UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)• Under UNESCO 2003 Convention.• Protects living traditions (rituals, performing arts, craftsmanship, social practices).• Lists: Representative List, Urgent Safeguarding List, Good Safeguarding Practices.• Aim: Safeguard, promote, ensure community participation.• India is a signatory (2005). Deepavali AdditionDeepavali added to UNESCO ICH Representative List due to its:• Social significance (strengthens bonds)• Cultural significance (civilisational ethos)• Craft significance (traditional diya-making)• Community-driven nature (practised by millions)
Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill 2010
Applicability Definition of Clinical Establishment National Council for Clinical Establishments Registration Requirements Types and Validity of Registration State and District-Level Authorities State/UT Council District Registering Authority Inspections and Enforcement National and State Registers
Large Language Models (LLMs)
How LLMs Work Uses of LLMs Key Concepts Challenges Associated with LLMs
Coronal Mass Ejections
Coronal Mass Ejections are huge bursts of magnetised plasma and magnetic field lines expelled from the Sun’s corona into outer space. They are among the most energetic events in the solar system and constitute a major component of space weather. Nature & Composition Formation Mechanism CMEs originate due to magnetic reconnection — the breaking and rejoining of stressed magnetic field lines in the Sun’s corona. Key steps: Though often linked with solar flares, CMEs and flares are distinct phenomena: Speed, Size & Frequency Types of CMEs (Based on Direction & Impact) Interactions With Earth When Earth lies in the path of a CME, the plasma cloud interacts with Earth’s magnetosphere, compressing it and causing: Geomagnetic Storms Potential Effects CMEs vs Solar Flares Feature CMEs Solar Flares Nature Plasma ejection Electromagnetic radiation burst Impact Long-lasting geomagnetic storms Short radio blackouts Travel time Hours to days 8 minutes (speed of light) Damage Satellites, grids Communication systems Why CMEs Matter for Earth? Related Missions
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016
Overview of the RPwD Act Recognised Categories of Disabilities (21 Types) Physical Disabilities Intellectual Disabilities Mental Behaviour Chronic Neurological Conditions Blood Disorders Multiple Disabilities Key Provisions of the RPwD Act Reservation in Employment and Education Non-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity Accessibility Requirements Institutional Mechanisms Significance of the Act Access to Justice Protection Against Abuse & Violence Healthcare and Rehabilitation Inclusive Education Social and Economic Inclusion Concerns and Challenges in Implementation Lack of Awareness and Sensitisation Infrastructure and Accessibility Gaps Education System Barriers Monitoring and Enforcement Issues Conclusion
Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs)
Understanding Virtual Digital Assets Types of Virtual Digital Assets Crypto Assets Stablecoins Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) Decentralised Finance (DeFi) Assets Security Tokens Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) VDAs vs Digital Currency Legal Status of Virtual Digital Assets in India Taxation Provisions for VDAs Capital Gains Tax Tax Deducted at Source Undisclosed Income and Seizure Mandatory Reporting Significance of the Legal Framework Challenges Associated with VDAs in India
Financial Devolution in India
Financial Devolution in India : Overview Constitutional Basis Current Structure of Tax Devolution Criteria Used for Horizontal Devolution Major Issues in Financial Devolution Way Forward
Free Content Access for LLMs Suggested in Policy Paper | Tech GS3
Large Language Model (LLM)A Large AI model trained on huge text datasets that can understand and generate human-like language. (Examples: ChatGPT, Gemini) DPIIT Working Paper:! Free access to public online contentLLMs should be allowed to train on all publicly available internet data so India’s AI models get enough training material.” Copyright society for royaltiesA new body will collect royalties from AI companies and distribute them to content creators → ensures creators are paid when AI uses their work. No “opt-out” for publishers Publishers cannot block AI from using their publicly available content.Reason: impractical + restricts data for AI training.$ AimBalance creator protection with AI development in India.% Based on compulsory licensingAI can use content without permission, but must pay regulated royalty (sameprinciple used for FM radio).
IMF Bailout for Pakistan Approved at $1.2 Billion | GS2 IR News
ContextIMF approved $1.2 bn for Pakistan as part of its bailout package, citing “significant progress” in stabilizing its crisis-hit economy. What is an IMF Bailout?IMF bailout = Emergency loan given to a country facing severe economic trouble (low forex, high debt, inflation) to prevent economic collapse.Comes with conditions:• Fiscal tightening• Subsidy cuts• Tax/structural reforms
Right to Health in India: Charting a Policy Agenda | GS2 Health
Context• The National Convention on Health Rights (Dec 11–12, 2025) brings together health professionals and civil society from 20+ States to shape a national agenda on the Right to Health.• Held around Human Rights Day and Universal Health Coverage Day, it reflects a push to strengthen public health systems post-COVID-19. Key Issues HighlightedA. Rising Privatisation of Healthcare• Expansion of public–private partnerships and transfer of medical institutions to private players has made healthcare unaffordable.• Despite the Clinical Establishments Act (2010), regulation remains weak → overcharging, unnecessary procedures, opaque pricing, violation of patient rights.• Privatisation widens inequality as millions rely on weak public systems. B. Low Public Financing• India spends only 2% of the Union Budget on health and about $25 per capita annually — among the lowest globally.• High out-of-pocket expenditure persists despite government insurance schemes.• Convention will examine the gap between scheme promises and reality, and argue for higher public spending, equitable access, and reduced OOPE. C. Justice for Health Workers• COVID-19 revealed essential roles of doctors, nurses, ASHAs, paramedics.• Yet they continue to face low wages, insecure contracts, poor working conditions, and inadequate social protection.• The convention demands respect, fair pay, safety, and workforce strengthening to build resilient health systems. D. Access to Medicines• Medicines form half of household health spending.• 80% of drugs in India remain outside price control → irrational pricing, unethical marketing, high markups.• The convention advocates stronger price regulation, GST reform on medicines, and expansion of the public sector production of essential drugs. E. Inclusion and Non-Discrimination• Social hierarchies restrict access to care.• A special session will highlight barriers faced by:Dalits, Adivasis, Muslims, LGBTQ+ persons, persons with disabilities, and women.• Emphasis on embedding equity and non-discrimination in health systems. F. Public Provisioning & Community-Based Models• Evidence from States shows that community-led, decentralised approaches can revitalise public health systems.• The vision emphasises healthcare as a public good, not a profit-making commodity. G. Broader Determinants of Health• Links health to food security, environmental pollution, climate change.• Calls for inter-sectoral collaboration for long-term health resilience. Purpose of the Convention• To push Parliament and policymakers toward Right to Health–based reforms.• To resist commercialisation of health, reaffirming “healthcare for all, not profits”.• Celebrates 25 years of the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, showcasing its work with women’s groups, rural movements, and civil society networks. TDF (Mains Question) India’s public health system continues to face challenges of privatization, low public spending, inequity, and weak regulation. In this context, discuss the key concerns highlighted by recent debates on the Right to Health and suggest measures to strengthen public health systems. (150 words)
