India and New Zealand have signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), hailed as a historic step to deepen trade, investment, and people-to-people ties. New Zealand will remove tariffs on all Indian goods, while India will reduce or remove tariffs on 95% of its current imports from New Zealand. The deal, announced in March 2025 and concluded in December 2025, is one of India's fastest negotiated FTAs. It also includes provisions for mobility of professionals and students, and a commitment from New Zealand to facilitate $20 billion in investments into India.
India and New Zealand have signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to boost trade, investment, and people-to-people ties.
New Zealand will eliminate tariffs on all goods imported from India, while India will reduce or remove tariffs on 95% of current imports from New Zealand.
Key products excluded by India from tariff reductions include dairy, animal products (other than sheep meat), agricultural products, sugar, artificial honey, copper, and aluminium.
Exam Points
The FTA was signed by India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Investment, Todd McClay.
New Zealand will remove tariffs on all goods imported from India.
India will remove or reduce tariffs on 95% of current imports from New Zealand.
Iran has proposed ending its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. lifts its blockade and ends the war, a proposal that would postpone discussions on Iran's nuclear program. The offer, conveyed via Pakistan, is unlikely to be accepted by U.S. President Donald Trump, as it leaves key disagreements unresolved. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Russia and met President Vladimir Putin, who praised Iran's fight for sovereignty. Iran also seeks Oman's support for a mechanism to collect tolls from vessels passing through the strait.
Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. lifts its blockade and ends the ongoing conflict.
The Iranian proposal aims to postpone discussions on its nuclear program and was conveyed to the U.S. via Pakistan.
U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly unlikely to accept the offer, as it does not address underlying disagreements.
Exam Points
The offer was made by Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The proposal was passed to the Americans by Pakistan.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.
Tamil Nadu has achieved double-digit real economic growth for the second consecutive year, posting 11.19% in 2024-25 and 10.83% in 2025-26, significantly surpassing the national average of 7.4%. The state's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at current prices is projected to reach ₹35.29 lakh crore in 2025-26, marking a 13.16% nominal growth. This strong performance is driven by robust growth in the secondary (15%), services (8.5%), and primary (6%) sectors, with agriculture showing a notable turnaround.
Tamil Nadu has recorded double-digit real economic growth for two consecutive years.
The state's growth rates were 11.19% in 2024-25 and 10.83% in 2025-26, significantly exceeding the national average.
Tamil Nadu's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is projected to reach ₹35.29 lakh crore in 2025-26, making it India's second-largest state economy.
Exam Points
Tamil Nadu's growth rate was 11.19% for 2024-25 and 10.83% for 2025-26.
The national average growth rate is 7.4% (base year: 2011-12).
Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at current prices for TN reached ₹35.29 lakh crore in 2025-26.
Seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha members announced their merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a move accepted by the Rajya Sabha Chairman. This increases the BJP's strength to 113, giving the National Democratic Alliance a majority. The incident highlights the 'institutionalised defanging' of the anti-defection law (Tenth Schedule), as the merger exception requires two-thirds of the legislative party's concurrence, not just members crossing over. AAP has challenged this in court, arguing a violation of the anti-defection law.
Seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha members merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), increasing BJP's strength in the Upper House.
The Rajya Sabha Chairman accepted the merger, leading to the National Democratic Alliance gaining a majority.
The incident raises concerns about the 'institutionalised defanging' of the anti-defection law, enshrined in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.
Exam Points
Seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha members merged with the BJP.
The BJP's strength in the Rajya Sabha rose to 113.
The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution deals with anti-defection law.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is under scrutiny for removing lakhs of voters from electoral rolls using the term 'logical discrepancy' during its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, particularly in West Bengal and Bihar. Critics argue the ECI is exceeding its constitutional powers by demanding specific documents for citizenship proof, a responsibility of the Union Home Ministry. The article also highlights that conducting intensive revisions close to elections deviates from legal provisions, which mandate summary revisions during such periods, raising concerns about the fairness of elections.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been criticized for removing lakhs of voters from electoral rolls using 'logical discrepancy' during its Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
The ECI is accused of exceeding its jurisdiction by determining citizenship proof, a power vested in the Union Home Ministry.
The SIR process, particularly its timing close to elections, deviates from legal provisions that mandate summary revisions during election periods.
Exam Points
The ECI used the term 'logical discrepancy' for voter deletions.
Article 326 of the Constitution states citizenship as a basic requirement for voter registration.
Section 21 of The Representation Of The People Act, 1950, and Rule 25 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, govern electoral roll revisions.
Draft amendments to India's Information Technology Rules, released in March 2026, are raising concerns about increased executive control over online speech. Rule 3(4) would require platforms to comply with informal government directives, risking broad over-censorship. Amendments to Rule 8 extend state oversight to ordinary users posting news, a move previously challenged in courts. Expanded data retention obligations also raise privacy concerns. Critics argue these changes dilute constitutional safeguards, bypass legislative scrutiny, and could narrow India's digital public sphere, shifting the balance from regulation to overreach.
Draft amendments to India's Information Technology Rules (March 2026) are criticized for expanding executive power over online speech.
Rule 3(4) would mandate platforms to comply with informal government directives, potentially leading to broad over-censorship.
Amendments to Rule 8 extend state oversight to ordinary users who post news and current affairs content, a provision previously challenged in High Courts.
Exam Points
Draft amendments to India's Information Technology Rules were released on March 30, 2026.
Rule 3(4) and Rule 8 are key provisions under scrutiny.
Section 79 of the IT Act provides 'safe harbour' protection for platforms.
The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has updated its list of members, confirming the merger of seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan accepted their request to switch sides, increasing the BJP's strength in the Upper House to 113. AAP's Rajya Sabha leader Sanjay Singh has filed a petition seeking their disqualification, arguing the move violates the anti-defection law. However, the Chairman's decision to accept the 'merger' was not surprising to opposition leaders, who noted the delay in formal acceptance.
The Rajya Sabha Chairman accepted the merger of seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
This merger increases the BJP's strength in the Upper House to 113, while the Congress remains with 29 members.
AAP has filed a petition seeking the disqualification of these MPs, citing a violation of the anti-defection law.
Exam Points
Seven AAP Rajya Sabha members merged with the BJP.
The BJP's strength in the Rajya Sabha increased to 113.
The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is C.P. Radhakrishnan.
The Punjabi Wikimedians User Group has launched Urdu Wikisource, a free, open-source global digital library dedicated to Urdu literature. The project aims to improve access to regional languages in the digital domain. Initial content includes 10 rare Urdu texts from Rekhta Foundation and seven historical texts from the British Library's 'Two Centuries of Indian Print' project (2016-2022), bridging the gap between physical archives and digital accessibility. The group has also urged the Punjab government to ease copyright restrictions to further facilitate access.
The Punjabi Wikimedians User Group has launched Urdu Wikisource, a free and open-source digital library for Urdu literature.
The initiative aims to enhance digital access to regional languages and preserve cultural heritage.
Foundational content was provided through partnerships with Rekhta Foundation and the British Library.
Exam Points
Urdu Wikisource was launched by the Punjabi Wikimedians User Group.
Rekhta Foundation shared 10 rare Urdu texts for the platform.
The British Library contributed seven historical texts from the 'Two Centuries of Indian Print' project (2016-2022).
The recent revamp of NITI Aayog's full-time members indicates a strategic shift towards technology and health sectors, departing from its traditional economist-heavy composition. Three of the five new members possess extensive careers in health, biotechnology, and science. While the newly appointed Vice-Chairman, Ashok Lahiri, is an economist, the overall composition reflects a clear emphasis on leveraging expertise in science and health for policy formulation. This move signals a broader focus on these critical areas for national development.
The NITI Aayog's recent revamp shows a clear tilt towards technology and health sectors in its full-time member composition.
Three out of the five new full-time members have backgrounds in health, biotechnology, and science, a departure from the traditional economist-centric approach.
The new Vice-Chairman, Ashok Lahiri, is an economist, but the overall selection reflects a strategic shift in focus.
Exam Points
Three of the five new full-time members have backgrounds in health, biotechnology, and science.
New members include Abhay Karandikar (Secretary, DST), M. Srinivas (former Director, AIIMS Delhi), and Gobardhan Das (Director, IISER Bhopal).
K.V. Raju, an economist, specializes in agricultural policy, rural development, and water policy.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, to lead the Indian delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting. He is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with counterparts from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyz Republic, among others, to strengthen defence cooperation. During the meeting, Mr. Singh will reiterate India's commitment to global peace and stability, emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance against terrorism and extremism. The discussions will cover regional and global security challenges and efforts to enhance defence collaboration among SCO member states.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
He is expected to hold bilateral discussions with defence ministers from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyz Republic to enhance defence cooperation.
India will reiterate its commitment to global peace and stability and its firm stance of zero tolerance towards terrorism and extremism.
Exam Points
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
The meeting is for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers.
The SCO was established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised its rules for classifying bad loans, or Non-Performing Assets (NPAs), to align with globally accepted standards. Effective April 1, 2027, the new Master Directions stipulate that if one loan of a borrower is classified as an NPA, all other loans of that borrower will also be considered NPAs. An NPA borrower will only be reclassified as a 'standard asset' upon repayment of all outstanding interest and principal across all credit facilities. The 90-day overdue rule for initial NPA classification remains unchanged, and banks are mandated to establish automated systems to identify NPAs.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised its bad loan classification rules to align with global standards.
Effective April 1, 2027, if one loan of a borrower becomes an NPA, all other loans of that borrower will also be classified as NPA.
A borrower will only be considered a 'standard asset' after repaying all arrears of interest and principal across all credit facilities.
Exam Points
The revised rules for bad loan classification are effective from April 1, 2027.
Non-Performing Assets (NPA) are classified if a loan is 90 days overdue.
The new norms require automated systems for NPA identification.
The 'all-weather friendship' between China and Pakistan is increasingly reflected in their deepening space cooperation, offering strategic advantages to Islamabad. China has been instrumental in launching numerous Pakistani satellites, including communication and remote-sensing satellites, and plans to send a Pakistani astronaut to its Tiangong space station by 2026. Pakistan also utilizes China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), which provides high-precision information crucial for disaster relief, urban planning, and environmental management. This dual-use space technology has significant defense implications, enhancing Pakistan's navigation and telecommunication capabilities.
China and Pakistan have significantly deepened their space cooperation, reflecting their 'all-weather friendship' and providing strategic advantages to Pakistan.
China has launched multiple Pakistani satellites, including communication and remote-sensing satellites, over the past two decades.
A Pakistani astronaut is scheduled to visit China's Tiangong space station by 2026 as part of this collaboration.
Exam Points
China launched Pakistan's first satellite, Badr-I, in 1990.
A Pakistani astronaut is slated to visit the Tiangong space station by 2026.
Pakistan became the first foreign country to use China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) in 2014.
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