Current affairs

Political Shift in Nepal: Opportunity and Challenges

Context: Historic Electoral Shift in Nepal: The 2026 parliamentary elections brought a decisive victory for Balendra Shah and the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), marking a major shift away from Nepal’s traditional political elites. Current Political Shift in Nepal Rise of...

Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement

Context: Ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Cameroon (March 2026), India is opposing the inclusion of the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement, despite support from 128 of 166 WTO members, raising concerns of diplomatic isolation. About...

Electric Cooking Solutions in India: Working Principle and Mechanism of Induction Cooktop

Context India spends $26.4 billion annually on LPG imports, mostly transported through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite having 332 million LPG connections, around 37% of households still rely on firewood and dung. With electric cooking now cheaper than unsubsidised LPG,...

Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill 2026

Context: The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed the Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak (Freedom of Religion Bill), 2026, to replace the earlier 1968 Act. Key Features of the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 Mandatory intimation: Individuals intending to convert must...

Maternity Leave For Adoptive Mothers, Major Legal Findings

Context The Supreme Court has delivered a landmark judgment removing the age restriction on maternity leave for adoptive mothers. The ruling affirms principles of equality, dignity, and reproductive autonomy under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. The Court struck...

Kashmiri Silk Carpets: Handmade Luxury Rugs from Kashmir

Context: The ongoing Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict has sent tremors through the craft clusters of Srinagar. Historical Connections between Kashmiri and Iranian Carpets The relationship between Kashmiri and Iranian carpets dates back centuries, solidified through trade and imperial patronage. Mughal Era (16th...

India’s Food Aid To Afghanistan and its Significance

Context: Amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan due to conflict, economic collapse and natural disasters, India has continued food and humanitarian assistance, reinforcing its role as a responsible regional power. Crisis Afghanistan is Facing Severe Food Insecurity: A large...

MC Mehta’s Legacy In Environmental Jurispendence

Context: Nearly four decades after veteran lawyer M.C. Mehta filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on vehicular pollution, the Supreme Court has officially closed the case. Timeline of Landmark Interventions The Foundation: Absolute Liability (1984–1986) 1984: Spurred by the Bhopal...

NTPC Eyes Imported PWR Tech for Nuclear Fleet

Context: India is accelerating its nuclear energy programme to achieve 100 GWe by 2047, with NTPC planning a major expansion using a mix of indigenous PHWRs and imported PWR technologies. India’s Nuclear Energy Push 100 GWe Target by 2047: India...

India-China Trade Relations, Border Disputes, Related Concerns

Context: India and China have decided to resume border trade through Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) from June 2026 after a 7-year suspension (since 2019–20) due to COVID-19 and border tensions. About Lipulekh Pass Location: Situated in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, at the tri-junction...