📰 National News
1️⃣ Union Budget 2025-26: Key Highlights
- Income Tax: Changes in tax slabs introduced to benefit middle-class taxpayers.
- Infrastructure Push: Significant investments in highways, railways, and green energy projects.
- Social Welfare: Increased allocations for education, healthcare, and women empowerment programs.
- Relevance for UPSC:
- Fiscal policy and economic planning.
- Impact on GDP growth and employment.
2️⃣ India’s Semiconductor Push
- Context: New policy announced to attract global semiconductor manufacturers to India.
- Key Features:
- Incentives for domestic chip production.
- Investment in research and development.
- Relevance for UPSC:
- India’s role in global semiconductor supply chains.
- Strategic importance in reducing dependence on China.
3️⃣ Supreme Court Verdict on Hate Speech
- Issue: Court laid out stricter guidelines for tackling hate speech in public discourse.
- Impact:
- Increased accountability of public figures.
- Strengthening of laws under IPC and IT Act.
- Relevance for UPSC:
- Article 19 (Freedom of Speech vs. Reasonable Restrictions).
- Role of judiciary in maintaining communal harmony.
🌍 International News
4️⃣ US-China Trade War Escalation
- New Tariffs: The US imposed higher tariffs on Chinese goods, citing unfair trade practices.
- Impact:
- Increased global economic uncertainty.
- Potential repercussions for India’s exports.
- Relevance for UPSC:
- Impact of global trade tensions on India’s economy.
- WTO regulations and dispute resolution mechanisms.
5️⃣ India-Maldives Relations: Recent Developments
- Diplomatic Tensions: Maldives reviewed its military cooperation with India.
- India’s Response: Strengthening ties through trade and development projects.
- Relevance for UPSC:
- India’s Neighbourhood First Policy.
- Geopolitical dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region.
🌱 Environment & Climate
6️⃣ World Wetlands Day Observed
- Theme 2025: Focus on wetland conservation for climate resilience.
- India’s Initiatives:
- Expansion of Ramsar sites.
- Wetland restoration projects under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.
- Relevance for UPSC:
- Role of wetlands in ecological balance.
- India’s commitment to environmental treaties.
🔬 Science & Technology
7️⃣ ISRO’s Chandrayaan-4 Mission Update
- New Developments: Final stage testing of rover and payloads completed.
- Expected Launch: Mid-2025, focusing on lunar resource exploration.
- Relevance for UPSC:
- India’s advancements in space technology.
- Role of ISRO in global space exploration.
🏆 Sports
8️⃣ Indian Women’s Cricket Team Wins T20 Series
- Event: India defeated Australia in a T20I series.
- Significance: Strengthens India’s position in women’s cricket globally.
- Relevance for UPSC:
- Growth of women’s sports in India.
- Government initiatives for sports development.
📰 National Affairs
1. Which of the following sectors received the highest allocation in the Union Budget 2025-26?
a) Education
b) Infrastructure
c) Healthcare
d) Defense
✅ Answer: b) Infrastructure
📌 Explanation: The 2025-26 budget prioritizes investments in highways, railways, and green energy projects to boost economic growth.
2. The Supreme Court recently issued new guidelines on tackling hate speech. Which of the following statements is correct?
a) The guidelines expand the definition of hate speech under IPC.
b) Social media platforms are exempt from these regulations.
c) The ruling applies only to political speeches.
d) Hate speech laws in India are governed solely by Article 19.
✅ Answer: a) The guidelines expand the definition of hate speech under IPC.
📌 Explanation: The court broadened the interpretation of hate speech, emphasizing stricter implementation of IPC and IT Act provisions.
3. India announced a new semiconductor policy to promote domestic manufacturing. Which of the following is NOT a feature of the policy?
a) Direct financial support to manufacturers.
b) Special economic zones for chip production.
c) Government ownership in private chip-making companies.
d) Incentives for R&D in semiconductor technology.
✅ Answer: c) Government ownership in private chip-making companies.
📌 Explanation: The policy provides financial aid and R&D incentives but does not mandate government ownership in private firms.
🌍 International Affairs
4. The United States recently imposed new tariffs on China. What was the main reason cited for this move?
a) To protect domestic manufacturers.
b) To encourage Chinese investments in the U.S.
c) To reduce dependency on global supply chains.
d) To curb intellectual property violations.
✅ Answer: a) To protect domestic manufacturers.
📌 Explanation: The U.S. imposed tariffs to safeguard its industries from cheap Chinese imports and maintain economic competitiveness.
5. Why is India concerned about recent diplomatic tensions with the Maldives?
a) Increased Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean.
b) Maldives’ exit from SAARC.
c) Indian fishing vessels being banned from Maldivian waters.
d) A defense agreement between Maldives and Pakistan.
✅ Answer: a) Increased Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean.
📌 Explanation: Maldives’ growing ties with China raise strategic concerns for India’s influence in the Indian Ocean Region.
🌱 Environment & Climate
6. World Wetlands Day 2025 focused on which key theme?
a) Wetlands for Climate Resilience
b) Wetlands and Biodiversity
c) Restoration of Urban Wetlands
d) Sustainable Wetland Agriculture
✅ Answer: a) Wetlands for Climate Resilience
📌 Explanation: The 2025 theme highlights the role of wetlands in mitigating climate change and protecting ecosystems.
7. India recently added new Ramsar sites under the Wetlands Conservation Program. What is a Ramsar site?
a) A site designated under UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
b) A wetland recognized for its international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
c) A protected area under India’s Wildlife Protection Act.
d) A site managed by the UN Environment Program.
✅ Answer: b) A wetland recognized for its international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
📌 Explanation: Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance, designated under the 1971 Ramsar Convention.
🔬 Science & Technology
8. ISRO’s Chandrayaan-4 mission aims to explore which key aspect of the Moon?
a) Water ice deposits at the poles.
b) Lunar atmosphere composition.
c) Magnetic field variations.
d) Underground lava tubes.
✅ Answer: a) Water ice deposits at the poles.
📌 Explanation: Chandrayaan-4 is designed to study water ice in permanently shadowed craters, crucial for future lunar missions.
🏆 Sports
9. India’s women’s cricket team recently won a T20I series against which country?
a) England
b) Australia
c) South Africa
d) New Zealand
✅ Answer: b) Australia
📌 Explanation: India secured a historic T20I series victory against Australia, marking a significant achievement in women’s cricket.