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Type: Prelims Only

  • Electric and Hybrid Cars – FAME, National Electric Mobility Mission, etc.

    How can V2G Technology help India’s Power Sector?

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

    Why in the News?

    Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has partnered with IIT Bombay to launch a pilot project on Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, integrating electric vehicles into the power grid.

    About V2G Technology:

    • V2G enables Electric Vehicles (EVs) to send power back to the grid when not in use, turning EV batteries into decentralized energy storage devices.
    • It involves two key functions:
    1. Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V): Power is transferred from the grid to charge the EV.
    2. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): Power is sent from the EV back to the grid, making the vehicle a distributed energy source.
    • Smart charging strategies optimize charging based on grid demand and renewable energy availability, enhancing grid stability and enabling renewable energy integration.

    About the KSEB-IIT Bombay V2G Pilot Project:

    • This pilot aims to assess EVs’ role in supporting the power grid, especially during peak demand periods when solar energy is unavailable.
    • Kerala’s growth in EV adoption and rooftop solar installations has raised concerns about increased electricity demand, particularly in the evenings.
    • The project will explore the feasibility of using EVs to reduce grid strain and optimize the use of renewable energy.

    Applications of V2G:

    • Grid Support: EVs can supply power back to the grid during high-demand periods, improving grid stability.
    • Solar Energy Integration: V2G encourages charging during the day when solar power is abundant, and storing excess energy to supply the grid at night.
    • Emergency Power Source: EVs can act as backup power during crises or natural disasters, providing electricity to communities.
    [UPSC 2024] Which one of the following is the exhaust pipe emission from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles powered by hydrogen?

    (a) Hydrogen peroxide (b) Hydronium (c) Oxygen (d) Water vapour *

     

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  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    JSWT finds Strongest Evidence of Life

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

    Why in the News?

    Scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have found signs of possible life on exoplanet K2-18 b by detecting gases usually produced by Earth’s biological processes.

    jswt

    Key findings of the Recent Study:

    • Scientists detected significant biosignatures in the atmosphere of K2-18 b, including dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS).
    • These gases, on Earth, are primarily produced by marine phytoplankton.
    • High concentrations of these gases suggest the possibility of microbial life, particularly in the planet’s oceans.
    • However, researchers caution that this is not definitive proof of life but a potential biosignature indicating biological processes.
    • Further studies and observations are needed to confirm whether these gases are biologically produced or the result of other processes.

    About James Webb Space Telescope (JWST):

    • JWST is a joint venture between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) launched in December 2021.
    • It is an orbiting infrared observatory that will complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope, with longer wavelength coverage and greatly improved sensitivity.
    • Webb was formerly known as the “Next Generation Space Telescope” (NGST), and it was renamed in 2002 after a former NASA administrator, James Webb.
    • It isa large infrared telescope with an approximately 6.5-meter primary mirror.
    • JWST is positioned at the Earth-Sun L2 Lagrange point, 5 million km away.
    • It consists of a mirror, spanning 6.5 meters in diameter compared to Hubble’s 2.4 meters, and its specialised instruments optimised for infrared observations.
    • Key Objectives:
      • JWST observes deeper into the universe than Hubble.
      • Observes celestial objects from earlier epochs.
      • Enables the detection of light from the universe’s earliest stars, dating back over 13.5 billion years.
    [UPSC 2020] The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The experiment in question refers to:

    Options: (a) Voyager-2 (b) New Horizons (c) LISA Pathfinder (d) Evolved LISA*

     

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  • Indian Army Updates

    6th Edition of Exercise DUSTLIK

    Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Various Security Forces, Agencies & Their Mandates

    Why in the News?

    The 6th edition of India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK-6 commenced at the Foreign Training Node at Aundh in Pune, Maharashtra.

    About Exercise DUSTLIK

    • Exercise DUSTLIK is an annual event alternating between India and Uzbekistan.
    • It is named after Dustlik, a town in the Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan.
    • The first edition of the exercise was held in 2019 near Tashkent.
    • The 5th edition was held in Termez District, Uzbekistan.
    • 4th edition held in Pithoragarh, India, in February 2023.

    Objectives and Focus Areas:

    • Focus on physical fitness, joint planning, and tactical drills.
    • Emphasis on special arms skills and multi-domain operations.
    • Tactical drills include establishing command posts, intelligence centers, heliborne operations, and room intervention.

    Back2Basics: India’s bilateral exercises with Central Asian Countries

    Country Exercise
    Kazakhstan Ex PRABAL DOSTYK, Ex KAZIND
    Kyrgyzstan Ex KHANJAR
    Mongolia Ex NOMADIC ELEPHANT
    Tajikistan Ex Farkhor

     

    [UPSC 2008] Hand-in-Hand 2007’, a joint anti-terrorism military training was held by the officers of the Indian Army and officers of the Army of which one of the following countries?

    Options: (a) China * (b) Japan (c) Russia (d) USA

     

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  • Governor vs. State

    History and Evolution of the Office of Governor

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Evolution of the Office of Governor

    Why in the News?

    The recent Supreme Court verdict on the powers of the President and Governors regarding assent to Bills under Articles 201 and 200 highlights the evolution of the office of the Governor and its changing role in India’s federal structure.

    Evolution of the Office of Governor:

    • Formal Establishment (1858): The office of the Governor was established under the Government of India Act of 1858, which transitioned administration from the East India Company to the British Crown. Governors acted as agents of the Crown and had significant powers in provincial administration.
    • Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919): The GoI Act of 1919, under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, aimed to increase Indian participation but kept the Governor central to governance, including vetoing Bills passed by legislative councils.
    • GoI Act of 1935: The GoI Act of 1935 gave provincial autonomy but retained the Governor’s discretionary powers, including vetoing Bills and withholding assent, signalling a transition toward more autonomy while maintaining significant Governor authority.
    • Post-Independence Transition (1947): As India moved toward independence, the India (Provisional Constitution) Order of 1947 modified the 1935 Act. It removed the phrase “in his discretion,” reducing the Governor’s discretionary powers and signalling a shift to a more symbolic and constitutional role.
    • Constituent Assembly Debates: It debated whether Governors should be elected or nominated. Concerns over separatism led to the decision that Governors would be nominated by the President to maintain unity and strengthen ties with the Centre, especially after the partition.
    • Post-Independence Framework: Before Independence, various documents and political proposals, including the Commonwealth India Bill (1925) and the Nehru Report (1928), supported retaining the office of the Governor, inspired by the Westminster model of governance.

    Constitutional Role of the Governor:

    • Article 163: The Governor acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, except in certain discretionary situations.
    • Ambedkar’s Views: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar advocated for limited use of discretionary powers, ensuring the Governor’s actions align with the advice of the ministers.
    • Article 200: The Governor must grant assent to Bills, but may withhold assent, reserve the Bill for the President, or return it for reconsideration. Ambedkar amended this in 1949 to ensure the Governor acts in alignment with the elected government.
    • Symbolic and Impartial Role: The Governor is expected to represent the Union, support democratic functioning, and remain non-interfering in day-to-day state affairs.
    • Discretionary Powers: The Governor’s discretion is limited to constitutional guidelines and should be used sparingly, ensuring the Governor’s role remains constitutional, not political.
    [UPSC 2017] In the context of Indian history, the-principle of ‘Dyarchy (diarchy)’ refers to:

    (a) Division of the central legislature into two houses.

    (b) Introduction of double government i.e., Central and State governments.

    (c) Having two sets of rulers; one in London and another in Delhi.

    (d) Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories. *

     

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    New frog species ‘Leptobrachium aryatium’ discovered in Assam

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

    Why in the News?

    A 21-year-long study has resulted in the discovery of a new frog species, Leptobrachium aryatium, named after Arya Vidyapeeth College in Assam.

    About the frog ‘Leptobrachium aryatium’

    • Leptobrachium aryatium, a newly discovered species of frog, was found in the Garbhanga Reserve Forest, located on the southwestern edge of Guwahati, Assam, near the Meghalaya border.
    • The species was identified through a re-analysis of past research and new studies on the Leptobrachium genus.
    • Key Features:
      • Distinctive Eyes: The frog has fiery orange-and-black eyes, setting it apart from other species in the genus.
      • Reticulated Throat Pattern: A unique reticulated pattern on its throat adds to its distinct appearance.
      • Smooth, Rhythmic Call: Emits a smooth, rhythmic call at dusk, a feature unique to this species in the genus.
      • Molecular and Morphological Distinctiveness: DNA analysis and physical studies confirmed it as a new species, distinguished by its unique call and appearance.
    [UPSC 2016] Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 metres and has orange-coloured fruit pulp. In which part of India has it been discovered?

    (a) Andaman Islands* (b) Anaimalai Forests (c) Maikala Hills (d) Tropical rain forests of northeast

     

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  • Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

    India’s first-ever Seed Germination Database

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    On April 16, 2025, the Ecological Restoration Alliance-India (ERA-I) has released a first-of-its-kind seed germination database aimed at enhancing the success of growing native plants for ecological restoration.

    About the Seed Germination Database:

    • It was launched by the Ecological Restoration Alliance-India (ERA-I).  ERA was formed in July 2021, as an informal collective between practitioners, ecologists and individuals.
    • ERA-I collaborated with organizations like Auroville Botanical Gardens, NCF, and Wildlife Trust of India.
    • It features over 1,000 germination techniques for 465 native plant species found across India.
    • It aims to help restoration practitioners, nursery managers, and native plant enthusiasts improve success rates in growing plants for ecological restoration.
    • It is a free-access database and offers valuable information on germinating native plants crucial for restoration projects.
    • Native Plants Included:
      • The database features a diverse array of native plant species. These species are key to restoring balance in degraded ecosystems.
      • They are – Aegle marmelos (Wood apple), Bauhinia racemosa (Beedi leaf tree), Ficus benghalensis (Banyan), Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Ziziphus mauritiana (Indian jujube), Knema attenuata (Wild nutmeg), Lawsonia inermis (Henna), Madhuca longifolia (Mahua), Vachellia nilotica (Babool).

    Significance:

    • Native plants are essential for creating climate-resilient ecosystems.
    • Such database plays a vital role in ecological restoration.
    • It provides 1,000+ techniques for growing native plants, enhancing the success of restoration projects.
    • The database supports India’s Bonn Challenge commitment to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
    [UPSC 2016] In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the ‘Seed Replacement Rates’ of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/constraints in its wider/greater implementation?

    1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place.

    2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops.

    3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only * (c) 2 and 3 only (d) None of the above

     

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  • Global Geological And Climatic Events

    Delamination of the Indian Plate

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Salient Features Of World’S Physical Geography

    Why in the News?

    Recent studies reveal that the Indian Plate is splitting into two, with the lower part detaching and sinking into the Earth’s mantle, a process called delamination, as published by the American Geophysical Union.

    About Delamination:

    • Delamination in tectonic plates refers to the process where the lower part of a continental plate, including the lower crust and/or lithospheric mantle, splits and sinks into the Asthenosphere.
    • This process is driven by density differences and can lead to rapid uplift, changes in stress regimes, and altered magmatism.
    • It can occur in various tectonic settings, including compressional zones, subduction zones, and intraplate regions. 
    • The denser lower part of the plate, including the lower crust and/or lithospheric mantle, is less buoyant than the less dense asthenosphere, leading to sinking.
    • High temperatures can also weaken the lithosphere and facilitate delamination.

    Delamination of the Indian Plate

    Indian Plate and Its Splitting:

    • The Indian Plate has been colliding with the Eurasian Plate for about 60 million years, causing the formation of the Himalayas and influencing regional seismic activity.
    • It is shifting northward at a rate of approximately 5 cm per year..
    • The lower, denser part of the Indian Plate is detaching and sinking into the Earth’s mantle.
    • This may lead to increased seismic activity due to shifts in tectonic stress.
    • In regions like the Himalayan collision zone, delamination results in fractures that increase stress in the Earth’s crust, raising the likelihood of seismic events.
    [UPSC 2004] Consider the following geological phenomena:

    1. Development of a fault 2. Movement along a fault 3. Impact produced by a volcanic eruption 4. Folding of rocks Which of the above cause earthquakes?

    Options:

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

     

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  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

    What is Tensor Processing Unit (TPU)?

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

    Why in the News?

    Recently Google introduced its seventh-generation TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), named Ironwood.

    About Ironwood

    • Ironwood is Google’s seventh-generation Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), designed to accelerate AI model training and inference with improved performance and efficiency.
    • It builds on previous TPUs, enhancing speed and efficiency for AI workloads.
    • It has been optimized for complex AI tasks, especially those requiring high-speed data processing for neural networks and deep learning models.
    • Initially used internally, Ironwood is now available via Google Cloud Platform, allowing businesses to harness its power without investing in dedicated hardware.

    What is a TPU?

    • A TPU is a specialized processor developed by Google to accelerate machine learning tasks, particularly those involving TensorFlow.
    • TPUs are optimized for tensor operations, crucial for training deep learning models, enabling faster data processing and high efficiency.

    How is TPU Different from GPU and CPU?

    CPU GPU TPU
    What is it? Central Processing Unit – General-purpose processor for various computing tasks. Graphics Processing Unit – Specialized for parallel processing, initially for graphics rendering. Tensor Processing Unit – Specialized processor designed by Google for accelerating machine learning tasks, particularly for AI and deep learning.
    Specialization General-purpose tasks (sequential processing) Parallel processing (graphics, machine learning) Specialized for AI tasks (tensor computations)
    Performance Slower for AI tasks due to sequential processing Faster than CPU for parallel tasks Fastest for AI tasks like matrix multiplication
    Efficiency Versatile but less efficient for AI operations Energy-efficient for parallel tasks Highly energy-efficient for machine learning
    Best for Running applications, managing systems Graphics rendering, machine learning Deep learning, neural network training

     

    [UPSC 2020] With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?

    (1) Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units (2) Create meaningful short stories and songs (3) Disease diagnosis (4) Text-to-Speech Conversion (5) Wireless transmission of electrical energy

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

     

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  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Who was Sir Sankaran Nair (1857-1934)?

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

    Why in the News?

    PM recently remembered Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair, a nationalist and jurist who famously fought a courtroom battle against British officials involved in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919.

    Nair’s stand in the courtroom is now a subject of a forthcoming film, Kesari Chapter 2.

    Who was Sir Sankaran Nair (1857-1934)?

    About Sir Sankaran Nair:

    • Born in 1857 in Mankara village, Kerala, Nair came from an aristocratic family.
    • He was educated at Presidency College in Madras and pursued a law degree.
    • Nair began his legal career with Sir Horatio Shepherd, Chief Justice of Madras High Court.
    • In 1897, Nair became the youngest president of the Indian National Congress (Amravati (Mh) Session) and was appointed as a permanent judge of the Madras High Court in 1908.

    Role in the Jallianwala Bagh Case:

    • Nair challenged Michael O’Dwyer, the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, for his role in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919), accusing him of following policies that led to the massacre.
    • O’Dwyer sued Nair in England for defamation. Despite biased British courts, Nair refused to apologize, even when O’Dwyer offered to forgo the £500 penalty.
    • The trial highlighted the bias in the British judicial system and fuelled Indian resentment against British rule.

    Other Contributions:

    • Nair made progressive rulings, like supporting inter-caste and inter-religious marriages and ruling against treating converts to Hinduism as outcasts.
    • He supported India’s self-government and played a key role in expanding the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms (1919).
    • In 1922, Nair critiqued Gandhi‘s methods in his work “Gandhi and Anarchy”.
    • He helped draft the 1919 constitutional reforms, pointing out flaws in British rule, with many of his suggestions accepted.
    [UPSC 2007] Which one of the following aroused a wave of popular indignation that led to the massacre by the British at Jallianwala Bagh?

    (a) The Arms Act (b) The Public Safety Act (c) The Rowlatt Act (d) The Vernacular Press Act

     

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  • Electronic System Design and Manufacturing Sector – M-SIPS, National Policy on Electronics, etc.

    China halts export of Rare Earth Magnets

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

    Why in the News?

    China has suspended exports of a wide range of critical minerals and magnets after US’s tariff embargo.

    What Are Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and RE Magnets?

    • REEs are a group of 17 elements in the periodic table, including Lanthanum (La), Neodymium (Nd), Europium (Eu), and Ytterbium (Yb).
    • Though not rare, they are found in low concentrations, making extraction challenging and costly.
    • Classification:
      • Light REEs (LREEs): Elements 57-63, such as La, Ce, Nd, and Sm.
      • Heavy REEs (HREEs): Elements 64-71, like Gd, Tb, Dy, and Er.
      • Scandium and Yttrium: Classified with HREEs due to similar chemical properties.
    • Rare Earth Magnets are powerful permanent magnets made from elements like Neodymium (Nd), Samarium (Sm), and Dysprosium (Dy).
    • They are far stronger and more efficient than traditional magnets, crucial for high-tech electronic applications.

    Global Supply Chain of REEs:

    • REEs are abundant but difficult to extract economically.
    • China alone dominates, producing 70% of the global supply and controlling 80% of the refining capacity. REEs are primarily mined from China’s Bayan Obo mine.
    • Australia, USA, Brazil, and Russia also contribute, though less significantly.
    • Refining also is largely controlled by China, though other nations are working to build their own refining capabilities to reduce dependency.
    [UPSC 2022] Consider the following statements:

    1. Monazite is a source of rare earths. 2. Monazite contains thorium. 3. Monazite occurs naturally in the entire Indian coastal sands in India. 4. In India, Government bodies only can process or export monazite.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

     

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