The ongoing Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meetings in Paris are focused on deliberating the issue of state sponsorship of terrorism, particularly regarding how certain states may be involved in financing banned terrorist outfits and their proxies. The discussions are expected to highlight the financing of terrorism and the role of Pakistan in supporting such groups through state sponsorship.
The FATF is an independent intergovernmental body that works to protect the global financial system from being exploited for illegal activities such as money laundering and terrorist financing. It plays a critical role in setting international anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) standards, which are widely accepted as the global benchmarks for financial integrity.
Established: In 1989, during the G7 Summit in Paris, FATF was created in response to increasing concerns about money laundering.
Mandate Expansion: In 2001, the FATF’s mandate expanded to include terrorism financing, reflecting the growing global threat of terrorism and its financial backing.
Headquarters: Paris, France.
Members: The FATF consists of 39 countries, including major global economies such as the United States, India, China, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Germany, and France. Additionally, over 180 countries are affiliated with the FATF through regional bodies.
India’s Membership: India became a member of the FATF in 2010, showing its commitment to tackling financial crimes like money laundering and terrorist financing.
FATF conducts research and publishes reports on global trends related to money laundering and terrorism financing, helping to raise awareness and set standards for risk mitigation. It monitors and evaluates whether countries are effectively implementing the FATF Standards and holds them accountable for non-compliance. Countries and organizations must support the most recent FATF recommendations and be evaluated regularly.
The FATF maintains two distinct lists to categorize countries based on their level of commitment and compliance with its standards:
Countries placed on the blacklist are considered to be non-cooperative and are known for supporting or being directly involved in activities like terrorism financing and money laundering.
Countries on the blacklist face severe international financial restrictions and are denied aid from key global financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the European Union (EU).
Currently, the countries on the blacklist are:
North Korea
Iran
Myanmar
The grey list includes countries that are considered as safe havens for terrorism financing and money laundering activities. These countries are not fully compliant with FATF standards but are given a chance to improve and implement corrective measures.
Countries on the grey list face economic and financial scrutiny and are given a timeline to comply with FATF’s recommendations.
If a country remains on the grey list for an extended period, it risks being added to the blacklist.
Blacklisted countries face severe international sanctions and are unable to receive financial assistance from major global financial institutions such as the IMF, World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
These countries also face restrictions on international trade, economic sanctions, and limitations on foreign investment.
Grey-listed countries are given a warning and encouraged to improve their compliance with FATF standards. Failure to do so could result in being added to the blacklist, which has much more severe consequences.
The ongoing FATF meetings are expected to focus on the issue of state sponsorship of terrorism and the financial backing of terrorist organizations. This includes assessing how certain countries may be financing or harboring terrorist groups, particularly those operating in regions like Pakistan, where several banned outfits and their proxy groups have been linked to terrorism.
The FATF’s ongoing meetings are crucial for addressing global financial integrity issues, particularly in the context of terrorism financing. The deliberations and actions taken in these meetings could have far-reaching consequences for countries involved in financing terrorism and other illicit activities. For countries like Pakistan, which have been under scrutiny for supporting terrorist groups, the FATF's decisions could determine their financial standing on the global stage.
Recently, the Delhi High Court has ruled that courts have the authority to exempt a property from the Doctrine of Lis Pendens in certain cases. This exemption is aimed at shielding genuine owners from vexatious lawsuits that could otherwise affect their property rights during the pendency of litigation. The court’s ruling highlights a significant aspect of property law, where it aims to balance legal protection with justice for bona fide owners.
The Doctrine of Lis Pendens is a legal principle that governs the transfer of immovable property during ongoing litigation. It is defined in Section 52 of the Transfer of Property Act (TPA), 1882 in India. Here’s a detailed overview:
Lis Pendens, which translates to "pending litigation" in Latin, refers to a principle that prevents the transfer of immovable property during the pendency of a lawsuit related to that property.
The doctrine is designed to protect the rights of parties in a legal dispute over property by ensuring that no party can transfer property to a third party while the matter is still under litigation.
Section 52 of the TPA, 1882 stipulates that if any immovable property is transferred during pending litigation, the transfer will be subject to the final court judgment.
The transfer of the property is not considered void or invalid, but it remains subordinate to the outcome of the litigation.
This ensures that if a property is sold or transferred during a lawsuit, the purchaser of the property will be bound by the court’s decision when the case concludes.
The primary aim of the doctrine is to prevent the transfer of property that is the subject matter of litigation. This ensures that a property’s title remains consistent and unaffected by any legal outcome, protecting the interests of all parties involved.
Without this rule, the defendant in a lawsuit could transfer property to a third party, rendering the court's eventual decision meaningless or difficult to enforce.
The doctrine can apply only if the following conditions are met:
Pending Suit: There must be an ongoing suit or legal proceeding.
Court Jurisdiction: The suit must be before a court with competent jurisdiction.
Title Dispute: The suit should directly affect the title or ownership of the immovable property.
Transfer of Property: The property in question must be transferred by either party during the lawsuit.
Non-Collusive: The suit must not be a collusive action (i.e., it should not be based on fraud or manipulation).
There are certain situations where the Doctrine of Lis Pendens does not apply:
Sale by Mortgager: If a mortgager sells the property in exercise of powers under the mortgage deed.
Only Transferor Affected: When only the transferor is impacted by the suit and not the transferee.
Collusive Proceedings: In cases where the proceedings are collusive, like fraud or manipulation.
Incorrect Description of Property: When the property is not described correctly, making it unidentifiable.
No Direct Title Question: If the suit does not involve a direct dispute over the title of the property.
In its latest ruling, the Delhi High Court observed that genuine property owners should not be penalized by the Doctrine of Lis Pendens when they are subject to frivolous or vexatious lawsuits. The court has thus acknowledged that there can be exceptions to this rule, which could help in protecting the rights of bona fide purchasers and owners, particularly in cases where a genuine transfer of property occurs amidst baseless litigation.
The Doctrine of Lis Pendens plays a crucial role in protecting the integrity of legal proceedings and preventing the misuse of property transactions during litigation. However, the Delhi High Court’s recent ruling demonstrates that courts have the discretion to grant exemptions in cases where the transfer of property is genuine and not intended to evade legal proceedings.
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to László Krasznahorkai, a Hungarian novelist and screenwriter, for his compelling and visionary body of work that reaffirms the power of art in the face of apocalyptic terror.
László Krasznahorkai is known for his difficult, demanding novels, often described as postmodern, dystopian, and melancholic. His writing is noted for its philosophical depth, labyrinthine prose, and unique narrative style, often using single-sentence paragraphs to convey complex, existential ideas.
Satantango
Krasznahorkai's most famous novel, adapted into a 7-hour film by Béla Tarr, is a bleak, haunting portrayal of life in a crumbling Hungarian village.
The Melancholy of Resistance
A satirical and prophetic vision of Western civilization, praised by the Man Booker judges in 2015 for its rich, dark narrative.
War & War
A novel that delves into themes of war, history, and identity, with a dense, philosophical style.
Seiobo There Below
A complex, multi-layered narrative exploring the intersection of the divine, the human, and the material world.
The Last Wolf
A reflection on the intersection of human nature and animal instincts, continuing his thematic exploration of despair and existential crisis.
The World Goes On
A collection of stories described as profound meditations on the human condition, nominated for the Man Booker International Prize in 2018.
Man Booker International Prize (2015): László Krasznahorkai won the Man Booker International Prize for his lifetime achievements in literature.
Shortlisted for Man Booker International Prize (2018): His novel The World Goes On was recognized as one of the most profound explorations of modern existence.
Krasznahorkai is widely praised for his existential narratives and the moral and philosophical questions his books raise about society, humanity, and the natural world.
Krasznahorkai's works often explore apocalyptic visions, human delusion, moral collapse, and the interplay of despair and beauty. He has a unique narrative style, with long, winding sentences that mirror the labyrinths of thought and feeling his characters endure.
In 2025, Amitav Ghosh, the celebrated Indian novelist, was among the contenders for the Nobel Prize in Literature. Ghosh, born in Kolkata in 1956, is one of India’s most prominent contemporary writers. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honor.
Notable Works by Amitav Ghosh:
The Shadow Lines
The Glass Palace
The Ibis Trilogy (Sea of Poppies, River of Smoke, Flood of Fire)
Gun Island
The Hungry Tide
India’s own Rabindranath Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his profoundly sensitive and beautiful verse, which he expressed in English and made a part of Western literature.
Manasi
Gitanjali
A collection of poems for which he won the Nobel Prize.
Sâdhanâ: The Realisation of Life
Chitra (a play in one act)
Tagore’s universal themes of human dignity, national identity, and spirituality continue to resonate in global literature.
László Krasznahorkai’s 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature recognition highlights his visionary and compelling body of work, which offers insight into human existence amidst the impending collapse of civilization. His work stands as a testament to the power of art and literature in times of despair.India’s Amitav Ghosh, a literary giant in his own right, was also a strong contender for the prestigious prize, continuing the global dialogue between literary traditions and highlighting the influence of Indian writers on world literature.
The National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) is an ambitious initiative launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare to streamline and modernize agricultural marketing in India. It is an electronic trading platform aimed at creating a unified national market for agricultural commodities, enabling farmers across India to access better prices for their produce.
Launch Date: April 2016
Funded by: The Central Government of India
Implemented by: Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC)
Key Beneficiaries: Farmers, mandis (markets), traders, buyers, processors, and exporters.
e-NAM is designed to integrate and digitize agricultural markets across the country, reducing the barriers created by state boundaries and improving transparency in the agricultural trade.
Create a Unified Market:
Integrates state-level agricultural markets (mandis) into a single national market, enabling better reach for traders and buyers.
Ensure Transparency:
Through transparent price discovery, allowing farmers to know the best possible price for their produce via electronic auctions.
Improve Efficiency:
Streamlines and standardizes the marketing procedures across all the markets, making transactions faster and more efficient.
Assure Quality:
Implementing quality assaying to ensure that prices are reflective of the quality of produce, which helps farmers get better value.
Benefit Consumers:
Stable prices and availability of quality produce are ensured, benefiting both farmers and consumers.
Pan-India Network:
A network of mandis across India integrated into the e-NAM platform, providing farmers with a wide market reach.
Quality Assurance and Assaying:
Ensures that the produce meets quality standards and that prices reflect this quality.
Streamlined Licensing & Market Fees:
Simplifies the licensing process for traders and imposes a single-point levy of market fees.
Direct Online Payments:
Facilitates transparent financial transactions, ensuring that payments are made directly to farmers.
Improved Market Access and Information:
Provides real-time market information, helping farmers make informed decisions about when and where to sell their produce.
Logistics & Integration:
Integrates logistical support to ensure efficient transportation and storage of produce.
e-NAM is coordinated at the national level by SFAC and supported by state departments and other local agencies at the state level.
To integrate mandis into the e-NAM platform, states need to implement the following three reforms in their Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act:
Permit E-auction/Electronic Trading:
Allowing the use of digital platforms for trading agricultural produce.
Single Trading License:
A single license that can be used across the state or union territory for trading in agricultural markets.
Single-point Market Fee:
Imposing a single-point levy of market fee across the state.
The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI) is responsible for defining tradable parameters for agricultural commodities on the e-NAM platform. These parameters:
Standardize grades of commodities.
Link prices to the quality of produce.
Help farmers secure better prices for their produce.
Mandis Integrated: As of February 2024, a total of 1,389 mandis from 23 states and 4 union territories have been integrated into e-NAM.
Farmers Registered: Over 1.77 crore farmers are registered on the platform.
Traders Registered: Over 2.53 lakh traders are registered on e-NAM.
These integrations have significantly improved the reach and efficiency of agricultural trade in India, leading to better price realization and reduced post-harvest losses.
Enhanced Price Realization: Farmers can access better prices for their produce by selling directly to a wider range of buyers.
Reduction in Post-Harvest Losses: By facilitating timely sales and better market access, post-harvest losses have been reduced.
Formalization of Agricultural Trade: Encourages formal, digital trading practices in agriculture, promoting transparency and reducing exploitation.
Stable Prices and Supply for Consumers: e-NAM helps stabilize prices and ensures that quality produce is available to consumers at reasonable prices.
India has launched several digital initiatives to further enhance agricultural development and support farmers:
Krishi UDAN 2.0:
An initiative to facilitate air transport of perishable agricultural produce, ensuring faster delivery to markets.
Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM):
A national mission aimed at digitizing agricultural practices and promoting technology-driven farming solutions.
India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA):
An initiative to create a unified digital ecosystem for the agricultural sector.
ITC's e-Choupal:
An initiative by ITC to provide farmers with access to information, resources, and markets using digital tools.
Agri Market Infrastructure Fund (AMIF):
A fund to develop infrastructure in agricultural markets and improve marketing facilities.
Agri-Stack:
A digital platform aimed at creating a comprehensive database for farmers, enabling better access to services, subsidies, and markets.
National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A):
A government initiative to provide e-governance services to farmers for efficient management of agricultural activities.
AGMARKNET:
An online platform to provide market information and price trends for agricultural commodities.
e-NAM is a critical initiative in India's agricultural transformation, creating a more efficient, transparent, and accessible market system for farmers. With the inclusion of 9 new commodities, it continues to expand its reach, helping farmers realize better prices for their produce and contributing to the formalization of the agricultural sector. Through initiatives like these, India is moving towards a digital, efficient, and fair agricultural ecosystem.
The Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 is a nationwide innovation initiative launched by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog). This initiative is designed to encourage students to engage in creative problem-solving and develop innovative solutions that align with the vision of a self-reliant and prosperous India.
Organizers: Ministry of Education, Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog)
Target Audience: Students from classes 6 to 12 across India.
Alignment with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The initiative aims to foster creativity and problem-solving skills among school students, in line with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Innovation and Creativity: Encourage students to come up with innovative ideas and create prototypes, which will contribute to the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).
Empowering Students: Prepare students for a future where they actively contribute to India's development, driving progress in key national areas.
The Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 is centered around four pivotal themes that reflect the nation's aspirations:
Atmanirbhar Bharat: Promoting self-reliance in various sectors, particularly focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship among students.
Swadeshi: Encouraging the use of indigenous resources, technologies, and practices to boost local industries and foster national growth.
Vocal for Local: Supporting the local economy by encouraging the creation and promotion of local products, services, and solutions.
Samriddh Bharat: Envisioning a prosperous India where every citizen has access to opportunities, contributing to overall well-being and sustainable development.
The Buildathon ensures that students from all regions of India, including those from Aspirational Districts, Tribal Regions, and Remote Areas, are actively included. This will help ensure that the impact of this initiative reaches across diverse communities and regions, contributing to an inclusive and equitable innovation ecosystem.
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We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
Offline/Online Class
