Crest Learning UPSC

8 march……👇

7 march……..👇

➡️Iran is an Islamic Republic established after the 1979 Iranian Revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. • The political system is based on Velayat-e-Faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist) — giving supreme authority to a religious leader. • Supreme Leader – highest authority, currently ……………….. • Assembly of Experts – 88-member body elected by people. – Elects and can remove the Supreme Leader. • Guardian Council (12 members) – 6 Islamic jurists appointed by Supreme Leader. – 6 legal experts nominated by judiciary and approved by parliament. – Vets election candidates and reviews legislation. • Iranian Parliament – Called Majles (Islamic Consultative Assembly). – 290 members directly elected. • President of Iran – Head of government elected for 4-year term (max two consecutive terms). KEY FEATURES OF IRAN’S SYSTEM • Hybrid political structure (theocratic + republican). • Clerical institutions dominate elected bodies. • Strict candidate vetting restricts electoral competition. • Supreme Leader holds ultimate authority. Velayat-e-Faqih Doctrine that Islamic jurists should govern the state to ensure rule according to Islamic law.

➡️India is the world’s largest exporter of rice, Africa and West Asia account for ~50% of India’s rice exports. • Export regulation and promotion handled by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).promotes agricultural exports including basmati rice and supports exporters through policy guidance.

Metabolic diseases occur when the body’s process of converting food into energy is disrupted, leading to conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension and fatty liver disease. • India and China have the highest absolute metabolic disease burden in the Asia–Pacific region. Source: Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 1990–2023 • In 2023, India recorded ~21 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) due to metabolic diseases. • Major metabolic diseases include: • Type-2 Diabetes • High systolic blood pressure (Hypertension) • High Body Mass Index (BMI) • High LDL cholesterol • Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) • Type-2 Diabetes impact (India, 2023): • ~21 million DALYs • ~5.8 lakh deaths • Hypertension impact: • ~3.8 crore DALYs • ~15.7 lakh deaths 👉KEY TERMINOLOGY DALY (Disability-Adjusted Life Year) A measure representing total years lost due to illness, disability or premature death. High BMI Indicator of overweight or obesity based on body weight relative to height. MASLD (Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease) Fat accumulation in the liver linked to obesity, diabetes and metabolic disorders.

➡️• HPV (Human Papillomavirus) – Virus responsible for ~99% of cervical cancer cases. • India records ~1.23 lakh new cervical cancer cases annually. • ~77,000 deaths each year. • India’s indigenous HPV vaccine: Cervavac developed by Serum Institute of India. • India currently uses Gardasil (developed by Merck) in vaccination campaigns.

➡️International women's day 8 march. Theme for 2026, "Rights, Justice and action for all women and Girls"

• India has 100+ million people aged above 60 years. • Elderly population projected to cross ~250 million by 2040. Source: United Nations Population Division • Women live 4–5 years longer than men on average. • 8.8 million Indians aged 60+ live with dementia

6 march…….👇

➡️Why in News Indian government bond yields increased sharply after global crude oil prices surged due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, leading investors to sell bonds and demand higher yields. Government bond yields act as a key indicator of market expectations regarding inflation, interest rates and fiscal conditions. Rising crude prices often push yields upward in oil-importing countries like India. 👉Why Crude Oil Prices Affect Bond Yields 1. Higher Inflation Expectations Rising oil prices increase transportation and production costs, leading to cost-push inflation. Higher inflation reduces the real return of bonds, prompting investors to demand higher yields. 2. Pressure on Fiscal Deficit Higher crude prices may increase subsidy burden and import bills. India’s oil import bill rises significantly when global prices increase, worsening fiscal outlook. Example: India’s oil import bill exceeded $158 billion in FY23. Source: Reserve Bank of India 3. Interest Rate Expectations Investors expect the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to maintain higher interest rates to control inflation. Higher policy rate expectations push bond yields upward. 4. Bond Market Sell-Off When investors anticipate inflation and tighter monetary policy, they sell government bonds, lowering bond prices and raising yields. 👉Economic Implications for India 1. Higher Borrowing Cost for Government Rising yields increase the cost of government borrowing, affecting fiscal management. 2.Impact on Corporate Borrowing Corporate bond yields are linked to government bond yields; hence borrowing costs for businesses increase. 3. Pressure on Current Account Deficit Higher oil prices widen current account deficit (CAD) because India imports most of its crude oil. 4. Financial Market Volatility Rising yields may trigger capital market fluctuations and currency pressure. 👉Policy Response Options 1. Monetary Policy Management RBI may use open market operations (OMOs) to stabilise bond markets. 2. Strategic Petroleum Reserves India can utilise **Strategic Petroleum Reserves Programme to cushion oil shocks. 3. Diversifying Energy Sources Promote renewable energy and electric mobility to reduce oil dependency. 4. Fiscal Discipline Maintaining credible fiscal policy helps contain bond yield volatility. Conclusion Fluctuations in global crude oil prices directly influence India’s inflation outlook, fiscal stability and bond markets. Strengthening energy security and macroeconomic stability remains crucial for managing such external shocks.

👉World Obesity Atlas 2026 (World Obesity Federation) • Children affected in India (2025): • ~14 million children with obesity • ~41 million children with high BMI • By 2040, ~507 million children worldwide are projected to be overweight or obese.

➡️Why in News The World Obesity Atlas 2026 report highlights that India now ranks second globally in childhood obesity, signalling a major public health challenge linked to lifestyle changes and poor dietary habits. “Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century.” — WHO India faces a double burden of malnutrition: persistent undernutrition alongside a rapid rise in childhood obesity, reflecting changing dietary patterns and lifestyles. 👉Key Drivers of Childhood Obesity 1. Declining Physical Activity About 74% of adolescents (11–17 years) fail to meet recommended physical activity levels. Sedentary lifestyles driven by screen time and urban living reduce calorie expenditure. 2. Unhealthy Dietary Patterns High consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks and high-fat diets increases obesity risk. Example: Children aged 6–10 consume sugary beverages averaging ~50 ml/day. 3. Suboptimal Infant Feeding Practices Nearly 32.6% of infants (1–5 months) experience suboptimal breastfeeding. Breastfeeding protects against early childhood obesity. 4. Urbanisation and Lifestyle Changes Urban households increasingly rely on fast food and packaged foods, leading to higher calorie intake. 5. Aggressive Marketing of Junk Food Advertising targeting children promotes high-sugar and high-salt products, influencing dietary behaviour. 👉Health Consequences 1. Early Onset Non-Communicable Diseases Childhood obesity increases risk of Type-2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. 2. Metabolic Disorders Projected rise in conditions linked to high BMI: • MASLD (Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease) • Hyperglycaemia • High triglycerides 3. Long-term Health Burden Obese children are more likely to remain obese adults, increasing long-term healthcare costs. 👉Government Initiatives 1. POSHAN Abhiyaan POSHAN Abhiyaan focuses on improving nutrition among children and mothers. 2. Eat Right India Campaign Initiative by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India promoting healthy diets and safe food practices. 3. School Health Programme Under Ayushman Bharat, aims to promote healthy lifestyle and nutrition awareness among school children. Way Forward • Promote physical activity in schools through sports and active lifestyles. • Introduce taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages. • Restrict junk-food advertising targeting children. • Strengthen nutrition education and breastfeeding promotion. Conclusion The rapid rise in childhood obesity signals a shift in India’s nutrition landscape. Tackling this challenge requires integrated public health policies, behavioural change and stronger regulation of unhealthy food environments. 👉Key Terminology Body Mass Index (BMI) A measure of body fat calculated using weight and height. Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) A condition where excess fat accumulates in the liver, linked to obesity and metabolic disorders. Double Burden of Malnutrition Coexistence of undernutrition and obesity within the same population.