UPSC Key: Justice Surya Kant swears in as 53rd CJI, Article 240, and INS Mahe

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: Justice Surya Kant, who has been part of several landmark judgements, including the abrogation of Article 370, took oath of office as the 53rd Chief Justice of India Monday, succeeding Justice B R Gavai.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the process of appointing the Chief Justice of India (CJI)?

— What is the collegium system?

— What is the role of the collegium system in the appointment process?

— Read about the Three Judges Cases.

— What are the concerns related to the collegium system?

— Read about the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014.

Key Takeaways:

— President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Justice Kant, who will remain in office till February 9, 2027, at a ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues, and foreign dignitaries graced the event.

— Justice Kant will remain in office for about 14 months, giving his bench time to an extended window to adjudicate several high-profile constitutional and social matters. While speaking to reporters last Saturday, Justice Kant said his “first and foremost priority is arrears”.

— As a Supreme Court judge, Justice Kant has contributed to several significant decisions, and his term as CJI is expected to involve navigating a wide range of critical issues spanning constitutional law, cyber law, criminal justice, and electoral integrity.

— A bench presided by him is currently monitoring the rollout of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls across the country.

Do You Know:

— Article 124(1) of the Constitution of India says that “there shall be a Supreme Court of India consisting of a Chief Justice of India…and…other Judges”.

— Article 124(2) says: “Every Judge of the Supreme Court shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal after consultation with such of the Judges of the Supreme Court and of the High Courts in the States as the President may deem necessary for the purpose and shall hold office until he attains the age of sixty-five years. Provided that in the case of appointment of a Judge other than the Chief Justice, the Chief Justice of India shall always be consulted.”

— The appointments are made by the President, who is required to hold consultations with “such of the judges of the Supreme Court and of the High Courts” as he may think is needed. But the Constitution does not lay down any process for making these appointments.

— By convention, the seniormost judge of the SC (based on years of experience as a judge in the apex court) becomes the CJI. This process has now been put down in the ‘Memorandum of Procedure for the appointment of Supreme Court Judges’ (henceforth, referred to as the MoP).

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Knowledge Nugget | Justice Surya Kant takes oath as 53rd CJI. How is CJI appointed? A must-read for UPSC exam

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(1) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2019)

1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

2. The Constitution of India defines and gives details of what constitutes incapacity and proved misbehaviour’ of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India.

3. The details of the process of impeachment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India are given in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

4. If the motion for the impeachment of a Judge is taken up for voting, the law requires the motion to be backed by each House of the Parliament and supported by a majority of total membership of that House and by not less than two-thirds of total members of that House present and voting.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgment on ‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with reference to appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India. (UPSC CSE 2017)

 

EXPLAINED

Why India needs national counter IED policy

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.

What’s the ongoing story:  Forensic analysis of explosives that led to the November 10 Red Fort blast has confirmed the use of a mixture of ammonium nitrate and triacetone triperoxide, highly potent chemicals that can be used to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs). A former Director General of the National Security Guard, M A Ganapathy, explains how IEDs work and how to crack down against them.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What are IEDs?

— What is the role and function of NSG?

— What are the challenges of India’s border security?

— What are the main explosives used in the Red Fort blast?

— What is the security apparatus for the management of borders?

— Why is there a need for a holistic National Counter-IED Policy framework?

— What is the role and function of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO)?

Key Takeaways:

— An improvised explosive device (IED), in many ways, is an embodiment of the collective darkness of the human psyche encased in a mid-sized container; it can maim, kill and traumatise complete strangers with impunity.

— IEDs are the preferred weapons of choice for terrorists of multiple hues. This is primarily due to two factors. First, IED attacks entail almost no personal risk to the perpetrator (except in suicide blasts), while maximising casualties and mayhem; second, IEDs can be easily fabricated by terrorists from material which are not too difficult to procure.

— A typical IED has five components: a container, a power-source (battery), an initiator (detonator), a switch and finally, explosives. Triggering the switch through various methods initiates the circuit, culminating in the blast.

— In addition, IEDs also have enhancements such as ball bearings, nails, metal parts and potentially even hazardous chemicals to make the impact more sinister.

— Most IED components and enhancements except the detonator, can be improvised out of material often available off-the-shelf.

— The nature of explosives — whether they are (1) military grade (TNT, RDX, etc.), (2) commercial (dynamite, slurry explosives, etc.), (3) homemade (by extracting explosive material from common precursor chemicals/materials and ‘cooking’ a mix.

— For instance, Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil or ANFO — provides valuable clues to the investigator regarding the possible terror groups involved. It needs to be noted that terror groups rarely depart from their preferred modus operandi, mainly because of the expertise they have developed in fabricating a particular type of IED.

— This brings us to the next question of the emerging broad trends of IED attacks in the country. Speaking of numbers, there is a declining trend in IED blasts in all conflict theatres as well as in the hinterland. In the Jammu & Kashmir theatre, most IEDs have a combination of explosive mix which includes military, commercial as well as home-made material.

— The payloads in these devices are comparatively small and comprise military grade high explosives. In recent years, these drone drops have reduced substantially.

— It is important to understand the source of these explosives. Military grade explosives are usually supplied by Pakistani handlers from across the border through drones or human couriers.

— While our border management has demonstrably improved over the past few years, the border patrols have to succeed every single time in intercepting caches, while the masterminds have to succeed just once in delivering a large consignment. Hence it is a continuous game of cat-and-mouse to upgrade our surveillance systems and maintain constant vigil.

— Commercial explosives and detonators are used under license for mining, road building and construction purposes. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), under the Ministry of Commerce, monitors the production, supply chain management, inventory control and last mile usage of these items.

— Finally, with regard to extraction of explosives from precursor chemicals and common materials such as fertilisers, the options for a terrorist are endless. However, in India commonly-used fertilisers are not easy to ‘cook’ due to certain in-built safeguards.

— The above facts bring to light the need for a holistic National Counter-IED Policy framework. Such a framework should address both strategic and tactical aspects of dealing with this menace, while synergising the efforts of all stakeholders with clearly delineated responsibilities.

Do You Know:

— Ammonium nitrate, readily available as a fertiliser, can be turned into a powerful explosive when mixed with a fuel oil to create ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate-Fuel Oil). Timothy McVeigh used two tons of ANFO for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, killing 168 people.

— TATP, although unstable, was used in the November 2015 suicide attack in France and by ‘Shoe-Bomber’ Richard Reid in his failed attempt to bomb an aircraft in 2001.

Ammonium nitrate can be turned into a powerful explosive when mixed with a fuel oil to create ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate-Fuel Oil).

— A compound used as an explosive should contain oxygen atoms. Ammonium nitrate has three oxygen atoms, RDX contains many oxygen atoms, and trinitrotoluene (TNT) has nine oxygen atoms.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Red Fort blast: Explosive contained mixture of ammonium nitrate and TATP, shows forensic analysis

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(2) What is the common characteristic of the chemical substances generally known as CL-20, HMX and LLM-105, which are sometimes talked about in the media? (UPSC CSE 2025)

(a) These are alternatives to hydro-fluorocarbon refrigerants

(b) These are explosives in military weapons

(c) These are high-energy fuels for cruise missiles

(d) These are fuels for rocket propulsion

What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?

Syllabus:

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

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein

What’s the ongoing story: The implications of bringing Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution are far-reaching. They will not only pave the way for the city to get an independent administrator, like the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) in many other UTs, but also dilute the adjoining state’s “control and interference” over Chandigarh.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is Article 240?

— What are the constitutional provisions related to Union Territories(UTs)?

— What is the difference in the functioning of these two UTs, Delhi and Chandigarh?

— How are different UTs governed in India?

— Know about the historical background of governance in Chandigarh?

— How is Indian federalism different?

Key Takeaways:

— Currently, the city is a Union Territory (UT) and the Governor of Punjab holds additional charge as the Administrator of Chandigarh. Also, it is the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, due to which key Acts and laws of both states extend to the city.

— “The sweeping power that the Centre will acquire by including Chandigarh under Article 240 is that any Act made by Parliament or any other law applicable to the UT of Chandigarh could be repealed or amended merely by framing a regulation to that effect, bypassing Parliament, which alone, at present, is competent to enact any law for the UT of Chandigarh,” Pawan Bansal, a three-time Member of Parliament, said.

— From implementing Central service rules instead of Punjab service rules to giving more powers to AGMUT cadre officers — the groundwork for bringing Chandigarh under Article 240 has already been going on for the last three years.

— Here are some notable developments:

— Central service rules: During his visit to Chandigarh for inaugurating several projects, union Home Minister Amit Shah in 2022 made a surprise announcement that Central Civil Service Rules will be implemented for all UT employees under Chandigarh Administration now. Till then they were being covered under Punjab Civil Service rules.

— Chief Secretary in Chandigarh: This year, the Centre designated the post of Adviser to Administrator as the Chief Secretary. The Adviser, the senior most IAS officer in the set-up, would report to the Administrator who is the Punjab Governor. The post was redesignated as Chief secretary, though the CS continues to report to the Governor. With this, the Chief secretary will be empowered further under the Lieutenant Governor, if approved.

Do You Know:

— Note that Article 240 lays down the power of the President of India to make regulations for certain Union territories. It says the “President may make regulations for the peace, progress and good government” of the Union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Puducherry, when its Legislative Assembly is dissolved or suspended.

— It was in 1984 when the practice of the Punjab governor to hold the charge of the Chandigarh administrator was put in force. It was done to facilitate smooth coordination on security issues when terrorism in the border state was at its peak.

— At that time, Punjab was under the President’s rule. Before that, Chandigarh was administered by a chief commissioner, a serving bureaucrat, who reported to the Union government.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025: Bill to let Centre run Chandigarh directly leads to uproar in Punjab 

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(3) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2012)

1. Union Territories are not represented in the Rajya Sabha.

2. It is within the purview of the Chief Election Commissioner to adjudicate the election disputes.

3. According to the Constitution of India, the Parliament consists of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) None

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and anomalies, if any that have led to recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and the institution of the Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a new trend in the functioning of the Indian federal politics? (UPSC CSE 2016)

How Trump’s tariffs have run into affordability crisis

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, Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

What’s the ongoing story: In November last year, Donald Trump scripted one of the most remarkable political comebacks in American politics to become the US president for the second time. There were two central aspects of his winning pitch: Containing and regulating immigration, and addressing the cost-of-living crisis fuelled by high inflation during the Biden Presidency.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What are tariffs? Why are tariffs imposed?

— How are tariffs retaliated?

— What is the history of India-US relations?

— What are the areas of cooperation between India and the US?

— What are India’s import and export trends with regard to the US?

— What are the implications of the higher tariff imposed by the US on India?

— Read about the India-US trade deal talks.

— What are the key developments in India-US relations in the various sectors?

Key Takeaways:

— All indications were that the second Trump presidency would be an even more decisive — even if possibly more divisive — than the first.

— And to a great extent, this was true as well — best captured by his insistence on slapping tariffs, often prohibitively high ones, on almost all countries of the world.

— Trump’s idea was that imposing tariffs would force companies across the world to come back to the US to set up production, thus creating jobs and economic growth while lowering inflation.

But a year down the line, that very resolve and choice of policy seems to be becoming too costly for President Trump.

— On November 14, almost exactly a year after winning the presidential elections and proclaiming that “tariff” is his favourite word in the dictionary, Trump decided to cut tariffs on a host of agricultural commodities that are staples in American families. These include tariffs on food items such as bananas, coffee, and beef, among others.

— Another notable idea floated in the preceding week would see the government give a $2,000 (or Rs 1.75 lakh) dividend to each American (excluding the rich) out of the billions of dollars of tariff revenue earned by the government.

— Contrary to what Trump believes, tariffs are a tax on domestic consumers. They pay tariffs on things they import. A tariff, thus, raises the costs of things without any increase in quantity or quality being supplied.

— This, in turn, either makes consumers stay away from importing goods — and as such reduces trade — or makes people pay a higher price, leaving less money for other purchases (often in the domestic market).

— If it reduces trade, then foreigners get fewer dollars in their hands, thus their demand for American goods and services (be it an American phone or an advanced computing chip or an American government bond) falls, hurting American growth. And if trade doesn’t suffer, then the domestic economy suffers because there is less money available for domestic purchases.

— Either way, a tariff would raise costs and that, in turn, would lead to at least a one-time bump in inflation and worsen the cost-of-living crisis for Americans. Higher inflation would lead to lower demand, which will soon start to show up in falling consumer sentiment, business confidence and rising unemployment.

— In the US’s case, perhaps the worst fallout would be the massive hit to US policy credibility; the truth is that the manner in which Trump has slapped tariffs goes against all established norms of the World Trade Organisation. This, in turn, would have serious long-term repercussions, starting with frayed diplomatic ties, especially with America’s closest allies.

— But perhaps the worst end result of tariffs would be a weaker dollar. A strong dollar — meaning a dollar that enjoys a strong exchange rate versus the other currencies of the world because it is forever in high demand — has been the main superpower that has allowed the US to maintain its dominance in global affairs. After all, which country can genuinely challenge the US if it buys and sells and settles its accounts in US dollar at the international stage? The world was not “atmanirbhar” or self-reliant enough to take on the US.

Did any of this happen since tariffs were imposed?

— Inflation: The inflation rate, which was trending down since the start of 2025, reversed its trajectory since April, the month when Trump first announced sweeping tariffs.

— Unemployment: The unemployment rate too has inched up right through the year.

— GDP growth rate: According to the latest World Economic Outlook released by the International Monetary Fund in October, the US GDP growth rate is likely to slow down from 2.8% in 2024 to 2% in 2025. Reason? “The downward revision is mainly a result of greater policy uncertainty, higher trade barriers, and lower growth in both the labour force and employment,” stated the IMF.

— Diplomatic ties: US relations with almost all trading partners have been adversely affected..

— Are these the reasons that have prompted the U-turn or rethink on tariffs?Yes and no. No, because most of these repercussions could be seen a mile away, and the administration was repeatedly warned about them.

— Yes, because while they may not have directly convinced Trump, they have increasingly convinced the US electorate, especially Trump’s very own MAGA supporters.

Do You Know:

— Tariffs are taxes or duties imposed by a government on imported goods and services. Their objective is to make foreign products more expensive compared to domestically produced goods, thereby encouraging consumers to prefer local products. Tariffs also act as a protective measure for domestic industries against foreign competition. Additionally, they serve as a source of revenue for the government.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍UPSC Issue at a Glance | From Trump’s reciprocal tariffs announcement to 90-day pause: Everything in between

UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme:

(4) Consider the following statements:

1. Tariffs are taxes or duties imposed by a government on imported goods and services.

2. Objective of tariffs is to make foreign products more expensive compared to domestically produced goods

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Previous year UPSC Mains Questions Covering similar theme:

‘What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self-esteem and ambitions’. Explain with suitable examples. (UPSC CSE 2019)

POLITICS

Navy commissions ‘silent hunter’ INS Mahe after two years of trials

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

What’s the ongoing story: The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe, its first anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC) with over 80 per cent indigenous parts, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai Monday after two years of rigorous sea trials.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is anti-submarine warfare?

— What are the various steps taken by the government in deployment of indigenous technology in warships?

— What is a HAMMER weapon?

— How has modern warfare changed in recent times?

— Know about India’s AMCA fighter jet programme

Key Takeaways:

— Speaking on the occasion, General Dwivedi said the induction of INS Mahe marks not just the arrival of a potent platform in the Navy’s order of battle but also reflects the nation’s growing ability to design, construct, and deploy complex warships using indigenous technology.

— General Dwivedi quoted American author Helen Keller to underline the importance of jointness among the services.

— “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much. So, as a soldier, we stood among seafarers. The strength of armed forces lies in synergy. The sea, land, and the skies form a single continuum of national security. And together, the Army-Navy and Air Force form the trinity of India’s strategic strength,” said General Dwivedi.

The ship is named after Mahe, a serene coastal enclave on the Malabar coast that forms part of the Union Territory of Puducherry. (Express Photo by Akash Patil)

— General Dwivedi added that the Army and Navy have always stood shoulder to shoulder in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions across the globe, as well as in amphibious operations.

— INS Mahe will operate as a “silent hunter” on the western seaboard, dedicated to safeguarding India’s maritime frontiers, officials said. They said the ship showcases India’s increasing mastery in warship design, construction, and integration.

— INS Mahe is the first of the Mahe-class ASW-SWCs, a new generation of indigenous shallow-water combatants described as sleek, swift, and resolutely Indian.

— The earlier INS Mahe, a Soviet-built coastal minesweeper that entered service in 1983, was decommissioned in 2006 after 23 years of service.

— Officials said the legacy of the name Mahe in the Navy began with that vessel, commissioned at a time when inshore mine-countermeasure capability was crucial for securing port and harbour approaches.

Politics: India, France to jointly manufacture HAMMER air-to-ground weapons

— India’s state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and French firm Safran Electronics and Defence (SED) Monday signed a joint venture cooperation agreement (JVCA) for the production of Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) smart precision Guided air-to-ground weapons in India.

— Also known as a glide bomb, HAMMER precision-guided munitions have a range of up to 70 km and can be fitted to standard bombs of 250kg, 500kg, 1,000kg weights.

— The all-weather weapon is insensitive to jamming and can be launched from low altitude over rough terrains. What makes it an effective weapon is that it is difficult to intercept and can penetrate fortified structures.

— HAMMER is a precision-guided weapon system known for its high accuracy and modular design, making it adaptable for multiple platforms.

Do You Know:

— The nature of warfare has undergone an irreversible shift. From boots on the ground and dogfights in the air to remote strikes from unmanned platforms and AI-driven decision cycles, war is now a contest of networks, autonomy, and lethality at machine speed. Nations that adapt to this shift will dominate; those that lag will perish in obsolescence.

— In this evolving paradigm, four key assertions emerge. One, artillery (rockets/missiles) will dominate offensive operations. Two, air defence (AD) will become the primary defensive shield. — Three, sappers will rise in operational relevance beyond mobility and countermobility. And four, the infantry and the armoured corps will execute decisive manoeuvres, shaped by strategic fires and autonomous systems.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Warfare is going autonomous — India must catch up

📍India’s AMCA fighter jet programme: Indigenous, ambitious and in urgent need of whole-of-nation approach

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(5) What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news? (UPSC 2018)

(a) An Israeli radar system

(b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme

(c) An American anti-missile system

(d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea.

After 2-year standoff, India, Canada to resume trade talk

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: India and Canada have agreed to formally resume talks on an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Partnership after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney met in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the status of the India-Canada bilateral relations?

— What were the reasons for the constraints in the India-Canada relations?

— What is the significance of Canada for India?

— What is the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)?

— What is the role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening ties with other countries?

— What are the areas of cooperation between India and Canada?

Key Takeaways:

— But they differed on the scale of ambition — the Indian side said it aims to increase bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030 while the Canadian side set a target of $70 billion by the same year. — In 2024, the India-Canada bilateral trade in goods and services was around $22.6 billion.

Sources said the difference in the numbers reflects a bullish estimate of the Indian market’s potential by Canadian businesses.

— Canada and India launched talks 15 years ago for such a trade deal, but it was downgraded to a sectoral deal that would touch only specific industries.

— In late 2023, Ottawa suspended trade talks after Justin Trudeau, the then Canadian Prime Minister, alleged that Indian government agents were potentially involved in the killing of Canada-based Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar — a charge India rejected as “absurd”.

Both countries began rebuilding their relationship after the change of guard in Ottawa in March.

At their meeting in South Africa, Carney also accepted Modi’s invitation to visit India in early 2026.

— About the trade talks, Indian envoy to Canada Dinesh Patnaik told Canadian outlet CBC: “The whole thing is both countries are mature enough to understand that we need to have a relationship where we discuss how people can be safe on the streets,” he said.
— The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement: “The leaders agreed to begin negotiations on a high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed at doubling bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030.”

— The Canadian statement said Modi and Carney welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral relations since their last meeting at the G7 Summit in June and the new roadmap for bilateral engagement announced by their foreign ministers in October.

— Following the return of high commissioners in August 2025, the two prime ministers agreed to enhance diplomatic staffing levels. The MEA statement talked about uranium trade. “Both sides reaffirmed their longstanding civil nuclear cooperation and noted the ongoing discussions on expanding collaboration, including through long-term uranium supply arrangements.”

Do You Know:

— Canada hosts one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world, numbering 16 lakh people of Indian origin, accounting for more than 3 percent of the total Canadian population and 700,000 NRIs. India became the top source of foreign students studying in Canada — 2.3 lakh, according to 2022 data.

— India’s total trade with Canada (goods and services) in 2021-22 was US $11.68 billion, much below potential, but when it comes to India’s import of pulses, almost 30% of the total import comes from Canada.

— As per the 2021 Canadian census, Sikhs account for 2.1 per cent of Canada’s population, and are the country’s fastest growing religious group. After India, Canada is home to the largest population of Sikhs in the world.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Trade, energy, AI: India, Canada take series of steps to restore ties

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

‘Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries’. Comment with examples. (UPSC CSE 2020)

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PRELIMS ANSWER KEY

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

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