This article examines income mobility in India between 2014 and 2025, drawing on data from the Consumer Pyramids Household Survey. It highlights a concerning trend where downward mobility—households slipping into lower income brackets—has nearly doubled, while upward mobility remains stagnant. The study reveals significant disparities across caste and religious lines, with Scheduled Castes (SC) and Muslim households facing the greatest hurdles in upward movement. Urban areas show slightly better mobility than rural ones, where nearly 29% of households are worse off than a decade ago. The findings suggest that despite headline growth, entrenched inequality and economic vulnerability persist, necessitating policies focused on social protection and employment-intensive sectors.
Downward mobility in India increased from 14% in 2015 to 26.8% in 2025, indicating rising economic vulnerability.
Upward mobility remains muted, particularly for Scheduled Castes and Muslim households, who face systemic barriers and discrimination.
Rural areas have been hit harder by economic volatility compared to urban centers, with nearly 29% of rural households worse off than in 2014.
Exam Points
Data source: Consumer Pyramids Household Survey by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE).
Period of study: 2014-2025, divided into two sub-periods (2014-19 and 2019-24).
Downward mobility rate: Increased from 14% to 26.8% over the decade.
The article discusses the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) recent decision to release a technical report regarding the NVS-02 satellite's failure to reach orbit in January 2025. While the transparency is welcomed, the author argues that ISRO has become increasingly opaque following back-to-back failures of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) in 2025. The failure of the NVS-02 was attributed to a signal failure in the engine's oxidizer line. The article emphasizes that for a public institution, maintaining transparency is crucial for reinforcing public confidence and ensuring accountability in manufacturing and assembly processes, rather than retreating into a shell of secrecy.
The NVS-02 satellite failed to reach its intended orbit on January 29, 2025, due to a faulty electrical connector in the engine's oxidizer line.
ISRO successfully implemented lessons from this failure in the November 2025 LVM-3 M5 mission which launched GSAT-7R.
The article criticizes ISRO's recent tendency to withhold 'Failure Analysis' reports, which were previously a routine practice for the organization.
Exam Points
Mission Date: NVS-02 launched aboard a GSLV rocket on January 29, 2025.
Successful Mission: LVM-3 M5 launch vehicle placed GSAT-7R (India's heaviest communication satellite) in orbit in November 2025.
Technical cause: Signal failure to a key valve in the engine's oxidizer line caused by a loose electrical connector.
India is repositioning critical minerals as a core pillar of its industrial and energy security. The 2026 Budget reflects this shift by removing import duties on capital goods for processing and reducing duties on monazite sands. The government has launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with a ₹16,300 crore outlay to discover and process 30 identified minerals. To de-risk exploration, India is adopting an AI-first approach and leveraging international partnerships with the US, UK, and Australia. The goal is to build a domestic ecosystem for batteries, solar modules, and electric vehicles while ensuring technological sovereignty in a turbulent global market.
The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) targets 1,200 exploration projects by FY2031 to secure mineral supply chains.
India has identified 30 critical minerals, including lithium and beryllium, which were previously classified as restricted atomic minerals.
The strategy emphasizes 'AI-first' exploration, utilizing seismic AI tools like Mission Anveshan for hydrocarbon and mineral discovery.
Exam Points
Budgetary Outlay: ₹16,300 crore for the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM).
Target: 1,200 exploration projects by FY2031.
Policy: Removal of import duties on monazite sands and capital goods for mineral processing.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel, both nations reaffirmed their 'special strategic partnership.' Modi emphasized that India's security interests are directly linked to stability in West Asia. The discussions focused on implementing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA) projects. Despite regional tensions between Iran and the U.S., India maintains its stance on resolving conflicts through dialogue and peaceful means. The visit also saw progress toward a Free Trade Agreement and cooperation in fields like geophysical exploration, AI-driven mineral discovery, and sustainable resource development.
India and Israel are working closely to implement the IMEC and I2U2 projects to enhance regional connectivity and food security.
The bilateral relationship has been elevated to a 'special strategic partnership' with a focus on defense, technology, and culture.
Both nations are preparing for an 'early signing of a Free Trade Agreement' to boost economic ties and market access.
Exam Points
Key Projects: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA).
Diplomatic Status: Special Strategic Partnership.
New Agreement: Proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Israel.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a recognized eating disorder characterized by a significant reduction in food intake, leading to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies. Unlike typical picky eating, ARFID is not driven by body image issues but by sensory sensitivities, fear of aversive consequences (like choking), or lack of interest in food. It affects both children and adults and can cause severe growth restrictions and social impairment. Treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach including psychological therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), nutritional support, and family involvement to create a positive, stress-free eating environment for recovery.
ARFID is a mental health disorder, not merely stubbornness, attention-seeking, or a passing phase of picky eating.
Causes can include sensory aversion to textures, traumatic experiences like choking or vomiting, or genetic factors.
The disorder can lead to significant physical complications, including growth failure and the need for clinical intervention like IV drips.
The Allahabad High Court recently examined the legality of 'bulldozer justice'—the practice of demolishing properties of individuals accused of crimes without proper notice or hearing. The court reaffirmed that punishment lies exclusively with the judiciary and that administrative authorities cannot assume criminal culpability. Such actions violate Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality and the right to life and liberty. The court emphasized that demolition should be a regulatory measure of last resort for unauthorized construction, not a tool for extrajudicial punishment, as it undermines the separation of powers and erodes constitutional rights.
The Allahabad High Court ruled that punitive demolitions without due process are a 'colourable exercise of power' that erodes the separation of powers.
Administrative actions taken immediately after FIRs violate the principle of 'presumption of innocence' and judicial oversight.
The Supreme Court in 2024 established that property cannot be demolished solely because an owner is an accused or convicted of an offence.
Exam Points
Constitutional Articles: Article 14 (Equality) and Article 21 (Right to Life and Liberty).
Legal Case: Re: Directions in the Matter of Demolition of Structures (2024 INSC 866).
Statutes: Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1959 and UP Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973.
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