GS–2 | INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. IMF Classifies India’s Exchange Rate Regime as a “Crawl-Like Arrangement”

Subtopic: Global Monetary System & Exchange Rate Governance

Value Addition:

• IMF reclassified India’s de facto regime based on actual currency movement, not any official declaration.

• Crawl-Like Arrangement:

  • Currency moves within a narrow ±2% band around a trend for 6+ months.

  • Indicates RBI is moderating volatility without fixing the rate.

• Difference from Crawling Peg:

  • Crawling Peg: Pre-announced, rule-based adjustments.

  • Crawl-Like: Based on observed behaviour; no formal announcement.

• India officially follows Managed Float, with market forces dominant but RBI intervening to control disorderly movement.

• IMF’s classification flows from Article IV Surveillance, which analyses:

  • Exchange rate trends

  • Intervention frequency

  • Policy intent behind currency management

Subject Analysis:

• Shows India prioritises stability over a fully free float — essential for an emerging economy with volatile capital flows.

• Reinforces RBI’s role in preventing speculative attacks & managing imported inflation.

• Useful for GS2/GS3 questions on IMF surveillance, exchange rate regimes, macro stability.

2. 3rd India–Indonesia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue

Subtopic: Indo-Pacific Strategy & Defence Diplomacy

Value Addition:

• Reaffirmed commitment to a free, open, rules-based Indo-Pacific.

• Emphasised synergy between ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).

• Key areas of cooperation strengthened:

  • Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)

  • Cybersecurity & cyber-resilience

  • IORA-based multilateral initiatives

• Defence industry partnership:

  • Indonesia welcomed India’s plan for a Joint Defence Industry Cooperation Committee.

  • Targets: Technology transfer, joint R&D, supply-chain integration.

  • Ongoing discussion: USD 450M BrahMos missile deal.

• Military-to-military ties expanded:

  • Super Garuda Shield, Garuda Shakti, Samudra Shakti, MILAN

  • Push for new air manoeuvre & joint operational exercises.

• Indonesia’s geography covers key chokepoints: Malacca, Sunda, Lombok Straits — vital for global trade.

Subject Analysis:

• India–Indonesia cooperation is central to Indo-Pacific balance & Indian Ocean security.

• Defence industrial linkages complement rising trade (USD 38.8B).

• Strengthens India’s counter to China’s presence in Southeast Asia.

• Relevant for GS2: IR, maritime security, India–ASEAN.

GS–3 | INTERNAL SECURITY

3. India’s Counter-Terror Reforms After 26/11

Subtopic: Homeland Security & Counter-Terror Institutions

Value Addition:Post-26/11 Reforms:

1. Legal Architecture:

   • NIA Act 2008: Centralised federal terror investigation.

   • UAPA amendments: Broader terror definitions, stronger prosecution.

2. Intelligence Integration:

   • NATGRID: Real-time access to immigration, banking, telecom, travel databases.

   • Strengthened MAC & SMAC for coordinated threat assessment.

3. Maritime Security Overhaul:

   • Navy → overall maritime security.

   • Coast Guard → territorial waters + marine police.

   • Coastal radar chains for real-time vessel tracking.

4. Police & Special Forces Modernisation:

   • NSG hubs in major cities.

   • State-level counter-terror units (e.g., Force One).

   • Upgraded weapons, comms, urban warfare training.

5. Protection of Soft Targets:

   • Airport, hotel, railway security strengthened.

   • CERT-In scaled up to monitor cyber-radicalisation and attacks.

Persistent Gaps:

• No unified National Counter-Terror Doctrine.

• Fragmented intelligence flow (“stove-piping”).

• Weak evidence collection → slow terror trials.

• Tech gaps in AI-based monitoring, encrypted communication tracking.

• Personnel shortages in NIA & State ATS units.

Priority Measures:

• AI-driven intelligence fusion.

• Capacity building for state police.

• Fast-track terror courts.

• Target crypto + hawala financing networks.

• Stronger global collaboration (UN, G20, SCO).

Subject Analysis:

• India’s architecture improved, but gaps remain in coordination, prosecution, tech adoption.

• Critical for questions on internal security reforms, coastal defence, intelligence systems.

GS–2 | POLITY

4. Passive Euthanasia & Right to Die with Dignity

Subtopic: Constitutional Interpretation & Medical Ethics

Value Addition:

• SC asked a hospital to set up a medical board to examine a passive euthanasia plea for a patient in Persistent Vegetative State (PVS) for 12 years.

• Active Euthanasia → illegal under BNS 2023 (Sections 100 & 101).

• Passive Euthanasia → allowed in restricted form:

  • Withdrawal of life support

  • Must follow SC guidelines

  • Based on patient’s best interests

• Major Judicial Milestones:

  • Maruti Dubal (1987): Right to die included under Art 21 (Bombay HC).

  • Gian Kaur (1996): Art 21 does not include right to die (SC).

  • Aruna Shanbaug (2011): Allowed passive euthanasia with strict safeguards.

  • Common Cause (2018): Passive euthanasia + living will = allowed.

• Updated 2023 Guidelines:

  • Reduced experience requirement (20 yrs → 5 yrs).

  • Faster approval — 48-hour decision window.

  • Medical boards now have three members each.

Subject Analysis:

• Reflects India’s move towards a dignity-oriented interpretation of Article 21.

• Balances autonomy with medical ethics and protection from misuse.

• Useful for GS2 topics on judiciary, rights, health ethics.