General Studies Paper-2 Context The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has released draft rules for online gaming. About They are intended to operationalise the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025. It bans real money gaming (RMG) platforms such as online poker, rummy and fantasy sports while permitting only social games and e-sports. Major Provisions Online Gaming Authority of India: It proposes the creation of the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) as a dedicated regulator to oversee online gaming. The authority will have quasi-judicial powers, including summoning individuals, examining evidence, and issuing binding orders. Composition: Chairperson....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context Recently, the Crime in India 2023 report was published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Key Findings Overall Crime Trends: India recorded 62.4 lakh cognizable crimes, a 7.2% increase from 2022. Of these, 37.6 lakh were under the IPC and 24.8 lakh under Special and Local Laws (SLL). The national crime rate increased from 422.2 to 448.3 per lakh population. In metropolitan cities, crime rose by 10.6% to 9.44 lakh cases, with theft accounting for 44.8%, followed by rash driving (9.2%) and obstruction on public ways (8.1%). Changing Pattern of Crime: Decline in traditional violent....Read More

General Studies Paper 2 In News The Government of India has launched the ‘National Initiative on Water Security,’ making water conservation a top national priority and introducing mandatory minimum spending on water-related works under MGNREGA. Key Features of the Initiative Fund Allocation Mandates: ‘Over-exploited’/‘Dark zone’ blocks: 65% of MGNREGA funds must be spent on water-related works (rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge). ‘Semi-critical’ blocks: 40% of funds for water conservation. All other blocks: 30% minimum for such activities. Budgetary Focus: Out of the ₹88,000 crore annual MGNREGA budget (2025–26), a fixed share is now earmarked for water security. Groundwater Assessment Basis: Fund....Read More

General Studies Paper 2 Context The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has launched a series of digital reforms to strengthen Gram Panchayats. Need for the Digital Transformation of Villages Bridging the Digital Divide: Rural India still faces low internet penetration and digital illiteracy, digital transformation helps ensure inclusive growth and reduces inequality. Improved Governance and Service Delivery: Digital platforms enable direct benefit transfers (DBT), e-Governance, and online grievance redressal. Boost to Rural Economy: Promotes digital payments, e-commerce, and online marketplaces for farmers and artisans. Agriculture Transformation: Use of digital tools for weather forecasts, soil health, crop advisories, and precision farming.....Read More

General Studies Paper 2 Context Violent youth protests in Ladakh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status have led to four deaths and over 30 injuries. Background: From UT Status to Unrest August 2019: Ladakh was separated from Jammu & Kashmir and made a Union Territory without a legislature, unlike Jammu & Kashmir. Initially, many Ladakhis welcomed the move, hoping for better governance and development. However, the absence of legislative power and fears of demographic change soon led to disillusionment. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) emerged as key voices, representing both Buddhist and Muslim communities across....Read More

General Studies Paper 2 Context Recently, the Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest government-funded health assurance scheme, completed its seven years. About the Ayushman Bharat It is a flagship health initiative, emerged from the National Health Policy 2017, and was launched in September 2018 from Ranchi, Jharkhand. It aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through two complementary components: Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY): It provides ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization. It covers over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families (approx. 55 crore beneficiaries, i.e. about 40% of India’s population based on SECC 2011).....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context Recent innovation in India — particularly digital innovation — has emerged as a powerful equaliser, transforming governance, empowering citizens, and redefining access to opportunity. Need of Innovation in India Innovation is the engine that can drive inclusive growth, global competitiveness, and sustainable development. It offers: Scalable solutions to public service delivery; Efficient use of resources in agriculture, energy, and manufacturing; Empowerment of youth and entrepreneurs through digital tools; Global competitiveness in emerging technologies like AI, biotech, and clean energy; According to the NITI Aayog, innovation has already played a transformative role in India’s Green, White, and....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context The UN Gender Snapshot 2025, released by UN Women and UN DESA, highlights that without urgent action more than 351 million women and girls could remain in extreme poverty by 2030. Key Findings Persistent Poverty: Female poverty has remained stuck at 10% since 2020. Climate change and conflict are worsening vulnerabilities. Work and Representation: Women spend 2.5 times more hours on unpaid domestic and care work than men. They hold less than one-third of parliamentary seats worldwide. 102 countries have never had a woman head of state or government. Digital Divide: In 2024, 70% of men....Read More

General Studies Paper-2/3 Context NITI Aayog launched two transformative initiatives, AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap: Opportunity for Accelerated Economic Growth and NITI Frontier Tech Repository under its Frontier Tech Hub. AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap The roadmap lays out a practical action plan to translate AI’s promise into outcomes, highlighting two major levers: Accelerating adoption of AI across industries to enhance productivity and efficiency; Transforming R&D with generative AI to help India leapfrog into innovation-driven opportunities. Vision: Mainstream AI-assisted technologies across all districts to foster inclusive development and ensure India does not lag in the global tech race. NITI Frontier....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context The National Annual Report & Index on Women’s Safety (NARI) 2025, released by the National Commission for Women (NCW), provides a city-wise ranking of women’s safety in India. Key highlights from NARI 2025 Safest cities: Kohima, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok, Itanagar, Mumbai. Least safe cities: Patna, Jaipur, Faridabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Srinagar, Ranchi. The national safety score was pegged at 65 per cent, serving as the benchmark for assessing city performance. In 2024, 7 per cent of women experienced harassment in public spaces, while the figure rose to 14 per cent among women under the age of....Read More