Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus)   PARA DIPLOMACY Syllabus Mains – GS 2 Context: In its manifesto, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) promised to get back Kartarpur Sahib, the final resting place of Guru Nanak, less than five kilometres across the Pakistan border. The SAD is promising to work with the Centre to negotiate an “exchange of territory” with Pakistan, in return for Kartarpur Sahib. Background:- Reopening the territorial settlement in the Punjab will be a nightmare few would want to think of. According to some experts, more practical than reworking the territorial disposition of boundaries would be changing the nature of these frontiers that have long been zones of military confrontation and not commercial cooperation.The SAD also demands reopening the Attari and Hussainiwala borders with Pakistan for trade and tourism to usher in economic prosperity. Key takeaways The SAD’s proposals on engaging Pakistan bring to the fore the idea of “para diplomacy” or “sub-state diplomacy”. Para diplomacy involves formal interactions between entities below the federal level — provincial and local governments — in pursuit of shared national goals. The conduct of para diplomacy is not in opposition to the national governments, which have a monopoly over the engagement with other sovereigns. Federal governments are quite nervous about sharing, let alone ceding, authority to engage across borders, especially when there is a danger of cross-border criminal and terror networks casting a shadow over the process. Para diplomacy, conducted in tandem with the central government, can often produce openings that can’t be generated between the congealed positions of the national governments. Not all Indian border states have been as keen on cross-border cooperation as Punjab. The context on each border is different with unique burdens of history and different degrees of political difficulty. West Bengal, under Mamata Banerjee, for example, had, in fact, complicated Delhi’s engagement with Dhaka. The Tamil parties in Chennai have often exercised their veto over Delhi’s ties with Colombo.UPA government (2004-14) had to often walk back from productive initiatives with the neighbours because of resistance from its coalition partners in the states. The next government must return to reconsidering para diplomacy as a valuable tool of India’s statecraft. To succeed, India’s neighbourhood policy must work with the interests of the people in the border provinces. This, in turn, demands the construction of a consensus between the centre and the regional parties in the border provinces on developing a productive relationship with the neighbours. Additional Information: Even though SAD has asked for economic cooperation, there are multiple barriers Political and Military Resistance: The Pakistani military and political leadership oppose economic engagement with India due to the unresolved Kashmir conflict. Despite occasional positive gestures from political establishment, internal opposition often swiftly quashes any initiatives. Historical Animosity and Distrust: The deep-rooted distrust stemming from the 1947 partition and subsequent wars continues to hinder economic cooperation. These historical grievances shape national narratives and influence policy decisions, making it difficult to commit to economic collaboration without resolving underlying political tensions. Economic Benefits vs. Political Obstacles: Despite recognizing the economic benefits, Pakistan’s leadership remains hesitant to engage with India due to historical conflicts and the Kashmir issue. Although the Pakistani business community has advocated for reopening trade, these appeals are often stifled by the political and military elite prioritizing geopolitical concerns over economic pragmatism. Security Concerns: Pakistan’s support to cross-border terrorism and frequent border skirmishes contribute to a climate of hostility.Perpetual state of military alert hampers trade and complicates efforts to establish a stable economic partnership. Source: Indian Express PROJECT UDBHAV Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context:  Army chief Gen Manoj Pande talked about Project Udbhav at a conference titled ‘Historical Patterns in Indian Strategic Culture’ held recently. Background: Launched last year, this project aims to enrich the nation’s outlook in the defence domain by integrating India’s ancient strategic acumen into contemporary military practices, making the force “future-ready”. About Project UDBHAV ‘Udbhav’, which translates to ‘origin’ or ‘genesis’, acknowledges the vintage scriptures and writings of our Nation, that span centuries in the past and contain profound knowledge that can benefit modern military strategies. The objective of the Project is to synthesize ancient wisdom with contemporary military practices, forging a unique and holistic approach to address modern security challenges. It is a visionary initiative by the Indian Army that seeks to integrate age-old wisdom with contemporary military pedagogy. Project UDBHAV will facilitate in-depth understanding of our ancient knowledge systems and philosophies and also aim to comprehend their enduring connect, relevance and applicability in the modern day. Literature like Chanakya’s Arthashastra underscores the importance of strategic partnerships, alliances and diplomacy, aligning with modern military practices such as international cooperation and soft power projection. Chanakya’s teachings on statecraft and warfare are studied by various institutions the world over. Similarly, the wisdom of Thirukkural, the classical Tamil text authored by Thiruvalluvar, the Tamil philosopher, advocates ethical conduct in all endeavours, including warfare. This aligns with modern military codes of ethics of just war and principles of Geneva Convention. Apart from ancient texts, a study of prominent military campaigns and leaders is also important. The empires of Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka and Cholas flourished and expanded in influence, during their times. There are examples of the Ahom Kingdom too, which successfully ruled for 600 years, repeatedly defeating the Mughals. The Naval Battle of Saraighat in 1671, led by Lachit Borphukan, stands as a stellar example of the use of clever diplomatic negotiations to buy time, employ psychological warfare, focus on military intelligence and exploiting the strategic weakness of the Mughals. Project UDBHAV aims to effectively integrate this ancient wisdom with modern military pedagogy through interdisciplinary research, workshops and leadership seminars. It will facilitate emergence of previously under-explored thoughts and theories related to strategic thinking, statecraft and warfare, foster deeper understanding and contribute to enriching military training curricula. Source: PIB COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: 15th Foundation Day of the Competition Commission of India was celebrated in New Delhi. The commission was formed on 14 October 2003.

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus)   PRODUCTION LINKED INCENTIVE SCHEME Syllabus Prelims & Mains – Economy Context: Smartphone PLI (production-linked incentive), the most successful of all 14 such schemes, may be extended by a couple of years beyond 2025-26 when it officially ends. Background:- The scheme aimed to attract significant foreign investment in the sector while encouraging domestic mobile phone makers to expand their units and presence in India. Key takeaways The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme is an initiative by the Government of India to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce imports. The scheme provides companies with incentives on incremental sales from products manufactured in domestic units. Here are some key details about the PLI Scheme: The scheme was announced with an outlay of INR 1.97 Lakh Crores across 14 key sectors to create national manufacturing champions, create 60 lakh new jobs, and an additional production of 30 lakh crore during the next 5 years. It aims to attract foreign companies to set up units in India while encouraging local companies to expand their manufacturing units. The scheme targets labor-intensive sectors in the hope to create new jobs for the ballooning employable workforce of India. The 14 sectors are: (i) Mobile Manufacturing and Specified Electronic Components, (ii) Critical Key Starting Materials/Drug Intermediaries & Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, (iii) Manufacturing of Medical Devices (iv) Automobiles and Auto Components, (v) Pharmaceuticals Drugs, (vi) Specialty Steel, (vii) Telecom & Networking Products, (viii) Electronic/Technology Products, (ix) White Goods (ACs and LEDs), (x) Food Products, (xi) Textile Products: MMF segment and technical textiles, (xii) High efficiency solar PV modules, (xiii) Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery, and (xiv) Drones and Drone Components. PLI Schemes for all 14 Sectors have been notified by the concerned Ministries/ Departments after due approval. These Schemes are in various stages of implementation by the implementing Ministries/ Departments. The PLI scheme is expected to have a cascading effect on the country’s   MSME ecosystem. All the approved sectors identified under PLI Schemes follow the broad criteria of focusing on key technologies where India can leapfrog and multiply employment, exports and overall economic benefits for the economy. Additional Information: The smartphone PLI has seen domestic production of phones rising to Rs 4.1 trillion in FY24 from Rs 2.14 trillion in FY20, the year before the scheme was announced. Smartphones exports from the country rose to Rs 1.2 trillion in FY24, compared to Rs 27,225 crore in FY20. Source: Financial Express BALTIC SEA Syllabus Prelims – GEOGRAPHY Context: A Russian defence ministry proposal to revise Russia’s maritime border in the eastern Baltic Sea was deleted on Wednesday from an official portal after creating confusion and concern among NATO members such as Finland, Sweden, Lithuania and Estonia. Background: Finland and the Baltic states are all members of the EU and Nato and the military alliance is committed to defending their borders. About Baltic Sea Baltic Sea, arm of the North Atlantic Ocean, extending northward from the latitude of southern Denmark almost to the Arctic Circle and separating the Scandinavian Peninsula from the rest of continental Europe. The Baltic Sea is enclosed by Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and the North and Central European Plain. It is a shelf sea and marginal sea of the Atlantic with limited water exchange between the two, making it an inland sea. The Baltic Sea drains through the Danish Straits into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, Great Belt and Little Belt. It includes the Gulf of Bothnia (divided into the Bothnian Bay and the Bothnian Sea), the Gulf of Finland, the Gulf of Riga and the Bay of Gdańsk. Additional information The Baltic states or the Baltic countries is a geopolitical term encompassing Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. All three countries are members of NATO, the European Union, the Eurozone, and the OECD. The three sovereign states on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea are sometimes referred to as the “Baltic nations”. Source: Wikipedia DEMISE OF RANGELANDS Syllabus Prelims & Mains – Environment Context: About half of the world’s rangelands are degraded and need policy interventions, and communities depending on them need focused support, according to a new report of the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD). Background: Rangelands cover 80 million sq km, which is 54 per cent of the earth’s land surface. They are characterised by low vegetation and comprise grasslands, shrublands, wetlands, desert, semi-arid land, mountain pastures, plateaus and tundra. In India, rangelands occupy about 1.21 million sq km, from the Thar Desert to Himalayan meadows, as per the UNCCD report. What are rangelands? The UNCCD report defines rangelands as natural or semi-natural ecosystems that are grazed by livestock or wild animals. Rangelands contain vegetation such as grasses, shrubs, bushes, open forests, and agroforestry systems (land which contains trees and crops or pastures). The exact nature of rangelands’ vegetation is influenced by rainfall, temperature, and other climate phenomena. Currently, rangelands cover 80 million sq km of Earth’s terrestrial surface area (over half of Earth’s land), and are thus the largest land cover or land use type in the world, the UNCCD report said. They act as carbon sinks (which absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they release), storehouses of freshwater, and prevent desertification of land. Millions of people worldwide depend on rangelands for food security, and livelihoods. Rangelands generate 16% of global food production and 70% of feed for domesticated herbivores, most significantly in Africa and South America,” the UNCCD report stated. What does the UNCCD report say? The UNCCD report found that nearly 50% of the world’s rangelands can be considered “degraded” and are facing a “silent demise”. Climate change, unsustainable land and livestock management practices, biodiversity loss, and the conversion of rangelands to farmlands are some of the primary drivers of rangeland degradation. Uncertainty over land rights among pastoralist communities also leads to their degradation. This, in turn, severely affects the communities dependent on rangelands as their deterioration impacts soil fertility and biodiversity, leading to a dip in incomes and rise in conflicts with authorities over grazing rights. Who are pastoralists? Pastoralism is a livelihood system based on livestock production. This includes livestock rearing, dairy production, meat production, wool production, and leather production. The communities and groups, both indigenous and non-indigenous, who are involved in livestock production are known as pastoralists. These communities rear sheeps, goats, cattle, horses, donkeys, camels, yaks, llamas, alpacas, and

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus)   INTEGRATED THEATER COMMANDS Syllabus Mains – GS 2 & GS 3 Context: The Indian Armed Forces have been fine tuning the final draft for the creation of integrated theatre commands. Background:- The ambitious defence reform is aimed at integrating the three defence services — the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force (IAF) — to operate jointly in specific adversary-based theatres with defined military goals during a limited conflict or war. Key takeaways The three defence services currently operate individually under their individual operational commands. Theaterisation would entail putting specific units of personnel from all the three services under a single theatre commander so that they fight jointly as a single unit in a war, or conflict, rationalising the manpower and resources of individual services in the process. Each of the three services has its own culture and ethos. With the creation of the theatre commands, their personnel, assets, infrastructure, and logistics would be integrated, so they can operate cohesively to attain defined military goals in specific theatres covering laid-down operational areas. The Armed Forces have already been taking steps to bring in greater integration among the three services. There are plans to make Mumbai the first tri-service common defence station, and to set up additional joint logistics nodes across the country to boost integration in logistics needs, and to streamline supply chains and inter-service postings of officers. Currently, the Army and the IAF have seven commands each, while the Navy has three. In addition, there are two tri-service commands — the Andaman and Nicobar Command, and the Strategic Forces Command (SFC). There is also the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQIDS). Post the creation of the theatre commands, three command headquarters of the services are likely to be transformed into theatre command headquarters. The existing Andaman and Nicobar Command may be subsumed into one of the theatre commands and the HQIDS will likely operate under the CDS. Source: Indian Express G7 Syllabus Prelims & Mains – International Relations Context: U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Thursday that she wants market-driven countries to present a “wall of opposition” to China over its state-driven industrial policies, a key issue she is pushing at a G7 finance meeting this week. Background: Many countries beyond the G7 advanced industrial democracies were concerned about China’s overinvestment in electric vehicles, solar products, semiconductors, steel, and other strategic industries, including Mexico, India, and South Africa. Without changes in Chinese policy, including a shift from increasing production to boosting domestic demand, market-driven economies face a flood of cheap exports from China that will threaten the viability of their manufacturers. About G7 G7 stands for “Group of Seven” industrialized nations. G-7 countries include United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom.Additionally, the European Union (EU) is a “non-enumerated member”. Origin of G7 The G7 draws its roots from a meeting between the current G7 members, excluding Canada, that took place in 1975. At the time, the global economy was in a state of recession due to the OPEC oil embargo. As the energy crisis was escalating, US decided that it would be beneficial for the large players on the world stage to coordinate with each other on macroeconomic initiatives. After this first summit, the countries agreed to meet annually and a year later, Canada was invited into the group which marked the official formation of the G7 as we know it. The President of the European Commission was asked to join the meetings in 1977 The EU is not a member of the G7 but attends the annual summit. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and a subsequent warming in relations between the East and West, Russia was also invited to join the group in 1998. Thereafter the group was named the G8 until 2014, when Russia was expelled for its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Other key details: The bloc meets annually to discuss issues of common interest like global economic governance, international security and energy policy. The G-7 does not have a formal constitution or a fixed headquarters. The decisions taken by leaders during annual summits are non-binding. The presidency of the G7 rotates annually among the member states, with the presiding state setting the group’s priorities and hosting the summit. Members share common values like democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, free markets, and respect for international law. Together the member countries represent 31% of global GDP, 10% of the world’s population and 21% of global carbon dioxide emissions, according to the Summit website. When the group was created in 1975, they represented 70% of global GDP. China has never been a member, despite its large economy. The G7 has been behind very concrete achievements including the creation of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Deauville Partnership launched after the “Arab Springs” Muskoka Initiative to reduce maternal and infant mortality Source: Reuters DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: Nearly a month after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) began probing allegations of sexual assault and abuse against Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, sources in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have confirmed that the Karnataka government’s request to revoke the diplomatic passport of the suspended Janata Dal (Secular) leader is “being processed.” Background: Members of Parliament , when using diplomatic passports, are required to apply for prior political clearance directly to the MEA.This is also applicable for private visits. For a private visit to a foreign country requiring a visa, the MEA issues visa notes after the member submits a specific request with the necessary political clearance. Diplomatic passport holders do not need a visa note from the MEA when travelling to any of the 34 countries with which India has mutual visa waiver agreements for diplomatic passports. Under this exemption, the permitted period of stay ranges between 30 and 90 days. Germany, where Mr. Revanna allegedly fled to in April, is one of the countries that has an

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus)   WORLD INEQUALITY LAB REPORT Syllabus Prelims & Mains – Economy Context: A tax package for the ultra-wealthy in India including an annual wealth tax and an inheritance tax for those with net wealth exceeding Rs 10 crore accompanied by redistributive policies has been proposed by a report of the World Inequality Lab. Background:- Recently, the debate on inheritance tax had picked up after Sam Pitroda, a former adviser to Rajiv Gandhi and an associate of Rahul Gandhi, described the inheritance tax in the United States as an “interesting law”. ABOUT WORLD INEQUALITY LAB (WIL) The World Inequality Lab (WIL) is a research organization that aims to promote understanding of global inequality dynamics. The lab gathers social scientists committed to helping everyone understand the drivers of inequality worldwide through evidence-based research. The WIL hosts and maintains the World Inequality Database, the most comprehensive open-access database on global inequality dynamics. One of WIL’s core mission is to maintain and expand the World Inequality Database. It works in close coordination with a large international network of researchers covering nearly seventy countries. The lab is involved in various projects such as the Political Cleavages and Social Inequalities project, the Climate Inequality Report, and the World Inequality Report. The WIL is based at the Paris School of Economics. It is committed to empowering civil society and reinforcing democracy, powered with data. Key takeaways from the Report and associated note released by the researchers: India’s top 1 per cent income and wealth shares have reached historical highs and are among the very highest in the world. The report proposes an annual wealth tax and an inheritance tax for those with net wealth exceeding Rs 10 crore, equivalent to the top 0.04 per cent of the adult population (~370,000 adults), who currently hold over a quarter of the total wealth. It suggests raising phenomenally large tax revenues while leaving 99.96 per cent of the adults unaffected by the tax. Outlining a baseline scenario, the report said, a 2 per cent annual tax on net wealth exceeding Rs 10 crore and a 33 per cent inheritance tax on estates exceeding Rs 10 crore in valuation would generate a 2.73 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in revenues. An inheritance tax would directly tackle the unfair advantage that unearned dynastic wealth renders to individuals solely based on the accident of birth. However, the report noted that since the inheritance tax comes into force when wealth is bequeathed (i.e. upon the death of the dynast), hence, it delivers relatively small tax revenues on an annual basis. On the other hand, a small wealth tax would deliver significant annual revenues (given the larger base) while also dampening accumulation at the very top.. The tax package needs to be accompanied by redistributive policies to support the poor, lower castes, and middle classes. The report cited an example of how the baseline scenario would allow doubling the current public spending on education, which has stagnated at 2.9 per cent of GDP over the past 15 years. Source: Indian Express INDUSTRIAL SAFETY Syllabus Mains – Disaster Management Context: The Maharashtra government has ordered an investigation into Thursday’s chemical factory blaze which killed at least 11 people in an industrial complex in Thane and injured more than 60 others. By all accounts, the food colouring factory used highly reactive chemicals. Background: The tragedy should draw attention to frequent industrial accidents, need to plug regulatory and knowledge deficits. Key Takeaways India has witnessed a surge in severe fire and explosion-related accidents in industrial and commercial establishments, in recent years. India is among the top six chemical manufacturing countries in the world. Diverse industries — pharmaceuticals, pesticides, fertilisers, paints and petrochemicals — collectively account for more than 70,000 of the products that are made from chemicals. The sector contributes about 11 per cent of India’s exports and employs more than two million people. Although the country has 15 Acts and 19 rules governing different aspects of the chemical industry, none of them deals exclusively with the sector. At the same time, the overlapping jurisdictions of different ministries work to the detriment of effective regulation. NDMA estimates that the country reported 130 chemical accidents in the last decade, which claimed more than 250 lives. It, however, gives no details of these accidents. The horrors of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984 did lead to a rethinking on industrial safety, but accidents have not been followed by serious stock-taking — these include the Jaipur oil depot fire of 2009, Thane explosion of 2016, Visakhapatnam gas leak of 2020 and the blaze at a natural gas well in Tinsukia in 2020. A rapidly-industrialising country cannot afford such a knowledge deficit. Changes in regulatory environment Significant changes in the regulatory environment made to enhance ease of doing business may have contributed to the problem of rising accidents. To simplify the conduct of business in the country, the central government diluted industrial safety laws, such as The Boilers Act, 1923 and Indian Boilers Regulation 1950 – vital regulations in the manufacturing sector. Earlier, the law required the boiler inspector to inspect factories periodically and certify the safety of boilers. This function was transferred to specialised ‘third-party’ agents with the requisite expertise. The reforms also changed the compliance requirement under the Factories Act, 1948 – the cornerstone of the edifice of labour regulation. The legal obligation was moved from mandatory inspection by government inspectors – with powers to penalise the owner/manager for violating the factory laws – to self-certification by the owner/manager. Therefore, the changed rules view a factory inspector as a facilitator of business, and not an enforcer of labour laws to protect the interests and safety of workers. Source: Ideas for India INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ) Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: International Court of Justice ordered Israel to halt its offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah and withdraw from the enclave, in a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide, citing “immense risk” to

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus)   SENSEX & NIFTY Syllabus Prelims – Economy Context: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) will become the first Adani Group company to be included in the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange, replacing Wipro on June 24. Background:- APSEZ and Adani Enterprises, the flagship of the Adani Group, are already part of the Nifty at the National Stock Exchange, the other stock market index that tracks the performance of a set of large and actively traded companies in the country. ABOUT STOCK MARKET AND INDICES The stock market refers to public markets that exist for issuing, buying, and selling stocks. Stocks, also known as equities, represent fractional ownership in a company, and the stock market is a place where investors can buy and sell ownership of such investible assets. The stock market serves two very important purposes. The first is to provide capital to companies that they can use to fund and expand their businesses. By offering stock shares instead of borrowing the capital needed for expansion, the company avoids incurring debt and paying interest charges on that debt. The secondary purpose the stock market serves is to give investors – those who purchase stocks – the opportunity to share in the profits of publicly traded companies. Investors can profit from stock buying in one of two ways. Some stocks pay regular dividends (a given amount of money per share of stock someone owns). The other way investors can profit from buying stocks is by selling their stock for a profit if the stock price increases from their purchase price. Most of the trading in the Indian stock market takes place on its two stock exchanges: the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The BSE was established in 1875. The NSE was founded in 1992 and started trading in 1994. Both the Sensex and Nifty are tools/index by which traders and market participants measure the domestic market’s performance. Launched in 1986, the Sensex is the country’s oldest and most tracked index. It is designed to measure the performance of the 30 largest, most liquid, and financially sound companies across key sectors of the Indian economy that are listed at BSE Ltd. Among the companies that are part of the Sensex are Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank, and ITC Ltd.These companies are selected to represent the broader Indian equity marketplace. As such, even though the Sensex is composed of only 30 stocks, investors make decisions to buy or sell based on the movement of the Sensex. The Sensex is reconstituted biannually, in June and December of every year. How is Nifty different from Sensex? While the Sensex constitutes 30 companies trading on the BSE, the Nifty 50 is a broad-based index consisting of 50 blue chip large and liquid stocks traded on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE). The Nifty 50 was started in November 1995. Source: Indian Express TRADE DEFICIT Syllabus Prelims & Mains – ECONOMY Context: India has recorded a trade deficit, the difference between imports and exports, with nine of its top 10 trading partners, including China, Russia, Singapore, and Korea, in 2023-24, according to official data. Background: The data also showed that the deficit with China, Russia, Korea, and Hong Kong increased in the last fiscal compared to 2022-23, while the trade gap with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Indonesia, and Iraq narrowed. Key Takeaways Trade deficit arises in the course of international trade when the payments for imports exceed the receipts from export trade. A trade deficit is also referred to as a negative balance of trade. According to trade experts, a deficit is not always bad, if a country is importing raw materials or intermediary products to boost manufacturing and exports. However, it puts pressure on the domestic currency. A rising trade deficit, even from importing raw materials and intermediates, can cause the country’s currency to depreciate because more foreign currency is needed for imports. This depreciation makes imports more expensive, worsening the deficit. Economic think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that a bilateral trade deficit with a country isn’t a major issue unless it makes us overly reliant on that country’s critical supplies. However, a rising overall trade deficit is harmful to the economy. To cover the growing deficit, the country might need to borrow more from foreign lenders, increasing external debt and this can deplete foreign exchange reserves and signal economic instability to investors, leading to reduced foreign investment. Reducing a trade deficit involves a combination of increasing exports and decreasing imports. Some strategies that could be used to reduce trade deficit: Improve Infrastructure: Improving infrastructure can help facilitate trade and make it easier for businesses to export goods. Diversify Trade Relations: By diversifying trade relations, India can reduce its dependence on any single trading partner and potentially increase exports. Quality Control Orders (QCOs): These can be used to cut down on cheap and non-essential imports. Devalue Domestic Currency: This can make exports cheaper and imports more expensive, thereby reducing the trade deficit. Attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): FDI can bring in more funds and technology, which can boost domestic production and exports. Energy Diversification: Reducing reliance on imported crude oil by diversifying energy sources can help in reducing the trade deficit. Latest Data: China has emerged as India’s largest trading partner with $118.4 billion of two-way commerce in 2023-24, edging past the U.S. The trade deficit with China rose to $85 billion, Russia to $57.2 billion, Korea to $14.71 billion and Hong Kong to $12.2 billion in 2023-24 The bilateral trade between India and the U.S. stood at $118.28 billion in 2023-24. Washington was the top trading partner of New Delhi during 2021-22 and 2022-23. India has a trade surplus of $36.74 billion with the U.S. in 2023-24. America is one of the few countries with which India has a trade surplus. The surplus is also there with the U.K., Belgium, Italy, France and Bangladesh. India’s total trade deficit in the last fiscal narrowed to $238.3 billion as against $264.9 billion

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus)   PREFIRE (POLAR RADIANT ENERGY IN THE FAR INFRARED EXPERIMENT ) Syllabus Prelims – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Context: On May 25, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched one of the two climate satellites, which would study heat emissions at Earth’s poles. The second satellite will be launched in the following days. Background:- The two shoebox-sized cube satellites, or CubeSats, will measure how much heat the Arctic and Antarctica — two of the coldest regions on the Earth — radiate into space and how this influences the planet’s climate. The mission has been named PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) and was jointly developed by NASA and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (US). what are CubeSats? CubeSats are essentially miniature satellites whose basic design is a 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm (which makes up for “one unit” or “1U”) cube — just a little bigger than a Rubik’s cube — and weight not more than 1.33 kg. Depending on the CubeSat’s mission, the number of units can be 1.5, 2, 3, 6, and 12U, according to NASA. These satellites were first developed in 1999 as educational tools. However, owing to their low cost and less mass in comparison to traditional satellites, they began to be put in orbit for technology demonstrations, scientific research, and commercial purposes. Each of the PREFIRE satellites is a 6U CubeSat. They measure around 90 cm in height and nearly 120 cm in width when the solar panels, which will power the satellite, are deployed. The two satellites will be placed in a near-polar orbit (a type of low Earth orbit) at an altitude of about 525 kilometres. Why do researchers want to measure heat emissions at Earth’s poles? It has to do with the Earth’s energy budget, which is the balance between the amount of heat incoming to Earth from the Sun and the amount of heat outgoing from Earth into space. The difference between the two determines the planet’s temperature and climate. A large amount of the heat radiated from the Arctic and Antarctica is emitted as far-infrared radiation — wavelengths of 3 μm to 1,000 μm within the infrared range of electromagnetic radiation. However, there is currently no way to measure this type of energy. As a result, there is a gap in knowledge about the planet’s energy budget. What is the PREFIRE mission? The PREFIRE mission will change that. Its two CubeSats can study far-infrared radiation from the Earth’s pole and the data collected by them would help scientists better understand the energy budget of the planet. The observations will help understand the fundamentals of Earth’s heat balance, allowing to better predict how our ice, seas, and weather will change in the face of global warming. Each of the PREFIRE CubeSat is equipped with a thermal infrared spectrometer — known as Thermal Infrared Spectrometer (TIRS) — to measure the amount of infrared and far-infrared radiation from the Arctic and Antarctica. The spectrometer features specially shaped-mirrors and detectors for splitting and measuring infrared light, according to NASA. The CubeSats will also measure the amount of far-infrared radiation trapped by atmospheric water vapour and clouds at the poles and how this influences the greenhouse effect in the region. Source: Indian Express RISING HEAT STRESS IN SIX METROS Syllabus Prelims & Mains – ENVIRONMENT Context: India’s megacities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad are experiencing worsening “heat stress” , according to a study by Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment. Background: The CSE study comes at a time when the country is seeing prolonged heatwaves this summer.Odisha recorded 18 heatwave days, while West Bengal recorded 16 in April. A long heatwave is currently prevailing over Rajasthan and parts of Haryana and Delhi. Key Takeaways Worsening “heat stress” in the six metros under study is due to a trend of rising relative humidity over the past two decades. Relative humidity (RH) (expressed as a percent) measures water vapour, but RELATIVE to the temperature of the air. In other words, it is a measure of the actual amount of water vapour in the air compared to the total amount of vapour that can exist in the air at its current temperature. Warm air can possess more water vapor (moisture) than cold air. Besides rising relative humidity, these cities are also experiencing warmer nights as land surface temperatures are not falling at the same rate as a decade ago, said the analysis, blaming this on the “urban heat island” effect. “Urban heat island” effect refers to the trapping of heat due to an increase in built-up area, declining green cover, congestion, heat absorption by urban structures, and heat generated by human activities. This causes the heart of megacities to be much warmer, especially at night, than its outskirts and neighbouring towns. Hot nights are as dangerous as mid-day peak temperatures. People get little chance to recover from day-time heat if temperatures remain high overnight. The combination of rising air and land surface temperatures and high relative humidity is increasing the heat index and heat stress in these cities. Heat index is a measure of discomfort felt due to high heat and humidity. With the exception of Bengaluru, all the other metros have seen a 5-10 per cent rise in average relative humidity during summer, the study noted. According to data, in the last decade, summers in Hyderabad were 10 per cent more humid on an average – the highest among all metros. In Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, humidity increased by 8 per cent, 7 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. The combination of high heat and humidity can compromise the human body’s main cooling mechanism: sweating. The evaporation of sweat from skin cools our bodies, but higher humidity levels limit this natural cooling, the study said. The combination of these two factors makes people sick and, in some cases, can also prove fatal, even at lower ambient temperatures. There is a need to implement emergency measures during heatwaves to protect public health, and also to develop

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus)   CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT Syllabus Prelims – ECONOMY Context: Amid tight liquidity conditions and sluggish growth in deposits, banks turned to mobilising funds through issuing certificates of deposit (CDs) in the financial year 2023-2024, which saw a surge of 31 per cent in CD issuance compared to the previous year. Background:- Deposit growth of banks was 13.1 per cent year-on-year till March 8 (excluding the impact of the merger of HDFC with HDFC Bank) which was lower than the credit growth of 16.5 per cent. About Certificate of Deposit A CD is a contract between depositors and the approved bank or financial institution. The depositor lends the money to the bank, and in exchange, the bank provides interest to the depositor for a set time. At the time the instrument reaches maturity, depositors can redeem their funds. CDs are given in a dematerialised format. It is governed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which establishes the rules for purchasing CDs. Certificate of Deposits (CDs) may be issued by: Scheduled Commercial Banks; Regional Rural Banks; and Small Finance Banks. Select all-India Financial Institutions that have been permitted by the RBI to raise short-term resources within the umbrella limit fixed by the RBI. CDs may be issued at a discount on face value but may also be issued as coupon bearing instruments. CDs may also be issued on a fixed / floating rate basis provided the interest rate on the floating rate CD is reset at periodic rests agreed to at the time of issue and is linked to a benchmark published by a Financial Benchmark Administrator or approved by the Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association of India (FIMMDA) for this purpose. Like a fixed deposit (FD), a CD’s purpose is to denote in writing that you have deposited money in a bank for a fixed period and that bank will pay you interest on it based on the amount and duration of your deposit. Features of CD Banks: CDs shall be issued in minimum denomination of ₹5 lakh and in multiples of ₹5 lakh thereafter. The tenor of a CD at issuance shall not be less than seven days and shall not exceed one year. Financial Institutions: FIs can issue CDs for a period not less than 1 year and not exceeding 3 years from the date of issue. A certificate of deposit is fully taxable under the Income Tax Act. Loans cannot be granted against CDs, unless specifically permitted by the Reserve Bank. Source: RBI GOLDEN RICE Syllabus Prelims & Mains – SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT & AGRICULTURE Context: A court in the Philippines recently revoked biosafety permits for commercial propagation of genetically modified golden rice and Bt eggplant. Background: The decision is circulating in the international media, as proponents of GM crops have claimed the decision may have disastrous consequences for children with vitamin A deficiency, ignoring the safety violations noted by the court. About Golden Rice Golden Rice is a new type of rice that contains beta carotene (provitamin A, a plant pigment that the body converts into vitamin A as needed). This compound is what gives this grain its yellow-orange or golden color, hence its name. Golden Rice is developed through genetic engineering. While ordinary rice does produce beta carotene, it is not found in the grain. Thus, scientists used genetic engineering to add the compound to the grain – a minor tweak that improved the grain’s nutritive value. The beta carotene in Golden Rice, which was made possible by the addition of two new enzymes, is identical to the beta-carotene found in green leafy and yellow-colored vegetables, orange-colored fruit, and even in many vitamin supplements and food ingredients. Like ordinary rice, Golden Rice does not require any special cultivation practices, and generally has the same yield and agronomic performance. While vitamin A can be obtained from food products and supplements, challenges regarding their availability, accessibility, and affordability make it difficult to address the problem of vitamin A deficiency (VAD). As rice is a staple food in many vitamin A-deficient communities in Asia, Golden Rice can be a significant help in improving these areas’ vitamin A status once the grain becomes available for public consumption. Source: International Rice Research Institute DJIBOUTI RELEASES GM MOSQUITOES TO FIGHT MALARIA Syllabus Prelims – SCIENCE Context: Genetically modified (GMO) mosquitoes were released in Djibouti, East Africa on May 23, 2024 to fight malaria. Background: This is the first time a genetically engineered mosquito has been released in East Africa and the second time on the African continent.Burkina Faso in West Africa conducted the first ever release of genetically modified mosquitoes in Africa Key Takeaways The release is part of the ‘Djibouti Friendly Mosquito Programme’ started two years ago to stop the spread of Anopheles stephensi, an invasive species of mosquito. In 2012, when Anopheles stephensi was first detected in Africa, Djibouti reported 27 cases of malaria. By 2020, the country’s malaria caseload had crossed 73,000. This highly invasive mosquito had migrated to Africa from South Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. The invasive mosquito has continued to spread to other countries in the African continent, with cases reported in Ethiopia and Sudan in 2016, Somalia in 2019 and Nigeria in 2020. Unlike other malaria-carrying mosquitoes in Africa that primarily breed in rural areas, Anopheles stephensi is well adapted to the urban environment. This characteric is particularly dangerous for Djibouti, where 70 per cent of the population live in the capital city and are exposed to the malaria vector. It bites both during the day and at night and is resistant to chemical insecticides. To combat these urban invaders, Oxitec, a biotechnology company developed a method that uses mosquitoes to fight mosquitoes. They have released genetically altered male mosquitoes carrying a special gene that prevents their female offspring from reaching adulthood. The laboratory-produced mosquitoes carry a “self-limiting” gene that prevents female mosquito offspring from surviving to adulthood when they mate. Only their male offspring survive but would eventually die out, according to the scientists behind

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus)   COALITION FOR DISASTER RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE (CDRI) Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: At the UN 4th International Conference on SIDS in Antigua and Barbuda, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) published a Call for Proposals for funding to improve infrastructure resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Background:- The financing appeal, totaling $8 million, was revealed during the SIDS4 Conference in Antigua and Barbuda as a component of CDRI’s Infrastructure for Resilient Island States Programme (IRIS). About Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is a multi-stakeholder global partnership of national governments, UN agencies and programmes, multilateral development banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, and knowledge institutions that aims to promote the resilience of new and existing infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks in support of sustainable development. At present, it is not an intergovernmental organization, which are ordinarily treaty-based organizations. National governments that endorse the CDRI Charter and become a members have a key role in setting its substantive agenda as well as in its governance. It may be noted that the policies, standards and other outputs of CDRI would not be binding on its members. The following are CDRI’s strategic priorities: Technical Support and Capacity-building Research and Knowledge Management Advocacy and Partnerships It was launched by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019. Its objective is to promote research and knowledge sharing in the fields of infrastructure risk management, standards, financing, and recovery mechanisms. CDRI’s initial focus is on developing disaster-resilience in ecological (natural waterways, waste management, etc.), social (schools, hospitals, etc.), and economic infrastructure (energy, telecommunication, roads, railways, airports, etc.). It aims to achieve substantial changes in member countries’ policy frameworks and future infrastructure investments, along with a major decrease in the economic losses suffered due to disasters. As of 2023, the CDRI has 39 members, including 31 national governments such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, United States and 8 organisations . Algeria, Egypt, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, Spain, and Switzerland were invited, but their membership approval is pending. The CDRI Secretariat is based in New Delhi, India. Source: CDRI SHARAVATHI RIVER Syllabus Prelims – GEOGRAPHY Context: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Karnataka government to stop any unlawful/illegal sand mining in Sharavathi river. Background: The NGT’s southern zone bench was hearing an application regarding damage caused to flora and fauna due to illegal sand mining. About Sharavathi River Sharavati is a river which originates and flows entirely within the state of Karnataka in India. It is one of the few westward flowing rivers of India and a major part of the river basin lies in the Western Ghats. The total length of the river is around 128 km and it joins the Arabian Sea at Honnavar in Uttara Kannada district. On its way, the Sharavati forms the Jog Falls where the river falls from a height of 253 m. Jog Falls is the highest waterfall in India if the single drop water fall and the volume of water are considered for height.Otherwise, it is the third highest waterfall in India (after Kunchikal Falls and Barkana Falls); all three are located in Shivamogga district. The river itself and the regions around it are rich in biodiversity and are home to many rare species of flora and fauna. Source: Deccan Herald ALASKAN RIVERS TURN ORANGE Syllabus Prelims – GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENT Context: Rivers and streams in Alaska are changing color – from a clean, clear blue to a rusty orange – because of the toxic metals released by thawing permafrost. Background: The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the world resulting in the thawing of permafrost. Key Takeaways The discoloration and cloudiness are being caused by metals such as iron, zinc, copper, nickel and lead – some of which are toxic to the river and stream ecosystems – as permafrost thaws and exposes the waterways to minerals locked away underground for thousands of years. Arctic soils naturally contain organic carbon, nutrients and metals, such as mercury, within their permafrost. High temperatures have caused these minerals and the water sources around them to meet as permafrost melts. Permafrost: Permafrost is soil or underwater sediment which continuously remains below 0 °C (32 °F) for two years or more: the oldest permafrost had been continuously frozen for around 700,000 years.While the shallowest permafrost has a vertical extent of below a meter (3 ft), the deepest is greater than 1,500 m (4,900 ft). Around 15% of the Northern Hemisphere or 11% of the global surface is underlain by permafrost. This includes large areas of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Siberia. It is also located in high mountain regions, with the Tibetan Plateau a prominent example. Only a minority of permafrost exists in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is consigned to mountain slopes like in the Andes of Patagonia, the Southern Alps of New Zealand, or the highest mountains of Antarctica Alaska Alaska lies at the extreme northwest of the North American continent, and the Alaska Peninsula is the largest peninsula in the Western Hemisphere. Because the 180th meridian passes through the state’s Aleutian Islands, Alaska’s westernmost portion is in the Eastern Hemisphere. Thus, technically, Alaska is in both hemispheres. Alaska is bounded by the Beaufort Sea and the Arctic Ocean to the north, Canada’s Yukon territory and British Columbia province to the east, the Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific Ocean to the south, the Bering Strait and the Bering Sea to the west, and the Chukchi Sea to the northwest. Alaska, constituent state of the United States of America. It was admitted to the union as the 49th state on January 3, 1959. The capital is Juneau, which lies in the southeast, in the panhandle region. Source: CNN DAG HAMMARSKJOLD MEDAL Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: Naik Dhananjay Kumar Singh, who served with the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), was posthumously honoured with the prestigious Dag Hammarskjold medal. Background: Naik Singh’s valour and sacrifice were honoured during a solemn ceremony when the UN commemorated the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.He was among the 61 military, police and civilian peacekeepers honoured posthumously with the prestigious medal during the occasion. Key Takeaways The Dag Hammarskjöld Medal is a posthumous award given by the United Nations (UN) to military personnel, police, or civilians who lose their lives while serving in a

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus)   AGNIBAAN SOrTeD (suborbital technological demonstrator) Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: Chennai-based space startup AgniKul Cosmos launched a single-stage technology demonstrator rocket — Agnibaan SOrTeD (suborbital technological demonstrator) — from Sriharikota. Background:- Founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin S P M, and S R Chakravarthy, AgniKul became the first Indian firm to sign an agreement with Isro in December 2020. This pioneering agreement was facilitated under the IN-SPACe initiative, granting AgniKul unprecedented access to Isro’s expertise and cutting-edge facilities. The company is one of the highest-funded space startups in India and has raised $42 million so far. Key takeaways India made history in the space sector on Thursday with the first launch from a private launchpad of the country’s second privately built rocket and the first using a combination of gas and liquid fuel. SOrTeD uses the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed engine, designed and built indigenously. This launch is also considered historic because the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has not yet successfully flown a semi-cryogenic engine, in which a mix of liquid and gas is used as a propellant. Agnibaan also has the unique distinction of having been launched from India’s first private launchpad Dhanush, established by AgniKul. The key purpose of this mission is to serve as a test flight, demonstrate in-house and home-grown technologies, gather crucial flight data, and ensure optimal functioning of systems for AgniKul’s orbital launch vehicle, the ‘Agnibaan’. The Agnibaan rocket is a customisable, two-stage launch vehicle that can carry up to 300 kilogram (kg) of payload to orbits nearly 700 kilometre in altitude, the company said. The startup is looking at flying an orbital mission towards the end of 2024–25 and is working with customers on flights starting regularly in the calendar year 2025. It was in November 2022 that a private company, Skyroot Aerospace, successfully developed and operated the launch vehicle Vikram-S on a sub-orbital flight from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, becoming the first player to do so. Source: Business Standard AHILYABAI HOLKER Syllabus Prelims – HISTORY Context: On May 31, we celebrated the 300th birth anniversary of the Maratha queen Ahilya Bai Holkar — a great administrator and visionary with a spiritual inclination. Background: “The reign of Ahilyabai, of Indore in central India, lasted for thirty years. This has become almost legendary as a period during which perfect order and good government prevailed and the people prospered. She was a very able ruler and organizer, highly respected during her lifetime, and considered as a saint by a grateful people after her death.” – Jawaharlal Nehru (The Discovery of India/1946) About AHILYABAI HOLKER Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar was the Holkar Queen of the Malwa kingdom. She is regarded as one of the most visionary female rulers of India. Born on 31 May 1725, in the village of Chondi in Jamkhed, Ahmednagar (Maharashtra), Ahilya hailed from a very humble background. Her father Mankoji Rao Shinde was the village head, and he taught her to read and write. As a young girl, the combination of her simplicity and strength of character caught the attention of Malhar Rao Holkar, the Lord of the Malwa territory. He was so impressed with the young Ahilya that in 1733 when she was barely eight years old, he got her married to his son Khanderao Holkar. Twelve years after her marriage, her husband Khanderao died during the siege of the Kumher Fort.After the death of her husband, Ahilyabai was stopped by her father-in-law from committing sati. Instead, he took her under his wing and trained her in military and administrative matters. Her father in law, Malhar Rao passed away in 1766, and in the following year, she lost her son, Male Rao. Keeping in mind the welfare of the kingdom and her people, she petitioned the Peshwa to allow her to take over the reign of Malwa. Although some of the nobles objected to this, she still had the support of the army. In 1767, the Peshwa granted Ahilyabai permission to take over Malwa. She ascended the throne and became the ruler of Indore on 11 December 1767. For the next 28 years, Maharani Ahilyabai ruled over Malwa in a just, wise, and knowledgeable manner. Under Ahilyabai’s rule, Malwa enjoyed relative peace, prosperity, and stability, and her capital, Maheshwar, was turned into an oasis of literary, musical, artistic, and industrial pursuits. Ahilyabai also established a textile industry in Maheshwar, which today is very famous for its Maheshwari sarees. Her most notable contribution was the renovation and repair of the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple in 1780. The ‘Philosopher Queen’ as she is famously known, passed away on 13th August 1795 at the age of seventy. Her legacy still lives on and the various temples, Dharamshalas, and public works undertaken by her stand as a testimony to the great warrior queen she was. Source: Indian Culture FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI) EQUITY INFLOWS Syllabus Prelims & Mains – ECONOMY Context: According to the latest data released by the government, foreign direct investment (FDI) equity inflows in India decreased by 3.49 per cent in FY24 to $44.42 billion. Reduced investments in sectors such as services, computer hardware and software, telecom, auto, and pharma, are being attributed as the primary reasons for the slump. Background: Foreign investment, including FDI equity inflows, is needed to supplement domestic resources and finance the current account deficit. FDI inflows are a good indicator of a nation’s appeal as a long-term investment destination. The total FDI, which includes equity inflows, reinvested earnings, and other capital, saw a slight decrease of 1 per cent to $70.95 billion in FY24, down from $71.35 billion in FY23, as reported by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Key Takeaways The FDI inflows into the manufacturing sector in FY24 are one of the lowest in the past five years, according to the provisional FDI data published in the RBI annual report. The manufacturing sectors received $9.3 billion FDI in FY24, which was 17.7 per cent

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus)   SHANGRI LA DIALOGUE Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: The 2024 Shangri-La Dialogue took place in Singapore from 31 May to 2 June. Background:- The Shangri-La Dialogue is Asia’s premier defence summit. It’s a unique meeting where ministers debate the region’s most pressing security challenges, engage in important bilateral talks and come up with fresh approaches together. About Shangri La Dialogue The Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) is an annual “Track One” inter-governmental security conference held in Singapore. It’s organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), an independent think tank. The forum is named after the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, where it has been held since 2002. The dialogue is attended by defense ministers, permanent heads of ministries, and military chiefs of mostly Asia-Pacific states. It serves to cultivate a sense of community among the most important policymakers in the defense and security community in the region. Besides government delegations, the summit is also attended by legislators, academic experts, distinguished journalists, and business delegates. The 2024 Shangri-La Dialogue took place in Singapore from 31 May to 2 June. The Keynote Address was delivered by Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines. Some of the highlights from the 2024 dialogue include: The Philippines made a statement regarding the South China Sea conflict, suggesting that China and the Philippines would be ‘crossing the Rubicon’ should a Filipino citizen be killed by Beijing’s ongoing actions in the South China Sea4. Canada announced the deployment of a Harry DeWolf-class Arctic patrol vessel to the Indo-Pacific as part of the country’s effort to deepen its naval presence. The Shangri-La Dialogue has become one of the most important independent forums for the exchange of views by international security policy decision-makers. It provides a unique platform for debate among government ministers and senior officials, as well as business leaders and security experts, on Asia’s developing security challenges. Source: IISS INDIA’S RUSSIAN OIL IMPORTS Syllabus Mains – GS 2 Context: India’s Russian oil imports climbed to a 10-month high in May as low Russian refinery capacity use due to Ukrainian drone strikes made more of Moscow’s oil available for the export market, as per oil tanker tracking data and industry experts. Background: The rise in India’s import of discounted Russian oil over the past few months has hit flows from Saudi Arabia the most, the data shows. Key takeaways? Indian refiners imported a total of 1.96 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude oil in May, the highest since July of last year, and nearly 3 per cent higher than volumes imported in April. Oil imports from Saudi Arabia—India’s third-biggest source market for crude—declined almost 13 percent sequentially to 0.55 million bpd. The primary reason for the decline is seen as the ample availability of Russian crude, which continues to maintain a price advantage over Riyadh’s oil. Supply of the medium-sour Urals crude—Russia’s flagship crude grade and the mainstay of India’s Russian oil purchases—to Indian refiners touched a record high in May at 1.53 million bpd, accounting for over 78 percent of India’s Russian oil imports. May also marked a 10-month high in India’s oil imports from the United States (US)—New Delhi’s fifth-largest source of crude oil. Indian refiners imported a total of 0.21 million bpd of crude from the US in May and the highest since July of last year. In terms of market share, Russia accounted for almost 41 percent of the total 4.79 million bpd of crude oil imported into India in May. India’s second-largest source of crude—Iraq—accounted for a fifth of New Delhi’s oil imports in May, while Saudi Arabia’s share was 11.4 percent. As the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil with a high import dependency level of over 85 percent, India is extremely sensitive to oil prices. Although trade sources have indicated that discounts on Russian crude have shrunk considerably over the past months, Indian refiners have evidently remained keen on buying Russian oil as given the high import volumes, even lower discount levels lead to significant savings. Additional Information: Prior to the war in Ukraine, Iraq and Saudi Arabia were the top two suppliers of crude oil to India. But as the West started weaning itself off Russian energy supplies following Moscow’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia started offering discounts on its crude and Indian refiners started snapping up the discounted barrels. Source: Indian Express INDIA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT (IMD) Syllabus Prelims – Current Event Context: When Delhi’s Mungeshpur weather station recorded a maximum temperature of 52.9 degrees Celsius on May 29, it was on account of “malfunctioning of the sensor,” the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said. Background: The maximum temperature of 52.9 degrees at Mungeshpur was an all-time high for any location in India and this had prompted the IMD to verify the recording at the station. About IMD It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology. It functions under Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) with its headquarter at Mausam Bhawan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. IMD is also one of the six Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres of the World Meteorological Organisation. It has the responsibility for forecasting, naming and distribution of warnings for tropical cyclones in the Northern Indian Ocean region, including the Malacca Straits, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf. Here are some key details about IMD: Established in 1875, IMD is the National Meteorological Service of the country. IMD is headquartered in Delhi and operates hundreds of observation stations across India and Antarctica. It deals with all matters relating to meteorology, seismology, and associated subjects. IMD provides a variety of services such as rainfall information, monsoon information, cyclone information, agromet advisory services, climate services, urban meteorological services, aviation services, climate hazard & vulnerability atlas, geospatial services, and forecasts. IMD plays a crucial role in providing weather updates and warnings, which are vital for various sectors including agriculture, aviation, and disaster management. It also provides specialized forecasts and conducts research in meteorology and allied subjects. Additional Information –  History of