Content
Partners, not rivals’: India & China
What are Blue Dragons, which caused beach closures in Spain?
Fertiliser crisis
Mini-cloudbursts’ are on the rise: IMD chief
The importance of India’s federal design
Inside the APK scam: how fake apps are used for financial fraud
Why NRIs are choosing India for medical tourism
Decoding cryptos
‘Partners, not rivals’: India & China
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations -Bilateral relations with China)
Context
Event: PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China (August 31).
Key Message: Both sides agreed to be “partners, not rivals”, emphasizing mutual trust and respect.
Context: Meeting came after a five-year military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.
Objective: To gradually normalize bilateral ties strained by the border conflict.
Readouts:
India’s stance: Strategic autonomy, fair trade, repairing ties.
China’s stance: Don’t let border issues define overall relations.
Modi’s Visit: First trip to China in five years; also aimed at balancing global power shifts after turbulence in India–US ties (under Trump).
Border Milestones:
Oct 2024: Border patrol leaders met, discussed sensitive points.
Aug 2025: 24th round of border talks held, easing tensions.
Modi–Putin Meet: Same day, focus on tariffs after US levied 50% duty on Indian goods.
Strategic Context
India–China ties oscillate between cooperation and competition.
SCO platform used by India to engage without appearing weak, while balancing against US/Japan strategic pressures.
Post-2020 Galwan clash, this marks India’s calibrated re-engagement.
Border Issue Management
Border is core irritant; India insists peace at LAC is prerequisite for broader cooperation.
China emphasizes compartmentalization – don’t let border disputes spill into trade/investment.
Recent patrol-level and ministerial talks show slow but steady de-escalation.
Economic & Trade Angle
China remains India’s largest trading partner despite tensions (>$135 bn trade, 2024).
India seeks fair trade, reduced deficit, and technology access.
China wants continued export market in India amid Western decoupling.
Diplomatic Rebalancing
India leveraging ties with US, Japan, and Russia to avoid overdependence on China.
Engagement with Xi signals India’s multi-alignment policy – strategic autonomy at core.
“Partners, not rivals” line meant more for optics to stabilize ties ahead of SCO/BRICS agendas.
Security & Geopolitical Dimensions
Both nations are nuclear powers and neighbors, yet security dilemma persists.
India wary of China–Pakistan axis and China’s influence in Indian Ocean (String of Pearls).
Dialogue reduces immediate risk of escalation, but trust deficit remains.
What are Blue Dragons, which caused beach closures in Spain?
Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology- Marine Biodiversity)
What are Blue Dragons?
Scientific Name: Glaucus atlanticus.
Category: Small sea slug (gastropod mollusk), belongs to the family Glaucidae.
Appearance:
Barely 4 cm long.
Striking blue & silver coloration → camouflage in ocean (countershading strategy).
Habitat:
Float upside down on the ocean surface, drifting with currents.
Found in warm tropical/subtropical waters (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Oceans).
Feeding:
Prey on venomous cnidarians like Portuguese man o’ war, bluebottles, jellyfish.
Ingest venom & concentrate it in their finger-like appendages.
Their sting can be more potent than their prey.
Why Dangerous?
Venom Potency:
Capable of delivering stings stronger than jellyfish they consume.
Toxins can cause severe pain, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions.
In rare cases, may lead to death.
Public Health Concern:
Presence along tourist beaches → caused closure of several beaches in Spain.
Global Distribution
Recorded in: Australia, South Africa, India (rare sightings), USA (Texas), Portugal, Spain.
Rare in the Mediterranean Sea, but recent sightings have increased.
First record in Spain → 1839 (Canary Islands).
Since 2016 → increasing frequency, linked to climate change & shifting ocean currents.
Why Rising Now?
Climate Change Factor:
Mediterranean → among the fastest-warming seas (warming 20% faster than global oceans).
Rising sea surface temperature → 4–5°C anomalies.
Expanding habitats of tropical species into temperate zones.
Ocean Currents & Wind Patterns:
Stronger winds & altered currents carry them closer to coasts.
Food Availability:
Bloom in jellyfish populations → attracts blue dragons.
Ecological Role
Predator of Jellyfish: Helps regulate jellyfish populations.
Indicator Species: Their movement indicates shifts in ocean temperature & biodiversity patterns.
Conclusion
Blue dragons are both a public health concern and an ecological indicator species, symbolizing how climate change-driven ocean warming and current shifts are altering marine biodiversity.
Their rising presence in new habitats reflects broader climate challenges, requiring integrated responses in marine conservation, tourism safety, and coastal management policies.
Fertiliser crisis
Relevance : GS 3(Agriculture and Food Security -Fertiliser Production and Subsidies)
Context
Rainfall & Crop Sowing
India had a very good southwest monsoon (June–August: 8.9% above normal rainfall).
Farmers planted more kharif crops: paddy, pulses, coarse cereals, maize.
As of Aug 22, rice acreage was 420.4 lakh hectares (vs 390.8 lakh last year).
Fertiliser Consumption Surge
With more sowing, fertiliser demand shot up.
Major nutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Sulphur (S).
Fertiliser sales (Apr–Jul 2025 vs Apr–Jul 2024):
Urea: 108.86 lt (+21.6%)
DAP: 56.68 lt (+33.6%)
NPKS: 50.03 lt (+15.5%)
SSP: 45.06 lt (+8.6%)
MOP: 12.42 lt (-43.6%)
Imports & Supply Gaps
India imports ~25–30% of fertiliser needs.
Urea: imports down to 1.24 mt (Apr–Jun 2025) from 2.6 mt last year.
DAP: imports down to 1.88 mt from 2.1 mt.
Morocco & China are key suppliers.
Global supply disruptions and China’s export restrictions worsened shortages.
Shortages & Queues
Farmers queued for urea/DAP at sowing time (July).
Pre-stocking by farmers added stress.
Shortage visible in rice-growing regions needing higher fertiliser doses.
Policy Lessons
Govt underestimated higher fertiliser demand due to increased paddy acreage.
Future planning must account for fertiliser-intensive crops like rice/pulses.
Imports need advance booking; rabi demand must be secured early.
Why the Shortage Happened
Domestic production lag: India still depends on imports for ~30% of fertilisers.
High demand spike: Good monsoon encouraged extra planting, esp. rice.
Global disruption:
China restricted exports of urea/DAP.
Morocco’s output limited.
Prices of raw materials like phosphoric acid and ammonia surged.
Inefficient planning: Govt procurement underestimated demand in kharif 2025.
Economic Impact
Farmers: Higher fertiliser prices in black markets, long queues at centres.
Inflation risk: Fertiliser shortages can reduce yields → push up food inflation.
Fiscal stress: Fertiliser subsidies already exceed ₹2 lakh crore annually; shortages may force more imports at higher costs.
Agriculture & Food Security
Rice & Pulses (nitrogen-demanding crops) most affected.
Potential yield losses if farmers can’t access fertiliser on time.
Could reduce India’s exportable rice surplus, impacting global food markets.
Strategic Dependence
India relies heavily on a few suppliers (China, Morocco, Oman, Russia).
Import volatility = strategic vulnerability.
Need for domestic revival of fertiliser manufacturing capacity.
Policy Lessons & Reforms
Advance contracts for imports before kharif season.
Diversify sourcing (Africa, Gulf countries, new FTAs).
Invest in domestic production via joint ventures & PLI-type incentives.
Promote alternative inputs: nano-urea, biofertilisers, integrated nutrient management.
Better demand forecasting using satellite data & crop sowing trends.
‘Mini-cloudbursts’ are on the rise: IMD chief
Basics
Cloudburst:
Sudden, extreme rainfall in a localized area (≥100 mm/hr over a few sq. km).
Common in hilly regions due to orographic lift and moisture-laden winds.
Mini-cloudburst:
Smaller in scale, but with intense rainfall (typically 50–100 mm/hr).
Increasingly reported in recent years.
Forecasting:
IMD states that cloudbursts remain “impossible to forecast” due to their highly localized and short-lived nature.
Mini-cloudbursts, though more frequent, are also hard to predict with current models.
Relevance : GS 3(Disaster Management – Floods , Cloudbursts, Environment – Climate Change)
Recent Rainfall Trends (2025 Monsoon till Aug 31)
Overall Monsoon (June–Aug 2025): 6% above normal (76.2 cm vs usual 70 cm).
Regional distribution:
Northwest India: +26% above normal (Uttarakhand, UP, Punjab, Haryana, J&K, Rajasthan, Delhi).
Central India: +8.6% above normal.
Southern Peninsula: +9.3% above normal; August rainfall (25 cm) = 3rd highest since 2001.
East & Northeast India: –17% deficit despite being the traditional rain-surplus zone.
September Outlook: Expected above normal rainfall (+9% vs average 16.7 cm), continuing a trend noticed since 1980.
Heavy Rainfall Episodes
August 2025:
700+ instances of heavy rain (≥20 cm/day), 2nd highest since 2021 (behind 800+ in 2024).
Northern India: August rainfall = 26.5 cm, highest since 2001.
Drivers of extreme events:
Interaction between Western Disturbances (from Mediterranean) and Bay of Bengal storms → convergence of moisture → intense rain bursts.
Resulted in devastating floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Uttarakhand.
Key Analytical Insights
Mini-cloudbursts on the rise:
May be linked to climate change-driven shifts: warming atmosphere holds more moisture, increasing probability of intense short-duration rainfall.
Urbanization + deforestation in hilly areas amplifies impacts (flash floods, landslides).
Changing monsoon dynamics:
September becoming wetter since 1980 (possibly due to delayed monsoon withdrawal + oceanic-atmospheric changes like Indian Ocean Dipole).
Regional inequality: Surplus in NW & Central India, deficit in East & NE → disrupts agriculture, hydrology, disaster preparedness.
Forecasting limitations:
While seasonal/weekly monsoon forecasts improving, sub-hourly localized predictions like cloudbursts remain beyond current radar and model resolution.
IMD using Doppler radars + AI-based nowcasting to reduce unpredictability.
Policy & Preparedness Implications:
Need for micro-level disaster management plans, especially in Himalayan states and urban flood-prone zones.
Resilient infrastructure + improved early warning systems essential.
The importance of India’s federal design
Basics
Context:
SC hearing Zahoor Ahmed Bhat v. UT of J&K.
Plea: non-restoration of statehood violates citizens’ rights + federalism (basic structure).
SC stance:
Separation of powers → some decisions belong to govt., not judiciary.
But federal design of Constitution requires statehood restoration.
Relevance : GS 2(Polity and Constitution – Federalism, Statehood)
Constitutional Provisions on State Creation
Article 1: India = Union of States, not a federation of states.
Processes of State creation:
Admission: political unit joins India (e.g., J&K in 1947 through Instrument of Accession).
Establishment: acquisition under international law (e.g., Goa 1961, Sikkim 1975).
Formation (Art. 3): reorganisation of existing states → increase, decrease, alter boundaries/names.
Limits of Art. 3:
Parliament can diminish a state’s area but cannot convert it into a Union Territory permanently.
Making J&K a UT is exceptional, not meant to be permanent.
Federal Design of India
Union vs Federation:
Word Union chosen deliberately → strong Centre, inseparable unity.
Yet federalism built into Basic Structure → equitable distribution of powers/resources.
Balance of power:
Unitary tilt → Centre strong enough to preserve unity & integrity.
Federal features → state participation & representation (Rajya Sabha permanent under Art. 83(1)).
Basic Structure Doctrine (Kesavananda Bharati, 1973):
Federalism = unamendable feature of the Constitution.
Arbitrary dilution (e.g., indefinite UT status for J&K) undermines basic structure.
J&K Case Study
2019: J&K Reorganisation Act split J&K into UT of J&K + UT of Ladakh.
Dec 2023 SC verdict:
Upheld abrogation of Articles 370 & 35A.
Directed restoration of statehood to J&K + assembly elections.
Oct 2024: Elections to 90-member Assembly held, but statehood still withheld.
Criticism:
Without statehood, federal balance tilted in favour of Union.
LG holds overriding power, reducing elected govt. authority → weakens democracy.
Constitutional Context
Why statehood matters:
Ensures representation of people at Union level.
Strengthens federal bargain: Centre strong but States empowered.
Prevents constitutional inconsistency: a UT with an assembly ≠ true federal design.
Implications of delay:
Creates trust deficit between Union & people of J&K.
Weakens cooperative federalism.
Sets precedent for excessive centralisation.
Constitutional principle:
Restoring J&K’s statehood is not just political, but a constitutional necessity to uphold federalism.
What Next?
Union Government: obligated (per SC) to restore J&K’s statehood.
Timeline: Centre may justify delay citing ground realities/security concerns, but indefinite postponement undermines federal design.
Broader lesson:
Federalism = cornerstone of Basic Structure.
States cannot be downgraded permanently to UTs without damaging India’s constitutional identity.
Inside the APK scam: how fake apps are used for financial fraud
Basics
APK files: Android Package Kit files, used to install apps on Android (like .exe files on Windows).
Modus operandi:
Victim gets a call/message claiming urgent action (blocked account, subsidy, electricity bill).
Sent a link to download an app disguised as a govt./bank portal.
App installs easily, mimics official branding.
Once permissions are granted, the device is compromised → financial & personal data stolen.
How the Fraud Works
Permissions requested: access to SMS, contacts, call logs, notifications, location, microphone.
Functions after install:
Monitors real-time activity.
Intercepts OTPs and passwords.
Closes fixed deposits, siphons funds.
Mirrors & transmits data to fraudster servers in encrypted form.
Techniques:
Apps appear dormant during install to bypass antivirus checks.
Minor modifications to logo/name/URL allow reuse after blacklisting.
Scale of the Problem
Cybercrime surge: 900% rise between 2021–2025 (Parliament data).
National Cyber Crime Portal (2025): 12,47,393 cases logged in 6 months.
Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (Jan–Jul 2025):
2,188 APK fraud cases.
₹779.06 crore lost.
20–30 cases/day; daily loss = ₹10–15 lakh.
High-value scams: up to ₹30–40 lakh each.
Apps in circulation: Hundreds of cases linked to ~10 core APK files reused repeatedly.
Who Operates These Apps?
Local ecosystem:
60–70% developed in India (Delhi-NCR, Meerut, UP, Jamtara, Jharkhand).
International linkages:
30–40% traced to U.S., U.K., China.
Distribution channels:
Telegram channels, dark web marketplaces, pre-built APK kits sold for a fee.
Organised underground economy: coders, distributors, mule account handlers.
How Victims Are Targeted
Digital surveillance & data leaks:
Fraudsters purchase leaked customer databases (from malls, hospitals, service portals).
Data includes names, numbers, emails, addresses, income, profession.
Target profile:
High-earning professionals (doctors, bankers, teachers, real estate agents).
Social engineering:
Messages are customised, urgent, and exploit trust to force quick action.
Investigations & Challenges
Cyber forensics:
Only 20–30% of APKs successfully decrypted.
Often reveal just server addresses, rarely developer signatures.
Financial trails:
Stolen funds funneled into mule accounts, quickly converted into cryptocurrency.
Local accomplices sometimes arrested, masterminds remain elusive (esp. offshore).
Tech interventions:
Google removed ~50 malicious apps recently.
But platforms don’t pre-scan all hosted apps; fraudsters use fake identities for hosting/publishing.
Comprehensive Analysis
Structural Drivers:
Widespread smartphone penetration + digital payments boom.
Weak cyber hygiene & low awareness among users.
Cheap dark web data sets fueling targeted scams.
Systemic Gaps:
Lack of strong pre-screening by app stores.
Delays in forensic decryption and inter-agency coordination.
International jurisdiction hurdles in catching masterminds.
Economic & Social Impact:
Daily financial hemorrhage of ₹10–15 lakh.
Trust deficit in digital systems, affecting adoption of fintech/government platforms.
Policy Imperatives:
Stricter KYC norms for digital wallets and hosting accounts.
Mandatory app vetting by intermediaries.
Investment in cyber forensic capacity and cross-border cooperation.
Public awareness campaigns on phishing & fake apps.
Why NRIs are choosing India for medical tourism
Basics
Medical tourism: Traveling across borders to seek healthcare due to cost, quality, or accessibility reasons.
NRI context: Rising healthcare costs abroad, distance from family, and affordability in India make it an attractive option.
Key drivers:
Cost savings (60–90% cheaper vs. U.S./Europe).
Comparable or superior quality of care in many specialties.
Growing adoption of health insurance policies tailored for NRIs.
Digital ease in policy purchase and claim settlement.
Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues- Healthcare)
Cost Advantage
Heart bypass surgery:
U.S.: $70,000–$1,50,000
India: $5,000–$8,000
Knee replacement:
U.S.: up to $50,000
India: $4,000–$6,000
Complex surgeries:
U.S.: > $1,00,000
India: $10,000–$20,000
Medicines: Up to 90% cheaper in India compared to global markets.
Insurance premiums: 25–40 times cheaper in India vs. U.S./GCC.
Adoption of Health Insurance by NRIs
Growth trend: >150% rise in NRI adoption in 1 year.
Young NRIs (<35 years): 148% growth.
Women buyers: 125% growth.
Coverage: Includes parents/elderly living in India.
Recurring care: Helps cover long-term costs of cancer, respiratory, cardiac, and infectious diseases.
Policy & Digital Push
Government initiatives: Heal in India, promoting India as a healthcare hub.
Digital platforms: NRIs can explore, compare, and buy insurance remotely.
Cashless claims: Seamless access across Indian hospitals, bridging geographical distance.
Tier-3 cities rising: ~50% of NRI claims now from smaller hubs (Thrissur, Kollam, Thane) besides metros (Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram).
Healthcare Infrastructure & Quality
Accredited hospitals: India has >40 JCI-accredited hospitals meeting global standards.
Specialties in demand: Cardiology, oncology, organ transplants, orthopedics, dentistry.
Doctor pool: Large number of English-speaking, globally trained doctors.
Technology: Advanced robotic surgeries, telemedicine, and diagnostics.
Financial Ripple Effect
Direct impact: Savings on procedures free up funds for mortgages, education, retirement.
Macro-level effect: India’s medical tourism market is expected to cross $13 billion soon.
Insurance as a catalyst: Extends protection beyond surgery costs → covers recurring illnesses.
Regional development: Smaller towns benefit as insurance claims and hospital infra expand beyond metros.
Comprehensive Analysis
Push factors abroad:
Exploding healthcare costs in U.S. & GCC.
Long wait times for elective surgeries in U.K./Canada.
Limited insurance portability for NRIs abroad.
Pull factors in India:
Affordability without quality compromise.
Comprehensive insurance offerings for NRIs and families.
Emotional and cultural comfort of being treated near family.
Challenges:
Quality disparity between top-tier hospitals and smaller facilities.
Need for transparent insurance claim processing.
Risk of over-commercialization of care.
Future outlook:
With digital health ecosystems, expanded insurance, and govt. policy support, India is positioned as a global hub combining healthcare + financial protection.
Decoding cryptos
Basics
Blockchain recap: A digital, decentralised ledger where transactions are recorded in blocks linked sequentially.
Verification need: Every transaction must be validated before being added to the blockchain.
Difference from banks:
Banks → verified by officials in a centralised system.
Cryptos → verified by miners/validators in a decentralised network.
Consensus mechanism: The method by which blockchain participants agree on the validity of transactions.
Relevance : GS 3(Economy – Digital Currencies , Technology – Block Chain
Consensus Mechanisms
Proof of Work (PoW):
Miners solve complex puzzles using computing power.
Winner adds block + earns rewards (coins + fees).
Secure but energy-intensive, slow, costly.
Example: Bitcoin.
Proof of Stake (PoS):
Validators chosen based on how much crypto they “stake.”
Honest validators earn fees/rewards; dishonest ones lose staked coins.
Faster, more energy-efficient.
Example: Ethereum (post-Merge), Solana.
Core purpose of both: Prevent fraud, ensure security, incentivize participation.
Other Consensus Mechanisms (Emerging)
Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS): Voting system where stakeholders elect validators (EOS, Tron).
Proof of Authority (PoA): Validators selected based on reputation/identity.
Hybrid models: Combining PoW + PoS for balance of security and scalability.
Key Factors Before Investing in Cryptos
Network security: Must have active, decentralised nodes that resist hacking.
Transaction efficiency: Speed (TPS – transactions per second) + fees (affect usability).
Market reputation: Coin’s history, community support, transparency of developers.
Real-world utility: Adoption potential in payments, finance, supply chain, gaming, healthcare.
Volatility: Prices swing dramatically; not suitable for risk-averse investors.
Regulatory environment: Varies across countries; legal uncertainty remains a big risk.
Types of Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin (BTC): First, most famous; store of value (“digital gold”).
Altcoins:
Ethereum: Smart contracts, DeFi, NFTs.
Solana, Cardano, Polygon: Faster transactions, scalable dApps.
Stablecoins: Pegged to assets (e.g., USDT, USDC); reduce volatility.
Utility tokens: Access to services (Binance Coin, Chainlink).
Governance tokens: Voting rights in decentralised organisations (UNI, AAVE).
Meme coins: Community/hype driven (Dogecoin, Shiba Inu).
Sector-specific coins: Gaming (Axie Infinity), supply chain (VeChain), finance (Ripple/XRP).
Opportunities
Wealth creation: Early adopters of BTC/ETH saw exponential gains.
Financial inclusion: Provides access where banking infrastructure is weak.
Innovation: Smart contracts, decentralised finance (DeFi), NFTs, tokenisation of assets.
Portfolio diversification: Non-correlated asset, but very high risk.
Risks & Challenges
Extreme volatility: Gains/losses can exceed 30% in days.
Regulatory crackdowns: Uncertain legal status in India, US, EU.
Scams & rug pulls: Many coins are hype-based, without real value.
Environmental impact: PoW energy consumption (e.g., Bitcoin mining).
Custody risk: Losing private keys = permanent loss of funds.
Liquidity traps: Small coins may lack active buyers/sellers.
Takeaways
Cryptos are more than speculation: They represent a new financial architecture (DeFi, Web3, tokenised economies).
Long-term value likely lies in:
Coins with real-world utility (payments, contracts, decentralised apps).
Strong developer community + transparent governance.
Short-term risk: High; better suited for informed, risk-tolerant investors.
Cautionary stance: Research > Hype. Diversify. Don’t over-allocate.
Global future: Cryptos may evolve into mainstream finance if regulation balances innovation + investor protection.