Ongoing tensions between United States–Iran–Israel continue despite diplomatic talks.
• Mixed signals → talks + continued strikes
• Conflict uncertainty remains high
• Direct impact on global energy markets
• Significant implications for India’s energy security
During a visit to India, senior Pentagon official Elbridge Colby said India–United States can cooperate despite differences.
• Cooperation without full agreement
• Aim: Indo-Pacific balance (no single power dominance)
• India = key strategic partner
• India maintains strategic autonomy
• Some uncertainty in United States approach towards India’s rise
Gujarat Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill to bring a common law for marriage, divorce and inheritance across religions, linked to Article 44 of the Constitution.
• One common law for civil matters across religions
• Marriage registration compulsory (within 60 days)
• Uniform divorce process → court approval mandatory
• Equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters
• Women allowed remarriage
• Live-in relationships to be registered
• Non-registration of marriage → fine
• Fraud/forced marriage, polygamy → punishment
• Unregistered live-in → fine or imprisonment
• Scheduled Tribes kept outside the law (Article 366(25))
• Government → equality and uniformity
• Opposition → concerns on religious freedom
• Goa → already in force
• Uttarakhand → implemented
• Gujarat → Bill passed (not yet fully implemented)
Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 shows corruption is rising globally; India’s score (39/100, rank 91) has remained almost unchanged for a decade → economic growth not matched by governance quality.
• Stagnant score (38–41 for years) → remains in lower half globally → behind many comparable economies
• Corruption = economic loss → reduces investment + increases cost of doing business + lowers productivity → global loss ~5% of GDP, India ~0.5–1.5% of GDP
• Too many laws/compliances → high discretion with officials → scope for rent-seeking → businesses focus on managing rules instead of growth
• Digital systems reducing corruption → Direct Benefit Transfer (less leakage) + digital payments (tracking) + Goods and Services Tax (formalisation) + e-procurement (less human interference)
• Corruption is not just ethical issue, it is a direct economic constraint + governance weakness
• Simplify regulations + increase transparency and accountability + strengthen institutions → continuous reforms needed
In the Budget 2025–26, the government introduced BioPharma SHAKTI Mission to boost domestic production of biologics and biosimilars and promote human-based (non-animal) testing methods, as animal models often fail to predict human response.
Challenges
• High cost and infrastructure needs
• Regulatory clarity still evolving
• Patent delays affect biosimilar entry
Supreme Court said Scheduled Caste status is available only to Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists; if a person converts to any other religion, Scheduled Caste status ends from that point.
• The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 is issued under Article 341 of the Constitution.
• Article 341(1): President specifies which castes are Scheduled Castes.
• Article 341(2): Parliament can later include or exclude groups from that list.
Donald Trump–Narendra Modi discussion on West Asia conflict focusing on peace and stability.
• India supports de-escalation and peace
• Strait of Hormuz critical for global oil supply
• Ensuring open, secure and accessible route is essential
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