are working on expanding DNA profiling in the future.
- Legal Safeguards – Ensuring data protection measures to prevent misuse.
- Public Awareness – Educating citizens on how biometric data will be used.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- Governance & Policy (GS-II) – Role of biometric data in criminal justice.
- Security & Technology (GS-III) – Impact of biometric identification on law enforcement.
- Ethics & Privacy (GS-IV) – Debate on data protection vs. security needs.
Economic Sanctions Against Pakistan: Third Phase of Operation Sindoor
🔸 Why in News?
BJP MP Baijayant Panda has stated that economic sanctions against Pakistan mark the third phase of Operation Sindoor, following military strikes and diplomatic outreach.
🔸 Key Highlights
- Sanctions Cover Trade, Visas & Water Agreements – India has restricted trade, tightened visa policies, and suspended water-sharing agreements under the Indus Waters Treaty.
- Diplomatic Outreach to OIC Nations – A multi-party delegation visited Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria to explain India’s stance and gain international support.
- Pakistan’s Economic Struggles – Experts warn that Pakistan’s fragile economy may not withstand prolonged sanctions, especially given its IMF bailout dependency.
🔸 Strategic & Economic Impact
- Pressure on Pakistan’s Economy – The sanctions aim to force Pakistan to curb terror activities by restricting financial inflows.
- Global Trade & Security – India’s diplomatic push has gained backing from key allies, strengthening its position in global security discussions.
- Pakistan’s Response – Islamabad has expressed concern over the sanctions, but has yet to announce countermeasures.
🔸 Way Forward
- Monitoring Economic Fallout – India will assess Pakistan’s economic response before expanding sanctions.
- Continued Diplomatic Engagement – Further talks with international partners are expected to reinforce India’s stance.
- Security & Trade Adjustments – India may tighten trade restrictions if Pakistan fails to comply with counter-terrorism measures.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- International Relations (GS-II) – Role of economic sanctions in diplomatic strategy.
- Security & Diplomacy (GS-II) – Impact of Operation Sindoor on regional stability.
- Economy & Trade (GS-III) – Consequences of trade restrictions on Pakistan’s economy.
US Reaffirms Support for India in Fight Against Terrorism
🔸 Why in News?
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has assured an all-party Indian delegation that the United States stands firmly with India in its fight against terrorism. The delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, briefed US officials on Operation Sindoor and India’s counter-terror stance following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
🔸 Key Highlights
- Operation Sindoor Briefing – The delegation explained India’s military response targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
- US-India Strategic Partnership – Landau reaffirmed strong US support for India’s counter-terrorism efforts and bilateral cooperation.
- Trade & Security Discussions – Talks included expanding trade ties, economic growth, and regional security.
🔸 Diplomatic & Security Impact
- Strengthening Global Alliances – India’s outreach aims to secure international backing for its anti-terror operations.
- US Congressional Support – The delegation met Senator Chris Van Hollen and Senator Cory Booker, both of whom expressed solidarity with India.
- Future Cooperation – Discussions focused on deepening India-US defense collaboration and counter-terror intelligence sharing.
🔸 Way Forward
- Continued Diplomatic Engagement – India will expand discussions with other global partners.
- Security Policy Adjustments – The US may increase intelligence-sharing efforts with India.
- Economic & Trade Expansion – Both nations aim to strengthen commercial ties alongside security cooperation.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- International Relations (GS-II) – Role of India-US strategic partnership in counter-terrorism.
- Security & Diplomacy (GS-II) – Impact of global alliances on India’s security policies.
- Economy & Trade (GS-III) – Influence of bilateral trade agreements on diplomatic relations.
Govt Eases Procurement Norms for Research Labs
🔸 Why in News?
The Union Ministry of Finance has amended the General Financial Rules (GFR) to simplify procurement norms for research institutions, aiming to accelerate scientific innovation and reduce bureaucratic delays.
🔸 Key Amendments
- Higher Purchase Limits Without Quotation – Research institutions can now procure scientific equipment and consumables up to ₹2 lakh without seeking quotations, up from ₹1 lakh earlier.
- Purchase Committee Authority Expanded – The financial limit for committee-based procurement has been raised from ₹10 lakh to ₹25 lakh.
- Tendering Threshold Increased –
- Limited Tender Enquiry (LTE): Raised from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore.
- Advertised Tender Enquiry: Now required for purchases above ₹1 crore.
- Global Tender Enquiry (GTE) Approval – Vice Chancellors and Directors can now approve global tenders up to ₹200 crore for research-related procurement.
🔸 Impact on Research & Innovation
- Faster Equipment Acquisition – Scientists and researchers no longer need to wait months for essential tools.
- Greater Autonomy for Institutions – Research heads have more control over procurement decisions, reducing administrative hurdles.
- Boost to Scientific Startups – Easier access to high-quality research tools will support young innovators.
🔸 Way Forward
- Implementation Across Ministries – The revised norms apply to science, biotechnology, atomic energy, space, health research, and defense institutions.
- Monitoring Efficiency Gains – The government will track improvements in procurement speed and research output.
- Further Policy Adjustments – Future reforms may expand procurement autonomy for private research institutions.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- Governance & Policy (GS-II) – Role of financial regulations in scientific research.
- Science & Technology (GS-III) – Impact of procurement reforms on innovation.
- Economy & Development (GS-III) – Effect of simplified procurement on research startups.
Bihar Expands Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Coverage
🔸 Why in News?
Bihar has significantly expanded enrolment under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), making it one of the leading states in health insurance coverage. The state has issued 3.94 crore Ayushman cards, helping beneficiaries save over ₹1,000 crore in medical expenses within a year.
🔸 Key Highlights
- Massive Enrolment Drive – A four-day campaign (May 26-30) added 17.38 lakh new cardholders.
- Integration with NFSA Database – Bihar now covers all National Food Security Act (NFSA) registered families, increasing enrolment.
- Enhanced Incentives for ASHA Workers – Cash incentives for verified enrolments raised from ₹5 to ₹15.
- Senior Citizen Coverage – 2.82 lakh elderly (70+ years) enrolled under Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card.
🔸 Impact on Healthcare
- Reduced Out-of-Pocket Expenses – Beneficiaries saved ₹1,000 crore in medical costs.
- Improved Access to Private Hospitals – 50% of empanelled hospitals under the scheme are private facilities, ensuring better treatment options.
- Door-to-Door Awareness Campaigns – Efforts to reach unregistered eligible individuals.
🔸 Way Forward
- Expanding Hospital Network – More private and public hospitals to be empanelled.
- Strengthening Digital Monitoring – Ensuring seamless implementation and fraud prevention.
- Further Policy Adjustments – Possible expansion of coverage criteria to include more vulnerable groups.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- Governance & Policy (GS-II) – Role of Ayushman Bharat in public health.
- Economy & Development (GS-III) – Impact of health insurance on financial security.
- Social Justice (GS-II) – Accessibility of healthcare for economically weaker sections.
Bihar Records Sharp Decline in Sex Ratio at Birth
🔸 Why in News?
Bihar has recorded the lowest sex ratio at birth (SRB) in India for 2022, with only 891 girls born per 1,000 boys. This marks a steep decline from 964 in 2020 and 908 in 2021.
🔸 Key Findings from CRS Data
- Consistent Decline Since 2020 – Bihar’s SRB has dropped for three consecutive years, raising concerns over gender imbalance.
- Other States with Low SRB – Maharashtra (906), Telangana (907), Gujarat (908), and Haryana (909) also reported low sex ratios.
- Highest SRB in India – Nagaland recorded 1,068 girls per 1,000 boys, followed by Arunachal Pradesh (1,036), Ladakh (1,027), and Kerala (971).
🔸 Possible Causes & Concerns
- Gender-Based Discrimination – Preference for male children continues to influence birth rates.
- Declining Female Birth Registrations – Fewer female births are being officially recorded, affecting policy decisions.
- Impact on Future Demographics – A skewed sex ratio could lead to social and economic challenges in Bihar.
🔸 Way Forward
- Strengthening Awareness Campaigns – Government must intensify gender equality programs.
- Improving Birth Registration Systems – Ensuring accurate reporting of female births.
- Policy Interventions – Expanding financial incentives for families with girl children.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- Social Issues (GS-I) – Impact of gender imbalance on society.
- Governance & Policy (GS-II) – Role of government schemes in improving sex ratio.
- Demographics & Development (GS-I) – Long-term effects of declining female birth rates.
Government Must Address Structural Issues in Textile & Apparel Sector
🔸 Why in News?
Industry stakeholders have urged the government to resolve structural challenges in the textile and apparel sector, which has seen stagnant exports for nearly a decade. Despite India’s global scale in spinning, home textiles, and denim, exports remain stuck at $37–42 billion, far from the $100 billion target by 2030.
🔸 Key Structural Issues
- Raw Material Prices – High cotton prices and import restrictions hinder competitiveness.
- Labour Costs & Productivity – Rising wages and low automation adoption affect efficiency.
- Capital & Power Costs – Expensive credit and electricity tariffs increase production costs.
- Long Lead Times – Delays in order fulfillment reduce India’s appeal in global markets.
🔸 Proposed Solutions
- Remove Cotton Import Duty – Industry leaders demand duty-free cotton imports to stabilize prices.
- Expand PM MITRA & PLI Schemes – Strengthen manufacturing incentives to boost investment.
- Improve Logistics & Supply Chains – Reduce lead times through better infrastructure.
- Encourage Automation & Skill Development – Increase tech adoption and train workers for efficiency.
🔸 Way Forward
- Investment in Expansion Projects – The sector needs $100 billion investment to reach $350 billion market size.
- Policy Adjustments – Government must align trade policies with global textile trends.
- Export Growth Strategy – Achieve 17% CAGR to meet the $100 billion export target by 2030.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- Economy & Trade (GS-III) – Impact of structural reforms on textile exports.
- Governance & Policy (GS-II) – Role of government schemes in industrial growth.
- Employment & Development (GS-III) – Textile sector’s job creation potential.
Extreme Poverty in India Drops to 5.3% in 2022-23: World Bank
🔸 Why in News?
India’s extreme poverty rate has declined to 5.3% in 2022-23, down from 27.1% in 2011-12, according to the World Bank’s latest report. This significant reduction comes despite the upward revision of the global poverty threshold to $3 per day.
🔸 Key Findings
- 171 million people lifted out of extreme poverty between 2011-12 and 2022-23.
- Rural extreme poverty dropped from 18.4% to 2.8%, while urban extreme poverty fell from 10.7% to 1.1%, narrowing the rural-urban gap.
- India’s poverty rate at the lower middle-income country (LMIC) line declined by 33.7 percentage points.
🔸 Factors Behind the Decline
- Free & Subsidized Food Transfers – Government welfare programs played a major role in reducing poverty.
- Economic Growth & Inflation Adjustments – India’s inflation rate between 2017-2021 influenced the poverty threshold revision.
- Improved Household Surveys – Enhanced data collection methods provided a clearer picture of poverty trends.
🔸 Way Forward
- Strengthening Social Welfare Programs – Expanding food security and employment schemes.
- Monitoring Economic Trends – Ensuring inflation control to maintain poverty reduction momentum.
- Global Comparisons & Policy Adjustments – Learning from successful poverty alleviation models worldwide.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- Economy & Development (GS-III) – Impact of poverty reduction on economic stability.
- Governance & Policy (GS-II) – Role of government schemes in poverty alleviation.
- Social Justice (GS-II) – Effects of poverty reduction on marginalized communities.
Using Bacteriophages to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance
🔸 Why in News?
Scientists are increasingly exploring bacteriophages—viruses that naturally prey on bacteria—as a potential solution to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). With antibiotics losing effectiveness, phage therapy is being reconsidered as an alternative treatment.
🔸 How Bacteriophages Work
- Target-Specific Action – Unlike antibiotics, which kill multiple bacterial species, phages attack specific bacterial strains, reducing collateral damage to beneficial microbes.
- Self-Evolving Treatment – Bacteria can develop resistance to phages, but phages also evolve, making them a dynamic therapeutic option.
- Historical Use – Phages were used in Soviet-era medicine, but their use declined after antibiotics became widespread.
🔸 Applications in Medicine
- Burns & Wound Infections – Phages have been used to treat foot ulcers and skin infections.
- Urinary Tract & Respiratory Infections – Targeted phage therapy has shown promise in treating drug-resistant bacterial infections.
- Genetically Engineered Phages – Scientists are modifying phages to expand their bacterial-killing range.
🔸 Challenges & Future Prospects
- Regulatory Hurdles – Since phages evolve, regulators struggle to approve them as drugs.
- Clinical Trials Complexity – Each patient may need a different phage, making standardized trials difficult.
- Global Research Efforts – Countries are rediscovering phage therapy, with institutes in Georgia and the U.S. leading research.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- Science & Technology (GS-III) – Role of phage therapy in AMR solutions.
- Health & Policy (GS-II) – Impact of phage-based treatments on healthcare.
- Biotechnology & Innovation (GS-III) – Advances in genetically engineered phages.
DEEPIKA PARASHAR
