UPSC Key: Food processing sector, Postal ballot counting, and Sahyog portal

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-III: Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

What’s the ongoing story: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that because India possesses the triple strength of diversity, demand, and scale, the world, especially investors in the food sector, is looking towards the country with great hope.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What are the steps taken by the government to promote the food processing sector?

— What is the potential of India in the food processing industry?

— What is the purpose of mega food parks?

— What is Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme?

— What are the challenges related to the food processing sector in India?

Key Takeaways:

— While addressing a gathering during the World Food India 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, PM Modi said that 25 crore people have overcome poverty in the last 10 years and are now part of the neo middle class — India’s most energetic and aspirational segment.

— “India is now the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem, with many start-ups working in food and agriculture,” Modi said, adding that the country’s diversity, demand, and innovation make it the most attractive destination for investment.

— Highlighting the steps taken by the central government for promotion of the food processing sector, Modi said that 100% FDI is now permitted and the sector has benefited from the PLI scheme and the expansion of mega food parks.

— These efforts are yielding results, he said, as India’s processing capacity has expanded 20-fold over the past 10 years, and exports of processed food have more than doubled, he said.

— An official statement said that at World Food India, credit linked support of over Rs 770 crore will be provided to around 26,000 beneficiaries for micro-projects in food processing sector worth over Rs 2,510 crore under Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme.

Do You Know:

— Chirag Paswan writes: The PMFME scheme was launched under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore to empower unorganised micro food enterprises through formalisation, capacity building, and access to credit.

— Over 1.41 lakh loans amounting to Rs 11,205 crore have been sanctioned to micro-enterprises and seed capital has been extended to support more than 3.3 lakh members of self-help groups (SHGs).

— A robust foundation for skill development and entrepreneurship has been laid under the scheme, with over one lakh individuals trained across the country.

— The Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industries is catalysing industrial capacity and formal job creation. With committed investments of Rs 8,900 crore, the scheme has led to the creation of over 3.3 lakh jobs and added more than 67 lakh metric tonnes of processing capacity.

— Recognising the critical role of infrastructure in ensuring food safety and export readiness, the Union Budget 2024–25 announced the establishment of 50 multi-product irradiation units to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance shelf life, alongside 100 NABL-accredited food testing laboratories to strengthen quality assurance across the value chain.

—  Further, in a landmark step to promote regional specialties, the government has also announced the establishment of a National Makhana Board, aimed at boosting value addition, branding, and global positioning of this unique superfood from India.

— India’s growing leadership in the global food economy finds powerful expression through World Food India — the Ministry’s flagship international platform for investment, innovation, and collaboration.

— Designed to showcase India’s strengths across the food processing value chain, the event has evolved into a trusted forum for global stakeholders to engage with India’s agri-food ecosystem.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Food processing has become a force for grassroots transformation

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(1) With what purpose is the Government of India promoting the concept of “Mega Food Parks”? (UPSC CSE 2011)

1. To provide good infrastructure facilities for the food processing industry.

2. To increase the processing of perishable items and reduce wastage.

3. To provide emerging and eco-friendly food processing technologies to entrepreneurs.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

📍Elaborate the scope and significance of the food processing industry in India. (UPSC CSE 2022)

 

FRONT

Final EVM tally only after counting of all postal ballots: EC’s new rule

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

What’s the ongoing story: Reversing its 2019 decision to de-link the counting of postal ballots and votes polled on EVMs, the Election Commission on Thursday changed the counting process to ensure that the EVM tally is only completed after all the postal ballots are counted.

Key Points to Ponder:

— Know about the mechanism of EVM/VVPATs

— What steps are taken by the EC to enhance speed, transparency and uniformity in ballot counting?

— What is the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS)?

— What is postal ballot voting?

— Why is it provided?

— Who can avail it?

Key Takeaways:

— In case of a Parliamentary constituency, if votes are counted Assembly segment-wise at multiple counting centres, the penultimate round of EVM/VVPAT counting need not be stopped at all counting centres until the postal ballots are counted, it said. It would only be halted in centres where the postal ballot counting was still underway, it said.

— Sources said the decision was taken in keeping with the demand raised by political parties. Opposition parties have been demanding this change, expressing concern that a close election could be called based on the number of postal ballots being rejected or held valid at the last minute.

— During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the INDIA bloc had asked the EC to rescind its 2019 directive and go back to withholding the penultimate round of EVM counting until all the postal ballots were counted.

— Until 2019, the EC had followed the process of taking up the penultimate round of counting EVM votes only after all the postal ballots were counted. On May 18, 2019, the EC changed the procedure, citing the increase in the number of postal ballots.

— At the time, the EC had cited the increase in postal ballots due to the introduction of the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS), in which the postal ballots are sent to service voters electronically instead of by post.

— The filled ballots, however, are still returned via post. The EC had said that the mandatory requirement of reading QR codes for the ETPBS means more time is taken for counting postal ballots.

— On Thursday, the EC said it was changing the process to “ensure uniformity and utmost clarity”.

Do You Know:

— In a gazette notification last year, the Union Law Ministry amended the Conduct of Elections Rules-1961 to change the definition of senior citizens who are eligible to choose the postal ballot facility from those “above 80 years” to those “above 85 years”. This, the notification said, was “after consulting the Election Commission of India”.

— A restricted set of voters can exercise postal voting. Through this facility, a voter can cast her vote remotely by recording her preference on the ballot paper and sending it back to the election officer before counting.

— Members of the armed forces like the Army, Navy and Air Force, members of the armed police force of a state (serving outside the state), government employees posted outside India and their spouses are entitled to vote only by post. In other words, they can’t vote in person. Voters under preventive detention can also vote only by post.

— Special voters such as the President of India, Vice President, Governors, Union Cabinet ministers, Speaker of the House and government officers on poll duty have the option to vote by post. But they have to apply through a prescribed form to avail this facility.

— The rules enable postal ballot voting for a “notified class of electors”, which includes essential services workers, persons with disabilities, Covid-19-infected or suspected cases and senior citizens.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Govt amends rules to allow postal ballots for those aged 85 or above, not 80-plus

📍Explained: Postal ballots and why they are fast turning into a political controversy

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(2) What is the eligibility age, after the changes made in March 2024, for senior citizens to vote

by postal ballot? (70th BPSC)

(a) 82 years

(b) 90 years

(c) 85 years

(d) 80 years

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

📍In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (UPSC CSE 2018)

EXPLAINED

The javelin’s arc 

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

What’s the ongoing story: Javelin throw is one of the most technically challenging track and field disciplines. A javelin thrower’s movement can be broken down into several phases and every tiny action matters. Athletes seek to optimise their actions during each phase to hurl the javelin further into the horizon. 

Key Points to Ponder:

— Know about the science behind the javelin throw

— Role of Neeraj Chopra in promotion of this sport

— When is the National Javelin Throw Day celebrated?

Key Takeaways:

— The grip: It all begins with the grip. The athlete holds a synthetic/cotton cord wrapped around the javelin at the centre of gravity. There are three popular grips.

Javelin grips

— American grip: The thumb (inner side, closer to the throwing shoulder) and the index finger (outer side) are placed at the top of the cord while the remaining three fingers are placed around it. The index finger is key.

— Finnish grip: Finland was once a powerhouse in javelin throw: till date, it has won 22 of the 81 medals in men’s javelin at the Olympic Games. The Finns developed a grip in which the index finger is placed under the javelin, just above the cord. India’s Neeraj Chopra, who won the gold medal in Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021) and a silver in Paris 2024, usually opts for this grip.

— V-grip or fork grip: The top of the cord is gripped by the index and the middle finger, while the ring finger and the little finger go around the cord. “The reason people with elbow problems use it is because you always have the javelin on top of (above) the elbow,” Röhler said.

— Run-up & crossover: The run-up is where a javelin thrower gets into a running rhythm. The number of steps varies from athlete to athlete: Germany’s Julian Weber takes 10 to 12 steps, while Chopra takes about 15. The idea is to gain momentum which can then be transferred into the throw.

— During the run-up, the javelin is held above the shoulder level while the athlete runs in a straight line (before entering the crossover phase).

— The biggest challenge with the crossover is maintaining upper-body stability: this is because the motion requires an athlete to plant the right leg in front and across the left without transferring the weight forward prematurely.

— At the end of the crossover, the body weight is on the balls of the right foot (for right-handed throwers) as the left foot extends forward. The thrower then starts rotating on the balls of the right foot after it is first placed at an ideal angle of 45 degrees towards the throwing direction.

How to throw a javelin

— The blocking leg, the left one for a right-handed thrower, is planted like that of a fast bowler — without bending the knee. The block allows all the power to be transferred into the throw. And in the process, it puts extreme pressure on the body.

— The angle of the release of the javelin should ideally be between 32 and 40 degrees, depending on the conditions on the day of the competition, to maximise the distance.

— Although high school physics textbooks say that for achieving maximum range, a projectile should be launched at a 45-degree angle, this is only true for a situation where the launch occurs from the same height as the target.

— In the case of a javelin, the athlete’s height means that the javelin is launched from roughly 2 metres above the ground.

EXPRESS NETWORK

Cancer cases peak amid global decline: Study

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

What’s the ongoing story: While the rates of cancer cases and deaths are on a decline globally, these are increasing in India, according to a latest study in The Lancet.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What are the reasons for the increase in cancer cases in India?

— India needs to future-proof their health systems to tackle the increasing number of cancer cases. Elaborate.

— What are some of the major government programmes aimed at cancer care and treatment in India?

— Why is early awareness and detection important in the case of cancer?

— Significant numbers of cancer cases and deaths can be prevented through behaviour change. Elaborate.

Key Takeaways:

— The data shows that the rate of cancer occurrence in India increased from 84.8 per 100,000 population in 1990 to 107.2 per 100,000 population in 2023, which translates to around 15 lakh cancer cases. The rate of cancer deaths in India increased from 71.7 per 100,000 in 1990 to 86.9 per 100,000 in 2023, translating to around 12.1 lakh deaths.

— Although the cancer and death rates for India are still lower than the global average, they are on the rise within the country. This means that lower-middle income countries, including India, need to future-proof their health systems to tackle the increasing number of cancer cases.

— While the rate of cancer occurrence and deaths have been going down globally, in terms of sheer numbers, the cancers will continue to increase, affecting 30.5 million people and killing 18.6 million in 2050, according to the latest Global Burden of Disease estimates.

— To compare, there were an estimated 18.5 million cases and 10.4 million deaths due to cancers in 2023, according to the data.

— The rates of cancer occurrence, on the other hand, dropped from 220.6 per 100,000 population in 1990, to 205.1 in 2023, and will likely drop further to 192.9 in 2025…. This suggests that the increase in the number of cancer cases and deaths are due to growing and ageing populations.

— Most of these cancer cases and deaths will be in the low and middle income countries as per the study. It says over half of the new cancer cases and two-thirds of the cancer deaths will be in these countries, which include India.

— Dr Abhishek Shankar, oncologist from the AIIMS-Delhi and one of the collaborators for the study, said, “We need to work on several fronts, and now. First, there is a need for sustained communication campaigns so that people do not believe in myths and seek care early.”

— Second, all stakeholders need to be involved. Interventions for cancers have largely been led by oncologists, but that is not enough. Every part of a human body can get a different type of cancer and none of the presentations are consistent. We need to involve everybody for quick detection and treatment of cancers.

— The study estimates that around 42 per cent of cancer deaths were attributable to modifiable risk factors such as use of tobacco and alcohol, unhealthy diets, poor control of hypertension and diabetes among others. This means that a significant number of the cancer cases and deaths can be prevented through behaviour change.

— This window is larger for India. Dr Shankar says that as high as 70 per cent of cancers in India may be attributable to these modifiable risk factors.

— Working towards improved control of chronic diseases, improvement of air quality, cleanliness to prevent infections, vaccination drives for HPV and Hepatitis B can all help reduce cancer burden in the country.

Do You Know:

— Tobacco use remains one of the gravest public health threats the world has ever faced, claiming over eight million lives annually. Of these, more than seven million deaths result from direct tobacco use, according to the Global Burden of Disease study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).

— The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and its guidelines provide the foundation for countries to implement and manage tobacco control. To help make this a reality, WHO introduced the MPOWER measures.

— MPOWER measures are intended to assist in the country-level implementation of effective interventions to reduce the demand for tobacco, contained in the WHO FCTC. MPOWER measures are –

📌M– monitor tobacco use and prevention policies;

📌P– protect people from tobacco smoke;

📌O– offer help to quit tobacco;

📌W– warn about dangers of tobacco;

📌E– enforce bans on tobacco advertising; and

📌R– raise taxes on tobacco products.

—  India has implemented stringent measures to curb tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) across all forms of media, including television, radio, print and digital platforms.

— To restrict depiction of tobacco use in entertainment media, the Centre introduced the Tobacco-Free Films and Television Rules in 2012, focusing on traditional platforms such as cinema and television.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍First data out: More women get cancer than men, but lower share in deaths 

📍Knowledge Nugget: Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report – Must know insights for UPSC Exam

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(3) With reference to the treatment of cancerous tumours, a tool called cyberknife has been making the news. In this context, which one of the following statements is not correct? (UPSC CSE 2010)

(a) It is a robotic image guided system

(b) It delivers an extremely precise dose of radiation

(c) It has the capability of achieving sub-millimetre accuracy

(d) It can map the spread of tumour in the body

Day after Ladakh violence, govt cancels FCRA licence of Wangchuk’s NGO

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-III: Various Security Forces & Agencies & their Mandate Security Challenges & their Management in Border Areas.

What’s the ongoing story: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday cancelled the FCRA license of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO, a day after four people were killed in police firing in Leh during a violent statehood protest which the government said was “incited” by Wangchuk’s “provocative statements”.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the rationale behind the enactment of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA)?

— What are the grounds for cancellation of FCRA registration of any NGOs?

— What are the major amendments made in the act?

— What are the concerns related to the FCRA act?

— What are the role and functions of the civil society organisations like NGOs?

Key Takeaways:

— The CBI had initiated a preliminary inquiry into alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act by Wangchuk’s NGO, Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh, two months back.

— Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike seeking statehood for Ladakh for more than a month. He called off his fast Wednesday after the violence broke out.

— The order said that the organisation was served a show cause notice on August 20, followed by a letter dated September 10, asking why its FCRA registration certificate should not be cancelled.

— In its order Thursday, the MHA said Wangchuk deposited Rs 3.5 lakh in the FCRA account of the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh in violation of Section 17 of the Act during the financial year 2021-22.

— In its reply to this alleged violation, the organisation stated that it had deposited Rs 3,35,000 in the FCRA account as it was the sale proceeds of an old bus that had been procured from FCRA funds.

Do You Know:

— The FCRA was enacted during the Emergency in 1976 amid apprehensions that foreign powers were interfering in India’s affairs by pumping money into the country through independent organisations. These concerns were actually even older, having been expressed in Parliament as early as in 1969.

— The law sought to regulate foreign donations to individuals and associations so that they functioned “in a manner consistent with the values of a sovereign democratic republic”.

— An amended FCRA was enacted under the UPA government in 2010 to “consolidate the law” on utilisation of foreign funds, and “to prohibit” their use for “any activities detrimental to national interest”.

— The law was amended again by the Narendra Modi government in 2020, giving the government tighter control and scrutiny over the receipt and utilisation of foreign funds by NGOs.

— Broadly, the FCRA requires every person or NGO seeking to receive foreign donations to be (i) registered under the Act, (ii) to open a bank account for the receipt of the foreign funds in State Bank of India, Delhi, and (iii) to utilise those funds only for the purpose for which they have been received and as stipulated in the Act.

— They are also required to file annual returns, and they must not transfer the funds to another NGO.

— The Act prohibits the receipt of foreign funds by candidates for elections, journalists or newspaper and media broadcast companies, judges and government servants, members of legislature and political parties or their office-bearers, and organisations of a political nature.

— In July 2022, the MHA effected changes to FCRA rules through two gazette notifications and increased the number of compoundable offences under the Act from seven to 12.

— The other key changes were exemption from intimation to the government for contributions less than Rs 10 lakh — the earlier limit was Rs 1 lakh — received from relatives abroad, and increase in time limit for intimation of opening of bank accounts.

— The government reserves the right to cancel the FCRA registration of any NGO if it finds it to be in violation of the Act.

— Registration can be cancelled if an inquiry finds a false statement in the application; if the NGO is found to have violated any of the terms and conditions of the certificate or renewal; if it has not been engaged in any reasonable activity in its chosen field for the benefit of society for two consecutive years; or if it has become defunct.

— It can also be cancelled if “in the opinion of the Central Government, it is necessary in the public interest to cancel the certificate,” the FCRA says.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍MHA cancels FCRA license of Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO: All about law regulating foreign donations

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

📍Civil Society Organisations are often perceived as being anti-State actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify. (UPSC CSE 2025)

 

ECONOMY

In Karnataka HC’s rejection of X plea against Sahyog, 3 red lines for social media

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

What’s the ongoing story: In rejecting social media platform X’s plea against the Central Government’s Sahyog portal, the Karnataka High Court also drew some key red lines for social media companies operating in India.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is Sahyog portal?

— What was the need of the Sahyog portal?

— Why has Elon Musk-owned X filed a case lawsuit against the Central Government against Sahyog portal?

— What is the 2015 Shreya Singhal judgement?

— How is Sahyog portal an instrument in combatting the growing menace of cybercrime?

— What are the key features of the Information Technology Act, 2000?

Key Takeaways:

— The court said India’s law is unique to the country’s context where American judicial thought can not be transplanted, “laws of the land” would have to be followed by companies, and that the landmark 2015 Shreya Singhal judgement can not be used as a lens to interpret the changed regulatory needs of today.

— The High Court even called the Sahyog portal “an instrument of public good,” which “stands as a beacon of cooperation” between citizens and social media intermediaries, through which the State endeavours to combat the growing menace of cybercrime.

— In March, Elon Musk-owned X had filed a case lawsuit against the Central Government challenging the use of Section 79 (3) (b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, to issue blocking orders, claiming that it leads to creation of a “parallel” and “unlawful” content censorship regime.

— Central and state agencies and local police officers can issue blocking orders to social media platforms through the Sahyog portal. According to information obtained by The Indian Express through RTI applications, 65 online intermediaries and nodal officers from all states, union territories and seven Central agencies were onboarded to the portal by April 2025.

— The three red lines: Need for regulation: ‘Social media can’t be left in state of anarchic freedom’: Justice Nagaprasanna said that the spread of information has always been a matter of regulation. He said that every sovereign nation has the right to regulate social media. 

— Law of the land: ‘Don’t treat India as a mere playground’- No social media platform in the modern day agora may even feign the semblance of exemption from rigour or discipline of the laws of the land, the judge said. Justice Nagaprasanna said that X chooses to take content down in the US, but refuses to do so in India.

— Shreya Singhal not applicable: ‘New regulation needs new interpretation’: In its petition, X had said that by issuing takedown orders via the Sahyog portal, the government was violating the Supreme Court’s 2015 landmark Shreya Singhal judgment, which declared that content could only be censored by a court order, or under Section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act. However, the Karnataka High Court said that the Shreya Singhal judgement could not be “transposed” into the present controversy.

Do You Know:

— Launched by the Union Home Ministry in October 2024, the Sahyog portal is an online platform maintained by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.

— It serves as a centralised communication channel through which notices under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 are delivered to internet intermediaries – a broad term that includes telecom operators, internet service providers, social media platforms and web-hosting services.

— Under Section 79, online intermediaries are granted “safe harbour” protection, which gives them legal immunity from liability for content generated by their users. For instance, without this protection, a platform could be sued for a defamatory post made by a user. With safe harbour, only the user who created the content faces legal action.

— However, this immunity is conditional. Section 79(3)(b) states that intermediaries lose this protection if, upon receiving “actual knowledge” from an appropriate government agency about any unlawful information, they fail to “expeditiously remove or disable access” to that material. The Sahyog portal was created to automate and streamline the process of sending these notices.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Why Karnataka HC upheld Union govt’s Sahyog portal, rejected X’s challenge

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

📍“The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability.” Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2018)

ALSO IN NEWS
China announces its first emission cut targets, says will reduce greenhouses gases by 7 to 10%	In a keenly-awaited announcement, China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has said it plans to cut its emissions by 7 to 10 per cent from its peak levels by the year 2035. This is the first time China has unveiled a plan to make direct emission reductions. Till now, China was focusing on reducing its emissions intensity, or emissions per unit of GDP. Its absolute emissions have been on the rise. China accounts for almost a third of the world’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. Its emissions in 2024 were estimated at about 15.8 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by Climate Action Tracker, an independent climate-focused platform. China planned to increase its solar and wind energy capacity to over six times of its 2020 levels. China had about 530 GW of installed capacity of solar and wind energy in 2020. That means, it is aiming to have well over 3,000 GW of solar and wind by the year 2035. It has already reached about 1,600 GW of solar and wind installed capacity.
Agni-P missile test	In the early hours of Thursday, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) test-fired the Agni-Prime (Agni-P) missile from a rail-based mobile launcher. Thus far, only Russia, the US, China, and possibly North Korea had the capability of launching long range ballistic missiles from rail-based platforms. Mobile launch platforms are crucial to a country’s second strike capabilities: that is, a country’s ability to survive a nuclear attack and then launch its own counterattack.

 

PRELIMS ANSWER KEY

1. (b)    2. (c)     3. (d)

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