Thursday, 17 April 2025

UPSC Current Affairs

Q: Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense political links or should not have taken part in politics in the recent past?

The correct answer is (c) Sarkaria Commission (1983). This question appeared in GS1 2019.

Q: With which one of the following has the B. K. Chaturvedi Committee dealt?

The correct answer is (a) Review of Centre-State relations. This question appeared in GS1 2009.

Q: Among the following major stock exchanges of India, which one recorded the highest turnover during the year 2001-02?

The correct answer is (a) Bombay Stock Exchange. This question appeared in GS1 2002.

Q: Consider the following statements :

The correct answer is (a) 2 only. This question appeared in GS1 2005.

Q: For the Karachi session of Indian National Congress in 1931 presided over by Sardar Patel, who drafted the Resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Programme ?

The correct answer is (a) Mahatma Gandhi. This question appeared in GS1 2010.

Q: The National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) is proposed to be developed at which one of the following places?

The correct answer is (a) Lothal. This question appeared in GEO_GS 2025.

Q: Consider the following statements:

The correct answer is (c) Both 1 and 2. This question appeared in GS1 2024.

Q: Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct?

The correct answer is (d) Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations Environment Programme. This question appeared in GS1 2011.

Q: 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 ?

The correct answer is (a) Carbon Footprint. This question appeared in GS1 2009.

Q: A new species of pit-viper was discovered in 2019 and named after the State in which it was found. Identify the State from among the following:

The correct answer is (b) Arunachal Pradesh. This question appeared in CDS_GK 2023.

15 topicsGS-1: 4GS-2: 4GS-3: 7

0/15 done

GS-2Polity

1.Tamil Nadu Federalism Review Committee (Centre-State Relations)

The HinduThree-member panel · State autonomy · 42nd Amendment

What & Where

Committee Tamil Nadu; three members announced April 2025

Purpose review Centre-State relations; recommend stronger state autonomy within constitutional framework

Scope constitutional provisions, devolution, fiscal and legislative powers across India

Quick Facts for MCQs

Core Issues

Legislative shift Concurrent List reducing state autonomy in health education
National policies like NEET, NEP supersede regional preferences and languages
States excluded from major decisions eg demonetisation undermining cooperative federalism

Commission Recommendations

Rajamannar sought repeal Article 356; strengthen Inter-State Council
Sarkaria advocated rare use Article 356, prior warnings, permanent ISC 1990
Punchhi pushed state consultation on Concurrent bills, fiscal autonomy expansion

Fiscal Dimension

GST cited revenue loss; Tamil Nadu receives only 29 paise per rupee contributed
Centre grants formula perceivably disadvantages high-performing southern states

Political Representation

Delimitation post-2026 may cut seats for Tamil Nadu, Kerala, penalising demographic success
Governorship issues; ARC 1969 urged experienced non-partisan appointees to uphold impartiality

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Initiating state	Tamil Nadu
Committee size	3 members
Formation month-year	April 2025
Prime trigger	Perceived erosion of state powers
42nd Amendment shift	5 subjects State→Concurrent List
Sample shifted subjects	Education, forestry, wildlife, justice admin, weights & measures
Flagged central article	Article 356 (President’s Rule)
Exam policy dispute	NEET overriding state quota focus

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2019PYQ 1

Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense political links or should not have taken part in politics in the recent past?

GS1 2009PYQ 2

With which one of the following has the B. K. Chaturvedi Committee dealt?

GS-2PolityQuick Bite

2.Birth and Death Registration Provisions (Civil Registration)

The HinduRBD Act 1969 · 21-day limit · Digital CRS

What & Where

Civil Registration System (CRS): nationwide digital platform recording every birth, death, stillbirth.

Registration of Births & Deaths Act 1969, amended 2023, applies across India and at Indian consulates.

Supervised by Registrar General of India (RGI), Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

RBD Act mandates on-site registration of every birth, death, stillbirth.
2023 amendment enforced end-to-end digital workflow, retained 21-day limit.
Section 20 allows 60-day in-India registration for overseas-born children of settlers.

Administrative Hierarchy

RGI heads; Chief (state), District, Local registrars implement provisions.
Local registrars issue certificates, collect late fees, upload data.
RGI additionally manages Census, NPR, Linguistic Survey.

Tech & Schemes

CRS portal compulsory from Oct 2023, replacing paper registers nationwide.
Hospitals, municipal bodies, consulates upload events; citizens download e-certificates.
Integrated data aids demographic planning, welfare targeting.

Compliance & Gaps

Registration coverage 90 %; many hospitals exceed 21-day reporting limit.
RGI advisory urges daily digital uploads by all facilities.
Timely records crucial for SDG metrics and epidemiological alerts.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Mandatory reporting window	21 days
Digital-only registration	Oct 2023 onward
Latest amendment year	2023
Overseas birth record	Consulate under Citizenship Act 1955
In-India window after return	60 days
Negligent registrar fine	Up to ₹1,000
Current registration coverage	≈90 %
RGI establishment	1949

GS-3Economy

3.Bombay Stock Exchange Overview (Stock Exchange)

ZEE1875 · Sensex · Dalal Street

Illustration for Bombay Stock Exchange Overview (Stock Exchange)

What & Where

Bombay Stock Exchange, Mumbai; Asia’s oldest organised securities marketplace

Trades equities, debt, derivatives, mutual funds, commodities via electronic BOLT platform

Core hub on Dalal Street, celebrating 150 years on 17 Apr 2025

Quick Facts for MCQs

Historical Milestones

1875 formalised association, Asia’s first organised exchange
1956 pioneer recognition under Securities Contract Regulation Act
2017 became publicly listed entity on NSE

Market Size & Listings

Market cap crossed USD 5 trillion May 2024, overtaking USD 4 trillion mark within months
Hosts highest company count globally, over 5,000 actively listed securities
Sensex acts as barometer, tracking 30 large liquid stocks since 1986

Tech & Sustainability

BOLT introduced 1995, replaced floor open-outcry within months
Joined UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative 2012, promoting ESG disclosures
Set up India INX 2016 at GIFT City, offering 22-hour global trading window

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Year established	1875
Original name	The Native Share & Stock Brokers’ Association
Founder	Premchand Roychand
First trading spot	Under banyan tree near Mumbai Town Hall
Shift to Dalal Street	1874
First SCRA-recognised exchange	1956
Benchmark index	Sensex (30 stocks)
Sensex launch year	1986
Electronic trading start	1995 (BOLT)
UN SSE partnership	2012
India INX launch	2016
BSE self-listing on NSE	2017
Market capitalisation	USD 5 trillion+ (May 2024)
Global m-cap rank	6th
Number of listed firms	5,000 plus
150th anniversary date	17 April 2025

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2002PYQ 1

Among the following major stock exchanges of India, which one recorded the highest turnover during the year 2001-02?

GS1 2005PYQ 2

Consider the following statements :

GS-1History

4.Ambedkar’s Economic Contributions (Ambedkar Economics)

Indian ExpressProblem of Rupee · RBI origin · Fiscal federalism

What & Where

Ambedkar’s economic corpus: scholarly works (1921-23) + executive actions (1942-46) shaping monetary, fiscal and labour architecture.

Applied chiefly in British-ruled India; outcomes visible in pan-India bodies—RBI (Mumbai), Finance Commission (Delhi).

Key resource geography: Damodar Valley, Hirakud (Mahanadi), nationwide employment exchanges & water boards.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Monetary & Fiscal Policy

Gold-exchange standard chosen to curb external drain and domestic inflation.
Advocated statutory cash reserve ratio, proto-inflation targeting for price stability.
Fiscal decentralisation seen essential for genuine provincial autonomy post-1935 Act.

Labour & Welfare

Eight-hour shift mirrored ILO norms; first for colonial Asia.
Maternity leave made legal right, not employer charity.
Dispute Boards institutionalised tripartite negotiation culture.

Land & Agriculture

Called caste abolition impossible without land to tiller.
Proposed state-owned land leased to collectives for scale economies.
Separate Dalit villages aimed at breaking socio-economic boycott.

Infrastructure & Resources

Linked multipurpose river projects to flood control, power and rural jobs.
Central Water Commission created for basin-wide planning, not ad-hoc canals.
Stressed energy self-sufficiency as prerequisite for industrialisation.

Social Justice Lens

Argued economic rights are “material condition” for social democracy to survive.
Saw state-led industrialisation as ladder out of caste-locked occupations.
Equated unchecked inflation with “indirect tax on the untouchable poor”.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Book “The Problem of the Rupee”	1923; advocated Gold-Exchange Standard
Resultant institution	Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
Fiscal thesis	“Provincial Decentralisation of Imperial Finance”, 1921
Idea seeded	Periodic Finance Commission for Centre-State transfers
Labour post held	Labour Member, Viceroy’s Executive Council (1942-46)
Key labour gains	8-hour workday, maternity benefit, Works Dispute Boards
Employment exchanges	First network set up 1945, pan-India rollout
Water bodies pushed	Central Water Commission, Damodar Valley, Hirakud Dam
Land reform stand	Nationalisation & collectivisation; separate Dalit settlements
Inflation warning	Price rise hurts poor most; urged monetary discipline

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2010PYQ 1

For the Karachi session of Indian National Congress in 1931 presided over by Sardar Patel, who drafted the Resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Programme ?

GS-1HistoryQuick Bite

5.Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka Archaeology (Submerged Dwarka)

The HinduASI study · Gulf of Kutch · Dwarkadhish Temple

Illustration for Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka Archaeology (Submerged Dwarka)

What & Where

Submerged archaeology study; ASI probing Dwarka & Beyt Dwarka seabed for ancient port remains

Dwarka city: mouth of Gulf of Kutch, western Char Dham; Beyt Dwarka island: 30 km off Okha, both in Gujarat

Region evidences prosperous maritime hub via stone jetties, anchors, fortified walls since at least 1963

Quick Facts for MCQs

Archaeological Findings

Undersea survey: structures suggest prosperous ancient port, maritime trade links
Material culture: stone jetties, ring-stone anchors, fort walls signal advanced engineering
Continual habitation layers: Harappan → Mauryan → Medieval confirmed on island

Religious Significance

Krishna lore: land reclaimed from sea; Dwarka as Krishna’s capital post-Mathura
Dwarkadhish Temple major Krishna-bhakti shrine; annual Janmashtami draw
Beyt Dwarka houses shrine linked to Guru Vallabhacharya

Historical Timeline

Harappan & Mauryan occupation evidenced by pottery & foundations
16th c. temple rebuilt after Mahmud Begada’s destruction
1857: Vaghers briefly seize area from Gaekwads

Connectivity & Infrastructure

Sudarshan Setu (2024) reduces Okha–Beyt travel to minutes; 2.32 km cable-stayed span
Improved access expected to boost pilgrimage & future archaeological logistics

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Implementing agency	Archaeological Survey of India
First ASI marine survey	1963
Present study focus	Dwarka & Beyt Dwarka seabed
Gulf	Gulf of Kutch
Dwarka status	Western Char Dham; first capital of Gujarat (legend)
Key temple	Dwarkadhish (Jagat Mandir), 16th c. rebuild
Associated matha	Sharada Peeth by Adi Shankaracharya
Beyt Dwarka alias	Shankhodhar; Antardvipa (Mahabharata)
Early habitation	Harappan & Mauryan layers on Beyt Dwarka
Medieval rulers	Gaekwads of Baroda; brief Vagher control 1857
New connectivity	Sudarshan Setu, India’s longest cable-stayed bridge, 2024
Access port	Okha
Excavated maritime items	Stone jetties, ring-stone anchors, fortified walls

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GEO_GS 2025PYQ 1

The National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) is proposed to be developed at which one of the following places?

GS-1Mapping

6.Red Sea Geographical Profile (Sea Geography)

DD NewsSuez Canal · Bab el-Mandeb · Rift formation

What & Where

Semi-enclosed tropical arm of Indian Ocean, 1,930 km long between Suez Canal (north) & Bab el-Mandeb Strait (south).

Shores: Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti; links Mediterranean via Suez, Arabian Sea via Gulf of Aden.

Originates from African-Arabian rift; seafloor still separating at ~15 mm/yr.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Geological Significance

Active rift displays embryonic ocean basin formation.
Hot brine pools, submarine vents, and basaltic volcanism present unique study sites.

Marine Biodiversity

Heat-tolerant coral reefs act as potential global bleaching refuge.
Supports whale shark migrations plus seagrass meadows crucial for dugongs.

Economic & Strategic

Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint vital for West Asia–Europe oil flow.
Diving tourism yields multi-billion income for littoral states.

Environmental Threats

Over-tourism, coastal builds (e.g., Ras Hankorab project) fragment habitats.
Oil spills and warming seas escalate coral mortality risks.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Surface area	≈4.38 lakh sq km
Maximum summer temperature	up to 41 °C
Salinity peak	>40 ‰ (one of world’s saltiest)
Global trade share	≈12 % maritime cargo
Length N-S	1,930 km
Tectonic spread rate	~15 mm/yr
Northern connector	Suez Canal
Southern connector	Bab el-Mandeb → Gulf of Aden
Notable algae	Trichodesmium erythraeum (red blooms)
Endangered fauna	Hawksbill turtle, Dugong
Iconic dive site	Blue Hole, Dahab
Volcanic example	Jabal al-Tāʾir Island

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2024PYQ 1

Consider the following statements:

GS-3Environment

7.People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (Animal Rights NGO)

Hindustan TimesPETA · 1980 · Animal cruelty

Illustration for People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (Animal Rights NGO)

What & Where

Global nonprofit animal-rights organisation opposing animal use in experiments, food, clothing, entertainment

Established March 1980 USA by Ingrid Newkirk & Alex Pacheco; HQ Norfolk Virginia; India HQ Mumbai Jan 2000

Advocates ending federal animal testing, promoting organoids and in-silico AI research models

Quick Facts for MCQs

Origins & Leadership

Founders launched PETA after witnessing widespread lab cruelty, formalised group in March 1980
Expanded to multiple continents; India office first Asian branch, operational since 2000

Objectives & Campaigns

Pushes veganism, opposes factory farming, fur farming, animal-testing, circuses, marine parks
Uses undercover investigations, celebrity endorsements, mass education and rescue operations to influence law and culture

Policy Context

Praised Trump administration directive to progressively replace animals with organoid and AI models in federal labs
Continues lobbying governments and regulators worldwide for mandatory non-animal research alternatives

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Establishment Year	March 1980
Founders	Ingrid Newkirk & Alex Pacheco
Global Headquarters	Norfolk, Virginia, USA
India Headquarters (since)	Mumbai, Maharashtra (2000)
Core Principle	Animals are not ours to experiment on, eat, wear, entertain, or abuse
Recent US Policy Applauded	Phasing out animal testing in federal research

GS-3Environment

8.Cap-and-Trade Mechanism in India (Emissions Trading)

Down to EarthSurat ETS · Pollution permits · Particulate emissions

Illustration for Cap-and-Trade Mechanism in India (Emissions Trading)

What & Where

Cap-and-Trade: government fixes total emission cap, issues tradable permits, rewards low-polluters via sales.

Surat Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS): world’s first particulate-matter permit market; runs in Surat textile-dyeing cluster, Gujarat.

Process: industries install Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS); weekly permit auctions; penalties for excess releases.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Operational Design

Allocation: mix of free grandfathered permits and auctioned lots ensures liquidity.
Monitoring: tamper-proof CEMS feeds real-time data to Gujarat Pollution Control Board.
Penalty: fine kept higher than prevailing permit price to deter non-compliance.

Performance Results

Reduction: particulate emissions dropped 20–30 % during pilot, per 2023 peer-reviewed study.
Cost: average compliance expenditure fell 11 %.
Verification: outcomes published in The Quarterly Journal of Economics.

Bottlenecks

Monitoring-gaps: CEMS outages can hide actual emissions, undermining accuracy.
Manipulation: permit hoarding risk curbed through frequent auctions and oversight.
Heterogeneity: divergent abatement costs grant uneven trading advantages across sectors.

Future Roadmap

Expansion: Delhi, Ahmedabad and others evaluating similar ETS pilots; Gujarat mulls SO₂ market.
Adaptation: dynamic, season-wise caps proposed; Surat already tightened monthly limit.
Engagement: industry-GPCB collaborations and awareness drives to bolster scheme acceptance.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Study finding	20–30 % PM reduction
Compliance cost	11 % lower than command-control
Industries covered	317 units (mainly textile)
Monitoring tool	CEMS compulsory on all stacks
Permit sale mode	Weekly electronic auctions
Cap revision	280 t → 170 t PM per month

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2011PYQ 1

Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct?

GS1 2009PYQ 2

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 ?

GS-3Species

9.Colossal Squid Characteristics (Deep-Sea Species)

BBCMesonychoteuthis · Southern Ocean · 14 metres

Illustration for Colossal Squid Characteristics (Deep-Sea Species)

What & Where

Species: Largest known invertebrate Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, deep-sea cephalopod with record eyes and rotating tentacle hooks

Habitat: Frigid 600–2000 m Southern Ocean, chiefly around Antarctic continental slope

Record: Recent footage of transparent juvenile at 600 m marks first live observation in over a century

Quick Facts for MCQs

Biological Adaptations

Gigantism: Supports energy storage and predator deterrence in low-food polar abyss
Vision: Huge eyes detect faint bioluminescence and approaching sperm whales
Hooks: Rotating, chitinous claws enhance grip on struggling fish

Feeding Ecology

Apex predator preys on Patagonian toothfish impacting Antarctic longline fisheries
Remains found in sperm whale stomachs reveal predator-prey arms race
Occasional cannibalism among large squids reported

Exploration Milestone

Underwater ROV with low-light cameras secured first juvenile footage since 19th-century specimen collections
Live observation aids population estimates and behavior study previously reliant on dead haul specimens
Footage validates deep camera baits as non-invasive research method in extreme polar seas

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Scientific name	Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni
Taxonomic class	Cephalopoda
Maximum length	~14 m (46 ft)
Maximum weight	~500 kg (1100 lb)
Eye diameter	~30 cm, animal-kingdom largest
Depth filmed	600 m
Core ocean	Southern Ocean
Sex dimorphism	Females larger than males
Arm weaponry	Sharp, swivelling hooks
Key prey	Patagonian toothfish, large fish, squids
Main predator	Sperm whale
Fertilization	Internal
Juvenile colour	Transparent, darkens with age

GS-3SpeciesQuick Bite

10.Leptobrachium aryatium Discovery (New Frog Species)

The HinduGarbhanga Reserve · Assam · Orange eyes

Illustration for Leptobrachium aryatium Discovery (New Frog Species)

What & Where

Species Leptobrachium aryatium, a new stocky megophryid frog, endemic to Garbhanga Reserve Forest, SW Guwahati, Assam

Habitat Moist subtropical forest near Assam-Meghalaya border, critical for city’s micro-climate and watershed

Context Genus Leptobrachium hosts 38 species across S China, India, Sunda Shelf, Philippines

Quick Facts for MCQs

Taxonomy & Morphology

Diagnostic Fiery orange-black iris, reticulated throat, short hind limbs, broad head differentiate it
Method DNA barcoding plus detailed morphology separated it from L. smithi
Family Megophryidae, eye-colour aids species delimitation

Ecosystem Services

Reserve Regulates Guwahati’s temperature, rainfall infiltration, water supply
Biodiversity Hosts elephants, rare birds, butterflies, reptiles, multiple amphibians including new frog
Amphibians Bioindicator status flags forest health and water quality

Threats & Conservation

Pressure Urban sprawl from fast-growing Guwahati encroaches reserve boundary
Impact Habitat fragmentation risks micro-endemic species like L. aryatium extinction
Need Notification as protected area upgrade and strict enforcement against illegal land conversion

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Scientific name	Leptobrachium aryatium
Named after	Arya Vidyapeeth College, Guwahati
Discovery forest	Garbhanga Reserve, SW Guwahati
State	Assam
Eye colour	Fiery orange-black
Throat pattern	Reticulated
First misidentified as	L. smithi (2004)
Confirmation tools	Molecular + morphological analyses
Genus species count	38
Major habitat threat	Urban expansion, habitat loss

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK 2023PYQ 1

A new species of pit-viper was discovered in 2019 and named after the State in which it was found. Identify the State from among the following:

GS-3SchemeQuick Bite

11.NMCG Executive Committee Approvals (Clean Ganga Mission)

PIBIND-RIVERS · Sewerage projects · CAMUS-SBT

Illustration for NMCG Executive Committee Approvals (Clean Ganga Mission)

What & Where

Mission: National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) — society (2011) to implement Ganga rejuvenation under National Ganga Council.

Geography: Focus on Ganga basin states; latest projects in UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Delhi (Yamuna drain).

Processes: Sewerage networks, nature-based CAMUS-SBT treatment, research collaboratory, heritage & biodiversity education.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Framework: Environment (Protection) Act 1986 enabled former NGRBA; functions now under National Ganga Council.
Governance: Two-tier NMCG structure—Governing Council for policy, Executive Committee for project approvals.
Enforcement: NGT 2017 order restricts waste dumping within 500 m of critical Ganga segments.

Tech & Schemes

Technology: CAMUS-SBT combines Constructed Wetland & Soil Bio-Technology for low-energy sewage treatment.
Programme: Namami Gange integrates pollution abatement, river-front development, biodiversity conservation.
Monitoring: Bhuvan-Ganga crowdsources pollution reports using ISRO geospatial platform.

Cultural & Ecological

Heritage: Study of wooden boat craft aims to document river-linked livelihoods & preserve intangible culture.
Biodiversity: DDA parks to act as training sites for riverine ecology and citizen outreach.
Sustainability: Sewerage and nature-based solutions target untreated discharge reduction into Ganga & Yamuna.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Latest EC number	61st (Apr 2025)
Registration Act	Societies Registration Act 1860
Parent body since 2016	National Ganga Council
Executive Committee spend limit	≤ ₹1,000 crore per project
Sewerage cities cleared	Moradabad, Kanpur, Arrah, Pujali
Nature-based pilot	CAMUS-SBT plant, Shahdara drain (Delhi)
R&D hub	IND-RIVERS Collaboratory (NMCG-IIT Delhi-Netherlands)
Heritage study	Traditional wooden boat-making, Ganga basin
Skill centres	DDA Biodiversity Parks as Knowledge hubs
Flagship programme	Namami Gange (2014)
First river action plan	Ganga Action Plan 1985
Dedicated fund	Clean Ganga Fund 2014
Citizen app	Bhuvan-Ganga web app
NGT waste-dump ban zone	500 m from polluted Ganga stretches (2017)

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1, NDA_GAT 2016PYQ 1

Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)’?

GS1, NDA_GAT 2022PYQ 2

Which among the following has initiated a nationwide flagship campaign ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’ to clean seashores/beaches and other water bodies of plastic and other waste materials?

GS-2Infrastructure

12.India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC Corridor)

PIBIMEC · G20 MoU · PGII

Illustration for India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC Corridor)

What & Where

Initiative: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) multimodal connectivity MoU under PGII at G20 New Delhi 2023

Segments: Eastern arm India–Gulf; Northern arm Gulf–Europe integrating ports, rail, road, energy pipelines, digital cables

Geography: Connects Indian west-coast ports to UAE-Saudi Arabia, Israel, onward to Greece-Italy and wider European rail grid

Quick Facts for MCQs

Economic Angle

Competitiveness: Corridor promises 30 % cheaper, 40 % quicker delivery boosting Indian export margins
FDI: Anticipated inflows into ports, logistics parks, green hydrogen, digital tech along IMEC nodes
Energy: Complements OSOWOG enabling import of Middle East solar power and green hydrogen for low-carbon transition

Security Dimension

Volatility: Gaza war, Saudi-Iran rivalry, Iraq–Syria unrest threaten infrastructure and supply-chain continuity
Maritime risk: Indian Ocean militarisation raises blockage fears paralleling 2021 Suez disruption
Cyber vulnerability: Shared digital backbone and pipelines susceptible to attacks akin to US Colonial Pipeline incident

Implementation Challenges

Financing: No clear cost-sharing; individual segments may demand USD 3–8 billion long-term investment
Inclusion gaps: Turkey, Iran, Qatar, Egypt absent limiting geopolitical reach and redundancy options
Standards: Divergent tech norms complicate seamless integration of rail gauges, customs systems, undersea cables

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Launch platform	G20 Leaders’ Summit 2023, New Delhi
Parent framework	G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure & Investment
Core signatories	India, US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, EU, France, Germany, Italy
Logistics cost saving	Up to 30 % vs Suez maritime route
Transit time saving	About 40 % faster than Suez route
Funding mobilisation target	USD 600 billion by 2027
2023 obstacle	Israel–Hamas conflict stalling West Asian leg
2024 development	India–UAE Inter-Governmental Framework Agreement on joint logistics

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

ESE_GS, GS1 2026PYQ 1

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

ESE_GS, GS1 2025PYQ 2

भारत, अंतर्राष्ट्रीय उत्तर-दक्षिण परिवहन कॉरिडोर (INSTC), जो एक बहु-राष्ट्रीय परिवहन गलियारा है, के सदस्य राज्यों में से एक है। यह कॉरिडोर किन्हें जोड़ता है?

GS-3SecurityQuick Bite

13.India’s Recent Joint Exercises (Joint Exercises)

News on AirExercise DUSTLIK-6 · Tiger Triumph · Uzbekistan

What & Where

DUSTLIK-6: sixth Indo-Uzbekistan joint army exercise underway at Foreign Training Node, Pune, Maharashtra

Tiger Triumph 2025: Indo-US tri-service amphibious-HADR drill concluded at Duvvada Firing Range near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

Both aim at tactical coordination, interoperability and defence-partnership expansion with Central Asia and the United States

Quick Facts for MCQs

Security Dimension

Deepening defence ties with Central Asia via DUSTLIK complements India Connect Central Asia policy
Tiger Triumph strengthens Quad and Indo-Pacific security architecture with US amphibious capability sharing
Frequent bilateral drills boost trust, SOPs and joint response speed during crises

Operational Focus

DUSTLIK trains platoon-level troops in urban counter-terror, room intervention and intelligence-driven raids
Tiger Triumph rehearses beach landings, casualty evacuation, logistic resupply using Indian naval platforms
Both exercises integrate communication networks, battle drills and after-action reviews for lessons learnt

Disaster Relief Angle

Tiger Triumph allocates dedicated serials for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and civilian evacuation
Joint medical camps and engineering tasks practiced for cyclone-prone Andhra coast scenarios
Interoperability in HADR aligns with Sendai Framework commitments and SAGAR vision

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Exercise type	Bilateral: India-Uzbekistan (Army); India-US (Tri-service)
Edition & year	DUSTLIK-6 (2024); Tiger Triumph 2025
Indian venue	Pune, Maharashtra; Duvvada Firing Range, Andhra Pradesh
Primary partner nation	Uzbekistan; United States
Core focus area	Sub-conventional ops; Amphibious warfare & HADR

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GS1 2020PYQ 1

What was the code name given to the first ever tri-service military exercise between India and USA?

CDS_GK, GS1 2024PYQ 2

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct?

GS-2Scheme

14.National Critical Mineral Mission (Critical Minerals)

ETEMinistry of Mines · Lithium · Exploration projects

Illustration for National Critical Mineral Mission (Critical Minerals)

What & Where

Mission: National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) secures sustainable supply of strategic minerals for clean energy, tech, defence.

Processes: Integrates exploration, mining, processing, recycling, overseas acquisition, R&D CoEs, skill training, infrastructure creation.

Geography: Pan-India operations; overseas asset targets in Argentina, Australia, Chile.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

CoEs: Drives extraction, beneficiation, advanced-processing R&D under recently issued guidelines.
SOPs: Standardised recycling protocols to curb imports, cut environmental impact.
Processing parks: Clustered refining units plus national stockpiles for supply resilience.

Economic Angle

Auctions: 100+ blocks boost domestic output, lower foreign-exchange drain.
Overseas assets: Enables PSU/private acquisitions ensuring uninterrupted raw-material flow.
Incentives: Fiscal, operational support for recycling and processing ventures.

Skill Development

Training: Specialised programmes, scholarships cultivate critical-mineral workforce.
Academia: New curricula covering geology, metallurgy, battery materials.
Workforce: Aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat employment objectives.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Launch medium	Union Budget 2024-25
Nodal ministry	Ministry of Mines
Planned exploration projects	1200+
Blocks for auction	100+ critical-mineral blocks
Key minerals	Lithium, cobalt, REEs, graphite, nickel
Overseas focus nations	Argentina, Australia, Chile
Circular-economy tool	SOP-based recycling framework
Long-term climate target	Supports India Net Zero 2070

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GS1 2025PYQ 1

Consider the following statements:

CDS_GK, GS1 2024PYQ 2

Recently the Government of India entered into an agreement for a lithium exploration and mining project with which one among the following countries?

GS-1Economy

15.Women Informality in Manufacturing (Women Employment)

The HinduFormal sector · Gender disparity · Textile industry

Illustration for Women Informality in Manufacturing (Women Employment)

What & Where

Context: Female labour participation in Indian manufacturing, split into formal (EPFO‐ESIC data) and informal (PLFS) segments

Core types: Formal jobs 18.9 % female; informal 43 % female, mostly low-skill, low-pay

Geography: Southern states (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala) lead; large gaps in Bihar, Haryana, U-P, Gujarat

Quick Facts for MCQs

Regional Disparity

Leadership: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, A-P, Gujarat dominate formal female jobs
Laggards: Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Haryana all < 6 % female formal share
Negative gender gap (women > men) in informal units of Telangana, Karnataka, West Bengal

Sectoral Pattern

Concentration: Textiles & apparel largest absorber; food processing next
Exception: Tobacco only formal industry with female majority
Diversification need: Automotive, electronics targeted under PLI for female hiring

Skill & Education

Gap: 70 % female workers lack secondary education; 94 % lack formal skilling
Initiative: Skill India, Samarth, upskilling in machining, electronics stressed
Outcome aim: Move women from low-skill informal to higher-pay formal roles

Policy & Schemes

Flagships: Make in India, PLI, MUDRA loans, maternity benefit cost-sharing suggested
Compliance: Strengthen Factories Act provisions on childcare, safe transport, hostels
Target: Inclusive manufacturing critical for Viksit Bharat vision 2047

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Manufacturing share in GDP	17 % (2023)
Govt target by 2025	25 % of GDP
Women in formal manufacturing	18.9 %; 1.57 mn of 8.34 mn
Women in informal manufacturing	43 % workforce
Tamil Nadu share of formal women jobs	41 % (highest)
Top-5 states’ share	75 % of formal female workers
Sectoral concentration	60 % in textiles, apparel, food
Only industry female > male	Tobacco (formal)
Women with ≥ secondary schooling	30 % (men 47 %)
Women with formal vocational training	6 %

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, GEO_GS 2020PYQ 1

Which of the following statements about employment situation in India according to Periodic Labour Force Survey 2017-18 is/are correct?

CAPF_GAI, GEO_GS 2026PYQ 2

With reference to distribution of employment in India for the year 2024-2025, consider the following statements:

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