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Type: Prelims Only

  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Vishwamitri River  

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

    Why in the News?

    The Vishwamitri River, flowing through Vadodara in Gujarat, has drawn attention due to the presence of a large urban population of mugger crocodiles, earning it the title India’s Crocodile River.

    About Vishwamitri River

    • A small non perennial river in eastern Gujarat
    • Origin: Western and southern slopes of the Pavagadh Hills
    • Course: Flows westward through Vadodara city
    • Tributaries: Dhadar and Jambuva
    • Outfall: Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Khambhat
    • Total length: 200 km
    • Characterised by highly meandering and sinuous course

    Biodiversity Along the River

    • Mammals: Porcupine, Indian civet, Jungle cat
    • Reptiles: Cobras, Pythons, Checkered keelback, Bengal monitor
    • Supports a major population of Mugger crocodile

    Mugger Crocodiles 

    • Scientific name Crocodylus palustris
    • Distribution: Iran to Bangladesh, Nepal to Sri Lanka
    • In India found in 15 states
    • Also called Indian crocodile
    • 2025 census recorded 442 muggers
    • Found within a 21 km urban stretch in Vadodara
    • Freshwater rivers, lakes, ponds, hill streams
    • Can survive in coastal saltwater lagoons
    • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
    [2017] If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit? 

    (a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves 

    (b) Chambal River 

    (c) Pulicat Lake 

    (d) Deepor Beel

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  • Promoting Science and Technology – Missions,Policies & Schemes

    Reconstructing the Sun’s Invisible Magnetic Fields

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

    Why in the News?

    Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur have reconstructed the internal magnetic fields of the Sun using 30 years of surface data, improving the ability to predict solar cycles and space weather. The study was published on January 20 in Astrophysical Journal Letters.

    Background

    • The Sun follows an ~11 year solar activity cycle driving sunspots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections
    • These events affect satellites, navigation systems, power grids and communications on Earth
    • Prediction is difficult because magnetic fields originate deep inside the Sun, beyond direct observation

    What is New in This Study?

    • Instead of relying on simplified theoretical assumptions, researchers used a data driven solar dynamo model
    • Real observations of surface magnetic fields were fed into a 3D computer simulation
    • This allowed reconstruction of the invisible magnetic fields inside the Sun

    Key Scientific Findings

    • Successfully reproduced the Butterfly Diagram, showing sunspot migration from high latitudes to the equator
    • Revealed behaviour of the toroidal magnetic field in the Sun’s convection zone
    • Internal magnetic field strength matched actual Solar Cycles 23, 24 and 25

    Significance

    • Advances understanding of solar dynamo physics
    • Enhances space weather forecasting accuracy
    • Critical for protecting space based assets and communication infrastructure
    [2022] If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth? 

    1. GPS and navigation systems could fail. 

    2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions. 

    3. Power grids could be damaged. 

    4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth. 

    5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet. 

    6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed. 

    7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted. Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

    (a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only (b) 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only (c) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

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  • Industrial Sector Updates – Industrial Policy, Ease of Doing Business, etc.

    PAIMANA Portal

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters

    Why in the News?

    The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has operationalised the PAIMANA portal for mandatory monitoring of Central Sector Infrastructure Projects worth ₹150 crore and above.

    About PAIMANA Portal

    • PAIMANA stands for Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring and Analytics for Nation-building.
    • It is a flagship digital initiative of MoSPI aimed at strengthening monitoring, transparency and data driven governance in infrastructure development.

    Objectives

    • Create a centralised national repository of major infrastructure projects
    • Enable evidence based decision making using analytics
    • Improve data accuracy, operational efficiency and project oversight

    Key Features

    • Centralised Project Monitoring: Single window system for ministries, departments and implementing agencies to upload, track and review project data
    • Real Time Dashboards: Interactive dashboards with drill down options to monitor progress across sectors, states and timelines
    • Advanced Data Analytics: Includes reporting tools, query modules, review cases and identification of data gaps
    • Role Based Access: Different user roles for data entry, validation and monitoring to ensure accountability
    • Integration: Integrated with Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade’s Integrated Project Monitoring Portal (IPMP or IIG PMG) through APIs
    • Coverage: Mandatory monitoring of Central Sector Infrastructure Projects worth ₹150 crore and above
    [2022] In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO)? 

    1. CCO is the major source of Coal Statistics in Government of India

    2. It monitors progress of development of Captive Coal/Lignite blocks

    3. It hears any objection to the Government’s notification relating to acquisition of coal-bearing areas

    4. It ensures that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time. 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary  

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

    Why in the News?

    The Forest Minister of Karnataka recently visited Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary amid controversy over a proposal to reduce the sanctuary boundary.

    About Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary

    • Located in Karnataka, in Shimoga (Shivamogga) district
    • Lies along the Tunga River
    • Tunga Anicut Dam situated within the sanctuary
    • Provides habitat for otters and water birds
    • Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary forms part of Shettihalli
    • Mandagadde is an island nesting site in the Tunga River

    Prelims Pointers

    • Shettihalli lies on the Tunga River
    • Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is part of it
    • Presence of displaced human settlements is a management challenge
    • Supports rich avifauna and large mammals
    • Forest types range from dry deciduous to evergreen
    [2019] Consider the following pairs: 

    Famous place :    River 

    1. Pandharpur :    Chandrabhaga 

    2. Tiruchirappalli : Cauvery 

    3. Hampi :             Malaprabha

    Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched? 

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

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Rare Rusty spotted Cat sighted in Rajasthan 

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

    Why in the News?

    A Rusty spotted Cat, one of the smallest wild cats in the world, was recorded alive for the first time in the Shergarh Sanctuary of Baran district, Rajasthan, through camera trap evidence in January 2026.

    About Rusty spotted Cat

    • Among the world’s smallest felines
    • Nocturnal, shy, and solitary in nature
    • Comes together only during breeding season
    • Primarily a carnivore
    • Plays an ecological role in seed dispersal through fruits sticking to its fur

    Conservation Status

    • Near Threatened (NT) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
    • Faces threats from habitat loss, road kills, and low detectability

    Habitat and Distribution

    • Forests and scrublands
    • Found in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and South India
    • First live record in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan
    • Earlier road kill recorded in Shahabad area of Baran district in December 2023

    About Shergarh Sanctuary

    • Located in Baran district
    • Part of the Hadoti region
    • Dry deciduous forest ecosystem
    • Increasing use of camera trapping for wildlife monitoring
    [2023] Consider the following fauna: 

    1. Lion-tailed Macaque 

    2. Malabar Civet 

    3. Sambar Deer 

    How many of the above are generally nocturnal or most active after sunset? 

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

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  • Deuteron

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

    Why in the News?

    A recent study by the ALICE Collaboration at Large Hadron Collider, CERN has explained how deuterons survive ultra high energy particle collisions.

    About Large Hadron Collider

    • World’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator
    • Located near Geneva, on the France Switzerland border
    • Circular tunnel of 27 km circumference
    • Operated by CERN
    • Collides protons and heavy ions at near speed of light

    About Deuteron

    • Deuteron is the nucleus of deuterium, a stable isotope of hydrogen
    • Contains one proton + one neutron
    • Denoted by ²H or D
    • Simplest composite nucleus after hydrogen
    • Found in trace amounts in natural water
    • Present in atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn

    Why Deuteron Survival Was a Puzzle

    • LHC collisions create extreme temperature and energy
    • Deuterons should theoretically break apart
    • Yet deuterons and anti deuterons are observed repeatedly

    Key Scientific Finding

    • Deuterons mainly form through coalescence mechanism
    • Protons and neutrons form first, then bind together later
    • Pions act as energy carriers enabling binding
    • Formation happens away from the most violent collision zone
    • Explains survival despite low binding energy

    Applications of Deuteron

    • Production of heavy water (D₂O) used as moderator in nuclear reactors
    • Used in fusion research as a fuel source
    • Used in tritium production
    • Important in nuclear physics experiments
    [2011] The function of heavy water in a nuclear reactor is to? 

    (a) Slow down the speed of neutrons

    (b) Increase the speed of neutrons

    (c) Cooldown the reactor

    (d) Stop the nuclear reaction.

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

    Jal Shakti Minister interacts with WaSH Warriors

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters

    Why in the News?

    Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Paatil interacted with WaSH Warriors and school students in New Delhi and inaugurated 25 JALAJ Livelihood Centres, highlighting Jan Bhagidari in water conservation and river rejuvenation.

    Key Initiatives Highlighted

    • WaSH Warriors and Jan Bhagidari
      • Grassroots change makers working on Ganga cleanliness, plastic reduction, biodiversity conservation, and water source protection
      • Promote community driven riverbank cleanliness, plantation, and awareness campaigns
      • Strengthen people’s participation in environmental governance
    • Jal Jeevan Mission Impact
      • Participants highlighted benefits of Jal Jeevan Mission
      • Har Ghar Jal improved health, dignity, and quality of life, especially in rural areas
    • JALAJ Livelihood Centres
      • 25 centres inaugurated
      • Joint initiative of National Mission for Clean Ganga and Wildlife Institute of India
      • Linked to Namami Gange Mission
      • Objective is river conservation linked with sustainable livelihoods
      • Special focus on women participation and community ownership
      • Implemented in the Ganga river basin
    • Youth for Ganga Youth for Yamuna
      • Educational outreach by Eco Roots Foundation
      • Engages students and youth in Ganga and Yamuna conservation
      • Expansion planned across Delhi NCR schools
      • Builds emotional, cultural, and environmental connect with rivers

    Role of Institutions

    • National Mission for Clean Ganga acknowledged for improving cleanliness and ecological health of the Ganga
    • Jal Prahari initiative strengthens monitoring and awareness at the community level
    [2016] Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)? 

    1. River basin is the unit of planning and management

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

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

    Select the correct answer using the code given below

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

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  • Waste Management – SWM Rules, EWM Rules, etc

    Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026  

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters

    Why in the News?

    The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, replacing the SWM Rules, 2016. The rules will come into force from April 1, 2026.

    About Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026

    • Focus on Circular Economy, Extended Producer Responsibility, and scientific waste management
    • Strengthen compliance through the Polluter Pays Principle
    • Emphasis on source segregation, decentralised processing, and digital monitoring

    Key Provisions

    • Four stream segregation at source
      • Mandatory segregation into Wet Waste, Dry Waste, Sanitary Waste, and Special Care Waste
      • Wet Waste to be processed through composting or bio methanation
      • Dry Waste to be sent to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) for recycling
      • Sanitary and Special Care Waste to be collected by authorised agencies
    • Environmental compensation
      • Imposed for non compliance, false reporting, forged documents, or operating without registration
      • Guidelines issued by Central Pollution Control Board
      • Compensation levied by State Pollution Control Boards or Pollution Control Committees
    • Bulk Waste Generators and EBWGR
      • Bulk Waste Generators defined as entities generating 100 kg waste per day, or area above 20,000 sq m, or water use above 40,000 litres per day
      • Includes government offices, PSUs, institutions, commercial establishments, and housing societies
      • Introduction of Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR)
      • Mandatory on site wet waste processing where feasible
      • Bulk generators account for nearly 30 percent of total solid waste
    • Online monitoring and land allocation
      • Creation of a Centralised Online Portal for tracking waste generation, collection, transport, processing, disposal, and legacy waste remediation
      • Online registration, authorisation, and reporting made mandatory
      • Graded buffer zone norms for waste processing facilities above 5 tonnes per day
    • Material Recovery Facilities and local bodies
      • Formal recognition of MRFs for sorting of solid waste
      • Local bodies responsible for collection, segregation, and transportation
      • MRFs may act as collection points for e waste, sanitary waste, and special care waste
      • Local bodies encouraged to generate Carbon Credits
    • Refuse Derived Fuel usage
      • Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) defined as fuel from high calorific non recyclable waste
      • Cement plants and waste to energy plants mandated to use RDF
      • Fuel substitution target raised from 5 percent to 15 percent over six years
    • Landfills and legacy waste
      • Landfilling restricted to inert and non recoverable waste only
      • Higher landfill fees for unsegregated waste
      • Mandatory mapping, biomining, and bioremediation of legacy dumpsites
      • Annual landfill audits by SPCBs with District Collector oversight
    • Hilly areas and islands
      • Levy of User Fees on tourists
      • Regulation of tourist inflow based on waste handling capacity
      • Decentralised wet waste processing by hotels and restaurants
      • Designated collection points for non biodegradable waste
    [2019] As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of the following statements is correct? 

    (a) Waste generator has to segregate waste into five categories

    (b) The Rules are applicable to notified urban local bodies, notified towns and all industrial townships only

    (c) The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities

    (d) It is mandatory on the part of waste generator that the waste generated in one district cannot be moved to another district.

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India – EU

    India–EU Cooperation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

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

    Why in the News?

    European Union and India committed to collaboration on peaceful uses of nuclear energy at the 16th India–EU Summit held on January 27, 2026 in New Delhi

    Nuclear Cooperation Framework

    • Cooperation to be undertaken under the Euratom agreement
    • India and the EU signed the India–Euratom Agreement in July 2020
    • Focus on research and development in nuclear science and technology

    Key Areas of Nuclear Cooperation

    • Advanced materials for nuclear detectors
    • Radiation safety and nuclear security
    • Non power applications of atomic energy
    • Cooperation on radio pharmaceuticals
    • Strengthening collaboration in ITER
    • ITER is the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor

    Research and Innovation Cooperation

    • Deepening collaboration under Horizon Europe
    • Horizon Europe is the EU’s main funding programme for research and innovation

    Priority sectors

    • Energy, Water, Agri food, Health, Semiconductors, Biotechnology and Advanced materials

    Prelims Pointers

    • Euratom deals with civil nuclear research, not nuclear weapons
    • ITER focuses on nuclear fusion, not fission
    • Horizon Europe is a research funding programme, not a trade agreement
    • CBAM is a climate linked trade measure, not a free trade tool
    [2018] In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the ‘Additional Protocol’ with the ‘International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’? 

    (a) The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards

    (b) The military nuclear installations come under the inspection of IAEA 

    (c) The country will have the privilege to buy uranium from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)

    (d) The country automatically becomes a member of the NSG

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  • Historical and Archaeological Findings in News

    3 Buddhist sites in UNESCO tentative list

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

    Why in the News?

    UNESCO has included the ‘Diamond Triangle’ Buddhist sites of Odisha in India’s Tentative List for future consideration as a World Heritage Site.The sites are located in Jajpur and Cuttack districts of Odisha

    What is the ‘Diamond Triangle’?

    • A cluster of three ancient Buddhist sites 
      • Ratnagiri
      • Udayagiri
      • Lalitgiri Known as the epicentre of Buddhism in eastern India

    Historical and Religious Significance

    • The sites witnessed the propagation of all three schools of Buddhism
       • Hinayana
       • Mahayana
       • Vajrayana
       • Rich remains of Stupas, Monasteries, Relics, Sculptures of Lord Buddha and Buddhist deities

    What is a Tentative List?

    • Mandatory prerequisite for nomination to the World Heritage List
    • Identifies sites of Outstanding Universal Value
    • Can be cultural, natural or mixed
    • Only sites on the tentative list can be considered for final inscription

    India and the Tentative List

    • India currently has 70 sites on the tentative list
    • Categories include cultural, natural and mixed
    • Odisha sites already on the tentative list include
      • Ekamra Kshetra, Bhubaneswar
      • Chilika Lake
      • Chausathi Yogini temples group was added last year
      • Two located in Odisha at Bhubaneswar outskirts and Balangir

    Prelims Pointers

    • Tentative list inclusion does not guarantee World Heritage status
    • Diamond Triangle reflects pan Buddhist evolution in India
    • ASI is the official nodal agency for UNESCO nominations
    • Odisha is emerging as a major Buddhist heritage corridor
    [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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