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Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
UPSC Key: INS Nistar, Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), and Tourism sector
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for July 19, 2025. If you missed the July 18, 2025, UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here. Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate. What's the ongoing story: The first indigenously designed and constructed diving support vessel INS Nistar was commissioned into the Navy Friday for undertaking complex deep-sea saturation diving and submarine rescue operations — a niche capability possessed by select navies globally. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the significance of the commissioning of INS Nistar? • How does it strengthen the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign? • What are the features of the INS Nistar? • What are the issues in maritime security in India? • What initiatives have been taken by the government to strengthen maritime security? • What is the government's doctrine in maritime security? • The commission of INS Nistar firmly reinforces the role of the Indian Navy as the 'first responder' and 'preferred security partner' in the region. — What do you understand by this? Key Takeaways: • INS Nistar is the first of the two diving support vessels being built by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd. • MoS for Defence Sanjay Seth said the commissioning of the 118-m INS Nistar firmly reinforces the role of the Indian Navy as the 'first responder' and 'preferred security partner' in the region. • 'The indigenous shipbuilding Industry has been one of the pillars of the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign,' he said, adding that INS Nistar's induction is a technological leap and a milestone in the Indian shipbuilding chapter towards building a future-ready force. • Currently, all 57 new warships in the pipeline are being constructed domestically. • As per the Navy, INS Nistar is installed with state-of-the-art Diving Equipment such as remotely operated vehicles, self-propelled hyperbaric lifeboat, diving compression chambers. • It can undertake diving and salvage operations up to a depth of 300 m. It would also serve as the 'Mother Ship' for deep submergence rescue vessels to rescue and evacuate personnel from a dived submarine in distress well below the surface. Do You Know: Explained • Indigenously designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Nistar is the first of two diving support vessels (DSVs) that were ordered by the Navy in 2018. Its sister ship, Nipun, was launched in 2022, and is expected to be commissioned in the near future. • Meant to support deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations, these DSVs will enhance India's operational preparedness in the underwater domain and reinforce the country's strategic maritime posture across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the Navy said. • The original INS Nistar was a submarine rescue vessel acquired by the Indian Navy from the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1969, and commissioned in 1971. It remained in service till 1989, during which time it was the centrepiece of the Navy's diving and submarine rescue operations. • The new Nistar will carry forward this legacy. But unlike its predecessor, it comprises more than 80% indigenous content, with about 120 MSMEs having participated in its construction. This makes Nistar the first indigenously designed and constructed diving support and submarine rescue vessel in India. • With a displacement of around 10,500 tonnes, length of almost 120 metres, beam of more than 20 metres, and an endurance of more than 60 days at sea, the new Nistar is also larger and more capable than its 800-tonne predecessor. • Moreover, Nistar will be the mothership of an advanced deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV). The Indian Navy acquired two DSRVs from the UK's M/s James Fisher & Sons in 2018 and 2019 — one each for Nistar and Nipun. • Nistar can also carry a 15-tonne subsea crane, and support helicopter operations. Aboard Nistar is an operation theatre, an intensive care unit, and an eight-bedded hospital with hyperbaric medical facilities, all critical towards meeting the vessel's operational roles, the Navy said. • The induction of Nistar into the Navy after the successful integration of the two DSRVs is a major milestone for India's deep-sea capabilities. • With the Navy continuing to expand its submarine arm, it has to reckon with increased operational risks of operating in the deep sea. These risks demand a technologically capable platform for submarine rescue operations — the primary mandate of the Nistar-class vessels. • Based in Visakhapatnam, Nistar will serve as the DSRV mothership in the Eastern Seaboard, and Nipun, based in Mumbai, will serve in the Western Seaboard, completing the Navy's dual-coast operational posture. • 'In a world where underwater operations are becoming more complex and risks more unpredictable, INS Nistar ensures that India not only safeguards its own interests but is also ready and equipped to serve the greater good of global maritime safety,' the official said. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍How newly commissioned INS Nistar will help save lives in deep sea Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (1) Which of the following statements about INS Nistar is not correct? (a) It is indigenously designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited. (b) It supports deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations. (c) It will be the mothership of an advanced deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV). (d) It is based in Mumbai and will serve the Western Seaboard. Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism; Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security. What's the ongoing story: In a significant move that strengthens India's fight against cross-border terror, the US State Department Friday designated The Resistance Front, a shadow outfit of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba that had claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). Key Points to Ponder: • The US State Department on Friday designated The Resistance Front, a shadow outfit of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. How does it strengthen India's fight against cross-border terror? • How does cross-border terror pose a huge security challenge for India? • What are Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)? • What is the role of FATF? • What are India's efforts to fight terrorism on the global platform? • What is the connection between TRF and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT)? • What is state-sponsored terrorism? • What are the challenges faced by India in preventing terrorism? Key Takeaways: • In first remarks after Washington's move, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described it as a 'strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation'. • Designating an outfit as an FTO makes financing, aiding, advising and helping such an organisation a crime under US law. • Sources said this designation will support efforts to curb terrorism financing and to encourage other nations to do the same. It stigmatizes and isolates the TRF internationally, deters donations or contributions to and economic transactions with it, increases public awareness and signals to other governments on the concern about TRF, sources said, adding that the designation will help India to push for listing TRF at the UN as well. • 'The TRF, a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), has been involved in numerous terror-related activities, including the heinous attack on civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April 2025 for which it twice claimed responsibility,' it said. • It said India remains committed to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and will continue to work closely with its international partners to ensure that terrorist organisations and their proxies are held accountable. • The TRF and other associated aliases have been added to LeT's designation as a FTO and SDGT pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, respectively. • The Department of State has also reviewed and maintained the FTO designation of LeT. Amendments to FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register. • Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) are foreign organisations that are designated by the Secretary of State in accordance with Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended. Do You Know: • TRF, police say, is a shadow group of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) that was cast to give 'an indigenous look' to the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of the special status. • While Pakistan was on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, they didn't want Lashkar or Jaish to operate under their own names in the Valley, and floated the TRF and the People Against Fascist Forces (PAFF) to skirt accountability, senior officers say. • TRF emerged almost immediately after the abrogation of special status on August 5, 2019. Security officials said that while TRF is a front for the LeT, it works jointly with other terror outfits in the valley. • 'Unlike Lashkar or Jaish, it (TRF) is not an outfit with a global presence; it has restricted itself to Jammu and Kashmir. After some days, you may see the same people operating under a new name. They will keep changing the nomenclature,' the officer cautioned. • Security officials also believe, and hope, that the US decision to declare TRF a terror organisation is likely a signal for Pakistan to step back. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍US designates The Resistance Front as terrorist organisation: What is the significance of the move? 📍Nations openly supporting terrorism continue to be rewarded: PM at G7 UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: Analyse the complexity and intensity of terrorism, its causes, linkages and obnoxious nexus. Also suggest measures required to be taken to eradicate the menace of terrorism. (UPSC CSE 2021) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Structure, organisation and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity. What's the ongoing story: Facing an impeachment motion following a probe into allegations of cash being found at his official residence in New Delhi, former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma moved the Supreme Court Friday, calling its in-house inquiry mechanism that indicted him as 'a parallel, extra-constitutional mechanism'. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the in-house procedure? • What are Articles 124 and 218 of the Constitution? • What is the process of removal of a judge of the High Court? How is it different from the removal of a judge of the Supreme Court? • Know about the matter of former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma • What do you understand about an extra-constitutional mechanism? • Does the Supreme Court have supervisory powers over High Courts? • What are the challenges related to the judiciary in India? • What is the significance of an independent judiciary for a country like India? Key Takeaways: • 'Primarily, the In-House Procedure, adopted via a 1999 Full Court Resolution to handle complaints against judges and preserve judicial independence while maintaining public faith, unjustifiably extends beyond the intended scope of self-regulation and fact-finding. • By culminating in recommendations for removal from constitutional office, it creates a parallel, extra-constitutional mechanism that derogates from the mandatory framework under Articles 124 and 218 of the Constitution, which exclusively vest powers for removal of Judges of the High Courts in Parliament through an address supported by a special majority, following an inquiry under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968,' Justice Varma's plea states. • Justice Varma's plea underlines that the administrative or self-regulating procedures adopted by the Supreme Court 'cannot circumvent or override the constitutionally protected tenure of High Court judges or imbue the Hon'ble CJI with unregulated authority to act as the arbiter of the fate of other judges of the High Courts/this Hon'ble Court'. Constitutionally, the Supreme Court does not exercise supervisory powers over High Courts. • With the argument that the findings of the report are without due process and inadequate, Justice Varma, in his plea, has questioned every consequential action that flows from the report, including the CJI's recommendation. The matter is likely to be heard next week. Do You Know: • The process of impeachment of a judge of the Supreme Court is laid down in Article 124(4) of the Constitution of India. Article 218 says the same provisions shall apply in relation to a judge of the High Court. • Under Article 124(4), a judge can be removed by Parliament through a laid-down procedure on only two grounds: 'proved misbehaviour' and 'incapacity' • For an impeachment motion against an SC or HC judge to be accepted, at least two-thirds of those 'present and voting' in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha must vote in favour of removing the judge — and the number of votes in favour must be more than 50% of the 'total membership' of each House. • The notices for the removal motion will be signed by MPs from different parties. For a motion of impeachment to be taken up, it has to be moved by not less than 100 members in the Lower House. • Once the MPs submit the motion, the presiding officer of the House can either accept or reject it. • After a motion for impeachment is adopted by either House, the Speaker or Chairman has to constitute a three-member committee of inquiry, headed by the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge, and including a Chief Justice of any High Court, and a person who is a 'distinguished jurist'. • If the committee renders a guilty finding, its report is adopted by the House in which it was introduced and the judge's removal is debated. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Explained: How the judiciary' in-house inquiry against Justice Yashwant Varma will work 📍Lok Sabha set to take up motion seeking Justice Varma's removal, Cong on board Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (2) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2019) 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. 2. The Constitution of India defines and gives details of what constitutes incapacity and proved misbehaviour' of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India. 3. The details of the process of impeachment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India are given in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. 4. If the motion for the impeachment of a Judge is taken up for voting, the law requires the motion to be backed by each House of the Parliament and supported by a majority of total membership of that House and by not less than two-thirds of total members of that House present and voting. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 only Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. General Studies-IV: Issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. What's the ongoing story: The Supreme Court observed this week that citizens who wished to feed stray dogs should consider doing so inside their own homes. Key Points to Ponder: • What are the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 (ABC Rules)? • Why was it enacted? • What were the verdicts of the 2014 Jallikattu case? • How is it related to this case? • What is sterlisation programme for stray dogs? • Are there any Fundamental duties inscribed in the constitution on compassion for living creatures? Key Takeaways: • The Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta were hearing an appeal filed by a Noida resident who had been allegedly harassed for feeding stray dogs in the common areas of her housing society. • The strongly polarising issue of feeding community dogs has frequently led to litigation over the years. Courts have weighed in on questions of constitutional protections, local governance, and claims over shared civic spaces. • The president of the Residents' Welfare Association of the petitioner's society had allegedly broken some pots in which she had kept water for stray animals, harassed her, and killed 10 sterilised stray dogs. Local authorities had taken no action on her complaints, and had instead asked her to not place the pots again. • The court had said that the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 (ABC Rules) did warrant the protection of street dogs, but 'the authorities will have to bear in mind the concern of common man, such that their movement on streets are not hampered by attacks by these street dogs'. • The ABC Rules, 2023, notified under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, seek to control stray dog populations through sterilisation, and to curb the spread of rabies by vaccinating them. The Rules lay down protocols to ensure that the feeding of dogs respects both animal welfare and public safety. • The ABC Rules, which replaced the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001, use the expression 'community animals' instead of 'stray dogs' — recognising that these dogs are not ownerless intruders but territorial beings that inhabit and belong to their local environments. • The Supreme Court has interpreted the constitutionally guaranteed right to life and liberty as extending to animals as well. In its verdict in the 2014 Jallikattu case, the top court held that animal life falls within the meaning of Article 21 of the Constitution (Animal Welfare Board of India vs A. Nagaraja). • Article 51A(g) places a fundamental duty on citizens 'to have compassion for living creatures'. All this means that the presence of dogs in residential areas cannot automatically be considered unlawful. Nor can those who feed them be considered offenders unless their actions violate specific behavioural and spatial guidelines set by the law. • Rule 20 of the ABC Rules, 2023 ('Feeding of Community Animals') states that 'it shall be responsibility of the Resident Welfare Association or Apartment Owner Association or Local Body's representative… to make necessary arrangement for feeding of community animals' if someone living in that area 'feeds or provides care to street animals as a compassionate gesture'. • The Rule states that the feeding locations must be away from high-footfall areas like staircases, building entrances, and children's play areas. The designated spaces must be kept clean and litter-free, and community dogs should be fed at an appointed time. • The Rule also lays down a dispute resolution mechanism involving the chief veterinary officer, representatives of the police, the district Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, organisations conducting animal birth control, and the RWA. • The big picture is that dogs have a right to be fed, but this must be done in ways that minimise disruption to shared social spaces. The Rules try to strike a balance between compassion and public order. Do You Know: • Feeding, commonly misunderstood as an act of kindness, also ensures that dogs are healthy and capable of undergoing sterilisation. The ABC Rules also mandate sterilisation, which, as experience in India and abroad shows, is the only way to stabilise the population of street dogs. • Moreover, unlike dogs that are fed and vaccinated, hungry dogs, like a hungry creature of any species, are prone to turning violent. Hence, the petitioner, in this case, was asserting a statutory right as well as performing a constitutional duty. • To prevent conflict, the petitioner had sought directions for identifying open, designated areas in Noida where community dogs could be fed without triggering disputes. These are referred to in the ABC Rules as 'feeding spots,' which are for the RWAs to designate. • Meanwhile, media coverage of the remarks of the Supreme Court in this instance has led to the belief that it is an order by the court. Significantly, the Bench did not issue any direction asking the appellant to feed stray dogs at home. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Supreme Court on stray dogs: Here's what you need to know Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: General Science Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. What's the ongoing story: US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, when leg veins do not allow the blood to flow back to the heart. This clears the speculation over photos of Trump moving around with swollen ankles and bruises in his hand. Key Points to Ponder: • What is chronic venous insufficiency? • Is it common among older people? • What are the reasons for chronic venous insufficiency? • What is the cure? • What is its relation to heart health? • What do you understand by asymptomatic? • How is it diagnosed? • What is the vein glue procedure? • Learn about the role and function of the artery and the vein Key Takeaways: • This condition is most common in those over 70 and Trump, being 79, is no exception. • It may begin with one leg. The pooling of blood and increased pressure in the leg veins can lead to skin changes, pain, swelling and cramps that can affect both legs. In some cases, it might even lead to leg ulcers. • This happens when you are overweight, pregnant, have a genetic history or a history of leg injury or trauma. High blood pressure, prolonged sedentary behaviour in your advancing years, lack of exercise and smoking are all triggers. • A blood clot in a deep vein, often in the calf or thigh (deep vein thrombosis) may be a secondary trigger as are swelling and inflammation of the vein. Sometimes, a long bed-ridden status or cancer can cause this as well. Patients may be both symptomatic and asymptomatic. • Research at Mainz University, Germany has found that people with chronic venous insufficiency are about 60 per cent more likely to have severe cardiovascular disease at the same time than people of the same age and gender without it. • A Doppler ultrasound test can diagnose this condition. This helps visualise blood flow in the veins, identify blockages or clots and evaluate valve function in the legs. • We have medication that helps venous walls to pump better and recommend compression stockings for patients. They should not sit or stand for long periods and remain physically active. In complicated scenarios, one may need minimally invasive surgery procedures like laser ablation which uses laser energy to heat and close damaged veins, improving blood flow. • There is also the 'vein glue' procedure, which involves sealing off the affected veins with medical glue, redirecting blood flow to healthier veins. It's an alternative to traditional treatments like vein ligation and stripping, offering faster recovery times. Do You Know: • According to webmd, Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from your heart. They have thick walls and a muscular layer that keeps your blood moving. Arteries can be as wide as a nickel (about two centimeters). They are the largest type of blood vessel in your body. • The aorta is the largest artery in your body. The aorta carries blood from your heart to your organs. Arteries have smaller branches called arterioles. Both arteries and arterioles change in size to maintain your body's blood pressure level. • Veins carry deoxygenated blood towards your heart and are often located close to your skin. Veins don't have a muscular layer like arteries do, so they rely on valves to keep your blood moving. Veins start as tiny blood vessels called venules, which become full-size veins as they come closer to your heart. • Veins are closer to the surface of your body, and arteries are deep inside your muscles. The walls of a vein are thinner than an artery. Veins carry blood from your organs and towards your heart. Arteries carry blood away from your heart. Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (3) Consider the following statements: 1. Veins carry deoxygenated blood towards the heart. 2. Arteries are closer to the surface of our body. 3. The aorta carries blood from our heart to the organs. 4. Veins have thick walls and a muscular layer that keeps our blood moving. How many of the above statements is/are correct? (a) Only two (b) Only three (c) All four (d) None of the above Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development and employment. What's the ongoing story: The government is committed to raising the contribution of tourism in the country's economy to 10 per cent by 2047, in line with global levels, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Friday. Key Points to Ponder: • What is spiritual tourism? • What are the initiatives taken by the government to promote spiritual tourism? • What is the scope of tourism in India? • What are the challenges related to tourism in India? • How does tourism contribute to economic development? • What are the steps taken by the government to promote tourism in the country? Key Takeaways: • He said that at present, the tourism sector contributes between 5-6 per cent to India's economy. • 'The growth in India's economy is expected to double every 8 years. Today, the size of our economy is $4 trillion, and it is likely to reach close to $32 trillion by 2047. When the economy reaches around $32 trillion, our commitment is that the contribution of tourism should become 10 per cent, which would be equivalent to the global parameters. This is inevitable,' Shekhawat said in his address at CII YiFi Entrepreneurship Summit 2025. • He said the tourism sector in the country is going to witness a compounded annual growth rate of 24 per cent. • The minister said that every state in India, with its rich diversity and unique cultural identity, offers varied experiences to tourists from around the world. • He said that nearly a decade ago, the biggest challenge to the development of tourism in the country was inadequate infrastructure, he said. • He stated that when it comes to spiritual tourism, India has no competition. Do You Know: • Amid a strong post-pandemic recovery and despite various challenges, the global travel and tourism sector contributed US$10.9 trillion to the world economy in 2023, according to the Economic Impact Trends Report of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). • India has also made notable progress, now ranking as the eighth-largest tourism economy worldwide with a contribution of $231.6 billion, up from its previous position of tenth. This advancement highlights the country's increasing significance in the sector, with the WTTC forecasting a rise to fourth position within the next decade. • The Swadesh Darshan Scheme was launched by the Centre in 2014-15 for the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits. Under the scheme, the Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to states and Union territories for the development of tourism infrastructure. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Knowledge Nugget | India among top 10 global tourism economies in 2024–25: What UPSC aspirants must know UPSC Question Covering similar theme: Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? (Essay UPSC 2014) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development and employment. What's the ongoing story: US Crypto Week yielded positive results for cryptocurrency backers after Republican hardliners overcame initial reservations to vote in favour of a raft of legislations that are expected to forward US President Donald Trump's agenda of formalising digital assets amid dedollarisation risks. Key Points to Ponder: • What do you understand about cryptocurrency? • What is de-dollarisation? • Know about GENIUS Act, the CLARITY Act and the anti-CBDC Act • What are stablecoins? • How is it different from cryptocurrency? • What is the scope of fintech in India? • What are the challenges related to cryptocurrency? • What is blockchain technology? Key Takeaways: • The GENIUS Act, the CLARITY Act and the anti-CBDC Act were passed by the House Of Representatives on Thursday after initial differences over central bank digital currency-related privacy fears from hardliners were ironed out at a meeting held by President Trump at the Oval Office on Tuesday. • While the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act is likely to be signed into law by Trump in a ceremony on Friday, the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act will now face a vote in the Senate, before reaching Trump's desk for a presidential assent. • The passage of the GENIUS Act paves the way for the issuance of stablecoins — asset-backed cryptocurrency. In the case of America, stablecoins are expected to be indexed to the US dollar or US Treasury bills to reinforce confidence. • The Trump administration is also betting on stablecoins to re-emphasise the importance of the US dollar as the world's reserve currency amid fears of dedollarisation raised after the US froze Russian assets after the onset of the Russia-Ukraine War in 2022. • This has prompted countries to step up gold purchases and diversify away from the US dollar as a store of value, to retain access to reserves in the scenario of a unilateral asset freeze in the future. • US-backed stablecoin USDT issuer Tether has forayed into the commodities space by purchasing Adecoagro, a pan-South American agricultural giant to boost its balance sheet, besides paving the way for alternative payments for commodities settlements, Reuters reported. Do You Know: • A cryptocurrency is a medium of exchange, such as the rupee or the US dollar, but is digital in format and uses encryption techniques to both control the creation of monetary units and to verify the exchange of money. • In traditional financial transactions involving fiat money, a third-party organisation—usually a central bank—ensures that the currency is authentic and that the transaction is properly recorded. In contrast, with cryptocurrencies, a network of private computers is continuously engaged in authenticating the transactions by solving complex cryptographic puzzles. • These stablecoins aren't just another form of cryptocurrency. They are fully backed, 1:1, by US government Treasury Bills. In simple terms, this means a bank in the US would be able to issue a digital version of the dollar, backed by government bonds, and it can be used for payments across the world. This brings together the trust of government securities and the speed and transparency of blockchain technology. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍How are cryptocurrency and blockchain technology relevant to the UPSC exam? 📍As stablecoins gets greenlit in the US, India's chance to lead this fintech space UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (4) With reference to 'Blockchain Technology', consider the following statements: (2020) 1. It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which no single user controls. 2. The structure and design of blockchain is such that all the data in it are about cryptocurrency only. 3. Applications that depend on basic features of blockchain can be developed without anybody's permission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 only (d) 1 and 3 only Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
UPSC CISF AC (Exe) written result with names announced, direct link here
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced written examination result with names for the CISF AC (Exe) Limited Departmental Competitive Exam, 2025. Names and roll numbers of the shortlisted candidates are now available on the commission's website, the link for which is given below. UPSC CISF AC (Exe) written result with names announced The examination was held on April 27. Also read: UPSC Civil Services Mains 2025 schedule released, exam from August 22 In the next stage of the recruitment process, the shortlisted candidates will appear for Physical Standards Tests (PST)/Physical Efficiency Tests (PET) and Medical Standards Tests (MST). The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will inform the candidates about the date, time and venue of the PST/PET/MST to be conducted by them, UPSC said. It added that in case any candidate whose roll number figures in the list does not receive any intimation regarding the PET/PST/PMT, he/she can contact the CISF authorities immediately. Also read: MHT CET Counselling 2025 Live: provisional merit list releasing today at Marks and other details related to the examination will be available on the commission's website within 30 days from the date of publication of the final result (i.e. after the conduct of interview and would be available on the website of the UPSC for a period of 30 days), UPSC said. UPSC has advised candidates to intimate any change in their addresses to the CISF authorities at HQ: - DG, CISF, Block No. 13, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003. 'The final selection/appointment of Assistant Commandant (Exe.) in CISF will be subject to final outcome of the Writ Petition (Civil) No. 5877/2022 filed by Diwakar Pande & Ors. Vs. Ministry of Home Affairs & Ors. in the High Court of Delhi.' UPSC CISF result 2025: Direct link to check.
India.com
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
She acted in 32 films, did 48 TV serials, quit the movie industry at 15 to become IAS officer, failed 5 times to finally crack UPSC with AIR…, she is…
In Indian cinema, there are many stars who didn't study much. Some of them left school or college to chase their dreams in films. A lot of famous actors never even went to college. But one actress, who acted in 48 TV shows, did something very different. Instead of quitting school for acting, she actually left the film industry to focus on her studies. She once worked as a child actor in South Indian films and had a growing career. But her goal was clear i.e. she wanted to become an IAS officer. So, she made a bold choice and decided to leave the glamour world of cinema behind to follow her dream of joining the civil services. Who is this child actress who left acting to become an IAS officer? The former child actress is Keerthana. She worked in many Kannada TV shows like Ganga Yamuna, Karpoorada Gombe, Kanooru Heggadithi, Circle Inspector, Muthina Aliya, Upendra A, O Mallige, Lady Commissioner, Janani, Siguru, Happa, Door, Simhadri, and Putani Agent. In all of these shows, she acted as a child artist. Apart from television, Keerthana also acted in several Tamil and Kannada films. She even worked in movies alongside popular Tamil actor Ramesh Aravind. By the time she turned 15, Keerthana had already acted in 48 TV serials and 32 films. But, she made a big decision to quit acting and focus on her studies. Her goal was to become an IAS officer and she was very clear about her goal. Failed many times, but never gave up When Keerthana decided to quit acting, many people were shocked. Most believed she was about to start working as a lead actress in films. So when they found out that she had left cinema to prepare for the IAS exam, it came as a big surprise. Before going for the UPSC (IAS) exam, Keerthana first cleared the Karnataka State Administrative Service (KAS) exam. She worked in a government job for two years. But her dream was bigger—she wanted to become an IAS officer through the UPSC exam, which is known to be one of the hardest in India. The road wasn't smooth. She failed five times. But Keerthana never gave up. In 2020, on her sixth attempt, she finally cleared the UPSC exam with an All India Rank of 167. Her dedication and patience paid off. She got her first posting as an Assistant Commissioner in Mandya, Karnataka.
Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: Why Mangal Pandey's role in revolt of 1857 matters for your UPSC exam
Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up on your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget on Mangal Pandey and other prominent leaders' contributions to the Revolt of 1857. (Relevance: UPSC has asked questions on the Revolt of 1857 in both Prelims and Mains. Also, the contribution of Mangal Pandey holds immense significance in the outbreak of the revolt, making it an important topic for your UPSC exam.) On March 29, 1857, Mangal Pandey fired a shot at the Sergeant Major of his regiment at Barrackpore near Kolkata, triggering a great event in the history of Modern India — the Revolt of 1857, or the Sepoy Mutiny, or the First War of Indian Independence. With it ended the rule of the East India Company over India with Queen Victoria's Proclamation of 1858. It changed the British system of colonial rule in India with the enactment of the Government of India Act 1858 which appointed a Viceroy as the Crown representative in India in place of the Governor General of India. Lord Canning became the First viceroy under this new system. 1. Mangal Pandey was born on July 19, 1827, in Nagwa village in Ballia district in a Bhumihar Brahmin family. He joined the East India Company's army at the age of 22 as a soldier in the 6th company of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry. 2. He refused to use the newly introduced Enfield rifle. It was believed that the new Enfield Pattern 1853 rifle-musket issued to the sepoys of the East India Company came with a cartridge dipped in beef and pork fat, which made it anathema to both Hindu and Muslim sepoys, who had to bite open the cartridge to load the weapon. 3. On March 29, 1857, Pandey mutinied and fired at his Senior Sergeant Major. He was overpowered and hanged on April 8, 1857, by the order of a Court Martial at Lal Bagan in Barrackpore. His regiment was disbanded, like the 19th infantry at Behrampore, for showing resentment. 4. Mangal Pandey was hanged to death by the Company on April 8. He belonged to the kingdom of Awadh, which had been treacherously annexed by Lord Dalhousie in 1856 on the grounds of misgovernance. It was not under the Doctrine of Lapse introduced by Dalhousie to annex other regions. It was introduced by Lord Dalhousie during his time as the Governor-General of India (1848–56). According to this doctrine, the adopted heir to the throne was not allowed to acquire the state, and the state automatically 'lapsed' into British dominion if the ruler died without any natural, biological heir. The territories of Satara (1848), Punjab (1849), Sambalpur (1850), and Jhansi and Nagpur (1854) were annexed under it. Bahadur Shah Zafar II was the Delhi emperor from 1836 to 1857. He was the second son of and became the successor to his father, Akbar II. After the failure of the Revolt of 1857, he was exiled to Rangoon in British-controlled Burma, and the Red Fort was illegally captured by the British on September 19, 1857. He lived in prison till his death in 1862. 5. Notably, Awadh was a region that supplied large numbers of soldiers of war to the Company's army. There were 75,000 soldiers from Awadh, and almost every agricultural family in the kingdom had a representative in the army. Whatever happened in Awadh was of immediate concern to the Sepoy. 6. The deposition of the Nawab and the confiscation of the villages of taluqdars during the land revenue settlement of 1856 caused outrage. Some 14,000 petitions were received from the Sepoys about the hardships they faced on account of the revenue system. Mangal Pandey represented the discontent that the misery of British rule had brought upon peasant families. 7. Next, the soldiers of the 7th Awadh Regiment rose in defiance, and they also met the same fate. After this, the incidents of disobedience, incendiarism, and arson were reported from the army cantonments in Ambala, Lucknow, and Meerut, until finally, the Meerut sepoys started the revolt on 10 May. 8. The marching band of sepoys from Meerut reached the Red Fort and appealed to Bahadur Shah II, the elderly Mughal emperor who was a pensioner of the East India Company, to become their leader to provide legitimacy to their cause. After much persuasion, he yielded and was proclaimed Shah-en-shah-i-Hindustan. Leaders across the northern region joined the revolt to provide leadership. Here are some of the prominent leaders that you shouldn't miss. 1. Nana Sahib: He was the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, the last Maratha peshwa (ruler), who assumed the leadership from Kanpur. Lord Dalhousie has refused the extension of the pension of his adoptive father to him, and the threat from sepoys made him join the revolt. He provided a strong front; however, in 1859, he was driven into the Nepal hills, where he is thought to have died. 2. Begum Hazrat Mahal: Begum, one of the younger queens of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, was a freedom fighter who made major contributions to the revolt of 1857. She took command of the revolt from Lucknow. She took charge of the affairs of the state after the British annexed it in 1856, exiling the nawab, and leaving the kingdom without a leader, in a chaotic mess. She crowned her son, Birjis Qadr, as the royal heir of Awadh. Ultimately, she escaped to Nepal with her son and a clutch of followers under adverse circumstances in 1859. She maintained her opposition through 20 years of exile in Nepal, until she died in 1879. 3. Veer Kuwar Singh: At the age of 80, Kuwar Singh was the chief organiser from the Bhojpur region of Bihar against the British East India Company during the revolt. He led the siege of Aarah for eight days. He was a master of guerrilla warfare and was able to elude the British for quite some time. At the battle of Jagdishpur, April 23, 1858, he was able to win back his homeland from the Britishers. He died of injuries, passing on the mantle to his successor and brother Amar Singh II. 4. Rani Laxmibai: Rani Laxmibai, original name Manikarnika, was born in Varanasi, was the leader of the revolt from Jhansi. In 1842, she was married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao Newalkar. The couple adopted a son, Damodar Rao. However, after the death of the Maharaja, the British East India Company refused to recognise his claim to the throne under the Doctrine of Lapse. It became the factor for Rani to join the rebellion. In 1858, General Hugh Rose arrived in Jhansi leading his forces. It is then that Rani Laxmibai decided to take up arms to arms to defend her state. 5. Khan Bahadur Khan: The city of Bareilly was one of the strongholds during the rebellion of 1857 and remained so for nearly a year. Here, the resistance was led by an 82-year-old Khan Bahadur Khan. He put up a strong fight against Sir Colin Campbell, who was then the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army and marching towards Bareilly. In an action that lasted for nearly six hours and nearly cost the renowned war correspondent his life, the British forces were successful in making Khan's force retreat and take over the city. 6. Maulvi Liaqat Ali: He took control of the uprising from Allahabad. He enforced law and order in the city and made Khusro Bagh as his military operational headquarters. In 1872, he was arrested at Bombay Railway Station by British officials and was sentenced to transportation for life to the penal settlement of Andaman. (1) What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria's Proclamation (1858)? (UPSC CSE 2014) 1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States. 2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown. 3. To regulate the East India Company's trade with India. Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (2) Consider the following pairs: Which of the following pairs is/are correct? (a) 1 and 4 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Source: Remembering Mangal Pandey, and the legacy of the revolt he inspired, Knowledge Nugget: Why is the Revolt of 1857 important for UPSC? ) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
UPSC's initiative to provide employment pathways for unsuccessful candidates is welcome
Every year, lakhs of people prepare for and sit the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination. In 2024, for instance, 9.9 lakh had applied for the examination conducted on June 16. Of these, 5.8 lakh appeared for the examination. However, of all those who appeared, only 14,627 candidates qualified for the written (main) examination, of which just 1,009 were recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for appointment to the services. The lakhs who don't make the list each year either opt for another attempt — in the general category, candidates have six attempts — or start their professional life, often belatedly. There are several challenges posed by a late entry into the job market. Some of the candidates have competition from younger counterparts and the lack of work experience makes their predicament even more difficult. The spin-offs on lifetime earnings are not difficult to gauge, especially because many end up employed in occupations that are either not in line with their qualifications or possibly at junior levels. An initiative by the UPSC is now providing pathways to the unsuccessful candidates for securing gainful employment. Under the Public Disclosure Scheme, called PRATIBHA Setu now, the Commission has started publicly disclosing information on the non-recommended, willing candidates of the exams it conducts. The UPSC conducts several exams every year — some of the examinations, other than the Civil Services Examination, included under this scheme are the Indian Forest Service Examination, the Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination, and the Combined Medical Services Examination. The non-recommended candidates are those 'who qualify the written examinations but are not recommended after the interview'. The portal provides information on these candidates. According to a report in this newspaper, it also provides subject- and discipline-wise search facilities to organisations, enabling them to pick out candidates who meet their requirements. By doing so, this facility is helping match candidates available in the labour market with prospective employers. Initially, this scheme — it was launched in 2018 — had little success in placing candidates in government organisations and public sector entities, as per a report in this paper. Extending it now to the private sector helps cast a wider net, increasing the odds of the candidates being absorbed. Prospective employers now include PSUs, autonomous government organisations and private entities. This is indeed a welcome step. However, the problems in the labour markets in India require deeper and far-reaching policy changes.
