Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kuala Lumpur resulted in the signing of 11 significant agreements between India and Malaysia. The pacts cover high-priority sectors including defense, energy, advanced manufacturing, and semiconductors. A key highlight is the promotion of trade settlement using local currencies—the Indian Rupee and Malaysian Ringgit—to bypass third-party currency dependencies. Malaysia also formally extended its support for India's permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Both nations emphasized maritime security, counter-terrorism, and ASEAN centrality within the Indo-Pacific region to ensure regional stability and economic growth.
India and Malaysia signed 11 agreements focusing on security, semiconductors, and digital technologies.
Both nations agreed to facilitate bilateral trade using the Indian Rupee and Malaysian Ringgit.
Malaysia officially backed India's bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
Exam Points
The visit involved the signing of 11 bilateral agreements and documents.
Trade settlement will involve the Indian Rupee and the Malaysian Ringgit.
India decided to establish an Indian Consulate General in Malaysia.
Myanmar's military junta conducted elections in phases starting late 2025, which have been widely criticized for lacking credibility and inclusivity. For India, Myanmar is a vital gateway to Southeast Asia under the 'Act East Policy'. New Delhi faces a complex challenge: supporting democratic transitions while maintaining a functional relationship with the junta to protect security and connectivity interests. Key infrastructure projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project face delays due to internal conflict. India continues its humanitarian role, exemplified by 'Operation Brahma' during the March 2025 earthquake, while avoiding explicit political endorsement of the regime.
Myanmar's elections were held under military control, leading to a significant credibility deficit and international criticism.
India views Myanmar as a strategic neighbor essential for its Act East Policy and Northeast security.
Major connectivity projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway are delayed due to regional instability.
Exam Points
Operation Brahma was India's humanitarian relief mission during the March 2025 Myanmar earthquake.
India shares a 1,643-kilometre border with four of its northeastern states and Myanmar.
Key projects mentioned include the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway.
Following tragic incidents of adolescent self-harm, there is a growing global trend toward banning social media for children under 16, with Australia and Spain leading the way. However, experts argue that such bans are technically porous, as tech-savvy youth often bypass restrictions using VPNs or migrate to unmoderated 'dark web' platforms. In India, a blanket ban could exacerbate the digital divide, particularly affecting girls in patriarchal settings where internet access is already restricted. Critics suggest that instead of bans, the government should focus on robust digital competition laws, 'duty of care' obligations for platforms, and better implementation of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
Bans are often ineffective as minors use VPNs or move to encrypted, unmoderated platforms.
A social media ban may disproportionately affect marginalized groups and rural adolescents who use these platforms as lifelines.
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, is cited as having poorly designed 'consent gating' provisions.
Exam Points
Australia passed a law in 2024 prohibiting social media accounts for those under 16, effective December 2025.
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, is the primary Indian legislation governing data privacy.
The Union Budget 2026-27 has earmarked ₹13,416.20 crore for the Department of Space, showing a commitment to advancing India's astronomical capabilities. Significant funds are directed toward deep-space exploration and the construction of two major facilities: the 30-m National Large Optical-Infrared Telescope and the National Large Solar Telescope in Ladakh. Other projects include the COSMOS-2 planetarium in Amaravati and upgrades to the Himalayan Chandra Telescope. Despite the allocation, experts express concerns over the historical under-utilization of funds and the need for better administrative processes to ensure that large-scale projects are executed within stipulated timelines to reduce dependence on foreign observatories.
The Department of Space received an allocation of ₹13,416.20 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27.
Funding is prioritized for deep-space exploration, astrophysics, and the development of indigenous large-scale telescopes.
New facilities include the 30-m National Large Optical-Infrared Telescope and the National Large Solar Telescope in Ladakh.
Exam Points
The Union Budget 2026-27 allocation for the Department of Space is ₹13,416.20 crore.
The National Large Solar Telescope is being built at Pangong Lake in Ladakh.
The COSMOS-2 planetarium is located in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh.
Thwaites Glacier, often referred to as the 'Doomsday Glacier,' is a massive ice formation in West Antarctica roughly the size of a large country. It is critical for scientists monitoring global sea-level rise because it sits on land that slopes downward below sea level. This topography allows warm ocean water to flow underneath the glacier's ice shelf, melting it from below. As the ice shelf thins or breaks, the glacier's flow into the ocean accelerates. If Thwaites were to collapse entirely, it could raise global sea levels by approximately half a meter and destabilize the surrounding West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Thwaites Glacier is nicknamed the 'Doomsday Glacier' due to its potential impact on global sea levels.
The glacier is melting from below because warm ocean water flows under its floating ice shelf.
The ice shelf acts as a 'doorstop' that slows the glacier's flow; its thinning accelerates ice loss.
Exam Points
Thwaites Glacier is located in West Antarctica.
Scientists estimate a potential sea-level rise of half a meter (0.5m) if the glacier collapses.
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