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Type: Prelims Only

  • Railway Reforms

    Kavach System – Automatic Train Protection (ATP)

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Indigenization Of Technology

    Why in the News?

    • The Union Railway Minister informed the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session of Parliament that the indigenously developed Kavach system has been fully commissioned on over 2,000 km of the Indian Rail network.
    • The rollout is progressing at a very fast pace across multiple railway zones.

    What is Kavach?

    • Kavach is an indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.
    • It is designed to prevent train collisions, over-speeding, and signal passing at danger (SPAD).
    • It enhances operational safety through real-time monitoring and automatic intervention.

    Development and Agencies Involved

    • Developed by:
      • Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) under Indian Railways
    • Industry partners:
      • Medha Servo Drives Pvt. Ltd.
      • HBL Power Systems Ltd.
      • Kernex Microsystems

    Current Status (as of December 2025)

    • 7,129 km of Optical Fibre Cable laid
    • 860 telecom towers installed
    • 767 railway stations connected to data centres
    • Trackside equipment deployed along 3,413 km
    • 4,154 locomotives equipped with Kavach
    • Around 40,000 technicians and operators trained

    Impact

    • Consequential railway accidents reduced by nearly 90%
    • Accidents declined from 135 (2014) to about 11 currently
    • Demonstrates tangible improvement in railway safety outcomes
    Consider the following statements: (2025)

    I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future ready railway system by 2028.

    II. ‘Kavach’ is an Automatic Train Protection system developed in collaboration with Germany.

    III. ‘Kavach’ system consists of RFID tags fitted on track in station section.

    Which of the statements given above are not 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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  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Param Vir Dirgha at Rashtrapati Bhavan

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History,Post-Independence

    Why in the News?

    On the occasion of Vijay Diwas 2025, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated Param Vir Dirgha at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees are now displayed.

    Key Development

    • Portraits of 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees displayed
     • Replaced portraits of 96 British Aide de Camps (ADCs)
     • Initiative symbolises removal of colonial legacy and celebration of Indian national heroes

    About Param Vir Chakra (PVC)

    • Highest military decoration of India
     • Awarded for exceptional valour, courage and self sacrifice during war
     • Instituted on 26 January 1950
     • Awarded to personnel of Army, Navy and Air Force
     • Total awardees till date: 21

    Param Vir Dirgha

    • A dedicated gallery at Rashtrapati Bhavan
     • Showcases portraits and legacy of Param Vir Chakra awardees
     • Aims to educate visitors about India’s bravest soldiers
     • Reinforces national pride and military heritage

    Broader Context of De Colonialisation Initiatives

    • Rajpath renamed Kartavya Path
     • Indian Navy ensign redesigned, removing Saint George’s Cross and adopting symbols linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
     • Mughal Garden renamed Amrit Udyan
     • Race Course Road renamed Lok Kalyan Marg
     • Ross Island renamed Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep
     • Neil Island renamed Shaheed Dweep
     • Havelock Island renamed Swaraj Dweep
     • Port Blair renamed Sri Vijaya Puram
     • 21 islands named after Param Vir Chakra awardees
     • Republic Day Beating Retreat ceremony now features Indian musical instruments

    Significance for UPSC Prelims

    • Links Vijay Diwas with national military honours
     • Highlights Param Vir Chakra facts and symbolism
     • Reflects policy of removing colonial symbols
     • Important for culture, defence and modern Indian history

    What are the duties of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as Head of the Department of Military Affairs? (2024)

    1. Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee. 

    2. Exercise military command over the three Service Chiefs. 

    3. Principal Military Advisor to Defence Minister on all tri-service matters. 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

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  • Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

    Natyashastra

    Prelims Only | Art and Culture | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    Why in the News?

    The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) organised an academic programme titled Natyashastra Synthesis of Theory and Praxis during the 20th Session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Red Fort, Delhi.

    About Natyashastra

    • Ancient Sanskrit treatise on performing arts
     • Title derived from Natya meaning dance and drama and Shastra meaning science
     • Composed by sage Bharata Muni
     • Dated between 2nd century BCE and 2nd century CE
     • Considered the earliest known treatise on performative arts in South Asia

    Core Themes of Natyashastra

    • Covers drama (natya), performance (abhinaya), music (sangita), emotion (bhava) and aesthetic experience (rasa)
     • Comprises around 36,000 verses
     • Justifies Indian drama as a medium of religious and moral enlightenment

    Global Recognition

    • Included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register
     • Recognised for its outstanding global cultural value

    About Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA)
     • An autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India

    Mandate of IGNCA

    • Documentation, preservation and dissemination of Indian arts and cultural heritage
     • Training of professionals in cultural studies

    Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhāsa? (2024)

    (a) Kavyaalankara 

    (b) Natyashasta 

    (c) Madhyama-vyoga 

    (d) Mahabhashya

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  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

    DHRUV64 Microprocessor

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

    Why in the News?

    India has unveiled DHRUV64, its first fully indigenously developed microprocessor, marking a major milestone in semiconductor self reliance and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

    About DHRUV64

    • Fully indigenous microprocessor developed in India
     • Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C DAC)
     • Part of the Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP)

    Key Technical Features

    • 64 bit dual core processor
     • Clock speed of 1.0 GHz ( Very low compared to recent chips like Snapdragan clock speed more 4.0 GHz)
    • Uses superscalar execution allowing multiple instructions simultaneously
     • Supports out of order execution for improved performance
     • Integrated communication and control functions
     • Uses FCBGA packaging, enabling compact and system ready design

    Potential Applications

    • Strategic applications and commercial computing
     • 5G infrastructure
     • Automotive electronics
     • Consumer electronics
     • Industrial automation
     • Internet of Things (IoT) systems

    Significance for India

    • Reduces dependence on foreign microprocessors
     • Strengthens domestic semiconductor ecosystem
     • Enables startups, academia and industry to design and test indigenous systems
     • Supports low cost prototype development for new system architectures
     • Enhances technological sovereignty and national security

    When the alarm of your smart-phone rings… which one of the following terms best applies to the above scenario? (2018)

    (a) Border Gateway Protocol 

    (b) Internet of Things 

    (c) Internet Protocol 

    (d) Virtual Private Network

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Channa bhoi

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

    Why in the News?

    Scientists have discovered a new species of snakehead fish named Channa bhoi from the state of Meghalaya, adding to India’s freshwater biodiversity.

    About Channa Bhoi

    • Newly identified species of snakehead fish
     • Discovered from a small mountain stream near Iewmawlong village
     • Location: Ri Bhoi district, Meghalaya
     • Named after the Bhoi people, an indigenous group of the Khasi tribe inhabiting the region

    Taxonomic and Ecological Details

    • Belongs to the Gachua group of snakehead fishes
     • The Gachua group is known for high species diversity in the Eastern Himalayan region
     • Phylogenetic analysis shows it is a sister species to Channa bipuli, found in Northeast India

    Distinctive Physical Features

    • Bluish grey body colour
     • Each scale has minute black spots
     • Spots form eight to nine horizontal rows of broken lines along the body
     • Distinctive banding patterns on the pectoral fins
     • Unique colour pattern differentiates it from closely related species

    Significance of the Discovery

    • Highlights the rich freshwater biodiversity of Northeast India
     • Emphasises the importance of mountain stream ecosystems
     • Reflects ongoing discoveries in the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot

    Key Prelims Fact

    • With this discovery, the total number of Channa species recorded in India has increased to 26

    In a particular region in India, the local people train the roots of living trees into robust bridges across the streams. As the time passes, these bridges become stronger. These unique ‘living root bridges’ are found in (2015)

    (a) Meghalaya 

    (b) Himachal Pradesh 

    (c) Jharkhand 

    (d) Tamil Nadu

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  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

    Ekam AI and Project SAMBHAV

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

    Why in the News?

    During Vijay Diwas celebrations, the Indian Army showcased indigenous defence technologies including Ekam AI and Project SAMBHAV, highlighting progress in defence indigenisation and secure digital capabilities.

    About Ekam AI

    • Fully indigenous and secure Artificial Intelligence platform
     • Designed for sensitive and classified environments
     • No dependence on foreign software or external cloud systems

    Key Features of Ekam AI

    • Data analysis, document management and decision support
     • User friendly AI accessible across all personnel levels
     • No requirement of specialised technical expertise
     • Ensures data security and digital sovereignty

    Significance of Ekam AI

    • Strengthens national data sovereignty
     • Reduces strategic dependence on foreign AI platforms
     • Builds trusted national digital infrastructure

    About Project SAMBHAV

    • Portable satellite based communication system
     • Developed by the Indian Army
     • Provides mobile connectivity in remote, border and disaster affected areas

    Key Features of Project SAMBHAV

    • Rapid deployment capability
     • Functions in network denied areas
     • Supports military operations and civilian disaster response

    Significance of Project SAMBHAV

    • Enhances communication resilience
     • Strengthens national disaster management infrastructure
     • Demonstrates dual use defence technology

    What is Vijay Diwas

    • Observed annually on 16 December
     • Commemorates India’s victory in the 1971 India Pakistan War
     • Led to the liberation of Bangladesh

    Consider the following statements: (2023)

    1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at sub-sonic speeds throughout their fights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight. 

    2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fu-elled 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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  • Renewable Energy – Wind, Tidal, Geothermal, etc.

    Bioenergy Capacity Addition in India 

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

     Why in the News?

    The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) reported major additions in biomass, waste-to-energy and biogas capacity over the last 10 years.
     • Data shared in Lok Sabha on 17 December 2025

    Key Achievements in the Last 10 Years

    • Biomass power capacity added: 2,361 MW
     • Waste to Energy capacity added: 227.56 MWe
     • Biogas plants installed: 2.88 lakh plus plants

    National Bioenergy Programme (NBP)

    • Implemented by MNRE
     • Phase I notified on 02 November 2022
     • Time period: 2022 23 to 2025 26
     • Budget outlay: ₹998 crore
     • Supports biogas, biomass, bio CNG and waste to energy projects

    Earlier Bioenergy Schemes

    • National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP)
     • New National Biogas and Organic Manure Programme (NNBOMP)
     • Biomass power and bagasse cogeneration scheme
     • Energy from urban, industrial and agricultural waste programme

    Prelims Pointers

    • Bioenergy falls under renewable energy
    • MNRE is the nodal ministry
    • Bio CNG is part of SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) initiative linkage
    • Waste to energy supports urban waste management
    Consider the following statements about ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’: (2025)

    I. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector. 

    II. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grassroot levels. 

    III. It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling and up-skilling, under scheme component of capacity building. 

    Which of the statements given above are correct? 

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

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

    Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) 

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

    Why in the News?

    • A large multi-city study highlights the high prevalence of early GDM in Indian women
     • Early GDM linked with higher future diabetes risk

    What is GDM?

    • Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is glucose intolerance first diagnosed during pregnancy
     • Affects about 14 percent of pregnancies worldwide

    Types of GDM

    • Early GDM (EGDM): Diagnosed before 20 weeks of pregnancy
     • Late GDM (LGDM): Diagnosed between 24 to 28 weeks

    STRiDE Study

    • Conducted at 7 antenatal clinics
     • Sample size: over 3000 pregnant women
     • Locations: Chennai, Hyderabad, Puducherry
     • Published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice

    Key Findings

    • Early GDM prevalence: 21.5 percent
     • Late GDM prevalence: 19.5 percent
     • Early GDM affects about 1 in 5 pregnant women

    A company marketing food product advertises that its items do not contain trans-fats. What does this campaign signify to the customers? (2011)

    1. The food products are not made out of hydrogenated oils. 

    2. The food products are not made out of animal fats/oils. 

    3. The oils used are not likely to damage the cardiovascular health of the consumers. 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

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  • Food Safety Standards – FSSAI, food fortification, etc.

    FSSAI Egg Safety Drive 

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

    Why in the News?

    • FSSAI launched a nationwide egg safety drive. Triggered by allegations of nitrofurans residues in eggs

    Regulatory Authority

    • Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
     • Regulates manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food

    Trigger for Action

    • Viral social media video alleging nitrofurans in Eggoz eggs
     • Raised public health concerns

    Action by FSSAI

    • Directed Food Safety Officers to collect samples
     • Sampling of branded and unbranded eggs
     • Testing in 10 FSSAI laboratories across India

    About Nitrofurans

    • Synthetic antibiotics
     • Banned in food producing animals
     • Residues may occur due to illegal veterinary use
     • Linked to carcinogenic risk

    International Context

    • European Union has banned nitrofurans in food producing animals

    Company Response

    • Eggoz assured consumer safety
     • Committed to publishing lab reports publicly
     • Reaffirmed compliance with food safety norms

    Public Health Significance

    • Strengthens food safety surveillance
     • Protects consumer health
     • Addresses risks of antibiotic residues and AMR

    Prelims Pointers

    • FSSAI functions under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
     • Eggs are animal origin food products
     • Antibiotic residue monitoring is part of food safety regulation

    In India, the use of carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as (2019)

    (a) pesticides in agriculture 

    (b) preservatives in processed foods 

    (c) fruit-ripening agents 

    (d) moisturising agents in cosmetics

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Kerala’s Butterfly Diversity 

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

    Why in the News?

    A new monograph published in ENTOMON journal affirms that Kerala hosts the highest butterfly diversity among Indian States along the Western Ghats.

    Source of Study

    • Title: The Butterflies (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera) of Kerala: Status and Distribution
    • Journal: ENTOMON, open access quarterly journal
    • Published by: Association for Advancement of Entomology
    • Lead researcher: Kalesh Sadasivan

    Key Findings

    • Kerala records 328 butterfly species.
    • Includes 41 species endemic to the Western Ghats.
    • Western Ghats as a whole support 337 butterfly species, most of which are found in Kerala.

    Butterfly Families in Kerala

    Nymphalidae: 97 species, Lycaenidae: 96 species, Hesperiidae: 82 species and Other families: Papilionidae, Pieridae, Riodinidae

    Migratory Species

    36 migratory butterfly species documented. Highlights Kerala as a key migratory corridor for seasonal butterfly movement.

    • Conservation Status
    • 22 species from Kerala listed in the IUCN Red List.
    • Most are Least Concern.
    • 2 species classified as Near Threatened.

    Legal Protection in India

    • 70 butterfly species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. 
    • 4 species under Schedule I. Majority under Schedule II.

    Larval Host Plant Diversity

    • Over 1,800 larval feeding records documented.
    • Includes 350 plus new field observations.
    • Covers nearly 800 plant species.
    • One of the largest region specific host plant compilations in India.
    Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence/consequences? (2017)

    1. Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected. 

    2. There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants. 

    3. It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds. 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

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