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Type: Prelims Only

  • Digital India Initiatives

    Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: E-Governance

    Why in the News

    India marked one year of the Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme (IGICBS), highlighting its role in preparing young professionals to engage effectively in national and global internet governance forums and represent India’s interests.

    Key Institutions Involved

    • National Internet Exchange of India
    • Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

    About IGICBS

    • A first of its kind capacity building initiative launched in 2024
    • Aims to build human capital in internet governance
    • Targets students and young professionals from Technology, Law, and Public policy.
    • Combines expert led learning, mentorship and internships
    • Bridges policy, technology and academia

    Key Achievements in One Year

    • 10,000 plus participants trained and engaged
    • Creation of a national pipeline of internet governance professionals
    • Strengthened India’s presence in global standards and technical forums
    • Increased youth participation in multi stakeholder internet governance processes

    Strategic Significance

    • Enhances India’s role in global internet governance
    • Supports a secure, inclusive and resilient digital ecosystem
    • Aligns with India’s vision of knowledge led digital governance
    • Builds capacity for engagement in forums such as global internet governance discussions and technical standard bodies

    Prelims Pointers

    • IGICBS is a capacity building and internship programme, not a regulatory body
    • Implemented by NIXI under MeitY
    • Focuses on internet governance, not just coding or IT skills
    • Emphasises youth participation and global engagement
    • Example of soft power through digital leadership
    [2017] In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cyber security incidents? 

    1. Service providers 

    2. Data Centres 

    3. Body corporate 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

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  • GI(Geographical Indicator) Tags

    Kaladi Cheese Shelf Life Extension Project

    Prelims Only | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Food Processing & Related Industries In India

    Why in the News

    Kaladi cheese, a traditional dairy product of Jammu region, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, strengthening efforts to extend its shelf life, scale up production and promote it beyond Jammu and Kashmir using scientific interventions.

    What is Kaladi

    • A traditional fresh cheese from the Dogra region of Jammu
    • Prepared mainly from cow milk
    • Consumed pan fried or sautéed
    • Integral to Dogra cuisine and local food culture

    Key Challenge

    • Very short shelf life
      • Around 2 to 3 days under non refrigerated conditions
    • Limits long distance transport, organised retail and exports
    • Major bottleneck in commercial scaling and branding

    Project Objectives

    • Extend shelf life while preserving traditional taste
    • Enable value addition and market expansion
    • Improve farmer and artisan incomes
    • Promote traditional foods through science based validation

    Prelims Pointers

    • Kaladi is a fresh cheese, not aged
    • GI tag provides legal protection and branding
    • Shelf life extension is crucial for GI commercial success
    • GI products often require scientific standardisation for scale
    [2011] With what purpose is the Government of India promoting the concept of “Mega Food Parks”? 

    1. To provide good infrastructure facilities for the food processing industry

    2. To increase the processing of perishable items and reduce wastage

    3. To provide emerging and eco-friendly food processing technologies to entrepreneurs. 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

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  • Animal Husbandry, Dairy & Fisheries Sector – Pashudhan Sanjivani, E- Pashudhan Haat, etc

    India Fisheries and Seafood Export Ecosystem

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Food Processing & Related Industries In India

    Why in the News

    India reiterated its commitment to sustainable fisheries management, value chain strengthening, deep sea resource development, regulatory cooperation and scientific collaboration during interactions involving FAO, MPEDA and NFDB, aligned with India’s Blue Economy vision.

    Key Institutions

    • Food and Agriculture Organization
    • Marine Products Export Development Authority
    • National Fisheries Development Board

    India Fisheries Sector Data Snapshot

    • Total fish production: Increased from about 95 lakh tonnes in 2013 to nearly 195 lakh tonnes in 2024
    • Share of inland fisheries and aquaculture: Over 75 percent of total fish production
    • Global rank: India among top three fish producing nations. Second largest aquaculture producer globally
    • Employment: Fisheries and aquaculture support livelihoods of over 28 million people

    Seafood Export Performance

    • FY 2023 to 24: Export volume 17.81 lakh metric tonnes. Export value about ₹60,500 crore or US$7.3 billion
    • FY 2024 to 25: Export volume about 17 lakh metric tonnes. Export value about ₹62,400 crore or US$7.45 billion
    • Top export item: Frozen shrimp. About 40 percent of export volume.Nearly 65 percent of export earnings
    • Major markets: USA, China, European Union, Japan, Southeast Asia, Middle East

    Prelims Pointers

    • MPEDA works under Ministry of Commerce and Industry
    • NFDB works under Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying
    • Digital traceability is mandatory for exports to EU markets
    • Frozen shrimp dominates India’s seafood exports
    • Fisheries sector contributes to nutrition security and export earnings
    • Sustainable fisheries are central to India’s Blue Economy policy
    [2018] Consider the following items: 

    1. Cereal grains hulled 

    2. Chicken eggs cooked 

    3. Fish processed and canned 

    4. Newspapers containing advertising material 

    Which of the above items is/are exempted under GST (Goods and Services Tax)? 

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

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  • Soil Health Management – NMSA, Soil Health Card, etc.

    Satellite data show India’s major deltas sinking

    Prelims Only | Geography | Mains Paper 1: Geographical Features & Their Location

    Why in the News

    A global study published in Nature on 14 January reports widespread land subsidence across India’s major river deltas, driven largely by human activities and observed using Sentinel 1 satellite data.

    Study at a Glance

    • Data source Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar from ESA Sentinel 1
    • Period 2014 to 2023
    • Coverage 40 major global deltas including 6 Indian deltas
    • Spatial resolution 75 metres
    • Population relevance Deltas support over 340 million people globally

    Indian Deltas Confirmed to be Sinking

    • Ganges Brahmaputra Delta, Brahmani Delta, Mahanadi Delta, Godavari Delta, Cauvery Delta and Kabani Delta.
    • More than 90 percent area affected in Ganges Brahmaputra, Brahmani and Mahanadi deltas.

    Key Quantitative Findings

    • Brahmani delta: 77 percent area sinking at more than 5 mm per year
    • Mahanadi delta: 69 percent area sinking at more than 5 mm per year
    • In Ganges, Brahmani, Mahanadi, Godavari and Kabani,
       Subsidence rate exceeds regional sea level rise
    • Godavari delta: Even 95th percentile subsidence exceeds projected global sea level rise under worst climate scenario
    • Kolkata: Subsidence equals or exceeds delta average due to urban load and resource extraction

    Major Human Drivers Identified

    • Unsustainable groundwater extraction: Ganges Brahmaputra and Cauvery deltas
    • Rapid urbanisation: Brahmani delta
    • Reduced sediment flux: Mahanadi and Kabani deltas
    • Population pressure: Intensifies compaction and land lowering
    [2018] Which of the following is/are the possible consequence/s of heavy sand mining in riverbeds? 

    1. Decreased salinity in the river 

    2. Pollution of groundwater 

    3. Lowering of the water-table 

    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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  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    PM Modi highlights Parbati Giri’s contribution to freedom struggle

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

    Why in the news

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Parbati Giri on her birth centenary, highlighting her role in India’s freedom movement and post independence social service. She was also remembered earlier in Mann Ki Baat.

    Who was Parbati Giri

    • Freedom fighter from Odisha
    • Known as “Mother Teresa of Western Odisha”
    • Actively participated in the Quit India Movement
    • Joined the freedom struggle at just 16 years of age

    Role in freedom struggle

    • Took part in the Quit India Movement of 1942
    • Represented the contribution of women and tribal regions in the national movement
    • Part of the broader mass based resistance against colonial rule

    Post-independence contributions

    • Dedicated her life to social service
    • Worked extensively for Tribal welfare, Healthcare and Women empowerment
    • Established orphanages and welfare institutions
    • Focused on upliftment of the poor and marginalised

    UPSC Prelims pointers

    • Parbati Giri was associated with Quit India Movement
    • Belonged to Odisha
    • Known for lifelong tribal and social welfare work
    • Frequently cited in context of unsung freedom fighters
    [2011] Which one of the following observations is not true about the Quit India Movement of 1942? 

    (a) It was a non-violent movement 

    (b) It was led by Mahatma Gandhi 

    (c) It was a spontaneous movement 

    (d) It did not attract the labour class in general

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  • Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

    India expands GHG emission intensity regime to four more sectors

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

    Why in the news

    • The Union Government has expanded the Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity reduction regime to four additional industrial sectors under amended rules notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
    • The move operationalises India’s Carbon Credit Trading framework and strengthens compliance based climate mitigation.

    Newly included sectors

    • Petroleum refineries, Petrochemicals, Textiles, andSecondary aluminium
    • These are in addition to aluminium, cement, chlor alkali and pulp and paper sectors notified earlier.

    Coverage

    • 208 industrial units across India
      • 173 textile units
      • 21 petroleum refineries
      • 11 petrochemical units
      • 3 secondary aluminium units
    • Major public sector and private companies covered include
      • ONGC, Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum, Numaligarh Refinery and Reliance Industries.

    Legal and policy framework

    • Notified as Greenhouse Gases Emission Intensity Target Amendment Rules
    • Issued under the compliance mechanism of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023
    • Enforced by the Central Pollution Control Board

    What is GEI (Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity) target?

    • Mandatory reduction of GHG emissions per unit of output
    • Baseline year is 2023 to 24
    • Targets apply from 2025 to 26
    • Overall reduction of 3 to 7 percent by 2026 to 27

    Compliance and penalty

    • Units must either
      • Meet GEI targets
      • Or submit carbon credit certificates equal to the shortfall
    • Non compliance penalty
      • Imposed as environmental compensation by CPCB
      • Amount equals twice the average carbon credit price in that trading cycle
      • Payable within 90 days

    Climate significance

    • Aligns with India’s net zero target of 2070
    • Supports India’s Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement
    • Promotes market driven decarbonisation instead of criminal penalties
    • Pushes energy efficiency and cleaner technologies in high emission sectors

    UPSC Prelims pointers

    • GEI focuses on emission intensity, not absolute emissions
    • Linked to Carbon Credit Trading Scheme 2023
    • Penalty equals 2 times average carbon credit price
    • Enforcement by CPCB
    • Supports India’s net zero 2070 pathway
    [2011] Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct? 

    (a) The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol

    (b) Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gases below their emission quota

    (c) The goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase of carbon dioxide emission

    (d) Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations environment programs

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    BNHS and NMCG launch project to protect Indian Skimmer

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

    Why in the news

    Bombay Natural History Society and National Mission for Clean Ganga have launched a new conservation project in Dehradun to protect the endangered Indian Skimmer in the Ganga Basin. The project was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Jal Shakti C R Patil.

    About Indian Skimmer

    • Scientific name: Rynchops albicollis
    • IUCN status: Endangered
    • Habitat: Large rivers, estuaries, sandbars and islands
    • India hosts around 90 percent of the global population, making conservation nationally critical.

    Core objective

    • Protection of river sandbars, which are crucial nesting and breeding habitats for Indian Skimmer and other riverine birds.

    Major threats addressed

    • Sand mining on riverbeds
    • Altered river flows and sudden water releases from dams
    • Human and livestock disturbance
    • Predation and habitat fragmentation

    Geographical coverage

    • National Chambal Sanctuary
    • Upper Ganga near Bijnor and Narora
    • Ganga Yamuna confluence at Prayagraj
    • Lower Ganga near the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar

    UPSC Prelims pointers

    • Indian Skimmer nests on exposed river sandbars.
    • India holds the largest global population share of the species.
    • Project combines science, community participation, and river planning.
    • Linked with Namami Gange ecosystem restoration goals.
    [2014] With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements: 1. It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests

    2. It strives to conserve nature through action-based research, education and public awareness

    3. It organizes and conducts nature trails and camps for the general public

    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 only

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  • Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

    Environmental (Protection) Fund

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

    Why in the news

    The Union Government notified detailed rules in January 2026 to operationalise the Environmental (Protection) Fund, a reform enabled by the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023.

    About

    • A statutory fund of the Government of India created to channel environmental penalties into pollution control, restoration, monitoring, research, and capacity building.
    • Converts monetary penalties into direct environmental remediation.

    Legal basis

    • Provided under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
    • Detailed rules notified in January 2026.
    • Strengthened by the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, which decriminalised several environmental offences while retaining penalties.

    Nodal authority

    • Administered by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change or any body notified by the Central Government.

    Aim

    • Ensure that pollution penalties are recycled for environmental protection, remediation, clean technology promotion, and stronger regulatory institutions.

    Key features

    • Sources of funds
      • Penalties under the Air Act 1981 and Environment Act 1986
      • Interest from investments
      • Other prescribed sources
    • Permitted uses (11 activities)
      • Pollution prevention and mitigation
      • Remediation of contaminated sites
      • Environmental monitoring equipment
      • Clean technology research
      • IT enabled regulatory systems
      • Laboratory infrastructure
      • Capacity building of regulatory bodies
    • Revenue sharing
      • 75% of penalty proceeds to the Consolidated Fund of the State or UT
      • 25% retained by the Centre
    • Governance: Dedicated Project Management Units at Central and State levels
    • Oversight and transparency
      • Audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India
      • Centralised online portal developed by the Central Pollution Control Board
    [2019] Consider the following statements: The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to: 

    1. State the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the procedure and manner in which it is sought

    2. Lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources

    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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  • BRICS Summits

    RBI proposes CBDC linkage on BRICS agenda

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

    Why in the news?

    Reserve Bank of India has advised the Government of India to place a proposal on linking Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) on the agenda of the BRICS 2026 Summit, which India will host.

    Key proposal

    • Link BRICS members’ CBDCs including India’s e-rupee for cross border trade finance and tourism payments.
    • Aim is faster settlements, lower transaction costs and reduced dependence on correspondent banking systems.
    • RBI clarifies this is not a formal de dollarisation push, but about efficiency and resilience.

    Background context

    • Builds on the 2025 BRICS Rio Declaration that called for interoperability of payment systems.
    • All core BRICS members Brazil Russia India China South Africa are running CBDC pilot projects, none fully launched yet.

    Central Bank Digital Currencies Vs Cryptocurrency

    • Issuing authority

        • CBDCs are issued and regulated by a country’s central bank such as the Reserve Bank of India
        • Cryptocurrencies are issued privately through decentralised blockchain networks with no sovereign authority, for example Bitcoin

    • Legal status

      • CBDCs are legal tender and must be accepted for payments within the issuing country
      • Cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in most countries and their legal status varies

    Strategic significance

    • Could challenge dollar centric payment rails indirectly amid rising geopolitical tensions.
    • Enhances international use of the rupee through regulated digital channels.
    • Fits India’s push for safe sovereign digital money over private stablecoins.

    Prelims pointers

    • CBDC is sovereign digital legal tender issued by a central bank.
    • RBI views CBDCs as less risky than stablecoins for monetary and financial stability.
    • BRICS was founded in 2009 and later expanded beyond the original five members.
    [2024] Consider the following statements in respect of the digital rupee: 

    1. It is a sovereign currency issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in alignment with its monetary policy

    2. It appears as a liability on the RBI’s balance sheet

    3. It is insured against inflation by its very design

    4. It is freely convertible against commercial bank money and cash

    Which of the statements given above are correct? 

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

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  • Nuclear Energy

    Indigenous Light Water Reactor Push

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

    Why in the News?

    India is fast tracking the fabrication of an indigenous Light Water Reactor (LWR) as it opens the nuclear power sector to private participation and explores opportunities in the global nuclear export market.

    Key Development

    • The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is accelerating work on a 900 MWe indigenous LWR.
    • Design work began in 2015.
    • Objective is to complement India’s existing Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) fleet.
    • Indigenous LWR capability is expected to improve India’s bargaining power with foreign reactor vendors.

    Why LWRs Matter Globally

    • LWRs account for over 85 percent of global civil nuclear reactor capacity.
    • Used extensively by United States, Russia and France.
    • Dominant technology in international reactor trade and supply chains.
    • Without LWR integration, India risks limited access to global nuclear exports.

    LWR vs PHWR

    • Light Water Reactors

        • Use ordinary water as coolant and moderator
        • Require enriched uranium fuel
        • Simpler design, lower construction cost
        • Higher thermal efficiency
        • Strong economies of scale

    • Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors

      • Use heavy water (deuterium)
      • Operate on natural uranium
      • Core strength of India’s nuclear programme
      • Greater fuel flexibility
      • Less attractive in export markets dominated by LWRs

    Legal and Policy Context

    • The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act, 2025 enables:
      • Greater private sector participation
      • More imported LWR based projects
    • Addresses earlier liability concerns raised by foreign suppliers.
    • Supports projects like Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

    Export and Strategic Angle

    • Indigenous LWR enhances India’s role in the global nuclear supply chain.
    • Emerging economies like UAE, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are expanding nuclear capacity.
    • India could position itself as a supplier of:
      • PHWRs fuelled with thorium and low enriched uranium
      • Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) of 30 to 300 MWe

    Thorium and India

    • India has modest uranium but vast thorium reserves.
    • Using thorium with low enriched uranium in PHWRs can:
      • Ease fuel constraints
      • Support large scale nuclear expansion
      • Strengthen India’s unique reactor niche

    Prelims Pointers

    • LWRs dominate the global nuclear reactor market.
    • India’s proposed indigenous LWR capacity is 900 MWe.
    • PHWRs remain India’s technological strength.
    • Nuclear amendments aim to attract private and foreign investment.
    • SMRs are emerging as a tool of energy diplomacy, including by China.
    [2023] Consider the following statements: 

    Statement-I: India, despite having uranium deposits, depends on coal for most of its electricity production. 

    Statement-II: Uranium, enriched to the extent of at least 60%, is required for the production of electricity. 

    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-1 

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

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

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