UPSC Specials

News

UPSC SPECIALS NEWS

To eradicate dowry, why changes have to be social and generational, not just legal

January 15, 2026 9:29 am

The practice of dowry has transformed from a voluntary gift to a coercive demand, often putting a financial burden on the bride’s family. But the key questions remain: Despite stringent laws, why does the practice persist, what legitimises it socially, and how can this be uprooted? See infographics for key insights.

Do India’s recent growth numbers settle the question of sustainability?

January 15, 2026 9:43 am

India is experiencing its “goldilocks moment” characterised by robust growth, low inflation, and balanced macroeconomic conditions. But how can such gains be translated into sustained progress that will determine not just the success of Viksit Bharat but also the livelihoods of millions entering the workforce every year?

Why air pollution needs a long-term solution, not a reactive approach

January 13, 2026 8:10 am

Air pollution remains a persistent issue in India, with the Delhi-NCR particularly recording some of the worst AQI globally each year. What kind of possible measures are needed to shift from the seasonal, reactive approach to long-term, preventive planning?

How PM Modi’s visit to Jordan reiterates India’s multialigned approach to the Middle East

January 12, 2026 12:11 pm

Why does Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jordan in December 2025 acquire greater significance? What kind of political, strategic, and economic importance does the Hashemite Kingdom hold for India?

Trump, US, Venezuela, rules-based international order

Beyond Trending: What is rules-based international order?

January 12, 2026 11:53 am

Why has the unilateral military action by the Trump Administration against the sovereign state of Venezuela triggered an intense debate about the post-WWII Rules-Based International Order (RBIO)?

What US military strikes in Venezuela reveal about global illegal drug supply chain

January 12, 2026 12:10 pm

Apart from the intense debate over the US military operation in Venezuela, the Latin American state is also seen as offering a cautionary lesson about the trajectory of state-enabled drug trafficking. But how has the rise of synthetic drugs altered the nature of the narcotics threat to India?

Does the renewal of Ganga Water Treaty need a basin-centric approach?

January 08, 2026 8:37 am

Before the formal negotiations for renewing the treaty begin, both India and Bangladesh have articulated concerns reflecting changed circumstances. But how would a basin-centric approach help address the changed hydrological, developmental, and climatic realities?

Supreme Court, India, Separation of powers

How doctrine of separation of powers prevents its concentration and misuse

January 11, 2026 1:18 pm

The theory of separation of powers is rooted in the idea that the concentration of powers – the obverse of the separation of powers – is dangerous. But how does the system of checks and balances complement the principle of separation of powers?

Can indigenous efforts at genome-edited crop breeding offer food security?

January 07, 2026 8:09 am

Restricted access to genome-editing technologies poses serious challenges for countries like India that urgently need such tools for food security and agriculture. In what ways does indigenous gene editing technology that aids cheaper, commercial genetically-edited crop breeding offer renewed hope? See infographics for key insights.