Subject: Economy – Bond Markets; Global Inflation; Foreign Portfolio Investment; Iran War Impact; Asian Equities.
Why in News?
What are Bond Yields?
Definition
Long-term yields (10 years and above)
Current Situation (May 2026)
Key Drivers of Yield Surge
Yield Levels
Impact on Asian Equities
Foreign Portfolio Outflows (May 2026 so far)
Why Rising Yields Hurt Equities
Higher long-term borrowing costs weigh on valuations, particularly in growth-heavy markets (technology, future earnings).
Mechanism
Key Terms for Prelims
Possible Prelims MCQs
Q1: Global long-term bond yields have recently climbed to their highest level since:
Q2: The surge in global bond yields is primarily driven by:
Q3: Bond prices and bond yields have which relationship?
Q4: The 30-year US Treasury yield has climbed to its highest level since:
Source/Reference:
Subject: Art & Culture – Handloom; GI Tag; Muga Silk; Assam; Diplomatic Gifts; Cultural Soft Power.
Why in News?
About Muga Silk
Basic Details
Production
Cultural Significance
Geographical Indication (GI) Tag
Shirui Lily Silk (Gifted Alongside)
Inspiration
Cultural Significance (Manipur)
Cultural Resonance (Italy)
Key Terms for Prelims
Possible Prelims MCQs
Q1: Muga silk is obtained from which silkworm species?
Q2: Muga silk is primarily produced in which Indian state?
Q3: In which year did Muga silk receive the Geographical Indication (GI) tag?
Q4: The rare Shirui Lily, which inspired a silk stole gifted to Italy’s PM, is endemic to which peak in Manipur?
Q5: The Tangkhul Naga community of Manipur regards the Shirui Lily as a symbol of:
Q6: Kalanamak rice, gifted to FAO Director-General, is also known as:
Q7: Kesar mangoes, gifted to UAE President, are a GI-tagged fruit from which state?
Source/Reference:
Subject: Science & Tech – Rare Genetic Disorders; Health – National Policy for Rare Diseases; Precision Medicine; DBT.
Why in News?
What is UMMID Programme?
Full Form
Launch
Objective
Alignment
Three Major Pillars
Key Features
Integrated Framework
UMMID Dashboard
National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) 2021
Definition of Rare Disease (India)
Categories of Rare Diseases (NPRD 2021)
Key Provisions
Significance
Fills a Long-Standing Gap
India’s Genetic Diversity
Foundation for Precision Medicine
Alignment with Healthcare Reforms
Key Terms for Prelims
Possible Prelims MCQs
Q1: The UMMID Programme is an initiative of which ministry/department?
Q2: What does ‘NIDAN Kendra’ refer to under the UMMID Programme?
Q3: UMMID Programme supports the implementation of which national policy?
Q4: As of May 2026, how many individuals have benefited from the UMMID Programme?
Q5: In India, a rare disease is defined as one with a prevalence of less than:
Source/Reference:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2263736®=3&lang=1
Subject: International Relations – India-Africa Relations; Health – Ebola Outbreak; PHEIC; South-South Cooperation; Vaccine.
Why in News?
About Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
What is Ebola?
Transmission
Symptoms
Fatality Rate
Treatment and Prevention
Current Outbreak (May 2026)
About India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS)
Establishment
Purpose
Objectives of IAFS
Key Terms for Prelims
Possible Prelims MCQs
Q1: The India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) was established in which year?
Q2: How many India-Africa Forum Summits have been held so far (as of May 2026)?
Q3: Which organization declared the Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)?
Q4: In which year was the Ebola virus first identified?
Q5: What is the name of the approved Ebola vaccine?
Q6: What are the natural hosts of the Ebola virus?
Q7: Which Indian foreign policy think tank’s Africa-related events were also cancelled along with IAFS-IV?
Q8: The African Union (AU) is headquartered in:
Source/Reference:
Subject: Environment – Wildlife Sanctuary; Art & Culture – Nakshatra System; Haryana; Seonsar Forest; Tropical Deciduous.
Why in News?
About Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary
Location
Area
Cultural and Ecological Significance
Flora
Fauna
Nakshatra Vatika (Constellation Garden)
What is it?
Purpose
Location within Sanctuary
What are Nakshatras?
Definition
Connection with Trees
Key Terms for Prelims
Possible Prelims MCQs
Q1: Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary (Seonsar Forest) is located in which state?
Q2: The Nakshatra Vatika at Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary features saplings of how many Nakshatras?
Q3: Which ancient periods are associated with the archaeological remains found in the sanctuary?
Q4: What type of forest vegetation is found in Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary?
Q5: Which rare deer species is found in Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary?
Q6: Lakhauri bricks found in the sanctuary are associated with which era?
Source/Reference:
GS Paper II – Polity & Governance (Media) | GS Paper IV – Ethics
Press Freedom; International Rankings; Media Regulation; State Control
Introduction
A Norwegian journalist cited the World Press Freedom Index, where India ranks 157, below countries like Ukraine, Qatar, and Oman. Yet such rankings often ignore biases within supposedly “free” media—illustrated when a Norwegian newspaper depicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a snake charmer. International indices are useful for spotting broad trends, but they remain imperfect and cannot be treated as absolute measures.
Main Body
The Ranking: India at 157
World Press Freedom Index (Reporters Without Borders):
The Paradox:
What the Ranking Does Not Account For:
Methodological Problems with the Index
Dubious Methodology:
The Index’s Own Undermining:
Comparative Context:
The Real State of Press Freedom in India
Press Conferences and Interviews:
One-Way Political Communication:
State Control:
Market Forces:
The Problem with Selective Dismissal of Rankings
Curiously Selective Approach:
The Convenience of Dismissal:
The Better Argument: Rankings as Blunt Instruments
What Rankings Are Good For:
What Rankings Are Not Good For:
The Norwegian Example:
The Indian Reality:
Conclusion
India’s low ranking in the World Press Freedom Index raises concerns, but the index itself has methodological limitations and often overlooks biases within “free” Western media, such as racist portrayals of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At the same time, India’s media environment faces real challenges—declining press interactions, one-way political communication, market pressures, and state constraints. International rankings are therefore best seen as broad indicators, not absolute judgments.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
GS Paper II – International Relations (Regional Groupings; Indo-Pacific)
Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad); US-China Competition; India’s Strategic Autonomy
Introduction
Revived in 2017 amid converging Indo-Pacific interests, the Quad—comprising India, Australia, Japan, and the United States—emerged as a key platform for promoting a rules-based regional order, marked by its first Leaders’ Summit in 2021. However, shifting geopolitical priorities under President Donald Trump, including a softer approach towards China and greater focus on the Middle East and western hemisphere, have weakened the grouping’s momentum. As Quad foreign ministers meet in New Delhi, the central question is whether the bloc will be revitalised, sidelined, or gradually abandoned.
Main Body
The Quad’s Journey: Summits and Working Groups
Leader-Level Summits (Six so far):
Working Groups and Partnerships Added Over Time:
Progress:
China as a Constant Theme
Evolution of Quad Statements on China:
The Quad’s Position:
China’s Response (2018):
Why the Quad is on “Life Support”
De-prioritisation by Trump Administration (Second Term):
New Tensions in US-India Relations:
US Warming Up to China:
Trump’s Upgraded Priorities:
India’s Position: Supportive but Adaptable
Despite Difficulties (Last 16 Months):
India’s Strategic Autonomy:
India’s Contributions:
The Strategic Rationale for the Quad Remains Strong
China’s Trajectory:
The Risk of Inertia:
Stability and Rule of Law:
The Way Forward: Options for Quad Foreign Ministers
Option 1: Rejuvenate
Option 2: Neglect
Option 3: Abandon
Current Indications:
Conclusion
Since its revival in 2017, the Quad—comprising India, Australia, Japan, and the United States—has expanded its agenda across security, technology, health, climate, and infrastructure, though with uneven outcomes. The grouping now faces uncertainty due to shifting priorities under President Donald Trump, growing US-China accommodation, and new US-India tensions. Yet, with China continuing to expand its regional influence, the Quad remains strategically relevant. Re-energising it through a sharper, more focused, and outcome-oriented agenda is essential to prevent the grouping from losing credibility and momentum.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
