General Studies Paper-2 In News Mass protests led by Nepal’s Generation Z erupted prompting widespread violence, including the burning of government buildings and attacks on politicians. Reasons for Crisis in Nepal Gen Z Discontent: Frustration over corruption, the luxurious lifestyles of leaders, lack of accountability, and youth unemployment (above 20%) fueled mass discontent, especially as remittances form a major part of the economy but job prospects in Nepal remain bleak. Suppression of Dissent: The government banned 26 major social media platforms, citing regulatory reasons, but this was widely seen as an attempt at censorship. Social media is a main channel....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context Recently, a virtual BRICS Summit was held against the backdrop of increasing global concerns over U.S tariff tussle. The summit was called by Brazil amid the 50% tariffs imposed by the U.S on both India and Brazil. India’s Stand During the Summit India strongly believes that the international trading system’s foundational principles of non-discriminatory and rules-based norms must be protected and that there is a need to create more resilient and reliable supply chains. Constructive and cooperative approaches are needed by the world to promote sustainable trade. About BRICS BRICS is an acronym that refers to....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context India and Israel signed a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA). About Israel has become the first OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) member state to sign an investment pact under India’s new model treaty framework. The BIA replaces the earlier investment treaty signed in 1996, which was terminated in 2017 as part of India’s policy overhaul on such agreements. The Agreement will increase bilateral investments, which presently stands at a total of USD 800 million. The new agreement provides protection for investors while promoting cross-border investments in key sectors: innovation, infrastructure development, financial regulation, and digital....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 In News Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in New Delhi. Key Outcomes of the Summit Maritime Security & Malacca Strait Patrol: India expressed interest in patrolling the Malacca Strait, a strategic chokepoint connecting the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. Collaboration in submarine rescue operations, support for the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). Defence & Emerging Technologies: Joint research and cooperation in quantum computing, artificial Intelligence, automation & unmanned vessels etc. Economic & Infrastructure Cooperation: Agreement to export green energy from India to Singapore through dedicated ports. Enhanced cooperation in space research and....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held its annual Heads of State Summit in Tianjin, China, in 2025. The summit deliberated on pressing regional and global challenges—terrorism, conflicts, UN reforms, AI governance, sustainable development, and institutional strengthening. Key Highlights Regional Conflicts and Non-Proliferation: Rejected double standards in counterterrorism and emphasized preventing cross-border movement of terrorists. Condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam (J&K). Criticized military strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, highlighting West–Asia tensions. Sustainable Development & Social Agenda: Backed equal rights for all nations in AI development and usage, countering technological monopolies. Endorsed India’s global....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Tianjin. Key Outcomes of SCO Summit High-level Engagements: Both leaders met and welcomed the positive momentum in their ties. Reaffirmed they are development partners, not rivals; differences must not turn into disputes. Border Issues: Leaders noted successful border disengagement in 2024 and maintenance of peace since then. People-to-People Ties: Agreed to expand exchanges through direct flights, visa facilitation. Building on the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra resumption and tourist visas. Economic & Trade Cooperation: Recognized their economies’ role in stabilizing....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context: At the 15th India–Japan Annual Summit (2025), both nations adopted a “Joint Vision for the Next Decade” along with multiple agreements covering economic, security, technological, and cultural cooperation. Japan also announced an investment target of 10 trillion yen (₹5.5 lakh crore) in India over the next 10 years. Key Outcomes of the Summit Joint Vision for the Next Decade: Framework across eight pillars: economic partnership, economic security, mobility, innovation, defence, environment, multilateral cooperation, and cultural exchanges. Security & Defence Cooperation: Adoption of a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, intensifying strategic ties. Launch of economic security initiatives....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context India’s External Affairs Minister visited Moscow for the 26th Session of the India–Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). About EAM is on a three-day visit to Russia, taking place against the backdrop of strained India-US relations following tariffs on Indian goods. The visit comes amid the possibility of a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and the Russian President during the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China. Additionally, discussions are ongoing about a potential visit by the Russian President to India later this year. Agenda & Proposals Aim: To strengthen the trade....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context Recently India-China held the 24th round of India-China Special Representative talks. Key Outcomes of the Dialogue Trade and Connectivity: Resumption of direct flights between India and China, facilitation of visas for tourists, businesses, media, and others. Re-opening of border trade through Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La Pass, and Nathu La Pass. Facilitation of trade and investment flows, with China addressing India’s key concerns such as fertilisers, rare earths, tunnel boring machines. People-to-People Engagement: Resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and discussion on cultural exchanges. Plan to hold the 3rd High-Level Mechanism on People-to-People Exchanges in India in....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context Against the backdrop of BRICS 2026 in India, a stronger India–Africa–UAE (IAU) trilateral framework is emerging with the entry of new members including the UAE, Egypt, and Ethiopia in the group. Background The India-Africa-UAE trilateral partnership is an evolving concept focused on strengthening economic cooperation and connectivity, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, and infrastructure development. Back in 2019, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on development cooperation in Africa. The evolution is reflected in initiatives such as the Bharat Africa Setu, conceptualised in 2025. It is a....Read More