Monday, 5 January 2026

UPSC Current Affairs

Q: Which one of the following countries is the top producer of cereals in the world?

The correct answer is (d) China. This question appeared in GEO_GS, GS1 2020.

Q: With reference to Indian agriculture, which one of the following statements is correct?

The correct answer is (a) About 90 per cent of the area under pulses in India is rainfed.. This question appeared in GEO_GS, GS1 2002.

Q: Which of the following is/are included in the capital budget of the Government of India?

The correct answer is (d) 1, 2 and 3. This question appeared in CAPF_GAI, GS1 2016.

Q: Which one among the following is the estimated fiscal deficit as a percentage of GDP of India in the Budget Estimates of 2025-26?

The correct answer is (a) 4.8 percent. This question appeared in CAPF_GAI, GS1 2025.

Q: With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct?

The correct answer is (c) 2 and 3 only. This question appeared in CAPF_GAI, GS1 2016.

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, GS1 2024.

Q: As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of the following statements is correct?

The correct answer is (c) The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.. This question appeared in GEO_GS, GS1 2019.

Q: According to the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the responsibility of waste generators has been fixed for segregation of waste in which of the following streams?

The correct answer is (d) Recyclable and non-recyclable wastes. This question appeared in GEO_GS, GS1 2023.

Q: Operation Olivia, an initiative to protect Olive Ridley turtles, is undertaken by

The correct answer is (a) Indian Navy. This question appeared in CAPF_GAI, NDA_GAT 2021.

Q: Consider the following statements about Ramsar Wetland sites in India:

The correct answer is (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4. This question appeared in CAPF_GAI, NDA_GAT 2023.

12 topicsGS-1: 2GS-2: 2GS-3: 8

0/12 done

GS-3Economy

1.India Tops Global Rice Production (Rice Production)

Economic Times150.18 MT · Telangana · paddy irrigation

Illustration for India Tops Global Rice Production (Rice Production)

What & Where

Staple cereal grown in flooded paddies; India’s 2024-25 harvest forecast at 150.18 MT.

Cultivation: Kharif-centric transplanting in hot, humid zones; irrigation crucial in low-rainfall areas.

Core belts: Eastern Indo-Gangetic plains, Krishna–Godavari–Cauvery deltas, North-East hill terraces.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Production Ranking

Milestone: India surpasses China as world’s largest rice producer in 2024-25.
Output gap: India leads by ~4.9 MT over China.
Validation: Figures cited by Union Agriculture Minister in Parliament.

State Profile

Leader: Telangana contributes highest volume, aided by canal irrigation and assured procurement.
Runners-up: Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal each exceed 15 MT annual output.
Consistent majors: Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Assam.

Agro-Geography

Concentration: Humid east, south, north-east zones favor high paddy acreage.
Deltas: Alluvial Ganga-Brahmaputra and Krishna-Godavari basins offer water-rich soils.
Adaptations: Tube-wells in arid tracts; terraced fields in hills manage water flow.

Economic Angle

Buffer stocks: Record crop strengthens food-grain reserves under NFSA and PDS.
Trade impact: Larger surplus can temper global rice prices, aiding importing nations.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
India rice output (2024-25 est.)	150.18 million tonnes
China rice output	145.28 million tonnes
Global production rank	India – 1st, China – 2nd
Top Indian state (2023-24)	Telangana 16.63 MT
Telangana share	12.17 % of national
2nd state	Uttar Pradesh 15.72 MT
3rd state	West Bengal 15.12 MT
Data sources	Agri Minister statement; Economic Survey 2023-24 appendix

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GEO_GS, GS1 2020PYQ 1

Which one of the following countries is the top producer of cereals in the world?

GEO_GS, GS1 2002PYQ 2

With reference to Indian agriculture, which one of the following statements is correct?

GS-3Economy

2.State Governments Capital Expenditure Trends (State Capex)

Indian ExpressGSDP borrowing · interest-free loans · 15th FC

What & Where

Definition State-led capital expenditure = State budgets for physical assets, boosting long-run productive capacity versus day-to-day revenue outgo

Components Roads, irrigation, power, health, education, urban infrastructure; crowd-in private investment via higher multipliers

Coverage 28 States; FY2021-25 witnessed accelerated spending backed by Union borrowing relaxations and special interest-free loans

Quick Facts for MCQs

Fiscal Flexibility

Relaxation Article 293 allowed States to breach 3 % deficit ceiling while retaining Union consent
Instruments GST-loan back-to-back, 50-yr interest-free window, reform-linked headroom collectively expanded borrowing envelope
High-tax States Karnataka, Tamil Nadu sustain welfare yet meet 3 % target via Tax/GSDP >8 %

Spending Challenges

Sticky revenue Cash transfers crowd out capex, <20 % receipts stay discretionary once schemes mature
Interest burden Debt/GSDP >30 % States devote one-fifth revenues to servicing, limiting fresh investment
Execution slippages Irrigation, road projects average 15-20 % cost overruns, eroding multiplier benefits

16th Finance Commission Agenda

Borrowing calibration Proposal for performance-linked 3–4 % deficit band replacing uniform 3 % cap
Capex institutionalisation Demand to convert ad-hoc 50-yr loans into formula-based green-infra grants
Fiscal buffers States seek ability to carry forward unused borrowing limits across economic cycles

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Capex CAGR FY21-25	18.5 %
FY25 Capex + Loans	₹8.4 trillion
GST-compensation loans (FY21-22)	₹2.6 trillion
50-yr interest-free capex loans (FY21-25)	₹3.7 trillion
Extra borrowing via power reforms (FY22-25)	~₹1.3 trillion
Allowed additional borrowing space	0.5–1.1 % of GSDP
Women cash transfers jump FY23→FY26	₹120 bn to ₹1.5 tn (↑1150 %)
Maharashtra & Gujarat Capex/GSDP	>3.5 %
Debt service share Punjab, Rajasthan	>20 % of revenue receipts
Nominal GSDP growth assumption FY25	10.5 %

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, GS1 2016PYQ 1

Which of the following is/are included in the capital budget of the Government of India?

CAPF_GAI, GS1 2025PYQ 2

Which one among the following is the estimated fiscal deficit as a percentage of GDP of India in the Budget Estimates of 2025-26?

GS-1History

3.Rani Velu Nachiyar Birth Anniversary (Rani Velu Nachiyar)

PIBVeeramangai · Sivaganga kingdom · human bomb tactic

What & Where

Rebel queen from Ramnad / Sivaganga (present Tamil Nadu); born 3 Jan 1730

First Indian queen to mount an organised armed revolt against the British East India Company

Ruled Sivaganga 1780-1790, exemplifying earliest South Indian anti-colonial assertion

Quick Facts for MCQs

Reign & Territory

Ascended Sivaganga throne in 1780, restoring indigenous rule
Governed a decade, abdicated 1790, died 1796
Rule underscored early organised resistance in South India

Military Innovations

Deployed India’s first recorded human bomb against Company forces
Orchestrated a structured female regiment for battlefield duties
Led coordinated armed uprising challenging colonial military superiority

Women in Warfare

Institutionalised women’s combat role, rare for 18th-century India
Example inspired later female freedom fighters across Tamil region

Intellectual Profile

Polyglot proficiency in French, English, Urdu enhanced diplomacy and intelligence gathering

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Birth	3 Jan 1730, Ramnad Kingdom
Death	25 Dec 1796, Sivaganga
Epithet	Veeramangai (brave woman)
Spouse	Muthuvaduganathaperiya Udaiyathevar
Throne ascension	1780 after husband’s death
Reign span	1780-1790
“Firsts”	Armed revolt; women’s military unit; recorded human bomb
Language skills	Tamil, French, English, Urdu
Recent tribute	PM homage on 3 Jan 2026 (296th birth anniv)

GS-3Editorial

4.Decade Review of Paris Agreement (Paris Agreement Review)

Indian ExpressNDCs · 1.5 °C target · global stocktake

What & Where

Paris Agreement 2015; legally-binding UNFCCC treaty adopted at COP-21, Paris, covering 194 States + EU.

Core mechanism: 5-year Nationally Determined Contributions, Global Stocktake, transparency framework, voluntary long-term low-carbon strategies.

Temperature goal: keep warming well below 2 °C, pursue 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Universality: replaces Kyoto’s Annex-based targets with common framework embedding CBDR-RC principle.
Rulebook: implementation details finalised COP-24 Katowice + COP-26 Glasgow.
Accountability gap: NDCs voluntary; no sanction for non-compliance.

Finance & Equity

Developed-world shortfall: USD 100 bn promise never fully delivered.
NCQG criticised by India; demands ≥ USD 1.3 trn/yr, with USD 600 bn as grants.
Carbon border measures risk unfair trade impacts on Global South.

India Track

Achieved 50 % non-fossil installed capacity by 2025, ahead of schedule.
Flagship initiatives: ISA, CDRI, LiFE promote solar, resilience, sustainable lifestyles.
Climate goals aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047; green hydrogen, solar seen as growth engines.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Adoption year & venue	2015, COP-21 Paris
Parties (2025)	194 States + European Union
First Global Stocktake	2023, COP-28 Dubai
Original finance pledge	USD 100 bn/yr till 2025
New Collective Quantified Goal	≥ USD 300 bn/yr by 2035
India emission-intensity cut	45 % over 2005 by 2030
India non-fossil power target	50 % installed capacity by 2030
India net-zero pledge	Year 2070

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, GS1 2016PYQ 1

With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct?

CAPF_GAI, GS1 2024PYQ 2

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

GS-3Editorial

5.Transforming Urban Waste Management (Urban Waste)

Segregationmethane emissions · Swachh Bharat · Mission LiFE

What & Where

Urban waste: 170 k t/day now, projected 165 Mt/yr (2030) → 436 Mt/yr (2050) across Indian cities

Key streams: organic > 50 %, dry ≈ 35 %, plastics 5.6 Mt/yr, e-waste 1.751 Mt/23-24, C&D 10-12 Mt/yr

Major hotspots: legacy dumps Ghazipur-Delhi, Deonar-Mumbai, Bidarwadi WtE-Bengaluru underperforming

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Framework: six stream-specific 2016 rules; updates 2022-25; no umbrella Act
Instruments: EPR, digital CPCB portals, Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility
Enforcement chain: MoEFCC → CPCB → SPCB/PCC → ULB

Environmental Impact

Methane: unmanaged organics major short-term climate forcer
Leachate: groundwater contamination around Ghazipur, Deonar documented
Drain clogging: plastic debris triggers Mumbai, Chennai monsoon floods

Tech & Schemes

Indore model: 100 % door segregation, decentralised compost, legacy dump reclaimed
GPS-tagged vehicles, automated MRFs, biomethanation gaining SBM-U 2.0 funding
Finance: 15th FC grants linked to segregation & processing outcomes

Social Concerns

Informal sector collects ≈ 80 % plastics yet lacks PPE, social security
Behaviour gap: Delhi, Mumbai segregation < 50 % despite bylaws, fines
Citizen apathy fosters illegal dumps; Bengaluru “blackspot” persisted 10 yrs

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Current MSW generation	170 000 t/day (≈ 62 Mt/yr)
Urban share 2030	165 Mt/yr
Urban share 2050	436 Mt/yr
Organic fraction	> 50 % of MSW
Dry fraction	~ 35 % of MSW
Annual plastic waste	5.6 Mt
E-waste rise (5 yrs)	+ 73 % to 1.751 Mt (2023-24)
Hazardous industrial waste	7.9 Mt/yr
Waste sector GHG share	~ 4 % of India (2018)
MSW treated scientifically	< 30 %
Landfilled/dumped	> 50 %
Biomedical waste Delhi	40 t/day
Informal workers	1.5-4 million, 70 % women
Key rules notified	2016 stream-wise rules; E-waste 2022, C&D 2025
EPR coverage	Plastics, e-waste, batteries

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GEO_GS, GS1 2019PYQ 1

As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of the following statements is correct?

GEO_GS, GS1 2023PYQ 2

According to the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the responsibility of waste generators has been fixed for segregation of waste in which of the following streams?

GS-3Species

6.Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Conservation (Olive Ridley)

New Indian Expressarribada · IUCN Vulnerable · Schedule I

Illustration for Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Conservation (Olive Ridley)

What & Where

Species Olive Ridley; smallest, olive-green, heart-shaped carapace sea turtle; famed for mass nesting arribada

Global range tropical belts of Indian, Pacific, Atlantic Oceans; India’s major arribada beaches Gahirmatha, Rushikulya, Devi

Habitat pelagic open ocean; migrates to sandy shores of Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Andamans for nesting

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Schedule I listing affords highest domestic protection; hunting, trade banned
Arribada beaches notified as Coastal Regulation Zone-I; developmental activities restricted
India part of IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU under CMS Convention

Conservation Measures

Chennai coast hatcheries relocate eggs to predator-safe enclosures enhancing hatchling survival
Odisha deploys patrolling, offshore trawling bans, turtle-excluder devices during nesting months
Community-led beach clean-ups reduce plastic ingestion and entanglement risks

Reproduction & Life Cycle

Females nest nocturnally, excavate 45 cm deep flask-shaped pits for eggs
Incubation 45–60 days; hatchlings imprint natal beach cues for future return
High early-life mortality; estimated 1 hatchling per 1000 reaches adulthood

Migration & Behaviour

Satellite tagging reveals trans-oceanic migrations between Indian coast and Sri Lankan, Indonesian waters
Solitary nesting observed along Tamil Nadu, Andaman coasts outside arribada season
Diet mainly crustaceans, molluscs; opportunistic scavenger roles maintain benthic balance

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
IUCN status	Vulnerable
Indian law tag	Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, Schedule I
Arribada meaning	Synchronous mass nesting by thousands of females
Major Indian arribada beach	Gahirmatha (Odisha)
Typical clutch size	≈100 eggs
Clutches per season	1–3
Sexual maturity age	12–15 years
Sex determination	Temperature dependent; warmer sand → females
Carapace scutes	5–9 pairs of lateral scutes
Flipper claws	1–2 per flipper
Indicator role	Reflects coastal & ocean health

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, NDA_GAT 2021PYQ 1

Operation Olivia, an initiative to protect Olive Ridley turtles, is undertaken by

CAPF_GAI, NDA_GAT 2023PYQ 2

Consider the following statements about Ramsar Wetland sites in India:

GS-3S&T

7.Battery Pack Aadhaar Number System (EV Battery ID)

New Indian ExpressBPAN · MoRTH · AIS guidelines

Illustration for Battery Pack Aadhaar Number System (EV Battery ID)

What & Where

BPAN = 21-character unique ID for every EV battery pack introduced in Indian market

Implemented via draft MoRTH “Guidelines for Battery Pack Aadhaar System”, routed through Automotive Industry Standard (AIS)

Core geography: India; initial focus on EV batteries covering 80-90 % of national Li-ion demand

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

Compliance enforces Extended Producer Responsibility strengthening accountability
Draft guidelines open for stakeholder comments before notification as AIS norm
Dynamic updating clause ensures regulatory traceability across battery modifications

Environmental Impact

Traceability enables systematic recycling, second-life use, safe disposal limiting landfill hazards
Proper end-of-life management reduces lithium-ion fire and pollution risks

Implementation Design

Unique ID attached at manufacturing/import stage, remains through resale or repurpose
Central BPAN portal acts as single source of truth for regulators, recyclers, consumers

Industry Focus

EV segment prioritised given dominant share in Li-ion consumption, driving early adoption and scale

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Full form	Battery Pack Aadhaar Number
Characters	21
First notifier	Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Standard route	Automotive Industry Standards Committee (AISC)
Mandatory for	Producers & importers of battery packs
Initial coverage	EV batteries; industrial batteries > 2 kWh recommended
Data captured	Raw material to final disposal lifecycle
Update rule	New BPAN on any major change
Marking	Durable, tamper-resistant, easily visible
Digital portal	Producers upload all battery data

GS-2Editorial

8.Monroe Doctrine and Latin America (Monroe Doctrine)

Hindustan Times1823 proclamation · James Monroe · Roosevelt Corollary

Illustration for Monroe Doctrine and Latin America (Monroe Doctrine)

What & Where

Doctrine: 1823 U.S. policy declaring Americas exclusive U.S. sphere; warned Europe against new colonisation/interference.

Geography: Applies to Western Hemisphere—North, Central, South America, Caribbean.

Evolution: 1904 Roosevelt Corollary flipped it from passive warning to active U.S. intervention right.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Historical Evolution

1823 focus Defensive; 1904 Roosevelt Corollary added preventive U.S. interventions over debt/instability.
Shift transformed doctrine into cornerstone of early 20th-century “Big Stick” diplomacy.

Security Dimension

U.S. framed European meddling as direct security threat; doctrine signalled deterrence.
Trump cited doctrine to legitimise military seizure of Venezuelan president in 2026 transition control.

Latin American Interventions

Doctrine invoked in Cuba (1898), Nicaragua (1909), Haiti (1915), Dominican Republic (1916), Venezuela (2026).

Criticism & Controversy

Critics label doctrine neo-imperial; argues ignores Latin American sovereignty, entrenches U.S. hegemony.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Formal proclamation date	2 Dec 1823
Proclaimed by	President James Monroe (5th U.S. President)
Forum of announcement	State of the Union Address to U.S. Congress
Key clause	“No new European colonies in Americas”
Expansion corollary year	1904
Expansion corollary author	President Theodore Roosevelt
Venezuela operation cited	Jan 2026, capture of Nicolás Maduro
Justification used	“Modern update” of Monroe Doctrine
Reciprocal promise	U.S. non-interference in existing European colonies
Core idea	Separate political spheres: Europe vs. Americas

GS-2Mapping

9.US Takeover of Venezuela (South America Geography)

Hindustan TimesVenezuela · Caracas · Essequibo dispute

Illustration for US Takeover of Venezuela (South America Geography)

What & Where

Venezuela; federal multiparty republic at northern tip of South America with Caribbean & Atlantic littorals

Landscapes span Andes Cordillera de Mérida, oil-rich Maracaibo Basin, Llanos plains, Guiana Highlands with tepuis

Orinoco system drains interior; 2026 US capture of Maduro creates transition spotlighting oil revival

Quick Facts for MCQs

Physical Geography

Andes NW host agricultural valleys, glaciated peaks including Bolívar Peak
Guiana Highlands SE feature prehistoric tepuis and Angel Falls record height
Llanos tropical savanna critical for cattle, seasonal wetlands, fossil fuels

Political Timeline

1999 Chávez begins Bolivarian Revolution, nationalises oil, socialist constitution
2013 Maduro inherits presidency; hyperinflation, sanctions, authoritarian drift deepen isolation
Jan 2026 US operation removes Maduro, interim external role envisaged

Economic Angle

Oil accounts for majority export revenue; nationalised under PDVSA since 1976
Infrastructure decay, sanctions cut output; US plans refurbishment post-2026 capture
Lake Maracaibo rigs, Orinoco Belt heavy crude central to recovery strategies

Security Dimension

US narcotics-terrorism charges underpin military extraction of sitting head of state
Leadership vacuum risks factional power struggle amid external stewardship talks
Territorial dispute with Guyana over Essequibo may resurface during transition

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Capital	Caracas
Coastlines	Caribbean Sea & Atlantic Ocean
Highest peak	Bolívar Peak ≈ 4,978 m, Andes
Highest waterfall	Angel Falls 979 m, Guiana Highlands
Major lake	Lake Maracaibo—oil hub
Vast plains	Llanos along Orinoco
Main river	Orinoco 2,140 km, drains most territory
Key oil basin	Maracaibo Basin, NW
Disputed area	Essequibo region with Guyana
2026 event	US military captured President Maduro, NY trial

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 1999PYQ 1

Which one of the following port cities in Venezuela has been developed as an oil port?

GS-3Security

10.Ramjet-Powered 155 mm Shells (Ramjet Artillery)

Times of Indiaramjet propulsion · 155 mm artillery · IIT Madras

Illustration for Ramjet-Powered 155 mm Shells (Ramjet Artillery)

What & Where

Ramjet-powered 155 mm artillery shells; incorporate air-breathing propulsion for sustained post-launch thrust.

Indian Army to field them across existing 155 mm guns, incl. M777 ultra-light howitzers—world’s first operational use.

Jointly developed in India by IIT Madras with Army Technology Board backing.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Technology Specs

Intake compression uses flight speed; no moving parts enhance reliability under artillery stresses.
Continuous combustion maintains higher average velocity versus rocket-assisted projectiles.
Ramjet module length optimized to avoid barrel extension.

Operational Edge

Deep-strike capability extends counter-battery reach inside adversary territory.
Precision strike retains explosive payload akin to conventional 155 mm rounds.
Flexibility across mountain, desert and plains formations without new logistics chains.

Indigenisation

Project funded under Army Technology Board’s problem-definition model.
Success aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat defence manufacturing goals.
Potential export niche for ramjet artillery technology.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Calibre	155 mm
Propulsion	Air-breathing ramjet
Range boost	30–50 % over standard shells
Launch exit speed	~Mach 2
Specific impulse	>4000 Ns/kg
Gun modification needed	Nil; retrofit on existing shells
Key developer	IIT Madras + Army Technology Board
Compatible system	M777 ultra-light howitzer
Global first	Yes; first armed force to deploy
Oxidiser carriage	None; uses atmospheric oxygen

GS-3Security

11.Suryastra Long-Range Rocket Launcher (Suryastra Launcher)

The Hindumulti-calibre · 300 km range · PULS technology

Illustration for Suryastra Long-Range Rocket Launcher (Suryastra Launcher)

What & Where

Suryastra = India’s first indigenous universal, multi-calibre rocket launcher for precision surface-to-surface strikes at 150 km & 300 km.

Contract ₹293 cr via Emergency Procurement; supplier NIBE Ltd (India) with tech from Israel’s Elbit Systems.

Deployed with Indian Army artillery formations; integrates varied rockets/missiles on 4×4/6×6/8×8 wheeled chassis.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

Universal-launcher design enables firing both rockets and tactical missiles from single platform.
Indigenous content boosts Make in India, cutting import dependence for long-range artillery.
High-precision guidance lowers ammunition expenditure during critical missions.

Security Dimension

Deep-strike capability expands Army’s battlefield reach into adversary rear areas.
Rapid EP induction ensures operational availability without lengthy procurement cycles.
Multi-target engagement supports coordinated joint-force fire plans.

Industrial Collaboration

Technology-Collaboration Agreement 2025 formalises Israeli know-how transfer.
Local production expected to spur ancillary MSME supply chains.
Success may open export prospects to friendly foreign armies.

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Max strike range	300 km
Secondary strike range	150 km
Launcher type	Universal multi-calibre
Supported calibres	122 mm, 160 mm, 306 mm
Accuracy (CEP)	< 5 m in trials
Manufacturer	NIBE Ltd., India
Technology partner	Elbit Systems, Israel
Tech lineage	Israeli PULS system
Contract value	₹293 crore
Procurement route	Emergency Powers (EP)
Collaboration pact signed	July 2025 (TCA)
Mobility options	4×4, 6×6, 8×8 chassis
Role	Deep-strike & stand-off firepower
Comparison benchmark	Longer range than Pinaka
Deterrence focus	China & Pakistan

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

ESE_GS, GS1 2003PYQ 1

With reference to Indian defence, which one of the following statements is correct?

ESE_GS, GS1 2024PYQ 2

Ministry of Defence signed contract with which one of the following organizations for Upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) and other equipment for around 3000 crores?

GS-1Misc

12.Rising Acid Attacks in India (Acid Violence)

The HinduNCRB 2023 · Shaheen Malik · conviction rate

What & Where

Acid attack – intentional throwing/administering sulphuric, hydrochloric or nitric acid to disfigure, maim or blind

Covered by IPC 326A-B (now BNS §124); attack → 10 yrs-life, attempt → 5-7 yrs imprisonment

2023 hotspots: West Bengal 57 cases, Uttar Pradesh 31, Gujarat 15

Quick Facts for MCQs

Causes

Rejection retaliation – male dominance asserted after refusal of marriage/sexual advances
Domestic disputes – dowry, marital discord, infidelity suspicion escalate into disfiguring violence
Autonomy punishment – aims to curb women’s mobility, identity and dignity

Legal & Policy

Criminal Law (Amend.) 2013 inserted IPC 326A-B; migrated to BNS §124
Supreme Court 2013 guidelines: photo-ID purchase, seller register, SDM oversight on acid sale
MHA advisories 2013/2015: regulate sale, fast-track trials, rehabilitation mandate

Enforcement Challenges

Lax retail monitoring; SDMs seldom penalised for illegal acid availability
Investigative gaps: weak forensics, delayed charge-sheets undermine prosecution
Prolonged trials; negligible convictions erode deterrence and survivor faith

Rehabilitation & Way Ahead

Compensation delayed; ₹3 lakh insufficient for lifelong surgeries, therapy
Proposed Bangladesh-style licensed sale, shop-sealing and seller liability
Justice J.S. Verma panel: national lifelong rehabilitation fund, time-bound fast-track courts

Key Data Points

Feature	Data-Point
Reported acid attacks (NCRB 2023)	207
Attempted acid attacks 2023	65
Court cases pending 2023	703
Convictions 2023	16
Acquittals 2023	27
NGO-estimated annual attacks	≈1,000
Minimum SC compensation	₹3 lakh
Top state 2023	West Bengal 57
Acid attack punishment	10 yrs-life
Attempt punishment	5-7 yrs

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