Mains General Studies Paper III

The Indian government is advancing its nuclear energy goals by easing restrictions under the Atomic Energy Act, enabling private sector involvement in small modular reactors (SMRs). This development follows expressions of interest from major companies like Reliance Industries and Tata Power, aligning with India's target to scale nuclear capacity from 8 GW to 100 GW by 2047. The move, highlighted in recent policy announcements and budget commitments, addresses clean energy needs for industrial decarbonization and AI-driven data centers, positioning India in the global SMR value chain amid international collaborations with the US and Russia.

The Indian government is set to launch the National Camel Mission, a multi-ministerial initiative aimed at halting the drastic 75% decline in the country's camel population since 1977. This comes as part of broader efforts to conserve the "desert icon," support traditional herder communities like the Raika, and tap into economic opportunities such as camel milk production, amid concerns over ecological imbalances in arid regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Recent details from defence sources reveal how Mission Sudarshan Chakra, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on India's 79th Independence Day, will incorporate advanced components like directed energy weapons, satellites, and a vast radar network to create a multilayered air defence shield. This initiative aims to protect strategic and civilian sites from aerial threats, building on successful tests of indigenous systems and lessons from recent conflicts, highlighting India's push towards self-reliant defence technology amid evolving regional security challenges.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai on October 8, 2025, for a two-day official visit, marking his first trip to India since taking office in July 2024. This reciprocal engagement follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK in July 2025, where the two nations signed the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Accompanied by a delegation of over 125 business leaders, entrepreneurs, university vice-chancellors, and industry representatives from organizations like Rolls-Royce, British Telecom, Diageo, London Stock Exchange, and British Airways, the visit aims to implement the FTA, boost trade and investments, and deepen cooperation in technology, defence, education, and culture. Starmer and Modi will hold bilateral talks, address the Global Fintech Fest, and review the India-UK Vision 2035 roadmap, emphasizing reliable partnerships amid global uncertainties like US tariffs under President Donald Trump and ongoing geopolitical tensions.

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order adding a $100,000 fee to H1B visa applications, starting from September 21, 2025. This change aims to protect American jobs but has created confusion and worry among Indian professionals, who make up most H1B holders. Tech companies like Microsoft and Meta are telling their employees to return to the US quickly, and the Indian government is highlighting possible family and economic problems.

Russia has proposed helping India build and localise both large and small nuclear power plants as part of their ongoing civil nuclear cooperation. This offer was made during a meeting in Vienna on the sidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency's annual conference, highlighting the growing partnership between the two countries amid India's push for clean and reliable energy sources to meet its growing demands.

Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran, speaking at the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kolkata on September 19, 2025, pointed out important choices India must make in shifting to cleaner energy. He stressed that while India aims for sustainability, it cannot let this slow down economic growth or harm finances, especially as the country works towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. This comes amid global talks on climate change and India's push for more renewable energy.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a new defence agreement that treats an attack on one as an attack on both, raising questions about regional security. This pact, agreed upon during Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Riyadh, comes at a time of growing tensions in the Middle East due to the Israel-Hamas war and recent strikes. India is closely watching this development because of its strong ties with Saudi Arabia and ongoing issues with Pakistan, leading to statements from Indian officials about protecting national interests.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has unveiled a pioneering decadal study on the finances of all 28 Indian states, spanning from 2013-14 to 2022-23. This report spotlights a dramatic threefold rise in combined public debt, climbing from Rs 17.57 lakh crore to Rs 59.60 lakh crore, amid warnings about states increasingly borrowing for everyday expenses rather than long-term investments, potentially jeopardizing economic stability.

Pakistan, with support from China, recently submitted a joint proposal to the UN Security Council's 1267 Sanctions Committee to designate the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its suicide squad, the Majeed Brigade, as terrorist entities. However, the United States, United Kingdom, and France placed a six-month technical hold on this bid, stating there is not enough evidence to link these groups to Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State (ISIL), which is required under the committee's rules. This development comes amid rising tensions in Pakistan's Balochistan province, where the BLA has carried out several attacks, and highlights geopolitical differences in how countries view regional insurgencies versus global terrorism.

The US Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States, cut interest rates by 25 basis points on September 17, 2025, bringing the target range to 4-4.25 percent. This move comes at a time when both inflation and unemployment are going up together, making it hard for the Fed to meet its two main goals of keeping prices stable and ensuring as many people as possible have jobs. Fed Chair Jerome Powell shared his thoughts in a press meet, pointing out the tough choices ahead, especially with political pressure from US President Donald Trump. This situation is important for India because US policies affect global trade, oil prices, and the value of the Indian rupee.

Pakistan and China have jointly proposed to the United Nations Security Council to label the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, as terrorist groups under the UN's 1267 sanctions list. This move comes amid rising attacks claimed by BLA in Pakistan, but it was blocked by the United States, United Kingdom, and France, who said there was not enough proof connecting these groups to Al-Qaeda or ISIL. This highlights ongoing tensions in how countries define and handle terrorism, especially in South Asia, where India watches closely due to its own security concerns with Pakistan.