Domestic cooking gas prices were hiked by ₹60 per cylinder, and commercial cylinders by ₹114.50, attributed to a sharp rise in global prices due to the West Asia conflict disrupting tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz. Non-subsidised LPG now costs ₹913 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi. The government is considering deploying Navy ships to escort Indian-flagged vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf, as India relies heavily on imports via the Strait of Hormuz. Emergency powers have been invoked to ramp up domestic LPG production.
Domestic and commercial cooking gas prices have been significantly increased due to global price surges and disruptions in West Asia.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial waterway for India's crude oil and natural gas imports, and its disruption impacts energy security.
The Indian government is contemplating deploying Navy ships to escort Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf to ensure maritime security.
Exam Points
Domestic cooking gas price hiked by ₹60 per cylinder.
Non-subsidised LPG now costs ₹913 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi.
India imports nearly half of its crude oil and about 40% of its natural gas through the Strait of Hormuz.
Breast cancer incidence in India has risen more than two-fold over the past three decades, reaching 29.4 cases per 100,000 women in 2023. Experts emphasize the need for regular screening and addressing gaps in treatment access for early detection. Key contributing factors identified include lifestyle changes, lack of breastfeeding, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and sedentary work patterns. Challenges in tackling the rising incidence include resource scarcity, geographical accessibility, and inadequate care, particularly in remote areas.
Breast cancer incidence in India has significantly increased over the last 30 years, highlighting a growing public health concern.
Lifestyle changes, lack of breastfeeding, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and sedentary work patterns are identified as major contributing factors.
Early detection through regular screening and improved access to treatment are crucial for managing the rising incidence.
Exam Points
Breast cancer incidence in India is estimated at 29.4 per 1,00,000 women in 2023.
The incidence has more than doubled in the past three decades.
The International Gallien Breast Cancer Conference discussed these findings.
Reported cases of denial of access to public spaces to Scheduled Caste (SC) communities have been rising across India since 2017, with Uttar Pradesh accounting for the majority. In 2023, out of 180 reported cases nationwide, 173 were from U.P., and in 2022, 300 out of 305 cases were from U.P. This crime category, "Prevent or deny or obstruct usage of public place/passage," was introduced by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in 2017 as part of reforms to better classify crimes under the SC/ST Act.
Cases of denial of access to public spaces for Scheduled Caste communities are increasing across India.
Uttar Pradesh consistently reports the overwhelming majority of these cases, indicating significant social discrimination issues.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) introduced a specific crime category in 2017 to track such offenses under the SC/ST Act.
Exam Points
In 2023, 173 out of 180 reported cases of denial of access to public spaces for SCs were from Uttar Pradesh.
In 2022, 300 out of 305 such cases were from Uttar Pradesh.
The crime category "Prevent or deny or obstruct usage of public place/passage" was introduced by NCRB in 2017.
The Indian government is considering deploying Navy ships to escort Indian-flagged vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf, with a decision expected soon. This move comes as approximately 10% of the stranded oil tankers and gas carriers are Indian-flagged. The Indian Navy has previously conducted Operation Sankalp to ensure maritime security in the Gulf region, including actions against Houthi rebels. While Iran has promised not to attack neighboring countries, India has also diversified its crude oil supplies, with 70% now sourced without crossing the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to prevent retail price hikes for petrol and diesel.
India is considering deploying its Navy to escort stranded ships in the Persian Gulf, emphasizing maritime security.
Operation Sankalp has been a key Indian Navy initiative for ensuring maritime security in the Gulf region, including countering Houthi attacks.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint, and disruptions there significantly impact global and Indian energy supplies.
Exam Points
Approximately 10% of oil tankers and gas carriers stranded in the Persian Gulf are Indian-flagged.
The Indian Navy launched Operation Sankalp to ensure maritime security in the Gulf region.
About 70% of India's crude oil supplies are now sourced without needing to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, through which one-third of the world's seaborne crude oil and one-quarter of global LNG pass. Tensions in West Asia, particularly involving the US and Iran, frequently disrupt shipping and raise concerns about global energy supplies. India is heavily dependent on this strait, with nearly two-thirds of its crude oil and half of its natural gas imports routed through it. To mitigate risks, India is exploring alternative supply routes and has invoked emergency powers for domestic refineries to ramp up LPG production.
The Strait of Hormuz is a globally significant maritime chokepoint for oil and natural gas transit.
Geopolitical tensions in West Asia directly impact the security and navigability of the Strait, affecting global energy markets.
India has a substantial reliance on the Strait of Hormuz for its energy imports, making disruptions a major concern for its energy security.
Exam Points
The Strait of Hormuz is approximately 33 kilometres wide at its narrowest point.
One-third of the world's seaborne crude oil and one-quarter of global LNG pass through the Strait.
India routes nearly two-thirds of its crude oil and about 40% of its natural gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
India signed a C$2.6-billion deal with Canadian company Cameco for 10,000 tonnes of uranium supply from 2027 to 2035, enhancing its energy security. India's domestic uranium reserves are low-grade, making imports crucial for its civilian nuclear power programme, which currently operates 24 reactors with 9 GW capacity and aims for 100 GW by 2047. The deal falls under the 2010 India-Canada Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, which requires India to provide "fissionable material accounts." Uranium is also used for research, medical isotopes, and defense purposes, including nuclear warheads and submarines.
The uranium deal with Canada is crucial for India's energy security, supplementing its low-grade domestic reserves.
India's nuclear power program, transitioning through three stages, aims for significant capacity expansion by 2047.
The deal operates under the India-Canada Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, which includes specific accountability requirements.
Exam Points
India signed a C$2.6-billion deal with Cameco for 10,000 tonnes of uranium.
The deal covers the period from 2027 to 2035.
India's domestic uranium reserves are estimated at 4.2-4.3 lakh tonnes of ore.
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system is an advanced U.S. missile defence platform designed to intercept ballistic missiles during their final flight stage, both within and outside the Earth's atmosphere. It employs "hit-to-kill" technology, relying on kinetic energy rather than explosives, which enhances precision and reduces debris. THAAD is a highly mobile and rapidly deployable system, integrated into a broader layered missile defence network alongside systems like Patriot and Aegis. Recent deployments in West Asia and reported attacks on associated radar systems highlight its strategic importance in regional security contexts.
THAAD is a sophisticated U.S. missile defence system designed to intercept ballistic missiles at high altitudes.
It uses "hit-to-kill" kinetic energy technology, which is distinct from explosive warheads, to neutralize threats.
THAAD is a mobile and deployable system that integrates with other missile defence assets, forming a layered defence network.
Exam Points
THAAD stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defence.
It intercepts ballistic missiles at ranges of roughly 150-200 kilometres.
Key components include interceptors, truck-mounted launchers, and the AN/TPY-2 radar.
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