CIVIL SERVICE INFO

Main Idea The global system for controlling nuclear weapons is under pressure, especially after President Donald Trump's actions. These decisions might affect how countries trust each other about not using nuclear weapons and could change the rules that kept nuclear wars from happening for the last 80 years. Key Points The total number of nuclear weapons worldwide is much lower than it was during the Cold War, but the biggest nuclear powers (U.S., Russia, China, France, the U.K.) still keep them as a part of their security systems.Trump announced that the U.S. will start developing newer types of nuclear weapons, and he encouraged other countries like Russia and China to do the same.This decision could lead to a new competition where countries race to make more advanced nuclear arms, making the world less safe.Nuclear Tests and TreatiesThere used to be international agreements against testing nuclear bombs (like the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, CTBT), but now there is doubt about...

The global push for nuclear weapons is a tale of dangerous arithmetic, where leaders compete for power, but the only real winners sit behind the scenes. This "mad math" of nuclear competition is driven not just by national security or prestige, but by the invisible hands of the arms industry. #### Who Wants Nukes—and Why? Today, nations like Russia, China, North Korea, and the United States circle in a perpetual contest—each trying to outdo the other in missile capability and destructive power. Political leaders cite threats, deterrence, and strategic dominance, yet the motivations are often murkier: a mix of fear, rivalry, and, in some cases, domestic pressure from powerful lobbies. Some regimes, like North Korea, use nuclear bravado as a megaphone to the world. Others, like Israel, maintain deliberate ambiguity—neither admitting nor denying their nuclear arsenal, skating a fine line in regional geopolitics. #### The Arms Lobby: Profiting from Paranoia Beneath the bluster an...

Tamil Nadu has witnessed a significant and sustained growth in paddy procurement during the lean season, reflecting the effectiveness of recent agricultural policies and procurement strategies. The lean season, which typically spans from April to August, no longer lags behind the peak September-March period in terms of paddy procurement, as observed by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC). Over the past few years, both the volume and proportion of paddy procured during the lean season have markedly increased, contributing a larger share to the total annual procurement than ever before [1]. ### Rise in Lean Season Procurement Recent data highlights a consistent rise in paddy procurement during the lean season across Tamil Nadu. Between 2021-22 and 2024-25, the share of lean season procurement to total annual procurement grew from 16% to around 41%. In absolute numbers, the lean season saw an increase from 6.65 lakh tonnes in 2021-22 to 19.69 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, with t...

Quantum tunnelling is a strange effect in quantum physics where very tiny things, like electrons, can pass through walls or barriers that they shouldn't be able to cross if the usual rules of physics applied. Imagine throwing a ball at a wall—normally, the ball would just bounce back, but in the quantum world, the ball could sometimes magically appear on the other side without climbing over the wal. This happens because particles act like waves that can stretch through barriers, and there is a small chance that the particle will end up on the other side, even though it doesn’t have enough energy to go over.

Criminal Defamation's Conflict with Democratic Principles Incompatibility with Democratic Debate • The article discusses why criminal defamation is seen as incompatible with democratic debate. • It argues that criminal defamation laws—which allow prison terms for statements harming someone's reputation—are disproportionate and stifle free speech in a democracy. • Many democracies have moved away from criminal penalties for defamation, preferring civil remedies like monetary compensation, as punishment by imprisonment is seen as excessive and unnecessary. Intimidation and Free Speech • Criminal defamation laws can intimidate critics, journalists, and political opponents,  suppressing public discourse and democratic debate. - Civil defamation laws are sufficient to protect reputations, allowing parties to seek compensation without risking imprisonment.  - International bodies and many European countries recommend abolishing criminal defamation or, at the very least, not using im...

India's Stance on US Corn Imports: A Multifaceted Analysis Reasons for Resistance • Why India Stands Firm Against US Corn Imports - India’s resistance to importing corn from the United States is rooted in a blend of economic strategy, food policy, and political calculation. • Despite pressure from Washington, New Delhi continues to restrict American corn for several key reasons: Prioritizing Domestic Needs • Domestic Production and Surplus: India harvests enough corn to meet most national needs, making large-scale imports unnecessary except in temporary shortfalls. • As a major producer, domestic policy rightly gives precedence to Indian farmers. Rejection of GM Crops • No to Genetically Modified Crops: A defining pillar of India’s food policy is the rejection of GM crops for food and feed. Exclusion of GM Corn • With over 90% of American corn grown from GM seeds, such imports are automatically excluded, reflecting both biosafety concerns and public sentiment. Trade Barriers and Ta...