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Type: Prelims Only

  • India–Trinidad and Tobago Agreements 

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

    Why in the News

    S. Jaishankar visited Trinidad and Tobago, and both countries signed eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in sectors including tourism, healthcare, infrastructure, and Ayurveda.

    Key Agreements Signed

    The MoUs covered areas such as:

    • Tourism cooperation
    • Healthcare and prosthetics
    • Infrastructure development
    • Vector control
    • Ayurveda promotion
    • Solarisation projects

    Important Projects

    • National Prosthetics Centre: Inaugurated jointly in Penal, Trinidad and Tobago
    • Indian Chair on Ayurveda: To be established at University of the West Indies
    • Nelson Island Infrastructure Upgrade
      • Restoration and infrastructure support for Nelson Island
      • Historically linked to Indian indentured immigrants
    • Agro Processing Facility: Machinery support worth:
      • 1 million US dollars provided by India
    • Laptop Distribution Initiative: India handed over the first batch of 2,000 laptops to schoolchildren

    About Trinidad and Tobago

    • Island nation in the Caribbean Sea
    • Capital: Port of Spain
    • Member of: CARICOM

    About CARICOM

    • Regional grouping of Caribbean countries
    • Objective: Economic integration and cooperation

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  • Indian Air Force Updates

    Hypersonic Cruise Missile Scramjet Test 

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

    Why in the News

    Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the actively cooled scramjet combustor of a new hypersonic cruise missile at the Scramjet Connect Pipe Test facility in Hyderabad.

    Key Achievement

    • DRDO achieved: 1,200 second runtime of the scramjet combustor
    • Previous successful test: 700 plus seconds in January 2026

    About Hypersonic Cruise Missile

    • Missile capable of travelling at:
      • More than Mach 5
      • Over five times the speed of sound
    • Approximate speed:
      • Above 6,100 km per hour

    What is a Scramjet Engine? 

    • Full Form: Supersonic Combustion Ramjet
    • Air breathing engine using:
      • Supersonic airflow during combustion
    • Operates efficiently at hypersonic speeds (Speed:5 Mach) 
    • Uses atmospheric oxygen instead of carrying oxidiser
    • Suitable for:
      • Hypersonic missiles
      • Advanced aerospace systems

    Countries Developing Hypersonic Technology

    • India
    • United States
    • Russia
    • China
    [UPSC 2009] In the context of Indian defence, consider the following statements: 
    1. The Shourya missile flies with a speed of more than 8 Mach. 
    2. The range of Shourya missile is more than 1600 km. 
    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

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Cyphostemma annamalaii 

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

    Why in the News?

    Researchers from Annamalai University discovered a new plant species named Cyphostemma annamalaii in the southern Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu.

    About Cyphostemma annamalaii

    • Newly discovered plant species belonging to: Vitaceae (grape family)
    • Found in: Tropical dry forests of the southern Eastern Ghats
    • Habitat:
      • Open scrubby vegetation
      • Dry forest ecosystems

    About the Vitaceae Family

    Vitaceae

    • Commonly known as: Grape family
    • Includes climbing plants and vines
    • Economically important due to grape cultivation

    About Eastern Ghats

    • Discontinuous mountain range along eastern India
    • Passes through:
      • Odisha
      • Andhra Pradesh
      • Telangana
      • Karnataka
      • Tamil Nadu
    • Known for rich biodiversity and endemic species
    [2016] With reference to ‘Red Sanders’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements: 
    1. It is a tree species found in a part of South India. 
    2. It is one of the most important trees in the tropical rainforest areas of South India. 
    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

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  • Mother and Child Health – Immunization Program, BPBB, PMJSY, PMMSY, etc.

    JANANI Platform 

    Prelims Only | Social Justice | Mains Paper 2: Schemes For Vulnerable Sections

    Why in the News?

    The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the JANANI Platform to strengthen digital maternal and child healthcare monitoring in India.

    About JANANI (Journey of Antenatal, Natal and Neonatal Integrated Care) Platform

    • A service-oriented digital platform for monitoring maternal and child healthcare services. 
    • Upgraded version of the existing: Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Portal

    Objective

    • Comprehensive digital tracking of women during reproductive age by QR Enabled Mother and Child Health Cards
    • Covers:
      • Antenatal care
      • Delivery preparedness
      • Postnatal care
      • Newborn care
      • Family planning services
    • Smart Tracking and Alerts of 
      • High risk pregnancies
      • Due health services
      • Immunisation schedules
    • Real time dashboards for monitoring
    [2023] Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana : 
    1. It is a safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments. 
    2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women. 
    3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women. 
    4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age. 
    How many of the statements given above are correct? 
    [A] Only one [B] Only two [C] Only three [D] All four

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  • Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

    Geocell 

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

    Why in the News

    CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) were recognised by the India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records for constructing the first roadblock section using technical textile geocell made from end of life plastic.

    About Geocell

    • A three dimensional cellular confinement system used in geotechnical engineering
    • Designed to improve:
      • Soil stability
      • Load bearing capacity
      • Structural reinforcement

    Structure of Geocell

    • Consists of interconnected honeycomb shaped cells
    • Made from geosynthetic materials such as:
      • High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
      • Polyester

    Working Mechanism

    • Cells are expanded on site to form a mattress like layer
    • Filled with materials such as: Soil, Sand, Aggregate, and Clay
    • After compaction:
      • The geocell integrates with underlying soil
      • Creates a reinforced and stable structure
    [2020] In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint? 
    1. Copper slag 
    2. Cold mix asphalt technology 
    3. Geotextiles Hot mix asphalt technology 
    4. Portland cement 
    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 
    a) 1, 2 and 3 only 
    b) 2, 3 and 4 only 
    c) 4 and 5 only 
    d) 1 and 5 only

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  • Primary and Secondary Education – RTE, Education Policy, SEQI, RMSA, Committee Reports, etc.

    NITI Aayog Report on School Education 

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

    Why in the News

    NITI Aayog released a report titled “School Education System in India: Temporal Analysis and Policy Roadmap for Quality Enhancement”, highlighting poor student retention and weak learning outcomes in India’s school system.

    Key Findings of the Report

    • Near Universal Primary Access: India has achieved near universal enrolment at the primary level. However, Significant dropouts occur at secondary and higher secondary stages

    Student Dropout Concern

    • Around 4 out of 10 students drop out before completing higher secondary education
    • Reason: Frequent school transitions due to lack of continuous schooling structure.

    Pyramid Structure of Schooling

    The report describes India’s education system as a “sharp pyramid”.

    Statistics

    • Total schools: 14.71 lakh
    • Total students: 24.69 crore
    • Primary schools: 7.3 lakh
    • Higher secondary schools: 1.64 lakh
    [2025] Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? 
    I. It has recommended grants of ₹ 4,800 crores from the year 2022-23 to the year 2025-26 for incentivizing States to enhance educational outcomes. 
    II. 45% of the net proceeds of Union taxes are to be shared with States. 
    III. ₹ 45,000 crores are to be kept as performance-based incentive for all States for carrying out agricultural reforms. 
    IV. Its reintroduced tax effort criteria to reward fiscal performance. 
    Select the correct answer using the code given below. 
    [A] I, II and III [B] I, II and IV [C] I, III and IV [D] II, III and IV

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  • Indian Air Force Updates

    Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) 

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

    Why in the News

    Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted the maiden flight trial of the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon system off the coast of Odisha on May 7, 2026.

    About TARA (Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation)

    • It is India’s first indigenous glide weapon system
    • Purpose: Converts unguided warheads into precision guided weapons

    Developed By

    • Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad
    • Along with other DRDO laboratories

    Key Features

    • Glide Weapon System: Uses aerodynamic lift to glide towards targets after launch
    • Enhances:
      • Accuracy
      • Lethality
      • Operational range
    • Low Cost Technology: Utilises state of the art low cost systems
    [2023] Consider the following statements 
    1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their fights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of fight. 
    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

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

    Swasth Bharat Portal 

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

    Why in the News

    The Government of India has launched the Swasth Bharat Portal, a unified digital platform aimed at integrating fragmented health programme systems across the country.

    About Swasth Bharat Portal

    • A single integrated digital health platform
    • Designed to connect multiple health programme systems through:
      • API based interoperability

    What are Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)?

    • Instead of building unique, complex connections between every single system, APIs act as “universal translators” or bridges, allowing disparate tools to work together seamlessly without requiring deep knowledge of each other’s internal code

    Main Objectives

    • Eliminate duplicate data entry
    • Streamline reporting systems
    • Improve evidence based planning
    • Support faster decision making in health programmes

    Key Features

    • Unified Health Platform: Acts as a one stop aggregator for health programmes
    • Interoperability
    • Uses federated architecture and APIs
    • Enables seamless exchange of health data
    • Data VisualisationProvides tools for monitoring and local level planning
    [2022] With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements: 
    1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it. 
    2. As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately. 
    3. It has seamless portability across the country.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 
    [A] 1 and 2 only [B] 3 only [C] 1 and 3 only [D] 1, 2 and 3

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Oak Trees Delay Leafing to Avoid Caterpillars 

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

    Why in the News

    A study published in Nature has found that oak trees in temperate forests delay budburst and leaf emergence after heavy caterpillar infestation to reduce insect damage.

    Key Findings of the Study

    • Oak trees delayed spring leaf emergence by about:
      • Three days after severe caterpillar attacks
    • Study conducted across:
      • 60 oak forest sites
      • Over 2,400 km
      • During 2017 to 2021

    What is Budburst

    • Stage when tree buds open and new leaves emerge during spring

    Why Trees Delay Leafing

    • Caterpillars depend on soft fresh leaves immediately after hatching
    • Delayed leaf emergence creates temporary food shortage for insects
    • Result:
      • Reduced caterpillar survival
      • Lower leaf damage

    Major Outcomes

    • Leaf damage reduced by nearly: 55%
    • Delayed leafing found more energy efficient than chemical defence mechanisms
    [2022] If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of the following plants naturally growing there? 
    1. Oak 
    2. Rhododendron 
    3. Sandal wood 
    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 
    a) 1 and 2 only b) 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3

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

    AMOC Collapse and Its Impact on India 

    Prelims Only | Geography | Mains Paper 1: Geographical Features & Their Location

    Why in the News

    Scientists have warned that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a major Atlantic Ocean current system, could weaken drastically by 2100 due to climate change, potentially affecting global climate and the Indian monsoon.

    What is AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation)?

    • A large system of ocean currents in the Atlantic Ocean often described as a global ocean conveyor belt

    How AMOC Works

    • Warm, salty surface water flows northward from the tropics
    • Near the Arctic, water cools and becomes denser
    • Dense water sinks deep into the ocean
    • Cold deep water then flows southward

    Importance of AMOC

    • Maintains relatively mild climate in Europe
    • Influences:
      • Rainfall patterns
      • Monsoons
      • Global temperature distribution
      • Marine ecosystems

    Connection with El Niño

    • El Niño
      • Periodic warming of Pacific Ocean waters
      • Influences global weather patterns
    • A weaker AMOC may: Make El Niño events more extreme and unpredictable
    [2020] With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct? 
    1.OMT is measured up to a depth of 26ºC isotherm which is 129 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during January-March. 
    2.OMT collected during January-March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in monsoon will be less or more than a certain long-term mean. 
    Select the correct 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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