China reported that its population declined for a third consecutive year in 2024, sliding by nearly 1.4 million to 1.408 billion. More and more nations are facing both the challenge of a shrinking population and an ageing population, where younger generations tend to have fewer children and advancements in healthcare help people live longer. India’s Aged Population and Aging Population Problems An aging population is a population with more old people compared to the young. This is as a result of declining fertility rates and increased life expectancy. Ageing Population Trends: The number of individuals aged 60 years and older is expected to more than double from 10 crore (100 million) in 2011 to 23 crore (230 million) by 2036, with their share of the total population rising from 8.4% to 14.9%.  Social Problems Economic Problems Health Problems Social Assistance Scheme of India Problems with the Scheme Other Programs UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) Mains Q. Performance of welfare schemes that are implemented for vulnerable sections is not so effective due to the absence of their awareness and active involvement at all stages of the policy process – Discuss. (2019) Q. Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. (2021)  Q. ‘’Empowering women is the key to control the population growth.’’ Discuss. (2019) Q. Critically examine whether the growing population is the cause of poverty or poverty is the main cause of population increase in India. (2015)

Context: Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched the National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0, with the primary objective of providing broadband connectivity to 170,000 villages across the country. Key features of NBM 2.0 PM-WANI Scheme

Context: According to a European Journal of Clinical Nutrition study, iron deficiency alone is not the cause of anaemia in India. Key Highlights: Anemia Anemia is a blood disorder that occurs when your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin, or when red blood cells don’t function properly. This reduces the amount of oxygen your blood can carry to your body’s tissues. Causes Government Initiative for Anemia India has several programs to reduce anemia, of which two include Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) and Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS). Such programs have targeted the reduction in prevalence of anemia in children, adolescents, and women.

Context: The Union Home Ministry has told the members of the Kuki-Zo Council that a cessation of violence is a pre-requisite to initiate any political dialogue in Manipur. The tribal leaders insisted that this cannot be a one-sided demand. Manipur Violence Violent communal clashes have erupted in Manipur after the Manipur High Court (HC) ordered the State to take up a 10-year-old recommendation to accord Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the non-tribal Meitei community. The violence broke out after the All-Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) had called a “tribal solidarity rally” against the alleged move to include the Meiteis on the ST list. Way Forward: Possible Solutions and Recommendations Kuki-Zo People Known also as the Kuki-Zo people, the Kuki people are an ethnic group found in Northeastern India in Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, besides neighboring Bangladesh and Myanmar. It is one of the biggest hill tribes communities in the country except Arunachal Pradesh. UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year’s Question (PYQs) Prelims Q. Consider the following pairs: (2018) Tradition State 1. Chapchar Kut festival Mizoram 2. Khongjom Parba ballad Manipur 3. Thang-Ta dance Sikkim Which of the pairs given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only(b) 1 and 2 only(c) 3 only(d) 2 and 3 only Ans: (b) Q. If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of it? (2022) (a) This would prevent the transfer of land of tribal people to non-tribal people.(b) This would create a local self-governing body in that area.(c) This would convert that area into a Union Territory.(d) The State having such areas would be declared a Special Category State. Ans: (a) Mains Q. What are the two major legal initiatives by the State since Independence addressing discrimination against Scheduled Tribes (STs)? (2017)

Context: The Union Information & Broadcasting Ministry issued a notification, amending the Cable Television Network Rules to streamline the Local Cable Operator (LCO) registration process. Local Cable Operator (LCO) The LCO is a cable operator, who has been granted registration under the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994, having postal registration for providing Cable TV Services. The Cable Television Networks Rules The Cable Television Networks Rules regulate the operation of cable television networks in India. The rules include provisions for registration, content regulation, and penalties for violations. 

Docking in space is the process of two spacecraft physically joining together. It’s an important operation for maintaining a continuous human presence on the International Space Station (ISS). How it Will Work? Why Space Docking Technology Is Important for India