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Type: Prelims Only

  • Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

    India to Launch Free HPV Vaccination for Adolescent Girls

    Prelims Only | Social Justice | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    Why in the News

    India will roll out a nationwide free Human Papillomavirus vaccination programme for adolescent girls in 2026 to prevent cervical cancer, according to Health Ministry sources.

    Key Features of the Programme

    • Target group: 14 year old girls
    • Voluntary and free of cost
    • Administered at:
      • Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
      • Community Health Centres
      • District hospitals
      • Government medical colleges
    • Supervised by trained medical officers
    • Post vaccination observation systems in place
    • India joins over 160 countries that have introduced HPV vaccination.

    Disease Burden in India

    • Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India.
    • Around 80,000 new cases annually.
    • Over 42,000 deaths each year.
    • Persistent HPV infection, especially types 16 and 18, causes over 80 percent of cases.

    About HPV

    • Human Papillomavirus is a group of viruses transmitted through close contact.
    • Most infections resolve naturally.
    • Persistent high risk infection can cause cervical cancer over time.

    Why Target Age 14?

    • Vaccine is most effective before exposure to the virus.
    • Provides long lasting immunity.
    • Prevents infection before onset of sexual activity.
    • The World Health Organization and its Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization have recognised that a single dose schedule can provide comparable protection to two dose regimens in many cases.
    • Immunocompromised individuals may require two or three doses.
    [2022] In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements: The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine. Which of the statements given above are correct? 

    (a) 1 and 2 only 

    (b) 2 and 3 only 

    (c) 1 and 3 only 

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

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  • Electoral Reforms In India

    SC Expands Judicial Team for West Bengal Special Intensive Revision

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Executive & Judiciary,Parliament & State Legislatures

    Why in the News

    The Supreme Court of India expanded the pool of judicial officers assisting the Election Commission of India in completing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution.

    Background

    • Around 50 lakh claims and objections were pending.
    • Voters were excluded due to “logical discrepancies” or “unmapping” in draft rolls.
    • 294 district and additional district judges were initially deployed.
    • The Calcutta High Court Chief Justice flagged manpower shortage.
      • The Supreme Court earlier took the “extraordinary” step of involving the judiciary in the SIR process due to a perceived trust deficit between the State government and the EC.

    Key Directions by the Supreme Court

    1. Expansion of Judicial Officers

    • Permitted deployment of civil judges (senior and junior division) with at least three years’ experience.
    • Allowed the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice to request judges from:
      • Jharkhand High Court
      • Orissa High Court
    • Both neighbouring High Courts were asked to consider such requests sympathetically.

    2. Verification Process

    • Verification to follow EC’s October 27, 2025 SIR notification.
    • Accepted documents include:
      • Aadhaar
      • Class 10 admit card
      • Class 10 pass certificate

    3. Publication of Electoral Rolls

    • EC permitted to publish voter list on February 28, 2026.
    • Supplementary lists to be issued continuously till nomination filing.
    • Under Article 142, the Court declared that voters added in supplementary lists would be deemed part of the final roll.

    Constitutional Provisions Involved

    • Article 324: Gives superintendence, direction and control of elections to the Election Commission.
    • Article 142: Empowers the Supreme Court to pass any order necessary for doing complete justice.
    [2019] With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations on the constitutional powers under Article 142. It could mean which one of the following? (a) The decisions taken by the Election Commission of India while discharging its duties cannot be challenged in any court of law. 

    (b) The Supreme Court of India is not constrained in the exercise of its powers by laws made by the Parliament. 

    (c) In the event of grave financial crisis in the country, the President of India can declare Financial Emergency without the counsel from the Cabinet. 

    (d) State Legislatures cannot make laws on certain matters without the concurrence of Union Legislature.

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  • Tax Reforms

    ₹14,601 Crore Undisclosed Offshore Investments Brought to Tax

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Why in the News

    The Central Board of Direct Taxes disclosed through an RTI reply that ₹14,601 crore worth of undisclosed offshore investments, revealed in the Panama, Paradise and Pandora Papers investigations, have been “brought to tax” by the Income Tax Department.

    Background: Global Offshore Investigations

    The investigations were conducted by The Indian Express in collaboration with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and global media partners.

    1. Panama Papers

    • Published in 2016
    • ₹13,800 crore brought to tax

    2. Paradise Papers

    • Published in 2017
    • ₹115 crore brought to tax

    3. Pandora Papers

    • Published in 2021
    • ₹686 crore brought to tax
    • Total: ₹14,601 crore

    What Does “Brought to Tax” Mean?

    • In taxation terminology, “brought to tax” means that income, assets, or investments that were previously undisclosed or underreported have been formally assessed by tax authorities and subjected to tax liability under the law.
    • It does not automatically mean that the tax has already been collected.

    Enforcement Action Taken

    • 1,255 tax cases filed in total
      • 426 Panama
      • 494 Paradise
      • 335 Pandora
    • Multi Agency Group formed after Pandora Papers revelations
    • Financial Intelligence Unit India sent requests to foreign jurisdictions regarding 482 persons
    • Seven meetings of the Multi Agency Group held

    Legal and Institutional Framework

    • Income Tax Act, 1961
    • Black Money Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets Act, 2015
    • Information exchange under international tax treaties
    • Global cooperation to tackle tax havens
    [2021] Which one of the following effects of the creation of black money in India has been the main cause of worry to the Government of India? (a) Diversion of resources to the purchase of real estate and investment in luxury housing 

    (b) Investment in unproductive activities and purchase of precious stones, jewelry, gold, etc. 

    (c) Large donations to political parties and the growth of regionalism 

    (d) Loss of revenue to the State Exchequer due to tax evasion

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  • Agricultural Sector and Marketing Reforms – eNAM, Model APMC Act, Eco Survey Reco, etc.

    India Among Four Nations Driving Global Pesticide Toxicity

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

    Why in the News

    A new study published in Science finds that India is among four countries contributing nearly 70 percent of the world’s Total Applied Toxicity (TAT) from agricultural pesticides. Experts have also raised concerns that the proposed Pesticides Management Bill 2025 may weaken safeguards compared to the older law.

    What is Total Applied Toxicity (TAT)?

    • TAT measures not just the quantity of pesticides used, but their toxicity and lethality to non target species.
    • Researchers analysed over 600 pesticides across 65 countries from 2013 to 2019.
    • Global TAT has increased, especially for around 20 commonly used agricultural pesticides.

    Countries Driving Global TAT

    • Four major contributors: China, Brazil, United States, and India
    • Together, they account for nearly 70 percent of global pesticide toxicity.
    • Only Chile is currently on track to meet the UN target of reducing pesticide risk by 50 percent by 2030.

    Impact on Biodiversity

    Species most affected:

    1. Terrestrial arthropods
    2. Soil organisms
    3. Fish
    4. Pollinators
    5. Aquatic plants
    6. Terrestrial vertebrates

    Regions with high increases include sub Saharan Africa and parts of the Indian subcontinent.

    Link to Global Commitments

    • At the 2022 United Nations Biodiversity Conference, countries committed to reducing pesticide risk by 50 percent by 2030. The findings indicate that global progress is not on track.

    Indian Legal Framework

    1. Insecticides Act 1968

    • Focused mainly on agricultural use
    • Limited regulation of domestic and non agricultural applications
    • Considered outdated
    • India reportedly uses several pesticides that are banned in parts of Europe, such as paraquat.

    2. Pesticides Management Bill 2025

    • Proposed to replace the 1968 Act
    • Aims to reduce risk to people and environment
    • Encourages biological and traditional knowledge based alternatives
    • Experts warn that without stronger liability and monitoring provisions, it may not significantly improve regulation
    [2019] In India, the use of carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as: 

    (a) pesticides in agriculture 

    (b) preservatives in processed foods 

    (c) fruit-ripening agents 

    (d) moisturising agents in cosmetics

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  • Terrorism and Challenges Related To It

    India Releases First Anti Terror Policy PRAHAAR

    Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: External State & Non-State Actors: Challenges To Internal Security.

    Why in the News

    The Ministry of Home Affairs on February 23, 2026 released India’s first comprehensive anti terror policy titled PRAHAAR, outlining a national counter terrorism strategy addressing conventional and emerging threats including cyber attacks and drone based terror.

    What is PRAHAAR?

    • PRAHAAR is India’s first formal National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy.
    • It provides a unified framework to:
      • Counter cross border sponsored terrorism
      • Address cyber terror and digital radicalisation
      • Protect critical infrastructure
      • Strengthen coordination between Centre and States
      • Enhance prosecution and legal preparedness

    Nature of Threat Identified

    • Cross Border Terror

        • Sponsored terrorism from across the border
        • Activities by global terror groups like Al Qaeda and Islamic State
        • Use of sleeper cells

    • Emerging Technological Threats

        • Criminal hackers and hostile nation states
        • Cyber attacks on critical sectors
        • Use of encryption, dark web, crypto wallets
        • Drones and robotics for terror activities

    • CBRNED Risks

      • Threat of misuse of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive and Digital materials.

    Critical Sectors Identified

    • Protection strengthened in: Power, Railways, Aviation, Ports, Defence, Space, and Atomic energy
    [2023] Consider the following statements: 1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances. 

    2. The Constitution of India exempts the States from providing legal counsel to person being held for preventive detention. 

    3. According to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002, confession of the accused before the police cannot be used as evidence. 

    How many of the above statements are correct? 

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

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  • Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

    Unearthing the Silent Splendour of the Hoysalas

    Prelims Only | Art and Culture | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    Why in the News

    A recent feature highlights lesser known Hoysala era temples and basadis in rural parts of Hassan, Mandya and Mysuru districts of Karnataka, drawing attention to the architectural and cultural legacy beyond the famous sites.

    About the Hoysala Dynasty

    • The Hoysala dynasty ruled parts of present day Karnataka between the 11th and 14th centuries. Their rule is known for:
      • Temple architecture in soapstone
      • Intricate sculptural detailing
      • Fusion of Shaiva, Vaishnava and Jain traditions
    • Prominent rulers include:
      • Veera Ballala II
      • Vira Someshwara

    Key Architectural Features

    • Material: Built using soft chloritic schist, commonly called soapstone. 
    • Platform: Temples rest on star shaped raised platform called Jagati
    • Temple Plans
      • Ekakuta: Single shrine
      • Dvikuta: Two shrines
      • Trikuta: Three shrines
      • Panchakuta: Five shrines
    • Sculptural Elements
      • Friezes depicting epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata
      • Celestial dancers
      • Finely lathe turned pillars
      • Elephant processions

    Important Sites  

    • Halebidu: Hoysaleswara Temple. Jain Basadi complex including Parshvanatha, Shantinatha and Adinatha shrines
    • Belur: Chennakeshava Temple
    • Somanathapura: Keshava Temple
    • Doddagaddavalli: Lakshmidevi Temple. One of the earliest surviving Hoysala temples, built in 1114 CE
    • Koravangala: Nageshwara, Govindeshwara and Bucheshwara temples
    • Hulikere: Hulikere Kalyani. Stepwell architecture linked symbolically with zodiac and nakshatras. 
    [2024] Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO: 1. Shantiniketan 

    2. Rani-ki-Vav 

    3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas 

    4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya 

    How many of the above properties were included in 2023? 

    (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four

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  • Why Does Wildfire Smoke Swirl Only One Way?

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

    Why in the News

    Two recent studies published in Weather and Climate Dynamics and presented at the American Meteorological Society meeting explain why wildfire smoke in the stratosphere forms spinning bubbles that rotate in only one direction depending on the hemisphere.

    What Is Observed?

    • After intense wildfires, smoke can rise high into the stratosphere. Instead of dispersing immediately, it sometimes forms a compact spinning bubble called a smoke vortex.
      • Clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere
      • Counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere

    Why Does It Rotate Only One Way?

    • Smoke Heats the Surrounding Air: Smoke particles absorb sunlight. This warms the air around them. Warm air becomes buoyant and rises. This upward movement creates a vertical column of heated air.
    • Earth’s Rotation Effect: Because Earth rotates, moving air experiences a deflection known as the Coriolis effect. 
      • In the Northern Hemisphere, air is deflected to the right. In the Southern Hemisphere, air is deflected to the left. As the heated smoke rises, Earth’s rotation causes it to spin in a preferred direction.

    Why the Bubble Persists

    • The rotating vortex traps warm smoke near its centre. Reduces mixing with surrounding air.
    • Helps the bubble rise higher into the stratosphere. This mechanism is similar to how cyclones maintain structure, but on a smaller and smoke driven scale.
    [2024] With reference to “Coriolis force,” which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It increases with increase in wind velocity. 

    2. It is maximum at the poles and is absent at the equator. 

    Select the answer using the code given below: 

    (a) 1 only  (b) 2 only  (c) Both 1 and 2  (d) Neither 1 nor 2

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  • Proteins Tweaked as Quantum Sensors Inside the Body

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

    Why in the News

    Two recent studies published in Nature in February 2026 have demonstrated that fluorescent proteins can be genetically engineered to function as quantum sensors inside living cells, detecting magnetic fields and radio waves.

    Background

    • The discovery of Green Fluorescent Protein revolutionised biology by allowing scientists to visualise cellular processes. This breakthrough was recognised with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2008.
    • Now, researchers have shown that such proteins can be modified to detect quantum level signals inside cells.

    Core Scientific Principle

    When a fluorescent protein absorbs light:

    1. An electron moves to a higher energy state.
    2. It usually returns, emitting light.
    3. In some cases, a radical pair forms with unpaired electrons.
    4. Their spin states are influenced by weak magnetic fields.
    5. Changes in spin alter fluorescence intensity.

    This is known as optically detected magnetic resonance, a quantum phenomenon.

    Key Research Findings

    1. Enhanced Yellow Fluorescent Protein

    • Exhibits a metastable triplet state
    • Spin state controlled using laser pulses and microwaves
    • Demonstrated qubit like behaviour inside cells
    • Observed in human kidney cells and in Escherichia coli at room temperature

    2. MagLOV Proteins

    • Engineered from plant light sensing proteins
    • Magneto sensitive fluorescent variants
    • Show stable magnetic resonance inside living bacterial cells
    • Genetically encodable and biologically compatible
    [2022] Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned? (a) Cloud Services 

    (b) Quantum Computing 

    (c) Visible Light Communication Technologies 

    (d) Wireless Communication Technologies

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  • Textile Sector – Cotton, Jute, Wool, Silk, Handloom, etc.

    Textile Mills Closure in Tamil Nadu 

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

    Why in the news? 

    As per the Annual Survey of Industries data released by the Union Ministry of Textiles, over 300 textile mills in Tamil Nadu went out of operation between 2021 to 22 and 2023 to 24.

    Key Data

    • 2021 to 22
      • Total mills: 2,773
      • Operational: 2,121
    • 2023 to 24
      • Total mills: 2,455
      • Operational: 1,672
    • Nearly 2 lakh powerlooms reportedly shut in the last few years.
    • Majority units fall under MSME segment.

    Major Reasons for Closures

    • High Power Cost

      • Electricity tariff around ₹9.25 per unit
      • Higher than competing States
      • Units with wind and solar investments survived relatively better

    • Raw Material Issues

      • Cotton, polyester, viscose sourced largely from northern India
      • High transportation cost
      • Earlier import duty on cotton impacted mills
      • Quality Control Orders created compliance burden

    • Environmental Compliance

      • Mandatory Zero Liquid Discharge norms for processing units
      • Higher compliance cost compared to States permitting marine discharge

    • Financial Stress

      • Higher bank interest rates
      • Limited subsidy coverage
      • MSMEs more vulnerable
    [2010] Tamil Nadu is a leading producer of mill-made cotton yarn in the country. What could be the reason? 1. Black cotton soil is the predominant type of soil in the State. 

    2. Rich pool of skilled labour is available. 

    Which of the above is/are the correct reasons? 

    (a) 1 only  (b) 2 only  (c) Both 1 and 2  (d) Neither 1 nor 2

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  • Black Money – Domestic and International Efforts

    Enforcement Directorate Flags 8 Priority Areas for 2026

    Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Money-Laundering & Its Prevention

    Why in the news?

    The Enforcement Directorate identified eight priority focus areas during its 34th quarterly zonal conference held in Guwahati from February 19 to 21, 2026. The meeting was chaired by ED Director Rahul Navin.

    8 Priority Focus Areas

    1. Tracing foreign assets parked abroad, especially in Dubai and Singapore
    2. Misuse of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and collusion in resolution processes
    3. Trade Based Money Laundering (TBML) through over and under invoicing
    4. Cyber fraud including digital arrest scams
    5. Illegal online gambling and betting networks
    6. Drug trafficking finance and hawala channels
    7. Share market manipulation linked money laundering
    8. Foreign interference through illicit funding

    Legal and Institutional Framework

    • Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002: Primary legislation empowering ED to investigate money laundering and attach proceeds of crime.
    • Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016:Possible misuse through collusion among corporate debtors, resolution professionals, and Committee of Creditors.

    Foreign Exchange Laws

    • Review of pending cases under
    • Foreign Exchange Regulation Act
    • Foreign Exchange Management Act
    • Target: Complete adjudication of all pending FERA cases by March 31, 2026.

    International Cooperation Mechanisms

    ED emphasized stronger global coordination through:

    • Interpol via Bharatpol portal
    • Egmont Group for financial intelligence exchange
    • Asset Recovery Interagency Network Asia Pacific
    • GlobE Network

    Intelligence Platforms Used

    • NATGRID
    • FINNET
    • Financial Intelligence Unit India
    • Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre
    • Narcotics Control Bureau
    [2019] Consider the following statements: 1. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has a ‘Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air’. 

    2. The UNCAC is the ever-first legally binding global anti-corruption instrument. 

    3. A highlight of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is the inclusion of a specific chapter aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners from whom they had been taken illicitly. 

    4. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is mandated by its member States to assist in the implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC. 

    Which of the statements given above are correct? 

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

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