![Illustration about Geography: The [India Meteorological Department] has issued its first 'below normal' Southwest monsoon forecast in 11 years, predic](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-04-14%2Fimds-april-forecast-projects-monsoon-to-be-below-normal-for-first-time-in-11-years-1d904028.png&w=1200&q=75)
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IMD’s April forecast projects monsoon to be ‘below normal’ for first time in 11 years
The [India Meteorological Department] has issued its first 'below normal' Southwest monsoon forecast in 11 years, predicting rainfall at 92% of the Long Period Average (LPA) for 2026. This announcement by the [Ministry of Earth Sciences] raises concerns about agricultural productivity, impending food inflation, and potential drought conditions akin to the severe deficit year of 2015.
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Must Read‘Will not remain silent’: T.N. CM Stalin warns of massive protest against delimitation
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has warned of massive state-wide protests against the Union government's impending delimitation exercise.
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Must ReadIran, India in touch on passage of ships through Strait of Hormuz: Envoy Mohammad Fathali
India and Iran are in active diplomatic coordination to ensure the safe passage of Indian commercial vessels through the critical [Strait of Hormuz] amid ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts involving the US and Israel. Concurrently, India has facilitated the shipment of 45,000 kg of humanitarian medical assistance to Iran, underscoring the resilience of their bilateral relationship during geopolitical crises.
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Must ReadFood, fuel prices push up March retail inflation to 3.4%
India's retail inflation accelerated to 3.4% in March, primarily driven by escalating food and fuel prices stemming from geopolitical disruptions in West Asia. In response to these inflationary pressures and global uncertainties, the [Reserve Bank of India] has opted to maintain its benchmark policy rate at 5.25%, signaling a cautious approach to future rate cuts.
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Must ReadWhy Opposition may not back women’s quota changes: Delimitation, caste census concerns
The government has proposed amendments to the Women's Reservation Act during a special session of Parliament. However, opposition parties have raised severe concerns, arguing that the legislation is being used as a smokescreen to push population-based delimitation without conducting a national census or a caste census, which could negatively impact Southern states and OBC representation.
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Must ReadChina says policy to improve relations with India remains unchanged
China recently published a list of new 'standardized' names for various places in Arunachal Pradesh, a move India categorically rejected as the imposition of fictitious names on sovereign Indian territory. Despite this deliberate provocation, the Chinese foreign ministry claimed its broader policy to improve bilateral relations with India remains unchanged.
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Must ReadThe fallout of the crisis in West Asia on India’s economy
The ongoing geopolitical crisis in West Asia has disrupted global supply chains for critical energy products, leading to sharp fluctuations in crude oil prices and threatening India's macroeconomic stability. A partial blockade of the [Strait of Hormuz] has severely restricted maritime trade, exacerbating the risks for India, which relies on imports to meet nearly 90% of its crude oil demand.
Read on The HinduDive Into Study Notes![Illustration about Geography: The [India Meteorological Department] has projected a below-normal southwest monsoon for 2026 at 92% of the Long Period](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-04-14%2Fel-nino-threat-looms-large-as-data-shows-strong-link-to-weak-monsoons-b83df782.png&w=1200&q=75)
Must ReadEl Nino threat looms large as data shows strong link to weak monsoons
The [India Meteorological Department] has projected a below-normal southwest monsoon for 2026 at 92% of the Long Period Average due to the emerging threat of a strong [El Nino] event by mid-year. Historical data confirms a stark correlation between this Pacific warming phenomenon and deficient Indian monsoons, raising widespread concerns for the upcoming Kharif agricultural season and broader macroeconomic stability.
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Must ReadUS announces Iran port blockade: The laws governing passage through the Strait of Hormuz
The United States has announced a blockade of Iranian ports in response to Iran's attempts to control and impose tolls on international shipping through the [Strait of Hormuz]. This escalating geopolitical standoff threatens roughly 20% of the global energy trade and raises complex questions regarding customary international law and freedom of navigation, especially since both nations' strategies push the boundaries of legal maritime conduct.
Read on Indian ExpressDive Into Study Notes![Illustration about Science & Technology: The Indian Space Research Organisation's highly reliable [Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle] has faced consecutive mission](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-04-14%2Fafter-pslv-setbacks-stall-launches-isro-hopes-to-bounce-back-following-expert-panel-report-2ccc744c.png&w=1200&q=75)
Must ReadAfter PSLV setbacks stall launches, Isro hopes to bounce back following expert panel report
The Indian Space Research Organisation's highly reliable [Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle] has faced consecutive mission failures due to anomalies in its third stage. This disruption has cascading effects, delaying crucial satellite launches needed to restore India's [NavIC] navigation system and stalling the maiden flight of an industry-manufactured rocket.
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Must ReadAmid delimination debate, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy proposes hybrid model
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has proposed a hybrid model for the upcoming delimitation exercise, suggesting that Lok Sabha seats be allocated using a mix of a pro-rata system and state economic contributions. This aims to prevent the marginalization of Southern states, which have successfully controlled their populations but risk losing proportional political representation in Parliament.
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ImportantRupee is more than a measure of price. It’s also a barometer of credibility
Economists have recently cautioned against viewing the depreciation of the Indian rupee merely as a strategic tool to boost exports, highlighting its severe impacts on purchasing power and long-term investor credibility. Amid consecutive years of deficits in India's external accounts up to 2026, the article emphasizes that a persistently weak currency exacerbates macroeconomic vulnerabilities.
Must ReadTrump is blockading the system that America built
The United States recently announced an immediate naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to restrict Iranian maritime movement, threatening overwhelming military force against non-compliance. This unilateral action severely disrupts global energy supply chains, forcing nations like India to bear the economic brunt of rising oil prices while the US bolsters its own domestic oil exports.
Read on Indian ExpressDive Into Study Notes![Illustration about Regulatory Bodies: The [United States Food and Drug Administration] has historically served as the global benchmark for drug and medical de](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-04-14%2Fglobal-health-governance-must-depend-less-on-the-fda-c6844ae6.png&w=1200&q=75)
ImportantGlobal health governance must depend less on the FDA
The [United States Food and Drug Administration] has historically served as the global benchmark for drug and medical device regulations, with many developing nations relying on its approvals to fast-track their own healthcare technologies. However, recent institutional instability and leadership churn within the agency highlight the vulnerabilities of this over-reliance.
ImportantParched again: On Bengaluru’s drinking water woes
The editorial analyzes Bengaluru's acute drinking water crisis, which is driven by extreme groundwater extraction, rapid urbanization, and a severe reduction in natural recharge areas. It advocates for integrated water management and adopting a 'sponge city' model to sustainably address the growing gap between water supply and urban demand.
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ImportantPunjab’s sacrilege Bill is regressive and draconian
The Punjab Legislative Assembly recently passed the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing life imprisonment for the desecration of the Sikh holy book. The editorial criticizes the legislation for expanding the definition of sacrilege to include spoken and electronic expressions, raising concerns about its draconian nature, potential for misuse, and conflict with constitutional rights.
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