Tuesday, 8 July 2025

UPSC Current Affairs

Q: According to the World Bank Poverty and Equity Brief (October 2025), 46% of India’s poor lived in which of the following States?

The correct answer is (a) Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh. This question appeared in GEO_GS, GS1 2026.

Q: Consider the following statements:

The correct answer is (a) 1 only. This question appeared in GEO_GS, GS1 2007.

Q: The e-AMRIT web portal on electric vehicles, launched at COP26 Summit in Glasgow recently, has been developed by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Government of

The correct answer is (b) UK. This question appeared in GEO_GS 2022.

Q: Which one of the following is not correct about Repo rate?

The correct answer is (a) It is the interest rate charged by the Central Bank on overnight loan.. This question appeared in CDS_GK, GS1 2020.

Q: The lowering of Bank Rate by the Reserve Bank of India leads to

The correct answer is (a) More liquidity in the market. This question appeared in CDS_GK, GS1 2011.

Q: Which one among the following statements with regard to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) is NOT correct?

The correct answer is (a) The 'Global Stocktake' is the central outcome of COP28. This question appeared in CAPF_GAI, CDS_GK 2024.

Q: Which one of the following resolutions in the final agreement reached at COP28 is associated with the target of achieving 'Net Zero by 2050'?

The correct answer is (a) Fossil fuel phase-out. This question appeared in CAPF_GAI, CDS_GK 2024.

Q: Recently, ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) has developed the world's first genome-edited rice varieties. Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to the developed products?

The correct answer is (a) 1 only. This question appeared in CDS_GK 2025.

Q: The Joint Venture named ‘ASHVINI’ to develop nuclear power facility in India is between

The correct answer is (a) NPCIL and NTPC. This question appeared in GS1, NDA_GAT 2025.

Q: Match List-I (Atomic Power Plants/Heavy Water Plants) with List-II (State) and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists :

The correct answer is (a) 2 1 4 5. This question appeared in GS1, NDA_GAT 2005.

17 topicsGS-1: 2GS-2: 5GS-3: 10

0/17 done

GS-2Polity

1.Legal Framework for Phone Tapping (Surveillance Laws)

Indian ExpressIndian Telegraph Act · Section 5(2) · Rule 419A

What & Where

Phone tapping = state interception/recording of telephone conversations without user knowledge.

Key process: Telegraph Act 1885 §5(2) allows during public emergency/safety; Rule 419A details procedure.

Geography: Executed by Union or State Home Secretary; reviewed by respective committees.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Judicial Rulings

Delhi HC 2020 upheld tap for corruption citing economic security under public safety.
Madras HC 2018 quashed MHA order; no emergency and procedural lapses.
SC 1997 laid authorisation hierarchy, review process, barred delegation below Joint Secy.

Procedural Safeguards

Order must name persons, duration max 60 days; extendable to 180.
Mandatory destruction of irrelevant recordings; retention only for legal needs.
Review committee may cancel order; logs then destroyed.

Security Dimension

Government cites interception to prevent incitement or economic offences threatening national economic security.
Anti-corruption probes in public projects viewed as public safety issue by Delhi HC.
Privacy affirmed in Puttaswamy 2017 yet balanced against legitimate state interest.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Principal statute	Indian Telegraph Act 1885
Enabling section	§5(2) “public emergency or public safety”
Digital‐age statute	Information Technology Act 2000
Postal surveillance law	Indian Post Office Act 1898
Procedural safeguard	Telegraph Rules 1951, Rule 419A
Authorising rank	Home Secretary; not below Joint Secretary
Review timeline	Committee scrutiny within 2 months
Landmark SC case	PUCL v Union of India 1997
Core rights impacted	Art 19(1)(a) & Art 21 (privacy)
Illegally tapped evidence	Inadmissible before court

GS-3Editorial

2.India's Gini Index Equality Ranking (Income Inequality)

PIBGini coefficient · World Bank data · Lorenz curve

What & Where

Gini Index: 0 = perfect equality, 100 = maximum inequality; derived from Lorenz curve (1912, Corrado Gini).

Scope: World Bank uses for cross-country income-inequality comparisons; consumption-based in India’s official estimates.

Geography focus: India’s 2022 value 25.5 — 4th most equal globally, ahead of all G7 & G20 peers.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Poverty Trends

Decline: Extreme poverty fell from 27.1 % (2011-12) to 5.3 % (2022-23) using $3/day line.
Threshold update: World Bank raised extreme-poverty cut-off to $3/day (2021 prices).
Concern: At $3.65/day, poverty still 28.1 % (~300 million people).

Flagship Schemes

Finance: Jan Dhan, DBT saved ₹3.48 lakh cr by 2023, widening formal access.
Health: Ayushman Bharat offers ₹5 lakh cover; 79 crore digital health IDs created.
Food: PM-GKAY delivers free grains to 80.67 crore beneficiaries (2024).

Inequality Critique

Wealth skew: Top 1 % own >40 % wealth; bottom 50 % own 3 %.
Wage gap: Top 10 % earn 13× bottom 10 % (2023-24).
Income Gini 2023: 0.410, higher than 0.371 in 1955.

Policy Gaps

Poverty line: Rangarajan 2014 benchmark outdated; fails to capture current costs.
Labour: 80 % informal workforce lacks robust wage and social-security protection.
Opportunity: Persistent rural, gender, caste digital and service-access divides hamper outcome equality.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
India Gini Index 2022	25.5
Global equality rank	4th most equal
Gini band for “moderately low”	25–30
China Gini (consumption)	35.7
USA Gini (consumption)	41.8
Indians out of extreme poverty (2011-22)	171 million
Poverty headcount at $3/day (2022-23)	5.3 %
Jan Dhan accounts (Jun 2025)	55.69 crore
Ayushman cards (Jul 2025)	41.34 crore

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GEO_GS, GS1 2026PYQ 1

According to the World Bank Poverty and Equity Brief (October 2025), 46% of India’s poor lived in which of the following States?

GEO_GS, GS1 2007PYQ 2

Consider the following statements:

GS-3Economy

3.EV Battery Passport Framework (EV Batteries)

Times of IndiaQR code identity · NITI Aayog · traceability

What & Where

Battery Passport = QR-embedded digital identity storing complete lifecycle data of every EV battery.

Covers processes: manufacturing, performance monitoring, carbon footprint, reuse, recycling, disposal.

Geography: India-wide framework under NITI Aayog; designed to meet incoming EU traceability norms.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Draft framework to be notified after inter-ministerial consultations.
Data-sharing protocols grant graded access to public, regulators, recyclers.
Harmonises domestic standards with forthcoming EU Battery Regulation 2024.

Tech & Schemes

QR code enables real-time tracking across production–operation–recycling phases.
Standardised metadata: manufacturer, batch, service history, carbon metrics.
Prerequisite for interoperable battery swapping stations and future incentive schemes.

Safety Dimension

Traceability flags faulty, aged or mismatched cells before fires occur.
Lifecycle records aid swift recalls and warranty adjudication.
Supports predictive maintenance, extending battery service life.

Economic Angle

Enhances Make-in-India batteries’ eligibility for EU and global exports.
Boosts consumer confidence, accelerating domestic EV adoption.
Catalyses investment in reuse, second-life and recycling industries, fostering circular economy.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Lead agency	NITI Aayog with multiple Union ministries
Carrier tech	Scannable QR code on each battery pack
Unique ID scope	One passport per battery, Aadhaar-like traceability
Key data fields	Origin, chemistry, performance, carbon footprint, end-of-life
EU alignment	Mirrors EU rule mandating passports for >2 kWh batteries
Main triggers	EV fires, cell mismatch, swapping, export compliance
Core objectives	Safety, quality uniformity, export readiness, circular economy

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GEO_GS 2022PYQ 1

The e-AMRIT web portal on electric vehicles, launched at COP26 Summit in Glasgow recently, has been developed by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Government of

GS-3Economy

4.RBI VRRR Auction Liquidity Management (Liquidity Management)

BLVariable Rate Reverse Repo · LAF corridor · TREPS platform

What & Where

VRRR Auction – RBI’s variable-rate reverse repo to absorb surplus liquidity via competitive bidding, India.

Size & Tenor – ₹1 lakh crore, 7-day window; targets overnight money-market rates.

Platform – Funds mainly sourced from entities operating on TREPS under CCIL oversight.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Monetary Policy Tools

VRRR absorbs liquidity; VRR injects liquidity; both auction-based unlike fixed repo/reverse-repo.
LAF corridor anchors overnight rates; VRRR steers rates towards 5.25 % floor.
RBI toggles OMO, FX swaps, term-repos alongside VRRR for fine-tuning.

Market Infrastructure

TREPS enables collateralised overnight lending among banks, MF, NBFCs using G-secs.
CCIL acts as central counterparty, settlement agent, collateral manager in tri-party repo.

Liquidity Dynamics

Surplus liquidity arises from government spending spikes, OMO purchases, FX inflows.
Absorption via VRRR curbs inflationary pressure, stabilises short-term interest rates.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Auction size	₹1 lakh crore
Auction tenor	7 days
LAF corridor	5.25 % – 5.75 %
Current Repo rate (upper bound)	5.75 %
Current Reverse Repo rate (lower bound)	5.25 %
TREPS manager	CCIL
VRRR vs Reverse Repo	Variable, auction-based
Tri-party members	Borrower • Lender • CCIL
Liquidity surplus drivers	OMO G-sec buys, term-VRR, FX swap buys
Liquidity meaning	Ease of converting assets to cash in system

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GS1 2020PYQ 1

Which one of the following is not correct about Repo rate?

CDS_GK, GS1 2011PYQ 2

The lowering of Bank Rate by the Reserve Bank of India leads to

GS-1Mapping

5.Namibia Geographic Profile (African Geography)

Indian ExpressWindhoek · Namib Desert · Brandberg Peak

What & Where

Namibia – southwest African nation abutting the Atlantic Ocean; capital Windhoek; gateway to interior Southern Africa.

Terrain spans Namib Desert (west), Central Plateau, Kalahari (east) with Brandberg 2,573 m as apex.

Border rivers Kunene, Okavango, Zambezi, Orange enable irrigation, hydropower and trans-boundary cooperation.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Physical Geography

Escarpment forms sharp west-east elevation rise, shaping fog-fed Namib dune systems.
Fish River Canyon and saline Etosha Pan lie on Central Plateau, major tourist draws.

Climate & Water

Arid-to-semi-arid regime; recurrent inland droughts challenge agriculture and pastoralism.
Caprivi Strip receives highest precipitation, sustaining woodland and riverine biodiversity.

Minerals & Economy

Diamond, uranium, copper concentrated along Namib coast and escarpment, anchoring export revenue.
Sparse fertile soils confine commercial farming to highlands and floodplains.

India Relations

Digital‐payments UPI agreement signals tech diplomacy outreach to Global South.
Visit revives bilateral engagement after 1998, eyes mineral, energy and logistics cooperation.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Capital	Windhoek
Ocean frontage	Atlantic
Neighbours	Angola, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa
Highest peak	Brandberg 2,573 m
Western desert	Namib (hyper-arid, diamonds, uranium)
Eastern desert	Kalahari (semi-arid, merges savanna)
Key rivers	Kunene, Okavango, Zambezi, Orange
Rainfall range	<50 mm coast; >600 mm Caprivi Strip
Fertile belts	Otavi Highlands, Caprivi Strip
Indian link 2024	UPI rollout; first PM visit in 27 yrs

GS-3Environment

6.Bonn Climate Talks 2025 Outcomes (UNFCCC Negotiations)

The HinduGlobal Goal on Adaptation · Mitigation Work Programme · Loss and Damage

Illustration for Bonn Climate Talks 2025 Outcomes (UNFCCC Negotiations)

What & Where

Mid-year UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies meet, Bonn (Germany), 3-14 June 2025.

Provides technical inputs for COP30 (Belém, Brazil); covers mitigation, adaptation, finance, loss & damage.

Convened by UNFCCC Secretariat under Paris Agreement facilitative, non-negotiation mandate.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Adaptation Metrics

Indicator shortlist focuses on health, water, agriculture; uniform benchmarks opposed by India & LMDCs.
Reporting burden flagged; call for capacity-building funds.

Finance Debate

Developed bloc resisted adaptation-finance indicators, limiting ex-ante accountability.
Sharp North–South split on grant-based vs loan-based flows; transparency gaps under Article 9.5 exposed.

Equity & CBDR

LMDCs invoked historical responsibility; EU, US pushed forward-looking voluntary models.
Equity language remains bracketed, risking dilution in COP30 drafts.

Loss & Damage

Progress: integration of L&D plans into updated NDCs agreed.
Outstanding: funding windows & Santiago Network operationalisation unresolved.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Official name	Bonn Climate Talks 2025
Institutional tag	SB 60 (Subsidiary Body for Implementation & Scientific/Technological Advice)
Host city / country	Bonn, Germany
Primary objective	Shape draft decisions & text for COP30
Proposed climate-finance target	USD 1.3 trillion per year (“Baku to Belém” roadmap)
Global Goal on Adaptation	490 / 9,000 indicators shortlisted
India’s stance on GGA	Favoured context-specific, flexible metrics
Mitigation Work Programme	Retained as non-punitive, knowledge-sharing platform
Procedural delay	2-day agenda adoption deadlock
Key fault line	Grants vs loans; mitigation vs adaptation finance split

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, CDS_GK 2024PYQ 1

Which one among the following statements with regard to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) is NOT correct?

CAPF_GAI, CDS_GK 2024PYQ 2

Which one of the following resolutions in the final agreement reached at COP28 is associated with the target of achieving 'Net Zero by 2050'?

GS-3S&T

7.CRISPR-Enhanced Japonica Rice Yield (Agri Biotechnology)

The HinduCRISPR-Cas9 · OsPHO1;2 · NIPGR

Illustration for CRISPR-Enhanced Japonica Rice Yield (Agri Biotechnology)

What & Where

Japonica rice; short-grain, high-starch East Asian variety; model cultivar Nipponbare used in labs.

CRISPR-Cas9 editing at NIPGR, New Delhi removed 30-bp OsWRKY6 binding site on OsPHO1;2 promoter.

Aims to raise phosphate uptake in Indian phosphate-deficient soils; scalable to indica rice.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Gene Technology

Precision editing; promoter “surgery” retains gene, deletes repressor site only.
No gene knockout; avoids pleiotropic defects seen with full OsWRKY6 removal.
Final plants non-transgenic, easing regulatory pathway.

Agronomic Impact

Increased panicle number and seed count; grain size, quality unchanged.
Higher shoot phosphorus enhances seed filling under limited fertiliser.
Suitable for nutrient-poor, rainfed regions.

Economic & Environmental Angle

Lower DAP demand cuts import bill and forex outgo.
Reduced phosphate runoff curbs eutrophication in water bodies.
Higher yield supports food security without proportionate input rise.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Developing institute	National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Delhi
Editing tool	CRISPR-Cas9
Target gene	OsPHO1;2 (phosphate transporter)
Negative regulator	OsWRKY6
DNA segment deleted	30 base pairs in promoter
Yield gain at full P	≈20 %
Yield gain at 10 % P	≈40 %
Foreign DNA in final line	None; removed via segregation
Off-target hits	None detected by top prediction tools
Publication	Plant Biotechnology Journal
Indian DAP imports	≈4.5 million t / year

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK 2025PYQ 1

Recently, ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) has developed the world's first genome-edited rice varieties. Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to the developed products?

GS-3S&T

8.Vera Rubin Observatory Sky Survey (Astronomy)

Indian ExpressChile Andes · dark matter · wide-field telescope

Illustration for Vera Rubin Observatory Sky Survey (Astronomy)

What & Where

Vera C. Rubin Observatory: next-gen optical survey telescope mapping dynamic sky for dark matter, dark energy, near-Earth objects

Site: Cerro Pachón, Chilean Andes, 2 650 m; joint US NSF–DOE project

Strategy: image full southern sky every 3 days for 10 years using 3.2-Gpx camera & real-time alerts

Quick Facts for MCQs

Instrumentation

Wide-field 8.4 m optics capture 40-Moon patch each exposure
Six filters span ultraviolet to near-infrared for colour and redshift data
Automated software issues alerts within 60 s of detecting change

Mission Objectives

Time-domain survey builds 3-D cosmic map to probe dark matter & dark energy
Continuous NEO tracking enhances planetary-defence early warning
Open-access archives democratise data for global researchers & citizen science

Scientific Significance

Weak-lensing maps refine dark-matter distribution across large-scale structure
Supernova light-curves tighten constraints on cosmic-expansion models
Million-scale nightly transients may uncover previously unknown astrophysical phenomena

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Elevation	2 650 m (8 684 ft)
Survey cadence	Whole southern sky in 72 h
Planned mission	2025-2035 (10 yrs)
Field of view	Area of 40 full Moons
Primary mirror	8.4 m diameter
Camera resolution	3 200 Megapixels
Light sensitivity	100 million × fainter than naked eye
Slew time	5 s between targets
Images per night	≈1 000
Daily data	20 terabytes
Nightly alerts	~10 million
Test haul	2 100+ asteroids in 10 h
Decadal output	>5 m asteroids; ≈1 lakh NEOs

GS-3S&T

9.Operational Licence for 700 MWe PHWRs (PHWR Reactors)

The HinduKakrapar · AERB · NPCIL

What & Where

Kakrapar Atomic Power Station, Gujarat; new Units 3 & 4 cleared for operation.

Reactors: indigenously designed 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).

Regulator: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), independent under DAE, Atomic Energy Act 1962.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Regulatory Framework

Licence granted after multi-tiered AERB assessment, ensures reactor safety compliance.
AERB functions autonomously though housed in DAE; reports statutorily via Atomic Energy Act.

Reactor Fleet & Expansion

NPCIL sole operator; Indira Gandhi Centre runs PFBR category only.
Commissioning of KAPS-3/4 bolsters roadmap for 10 additional 700 MWe PHWRs nationwide.

Technical Specs

Heavy-water moderation permits use of natural/slightly enriched uranium fuel, aiding fuel-cycle indigenisation.
PHWR design suited to Indian uranium resources, offering high neutron economy.

Capacity Targets

Government envisions nearly 12× rise from 2024 levels to hit 100 GW by 2047.
Incremental additions through standardized 700 MWe PHWRs form cornerstone of expansion plan.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Licensed units	KAPS-3 & KAPS-4
Reactor type	PHWR using D₂O as coolant + moderator
Unit capacity	700 MWe each
Licence validity	5 years (2025–30)
Safety review span	15 years by AERB
Operating agency	NPCIL (except PFBRs)
Existing PHWR fleet	15×220 MWe, 2×540 MWe, 1×700 MWe
Planned new PHWRs	10 more of 700 MWe
Current nuclear capacity	8.18 GW (2024)
Target capacity	22.48 GW by 2031-32; 100 GW by 2047
AERB origin year	1983

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1, NDA_GAT 2025PYQ 1

The Joint Venture named ‘ASHVINI’ to develop nuclear power facility in India is between

GS1, NDA_GAT 2005PYQ 2

Match List-I (Atomic Power Plants/Heavy Water Plants) with List-II (State) and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists :

GS-3S&T

10.Discovery of Miniature Coronal Loops (Solar Physics)

PIBIndian Institute of Astrophysics · magnetic reconnection · chromosphere

Illustration for Discovery of Miniature Coronal Loops (Solar Physics)

What & Where

Miniature coronal loops: 3,000–4,000 km long, <100 km wide plasma arches.

Located in Sun’s chromosphere; survive only a few minutes before fading.

Spotted by Indian Institute of Astrophysics; probe solar magnetic-energy storage/release.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Magnetic Physics

Magnetic reconnection powers loops; energy release equals micro-flare scales.
Plasma jets shoot from loop tips, miniature analogues of coronal mass ejections.

Thermal Puzzle

Differential Emission Measure confirms multi-million-K plasma within dense chromosphere.
Such extreme heat contradicts prevailing solar atmospheric heating models.

Tech & Schemes

NLST: ground-based 2 m class telescope, optical–NIR, high-resolution solar imaging.
Objective includes tracing solar magnetic field genesis and loop dynamics.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Loop length	3,000–4,000 km
Loop width	<100 km
Average lifespan	Few minutes
Peak temperature	Several million K
Atmospheric layer	Chromosphere (below corona)
Discovery body	Indian Institute of Astrophysics
Driving process	Magnetic reconnection
Future study tool	National Large Solar Telescope (NLST)
NLST location	Ladakh; optical & near-IR

GS-3History

11.Helgoland and Quantum Mechanics Origins (Quantum Mechanics Origin)

The HinduWerner Heisenberg · matrix mechanics · uncertainty principle

What & Where

Helgoland/Heligoland – 1.7 sq km red-sandstone German archipelago, 50 km off Schleswig-Holstein coast, North Sea.

Retreat where Werner Heisenberg devised matrix mechanics in June 1925, birthing modern quantum mechanics.

Now a symbolic scientific heritage site; once prized for its allergen-free, sea-air climate.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Historical Control

Denmark ceded island to Britain in 1814; Britain transferred to Germany in 1890.
Britain designated Helgoland bombing range post-1945; returned to West Germany in 1952.
Archipelago offers strategic North Sea position near German Bight.

Scientific Milestone

Heisenberg, age 23, modelled discrete atomic energies via matrices, discarding classical orbits.
Approach relied on measurable spectra, inspiring uncertainty principle and quantum formalism.
Breakthrough underpins modern lasers, semiconductors, quantum technologies.

Personalities

Werner Heisenberg led German atomic programme competing with Manhattan Project during WWII.
Awarded 1932 Nobel for quantum mechanics; remains central figure in 20th-century physics.
Work on Helgoland exemplifies innovation under isolation and adverse health conditions.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Area	1.7 sq km
Rock type	Red sandstone
Sea location	North Sea, 50 km off German coast
First settlers	Frisians
Colonial timeline	Denmark → Britain 1814 → Germany 1890
Post-WWII use	British bombing range till 1952
Heisenberg visit	June 1925 (hay-fever respite)
Scientific output	Matrix mechanics; quantum mechanics foundation
Core principle	Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
Nobel prize	1932 Physics to Heisenberg

GS-2Editorial

12.17th BRICS Summit Rio Outcomes (BRICS Summit)

The HinduRio Declaration · UNSC reform · New Development Bank

What & Where

BRICS: inter-governmental forum of emerging economies; formed 2009, now 10 full members after Indonesia’s 2025 entry.

17th Summit: held Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”

Geography: Bloc spans South America, Eurasia, Africa, West Asia, South-East Asia; represents 45 % world population.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Global Governance

UNSC Reform: call for new permanent seats from Asia, Africa, Latin America to amplify Global South voice.
IMF/World Bank: urged quota realignment reflecting Emerging Markets & Developing Countries; WTO rules-based support reiterated.
Africa Peace: endorsed “African Solutions to African Problems”; sought Gaza ceasefire & two-state formula.

Financial & Trade

Payments: cross-border initiative to cut US-dollar dependence; BRICS Multilateral Guarantees pilot to de-risk projects.
New Development Bank: expansion backed; funding still dwarfed by World Bank/IMF.
Trade Barriers: bloc rejected EU CBAM and similar unilateral climate taxes on steel, cement, aluminium.

Climate & Environment

Climate Finance Framework adopted to mobilise resources for developing nations.
Carbon Markets MoU launched for cooperation in pricing & emissions trading.
AI & Space: Leaders’ Statement on Global AI Governance plus creation of BRICS Space Council for joint missions.

Challenges

Institutional Weakness: no permanent secretariat; consensus decision-making slows expanded 10-member bloc.
Economic Divergence: China growth slowdown, Russia sanctions, intra-BRICS trade only 2.2 % of world total.
Dedollarisation: patchy; common currency unlikely soon despite Iran-Russia-China local-currency trade.

India Angle

Terrorism: PM condemned Pahalgam attack; insisted terror cannot be selective.
Strategic Use: forum leveraged for multilateral reforms, neutral dialogue amid Sino-Indian tensions.
Chairship 2026: opportunity to push secretariat creation, digital cooperation, inclusive development agenda.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
17th Summit host	Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), July 2025
18th Summit host	India, 2026 (as new Chair)
New full member 2025	Indonesia
Partner countries admitted	Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda, Uzbekistan
Bloc population share	≈45 % of world
Bloc GDP share (PPP)	37.3 % global
Global crude share post-expansion	~44 %
Key declaration adopted	Rio de Janeiro Declaration
New health initiative	Partnership to Eliminate Socially Determined Diseases (TB)
EU measure condemned	Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2025PYQ 1

Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:

GS1 2014PYQ 2

With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements :

GS-2Misc

13.UAE Nomination-Based Golden Visa (Residency Visa)

Times of Indialifetime residency · no investment · AED 1

Illustration for UAE Nomination-Based Golden Visa (Residency Visa)

What & Where

Scheme: UAE nomination-based Golden Visa, pilot for India & Bangladesh

Nature: Lifetime residency permit without need for UAE sponsor, property or business investment

Geography: Applies across all seven Emirates; nominations routed via UAE ICP “One-Touch” portal

Quick Facts for MCQs

Economic Angle

Diversification: Supports UAE shift from oil to knowledge-driven economy
Talent-pull: Targets scientists, entrepreneurs, investors to cement global hub status
Cost-benefit: Revenue via fee without tying approval to real-estate demand

Migration & Mobility

Uninterrupted-residency: Holders can live outside UAE long periods, easing circular migration
Family-first: Visa extends lifetime security to dependants, boosting relocation attractiveness
No-quota: Unlimited domestics allowed, offering flexibility for high-net-worth migrants

India-UAE Relations

CEPA-synergy: Golden Visa complements duty-free trade framework by easing human capital flow
Diaspora-boost: Deepens 3.5 mn-strong Indian community’s roots and economic engagement
Strategic-trust: Nomination privilege signals elevated bilateral partnership stature

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
One-time fee	AED 1,00,000 (≈ ₹23.3 lakh)
Validity	Lifetime; no renewal needed
Starter visa	6-month multiple-entry to finish formalities
Stay abroad limit	> 6 months allowed without cancellation
Eligible dependants	Family any age + unlimited domestic staff
Sponsor need	None (self-sponsored)
Selection bases	Professional record, social impact, innovation potential
Pilot nationality list	Indians, Bangladeshis
Portal name	One-Touch service, Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security
Linked pact	India–UAE CEPA 2022

GS-3Security

14.Dark Web Anonymity and Risks (Cyber Security)

New Indian ExpressTor browser · .onion domains · encryption

Illustration for Dark Web Anonymity and Risks (Cyber Security)

What & Where

Dark Web → hidden internet segment, non-indexed, reached only through anonymity browsers like Tor.

Workflow → traffic bounces across multiple encrypted nodes, sites use “.onion” domains.

Geography → decentralised worldwide; recent Level-4 vendor busted in Kerala, India.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Security Dimension

Layered encryption hampers surveillance, digital forensics.
Darknet markets enable global trafficking in drugs, weapons, data.
Reputation tiers like Level-4 enhance buyer trust, escalate threat level.

Tech & Schemes

Tor relays mask origin IP, providing strong anonymity shield.
.onion addresses avoid standard DNS lookup, hindering indexing.
Decentralised architecture resists single-point shutdowns.

Legal & Policy

No central server complicates jurisdiction, cross-border cooperation.
Crypto payments veil money trails, challenge NDPS and AML laws.
Kerala arrest signals heightened Indian enforcement focus on darknet vendors.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Access browser	Tor (The Onion Router)
Site suffix	“.onion”
Routing method	Multi-layer encryption via random nodes
Central authority	None, fully decentralised
Vendor grade Level-4	High-tier, trusted, large customer base
Arrested engineer	35-year-old from Kerala
Main drugs sold	LSD, ketamine
India status	Only known Level-4 vendor caught

GS-2Scheme

15.National Overseas Scholarship Scheme (Education Scholarship)

Hindustan TimesSocial Justice Ministry · financial assistance · marginalised students

What & Where

Central Sector National Overseas Scholarship; covers Master’s & PhD abroad for marginalised Indians

Implementing body: Dept of Social Justice & Empowerment, GoI

Geographic focus: Study at QS Top-500 or other recognised foreign universities

Quick Facts for MCQs

Eligibility

Qualification: Bachelor’s 60 % for Master’s; Master’s 60 % for PhD
Residence: candidate not already studying/settled abroad
Second child eligible only if seats remain after first round

Funding & Quota

Coverage: tuition, living, visa, insurance, contingency
Selection Rounds: Round-1 strict QS-500; Round-2 wider recognised list
Provisional awards 66/106 withheld 2024-25 owing to fund shortage

Administrative Process

Online application; selection list released by Ministry
Funds released directly to candidate or institution in foreign currency
Conditional sanction: payouts subject to annual budget availability

Social Concerns

Objective: upward socio-economic mobility for disadvantaged castes
State cap ensures geographic spread, prevents concentration in advanced states
Fund crunch may delay departure, threaten admission deadlines

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Launch Ministry	Social Justice & Empowerment
Target Groups	SCs, DNT/SNTs, Landless Labourers, Traditional Artisans
Annual Slots	125 (115-SC, 6-DNT, 4-Others)
Women Quota	Minimum 30 % of total awards
Age Limit	≤ 35 yrs on 1 Apr of selection year
Family Income Cap	≤ ₹8 lakh per annum
Academic Cut-off	≥ 60 % in qualifying degree
University Condition	Unconditional admit in QS Top 500 (Round-1)
State Ceiling	Max 10 % slots per state
Children Limit	Max 2 awardees per family

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

NDA_GAT 2022PYQ 1

भारत सरकार द्वारा हाल ही में आरम्भ की गई ‘SHRESHTA’ योजना के बारे में निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा/कौन-से कथन सही है/हैं?

GS-2Misc

16.NER District SDG Index 2023-24 (SDG Index)

PIBNITI Aayog · MoDoNER · UNDP support

Illustration for NER District SDG Index 2023-24 (SDG Index)

What & Where

Composite index measuring district-wise SDG progress across the eight North-Eastern states.

Crafted by NITI Aayog + MoDoNER; UNDP provides technical support; mirrors National SDG Index.

2nd edition (2023-24) ranks 121 / 131 NER districts in four performance bands.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Index Methodology

Composite score 0-100 from selected district-level indicators; Goal 14 omitted nationally.
Four colour-coded bands simplify comparative assessment and tracking over time.
Annual updates planned to feed district planning dashboards.

Performance Highlights

Front Runner share rose 23 percentage points since first edition, no Aspirant districts remain.
Mizoram tops with 81.43; Arunachal’s lowest still above Performer threshold.
Sikkim exhibits highest intra-state uniformity, signalling balanced development.

Policy Relevance

Evidence-based gaps guide MoDoNER funding, state SDG action plans, resource convergence.
Aligns sub-national targets with Viksit Bharat @ 2047 vision via cooperative federalism.
Public data transparency fosters competition and peer learning among NER districts.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Latest edition	2023-24 (2nd)
District coverage	121 of 131 (92 %)
Performance bands	Achiever 100; Front Runner 65-99; Performer 50-64; Aspirant <50
Share in Front Runner 2023-24	85 %
Share in Front Runner 2021	62 %
States with all districts Front Runner	Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura
Highest-scoring district	Hnahthial, Mizoram – 81.43
Lowest-scoring district	Longding, Arunachal Pradesh – 58.71
Narrowest intra-state score gap	Sikkim – 5.5 points
National SDG Index top states 2023-24	Kerala, Uttarakhand – 79

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, GEO_GS 2022PYQ 1

Based on the scoring on SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) India Index, the NITI Aayog has classified various States into certain categories. Which one of the following is not one of the categories?

CAPF_GAI, GEO_GS 2023PYQ 2

According to the NITI Aayog SDG India Index, 2020–21, which one among the following States is a Front Runner in its performance on SDG-14?

GS-1Misc

17.India Maternal Mortality Status (Maternal Health)

The HinduMMR 93 · Three Delays model · SDG 3.1

Illustration for India Maternal Mortality Status (Maternal Health)

What & Where

Maternal death: woman dies during pregnancy / ≤42 days post-termination, cause linked to or worsened by pregnancy (WHO).

Maternal Mortality Ratio: maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, calculated through SRS.

India 2019-21: MMR 93; best Kerala 20, worst Assam 167; southern States outperform EAG belt.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Key Challenges

Three-Delays: decision, transit, treatment gaps amplify risk in remote, tribal regions.
Infrastructure: only 52 % CHCs FRU-ready; two-thirds specialist posts vacant; blood storage uneven.
Medical-Risk: haemorrhage, hypertension, obstructed labour, sepsis, unsafe abortion dominate maternal fatalities.

Schemes & Initiatives

JSY: conditional cash promotes institutional delivery; over 100 million beneficiaries since 2005.
JSSK: zero out-of-pocket guarantee—free ambulance, diagnostics, drugs, Caesarean for mother-newborn duo.
FRU-Drive: mandate ≥4 FRUs per district with obstetrician, anaesthetist, OT, blood storage unit.

Way Forward

EAG-Focus: recruit specialists, expand 24×7 ambulances, run community birth-preparedness campaigns.
Quality-Care: confidential death reviews (Kerala model), routine drills, uterine balloon/clamp readiness, continuous blood supply.
Preventive-Care: compulsory early ANC registration, iron-folic therapy, ASHA-ANM risk tracking till 42 days post-delivery.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
National MMR (2019-21)	93
SDG-3.1 global target	<70 by 2030
Kerala MMR	20
Assam MMR	167
Functional FRUs/CHCs	2,856 / 5,491
Specialist vacancy at CHCs	66 %
Leading killer	Post-partum haemorrhage
Three-Delays model	Decision / Reach / Receive care
JSY cash incentive	Mother + ASHA
JSSK benefit	Free transport, drugs, C-section

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GEO_GS, GS1 2023PYQ 1

Consider the following statements regarding Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY):

GEO_GS, GS1 2023PYQ 2

जननी सुरक्षा योजना के संबंध में, निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :

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