1.A Resilience Test by Sajid Z

Why in News?

The article explores the erratic patterns of India’s recent GDP growth rates and provides an in-depth analysis of the causes behind such volatility. It appeared in The Indian Express on June 3, 2025, written by Sajid Z. Chinoy, a noted economist and Morgan Stanley executive.

Given the crucial role of economic reasoning in CLAT’s current affairs section, this piece holds relevance for aspirants preparing for legal reasoning, policy analysis, and understanding macroeconomic frameworks.

 Introduction

India’s recent economic growth trajectory has been puzzling:

• Q4 growth surged to 7.4%,
• Just two quarters earlier, it had dipped to 5.6%,
• Before that, it stood at 8.4%.

This irregular pattern demands a deeper understanding beyond surface-level narratives.

Point-Wise Summary of the Article

1. Growth Volatility Misinterpreted

• The ups and downs in India’s growth aren’t necessarily signs of dramatic slowdown or recovery.
• A deeper look shows that fiscal and agricultural factors caused these fluctuations—not organic private sector activity.

2. Key Reasons Behind Growth Swings

• Election-Year Fiscal Cycle:
  • Government spending was backloaded: Just 2% in H1, spiked to 15% in H2.
• Subsidy Timing:
  • Subsidies were frontloaded, lowering indirect taxes and depressing GDP in H1, but reversed in H2, boosting it.
• Agricultural Performance:
  • Agriculture grew by less than 3% in H1 and doubled to 6% in H2 due to monsoon effects.

3. Real Underlying Growth Rate

• When these exogenous (external) factors are adjusted, the true GDP growth was about 6.5%, reflecting stable performance.

4. Wrong Questions Being Asked

• Asking “what caused the slowdown” misses the point.
• The focus should be on how to:
  1. Stabilize growth amidst global uncertainty.
  2. Accelerate growth to meet India’s demographic challenges.

5. Global Headwinds to Watch

• Rising global uncertainty, especially with US trade and tariff policy.
• Legal uncertainty in the US: Does the President have authority to impose reciprocal tariffs?
• Post-Liberation Day uncertainty increases investor risk perception.

6. Impact on India

• Export pressure due to global slowdown is likely.
• India’s export outlook depends on:
  • Domestic demand rotation,
  • Rural vs urban economic balance,
  • Movement from investment-led to consumption-led recovery.

7. Post-Pandemic Growth Drivers Fading

• Real Estate Cycle: Now peaked.
• Public Investment: Slowing down.
• Private consumption: Dragged by:
  • Slowdown in rural incomes,
  • Decline in pandemic-era savings,
  • Weaker small-sector wage growth and credit.

8. Hope in Investment and Corporate Revival

• Investment revival was crucial in past recovery.
• Now, the third pillar, i.e., corporate investment, needs to step up.
• Corporate investment benefits from:
  • Lower interest rates,
  • Energy transition opportunities,
  • China+1 shifts in global supply chains.

9. Trade and Policy Recommendations

• India should:
  • Expedite trade deals with UK, US, and EU.
  • These deals signal policy certainty and openness, increasing India’s attractiveness.
• This is especially important for India to become a viable “China+1” destination in global supply chains.

 Key Economic and Legal Terms Explained (CLAT-Oriented Notes)

 2.A Woman Army Chief? Why the Path Is Easier Now

 Why in News?

The 148th batch of the National Defence Academy (NDA) graduated on Friday, June 1, 2025, including 17 women cadets. This is being celebrated as a historic development, creating a realistic path for women to rise to the highest military leadership roles, potentially even becoming India’s first woman army chief.

This milestone symbolizes a major stride in gender equality in the armed forces and reflects decades of legal, social, and institutional reform.

 Introduction

The graduation of women cadets from the NDA is not just a ceremonial event—it signifies the opening of previously locked doors. From British-era nursing services to court-ordered gender inclusion, the path has been long, legal, and strategically important. With continued structural support and judicial intervention, women may now have a fair shot at reaching the topmost leadership roles in India’s armed forces.

 Point-Wise Summary

1. Long Journey to NDA Admission for Women

• 1888: Military Nursing Service established by the British.
• 1958: Indian Army Medical Corps granted regular commissions to women doctors.
• 1992: Non-medical women entered via Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES) in non-combat roles:
  • Army Education Corps (AEC)
  • Corps of Signals
  • Intelligence Corps
  • Corps of Engineers
• Women officers were inducted under Short Service Commission (SSC).

2. Permanent Commission (PC) Out of Reach—Until 2008

• Women could not apply for PC except in medical roles.
• 2008: Women in Judge Advocate General (JAG) and AEC became PC-eligible.
• 2019: PC expanded to eight non-combat streams—but command roles still denied.

3. Landmark Supreme Court Verdicts

• 2020: SC ruled that women officers were entitled to Permanent Commission and command roles in 10 streams.
• Court struck down sex-based stereotypes in the military.
• Cited Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 15 (Prohibition of Discrimination) of the Indian Constitution.

4. 2021 Supreme Court Order: NDA Must Admit Women

• Apex court ordered that women be allowed to appear for NDA and Naval Academy exams conducted by UPSC.
• Result: 17 women cadets graduated in 2025 from the first co-ed NDA batch (admitted in 2022).

5. Training and Integration at NDA

• NDA adopted a gender-neutral training approach.
• Minimal curriculum changes.
• Cadets—male and female—train together in:
  • Physical training,
  • Combat drills,
  • Academics,
  • Squadron routines.

6. Squadron Integration Milestone

• NDA has 18 squadrons—core functional units.
• Women cadets have been fully integrated into these units since 2022.
• Live in same barracks and undergo same schedules as male cadets.

7. Command-Ready Training Model

• NDA ensures women are ready for future command roles:
  • Infantry
  • Artillery
  • Fighter Squadrons
  • Navy warships
• All training activities now done jointly, regardless of gender.

8. Institutional Support

• NDA has dedicated support staff for women cadets.
• Training model inspired by:
  • Officers Training Academy, Chennai
  • Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala
  • Air Force Academy, Dundigal

9. A Monumental Shift in Military History

• General M.M. Naravane, former COAS, had predicted in 2021:

“In 30 to 40 years, a woman could be standing where I am standing.”

• Former COAS and current Mizoram Governor Gen V.K. Singh echoed this optimism.
• The vision is now materializing through steps like this graduation.

10. Cultural and Policy Shifts

• Former Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Marshal told The Indian Express:

“Women must be included in leadership roles—it’s essential for modern warfare structures.”

• Equal training, equal opportunity policies are now being backed by the military brass.

11. Future Discussions on Boundaries

While women are entering leadership pipelines, several policy decisions are still awaited:

• Marital status, maternity leave, spouse postings.
• Parenthood duties in high-risk zones.
• Will such roles extend to combat commands during active deployment?

Important Terms for CLAT Aspirants

 Legal and Social Implications for CLAT 2026 Aspirants

• Demonstrates the role of judiciary in enforcing gender equality.
• Reflects how institutional discrimination can be legally challenged and constitutionally resolved.
• Shows the importance of Article 14 and 15 in enabling social change.
• Indicates evolving civil-military relations, including policy openness to modern gender-neutral leadership structures.

3. Back on Road to Growth

Reforms That Address Structural Bottlenecks Are Crucial for India’s Attractiveness as an Investment Destination

 Why in News?

The National Statistical Office (NSO) has released provisional GDP estimates for 2024–25, showing India’s economy growing at 6.5%, with a notable 7.4% growth in the fourth quarter. The article analyzes the reasons behind this rebound and what it means for India’s long-term economic trajectory amid global uncertainties.

This report is relevant for CLAT Current Affairs 2026 as it combines economic reasoning, public policy insights, and fiscal management principles — all essential for CLAT legal reasoning and GK sections.

 Introduction

India’s economic performance in recent quarters is a blend of domestic resilience and global challenges. Despite being affected by external shocks like US-China trade tensions, India is showing signs of structural realignment and return to long-term growth trends.

The article emphasizes how reliable GDP data, public capital expenditure, and export trends offer insight into India’s future economic policies and investment environment.

 Point-Wise Summary

1. 🇮🇳 GDP Growth Snapshot for 2024–25

• NSO’s provisional estimate: 6.5% annual GDP growth.
• Q4 (Jan-Mar 2025) growth rate: 7.4%, a strong performance.
• Earlier advance estimates were slightly lower: 6.4% and 6.5%.
• Growth is stabilizing around pre-pandemic averages (~6.6%).

2. Revised Estimates for 2023–24

• Initial forecast: 7.3%, revised to 8.2%, then to 9.2%.
• India’s GDP reporting framework ensures that provisional estimates are more reliable than advance estimates.
• Final GDP data for FY 2025 will be released in early 2026.

3. Nominal GDP and Economic Size

• Nominal GDP growth (includes inflation): 9.8%.
• Size of India’s economy increased from $3.6 trillion to $3.91 trillion.

4. Consumption Trends

• Private consumption grew 7.2%, largely due to rural demand.
• Urban demand remains sluggish.
• However, in Q4, consumption growth slowed to 6%.
• Government consumption fell 1.8% in Q4, showing fiscal restraint.

5. Investment and Capital Expenditure (Capex)

• Government investment rose sharply in Q4.
• Central government Capex exceeded revised targets.
• Investment growth outpaced GDP, indicating infrastructure-led recovery.

6. Sector-Wise Performance

• Agriculture and services did well.
• Manufacturing lagged, growing only 4.5%, below expectations.
• Construction boomed at 9.4%, reflecting labor-intensive job creation.

7. Trade and Export Trends

• Merchandise exports remained flat: $437.41 billion.
• Similar to FY 2024: $437.07 billion.
• External environment affected by:
  • US-China reciprocal tariffs
  • Declining demand from developed economies

8. Global Trade and Tariff Impact

• US tariffs expected to lower Indian exports by 2025.
• Indian exports to US might decline unless trade deals are resolved.
• Trade tensions with China may redirect supply chains to India.

9. Supply Chain Shifts Benefiting India

• Apple to manufacture most iPhones for US market in India.
• Vietnamese EV company to open a plant in India in June 2025.
• These changes signal India’s growing role in “China+1” strategy.

10. Structural Challenges and Investment Gaps

• Domestic private investment still tepid.
• Government’s ability to boost public investment is fiscally limited.
• Reforms are needed to fix bottlenecks in ease of doing business.

11. Inflation and Monetary Policy

• Inflation is stable but may not allow aggressive rate cuts.
• RBI likely to consider limited rate cuts (25 basis points) this fiscal.
• Interest rates remain a key policy lever for stimulating demand.

12. Urban-Rural Dynamics

• Rural income growth supports broader consumption.
• Urban discretionary consumption still low.
• Investment in affordable housing and electric mobility needed.

 Key Economic and Legal Terms Explained (CLAT Notes)

 Insights for CLAT 2026 Aspirants

Legal Relevance

• Highlights fiscal responsibility, a key aspect of constitutional governance under Article 112 (Union Budget).
• Shows how economic policy and trade negotiations tie into international law.
• Reflects policy prioritization, often seen in Public Policy and Legal Reasoning questions in CLAT.

 Law-Economy Interface

• Trade tariffs: Link between international treaties, executive power, and trade justice.
• Government investment decisions: Rule-based, with constitutional checks (e.g., CAG, Parliament budget approval).
• Supply chain shifts: Legal contracts, FDI policies, labor laws.

4.Carlsen Goes Down to Gukesh

Why in News?

In a landmark moment in international chess, Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh defeated former World Champion Magnus Carlsen for the first time in a classical format match at the Norway Chess 2025 tournament. This event drew massive attention as it symbolized a generational shift and India’s growing prominence in global chess.

For CLAT 2026 aspirants, this is a high-value current affairs topic, relevant for General Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, and even in Legal Reasoning through analysis of ethics, temperament, and international sports regulations.

 Introduction

Just a week before this game, Carlsen had defeated Gukesh in the opening round of the same tournament and quoted the HBO series The Wire, saying:

“You come at the king, you best not miss.”

However, in a remarkable turnaround, 19-year-old Indian prodigy Gukesh did exactly that — beating the world no. 1 in a match that left even the composed Carlsen visibly emotional and frustrated.

This match reflects not just a chess win, but a larger story of youth vs legacy, East rising in global sports, and a psychological edge in high-performance environments.

 Point-Wise Summary

1. Young Star vs Chess Legend

• D Gukesh (19 years old) defeated Magnus Carlsen, the long-reigning world no. 1, in a classical chess match.
• The match was held at Norway Chess 2025 in Stavanger, Norway.

2. Revenge After Initial Defeat

• In the opening round, Carlsen had defeated Gukesh, causing the young Indian to resign.
• Carlsen had quoted a famous line from The Wire:

“You come at the king, you best not miss.”

• Gukesh’s victory came just a few days later, showing strategic and mental resilience.

3. First Classical Victory Over Carlsen

• This was Gukesh’s first win against Carlsen in classical format, achieved in 62 moves.
• The match was intense and drew global attention due to the rivalry, emotional moments, and sportsmanship.

4. Carlsen’s Emotional Reaction

• After his defeat, Carlsen slammed the table with a clenched fist in frustration.
• He later exclaimed “Oh my God!”, clearly shocked by the result.
• However, he apologized and congratulated Gukesh, showing professional respect.

5. 🇮🇳 India’s Rise in Global Chess

• Gukesh is part of India’s new generation of elite players, following legends like Viswanathan Anand.
• His performance is seen as a sign of India becoming a global chess powerhouse.

6. Importance of Norway Chess Tournament

• The Norway Chess event is one of the most prestigious classical chess tournaments globally.
• Carlsen, being Norwegian, was playing on home ground, adding pressure and emotional weight to the match.

7. Psychological Warfare in Chess

• Carlsen’s tweet quoting The Wire was interpreted as a mental tactic.
• Gukesh’s reply, through action on the board, showcased the mental toughness needed in elite sports.

8. Record-Setting Implications

• This win adds to Gukesh’s rapid career progression and could influence:
  • His FIDE world ranking,
  • Qualification for world championship events,
  • Sponsorships and endorsements.

9. Ethics and Sportsmanship

• Despite his frustration, Carlsen’s eventual gesture of apology and sportsmanship is being appreciated.
• Raises questions about temperament in elite sport and expectations from top-level athletes.

10. Relevance for CLAT Aspirants

• Demonstrates global sports diplomacy, psychological strategy, and performance ethics.
• Useful case study in topics such as:
  • Code of Conduct in Sports
  • Fair Play and Emotional Regulation
  • Youth Empowerment in Competitive Fields

 Notes and Explanations for CLAT

 Relevance to CLAT 2026

 Academic and Exam Value

• Legal reasoning: Emotions in high-stakes contests, athlete conduct, contract obligations with sports federations.
• Current affairs: India’s global presence, chess governance (FIDE), and performance culture.
• Essay/Interview: “How sports reflects leadership and strategy”, “India’s youth power in global arenas”.

 Law and Sport Interface

• FIDE operates under international sports law.
• Chess players sign ethics codes and behavior contracts.
• Conduct like Carlsen’s, while minor, may trigger scrutiny under disciplinary frameworks.

5.Changing Geometries of Battlefield: From WWI to the Present

 Why in News?

Ukraine’s Operation Spider Web, which involved the use of 150+ quadcopter drones launched from shipping containers, brought down Russian strategic bombers and marked a paradigm shift in modern warfare. Analysts argue that this signals a technological leap akin to major shifts during World Wars, fundamentally changing the geometry of the battlefield.

This topic is of vital importance for CLAT Current Affairs 2026, integrating insights on history, military ethics, legal frameworks around modern warfare, and the impact of technological transformation on international security law.

Introduction

The article chronicles the evolution of battlefield strategies — from the trench warfare and machine guns of World War I to AI-powered drone attacks in Ukraine. It explores how each military innovation not only reshaped war tactics but also redefined legal, ethical, and strategic considerations across generations.

 Point-wise Summary

1. Operation Spider Web: The New Age of War

• Ukraine’s drone-led assault bypassed conventional air raids.
• Quadcopter drones were deployed covertly using shipping containers.
• The attack caused significant Russian losses, showcasing a low-cost, high-impact warfare model.

2. Machine Guns in World War I: The Original Game Changer

• Machine guns, introduced in the late 19th century, revolutionized warfare.
• A single gun could replace hundreds of soldiers in defensive capability.
• Resulted in stalemates on the Western Front and massive casualties.
  • Example: French casualties at Verdun exceeded 300,000 in early 1916.

3. Blitzkrieg in WWII: Speed Over Strength

• Nazis bypassed France’s Maginot Line using Blitzkrieg tactics (lightning-fast warfare).
• Germany combined Panzer tank divisions, Luftwaffe support, and mobile infantry.
• France collapsed in under a month despite years of fortified defence planning.

4. Missile and Ballistic Warfare

• Germans also developed the V-2 missile during WWII — the first true ballistic missile.
• This marked a transition to long-range, impersonal warfare.
• Modern warfare has extended beyond visible targets into strategic, long-distance strikes.

5. The Era of Drones: Precision and Psychological Impact

• Drones are now used in urban combat, surveillance, and strike operations.
• Provide asymmetrical advantage — low investment, high damage.
• Used effectively in Ukraine, Gaza, Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict.
• Symbolize a democratization of warfare technology, even for smaller nations.

 Key Legal & Military Terms (CLAT-Oriented Notes)

 Insights for CLAT 2026 Aspirants

Academic Relevance

• Useful for Legal Reasoning questions involving technology and ethics in warfare.
• Provides historical context for questions on military law, international treaties, and wartime conduct.

 Legal Interfaces

• Raises questions under International Humanitarian Law (IHL):
  • Can drones be used without formal declarations of war?
  • How should civilian harm be addressed in drone warfare?
• Challenges existing norms under:
  • Geneva Conventions
  • UN Charter Articles 2(4) and 51 (Use of Force and Self-Defense)
  • Customary International Law

 Key Lessons from Warfare Evolution

 Comparative Insight for Legal Essays / Interviews

Topic: “Is modern drone warfare ethical under existing international law?”

• Draw parallels with:
  • WWI machine gun misuse
  • WWII Blitzkrieg legality
  • Targeted killing debates (e.g., Osama bin Laden, Qasem Soleimani)
• Use this case to argue both legality and ethical dilemmas.

6.Countdown to Space Mission

Countdown to Space Mission: Axiom-4 and Shubhanshu Shukla’s Historic Step for India

 Why in News?

Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian astronaut selected for India’s human spaceflight program Gaganyaan, is now set to create history as the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom-4, a privately-led mission operated by Axiom Space and supported by NASA and SpaceX. The mission underscores India’s growing global participation in human space exploration.

 Introduction

Axiom-4 is not just another space mission; it represents a significant milestone in India’s space diplomacy and science collaboration. Shukla’s inclusion, while not part of India’s direct ISRO operations, reflects India’s soft power in global space partnerships and also provides vital pre-Gaganyaan exposure.

The mission, involving astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary, and the US, underlines the international nature of commercial space ventures today.

 Point-Wise Summary

1. Mission Highlights

• Name: Axiom-4
• Launch Date: June 8, 2025
• Crew:
  • Peggy Whitson (Commander, USA)
  • Shubhanshu Shukla (Pilot, India)
  • Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Mission Specialist, Poland)
  • Tibor Kapu (Mission Specialist, Hungary)
• Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
• Duration: Approximately two weeks aboard the ISS

2. Shubhanshu Shukla: India’s Face in Space

• Trained under India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.
• Selected for Axiom-4 via an agreement between NASA and ISRO signed in 2023.
• Will carry out scientific experiments, including ISRO-designed modules, during his stay aboard the ISS.

3. Key Experiments Involving India (ISRO)

ISRO has contributed ~10 experiments to the mission. Some major ones include:

•  Cognitive Studies in Microgravity:
  How human attention, eye movement, and screen interaction are impacted during space travel.
•  Tardigrades (Water Bears) Behavior Study:
  These resilient microscopic organisms are studied for survival traits under extreme conditions.
•  Impact of Spaceflight on Crop Seeds:
  Six crop varieties being studied for germination viability and space agriculture insights.
•  Cyanobacteria Cell Response in Space:
  Helps in developing life-support systems for long-term missions like Mars habitation.

4. A Strategic Win for ISRO and India

• Although ISRO is not operating this mission directly, the inclusion of Indian astronauts reflects international trust.
• Also provides a testbed for Gaganyaan, scheduled for launch by early 2027.
• India joins Poland and Hungary in sending astronauts to space after decades, showcasing democratized access to space.

5. Private Space Collaboration: SpaceX and Axiom

• SpaceX provides the Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket.
• Axiom Space: A private spaceflight company managing the mission.
• NASA is facilitating international participation as part of its Low Earth Orbit commercialization initiative.

6. Training and International Integration

• Shukla and Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (another Gaganyaan candidate) underwent advanced astronaut training.
• Shukla, as pilot of SpaceX’s Dragon, gains critical experience in real-time spacecraft operations.
• Feedback from this mission will directly benefit India’s crewed space readiness.

7. Broader Significance for India’s Space Policy

• Reflects India’s move from observer to participant in space stations and intergovernmental missions.
• Emphasizes ISRO’s global integration with NASA and commercial players.
• Complements India’s plans for a modular space station post-2035 and eventual manned lunar missions.

8. Comparison with Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 Flight

• Sharma flew aboard a Soviet Soyuz T-11 as part of Indo-Soviet collaboration.
• His mission was symbolic, not scientific, due to limited tech at the time.
• Shukla’s mission, in contrast, is scientifically intensive and strategically aligned with long-term goals.

Notes & Explanations for CLAT Aspirants

 Legal and Ethical Perspectives for CLAT

• International Space Law: India’s increasing involvement invokes treaties like:
  • Outer Space Treaty (1967)
  • Rescue Agreement (1968)
  • Moon Agreement (1979) (India is a signatory)
• Intellectual Property in Space Research
• Ethics of Biological Experiments (e.g., tardigrades in space)

 Relevance for CLAT 2026 Exam Prep

 Legal Reasoning

• Application of international collaboration laws.
• Role of national agencies under global treaties.
• Debate on commercialization of space.

Current Affairs

• Major scientific achievement of 2025.
• Likely to feature in CLAT GK or RC-based passages.

 Essay/Interview Topics

• “Privatization of Space: Opportunity or Risk?”
• “India’s Journey from Aryabhata to Axiom-4”
• “Ethics in Space Biology and Human Research”