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13 topicsGS-1: 3GS-2: 6GS-3: 4
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GS-2Polity

1.States and UTs Formation Day on 1 November (State Reorganisation)

Business Standard

What & Where

1 Nov = common Formation Day for 8 States (AP, Karnataka, Kerala, MP, TN, Haryana, Punjab, Chhattisgarh) + 5 UTs (A&N, Delhi, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Chandigarh).

Rooted in States Reorganisation Act 1956 and later split laws (Punjab Reorganisation 1966, MP Reorganisation 2000).

Constitution Part I (Arts 1-4) empowers Parliament to admit, create, rename or alter States/UTs.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Constitutional Provisions

  • Article 1; Union of States, flexible units, indestructible Centre.
  • Article 2; Parliament may admit or establish new States on terms it sets.
  • Article 4; Laws under 2-3 auto-amend First & Fourth Schedules.

State Formation Timeline

  • Andhra State born 1953; merged with Hyderabad parts to form Andhra Pradesh 1956.
  • Haryana, current Punjab, Chandigarh carved from East Punjab on 1 Nov 1966.
  • Chhattisgarh split from Madhya Pradesh via MP Reorganisation Act 2000.

Commissions

  • Dhar Commission 1948; warned against linguistic provinces.
  • JVP Committee 1949; prioritised unity over language demands.
  • States Reorganisation Commission 1953-55; accepted language but balanced with security & economy.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
States Reorganisation Act year1956
Fazl Ali Commission report1955
Article conferring power to form new StateArt 3
Prior Presidential recommendation required?Yes, for Art 3 Bill
State legislature view binding?No
Law under Arts 2-3 needs Art 368 amendment?No
Punjab Reorganisation Act year1966
Number of States & UTs in 1956 map14 States, 6 UTs
Dhar Commission focusRejected language basis (1948)
JVP Committee trioNehru, Patel, Pattabhi (1949)

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GEO_GS, GS1 2006PYQ 1

Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

GEO_GS, GS1 2025PYQ 2

Consider the following States:

GS-3Economy

2.National Critical Mineral Mission for Green Transition (Critical Minerals)

YT

What & Where

Critical minerals = economically vital, supply-risk metals; rare earth elements (17) form a high-tech subset.

National Critical Mineral Mission 2025: boosts Indian exploration-to-recycling chain for EVs, renewables, defence.

Core geographies: major reserves in China (processing), India (5th in REE reserves), overseas assets via KABIL in Argentina, Australia.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

  • MMDR-2023 amendment centralises auctions, fast-tracks 24 listed minerals.
  • Customs duty exemptions 2025 lower input costs for domestic refining, magnet plants.
  • Mission aligns with Make in India, Green Hydrogen, energy-transition policies.

Economic Angle

  • Supply-chain localisation expected to spur cleantech manufacturing, reduce forex outgo on battery imports.
  • Critical mineral value chain tagged as backbone for $5-trillion economy vision.
  • Processing parks, recycling hubs planned to capture higher downstream margins.

Tech & Schemes

  • Focus on refining, metallisation, magnet-making R&D; encourages startup participation.
  • Circular-economy push: e-waste and battery recycling integrated into mission roadmap.
  • Import-diversification through bilateral tech partnerships with Australia, Argentina.

Environmental Impact

  • Mining guidelines stress low-carbon extraction, strict soil-water safeguards.
  • Secondary sourcing prioritised to cut ecological footprint and community resistance.
  • ESG benchmarks mandated for new exploration licences.

Security Dimension

  • Rare-earth magnets, titanium alloys deemed strategic for missiles, jet engines, satellites.
  • Overdependence on Chinese supply labelled geopolitical vulnerability; mission targets resilience.
  • Strategic stockpiles and diversified import contracts proposed for defence readiness.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Mission launch target2025
India’s REE reserve rank5th globally
REE count17 elements
MMDR Act amendment year2023
Critical minerals placed for central auction24
Global refining share in China>60 %
Emission-intensity cut goal45 % by 2030
Net-zero target2070
Key import-diversification JVKABIL (India, NALCO–HCL–MECL)
Overseas assets securedLithium blocks, Argentina

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-1History

3.UNESCO Creative Cities Network Explained (UNESCO Creative Cities)

The Hindu

What & Where

UNESCO Creative Cities Network: global consortium using culture-driven creativity for inclusive, sustainable urban growth.

Covers seven fields—Gastronomy, Literature, Music, Film, Design, Crafts & Folk Arts, Media Arts.

Lucknow (U.P.) declared Creative City of Gastronomy at 43rd UNESCO General Conference, Uzbekistan, 2025.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Network Objectives

  • Strengthen inter-city collaboration, knowledge exchange, capacity building.
  • Mainstream creativity into local development plans and urban policies.
  • Safeguard intangible cultural heritage while boosting creative industries.

Indian Portfolio

  • Fields represented: Crafts & Folk Arts, Music, Film, Gastronomy, Literature.
  • Cities span North, South, West, East; showcases India’s cultural diversity.
  • Dual gastronomy cities: Hyderabad (2019) and Lucknow (2025).

Development Angle

  • Designation aids branding, attracts investors, tourists, culinary diplomacy.
  • Encourages inclusive growth via jobs in culture, hospitality, allied services.
  • Aligns with Smart Cities and heritage conservation initiatives in India.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Launch year2004
Founding bodyUNESCO
Member cities350 +
Creative fields7
Core SDG linkageSDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities
Latest Indian entrantLucknow – Gastronomy (2025)
Total Indian cities in UCCN9
First Indian entriesJaipur & Varanasi (2015)
Reporting dutyPeriodic progress reports to UNESCO
Economic focusCreative economy, sustainable tourism

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, GEO_GS 2024PYQ 1

Which one of the following is not correct about the UNESCO Creative Cities of Literature?

CAPF_GAI, GEO_GS 2024PYQ 2

Which one among the following cities was included as the 'City of Music' in the year 2023 in the UNESCO's Creative Cities Network?

GS-1History

4.Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh and Birsa Munda Legacy (Birsa Munda)

PIB

What & Where

Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada 1–15 Nov 2025, nationwide tribal-pride events culminating in Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas on 15 Nov

Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh 15 Nov 2024–15 Nov 2025, led by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, converts the annual day into a year-long movement

Epicentre of homage Chotanagpur plateau, Jharkhand, birthplace and arena of Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan uprising

Quick Facts for MCQs

Government Schemes

  • Jan Bhagidari stressed, whole-of-government coordination across ministries and states
  • DHARTI AABA Abhiyan targets tribal village saturation in basic services
  • PM JANMAN funds housing, education, livelihood for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups

Historical Personality

  • Birth 15 Nov 1875, converted to Christianity 1886 then renounced, slogan Saheb Saheb ek topi
  • Ulgulan sought end of British rule, eviction of dikus, establishment of Birsa Raj
  • Arrested March 1900, died in jail aged 25, became symbol of tribal resurgence

Legal & Policy

  • Permanent Settlement dismantled Khuntkatti land tenure, triggered forced begar and displacement
  • Ulgulan pressure led to Chotanagpur Tenancy Act 1908 securing collective tribal land rights
  • Current campaign re-invokes Birsa ideals for inclusive governance and land safeguards

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Commemoration150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda
Pakhwada dates1–15 November 2025
Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas15 November each year
Lead ministryMinistry of Tribal Affairs
Year-long campaignJanjatiya Gaurav Varsh 2024-25
Key supporting schemesDharti Aaba Utkarsh Gram Abhiyan; PM JANMAN
Birsa’s communityMunda tribe
Personal faith foundedBirsait
Major revoltUlgulan 1899–1900
British act opposedPermanent Settlement Act 1793
Post-revolt legacyChotanagpur Tenancy Act 1908
Revered titlesBhagwan; Dharti ka Abba
GS-1History

5.Mughal Miniature Painting and Basawan Masterpiece (Mughal Painting)

Indian Express
Illustration for Mughal Miniature Painting and Basawan Masterpiece (Mughal Painting)

What & Where

Definition Mughal School of Painting – 16th–18th c miniature genre fusing Persian finesse with Indian themes and colour.

Medium Opaque water-colours on paper with gold; chiefly illustrated manuscripts (Akbarnama, Jahangirnama) and muraqqa album leaves.

Geography Imperial ateliers Agra & Fatehpur Sikri; later radiated to Rajput (Bikaner, Bundi) and Deccan courts.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Chronology

  • Babur negligible patronage; conquest focus
  • Humayun Persian exile, returns with masters; 1550 Princes of the House of Timur folio
  • Muhammad Shah revival; post-Shah Alam II fall to Rajput, Company styles

Patron Rulers

  • Akbar establishes atelier, integrates Indian palette, employs Basawan, Daswanth, Lal, Miskin
  • Jahangir stresses portraits, scientific nature; Jesuit perspective; Ustad Mansur prominent
  • Shah Jahan funds ornate, gold-rich scenes; Aurangzeb withdraws patronage, artists disperse

Artistic Features

  • Naturalism minute fur, feather, flora detail; European shading adds depth
  • Palette peacock blue, Indian red, heavy gold on opaque pigment base
  • Formats Qur’an margins, royal chronicles, muraqqa albums, single portraits

Legacy

  • Influence seeds Rajput schools Bikaner, Bundi, Kishangarh and Deccan hybrids
  • Courtly tradition underpins 18th-century Company botanical and zoological studies
  • Jahangiri nature folios viewed as genesis of Indian scientific illustration

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Record price£10.2 million at Christie’s London, 2025
Record painting“A Family of Cheetahs in a Rocky Landscape”
Attributed artistBasawan (c. 1575–80)
Patron rulerAkbar (1556–1605)
Imperial atelier foundedAkbar, early 1560s
Persian masters invitedMir Syed Ali, Khwaja Abdus Samad under Humayun
Distinctive coloursPeacock blue, Indian red
Peak patronageJahangir 1605–1627
Nature specialistUstad Mansur – Red Blossoms
Decline catalystAurangzeb’s ban, 1658–1707
Brief revivalMuhammad Shah Rangeela 1719–1748
Key provincial centresBikaner, Hyderabad, Lucknow
FormatMiniature on paper, album folio
Style blendPersian meticulous line + Indian naturalism

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 1995PYQ 1

The Mughal School of Painting formed the spinal column of the various schools of Indian miniature art. Which one of the following painting styles was not affected by Mughal painting?

GS1 1996PYQ 2

Mughal painting reached its zenith under

GS-3Environment

6.Rowmari-Donduwa Wetland Seeks Ramsar Status (Ramsar Wetland)

Times of India
Illustration for Rowmari-Donduwa Wetland Seeks Ramsar Status (Ramsar Wetland)

What & Where

Interconnected floodplain–marsh wetland pair inside Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagaon district, central Assam

Functions as ecological corridor linking Kaziranga & Orang National Parks within Kaziranga–Orang landscape

Proposed Ramsar site; already satisfies 8 / 9 Ramsar criteria, records highest NE bird diversity

Quick Facts for MCQs

Biodiversity & Fauna

  • Avifauna includes bar-headed goose, northern pintail, common teal, plus globally threatened trio
  • Supports fish, amphibians, otters, reptiles; feeding ground for Kaziranga–Orang megafauna
  • Vegetation provides nesting cover, fosters nutrient cycling, maintains water quality

Ramsar & Policy

  • Criteria 1-8 fulfilled; only criterion 9 (fish-specific) pending
  • Nomination spearheaded by experts, researchers, Assam Forest Department
  • Would join Deepor Beel & Loktak as Northeast Ramsar sites

Ecosystem Services

  • Floodplain wetland buffers Brahmaputra floods, reduces erosion risk
  • Dense aquatic biomass acts carbon sink, bolstering climate resilience
  • Enhances landscape connectivity, enabling genetic flow across tiger-bearing protected areas

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Area2.5–3 sq km
SanctuaryLaokhowa WLS, Assam
Tiger Reserve bufferKaziranga TR
Corridor connectsKaziranga & Orang NPs
Bird species count>120
Total birds (2025 census)47,000 +
Ramsar criteria met8 of 9
FlywayCentral Asian Flyway
Threatened birdsKnob-billed Duck, Black-necked Stork, Ferruginous Pochard
Dominant vegetationFloodplain grasses, marsh reeds, hydrophytes

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GEO_GS 2024PYQ 1

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

CDS_GK, GEO_GS 2025PYQ 2

Which one of the following pairs of Ramsar Sites and States is not correctly matched?

GS-3S&T

7.ISRO Launches CMS-03 via LVM3-M5 Rocket (ISRO Launch Vehicle)

IT
Illustration for ISRO Launches CMS-03 via LVM3-M5 Rocket (ISRO Launch Vehicle)

What & Where

CMS-03 / GSAT-7R: next-gen multi-band communication satellite for secure, high-throughput links over Indian land and seas.

LVM3-M5: three-stage heavy-lift rocket launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

Coverage: Indian mainland plus extended oceanic region, supporting defence, maritime, disaster-response communications.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Innovation

  • Indigenous; all satellite subsystems, C25 cryogenic engine designed by VSSC, cutting foreign dependence.
  • Multi-band; simultaneous C, Ku, Ka payloads enable broadband, satellite internet, future 5G backhaul.
  • Re-ignition; C25 tested for multiple orbit insertions, enabling multi-satellite deployments.

Security Dimension

  • Secure-links; advanced transponders replace ageing GSAT-7 fleet, boosting encrypted strategic communications for armed forces.
  • Self-reliance; LVM3 removes need for foreign GTO launch services, safeguarding sensitive payloads.
  • Future-proof; high throughput accommodates network-centric warfare and 5G tactical applications.

Maritime & Disaster Use

  • Oceanic-coverage; beams extend deep into Indian Ocean, supporting Navy ships, submarines, aircraft.
  • SAR-support; robust links vital for cyclone tracking, coastal disaster coordination.
  • High-capacity; broadband pipes enable real-time video, telemedicine during offshore emergencies.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Satellite designationCMS-03 (GSAT-7R)
Launch mass4,410 kg
Payload bandsC, Ku, Ka
Planned mission life15 years
Launch vehicleLVM3-M5 (Baahubali)
Vehicle height43.5 m
Liftoff mass641 t
GTO payload capacity4,000 kg
LEO payload capacity8,000 kg
Rocket stagesS200 × 2 + L110 + C25
Cryogenic engineIndigenous C25; 10 % efficiency gain
Consecutive LVM3 successes8
Launch siteSDSC, Sriharikota

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GEO_GS, GS1 2026PYQ 1

Consider the following statements:

GEO_GS, GS1 2018PYQ 2

भारत के उपग्रह प्रक्षेपित करने वाले वाहनों के संदर्भ में, निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :

GS-2Security

8.Sudan Civil War and Humanitarian Crisis (Sudan Conflict)

Times of India
Illustration for Sudan Civil War and Humanitarian Crisis (Sudan Conflict)

What & Where

Sudan: Northeast African republic, capital Khartoum, Red Sea frontage

Civil war pits Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023

El Fasher fall intensifies Darfur crisis, stoking genocide, partition, regional-instability fears

Quick Facts for MCQs

Security Dimension

  • Escalation: RSF seizure of El Fasher ends SAF presence in Darfur
  • Partition risk: RSF-west, SAF-east divide may harden
  • RegionalSpillover: Violence threatens Chad, South Sudan, Red Sea routes

Humanitarian Crisis

  • FoodInsecurity: 24 million hungry; famine zones declared in Darfur
  • EthnicViolence: Non-Arab massacres, mass rapes prompt genocide claims
  • Displacement: Millions uprooted, overwhelming border camps and aid chains

Geography & Resources

  • Borders: Egypt, Libya, Chad, CAR, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea
  • ClimateStress: Desertification, drought intensify conflicts
  • ResourceParadox: Rich gold yet extreme poverty

Historical Context

  • ColonialLegacy: Anglo-Egyptian rule ended 1956
  • BashirEra: 1989-2019 dictatorship empowered militias like RSF
  • CoupCulture: Repeated takeovers stalled post-2019 transition

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Continent rank by area3rd largest in Africa
Total area~1.88 million sq km
Population estimate~50 million
HDI rank 2024170th
Key natural wealthGold, fertile farmland
Current war startApril 2023
SAF chiefGen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
RSF chiefGen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti)
Last army-held Darfur cityEl Fasher
Neighbouring seaRed Sea

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2023PYQ 1

In the recent years Chad, Guinea, Mali and Sudan caught the international attention for which one of the following reasons common to all of them?

GS1 2018PYQ 2

Very recently, in which of the following countries have lakhs of people either suffered from severe famine/acute malnutrition or died due to starvation caused by war/ethnic conflicts?

GS-2Misc

9.India Wins ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup (ICC Women’s World Cup)

ICC
Illustration for India Wins ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup (ICC Women’s World Cup)

What & Where

Premier women’s ODI championship, 50-overs, run every 4 years by ICC.

Format: round-robin then knock-outs; entry via Women’s Championship & Qualifier.

2025 edition co-hosted by India-Sri Lanka; final played in Navi Mumbai.

Quick Facts for MCQs

History & Records

  • Inaugurated 1973, two years before men’s World Cup.
  • Australia remains most successful side with seven trophies.
  • Administration merged into ICC after 2005, unifying men’s and women’s governance.

India Highlights

  • Maiden crown secured on home soil under Harmanpreet Kaur leadership.
  • Shafali Verma’s all-round display earned final’s top honour; Deepti Sharma dominated series.
  • Fourth time India staged tournament, first as joint host with Sri Lanka.

Women & Sports

  • Landmark victory projected to boost funding, pathways for Indian women cricketers.
  • Enhanced global perception of India as capable organiser of marquee women’s events.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
OrganiserInternational Cricket Council
First edition1973, England
PeriodicityEvery 4 years
2025 host nationsIndia & Sri Lanka
Final venue 2025Dr DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
2025 winnerIndia (maiden title)
2025 runner-upSouth Africa
Margin in final52 runs
Player of the MatchShafali Verma
Player of the SeriesDeepti Sharma
India captainHarmanpreet Kaur
South Africa captainLaura Wolvaardt
Dominant teams overallAustralia 7, England 4 titles
India hosting years1978, 1997, 2013, 2025
Governing body pre-2005International Women’s Cricket Council

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GEO_GS, GS1 2025PYQ 1

Consider the following statements in respect of the first Kho Kho World Cup:

GEO_GS, GS1 2025PYQ 2

The host country of the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, 2025 is

GS-2Misc

10.India’s Record Haul at Asian Youth Games (Asian Youth Games)

DD News
Illustration for India’s Record Haul at Asian Youth Games (Asian Youth Games)

What & Where

Continental multi-sport event by Olympic Council of Asia for 14–17 yrs athletes.

3rd edition: Manama, Bahrain, 22–31 Oct 2025 after 12-year gap.

India clinched record 48 medals (13 G, 18 S, 17 B).

Quick Facts for MCQs

History & Editions

  • 2009 Singapore inaugural edition set feeder pathway to Asian Games.
  • 2013 Nanjing second edition; China used it as Youth Olympics test.
  • 2017 Jakarta, 2021 Shantou cancelled; 2029 Tashkent announced as fourth.

India’s Record Performance

  • India 2025 haul 48 medals, best-ever at AYG.
  • Gold 13 Silver 18 Bronze 17 distribution underscores depth across disciplines.
  • Performance boosts Olympic talent pipeline for future Games.

Schemes & Impact

  • Khelo India initiative provided training, exposure to youth athletes.
  • Government investment in grassroots sports infrastructure credited for medal surge.
  • Success likely to spur private sponsorship in junior sports.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Organising bodyOlympic Council of Asia
Age eligibility14–17 years
First edition2009, Singapore
Second edition2013, Nanjing (China)
Third edition2025, Manama (Bahrain)
India 2025 tally48 medals (13 G, 18 S, 17 B)
Next scheduled host2029, Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GEO_GS 2025PYQ 1

The host country of the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, 2025 is

CDS_GK, GEO_GS 2020PYQ 2

Which one of the following States is planned to host the Khelo India Youth Games (4th Edition)?

GS-3Security

11.US Resumes Nuclear Weapon Testing After 33 Years (Nuclear Testing)

Indian Express

What & Where

Nuclear weapon testing = controlled detonation to verify weapon yield, reliability, design safety.

Principal historic sites: Nevada (USA), Semipalatinsk (Kazakhstan ex-USSR), Pacific atolls, Lop Nur (China), Pokhran (India).

1996 CTBT seeks global ban; treaty unsigned/undratified by India, USA, China, Pakistan, DPRK, Israel, Iran.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Security Dimension

  • US decision risks Russia-China reciprocal tests, fuelling fresh arms race.
  • Real-world detonations validate new hypersonic-warhead combinations beyond simulations.
  • Cascade effect could embolden DPRK, Iran, Pakistan, unsettling regional balances.

Legal & Policy

  • Move fractures 33-year informal moratorium, diluting CTBT norm strength.
  • Undermines NPT Article VI disarmament commitments, weakens TPNW momentum.
  • Signals prioritisation of deterrence over diplomacy in US strategic calculus.

Environmental Impact

  • Tests release long-lived Caesium-137, Strontium-90 into air, soil, water.
  • Legacy sites show higher cancers, genetic defects, persistent land exclusion zones.

India Angle

  • India continues voluntary test moratorium and No-First-Use credible minimum deterrence.
  • Not party to NPT/CTBT yet aligns with non-proliferation objectives.
  • Renewed global testing could force doctrinal review vis-à-vis China-Pakistan dynamics.

Arms Control Measures

  • New START-type verifiable limits and CTBT entry-into-force stressed.
  • De-alerting forces, fortified cyber-secure C2 reduce accidental launch probability.
  • Mutual inventories, inspection freezes suggested as interim confidence-building tools.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
First test (Trinity)USA, July 1945
Total tests 1945-1996> 2,000
Last US explosive test1992 (Nevada)
Soviet/Russian last test1990; Russia never retested
China & France last test1996
India–Pakistan tests2 each, May 1998
DPRK test count6 (2006-2017)
CTBT adoption1996; not in force
Russia CTBT statusRatified 2000, revoked 2023
TPNW adoption2017
GS-2Scheme

12.Employees Enrolment Scheme 2025 for EPF Coverage (EPF Compliance)

ANI

What & Where

Scheme: Employee’s Enrolment Scheme 2025, one-time EPFO compliance window.

Coverage: Employees left out of EPF between 1 Jul 2017-31 Oct 2025 across India.

Window: Operates nationwide 1 Nov 2025-30 Apr 2026 under Labour & Employment Ministry.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

  • Provision: Operates under EPF Act 1952 without amending primary statute.
  • Inquiry Shield: Participation permissible even when Sec 7A proceedings pending.
  • Trust Building: Reduces litigation by limiting retroactive penalties.

Compliance Incentives

  • Waiver: No arrear demand on employee share boosts employer uptake.
  • Cost Predictability: Only nominal ₹100 penalty fosters voluntary disclosure.
  • Assurance: Post-enrolment immunity from further EPFO prosecutions.

Social Security Impact

  • Inclusion: Targets millions of previously unregistered wage earners.
  • Formalisation: Aligns with universal social protection and workforce databasing.
  • Protection: Ensures retirement savings plus insurance via EDLI linkage.

Business Ease

  • Simplification: Single six-month window avoids staggered filings.
  • Reputation: Clean compliance record aids in ESG and tender qualifications.
  • Cash-flow: Deferred window start gives firms time to budget contributions.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Implementing bodyEmployees’ Provident Fund Organisation
Parent ministryLabour & Employment
Compliance window1 Nov 2025 – 30 Apr 2026
Eligible employment period1 Jul 2017 – 31 Oct 2025
Employee contributionFully waived if not earlier deducted
Employer contributionPay full dues plus interest
Penal damagesFlat ₹100 per covered employee
Suo motu EPFO actionBarred post-compliance
Inquiry cases coveredSec 7A or Para 26B establishments included
Core objectiveExpand EPF social security coverage

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

ESE_GS, GEO_GS 2021PYQ 1

Which one of the following is NOT correct with regard to Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-SYM)?

ESE_GS, GEO_GS 2025PYQ 2

Which of the following features regarding ‘Shram Suvidha Portal’ are correct?

GS-2InfrastructureQuick Bite

13.Integrated Sohra Tourism Circuit under PM-DevINE (Sohra Eco-tourism)

PIB

What & Where

Integrated Sohra Circuit; eco-tourism infrastructure turning Sohra/Cherrapunji, Meghalaya into multi-day tourism hub

Implemented by Ministry of DoNER with Meghalaya Govt under Central-sector PM-DevINE scheme

Covers Sohra Experience Centre plus Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Eco Park, Wahkaliar Canyon

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

  • Central-Sector; funds infrastructure, social projects aligning with PM GatiShakti vision
  • Announcement; Union Budget 2022-23 launched PM-DevINE for eight North-Eastern states
  • Sanctioning; 36 projects worth Rs 4,927 crore cleared by Feb 2025

Economic Angle

  • Spending; Sohra Circuit aims sixfold rise in average tourist outlay
  • Employment; over 4,600 jobs expected across guiding, hospitality, transport services
  • Livelihood; project prioritises youth and women entrepreneurship through eco-tourism value chain

Infrastructure

  • Components; Sohra Experience Centre, decks, trails, signage, public amenities funded
  • Integration; circuit connects waterfalls, caves, canyon enabling multi-day itineraries
  • Funding; Rs 233 crore sanctioned November 2025 during foundation ceremony

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Project locationSohra (Cherrapunji), Meghalaya
Implementing ministryDoNER
Governing schemePM-DevINE
Funding pattern100 % Central
Sohra Circuit outlayRs 233 crore
Projects cleared under PM-DevINE (Feb 2025)36
Total value clearedRs 4,927 crore
Tourist spending targetSixfold increase
Expected jobs>4,600
Key eco-sitesNohkalikai, Mawsmai, Wahkaliar

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

NDA_GAT 2025PYQ 1

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

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