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Type: Prelims Only

  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Padayappa the wild tusker in Munnar

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

    Why in the News?

    A wild tusker named Padayappa has recently damaged vehicles along the Munnar to Marayur route in Kerala during his musth period, reviving debate over human wildlife conflict and relocation demands.

    Location

    • Munnar, Idukki district, Kerala
    • Roams between Munnar and Devikulam forest ranges

    About Padayappa

    • Approximate age: 60 years
    • Species: Asian Elephant
    • Identifiable by:
      • Limp due to hind leg injury
      • Unusually long tusks
    • Named after the Rajinikanth film Padayappa
    • Known as a tourism icon in Munnar

    Recent Developments

    • Damaged four vehicles this month
    • Over 20 vehicles damaged during last year’s musth period
    • Forest Department Rapid Response Team monitoring movements
    • Officials state aggression linked only to musth, not habitual conflict behavior

    Musth (Prelims Concept)

    • A periodic condition in male elephants
    • Characterised by:
      • Increased testosterone levels
      • Heightened aggression
      • Temporal gland secretion
    • Seasonal and temporary phase
    [2020] With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: 1. The leader of an elephant group is a female. 

    2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months. 

    3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only. 

    4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala. 

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

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

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  • Economic Indicators and Various Reports On It- GDP, FD, EODB, WIR etc

    Supreme Court flags fiscal impact of unchecked freebies 

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Executive & Judiciary

    Why in the News?

    The Supreme Court of India criticised indiscriminate distribution of “freebies” by States while hearing a petition by Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited challenging Rule 23 of the Electricity Amendment Act, 2024.

    Core Issue

    • Petition challenges Rule 23, which limits the gap between:
      • Approved Annual Revenue Requirement
      • Estimated Annual Revenue from tariff
         to 3%.
    • Revenue gap, including late payment surcharge carrying cost, must be cleared in three yearly instalments.
    • TNPDCL argues this may cause tariff shock and strain State finances.
    • Tamil Nadu reportedly faces an annual power sector gap of about ₹50,000 crore.

    Court’s Key Observations

    • States running revenue deficits continue announcing election time largesse.
    • Welfare must distinguish between needy and affluent.
    • Public money should prioritise: Infrastructure, Roads, Hospitals, Schools and Medical colleges
    • Court stressed fiscal prudence, especially during elections.
    • Clarified that design of welfare schemes falls within the domain of elected governments.

    Key Concepts for Prelims

    • Revenue Deficit: Revenue expenditure exceeds revenue receipts.
    • Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR): Total projected cost of providing electricity services.
    • Tariff Shock: Sudden sharp rise in consumer electricity tariffs.
    • Fiscal Prudence: Sustainable and responsible management of public finances.
    [2018] If a commodity is provided free to the public by the Government, then (a) the opportunity cost is zero. 

    (b) the opportunity cost is ignored. 

    (c) the opportunity cost is transferred from the consumers of the product to the tax-paying public. 

    (d) the opportunity cost is transferred from the consumers of the product to the Government.

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  • Civil Aviation Sector – CA Policy 2016, UDAN, Open Skies, etc.

    Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Proposal on Flying Ban for Unruly Passengers

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Statutory, Regulatory & Various Quasi-Judicial Bodies

    Why in the News?

    The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has proposed amendments to Civil Aviation Requirement provisions to empower airlines to directly impose a flying ban of up to 30 days on unruly or disruptive passengers.

    Legal Basis

    • Proposed under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937
    • Amends the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) framework governing handling of disruptive passengers

    Key Provisions of the Proposal

    1. Flying Ban up to 30 Days
      • Airlines can impose a ban directly.
      • No need for prior referral to the independent committee.
    2. Database & Reporting
      • Airlines must maintain a database of banned passengers.
      • DGCA must be informed of every ban.
      • Such passengers will NOT be added to the regulator’s official No Fly List.
    3. Objective
      • Ensure swift action in the interest of passenger and flight safety.
      • Streamline existing procedures.

    What Constitutes Disruptive Behaviour?

    The revised definition includes:

    • Smoking on board
    • Consumption of alcohol on domestic flights
    • Tampering with emergency exits
    • Unauthorized use of life jackets or other safety equipment
    • Protests or sloganeering inside aircraft
    • Intoxicated misbehaviour
    • Screaming or causing annoyance
    • Kicking or banging seats or tray tables

    Existing Mechanism

    • Cases must be referred to an Independent Committee.
    • Committee headed by a retired District and Sessions Judge.
    • Decision required within 45 days before ban enforcement.

    Significance for Prelims

    • DGCA is India’s aviation safety regulator under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
    • Rule 133A empowers DGCA to issue directions in public interest and aviation safety.
    • Distinction between:
      • Airline imposed temporary ban
      • Official regulator maintained No Fly List
    • Safety related regulatory reforms often tested in UPSC under transport and governance.
    [2024] Consider the following airports: 

    1. Donyi Polo Airport 

    2. Kushinagar International Airport 

    3. Vijayawada International Airport 

    In the recent past, which of the above have been constructed as Greenfield projects? 

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

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  • Forest Conservation Efforts – NFP, Western Ghats, etc.

    Forest Rights Act Cells in Odisha under Central Scrutiny

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

    Why in the News?

    The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has begun inquiries after the Odisha government directed closure of several Forest Rights Act Cells and removal of staff involved in implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

    About the Forest Rights Act, 2006

    Objective

    • Recognises historical rights of:
      • Scheduled Tribes
      • Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
    • Over forest land used for habitat and livelihood.

    Types of Rights Recognised

    1. Individual Forest Rights
    2. Community Rights
    3. Community Forest Resource Rights

    Institutional Mechanism

    • Gram Sabha is the initiating authority.
    • Sub Divisional Level Committee
    • District Level Committee as final authority

    What are FRA Cells?

    • FRA Cells were created to:
      • Provide technical and clerical support
      • Maintain records
      • Digitise forest rights titles
      • Expedite processing of claims

    They were supported under:

    • DA JGUA Scheme

      • Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan
      • Launched in 2024
      • Central scheme
      • Provides additional human resources to strengthen FRA implementation

    • Mo Jungle Jami Yojana (Odisha State Scheme)

      • Mo Jungle Jami Yojana
      • State initiative to support FRA implementation

    Current Issue

    • Closure of 50 sub divisional FRA Cells.
    • Direction to clear all pending claims by March end.
    • Earlier discontinuation of district and tehsil level FRA staff.
    • Nearly 20 percent of FRA claims pending in the State.
    • Odisha has:
      • Second highest number of titles issued after Chhattisgarh.
      • Sixth highest pendency rate.
    [2021] At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006? 

    (a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 

    (b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj 

    (c) Ministry of Rural Development 

    (d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-Middle East

    India stays out of UN Joint Statement on West Bank

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

    Why in the News?

    India did not join a joint statement issued by 85 countries at the United Nations criticising Israel’s latest measures to tighten control over the West Bank.

    Context

    • The joint statement:
      • Condemned unilateral Israeli decisions in the West Bank.
      • Opposed any form of annexation.
      • Rejected measures altering the demographic character of Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
    • The statement was endorsed by:
      • League of Arab States
      • European Union
      • BRICS founder members: Russia, China, Brazil, South Africa
      • Quad partners: Australia, Japan
    • India stayed out of the statement.

    Background: West Bank Issue

    • The West Bank is a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967.
    • Under the Oslo Accords (1993 to 1995):
      • Area A and Area B are administered by the Palestinian Authority.
      • Area C remains under Israeli control.
    • Recent developments:
    • The Knesset has passed measures to:
      • Ease land acquisition rules.
      • Increase checks on land documentation.
      • Expand administrative control.
    • These steps are viewed by many countries as amounting to de facto annexation.

    India’s Position

    • India had earlier:
      • Voted at the UN in October 2025 criticising illegal annexation.
      • Supported a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders in the January 2026 Delhi Declaration.
    • Current move seen as:
      • Diplomatic recalibration.
      • Possibly linked to high level bilateral engagement with Israel.

    Key Concepts for Prelims

    • Two State Solution

      • Creation of: Independent Israel and Independent Palestine based on pre 1967 borders

    • Strategic Autonomy

      • India’s foreign policy principle of: Maintaining independent decision making and Avoiding bloc alignment

    • West Bank Areas

      • Area A: Palestinian civil and security control
      • Area B: Palestinian civil control, Israeli security control
      • Area C: Full Israeli control
    [2018] The term “two-state solution” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of (a) China 

    (b) Israel 

    (c) Iraq 

    (d) Yemen

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  • Right To Privacy

    Delhi High Court Seeks Centre’s Response on DPDP Act Challenge

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

    Why in the News?

    The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Union Government on a petition challenging certain provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, alleging excessive executive control and violation of constitutional rights.

    About the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

    Objective

    • To regulate processing of digital personal data.
    • To protect individual privacy while enabling lawful data use.

    Key Features

    • Applies to digital personal data processed in India.
    • Establishes a Data Protection Board of India.
    • Provides rights to Data Principals.
    • Imposes obligations on Data Fiduciaries.
    • Allows certain exemptions for government agencies.

    Grounds of Challenge in the Petition

    • The plea challenges Sections 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 29, 30, 36, 37, 39, 40 and 44.

    Major Concerns Raised

    • Unchecked Executive Access
      • Broad exemptions for the State.
      • Alleged scope for surveillance.
    • Blocking Without Hearing
      • Lack of procedural safeguards.
    • Absence of Meaningful Consent
      • Questioning adequacy of consent framework.
    • Opaque Exemptions
      • Wide discretionary powers.
    • Impact on RTI
      • Alleged dilution of the Right to Information Act, 2005.
    • Adjudicatory Structure
      • Data Protection Board under executive control.
      • Appeals lie before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal.
      • Section 39 bars jurisdiction of civil courts.
    [2024] Under which of the following Articles of the Constitution of India, has the Supreme Court of India placed the Right to Privacy? (a) Article 15 

    (b) Article 16 

    (c) Article 19 

    (d) Article 21

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  • Right To Privacy

    Ramdev’s Personality Rights Plea before Delhi High Court

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

    Why in the News?

    Yoga guru Ramdev approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of his personality rights against parody accounts, memes and alleged unauthorised digital identities on social media platforms. The Court orally observed that public figures cannot be overly sensitive to satire or commentary.

    What are Personality Rights?

    • Personality rights refer to a person’s right to:
      • Protect their name, image, voice, likeness and identity
      • Prevent unauthorised commercial use
      • Stop misrepresentation or false endorsement
    • In India, personality rights are not codified in a single statute but are derived from:
      • Article 21 of the Constitution, Right to life and personal liberty
      • Law of torts
      • Passing off under trademark law

    Issues Raised in the Case

    • Objection by Petitioner

      • Parody accounts allegedly using his identity
      • Meme based political commentary
      • Digital identities created without consent
      • Alleged monetisation and product endorsement

    • Stand of Social Media Platforms

      • Satire, political commentary and fair comment must be protected
      • Not all parody violates personality rights
      • Some accounts already suspended or modified
    [2024] Under which of the following Articles of the Constitution of India, has the Supreme Court of India placed the Right to Privacy? (a) Article 15 

    (b) Article 16 

    (c) Article 19 

    (d) Article 21

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-Iran

    Iran briefly closes the Strait of Hormuz amid US nuclear talks

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

    Why in the News?

    Iran announced a temporary closure of part of the Strait of Hormuz during indirect nuclear talks with the United States in Geneva, marking the first such announcement amid escalating tensions.

    About the Strait of Hormuz

    • Narrow maritime chokepoint between:
      • Iran
      • Oman
    • Connects:
      • Persian Gulf
      • Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea
    • Around 20 percent of global oil trade passes through it.
    • Critical for exports from:
      • Saudi Arabia
      • United Arab Emirates
      • Iraq and Kuwait

    Background: US–Iran Nuclear Talks

    • Talks held in Geneva through Omani mediation.
    • Discussions focused on:
      • Iran’s nuclear programme
      • Sanctions relief
    • Iran insists it will not give up uranium enrichment.
    • US reportedly seeks to widen talks to include missile capability.
    [2024] Consider the following statements: 

    Statement-I: Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe. 

    Statement-II: Sumed pipeline connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. 

    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

    (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I 

    (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I 

    (c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect 

    (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

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  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

    AI Mission 2.0 and Expansion of Common Compute

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T,Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    At the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, the Union IT Minister announced the launch of AI Mission 2.0 and the addition of 20,000 GPUs to the government’s common compute infrastructure under the IndiaAI Mission.

    What is the Common Compute Cluster?

    • Government supported shared AI infrastructure
    • Objective: Democratise access to expensive AI computing resources and reduce entry barriers.
    • Provides access to high performance GPUs
    • Open to:
      • Startups
      • Researchers
      • Academia
      • Indian AI firms

    Key Announcements

    • Addition of 20,000 GPUs

      • To be installed within six months
      • Strengthens national AI compute capacity
      • Supports training of large language models and advanced AI systems

    • AI Mission 2.0

      • Greater focus on:
      • AI research and development
      • Innovation ecosystem
      • AI diffusion across sectors
      • Strengthening public digital infrastructure

    • Indigenous Foundational Model

      • A foundational large language model from an Indian firm expected
      • Aim: Build applications with real public impact
    [2025] Consider the following statements: I. It is expected that Majorana 1 chip will enable quantum computing. 

    II. Majorana 1 chip has been introduced by Amazon Web Services (AWS). 

    III. Deep learning is a subset of machine learning. 

    Which of the statements given above are correct? 

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

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  • Civil Aviation Sector – CA Policy 2016, UDAN, Open Skies, etc.

    India’s First Private Helicopter Assembly Line at Vemagal

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indigenization Of Technology,Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

    Why in the News?

    India’s first private sector helicopter Final Assembly Line was inaugurated at Vemagal, Kolar district, Karnataka to manufacture Airbus H125 helicopters through a partnership between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus.

    Key Entities Involved

    • Tata Advanced Systems Limited
    • Airbus
    • France
    • Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

    About the Facility

    • Location: Vemagal, Kolar district, Karnataka
    • Type: Private sector Final Assembly Line
    • Product: Airbus H125 single engine helicopter
    • Initial annual capacity: 10 helicopters
    • First delivery expected: Early 2027
    • Will serve Indian and South Asian markets

    This becomes the fourth global production site for the H125 after France, USA and Brazil.

    About H125 Helicopter

    • One of the world’s best selling single engine helicopters
    • Over 4,300 units flying globally
    • Certified under European Union Aviation Safety Agency standards
    • Designed for high altitude and rugged terrain operations

    Military Variant

    • H125M version proposed
    • Seen as a successor to Cheetah and Chetak helicopters
    • Suitable for:
      • Tactical reconnaissance
      • High altitude logistics
      • Search and rescue
      • Medical evacuation
    [2024] Consider the following aircraft: 

    1. Rafael 

    2. MiG-29 

    3. Tejas MK-1 

    How many of the above are considered fifth generation fighter aircraft? 

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

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