Abu Dhabi Investment Authority to buy 3% stake in Micro Life Sciences for $200 mn
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is set to acquire a 3% stake in the Indian medical device company, Micro Life Sciences Pvt Ltd (Meril), for USD 200 million. This investment values Meril at USD 6.6 billion, pending regulatory approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Meril plans to use the funds to accelerate growth and strengthen clinical research.
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Mint
8 minutes ago
- Mint
Two-wheeler EV sales skid for first time in FY26 in July, legacy cos retain lead
New Delhi: Monthly sales of electric two-wheelers in India slid for the first time this financial year in July, after recording considerable year-on-year increases in the previous three months, data from the Union government's Vahan registry portal showed. Legacy manufacturers TVS Motor Co Ltd and Bajaj Auto Ltd, however, kept the top two spots, followed by Ola Electric Mobility Ltd in the third place in July. Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker startup Ather Energy Ltd saw a significant jump in its market share in July compared with the same month of the previous fiscal year. Electric two-wheeler sales dipped a little over 4% to 102,871 units in July, compared with 107,654 units in the same month last fiscal, after monthly sales in the first quarter of FY26 rose about 31% year-on-year. TVS Motor sold over 22,000 units in July, followed by Bajaj Auto with 19,650 units and Ola Electric with about 17,848 units. Hot on Ola's heels was peer pure-play electric vehicle (EV) maker Ather, selling 16,231 units in the month. Ather's sales made up about 15.77% of the total electric two-wheeler pie in July, significantly higher than 9.49% in the same month last year. 'July sales for 2W ev have dropped significantly, from 107k in July 2024 & 105k in June 2025 to 101k levels in July 2025. The biggest drop is from Ola, where they are having a crisis of customer confidence. Both supply and demand-side factors are contributing to decline - supply is constrained due to rare earth magnet shortage and demand due to lower interest and limited subsidies,' said Anurag Singh, advisor, Primus Partners. The industry is currently dealing with a shortage of rare earth magnets imported from China due to an export control instituted by the Chinese commerce ministry. The rare earth magnet issue has threatened production of electric vehicles as it is a key component in motors used to run the vehicles. With China imposing restrictions on exports and Indian players failing to get any shipments, Bajaj has threatened a 'zero-Chetak' month in August. Meanwhile, Ola Electric will soon start rolling out rare earth free motors in its vehicles which can help it achieve production without any disruption. While TVS has not given an exact commentary on the situation, the management mentioned during their Q1 FY26 earnings call that the company is "managing day to day production". Ola Electric, which was market leader in the 2-wheeler EV space in FY25, has been struggling to hold its ground as legacy players surge. Ola Electric chairman and managing director Bhavish Aggarwal recently told investors that the company will focus on a profitable approach rather than aggressively pursuing leadership, at a time when TVS has taken its crown. The company has also struggled with registration issues this year, which led to a backlog of vehicles in February to April but has now been cleared. As per its guidance, the company needs to sell 25,000 vehicles per month to break even at an operating profit level. Meanwhile, Ather's Tarun Mehta told Mint earlier that the industry can use light rare earths in motors that have relatively diversified supply chain and whose exports have not been restricted by China. Electric two-wheeler buyers get demand-side incentives under the PM E-drive scheme, which allows a maximum subsidy of ₹ 5,000 per vehicle till FY26. Under the scheme set to run for two fiscals – FY25 and FY26 – the initial subsidy available for consumers was ₹ 10,000 per two-wheeler. The scheme, however, followed the principle of tapering of subsidies and reduced the amount to ₹ 5,000 in FY26, according to scheme guidelines. Under this scheme, manufacturers have to sell electric vehicles at a discount to consumers and later claim reimbursements from the government for the difference. Additionally, the production-linked incentive scheme for automobiles and auto parts provides incentives to original equipment manufacturers for sales of electric vehicles. But the scheme has seen a tepid response from the industry in its first year of disbursal. In FY25, the government doled out ₹ 322 crore to four automakers – one of which was Ola Electric. This amount is expected to rise to ₹ 2,000 crore in FY26, Union heavy industries minister HD Kumaraswamy told Mint in an interview in June.
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Business Standard
8 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Govt sources hopeful White House will modify tariffs on India downwards
Opting to ignore US President Donald Trump's unsavoury social media posts in the larger interest of maintaining steady India-US ties, Indian officials have continued engaging with their American counterparts over the past two days regarding the White House's threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff, plus a penalty, on goods from India. Official sources said on Friday evening that they were hopeful the White House would better appreciate New Delhi's perspective and modify the tariffs on India, potentially lowering them to levels comparable to those proposed for countries like Vietnam (20 per cent) and Indonesia (19 per cent). Government sources expressed surprise at Trump's Wednesday evening (India time) announcement of the 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods. However, they have chosen to communicate New Delhi's viewpoint on the India-US trade deal and the country's long-standing ties with Russia behind closed doors rather than making public statements. "We are a responsible nation, and we would prefer to deal with sensitive issues with the maturity they deserve rather than resort to social media," a government source said. At this point, the government is not considering any retaliatory action against the US. New Delhi's official response during the Ministry of External Affairs' weekly media briefing to questions about Trump's social media posts on tariffs, India's economy, and its relations with Russia was suitably measured. The MEA emphasized that India-US ties have 'weathered several transitions and challenges' and will continue to progress. When asked if India had decided not to purchase F-35 fighter jets, Jaiswal said the question should be directed to the relevant ministry. He added that India and the US have a strong defense partnership that has grown over the years. "There is potential for this partnership to grow further under the India-US COMPACT for the 21st Century," Jaiswal said. On India's energy procurement, particularly regarding Russian crude, Jaiswal stated it is driven by national interest. 'In securing our energy needs, we are guided by what is available in the markets and the prevailing global circumstances,' he said. Responding to Trump's criticism of India's continued defense and energy purchases from Moscow, Jaiswal emphasized that India and Russia share a 'steady and time-tested partnership.' 'The sourcing of our defense requirements is determined solely by our national security imperatives and strategic assessments,' Jaiswal said.
Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- Indian Express
UPSC Key: Anti-Defection Law, Linguistic division of states and Myanmar junta
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for August 1, 2025. If you missed the July 31, 2025 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here FRONT PAGE Sense in Govt: Stay calm amid headwinds, not get pushed into 'bad deal' Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. What's the ongoing story: Indications are that the outer limit for a deal with the US, currently pegged at around October from New Delhi's perspective, could be brought forward, if fresh negotiations are positive from India's point of view. Key Points to Ponder: • Why India's assumptions like preferential tariff differentials and respect for its traditional trade redlines were upended by Trump's abrupt tariff-plus-penalty announcement? • What are the projected economic impact as per economists? • Know the rationale behind India's strategic logic in refusing to rush exports-based trade negotiations. • Why is a 'bad deal' seen as more damaging than temporary tariff impact? • 'India's policy of balancing strategic autonomy (e.g. Russia defence ties) with trade expediency'-what are the long-term trade-offs? Key Takeaways: • Amid all the upheaval thrown up by Donald Trump's tariff blitzkrieg, there are some assumptions that the Indian government had implicitly factored in: —That a bilateral trade deal, like all deals, would involve some give and take; that Washington DC will maintain a differential of 10-20 per cent in tariffs between China and countries such as India; —That the American side would be cognizant of India's traditional redlines that have endured for decades, including concerns over GM food crops and the need to safeguard the interest of the country's vast subsistence-level manufacturing base that has an oversized contribution to the country's labour-intensive exports. • All those assumptions are now under a cloud, as policymakers in New Delhi grapple with Trump's statement announcing a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods from August 1, alongside an additional but unspecified 'penalty' for its defence and energy imports from Russia. Do You Know: • From India's perspective, a deal needs to be clinched precisely for ensuring the gap in tariffs between India and China is maintained, even with a limited early-harvest type of deal. New Delhi did back out at the last minute from signing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (a trade deal among Asia-Pacific countries including China) given the sensitivities of agri livelihoods. • There is, however, greater receptiveness now within India's policy circles to cut tariffs on some industrial goods, alongside a willingness to grant concessions in sectors such as public procurement and agri provided these are matched by the other side, like in the case of the UK deal. • India has indicated its willingness to import more from the US, especially in three big-ticket sectors – defence equipment, fossil fuels and nuclear – to manage Trump's constant references to the trade gap. • There is also an understanding in sections of the Indian government that the US has historically maintained an open stance on trade, which fostered decades of globalisation that benefited everybody, including America. • China is the largest buyer of Russian oil, at about 2 million barrels per day, followed by India (just under 2 million a day) and Turkey. China had agreed to cut tariffs on US goods to 10 per cent from 125 per cent in May, while the US had agreed to lower tariffs on Chinese goods to 30 per cent from 145 per cent. • New Delhi is closely tracking the final American duty offer on China, given its belief that Trump will maintain a tariff differential. US and Chinese officials wrapped up two days of discussions in Stockholm with no breakthrough announced. • For Indian negotiators, extra tariffs on steel and aluminium, over and above the baseline, is an added complication, alongside the proposed BRICS tariff. New 50 per cent tariffs on copper products from August 1 is yet another problem for India, which exported $2 billion worth of copper and copper products globally in 2024-25, with the US accounting for 17 per cent of that amount. Trump's insistence on zero duty access to the Indian markets, like in its deals with Vietnam and Indonesia, is yet another problem for India. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍On tariffs, a what-if story 📍Surprise 25%+ US tariff could pull down India's GDP growth below 6% EXPRESS NETWORK 10 BRS MLAs' disqualification: SC gives Speaker 3 months to decide Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these. What's the ongoing story: The Supreme Court noted that Parliament needs to examine whether the current mechanism of assigning the Speaker the responsibility of deciding on the disqualification of legislators who defect is sufficient. Key Points to Ponder: • What are Articles 122 and 212 of the Constitution of India? • Which constitutional amendment introduced the Anti-Defection Law? • What was the key criticism the Court made regarding the Speaker's delay? • Under Tenth Schedule, who decides defection cases? • 'Supreme Court's rationale in setting a strict timeline for speaker decisions under the Anti-Defection Law'-Discuss • Know the role of the Telangana Speaker in the delay of disqualification petitions. • How the 52nd and 91st Constitutional Amendments shape the exercise of disqualification powers? • What is the Kihoto vs Zachillhu case? • What Supreme Court of India said in Kihoto Hollohan case (1993)? • What Supreme Court said in the SR Bommai case (1994) with respect to Defection? • Compare the Telangana case with other defection crises. Key Takeaways: • DIRECTING THE Speaker of the Telangana Assembly to decide within three months petitions seeking disqualification of 10 BRS MLAs who had switched to Congress following the November 2023 elections, the Supreme Court Thursday called upon Parliament 'to consider whether the mechanism of entrusting the Speaker/Chairman the important task of deciding the issue of disqualification on the ground of defection, is serving the purpose of effectively combating political defections or not'. • 'With the experience of over 30 years of working of the Tenth Schedule (dealing with the anti-defection law) to the Constitution, the question that we will have to ask ourselves is as to whether the trust which Parliament entrusted in the high office of the Speaker or the Chairman of avoiding delays in deciding the issue with regard to disqualification has been adhered to by the incumbents… or not?' • Recounting the various cases that have come up before it challenging the delay by the Speaker/Chairman in deciding disqualification petitions, the bench said, 'We need not answer this question, since the facts of the various cases we have referred to… themselves provide the answer.' • The BRS had initially moved the Telangana High Court, where a single-judge bench gave the Speaker four weeks to fix a schedule for hearing the disqualification petitions. On appeal by the Secretary of the Telangana Assembly, a division bench on November 22, 2024, set aside the single-judge order and asked the Speaker to decide the petitions in a reasonable time. • Directing the Speaker to decide the disqualification petitions expeditiously, within a maximum of three months, the court asked the Speaker not to permit any of the MLAs who are sought to be disqualified to protract the proceedings. 'In the event, any of such MLAs attempts to protract the proceedings, the Speaker would draw an adverse inference against such of the MLAs,' the court said. Do You Know: • The anti-defection law punishes individual MPs/MLAs for leaving one party for another. It allows a group of MP/MLAs to join (i.e. merge with) another political party without inviting the penalty for defection. And it does not penalise political parties for encouraging or accepting defecting legislators. Parliament added it to the Constitution as the Tenth Schedule in 1985. Its purpose was to bring stability to governments by discouraging legislators from changing parties. It was a response to the toppling of multiple state governments by party-hopping MLAs after the general elections of 1967. • The law covers three kinds of scenarios. One is when legislators elected on the ticket of one political party 'voluntarily give up' membership of that party or vote in the legislature against the party's wishes. A legislator's speech and conduct inside and outside the legislature can lead to deciding the voluntarily giving up membership. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Explained: The anti-defection law, and how it has often failed to discourage defection Previous Year Mains Questions Covering the same theme: 📍The role of individual MPs (Members of Parliament) has diminished over the years and as a result healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law, which was legislated but with a different intention? (UPSC Mains GS2, 2013) EXPLAINED Language & division of states Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance Main Examination: • General Studies I: Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country • General Studies II: Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure What's the ongoing story: Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi has criticised the linguistic division of states. But language was not the only basis of reorganisation in 1956. Scholars have long argued that linguistic states helped ensure India's unity. Key Points to Ponder: • 'The 'linguistic division of states', saying it had created 'second-class citizens'-What you understand by the same? • States Reorganization Act, 1956-What you know about the same? • 'The linguistic reorganization of states has resolved some issues but has also led to new disputes'—Do you agree with the same? • What is the impact of linguistic-based state formation in India? • Despite decades of negotiation, the linguistic dispute persists—Why? • What are the socio-political and economic implications of such disputes on regional development and governance? • Discuss the balance between federalism and regionalism in India in the light of intrastate border disputes. Key Takeaways: • Amid a recent resurgence of language politics in the country, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on Tuesday stirred up a fresh row by criticising the linguistic division of states which, he said, had turned a large section of the populace into 'second-class citizens'. • Scholars have long argued, however, that the linguistic organisation of states has been critical in ensuring India's continued unity and integrity. • The British had administered India with two systems running in parallel — a system of direct control in its provinces, and a system of indirect control across 565 princely states. The provincial boundaries India inherited in 1947, were thus products of colonial administrative exigencies and the historical process of integration of erstwhile principalities and kingdoms into the Empire. • The Constitution, which came into force on January 26, 1950, declared India to be a 'Union of States'. The country, at the time, was divided into 28 states, falling under four categories. —There were nine Part A states (governors' provinces in British India), which were ruled by elected legislatures. These were: Assam, Bihar, Bombay, East Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Madras, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. —There were eight Part B states (former princely states or group of princely states), which were ruled by elected legislatures and a rajpramukh. These were: Hyderabad, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Bharat, Mysore, Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU), Rajasthan, Saurashtra, and Travancore-Cochin. —The ten Part C states included both the former chief commissioners' provinces and some princely states, and were governed by a chief commissioner appointed by the President. These were: Ajmer, Bhopal, Bilaspur, Coorg State, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Kutch, Manipur, Tripura, and Vindhya Pradesh. —There was only one Part D state, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which was governed by a lieutenant governor appointed by the President. Do You Know: • Pre-Independence, the Congress had supported the formation of linguistic provinces. But after witnessing Partition, New Delhi was not too keen on immediately creating further linguistic divisions. The so-called JVP committee set up in 1949, comprising Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, head of the States Ministry Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Congress president Pattabhi Sittaramaya, cautioned against the 'disintegrative effects of reorganisation'. • But by the early 1950s, there was momentum in many regions for the creation of linguistic states. On October 19, 1952, Potti Sriramulu, a 51-year-old railway engineer, went on a hunger strike demanding the creation of a Telugu-speaking Andhra state. His death, after a 58-day-long fast, triggered widespread public outcry and protests. Two days later, on December 17, Nehru announced the creation of Andhra, which would officially become a state on October 1, 1953. • The creation of Andhra opened a floodgate of demands for linguistic statehood. Less than three months after the state officially came into being, the Centre set up the States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) under Justice Fazl Ali. • Justice Ali submitted a 267-page report on September 30, 1955. Based on the SRC's recommendations, the political map of India was redrawn to comprise 14 states and six Union Territories (UTs). • In its December 1953 resolution on the SRC in Parliament, the Centre had made clear that language would not be the only criterion for the reorganisation of states. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍'Linguistic division of states after Independence has created second-class citizens': Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi UPSC Previous Year Mains Practice Question Covering similar theme: 📍Constitutional mechanisms to resolve the inter-state water disputes have failed to address and solve the problems. Is the failure due to structural or process inadequacy or both? Discuss. (2013) ECONOMY The Russian 'penalty': India's move to tank up on discounted oil from Russia faces scrutiny Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. What's the ongoing story: With the West's effort to target Russia's oil revenue gathering steam over the past few weeks, India's significant Russian oil imports are now being subjected to a more aggressive stance by Western powers. Key Points to Ponder: • What percentage of India's oil import is imported from Russia? • What is the significance of Trump's 'Russian penalty' threat for India's energy security? • How credible is Trump's threat? • How much trade does India have with Russia? • Why India imports more oil from Russia? • How can India reduce its dependency on oil imports? • What crude oil means? • What are the types of crude oil? • Why India is dependent on crude oil? • Where does India import oil? • India's domestic crude oil and natural gas production has declined steadily-why? • What steps have been taken by the Government of India to reduce the imports of crude oil? • What is the difference between Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP), New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) and Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP)? • How high reliance on imported crude oil impacts the Indian economy? Key Takeaways: • After threatening 'biting' secondary tariffs of 100 per cent on buyers of Russian exports, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods from August 1, alongside an additional but unspecified 'penalty' for India's defence and oil imports from Russia. • Earlier in July, the European Union announced a sanctions package, widely seen as the most comprehensive effort yet by the EU to restrict Russia's revenue stream, placing a ban on import of fuels into Europe if made from Russian oil in third countries like India. • Among other steps, the EU also sanctioned Russian oil giant Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy that operates the 20-million-tonnes-per-annum Vadinar refinery in Gujarat. • A few weeks ago, concerns surfaced in India over a controversial bill in the US that proposes 500 per cent tariffs on countries that continue to trade with Russia. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had also said that countries like India, China, and Brazil could be hit very hard by secondary sanctions if they continued to do business with Russia. • These renewed efforts from the West — exerting pressure on Russia's top trade partners to cut down on imports from the country — are clearly targetted at forcing the Kremlin's hand into ending the war in Ukraine. Do You Know: • Over the past nearly three-and-a-half years, India has openly defended its higher purchases of Russian crude, arguing the primacy of its critical energy needs in its priority. India depends on imports to meet around 88 per cent of its crude oil needs, and Russia has been the mainstay of India's oil imports for nearly three years now. • Russian oil flows to India have so far remained robust, despite criticism from sections of the West and actions by US and its allies against Russia's oil trade. India has, time and again, maintained that it is willing to buy oil from whoever offers a good price, as long as the oil is not under sanctions. Russia has been offering discounts on its oil, its crude is not technically under sanctions, and is only subject to a price cap imposed by the G7 countries and their allies. • It is no secret that Trump has been rather impulsive and unpredictable when it comes to trade tariffs; making sweeping announcements, then pausing and negotiating. The hope in India's oil sector is that the US won't actually implement higher tariffs related to India's oil imports from Russia, as it is in the interest of the US and the global economy that the international oil market remains well-supplied. If Russia is unable to supply its crude, global oil prices are bound to rise due to lower supply being available. • If India indeed decides to cut down on its appetite for Russian crude under US pressure, industry insiders and experts expect New Delhi to negotiate a potential wind-down period for reducing supplies, as replacing nearly 2 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian oil supply overnight is impossible, and it would take at least three-four months to substantially cut down on Russian oil volumes. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍India-Russia oil trade a 'point of irritation' in ties with US: Marco Rubio after Trump's 25% tariff plus 'penalty' THE WORLD Canada plans to recognise Palestine, Trump steps up trade war over move Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. What's the ongoing story: US President Donald Trump on Thursday warned that Canada's decision to support Palestinian statehood could make it difficult to finalise a trade agreement between the two nations, just a day ahead of looming tariff deadline. Key Points to Ponder: • What does it mean to be recognised as a state? • What is the status of Palestine at the UN? • Which countries recognise Palestine as a state? • What is India's stand on Palestine? • What is the significance of the Canada's plan to recognise a Palestinian state? • Know the implications of linking Canada's recognition of a Palestinian state to its U.S. trade negotiations. • Compare Canada's position and responses with those of France and the UK regarding Palestinian recognition. Key Takeaways: • Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney said that the country plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September, becoming the third G7 nation after France and the UK to make such an announcement, stating that his goal was to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution. • The two countries are currently in negotiations to reach a trade deal before August 1, the date Trump has set as the deadline to impose a 35% tariff on Canadian goods not covered under the existing US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). • Carney said Wednesday that the tariff discussions with the Trump administration had been constructive, but cautioned that a deal might not be reached by the deadline. • Israel and the United States have both rejected Carney's announcement backing Palestinian statehood. Almost 150 countries out of the 193 member countries of the United Nations formally recognise a Palestinian state. Do You Know: • The Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States (1933), identified four conditions of a state: 'a permanent population, defined territory, government, and capacity to enter into relations with other states'. • Statehood, according to The Cambridge Companion to International Law, 'has long been the central organising idea in the international system'. While several regions and peoples have over the years sought to declare themselves as independent states, their formal recognition depends on how the rest of the world views them. • The United Nations has a broad criterion for accepting states as Members. Article 4 of the UN Charter states: 'Membership in the United Nations is open to all other peace-loving states which accept the obligations contained in the present Charter and, in the judgment of the Organization, are able and willing to carry out these obligations.' • Procedurally, admission to the UN as a Member State is granted by a two-thirds majority vote in the UN General Assembly. However, the UNGA takes up the candidature only upon the recommendation of the UN Security Council. • The UNSC comprises five permanent members — the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and France — and 10 temporary member countries chosen on a rotational basis. For the UNSC recommendation to pass there must be a vote, with at least nine members in favour and no permanent members using their veto. Essentially, it is the P5 who determine the fate of an issue in the UNSC. • Currently, Palestine is a 'Permanent Observer State' — and not a 'Member State' — at the UN. There is one other Permanent Observer State in the UN — the Holy See, representing Vatican City. As a Permanent Observer State, Palestine is allowed to 'participate in all of the Organization's proceedings, except for voting on draft resolutions and decisions in its main organs and bodies, from the Security Council to the General Assembly and its six main committees'. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍French President Macron says France will recognise Palestine as a state 📍UK plans to recognise Palestine in Sept unless Israel meets conditions: Starmer Myanmar ends state of emergency, junta chief takes charge as head of interim govt Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies II: India and its neighbourhood- relations What's the ongoing story: Myanmar's military junta has lifted the state of emergency imposed since the 2021 coup, signalling its intent to proceed with long-delayed elections in December. The junta announced the formation of an 11-member election commission led by military chief and de facto ruler Min Aung Hlaing, Reuters reported on Thursday citing state broadcaster MRTV. Key Points to Ponder: • Who is Myanmar junta? • Who is in charge of Myanmar now? • Know India-Myanmar bilateral relations in detail • Why is Myanmar important for India? • Since coup in Myanmar, how India has taken diplomatic approach on Myanmar? • Know the significance of the junta's lifting of the 4½-year state of emergency. • Know the Myanmar's political trajectory since the 2021 coup. Key Takeaways: • China has welcomed Myanmar's decision to end the state of emergency and called for political differences to be resolved peacefully. 'We are willing to continue to actively carry out efforts to promote peace talks in accordance with the needs of all parties in Myanmar,' foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing in Beijing, as reported by Reuters. • Since seizing power from Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government in February 2021, the military regime has faced sustained resistance from pro-democracy fighters, ethnic armed groups, and civilian militias. The conflict has led to thousands of deaths and widespread displacement. • Amid these tensions, the junta has introduced harsh laws, including prison terms of up to 10 years for speech or protests aimed at disrupting the election process. In a bid to quell rebellion ahead of the vote, it has also offered cash rewards to militants who surrender. Do You Know: • The word junta originates from Spanish, meaning 'meeting' or 'committee'. The term was widely used in 16th-Century Spain to refer to various government advisory committees as a junta. In 1808, national and local juntas were organised as part of Spain's resistance against Napoleon's invasion. In the following years, the word junta was used to describe governing bodies that emerged during political instability in Spain, Greece, and Latin America. • Subsequently, the term became associated with military rule. Notably, it is different from a military dictatorship. While a junta involves a military cabinet acting as the agent of the ruling military organisation, military dictatorship 'involves a military president not acting as the agent of the military and perhaps even converting the military into an instrument of his personal rule,' Paul Brooker wrote in Non-Democratic Regimes (2000). • In the 20th Century, military junta was frequently witnessed in Latin America. But it was different from juntas elsewhere in the world. 'An institutionalised, highly corporate/professional junta became the norm in Latin America, with the core membership being the heads of the three armed services — army, navy and air force,' wrote Brooker. The juntas outside Latin America, however, had 11 members on average. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍This Word Means: Junta For any queries and feedback, contact Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Priya Kumari Shukla is a Senior Copy Editor in the Indian Express (digital). She contributes to the UPSC Section of Indian Express (digital) and started niche initiatives such as UPSC Key, UPSC Ethics Simplified, and The 360° UPSC Debate. The UPSC Key aims to assist students and aspirants in their preparation for the Civil Services and other competitive examinations. It provides valuable guidance on effective strategies for reading and comprehending newspaper content. The 360° UPSC Debate tackles a topic from all perspectives after sorting through various publications. The chosen framework for the discussion is structured in a manner that encompasses both the arguments in favour and against the topic, ensuring comprehensive coverage of many perspectives. Prior to her involvement with the Indian Express, she had affiliations with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) as well as several coaching and edutech enterprises. In her prior professional experience, she was responsible for creating and refining material in various domains, including article composition and voiceover video production. She has written in-house books on many subjects, including modern India, ancient Indian history, internal security, international relations, and the Indian economy. She has more than eight years of expertise in the field of content writing. Priya holds a Master's degree in Electronic Science from the University of Pune as well as an Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from the esteemed Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, widely recognised as one of the most prestigious business schools in India. She is also an alumni of Jamia Milia Islamia University Residential Coaching Academy (RCA). Priya has made diligent efforts to engage in research endeavours, acquiring the necessary skills to effectively examine and synthesise facts and empirical evidence prior to presenting their perspective. Priya demonstrates a strong passion for reading, particularly in the genres of classical Hindi, English, Maithili, and Marathi novels and novellas. Additionally, she possessed the distinction of being a cricket player at the national level. Qualification, Degrees / other achievements: Master's degree in Electronic Science from University of Pune and Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta ... Read More
