UPSC Key: Pahalgam Terror Attack, Trademark and World Economic Outlook

Indian Express

23-04-2025

Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Main Examination: General Studies III: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism
What's the ongoing story: In the deadliest terror attack on civilians in the country since the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, at least 25 tourists and a Valley resident were shot dead Tuesday at a meadow near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
Key Points to Ponder:
• Map Work —Pahalgam
• What can be the long term implications of the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack on internal security and counter-terrorism strategies?
• Who are called militants?
• What is terrorism in Indian law?
• Militant and Terrorist-What are the differences?
• What are the types of terrorism?
• What are the reason for terrorism especially in the Jammu and Kashmir?
• What are the components of terrorism?
• Current events shaping India-Pakistan Relations-What are they?
• India-Pakistan Relations-Know the Historical Background
• What is the role of Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir?
• Major 'changes' in Indian diplomacy in the last eight years of New Delhi 's towards Pakistan-What is that 'Change'?
• How diplomacy worked under former prime minister of India's like PV Narasimha Rao, H D Deve Gowda, I K Gujral, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Manmohan Singh 's in the context of Pakistan?
Key Takeaways:
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had reached Jeddah earlier in the day on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, cut short his trip and decided to return home. He is expected back early Wednesday.
• As world leaders joined India in condemning the attack, US President Donald Trump dialled Modi and, according to the Ministry of External Affairs, 'expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack. India and the United States stand together in the fight against terror'.
• The attack took place in the afternoon at Baisaran valley – it's an off-road meadow a little over 6 km from Pahalgam – which was packed with tourists. Terrorists showed up and fired indiscriminately at the tourists.
• A local trade leader, who did not wish to be named, said shopkeepers in Baisaran told him that three-four gunmen fired on the tourists.
• Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the attack was 'much larger than anything we have seen directed at civilians in recent years.'
• The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit, was said to have claimed responsibility for the attack.
• The Resistance Front (TRF) has claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists, sources in central agencies said. The Resistance Front (TRF) is an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared the TRF a 'terrorist organisation' under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in January 2023. The government said it was engaged in propaganda on terror activities, recruitment of terrorists, infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir.
• But the TRF first started making headlines in 2020. In May of that year, five Army commandos were killed in a gunbattle in Keran, in which five TRF militants were also killed. Similar clashes occurred around that time in Handwara and Sopore, killing security personnel.
• The first was the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 in August 2019. The second was the decapitation of the LeT in Kashmir in 2018.
• The Lashkar-e-Taiba was founded around 1985, and one of its main goals was merging the whole of Kashmir with Pakistan. However, by the end of 2018, it had suffered significant reverses at the hands of Indian security forces.
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
1. Hand-in-Hand 2007' a joint anti-terrorism military training was held by the officers of the Indian Army and officers of Army of which one of the following countries? (2008)
(a) China
(b) Japan
(c) Russia
(d) USA
Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:
📍The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding? (2017)
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Mains Examination: General Studies III: Issues relating to intellectual property rights.
What's the ongoing story: THE DELHI High Court Tuesday directed Baba Ramdev's Patanjali to immediately pull down all its advertisements allegedly referring to Hamdard's popular drink Rooh Afza as 'Sharbat Jihad,' saying they 'shocked the conscience of the court'. 'I couldn't believe my eyes and ears,' Justice Amit Bansal, who was hearing the case, said about Patanjali's videos.
• Hamdard National Foundation India v. Patanjali Foods Limited & Anr—What you know about the same?
• What do you understand by the term 'trademark'?
• What is the infringement of trademark?
• What is included in a Trademark?
• What is 'Copyright' and 'Patent'?
• Know the difference between 'Trademark', 'Copyright' and 'Patent'?
• What do you understand by 'Intellectual Property Rights'?
• Intellectual property Rights, Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883) and the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (1886)-How they are interconnected?
• Know about World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Detail.
• What is 'Global Innovation Index'? Which organization Publishes Global Innovation Index?
• What is the need of Intellectual property Rights (IPR)?
• India and Intellectual property Rights (IPR)-Know in Detail
• The National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy 2016-Know the Key Highlights
Key Takeaways:
• Senior advocate Rajiv Nayar, appearing for Patanjali, told the court that the videos will be pulled down.
• When the case first came up in the court Tuesday morning, Justice Bansal observed: 'This is shocking. Shocking. It shocks the conscience of the court. Please take instructions immediately. This is indefensible according to me. Take instructions, otherwise there will be a strong order.'
• Hamdard, in its suit, is also seeking a permanent injunction restraining Patanjali from infringing and disparaging its trademark, damages upto Rs 2 crores, as well as seeking an apology and retraction. It is also seeking the court's direction to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to take down the links of the objectionable material.
• Appearing for Hamdard, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi Tuesday read out tweets and the content of the video, where Ramdev allegedly makes a reference to Rooh Afza.
Do You Know:
• According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) website, Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce.
IP is protected in law by, for example, patents, copyright and trademarks, which enable people to earn recognition or financial benefit from what they invent or create. By striking the right balance between the interests of innovators and the wider public interest, the IP system aims to foster an environment in which creativity and innovation can flourish.
• Hamdard, through its charity wing Hamdard National Foundation India, has moved a suit claiming trademark infringement and disparagement, as well as defamation against Patanjali Foods Limited and Baba Ramdev, citing a video that showed Ramdev claiming that his competitor's profits were used 'for building masjids and madrasas.' Profits from Patanjali's 'rose sharbat', he said, go towards building 'gurukuls, acharyakulams and Patanjali University'. 'Jaise love jihad, vote jihad chal raha hai naa, waise sharbat jihad bhi chal raha hai (Like there is love jihad and vote jihad, there is sharbat jihad),' Ramdev added.
• Hamdard, in its suit, is also seeking a permanent injunction restraining Patanjali from infringing and disparaging its trademark, damages upto Rs 2 crores, as well as seeking an apology and retraction. It is also seeking the court's direction to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to take down the links of the objectionable material.
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
2. In order to comply with TRIPS Agreement, India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The difference/differences between a 'Trade Mark' and a Geographical Indications is/are (2010)
1. A Trade Mark is an individual or company's right whereas a Geographical Indication is a community's right.
2. A Trade Mark can be licensed whereas a Geographical Indication cannot be licensed.
3. A Trade Mark is assigned to the manufactured goods whereas the Geographical Indication is assigned to the agricultural goods/products and handicrafts only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
A global trade reset
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Main Examination: General Studies II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests.
What's the ongoing story: Jahangir Aziz Writes: We will have to consider things that are almost unthinkable in India. For example, raising consumption necessarily means lowering savings.
Key Points to Ponder:
• The U.S. tariff policies on the global trade system—What is the present situation?
• What is the spaghetti bowl phenomenon?
• What can be the potential impact of increased U.S. tariffs on emerging economies?
• Know the role of WTO, in addressing the challenges posed by unilateral tariff implementations by major economies.
• What you know about the concept of 'economic decoupling' in the context of the U.S.-China trade tensions?
Key Takeaways:
Jahangir Aziz Writes:
• Given the turmoil over US trade policy over the last two months, let me start by taking stock of the state of affairs. By my account, the US currently has a 10 per cent universal (and allegedly minimum) tariff; 25 per cent on steel, aluminium, and autos with exemptions for those that are USMCA compliant; and 20 per cent tariff on smartphones and other selected electronics covering about $ 95 billion and 145 per cent on the remaining $350 bn imports from China.
• This leaves the US average effective tariff at over 25 per cent with that on China at 110 per cent. Take a moment to let that sink in. Just four months ago, the average tariff was 3.5 per cent with 10.5 per cent on China! That's not all.
• It is likely that the US will impose global tariffs on semiconductors and other electronics, pharmaceuticals, copper, etc, in the coming weeks.
• It is, therefore, unsurprising that we at J P Morgan see a 60 per cent chance of a global recession, with the US in recession and a sharp slowdown in China in the second half of the year.
• There are many who believe that the tariff blitz is an opening gambit and that the US and its trading partners will eventually compromise to a lower tariff regime. Relatedly, many are engrossed in intricate discussions on what the US 'truly' wants, how best to negotiate, and which countries and sectors can emerge as winners or end as losers.
Do You Know:
• According to WTO, the spaghetti bowl effect is the multiplication of free trade agreements (FTAs), supplanting multilateral World Trade Organization negotiations as an alternative path toward globalization. The term was first used by Jagdish Bhagwati in 1995 in the paper: 'US Trade policy: The infatuation with free trade agreements', where he openly criticized FTAs as being paradoxically counter-productive in promoting freer and more opened global trades.
• According to Investopedia, the landscape of global tariffs shifted dramatically following the U.S. administration's April 2025 tariff rollout. Those tariffs include a baseline 10% on virtually all imports, with additional tariffs (the Trump administration labels them 'reciprocal') depending on the country.
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.
Main Examination: General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
What's the ongoing story: Rao Inderjit Singh Writes: Let this day be more than a date on the calendar. Let it be a turning point — for policy, people, and the planet
Key Points to Ponder:
• Why Earth Day is celebrated?
• Discuss the significance of the statement 'There is no Planet B' in the context of global environmental conservation efforts.
• What is the role of Earth Day as a catalyst for environmental policy changes and public awareness?
• Know India's contributions to global climate change mitigation and sustainable development initiatives.
• How Earth Day impacts public awareness especially on individual and collective environmental actions?
Key Takeaways:
Rao Inderjit Singh Writes:
• As a reminder of humanity's responsibility to preserve Earth's resources for future generations, we celebrate April 22 as Earth Day. It is a day to reflect on the planet's health, educate communities about pressing environmental issues, and advocate for sustainable practices.
• It is a day to reflect on the planet's health, educate communities about pressing environmental issues, and advocate for sustainable practices.
• Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day has influenced global environmental frameworks, fostered international cooperation and inspired landmark agreements. However, it often gets reduced to symbolic gestures — a social-media post, a tree-planting event, a school skit. While awareness matters, this day is not just about optics. It is a powerful reminder to introspect, act, and shift from exploitation to stewardship.
• India, one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, is making a crucial pivot toward sustainability. At the 2021 COP26 Summit in Glasgow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Panchamrit — a five-point agenda that includes achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, meeting 50 per cent of energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030, and reducing the carbon intensity of the economy by 45 per cent. These are bold goals and signal a clear shift from rhetoric to responsibility.
Do You Know:
• April 22, countries all over the world come together to commemorate World Earth Day, which will be celebrated for the 55th year running in 2025. This year's theme is 'Our Power, Our Planet', to achieve the 'triple clean electricity' target by 2030 through the usage of renewable energy.
Earth Day was founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson of the United States of America and has been observed every year on April 22 since then.
• Earth Day is more than just a celebration; it is an important day for raising awareness, advocating, and engaging people in activities aimed at addressing the global climate catastrophe and supporting environmental lifestyle changes.
• According to earthday.org, Earth Day aims to 'build the world's largest environmental movement to drive transformative change for people and the planet.' The movement's mission is 'to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide.'
• Earth Day is celebrated to remind each of us that the Earth and its ecosystems provide us with life and sustenance. This day also recognises a collective responsibility, as called for in the 1992 Rio Declaration, to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations of humanity.
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
3. Consider the following statements regarding 'Earth Hour': (2014)
1. It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO.
2. It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every year.
3. It is a movement to raise the awareness about the climate change and the need to save the planet.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Main Examination: General Studies I: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate
What's the ongoing story: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its latest economic outlook has slashed growth projections for most countries, including India, in the backdrop of trade tensions fuelled by US-imposed tariffs and global uncertainty.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What is the IMF world economic outlook?
• What are the Key Highlights of the latest world economic outlook report?
• What is the International Monetary Fund?
• Why IMF world economic outlook has slashed growth projections for most countries, including India?
• How escalating global trade tensions impacting on India's economic growth prospects?
• Know the role of rural private consumption in sustaining India's economic growth amid global uncertainties.
Key Takeaways:
• India's growth forecast has been cut by 0.3 percentage points to 6.2 per cent from 6.5 per cent for the financial year 2025-26 and by 0.2 percentage points to 6.3 per cent from 6.1 per cent for the next financial year 2026-27.
• 'For India, the growth outlook is relatively more stable at 6.2 percent in 2025, supported by private consumption, particularly in rural areas, but this rate is 0.3 percentage point lower than that in the January 2025 WEO Update on account of higher levels of trade tensions and global uncertainty,' the report stated.
• The real GDP growth for India for 2025-26, as per the Reserve Bank of India, is projected at 6.5 per cent lower than earlier projection of 6.7 per cent, with Q1 growth seen at 6.5 per cent; Q2 at 6.7 per cent; Q3 at 6.6 per cent; and Q4 at 6.3 per cent.
• The IMF has also cut its forecast for global growth by 0.5 percentage point to 2.8 per cent for 2025 and by 0.3 percentage point to 3 per cent for 2026 from its January forecast. 'The swift escalation of trade tensions and extremely high levels of policy uncertainty are expected to have a significant impact on global economic activity,' the report said. The forecast for growth in global trade was also slashed by 1.5 percentage point to 1.7 per cent.
• Growth in the United States is expected to slow to 1.8 percent, a pace that is 0.9 percentage point lower than the January projection, on account of greater policy uncertainty, trade tensions, and softer demand momentum, whereas growth in the euro area at 0.8 per cent is expected to slow by 0.2 percentage point.
Do You Know:
• The World Economic Outlook (WEO) is a survey of prospects and policies by the IMF staff, usually published twice a year, with updates in between. It presents analyses and projections of the world economy in the near and medium term, which are integral elements of the IMF's surveillance of economic developments and policies in its member countries and of the global economic system. They consider issues affecting advanced, emerging and developing economies, and address topics of pressing current interest.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
4. 'Global Financial Stability Report' is prepared by the (2016)
(a) European Central Bank
(b) International Monetary Fund
(c) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(d) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
Gold glitters above `1 lakh: Why yellow metal prices are surging?
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Main Examination: General Studies III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
What's the ongoing story: Gold prices are glittering above the Rs 1 lakh-level per 10 gm for the first time as the international prices surged after US President Donald Trump unveiled plans to overhaul the Federal Reserve. Gold consolidated its position as the best safe haven asset in the volatile global financial markets.
Key Points to Ponder:
• Why gold prices crossed Rs 1 lakh-mark?
• What are the reasons which has significantly contributed to the recent surge in gold prices in India?
• How does a weakening US dollar typically affect gold prices?
• What is the impact of lower interest rates on gold investment?
• What role does the festive season in India play in gold demand?
• What is Gold Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)?
• What is the effect of import duty reduction on gold prices in India?
• What do you understand by the term 'safe-haven asset' in the context of gold?
Key Takeaways:
• The price of 24-karat gold (999 fineness) was quoted at Rs 101,350 per 10 gm in the Mumbai bullion market on Tuesday. The price of 22 karat gold was quoted at Rs 92,900 per 10 gm on Tuesday as global markets continued to remain jittery over Trump's tariff plans and his threat to revamp the US Fed that could lead to a spike in inflation and interest rates.
• Gold prices in India generally follow international prices. Global gold prices continued to surge with rates crossing $3,400 an ounce even as the US dollar tumbled. Gold has gained nearly 59 per cent since March 2024. A weaker dollar boosts demand for gold, since it makes the metal more affordable to investors holding foreign currencies.
• Gold price today in New York is around $3,486.85 per troy ounce. The gold price rally is largely driven by renewed uncertainty
surrounding US monetary policy, after Trump unveiled plans to overhaul the Federal Reserve. The US President intensified his attack on Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates even as the US dollar sinks in the currency market.
• The surge in gold prices is also driven by escalating geopolitical risks, strong central bank demand, and persistent inflation concerns. There are heightened tensions on the Russia-Ukraine front too. This new layer of uncertainty is complicating the path ahead for the US Fed decision on the interest rates.
Do You Know:
• India is the second largest gold market in the world after China. Gold demand in the country in 2024 stood at 802.8 tonnes, as against 761 tonnes in 2023. China's demand was 985 tonnes. The total gold demand value in India went up by 31 per cent at Rs 5.15 lakh crore in 2024, compared to Rs 3.92 lakh crore in 2023, according to a World Gold Council (WGC) report,
• Gold holds a significant place in Indian culture, often being accumulated over generations. During times of financial need such as hospital expenses and college fees, individuals are more willing to pledge their gold holdings like jewellery to secure loans.
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
5. What is/are the purpose/purposes of Government's 'Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme' and 'Gold Monetization Scheme'? (2016)
1. To bring the idle gold lying with Indian households into the economy.
2. To promote FDI in the gold and jewellery sector.
3. To reduce India's dependence on gold imports.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Main Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests.
What's the ongoing story: On Thursday (April 17), Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, met Iran's Prime Minister, its Chief of Armed Forces, and delivered a letter to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei from King Salman. The last time a Saudi Defence Minister visited Tehran was 26 years ago, in 1999.
Key Points to Ponder:
• Iran-Saudi Arab bilateral ties—What you know about the same?
• What is the conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia?
• Map Work-Saudi Arabia and Iran
• Why relation between these two countries were severed?
• India has so far avoided commenting on the Iran-Saudi détente-Examine India's role
• What has changed for Iran?
• What will be the implications of the recent Iran-Saudi rapprochement on the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East?
• Know the role of external powers, such as China and the United States, in influencing Iran-Saudi relations.
Key Takeaways:
• Prince Khalid's visit occurred while American and Iranian delegations prepared to continue negotiations towards a nuclear deal (in Rome) – an endeavour that the Saudi Foreign Ministry has welcomed 'as a way to end regional and international disputes'. 12 years ago, when Washington and Tehran were exploring a similar deal, the then Saudi Foreign Minister had asserted that Riyadh was 'seeking neither conciliation nor a settlement between Iran and any entity that wants to negotiate with it'.
• Iran still seeks a regional order that is shaped without the United States. Tehran's 'Axis of Resistance' has usually been a modular instrument that has turned towards US forces in the region, to inflict (usually limited) damage. This allows Tehran a strong bargaining chip to impose human and material costs on the US military, spread across bases in Arab states (with the largest in Qatar).
• Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, has historically relied on the United States' security presence in the Middle East, with the US Air Force using the Prince Sultan Air Base as a hub for regional operations. In his meeting with Prince Khalid, Khamenei emphasised that 'it is far better for brothers in the region to cooperate with and assist each other than to depend on others' – a nod to Iran's continued preference for reduced Saudi dependence on the United States.
• While Iran maintains that it is opposed to nuclear weaponization, its uranium enrichment has proceeded at a faster pace in the period between 2023 (when Riyadh and Tehran normalised ties) and 2025, compared to 2013 and 2015 (when the Obama-era nuclear deal was negotiated and signed).
• For instance, when Saudi Arabia was increasingly expressing its distrust of Iran in 2013, Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium was at 128.3 kgs according to IAEA estimates. By February 2025, two months after MBS expressed support for expanded ties with Iran and the protection of Iranian sovereignty, this estimate was 274.8 kgs.
Do You Know:
• The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran is rooted in Islamic sectarianism. While Iran is the foremost Shia state in the world, Saudi Arabia is considered to be the religious home of Sunni Islam. In modern times, this sectarian rivalry has translated into a tussle for regional hegemony. This has played a role in both sides being involved in multiple proxy conflicts against each other in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and most devastatingly, Yemen.
• According to The New York Times, in Yemen, Saudi bombs aimed at reversing gains by Iranian-backed rebels have killed large numbers of civilians. Those rebels have responded by firing increasingly sophisticated missiles and armed drones at Saudi cities and oil facilities. All sides in the conflict have repeatedly violated human rights and international humanitarian law, a Council on Foreign Relations report said. A December 2020 UN report said that since 2015 the 'war caused an estimated 233,000 deaths, including 131,000 from indirect causes such as lack of food, health services and infrastructure'.