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13 topicsGS-1: 3GS-2: 4GS-3: 6
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GS-2Polity

1.Maharashtra Marathi Language Mandate (Official Language Policy)

The Hindu

What & Where

Policy: 2024 Marathi Language Policy mandates Marathi for every Maharashtra government, semi-government, local-body and aided office communication

Geography: Rule confined to Maharashtra; similar regional language mandates exist in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Jharkhand, West Bengal

Constitution: Official-language framework lies in Part XVII, Articles 343-351 of the Indian Constitution

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

  • Article 347: President may recognise a sectional language when substantial population requests
  • Article 351: Union to expand Hindi as link language without diluting state linguistic rights
  • Mandate: 2024 Maharashtra order covers files, notifications, websites, signboards, tenders and public hearings

State Rules

  • Tamil Nadu: Tamil compulsory in communication; Class 10 Tamil pass essential for state jobs
  • Karnataka: 60 % signboard space reserved for Kannada; language compulsory in offices
  • Jharkhand & West Bengal: Recruitment preference for candidates clearing regional or tribal language tests

Language Bodies

  • Official Languages Commission 1955: Advised phased Hindi replacement of English for Union work
  • Parliamentary Committee on Official Language 1976: Reiterated Hindi substitution in exams and institutions, still partially implemented

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Marathi official since1960
Classical status year2024
Union official languagesHindi, English
Scheduled languages number22
Constitution part on languagesPart XVII
Article letting states choose languageArt 345
Article on minority tongue educationArt 350A
First Official Languages Commission1955, B.G. Kher

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GEO_GS, GS1 2024PYQ 1

Which one among the following statements is not correct as per the Constitution of India?

GEO_GS, GS1 2024PYQ 2

The Constitution (71st Amendment) Act, 1992 amends the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution to include which of the following languages?

GS-2PolityQuick Bite

2.Parliamentary Privilege Breach (Parliamentary Privileges)

Hindustan Times

What & Where

Breach of parliamentary privilege: any act attacking rights, immunities of an MP or either House of India’s Parliament

Privileges secure independent functioning; constitutionally rooted in Articles 105 (Parliament) & 194 (State Legislatures)

Two categories: Individual – speech freedom, arrest immunity; Collective – secret sittings, inquiry & contempt powers

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

  • Constitution: Arts 105, 194 grant privilege; Arts 122, 212 bar courts from questioning proceedings
  • No comprehensive Privileges Act; powers trace to British practice as on 26-1-1950
  • Supreme Court rulings limit privilege where fundamental rights or criminal law are implicated

Parliamentary Procedure

  • Motion: Member submits breach notice; Speaker/Chair rules admissibility under Rule 222 LS, 187 RS
  • Committee of Privileges investigates, may recommend admonition, fine, suspension, imprisonment within precincts
  • Article 87 joint address opens annual session; remarks on it triggered present notices

Contempt & Enforcement

  • House may summon outsiders, demand papers, administer oath, punish non-compliance as contempt
  • Members immune from civil arrest during session and 40 days before/after; serious criminal arrests still permissible
  • Typical breaches: bribery, speech obstruction, leaking draft reports, publishing offensive allegations

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Core constitutional articles105, 194, 122, 212
Other legal sources1947 British conventions; LS/RS Rules; court rulings; statutory laws (none comprehensive)
Existing Privileges ActNil; no codifying statute yet
Individual privilegesSpeech freedom; no civil arrest 40 days pre/post session; immunity from court action on votes
Collective privilegesSecret sitting option; power to punish contempt; exclusive control of proceedings records
Article on Presidential addressArticle 87
When address occurs1) First session after every Lok Sabha election 2) First session each calendar year

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK 2020PYQ 1

Which of the following statements with regard to the privileges of the Members of the Parliament are correct?

CDS_GK 2025PYQ 2

भारत की संसद के सदस्यों के लिए संसदीय विशेषाधिकार से संबंधित निम्नलिखित कथनों में से कौन-सा/कौन-से सही है/हैं?

GS-3Economy

3.Grameen Credit Score Framework (Financial Inclusion)

LiveMint

What & Where

What: Grameen Credit Score, digital rating of creditworthiness for rural women entrepreneurs & Self-Help Groups

Where: Rolled out nationwide via Union Budget 2025, anchored in India’s rural credit ecosystem

Type/Process: Uses digital transaction data & repayment history; score accessed by banks, RRBs, MFIs

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

  • Digital-framework leverages fintech analytics ensuring near-real-time score generation
  • Integration with core banking allows instant loan or credit card sanction based on score
  • Transparency enhanced versus manual appraisal prevalent in SHG lending

Economic Angle

  • Financial-access boost enables asset creation, inventory financing, enterprise expansion
  • Credit formalisation lowers borrowing costs versus informal lenders
  • Potential to deepen rural credit market size and NPA predictability

Social Concerns

  • Women-centric scoring promotes gender equity in rural finance
  • SHG empowerment expected to ripple into household health, education spend
  • Accurate scoring may reduce group cross-subsidisation, encouraging individual responsibility

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Launch vehicleUnion Budget 2025
Primary beneficiariesRural women entrepreneurs, SHG members
Lead implementersPublic Sector Banks
Other lenders coveredRRBs, MFIs, assorted rural finance entities
Credit card limitUp to ₹5 lakh for micro-enterprises
Key aimFormalise SHG transactions, widen financial inclusion
Data inputsDigital payment trails, group repayment records
Gap addressedSHG members often absent in traditional credit bureaus
Expected productsEMIs, flexible loans, tailored credit cards
Development goalPoverty alleviation through women-led micro-business growth

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, GS1 2023PYQ 1

Consider the following statements:

CAPF_GAI, GS1 2022PYQ 2

The ‘Stand-Up India Scheme’ is related to which one of the following issues?

GS-3Economy

4.Monetary Policy Committee Role (Monetary Policy)

Times of India
Illustration for Monetary Policy Committee Role (Monetary Policy)

What & Where

Statutory body under RBI Act 1934 (amended 2016) that fixes repo rate to manage inflation.

Sits in Mumbai; meets minimum four times annually, additional meetings ad-hoc.

Core process: majority vote on policy rate; Governor holds casting vote if tie.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

  • Statutory replacement for earlier Technical Advisory Committee on Monetary Policy.
  • Decisions published with individual member votes for transparency.

Composition & Roles

  • RBI side: Governor, Deputy Governor (Monetary Policy), one Central Board nominee.
  • Government side: three eminent external economists, appointed by Centre.

Procedure & Accountability

  • Resolution plus minutes released 14 days post-meeting; inflation forecast rationale mandatory.
  • Fails inflation target for 3 consecutive quarters ⇒ RBI submits report to Centre.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Legal basisSec 45ZB-45ZJ, RBI Act 1934 (Finance Act 2016 amendment)
Total members6 (3 RBI, 3 Govt-nominated externals)
Current inflation target4 % ± 2 % (till 31 Mar 2026)
ChairpersonRBI Governor (ex-officio)
External members’ tenure4 years, non-renewable
Meeting minimum4 per financial year
Quorum≥4 members incl. Governor/Deputy
Decision ruleSimple majority; Governor’s casting vote on tie
Binding natureMPC resolution compulsory for RBI
Supporting wingRBI Monetary Policy Department (MPD)

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2017PYQ 1

मौद्रिक नीति समिति (Monetary Policy Committee/MPC) के सम्बन्ध में निम्नलिखित कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं ?

GS1 2022PYQ 2

In India, which one of the following is responsible for maintaining price stability by controlling inflation?

GS-3Infrastructure

5.India Digital Infrastructure Growth (Digital Infrastructure)

PIB

What & Where

Digital Infrastructure = nationwide stack of UPI, Aadhaar, broadband, BharatNet, e-Gov portals driving GDP & inclusion.

IndiaAI Mission = GoI flagship (Budget 2025-26) to seed indigenous AI compute, datasets, skills, startups & “Safe-Trusted” norms.

Core Reach = 2.14 lakh Gram Panchayats fibre-linked; UPI live in 7 foreign markets incl. UAE, Singapore, France.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Economic Angle

  • Contribution: Digital economy adds ₹ ~30 lakh cr, projected doubling by 2029-30.
  • Procurement: GeM transparency saves costs, widens SME access to ₹4 lakh cr market.
  • Competition: ONDC counters platform monopolies, empowering MSME e-commerce.

Tech & Schemes

  • Stack: UPI, Aadhaar-eKYC, DigiLocker enable paperless, cashless, presence-less services.
  • BharatNet: 1.04 lakh Wi-Fi hotspots, 1.452 % broadband surge since 2014.
  • IndiaAI Components: Innovation Centre, Datasets Platform, FutureSkills, Startup Financing, Safe-Trusted AI.

International Outreach

  • UPI live in 7 countries; RuPay-UPI linkages negotiated with UAE, Singapore, France.
  • BHASHINI offers 22+ Indian languages; 100 mn monthly AI inferences boost global LLM training.
  • AI talent attraction key to positioning India as Global South’s digital public-goods hub.

Capacity & Skills

  • FutureSkills: Rs 500 cr for AI Centres of Excellence, curricula integration.
  • Skilling: Mission targets startups, academia to curb brain-drain, nurture ethical AI culture.
  • Adoption: UMANG grew to 7.34 cr users (2024) aggregating 1,800+ services.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Digital share of GDP (2022-23)11.74 %
Digital share target (GVA 2029-30)20 %
Budget 2025-26 for IndiaAI₹2,000 cr (≈20 % scheme outlay)
UPI global real-time share49 % (2024)
UPI partner banks641 (up from 35 in 2016)
Telephone connections 20241,188.7 mn
Internet users 202496.96 crore
BharatNet fibre laid6.92 lakh km
Aadhaar issued (Mar 2023)136.65 crore
DigiLocker users (Feb 2025)46.52 crore
ONDC footprint (Dec 2024)616 cities; 7.64 lakh sellers
GeM GMV FY 25₹4.09 lakh crore

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

ESE_GS, GS1 2018PYQ 1

निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा/से भारत सरकार की ‘Digital India’ योजना का/के उद्देश्य है/हैं?

ESE_GS, GS1 2020PYQ 2

Which one of the following is not the vision area of Digital India as a program to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy?

GS-1History

6.Fort William Renaming (Colonial Fort)

IT

What & Where

British-era star-fort in Kolkata, now renamed Vijay Durg, commands Hooghly’s eastern bank.

Covers 70 ha inside the Maidan; among India’s largest colonial military works.

Built 1696-1706, razed 1756, rebuilt 1758-1781 after British win at Plassey.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Historical Milestones

  • Siege 1756 saw Siraj-ud-Daulah seize fort; Black Hole tragedy followed.
  • Plassey 1757 victory enabled British to commence massive rebuild, completed 1781.
  • 1971 War artefacts displayed, linking colonial site to modern liberation history.

Architecture & Heritage

  • Star plan offers interlocking artillery fire, echoing European Vauban designs.
  • Ramparts of laterite-brick, dry moat and six bastions ensure formidable defence.
  • Houses war memorial, museum, parade ground within expansive greens.

Indianisation Drive

  • Initiative renames Fort William to Vijay Durg, erasing colonial nomenclature.
  • Manekshaw House and Shivaji Gate substitutions honour Indian military legends.
  • Move parallels replacement of British naval ensign and other cantonment rebrandings.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
LocationKolkata, West Bengal
River bankEastern Hooghly
Renamed asVijay Durg
Original build1696-1706
Reconstruction1758-1781
Original builderEIC, Sir John Goldsborough
Rebuild leadRobert Clive
LayoutStar-shaped fort
Area~70 hectares
Current useArmy Eastern Command HQ
Historic incident1756 Black Hole
First Masonic lodge1730, inside fort
Recent co-renamesKitchener→Manekshaw House; St George’s Gate→Shivaji Gate

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2007PYQ 1

Which one of the following was the first fort constructed by the British in India?

GS-1Mapping

7.Teesta River System (River System)

The Hindu
Illustration for Teesta River System (River System)

What & Where

Himalayan river originating at Tso Lhamo Lake, Sikkim; flows 414 km through Sikkim, West Bengal into Bangladesh

Joins Brahmaputra (Jamuna) near Rangpur district after traversing narrow gorges and fertile plains

Major alpine tributary system supporting Eastern Himalayan hydropower and irrigation projects

Quick Facts for MCQs

Environmental Impact

  • GLOF 2023 destroyed Teesta-III dam, bridges, habitations along 80 km corridor
  • River valley harbours high alpine biodiversity; repeated construction threatens fragile slopes

Disaster Risk

  • EAC approved reconstruction despite seismically active Zone-IV setting and future GLOF likelihood
  • New plan proposes 50 m barrage replacing washed-away 60 m concrete dam

Legal & Policy

  • Environment Appraisal Committee under MoEFCC granted Stage-I EC with 23 conditions
  • EIA 2006 Notification mandates fresh clearance owing to significant design change

Geopolitical Angle

  • Teesta pact stalemate strains Delhi-Dhaka ties; Bangladesh demands 50 % dry-season flow
  • China-funded Teesta River Management Project in Bangladesh raises strategic competition

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Origin lakeTso Lhamo
Feeding glaciersPahurni & Khangse
Indian statesSikkim, West Bengal
Left-bank tributariesLachung, Chakung, Dik, Rani Khola, Rangpo
Right-bank tributariesZemu, Rangyong, Rangit
Final confluenceBrahmaputra (Jamuna), Bangladesh
Hydel flagship1,200 MW Teesta-III, Chungthang
Key hazard2023 GLOF flash flood
Bilateral issuePending India–Bangladesh water-sharing pact

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2017PYQ 1

With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements:

GS1 2011PYQ 2

The Brahmaputra, Irrawady and Mekong rivers originate in Tibet and flow through narrow and parallel mountain ranges in their upper reaches. Of these rivers, Brahmaputra makes a "U" turn in its course to flow into India. This "U" turn is due to

GS-3Security

10.Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicle (Armoured Vehicle)

The Hindu
Illustration for Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicle (Armoured Vehicle)

What & Where

Stryker: 8-wheeled armoured Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) by General Dynamics, optimised for rapid, protected troop movement.

Co-production plan: U.S.–India deal, probable manufacturing hub at BEML facilities, Bengaluru/Kolar.

Deployment focus: Indian Army’s high-altitude sectors—Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh—for counter-insurgency and conventional tasks.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Security Dimension

  • Border deterrence: augments mobility, firepower against PLA armour in Himalayas.
  • Counter-IED: V-hull reduces blast casualties during insurgency ops.
  • Rapid reaction: air-portable to advance landing grounds, speeds troop surge.

Tech & Schemes

  • Indigenous content: phased localisation of hull, electronics, final assembly under ‘Make-II’ route.
  • Future upgrades: modular architecture allows ATGM launchers, active protection systems.
  • Inter-operability: common U.S. platforms ease joint exercises, logistics.

Economic Angle

  • Supply chain: stimulates private MSME vendors for armour steel, electronics, hydraulics.
  • Job creation: assembly, maintenance, lifecycle support within India over 30-year service span.
  • Export potential: co-produced variant could target Southeast Asian buyers under India’s Defence Export Policy 2020.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Crew capacity2 crew + 9 infantry
Top speed≈100 km h⁻¹ on road
Operational range≈483 km on single refuel
Primary armament30 mm cannon; optional 105 mm mobile gun
Protection designV-hull, ceramic-tile composite armour
Mine/IED defenceHigher survivability than legacy light APCs
Air transportFits CH-47 Chinook/heavy-lift aircraft
Indian partnerBharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML)
Origin nationsUnited States & Canada
Make in India linkLicensed/co-production under Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GEO_GS 2021PYQ 1

Recently DRDO developed and handed over a bike-based casualty transport emergency vehicle to CRPF. What is the name of the vehicle?

CDS_GK, GEO_GS 2021PYQ 2

भारत द्वारा विकसित ‘पिनाका’ क्या है?

GS-2Scheme

11.Union Budget 2025 Health Measures (Health Budget)

Indian Express

What & Where

Daycare Cancer Center = out-patient unit giving chemotherapy & minor procedures without overnight stay.

Govt plans 200 such centres FY 25-26 inside 759 district hospitals country-wide.

Part of Union Budget 2025-26 push for a cancer centre in every district by FY 26.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Budgetary Outlays

  • Allocation climb still <2 % of total budget despite ₹1 lakh cr spend.
  • Additional funds to PM-Matru Vandana, Anganwadi digitisation, National Tele-Mental Health.

Cancer Care Expansion

  • Goal: chemo nearer homes; reduces travel costs, decongests metros.
  • Challenges: biopsy absence, radiotherapy cost, attracting oncologists to districts.

UPF Regulation

  • Economic Survey urges health tax, tighter FSSAI labels, ad curbs on child-targeted marketing.
  • Rural food spend on UPF 9.6 %; urban 10.64 %; WHO notes 13.7 % sales growth (2011-21).

International Examples

  • Denmark fat-tax 2011; Mexico levies on sugary drinks, junk food.
  • Brazil, UK, Israel, Chile deploy WHO Nutrient Profile Model for front-of-pack warnings.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Total MoHFW outlay FY 26≈ ₹1 lakh cr
Health share of Union Budget1.97 % (FY 26)
NHP-2017 spending target2.5 % of GDP by 2025
Life-saving drugs exempted from BCD36 items
AB-PM-JAY new coverage~1 crore gig workers
Daycare Cancer Centers planned200 by FY 26
PM-ABHIM allocation₹4,200 cr
PLI-Pharma allocation₹2,445 cr
Skill centres announced5 (train 3 lakh/yr)
India’s diabetics (IDF 2023)101 million

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, CDS_GK 2023PYQ 1

केंद्रीय बजट 2022-23 में राजस्व व्यय का सबसे बड़ा घटक निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा है?

CAPF_GAI, CDS_GK 2020PYQ 2

Which one of the following is not a feature of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme?

GS-2SchemeQuick Bite

12.Jal Jeevan Mission Extension (Rural Water Supply)

Indian Express

What & Where

Jal Jeevan Mission: 2019 national scheme giving every rural home a functional 55 lpcd drinking-water tap.

Geographic scope: all states & UTs; coverage jumped 3.23 cr (17 %) ➜ 15 cr (80 %) homes by 2024.

Budget 2025-26 extends completion deadline to 2028 to serve remaining 20 % households.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Progress Metrics

  • Coverage expansion 17 % ➜ 80 % in five years; 4 crore rural homes still unserved.
  • Mission now stresses household-level functionality, not just pipeline length.
  • Extension phase targets universal coverage plus service reliability audits.

Implementation Focus

  • Budget funds earmarked for asset quality, operation-maintenance and sustainability protocols.
  • Fresh MoUs with states/UTs embed citizen-centric service standards and cost sharing.
  • Community participation mandated for planning, contribution and post-construction oversight.

Health & Social Impact

  • Safe water expected to cut child mortality 30 %, saving ≈1.36 lakh lives each year.
  • WHO: women gain 5.5 crore productive hours daily formerly spent collecting water.
  • Reliable supply could avert 4 lakh diarrhoeal deaths and major DALY losses.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Launch year2019
Original target year2024
New deadline (Budget 2025-26)2028
Baseline tap coverage17 % / 3.23 crore homes (2019)
Coverage Jan 202480 % / 15 crore homes
Design supply norm55 litres per capita per day
Daily time saved (WHO)5.5 crore hours, mostly women
Diarrhoea deaths avoidable≈4 lakh

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, ESE_GS 2023PYQ 1

Consider the following statements regarding the aim of Jal Jeevan Mission to provide every rural household of the country with adequate tap water of prescribed quality on regular basis:

CAPF_GAI, ESE_GS 2025PYQ 2

जल जीवन मिशन के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा कथन सही नहीं है?

GS-1Editorial

13.Workplace Mental Health Impact (Workplace Mental Health)

Economic Times
Illustration for Workplace Mental Health Impact (Workplace Mental Health)

What & Where

What: Economic Survey 2024-25 spotlight on workplace culture, hours, lifestyle shaping employee mental health & national productivity.

Where: Indian formal, hybrid & self-employment sectors; data drawn from EPFO, PLFS and WHO global estimates.

Key Processes: Mental Health Quotient (-100 to +200) assessment; shift from salaried/casual jobs toward structured self-employment.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Workplace Culture

  • Positive-relations raise mental well-being 33 %; manageable workload adds 27 %.
  • Fully remote staff record 17 % lower MHQ than hybrid/office, stressing social interaction value.

Lifestyle Factors

  • Ultra-processed food avoidance, regular exercise, limited social media, strong family ties correlate with higher MHQ.

Employment Trends

  • Agriculture job share up to 46.1 %; salaried roles down to 21.7 %; casual labour falls to 19.8 %.

Economic Impact

  • Depression/anxiety cost ~US$1 trn globally; India faces heavy productivity, healthcare and turnover losses.

Policy Prescriptions

  • Survey urges work-hour caps, supportive management, hybrid models, health promotion, mental-health clauses in labour laws.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Self-employed share (2023-24)58.4 %
Rise since 2017-18+6.2 ppt
Unemployment rate (15+) 2023-243.2 %
EPFO net new subscribers 2023-241.31 crore
Youth (<29) share in new payroll61 %
Long hours stress threshold55-60 hrs/week
MHQ possible range–100 to +200
Depression-anxiety global work-days lost12 billion/yr
Cost per affected Indian worker/day₹7,000
Poor MH absenteeism15 days/month

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

ESE_GS 2023PYQ 1

The ‘work ethics’ is aimed at NOT ensuring which of the following?

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