Prelims Oriented
Gatka Martial Art
Overview
- Gatka is a traditional Sikh martial art linked to the teachings of the Sikh Gurus.
- It focuses on weapon-based combat, discipline, and strong self-control.
- The art is popularly associated with Sikh identity, self-defence, and spiritual strength.
Historical Background
- Gatka emerged during the Mughal period, when Guru Hargobind, the 6th Sikh Guru, adopted the Kirpan for defence.
- It evolved as a safer, practice-oriented version of the older and more lethal Shastar Vidya.
- Wooden sticks (soti) and small shields (farri) replaced sharp weapons during training.
- Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru, insisted that every Sikh be trained in weapons for personal and community protection.
Key Features
- It is a stick-fighting technique performed between two or more practitioners.
- Combines offensive and defensive moves, rhythmic footwork, and weapon handling.
- Recognised as both a martial discipline and a battlefield technique.
- Promotes physical agility, mental focus, and spiritual grounding.
Contemporary Relevance
- Initially practised mainly in gurudwaras, akharas, and nagar kirtans as part of Sikh tradition.
- Inclusion in modern sports began after the creation of the Gatka Federation of India (GFI) in 2008.
- Today, Gatka is showcased widely for self-defence demonstrations, cultural performances, and competitions.
- The art form is now open to all communities and faiths, expanding its reach beyond Sikh religious spaces.
Writs
Context: Andhra Pradesh High Court heard habeas corpus petition by kin of CPI (Maoist) leaders Devuji and Raji Reddy, alleging illegal police detention, posted for Friday hearing.
Writs
- Article 32 empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs solely for enforcing fundamental rights.
- It is regarded as the “heart and soul” of the Constitution because citizens can directly seek relief.
- Article 226 authorises High Courts to issue writs for fundamental rights and any other legal purpose, giving them wider jurisdiction.
- Writ jurisdiction forms a cornerstone of judicial review and protects citizens from unlawful state action.
Types of Constitutional Writs
- Habeas Corpus
- Directs the detaining authority to produce the detainee for judicial scrutiny.
- Ensures release from illegal detention by state or private individuals.
- Not issued when detention is lawful or ordered by a competent court.
- Mandamus
- A command directing a public authority to perform a mandatory legal duty.
- Issued to officials, statutory bodies, tribunals and corporations.
- Not issued against private bodies, discretionary duties, contractual matters, or constitutional heads (President/Governor).
- Prohibition
- Prevents a lower court or tribunal from acting beyond its jurisdiction.
- Applicable only to judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, not administrative or legislative authorities.
- Certiorari
- Allows a higher court to quash or transfer orders of subordinate courts/tribunals.
- Corrects jurisdictional errors or legal mistakes.
- Since 1991, applicable to administrative authorities affecting rights.
- Quo Warranto
- Questions the legal authority of a person holding a public office.
- Prevents unlawful occupation of posts created by law.
- Can be filed by any interested citizen.
Supreme Court vs High Court Writ Powers
- Scope: SC acts only for fundamental rights; HC acts for fundamental and other legal rights.
- Territory: SC operates nationwide; HCs act within their territorial limits.
- Right vs Discretion: Article 32 is a fundamental right; Article 226 is discretionary.
Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)
Context: NSA Ajit Doval hosted seventh Colombo Security Conclave meeting in Delhi, focusing on five cooperation pillars including maritime security, counter-terrorism, organized crime, with Seychelles joining as full member.
More in News:
- Meeting included comprehensive review of Indian Ocean Region security situation, emphasizing cooperation on maritime safety, countering terrorism-radicalization, combating trafficking-transnational crime, cyber security, humanitarian assistance.
- Seychelles joined as full member with Major General Michael Rosette leading delegation; Malaysia participated as guest country for first time, represented by Badrul Shah Mohd. Idris.
- Five pillars of cooperation include
- maritime safety-security,
- countering terrorism-radicalization,
- combating trafficking-transnational organized crime,
- cyber security-critical infrastructure protection,
- humanitarian assistance-disaster relief across Indian Ocean Region.
Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)
- The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) is a regional security grouping comprising India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius.
- Its core purpose is to strengthen regional security cooperation and address transnational threats shared by member States.
- Origin and Evolution
- CSC began as the Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation Mechanism among India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka in 2011, led by their National Security Advisors (NSAs).
- Engagement stalled after 2014 due to tensions between India and Maldives.
- The mechanism was revived in 2020 and rebranded as the Colombo Security Conclave.
- Mauritius joined soon after revival, and Bangladesh became the most recent member.
- The grouping continues to operate at the level of NSAs and Deputy NSAs.
- Five Pillars of Cooperation
- Maritime Safety and Security – Joint operations, maritime domain awareness, and capacity-building.
- Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation – Intelligence sharing and coordinated counter-terror policies.
- Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organized Crime – Joint investigations and information exchange.
- Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection – Collaboration on cyber resilience and threat response.
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) – Coordinated disaster response and early-warning support.
- Institutional Mechanism
- CSC maintains a permanent secretariat in Colombo, ensuring continuity, coordination, and implementation of initiatives among member States.
Project Cheetah
Context: Indian-born cheetah Mukhi gave birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park, marking first reproduction by India-born cheetah under Project Cheetah, increasing population to 32. Mukhi, 33 months old, became first Indian-born female cheetah to reproduce, marking landmark achievement for conservation initiative.
Project Cheetah
- Background
- Discussions on reintroducing the cheetah began in 2009, led by the Wildlife Trust of India.
- Under the Action Plan for Reintroduction of Cheetah in India, 50 African cheetahs are to be brought over five years and released across selected national parks.
- Primary Release Site: Kuno Palpur National Park (KNP), Madhya Pradesh)
- Rated the most suitable habitat among surveyed central Indian sites due to its savanna landscape and strong prey availability.
- Assessed to support up to 21 cheetahs.
- KNP is among the few parks where complete village relocation has occurred, reducing human-wildlife conflict.
- Unique potential to host four big cats—tiger, lion, leopard, and cheetah, reflecting historical coexistence.
- Other recommended sites:
- Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary (MP)
- Gandhi Sagar–Bhainsrorgarh complex (MP)
- Shahgarh Bulge (Jaisalmer, Rajasthan)
- Mukundara Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan)
Significance of Reintroduction
- Restores a lost apex predator and strengthens India’s commitment to grassland conservation.
- Protecting cheetahs necessitates safeguarding their prey species, many of which are themselves threatened.
- Cheetahs pose minimal threat to humans and rarely attack large livestock, reducing conflict potential.
- Contributes to ecological balance by promoting healthier grassland ecosystems.
Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI)
Context: Eight core sectors recorded 0% growth in October 2025, worst performance in 14 months, down from 3.8% in October 2024 and 3% in September 2025.
More in News:
- Steel sector grew 6.7%, cement 5.3%, fertilizers 7.4% (fastest among eight), and refinery products 4.6%, balancing contractions in coal, electricity, natural gas, crude oil.
- Coal sector contracted 8.5% due to prolonged monsoons and cooler weather onset, translating to subdued power demand and lower mining activity during October month.
- Natural gas sector slumped 5% (worst in seven months), while crude oil production declined 1.2%, contributing significantly to overall flat growth trajectory in core sectors.
Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI)
- The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) tracks the monthly performance of eight major industrial sectors in India.
- These sectors include coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement, and electricity.
- The eight industries together account for 40.27% of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), making the ICI a key indicator of industrial health.
- The ICI is compiled by the Office of the Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- It is released every month, enabling real-time assessment of core industrial activity.
- The base year for calculating the index is 2011–12, providing standardised comparison over time.
- Sectoral Weights in ICI
- Refinery Products carry the highest weight (28.04%), reflecting their dominant share in core industrial production.
- Fertilisers hold the lowest weight (2.63%) among the eight sectors.
- Other weights include:
- Coal – 10.33%
- Crude Oil – 8.98%
- Natural Gas – 6.88%
- Steel – 17.92%
- Cement – 5.37%
- Electricity – 19.85%
E-Commerce Firms & Dark Pattern Compliance
Context
- The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) announced that 26 digital storefronts have submitted declarations confirming removal of dark patterns or stating they never used them.
- Firms submitting compliance include Flipkart, Meesho, BlinkIt, Zomato, BigBasket, and Reliance Retail.
What are Dark Patterns?
- Dark patterns are deceptive online design practices intended to trick users into actions they would not otherwise take.
- As per CCPA Guidelines (2023), these include:
- False Urgency: Artificial time pressure to force quick purchases.
- Basket Sneaking: Adding items to the cart by default at checkout.
- They distort consumer choice and undermine informed decision-making.
Regulatory Actions
- In 2023, the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns were issued under the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA).
- In 2024, DoCA required e-commerce platforms to submit self-audit reports confirming compliance with the guidelines.
- These reports assess platform design, checkout practices, and transparency mechanisms.
Compliance Status
- 26 platforms have filed declarations confirming compliance.
- Amazon India, one of India’s largest e-commerce companies, has not submitted its declaration.
- Other major firms whose disclosure was pending or not uploaded include Airbnb, Apple, Ola Electric, Samsung, Indigo, Mastercard, Meta, Rapido, Shiprocket, Snapdeal, Uber, WhatsApp, Google, and Paytm.
Significance
- Ensures consumer rights, transparency, and fair digital marketplace practices.
- Strengthens India’s consumer protection framework against manipulative online behaviour.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Context: IAEA Board passed resolution demanding Iran’s full cooperation and nuclear site access; Iran rejected it, accusing Western nations of politicizing agency amid weapons-grade uranium concerns.
About IAEA
- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the world’s leading intergovernmental body for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear domain.
- Its Statute was adopted on 23 October 1956 and entered into force on 29 July 1957.
- It functions as an autonomous organisation within the UN system, maintaining reporting links with both the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council.
- Primary Objective: Ensure that nuclear energy is not diverted for weapons use and is employed exclusively for peaceful purposes.
- Membership: Currently consists of 180 member states, indicating its broad global mandate.
- Headquarters: Located in Vienna, Austria.
Institutional Structure
- General Conference
- Comprises representatives of all member states.
- Meets annually to approve budgets and set overall policy directions.
- Board of Governors
- Consists of 35 members meeting around five times a year.
- Functions include approving safeguards agreements, performing statutory duties, and appointing the Director General.
- Secretariat
- Headed by the Director General.
- Responsible for executing the agency’s day-to-day operations.
Key Functions
- Ensures nuclear science and technology are used solely for peaceful applications.
- Implements comprehensive safeguards, including:
- Monitoring,
- On-site inspections,
- Information analysis,
- Other verification tools.
- Works to strengthen nuclear safety, security, and non-proliferation globally.
The Meerut Bugle
Context
- The Meerut bugle, used widely in Indian military ceremonies and regimental bands, has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
About the Meerut Bugle
- A brass wind instrument used in military parades, drills, ceremonies, and signalling across the Army, paramilitary forces and police units.
- Known for its distinct commanding sound and long-standing association with Indian military tradition.
- Origin dates to the late 19th century when it became a key communication tool during the British era.
- Over decades, Meerut evolved into India’s major centre for handcrafted bugle production.
- Key Features
- Handmade craftsmanship using high-quality brass, ensuring durability and precise tonal output.
- Extensively used in regimental bands, military academies, and national ceremonial events.
- Represents a continuing military heritage, linking colonial battlefield instruments with modern ceremonial roles.
BIRSA-101 Gene Therapy
Context
- India has launched BIRSA-101, its first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).
- Marks a major leap in affordable, advanced genomic medicine.
About BIRSA-101
- A CRISPR gene-editing therapy targeted to cure Sickle Cell Disease, a severe hereditary blood disorder.
- Developed by CSIR–IGIB, with Serum Institute of India for scale-up and national deployment.
- Named to honour Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary.
- Supports the national mission to make India Sickle-Cell Free by 2047.
- How It Works?
- Uses CRISPR as “genetic surgery” to correct the disease-causing mutation in patient stem cells.
- Edited stem cells are re-infused into the patient, restoring normal haemoglobin production.
- Offers a potential one-time curative therapy rather than lifelong symptomatic treatment.
- Key Features
- Based on fully indigenous enFnCas9 CRISPR platform created by IGIB.
- Provides a low-cost alternative to global gene therapies costing ₹20–25 crore.
- Developed under Atmanirbhar Bharat, strengthening medical self-reliance.
- Supported by an advanced translational research centre at CSIR-IGIB.
- Significance
- Places India among global leaders in next-generation gene-editing therapies.
- Critical for tribal communities—Gond, Bhil, Munda, Santal—where SCD prevalence is high.
- Expands India’s capability to produce affordable, world-class genomic therapies.
