India and Oman have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking Oman's first bilateral trade deal since 2006 and India's second with a GCC nation. Under this pact, Oman will provide duty-free access to 98.08% of its tariff lines, covering over 99% of Indian exports by value. Conversely, India offers liberalized tariffs on 77.79% of its lines. The agreement aims to boost labor-intensive sectors like MSMEs, textiles, and electronics while serving as a strategic gateway for India into the GCC, East Europe, and Africa.
The CEPA provides India duty-free access to nearly 99.38% of its exports to Oman by value.
It is the first bilateral agreement Oman has signed with any country since its 2006 deal with the U.S.
The deal is expected to significantly benefit labor-intensive sectors, MSMEs, and women-led enterprises.
Exam Points
Oman provides duty-free access to 98.08% of its tariff lines.
India's merchandise exports to Oman in 2024-25 were valued at $4.06 billion.
This is India's second trade deal with a GCC member, following the UAE in February 2022.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed the Rajya Sabha that approximately 202 Indian nationals are believed to have been recruited into the Russian armed forces since the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Of these, 119 have been discharged following government intervention, while 26 have died and seven remain missing. The government is actively working to secure the early discharge of the remaining 50 individuals. This issue highlights concerns regarding illegal recruitment and the safety of Indian nationals in conflict zones.
A total of 202 Indians were identified as having joined the Russian military since 2022.
The MEA confirmed 26 fatalities and seven missing persons among the recruits.
Concerted diplomatic efforts have led to the early discharge of 119 Indian nationals so far.
Exam Points
119 Indians have been discharged from the Russian army through government efforts.
26 Indian nationals have reportedly lost their lives in the conflict.
The data was provided by Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh in the Rajya Sabha.
India's merchandise exports grew by 19.4% to $38.1 billion in November 2025, the highest in a decade for that month. Exports to the U.S. rose by 22.6% despite 50% tariffs, as exporters absorbed costs to maintain market share. Simultaneously, imports fell by 1.9% to $62.7 billion, leading to a narrowed trade deficit. However, experts warn of 'deeper distress' as high tariffs and a depreciating rupee impact MSMEs. The government is considering relief measures like credit guarantees to support exporters facing global headwinds and shifting supply chains.
Merchandise exports reached $38.1 billion in November 2025, a 19.4% year-on-year growth.
The trade deficit shrank as imports fell to $62.7 billion, though this may indicate slackening domestic demand.
Exporters to the U.S. are currently absorbing the impact of 50% tariffs, which is unsustainable for the MSME sector.
Exam Points
Exports to the U.S. grew 22.6% to $6.98 billion in November 2025.
India's merchandise imports fell 1.9% to $62.7 billion in the same period.
The U.S. has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian merchandise exports.
The central government's proposed 'Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Bill 2025' seeks to overhaul the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Critics argue the Bill undermines Article 41 of the Constitution, which mandates the State to ensure the right to work. Key concerns include the shift from demand-driven to 'normative financial allocations,' increased centralization, and the prohibition of work during peak agricultural seasons. Opponents claim these changes will reduce the bargaining power of rural workers and disproportionately affect women and marginalized communities.
The proposed Bill moves MGNREGA from a demand-driven model to one based on fixed central allocations.
Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) emphasizes the State's duty to provide the right to work.
The Bill prohibits MGNREGA work during peak agricultural seasons, which critics say favors large landowners over laborers.
Exam Points
Article 41 of the Constitution relates to the 'Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases.'
Women constitute over 50% of the MGNREGA workforce.
The new Bill is titled the 'Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Bill 2025.'
India has set a target to achieve 100 GW of nuclear installed capacity by 2050 to meet its decarbonization goals. The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, consolidates existing laws like the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. The Bill aims to streamline regulation and promote indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). Nuclear energy is viewed as essential for providing 'baseload' power, which intermittent sources like solar and wind cannot provide. The strategy includes indigenous technology for the entire nuclear fuel cycle.
The SHANTI Bill 2025 consolidates the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
India aims for 100 GW of nuclear capacity by mid-century to achieve a high Human Development Index (HDI).
Nuclear power provides necessary baseload capacity that is not dependent on weather or time of day.
Exam Points
The target for nuclear power is 100 GW by mid-century (2050).
The SHANTI Bill 2025 replaces the existing Atomic Energy Regulatory Board with a new statutory framework.
India currently operates several 700 MW indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
The Supreme Court is considering a plea for passive euthanasia for a 31-year-old man, Harish Rana, who has been in a comatose state for 13 years. The court has requested a meeting with the parents to understand their perspective on withdrawing artificial life support. This follows a report from a secondary medical board led by AIIMS doctors. The case highlights the legal and ethical complexities surrounding the 'right to die with dignity' in India, following the landmark Common Cause judgment that legalized passive euthanasia under strict guidelines.
The Supreme Court is reviewing a specific plea to withdraw life support for a patient in a long-term vegetative state.
Passive euthanasia involves the withdrawal of medical treatment or life support with the intention of hastening death.
The court relies on medical board reports to determine if a patient has any chance of recovery.
Exam Points
The patient, Harish Rana, has been in a coma for 13 years.
The bench includes Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan.
Passive euthanasia was legally recognized in India by the Supreme Court in 2018.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Securities Market Code Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha, which seeks to consolidate three major laws: the SEBI Act (1992), the SCRA (1956), and the Depositories Act (1996). The Bill aims to provide a modern regulatory framework, rationalize existing provisions, and facilitate the ease of doing business. Key proposals include increasing SEBI board members to 15 and decriminalizing minor technical violations, replacing them with civil penalties. The Bill has been referred to the Standing Committee on Finance for further review.
The Bill consolidates the SEBI Act 1992, Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act 1956, and Depositories Act 1996.
It proposes increasing the number of SEBI members from nine to 15, including the Chairperson.
Minor and procedural violations will be decriminalized and shifted to a civil penalty framework.
Exam Points
The Bill consolidates three laws: SCRA 1956, SEBI Act 1992, and Depositories Act 1996.
The proposed number of SEBI members is 15.
No inspection can be done if eight years have passed from the date of a contravention.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has announced DHRUV64, an indigenous 64-bit multi-core microprocessor developed by C-DAC under the Microprocessor Development Programme. Built on the open-source RISC-V instruction set architecture, DHRUV64 is designed for high-performance applications in telecommunications, industrial control, and automotive sectors. This development is a significant step toward India's goal of self-reliance in semiconductor technology, reducing dependence on imported proprietary chips. The chip is part of the broader 'Chips to Startup' (C2S) initiative.
DHRUV64 is a 64-bit, dual-core processor running at 1 GHz, developed by C-DAC.
It uses the RISC-V architecture, which is open-source and allows for royalty-free chip design.
The processor is intended for 'embedded deployment' in sectors like networking and industrial automation.
Exam Points
DHRUV64 was developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
It is based on the RISC-V (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture.
The 'Chips to Startup' (C2S) programme has an outlay of ₹250 crore over five years.
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