UPSC Current Affairs 11 February 2025

Q: 'Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan' is a national campaign to

The correct answer is (c) eradicate the practice of manual scavenging and rehabilitate the manual scavengers. This question appeared in GS1 2016.

Q: Consider the following statements:

The correct answer is (a) 1 only. This question appeared in GS1 2006.

Q: Among the following agricultural commodities imported by India, which one has been the highest in terms of value in the last five years?

The correct answer is (d) Vegetable oils. This question appeared in GS1 2019.

Q: A man whose blood group is not known meets with a serious accident and needs blood transfusion immediately. Which one of the blood groups mentioned below and readily available in the hospital will be safe for transfusion?

The correct answer is (a) O, Rh-. This question appeared in GS1 2001.

Q: Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India?

The correct answer is (b) 2 and 3 only. This question appeared in CDS_GK, GS1 2019.

Q: Antibiotic such as penicillin blocks

The correct answer is (c) DNA synthesis in bacteria. This question appeared in CDS_GK, GS1 2020.

Q: ग्रैण्ड पैलै (Grand Palais) पेरिस में नवम्बर 2025 में आयोजित होने वाले AI शिखर सम्मेलन के सन्दर्भ में, निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :

The correct answer is (a) केवल I. This question appeared in GEO_GS, GS1 2025.

Q: Which of the following statements about GPAI (Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence) is/are correct?

The correct answer is (a) 1 only. This question appeared in GEO_GS, GS1 2024.

Q: Ministry of Defence signed contract with which one of the following organizations for Upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) and other equipment for around 3000 crores?

The correct answer is (a) DRDO. This question appeared in CDS_GK, ESE_GS 2024.

Q: भारत के सैन्य आयुध (military arsenal) के बारे में निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा/कौन-से कथन सही है/हैं?

The correct answer is (a) केवल 1 और 2. This question appeared in CDS_GK, ESE_GS 2025.

GS-2Polity

1.Bills on Parliamentary Sittings, POCSO Amendment (Parliamentary Sittings Bills)

The HinduPrivate Members' Bills · Minimum sittings · POCSO Act 2012

What & Where

Private Member’s Bills in Rajya Sabha seek fixed parliamentary sittings & victim-centric tweaks to POCSO Act, 2012.

Applies nationwide; hinges on Parliament procedures under Articles 85 (Union) & 174 (States).

POCSO safeguards every child (<18 yrs) in India against sexual offences.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Parliamentary Functioning

Productivity: lost hours from disruptions to be offset by extended sittings.
Calendar: echoes 1955 General Purposes Committee & 2002 Constitution Review Panel recommendations.
Accountability: more sitting days force fuller ministerial answers & debates.

POCSO Amendments

Provision: 24-hour police/CWC presentation, structured compensation, stakeholder training mandates.
Scope: makes Act explicitly victim-centric, targeting speedy, sensitive justice.
Coverage: addresses consensual 16-18 yrs cases causing prolonged detention.

Implementation Gaps

Capacity: limited Special Courts & trained prosecutors slow trials.
Reporting: fear, stigma curb timely FIRs despite mandatory disclosure clause.
Compensation: absence of uniform procedure delays relief to survivors.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Proposed annual sittings	Lok Sabha 120 days; Rajya Sabha 100 days
Average sittings 1st Lok Sabha	135 per year (1952-57)
Average sittings 17th Lok Sabha	55 per year (2019-24)
Max gap between sessions	≤ 6 months (Art. 85, 174)
NCRB rise in POCSO cases	+94 % since 2017
Pending/registered POCSO cases	> 2 lakh (May 2024)
Support-person absence	96 % cases lack assigned support
Mandatory report time in Bill	Child before CWC & court within 24 hours
Special Public Prosecutor shortage	Identified as key implementation hurdle
POCSO court availability	Not all districts have designated courts

GS-2Polity

2.National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Extension (Safai Karamcharis Commission)

PIBNCSK · Manual scavenging · NCSK Act 1993

What & Where

National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK); central body for welfare of Safai Karamcharis & manual scavengers.

Operates across India; monitors Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers & their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.

Manual scavenging: manual removal of human excreta, cleaning septic tanks, sewers, gutters, dry latrines.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

NCSK recommends programmes, probes grievances, tours to assess socio-economic conditions.
Each local authority must survey and convert insanitary latrines under 2013 Act.
2020 Amendment Bill seeks stronger prohibition and improved rehabilitation.

Status Data

NCSK 2020 reports 631 sewer/septic deaths in past decade.
Year 2019 recorded highest five-year fatalities at 110 workers.
Uttar Pradesh tops with 29,923 identified manual scavengers (2018 survey).

Tech & Schemes

Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge 2020 targets 100 % mechanised sewer cleaning by April 2021.
Swachhta Abhiyan App geo-tags insanitary latrines, manual scavengers for rehabilitation.
National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation offers concessional loans, skill training.

Safeguards & Compensation

SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 extends protection to sanitation workers, 90 % from SC communities.
Supreme Court 2014 mandates enumeration of sewage deaths and ₹10 lakh compensation.
2013 Act bans hazardous manual cleaning without safety gear; violators face penalties.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Formation year	1993 (NCSK Act 1993)
Statutory status ended	29 Feb 2004
Present nature	Non-statutory; tenure extended 3 yrs beyond 31 Mar 2022
Assigned legislation	Monitoring of 2013 Manual Scavenging Act
Decade sewer/septic deaths	631 (2010-20)
Highest yearly deaths	110 in 2019 (61 % ↑ over 2018)
Largest identified workforce	Uttar Pradesh – 29,923 manual scavengers (2018)
SC compensation order	2014; ₹10 lakh per sewage-death family

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2016PYQ 1

'Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan' is a national campaign to

GS-3Economy

3.SAFTA Loophole in Edible Oil Imports (Edible Oil Imports)

BLRefined edible oil · SAFTA duty-free · SEA concerns

Illustration for SAFTA Loophole in Edible Oil Imports (Edible Oil Imports)

What & Where

Refined edible oils: soybean & palm shipped from Nepal to India duty-free under SAFTA

Solvent extraction: industry method using two immiscible liquids to isolate oil from seeds or meals

Core geography: India world’s 4th-largest vegetable-oil economy; SAFTA bloc spans 8 South Asian nations

Quick Facts for MCQs

Economic Angle

Surge refined-oil imports via Nepal after 2024 Indian duty hike erodes margins of domestic refiners
Prices undercut MSP-linked cost threatening farmer returns on mustard, soybean etc.

Legal & Policy

SEA urges amendment of SAFTA to curb agro-commodity dumping from non-producer states
Proposed Minimum Import Price pegged to MSP to trigger automatic duty if CIF value falls below

Government Schemes

NMOOP umbrella mission boosts seed tech, palm cultivation, extraction units to cut import bill
Duty hikes 2024 part of calibrated tariff policy balancing consumer inflation and farmer income

Stakeholders & Bodies

SEA represents processors, exporters, refiners; key interlocutor with Commerce & Food ministries
Nepalese refineries import global crude oils, re-export as refined leveraging SAFTA zero duty

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
SEA inception	1963
India oilseed output 2023-24	39.66 million t
India share in global oilseed	5–6 %
Import dependence 2022-23	57 % of consumption
Edible-oil imports 2022-23	16.5 million t
Oilseed & meal export value 2023-24	₹29,587 crore
NMOOP target 2030-31	69.7 million t oilseeds; 72 % demand met
SAFTA enforcement year	2006
SAFTA tariff band	0–5 % after scheduled cuts
SAFTA LDCs	Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal
Safeguard clause	Temporary suspension to protect domestic industry

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2006PYQ 1

Consider the following statements:

GS1 2019PYQ 2

Among the following agricultural commodities imported by India, which one has been the highest in terms of value in the last five years?

GS-3Economy

4.WAVES Summit Boosts Creative Economy (Creative Economy)

Economic TimesWAVES summit · Create in India · Media & Entertainment

Illustration for WAVES Summit Boosts Creative Economy (Creative Economy)

What & Where

WAVES: global media-entertainment summit hosted by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, India; 2025 edition chaired virtually by PM

Creative/Orange economy: knowledge-driven creation, production, distribution of cultural and digital goods, services

India: 5th-largest M&E market worldwide, leveraging initiatives like “Create in India Challenge” for accelerated growth

Quick Facts for MCQs

Institutional Setup

Organizer: I&B Ministry convenes WAVES, projecting India as hub for global M&E collaboration
Initiative: Create in India Challenge backs studios, startups, content labs to develop original IP

Economic Angle

Valuation: Creative economy worth USD 30 bn; M&E forecast USD 44.2 bn by 2028
Jobs: Nearly 8 % workforce and 100 mn creators derive income from the sector

Sector Composition

Industries: Advertising, architecture, arts, fashion, film, music, photography, publishing, R&D, software counted as orange economy
Value-chain: Knowledge-centric creation, production, distribution of cultural and digital goods defines sector

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Summit acronym	WAVES
Full form	World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit
Host ministry	Information & Broadcasting
2025 meet date	11 Feb 2025
Flagship launch	Create in India Challenge
Creative industry value	USD 30 billion
Workforce share	~8 % of national employment
Content creators (2023)	>100 million
M&E size projection 2028	USD 44.2 billion
Global M&E rank	5th (USA 1st)

GS-1Mapping

5.Ramakrishna Beach Pollution Concern (Beach Pollution)

The HinduRamakrishna Beach · Visakhapatnam · Bay of Bengal

Illustration for Ramakrishna Beach Pollution Concern (Beach Pollution)

What & Where

Ramakrishna Beach: urban sandy stretch on Bay of Bengal, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh.

Situated near Dolphin’s Nose promontory and INS Kursura Submarine Museum; named after nearby Ramakrishna Mission Ashram.

Black-sand patches surfaced April 2024; experts attribute to sewage inflow, not natural heavy-mineral deposition.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Environmental Impact

Pollution: Sewage inflow darkens sand, raises coliform and organic load concerns.
Rarity: Region lacks placer-rich geology, hence blackening signals anthropogenic contamination.
Public health: Potential pathogenic exposure for bathers and vendors.

Administrative Response

GVMC action: Diverting canal sewage to coastal treatment plants under execution.
Monitoring: Municipal labs sampling water and sand for bacteriological analysis.
Future plan: Strengthen sewer network before monsoon tourist surge.

Cultural Features

Sculptures: Installations portray Buddhist motifs, fishermen, local folklore along promenade.
Recreation: Multiple mini-parks and open gyms maintained by VUDA enhance visitor experience.
Naming: Honors Ramakrishna Mission’s philanthropic legacy near the shoreline.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
State	Andhra Pradesh
Water body	Bay of Bengal
Managing agency	Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA)
Municipal body handling sewage	Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC)
Suspected pollution source	Drainage canals discharging untreated sewage
Mineral cause ruled out	Heavy-mineral (ilmenite) presence rare here
Nearby headland	Dolphin’s Nose
Tourist attraction adjacent	INS Kursura Submarine Museum

GS-3Environment

6.Morand-Ganjal Project Threatens Tiger Reserves (Tiger Habitat Threat)

New Indian ExpressMorand-Ganjal irrigation · Satpura Tiger Reserve · Melghat WLS

Illustration for Morand-Ganjal Project Threatens Tiger Reserves (Tiger Habitat Threat)

What & Where

Morand-Ganjal Irrigation Project: proposed dam-based scheme on Morand & Ganjal rivers, central Madhya Pradesh

Rivers flow to Narmada; project zone spans Hoshangabad, Betul, Harda, Khandwa districts

NTCA flags submergence threat to Satpura & Melghat Tiger Reserves forming Satpura-Melghat wildlife corridor

Quick Facts for MCQs

Environmental Impact

Submergence risk to core & buffer zones, disrupting tiger breeding and prey base
Corridor flooding may impede wildlife dispersal, increasing human-wildlife conflict
NTCA warning adds hurdle for statutory forest & wildlife clearances

Tiger Reserves

Satpura TR: part of Satpura Range, rich mixed-deciduous forests, high carnivore diversity
Melghat TR: 1985 WLS merged; dry deciduous landscape, hosts Indian gaurs, wild dogs, giant squirrels
Both reserves lie within Central Indian tiger landscape requiring connectivity for viable populations

Hydro-Geography

Morand originates in Satpura hills, joins Ganjal before meeting Narmada
Ganjal catchment largely within Betul plateau; seasonal monsoon flow
Proposed dam would inundate valleys acting as wildlife movement routes

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Project nature	Dam-based irrigation
Main rivers	Morand & Ganjal
Larger basin	Narmada
Ganjal relation	Left-bank tributary of Narmada
Morand relation	Major tributary of Ganjal
Districts covered	Hoshangabad, Betul, Harda, Khandwa
Alert issued by	National Tiger Conservation Authority
Impacted reserves	Satpura (MP) & Melghat (MH)
Melghat status	Among first nine Project Tiger reserves, 1973
Satpura location	Hoshangabad district, MP
Corridor role	Ensures tiger genetic exchange Satpura-Melghat
Key fauna	Tigers, leopards, sloth bears, Indian bison

GS-3S&T

7.Rare Bombay Blood Group (Rare Blood Group)

Indian ExpressBombay blood group · hh phenotype · H antigen absence

Illustration for Rare Bombay Blood Group (Rare Blood Group)

What & Where

Bombay blood group (hh phenotype); lacks H antigen forming base for A/B antigens

First documented 1952, Mumbai by Dr Y.M. Bhende

Extremely rare: ~1 : 10,000 Indians; ~1 : 1 million worldwide

Quick Facts for MCQs

Transfusion Risks

Hemolysis occurs when H-positive blood given to hh recipients
Reaction manifests with fever, renal failure, shock within minutes
Inventory maintenance crucial; requires registered Bombay donor networks

Detection Challenges

Routine ABO kits detect absence of A/B but not H antigen
Anti-H lectin screening essential before surgery or transfusion

Recent Surgical Advances

2024 MIOT Chennai executed first cross-blood kidney transplant for hh patient via plasmapheresis
2025 Jaslok Mumbai reported India’s first successful hh-to-hh kidney transplant
Innovations widen organ-donor pool, lowering mortality among hh individuals

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Alternate name	hh phenotype
Discovery year	1952
Discoverer	Dr Y.M. Bhende
Missing antigen	H antigen
Safe donors	Only Bombay blood group
Indian prevalence	0.01 % (1 in 10,000)
Global prevalence	0.0001 % (1 in 1 million)
Common mis-typing	Labelled as O group in routine tests
Key confirmatory test	Anti-H lectin agglutination
Transfusion danger	Acute hemolytic reaction if H antigen present
2024 breakthrough site	MIOT International, Chennai
Technique used	Plasmapheresis to remove anti-H antibodies

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2001PYQ 1

A man whose blood group is not known meets with a serious accident and needs blood transfusion immediately. Which one of the blood groups mentioned below and readily available in the hospital will be safe for transfusion?

GS-3S&T

8.Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Drive (Parasitic Disease)

New Indian ExpressLymphatic Filariasis · Mass Drug Administration · Wuchereria bancrofti

Illustration for Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Drive (Parasitic Disease)

What & Where

Disease: Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis), parasitic worms block lymphatic vessels causing chronic swelling

Key agents: Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Brugia timori transmitted by Anopheles, Culex, Aedes mosquitoes

Geography: India’s 111 endemic districts in 13 states; highest burden Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha; elimination target 2027

Quick Facts for MCQs

Causes & Transmission

Infection-route: Repeated infectious mosquito bites over months-years deposit larvae into bloodstream
Reservoir: Humans remain main source; no animal reservoirs complicating control
Seasonality: Higher transmission in monsoon enabling vector breeding

Clinical Manifestations

Lymphedema: Progressive limb, breast or genital swelling impairs mobility and livelihood
Elephantiasis: Skin thickening, disfigurement, psychosocial stigma
Hydrocele: Scrotal fluid accumulation common in adult males

Prevention & Treatment

Annual MDA: Community-wide DEC + Albendazole for ≥5 consecutive rounds
Accelerated areas: Triple-drug therapy achieves faster microfilaria clearance
Vector control: LLINs, larviciding, source reduction complement pharmacologic measures

Policy & Schemes

Government roadmap: MDA, Morbidity Management & Disability Prevention (MMDP), vector control integration
Financial cover: Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY funds hydrocelectomy for eligible patients
Monitoring: Microfilaria surveys and Transmission Assessment Surveys guide district certification

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
National goal year	2027
Current drive	Mass Drug Administration (MDA)
Districts in 2024 round	111
Participating states	13
Standard drug pack	Diethylcarbamazine + Albendazole
Triple-drug pack	DEC + Albendazole + Ivermectin
Commonest parasite	Wuchereria bancrofti
Other filarial species	Brugia malayi, Brugia timori
Main vectors	Anopheles, Culex, Aedes
Surgery support	Hydrocelectomy under PM-JAY

GS-3S&TQuick Bite

9.Rising Antibiotic Resistance (Antimicrobial Resistance)

The HinduAntibiotic resistance · AMR deaths · Penicillinase

What & Where

Antibiotic resistance: bacterial mutation/gene gain nullifying drug action, spreading in hospitals and communities worldwide

Antibiotics: drugs targeting bacterial cell wall, protein or DNA synthesis; minimal effect on human cells

India focus: 13 % in-hospital mortality from drug-resistant infections highlights regional severity

Quick Facts for MCQs

Health Impact

Mortality: AMR kills more people than HIV/AIDS or malaria globally as per 2021 estimate
India burden: High case-fatality signals urgent need for stewardship and surveillance
Healthcare cost: Prolonged hospital stay and expensive second-line drugs escalate expenditure

Scientific Mechanism

Penicillin: disrupts peptide cross-links, weakens cell wall, causes osmotic lysis
Resistance paths: enzyme degradation, structural modification, gene acquisition through plasmids
Compensation strategy: bacteria offset inactivated pathways, boosting resilience against multiple drugs

India Specific

Over-the-counter antibiotic sales and inadequate infection control accelerate resistance spread
National Action Plan on AMR (2017-21) under implementation yet faces funding and compliance gaps

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Global AMR deaths 2021	~1.2 million
Indian hospital mortality	13 % in drug-resistant cases
Key cell-wall material	Peptidoglycan
Peptidoglycan parts	Glycans + Peptides
Classic antibiotic example	Penicillin
Resistance enzyme	Penicillinase
New study insight	Bacteria compensate lost functions to survive

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GS1 2019PYQ 1

Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India?

CDS_GK, GS1 2020PYQ 2

Antibiotic such as penicillin blocks

GS-2S&T

10.Paris AI Summit 2025 (AI Governance)

Times of IndiaParis AI Summit · Global AI safety · AI divide

What & Where

Paris AI Action Summit: 3rd global AI Safety Summit, 10-11 Feb 2025, Paris, France.

Co-chaired by India & France; follows UK 2023 and South Korea 2024 editions.

Mandate: AI safety, ethics, governance, innovation, equitable access, Global South advocacy.

Quick Facts for MCQs

AI Governance

Summit drafts norms & risk-management frameworks for frontier AI models.
Promotes open-source tools to narrow global AI divide.
Multilateral setting counters exclusive US-China dominance.

India’s Opportunities

Advocate democratised data & infrastructure funding for Global South stakeholders.
Showcase AI Safety Institute and indigenous public-interest models.
Deepen tech partnerships with France, EU, emerging AI economies.

Challenges

R&D monopoly persists with few giants: OpenAI, Google, DeepSeek.
Divergent US-EU-China regulations hinder unified global framework.
Rising threats: cyber-warfare, deepfake propaganda, intrusive surveillance.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Summit edition	Third in global AI Safety series
2025 Dates	10–11 February 2025
Venue city	Paris
Indian role	Co-chair, voice for Global South
Previous hosts	UK (2023), South Korea (2024)
Key attendees	US, EU, China leaders; OpenAI & Google CEOs
Core agenda items	Safety, governance, open-source, economic impact
Corporate concentration	OpenAI, Google, DeepSeek cited
Security concern	Deepfakes & cyber-warfare misuse

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GEO_GS, GS1 2025PYQ 1

ग्रैण्ड पैलै (Grand Palais) पेरिस में नवम्बर 2025 में आयोजित होने वाले AI शिखर सम्मेलन के सन्दर्भ में, निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :

GEO_GS, GS1 2024PYQ 2

Which of the following statements about GPAI (Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence) is/are correct?

GS-2Security

11.India-UK Defence Collaboration (India-UK Defence)

New Indian ExpressDefence Partnership–India · ASRAAM facility · STARStreak MANPADS

What & Where

Agreement set: India-UK Defence Partnership–India signed during Aero India 2025, Bengaluru

Key systems: STARStreak LBRM, Lightweight Multirole Missile, ASRAAM air-to-air missile, Integrated Full Electric Propulsion

Core sites: New ASRAAM assembly-test centre Hyderabad; future naval LBTF in India for LPD fleet

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

STARStreak uses laser beam riding guidance offering high-velocity MANPADS capability
IFEP envisages quieter, fuel-efficient electric drives for future Indian Navy platforms
LBTF allows shore testing of marine propulsion before installation on Landing Platform Docks

Economic Angle

Indigenous ASRAAM line expected to create skilled jobs in Telangana defence corridor
Agreements integrate Indian vendors into Thales global supply chain expanding export chances
Joint development aligns with Make-in-India cost saving and tech absorption goals

Security Dimension

New missile lines enhance IAF short-range air combat readiness and MANPADS inventory
Interoperability gains through common UK-origin weapon systems across services
Collaborative R&D deepens India-UK strategic defence alignment amid Indo-Pacific focus

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Event host	Aero India 2025, Bengaluru
Partnership label	Defence Partnership–India (DP-I)
STARStreak tie-up	Thales UK + Bharat Dynamics Ltd
LMM future build	Thales + BDL
ASRAAM facility city	Hyderabad
ASRAAM collaborators	MBDA UK + BDL
Naval propulsion MoU	Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP)
IFEP signatories	UK MoD + Indian MoD Statement of Intent
Maritime LBTF partners	GE Vernova + BHEL
Targeted LPD readiness	By 2030
Key policy boost	Atmanirbhar Bharat

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, ESE_GS 2024PYQ 1

Ministry of Defence signed contract with which one of the following organizations for Upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) and other equipment for around 3000 crores?

CDS_GK, ESE_GS 2025PYQ 2

भारत के सैन्य आयुध (military arsenal) के बारे में निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा/कौन-से कथन सही है/हैं?

GS-2Security

12.India-Sri Lanka Fishing Dispute (Palk Bay Dispute)

The HinduIMBL · Palk Bay · Trawler arrests

Illustration for India-Sri Lanka Fishing Dispute (Palk Bay Dispute)

What & Where

Palk Bay – 137 km long, shallow, nutrient-rich stretch between Tamil Nadu & Northern Sri Lanka

International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) – 1974-76 delimitation dividing territorial waters, guides fishing jurisdiction

Bottom trawling – weighted nets dragged on seabed, scrapes coral, sponges, juvenile habitats

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

UNCLOS 1982 Article 87 restricts high-seas fishing without due regard to other States
UNFSA 1995 mandates RFMO membership or compliance for accessing migratory stocks
Proposed Joint Working Group for continuous dialogue on arrest, boats, fines

Environmental Impact

Overfishing & trawling deplete stocks, push Indian crews into Sri Lankan waters
Bottom trawling removes benthic fauna, seabed recovery may need thousands of years
Catch limits, quotas, fingerling release advised for resource regeneration

Economic Angle

Sri Lanka estimates USD 730 mn yearly loss from Indian poaching
Depleting stocks cut Tamil Nadu fishers’ income, spur risky border crossings
Deep-sea fishing incentives recommended to shift effort offshore

Security Dimension

Recurrent incursions raise Sri Lankan fears of militant regrouping via fishing boats
Distinguishing fishers from smugglers strains Coast Guard & Navy patrol budgets
Boat confiscation, fines inflame Tamil Nadu politics, affect India’s UNHRC stance

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Indian arrests in Sri Lanka (2024)	500 + (first time since 2014)
Arrests peak earlier	787 in 2014
Katchatheevu area	285 acres
Sri Lankan loss due to poaching	USD 730 million/yr
Sri Lankan civil war ended	2009
Northern outlet of Palk Bay	Palk Strait → Bay of Bengal
Southern boundary marker	Pamban Strait–Adam’s Bridge line

GS-3SecurityQuick Bite

13.TROPEX-25 Naval Exercise (Naval Exercise)

PIBTROPEX 2025 · Indian Navy · Indian Ocean Region

What & Where

Theatre Level Operational Exercise (TROPEX) 2025: Indian Navy’s biennial, largest maritime drill

Conducted across Indian Ocean Region during Jan – Mar 2025

Integrates Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard against conventional, asymmetric, hybrid maritime threats

Quick Facts for MCQs

Exercise Structure

Harbour & Sea phases cover combat drills, carrier ops, anti-submarine tests
Dedicated cyber and electronic warfare scenarios included
Live weapon firings plus large-scale Amphibious Exercise (AMPHEX)

Threat Context

China fields world’s largest navy, >360 warships and submarines
PLAN maintains 7–8 surveillance/naval platforms in IOR round-the-clock
TROPEX emphasises countering conventional, asymmetric, hybrid Chinese threats

Forces & Assets

Theatre-level participation from all Naval Commands
Joint planning with Army formations and IAF maritime strike units
Coast Guard supplies domain-awareness and interdiction support

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Frequency	Biennial
2025 Duration	3 months (Jan–Mar 2025)
Exercise Domain	Indian Ocean Region
Lead Service	Indian Navy
Other Participants	Indian Army, Air Force, Coast Guard
Key Phases	Harbour & Sea phases
Major Components	Combat ops; cyber & electronic warfare; live firings; AMPHEX
Primary Aim	Validate warfighting skills & joint response
Chinese Presence in IOR	7–8 PLAN vessels/spy ships continuously

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GEO_GS, NDA_GAT 2025PYQ 1

Naseem-Al-Bahr, held in October 2024, was a joint maritime exercise between the navies of India and

GEO_GS, NDA_GAT 2021PYQ 2

Which one of the following statements is most appropriate about ‘Exercise Kavach’?

GS-2Scheme

14.Revised Market Intervention Scheme (Market Intervention)

PIBMIS guidelines · Procurement limit 25% · PM-AASHA

What & Where

Market Intervention Scheme (MIS): ad-hoc price-support for perishable crops lacking MSP.

Runs under Dept. of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, within PM-AASHA umbrella; activated on ≥10 % price fall.

Applicable pan-India on State/UT request; procurement by NAFED, NCCF, FPOs/FPCs, State agencies.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Policy Revisions

Procurement limit hiked to 25 %; scope widened to FPOs/FPCs.
DBT option allows States to pay price differential directly.
TOP crops explicitly covered for assured procurement.

Financial Structure

Centre bears 50 % procurement loss; higher 75 % for NE.
CNA reimburses inter-State transport & storage expenses.
State funds part of operations; savings possible via DBT route.

Operational Mechanism

Activation only after formal State/UT request.
Procurement, distribution handled by CNA + approved local agencies.
Scheme remains ad-hoc, invoked during acute market glut.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Parent ministry	Dept. of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare
Umbrella programme	PM-AASHA
Eligible produce	Perishable horticultural & other agri-commodities without MSP
Price-crash trigger	≥10 % below previous season price
Procurement coverage	Raised from 20 % to 25 % of production
Centre : State cost share	50:50 (75:25 for NE States)
New payment mode	DBT of MIP-market price gap to farmers
Key CNA	NAFED, NCCF
Additional procurers	FPOs, FPCs, State-nominated agencies
Special focus crops	Tomato, Onion, Potato (TOP)
Transport & storage cost	Reimbursed by Central Nodal Agencies

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, GS1 2021PYQ 1

किसानों को प्रोत्साहन देने के लिए प्रत्येक वर्ष विभिन्न फसलों के लिए सरकार द्वारा घोषित की जाने वाली कीमत को क्या कहते हैं?

CAPF_GAI, GS1 2020PYQ 2

Consider the following statements :

GS-2Scheme

15.Restructured Skill India Programme (Skill India Restructure)

PIBPMKVY 4.0 · PM-NAPS · Jan Shikshan Sansthan

What & Where

Skill India Programme: 2015 pan-India mission under MSDE, NSQF-aligned skilling across sectors

2025 Cabinet: merges PMKVY 4.0, PM-NAPS, JSS into one Central Sector Scheme till Mar 2026

Credentials stored on DigiLocker; credits transferable via National Credit Framework

Quick Facts for MCQs

Scheme Components

PMKVY 4.0 offers short-term training, RPL, on-job exposure in 400+ emerging tech courses
PM-NAPS incentivises industry apprenticeships, paying DBT stipend share, prioritising MSME, aspirational districts
JSS delivers community driven, low-cost vocational courses linked with ULLAS, PM JANMAN

Funding & Incentives

Central Sector nature enables 100 % Union funding
Apprenticeship stipend support capped ₹1,500 per apprentice monthly
Certifications mapped to NSQF enabling formal credits under NCrF

Alignment & Mobility

Programme dovetails with PM Vishwakarma, Surya Ghar, Green Hydrogen Mission for sectoral manpower
DigiLocker storage plus NCrF credits ease domestic and overseas employment portability

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Launch year	2015
Admin ministry	Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
Schemes merged	PMKVY 4.0, PM-NAPS, JSS
Continuation up to	March 2026
Beneficiaries so far	2.27 crore+
Original training target	40 crore persons by 2022
PMKVY age band	15–59 years
PM-NAPS stipend share	25 % (up to ₹1,500/month) via DBT
JSS target age	15–45 years
New PMKVY courses	400+ in AI, 5G, drones, green-hydrogen

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2018PYQ 1

प्रधान मंत्री कौशल विकास योजना के संदर्भ में, निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए:

GS1 2017PYQ 2

'पूर्व अभियांत्रिकी मापन योजना (Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme)' का कभी-कभी समाचारों में किस सन्दर्भ में उल्लेख किया जाता है ?

GS-1Editorial

16.Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies (DEI Policies)

Indian ExpressWorkplace diversity · Equity measures · Inclusion

Illustration for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies (DEI Policies)

What & Where

DEI policies: organisational measures ensuring Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility in hiring, promotion, culture

Rollback location: United States federal agencies & many corporates after conservative pushback

Indian parallel: constitutional reservations for SC, ST, OBC; emerging private-sector diversity drives

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

SupremeCourtUS 2023 ruling constrained race-based college admissions, emboldening wider DEI rollback
TrumpOrder brands DEI programmes discriminatory; instructs federal units to eliminate mandatory trainings
IndiaConstitution allows positive discrimination but lacks single DEI statute for private sector

Economic Angle

Corporates expect cost-savings by cutting compliance, reporting, training linked to DEI mandates
Shareholders question ROI of diversity staffing targets amid recessionary pressures
RebrandingTrend: firms shift language from DEI to merit or culture-fit to avoid political heat

Ethical Debates

RawlsDifferencePrinciple breached as benefits to least-advantaged retract
CareEthics view: diminished moral duty toward underrepresented employees, lowering trust & cohesion
VirtueJustice lens: rollback seen as abandonment of fairness virtue in institutional conduct

Indian Context

ReservationPolicy covers public jobs, education; excludes most private hiring except select PSUs
CorporateIndia adopts voluntary targets: gender parity boards, LGBTQ+ inclusion, disability accessibility audits
GovernmentSchemes like SkillIndia, Stand-Up India indirectly bolster workplace diversity

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Core components	Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility
Ethical bases	Rawlsian justice, Ethics of Care, Virtue ethics
Main criticism	Reverse discrimination, merit dilution, compliance cost
US action	Trump order revoking Biden-era DEI directives
Legal trigger	2023 SCOTUS ban on affirmative-action admissions
Economic driver	Shareholder pressure over DEI expenditure
Indian tool	Articles 15(4), 16(4) reservation quotas

GS-1Editorial

17.NITI Aayog Higher Education Report (Higher Education Funding)

The HinduState Public Universities · Education expenditure · Per youth spending

What & Where

NITI Aayog report “Expanding Quality Higher Education through States & SPUs” maps funding, quality gaps in Indian higher education.

Focus on State Public Universities: spending shares, per-youth outlay, phased reform blueprint.

Geography spans all states; extremes range J-&-K (8.11 % GSDP) to Telangana (0.18 %).

Quick Facts for MCQs

Funding Disparities

Gap: Per-youth spend grew 2.3× yet inter-state inequality widened.
Top: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana sustain high per-youth allocations.
Bottom: Rajasthan, Punjab, Chhattisgarh trail national averages.

Policy Roadmap

Short-term: Research hubs, journal curation, AI admin systems, 6 % GDP push.
Medium-term: R&D advisory, incubation, SDG-aligned courses, self-financed programs.
Long-term: Centres of Excellence, MERUs, PPP and fee-autonomy models.

Governance & Autonomy

Model: Regulatory-to-facilitator shift via Model Act and greater SPU autonomy.
Oversight: State Councils for Higher Education and Academic Bank of Credits implementation.
Autonomy: De-affiliation of mature colleges and localized accreditation strengthening.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Highest % GSDP spender	Jammu & Kashmir 8.11 %
Other top % states	Manipur 7.25 %, Meghalaya 6.64 %, Tripura 6.19 %
Lowest % GSDP states	Telangana 0.18 %, Gujarat 0.23 %, Rajasthan 0.23 %
Largest HE budget	Maharashtra ₹11,421 cr
Second largest budget	Bihar ₹9,666 cr
Third largest budget	Tamil Nadu ₹7,237 cr
Smallest HE budget	Sikkim ₹142 cr
Per-youth spend 2005-06	₹2,174
Per-youth spend 2019-20	₹4,921
NEP-2020 fiscal goal	Education outlay 6 % GDP

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, ESE_GS 2021PYQ 1

Which one of the following statements is NOT correct regarding the National Education Policy 2020 in India ?

CDS_GK, ESE_GS 2021PYQ 2

Which one of the following statements in the context of social sector spending in India during 2014–19 (both States and the Union Government together) is true?

GS-1Misc

18.International Day for Women in Science (Women in STEM)

Indian ExpressUNESCO · UN-Women · STEM enrolment

What & Where

International Day of Women and Girls in Science; UN-recognised observance on 11 February

Mandate; 2015 UNGA resolution seeks full, equal female access to science

Implementation; UNESCO and UN-Women coordinate with states, academia, civil society worldwide

Quick Facts for MCQs

Global Statistics

STEM-enrolment; women only 3 % IT, 5 % natural sciences, 8 % engineering
Researchers; UNESCO 2018 lists 28.8 % female knowledge creators globally
Prizes-gap; 20 female laureates among 334 Nobel science prizes 1901-2019

Indian Statistics

Enrolment; 9.3 % female UG engineering versus 15.6 % overall
Medical; 4.3 % female UG enrolment exceeds 3.3 % overall share
Workforce; women 20 % scientific staff, 28.7 % post-docs, 33.5 % PhDs in 620 institutes

Science Awards & Recognition

Abel; first woman winner Karen Uhlenbeck 2019 after 16 male mathematicians
Fields; only Maryam Mirzakhani honoured since 1936 amid 59 male medallists
SDG-linkage; STEM gender parity aligned with SDG 5 goals

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Date of observance	11 February
UNGA declaration	2015
Implementing bodies	UNESCO & UN-Women
Global female STEM enrolment	≈30 %
Global female researchers	28.8 %
Indian female researchers	13.9 %
Nobel science prizes to women	20 of 616
First woman Abel laureate	Karen Uhlenbeck (2019)
Fields Medal women	1 (Maryam Mirzakhani)

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GEO_GS 2024PYQ 1

Consider the following statements with reference to a Report titled 'The Paths to Equal', published in 2023, prepared by 'UN Women' and 'UNDP' (United Nations Development Programme):

CDS_GK, GEO_GS 2021PYQ 2

किस (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing) KIRAN योजना का उद्देश्य किस प्रकार की महिला वैज्ञानिकों को अवसर प्रदान करना है?