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Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for November 13, 2025. If you missed the November 12, 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: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
What’s the ongoing story: Botswana Wednesday formally announced the translocation of eight cheetahs to India amid President Droupadi Murmu’s state visit.
Key Points to Ponder:
— What is India’s Project Cheetah?
— What is the significance of the Project Cheetah?
— What are the recent steps taken by India to increase cooperation with African countries?
— How are African countries significant for India?
— What is the IUCN status of Cheetah?
— Trans-continental translocation of Animals-know the Issues and Challenge
— Map work: Botswana , Angola (Know about important peaks, rivers in these countries)
Key Takeaways:
— On Thursday, the two heads of state will preside over an event where five of the eight captured cheetahs will be released into a quarantine facility at the Mokolodi nature reserve, marking the symbolic handover to India. The eight cheetahs are expected to reach India in a few months after undertaking quarantine procedures.
— President Murmu earlier visited Angola as part of her cumulative six-day state visit to both African nations — the first by any Indian head of state.
— During one-on-one meetings on Wednesday and delegation-level talks, the leaders of India and Botswana agreed to expand cooperation in sectors such as trade and investment, agriculture, renewable energy, health, education, skill development, defence and digital technology.
— The two leaders also witnessed the signing of a pact giving Botswana access to affordable Indian medicines.
— The President said her visit — the first of its kind from India to Botswana— marks an important milestone for bilateral relations. It comes ahead of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 2026.
— Noting that Indian entities were already “active” in Botswana’s diamond, energy, and infrastructure sectors, the president said there was a “scope” for collaboration in renewable energy, digital innovation, pharmaceuticals, and mining.
— This is the first-ever Presidential visit from India to Botswana. The President has been accompanied by Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways V Somanna and MPs Parbhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava and DK Aruna.
Do You Know:
— Africa is the world’s second-largest continent, covering about 30.3 million square kilometers, including adjacent islands. This constitutes about 20 per cent of Earth’s land area and 6 per cent of its total surface area. As the second-most-populous continent, Africa’s population of approximately 1.52 billion accounts for about 18 per cent of the world’s population. Algeria is Africa’s largest country by area, and Nigeria is its largest by population.
— The continent currently faces multiple challenges like poverty, deprivation, epidemics, control of natural resources, conflict, civil strife and insurgencies. It is also becoming a battleground for global power struggle.
— Almost every global and emerging power has established institutional mechanisms to regularly engage the continent, like FOCOC (Forum on China-Africa Cooperation) by China, TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African Development) by Japan and IAFS (India-Africa Forum Summit) by India.
— Project Cheetah was launched in September 2022 and introduced African cheetahs into India from Namibia and South Africa. Initially, 20 cheetahs were imported from the two countries.
— The ambitious project has two overarching objectives. First, to establish a stable, breeding population of cheetahs in central India. Two, to use cheetahs as an umbrella species to restore open natural ecosystems such as scrubs, savannahs, grasslands, and degraded forests.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍Project Cheetah: Where things stand after two years
📍Conflicts in Africa | India’s growing role in Africa’s development
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
(1) Consider the following: (UPSC CSE 2012)
1. Black-necked crane
2. Cheetah
3. Flying squirrel
4. Snow leopard
Which of the above are naturally found in India?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate; Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment; Disaster and disaster management.
What’s the ongoing story: India has been ranked 9th in the list of countries worst affected by climate-related disasters in the last 30 years, according to the latest Climate Risk Index (CRI) report released by Germanwatch, a Bonn-based non-governmental organisation.
Key Points to Ponder:
— What are climate-related disasters?
— How is human-induced climate change impacting disasters?
— How vulnerable are low-and-middle-income countries?
— How vulnerable is India against climate-related disasters?
— What are the steps taken at global and national level to develop resilience against climate-related disasters?
Key Takeaways:
— The last time this index was prepared, in 2023, India was ranked eighth. India’s rank has also improved in the list of countries worst affected by disasters in the previous year, from 10 in 2023 to 15 now. This could be due to a fewer number of disasters happening in India, but could also mean that the country has been steadily improving its resilience.
— The report was prepared by analysing the present and historical climate data that are available in a public forum and was presented on the second day of the ongoing COP30 climate conference being held at Belém, Brazil.
— According to the report, globally 8.32 lakh lives were lost between 1995 and 2024 due to extreme weather events, out of which India has recorded 80,000 fatalities, or nearly 9.6% of the global number.
— The report states that in the past three decades as many as 430 extreme weather events like droughts, cyclones, heatwaves, and floods were reported in various parts of India, accounting for losses worth 170 billion USD.
Do You Know:
— Climate change has been “wreaking havoc” on Earth’s water cycle by disrupting how water circulates between the ground, oceans and atmosphere, according to a new report. This has led to extreme precipitation, ferocious floods and droughts, which affected billions of people across the world in 2024.
— The report, ‘2024 Global Water Monitor Report’, was produced in January 2025 by an international team of researchers from universities in Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, Germany, and elsewhere. For their analysis, the researchers used data from ground stations and satellites to access water variables such as soil moisture, rainfall etc.
— According to the WMO, 2025 is most likely to be among the top three warmest years ever recorded, following the near-surface temperature recorded between January and August this year, which was 1.42 degree Celsius (a deviation of 0.12 degree Celsius) above the pre-industrial era.
— The WMO stated that the concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases and ocean heat content in 2025 continued the rising trend observed last year. The report also stated that the period between 2015 and 2025 would have individually been the 11 warmest years in the 176-year observational record.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍Knowledge Nugget: Why Climate Risk Index (CRI) Report matters for UPSC preparation
📍What India should do to build climate-resilient cities
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
(2) With reference to the “New York Declaration on Forests’, which of the following statements are correct? (UPSC CSE 2021)
1. It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014.
2. It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests.
3. It is a legally binding international declaration.
4. It is endorsed by governments, big companies and indigenous communities.
5. India was one of the signatories at its inception.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 5 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 2 and 5 only
Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:
What is disaster resilience? How is it determined? Describe various elements of a resilience framework. Also mention the global targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030). (UPSC CSE 2024)
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance, Social and economic development.
Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors, Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Effects of liberalisation on the economy.
What’s the ongoing story: Amid pressure on goods exports to the US due to high 50 per cent tariffs, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday extended additional credit facilities up to Rs 20,000 crore to exporters, and also approved a six-year Export Promotion Mission with an outlay of Rs 25,060 crore announced in the Budget this year.
Key Points to Ponder:
— Read about the Export Promotion Mission.
— How will the EPM help Indian exporters face global tariff challenges?
— What is the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE)?
— How does CGSE support MSMEs?
— What are the implications of US tariffs on India?
— What are the non-tariff barriers faced by India’s exports?
— What steps has the government taken to make Indian exports more globally competitive?
— Why is diversification into new export markets the need of the hour for India’s trade policy?
— Read about the initiatives taken by the government for export promotion.
Key Takeaways:
— The decision comes at a time when the impact of tariffs has begun to show with shipments to the US in September declining by 12 per cent. Engineering goods exports, which make up nearly a quarter of India’s total goods outbound shipments, dropped 9.4 per cent to the US, official data showed.
— Steep 50 per cent US tariffs came into effect on August 27. After the China-US trade deal, tariffs on India are the highest globally.
— Under EPM, priority support will be extended to sectors impacted by recent global tariff escalations, such as textiles, leather, gems & jewellery, engineering goods, and marine products. The interventions will help sustain export orders, protect jobs, and support diversification into new geographies, a statement released by the Cabinet said.
— “The scheme is focused on the availability of credit and reducing the cost of credit, and focuses on MMSE exporters so that they can expand to newer export markets,” Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said during the press briefing after the Cabinet meeting.
— “The mission will provide a comprehensive, flexible, and digitally driven framework for export promotion, with a total outlay of Rs 25,060 crore for FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31. It consolidates key export support schemes such as the Interest Equalisation Scheme and Market Access Initiative, aligning them with contemporary trade needs,” the statement said.
— The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE) approved by the Cabinet will provide 100 per cent coverage by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited to member lending institutions for extending additional credit facilities up to Rs 20,000 crore to eligible exporters, including MSMEs.
— The imposition of a 50 per cent US tariff on Indian goods, effective August 27, had taken a heavy toll on the textile and apparel exports in September. The US is the single largest market for India’s textile and apparel exports, contributing almost 28 per cent to the total revenue of India’s textile and apparel exporters.
— India’s textile and apparel exports to the US stood at nearly $11 billion in 2024-25. According to CITI’s analysis, in September 2025, textile exports slid 10.45 per cent over the previous year, while apparel exports declined 10.14 per cent during the same period. Cumulative exports of textiles and apparel items during September 2025 declined 10.34 per cent over September 2024, it said.
Do You Know:
— A government panel, comprising officials from the Commerce and Industry Ministry, NITI Aayog, as well as exporters, is working on new Special Economic Zones (SEZs) norms aimed at boosting manufacturing and helping exporters leverage the domestic market amid steep US tariffs that have hurt production, a person aware of the development told The Indian Express.
— This comes after multiple units in the SEZs, particularly those which entirely cater to the US market, have written to the Commerce Ministry seeking that they be de-notified due to sudden tariff pressure that has left exports uncompetitive in the US market. However, exporters, till now, have tried to hold on to the US market even by bearing losses.
— SEZs enjoy various tax benefits, including duty-free imports and domestic procurement. Official data showed that India’s exports from SEZs in FY25 stood at $172 billion from nearly 276 units in the country, and the domestic sales comprised 2 per cent of the total production. However, Indian SEZs have lagged over the years, especially compared with Chinese special economic zones that transformed manufacturing in the neighbouring country.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍Govt panel working on new SEZ norms for exporters to access domestic market
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:
(3) The SEZ Act, 2005 which came into effect in February 2006 has certain objectives. In this context, consider the following: (UPSC CSE 2010)
1. Development of infrastructure facilities.
2. Promotion of investment from foreign sources.
3. Promotion of exports of services only.
Which of the above are the objectives of this Act?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance, Economic Development.
Main Examination: General Studies-II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
What’s the ongoing story: China may have agreed to pause for one year its sweeping export controls on rare earths, but this hiatus offers only partial relief to global rare-earths users after a tumultuous few months. It is being seen more as a window of opportunity to restrategise, till China weaponises trade in these elements again.
Key Points to Ponder:
— What are rare-earth minerals?
— What is its significance?
— What is supply chain resilience?
— What is the impact of China’s restrictions on rare earth minerals on India?
— How is India ramping up its exposure to rare earths?
— What effects does China’s dominance over the processing of rare earth magnets have on global supply chains?
— What are royalty rates?
— Is there a difference between royalty and tax?
— Why does the Indian government impose royalty rates on rare-earth minerals extraction?
Key Takeaways:
— For countries looking for solutions, Japan offers a replicable template. Long before China’s wolf warrior approach to multiple rare earth elements and magnets widely used in the automotive, robotics and industrial sectors, Japan tweaked its approach to supply chain resilience after unwittingly emerging as the canary in the coal mine for China’s mineral dominance.
— On September 7, 2010, a Chinese fishing boat collided with two Japanese coast guard vessels off the islands of Senkaku in the East China Sea, following which the coast guard arrested the boat’s captain. Among the Chinese government’s responses was stopping the export of rare earth minerals to Japan, which sent the Japanese industry into complete panic.
— At the time of the ban, Japan was dependent on China for nearly 90 per cent of its imports of these minerals. While the kerfuffle was eventually resolved after the release of the boat captain, the prices of rare earths surged 10 times in a year following the incident.
— Alongside stockpiling, recycling and pushing alternative technologies, Japan has, after the 2010 incident, invested heavily into non-China rare-earth projects. This includes Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths, the world’s largest rare earth producer outside of China.
— Japanese companies also invested in the facilities needed to process and refine the materials into inputs that can then be used by its industries. As a result, Japan’s overall dependence on Chinese rare earths has now dropped to below 60 per cent, according to data provided by London-based Argus Media.
— The consumption of rare earths in Japan now is well under half the level of what it was in 2010, offering proof of how effective these steps have been.
— The fishing boat incident was a wake-up call for Japan, as the sudden blockade ostensibly caught policymakers by surprise even though the vulnerability in the supply of rare earths was evident to most people. At some point, for policy makers across geographies, it makes sense to analyse the vulnerability of the country’s supply chains.
— A proactive assessment across all critical supply chains could help, especially entailing overdependence on one or a small group of suppliers from one country, even one that has not actively weaponised trade.
— The Japanese response also shows the need for a comprehensive, multi-pronged policy approach. Rather than relying on a single measure, Japan diversified its sources, allocated money for technology and alternative materials, and spent years building strategic reserves, all while maintaining a long-term vision through recycling initiatives
— The other lesson is that like-minded countries need to get together to tide over vulnerabilities, including possible stockpiling of the kind that Japan pursued for REs after 2010.
— India is, however, hoping to ramp up its exposure to rare earths. In November last year, the country launched an auction for seven seabed blocks in the Andaman Sea for exploration and eventual mining. These blocks are estimated to hold polymetallic nodules and crusts, which can contain heavy rare earth metals.
ECONOMY: Cabinet approves new royalty rates for four critical minerals
— The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved rationalisation of royalty rates for four critical minerals — graphite, caesium, rubidium, and zirconium — considered critical for green energy. The decision aims to facilitate indigenous production and reduce imports of these minerals to avoid supply chain vulnerabilities, the Cabinet said.
— The Cabinet approved changing of royalty rate calculation mechanism for graphite from per tonne basis to ad valorem basis.
— While graphite is a crucial component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, zirconium is used in nuclear energy due to its exceptional corrosion resistance. Caesium is mainly used in the high-tech electronic sector, particularly in atomic clocks, GPS systems and rubidium is used in making specialty glasses used in fibre optics, telecommunication systems, and night vision devices.
Do You Know:
— Rare earths are a subset of the critical minerals grouping that includes 17 metallic elements nestled lower down in the periodic table, from lanthanum (atomic number 57) to lutetium (71), as well as plus scandium (21) and yttrium (39).
— These elements are characterised by their high density, high melting point, high conductivity and high thermal conductance. They are classified as heavy or light, based on atomic weight.
— Rare earths form crucial inputs, although often in trace volumes, across a range of products, from weapons platforms and electronics, including flat screen TVs and smartphones, to wind turbines, robotics, electric vehicles, MRI scanners and cancer treatment devices.
— India imported 2,270 tonnes of rare earth elements in 2023-24, up 23% from 1,848 tonnes in 2019-20, according to the Ministry of Mines. Imports from China accounted for 65% of this amount, and another 10% came from Hong Kong. The two sectors that have been badly affected by the Chinese supply curbs in April are the auto industry, especially EV makers, and the electronics sector.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍What is India’s share in rare earth elements, the backbone of modern technologies?
📍Where is India in the rare earths game?
UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme:
(4) With reference to the Rare Earth Elements, consider the following statements:
1. These are crucial for manufacturing high-value goods in defence and clean energy.
2. The United States dominated rare earth elements, supplying 85 to 95 per cent of the world’s demand.
3. Gadolinium (Gd) and holmium (Ho) are considered Rare Earth Elements.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:
Despite India being one of the countries of Gondwanaland, its mining industry contributes much less to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage. Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2021)
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Mains Examination: General Studies-II: India and its neighbourhood- relations.
What’s the ongoing story: India on Wednesday reaffirmed its “unwavering” support to Bhutan’s 13th five-year-plan as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with former king Jigme Singye Wangchuck and joined Bhutanese leadership to attend the Kalachakra initiation ceremony, hosted as part of the Global Peace Prayer Festival.
Key Points to Ponder:
— Read about the history of India-Bhutan relations?
— What are the areas of cooperation between India and Bhutan?
— What is the strategic significance of Bhutan for India?
— What are India’s ‘neighbourhood first’ and Act East policies?
— Read about the Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project.
Key Takeaways:
— Following the meeting, Modi lauded Singye’s contribution in further cementing India-Bhutan ties and said the discussions focused on bilateral cooperation in areas of energy, trade, technology and connectivity.
— “Discussed cooperation in energy, trade, technology and connectivity. Lauded the progress in the Gelephu Mindfulness City Project, which aligns with our Act East Policy,” Modi said on social media.
— In the morning, Modi inaugurated the “Kalacakra Wheel of Time Empowerment” at the Global Peace Prayer Festival that was attended by top Bhutanese leadership, including Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Singye.
— “This is an important ritual with great cultural significance for Buddhists around the world. The Kalacakra Empowerment is a part of the ongoing Global Peace Prayer Festival, which has brought together devotees and scholars of Buddhism to Bhutan,” Modi said on X. Before leaving for New Delhi, Modi said the outcomes from his visit in sectors such as energy, healthcare and connectivity will “add momentum to our bilateral partnership”.
Do You Know:
— India and Bhutan are connected not just by borders but also by cultures, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday as he arrived in the Himalayan nation for a two-day visit.
— Modi held talks with Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck. They inaugurated the 1,020 megawatt Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project developed jointly by India and Bhutan.
— 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:
📍K4: Old friend of India, Bhutan’s guiding hand
📍Bhutan’s unique position in India’s regional strategy
UPSC Mains Practice Question Covering similar theme:
What role does hydropower play in the India-Bhutan economic partnership? In what ways does India’s investment in Bhutan’s renewable energy ambitions contribute to its own sustainability goals?
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.
Main Examination: General Studies-II, III: Government policies and interventions, Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
What’s the ongoing story: Trishna Sarkar writes-“Delhi’s festive season means many things: Lights, joy, sweets, and, of course, our most devoted seasonal visitor — pollution. The capital is now enveloped in a poisonous blanket that is thicker than the fog, even before the winter has properly come. In this gas chamber, suffocation and celebration coexist.”
Key Points to Ponder:
— What is the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)?
— What is air pollution and what are its sources?
— What are the impacts of poor air quality?
— What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)?
— What are the key initiatives taken by the Indian government to control air pollution?
— What steps should be taken to control air pollution?
Key Takeaways:
— “The Air Quality Index (AQI) has steadily increased from poor to catastrophic this year. Authorities, seemingly taken aback, have enforced GRAP-3 and GRAP-4 regulations when the numbers officially surpassed 400. GRAP-3 is activated when the AQI exceeds 400, and GRAP-4 is implemented when it crosses the 450 mark. At that point, trucks are stopped, schools begin to close, construction stops, older cars are prohibited, and everyone suddenly realises that air pollution is an issue. We seem to breathe in hope until then.”
— “However, the problem is that these regulations, otherwise helpful, are not considered even when Delhiites struggle to breathe. GRAP-3 directs us to minimise vehicle emissions, cease construction, and stop utilising diesel generators. GRAP-4 goes one step further by outlawing the majority of non-essential cars and closing down significant industries. But this long wait for air quality to become “severe” is questionable. It’s similar to waiting for a heart attack before adopting a healthy diet.”
— “Beijing’s PM2.5 levels were cut in half in less than ten years thanks to tough enforcement, cleaner fuel transitions, and ongoing monitoring. Decades ago, New York City reduced car pollution, changing both its skyline and its lungs. Year-round initiatives have improved air quality and prolonged life throughout Europe.”
— “We refuse to unravel the complex web of urban instability that lies at the core of Delhi’s pollution. The city suffers from unrelenting traffic and widespread urbanisation, where cars are growing more quickly than the roadways can handle them. Each festival becomes an occasion to compulsively burst crackers, as if smoke were a symbol of celebration, and unchecked buildings add layers of dust to an already suffocating cityscape. These routine decisions add up to a yearly disaster. Delhi will continue to experience the same oppressive cycle year after year until the city stops its addiction to cars, controls construction, and redefines celebration beyond fire and fumes.”
— “In the end, achieving cleaner air is a shared obligation rather than the exclusive responsibility of the government or the individual citizen. Only when citizenship and the government cooperate will Delhi be able to breathe again.”
Do You Know:
— GRAP is a set of emergency measures that kick in to prevent further deterioration of air quality once it reaches a certain threshold.
— Stage 1 of GRAP is activated when the AQI is in the ‘poor’ category (201 to 300). The second, third and fourth stages are activated three days ahead of the AQI reaching the ‘very poor’ category (301 to 400), ‘severe’ category (401 to 450) and ‘severe +’ category (above 450) respectively.
— Measures being imposed under the previous categories continue even when the subsequent category is activated, that is, if measures under Stage-2 are activated, measures under Stage-1 will continue to remain in place.
— Notably, the GRAP was first notified in January 2017 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. This was based on a plan that was submitted by the CPCB in November 2016.
— According to the notification, the task of implementing the GRAP fell on the now-dissolved Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority for the NCR. From 2021 onwards, the GRAP is being implemented by the CAQM.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍UPSC Issue at a Glance | Air Pollution: 4 Key Questions You Must Know for Prelims and Mains
Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering Similar Theme:
(5) In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index? (UPSC CSE 2016)
1. Carbon dioxide
2. Carbon monoxide
3. Nitrogen dioxide
4. Sulfur dioxide
5. Methane
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering Similar Theme:
Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve revised standards? (UPSC CSE 2021)
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| As Jaishankar meets Canada counterpart, its trade minister sets out to boost India ties | Even as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand in Ontario, Canada confirmed that its Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu will visit India from Wednesday for opportunities to “advance” bilateral “trade and investment linkages”. The two-way traffic also assumes significance at a time when India-US ties have dipped over 50% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Canada has also been facing the brunt of US tariffs. |
| Ethiopia to host COP32 in 2027; uncertainty over 2026 as Australia, Turkey slug it out | Ethiopia has been confirmed as the host of the 32nd edition of the annual climate change conference (COP32) in 2027, even as the choice of next year’s host remains uncertain.
Ethiopia was selected by the African group of countries over its rival Nigeria, which too had bid to host the event. Ethiopia will organize COP32 in its capital city, Addis Ababa, the country announced in Belem, Brazil where the COP30 meeting is currently happening. The host country of COP31 next year is still undecided, with both Australia and Turkiye persisting with their candidature. The COP meetings are held by rotation in five UN-designated geographical regions – Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, and Western Europe and Others. Countries volunteer to host the event. But if there are more than one candidate, the respective geographical region selects one by consensus. The host country acts as the president of the climate conference, and in that capacity exercises immense influence over the proceedings and outcomes. |
| PRELIMS ANSWER KEY |
| 1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (a) 4. (c) 5. (b) |
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