Net Inflows into Fully Accessible Route (FAR) Securities What is FAR? What is the Structure of FAR? Reasons That Prompted FAR in the First Place? Other Routes for Foreign Investments in Bonds
India Energy Achievements & Goals
India’s Energy Transition and 2030 Goals Ethanol Blending and Sustainable Fuels Initiatives Manufacturing Energy and Resource Exploration
The NITI Aayog Report on Strengthening State Public Universities (SPUs)
Major Issues Pertaining to State Public Universities (SPUs) Important Policy Recommendations of the NITI Aayog Challenges Towards Implementation
Parliamentary Updates
Disbursement of Money to Sahara Group Depositors PACs Allowed to Fuel Retailing AI Centers of Excellence (CoE) Announced Recovery of â‚ą3.58 Trillion under Insolvency Process Important points by finance minister during Budget Discussions
Su-57 Fighter Jet
Context: Rosoboronexport and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) offered India a partner on the Su-57, Russia’s fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA). The offer envisions localizing production in India, perhaps at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), with the start of production possibly as early as 2025. Key Highlights: Fifth generation technologies for India. Possible implications for India Russia’s offer to localise the Su 57 and transfer technology holds unique value for India.India will have to make an assessment of these and tie them to its long range strategic goals regarding the Make in India initiative, international partnerships being built in the background, and the changing geopolitical environment.
Cybersecurity
Context: THE ASSAULT ON KAVERI 2.0: Kaveri 2.0 is a property registration portal in Karnataka, which saw a DDoS attack in December 2024, so the attacks ramped up in January and went on into February 2025. The system was essentially crippled using AI-powered bots; property registrations in the state were halted for days. Key Highlights: For this probably, some revenue loss has occurred, for sure, to the state government of Karnataka. Timeline of Cyber Attacks on Karnataka Infrastructure Karnataka is known for cyber security breaches:
COP29
Context: COP29 taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, has been labeled the “Climate Finance COP“ for facilitating negotiations on key aspects of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Key Highlights: Why Article 6.2 Is Important for India? India’s Carbon Trading and the Market Readiness India’s Leadership Potential in South-South Partnership with Africa Risks & Challenges for India The Way Forward
Appointment of Chief Minister
Context: N. Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister of Manipur on February 9, 2025. Neither the ruling BJP nor the Opposition party can stake any claim for the formation of the new government. Key Highlights: Source: The Hindu
USAID Freeze
Context: On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump, on his first day in office for a second time, issued an executive order freezing USAID foreign assistance for 90 days. Key Highlights: What is USAID? Elon Musk and Marco Rubio in the Mix Impact of Freeze on the World USAID in India Political and Global Reactions Conclusion UPSC Mains PYQ: What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self-esteem and ambitions’. Explain with suitable examples. (UPSC-2019)
Disinvestment
Context: The Union Budget 2025-26 has introduced a subtle yet significant change in the way capital receipts are presented. Instead of specifying disinvestment targets, the budget now bundles them under “miscellaneous capital receipts”, which include privatisation, asset monetisation, and stake sales. Key Highlights of the Disinvestment Shift Reduced Transparency in Disinvestment Targets Disinvestment Goals Missed for Consecutive Years Backtracking on the 2021 Privatization Policy Moving Head in Contrary Direction: Investment in Sick PSUs rather than Privatising Fiscal Constraints Make Disinvestment More Critical: Disinvestment Disinvestment is the selling or liquidation of assets, subsidiaries, and business units by an organization or government. It can also be termed as reducing capital expenditures. Why is disinvestment done? Types of disinvestment How is disinvestment done?
