1. What Happened?
The United States has officially declared The Resistance Front (TRF) a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO)and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
TRF had claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025.
India welcomed the decision and called it a timely and important step.
2. TRF and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
The U.S. said TRF is a front (cover name) for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Pakistan says LeT is no longer active, but it has still carried out attacks in India after being banned.
LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammad were put on the U.S. terror list in 2001 but continued to be active.
3. TRF Missing from UN Statement
After the Pahalgam attack, the UN Security Council (UNSC) did not name TRF in its resolution.
This was likely due to pressure from Pakistan, with support from the U.S. and other major powers.
Now that TRF is listed by the U.S., India hopes it will be easier to get UN sanctions under the 1267 Committee.
4. U.S. Reactions After India’s Operation Sindoor
After India responded with Operation Sindoor, the U.S. did not fully support India’s stand.
U.S. President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed:
The U.S. negotiated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
They used trade pressure to stop a nuclear conflict.
Pakistan supported this version, which makes both countries seem equally responsible.
5. Confusing Signals from the U.S.
Trump praised Pakistan's army chief and hosted him for lunch at the White House.
This happened just after India said PM Modi had cleared things with Trump.
This raises doubt about how serious the U.S. is about pressuring Pakistan to act against terrorists.
6. Case of Tahawwur Hussain Rana
In April, the U.S. approved the extradition of Rana, who is wanted in India for the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
This showed some U.S. support for India’s fight against terrorism.
7. What India Should Do Now
Pakistan’s support for terror groups is the real problem.
India must continue:
Diplomatic efforts (talking to other countries and the UN)
Legal action (bringing terrorists to justice)
The goal is to ensure justice for victims and prevent more attacks.
CBSE Relevance for Classes 10–12:
Important for understanding current global politics, India's foreign policy, terrorism, and how international law works. Useful in Political Science, Legal Studies, and General Studies topics on international relations and security.
Vocabulary:
| Word/Phrase | Meaning in Simple Words |
|---|---|
| Designate | To officially name or label something |
| Front group | A fake name used to hide a real organization |
| Sanctions | Punishments like bans or restrictions |
| Extradition | Sending someone to another country for trial |
| Ceasefire | An agreement to stop fighting |
| Proxy | Someone or something acting on behalf of another |
| Diplomatic efforts | Talking with other countries to solve problems |
India Can Reframe the AI Debate
1. Why It Matters
AI like ChatGPT brought AI into everyday life.
India hosts the AI Impact Summit in Feb 2026.
Opportunity to show how governments (not just tech firms) can guide AI for public good.
2. India’s Advantage
India has global trust and a democratic model.
Amid global tensions (Ukraine war, trade issues, Paris AI Summit failure), India can act as a bridge.
In June 2025, the IT Ministry ran a national AI consultation via MyGov, inviting public ideas for:
Inclusive growth
Development
Planet protection
3. Five Ways India Can Lead
A. Set Goals and Track Them
Learn from Aadhaar and UPI success.
Each delegation sets one goal for 12 months.
E.g., reduce data centre power, free AI courses, AI for local health info.
Publish goals online; track progress with a public scoreboard.
B. Include the Global South
Many countries were missing in earlier AI summits.
India must ensure wider participation.
Propose AI for Billions Fund to support:
Cloud access, fellowships, local language data.
Launch a Multilingual AI Challenge for 50 underserved languages.
C. Create a Common Safety System
Global experts demand AI stress tests (red teaming).
No standard checklist yet.
India can start a Global AI Safety Collaborative to share:
Scripts, logs, tools for bias and safety testing.
D. Propose Balanced AI Rules
U.S. resists regulation, Europe has the AI Act, China uses control.
India can offer a middle path:
Voluntary AI code
Share test results in 90 days
Disclose computing power
Set up an accident hotline
E. Prevent AI Governance Split
U.S.–China rivalry risks splitting AI rules.
India should push a broad, inclusive, people-first agenda to reduce division.
4. India’s Long-Term Role
India need not build a new AI body now.
Instead, it should:
Unite existing efforts
Share AI tools with developing nations
Success here can redefine India’s global image in tech.
Tag:
India aims to lead global AI policy at 2026 summit with inclusive, safe, and balanced strategies for the Global South.
CBSE Relevance (Classes 10–12):
Useful for Political Science, Geography, Economics, Computer Science, and General Studies. Shows real-world AI policy, India’s role in global leadership, and ethical tech use.
Vocabulary Table
| Word/Phrase | Simple Meaning |
|---|---|
| Reframe | Change how something is viewed or discussed |
| Summit | Big official meeting of leaders |
| Red teaming | Testing AI by simulating attacks or failures |
| Compute line | AI’s power or size based on computing use |
| Inclusive growth | Development that benefits all people equally |
| Code of conduct | Set of guidelines for correct behavior |
| Multilingual model | AI that understands and works in many languages |
| Global South | Developing nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America |
Temples of Social Justice – Tamil Nadu’s Temple Fund Controversy
1. The Current Controversy
A political debate erupted in Tamil Nadu over diverting temple funds to build colleges.
Beyond politics, the issue highlights a social justice model for regulating secular aspects of religion.
This model evolved in the Madras Presidency and is backed by a 200-year-old legal framework.
As elections approach in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, clarity on this issue is important to prevent voter polarisation.
2. History of Religious Endowments Law
1817: Religious Endowment and Escheats Regulation by the East India Company marked the start of temple regulation.
1858: After the Sepoy Mutiny, Queen Victoria’s Proclamation promised minimal interference in religious matters.
However, in Madras Presidency, British officials pushed for control over secular parts of endowments.
The final balance: no interference in religious rituals, but control over temple lands and finances.
3. Justice Party’s Role and the 1922 Bill
The Justice Party (1920) strongly supported state oversight of religious institutions.
In 1922, they introduced Bill No. 12: Hindu Religious Endowments Act.
It allowed surplus temple funds to be used for other purposes, which faced opposition.
The issue was resolved in 1925 when the law was enacted, allowing diversion of surplus funds for secular uses.
4. Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Act, 1959
This Act continues the provisions of earlier laws.
Section 36:
Trustees can use surplus funds for listed purposes with the Commissioner’s permission.
Surplus = remaining funds after meeting temple needs and staff training.
Joint/Deputy Commissioners can reassign funds if the original purpose becomes impossible to fulfil.
5. Historical Use of Temple Endowments
Since 970 AD (Chola empire), temples received lavish donations from rulers.
Example: Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi donated land and goods to temples.
Temples served multiple roles: religious, educational, and cultural.
Evident from inscriptions and mandapams used for classes and events.
The original intent supports using temple funds for educational purposes.
6. Legal Support for Educational Use
The 1959 Act has been upheld by courts.
Section 66 allows surplus funds for:
Building and running colleges/universities.
Teaching Hindu religion or temple architecture.
Therefore, college construction using temple funds is legal and logical.
7. Wider Social Justice Significance
In pre-colonial times, temple endowments were state welfare tools.
British control aimed to ensure revenue and governance stability.
Self-Respect Movement (from Madras Presidency):
Saw temple regulation as vital for anti-caste reforms.
Enabled temple entry laws (1936, 1947).
Today, Tamil Nadu and Kerala appoint priests from backward classes after long legal efforts.
8. Conclusion: Why Government Role Matters
Government control ensures temple funds are used lawfully and for public good.
Opposing this control would undermine decades of social justice progress.
South India has led the way in religious reforms and equity, which must not be reversed.
Israel Accused of Genocide in Gaza
South Africa’s Complaint
In January 2024, South Africa went to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
It said Israel is committing genocide in Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attacks.
The ICJ has not yet given a final verdict but said genocide is “plausible” and asked Israel to allow humanitarian aid.
What Is Happening in Gaza?
A six-week ceasefire ended in March 2024 when Israel resumed attacks.
Many neighborhoods were destroyed, and civilians lost access to food, water, electricity.
Over 58,000 people, including 17,000+ children, have died.
Gaza now has the highest number of amputee children per person in the world.
People were even shot while waiting for food and aid.
What Is Genocide in Law?
Meaning of Genocide
Term first used in 1944 by Raphael Lemkin.
Defined in the 1948 Genocide Convention as acts to destroy a group (national, ethnic, racial, religious).
Genocide is a serious international crime that applies to all countries.
Two Main Parts of Genocide
Physical Acts:
Killing group members.
Causing serious harm.
Making life unbearable.
Stopping births.
Taking away children.
Intent (Purpose):
Must have clear intent to destroy the group, not just hurt individuals.
What Is Israel’s Position?
What Israel Says
Israel says it is fighting Hamas, not civilians.
Civilian deaths are collateral damage, not intentional.
Critics say Israel uses “humanitarian camouflage”—hiding attacks behind false claims of care.
What Critics Say
UN expert Francesca Albanese says there are strong reasons to believe genocide is happening.
Bombing homes, schools, and water systems shows a plan to make life impossible in Gaza.
Reports say 90% of Gaza’s schools and universities are now destroyed.
Groups like:
Amnesty International
Human Rights Watch
European legal bodies
also support the genocide claims.
Proving Genocide Is Difficult
Why It’s Hard to Prove
Countries rarely say openly they want to destroy a group.
The ICJ says intent can be seen from:
Number of killings.
Level of destruction.
Hate-filled language by leaders.
Examples of Problematic Statements
Prime Minister Netanyahu: Promised to “reduce Gaza to rubble”.
Other officials called Palestinians "human animals" and demanded "total annihilation".
Legal Challenges
The ICJ wants genocide intent to be the only reasonable explanation, making it hard to prove.
But other courts (ICTY, ICTR) say other motives can exist along with genocide.
Scholars like Shmuel Lederman and Omer Bartov say Israel’s actions and words match genocidal behavior.
What Can Be Done?
What’s Next at the ICJ
The case could take several years.
By then, Gaza may be permanently destroyed.
Many see this as a test for the global legal system.
UN and Countries’ Role
The UN can expel a country (Article 6) if it breaks peace rules.
In 2024, the UN General Assembly asked all states to:
Stop selling arms to Israel.
Use economic sanctions.
However, many Western countries gave only diplomatic responses.
The U.S. blocks UN Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire.
Comparison with Hitler’s Genocide
| Aspect | Hitler’s Holocaust | Israel in Gaza |
|---|---|---|
| Target Group | Jews (religious/racial group) | Palestinians (national/ethnic group) |
| Purpose | Total extermination (“Final Solution”) | Official goal is to defeat Hamas, not genocide |
| Methods | Gas chambers, forced labor, ghettos | Bombings, starvation, blocking aid |
| Deaths | Around 6 million Jews | 58,000+ deaths (17,000+ children) |
| Destruction of Life | Jewish communities wiped out | Homes, schools, and culture destroyed |
| World Response | Nuremberg Trials, new laws | ICJ case ongoing; limited UN action |
| Legal Impact | Led to Genocide Convention (1948) | Current case uses the same Genocide Convention |
Conclusion
Israel is being investigated for genocide in Gaza. Many experts and international groups believe its actions meet the legal definition of genocide. The ICJ has not yet ruled, but the destruction, deaths, and hateful speech have drawn comparisons with Hitler’s genocide during World War II. The world’s legal system is now being tested to act before it's too late.
CBSE Relevance
This topic connects to international law, the function of global institutions (UN, ICJ), the definition and consequences of genocide, and contemporary world politics, helping students understand human rights, legal justice, and historical comparisons.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning in Simple Words |
|---|---|
| Genocide | Killing or destroying a group of people |
| Collateral damage | Unintended harm or deaths during a conflict |
| Dehumanising | Treating people as less than human |
| Jus cogens norm | A law that no country can ignore or break |
| Annihilation | Complete destruction |
| Intent (legal) | Purpose behind an action |
| Humanitarian aid | Help like food, medicine, water in crises |
European Commission’s Age Check Plan to Keep Children Safe Online
1. Introduction:
The European Commission is developing an age verification app under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to protect children from harmful content online while claiming to respect adult user privacy. However, critics say it might compromise privacy without effectively protecting minors.
2. Background of the Age Verification Debate:
a. EU's Efforts to Regulate Big Tech
The European Union has passed several laws to regulate large online platforms including:
E-commerce sites
Social media platforms
Pornographic websites
b. Risks for Children Online
The European Commission highlighted several online risks for children:
Platform designs encouraging digital addiction
Cyberbullying
Exposure to harmful or explicit content
Unwanted contact from strangers
c. Recommendations from Digital Advocates
Advocates suggested changes like:
Age-based user interfaces
Private accounts for children
Default safety settings
Blocking children from accessing adult content
3. The Age Verification App under the DSA:
a. Launch and Prototype
On July 14, the European Commission presented:
Guidelines for protecting minors
A prototype age-verification app under the Digital Services Act
b. Technical Foundation
The app is based on the same technology as the European Digital Identity Wallet (eID), expected to launch before 2026.
c. Pilot Countries
Denmark, Greece, Spain, France, and Italy will first work with the Commission to launch their national age-verification apps in local languages.
d. Future Features
The age verification system will be updated with:
More ways to verify if users are over 18
Latest privacy tech like zero-knowledge proof
Higher privacy protection standards
4. Privacy Concerns for Adults:
a. Arguments by Critics
Critics believe age verification could:
Violate privacy rights
Risk online security
Make browsing data trackable and commercialized
b. Commission’s Response
The European Commission defends its app:
Allows users to verify age without sharing identity
Users remain in control of personal data
No one can track or see what content is viewed
App blueprint and tech specs are open-source
5. Support from French Government:
President Emmanuel Macron supports mandatory age verification
Proposes a social media ban for children under 15
France is a pilot country for the app rollout
Note on Social Media
There’s also debate on whether adult-content platforms like X (formerly Twitter) should be classified as porn platforms, which would impact how adults use such platforms.
Content Tag:
EU age-check plan for children online safety sparks privacy debate; pilot countries include France, Spain, Denmark, Italy, Greece.
CBSE Relevance:
This topic relates to Political Science (Internet regulations and rights), Legal Studies (Digital privacy and governance), and Technology and Society (cyber safety). It gives insights into how governments balance privacy with child protection, which is relevant for discussions on digital laws and civic rights.
Top Vocabulary (with Meanings):
Digital Services Act – A European law to regulate digital platforms
Age verification – Checking a user’s age to restrict access to certain content
Zero-knowledge proof – A privacy tool proving information without revealing it
Open-source – Software with publicly available code for anyone to use
Explicit content – Online material meant only for adults (e.g., pornography)
Device-based verification – Age checks performed by phone or device manufacturers
Cybersecurity – Protection of digital systems and data from attacks or breaches
1. India’s Changing UN Voting Pattern
India’s voting behaviour at the United Nations has changed.
There is now a clear increase in abstentions and a drop in ‘yes’ votes.
As of June 2025, India’s ‘yes’ votes dropped to 56% – lowest since 1955
Abstentions rose to 44% – the highest ever in India's UN voting history
Former diplomats believe this helps India take a more independent stand on global matters
The shift reflects a more polarised world, making voting more complex
2. India’s Voting Data (1946–2025)
a. In 2025
‘Yes’ votes: 56%
Abstentions: 44%
This is India’s lowest ever ‘yes’ vote and highest ever abstention rate
b. 1946 to Late 1960s
Voting was very volatile
‘Yes’ votes ranged from 20% to 100%
Abstentions ranged from 0% to 40%
c. 1970 to 1994
Volatility reduced
‘Yes’ votes: 74% to 96%
Abstentions: 8% to 19%
d. Mid-1990s to 2019
Voting became more stable
‘Yes’ votes: 75% to 83%
Abstentions: 10% to 17%
e. After 2019
A new trend started: abstentions increased sharply
This reflects global polarisation and India’s shift in strategy
3. Why India’s Abstentions Have Increased
a. Global Polarisation
T.S. Tirumurti (Former UN Representative):
The UN is now more polarised
Major powers are less willing to compromise
There is less chance for consensus resolutions
Earlier, consensus was possible; now, sides are rigid
b. Complexity of Resolutions
Syed Akbaruddin (Former UN Representative):
Earlier UN resolutions were simple and clear
Today’s resolutions are complex, like “Christmas trees”
Many unrelated points are combined in one resolution
India may agree with some parts but disagree with others
In such cases, India chooses to abstain instead of voting ‘yes’ or ‘no’
4. Abstention as a Strategic Choice
a. For Middle Powers Like India
Abstention lets India express its views freely
India does not have to follow majority or oppose directly
It reflects India’s independent and balanced position
b. Not a Sign of Weakness
Abstaining is now a planned diplomatic step
It helps India handle global conflicts smartly
It is not the same as staying silent or neutral
CBSE Relevance for Classes 10, 11, and 12:
This topic helps students understand India’s foreign policy, global diplomacy, and international relations. It shows how India manages its position in a complex and divided world, an important concept in Political Science and General Studies.
Vocabulary:
Abstention – Not voting either ‘yes’ or ‘no’
Polarised – Divided into opposing groups
Resolution – A formal UN decision or statement
Consensus – General agreement by all
Diplomatic strategy – Smart planning in foreign relations
Volatile – Likely to change quickly or unpredictably
Content Tag:
India's UN voting shows highest abstentions ever in 2025; a sign of strategic neutrality amid global polarisation and complex resolutions.
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