Tamil Nadu's Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has dropped from 38 per 1,00,000 live births in 2020-2022 to 35 in 2021-2023. This achievement places the state as the second-lowest in the country, trailing only behind Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, which both stand at 30. The national average MMR is significantly higher at 88. Health officials attribute this success to sustained efforts, new initiatives, and a focus on tracking every pregnant woman. Future strategies include creating a dedicated midwifery cadre and addressing inequities in underserved districts like Tiruvannamalai and Nagapattinam to ensure no deliveries take place at home.
Tamil Nadu's MMR decreased by three points to reach 35 per 1,00,000 live births in the latest bulletin.
The state now ranks second-lowest in India, with Kerala and Andhra Pradesh leading the country with an MMR of 30.
The national Maternal Mortality Ratio for the 2021-2023 period stands at 88, highlighting the state's superior performance.
Exam Points
Tamil Nadu MMR (2021-2023): 35 per 1,00,000 live births.
India's national MMR: 88.
Top performing states: Kerala and Andhra Pradesh (MMR of 30).
The long-standing dispute between India and Sri Lanka over the sovereignty of Katchatheevu island and fishing rights in the Palk Strait remains a critical bilateral issue. While India accepted Sri Lanka's sovereignty in 1974, the livelihood of Tamil Nadu fishermen is frequently threatened by arrests and vessel seizures. The article suggests a shift from territorial conflict to resource management. Proposed solutions include implementing the UNCLOS framework for joint resource management, establishing a joint research station on Katchatheevu, and promoting deep-sea fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone to reduce pressure on near-shore waters and lessen illegal crossings.
The 1974 India-Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary Treaty recognized Katchatheevu as Sri Lankan territory, a decision legally consistent with historical precedents.
Bottom trawling by Indian vessels is a major source of ecological damage and conflict, leading to bans by Sri Lanka in 2017.
UNCLOS Article 123 encourages cooperation in semi-enclosed seas for joint resource management and environmental protection.
Exam Points
1974 India-Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary Treaty.
UNCLOS Article 123 (Cooperation of States in closed or semi-enclosed seas).
Rann of Kutch Arbitration (1968) cited as a precedent for territorial settlements.
The recent SCO summit in Tianjin highlighted the potential for renewed cooperation between India and China. Key outcomes included the establishment of 'four security centres' and the SCO Anti-Drug Center. China's Ambassador to India emphasizes the importance of the 'Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence' and the Global Governance Initiative. As major members of the Global South, both nations share interests in development and regional stability. With India and China set to assume the BRICS presidency in the coming years, there is a call to move beyond past disputes toward a stable, high-quality partnership focused on energy, green industry, and the digital economy.
The Tianjin Declaration established four security centres, including a Universal Center for Countering Security Challenges.
India and China are encouraged to uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (Panchsheel) to maintain border tranquility.
The SCO is focusing on energy, green industry, and the digital economy as new platforms for regional development.
Nepal faces significant challenges characterized by frequent changes in government and a heavy reliance on remittances. Since 1990, no Prime Minister has completed a full term, leading to policy inconsistency and public anger, particularly among the 'Gen Z' population. Economically, Nepal is the world's fourth most remittance-dependent country, with personal remittances surging from 1% of GDP in 1990 to over 33% in 2024. This dependency is driven by high youth unemployment (22.7% for ages 15-24), forcing many to seek work abroad, primarily in India, Qatar, and Malaysia, which further impacts domestic labor participation.
Nepal has seen 25 leadership changes since 1990, with an average Prime Ministerial tenure of just 13.7 months.
Remittances account for over 33% of Nepal's GDP as of 2024, making it the fourth most dependent country globally.
Youth unemployment in the 15-24 age bracket stands at a high of 22.7%, driving mass out-migration.
The President has given assent to a new law in Manipur designed to regulate the issuance of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates. Introduced to prevent fraudulent claims and ensure uniformity, the law establishes Scrutiny Committees to verify suspicious certificates. Manipur currently recognizes seven SC communities and four OBC communities, with reservation quotas set at 2% and 17% respectively. While states like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh already have similar legislation, this move aims to bring transparency to Manipur's administrative processes and ensure that benefits reach the genuine intended recipients amid ongoing ethnic sensitivities.
The law establishes Scrutiny Committees with the power to verify caste certificates suo motu to prevent fraud.
Manipur's reservation policy provides 2% for SCs, 17% for OBCs, and 31% for Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Decisions by the Scrutiny Committee are final and can only be challenged in the High Court.
Exam Points
Manipur SC reservation: 2%; OBC reservation: 17%; ST reservation: 31%.
States with similar specific laws: Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
In a major step toward privatizing the Indian space sector, ISRO has signed a formal agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) for the transfer of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology. Facilitated by IN-SPACe, this marks the 100th such technology transfer. HAL outbid a consortium led by Alpha Design Technologies for the rights. The agreement aims to complete the technology transfer within 24 months, enabling HAL to independently build SSLVs for domestic and international markets. This move is expected to provide cost-competitive launch services for the growing global small satellite market and increase industry participation.
HAL secured the SSLV technology transfer after outbidding an Adani-backed consortium in a competitive process.
The transfer is facilitated by IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) to promote private industry.
The goal is to enable the private sector to build and launch SSLVs independently for global customers.
Exam Points
100th transfer of technology agreement facilitated by IN-SPACe.
The Indian government is leaning against creating a full legislative framework to regulate cryptocurrencies, fearing they could pose systemic risks to the financial sector. A government document highlights the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) view that containing risks through regulation is difficult in practice. While countries like the U.S. have passed legislation for stablecoins, India maintains a cautious stance, preferring partial oversight. The government worries that formal regulation might grant 'legitimacy' to speculative assets, potentially leading to financial instability. Instead, the focus remains on monitoring peer-to-peer transfers and decentralized exchanges without actively promoting the sector.
The RBI maintains that regulating cryptocurrencies is practically difficult and poses systemic risks to the mainstream financial system.
India prefers partial oversight over a full regulatory framework to avoid legitimizing highly speculative digital assets.
The U.S. has recently passed legislation permitting wider use of fiat-backed stablecoins to reduce volatility.
Exam Points
RBI's stance: Regulation of crypto is difficult and poses systemic risks.
China's status: Continues to ban cryptocurrencies but considers a Yuan-backed stablecoin.
Recent disasters in the Hindu Kush Himalayas, including floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, are being linked to unregulated construction rather than just climate change. Experts argue that the Himalayas are the world's youngest mountains and are naturally unstable. Rapid infrastructure growth, such as the proliferation of hydropower projects and highways, has ignored the region's carrying capacity. The Supreme Court has noted that 'development' often worsens the effects of climate change. Recommendations include conducting democratic public consultations, assessing carrying capacity, and ensuring that critical structures are not built in unsafe, high-risk zones.
The Himalayas are high-energy environments characterized by instability and extreme sensitivity to human activity and rainfall.
There are 1,144 hydropower plants in Himachal Pradesh alone, many of which are built without proper environmental impact assessments.
The average temperature in the Indian Himalaya is rising faster than the global average, leading to reduced snowfall and melting glaciers.
Exam Points
Number of hydropower plants in Himachal Pradesh: 1,144.
Number of glacial lakes in the Hindu Kush Himalayas: Over 25,000.
Supreme Court bench: Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan.
Read more
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.