Thursday, 3 April 2025

UPSC Current Affairs

Q: Any question pertaining to the disqualification of a member of the Lok Sabha on the ground of defection is decided by:

The correct answer is (a) The President of India. This question appeared in CDS_GK, NDA_GAT 2023.

Q: In which Schedule of the Constitution of India, provisions as to disqualification on grounds of defection are given?

The correct answer is (a) Ninth Schedule. This question appeared in CDS_GK, NDA_GAT 2024.

Q: To obtain full benefits of demographic dividend, what should India do?

The correct answer is (a) Promoting skill development. This question appeared in GS1 2013.

Q: विश्व बैंक ने यह चेतावनी दी है कि भारत वह पहला देश बन सकता है जहाँ आर्टिफ़िशियल इंटेलिजेंस-आधारित ऑटोमेशन (डेटा-ड्रिवन ऑटोमेशन) के कारण 35% से अधिक नौकरियाँ प्रभावित होंगी। निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए:

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

Q: Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city?

The correct answer is (a) Devaraja I. This question appeared in GS1, NDA_GAT 2023.

Q: Who among the following laid the foundation of the Vijayanagara Empire?

The correct answer is (c) Rama Raya. This question appeared in GS1, NDA_GAT 2022.

Q: 'Abhinav Bharat' a secret society of revolutionaries was organised by

The correct answer is (a) Khudiram Bose. This question appeared in GS1 1999.

Q: “A graduate at 18, professor and associated editor of the Sudharak at 20, Secretary of the Sarvajanik Sabha and of the Provincial Conference at 25, Secretary of the National Congress at 29, leading witness before an important Royal Commission at 31, Provincial legislator at 34, Imperial legislator at 36, President of the Indian National Congress at 39 ……… a patriot whom Mahatma Gandhi himself regarded as his master.” This is how a biographer describes

The correct answer is (a) Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. This question appeared in GS1 1997.

Q: Estuaries possess distinct blooms of excessive growth of a pigmented dinoflagellate. These blooms are called

The correct answer is (a) red tides. This question appeared in ESE_GS, GS1 1998.

Q: ‘Algal Bloom’ is, when unusually large concentrations of

The correct answer is (c) Bacteria are present in water bodies; an excess growth of algae appears. This question appeared in ESE_GS, GS1 2025.

15 topicsGS-1: 3GS-2: 7GS-3: 5

0/15 done

GS-2Polity

1.Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 (Waqf Governance)

The HinduWaqf Amendment 2025 · Waqf Act 1995 · Digital registration

What & Where

Waqf: irrevocable Muslim endowment of property for religious or charitable use under Islamic law

Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025: overhauls Waqf Act 1995, covering registration, governance, disputes across India

Targets ~6 lakh waqf estates overseen by Central & 32 State/UT Waqf Boards

Quick Facts for MCQs

Governance Changes

Inclusion: Non-Muslims on Boards, tribunals to infuse administrative, audit skills
Tribunal revamp: Adds judicial and executive members replacing earlier 2-member setup
Appeals: High Court jurisdiction retained for tribunal decisions

Transparency Tools

Digitisation: Mandatory central portal for property maps, revenues, encumbrances
Audit: Annual state-led audit, CWC empowered for compliance inspections
Survey: Bill mandates time-bound completion of pending state surveys

Contentious Clauses

Limitation: Encroachers after 12 years can claim title, risking waqf erosion
Five-year Muslim practice rule bars fresh converts from creating waqf deeds
Oversight shift: More power to state officers, critics fear reduced community voice

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
‘Waqf by User’ clause	Custom-created sites before 2025 remain waqf unless contested
Non-Muslim representation	Up to 2 of 22 seats in Central Waqf Council
Digital registration deadline	6 months; extension only by Waqf Tribunal
New tribunal makeup	District Judge + Joint Secretary-rank + Muslim-law expert
Limitation Act effect	Adverse possession possible after 12 years occupancy
Board contribution fee cut	7 % → 5 % of waqf income
Section 40 status	Repealed; Boards lose power to suo motu declare property waqf

GS-2Polity

2.Speaker Delays in Anti-Defection Cases (Anti-Defection Law)

The HinduTenth Schedule · Speaker disqualification · Supreme Court

What & Where

Anti-Defection Law: 52nd Amendment 1985; inserted Tenth Schedule to curb defections in Parliament & State Legislatures.

Speaker/Chairman: quasi-judicial authority to decide disqualification; no constitutional deadline specified.

Supreme Court: can compel timely action under Article 142, treating Speaker as tribunal.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Provision: Tenth Schedule aims party discipline, stable governments, penalises opportunistic switching.
Gap: No statutory timeframe enables indefinite Speaker inaction.
ARC-II: Favours President/Governor acting on EC advice for neutrality.

Judicial Precedents

Kihoto Hollohan 1992: Speaker’s decision subject to judicial review, not unconstitutional.
Ravi Naik 1994: “Voluntarily giving up” inferred from conduct, no written resignation needed.
SC 2025 remark: Judiciary “not powerless” to force Speaker decisions.

Governance Concerns

Democratic cost: Defectors retain office, distort voter mandate, enable power shifts (e.g., Maharashtra 2022).
Political morality: Delays fuel horse-trading, erode public trust.
Opposition impact: Reduced numbers weaken legislative scrutiny, policymaking suffers.

Reform Proposals

Deadline: Statutory 90-day limit for Speaker rulings, echoing SC suggestion.
Neutral adjudicator: Transfer defection cases to independent tribunal or Election Commission.
Whip scope: Limit to confidence & money bills, allow conscience votes on policy issues.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Constitutional Amendment	52nd (1985)
Schedule added	Tenth Schedule
Key grounds (party member)	Voluntarily gives up seat; votes/abstains against whip
Key grounds (independent)	Joins party after election
Key grounds (nominated)	Joins party after 6 months in House
Merger exemption	≥ 2/3 members support merger
Speaker exemption	Not disqualified on party change while in chair
Landmark deadline hint	Keisham Meghachandra 2020: decide within ~3 months
Article invoked for SC power	Article 142
Leading validation case	Kihoto Hollohan 1992 (Speaker power upheld)

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, NDA_GAT 2023PYQ 1

Any question pertaining to the disqualification of a member of the Lok Sabha on the ground of defection is decided by:

CDS_GK, NDA_GAT 2024PYQ 2

In which Schedule of the Constitution of India, provisions as to disqualification on grounds of defection are given?

GS-2PolityQuick Bite

3.Public Disclosure of Judges Assets (Judicial Transparency)

Indian ExpressAsset disclosure · Supreme Court resolution · RTI Act

What & Where

Public asset-declaration scheme for Supreme Court judges, India

Process: yearly statement to Chief Justice of India, then upload on SC website

Trigger: 2025 cash seizure at Delhi High Court judge’s home

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

1997_Resolution: compulsory declaration to CJI, secrecy retained
2009_SC: enabled but did not require website disclosure
2019_SC: categorised assets as non-personal, accessible via RTI

Transparency & Accountability

April_2025: SC judges unanimously adopt public posting norm
Cash_raid: Rs-crore haul at Delhi HC judge revived disclosure debate
Hosting_site: supremecourt.gov.in to carry individual statements

Comparative Provisions

Civil_Servants: AIS Rule 16(1) enforces annual, department-held statements
Politicians: ADR 2002 made candidate assets part of nomination papers
Ministers_MPs: file with PMO/Speaker; many houses publish online

Judicial Statistics

HC_Publication: only 13 % judges disclosed despite 2009 option
Resistant_HCs: six benches rejected RTI pleas citing privacy, autonomy
Data_Gap: majority high-court assets remain unavailable to citizens

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Legal compulsion	No statute mandates judges’ public disclosure
1997 SC resolution	Declaration to CJI; not public
2009 SC decision	Voluntary web publication allowed
2019 SC ruling	Judges’ assets fall under RTI Act
HC compliance (Mar 2025)	97 / 770 judges = 13 %
Opposing HCs	Allahabad, Rajasthan, Bombay, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand
Civil-servant rule	AIS Conduct Rules 1968 — Rule 16(1) annual filing
Political candidates	Mandatory disclosure since ADR v UoI 2002

GS-3Editorial

4.Labour Reforms for Viksit Bharat (Labour Reforms)

Indian ExpressDemographic dividend · Formal job deficit · Automation

Illustration for Labour Reforms for Viksit Bharat (Labour Reforms)

What & Where

Jobs deficit: only 6 crore formal jobs for 9 crore new entrants since 2017-18.

Labour profile: 65 % Indians <35 yrs; 90 % workers informal, low social security.

Issue spans pan-India as automation, capital-heavy growth outpace labour-intensive sectors.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Economic Angle

Automation impact: capital-intensive expansion cuts low-skill posts; textiles lost 30 % manual roles (ICRA 2024).
Wage drag: 2 % real growth limits consumption, slowing demand-led GDP gains.
Productivity skew: IT & pharma generate 8 % GDP yet employ only 5 % workforce.

Skill Gap

Training deficit: merely 10 % workforce vocationally certified; PLI electronics faces hiring shortfalls.
ITI upgrade: propose industry-linked curricula; Toyota-run JIM cited as template.
Incentive idea: graded EPFO subsidies for firms onboarding certified youth in niche segments.

Labour Reforms & Schemes

Flexibility need: fixed-term contracts like Gujarat’s shown to lift formal hiring.
PLI-ELI linkage: production incentives tied to certified employment; drone sector pilot highlighted.
Data alignment: NSDC-NSO collaboration to map regional skill demand and adjust training seats.

International Examples

China (1990-2010): labour-intensive manufacturing maximised demographic dividend.
Vietnam textiles: low wages attracted export-oriented FDI, spurring job surge.
Germany dual model: classroom plus shop-floor training informs proposed Indian skill subsidies.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Formal jobs added (2017-23)	6 crore
New working-age citizens	9 crore
Workforce with formal skilling	10 %
Share of informal employment	90 %
Annual real wage growth (2012-22)	2 %
Manual textile jobs lost to robotics	30 %
Population under 35 yrs	65 %
IT+Pharma: GDP vs employment	8 % GDP; 5 % workforce

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2013PYQ 1

To obtain full benefits of demographic dividend, what should India do?

GS1 2025PYQ 2

विश्व बैंक ने यह चेतावनी दी है कि भारत वह पहला देश बन सकता है जहाँ आर्टिफ़िशियल इंटेलिजेंस-आधारित ऑटोमेशन (डेटा-ड्रिवन ऑटोमेशन) के कारण 35% से अधिक नौकरियाँ प्रभावित होंगी। निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए:

GS-3Economy

5.Domestic Iron and Steel Policy 2025 (Domestic Steel)

BLDMISP Policy 2025 · Domestic steel · Atmanirbhar Bharat

What & Where

Policy: DMISP-2025 mandates exclusive use of domestically melted-and-poured iron & steel in all Union-funded procurements.

Coverage: Every ministry, PSU, trust, statutory body, including state-executed Centrally-funded works valued above ₹5 lakh.

Governance: Ministry of Steel; Standing Committee chaired by Steel Secretary grants exemptions, resolves disputes, monitors compliance.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Mandate: DMISP supersedes 2017 order, aligns with Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) framework.
Exemption: Ministry of Steel may relax norms only when certified domestic capacity shortfall exists.
Reciprocity: Clause operationalised under Rule 144(xi) GFRs to bar non-reciprocating countries.

Economic Angle

Import-curb: Addresses 38 % YoY surge in FY24 steel imports threatening capacity utilisation.
Industry boost: Ensures assured demand for ~130 MT domestic steel, encouraging new mills & expansions.
Value-chain push: 50 % localisation requirement stimulates capital-goods manufacturing ecosystem.

Implementation & Compliance

Certification: Suppliers file self-declaration; auditor attested value-addition reports mandatory for capital goods.
Oversight: Standing Committee can blacklist errant firms, recommend procurement suspensions.
Monitoring: Quarterly ministry-wise compliance data reviewed for corrective directives.

International Dimension

Access denial: Chinese state firms barred from Indian government steel tenders until equal access granted.
WTO-safe: Policy leverages national security and government procurement carve-outs to withstand trade disputes.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Launch applicability	Calendar year 2025 onward
Melt & Pour rule	Steel must be melted, poured and solidified within India
Global Tender Enquiry ban	Absolute for iron & steel items
GTE allowed for capital goods	Only if > ₹200 crore and pre-cleared
Domestic value addition	≥ 50 % in capital goods like furnaces, rolling mills
Reciprocal clause target	Nations blocking Indian bids (e.g., China) denied Indian tenders
Minimum contract size covered	Any procurement above ₹5 lakh
Penalty for false claim	Blacklisting + forfeiture of earnest money

GS-1History

6.Devaraya I of Vijayanagara (Vijayanagara Ruler)

The HinduDevaraya I · Sangama Dynasty · Vijayanagara Empire

What & Where

Inscribed copper plates dated 1406 CE record Devaraya I’s coronation and Brahmin grant

Plates surfaced in Bengaluru; displayed by Falcon Coins Gallery with Archaeological Survey of India

Context is Sangama-era Vijayanagara Empire centred at Hampi, Karnataka

Quick Facts for MCQs

Dynasty Overview

Founding 1336 by Harihara I-Bukka Raya I establishing resilient Hindu bulwark in South India
Succession: Key rulers Harihara II, Devaraya I, Devaraya II; Sangama declined by 1485
Administration: Central authority with Nadu, Sime units enabling revenue collection and rapid troop deployment

Ruler Highlights

Ascension: Devaraya I seized throne after post-Harihara II civil war among brothers
Military: Campaigns into Tamil Nadu, Konkan, Tondaimandalam; repelled Bahmani incursions along Krishna-Tungabhadra doab
Infrastructure: Constructed canals and tanks, notably Haridra canal, enhancing irrigation and food surplus

Cultural & Economic

Patronage: Supported Kannada and Telugu writers, temples; tolerated Jain and Islamic scholarship
Commerce: Encouraged coastal ports enabling spice-horse trade with Arabs and Chinese fleets
Agrahara: 1406 plates mention tax-free land grant at Devarāyapura to Brahmin beneficiaries

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Coronation date (Devaraya I)	1406 CE
Devaraya I reign	1406 – 1422 CE
Dynasty	Sangama, founding line of Vijayanagara
Dynasty span	1336 – 1485 CE
Founders	Harihara I & Bukka Raya I
Capital city	Vijayanagara (present-day Hampi)
Administrative units	Nadu and Sime
Key adversary	Bahmani Sultanate (also Gajapati)
Signature works	Canals & tanks along Tungabhadra
Overseas trade links	Arab and Chinese merchants

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1, NDA_GAT 2023PYQ 1

Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city?

GS1, NDA_GAT 2022PYQ 2

Who among the following laid the foundation of the Vijayanagara Empire?

GS-1HistoryQuick Bite

7.Shyamji Krishna Verma Tribute (Revolutionary Nationalist)

PIBShyamji Krishna Verma · Indian Home Rule Society · India House

Illustration for Shyamji Krishna Verma Tribute (Revolutionary Nationalist)

What & Where

Shyamji Krishna Varma (1857-1930): Indian revolutionary-journalist, key expatriate voice for Swaraj

Core platforms abroad: Indian Home Rule Society, India House hostel, The Indian Sociologist journal

Geographic arc: Mandvi (Gujarat) ➜ London ➜ Paris ➜ Geneva (final exile and demise)

Quick Facts for MCQs

Early Life & Influences

Birth coincided with 1857 Revolt, shaping anti-colonial psyche
Arya Samaj philosophy molded Varma’s socio-religious reform outlook
Scholarship under Swami Dayanand Saraswati boosted Sanskrit prowess

Institution Building

Indian Home Rule Society sought self-rule, armed propaganda among diaspora
India House became nerve-centre for expatriate revolutionaries; hosted Savarkar, Madan Lal Dhingra
The Indian Sociologist disseminated seditious literature, evading British press laws

Exile Trajectory

Paris offered diplomatic cover; interacted with French radicals and socialists
Geneva citizenship request secured safety during World War I neutrality
Persisted in propaganda via mail; avoided British extradition attempts

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Birth date	4 Oct 1857
Birthplace	Mandvi, Kutch, Gujarat
Flagship body	Indian Home Rule Society, 1905 London
Student hostel	India House, Highgate (London)
Journal started	The Indian Sociologist, 1905
First public role	President, Bombay Arya Samaj
Ideological mentee	Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
Shift to Paris	1907 after British censure
Final residence	Geneva, Switzerland (till 30 Mar 1930 death)
Memorial	Kranti Teerth, near Mandvi, inaugurated 2010

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 1999PYQ 1

'Abhinav Bharat' a secret society of revolutionaries was organised by

GS1 1997PYQ 2

“A graduate at 18, professor and associated editor of the Sudharak at 20, Secretary of the Sarvajanik Sabha and of the Provincial Conference at 25, Secretary of the National Congress at 29, leading witness before an important Royal Commission at 31, Provincial legislator at 34, Imperial legislator at 36, President of the Indian National Congress at 39 ……… a patriot whom Mahatma Gandhi himself regarded as his master.” This is how a biographer describes

GS-1Mapping

8.North Sentinel Island Overview (Andaman Island)

ITNorth Sentinel Island · Sentinelese tribe · Bay of Bengal

Illustration for North Sentinel Island Overview (Andaman Island)

What & Where

North Sentinel Island – protected tribal reserve in Bay of Bengal, South Andaman district; ≈ 60 sq km.

Coral-reef ring, no natural harbour; land uplifted after 2004 tsunami.

Exclusively inhabited by uncontacted, hostile Sentinelese; entry banned within 5 nautical miles.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Regulation 1956 prohibits outsider entry; exempts Sentinelese from prosecution for defensive violence.
RAP list revision 2018 removed paperwork, yet tourism, research, filming explicitly barred.
Continuous naval/Coast Guard patrol ensures isolation and biosafety.

Physical Geography

Coral reefs act as natural moat, hindering vessel approach.
White-sand beaches merge into mangroves, then thick evergreen canopy inland.
2004 earthquake uplifted reef flats, adding usable land for tribe.

Indigenous Tribe

Sentinelese likely among earliest out-of-Africa migrants; population estimate 50–150, unverified.
Subsistence via hunting, fishing, gathering; weapons include bows, wooden-tip arrows, spears.
Language, social structure, rituals remain unstudied due to zero voluntary contact.

Security Dimension

24-year-old U.S. citizen arrested for illegal entry in 2023; earlier 2018 missionary killed.
Hostility deters poachers; island occasionally eyed for strategic surveillance, yet policy prioritises non-interference.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Distance from Port Blair	~50 km west
Administrative unit	South Andaman district
Area	≈ 60 sq km
Legal shield	Andaman & Nicobar (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956
No-go buffer	5 nautical miles (≈ 9 km)
Restricted Area Permit	Requirement lifted 2018; practical ban continues
Patrol agency	Indian Navy & Coast Guard
Post-2004 change	Exposed reefs expanded shoreline
Dominant vegetation	Dense tropical forest, Malabar silk-cotton, bulletwood
Prominent fauna	Coconut crab, wild boar, sea turtles, sharks

GS-3Environment

9.Bioluminescent Bloom along Indian Coasts (Harmful Algal Bloom)

Down to EarthBioluminescence · Noctiluca scintillans · Sea sparkle

Illustration for Bioluminescent Bloom along Indian Coasts (Harmful Algal Bloom)

What & Where

Natural light-emitting bloom (kavaru) by bioluminescent plankton in marine & brackish waters

Dominant organism Noctiluca scintillans (sea sparkle); occasional fungi, dinoflagellates, bacteria

Seen along Indian coasts—Kochi backwaters, Chennai, Mumbai, Lakshadweep, Goa—nutrient-rich estuaries

Quick Facts for MCQs

Causes & Conditions

Eutrophication; nutrient overload nitrates phosphates stimulate plankton bloom
Anthropogenic; untreated sewage, industrial effluent, agricultural runoff supply nutrients
Climatic; warmer waters and calm saline backwaters favour proliferation

Environmental Impact

Hypoxia; dense blooms consume oxygen killing fish, shellfish
Toxins; plankton release neuro, hepato, dermato toxins harming marine fauna
Biodiversity loss; disruption of trophic chain in estuarine ecosystems

Economic Angle

Catch decline; fish mortality and migration lower fisher income
Aquaculture hit; cage farms lose stock due to oxygen depletion
Export setback; toxin fears reduce seafood market price

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Local name	Kavaru
Dominant species	Noctiluca scintillans (sea sparkle)
Water type	Coastal & estuarine, high nutrients
Key trigger	Eutrophication from sewage, industrial, fertilizer run-off
Favouring factors	High salinity, warm temperature, turbidity
Major Indian sites	Thiruvanmiyur, Juhu, Bangaram, Betalbatim, Kochi
Toxins released	Neurotoxins, hepatotoxins, dermatotoxins
Main ecological effect	Hypoxia causing fish mortality
Stakeholders hit	Fishers, aquaculture farms, seafood export

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

ESE_GS, GS1 1998PYQ 1

Estuaries possess distinct blooms of excessive growth of a pigmented dinoflagellate. These blooms are called

ESE_GS, GS1 2025PYQ 2

‘Algal Bloom’ is, when unusually large concentrations of

GS-2Editorial

10.Soft Power of US and India (Soft Power)

The HinduSoft power · Joseph Nye · America First

What & Where

Soft power — Joseph Nye; shaping preferences via attraction, culture, values, diplomacy, not coercion

Hard power — military, economic pressure; states ideally blend both as “smart power”

Core theatres: US global alliances (NATO, AUKUS, West Asia), India’s neighbourhood per Gujral Doctrine

Quick Facts for MCQs

US Soft Power Decline

Alliances; unilateral stances on Ukraine, Gaza erode NATO, Global South trust
Domestic shifts; DEI rollback, protectionist tariffs, immigration curbs tarnish “land of opportunity” image
Education; protest crackdowns, funding squeeze cut foreign student inflows

India’s Soft Power Assets

Culture; Yoga, Ayurveda, Bollywood, cuisine, Buddhism spread global appeal
Tech-health; UPI, Aadhaar, vaccine diplomacy showcased during Covid-19
Democracy; Gandhian non-violence, NAM leadership champion Global South causes

Institutional & Financial Gaps (India)

Fragmentation; ICCR lacks clear mandate, MEA yet to audit soft-power inventory
Funding; allocations trail US, China, limiting overseas centres, media presence
Diaspora link; no structured mechanism beyond Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

Policy Prescriptions

Strategy; draft national soft-power policy integrating Track 2 & 3 diplomacy
Restructure; revamp ICCR, use PPPs, launch Doordarshan International for outreach
Multilateralism; leverage UNESCO, G20, expand cultural pacts, scholarships under ITEC & Study in India

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
USAID cuts	Funding reduced to 17 % of programmes
Humanitarian outlets closed	US Institute of Peace, Voice of America
Diaspora size (India)	≈ 35 million persons
Gujral Doctrine	Unilateral concessions to smaller neighbours, no reciprocity
Smoot-Hawley parallel	1930 tariff hike worsened Great Depression
Indian cultural bodies	ICCR, AYUSH, Tourism Ministry (poor coordination)

GS-2Economy

11.Cape Town Convention on Aircraft Leasing (Aircraft Leasing)

Indian ExpressCape Town Convention · Aircraft Protocol · Asset-based finance

What & Where

Convention; 2001 Cape Town treaty creating uniform rules for financing/leasing of aircraft, helicopters, engines

Bill; Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill 2025 incorporates Convention & Aircraft Protocol into Indian law

Geography; global applicability with DGCA as India’s domestic registry for interests

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Enforceability; Bill grants Convention full legal force overriding inconsistent domestic clauses
Remedies; creditors obtain interim relief, sell or re-lease asset without court delays
Reporting; airlines/lessors must file periodic dues statements with DGCA

Economic Angle

Cost-saving; lower insurance premiums & risk weightage push lease rentals down
Investment; alignment with global norms aimed at positioning GIFT City as leasing hub
Consumer impact; cheaper leases may translate into lower airfares over time

Implementation Mechanism

Registry; DGCA records international interests, liens, defaults ensuring priority rankings
Timeline; India must lodge declarations with Convention depository within 60 days of Act notification
Dispute resolution; parties may opt for international arbitration under UNIDROIT rules

International Dimension

Adoption; over 80 states including US, EU members already enforce Convention benefitting their lessors
Precedent; Indonesia & Vietnam saw leasing rates fall after ratification
Creditor confidence; cross-border enforceability lowers capital cost for emerging-market airlines

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Convention adoption year	2001
Associated protocol	Aircraft Protocol
Core assets covered	Aircraft, helicopters, engines
Key creditor right	Swift repossession & deregistration
Global registry location	Online International Registry
Indian implementing law	Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill 2025
Repossession timeline (India)	≤ 2 months post-default
Domestic registry agency	DGCA
Expected leasing cost cut	8–10 %
Parliamentary passage	Rajya Sabha, 2025 Budget Session

GS-3Security

12.Combating Synthetic Drug Trafficking (Synthetic Drugs)

BLSynthetic drugs · NDPS Act · Precursor chemicals

What & Where

Definition – Synthetic drugs: fully lab-manufactured psychoactives derived from precursor chemicals, no plant input.

Key types – Amphetamines, ecstasy, fentanyl analogues; proliferate as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).

Core geography – India (major API hub) between Golden Crescent & Golden Triangle; Haryana forms Anti-Synthetic Narcotics Task Force.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Security Dimension

Loophole – Minute molecular tweaks keep NPS outside current NDPS schedules.
Concealment – Small hidden labs, legitimate pharma consignments bypass sniffer dogs/border checks.
Dark-net finance – Traffickers use cryptocurrencies, blockchain channels, encrypted forums.

Legal & Policy

Reform – Generic scheduling plus fast-track listing of new NPS under MHA proposed.
Precursor control – Plan for national, real-time transaction log integrating all state FDAs.
Central agency – NCB coordinates enforcement; finance ministry’s revenue dept implements NDPS Acts.

Tech & Schemes

AI alerts – Pattern analysis flags bulk chemical purchases for investigation.
Blockchain forensics – Tools like Chainalysis to trace crypto drug payments.
Demand reduction – Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan & NAPDDR expand de-addiction, awareness drives.

Social Concerns

Potency – Micro-doses of fentanyl can cause fatal overdoses.
Youth impact – Rising psychosis, crime, education dropouts linked to cheap synthetic highs.
Public health – Decentralised production risks mass addiction waves across states.

International Coordination

Convention compliance – India parties to 1961, 1971, 1988 UN treaties.
INTERPOL – Intelligence sharing urged against transnational synthetic cartels.
Comparative shift – Production moving to low-risk, high-access regions like South & East Asia.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Constitutional basis	Article 47 – prohibits intoxicants except medicinal use
Drugs & Cosmetics Act	1940
NDPS Act	1985
Prevention of Illicit Traffic Act	1988
Narcotics Control Bureau start	1986
Haryana Anti-Synthetic Task Force	2025
Key UN drug conventions	1961, 1971, 1988
Major API producers	India & China

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

ESE_GS 2026PYQ 1

Which organization developed the Online National Drugs Licensing System (ONDLS) portal?

GS-3SecurityQuick Bite

13.AFSPA Extension in Northeast States (AFSPA Northeast)

Times of IndiaAFSPA 1958 · Disturbed area · Manipur

What & Where

AFSPA 1958 empowers armed forces to act in officially notified “disturbed areas” of India.

Fresh extension: whole Manipur minus 13 police-station zones; parts of Nagaland & Arunachal till 30 Sep 2025.

“Disturbed” tag issuable by both Union Home Ministry and concerned State government.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Enactment: Parliament passed AFSPA September 1958 under Article 355 obligation.
Immunity: Section 6 bars court action unless Union grants prior consent.
Delegation: Both Union & State executives competent to issue or revoke notifications.

Security Dimension

Objective: Facilitate counter-insurgency, restore public order in hard-to-police zones.
Powers: Personnel may fire upon, arrest, enter premises without warrant when “necessary for maintenance of public order”.
Duration: Extensions typically issued semi-annually after security review by MHA.

Geographic Scope

Northeast: Manipur (excluding 13 PS areas across Imphal, Kakching, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Jiribam).
Frontier belt: Eight police stations along Assam–Arunachal border remain under AFSPA.
Nagaland: 16 of 16 districts earlier covered; gradual rollback continues except high-risk pockets.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Year enacted	1958
Latest extension notified	01 Apr 2025 for six months
Maximum validity per notification	6 months, renewable
States presently covered	Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh (parts)
Who can declare disturbed	Governor/State govt or Central govt
Core powers	Lethal force, arrest & search without warrant
Immunity clause	Prior Central sanction needed for prosecution
Original trigger region	Northeast insurgency

GS-2Scheme

14.Green Credit Programme Highlights (Green Credits)

Indian ExpressGreen Credit Programme · ICFRE · COP28

What & Where

Definition: Voluntary, market-based scheme awarding tradable “green credits” for verified eco-actions under Green Credit Rules, 2023.

Key process: Register with ICFRE → activity on ≥5 ha degraded land → verification → 1 grown tree = 1 credit → domestic trading.

Core geography: Pan-India implementation; nodal agency ICFRE, Dehradun; state forest departments supply land parcels.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Notification: Green Credit Rules issued under Environment (Protection) Act powers.
Alignment: Integrates with Forest Conservation Act 2023 compensatory afforestation clauses.
Oversight: Central Steering Committee chaired by MoEFCC Secretary.

Operational Flow

Registration: Online portal managed by ICFRE.
Verification: State forest departments certify survival, silvi-climatic suitability.
Issuance: Credits uploaded to electronic registry for trading.

Economic Angle

Incentive: Generates alternate revenue stream for states and private planters.
Buyers: Industries needing afforestation compliance or ESG score enhancement.
Market nature: Price discovered through supply-demand on domestic exchange.

Environmental Impact

Target: Restore degraded forests, improve carbon sinks, conserve water and mangroves.
Density clause: High stocking mandates biodiversity-friendly mixed plantations possible.
Risk: Monoculture plantations may threaten local ecology if guidelines lax.

Criticism & Concerns

Diversion: Fear of incentivising fresh forest clearance compensated by off-site credits.
Ecological sensitivity: Plantations on community commons or fragile habitats contested.
Governance: Dependence on accurate survival audits to prevent greenwashing.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Launch notification	Oct 2023
Unveiled at	COP28, Dubai
Implementing agency	ICFRE, Dehradun
Legal backing	Green Credit Rules 2023
Participation nature	Fully voluntary
Eligible activities	7 (plantation, water, sustainable farming, waste, air, mangroves, eco-restoration)
Land size threshold	≥5 ha degraded forest land
Completion window	2 years post-approval
Credit metric	1 grown tree = 1 green credit
Plantation density	≥1,100 trees per ha
Compliance use	Compensatory afforestation under Forest Conservation Act 2023; ESG reporting
Trading platform	Domestic, yet-to-be-notified
Mission linkage	Supports Mission LiFE

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GS1 2009PYQ 1

In the context of CO₂ emission and Global Warming, what is the name of a market-driven device under the UNFCCC that allows developing countries to get funds/incentives from the developed countries to adopt better technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions ?

CDS_GK, GS1 2024PYQ 2

‘ग्रीन क्रेडिट इनिशिएटिव’ के संदर्भ में, निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा/कौन-से कथन सही है/हैं?

GS-2Scheme

15.Government e-Marketplace Procurement Portal (Digital Procurement)

News on AirGovernment e-Marketplace · Rule 149 GFR · Digital procurement

Illustration for Government e-Marketplace Procurement Portal (Digital Procurement)

What & Where

Platform; Government e-Marketplace is India’s paperless, cashless, contactless portal for public procurement of goods & services

Processes; e-bidding, reverse auction, demand aggregation streamline purchasing, incl. >33 000 service categories such as manpower hiring

Location; Operates nationwide under Commerce & Industry Ministry, Rule 149 GFR 2017 providing statutory backing

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Authorization; GeM transactions compulsory for ministries per Finance Ministry directives referencing Rule 149
Compliance; SLAs enforce labour laws in outsourced manpower services
Bamboo-specific window launched with National Bamboo Mission, aligning with sectoral policies

Tech & Schemes

Integration; Single portal offers catalogue, payment gateway, analytics, digitally signs contracts
Innovation; Country-of-Origin filter, preferential procurement algorithms boost domestic industry
Automation; Reduced human interface curbs corruption, accelerates cycle time

Economic Angle

Value; Competitive bidding assures value-for-money, lowers public expenditure
Scale; Demand aggregation pools orders, unlocking bulk-buy discounts
Ease-of-doing-business; Paperless workflow slashes procedural cost for suppliers

Social Inclusivity

Empowerment; Dedicated sections showcase women, tribal, SHG products
MSME boost; Simplified registration plus zero-fee onboarding increases market access
Fair labour; Outsourced manpower monitored through SLA-based dashboards, ensuring timely payment

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Launch year	2016
Parent ministry	Commerce & Industry
Developer	DGS&D with NeGD (MeitY support)
Legal mandate	Rule 149, GFR 2017
Business rules link	Allocation of Business Rules 1961
FY 2024-25 manpower hires	>1 million
Total service categories	>33 000
Key e-tools	E-bidding, Reverse auction, Demand aggregation
Inclusive storefronts	MSME, Start-up, SHG, Women, Tribal
Make-in-India lever	Mandatory Country-of-Origin tag

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

ESE_GS 2025PYQ 1

Which one of the following is an effort to get to the next stage of creating a pan-India electronic portal, which networks the existing APMC mandis by creating a national market for agricultural commodities?

ESE_GS 2021PYQ 2

Which one of the following frameworks is developed to assess the value of the increasing investments made on e-governance projects in terms of service orientation, technology architecture, replicability and sustainability in various states across the country ?

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