Editorials Analysis – 26 April 2025

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Over a dozen annual reports of the National Commissions for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), Scheduled Tribes (NCST), and Other Backward Classes (NCBC) have not been made public for up to seven years. This delay impacts transparency and the timely implementation of welfare measures meant for marginalized communities. Summary: NCSC and NCST have not submitted annual reports for the past two years; NCBC has not done so for three years. These commissions are constitutionally mandated to review and recommend measures for community...

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U.S. President Donald Trump, in a recent interview, stated that Crimea would remain with Russia, pressuring Ukraine to accept territorial losses for peace. The statement comes amid U.S. diplomatic efforts to broker a settlement between Russia and Ukraine. Summary Donald Trump stated that Crimea will remain part of Russia. He cited historical Russian presence, including submarine bases and the Russian-speaking majority, as justification. The comments reflect U.S. pressure on Ukraine to negotiate peace. Steve Witkoff, U.S. envoy, met Russian President...

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a long-duration ground test of an Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor for over 1,000 seconds, marking a pivotal step in India’s hypersonic cruise missile development. This breakthrough positions India among a select group of nations advancing rapidly in next-generation missile systems. Summary DRDO successfully tested a scramjet combustor for 1,000 seconds, a significant leap from the 120-second test in January 2025. Conducted by Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad....

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India and France are set to finalize a ₹63,000-crore government-to-government (G-to-G) deal for 26 Rafale-M (Marine) fighter jets on April 28, 2025. This deal significantly boosts India’s naval aviation capability and builds upon the earlier Indo-French defence cooperation established with the IAF Rafale deal in 2016. Summary Deal Value: ₹63,000 crore for 26 Rafale-M fighter jets. Signatories: Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu (remotely). Jet Types: 22 single-seat carrier-based jets and 4 twin-seat trainer jets...

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The Union Government has informed the Supreme Court that extensive misuse of waqf provisions led to unprecedented encroachments on private and government properties, necessitating significant amendments to the Waqf Act in 2025. The misuse led to a shocking 116% increase in waqf land holdings in just 11 years, post-2013 amendments, a figure unmatched even in historical eras such as the Mughal period.  Summary The Centre highlighted a 116% rise in waqf land area between 2013 and 2024. Misuse of waqf...