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13 topicsGS-1: 2GS-2: 4GS-3: 7
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GS-1History

1.Royal Indian Navy Revolt 1946 Legacy

The Hindu

What & Where

Revolt: 18–23 Feb 1946 armed mutiny by ~20,000 Royal Indian Navy ratings demanding equality & INA clemency.

Geography: Began HMIS Talwar, Bombay; spread to 78 ships & 20 shore bases—Karachi, Madras, Cochin, Vizag, Calcutta, Andamans.

Symbols: Congress, Muslim League, Communist flags jointly flown; portrait of Subhas Bose paraded in Bombay streets.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Triggers & Grievances

  • Discontent: substandard food, low wages, racist hierarchy, slurs at HMIS Talwar.
  • Political: resentment over INA trials, use of Indian troops in Indonesia & Vietnam.
  • Slogan surge: Quit India, Jai Hind, Inquilab Zindabad painted across vessels.

Political Response

  • Congress & League leadership urged surrender, fearing derailment of negotiations.
  • Gandhi criticised action lacking authorised leadership; Patel termed it peril to orderly transfer.
  • British fired on demonstrators; 200+ civilians killed/injured in Bombay suppression.

Impact on British Rule

  • Alarm: loyalty of colonial armed forces no longer assured, forcing accelerated timetable.
  • Policy shifts: INA prosecution limited to murder charges; Indian troops withdrawn Indo-China Feb 1947.
  • Principle: reinforced civilian supremacy over military in forthcoming Republic.

Limitations

  • Leaderless: no seasoned command; Strike Committee inexperienced.
  • Isolation: Army units stayed neutral; revolt confined to select port cities.
  • Firepower gap: rebels lacked heavy arms, ammunition, defensible positions against superior British force.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Immediate causePoor food, pay, racial abuse, arrest for Quit India graffiti
Strike bodyNaval Central Strike Committee, Bombay
Peak strength78 ships + 20 establishments, ~20,000 ratings
Civilian solidarityCitywide hartal, mills & rail workshops shut in Bombay
Counter-forceBritish Army battalions, armoured cars, Royal Navy warships
End date23 Feb 1946 after Patel & Jinnah mediation
Key concessionsCabinet Mission dispatch Jan 1946; INA sentences largely remitted Jan 1947
LegacyDemonstrated brittle loyalty of Indian forces, sped British exit

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

UPSC 2005PYQ 1

Consider the following statements: 1. Lord Mountbatten was the Viceroy when Shimla Conference took place. 2. Indian Navy Revolt, 1946 took place when the Indian sailors in the Royal Indian Navy at Bombay and Karachi rose against the Government. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC 1998PYQ 2

What is the correct sequence of the following events? I. The August Offer II. The I.N.A. trial III. The Quit India Movement IV. The Royal Indian Naval Ratings' Revolt Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

GS-1Mapping

2.Ravi River Mapping Profile

Times of India
Illustration for Ravi River Mapping Profile

What & Where

River: eastern Indus tributary; springs near Rohtang Pass, Himachal Pradesh (~4,400 m); allocated solely to India by Indus Waters Treaty.

Course: flows through Chamba, Gurdaspur, Amritsar; forms India–Pakistan border stretch, enters Pakistan, joins Chenab near Rangpur.

Utility: feeds irrigation & hydropower via Chamera cascade, Ranjit Sagar and upcoming Shahpur Kandi multipurpose dam.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Hydrology

  • Snowmelt sustains summer base-flow enabling perennial character
  • Monsoon surge elevates discharge, causing downstream floods
  • Steep gradient plus intense rainfall produces flashier flow than Sutlej or Beas

Infrastructure Projects

  • Chamera I-III cascade generates power, tempers floods in upper reaches
  • Ranjit Sagar (Thein) Dam supplies Punjab irrigation and 600 MW power
  • Shahpur Kandi will divert surplus Ravi water, reducing unchecked outflow to Pakistan

Treaty & Border

  • Indus Waters Treaty 1960 awards Ravi, Beas, Sutlej completely to India
  • Unutilised share now leaks below Madhopur headworks into Pakistan territory
  • River demarcates ~80 km of international boundary in Punjab sector

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Source elevation~4,400 m
Total length≈720 km
Length in India≈320 km
Indian catchment5,957 sq km
Final confluenceChenab River
Major right tributariesSiul, Baira, Budhil, Tant Gari
Major left tributariesUjh, Chirchind Nala
Key damsChamera I-III, Ranjit Sagar
New projectShahpur Kandi Dam
City on banksLahore
Flow driversHimalayan snowmelt, monsoon
Flood-risk windowJune–September

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

UPSC 2021PYQ 1

River Beas, flowing from Himachal and Punjab, joins the river

UPSC 2009PYQ 2

Which one of the following rivers does not originate in India?

GS-2Editorial

3.Maharashtra Tribal Protests for Forest Rights

The Hindu

What & Where

Forest Rights Act 2006; vests land/resource rights in Forest-Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) & Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD)

Four right types; Title ≤ 4 ha, Use of minor produce/grazing, Relief & Development, Community Forest Resource (CFR) management

Maharashtra Scheduled Areas; 2026 tribal long-march sought FRA rollout, irrigation, MSP, education, jobs

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

  • Provision; FRA overrides earlier Indian Forest Act 1927, Wildlife Act 1972, FCA 1980 where inconsistent
  • Complement; PESA 1996 grants Gram Sabha authority in Scheduled Areas
  • Principle; Corrects colonial eminent-domain control, recognises customary tenure

Implementation Gaps

  • Rejection; High claim denials, under-measured allotments, forest-department resistance
  • Digital; VanMitra portal in MP ineffective amid poor connectivity, low literacy
  • CFR; Nationwide slow uptake, forest bureaucracy reluctant to cede control

Socio-Economic Concerns

  • Livelihood; Tenure insecurity compounds irrigation scarcity, MSP exclusion, limited rural jobs
  • Villages; 2,500+ forest villages largely unconverted to revenue status, lacking services
  • Protest; Recurrent Maharashtra long-marches spotlight agrarian distress and rights delays

Governance Remedies

  • Empowerment; Ensure Gram Sabha leads verification, planning, benefit-sharing
  • Convergence; Link land titles with irrigation, MSP, education, rural infrastructure for holistic uplift
  • Accountability; Penalise non-compliance, mandate transparent record updates, social audits

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Enactment year2006
Eligibility cut-offResidence ≥3 generations / 75 yrs before 13 Dec 2005
Maximum title area4 hectares per family
Claim initiating bodyGram Sabha
Reported rejection rate>45 % IFR claims in some regions
Key community rightCFR – Community Forest Rights

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

UPSC 2022PYQ 1

Which one of the following statements is not true with regard to tribal welfare?

UPSC 2013PYQ 2

Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, who shall be the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both?

GS-2Polity

4.G7 Summit 2026 Overview

NDTV

What & Where

Forum; annual summit of seven industrialised democracies shaping responses on economy, security, climate.

52nd edition; scheduled 2026 at Évian, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France.

Geography; members span North America, Europe, East Asia; EU joins as institutional participant.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Origin & Evolution

  • Genesis; response to 1973 oil crisis, inflation, recession.
  • Expansion; G6→G7 in 1976, G8 with Russia 1997, reverts after 2014 suspension.
  • Agenda widening; finance to climate, security, development governance.

Membership Dynamics

  • Composition; seven sovereign states plus EU institutions at table.
  • North American presence; US founder, Canada added 1976 for continental balance.
  • Russian participation; invited post-Cold War for integration, halted over Crimea.

Core Functions

  • Macroeconomic coordination; align fiscal-monetary policies against inflation, debt or crises.
  • Security dialogue; craft sanctions, crisis responses, geopolitical statements.
  • Climate leadership; push mitigation targets, clean-energy financing pathways.

Significance

  • Economic weight; collective GDP grants market-moving influence and lending capacity.
  • Norm-setting; communiqués steer trade rules, debt relief frameworks, institutional reforms.
  • Crisis management; provides rapid political consensus during pandemics, wars, financial shocks.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Summit number52nd
Summit year2026
Host countryFrance
Exact venueÉvian, France
Established (as G6)1975, Rambouillet
Became G71976, after Canada joined
G8 phase1997-2014 (Russia included)
Russia statusSuspended 2014, Crimea
Current membersUS, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada
EU roleNon-enumerated participant (EC, EU Council presidents)
Share of global GDP≈40 %

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

UPSC 2009PYQ 1

A present group of nations known as 'G-8' started first as G-7. Which one among the following was not one of them?

UPSC 2025PYQ 2

वर्ष 2025 में निम्नलिखित में से किसके तत्वावधान में आयोजित की गई बैठक का विषय 'दुश्मान युग के लिए सहयोग (Collaboration for the Intelligent Age)' था?

GS-2Polity

5.India–France Special Global Strategic Partnership

Indian Express
Illustration for India–France Special Global Strategic Partnership

What & Where

Special Global Strategic Partnership (2026): upgraded India-France pact spanning defence, civil nuclear, AI, space, Indo-Pacific security.

Horizon 2047 Roadmap: phased cooperation via Joint Advanced Tech Development Group, Innovation Network, Strategic Space Dialogue.

Core geography: anchors Indo-Pacific arc; French territories (Réunion, New Caledonia, Polynesia) extend reach from East Africa to Pacific.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Defence Deals

  • Rafale-M contract boosts INS Vikrant air-wing; tech transfer provisions under discussion.
  • H125 Final Assembly Line sets precedent for private helicopter manufacturing, supports Atmanirbhar Bharat.
  • Exercises Shakti, Varuna, Garuda cement interoperability across land, sea, air.

Energy & Space

  • SMR/AMR cooperation under 2025 Declaration; Jaitapur project remains flagship.
  • SHANTI Act 2025 enables private funding, aligning with 100 GW nuclear target.
  • TRISHNA satellite and Strategic Space Dialogue 2026 advance climate and resource monitoring.

Indo-Pacific & Maritime

  • Blue Economy Roadmap 2022 meshes with IPOI goals for free, rules-based seas.
  • Trilateral formats with Australia, UAE enhance domain awareness and logistics.
  • UNOC-3 Nice 2025 and BBNJ treaty gain joint backing for high-seas biodiversity.

Trade & Investment

  • France 3rd-largest EU trade partner; India-EU FTA expected to cut tariffs, widen supply chains.
  • Market-access talks: France seeks pharma & luxury openings; India pushes IT, agrifood, generics.
  • Proposed joint working groups to tackle SPS barriers, spur aeronautics, high-speed rail.

Challenges

  • Data governance clash: EU GDPR vs India DPDP Act complicates AI collaboration.
  • Geopolitical friction: divergent Russia-Ukraine stances test strategic autonomy ethos.
  • Mobility bottlenecks: visas, qualification recognition restrict student and skilled-worker flow.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Strategic partnership launched1998
Upgrade to “Special Global” levelFeb 2026
Bilateral trade 2024-25€12.67 bn
France arms-supplier rank to India2nd (after Russia)
Rafale-M fighters ordered26 units
H125 helicopter FAL in IndiaTata-Airbus, first private line
Indian students target in France30,000 by 2030
India nuclear goal100 GW by 2047
France FDI in India (2000-25)€9.79 bn ; 1.61 % share
Joint tri-service exercisesShakti, Varuna, Garuda
India-France civil nuclear pact2008

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

UPSC 2022PYQ 1

India signed a deal with which one of the following countries to supply MH-60R helicopters to the Indian Navy?

UPSC 2026PYQ 2

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

GS-2Scheme

6.SAHI and BODH Health AI Frameworks

PIB
Illustration for SAHI and BODH Health AI Frameworks

What & Where

SAHI & BODH: twin digital frameworks steering ethical, benchmarked AI integration in Indian healthcare

Location focus: nationwide adoption under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, launched at India AI Impact Summit 2026, New Delhi

Key processes: governance roadmap (SAHI) and open-data performance validation (BODH) before large-scale tool deployment

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

  • Interoperability: SAHI mandates seamless linkage with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission platforms
  • Benchmarking: BODH tests accuracy, bias, clinical relevance using real-world datasets
  • Scalability: Policy roadmap enables Union-State uniform standards for nationwide roll-out

Legal & Policy

  • Ethical-AI: Consent-based data use, algorithm transparency, accountability mechanisms embedded in SAHI
  • Standardisation: BODH sets national evaluation norms, easing regulatory approvals
  • Multi-stakeholder: Framework invites academia, startups, industry for co-regulated innovation

Social Concerns

  • Equity: Bias assessment in BODH safeguards against inequitable health outcomes
  • Trust: Evidence-based validation aims to strengthen public confidence in AI diagnostics
  • Privacy: SAHI aligns data handling with stringent confidentiality protections

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Nodal ministryMinistry of Health & Family Welfare
SAHI full formStrategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India
BODH full formBenchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI
Launch event & yearIndia AI Impact Summit 2026
BODH developerIIT Kanpur + National Health Authority
Primary goalSafe, transparent, accountable AI ecosystem in healthcare
Key SAHI pillarGovernance framework aligning AI with ABDM infrastructure
Key BODH pillarOpen, anonymised datasets for bias-free benchmarking

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

UPSC 2022PYQ 1

With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements: 1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it. 2. As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately. 3. It has seamless portability across the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC 2026PYQ 2

Which Ministry released the India AI Governance Guidelines in 2025?

GS-3Economy

7.Circular Economy Practices in Agriculture

PIB
Illustration for Circular Economy Practices in Agriculture

What & Where

Circular economy: 6-R regenerative loop turning ag-waste into bio-CNG, compost, biochar rather than linear disposal.

Key processes: crop-residue management, biogas/CBG plants, biochar production, treated wastewater reuse.

Geography: India—GOBARdhan spans > 50 % districts; 979 operational biogas units (Jan 2026).

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

  • GOBARdhan: cattle-dung & food-waste into CBG, organic manure; 979 plants active.
  • CRM: Happy Seeder subsidies, 42k CHCs enable in-situ & ex-situ residue handling.
  • AIF + AHIDF: ₹81k crore total backing post-harvest, bio-input, animal by-product infrastructure.

Environmental Impact

  • Methane-capture: biogas units slash emissions, feed Net Zero roadmap.
  • Soil-carbon: biogas slurry, biochar restore organic matter, cut chemical fertiliser use.
  • Greywater-reuse: Jal Shakti Mission irrigates orchards, relieves groundwater extraction.

Economic Angle

  • Market-size: waste-to-wealth projected ₹1 trillion, 10 million jobs by 2050.
  • Farmer-income: Punjab-Haryana growers earn from selling stubble, avoid burning fines.
  • Carbon-credits: biochar/biogas adoption could monetise sequestration for smallholders.

Challenges

  • Capital-cost: bio-CNG plants need high upfront; small farmers face collateral gaps.
  • Logistics: 2-3 week harvest-sowing window hinders biomass collection in north India.
  • Market-parity: organic manure loses price war against subsidised urea, affecting viability.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Annual ag-waste~350 million tonnes
Power potential>18,000 MW from residues
Food waste share60 % at Indian household level
Circular-economy value≈ ₹1 trillion market by 2050
Job creation10 million by 2050
GOBARdhan coverage>50 % of districts
Biogas plants (Jan 2026)979 operational
AIF sanction size₹66,310 crore
AHIDF corpus₹15,000 crore
Custom Hiring Centres42,000 + for residue gear

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

UPSC 2025PYQ 1

The process of converting the solid wastes—sewage sludge, domestic and agricultural wastes into compost manure is called

UPSC 2020PYQ 2

Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?

GS-3S&T

8.AI-Preneurs of India Coffee Table Book

PIB

What & Where

Flagship coffee-table book by Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, profiling 45 pioneering AI startups

7th edition of AIM’s “Innovations For You” series; released at India AI Impact Summit 2026

Captures purpose-driven AI solutions across 30 + sectors, sourced via nationwide Atal Incubation Centres

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

  • Coverage includes healthcare, sustainability, education, governance via Atal Incubation Centres network
  • Narratives adopt founder-first approach spotlighting challenges, motivations over pure tech details
  • Solutions mapped to national development goals and Responsible AI principles

Social Impact

  • Purpose focuses on AI for real-world issues: health, environment, learning, public services
  • Inclusivity ensured through representation from multiple states beyond metro hubs
  • Initiative positions India as ethical, inclusive global AI contributor

Startup Ecosystem

  • Synergy showcases public incubation platforms collaborating with private AI innovators
  • Effort bolsters credibility of AIM in nurturing mission-driven deep-tech ecosystem
  • Coffee-table format aids visibility among investors, policymakers, global partners

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Launching bodyAtal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog
Launch platformIndia AI Impact Summit 2026
Publication typeCoffee table book
Series edition7th in “Innovations For You”
Startups profiled45 AI firms
Sectoral span30 + domains

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

UPSC 2019PYQ 1

अटल नवाचार (Innovation) मिशन किसके अधीन स्थापित किया गया है?

GS-3S&T

9.Bio-based Chemicals and Production Methods

The Hindu

What & Where

Definition – chemicals sourced wholly/partly from biomass (plants, residues, algae) instead of petroleum

Processes – biorefineries using microbial fermentation, enzymatic conversion, thermochemical or catalytic upgrading

Geography – India leveraging vast agri-feedstock and DBT’s BioE3 policy to scale bio-based chemical sector

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Processes

  • Fermentation converts sugars to lactic, succinic, ethanol, butanol, 1,3-propanediol
  • Enzymes act at lower temperature & pressure, cutting energy use and emissions
  • Plant oils yield bio-surfactants, lubricants for detergents, paints, adhesives

Economic Angle

  • Import substitution cuts petrochemical bill; acetic acid alone cost USD 479.8 mn in 2023
  • Valorisation of crop residue creates new rural revenue streams and stabilises farm prices
  • Growing global demand for biodegradable plastics offers export window for Indian producers

International Examples

  • European Union funds R&D and markets via Bioeconomy Strategy & Action Plan
  • United States drives demand through mandatory federal purchase under USDA BioPreferred
  • China designates enzymes and high-value bio-chemicals as priority in national bioeconomy roadmap

Challenges

  • Petrochemical price advantage limits cost competitiveness and private investment at scale-up stage
  • Feedstock supply uncertainty and logistics hinder reliable, continuous biorefinery operations
  • Industry inertia; manufacturers reluctant to switch inputs even when bio-options cost-neutral

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Key biomass sourcesPlants, agri & forestry residues, marine algae
Major conversion routeMicrobial fermentation of carbohydrates
Flagship productLactic acid → polylactic acid plastics, food preservative
Biodiesel by-productGlycerol upgraded to 1,3-PDO, surfactants
India acetic acid import 2023USD 479.8 million
Indian policy anchorDBT BioE3 prioritises bio-chemicals & enzymes
EU initiativeEU Bioeconomy Strategy & Action Plan
US initiativeUSDA BioPreferred federal procurement preference
China stanceBioeconomy plans list bio-chemicals as strategic

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

UPSC 2014PYQ 1

In India, cluster bean (Guar) is traditionally used as a vegetable or animal feed, but recently the cultivation of this has assumed significance. Which one of the following statements is correct in this context?

UPSC 2011PYQ 2

In the Union Budget 2011-12, a full exemption from the basic customs duty was extended to the bio-based asphalt (bioasphalt). What is the importance of this material? 1. Unlike traditional asphalt, bio-asphalt is not based on fossil fuels. 2. Bioasphalt can be made from non-renewable resources. 3. Bioasphalt can be made from organic waste materials. 4. It is eco-friendly to use bioasphalt for surfacing of the roads. Which of the statements given above are correct?

GS-3Environment

10.Beat the Heat Urban Cooling Initiative

Indian Express

What & Where

Definition: global “Beat the Heat” initiative to embed sustainable cooling and heat-resilient urban design

Core bodies: announced under Brazil’s COP30 Presidency; implementation support by UNEP’s Cool Coalition

Indian entry: Maharashtra confirms 30 cities onboard during Mumbai Climate Week 2026

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

  • Heat-mapping supports hotspot identification for targeted interventions
  • Promotion of cool roofs, reflective surfaces, low-GWP refrigerants for energy savings
  • Urban greening, tree-lined streets deliver nature-based temperature cuts

Environmental Impact

  • Extreme heat already causes more global deaths annually than floods + storms combined
  • Urban Heat Island effect can raise city temps by up to 10 °C over adjoining rural zones

Legal & Policy

  • Programme urges integration of cooling norms into municipal building codes and master plans
  • Access to multilateral climate finance earmarked for cooling efficiency projects

International Examples

  • UNEP “Beat the Heat” addresses infrastructure; WHO variant targets athlete safety at sports events

Social Concerns

  • Emphasis on affordable cooling solutions safeguards low-income and elderly urban populations

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Launch umbrellaCOP30 Presidency (Brazil)
Main facilitatorUnited Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Allied platformCool Coalition
Primary aimCut GHGs from cooling; shield vulnerable groups
Focus sectorUrban cooling & resilience
Key toolsHeat risk maps, nature-based & passive cooling, efficient ACs
Policy askEmbed heat resilience in codes, plans, infra design
Finance angleAccess to climate finance & capacity building
Indian uptake30 Maharashtra cities joined (2026)
Twin namesakeWHO sports-health “Beat the Heat” separate

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

UPSC 2024PYQ 1

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

UPSC 2023PYQ 2

'जलवायु सशक्तिकरण के लिए कार्रवाई' (ACE) के बारे में निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा/कौन-से कथन सही है/हैं? 1. इस पद (term) को जलवायु परिवर्तन पर संयुक्त राष्ट्र फ्रेमवर्क कन्वेंशन द्वारा अंगीकृत किया गया था। 2. यह पेरिस समझौते से संबंधित है। नीचे दिए गए कूट का प्रयोग कर सही उत्तर चुनिए:

GS-3EnvironmentQuick Bite

11.Bee Corridors along National Highways

PIB

What & Where

Initiative; first Bee Corridors along National Highways; stretches plus vacant NHAI land across India.

Corridor; continuous flowering trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses; staggered blooms ensure year-round nectar-pollen.

Aim; replace ornamental highway greenery with biodiversity-supportive vegetation protecting honeybees & other pollinators.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Implementation Plan

  • Selection; suitable highway stretches plus vacant NHAI parcels identified for contiguous planting.
  • Maintenance; staggered flowering schedule crafted to cover complete annual cycle.
  • Distance; design aligned with average bee foraging radius ~1 km.

Species Selection

  • Preference; indigenous, nectar-rich, resilient to local climates.
  • Support; undergrowth and naturally occurring flowering weeds not removed.
  • Diversity; mix of trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses to widen pollinator base.

Targets & Timeline

  • FY 2026-27; 40 lakh saplings including 24 lakh under corridors.
  • Phase-I; minimum three corridors established as demonstrators.
  • Scale-up; model to be replicated on future highway projects post-evaluation.

Environmental Impact

  • Biodiversity; strengthens native pollinator populations, boosts crop yields indirectly.
  • Green cover; converts linear infrastructure into ecological asset.
  • Climate; enhanced carbon sequestration via long-lived native tree species.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Implementing bodyNational Highways Authority of India
Launch natureFirst-of-its-kind ecological infrastructure drive
Corridor spacingFlowering clusters every 500 m–1 km
Core speciesNeem, Karanj, Mahua, Palash, Bottle Brush, Jamun, Siris
Retained habitatFlowering weeds, dead wood, hollow trunks
Plantation FY2026-27
Total trees planned≈40 lakh
Share under corridors~60 % of plantation
Initial rolloutAt least 3 pilot pollinator corridors

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

UPSC 2026PYQ 1

Which organization is responsible for implementing the National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM)?

UPSC 2023PYQ 2

भारतीय राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग प्राधिकरण (NHAI) के बारे में निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा कथन सही नहीं है?

GS-3SchemeQuick Bite

12.Bharat VISTAAR AI Advisory for Farmers

PIB

What & Where

Multilingual AI conversational advisory system “Bharat VISTAAR” for farmers, Phase-1 rolled out

Helpline 155261 via mobile/smartphone; answers in Hindi-English, expanding to 11 regional tongues

Unveiled at Jaipur, Rajasthan during Ministry of Agriculture AI Summit, coverage intended pan-India

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

  • Integration: AgriStack + ICAR knowledge + IMD weather merged into single interface
  • Data storage: Farmer Identity Card holds personal, crop, insurance, soil records
  • Innovation push: National AI Hackathon and Agri Kosh roadmap encourage agri-tech solutions

Service Spectrum

  • Advisory: soil testing, seed choice, fertiliser dosage, irrigation scheduling
  • Financials: guidance on loans, insurance enrolment, scheme eligibility
  • Market info: real-time mandi prices across India delivered instantly

Implementation & Access

  • Access mode: simple voice call or smartphone query, no internet mandate
  • Language focus: vernacular support aimed at lowering digital literacy barriers
  • Objective: make farming accessible, affordable, tech-driven, boosting self-reliance

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Implementing ministryAgriculture & Farmers Welfare
Scheme phasePhase-1 (Feb 2026)
Helpline number155261
Current languagesHindi, English
Planned language total11 Indian languages
Core techAI-based conversational advisory
Integrated datasetsAgriStack, ICAR, IMD, mandi prices, govt schemes
Digital IDFarmer Identity Card
Key linked schemePM Fasal Bima Yojana
Parallel launchesFarmer-centric AI Hackathon, Agri Kosh AI Strategy Roadmap

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

UPSC 2021PYQ 1

Which one of the following is the latest in series being organized as the largest virtual gathering to create dialogues, and accelerate innovation in agriculture?

UPSC 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-3SecurityQuick Bite

13.Exercise MILAN 2026 Multilateral Naval Drill

Times of India

What & Where

Biennial naval Exercise MILAN: Indian Navy-led multilateral drill, instituted 1995 under Andaman & Nicobar Command

13th edition (15-25 Feb 2026) hosted off Visakhapatnam; temporary “MILAN Village” built for delegate interactions

Two phases: Harbour Phase (seminars, SME exchanges) and Sea Phase (interoperability, HADR, ASW, tactical manoeuvres)

Quick Facts for MCQs

Security Dimension

  • Focus areas: interoperability, humanitarian assistance & disaster relief, anti-submarine warfare, complex tactical manoeuvres
  • Objective: strengthen free, open, inclusive, rules-based Indo-Pacific maritime order

International Participation

  • Record 70 + navies in 2026; biggest Indian maritime congregation
  • New joiners Germany, Philippines, UAE widen exercise footprint beyond traditional Indo-Pacific partners
  • MILAN Village enables cultural-social exchange, boosting naval diplomacy

Policy Linkages

  • Supports Act East Policy 2014 by deepening maritime ties with Southeast & East Asian states
  • Advances MAHASAGAR vision, positioning India as preferred security partner in Indo-Pacific

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Current edition13th, MILAN 2026
Schedule15–25 February 2026
VenueVisakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Participating nations70 +
First-time entrantsGermany, Philippines, UAE
Launch year1995
Original foreign naviesIndonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

UPSC 2020PYQ 1

MILAN, एक बहुपक्षीय नौसैनिक अभ्यास, 2020 निम्नलिखित में से किस शहर में आयोजित किया गया था?

UPSC 2022PYQ 2

Which one of the following countries did the Indian Navy participate in the U.S. Navy-led Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) military exercise, to demonstrate its maritime manoeuvres?

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