PRELIMS
Population Census 2027 – Key Facts
- Legal Basis: Notified under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948 via the Official Gazette.
- Conducting Authority: Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India (RGCCI) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Phases: Phase I – House Listing: Records details of all buildings, their type, amenities (e.g., water, toilet, LPG), and assets. Phase II – Population Enumeration: Collects data on each individual including name, age, sex, literacy, occupation, religion, and caste.
- Caste Enumeration: Will include caste data, marking the first official caste census since 1931.
- Digital Census: Will be India’s first-ever digital census using mobile apps and self-enumeration portals.
Census in India —
- Constitutional Mandate: Article 246, 7th Schedule, Union List Entry 69 empowers the Parliament to conduct Census.
- Legal Framework: Conducted under the Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990.
- Administrative Head: The Census is managed by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
- History: First systematic census conducted in 1872 (not nationwide).
- First synchronous (all India) census in 1881 under W.C. Plowden.
- Post-independence, the census is conducted every 10 years regularly since 1951.
- Current Census: The upcoming census will be the 16th decennial Census since 1872.It is the 8th census after Independence.
- Significance: Principal source of official demographic, social, and economic data.Data guides government policy-making, planning, and implementation of welfare schemes.
Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC) –
- India’s first Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC) is located at RVC Centre and College, Meerut Cantonment, Uttar Pradesh.
- Recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in July 2025.
- Certified free from:Equine Infectious Anaemia, Equine Influenza,Equine Piroplasmosis, Glanders, Surra.
- India has been free from African Horse Sickness since 2014.
- Implemented under WOAH’s “compartmentalisation” concept for disease control and international trade facilitation.
- Enables international movement and export of Indian equines without quarantine restrictions.
- Sets precedent for similar disease-free zones in poultry sector (e.g., HPAI-free compartments).
What is Equine Disease? –
- Equine diseases are illnesses that affect animals of the Equidae family, which includes horses, donkeys, mules, and zebras.
- These diseases may be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi.
- Many equine diseases are contagious and can spread rapidly among animals.
- Certain equine diseases can cause:High mortality and morbidity in affected animals, Economic losses due to trade bans and treatment cost, Restrictions on the international movement of horses.
17th BRICS Summit
Context:
- India’s Prime Minister of India participated in the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil, where Indonesia was welcomed as a full BRICS member.
- The summit also saw adoption of the Rio de Janeiro Declaration focused on global governance reforms and sustainable development.
- BRICS is an intergovernmental forum of emerging economies initially comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
- The term “BRIC” was coined in 2001 by economist Jim O’Neill to represent fast-growing economies.
- South Africa joined in 2010, making it BRICS.
- Formed in 2009 (1st summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia).
- Expanded in 2024–25, now known as BRICS+ or Expanded BRICS.
- New Members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, Indonesia (joined in 2025).
- The leaders also expressed full support for India’s BRICS Chair ship in 2026 and the holding of the 18th BRICS Summit in India.
Rio de Janeiro Declaration –
- Comprehensive Declaration: covering multilateralism, governance, finance, AI, climate, health, and security.
- Multilateralism & Global Governance:Urged comprehensive reform of the UN, including the Security Council, IMF, World Bank, WTO .
- Highlighted the Global South as a key driver of multilateral cooperation.
- Opposition to Unilateral Sanctions:Condemned unilateral coercive measures (sanctions) as violations of international law, impacting vulnerable groups .
- Peace, Security & Conflict Resolution: Denounced terrorism, citing the Pahalgam attack; reaffirmed commitment to a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
- Condemned military strikes in Iran; called for nuclear safeguards .
- New Development Bank (NDB): Reaffirmed support for NDB’s expansion, local-currency financing, and its strategic role in the Global South.
- AI Governance & Technology: Agreed on a BRICS AI Governance Framework to promote responsible, inclusive AI under UN-led global governance.
- Launched a BRICS Innovation Action Plan 2025–2030 and initiatives like the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies .
- Health & Pandemic Preparedness: Committed to strengthening WHO, global health architecture; backed WHO Pandemic Agreement and elimination of socially determined diseases .
- Climate & Sustainable Development: Adopted BRICS Climate Leadership Agenda and a Leaders’ Framework Declaration on Climate Finance .
- Tourism & Cultural Cooperation: Hosted strategy for sustainable tourism, ecotourism, and digital nomad guidelines to boost regional development .
- BRICS Expansion & Unity: Welcomed Indonesia as a full member; supported ongoing expansion with a consensus‑based, inclusive approach.
USA’s ‘Reciprocal Tariffs’ on India & World
Context: In a significant move, US President Donald Trump announced ‘reciprocal tariffs’ on imports from various countries, including India, aimed to address trade imbalances but sparked global concerns about economic stability and diplomatic relations.
Tariff
- Tax/duty on imported goods/services.
- Used for trade regulation, domestic industry protection, revenue, trade balance correction, and economic leverage.
Reciprocal Tariff
- Response tariff to another country’s trade barriers.
- Ensures level playing field by matching imposed duties.
Discounted Reciprocal Tariff
- Mutual tariff reduction between countries/blocs.
- Lower than standard tariff rates.
Houthis Claim Ship Sinking – Key Details
- Entity: Houthi rebels, Iran-aligned group based in Yemen.
- Ship Attacked: Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Magic Seas, Greek-owned.
- Modes of Attack: Used gunfire, rockets, and explosive-laden drone boats in the Red Sea.
MAPPING
- Red Sea Surrounding Countries: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti.
