UPSC PT Pointers

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri is currently at Guam in the Northern Pacific to participate in the multilateral Exercise Malabar-2025. About Exercise Malabar Exercise Malabar is a naval exercise that was initiated in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the United States Navy. The first Malabar Exercise in the Bay of Bengal took place in 2007. In 2015, the exercise was expanded to a trilateral format with the inclusion of the Japanese Navy.

JAIMEX 2025

Recently, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri participated in the Sea phase of JAIMEX-25, a maritime exercise between India and Japan. This exercise highlights the growing cooperation between the two countries in the maritime domain, specifically within the context of their Special Strategic and Global Partnership established in 2014. About JAIMEX 2025 Objective: The exercise aims to enhance naval cooperation and interoperability between the Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime Sel

India and MERCOSUR

India and Brazil have recently agreed to expand their existing trade agreement between India and the MERCOSUR bloc, marking a significant step in strengthening economic and trade relations between India and South America. About MERCOSUR Group The Southern Common Market, or MERCOSUR (from its Spanish acronym Mercado Común del Sur), is a regional economic organization in South America. Established: 1991 through the Treaty of Asunción. Objective: The primary

IN-RoKN Exercise

The IN-RoKN Exercise is a significant step in strengthening the naval ties between India and South Korea. IN-RoKN Exercise Overview: Participants: Indian Navy (IN) and Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN). Location: The exercise is taking place in Busan Naval Harbour, South Korea. Date: The Indian Naval Ship (INS Sahyadri) arrived on 13 October 2025, marking the beginning of this inaugural bilateral naval exercise. Purpose: The exercise aims to: Deepe

Henley Passport Index 2025

India's passport has dropped to the 85th rank in the Henley Passport Index 2025, falling five places compared to the previous year.. About the Henley Passport Index: The Henley Passport Index is a globally recognized ranking system that measures the strength of passports based on the visa-free access their holders have to different countries. It is widely regarded as a key indicator of global mobility and diplomatic relationships between nations. Established: In 2006, orig

Steadfast Noon 2025

Steadfast Noon is NATO's annual nuclear deterrence exercise, and for 2025, it will be hosted by the Netherlands. Key Details of Steadfast Noon 2025: Location and Hosts: The main site for the exercise will be Volkel Air Base in the Netherlands. Additional bases will be involved in the exercise, including those in Kleine Brogel (Belgium), Lakenheath (UK), and Skrydstrup (Denmark). Participants: Around 70 aircraft from 14 NATO me

Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025

An Indian Army contingent of 120 personnel has recently departed for Irwin Barracks, Perth, Australia to participate in the fourth edition of Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025. This annual exercise between India and Australia plays a crucial role in strengthening military ties and improving operational capabilities. Key Highlights of Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025: Joint Military Exercise: Exercise AUSTRAHIND is an annual joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Austr

Fatah-4 Missile

Recently, Pakistan announced the successful test of its new long-range cruise missile, Fatah-IV, showcasing a significant advancement in its missile capabilities. About the Fatah-4 Missile Indigenous Development: The Fatah-4 is Pakistan’s indigenously developed long-range cruise missile, designed for precision strikes. Range: The missile has a range of 750 kilometers (470 miles), enabling it to target distant locations with high accuracy. Speed: It can reach

Global Power Dynamics

India’s aspiration to become a global power is a compelling journey marked by both significant challenges and substantial opportunities. As one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, India faces unique constraints that limit its global influence, but it also holds key foundations that provide a strong foundation for global leadership. Key Constraints Hindering India’s Global Power Aspirations Ambition vs. Strategic Capacity: Strategic Clarity and

Global Peace Index

The Global Peace Index (GPI) for 2025 has just been released, showing some important trends in global peacefulness. What is the Global Peace Index (GPI)? The Global Peace Index is an annual ranking of countries and territories based on their level of peacefulness. It is produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), and the 2025 edition is the 19th edition of the GPI. It ranks 163 independent states and territories, covering 99.7% of the world's population. The GPI u