Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Deepavali aboard INS Vikrant, India's first indigenously designed and manufactured aircraft carrier. During the occasion, he lauded the Indian Armed Forces for their unity and achievements, particularly highlighting their role in Operation Sindoor, a significant defense operation.
INS Vikrant is a milestone for India’s defense capabilities, as it is the first aircraft carrier to be designed and built entirely in India. The carrier marks a significant achievement in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
Design and Construction: Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, INS Vikrant is a symbol of India’s growing prowess in the field of indigenous defense technologies.
Commissioned in 2022: INS Vikrant was formally commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2022, enhancing India’s naval strength and enabling the Navy to project its power across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Dimensions:
Length: 262 meters
Width: 62 meters
The aircraft carrier features a massive structure with 14 decks, offering ample space for aircraft operations, maintenance, and crew facilities.
Displacement Capacity:
INS Vikrant has a full-load displacement of 43,000 tonnes, making it a formidable presence at sea.
Propulsion:
Powered by four Gas Turbines providing a total of 88 MW of power, the ship can achieve a maximum speed of 28 knots, enabling it to travel swiftly across vast distances.
Endurance:
With an operational range of 8,600 miles (13,890 kilometers), INS Vikrant can function independently at sea for up to 45 days without resupply, allowing it to undertake long-duration missions.
Aircraft Operations:
INS Vikrant can operate a wide variety of aircraft, including:
MiG-29K fighter jets: For air combat and maritime strikes.
Kamov-31: An early-warning helicopter.
MH-60R multi-role helicopters: For anti-submarine warfare and surveillance.
Indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Navy.
The carrier employs the STOBAR (Short Take-Off but Arrested Landing) mode for aircraft operations, with a ski-jump for launching aircraft and arrester wires for their recovery onboard.
Indigenous Development: INS Vikrant is a testament to India’s capabilities in indigenous defense production. The ship represents years of engineering effort and the success of India’s Make in India initiative.
Enhanced Naval Power: With its ability to carry up to 30 aircraft, including advanced multi-role helicopters and fighter jets, INS Vikrant greatly enhances the Indian Navy’s air power, providing a strategic advantage in both offensive and defensive operations.
Strategic Role: As a carrier-based platform, INS Vikrant is capable of projecting India’s military presence across the Indian Ocean and beyond, safeguarding its maritime interests and enhancing its power projection in the region.
INS Vikrant is not just an aircraft carrier but a symbol of India’s growing defense capabilities and its journey towards self-reliance in defense technologies. The celebration of Deepavali aboard this indigenous marvel by the Prime Minister highlights the importance of the Indian Navy in securing the country’s interests and ensuring the safety and security of the nation’s vast maritime borders. As India continues to strengthen its naval power, INS Vikrant will play a central role in enhancing the country's defense capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region
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.
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 National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) has been a significant initiative to support meritorious students from economically weaker sections, helping them continue their education at the secondary and senior secondary levels.
Launched: May 2008, as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Objective: To award scholarships to meritorious students from economically weaker sections of society, aiming to reduce dropout rates at Class VIII and motivate students to continue their education up to Class XII.
Platform: Applications are processed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), which centralizes scholarship schemes for students.
Scholarships Awarded: Every year, one lakh fresh scholarships are awarded to eligible students.
Amount: The scholarship provides Rs. 12,000 per annum (Rs. 1000 per month).
Eligibility for Classes IX to XII: The scholarships are for students studying in recognized Government, Government-aided, and local body schools.
Direct Transfer: The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the students’ bank accounts via electronic transfer.
Parental Income: The combined annual income of the student’s parents must be less than Rs. 3,50,000.
Academic Performance: A minimum of 55% marks in Class VII (relaxed by 5% for SC/ST students).
School Type: Students must be enrolled in a regular Government, Government-aided, or local body school. Students in Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS), Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS), and other residential schools are not eligible.
Selection Test: The selection is based on a test conducted by each State and UT. The test is usually held when students are in Class VIII.
Renewal for Higher Classes:
Students must achieve a minimum of 60% marks in Class X for continuing the scholarship to Class XI (relaxed for SC/ST students).
To continue the scholarship for Class XII, students must have passed Class XI with a clear promotion.
State-specific Quota: Scholarships are allocated based on quotas for different States/UTs, ensuring fair distribution.
Encouraging Continuation: By offering financial support, the scheme aims to prevent students from dropping out due to financial constraints and encourages them to pursue higher education.
The NMMS is a vital tool in promoting equity in education, especially by targeting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and giving them the opportunity to complete their secondary and higher secondary education. It's an important step in ensuring that merit, not financial constraints, is the deciding factor for educational advancement
The Hyunmoo-5 missile is a significant development in South Korea’s military capabilities, especially in terms of deterrence against North Korea. The missile is designed to enhance South Korea’s ability to respond to threats without relying on nuclear weapons, as part of its Korean Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) framework.
Developed By: South Korea, as part of its efforts to strengthen conventional military power.
Purpose: The missile is designed to deliver deep penetration strikes capable of destroying heavily fortified underground targets, such as bunkers or command centers, that are deeply buried.
Part of KMPR Framework: It is an integral part of South Korea's deterrent strategy against North Korea, meant to punish the North in case of aggression without resorting to nuclear weapons.
Unveiling: The missile was officially unveiled in October 2024, and South Korea is planning to deploy it by the end of 2025.
Size and Weight: The missile weighs around 36 tonnes, which is why it has earned the nickname “monster missile.”
Warhead: It can carry a massive eight-tonne warhead, optimized for destruction of fortified targets.
Range: The missile’s range is flexible, varying from 600 km to more than 5,000 km, depending on the payload.
Speed and Trajectory: It can reach speeds close to Mach 10 during its descent phase, making it extremely fast and hard to intercept.
Penetration Capability: The missile is specifically designed to destroy underground facilities that are over 100 meters deep—a capability that makes it extremely effective against North Korea’s extensive network of underground bunkers and command centers.
Mobile Platform: The missile can be launched from a mobile platform, adding to its flexibility and making it harder for adversaries to track and target its launch locations.
Deterrence: The Hyunmoo-5 provides South Korea with a powerful deterrent against North Korean aggression, particularly against the North’s nuclear weapons and underground fortifications.
Conventional Power: By developing such advanced missile systems, South Korea aims to strengthen its conventional military arsenal in response to the nuclear threats posed by North Korea, aligning with its strategy to avoid nuclear escalation while maintaining robust defensive and retaliatory capabilities.
This missile represents a shift in the balance of power on the Korean Peninsula, offering South Korea a substantial new tool to counter North Korean provocations and increase the effectiveness of its conventional military forces.
The Sevilla Forum on Debt was recently launched at the 16th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) in Geneva as part of global efforts to address the challenges of sovereign debt and ensure debt sustainability for developing countries. This new initiative is expected to foster collaborative dialogue and action on sovereign debt reform.
Initiative: The forum is led by Spain and supported by the UNCTAD and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).
Purpose: The main aim is to provide an open and inclusive space where various stakeholders, including creditors, borrowers, international financial institutions, and academia, can come together to discuss and find solutions related to debt sustainability, management, and innovative solutions for sovereign debt issues.
Context: This forum is a significant outcome of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) and is part of the Sevilla Platform for Action.
Focus: The primary focus is on sovereign debt reform, a key issue for many developing countries facing challenges in managing their debt while trying to achieve sustainable development.
Dialogue on Sovereign Debt: To foster an open space where debates and discussions on sovereign debt can take place between creditors, debtors, and international organizations.
Debt Sustainability and Management: Addressing the crucial issue of ensuring that countries can manage their debt in a way that doesn't hinder their economic growth or social development.
Innovative Debt Solutions: Exploring new approaches to debt management, such as debt swaps, restructuring mechanisms, or innovative financing models to support developing nations in a more sustainable way.
Established: In 1964 by the UN General Assembly as the UN’s primary body for addressing trade and development issues.
Mission: To help developing countries utilize trade, investment, finance, and technology for inclusive and sustainable development.
Key Functions:
Provides economic and trade analysis.
Facilitates consensus-building among nations on global economic issues.
Offers technical assistance to developing countries to improve their economic performance.
Reports Published by UNCTAD:
Trade and Development Report: Annual analysis of global trade and development trends.
World Investment Report: Focuses on global investment trends and their implications for development.
The Least Developed Countries Report: Provides insights and recommendations for improving the conditions of the world’s poorest countries.
The Sevilla Forum comes at a time when many developing countries are struggling with unsustainable debt burdens, exacerbated by the global economic downturn, the COVID-19 pandemic, and rising inflation. The Forum is seen as a crucial step towards finding multilateral solutions for managing sovereign debt and ensuring that countries can meet their sustainable development goals (SDGs) without being trapped in a cycle of debt.
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.
If you haven’t created your account yet, please Login HERE !
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
