News Analysis

GS 1: Indian GeographyGS 2: PolityGS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS 3: Conservation, Pollution and Degradation

SC takes suo motu cognisance of row over definition of Aravalis; hearing tomorrow, Pg1

Supreme Court intervenes suo motu amid concerns over revised Aravali definition, potentially impacting ecology and mining regulations.

GS 1: Indian GeographyGS 2: PolityGS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS 3: Conservation, Pollution and Degradation

SC takes suo motu cognisance of row over definition of Aravalis; hearing tomorrow, Pg1

Supreme Court intervenes suo motu amid concerns over revised Aravali definition, potentially impacting ecology and mining regulations.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.GS 3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development

Kavach system installation on Mumbai-Delhi-Kolkata route jumps deadline again, Pg9

Railways' Kavach system installation on Delhi-Mumbai-Kolkata routes delayed again; expected to be operational by 2026 after missing 2025 deadline.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.GS 3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development

Kavach system installation on Mumbai-Delhi-Kolkata route jumps deadline again, Pg9

Railways' Kavach system installation on Delhi-Mumbai-Kolkata routes delayed again; expected to be operational by 2026 after missing 2025 deadline.

GS 2: International RelationsGS 3: Environment & EcologyGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Centre’s green panel gives its nod to Stage 2 Dulhasti hydel power project in J&K, Pg9

Green panel approves Dulhasti Stage 2 hydel project in J&K amidst Indus Waters Treaty suspension, costing ₹3,200 crore.

GS 2: International RelationsGS 3: Environment & EcologyGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Centre’s green panel gives its nod to Stage 2 Dulhasti hydel power project in J&K, Pg9

Green panel approves Dulhasti Stage 2 hydel project in J&K amidst Indus Waters Treaty suspension, costing ₹3,200 crore.

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 Interests

How India has managed toweave ‘RCEP minus China', Pg10

Once the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand comes into force, India will have successfully established trade deals with all RCEP countries except China.

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 Interests

How India has managed toweave ‘RCEP minus China', Pg10

Once the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand comes into force, India will have successfully established trade deals with all RCEP countries except China.

GS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.GS 3: Conservation, Pollution and DegradationGS 3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development

Energy storage, green hydrogen to reshape RE sector, Pg 10

In the next five years, energy storage systems and green hydrogen are poised to fundamentally reshape India’s renewable energy (RE) ecosystem.

Energy storage, green hydrogen to reshape RE sector, Pg 10

In the next five years, energy storage systems and green hydrogen are poised to fundamentally reshape India’s renewable energy (RE) ecosystem.

GS 2: International RelationsGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

How India’s crude oil import basket has undergone change over years, Pg10

India’s crude oil sourcing has shifted from a heavy reliance on West Asia to a more diversified basket, with Russia currently emerging as the top supplier.

GS 2: International RelationsGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

How India’s crude oil import basket has undergone change over years, Pg10

India’s crude oil sourcing has shifted from a heavy reliance on West Asia to a more diversified basket, with Russia currently emerging as the top supplier.

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

Microrobot is a macro leap towards robot swarms, Pg11

Scientists unveil dust-sized, light-powered microrobot with onboard electronics, paving the way for advanced robot swarms and temperature sensing.

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

Microrobot is a macro leap towards robot swarms, Pg11

Scientists unveil dust-sized, light-powered microrobot with onboard electronics, paving the way for advanced robot swarms and temperature sensing.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS 2: Health Sector

‘Even low alcohol intake raises oral cancer risk in Indian men’, Pg11

Study reveals even low alcohol intake significantly elevates oral cancer risk, especially among Indian men consuming local brews and tobacco.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS 2: Health Sector

‘Even low alcohol intake raises oral cancer risk in Indian men’, Pg11

Study reveals even low alcohol intake significantly elevates oral cancer risk, especially among Indian men consuming local brews and tobacco.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyPrelimsGS 3: Biotechnology

Just 5 DNA letters flip chromatin from fluid to solid-like state, Pg11

Groundbreaking study reveals how spacing between DNA-protein units influences chromatin behavior, impacting gene accessibility and genome stability.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyPrelimsGS 3: Biotechnology

Just 5 DNA letters flip chromatin from fluid to solid-like state, Pg11

Groundbreaking study reveals how spacing between DNA-protein units influences chromatin behavior, impacting gene accessibility and genome stability.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 2: Social JusticeGS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS 3: Biotechnology

Twenty-first century solutions to snake bites, Pg11

Nanobody-based antivenom shows promise for broad-spectrum snakebite treatment, potentially saving thousands of lives in India and Africa.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 2: Social JusticeGS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS 3: Biotechnology

Twenty-first century solutions to snake bites, Pg11

Nanobody-based antivenom shows promise for broad-spectrum snakebite treatment, potentially saving thousands of lives in India and Africa.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 2: Social JusticeGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Government Budgeting

Is the ‘health for all’ campaign on track?, Pg12

India's 'Health for All' campaign faces funding deficits, quality concerns, and disease burdens despite increased budgetary allocations and policy initiatives.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 2: Social JusticeGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Government Budgeting

Is the ‘health for all’ campaign on track?, Pg12

India's 'Health for All' campaign faces funding deficits, quality concerns, and disease burdens despite increased budgetary allocations and policy initiatives.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS 3: Conservation, Pollution and DegradationGS 2: Structure and Functioning of Executive and Judiciary

Aravalli definition row back in SC, hearing tomorrow, Pg1

Supreme Court reopens Aravalli definition case amid concerns over environmental impact of 100-meter height criteria for legal recognition.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS 3: Conservation, Pollution and DegradationGS 2: Structure and Functioning of Executive and Judiciary

Aravalli definition row back in SC, hearing tomorrow, Pg1

Supreme Court reopens Aravalli definition case amid concerns over environmental impact of 100-meter height criteria for legal recognition.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS 2: E GovernanceGS 2: Role of Civil Services in a Democracy

PM At Chief Secretaries' Meet, Pg6

PM Modi chairs Chief Secretaries' meet focusing on 'Human Capital for Viksit Bharat' and governance reforms, emphasizing education, skilling, and tourism.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS 2: E GovernanceGS 2: Role of Civil Services in a Democracy

PM At Chief Secretaries' Meet, Pg6

PM Modi chairs Chief Secretaries' meet focusing on 'Human Capital for Viksit Bharat' and governance reforms, emphasizing education, skilling, and tourism.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectorsGS 2: Education Sector

Centre deliberates on suggestions by states, UTs on PM-POSHAN, Pg9

Centre considers states' proposals to include breakfast and extend PM-POSHAN scheme up to Class 12 for enhanced student nutrition.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectorsGS 2: Education Sector

Centre deliberates on suggestions by states, UTs on PM-POSHAN, Pg9

Centre considers states' proposals to include breakfast and extend PM-POSHAN scheme up to Class 12 for enhanced student nutrition.

GS 1: Post-Independence IndiaGS 2: PolityGS 1: Modern HistoryGS 3: EconomyGS 3: Inclusive Growth

The forgotten history of a job scheme, much before NREGS, Pg10

Uncover the historical roots of employment guarantee schemes in India, tracing back to pre-colonial famine relief efforts.

GS 1: Post-Independence IndiaGS 2: PolityGS 1: Modern HistoryGS 3: EconomyGS 3: Inclusive Growth

The forgotten history of a job scheme, much before NREGS, Pg10

Uncover the historical roots of employment guarantee schemes in India, tracing back to pre-colonial famine relief efforts.

GS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Government BudgetingGS 3: Indian Economy, Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment

New CPI series: MoSPI to release item weights before inflation data, Pg11

Statistics Ministry to unveil new CPI item weights before inflation data release in February 2026, enhancing forecast accuracy.

GS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Government BudgetingGS 3: Indian Economy, Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment

New CPI series: MoSPI to release item weights before inflation data, Pg11

Statistics Ministry to unveil new CPI item weights before inflation data release in February 2026, enhancing forecast accuracy.

GS 2: International RelationsPrelimsGS 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and AgreementsGS 1: Redrawal of National Boundaries, Colonization and Decolonization

Israel becomes first country to formally recognise Somaliland as independent state, Pg12

Israel recognizes Somaliland's independence, potentially reshaping regional dynamics amidst Somalia's opposition and African bodies' rejection after 30 years.

GS 2: International RelationsPrelimsGS 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and AgreementsGS 1: Redrawal of National Boundaries, Colonization and Decolonization

Israel becomes first country to formally recognise Somaliland as independent state, Pg12

Israel recognizes Somaliland's independence, potentially reshaping regional dynamics amidst Somalia's opposition and African bodies' rejection after 30 years.

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28 December's news