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Type: Prelims Only

  • Minority Issues – SC, ST, Dalits, OBC, Reservations, etc.

    Govt. approves ‘Caste Census’

    Prelims Only | Indian Society | Mains Paper 1: Salient features of Indian Society

    Why in the News?

    In a landmark move, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) has approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the 2025 population census for the first time since India’s independence.

    What is Caste Census?

    • A caste census is the process of recording individuals’ caste identities during a national census.
    • It aims to gather data on the distribution and socio-economic status of different caste groups, helping inform policies related to affirmative action, social justice, and welfare programs in India.
    • Caste plays a significant role in the country’s social, economic, and political life.
    • History of Caste Census:
      • British India (1881–1931): Caste enumeration was part of the decennial census under British rule, used for administrative purposes.
      • Post-Independence (1951): After independence, the Indian government, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, discontinued caste enumeration to promote national unity and avoid social divisions.
      • 1961 Directive: States were allowed to collect their own data on Other Backward Classes (OBCs), leading to fragmented caste data collection at the state level.
      • 1980 Mandal Commission: The commission recommended 27% reservation for OBCs in government jobs, fuelling the demand for caste-based data. The lack of national caste data made the implementation of such policies contentious.
      • 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC): The SECC collected caste data, but it was not officially integrated into the census, and its findings were not fully released, drawing criticism for lack of transparency and application.

    Implications of Caste Census:

    • Political: It can help improve representation for marginalized groups and ensure better-targeted welfare programs.
    • Social: Unveils intersectional disparities, helping identify gaps in services like education, healthcare, and social protection.
    • Policy: Aids in shaping reservation policies and resource allocation for poverty alleviation.
    • Opposition and Concerns: Some worry it may reinforce caste-based divisions, particularly among upper-caste groups and certain political factions.
    • Electoral and Governance: Accurate data influences electoral strategies, helping parties address community-specific needs.
    • Legal and Administrative Impact: The 2025 caste enumeration raises issues regarding data collection, classification, and use, ensuring it is applied effectively without reinforcing caste-based disparities.
    [UPSC 2008] Amongst the following States, which one has the highest percentage of rural population (on the basis of the Census, 2001)?

    Options: (a) Himachal Pradesh* (b) Bihar (c) Odisha (d) Uttar Pradesh

     

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  • Defence Sector – DPP, Missions, Schemes, Security Forces, etc.

    Government revamps National Security Advisory Board (NSAB)

    Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

    Why in the News?

    The Union Government has reconstituted the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), appointing Alok Joshi, former chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), as its new chairman.

    About National Security Advisory Board (NSAB):

    • The NSAB is a high-level advisory body to the National Security Council (NSC).
    • It plays a crucial role in shaping national security policies and responses to both internal and external threats.
    • Composition: The NSAB includes eminent individuals from sectors like the armed forces, IPS, IFS, academia, and civil society, selected for expertise in areas such as defense, foreign affairs, internal security, economic affairs, and science & technology.
    • Key Functions:
      • Provide expert analysis on long-term security issues to the NSC.
      • Recommend solutions and policies on matters referred by the NSC.
      • Contribute significantly to India’s Nuclear Doctrine, Strategic Defence Reviews, and other critical policy frameworks.

    Back2Basics: National Security Council (NSC)

    • The NSC is the apex body advising the Prime Minister on national security and foreign policy matters, coordinating the government’s efforts to ensure the nation’s security.
    • It was established on 19 November 1998 by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
    • Members: National Security Advisor (NSA), Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Ministers of Defence, External Affairs, Home, and Finance, Deputy NSA, Additional NSAs, and the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog.
    • Three-Tier Structure:
      • Strategic Policy Group (SPG): Highest decision-making body.
      • NSAB: Provides advisory support.
      • NSCS: Implements NSC decisions.
    • In July 2024, the NSCS was revamped to fill the Additional NSA post, delegating internal security management and threat analysis to enhance the NSA’s focus on broader challenges.

     

    [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:

    1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances. 2. The Constitution of India exempts the States from providing legal counsel to person being held for preventive detention 3. According to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002, confession of the accused before the police cannot be used as evidence.

    How many of the above statements are correct?

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

     

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  • Cosmic Clumpiness and the S8 Tension

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

    Why in the News?

    New research suggests that understanding the “clumpiness” of matter, measured by Sigma-8 (S8) Tension, could unlock key insights into the universe’s structure and complexity.

    What is S8?

    • S8 is a measure used by scientists to understand the distribution of matter across the universe, indicating how “clumpy” or evenly spread out the matter (like galaxies, stars, and dark matter) is.
    • High S8 tension means matter is clumped together in certain regions, while low S8 means it’s evenly distributed.
    • Scientists use S8 to study matter, including dark matter, which is invisible but makes up most of the universe.
    • The measurement of S8 helps explain how the universe fits together and has evolved since the Big Bang.
    • Recently, conflicting measurements of S8 have caused confusion, raising questions about our understanding of the universe.

    Implications for the ΛCDM Model:

    • The ΛCDM model (Lambda Cold Dark Matter) is the standard model explaining the universe’s structure, suggesting it’s mainly composed of dark matter and dark energy.
    • This model assumes that dark energy is causing the universe’s accelerating expansion.
    • S8 discrepancies may challenge the ΛCDM model, indicating a potential gap in our understanding of dark energy or dark matter.
    • Possible Implications:
      • Revised Theories: Scientists may need to adjust their model of the universe due to conflicting S8 values.
      • Re-thinking Dark Energy: If S8 measurements don’t align with predictions, dark energy might not behave as expected.
      • New Discoveries: The S8 tension could suggest undiscovered forces or particles influencing matter behavior.
      • Better Observations: Improved telescopes and surveys, like the Rubin Legacy Survey, may help clarify why S8 measurements conflict with predictions.
    [UPSC 2015] In the context of modern scientific research, consider the following statements about ‘IceCube’, a particle detector located at South Pole, which was recently in the news:

    (1) It is he world’s largest neutrino detector, encompassing a cubic km of ice. (2) It is a powerful telescope to search for dark matter. (3) It is buried deep in the ice. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

     

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

    What is AIM4NatuRe Initiative?

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

    Why in the News?

    On Earth Day, April 22, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched the Accelerating Innovative Monitoring for Nature Restoration (AIM4NatuRe) Initiative aimed at accelerating nature restoration.

    About the AIM4NatuRe Initiative:

    • AIM4NatuRe is a global initiative launched by the FAO aimed at enhancing countries’ ability to monitor and report ecosystem restoration efforts.
    • With £7 million (approximately USD 9.38 million) from the United Kingdom, the initiative will run from 2025 to 2028, focusing on restoring 30% of degraded ecosystems globally by 2030, in alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
    • Key aspects:
      • Utilizes advanced technology and data frameworks for ecosystem restoration monitoring.
      • Targets restoration across forests, wetlands, grasslands, marine ecosystems, and agricultural landscapes.
      • Integrates Indigenous knowledge in restoration efforts.
      • Develops tools like the Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring (FERM) and builds a unified global dataset for transparency.

    Key Stakeholders:

    • FAO: Leads the initiative, providing tools, data, and frameworks to support restoration.
    • UK: Provides financial backing and focuses on helping countries achieve the 30×30 target.
    • Indigenous Communities: Contribute traditional knowledge and participate in restoration efforts.
    • World Resources Institute (WRI): Supports global restoration initiatives, including the Kham River Restoration Mission in India.
    • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): Shapes the biodiversity framework for monitoring progress on 30% ecosystem restoration by 2030.
    • World Bank: Provides funding and technical expertise for financing and implementing ecosystem restoration.
    [UPSC 2014] Consider the following international agreements:

    1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. 2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. 3. The World Heritage Convention.

    Which of the above has/have a bearing on the biodiversity?

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

     

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  • How Locusts form massive Swarms?

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

    Why in the News?

    A recent study by the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior suggests that locusts do not behave like gas particles but instead make cognitive decisions based on their perception of nearby motion.

    Locust

    About Locust Swarms  

    • Locusts are large grasshoppers capable of forming massive swarms, consuming up to their body weight in food daily, and traveling 150 km/day with favourable winds.
    • They are highly destructive, stripping crops and threatening food security. A single swarm can consume food equivalent to the daily needs of 35,000 people.
    • In India, Locust Control and Research (LC&R) oversees locust management.
    • The Locust Warning Organisation (LWO), established in 1939, monitors and controls locust activity in states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.
    • The 2019-2022 desert locust outbreak was one of the worst in decades, devastating India, Pakistan, and East Africa, destroying over 200,000 hectares of crops.
    • Despite existing control measures, locust outbreaks remain difficult to manage due to their rapid breeding capabilities.

    Key Highlights of New Research:

    • Traditional models assumed locusts moved collectively by aligning with neighbours.
    • However Max Planck Institute reveals that locusts make cognitive decisions based on visual cues.
    • The study introduced a new mathematical model using neural ring attractor networks, showing that locusts decide on movement based on multiple visual cues, leading to coordinated swarms through decentralised decision-making.
    • This understanding provides a more accurate model for predicting locust swarm behaviour, crucial for early intervention.
    [UPSC 2023] Which of the following organisms perform waggle dance for others of their kin to indicate the direction and the distance to a source of their food?

    Options: (a) Butterflies (b) Dragonflies (c) Honeybees* (d) Wasps

     

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  • Nobel and other Prizes

    Hon’ble President confers Padma Awards, 2025

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    Why in the News?

    Padma Awards 2025 recognised 139 individuals for their exceptional contributions across various fields. Notable awardees include actor S. Ajith Kumar, singer Pankaj Udhas, and cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin.

    About Padma Awards:

    • The Padma Awards are among India’s most prestigious civilian honors, announced annually on Republic Day’s eve.
    • These awards recognize outstanding achievements in various fields, particularly public service.
    • The GoI introduced the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan in 1954, with the three classes (Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg, and Tisra Varg) renamed in 1955 as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
    • The awards are not titles and cannot be used as prefixes or suffixes to names.
    • The number of awards given annually is capped at 120 (excluding posthumous awards and awards to NRIs/foreigners/OCIs).

    Award Categories:

    1. Padma Vibhushan: For ‘exceptional and distinguished service.’
    2. Padma Bhushan: For ‘distinguished service of a high order.’
    3. Padma Shri: For ‘distinguished service.’

    Eligibility and Nomination:

    • Nominations are reviewed by the Padma Awards Committee, formed annually by the Prime Minister, with final approval from the President.
    • Eligibility Criteria:
      • Open to all individuals, regardless of race, occupation, position, or gender.
      • Government employees, except doctors and scientists, are generally ineligible.
      • Awards are generally not given posthumously, with exceptions in extraordinary cases.
      • A recipient can be considered for a higher category only after five years since their last Padma award.
    [UPSC 2021] Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards:

    1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.

    2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once.

    3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year.

    Which of the above statements are not correct?

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

     

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  • Air Pollution

    Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI) Targets

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

    Why in the News?

    The Environment Ministry has released the Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025, as part of the government’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from energy-intensive sectors.

    About Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI):

    • GHGs trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
    • Major GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and synthetic fluorinated gases (CFCs, HCFCs).
    • GEI measures the amount of GHGs emitted per unit of output (e.g., per tonne of product like cement or aluminium).
    • It uses tCO2e (tonnes of CO2 equivalent) to account for the impact of all GHGs.
    • Reducing GEI is vital to mitigate climate change, promoting the use of cleaner technologies in industries to lower environmental footprints.

    Key Provisions of Draft GEI Target Rules, 2025:

    • Target Setting for Industries: Specific emission intensity reduction targets are set for energy-intensive sectors like aluminium, cement, and pulp and paper, for the periods 2025-26 and 2026-27.
    • Baseline Emissions & Gradual Reduction: Baseline GHG emissions for 2023-24 are established, with targets for gradual reduction over time.
    • Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS): Industries meeting GEI targets will earn carbon credits that can be traded on India’s carbon market. Those failing to meet targets will need to buy credits or face penalties.
    • Sector-Specific Applicability: Targets apply to 13 aluminium plants, 186 cement plants, 53 pulp and paper plants, and 30 chlor-alkali plants.
    • Penalties & Incentives: Non-compliant industries must buy carbon credits or face penalties. The rules encourage clean technologies, like using biomass instead of coal in production.
    • Alignment with Paris Agreement: The rules support India’s climate commitments, aiming for a 45% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
    • Monitoring & Compliance: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) will oversee the carbon credit market, ensuring compliance through regular progress reports from industries.
    [UPSC 2022] Climate Action Tracker’ which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a:

    Options: (a) Database is created by coalition of research organisations* (b) Wing of “International Panel of Climate Change” (c) Committee under “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change” (d) Agency promoted and financed by United Nations Environment Programme and World Bank

     

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  • Corporate Social Responsibility: Issues & Development

    CSR Spending in India

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

    Why in the News?

    In 2023-24, India’s listed companies spent Rs 17,967 crore on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), 16% higher than Rs 15,524 crore in 2022-23.

    As per the PRIME Database report, this increase was due to an 18% rise in the companies’ net profits.

    CSR Spending in India

    About Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Obligations Under It

    • CSR is a self-regulating business model through which companies become socially accountable to themselves, stakeholders, and the public.
    • It includes initiatives that assess and take responsibility for the company’s social and environmental impact.
    • India is the first country to mandate CSR spending w.e.f. April 1, 2014, through Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.
    • It provides a structured framework for CSR activities.
    • CSR provisions apply to companies that, in the preceding financial year, have:
      • Net worth ≥ ₹500 crore, or
      • Turnover ≥ ₹1,000 crore, or
      • Net profit ≥ ₹5 crore
    • CSR Spending Obligation:
      • Companies must spend at least 2% of their average net profits of the last 3 financial years on CSR.
      • Newly incorporated companies should calculate it based on profits of previous years.
    • Eligible CSR Activities:
      1. Eradicating hunger and poverty
      2. Promoting education, gender equality
      3. Combating diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS)
      4. Environmental sustainability
      5. Contributions to relief funds (e.g., PM CARES, PM Relief Fund)
      6. Welfare of disadvantaged groups
    • If CSR spend > ₹50 lakh, companies must constitute a CSR committee with at least three board members, one being independent.
    [UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements with reference to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules in India:

    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?

    Options: (a) 1 only* (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 or 2

     

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  • Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.

    [pib] River Cities Alliance (RCA)

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

    Why in the News?

    The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved an annual master plan for the River Cities Alliance (RCA), aimed at scaling up sustainable urban river rejuvenation.

    What is the River Cities Alliance (RCA)?

    • The RCA launched in 2021, promotes sustainable urban river management across India.
    • It is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to integrate river-sensitive urban planning within cities.
    • It aims to strengthen institutional capacities, foster collaboration, and support the creation of Urban River Management Plans (URMPs).
    • As of 2025, 145 cities are part of the alliance, sharing best practices for river conservation.
    • Key activities include promoting river-sensitive planning, peer-to-peer learning, and training for urban local bodies (ULBs).

    About National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG):

    • The NMCG is a flagship initiative to rejuvenate the Ganga River through pollution abatement, ecological restoration, and community involvement.
    • Established in 2011, it implements the Namami Gange Program.
    • It was launched with a ₹20,000 crore budget, covering over 288 projects.
    • It focuses on pollution abatement and maintaining the ecological flow of the Ganga.
    • It operates under a five-tier framework, including the National Ganga Council and state/district committees.
    • Key Initiatives: Includes sewage treatment, riverfront development, real-time monitoring, and public awareness campaigns.
    • It also addresses floods, droughts, and waterlogging in the Ganga basin.
    [UPSC 2021] Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)?

    1. River basin is the unit of planning and management.

    2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.

    3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

     

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  • In news: Haji Pir Pass

    National Parks/WSPrelims Only | Geography | Mains Paper 1: Geographical Features & Their Location

    Why in the News?

    The recent Pahalgam terror attack has revived debates on India’s 1966 decision to surrender the Haji Pir Pass to Pakistan during Tashkent Agreement of 1966.

    This move is compared to the Soviet Union’s 1954 transfer of Crimea, which created lasting security challenges.

    About Haji Pir Pass:

    • The Haji Pir Pass is located in the Pir Panjal Range of Jammu and Kashmir, at an altitude of 2,637 meters (8,652 feet).
    • It connects Poonch in India to Rawalakot in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
    • Historically, it was a vital route for connecting Jammu to the Kashmir Valley before 1947, making it an essential part of India’s transportation network.
    • Post-partition, it became part of PoK and, during the 1965 Indo-Pak War, India recaptured it under Operation Bakshi.
    • However, it was returned to Pakistan following the Tashkent Agreement in 1966, a decision criticized by many experts.

    How Haji Pir Pass is a Chokepoint?

    • Strategic Military Route: The pass provides Pakistan with the ability to control and monitor the Kashmir Valley from a high-altitude position, serving as a key route for military logistics and infiltration.
    • Gateway for Infiltration: Historically, it has been used for militant infiltration into India, fuelling insurgency and instability in Kashmir.
    • Shortened Military Access: Retaining the pass would have reduced the distance between Poonch and Uri from 282 km to 56 km, improving India’s military logistics and rapid deployment.
    • Control over Key Terrain: Controlling the pass enables domination of the surrounding hills, limiting Pakistan’s ability to sustain military pressure and infiltration.
    [UPSC 2007] Which one of the following Himalayan passes was reopened around in the middle of the year 2006 to facilitate trade between India and China?

    (a) Chang La (b) Jara La (c) Nathu La* (d) Shipki La

     

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