Amid global oil shocks and supply chain disruptions caused by the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, Russia has pledged to steadily increase oil and LNG supplies to India and continue meeting its fertilizer needs. Russian Deputy PM Denis Manturov met PM Narendra Modi to discuss cooperation in trade, fertilizers, connectivity, and people-to-people ties. The visit is part of preparations for upcoming BRICS and India-Russia annual summits. Russia has already increased mineral fertilizer supplies to India by 40% and is developing a joint carbamide production project. The discussions also covered deepening nuclear cooperation and other industrial, space, and educational projects.
Russia has assured India of increased and steady supplies of oil and LNG despite global energy market disruptions.
The discussions between Russian Deputy PM Manturov and Indian PM Modi covered trade, fertilizers, connectivity, and people-to-people ties.
Russia has significantly increased mineral fertilizer supplies to India and is exploring a joint carbamide production project.
Exam Points
Russian Deputy Prime Minister: Denis Manturov.
23rd India-Russia Annual Summit: Hosted in New Delhi in December 2025.
Russia increased mineral fertilizer supplies to India by 40%.
A U.S. fighter jet was reportedly shot down in Iran on Friday, with one crew member successfully rescued. The rescue operation was conducted by the U.S. military with support from Israel. This incident occurs amidst heightened tensions in the region, particularly following the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, which has caused significant oil shocks and supply chain disruptions. The exact circumstances of the shooting down were not immediately detailed.
A U.S. fighter jet was shot down in Iran on Friday.
One crew member was rescued during a search operation supported by Israel.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the West Asia region.
Exam Points
Incident occurred on Friday.
Rescue operation involved U.S. military and Israeli support.
An Iranian crude oil carrier, Ping Shun, which had been signaling its destination as India for three days after crossing the Strait of Hormuz, has reportedly changed course and is now heading to China. This information comes from marine logistics and commodity markets analytics firm Kpler. The diversion highlights potential shifts in global oil trade routes and buyer preferences amidst ongoing geopolitical developments and energy market volatility, especially in the context of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.
Iranian crude oil carrier Ping Shun changed its destination from India to China.
The vessel had initially signaled India as its destination after crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
The information was reported by marine logistics and commodity markets analytics firm Kpler.
Exam Points
Ship name: Ping Shun.
Origin: Iranian crude oil.
Source of information: Kpler (marine logistics and commodity markets analytics firm).
A draft "Comprehensive Tribal Welfare Plan" for the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) mega-infrastructure project has caused confusion and exacerbated apprehensions among Nicobarese tribal communities. The plan, proposing a ₹42.52-crore outlay for relocating communities from tsunami-affected or project-impacted areas, lacks clarity on specific relocation sites and beneficiaries. Tribal Council leaders, who previously withdrew consent for the ₹92,000-crore project in 2022, are protesting, alleging unsettled forest rights and fearing encroachment on ancestral lands. The administration has not clearly explained project boundaries, adding to the community's concerns.
The Great Nicobar Island (GNI) mega-infrastructure project's draft tribal welfare plan has created confusion and apprehension among Nicobarese communities.
Tribal leaders are concerned about unclear relocation details and potential encroachment on ancestral lands and forest rights.
The ₹92,000-crore project has faced protests, with tribal communities withdrawing consent in 2022.
Exam Points
Project name: Great Nicobar Island (GNI) mega-infrastructure project.
Total project cost: ₹92,000-crore.
Tribal Welfare Plan outlay: ₹42.52-crore over 24 months.
Recent amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), though temporarily stalled, are criticized for empowering the Centre to arbitrarily seize assets of organizations losing their FCRA license. The proposed Bill, introduced in March 2026, aims to establish a "designated authority" to manage such assets without judicial oversight, raising concerns about natural justice. Critics argue the move is selective and opaque, particularly affecting Christian groups, and contrasts with the state's policy of seeking foreign funds in other sectors. The FCRA has been progressively tightened since its enactment in 1976 and amendments in 2010 and 2020.
Proposed FCRA amendments allow the Centre to arbitrarily seize assets of organizations whose FCRA licenses are revoked.
The amendments establish a "designated authority" to manage seized assets without judicial determination, violating natural justice principles.
Critics argue the move is selective, opaque, and disproportionately affects certain groups like Christian organizations.
The decade from 2016 to 2026 is highlighted as a period of rapid and unprecedented economic development in Kerala, achieved despite financial constraints from the Union Government. Kerala maintained a formal planning process, significantly increasing capital expenditure. The state has shown comparable or higher growth rates than the national average, with advancements in education, health, social justice, and industrial growth. Key initiatives include the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), Kerala Bank, universal elementary education, Aardram Mission, LIFE Mission for housing, and pioneering IT initiatives like K-FON, demonstrating a democratic, socially inclusive, and sustainable development model.
Kerala experienced rapid economic and human development between 2016 and 2026, despite federal fiscal constraints.
The state maintained a formal planning process, leading to increased capital expenditure and growth rates comparable to or higher than the national average.
Significant progress was made in education, health, and social justice, including universal elementary education and improved health indicators.
Exam Points
Period: 2016-2026.
State Planning Board Vice-Chairperson: V.K. Ramachandran.
Infrastructure funding: Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
India and Azerbaijan have decided to reset their bilateral relations after a year of tensions, following the 6th round of Foreign Office consultations in Baku. The talks, led by MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George and Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov, are the first since 2022. Key issues discussed included trade, technology, tourism, pharmaceuticals, energy, culture, and counter-terrorism. Tensions arose from Azerbaijan's condemnation of India's strikes on Pakistani sites during Operation Sindoor and its close strategic partnership with Pakistan, contrasting with India's support for Armenia in the Nagorno Karabakh dispute.
India and Azerbaijan are resetting bilateral ties after a year of tensions.
The 6th round of Foreign Office consultations addressed trade, energy, and counter-terrorism.
Tensions stemmed from Azerbaijan's condemnation of India's Operation Sindoor strikes on Pakistani sites and its support for Pakistan.
Exam Points
Consultations: 6th round of Foreign Office consultations.
Indian representative: MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George.
Azerbaijan representative: Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov.
India's latest amendments to the Plastic Waste Management Rules ease compliance for companies by allowing them to carry forward unfulfilled recycling targets for up to three years, provided they meet at least one-third of the deficit annually. The rules also formalize a system of tradable certificates, enabling companies to meet obligations by purchasing credits from others who exceed their targets. While headline recycling targets remain unchanged, these provisions offer flexibility, but also mean firms aren't strictly required to recycle their own plastic footprint. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, introduced in 2022, specifies collection targets and recycled content mandates for different plastic categories.
New amendments to Plastic Waste Management Rules allow companies to carry forward unfulfilled recycling targets for up to three years.
A system of tradable certificates has been formalized, enabling companies to buy credits to meet their plastic waste management obligations.
The amendments provide flexibility but may reduce the incentive for companies to recycle their own plastic waste.
Exam Points
Rules: Plastic Waste Management Rules (amended March 31).
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework: Introduced in 2022.
Target carry-forward: Up to three years (with 1/3 deficit met annually).
India has formally commissioned INS Aridhaman (S4), its third nuclear-powered submarine of the Arihant-class (SSBN), in Visakhapatnam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the quiet ceremony. This submarine is a critical component of India's strategic weapons programme and nuclear triad, enabling the launch of nuclear-tipped missiles from air, land, and sea. Aridhaman, at 7,000 tonnes, is larger and more powerful than its predecessors, INS Arihant (commissioned 2016) and INS Arighaat (commissioned August 2024). The project, initially known as the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project, is executed by the Ship Building Centre (SBC).
INS Aridhaman (S4), India's third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), has been commissioned.
The submarine is part of India's strategic weapons programme and strengthens its nuclear triad capability.
Aridhaman is larger (7,000 tonnes) and has more firepower compared to its predecessors, INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.