The Hindu 3 UPSC Notes for 29 August
2025
Daily UPSC Notes covering key current affairs, prelims pointers, and editorial summaries with exam
application guidance for civil service aspirants.
India3U.S. Trade Row
Tariff Imposition Economic Impact
U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods Tariffs hit: textiles (Tiruppur ¹3,000 cr
(25% reciprocal + 25% secondary sanctions impact), shrimp, jewellery, carpets.
for Russian oil purchases).
GTRI estimates ~1% of GDP could be
Trump called Ukraine conflict "Modi's war." impacted.
Democrats criticised targeting India while Ex-officials: situation turned a "win-win
China buys more Russian oil. into lose-lose." Possible talks at UNGA
sidelines.
Prelims Pointers
Tariffs under WTO ³ "Most Favoured Nation" principle (exceptions: security, retaliation).
Vadinar Refinery (Gujarat) mentioned in dispute.
Compensation cess under GST ended in 2022.
Mains Use
GS-II (IR): Strains in India3U.S. trade despite strategic convergence.
GS-III (Economy): Export dependency risks, WTO disputes.
Census 2027 Pre-Test
Pre-test in Oct3Nov 2025.
First Digital Census, caste enumeration included.
Phases:
1. House listing & Housing schedule (2026)
2. Population Enumeration (2027)
Tools: Mobile app, self-enumeration, real-time portal.
NPR not updated (Citizenship Act, 1955; Citizenship
Rules, 2003 link to NRC).
Prelims Pointers
First Census in India: 1872 (non-synchronous), regular since 1881.
Census under: Registrar General & Census Commissioner, MoHA.
NPR first created in 2010.
Mains Use
GS-I (Society): Demographics, caste data debates.
GS-II: NPR3NRC link, governance challenges.
India3Canada Relations & Security
Issues
India-Canada Diplomatic Thaw Kashmir Security Situation
New High Commissioners appointed Bandipora infiltration bid: 2 terrorists
(Christopher Cooter, Dinesh Patnaik). killed, 1 soldier martyred.
Sign of thaw post-2023 Nijjar killing row. Gurez sector (traditional infiltration
Leaders met at G7 summit in Canada route).
(2025). Kupwara incident shows high LoC
activity.
Mains Use: GS-II: Diaspora diplomacy,
managing crises in bilateral ties. Prelims Pointers: Gurez sector ³ J&K near
LoC, Kishanganga river valley. Kupwara =
strategic north Kashmir district.
Mains Use: GS-III: Cross-border terrorism,
LoC security measures.
Economic Indicators & Industrial
Growth
12
-6
-12
IIP Overall Manufacturing Consumer Durables Mining
IIP growth at 3.5% (July 2025) shows positive sign for investment demand, with manufacturing
growing at 5.4% and consumer durables at 7.7%. However, the mining sector contracted by 7.2%.
Prelims Pointers
IIP base year: 2011312.
Released by: MoSPI.
ISRO Expansion
New Launch Site Details
Location: Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu
Capacity: 20325 launches/year (by 2026)
Rockets: up to 500 kg (SSLV focus), private launches
too
Land acquired: 2,233 acres
Prelims Pointers
Existing launch site: Sriharikota (SDSC-SHAR)
India's first SSLV launch: Aug 2022
Education & Demographic Trends
25 lakh 1.91 24.69 cr
Enrollment Drop Total Fertility Rate Total Enrollment
Fall in enrolments in age group TFR dropped below Lowest overall enrollment
3311 according to UDISE+ replacement level of 2.1 since 2018319
2024325
Mains Use
GS-II: Implications of demographic transition on education planning.
"Demography is destiny only if harnessed with skills, otherwise it becomes a liability." - From
Editorial "Demographic Dividend or Time Bomb?"
MGNREGS Funding Challenges
60% 100%
Budget Already Spent Guaranteed Days
¹51,521 cr out of ¹86,000 cr spent in first 5 Days of unskilled employment guaranteed under
months the 2005 Act
The government is reluctant to allocate more funds despite pending liabilities from 2024325.
Prelims Pointers
MGNREGS: Statutory right under 2005 Act.
Provides: 100 days of guaranteed unskilled employment.
Mains Use
GS-II: Fiscal stress vs welfare needs.
GS-III: Role in rural resilience during shocks.
J&K Floods & Disaster Management
Heavy rains have led to over 40 deaths, with Srinagar & Anantnag severely flooded. CM Omar
Abdullah questioned use of 2014 flood rehabilitation funds.
Editorial Insight - "Déjà vu" 3 Floods in North India
Repeated floods in Kashmir, Himachal, and Uttarakhand show lack of climate-resilient
infrastructure. Early warning and land-use planning still weak.
Mains Use
GS-I (Geography): Impact of erratic monsoon and Himalayan vulnerability.
GS-III (Disaster Management): Case study for preparedness gaps.
"Natural disasters are inevitable, but human disasters are preventable."
Editorial Insights for UPSC Preparation
1 2 3
"War Cry" 3 Bihar "Demographic "Healthcare at an
Elections & EC Dividend or Time Inflection Point"
Credibility Bomb?" Core Idea: India's low
Core Idea: Rahul Gandhi's Core Idea: India's insurance penetration
Voter Adhikar Yatra demographic dividend at (15318%) + high out-of-
highlights alleged "vote risk4youth unemployable pocket expenditure =
theft" during Bihar's voter due to outdated degrees; healthcare crisis. Need for
roll revision. Raises AI/automation threatens preventive care, insurance
questions on EC neutrality, jobs; low skilling expansion, and digital
transparency, and penetration. health solutions.
citizens' trust.
Exam Use: GS-II Exam Use: GS-II (Health):
Exam Use: GS-II (Polity): (Education, Governance): Example for Universal
Example of institutional Example of policy gaps in Health Coverage reforms.
credibility crisis in higher education and skill GS-III (Economy): Public
Election Commission. GS- development. GS-III financing of health.
IV (Ethics): Accountability (Economy): Labour
Essay: "A nation's true
of constitutional bodies. reforms & demographic
wealth is the health of its
dividend utilisation.
people."
