GK: 3rd - 9th Feb 2025

CLAT 2026 Relevant News Topics

International News

Trump Imposes Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China
- Quick Description: Former US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs (taxes) on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China to address trade deficits. The US believed it was importing more than it exported from these countries.
- Additional Factual Data:
  - Tariffs are taxes on goods crossing international borders (import/export/customs duties). Increasing tariffs can reduce imports and boost domestic industries.
  - Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese imports and 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, partly due to concerns over fentanyl imports.
  - Trade deficit occurs when a country imports more than it exports. China had a $37 billion trade surplus with the US at the time.
  - Critics argue tariffs may lead to inflation, economic risks, and retaliatory measures by other nations.
US Aid Agency Initiatives
- Quick Description: Trump proposed merging the US Agency for International Development (USAID) with other departments and cutting its budget.
- Additional Factual Data:
  - USAID, established in the 1960s, provides humanitarian aid for food security, healthcare, infrastructure, and disaster relief.
  - In 2023, USAID allocated $68 million in aid.
  - The merger plan reflected a shift toward prioritizing domestic needs over foreign aid.

National News

RBI Reduces Repo Rate
- Quick Description: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reduced the repo rate by 0.25% (from 6.5% to 6.25%), marking the first cut in five years.
- Additional Factual Data:
  - Repo rate: Interest rate at which banks borrow from the RBI. Lower rates increase liquidity, while higher rates curb inflation.
  - Decision driven by controlled inflation and efforts to boost economic liquidity.
  - The Monetary Policy Committee (6 members, chaired by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das) oversees rate decisions.
Role of Governor in Assenting to Bills
- Quick Description: Debate over the Governor’s authority to withhold assent to state bills, highlighted by a Tamil Nadu case.
- Additional Factual Data:
  - Constitutional Provisions:
    - Article 153: Governor is the state’s constitutional head.
    - Article 200: Governor can withhold assent, return bills for reconsideration, or reserve them for presidential approval.
    - If re-passed by the legislature, the Governor must assent.
Rajasthan Anti-Conversion Bill
- Quick Description: Rajasthan introduced a bill to regulate religious conversions.
- Additional Factual Data:
  - Constitutional Context: Articles 25-28 guarantee freedom of religion, but states can intervene in cases of forced conversions.
  - Key Provisions:
    - Invalidates marriages conducted solely for religious conversion.
    - Requires advance notice (60 days) to the District Magistrate for conversions.
  - Termed “Love Jihad” in public discourse, referring to alleged conversions via marriage.

Days and Reports

World Wetlands Day
- Quick Description: Observed on February 2 annually.
- Additional Factual Data:
  - Commemorates the 1971 Ramsar Convention, a global treaty for wetland conservation.
  - Ramsar Sites in India: 89 designated wetlands (e.g., Keoladeo National Park, Loktak Lake).
  - Montreux Record: Lists degraded Ramsar sites. India has two entries: Keoladeo (Rajasthan) and Loktak (Manipur).
  - 2023 Theme: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.”

Budget-Related News

India’s Nuclear Energy Roadmap
- Quick Description: Government announced plans to boost nuclear power capacity in the 2023 budget.
- Additional Factual Data:
  - Target: Generate 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047.
  - Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Compact, cost-effective reactors; ₹100,000 crore allocated for development.
  - Key Projects:
    - 10 new reactors in existing nuclear plant states.
    - Andhra Pradesh plant under India-US collaboration.
  - Aim to operationalize 5 SMRs by 2033