THE HINDU SUMMARY
1. Polity & Governance: Democracy Under Scrutiny
- Electoral Bonds Fallout: The Election Commission finally revealed who funded political parties via electoral bonds (after SC called the scheme “unconstitutional”). Big corporates, surprise donors—now we know who paid whom. Why care? Transparency in political funding is a UPSC favourite.
- Arvind Kejriwal’s Arrest & ED’s Power Debate: Delhi’s CM jailed in the liquor policy case. Critics ask: Are central agencies being weaponised? Legal eagles argue over fairness. Possible question: “Discuss the challenges to federalism in India.“
2. Economy: RBI Plays It Safe
- Repo Rate Unchanged at 6.5%: RBI says inflation is still a threat (blames food prices), but growth looks stable at 7% for FY25. Translation: No relief for home loan borrowers yet.
- Forex Reserves Hit $645 Billion: India’s financial cushion grows—thanks to NRIs and RBI’s smart moves. Key fact: Strong reserves = better crisis protection (think 1991 reforms).
3. International Relations: Friends, Foes & Trade Wars
- Maldives Tensions Grow: Pro-China President Muizzu kicks out Indian troops, replaces them with civilians. India tight-lipped, but ties are frosty. Link to syllabus: “India’s Neighbourhood First policy—success or setback?“
- US vs China, Round 1,000: Biden slaps new tariffs on Chinese electric cars and chips. Global impact: Supply chains shiver; will India benefit as an alternative?
4. Environment: Plastic & Heatwaves
- Global Plastic Treaty Talks: In Canada, 175 nations debate how to end plastic waste. India’s stand: “Rich countries caused this mess—they should pay more.” UPSC angle: Environmental justice + multilateralism.
- IMD’s Heatwave Warning: April-May will be brutal, especially in North India. Why it matters: Crop losses, water shortages, health crises—disaster management topics ahead.
5. Science & Tech: ISRO Soars, AI Worries
- Gaganyaan Gets Closer: ISRO aces human-rated rocket tests. First unmanned flight by 2024-end. Dream: An Indian in space by 2025!
- AI Regulation Buzz: Govt wants stricter rules to stop deepfakes and misinformation. Debate: Freedom vs control—where’s the balance?
6. Social Issues: Who Counts in India?
- Caste Census Demands Grow: After Bihar’s survey (OBCs + EBCs = 63%), opposition wants nationwide data. Big question: Will politics shift if caste numbers go public?
- Mental Health Crisis: WHO says depression is rising post-pandemic. Silent issue: India spends <1% of health budget on mental care.
7. Agriculture: Protest & Drought
- Farmers Back on Streets: Punjab farmers demand MSP law. Govt offers talks—but trust is low. Flashback: 2020-21 protests replay?
- Karnataka’s Parched Fields: Drought hits hard; state begs for central aid. Link to syllabus: Climate change + federal water disputes.
Why This Matters for UPSC:
- Polity/Governance: Electoral bonds = transparency vs privacy debate. ED’s power = accountability issues.
- Economy: RBI’s inflation-growth tightrope. Forex reserves = macro stability.
- IR: Maldives = China’s growing influence. US-China trade war = India’s opportunity?
- Environment/Sci-Tech: Plastic treaty = global cooperation. ISRO = national pride + tech.
Pro Tip: For essays, note how themes overlap—e.g., “climate change” connects environment, agriculture, AND health.