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UPSC Daily Current Affairs Notes – The Indian Express Newspaper Analysis for Prelims & Mains 27 February 2026

 

UPSC PRELIMS CURRENT AFFAIRS NOTES

India–Canada Relations | Animal Behaviour | Prahar Counter-Terror Strategy



Based on The Indian express Newspaper | Fully Exam-Relevant

SECTION 1 – INDIA–CANADA RELATIONS 


1. Background of Diplomatic Tensions

  • Diplomatic relations deteriorated after allegations made by Canadian government regarding killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

  • Government led by Justin Trudeau accused Indian involvement; India rejected allegations.

  • Issue linked to pro-Khalistan activism in Canada.

  • Groups like Sikhs for Justice led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun accused of separatist propaganda.

Why this matters for UPSC

  • Diaspora politics affecting foreign policy.

  • Transnational extremism.

  • Diplomatic crisis management.

2. Recent Improvement in Relations

  • New Canadian leadership under Mark Carney signalling diplomatic reset.

  • High Commissioners restored.

  • Talks resumed on trade, defence, education, and energy.

Reasons for Reset

3. India–Canada Trade Relations

A. Overall Trade

Total trade includes:

  • Merchandise trade (goods)

  • Services trade

B. Merchandise Trade

  • Around 13–13.3 billion USD.

  • India enjoys trade surplus.

Meaning:
India exports more goods to Canada than it imports.

C. Services Trade

  • Around 14–14.2 billion USD.

  • Includes IT services, financial services, consulting, education services.

D. Major Indian Exports

  • Pharmaceutical products.

  • Engineering goods.

  • Machinery and mechanical parts.

  • Textile and apparel.

  • Chemicals and plastics.

E. Canadian Exports to India

  • Pulses (lentils, peas).

  • Potash and fertilisers.

  • Minerals.

  • Wood pulp and timber.

F. Investment Relations

  • Canada is 17th largest foreign investor in India.

  • Canadian pension funds invest heavily in:

    • Infrastructure

    • Renewable energy

    • Real estate

    • Logistics

4. Defence Cooperation

Exercise Sea Dragon

  • Multinational anti-submarine warfare exercise.

  • Conducted in Guam (US territory in Pacific Ocean).

  • Focus: detecting enemy submarines.

Participants include India, USA, Japan, Australia, Canada.

UPSC Fact:
Sea Dragon → Anti-submarine warfare.

Exercise La Pérouse

  • Multilateral exercise led by French Navy.

  • Focus on maritime cooperation and interoperability.

  • Includes India, Canada, France, Australia etc.

UPSC Fact:
La Pérouse → Multilateral maritime exercise.

5. Strategic Importance of Canada for India

A. Energy Security

  • Canada has large uranium reserves.

  • Important for India’s nuclear energy program.

B. Critical Minerals

Needed for:

  • EV batteries

  • Renewable energy

  • Electronics

Canada rich in lithium, cobalt, nickel.

C. Indian Diaspora

  • About 3 million Indians live in Canada.

  • Around 3–4 lakh Indian students.

  • Strong cultural and economic links.

D. Education Cooperation

Canada is major destination for Indian students due to:

  • Work permits

  • PR pathways

  • Quality universities.

6. Important Prelims Facts

  • Canada is NOT part of QUAD.

  • India has trade surplus with Canada.

  • Canada important for critical minerals.

  • Sea Dragon is anti-submarine exercise.

SECTION 2 – ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR (Japanese Macaque Case)

1. About Japanese Macaque

  • Scientific name: Macaca fuscata.

  • Native to Japan.

  • Known as Snow Monkey.

  • Lives in cold mountainous forests.

UPSC relevance:
Animal behaviour frequently asked in Environment.

2. Social Behaviour of Japanese Macaque

A. Troop-Based Social System

  • Live in organised social groups called troops.

  • Complex social hierarchy.

B. Matrilineal Hierarchy

  • Females stay in natal group.

  • Rank inherited from mother.

  • Daughters inherit mother’s social status.

Important Prelims concept:
Matrilineal dominance hierarchy.

C. Male Behaviour

  • Males leave natal group.

  • Join other groups.

  • Rank based on physical strength and alliances.

3. Grooming Behaviour

  • Grooming means cleaning fur.

  • Builds trust.

  • Strengthens social bonds.

  • Reduces stress.

  • Maintains hierarchy.

UPSC concept:
Grooming in primates → social bonding behaviour.

4. Importance of Physical Touch

  • Emotional development depends on maternal contact.

  • Experiments by Harry Harlow showed primates raised without touch develop behavioural problems.

Conclusion:
Physical contact essential in primate socialisation.

5. Ecology Link for UPSC

Possible question themes:

  • Dominance hierarchy.

  • Social bonding.

  • Territorial behaviour.

  • Cooperative behaviour.

6. Prelims Concept Table

ConceptMeaning
MatrilinealRank inherited from mother
GroomingSocial bonding
Male migrationJoin other troop
DominancePhysical + alliances

SECTION 3 – PRAHAR NATIONAL COUNTER-TERROR STRATEGY

1. About Prahar

Purpose:
Create coordinated framework for counter-terror operations.

2. Agencies Covered

  • National Investigation Agency

  • National Security Guard

  • Intelligence agencies

  • State Police forces.

3. Key Features of Prahar

A. Zero Tolerance Policy

  • No tolerance for terrorism.

  • Not linked to religion/community.

B. Intelligence Coordination

  • Real-time information sharing.

  • Target terror funding.

  • Identify sleeper cells.

C. Swift Response

  • Local police empowered.

  • Special forces support.

D. Capacity Building

  • Police modernisation.

  • Training programs.

  • Technology use.

E. Legal Framework

F. Counter-Radicalisation

  • Prevent youth radicalisation.

  • Monitor online propaganda.

G. International Cooperation

  • Intelligence sharing.

  • Extradition agreements.

4. Comparison with US and UK Strategies

  • USA → National Strategy on Counter-Terrorism.

  • UK → CONTEST Strategy.

Difference:

  • Western strategies have public oversight.

  • Prahar emphasises operational secrecy.

5. Challenges

  • Coordination among agencies.

  • State police capacity gaps.

  • Monitoring online radicalisation.

  • Technology integration issues.

ADDITIONAL PRELIMS FACTS

Pacific Ocean Regions

  • Micronesia

  • Melanesia

  • Polynesia

Guam lies in Micronesia.

Trade Terms

TermMeaning
Merchandise TradeTrade in goods
Services TradeIT, tourism, finance
Trade SurplusExports > Imports

POSSIBLE PRELIMS QUESTIONS

  1. Prahar released by Defence Ministry – False

  2. Japanese macaque shows matrilineal hierarchy – True

  3. Sea Dragon is anti-submarine exercise – True

  4. Canada member of QUAD – False

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