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Type: Prelims Only

  • Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

    Marine Heatwaves (MHWs) 

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

    Why in the News?

    • A recent study shows that tropical cyclones passing over marine heatwaves become far more destructive, leading to about 60% more billion-dollar disasters due to rapid intensification.

    What are Marine Heatwaves

    • A prolonged period of unusually high sea surface temperature
    • Duration: Days to months
    • Temperature anomaly: Typically 1°C to 3°C above normal

    Key Characteristics

    • Region-specific phenomenon
    • Defined by: Duration, Intensity, and Spatial extent

    Causes of Marine Heatwaves

    1. Climate Change

    • Oceans absorb over 90% of excess heat
    • Raises baseline temperature

    2. Weakening Winds

    • Less: Evaporation and Vertical mixing

    3. Ocean Stratification

    • Warm water trapped at surface
    • No mixing with cooler deep water

    4. Ocean Currents

    • Transport warm water to new regions

    5. Climate Oscillations

    • Example: El Niño
    • Raises sea surface temperatures
    [2020] With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct? 
    1 OMT is measured up to a depth of 26°C isotherm which is 129 meters in the southwestern Indian Ocean during January — March. 
    2 OMT collected during January – March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in monsoon will be less or more than a certain long-term mean. 
    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 
    a) 1 only 
    b) 2 only 
    c) Both 1 and 2 
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

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  • Banking Sector Reforms

    Bank Nationalisation in India  

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Why in the News?

    • The 55th anniversary of bank nationalisation (1969) has revived debate on its long-term economic impact.

    What is Bank Nationalisation

    • Transfer of private banks into government ownership
    • Objective:
      • Align banking with national development goals
      • Move control of finance to the public sector

    Phases of Nationalisation

    Phase 1 (1955)

    • Nationalisation of Imperial Bank of India
    • Converted into: State Bank of India

    Phase 2 (1969)

    • 14 major banks nationalised
    • Criteria: Deposits ≥ ₹50 crore
    • Led by: Indira Gandhi
    • Covered about 85–90% of banking sector

    Phase 3 (1980)

    • 6 more banks nationalised
    • Increased state control over banking

    Objectives

    • Expand banking in Rural and semi-urban areas
    • Provide credit to: Agriculture, Small industries, and Weaker sections
    • Reduce: Concentration of wealth
    • Support: Planned economic development
    [2018] Consider the following events: 
    1 The first democratically elected communist party government formed in a State in India. 
    2 India’s then largest bank, ‘Imperial Bank of India’, was renamed ‘State Bank of India’. 
    3 Air India was nationalised and became the national carrier. 
    4 Goa became a part of independent India. 
    Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence of the above events? 
    a) 4 – 1 – 2 – 3
    b) 3 – 2 – 1 – 4
    c) 4 – 2 – 1 – 3
    d) 3 – 1 – 2 – 4

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  • Economic Indicators and Various Reports On It- GDP, FD, EODB, WIR etc

    Why India Slipped to 6th Largest Economy

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Why in the News

    • According to the International Monetary Fund World Economic Outlook (2026), India slipped to the 6th-largest economy, with the United Kingdom and Japan overtaking it.

    Latest GDP Rankings (2026)

    • USA: ~$32.3 trillion
    • China: ~$20.8 trillion
    • Germany, Japan, UK, India: ~around $4 trillion range
    • Recently, India has now ranked 6th

    Key Reason: How the IMF Calculates GDP

    • IMF ranking depends on:
      • GDP in local currency
      • Exchange rate (currency vs US dollar)
    • Both factors worsened for India

    Reasons for India’s Decline

    1. Revision of GDP Data

    • New base year introduced
    • GDP revised downward:
      • ₹357 trillion → ₹345 trillion
    • Earlier estimates were overstated

    2. Rupee Depreciation

    • Indian rupee weakened against US dollar
    • Dollar also weakened against: Pound and Yen
    • Double impact:
      • India’s GDP falls in dollar terms
      • UK & Japan appear stronger

    3. Dollar-Based Ranking Effect

    • Even if real growth continues:
      • Dollar conversion reduces ranking
    • Example: India GDP revised: $4.1 trillion → $3.9 trillion

    Why the UK & Japan Overtook India

    • Stronger currencies (pound, yen)
    • India’s GDP revision downward
    • Exchange rate disadvantage

    Important Concept

    Nominal GDP vs Real Strength

    • IMF rankings use: Nominal GDP (in USD)
    • Not: Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)
    • India still ranks 3rd in PPP terms

    Future Outlook

    • IMF projection:
      • India likely to regain 4th position by 2027
      • May become 3rd largest by ~2031

    Key Insight

    • Top 2 economies (US & China) are far ahead
    • Next 4 economies (Germany, Japan, UK, India):
      • Very close (~$4 trillion range)
    • Small changes in exchange rate can change rankings
    [2019] Consider the following statements:
    1. Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) exchange rates are calculated by comparing the prices of the same basket of goods and services in different countries
    2. In terms of PPP dollars, India is the sixth largest economy in the world.
    Which of the statement 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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  • Temple entry for women : Gender Equality v/s Religious Freedom

    Freedom of Conscience vs Religion  

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Executive & Judiciary

    Why in the News?

    • The Supreme Court of India raised a key question during the Sabarimala review case:
      • Should judges rise above personal religious beliefs while deciding constitutional matters?

    Core Issue

    • Whether judges must separate personal religion from constitutional duty
    • Debate on:
      • Freedom of conscience vs religious practices
      • Scope of judicial review over religion

    Constitutional Provisions Involved

    Article 25

    • Freedom of: Conscience, Profession, practice and propagation of religion

    Article 26

    • Right of religious denominations to: Manage their own affairs

    Key Observations by the Court

    1. Judges and Personal Beliefs

    • Judges must:
      • Rise above personal religious views
      • Apply constitutional principles objectively

    2. Conscience vs Religion

    • Question raised: Is conscience broader than religion?
    • Suggestion: Conscience may not be limited to religion

    3. Internal vs External Dimension

    • Freedom of conscience: Internal belief system
    • Freedom of religion: External expression of belief

    Legal Interpretation Emerging

    • Article 25 contains:
      • Two distinct rights: Freedom of conscience and Freedom to practice religion
    • These are related but not identical

    Key Argument (Rajeev Dhavan)

    • Judges act under the Constitution, not personal faith
    • Freedom of conscience: Broader and independent right

    Important Concept

    Freedom of Conscience

    • Right to: Hold beliefs
      • Think independently
    • Does not necessarily require: Religious expression
    [2017] Which one of the following objectives is not embodied in the Preamble to the Constitution of India?
    (a) Liberty of thought
    (b) Economic liberty
    (c) Liberty of expression
    (d) Liberty of belief

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  • Parliament – Sessions, Procedures, Motions, Committees etc

    Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 Defeated  

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Parliament & State Legislatures

    Why in the News?

    • The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 was defeated in Lok Sabha after failing to secure the required special majority.

    Voting Outcome

    • Votes in favour: 298
    • Votes against: 230
    • Required (2/3rd majority): 352
    • Result: Bill failed

    What the Bill Proposed

    • Increase Lok Sabha strength:
      • From 543 → ~850 seats
    • Delimitation based on:
      • 2011 Census
    • Enable:
      • 33% women’s reservation
    • Linked Bills:
      • Delimitation Bill
      • Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill

    Aftermath

    • Government:
      • Withdrew related delimitation Bills
    • Debate continues on:
      • Women’s reservation
      • Electoral restructuring

    Key Issues in Debate

    1. Women’s Reservation Linkage

    • Government: Wanted reservation after delimitation
    • Opposition: Demanded immediate implementation without delimitation

    2. Federal Concerns

    • Fear among some States: Loss of representation
    • Debate over: North–South balance

    3. Delimitation Controversy

    • Based on: Latest population data
    • Raises concern: Impact on states with lower population growth

    Government’s Argument

    • Based on principle: One person, one vote, one value
    • Concern: Unequal constituency sizes due to 1971 freeze

    Constitutional Requirement

    • Constitutional Amendment Bill needs:
      • Special majority
      • Two-thirds of members present and voting
    [2022] Consider the following statements: 
    1. A bill amending the Constitution requires a prior recommendation of the Président of India.
    2. When a Constitution Amendment Bill is presented to the President of India, it is obligatory for the President of India to give his/her assent.
    3. A Constitution Amendment Bill must be passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha by a special majority and there is no provision for joint sitting.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?
    [A] 1 and 2 only [B] 2 and 3 only [C] 1 and 3 only [D] 1, 2 and 3

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-United States

    India–US Trade Issue and ILO Compliance  

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

    Why in the News?

    India responded to investigations by the United States Trade Representative under Section 301 on forced labour and excess capacity.

    Key Points

    • Section 301: US law to investigate unfair trade practices and impose tariffs.
    • India on Forced Labour: India has ratified International Labour Organization conventions:
      • Forced Labour Convention, 1930
      • Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957
    • India on Excess Capacity: Economy is largely domestic demand driven
      • Export to GDP ratio about 12 percent
    • Trade Surplus Argument: Trade surplus is a normal outcome of global trade
      • Based on comparative advantage
    • US Concerns: Overcapacity affecting US jobs and industries
    • India’s Counter
      • India accounts for only about 3.1 percent of US imports
      • Limited role in US trade deficit
    [2018] International Labour Organization’s Conventions 138 and 182 are related to: 
    (a) Child labour 
    (b) Adaptation of agriculture practices to global climate change 
    (c) Regulation of food prices and food security 
    (d) Gender parity at the workplace

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    State of India’s Bats Report  

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

    Why in the News?

    • First-ever national assessment “State of India’s Bats (2024–25)” highlights threats, neglect, and data gaps in bat conservation in India.

    Key Findings

    • Total bat species in India: ~135
    • 16 species endemic (found only in India)
    • 7 species threatened (IUCN Red List)
    • 35 species:
      • Not assessed / data deficient
    • Indicates serious knowledge gap

    About the Report

    • Title: State of India’s Bats (2024–25)
    • Led by:
      • Nature Conservation Foundation
      • Bat Conservation International
    • Contributors: 36 experts and 27 institutions
    [2024] Consider the following statements : 
    Statement-I : The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the “vermin” category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. 
    Statement-II : The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals. 
    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

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  • Electoral Reforms In India

    Delimitation Using Old Census Data — Supreme Court View 

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Parliament & State Legislatures

    Why in the News?

    • The Supreme Court of India cautioned that conducting delimitation before Census post-2026 could disturb the constitutional electoral framework.

    Core Issue

    • Whether delimitation can be done using old Census data (pre-2026)
    • Petition demanded parity with Jammu & Kashmir delimitation (2022)

    Supreme Court’s Key Observations

    1. Constitutional Timeline Must Be Followed

    • Delimitation cannot be done until:
      • First Census after 2026 is published
      • Based on: Article 82 (Lok Sabha) and Article 170 (State Assemblies)

    2. Risk to Electoral Framework

    • Using old data may:
      • Destabilize uniform electoral system
      • Disturb fair representation
      • Blur line between: Constitutional mandate and Political discretion

    3. Equality Principle (Article 14)

    • Selective delimitation (only some States) would: Violate Article 14
    • All States must be treated equally

    Court’s Decision

    • Rejected plea for delimitation in: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
    • Reason: Violates constitutional embargo
    • In India, there is a constitutional embargo on delimitation:
    • Under:
      • Article 82
      • Article 170
    • It states that: No readjustment of seats can be done until:
      • First Census after 2026 is published
    • This is the constitutional embargo referred to by the Supreme Court.

    Judicial Review of Delimitation

    • General Rule: Courts have limited power to review delimitation
    • Exception: Court can intervene if:
      • Arbitrary
      • Unreasonable
      • Violates constitutional values
    • Reinforced in: Kishorchandra Chhanganlal Rathod case

    Important Case Reference

    • Indira Nehru Gandhi vs Raj Narain
      • Parliament responsible for: Free & fair elections and Delimitation laws

    Current Relevance

    • Important due to: Proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026
      • Debate on: Using 2011 Census for delimitation
    [2023] With reference to the Delimitation Commission, consider the following statements: 
    1 The orders of the Delimitation Commission cannot be challenged in a Court of Law. 
    2 When the orders of the Delimitation Commission are laid before the Lok Sabha or State 
    3 Legislative Assembly, they cannot effect any modifications in the orders. 
    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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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-Africa

    India–Zambia Talks on Critical Minerals 

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

    Why in the News?

    • India’s negotiations with Zambia over critical minerals mining have stalled due to lack of clarity on mining rights.
    • Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa bordered by eight nations: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (north), Tanzania (northeast), Malawi and Mozambique (east), Zimbabwe and Botswana (south), Namibia (southwest), and Angola (west).

    Key Highlights

    • India allocated: ~9,000 sq km in Zambia for exploration
    • Minerals: Cobalt and Copper
    • Exploration: Indian geologists collected samples
    • Plan:
      • 3-year exploration
      • Later private sector participation (if mining rights granted)

    What are Critical Minerals

    • Essential for:
      • Energy transition
      • Strategic industries
      • High-tech manufacturing

    Key Minerals

    1. Cobalt

    • Used in: EV batteries and Electronics
    • India: Highly import dependent

    2. Copper

    • Used in: Power infrastructure, Electronics, and Construction
    • Imports rising due to domestic constraints

    Why Talks Stalled

    • Zambia has not assured: Mining rights
    • Without rights: Commercial extraction not possible

    India’s Strategy

    • Secure minerals via: Government-to-government deals
    • Focus regions: Africa, Australia, and Latin America
    [2023] About three-fourths of world’s cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by: 
    (a) Argentina 
    (b) Botswana 
    (c) the Democratic Republic of the Congo 
    (d) Kazakhstan

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  • Economic Indicators and Various Reports On It- GDP, FD, EODB, WIR etc

    WPI Inflation Hits 3-Year High  

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Why in the News?

    • India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation rose to a 38-month high of 3.88% in March 2026, driven by a sharp surge in crude oil prices due to the West Asia conflict.

    Key Highlights

    • WPI Inflation (March 2026): 3.88%
    • WPI Inflation (February 2026): 2.13%
    • Highest level in over 3 years
    FeatureWholesale Price Index (WPI)Consumer Price Index (CPI)
    Primary FocusPrices at the wholesale/producer level.Prices at the retail/consumer level.
    CompositionOnly Goods.Both Goods and Services.
    Who publishes it?Ministry of Commerce and Industry.National Statistical Office (NSO).
    Key ComponentsFuel, Power, Manufactured products.Food, Beverages, Housing, Education, Health.
    ImpactReflects business-to-business (B2B) costs.Reflects the cost of living (B2C).
    Base YearCurrently 2011-12 (in many regions), but changed the base from 2011-12 to 2022-23Base revised from 2012 to 2024 using Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24
    [2020] Consider the following statements: 
    1.The weightage of food in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI). 
    2.The WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which the CPI does. 
    3.The Reserve Bank of India uses WPI as its key measure of inflation to decide changes in policy rates. 
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 
    [A] 1 and 2 only [B] 2 and 3 only [C] 1 and 3 only [D] 1, 2 and 3

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