News of The Day – 25th June 2026

The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-1: Society)

• India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has fallen below replacement level (2.1) in many States.
• Low fertility can lead to population ageing, shrinking workforce and higher dependency ratios.
• Policies should focus on healthcare, childcare support, women’s workforce participation and social security systems.
• Managing demographic transition is crucial for long-term economic growth.

(GS-1: Geography)

• Venezuela is located on the northern coast of South America.
• It borders Colombia, Brazil and Guyana, with a coastline along the Caribbean Sea.
• The country lies near tectonically active zones associated with the Caribbean and South American Plates.
• Earthquakes highlight the importance of disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• A passport is issued under the Passport Act, 1967 primarily as a travel document for international travel.
• It serves as proof of identity but is not conclusive proof of Indian citizenship.
• Citizenship in India is governed by the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• Citizenship may be acquired by birth, descent, registration, naturalisation or incorporation of territory.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA) regulates foreign donations to individuals and organisations.
• The government has strengthened scrutiny of foreign funds used for activities linked to religious conversions.
• Organisations receiving foreign contributions must ensure transparency, proper utilisation and compliance with reporting norms.
• The issue highlights the balance between national security, religious freedom and civil society activities.

(GS-2:Polity and Governance)

• PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) is an ICT-based multi-modal platform launched in 2015.
• It enables direct review of major infrastructure projects, public grievances and flagship schemes by the Prime Minister.
• The platform promotes cooperative federalism and faster project implementation.
• It improves accountability, transparency and governance efficiency.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• Article 21 guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty.
• The Supreme Court has expanded Article 21 to include the right to health and emergency medical treatment.
• Timely trauma care is essential for reducing preventable deaths from road accidents and emergencies.
• The judgment reinforces the state’s obligation to strengthen emergency healthcare infrastructure.

(GS-2:International Relations)

• India proposed deeper cooperation among BRICS nations in the emerging space economy.
• The space economy includes satellite services, launch vehicles, earth observation, navigation and commercial space applications.
• Collaboration can promote innovation, technology sharing and capacity building among developing countries.
• It aligns with India’s vision of becoming a major global space power.

(GS-2:International Relations)

• The United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) is the largest U.S. combatant command.
• It is responsible for military operations across the Indo-Pacific region.
• The command plays a major role in regional security, maritime cooperation and deterrence strategies.
• It is significant for India because of growing Indo-U.S. strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

(GS-3:Economy)

• India and the U.S. are reviewing trade issues including tariffs, market access and Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs).
• NTBs include technical standards, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, licensing requirements and regulatory restrictions.
• Reducing NTBs can enhance bilateral trade and supply-chain integration.
• Trade negotiations are important for strengthening economic ties and investment flows.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• BHARATI Programme aims to foster innovation, entrepreneurship and technology development.
• It supports startups, researchers and innovators through mentorship and institutional support.
• The programme seeks to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem and promote commercialization of research.
• It contributes to the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and knowledge-driven growth.

• Ethylene Glycol (EG) and Diethylene Glycol (DEG) are industrial chemicals used in solvents, antifreeze and manufacturing.
• Contamination of medicines with DEG/EG can cause severe poisoning and fatalities. 
• The training was conducted by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) to strengthen drug quality monitoring.
• It enhances pharmaceutical safety and regulatory capacity.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• The challenge encourages students, startups and researchers to develop innovative solutions to national problems.
• It promotes scientific temper, research culture and industry-academia collaboration.
• Such innovation challenges support the objectives of Startup India and the National Research Foundation. 
• They help translate research ideas into scalable technologies and products.