Context: Arunachal Pradesh Dispute India has rejected China’s move to assign new names to places in Arunachal Pradesh, calling them fictitious and reaffirming that the state is an integral part of India. Key points Linked developments• China created a new county near Xinjiang–PoK–Afghanistan region• Located near Karakoram range and Wakhan Corridor → strategic importance
Strait of Hormuz: US-Iran Tensions and Global Oil Impact for UPSC
Context Talks between United States and Iran failed, raising tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. Key points Importance of Strait of Hormuz
Chilika Lake migratory birds concern over Puri Airport plan
Context: Chilika Lake migratory birds The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) opposed the proposed Puri greenfield airport due to its proximity to Chilika Lake (Ramsar site), citing bird strike risk and ecological sensitivity. Key Points Important Species in Chilika:• Migratory Birds: Seasonal influx (Central Asian Flyway) → key reason for bird strike risk• Irrawaddy Dolphin: Estuarine species found in Chilika (India’s only lagoon population)
MSME compliance burden rises due to West Asia conflict
Context: MSME compliance burden The Union Government has initiated inter-ministerial consultations to assess the challenges faced by MSME exporters in the backdrop of the ongoing West Asia conflict, which has led to shipping disruptions, rerouting of cargo, and regulatory uncertainties, thereby increasing the compliance burden and operational costs. Importance / Significance of MSMEs • Total enterprises: 6.33 crore• GDP contribution: ~30%• Exports contribution: ~45%• Employment: ~11.1 crore people• Structure: Micro enterprises ≈ 99% Issues Faced by MSMEs
Gaganyaan airdrop test ISRO completes second crew module trial
Context: Gaganyaan airdrop test ISRO successfully conducted the second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) at Sriharikota to test the safe landing system of the crew module for the Gaganyaan mission. Gaganyaan Mission • India’s first human spaceflight mission• Aim: Send astronauts to Low Earth Orbit and bring them back safely• Focus is not just launch, but safe re-entry and recovery (splashdown in sea)• Human mission expected after multiple test missions What exactly was done in this test • A crew module (astronaut capsule) was lifted to about 3 km height using an IAF helicopter• It was then dropped over the sea near Sriharikota• During descent, parachutes (10) opened in sequence to slow it down• Finally, the module made a safe splashdown (landing in sea)• It was then recovered by the Indian Navy
Indian Ocean Conference India opposes targeting civilians in war
Context: Indian Ocean Conference At the 9th Indian Ocean Conference (Port Louis, Mauritius), India stated its firm opposition to targeting civilians, infrastructure, and disruption of maritime navigation in the backdrop of the West Asia conflict, highlighting its impact on trade, energy, and regional stability. Indian Ocean Conference • Type: Annual dialogue platform (NOT an organization)• Organised by: India Foundation (with MEA support)• Nature: No fixed members → countries participate as invitees• Participants: Countries of Indian Ocean Region (IOR) (India, Mauritius, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Gulf countries, ASEAN states, African littorals) Purpose:• Discuss maritime security• Ensure safe navigation (sea lanes)• Address energy & trade disruptions• Promote regional cooperation in Indo-Pacific Key Points from Article
Myanmar military coup Min Aung Hlaing becomes President
Context: Myanmar military coup Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing became President, continuing control after the 2021 military coup. Important Points
Rising election costs in India making democracy money-driven
Context: Rising election costs in India Rising election expenditure is making India’s electoral process increasingly money-driven, affecting fairness and equal competition. Spending Reality • Legal limit: ~₹95 lakh per parliamentary candidate• Actual: ₹50–100 crore (estimates) → large unaccounted spending Legal Framework Representation of the People Act, 1951• Section 77 → maintenance of election expenses• Section 10A → disqualification for wrong accounts Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961• Rule 90 → fixes expenditure limits• Election Commission of India → revises limits• Gap: No cap on political party expenditure Core Issues • Low limits → black money usage• Weak monitoring → spending before campaign unchecked• Money becoming entry barrier (majority legislators wealthy) Solutions • Cap political party expenditure• Ensure full transparency in funding sources• Strengthen real-time monitoring by Election Commission• Consider partial state funding of elections
India GDP growth forecast cut to 6.6% by World Bank
Context: India GDP growth forecast The World Bank in its India Development Update April 2026 has reduced India’s Gross Domestic Product growth estimate for Financial Year 2026–27 to 6.6 percent from 7.2 percent due to the West Asia conflict affecting energy supply and demand. Growth Trend • Financial Year 2026–27: 6.6 percent• Earlier estimate: 7.2 percent• Financial Year 2025–26: 7.6 percent• Indicates slowdown after strong previous year Reason for Slowdown • West Asia conflict → disruption in oil and gas supply• Higher energy prices → increased production cost• Lower household consumption due to inflation• Reduced government spending capacity• Weak industrial activity Nature of Slowdown • Without conflict growth would be 7.2 percent• Shows slowdown is external, not structural Inflation Situation • Consumer Price Index inflation: 4.9 percent• Previous year: 2.3 percent• Higher inflation reduces purchasing power Investment Indicator • Foreign Direct Investment inflow: 0.6 percent of Gross Domestic Product• Previous year: 0.5 percent• Slight rise but still limited
Quantum reference facility in India to be set up in Amaravati
Context: Quantum reference facility in India India is set to establish its first Quantum Reference Facility in Andhra Pradesh, which will act as a testing and validation platform for quantum computing technologies, strengthening the domestic quantum ecosystem. What has happened • First quantum computing testing beds in India• Location: Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh• Under Amaravati Quantum Valley programme• Launch on April 14 (World Quantum Day)• Around 50 researchers and scientists involved• Collaboration with universities and quantum organisations Why it is important • India lacked a reference quantum system for testing Enables:• Testing of quantum hardware and components• Development of indigenous quantum ecosystem• Boost to research and innovation Basics of Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Computing • Quantum Mechanics: Study of matter and energy at atomic and subatomic level• Quantum Computing: Uses quantum principles for computation• Unit: Quantum bit (qubit)• Qubit can be 0 and 1 simultaneously• Enables parallel processing and high-speed computation Applications:• Cryptography• Drug discovery• Climate modelling• Artificial Intelligence
