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PM Modi's Israel Visit Amid Gaza Truce, Kerala Renaming to Keralam via Article 3, and National HPV Vaccination Drive for 14-Year-Old Girls

Intl. RelationsPolitySocial IssuesCORE
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
25 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:January 29, 199222,446 elephants~75,000 deaths annually2.6 crore dosesArticle 3Article 324(1)
Bodies:Election Commission of IndiaSupreme CourtUnion CabinetMinistry of HealthGAVIWHOIndian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
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What This Article Covers

1.Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Israel amid regional turmoil, focusing on defence pacts, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), and navigating the Israel-Palestine issue.

2.The Union Cabinet approves renaming Kerala to 'Keralam' under Article 3, a process initiated by a state assembly resolution, highlighting the constitutional procedure for altering state names.

3.India launches a national HPV vaccination drive for 14-year-old girls using a single-dose regimen of Gardasil vaccine, aiming to prevent cervical cancer which causes ~75,000 deaths annually.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

A high-stakes diplomatic visit to Israel, a constitutional name change for a state, and a major public health campaign highlight key areas of governance and policy. This bundle covers strategic foreign relations, federal polity processes, and a critical preventive healthcare initiative, all relevant for understanding current affairs and government action.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

India-Israel Ties EstablishedJanuary 29, 1992
Elephant Population in India22,446 (as per 2025 report)
Cervical Cancer Deaths in India~75,000 annually
HPV Vaccine Doses from GAVI2.6 crore

1-Minute Revision

  • ›India-Israel Ties Established: January 29, 1992
  • ›Elephant Population in India: 22,446 (as per 2025 report)
  • ›Target this Data: India established full diplomatic relations with Israel on January 29, 1992.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Election Commission of India (ECI) conducts Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Article 3 of the Constitution governs the alteration of state names, like Kerala to Keralam.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

As per the Constitution, the power to alter the name of a state lies with?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the news:

1. India recognized Israel soon after its creation in 1948 but established full diplomatic relations in 1992.

2. The proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam originated from a resolution passed by the Union Cabinet.

3. The HPV vaccination campaign for girls will use a two-dose regimen of the indigenously developed Cervavac vaccine.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, approximately how many girls who turn 14 years of age will be eligible for the HPV vaccine every year in India?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is a primary strategic reason, as indicated in the article, for India's deepening engagement with Israel?

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