INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) 2025 Daily KEY
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Election of Vice President of India and Gaganayan Mission and its significance for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like India - Japan relations, All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers , Tariff, Central Information Commission (CIC) important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for September 11, 2025 |
- Analog space missions are field experiments carried out on Earth in places that resemble the harsh conditions of outer space. They play a crucial role in addressing the challenges of human spaceflight research.
- For India’s human space missions, it is essential to gather data on Indian subjects to study the physiological, psychological, and operational difficulties astronauts may face.
- According to ISRO, ground-based analog missions—designed to replicate certain features of human space travel—offer valuable insights into health risks and performance issues in space-like environments.
- Beyond preparing astronauts for such conditions, these missions help ISRO develop key protocols for communication, resource management, and other operational processes.
- The only factor missing in these Gaganyaan Analog Experiments, or Gyanex, is microgravity. During Gyanex missions, astronaut candidates and other participants live in a confined module that simulates a spacecraft or space station.
- They follow daily routines, conduct scientific experiments, and rely solely on the limited resources available within the module—right down to consuming specially developed food provided by DRDO.
- These simulations are currently being carried out in Bangalore inside a static mock-up of the spacecraft. The first in this series, Gyanex-1, took place in July, when Group Captain Angad Pratap and two team members spent 10 days inside the simulator, during which they completed 11 scientific experiments
- The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s first human spaceflight programme being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Its primary objective is to demonstrate India’s capability to send humans into space, ensure their safe stay in orbit, and bring them back safely to Earth.
- Under this mission, a crew of Indian astronauts will be launched into a low Earth orbit of about 400 km for a period of three days, after which they will return with a planned splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
- To prepare for this ambitious goal, ISRO has been conducting extensive groundwork, including the development of a human-rated launch vehicle (the GSLV Mk-III, now called LVM-3), an orbital module consisting of a crew module and a service module, and life-support systems.
- Astronaut training is being carried out in collaboration with international agencies, with Indian Air Force test pilots selected as the first batch of astronaut candidates.
- Before the final human mission, ISRO plans to launch a series of uncrewed test flights, including one carrying a humanoid robot named “Vyommitra,” which will simulate human responses in space.
- In addition, analog experiments such as the Gaganyaan Analog Experiments (Gyanex) are being conducted on Earth to test protocols related to confinement, communication, and resource management under space-like conditions.
- The mission is not just about sending humans into space—it marks a major leap in India’s space programme, strengthening indigenous capabilities in aerospace technology, human spaceflight safety, and space medicine.
- It is also expected to create spin-off benefits for science, technology, and industry. The first crewed flight is scheduled for 2027, and its success would place India among the select group of nations—currently including the United States, Russia, and China—that have independently carried out human space missions
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Answer (A)
Statement 1: PSLVs launch satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites. Statement 2: Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth. Statement 3: GSLV Mk III is a four-stage launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.
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- The Vice-President of India is chosen by an electoral college consisting of members from both Houses of Parliament—Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha—including nominated members. Unlike the Presidential election, members of state legislatures do not take part.
- The election is conducted in Parliament House, New Delhi, through a secret ballot using the proportional representation system with a single transferable vote. Each MP votes by marking preferences among the candidates, and all votes carry equal weight.
- To win, a candidate must secure the required quota of votes, which is calculated by dividing the total valid votes by two and adding one (ignoring fractions).
- If no candidate reaches this quota in the first round, the one with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed according to second preferences. This process continues until one candidate secures the quota.
- Eligibility to contest requires Indian citizenship, a minimum age of 35 years, and qualification to be elected to the Rajya Sabha.
- The candidate must also be a registered voter in a parliamentary constituency and not hold any office of profit under the Union or state governments, except certain posts such as President, Governor, or Minister.
- In the recent election, both the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD and K Chandrashekar Rao’s BRS announced that their MPs would abstain, despite not being aligned with either the NDA or the INDIA bloc.
- Among the candidates, Radhakrishnan is the Governor of Maharashtra, while Justice Sudershan Reddy is a retired Supreme Court judge. The election was necessitated after Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar unexpectedly resigned on July 21, the opening day of the monsoon session of Parliament, citing health reasons.
- At present, the electoral college for the Vice-President’s election consists of 781 MPs—239 from the Rajya Sabha and 542 from the Lok Sabha
- The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are not the members of that House.
- While the nominated members of the two Houses of the Parliament have no voting right in the presidential election, they have the right to vote in the election of the Vice President.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer (b)
Statement 1: The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are not the members of that House.
Statement 2: While the nominated members of the two Houses of Parliament have no voting right in the presidential election, they have the right to vote in the election of the Vice President.
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For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international Significance
For Mains Examination: GS II - International relations
Context:
AT A time when the US administration has come down hard on the Indian economy by imposing tariffs and President Donald Trump described it as a “dead economy”, Japan has increased its investment target from 5 trillion Yen (USD 34 billion) to 10 trillion Yen (USD 68 billion), in what is being seen as a vote of confidence for New Delhi
Read about:
What is the history of India-Japan relations?
What are the areas of cooperation between India and Japan?
Key takeaways:
The India–Japan partnership, uniting two of Asia’s strongest democracies and major global economies, is anchored in civilizational ties and reinforced by their converging regional and global perspectives.
India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) are closely aligned with Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision. Japan heads the IPOI’s connectivity pillar and remains India’s largest Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) contributor.
Bilateral cooperation spans multiple multilateral and plurilateral frameworks, including the Quad, International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI). Regular military and maritime exercises—Malabar (with the US and Australia), Milan, JIMEX, and Dharma Guardian—along with Coast Guard collaborations, have enhanced interoperability, with 2024–25 witnessing deeper service-level engagements.
Key Elements of India–Japan Cooperation
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Investment Commitments: Over 170 MoUs signed in two years have brought in USD 13 billion+ investments, across steel, automotive, renewables, semiconductors, aerospace, and real estate. Japan had initially pledged 5 trillion Yen in investments by 2026, but with that target met by 2025, the goal has now been doubled to 10 trillion Yen.
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SME Growth: Japanese industrial partnerships are integrating Indian SMEs into global supply chains, expanding their international footprint.
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Agriculture & Sustainability: Collaboration in green energy and sustainable farming is helping uplift India’s rural economy.
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Exports & Manufacturing: Joint ventures and Japanese technological expertise are expected to significantly boost India’s manufacturing base and export potential.
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Talent & Knowledge Exchange: A target of 5 lakh India–Japan exchanges over five years has been set, covering education, internships, and employment in areas like semiconductors, AI, robotics, IT, and clean energy.
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Northeast Development: The Assam–ASEAN Holdings MoU underscores Japan’s commitment to investing in industrial infrastructure, agro-based industries, and logistics in India’s Northeast.
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“Make in India, Make for the World”: The partnership now extends beyond bilateral cooperation, with joint efforts showcased at forums like the Japan–India–Africa Forum and TICAD Summit. Priorities include rare earths, lithium, cobalt security, semiconductor and EV supply chains, and expanding export markets in Africa and the Middle East.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent Japan visit, marked symbolically by a bullet train ride with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, highlighted Japan’s growing trust in India’s economic potential. This evolving strategic and economic partnership is shaping not only bilateral prosperity but also broader regional stability and resilience
Follow Up Question
1.Consider the following countries (UPSC CSE 2014)
1. Denmark
2. Japan
3. Russian Federation
4. United Kingdom
5. United States of America
Which of the above are the members of the ‘Arctic Council’?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 3 and 5 only
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Answer (d)
The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation among Arctic States. Its members are the eight countries with territory in the Arctic:
👉 Japan and the United Kingdom are not members, but they are observer states. So, from the given list:
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- The Labour Bureau under the Ministry of Labour & Employment has published the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) for July 2025, using 2019=100 as the base year.
- The indices are compiled from data gathered across 787 sample villages in 34 States and Union Territories.
- In July 2025, the All-India CPI for Agricultural Labourers rose by 1.23 points, reaching 135.31, while the CPI for Rural Labourers went up by 1.30 points to 135.66.
- The Food Index registered an increase of 1.94 points for Agricultural Labourers and 2.16 points for Rural Labourers during the same month
- The Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) are important statistical measures released by the Labour Bureau under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- These indices are designed to track changes in the cost of living of two specific groups in India’s rural economy: agricultural labourers, who mainly depend on farm work for their livelihood, and rural labourers, who include both agricultural and non-agricultural rural workers.
- Both indices are compiled by collecting price data from a wide sample of villages across different States and Union Territories. The base year currently used for comparison is 2019=100, meaning all changes in prices are measured against the cost structure prevailing in 2019.
- By observing how the indices move each month, policymakers can assess how inflation is affecting rural households, particularly the poorest segments who spend a major share of their income on food and essential goods.
- The CPI-AL and CPI-RL are also significant because they are often used for revising wages under the Minimum Wages Act and for adjusting various government welfare programmes.
- Since agricultural labourers and rural workers are among the most vulnerable groups, these indices provide a more realistic picture of inflation at the grassroots level compared to urban-focused indices.
- A rise in these indices usually reflects an increase in the prices of food items and other essentials, which directly impacts the standard of living of rural households
- The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is an important economic indicator used to measure inflation at the wholesale level in India. Unlike the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which reflects the retail prices paid by consumers, the WPI tracks the prices of goods traded in bulk, typically before they reach the retail market. It shows the average change in prices of a fixed basket of goods at the wholesale stage, thereby giving an early signal of price movements in the economy.
- In India, the WPI is released every month by the Office of the Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The current base year for calculating the WPI is 2011–12 = 100. The index covers a wide range of goods divided into three major categories:
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Primary Articles (like food items, cereals, fruits, vegetables, minerals)
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Fuel and Power (like coal, electricity, petroleum products)
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Manufactured Products (like textiles, chemicals, cement, metals, machinery, etc.)
- By tracking price fluctuations in these categories, WPI provides valuable insights into supply-side inflationary pressures in the economy. For instance, if fuel prices rise, it gets reflected in the WPI, which in turn can push up costs in other sectors as well.
- Although the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) now mainly uses CPI as the benchmark for inflation targeting under its monetary policy framework, WPI is still widely used by the government, businesses, and analysts. It helps in understanding trends in wholesale markets, adjusting prices in long-term contracts, and formulating policies related to trade, industry, and agriculture
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Answer (A)
Statement 1: The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that in Wholesale Price Index (WPI). ✅
Statement 2: The WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which CPI does. ✅
Statement 3: Reserve Bank of India has now adopted WPI as its key measure of inflation and to decide on changing the key policy rates. âŒ
✅ Correct Answer: A. 1 and 2 only |
- In early August, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that imports from India would face a 50% tariff, which includes a 25% penalty linked to India’s oil trade with Russia. Such a move poses significant challenges for the Indian economy, raising questions about the country’s policy response.
- Tariffs are essentially import taxes levied by one country on goods from another. For nearly two decades, the U.S.—the largest global export market—maintained average tariffs between 2–3%. This situation changed dramatically when President Trump announced a sharp tariff hike on April 2, 2024.
- If these new U.S. tariffs on India are implemented, the cost of an Indian product will rise substantially for American buyers. For instance, a shirt exported from India at $10 would end up costing $15 in the U.S. market.
- In comparison, competitors like Vietnam or Bangladesh would still be able to sell similar shirts for $12 or less, leaving Indian exports at a disadvantage. Initially, Trump’s tariff war targeted China, with tariffs as high as 145%.
- However, after negotiations, U.S. duties on Chinese goods were reduced to 30%. Paradoxically, India—despite being considered a close U.S. partner—now faces some of the steepest tariffs, alongside Brazil.
- For India, exports of textiles, pharmaceuticals, IT services, and other goods to the U.S. are vital in narrowing the trade deficit. Trump’s tariffs could cause job and income losses in the short term. At the same time, Washington is pressing New Delhi to open its markets further to U.S. farm products, particularly dairy, which could negatively impact Indian farmers.
- The ongoing tariff war also demonstrates that cheap labour alone cannot guarantee long-term export competitiveness. China’s dominance stems from its scale of production, strong infrastructure, and technological edge.
- It commands global market shares of over 36% in textiles and nearly 25% in machinery and electrical goods, whereas India’s shares stand at only 4.4% and 0.9%.
- China’s deep integration into global supply chains and its control over strategic resources such as rare earths likely encouraged the U.S. to ease tensions with Beijing. Meanwhile, persistent uncertainty and tariff hikes elsewhere may discourage global firms from shifting operations to countries like India and Vietnam.
- If India continues to rely mainly on its low-wage advantage, it risks remaining at the margins of global trade, constantly undercut by cheaper suppliers and vulnerable to protectionist policies of wealthier nations. Despite early progress, India’s IT and pharmaceutical sectors still focus largely on low-value work due to weak investment in research and innovation.
- Another structural challenge lies in the shrinking demand from advanced economies. For decades, consumers in developed countries fueled export-led growth in nations like China. But with ageing populations, rising inequality, and protectionist barriers, Western markets are becoming less accessible.
- The future growth of countries such as India and China must therefore come from domestic demand, requiring a transition where citizens are not just low-cost producers but also consumers with rising incomes. This transformation demands bold economic reforms, rapid wage growth, and a shift toward knowledge- and technology-driven industries.
- India’s demographic advantage could play a decisive role here. One in every five young people in the world today lives in India. With around 120 million youths currently in higher education or training—comparable to Japan’s population—India’s young workforce could drive the global knowledge economy, provided the government implements robust skill development and policy initiatives.
- The track record of Indian immigrants in the U.S. highlights this potential. Since the 1970s, engineers, doctors, and professionals trained in Indian universities have steadily migrated to the U.S., with their population growing from 0.3 million in 1982 to over 3.2 million by 2023.
- Although they form just 1% of the U.S. population, their contributions in education, research, entrepreneurship, and corporate leadership have been disproportionately high, reinforcing America’s technological edge.
- For the U.S., overlooking India’s strategic importance by focusing narrowly on trade numbers would be short-sighted. Restricting opportunities for young Indians through visas or employment barriers may eventually harm the U.S. more than India, as this talent pool represents one of the strongest drivers of global innovation and economic growth in the coming decades
1.Recently, the U.S. imposed steep tariffs on Indian imports. Consider the following statements about tariffs and their implications:
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A tariff is a tax imposed on imports, which makes foreign goods more expensive in the domestic market.
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The U.S. had maintained an average tariff rate of about 2–3% for nearly two decades until 2024.
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India’s textile exports face higher U.S. tariffs compared to competitors like Vietnam and Bangladesh, reducing India’s price competitiveness.
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The U.S. tariffs on China were reduced from 145% to 30% after both countries agreed to ease tensions.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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Answer (d)
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Evolution of the RTI Act, 2005
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The RTI Act, 2005 marked a major step in strengthening freedom of information in India. The Bill was introduced in Parliament in December 2004, passed by the Lok Sabha on 11 May 2005 and the Rajya Sabha on the following day, before finally coming into effect on 12 October 2005.
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Interestingly, the Union government had earlier enacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2002, but as rules were never notified, it remained non-operational. The RTI Act was thus prepared afresh and implemented in 2005.
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With this law, India joined a select group of nations having similar legislation. The first such law was enacted in Sweden in 1766, followed by the US in 1966, and the UK in 2005. Today, nearly 120 countries across the world have comparable provisions.
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The RTI Act empowered citizens to seek information from public authorities, thereby making governments more accountable and transparent. It became a vital instrument for citizen empowerment and participatory democracy
Central and State Information Commissions
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To enforce its provisions, the Act established the Central Information Commission (CIC) and corresponding State Information Commissions to hear complaints and appeals.
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As per Section 12, the CIC is composed of a Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and up to 10 Information Commissioners (ICs), depending on requirements.
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Originally, the Act provided CIC and ICs with status and service conditions similar to that of members of the Election Commission of India, including a fixed five-year tenure.
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However, the 2019 Amendment diluted this by giving the Union government discretion over their tenure, salary, and terms of service, thereby reducing their autonomy.
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The CIC’s jurisdiction covers all Central Public Authorities. Its functions, outlined in Sections 18, 19, 20 and 25, include:
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Deciding second appeals for information,
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Directing proactive disclosure and record maintenance,
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Handling complaints of denied access to information,
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Imposing penalties on defaulters, and
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Preparing annual reports on implementation.
- Importantly, the CIC cannot interfere in matters under the State Information Commissions, and no appeal lies to the CIC against their orders.
- According to Section 2(f), information may include records, files, memos, e-mails, circulars, reports, contracts, samples, electronic data, and even information held by private bodies if accessible by a public authority under existing laws
- Certain intelligence and security agencies listed in the Second Schedule are exempted from sharing information. However, this protection does not apply in cases involving corruption or human rights violations.
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Right to Privacy
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Answer (C)
Other options:
👉 Hence, Namit Sharma v. Union of India is directly linked with the RTI Act, 2005 |