CIVIL SERVICE INFO

INDIA & RUSSIA Relationship  Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Moscow Visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Moscow was significant as it marked his first independent visit to Russia since 2019, focusing on enhancing bilateral relations. During the visit, Mr. Modi received Russia's highest civilian award and emphasized the importance of the strong ties between India and Russia, amidst global criticism. Bilateral Relations and Achievements The visit aimed to strengthen economic ties between India and Russia, with a focus on enhancing trade relationships. Both leaders discussed achieving a bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2030, showcasing the growing economic partnership between the two countries. Additionally, efforts were made to address concerns such as allowing Indian recruits in the Russian Army to return to India. Diplomatic Balancing Act The visit lacked discussions on military purchases, usually a key aspect of India-Russia ties, to avoid inter

Sunita Williams and Boeing's Starliner Mission 1. **Sunita Williams and Boeing's Starliner Mission**    - Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are currently docked with the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft since June 6, due to delays and technical issues.    - Both astronauts expressed confidence in Starliner's ability to bring them back to Earth and are staying on the ISS to test the spacecraft.    - NASA and Boeing are evaluating the propulsion system and helium leaks in Starliner, causing the delay in the astronauts' safe return initially scheduled for June 18.     2. **Starliner's Launch Attempts and Issues**    - Starliner's Crew Flight Test mission aims to enable commercial travel to low-Earth orbits and the ISS, serving as a joint venture between NASA and private space players.    - Several launch attempts were postponed due to issues like an oxygen valve problem, helium leaks, and ground launch sequencer malfunction

U.S. and South Korea sign joint nuclear deterrence guidelines in face of North Korean threats   1. The U.S. and South Korea signed joint nuclear deterrence guidelines amidst increasing concerns over North Korea's nuclear threats, highlighting the solid foundation for enhancing extended deterrence cooperation.   2. The establishment of a joint Nuclear Consultative Group facilitated the enhancement of information-sharing on nuclear and strategic operations between the U.S. and South Korea.   3. The guidelines aim to integrate U.S. nuclear assets with South Korean conventional weapons to effectively respond to North Korean nuclear threats, with a commitment from the U.S. to defend South Korea with swift and decisive action in case of a nuclear attack.   4. Despite the confidentiality of the details in the deterrence guidelines, North Korea is expected to react negatively, perceiving the agreement as a potential threat and expressing mistrust towards U.S. commitments due to recent adva

  Divorced Muslim women are entitled to maintenance under Section 125 of the CrPC 1. Divorced Muslim women are entitled to maintenance under Section 125 of the CrPC:     • The Supreme Court clarified that divorced Muslim women can claim maintenance under Section 125 of the CrPC, irrespective of personal laws.    2. Impact of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986:     • The enactment of this Act aimed to restrict the rights of Muslim women but was upheld as valid in 2001 by a Constitution Bench.     • The Act was interpreted to coexist with the right of Muslim women to seek maintenance under secular laws.   3. The 1986 Act and Section 125 of the CrPC provide parallel remedies:     • Both personal law provisions and secular remedies for maintenance are deemed essential for divorced Muslim women.     • The 1986 Act obligates Muslim husbands to provide for their divorced wives and children, while the CrPC aims to prevent women's vagrancy.   4. Clarification on th