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Type: Prelims Only

  • 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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  • Women empowerment issues – Jobs,Reservation and education

    Women in the Economy: Rising Participation, Low Leadership  

    Prelims Only | Indian Society | Mains Paper 1: Role Of Women & Women Organization

    Why in the News?

    • Female participation in India’s workforce is rising, but representation in leadership roles remains low, raising concerns for inclusive growth.

    Key Trends

    Rising Female Labour Force Participation (LFPR)

    • Female LFPR:
      • 2022: 33.9%
      • 2025: 40%
    • Still below:
      • Global average: 49%
      • Brazil: 53%
      • Vietnam: 69%

    Why Female Participation Matters

    • According to the World Bank: India needs ~8% growth to become developed by 2047
    • Low female participation: Major constraint to growth

    Economic Impact

    • Study (2018): Constituencies with women legislators: +1.8% higher economic performance

    Women in Leadership (Major Concern)

    1. Academia

    • IITs: Female faculty ~14%
    • IIMs: Range: 19% to 31%
    • Professors (India overall): ~29.5%

    2. Business & Corporate Sector

    • Female-owned establishments: ~27%
    • Women in leadership roles: Only 13 women per 100 men

    3. Corporate Boards

    • Many firms: Only 1–2 women directors
    • Women board chairpersons:
      • BSE 200: ~7%
      • NSE 500: ~5%
    • Indicates token representation

    Note: 

    • The BSE 200 is a stock market index on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India, comprising 200 of the largest, most liquid, and highly traded companies across various sectors.
    • The Nifty 500 is a broad-based stock market index representing the top 500 companies listed on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) based on market capitalization and average daily turnover.
    [2024] Consider the following statements regarding ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ : 
    1. Provisions will come into effect from 18th Lok Sabha. 
    2. This will be in force for 15 years after becoming an Act. 
    3. There are provisions for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes Women within the quota reserved for the Scheduled Castes. 
    Which of the statements given above are correct? 
    [A] 1, 2 and 3 [B] 1 and 2 only [C] 2 and 3 only [D] 1 and 3 only

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-Sri Lanka

    OCI Card Extension to 6th Generation in Sri Lanka  

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

    Why in the News?

    • India extended OCI card eligibility to the 6th generation of the Indian-origin community in Sri Lanka.
    • Announced during the visit of C. P. Radhakrishnan.

    What is OCI (Overseas Citizen of India)

    • A form of long-term visa status for persons of Indian origin
    • Not full citizenship, but provides:
      • Multiple-entry lifelong visa
      • Exemption from police reporting
      • Parity with NRIs in certain fields

    Key Update

    • Earlier eligibility: Up to 4th generation
    • Now extended to: 5th and 6th generation (Sri Lanka specific)
    • Based on documents issued by Sri Lankan authorities

    How “Generation” is counted

    It is counted family-wise (lineage):

    • 1st generation → Person born in India (original ancestor)
    • 2nd generation → Child of that person
    • 3rd generation → Grandchild
    • 4th generation → Great-grandchild
    • 5th generation → Next generation after that
    • 6th generation → Further descendant

    Significance

    1. Diaspora Outreach

    • Benefits: Indian-origin Tamil community (~7% of Sri Lanka population)
    • Strengthens cultural and historical ties

    2. India–Sri Lanka Relations

    • Reinforces: Neighbourhood First Policy
    • Builds goodwill and trust

    3. Strategic Diplomacy

    • India positioning as: First responder in region
    • Seen in: 2022 Sri Lankan economic crisis support
    [2021] With reference to India, consider the following statements: 
    1. There is only one citizenship and one domicile. 
    2. A Citizen by birth only can become the Head of State. 
    3. A foreigner once granted the citizenship cannot be deprived of it under any circumstance. 
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 
    [A] 1 only [B] 2 only [C] 1 and 3 [D] 2 and 3

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  • 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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