Crest Learning UPSC

➡️Where does India stand on child marriage? 1️⃣ What is child marriage? • Child marriage = marriage where either spouse is below 18 years • In India: • Legal age (female) = 18 years • Legal age (male) = 21 years 📌 Measured globally using: Percentage of women aged 20–24 years who were married before 18 (This indicator is used by the UN & SDGs) 2️⃣ Global commitment & SDG target • SDG-5 (Gender Equality) • Target 5.3: • Eliminate child, early and forced marriage by 2030 📌 Child marriage affects at least 9 SDGs, including: • Poverty (SDG-1) • Health (SDG-3) • Education (SDG-4) • Gender equality (SDG-5) • Economic growth (SDG-8) 3️⃣ India’s current position National trend • Child marriage among women (20–24 age group): • NFHS-4 (2015–16): ~27% • NFHS-5 (2019–21): ~23% 🔹Decline of ~4 percentage points in 5 years Absolute numbers • UNICEF (2023): • 64 crore girls globally married in childhood • ~1/3rd of them are in India alone 🔹India has the largest absolute number of child brides in the world. 4️⃣ Is India on track to end child marriage by 2030?——-NO 📌 UNICEF assessment: • At the current pace, progress must be 20 times faster to meet the 2030 target 🔹Decline exists, but speed is insufficient 5️⃣ Why child marriage persists in India? (A) Poverty & economic distress • Early marriage seen as: • Reducing household burden • Avoiding education costs 📌 Child marriage is highest among: • Poorest wealth quintiles • Low female education households (B) Education gap • Girls with no schooling are 6 times more likely to marry early than those with secondary education (C) Social norms & patriarchy • Marriage linked with: • “Family honour” • Control over female sexuality 🔹Laws alone have limited impact without social norm change 6️⃣ Legal framework in India Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006 • Child marriage is: • Voidable, not automatically void • Punishment: • Imprisonment up to 2 years • Fine up to ₹1 lakh 📌 Limitation: • Weak enforcement • Social acceptance overrides law 7️⃣ Government initiatives 🔹 Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (2024) • Nationwide 100-day awareness campaign • Focus: • Behavioural change • Community mobilisation • Objective: Child-marriage-free India by 2030 🔹 Girl-centric schemes • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana • Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya • POSHAN Abhiyaan (nutrition linkage) 📌 Evidence: • Higher secondary education enrolment among girls correlates with lower child marriage rates 8️⃣ State-level variation (DATA) • High prevalence States: • Bihar • West Bengal • Rajasthan • Uttar Pradesh • Low prevalence States: • Kerala • Himachal Pradesh • Tamil Nadu 🔹Shows role of education & social development 9️⃣ Why child marriage is a development issue Health impact • Higher: • Maternal mortality • Anaemia • Malnutrition • Early pregnancy = higher risk of low birth weight Economic impact • Girls married early: • Drop out of school • Remain outside labour force 📌 World Bank: • Ending child marriage could generate trillions of dollars in long-term economic gains globally Way forward • Shift from law-centric to norm-centric approach • Universal secondary education for girls • Conditional cash transfers linked to: • School completion • Delayed marriage • Community-led interventions (Panchayats, SHGs) conclusion Although India has reduced child marriage from about 27% to 23% in recent years, UNICEF estimates that progress must accelerate nearly 20-fold for the country—home to one-third of the world’s child brides—to meet the SDG target of ending child marriage by 2030.

Key data: • Coverage: All rural districts of India • Workers (2023–24): ~12.6 crore active workers • Women participation: ~58% (one of the highest globally) • SC/ST share: ~35% • Average wage (2024–25): ₹241–₹400/day (state-wise) 👉 It is the largest public works programme in the world.

1️⃣ First, the basic problem in TB • TB bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) hide inside macrophages (immune cells). • Scientific data shows: • ~90% of TB bacteria in active infection live inside macrophages • Because of this hiding: • Standard TB treatment = 6 months (drug-sensitive TB) • Drug-resistant TB = 18–24 months • WHO Global TB Report: • Poor drug penetration inside macrophages is a key reason for long treatment and relapse 🤔Why does TB survive inside immune cells even when antibiotics are present? 2️⃣ Key idea of the study 👉 How a macrophage produces energy decides whether TB survives or dies. 🔹 Meaning of macrophage metabolism • “Metabolism” = how a cell produces and uses energy • “Macrophage metabolism” = the energy-making system of macrophages 3️⃣ Two ways macrophages make energy (A) Glycolysis – “fast but stressful energy” • Oxygen needed? → ❌ No • Place in cell → Cytoplasm • Energy produced → 2 ATP per glucose • Produces: • High Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) • High oxidative stress • Effect on TB: • TB proteins get damaged • TB becomes drug-sensitive 🔹Result: ❌ Bad for TB survival (B) OXPHOS (Oxidative Phosphorylation) – “slow but safe energy” • Oxygen needed? → ✅ Yes • Place → Mitochondria • Energy produced → ~36 ATP per glucose • Produces: • Low oxidative stress • Cleaner environment • Effect on TB: • TB remains stable • TB becomes drug-tolerant 🔹Result: ✅ Good for TB survival TB survival was significantly higher in OXPHOS-dominant macrophages. 4️⃣ What TB cleverly does • TB manipulates macrophages to use OXPHOS • This leads to: • ↓ oxidative stress (measured biochemically) • ↑ activation of NRF2 protein 🔹 What is NRF2? • NRF2 = antioxidant master regulator • Function: • Reduces cellular stress • Protects cells from damage 📌 Study finding: • TB-infected macrophages showed high NRF2 expression • This created a drug-tolerant niche 🔹TB creates a “safe house” inside macrophages 5️⃣ What does “rewiring metabolism” mean? 🔹 Meaning of rewiring metabolism • “Rewiring” = forcefully changing • “Rewiring macrophage metabolism” = Forcing macrophages to change their energy pathway 👉 From: • OXPHOS (TB-friendly) 👉 To: • Glycolysis (TB-hostile) 6️⃣ What Indian researchers did • Used an existing drug: Meclicine • Meclicine action: • Suppressed OXPHOS enzymes • Increased glycolytic enzyme activity • Biological effects: • ↑ oxidative stress inside macrophages • ↓ NRF2 activity 📌 Key data: • TB tolerance to isoniazid dropped sharply after metabolic switch 7️⃣ What happened after the switch? When macrophages shifted to glycolysis: ✔ TB experienced higher oxidative damage ✔ TB lost its drug-tolerant state ✔ Existing TB drugs became more effective 🔹 Animal model data • Mouse TB model: • Isoniazid alone → limited bacterial reduction • Isoniazid + Meclicine → ~20-fold (20×) reduction in bacterial load 🔹Hard experimental proof 8️⃣ Why this can shorten TB treatment Currently: • Long treatment because TB survives inside macrophages After metabolic rewiring: • TB killed faster • Lower bacterial load early 📌 Implication: • Potential reduction in: • Treatment duration • Relapse rates • Drug resistance development 🔹 Policy linkage • National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) • TB-Mukt Bharat (Target: 2025) By rewiring macrophage metabolism from OXPHOS to glycolysis, researchers achieved a ~20-fold reduction in TB bacterial load in animal models, making existing TB drugs more effective and potentially shortening treatment duration.

➡️Thorium-229 Nuclear Clock 1.What is a Clock in Physics? A clock measures time by counting regular, periodic changes. Modern precision clocks count energy-state transitions, not physical movement. • Atomic clocks count electronic energy-level transitions • Nuclear clocks count nuclear energy-level transitions 2. Limitation of Atomic Clocks Atomic clocks are highly accurate but limited because: • Electron energy states are influenced by: • Electric fields • Magnetic fields • Temperature variations This creates a need for a more stable reference. 3. Idea of a Nuclear Clock • Nuclear energy states lie deep inside the atom • They are far less affected by external disturbances • Hence, nuclear transitions provide a more stable and precise time standard 4. Why Thorium‑229 is Unique • Most nuclei require very high energy for transitions • Thorium-229 has an exceptionally low-energy nuclear excited state • This energy is low enough to be accessed using laser technology ➡️ Makes Thorium-229 the only practical candidate for a nuclear clock. 5. Scientific Challenge • In solid materials, Thorium-229 does not emit photons easily • Instead, it undergoes internal conversion, transferring energy to an electron • This made direct detection of nuclear transitions difficult 6. Breakthrough Method • Scientists detected electrons ejected during internal conversion • Counting these electrons confirmed nuclear energy-state transitions • This indirectly revealed the “nuclear tick” 7. Key Outcome • Precise measurement of Thorium-229 nuclear transition achieved • Enables development of ultra-precise nuclear clocks • Potential accuracy: far exceeding current atomic clocks 8. Significance Technological • Next-generation timekeeping • Improved GPS, satellite navigation, and communication systems Scientific • Testing fundamental physical constants • High-precision measurements in fundamental physics Strategic • Precision timing is critical for: • Space technology • Defence systems • Advanced scientific infrastructure

A persistently weak rupee constrains India’s income growth by discouraging investment, raising inflation and capital costs, and amplifying external sector vulnerabilities.

➡️Why a Weak Rupee Makes Income Growth Difficult for India A weak rupee refers to the depreciation of the Indian currency against foreign currencies, especially the US dollar. 1. Link between Rupee Value and Income Growth Income growth in a developing economy like India depends on three fundamental pillars: 1. Investment 2. Consumption 3. Macroeconomic stability A persistently weak rupee affects all three, which is why it becomes a growth constraint. 2. Impact on Investment: The Most Critical Channel India is a capital-deficient economy. To sustain high growth, it requires: • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) • Portfolio investment • External commercial borrowings • Imported capital goods and technology How a weak rupee hurts investment • Foreign investors evaluate returns in dollar terms. • If the rupee keeps depreciating, even good domestic returns get eroded after currency conversion. • This reduces: • Foreign capital inflows • Willingness to invest in long-term projects At the same time: • Imported machinery, technology, and capital goods become costlier • External borrowing becomes more expensive 👉 Result: Lower investment → lower production capacity → slower income growth. This is why economists argue that a weak rupee is especially problematic for a high-growth, investment-hungry economy like India. 3. Impact on Inflation and Real Incomes India is import-dependent for several critical inputs: • Crude oil and energy • Fertilisers • Electronics and capital equipment When the rupee depreciates: • Imports become costlier • This leads to imported inflation Why inflation matters for income growth • Inflation erodes real purchasing power • Households spend more on essentials and less on discretionary goods • Consumption demand weakens Additionally: • Higher inflation may force the Reserve Bank of India to maintain tight monetary conditions • High interest rates discourage borrowing and investment 👉 Result: Lower consumption + lower investment = slower income growth. 4. Current Account Deficit (CAD) and Structural Pressure India usually runs a current account deficit, meaning: • Value of imports > value of exports A persistent CAD puts continuous pressure on the rupee because: • Foreign exchange outflows exceed inflows • Currency depreciation becomes structural rather than temporary Why this is dangerous • Weak rupee increases import costs • Higher import costs worsen CAD further • This creates a vicious cycle of: • CAD → rupee weakness → higher import bill → wider CAD Such external vulnerability limits how fast the economy can grow without risking instability. 5. Is a Weak Rupee Good for Exports? A common argument is that a weak rupee boosts exports by making them cheaper. Why this benefit is limited for India • India’s exports are often: • Import-intensive • Dependent on global demand rather than price alone • Structural issues like: • Low productivity • Logistics costs • Limited export diversification reduce gains from depreciation 👉 Therefore, export benefits are partial and slow, while costs to investment and inflation are immediate. 6. External vs Domestic Causes of Depreciation • External-driven depreciation (global uncertainty, strong dollar, capital flight from EMs) → less alarming, usually temporary. • Domestic-driven depreciation (high CAD, weak competitiveness, low capital inflows) → serious concern for growth. Persistent weakness due to domestic factors signals structural economic constraints. 7. Why This Matters Specifically for India India aims for: • High growth • Rising per-capita income • Manufacturing and infrastructure expansion All these require: • Stable capital inflows • Affordable imports of energy and technology • Investor confidence A weak rupee undermines these conditions, making income growth targets harder to achieve, even if headline GDP growth looks strong. CONCLUSION

➡️COTTON IN INDIa 👉Basic profile • Crop: Natural fibre crop • Season: Kharif • Soil: Best in black (regur) soil (high moisture retention) • Climate: Warm (≈25–30°C), moderate rainfall; sensitive to excess rain and frost 3. Regions of cultivation India has three cotton belts: • Northern: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan (irrigated) • Central (largest area): Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP (mostly rain-fed; most vulnerable) • Southern: Telangana, AP, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu 🔹Rain-fed central belt explains higher risk and distress. 4. Types of cotton • Indigenous (Desi): G. arboreum, G. herbaceum — low yield, pest/drought tolerant • American: G. hirsutum — medium/long staple; dominant in India • Extra-long staple: G. barbadense — fine textiles 5. Bt Cotton • What: GM cotton with Bt gene against bollworm • Key fact: Only GM crop approved in India (introduced in 2002) 6. Core problem: Low productivity Static fact: India has a large cotton area but much lower yield per hectare than the global average. This single fact explains most distress. Reasons rain-fed farming, weak public seed R&D, soil fatigue from monocropping, poor extension/agronomy. 7. MSP & procurement • MSP exists; procurement by Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). • Why MSP falls short: quality norms, climate-hit fibre quality, uneven procurement 8. Climate vulnerability Cotton is long-duration, hence sensitive to unseasonal rains (quality loss), heat stress (yield loss), and changing pests—raising risk and income instability. Cotton distress in India is fundamentally a productivity and climate-risk problem, not merely a price or MSP problem. Way forward Shift from price-centric to productivity-centric policy; s trengthen public seed R&D; develop climate-resilient varieties; improve extension/agronomy; reduce over-dependence on a single technology (Bt).

➡️Drogue parachute tests for Gaganyaan mission What is the news? • ISRO successfully conducted drogue parachute qualification tests for the Gaganyaan mission. What is a drogue parachute? • A small parachute deployed first to stabilise the crew module and reduce speed before the main parachutes open. Why is it important for Gaganyaan? • Ensures: • Controlled re-entry • Safe deceleration • Stability of crew module • Crucial for astronaut safety.

➡️Three indigenous duck varieties get a fresh lease of life 1. What is the news? • Three indigenous duck varieties of Kerala have been successfully revived after being pushed to the brink of extinction due to avian influenza (bird flu). • The revival has been led by the Duck Hatchery and Training Institute (DHAT) at Manjadi, Thiruvalla. 2. Which duck varieties were revived? 1. Kuttanadan duck 2. Chembally duck 3. Snow White duck These breeds are important for wetland farming ecosystems of Kerala.

➡️U.S. wants India’s nuclear norms globally aligned 1. What is the issue? The United States has formally expressed that India should align its nuclear liability rules with global norms. This demand is recorded in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2026. 🔹This is not a casual statement — NDAA is a binding U.S. law that guides defence and strategic policy. 2. Why did this issue arise now India recently passed the SHANTI Act, which: • Allows private sector participation in nuclear power, • Caps operator liability at ₹3,000 crore, • Removes supplier liability. This is a major change from India’s earlier nuclear liability law. 3. What was India’s earlier position? CLND Act, 2010 (earlier law) • Operator (usually NPCIL) was liable. • BUT operator had right of recourse against suppliers. • This meant: • Foreign suppliers (U.S., France) could be sued. 🔹Result: • Foreign nuclear companies refused to enter India. • Civil nuclear deal (2008) remained largely unimplemented 4. What are “global nuclear liability norms”? Globally, nuclear liability follows these conventions: Key international frameworks • Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage • Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) Common global principle • Only the operator is liable • Suppliers are protected • Liability is capped • Purpose: • Encourage nuclear investment • Avoid unlimited legal risk 🔹India’s earlier law was an exception, not the rule. 5. What exactly does the U.S. want? Through NDAA 2026, the U.S. wants: 1. A mechanism to assess implementation of the 2008 India–U.S. nuclear deal. 2. India’s domestic nuclear liability laws to be: • Predictable • Investor-friendly • Aligned with international conventions “Remove legal uncertainty for U.S. nuclear companies.” 7. Why is the U.S. interested? Economic • Entry of U.S. firms like Westinghouse • Export of nuclear technology • Long-term energy contracts Strategic • Strengthen India as a counterweight to China • Deepen India–U.S. strategic partnership • Promote clean energy cooperation

21 Dec…..👇

➡️RBI approves Risk-Based Deposit Insurance for Banks 1. What is the news? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved a risk-based deposit insurance premium system for banks, replacing the earlier flat-rate premium system. 2. Deposit Insurance: Basic Facts • Provided by DICGC (govt. Owned body under RBI regulation) • Insurance cover: ₹5 lakh per depositor per bank • Depositors do not pay premium • Banks pay insurance premium to DICGC 3. Old System: Flat-Rate Premium (Problem) • All banks paid same premium (0.12%) • Safe banks = risky banks (same cost) Problems • Good banks subsidised bad banks • Encouraged moral hazard (risky behaviour without penalty) Example: PMC Bank, Yes Bank → weak governance, but no higher insurance cost earlier 4. New System: Risk-Based Deposit Insurance (Change) • Premium depends on bank’s risk • Factors considered: • NPAs • Capital strength • Liquidity Rule • Risky bank → higher premium • Safe bank → lower premium (Like vehicle insurance) 5. Why RBI did this? 5.1 Reduce Moral Hazard • Risky behaviour becomes costly • Banks forced to improve governance 5.2 Improve Financial Stability • Weak banks disciplined early • Fewer bank failures • Less RBI/government rescue 5.3 Reward Good Banks • Sound banks pay less • Fair and efficient system 5.4 Global Practice • Used in USA, EU, Japan 6. Impact on Depositors • ❌ No reduction in insurance cover • ✅ ₹5 lakh protection continues • Reform affects banks only, not depositors

➡️Too Low Inflation as a Cause for Concern Members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India have highlighted that persistently low inflation, though seemingly positive, can adversely affect growth, investment, and financial stability in a developing economy like India. 👉Inflation Targeting Framework • RBI follows Flexible Inflation Targeting • Target: 4% CPI inflation • Tolerance band: 2%–6% 🔹The 4% level is considered optimal because: • It balances price stability and growth • Allows real wages and profits to grow simultaneously Current Situation (Trigger Point) • CPI inflation fell to 0.3% (Oct 2025) • Inflation averaged ~2.3% over the past nine months • Inflation projected at ~2% for 2025–26 🔹This implies persistent undershooting of the lower bound 👉Why Low Inflation Disrupts Economic Linkages 1. Inflation → Real Interest Rates → Investment • Real interest rate = Nominal interest rate – Inflation • When inflation falls sharply: • Real interest rates rise automatically • Higher real rates: • Increase cost of borrowing • Discourage private investment (CapEx) 🔹Low inflation → High real rates → Lower investment → Slower growth 2. Inflation → Debt Burden → Financial Stress • Low inflation increases the real value of debt • Borrowers’ incomes do not rise sufficiently • Repayments become heavier in real terms 🔹Low inflation → Higher real debt → Stress on firms & households → Reduced spending 3. Inflation → Corporate Profits → Employment • Firms face difficulty in raising output prices • Profit margins shrink • Wage growth slows • Hiring decisions are postponed 🔹Low inflation → Lower profits → Lower wages/jobs → Weak consumption demand 4. Inflation → Demand Signals → Investment Expectations • Persistently low inflation signals: • Weak aggregate demand • Lack of pricing power • Firms interpret this as a negative demand outlook 🔹Low inflation → Weak demand signal → Deferred investment → Growth slowdown Why This Is More Harmful for a Developing Economy • Developing economies like India need: • Rising incomes • Expanding employment • Investment-led growth • Very low inflation is often associated with: • Demand deficiency • Under-utilised capacity 🔹Hence, low inflation contradicts growth needs Why Current Disinflation Is Not Fully Benign • Driven mainly by: • Decline in food prices • Not supported by: • Broad-based income growth • Strong private investment 🔹This makes low inflation fragile and misleading Monetary Policy Response • MPC reduced repo rate by 25 bps • Objective: • Support growth • Re-anchor inflation closer to Persistently low inflation, while easing immediate price pressures, can raise real interest rates, increase real debt burdens, compress profit margins, and signal weak aggregate demand. In a developing economy dependent on investment-led growth, such conditions discourage private investment and employment generation, making moderate inflation around the RBI’s 4% target essential for sustaining growth. Conclusion Therefore, inflation that persistently undershoots the target is not benign but reflects underlying demand weakness, necessitating accommodative monetary policy and demand-supporting measures.

A strong defence industrial base is essential for national security, strategic autonomy, and economic resilience, especially in a volatile global security environment. 👉What is a Defence Industrial Base? It refers to: • Domestic capacity to design, develop, produce, and export defence equipment • Involves PSUs, private sector, MSMEs, startups, and R&D institutions 👉Why Defence Industrial Base matters 1. Import Dependence (Core Problem) • India was the world’s largest arms importer (2018–22) → ~11% of global arms imports (Source: SIPRI – static, widely used in UPSC) 🔹Shows strategic vulnerability 2. Defence Budget & Capital Allocation • Defence budget ≈ ₹6 lakh crore (recent years) • ~65–70% of capital procurement now earmarked for domestic industry 🔹Direct push to indigenisation 3. Defence Production Growth • Defence production value: • 2014–15: ~₹74,000 crore • 2023–24: ₹1.2 lakh crore+ 🔹Indicates maturing defence manufacturing ecosystem 4. Defence Exports • Defence exports: • 2013–14: ~₹686 crore • 2023–24: ₹21,000+ crore • Export destination: • 80+ countries 5. Indigenisation Push • 5 Positive Indigenisation Lists • 500+ defence items banned from import • Focus on: • Artillery • Radars • Drones • Naval platforms 🔹Structural reform, not symbolic 6. Private Sector & MSMEs • 100+ defence startups supported • 9,000+ MSMEs integrated into defence supply chains • Defence corridors: • Uttar Pradesh • Tamil Nadu 🔹Employment + regional industrialisation 7. FDI Reforms • FDI in defence: • 74% via automatic route • 100% via government route (advanced tech) 🔹Enables technology inflow + manufacturing scale 8. DRDO Contribution • DRDO • Labs: 50+ • Major systems: • Agni, Prithvi missiles • Tejas LCA • Akash SAM • Current reform thrust: • DRDO → R&D • Industry → Production & scaling 9. Global Context • Global defence spending crossed $2.2 trillion • Europe defence budgets rising post Ukraine war • Demand for cost-effective, reliable suppliers 🔹Opportunity window for India Way Forward • Export target: ₹50,000 crore by 2029 • Focus areas: • Testing & certification infrastructure • Export financing • Long-term procurement visibility Conclusion With defence exports rising from ₹686 crore to over ₹21,000 crore and domestic production crossing ₹1.2 lakh crore, a strong defence industrial base has become central to India’s security, economy, and strategic autonomy.

➡️IN-SPACe Space Labs (Antariksh Prayogshala) What is the news? • IN-SPACe has invited proposals to establish Antariksh Prayogshala (Space Labs) in selected academic institutions across India. About IN-SPACe • Full form: Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre • Nature: Autonomous body • Under: Department of Space • Role: • Promote private sector & academic participation in space • Act as interface between ISRO, industry, and academia Key features of Antariksh Prayogshala • Purpose: Hands-on training in space technology • Institutions: 7 academic institutions (zone-wise selection) • Funding: • Up to 75% of project cost • Maximum ₹5 crore per institution • Users: Students, researchers, startups, and industry • Selection: Two-stage process based on eligibility criteria Objectives (Why government is doing this?) 1. Skill development • Practical exposure to space systems and technologies 2. Industry–academia linkage • Align education with real industry needs 3. Support private space sector • Complements post-2020 space reforms 4. Innovation ecosystem • Encourages early-stage research and startups 5. Regional balance • Space education beyond elite institutions The Antariksh Prayogshala initiative aims to build skilled space manpower by integrating hands-on learning with India’s expanding space ecosystem.

➡️Controversy over ‘Guard of Honour’ for U.P. preacher What is the issue? • A religious preacher was allegedly given a police ‘guard of honour’ at Police Lines, Bahraich during a training programme. Why is it controversial? 1. Breach of State Neutrality • Police, as an arm of the State, must maintain religious neutrality. • Official honours to religious figures can be seen as state endorsement of a faith. 2. Violation of Police Protocol • Guard of honour is usually reserved for constitutional authorities, martyrs, or official ceremonies. • Extending it to a private religious figure raises procedural impropriety. 3. Secularism under the Constitution • Article 25–28: Freedom of religion + separation of State from religious preference. • Such acts risk diluting constitutional secularism. 4. Professional Ethics of Civil Services • Civil servants must act with objectivity, neutrality, and propriety. • Symbolic acts matter as much as formal decisions.

20Dec……👇

Pulitzer Prize — • What it is: The Pulitzer Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in journalism (also given for literature and music). • Started: 1917, after being endowed by Joseph Pulitzer, a famous newspaper publisher. • Given by: Columbia University (USA). • Purpose: To honour excellence, integrity, and public service in reporting and writing. • Why it matters: Winning a Pulitzer means the journalist’s work had extraordinary impact, credibility, and courage—often exposing truth in difficult or dangerous conditions.