Recently, government-owned Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have hiked the retail prices of petrol and diesel in a staggered manner (a ₹3/litre hike followed by a 90-paise hike) after a four-year hiatus on major price increases. Key Highlights of the Current Scenario Primary Reasons for the Price Hike Macroeconomic Implications Background: Pricing Mechanism of Fuel in […]
RISING FUEL PRICES and OMC STRESS IN INDIA Read More »
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently visited Beijing to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The visit is highly significant as it immediately followed a high-profile visit by U.S. President Donald Trump, and marks the 30th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Russia and China. Context and Strategic Timing (The “Trump Factor”) Core Agenda of
RUSSIA-CHINA STRATEGIC SUMMIT and SHIFTING GEOPOLITICS Read More »
Recently, Iran’s Parliament announced a “professional mechanism” managed by a newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to oversee and collect tolls for vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz. Indonesia temporarily floated the idea of imposing a levy on ships passing through the Malacca Strait, though it later reaffirmed its commitment to international freedom
GEOPOLITICS OF INDIAN OCEAN CHOKEPOINTS Read More »
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recently seized two live Indian Red Sand Boas during an undercover decoy operation in Telangana, highlighting the persistent challenge of illegal wildlife trafficking in India’s grey market. About the Indian Red Sand Boa (Eryx johnii) Drivers of Illegal Poaching and Trade About Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Practice Questions
Seizure of Indian Red Sand Boa Read More »
Congress leader V.D. Satheesan was recently sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Kerala following the landslide victory of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the 2026 State Legislative Assembly elections. Key Highlights of the Event Constitutional Provisions Related to the Executive (State Level) Role of the Governor in Government Formation Practice Questions Prelims
Formation of New State Government in Kerala Read More »
Recently, a delegation of Indian space-tech startups led by IN-SPACe signed multiple strategic partnerships at the Space Meetings Veneto 2026 in Italy. This comes against the backdrop of India’s rapid transition from a state-dominated space model to a commercially driven ecosystem. Space Sector in India: Current Situation and Future Privatization of the Space Sector in
India’s Evolving Space Sector and Milestones Read More »
Recently, a landmark event in India’s cultural restitution history occurred at a formal ceremony in The Hague. The Netherlands officially repatriated the 11th-century Anaimangalam Copper Plates Charter (popularly known as the Leiden Copper Plates) to India in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten. Housed at Leiden University Library
REPATRIATION OF THE CHOLA-ERA ANAIMANGALAM COPPER PLATES Read More »
Recently, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to The Hague, India and the Netherlands officially elevated their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership. The leaders adopted an ambitious roadmap to deepen engagement across high-tech manufacturing, climate action, and resource management, concluding 17 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). Key Pillars of the Upgraded Partnership
INDIA-NETHERLANDS RELATIONS ELEVATED TO STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP Read More »
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced a historic official visit to Norway, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 43 years (since 1983). PM Modi was conferred with Sweden’s prestigious ‘Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross’ for his exceptional contributions to pioneering the India-Sweden strategic
PM MODI’S HISTORIC VISIT TO NORWAY AND THE 3RD INDIA-NORDIC SUMMIT Read More »
Recently, a drone strike targeted the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, setting an external electrical generator ablaze on its perimeter. The incident marks a severe escalation in West Asia, heavily straining the tenuous ceasefire in the ongoing regional conflict. This is the first time the four-reactor Barakah plant—the cornerstone of the UAE’s
DRONE STRIKE TARGETS UAE’S BARAKAH NUCLEAR POWER PLANT Read More »