For UPSC aspirants, staying updated with current affairs is as important as revising the static syllabus. Today’s key topics include SEMICON India, the Indo-US military exercise Yudh Abhyas, and the Right to Education Act. Each of these is linked to governance, international relations, defence strategy, and social justice, making them highly relevant for both prelims and mains.
I am writing about this because these issues represent the blend of policy, security, and welfare that UPSC expects aspirants to understand. SEMICON India is central to India’s ambition of becoming a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing, a sector that drives almost every technology we use today. Yudh Abhyas reflects the growing strategic cooperation between India and the United States, which is important for regional stability and defence preparedness. The Right to Education Act, meanwhile, connects to debates around inclusive growth, children’s rights, and the challenges in India’s education sector. Analysing these topics helps aspirants frame well-rounded answers and understand their wider implications for society and governance.
SEMICON India: Driving self-reliance in technology
SEMICON India is the government’s flagship programme aimed at boosting domestic semiconductor manufacturing. The scheme provides incentives to global and Indian companies to set up fabs and chip design units. Why is this significant?
- Semiconductors are the backbone of electronics, from smartphones to defence systems.
- India currently imports most of its chips, making it vulnerable to supply chain disruptions.
- With geopolitical tensions affecting global chip supply, India wants to reduce dependency.
For UPSC mains, SEMICON India connects with self-reliance in technology, economic security, and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Yudh Abhyas: Strengthening Indo-US defence ties
Yudh Abhyas is a joint military exercise conducted annually by India and the US. The 2025 edition focuses on high-altitude warfare and counter-terrorism operations. Key points for aspirants:
- Enhances interoperability between Indian and US forces.
- Held near sensitive regions, signalling strategic preparedness.
- Connects to India’s defence diplomacy and broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
In GS Paper 2 and 3, this can be linked to international relations, defence cooperation, and national security.
Right to Education: Ensuring access for every child
The Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 makes free and compulsory education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14. While it was a landmark move, challenges remain:
- Infrastructure gaps in government schools.
- Shortage of trained teachers.
- Unequal implementation across states.
- Questions around quality of learning outcomes.
For aspirants, RTE links to social justice, welfare policies, and constitutional provisions (Article 21A). It also provides scope for critical analysis in mains answers.
