Stay ahead in your UPSC preparation with the top editorials and issue-based analysis from The Hindu, Indian, and reports. All topics below are linked to GS1 , GS2 & GS3, with a focus on exam-relevant insights, keywords, and actionable conclusions.
India’s Gender Parity Declines in Global Rankings
India has slipped to 131st place out of 148 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2025, falling two spots from last year’s 129th rank.
🔸 Key Findings
- Overall Gender Parity Score – India’s score stands at 64.4%, a slight improvement of 0.3 points from 2024, but still among the lowest-ranked nations in South Asia.
- Economic Participation Gains – India’s score in economic participation and opportunity rose by 0.9 percentage points to 40.7%, but remains in the bottom five globally.
- Political Empowerment Decline – Female representation in Parliament dropped from 14.7% to 13.8%, and the share of women in ministerial positions fell from 6.5% to 5.6%.
- Education & Health Improvements – India scored 97.1% in educational attainment, reflecting higher female literacy and tertiary education enrolment.
🔸 Regional & Global Comparisons
- Bangladesh ranks 24th, making it the best performer in South Asia.
- Iceland leads the index for the 16th consecutive year, followed by Finland, Norway, the UK, and New Zealand.
- Global gender gap closed to 68.8%, marking the strongest annual advancement since the COVID-19 pandemic.
🔸 Way Forward
- Strengthening Political Representation – Encouraging greater participation of women in governance.
- Expanding Economic Opportunities – Addressing wage gaps and workplace leadership disparities.
- Monitoring Gender-Based Policies – Ensuring effective implementation of gender parity initiatives.
2.
Retail Inflation Falls to Six-Year Low
India’s retail inflation dropped to 2.82% in May 2025, marking its lowest level since February 2019.
🔸 Key Drivers Behind the Decline
- Food Inflation Falls Sharply – Food inflation dropped to 0.99%, down from 1.78% in April, driven by cheaper vegetables, pulses, and cereals.
- Rural & Urban Inflation Trends – Rural inflation declined to 2.59%, while urban inflation fell to 3.07%, showing a broad-based slowdown.
- Reserve Bank’s Policy Impact – The RBI’s recent rate cuts and import duty reductions on edible oils contributed to easing price pressures.
🔸 Economic Implications
- Boost for Consumer Spending – Lower inflation reduces household expenses, potentially stimulating demand.
- RBI’s Inflation Outlook – The central bank projects inflation at 3.7% for FY26, with Q1 at 2.9% and Q4 at 4.4%.
- Global Uncertainties Remain – While inflation has eased, supply chain risks and monsoon variability could impact future trends.
3.
Central Schemes Must Pass Effectiveness Test to Continue
🔸 Why in News?
The Finance Ministry has issued a directive stating that all Central schemes will be evaluated for effectiveness before being allowed to continue beyond March 31, 2026.
🔸 Key Criteria for Continuation
- Positive Outcomes Required – Schemes must demonstrate measurable success in achieving their objectives.
- Third-Party Evaluation – Independent assessments will determine whether a scheme should be continued, modified, or discontinued.
- Sunset Clause Introduced – Every scheme must have a defined end date, preventing indefinite extensions.
🔸 Financial Limitations Imposed
- Budget Caps – The total projected outlay for a scheme over the 16th Finance Commission cycle (2026-31) should not exceed 5.5 times the average annual expenditure from 2021-25.
- Demand-Driven Schemes Restricted – Programs like MGNREGA will require specific approval for budget increases beyond projected figures.
🔸 Impact & Way Forward
- Ensuring Efficient Spending – The move aims to reduce wasteful expenditure and prioritize impactful programs.
- Reappraisal of 314 Schemes – 54 Central schemes and 260 Centrally Sponsored schemes will undergo fresh evaluation.
- Greater Accountability – Ministries must justify funding requests based on performance metrics.
4.
India-US Trade Agreement & Trump’s Tariffs
🔸 Current Status of Negotiations
India and the US are racing to finalize a phased trade agreement before July 9, 2025, when Trump’s reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports are set to take effect.
🔸 Key Sticking Points
- US Demands – The US wants India to open its market to genetically modified crops, ease price controls on medical devices, and relax data localization rules.
- India’s Concerns – India seeks exemptions from US tariffs on steel, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals, while also threatening reciprocal tariffs.
- Agriculture & Dairy Disputes – India is unlikely to concede on wheat, rice, maize, and dairy imports, citing domestic sensitivities.
🔸 Risks & Challenges
- Trump’s Tariff Strategy – Former diplomats warn that Trump’s erratic trade policies could make any deal unstable or subject to unilateral changes.
- Legal Uncertainty – The US Court of International Trade is reviewing challenges to Trump’s tariff hikes, adding uncertainty to negotiations.
- India’s Strategic Approach – India is closely monitoring US trade concessions to other nations to ensure a fair deal.
🔸 Way Forward
- Balancing Market Access – India must secure favorable terms while protecting key industries.
- Avoiding a Rushed Deal – Experts caution against signing an interim agreement that compromises India’s long-term interests.
- Strengthening Trade Diplomacy – PM Modi may advance negotiations with Trump at the G7 Summit in Canada.
5.
Urbanisation and the Challenge of Ideal Transit Solutions
🔸 Why in News?
India’s rapid urbanisation is expected to shift over 60% of the population from rural to urban areas by the 2060s, making efficient transit solutions a critical challenge for policymakers.
🔸 Key Challenges in Urban Mobility
- Limited Public Transport Access – Only 37% of urban residents have easy access to public transport, compared to 50%+ in Brazil and China.
- Metro Expansion vs. Cost Recovery – Metro networks are expensive and slow to recover costs, with ridership often below projections.
- Last-Mile Connectivity Issues – Commuters struggle with high costs and lack of convenient transport options from metro stations to workplaces.
- Fare Sensitivity – Even small fare hikes lead to significant drops in metro usage, making cost recovery difficult.
🔸 Government Initiatives
- PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme – Launched to deploy 10,000 urban buses and improve public transport accessibility.
- PM e-Drive Scheme – Supports the procurement of 14,000 e-buses, 1,10,000 e-rickshaws, e-trucks, and e-ambulances.
- Metro Network Expansion – Increased budget allocations for metro projects in Tier 1 cities.
🔸 Way Forward
- Cost-Effective Road-Based Transport – Expanding affordable urban bus systems for better last-mile connectivity.
- Public Transport Subsidies – Exploring targeted subsidies to make metro fares more accessible.
- Private Sector Investment – Encouraging private participation in urban transit infrastructure.
6.
Out of the Abyss: A Dungeons & Dragons Adventure
🔸 Overview
“Out of the Abyss” is a Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition adventure module set in the Forgotten Realms. It was released in September 2015 as part of the Rage of Demons storyline.
🔸 Plot Summary
- The adventure begins with players captured by Drow Elves in the Underdark, a vast subterranean labyrinth.
- As they escape, they discover that demon lords like Demogorgon, Zuggtmoy, and Juiblex have been unleashed.
- The players must navigate the Underdark, gather allies, and lead a war band to stop the demons before they destroy the world.
🔸 Gameplay & Setting
- The Underdark is depicted as a twisted, chaotic realm, described as a “Wonderland of D&D” where madness spreads the longer players stay.
- The adventure features complex NPC interactions, survival mechanics, and high-stakes battles against demonic forces.
🔸 Reception & Reviews
- Critics praised its deep storytelling and challenging encounters, calling it “one of the best adventures for 5th Edition.”
- Some reviews noted an overwhelming number of NPCs, making early gameplay dense and complex.
7.
IAEA Board Censures Iran Over Nuclear Non-Compliance
🔸 Why in News?
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors has formally censured Iran for failing to comply with its nuclear obligations, marking the first such resolution in nearly 20 years.
🔸 Key Developments
- Resolution Passed – The IAEA resolution was approved with 19 votes in favor, 3 against, and 11 abstentions.
- Concerns Over Undeclared Uranium – The Board expressed grave concern over Iran’s failure to explain traces of uranium found at Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, and Turquzabad sites.
- Iran’s Retaliation – Tehran announced plans for a new deep-underground enrichment complex and upgrades to centrifuges at its Fordow facility.
🔸 Global Reactions
- Israel’s Response – Israel launched preliminary strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities and declared a state of emergency.
- US Diplomatic Moves – The US has begun evacuating nonessential personnel from the Middle East amid rising tensions.
- Iran’s Countermeasures – Iran placed its air defense system on alert and reportedly mobilized drones.
🔸 Way Forward
- Potential UN Security Council Action – If Iran fails to comply, the IAEA may escalate the matter to the UN Security Council.
- Upcoming US-Iran Talks – A sixth round of negotiations is scheduled for Sunday in Oman, but tensions may impact discussions.
- Monitoring Compliance – The IAEA will continue inspections and verification to ensure Iran adheres to its 1974 Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.
8.
The Science Behind the Right AC Temperature
🔸 How Air Conditioners Work
Air conditioners function by removing heat from indoor air and transferring it outside using a refrigerant cycle. The key components include:
- Evaporator Coil – Absorbs heat from indoor air.
- Compressor – Pressurizes the refrigerant, increasing its temperature.
- Condenser Coil – Releases absorbed heat outdoors.
- Expansion Valve – Reduces refrigerant pressure, cooling it before re-entering the evaporator.
🔸 Ideal Temperature for Efficiency & Health
- Energy Efficiency – Increasing the AC temperature by just 1°C can reduce electricity consumption by 6%.
- Health Considerations – Studies show that temperatures below 18°C can lead to vasoconstriction, increased blood pressure, and respiratory issues.
- Comfort & Humidity Control – The recommended range of 24°C to 26°C maintains optimal humidity (40-60%), preventing mold growth and excessive dryness.
🔸 Government Regulations & Sustainability
- India’s New AC Temperature Policy – The government is considering restricting AC settings to between 20°C and 28°C to reduce energy demand and prevent grid overload.
- Global Standards – Countries like Japan and the UK have similar recommendations for energy conservation and health benefits.
DEEPIKA PARASHAR
