December 08th Current Affairs
Table of Contents
Dramaturgy
Home / Dramaturgy Dramaturgy is a sociological perspective developed by Erving Goffman, which views social life as a theatrical performance.
Symbolic Interactionism
Home / Symbolic Interactionism Symbolic Interactionism is a major sociological perspective associated primarily with George Herbert Mead and Charles Horton
UPSC Current Affairs – December 10
December 10th Current Affairs Home / Table of Contents INDIA bloc MPs move motion to impeach HC judge Relevance to
Ethnomethodology
Home / Ethnomethodology Ethnomethodology, introduced by Harold Garfinkel, examines how people use everyday, common-sense knowledge to interpret situations, organise interactions,
Phenomenology in Sociology
Home / Phenomenology in Sociology Phenomenology argues that the subject matter of social sciences fundamentally differs from that of natural
UPSC Current Affairs – December 8
December 08th Current Affairs Home / Table of Contents Parliament approves Bill to levy higher excise duty on tobacco Relevance
Interpretive Sociology
Home / Interpretive Sociology Interpretive sociology examines how individuals construct and attach meaning to their social realities. It stresses that
UPSC Current Affairs – December 4
December 04th Current Affairs Home / Table of Contents Law Commission to brief joint committee of Parliament on simultaneous polls
Non-Positivist Methodologies in Social Research
Home / Non-Positivist Methodologies in Social Research Shift from Positivism to Non-Positivism As sociologists recognized that social realities cannot be
UPSC Current Affairs – December 3
December 03rd Current Affairs Home / Table of Contents Govt ready to talk about electoral reforms in Parliament, but not
Parliament approves Bill to levy higher excise duty on tobacco
Relevance to UPSC
GS Paper-II: Polity & Governance
- Involves parliamentary law-making, taxation powers, and the Union’s authority under the Union List (Entry 84 – Excise Duties).
- Helps understand how Parliament uses fiscal instruments to promote public health, regulate harmful products, and align with international obligations such as WHO FCTC (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control).
- Relevant for analyzing Centre–State relations in taxation (excise vs GST), federal fiscal design, and constitutional provisions such as Article 265 (No tax without authority of law).
GS Paper-III: Economy | Public Health | Government Policies
- Tobacco taxation is a key tool for reducing consumption, financing public health programmes, and managing externalities.
- Important for themes such as sin taxes, price elasticity, behavioural economics, and fiscal policy for social welfare.
- Useful for health-related governance topics: NCD control, cancer burden, healthcare expenditure, and preventive strategies.
- Links with UPSC themes on budgetary policy, tax reforms, and resource mobilisation.
More About the News
- Parliament has passed a Bill increasing excise duty on tobacco products, including cigarettes, beedis, and smokeless tobacco, marking a major fiscal step toward discouraging consumption.
- The amendment revises both basic excise duty and National Calamity Contingent Duty (NCCD) slabs, which are among the primary taxes levied on tobacco outside the GST system.
- The government justified the increase on grounds of:
- Rising public health costs and the need for stronger tobacco control
- Alignment with WHO recommendations for high and inflation-indexed tobacco taxes
- Moderation of tobacco use among youth and low-income groups, who are most price-sensitive
- According to official estimates presented during the debate, the revised excise structure may boost the Union’s tax revenue and help offset the fiscal burden of health schemes.
- Public health groups have welcomed the move, though some industry associations have expressed concerns regarding potential illicit trade and impact on farmers.
- The Bill is expected to complement broader national strategies on NCD reduction, Ayushman Bharat, and public health financing.
- With parliamentary approval, the amended tax slabs will come into force after notification by the government, likely influencing future Budget discussions on sin taxes and health-related fiscal reforms.
INDIA’S TAXATION OF SIN GOODS
India’s taxation of sin goods, especially tobacco, serves as a key public health and revenue-raising strategy. By imposing high and multi-layered taxes, the government aims to curb harmful consumption while addressing the social and economic burdens associated with tobacco use nationwide.
Structure of Sin Taxation in India
- Sin goods include tobacco, alcohol, pan masala, and sugary drinks.
- Taxation aims to discourage consumption and compensate for health-related externalities.
- Includes GST, compensation cess, excise duties, and in some cases state taxes.
Tax Framework for Tobacco Products
- GST: Tobacco products fall under the 28% highest GST slab.
- Compensation Cess: Applied on cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and pan masala; varies by product type and cigarette length.
- Excise Duty: Retained on tobacco to maintain public health deterrence.
- NCCD: Additional specific duty on cigarettes.
- State Measures: Licensing, enforcement, and limited local taxation.
Rationale Behind High Tobacco Taxes
- Reduces tobacco consumption and prevents initiation among youth.
- Addresses India’s high burden of tobacco-related diseases.
- Provides substantial revenue to offset healthcare expenditures.
- Aligns with WHO recommendations for effective tobacco control.
Key Challenges in Tobacco Taxation
- Under-taxation of Bidis: Bidis remain cheap and widely consumed, undermining health objectives.
- Complex Multi-Tier System: Length-based cigarette taxation encourages industry manipulation.
- Inflation Erosion: Specific taxes often not adjusted regularly.
- Illicit Trade: High taxes sometimes increase smuggling and unregulated products.
Policy Measures Suggested by Experts
- Increase taxes on bidis and smokeless tobacco.
- Shift to a uniform specific tax system.
- Regular inflation-linked tax adjustments.
- Strengthen enforcement against illicit trade.
- Integrate taxation with cessation programs and public awareness campaigns.
India’s sin tax structure, particularly for tobacco, reflects a balanced approach to health protection and revenue generation. Strengthening uniform taxation, reducing loopholes, and expanding regulatory support can further enhance tobacco control and promote long-term public health gains across the country.
Prelims MCQ
Q. Which of the following statements correctly describes India’s taxation structure for tobacco products?
Mains Question
Q. India’s taxation structure on sin goods, particularly tobacco, aims to balance public health objectives with revenue considerations. Discuss the major components of tobacco taxation in India, the challenges in its implementation, and measures required to strengthen the system.
Minister says 4.8 crore cases are pending in lower courts
Relevance to UPSC
GS Paper-II: Polity & Governance
- Directly relates to judicial reforms, functioning of the subordinate judiciary, and issues of pendency and delay—a major UPSC theme.
- Connects with constitutional provisions:
- Articles 233–237 (subordinate courts),
- Article 39A (access to justice),
- Article 50 (separation of judiciary from executive).
- Relevant for understanding the role of the judiciary in governance, administrative efficiency, and citizens’ rights.
GS Paper-II: Governance | Social Justice
- Pendency impacts rule of law, ease of doing business, criminal justice delivery, undertrial prisoners, and women’s access to justice.
- Important for topics like tribunals, judicial vacancies, infrastructure gaps, digitisation of courts (e-Courts), ADR, and legal aid.
- Helps in analysing policy frameworks such as the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), Fast Track Courts, and Mission Mode programmes for justice delivery.
More About the News
- The Union Minister for Law and Justice informed Parliament that over 4.8 crore cases are pending in India’s district and subordinate courts, highlighting a persistent challenge in judicial administration.
- Of these, a significant proportion involves criminal cases, including those with undertrial prisoners, which directly affects prison overcrowding and delays in justice.
- The minister cited major reasons for pendency:
- High judicial vacancies in lower courts
- Insufficient courtrooms and infrastructure
- Frequent adjournments and procedural delays
- Rising litigation and inadequate support staff
- The government said it is supporting states through schemes such as:
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Judiciary Infrastructure
- Ongoing e-Courts Phase III rollout for digitisation, virtual hearings, and use of AI tools
- Expansion of Fast Track Special Courts for POCSO and rape cases
- The data on pendency is sourced from the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), which provides real-time monitoring of case backlog across districts.
- The minister emphasised that reducing pendency is a shared responsibility of states (who manage lower courts), High Courts (who supervise appointments and administration), and the Union government.
The revelation has sparked renewed debate among legal experts and policymakers on structural reforms, including more judges, better funding, reengineering procedures, and wider use of ADR mechanisms.
JUDICIAL PENDENCY
The Indian judiciary is burdened with one of the world’s largest case backlogs, with crores of cases pending across various tiers of courts. Persistent delays undermine constitutional promises of timely justice, weaken public trust, and impose significant social and economic costs.
Reasons for Pendency
1. Structural Issues
- Vacancies of judges at all levels; high courts often function with 30–40% vacancies.
- Insufficient courts and infrastructure, especially in lower judiciary.
- Poor administrative support and outdated record-keeping systems.
2. Procedural Inefficiencies
- Frequent adjournments and delayed hearings.
- Lengthy procedural requirements, including summoning, evidence collection, and documentation.
- Slow adoption of technology-based case management.
3. High Case Inflow
- Expanding population and rising awareness of rights lead to increased litigation.
- Government remains the largest litigant, often pursuing avoidable or repetitive cases.
- Growing criminal caseload due to slow police investigation and filing of charge sheets.
4. Legislative and Policy-related Factors
- New laws often create additional judicial burden without parallel expansion of capacity.
- Lack of adequate alternate dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in public institutions.
5. Socio-economic Constraints
- Low public legal awareness leading to unnecessary litigation.
- Lack of robust legal aid, causing delays for poor litigants.
- Backlogs disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, undertrials, and civil disputes involving land and family matters.
Consequences of Judicial Pendency
1. Erosion of Public Trust
- Delay in justice delivery violates Article 21 (right to speedy justice).
- Increases dissatisfaction and reduces willingness to seek legal remedies.
2. Social and Governance Impacts
- Prolonged undertrial detention leads to prison overcrowding.
- Weakens rule of law and emboldens criminal behaviour.
3. Economic Costs
- Contract enforcement delays hurt business confidence.
- Land and property disputes slow infrastructure and real estate projects.
- India’s ranking in ease of doing business suffers due to judicial delays.
Government and Judicial Initiatives
1. Technological Measures
- e-Courts Project, virtual hearings, e-filing, and digital case management.
- National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) for real-time monitoring of pendency.
2. Institutional Reforms
- Creation of fast-track courts, special courts, and tribunals.
- National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms.
- Proposals for All India Judicial Service (AIJS) for merit-driven recruitment.
3. Procedural Reforms
- Limits on adjournments under Civil Procedure Code.
- Push for mediation, arbitration, and Lok Adalats to reduce litigation load.
4. Reducing Government Litigation
- National Litigation Policy (draft) aims to curb frivolous government cases.
- Department-level legal cells to screen appeals and repetitive disputes
Way Forward
1. Filling Vacancies & Increasing Judge Strength
- Speedy appointments through Collegium–Government cooperation.
- Increase judge-to-population ratio closer to global standards.
2. Infrastructure Modernization
- Dedicated judicial infrastructure fund.
- More courtrooms, staff, and digital facilities, especially at district levels.
3. Comprehensive ADR Ecosystem
- Mandatory pre-litigation mediation for civil disputes.
- Strengthening commercial arbitration frameworks.
4. Judicial Process Reforms
- Strict regulation of adjournments.
- Time-bound disposal rules for specific categories of cases.
- Case-flow management and scientific scheduling.
5. Reducing Government Litigation
- Enforce accountability for unnecessary appeals.
- Expand mediation cells within government departments.
6. Technological Deepening
- AI-based case listing and backlog prediction.
- Uniform digitization across all states and court levels.
Addressing India’s large judicial pendency requires a mix of structural, procedural, and technological reforms. Strengthening judge capacity, expanding infrastructure, curbing avoidable litigation, and institutionalizing ADR can transform the justice system into one that is efficient, transparent, and accessible, fulfilling the constitutional promise of timely justice.
Prelims MCQ
Q. Which of the following is NOT a major contributor to the large pendency of cases in the Indian judiciary?
Mains Question
Q. Judicial pendency in India reflects deeper structural and procedural challenges within the justice system. Discuss the key reasons behind the growing backlog of cases and suggest comprehensive reforms to ensure timely justice.
Asteroid Bennu: NASA detects life-linked sugars, mysterious ‘space gum’ and ancient stardust
Relevance to UPSC
GS Paper-III: Science & Technology | Space Technology | Biotechnology
- Directly linked to origins of life, astrobiology, and chemical evolution
- Demonstrates how planetary missions (OSIRIS-REx) aid scientific discovery, resource mapping, and understanding of Earth’s early formation.
- Relevant for questions on sample-return missions, spectroscopy, carbonaceous asteroids, and organic chemistry in space.
GS Paper-I: Geography (Earth & Solar System)
- Helps understand the composition of celestial bodies, formation of solar system, and delivery of organics to early Earth via meteorites/asteroids.
- Useful for linking Earth’s geological history with cosmic processes.
GS Paper-II / GS Paper-III: International Cooperation in Science
- Space missions involve collaborations between NASA, universities, and global research institutions—relevant for India’s increasing role in space exploration (e.g., Chandrayaan, Aditya-L1, Artemis Accords).
- Space missions involve collaborations between NASA, universities, and global research institutions—relevant for India’s increasing role in space exploration (e.g., Chandrayaan, Aditya-L1, Artemis Accords).
More About the News
- NASA scientists analysing samples from asteroid Bennu, collected by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, have detected life-related sugars, complex organic molecules, and ancient stardust dating back to before the formation of the Solar System.
- The presence of ribose-like sugars and other prebiotic molecules supports theories that asteroids may have delivered essential building blocks of life—such as amino acids and organics—to early Earth.
- Researchers also discovered a sticky, polymer-like substance termed “space gum”, whose structure is not yet fully understood. It may represent previously unknown organic compounds formed through cosmic radiation or slow chemical reactions in microgravity.
- The samples contain pre-solar grains, tiny particles older than our Sun, offering clues to the conditions in ancient star-forming regions of the Milky Way.
- Bennu, a primitive carbon-rich asteroid, is considered a time capsule preserving the early Solar System’s chemistry; hence the findings have major implications for astrobiology and planetary science.
- NASA noted that the diversity of organics found on Bennu is higher than expected, and further study may help identify pathways through which early Earth acquired ingredients necessary for life.
- This discovery also demonstrates the scientific value of sample-return missions, which provide laboratory-grade material far more pristine than meteorite samples that have passed through Earth’s atmosphere.
SPACE EXPLORATION
Space exploration has become a defining feature of 21st-century geopolitics, technological advancement, and scientific discovery. Major spacefaring nations—along with emerging players—are investing in lunar, Martian, and deep-space missions to enhance strategic capability, economic opportunity, and understanding of the universe. This multipolar expansion marks a new era of global space competition and cooperation.
United States (NASA)
a. Artemis Program
- Aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a long-term lunar base.
- Artemis I (2022): Uncrewed test flight around the Moon.
- Lays foundation for human missions to Mars.
b. Mars Exploration
- Perseverance Rover (2020) exploring Martian geology; part of Mars Sample Return mission.
- Curiosity Rover operational since 2012.
- InSight studied the Martian interior.
c. James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
- World’s most powerful telescope; observes early universe, galaxies, and exoplanets.
d. Commercial Crew Program
- Partnerships with SpaceX and Boeing for transporting astronauts to the ISS.
Russia (Roscosmos)
a. Luna Programme (Revival)
- Luna-25 attempted landing near lunar south pole (2023).
- Future missions include sample return and lunar orbiters.
b. Soyuz Human Spaceflight Program
- Longest operational crewed spacecraft; essential for ISS missions.
c. ExoMars (with ESA)
- Trace Gas Orbiter launched in 2016; lander delayed due to geopolitical issues.
China (CNSA)
a. Chang’e Lunar Missions
- Chang’e 4 (2019): First landing on Moon’s far side.
- Chang’e 5 (2020): Returned lunar samples.
- Plans for a joint lunar base in the 2030s.
b. Tianwen-1 Mars Mission
- Orbiter, lander, and Zhurong rover—first successful Mars mission by China (2021).
c. Tiangong Space Station
- Fully operational, modular station with long-term human presence.
India (ISRO)
a. Chandrayaan Programme
- Chandrayaan-1 (2008): Detected water molecules.
- Chandrayaan-2 (2019): Orbiter still operational.
- Chandrayaan-3 (2023): Successful south pole soft landing.
b. Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission)
- Low-cost Mars mission (2013), functional for nearly 8 years.
c. Gaganyaan
- India’s first human spaceflight mission (upcoming).
d. Aditya-L1
- India’s first solar observatory at Lagrange Point L1.
European Space Agency (ESA)
a. JUICE
- Studies Jupiter’s moons for signs of habitability.
b. Gaia
- Creates the most precise 3D map of the Milky Way.
c. ExoMars Rover
- Searching for Martian life; delayed due to loss of Russian support.
Japan (JAXA)
a. Hayabusa Missions
- Sample return missions from asteroids Itokawa and Ryugu.
b. SLIM
- Precision lunar lander demonstrating pinpoint landing.
c. MMX Mission
- Sample return from Martian moon Phobos.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
a. Hope Mars Mission (2020)
- First Arab Mars orbiter; studies atmosphere and climate.
b. Rashid Lunar Rover
- UAE’s attempt at lunar surface exploration.
Global Private Sector
SpaceX
- Starship: Aims for Moon and Mars missions.
- Reusable rocket technology via Falcon 9.
Blue Origin
- New Shepard for suborbital tourism.
- New Glenn heavy-lift rocket under development.
The current landscape of global space exploration is shaped by a blend of strategic ambition, scientific curiosity, and technological innovation. From lunar bases and Mars rovers to deep-space telescopes and private-sector breakthroughs, major nations are pushing boundaries that will define future human presence beyond Earth.
Prelims MCQ
Q. Which of the following pairs of space missions and their respective countries is correctly matched?
Mains Question
Q. Space exploration today reflects a combination of scientific ambition, geopolitical competition, and commercial innovation. Discuss the major space exploration missions undertaken by leading global spacefaring nations and their implications for global science and strategic stability.
3 Kuno cheetahs — Veera, 2 cubs — released into the wild by Madhya Pradesh CM
Relevance to UPSC
GS Paper-III: Environment | Biodiversity | Conservation
- Directly linked to Project Cheetah, species reintroduction, ecological restoration, and India’s wildlife conservation strategy.
- Helps understand issues such as habitat suitability, prey base assessment, human–wildlife conflict, genetic diversity, and long-term survival of reintroduced populations.
- Relevant for topics like Protected Areas, National Parks, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and global conservation initiatives (IUCN, CITES).
GS Paper-II: Governance | Intergovernmental Cooperation
- Involves coordination between the Union Environment Ministry, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, international partners like Namibia and South Africa, and expert committees.
- Useful for understanding federal roles, scientific advisory bodies, and transboundary conservation partnerships.
GS Paper-I: Geography (Environment & Ecology)
- Offers insights into Indian grasslands, savannah ecosystems, and the ecological role of large carnivores in landscape management.
More about the News
- The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh released three cheetahs — adult female Veera and her two cubs — into the wild at Kuno National Park, marking a significant milestone in India’s cheetah reintroduction programme.
- Veera, originally from Namibia, has shown strong adaptation to Indian conditions. Her cubs, born in Kuno, represent the first successful wild breeding phase of Project Cheetah.
- Wildlife authorities emphasised that their release followed a detailed scientific assessment of health, hunting ability, behaviour, and territory establishment.
- This development comes as part of a phased plan to gradually restore a self-sustaining cheetah population in India, after the species became locally extinct in 1952.
- The release is expected to improve genetic diversity and ecological balance in Kuno’s grassland–savannah landscape, though challenges remain—such as inter-species competition, prey availability, and adaptation to Indian climatic extremes.
- Officials also highlighted ongoing measures:
- Strengthening prey base through habitat improvement
- Monitoring via radio collars and field tracking teams
- Managing human–wildlife interfaces with nearby villages
Conservation experts note that the success of Project Cheetah will depend on long-term monitoring, additional cheetah introductions, and development of alternative cheetah reserves to prevent overcrowding at Kuno.
Project Cheetah
Project Cheetah is India’s ambitious initiative to reintroduce the cheetah—declared extinct in the country in 1952—into its natural landscape after seven decades. It aims to restore India’s lost grassland ecology through scientific translocation, habitat management, species conservation, and community involvement.
Background
- Cheetah extinction in India: Declared extinct in 1952 due to hunting, habitat loss, and decline in prey base.
- Supreme Court directive (2020): Allowed introduction of African cheetahs on an experimental basis.
- Launch (2022): Prime Minister released the first batch of cheetahs on 17 September 2022 in Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh).
- Partners: Namibia and South Africa have provided cheetahs under wildlife cooperation agreements.
Objectives of Project Cheetah
- Re-establish a viable cheetah metapopulation in India.
- Restore grassland, scrubland, and open forest ecosystems.
- Enhance biodiversity conservation through a keystone species.
- Promote eco-tourism and livelihood opportunities for local communities.
- Strengthen international cooperation on wildlife translocation and conservation science.
Implementation Mechanism
1. Species Translocation
- 20 cheetahs brought in initial phases (8 from Namibia, 12 from South Africa).
- Additional cheetahs expected in phased manner.
2. Site Selection
- Kuno chosen for:
- Sufficient prey base
- Low human habitation inside core areas
- Suitable open-forest/grassland ecosystem
- Other potential sites: Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Nauradehi WLS, Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan).
3. Monitoring and Management
- Radio-collaring of each cheetah.
- Real-time tracking, veterinary checks, and adaptive management.
- Prey augmentation through habitat and grassland improvement.
4. Community Participation
- Relocation incentives and compensation for livestock depredation.
- Community awareness programs for coexistence.
Ecological and Conservation Significance
1. Restoration of Grassland Ecosystems
- Cheetahs act as a flagship and indicator species for open habitats.
- Help highlight the importance of neglected ecosystems like grasslands.
2. Biodiversity Benefits
- Strengthens trophic interactions and ecological balance.
- May help revive populations of blackbuck, chinkara, and other prey species.
3. Genetic Diversification
- Long-term goal to establish a genetically viable population through periodic imports from Africa.
Key Challenges & Criticisms
1. Ecological and Biological Challenges
- African cheetahs have never coexisted with Indian predators like leopards.
- High mortality reported due to stress, climatic differences, territorial conflicts, and illness.
- Limited prey base in some areas.
2. Habitat Constraints
- Kuno is smaller and more forested than ideal African savannas.
- Presence of human settlements in surrounding buffer zones.
- India lacks extensive, connected grassland ecosystems.
3. Management and Logistical Issues
- Intensive veterinary supervision and resource-intensive monitoring.
- Initial cases of deaths due to fungal infections, radio collar problems, and territorial fights.
4. Legal and Ethical Debates
- Debates over whether Indian cheetah subspecies or African cheetahs should be introduced.
- Critics argue India should prioritize conservation of existing endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard and caracal.
Government Measures to Address Challenges
- Establishment of a dedicated Cheetah Conservation Force for surveillance and protection.
- Movement of some cheetahs to larger, alternative sites like Gandhi Sagar WLS.
- Review and upgrade of radio-collar technologies suited to Indian climatic conditions.
- Boosting prey density through habitat management and protection measures.
- Strengthening local community involvement for long-term coexistence.
Way Forward — Strengthening NCM
1. Multi-Site Population Strategy
- Establishment of multiple cheetah reserves to allow genetic exchange and prevent overcrowding.
2. Strengthening Habitat Corridors
- Expand and interconnect grassland and savanna ecosystems across central India.
3. Scientific Adaptive Management
- Regular population health assessments, independent ecological reviews, and data-driven decision-making.
4. Reducing Human–Wildlife Conflict
- Strengthen compensation schemes and create incentives for conservation-friendly practices.
5. Collaboration with African Experts
- Continued training of Indian forest staff and veterinarians.
- Adoption of best practices from Namibia and South Africa.
Project Cheetah represents India’s pioneering effort in species revival and ecological restoration. While the initiative faces ecological, logistical, and scientific challenges, it holds long-term promise for grassland conservation and biodiversity enhancement if implemented through sustained scientific monitoring, habitat expansion, and community-led inclusive conservation strategies.
Prelims MCQ
Q. With reference to Project Cheetah, consider the following statements:
1. The project aims to reintroduce the Asiatic cheetah into India after its extinction in 1952.
2. Kuno National Park was selected as the first site due to its suitable open forest and grassland ecosystem.
3. Namibia and South Africa are the two countries that have supplied cheetahs to India under the project.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Mains Question
Q. Project Cheetah represents India’s largest wildlife translocation effort but is not without ecological and management challenges. Discuss the objectives of the project, the major obstacles faced in implementation, and measures required to ensure long-term sustainability of the cheetah population in India.
Russia approves Relos agreement with India. How this defence pact is a win-win for both countries
Relevance to UPSC
GS Paper-II: International Relations | India–Russia Relations
- Directly linked to strategic ties, defence diplomacy, and bilateral agreements—recurring themes in UPSC.
- Helps understand India’s foreign policy priorities, balancing great-power relations, and securing critical defence partnerships amid evolving geopolitical realities.
- Also relevant for topics like Indo-Pacific security, multipolar world order, and India’s strategic autonomy.
GS Paper-III: Security | Defence Technology
- Relates to procurement, joint development, maintenance, logistics support, and interoperability of defence platforms.
- Important for understanding mechanisms like Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS), which strengthens operational flexibility of armed forces, similar to logistics pacts India has signed with the US, Australia, France, and others.
- Relevant topics such as defence supply chains, maritime security, Arctic access, military logistics, and India’s growing role in global defence networks.
More About the News
- The Russian Government has formally approved the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support Agreement (RELOS) with India, marking a major milestone in bilateral defence cooperation.
- The pact enables both countries’ militaries to access each other’s bases, ports, fuel, spares, repair facilities, and logistics infrastructure, significantly enhancing operational reach.
- For India, RELOS offers:
- Strategic access to Russia’s Arctic and Far East regions, crucial for energy routes and northern sea lanes.
- Easier maintenance and support for Indian naval and air assets during exercises and deployments.
- Stronger positioning in the Indian Ocean–Pacific interface.
- For Russia, the agreement strengthens its footprint in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), allowing Russian naval ships and aircraft access to Indian ports such as Chennai, Kochi, Mumbai, and Andaman & Nicobar, especially important amid Western sanctions.
- RELOS also deepens long-standing defence ties, complementing cooperation in S-400 systems, BrahMos missiles, nuclear submarines, space technologies, and joint military exercises (Indra series).
- Analysts highlight that the pact demonstrates India’s ability to maintain strategic balance between major powers while pursuing national defence interests and autonomy.
- The approval indicates both nations’ intention to uphold stable military ties despite global geopolitical turbulence, including Russia’s shifting relations with the West.
India–Russia Relations
Note: The above topic has been covered under the Current Affairs of 25/11/2025. Click here and refer to it
