UPSC Key: Nobel Prize in Medicine, Model Code of Conduct in Bihar, and PM Gati Shakti

Preliminary Examination: General Science

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

What’s the ongoing story: The first Nobel Prize of this year, the prize for Physiology or Medicine, has been announced. Mary E Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi have been honoured for their work on the human immune system.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the function of blood?

— What are the components of blood?

— How does our immune system work?

— What are the components of White Blood Cell (WBC)?

— Know about peripheral tolerance

— What is the role and function of thymus in the body?

— What is the role of regulatory T cells in case of cancerous tumour?

Key Takeaways:

— The Nobel Prizes generally follow the same schedule every year, with the Medicine prize coming first, followed by Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace, and Economics.

— They have been awarded for their discoveries on peripheral immune tolerance which have been essential for understanding how the immune system functions, and key to developing therapies for cancers and autoimmune diseases.

— How does the immune system fight viruses, bacteria and microbes without damaging the body’s own cells?

— This question had long perplexed researchers studying the immune system. By the 1980s, researchers had recognised central tolerance, a process by which T cells that recognise the body’s own proteins are eliminated. T cells are a type of white blood cell that helps the body effectively fight off infections.

— Although the presence of a special type of T cell which prevents other T cells from attacking the body was previously hypothesised, this theory was abandoned after some researchers presented false evidence and far-fetched conclusions.

— Sakaguchi swam against the tide, and in a 1995 paper presented evidence for a new type of T cell “police” that essentially keeps other T cells from attacking the body’s own cells. This new class was called regulatory T cells, and the process by which it protected the body came to be known as peripheral tolerance.

— Sakaguchi surgically removed the thymus — the organ where T cells mature — in newborn mice. His hypothesis was that this would result in the mice developing fewer T cells, and having a weaker immune system. But when this surgery took place three days after the mice were born, they developed autoimmune diseases, with their immune system going into an overdrive.

— To understand what was happening, Sakaguchi injected T cells isolated from genetically identical healthy mice into those without the thymus. These mice did not develop autoimmune conditions. This convinced Sakaguchi of the presence of the T cell “police”. He published his results a decade later, after figuring out how to detect these cells.

— Brunkow and Ramsdell, who worked at the biotech company Celltech Chiroscience, decided to look for this needle in a haystack.

— In 2001, they revealed that the FOXP3 gene was responsible for autoimmunity in the scurfy mice as well as the human disease IPEX.

— And, within two years, this finding allowed Sakaguchi to prove that the FOXP3 gene controls the development of regulatory T cells.

— Once the function of these new T cells were known, researchers realised that some tumours can attract a large number of these regulatory T cells, thereby protecting it from the other T cells.

— “When a cancerous tumour has a lot of regulatory T cells, they can prevent other T cells from killing the cancerous cells. This is one of the obstacles that Car-T cell therapy — therapies where a person’s own immune cells are modified to better fight the cancer cells — tries to overcome.

Do You Know:

— The immune system protects the body against diseases by neutralising disease-causing pathogens like bacteria and viruses. Key to this process is the ability of the immune system — in particular, a special kind of white blood cells, called T-cells — to distinguish between the cells of the pathogen and the host body.

— When this does not happen properly, it leads to auto-immune diseases, in which the T-cells start damaging the body’s own cells.

— T-cells are trained to be selective in their approach but this training is not perfect. Sakaguchi identified a special group of T-cells, called regulatory T-cells, or Tregs, that suppresses the activity of other T-cells if they had a propensity to attack the body’s own tissues.

— Brunkow and Ramsdell later discovered the gene that enables some T-cells to function as Tregs. Together, they complete the picture of the immune system.

— Their discovery has important implications in the treatment of auto-immune diseases. Organ transplants get complicated because the immune system identifies them as foreign, and begins to attack them. Scientists hope that regulation of Tregs activity could smoothen this process.

— In cancer, sometimes the reverse process happens. The cancerous cells attract too many Tregs, so that the normal T-cells, which should ideally have been killing the cancerous cells, become ineffective.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Medicine Nobel laureates’ work is key to understanding immune system

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(1) Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body?

(a) They protect the body from environmental allergens.

(b) They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.

(c) They act as immunosuppressants in the body.

(d) They protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens

Bihar to vote in two phases on Nov 6 and 11; shortest Assembly polls in over two decades

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Constitution of India —historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

What’s the ongoing story: For the first time in at least two decades, Bihar will vote in just two phases – on November 6 and 11 – with the results to be announced on November 14. The Election Commission (EC) announced the much-awaited schedule Monday, continuing its recent practice of shorter polling durations.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the purpose of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?

— What are by-polls elections?

— What are the various initiatives carried out by the Election Commission to enhance voters participation in the election process?

— Who is responsible for carrying out elections in the states?

— What is a Model Code of Conduct (MCC)? When is it implemented?

— Why is the conduction of regular elections important in democracy?

Key Takeaways:

— In the run-up to the polls, the EC held the contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with the final list announced only days ago, on September 30.

— Over the past three Assembly elections, Bihar’s polling schedule has steadily shortened, from six phases in 2010 to five in 2015 and three in 2020. In 2005, polling was held in four phases.

— This time, the first phase will see polling in 121 Assembly constituencies in central Bihar, and the second phase will cover 122 seats, in the north, east and south.

— The term of the 243-seat Bihar Assembly comes to an end on November 22.

— At Monday’s press conference, he listed the 17 “new initiatives” by the EC since he took office, listing webcasting of voting in all booths, a mobile phone deposit facility for voters, and keeping the number of voters per polling booth at 1,200 electors or less.

— Asked about a demand by the BJP that the identity of women voters wearing burqa be verified, the CEC said anganwadi helpers would be deployed at all polling stations and would check the identities if needed. It won’t be the first time that the EC would do so.

Do You Know:

— The MCC came into effect immediately from the time of the announcement of schedule for the Bihar assembly election. It will remain in force until the date that results are out.

— The MCC of ECI is a set of guidelines issued to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections. The rules range from issues related to speeches, polling day, polling booths, portfolios, the content of election manifestos, processions, and general conduct, so that free and fair elections are conducted.

— As soon as the code kicks in, the party in power — whether at the Centre or in the states — should ensure that it does not use its official position for campaigning. Hence, no policy, project or scheme can be announced that can influence the voting behaviour.

— The party must also avoid advertising at the cost of the public exchequer or using official mass media for publicity on achievements to improve chances of victory in the elections.

— The code also says the ministers must not combine official visits with election work or use official machinery for the same. The ruling party cannot use government transport or machinery for campaigning.

— It should also ensure that public places such as maidans etc., for holding election meetings, and facilities like the use of helipads are provided to the opposition parties on the same terms and conditions on which they are used by the party in power.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Model Code of Conduct comes into force for 2024 Lok Sabha elections: What does it mean?   

📍Impartial and regular elections key to strengthening local governance

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct. (UPSC CSE 2022)

 

GOVT & POLITICS

All Jal Jeevan mission pipelines to be mapped on PM Gati Shakti portal

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: The Union government plans to map all drinking water assets including pipelines created under its Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) on PM Gati Shakti, a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based platform.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the JJM?

— What is PM Gati Shakti?

— Mapping and geo-tagging of the JJM assets on the online platform will ensure better planning and management. Elaborate.

— What are the challenges of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan?

— What is the need of a GIS-integrated, decision-support platform for the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)?

Key Takeaways:

— The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti signed on Monday an memorandum of agreement (MoA) in this regard with Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N), which has developed the PM Gati Shakti platform.

— BISAG-N is an autonomous body registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

— In a statement, the Jal Shakti Ministry said, “The partnership marks a significant step towards the development of a GIS-integrated, decision-support platform for the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) [SBM(G)] portals.

— “Under the agreement, BISAG-N will provide end-to-end support including database design, map creation, data migration, software development, and systems integration. The platform will also incorporate advanced features such as ground control surveying, digital photogrammetry, vector data capture, and thematic mapping,” it said.

— “Importantly, the initiative will be aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, enabling seamless integration of water and sanitation infrastructure with other sectoral assets. This convergence will help in optimizing resource allocation, improving service delivery, and accelerating infrastructure development in rural areas,” it added.
— According to officials, the DDWS has already undertaken a pilot of mapping pipelines laid under the JJM on the PM Gati Shakti platform and with the signing of the MoA, all drinking water assets created under the JJM will be geo-tagged on this online platform, said a source. Mapping and geo-tagging of the JJM assets on the online platform will ensure better planning and management, said the officials.

Do You Know:

— The government had launched the JJM in 2019, with an aim of providing tap connections to every rural household by 2024. At that time, the ministry had said that out of 17.87 crore rural households in the country, about 14.6 crore households ( 81.67%) lacked tap connections.

— For this, an overall allocation of Rs 3.60 lakh crore — Rs 2.08 lakh crore Central share and Rs 1.52 lakh crore states’ share — was allocated. The aim was to provide potable water in adequate quantity i.e. 55 litre per capita per day (lpcd) of prescribed quality i.e. BIS Standard of IS: 10500 on regular basis.

— Since the launch of the JJM in 2019, 6.41 lakh water supply schemes, with an overall cost of Rs 8.29 lakh crore, have been approved to provide tap connections to 12.74 crore households. A total expenditure of Rs 3.91 lakh crore has been incurred so far, as per the information available on the JJM dashboard.

— While the mission ended in 2024, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget speech on February 1, 2025, announced its continuation with enhanced financial support till 2028.

—Launched in 2021,  PM GatiShakti is a digital platform that connects 16 ministries — including Roads and Highways, Railways, Shipping, Petroleum and Gas, Power, Telecom, Shipping, and Aviation — with a view to ensuring holistic planning and execution of infrastructure projects.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Explained: Connecting ministries for infrastructure projects

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(2) With reference to ‘PM Gati Shakti Scheme’, which of the following statement/s is/are correct? (UPPSC 2023)

(1) The PM Gati Shakti Scheme-National Plan was launched in 2022.

(2) The PM Gati Shakti Scheme pertains to seven engines (Roads, Railways, Airports, Ports, Mass Transport, Waterways, Logistics Infrastructure). NIP will be aligned with PM Gati Shakti Framework.

Select the correct answer from the code given below-

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d)  Neither 1 nor 2

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss.(UPSC CSE 2022)

 

EXPLAINED

Why MGNREGA norms were tweaked to push spending on water projects

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: The Centre has amended Schedule-I of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MG-NREGA), 2005, so that a minimum amount is spent on water conservation and harvesting works in rural blocks or subdivisions. The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) issued a notification to that effect on September 23.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the MGNREGA scheme of the government?

— What was the objective of introducing it?

— How has it fared over the years?

— What is the role and function of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)?

— What is groundwater pollution?

— What are various uses of groundwater and how does polluted groundwater impact agriculture and human health?

— What are the various measures taken by the government for effective groundwater management?

Key Takeaways:

— As per the MG-NREGA provisions, every state government shall introduce a scheme to provide at least 100 days of guaranteed employment in a financial year to every rural household, based on demand.

— The scheme’s minimum features are specified in Schedule-I of the Act, as well as a list of permissible public works that can be undertaken to provide work. While any amendment to the Act requires parliamentary approval, the government can make changes in the schedule through a notification. To date, the schedule has been amended about two dozen times.

— The Centre has now specified the proportion of money to be spent on water-related works. While the existing provision mandated spending on agriculture and allied activities assets at the district level, the new norms have specified minimum spending at the block level, based on their stage of groundwater extraction — “Over-exploited”, “Critical”, “Semi-critical” and “Safe”.

— According to the new norms, in rural blocks categorised as “over-exploited” and “critical” by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), a minimum of 65% of the MG-NREGS works (in terms of cost) shall be taken up for water conservation, water harvesting and other water-related works. For the “Semi-critical” and “safe” blocks, the minimum proportion has been fixed at 40% and 30%, respectively.

— The CGWB, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, classifies blocks into four categories. ‘Over-exploited’ blocks are where the stage of groundwater extraction is over 100%, meaning that more groundwater is being drawn there than is being replenished.

— Blocks with groundwater extraction between 90-100% are categorised as ‘critical’, those between 70% and 90% are classified as ‘semi-critical’, while the ‘safe’ blocks are those having the stage of groundwater extraction equal to or less than 70%.

Do You Know:

— A new study (published in 2024) by the Indian Institutes of Technology Mandi and Jammu has revealed a disturbing truth – the groundwater in Himachal Pradesh’s Baddi-Barotiwala (BB) industrial area is heavily contaminated with cancer-causing pollutants.

— Contaminated groundwater can cause a variety of health problems beyond cancer, depending on the specific pollutants present. Here’s a breakdown of some potential consequences:

— Heavy Metals: Arsenic, lead, and mercury can damage the nervous system, kidneys, and liver.

— Nitrate: High nitrate levels can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) in infants, disrupting oxygen flow in the blood.

— Bacteria and Parasites: Contaminated water can harbor harmful bacteria and parasites, leading to gastrointestinal illnesses like diarrhea, dysentery, and cholera.

— Fluoride: While essential in small amounts, excessive fluoride can cause dental fluorosis and skeletal problems.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍IIT study says groundwater in Himachal Pradesh town contaminated with ‘cancer-causing’ agents

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(3) Which of the following can be found as pollutants in the drinking water in some parts of India? (UPSC CSE 2013)

1. Arsenic

2. Sorbitol

3. Fluoride

4. Formaldehyde

5. Uranium

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2, 4 and 5 only

(c) 1, 3 and 5 only 

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under the depleting scenario. (UPSC CSE 2020)

Why Trump’s proposed stablisation force in Gaza will not find things easy

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

What’s the ongoing story: There are two parts to US President Donald Trump’s 20-point ‘Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict’, released on September 29. The first is an immediate ceasefire with both Hamas and Israel releasing Israeli and Palestinian captives. The second, into which the first is built, is a larger peace plan for Gaza and the long-term fate of Hamas in Palestine.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is an international peacekeeping force?

— What is the UN peacekeeping force?

— How are they governed?

— Know about Trump’s proposed plan for peace in Gaza

— How has India reacted to this?

— What are the challenges in implementation of this plan?

— What is the current status of the Israel-Palestine conflict?

Key Takeaways:

— Both Israel and Hamas have announced their acceptances of the ceasefire and its associated obligations. It is the second part, where Israel, Hamas, Arab states, as well as the US show contradictory readings vis-à-vis Israel’s military withdrawal from Gaza, Hamas’ disarmament and future role, and the question of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza.

— The ISF, which the US will work to develop, “with Arab and international partners” is supposed to form the “temporary” but “long term internal security” component of a technocratic apolitical Palestinian committee that is authorized for “temporary transitional governance”.

— The committee will be overseen by a “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump. The ISF is sought to be deployed “immediately” in the “terror free areas handed over from the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) to the ISF.”

— Apart from training Palestinian law enforcement, the ISF has two core functions – to set “standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization” for Israel’s phased and partial military withdrawal from Gaza, and to ensure the continued disarmament of Hamas by blocking the entry of all munitions.

— A UN peacekeeping, observer, or stabilisation force is usually established and deployed in areas where a certain threshold of political resolution has been reached (or is underway) to ensure that the force will not face combat.

— Across recent decades, the rise of protracted intra-state wars featuring armed non-state actors resisting interventions/invasions by other states has shown that the absence of political resolution only worsens conditions for an international force, even those where an external organisation (such as NATO) has taken over operational command of UN-authorised missions.

— In Palestine, the need for UNSC authorisation was recognised prior to Trump’s announcement of the 20-point plan. Former British premier Tony Blair (also part of the Board) recommended that Gaza’s transitional authority be established by a UNSC Resolution.

— However, Israel has historically viewed UN troops as hostile; Israel’s continued occupation of parts of Lebanon (for example) occurs despite the UNIFIL’s opposition. This, along with Trump’s own aversion to the UN, has ensured a minimal UN role in the ISF or transitional authority.

— Two elements in particular make the ISF’s deployment challenging. Israel has refused a full withdrawal from the Strip (which Trump has accepted), and Hamas has not committed to disarm or remove itself from the “comprehensive Palestinian national framework” in which it looks to contribute instead “with full responsibility”.

Do You Know:

— For India, peace in the region is important, for its diaspora, its economic interests and its strategic needs. There are about 18,000 Indians in Israel, about 5,000-10,000 in Iran, and some 90 lakh in the region as a whole.

— The region provides India with 80 per cent of its oil supplies. Also, major Arab countries have been keen to invest in the Indian economy; those plans will get a boost with peace. Then there is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic corridor, which India has high hopes from.

— India hopes to reap the dividends from peace in the region, which is beneficial for its access to Europe and Central Asia, and its economic and trade corridor. That was evident during the post-Abraham Accords period, since the first Trump administration, and the formation of an economic grouping like the I2U2 with India, Israel, US and UAE as its members.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Gaza peace plan

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(4) The term “two-state solution” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of (UPSC CSE 2018)

(a) China

(b) Israel

(c) Iraq

(d) Yemen

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

“India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss (UPSC CSE 2018)

 

ECONOMY

Collusion, gatekeeping in AI: CCI calls for industry self-regulation, self-audits

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development and employment.

What’s the ongoing story: The potential for big enterprises to have an unfair market advantage in artificial intelligence (AI) due to their control over data sets and other computational resources, among other factors was flagged as a key “structural challenge” faced by India’s burgeoning AI market, according to a study report released by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the role and function of the Competition Commission of India (CCI)?

— What is the potential of India’s AI market?

— Why is AI-facilitated collusion the biggest concern across stakeholders?

Key Takeaways:

— The anti-competition watchdog also flagged the risk of algorithm-level collusion for manipulated price-fixing, and entry barriers for smaller AI companies in securing financing, and skilled workforce as a key challenge.

— According to the study, India has a number of regulatory remedies to deal with the rise in use of AI. However, the report emphasised a clear need for proportionate safeguards, transparency standards, and industry-led self-regulation to ensure the safe, ethical, and inclusive use of AI technologies.

— To encourage fair competition, the CCI has also recommended that enterprises should carry out self-audits by documenting their governance processes.

— One of the foremost issues in application of AI is the risk of algorithmic collusion, where enterprises use AI-driven pricing algorithms that may learn to align prices over time.

— This can lead to outcomes similar to price-fixing, even in the absence of direct human coordination, making detection and enforcement by regulators far more complex, the study said.

— In a survey conducted while framing the study, AI-facilitated collusion was the biggest concern across stakeholders, followed by price discrimination and increased entry barriers. The concerns are compounded as over one-third (67 per cent) AI start-ups in India are focused on the application layer, rather than the core foundational layer that powers them.

— The study — prepared by the Gurugram-based Management Development Institute (MDI) on CCI’s behalf — has proposed the introduction of enterprise self-audits to ensure fair competition across the AI development value chain and applications.

Do You Know:

— AI is many things. At its core, the promise is that it has the power to deliver more with less. It is an enabler of the coming wave of innovation. It could lead to machines and platforms with human-like intelligence if we achieve the holy grail of AGI (artificial general intelligence) and accelerate progress in several use cases from healthcare to security

— India is the current Chair of GPAI (Global Partnership of AI) and has led the move to ensure trusted partnerships play a lead role in shaping the future of Tech and AI. The country’s success in using GovAI in reimagining governance will ensure that AI is not the preserve of a few companies or countries, but is more inclusive and accessible by all countries.

— The Competition Commission of India (within the Ministry of Corporate Affairs) has been established to enforce the competition law under the Competition Act, 2002.

—It should be noted that on the recommendations of Raghavan committee, the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act) was repealed and replaced by the Competition Act, 2002.

— It is the statutory duty of the Commission to eliminate practices having an adverse effect on competition, promote and sustain competition, protect the interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade carried on by other participants, in markets in India as provided in the Preamble as well as Section 18 of the Act.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Rajeev Chandrasekhar writes: It’s time for the age of GovAI — reimagining governance with AI 

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(5) With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (UPSC CSE 2020)

1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units

2. Create meaningful short stories and songs

3. Disease diagnosis

4. Text-to-Speech Conversion

5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2, 4 and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does Al help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of Al in healthcare? (UPSC CSE 2023)

ALSO IN NEWS
Could the U.S. and Russia extend the last Nuclear Weapons Treaty?	U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer to voluntarily maintain limits for a year on deployed strategic nuclear weapons “sounds like a good idea”. Having long declined to address arms control in isolation, Putin in September offered to voluntarily maintain for one year the limits on deployed strategic nuclear weapons set out in the New START Treaty, which expires on Feb. 5, 2026. New START, the last remaining Russian-U.S. arms control treaty, was signed by then-presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev in 2010 and came into force in 2011. It was extended for five years in 2021 by Putin and then-U.S. president Joe Biden
Rajnath visit will deepen our defence ties: Australian envoy	Ahead of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Australia, which will be the first by an Indian minister since 2012, Australian High Commissioner Philip Green said on Monday that the shift in the India-Australia defence partnership is “truly seismic” and the visit is an opportunity to enhance strategic dialogue and information-sharing. Rajnath will be on a two-day visit to Australia, starting October 9. Congress leader A K Antony was the last defence minister to visit Australia in 2012. As India and Australia mark the fifth anniversary of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership this year, the relation has witnessed unprecedented progress, ranging from trade and investment, education, sports and renewable energy. In the past decade, the two countries have more than tripled the annual defence exercises and meetings from 11 in 2014 to 33 in 2024.

 

PRELIMS ANSWER KEY

1. (d)       2. (b)       3. (c)       4. (b)       5. (b)

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