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Type: Prelims Only

  • NCRB Report on Traffic Accidents in India 

    Why in the News

    According to the latest report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India recorded nearly 1.99 lakh traffic related deaths in 2024, with speeding emerging as the leading cause of fatalities.

    Key Findings of the NCRB Report

    • Traffic Accident Deaths
      • Average deaths per day: 546
      • Total traffic related deaths in 2024: 1.99 lakh
    • Share of Road Accidents: Around 88% of traffic deaths were due to road accidents
    • States with Highest Fatalities
      • Uttar Pradesh
      • Tamil Nadu
      • Maharashtra

    About NCRB

    National Crime Records Bureau

    • Established in: 1986
    • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs
    • Compiles and analyses crime and accident statistics in India

    Government Initiatives for Road Safety

    • Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019
    • National Road Safety Policy
    • Black Spot Identification Programme
    [2022] In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers? 
    (a) Central Statistics Office 
    (b) Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade 
    (c) Labour Bureau 
    (d) National Technical Manpower Information System

  • Cyborg Materials and Learning Metamaterials 

    Why in the News

    Researchers in Europe have developed a synthetic metamaterial capable of physically learning and changing shape in response to external conditions. The findings were published in the journal Nature Physics.

    About Metamaterials

    • Special engineered materials whose properties depend on:
      • Internal structure
      • Physical arrangement
      • Not just chemical composition
    • Can exhibit unusual properties not found in natural materials

    Key Features of the New Material

    • Built as a chain of connected robotic units
    • Each unit contains:
      • Motor
      • Angle sensor
      • Microcontroller
    • Capable of:
      • Learning shapes
      • Forgetting previous configurations
      • Adapting to new external conditions
    [2023] Consider the following actions: 
    1. Detection of car crash/collision which results in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously
     2. Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off of the hard drive 
    3. Detection of the tilt of the smart- phone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode 
    In how many of the above actions is the function of accelerometer required? 
    [A] Only one [B] Only two [C] All three [D] None

  • Hantavirus and Andes Virus 

    Why in the News

    Health authorities in South Africa detected the Andes strain of hantavirus in passengers linked to a cruise ship outbreak off Cape Verde. The Andes virus is notable because it can spread from human to human in rare cases.

    About Hantavirus

    • A group of viruses mainly spread by:
      • Rodents
    • Humans may become infected through:
      • Contact with rodent urine, saliva, or droppings
      • Contaminated air particles

    Andes Virus

    • A specific strain of hantavirus
    • Found mainly in:
      • Argentina
      • Chile

    Symptoms of Hantavirus Infection

    • Fever
    • Muscle pain
    • Fatigue
    • Respiratory distress in severe cases
    [2015] Among the following, which were frequently mentioned in the news for the outbreak of Ebola virus recently? 
    (a) Syria and Jordan 
    (b) Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
    (c) Philippines and Papua New Guinea 
    (d) Jamaica, Haiti and Surinam

  • SO₂ Emissions from Coal Power Plants: IIT Delhi Study

    Why in the News

    A study by Indian Institute of Technology Delhi has found that fully controlling sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions from coal-fired power plants could prevent nearly 1.24 lakh deaths annually in India.

    Key Findings of the Study

    • Reduction of SO₂ emissions can significantly lower:
      • PM2.5 pollution
      • Respiratory diseases
      • Cardiovascular illnesses
    • Estimated annual prevention:
      • 1,24,564 deaths
      • Including thousands of respiratory and heart disease cases

    About SO₂ (Sulphur Dioxide)

    • A major air pollutant released from:
      • Coal fired thermal power plants
      • Fossil fuel combustion
    • In atmosphere, SO₂ forms:
      • Sulphates
      • Secondary particulate matter (PM2.5)

    What is PM2.5

    • Fine particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 micrometres
    • Can penetrate deep into lungs and bloodstream
    • Causes:
      • Asthma
      • Lung diseases
      • Heart diseases

    Coal Fired Power Plants (CFPPs)

    • Major contributors to:
      • SO₂ emissions
      • Air pollution in India
    • Important pollution hotspots identified in:
      • Chhattisgarh
      • Odisha
      • Maharashtra
      • Tamil Nadu
      • Karnataka

    Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)

    • FGD Technology
      • Removes SO₂ from exhaust gases of thermal plants
      • Helps reduce: Air pollution and Acid rain
    [2024] According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which one of the following is the largest source of sulphur dioxide emissions? 
    (a) Locomotives using fossil fuels 
    (b) Ships using fossil fuels 
    (c) Extraction of metals from ores 
    (d) Power plants using fossil fuels

  • Rusty Spotted Cat in Aravallis 

    Why in the News

    The Rusty-spotted Cat, one of the world’s smallest wildcat species, has been recorded alive and breeding in the Aravalli Range near Delhi, including sightings in Faridabad and Gurugram regions.

    About Rusty Spotted Cat

    • Scientific name: Prionailurus rubiginosus
    • One of the smallest wild cats in the world
    • Native to: India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

    Conservation Status

    IUCN Red List: International Union for Conservation of Nature status: Near Threatened

    Wildlife Protection in India

    • Protected under: Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972  
    • Highest level of legal protection in India.
    [2019] Consider the following pairs: Wildlife Naturally found in 
    1. Blue-finned Mahseer: Cauvery River 
    2. Irrawaddy Dolphin: Chambal River 
    3. Rusty-spotted Cat: Eastern Ghats 
    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

  • International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 

    Why in the News

    India will host the first International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit in June 2026, with participation from around 95 countries. The summit is expected to adopt the Delhi Declaration on global big cat conservation.

    About International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

    • A global alliance for big cat conservation
    • Launched by Narendra Modi in 2023
    • Conceived and led by India

    Objective

    • Promote:
      • Conservation of big cats
      • Habitat protection
      • Research and innovation
      • International cooperation

    Big Cats Covered under IBCA

    • Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma. 
    [2020] Consider the following statements: 
    1 Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only. 
    2 Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only. 
    3 One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only. 
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 
    (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • India-Vietnam Defence Cooperation 

    Why in the News

    India and Vietnam reviewed bilateral defence ties and signed 13 agreements aimed at expanding cooperation in areas such as maritime security, defence industry, and Indo Pacific collaboration.

    Areas of Cooperation

    • Maritime Security
      • Port calls
      • Naval cooperation
      • Joint military exercises
    • Defence Industry
      • Co production and co development
      • Defence technology collaboration
    • Capacity Building
      • Training programmes
      • Institutional dialogue mechanisms

    Importance of Vietnam for India

    • Strategic location in the South China Sea
    • Important partner in India’s Act East Policy
    • Helps strengthen India’s presence in the Indo Pacific

    Indo-Pacific Cooperation

    • India reiterated its commitment under the MAHASAGAR Vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) 
    • Focuses on:
      • Regional security
      • Maritime cooperation
      • Inclusive Indo Pacific order
    [2022] Consider the following statements: 
    1 Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in the recent years. Vietnam is led by a multi-party political system. 
    2 Vietnam’s economic growth is linked to its integration with global supply chains and focus on exports. 
    3 For a long time Vietnam’s low labour costs and stable exchange rates have attracted global manufacturers. 
    4 Vietnam has the most productive e-service sector in the Indo-Pacific region. 
    Which of the statements given above are correct? 
    (a) 2 and 4 (b) 3 and 5 (c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) 1 and 2

  • Dawoodi Bohra Excommunication Case and Sabarimala Hearing 

    Why in the News

    The Supreme Court of India, during hearings linked to the Sabarimala Temple review case, questioned the maintainability of PILs challenging the practice of excommunication in the Dawoodi Bohra community.

    Background of the Case

    • Challenge relates to the power of Dawoodi Bohra religious leaders to: Excommunicate members from the community
    • Based on the 1962 judgment in: Sardar Syedna Taher Saifuddin vs State of Bombay
    • The practice of excommunication in the Dawoodi Bohra community is a long-standing and controversial religious authority exercised by its head, the Dai-ul-Mutlaq. 
      • It involves the formal expulsion of a member, resulting in a “civil death” where the individual is barred from communal assets like mosques and burial grounds.

    1962 Supreme Court Judgment

    • Upheld excommunication as a protected religious practice under Article 26(b) 
    • Article 26(b) grants religious denominations the right to manage their own religious affairs.

    Maharashtra Social Boycott Law (2016)

    • Maharashtra Protection of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2016
    • Prohibits various forms of:
      • Social boycott
      • Ostracisation
    • Makes excommunication punishable

    Key Constitutional Questions

    • Religious Rights vs Individual Rights
      • Whether denominational rights under Article 26 can override: Human dignity and Individual freedoms
    • Maintainability of PILs
      • Can a Constitution Bench judgment be challenged through: PILs under Article 32?

    Important Constitutional Provisions

    • Article 32Article\ 32Article 32
      • Right to constitutional remedies
      • Allows citizens to approach Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights
    • Article 26Article\ 26Article 26
      • Freedom to manage religious affairs by denominations
    [2021] We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 
    1. As regards legislation, the British Parliament is supreme or sovereign but in India, the power of the Parliament to legislate is limited. 
    2. In India, matters related to the Amendment of an Act of the Parliament are referred to the Constitution Bench by the Supreme Court. 
    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

  • Mexico City Subsidence and NISAR Satellite 

    Why in the News

    New imagery from the NISAR satellite has shown that Mexico City is sinking at an alarming rate of nearly 25 cm per year, mainly due to excessive groundwater extraction.

    What is Land Subsidence

    • Gradual sinking or settling of the Earth’s surface
    • Commonly caused by:
      • Excessive groundwater withdrawal
      • Mining
      • Natural geological processes

    Why is Mexico City Sinking

    • Built on an ancient lake bed
    • Heavy extraction of groundwater from aquifers
    • Rapid urbanisation and infrastructure load
    • Shrinking aquifers causing ground compaction

    About NISAR Satellite

    • NASA and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) joint mission
    • Full Form: NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar

    Features of NISAR

    • Uses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
    • Can detect surface changes in real time
    • Works in:
      • Day and night
      • All weather conditions
    [2019] For the measurement/ estimation of which of the following are satellite images/remote sensing data used? 
    1. Chlorophyll content in the vegetation of a specific location 
    2. Greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies of a specific location 
    3. Land surface temperatures of a specific location 
    Select the correct answer using the code given below. 
    [A] 1 only [B] 2 and 3 only [C] 3 only [D] 1, 2 and 3

  • Teesta Water Sharing Dispute 

    Why in the News

    Bangladesh has urged India to reconsider the long pending Teesta water sharing agreement following political changes in West Bengal. Bangladesh also indicated that the issue may be discussed with China during high level talks in Beijing.

    About the Teesta River

    • Origin: Eastern Himalayas near the Pauhunri glacier
    • Flows through: Sikkim, West Bengal, and Bangladesh
    • Tributary of the Brahmaputra River

    Nature of the Dispute

    • Both India and Bangladesh depend on Teesta waters for:
      • Irrigation
      • Agriculture
      • Livelihoods
    • Bangladesh seeks a larger share of dry season flow

    2011 Proposed Agreement

    • India and Bangladesh reached an in principle agreement during PM Manmohan Singh’s visit
    • Agreement could not be finalised due to objections from West Bengal government

    Key Issues Involved

    • Water sharing during lean season
    • Role of States in international river agreements
    • Federal coordination between:
      • Union Government
      • State Government

    China’s Role

    • Bangladesh discussing Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project with China
    • Reflects strategic dimension of regional water diplomacy
    [2017] With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements 
    1 The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim. 
    2 River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and it is a tributary of river Teesta. 
    3 River Teesta flows into Bay of Bengal on the border of India and Bangladesh. 
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 
    a)  1 and 3 only b) 2 only c) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3