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Type: Prelims Only

  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-Australia

    COAS visit to Australia strengthens defence ties 

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

    Why in the News?

    Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Upendra Dwivedi concluded his official visit to Australia from February 16 to 19 to enhance bilateral defence cooperation in the Indo Pacific.

    Key Highlights of Visit

    • Talks with senior leadership of Australian Defence Forces.
    • Interactions with:
      • Forces Command (FORCOMD)
      • Special Operations Command (SOCOMD)
      • 2nd Division of Australian Army
    • Discussions on:
      • Force readiness
      • Operational concepts
      • Training methodologies

    Exercise AUSTRAHIND

    • Bilateral Army exercise between India and Australia.
    • Focus on:
      • Joint operations
      • Interoperability
      • Counter terrorism training
    • Next edition to be held in India later this year.

    Strategic Context

    • India Australia ties elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020.
    • Cooperation part of broader Indo Pacific security architecture.
    • Defence collaboration complements engagement under frameworks like Quad.
    [2024] 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) 1 and 4 (d) 2, 3 and 4

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-United States

    India joins Pax Silica for resilient electronics supply chains 

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

    Why in the News?

    India has joined the Pax Silica group during the AI Impact Summit, partnering with the United States and other countries to build resilient supply chains for electronics and critical minerals.

    What is Pax Silica?

    • A multilateral initiative aimed at:
      • Securing electronics supply chains
      • Reducing over dependence on a single country
      • Strengthening access to refined rare earth elements
    • Inaugural summit held in Washington DC.

    Member Countries

    • United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, European Union, and India

    Strategic Context

    • China dominates refining of rare earth elements.
    • Concerns over:
      • Export restrictions
      • Economic coercion
      • Weaponisation of supply chains
    • Initiative promotes supply chain sovereignty and diversification.

    Key Concepts for Prelims

    • Rare Earth Elements: 17 metallic elements essential for electronics, EVs, defence systems.
    • Critical Minerals: Minerals essential for economic and national security.
    • Supply Chain Resilience: Diversification to reduce vulnerability to disruptions.
    • Economic Coercion: Use of trade or economic tools for strategic pressure.
    [2025] Consider the following statements: I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member. 

    II. India is a resource-rich country in all the 30 critical minerals that it has identified. 

    III. The Parliament in 2023 has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite license for certain critical minerals. 

    Which of the statements given above are correct? 

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

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  • Air Pollution

    ISRO to test improved fire detection algorithm during rabi harvest  

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

    Why in the News?

    Indian Space Research Organisation will pilot a modified algorithm to better detect farm fire events during the upcoming wheat harvesting season. The move follows discrepancies between satellite detected fires and ground reports flagged by the Commission for Air Quality Management.

    Background: Stubble Burning

    • Paddy stubble generated within a 30 day window in Punjab, Haryana and western UP.
    • Farmers burn residue due to:
      • Short gap between harvest and next sowing cycle
      • Low cost and quick clearance
    • Burning releases PM2.5 and gaseous pollutants.
    • During peak season, farm fires can contribute up to 40 percent of Delhi pollution load.

    Satellite Monitoring Mechanism

    • Fire data based on sun synchronous polar orbiting satellites:
      • NASA Terra and Aqua using MODIS sensor
      • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Suomi NPP using VIIRS sensor
    • Issue identified:
      • Peak burning time shifted from around 1.30 pm in 2020 to nearly 5 pm in 2024.
      • Late evening fires may escape detection due to fixed satellite overpass timings.
    • Rabi Season Focus
      • Wheat harvesting: Late March to May.
    • 2025 data recorded:
      • Punjab: 10,207 fire events
      • Haryana: 1,832
      • NCR districts of UP: 259
    • For first time, CAQM directing monitoring of summer wheat stubble burning.
    [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

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-China

    General Naravane on India China boundary issue 

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

    Why in the News?

    Former Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane stated that the unresolved India China boundary is at the core of bilateral tensions and emphasised that India will not tolerate unilateral use of force along the LAC.

    Boundary vs Border

    • India Bangladesh border: Mutually recognised and demarcated.
    • India China boundary: Not formally demarcated on ground.
    • The Line of Actual Control is a notional alignment, not a legally settled international boundary.

    Line of Actual Control

    • De facto boundary between India and China.
    • Divided into:
      • Western Sector: Eastern Ladakh
      • Middle Sector: Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh
      • Eastern Sector: Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim
    • Frequent face offs due to differing perceptions of LAC alignment.

    Galwan Context

    • Violent clash in Galwan Valley (June 2020) in eastern Ladakh.
    • Marked major downturn in bilateral ties.

    Land Boundary Agreement 2015

    • Signed between India and Bangladesh.
    • Involved exchange of enclaves and settlement of long pending boundary disputes.
    • Demonstrates that complex boundary disputes can be resolved through negotiations.
    [2020] Siachen Glacier is situated to the (a) East of Aksai Chin 

    (b) East of Leh 

    (c) North of Gilgit 

    (d) North of Nubra Valley

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Padayappa the wild tusker in Munnar

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

    Why in the News?

    A wild tusker named Padayappa has recently damaged vehicles along the Munnar to Marayur route in Kerala during his musth period, reviving debate over human wildlife conflict and relocation demands.

    Location

    • Munnar, Idukki district, Kerala
    • Roams between Munnar and Devikulam forest ranges

    About Padayappa

    • Approximate age: 60 years
    • Species: Asian Elephant
    • Identifiable by:
      • Limp due to hind leg injury
      • Unusually long tusks
    • Named after the Rajinikanth film Padayappa
    • Known as a tourism icon in Munnar

    Recent Developments

    • Damaged four vehicles this month
    • Over 20 vehicles damaged during last year’s musth period
    • Forest Department Rapid Response Team monitoring movements
    • Officials state aggression linked only to musth, not habitual conflict behavior

    Musth (Prelims Concept)

    • A periodic condition in male elephants
    • Characterised by:
      • Increased testosterone levels
      • Heightened aggression
      • Temporal gland secretion
    • Seasonal and temporary phase
    [2020] With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: 1. The leader of an elephant group is a female. 

    2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months. 

    3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only. 

    4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala. 

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

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

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  • Economic Indicators and Various Reports On It- GDP, FD, EODB, WIR etc

    Supreme Court flags fiscal impact of unchecked freebies 

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Executive & Judiciary

    Why in the News?

    The Supreme Court of India criticised indiscriminate distribution of “freebies” by States while hearing a petition by Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited challenging Rule 23 of the Electricity Amendment Act, 2024.

    Core Issue

    • Petition challenges Rule 23, which limits the gap between:
      • Approved Annual Revenue Requirement
      • Estimated Annual Revenue from tariff
         to 3%.
    • Revenue gap, including late payment surcharge carrying cost, must be cleared in three yearly instalments.
    • TNPDCL argues this may cause tariff shock and strain State finances.
    • Tamil Nadu reportedly faces an annual power sector gap of about ₹50,000 crore.

    Court’s Key Observations

    • States running revenue deficits continue announcing election time largesse.
    • Welfare must distinguish between needy and affluent.
    • Public money should prioritise: Infrastructure, Roads, Hospitals, Schools and Medical colleges
    • Court stressed fiscal prudence, especially during elections.
    • Clarified that design of welfare schemes falls within the domain of elected governments.

    Key Concepts for Prelims

    • Revenue Deficit: Revenue expenditure exceeds revenue receipts.
    • Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR): Total projected cost of providing electricity services.
    • Tariff Shock: Sudden sharp rise in consumer electricity tariffs.
    • Fiscal Prudence: Sustainable and responsible management of public finances.
    [2018] If a commodity is provided free to the public by the Government, then (a) the opportunity cost is zero. 

    (b) the opportunity cost is ignored. 

    (c) the opportunity cost is transferred from the consumers of the product to the tax-paying public. 

    (d) the opportunity cost is transferred from the consumers of the product to the Government.

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  • Civil Aviation Sector – CA Policy 2016, UDAN, Open Skies, etc.

    Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Proposal on Flying Ban for Unruly Passengers

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Statutory, Regulatory & Various Quasi-Judicial Bodies

    Why in the News?

    The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has proposed amendments to Civil Aviation Requirement provisions to empower airlines to directly impose a flying ban of up to 30 days on unruly or disruptive passengers.

    Legal Basis

    • Proposed under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937
    • Amends the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) framework governing handling of disruptive passengers

    Key Provisions of the Proposal

    1. Flying Ban up to 30 Days
      • Airlines can impose a ban directly.
      • No need for prior referral to the independent committee.
    2. Database & Reporting
      • Airlines must maintain a database of banned passengers.
      • DGCA must be informed of every ban.
      • Such passengers will NOT be added to the regulator’s official No Fly List.
    3. Objective
      • Ensure swift action in the interest of passenger and flight safety.
      • Streamline existing procedures.

    What Constitutes Disruptive Behaviour?

    The revised definition includes:

    • Smoking on board
    • Consumption of alcohol on domestic flights
    • Tampering with emergency exits
    • Unauthorized use of life jackets or other safety equipment
    • Protests or sloganeering inside aircraft
    • Intoxicated misbehaviour
    • Screaming or causing annoyance
    • Kicking or banging seats or tray tables

    Existing Mechanism

    • Cases must be referred to an Independent Committee.
    • Committee headed by a retired District and Sessions Judge.
    • Decision required within 45 days before ban enforcement.

    Significance for Prelims

    • DGCA is India’s aviation safety regulator under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
    • Rule 133A empowers DGCA to issue directions in public interest and aviation safety.
    • Distinction between:
      • Airline imposed temporary ban
      • Official regulator maintained No Fly List
    • Safety related regulatory reforms often tested in UPSC under transport and governance.
    [2024] Consider the following airports: 

    1. Donyi Polo Airport 

    2. Kushinagar International Airport 

    3. Vijayawada International Airport 

    In the recent past, which of the above have been constructed as Greenfield projects? 

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

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  • Forest Conservation Efforts – NFP, Western Ghats, etc.

    Forest Rights Act Cells in Odisha under Central Scrutiny

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

    Why in the News?

    The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has begun inquiries after the Odisha government directed closure of several Forest Rights Act Cells and removal of staff involved in implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

    About the Forest Rights Act, 2006

    Objective

    • Recognises historical rights of:
      • Scheduled Tribes
      • Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
    • Over forest land used for habitat and livelihood.

    Types of Rights Recognised

    1. Individual Forest Rights
    2. Community Rights
    3. Community Forest Resource Rights

    Institutional Mechanism

    • Gram Sabha is the initiating authority.
    • Sub Divisional Level Committee
    • District Level Committee as final authority

    What are FRA Cells?

    • FRA Cells were created to:
      • Provide technical and clerical support
      • Maintain records
      • Digitise forest rights titles
      • Expedite processing of claims

    They were supported under:

    • DA JGUA Scheme

      • Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan
      • Launched in 2024
      • Central scheme
      • Provides additional human resources to strengthen FRA implementation

    • Mo Jungle Jami Yojana (Odisha State Scheme)

      • Mo Jungle Jami Yojana
      • State initiative to support FRA implementation

    Current Issue

    • Closure of 50 sub divisional FRA Cells.
    • Direction to clear all pending claims by March end.
    • Earlier discontinuation of district and tehsil level FRA staff.
    • Nearly 20 percent of FRA claims pending in the State.
    • Odisha has:
      • Second highest number of titles issued after Chhattisgarh.
      • Sixth highest pendency rate.
    [2021] At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006? 

    (a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 

    (b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj 

    (c) Ministry of Rural Development 

    (d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-Middle East

    India stays out of UN Joint Statement on West Bank

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

    Why in the News?

    India did not join a joint statement issued by 85 countries at the United Nations criticising Israel’s latest measures to tighten control over the West Bank.

    Context

    • The joint statement:
      • Condemned unilateral Israeli decisions in the West Bank.
      • Opposed any form of annexation.
      • Rejected measures altering the demographic character of Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
    • The statement was endorsed by:
      • League of Arab States
      • European Union
      • BRICS founder members: Russia, China, Brazil, South Africa
      • Quad partners: Australia, Japan
    • India stayed out of the statement.

    Background: West Bank Issue

    • The West Bank is a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967.
    • Under the Oslo Accords (1993 to 1995):
      • Area A and Area B are administered by the Palestinian Authority.
      • Area C remains under Israeli control.
    • Recent developments:
    • The Knesset has passed measures to:
      • Ease land acquisition rules.
      • Increase checks on land documentation.
      • Expand administrative control.
    • These steps are viewed by many countries as amounting to de facto annexation.

    India’s Position

    • India had earlier:
      • Voted at the UN in October 2025 criticising illegal annexation.
      • Supported a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders in the January 2026 Delhi Declaration.
    • Current move seen as:
      • Diplomatic recalibration.
      • Possibly linked to high level bilateral engagement with Israel.

    Key Concepts for Prelims

    • Two State Solution

      • Creation of: Independent Israel and Independent Palestine based on pre 1967 borders

    • Strategic Autonomy

      • India’s foreign policy principle of: Maintaining independent decision making and Avoiding bloc alignment

    • West Bank Areas

      • Area A: Palestinian civil and security control
      • Area B: Palestinian civil control, Israeli security control
      • Area C: Full Israeli control
    [2018] The term “two-state solution” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of (a) China 

    (b) Israel 

    (c) Iraq 

    (d) Yemen

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  • Right To Privacy

    Delhi High Court Seeks Centre’s Response on DPDP Act Challenge

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

    Why in the News?

    The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Union Government on a petition challenging certain provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, alleging excessive executive control and violation of constitutional rights.

    About the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

    Objective

    • To regulate processing of digital personal data.
    • To protect individual privacy while enabling lawful data use.

    Key Features

    • Applies to digital personal data processed in India.
    • Establishes a Data Protection Board of India.
    • Provides rights to Data Principals.
    • Imposes obligations on Data Fiduciaries.
    • Allows certain exemptions for government agencies.

    Grounds of Challenge in the Petition

    • The plea challenges Sections 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 29, 30, 36, 37, 39, 40 and 44.

    Major Concerns Raised

    • Unchecked Executive Access
      • Broad exemptions for the State.
      • Alleged scope for surveillance.
    • Blocking Without Hearing
      • Lack of procedural safeguards.
    • Absence of Meaningful Consent
      • Questioning adequacy of consent framework.
    • Opaque Exemptions
      • Wide discretionary powers.
    • Impact on RTI
      • Alleged dilution of the Right to Information Act, 2005.
    • Adjudicatory Structure
      • Data Protection Board under executive control.
      • Appeals lie before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal.
      • Section 39 bars jurisdiction of civil courts.
    [2024] Under which of the following Articles of the Constitution of India, has the Supreme Court of India placed the Right to Privacy? (a) Article 15 

    (b) Article 16 

    (c) Article 19 

    (d) Article 21

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