Sikkim

Why it matters

• Serves as a critical buffer zone for national security due to its proximity to the Chumbi Valley and international border sensitivity.
• Represents a unique model of organic agriculture and sustainable mountain development within the Indian federal structure.
• Acts as a vital gateway for regional connectivity initiatives under the Act East Policy, facilitating trade and cultural exchange.
• Possesses high ecological value as a biodiversity hotspot, necessitating balanced governance between infrastructure development and environmental conservation.

How it is asked

Focus on the geopolitical implications of the Siliguri Corridor, the constitutional provisions regarding the special status of the state under Article 371F, and the challenges of disaster management in fragile Himalayan ecosystems.