U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the need for safe and unimpeded maritime commerce, particularly in the context of disruptions caused by the U.S.-Israel war on Iran and Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio clarified that U.S. "tactical" relations with other countries would not undermine its strategic partnership with India. U.S. President Donald Trump also spoke via phone, calling PM Modi a "great friend" and assuring India of 100% U.S. support. Bilateral discussions included energy, bilateral trade, and visa issues for skilled Indian workers.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and EAM S. Jaishankar highlighted the shared interest in ensuring safe and unimpeded maritime commerce.
Rubio stated that U.S. tactical relations with other nations would not compromise its strategic alliance with India.
The U.S. accused Iran of blocking the Strait of Hormuz and sponsoring proxy terror groups.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi asserted the Quad's continued relevance as a "vital framework" for countries sharing fundamental values and strategic interests, despite concerns about its diminishing importance. He indicated that cooperation on critical minerals for green energy and high technology would be a top agenda item for the upcoming Quadrilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi. The meeting is expected to address conflicts in West Asia, the Strait of Hormuz blockade, and U.S. President Trump's visit to China, while also setting the agenda for the Quad Summit.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi emphasized the Quad's importance as a "vital framework" for shared values and strategic interests.
Critical minerals cooperation for green energy and high technology is a key agenda item for the Quad meeting.
The Quad meeting will discuss regional and global situations, including West Asia conflicts and the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing a 'Janjati Sanskritik Samagam' at New Delhi, assured Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities that any implemented Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country would exempt them from its provisions. He stated that the UCC would not encroach upon tribal rights, culture, or way of life, citing examples from Uttarakhand and Gujarat. The event, organized by Sangh Parivar affiliates Janjati Suraksha Manch and Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, also called for constitutional amendments to give ST classification a religion criterion and to amend PESA provisions.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah guaranteed that tribal communities would be exempt from any Uniform Civil Code implementation.
The assurance aims to dispel "conspiracy" theories that UCC would undermine tribal culture and way of life.
The event, a 'Janjati Sanskritik Samagam', was organized by Sangh Parivar affiliates.
Infertility affects 10-15% of adults in India, yet it remains a neglected public health issue with minimal government policies or services. The sector is heavily privatized, making advanced treatments like IVF prohibitively expensive for many, with costs ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh per cycle, often requiring multiple cycles. Limited insurance coverage forces individuals to fund treatments out-of-pocket, leading to significant financial and emotional strain. Experts argue that reproductive autonomy, enshrined under Article 21, should encompass infertility care, not just contraception and abortion, highlighting a critical disconnect between constitutional promises and healthcare realities.
Infertility impacts 10-15% of Indian adults but is largely ignored as a public health issue.
The fertility treatment sector is dominated by private players, with high costs and negligible public health services.
IVF treatments are expensive, ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh per cycle, often requiring multiple attempts.
Exam Points
India's infertility rate: 10-15% (Union Health Ministry estimate).
India's total fertility rate: fallen from 3.4 (early 1990s) to 2.0 (today) (World Bank, NFHS-5).
ART clinics in India: Approximately 3,879 registered.
China launched its Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) initiative on December 18, 2025, aiming to transform the tropical island into a global business hub with zero tariffs, low personal taxes, and simplified trade flows. The initiative, unveiled in June 2020, implements "freer access at the first line, regulated access at the second line, and free flow within the island," removing tariff barriers for easier imports. This has attracted numerous foreign-invested enterprises, expanded tariff-free product categories, and boosted tourism through visa-free entry for 86 countries and duty-free shopping, positioning Hainan as a "new frontier of opening up" and a competitor to Hong Kong.
China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) initiative was officially launched on December 18, 2025.
The FTP aims to create an economic hub with zero tariffs, low personal taxes, and simplified trade and data flows.
It involves island-wide special customs operations, removing tariff barriers for goods entering the island.
Exam Points
Hainan FTP launch date: December 18, 2025 (plan unveiled June 1, 2020).
Visa-free entry for: 86 countries.
Tariff-free product categories expanded from 1,900 to 6,600.
The West Bengal government has directed District Magistrates to establish holding centers for detained illegal foreigners and released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation. This directive, issued via a notification from the Home and Hill Affairs Department, aligns with guidelines from the Union Home Ministry. The move follows Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's announcement of a "detect, delete and deport" policy for "illegal infiltrators" not covered under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The State police will arrest such individuals and hand them over to the BSF for deportation, particularly targeting Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals.
West Bengal government ordered District Magistrates to set up holding centers for detained illegal foreigners.
The initiative follows Union Home Ministry guidelines and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's "detect, delete and deport" policy.
The policy targets "illegal infiltrators" not covered by the CAA, specifically mentioning Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals.
The Supreme Court's May 21, 2026, clarification, allowing lower courts to decide on sedition cases, has unlatched Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, a provision previously frozen by the court in May 2022. This revival triggers concerns because both the Supreme Court and the Union government had acknowledged the law as "not in tune with the current social milieu" and a "colonial baggage." While the recent order aims to protect the right to a speedy trial for accused persons, it raises questions about lower courts pronouncing guilt when the constitutionality of Section 124A itself is still under challenge in the top court.
The Supreme Court's May 21, 2026, order revived proceedings under Section 124A (sedition) of the IPC.
This order reverses the May 11, 2022, decision that had frozen all sedition proceedings due to rampant misuse.
Both the Supreme Court and the Union government had previously recognized Section 124A as a colonial and outdated law.
Exam Points
Provision: Section 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code.
The Union Home Ministry has proposed a unique governance model for Ladakh, offering greater legislative, financial, and administrative powers within the existing Union Territory framework. This proposal, made during a meeting with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), includes a legislature at the UT level and protection under Article 371. While the Centre is adamant against granting Sixth Schedule status, LAB co-convener Cherring Dorjay Lakruk stated that the demand for Statehood would continue, viewing the current offer as a step towards safeguarding land, employment, and environment. Discussions are ongoing to finalize the specifics of this arrangement.
The Union Home Ministry proposed a unique governance model for Ladakh, including a legislature at the UT level and Article 371 protection.
The proposal was discussed with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
The Centre remains firm against granting Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh.
Exam Points
Union Home Ministry.
Civil society groups: Leh Apex Body (LAB), Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has resulted in 204 deaths from 867 suspected cases across three provinces, with one death also reported in Uganda. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak an international emergency. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention warned that ten other African countries are at risk, including Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Zambia, highlighting the need for regional preparedness and response.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has caused over 200 deaths.
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak an international emergency.
One death was also reported in Uganda, indicating cross-border spread.
Exam Points
Ebola deaths in DRC: 204 (from 867 suspected cases).
Affected countries: DRC, Uganda.
Organization: World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ensitrelvir, an oral anti-COVID-19 drug, has been granted full authorization in Japan and shown to effectively prevent symptomatic COVID-19 infection post-exposure, reducing incidence by 67%. Developed by Shionogi, it targets the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) using computational chemistry, avoiding the issues of Pfizer's Nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid). This drug represents a significant milestone beyond COVID-19, as it targets a protein common to betacoronaviruses, a sub-family responsible for SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. Its success provides scientists with a valuable starting point for rapidly developing drugs against future viral outbreaks.
Ensitrelvir, an oral anti-COVID-19 drug, has received full authorization in Japan.
The Earth's outer core, a voluminous liquid layer of molten iron and nickel, lies approximately 2,800 km beneath the surface and generates the planet's magnetic field. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and the British Geological Survey mapped 27 years of iron movement, revealing a dramatic shift in 2010. The liquid iron flow below the equatorial Pacific Ocean changed from a slow westward crawl to a more rapid eastward surge, a shift that began to weaken around 2020. These findings, based on data from ground stations and European satellites, suggest that deep-earth liquids can change direction much faster than traditionally theorized, potentially explaining sudden "jerks" in magnetic field readings.
The Earth's outer core is a liquid layer of molten iron and nickel, crucial for generating the planet's magnetic field.
Researchers observed a significant shift in the outer core's molten iron flow in 2010.
The flow below the equatorial Pacific Ocean changed from a westward crawl to a rapid eastward surge.
Exam Points
Outer core depth: around 2,800 km beneath the surface.
Key elements: Molten iron and nickel.
Research institutions: University of Edinburgh, British Geological Survey.
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