The article discusses the strategic significance of Sir Creek, an uninhabited marshland between Gujarat (India) and Sindh (Pakistan). Defense Minister Rajnath Singh recently warned against Pakistani military activity in the region, drawing parallels to the 1965 war. Sir Creek is a disputed maritime boundary vital for oil, gas, and fishing rights. The terrain is extremely challenging, characterized by shifting tidal patterns and a lack of infrastructure. India maintains a multi-layered security presence involving the BSF, Army, Coast Guard, and Air Force. Recent concerns include Chinese-backed projects in the Pakistani Rann of Kutch and drone threats, necessitating a diplomatic yet firm security approach.
Sir Creek is a 96-km strip of water disputed between India and Pakistan in the Rann of Kutch marshlands.
The region is strategically vital for its potential oil and gas reserves and rich fishing grounds.
India's security architecture in the region involves a 'layered security' approach with multiple wings of the armed forces.
Exam Points
Sir Creek is located between Gujarat (India) and Sindh (Pakistan).
Operation Sindoor involved a Pakistani attempt to strike military infrastructure with nearly 400 drones.
Major Indian ports in the vicinity include Mundra and Kandla in the Gulf of Kutch.
India faces a critical window to leverage its demographic dividend, with the working-age population expected to peak around 2043. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) emphasizes treating employment as a national priority through an Integrated National Employment Policy. Key focus areas include bridging the gap between industry needs and graduate employability, supporting labor-intensive sectors like textiles and tourism, and formalizing the expanding gig economy. The article advocates for the timely implementation of the four Labour Codes and the creation of an urban employment guarantee program to address job distress in cities, ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth.
India will add approximately 133 million people to its working-age population over the next 25 years.
The gig economy currently employs 80 lakh to 1.8 crore workers and is projected to grow to 9 crore by 2030.
There is a significant mismatch between college curricula and industry requirements, necessitating skill-aligned programs.
Exam Points
India's worker population is expected to peak around the year 2043.
The MSME sector in India currently employs over 25 crore people.
The Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme is proposed to encourage formal job creation.
India is shifting from a post-disaster relief focus to a comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategy. The 15th Finance Commission allocated ₹2.28 lakh crore ($30 billion) for 2021-26, emphasizing mitigation, preparedness, and capacity building. The funding is split: 30% for preparedness and mitigation, and 70% for the post-disaster phase (response and reconstruction). Key initiatives include the National Cyclone Mitigation Programme and the creation of specialized volunteer groups like Apda Mitra. International cooperation through the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) further strengthens India's global leadership in managing multi-hazard challenges and climate-induced extreme weather events.
The 15th Finance Commission adopted a 'nuanced approach' by aligning public finance with technological and practical advances in DRR.
A significant portion of funding is now dedicated to pre-disaster phases, including mitigation projects worth ₹10,000 crore approved recently.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) oversees the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Agenda on DRR.
Exam Points
The 15th Finance Commission allocated ₹2.28 lakh crore for disaster management over five years.
The National Cyclone Mitigation Programme (2011-22) was worth ₹5,000 crore.
The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) was created by India to lead global DRR efforts.
A recent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) paper reveals that Telangana has the highest per capita UPI transaction intensity in India. The study, using PhonePe data, shows a steady decline in ATM cash withdrawals as a percentage of GDP, indicating a shift toward digital payments. While high-value transactions are common, the growth of UPI for low-value, everyday transactions (P2M) is reflected in the rising share of peer-to-merchant payments. Regional intensity is highest in southern and western states, attributed to urban centers, economic hubs, and high levels of employment-driven migration, while northeastern states maintain higher cash demand.
UPI transaction intensity is measured in per capita volume terms, with Telangana leading, followed by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
There is a clear inverse relationship between the rise of UPI usage and the demand for cash in the economy.
Peer-to-merchant (P2M) transactions are increasingly dominating the volume share, especially for ticket sizes below ₹500.
Exam Points
PhonePe accounts for 58% of total UPI transaction volume and 43% of the total transaction value.
The study was published in the RBI's September 2025 bulletin titled 'Impact of UPI on Cash Demand'.
Telangana recorded the highest UPI volume intensity per capita at 205.6.
The Indian Navy and the UK’s Royal Navy have started Exercise Konkan-25 in the Western Indian Ocean. This edition is significant as it involves the UK’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG), led by HMS Prince of Wales, and India’s INS Vikrant. The four-day drill aims to enhance maritime and air interoperability through complex multi-domain operations, including anti-submarine warfare and air defense drills. The exercise is part of the UK’s 'Operation Highmast' global deployment and aligns with the 'UK-India Vision 2030' to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, reinforcing shared security commitments in the region.
Exercise Konkan is a bilateral maritime drill between India and the UK that started in 2004.
This edition marks the first-ever involvement of Carrier Strike Groups from both nations.
The exercise focuses on strengthening the 'living bridge' of people and culture while reinforcing shared security commitments in the Indo-Pacific.
Exam Points
The UK's Carrier Strike Group is led by the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.
India's participant is the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Operation Highmast is the name of the UK's eight-month global deployment.
The Union Health Ministry has directed drug manufacturers to strictly comply with the revised Schedule M norms under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. This move follows reports of toxic cough syrups causing child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The revised norms mandate enhanced quality systems, including Pharmaceutical Quality Systems (PQS) and Quality Risk Management (QRM). Non-compliant units face license cancellation. The goal is to align Indian manufacturing standards with international Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product safety, prevent contamination like diethylene glycol (DEG), and maintain the global reputation of Indian pharmaceuticals.
Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, prescribes the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for pharmaceutical products in India.
The revision introduces computerized storage systems and equipment validation to prevent contamination.
Recent investigations found high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) in 'Coldrif' cough syrup, leading to immediate production stops.
Exam Points
The revised Schedule M is part of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Diethylene glycol (DEG) was the toxic contaminant found in the banned Coldrif syrup.
The compliance deadline for the revised norms is December 31, 2025.
The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute has established Southeast Asia’s first coral larvae cryobank. This facility freezes coral larvae at ultra-low temperatures (-196°C) to preserve genetic diversity against threats like climate change, ocean warming, and pollution. The project is part of a regional initiative across the 'Coral Triangle,' which houses 76% of the world's coral species. Cryopreservation acts as a 'genetic insurance policy,' allowing scientists to revive and outplant corals to restore damaged reefs. This breakthrough method ensures genetic material can be stored for years and used to help restore reefs lost to bleaching.
The Coral Triangle is known as the 'Amazon of the seas,' covering 5.7 million sq. km across six countries.
Coral reefs are highly vulnerable, with 70-90% predicted to be lost if global warming exceeds 1.5°C.
Cryopreservation involves using vitrification to prevent ice crystal formation that would otherwise destroy the larvae.
Exam Points
Coral larvae are stored at -196°C in liquid nitrogen.
The Coral Triangle includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.
The planet lost 14% of its corals between 2009 and 2018 according to the Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2020 report.
With over 4.57 crore pending cases in India, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is being prioritized to provide faster, cost-effective justice. ADR processes like arbitration, conciliation, and mediation are recognized under Section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. Lok Adalats, governed by the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, play a vital role in settling compoundable offenses and civil disputes. The article highlights the need for pre-litigation mediation and the establishment of an Indian Arbitration Council. Strengthening ADR is crucial to address the high vacancy rates in courts and the massive backlog of cases across various states.
ADR mechanisms aim to reduce the burden on the judiciary, where High Courts and district courts face vacancy rates of 33% and 21% respectively.
Article 39A of the Constitution mandates the state to provide free legal aid and ensure equal justice for all.
Lok Adalats offer a platform where decisions are final and binding, with no provision for appeal, ensuring the finality of disputes.
Exam Points
Section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, recognizes ADR.
Article 39A was added to the Constitution to promote equal justice and free legal aid.
The first Lok Adalat in India was organized in Gujarat in 1999.
Read more
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.