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Type: Prelims Only

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

    AI Labelling Rules  

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: E-Governance

    Why in the News?

    • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology proposed stricter AI content labelling norms due to unsatisfactory compliance by social media platforms.

    Key Change

    • Under Information Technology Rules 2021:
      • AI-generated content must have:
      • Continuous and clearly visible labels
      • Displayed for the entire duration of content

    Scope

    • Applies to platforms like: YouTube, Instagram, and X

    Key Term

    • Synthetically Generated Information (SGI):
      • Includes AI-generated audio, video, images
      • Excludes routine editing and quality enhancement

    Platform Obligations

    • Ensure proper labelling
    • Require user disclosure of AI content
    • Remove unlawful content
    • Use safeguards to prevent misuse

    Significance

    • Enhances transparency
    • Reduces misinformation and deepfakes
    • Strengthens digital platform accountability
    [2025] Consider the following statements regarding Al Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 2025: 
    I. Co-chaired with India, the event builds on the advances made at the Bletchley Park Summit held in 2023 and the Seoul Summit held in 2024. 
    II. Along with other countries, US and UK also signed the declaration on inclusive and sustainable AI. 
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 
    [A] I only [B] II only [C] Both I and II [D] Neither I nor II

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  • Indian Army Updates

    TRAWL System Procurement (₹975 Cr) 

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    • The Ministry of Defence India signed contracts worth ₹975 crore for procurement of TRAWL systems for tanks.

    What is the TRAWL System

    • A minefield breaching equipment fitted on tanks
    • Used to:
      • Detect and neutralize landmines
      • Create safe lanes for troop and vehicle movement

    Key Features

    • Mounted on: T-72 and T-90 tanks
    • Clears:
      • Anti-tank mines
      • Mines with proximity magnetic fuses
    • Enables: Vehicle-safe lanes in combat zones

    Developed By

    • Defence Research and Development Organisation

    Procurement Details

    • Contracts signed with:
      • Bharat Earth Movers Limited
      • Electro Pneumatics and Hydraulics India Pvt Ltd
    • Category: Buy (Indian – Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)
    [2016] Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently? 
    (a) Amphibious warfare ship 
    (b) Nuclear-powered submarine 
    (c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel 
    (d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-Africa

    India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) 2026 

    Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    Why in the News?

    • India will host the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) 2026 after a gap of more than a decade (last held in 2015).

    What is IAFS

    • A platform for cooperation between India and African countries
    • Brings together: India and Members of the African Union

    Timeline

    • 1st IAFS → 2008 (New Delhi)
    • 2nd IAFS → 2011 (Addis Ababa)
    • 3rd IAFS → 2015 (New Delhi)
    • 4th IAFS → 2026 (New Delhi, upcoming)

    Key Focus Areas (2026)

    1. Development Cooperation

    • Infrastructure projects
    • Capacity building initiatives

    2. Education & Skills

    • Example: IIT Madras campus in Zanzibar

    3. Diplomatic Expansion

    • India has: Opened 16 new missions since 2018
    • Presence now in: 45 African countries

    4. Defence Cooperation

    • Training and security collaboration

    5. Trade & Investment

    • Shift from: Line of Credit (LoC) to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
    [2016] Consider the following statements: 
    1 The India-Africa Summit Held in 2015 
    2 was the third such Summit Was actually initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951 
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 
    a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2

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  • Human Rights Issues

    Disabled-Friendly Prisons — Supreme Court Directions (2026) 

    Prelims Only | Social Justice | Mains Paper 2: Schemes For Vulnerable Sections

    Why in the News?

    • The Supreme Court of India directed a high-powered committee to prepare a comprehensive plan for disabled-friendly prisons across India.
    • Issue highlighted: Inhumane conditions faced by disabled prisoners

    Key Supreme Court Observations

    • Rights of disabled prisoners must be protected under:
      • Article 14 → Equality before law
      • Article 21 → Right to life and dignity
    • Incarceration should not dilute fundamental rights

    Key Directions of the Court

    1. Comprehensive Action Plan

    • Create uniform standards across India

    2. Accessibility Measures

    • Provide:
      • Assistive devices
      • Mobility aids
      • Special infrastructure

    3. Medical & Social Support

    • Ensure:
      • Specialized medical care
      • Enhanced visitation rights

    4. Procurement & Maintenance

    • Define:
      • Procurement mechanisms
      • Maintenance protocols
      • Security safeguards

    5. Monitoring

    • Committee to submit report in: 4 months
    [2023] Q. Consider the following statements: 
    Statement-1: In India, prisons are managed State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day administration of prisons. 
    Statement-II: In India, prisons are governed by the Prisons Act, 1894 which expressly kept the subject of prisons in the control of Provincial Governments. 
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 
    [A] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-1 
    [B] Both Statement-1 and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-1 
    [C] Statement-1 1s correct but Statement-11 is incorrect 
    [D] Statement-1 Is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

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  • The Crisis In The Middle East

    Strait of Hormuz Crisis & Gulf Pipeline Strategy 

    Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    Why in the News?

    • The ongoing West Asia conflict has exposed the vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Gulf countries to build alternative energy routes.

    Strait of Hormuz  

    • Located between: Iran and Oman
    • Connects: Persian Gulf to Arabian Sea
    • Handles: About 20% of global oil and LNG trade

    What Happened

    • Conflict led to: Severe disruption of shipping
    • Demonstrated: Iran’s ability to block the chokepoint
    • Triggered: Global energy concerns

    Why It Matters

    1. Global Energy Security

    • Disruption affects: Oil supply and LNG supply
    • Leads to: Price spikes

    2. Strategic Vulnerability

    • Overdependence on a single chokepoint
    • Risk to global supply chains

    Gulf Countries’ Response

    1. Pipeline Expansion

    • Aim: Bypass Hormuz
    • Reduce maritime dependence

    2. Port Diversification

    • Increase exports via the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Mediterranean routes

    3. Regional Cooperation

    • Even rival countries: Collaborating for energy security

    Key Pipelines (Important)

    Operational

    • Saudi East–West Pipeline: From Persian Gulf to Red Sea (Yanbu)
    • Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP): From Habshan to Fujairah (bypasses Hormuz)

    Potential / Revival Projects

    • Iraq–Turkey Pipeline (Kirkuk–Ceyhan)
    • Basra–Aqaba Pipeline (Iraq–Jordan)
    • Iraqi Pipeline through Saudi Arabia (IPSA)
    • Trans-Arabian Pipeline
    [2024] Consider the following statements: 
    Statement-I Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and Natural gas shipments to Europe. 
    Statement-II: Sumed pipeline connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. 
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 
    [A] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I [B] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I [C] Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect [D] Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
    [2018] Consider the following pairs : Towns sometimes mentioned in news Country 
    1. Aleppo: Syria 
    2. Kirkuk: Yemen 
    3. Mosul: Palestine 
    4. Mazar-i-sharif: Afghanistan 
    Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched? 
    [A] 1 and 2 [B] 1 and 4 [C] 2 and3 [D] 3 and 4

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  • Banking Sector Reforms

    SBI Targets 25% of India’s GDP Balance Sheet

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Why in the News?

    • State Bank of India (SBI) aims to expand its balance sheet to 25% of India’s GDP by 2030 (from ~20% currently).

    What is a Bank’s Balance Sheet

    • A balance sheet shows: Liabilities + Capital = Assets

    Components

    1. Liabilities

    • Deposits
    • Borrowings
    • Other obligations

    2. Capital

    • Tier I capital
    • Tier II capital
    • Reserves

    3. Assets

    • Loans and advances
    • Investments
    • Cash balances (including with Reserve Bank of India)
    [2018] With reference to the governance of public sector banking in India, consider the following statements:
    1. Capital infusion into public sector banks by the Government of India has steadily increased in the last decade.
    2. To put the public sector banks in order, the merger of associate banks with the parent State Bank of India has been affected. 
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    (a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2
    [2015] With reference to ‘Basel III Accord’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?
    1. It strives to improve the banking sector’s ability to deal with financial and economic stress and improve risk management.
    2. It aims at making the banks more capital-intensive. 
    Select the correct answer:
    (a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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  • Biofuel Policy

    Ethanol 85 (E85) Fuel

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

    Why in the News?

    • Government likely to notify draft rules for E85 fuel rollout as part of alternative fuel strategy and energy security push.

    What is E85 Fuel

    • Fuel blend containing:
      • Up to 85% ethanol
      • About 15% petrol

    Current Context

    • India already implemented: E20 fuel (20% ethanol blending) nationwide (April 2026)
    • E85 will be: A separate fuel category

    Key Features of E85

    • High ethanol concentration
    • Requires:
      • Special engines (flex-fuel vehicles)
      • Dedicated fuel infrastructure

    Raw Materials for Ethanol

    • Produced from: Sugarcane, Maize, and Other grains
    • Renewable and domestically available

    Benefits of E85

    • Energy Security: Reduces dependence on crude oil imports
    • Environmental Benefits: Cleaner burning than petrol and Reduces vehicular emissions
    • Economic Benefits: Supports: Farmers and Biofuel industry

    Back2Basics

    GenerationSource MaterialContext for India
    1st Gen (1G)Edible crops (Sugarcane, Maize, Rice).Currently used for E20; raises “Food Security” concerns.
    2nd Gen (2G)Non-edible waste (Rice straw, Corn cobs, Wood chips).Promoted under PM JI-VAN Yojana to stop stubble burning.
    3rd Gen (3G)Micro-organisms like Algae.High yield, doesn’t require agricultural land.
    4th Gen (4G)Genetically modified (GM) crops.Focuses on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) while growing.
    [2020] According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?  
    1. Cassava
    2. Damaged wheat
    3. grains
    4. Groundnut seeds
    5. Horse gram
    6. Rotten potatoes
    7. Sugar beet 
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    (a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only(b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

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  • Forest Conservation Efforts – NFP, Western Ghats, etc.

    India’s Forest Carbon Storage Could Double

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News

    • A study published in Environmental Research: Climate suggests that India’s forests could nearly double carbon storage by 2100 under current emission trends.

    Key Findings

    • Vegetation carbon increase:
      • 35 percent under low emissions
      • 62 percent under medium emissions
      • 97 percent under high emissions
    • Growth pattern:
      • Similar till about 2030
      • Rapid increase after 2050

    Key Drivers

    1. Increased Rainfall

    • More moisture availability
    • Enhances vegetation growth

    2. Higher Atmospheric CO2

    • Improves photosynthesis
    • Increases water-use efficiency

    3. Time Lag Effect

    • Forest response is delayed:
      • About 2 years (low and medium emissions)
      • About 4 years (high emissions)

    Regional Trends

    Highest Increase

    • Desert and semi-arid regions: Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Western Madhya Pradesh

    Moderate Increase

    • Trans-Himalayas
    • Gangetic plains
    • Deccan Plateau

    Lower Increase

    • Western Ghats
    • Himalayas

    Reason:

    • Ecological saturation
    • Climatic limitations

    Important Institution

    • Forest Survey of India: Official body for forest and tree cover data. 
    Consider the following statements: (2019)
    1. As per the Law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) exists at both National and State levels.
    2. People’s participation is mandatory in the compensatory afforestation programmes carried out under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016. 
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    (a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2
    In the context of mitigating the impending global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, which of the following can be potential sites for carbon sequestration? (2017)
    1. Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams.
    2. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs.Subterranean deep saline formations. 
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    (a) 1 and 2 only(b) 3 only(c) 1 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3

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  • The Crisis In The Middle East

    “Yellow Line” Strategy (Israel)  

    Prelims OnlyWorld Mapping | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    Why in the News?

    • Israel has extended its “Yellow Line” buffer zone strategy from the Gaza Strip to southern Lebanon during ongoing conflict dynamics.

    What is the “Yellow Line”

    • A military demarcation and deployment boundary
    • Divides territory into:
      • Israeli-controlled zone
      • Local (Palestinian/Lebanese) areas
    • Marked physically by:
      • Concrete bollards
      • Tall poles at regular intervals

    Origin

    • First introduced in: October 2025 (Gaza conflict)
    • Later extended to: Southern Lebanon
    [2018] The term “two-state solution” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of: 
    (a) China 
    (b) Israel 
    (c) Iraq 
    (d) Yemen

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  • Corporate Social Responsibility: Issues & Development

    Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in India

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters

    Why in the News?

    • CSR spending by listed companies rose by 23% in FY25, reaching about ₹22,212 crore, driven by strong profit growth.

    What is CSR

    • Corporate Social Responsibility refers to:
      • Companies investing in social, environmental, and developmental activities
    • Mandated under:
      • Companies Act, 2013 (effective April 2014)

    CSR Legal Framework

    Mandatory Requirement

    • Eligible companies must spend: At least 2% of average net profits (last 3 years)

    Applicability Criteria

    Applies to companies with:

    • Net worth ≥ ₹500 crore
    • Turnover ≥ ₹1,000 crore
    • Net profit ≥ ₹5 crore

    Key Trends (FY25)

    • CSR spending: ₹22,212 crore (up 23%)
    • Companies spending CSR: 98% compliance
    • Increase due to: Higher corporate profits

    Sector-wise Allocation

    • Highest spending: Education
    • Second: Healthcare
    • Low spending:
      • Slum development
      • Disaster management
      • Armed forces welfare
    [2024] With reference to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules in India, consider the following statements: 
    1. CSR rules specify that expenditures that benefit the company directly or its employees will not be considered as CSR activities. 
    2. CSR rules do not specify minimum spending on CSR activities. 
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 
    [A] 1 only [B] 2 only [C] Both 1 and 2 [D] Neither 1 nor 2

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