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16 topicsGS-1: 4GS-2: 2GS-3: 10
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GS-3Economy

1.SEBI When-Listed Trading Platform (Pre-Listing Trading)

Indian Express

What & Where

“When-Listed” platform: SEBI–exchange regulated venue for pre-listing trade of IPO-allotted shares

Window spans India’s T+1 allotment to T+3 listing, substituting informal grey-market deals

Geography: Nationwide, on NSE & BSE electronic systems

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

  • SEBI exercising powers under SCRA and SEBI Act to introduce new pre-listing trading framework
  • Platform expected to become part of IPO process guidelines, superseding informal off-market norms
  • Compliance will be mandatory for all main-board and SME IPOs once notified

Market Mechanics

  • Settlement expected on listing day; trades executed on T+1–T+2 marked “when-listed” until share officially lists
  • Price discovery shifts from broker-mediated premiums to transparent order book
  • Risk management mirrors secondary-market margins, reducing counterparty default exposure

Investor Protection

  • Transparency: Exchange surveillance replaces opaque bilateral deals, limiting manipulation
  • Volatility check: Formal order book dampens speculative premium swings seen in grey market
  • Accessibility: Retail can exit losing allotments early, large investors can build positions compliantly

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
RegulatorSecurities and Exchange Board of India
Partner bodiesStock exchanges (NSE, BSE)
Coverage periodIPO allotment (T+1) to official listing (T+3)
Current listing mandateShares must list within 3 working days post IPO close
Core objectiveCurb grey-market trading, enhance transparency
Trade statusFully regulated, KYC-compliant, electronic
Beneficiary segmentRetail investors seeking exit or entry before listing
Grey market natureUnofficial, price-discovery via demand–supply, no physical delivery
GS-3Economy

2.UNCTAD 2024 Global FDI Decline (Global FDI Trend)

UNCTAD
Illustration for UNCTAD 2024 Global FDI Decline (Global FDI Trend)

What & Where

UNCTAD: UN trade-and-development arm (1964); HQ Geneva; issues Global Investment Trends Monitor.

FDI: cross-border investment conferring ≥10 % ownership; key modes – Greenfield, Brownfield.

Conduit economies: EU hubs (Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland, UK) rerouting flows for tax purposes.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Global Trends

  • Surge figure distorted by conduit routing; underlying momentum weak amid inflation, wars, supply-chain shifts.
  • Semiconductor megaprojects lifted greenfield value 15 % despite 10 % fall in project count.

Regional Picture

  • Africa spike driven by single Egyptian megadeal; Latin America, Caribbean also see fewer new projects.
  • Central America gains from near-shoring; Eastern Europe and West Asia expected 2025 uptick.

SDG Investment

  • Cuts hurt energy (SDG 7), water (SDG 6), infrastructure (SDG 9); funding gap widens before 2030 deadline.
  • Private equity, sovereign funds flagged as critical to revive flows.

India Angle

  • Reforms, demographics, supply-chain realignment underpin moderate 2025 outlook.
  • FEMA-guided regime prohibits FDI in atomic energy, gambling, lotteries, real estate, tobacco.

2025 Prospects

  • UNCTAD projects “moderate” global rise; lower rates, AI-renewables demand may buoy flows.
  • US outward FDI softens while Chinese outward FDI climbs, tilting patterns toward ASEAN and India.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Global FDI 2024USD 1.4 trn (+11 %)
Drop when conduit flows removed–8 %
Developed-economy FDI excl. conduits–15 %
Europe (ex-conduit) change–45 %
North America change+13 %
Developing-economy FDI change–2 %; 2023 was –6 %
Africa inflow 2024USD 94 bn (+84 %)
Developing Asia change–7 %
China inflow change–29 %
ASEAN inflow change+2 %
India inflow change+13 %
India greenfield trendProjects ↑; project-finance number –23 %, value –33 %
SDG-sector investment change–11 %
Renewable energy financeIntl –16 %, domestic –60 %
India cumulative FDI (Apr 2000–Sep 2024)USD 1.033 trn

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1, NDA_GAT 2021PYQ 1

As per the data up to November, 2020, released by the Union Finance Ministry, which one of the following countries ranks 1 in terms of ODI (Outward Direct Investment) for the year 2020–21?

GS1, NDA_GAT 2020PYQ 2

With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristic?

GS-1HistoryQuick Bite

3.Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Revival (Kailash Yatra)

Business Standard
Illustration for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Revival (Kailash Yatra)

What & Where

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (KMY): annual India-China pilgrimage to Mount Kailash & Lake Mansarovar in Tibet.

Access from India: Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) & Nathu La Pass (Sikkim); window June-September.

Mount Kailash: 6,638 m, diamond-shaped black-rock peak; source zone for Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra & Karnali.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Religious Significance

  • Multi-faith sanctity boosts cultural diplomacy between India & Tibet.
  • Sacred status underpins permanent climbing ban, preserving pilgrimage ethos.
  • Pilgrimage’s mythic link to world axis elevates global spiritual tourism.

Route & Logistics

  • Lipulekh route traverses Kumaon Himalaya; shorter but tougher trek.
  • Nathu La motorable route suits elderly; higher dependence on Chinese permits.
  • June-Sept window chosen for relatively snow-free passes and moderate weather.

Diplomatic Angle

  • Revival signals thaw in India-China people-to-people exchanges post-border tensions.
  • KMY operations require annual bilateral coordination on visas, security & medical aid.
  • Route approvals reflect strategic trust along sensitive boundary sectors.

Physical Geography

  • Diamond-shaped summit composed of resistant black rock, aiding distinctive silhouette.
  • Surrounding plateau forms hydrological divide birthing four major Asian rivers.
  • Lake Mansarovar (freshwater) lies adjacent to brackish Lake Rakshastal, forming unique twin-lake system.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Peak elevation6,638 m
Host regionTibet Autonomous Region, China
Rock typeBlack igneous/metamorphic (local description)
Sacred toHindus, Buddhists, Jains, Bons
Hindu beliefAbode of Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati
Buddhist conceptMount Meru, cosmic axis
Jain nameAshtapada (Rishabhanatha’s enlightenment)
Key water bodiesLake Mansarovar at mountain’s base
Originating riversIndus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra, Karnali
Yatra monthsJune – September
Lipulekh Pass routeOperational since 1981
Nathu La Pass routeOperational since 2015
Climbing statusUnclimbed; ascent prohibited
2025 updateIndia-China agree to revive KMY

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2007PYQ 1

Which one of the following Himalayan passes was reopened in the middle of the year 2006 to facilitate trade between India and China?

GS-1Mapping

4.Darfur Humanitarian Crisis (Sudan Darfur)

UN
Illustration for Darfur Humanitarian Crisis (Sudan Darfur)

What & Where

Darfur: western Sudan region facing protracted ethnic conflict and alleged war crimes since 2003.

Core geography: Jebel Marra volcanic highlands, seasonal Wadi Howar, savanna Baggara Belt.

Strategic neighbourhood: borders Chad, Libya, Central African Republic, South Sudan.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Security Dimension

  • ICC Prosecutor seeks urgent UNSC action to halt worsening humanitarian abuses.
  • Active actors: government troops, Janjaweed militias, multiple rebel factions.
  • ICC warrant holders remain at large inside conflict theatre.

Geographic Features

  • Jebel Marra: volcanic highlands supplying year-round water, hence strategic.
  • Wadi Howar floods enable limited agriculture amid arid surroundings.
  • Baggara Belt savanna drives farmer-herder competition fueling clashes.

International Involvement

  • Neighbouring states receive refugees, influencing Chad, CAR, Libya security.
  • ICC monitors crimes under Rome Statute; Sudan previously non-cooperative.
  • UNSC intervention shapes sanctions, peacekeeping mandates (e.g., past UNAMID).

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Conflict start year2003
Principal ICC fugitiveOmar al-Bashir
Key state forceSudanese Armed Forces
Main militiaJanjaweed
Highest massifJebel Marra
Vital seasonal riverWadi Howar
Grazing zoneBaggara Belt
UN body urgedSecurity Council
Region’s countrySudan
Adjacent nation westChad
GS-3Environment

5.OECMs for Biodiversity Target (OECMs)

IUCN
Illustration for OECMs for Biodiversity Target (OECMs)

What & Where

OECM = geographically defined, non-protected area delivering positive, long-term in-situ biodiversity outcomes.

Realms: terrestrial, inland-water, coastal, marine; examples include timber forests, agricultural landscapes, drinking-water catchments.

2025 guidance by IUCN-WCPA & WWF supports GBF Target 3 goal of conserving 30 % land/water by 2030.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Criteria & Governance

  • Not-PA: area lacks formal PA status yet ensures conservation durability.
  • Governance flexibility: State, private, Indigenous or community management valid.
  • Monitoring: demonstrable effective management, ecological condition tracking required.

International Cases

  • Peru Los Amigos: 12 threatened species, 550+ birds safeguarded.
  • South Africa Wits Rural Facility: intact savannah and river habitats retained.
  • Canada North Tyndal PWA: native vegetation protected; harmful land uses prohibited.

India & KMGBF Targets

  • Coverage: 30 % areas conserved globally; nation commits via updated NBSAP.
  • Alien species: 50 % reduction; pollution: halve nutrient loss and pesticide risk.
  • Participation: Indigenous peoples, women, youth integrated into decision processes.

Organisations

  • IUCN: 1 400+ members; maintains Red List; WCPA: 2 500 experts, 140 countries.
  • WWF: international NGO aiming to halt environmental degradation worldwide.
  • Cali Fund: multilateral mechanism financing fair benefits from genetic DSI.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Guidance releaseJan 2025
Issuing bodiesIUCN, WCPA, WWF
GBF target servedTarget 3: 30 % conserved by 2030
OECM listingVoluntary, consent of site authority
Key distinctionBiodiversity may be secondary objective
Sample OECM (Peru)Los Amigos watershed
COP-16 venue/yearCali, Colombia / 2024
India action at COP-16Updated NBSAP aligned to KMGBF
Cali Fund focusEquitable DSI benefit sharing
IUCN founding1948
WWF founding1961
GS-3EnvironmentQuick Bite

6.Namdapha Tiger Reserve Highlights (Namdapha Reserve)

The Hindu

What & Where

Namdapha Tiger Reserve (NTR) — Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, part of India–Myanmar biodiversity corridor.

Asian elephant — Endangered megafauna; historic migratory user of NTR–Namsai–Myanmar route.

Migration corridors — Natural forest passages enabling seasonal elephant movement; now disrupted by post-1996 encroachments.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Migration Corridors

  • Blockage: Encroachments since 1996 sever NTR link to Myanmar, trapping herds northward.
  • Route: Traditional path Namsai (AP) ↔ Myanmar via NTR.
  • Consequence: Reduced gene flow, heightened human-elephant conflict risk.

Conservation Status

  • Sighting: 2025 adult male signals remnant population persistence.
  • Protection: TR tag under Project Tiger adds legal shield to elephants too.
  • Endangered label: Elevates elephants under Schedule-I Wild Life (Protection) Act scrutiny.

Protected Area Profile

  • Coverage: NTR spans Himalayan foothill to alpine zones, >4,000 m elevation gradient.
  • Network: Nearby reserves—Pakke, Mouling, Kamlang, Itanagar, Eagle Nest—create broader habitat mosaic.
  • Biodiversity: Hosts tigers, clouded leopards, red pandas alongside elephants.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
NTR districtChanglang, Arunachal Pradesh
First adult male elephant sightingAfter 12 years (2025)
India’s share of Asian elephants≈60 % of global total
Elephant population (India, 2017)27,312 individuals
Recognised elephant corridors (India)138
Gestation period (Asian elephant)22 months
IUCN status (Asian elephant)Endangered
NTR notification timelineWLS 1972; NP & TR 1983
Dominant vegetation in NTRTropical evergreen, moist deciduous, alpine scrub
Principal river within NTRNamdapha River

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 1999PYQ 1

"India has the largest population of the Asian X. Today, there are just about 20,000 to 25,000 X in their natural habitat spreading across the evergreen forests, dry thorn forests, swamps and grasslands. Their prime habitats are, however, the moist deciduous forests. The X population in India ranges from Northwest India where they are found in the forest divisions of Dehradun, Bijnor and Nainital districts of UP to the Western Ghats in the states of Karnataka and Kerala and in Tamil Nadu. In Cen

GS1 2020PYQ 2

Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?

GS-3SpeciesQuick Bite

7.Olive Ridley Mass Nesting Rushikulya (Olive Ridley Nesting)

The Hindu
Illustration for Olive Ridley Mass Nesting Rushikulya (Olive Ridley Nesting)

What & Where

Olive Ridley; world’s smallest, most abundant sea turtle; famed for synchronous mass-nesting event called Arribada.

Key Indian sites; Rushikulya beach (non-sanctuary), Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary; both on Odisha coast facing Bay of Bengal.

Habitat span; tropical Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Oceans; nest Nov-Apr, migrate thousands of kilometres.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

  • Statute; WPA 1972 Schedule I affords highest domestic protection; violations attract imprisonment & fine.
  • International; CITES Appendix I bans commercial trade; CMS Appendix I also lists species.
  • Odisha order; TED use compulsory for mechanised trawlers within 20 km of coast.

Conservation Measures

  • Operation Olivia; ICG deploys ships, aircraft, intercepts illegal trawling, darkens coastal lights during nesting.
  • Tagging; metal flipper tags trace migration, identify inter-ocean movement, inform rookery management.
  • Community steps; volunteer beach clean-ups, night patrols reduce egg predation.

Threats

  • Fisheries; trawl by-catch, ghost nets cause adult drowning, egg damage.
  • Coastal change; ports, tourism, beach lighting disorient hatchlings, shrink nesting area.
  • Climate; warming sand skews sex ratio, sea-level rise erodes nesting beaches.

Awards

  • Behler Turtle Conservation Award; global annual honour since 2006, dubbed “Nobel of turtle conservation”.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Recent recordHighest ever nesting & hatching at Rushikulya, Apr 2023
IUCN statusVulnerable
WPA 1972 scheduleSchedule I
CITES listingAppendix I
Major rookeryGahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, Odisha
Protective patrolIndian Coast Guard’s Operation Olivia (since early 1980s)
Fishing gear ruleMandatory Turtle Excluder Device in Odisha trawlers
Mass-nesting termArribada
Breeding season (Odisha)Nov–Dec nesting; Feb–Apr hatching
Key colorationOlive-green carapace

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

NDA_GAT 2021PYQ 1

Operation Olivia, an initiative to protect Olive Ridley turtles, is undertaken by

GS-3EnvironmentQuick Bite

8.Tree Aadhaar for Kashmir Chinars (Chinar Conservation)

Indian Express
Illustration for Tree Aadhaar for Kashmir Chinars (Chinar Conservation)

What & Where

Tree Aadhaar: J&K mission assigning geo-tagged, QR-based IDs to every chinar (Platanus orientalis var. cashmeriana).

Geography: Cool, water-rich Eastern Himalayan zones of Jammu & Kashmir, especially Srinagar gardens and lakesides.

Aim: Real-time inventory to curb illegal felling, monitor growth, health and ecological threats.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

  • Geo-tagging: GIS mapping and aluminium QR plates give each tree a scannable Aadhaar number.
  • Data-fields: location, height, girth, health condition, perceived threats stored on central server.
  • Enforcement: Digital traceability discourages unauthorised cutting and simplifies prosecution.

Cultural Significance

  • Mughal-era name Chinar popularised by Emperor Jahangir in Kashmir gardens.
  • Crafts: leaf motifs dominate papier-mâché, kani shawls, carpet designs.
  • Tourism: Autumn foliage draws photographers and boosts Srinagar visitor footfall.

Ecological Traits

  • Deciduous canopy moderates micro-climate and anchors moist alluvial soils.
  • Longevity offers habitat for birds, epiphytes, insects, enriching urban biodiversity.
  • Prefers high water table; susceptible to urban drainage changes and soil compaction.

Conservation Measures

  • Unique IDs enable periodic health audits, early pest or disease intervention.
  • Census informs targeted plantation to revive dwindling historic chinar avenues.
  • Digital database supports climate-resilient urban forestry planning in Himalayan region.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Launch year2021
Trees geo-tagged (Jan 2025)28,560 +
Scientific namePlatanus orientalis var. cashmeriana
FamilyPlatanaceae
Maximum height~30 metres
Girth potential10–15 metres
Maturity age30–50 years
Full size age≈150 years
IUCN statusData Deficient
J&K emblematic statusState tree

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK 2023PYQ 1

Which one of the following set of trees does not belong to Temperate Floral Zone of Himalaya?

GS-3S&T

9.ISRO Launch Vehicles Overview (Launch Vehicles)

Business Standard
Illustration for ISRO Launch Vehicles Overview (Launch Vehicles)

What & Where

GSLV-F15 from Sriharikota inserted NVS-02 into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

NVS-02 enlarges NavIC, India’s regional navigation constellation covering India + 1,500 km.

Mission is ISRO’s 100th launch, showcasing indigenous SLV, ASLV, PSLV, GSLV, LVM3, SSLV fleets.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Launch Vehicles

  • Portfolio: SLV 1980, ASLV 1987, PSLV 1994, GSLV 2001, LVM3 2014, SSLV 2022.
  • Multistage architecture separates expended stages, boosting mass-to-orbit efficiency.
  • Indigenous cryogenic stage in GSLV enables medium-lift to GTO.

NavIC Constellation

  • Seven-satellite IRNSS; NVS series progressively replacing aging units.
  • Provides sub-20 m civilian accuracy; encrypted service for strategic users.
  • Ground segment: 14 monitoring stations, Master Control at Hassan, Karnataka.

Civil & Defence Uses

  • Disaster management, fleet tracking, precision farming, telecom timing synchronization.
  • Encrypted Restricted Service supports missiles, aircraft, maritime surveillance.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
ISRO launch milestone100th mission
Rocket usedGSLV-F15 (3-stage, cryogenic upper)
Payload launchedNVS-02 navigation satellite
Final orbit altitude~36,000 km (GEO)
NavIC coverageIndia + ≈1,500 km fringe
PSLV LEO capacity≈1,750 kg
LVM3 GTO capacity≈4,000 kg
SSLV operational since2022
Thrust principleNewton’s Third Law

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2018PYQ 1

भारत के उपग्रह प्रक्षेपित करने वाले वाहनों के संदर्भ में, निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :

GS1 2002PYQ 2

With reference to Indian satellites and their launchers, consider the following statements:

GS-3S&T

10.WHO Low-Sodium Salt Guidelines (Salt Guidelines)

The Hindu

What & Where

Definition: WHO guideline urging replacement of household sodium chloride with potassium-enriched low-sodium salt substitutes

Process: Partial substitution of NaCl by KCl to cut sodium intake while preserving flavour

Geography: Global application; emphasis on high-consumption regions such as India

Quick Facts for MCQs

Health Rationale

  • High-sodium diet increases blood volume, elevating arterial pressure and NCD risk
  • Potassium counteracts sodium’s vascular effects, aiding pressure regulation
  • Salt substitution lowers cardiovascular events per multiple evidence reviews

Guideline Scope

  • Focus limited to household table salt; packaged and restaurant foods outside remit
  • Evidence-based document aimed at policymakers, clinicians, industry stakeholders
  • Calls for public access and awareness of low-sodium options

Target Groups & Exemptions

  • Adults encouraged to switch; special caution for renal impairment due to hyperkalaemia risk
  • Pregnant women and children intentionally omitted pending further safety data
  • Monitoring of potassium levels advised for medically vulnerable populations

Implementation Focus

  • Promote inexpensive KCl blends to enhance adoption in low- and middle-income countries
  • Encourage national campaigns to reduce average salt consumption below WHO threshold
  • Aligns with broader WHO NCD prevention framework and sodium reduction benchmarks

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Recommended compoundPotassium chloride (KCl)
Daily sodium ceiling< 2 g Na ≈ 5 g salt
Primary target usersAdults preparing food at home
Excluded groupsPregnant, children, renal or K-excretion disorders
Health linkHigh sodium → raised blood pressure → CVD, stroke, CKD
Strategy tagCost-effective, scalable population measure
GS-3S&T

11.Exoplanet WASP-127b Supersonic Winds (Exoplanet Winds)

The Hindu
Illustration for Exoplanet WASP-127b Supersonic Winds (Exoplanet Winds)

What & Where

Exoplanet WASP-127b; classified as a hot Jupiter orbiting extremely close to its parent star.

Lies beyond the Solar System; originally spotted by the Wide Angle Search for Planets (WASP) survey.

Tidally locked, giving permanent day-side and night-side hemispheres with stark thermal contrast.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Physical Parameters

  • Low-density structure yields inflated radius despite small mass.
  • Gas-giant composition dominated by H-He envelope.
  • Status as one of puffiest exoplanets aids interior-structure modelling.

Atmospheric Dynamics

  • Supersonic equatorial jet transports heat from day-side to night-side.
  • Detection achieved through high-resolution spectroscopy tracing carbon monoxide shifts.
  • Jet speed surpasses any solar-system planetary wind, including Neptune’s.

Scientific Relevance

  • Provides benchmark for circulation models of close-in gas giants.
  • Helps refine theories on hot-Jupiter formation, migration, and inflation mechanisms.

Comparative Planetology

  • Contrasts with Jupiter: larger radius yet six-times lower density.
  • Permanent stellar irradiation analogous to Mercury’s spin-orbit but with gaseous envelope.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Planet typeHot Jupiter gas giant
Size vs Jupiter~30 % larger diameter
Mass vs Jupiter~16 % of Jupiter’s mass
Density trait“Puffiest” among known giants
Main gasesHydrogen, Helium
Trace speciesCarbon monoxide, Water vapour
Peak wind speed33,000 km h⁻¹ equatorial jet
Wind recordFastest ever measured on a planet
Rotation stateTidally locked to host star
Weather driverExtreme day-night temperature gradient
GS-2Scheme

13.Bhashini Multilingual AI Platform (AI Translation)

PIB
Illustration for Bhashini Multilingual AI Platform (AI Translation)

What & Where

BHASHINI – AI-powered translation platform delivering digital services in 22 Indian languages

Developed by Digital India Bhashini Division, Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY)

Tripura – first Northeastern state to sign MoU for platform rollout

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

  • Capability: speech-to-text, text-to-speech, voice-to-voice in real time
  • Resource: open-source AI/NLP datasets and APIs for startups, MSMEs
  • Integration: ready plug-ins for state helplines and legislative portals

State Implementation

  • Tripura: pioneering Northeastern MoU; targets Kokborok, Bengali, Manipuri interfaces
  • MoU provisions: official training, localisation of portals, citizen service kiosks
  • Expansion: blueprint for adoption by remaining Northeast states

Digital Inclusion

  • Goal: eliminate language barrier restricting e-governance for non-English, semi-literate users
  • Crowdsourcing: public donate voice, text, image data via Suno/Likho/Bolo/Dekho India drives
  • Impact: nurtures multilingual internet ecosystem, ensures equitable digital public goods access

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
PurposeBridge digital & literacy divide via regional-language internet
Languages covered22 Scheduled Indian languages
Core technologyReal-time speech-, text-, voice-translation AI
Developer agencyDigital India Bhashini Division (MeitY)
First NE adopterTripura (MoU 2024)
Crowdsourcing modulesSuno India, Likho India, Bolo India, Dekho India
Govt platform tie-insCM Helpline, e-Vidhan, e-District
Access modesOpen-source APIs + Android & iOS apps
GS-2SchemeQuick Bite

14.NHM Achievements 2021-24 (National Health Mission)

PIB
Illustration for NHM Achievements 2021-24 (National Health Mission)

What & Where

Definition — National Health Mission: 2013 umbrella integrating Rural & Urban missions for affordable, quality public health in India

Key components — NRHM, NUHM, RMNCH+A, communicable & NCD control, digital platforms (CoWIN, U-WIN)

Geography — Nationwide reach; special thrust in rural, urban slums and 177 tribal districts

Quick Facts for MCQs

Human Resources

  • Recruitment — Medical officers, specialists, nurses, CHOs, AYUSH doctors boosted frontline density
  • Community support — Ni-kshay Mitra model crowdsources nutrition, diagnostics for TB sufferers

Health Indicators

  • Maternal, infant, fertility metrics show faster decline than global averages
  • Under-5 mortality nearing SDG target ahead of 2030 timeline

Disease Control

  • Tuberculosis — NTEP driving incidence-mortality dip; digital Ni-kshay portal ensures case-based tracking
  • Kala-azar — Elimination certified nationwide by 2023; surveillance continues
  • Malaria — Case uptick 2022-23 despite falling deaths, prompting intensified vector control

Infrastructure & Tech

  • Quality — NQAS certification institutionalises standards across PHCs to district hospitals
  • Digital — U-WIN pilot in 65 districts enables real-time routine immunisation monitoring
  • Access — Ayushman Arogya Mandirs ensure comprehensive primary care at village level

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Extra health workforce (FY21-24)12 lakh
Ni-kshay Mitra volunteers1.56 lakh aiding 9.4 lakh TB patients
MMR decline since 199083 %
Under-5 mortality decline75 % vs global 60 %
IMR value 202028 per 1000 live births
Total Fertility Rate 20202.0
TB incidence drop 2015-2317.7 %
Kala-azar status 2023100 % endemic blocks <1/10 k
Measles-Rubella doses34.77 crore; 97.98 % coverage
Covid-19 vaccine doses220 crore (Jan 21-Mar 24)
NQAS-certified facilities7,998 (4,200 nationally certified)
Ayushman Arogya Mandirs1.72 lakh operational
Dialysis sessions FY2462.35 lakh for 4.53 lakh patients
Sickle Cell screens2.61 crore individuals

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GEO_GS 2023PYQ 1

Consider the following statements regarding Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY):

CDS_GK, GEO_GS 2023PYQ 2

निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा/कौन-से, प्रधानमंत्री स्वास्थ्य सुरक्षा योजना (PMSSY) का/के उद्देश्य है/हैं?

GS-1Editorial

15.ASER 2024 Rural Education Insights (Rural Education)

Hindustan Times

What & Where

ASER 2024 = annual, citizen-led household survey measuring schooling & basic learning in rural India (605 districts, 17,997 villages).

Tests reading & arithmetic of 5-16 yrs; sample size ≈ 5 lakh of 6.49 lakh children contacted.

Adds smartphone-skill module for 14-16 yrs; informs FLN & NEP-2020 monitoring.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Enrollment Trends

  • Rise 3-5 yrs; Anganwadi enrolls > 50 % of 3-4 yrs; one-third 5-yrs in private preschools.
  • Slight dip overall 6-14 yrs; govt-school share down 6 pp since 2022.
  • Dropout 15-16 yrs halved vs 2018; girls still marginally higher.

Learning Outcomes

  • Arithmetic outpaces reading; Std III reading still below 2018 in > ½ states.
  • Govt schools show faster post-pandemic recovery than private in both skills.
  • FLN training: ≥ 1 teacher trained in 75 % of implementing schools.

Digital Literacy

  • Access high; ownership rises from 27 % at 14 yrs to 37.8 % at 16 yrs.
  • Usage: 57 % educational, 76 % social media; 62 % know block/report tools.
  • Gender gap persists: boys 85.5 % access vs girls 79.4 %.

School Infrastructure

  • Improvement: girls’ toilets 66.4 → 72 %; drinking water 74.8 → 77.7 %.
  • Library use: non-textbook reading 36.9 → 51.3 %.
  • Playgrounds static ≈ 66 %; electricity, computers still uneven.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Survey year2024
Villages covered17,997
Rural districts605
3-yr-old pre-primary enrolment77.4 %
Elementary Gross Enrolment (6-14 yrs)98.1 %
Govt-school share 6-14 yrs66.8 %
Std III govt kids reading Std II text23.4 %
Std VIII doing division45.8 %
Drop-out 15-16 yrs7.9 %
Smartphone access 14-16 yrs≈ 90 %
Student attendance 202475.9 %
Usable girls’ toilets72 %
Schools with FLN activities> 80 %

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, NDA_GAT 2020PYQ 1

मानव विकास सूचकांक बनाने के लिए संयुक्त राष्ट्र विकास कार्यक्रम (UNDP) द्वारा वर्तमान में, निम्नलिखित में से कौन सा एक शिक्षा विकास सूचक प्रयोग किया जाता है ?

CAPF_GAI, NDA_GAT 2024PYQ 2

good quality elementary education conforming P

GS-1Editorial

16.Early Smartphone Use and Adolescents (Adolescent Mental Health)

The Hindu
Illustration for Early Smartphone Use and Adolescents (Adolescent Mental Health)

What & Where

Sapien Labs 2025 report “The Youth Mind” correlates earlier smartphone use with poorer Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) in adolescents.

Focuses on 13-17-year-olds across India and USA, mapping aggression, anxiety, hallucination trends.

Notes sharper female decline; suggests delayed ownership, parental controls, ed-tech alternatives.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Mental Health Findings

  • Early-start adolescents show lower MHQ, higher aggression, anxiety, hallucinations
  • Decline slower in India; US sees both genders fall, Indian boys partly improve
  • Females vulnerable; 65 % girls distressed, exceeding male levels

Online Risks

  • Early access adds harmful content, sleep loss, reduced face-to-face skills
  • Cyberbullying affects >⅓ youths; 20 % miss classes
  • India logged 5.6 mn CSAM alerts 2022, indicating severe exploitation risk

Indian Initiatives & Ed-Tech

  • Statutes: POCSO 2012, IT Act 67B, CCPWC, CHILDLINE 1098 safeguard minors online
  • Platforms: DIKSHA, PM eVidya, SWAYAM, NEAT 3.0 deliver curated learning content
  • PRAGYATA norms, cyber-safety curriculum, toolkit campaigns urge delayed phones, parental control

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Study age cohort13 – 17 yrs
MHQ coverage47 aspects, 6 dimensions
Distressed Indian girls65 % report distress
WHO adolescent disorder rate1 in 7 globally
Cyberbullying incidence>33 % youth; 1 in 5 skip school
India CSAM reports 20225.6 mn of 32 mn world total

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Which one of the following statements about Tele MANAS App is correct?

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