Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated several developmental projects in Kerala, including flagging off three new Amrit Bharat Express trains and a passenger train. He emphasized that a developed Kerala is essential for a developed India. The PM also unveiled the PM SVANidhi Card, highlighting the transformation of street vendors' lives through the scheme. Additionally, he noted that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, over 4 crore houses have been provided to the poor nationwide, with nearly 1.25 lakh urban poor families in Kerala receiving permanent homes.
Three new Amrit Bharat Express trains were flagged off to strengthen Kerala's rail connectivity.
The PM SVANidhi Scheme has transformed the lives of street vendors by providing access to credit.
Over 4 crore houses have been provided to the poor under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Exam Points
PM SVANidhi Scheme (Credit for street vendors)
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Housing for all)
Amrit Bharat Express (New category of superfast passenger trains)
Former CEC S.Y. Quraishi discusses the upcoming delimitation process scheduled after the 2027 Census. Delimitation, the redrawing of electoral boundaries, has been frozen since 1976 to prevent penalizing states that successfully controlled population growth. The article highlights the potential shift in political power from southern and western states to northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar due to population disparities. It explores various options, such as increasing Lok Sabha seats to 750 or 888, and emphasizes the need for a transparent process to maintain federal spirit and fair representation.
Delimitation is the process of redrawing electoral maps to reflect population changes.
The 84th Amendment in 2001 extended the freeze on seat redistribution until the first census after 2026.
Southern states fear losing political representation despite better performance in social and demographic indicators.
India and the European Union are deepening their relationship as they prepare for the 16th India-EU Summit. A key focus is the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which could unlock opportunities in textiles, chemicals, and digital services. However, challenges remain, such as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which India views as a non-tariff barrier. The partnership is also expanding into defense and security, with calls for a Security and Defense Partnership. This alignment is driven by a shared belief in strategic autonomy and a multipolar world order.
The India-EU FTA is in final stages, aiming to boost trade in various sectors.
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) imposes 20-35% carbon charges on certain Indian exports.
A proposed Security and Defense Partnership would put India on par with Japan and South Korea for the EU.
Exam Points
16th India-EU Summit
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations since 2007
This article advocates for the rights of ASHA and Anganwadi workers, who are central to India's social welfare schemes but lack permanent employee status. Despite recommendations for job regularization and minimum wages at the 45th Labour Conference, successive governments have failed to implement them. The article argues that the Centre must legally reclassify these 'volunteers' as statutory employees under the Code on Social Security. Ensuring equitable pay and social security is essential to grant these workers their rightful dignity and recognize their critical contribution to public health and child development.
ASHA and Anganwadi workers are currently classified as 'volunteers' or 'scheme workers,' denying them labor law protections.
The 45th Labour Conference recommended minimum wages, pension, and gratuity for these workers.
The State of Karnataka vs Ameerbi (1996) case initially excluded them from the category of government employees.
Recent instances of Governors walking out of State Legislative Assembly sessions in opposition-ruled states have sparked a debate on constitutional propriety. Article 176(1) mandates that the Governor address the Assembly at the commencement of the first session each year. Legal experts and court rulings, including the Nabam Rebia case (2016) and Shamsher Singh case (1974), emphasize that the Governor must act on the 'aid and advice' of the Council of Ministers. The Governor's address is a statement of government policy, and selective reading or walkouts may overstep constitutional boundaries.
Article 176(1) makes it mandatory for the Governor to address the first session of the year.
The Supreme Court has consistently held that the Governor's discretionary powers are limited and clearly stated in the Constitution.
The Governor's address is prepared by the State Cabinet and reflects the government's policy.
According to the 2024-25 annual report of the DoPT, the CBI located 71 people wanted by India in foreign countries, the highest number in 12 years. During the last financial year, 27 fugitives were successfully brought back to India. The CBI's Global Operations Centre coordinates with foreign law enforcement via INTERPOL channels. India is also a party to multilateral conventions like the UN Convention against Corruption, which provides a legal framework for extraditing criminals. Over the last five years, 25 fugitives have been extradited to India.
The CBI located 71 fugitives abroad in 2024-25 using INTERPOL notices.
27 fugitives were brought back to India in the last financial year.
India has sent 137 extradition requests to foreign countries, with 125 still pending.
The government's ambitious Advanced Chemistry Cell Production Linked Incentive (ACC-PLI) scheme, launched in 2021 to catalyze domestic battery manufacturing, is facing significant delays. As of October 2025, only 1.4 GWh of battery cells have been commissioned against a planned capacity of 50 GWh. Challenges include delays in visa approvals for Chinese technical specialists, lack of critical technologies, and high entry barriers for traditional manufacturers. India currently lacks a mature cell manufacturing ecosystem, leaving the industry heavily dependent on imports from China for critical mineral refining and component production.
The ACC-PLI scheme aims to reduce India's dependence on battery imports and accelerate EV adoption.
Only 1.4 GWh of capacity has been commissioned out of the 50 GWh target.
The scheme requires 25% local manufacturing within two years and 60% within five years.
Exam Points
ACC-PLI scheme (Advanced Chemistry Cell Production Linked Incentive)
India and the EU are set to announce a new strategic roadmap and a Defense and Security partnership during the upcoming 16th India-EU Summit. While a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is still being negotiated, agreements on information security and mobility are expected. The mobility MoU will address the movement of skilled workers, students, and seasonal workers. Despite differences over Russia and the Zapad 2025 military exercises, both sides are committed to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and cooperation in areas like climate change and critical mineral supply chains.
A new strategic roadmap and Defense and Security partnership are expected at the 16th India-EU Summit.
An MoU on mobility will facilitate the movement of four categories of workers and students.
Both sides are collaborating on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
Exam Points
16th India-EU Summit (January 27)
Zapad 2025 military exercises
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
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