News Analysis

GS 2: International RelationsGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Indian Economy, Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and EmploymentGS 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements

Include digital currency link on BRICS agenda: RBI to govt., Pg1

RBI proposes linking BRICS nations' digital currencies at 2026 summit to ease cross-border payments and reduce dollar reliance.

EthicsGS 2: PolityGS 3: Internal SecurityGS 4: Accountability and Ethical GovernanceGS 2: Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal Mechanisms

Calling out the ED’s actions, the media trials, Pg6

Article scrutinizes ED's actions, media trials, and alleged misuse of power, raising concerns about fairness, rule of law, and institutional integrity.

GS 2: PolityGS 2: International RelationsPrelimsGS 2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's InterestsGS 1: Redrawal of National Boundaries, Colonization and Decolonization

Fractured Yemen, Pg6

Yemen's conflict escalates as Saudi-backed government clashes with UAE-supported separatists, exposing regional tensions and deepening humanitarian crisis.

GS 2: PolityGS 2: International RelationsGS 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and AgreementsGS 2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's InterestsGS 2: Important International Institutions, Agencies and Fora

In a changing world, it is ‘small tables, big dividends’, Pg6

India strategically leverages 'diplomatic white spaces' like EU, BRICS, and Quad in 2026 for global influence amid geopolitical volatility.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyPrelimsGS 3: IT and ComputersGS 3: Science and Technology in Everyday Life

Wikipedia has 3,000 iPhones worth of content, Pg7

Wikipedia's data reaches 775 terabytes with 7 million English articles, but human views decline amid bot activity.

GS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Changes in Industrial Policy and Effects on Industrial GrowthGS 3: Indian Economy, Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and EmploymentGS 2: E Governance

Amount sanctioned by PSBs for MSMEs under digital credit model, Pg8

Public sector banks sanctioned ₹52,300 crore in MSME loans via digital credit to 3.96 lakh applicants (Apr-Dec 2025).

GS 2: PolityGS 3: EconomyGS 3: Government BudgetingGS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectorsGS 2: Union State Relations and Federal Structure

What is T.N.’s new hybrid pension model?, Pg8

Tamil Nadu introduces TAPS, a hybrid pension scheme effective January 1, 2026, balancing financial strain and employee benefits.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 2: PolityPrelimsGS 2: E GovernanceGS 2: Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency and Accountability

Why SIR verification needs to be completely digitised, Pg9

Special Intensive Revision 2.0 triggers voter anxiety due to flawed execution and reliance on manual processes, needs complete digitization.

GS 3: Internal SecurityGS 2: International RelationsGS 3: EconomyGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.GS 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements

India signs Letter of Intent to elevate defence ties with UAE, Pg10

India and UAE deepen strategic ties with defence partnership, aiming for $200 billion trade by 2032 amid Gulf tensions.

GS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Indian Economy, Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and EmploymentGS 2: Important International Institutions, Agencies and Fora

IMF upgrades India’s growth projection for current financial year from 6.6% to 7.3%, Pg10

IMF raises India's FY26 GDP forecast to 7.3% citing strong economic momentum and expects inflation near RBI target.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: Internal SecurityPrelimsGS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectorsGS 3: Security Challenges and Management in Border Areas

Responsibilities to be assigned to ex-Agniveers yet to be decided: CISF D-G, Pg10

CISF forms panel to decide roles for ex-Agniveers; awaits MHA clarity on reservation policies and assimilation protocols.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 2: PolityGS 3: EconomyGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.GS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

Top court flags exorbitant surge in airfares during festivals, calls it ‘exploitative’, Pg12

Supreme Court criticizes airlines for 'exploitative' airfare surges during festivals, considers intervention to regulate pricing and protect passenger rights.

GS 2: PolityGS 2: International RelationsPrelimsGS 2: E GovernanceGS 2: Important International Institutions, Agencies and Fora

EC to host international conference on election management, democracy, Pg12

India hosts global democracy conference with 70+ nations, focusing on election management, standards, and innovations, launching ECINET digital platform.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyPrelimsGS 3: Science and Technology in Everyday Life

Scientists chase the tough task of building a graviton detector, PgII

Scientists embark on ambitious quest to detect elusive graviton using novel superfluid helium detector, bridging quantum mechanics and general relativity.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyPrelimsGS 3: Science and Technology in Everyday Life

New state of matter is a solid-liquid hybrid, PgII

Scientists discover novel solid-liquid hybrid state of matter in nanoparticles, potentially revolutionizing catalyst design for fuel cells.

GS 3: Internal SecurityGS 2: International RelationsGS 3: EconomyGS 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and AgreementsGS 2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests

PM meets UAE President: Defence, LNG, $200-bn trade target on table, Pg1

India and UAE strengthen ties with defence, LNG agreements, targeting $200 billion trade amidst evolving West Asia dynamics.

GS 2: International RelationsPrelimsGS 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and AgreementsGS 2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's InterestsGS 2: Important International Institutions, Agencies and Fora

Selective targeting on tariffs, says Jaishankar, flags Poland minister's outreach to Pakistan, Pg1

Jaishankar voices concerns over US tariffs and Poland's outreach to Pakistan, amidst Gaza peace plan considerations.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 2: International RelationsGS 3: EconomyGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.GS 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements

DAE's nuclear pivot: Light water push to tap global markets, retain heavy water edge, Pg1

India prioritizes Light Water Reactor development to boost nuclear exports and leverage global markets amid rising demand from emerging economies.

GS 2: International RelationsPrelimsGS 2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests

BANGLADESH, NEPAL AMONG 38 TO FACE U.S. VISA BOND UP TO $15,000, Pg1

US imposes visa bonds up to $15,000 on Bangladeshis, Nepalis, and others to combat visa overstays, raising diplomatic concerns.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS 3: Conservation, Pollution and DegradationGS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

Rules to use funds collected from penalties under green laws notified, Pg2

Environment Ministry notifies rules for Environmental Protection Fund, allocating penalties from green law violations to environmental protection activities.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 2: PolityPrelimsGS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectorsGS 2: Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal Mechanisms

SC backs fee-cap law, says pvt schools fees 'phenomenally high', Pg3

Supreme Court upholds Delhi's fee-cap law for private schools, cautions against hurried implementation affecting school viability.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS 3: Conservation, Pollution and DegradationGS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

Capital misses NCAP's PM10 target, trails behind Noida, Pg3

Delhi lags behind Noida and Alwar in achieving NCAP's PM10 reduction targets, exposing air pollution disparities.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS 3: Conservation, Pollution and DegradationGS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

CAQM flags 'deficiencies' in implementation of GRAP measures in NCR, Pg3

CAQM reveals critical GRAP implementation failures in Delhi NCR, with up to 99.6% shortfall in key anti-pollution actions.

GS 2: PolityGS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 2: International RelationsGS 3: Basics of Cyber SecurityGS 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements

India explores setting up data embassy in UAE, Pg9

India and UAE to explore setting up 'data embassies' for secure digital data storage and sovereignty, a first for India.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 3: Environment & EcologyGS 3: EconomyGS 3: Buffer Stocks and Food SecurityGS 3: Major Crops, Cropping Patterns and Irrigation Systems

For weed-hit farms, science is surest antidote, Pg10

Root parasitic weeds threaten mustard farms; agricultural R&D crucial for herbicide-tolerant crops and food security amidst climate change.

GS 2: PolityGS 3: EconomyGS 3: Government BudgetingGS 2: Union State Relations and Federal StructureGS 2: Vulnerable Sections

Tax cuts leave governments little room for welfare spending, Pg11

Tax cuts constrain government finances, limiting welfare spending despite expanded tax base and competitive populism, impacting future fiscal policies.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Inclusive GrowthGS 3: Indian Economy, Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment

RBI strengthens priority sector lending oversight, Pg15

RBI tightens priority sector lending norms, enhancing transparency and oversight on adjusted net bank credit calculations and on-lending practices.

GS 2: International RelationsGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Indian Economy, Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and EmploymentGS 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements

RBI proposes linking BRICS' digital currencies, Pg15

RBI proposes BRICS nations link CBDCs at 2026 summit, potentially challenging dollar dominance amid US warnings.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 2: PolityGS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

In Mohanlal case, how Kerala HC outlined liability in endorsements, Pg17

Kerala HC shields Mohanlal from liability in Manappuram case, clarifying the scope of endorser responsibility under consumer law.

GS 2: PolityGS 2: International RelationsGS 2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's InterestsGS 2: Important International Institutions, Agencies and Fora

Many questions in Trump's Board of Peace invite, Pg17

India invited to Trump's Board of Peace for Gaza, faces questions over changing mandate and US control.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS 3: BiotechnologyGS 3: Intellectual Property Rights, IPR

Blockbuster drug, proven against a range of cancers, may get much cheaper, Pg17

Delhi HC allows Zydus to produce cheaper Nivolumab biosimilar, potentially cutting cancer treatment costs by 70% after patent expiry.

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