General Studies Paper-2 Context Citing “technological” and “cross-border fuelling” concerns, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) deferred the ban on fuel to end-of-life vehicles in Delhi to November 1. About In 2015, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed that All diesel vehicles (heavy or light) which are more than 10 years old will not be permitted on the roads of Delhi NCR. Also, Petrol vehicles which are more than 15 years old and diesel vehicles that are more than 10 years old shall not be registered in the NCR, Delhi. The NGT’s directive was upheld and reinforced by the....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context The Jammu & Kashmir Assembly’s House Committee is currently probing allegations of irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the region. Background During the Budget Session, concerns were raised over the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Jammu & Kashmir like; Use of substandard materials Incomplete and abandoned water supply schemes Corruption and misuse of public funds Failure in providing tap connections despite funds being released As a result, a House Committee was established, and it issued a public notice inviting citizens and stakeholders to report malpractices. What are the....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context Recently, the Chief Justice of India underscored the enduring value of education in one’s mother tongue, calling it a cornerstone of personal growth and ethical grounding. About A language is an umbrella term which contains many mother tongues. India is a linguistically diverse country, and one of the richest in the world — with over 1,300 rationalized mother tongues and 122 major languages spoken by more than 10,000 people each. In ancient gurukuls and madrasas, students learned through Sanskrit, Pali, Persian, or regional dialects. However, colonial education policies introduced English as the dominant medium, marginalizing native....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the “3 by 35” Initiative, calling on countries globally to increase taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks. The initiative urges a minimum 50% real price increase on the three targeted products by 2035, achieved through higher excise or health taxes. About The world faces an urgent challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes now account for over 75% of global deaths. Simultaneously, shrinking development aid and rising public debt have strained health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Studies suggest a one-time....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context The editorial highlights the significant role of technology in integrating and empowering various initiatives under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) in India. This digital transformation aligns with the government’s vision of a “digitally empowered India” and the broader goal of “Viksit Bharat@2047”. Key Dimensions of the Transformation Digital Public Infrastructure and Real-Time Governance: The Poshan Tracker enables real-time data entry, performance monitoring, and evidence-based policy interventions across Anganwadi centres, streamlining record-keeping and reducing manual errors. Anganwadi workers are equipped with smartphones and trained in digital tools, ensuring last-mile delivery and monitoring of services.....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context For millions of internal migrants in India — workers who relocate for livelihood, education, or family — the right to vote remains a pressing concern for participatory governance in the world’s largest democracy. Voting Rights in India Universal Adult Suffrage [Article 326]: Every citizen aged 18 and above, regardless of caste, gender, religion, or economic status, has the right to vote in elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. This right is administered by the Election Commission of India (ECI) [Art 324], an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for conducting free and fair elections across....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context The recent landmark Supreme Court judgment on K Uma Devi vs State of Tamil Nadu pronounced is significant for recognising maternity rights as a Fundamental Right under Article 21 of the Constitution. About the Maternity Rights in India Historical Context: The Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 laid the legislative foundation for Maternity Rights in India. It was aimed at regulating employment conditions for women during the prenatal and postnatal periods. It provided 12 weeks of paid leave and protected women from dismissal during maternity. However, coverage was largely limited to the organized sector. Maternity Benefit (Amendment)....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context Recently, the Centre for Legal Action and Behaviour Change (C-LAB), in partnership with the Just Rights for Children (JRC) network, released a report related to child labour rescues in 2024–25. Key Findings of Report Over 53,000 children were rescued across 24 states and union territories (Between April 2024 and March 2025). Telangana topped the list with 11,063 rescues, followed by Bihar (3,974), Rajasthan (3,847), Uttar Pradesh (3,804), and Delhi (2,588) Alarming Trends: The report reveals that nearly 90% of rescued children aged 10 to 14 were found working in sectors classified as the worst forms....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context Recently, the World Economic Forum (WEF) released its 19th edition of Global Gender Gap Report 2025. Global Overview Overall Gender Parity: The world has closed 68.5% of the gender gap, a marginal improvement from the previous year. Top Performers: Iceland remains the most gender-equal country for the 16th consecutive year, achieving over 90% parity. Other top-ranking nations include Finland, Norway and the United Kingdom etc. India’s Performance Overall Rank: India slipped to 131st out of 148 countries, with a parity score of 64.1%. Economic Participation: Improved slightly to 40.7%, with a rise in estimated earned income....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context: India marked the ninth anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). About PMUY Launched: In 2016 by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. Objective: To provide LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households to reduce the health risks associated with traditional cooking methods. Target Group: Adult women from BPL households, with a focus on women’s empowerment and improving their living standards. Eligibility Criteria: Women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, with priority given to SC, ST, PMAY (Gramin) families, forest dwellers, and tea garden workers. Migrant households can....Read More