The Registrar-General and Census Commissioner (RG & CCI) will conduct a pre-test for the Population Census 2027 in October and November. This exercise aims to evaluate proposed questions, data collection methodologies, training effectiveness, logistics, and data quality. It will be the first digital Census and the first to enumerate caste in independent India. A mobile app will be used for data collection. The 2021 Census was delayed due to COVID-19 and will now be completed in 2027. The pre-test will cover the first phase (houselisting) but not the second (population enumeration with caste tabulation).
A pre-test for the Population Census 2027 will occur in October and November to evaluate various aspects of the upcoming exercise.
The upcoming Census 2027 will mark India's first digital Census and the first time caste will be enumerated since independence.
A mobile application will be utilized for data collection for the first time in the Census process.
Exam Points
Population Census 2027 pre-test to be conducted in October and November.
This will be the first digital Census and the first to enumerate caste in independent India.
The 2021 Census, delayed due to COVID-19, will now be completed in 2027.
Kerala has reported another case of amoebic meningoencephalitis in Kozhikode, bringing the total number of infected persons undergoing treatment at Government Medical College Hospital to nine. The latest patient is a 43-year-old woman. The rare brain infection is caused by amoebae found in contaminated waters, confirmed by tests in Thiruvananthapuram. The State Health department has invoked the Kerala Public Health Act of 2023 to launch preventive and control measures, including a mass State-wide campaign to clean and chlorinate wells, swimming pools, and water storage tanks.
Kerala has reported an additional case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, increasing the total number of patients to nine.
The rare brain infection is caused by free-living amoebae found in contaminated water sources.
The State Health department has invoked the Kerala Public Health Act of 2023 to implement preventive and control measures.
Exam Points
Kerala Public Health Act of 2023 has been invoked.
Amoebic meningoencephalitis is caused by amoebae found in contaminated waters.
The latest patient is a 43-year-old woman from Kozhikode, bringing the total to nine patients.
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has facilitated the transfer of five ISRO-developed technologies to five Indian companies. This initiative aims to drive commercialisation, strengthen self-reliance, reduce imports, and enable wider applications in sectors like automotive, biomedical, and industrial manufacturing. Technologies transferred include a Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic (LTCC) Multi-Chip Module for biomedical use, RTV Silicone Single-Part Adhesive for solar panel bonding, Film Adhesives, a 30W HMC DC-DC Converter, and Anodisation of 3D-printed Al-10Si-Mg alloy.
IN-SPACe has facilitated the transfer of five ISRO technologies to private Indian firms.
The initiative aims to promote commercialisation, strengthen self-reliance, and reduce imports in various sectors.
Technologies transferred include those for biomedical use, solar panel bonding, and industrial applications.
Exam Points
IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre) facilitated the transfer.
Technologies from Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) were transferred.
The total number of Technology Transfer Agreements (TTAs) executed with industries has reached 98.
Heavy monsoon rains have caused widespread destruction across North India, highlighting India's increasing vulnerability to erratic weather patterns. The article argues that framing these calamities as "unprecedented" distracts from learning crucial lessons. It criticizes continued forest clearance, road-widening in eco-sensitive zones without proper engineering, and underdevelopment of early warning and evacuation systems. The piece emphasizes the need for a shift from reactive relief operations to proactive, sustainable infrastructure, landslide mitigation, and robust early-warning systems to systematically reduce vulnerabilities before the next monsoon cycle.
Erratic and intense monsoon rains are causing widespread destruction across North India, indicating increasing unpredictability.
The current approach of reactive relief operations is insufficient; a shift to preventive strategies is imperative.
Continued forest clearance and unscientific road-widening in eco-sensitive zones exacerbate monsoon vulnerabilities.
Exam Points
Heavy monsoon rains caused destruction across North India, including Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Srinagar, and Anantnag.
The article criticizes framing calamities as "unprecedented" to avoid learning lessons.
It advocates for shifting from post-facto resilience to systematically reducing vulnerabilities beforehand.
India's demographic dividend, with over 800 million people under 35, is at risk of becoming a liability due to a widening gap between education and real-world skills. The education system is outdated, failing to prepare students for jobs shaped by emerging technologies like AI. Many graduates are underemployed or unemployable, with 40-50% of engineering graduates unplaced. Students lack career awareness, pursuing degrees misaligned with market needs. Despite government initiatives like Skill India Mission, systemic issues persist. A cohesive strategy aligning education, skill development, and industry demands is crucial to prevent a crisis of highly literate but unemployable youth.
India's large youth population, often seen as a demographic dividend, is at risk of becoming a liability due to an outdated education system.
There is a significant gap between the skills taught in educational institutions and the demands of the evolving job market, particularly with AI.
Many Indian graduates, including engineers, are underemployed or unemployable due to a lack of relevant skills and career awareness.
Exam Points
India has over 800 million people below the age of 35.
The World Economic Forum predicts AI and new tech will create 170 million new jobs by 2030, but displace 92 million.
A Mindler Career Awareness Survey from 2022 revealed that 93% of Indian students are aware of only seven career options.
India's healthcare system is at a critical juncture, needing to expand access and ensure affordability. An integrated framework is proposed, focusing on strengthening insurance, leveraging scale, embedding prevention, accelerating digital adoption, and enabling regulatory clarity. Insurance penetration is low (15%-18%), despite significant growth potential. Schemes like Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) have improved access for millions, but private hospital participation needs fair reimbursements. Prevention is highlighted as a powerful cost-saver, requiring public participation and redesigning insurance to cover outpatient care. Digital health, including telemedicine and AI tools, is democratizing access, but robust regulation and trust are crucial for deeper coverage and confidence.
India's healthcare system needs an integrated framework to expand access and ensure affordability for its 1.4 billion population.
Strengthening health insurance, leveraging scale, embedding prevention, and accelerating digital adoption are key components of this framework.
Government schemes like Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) have significantly improved access to advanced care for millions.
Exam Points
Insurance penetration in India is 15%-18%, compared to a global average of 7%.
Ayushman Bharat (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, or PM-JAY) covers nearly 500 million people.
India's health sector drew $5.5 billion in private equity and venture capital in 2023.
The article discusses the proposed GST reforms, which aim to move to a two-tier structure (5% and 18%) and lower the average tax rate. Manoj Mishra estimates an initial revenue hit of ₹60,000-₹1,00,000 crore per year, but expects it to be offset by increased compliance and demand. Pratik Jain notes that the 18% slab, which accounts for 70% of GST revenues, remains unchanged. The core debate revolves around whether States should be compensated for revenue loss, especially since the compensation guarantee for five years ended. States like Maharashtra and Karnataka, being manufacturing and service-heavy, are more affected by rate cuts than agriculture-dependent States.
Proposed GST reforms aim for a two-tier structure (5% and 18%) and an overall lower average tax rate.
Initial revenue loss from these cuts is estimated at ₹60,000-₹1,00,000 crore annually, expected to be recouped through increased compliance and demand.
The 18% GST slab, contributing 70% of revenues, is largely unaffected by the proposed changes.
Exam Points
Proposed GST structure involves predominantly two-tier rates of 5% and 18%.
The average tax rate is expected to be close to 10% after the cuts.
The GST compensation guarantee for States, provided for five years, ended in July 2022 (launched July 2017).
Tamil Nadu argued in the Supreme Court that a Governor cannot act as a "super Chief Minister" and has limited discretion, countering the Centre's view of wide gubernatorial powers. Senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, representing Tamil Nadu, stated that the Governor is a "lubricator" or "facilitator," not a legislator, and acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. The State questioned how a Governor could have the final say on a Bill, emphasizing that general discretion would create chaos in responsible governments. The Centre, represented by Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, argued that a State cannot file an Article 32 petition for fundamental rights violation by the Governor, who enjoys "complete immunity" under Article 361.
Tamil Nadu argued in the Supreme Court that a Governor's role is limited to a "lubricator" or "facilitator," not a "super Chief Minister."
The Governor must act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, especially regarding legislative processes.
Tamil Nadu challenged the notion of wide gubernatorial discretion, stating it would lead to chaos in responsible governments.
Exam Points
Article 200 deals with the Governor's assent to State Bills.
Article 32 grants the right to constitutional remedies, allowing citizens to move the Supreme Court for fundamental rights violations.
Article 361 provides protection to the President and Governors from legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Japan to meet his counterpart, Shigeru Ishiba, aiming to expand economic and investment ties and advance cooperation in new technologies like AI and semiconductors. The visit includes the 15th annual summit, where they are expected to upgrade the 2008 Declaration on Security Cooperation, including defence hardware purchases and an "Economic Security" initiative. Discussions will also cover India-Japan Indo-Pacific plans for the Quad summit and B2B agreements. A key highlight is a bullet train ride to Sendai and inspection of a semiconductor factory, discussing the next steps for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shinkansen project, which Japan is funding.
Prime Minister Modi's visit to Japan aims to strengthen economic, investment, and technological cooperation, including AI and semiconductors.
The 15th annual summit will upgrade the 2008 Declaration on Security Cooperation and launch an "Economic Security" initiative.
Discussions will include Indo-Pacific plans for the Quad summit and numerous business-to-business agreements.
Exam Points
PM Narendra Modi met Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba.
The visit included the 15th annual summit.
The 2008 Declaration on Security Cooperation is expected to be upgraded.
The latest Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) data reveals a significant decline in school enrolment in India. Total enrolment for students aged 3-11 (anganwadi, pre-school, Classes 1-5) dropped by nearly 25 lakh in 2024-25 compared to the previous year. Overall school enrolment (Classes 1-12) fell by 11 lakh students to an all-time low of 24.69 crore. Ministry officials attribute this decline primarily to demographic shifts, specifically falling birth rates, as India's total fertility rate dropped to 1.91 by 2021. Despite the overall drop, enrolment in Classes 6-8 and 9-12 saw slight increases, and Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) improved at middle and secondary levels. Dropout rates also reduced.
School enrolment for children aged 3-11 years has significantly decreased by nearly 25 lakh in 2024-25.
Overall school enrolment (Classes 1-12) has fallen to an all-time low of 24.69 crore, a drop of 11 lakh students.
The primary reason for this decline is attributed to demographic shifts and falling birth rates, with India's total fertility rate now below replacement levels.
Exam Points
UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus) data was released by the Education Ministry.
Enrolment in the 3-11 age group dropped by 24.93 lakh in 2024-25.
Total school enrolment (Classes 1-12) fell to an all-time low of 24.69 crore in 2024-25.
The National Annual Report and Index on Women's Safety (NARI) 2025 has identified Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Kohima, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok, and Itanagar as the safest cities for women in India. Conversely, Patna, Jaipur, Faridabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Srinagar, and Ranchi ranked lowest. The nationwide index, based on a survey of 12,770 women across 31 cities, reported a national safety score of 65%. Top-ranked cities were associated with stronger gender equity, civic participation, policing, and women-friendly infrastructure. Lower-ranked cities suffered from weak institutional responsiveness, patriarchal norms, and gaps in urban infrastructure, with significant drops in perceptions of safety at night.
Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, and several North-Eastern cities are ranked among the safest for women in India by the NARI 2025 report.
Cities like Patna, Jaipur, Delhi, and Kolkata are among the lowest-ranked in terms of women's safety.
The national safety score for women, based on a survey across 31 cities, stands at 65%.
Exam Points
The report is titled National Annual Report and Index on Women's Safety (NARI) 2025.
The index is based on a survey of 12,770 women across 31 cities.
Nearly 60% of the budget allocated for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for 2025-26 has been spent within the first five months of the financial year, with a month still remaining in the second quarter. Out of ₹86,000 crore earmarked, ₹51,521 crore has been utilized. A significant portion (38%) of this budget went to cover pending liabilities from the previous financial year (2024-25). The Finance Ministry had capped spending at 60% for the first half, leaving limited funds. Ministry of Rural Development officials have sought a revised allocation, but no indications of additional funds have been received from the Finance Ministry.
Almost 60% of the MGNREGS budget for 2025-26 has been expended within the first five months of the financial year.
A substantial portion (38%) of the current budget was used to clear pending liabilities from the previous financial year.
The Finance Ministry had capped spending for the first half of the financial year at 60% of the annual allocation.
Exam Points
The scheme is Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
₹51,521 crore out of ₹86,000 crore allocated for 2025-26 has been spent.
38% of the budget allocated for 2025-26 went into covering pending liability from 2024-25.
India is rapidly ageing, with elderly women living longer but often in poor health, making them a "quiet majority" with distinct needs. Despite women having a longer average lifespan, they spend 25% more time in poor health than men. Social determinants like financial insecurity, digital gender gap, and patriarchal norms hinder their access to early medical care. Women often prioritize family well-being, leading to delayed care for themselves. The healthcare system often overlooks uro-gynaecological health post-reproductive phase and under-diagnoses conditions like osteoporosis and certain cancers. India needs gender-sensitive health systems, policies, and infrastructure to support healthy ageing for elderly women.
India's elderly population is growing, with women living longer but experiencing more years in poor health compared to men.
Social determinants such as financial insecurity, digital divide, and patriarchal norms significantly impede elderly women's access to healthcare.
Elderly women often delay seeking medical care due to prioritizing family needs and lack of support in navigating the health system.
Exam Points
The India Ageing Report 2023 estimates people aged 60 and above will comprise over 20% of the population by 2050.
The average lifespan of women is 2.7 years more than that of men.
McKinsey Health Institute estimates women are likely to spend 25% more time in poor health compared to men.
The U.S. has eliminated duty-free imports of low-value goods (under $800 threshold), effective August 29, causing logistics disruptions worldwide. This reversal, initially applied to Chinese imports in May, aims to narrow the U.S. trade deficit, prevent intellectual property theft, and block counterfeit products. Opponents argue it will reduce aggregate welfare by $11-$13 billion and disproportionately harm the poor. The de minimis regulation, rooted in the 1930 Tariff Act, was expanded in 2016. The move aligns with previous actions, like Trump's 2019 bargain with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) to hike postal rates for developing nations. The EU has similar reforms, proposing handling fees for direct imports to crack down on illegal goods and protect consumers.
The U.S. has ended duty-free imports of low-value goods (under $800 threshold), effective August 29, to address trade deficits and prevent IP theft.
This policy reversal, which initially targeted Chinese imports, is expected to cause global logistics disruptions and impact e-commerce platforms.
Critics argue the abolition of the de minimis exemption will reduce overall welfare and disproportionately affect lower-income consumers.
Exam Points
The U.S. eliminated duty-free imports of goods under an $800 threshold, effective August 29.
The de minimis regulation is rooted in Section 321 of the 1930 Tariff Act.
The value of exempted goods was quadrupled from $200 to $800 in 2016.
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