A regional trade bloc is a group of countries within a specific geographical region that form an agreement to reduce or eliminate trade barriers (such as tariffs, quotas, and regulations) among themselves. These agreements aim to promote economic integration and cooperation, fostering increased trade and investment within the bloc. The regional trade blocks encourage trade…
The World Bank is a multilateral international organization founded in 1944 with the aim of providing financial aid, advice, and research to less developed countries to promote their overall economic development. The World Bank is a group of five institutions that provide a wide range of financial products and technical assistance. These are: Since 1947,…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international financial institution founded by 190 member countries in 1944. It formally came into existence in 1945, with its headquarters in Washington, D.C. It is regarded as the global lender of last resort to national governments and a major supporter of exchange-rate stability. Mission of IMF The IMF…
One of the principal objectives of the UN is to solve economic, social, cultural and humanitarian issues through international cooperation. Several specialized agencies have been set up to achieve these goals. These agencies are autonomous organizations working with the UN. They may or may not have been originally created by the UN, but they are…
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the most powerful teeth of the UN, being the main decision-making body. It is a fifteen-member body, out of which five members (the permanent members, often referred to as the “P5”) hold a unique Veto power over the decisions made by the UNSC. When a complaint concerning a threat…
(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 17) Topic: GS3 – Internal Security Context The brutal killing of 26 tourists in Baisaran, near Pahalgam, by five terrorists underscores the persistent threat of cross-border terrorism. The attackers, suspected to be Pakistani nationals, disappeared into the dense Pir Panjal jungles — an area notorious for…
(Source – Page 7, The Hindu, 25 April 2025 (International Edition) Topic: GS1 – World History / Environmental History GS2 – Health Governance / Global Institutions GS3 – Science & Technology / Epidemiology / Environmental Sustainability Context A thought-provoking article in The Hindu draws attention to the overlooked yet historically powerful impact of mosquito-borne…
(Source – Front Page, The Hindu, 25 April 2025) Topic: GS2 – International Relations, India-Pakistan Relations Context In retaliation to India’s decisions post the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan has escalated its response by shutting its airspace to Indian airliners, halting all trade, and initiating severaldiplomatic downgrades. Nature of Pakistan’s Measures 1. Airspace Closure Pakistan closed…
1. Keel Laying of Fourth Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel Yard (3040) (Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2124194) Topic: GS Paper 3 – Defence & Security, Context The Ministry of Defence conducted a keel laying ceremony for Yard 3040, the fourth vessel under the Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) project, at GRSE, Kolkata on 24 April 2025. …
