Bandung Conference, NAM & BRICS
1. Bandung Conference, 1955
• Held in Bandung, Indonesia in April 1955.
• Attended by 29 Asian and African countries.
• Focus: sovereignty, non-interference, anti-colonialism, peaceful coexistence and opposition to great-power military blocs.
• Bandung spirit later contributed to the emergence of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
2. Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
• Formally established at the Belgrade Summit, 1961.
• India was one of its founding members.
• NAM supported decolonisation, anti-apartheid struggles and Palestinian rights.
• In the 1970s, NAM countries pushed for a New International Economic Order (NIEO).
3. BRICS
• First BRIC Summit: 2009; South Africa joined later, making it BRICS.
• Seeks reform of global institutions such as the UN Security Council, IMF, World Bank and WTO.
• Supports greater representation of the Global South in global governance.
• Promotes greater use of national/local currencies in trade and alternative development financing.
• Opposes unilateral coercive measures/sanctions not backed by multilateral legitimacy.
4. Bandung–NAM–BRICS Link
• Bandung —> NAM —> contemporary Global South cooperation through forums such as BRICS.
• Common themes: strategic autonomy, sovereign equality, reform of global governance and resistance to domination by major powers.
#CA2026
#GS1mains
1. Bandung Conference, 1955
• Held in Bandung, Indonesia in April 1955.
• Attended by 29 Asian and African countries.
• Focus: sovereignty, non-interference, anti-colonialism, peaceful coexistence and opposition to great-power military blocs.
• Bandung spirit later contributed to the emergence of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
2. Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
• Formally established at the Belgrade Summit, 1961.
• India was one of its founding members.
• NAM supported decolonisation, anti-apartheid struggles and Palestinian rights.
• In the 1970s, NAM countries pushed for a New International Economic Order (NIEO).
3. BRICS
• First BRIC Summit: 2009; South Africa joined later, making it BRICS.
• Seeks reform of global institutions such as the UN Security Council, IMF, World Bank and WTO.
• Supports greater representation of the Global South in global governance.
• Promotes greater use of national/local currencies in trade and alternative development financing.
• Opposes unilateral coercive measures/sanctions not backed by multilateral legitimacy.
4. Bandung–NAM–BRICS Link
• Bandung —> NAM —> contemporary Global South cooperation through forums such as BRICS.
• Common themes: strategic autonomy, sovereign equality, reform of global governance and resistance to domination by major powers.
#CA2026
#GS1mains
❤2
The 19th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) Convention will be held on 07 - 09 January 2027 at Kolkata, West Bengal.
The Convention will be organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with the State Government of West Bengal.
#CA2026
The Convention will be organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with the State Government of West Bengal.
#CA2026
⚡2
Europe’s Geopolitical Revival
Context
Europe faces a dual crisis: Russian hybrid warfare externally and political fragmentation internally. This is pushing Europe from a largely economic bloc towards a more strategic and military geopolitical actor.
Why Europe feels increasingly insecure
1. Russian hybrid/grey-zone warfare: drones, sabotage, cyber/intelligence operations and covert actions blur the line between peace and conventional war.
2. Ukraine war spillover risk: any major incident on NATO territory could trigger direct Russia–NATO escalation.
3. Uncertain US security umbrella: Europe increasingly doubts whether it can indefinitely depend on Washington for defence.
4. Russia’s war economy: Moscow continues to prioritise military mobilisation despite economic and demographic costs.
5. No clear post-Putin transition: uncertainty over Russia’s future leadership creates an additional long-term security risk.
Internal European vulnerabilities
1. Rise of far-right politics: France’s National Rally and Germany’s AfD challenge the traditional pro-EU political consensus.
2. Strategic divisions: European states differ over Ukraine, Russia, defence spending and the depth of EU integration.
3. Economic weakness: sluggish growth limits the fiscal space needed for large-scale military expansion.
4. Fear of German rearmament: stronger German military power may revive historical anxieties among neighbours.
5. “Europe of fatherlands” vs deeper integration: nationalist politics can weaken the EU’s ability to act collectively.
Emerging European response
• Strategic autonomy: reducing excessive dependence on the US for security.
• Rearmament: higher defence expenditure and stronger indigenous military capabilities.
• Continued Ukraine support: Europe seeks greater ownership of the continent’s security architecture.
• Economic statecraft: trade partnerships are increasingly being linked with geopolitical objectives.
• Political consolidation: external threats may push European countries towards greater cooperation despite internal differences.
Wider geopolitical significance
Europe is moving from a post-Cold War “peace dividend” mindset towards hard-power geopolitics. A militarily stronger Europe could become an independent pole in an increasingly multipolar world, but internal populism and economic stagnation may restrict this transformation.
India Angle
• A stronger Europe provides India another pole for strategic diversification amid US–China rivalry.
• India–EU trade and investment ties can strengthen supply-chain resilience and reduce excessive dependence on individual powers.
• Europe can become a significant partner in technology, defence, clean energy and connectivity.
• India must maintain its strategic autonomy by balancing relations with both Europe and Russia.
• New Delhi also needs contingency planning for political instability or leadership transition in Russia, given long-standing defence and strategic ties.
Way Forward
Europe needs greater defence capability + internal political cohesion + economic revival + credible strategic autonomy. India should deepen engagement with Europe without turning its partnerships into a zero-sum choice between Europe and Russia.
#GS1mains
#ESSAY
Context
Europe faces a dual crisis: Russian hybrid warfare externally and political fragmentation internally. This is pushing Europe from a largely economic bloc towards a more strategic and military geopolitical actor.
Why Europe feels increasingly insecure
1. Russian hybrid/grey-zone warfare: drones, sabotage, cyber/intelligence operations and covert actions blur the line between peace and conventional war.
2. Ukraine war spillover risk: any major incident on NATO territory could trigger direct Russia–NATO escalation.
3. Uncertain US security umbrella: Europe increasingly doubts whether it can indefinitely depend on Washington for defence.
4. Russia’s war economy: Moscow continues to prioritise military mobilisation despite economic and demographic costs.
5. No clear post-Putin transition: uncertainty over Russia’s future leadership creates an additional long-term security risk.
Internal European vulnerabilities
1. Rise of far-right politics: France’s National Rally and Germany’s AfD challenge the traditional pro-EU political consensus.
2. Strategic divisions: European states differ over Ukraine, Russia, defence spending and the depth of EU integration.
3. Economic weakness: sluggish growth limits the fiscal space needed for large-scale military expansion.
4. Fear of German rearmament: stronger German military power may revive historical anxieties among neighbours.
5. “Europe of fatherlands” vs deeper integration: nationalist politics can weaken the EU’s ability to act collectively.
Emerging European response
• Strategic autonomy: reducing excessive dependence on the US for security.
• Rearmament: higher defence expenditure and stronger indigenous military capabilities.
• Continued Ukraine support: Europe seeks greater ownership of the continent’s security architecture.
• Economic statecraft: trade partnerships are increasingly being linked with geopolitical objectives.
• Political consolidation: external threats may push European countries towards greater cooperation despite internal differences.
Wider geopolitical significance
Europe is moving from a post-Cold War “peace dividend” mindset towards hard-power geopolitics. A militarily stronger Europe could become an independent pole in an increasingly multipolar world, but internal populism and economic stagnation may restrict this transformation.
India Angle
• A stronger Europe provides India another pole for strategic diversification amid US–China rivalry.
• India–EU trade and investment ties can strengthen supply-chain resilience and reduce excessive dependence on individual powers.
• Europe can become a significant partner in technology, defence, clean energy and connectivity.
• India must maintain its strategic autonomy by balancing relations with both Europe and Russia.
• New Delhi also needs contingency planning for political instability or leadership transition in Russia, given long-standing defence and strategic ties.
Way Forward
Europe needs greater defence capability + internal political cohesion + economic revival + credible strategic autonomy. India should deepen engagement with Europe without turning its partnerships into a zero-sum choice between Europe and Russia.
#GS1mains
#ESSAY
❤4
Bihar Panchayat Elections: Bihar’s three-tier Panchayat polls, due for 253,000 posts, may be delayed till late 2027 because the State Election Commission (SEC) is undertaking fresh delimitation of Panchayat wards based on the 2011 Census, followed by reservation of seats for OBCs, women and SC/STs; delimitation was last conducted in 1993–94 on the basis of the 1991 Census.
#BIHARspecial
#BIHARspecial
❤3
Global Gender Gap Index 2026
1. Released by: World Economic Forum (WEF).
2. India: 131st, with 64.5% of its gender gap closed.
3. Best performer in South Asia: Bangladesh – 79th (71.2%).
4. South Asian ranking: Bangladesh 79th > Maldives 119th > Nepal 120th > Bhutan 121st > Sri Lanka 129th > India 131st > Pakistan 143rd.
5. The index measures gender gaps across Economic Participation & Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health & Survival, and Political Empowerment.
#CA2026
#RANKING
1. Released by: World Economic Forum (WEF).
2. India: 131st, with 64.5% of its gender gap closed.
3. Best performer in South Asia: Bangladesh – 79th (71.2%).
4. South Asian ranking: Bangladesh 79th > Maldives 119th > Nepal 120th > Bhutan 121st > Sri Lanka 129th > India 131st > Pakistan 143rd.
5. The index measures gender gaps across Economic Participation & Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health & Survival, and Political Empowerment.
#CA2026
#RANKING
❤2
4F Pressure and Global Food Security
Context: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has highlighted the growing “4F pressure” - Food, Fuel, Fertiliser and Finance, warning that their simultaneous disruption can trigger a wider global food and development crisis.
1. How the 4Fs are interconnected
• Food: Conflict, climate shocks and disrupted grain trade reduce availability and raise prices.
• Fuel: High energy prices increase costs of irrigation, mechanisation, transport, processing and storage.
• Fertiliser: Fertiliser production is energy-intensive; supply disruption directly affects farm productivity and food prices.
• Finance: High interest rates, debt stress and currency depreciation make food, fuel and fertiliser imports costlier for developing countries.
Thus, a shock in one “F” creates a multiplier effect across the other three.
2. Why it matters beyond geopolitics
• Food insecurity: Poor and import-dependent countries face shortages and nutritional stress.
• Inflation: Higher food and fuel prices create cost-push inflation and reduce household purchasing power.
• Fiscal stress: Governments face larger subsidy and welfare bills.
• Debt vulnerability: Countries already facing external debt problems must spend scarce foreign exchange on essential imports.
• Social instability: Persistent food inflation can lead to protests, migration and political instability.
• SDGs setback: Threatens SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and broader development goals.
• Humanitarian consequences: Children, women and low-income households suffer disproportionately from malnutrition and reduced access to essentials.
3. Significance for India
• India remains vulnerable to imported crude oil, natural gas and several fertiliser/feedstock inputs.
• Rising global energy and fertiliser prices can increase the fertiliser subsidy burden and agricultural input costs.
• Global food volatility can influence domestic inflation and food-management policies.
• At the same time, India can contribute through food assistance, resilient supply chains, diversified imports, digital agriculture and South-South cooperation.
4. Way Forward
• Diversify sources of energy, fertilisers and critical food imports.
• Build stronger strategic reserves and resilient supply chains.
• Promote nano-fertilisers, bio-fertilisers and balanced nutrient use.
• Reduce dependence on fossil fuels through renewable energy.
• Strengthen climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture.
• Improve international coordination so that food and fertiliser supplies remain insulated from geopolitical conflict.
• Increase concessional finance and debt support for vulnerable developing economies.
Conclusion:
The “4F” challenge shows that contemporary security is no longer confined to borders and military power. Food, energy, agricultural inputs and financial stability have become integral components of national and human security.
#GS1mains
#ESSAY
Context: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has highlighted the growing “4F pressure” - Food, Fuel, Fertiliser and Finance, warning that their simultaneous disruption can trigger a wider global food and development crisis.
1. How the 4Fs are interconnected
• Food: Conflict, climate shocks and disrupted grain trade reduce availability and raise prices.
• Fuel: High energy prices increase costs of irrigation, mechanisation, transport, processing and storage.
• Fertiliser: Fertiliser production is energy-intensive; supply disruption directly affects farm productivity and food prices.
• Finance: High interest rates, debt stress and currency depreciation make food, fuel and fertiliser imports costlier for developing countries.
Thus, a shock in one “F” creates a multiplier effect across the other three.
2. Why it matters beyond geopolitics
• Food insecurity: Poor and import-dependent countries face shortages and nutritional stress.
• Inflation: Higher food and fuel prices create cost-push inflation and reduce household purchasing power.
• Fiscal stress: Governments face larger subsidy and welfare bills.
• Debt vulnerability: Countries already facing external debt problems must spend scarce foreign exchange on essential imports.
• Social instability: Persistent food inflation can lead to protests, migration and political instability.
• SDGs setback: Threatens SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and broader development goals.
• Humanitarian consequences: Children, women and low-income households suffer disproportionately from malnutrition and reduced access to essentials.
3. Significance for India
• India remains vulnerable to imported crude oil, natural gas and several fertiliser/feedstock inputs.
• Rising global energy and fertiliser prices can increase the fertiliser subsidy burden and agricultural input costs.
• Global food volatility can influence domestic inflation and food-management policies.
• At the same time, India can contribute through food assistance, resilient supply chains, diversified imports, digital agriculture and South-South cooperation.
4. Way Forward
• Diversify sources of energy, fertilisers and critical food imports.
• Build stronger strategic reserves and resilient supply chains.
• Promote nano-fertilisers, bio-fertilisers and balanced nutrient use.
• Reduce dependence on fossil fuels through renewable energy.
• Strengthen climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture.
• Improve international coordination so that food and fertiliser supplies remain insulated from geopolitical conflict.
• Increase concessional finance and debt support for vulnerable developing economies.
Conclusion:
The “4F” challenge shows that contemporary security is no longer confined to borders and military power. Food, energy, agricultural inputs and financial stability have become integral components of national and human security.
#GS1mains
#ESSAY
❤5
Lunar Nuclear Reactor Race
1. NASA–DOE Lunar Reactor-1 (LR-1): NASA plans to deploy a fission surface-power reactor on the Moon by 2030 under its Moon-to-Mars/Artemis architecture; designed to supply continuous power even during the long lunar night.
2. Space Reactor-1 Freedom (SR-1): NASA’s precursor/pathfinder mission for LR-1; designed around a 20-kW electric reactor system to demonstrate space nuclear-power technology before lunar deployment.
3. Russia’s Lunar Nuclear Power Station: Roscosmos + Rosatom + Kurchatov Institute, with NPO Lavochkin involved, aim for deployment by 2036 to power rovers, observatories and lunar infrastructure.
4. China–Russia ILRS: International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) is the planned China–Russia-led lunar research base; Russia has proposed a nuclear power unit to support its surface infrastructure.
5. Why nuclear power on Moon? Unlike solar power, a fission reactor can provide continuous electricity during the ~14-Earth-day lunar night and in permanently shadowed polar regions.
6. Key risk: Reactor launch failure, crash or meltdown could disperse radioactive material and contaminate parts of the lunar surface.
It also raises concerns over space militarisation, nuclear safety and the need for stronger international space governance.
#CA2026
#GS2mains
#SPACE
1. NASA–DOE Lunar Reactor-1 (LR-1): NASA plans to deploy a fission surface-power reactor on the Moon by 2030 under its Moon-to-Mars/Artemis architecture; designed to supply continuous power even during the long lunar night.
2. Space Reactor-1 Freedom (SR-1): NASA’s precursor/pathfinder mission for LR-1; designed around a 20-kW electric reactor system to demonstrate space nuclear-power technology before lunar deployment.
3. Russia’s Lunar Nuclear Power Station: Roscosmos + Rosatom + Kurchatov Institute, with NPO Lavochkin involved, aim for deployment by 2036 to power rovers, observatories and lunar infrastructure.
4. China–Russia ILRS: International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) is the planned China–Russia-led lunar research base; Russia has proposed a nuclear power unit to support its surface infrastructure.
5. Why nuclear power on Moon? Unlike solar power, a fission reactor can provide continuous electricity during the ~14-Earth-day lunar night and in permanently shadowed polar regions.
6. Key risk: Reactor launch failure, crash or meltdown could disperse radioactive material and contaminate parts of the lunar surface.
It also raises concerns over space militarisation, nuclear safety and the need for stronger international space governance.
#CA2026
#GS2mains
#SPACE
❤2
International Space Station (ISS) is being discussed as a possible contender for the Nobel Peace Prize for symbolising sustained international cooperation in space.
#SPACE
#SPACE
❤3
NEOM: A futuristic megacity project in north-western Saudi Arabia along the Red Sea, launched under Vision 2030 to diversify the economy beyond oil; its flagship linear-city project is The Line.
Interlink: https://t.me/bpscweb/29619
#CA2026
#PLACE
Interlink: https://t.me/bpscweb/29619
#CA2026
#PLACE
❤2
US AI Czar: President Donald Trump appointed Jay Clayton, Director of National Intelligence, as head of the White House AI task force (“Super Intelligence Force”), succeeding David Sacks.
#CA2026
#APPOINTMENT
#CA2026
#APPOINTMENT
❤3
Archer Kumkum Mohod and wrestler Sujeet Kalkal won the inaugural Jaspal Rana Award and Raja Randhir Singh Award, respectively, instituted by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to honour the best female and male sportspersons of the Asian Games.
Interlink:- https://t.me/bpscweb/46369
#CA2026
#SPORTS
Interlink:- https://t.me/bpscweb/46369
#CA2026
#SPORTS
❤3
Patna–Muzaffarpur RRTS: Proposed Patna–Hajipur–Muzaffarpur corridor; NCRTC study underway. It may cut travel time to about 1 hour and improve regional mobility, jobs, industry and multimodal connectivity.
#BIHARspecial
#BIHARspecial
❤3
5 Centres of Excellence for Classical Languages approved by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
1. Classical Assamese - Tezpur University, Assam.
2. Classical Bengali - Visva-Bharati University, West Bengal.
3. Classical Marathi - Deccan College Post Graduate & Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra.
4. Classical Pali - Central University of Odisha.
5. Classical Prakrit - Central University of Gujarat.
#CA2026
#PLACE
1. Classical Assamese - Tezpur University, Assam.
2. Classical Bengali - Visva-Bharati University, West Bengal.
3. Classical Marathi - Deccan College Post Graduate & Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra.
4. Classical Pali - Central University of Odisha.
5. Classical Prakrit - Central University of Gujarat.
#CA2026
#PLACE
❤2
India–MERCOSUR Trade Deal
1. MERCOSUR is a South American trade bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia.
2. India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) was signed on 25 January 2004 and became operational on 1 June 2009.
3. India and MERCOSUR are negotiating to expand the existing PTA, with plans to include services.
4. The proposed expansion may also include a special cooperation framework for critical minerals.
5. India is aiming for a broader PTA rather than a full Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
6. Uruguay currently holds the Pro Tempore Presidency of MERCOSUR.
#CA2026
1. MERCOSUR is a South American trade bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia.
2. India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) was signed on 25 January 2004 and became operational on 1 June 2009.
3. India and MERCOSUR are negotiating to expand the existing PTA, with plans to include services.
4. The proposed expansion may also include a special cooperation framework for critical minerals.
5. India is aiming for a broader PTA rather than a full Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
6. Uruguay currently holds the Pro Tempore Presidency of MERCOSUR.
#CA2026
❤3
Great Indian Bustard (GIB) - Critically Endangered; Rajasthan’s State Bird; Desert National Park, Jaisalmer is its key habitat and site of India’s captive-breeding/rewilding programme.
For the first time, captive-bred Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chicks are set to be released into the wild at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer
#CA2026
#FIRST
For the first time, captive-bred Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chicks are set to be released into the wild at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer
#CA2026
#FIRST
❤4
SCO & India–Pakistan
• SCO National Coordinators’ Meeting 2026: Held in Islamabad, Pakistan; India was represented by Alok Dimri, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs.
• It was the first official Indian delegation visit to Pakistan since Operation Sindoor.
• SCO presidency/chair rotates annually among member states; Pakistan assumed the presidency after the Bishkek Summit (31 Aug–1 Sep).
• India is a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
#CA2026
#SUMMIT
• SCO National Coordinators’ Meeting 2026: Held in Islamabad, Pakistan; India was represented by Alok Dimri, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs.
• It was the first official Indian delegation visit to Pakistan since Operation Sindoor.
• SCO presidency/chair rotates annually among member states; Pakistan assumed the presidency after the Bishkek Summit (31 Aug–1 Sep).
• India is a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
#CA2026
#SUMMIT
❤5