INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) 2025 Daily KEY
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Lachit Borphukan and Outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT) and its significance for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Minimum Support Price, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) , Governors and their powers, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for August 30, 2025 |
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Lachit Borphukan, a legendary military commander of the Ahom kingdom, is remembered for defeating the Mughal army under Raja Ramsingh I in the Battle of Saraighat (1671), effectively stopping their long campaign to capture Assam.
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Born on November 24, 1622, Lachit was the son of the distinguished warrior and statesman Momai Tamuli Barbarua. His childhood coincided with a politically unstable phase in Assam’s history.
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Under King Charadhwaj Singha, he was appointed as one of the five Borphukans, entrusted with administrative, judicial, and military authority.
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From 1615 to 1682, the Mughals, under emperors Jahangir and later Aurangzeb, repeatedly tried to subjugate the Ahom kingdom.
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In 1662, Mughal Governor Mir Jumla launched a major offensive, temporarily capturing sections of Ahom territory.
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Beginning in 1667, the Ahoms, led by successive rulers starting with Chakradhwaj Singha (1663–1670), initiated counterattacks to regain lost regions.
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Similar to Shivaji’s guerrilla tactics against the Mughals in the Deccan, Lachit carried out swift raids on Mughal encampments, targeting unsuspecting soldiers and undermining their massive but slow-moving forces.
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Today, Lachit Borphukan stands as a central figure in Assam’s cultural and historical memory, unlike Prithu, another regional hero whose recognition as a defender against invaders has emerged only recently.
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Bakhtiyar Khilji, a general of Muhammad of Ghor (credited with laying the foundation of Islamic rule in India), led several expeditions in eastern India. He is most notorious for the attack on Nalanda University, although historians note that his role in its decline may be overstated.
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In 1206 CE, the earliest Turko-Afghan incursion into Assam was successfully repelled. However, the exact identity of the Assamese ruler who defeated Khilji remains uncertain due to limited evidence.
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The Persian chronicle Tabaqat-i-Nasiri mentions a defeat at the hands of the “Rae of Kamrup,” with reference to a ruler named Bartu.
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Yet, as historian Nirode Baruah (2011) observed in his work Kamarupa to Kamata, establishing the identity of Prithu with certainty is extremely difficult
- The Ahom Kingdom, founded in 1228 by Sukaphaa, a Tai prince from present-day Yunnan in China, flourished in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam for nearly six centuries.
- It developed into one of the most resilient and organized kingdoms of medieval India, successfully resisting repeated attempts by external powers, especially the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire, to bring the region under their control.
- The Ahoms established a strong administrative system, introduced wet rice cultivation, and assimilated local cultures, which enabled them to maintain political stability and social cohesion over a long period.
- One of the most iconic figures of this kingdom was Lachit Borphukan, who served as a military commander and statesman. Born on November 24, 1622, he was the son of Momai Tamuli Barbarua, a distinguished warrior and administrator.
- During a time when Assam faced growing threats from the expanding Mughal Empire, Lachit rose to prominence under King Charadhwaj Singha, who appointed him as one of the five Borphukans of the kingdom.
- This position vested in him wide-ranging administrative, judicial, and military responsibilities, making him one of the most powerful figures in the Ahom polity.
- Between 1615 and 1682, the Mughal emperors Jahangir and Aurangzeb launched multiple campaigns to subdue the Ahoms.
- In 1662, the Mughal governor of Bengal, Mir Jumla, led a major offensive that resulted in the occupation of parts of Ahom territory.
- However, beginning in 1667, the Ahoms under a succession of rulers, starting with Chakradhwaj Singha (1663–1670), mounted determined counterattacks to reclaim the lost areas.
- It was during this struggle that Lachit Borphukan earned his legendary status. Much like Shivaji’s guerrilla resistance against the Mughals in the Deccan, Lachit employed swift and unconventional tactics, striking Mughal encampments and killing unsuspecting soldiers.
- His strategy of small, mobile raids frustrated the larger but slower Mughal armies. His greatest achievement came in the Battle of Saraighat (1671), where he decisively defeated the Mughal forces led by Raja Ramsingh I, thereby halting the Mughal advance into Assam and securing the independence of the Ahom kingdom.
- Lachit’s leadership and bravery ensured that Assam remained free from Mughal domination, and his memory continues to inspire Assamese identity and pride.
- Today, he stands as one of the most celebrated heroes in India’s regional and national history, often compared to other great defenders of Indian sovereignty
1.With reference to the Ahom Kingdom, consider the following statements:
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The Ahom Kingdom was founded in the 13th century by Sukaphaa, a Tai prince.
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Lachit Borphukan, a commander of the Ahom forces, defeated the Mughal army in the Battle of Saraighat (1671).
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The Ahoms were completely annexed by the Mughal Empire under Aurangzeb in the late 17th century.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer (a)
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- Most of today’s semiconductors take the form of integrated circuits, commonly known as “chips.” These are essentially assemblies of tiny electronic circuits made up of transistors, diodes, capacitors, resistors, and the complex web of interconnections between them.
- Primarily built from silicon, these chips may contain millions or even billions of transistors that function like miniature switches, turning on and off to process different forms of data, including images, sound, and radio signals.
- Semiconductors are the foundation of modern electronics, playing a crucial role in sectors such as communications, computing, healthcare, defense, transportation, clean energy, and many more.
- Their design and production involve highly sophisticated processes, and they provide the essential capability for electronic devices to store, process, and transmit information.
- In 2021, the Government of India launched the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), a strategic program aimed at strengthening domestic semiconductor design and manufacturing capacity.
- The mission also seeks to foster innovation, job creation, and economic growth. It is being implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with other agencies.
- During his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that semiconductor chips manufactured in India would be available in markets by the end of 2025.
- Earlier, in February 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the setting up of a semiconductor unit with an investment of ₹7,600 crore. This project is a joint venture involving CG Power and Industrial Solutions, Renesas Electronics America, and Stars Microelectronics (Thailand).
- The first company to receive government approval for financial incentives under the ₹76,000 crore semiconductor program was Micron Technology. However, Micron has begun by building a pilot line, which is much larger in scale compared to CG Semi’s facility, and its initial production is expected by December 2025.
- In addition, the Union Cabinet recently sanctioned the establishment of four new semiconductor assembly and testing plants, with a combined investment of ₹4,594 crore, under the same mission.
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has emphasized that the global semiconductor industry will face a shortage of nearly one million skilled professionals by 2033, and India is well-placed to supply this workforce. A key objective of the India Semiconductor Mission, therefore, is also to develop a strong talent base that can meet both domestic and international demand
- The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), launched in 2021, is a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at developing a strong semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem within the country.
- It represents a strategic effort to reduce dependence on imports, strengthen national security, and position India as a global hub for electronics manufacturing.
- Semiconductors, often described as the backbone of modern technology, power almost every aspect of daily life, from mobile phones and laptops to medical devices, cars, defense equipment, and clean energy systems.
- Their design and production, however, are highly complex, capital-intensive, and technologically demanding, which makes self-reliance in this sector a national priority.
- The mission operates under the guidance of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and its objectives extend beyond infrastructure creation to include the promotion of innovation, capacity building, employment generation, and the development of a skilled talent pool.
- With a financial outlay of ₹76,000 crore, the mission supports semiconductor fabrication plants, compound semiconductor and display fabs, as well as assembly, testing, marking, and packaging (ATMP) units.
- The government has also encouraged partnerships between Indian companies and global leaders to bring advanced technology, investment, and expertise to the domestic ecosystem.
- A significant development under this initiative is the joint venture between CG Power and Industrial Solutions, Renesas Electronics America, and Stars Microelectronics of Thailand, which was cleared by the Union Cabinet in February 2024 with an investment of ₹7,600 crore.
- At the same time, Micron Technology became the first company to receive approval for government incentives, setting up a large pilot facility expected to commence production by December 2025. More recently, the Cabinet approved the establishment of four semiconductor assembly and testing plants with an investment of ₹4,594 crore, further consolidating India’s commitment to building a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem.
- The mission also addresses the human resource dimension of this industry. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has highlighted that the world could face a shortage of around one million skilled semiconductor professionals by 2033, and India, with its strong base in engineering and IT, can help bridge this gap.
- Developing a robust talent pipeline is therefore a central goal of the ISM, alongside boosting domestic capacity in research, design, and high-value manufacturing.
- In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the government’s ambition by declaring that semiconductors made in India would be available in the global market by the end of 2025. This timeline underscores the urgency of the initiative and the scale of India’s aspirations to move from being a consumer of semiconductors to becoming a significant producer and exporter.
- In essence, the India Semiconductor Mission is not merely an industrial policy but a strategic national program. It seeks to ensure technological sovereignty, strengthen supply chain resilience, create employment opportunities, and place India at the center of the global semiconductor value chain in the coming decades
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Answer (A)
👉 Therefore, Monolithic IC fabrication is best suited for digital ICs |
- The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the guaranteed price at which the government purchases a particular crop from farmers if market rates fall below it. It serves as a protective floor for agricultural prices, ensuring that cultivators recover their cost of production along with a reasonable margin of profit.
- The system of MSP was first introduced in the mid-1960s, during a period of food shortages. As part of the Green Revolution strategy, the government wanted to incentivize farmers to adopt high-yielding but input-intensive varieties of wheat and rice.
- To reassure them against price fluctuations, a support price was announced, with the first MSP fixed for wheat in 1966–67 at ₹54 per quintal.
- At present, MSPs are declared by the Union government on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The commission suggests MSPs for 22 crops and a Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane. The final decision is taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).
- In the Union Budget 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a five-year program focused on boosting cotton production, especially the extra-long staple (ELS) variety.
- ELS cotton, known for its superior fibre length of over 35 mm, is vital for high-quality textiles, yet India remains heavily dependent on imports.
- The domestic textile industry has consistently demanded an import duty exemption on cotton, but the government has generally maintained an 11% duty to protect small cotton growers.
- Despite this, cotton was among the crops that saw one of the sharpest MSP hikes in May 2025, as falling production has become a concern. Still, the government allowed an import duty waiver until December 31, 2025, a move that may hurt farmers since the cotton harvesting season begins in October and extends till March, which is the peak marketing period.
- A study by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) highlighted that nearly all of India’s $1.2 billion cotton imports in FY2025 were of staple length 28 mm or more. Under the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), 51,000 metric tonnes of such cotton already enjoys duty-free access.
- As a result, the primary beneficiary of India’s new duty-free import window is likely to be the United States, GTRI observed.
- According to the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), the U.S. market for textiles and apparel has been increasingly shifting towards countries such as Vietnam and Bangladesh, both of which are gaining ground at India’s expense.
- India, after a strong start in the first quarter of 2025, experienced a slowdown in textile and apparel exports to the U.S., with growth in June 2025 dropping to 3.3% year-on-year, far below its earlier pace and trailing its Asian competitors.
- Meanwhile, China’s exports to the U.S. continued to plunge, falling by 41% in June 2025 compared to the previous year, thereby extending a trend of declining shipments that began in April 2025
- The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a form of market intervention by the Government of India to safeguard farmers against a sharp fall in agricultural prices. It is essentially the guaranteed price at which the government promises to purchase crops from farmers if market prices dip below a certain level.
- By providing this floor price, the MSP ensures that farmers are able to recover the cost of cultivation along with a modest profit margin, thereby giving them financial security and stability.
- The system was first introduced in the mid-1960s, at a time when India was facing severe food shortages. The government, eager to push the adoption of Green Revolution technologies, realized that farmers would hesitate to cultivate input-intensive, high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice without an assurance of stable returns. To address this, MSP was first declared for wheat in 1966–67 at ₹54 per quintal, marking the beginning of India’s price support policy.
- Today, MSPs are announced by the Union government on the advice of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which considers factors such as cost of production, demand and supply conditions, price trends in domestic and international markets, and inter-crop price parity.
- The CACP recommends MSPs for 22 crops, while a Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is separately fixed for sugarcane. The final approval rests with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).
- Over the decades, MSP has become an important tool not only to protect farmers from price fluctuations but also to influence cropping patterns. While it has successfully encouraged the production of food grains, especially wheat and rice, critics argue that it has sometimes led to over-dependence on these crops at the cost of crop diversification and sustainable farming.
- In essence, the MSP system serves as a safety net for Indian farmers, ensuring income security and incentivizing production, while also helping the government maintain buffer stocks of essential grains for food security. However, its implementation and long-term economic impact remain subjects of debate in policy and academic circles
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Answer (D)
Therefore, neither 1 nor 2 is correct. |
How drones are the new face of warfare?
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international significance
For Mains Examination: GS III - Defence Acquisition
Context:
India’s Operation Sindoor in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack has marked a notable shift in the country’s adoption of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in combat. In combination with standoff weapons, India’s use of UAVs in active combat represents a tactical shift in military doctrine — part of a global playbook
Read about:
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Key takeaways:
India’s Evolving Use of UAVs in Warfare
India’s Operation Sindoor, initiated after the Pahalgam terror attack, highlights a significant shift in the country’s military strategy with the deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in combat scenarios. This operation, which involved the use of drones alongside standoff weaponry, reflects an evolution in India’s tactical approach, aligning with a broader global trend. Similarly, Ukraine’s Operation Spider Web showcases how cost-effective, makeshift UAVs can achieve notable strategic outcomes.
Global Trends in Drone Warfare
- Drones are increasingly seen as key instruments in modern warfare, bridging the gap between traditional military hardware and commercial technology. Their adaptability and scalability make them effective force multipliers. To remain competitive, India must focus on producing modular and redundant drones on a large scale and support a responsive domestic defence industry.
- A pivotal example came during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, where Azerbaijan leveraged loitering munitions, such as Israeli-made Harop drones, to dismantle enemy air defences.
- In Ukraine, drones have become central to warfare innovation, with a wide range of models deployed and rapid adaptation becoming the norm. Myanmar’s insurgents have also begun using 3D-printed drones against a more advanced military, narrowing the technological disparity.
- India must draw key lessons from these conflicts as it continues to modernize its armed forces. China, with its vast and varied UAV arsenal, and Pakistan, which is enhancing its drone capabilities through collaborations with China and Türkiye, pose growing threats, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Building Resilience and Counter-Drone Capabilities
- Although drones are transformative, they remain susceptible to countermeasures such as jamming, interception, and anti-aircraft systems. Their success hinges on the ability to either bypass or overwhelm these defences. However, even air defence systems have limitations and can be compromised through evolving tactics and technologies.
- India has developed a layered counter-drone infrastructure, featuring both homegrown soft-kill and hard-kill systems, which were instrumental in neutralizing recent threats from Pakistan.
- Enhancing drone survivability requires advanced capabilities like autonomous route correction, AI-based navigation, and signal frequency hopping. Ukraine has pioneered the use of machine vision and pre-loaded terrain data to circumvent air defences, while operating drones at low altitudes to avoid radar detection.
- Some UAVs are now equipped with their own electronic warfare suites, enabling them to disrupt enemy communications and radars. Ukraine has even used fibre-optic tethering to guide drones effectively and securely.
- Mass deployment of drones and decoys is another effective method, as seen in Russia’s drone offensives that aim to saturate Ukrainian air defence systems. This creates challenges in resource allocation and opens pathways for precision attacks.
- India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) demonstrated robust performance in countering recent drone and missile strikes.
- Nonetheless, ensuring sustained capability in prolonged engagements will require increasing the production and procurement of air defence munitions like the S-400, MR-SAM, and Akash systems. On the offensive side, considering the high attrition rate of drones, India must build capacity in both numbers and diversity of loitering munitions.
Strategic Outlook for India
- The increasing use of UAVs signals a broader transformation in military planning and execution. India’s integration of drones with standoff weaponry during Operation Sindoor has introduced a level of ambiguity in its response strategy, broadening its options below the threshold of full-scale conventional or nuclear conflict. At the same time, China’s provision of drone technology to Pakistan introduces an added layer of strategic concern.
- China continues to expand its drone capabilities, investing heavily in a range of UAVs — from long-range reconnaissance platforms like the Soaring Dragon and Wing Loong II to swarming kamikaze drones such as the CH-901. These developments amplify the threat along India's borders.
- For India, drones serve as a complementary asset within its defence framework and can help offset disparities in conventional strength through asymmetric strategies. However, the lessons from Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Myanmar stress the importance of developing an affordable, large-scale drone production capacity.
- A crucial insight from the Ukraine conflict is the need for a strong, agile defence manufacturing ecosystem capable of scaling operations during high-intensity warfare. To fully harness the potential of drones, India’s Ministry of Defence must support the growth of its defence industry, ensuring rapid production, replenishment, and upgrade of drones, loitering munitions, and missile systems — a critical step toward operational resilience in modern conflict scenarios
Follow Up Question
1.Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE Prelims 2023)
- Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.
- Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer (d)
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- The President made a Reference to the Supreme Court under Article 143 of the Constitution, a month after a two-judge Bench delivered its April 8 verdict in the Tamil Nadu Governor case.
- In that ruling, the Bench addressed a constitutional gap by prescribing fixed timelines for Governors and the President to either give assent, withhold approval, or reserve State Bills for reconsideration, as per Articles 200 and 201.
- The Bench, led by Justice J.B. Pardiwala, also invoked Article 142 to declare that Tamil Nadu’s pending Bills would receive ‘deemed assent.’ It further ruled that any Bill kept pending with the President or a Governor beyond three months would automatically be considered approved.
- During Tuesday’s hearing, Attorney General R. Venkataramani contended that the court had exceeded its jurisdiction by using Article 142 in this way. He argued that the Constitution itself does not prescribe any time limits for the President or Governors in processing State Bills, and therefore the Court’s powers under Article 142 cannot override constitutional provisions
- A Presidential Reference is a special provision under Article 143 of the Indian Constitution, which allows the President of India to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on questions of law or issues of public importance.
- It is not a dispute in the usual sense but a way for the executive to obtain legal clarity on complex constitutional matters.
- When the President feels that a particular issue involves ambiguity, conflict of interpretation, or could have significant implications for governance, he can formally refer it to the Supreme Court.
- The Supreme Court, in turn, examines the question and provides its advisory opinion. This opinion is not binding on the President or the government, unlike the Court’s regular judgments. However, in practice, the government usually respects and follows the Court’s view because it carries great legal and moral authority.
- The Presidential Reference has been used in several landmark instances, such as the Berubari case (1960) on the transfer of territory to Pakistan, the Ayodhya dispute (1993), and issues relating to judicial appointments.
- This mechanism highlights the consultative relationship between the executive and the judiciary, ensuring that the highest constitutional authority can guide decision-making in situations where the law is unclear or silent.
- The Governor is the constitutional head of a state in India, appointed by the President under Article 155. Though the Governor holds office at the pleasure of the President, his role is often seen as that of a bridge between the Union and the State.
- The Governor functions broadly as a nominal executive, with real power resting in the elected Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister.
- The Governor’s powers can be classified into executive, legislative, judicial, and discretionary powers. In the executive sphere, the Governor appoints the Chief Minister and, on their advice, other ministers, the Advocate General, and the State Election Commissioner. The Governor also oversees the administration of the state and ensures that it functions in accordance with the Constitution.
- In the legislative domain, the Governor summons, prorogues, and dissolves the State Legislature, and addresses it at the beginning of the first session after elections and each year.
- Importantly, every Bill passed by the State Legislature requires the Governor’s assent to become law. The Governor may give assent, withhold it, reserve the Bill for the President’s consideration, or return it (if not a Money Bill) for reconsideration.
- The judicial powers of the Governor include granting pardons, reprieves, and commutations for offences against laws falling under the state’s jurisdiction.
- A distinctive feature of the Governor’s office is the exercise of discretionary powers, which can be controversial. These include reserving Bills for the President, recommending President’s Rule under Article 356, and deciding who should be invited to form a government when no party has a clear majority.
- While intended to safeguard the Constitution, such powers often become a point of friction between the Governor and the elected state government.
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 (C)
Statement 1: The Governor makes a customary address to Members of the House at the commencement of the first session of the year. ✅
Statement 2: When a State Legislature does not have a rule on a particular matter, it follows the Lok Sabha rule on that matter. ✅
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