Archive

1. India is shifting from merely signing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to ensuring their effective use by exporters. The focus is on increasing exports, investment, employment, product diversification and market access while protecting sensitive domestic sectors.

2. In Financial Year (FY) 2025–26, India’s combined merchandise and services exports reached a record US$ 863.1 billion. Merchandise exports were US$ 441.8 billion, while services exports were US$ 421.3 billion.

1. Bharat Taxi is India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform, established on 6 June 2025 under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.

2. It was founded by eight national cooperative institutions: National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO), Amul, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL).

1. Navigation with Indian Constellation, or NavIC, is India’s autonomous regional satellite navigation system. It provides Position, Navigation and Timing services over India and about 1,500 km beyond its borders.

2. NavIC strengthens India’s technological and strategic autonomy because it reduces dependence on foreign satellite-navigation systems for civilian, commercial and military needs.

1. Decolonization of the Indian mind means removing mental, cultural and intellectual dependence that developed during colonial rule. It encourages understanding Indian realities through Indian experiences, values and local contexts.

2. Intellectual sovereignty means the ability of a nation to create, validate and apply knowledge independently, based on its own civilizational roots, social needs and strategic interests.

1. India–United States defence relations have developed from Cold War-era hesitation into a broad strategic and defence partnership with growing cooperation in security, technology and industrial production.

2. The partnership is guided by a 10-year India–US Defence Framework for 2025–2035, which provides a roadmap for defence cooperation, technology sharing and military coordination.

2. The Africa Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS) was adopted by African Heads of State at the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly. It aims to transform Africa from an exporter of raw minerals into a hub for mineral beneficiation, green industrialisation and value addition.

2. The strategy focuses on green and critical minerals needed for clean-energy technologies, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, graphite and rare earth elements.

1. SHANTI was introduced in July 2026 by External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar as a strategic framework for India’s foreign policy and maritime cooperation.

2. SHANTI stands for Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity.

1. Article 370 and Article 35A Changes

On 5 August 2019, Article 370 was effectively rendered inoperative and Article 35A ceased to operate. The earlier special constitutional arrangement of Jammu & Kashmir was replaced by a new legal and administrative framework.

2. Reorganisation into Two Union Territories

The erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir was reorganised into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir with a legislature and Ladakh without a legislature.

1. India observed the 12th National Handloom Day on 7 August 2026. The day is linked with the Swadeshi Movement, which was launched at Calcutta Town Hall on 7 August 1905 to encourage the use of indigenous goods and industries.

2. National Handloom Day was first declared by the Government of India in 2015. Its purpose is to recognise the contribution of handloom weavers, promote Indian handloom products and strengthen indigenous textile traditions.

1. Indo-Pacific Strategic Shift

The Indo-Pacific framework combines the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean into one strategic space. It has strengthened India’s maritime role alongside its traditional continental focus.

2. Earlier Hub-and-Spoke Model

Earlier regional security was based mainly on bilateral United States alliances with Japan, South Korea and Australia.