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18 topicsGS-1: 5GS-2: 7GS-3: 6
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GS-2Polity

1.Dinesh Khara Insurance Review Committee (Insurance Act Review)

Times of India
Illustration for Dinesh Khara Insurance Review Committee (Insurance Act Review)

What & Where

High-powered Dinesh Khara Committee set up by IRDAI to overhaul Insurance Act, 1938

Reviews 100 % FDI feasibility and composite insurer model across India

IRDAI, insurance regulator headquartered Hyderabad, operates under Ministry of Finance

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

  • Review targets outdated provisions; align Act with contemporary insurance products, tech, market practices
  • Possible composite companies would require parliamentary amendment to allow life, non-life, health license merger
  • Recommendations forwarded to Finance Ministry for legislative route via Insurance Act amendment bill

Institutional Structure

  • IRDAI monitors insurers, reinsurers, FDI compliance, market conduct across national jurisdiction
  • Ten-member authority ensures regulatory oversight, financial stability, fair treatment of policyholders
  • Committee complements existing internal working groups within IRDAI for focused statutory overhaul

Investment & FDI

  • Evaluation of raising foreign equity limit from present 74 % to full 100 % ownership
  • Aim: attract global capital while mandating adequate Indian retention of premiums and profits
  • Previous FDI cap hikes: 26 % (2000), 49 % (2015), 74 % (2021); committee explores next step

Consumer Protection

  • Stronger safeguards envisioned: solvency norms, claims settlement timelines, grievance redressal penalties
  • Emphasis on domestic retention ensures fund availability for Indian claim liabilities
  • Composite insurers may enable single-window policies, reducing consumer fragmentation

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Parent ministryMinistry of Finance
Regulator nameInsurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
IRDAI Act year1999
IRDAI operational since2000
IRDAI HQHyderabad, Telangana
IRDAI composition1 Chairman, 5 Full-time, 4 Part-time Members
Law under reviewInsurance Act, 1938
Committee chairDinesh Khara (ex-SBI chairman)
Key mandateSuggest amendments, assess 100 % FDI, propose composite insurers
Amendment recipientUnion Finance Ministry
Core consumer goalStronger policyholder protection
Sectoral aimRevenue retention within India

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2019PYQ 1

In India, which of the following review the independent regulators in sectors like telecommunications, insurance, electricity, etc.?

GS1 1997PYQ 2

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists:

GS-2History

2.Mizoram And Arunachal Statehood History (Northeast Statehood)

PIB
Illustration for Mizoram And Arunachal Statehood History (Northeast Statehood)

What & Where

21 Feb 1987: Mizoram (23rd) & Arunachal Pradesh (24th) attain statehood in Indian Union.

Both evolved from Assam districts → Union Territories (1972) → full states via 1986 Acts.

Northeastern hill states; Mizoram borders Myanmar & Bangladesh, Arunachal borders Bhutan, China & Myanmar.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

  • Mizo Hills UT created 1972 after accord with MNF moderates; statehood formalised 1986 Act.
  • North-East Frontier Agency became Arunachal Pradesh UT 1972; statehood under 1986 Act.
  • 21 Feb commemorated nationally for dual state formation.

Insurgency & Peace

  • 1959-61 Mautam famine catalysed MNF’s secession drive.
  • Nagaland’s 1957 agency, 1963 statehood intensified Mizo demands.
  • 1986 Mizoram Peace Accord ended two-decade insurgency, integrating MNF into mainstream.

Demography & Society

  • Mizoram: highest tribal share, literacy 91.58 %, sex ratio 975.
  • Arunachal: widest tribal diversity, literacy 65.38 %, sex ratio 938.
  • Both reflect rich linguistic, cultural mosaic of the Eight-Sister region.

Geography & Environment

  • Mizoram: hilly Patkai range, borders Myanmar & Bangladesh, dense bamboo forests.
  • Arunachal: largest NE area, borders Bhutan, China (LAC) & Myanmar, strategic Himalayan terrain.
  • ISFR 2019 confirms Mizoram’s national lead in forest-cover percentage.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Statehood ActsState of Mizoram Act 1986; State of Arunachal Pradesh Act 1986
Union Territory upgradeBoth on 21 Jan 1972
CapitalsMizoram – Aizawl; Arunachal – Itanagar
Statehood Day21 February each year
Forest cover shareMizoram 85.4 % (ISFR 2019) – national highest
Largest NE state (area)Arunachal Pradesh
Tribal concentration peakMizoram
Ethnic groups diversityArunachal Pradesh – world’s largest tribal variety
Literacy ratesMizoram 91.58 %; Arunachal 65.38 %
Sex ratiosMizoram 975; Arunachal 938 (per 1000 males)
Key insurgent groupMizo National Front (MNF)
Peace Accord year1986 (Mizoram Peace Accord)

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1, NDA_GAT 2021PYQ 1

The Constitution (35th Amendment) Act of 1974 is related to which one of the following States?

GS1, NDA_GAT 2007PYQ 2

Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the formation of the following as full States of the Indian Union?

GS-3Economy

3.India Microfinance Sector Overview (Microfinance Regulation)

BL
Illustration for India Microfinance Sector Overview (Microfinance Regulation)

What & Where

Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) = NBFCs or NGOs offering collateral-free, small-ticket loans to low-income, unbanked households.

Regulated by RBI under NBFC-MFI framework (2014); latest comprehensive lending norms issued March 2022.

Footprint: 168 MFIs operating in 29 States, 4 UTs, 563 districts; aggregate loan book ₹4.33 lakh crore (31 Mar 2024).

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

  • RBI 2022 norms scrap lender cap per borrower, retain credit bureau reporting, ban pre-payment penalty.
  • Late fee permitted only on overdue amount, not outstanding principal.
  • Proposal: weekly, not fortnightly, liability data uploads for real-time assessment.

Economic Angle

  • Operating-expense heavy model drives high interest, straining borrower affordability.
  • Subsidy dependence hampers capital mobilisation and long-term sustainability.
  • Rising competition from unregulated entities worsens over-leveraging risk.

Social Concerns

  • Women 15-20 % less likely to access formal credit despite 17 % superior repayment rates.
  • Random SHG/JLG model selection can overload weaker borrowers, undermine repayment culture.
  • Call for gender-inclusive policies and scientific borrower segmentation.

Tech & Schemes

  • Aadhaar-based KYC proposed to curb loan duplication, improve liability tracking.
  • Credit bureau participation urged for all lenders, regulated or not, to boost transparency.
  • Government enablers: PM-Mudra Yojana, SHG-Bank Linkage, CGTMSE guarantee.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Household income ceiling for micro-loans₹3 lakh/yr
Repayment cap in 2022 normsEMI ≤ 50 % of monthly income
Collateral requirementNil for eligible households
Mandatory microfinance share for NBFC-MFIs≥ 75 % of total loan book
Active clients served> 3 crore
Profitability insightOnly ~33 % MFIs profitable after capital costs

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GS1 2011PYQ 1

Microfinance is the provision of financial services to people of low-income groups. This includes both the consumers and the self-employed. The service/services rendered under microfinance is/are:

CDS_GK, GS1 2022PYQ 2

Which one of the following statements about a borrower from a Microfinance Company is NOT correct?

GS-1History

4.Kalyani Chalukya Dynasty Highlights (Western Chalukyas)

The Telegraph
Illustration for Kalyani Chalukya Dynasty Highlights (Western Chalukyas)

What & Where

Discovery: 12th-century Kannada stone inscriptions of Western (Kalyani) Chalukyas.

Site: Kankal village, Vikarabad district, Telangana—western Deccan cultural sphere.

Timeframe: 1129-1132 CE, reign of Emperor Someswara III Bhulokamalladeva.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Archaeological Find

  • Inscription text records temple construction plus land endowments to deities.
  • Language & script: Classical Kannada, typical of Western Chalukya epigraphy.
  • Adds evidence of dynasty’s reach into present-day Telangana.

Dynasty Profile

  • Origin: Tailapa II rose after Rashtrakuta collapse; headquartered at Kalyani.
  • Territory: Controlled large Deccan plateau—Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana.
  • Stabilization: Jayasimha II; later expansion by Someswara I & III.

Art & Architecture

  • Vesara style blends Nagara superstructure with Dravidian plan; intricate lathe-turned pillars.
  • Innovations: Stepped wells, ornate bracket figures, stellate plans.
  • Later models: Influenced Hoysala and early Vijayanagara temple forms.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
DynastyKalyani Chalukyas (Western Chalukyas)
Rule span10th–12th centuries CE
FounderTailapa II
CapitalKalyani (modern Bidar, Karnataka)
Peak monarchVikramaditya VI, 1076–1126 CE
Inscription years1129–1132 CE
FindspotKankal, Vikarabad, Telangana
Reigning king on slabSomeswara III Bhulokamalladeva
Architectural hallmarkVesara / Karnata-Dravida style
Signature templeMahadeva Temple, Itagi
Religious patronageShaivism, Vaishnavism, Jainism

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2019PYQ 1

Building ‘Kalyana Mandapas’ was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of

GS1 2023PYQ 2

Consider the following dynasties:

GS-1Infrastructure

5.Global Infrastructure Resilience Report 2025 (Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure)

CDRI
Illustration for Global Infrastructure Resilience Report 2025 (Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure)

What & Where

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) 2024 Global Infrastructure Resilience Report assesses worldwide infrastructure disaster-readiness

Core tool: Global Infrastructure Risk Model & Resilience Index (GIRI) quantifies asset loss and service disruption risk

Geographic scope: 185+ countries, with focus on Low- & Middle-Income Countries’ governance and financing gaps

Quick Facts for MCQs

Risk Metrics

  • GIRI outputs probabilistic annual average loss, service disruption days, mortality proxies
  • Data publicly accessible, enabling cross-country comparison and priority ranking
  • Model integrates climate-change-adjusted hazard frequencies till 2050

Investment & Finance

  • Gap: USD 9.2 trillion yearly dwarfs current flows, especially in LMICs
  • Private-sector hesitancy stems from viewing resilience as upfront cost, not revenue stream
  • Recommendation: blended finance, resilience bonds, and concessional windows to crowd in capital

Governance & Policy

  • Many LMICs lack standardized risk data, hindering code enforcement and land-use planning
  • Slow policy uptake despite existing guidelines; need compulsory resilience screening for projects
  • Call for AI, big data, remote sensing dashboards to support real-time decision-making

Nature-Based Solutions

  • Report flags NbIS like mangroves, wetlands for coastal defense and flood attenuation
  • Benefits: dual role in carbon sequestration and reducing infrastructure repair costs
  • Requires integrating ecological assets into national infrastructure asset registers

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
PublisherCDRI, multistakeholder initiative launched 2019
Report editionFirst Global Infrastructure Resilience Report, 2024
Analytical toolGIRI – open-access risk model & resilience index
Key sectorsTransport, energy, telecom, water, health
Main hazardsEarthquake, tsunami, cyclone, flood, drought
Annual investment needUSD 9.2 trillion till 2050 for resilient, low-carbon infra
Highlighted approachNature-based Infrastructure Solutions (NbIS)
Primary bottleneckWeak governance & finance in LMICs
Economic logicResilience investment lowers asset loss, service downtime, drives long-term GDP growth
Global policy linkAligns with Sendai Framework Target D – reduced disaster damage to critical infrastructure

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2017PYQ 1

The Global Infrastructure Facility is a/an

GS-1Mapping

6.Maldives Archipelago Features (Indian Ocean Nation)

The Hindu

What & Where

Maldives: low-lying archipelagic state in Indian Ocean, ~750 km SW of Sri Lanka/India.

Comprises 1,190 coral islands arranged as double chain of 27 atolls.

Addu Atoll crosses Equator; Ihavandhippolhu marks northern tip of archipelago.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Physical Geography

  • Entire country almost flat; no rivers/hills; max elevation ≈ 2 m.
  • Hithadhoo island (Addu) hosts rare coastal sand dunes.
  • Kandu channels allow uninterrupted Indian Ocean flow between atolls.

Security Dimension

  • Exercise Ekuverin: annual India-Maldives army counter-insurgency & HADR drill.
  • Exercise Dosti: India-Maldives-Sri Lanka coast-guard trilateral for SAR & pollution control.
  • Operation Shield, Exercise Ekatha enhance counter-terrorism, diving & EOD cooperation.

Economic Angle

  • IMF urges urgent fiscal consolidation amid high public debt and external gaps.
  • Tourism-led GDP vulnerable to climate shocks; limited revenue diversification.
  • Deficits funded largely via domestic banks, stoking liquidity and inflation risks.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
CapitalMalé
Official languageDhivehi
Total coral islands1,190
Number of atolls27
Unique atoll south of EquatorAddu Atoll
Northernmost atollIhavandhippolhu
Natural separating channelsKandu
Military drills with IndiaEkuverin, Dosti, Ekatha, Operation Shield

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, NDA_GAT 2020PYQ 1

Which one of the following Indian Ocean island nations has recently declared a state of environmental emergency due to oil spill from a grounded ship?

CDS_GK, NDA_GAT 2021PYQ 2

Which country has replaced Maldives to host the 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games?

GS-1Mapping

7.Manikaran Hot Springs Pilgrimage (Himachal Valley)

Times of India

What & Where

Manikaran Hot Springs: geothermal site in Parvati Valley, Kullu dist., Himachal Pradesh.

Proposed tourism plan: pipe spring water 4 km downstream to Kasol; facing local & religious backlash.

Parvati River: glacier-fed Beas tributary flowing through same valley.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Religious Significance

  • Dual-pilgrimage; revered gurdwara & ancient temples coexist.
  • Annual Sikh langar uses spring water for cooking; considered sanctified.
  • Any diversion viewed as desecration by both communities.

Physical Geography

  • Valley ringed by Great Himalayan peaks; continual geothermal vents.
  • Pass network links Parvati to Spiti (Pin Parvati), Lahaul (Sara Umga La).
  • Debsa Pass discovered only in 1995, easing trekker movement.

Social Concerns

  • Locals fear loss of ritual bathing, livelihood from pilgrim inflow.
  • Environmentalists warn altered hydrology could cool springs irreversibly.
  • Protests led by priests, mahants, panchayats; demand project withdrawal.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
StateHimachal Pradesh
DistrictKullu
ValleyParvati Valley
Main riverParvati (joins Beas at Bhuntar)
River sourceMan Talai Glacier, below Pin Parvati Pass
Spring typeGeothermal (sulphurous)
Hindu linkManu said to recreate life post-Deluge
Sikh linkGuru Nanak’s 3rd Udasi, 1574 Bikrami
Key passesPin Parvati, Sara Umga La, Debsa (1995)
Proposed transfer length~4 km (Manikaran → Kasol)

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK 2022PYQ 1

Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh is known for :

GS-3Environment

8.Aravali Safari Park Proposal (Aravali Safari Park)

The Hindu
Illustration for Aravali Safari Park Proposal (Aravali Safari Park)

What & Where

Aravali Safari Park: proposed 10,000-acre wildlife safari in Haryana’s Aravalis, pitched as world’s largest.

Objective: promote eco-tourism, serve as compensatory afforestation for Great Nicobar forest loss.

Aravalis: oldest fold mountains, NE–SW spine across Gujarat-Rajasthan-Delhi-Haryana (~690 km), key desert barrier & aquifer recharge zone.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

  • Amendment 2023 classifies zoos as ‘forest activity’, permitting build inside reserved forests.
  • Haryana project framed under compensatory afforestation provisions to speed forest clearance.
  • Density threshold < 40 % set to bypass stricter forest safeguards.

Environmental Impact

  • Aravalis crucial for groundwater recharge; large construction may intensify aquifer stress.
  • Range acts as desertification barrier; habitat fragmentation can weaken this ecological service.
  • Wildlife enclosures & tourism infrastructure risk disturbing native leopard-hyena flora-fauna corridors.

Physical Geography

  • Aravalis among world’s oldest Precambrian fold belts, rich in quartzite & granite.
  • Guru Shikhar (Mount Abu) marks highest point; elevations generally decline toward Delhi ridge.
  • Hidden limb under Indo-Gangetic alluvium guides surface drainage partition between Indus and Ganga systems.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Proposed park area≈ 10,000 acres
Claimed statusWorld’s largest safari park
InspirationSharjah Safari Park, UAE
Afforestation purposeOffset 26,000 acres forest loss, Great Nicobar
Forest density cap for project< 40 % canopy
Legal backingForest (Conservation) Act, amendment 2023
Mountain range lengthAravalis ~690 km
Highest peakGuru Shikhar, 1,722 m
Hidden limb stretchDelhi → Haridwar
Drainage divideSeparates Ganga & Indus basins

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2017PYQ 1

Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites?

GS1 2020PYQ 2

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

GS-3SpeciesQuick Bite

9.South American Tapir Rediscovery (Endangered Species)

NYP
Illustration for South American Tapir Rediscovery (Endangered Species)

What & Where

South American tapir (Lowland tapir) = largest South-American land mammal; herbivore with short legs, rounded body, prehensile snout

Four living tapirs: South American, Baird’s, Mountain, Malayan; range spans Central/South America & Southeast Asia

Rediscovered in Cunhambebe State Park, Brazil’s Costa Verde; last verified in 1914, Serra dos Órgãos NP, Rio de Janeiro

Quick Facts for MCQs

Conservation Status

  • IUCN Endangered; primary threats deforestation, poaching
  • Rediscovery underscores value of protected-area patrols & camera-traps
  • Presence may trigger upgraded management plans in Atlantic Forest

Ecological Impact

  • Continuous browsing disperses large-seeded trees over long distances
  • Naturally trampled paths admit sunlight, boosting under-story regeneration
  • Acts as keystone herbivore maintaining plant diversity gradients

Geographical Context

  • Costa Verde forms part of Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot
  • Cunhambebe SP & Serra dos Órgãos NP create north–south ecological corridor
  • Region lies within Río de Janeiro state’s mountainous coastal belt

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
IUCN statusEndangered
Recent sighting siteCunhambebe State Park, Rio de Janeiro
Previous confirmed record1914, Serra dos Órgãos National Park
Sighting gap~111 years
Nickname“Forest gardener”
Core ecological roleSeed disperser & forest‐floor trail maker
Continental size rankLargest land mammal in South America
Total tapir speciesFour
GS-3S&T

10.Microsoft Majorana 1 Quantum Chip (Quantum Computing)

Financial Express
Illustration for Microsoft Majorana 1 Quantum Chip (Quantum Computing)

What & Where

Majorana 1 chip – Microsoft’s prototype quantum processor stabilised by Majorana particles

Process – topological superconductivity in novel “topoconductors” yielding error-resistant, scalable qubits

Geography – R&D validated under DARPA-USA US2QC programme; positions Microsoft in global quantum race

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

  • Architecture uses paired Majorana modes to encode one logical qubit hence intrinsic error cancellation
  • Topoconductors integrate semiconductor nanowire + superconducting layer enabling resistance-free, coherent current
  • Microsoft Azure Quantum aiming cloud access once stability benchmark crossed

International Examples

  • Competitors Google Sycamore and IBM Eagle use transmon superconducting qubits not Majorana based
  • DARPA US2QC funds 3 finalists: Microsoft, Atom Computing, PsiQuantum seeking large-scale fault-tolerant machines
  • U.S. strategic backing underscores race with EU, China for quantum supremacy

Economic Angle

  • Faster optimisation expected to cut R&D timelines in pharma and materials dramatically lowering costs
  • Scalable million-qubit hardware could unlock quantum-as-a-service markets worth projected USD 100 bn+ this decade
  • Microsoft stake strengthens cloud ecosystem, attracting enterprise clients against AWS Braket and Google Cloud Quantum

Security Dimension

  • Fault-tolerant quantum threatens current public-key cryptography, driving urgency for post-quantum standards
  • Stable qubits accelerate quantum-enhanced AI models improving pattern recognition for defense and intelligence
  • DARPA involvement signals dual-use potential and national security prioritisation

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
DeveloperMicrosoft Quantum team
External validatorDARPA US2QC finalist
Core particleMajorana fermion state
Key materialTopological superconductor (“topoconductor”)
Qubit size~1/100 mm
Target scaleUp to 1 million qubits
Claimed benefit10×–100× lower logical error rates
Potential sectorsDrug discovery, energy grids, self-repairing materials

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2025PYQ 1

Consider the following statements:

GS-3S&TQuick Bite

11.DeepSeek Open Source AI Models (AI Large Models)

The Hindu
Illustration for DeepSeek Open Source AI Models (AI Large Models)

What & Where

DeepSeek = Chinese open-source generative AI chatbot & LLM suite, similar to ChatGPT

Key models: DeepSeek-V3 (coding, translation, writing) & DeepSeek-R1 (reasoning, math, logic)

Geography: Startup founded May 2023, China (PRC), by Liang Wenfeng

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

  • DeepSeek-V3 excels coding translation writing; parameter count not disclosed
  • DeepSeek-R1 specialises reasoning logic math, shows step-by-step computation
  • MLA technique cuts training and deployment cost versus dense models

Economic Angle

  • Open-source licence removes subscription royalties, enabling cheaper enterprise adoption
  • MoE routing activates only expert subsets, lowering inference compute expenditure

International Context

  • DeepSeek positions itself against OpenAI, Google, Meta large models
  • Entry strengthens China’s push for indigenous frontier AI capabilities

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Company typeAI startup, open-source focus
FounderLiang Wenfeng
Year foundedMay 2023
NationChina
Flagship modelsDeepSeek-V3, DeepSeek-R1
ArchitectureMixture-of-Experts + Multi-Head Latent Attention
Learning boostReinforcement Learning for reasoning
CostFree use, no licensing fees
Performance claimR1 beats OpenAI o1 in math, coding, knowledge
Special traitReal-time reasoning display
GS-3MiscQuick Bite

12.Jurassic Pliosaur Skull Discovery (Paleontology Find)

IDR

What & Where

Pliosaur = short-necked, large-jawed marine reptile; apex predator of Jurassic oceans.

New skull (≈145 Myr old) found in cliff near Kimmeridge Bay, Jurassic Coast, Dorset, England.

Jurassic Coast = UNESCO World Heritage fossil hotspot along England’s southern shoreline.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Paleontology Significance

  • Rarely preserved cranial crest offers insights into marine reptile evolution.
  • Size and bite metrics refine apex-predator models of late Jurassic seas.
  • Adds to prolific fossil record underpinning Jurassic Coast’s UNESCO value.

Species Biology

  • Sensory pits hint at pressure-wave detection similar to crocodilian snouts.
  • Parietal eye may have regulated circadian rhythms, aiding ambush predation.
  • Morphology confirms pliosaurs as macropredators of ammonites, other reptiles.

Geographic Context

  • Kimmeridge Clay Formation notorious for marine reptile fossils.
  • Cliff exposure enables natural erosion-assisted fossil reveals.
  • Site management balances public safety with scientific extraction rights.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Fossil typeMassive pliosaur skull
Geological age≈145 million years
Discovery siteCliff near Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset
Heritage statusJurassic Coast is UNESCO WHS
Bite forceStronger than Tyrannosaurus rex
Pliosaur eraJurassic period 199.6–145.5 Myr
Notable traitsCranial crest, elongated jaws
Hunting aidsSensory pits, possible parietal eye
GS-2Editorial

13.India Qatar Strategic Partnership (India-Qatar Ties)

The Hindu
Illustration for India Qatar Strategic Partnership (India-Qatar Ties)

What & Where

India – Qatar Strategic Partnership forged Feb 2025; elevates ties across trade, energy, investment & security.

Core processes: long-term LNG/LPG supply, sovereign wealth investments, DTAA revision, UPI linkage, FTA talks with GCC.

Geography: Qatar peninsula on Arabian Gulf, pivotal to India’s “Link/Act West” outreach.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Economic Angle

  • Qatar top-3 destination for Indian exports; India top-3 source of Qatari imports.
  • Sovereign wealth fund eyeing Indian infrastructure, renewables, AI/ML verticals.
  • Qatar National Bank to access GIFT City; UPI roll-out in Doha explored.

Energy Security

  • Long-term LNG deals anchor India’s shift from coal to cleaner fuels.
  • Consistent LPG supplies stabilise domestic cooking-fuel demand.
  • Gulf hydrocarbons met 55 % of India’s crude needs in FY 23.

Security Dimension

  • Counter-terrorism and maritime security cooperation covers crucial Gulf sea-lanes.
  • Regular naval visits, DIMDEX participation reinforce interoperability.
  • Doha’s mediator role (Afghanistan, Israel-Palestine) provides diplomatic interface for India.

Diaspora & Culture

  • 8 lakh-plus Indians largest expatriate cohort, catalysing remittances & soft power.
  • 2012 Cultural Accord enables festivals, exhibitions; 2019 celebrated as Year of Culture.
  • Consular cooperation highlighted post 2024 navy-veterans episode.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Bilateral trade 2023-24USD 14.08 bn
Trade target 2030USD 28 bn
India’s LNG import share from Qatar48 % (FY 23)
India’s LPG import share from Qatar29 % (FY 23)
Current Qatari investment in IndiaUSD 1.5 bn
Additional Qatari commitmentUSD 10 bn
Indian diaspora in Qatar≈ 8.35 lakh (27 %)
Indian firms active in Qatar>15,000; USD 450 m
Key naval exerciseZa’ir-Al-Bahr
Cultural milestone year2019
Tax pact statusRevised DTAA signed Feb 2025
FTA under discussionIndia-GCC

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

ESE_GS, NDA_GAT 2026PYQ 1

What is the name of the initiative launched by India and Denmark in November 2025 to enhance bilateral ties?

ESE_GS, NDA_GAT 2025PYQ 2

S1. Liberalisation and globalisation freed India's economy from the low GDP trap that had impeded India's progress

GS-2Economy

14.Asia Economic Dialogue 2025 (Economic Dialogue)

DD News
Illustration for Asia Economic Dialogue 2025 (Economic Dialogue)

What & Where

Asia Economic Dialogue (AED) – India-led annual geoeconomic conference for global & regional policy discourse.

9th edition slated 20-22 Feb 2025; physical venue – Pune, Maharashtra.

Convened by MEA-India with Pune International Centre; attracts Asian & extra-regional stakeholders.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Economic Angle

  • Targets actionable strategies vs trade fragmentation, slowdown, financial instability.
  • Seeks blueprint for resilient Asian & global supply chains.
  • Emphasises MSME integration into international trade architecture.

Tech & Schemes

  • Dedicated sessions on AI governance, cybersecurity norms, blue economy financing.
  • Explores climate-tech investment channels for developing countries.
  • Reviews reforms in international monetary system amid digital currencies rise.

International Participation

  • Ministers, diplomats, CEOs from 8+ countries confirm high-level representation.
  • Platform positions India as convenor for Indo-Pacific economic cooperation.
  • Outcomes often feed into MEA’s Track-1.5 dialogues & G20 follow-ups.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Edition9th
Year2025
Dates20-22 February 2025
Venue cityPune, Maharashtra
Host ministryMinistry of External Affairs (India)
Co-organiserPune International Centre
2025 Theme“Economic Resilience and Resurgence in an Era of Fragmentation”
Core focus areasAI, cybersecurity, climate, blue economy, MSMEs, intl. monetary system
Notable participant regionsJapan, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, South Africa, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Netherlands
Primary aimDialogue on policies to counter economic fragmentation & bolster recovery

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, ESE_GS 2025PYQ 1

वर्ष 2025 में निम्नलिखित में से किसके तत्वावधान में आयोजित की गई बैठक का विषय 'दुश्मान युग के लिए सहयोग (Collaboration for the Intelligent Age)' था?

CAPF_GAI, ESE_GS 2026PYQ 2

What is the name of the initiative launched by India and Denmark in November 2025 to enhance bilateral ties?

GS-2Security

15.International Marine Navigation Aids Association (Maritime Navigation Aids)

PIB

What & Where

IALA – intergovernmental body harmonising marine Aids to Navigation for safe, efficient, eco-friendly shipping

Founded 1957; became IGO on 22 Aug 2024 after 34 state ratifications

HQ Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France; India elected Vice President in 1st General Assembly, Singapore

Quick Facts for MCQs

Functions & Standards

  • Standardisation; Guidelines, Courses ensure uniform buoys, beacons, VTS, e-navigation
  • Safety; works to cut collisions, groundings, environmental harm, aids capacity building for developing littorals
  • Technology; four technical committees drive innovation in digital navigation and sustainability

Organizational Structure

  • General Assembly; highest authority, elects 21-member Council
  • Council; executes policies between Assemblies, meets twice yearly
  • Committees; ENG, ARM, VTS, ENAV craft recommendations adopted worldwide

Indian Context

  • Leadership; DG Lighthouses & Lightships represents India as Vice President
  • Diplomacy; hosting 2025 Council and 2027 GA to spotlight SAGAR, maritime safety outreach
  • Capacity; enables Indian lighthouse modernisation, e-navigation, green aids rollout

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Full formInternational Association of Aids to Marine Navigation
Original statusNon-governmental organisation (1957-2024)
IGO effective date22 Aug 2024
Ratifying states for IGO34
HeadquartersSaint-Germain-en-Laye, France
Supreme bodyGeneral Assembly (meets every 4 yrs)
Executive bodyCouncil
Upcoming India hostingCouncil meet – Dec 2025; Conference & GA – Sep 2027, Mumbai
India’s current postVice President
Core mandateGlobal standards, training, tech adoption for AtoN
GS-2Scheme

16.Digital Brand Identity Manual Initiative (E-Governance Standards)

DD News
Illustration for Digital Brand Identity Manual Initiative (E-Governance Standards)

What & Where

Gov.In Harmonisation Initiative: standardises all Union-government digital platforms under one cohesive identity.

Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM): MeitY rule-book for design, content, security of govt sites, portals, social media.

Pan-India scope; unveiled at 1st CIO Conference 2025, New Delhi.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

  • Unified Interface: responsive, mobile-first templates across ministries.
  • Performance Optimisation: speed, server security, usability benchmarks embedded.
  • AI Security: real-time threat monitoring integrated into platform.

Governance Reform

  • Single sign-on design cuts duplication across 1,000+ Union websites.
  • CCPS centralises policy messaging, easing inter-departmental coordination.
  • Private-sector usability standards adopted to elevate citizen engagement.

Accessibility & Inclusion

  • WCAG 2.1 compliance ensures divyangjan and multilingual access.
  • Mobile-friendly layouts expand reach to rural smartphone users.
  • Consistent iconography lowers cognitive load for first-time visitors.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Nodal ministryMeitY
Launch event1st CIO Conference 2025
Parent schemeGov.In: Harmonisation of Digital Footprint
Compliance baselineGIGW + STQC
Key toolkitDBIM Toolkit (branding, typography, icons)
Integration platformInCMS for central site management
Content engineCentral Content Publishing System (CCPS)
Service modelSingle digital umbrella for all govt services
Security layerAI-driven tools + cybersecurity mandates

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

NDA_GAT 2022PYQ 1

भारत सरकार की प्रमुख टेलीमेडिसिन सेवा ‘ई-संजीवनी’ को हाल ही में किसके साथ एकीकृत किया गया?

GS-2Scheme

17.Soil Health Card Scheme Anniversary (Soil Health Cards)

PIB
Illustration for Soil Health Card Scheme Anniversary (Soil Health Cards)

What & Where

Scheme: Centrally sponsored Soil Health Card (2015) gives farmers nutrient-status + dosage advice for every 3 yrs cycle.

Process: Post-harvest Rabi/Kharif or fallow; lab testing of 12 parameters; card generated via portal/app in 22+ languages.

Geography: Pan-India rollout; inaugurated Suratgarh, Rajasthan; now under RKVY “Soil Health & Fertility” component.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

  • Digital: SHC portal + mobile app enable uniform cards, real-time access, multilingual output, geo-mapping.
  • Infrastructure: One STL per taluka proposed; Plantarray sensors pitched for real-time soil profiling.
  • Education: School programme builds labs, instils soil stewardship among students.

Performance Metrics

  • Yield: Wheat up 43 %, Maize up 30 %, Red gram up 22 %.
  • Quality: Soil texture improved 12 %, crop growth 38 %, grain filling 35 %.
  • Inputs: Fertiliser rationalisation, pest reduction, improved profitability.

Degradation Drivers

  • Overuse: Chemical fertilisers, monocropping deplete nutrients; Punjab-Haryana organic carbon fall.
  • Water: Flood irrigation causes salinisation; 50 % arable land may be salt-affected by 2050.
  • Land use: Overgrazing, shifting cultivation, invasives like Lantana accelerate erosion and fertility loss.

Implementation Gaps

  • Awareness: Only 57 % tested farmers know of SHC; need KVK, SAU outreach.
  • Timeliness: Card delivery must precede sowing; cut sampling-report lag.
  • Incentives: Awards for soil testing, green manure, organic practices to boost uptake.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
10th anniversary year2025
Launch date19 Feb 2015
Macronutrients on cardN, P, K, S
Micronutrients on cardZn, Fe, Cu, Mn, B
Other propertiespH, EC, Organic Carbon
Sampling frequencyTwice a year
Village Level Soil Testing Labs665 in 17 States
School Soil Health Programme labs1,000 across 1,020 schools
Yield jump highest cropBengal gram 44 % (Karnataka)
Fertiliser cut in wheatN 7 %, P 41 %, K 27 %
Pest incidence fall46 %
GIS taggingLatitude-longitude auto capture
Integration year with RKVY2022-23

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GEO_GS, GS1 2017PYQ 1

Consider the following statements:

GEO_GS, GS1 2026PYQ 2

Which one of the following government schemes in India promotes organic farming?

GS-1Editorial

18.Ragging Complaints Surge Analysis (Campus Ragging)

Indian Express
Illustration for Ragging Complaints Surge Analysis (Campus Ragging)

What & Where

Definition: any physical, verbal, psychological or cyber abuse by seniors on juniors inside Indian educational institutions

Key forms: verbal threats, physical assault, humiliation, isolation, online trolling

Geography: hostels, classrooms, transport & online spaces across universities/colleges pan-India

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

  • Supreme-mandated anti-ragging committees, squads, mentoring cells compulsory in every institute
  • Police FIR, suspension, rustication, withholding of degrees among listed penalties
  • Institutions must file compliance affidavit online each academic year

Health Impact

  • Psychological trauma: depression, anxiety, PTSD, suicidal ideation commonly reported
  • Somatic fallout: insomnia, eating disorders, substance abuse due to sustained stress
  • Academic decline: absenteeism, reduced grades, campus drop-outs

Institutional Fallout

  • Reputation damage: recurring cases lower rankings, deter admissions, alumni funding
  • UGC funding suspension risk if norms ignored, first warning then withdrawal
  • Mandatory orientation & display of helpline numbers often missing, inviting penalties

Enforcement Gaps

  • Low reporting: fear of retaliation, peer pressure, perceived tradition limit complaints
  • Monitoring flaws: weak CCTV, no digital complaint tracking, slow helpline response
  • Administrative apathy: political influence, senior-student backing stall disciplinary action

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Complaint surge 2012-22+208 %
Governing normUGC Anti-Ragging Regulations 2009
Core IPC sections323, 506, 509
Cyber provisionIT Act 2000
UGC punitive powerClause 9.4 funding cut/de-recognition
National helpline24×7 1800-180-5522

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