25 February 2026

• The Union Health Ministry will launch a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme for 14-year-old girls.
• Vaccination will be voluntary and free of cost across all States and UTs.
• India will use Gardasil (quadrivalent vaccine).
• Procurement secured through partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
• Programme based on recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI).
• Vaccination to be administered at government facilities including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, CHCs, District Hospitals, and Government Medical Colleges.

Key Points

• HPV (Human Papillomavirus):
  • Sexually transmitted virus.
  • High-risk types 16 & 18 cause over 80% of cervical cancer cases in India.
  • Types 6 & 11 cause genital warts.
• Cervical Cancer (India):
  • Second most common cancer among women.
  • ~80,000 new cases annually.  ~42,000 deaths annually.
• Vaccine Features:
  • Non-live recombinant vaccine.
  • Single-dose schedule supported by global evidence.
  • 93–100% effectiveness against vaccine- covered HPV types.
  • Over 500 million doses administered globally since 2006.
  • Target Age: 14 years (before potential exposure).

Static Linkages

•  Article 21 – Right to Life includes right to health (judicial interpretation).
• Article 47 – Duty of the State to improve public health.
• Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
• National Health Policy 2017 – Focus on preventive healthcare.
• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being.
• WHO’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy (90–70–90 targets).

Critical Analysis

• Positives
  • Preventive public health approach.  
  • Reduces long-term cancer burden.  
  • Promotes gender equity.
  • Cost-effective compared to cancer treatment.  
  • Strengthens primary healthcare infrastructure.
• Challenges
  • Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
  • Cultural stigma around sexually transmitted infections.
  • Ensuring cold-chain logistics in remote areas.
  • Need for parallel screening (Pap smear/HPV DNA testing).

Way Forward

• Integrate HPV vaccination with school health programmes.
• Strengthen awareness campaigns to reduce stigma.
• Ensure strong AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunisation) surveillance.
• Expand cervical cancer screening coverage.  
• Encourage domestic vaccine manufacturing

ISRO PANEL PROBES PSLV FAILURES

• Successive failures of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) missions:
• PSLV-C61 (May 2025) – Third stage ignition failure; EOS-09 satellite lost.
• PSLV-C62 (January 2026) – Third stage failed to ignite; 16 satellites lost.
• A high-level external committee constituted including:
  • K. Vijay Raghavan, former Principal Scientific Adviser.
  • S. Somanath, former ISRO Chairman
• Committee to examine systemic/organisational issues beyond technical faults.
• “Third-party appraisal” mentioned by Union Minister.
• Implications for broader space ecosystem including private sector participation under Indian Space Policy 2023.

Key Points

• PSLV:
  • Four-stage launch vehicle (solid–liquid– solid–liquid configuration).
  • Known as ISRO’s “workhorse”.
  • Used for Sun-synchronous and polar orbit missions.
• Third stage (solid propellant) critical for achieving required velocity.
• Failure Analysis Committee (FAC):
  • Traditionally constituted internally by ISRO.
  • Recommends corrective measures before next launch.
• Indian Space Policy 2023:
  • Encourages private participation.
  • IN-SPACe as regulatory and facilitation body.
• Space is under Union List → Executive authority of Union government.

Static Linkages

• Union List – Space and scientific institutions.
• Executive power of Union (Article 73).
• Public procurement and accountability mechanisms.
• Strategic sector governance.  Role of Space Commission & Department of Space.
• National security dimension of satellite infrastructure.

Critical Dimensions

• Transition from state-led to public– private space ecosystem increases:
  • Supply-chain complexity.
  • Need for quality control.  
  • Clear liability framework.
• Transparency concerns:
  • Non-public release of Failure Analysis reports.
• National security implications of repeated launch failures.
• Organisational vs technical failure – governance reforms needed.
• Impact on India’s commercial launch credibility globally.

Way Forward

• Strengthen third-party technical audits.
• Institutionalised transparency in failure reports.
• Robust quality assurance across private supply chain.
• Clear liability and accountability norms under space reforms.
• Capacity-building in mission-critical systems.
• Strengthen Space Commission oversight mechanisms.

ISRAEL VISIT: STRATEGIC IMPACT

• Heightened instability in West Asia due to:
  • U.S.–Iran tensions and military buildup in the Persian Gulf.
• Fragile Gaza ceasefire (since October 2025).
• PM Narendra Modi’s two-day standalone visit to Israel (Feb 25–26, 2026).
• Continuation of India’s “de-hyphenation policy” — separate engagement with Israel and Palestine.
• Visit occurs amid revival of IMEC and evolving regional alignments.

Key Points

1. Defence & Security Cooperation

• As per SIPRI:
  • India accounted for ~34% of Israel’s arms exports (2020–2024).
• Major joint projects:
  • Barak-8 surface-to-air missile system.
• Focus areas:
  • Air and missile defence systems.  
  • Anti-drone technologies.
  • Laser-based systems (Iron Beam).
• Shift from import-based model to joint development and co-production.
• Alignment with:
  • Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence.
  • Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI-like model cooperation).

2. Economic & Trade Relations

• Bilateral trade: ~$3.75 billion (FY 2024–25).  
• Dominant sectors:
  • Diamonds, petroleum products, chemicals.
• Emerging sectors:
  • Electronics, medical devices, communication technology.
• September 2025:
  • Bilateral Investment Agreement signed.
• November 2025:
  • Terms of Reference signed for Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
  • Infrastructure collaboration and skilled mobility discussions underway.

3. Science, Agriculture & Water Cooperation 35+ Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in India:

• • High-density horticulture.  
  • Precision agriculture.
• Cooperation in:
  • Drip irrigation.
  • Water management technologies.
• Agreements with:
  • Haryana (2022) and Rajasthan (2024) for Integrated Water Resource Management.
• Future focus:
  • Artificial Intelligence and high-tech innovation ecosystems.

4. Geopolitical Dimensions

• India balancing ties with:
  • Israel
  • Gulf countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman)  Iran
• IMEC (India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor):
  • Announced at G20 Delhi Summit 2023.  
  • Alternative to Suez Canal route.
  • Dependent on regional stability.
• India attended Gaza Peace Summit (2026) as observer.

Static Linkages

• Strategic Autonomy as core of India’s foreign policy.
• West Asia supplies over 50% of India’s crude oil imports.
• Defence indigenisation under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Multi-alignment diplomacy in a multipolar world.
• Connectivity corridors as geoeconomic tools.

Critical Dimensions

• Opportunities
  • Strengthening air and missile defence architecture.
  • Advancing defence indigenisation and technology transfer.
  • Enhancing food and water security through Israeli technology.
  • Expanding India’s geoeconomic footprint via IMEC.
  • Positioning India as a stabilising middle power.
• Challenges
  • Risk of alienating Iran amid U.S.–Iran tensions.  
  • Managing Arab sensitivities over Gaza.
  • IMEC viability linked to sustained regional peace.
  • Avoiding bloc politics (e.g., proposed “hexagon” alliance).

Way Forward

• Maintain strategic autonomy and balanced diplomacy.
• Accelerate joint R&D in defence and AI.  
• Fast-track FTA negotiations.
• Leverage agricultural and water cooperation for climate resilience.
• Support inclusive regional peace initiatives without military entanglement.

INDIA TRADE IN MULTIPOLAR ERA

• India updated Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 with a target of $2 trillion exports by 2030.
• As per Department of Commerce (2025 Year- End Review), total exports reached $825.25 billion (6.05% annual growth).
• India signed a landmark FTA with the European Union in January 2026 after nearly two decades of negotiations.
• India and the United States signed an interim reciprocal trade framework, advancing negotiations on a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
• India’s FTA coverage projected to increase from 22% (2019) to nearly 71% of export basket by 2026.
• India earlier opted out of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) citing concerns over trade imbalance and domestic industry protection.

Key Points for Prelims

• EU FTA reduces/eliminates tariffs on over 90% of traded goods.
• Boost to sectors: textiles, leather, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, marine products.
• Enhances services trade (IT, fintech, digital trade).
• Promotes integration into Global Value Chains (GVCs).
• U.S.-India cooperation includes rare earths and semiconductors.
• Complements Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes.
• Supports MSME integration into global supply chains.
• Emphasis on diversification to reduce dependence on single markets.

Key Points for Mains

• Shift from cautious FTA approach to engagement with advanced economies.
• Trade agreements used as instruments of economic diplomacy.
• Alignment of trade strategy with “Viksit Bharat” vision.
• Balancing strategic autonomy with deeper global integration.
• Trade diversification reduces geopolitical vulnerability.

Static Linkages

• Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.
• Article 246 & Union List – Trade and Commerce with foreign countries.
• WTO principles: MFN & National Treatment.  
• Comparative Advantage theory (David Ricardo).
• Balance of Payments – Current Account components.
• PLI Scheme and Atmanirbhar Bharat strategy.  
• MSMED Act, 2006 – MSME framework.

Critical Analysis

• Positives
  • Greater market access in high-income economies.
  • Boost to labour-intensive sectors and MSMEs.
  • Strengthens supply chains and GVC integration.
  • Enhances diplomatic leverage.
  • Promotes technology transfer and high-value manufacturing.
• Challenges
  • Risk of widening trade deficit.
  • Pressure on sensitive domestic sectors (dairy, agriculture, SMEs).
  • Compliance costs due to stringent EU regulatory standards.
  • Need for strong domestic reforms (logistics, ease of doing business).
  • Overdependence on external demand amid global slowdown.

Way Forward

• Strengthen domestic competitiveness (infrastructure, logistics, skilling).
• Enhance export credit and MSME support mechanisms.
• Strategic tariff calibration in sensitive sectors.
• Improve trade facilitation and customs digitisation.
• Deepen value addition rather than raw- material exports.
• Strengthen standards certification ecosystem to meet EU norms.

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) completed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in several States.
• High deletions recorded:
  • Tamil Nadu – ~11.5%
  •  Gujarat – ~13.4%
  • Chhattisgarh – ~11.8%  
  • Bihar – ~6%
• Final rolls indicate registered adult population lower than projected estimates.
• Female electors reportedly faced higher deletions than male electors.
• Updated Census data unavailable (last Census: 2011).
• The Supreme Court of India permitted continuation of the process despite concerns.

Key Issues

• High Deletions in Net In-migrant States – Questions methodology and enumeration standards.
• Gendered Impact – Married women shifting residence more vulnerable.
• Migrant Exclusion – Temporary and seasonal migrants disproportionately affected.
• Burden of Proof Model – Electors required to prove eligibility instead of proactive enumeration.
• Absence of Updated Census – Weakens demographic benchmarking.
• Institutional Accountability – Judicial restraint vs constitutional oversight.

Constitutional & Legal Framework

• Article 324 – ECI’s authority over elections.  
• Article 326 – Universal Adult Suffrage (18+ years).
• Representation of the People Act, 1950 – Preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
• Electoral roll integrity is foundational to democratic legitimacy.

Static Concepts to Revise

• Universal Adult Franchise.
• Delimitation and Census linkage.
• Constitutional bodies – independence and accountability.
• Principles of Natural Justice.
• Migrant labour and urbanisation trends (Census 2011 data).

Critical Examination

• Concerns
  • Risk of exclusion of eligible voters → democratic deficit.
  • Gender disparity in deletions undermines inclusive representation.
  • Census delay affects electoral planning and population projections.
  • Institutional credibility of ECI at stake.
  • Judicial non-intervention limits procedural correction.
• Counter-Arguments
  • Periodic revision necessary to remove duplicates and deceased voters.
  • Complaint levels reportedly low.
  • ECI constitutionally empowered to conduct revisions.

Way Forward

•  Synchronise intensive revision with updated Census data.
• Household-based enumeration rather than self- certification.
• Gender-sensitive revision protocols.
• Use of technology with safeguards (Aadhaar linking subject to privacy norms).
• Transparent public audit of deletions and additions.
• Strengthened grievance redressal mechanisms.