The Trade War on Wheels: China’s WTO Complaint Against India’s EV Subsidies

Posted inAgriculture, Current Affairs, Economy, Governance, International Relations, National Security
Why is this Relevant for UPSC CSE? GS Paper II (International Relations): Role of international institutions (WTO) in dispute redressal; Effect of policies of developed/developing countries on India (China’s aggressive trade posturing).GS Paper III (Economy): Industrial Policy (PLI Schemes); Indigenization of Technology; Manufacturing Sector growth; Effects of Liberalization.Interview Perspective: Balancing "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-reliance) with global free trade obligations. Context: In October 2025, China filed a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), alleging that India’s flagship Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) batteries violate global trade norms. China claims these schemes…

Turning Brain Drain into Brain Gain: India’s “Star Faculty” Strategy

Posted inCurrent Affairs, Essay, Governance, Society, Technology
UPSC Syllabus Link GS Paper I (Society & Geography): Effects of Globalization; Migration (Brain Drain vs. Reverse Migration); Indian Diaspora. GS Paper II (Governance): Government Policies for development in various sectors; Indian Diaspora (Role in Soft Power). GS Paper III (Science & Economy): Achievements of Indians in S&T; Indigenization of technology; Mobilization of resources (R&D Funding). Essay Topics: "Innovation is the key to Viksit Bharat," "Brain Drain: Crisis or Opportunity?" Context: The Government of India is reportedly finalizing a new "Star Faculty" scheme to attract high-achieving Indian-origin researchers from the US and other advanced economies. This move comes at a…

AI for Viksit Bharat: Google’s historic $15 Billion investment for an AI Hub – Convergence of Policy, Capital, and Infrastructure.

Posted inCurrent Affairs, Governance, Technology
UPSC Mains: Syllabus Link GS Paper 2: Governance GS Paper 3: Awareness in the fields of IT, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology; Science and Technology- developments and their applications. Context: The technological landscape in India has witnessed a paradigm shift with three major developments: the launch of the "AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap", Google's historic $15 Billion investment for an AI Hub in India, and the strategic proposal to use Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to power energy-intensive AI data centers. This triad represents the convergence of Policy, Capital, and Infrastructure. Basics: Core Concepts Artificial Intelligence (AI): Simulation of human intelligence processes…

The Alignment Imperative: Ensuring UPSC Officers are Future-Ready for Viksit Bharat

Posted inCurrent Affairs, Governance
Syllabus Link GS2: The functions of the civil services in a democracy. GS2: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures Introduction The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), having recently celebrated its centenary (established 1926), stands as the guardian of India’s meritocracy and the bedrock of administrative continuity. However, as India rapidly digitizes and faces complex global challenges, the traditional skill set acquired by civil servants requires a profound alignment. The core challenge is bridging the gap between historical administrative competence and the acute…

The Employment & Employability Crisis: Converting Demographic Dividend into Economic Power (UPSC CSE GS3)

Posted inCurrent Affairs, Economy, Governance, Society
UPSC Civil Services 2026Syllabus Link GS III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment; Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.The topic sits at the intersection of GS III (Economy), GS II (Governance/Human Resources), and GS I (Society). Introduction: The "Two-India" Paradox India currently faces a unique paradox: The headline Unemployment Rate has dropped to a historic low of 3.2% (PLFS 2023-24), yet the Employability Crisis is peaking, with reports indicating that massive segments of the educated workforce are "unemployable." The central narrative for UPSC aspirants should not just be "joblessness" but "Job…

Securing Dignity and Quality: The Dual Imperatives of India’s Health Sector Reforms (UPSC – GS II)

Posted inCurrent Affairs, Governance
UPSC Mains GS II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health; Indian Constitution- fundamental rights.This is a high-yield topic for GS Paper II (Social Justice/Health/Constitution) and GS Paper IV (Ethics - Corporate Governance/Compassion). The convergence of judicial activism in mental health and executive strictness in pharmaceutical standards marks a pivotal shift in India's public health landscape. Context: The Supreme Court ruled that mental health is a fundamental right under Article 21, and the Health Ministry mandated strict compliance with revised Schedule M norms following Diethylene Glycol (DEG) contamination incidents in cough syrups. Introduction India’s health…