📰 THE INDIAN EXPRESS | EXPLAINED
June 24, 2026 | UPSC Quick Revision
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⚖️ 1. Reproductive Rights & Intellectual Disabilities
Why in News?
Karnataka HC allowed hysterectomy for a 23-year-old woman with severe intellectual disabilities, reigniting debate on consent, dignity and reproductive autonomy.
📌 Exam Focus
• RPwD Act, 2016 — Section 10
• Article 21 & Reproductive Choice
• Suchita Srivastava Case (2009)
• Disability Rights & Informed Consent
🔍 Key Takeaway
The core challenge is balancing
protection, autonomy and dignity when a person cannot provide informed consent.
UPSC Angle: Disability Rights • Women's Health • Social Justice
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🤝 2. India–US Trade Deal: Final Round
Why in News?
India and the US are negotiating a trade deal before fresh US tariff measures come into effect.
📌 Key Facts
• US negotiator: Jamieson Greer
• Proposed US tariff: 12.5%
• India's trade surplus with US has narrowed sharply
• FDI inflows (2025-26): $94.3 billion (record high)
🎯 Why It Matters
The talks will shape:
✅ Market access
✅ Tariff policy
✅ Investment flows
✅ India-US strategic partnership
UPSC Angle: Trade Diplomacy • Tariffs • FDI • India-US Relations
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🛸 3. Fibre-Optic Drones: The New Battlefield Challenge
Why in News?
Hezbollah and Ukraine conflicts show growing use of fibre-optic drones that cannot be jammed through traditional electronic warfare.
📌 What Makes Them Different?
• No radio-frequency emissions
• Difficult to detect
• Resistant to jamming
• Range up to 20–30 km
⚡ Counter-Measures
• Hard-kill systems
• AI-enabled detection
• Advanced radar & EO/IR sensors
• Mobile air-defence networks
🇮🇳 India Angle
After extensive drone use in the India-Pakistan conflict (2025), India needs stronger counter-drone capabilities.
UPSC Angle: Internal Security • Defence Technology • Asymmetric Warfare
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📚 PRELIMS BOOSTER
🔹 RPwD Act, 2016 → Section 10 protects against infertility procedures without informed consent.
🔹 Suchita Srivastava (2009) → Reproductive choice is part of Article 21.
🔹 India's FDI inflows (2025-26) → $94.3 billion.
🔹 Fibre-optic drones → Difficult to jam because they do not rely on RF signals.
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📝 MAINS THEMES
GS-II:
• Disability Rights & Reproductive Autonomy
• India-US Trade Relations
GS-III:
• Tariff Policy & Investment
• Drone Warfare & National Security
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📌 Save for Prelims.
📌 Use for GS-II & GS-III enrichment.
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