Category: Environment and Ecology

Context:

• In Cuba’s mosquito-infested swamp, scientists race to save a prehistoric predator, Cuban Gar, which is as old as dinosaurs.

About Cuban Gar:

• Scientific name: The scientific name of Cuban gar is Atractosteus tristoechus. It is a fish in the family Lepisosteidae.
• Other names: It is also known as the manjuari.
• Prehistoric in nature: This fish is part of a family called “gars,” which have been around for about 100 million years.
• Distribution: It is a tropical, freshwater species, although it also inhabits brackish water. It is found in rivers and lakes of western Cuba and the Isla de la Juventud.
• Uniqueness: It has the ability to breathe some atmospheric air in absence of sufficiently oxygenated water. It is also notable for its high tolerance of high ammonia and nitrate levels in water.
• Habitat: It is found in various habitats from large lakes and rivers to sluggish tributaries, backwaters and pools, and can surive in both fresh and brackish waters.
• Diet pattern: Gars are ambush predators feeding on smaller fishes and aquatic crustaceans in nature.
• Threats: It includes habitat loss, and introduction of invasive species like African walking catfish.
• IUCN status: It is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ in the IUCN Red Data list.

Source:

• India Today

Category: Geography

Context:

• Multiple cyclonic storms with rare Fujiwhara interaction is likely in Bay of Bengal in the following week.

About Fujiwhara Effect:

• Definition: The Fujiwhara Effect occurs when two cyclones form near each other or approach each other close enough to allow the Fujiwhara interaction to take place. 
• Outcome of binary interaction: Extratropical cyclones can exhibit binary interaction when within a distance of 2,000 km of each other. Tropical cyclones exhibit this type of effect when separated by a distance of less than 1,400 km. 
• Direction: During the Fujiwhara interaction, the centers of the two cyclones involved in the phenomenon begin to mutually orbit in a counterclockwise direction about a point between the two cyclones.
• Dependent on relative mass: The position of the point is dependent on the intensity and relative mass of the cyclonic vortices. The smaller cyclone involved in the Fujiwhara Effect moves at a faster rate than the bigger one about the central point.
• Can lead to larger cyclones: The Fujiwhara Effect might lead the two cyclones to spiral into the central point and merge with each other, or it might trigger the development of a larger cyclone.  It might also divert the original path of one or both the cyclones.

Source:

• Down To Earth

Category: Defence and Security

Context:

• The 19th edition of Joint Military exercise “Exercise SURYAKIRAN XIX – 2025” commenced today at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.

About Exercise Suryakiran:

• • Countries involved: It is the joint military exercise conducted between India and Nepal.
  • Representing regiment: The Indian contingent is being represented mainly by troops from the ASSAM Regiment.
  • Objective: The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of Sub Conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.’
  • Significance: It will further enhance the level of defence cooperation between Indian Army and Nepal Army.

• Focus areas:

• • • To enhance interoperability between the two armies in Counter-Terrorism (CT) Operations, jungle warfare, and mountain operations. 
    • To improve coordination in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) under the United Nations (UN) Charter. 
    • To emphasise on operational preparedness, aviation aspects, medical training, and environment conservation.

• About Exercise Suryakiran XIX:

• • It aims to strengthen battalion-level synergy in Jungle Warfare, Counter-Terrorism Operations in Mountainous Terrain, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR), Environmental Conservation, and Integrated Ground–Aviation Operations.
  • It will focus on incorporating niche and emerging technologies, including Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), drone-based ISR, AI-enabled decision support tools, unmanned logistic vehicles and armoured protection platforms.

Source:

• PIB

Category: Government Schemes

Context:

• The Ministry of Finance has notified the Capital Gains Accounts (Second Amendment) Scheme, 2025, introducing changes to the Capital Gains Account Scheme, 1988.

About Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS):

• • Launch: It was introduced by the Central Government in 1988 to help taxpayers claim exemptions on long-term capital gains. 
  • Legal provision: Under Section 54 of the Income Tax Act, income from capital gains must be reinvested within 3 years to avoid tax liability.  However, there could be instances when the due date for filing income tax falls during this specified tenure. 
  • Exception: If a taxpayer is unable to invest in such a short period of time, they can deposit such underutilised capital gains under CGAS. However, taxpayers must deposit such funds before filing their Income Tax Returns.
  • Short-term gains not eligible: Investing the gains in this account is treated the same as direct reinvestment for exemption purposes. However, short-term capital gains are not eligible for the CGAS, as exemptions apply only to long-term capital gains.
  • Persons who can deposit: Any taxpayer who earns long-term capital gains and wants to claim exemption can deposit in the CGAS. This includes Individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), Companies, and any other person eligible for capital gains exemption. 
  • Usage: The scheme is mainly used when the taxpayer is unable to reinvest the capital gains before the due date of filing their income tax return but intends to invest within the specified period to claim exemption.
  • Timeline: The deposited amount must be used within the stipulated period to invest in the eligible asset; otherwise, it will be treated as taxable capital gain in the year the deadline expires.

• About Capital Gains Accounts (Second Amendment) Scheme, 2025:

• • Previously, CGAS deposits were largely limited to public sector banks and a few older institutions. 
  • Under the new notification, all non-rural branches of 19 major private banks are now authorised to receive deposits and maintain CGAS accounts. 
  • The “non-rural branch” condition means that only branches at centres with population 10,000 or more (per 2011 census) are in scope.
  • The amended scheme explicitly defines ‘electronic mode’ of deposit to include credit/debit cards, net banking, UPI, IMPS, RTGS, NEFT, BHIM/Aadhaar Pay etc.

Source:

• CNBC TV 18

Category: Society

Context:

• Recently, the Bastar Olympics’ tournament has seen increasing participation of the Abujhmadiya tribe.

About Abujhmadiya Tribe:

• Location: They are an ancestral and patriarchal tribe primarily residing in the Abujmarh region in Chhattisgarh, India.
• Related to Gond tribe: Abujhmadiya tribal community is a sub-group of Gond tribe of Central India region. 
• Part of PVTGs: It is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
• Language: They speak Abuj Maria, Hindi or Chhattisgarhi.
• Social Structure: Their society is organized into clans, each with its own customs and traditions.
• Religious beliefs: They follow a form of animism, worshipping nature spirits and deities associated with natural elements.
• Emphasis on tattoo: Abujhmaria women consider (Godana) tattoo a permanent jewel.
• Festivals: They celebrate various festivals such as Saja festival and Bastar Dussehra, which features traditional dances, rituals, and community gatherings.
• Economic activities: The Abuj Maria primarily engage in subsistence agriculture, cultivating crops like rice, maize, and pulses. They also practice hunting, fishing, and gathering forest products.

Source:

• The Indian Express

(UPSC GS Paper III – “Indian Economy; External Sector; Energy Security”)

Context (Introduction)

A 7% rupee depreciation since late 2024, amid widening current-account pressures, global dollar strength, and higher oil import costs, has exposed India’s structural vulnerability arising from heavy crude dependence, limiting RBI’s stabilisation capacity and demanding long-term energy reforms.

Main Arguments

• External Vulnerability: Persistent crude dependence—over one-fifth of total imports in FY25—amplifies currency depreciation during global shocks, widening the current account deficit.
• RBI’s Limited Mandate: Under a managed-float regime, the RBI can only smooth currency volatility, not arrest depreciation, despite selling nearly $50 billion in forex since November 2024.
• Imported Inflation Risk: Transition from cheaper Russian oil to costlier U.S. crude combined with a weaker rupee increases inflationary pressure even as CPI temporarily eased to 0.25% in October 2025.
• Liquidity Management: Large-dollar swaps, including the $10 billion buy-sell swap in February 2025, provide systemic liquidity but cannot offset structural import dependence.
• Trade Shocks: High global tariffs and rising bullion imports as a hedge further strain the CAD, underscoring the need to reduce oil-linked vulnerabilities.

Challenges / Criticisms 

• Structural Oil Dependence: India remains exposed to global crude cycles, making macroeconomic stability hostage to oil price swings.
• Inadequate Energy Transition: Electrification of transport and renewable integration remain slow relative to the scale needed for external-sector resilience.
• Trade Policy Weaknesses: Recent bilateral FTAs with Japan, UAE, and ASEAN have worsened India’s trade balance instead of diversifying risk.
• CAD Pressures: Rising bullion imports and weaker exports under hostile global conditions strain the external account despite record FDI and reserves.
• Limited Monetary Scope: The RBI cannot indefinitely defend the rupee without compromising reserves or triggering domestic liquidity distortions.

Way Forward

• Accelerated Electrification: Treat EV adoption and public transport electrification as strategic economic reforms, not sectoral initiatives.
• Diversified Energy Mix: Expand domestic renewables, green hydrogen, and biofuels to structurally reduce crude import intensity.
• Coherent Trade Strategy: Shift from bilateral FTAs to a calibrated trade policy that safeguards domestic industry and aligns with energy-security goals.
• Boost Domestic Exploration: Strengthen ONGC and private-sector exploration to modestly raise domestic production and reduce import dependency.
• Demand-Side Efficiency: Promote energy-efficient fuels, mobility alternatives, and urban planning tools to curb long-term oil demand.

Conclusion

Rupee stability cannot rest on RBI interventions alone when structural oil dependence drives repeated external shocks. True currency resilience demands a decisive energy transition that reduces crude imports, strengthens the current account, and enhances India’s long-term macroeconomic autonomy.

Mains Question 

1. “India’s recurrent rupee volatility reflects a deeper structural vulnerability arising from heavy crude oil dependence. Analyse the macroeconomic risks of this dependence and suggest policy measures to address them.” (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: The Hindu

(UPSC GS Paper II – “Security Challenges and their Management; Role of State and Non-State Actors)

Context (Introduction)

Recent violence and the subsequent public suspicion directed at Kashmiris highlight deep-seated alienation in Jammu & Kashmir, rooted in perceptions of injustice, civil liberties concerns, and political grievances, making reconciliation dependent on dignity, dialogue, and trust-building.

Main Arguments: Why Reconciliation Requires a Human-Centric Approach

• Collective Suspicion: Media sensationalism and premature attribution of blame stigmatise Kashmiris across India, worsening fear, anxiety, and feelings of being treated as perpetual suspects.
• Punitive Measures: Practices such as demolishing family homes of alleged militants constitute collective punishment, violating fairness norms and deepening resentment.
• Civil Liberties Concerns: Curtailment of liberties, widespread surveillance, arbitrary dismissals from government jobs, and property attachments create suffocation among youth.
• Economic Exclusion: Shrinking employment avenues combined with perceived discriminatory recruitment and reservation policies heighten disempowerment and frustration.
• Political Disempowerment: Abrogation of Article 370, withdrawal of land and job protections, and fears of demographic change fuel sentiments of loss, dispossession, and identity anxiety.

Challenges / Criticisms 

• Alienation Spiral: Security actions that emphasise coercion over engagement risk reinforcing alienation and incentivising radicalisation among frustrated youth.
• Identity Insecurity: Perceptions of cultural erosion and erosion of institutional protections hinder emotional integration with the Union.
• Distrust in Institutions: Frequent raids, detentions, and surveillance weaken faith in justice systems and reduce cooperation with authorities.
• Political Vacuum: Limited democratic engagement and absence of meaningful political dialogue allow grievances to fester unaddressed.
• Narrative Polarisation: Media narratives framing the region solely through terrorism ignore lived experiences, limiting empathy and national cohesion.

Way Forward

• End Collective Punishment: Stop punitive demolitions and ensure accused individuals, not families, are subject to due legal process.
• Restore Civil Liberties: Build confidence by curbing excessive surveillance, ensuring fair recruitment, and easing restrictions on peaceful civic activity.
• Reopen Dialogue Channels: Revive a structured political dialogue rooted in insaniyat and jamhooriyat, drawing on the Vajpayee framework.
• Economic Inclusion: Prioritise job creation, equitable recruitment, and targeted youth programmes to strengthen trust in institutions.
• Narrative Correction: Promote responsible media reporting and public communication to prevent stereotyping and encourage national empathy.

Conclusion

Sustainable peace in J&K demands more than security management; it requires dignity, justice, and engagement. When rights are respected, aspirations acknowledged, and communities treated with compassion rather than suspicion, reconciliation becomes a lived reality rather than a distant ideal.

Mains Question 

1. “Peace in Jammu & Kashmir cannot rest solely on security operations but requires political engagement. Analyse the social and political roots of alienation and suggest measures for sustainable reconciliation.” (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: The Hindu

(UPSC GS Paper II – “Communalism; Role of Institutions; Governance Challenges; Vulnerable Sections”)

Context (Introduction)

The release of the Tewary and Mehta Commission reports, four decades after the Nellie massacre, underscores how identity politics, demographic anxieties, and institutional failures converged to produce one of India’s worst communal tragedies, offering urgent lessons ahead of Assam’s 2026 elections.

Main Arguments:

• Communal Violence Legacy: The 1983 massacre of Bengali-speaking Muslims remains a stark reminder of how political mobilisation around identity can escalate into mass brutality within hours.
• Institutional Silence: Despite hundreds of FIRs, the absence of a single conviction highlights long-standing institutional apathy undermining justice and accountability.
• Demographic Anxiety: Both reports situate the violence in the context of land pressures, migration waves since Partition and 1971, and fears of demographic change fueling social tension.
• Political Mobilisation: Vitriolic rhetoric during the Assam Agitation and the contentious election cycle weaponised everyday insecurities into communal antagonism.
• Contradictory Findings: Despite differing interpretations of the election’s role, both commissions converge on the deeper structural factors enabling violence.

Challenges / Criticisms 

• Identity Polarisation: Narratives around “foreigners,” “demographic invasion,” and “land jihad” intensify suspicion and deepen communal divides.
• Weak Institutional Safeguards: Revival of the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950 without Foreigners Tribunal safeguards risks bypassing legal protections.
• Administrative Drift: Neglect, bureaucratic inertia, and electoral expediency erode institutional capacity to prevent or respond to communal violence.
• Economic Strain: Resource scarcity, land competition, and unemployment make local populations vulnerable to divisive political messaging.
• Constitutional Stress: Eviction drives and harsh enforcement measures strain democratic guardrails and risk normalising exclusionary governance.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Due Process: Ensure all immigration-related actions are routed through robust mechanisms like Foreigners Tribunals with judicial oversight.
• Address Root Causes: Tackle land insecurity, resource stress, and development deficits that fuel local resentment and identity conflict.
• Responsible Political Discourse: Promote fact-based communication and hold public representatives accountable for inflammatory rhetoric.
• Revitalise Institutions: Build administrative capacity, early-warning systems, and impartial policing to prevent escalation of local tensions.
• Inclusive Governance: Engage linguistic and religious minorities through dialogue, representation, and confidence-building measures to reduce alienation.

Conclusion

The Nellie massacre stands as a stark caution against allowing demographic fears and identity politics to overwhelm constitutional protections. As Assam heads toward a crucial election, the imperative is not ritual remembrance but rebuilding institutions and political responsibility to safeguard every citizen’s dignity and security.

Mains Question 

1. Examine how identity politics, demographic anxieties, and weak institutions can converge into large-scale violence with help of examples from Indian context. (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: Indian Express