💥UPSC 2026, 2027, 2028 UAP Mentorship (March Batch) + Access XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Type: Prelims Only

  • Nobel and other Prizes

    Padma Awards 2026

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

    Why in the News?

    The Padma Awards 2026 were announced on the eve of Republic Day, with the President of India approving 131 awards across the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri categories.

    What are the Padma Awards?

    • Among India’s highest civilian honours
    • Conferred for distinguished and exceptional service with a clear element of public service
    • Instituted in 1954 by the Government of India

    Historical Background

    • Initially, two civilian awards were instituted in 1954
      • Bharat Ratna
      • Padma Vibhushan
    • In 1955, Padma Vibhushan was reclassified into three categories
      • Padma Vibhushan
      • Padma Bhushan
      • Padma Shri
    • Awards are announced annually on Republic Day
    • Not conferred during 1978 to 1979 and 1993 to 1997

    Categories and Purpose

    • Padma Vibhushan: Exceptional and distinguished service
    • Padma Bhushan: Distinguished service of a high order
    • Padma Shri: Distinguished service in any field

    Eligibility Criteria

    • Open to all persons, irrespective of race, gender, occupation, or position
    • Government servants, including PSU employees, are generally not eligible
      • Exception for doctors and scientists
    • Normally not awarded posthumously
      • Permitted in exceptional cases
    • Minimum gap of 5 years required for a higher Padma category
      • Can be relaxed in deserving cases
    • Award recognises excellence plus, not merely long service

    Fields Recognised

    • Art, Social Work, Public Affairs, Science and Engineering, Trade and Industry, Medicine, including AYUSH, Literature and Education, Civil Service, Sports and Others, such as culture, environment, wildlife conservation, and human rights
    Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards: 

    1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India. 

    2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once

    3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year. 

    Which of the above statements are not correct? 

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

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Defence Sector – DPP, Missions, Schemes, Security Forces, etc.

    Long Range Anti Ship Hypersonic Glide Missile (LR AShM)

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

    Why in the News?

    India will publicly debut its Long Range Anti Ship Hypersonic Glide Missile (LR AShM) at the 77th Republic Day parade, marking India’s entry into the elite hypersonic anti ship weapons club.

    What is LR AShM?

    • Indigenous hypersonic glide missile (More than Mach 5 Speed)
    • Designed to engage high value naval targets such as aircraft carrier battle groups
    • Capable of very long range strikes with extreme speed and manoeuvrability

    Developed By

    • Defence Research and Development Organisation
    • For the Indian Navy
    • Intended mainly for coastal battery and maritime strike roles

    Aim

    • Enhance maritime deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region
    • Neutralise enemy surface combatants at stand off distances
    • Strengthen A2 AD Anti Access Area Denial capabilities through shore based mobile launchers
    [2023] Consider the following statements: 

    1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, 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? 

    (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

  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-United States

    US Exit from World Health Organization

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

    Why in the News?

    On 23 January 2026, the United States formally withdrew from the World Health Organization after Donald Trump restarted the exit process at the beginning of his second term.

    Background

    • US announced withdrawal on Day 1 of Trump’s second term in 2025 through an executive order
    • Decision based on allegations that WHO failed in handling COVID 19
    • US confirmed it will not rejoin or participate even as an observer

    Financial Dimension

    • US was WHO’s largest single contributor
    • Outstanding unpaid dues around 260 million dollars
    • All US funding to WHO has been stopped
    • Under US law, one year notice is required, but payment obligation is legally disputed

    WHO’s Response

    • WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged the US to reconsider
    • Warned of global public health fallout
    • WHO may cut up to 25 percent of its workforce due to funding gap
    [2022] In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, Consider the following statements: 

    1. The 24-hour mean of PM 2.5 should not exceed 15 μg/m³ and annual mean of PM 2.5 should not exceed 5 μg/m³

    2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the periods of inclement weather

    3. PM 10 can penetrate the long barrier and enter the bloodstream

    4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma

    Which of the statements given above are correct? 

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

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Defence Sector – DPP, Missions, Schemes, Security Forces, etc.

    Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework

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

    Why in the News?

    The Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, released the Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework to integrate quantum technologies into the Indian Armed Forces.

    What is the Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework?

    • A strategic vision and roadmap document
    • Guides systematic adoption and operationalisation of quantum technologies
    • Applies across Army, Navy and Air Force
    • Focused on achieving future battlefield superiority

    Note: Quantum refers to quantum science and quantum technologies based on the principles of quantum mechanics, which govern the behaviour of matter and energy at atomic and sub atomic scales.

    Aim

    • Tri services integration through jointness and interoperability
    • Alignment of defence requirements with the National Quantum Mission
    • Adoption of a civil military fusion approach

    Key Features

    • Four Pillars of Quantum Integration: Quantum communication, Quantum computing, Quantum sensing and metrology, and Quantum materials and devices.
    • Tri Services Jointness: Unified implementation across Army, Navy and Air Force. Avoids silo based development.
    • Civil Military Fusion Model: Collaboration with academia, startups, industry and government sectors. Dedicated governing and coordinating bodies.
    • Future Battlefield Orientation: Secure communications, Superior sensing and navigation, Faster decision making, Resilience against cyber and electronic warfare threats
    [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

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

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

    Water Bankruptcy and Global Agriculture

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

    Why in the News?

    A recent UN report titled Global Water Bankruptcy: Living Beyond Our Hydrological Means in the Post Crisis Era, released by United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health on 20 January 2026, warns that the world has entered a phase of global water bankruptcy, severely impacting agriculture and food security.

    What is Water Bankruptcy?

    • A condition where long term water use exceeds renewable inflows and safe depletion limits
    • Agriculture is no longer facing a temporary water crisis but operating beyond hydrological sustainability
    • Rivers, lakes, aquifers, wetlands, soils and glaciers damaged beyond realistic recovery

    Key Findings of the Report

    • Agriculture and Water Use: ~70 percent of global freshwater withdrawals used for agriculture.Expansion of agricultural land is no longer viable
    • Scale of Exposure:~3 billion people live in areas with declining or unstable water storage. More than half of global food production located in water stressed regions. 170 million hectares of irrigated cropland under high or very high water stress.
    • Land and Soil Degradation: Over 50 percent of global agricultural land moderately or severely degraded. Global salinisation has degraded. 82 million hectares of rainfed cropland. 24 million hectares of irrigated cropland. Accelerates desertification and reduces soil moisture retention.
    [2021] Among the following, which one is the least water efficient crop? 

    (a) Sugarcane 

    (b) Sunflower 

    (c) Pearl millet 

    (d) Red gram

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Parliament – Sessions, Procedures, Motions, Committees etc

    National Legislative Index (NLI)

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

    Why in the News?

    At the 86th All India Presiding Officers Conference, Om Birla, Speaker of Lok Sabha, announced the initiation of the National Legislative Index (NLI).

    What is National Legislative Index (NLI)?

    • Proposed performance evaluation framework
    • Objectively measures and compares the functioning of Parliament of India and State Legislatures
    • Uses predefined indicators and data driven metrics

    Examples of Predefined Indicators for NLI

    Legislative functioning: Number of sittings held, Duration of sittings, Percentage utilisation of House time and Adjournments and disruption.

    Aim

    • Healthy competition among legislatures
    • Improved efficiency and accountability
    • Better quality of legislative deliberation
    • People centric and outcome oriented law making

    Key Features

    • Objective performance metrics: Number of sittings, legislative output, committee work, utilisation of House time
    • Comparative and competitive framework: Cross comparison of Parliament and State Legislatures. Best practice sharing
    • Transparency and accountability focus: Public scrutiny, discipline, quality debate, citizen centric legislation

    Significance

    • Discourages disruptions and frequent adjournments
    • Improves deliberative quality of legislatures
    • Reinforces legislatures as core pillars of constitutional democracy
    • Aligns institutional performance with long term national development goals
    • Promotes efficient and outcome oriented governance
    [2017] The Parliament of India exercises control over the functions of the Council of Ministers through: 

    1. Adjournment motion 

    2. Question hour 

    3. Supplementary questions 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Global Geological And Climatic Events

    Mysterious “Boiling” Seawater off Gujarat Coast

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

    Why in the News?

    Authorities and fishing communities have reported unusual churning and bubbling of seawater off the Gujarat coast in the Arabian Sea, prompting disaster management agencies to issue alerts and advise vessels to exercise extreme caution.

    What is Being Observed?

    • Large patches of seawater showing continuous bubbling and turbulence, resembling surface boiling
    • Phenomenon captured in videos by fishermen
    • Observed close to fishing grounds and sea transport routes

    Possible Causes  

    Natural causes

    • Methane or natural gas seepage from seabed
    • Underwater tectonic activity
    • Activity along nearby submarine ridges like the Murray Ridge or Carlsberg Ridge
    • Hydrothermal or volcanic processes

    Anthropogenic causes

    • Leakage from undersea gas or oil pipelines
    • Industrial accidents linked to offshore installations
    • Disturbances caused by heavy maritime traffic

    Prelims Pointers

    • Bubbling seas can indicate methane hydrate release
    • Arabian Sea hosts active submarine ridges, unlike the Bay of Bengal
    • Such phenomena do not automatically imply tsunamis, but signal seabed processes
    [2019] Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’? 

    1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits

    2. Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor

    3. Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two

    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

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Corruption Challenges – Lokpal, POCA, etc

    Prior Sanction for Corruption Investigations | Section 17A of PCA, 1988

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

    Why in the News?

    A two judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India has delivered a split verdict on the constitutional validity of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which mandates prior government approval before investigation against public servants for decisions taken in official capacity.

    What is the Current Split Verdict?

    • Justice K V Viswanathan
        • Upheld Section 17A conditionally
        • Held prior approval is needed to protect honest officers
        • Said approval must come from an independent authority
        • Linked Section 17A with Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013
        • Approval to be based on binding opinion of Lokpal for Centre and Lokayukta for States.
    • Justice B V Nagarathna
      • Held Section 17A unconstitutional
      • Called it “old wine in new bottle”
      • Violates Article 14
      • No rational nexus or intelligible differentia
      • Protection already exists under Section 19 which requires sanction before prosecution

    What is the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988?

    • Enacted to consolidate laws on corruption among public servants
    • Originated from recommendations of the Santhanam Committee (1962)
    • Covers offences such as
      • Bribery
      • Criminal misconduct
      • Undue advantage
    • Applies to public servants, including government officials, judges, and local authority employees

    What is Section 17A of PCA?

    • Inserted through 2018 amendment
    • Requires prior approval of the appropriate government before
      • Inquiry or
      • Investigation
    • Applicable when alleged offence relates to
      • A recommendation made or
      • A decision taken by a public servant while discharging official duties

    Rationale Behind Section 17A

    • To protect honest officers from
      • Frivolous
      • Vexatious complaints
    • Intended to prevent decision making paralysis or “play it safe” behaviour in bureaucracy
    • Distinguishes between
      • Good faith administrative decisions
      • Intentional corruption

    Earlier Supreme Court Rulings

    • Vineet Narain vs Union of India (1998)
        • Struck down the CBI’s Single Directive
        • Held that prior sanction for investigation violates rule of law
    • Dr Subramaniam Swamy vs Director, CBI (2014)
      • Struck down Section 6A of DSPE Act
      • Required prior approval for probing senior officers
      • Declared violative of Article 14 (equality before law)
    [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? 

    (a) III only (b) II and III (c) I and IV (d) None of the above statements is correct

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    Strongest Solar Radiation Storm in Over 20 Years

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

    Why in the News?

    The Sun has unleashed the strongest solar radiation storm in more than 20 years, triggering rare auroras across Europe and the United States and raising concerns over satellites, aviation, power grids, and astronaut safety. The storm is the most intense since October 2003.

    What is a Solar Radiation Storm?

    • A solar radiation storm occurs when the Sun releases a burst of fast moving, highly charged particles toward Earth
    • These particles can penetrate Earth’s magnetic field and increase radiation levels in space and at high altitudes
    • Defined and monitored by NASA and the Space Weather Prediction Center

    Severity and Classification

    • Classified as Level 4 out of 5 (Severe) on the solar radiation storm scale
    • Strongest event of its kind since October 2003
    • Occurred during the peak phase of the Sun’s 11 year solar cycle

    Prelims Pointers

    • Solar radiation storms mainly affect space based and high altitude systems
    • They are rare and most frequent near solar maximum
    • Auroras result from interaction between solar particles and Earth’s magnetic field
    • CMEs and solar flares are solar origin phenomena, not atmospheric events
    [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

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Foreign Policy Watch: Indo-Pacific and QUAD

    Spain joins Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)

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

    Why in the News?

    Spain has formally joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, with Spain’s Foreign Minister handing over the Declaration of Accession to S. Jaishankar.

    What is the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)?

    • A non-treaty, voluntary, cooperative framework for maritime cooperation
    • Focused on practical collaboration, not military alliances
    • Applicable to like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific region

    Aim of IPOI

    • Promote a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific
    • Address maritime challenges through cooperation and capacity building
    • Balance security, development, and sustainability in maritime domains

    Significance of Spain’s Accession

    • Enhances global and European legitimacy of IPOI
    • Reflects growing Europe Indo-Pacific engagement
    • Strengthens India’s role as a net security provider and agenda-setter
    • Promotes inclusive multilateralism amid rising great power rivalry

    Prelims Pointers

    • IPOI is not a treaty or alliance
    • It is India-led, unlike QUAD which is minilateral
    • Focuses on oceans governance, not territorial disputes
    • Countries participate based on voluntary pillar leadership
    [2017] Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): 

    1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy

    2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region

    Which of the above statements is/are correct? 

    (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