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Type: Prelims Only

  • Capital Markets: Challenges and Developments

    RBI Announces ₹1 Trillion OMO Purchase

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth,Indian Economy

    Why in the News?

    The Reserve Bank of India announced a ₹1 trillion Open Market Operation purchase along with a 5 billion dollar rupee swap to inject durable liquidity into the banking system amid rupee weakness beyond 90 per dollar and foreign capital outflows.

    What is an Open Market Operation Purchase

    • An OMO purchase is when the RBI buys government securities from banks and financial institutions
    • Objective is to inject durable and long term liquidity into the financial system
    • Leads to an increase in bank reserves and eases short term interest rates

    Purpose of OMO Purchases

    • Inject durable liquidity into the banking system
    • Improve monetary policy transmission so lending rates align with repo rate changes
    • Stabilise money market rates such as the Weighted Average Call Rate
    • Support financial stability during periods of currency and capital flow stress

    Significance of the Recent OMO

    • Offsets rupee liquidity drain caused by foreign portfolio outflows
    • Supports monetary transmission during external sector stress
    • Prevents sharp spikes in government bond yields
    • Strengthens lending capacity of banks for businesses and households

    Prelims Pointers

    • OMO is a quantitative monetary policy tool
    • OMO purchase injects liquidity while OMO sale absorbs liquidity
    • Operation Twist reshapes the yield curve
    • Durable liquidity differs from short term tools like repo and reverse repo
    [2013] In the context of Indian economy, ‘Open Market Operations’ refers to 

    (a) borrowing by scheduled banks from the RBI 

    (b) lending by commercial banks to industry and trade 

    (c) purchase and sale of government securities by the RBI 

    (d) None of the above

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  • Historical and Archaeological Findings in News

    India Hosts 20th Session of UNESCO ICH Committee  

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

    Why in the News?

    India is hosting the 20th Session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Red Fort.

    About the Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage

    • A statutory body of UNESCO
    • Established under the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
    • Responsible for promoting, supervising and implementing safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage worldwide

    India and Intangible Cultural Heritage

    • India currently has 15 elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List
    • Hosting the session reflects India’s growing role in global cultural diplomacy

    About Intangible Cultural Heritage

    • Refers to living traditions and cultural expressions passed through generations
    • Includes performing arts, rituals, festivals, crafts, oral traditions and social practices
    • Emphasises community participation and transmission rather than physical monuments

    Prelims Pointers

    • ICH focuses on living heritage not tangible monuments
    • The Intergovernmental Committee has 24 members
    • No consecutive terms allowed for Committee membership
    • Red Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ceremonial venue
    [2024] Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO? 

    (a) Chhau dance 

    (b) Durga Puja 

    (c) Garba dance 

    (d) Kumbh Mela

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-ASEAN

    Exercise Harimau Shakti 2025  

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

    Why in the News?

    India and Malaysia have commenced the 5th edition of Exercise Harimau Shakti at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.

    What is Exercise Harimau Shakti

    • A bilateral military training exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Malaysian Army
    • Aims to strengthen coordination in counter insurgency and peacekeeping operations

    Significance

    • Enhances interoperability between Indian and Malaysian forces
    • Strengthens bilateral defence cooperation and military diplomacy
    • Improves preparedness for United Nations peacekeeping missions
    • Supports safer and more coordinated ground operations in complex environments

    Prelims Pointers

    • Exercise Harimau Shakti is a bilateral army level exercise
    • Focuses on counter insurgency and UN peacekeeping scenarios
    • Conducted on Indian soil for the 2025 edition
    • Involves sub conventional warfare training
    [2024] Joint Military Exercises Question (Excerpted from): Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023’ are correct? 

    1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh

    2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune)

    3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation

    4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise

    Select the answer using the code given below: 

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

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-Africa

    Niger Eliminates Onchocerciasis  

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

    Why in the News?

    Niger has become the first country in the African region to eliminate onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, as recognised by World Health Organization.

    Key Achievement

    • Niger is the fifth country globally to halt transmission of onchocerciasis
    • First country in Africa to achieve this milestone
    • Official declaration made by Niger’s Minister of Public Health, Population and Social Affairs

    Countries That Have Eliminated Onchocerciasis

    • Niger, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico

    About Onchocerciasis

    • Also known as river blindness
    • A parasitic disease caused by Onchocerca volvulus
    • Second leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide after trachoma

    Mode of Transmission

    • Spread through the bite of infected black flies
    • Black flies breed near fast flowing rivers and streams
    • Humans are infected when larvae enter the body through fly bites

    Symptoms and Impact

    • Severe itching and skin lesions
    • Visual impairment and irreversible blindness in advanced stages
    • Major cause of disability in rural communities
    [2014] Consider the following diseases: 

    1. Diphtheria 

    2. Chickenpox 

    3. Smallpox

    Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India? 

    (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 only (d) None of the above

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  • Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC, COP, Other Conventions and Protocols

    Barcelona Convention COP24 

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

    Why in the News?

    At COP24 of the Barcelona Convention held in Cairo, European Union countries and Mediterranean partners adopted strengthened commitments to protect the Mediterranean Sea from pollution and ecological degradation.

    About Barcelona Convention

    • A legally binding regional environmental agreement led by United Nations Environment Programme
    • Focuses on protection of the Mediterranean Sea and sustainable coastal management

    Key Milestones

    • Adopted on 16 February 1976 as Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution
    • Entered into force in 1978
    • Amended and renamed in 1995 as the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean

    About Mediterranean Sea

    • A semi enclosed intercontinental sea between Europe, Asia and Africa
    • Covers about 2.5 million square kilometres
    • Accounts for roughly 0.7 percent of global ocean area
    • Recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot

    Connectivity

    • Atlantic Ocean through Strait of Gibraltar
    • Black Sea through Dardanelles, Sea of Marmara and Bosporus
    • Red Sea through Suez Canal

    Prelims Pointers

    • Barcelona Convention is a regional sea convention under UNEP
    • Mediterranean Sea is semi enclosed making it vulnerable to pollution
    • COP is the supreme decision making body of the Convention
    • Integrated coastal zone management is a key protocol area
    [2017] Mediterranean Sea is a border of which of the following countries? 

    1. Jordan 

    2. Iraq 

    3. Lebanon 

    4. Syria 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

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  • Electronic System Design and Manufacturing Sector – M-SIPS, National Policy on Electronics, etc.

    Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme 

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth,Indian Economy,Indigenization Of Technology

    Why in the News?

    The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology approved 22 additional projects under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme involving an investment of ₹41,863 crore.

    About Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme

    • A flagship incentive scheme to promote domestic manufacturing of electronic components, sub assemblies and capital equipment
    • Implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
    • Aims to reduce import dependence in India’s electronics sector

    Target Segments

    • Printed Circuit Boards, Camera modules, Copper clad laminates, Polypropylene films and Electronics capital equipment.

    Performance Linked Features

    • Incentives linked to incremental production
    • Employment generation based payouts
    • Early movers receive higher benefits

    Strategic Manufacturing Targets

    • 100 percent domestic demand for copper clad laminates
    • 20 percent domestic demand for printed circuit boards
    • 15 percent domestic demand for camera modules

    Ecosystem Linkages

    • Complements Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Electronics
    • Supports India Semiconductor Mission
    • Strengthens the electronics manufacturing ecosystem

    Prelims Pointers

    • ECMS focuses on electronics components rather than finished products
    • Copper clad laminates are critical for PCB manufacturing
    • Scheme uses performance based incentives
    • Electronics manufacturing is a priority sector under Atmanirbhar Bharat
    [2023] Consider the following statements: 

    Statement-I: India accounts for 3.2% of global exports of goods. 

    Statement-II: Many local companies and some foreign companies operating in India have taken advantage of India’s ‘Production-linked Incentive’ scheme. 

    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-I 

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

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

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  • Pharma Sector – Drug Pricing, NPPA, FDC, Generics, etc.

    India’s Drug Standards Gain Global Recognition

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

    Why in the News?

    India has risen from 123rd to 8th position globally in contributions to the World Health Organization’s pharmacovigilance database, as stated by Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda during the release of Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026.

    Key Announcement

    • India ranked 8th globally in WHO pharmacovigilance contributions in 2025
    • Earlier rank was 123rd during 2009 to 2014
    • Announcement made at the release of Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026
    • Event held at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi

    About Indian Pharmacopoeia

    • Official book of drug standards for India
    • Published by Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
    • 2026 edition is the 10th edition
    • Sets standards for quality, purity and strength of medicines

    Key Features of Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026

    • 121 new monographs added
    • Total monographs increased to 3,340
    • Expanded coverage of
      • Anti tubercular medicines
      • Anti diabetic medicines
      • Anti cancer medicines
      • Iron supplements
    • Supports standardisation under National Health Programmes

    Pharmacovigilance Programme of India

    • Known as Pharmacovigilance Programme of India
    • Implemented under the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
    • Monitors adverse drug reactions and medicine safety
    • Major contributor to WHO global drug safety database

    International Significance

    • Indian Pharmacopoeia standards now recognised in 19 countries of the Global South
    • Pharmacopoeia standards form part of India’s health diplomacy
    • Reflects India’s leadership in pharmaceutical regulation and manufacturing

    Regulatory Advancement

    • First time inclusion of 20 blood component monographs
    • Related to transfusion medicine
    • In line with Drugs and Cosmetics Second Amendment Rules 2020

    Prelims Pointers

    • WHO maintains a global pharmacovigilance database
    • Indian Pharmacopoeia is a statutory reference for drug quality
    • Pharmacovigilance focuses on drug safety after market approval
    • Blood component monographs are linked to transfusion safety
    [2019] Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India? 

    1. Genetic predisposition of some people 

    2. Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases 

    3. Using antibiotics in livestock farming 

    4. Multiple chronic diseases in some people 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Drones Used to Detect Virus in Arctic Whales 

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

    Why in the News?

    Scientists have detected Cetacean morbillivirus in Arctic waters for the first time by collecting breath samples from whales using drones.

    About the Study

    • Title Deep breath out molecular survey of selected pathogens in blow and skin biopsies from North Atlantic cetaceans
    • Published in BMC Veterinary Research
    • Lead researcher Helena Costa from Nord University

    Species and Regions Covered

    • Whale species studied Humpback whale, sperm whale and fin whale
    • Regions Northern Norway, Iceland and Cape Verde
    • Sample collection period 2022 to 2025
    • Over 50 whale blow samples collected

    About Cetacean Morbillivirus

    • Infectious virus affecting whales, dolphins and porpoises
    • First discovered in 1987
    • Impacts respiratory and nervous systems
    • Known to cause mass strandings and deaths
    • Spreads through direct contact and respiratory droplets

    Prelims Pointers

    • Whale blow refers to exhaled breath from blowholes
    • Drones are emerging tools in non invasive wildlife research
    • Cetacean morbillivirus is linked to mass marine mammal mortality events
    • Arctic disease surveillance is critical under climate change
    [2020] At the present level of technology, which of the above activities can be successfully carried out by using drones? 

    1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field 

    2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes 

    3. Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis 

    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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  • Land Reforms

    Land Acquisition and Infrastructure Development 

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth,Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

     Why in the News?

    At the 50th meeting of PRAGATI, the Cabinet Secretary highlighted land acquisition as a major bottleneck in infrastructure development. The meeting was chaired by Narendra Modi.

    About PRAGATI (Pro Active Governance and Timely Implementation)

    • A digital and institutional mechanism for monitoring major infrastructure projects
    • Chaired by the Prime Minister
    • Ensures coordination among Central Ministries, State governments and local authorities
    • Focuses on expediting project implementation and resolving bottlenecks

    Key Data from 50th PRAGATI Meeting

    • Total projects reviewed Over 3,300
    • Total project value Approximately ₹85 lakh crore
    • Issues raised 7,735
    • Issues resolved 7,156

    Major Causes of Project Delays

    • Land acquisition 35 percent
    • Forest, wildlife and environment clearances 20 percent
    • Right of use or right of way 18 percent
    • Other causes Law and order issues, construction delays, power utility approvals and financial constraints

    Important Observations

    • Several long pending projects initiated as early as the 1990s were completed after PRAGATI was introduced
    • Government has not quantified financial savings from timely monitoring
    • States across political lines have cooperated in resolving issues
    • Complex issues are escalated from Ministry level to PRAGATI for final resolution

    Prelims Pointers

    • PRAGATI is a Prime Minister chaired project monitoring platform
    • Land acquisition is the single largest cause of infrastructure delays in India
    • Environmental and forest clearances are the second biggest bottleneck
    • PRAGATI promotes inter ministerial and Centre State coordination
    [2019] With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct? 

    (a) The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings. 

    (b) The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless. 

    (c) It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation. 

    (d) Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits.

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  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Savitribai Phule Birth Anniversary 

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

    Why in the News?

    The Prime Minister and several Union and State leaders paid tribute to Savitribai Phule on her birth anniversary, highlighting her role in education and social reform.

    Who was Savitribai Phule

    • Born in 1831 in Maharashtra
    • Social reformer, poet and educationist
    • Recognised as the first female teacher of modern India
    • Worked closely with her husband Jyotirao Phule

    Key Contributions

    • Established India’s first girls’ school in Pune in 1848
    • Pioneered education for women and marginalised communities
    • Actively opposed caste discrimination, untouchability and gender inequality
    • Promoted widow remarriage and shelter for destitute women
    • Believed education was the primary tool for social transformation

    Literary Contribution

    • Used poetry as a medium to spread ideas of equality, justice and rational thinking
    • Her writings criticised social orthodoxy and promoted human dignity

    Legacy and Significance

    • Laid the foundation for women’s education in India
    • Inspired later social reform and feminist movements
    • Symbol of social justice, inclusive education and empowerment

    Prelims Pointers

    • First girls’ school in India was started in Pune
    • Education and social equality were central to her reform agenda
    • Worked during the 19th century social reform movement in Maharashtra
    • Closely associated with anti caste and anti patriarchy movements
    [2016] Satya Shodhak Samaj organized 

    (a) a movement for upliftment of tribals in Bihar 

    (b) a temple-entry movement in Gujarat 

    (c) an anti-caste movement in Maharashtra 

    (d) a peasant movement in Punjab

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