Wednesday, 19 March 2025

UPSC Current Affairs

Q: निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :

The correct answer is (b) केवल 2. This question appeared in CDS_GK, GS1 2021.

Q: Which of the following statements as per the Constitution of India is/are correct?

The correct answer is (a) 1 and 2. This question appeared in CDS_GK, GS1 2025.

Q: In which one of the following States of India is it legal for a Hindu male and illegal for a Muslim male to have more than one living wife?

The correct answer is (a) Nagaland. This question appeared in GS1 1995.

Q: भारतीय कृषि की परिस्थितियों के संदर्भ में, “संरक्षण कृषि” की संकल्पना का महत्व बढ़ जाता है। निम्नलिखित में से कौन-कौन से संरक्षण कृषि के अंतर्गत आते हैं?

The correct answer is (c) 2, 4 और 5. This question appeared in GS1 2018.

Q: In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly agriculture?

The correct answer is (a) 1, 2 and 3 only. This question appeared in GS1 2020.

Q: Who among the following classical poets is the author of the book Kiratarjunyam?

The correct answer is (a) Thiruvalluvar. This question appeared in CAPF_GAI 2025.

Q: Which of the following Ramsar Wetland sites is not situated in any of the Union Territories of India?

The correct answer is (a) Hokera Wetland. This question appeared in CDS_GK, GS1 2024.

Q: Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? Dam/Lake — River

The correct answer is (a) Govind Sagar : Satluj. This question appeared in CDS_GK, GS1 2010.

Q: Following figure represents a circle inside a square: What does the diagram establish?

The correct answer is (a) π < 4. This question appeared in ESE_GS 2026.

Q: Which one among the following statements with regard to India’s maritime initiative, SAGAR, is correct?

The correct answer is (a) It is a platform for conducting joint naval exercises under QUAD. This question appeared in CAPF_GAI, GS1 2024.

16 topicsGS-1: 5GS-2: 6GS-3: 5

0/16 done

GS-2Editorial

1.Women Voter Participation Trends (Women Voters)

The Hindu2024 Lok Sabha · Gender Gap · National Election Studies

Illustration for Women Voter Participation Trends (Women Voters)

What & Where

Focus: women’s electoral behaviour in 2024 Lok Sabha per CSDS-Lokniti NES.

Key processes: voter registration, turnout, campaign involvement, legislative representation.

Scope: all India; notable cases—Kerala, Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Participation Trends

Turnout parity: 2024 only second instance of women outvoting men nationally.
Registration rise: 20-point gain in female-male elector ratio since 2019.
Engagement gap: minimal rally attendance, campaign work despite higher booth turnout.

Barriers

Patriarchy: mobility limits and unpaid care load restrict public political activity.
Economy: low paid work and financial dependence weaken bargaining power.
Representation: 14 % LS presence curtails networks and role-model effects.

Policy Prescriptions

Education: Kerala-style literacy and civic modules to deepen agency.
Reservation: operationalise 33 % Women’s Reservation Bill across legislatures.
Livelihoods: targeted jobs, credit, entrepreneurship to raise economic autonomy before 2029.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Female voter turnout 2024	65.78 %
Male voter turnout 2024	65.55 %
Turnout gap 2024	Women +0.23 pp
Female electors per 1000 male 2024	946
Female electors per 1000 male 2019	926
Women’s share of Lok Sabha MPs	14 %
Female labour-force participation	<25 %
Women seeking spouse voting advice	14 %
Puducherry female elector proportion	53.03 %
Kerala female elector proportion	51.56 %

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GS1 2021PYQ 1

निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :

CDS_GK, GS1 2025PYQ 2

Which of the following statements as per the Constitution of India is/are correct?

GS-2Polity

2.Narasu Appa Mali Verdict 1951 (Personal Laws)

Indian ExpressBombay Bigamy Act · Article 14 · Uniform Civil Code

What & Where

Narasu Appa Mali (1951, Bombay HC) tested Bombay Prevention of Hindu Bigamous Marriages Act, 1946 against constitutional equality clauses.

Central issue: Are uncodified personal laws “law” under Article 13 and open to fundamental-rights scrutiny?

Origin: then-State of Bombay (now Maharashtra); echoes nationwide in Uniform Civil Code and gender-justice debates.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Article13 exclusion: Uncodified personal law categorised outside constitutional review.
Article14 application: Differential treatment between Hindu and Muslim polygamy deemed reasonable classification.
Codification test: Only state-enacted personal-law statutes face rights scrutiny.

Gender Concerns

Bigamy curb: 1946 Act criminalised Hindu second marriages, promoting monogamy.
Polygamy gap: Muslim men retained legal polygamy, spotlighting inter-religious gender disparity.
Reform push: Scholars seek Narasu overruling to enable uniform, gender-neutral family reforms.

Judicial Trajectory

Triple Talaq 2017: SC invalidated instant divorce, treating Shariat Act as codified law subject to Articles 14-15-21.
Sabarimala 2018: Constitution Bench criticised Narasu, affirmed universal constitutional supremacy over customs.
Pending reconsideration: Calls for larger bench to settle personal-law immunity and aid UCC formulation.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Year of verdict	1951
Court	Bombay High Court (2-judge bench)
Act challenged	Bombay Prevention of Hindu Bigamous Marriages Act, 1946
Key Articles cited	13 & 14
Personal law status	Held “not law” under Article 13
Judgment outcome	Act upheld; conviction sustained
Lead petitioner	Narasu Appa Mali (convicted of bigamy)
Later cases citing	Triple Talaq 2017, Sabarimala 2018
Reform context	Uniform Civil Code, gender equality

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 1995PYQ 1

In which one of the following States of India is it legal for a Hindu male and illegal for a Muslim male to have more than one living wife?

GS-2Scheme

3.Sansad Bhashini AI Translation Initiative (Parliament Digitalization)

DD NewsLok Sabha Secretariat · MeitY · Real-time Translation

What & Where

Initiative: AI-driven ‘Sansad Bhashini’ platform translating, transcribing, summarising parliamentary records across multiple Indian languages in real time.

Partners: Lok Sabha Secretariat & Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) under freshly signed MoU; built on BHASHINI stack.

Scope: Applies to Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha debates, committee reports, legacy archives; nationwide digital accessibility.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

Integration: Uses BHASHINI APIs for 22 Schedule VIII language coverage.
Automation: End-to-end pipeline—audio ingest, transcription, translation, summarisation, search index.
Chatbot: AI assistant fetches rules, starred questions, committee papers instantly.

Governance Angle

Transparency: Opens up debates/archives to non-English, non-Hindi speakers.
Digital India push: Aligns with National Language Translation Mission for e-governance.
Inclusivity: Strengthens linguistic diversity compliance in parliamentary functioning.

Parliamentary Utility

Speed: MPs receive near-instant floor speech text in preferred language.
Research: Searchable corpus eases comparative legislative studies.
Decision support: Summaries enable quicker grasp of lengthy policy discussions.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Launch vehicle	MoU: Lok Sabha Secretariat + MeitY
Parent scheme	MeitY’s National Language Translation Mission ‘BHASHINI’
Core tech	AI-based NLP, speech-to-text, machine translation
Real-time output	Translation + transcription simultaneously
Extra tools	Automatic summariser; parliamentary procedure chatbot
Noise handling	Custom speech model with noise-reduction & vocab tuning
Beneficiaries	MPs, researchers, citizens; boosts linguistic inclusion
Primary objective	Multilingual, transparent access to parliamentary data

GS-3Economy

4.Agricultural Sustainability Challenges in India (Agricultural Sustainability)

BLICAR Index · NMSA · Water Scarcity

Illustration for Agricultural Sustainability Challenges in India (Agricultural Sustainability)

What & Where

Sustainable agriculture – holistic farming sustaining food, soil, water, biodiversity for future generations.

NMSA – flagship NAPCC mission driving climate-resilient, resource-efficient Indian agriculture.

ICAR 2025 spatial index (51 indicators) maps state sustainability; national score 0.49, Mizoram best, Punjab low.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Environmental Impact

Groundwater: Punjab overdraft 66 %; salinity rising West Bengal, Andhra, Gujarat
Soil: erosion 10 t/ha 2050; saline land 11 mha by 2030
Ecology: intensive monoculture erodes biodiversity, heightens sustainability risk

State Performance

Leaders: Mizoram, Kerala, MP, Andhra, Manipur, WB, Uttarakhand exceed 0.49 through diversification, credit, infrastructure
Laggards: Rajasthan, UP, Punjab, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Assam hit by aridity, input overuse

Policy & Schemes

NMSA: one of eight NAPCC missions, aligned with SDG-2 & SDG-13
Goals: boost rainfed productivity, conserve resources, enable climate adaptation, diversify livelihoods
Instruments: organic input subsidy, integrated farming, soil-moisture management, credit linkage

Climate Risks

Rainfall: dry spells up; kharif–rabi totals may rise, triggering waterlogging, pest surges
Yield: rainfed rice −20 %, wheat −19 % projected by 2050

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Sustainability indicators	51
National composite index	0.49
Top performer	Mizoram
High-risk belt	Raj, UP, Punjab, Bihar, Haryana, Jhark, Assam
GW overdraft Punjab	66 % over recharge
Soil erosion by 2050	10 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹
Rainfed area share	60 % net sown
Rice yield loss 2050	−20 % (rainfed)

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2018PYQ 1

भारतीय कृषि की परिस्थितियों के संदर्भ में, “संरक्षण कृषि” की संकल्पना का महत्व बढ़ जाता है। निम्नलिखित में से कौन-कौन से संरक्षण कृषि के अंतर्गत आते हैं?

GS1 2020PYQ 2

In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly agriculture?

GS-1History

5.Kamba Ramayana Tamil Epic (Tamil Literature)

New Indian ExpressKambar · 12th Century · Ramavataram

Illustration for Kamba Ramayana Tamil Epic (Tamil Literature)

What & Where

Epic: Kamba Ramayana (Ramavataram) – Tamil retelling of Valmiki’s Ramayana

Geography: Rooted in Tamil Nadu; composed at Therazhundur under Chola patronage

Context: Ministry of Culture now funding Mandali recitals revival across state

Quick Facts for MCQs

Literary Features

Poetics: Mixes akaval and virutham metres; lauded for iyaibu (alliteration)
Integration: Tamil folk idioms with Sanskritic philosophy
Symbolism: Strong Vaishnavite bhakti framing Rama as supreme Vishnu

Cultural Practice

Mandali: Community groups recite in temples during Puranic festivals
Audience: Rural gatherings, especially Vaishnavite shrines of Cauvery delta
Seasonal focus: Adi & Margazhi months preferred for full-night readings

Government Initiative

Heritage scheme: Financial aid for training, documentation, digital archiving
Outreach: Workshops for young scholars; subtitles in multiple Indian languages
Target: Prevent decline of oral recitation tradition in non-metro Tamil Nadu

Author Profile

Honors: Titled Kavi Chakravarthy by Chola court
Other texts: Tirukkai Valakkam; Kangai Puranam; Sadagopar Antati
Chronology: Lived post-Ramanuja; references his Vishishtadvaita theology

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Alternate name	Ramavataram
Author	Kavi Chakravarthy Kambar
Century composed	12th CE
Dynasty patronage	Chola – Kulothunga III
Philanthropic patron	Thiruvennai Nallur Sadayappa Vallal
Structure	6 Kandams; 113 Padalams
Verse count	≈ 10,569
Language	Classical Tamil
Core theme source	Valmiki Ramayana
Birthplace of poet	Therazhundur, Mayiladuthurai dist
Key work type	Bhakti epic poetry
Revival agency	Union Ministry of Culture

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI 2025PYQ 1

Who among the following classical poets is the author of the book Kiratarjunyam?

GS-1HistoryQuick Bite

6.Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs Telangana (Megalithic Monuments)

Indian ExpressUNESCO Tentative List · Krishna River · Cup-Marks

Illustration for Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs Telangana (Megalithic Monuments)

What & Where

Menhir: large, human-erected upright stone used as burial or commemorative megalith

Location: Mudumal village, Krishna riverbank, Narayanpet district, Telangana; India’s oldest, dated 3,500–4,000 BP

Status: Added to UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, 2025

Quick Facts for MCQs

Cultural Significance

Worship: Villagers revere stones as Niluralla Thimmappa; Goddess Yellamma cult persists
Continuity: Living traditions safeguard prehistoric heritage without formal protection
Distinction: Hero stones honour war dead; menhirs mark ritual/burial, pre-date 1st millennium BCE

Astronomy & Orientation

Alignment: Stone axes target sunrise/sunset on equinoxes and solstices
Mapping: Cup-marks depict Ursa Major, South Asia’s earliest stellar chart
Function: Astronomical cues likely structured agricultural and ritual calendars

Comparative Heritage

Antiquity: Mudumal menhirs oldest in India; European megaliths date to 7,000 BP
Scale: Grand Menhir Brisé once 20.6 m, among tallest global monoliths
Recognition: Tentative listing boosts India’s megalithic representation on UNESCO platform

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Location	Mudumal, Narayanpet, Telangana
Geological period	3,500–4,000 BP
Time-scale reference	BP = years before 1950 CE
UNESCO list year	Tentative List 2025
Site nature	Well-preserved megalithic burial field
Astronomical alignment	Precisely to equinoxes & solstices
Earliest star motif	Ursa Major (Saptarshi) cup-marks
Local veneration	“Niluralla Thimmappa”; one stone as Goddess Yellamma
European benchmark	Grand Menhir Brisé, France, 20.6 m, c. 7,000 BP

GS-1Mapping

7.Wular Lake Characteristics (Indian Lakes)

Indian ExpressJhelum River · Bandipore · Flood Buffer

What & Where

Wular Lake: tectonic-origin freshwater body, remnant of ancient Satisar, declared Ramsar wetland (1990).

Sited in Bandipore district, J&K, ~50 km NW of Srinagar, fed and drained by River Jhelum.

Spreads ≈200 sq km at 1,580 m in Haramuk foothills; Kashmir Valley’s natural flood-sink.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Environmental Impact

Shrinkage reducing water-holding, heightening downstream flood vulnerability.
Siltation from catchment degradation, encroachments clogging basin.
Wetland health critical for Jhelum flow regulation and valley agriculture.

Biodiversity & Livelihood

Avifauna hotspot hosting raptors, migratory ducks; loss of habitat endangers species diversity.
Fisheries sustain thousands; 60 % regional supply jeopardised by shrinking waters.

Historical & Cultural

Zaina Lank reflects 15th-century Kashmiri engineering under Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin.
Lake figures in ancient lore of Satisar, anchoring regional identity.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
National rank	Largest freshwater lake in India
Asian rank	Second largest in Asia
Surface area	~200 sq km (variable)
Elevation	1,580 m
District / UT	Bandipore, Jammu & Kashmir
Distance from Srinagar	~50 km northwest
Feeding river	Jhelum
Lake origin	Tectonic activity; Satisar remnant
Flood role	Major absorption basin for Kashmir Valley
Ramsar listing year	1990
Biodiversity tag	Habitat for Himalayan monal, short-toed eagle, migratory waterfowl
Fish contribution	~60 % of Kashmir’s total catch
Island feature	Zaina Lank, built by King Zain-ul-Abidin
Nearest peak	Haramuk Mountain foothills
Key threat	Shrinkage & siltation raising flood risk

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GS1 2024PYQ 1

Which of the following Ramsar Wetland sites is not situated in any of the Union Territories of India?

CDS_GK, GS1 2010PYQ 2

Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? Dam/Lake — River

GS-3Infrastructure

8.Indore PPP Green Waste Plant (Waste Management)

DD NewsSwachh Bharat Mission · Wood Pellets · AQI Improvement

Illustration for Indore PPP Green Waste Plant (Waste Management)

What & Where

India’s first PPP-mode green-waste processing plant, Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

Converts tree/park waste into pellets, sawdust, biodegradable goods.

Implemented under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban framework.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

Conversion tech produces refuse-derived eco-fuels aligning with SBM-Urban 2.0 circular-economy goals.
Legacy waste elsewhere turned into RDF, recyclables, bio-soil for road works.

Environmental Impact

Pollution cut; improved Air Quality Index by diverting combustibles from open burning and coal use.
Biomass pellets reduce fossil-carbon footprint in industrial boilers.

Economic Angle

Saleable pellets, plates create revenue stream, enhancing PPP bankability.
Reduced coal imports/save energy costs for local industries.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Operating model	Public-Private Partnership
Private partner	Astronomical Industries Pvt. Ltd.
Feedstock	Wood, leaves, branches, flowers (green waste)
Key outputs	Wooden pellets, sawdust, biodegradable plates, packaging, fertiliser
Energy substitution	Pellets replace coal in industries
Launch city	Indore
National mission	Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban
SBM-Urban start date	2 Oct 2014
SBM-Urban ministry	Housing & Urban Affairs
SBM-Urban 2.0 target	Bioremediate 2,400 legacy landfills by 2025-26

GS-3S&T

9.White Hydrogen Characteristics (Clean Energy)

TNMoselle Deposit · Geological Hydrogen · Zero Emissions

Illustration for White Hydrogen Characteristics (Clean Energy)

What & Where

White hydrogen—naturally occurring underground H₂ formed by water–mineral reactions in deep crust

Largest known reserve: Folschviller, Moselle (northeast France), discovered 2024

Size & worth: ≈46 million t, valued about US$92 trillion

Quick Facts for MCQs

Economic Angle

Valuation—46 Mt reserve worth ~US$92 trillion, immense revenue prospect
Cost—US$1 kg undercuts green (US$4–6 kg) and grey hydrogen prices
Industries—Cheap supply can decarbonise aviation, shipping, steel sectors

Environmental Impact

Zero-CO₂—Natural generation avoids fossil-fuel reforming emissions
Combustion—Produces only water vapour, supporting net-zero agendas
Leakage—Escaped H₂ may extend methane lifetime, diluting climate gains

Technical Challenges

Exploration—Viable deposits tied to specific ultrabasic geology; detection complex
Storage—Needs −253 °C cryogenic tanks and hydrogen-compatible pipelines
Regulation—Global standards for extraction, safety and trade still evolving

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Deposit location	Folschviller, Moselle, France
Estimated volume	46 million tonnes H₂
Monetary value	≈US$92 trillion
Extraction cost	~US$1 kg
Formation driver	Water–rock (serpentinisation) reaction
Combustion emission	Only H₂O vapour
Resource nature	Self-regenerating, renewable
Liquefaction point	−253 °C for storage/transport

GS-3S&TQuick Bite

10.Melioidosis Climate Linked Infection (Infectious Disease)

The HinduBurkholderia pseudomallei · Odisha Hotspot · Monsoon Factors

Illustration for Melioidosis Climate Linked Infection (Infectious Disease)

What & Where

Definition: Melioidosis = infectious disease by soil-borne bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Geography: Endemic in Northern Australia, Southeast Asia; South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka) now 44 % global cases.

Indian hotspot: Odisha’s monsoon-fed agricultural belt, extreme weather and wet soils.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Climate Link

Monsoon rainfall increases soil organism load, elevating infection risk.
High humidity and temperature favour bacterial survival and aerosolisation.
Extreme weather episodes (floods, cyclones) raise exposure among farm workers.

Clinical Profile

Presentation spectrum from localised abscess to fulminant septicemia.
Mortality highest in diabetics and immunocompromised individuals.
Sepsis cases show rapid progression, need early IV therapy.

Treatment & Diagnostic Challenges

Mislabeling as Pseudomonas leads to ineffective antibiotics.
Management demands intensive IV phase then prolonged oral phase to prevent relapse.
Lack of rapid, specific diagnostics in rural labs delays correct therapy.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Causative agent	Burkholderia pseudomallei
Natural habitat	Soil & fresh water (environmental saprophyte)
Main acquisition	Inoculation, inhalation, ingestion of contaminated soil/water
Human-to-human spread	Extremely rare
Animal-to-human spread	Not documented
South Asia case share	~44 % of world total
Odisha status	Identified hotspot in India
Climate driver	High rainfall, temperature, humidity during monsoon
Typical symptoms	Skin lesions, pneumonia, sepsis
Septic fatality rate	Up to 50 %
Common misidentification	Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Treatment length	12–20 weeks antibiotics
Risk if under-treated	Recurrence
Primary antibiotics	Ceftazidime, meropenem, followed by oral eradication phase

GS-3S&TQuick Bite

11.Pi Day Mathematical Significance (Mathematics Constants)

Indian Express3.14 · Circle Ratio · Irrational Number

Illustration for Pi Day Mathematical Significance (Mathematics Constants)

What & Where

Pi Day observed worldwide on 14 March, matching US date 3/14 with π ≈ 3.14.

Concept originated in the United States; date notation visually aligns with π’s first three digits.

Pi (π) equals circle circumference ÷ diameter; equivalently, circle area ÷ radius²; value irrational, endless, non-repeating.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Mathematical Constant

Irrational; digits neither terminate nor repeat, ensuring constant ratio for every circle.
Universally constant; independent of circle size or measurement unit.

Key Formulae

Volume cylinder: π r² h; Volume cone: ⅓ π r² h.
Volume sphere: 4⁄3 π r³; Surface area sphere: 4 π r².

Scientific Applications

Geometry calculates areas, volumes; Trigonometry integrates π in radian measure.
Physics employs π in wave, oscillation, and quantum formulae.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Observation date	14 March (3/14)
Origin country	United States
Pi symbol	Greek letter π
Decimal value (2 d.p.)	3.14
Mathematical class	Irrational number
Core definition	Circumference ÷ Diameter
Alternate definition	Area ÷ Radius²
Key disciplines	Geometry, Trigonometry, Physics, Astronomy
Area of circle	π r²
Surface area of sphere	4 π r²

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

ESE_GS 2026PYQ 1

Following figure represents a circle inside a square: What does the diagram establish?

GS-2Editorial

12.India as IOR Unifier (Indian Ocean Policy)

Indian ExpressSAGAR Doctrine · IOC · IFC-IOR

Illustration for India as IOR Unifier (Indian Ocean Policy)

What & Where

Indian Ocean Region (IOR): maritime arc from East Africa & West Asia to Malacca Strait covering 36 littoral states

SAGAR doctrine: Security And Growth for All in the Region, India’s guiding framework for cooperative maritime order

Indian Ocean Conference: annual Track-1.5 forum (since 2016) hosted by India to debate security, connectivity, blue economy

Quick Facts for MCQs

Strategic Significance

Trade artery ensures economic resilience and supply-chain stability for 1.4 billion population
Buffer against threats; IOR enables long-range power projection from Andaman-Nicobar to Gulf of Aden
Platform counters Chinese String of Pearls encirclement across Hambantota, Gwadar, Djibouti

Indian Initiatives

Maritime diplomacy holds 37 combined exercises yearly with IOR navies for interoperability
Infrastructure push through Sagarmala, Sittwe port, Great Nicobar transshipment hub enhances logistics reach
Surveillance strengthened via IFC-IOR linking 24 nations for real-time white-shipping data

Challenges

Chinese footprint at Hambantota, Gwadar, Djibouti shrinking Indian strategic space
Non-traditional threats: piracy, maritime terrorism (MV Chem Pluto 2023), ransomware at JNPT 2017
Climate stress: sea-level rise and cyclones like Remal 2024 taxing HADR resources

Way Forward

Fleet expansion: replicate INS Vikrant class carriers and accelerate indigenous submarine programme
Partnerships: deepen India-France-UAE trilateral, QUAD, and littoral capacity-building funds
Blue economy: fast-track Deep Ocean Mission for sustainable nodule mining, marine biotech and tourism

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
India’s trade via IOR	≈ 80 % merchandise exports-imports
Energy import flow	≈ 90 % crude & gas cargoes
Naval drills FY-23	17 multilateral + 20 bilateral exercises
IFC-IOR location	Gurugram; operational since 2018
Sagarmala target ports	574 projects; ₹6 lakh cr outlay
Deep Ocean Mission area	75,000 sq km Central Indian Ocean Basin

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, GS1 2024PYQ 1

Which one among the following statements with regard to India’s maritime initiative, SAGAR, is correct?

CAPF_GAI, GS1 2015PYQ 2

‘क्षेत्रीय सहयोग के लिए हिन्द महासागर रिम संघ (Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation – IOR-ARC)’ के संदर्भ में, निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :

GS-2Editorial

13.India New Zealand Bilateral Relations (Bilateral Relations)

Hindustan TimesIndo-Pacific · Commonwealth Ties · High Commission 1950

Illustration for India New Zealand Bilateral Relations (Bilateral Relations)

What & Where

Bilateral India–New Zealand and India–Australia relations cover political, economic, security and cultural arenas

Both Southern-hemisphere Commonwealth democracies; Indian missions: NZ High Commission 1950, Sydney Trade Office 1941

Oct 2022 External Affairs Minister visit reviewed Indo-Pacific security, Ukraine fallout and pandemic supply chains

Quick Facts for MCQs

Historical Links

Indians in Christchurch 1850s; Punjabi-Gujarati inflow 1890s; Sydney Trade Office 1941
Gallipoli 1915 Indian-ANZAC forces; both countries independent 1947; swift diplomatic links
1991 reforms and Cold-War end catalysed deeper Australia engagement

Political & Strategic

Shared Commonwealth, democracy, disarmament, human-rights, ecology, counter-terrorism agendas
Key forums: Annual summits, 2+2, Quad, Defence Talks, Education Council
2022 meetings stressed Indo-Pacific security, SCRI supply chains, Ukraine repercussions

Economic & Trade

India-NZ trade USD 1.8 bn; logs, wool imported; pharma, gems exported
India-Aus trade USD 27.5 bn; exports +135 % since 2019; ECTA inked 2022
NZ hosts 15 k Indian students; 67,953 Indian tourists visited in 2018

People-to-People & Culture

NZ Post issued Diwali stamps 2021; Indian festivals widely celebrated
Around 2.5 lakh PIO/NRIs in NZ strengthen diaspora links
INZBC and INZTA steer bilateral business, investment, startup exchanges

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
India–NZ two-way trade (2020)	USD 1.8 bn
NZ rank in India’s partners	11th
PIO/NRIs in NZ	~2.5 lakh
Indian students in NZ (pre-Covid)	~15,000
India–Aus bilateral trade (2021)	USD 27.5 bn
Australia’s rank for India	17th
Ind-Aus ECTA signed	2022
SCRI members	India, Australia, Japan

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2020PYQ 1

Consider the following statements:

GS-2SchemeQuick Bite

14.Swadesh Darshan Tourism Scheme (Tourism Development)

PIBBuddhist Circuit · Central Sector · 2014 Launch

What & Where

Swadesh Darshan: Central Sector scheme (2014-15) for integrated, theme-based tourist circuits across India

Fifteen thematic circuits identified; Buddhist Circuit among them links key Buddhist heritage sites

Current Buddhist FAM Tour covers Gaya-Bodhgaya, Rajgir-Nalanda (Bihar) and Sarnath-Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

Swadesh Darshan targets high tourist value, competitiveness, sustainability through circuit infrastructure
PRASHAD adds 30 pilgrimage-site projects; Buddhist Conclave held biennially to market India globally
Dekho Apna Desh promotes domestic travel, complements circuit development

Tourism Circuits

Identified circuits include Coastal, Desert, Eco, Heritage, Himalayan, Krishna, North-East, Ramayana, Rural, Spiritual, Sufi, Tirthankar, Tribal, Wildlife
Buddhist Circuit leverages Gautam Buddha life sites to attract Asian inbound tourists
Iconic Tourist Sites program upgrades select circuit spots for global visibility

Funding & Projects

CFA covers roads, wayside amenities, interpretation centres, illumination, Wi-Fi, signages
Recent ₹325 crore Buddhist package aims faster completion before 2023 tourist season
Monitoring via online MIS ensures time-bound, transparent fund utilisation

Soft Power

Heritage tourism positioned to enhance India’s civilizational narrative in ASEAN & East Asia markets
Iconic Buddhist sites serve as cultural diplomacy hubs
Regular FAM tours engage travel influencers for narrative building

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Scheme nature	Central Sector
Launch year	2014-15
Nodal ministry	Tourism
Thematic circuits count	15
Recent Buddhist projects	5 sanctioned
Sanctioned cost	₹325.53 crore
Financial aid mode	Central Financial Assistance to States/UTs
Flagged synergy	Swachh Bharat, Skill India, Make in India
‘Dekho Apna Desh’ launch	2020
Iconic Buddhist sites	Bodhgaya, Ajanta, Ellora

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

NDA_GAT 2025PYQ 1

The scheme PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation & Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) provides assistance for

GS-1Editorial

15.Making Cancer a Notifiable Disease (Disease Notification)

The HinduEpidemic Diseases Act · MoHFW · Snakebite Precedent

What & Where

Notifiable disease = legally reportable condition enabling real-time surveillance under Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.

Reporting chain: treating facility → district/state IDSP units → MoHFW; WHO demands global sharing for listed illnesses.

Current Indian geography: 17 States notify cancer administratively; Union list still excludes it.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Parliament panel criticised voluntary NCRP; urged nationwide mandate.
MoHFW view: non-communicable nature ≠ notification need; precedent of snakebite weakens stance.
Some high-burden States (Kerala, Mizoram) demand Union notification for resource flow.

Data Gaps

Limited 16 % NCRP reach hampers incidence, prevalence, mortality estimation.
Uneven registry spread skews trends; northeast high rates under-captured.
Mandatory reporting could plug silent districts, aid targeted screening.

Social Concerns

Stigma; privacy fears may delay diagnosis if compulsory reporting enforced.
Legal liability on physicians seen as extra paperwork without containment urgency.
Survivor-led awareness suggested to normalise early testing.

International Examples

Australia lists cancer as notifiable; UK enforces compulsory registry since 1993.
U S: lead poisoning, a non-communicable exposure, made notifiable 1995— precedent for India.
WHO permits nations to add local priorities beyond infectious list.

Tech & Schemes

Proposal: integrate registry with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission & CoWIN-like dashboards.
Door-to-door reporting via ASHAs, universal screening for cervical, breast, lung cancers.
Expanded PM-JAY cover to offset long-term treatment costs for poor.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
NCRP population coverage	~16 %
Hospital-Based Registries (2022)	269
Population-Based Registries (2022)	38
Cancer incidence 2023	>14 lakh cases
Rate per 1 lakh population	100
Preventable cancer deaths	~50 %
States that self-notify cancer	17
Snakebite notification year	2024
US lead poisoning notification	1995
Countries with mandatory cancer registry	Australia, UK

GS-1Misc

16.Hmar and Zomi Tribes Overview (Northeast Tribes)

The HinduChin-Kuki-Mizo · Sixth Schedule · Sikpui Ruoi

What & Where

Hmar tribe — Chin-Kuki-Mizo stock; Scheduled Tribe under Sixth Schedule; concentrated in Manipur, Mizoram, Assam (NC Hills), Tripura, Meghalaya.

Zomi tribe — Zo ethnic cluster spanning Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Assam and contiguous hills of Myanmar & Bangladesh.

Current context — Hmar-Zomi leaders jointly pursuing peace in Churachandpur district, Southwest Manipur.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Ethnography

Ancestry traced to mythical Sinlung; migration route China → Burma → Northeast India.
Physical traits Mongoloid or Tibeto-Burman; short stature, straight black hair, brown eyes.
Both tribes subdivided into numerous clans maintaining distinct lineages.

Cultural Practices

Festivals integrate dance, music, community feasts strengthening social cohesion.
Rich oral folklore narrates origins, heroic exploits, migration memories.
Vibrant weaving and woodcraft showcase distinctive geometric motifs.

Geographical Spread

Settlements clustered along Manipur’s Churachandpur hills and adjoining highlands.
Extension into NC Hills, Mizoram’s central ridges, Tripura’s uplands, Nagaland border belts.
Continuity of Zo homelands across Chin State and Chittagong Hill Tracts ensures transnational kinship.

Identity Politics

Post-colonial assertion prefers self-identification as Zo or Zomi over colonial Chin tag.
Inter-tribal councils emerging as grassroots mechanisms for conflict resolution.
Peace initiatives aim to curb recent ethnic clashes, restore administrative normalcy.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Hmar constitutional tag	Scheduled Tribe, Sixth Schedule
Zomi literal meaning	Zo people
Common ethno-linguistic family	Kuki-Chin (Tibeto-Burman)
Hmar core festival	Sikpui Ruoi (post-harvest)
Zomi core festival	Chapchar Kut (post-jhum clearing)
Hmar traditional farming	Slash-and-burn jhum
Hmar housing pattern	Wooden hill-top dwellings
Hmar clan rule	Exogamy; strict monogamy
Zomi British-era label	Chin (considered derogatory)
Cross-border spread	India-Myanmar-Bangladesh hill tracts

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