General Studies Paper-2 Context Recently, US President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point peace proposal, dubbed as ‘Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict’ aimed at ending the protracted war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Core Elements of the Gaza Peace Plan Announced By Trump Hamas Disarmament and Amnesty: The Plan demands disarmament and surrender of Hamas and relinquish control of Gaza. Members pledging peaceful coexistence will be granted amnesty, while those wishing to leave Gaza will receive safe passage to countries such as Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, or Iran. International Stabilization Force (ISF): A temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF), supported....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context The South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) has emerged as a transformative force in global development in shifting geopolitical landscapes, widening inequalities, and dwindling development aid. About the South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA), 1978 enshrined principles of mutual respect, shared learning, and solidarity, far from being a transactional model among developing nations. Nairobi Outcome Document (2009): It was negotiated in the UN High-Level Conference on South-South Cooperation in Nairobi, Kenya and adopted by the UNGA. It defined the principles guiding how cooperation among developing countries (South-South cooperation) operates, expanding beyond technical....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context: Russia and India have significantly advanced their 25-year strategic partnership amid a changing global landscape. Background In 2000, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee signed the declaration on strategic partnership, which opened a new chapter in bilateral relations. In December 2010, the Strategic Partnership was upgraded to a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.” Multiple institutional dialogues, including the Intergovernmental Commission and 2+2 Dialogue, ensure strong cooperation across politics, defense, trade, science, and culture. Leadership-level engagements The India-Russia Annual Summit is the highest dialogue mechanism, with 22 meetings held alternately in both....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context The South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) has emerged as a transformative force in global development in shifting geopolitical landscapes, widening inequalities, and dwindling development aid. About the South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA), 1978 enshrined principles of mutual respect, shared learning, and solidarity, far from being a transactional model among developing nations. Nairobi Outcome Document (2009): It was negotiated in the UN High-Level Conference on South-South Cooperation in Nairobi, Kenya and adopted by the UNGA. It defined the principles guiding how cooperation among developing countries (South-South cooperation) operates, expanding beyond technical....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context Recently, US President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point peace proposal, dubbed as ‘Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict’ aimed at ending the protracted war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Core Elements of the Gaza Peace Plan Announced By Trump Hamas Disarmament and Amnesty: The Plan demands disarmament and surrender of Hamas and relinquish control of Gaza. Members pledging peaceful coexistence will be granted amnesty, while those wishing to leave Gaza will receive safe passage to countries such as Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, or Iran. International Stabilization Force (ISF): A temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF), supported....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context The Union Government announced two cross-border railway projects which will connect Bhutan with the bordering areas of Assam and West Bengal. Background The genesis of these two projects lies in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Bhutan and India in 2005. Why Gelephu and Samtse? Gelephu and Samtse are the major export-import hubs in Bhutan and serve the 700-km long India-Bhutan border. Gelephu is being developed as “Mindfulness City” and Samtse is being developed as an industrial town by the Government of Bhutan. About the Rail Projects Kokrajhar–Gelephu Line: It will connect Sarpang district in....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context: Oceans cover about 70% of the Earth’s surface, but governance beyond national jurisdictions has long been weak. The High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Agreement under UNCLOS on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), was finalised in March 2023 and will enter into force in January 2026 after Morocco became the 60th country to ratify it. Environmentalists call it a “once-in-a-generation conservation event”, as it provides a global legal framework for protecting biodiversity in international waters, which constitute about two-thirds of oceans. Historical Background UNCLOS, 1982:....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context The recent Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan marks a seismic shift in South Asian geopolitics, including India that challenges long-held assumptions about its regional security architecture and its diplomatic outreach to the Gulf. About the SDMA Between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan It builds on nearly eight decades of cooperation rooted in Islamic solidarity and shared strategic interests, elevating their relationship into a formal treaty framework. It states that ‘any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both’, effectively committing each side to respond to threats to the other.....Read More

General Studies Paper 2 Context At the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly session in New York, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called for stronger Global South solidarity and a collective push for UN reforms. About He called for a united approach among Global South countries, based on fair and transparent economic practices, resilient supply chains, and stronger South-South trade, investment, and technology collaboration. Positioned India as a bridge between developed nations and the Global South, highlighting its leadership in initiatives like Voice of Global South Summit (2023) and G20 Presidency (2023). Global South The term “Global South” was....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context Recently, Pakistan signed a mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, India has said that it was aware of the development and reiterated its commitment to “comprehensive national security”. About Background of Meeting: The agreement was signed in the aftermath of an emergency summit of Arab and Muslim nations hosted by Qatar following Israel’s military strikes against Hamas leaders. The meeting brought together almost 60 countries that are members of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The Pact: Called the “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” states that “any aggression against either country shall be....Read More