Friday, 6 June 2025

UPSC Current Affairs

Q: With reference to India, consider the following statements:

The correct answer is (a) 1 only. This question appeared in GS1 2022.

Q: Which one among the following statements about PDMC scheme (Per Drop More Crop) is not correct?

The correct answer is (a) This scheme focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through micro-irrigation.. This question appeared in ESE_GS, GEO_GS 2024.

Q: Which one of the following Yojanas replaces two schemes – National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS), 1999 as well as the Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS), 2010 – by incorporating the best features of all these schemes while removing the previous shortcomings and weaknesses?

The correct answer is (b) Pradhan Mantri Fasal Sinchayee Yojana. This question appeared in ESE_GS, GEO_GS 2025.

Q: भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था के संदर्भ में, 'मुद्रास्फीति-संलग्न बांड (Inflation-Indexed Bonds — IIBs)' के क्या लाभ हैं?

The correct answer is (a) केवल 1 और 2. This question appeared in GS1 2022.

Q: Which of the following statements with respect to milk production in India is/are not correct?

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

Q: गैर-बैंकिंग वित्तीय कंपनियों (NBFCs) के बारे में निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा कथन सही नहीं है?

The correct answer is (c) NBFCs अपने नाम पर आहरित चेक जारी नहीं कर सकती हैं।. This question appeared in CDS_GK 2022.

Q: Which among the following was the host country of the United Nations World Environment Day, 2022?

The correct answer is (c) South Africa. This question appeared in NDA_GAT 2022.

Q: India has committed to reduce emission intensity of its GDP from 2005 levels by 33-35 per cent by the year:

The correct answer is (b) 2030. This question appeared in GEO_GS 2020.

Q: India's installed solar capacity in 2025 is close to

The correct answer is (a) 70 GW. This question appeared in GEO_GS 2026.

Q: Which one of the following Indian institutes was approved by the Drugs Controller General of India for conducting human trials of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine candidate?

The correct answer is (a) Bharat Biotech. This question appeared in CAPF_GAI, CDS_GK 2020.

14 topicsGS-2: 4GS-3: 10

0/14 done

GS-2Polity

1.BCI Opens Door to Foreign Lawyers (Legal Services Regulation)

LLBar Council of India · foreign law firms · arbitration

Illustration for BCI Opens Door to Foreign Lawyers (Legal Services Regulation)

What & Where

BCI amended 2022 Rules permit foreign lawyers/firms to advise on foreign, international law and arbitration inside India

Scope limited to non-litigious services; no appearance before Indian courts, tribunals, or practice of Indian law

Measure spans all India, supporting hubs like MCIA Mumbai and DIAC Delhi for global dispute resolution

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Registration mandatory; BCI can suspend, cancel foreign practising certificates for breach
Prohibition clause preserves Advocates Act, 1961 sovereignty over Indian law practice
Non-litigious ceiling clarifies jurisdiction, eases constitutional concerns of bar monopolies

Economic Angle

Arbitration boost; foreign expertise expected to attract high-value infrastructure, trade disputes
Knowledge transfer; exposure to legal tech, global best practices modernises domestic firms
Cross-border market access; Indian lawyers gain new revenue streams through reciprocal entry

Implementation Challenges

Protectionism fear; small and mid-size Indian firms worry over elite consultancy share loss
Monitoring burden; BCI must audit activities to prevent covert Indian law practice
Reciprocity hurdles; several jurisdictions maintain stricter entry norms limiting Indian outward mobility

International Context

Indo-UK Arbitration Conference announcement deepens bilateral legal cooperation frameworks
Foreign firms’ larger capital, global clientele may skew competition dynamics if safeguards weak
Growing arbitration centres worldwide force India to liberalise to remain a preferred seat

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Authority issuing rules	Bar Council of India (BCI)
Rule set amended	BCI Rules for Registration & Regulation of Foreign Lawyers, 2022
Latest amendment year	2024
Permitted activities	Foreign law, international law advisory, international arbitration
Litigation rights in India	Not allowed
Registration requirement	Mandatory BCI enrolment under reciprocity
Reciprocity benefit	Indian advocates may practise foreign law abroad
India ICC arbitration rank	5th globally, ICC Report 2024

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2022PYQ 1

With reference to India, consider the following statements:

GS-3Editorial

2.Synchronising Irrigation and Cropping Decisions (Irrigation Policy)

Financial Expresscropping patterns · rainfall variability · Green Revolution

What & Where

Irrigation–cropping nexus: farmers synchronise crop choice with real-time water, price and rainfall signals

2011-23 India: irrigated share of gross sown area climbed from 46.9 % to 55.8 %

Green-Revolution belt (Punjab, Haryana, W-UP) most water-intensive; central-eastern belt still predominantly rain-fed

Quick Facts for MCQs

Policy & Schemes

PMKSY amalgamates AIBP, HKKP, Per Drop More Crop, Watershed Development
Punjab pilot Paani Bachao Paise Kamao rewards reduced groundwater use through DBT credits
Proposed National Drainage Mission to tackle Indo-Gangetic waterlogging and salinity

Environmental Impact

Paddy-centric support plus free power driving critical aquifer decline in Punjab, Haryana, W-UP
Delayed, mismatched canals spur waterlogging, salinisation; yields may drop 80 % on affected land
Micro-irrigation with soil-moisture sensors cut water use 30 % in Punjab cotton & maize trials

Technology & Innovation

Real-Time Governance Society, Andhra Pradesh uses satellites, soil sensors for adaptive water scheduling
Solar pumps, smart drip kits, mobile alerts promoted under PDMC cluster subsidies
Remote sensing adoption still limited beyond Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka pilot projects

Implementation Gaps

Long-gestation projects like Gosikhurd miss kharif window, remain under-utilised
Irrigation gains plateau without quality seeds, fertiliser, credit; seen in Uttar Pradesh case
Traditional tanks, johads rarely integrated into formal grids despite MGNREGA potential

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Gross Irrigated Area 2022-23	122.3 million ha
GIA increase 2011-23	+30.5 million ha
Gross Sown Area 2022-23	219.4 million ha
Irrigated share of GSA	55.8 %
Average yield 2022-23	1 009 kg/acre
Yield CAGR 2011-23	1.67 %
Canal water loss estimate	up to 40 %
Groundwater depletion range	122–199 billion m³
Projected saline/waterlogged land 2025	13 million ha
Haryana annual crop loss from salinity	>2 million t

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

ESE_GS, GEO_GS 2024PYQ 1

Which one among the following statements about PDMC scheme (Per Drop More Crop) is not correct?

ESE_GS, GEO_GS 2025PYQ 2

Which one of the following Yojanas replaces two schemes – National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS), 1999 as well as the Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS), 2010 – by incorporating the best features of all these schemes while removing the previous shortcomings and weaknesses?

GS-3Economy

3.SEBI Framework for ESG Bonds (ESG Bonds Regulation)

Economic TimesSEBI · ESG debt securities · social bonds

What & Where

Instrument: ESG debt securities—bonds funding projects with Environmental, Social or Governance benefits.

Key labels: Social, Sustainability, Sustainability-Linked (SEBI also recognises Green under classification).

Geography: Operational framework issued by SEBI; effective across Indian bond markets.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Classification: issuer must tag bond green/social/sustainability in offer document.
Compliance: alignment with recognised international ESG standards compulsory.
Enforcement: framework applies to all future issuances, not retrospective.

Disclosure & Verification

Prospectus: list project eligibility, selection process, finance vs refinance split.
Ongoing: yearly impact report until maturity; data signed by management.
Assurance: verifier validates ESG alignment pre-issue and may review updates.

Monitoring & Impact

Responsibility: issuer tracks actual environmental/social outcomes continuously.
Metrics: quantitative indicators preferred for transparency; qualitative allowed when data scarce.
Corrective action: misallocation requires disclosure and re-deployment within next reporting cycle.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Regulator	SEBI
Framework start date	5 June 2025
Mandatory reviewer	Independent third-party verifier/certifier
Primary classification basis	Dominant project objective (green, social, sustainability)
Annual disclosures cover	Fund utilisation & impact metrics
Eligible issuances	Public issues and private placements

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2022PYQ 1

भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था के संदर्भ में, 'मुद्रास्फीति-संलग्न बांड (Inflation-Indexed Bonds — IIBs)' के क्या लाभ हैं?

GS-3Economy

4.World Milk Day 2025 Observance (Dairy Sector)

The HinduFAO · Verghese Kurien · Operation Flood

Illustration for World Milk Day 2025 Observance (Dairy Sector)

What & Where

World Milk Day (FAO, 1 Jun) celebrates nutrition, livelihoods & sustainability of dairy; India marks National Milk Day on 26 Nov (Kurien).

India, top global milk producer since 1998, supplies ≈25 % of world output; key states — UP, Rajasthan, MP, Gujarat, Maharashtra.

White Revolution 2.0 targets cooperative procurement hike to 1,000 lakh L/day, stressing women, nutrition, climate-smart dairying.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Economic Angle

Contribution 12-14 % of farm income; rural backbone via 303 m bovines & 74 m goats.
Unorganised dominance limits cold-chain, credit, quality premiums.
Gobar-Dhan converts dung to bio-CNG & fertiliser, adding revenue streams.

Social Concerns

Women: 35 % in dairy cooperatives; 48 k women-led societies empower rural households.
Milk’s calcium & B-12 combat anaemia, stunting; vegetarian diets rely heavily on it.
Indigenous breed erosion from 30 % crossbred average (Kerala 96 %) threatens biodiversity.

Environmental Impact

Heatwaves in north (30 % output) jeopardise supply, incomes.
Methane mitigation via digestible forages & feed additives; TMR plants by Amul.
Climate-resilient A2 breeds under Rashtriya Gokul Mission bolster adaptation.

Tech & Schemes

Sex-sorted semen skews births toward high-yield females; Embryo Transfer gives 12 calves/yr.
IoT collars, AI udder scanners, automated milking slash disease & labour costs.
Flagship funds: AHIDF, NADCP, Gokul Mission, NAIP, Livestock Mission.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Global rank	1st since 1998
2023-24 production	239.2 million t
10-yr growth (2014-24)	+63.56 %
Per-capita milk availability	471 g/day (world avg 322 g)
GDP share	> 6 %
Farmers engaged	80 million
Organised sector share	28 %
Feed price rise (30 yrs)	246 % vs milk price 68 %
Heatwave yield loss	10-30 % forecast
Mastitis loss	₹14,000 crore/yr

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GEO_GS 2024PYQ 1

Which of the following statements with respect to milk production in India is/are not correct?

GS-3Infrastructure

5.Chenab Railway Bridge Inauguration (USBRL Project)

Financial ExpressChenab River · 359 metres · tallest railway bridge

Illustration for Chenab Railway Bridge Inauguration (USBRL Project)

What & Where

Bridge: steel-arch railway span over Chenab River between Bakkal & Kauri villages, Reasi district, J&K

Corridor: integral to Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link, stitching Katra with Sangaldan en route to Srinagar

Record: tallest railway bridge globally at 359 m above riverbed, located in seismic Zone V Himalayas

Quick Facts for MCQs

Engineering Specs

Steel arch with composite deck; high-strength steel & concrete mix
Safety envelope covers wind, quake, blast, temperature, corrosion factors
Foundation depth and anchorage engineered for fractured Himalayan geology

Strategic Significance

Connectivity upgrade ensures year-round rail access to Kashmir frontier region
Infrastructure symbol enhances national integration and rapid troop mobilisation ability
Tourism and local commerce expected to gain via faster, cheaper logistics

Project Execution

Construction involved cable-crane methodology across 467 m deep gorge
Remote terrain required 28,000 t steel, modular on-site fabrication
Inauguration signals physical completion of 272 km USBRL megaproject

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Height above riverbed	359 m
Taller than Eiffel	35 m
Total bridge length	1,315 m
Main arch length	785 m
Approach span length	530 m
Design wind speed	266 km/h
Seismic resistance	up to Magnitude 8
Temperature tolerance	−20 °C
Blast resistance	40 t TNT
Permitted train speed	100 km/h
Design life	120 years
Implementing agency	Konkan Railway Corporation
Constructors	Afcons-Ultra (South Korea)-VSL JV

GS-3EconomyQuick Bite

6.Flipkart Secures RBI NBFC Licence (NBFC Regulation)

LiveMintFlipkart · RBI licence · Net Owned Fund

What & Where

Flipkart now holds RBI-issued Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) licence in India.

Licence lets the e-commerce firm lend directly to buyers and sellers nationwide.

NBFCs regulated under RBI Act 1934; incorporation under Companies Act 1956/2013 mandatory.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Registration needs RBI nod plus ₹10 crore NOF and Companies Act incorporation.
NBFC definition excludes primary agriculture, manufacturing, trade, real estate businesses.

Bank–NBFC Differences

Deposit acceptance limited; no demand deposits permitted for NBFCs.
Payment-system exclusion stops NBFCs from issuing cheques or providing settlement services.

Business Impact

Direct lending by Flipkart may lower platform credit costs for sellers and consumers.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
First Indian e-commerce NBFC	Flipkart
Regulator for NBFCs	Reserve Bank of India
Minimum Net Owned Fund	₹10 crore
Governing company law	Companies Act 1956 or 2013
Deposit insurance cover	Not available under DICGC
Demand deposits	Prohibited for NBFCs
Cheque-issuing right	No; outside payment & settlement system
Residuary NBFC main activity	Collect deposits via schemes/instalments

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK 2022PYQ 1

गैर-बैंकिंग वित्तीय कंपनियों (NBFCs) के बारे में निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा कथन सही नहीं है?

GS-3Environment

7.Dhanushkodi Flamingo Sanctuary Notification (Bird Sanctuary)

The HinduGreater Flamingo · Gulf of Mannar · Central Asian Flyway

Illustration for Dhanushkodi Flamingo Sanctuary Notification (Bird Sanctuary)

What & Where

Newly declared Greater Flamingo Sanctuary; protects migratory wetland birds at a key Central Asian Flyway stopover

Lies in Dhanushkodi, Rameshwaram taluk, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu; inside Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve

Encompasses >500 ha of wetlands, mangroves, mudflats, marshes and sand dunes along the Palk Bay coast

Quick Facts for MCQs

Ecology & Biodiversity

Habitat mosaic supports flamingos, herons, sandpipers, egrets, sea-turtle nesting
Coastal vegetation buffers erosion, aids climate resilience
2023-24 survey reaffirmed high avifaunal density in winter months

Conservation Significance

Legal notification strengthens Gulf of Mannar marine conservation network
Sanctuary status enables stricter regulation of tourism, fishing intrusions
Potential model for other Central Asian Flyway wetland nodes

Species Biology

Flamingos filter-feed using down-curved bill rich in lamellae
Pink plumage derived from carotenoid pigments in algal and invertebrate diet
Highly gregarious; breed in large colonies, display synchronized V-shaped flights

Livelihood & Tourism

Eco-tourism prospects for bird-watching, nature trails may boost local income
Community engagement envisioned for mangrove restoration and guided tours

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Sanctuary area	Over 500 ha (includes 7 ha revenue + forest land)
State	Tamil Nadu
Biosphere Reserve	Gulf of Mannar
Migratory flyway	Central Asian Flyway
Bird species listed	128
Wetland birds counted 2023-24	10,700 +
Flagship species	Greater Flamingo
Flamingo scientific name	Phoenicopterus roseus
Flamingo height range	90–150 cm
Flamingo clutch size	1–2 eggs
Nest type	Cone-shaped mud mounds
Key mangroves	Avicennia, Rhizophora

GS-3Environment

8.World Environment Day 2025 (UN Environment Day)

UNEPBeat Plastic Pollution · UNEP · Jeju Province

What & Where

Observance — UN-led World Environment Day, annual global outreach on 5 June for environmental protection

Geography — 2025 official celebrations in Jeju Province, Republic of Korea

Focus — Mobilising worldwide action to beat plastic pollution and advance a global treaty

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Treaty focus — Global Plastics Treaty seeks binding rules across full plastic life-cycle
National plan — Mexico Beach Cleanup Plan 2025-30 targets plastic-free coasts within five years
Host nation role — Korea spotlights marine litter laws during Jeju event

Tech & Schemes

Platform launch — Global Plastics Hub offers datasets, best practices, collaboration tools on marine litter
Youth drive — Tide Turners Summit shares scalable plastic-reduction models led by volunteers worldwide
Cleanup model — Community beach audits integrate app-based tracking for waste hotspots

Awareness & Culture

Mural outreach — 245-foot Chicago Ecosystem Restoration Mural raises visibility of plastic crisis
Campaign hashtag — #BeatPlasticPollution trends during WED, amplifying citizen pledges
Visual storytelling — Art installations in Jeju translate plastic waste into public exhibits

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Lead UN agency	UNEP
First edition	1973
Observance date	5 June (annual)
2025 theme	Beat Plastic Pollution
2025 host location	Jeju Province, South Korea
Key 2025 objective	Momentum for legally binding Global Plastics Treaty
Next treaty talks	August 2025
Youth programme reach	Tide Turners – 980,000+ youth, 60 countries
New data platform	UNEP Global Plastics Hub
Mexico coastal target	Zero plastic waste by 2030

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

NDA_GAT 2022PYQ 1

Which among the following was the host country of the United Nations World Environment Day, 2022?

GS-3Environment

9.EnviStats India 2025 Report (Environmental Statistics)

Times of IndiaMoSPI · FDES 2013 · renewable energy data

Illustration for EnviStats India 2025 Report (Environmental Statistics)

What & Where

EnviStats India: annual MoSPI publication providing national-level environment statistics using UN-FDES 2013 framework

8th edition released 5 Jun 2025, covers energy, biodiversity, climate, water, waste and fiscal spending

Geographic scope: pan-India data with select global comparability indicators (e.g., Ramsar sites, SDGs)

Quick Facts for MCQs

Energy & Power

Thermal generation up 67% in decade; renewables multiplied 3.4 × reflecting transition momentum
Data aids tracking Paris Agreement NDCs and RE targets

Biodiversity

India hosts ≈7.5 % world fauna; soil and aquatic groups prominently catalogued
Report enriches Ramsar-linked wetland information sets

Climate Metrics

Mean, max, min temperatures all showing sustained upward drift since early 2000s
Erratic monsoon highlighted without definitive long-term precipitation trend

Public Finance

Environmental Sustainability Sector tops allocations; agroforestry receives minimal funds
Spending matrix useful for green budgeting, SDG-aligned fiscal audits

Data & Methodology

FDES structure ensures international comparability and indicator standardisation
Gaps: limited sub-national granularity, lagged datasets, scant vulnerability mapping

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Edition year	2025 (8th)
Thermal power 2023-24	13.26 lakh GWh
Renewable power 2023-24	2.25 lakh GWh
Renewable jump 2013-14→2023-24	65,520 → 2.25 lakh GWh
Inland fish 2023-24	139.07 lakh t
Marine fish 2023-24	44.95 lakh t
Mean temp 2001 vs 2024	25.05 °C → 25.74 °C
Long-term rainfall trend	No clear rise or fall
Total recorded faunal spp.	1,04,561
Soil fauna spp. share	22,404
Freshwater fauna spp.	9,436
Mangrove fauna spp.	5,023
Highest 2021-22 env. outlay	₹2,433 cr (Environmental Sustainability)
Lowest 2021-22 env. outlay	Agroforestry (value not specified)
New indicators added	Ramsar sites, sanitation, transport, electricity access

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GEO_GS 2020PYQ 1

India has committed to reduce emission intensity of its GDP from 2005 levels by 33-35 per cent by the year:

GEO_GS 2026PYQ 2

India's installed solar capacity in 2025 is close to

GS-3S&T

10.India Emerges Global Biotech Hub (Biotech Industry)

PIBICGEB · Bio-foundry · BioE3 policy

What & Where

ICGEB: 1983 inter-governmental biotech centre; 69 members; hubs—New Delhi, Trieste (Italy), Cape Town (SA).

DST-ICGEB Bio-foundry: India’s first public-funded scale-up platform for bio-innovation; launched June 2025, New Delhi.

BioE3 Policy: “Biotechnology for Economy-Environment-Employment” blueprint to deepen pan-India bio-manufacturing.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

BioE3 Policy anchors incentives, sustainability, job creation in bio-manufacturing.
Mission Covid Suraksha accelerated indigenous Covid vaccine R&D funding.
Public-funded Bio-foundry showcases PPP thrust within DST mandate.

Economic Angle

Bioeconomy CAGR ~43 % (2014-24) indicating rapid sector monetisation.
Startup base grew 200× in a decade, signalling strong innovation pipeline.
USD 300 bn 2030 target aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat export ambitions.

Tech & Schemes

Bio-foundry offers design-build-test-learn pipelines, reducing lab-to-market time for synthetic biology products.
Facilities support vaccine, enzyme, bio-fuel, biomaterial prototyping at industrial scale.
Platform open to academia, startups, MSMEs under DST-BIRAC programs.

Product Milestones

ZyCoV-D: plasmid DNA platform enables needle-free delivery, WHO emergency listing awaited.
CERVAVAC: quadrivalent HPV vaccine priced for LMIC affordability, targets cervical cancer burden.
Pneumosil: 10-valent PCV covering serotypes prevalent in India, WHO prequalification earned 2020.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
ICGEB Indian host city	New Delhi
ICGEB member countries	69
India biotech rank	12th world; 3rd Asia-Pacific
Indian biotech startups 2024	>10,000 (50 in 2014)
Bioeconomy value 2014	USD 10 bn
Bioeconomy value 2024	USD 165.7 bn
Bioeconomy target 2030	USD 300 bn
India vaccine status	Largest global producer
First DNA Covid vaccine	ZyCoV-D
Indigenous macrolide antibiotic	Nafithromycin
Indigenous qHPV vaccine	CERVAVAC
Indigenous PCV	Pneumosil

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, CDS_GK 2020PYQ 1

Which one of the following Indian institutes was approved by the Drugs Controller General of India for conducting human trials of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine candidate?

CAPF_GAI, CDS_GK 2024PYQ 2

Biotechnological research is promoted through the development of "Biotechnology Parks". Which of the following is/are essential to bring technology to market?

GS-3S&TQuick Bite

11.Thermophilic Bacteria Offer New Antibiotics (Antimicrobial Resistance)

The Hinduthermophilic bacteria · Rajgir hot springs · Actinobacteria

What & Where

Thermophilic bacteria: heat-loving microbes thriving ≥ 45 °C in hot springs, deep-sea vents, compost piles

Rajgir Hot Springs, Bihar: 16S rRNA metagenomics reveals antibiotic-rich Actinobacteria dominance

Actinobacteria/Actinomycetales: classic antibiotic producers (streptomycin, tetracycline) forming 40-43 % Rajgir community

Quick Facts for MCQs

Scientific Technique

Metagenomics, culture-independent DNA/RNA recovery from environmental samples
16S rRNA sequencing, fast taxonomic profiling of uncultured microbes
Focus on antibiotic biosynthetic gene clusters detection

Health Significance

AMR, silent epidemic escalating multiple-drug prescriptions and costs
Novel thermophile antibiotics, potential arsenal against resistant gram-positive strains
Diethyl phthalate from Actinomycetales, active versus foodborne Listeria

Industrial & Agricultural Uses

Thermostable Taq polymerase, backbone of COVID-19 PCR diagnostics
Leh thermophile consortium, enhances crop growth and soil health
Heat-stable enzymes, valuable in high-temperature bioprocessing

International Examples

Saudi Arabian thermophiles, yield antibiotics targeting gram-positive pathogens
Global hot-spring surveys, expanding extremophile antibiotic libraries

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Dominant phylum in Rajgir sample	Actinobacteria 40–43 %
Key extracted compound	Diethyl phthalate
Inhibited pathogen	Listeria monocytogenes
Core method used	16S rRNA metagenomics
WHO AMR cost forecast	USD 1 trillion by 2050
Thermophile habitats	Hot springs, deep-sea vents, compost
Famous thermophile enzyme	Taq polymerase for PCR
Leh hot-spring mix	Promotes plant growth

GS-2Polity

12.India Wins IIAS Presidency (IIAS Presidency)

The HinduInternational Institute of Administrative Sciences · Brussels · public administration

What & Where

Global, non-governmental scientific body advancing public-administration research, reform and comparative governance.

Founded 1930; almost century-old platform for scholars & practitioners from 90+ countries.

Headquarters Brussels, Belgium; rotating conferences and forums hosted worldwide.

Quick Facts for MCQs

India Angle

Milestone; India secures presidency on first attempt, signalling higher global administrative stature.
Leadership term starts 2025, aligning with vision of enhanced Global South representation.

Governance & Mandate

Objectives: promote comparative studies, intercultural dialogue, reform models, contemporary governance discourse.
Functions: organize conferences, publish journal, serve as policy-scholar forum.

UN Linkages

Collaboration with UNPAN & UN CEPA integrates IIAS research into UN public-administration initiatives.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Indian presidency term	2025 – 2028
India vote share	61.7 %
Election firsts	1st Indian president; 1st ballot-based poll in IIAS history
Year of establishment	1930
Headquarters city	Brussels
Annual conferences	Three, rotated among members
Flagship journal	International Review of Administrative Sciences (EN, FR, Mandarin)
UN partners	UNPAN, UN CEPA
Membership reach	90 + countries

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK 2025PYQ 1

Which of the following pairs of Institute and their location is/are correctly matched?

GS-2Scheme

13.Waste Picker Enumeration App Launch (NAMASTE Scheme)

PIBwaste pickers · MoSJE · MoHUA

Illustration for Waste Picker Enumeration App Launch (NAMASTE Scheme)

What & Where

Waste Picker Enumeration App – nationwide digital platform mapping 2.5 lakh waste pickers under NAMASTE scheme.

Operates across urban India; spearheaded by MoSJE with MoHUA convergence.

Implemented through National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC).

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

Digital-first enumeration enables real-time beneficiary tracking and benefit delivery.
NAMASTE emphasizes mechanised sanitation, eliminating manual scavenging practices.
App integrates with Swachh Bharat urban waste streams.

Beneficiary Support

Health; Ayushman Bharat policies cover hospitalisation expenses.
Livelihood; upskilling aligned with waste management value-chain jobs.
Safety; PPE distribution reduces occupational hazards.

Institutional Setup

MoSJE nodal authority; funds and policy oversight.
MoHUA ensures urban-local-body coordination for waste logistics.
NSKFDC channels credit, subsidies, training modules to ground-level collectives.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Scheme full name	National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem
Scheme nature	Central Sector
Launch (NAMASTE)	July 2023
Lead ministry	MoSJE
Convergence partner	MoHUA
Implementing agency	NSKFDC
App purpose	Enumerate, issue ID cards, extend benefits to waste pickers
Enumeration target	2.5 lakh persons
Identity output	Occupational ID cards
Health cover	Ayushman Bharat insurance
Safety gear	PPE + seasonal safety kits
Livelihood aid	Skill training + capital subsidy for collection vehicles
Collective support	750 dry-waste collection centres
Key guides released	Mainstreaming Waste Picker Collectives, Charting Change report
Core aim	Formalize, secure, mechanize sanitation workforce

GS-2Scheme

14.Ayush Nivesh Saarthi Investment Portal (Ayush Investment)

PIBAyush sector · Invest India · FDI 100%

What & Where

Digital portal to channel investments into India’s Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy) sector.

Led by Ministry of Ayush; built with Invest India; accessible worldwide.

Centralised platform integrating policies, incentives, project pipeline for traditional-medicine entrepreneurship.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

Unified-interface merges policies, incentives, invest-ready projects for quicker decisions.
Dynamic-dashboard offers live guidance, clearance tracking, investor support.
Investor-centric design enables simplified navigation and end-to-end digital journey.

Economic Angle

FDI focus expected to accelerate Ayush market already growing 17 % annually.
Portal aims to funnel capital to startups and MSMEs in natural health products.
Strengthens USD 13 bn medical-tourism segment through credible traditional-medicine offerings.

Global Outreach

Platform targets both domestic and international stakeholders for wider capital base.
Supports India’s positioning as trusted global wellness hub via structured investment landscape.
Enhances soft-power by exporting traditional-medicine expertise and products.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Launch entity	Ministry of Ayush + Invest India
Investment route allowed	100 % FDI via automatic route
Sector coverage	Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy
Ayush industry CAGR	~17 % during 2014-2020
Indian Medical Value Travel size	≈ USD 13 billion
Core portal tools	Unified policy hub, dynamic dashboard, real-time facilitation

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GEO_GS 2022PYQ 1

Which of the following are the parts of the Government of India's AYUSH initiative?

CDS_GK, GEO_GS 2022PYQ 2

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