The Hindu — UPSC Analysis
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Bengaluru City Edition · Curated for Prelims & Mains | GS I · II · III · IV
📋 Today’s Topics
- Monsoon Deficit at 35% & the ‘Super El Niño’ YearGS1 · GS3
- U.S.–Iran MoU, Strait of Hormuz & West AsiaGS2 · GS3
- Modi at G7: ‘Shortage of Trust’, Global South & Strategic AutonomyGS2
- Over-the-Counter Sale of Cough Syrups BarredGS2 · GS3
- Govt. Restricts Telegram Till NEET Re-TestGS2 · GS3
- Aadhaar ‘Misuse’ & Electoral Integrity — SC NoticeGS2
- Nipah in Kerala: One Health & Pandemic PreparednessGS3
- Forests, Poverty & Biodiversity — A False BinaryGS3
- Central Banks to Raise Gold Reserves — WGC SurveyGS3
- Textile & Apparel Exports Decline in FY26GS3
- CAG ‘State Finances 2024-25’ ReportGS2 · GS3
- GRAPES-3: A Cosmic-Ray Muon TrackerGS3
- Polity · IR · Security — Quick RoundupGS2 · GS3
- Quick Prelims Revision (MCQ Bank)Prelims
- FAQsRevision
India’s Monsoon Deficit at 35% as Progress Stalls in a ‘Super El Niño’ Year
Context
Over a week past its normal arrival date, the southwest monsoon has not reached Mumbai, pushing India’s nationwide rainfall deficit to 35% as of 16 June 2026. With its northward progress stalled, the government has placed around 200 districts under priority monitoring and directed States to prepare crop-wise contingency plans.
Background & Key Facts
- Where the shortfall sits: Concentrated in Maharashtra, the Konkan coast and adjoining central India, where the monsoon’s advance has been stalled for days.
- Regional rainfall departures: Northwest India +5%; East & Northeast India −43%; Central India −61%; Southern peninsula −14%.
- Govt. response: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan directed States to identify low/uneven-rainfall districts; 150–200 districts under priority monitoring; weekly El Niño reviews; a push towards cotton and pulses.
- ‘Better placed’: Reservoir storage at 30.4% of capacity in May, against a 25.1% average in previous El Niño years; seed and fertilizer stocks said to be adequate.
- IMD forecast: April first-stage forecast 92% of LPA; lowered to 90% at May-end with a 60% probability of a deficient year — IMD’s most pessimistic pre-season call since 2015.
June Rainfall in El Niño Years (IMD departures vs normal)
| Year | June Departure | How the season unfolded |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | ~+2% | Ended in drought (deficit arrived July+) |
| 2004 | ~+1% | Ended in drought (deficit arrived later) |
| 2009 | −47% | Sharp early failure |
| 2014 | −44% | Sharp early failure |
| 2015 | +14% | One of strongest El Niño events |
| 2023 | −8% | Within IMD’s ‘normal’ range |
The record shows no consistent early-season El Niño signal — a June deficit need not decide the season.
Economic transmission: Rating agency ICRA estimates a serious farm disruption could add about 0.4 percentage points to retail food inflation — a risk the RBI has flagged, complicating monetary policy.
Spatial inequity: A national “35%” masks a 66-point gap between northwest (+5%) and central India (−61%); contingency must be district-specific, not aggregate.
El Niño uncertainty: Forecasting hinges on ENSO evolution; a “Super El Niño” tag raises tail risks for kharif sowing, reservoir recharge and rural demand.
- Operationalise crop-wise contingency plans (short-duration, drought-tolerant varieties) and timely agro-advisories through KVKs.
- Promote climate-resilient agriculture, micro-irrigation and crop diversification toward pulses/oilseeds (links to SDG 2, SDG 13).
- Strengthen buffer-stock management and a calibrated food-inflation response to protect both farmers and consumers.
El Niño / ENSO Long Period Average (LPA) IMD forecast stages Kharif crops Reservoir storage
MCQ: Monsoon & El Niño
With reference to the El Niño phenomenon and the Indian monsoon, consider the following statements:
- El Niño refers to an abnormal warming of surface waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
- A rainfall deficit in June invariably indicates a deficient monsoon season in El Niño years.
- The Long Period Average (LPA) used by the IMD is the average rainfall over a fixed 50-year reference period.
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U.S.–Iran MoU: Moving ‘From War to Deal’ Around the Strait of Hormuz
Context
On 14–15 June 2026, the U.S. and Iran adopted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a cessation of hostilities and a 60-day negotiation window. The war — launched on 28 February by Israel and the U.S. to force regime change, destroy Iran’s nuclear/missile capability and end its support for Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis — ran for over 100 days before the deal.
Background & Key Facts
- What the MoU reportedly does: opens the Strait of Hormuz, halts the war on all fronts including Lebanon, lifts Iranian oil sanctions, unfreezes Iranian assets, and commits Iran not to produce nuclear weapons.
- Frozen assets: release of over $100 billion; reparations and a reported $300 billion reconstruction fund (with U.S. companies) on the table.
- Hormuz as leverage: Iran’s closure caused what analysts called the “biggest energy disruption” — a ‘weapon of mass disruption’; direct conflict costs estimated near $100 billion.
- Israel’s stance: watching “from the sidelines”, frustrated; refuses to withdraw from southern Lebanon. Iranian FM Araghchi says the deal requires Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon — a U.S. official says it does not.
- Trump’s pivot: suggested Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa handle Hezbollah; urged Netanyahu to be “more responsible” on Lebanon.
- JCPOA backdrop: Trump exited the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018; now seeks a “better” deal requiring Iran to export enriched uranium — opposed by Iranian hardliners.
Energy Channel — LNG Through Hormuz
- Qatari output can rise to 83% of capacity within weeks (17% damaged in attacks).
- About 13 LNG vessels had crossed the Strait as of Tuesday; India’s carrier ‘Disha’ crossed on Monday.
- India had 16 fertilizer-laden vessels awaiting passage — critical for kharif-season fertilizer.
- Qatar + UAE LNG ≈ 86.5 MT in 2025 (~19.5% of global LNG exports), heavily Asia-oriented.
- Essar Group & Dubai’s IRH signed a $500 million crude-sourcing deal a day after the deal.
A fragile, not final, peace: The MoU is the beginning of a political settlement, not its conclusion; nuclear enrichment and Hormuz sovereignty remain deal-breakers requiring 60 days of hard bargaining.
Spoiler risk: Israel’s continued strikes in Lebanon and refusal to withdraw could derail talks; Gulf rivalries (Saudi–Emirati) complicate a regional security architecture that includes Iran.
India’s dilemma: Initial tilt toward Israel/U.S. was recalibrated once Hormuz closure threatened energy security and maritime trade — underscoring the cost of taking sides in regional conflicts.
- India should pursue strategic autonomy and multi-alignment, balancing ties with Israel/UAE without aligning in regional disputes.
- Diversify crude/LNG sourcing and bolster the Strategic Petroleum Reserve against Hormuz-style chokepoint risk.
- Support a phased diplomatic track and an inclusive West Asian security framework (links to SDG 16).
Strait of Hormuz Bab el-Mandeb JCPOA (2015/2018) GCC & Abraham Accords LNG trade
MCQ: Strait of Hormuz
With reference to the Strait of Hormuz, consider the following statements:
- It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
- It is bordered by Iran to the north and Oman/UAE to the south.
- It is a major transit route for crude oil and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
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Modi at G7: ‘Shortage of Trust’, the Global South & Strategic Autonomy
Context
At the G7 outreach session “Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity” in Evian, France, PM Modi argued the world “does not suffer from a shortage of resources… it suffers from a shortage of trust.” He met U.S. President Trump for the first time since February 2025.
Background & Key Facts
- Participants: G7 + India, Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, South Korea, plus the World Bank and African Development Bank.
- Global South pitch: “More than support, it seeks partnership”; Modi highlighted India’s Africa efforts in training, water, agriculture, energy and capacity building.
- Communiqués: India did not sign the statement on restructuring development finance, but joined calls on the Ebola response and a cancer roadmap.
- Bilaterals: Canada’s Carney (India–Canada FTA hope; Cameco–DAE CAD $2.6 bn uranium supply 2027–35; the Nijjar dispute backdrop), UK’s Starmer (FTA signed July 2025, not yet operationalised), UAE’s Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
- India–U.S. strain: killing of three Indian sailors in a U.S. strike on an oil tanker off Oman; Secretary Rubio dismissed Indian concerns; an unsigned trade deal; visa and racism frictions.
‘America First’ and autonomy: The accompanying analysis argues that partnership with the U.S. is now “costly to maintain and costly to leave” — recent AI export controls and indifference to Indian concerns over Hormuz signal dominance without commensurate benefit.
Strategic autonomy as realism: India’s autonomy is framed not as ideology but as elementary realism in a world where great powers pursue interests relentlessly.
Global South leadership: India seeks a bridging role, but credibility depends on delivering tangible development partnerships, not rhetoric.
- Deepen issue-based coalitions (development finance reform, health, climate) while preserving decision-making independence.
- Convert FTAs (UK, prospective Canada/EU) into operational market access and technology partnerships.
- Institutionalise India–Africa and Global South capacity-building as a durable diplomatic asset (links to SDG 17).
G7 outreach Global South Strategic autonomy India–Canada / UK FTAs African Development Bank
MCQ: G7 & Global South
Consider the following statements regarding the Group of Seven (G7):
- India is a permanent member of the G7.
- The G7 has no permanent secretariat or charter.
- The African Development Bank participated in the 2026 G7 outreach with India.
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Over-the-Counter Sale of Cough Syrups Barred
Context
By a government notification on 16 June 2026, medicinal syrups — including cough syrups — can no longer be sold without a doctor’s prescription; over-the-counter (OTC) sale is no longer allowed.
Background & Key Facts
- Legal route: Amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945 (under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940) by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
- What changed: the word “syrups” removed from the exempted list; cough lozenges, pills and tablets remain OTC.
- Process: follows a draft notification of December 2025 open to stakeholder objections.
- Trigger — domestic: deaths of 24 children in Madhya Pradesh last September from cough syrups adulterated with industrial solvents.
- Trigger — exports: India-exported cough syrups linked to 140+ child deaths in Africa and Central Asia since 2022.
Regulatory gap: Repeated mass-poisoning episodes point to weak quality control at the manufacturing stage (toxic diethylene/ethylene glycol contamination), which a prescription rule alone cannot fix.
Access vs safety: Restricting OTC access curbs misuse but may inconvenience rural patients with limited doctor access — implementation must pair with affordable primary care.
Export credibility: Deaths abroad damage India’s standing as the “pharmacy of the world,” demanding tighter testing and traceability.
- Strengthen CDSCO inspections, mandatory raw-material (solvent) testing and batch traceability.
- Risk-based pharmacovigilance and stricter penalties for adulteration.
- Harmonise export-quality norms with WHO standards to protect importing countries (links to SDG 3).
Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 Drugs Rules, 1945 CDSCO Schedule H drugs
MCQ: Drug Regulation
Consider the following statements regarding drug regulation in India:
- The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) functions under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
- The Drugs and Cosmetics Act was enacted in 1940.
- Schedule H drugs can be sold over the counter without a prescription.
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Govt. Restricts Telegram Till NEET Re-Test After NTA Request
Context
At the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) request, the Centre is blocking Telegram in India until Monday — a response to the organised use of the platform by cheating rackets ahead of the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination on 21 June. It is the first time a messaging app at this scale has been blocked in India, even temporarily.
Background & Key Facts
- Block mechanics: ordered via the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY); the app was delisted from Google Play and Apple’s App Store; at least one telecom operator blocked access.
- NTA’s framing: the action is “calibrated and bounded in time” and will be lifted later.
- Enforcement: the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C, under MHA) secured takedowns, acting on inputs from Bihar, Gujarat and Rajasthan police.
- Durov’s pushback: founder Pavel Durov said the ban “punishes” over 15 crore ordinary Indian users; claimed hundreds of channels were already removed.
- Logistics: the IAF is ferrying NEET papers (Mi-17 helicopters) to 20+ locations; over 22 lakh candidates sat the cancelled 3 May test; nearly 5 lakh security personnel deployed for the re-test.
Proportionality test: Blocking an entire app affects crores of legitimate users — a blunt instrument that raises Article 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(g) concerns and must satisfy necessity and proportionality.
Whack-a-mole problem: Durov noted “the leaks just moved to other apps” — content moderation, not blanket blocking, may be the durable fix.
Exam-integrity crisis: Repeated NEET leaks expose deeper failures in question-paper security and centralised high-stakes testing.
- Use narrowly tailored, time-bound orders under Section 69A (IT Act) with transparent review, rather than full-platform bans.
- Strengthen NTA processes — encrypted paper transmission, randomised distribution, real-time tracking and audits.
- Build platform-level cooperation frameworks for rapid takedown of fraud channels (links to SDG 4, SDG 16).
Section 69A, IT Act 2000 MeitY I4C (MHA) NTA Intermediary liability
MCQ: Internet Blocking & the IT Act
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Section 69A of the Information Technology Act empowers the government to block public access to online content.
- The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- The National Testing Agency conducts NEET (UG).
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Aadhaar ‘Misuse’ & Electoral Integrity: Supreme Court Issues Notice
Context
The Supreme Court sought responses from the Centre and States on a plea alleging misuse of Aadhaar cards as proof of citizenship, domicile and residence, contending that “infiltrators and illegal immigrants” use them to project themselves as lawful residents and access benefits.
Background & Key Facts
- Bench: CJI Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana issued notice on a plea by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay.
- Statutory anchor: Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 states Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship or domicile.
- UIDAI clarification: an August 2023 notification reiterated Aadhaar is only proof of identity — not of citizenship, residence or date of birth.
- Electoral angle: the plea challenges use of Aadhaar as DOB/residence proof in Form-6 (fresh voter registration), arguing it could undermine electoral-roll integrity.
- Reliefs sought: a complete overhaul of the verification framework and a high-powered monitoring committee (retired SC judge + cyber/forensic experts).
Identity ≠ citizenship: The case turns on a settled distinction — Aadhaar verifies identity, not nationality; its over-use for unrelated purposes risks “function creep”.
Electoral safeguards vs inclusion: Tightening voter-roll verification must avoid disenfranchising genuine citizens (the privacy and proportionality tests from Puttaswamy apply).
Federal coordination: Document-issuance and electoral rolls span Centre, States and the ECI, requiring careful institutional design rather than blanket distrust.
- Reinforce that Aadhaar is identity-only; deduplicate documents through secure back-end verification, not by excluding Aadhaar.
- Strengthen ECI’s electoral-roll audits with privacy-preserving safeguards.
- Plug document-fraud chains at source while protecting the right to vote (links to SDG 16).
Aadhaar Act, 2016 (Sec 9) UIDAI Puttaswamy judgment Form-6 / voter registration RPA 1950
MCQ: Aadhaar Act, 2016
With reference to the Aadhaar Act, 2016, consider the following statements:
- Section 9 expressly states that Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship or domicile.
- Aadhaar is issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
- The Supreme Court in K.S. Puttaswamy recognised the right to privacy as a fundamental right.
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Nipah in Kerala: One Health & the Lessons for Pandemic Preparedness
Context
A single Nipah virus case in Kerala — a 43-year-old man from Ramanattukara, Kozhikode, on ventilator support — was contained with no fresh cases after intensive contact tracing and screening, showcasing the State’s pandemic-readiness systems.
Background & Key Facts
- Pathogen profile: WHO has classified Nipah a priority pathogen for its lethality and outbreak/pandemic potential; fruit bats are the natural hosts.
- Other WHO flags for Kerala: avian influenza and Kyasanur Forest Disease.
- 2018 outbreak: 17 deaths; 23 affected (18 lab-confirmed); the index patient transmitted to 15, including health-care workers. Recurrences in 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025.
- India history: a devastating 2001 outbreak in West Bengal; a few cases in 2007; two lab-confirmed cases in WB (health workers) on 26 January 2026, contained.
- Transmission: consuming contaminated fruits or water sources contaminated by bats — a zoonotic spillover linked to human encroachment on fruit-bat habitats.
The ‘One Health’ Linkage
Ecology meets anthropogenic pressure: Kerala’s monsoon ecology plus human activity at forest fringes makes recurrent spillover near-inevitable; a pure health-care lens is insufficient.
Strength of preparedness: A single contained case reflects robust primary/secondary health systems, contact tracing and protocol-driven control — a replicable model.
- Mainstream the One Health approach integrating environmental, animal and human surveillance.
- Sustain high-index-of-suspicion screening for acute encephalitis and cluster detection.
- Strengthen community awareness on contaminated fruit/water and protect bat habitats (links to SDG 3, SDG 15).
Nipah virus (NiV) WHO priority pathogens One Health Zoonotic spillover Kyasanur Forest Disease
MCQ: Nipah & One Health
Consider the following statements regarding the Nipah virus:
- Fruit bats are considered the natural reservoir of the Nipah virus.
- It can spread through human-to-human contact.
- The ‘One Health’ approach addresses the links between human, animal and environmental health.
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Forests, Poverty & Biodiversity: ‘Not Binary’ Says New Study
Context
A new international study in Nature Sustainability concludes that framing conservation as a choice between protecting nature and meeting human needs is a “harmful view”, and finds a significant link between people’s livelihoods and forest biodiversity.
Background & Key Facts
- Researchers: Notre Dame, Michigan, Yale, Colorado Boulder, Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences, Manchester, Victoria (Canada) and the Indian School of Business.
- Dataset: the International Forestry Resources and Institutions (IFRI) network — 322 community-managed tropical forests across 15 countries, 1993–2017.
- Core finding: forests with more poor households and higher fuelwood dependence had less diverse tree species; communities with alternative livelihoods (e.g., farming) had more diverse trees.
- Key nuance: poverty is not the cause of biodiversity loss — fewer livelihood options raise pressure on forests; the fix is better economic opportunity.
- India context: the “fortress model” of State Forest Departments has recovered iconic species but left protected areas as isolated islands; about 275 million people depend on these forests.
Community-Led Conservation — Indian Examples
| Place | Initiative | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Ladakh | Snow Leopard Conservancy | Community homestays + livestock insurance to offset conflict |
| Sindhudurg, Maharashtra | Mangrove Co-Management Committees | Protect mangroves while supporting fisheries & ecotourism |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Hornbill nest adoption (NCF) | Ex-Nyishi hunters as nest protectors and patrollers |
Beyond the fortress: Exclusionary protected-area management is increasingly untenable where forests are small and bear heavy extraction; wildlife corridors need active community partnership.
Implementation gaps: LPG/efficient-stove schemes near tiger reserves reduce fuelwood demand, but face inconsistent funding, variable participation and weak long-term support.
Equity in tourism: Wildlife tourism is a multi-million-dollar industry, yet only a small fraction reaches forest-fringe communities — weakening conservation incentives.
- Prioritise wildlife corridors and extend fuel-alternative support to private and community forests along them.
- Embed Madhav Gadgil’s inclusive model — community rights, incentives and traditional ecological knowledge.
- Channel a larger share of tourism revenue to local communities (links to SDG 1, SDG 15).
Tree species diversity Wildlife corridors Forest Rights Act, 2006 Ecosystem services IFRI network
MCQ: Conservation & Biodiversity
Consider the following statements:
- The ‘fortress model’ of conservation seeks to protect areas by restricting human access and activity.
- Wildlife corridors connect protected areas and aid movement of large mammals.
- The study cited found that higher fuelwood dependence was associated with greater tree species diversity.
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Central Banks to Raise Gold Reserves: WGC 2026 Survey
Context
The World Gold Council’s (WGC) 2026 Central Bank Gold Reserves survey indicates central banks worldwide will keep accumulating gold, signalling continued high prices amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Background & Key Facts
- Price surge: Indian gold prices rose about 40% in 12 months, driven by central-bank buying and rupee depreciation against the U.S. dollar.
- Accelerating accumulation: central banks bought an average 1,000 tonnes/year over the past four years, double the ~500 tonnes/year of the preceding decade.
- RBI’s reserves: 822.1 t (FY24) → 879.58 t (FY25) → 880.52 t (FY26).
- Survey window: conducted 5 February–19 May, with most responses after the West Asia conflict began.
De-dollarisation signal: Sustained official gold buying reflects reserve diversification away from dollar assets amid sanctions risk and geopolitical volatility.
Consumer impact: Elevated prices hurt retail buyers and gold-linked credit, while aiding reserve resilience — a policy trade-off for the RBI.
- Balance reserve diversification with currency-stability and import-bill management.
- Deepen instruments like Sovereign Gold Bonds and gold monetisation to reduce physical imports.
World Gold Council Forex reserves Sovereign Gold Bonds Rupee depreciation
MCQ: Gold & Reserves
Consider the following statements:
- Gold forms a part of India’s foreign exchange reserves managed by the RBI.
- A depreciation of the rupee against the U.S. dollar tends to raise the domestic price of gold.
- Sovereign Gold Bonds are issued by the Reserve Bank of India on behalf of the Government of India.
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Textile & Apparel Exports Decline in FY26; ‘Rupee Slide Aided Exporters’
Context
Textiles and apparel — among India’s top merchandise exports — saw a 2% y-o-y decline in FY2025-26, with shipments worth $35.80 billion against $36.61 billion in FY25, amid U.S. tariff threats and supply-chain disruptions.
Background & Key Facts
- Long-run trend: a modest 1.78% CAGR from 2014-15 ($29.47 bn) to FY26; the segment peaked at $37.54 bn in 2021-22.
- SIMA data: $37 bn (FY15) → crossed $40 bn (FY22) → $36.44 bn (FY25) → $35.78 bn (FY26).
- Rupee: moved from 86.60 (2 April 2025) to 94.83 (31 March 2026) per dollar — depreciation cushioned exporters.
- US tariff hit: some buyers cut prices, shifted orders or waited; suppliers now expect partial tariff refunds. AEPC plans EU buyer-seller meets from September to leverage the FTA.
- Recent stress: May apparel exports contracted 12.98%; industry voices fear up to a one-third volume drop since 2014-15, with MSME exporters hit hardest.
Value vs volume illusion: A weak rupee inflates dollar realisations even as physical volumes stagnate or shrink — masking competitiveness erosion.
Concentration risk: Heavy dependence on the U.S. market exposes exporters to tariff shocks; diversification (EU, Japan, Africa) is uneven and uncertain.
MSME vulnerability: Smaller exporters bear the brunt of demand shifts and working-capital stress.
- Operationalise FTAs (UK, prospective EU) and run targeted buyer-seller meets to widen markets.
- Boost value-addition, man-made fibre capacity and PLI uptake to move up the value chain.
- Ease MSME credit and logistics costs to restore competitiveness (links to SDG 8, SDG 9).
SIMA / AEPC Rupee depreciation India–UK / India–EU FTA PLI scheme (textiles)
MCQ: Exports & Exchange Rate
Consider the following statements:
- A depreciation of the domestic currency, other things being equal, tends to make a country’s exports more price-competitive.
- Textiles and apparel are among India’s largest merchandise export categories.
- The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) functions under the Ministry of Finance.
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CAG ‘State Finances 2024-25’: A Snapshot of Fiscal Health
Context
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) K. Sanjay Murthy released the report on ‘State Finances 2024-25’, mapping which States ran revenue surpluses and deficits.
Background & Key Facts
- Surplus States: Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Manipur and nine others recorded surplus revenue in 2024-25.
- Outcome: 15 States were revenue-deficient while 13 were revenue-surplus in FY 2024-25.
- Targets: 18 States targeted a revenue surplus, 3 targeted a revenue deficit and 7 targeted zero revenue deficit for FY 2024-25.
Revenue-deficit concern: A revenue deficit means borrowings finance current consumption rather than asset creation — a structural fiscal-health red flag for many States.
Targets vs outcomes: The gap between States targeting surpluses and those actually achieving them signals optimistic budgeting and weak expenditure control.
Federal stakes: State fiscal health shapes capital spending, welfare delivery and India’s consolidated debt position.
- Strengthen own-tax revenue mobilisation and rationalise subsidies/committed expenditure.
- Adhere to FRBM targets with credible medium-term fiscal frameworks.
- Improve quality of expenditure — shift from revenue to capital outlays (links to SDG 16, SDG 17).
CAG (Art. 148-151) Revenue deficit FRBM Act Fiscal federalism
MCQ: CAG & State Finances
Consider the following statements:
- The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is appointed under Article 148 of the Constitution.
- Revenue deficit arises when revenue expenditure exceeds revenue receipts.
- A revenue deficit, by definition, means the government is borrowing for capital asset creation.
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GRAPES-3: An Ooty-Based Cosmic-Ray Muon Tracker
Context
Researchers from Mumbai, Kochi and Japan used the GRAPES-3 telescope in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, to study how the upper atmosphere’s temperature and the Sun’s magnetic field affect muons. Using 22 years of data, they developed a high-accuracy, real-time way to monitor upper-atmosphere changes; findings are due in the August issue of Astroparticle Physics.
Background & Key Facts
- Not an optical telescope: GRAPES-3 is a muon detector; muons form when high-energy cosmic rays strike the upper atmosphere.
- Architecture: 16 independent modules; each with 232 proportional counters (steel tubes filled with argon-methane, a thin tungsten wire at the centre).
- How it works: a passing muon knocks electrons from gas molecules, creating an electrical pulse recorded as a “hit”.
- Resolution: tubes in four right-angled layers map muon paths; reinforced concrete filters out all but high-energy muons.
Indigenous big science: GRAPES-3 demonstrates India’s capability in cosmic-ray physics and atmospheric monitoring, with applications for space-weather and climate research.
Dual-use value: Real-time upper-atmosphere monitoring can complement understanding of solar-terrestrial interactions affecting communications and satellites.
- Leverage long-baseline datasets for space-weather forecasting and atmospheric studies.
- Strengthen funding for indigenous astroparticle infrastructure (links to SDG 9).
Cosmic rays Muons GRAPES-3 (Ooty) Space weather
MCQ: GRAPES-3 & Cosmic Rays
With reference to GRAPES-3, consider the following statements:
- It is located in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, and detects muons produced by cosmic rays.
- Muons are produced when high-energy cosmic rays interact with the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
- It is primarily an optical telescope that observes visible light from stars.
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Polity · IR · Security — Quick Roundup
IORA & Canada’s Observer Bid (GS2 — IR)
- Canada has applied to become a dialogue partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), being examined at the 28th Committee of Senior Officials in New Delhi.
- IORA Secretary-General Sanjiv Ranjan cited Canada’s maritime expertise (safety, security, connectivity) as a benefit; disaster response and climate impact are IORA priorities.
Exercise ‘Pitch Black 2026’ (GS3 — Security)
- The IAF will join the RAAF’s premier multinational air-combat exercise in Australia’s Northern Territory, 20 July–August.
- Brings together 100+ aircraft from 19 nations to enhance interoperability across the Indo-Pacific.
Delimitation Bill — TDP Amendment Row (GS2 — Polity)
- The TDP had (16 April) proposed a blanket 50% increase in Lok Sabha seats for all States while maintaining current proportionality.
- Congress (Jairam Ramesh) argued the government never formally moved such an amendment, questioning its intent.
SC Notice on Rehabilitation Centres (GS2 — Social Justice)
- The SC issued notice on a PIL seeking oversight of rehabilitation, child-development and mental-health centres for children with disabilities.
- Cited the RPwD Act 2016, RCI Act 1992 and MHCA 2017; only five States/UTs have framed minimum quality standards.
IORA Exercise Pitch Black (RAAF) Delimitation RPwD Act 2016 Mental Healthcare Act 2017
MCQ: IORA & Indo-Pacific
With reference to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), consider the following statements:
- It is an inter-governmental organisation of littoral states of the Indian Ocean.
- India is a founding member of IORA.
- Exercise ‘Pitch Black’ is conducted by the Royal Australian Air Force.
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📝 Quick Prelims Revision — MCQ Bank
Q1 — Monsoon & El Niño
Which one of the following best describes ‘El Niño’?
- Cooling of surface waters in the western Pacific
- Abnormal warming of surface waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific
- A cyclonic system over the Bay of Bengal
- Strengthening of the Somali jet
Q2 — Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz connects which two water bodies?
- Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
- Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
- Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea
- Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
Q3 — Aadhaar Act, 2016
Under the Aadhaar Act, 2016, Aadhaar serves as proof of:
- Citizenship
- Domicile
- Identity
- Date of birth and residence
Q4 — One Health
The ‘One Health’ approach primarily emphasises the interconnection between:
- Centre, States and local bodies
- Human, animal and environmental health
- Allopathy, AYUSH and homeopathy
- Primary, secondary and tertiary care
Q5 — CAG
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is provided for under which Article of the Constitution?
- Article 76
- Article 148
- Article 280
- Article 324
❓ FAQs
Frequently asked exam-oriented questions — 17 June 2026 edition
Why does a June rainfall deficit not necessarily mean a poor monsoon season?
Why is the Strait of Hormuz so important for India?
Is Aadhaar valid proof of citizenship?
What is the legal basis for restricting cough-syrup sales and blocking an app?
What is the ‘fortress model’ of conservation, and why is it being questioned?
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Analysis based on The Hindu, Bengaluru City Edition, 17 June 2026. Prepared for academic use. Static background and frameworks added for exam preparation; original article text has been paraphrased, not reproduced.
