Shashi Tharoor analyzes the erosion of the post-1945 liberal international order, highlighting how multilateralism is being undermined by unilateral actions from major powers. The retreat from international agreements, the weaponization of trade, and the disregard for sovereignty in conflicts like Ukraine signal a shift toward 'might is right.' The article emphasizes that urgent global challenges like pandemics and climate change require collective action, yet the current vacuum in leadership leads to a fragmented global governance system. This transition from a rules-based system to one dictated by raw power threatens the legitimacy of international institutions and global stability.
The post-WWII order based on international law and institutions is being replaced by power politics.
Multilateralism is failing as major powers withdraw from international frameworks and ignore sovereignty.
Global issues like climate change and pandemics cannot be solved by nations acting alone, requiring functional global governance.
Exam Points
The UN was founded in San Francisco in 1945.
The Trump administration's withdrawal from UNESCO and WHO is cited as a retreat from multilateralism.
The term 'problems without passports' was coined by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
India and France have extended their defense cooperation agreement for another decade during the sixth India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru. Key discussions focused on increasing 'indigenous content' in Rafale jets to 50% and expanding Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities within India. The partnership aims to enhance military-to-military cooperation and co-development of niche technologies. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to regional stability in the Indian Ocean Region, with India positioning itself as a first responder and net security provider. The agreement underscores the enduring Indo-French strategic alignment and shared security interests.
The defense cooperation agreement between India and France is renewed for a 10-year period.
India seeks to increase indigenous content in Rafale jets to 50% and expand domestic MRO facilities.
The partnership emphasizes co-development and co-production of defense equipment and niche technology.
Exam Points
6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue was held in Bengaluru.
Target of 50% indigenous content for Rafale jets was proposed by India.
The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Minister Catherine Vautrin.
The Supreme Court of India has intervened to protect the citizens' right to health by directing the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to consider mandatory front-of-package warning labels (FOPL). These labels would target packaged foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fats, which are linked to non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress of the FSSAI's current initiatives. Data from the 2023 ICMR-INDIAB study highlights the urgency, showing that over 100 million Indians have diabetes, necessitating immediate preventive measures through transparent food labeling.
The Supreme Court emphasizes the right to health by pushing for mandatory FOPL on processed foods.
High levels of sugar, salt, and fat in processed foods are directly linked to rising NCDs in India.
FSSAI is directed to respond to the proposal within four weeks following dissatisfaction with previous compliance reports.
Exam Points
2023 ICMR-INDIAB study found 101 million people in India have diabetes.
FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
The Bench included Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched two significant digital health initiatives: SAHI (Secure AI for Health Initiative) and BODH (Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI). These platforms, unveiled at the India AI Impact Summit, aim to promote safe, ethical, and evidence-based deployment of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare. SAHI serves as a governance framework for responsible AI use, while BODH provides a mechanism to test and validate AI solutions before large-scale deployment. These initiatives align with the National Health Policy 2017 and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to create a scalable and inclusive digital health ecosystem.
SAHI and BODH are launched to ensure ethical and evidence-based AI deployment in healthcare.
SAHI acts as a policy compass and governance framework for responsible AI use.
BODH allows for the testing and validation of AI solutions to ensure reliability and performance.
Exam Points
SAHI stands for Secure AI for Health Initiative.
BODH stands for Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI.
The National Health Policy was established in 2017.
The Indian Army unveiled a suite of indigenous Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions at the India AI Impact Summit, highlighting its shift toward a data-centric force. Key systems include SAMUN for situational awareness and disaster response, EKAM (AI-as-a-Service) for secure cloud processing, and PRAKSHEPAN for climatology and disaster prediction. These dual-use platforms are designed for both military operations and civilian needs like cybersecurity and governance. The technologies also include advanced facial recognition (XFace) and AI-enabled driver fatigue detection, supporting India's vision of technological self-reliance and secure digital capability in critical infrastructure.
SAMUN is an AI-enabled system for mission planning, disaster response, and situational awareness.
EKAM provides a secure, air-gapped indigenous AI cloud platform focused on data sovereignty.
PRAKSHEPAN offers early alerts for natural disasters like landslides, floods, and avalanches.
Exam Points
SAMUN stands for a geospatial and AI-enabled situational awareness system.
EKAM is defined as AI-as-a-Service.
PRAKSHEPAN is an AI-driven climatology and disaster prediction system.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated India's first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Kolar, Karnataka. A joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus, the facility will manufacture the H125 helicopter. This marks the first time a private entity in India will handle the complete manufacturing, integration, and testing of a rotary-wing platform. The project, involving an investment exceeding ₹1,000 crore, aims to produce 500 light helicopters over the next 20 years for both domestic use and export to South Asia, enhancing India's defense manufacturing capabilities.
The FAL is a collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus for H125 helicopters.
It is the first private-sector facility in India for helicopter manufacturing, integration, and testing.
The facility is located in Vemagal, Kolar district, Karnataka, covering 17 acres.
Exam Points
Investment in the H-125 programme is anticipated to exceed ₹1,000 crore.
Target to manufacture 500 H125 light helicopters over the next 20 years.
The first localised H125 is expected to be delivered in early 2027.
According to the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), India needs to mobilize approximately $22 trillion, or $500 billion annually, to meet its Net Zero target by 2070. Achieving this requires a synchronized effort between government, private finance, and philanthropy. The GEAPP emphasizes the need for bankable projects to attract global investment and the alignment of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). At the Mumbai Climate Week, a national platform was unveiled to deploy $25 million for modernizing power distribution and integrating renewable energy, aiming to create proof-of-concept projects for larger investments.
India's total financial requirement for Net Zero by 2070 is estimated at $22 trillion.
Annual mobilization of $500 billion is necessary to transition the energy sector and integrate renewables.
Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and private sector alignment are crucial for funding viability.
Exam Points
India's Net Zero target year is 2070.
Total estimated cost for the transition is $22 trillion ($500 billion per year).
GEAPP stands for Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet.
Despite being the world's second-largest consumer and producer of tobacco, India's cigarette taxes account for only 53% of the retail price, far below the WHO's recommended 75%. While recent excise duty hikes increased prices, they haven't kept pace with inflation, making tobacco relatively affordable. Tobacco use kills approximately 1.35 million people annually in India. Experts highlight that the tobacco industry often interferes with policy-making to weaken control measures. Furthermore, the GST on beedis remains low at 18%, despite their high consumption among low-income groups, representing a missed opportunity for public health intervention.
India's tobacco tax (53%) is significantly lower than the WHO benchmark of 75% of the retail price.
Tobacco-related diseases cause 1.35 million deaths in India every year.
The tobacco industry is accused of interfering with health-centric tax policies and decision-making.
Exam Points
WHO benchmark for tobacco tax is 75% of the retail price.
Tobacco kills 1.35 million people in India annually.
GST on beedis is currently 18%, compared to 40% for cigarettes.
The article explores the legal standing of satire in India, emphasizing that courts generally view it as a vital form of expression. While the government occasionally blocks satirical content citing national security or public order, the Supreme Court in the Shreya Singhal case established that content must be heard before being blocked. Satire is defined as an artistic form that exposes absurdities and hypocrisies. However, recent amendments to IT Rules and government actions against social media posts have sparked debates on whether satire can be deemed a threat to the state or if it is protected under Article 19(1)(a).
Satire is recognized by courts as an essential element of public life and opinion for revealing hypocrisies.
The Supreme Court has cautioned against using state power to stifle expression on public and political issues.
Section 69A of the IT Act is often used to block content, but courts insist on due process and transparency.
Exam Points
Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015) is a landmark judgment on online speech.
Section 69A of the Information Technology Act governs the blocking of online content.
Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression.
February 18 marks the 80th anniversary of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) revolt of 1946, which began at HMIS Talwar in Bombay. What started as a protest against poor food and racial discrimination quickly escalated into a full-scale military conflict against British rule. Over 20,000 naval ratings across various ports, including Karachi and Calcutta, joined the insurrection. The revolt demonstrated rare communal unity, with ratings hoisting flags of the Congress, Muslim League, and Communist Party. Although short-lived, the uprising significantly weakened British control over the armed forces, accelerating the process of Indian decolonization and independence.
The RIN revolt began on February 18, 1946, at HMIS Talwar in Bombay as a protest against discrimination.
It involved nearly 20,000 naval ratings and 78 ships across multiple naval establishments in India.
The revolt was a rare moment of Hindu-Muslim unity against colonial rule during a period of polarization.
Exam Points
The revolt started on February 18, 1946.
The primary flashpoint was HMIS Talwar in Bombay.
Nearly 20,000 naval ratings participated in the revolt.
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