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Society, History & Culture
Chanakya's Arthashastra: Relevance to Modern Governance and Statecraft in UPSC Syllabus
Chanakya, the architect of the Mauryan Empire, authored the Arthashastra, a seminal treatise on statecraft, governance, and economics, offering timeless insights relevant to contemporary administrative and political studies for UPSC aspirants.
- Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, was a 4th-century BCE scholar and strategist who played a pivotal role in establishing the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya, India's first pan-regional empire.
- The Arthashastra, attributed to Chanakya, is a comprehensive manual on statecraft, covering taxation, law, diplomacy, warfare, agriculture, and public finance, making it a foundational text for governance studies.
- [GS2-Governance] The Arthashastra emphasizes the ruler's duty to ensure public welfare, aligning with modern governance principles of accountability and citizen-centric administration.
Economy
Fiscal Deficit at 9.6% of FY27 Target: RBI Dividend and Expenditure Trends
India's fiscal deficit reached 9.6% of the FY27 target by May 2026, driven by record RBI dividends and front-loaded expenditure, highlighting challenges in maintaining the 4.3% GDP deficit target amid global economic uncertainties.
International Relations
India-Bhutan E20 Petrol Dispute: Energy Diplomacy and Ethanol Blending Policy
India's Petroleum Ministry refuted Bhutanese media claims of rejecting E20 petrol imports, highlighting diplomatic sensitivities and challenges in India's ethanol blending programme aimed at energy security and emission reduction.
Polity & GovernanceGS2
MEA's Passport-Citizenship Distinction Raises Constitutional and Governance Concerns
The MEA's statement that passports are not proof of citizenship, coupled with ongoing electoral roll revisions and Supreme Court rulings, highlights evolving debates on citizenship determination and constitutional principles in India.
Odisha Electoral Roll Revision: Governance and Democratic Representation Concerns
Odisha's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls deleted 2.014 million voters, sparking political controversy over potential exclusion of eligible voters and raising governance questions about electoral integrity.
Ram Mandir Trust RTI Controversy: Governance and Transparency in Religious Institutions
CPI(M) MP John Brittas challenges the Central Information Commission's ruling that the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is not a 'public authority' under RTI Act, highlighting governance concerns in religious institutions with significant government involvement.
VHP Demands Police Inquiry into Opposition Leaders' Allegations on Ram Temple Donations
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has requested Ayodhya Police to question Arvind Kejriwal, Priyanka Gandhi, and other opposition leaders over their allegations of embezzlement in Ram Temple donations, highlighting governance and accountability issues in religious institutions.
Maharashtra Political Defections Highlight Loopholes in Tenth Schedule of Constitution
Recent political defections in Maharashtra, including Shiv Sena UBT leaders switching to Eknath Shinde's faction, have exposed ambiguities in the Tenth Schedule's anti-defection law, raising constitutional and governance concerns.
Impeachment Proceedings Against Justice Varma: Constitutional and Judicial Accountability Issues
The jurists' report on charges against Allahabad HC Judge Yashwant Varma will be tabled in Parliament's monsoon session, potentially initiating impeachment proceedings, highlighting judicial accountability mechanisms under Article 124(4).
International RelationsGS2
US-Iran Ceasefire Framework: Geopolitical Implications and Nuclear Question Deferred
The US and Iran agreed on a 60-day ceasefire framework, deferring the nuclear question while addressing immediate geopolitical tensions, with significant implications for regional stability and global energy security.
EconomyGS3
Punjab Urea Diversion Case Exposes Systemic Flaws in Fertiliser Subsidy Governance
Punjab's crackdown on urea diversion from agricultural to industrial use highlights persistent loopholes in India's fertiliser subsidy system, raising concerns about subsidy leakage and agricultural input security.
Environment & ScienceGS3
Sovereign AI Policy: Strategic Imperatives for India in Global AI Geopolitics
Recent US restrictions on AI exports highlight the need for India to develop a sovereign AI strategy balancing technological access with strategic autonomy, given its dependence on foreign AI models and low R&D investment.