International Relations, Governance, and Energy Current Affairs Flashcards

Flashcards covering civil nuclear agreements, atomic history, governance bills, local administration, electric mobility schemes, and clean energy initiatives.

Section 123 Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement

A legally binding prerequisite under Section $123$ of the US Atomic Energy Act $1954$ that enables significant civil nuclear cooperation, transfer of nuclear reactors, materials, components, equipment, technology, and technical expertise between the United States and another country.

Gold Standard (Nuclear Cooperation)

A non-proliferation condition previously demanded by the United States requiring recipient countries to commit to no domestic uranium enrichment or plutonium reprocessing.

IAEA Additional Protocol

A legal framework that grants the International Atomic Energy Agency expanded inspection and verification powers over a signatory nation's nuclear programs and facilities.

The Manhattan Project

A secret U.S.-led research program ($1942$-$1945$) conducted with the UK and Canada, directed by Gen. Leslie Groves and J. Robert Oppenheimer, which developed the world's first nuclear weapons.

Trinity Test

The first-ever nuclear weapon test explosion, conducted in the New Mexico desert in July $1945$, marking the beginning of the atomic age.

Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT)

A $1963$ international agreement banning nuclear weapon test explosions in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater, while allowing underground testing.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

An international treaty signed in $1968$ aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and technology, promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and furthering nuclear disarmament.

Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)

A multinational group established in $1974$-$1975$ in reaction to India's Pokhran-I nuclear test to control the export of nuclear materials, equipment, and technology.

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)

A treaty adopted by the United Nations in $1996$ banning all nuclear explosions in any environment, though it has not yet formally entered into force.

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)

The first legally binding international treaty comprehensively banning nuclear weapons, adopted in $2017$ and entering into force in $2021$ without the participation of recognized nuclear powers.

Pokhran-I (Smiling Buddha)

India's first peaceful nuclear explosion test, conducted in $1974$ at Pokhran, making India the $6\text{th}$ nation in the world to detonate a nuclear device.

Pokhran-II (Operation Shakti)

A series of five nuclear test explosions conducted by India in $1998$, following which India formally declared itself a nuclear-weapons state.

India's Nuclear Doctrine

A policy adopted by India in $2003$ anchored on the dual principles of 'No First Use' and 'Credible Minimum Deterrence'.

Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna

Indonesia's highest civilian honor ('Star of the Republic of Indonesia'), conferred upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its $35\text{th}$ recipient in July $2026$.

Prambanan Temple Complex

Locally known as Roro Jonggrang, it is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and $2\text{nd}$ largest in Southeast Asia, constructed in the $9\text{th}$ and $10\text{th}$ centuries CE under the Sanjaya Dynasty.

Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

An international forum established in $1961$ in Belgrade based on the $1955$ Bandung Principles, uniting developing countries that are not aligned with or against any major power bloc.

130th Constitution Amendment Bill, 2025

A proposed Indian constitutional bill mandating the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Union/State Ministers if arrested and detained for $30\text{ consecutive days}$ on serious criminal charges punishable with imprisonment of $5\text{ years or more}$.

Lily Thomas v. Union of India (2013)

A Supreme Court ruling that struck down Section $8(4)$ of the Representation of the People Act $1951$, removing the provision that protected sitting MPs and MLAs from immediate disqualification upon conviction.

Manoj Narula v. Union of India (2014)

A Supreme Court judgment affirming that while there is no explicit constitutional bar against appointing ministers with criminal backgrounds, Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers are expected not to appoint such individuals.

Autonomous Hill Development Council (AHDC)

Decentralized local administrative bodies in Ladakh created under district legislation that exercise authority over land allotment, district cadre recruitment, health, education, and local taxation.

Article 371

A set of constitutional provisions (Articles $371$ and $371\text{A}$-$371\text{J}$) under Part XXI of the Indian Constitution providing special safeguards to specific states and regions to protect customary laws, land rights, and local employment.

Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0

A policy effective from July $1, 2026$ to March $31, 2030$, aiming for at least $30\text{\%}$ electrification of Delhi's total vehicle fleet and restricting new two-wheeler and light commercial vehicle registrations exclusively to electric models.

PM E-Drive Scheme

A Central Sector Scheme ($2024$-$2026$) under the Ministry of Heavy Industries providing demand incentives up to $15\text{\%}$ of ex-factory price via Aadhaar-authenticated e-vouchers for electric vehicles.

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

A rooftop solar initiative launched in $2024$ aiming to provide free electricity up to $300\text{ Units}$ per month to $1\text{ Crore}$ households by $2027$ with a government subsidy up to $40\text{\%}$.

International Solar Alliance (ISA)

A treaty-based intergovernmental organization launched by India and France in $2015$ at COP21, headquartered in Gurugram, dedicated to mobilizing $1\text{ Trillion}$ in solar investments by $2030$.

One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG)

An initiative proposed by India in $2018$ at the ISA Assembly to create trans-national solar energy grids across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe for 24-hour renewable power access.

Panchamrita Commitments

Five climate action goals announced by India at COP26 in Glasgow ($2021$), including achieving Net Zero emissions by $2070$ and reaching $500\text{ GW}$ of non-fossil energy capacity by $2030$.