Nepal has expressed concerns to both India and China regarding the upcoming Kailash Yatra through the Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh region, reiterating its claim that the area is part of Nepal's sovereign territory. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded by stating that Nepal's claims on the Lipulekh Pass are not based on "historical facts." Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted that Limpiyadhura, Lipulek, and Kalapani east of the Mahakali river are integral parts of Nepal since the Treaty of Sugauli of 1816. India maintains that Lipulekh Pass has been a long-standing route for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra since 1954.
Nepal has raised concerns with India and China over the Kailash Yatra route through the Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh region, claiming it as its sovereign territory.
India's Ministry of External Affairs dismissed Nepal's claims on Lipulekh Pass, stating they are not based on historical facts.
Nepal asserts that Limpiyadhura, Lipulek, and Kalapani east of the Mahakali river are integral parts of Nepal since the Treaty of Sugauli of 1816.
Exam Points
The disputed region includes Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh.
Nepal bases its claim on the Treaty of Sugauli of 1816.
India states Lipulekh Pass has been a yatra route since 1954.
The article discusses the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), effective January 1, 2026, which imposes a carbon price on imports. It argues that CBAM shifts decarbonisation burden to developing countries while retaining revenue in Europe. India should implement an India Border Adjustment Mechanism (IBAM) to impose its own carbon-based charge on CBAM-covered exports, ensuring revenues stay in India. This IBAM should be developed through Annex 14-A of the India-EU FTA to be recognized as a "carbon price paid in the country of origin" under CBAM Article 9, preventing double-pricing and financing India's green transition.
The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will impose a carbon price on imports starting January 1, 2026, raising concerns about revenue retention.
India should introduce an India Border Adjustment Mechanism (IBAM) to collect carbon-based charges on its exports, keeping the revenue domestically.
IBAM should be designed in coordination with the EU through Annex 14-A of the India-EU FTA to ensure it's recognized under CBAM Article 9.
Exam Points
EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) comes into effect on January 1, 2026.
The India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations concluded on January 27, 2026.
CBAM Regulation Article 9 allows deduction of embedded emissions that have already borne a carbon price in the country of origin.
The article highlights the growing threat of online censorship in India, with the government allegedly misusing IT Rules, 2021, and Sections 69A and 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000, to take down content and accounts. This practice, often under the guise of fighting AI-generated content, is seen as silencing independent voices and distorting public discourse to benefit the ruling party. The author criticizes the lack of transparency in takedown data and the pressure on social media platforms to comply automatically. The piece also mentions the Sahyog portal, which police officials use for takedown requests, and the disregard for Supreme Court precedents like Shreya Singhal vs Union of India.
The Union government is accused of misusing IT Rules, 2021, and specific sections of the IT Act, 2000, for online censorship.
Censorship practices are seen as a threat to free expression, silencing independent voices, and distorting public discourse.
The Sahyog portal is criticized for supercharging takedown requests from police officials, bypassing proper legal scrutiny.
Exam Points
IT Rules, 2021 are mentioned as being used for content takedowns.
Sections 69A and 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000, are cited as weaponized provisions.
The Supreme Court precedent of Shreya Singhal vs Union of India is referenced.
The article discusses the Supreme Court's stance on reproductive autonomy and abortion, particularly concerning minor rape victims. While acknowledging a woman's right to reproductive autonomy, the Court has also highlighted the essential role of clinical review, especially for advanced pregnancies. It noted that terminating a pregnancy at an advanced stage (e.g., 30 weeks) could be detrimental to the health of the teenage mother. Indian law currently permits termination up to 24 weeks of gestation. The piece emphasizes that decisions on abortion, particularly regarding gestational age, must be guided by sound medical advice to assess risks and ensure the woman's health and life are not compromised.
The Supreme Court acknowledges a woman's right to reproductive autonomy but stresses the importance of medical advice for abortion decisions.
The Court has asked the Union government to amend abortion law to remove time limits for medical termination in cases of minor rape victims.
Terminating pregnancies at advanced stages, such as 30 weeks, is considered inimical to the health of the mother.
Exam Points
Indian law currently allows for termination of pregnancy up to 24 weeks of gestation.
The Supreme Court Bench included Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
Another Bench included Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan.
The article discusses Yoga's role in fostering peace, balance, and collective well-being in a world facing conflict and psychological strain. It highlights the global recognition of Yoga, particularly since the UNGA adopted a resolution in 2014, declaring June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. Yoga is presented as India's ancient gift, embodying unity of mind and body, and a powerful instrument of soft power. The practice, rooted in traditional knowledge, helps individuals manage stress, respond thoughtfully, and bridge inner imbalance with external discord. Its inscription on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016 further solidifies its global significance.
Yoga is presented as a means to cultivate inner peace and balance, contributing to societal harmony amidst global conflict and stress.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014, following a proposal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Yoga is recognized as an invaluable gift from India's ancient tradition and a significant instrument of India's soft power.
Exam Points
June 21 was declared International Day of Yoga by UNGA in 2014.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi first articulated the proposal at the 69th Session of the UNGA.
Yoga was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016.
Mission Drishti, developed by Bengaluru-based space start-up GalaxEye, has been successfully launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg, California. Weighing 190 kilograms, it is India's largest privately developed earth observation satellite. This satellite is notable for being the first globally to integrate Electro-Optical (EO) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors into a single operational platform. This integration provides all-weather, day-and-night imaging capabilities, addressing limitations of conventional systems and enabling more reliable data acquisition across diverse environmental conditions.
Mission Drishti, developed by GalaxEye, is the world's first OptoSAR satellite.
It was launched successfully aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg, California.
Weighing 190 kilograms, it is India's largest privately developed earth observation satellite.
Exam Points
Satellite name: Mission Drishti.
Developer: GalaxEye (Bengaluru-based space start-up).
The article delves into the complexities of Iran's nuclear program, international concerns, and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). It explains that Iran's nuclear program, while officially for peaceful purposes, raises proliferation risks due to its uranium enrichment capabilities. The JCPOA, signed in 2015, aimed to limit Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, but the US withdrawal in 2018 complicated matters. The article discusses the "breakout time" for Iran to produce enough fissile material for a weapon and the challenges in verifying its compliance. It also touches upon the historical context of Iran's nuclear ambitions and its regional security concerns.
Iran's nuclear program, though claimed for peaceful purposes, raises international proliferation concerns due to its uranium enrichment capabilities.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was an international agreement designed to limit Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
The US withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 significantly complicated efforts to manage Iran's nuclear program.
Exam Points
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed in 2015.
The US withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018.
The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is mentioned as a framework for nuclear non-proliferation.
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