Context The government indicated petrol prices will not rise immediately despite crude crossing $100 per barrel, as oil companies and tax adjustments can absorb shocks. 1. How Petrol & Diesel Prices Are Decided • Linked to global crude price + rupee–dollar rate + refining and transport cost.• Revised daily by oil marketing companies (Indian Oil, BPCL, HPCL). 2. Role of Taxes Central Excise Duty (Centre) • Fixed per litre (specific tax).• Government reduces or increases it to manage inflation. State VAT (States) • Charged as percentage of base price plus excise.• Petrol ~20–35%, Diesel ~15–25% (varies by state). 3. GST Status • Petrol, diesel, crude oil, ATF and natural gas are outside GST.• Taxed under excise plus VAT system; GST shift needs Council approval. 4. Current Situation • Brent crude rose above $100 (peaked near $119).• Government signalled no immediate retail hike.• LPG refill booking gap raised to 25 days to prevent hoarding
India–Canada Uranium Deal: How the Agreement Strengthens India’s Nuclear Energy Security
Context India signed a $2.6-billion uranium supply agreement with Canada to secure long-term fuel for its civilian nuclear power programme (2027–2035) under the 2010 India–Canada Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. Importance • Strengthens energy security by ensuring steady uranium supply for nuclear expansion.• Diversifies imports; India also sources uranium from Kazakhstan (Kazatomprom), Uzbekistan and Russia.• Imported uranium supports civilian reactors, helping conserve domestic uranium for strategic use.• Canadian ore is richer than India’s low-grade ore, improving efficiency. Key Facts • India’s domestic uranium reserves (~4.2–4.3 lakh tonnes ore) lie mainly at Jaduguda, Turamdih (Jharkhand) and Tummalapalle (Andhra Pradesh).• Imports meet nearly three-fourths of civilian uranium demand.• India operates 24 nuclear reactors (~9 GW); most are Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) which primarily use natural uranium. Supports India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Programme
Open Market Operations (OMO): RBI Buys ₹50,000 Crore G-Secs to Inject Liquidity
Context RBI conducted open market operations (OMO) to buy ₹50,000 crore of government securities to ease liquidity pressures amid global uncertainty. Open Market Operations (OMO) • RBI buys/sells government securities to manage liquidity and interest rates.• Purchase → injects liquidity; sale → absorbs liquidity.• Used to offset tight liquidity (e.g., advance tax outflows) and support credit flow. Government Securities (G-Secs) • Borrowing instruments issued by Government of India. Two main types: • Treasury Bills (T-Bills) Short-term; issued for 91, 182 and 364 days; sold at discount and redeemed at face value. • Dated Securities (G-Secs) Long-term; maturity from 5 to 40 years; carry fixed/float interest (coupon). • Considered sovereign-backed, low-risk assets; widely held by banks and used in RBI operations. Key Points • RBI planned OMOs of ₹1 lakh crore in two tranches (₹50,000 crore each).• Aim: inject liquidity and stabilise financial conditions.• Earlier OMOs: ₹2 lakh crore (Dec 2025–Jan 2026); ₹1.25 lakh crore (May 2025).• Rupee briefly hit 92.36 per US$ due to West Asia tensions and rising crude; later steadied near 92.21 per US$ after intervention.
Total Fertility Rate (TFR)
Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is the average number of children a woman is expected to give birth to during her reproductive years (usually ages 15–49), assuming current age-specific fertility rates remain constant. TFR is one of the most important indicators used by demographers to understand population growth, stability, or decline. Replacement Level Fertility The replacement level is the fertility rate at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next, without migration. • The global replacement level is roughly 2.1 children per woman.• The extra 0.1 accounts for child mortality and people who do not reproduce. Interpretation of TFR • TFR above 2.1 → Population tends to grow.• TFR around 2.1 → Population remains stable.• TFR below 2.1 → Population may age and eventually decline. India’s Fertility Trend According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), India’s overall TFR has declined to around 2.0, meaning the country has reached below replacement level fertility. However, there is strong regional variation: • Southern states (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka) – very low fertility rates, often 1.4–1.7.• Northern states (Bihar, Uttar Pradesh) – relatively higher fertility rates, often above 2.5 in some regions. Policy Significance TFR is used by governments to design population policies, healthcare planning, education infrastructure, and labour force projections. When TFR falls too low, countries may face ageing populations, labour shortages, and rising pension burdens, which is why some governments are now adopting pro-natalist policies that encourage childbirth.
Earthquake Zoning in India: Draft IS 1893 Changes and Government Withdrawal Explained
Context: The Centre withdrew the revised earthquake zoning under draft IS 1893:2025 after objections over its scientific basis and cost implications for infrastructure. 1. Earlier Zoning (IS 1893:2016) Zone II (Low) • Central & Peninsular interiors — e.g., Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, parts of Karnataka, Telangana. Zone III (Moderate) • e.g., Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra (parts). Zone IV (High) • e.g., Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar, West Bengal (parts). Zone V (Very High) • e.g., Jammu & Kashmir/Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Northeast, Rann of Kutch. 2. Proposed Change (IS 1893:2025 draft — exact shift) • Based on probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA), new ground-motion data, tectonic mapping and historical earthquake records. • Proposed six-zone gradation (II–VI): Zone II: Low — peninsular interiors.Zone III: Moderate — southern & central belts.Zone IV: High — Indo-Gangetic plains (Delhi–Bihar belt).Zone V: Very high — Himalayan belt & Northeast.Zone VI (new): Extremely high — parts of Kashmir, Northeast and Kutch. 3. Basis for Introducing Zone VI • Areas with highest peak ground acceleration (PGA) levels.• Active faults and plate-boundary interactions (Himalayan collision zone).• Past major earthquakes (Kashmir, Assam, Bhuj region).• Required stricter building norms, deeper foundations and higher safety margins. 4. Why Questioned • Agencies (MoHUA, NDMA/NDSA, Metro Rail bodies) flagged methodology concerns.• Reclassification → higher construction costs for large infrastructure.• Risks of delays and stranded projects cited. 5. Agency Responsible • Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) prepares seismic zoning and building codes.• BIS is a statutory body under the BIS Act, 2016.• Works under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
Project Cheetah: Cheetahs Moving from Kuno to Rajasthan Explained for UPSC
1. Context • NTCA noted cheetahs moving from Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh) to Baran district (Rajasthan) show natural territorial dispersal.• Two cheetahs (KP2, KP3), among first cubs born in India to African cheetahs (since 2022 translocation), travelled ~60–70 km.• Movement aligns with the proposed Kuno–Gandhi Sagar landscape corridor (~17,000 sq km) across MP–Rajasthan. 2. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) • Statutory body under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended 2006).• Under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Functions: • Implement Project Tiger.• Approve tiger reserves.• Monitor conservation plans.• Coordinate Centre–State action.• Now overseeing Project Cheetah. • Chaired by Union Environment Minister; includes officials, experts and MPs. 3. Project Cheetah • Aims to reintroduce cheetahs in India after extinction in 1952.• Began September 2022 with African cheetahs. • So far:– ~29 adults translocated– Several deaths reported– ~28 cubs born– ~12 cub deaths noted • Ongoing monitoring via satellite collars; inter-State dispersal expected in open savanna landscapes. 4. Source Countries (Africa) — Key Points Namibia • First batch (2022).• Strong free-ranging cheetah population; semi-arid savanna habitat. South Africa • Managed metapopulation model.• Fenced reserves aid breeding and genetic management. Botswana • Third African country sending cheetahs.• Hosts one of Africa’s largest wild cheetah populations in the Kalahari ecosystem. 5. African vs Asiatic Cheetah African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) • Larger population.• Found across eastern & southern Africa.• Adapted to open grasslands.• Source for India’s reintroduction. Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) • Critically endangered.• Now confined mainly to Iran.• Smaller population, lighter coat, more fragmented habitat.
A23a Iceberg Drifting in South Atlantic: Antarctic Iceberg Lifecycle for UPSC Geography
Context The giant Antarctic iceberg A23a, once the world’s largest, is drifting northwards into warmer waters of the South Atlantic near South Georgia Island, entering the final stage of its life cycle. About A23a • One of the largest icebergs ever recorded (~3,900 sq km).• Broke off from Antarctica’s Filchner–Ronne Ice Shelf in 1986.• Remained grounded in the Weddell Sea for decades before drifting since the 2020s.• Now moving into warmer waters → expected to fragment and melt.
Finance Commission Grants to Urban Local Bodies: Issues and Trends for UPSC
Context: Cities generate ~67% of GDP and ~90% of government revenue, yet Finance Commission transfers to urban local bodies remain only ~0.12–0.13% of GDP. 1. Finance Commission — Basis & Role • Constituted under Article 280 by the President (every 5 years).• Composition: 1 Chairman + 4 Members. Recommends: – Tax devolution (Union–States; among States).– Grants-in-aid under Article 275.– Measures to augment funds of Panchayats & Municipalities (urban local bodies). 2. Transfers to Urban Local Bodies • 15th Finance Commission: ~₹1.2–1.3 lakh crore (5 years).• 16th Finance Commission: ₹3.56 lakh crore (2026–31) (₹75,000 crore/year). • Urban population:– ~470 million (2020)– May exceed 600 million by 2030 → Per-capita support limited. 3. Why Grants Stay Limited • Mostly tied grants (water, sanitation, waste), limiting flexibility.• Performance-linked conditions: audits, elections, fiscal discipline, State Finance Commissions.• Urban development is a State subject (State List), raising federal concerns. 4. Structural Constraints • Rising cess collections (~2.2% of GDP) outside divisible pool reduce devolution space.• Weak own-source revenue (property tax, user charges) constrains cities.
Removal of Lok Sabha Speaker: Constitutional Provisions and Process Explained for UPSC
Context: The Opposition moved a resolution to remove Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, leading to a major debate in the Budget Session. 1. Constitutional Provisions on Speaker Article 93 — Election • Lok Sabha elects Speaker and Deputy Speaker from among its members. Article 94 — Tenure & Removal • Speaker vacates office if:– Ceases to be MP– Resigns (to Deputy Speaker)– Removed by Lok Sabha (Art. 94(c)). Article 95 — Acting Presiding Officer • Deputy Speaker or another member presides if office vacant or Speaker absent. Article 96 — During Removal Motion • Speaker does not preside; may participate and vote as a member. 2. Who Admits the Removal Motion • Motion must be given with 14 days’ notice under Lok Sabha Rules.• It is admitted by the Secretary-General of Lok Sabha (as per Rules of Procedure) after verifying notice requirements.• Debate presided over by Deputy Speaker or senior-most member.• Passage requires majority of all the then members of Lok Sabha (Art. 94(c)). 3. Present Numbers • Motion signed by 118 Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs).• Ruling alliance (~335/543) indicates defeat likely. 4. Motions earlier moved against – G.V. Mavalankar (1954)– Hukam Singh (1966)– Balram Jakhar (1987) • All failed; Speakers continued.
Social Media Regulation for Minors: Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh Plan Restrictions
Context: Karnataka (under-16) and Andhra Pradesh (under-13) are considering restrictions on minors’ social media use to address harms from excessive online exposure. Summary • Aim is to protect children from addiction, cyberbullying, harmful content and mental-health impacts.• Karnataka proposes restrictions for under-16 users.• Andhra Pradesh proposes restrictions for under-13 users.• Modalities are still evolving. Debate • Experts argue blanket bans may be impractical.• Many recommend balanced regulation, parental controls and digital literacy instead. Legal Issue • Regulation of online intermediaries largely falls under Union jurisdiction, which means state-level bans may face constitutional and operational challenges. IT Act & Union Role • Information Technology Act, 2000 provides the core legal framework for digital platforms.• The Centre frames rules such as IT Rules, 2021 covering due diligence, safety and grievance redressal.• Under Section 69A, the Centre can block online content for reasons related to sovereignty, security or public order.• Therefore, internet regulation remains primarily a Union subject, limiting states’ regulatory scope.
