Kharge, Sonia other Opposition MPs protest against SIR in Parliament
Holding banners and posters against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Samajwadi Party's Dharmendra Yadav, TMC's Sagarika Ghose, as well as other opposition MPs, raised slogans and demanded a rollback of the SIR as they staged their protest near Parliament's Makar Dwar.
Follow the Parliament Monsoon Session Day 14 LIVE
This was the 12th day of their protest, with only one day gap in between on Monday when the Opposition skipped their protest in view of the demise of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren.
There was a huge banner in front of the protesting MPs which read 'Discussion not deletion'. Another banner carried by the protesting MPs read 'SIR - Silent Invisible Rigging'.
With 'Stop SIR' placards along with posters, alleging collusion between the ECI and the government, in hand, the MPs of the opposition, including those of the Congress, DMK, TMC, and Left parties, among others, participated in the protest.
The opposition has been protesting in both Houses of Parliament against the SIR, alleging the EC's exercise was aimed at "disenfranchising voters" in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections. They have been demanding a discussion on the issue in both Houses.
There has been a logjam in Parliament over the SIR in Bihar. Barring discussions on Operation Sindoor in both Houses, Parliament has seen little business ever since the Monsoon session began on July 21 due to repeated adjournments, mostly over the SIR issue.
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Daily subject-wise quiz : Attempt Economy MCQs with answers on imports of non-fuel ethanol, electric vehicle adoption and more (Week 122)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on the Economy to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at With reference to the electric vehicle (EV) adoption, consider the following statements: 1. In the adoption of EVs, India leads among China, the US, and the EU. 2. India has a target of 30 per cent EV sales by 2040. 3. India has the highest EV penetration rate in two-wheelers, followed by cars. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — India will need 'soft' mandates – that could become more stringent over time – to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption, the Centre's apex public policy think tank NITI Aayog has said in a new report. — Noting India's progress in EV adoption over the years, largely on the back of government incentives, NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba said, 'It's alright to pat oneself on one's back, but we also have to acknowledge the fact that the adoption of EVs in India is at a slower pace than not only China, but also the US and the EU. Global penetration is about 17 per cent now, whereas we are at 7.6 per cent.' Hence, statement 1 is not correct. — To meet the national target of 30 per cent EV sales by 2030, mandates on the sale of certain segments of vehicles such as public buses, freight fleets, and government vehicles could give the market the right signal, according to the report. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — According to the report, India has the highest EV penetration rate in three-wheelers (16 per cent), followed by two-wheelers (5 per cent), buses (7 per cent), cars (2 per cent), and trucks (0.07 per cent). Hence, statement 3 is not correct. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. Consider the following statements: 1. Ethanol exports from the US to India are basically for manufacturing alcohol-based chemicals, medicines and other industrial uses. 2. India currently permits imports of non-fuel ethanol and oil, but not whole grain and oilseed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — Even though agriculture, along with the purchase of Russian oil, has emerged as a major sticking point in India-US trade discussions. — Tree nuts, primarily almonds and pistachios, have been the leading exports from the United States to India, valued at $1.1 billion or more in 2024 and growing at a 42.8% annual rate in the first half of this year. — Ethanol exports from the US to India, worth over $420 million last year, are basically for manufacturing alcohol-based chemicals, medicines and other industrial uses. The US wants India to open up imports of ethanol also for fuel use, i.e. blending with petrol and diesel. India has been resisting that, just as much as it is not allowing imports of genetically modified (GM) maize and soyabean. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — US farmers mostly grow only GM maize (corn) and soyabean. India currently permits imports of non-fuel ethanol and oil, produced from GM corn and soyabean respectively, but not the whole grain and oilseed as such. Hence, statement 2 is correct. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. With reference to the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), consider the following statements: 1. The MDR is levied on merchants by banks that process debit and credit card payments. 2. Since January 2020, there has been no MDR on RuPay debit cards and UPI transactions to promote the adoption of digital payments across the country. 3. It ranges from 5% to 8% of the transaction amount. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — Speculation has been rife that UPI payments may be slapped with a per transaction fee called the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR). — The MDR is levied on merchants by banks that process debit and credit card payments. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — It is usually in the range of 1-3 per cent. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. — Since January 2020, there has been no MDR on RuPay debit cards and UPI transactions to promote the adoption of digital payments across the country. Hence, statement 2 is correct. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. With reference to the PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), consider the following statements: 1. It is the government's flagship financial inclusion programme launched in 2018. 2. It has helped in direct benefit transfers (DBTs). 3. Under the PMJDY, there are account opening charges and account maintenance charges. 4. Its beneficiaries have access to an overdraft facility of up to Rs 10,000. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 2, and 4 (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 2 and 4 only Explanation — RBI Governor Malhotra announced that bank accounts opened under the PM Jan Dhan Yojana will be up for an update of accountholders' KYC (know-your-customer norms). About PMJDY — The government's flagship financial inclusion programme Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ten years ago on August 28, 2014. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. — It is a National Mission for Financial Inclusion to ensure access to financial services, namely, basic savings & deposit accounts, remittance, credit, insurance, pension in an affordable manner. — Under the PMJDY, there are no account opening charges, no account maintenance charges, and no minimum balance charges. Free RuPay debit card, with in-built accident insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh, and access to overdraft facility of up to Rs 10,000, are other major features of the scheme. Hence, statement 3 is not correct and statement 4 is correct. — PMJDY accounts are eligible for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Bank (MUDRA) scheme. Hence, statement 2 is correct. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. The white-backed plant hopper, a pest that spreads the Fiji virus disease, feeds on: (a) Millet plant (b) Maize plant (c) Wheat plant (d) Rice plant Explanation — Crop protection chemicals are commonly known as 'pesticides'. These are basically substances sprayed on crops to protect against insects ('pests') that cause damage, whether directly (by feeding on them) or indirectly (by transmitting disease). They also include fungicides (to control fungal diseases such as blast and sheath blight in rice or powdery mildew and rusts in wheat) and herbicides (to kill or inhibit the growth of weeds). — Take the white-backed plant hopper, a pest that both feeds on rice plants and also spreads the Fiji virus disease, resulting in their stunted growth. This 'dwarfing' disease has been reported by many paddy farmers in Punjab and Haryana during the current kharif growing season. The vector insect here injects the virus while sucking the sap from mostly young plants. — Farmers generally spray insecticides and fungicides only when they physical observe and assess the pest population or disease incidence to be significant enough to impact crop yield and quality/marketability. — In recent times, farmers have also been resorting to prophylactic application of 'pre-emergent' herbicides around or just after crop sowing. These stop the weeds from coming out, helping keep the field clean from the start. Alternatively, they may use 'early post-emergent' herbicides to control weeds at the crop's initial sensitive growth stage. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. With reference to Scheduled Commercial Bank, consider the following statements: becomes eligible for debts/loans at the bank rate from the RBI and automatically acquires the membership of a clearing house. includes Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks, Foreign Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Scheduled Payments Banks, Scheduled Small Finance Banks and Scheduled Co-operative Banks. Which of the statements given above is/are true? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation According to — A Scheduled Commercial Bank (SCB) is a commercial bank which has been included in the Second Schedule of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (RBI Act). Conditions for inclusion in the Second Schedule of the RBI Act are as stated in section 42(6)(a) of the RBI Act. — Every Scheduled Commercial Bank enjoys two types of principal facilities: – (i) It becomes eligible for debts/loans at the bank rate from the RBI (ii) It automatically acquires the membership of a clearing house. SCBs include Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks, Foreign Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Scheduled Payments Banks, Scheduled Small Finance Banks and Scheduled Co-operative Banks. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. TRIPS Agreement often seen in news is administered by: (a) BRICS (b) UNCTAD (c) World Trade Organisation (d) European Union Explanation According to — The TRIPS Agreement of WTO, which came into effect on 1 January 1995, is to date the most comprehensive multilateral agreement on intellectual property. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. Consider the following countries: 1. United States 2. China 3. Germany 4. India 5. Japan 6. United Kingdom Arrange the countries above according to the current GDP rankings, from highest to lowest among the given options. (a) 1, 2, 6, 4, 3, 5 (b) 1, 6, 2, 3, 4, 5 (c) 1, 2, 3, 5, 4, 6 (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Explanation — Below are the top ten largest economies in the world, according to the current GDP (current prices), as of May 2025. (Source: IMF's World Economic Outlook | Data as of: May 26, 2025) Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 120) Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 122) Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 122) Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 121) Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 121) Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 121) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Manas Srivastava leads the UPSC Essentials section of The Indian Express (digital). He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than five years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called 'Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik' and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called 'LIVE with Manas'.His talks on 'How to read a newspaper' focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University's Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women's Studies by the Women's Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on 'Psychological stress among students' at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More
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First Post
12 minutes ago
- First Post
Israeli equipment proven in Operation Sindoor, says Netanyahu
Israel will not annex the territory but will set up a security perimeter, said Netanyahu, adding, 'We will destroy Hamas. We will get our hostages back.' read more Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the equipment provided by Israel to India earlier had worked effectively during Operation Sindoor. In an interview with CNN-News18, Netanyahu said that the Israeli systems used in the operation as 'battle proven'. 'The equipment given before worked well during Operation Sindoor,' he said, reaffirming Israel's support to India. Commenting on the broader ties between India and the United States, Netanyahu said, 'The goal for America and India is for both sides to succeed. There is so much common ground between Delhi and Washington. A way can be found to resolve this. It's in the interests of both India and America and Israel for this to end quickly.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He expressed confidence that current issues could be resolved. 'There is a basic understanding in America that India is a natural partner. India is a solid partner for America. Obstacles can be dealt with. This is a temporary obstacle.' Israel will not annex the territory but will set up a security perimeter, said Netanyahu, adding, 'We will destroy Hamas. We will get our hostages back.' 'The war can be over tomorrow if Hamas lays down arms. Innocents must be separated from Hamas,' he said.
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First Post
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Israel will not annex Gaza but expand operations, says Netanyahu; war could end if Hamas surrenders
Israel will not annex the territory but will set up a security perimeter, said Netanyahu, adding, 'We will destroy Hamas. We will get our hostages back.' read more Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel has no intention of annexing Gaza, and that the war can end immediately if Hamas agrees to disarm. In an interview with CNN-News18, Netanyahu outlined the path forward in the conflict, making it clear that Israel's goal is to neutralise Hamas while protecting civilian lives. 'Israel will not annex Gaza,' Netanyahu stated, adding that a security perimeter will be established around the territory to prevent future threats. He also hinted at the possibility of an international arrangement to govern Gaza after the conflict, though specifics were not detailed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD #EXCLUSIVE | Israel will not annex Gaza, an international body will govern Gaza and war will be over if Hamas lays down its arms. Israeli arms were used by India in Operation Sindoor and the arms are battle ready: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) speaks with… — News18 (@CNNnews18) August 7, 2025 Netanyahu reiterated that Israel's top priorities remain the destruction of Hamas and the safe return of all hostages. 'We will destroy Hamas. We will get our hostages back,' he said. 'The war can be over tomorrow if Hamas lays down arms. Innocents must be separated from Hamas.' In remarks that touched on India and the United States, Netanyahu described India as a 'solid partner' for both Israel and America. Referring to ongoing tensions, he said, 'There is a basic understanding in America that India is a natural partner. Obstacles can be dealt with. This is a temporary obstacle.' He also noted that equipment previously provided by Israel had performed well during India's Operation Sindoor. 'The equipment given before worked well during Operation Sindoor,' Netanyahu said, calling them 'battle proven'. Stressing shared interests, Netanyahu said, 'The goal for America and India is for both sides to succeed. There is so much common ground between Delhi and Washington. A way can be found to resolve this. It's in the interests of both India and America and Israel for this to end quickly.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
