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Type: Prelims Only

  • Gaganyaan-1 Crew Module Successfully Completes Air Drop Test

    Why in the News?

    ISRO successfully conducted the Gaganyaan-1 Crew Module air drop test off the Andhra Pradesh coast, marking another step toward India’s first human spaceflight mission.

    Key Highlights

    • Test Agency: ISRO
    • Location: Bay of Bengal near Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR)
    • Aircraft Used: Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter
    • Drop Height: About 3 km altitude
    • Module Weight: 5.7 tonnes (simulated crew module)
    • Recovery: Indian Navy

    What is Crew Module

    • Pressurised capsule at the top of spacecraft
    • Houses astronauts
    • Designed for safe re-entry and splashdown
    • Equipped with parachute-based landing system

    About Gaganyaan Mission

    • India’s first human spaceflight mission
    • Planned by ISRO
    • Mission Structure:
      • 3 Uncrewed missions
      • 1 Crewed mission
    [2025] Consider the following space missions: 
    1 Axiom-4 
    2 SpaDeX 
    3 Gaganyaan  
    How many of the space missions given above encourage and support microgravity research?
    (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All the three (d) None

  • Justice Yashwant Varma Resigns Amid Removal Proceedings

    Why in the News?

    Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court resigned after Parliamentary removal proceedings were initiated against him.

    Key Highlights

    • Justice Yashwant Varma resigned on April 9, 2026
    • Resignation submitted to President Droupadi Murmu
    • Copy sent to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
    • Resignation came before inquiry panel proceedings

    Reason for Proceedings

    • Allegations of burnt currency recovered
    • Incident occurred during fire at official residence in Delhi (March 2025)
    • Inquiry panel set up under:
      • Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968
      • Constituted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

    Procedure for Resignation of High Court Judge

    Constitutional Provision

    The resignation of a High Court judge is governed by Article 217(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.

    Procedure

    1. Judge submits resignation letter
      • Addressed to the President of India
    2. Resignation communicated
      • Usually copy sent to: Chief Justice of India and Chief Justice of concerned High Court
    3. Resignation takes effect
      • From the date mentioned in letter
      • Or immediately if no date specified
    4. No Parliamentary approval required
      • Unlike removal, resignation is simple and unilateral
    [2019] Consider the following statements: 1 The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. 2 The Constitution of India defines and gives details of what constitutes ‘incapacity and proved misbehaviour’ of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India. 3 The details of the process of impeachment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India are given in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. 4 If the motion for the impeachment of a Judge is taken up for voting, the law requires the motion to be backed by each House of the Parliament and supported by a majority of total membership of that House and by not less than two-thirds of total members of that House present and voting. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 (b) 3 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 3 and 4

  • Argentina Withdraws from World Health Organisation

    Why in the News?

    Argentina has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), with the withdrawal becoming effective in March 2026 after a one year notice period.

    Key Highlights

    • Argentina notified UN Secretary General on March 17, 2025
    • Withdrawal became effective after one year, as per Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
    • Decision taken under President Javier Milei
    • Confirmed by Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno

    Reasons for Withdrawal

    • Argentina cited:
      • Greater policy sovereignty
      • Independent health policy making
      • Better resource allocation
      • Reduced external influence
    • Government also stated:
      • Argentina does not rely on WHO funding
      • Healthcare services will not be affected

    After Withdrawal

    Argentina will continue cooperation through:

    • Bilateral agreements
    • Regional health forums
    • International collaboration outside WHO

    About World Health Organization (WHO)

    • Established: 1948
    • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
    • Members: 194 countries
    • Type: UN Specialized Agency

    Functions

    • Global health coordination
    • Pandemic response
    • Health standards and guidelines
    • Data monitoring and research
    • Technical assistance to countries

    Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties

    • Governs international agreements
    • Allows withdrawal after notice period
    • Standard withdrawal period: 1 year
    [2024] Consider the following pairs: Country : Reason for being in the news 
    1 Argentina : Worst economic crisis 
    2 Sudan : War between the country’s regular army and paramilitary forces 
    3 Turkey : Rescinded its membership of NATO 
    How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched? 
    (a) Only one pair (b) Only two pairs (c) All three pairs (d) None of the pairs

  • World Bank Backs RBI Exchange Rate Policy

    Why in the News?

    The World Bank praised the Reserve Bank of India’s exchange rate management, calling it consistent and sensible amid volatility caused by the West Asia conflict.

    Key Highlights

    • World Bank said RBI is managing short term volatility effectively
    • RBI not targeting any fixed rupee level
    • Focus is on smoothening excessive fluctuations
    • Policy helps reduce financial instability during global shocks

    Rupee Volatility Background

    • Rupee crossed:
      • 90 per dollar (Dec 2025)
      • 92 to 95 per dollar (March 2026)
    • Reasons:
      • West Asia conflict
      • Foreign investment outflows
      • Global risk aversion

    Foreign Portfolio Investors sold:

    • $12.7 billion Indian equities in March 2026
    • Highest ever monthly outflow

    RBI Strategy

    RBI intervened through:

    • Foreign currency sales
    • Spot market intervention
    • Forward market operations

    Objective:

    • Control volatility
    • Avoid abrupt currency movements
    [2019] Which one of the following is not the most likely measure the Government/RBI takes to stop the slide of Indian rupee? (a) Curbing imports of non-essential goods and promoting exports (b) Encouraging Indian borrowers to issue rupee-denominated Masala Bonds (c) Easing conditions relating to external commercial borrowing (d) Following an expansionary monetary policy

  • 16th Finance Commission: Record Funds for Rural Local Bodies

    Why in the News?

    The 16th Finance Commission has recommended ₹4.35 lakh crore for Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) for 2026–31, following record fund releases under the 15th Finance Commission.

    Key Highlights

    15th Finance Commission (2020–26)

    • Total grant recommended: ₹2,97,555 crore
    • Funds released: ₹2,82,632 crore
    • Release percentage: 94.94% (Highest ever)

    States Receiving 100% Allocation

    • Assam
    • Kerala
    • Mizoram
    • Tripura
    • Uttar Pradesh

    16th Finance Commission Grants (2026–31)

    • Total allocation: ₹4.35 lakh crore
    • Breakup:
      • Basic Grants: ₹3.48 lakh crore
      • Rural Local Body Performance Grant: ₹43,524 crore
      • State Performance Grant: ₹43,524 crore

    Distribution Pattern

    • 90% funds → Gram Panchayats
    • 10% → Block Panchayats
    • 10% → District Panchayats
    [2025] Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? 1 It has recommended grants of ₹4,800 crores from the year 2022–23 to 2025–26 for incentivizing States to enhance educational outcomes. 2 45% of the net proceeds of Union taxes are to be shared with States. 3 ₹45,000 crores are to be kept as performance-based incentive for all States for carrying out agricultural reforms. It 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

  • World Bank Cuts India Growth Forecast to 6.6% for FY 2026-27

    Why in the News?

    The World Bank has revised India’s GDP growth forecast to 6.6% for FY 2026-27, down from 7.2%, citing the impact of the West Asia conflict on energy prices, consumption, and industrial activity.

    Key Highlights

    • New Growth Projection (FY 2026-27): 6.6%
    • Earlier Projection: 7.2%
    • Reason for Revision: Prolonged West Asia conflict affecting global energy supply
    • The World Bank noted that without the conflict, India’s growth would have remained around 7.2%.

    Reasons for Growth Slowdown

    1. Higher Energy Prices

    • India heavily depends on oil and gas imports
    • Rising prices increase: Inflation, Production costs, and Fiscal pressure

    2. Weak Industrial Growth

    • Industrial growth expected to fall: 8.8% → 7.5%
    • Sectors affected: Electronics, Automobiles, and Export oriented industries

    3. Lower Export Demand

    • Gulf region slowdown affects: Trade, Services, and Manufacturing exports

    Additional Risks Identified

    • Reduced remittances from Gulf countries
    • Pressure on rupee
    • Increase in current account deficit
    • Higher inflation
    • Fiscal consolidation challenges
    • Note: 38% of India’s remittances come from Gulf economies
    [2015] Which one of the following issues the ‘Global Economic Prospects’ report periodically? (a) The Asian Development Bank (b) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (c) The US Federal Reserve Bank (d) The World Bank

  • Indian Scientists Develop New Method to Measure Distances in Deep Space

    Why in the News?

    Indian astronomers, including researchers from IIT Kanpur, have developed a new technique to measure distances in space using pulsars by combining dispersion measure and scatter broadening.

    What are Pulsars?

    • Pulsars are dense, rapidly spinning neutron stars
    • Emit regular radio wave pulses
    • Act as cosmic clocks due to highly stable rotation
    • Used to detect gravitational waves and deep space phenomena

    New Measurement Method

    Scientists combined two effects:

    1. Dispersion Measure (DM)

    • Radio waves pass through ionised gas
    • Lower frequency waves arrive later
    • Used to estimate distance

    2. Scatter Broadening

    • Plasma irregularities scatter signals
    • Signals follow multiple paths
    • Causes signal stretching

    New Approach

    • Combined Dispersion + Scattering
    • Improves accuracy of distance measurement

    Study Details

    • Observed 10 pulsars
    • Region studied: Gum Nebula
    • Found Vela Pulsar located behind nebula
    • Developed improved electron distribution model

    Significance

    • More accurate deep space distance measurement
    • No strict distance limitation
    • Can be used for Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs)
    • Improves understanding of interstellar medium
    [2023] Consider the following pairs: Objects in space : Description 
    1 Cepheids : Giant clouds of dust and gas in space 
    2 Nebulae : Stars which brighten and dim periodically 
    3 Pulsars : Neutron stars that are formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse 
    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched? 
    (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None

  • India Withdraws Bid to Host COP 33 in 2028

    Why in the News?

    India has withdrawn its bid to host COP 33 in 2028, according to reports.
    India had earlier expressed interest at COP 28 (Dubai, 2023).

    Key Points

    • COP 33 scheduled for 2028
    • India withdrew after review of commitments
    • No official government statement yet
    • South Korea now only country interested

    COP Hosting Rotation

    COP hosting rotates among 5 UN regional groups:

    • African States
    • Asia Pacific States
    • Eastern European States
    • Latin America & Caribbean
    • Western Europe & Others

    India belongs to Asia Pacific group.

    Upcoming COPs

    • COP 30: Brazil
    • COP 31: Turkey & Australia
    • COP 32 (2027): Ethiopia
    • COP 33 (2028): To be decided

    India’s COP Hosting History

    • India hosted COP 8 (2002)
    • Only time India hosted COP

    India’s Climate Commitments (Updated NDCs)

    By 2035, India aims to:

    • 60% electricity from non fossil sources
    • Reduce emissions intensity by 47%
    • Increase carbon sink by 3.5 to 4 billion tonnes CO₂

    What is COP

    COP = Conference of Parties

    • Annual UN climate summit
    • Under UNFCCC
    • Discuss climate change policies
    [2025] Consider the following statements:
    Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the ‘Declaration on Climate and Health’.
    Statement II: The COP 28 Declaration on Climate and Health is a binding declaration; and if signed, it becomes mandatory to decarbonize health sector.
    Statement III: If India’s health sector is decarbonized, the resilience of its healthcare system may be compromised.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
    (a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I (b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of the them explains Statement I (c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I (d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

  • Record Space Activity in 2025: ISSAR Report

    Why in the News?

    The Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) 2025 revealed 315 global space launches in 2025, placing 4,651 objects into orbit.

    Global Space Activity 2025

    • Total launches: 315
    • Objects placed in orbit: 4,651
    • Objects re entered atmosphere: 1,911
    • Net growth in space objects: 74.5%

    India’s Space Assets

    Satellites

    • Total Indian satellites in orbit: 86
      • Operational: 27
      • Defunct: 23
      • Decayed: 36
    • Indian satellites launched in 2025: 8

    Rocket Bodies

    • 4 rocket bodies placed in orbit
    • 12 Indian objects re entered atmosphere
    [2022] Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the “Fractional Orbital Bombardment System” often talked about in media?
    (a) A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.
    (b) A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions.
    (c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.
    (d) A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same speed and places a probe on its surface.

  • 1,500 Year Old Stepped Reservoir Found on Elephanta Island

    Why in the News?

    The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered a 1,500 year old stepped reservoir on Elephanta Island near Mumbai, indicating advanced water management and maritime trade.

    Key Findings

    • Age: ~1,500 years old
    • Shape: T shaped stepped reservoir
    • Size:
      • Length: 14.7 metres
      • Width: 6.7 to 10.8 metres
      • Depth: 5 metres excavated
    • 20 steps discovered so far

    Why Reservoir Was Built

    • Elephanta Island is rocky
    • Rainwater quickly flows into sea
    • Reservoir helped:
      • Store rainwater
      • Ensure water supply
    • Shows advanced ancient engineering.

    Other Discoveries

    Excavation yielded:

    • Brick structure (possibly dyeing vat)
    • Terracotta figurines
    • Glass and stone bangles
    • Carnelian and quartz beads
    • Storage pots
    • Stone anchors

    Evidence of Maritime Trade

    • 3,000 amphorae sherds from Mediterranean
    • Torpedo jars from West Asia and Mesopotamia
    • Used to store:
      • Wine
      • Oil
      • Fish sauce
    • Shows trade with Rome and West Asia.

    Coins Discovered

    • 60 coins found
    • Copper coins of Kalachuri ruler Krishnaraja
    • Period: 6th century CE

    About Elephanta Island

    • Located near Mumbai coast
    • Known for Elephanta Caves
    • Dedicated to Lord Shiva
    • Period: 5th century CE
    • UNESCO World Heritage Site
    [2021] Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs? (a) Dholavira (b) Kalibangan (c) Rakhigarhi (d) Ropar