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Type: Prelims Only

  • BRICS Summits

    RBI proposes CBDC linkage on BRICS agenda

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

    Why in the news?

    Reserve Bank of India has advised the Government of India to place a proposal on linking Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) on the agenda of the BRICS 2026 Summit, which India will host.

    Key proposal

    • Link BRICS members’ CBDCs including India’s e-rupee for cross border trade finance and tourism payments.
    • Aim is faster settlements, lower transaction costs and reduced dependence on correspondent banking systems.
    • RBI clarifies this is not a formal de dollarisation push, but about efficiency and resilience.

    Background context

    • Builds on the 2025 BRICS Rio Declaration that called for interoperability of payment systems.
    • All core BRICS members Brazil Russia India China South Africa are running CBDC pilot projects, none fully launched yet.

    Central Bank Digital Currencies Vs Cryptocurrency

    • Issuing authority

        • CBDCs are issued and regulated by a country’s central bank such as the Reserve Bank of India
        • Cryptocurrencies are issued privately through decentralised blockchain networks with no sovereign authority, for example Bitcoin

    • Legal status

      • CBDCs are legal tender and must be accepted for payments within the issuing country
      • Cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in most countries and their legal status varies

    Strategic significance

    • Could challenge dollar centric payment rails indirectly amid rising geopolitical tensions.
    • Enhances international use of the rupee through regulated digital channels.
    • Fits India’s push for safe sovereign digital money over private stablecoins.

    Prelims pointers

    • CBDC is sovereign digital legal tender issued by a central bank.
    • RBI views CBDCs as less risky than stablecoins for monetary and financial stability.
    • BRICS was founded in 2009 and later expanded beyond the original five members.
    [2024] Consider the following statements in respect of the digital rupee: 

    1. It is a sovereign currency issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in alignment with its monetary policy

    2. It appears as a liability on the RBI’s balance sheet

    3. It is insured against inflation by its very design

    4. It is freely convertible against commercial bank money and cash

    Which of the statements given above are correct? 

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

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  • Nuclear Energy

    Indigenous Light Water Reactor Push

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

    Why in the News?

    India is fast tracking the fabrication of an indigenous Light Water Reactor (LWR) as it opens the nuclear power sector to private participation and explores opportunities in the global nuclear export market.

    Key Development

    • The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is accelerating work on a 900 MWe indigenous LWR.
    • Design work began in 2015.
    • Objective is to complement India’s existing Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) fleet.
    • Indigenous LWR capability is expected to improve India’s bargaining power with foreign reactor vendors.

    Why LWRs Matter Globally

    • LWRs account for over 85 percent of global civil nuclear reactor capacity.
    • Used extensively by United States, Russia and France.
    • Dominant technology in international reactor trade and supply chains.
    • Without LWR integration, India risks limited access to global nuclear exports.

    LWR vs PHWR

    • Light Water Reactors

        • Use ordinary water as coolant and moderator
        • Require enriched uranium fuel
        • Simpler design, lower construction cost
        • Higher thermal efficiency
        • Strong economies of scale

    • Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors

      • Use heavy water (deuterium)
      • Operate on natural uranium
      • Core strength of India’s nuclear programme
      • Greater fuel flexibility
      • Less attractive in export markets dominated by LWRs

    Legal and Policy Context

    • The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act, 2025 enables:
      • Greater private sector participation
      • More imported LWR based projects
    • Addresses earlier liability concerns raised by foreign suppliers.
    • Supports projects like Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

    Export and Strategic Angle

    • Indigenous LWR enhances India’s role in the global nuclear supply chain.
    • Emerging economies like UAE, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are expanding nuclear capacity.
    • India could position itself as a supplier of:
      • PHWRs fuelled with thorium and low enriched uranium
      • Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) of 30 to 300 MWe

    Thorium and India

    • India has modest uranium but vast thorium reserves.
    • Using thorium with low enriched uranium in PHWRs can:
      • Ease fuel constraints
      • Support large scale nuclear expansion
      • Strengthen India’s unique reactor niche

    Prelims Pointers

    • LWRs dominate the global nuclear reactor market.
    • India’s proposed indigenous LWR capacity is 900 MWe.
    • PHWRs remain India’s technological strength.
    • Nuclear amendments aim to attract private and foreign investment.
    • SMRs are emerging as a tool of energy diplomacy, including by China.
    [2023] Consider the following statements: 

    Statement-I: India, despite having uranium deposits, depends on coal for most of its electricity production. 

    Statement-II: Uranium, enriched to the extent of at least 60%, is required for the production of electricity. 

    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 is the correct explanation for Statement-I 

    (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-1 

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

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

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  • Electric and Hybrid Cars – FAME, National Electric Mobility Mission, etc.

    Indigenous Sodium Ion Battery Development in India

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

    Why in the News?

    The Chatterjee Group is considering commercial production of indigenous sodium ion batteries, following successful development of a high speed charging Na ion battery by its research arm.

    Key Development

    • Scientists at Research Institute for Sustainable Energy (RISE) have developed an India sourced sodium ion battery.
    • Battery charges up to 94 percent in 5 minutes.
    • Energy density: ~180 Wh per kg, comparable to lithium iron phosphate batteries.
    • Prototype may be ready for industrial scale deployment in 2 to 3 years.
    • Estimated commercial investment could reach 10 to 12 billion dollars.

    About Sodium Ion Batteries

    • Use sodium instead of lithium as the charge carrier.
    • Sodium is abundant, low cost and widely available.
    • Safer thermal profile compared to lithium ion batteries.

    Key advantages

    • No use of lithium, cobalt, nickel or copper.
    • Reduces dependence on critical mineral imports, especially from China.
    • Lower supply chain vulnerability.

    Commercial Potential Areas

    • Electric mobility, especially two and three wheelers due to fast charging needs.
    • Grid scale energy storage for renewable energy integration.
    • Off grid and rural energy systems where robust and low cost storage is required.
    [2025] In the context of electric vehicle batteries, consider the following elements: 

    I. Cobalt 

    II. Graphite 

    III. Lithium 

    IV. Nickel 

    How many of the above usually make up battery cathodes? 

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

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  • BRICS Summits

    BRICS Plus Naval Drills and South Africa Probe

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

    Why in the News?

    South Africa has initiated a probe into Iran’s participation in BRICS Plus naval exercises held near Cape Town, amid reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa wanted Iran to withdraw to avoid straining ties with the United States.

    Key Facts

    • Naval drills conducted in False Bay, close to Simon’s Town Naval Base.
    • Participating countries included China, Russia and Iran under the BRICS Plus framework.
    • Iranian naval vessels were observed operating alongside other participants throughout the exercise.
    • South Africa’s Defence Ministry ordered an inquiry to check whether presidential instructions were ignored or misinterpreted.

    Diplomatic Context

    • The drills coincided with US discussions on extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
    • South Africa fears possible trade repercussions or exclusion from AGOA.
    • The US Embassy in South Africa expressed concern over Iran’s involvement.

    About BRICS Plus

    • The BRICS is a forum for cooperation among a group of leading emerging economies. The BRICS includes 10 countries – Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Arab Emirates.

    Prelims Pointers

    • BRICS Plus has both economic and security dimensions.
    • Naval exercises can have trade and diplomatic implications.
    • AGOA is a preferential trade programme of the United States for African countries.
    • South Africa follows a policy of strategic autonomy in foreign relations.
    [2025] Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS: 

    I. The 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan

    II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS

    III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

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

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Second Range wide Dolphin Survey

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

    Why in the News?

    The Second Range wide Dolphin Survey has been launched from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh under Project Dolphin to update dolphin population estimates, assess habitat quality and identify threats across India’s river systems.

    About Project Dolphin

    A national conservation initiative of the Government of India for protecting riverine and oceanic dolphins through habitat protection, scientific monitoring and community participation.

    Key details

    • Launched: 15 August 2020
    • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
    • Aim:
      • Conserve dolphin diversity in India
      • Address threats like pollution, habitat degradation, by catch and altered river flows
      • Involve local communities and stakeholders

    Key features

    • 10 year initiative with pan India coverage
    • Focus on riverine and oceanic species
    • Scientific surveys and monitoring for population trends
    • Linked with river ecosystem conservation and policy action

    Second Range wide Dolphin Survey

    • A pan India scientific estimation exercise to assess:
      • Dolphin population size
      • Distribution and habitat condition
      • Anthropogenic and ecological threats

    Covers riverine and estuarine dolphins in a structured manner.

    Implementation and coverage

    • Phase I:
      • Main stem of the Ganga from Bijnor to Ganga Sagar
      • Indus river system
    • Phase II: Brahmaputra, Ganga tributaries, Sundarbans delta and Odisha river and estuarine systems
    • Coordinating agency: Wildlife Institute of India
    • Implemented with State Forest Departments and conservation partners
    • Uses standardised protocols, hydrophones for acoustic monitoring and trained field teams

    Note: Oceanic dolphins in Indian waters include Indo-Pacific bottlenose (Tursiops aduncus), spinner (Stenella longirostris), seen along Gujarat, Kerala, Odisha coasts in Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

    Previous Survey Findings (2021 to 2023)

    • Around 6,327 riverine dolphins recorded across India
    • Highest populations: Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
    • Followed by West Bengal and Assam
    • Small population of Indus River Dolphin recorded in the Beas system

    Prelims Takeaways

    • Project Dolphin was launched in 2020
    • Nodal ministry is MoEFCC
    • Second survey uses acoustic monitoring via hydrophones
    • Ganga and Brahmaputra systems are key dolphin habitats
    • India hosts both riverine and oceanic dolphins
    [2014] Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganga River Dolphins? 

    1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers

    2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers

    3. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally

    4. Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

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  • Start-up Ecosystem In India

    Chips to Start up (C2S) Programme

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

    Why in the News?

    The Chips to Start up (C2S) Programme has reported strong outcomes, including 56 student designed chips fabricated, 75 plus patents filed, and large scale national training in chip design, reflecting India’s growing indigenous semiconductor design capability.

    About Chips to Start up (C2S) Programme

    • The Chips to Start up (C2S) Programme is a national capacity building and innovation initiative to develop industry ready chip design talent and strengthen India’s indigenous semiconductor ecosystem through hands on training, research and fabrication exposure.
    • Launched in: 2022
    • Implemented by: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

    Aim

    • Create a strong pipeline of skilled chip designers
    • Enable hands on chip fabrication for students
    • Promote start ups, patents and IP creation
    • Support technological self reliance in semiconductors

    Key Features

    • Financial outlay: ₹250 crore for 5 years
    • Infrastructure and tools: Access to shared EDA tools, High Performance Computing (HPC), FPGA boards, and SMART laboratories across institutions
    • Hands on fabrication: Shared wafer runs provided through Semi Conductor Laboratory.
    • Chip design enablement: National ChipIN Centre and Operated by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Bengaluru
    • Innovation outcomes: Student designed ASICs and SoCs, Start up incubation, Patents, IP cores and chip prototypes
    • Industry collaboration: Training partnerships with global EDA and semiconductor firms

    Significance

    • Addresses the global semiconductor skill gap
    • Democratises chip design by providing nationwide access to advanced tools and fabrication
    • Reduces dependence on foreign design ecosystems
    • Strengthens Atmanirbhar Bharat in a strategic and security sensitive sector
    • Complements India’s broader semiconductor manufacturing and design policy

    Prelims Takeaways

    • C2S Programme launched in 2022
    • Implemented by MeitY
    • Focus on chip design plus fabrication exposure
    • Uses SCL Mohali for wafer runs
    • ChipIN Centre operated by C DAC Bengaluru
    • Key pillar of India’s indigenous semiconductor capability building
    [2025] Consider the following statements: 

    1. It is expected that Majorana 1 chip will enable quantum computing

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

    3. 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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  • Seeds, Pesticides and Mechanization – HYV, Indian Seed Congress, etc.

    Coconut Root Wilt Disease

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

    Why in the News?

    Coconut Root Wilt Disease is witnessing rapid spread across major coconut growing regions of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, affecting lakhs of coconut palms and causing severe yield losses.

    About

    • Chronic, non fatal disease of coconut
    • Caused by a phytoplasma which is a phloem limited pathogen
    • Leads to long term decline in palm health and productivity
    • Infected palms remain alive and act as persistent inoculum sources

    Origin and spread

    • First reported over 150 years ago from Erattupetta, Kerala
    • Continues as an endemic disease in southern India
    • Vector borne transmission is the primary mode of spread
    • Spread accelerates due to continuous coconut belts
    • Wind assisted vector movement enhances transmission
    • Abiotic stress such as temperature extremes and biotic stress like new sucking pests increase susceptibility

    Vector

    • Spread by sap sucking insect vectors
    • Important vectors include Stephanitis typica and Proutista moesta

    UPSC Prelims Pointers

    • Disease is non fatal but debilitating
    • Caused by phytoplasma
    • Spread through insect vectors
    • Endemic to southern India
    • Management focuses on tolerance, soil health and stress reduction
    [2018] Consider the following: 

    1. Birds 

    2. Dust blowing 

    3. Rain 

    4. Wind blowing

    Which of the above spread plant diseases? 

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

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  • Corruption Challenges – Lokpal, POCA, etc

    Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters,Laws, Institutions & Bodies Constituted For The Vulnerable Sections

    Why in the News?

    Shri Praveen Vashista, IPS (Bihar cadre, 1991 batch), has been appointed as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission and took oath on 16 January 2026.

    About Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

    • Apex integrity and vigilance institution of the Government of India
    • Mandated to promote integrity, transparency and accountability in public administration
    • Prevents corruption in Central Government organisations

    Established in

    • 1964 through an executive resolution of the Government of India
    • Granted statutory status under the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003

    Historical background

    • Originated from recommendations of the Santhanam Committee (1962 to 1964)
    • Initially functioned without statutory backing, limiting enforcement authority
    • Became an independent statutory body in 2003, strengthening supervisory and advisory powers

    Composition and members

    • Central Vigilance Commissioner as Chairperson
    • Up to two Vigilance Commissioners as Members
    • Appointed by the President of India on recommendation of a high level committee
    • Tenure of four years or up to 65 years of age, whichever is earlier

    UPSC Prelims Pointers

    • Statutory body since 2003
    • Superintendence over CBI limited to corruption cases
    • Chairperson and Members appointed by the President
    • Fixed tenure with age limit
    • Nodal authority for whistleblower protection
    [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

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  • Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

    Global Risks Report 2026 

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

    Why in the News?

    The World Economic Forum released the Global Risks Report 2026, based on the Global Risks Perception Survey of over 1300 global experts, highlighting geoeconomic confrontation as the most severe near term global risk.

    About the Report

    • 21st edition of the Global Risks Report
    • Analyses risks across three time horizons
      • Immediate term: 2026
      • Short to medium term: up to 2028
      • Long term: up to 2036
    • Survey respondents from academia, business, government, international organisations and civil society
    • Released ahead of the annual WEF meeting in Davos

    Top Risks in 2026

    • Geoeconomic confrontation ranked number one
      • Use of tariffs, sanctions, investment restrictions and control over critical minerals
    • Followed by State based armed conflict
    • Reflects retreat from multilateral cooperation and rise of economic weaponisation

    Economic Risks Trend

    • Economic risks show the sharpest rise in rankings
    • Economic downturn up to rank 11
    • Inflation rose to rank 21
    • Asset bubble burst moved to rank 18
    • Driven by debt stress, financial fragility and geopolitical rivalry

    Technological Risks

    • Misinformation and disinformation ranked 2nd in short term
    • Cyber insecurity ranked 6th in short term
    • Adverse outcomes of AI technologies
      • Rank 30 in 2 year outlook
      • Rank 5 in 10 year outlook
    • Concerns include job disruption, social harm, mental health impacts and military use of AI

    Societal Risks

    • Rising political and social polarisation
    • Weakening trust in institutions
    • Inequality identified as the most interconnected global risk for second consecutive year
    • Growth of street versus elite narratives challenging democratic resilience

    Environmental Risks

    • Short term deprioritisation
      • Extreme weather fell from rank 2 to 4
      • Pollution dropped from rank 6 to 9
      • Biodiversity loss and earth system change declined sharply
    • Long term dominance
      • Environmental risks occupy half of top 10 risks
      • Extreme weather ranked as the top long term risk
    • Environmental category viewed with highest pessimism over 10 year horizon

    Global Order Transition

    • Movement toward a multipolar and fragmented world
    • 68 percent respondents expect a contested multipolar order over next decade
    • Only 6 percent expect revival of a unipolar rules based system
    • Institutions rooted in Bretton Woods Conference under strain
    [2019] The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the: 

    (a) International Monetary Fund 

    (b) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 

    (c) World Economic Forum 

    (d) World Bank

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  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

    Project Suncatcher

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

    Why in the News?

    Google Research unveiled Project Suncatcher, a research initiative exploring AI datacentres in low Earth orbit powered entirely by solar energy, aimed at addressing the rapidly rising electricity demand of advanced AI systems.

    What is Project Suncatcher

    • A concept and research programme
    • Proposes placing AI datacentres in Low Earth Orbit
    • Datacentres operate continuously on solar power
    • Designed to handle energy intensive AI workloads
    • Developed under Google Research

    Objectives

    • Reduce the energy footprint of AI
    • Enable round the clock clean solar power
    • Decouple AI compute growth from
      • Terrestrial power grids
      • Land constraints
      • Water intensive cooling systems
    • Support long term scalability of AI infrastructure

    Prelims Pointers

    • Orbit used: Low Earth Orbit
    • Power source: Solar energy only
    • Developed by: Google Research
    • Key orbit type: Sun synchronous orbit
    • Core challenge addressed: AI energy demand
    • Emphasis on inter satellite communication over Earth links
    [2020] With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? 

    1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units 

    2. Create meaningful short stories and songs 

    3. Disease diagnosis 

    4. Text-to-Speech Conversion 

    5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

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