Indian astronomers spot implausibly old spiral galaxy
Why in news ? Relevance Basics — what makes the discovery extraordinary How it was detected — methods & validation Why Alaknanda is a scientific puzzle ? Possible formation pathways What JWST enables — technology & capability leap ? Broader implications for galaxy-evolution theory Significance for Indian astronomy Limitations & next steps Key takeaways
What are rare-earth elements and why is everyone looking for them
Why in news ? Relevance Basics — What are rare-earth elements? Why rare-earths matter — technology & applications (evidence-based) ? Global distribution — reserves & strategic geography Why mining is not enough — the ‘midstream bottleneck’ ? Why refining is strategic ? China’s dominance — data and implications Emerging global responses India — opportunities & […]
Venezuela’s resource curse
Why in news ? Relevance Basics — what is the “resource curse”? Venezuela’s oil economy — structure & vulnerabilities From boom to bust — economic trajectory with data Role of U.S. sanctions — scale & effects Internal drivers of the resource curse Trade position collapse — export share evidence Why other OPEC states fared better […]
Health for All vs Ground Reality
Why in news ? Relevance India’s health challenges — facts & evidence Funding deficit — what changed and why it matters ? Why AMR is a cause for worry (public-health and economic risk) Why India missed the TB elimination goal? Pharma-quality failures — why they are alarming ? Is ‘Health for All’ on track? — […]
Twenty-first century solutions to snake bites
Why in news ? Relevance Scale of the problem Basics — venom, species and clinical effects Conventional antivenom — process & limitations Twenty-first-century approach — nanobody / recombinant technology Why this matters for India ?— policy & health relevance Challenges going forward Way ahead — actionable priorities
How India has managed to weave ‘RCEP minus China’
Why in news ? Relevance RCEP in brief India’s stated concerns What India is doing instead — ‘RCEP minus China’ ? Why this strategy matters ? India–New Zealand FTA Comparative assessment: Joining RCEP vs ‘Minus-China’ path Critiques & Constraints Strategic implications Data-linked takeaway indicators
Current Affairs Quiz 29 December 2025
Q1. With reference to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 1 and 3 only(c) 1 and 2 only(d) 1, 2 and 3 Correct Answer: (c) Explanation: Q2. The term “Big Four”, recently in the news, refers to which group of […]
Current Affairs 29 December 2025
Content How India has managed to weave ‘RCEP minus China’ Why in news ? Relevance RCEP in brief India’s stated concerns What India is doing instead — ‘RCEP minus China’ ? Why this strategy matters ? India–New Zealand FTA Comparative assessment: Joining RCEP vs ‘Minus-China’ path Critiques & Constraints Strategic implications Data-linked takeaway indicators Twenty-first […]
Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 29 December 2025
Content Linked civilisations, a modern strategic partnership Why in News ? Relevance Practice Questions Foundational Basics Strategic Pillars of the Partnership Energy Security (Core Driver) Connectivity & Geo-Economics Security & Regional Stability Technology, Knowledge & New-Economy Synergies Constraints & Structural Challenges Policy Adaptations & Opportunities (Data-Focused) Strategic Significance for India Way Forward A grand vision […]
PIB Summaries 29 December 2025
Content Ministry of Railways — Year End Review 2025 Why in News ? Relevance GS-III (Infrastructure, Economy, Transport, Inclusive Growth) Passenger Services — Expansion, Speed, Inclusivity Significance: Passenger mobility + festival load management without systemic congestion. Track, Speed & Electrification — Safety + Capacity Backbone Inference: Mission-mode modernisation + reduced diesel dependence + faster operations. […]