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Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for April 6, 2025. If you missed the April 5, 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 II: India and its neighborhood- relations.
What’s the ongoing story: As Colombo and Delhi signed pacts on defence cooperation, power, health, digital technology and a special assistance package for the island nation’s eastern provinces, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who held bilateral talks Saturday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said the Sri Lankan government will not permit its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India and regional stability.
Key Points to Ponder:
• Know about the significance of the Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR in India’s foreign policy
• How India-Sri Lanka relationship evolved?
• What is the strategic significance of Sri Lanka for India?
• Is Sri Lanka memeber of BIMSTEC and SAARC?
• What are the areas of conflict and cooperation between the two nations?
• What is the Katchatheevu island conflict? What is the issue of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution?
• Who was Thiruvalluvar? How does his philosophy continue to inspire even today?
Key Takeaways:
• Dissanayake honoured Modi, who headed to Colombo from Bangkok after the BIMSTEC Summit, with the Mitra Vibhushana, Sri Lanka’s highest civilian award to a foreign head of state.
• Regarding the ethnic Tamil minorities, Modi said, “We hope that the Sri Lankan government will meet the aspirations of the Tamil people and fulfil its commitment towards fully implementing the Constitution of Sri Lanka, and conducting provincial council elections.”
• And quoting Thiruvalluvar, Modi said “in the face of challenges and enemies, there is no stronger assurance than a true friend and the shield of his friendship”.
• The Sri Lankan President said he conveyed to Modi that India’s assistance to the island nation in times of need and continuing solidarity are deeply cherished.
• India also firmed up debt restructuring agreements as part of economic assistance for Colombo and decided to reduce interest rates on loans.
• For the social and economic development of the eastern provinces of Sri Lanka, a support package of approximately 2.4 billion Lankan rupees will be provided, he said.
• The two leaders virtually inaugurated the construction of the Sampur solar power project. They also inaugurated the recently completed temperature-controlled warehousing facility at Dambulla, possibly the first facility of its kind on the island.
• An important agreement that the two sides inked was on developing Trincomalee as an energy hub.
• Modi said Sri Lanka has a “special place” in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR.
Do You Know:
• The 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka’s constitution was made after the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord between Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and President J R Jayewardene, on July 29, 1987, in Colombo. It deals with the devolution of land and police powers to the provinces in Sri Lanka. India has been pressing Sri Lanka to fully implement the 13th Amendment as the answer to the Tamil demand for political autonomy for the Northern and Eastern regions.
• Apart from the devolution of power, the Accord had other clauses, such as Tamil and English being adopted as official languages along with Sinhala. It provided for a system of elected provincial councils across Sri Lanka. Thus, it was not just the Northern-Eastern province that would get a provincial council but provinces in the rest of Sri Lanka too. The Accord also says that “The Government of India will underwrite and guarantee the resolutions, and co-operate in the implementation of these proposals”.
• India’s Neighbourhood First Policy guides India’s relations with countries in its immediate neighbourhood. It focuses on creating mutually beneficial, people-oriented, regional frameworks for stability and prosperity through the building of physical, digital and people-to-people connectivity.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍India-Sri Lanka ties — Why Katchatheevu Island is important for UPSC
📍Knowledge Nugget: What should you know about BIMSTEC and SAARC for UPSC?
📍Won’t allow our territory to be used against India: Sri Lankan President to Jaishankar
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
(1) Elephant Pass, sometimes seen in the news, is mentioned in the context of the affairs of which one of the following? (UPSC CSE 2009)
(a) Bangladesh
(b) India
(c) Nepal
(d) Sri Lanka
Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:
In respect of India-Sri Lanka relations, discuss how domestic factors influence foreign policy. (UPSC CSE 2013)
‘India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (UPSC CSE 2022)
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
What’s the ongoing story: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Saturday said the Indian Navy ensures that no nation can use its “overwhelming economy and military power” to suppress another country in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Key Points to Ponder:
• Lear about SAGAR to MAHASAGAR
• Importance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for India
• How has IOR emerged as a strategically important region in recent times?
• What is Project Seabird?
• Learn about India’s evolving maritime doctrine
• What are the initiatives taken by India to ensure peace and stability in the region?
• India’s presence in IOR is related to security and national interests. Evaluate.
• What is India’s strategy to counter China’s string of pearls?
Key Takeaways:
• Singh was speaking at the flag-off ceremony of Indian Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel Sunayna, which has been designated as Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) in Karwar, for a month-long deployment in the IOR.
• Singh said the IOR is significant not just from a security perspective, but also for trade, economy, tourism and culture.
• On India’s presence in the IOR, he said it is not just related to India’s security and national interests, but it also points towards equality of rights and duties of our friendly nations in the region.
• Singh said the launch of IOS SAGAR is a reflection of India’s commitment to peace, prosperity, and collective security in the maritime domain.
• Praising the Navy for emerging as “the first responder” during incidents of hijacking of ships and pirates’ attacks in Indian Ocean, Singh said the Navy ensures the security of not just Indian ships, but also foreign ones.
• Singh inaugurated modern operational, repair and logistic facilities constructed under Project Seabird worth over `2,000 crore. He also reviewed the maritime security situation, operational readiness of the Navy, and the future outlook during inaugural phase of the first Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2025 in Karwar.
Do You Know:
• India’s emerging strategic posture in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has become central to its foreign policy, particularly in light of growing geopolitical rivalries and maritime security concerns.
• The doctrine of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) builds on SAGAR and indicates a broadened scope of India’s maritime engagement. This perceptibly includes not only the immediate neighbourhood but also extends to the broader Indo-Pacific space and connects with India’s strategic collaboration with QUAD members—the United States, Japan, and Australia.
• The Indian Ocean has emerged as a major theatre of 21st-century geopolitics, hosting vital sea lanes that facilitate over 80% of global trade by volume and serve as routes for energy transportation. The region’s growing importance comes not only from its commercial utility but also from intensifying strategic competition — especially between India and China, the two principal Asian powers seeking to expand their footprint.
• India’s counter-strategy to China’s “string of pearls” is often described as the “Necklace of Diamonds”, involving strategic partnerships with regional littorals, investments in port infrastructure, and presence through naval diplomacy.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍India must act as a unifier in the Indian Ocean Region
📍India–Mauritius partnership and the new maritime geopolitics
📍 Modi’s MAHASAGAR: India’s big bet on maritime power and the Global South
Mains Question Covering similar theme:
How does the MAHASAGAR doctrine reflect India’s evolving maritime vision in the Indian Ocean Region?
What is the significance of Indo-US defense deals over Indo-Russian defense deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (UPSC CSE 2020)
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Linkages between development and spread of extremism
What’s the ongoing story: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a visit to Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district on Saturday for celebrating the closing ceremony of Bastar Pandum, a tribal cultural event, addressed Maoists as “brothers”, requesting them to drop their weapons and join the mainstream.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What is the linkage between development and the spread of extremism?
• What is the Left Wing Extremism?
• What is the Naxal Surrender policy?
• What are the government efforts to bring development to Naxal-affected areas?
• Read about the origin of Naxalism in India
• How is Naxalism different from terrorism?
• Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had termed Naxalism “the greatest internal security threat to our country.” Is it still true?
• What is its importance: ‘Sashakt, Surakshit and Samriddh Bharat’
Key Takeaways:
• He also reiterated his March 2026 deadline for eradicating Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the Naxal affected Bastar region and the entire country.
• Talking about the Naxal surrender policy, Shah said every village which declares itself Naxal-free will be given Rs 1 crore worth of development work. “Tell all militias in your village to surrender,” he said.
• Talking about the development he wishes to see in Bastar, Shah said, “Development means a sub-inspector from Sukma, a barrister from Bastar, a doctor from Dantewada and a collector from Kanker. These dreams will come true if we work hard and do not be afraid of anyone. Your safety will be taken care of by this double engine sarkar.”
Do You Know:
• According to the response provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in Rajya Sabha in December 2024, at present, there are 38 districts affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the country, and during the last five years, 60 districts have been freed from the menace of Left-Wing Extremism.
• In April 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Centre’s ruthless approach to Naxalism has helped in bringing down the number of Naxal-affected districts to 6 from the earlier 12.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍After the anti-Naxal operation: Time to heal, not conquer
Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:
Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India’s approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE. (2018)
What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in the Eastern part of India? What strategy should the Government of India, civil administration and security forces adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas? (2020)
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
Main Examination: General Studies I: Social empowerment
General Studies III: Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
What’s the ongoing story: The Time Use Survey (TUS) 2024, conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, reveals that residents of Maharashtra are dedicating significantly more time to work, resulting in a decline in the time spent on socialising, learning, and self-care.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What is the Time Use Survey?
• What are the key highlights of the Time Use Survey 2024?
• The survey highlights a significant gender disparity in the time spent on “employment and related activities”- what does it imply?
• How can this survey help in policy-making?
• What are the areas of concern?
• What is the care economy?
• What does the survey tell about the contribution of women in domestic work?
Key Takeaways:
• According to the survey, the average time spent by the state’s residents on employment and related activities is 469 minutes per day. This is much higher than the national average of 440 minutes and marks a substantial increase from the 440 minutes reported in the 2019 Time Use Survey.
• The survey highlights a significant gender disparity in the time spent on “employment and related activities, “which encompasses jobs, farming, fishing, mining, and other economic activities. On average, men dedicate 500 minutes to these tasks, while women spend only 395 minutes.
• Additionally, the time spent on “self-care”, including sleep, eating, drinking, and personal hygiene, has also declined, dropping from 715 minutes to 709 minutes.
Do You Know:
• TUS tracks how people allocate their time across various activities such as paid work, childcare, volunteering, and socialising. Its primary aim is to assess men’s and women’s participation in both paid and unpaid activities, providing valuable insights into time spent on unpaid caregiving, volunteer work, and domestic services.
• It also sheds light on time spent on learning, socialising, leisure activities, and self-care. The findings of these surveys are crucial for shaping policies on poverty, gender equity, and human development.
• India’s first national-level Time Use Survey, the NSS Report – Time Use in India 2019, marked a significant milestone in the country. The second round of this survey, released in 2025, was conducted between January and December 2024, covering 1.39 lakh households and 4.54 lakh individuals over the age of six.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍Knowledge Nugget: What is the relevance of ‘Time Use Survey’ for UPSC?
Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
(2) Consider the following statements:
1. Time Use Survey, a biennial report, measures the time dispositions by the population on different activities.
2. For the first time, time spent by females on employment and related activities is more than men.
3. Purple economy recognizes the importance of care work done by women.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Issues relating to the development and management of the Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
What’s the ongoing story: Thirty-six lakh eligible citizens in the Capital are set to benefit from the rollout of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), Union Health Minister J P Nadda said Saturday as the Delhi government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre to implement the scheme in the city.
Key Points to Ponder:
• Read about Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) – objective, coverage, and challenges
• Read about India’s performance on important health indices in NFHS-5
• What are Ayushman Vaya Vandana health cards?
• What are Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs)?
• Is this the Central Sector Scheme or the Centrally Sponsored Scheme?
• What is the difference between secondary and tertiary care? Ayushman Bharat is concerned with which?
Key Takeaways:
• The implementation of the national health scheme in the Capital was among the BJP’s key poll promises in the run-up to the Assembly elections.
• CM Gupta also slammed the previous AAP government. “This scheme, which is a lifeline for Delhiites, could not be implemented (till now) due to the conspiracy of the previous government. Delhi was an example of how citizens suffer when central and state governments do not work in tandem towards the same goal,” she said.
• Now, West Bengal is the only state that has not implemented the Central scheme.
Do You Know:
• The Ayushman Bharat Yojana, also known as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), is a health insurance scheme launched by the Government of India in 2018. Its primary aim is to provide comprehensive health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year. It connects the public and private health sectors into a one-nation, one-system.
• This financial shield applies to serious (secondary) and critical (tertiary) care, including various surgeries and illnesses. Whether it’s a knee replacement, heart bypass, cancer treatment, or even chronic conditions, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana empowers beneficiaries to get the medical attention they need without financial hardship. The program goes even further by covering pre and post-hospitalization expenses, ensuring a more comprehensive healthcare experience.
• PMJAY is for inpatient secondary and tertiary care. Outpatient services are not a part of the scheme. The latter component is being addressed through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), earlier called Health and Wellness Centres. With over 1,75,000 AAMs free consultations and many medicines (up to 172) and diagnostics (up to 63) are being provided free.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍Knowledge Nugget of the day: Ayushman Bharat
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
(3) With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2022)
1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it.
2. As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately.
3. It has seamless portability across the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
What’s the ongoing story: On January 14, 2025, a 28-year-old woman died and her husband suffered critical injuries after the SUV crashed into a divider on the newly-constructed Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME). The police officials said that both were wearing seatbelts and the car suddenly flipped over when the driver applied the brakes and the vehicle hit the divider.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What are Detailed Project Reports (DPR)?
• Who is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the National Highway?
• What is the importance of road infrastructure in development?
• Read about the Bharatmala project, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), and Golden Quadrilateral
• What are the challenges of road infrastructure in India?
Key Takeaways:
• From the fractures or fissures that develop in the concrete slabs used for pavement construction, surface undulations or deformations, potholes from water stagnation and uneven riding surface — a series of significant defects identified in various National Highway (NH) projects across India from 2019-20 to 2023-24 have a direct bearing on the creation of ‘black spots’ or hazardous points on the NH, where accidents take place repetitively.
• On March 6, in a conference on road safety, Gadkari said that engineers and consultants involved in roadbuilding and the “substandard” detailed project reports (DPRs) produced by them were responsible for continuing road accidents, where India has among the highest numbers in the world.
• According to the minister’s reply in Parliament, the defects are of mainly four categories, namely, pavement issues, retaining wall issues, bridge and structure defects, and other construction & maintenance deficiencies.
• Settlements in highways mean displacement of the pavement surface or the underlying soil, which results in an uneven or depressed surface.
Do You Know:
• No fresh projects will now be taken up under the Centre’s flagship Bharatmala Pariyojana, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) said in its latest annual report.
• The Project, Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-1, which received Cabinet approval in October 2017, entails a total length of 34,800 km in 31 States and Union Territories, and covers over 550 districts. However, a total of 26,425 km or 76 per cent of the total approved length has been awarded for construction to develop it as economic corridors, which along with Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) and North-South and East-West (NS-EW) corridors, are expected to carry the majority of the freight traffic on road.
• The project is also marred by many delays and cost overruns, which analysts said could be one of the reasons for fresh projects not being taken up under the scheme. The length of 10,000 km under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) was also subsumed in this major highway infrastructure initiative.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍No further projects are being taken up under Bharatmala Pariyojana amid delays, cost overruns
UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:
“Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth.” Discuss in the light of India’s experience. (2021)
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| PRELIMS ANSWER KEY |
| 1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (b) |
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