Blog

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.

1. Electric vehicles use motors powered by stored battery energy; types include battery electric, hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and fuel-cell electric vehicles with powertrains.

2. National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020 created roadmap; Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India, called FAME, began in 2015.

1. Samudra Manthan – National Offshore Exploration Scheme was approved on 31 July 2026 with a Phase-I outlay of ₹84,084 crore for the period up to FY 2030–31.

2. The scheme aims to unlock India’s offshore hydrocarbon potential by promoting exploration, modern technology, shared infrastructure, and domestic manufacturing.

1. Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in India originated from the Naxalbari uprising in West Bengal in 1967 and was influenced by Maoist ideology and armed revolution.

2. Several extremist groups merged in 2004 to form the Communist Party of India (Maoist), which emerged as the principal Left-Wing Extremist organisation in the country.