Monday's Briefing

Pax Silica and India – Securing Critical Technology Supply Chains

This topic is testable because it involves India's potential participation in a significant international initiative aimed at securing critical technology supply chains, which has implications for India's strategic autonomy and economic policy.

• Pax Silica is a U.S.-led multilateral initiative launched in December 2025 to secure supply chains for semiconductors, AI, and rare earth elements.
• India is expected to be invited to join Pax Silica, which aims to reduce economic dependencies and build trusted digital infrastructure.
• Key members include the U.S., Japan, Australia, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Singapore, with India bringing strengths in digital infrastructure and a growing AI market.

Disinvestment Policy – Shift from Disinvestment to Asset Monetisation

This topic is testable because it involves significant policy shifts in India's economic strategy, particularly concerning public sector management and fiscal policy. Understanding the transition from disinvestment to asset monetisation is crucial for comprehending the government's approach to managing public assets and generating revenue.

• The National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) 2.0 indicates a shift from asset sales to asset monetisation.
• Disinvestment revenues have declined, with a significant drop from ₹16,507 crore in 2023-24 to ₹10,163 crore in 2024-25.
• Dividend income from CPSEs has increased significantly, surpassing disinvestment proceeds.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 February 2026

This report is testable because it provides a comprehensive analysis of gender equality in economic opportunities, highlighting significant gaps and challenges. It is relevant for understanding global gender policies and their implications, which are crucial for UPSC exams focusing on social justice and governance.

• The World Bank's Women, Business and the Law 2026 report measures laws and policies affecting women's economic opportunities in 190 economies.
• The report highlights a global implementation gap where laws for women's economic equality exist but often fail due to weak enforcement.
• Only 4% of women live in economies that have achieved nearly full legal equality across all three pillars: legal frameworks, supportive frameworks, and enforcement perceptions.

Strait of Hormuz Disruption: Impact on India’s Energy Security

This topic is testable because it involves India's energy security, a critical aspect of its international relations and economic stability. Understanding the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on global energy markets is essential for UPSC aspirants, especially in the context of geopolitical tensions.

• The Strait of Hormuz is a critical oil transit chokepoint, handling about one-fifth of global petroleum and LNG trade.
• India imports over 88% of its crude oil, with about half passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
• India's LPG and LNG imports are highly vulnerable to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to limited reserves.

Pakistan–Afghanistan Tensions: History Behind the Open Conflict

This topic is testable because it involves complex geopolitical dynamics in South Asia, including historical disputes, border issues, and the influence of major regional players like India. Understanding these tensions is crucial for questions on international relations and regional security in UPSC exams.

• Pakistan and Afghanistan have entered a new phase of hostilities, with Pakistan bombing Kabul following a cross-border attack.
• The Durand Line remains a core dispute, with Afghanistan refusing to recognize it as an international border.
• Trade and transit disagreements, particularly over routes to India, exacerbate tensions between the two countries.

NCERT must heed the lesson in the Court's rebuke

This is testable because it involves a judicial rebuke to a national educational body, which may have implications for governance and educational policy.

Credit wars escalate in Kerala as polls approach

This is testable because it reflects the political dynamics and governance issues in Kerala, which are relevant for understanding state-level electoral politics and federal relations.