Context Products manufactured by inmates of Tihar Jail — ranging from bakery items (cookies, mustard oil) to handcrafted goods — are being taken online through government-backed platforms (ONDC-linked Mystore), with plans to sell them on Flipkart and Amazon. The initiative aims to expand market access for prison-made goods, generate inmate income, and strengthen rehabilitation through skill-based prison labour. TDF “Institutional deliveries have been central to India’s success in reducing maternal mortality.” Discuss. (150 Words)
Maternal mortality in India declines with rise in institutional deliveries
Context India’s maternal mortality has declined due to a rise in institutional deliveries, highlighted during the foundation laying of two new medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh. Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) • Definition: Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births• India (latest official): 93 (2019–21, Sample Registration System) Key Data from the Article • Institutional deliveries: 89%• Ayushman Arogya Mandirs: 1.81 lakh• Immunisation coverage: 12 types of vaccines New medical colleges (MP): • Dhar: ₹260 crore• Betul: ₹300 crore• Model: Public–Private Partnership Medical colleges (India): • 2003: 387• Present: 819• After additions: 821• AIIMS: 1 → 23 Madhya Pradesh: • Medical colleges: 33• MBBS seats: 1,250 → 5,550• PG seats: 2,862
India Sri Lanka financial assistance of $450 million for recovery
Context India announced a $450 million reconstruction package to support Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah caused large-scale loss of life and displacement. The announcement was made in Colombo by S. Jaishankar during his visit as the Prime Minister’s special envoy. Summary • Why: To help Sri Lanka recover from cyclone devastation and signal strong neighbourhood support.• What India offered: $450 million package• $350 million as concessional Lines of Credit• $100 million as grants• Focus sectors: Areas worst hit by the climate shock.• Immediate response: India deployed military personnel and resources for rescue and relief, including operations in remote and flooded regions.• Diplomatic significance: Marked as a “new chapter” in India–Sri Lanka relations; Sri Lanka conveyed gratitude for India’s swift assistance.
National anti-terror policy of India to be released soon
India’s First National Anti-Terror Policy • Union government finalising India’s first national anti-terror policy• Aim: Uniform framework for States to prevent, pre-empt, and respond to terror attacks• Trigger: Recent attacks; rise in online radicalisation, open borders misuse, foreign-funded conversion networks• Focus: Pre-emptive action, intelligence-led policing, standard SOPs• Key tools: National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) for data-based threat detection• Institutions: Inputs from National Investigation Agency; policy by Home Ministry• Next step: Anti-terror conference (Dec 26–27, Delhi) to share policy contours
Bangladesh missions in India witness protests
What’s happening? • Protests erupted outside Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions in India (New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai) by Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, demanding protection of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.• Following the protests, Bangladesh summoned India’s High Commissioner in Dhaka and sought a thorough investigation, condemning intimidation near diplomatic establishments.• India, in response, called in Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, describing the meeting as a cordial discussion aimed at de-escalation.• Bangladesh objected to allegations linking India to the killing of a radical leader, calling them unsubstantiated and diplomatically damaging.• Security tightened in Delhi, with 1,500 additional police personnel deployed around the Bangladesh High Commission.
RBI liquidity injection measures worth ₹2.90 lakh crore announced
Context The Reserve Bank of India announced fresh liquidity measures worth ₹2.90 lakh crore through Open Market Operations (OMO) and a dollar–rupee swap to ease tight rupee liquidity, stabilise money markets, and manage foreign exchange pressures. What is Open Market Operation (OMO)? Open Market Operations (OMO) are the purchase or sale of government securities by the RBI in the open market to regulate liquidity in the banking system.• RBI purchases government securities → injects liquidity• RBI sells government securities → absorbs liquidity
Child Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation in India
Supreme Court Guidelines on Appreciation of Evidence Structural Causes of Human and Sex Trafficking Implications of Sex Trafficking Constitutional Safeguards Legal Framework Against Trafficking Institutional Mechanisms Way Forward
Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)
Monetary policy basics Core objective Inflation targeting framework What MPC is and why it exists Main function Composition Meeting rules and voting
Fundamental Duties (Part IV-A)
Fundamental Duties (Part IV-A) : Overview Background and evolution List of Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) Key features Link with Fundamental Rights Verma Committee (1998) and operationalisation Why they matter
India’s Export Performance
Non-Oil Exports Key Export Sectors Product Highlight Institutional Mechanisms under CEPA Bharat Mart Initiative Broader Significance of India–UAE CEPA
