The Iranian military has threatened to completely shut down the strategic Strait of Hormuz and attack U.S. infrastructure, including energy facilities, if the U.S. targets Iran's power plants. This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants. The conflict, sparked by U.S.-Israeli bombardment of Iran, has spread across West Asia, with the Strait already effectively closed, operating at only 5% of its pre-war volume. Iran's Parliament Speaker warned that critical infrastructure in West Asia could be "irreversibly destroyed" if Iranian power plants are attacked, highlighting the strait's vital role in global energy supply.
Iran has threatened to completely close the Strait of Hormuz and attack U.S. infrastructure in response to U.S. threats against its power plants.
The strategic Strait of Hormuz is crucial for global oil and gas shipments, and the ongoing conflict has already reduced its traffic significantly.
Iran's Parliament Speaker warned of "irreversibly destroyed" critical infrastructure in West Asia if its power plants are targeted.
Exam Points
Strait of Hormuz is a strategic chokepoint for global oil and gas.
US President Donald Trump's threat to "obliterate" Iran's power plants.
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf issued warnings.
The "double-engine sarkar" slogan, implying faster development for states governed by the same party as the Union, poses a serious constitutional question for India's federal compact. This approach undermines the principle of cooperative federalism, suggesting that development is contingent on political alignment rather than constitutional rights. Issues like the Union government's increasing reliance on cesses and surcharges, which are not shared with states, and Governors delaying bills in opposition-ruled states, highlight the erosion of states' financial autonomy and legislative sovereignty. Structural reforms are needed to ensure fairness and prevent governance from becoming hostage to political alignment.
The "double-engine sarkar" slogan implies preferential development for states aligned with the Union government, challenging India's federal principles.
Fiscal federalism is strained by the Union's increased use of cesses and surcharges, reducing resources for states and concentrating power.
Governors in opposition-ruled states have been accused of delaying legislative bills, acting as a "second engine running in reverse."
Exam Points
Article 280 of the Constitution mandates the Finance Commission for revenue sharing.
Article 263 provides for Inter-State/governmental councils.
Supreme Court judgments: S.R. Bommai vs Union of India, State of Punjab vs Principal Secretary to the Governor of Punjab (2023), State of Tamil Nadu vs Governor of Tamil Nadu (2025).
The article examines Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act, which allows the U.S. to unilaterally determine and act against foreign trade practices deemed unfair. Despite a 1999 WTO panel ruling that Section 301's unilateral nature could violate WTO law, the U.S. assured compliance. However, the Trump administration weaponized Section 301 to impose punitive tariffs, notably against China, and subsequently blocked the WTO Appellate Body, undermining the multilateral dispute settlement mechanism it helped create. This highlights the fragility of multilateral rules and the need for India and other developing nations to actively engage in coalition-building to revive and strengthen these global trade norms.
Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act grants the U.S. unilateral power to impose tariffs, potentially violating international trade rules.
The Trump administration used Section 301 as a punitive weapon, imposing tariffs on countries like China, despite WTO rulings against such actions.
The U.S. has undermined the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism by blocking the appointment of Appellate Body members.
Exam Points
Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974.
WTO Appellate Body's function was blocked by the U.S. in 2020.
A 1995 EU dispute challenged Section 301's WTO consistency.
India is witnessing a concerning trend of digital censorship, where social media accounts of activists and journalists are blocked, often for criticizing the government. The government utilizes emergency powers under the IT Rules, expanding the definition of "threat to public order." Critically, procedural safeguards under Section 69A of the IT Act 2000, which require reasoned orders and judicial review, are being diluted through Rule 16 of the 2009 Blocking Rules, making blocking proceedings confidential. This lack of transparency and executive-only review undermines the constitutional right to free speech and judicial oversight, effectively creating a "digital exile" for critics and signaling a move towards arbitrary censorship.
Digital censorship in India is increasing, with social media accounts blocked for criticizing the government.
The government uses emergency powers under IT Rules, expanding "threat to public order" definitions.
Procedural safeguards of Section 69A of IT Act 2000 are diluted by Rule 16 of 2009 Blocking Rules, making blocking orders confidential.
India is making an ambitious push to integrate AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy) into the global mainstream, supported by a doubled budget and Free Trade Agreements with the EU. While this offers significant economic expansion, the article stresses the critical need for rigorous, independent, and transparent scientific evaluation to ensure global credibility. It warns against potential legal disputes and reputational damage if claims outpace evidence, advocating for independently funded clinical trials and peer-reviewed publications. The goal is not to substitute modern medicine but to foster a dialogue between traditional and contemporary systems, strengthening scientific inquiry across the spectrum of care.
India is actively promoting AYUSH systems globally through increased budget allocation and international trade agreements like the EU FTA.
For global credibility, AYUSH systems must undergo rigorous, independent, and transparent scientific evaluation with evidence-based claims.
Over-reliance on internal assessments creates a conflict of interest and risks reputational damage.
Exam Points
AYUSH Ministry's budget nearly doubled in five years to ₹4,408 crore.
India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) facilitates AYUSH practitioners' services in Europe.
India faces significant vulnerability in its urea production due to a dual dependence on West Asia for both Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports, a key feedstock, and direct urea imports. The ongoing conflict in West Asia and the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint, threaten to disrupt these supply chains. Currently, India's urea plants are running at half capacity, and over 60% of its imported LNG and 71% of its urea imports originate from West Asia via the Strait. This poses a severe risk to India's agrarian economy, despite government efforts to prioritize the fertilizer sector.
India is critically dependent on West Asia for both LNG (feedstock for urea) and direct urea imports.
The West Asian conflict and potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz pose a severe threat to India's urea supply chain.
A significant portion of India's LNG and urea imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making the country vulnerable.
Exam Points
India is the fourth largest buyer of natural gas globally (261 lakh metric tonnes imported in 2025).
Over 60% of India's imported LNG from West Asia could be affected by Strait of Hormuz closure.
71% of India's urea imports (exceeding 2,300 lakh metric tonnes in 2025) come from West Asia.
Agri-photovoltaics (AgriPV) offers a promising solution for India to achieve its ambitious energy transition goals while ensuring food security, by integrating solar power generation with crop cultivation on the same land. The article details various AgriPV designs, crop selection strategies for different agro-climatic regions, and potential business models for farmers. Beyond clean energy, AgriPV provides environmental benefits like reduced evapotranspiration and crop protection. However, challenges such as high capital costs, lack of regulatory clarity, and the need for more empirical evidence hinder large-scale adoption, necessitating policy support like potential inclusion in PM-KUSUM 2.0 with viability gap funding.
AgriPV allows for simultaneous solar power generation and crop cultivation, addressing both energy transition and food security needs.
Different AgriPV designs and crop selection strategies are crucial for optimizing yields across diverse agro-climatic regions in India.
AgriPV offers economic benefits for farmers through diversified income and environmental co-benefits like water conservation and crop protection.
Exam Points
India's energy transition goals: 300 GW solar capacity by 2030, net-zero emissions by 2070.
PM-KUSUM scheme's outlay nearly doubled to ₹5,000 crore.
Proposed 'National Agri-photovoltaics Mission' aims for a 10-GW component.
The article debates the feasibility of compulsory voting in India, concluding it is neither desirable nor constitutionally sound, despite its potential to increase voter turnout. While voting is essential for democracy, it is not a fundamental or legal duty in India. Implementing compulsory voting would face practical difficulties, impose harsh penalties (as seen in other countries), and potentially violate the fundamental right to freedom of expression under Article 19(1). Instead, the focus should be on fostering voter enthusiasm through innovative campaigns, improving accessibility for migrant workers, and exploring secure remote voting technologies to enhance participation.
Compulsory voting is not a fundamental or legal duty in India and raises constitutional concerns regarding freedom of expression.
Practical difficulties and harsh penalties associated with compulsory voting make it undesirable and unfeasible for India.
The Law Commission's 255th report indicated a 7% increase in turnout but linked it to strict enforcement of penalties.
Exam Points
Article 326 of the Constitution grants the right to vote to citizens 18 years and older.
Section 19 and 62 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 & 1951, define voter registration and the right to vote.
Article 19(1) protects the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
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