UPSC CSE 2024 Marksheet: Know How Much Topper Shakti Dubey Got In Written Exam, Interview
UPSC civil service exam 2025 topper Shakti Dubey got 51.5 per cent or 1043 marks in the civil service examination. The topper got 843 in the written exam and 200 in the interview
UPSC Marksheet 2025: Shakti Dubey emerged as the All India Rank 1 holder in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination 2024, the results of which were announced on Monday, April 21. A native of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, know her UPSC marks here.
Dubey got 51.5 per cent or 1043 marks in the civil service examination. The topper got 843 out of 1750 marks in the written exam and 200 out of 275 marks in the interview.
She triumphed in her fifth attempt after enduring disappointments in the previous four attempts. In 2023, she missed the cut-off by 12 marks after the interview stage.
Originally from Rampur (Wajidpur) village in Bairia tehsil of Ballia district, Dubey's journey began in the classrooms of Allahabad. She completed her graduation from Allahabad University, where she pursued a BSc degree. She later completed her post-graduation in Biochemistry from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 2016.
Her pivot to civil services began in earnest in 2018, when she decided to pursue her long-cherished dream of joining the bureaucracy. Despite hailing from a science background, Dubey chose Political Science and International Relations as her optional subjects.
In a mock interview conducted during her preparation, Dubey reflected on her journey, emphasising the unflinching support of her family throughout the seven-year odyssey. She credited her parents and loved ones as the cornerstone of her success. 'This achievement is as much theirs as it is mine," she had said.
'Disappointment is an inevitable part of any examination, not just the UPSC. However, throughout my journey, I have been fortunate to have the unwavering support of my mother, father, siblings, and family. Their presence was a constant source of strength, especially during moments of self-doubt. Their encouragement ensured my confidence never wavered," she added.
The second spot was secured by Harshita Goyal followed by Dongre Archit Parag at the third spot. Shah Margi Chirag and Aakash Garg took the fourth and fifth spots, respectively.
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April 28, 2025, 20:44 IST
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Indian Express
2 days ago
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UPSC Key: Lateral Entry, Operation Sindhu and Radiological Mines
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This was an oblique reference to China's assertive behaviour in the region. • US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet visiting Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir over lunch Wednesday, a meeting that is being closely tracked by Delhi. • According to the White House, the lunch is scheduled to be held at 1 pm at the Cabinet room, and is 'closed to press'. This meeting between the US President and the Pakistan Army chief, a rare occurrence, is happening after almost two decades. Munir's US visit began last Sunday and it is his second since he took over as Army chief in 2022. In 2006, US President George W Bush had met then Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf. US Presidents have met Pakistan's military rulers in the past when the country was officially under their rule. 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I think it was started with a very noble intention and it was possible only because we had someone like Prime Minister Modi there, otherwise, such kind of lateral entry, was unknown, the procedures,' he said, adding that the previous governments did not have an objective mechanism for such recruitments. • Asked about the implementation of reservation, he said in appointments of single posts anywhere in the world, 'reservation rule doesn't work. I hope I'm making my point clear.' Do You Know: • The upper age limit to appear for the civil services examination in the early days was 24 years. Open market recruitments were made from among individuals who had completed the age of 25 but not the age of 40. For Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates the age ceiling was 45 years. (The now-cancelled lateral entry initiative had the same age ceiling for applicants.) • In the first round of special recruitments in 1948-49, 82 officers were hired on the recommendation of the Emergency Recruitment Board. During the second round, Minister of State for Home Affairs B N Datar explained the rationale for open-market recruitments: • For the 1956 round, the government fixed an income floor of Rs 300 for open-market candidates to apply — a requirement that caused an uproar in Parliament. • More than 22,161 applications were received for these recruitments in 1956, including 1,138 from the SCs and 185 from the STs. To enable Indians residing abroad to appear, 22 examination centres were set up outside India. The exam was held on December 28, 1956. • The SC quota was 12.5% and the ST quota was 5%, both for vacancies filled normally through competitive exams and in the special recruitment from the open market. The filling of the quota was subject to the availability of suitable candidates. According to the government, the conditions for recruitment of SCs and STs were relaxed to the extent possible. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Express View on lateral entry in bureaucracy: No short-cuts Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 📍'Institutional quality is a crucial driver of economic performance'. In this context suggest reforms in the Civil Service for strengthening democracy. (2020) THE EDITORIAL PAGE Playing with fire Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests. What's the ongoing story: Syed Akbaruddin Writes: In an age of climate urgency and energy scarcity, nuclear power is on the cusp of being rediscovered. This time not as a Cold War relic, but as a lifeline. It offers countries seeking low-emission, high-reliability power what few other sources can: Base load stability in an increasingly unstable world. Key Points to Ponder: • Under international humanitarian law (Geneva Conventions), attacking a civilian nuclear power plant is prohibited if it causes what? • What term describes nuclear plants used as protective shields because attacking them risks nuclear disaster? • What does 'cold shutdown' of a reactor imply? • The 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran's Natanz and Arak nuclear sites-Why? • What is the concept of nuclear power plants as 'radiological mines' in modern warfare? • What is the strategic rationale behind Israel's preventive strikes on Iranian nuclear sites? • Assess the role of the IAEA in monitoring and preventing military operations near nuclear installations. • Israel's latest military operation inside Iran-what you know so far? • Iran-Israel Conflict-know the background • Iran-Israel bilateral relations-know the present situation • What role can international organizations like the United Nations play in de-escalating the Israel-Iran tensions? 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Key Points to Ponder: • Operation Sindhu is launched primarily to what? • What is the strategic significance of Operation Sindhu in demonstrating India's commitment to the safety of its overseas nationals? • Analyze the logistics and diplomatic challenges involved in evacuating citizens from conflict zones, citing Operation Sindhu as an example. • Compare Operation Sindhu with Operation Ganga. • What is the role of regional diplomacy, especially involving Armenia and Turkmenistan, in the success of Operation Sindhu? • How does India's evacuation policy enhance its international image and align with its evolving role as a responsible global power? Key Takeaways: • India on Wednesday announced launching 'Operation Sindhu' to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran as fears of an all-out Israeli-American military strikes on Iran increased. • The first batch of 100 students are returning from Armenia to Delhi in the early hours of Thursday. As India is starting its evacuation, the Iranian embassy officials said that some Indian students have sustained injuries in a strike and the Iranian foreign ministry was in close touch with the Indian mission in Tehran. • An official statement of the Ministry of External Affairs said, 'In view of the deteriorating situation as a result of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, the government of India has been taking various steps over the last several days for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran.' • It said that the government of India is grateful to the governments of Iran and Armenia for the smooth facilitation of the evacuation process. Do You Know: • As India monitors developments in the region and prepares its evacuation plans from the conflict zone, it faces a diplomatic challenge post-Operation Sindoor. • Armenia is one of Iran's neighbouring countries that Delhi is in touch with. India doesn't have amicable ties with some of the other countries bordering Iran — Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan. Besides Armenia, Turkmenistan and Iraq are the other neighbouring countries of Iran with whom India has amicable ties; it doesn't have formal diplomatic ties with Afghanistan. It also has the Persian Gulf route, from where it can evacuate Indians through ships or via Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. With such complex regional dynamics at play, Delhi is tapping all its diplomatic relationships to evacuate its citizens. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍The war wasn't on TV, it was outside my window: Indian students trapped in Iran await evacuation EXPLAINED Revising the GDP base year Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc. Mains Examination: General Studies III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. What's the ongoing story: The GDP is the central metric to assess the annual economic growth or the overall size of an economy and the 'base year' refers to the year that works as a starting point for calculations. At present, the base year is 2011-12. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the base year? • What is the base year for the GDP, IIP and CPI? • Reasons for revising the base year-know in detail • What are the considerations for the new base year? • How is a base year chosen? Key Takeaways: • The GDP is the central metric to assess the annual economic growth or the overall size of an economy and the so-called 'base year' refers to the year that works as a starting point for calculations. At present, the base year is 2011-12. In other words, the GDP in 2011-12 is used as a 'base' over which the GDP growth of any following year is calculated. The new base year for GDP calculations will be 2022-23 and the revised series of data will be released on February 27, 2026. • The first set of estimates of national income (GDP) for India was compiled by the 'National Income Committee', under the chairmanship of PC Mahalanobis in 1949. The first and final reports of national income by this committee were brought out in 1951 and 1954 respectively. • Since then, as more and better quality data became available, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) undertook comprehensive reviews of the methodology used for calculating GDP. Apart from shifting base years of national accounts series, the CSO also tried making improvements in the compilation of national accounts series, in terms of coverage of activities, incorporation of latest datasets and latest international guidelines. • The base year of national accounts have been revised on seven different occasions: From 1948-49 to 1960-61 in August 1967; From 1960-61 to 1970-71 in January 1978; From 1970-71 to 1980-81 in February 1988; From 1980-81 to 1993-94 in February 1999; From 1993-94 to 1999-2000 in January 2006; From 1999-2000 to 2004-05 in January 2010; and From 2004-05 to 2011-12 on January 30, 2015. Do You Know: • A base year is the first of a series of years in an economic or financial index. In this context, it is typically set to an arbitrary level of 100. New, up-to-date base years are periodically introduced to keep data current in a particular index. Base years are also used to measure the growth of a company. Any year can serve as a base year, but analysts typically choose recent years. • A base year is used for comparison in the measure of business activity or economic or financial index. For example, to find the rate of inflation between 2016 and 2024, 2016 is the base year or the first year in the time set. The base year can also describe the starting point from a point of growth or a baseline for calculating same-store sales. • To more accurately understand and report the state of the economy. An accurate reporting, in turn, is an essential requirement both for policymakers as well as all the other economic agents (from large business firms to budding entrepreneurs). • The fact is that the government led by Prime Minister Modi had announced in 2017 that a new GDP series will be released with 2017-18 as the new base year. The government had hoped to use the results of Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) as well as the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS was an annual survey replacing the quinquennial Employment-Unemployment Surveys), both of which were slated in 2017-18, to update the GDP data. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍'New base year for GDP, CPI, IIP from early 2026; Services survey from Jan' Previous year UPSC main Question Covering similar theme: 📍Explain the difference between computing methodology of India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the year 2015 and after the year 2015. (2021) HOW INDIA-ARMENIA ALLIANCE IS PAYING OFF AMID IRAN-ISRAEL CRISIS Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. What's the ongoing story: Amid escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, the Indian Embassy in Tehran on Tuesday helped at least 110 stranded students leave the country, facilitating their passage into Armenia through the Nurduz-Agarak border crossing. Key Points to Ponder: • India and Armenia-know in detail • How India's defense exports under 'Make in India' have strengthened strategic ties with Armenia? • Know the geostrategic importance of Armenia for India in the context of the Russia-dominated South Caucasus and emerging regional alliances (e.g., Turkey-Azerbaijan-Pakistan). • What is the role of Armenia in facilitating humanitarian efforts such as Operation Sindhu, and its significance for India's diplomatic reach? • What is Nagorno-Karabakh? • Where is Nagorno-Karabakh? • Map Work-Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh Key Takeaways: • With Iranian airspace shut down indefinitely, evacuations from the country will have to be facilitated through its land borders. This is a particular challenge for India, which shares rather tenuous relations with a few of Iran's neighbours, especially after Operation Sindoor. • Pakistan remains New Delhi's primary geopolitical rival, with whom it only recently had a military conflagration. As such, the border between Iran and Pakistan in the Baloch homeland remains shut for Indian evacuees. • As are Iran's borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan, both of whom professed overt support for Islamabad during Operation Sindoor. New Delhi's relations with Baku and Istanbul have taken a nosedive in recent weeks. On the other hand, India does not have official ties with the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan (to Iran's east) at all. This leaves three countries through which Indians can theoretically be evacuated — Turkmenistan, Iraq, and Armenia. • Iran's border with Turkmenistan is sparsely populated, especially on the Iranian side, meaning there are significant logistical challenges facilitating evacuations through this frontier. The border with Iraq, on the other hand, lies directly in the line of fire between Iran and Israel. While it remains open at the moment, most of Iraq's airports are shut due to the conflict. • The 44-km-long Iran-Armenia border is thus the most viable option for Indian evacuees, especially since Tehran and the Nurduz-Agarak crossing, some 730 km apart, are well connected by a major highway. • It is in this context that years of Indian diplomatic efforts vis-à-vis Armenia are now paying dividends. While India's ties with Armenia date back millenia, the present relationship is a product of a few crucial geopolitical considerations. Do You Know: • With Turkey and Pakistan firmly in the Azeri camp, India has been a staunch backer of Armenia in its lingering conflict with Azerbaijan, primarily over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. In recent years, New Delhi has eclipsed even Russia as Armenia's biggest military supplier: a $250 million deal in 2022 saw India supplying Armenia with PINAKA multi-barrel rocket launchers, Akash-1S air defense system, and other armaments. • Yerevan has supported New Delhi's positions in international fora. Most notably, Armenia has publicly endorsed India's position on resolving the Kashmir issue on a bilateral basis (with Pakistan), and supports India's aspiration for a permanent seat in the expanded UN Security Council. • Located in the southern Caucasus, Armenia is a crucial cog of the International North-South Transport Corridor, which aims to connect India to Europe through Armenia and Iran. Developing this route is a major geopolitical objective for New Delhi, one which would provide significant stimulus to its economy and establish India as a major player in the region. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and India For any queries and feedback, contact Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Priya Kumari Shukla is a Senior Copy Editor in the Indian Express (digital). She contributes to the UPSC Section of Indian Express (digital) and started niche initiatives such as UPSC Key, UPSC Ethics Simplified, and The 360° UPSC Debate. The UPSC Key aims to assist students and aspirants in their preparation for the Civil Services and other competitive examinations. It provides valuable guidance on effective strategies for reading and comprehending newspaper content. The 360° UPSC Debate tackles a topic from all perspectives after sorting through various publications. The chosen framework for the discussion is structured in a manner that encompasses both the arguments in favour and against the topic, ensuring comprehensive coverage of many perspectives. Prior to her involvement with the Indian Express, she had affiliations with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) as well as several coaching and edutech enterprises. In her prior professional experience, she was responsible for creating and refining material in various domains, including article composition and voiceover video production. She has written in-house books on many subjects, including modern India, ancient Indian history, internal security, international relations, and the Indian economy. She has more than eight years of expertise in the field of content writing. Priya holds a Master's degree in Electronic Science from the University of Pune as well as an Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from the esteemed Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, widely recognised as one of the most prestigious business schools in India. She is also an alumni of Jamia Milia Islamia University Residential Coaching Academy (RCA). Priya has made diligent efforts to engage in research endeavours, acquiring the necessary skills to effectively examine and synthesise facts and empirical evidence prior to presenting their perspective. Priya demonstrates a strong passion for reading, particularly in the genres of classical Hindi, English, Maithili, and Marathi novels and novellas. Additionally, she possessed the distinction of being a cricket player at the national level. Qualification, Degrees / other achievements: Master's degree in Electronic Science from University of Pune and Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta ... Read More
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
How did the Israel-Iran conflict escalate? A look from history to its impact
UPSC Issue at a Glance is an initiative by UPSC Essentials aimed at streamlining your preparation for the prelims and mains examinations by focusing on current issues making headlines. Every Thursday, cover a new topic in a lucid way. This week, we explain to you the Israel-Iran conflict through its history, recent escalation, and potential impact. Let's get started. If you missed the previous UPSC Issue at a Glance | RBI Explained – History, tools of monetary policy, and surplus transfer from the Indian Express, read it here. Thursday (June 19) marks the seventh day of Israel's offensive, which has targeted key nuclear and military sites like Natanz and Isfahan, killing top generals and scientists. Notably, on June 13, Israel launched airstrikes towards Iran, targeting multiple nuclear and military facilities, and killing several senior military officers and scientists under what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called 'Operation Rising Lion'. Later, Iran launched waves of ballistic missiles towards Israel in retaliation. The Israeli offensive not only jeopardised the Iran nuclear talks but also heightened fears of a wider regional conflagration with serious implications. The latest flare-up in the Israel-Iran conflict could have serious consequences for the region and beyond. In this week's UPSC Issue at a Glance, we unpack this issue by tracing the history of Israel-Iran relations, the causes of recent escalation and the potential implications. (Relevance: UPSC Syllabus General Studies-II: International Relations, Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests. FYI: UPSC has previously asked questions on various regional connectivity projects; for instance, a question was asked on INSTC in prelims this year, and in prelims 2017, a question was asked on Chabahar port (do check it in the post-read questions); thus, it becomes essential to know about these projects.) Given the current state of conflict between Israel and Iran, people may easily overlook the years of cooperative relations between these two nations. Thus, knowing about the historical ties between Iran and Israel becomes essential. (i) Pre-1979 Iran-Israel ties: In 1948, the opposition of Arab states to Israel led to the first Arab-Israeli war. Iran was not a part of that conflict, and after Israel won, it established ties with the Jewish state. It was the second Muslim-majority country to do so after Turkey. In this phase of bilateral ties, as an analysis from the Brookings Institute ('Iran's revolution, 40 years on: Israel's reverse periphery doctrine') notes, Israel tried to counter the hostility of Arab states at the time with the 'periphery doctrine' under its first Prime Minister David Ben Gurion. The Pahlavi dynasty, under the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, ruled Iran then. It had US support, as did Israel, and the two countries maintained ties with each other, with Iran also selling oil to Israel amid its economic boycott by Arab states. (ii) The 1979 Revolution: In this phase, a religious state was established in Iran after the Shah was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The regime's view of Israel changed, and it was seen as an occupier of Palestinian land. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini termed Israel 'Little Satan' and the United States the 'Great Satan', seeing the two as parties interfering in the region. Iran also sought to grow its presence in the region, challenging the two major powers Saudi Arabia and Israel – both of whom were US allies. (iii) Shadow War after 1979: After 1979, the ties between the countries worsened. While Israel and Iran have never engaged in direct military confrontation, both attempted to inflict damage on the other through proxies and limited strategic attacks. Israel has attacked Iranian nuclear facilities from time to time. In the early 2010s, it targeted several facilities and nuclear scientists in a bid to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. In 2010, the US and Israel are believed to have developed Stuxnet, a malicious computer virus. Used to attack a uranium enrichment facility at Iran's Natanz nuclear site, it was the 'first publicly known cyberattack on industrial machinery', according to Reuters. According to Explained article on short history of Iran-Israel ties, 'Iran, meanwhile, is seen as responsible for funding and supporting several militant groups in the region that are anti-Israel and anti-US, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.' Iran and Israel have shared a long history of antagonism, starting post the 1979 revolution in Iran which removed the West-friendly Shah from power. Today, Iran does not recognise Israel's right to exist. On the other hand, Israel's controversial Begin doctrine has been a source of significant conflict – diplomatic and otherwise – between the two nations. The two countries have been engaged in multiple proxy conflicts, and actually came face to face during the 2006 Lebanon War. Over the years, the ties devolved with little trust on either side. Iran's support for Hamas and other Iran-backed regional actors, such as Hezbollah, especially after October 7, 2023, has drawn Israel's ire. Last year, the Israel-Iran relations worsened more when for the first time Iran launched a direct attack aimed at targets within Israel. Iran-Israel bilateral ties hit new lows when, on June 13 this year, Israel launched 'Operation Rising Lion' against Iran. Several factors have contributed to the recent escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict. Let's take a closer look. 1. 'Nuclear threat' to Israel: Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu framed the biggest attack on Iran in decades as an attempt to remove the 'nuclear threat' to Israel. Addressing the people of Iran in a video message, he said the time had come for them to stand up for their freedom from an 'evil and oppressive regime', which has 'never been weaker'. Further explaining Israel's 'pre-emptive strikes', Netanyahu said Iran had 'taken steps that it has never taken before… to weaponise enriched uranium,' and 'if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time,' perhaps even 'within a few months.' Notably, the great strategic concern in Israel is Iran possessing nuclear weapons, and to that end, it has previously launched attacks on scientists (although more targeted and tactical ones). Iran says it is not looking to develop weapons, and has simply invested in nuclear power over the decades. 2. IAEA's Board of Governors censured Iran: Friday's attacks came one day after the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors censured Iran for the first time in 20 years for not working with its inspectors. On Thursday ( June 12) IAEA passed a resolution declaring Iran as being non-compliant with its non-proliferation obligations. The resolution came on the back of a recent IAEA investigation that found Iran was conducting 'secret nuclear activities' at three locations. The Israel-Iran conflict triggered serious concern among major stakeholders in the region, including India. Some of the potential implications of escalated Iran-Israel conflict are: 1. Fears of surging oil prices: Just as global shipping lines and traders had started to breathe a sigh of relief from elevated freight rates, with vessels returning to the crucial Red Sea route from the longer Cape of Good Hope passage, a conflict between two major West Asian powers — Iran and Israel — has reignited fears of surging oil prices and more trade disruptions. Since the war began on June 13, global Brent crude prices have risen by around 11 per cent — from levels of $67.34 per barrel on June 12 to around $74.6 per barrel on Tuesday. This is a significant spike — and several global financial firms are projecting that oil could cross $100 per barrel in case the crisis continues and worsens. 2. Risk of wider energy disruption: Experts warn that Iran may respond by closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz — a key passage through which 20–25 per cent of global oil supply transits, as well as a critical corridor for LNG shipments from Qatar and the UAE. Qatar, notably, is among the top LNG suppliers to India. Ravi Dutta Mishra of The Indian Express explains, 'S&P Global noted that, so far, both Iran and Israel have avoided directly targeting energy infrastructure. However, Israel has temporarily shut its Leviathan gas field — a key supplier to Egypt and Jordan — as a precaution. Iran, meanwhile, reported no damage to its oil refineries or storage depots in the initial attacks. Iran possesses approximately 2.2 million b/d of crude refining capacity and an additional 600,000 b/d of condensate splitter capacity. In May, it produced about 4 million b/d of crude and condensate. According to S&P Global, Iran's crude exports could fall below 1.5 million b/d this month.' 3. Rising freight rates: With the escalation in Iran-Israel conflict, there is possibility that freight rates will increase. As Ravi Dutta Mishra of The Indian Express explains, 'Now, with traders' worst fears materialising, vessels may be forced to continue using the Cape of Good Hope route. This detour means sustained upward pressure on freight rates. The Red Sea crisis had already caused a spike in shipping costs due to voyage duration increasing by 10–14 days. Longer voyages also tightened vessel availability, exerting inflationary pressure on freight rates.' Beyond the above-written potential implications, there is a possibility that global governance would also be impacted by continuing instability in the Middle East. The Israel-Iran conflict triggered serious concern among major stakeholders in the region, including India. Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday urged both Israel and Iran 'to avoid any escalatory steps,' saying India has 'close and friendly' relations with the two nations. Nonetheless, escalated Israel-Iran conflict puts India's regional connectivity strategy like the International North South Transport Corridor, and the Chabahar port at risk. Notably, The International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which was initiated by Russia, India, and Iran, is a multi-modal transportation project linking the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea via Iran, and onward to northern Europe via St Petersburg in Russia. This corridor aims to reduce transit times to about 25 days — 20 days fewer than the Suez Canal route — and cut freight costs by 30 per cent. The INSTC envisages the movement of goods from Mumbai to Bandar Abbas in Iran by sea; from Bandar Abbas to Bandar-e-Anzali, an Iranian port on the Caspian Sea, by road; from Bandar-e-Anzali to Astrakhan, a Caspian port in the Russian Federation by ship across the Caspian Sea; and onward to other parts of the Russian Federation and Europe by rail. Chabahar is a deep water port in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province. It is the Iranian port that is the closest to India, and is located in the open sea, providing easy and secure access for large cargo ships. The port is also part of the proposed INSTC. Chabahar is of strategic importance for India. It offers New Delhi an alternative route that bypasses Pakistan, which does not allow India land access for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia. Beyond, regional connectivity projects, trade and commerce, energy imports, and Indian expatriates are other vital concerns for New Delhi. It also presents Inflation risk in India. As Ravi Dutta Mishra of The Indian Express explains, 'The renewed instability could pose deeper macroeconomic challenges for India, extending beyond trade, particularly as the country's reliance on oil imports continues to rise. While India was compelled to halt oil imports from Iran following US sanctions in 2019, Goldman Sachs estimates that Iranian supply could fall by 1.75 million barrels per day (b/d) for six months before gradually recovering.' Furthermore, a deepening Israel-Iran conflict might affect India's successful balancing of ties with Israel, Iran and the Gulf Arab states for the past decade. Prelims (1) To which country is the Pahlavi dynasty related? (a) Israel (b) Iran (c) Yemen (d) Palestine (2) The term 'two-state solution' is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of (UPSC CSE 2018) (a) China (b) Israel (c) Iraq (d) Yemen (3) What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India? ( UPSC CSE 2017) (a) India's trade with African countries will increase enormously. (b) India's relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened. (c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. (d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India. (4) India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect: (UPSC CSE 2025) (a) India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran (b) India to Central Asia via China (c) India to South-East Asia through Bangladesh and Myanmar (d) India to Europe through Azerbaijan Mains 'India's relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.' Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2018) (Sources: Explained: A short history of Iran-Israel ties and why they soured after 1979, Iran blames Israel for Isfahan drone attack, Explained: What's happening in the latest Iran-Israel flare-up, in 5 points, Why the Iran-Israel war has not hit Indian markets, Trade to inflation, how Iran-Israel conflict may affect India, markets) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
