The Daily Digest

UPSC

China’s Export Controls: Implications for India

China announced new export controls on critical heavy machinery, including Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). The restrictions will take effect on 18th November 2026, introducing a dual-use export licensing regime on nation…
Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India's Interests For Prelims: Tunnel Boring Machines , Gallium and Germanium , Graphite , Antimony…
China announced new export controls on critical heavy machinery, including Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) , walking excavators and plateau-type wet shotcrete machines.

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UPSC

U.K. Recognises India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme

The United Kingdom has recognised India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) as an eligible carbon pricing mechanism under its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
The United Kingdom has recognised India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) as a qualifying carbon pricing mechanism under its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) , allowing Indian exporters to receive carbon pr…
The move follows technical engagement between India and the U.K.

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UPSC

National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)

Ministry of Mines recognizes IISc and C-MET as new Centres of Excellence under the National Critical Mineral Mission to boost R&D in critical minerals
The Ministry of Mines has recognized two additional Centres of Excellence(CoEs)- Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), Hyderabad under the National Cr…
Earlier, seven institutes had already been recognized under this initiative.

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UPSC

Critical Minerals: The Foundation for Strategic Resource Security

Critical minerals have become central to the global clean energy transition, technological advancement, and geopolitical competition.
Distribution of Key Natural Resources For Prelims: Critical minerals , National Critical Mineral Mission , Rare Earth Elements , Semiconductors, Khanij Bidesh India Limited , Pax Silica For Mains: Critical Minerals and…
The International Energy Agency's (IEA) Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2026 highlights persistent concentration in mineral refining and renewed supply disruptions, underscoring rising supply chain vulnerabilities.

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UPSC

India- European Union Relations

The year 2024 witnessed key global elections, making 2025 pivotal for democracies. A central focus is the India-EU partnership, which holds great potential but faces challenges in delivery
Important International Institutions Government Policies & Interventions International Treaties & Agreements Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India's Interests For Prelims: European Union , Indo-Pacific , F…
As democracies, India and the European Union face increasing pressure from authoritarian regimes, making their cooperation crucial.

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UPSC

25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit

The 2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin witnessed a bilateral meeting between India and China, emphasizing peace, trade, and strategic autonomy.
Important International Institutions Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests For Prelims: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation , Pahalgam attack , Kailash Manasarovar Yatra , BRICS , Line…
Counter-Terrorism : Tianjin Declaration strongly condemned terrorism, including the Pahalgam attack , and called to end cross-border movement of terrorists , and opposed use of extremist groups for mercenary purposes.

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UPSC

India at the G7 Summit 2026

At the G7 Summit Outreach Session 2026 in Évian, France, India highlighted the need to address the global trust deficit, promote equitable development partnerships, and amplify the voice of the Global South
Important International Institutions Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests Bilateral Groupings & Agreements The Prime Minister of India attended the 52 nd G7 Summit Outreach Session (…
Addressing the Global Trust Deficit: India emphasized that mutual trust is the world's most critical strategic asset, arguing that global challenges stem more from a shortage of trust than a shortage of resources.

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UPSC

India-China Trade and Atmanirbhar Bharat

India’s growing trade deficit with China reveals a key paradox of Atmanirbhar Bharat: domestic manufacturing is expanding, but remains dependent on Chinese imports
Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India's Interests For Prelims: Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme , Phased Manufacturing Programme , Active pharmaceutical ingredients , Lithium-ion battery cells , Ra…
India’s widening trade deficit with China has highlighted a key contradiction in Atmanirbhar Bharat : while India’s manufacturing capacity is expanding, much of this growth continues to depend on Chinese intermediate go…

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UPSC

The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2022

The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2022, proposes to amend the Electricity Conservation Act 2001, last amended in 2010, to introduce changes such as incentivising the use of clean energy by issuing carbon saving c…
Government Policies & Interventions For Prelims: Electricity Conservation Act 2001, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Green Hydrogen, Carbon Credits, Battery Swapping Policy, Green Bonds, UPSC CSE PYQ For Mains: The Energy C…
The Bill proposes to amend the Energy Conservation Act 2001 , last amended in 2010, to introduce changes such as incentivising the use of clean energy by issuing carbon saving certificates.

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UPSC

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

CDRI is a global partnership of national governments, United Nations agencies and programmes, multilateral development banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, and academic and research institutions.
The Union Cabinet approves categorizing the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as an "International Organization".
It also approved the signing of the Headquarters Agreement further granting it the exemptions, immunities, and privileges contemplated by the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947, which means that member…

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UPSC

Mediterranean Sea

Mediterranean sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean, lies between the continents of Eurasia and Africa enclosed almost completely by land. It has 21 bordering countries.
Physical Geography: A sea of the Atlantic Ocean, lies between the continents of Eurasia and Africa enclosed almost completely by land.
Bordering Countries (21 countries): Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, a…

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UPSC

Perform, Achieve and Trade Scheme

The article discusses the issue with the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme. PAT scheme was introduced in 2008 to improve energy efficiency in Indian industries and consequently reduce greenhouse gas.
Government Policies & Interventions A recent report released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) mentions that the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme introduced in 2008 is not effective.
The PAT scheme was introduced to improve energy efficiency in Indian industries and consequently reduce greenhouse gas.

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UPSC

SCO ‘Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)’ Meeting

A conference of SCO member countries convened within the framework of the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS). It addressed how to improve collaboration in the face of various global and regional security iss…
For Mains: Diplomatic and Economic relations of India with SCO, Bilateral relations of India with SCO member nations Recently, a meeting held between the member nations of the SCO under the framework of the SCO’s Region…
It is the first such meeting in India since Russia’s evasion of Ukraine and China’s transgression along the Line of actual control.

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UPSC

World Bank

Recently, Indian American business executive Ajay Banga was nominated by US President to head the World Bank. If confirmed by the World Bank Board of directors, he will be the first Indian-American to head either of the…
If confirmed by the World Bank Board of directors, he will be the first Indian-American to head either of the two top international financial institutions: the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
About: It was created in 1944 , as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) along with the IMF.

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UPSC

Atlantic Ocean Current System: AMOC

Atlantic Ocean Current System: AMOC
Environmental Pollution & Degradation According to the recently released IPCC’s Report, Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is losing its stability and is very likely to decline over the 21 st century.
The ocean has an interconnected current, or circulation, system powered by wind, tides, the Earth’s rotation ( Coriolis effect ), the sun (solar energy), and water density differences.

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UPSC

India to Reach Carbon Neutrality by 2070

India announced that it will reach carbon neutrality by 2070 with that it also made five pledges to achieve that target, various environmentalists gave their view on this commitment.
Important International Institutions Environmental Pollution & Degradation Recently, India announced that it will reach carbon neutrality by 2070 as part of a five-point action plan that included reducing emissions to 5…
India made this pledge at the Conference of the Parties (COP) 26 climate summit in Glasgow, where it also urged developed countries to deliver on their promise of climate financing .

drishtiias.com24d ago

UPSC

India Sees Increased FDI Inflows Under Revised Press Note 3 Framework

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry reported that relaxations to India’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rules, specifically concerning Press Note 3 (2020), have successfully facilitated FDI inflows.
Government Policies & Interventions The Ministry of Commerce and Industry reported that relaxations to India’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rules, specifically concerning Press Note 3 (2020) , have successfully facil…
Between March and August 2026, 29 FDI projects were cleared under the revised framework, indicating that the targeted easing of investment restrictions is beginning to yield positive economic results.

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UPSC

Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse

Recently, an under-construction Silkyara-Barkot tunnel along the Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, collapsed, trapping a significant number of workers inside.
Government Policies & Interventions Issues Arising Out of Design & Implementation of Policies For Prelims: Silkyara-Barkot Tunnel, Char Dham Project, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, Dri…
For Mains: Issues Related to Tunnel Construction in India, Challenges Related to Indian Himalayan Region.

drishtiias.com24d ago

UPSC

Silver Antimony Telluride: A Material to Tap Waste Heat

Silver Antimony Telluride: A Material to Tap Waste Heat
Scientific Innovations & Discoveries Scientists at the Bengaluru-based Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research , have found a new material, Silver Antimony Telluride (AgSbTe2) , that can help in tapping…
Basically, the material will exploit the benefits of thermo-electric effect.

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UPSC

Russian Consignment to India via INSTC

Recently, Russia has sent two trains carrying coal to India through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) for the first time
Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India's Interests Bilateral Groupings & Agreements For Prelims: Central Asia , Baltic, Chabahar Port, JCPOA , INSTC.
For mains: International North–South Transport Corridor , Significance, Potential and Challenges.

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UPSC

US Waiver Ends on Chabahar Port

Expiry of U.S. sanctions waiver on Chabahar port threatens India’s strategic connectivity project.
Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India's Interests Recently, the U.S.
sanctions waiver on Iran’s Chabahar Port ended on 26th April 2026, creating uncertainty over India’s long-standing connectivity project through Iran to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

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UPSC

Police Commemoration Day 2026

Police Commemoration Day is observed annually on 21st October to honour police personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, commemorating the 1959 Hot Springs incident in Ladakh
On the occasion of Police Commemoration Day 2026, the Union Home Minister paid tribute to police martyrs at the National Police Memorial, New Delhi , and flagged off a nationwide motorcycle rally themed “Fight Against D…
It commemorates the sacrifice of 10 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel killed in an ambush by Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh, on 21st October 1959 .

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UPSC

Shinkansen Trains and Bullet Train Project

In a significant move to support the development of India’s first bullet train project, Japan has agreed to provide two Shinkansen trains to India free of cost.
Bilateral Groupings & Agreements Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests Japan is set to provide India with two Shinkansen train sets (E5 and E3 series) at no cost in 2026.
Shinkansen Trains (E5 Series): It has been operational since 2011 .

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UPSC

China's Export Controls on Gallium and Germanium

Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India's Interests For Prelims: Gallium, Germanium, semiconductor , Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) For Mains : Impact of China's export controls, Signi…
This action is seen as a response to export controls implemented by the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands , who express national security concerns and accuse China of military use and human rights violations.
China denies these allegations, asserting that its export controls aim to safeguard global industrial and supply chain stability, without singling out any country.

drishtiias.com24d ago

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