President Droupadi Murmu addressed a joint sitting of Parliament, emphasizing the government's commitment to social justice for Dalits, Backward Classes, and tribal communities. She highlighted the expansion of social security schemes, which now reach 95 crore Indians compared to 25 crore in 2014. Murmu invoked leaders like Ambedkar and Gandhi, stressing that national unity is paramount. She mentioned the 'Viksit Bharat' goal for 2047 and the 'Reform Express' for economic growth. The speech also touched upon national security, citing 'Operation Sindoor' and the destruction of terror camps across the border as evidence of India's decisive action against terrorism.
Social justice is defined as ensuring every citizen gets to exercise full rights without discrimination.
The government aims to achieve 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) by the year 2047.
Social security coverage has expanded significantly, currently covering approximately 95 crore citizens.
Exam Points
Goal of achieving 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.
Reference to 'Operation Sindoor' regarding the valour of Indian armed forces.
Social security coverage increased from 25 crore in 2014 to 95 crore currently.
The India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) marks a significant milestone in India's trade diplomacy, showcasing the skill of Indian negotiators. Under the deal, the EU will drop tariffs on 99.5% of Indian exports, while India provides concessions on 97.5% of EU exports. Strategic sectors like dairy and certain agricultural products were excluded to protect domestic interests. A notable compromise was reached on automobiles using a quota-based system to balance domestic protection and luxury imports. However, concerns remain regarding the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the lengthy translation process required for final implementation.
The EU will eliminate tariffs on 99.5% of Indian export items immediately upon implementation.
India successfully excluded strategic agricultural and dairy sectors from the agreement to protect local farmers.
A quota-based system was adopted for automobiles to protect domestic manufacturers while allowing luxury imports.
Exam Points
The EU accounts for nearly 12% of India's total trade.
Tariffs will be dropped on 99.5% of Indian exports and 97.5% of EU exports.
The FTA document must be translated into 27 European languages before final clearance.
Shashi Tharoor argues that while India has immense tourism potential, it lags behind neighbors like Thailand and Singapore due to gaps in image, infrastructure, and experience. He identifies three main problems: the perception of safety (especially for women), poor infrastructure (connectivity and sanitation), and bureaucratic hurdles. To fix this, he suggests rebranding with targeted narratives, scaling up the 'Adopt a Heritage' scheme, and streamlining visa processes. He emphasizes that tourism is a strategic imperative for job creation, particularly for the unskilled and semi-skilled workforce, and calls for a specialized tourist police force.
India's tourism is hindered by negative perceptions regarding safety and bureaucratic red tape.
Infrastructure gaps in 'last-mile connectivity' and basic sanitation need urgent addressing to improve the tourist experience.
Tourism creates multiple times more jobs than manufacturing for the same amount of investment.
Exam Points
Singapore welcomed 11.6 million tourists by August 2025, while India welcomed only 5.6 million.
Tourism is a strategic imperative for the unskilled and semi-skilled demographic to reduce unemployment.
The hospitality industry currently faces a GST rate of 12%, which the author suggests should be lowered.
Xu Feihong, Chinese Ambassador to India, discusses the resilience of the Chinese economy, which saw 5% growth with a GDP exceeding 140 trillion yuan. He highlights a shift from investment-led growth to a model driven by domestic consumption and innovation. Domestic demand contributed 52% to growth in 2025. He addresses 'overcapacity' concerns, stating Chinese products are welcomed for their quality and R&D. Regarding India, he notes a historic trade high of $155.6 billion in 2025 and emphasizes economic complementarity, urging Indian enterprises to leverage platforms like the China International Import Expo to reduce trade deficits.
China's contribution to global economic growth is expected to reach approximately 30%.
The Chinese economy is transitioning toward domestic consumption, which now accounts for 52% of its growth.
China-India trade reached a record high of $155.6 billion in 2025, driven by raw materials and components.
Exam Points
China's GDP exceeded 140 trillion yuan (approx. $20 trillion) in 2025.
China-India trade reached a historic high of $155.6 billion in 2025.
China's average tariff level remains low by international standards at 7.3%.
The Supreme Court rejected arguments that Aadhaar should be dropped from voter identity verification due to forgery risks. The Court noted that even passports, which are issued through private agencies, can be forged. Justice Bagchi clarified that while Aadhaar is a document of identity for 'good governance' and targeted delivery of subsidies under the 2016 Act, it is not proof of citizenship. The Court referred to Section 23 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which allows citizens to furnish Aadhaar numbers for establishing identity in electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Forgery risks are not sufficient grounds to exclude Aadhaar from the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Aadhaar is established as a document of identity, not a proof of citizenship or domicile.
Section 23 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, permits the use of Aadhaar for identity establishment.
Exam Points
Section 23 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
Section 2(v) of the Aadhaar Act 2016 defines 'resident' as 182 days of presence.
Aadhaar is considered the 12th 'indicative' document for voter verification.
India and Saudi Arabia held their 3rd Security Working Group meeting in Riyadh to review ongoing security cooperation. The dialogue focused on counter-terrorism, including tackling extremism, radicalization, and the financing of terrorism. Both nations discussed preventing the use of technology for terrorist purposes and the nexus between transnational organized crime and terrorism. The meeting is part of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC). The dialogue is significant given the strategic importance of both nations for energy security and the presence of a large Indian expatriate community in Saudi Arabia.
The 3rd India-Saudi Arabia Security Working Group focused on counter-terrorism and transnational organized crime.
The meeting operates under the framework of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC).
Cooperation includes preventing the use of technology for terrorist purposes and curbing terror financing.
Exam Points
3rd India-Saudi Arabia Security Working Group meeting held in Riyadh.
Framework: India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC).
The meeting was co-chaired by officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (India) and Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia).
A report by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) shows that over 66% of Group C 'safai karmacharis' (sanitation workers) in the Union government belong to SC, ST, and OBC categories. Specifically, SCs make up 36.75%, STs 8.18%, and OBCs 21.15% of these roles. In contrast, Group A posts show lower representation: 14.2% for SCs, 6.54% for STs, and 19.14% for OBCs. The report highlights a trend shift where OBC representation in government jobs has increased from 21.57% in 2018-19 to 26.32% currently, while SC representation slightly declined.
Over 66% of central government sanitation workers are from SC, ST, and OBC communities.
OBC representation across all central government groups has risen to 26.32% from 21.57% in 2018-19.
Group A posts (highest level) have 14.2% SC, 6.54% ST, and 19.14% OBC representation.
Exam Points
SC representation in Group C sanitation roles is 36.75%.
Overall OBC representation in Union government jobs increased to 26.32%.
Total Union government employees accounted for in the report: 32.52 lakh.
As humanity moves toward permanent lunar bases and Mars missions, the territorial nature of patent law faces significant challenges. Currently, patent rights are granted within specific jurisdictions (territoriality). In space, the 'jurisdiction-by-registration' approach (Article VIII of the Outer Space Treaty) applies the law of the state where the space object is registered. However, this creates issues for multinational collaborations like the International Space Station (ISS). The article discusses the 'non-appropriation principle' and the need for specialized space-related IP rules to prevent 'de facto exclusion' in space resources and ensure freedom of exploration.
Patent law is traditionally based on the principle of territoriality, which conflicts with the boundaryless nature of outer space.
The Outer Space Treaty (Article VIII) links jurisdiction to the state of registration of the space object.
Article 5 of the Paris Convention provides some protection for patented equipment in transit across borders.
Exam Points
Article VIII of the Outer Space Treaty.
Article 5 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
Article 21 of the ISS Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA).
The Supreme Court is examining whether the Enforcement Directorate (ED) can file writ petitions in High Courts. The issue arose from a Kerala High Court ruling that upheld the ED's right to do so. The Kerala government argues that the ED is merely a department of the Union government, not a 'juridical person' with independent legal rights to maintain a writ petition. Conversely, the ED maintains it has statutory powers under the PMLA. The case involves the balance of power between Central agencies and State authorities, particularly regarding investigations into state-level officials.
The core issue is whether the ED, as a government department, has the 'locus standi' to file writ petitions under Article 226.
Article 32 allows citizens to move the Supreme Court for fundamental rights, while Article 226 gives High Courts broader powers.
The Kerala government contends that the ED does not have independent legal rights vis-à-vis State governments.
Voyager 2, launched in 1977, remains the only spacecraft to have visited all four gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune). It utilized a rare geometric alignment of planets that occurs once every 176 years to perform gravity assists. In 2018, it entered interstellar space, where its instruments allowed it to measure the temperature and speed of interstellar plasma for the first time. It carries the 'Golden Record,' a 12-inch gold-plated copper phonograph containing sounds and images from Earth, designed to last over a billion years in vacuum.
Voyager 2 is the only man-made object to have flown by Uranus (1986) and Neptune (1989).
It entered interstellar space in November 2018, following its twin Voyager 1.
The spacecraft carries a 'Golden Record' with greetings in 55 languages and 115 images.
Exam Points
Launched August 20, 1977.
Flyby of Uranus in 1986 and Neptune in 1989.
Entered interstellar space in November 2018.
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