CIVIL SERVICE INFO

The article provided, written by Shashi Tharoor, discusses the decline of the Washington Consensus (WC)—a set of neoliberal economic policies that dominated global development for decades—and the emergence of a more fragmented, "post-Washington" era. The Washington Consensus: From Orthodoxy to Obsolescence 1. What was the Washington Consensus? Coined in 1989, the WC refers to 10 economic policy prescriptions promoted by the IMF and World Bank for developing countries in crisis. Its core mantra was "Liberalise, Privatise, and Deregulate."  * Key Pillars : Fiscal discipline, tax reform, trade liberalization, openness to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and privatization of state enterprises.  * The Goal : To trigger growth through "trickle-down" economics and market efficiency. 2. Why did it fail? The article argues that the WC was a "one-size-fits-all" remedy applied without regard for local contexts.  * Systemic Shocks : It led to des...

Fiscal Dilemma of Indian Cities: Analyzing the 16th Finance Commission Grants Despite urban centers generating 67% of India’s GDP and nearly 90% of government revenue, the devolution of funds to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) remains disproportionately low. The recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission (FC) highlight a persistent gap between urban economic contribution and fiscal empowerment. The Stagnancy in Numbers While the absolute quantum of grants has increased—from approximately ₹1.3 lakh crore (15th FC) to a projected ₹3.56 lakh crore for 2026-2031—the relative share remains stagnant. As a percentage of GDP, urban transfers hover around a meager 0.13%. With the urban population expected to reach 41% by 2031, per capita devolution is effectively declining in real terms, hindering large-scale urban transformation. The Challenge of "Tied" and Conditional Grants A significant portion of FC grants are "tied," meaning they are earmarked for specific se...

This summary focuses on the technical, strategic, and operational aspects of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system, tailored for UPSC Mains (Internal Security/Science & Tech) and Prelims. Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) The THAAD system is a premier U.S.-developed missile defense platform designed to counter ballistic missile threats during their final (terminal) stage of flight. 1. Key Technical Features  * "Hit-to-Kill" Technology: Unlike traditional systems that use explosive warheads, THAAD destroys targets through kinetic energy (direct physical collision).    * Significance: Increases precision and minimizes the risk of debris from explosive warheads affecting populated areas.  * Altitude Capability: It can intercept targets both inside (endo-atmospheric) and outside (exo-atmospheric) the Earth's atmosphere.  * Range: It engages targets at ranges of roughly 150–200 kilometers.  * AN/TPY-2 Radar: A high-resolution, X-ba...

UPSC Current Affairs: International Relations & Energy Security Article 1: Strategic Depth: The Indo-Canada Uranium Deal and Its Long-Term Impact Context: The recent conclusion of a major multi-billion dollar uranium supply agreement with Canada has significant implications for India's long-term energy security and foreign policy. This article breaks down the strategic value of the deal, its legal framework, and how it fits into the broader Indo-Canadian relationship. The Deal in Detail: India has signed a $2.6-billion Canadian deal with Cameco, one of the world's top three uranium producers. This deal ensures a stable, reliable supply of around 10,000 tonnes of uranium ore concentrates between 2027 and 2035. The Strategic "Why":  * Energy Security: India needs to diversify its energy mix, with nuclear power as a clean, base-load option. The goal is to scale up capacity from 9 GW to 100 GW by 2047.  * Fuel Deficit: India's domestic uranium ore is "low-gra...

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global maritime chokepoint currently facing a near-total collapse in commercial traffic due to escalating tensions between Iran, Israel, and the U.S. Geopolitical Significance Located between Iran and Oman/UAE, the Strait connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. It is the primary artery for oil and gas exports from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. While international law favors "innocent passage," increasing insecurity and insurance premiums (up 10–15 times) have effectively deterred shipping. Impact on India India is particularly vulnerable due to its high import dependency:  * Crude Oil: Approximately 40% of India’s oil flows through this strait.  * LNG: Qatar supplies nearly half of India’s natural gas (LNG). A shutdown impacts power plants, industrial use, and 30% of fertilizer production.  * LPG: Roughly 60% of India’s cooking gas (LPG) imports are sourced from this region, posing a risk to domestic ...

Is International Law Dying, or Just Changing Its Skin? In recent years, the repeated violation of global norms by major powers has led many to proclaim the "death" of international law. From the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza to the increasing unilateralism of global superpowers, the post-WWII legal order seems to be fracturing. However, a closer look suggests that while the system is under extreme pressure, its obituary is premature. The Paradox of the UN Charter The most visible failures of international law occur within the framework of the UN Charter, specifically Article 2(4), which prohibits the threat or use of force. When permanent members of the Security Council bypass these rules, it creates a crisis of credibility. However, as legal scholar Oona A. Hathaway argues, international law has become a "social phenomenon." Even when states violate these norms, they feel compelled to justify their actions using legal language—expanding the definition o...