Category: INTERNATIONAL

Context:  India has dispatched 3 lakh (300,000) doses of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine to Bolivia in response to a measles outbreak, along with ancillary medical supplies.

Bolivia recently declared a National Health Emergency after 60–98 confirmed measles cases, mostly among unvaccinated children.

Key Highlights:

• Outbreak in Bolivia: Rising measles cases prompted door-to-door vaccination drives.
• India’s Role: Part of health diplomacy and solidarity with the Global South.
• Global Context: Measles cases are increasing in the Americas and Europe, emphasizing the need for coordinated global immunization efforts.
• Official Message: India reaffirmed its commitment to global public health and cooperation with friendly nations.

This initiative strengthens India-Bolivia relations and reflects India’s proactive role in international health crises.

Learning Corner:

Measles-Rubella (MR)

Measles and Rubella are contagious viral diseases that primarily affect children and can lead to severe complications if not prevented through vaccination.

Measles

• Cause: Measles virus (Morbillivirus).
• Transmission: Airborne; spreads through coughs, sneezes, and contact with infected surfaces.
• Symptoms: High fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, followed by a red rash.
• Complications: Pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness, and death, especially in malnourished children.

Rubella (German Measles)

• Cause: Rubella virus (a Togavirus).
• Transmission: Airborne; mainly affects children and young adults.
• Symptoms: Mild fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes.
• Complications: Dangerous for pregnant women; can lead to Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) in the fetus, causing birth defects.

Measles-Rubella Vaccine (MR Vaccine)

• Type: Combined live attenuated vaccine.
• Schedule: Two doses recommended — typically at 9–12 months and 16–24 months of age.
• Purpose: To eliminate both measles and rubella through immunization.

India’s MR Campaign

• Launched in 2017 to eliminate measles and control rubella.
• Targeted 410 million children aged 9 months to 15 years.
• Significant drop in cases reported due to widespread vaccination coverage.

Source: AIR

Category: POLITY

Context: Importance of Question Hour.

Question Hour is a crucial mechanism in India’s parliamentary democracy, held at the beginning of each sitting. It ensures executive accountability by compelling ministers to publicly answer questions about their ministries’ actions and decisions.

Why It Matters:

• Ensures Transparency: Ministers respond to oral (starred) or written (unstarred) questions, making their actions open to scrutiny.
• Promotes Real-Time Accountability: MPs can ask follow-up questions, exposing policy gaps and implementation issues.
• Highlights Public Concerns: Brings urgent or overlooked issues to national attention.
• Links Government to Citizens: Allows the public, through their MPs, to question the government directly.

Present-Day Relevance:

With other forms of detailed debates becoming rare, Question Hour remains one of the few consistent tools for holding the executive accountable.

Types of Questions:

Learning Corner:

Parliamentary Tools to Ensure Government Accountability

In a parliamentary democracy, the executive is collectively responsible to the legislature. The Indian Parliament uses several mechanisms to scrutinize the actions of the government and ensure transparency and accountability:

Question Hour

• Held at the start of each sitting.
• MPs ask starred, unstarred, or short notice questions to ministers.
• Helps extract information, expose lapses, and clarify policy decisions.

Zero Hour

• Unscheduled discussion after Question Hour.
• Members raise urgent matters of public importance without prior notice.

Adjournment Motion

• Introduced to draw attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance.
• Leads to adjournment of normal business and discussion of the issue.
• A strong tool, used rarely.

Calling Attention Motion

• Used to call a Minister’s attention to a matter of urgent public importance.
• Minister responds with a statement followed by discussion.

Debate on Motion of Thanks to the President

• Post-President’s Address, MPs discuss government’s policies and programs.
• Serves as a mini confidence motion.

No-Confidence Motion

• Moved in Lok Sabha to test the government’s majority.
• If passed, the government must resign.

Censure Motion

• Criticizes specific policies or actions of the government.
• Does not require resignation, but expresses disapproval.

Parliamentary Committees

• Standing Committees and Department-Related Committees examine bills, policies, and budgets in detail.
• Function as watchdogs with subject-matter expertise.

Budgetary Control Tools

• Discussion and voting on Demands for Grants.
• Cut motions (policy, economy, token) to question expenditure.
• Appropriation Bill and Finance Bill debates test fiscal accountability.

Reports and Audits

• CAG Reports, laid before Parliament, are examined by PAC (Public Accounts Committee).
• Government is held accountable for financial irregularities and inefficiencies.

Source:  THE INDIAN EXPRESS

Category: POLITY

Context : The Bombay High Court has upheld the constitutional validity of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), dismissing petitions that challenged its legality in the Elgar Parishad case.

Key Legal Findings:

• Not a Preventive Detention Law: Despite using the term “prevention,” UAPA is not classified as a preventive detention law.
• Date of Commencement: The Act came into force on 30 December 1967, the date it received Presidential assent, as per legal norms.
• Legislative Competence: Parliament has the constitutional authority to enact laws like UAPA under Article 22 and List I powers.
• On Amendments and Non-Notified Clauses: The court held that unless specific provisions are officially notified, original provisions continue to apply.
• Fundamental Rights Challenge: Allegations of violations of Articles 14, 19, and 21 were rejected, and the law was upheld as constitutional.

Learning Corner:

UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act), 1967

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is India’s primary anti-terror law aimed at preventing activities that threaten the sovereignty, integrity, and security of the nation.

Key Features:

• Objective:
  To prevent unlawful activities and associations that threaten India’s sovereignty and integrity.
• Scope:
  Covers acts of terrorism, support to terrorist organizations, and membership in or association with banned groups.
• Wide Powers to Government:
  Enables the central government to declare individuals and organizations as terrorists or unlawful.
• Stringent Bail Provisions:
  Accused under UAPA face reverse burden of proof, and getting bail is difficult due to strict conditions.
• Amendments:
  • 2004: Brought terrorism within UAPA after POTA was repealed.
  • 2019 Amendment: Allowed individuals (not just organizations) to be designated as terrorists.

Constitutional Standing:

• Parliament has the legislative competence to enact UAPA under Entry 9 of List I (Union List) and Article 22 of the Constitution.
• In July 2025, the Bombay High Court upheld its constitutional validity, stating it is not a preventive detention law and aligns with the Constitution.

Source :  THE HINDU

Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: On July 18, 2025, Shri K. Moses Chalai, Secretary of the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), inaugurated a workshop in New Delhi to promote the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). 

Key Highlights:

• Participants: Senior officials, experts, and leaders from CPSEs across sectors such as power, infrastructure, telecom, and services.
• Objective: Drive strategic integration of emerging technologies and sector-specific digital solutions within CPSEs.
• Technologies Promoted:
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Digital Twins
  • 3D Printing
  • 5G-enabled infrastructure

Strategic Direction:

• A “Whole-of-CPSEs” approach was encouraged, promoting collaboration across enterprises.
• Industry 4.0 is to be treated as a national mission, enhancing the global competitiveness of CPSEs.
• There are plans to integrate Industry 4.0 indicators into the CPSE MoU assessment framework, incentivizing early adoption and innovation.

Learning Corner:

Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0, also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, refers to the integration of advanced digital technologies into manufacturing and industrial processes to create smart, automated, and data-driven systems.

Key Features:

• Automation & Robotics: Use of intelligent machines to perform complex tasks with minimal human intervention.
• Internet of Things (IoT): Interconnected devices and machines that communicate and exchange real-time data.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning: Systems that analyze data, predict outcomes, and enable decision-making.
• Digital Twins: Virtual replicas of physical assets for real-time monitoring and simulation.
• Big Data & Analytics: Use of vast datasets to optimize operations, improve efficiency, and reduce waste.
• Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing): On-demand and precise production of complex parts.
• 5G Connectivity: Ultra-fast and reliable communication to enable real-time industrial operations.

Benefits:

• Improved productivity and operational efficiency
• Enhanced product customization and quality
• Reduced costs and downtime
• Real-time decision-making
• Competitive advantage in global markets

Source: PIB

Category: GEOGRAPHY

Context: India’s recent earthquakes, including the July 2025 Delhi quake, have triggered a call for a fundamental transformation in earthquake preparedness.

Key Elements of the New Approach:

• Modernized Building Codes: Strict implementation of revised seismic safety standards (e.g., IS 1893 and IS 4326) for all constructions, especially in high-risk zones.
• Retrofitting Old Infrastructure: Upgrading unsafe pre-2000 buildings, particularly critical infrastructure like hospitals and schools.
• Resilient Urban Planning: Integrating seismic zoning into city plans and enforcing land-use regulations to reduce risk.
• Enhanced Monitoring: Expanding India’s seismic observatory network to improve real-time data, early warnings, and risk modeling.
• Technology Integration: Leveraging AI, IoT, and geospatial data for real-time alerts and resource planning.
• Public Awareness and Preparedness: Mass education campaigns and safety training to prepare citizens for earthquakes.
• Mainstreaming Risk Reduction: Embedding resilience into schools, local governance, and business continuity frameworks.
• Risk Financing Tools: Promoting insurance, disaster bonds, and incentives to support resilience investments.

Global and Cultural Context:

Inspired by the Sendai Framework and global best practices (e.g., Japan, Chile), India aims to embed resilience in institutions and public life. Experts emphasize a mindset revolution—where seismic safety becomes a routine civic and institutional priority, not just a crisis response.

Learning Corner:

Seismic Zones in India

India lies on the Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt, one of the most seismically active regions in the world. It is prone to earthquakes due to tectonic movements, particularly the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has classified India into four seismic zones (Zone II to V) based on the frequency and intensity of past earthquakes.

Seismic Zonation Classification:

Note: Zone I was present in older classifications but has now been merged with Zone II.

Source: THE HINDU

Introduction (Context)

India’s declining Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) have improved credit availability for industries, especially MSMEs, supporting capacity expansion in a favourable policy environment. However, recent trends in credit growth reveal structural shifts, sectoral challenges, and evolving opportunities.

Recent Credit Growth Trends

• Overall credit growth of scheduled commercial banks fell to 9.5% (fortnight ending June 27, 2025) vs 17.4% last year. (Credit growth means the increase in the total amount of loans given by banks and financial institutions over a period of time.)
• Credit growth has, however, been declining since May 2024, due to following reasons:

a. RBI made lending rules stricter

• In late 2023 RBI make lending rules stricter. The RBI increased the risk weights for consumer loans, like personal loans and credit card loans, and also for loans given to non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). 
• This means banks had to keep more money aside as a safety measure while giving these loans, making them more cautious in lending to these sectors.
• As a result, the growth of unsecured loans, which are loans given without any collateral, fell sharply. For example, the growth rate of these loans dropped from 28.3% in March 2023 to just 7.9% in March 2025 and 7.8% in May 2025. Similarly, loans given to NBFCs also reduced significantly.
• However, despite these strict measures, the problem of bad loans in unsecured retail lending continued to rise. The share of non-performing assets (NPAs) in these loans increased from 1.5% in the previous year to 1.8% in March 2025. This indicates that even with tighter rules and reduced loan growth, many borrowers are still finding it difficult to repay their unsecured loans, showing signs of stress in the financial system.

b. Low retail lending in Private sector

• Private sector banks have a relatively low share of floating rate loans in their retail lending.
• Floating rate loans are loans where the interest rate changes when the RBI changes its policy rates. For example, if RBI cuts rates, the interest you pay on a floating loan also decreases, making it cheaper for you. This helps people and businesses borrow more, boosting the economy.
• However, private banks have only 54.7% of their retail loans linked to EBLR (External Benchmark Lending Rate), while public sector banks (PSBs) have a higher share of 59.8%. (EBLR is an interest rate linked directly to an external benchmark like the RBI repo rate. When RBI cuts repo rates, EBLR-linked loan rates also come down quickly.)
• Because private banks have fewer floating rate loans linked to EBLR, borrowers in private banks do not benefit as much from RBI’s rate cuts. This slows down the positive impact of lower interest rates on the economy, creating a friction in monetary policy transmission.

Additionally, there is a noticeable shift happening from private banks to public sector banks (PSBs). In 2024-25, PSBs showed stable credit growth of 12.2%, which is only slightly lower than 13.6% in 2023-24. However, the credit growth of private banks fell sharply to 9.5%, the lowest since 2020-21.

This improvement in PSBs is a result of the government’s 4R strategy:

• Recognition (accepting the problem of bad loans),
• Resolution (recovering or restructuring bad loans),
• Recapitalisation (infusing money into banks to strengthen them), and
• Reforms (making rules better for efficient banking).

Because of these steps, PSBs are now stronger and giving more loans, while private banks are becoming cautious.

Case with MSME

MSME credit, which grew by merely 5-7 per cent during 2011-2013, is now growing in double digits at around 18 per cent in May 2025.

The reasons are:

• MSME financial condition has improved, making banks more confident to lend them money.
• The number of serious delinquencies has gone down. When a borrower does not pay their loan instalments for 90 to 120 days, it is called a delinquency.  Currently, such delinquencies have fallen to 1.8%, which is the lowest in the last five years. This shows MSMEs are repaying their loans better.
• Further, the definition of MSMEs has been revised to increase the limit of investment and turnover (annual sales) allowed under MSME status.
• The formalisation of MSMEs is also helping credit growth. Through URN seeding (linking businesses with Unique Registration Numbers) which makes them visible in government records, improving their chances of getting bank loans.
• Government initiatives:

• Enhanced guarantee covers for MSMEs.
• Turnover threshold for TReDS onboarding reduced from Rs 500 crore to Rs 250 crore.
• MSME Samadhaan portal reimagined for cash flow efficiency.

Conclusion

The decline in NPAs has significantly strengthened India’s banking sector, enhancing its ability to extend credit to industries, particularly MSMEs, which are the backbone of employment and inclusive growth.

Going forward, sustaining this momentum will require a balanced approach that ensures financial stability while promoting credit availability, especially for productive sectors.

Mains Practice Question

1. How does decline in NPA impact credit availability for industries? Analyse with recent data. (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/a-turnaround-for-banks-10135633/

Introduction (Context)

India is endowed with a wide range of minerals, which are essentials for its growth and development. 

Recently, the Ministry of Mines has reclassified minor minerals Barytes, Felspar, Mica, and Quartz as major minerals. These minerals are essential for various new technologies, energy transition, spacecraft industries, the healthcare sector, etc.

What are major minerals?

• The major minerals cover fuel minerals consisting of coal, lignite, petroleum & natural gas and other major minerals i.e. metallic minerals including atomic minerals and non-metallic minerals.
• Central govt make rules for regulating the grant of lease for mining.

What are minor minerals?

• Minor minerals are defined under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957, as building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, and ordinary sand. 
• The regulation and management of minor minerals fall under the purview of state governments.
• Minor minerals play a crucial role in infrastructure, manufacturing and local economies. They are primarily sourced from riverbeds, floodplains, hills, coastal areas, deserts, and open quarries across various states.
• The Central Government also has the authority to declare any other mineral to be a minor mineral. It has thus far notified around 31 minerals as minor minerals such as Gypsum, Mica, Quartz, Clay-based minerals, Sand, etc. 
• Silica-rich minerals like Quartz and Silica sand are commonly found in riverbeds and desert regions. They are used extensively in glassmaking and electronics. 
• Sand is a vital component of concrete, mortar, and asphalt, making it essential for buildings, roads, and other infrastructure.
• Feldspar, Mica, and Kaolin are mostly used in ceramics, paints, and rubber industries.
• Limestone derivatives like Calcite, Gypsum and Lime kankar are essential for construction and chemical processing.
• Extraction typically takes place on a small to medium scale and is governed by state authorities.

In the Quarry Owners Association vs State of Bihar (2000) case, the Supreme Court clarified that the classification of minerals as major or minor under the MMDR Act is determined by their end use and local importance, rather than by their volume, availability or production levels. 

Regulations of minerals

• Under the Indian Constitution, states are vested with the power to make laws on mines and minerals under List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule.
• However, under List I (Union List), the Central Government can also make laws on the regulation of mines and minerals by declaring it in the public interest. 
• Under MMDR Act in 1957, Section 15 of the Act delegates the rule-making power to the state governments in relation to minor minerals. It empowers states to frame rules for granting leases, issuing permits, and fixing and collecting rent and royalties from the holders of mining leases and permits. 
• The minor minerals are also regulated under laws related to pollution, wildlife and biodiversity protection, etc.
• In response, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) issued Sand Mining guidelines in 2016 and 2020, and the Ministry of Mines released a Sand Mining Framework in 2018.

Recent changes

• The Ministry of has shifted minerals Barytes, Felspar, Mica and Quartz from the list of minor minerals to the category of major minerals.
• Quartz, Felspar and Mica are found in pegmatite rocks, which are an important source of many critical minerals such as Beryl, Lithium, Niobium, Tantalum, Molybdenum, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, etc. These minerals have vital role in various new technologies, in energy transition, spacecraft industries, healthcare sector, etc.
• Similarly, Baryte has various industrial applications which is used for oil and gas drilling, electronics, TV screens, rubber, glass, ceramics, paint, radiation shielding and medical applications.
• Baryte is used to make high density concrete to block x-ray emissions in hospitals, power plants, and laboratories. 

The government has notified these minerals as major minerals, because this will increase in exploration and scientific mining of these minerals which are an important source of many critical minerals.

Key Judicial Pronouncements

• Deepak Kumar vs State of Haryana (2012)

• • Made environmental clearance mandatory for minor mineral mining even below 5 hectares.
  • Recommended mining plan prior to clearance.

• Himmat Singh Shekhawat vs State of Rajasthan (2014)

• • NGT invalidated MoEFCC notification exempting projects under 5 hectares from clearance.

• Satendra Pandey vs Union of India (2018)

• • NGT struck down 2016 notification that diluted environmental clearance norms for areas below 25 hectares.

Challenges 

• Illegal and unscientific mining persists despite regulations and judicial interventions.
• Hotspots of illegal sand mining are Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh.
• Mining leads to lowering of groundwater levels in riparian areas, pollution of nearby land and water bodies and disruption of aquatic ecosystems.
• Mining also leads to loss of soil fertility in agricultural fields.
• Mining also leads to violent clashes between miners and law enforcement.

Way forward

• Strengthen enforcement against illegal mining.
• Harmonise regulations with a model framework across states.
• Adopt sustainable alternatives for construction materials.
• Ensure environmental safeguards are integrated into mining policies.
• Uphold Public Trust Doctrine: State as trustee to manage resources in public interest.

Mains Practice Question

1. What are minor minerals, and how are they regulated in India? Discuss their economic significance and the environmental challenges arising from their extraction. (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/upsc-current-affairs/upsc-essentials/how-clean-energy-needs-new-tech-shape-mineral-governance-in-india-10130730/