Why in the News?
The Union Environment Ministry has notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
About the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025:
- Nodal Agency: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- Legal Basis: Framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Purpose: India’s first dedicated legal framework to identify, clean up, and monitor contaminated sites.
- Goal: Prevent environmental degradation, enforce clean-up, and ensure polluter accountability.
- Funding Pattern:
- Himalayan & Northeast states: 90% Centre – 10% State
- Other states: 60% Centre – 40% State
- Union Territories: 100% Centre
Key Features:
- Site Classification: Sites categorized as suspected, potentially contaminated, or confirmed, based on scientific evidence.
- Exclusions: Sites involving radioactive waste, mining, marine oil spills, or municipal solid waste (regulated separately).
- Transparency & Tracking: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to maintain a real-time online portal with public access.
- Public Participation:
- 60-day window for stakeholder feedback post-listing.
- Final site lists must be published in regional newspapers.
- Polluter Pays Principle:
- Identified polluters must bear full remediation cost and repay within 3 months.
- Land use changes or ownership transfers restricted during/post clean-up.
- Orphan Sites (No Known Polluter): Clean-up funded through:
- Environment Relief Fund
- Environmental violation penalties
- Government budgetary support
- Voluntary Remediation: Private entities with technical capacity may remediate sites with landowner consent.
- Monitoring Committees: State and Central-level bodies to oversee implementation and submit annual compliance reports.
Back2Basics: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- Enactment: In response to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy; derives authority from Article 253 of the Constitution.
- Objective: To protect and improve the environment and prevent hazards to life and property.
- Significance: Acts as India’s umbrella environmental legislation, coordinating with the Water Act (1974) and Air Act (1981).
- Key Provisions:
- Pollution standards via Environment (Protection) Rules.
- Hazardous Waste Rules, 1989 – manage toxic waste.
- Chemical Safety Rules – control handling of hazardous chemicals.
- Cells Rules, 1989 – govern gene tech and genetically modified organisms.
- Power: Empowers the Central Government to act directly for environmental protection.
|
| [UPSC 2019] Consider the following statements:
The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to:
1. State the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the procedure and manner in which it is sought.
2. Lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only* (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
The Prime Minister recently highlighted a first-of-its-kind grassland bird census in Kaziranga National Park, Assam.
About the Bird Census:
- Significance: India’s first-ever dedicated census of grassland birds
- Led by: Chiranjib Bora (PhD scholar), supported by INSPIRE Fellowship from the Department of Science & Technology
- Organised by: Park authorities, scientists, and conservationists
- Objective:
- Document rare, endemic, and threatened grassland bird species
- Focused on 10 priority species endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains
Methodology Used:
- Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM):
- Recording devices placed in tall trees during breeding season
- Recordings captured across 29 locations over 3 days
- Ideal for detecting small, shy, camouflaged birds not easily visible
- Sound Identification Tools:
- BirdNet: Machine learning tool used to identify bird calls
- Spectrograms: Visual analysis of sound patterns; Final identifications verified by ornithologists
Key Findings:
- Total Species Recorded: 43 grassland bird species
- Priority Species Identified: Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin, Finn’s Weaver, Jerdon’s Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill, among others
- Major Discovery: A breeding colony of over 85 Finn’s Weaver nests—first-ever documentation
| [UPSC 2014] If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which of the following is/are such bird/birds?
1. Painted Stork 2. Common Myna 3. Black-necked Crane
Options: (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only* (c) 2 and 3 (d) 3 only |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has mandated annual third-party cybersecurity audits for both private and public-sector organisations operating digital infrastructure.
Cybersecurity Directive: Key Highlights:
- Annual third-party cyber audits are mandatory for all digital infrastructure.
- Sectoral regulators may require more frequent checks based on risk.
- Audits must be risk-based, domain-specific, and aligned with business context.
About the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In):
- Parent Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- Established: January 2004
- Constituency: All entities operating in Indian cyberspace
- Core Responsibilities:
- Collect, analyse, and disseminate cybersecurity incident data
- Forecast and alert about emerging cyber threats
- Provide emergency response support to affected entities
- Issue security guidelines, advisories, and best practices
- International Role: Signs MoUs with other countries to:
- Share real-time cyber threat intelligence
- Collaborate on incident response and recovery
- Exchange knowledge on global cybersecurity practices
India’s Cybersecurity Ecosystem:
- Institutional Framework:
- National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC): Protects key sectors like telecom, banking, and power
- National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC): Monitors real-time cyber threats across public and private domains
- National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC): Ensures coordination across ministries and departments
- Sector-Specific Response Teams (CSIRTs): For domains like finance (CSIRT-Fin), power (CSIRT-Power)
- Legal and Policy Measures:
- Information Technology Act, 2000: Core law for cybercrime and electronic governance
- National Cyber Security Policy, 2013: Strategic vision for securing cyberspace
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: Ensures privacy, mandates breach reporting
- Cyber Crisis Management Plan: Framework for cyber incident response in government agencies
- Capacity Building Programs:
- Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA): Promotes digital literacy in rural areas
- Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative: Trains Chief Information Security Officers of public sector organisations
- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Multi-agency platform to handle cybercrimes
| [UPSC 2017] In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cyber security incidents? 1. Service providers 2. Data Centres 3. Body corporate Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3* |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has launched oil exploration over 124 million hectares of the Cuvette Centrale peatlands raising global ecological risk.
About the Cuvette Centrale Peatland Complex:
- Location: Central Congo Basin, spanning the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Congo.
- Size: Covers approximately 145,000–167,600 sq. km—larger than England and about 10% of the Congo Basin.
- Peat Coverage: Around 40% of the region is underlain by peat—formed over 10,000 years due to flat terrain, rainforest climate, and slow-moving water.
- Landscape: Features a mosaic of seasonal lakes, floating prairies, swamp forests, rivers, and grasslands.
- Global Status: The world’s largest near-contiguous tropical peatland complex.
Ecological Significance:
- Carbon Storage: Holds about 30–30.6 gigatonnes of carbon—
- Equal to 3 years of global fossil fuel emissions.
- Nearly 15 years of U.S. emissions.
- About 28% of global tropical peat carbon stock.
- Climate Impact: Acts as a major carbon sink, critical for regulating global temperatures and mitigating climate change.
- Biodiversity: Habitat for forest elephants, lowland gorillas, and rare plant species.
- Local Importance: Sustains indigenous livelihoods and maintains regional water cycles.
- Conservation Status: Recognized as a transnational Ramsar wetland site, highlighting its international ecological value.
| [UPSC 2024] One of the following regions has the world’s largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years’ worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels, and the possible destruction of which can exert a detrimental effect on the global climate. Which one of the following denotes that region?
Options: (a) Amazon Basin (b) Congo Basin* (c) Kikori basin (d) Rio De La Plata Basin |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
Vijai Sharma, a 1974-batch IAS officer and architect of India’s climate diplomacy, who helped shape the Kyoto Protocol for safeguarding the interests of developing countries like India, has passed away.
About Kyoto Protocol:
- Adopted: 11 December 1997 (UNFCCC COP-3, Kyoto, Japan); Came into Force: 16 February 2005
- Legal Status: Legally binding on developed (Annex I) countries
- Parent Treaty: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992)
- Objective: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change
- Principle: Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC)
- Parties: 192 ratified; key non-parties include United States and Canada
Key Features:
- Emission Targets:
- Annex B nations to cut emissions by 5% below 1990 levels (2008–2012)
- Doha Amendment (2012): 18% cut for 2013–2020
- Greenhouse Gases Covered:
- Carbon dioxide, Methane, Nitrous oxide, Hydrofluorocarbons, Perfluorocarbons, Sulfur hexafluoride
- Market Mechanisms:
- Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): Carbon credits via projects in developing nations
- Joint Implementation (JI): Emission reduction between Annex I countries
- International Emissions Trading: Trade surplus emission units
- Monitoring and Enforcement:
- Mandatory reporting and independent verification
- Compliance Committee oversight
- Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) included; aviation/shipping excluded
- Equity Element:
- No binding targets for developing nations like India and China
- Developed nations held accountable for historical emissions
Vijai Sharma’s Contributions:
- Climate Negotiations Leader: India’s chief negotiator (1995–2001), led G77+China, defended equity and exemptions for developing nations
- Policy Architect: Helped shape CDM governance, promoted India’s clean-tech access
- Environmental Reformer: As Environment Secretary (2008–2010), improved clearance processes
- Legacy: Called “Sir Humphrey Sharma” for his sharp wit and bureaucratic skill; key figure in India’s Kyoto-era climate diplomacy
| [UPSC 2016] Consider the following pairs:
Terms sometimes seen in the news : Their origin
1. Annex-I Countries : Cartagena Protocol
2. Certified Emissions Reductions : Nagoya Protocol
3. Clean Development Mechanisms : Kyoto Protocol
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only* (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) has been successfully launched from Sriharikota using GSLV Mk-II.
About NISAR (NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar):
- Launch Vehicle: GSLV Mk-II | Launch Site: Sriharikota, India
- Mission Life: 3 years (planned); 5+ years (design)
- Orbit: Sun-synchronous polar orbit at 747 km with 98.4° inclination
- Objective: High-precision monitoring of Earth’s surface changes—tectonics, agriculture, ecosystems, ice, floods, and landslides
- Data Access: Free and near real-time; disaster maps delivered in under 5 hours
- Hardware Contributions:
- NASA: L-band SAR, 12m antenna, avionics
- ISRO: S-band SAR, satellite bus, launch services
- Development and Collaboration:
- Initial Concept: 2007 (NASA); ISRO joined in 2012
- Formal Agreement: 2014
- Investment: NASA – ~$1.16 billion; ISRO – ~$90 million
Key Features of NISAR:
- What is Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)?
-
- Operates day/night, all-weather
- Simulates large radar antenna via motion
- Penetrates clouds, vegetation, and soil
-
- L-band SAR (1.257 GHz):
- Deeper penetration; ideal for forests, tectonic shifts, permafrost
- S-band SAR (3.2 GHz):
- Surface details; supports agriculture, flood mapping, biomass tracking
-
- 12-meter deployable mesh reflector
- Resolution: 3–10 m spatial; cm-level vertical
- Swath Width: 240 km
-
- Global land/ice coverage every 12 days
- Less frequent in polar zones
- Data Output: Generates 80 TB/day (3x current Earth observatories):
-
- Biomass and cropland maps
- High-resolution flood and infrastructure data
Applications and Impact:
- Disaster Relief: Before-and-after imagery for planning
- Climate Monitoring: Glacier melt, forest degradation
- Agriculture: Crop health, rotation, food security
- Infrastructure: Detects land subsidence (dams, cities)
- Strategic Value:
- Most powerful Earth-observing radar satellite
- First with dual SAR payload
- Strengthens India–US space partnership (Artemis, human spaceflight)
| [UPSC 2010] Question: In the context of space technology, what is Bhuvan, recently in the news ?
Options: (a) A mini satellite launched by ISRO for promoting the distance education in India (b) The name given to the next Moon Impact Probe, for Chandrayaan-II (c) A geoportal of ISRO with 3D imaging capabilities of India* (d) A space telescope developed by India |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
It has been five years since the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which replaced the 1986 National Policy on Education.
About the National Education Policy, 2020:
- Origin: Drafted by a committee chaired by Dr. K. Kasturirangan under the Ministry of Education.
- 5 Core Pillars: Based on Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability.
- Vision: Seeks to build a knowledge society by unlocking every learner’s potential.
- Global Link: Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 (Education for All).
Key Provisions:
-
- Curriculum Structure: Introduces 5+3+3+4 design (Foundational to Secondary), replacing 10+2.
- ECCE Focus: Early Childhood Care and Education via Jaadui Pitara kits and play-based learning.
- Vocational Training: Begins from Grade 6 with internships.
- Basic Literacy & Numeracy: Achieved through National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy.
- Language Medium: Emphasis on mother tongue/regional language up to Grade 5.
- Assessment Reform: Launch of Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH) as a national evaluation centre.
-
- Four-Year Degree: Multidisciplinary courses with multiple exit points.
- Credit Bank: Academic Bank of Credit ensures credit mobility across institutions.
- Research Boost: National Research Foundation supports innovation and research.
- Single Regulator: Higher Education Commission of India proposed (pending law) to replace multiple bodies.
- Language Promotion: Establishment of Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation for Indian languages.
Implementation Initiatives:
- Foundational Mission: NIPUN Bharat aims to achieve basic literacy and numeracy by Class 3.
- Unified Credit System: Rollout of Academic Bank of Credit and National Credit Framework.
- Common Entrance: Common University Entrance Test introduced for fair UG admissions.
- Early Prep: Vidya Pravesh – a 3-month play-based module for Grade 1 entrants.
- Tech Education in Regional Languages: Promoted by the All-India Council for Technical Education.
- Digital Backbone: National Digital Education Architecture launched to support e-learning.
- SAFAL Assessments: Structured competency-based testing in Grades 3, 5, and 8 by Central Board of Secondary Education.
Key Achievements:
- Curriculum and Textbooks: NCERT released new content for Classes 1–8.
- ECCE Adoption: Early childhood curriculum implemented in several states.
- Language Expansion: Regional language instruction expanded at foundational levels.
- Academic Flexibility: Credit-based transfer systems in use via Academic Bank of Credit and National Credit Framework.
- Global Presence: Indian Institutes such as Indian Institute of Technology (Zanzibar) and Indian Institute of Management (Dubai) now abroad.
- International Collaboration: Foreign universities invited to set up campuses under new regulations.
| [UPSC 2016] “SWAYAM’, an initiative of the Government of India, aims at
Options:
(a) promoting the Self-Help Groups in rural areas
(b) providing financial and technical assistance to young start-up entrepreneurs
(c) promoting the education and health of adolescent girls
(d) providing affordable and quality education to the citizens for free* |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted two consecutive test flights of the Pralay missile from the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha’s coast.
About Pralay Missile:
- Developer: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), led by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) with Indian industry support.
- Purpose: Tactical surface-to-surface missile for precision strikes along sensitive borders like the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC).
- Role: Enhances India’s conventional deterrence in short-range battlefield operations.
- Targets: Designed to destroy high-value assets—radars, command centers, airstrips, and military infrastructure.
Key Features:
- Type: Quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile
- Range: 150–500 km
- Payload: 500–1,000 kg (conventional warheads)
- Propulsion: Solid-propellant rocket motor
- Launcher: Mobile platform for rapid deployment
- Guidance: Advanced inertial navigation with <10 m Circular Error Probable (CEP)
- Terminal Speed: Up to Mach 6.1
- Maneuverability: Capable of mid-air trajectory changes to evade interception
| [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:
1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their fights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight. 2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2* |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
The Government of India recently clarified in the Lok Sabha that no final decision has been taken regarding the updation of the National Population Register (NPR) during the upcoming Population Census 2027.
What is the National Population Register (NPR)?
- Overview: NPR is a register of “usual residents” in India—individuals who have lived in an area for 6 months or intend to stay for the next 6 months.
- Conducted by: Office of the Registrar General of India (RGI), Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Legal Basis: Prepared under the Citizenship Act, 1955 and Citizenship Rules, 2003.
- Mandatory Nature: Registration in NPR is compulsory for all usual residents.
- Exclusion: Assam is excluded as it has completed the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process.
- Historical Background:
- First Created: In 2010 during the House Listing phase of Census 2011.
- Updated: Again in 2015–16 via door-to-door survey.
- Database Size: Contains data of around 119 crore residents.
- Aadhaar Link: Biometric data collection is linked to Aadhaar; however, ration card data collection was dropped in the 2020 plan.
- Current Status: NPR update plans (2020) are on hold. NPR’s priority has reduced due to Aadhaar’s expanded utility in benefit delivery.
- Scope and Data Collected:
- Coverage Levels: Conducted at local, sub-district, district, state, and national levels.
- Demographic Data: Includes name, age, gender, relationship, marital status, etc.
- Biometric Data: Sourced via Aadhaar enrolment—fingerprints, iris scan, and photo.
NPR vs National Register of Citizens (NRC):
| Feature |
National Population Register (NPR) |
National Register of Citizens (NRC) |
| Purpose |
Record of all usual residents |
Register of Indian citizens |
| Coverage |
Includes citizens and non-citizens |
Only Indian citizens |
| Legal Basis |
Citizenship Act, 1955 & Rules (2003) |
Citizenship Rules (2003) |
| Primary Use |
Welfare schemes, demographic data |
Citizenship verification |
| Mandatory? |
Yes |
Not uniformly across India |
| [UPSC 2009] Consider the following statements:
1. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the density of the population of India has increased more than three times.
2. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the annual growth rate (exponential) of the population of India has doubled.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2* |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
The proposal to expand the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve by 1,100 sq km has received clearance from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and awaits approval from National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
About Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR):
- Location: Situated in South and North 24-Parganas districts, West Bengal; lies at the southern tip of the Gangetic Delta.
- Area: Presently 2,585.89 sq km; expansion to 3,629.57 sq km under proposal.
- Status: Notified as a Tiger Reserve, National Park, Biosphere Reserve; part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Unique Feature: World’s only mangrove forest with a viable tiger population.
- Tiger Count: Over 100 tigers – 80 in core area, 21 in adjoining forests.
- Landscape: Interconnected estuaries, tidal creeks, and 105 mangrove-covered islands.
- Flora: Dominated by mangrove species like Avicennia, Rhizophora, Heritiera.
- Fauna: Includes Royal Bengal Tigers, Fishing Cats, Estuarine Crocodiles, Irrawaddy Dolphins, King Cobras, and endangered reptiles and birds.
- Boundaries:
- East: Bangladesh border (Raimangal, Harinbhanga rivers)
- South: Bay of Bengal
- North/West: Matla, Bidya, Gomdi Rivers
Back2Basics: Tiger Reserves in India
- Overview: A Tiger Reserve is a legally notified area under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for the conservation of tigers and biodiversity.
- Governing Authority: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- Origin: Initiated under Project Tiger, launched in 1973.
- Structure:
- Core Zone: Highly protected; no human activity allowed; declared as National Park or Sanctuary.
- Buffer Zone: Surrounds core; allows regulated human use and supports conservation-compatible livelihoods.
Tiger Reserve Landscape in India (as of 2025):
- Total Reserves: 58 (up from 46 in 2014)
- Largest Reserve: Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh – 3,727.82 sq km
- Oldest Reserve: Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand – established in 1973
- Newest Reserves: Guru Ghasidas (Chhattisgarh), Ranipur (Uttar Pradesh), Ramgarh Vishdhari (Rajasthan)
- Top State: Madhya Pradesh – 7 Tiger Reserves
- Tiger Density: Bandipur TR > Corbett TR > Kaziranga TR (148, 18.6 tigers/sq. km.)
- Global Tiger Day: Celebrated on 29th July every year
|
| [UPSC 2020] Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?”
Options: (a) Corbett (b) Ranthambore (c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam* (d) Sunderbans |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
Divya Deshmukh made history by becoming India’s first Women’s World Cup Champion and only the fourth Indian woman Grandmaster, defeating Koneru Humpy in the final at Batumi, Georgia.
Major Achievements of Divya Deshmukh:
- 2025: Won the FIDE Women’s World Cup, defeating Koneru Humpy. Became India’s 4th woman Grandmaster.
- 2024: U-20 Girls’ World Champion
- 2023: Asian Women’s Champion
- 2022: Indian Women’s National Champion
- Olympiad: Key contributor to India’s gold in 2025 Chess Olympiad (Budapest).
- 2013: Became India’s youngest Woman FIDE Master (WFM) at age 7.
About the FIDE World Chess Championship System:
- FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs): Global chess body founded in 1924; headquartered in Switzerland.
- World Championship Format: Played over 14 classical games. A player must score 7.5 points to win.
- Tiebreaker: If the match ends 7–7, rapid and blitz games are used.
- Qualification Path:
- Zonal and Continental Championships
- FIDE World Cup (knockout)
- Candidates Tournament (top player faces reigning champion)
- Special Championships:
- Women’s World Championship
- Junior and Youth Championships
- World Rapid & Blitz Championships
Key FIDE Events and Titles:
- FIDE World Cup: Knockout format; major path to the Candidates.
- FIDE Women’s World Cup: Equivalent format for top female players.
- Title Hierarchy:
- Grandmaster (GM) – highest title
- International Master (IM)
- FIDE Master (FM)
- Candidate Master (CM)
- Women’s Titles: Woman Grandmaster (WGM), Woman International Master (WIM), etc.
| [UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:
I. In the finals of the 45th Chess Olympiad held in 2024, Gukesh Dommaraju became the world’s youngest winner after defeating the Russian player Ian Nepomniachtchi.
II. Abhimanyu Mishra, an American chess player, holds the record of becoming world’s youngest ever Grandmaster.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) I only (b) II only * (c) Both I and II (d) Neither I nor II |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
The 14th edition of the India–Singapore Joint Military Exercise — Exercise Bold Kurukshetra — commenced in Jodhpur.
About Exercise ‘Bold Kurukshetra’
- Launch Year: 2005, after the 2003 India–Singapore Defence Cooperation Agreement.
- Purpose: Strengthen bilateral defence ties, boost operational coordination, and enhance regional security.
- Frequency: Held annually or biannually, alternating between Indian training zones like Babina and Jodhpur.
- Participants: Focuses on armoured and mechanised infantry units from India and Singapore.
- Framework: Conducted under United Nations Peacekeeping mandates, simulating mechanised warfare and joint operations.
Key Features:
- Format:
- Tabletop wargaming and computer-based simulations.
- Validates doctrines and standard operating procedures in mechanised warfare.
- Operational Objectives:
- Improve interoperability and tactical planning.
- Execute joint manoeuvres and enhance command-level coordination.
- Build mutual understanding of combat and operational doctrines.
- Evolution Over Time:
- Progressed from basic drills to complex command post exercises and live-fire missions.
- Includes scenario-based planning and real-time decision-making via digital simulations.
| [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 |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has launched the ‘Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana’, aimed at improving legal aid for defence personnel and their families.
Back2Basics: National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
- Established under: Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (in force from 1995)
- Mandate: Ensure free, competent legal aid to the socially and economically disadvantaged
- Leadership:
- Patron-in-Chief: Chief Justice of India
- Executive Chairman: Senior Supreme Court Judge
- Core Functions:
-
- Legal literacy campaigns
- Lok Adalats for amicable dispute resolution
- Legal aid in civil and criminal matters
- Outreach in rural and vulnerable communities
|
About Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana:
- Launched by: National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
- Objective: Provide legal assistance to defence personnel, ex-servicemen, and their families.
-
- Legal Clinics: Set up at Zilla, Rajya, and Kendra Sainik Boards
- Welfare–Legal Integration: Sainik Boards become legal service hubs
- Paralegal Volunteers: Defence families encouraged to participate, enhancing local legal access
- Legal Assistance includes:
-
- Land and property disputes
- Matrimonial and family matters
- Service-related entitlements
- Utility/civil grievances (e.g., billing disputes)
- Support for personnel in remote/conflict zones
Free Legal Aid in India:
-
- Article 21 (FR): Access to justice as part of the right to life
- Article 39A (DPSP): Legal aid and equal justice, added via 42nd Amendment Act, 1976
-
- Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987: Four-tier system—National, State, District, Taluka
- Section 341, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023: Legal aid for indigent accused persons
-
- Women and children
- Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes
- Persons with disabilities
- Industrial workmen
- Victims of disasters (natural or human-made)
- Persons in custody or shelter homes
- Economically weak (annual income:
- Below ₹1 lakh generally
- Below ₹5 lakh for Supreme Court cases)
| [UPSC 2020] In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens?
1. Person with an annual income of less than Rs 1,00,000
2. Transgender with an annual income of less than Rs 2,00,000
3. Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than ₹ 3,00,000
4. All Senior Citizens
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only * (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1 and 4 only |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
A student in Odisha, died by suicide after her sexual harassment complaint was rejected by her college’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), showing the urgent need for stronger grievance systems.
About Internal Complaints Committee (ICC):
- Legal Basis: Mandated under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act).
- Applicability: Mandatory in all organizations with 10 or more employees.
- Purpose: Provides a redressal mechanism to ensure a safe and dignified workplace for women.
-
- A Presiding Officer who is a senior woman employee.
- At least two internal members with legal or social expertise.
- One external member from an NGO or with knowledge of sexual harassment issues.
- Minimum 50% of ICC members must be women.
Powers and Functions:
- Complaint Handling:
- Accepts complaints within 3 months of the incident.
- Offers conciliation (on request) or initiates a formal inquiry.
- Inquiry Process:
- Holds powers similar to a civil court (summon, evidence collection, sworn statements).
- Must complete inquiry within 90 days.
- Confidentiality: Identity of complainant, respondent, witnesses, and proceedings must be kept confidential.
- Post-Inquiry Actions:
- Recommends disciplinary action or closure.
- Employer must act on recommendations within 60 days.
- Assists in filing FIRs if the complainant seeks criminal action.
Back2Basics: POSH Act, 2013
- Full Form: The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
- Background:
- Originated from the Vishaka Guidelines (1997) issued by the Supreme Court.
- Inspired by the Bhanwari Devi case and public pressure after the Nirbhaya case (2012).
- Constitutional and Global Basis:
- Upholds gender justice under Article 15.
- Based on India’s commitment to CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, 1979) (ratified in 1993).
- Key Provisions
-
- Workplace Scope: Includes private and public sectors, government offices, NGOs, informal sectors, and domestic work.
- Definition of Harassment: Covers physical contact, unwelcome advances, sexually coloured remarks, explicit content, and verbal or non-verbal conduct.
- Mandatory ICC: All organizations with 10+ employees must set up an Internal Complaints Committee.
- Local Committee: District-level Local Committees must be set up for smaller workplaces or domestic workers.
- Employer Responsibilities:
- Conduct awareness sessions and training.
- Ensure safety and publish the organization’s POSH policy.
- Timelines:
- Complaints must be filed within 3 months.
- Inquiries must be completed within 90 days.
- Penalties:
- Fine of up to ₹50,000 for non-compliance.
- Repeat violations can lead to license cancellation.
|
| [UPSC 2007] Consider the following statements:
1. The Judge (Inquiry) Bill 2006 contemplates establishing a Judicial Council which will receive complaints against Judges of the Supreme Court, Chief Justices, and Judges.
2. Under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, a woman can file a petition before a 1st Class Judicial Magistrate.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2* (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
The second Kala Utsav 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan celebrated India’s tribal art, with artists from Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal showcasing Sohrai, Pattachitra, and Patua paintings.
About Sohrai Paintings:
- Origin: Indigenous to Jharkhand, especially the Hazaribagh region.
- Etymology: Derived from ‘Soro’ meaning “to drive away with a stick.”
- Historical Roots: Traces back to the Meso-chalcolithic period (9000–5000 BC).
- Archaeological Evidence: Similar rock paintings found at Isko Rock Shelter in Barkagaon.
- Key Features of Sohrai Art:
-
- Practiced By: Women of Kurmi, Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Agaria, and Ghatwal tribes.
- Geographical Spread: Found in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal.
- Materials Used: Natural substances like charcoal, clay, and soil.
- Themes: Celebrates nature—forests, rivers, animals—along with harvest and fertility.
- Festival Link: Painted during the Sohrai festival, marking the harvest season and winter.
- Ritual Role: Rice-gruel mandalas drawn to welcome cattle into homes.
- GI Tag: Awarded in 2020 for Sohrai Khovar Painting.
Back2Basics:
Pattachitra Painting:
- Origin: Odisha, associated with the Jagannath Temple, Puri.
- Material: Painted on cloth (Pata) coated with chalk powder and tamarind seed glue.
- Colors Used: Made from vegetables, minerals, and earth sources.
- Artistic Method:
- No pencil outlines.
- Borders are painted first.
- Sketching is done with light red and yellow brushes.
- Finished with lacquer coating for shine and durability.
- Themes: Centered on Krishna Leela, Jagannath tales, and other mythological stories.
Patua Painting:
- Origin: West Bengal, practiced by the Patua (Chitrakar) community.
- Spread: Also found in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bangladesh.
- Format: Painted on scrolls (pati or patta) backed with old sari fabric.
- Tools & Colors: Uses bamboo-goat hair brushes and vegetable dyes, fixed with gum.
- Usage:
- Scrolls used to narrate folk tales.
- Focuses on Mangal Katha, especially in Kalighat and Kumartuli.
- Practiced by both Hindu and Muslim Patuas.
|
| [UPSC 2015] Kalamkari painting refers to:
Options: (a) a hand-painted cotton textile in South India* (b) a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India (c) a block-painted woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India (d) a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
Over a century after Einstein explained Brownian motion, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) scientists have created a powerful microscope that shows molecules moving in real time at an extremely tiny scale.
What is Brownian Motion?
- Definition: Random movement of tiny particles in a fluid due to constant collisions with surrounding molecules.
- Significance: Validated the existence of atoms and molecules; explained by Albert Einstein in 1905.
- Particle Behavior: Smaller particles move faster and more erratically; larger ones move slower.
|
About Caltech Microscope:
- Resolution: Angstrom-level (1 Å = 0.0000000001 m).
- Speed: Captures hundreds of billions of frames per second.
- Advantage: Wide-field, single-shot imaging with no sample damage.
-
- Setup: Fluorescent molecules in water illuminated by ultrafast lasers.
- Light Capture: Scattered light directed via Digital Micromirror Device.
- Streak Imaging: Light converted to electron patterns revealing molecular size.
- Reading Size: Faster changes = smaller molecules; slower = larger.
| [UPSC 2000] Which one of the following can be used to confirm whether drinking water contains a gamma emitting isotope or not?
Options: (a) Microscope (b) Lead plate (c) Scintillation counter* (d) Spectrophotometer |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
IIT Guwahati researchers have created a strong, eco-friendly material using bamboo and biodegradable plastic to replace regular plastic in car interiors and other uses.
About the Bamboo-Polymer Composite:
- Origin: Made using Bambusa tulda, a fast-growing bamboo from Northeast India.
- Composition: Reinforced with bio-based and petroleum-based epoxies for strength.
- Objective: Reduce dependence on synthetic plastics in industrial sectors.
- Process: Bamboo fibres undergo alkali treatment to bond well with polymers.
- Evaluation: Tested across 17 parameters—tensile strength, water resistance, cost, etc.
Key Features and Benefits:
- High Strength: Suitable for load-bearing automotive components.
- Thermal Stability: Can withstand high interior vehicle temperatures.
- Low Moisture Absorption: Ideal for humid environments.
- Eco-Friendly: Biodegradable, lowers environmental impact.
- Cost-Effective: ₹4300 per kg—commercially viable.
- Best Variant: Bamboo + bio-based epoxy FormuLite chosen through performance scoring.
Applications:
- Automotive: Dashboards, door panels, seat backs.
- Electronics & Packaging: Lightweight, durable material.
- Aerospace: Used for sustainable composite components.
- Construction: Green alternative for interiors and fixtures.
| [UPSC 2021] Consider the following statements:
1. Carbon fibres are used in the manufacture of the components used in automobiles and aircrafts.
2. Carbon fibres once used cannot be recycled.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?”
Options: (a) 1 only* (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
The Lokpal of India, India’s central anti-corruption ombudsman, is moving forward to fill 81 approved posts on a deputation basis.
Historical Context of the Lokpal:
- Initial Proposal (1966): First proposed by the First Administrative Reforms Commission to tackle high-level corruption.
- Legislative Failures (1971–2008): Multiple Lokpal Bills introduced in Parliament but none were passed.
- Jan Lokpal Movement (2011): Nationwide agitation led by Anna Hazare demanded a powerful and independent anti-corruption body, catalyzing public and political support.
- Enactment of Law (2013): The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act was passed in 2013, providing for:
- A Lokpal at the central level.
- Lokayuktas in states.
- Formal Establishment (2014): Lokpal of India was notified on January 16, 2014 under Section 3 of the Act.
- Initial Functioning: Operated with encadred staff (mostly Central Secretariat Service); became functionally active only in 2019.
- Organisational Restructuring (2024):
- Due to rising complaints and staffing gaps, a new Organogram was approved in August–September 2024.
- The Full Bench of Lokpal, using powers under Section 34, sanctioned 81 deputation posts.
- These are stop-gap until regular recruitment begins under the upcoming Service Regulations, 2024.
About Lokpal [vs. Lokayukta, A Comparative Overview]:
|
Lokpal (Central) |
Lokayukta (State) |
| Legal Basis |
Established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 |
Also mandated under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 (Section 63); specifics vary by state |
| Jurisdiction |
Covers central public servants, including the Prime Minister (with some exceptions), Ministers, MPs, and officials in Groups A–D |
Handles cases involving state public servants, such as Chief Ministers, Ministers, MLAs, and state officials |
| Appointment |
Appointed by the President based on recommendations of a Selection Committee (PM, LoP, CJI, jurist) |
Appointed by the Governor; appointment process defined by state legislation |
| Composition |
Chairperson (former CJI/SC judge/eminent person) + up to 8 members (50% from SC/ST/OBC/Women/Minorities) |
Composition varies by state; usually includes a Chairperson and members with similar qualifications |
| Tenure |
5 years or until the age of 70, whichever is earlier |
Defined by respective state laws |
| Salary & Removal |
Chairperson = salary of CJI;
Members = salary of SC Judges;
Removal by President after SC inquiry |
Modelled on Lokpal Act; removal by Governor based on state-specific processes |
| Powers |
- Investigates corruption under Prevention of Corruption Act
- Can confiscate illegal assets
- Can refer cases to CBI
- Jurisdiction over NGOs receiving significant foreign or govt. funds
- Submits reports to President, tabled in Parliament
|
- Investigates under state anti-corruption laws
- Can recommend prosecution/disciplinary actions
- Handles complaints related to state schemes, contracts
- Submits reports to Governor, tabled in State Legislature
|
| Recent Institutional Reform |
- In 2024, Lokpal approved a new Organogram and framed Service Regulations, 2024 for structured staffing.
- As a stopgap, 81 posts are being filled via deputation.
|
Varies across states; no uniform push for staff standardization as seen at the central level. |
| [UPSC 2025] Consider the following statements about Lokpal:
I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted outside India. II. The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a Member of the Parliament or a Member of the Legislature of any State or Union Territory, and only the Chief Justice of India, whether incumbent or retired, has to be its Chairperson. III. The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a person of less than forty-five years of age on the date of assuming office. IV. Lokpal cannot inquire into the allegations of corruption against a sitting Prime Minister of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) III only* (b) II and III (c) I and IV (d) None of the above statements is correct
[2013] ‘A national Lokpal, however strong it may be, cannot resolve the problems of immorality in public affairs’. Discuss. |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
Delegates from 172 countries convened in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, for the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
Highlights of Ramsar COP15
- Theme: Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future
- Host Nation: Zimbabwe (holds presidency of the Ramsar Convention for 3 years)
- Expected Outcome: Adoption of the Victoria Falls Declaration, a global framework to protect wetlands
|
About the Ramsar Convention:
- Adopted on: 2 February 1971, in Ramsar, Iran.
- Objective: Conserve and ensure the wise use of wetlands globally.
- Key Functions:
- Identify wetlands of international importance.
- Promote sustainable management practices.
- Foster international cooperation in wetland conservation.
- Governing Body:
- Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP) meets every 3 years.
- Reviews implementation, adopts site designations, budgets, and policy actions.
- Includes member + non-member states, IGOs, and NGOs as observers.
Criteria for Ramsar Site Designation:
A wetland must meet at least one of the following 9 criteria:
- Unique or rare wetland type.
- Habitat for endangered, vulnerable, or endemic species.
- Crucial for migratory waterbirds.
- High ecological, hydrological, or biodiversity value.
- Supports ecosystem services (e.g., flood control, water purification).
- Provides cultural or spiritual value.
- Serves sustainable community livelihoods.
- Holds scientific or educational importance.
- Requires global cooperation due to threats.
India and the Ramsar Convention:
- Joined on: 1 February 1982.
- First Ramsar Site: Chilika Lake (Odisha), 1981.
- As of July 2025:
- Total sites: 91
- Total area: ~13.58 lakh hectares
- % of India’s wetland area under Ramsar: ~10%
- Top States: Tamil Nadu: 20 sites (highest); Uttar Pradesh: 10 sites
- Note: India has never chaired a Ramsar COP session.
Global Snapshot and Other Facts:
- Total Members: 171 countries.
- Leading Countries:
- United Kingdom: 175 sites (most)
- Mexico: 142 sites
- Bolivia: Largest area (~1.48 lakh sq. km under protection)
- World Wetlands Day: Celebrated on 2 February annually.
- Montreux Record: Register for Ramsar sites under serious threat needing urgent conservation.
| [UPSC 2019] Consider the following statements:
1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention.
3. These Rules also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only* (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Why in the News?
As India marks Jim Corbett’s 150th birth anniversary (1875–2025), it reflects on his legacy as a hunter, naturalist, author, and conservationist—after whom Corbett National Park is named.
Who was Jim Corbett?
- Full Name: Edward James Corbett (1875–1955), nicknamed Carpet Sahib in Kumaon.
- Profession: British hunter, naturalist, author, and later a wildlife conservationist.
- Famous Books: Man-Eaters of Kumaon, The Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag, My India, Jungle Lore, Tree Tops.
- Hunter Turned Hero:
- Known for tracking and killing man-eating tigers and leopards in Kumaon and Garhwal.
- Used patient observation and deep knowledge of terrain and animal behaviour.
- Shift to Conservation:
- Grew concerned about dwindling tiger numbers and deforestation.
- Advocated for wildlife protection and ecological balance.
- Commemoration: India’s first national park was renamed Jim Corbett National Park in 1957 in his honour.
Back2Basics: Jim Corbett National Park
- Established: 1936 as Hailey National Park; later renamed in 1957.
- Location: Nainital district, Uttarakhand; core of Corbett Tiger Reserve.
- Historical Importance:
- Launch site of Project Tiger in 1973, India’s flagship tiger conservation programme.
- Geography:
- Lies in Shivalik and Outer Himalayan foothills.
- Rivers: Ramganga, Sonanadi, Mandal, Palain, and Kosi.
- Area: Over 500 sq km (includes Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary as buffer).
- Biodiversity:
- Flora: Moist deciduous forest with Sal, Khair, and Sissoo; 600+ plant species.
- Fauna: Over 230 tigers (highest density in the world), elephants, leopards, deer (sambar, chital, barking), sloth bears, wild boars, birds, and reptiles.
|
| [UPSC 2013] Consider the following pairs : National Park River flowing through the Park
1. Corbett National Park : Ganga
2. Kaziranga National Park : Manas
3. Silent Valley National Park : Kaveri
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 3 (d) None* |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
