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Type: Prelims Only

  • Plasser’s Quick Relaying System (PQRS) 

    Why in the News?

    The Northeast Frontier Railway achieved its highest-ever single-day mechanised track renewal of 1,033 track metres using Plasser’s Quick Relaying System.

    About Plasser’s Quick Relaying System

    • A modern semi-mechanised track relaying system used for rapid replacement of railway tracks
       • Developed by Plasser & Theurer
       • Designed to speed up track renewal while reducing traffic disruption
       • Enhances safety, reliability, and maintenance efficiency

    Key Features

    • Uses self-propelled portal cranes operating on an auxiliary track of 3400 mm gauge
       • Auxiliary track has the same centre line as the track being renewed
       • Portal cranes can self-load and unload materials from Bogie Flat Wagons (BFRs)
       • High lifting capacity up to 9 tonnes
       • Capable of handling 13 m long PRC sleeper panels
       • Suitable for new track construction and modernisation of existing tracks

    Benefits

    • Faster renewal of longer track lengths within shorter traffic blocks
       • Minimal disruption to train operations
       • Cost effective due to reduced manual labour
       • Lowers life-cycle maintenance costs
       • Improves precision and safety in track laying

    Prelims Pointers

    • PQRS is a semi-mechanised, not fully automated system
       • Uses portal cranes, not conventional cranes
       • Works in coordination with Bogie Flat Wagons
       • Key objective is rapid track renewal with minimal traffic block
    Consider the following statements: [2025]

    I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future ready railway system by 2028. 

    II. ‘Kavach’ is an Automatic Train Protection system developed in collaboration with Germany. 

    III. ‘Kavach’ system consists of RFID tags fitted on track in station section. 

    Which of the statements given above are not correct? 

    (a) I and II only (b) II and III only (c) I and III only (d) I, II and III

  • Camellia sinensis

    Why in the News?

    • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India clarified that a beverage can be legally called tea only if it is derived from the plant Camellia sinensis.

    About Camellia sinensis

    • Belongs to the family Theaceae
    • Commonly known as the tea plant
    • Primary source of green tea, black tea, oolong tea, and white tea
    • Grows as a shrub or evergreen tree
    • Can reach a height of up to 16 metres
    • Widely cultivated on mountain slopes
    • Thrives at altitudes up to 2200 metres

    Required Climatic Conditions

    • Temperature range of 15°C to 23°C
    • Requires a warm and humid climate
    • Needs at least 5 hours of sunlight daily
    • Annual rainfall of 150 to 300 cm, evenly distributed
    • Prefers slightly acidic, calcium free soil
    • Requires porous sub soil
    • Sloping terrain essential for proper drainage

    Global Distribution

    • Cultivated in subtropical and warm temperate regions
    • Native to South east Asia
    • Major tea producing countries include China, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Japan, Korea and Malaysia

    Prelims Pointers

    • All true teas come from Camellia sinensis
    • Herbal or flower infusions are not tea under FSSAI norms
    • Tea prefers acidic soils and high rainfall
    • Oxidation level differentiates green, oolong, black, and white teas
    Though coffee and tea both are cultivated on hill slopes, there is some difference between them regarding their cultivation. In this context, consider the following statements: (2010)

    1. Coffee plant requires a hot and humid climate of tropical areas whereas tea can be cultivated in both tropical and subtropical areas. 

    2. Coffee is propagated by seeds but tea is propagated by stem cuttings only. 

    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

  • Rashtriya Prerna Sthal

    Why in the News?

    • The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, to commemorate the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

    About Rashtriya Prerna Sthal

    • Developed as a national memorial and inspirational complex
      • Dedicated to the life, ideals, and values of Atal Bihari Vajpayee
      • Envisioned as a site of enduring national significance
      • Designed to promote leadership values, national service, cultural consciousness, and public inspiration

    Location and Extent

    • Located on the banks of the Gomti River
      • Situated in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
      • Spread across 65 acres

    Statues and Key Structures

    • Features 65 foot high bronze statues
      • Statues of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee
      • Each statue weighs 42 tonnes
      • Each statue platform is surrounded by a water body
    Consider the following pairs: (2024)

         Party : Its Leader 

    1. Bharatiya Jana Sangh : Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee 

    2. Socialist Party : C. Rajagopalachari 

    3. Congress for Democracy : Jagjivan Ram 

    4. Swatantra Party : Acharya Narendra Dev 

    How many of the above are correctly matched? 

    (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four

  • Quality Council of India 

    Why in the News?

    • The Quality Council of India recently announced a comprehensive set of next generation quality reforms aimed at strengthening India’s quality ecosystem across healthcare, laboratories, MSMEs, and manufacturing sectors.

    About Quality Council of India (QCI)

    • Non profit autonomous organisation
    • Registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860
    • Established in 1997
    • Set up jointly by the Government of India and Indian industry

    Industry Associations Involved

    • ASSOCHAM
    • Confederation of Indian Industry
    • Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

    Administrative Control

    • Functions under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
    • Department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry

    Key Functions of QCI

    • Acts as the national accreditation body of India
    • Provides a framework for independent third party assessment of Products
    • Promotes adoption of quality standards related to
    • Quality Management Systems
    • Food Safety Management Systems
    • Product certification and inspection bodies
    • Plays a key role in propagation and adherence to quality standards across sectors
    • Leads the National Quality Campaign for a nationwide quality movement

    Boards and Divisions under QCI

    • National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)
    • National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH)
    • National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET)
    • National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB)
    • National Board for Quality Promotion (NBQP)
    With reference to ‘Quality Council of India (QCI)’, consider the following statements: (2017)

    1. QCI was set up jointly by the Government of India and the Indian Industry. 

    2. Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendations of the industry to the Government. 

    Which of the above statements is/are correct? 

    (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

  • Titan

    Why in the News?

    Scientists have re examined data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft and suggested that Saturn’s largest moon Titan may not have a global subsurface ocean, contrary to earlier studies.

    About Titan

    • Titan is the largest moon of Saturn
      • Second largest moon in the solar system, after Ganymede
      • Discovered in 1655 by Christiaan Huygens
      • Nearly 50 percent wider than Earth’s Moon
      • Only moon with a dense atmosphere
      • Atmosphere dominated by nitrogen with methane
      • Only body besides Earth with stable surface liquids
      • Presence of rivers, lakes, and seas
      • Liquids composed of methane and ethane

    Scientific Significance

    • Earlier models suggested a subsurface ocean
    • New findings indicate uncertainty in the existence or thickness of such an ocean
    • Important for understanding Titan’s internal structure
    • Affects assessment of potential habitability
    • Relevant for future planetary exploration missions

    Cassini Spacecraft

    • Cassini spacecraft was a joint mission of NASA, ESA, and ASI
    • Launched in 1997
    • First spacecraft to orbit Saturn
    • Studied Saturn, its rings, and moons
    • Carried the Huygens probe
    • Huygens landed on Titan in 2005
    • Provided first direct surface data from Titan
    Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? (2014)

    Spacecraft — Purpose: 

    I. Cassini-Huygens: Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth. 

    II. Messenger: Mapping and investigating Mercury. 

    III. Voyager 1 and 2: Exploring the outer solar system. 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

    (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 only

  • Kimberley Process 

    Why in the News?

    The Kimberley Process Plenary has selected India to assume the Chairmanship of the Kimberley Process from 1 January 2026. This will be the third time India will chair the process.

    About the Kimberley Process

    • It is a tripartite initiative involving governments, the international diamond industry, and civil society.
    • Aim is to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds.
    • Conflict diamonds are rough diamonds used by rebel groups to finance armed conflicts against legitimate governments, as defined by UN Security Council resolutions.

    Governance Structure

    • Chair and Vice Chair are appointed by Plenary consensus.
    • Vice Chair of a year automatically becomes Chair the following year.
    • Plenary is the highest decision making body of the Kimberley Process.

    Participants

    • 60 participants representing 86 countries.
    • European Union is counted as a single participant.

    India and the Kimberley Process

    • India has been participating in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme since 2003.
    • This is the third time India has been entrusted with the Chairmanship.
    • India is a major global hub for diamond cutting and polishing, giving it strategic importance in KP deliberations.

    Prelims Pointers

    • Kimberley Process deals only with rough diamonds, not polished diamonds.
      • KP is not a UN body, but works in alignment with UN Security Council resolutions.
      • Certification is mandatory for international trade in rough diamonds among KP participants.
      • EU counts as one participant despite multiple countries.
    Consider the following pairs: (2025)

    Country –        Resource-rich in; 

    I. Botswana:   Diamond; 

    II. Chile:         Lithium; 

    III. Indonesia: Nickel. 

    In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched? 

    (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All the three (d) None

  • Minamitori Island  

    Why in the News?

    Japan has decided to conduct test mining of rare earth rich mud from the deep seabed near Minamitori Island to reduce dependence on imported critical minerals.

    About Minamitori Island

    • Minamitori Island is also known as Marcus Island.
    • It is an isolated Japanese coral atoll located in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.
    • It marks the easternmost territorial point of Japan.
    • It is the first location in Japan to witness sunrise due to its eastern position.
    • The island is situated about 1,950 kilometres southeast of central Tokyo.

    Geographical and Geological Features

    • Minamitori Island represents the exposed summit of a massive underwater seamount.
    • The seamount rises from the deep ocean floor along the Marcus Necker Ridge.
    • It is the only landmass of Japan that lies entirely on the Pacific Plate.
    • The island provides Japan with a large Exclusive Economic Zone in the Pacific Ocean.

    What is Rare Earth Mud

    • Rare earth mud is a type of pelagic sediment formed from the accumulated remains of plankton.
    • Over millions of years, these sediments become enriched with rare earth elements.
    • The mud contains significant quantities of neodymium and dysprosium.
    • These elements are essential for manufacturing high performance permanent magnets.
    Consider the following statements: (2021)

    1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licenses for seabed exploration and mining in international waters. 

    2. India has received licenses for seabed mineral exploration in international waters. 

    3. ‘Rare earth minerals’ are present on the seafloor in international waters. 

    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

  • Himalayan Red Fox 

    Why in the News?

    A roadside sighting of a Himalayan Red Fox near Pangong Tso in Ladakh went viral on social media. Wildlife authorities cautioned that human interaction with wild animals can disturb their natural behaviour and pose ecological risks.

    About Himalayan Red Fox

    • Subspecies of the widespread red fox
      • One of the most adaptable predators of high altitude Himalayan ecosystems

    Conservation Status

    • Classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List

    Distribution

    • Native to the Himalayan mountain range
      • Found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet
      • In India, distributed across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh

    Key Facts about Pangong Tso

    • High altitude endorheic lake in the Ladakh Himalayas
      • One third lies in India and two thirds in China
      • World’s highest saltwater lake
      • Known for changing colours such as blue, green, and reddish shades

    Prelims Pointers

    • Himalayan Red Fox shows high ecological adaptability
      • Pangong Tso is saline and landlocked
      • Wildlife disturbance from tourism is an emerging conservation concern
      • Least Concern species can still face localised threats
    Consider the following: (2012)

    1. Black-necked crane 

    2. Cheetah 

    3. Flying squirrel 

    4. Snow leopard. 

    Which of the above are naturally found in India? 

    (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

  • Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme 

    Why in the News?

    India is expected to have more than 100 tsunami ready villages under the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme in the Indian Ocean region.

    About Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme

    • An international community based recognition programme
    • Developed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
    • Focuses on coastal communities vulnerable to tsunami hazards

    Objectives

    • Build resilient coastal communities
    • Enhance awareness and preparedness against tsunamis
    • Protect life, livelihoods and property
    • Reduce loss and damage during tsunami events

    Prelims Pointers

    • Programme is recognition based, not funding based
    • Focus is on last mile preparedness
    • Applies to coastal and island communities
    • Part of global efforts for tsunami risk reduction
    • India is a member of the Indian Ocean tsunami preparedness framework
    The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge? (2011)

    (a) Mangrove swamps separate human settlements from the sea by a wide zone in which people neither live nor venture out. 

    (b) Mangroves provide both food and medicines which people are in need of after any natural disaster. 

    (c) Mangrove trees are tall with dense canopies and serve as an excellent shelter during a cyclone or Tsunami. 

    (d) The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots.

  • NATGRID Linked with NPR 

    Why in the News?

    The National Intelligence Grid has been linked with the National Population Register, enabling real time access to family wise population data for law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

    National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)

    • Secure and indigenous intelligence sharing platform
       • Conceptualised in 2009 after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks
       • Became operational in 2024
       • Receives around 45,000 queries per month on average
       • Accessible only to authorised law and security agencies
       • Access expanded to Superintendent of Police rank officers
       • Earlier limited to select central agencies

    Key Agencies with Access

    • Intelligence Bureau
     • Research and Analysis Wing
     • National Investigation Agency
     • Enforcement Directorate
     • Financial Intelligence Unit
     • Narcotics Control Bureau
     • Directorate of Revenue Intelligence

    Prelims Pointers

    • NATGRID is not a law enforcement agency
      • It is a data access and integration platform
      • NPR is different from Census but linked administratively
      • NPR data is family based not biometric centric
      • Gandiva supports facial recognition and analytics
      • NATGRID enhances counter terrorism and organised crime investigation
    Q. With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: Organization Some of its functions It works under (2025)

    I.Directorate of EnforcementEnforcement of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018Internal Security Division- I, Ministry of Home Affairs 

    II.Directorate of Revenue IntelligenceEnforces the Provisions of the Customs Act, 1962Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance 

    III.Directorate General of Systems and Data ManagementCarrying out big data analytics to assist tax officers for better policy and nabbing tax evadersDepartment of Revenue, Ministry of Finance 

    In how many of the above rows is the information correctly matched? 

    [A] Only one 

    [B] for Only two 

    [C] All the three 

    [D] None