{"id":1796,"date":"2025-09-30T08:42:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T08:42:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/?p=1796"},"modified":"2025-10-21T13:34:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T13:34:21","slug":"current-affairs-10th-september-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/2025\/09\/30\/current-affairs-10th-september-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Current Affairs 10th September 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><u>1. Radhakrishnan elected Vice-President of India<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>General Studies Paper II\u00a0\u00a0 Indian Polity and Governance, Topic<\/strong>: <strong>Union Executive and Parliament<\/strong> (specifically, the Vice-President&#8217;s office, election, powers, and functions as ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context: <\/strong>C.P. Radhakrishnan was elected as India&#8217;s\u00a015th Vice President\u00a0on September 9, 2025, securing\u00a0452 first preference votes\u00a0against his opponent Justice B. Sudershan Reddy&#8217;s\u00a0300 votes.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>This election became significant as it followed the unexpected resignation of\u00a0Jagdeep Dhankhar\u00a0in July 2025 due to health reasons, marking the\u00a0first early vice-presidential election since 1987.<\/li>\n<li>The election witnessed a remarkable\u00a098.2% voter turnout\u00a0with 767 MPs casting their votes out of 781 eligible electors.<\/li>\n<li>Radhakrishnan&#8217;s victory margin of\u00a0152 votes\u00a0exceeded expectations and indicated possible\u00a0cross-voting\u00a0from opposition ranks, as the NDA secured 13 more votes than its estimated strength.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Constitutional Status<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The office of the Vice President is established under\u00a0Articles 63-71\u00a0of the Constitution of India, making it the\u00a0second-highest constitutional office\u00a0in the country.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Article 63<\/strong>\u00a0simply states &#8220;There shall be a Vice-President of India,&#8221; establishing the constitutional foundation for this office.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The Vice President holds a\u00a0unique dual role\u00a0in India&#8217;s constitutional framework:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Executive Capacity:<\/strong> As Vice President, the officeholder is part of the Union Executive and acts as President during vacancies under\u00a0Article 65.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Legislative Capacity<\/strong>: Under\u00a0Article 64, the Vice President serves as the\u00a0ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha\u00a0and cannot hold any other office of profit.<\/li>\n<li>This dual capacity distinguishes India&#8217;s Vice President from most other democratic constitutions worldwide, with only the United States having a somewhat similar arrangement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Role and Functions of Vice President<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Primary Constitutional Functions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha<\/strong>: Under Article 64, the Vice President automatically becomes the Chairman of the Upper House of Parliament, presiding over its sessions and ensuring orderly conduct of business.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Acting President<\/strong>: According to\u00a0Article 65, when a vacancy occurs in the President&#8217;s office due to death, resignation, or removal, the Vice President acts as President until a new President is elected and assumes office. However, this role is\u00a0temporary and limited to six months\u00a0until fresh presidential elections are held.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Powers and Functions as Rajya Sabha Chairman<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1797 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-30-140938-300x276.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"407\" height=\"374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-30-140938-300x276.png 300w, https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-30-140938.png 445w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 407px) 100vw, 407px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Election Process<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Electoral College Composition<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Vice President is elected\u00a0indirectly\u00a0by an electoral college consisting of\u00a0all members of both Houses of Parliament. This includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>233 elected members of Rajya Sabha\u00a0(currently 5 seats vacant)<\/li>\n<li>12 nominated members of Rajya Sabha<\/li>\n<li>543 elected members of Lok Sabha\u00a0(currently 1 seat vacant)<\/li>\n<li>Total: 788 members\u00a0(currently 781 due to vacancies)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Key Distinctions from Presidential Elections<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Vice-Presidential electoral college differs from the Presidential electoral college in two important ways:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Includes nominated members\u00a0of both Houses (excluded in presidential elections)<\/li>\n<li>Excludes state legislative assemblies\u00a0(which participate in presidential elections)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Dr. B.R. Ambedkar explained this distinction, noting that since the Vice President&#8217;s primary role is presiding over Rajya Sabha, state legislature involvement was unnecessary.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Voting System<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Proportional Representation:<\/strong> Uses the system of\u00a0proportional representation by means of single transferable vote.<img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1798 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-30-141021-300x285.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"445\" height=\"423\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-30-141021-300x285.png 300w, https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-30-141021.png 393w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px\" \/><\/li>\n<li><strong>Secret Ballot<\/strong>: All voting is conducted by secret ballot, with\u00a0no party whips applicable.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Preference Marking<\/strong>: Electors rank candidates by preference using international numerals, Roman numerals, or recognized Indian language numerals.\u00a0First preference is mandatory\u00a0for ballot validity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Nomination Requirements<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Candidates must be nominated by\u00a0at least 20 MPs as proposers\u00a0and\u00a020 MPs as seconders<\/li>\n<li>Security deposit of \u20b915,000\u00a0required in the Reserve Bank of India<\/li>\n<li>Maximum of\u00a04 nomination papers\u00a0per candidate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Timeline and Administration<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Elections must be completed\u00a0within 60 days\u00a0of term expiry<\/li>\n<li>Election Commission of India\u00a0conducts the election<\/li>\n<li>Returning Officer\u00a0(usually Secretary-General of either House by rotation) oversees the process<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Constitutional Provisions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Qualifications<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Constitutional Requirements (Article 66)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Citizenship:<\/strong> Must be a\u00a0citizen of India<\/li>\n<li><strong>Age<\/strong>: Must have\u00a0completed 35 years of age<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rajya Sabha Eligibility<\/strong>: Must be\u00a0qualified for election as a member of Rajya Sabha<\/li>\n<li><strong>No Office of Profit<\/strong>: Cannot hold any\u00a0office of profit\u00a0under Union Government, State Government, or local authorities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Oath<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Constitutional Provision (Article 69)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Vice President must take an\u00a0oath or affirmation\u00a0before assuming office. The prescribed form states:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I, A.B., do swear in the name of God\/solemnly affirm that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and that I will faithfully discharge the duty upon which I am about to enter.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Administration<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Administered by: The President or a person appointed by the President<\/li>\n<li>Timing: Must be completed\u00a0before entering office<\/li>\n<li>Significance: Demonstrates commitment to constitutional values and impartial discharge of duties<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Conditions of Office<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Restrictions and Prohibitions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>No Other Profit Office: Article 64 explicitly prohibits holding\u00a0any other office of profit<\/li>\n<li>Legislative Incompatibility: Cannot be a member of Parliament or state legislatures during tenure<\/li>\n<li>Functional Limitation: When acting as President,\u00a0cannot perform Rajya Sabha Chairman duties\u00a0and loses corresponding salary and allowances<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Compensation and Benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>During normal Vice-Presidential functions, entitled to\u00a0salary and allowances\u00a0as prescribed by Parliament. When acting as President, receives\u00a0Presidential emoluments\u00a0but loses Rajya Sabha Chairman benefits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Term and Vacancy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Normal Term<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Duration:\u00a0Five years\u00a0from the date of assuming office under Article 67<\/li>\n<li>Continuation: Can\u00a0continue beyond term\u00a0until successor assumes office<\/li>\n<li>Reelection: Eligible for\u00a0unlimited reelection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Vacancy Scenarios<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A vacancy can occur through:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Expiry of five-year term<\/li>\n<li>Resignation\u00a0to the President<\/li>\n<li>Removal\u00a0through constitutional process<\/li>\n<li>Death<\/li>\n<li>Disqualification\u00a0or voided election<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Election Timing for Vacancies<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Term Expiry: Election must be\u00a0completed before\u00a0current term expires<\/li>\n<li>Casual Vacancy: Election held\u00a0as soon as possible\u00a0(within six months) after vacancy occurrence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Removal Procedure<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Constitutional Process (Article 67)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Initiation: Removal resolution can\u00a0only be moved in Rajya Sabha<\/li>\n<li>Notice Requirement:\u00a014-day advance notice\u00a0must be given before moving the resolution<\/li>\n<li>Rajya Sabha Vote: Resolution must pass by\u00a0effective majority\u00a0(majority of all then members)<\/li>\n<li>Lok Sabha Consent: Resolution must be\u00a0agreed to by Lok Sabha\u00a0by simple majority<\/li>\n<li>Procedural Safeguard: Under\u00a0Article 92, the Chairman cannot preside when removal resolution is under consideration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Powers and Functions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Legislative Powers<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Presiding Authority<\/strong>:\u00a0Primary responsibility\u00a0for conducting Rajya Sabha sessions with authority to maintain order and decorum<\/li>\n<li><strong>Procedural Control<\/strong>:\u00a0Interprets constitutional provisions\u00a0and parliamentary rules, with interpretations becoming binding precedents<\/li>\n<li>Agenda Setting: Works with Business Advisory Committee to\u00a0prioritize legislative business\u00a0and allocate discussion time<\/li>\n<li>Committee Leadership:\u00a0Chairs crucial committees\u00a0including Business Advisory, Rules, and General Purposes Committees, and appoints members to Standing and Parliamentary Committees<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Administrative Powers<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Secretariat Control:\u00a0Rajya Sabha Secretariat functions\u00a0under Chairman&#8217;s control and direction<\/li>\n<li>Privilege Matters:\u00a0Approval required\u00a0for raising privilege breach questions in the House<\/li>\n<li>Bill Corrections:\u00a0Authority to correct patent errors\u00a0in bills passed by Rajya Sabha<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Judicial and Quasi-Judicial Functions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Disqualification Decisions:\u00a0Tenth Schedule powers\u00a0to decide member disqualification cases under anti-defection law<\/li>\n<li>Election Dispute Resolution:\u00a0Supreme Court jurisdiction\u00a0under Article 71 for election-related disputes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Emergency and Contingency Powers<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Presidential Functions:\u00a0Temporarily assumes\u00a0all Presidential powers during vacancies, including executive, legislative, and emergency powers, but limited to\u00a0six months maximum<\/li>\n<li>Constitutional Continuity:\u00a0Ensures uninterrupted governance\u00a0during Presidential transitions or temporary incapacity<\/li>\n<li>The Vice Presidency represents a\u00a0critical constitutional office\u00a0that balances legislative leadership with executive backup, ensuring both parliamentary efficiency and governmental continuity in India&#8217;s democratic framework.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>2. The Langkhun festival<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>General Studies Paper I -Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society, Sub-section: Art and Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Context: <\/strong>The Tiwa tribal community has been in recent news for several significant developments:The\u00a0Langkhun festival\u00a0celebrated by Tiwa tribesmen in Karbi Anglong district of Assam has drawn attention.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In 2024, the Assam government expanded the Tiwa Autonomous Council to include\u00a0113 additional villages, raising the total to 263 villages across Morigaon, Nagaon, Hojai, and Dhemaji districts. Additionally, in July 2025, the All Tiwa Students&#8217; Union (ATSU) staged protests by blocking National<\/li>\n<li>Highway 27, demanding the\u00a0eviction of encroachers\u00a0from tribal lands and inclusion of the Tiwa Autonomous Council under the\u00a0Sixth Schedule\u00a0of the Constitution. The government has also designated\u00a098 schools\u00a0as Tiwa Medium Lower Primary Schools starting from the 2025-26 academic year to preserve the indigenous language.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Location and Distribution<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Tiwa people (also known as Lalung) are primarily concentrated in\u00a0northeastern India, particularly in:<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Primary States:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Assam\u00a0&#8211; The majority population resides here, especially in Morigaon district (84.54% of Tiwa population), Nagaon district (62.92% of population), Kamrup, and Karbi Anglong districts<\/li>\n<li>Meghalaya\u00a0&#8211; Particularly in the Ri-Bhoi district<\/li>\n<li>Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland\u00a0&#8211; Smaller populations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The community is distinctively divided into two sub-groups:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hill Tiwas\u00a0reside in the westernmost areas of West Karbi Anglong district (Assam) and northeastern corner of Ri-Bhoi district (Meghalaya), maintaining close ties to forest ecosystems and practicing shifting cultivation.<\/li>\n<li>Plains Tiwas\u00a0are predominantly found in Morigaon, Nagaon, and Kamrup districts on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra valley, engaged in settled agriculture.<\/li>\n<li>According to the 2011 Census, the total Tiwa population stands at approximately\u00a0200,915\u00a0in Assam alone, with the overall population estimated at\u00a0371,000\u00a0across all states.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Meaning of Tiwa<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The term &#8220;Tiwa&#8221; literally means &#8220;<strong>the people who were lifted from below<\/strong>&#8220;. While they were historically known as\u00a0Lalungs\u00a0in Assamese Buranjis, colonial literature, and the Constitution of India, community members prefer to call themselves Tiwa.<\/p>\n<p>The etymology has multiple interpretations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In Karbi language, &#8220;Lalung&#8221; means &#8220;sinking from the water&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>In Ahom language, it means &#8220;migration towards the west&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Some believe &#8220;TI&#8221; means water and &#8220;WA&#8221; means superior<\/li>\n<li>Another interpretation suggests it derives from &#8220;ti-phar-wali&#8221; meaning &#8220;a clan living near water&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Legal Status<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Tiwa community holds\u00a0Scheduled Tribe (ST) status\u00a0within the State of Assam under Article 342 of the Indian Constitution. However, their legal recognition varies by state:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Assam:<\/strong> Recognized as ST since the first Constitution (1950). The Lalungs of autonomous districts Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao were not initially included but gained ST status in 2002.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Meghalay<\/strong>a: Tiwas are\u00a0not recognized as a Scheduled Tribe, creating significant challenges for the community members residing there.<\/li>\n<li>The\u00a0Tiwa Autonomous Council\u00a0was established in 1995 following the Tiwa (Lalung) Agreement signed on April 13, 1995, between the state government and Tiwa community leaders. The council operates under the\u00a0Lalung (Tiwa) Autonomous Council Act, 1995\u00a0, providing maximum autonomy within the constitutional framework.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Currently, the community demands inclusion under the\u00a0Sixth Schedule\u00a0of the Constitution, which would grant greater autonomy compared to their current statutory autonomous council status.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Language<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Tiwa belongs to the\u00a0Tibeto-Burman language family\u00a0within the\u00a0Sino-Tibetan\u00a0linguistic group. It is closely related to other northeastern languages including Boro, Dimasa, Kokborok, and Garo.<\/p>\n<p>Language Classification:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Family: Sino-Tibetan<\/li>\n<li>Branch: Tibeto-Burman<\/li>\n<li>Sub-group: Bodo-Garo group<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>According to the 2011 census, only\u00a034,800 Tiwas\u00a0speak the Tiwa language, indicating significant language shift toward Assamese, particularly among Plains Tiwas. The government has recognized this challenge by designating 98 schools as Tiwa Medium Lower Primary Schools from 2025-26 to preserve the indigenous language.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Economic Life<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Tiwa community has historically been a\u00a0predominantly agrarian society\u00a0with agriculture serving as their primary economic activity.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Traditional Economic Practices:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Agriculture:<\/strong> Paddy cultivation forms the core of their economy, with major varieties including Sali, Bao, Boro, and Ahu. The system is primarily\u00a0consumption-oriented, with minimal surplus sold in markets.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cash Crops<\/strong>: Some households cultivate mustard, jute, and sugarcane. Horticultural crops like\u00a0areca nut, bamboo, and betel leaves\u00a0serve dual purposes for consumption and commercial sale.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Allied Occupations:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Animal husbandry: Raising pigs, poultry, and cattle for both consumption and income<\/li>\n<li>Weaving: Culturally embedded activity among Tiwa women contributing to household income<\/li>\n<li>Fishery and craft work: Traditional occupations using bamboo and cane<\/li>\n<li>Traditional rice beer brewing: Additional income source<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Economic Challenges: The community faces agricultural distress due to low productivity, lack of modern inputs, irregular monsoons, and heavy dependence on subsistence farming. This has led to widespread\u00a0land alienation\u00a0as families struggle with financial distress.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Major Festivals<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Tiwa community celebrates numerous festivals that constitute a significant part of their cultural identity:<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Primary Festivals:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Three Pisu (Bihu): The traditional Bihu celebrations adapted to Tiwa customs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Borot Utsav (Borot Kham<\/strong>): A major harvest festival featuring the famous\u00a0Borot dance, where over 1,500 artists participate in large gatherings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Langkhon Phuja<\/strong>: Celebrated in two parts &#8211; one in Kati (October-November) and another in Fagun. This festival involves worshipping bamboo over four days between October and December, seeking blessings for good harvest and protection from pests.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Yangli Phuja<\/strong>: Known as the &#8220;Lakshmi Puja&#8221; of Tiwa people, celebrated\u00a0once every five years\u00a0before paddy sowing to seek divine protection for crops.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wanshuwa (Wansh\u00fawa Kham<\/strong>): One of the most important celebrations held once every\u00a0five to six years\u00a0between June and August. The ceremony involves grinding wet rice to powder using traditional wooden mortars and pestles, with the flour used to make sacred rice cakes.<\/li>\n<li>, Sogra Phuja Khel Ch\u00e1wa Kham, and Kabl\u00e2 Ph\u00fbja: Other significant religious observances.<\/li>\n<li>Jonbeel Mela: An annual fair where the traditional\u00a0barter system\u00a0of trade is still practiced.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Cultural Elements: During festivals, Tiwas sing two types of songs:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lo Ho La Hai: Songs for name-giving, wedding, and harvesting ceremonies<\/li>\n<li>Lali Hilali Lai: Songs for marriage ceremonies and festivals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Cultural Significance<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Tiwa community represents one of the most culturally rich tribal groups in northeastern India, serving as important cultural mediators between plains and hills in central Assam.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Historical Importance<\/strong>: The Tiwas were associated with the\u00a0Gobha principality, and their historical role as mediators is enacted annually during the\u00a0Jonbeel Mela. The community has connections to ancient kingdoms and maintains oral traditions about their migration from eastern Darrang district.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cultural Preservation<\/strong>: Their festivals, particularly agricultural celebrations, maintain strong connections to seasonal cycles and natural environments. The community has preserved traditional practices including:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Ambilineal descent system: Where children can take either mother&#8217;s or father&#8217;s clan name depending on residence patterns<\/li>\n<li>Bachelor dormitories (shamadi): Important social institutions in Hill Tiwa society<\/li>\n<li>Traditional governance: Through the &#8220;Loro&#8221; (priest-chief) system managing multiple village networks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Contemporary Challenges: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The community faces\u00a0identity preservation challenges, particularly in Meghalaya where lack of ST status forces cultural adaptation including adoption of Khasi language and surnames.<\/li>\n<li>The ongoing struggle for Sixth Schedule inclusion reflects their desire to maintain\u00a0cultural autonomy\u00a0while participating in modern democratic processes.<\/li>\n<li>The Tiwa community&#8217;s cultural significance extends beyond their immediate region, representing successful preservation of indigenous traditions while navigating modern challenges of development, education, and political representation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>3. Lessons for India: how Kerala is tackling rapid urbanization<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>GS Paper II<\/strong>: <strong>Urban Governance and Development<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Context:<\/strong> The\u00a0Kerala Urban Policy Commission (KUPC)\u00a0submitted India&#8217;s first state-level comprehensive urban policy report to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on\u00a0March 30, 2025.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>This groundbreaking initiative projects that\u00a080% of Kerala&#8217;s population will be urban by 2050, making Kerala the only Indian state with a dedicated urban policy.<\/li>\n<li>The 2,359-page report addresses Kerala&#8217;s unique &#8220;rurban&#8221; landscape challenges, where villages and towns blend seamlessly, creating accelerated urbanisation that outpaces infrastructure development and governance capacity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>What is the KUPC?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The\u00a0Kerala Urban Policy Commission\u00a0was established in\u00a0December 2023\u00a0through a state cabinet resolution to design a\u00a025-year urban roadmap.<\/li>\n<li>This first-of-its-kind state-level urban commission in India was created to address Kerala&#8217;s urbanisation rate, which is significantly higher than the national average.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Key Features:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Composition: 10 experts and 2 municipal representatives<\/li>\n<li>Mandate: Develop climate-aware urban ecosystems rather than viewing cities as concrete problems<\/li>\n<li>Timeline: Submitted final report in March 2025 after comprehensive research<\/li>\n<li>Uniqueness: First state-level urban commission in India, breaking from centralized national frameworks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Why Was It Needed?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kerala faced urgent urbanisation challenges by late 2023:<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Rapid Urbanisation:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Kerala&#8217;s urbanisation pace exceeded national average significantly<\/li>\n<li>Projections show\u00a0over 80% urban population by 2050\u00a0&#8211; a seismic demographic shift<\/li>\n<li>Current urban sprawl concentrated in vulnerable midlands between coast and highlands<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Climate Crisis Pressures:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Floods devastated Ernakulam\u00a0district repeatedly [mentioned in article]<\/li>\n<li>Landslides shattered hillsides\u00a0across the state<\/li>\n<li>Coastal zones under sea-level rise pressure\u00a0threatening communities [mentioned in article]<\/li>\n<li>Growing gap between climate crisis frequency and urban planning response<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Governance Inadequacy:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Infrastructure development lagging behind urbanisation speed<\/li>\n<li>Need for tailored solutions specific to Kerala&#8217;s geographical and cultural context<\/li>\n<li>Break from India&#8217;s centralized, project-based urban model required [mentioned in article]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>What Were the Recommendations of the Commission?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The commission conducted\u00a033 deep-dive studies\u00a0and held\u00a053 district-level stakeholder dialogues\u00a0involving mayors, NGOs, unions, resident associations, gig workers, and panchayat members [mentioned in article]. The final report structured around\u00a010 thematic pillars\u00a0includes:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Climate and Risk-Aware Zoning<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Develop\u00a0risk-informed master plans\u00a0integrating hazard mapping for landslides, coastal inundation, and flood zones<\/li>\n<li>Align all spatial plans with climate resilience framework for cohesive risk-sensitive development<\/li>\n<li>Transform planning from reactive fixes to\u00a0proactive climate preparedness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Digital Data Observatory<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Establish real-time data nerve center at\u00a0Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA)<\/li>\n<li>Integrate high-resolution LIDAR, ground penetrating radar, tide\/water gauges, satellite and weather data<\/li>\n<li>Provide every municipality with\u00a0&#8220;living intelligence feed&#8221;\u00a0for informed decision-making<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Green Fees and Climate Insurance<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Implement\u00a0targeted green fees on urban development projects\u00a0in eco-sensitive zones<\/li>\n<li>Fund disaster risk reduction initiatives, resilient infrastructure, and emergency response systems<\/li>\n<li>Establish\u00a0parametric insurance model\u00a0with pre-approved payouts for disaster-prone areas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Municipal and Pooled Bonds<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enable\u00a0Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode\u00a0to issue municipal bonds [mentioned in article]<\/li>\n<li>Create\u00a0pooled bond instruments\u00a0for smaller towns and municipalities<\/li>\n<li>Bond subscriptions incorporated into 2024 interim Budget [mentioned in article]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Governance Overhaul<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Replace bureaucratic inertia with\u00a0city cabinets led by mayors\u00a0[mentioned in article]<\/li>\n<li>Form specialist cells for climate, waste, mobility, and law with dedicated municipal cadres<\/li>\n<li>Launch\u00a0&#8220;Jnanashree&#8221; program\u00a0to recruit and deploy youth tech talent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Place-Based Economic Revival<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Thrissur-Kochi: Develop as FinTech hub<\/li>\n<li>Thiruvananthapuram-Kollam: Establish as knowledge corridor<\/li>\n<li>Kozhikode: Brand as &#8220;City of Literature&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Palakkad and Kasaragod: Elevate to smart-industrial zones [mentioned in article]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Commons, Culture, and Care<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Revive wetlands and reactivate waterways for ecological restoration<\/li>\n<li>Preserve heritage zones maintaining Kerala&#8217;s cultural identity<\/li>\n<li>Establish\u00a0city health councils\u00a0catering to migrants, students, and gig workers [mentioned in article]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Why is the Report Unique?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Fusion of Data and Narratives<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The KUPC pioneered the integration of\u00a0local narratives with data systems:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fishermen&#8217;s coastal recession experiences\u00a0structured into urban data apparatus<\/li>\n<li>Youth water conservation drives\u00a0mapped into municipal dashboards<\/li>\n<li>Bazaar vendors&#8217; mobility concerns\u00a0reflected in city briefing templates<\/li>\n<li>LIDAR maps register tidal health\u00a0near fishing zones based on community input [mentioned in article]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Distinctive Features<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>First state-level commission\u00a0built for sub-national realities, not recycled from national frameworks<\/li>\n<li>Climate resilience embedded, not appended &#8211; every pillar integrates disaster awareness<\/li>\n<li>Financial emancipation\u00a0through municipal bonds and green levies giving local bodies fiscal agency<\/li>\n<li>Dynamic governance transformation\u00a0from passive bureaucracies to election-led city cabinets<\/li>\n<li>360-degree urban system\u00a0dismantling planning, finance, and governance silos [mentioned in article]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Does It Offer Lessons for Other States?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kerala&#8217;s Urban Commission provides a replicable template with\u00a0tangible takeaways:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Institutional Framework<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Mandate time-bound commissions\u00a0with clear deliverables and deadlines<\/li>\n<li>Combine technical data with lived experience\u00a0for comprehensive policy development<\/li>\n<li>Create dialogic systems\u00a0where citizen inputs map into data observatories<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Financial Empowerment<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Empower local bodies\u00a0with green levies, bonds, and risk premiums<\/li>\n<li>Develop climate finance advisory cells\u00a0to access international funding<\/li>\n<li>Establish parametric insurance frameworks\u00a0for disaster-prone areas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Governance Innovation<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Insert youth and specialists\u00a0in governance structures<\/li>\n<li>Replace bureaucratic inertia\u00a0with dynamic, election-led city management<\/li>\n<li>Create specialist municipal cadres\u00a0for climate, technology, and urban planning<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>What Next?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The KUPC represents more than urban planning &#8211; it\u00a0&#8220;rewired the DNA&#8221;\u00a0of how a state conceives its cities and towns [mentioned in article]. The commission integrated:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Climate awareness\u00a0as fundamental planning principle<\/li>\n<li>Community narratives\u00a0as data sources for policy development<\/li>\n<li>Financial empowerment\u00a0through innovative municipal financing<\/li>\n<li>Digital governance\u00a0with real-time data integration<\/li>\n<li>Identity economy\u00a0preserving cultural heritage while promoting growth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Implementation Timeline<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cabinet deliberations\u00a0expected completion by May 2025<\/li>\n<li>Two recommendations already accepted\u00a0from December 2024 interim report<\/li>\n<li>Metropolitan Planning Committees\u00a0establishment in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode<\/li>\n<li>Municipal bonds\u00a0framework incorporated into recent state budget<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Broader Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>For Kerala: Opportunity to grow\u00a0&#8220;not just richer, but wiser; not just bigger, but better; not just more urban, but more human.<\/li>\n<li>For India:\u00a0Call to action\u00a0demonstrating that urban transformation isn&#8217;t a problem to solve but\u00a0&#8220;a story to be authored &#8211; together&#8221;, providing a blueprint for other states facing similar urbanisation pressures<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The KUPC establishes Kerala as a pioneer in\u00a0people-centered, sustainable urban development, offering a model that balances economic growth with environmental resilience and social inclusion.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>4. Why was Indonesia rocked by protests?<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>General Studies Paper II &#8211; International Relations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Context: <\/strong>Major protests erupted in Indonesia beginning August 25, 2025, after public outrage over high parliamentary housing allowances and ongoing economic austerity.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Protests became violent on August 28 when\u00a0Afan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old delivery worker, was killed by a police vehicle, sparking nationwide unrest and international attention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"height: 241px;\" width=\"1045\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"634\"><strong>Background<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Initial protests: Students and labour unions demonstrated outside Parliament, opposing a housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,000\/month) for MPs\u201410 times the national monthly minimum wage.<\/li>\n<li>Trigger incident: Footage of a police vehicle killing Afan Kurniawan on August 28 spread rapidly, igniting broader anger at President Prabowo Subianto\u2019s government and \u2018corrupt elite\u2019.<\/li>\n<li>Protest escalation: Demonstrations spread from Jakarta to dozens of cities, becoming violent as groups attacked and looted public buildings, including the Finance Minister\u2019s home.<\/li>\n<li>Underlying issues: The movement tapped long-standing frustration about income inequality, low wages, poor job security, and underfunded education.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>What Happened?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Protests broadened\u00a0to demand reversal of MP allowances, justice for Afan\u2019s death, police accountability, and anti-corruption reforms.<\/li>\n<li>Violence intensified\u00a0as protesters clashed with police and military, torched government buildings, and targeted politicians&#8217; homes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Death toll<\/strong>: At least seven were reported killed, hundreds injured, and over 3,000 arrested or detained.<\/li>\n<li>Human rights concerns: Rights groups say at least 20 people are missing; allegations of excessive police violence and arbitrary detentions persist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>How Has the Government Responded?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>President Prabowo\u00a0announced reductions in parliamentary allowances and foreign trips following consensus in Parliament.<\/li>\n<li>Promised a\u00a0thorough investigation\u00a0into Afan\u2019s death and accountability for those involved.<\/li>\n<li>Warned that riots and looting would be treated as \u201cterrorism and treason\u201d; ordered strong police\/military response.<\/li>\n<li>Fired the officer involved in Afan\u2019s killing; reshuffled the Cabinet, dismissing five ministers including the Finance Minister.<\/li>\n<li>Opened dialogue with student unions demanding release of demonstrators and detainees.<\/li>\n<li>Economic concerns: Fitch Ratings warned the unrest could harm Indonesia\u2019s credit profile.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>What About Income Inequality?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Indonesia ranks high in global wealth inequality; the four richest Indonesians possess more combined wealth than 100 of the poorest.<\/li>\n<li>Issues cited include low wages, job insecurity, expensive education, and shrinking middle class.<\/li>\n<li>Budget cuts have reduced public works (\u221270%), economic affairs (\u221252%), investment (\u221240%), and education (\u221225%), leading to tax hikes and student protests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Is This the First Time Protests Have Emerged?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Since President Prabowo took office in October 2024, his cost-cutting drive has repeatedly triggered protests, especially over education and taxes.<\/li>\n<li>The \u201cDark Indonesia\u201d student movement peaked in February 2025, protesting budget cuts and reduced scholarships, before broader unrest in August.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>What Next?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>One police officer fired, five ministers removed, cabinet reshuffled, and MP perks reduced.<\/li>\n<li>Government has begun talks with protest groups; stability remains uncertain as tensions persist.<\/li>\n<li>Economic fallout includes property damage, market disruption, and concerns about investment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Indonesia\u2019s protests reflect\u00a0deep-rooted frustration\u00a0over political privilege, economic inequality, and government austerity. The killing of a delivery worker amplified anger at state violence and corruption, turning isolated protests into a national movement. The government has made concessions, but persistent grievances mean further unrest and reform could follow.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>5. NARI 2025 REPORT<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>General\u00a0Studies\u00a0Paper\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0Indian\u00a0Society,Topic:\u00a0Role of women and women&#8217;s organizations; population and associated issues; urbanization, their problems and remedies.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context: <\/strong>The\u00a0NARI 2025 report\u00a0was released by the\u00a0National Commission for Women (NCW)\u00a0in August 2025 highlighting ongoing safety challenges for women in India\u2019s cities.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Delhi ranked\u00a028th out of 31 major cities, among the worst-performing, indicating serious gaps in women\u2019s safety even 13 years after the 2012 Delhi bus gang rape.<\/li>\n<li>The survey covered\u00a012,770 women across 31 cities\u00a0to assess women\u2019s safety perceptions and experiences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>What is NARI 2025?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>First-ever\u00a0National Annual Report &amp; Index on Women\u2019s Safety (NARI)\u00a0in India.<\/li>\n<li>Joint initiative by NCW, Pvalue Analytics, The NorthCap University, and Jindal Global Law School.<\/li>\n<li>Measures\u00a0women&#8217;s safety beyond just crime statistics, incorporating perceptions, experiences, infrastructure, and institutional responses.<\/li>\n<li>Covers\u00a0overall safety, infrastructure quality, harassment occurrence, domain-specific safety\u00a0(neighbourhoods, transport, work, education, health, online), and trust in authorities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Key Findings of NARI 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The\u00a0national safety score is 65%, with cities categorized as \u201cmuch above,\u201d \u201cabove,\u201d \u201cbelow,\u201d or \u201cmuch below\u201d this benchmark.<\/li>\n<li>Delhi ranked 28th\u00a0with women reporting high insecurity, especially in deserted and poorly lit areas.<\/li>\n<li>31% of women in Delhi\u00a0said women-friendly infrastructure was\u00a0minimal or non-existent.<\/li>\n<li>Harassment in public spaces was higher than the national average:\u00a012% in Delhi vs 7% nationally.<\/li>\n<li>Frequent harassment was reported by\u00a061% of women in Delhi\u00a0who faced it more than twice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Safety Score &amp; Safest Cities<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>National safety score:\u00a065%.<\/li>\n<li>Safest cities:\u00a0Kohima, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok, Itanagar, Mumbai.<\/li>\n<li>These cities share characteristics like\u00a0strong gender equity, inclusive governance, good infrastructure, and effective policing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Least Safe Places<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cities ranking lowest included:\u00a0Delhi (28th), Kolkata, Srinagar, Ranchi, Faridabad, Patna, Jaipur.<\/li>\n<li>Common issues: weak infrastructure, patriarchal social norms, poor police responsiveness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Women\u2019s Perception of Safety<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>41% women in Delhi\u00a0feel unsafe in deserted spaces; 35% feel unsafe after dark.<\/li>\n<li>In contrast, only 8% felt unsafe during the day.<\/li>\n<li>51% demanded\u00a0more visible policing, with 17% emphasizing\u00a0timely and proper police action.<\/li>\n<li>Harassment occurred mostly in\u00a0neighbourhoods (34%) and transport (32%), proving proximity to home does not ensure safety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Forms of Harassment<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Most common was\u00a0verbal abuse (around 58%), followed by\u00a0physical\u00a0and\u00a0digital harassment.<\/li>\n<li>Repeated harassment highlighted systemic lapses in deterring offenders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Institutional Gaps<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Women\u2019s limited trust in police and institutions\u00a0due to slow or inadequate response to harassment complaints.<\/li>\n<li>Lack of women-friendly infrastructure and safe public spaces.<\/li>\n<li>Neglected needs of vulnerable groups including migrants, students, gig workers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Significance of the Report<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>NARI 2025 blends\u00a0hard data with women\u2019s lived experiences, uncovering underreported harassment.<\/li>\n<li>The report urges\u00a0policymakers to focus on public infrastructure, change mindsets, and improve institutional response.<\/li>\n<li>It is a\u00a0benchmark for measuring women&#8217;s safety annually\u00a0and guides targeted urban safety reforms.<\/li>\n<li>Highlights that women\u2019s safety is fundamental to\u00a0education, health, work, and freedom of movement\u00a0\u2014 essential for India\u2019s development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Conclusion: <\/strong>Despite progress since 2012, the\u00a0NARI 2025 report reveals significant safety challenges for urban women, especially in Delhi, where poor infrastructure, higher harassment, and weak law enforcement persist. The report calls for\u00a0urgent reforms in policing, urban planning, and cultural attitudes\u00a0to ensure women can live, work, and travel safely, making women\u2019s safety a non-negotiable pillar of a developed India.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>6. Tariff-hit diamond, jewellery exporters look to West Asia<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>General Studies Paper III\u2013 Economy, Topic: Indian Economy\u2014issues relating to planning, mobilization of<\/strong> resources, growth, development and employment; inclusive growth and issues arising out of it; liberalization, infrastructure<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context: <\/strong>Indian diamond and jewellery exporters are shifting focus to the\u00a0West Asia market\u00a0in response to\u00a0U.S. tariffs\u00a0on Indian exports [Source: The Hindu].<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The first major step is\u00a0Saudi Arabia Jewellery Exposition (SAJEX) 2025, a dedicated B2B jewellery show from\u00a0September 11-13\u00a0at the\u00a0Jeddah Superdome.<\/li>\n<li>Over\u00a0100 exhibitors\u00a0with\u00a0200+ booths\u00a0will showcase products to 2,000+ buyers from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Hong Kong, and Lebanon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"height: 157px;\" width=\"1042\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"678\"><strong>BACKGROUND <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>India is the largest global exporter of cut and polished diamonds, with 14 out of every 15 diamonds cut and polished in India.<\/li>\n<li>However, 30% of India&#8217;s jewellery export basket goes to the U.S., which has imposed tariffs significantly hurting exports [Source: The Hindu].<\/li>\n<li>The industry acknowledges rising opportunities in other markets like the UK and UAE due to free trade agreements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>The Strategic Shift<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Exporters are eyeing Saudi Arabia\u2019s booming jewellery market, projected to grow from\u00a0$4.56 billion in 2024 to $8.34 billion by 2030\u00a0driven by a young, high-spending population.<\/li>\n<li>Saudi Arabia is recognized as a\u00a0business-friendly new hub\u00a0with growing per capita income, making it a promising new market [Source: The Hindu].<\/li>\n<li>The shift is also a precautionary measure to diversify markets amid uncertain U.S. tariff policies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>About SAJEX 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SAJEX 2025\u00a0is the\u00a0first B2B jewellery exhibition of its kind in Saudi Arabia, organized by the\u00a0Gem &amp; Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)\u00a0in collaboration with the\u00a0Indian Consulate in Jeddah\u00a0and supported by the\u00a0Ministry of Commerce &amp; Industry, India.<\/li>\n<li>The event features\u00a0over 200 exhibitors across 250+ booths, displaying diamond and coloured gemstone jewellery, 18k-22k gold, platinum, lab-grown diamond jewellery, and bridal collections.<\/li>\n<li>Attendees include buyers, retailers, wholesalers, and importers from across the Gulf Cooperation Council region and beyond.<\/li>\n<li>The event includes the\u00a0Global Jewellery Investment Forum\u00a0with high-profile discussions on trade, retail, manufacturing, and consumer trends.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Opportunities and Benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SAJEX offers\u00a0access to the untapped Middle Eastern jewellery market, expanding Indian exporters\u2019 reach beyond traditional markets.<\/li>\n<li>The exhibition is an opportunity to build\u00a0new partnerships, strengthen bilateral trade ties between India and Saudi Arabia, and position India as a key jewellery supplier in the region.<\/li>\n<li>The event also provides a platform for showcasing\u00a0innovation, craftsmanship, and technology\u00a0in jewellery design and manufacturing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Differences in\u00a0design preferences and aesthetics\u00a0pose challenges; products designed for the U.S. market may not appeal to Saudi or Gulf buyers [Source: The Hindu].<\/li>\n<li>Existing competition as\u00a0local and regional players already cater to Middle Eastern jewellery demand\u00a0[Source: The Hindu].<\/li>\n<li>Establishing a foothold requires sustained effort in\u00a0relationship building, market understanding, and customization.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>CONCLUSION: <\/strong>Tariff hits from the U.S. have spurred Indian diamond and jewellery exporters to explore the promising West Asian market through events such as\u00a0SAJEX 2025 in Jeddah. This strategic pivot aims to tap into the region\u2019s growing luxury consumption driven by youthful and affluent consumers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. Radhakrishnan elected Vice-President of India General Studies Paper II\u00a0\u00a0 Indian Polity and Governance, Topic: Union Executive and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2506,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1796","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-current-affairs"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-29.jpg",2048,2048,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-29-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-29-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-29-768x768.jpg",640,640,true],"large":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-29-1024x1024.jpg",640,640,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-29-1536x1536.jpg",1536,1536,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-29.jpg",2048,2048,false],"morenews-large":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-29-825x575.jpg",825,575,true],"morenews-medium":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-29-590x410.jpg",590,410,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"ArkReflections","author_link":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/author\/arkreflectionsiaspost\/"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/category\/daily-current-affairs\/\" rel=\"category tag\">DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS<\/a>","tag_info":"DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1796","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1796"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1796\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2505,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1796\/revisions\/2505"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}