💥UPSC 2026, 2027, 2028 UAP Mentorship (March Batch) + Access XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Type: Prelims Only

  • RBI Notifications

    RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS) FY25 

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Why in the News
     The RBI’s Annual Report of the Ombudsman Scheme highlighted a growth of 13.55% in complaints under RB-IOS during FY25, rising to 1.33 million from 1.18 million in FY24.

    What is RB-IOS?
     • A unified dispute redress mechanism of the Reserve Bank of India covering banks, NBFCs, and authorized payment system participants.
     • Aims to simplify the process by introducing One Nation One Ombudsman framework.

    Sources of Complaints
     • Office of RBI Ombudsman (ORBIO) and Centralised Receipt and Processing Centre (CRPC)
     • ORBIO handled nearly 0.30 million complaints in FY25 (0.82% rise YoY)

    Major Categories of Complaints

    1. Loans and advances: 29.25% of total complaints (highest)
    2. Credit cards: 20.04% increase YoY
    3. Mobile/electronic banking: 16.86% share (declined by 12.74% YoY)

    Entity-wise Break-up
     • Banks: 0.24 million complaints (81.53% of ORBIO complaints)
     • NBFCs: 43,864 complaints (14.80%)
     • Among banks:

    • Private sector banks share rose: 34.39% to 37.53%
    • Public sector banks share fell: 38.32% to 34.80% 

    Disposal of Complaints
     • ORBIOs disposed 0.29 million complaints with a 93.07% disposal rate
     • Maintainable complaints: 62.16% of disposed

    • 51.91% resolved through mutual settlement, conciliation, mediation
    • 43.36% rejected
    The Reserve Bank of India regulates the commercial banks in matters of (2013)

    (1). liquidity of assets 

    (2). branch expansion 

    (3). merger of banks 

    (4). winding-up of banks 

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below. 

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

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Defence Sector – DPP, Missions, Schemes, Security Forces, etc.

    Bitra Island

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

    Why in the News?

    The Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command, announced that the Indian Navy is setting up a detachment on Bitra Island, and the facility is almost completed. This will make Bitra the third island in Lakshadweep to host a defence establishment.

    About Bitra Island

    • Location: Northern Lakshadweep, Arabian Sea
    • Smallest inhabited island in Lakshadweep
    • Land area: 0.105 sq. km
    • Dimensions: Length – 0.57 km | Width – 0.28 km
    • Lagoon area: 45.61 sq. km (significantly larger than the landmass)
    • Population (2011): 271

    Key Features

    • Cultural Significance: Hosts a shrine of Malik Mulla, an Arab saint believed to be buried there.
      • Important pilgrimage site for locals across Lakshadweep.
    • Ecology: Once covered with thick shrubs.
      • Historically a major breeding ground for seabirds, which declined in the 19th century due to human interference.
    • Climate: Similar to Kerala’s climate.
    • Hottest months: March–May
    • Temperature: 25°C – 35°C
    • Humidity: 70–76% throughout most of the year.

    Strategic Importance

    • Located in a key position in the Arabian Sea, critical for maritime security.
    • Enhances surveillance over sea lanes close to India’s western maritime frontier.
    • Adds to Lakshadweep’s defence infrastructure:
      • INS Dweeprakshak – Kavaratti
      • INS Jatayu – Minicoy
      • New Navy detachment – Bitra Island

    Prelims Pointers

    • Bitra = smallest inhabited island of Lakshadweep
    • Features a shrine of Malik Mulla
    • Large lagoon-to-land ratio
    • Strategically vital for India’s naval presence in the Arabian Sea
    • Climate closely resembles Kerala
    Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the ‘Ten Degree Channel’? (2014)

    (a) Andaman and Nicobar 

    (b) Nicobar and Sumatra 

    (c) Maldives and Lakshadweep 

    (d) Sumatra and Java

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

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

    WHO Issues Global Guidelines on GLP-1 Drugs for Obesity 

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

    Why in the News?

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first global guidelines (Dec 1, 2025) supporting the use of GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) drugs as long-term treatment for obesity in adults, alongside diet and exercise.
     These guidelines emphasise equitable access, affordability, and caution about long-term safety.

    What are GLP-1 Drugs?

    • GLP-1 = Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 receptor agonists
    • Originally developed for type 2 diabetes
    • Now widely used for medically supervised weight loss
    • Examples: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Liraglutide
    • Mechanism:
      • Reduce appetite
      • Slow gastric emptying
      • Improve insulin sensitivity

    Key WHO Recommendations

    Conditional approval for adults

    • GLP-1 drugs may be used for long-term obesity management
    • Excluded: pregnant women
    • Reason for “conditional” status:
      • Limited long-term efficacy & safety data
      • Uncertainty about outcomes after discontinuation
      • High cost and global inequity in access

    Must be combined with lifestyle interventions

    • Balanced diet + regular physical activity remain essential
    • Drugs cannot replace behavioural changes

     Equity and affordability

    • WHO urges:
      • Generics development
      • Insurance coverage
      • Lower pricing
    • Obesity’s global economic cost projected to reach $3 trillion by 2030
    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. 

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

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Saving Rock Eagle Owl Eggs at a Telangana Quarry 

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

    Why in the News?

    A rare conservation incident unfolded at Yenakathala village, Vikarabad district (Telangana) where operations in a stone quarry were halted for 30+ days to protect five eggs of the endangered Rock Eagle Owl found in a rock crevice. The quarry is incurring ₹1.2 lakh loss per day (₹35 lakh total) to ensure safe hatching. This has been hailed as a “miracle” rescue and an example of community-led wildlife protection.

    About the Rock Eagle Owl (Indian Eagle-Owl) – Bubo bengalensis

    • Also called Bengal Eagle-Owl
    • Large horned owl species
    • Habitat: Hilly scrub forests, cliffs, rock crevices
    • Camouflage: Brown & grey plumage with a white throat patch
    • Distribution: Throughout India
    • IUCN Status: Least Concern globally, but population decreasing
    • In India:
      • Protected under Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
      • This places it at par with species like tigers and elephants in terms of legal protection
    • Threats: 
      • Habitat loss
      • Quarrying and mining
      • Poaching (₹35–40 lakh per bird in black market)
      • Superstitious killings

    Important:

    • Nesting sites are difficult to locate; nests are usually in rock niches and cliffs, not trees.
      The species abandons the nest if touched by humans.
    In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply ? (2017)

    (a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger. 

    (b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and how it is impossible to prevent its extinction. 

    (c) It is endemic to a particular region of India. 

    (d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • GI(Geographical Indicator) Tags

    Tamil Nadu Adds Five New GI-Tagged Products 

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Intellectual Property Rights

    Why in the News?

    Five traditional products from Tamil Nadu have received the Geographical Indications (GI) tag, highlighting the State’s rich textile, agricultural, and handicraft heritage. With these additions, Tamil Nadu now has 74 GI-tagged products, one of the highest in India. Applications were filed by IPR attorney P. Sanjai Gandhi on behalf of the concerned associations.

    Newly Awarded GI Products (2025)

    Woraiyur Cotton Sari

    • Region: Woraiyur & Manamedu (Tiruchirappalli district)
    • Material: Cotton yarn sourced from Coimbatore & Rajapalayam
    • Dyes: From Jayamkondam
    • Features:
      • Light-weight, soft handloom cotton
      • Known for intricate designs and distinct regional weaving patterns
    • Significance: Represents age-old weaving traditions on the banks of the Cauvery River.

    Kavindapadi Naatu Sakkarai (Jaggery Powder)

    • Region: Kavindapadi, Erode district
    • Raw Material: Sugarcane from fields irrigated by the Lower Bhavani Project canal
    • Process:
      • Mechanically crushed
      • Cane juice slowly evaporated
      • No chemical additives → retains natural minerals
    • Importance: Major jaggery powder supplier for Tamil Nadu; valued for purity and aroma.

    Thooyamalli Rice

    • Meaning: “Thooya” (pure) + “Malli” (jasmine) — named for its fragrance
    • Type: Traditional samba-season paddy, duration 135–140 days
    • Application: Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board, supported by NABARD Madurai Agri Business Incubation Forum
    • Features:
      • Long-duration rice variety
      • High nutritional value
      • Aromatic and suitable for traditional dishes

     Namakkal Makkal Pathirangal (Soapstone Cookware / Kalchatti)

    • Region: Namakkal district
    • Material: Soft soapstone carved into cooking vessels
    • Cultural Roots: Used in South India for centuries; retains heat and enhances flavour
    • GI History:
      • First application by Tamil Nadu Handicrafts (Poompuhar) withdrawn (2019)
      • Final successful application submitted in 2022 by:
        • Namakkal Stone Products Manufacturers
        • MSME Technology Development Centre – IP Facilitation Centre

     Ambasamudram Choppu Saman (Wooden Toys)

    • Region: Ambasamudram, Tirunelveli district
    • Tradition: Over 200 years old (origin in the 18th century)
    • Craft: Handcrafted wooden miniature toys such as:
      • Kitchen utensils
      • Tables, chairs
      • Household play items
    • Wood Used:
      • Manjal Kadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba)
      • Teak
      • Rosewood
    • Significance: Traditional children’s play items that promote creativity and fine motor skills.

    About GI (Geographical Indications) 

    • A GI tag is a sign used on products with a specific geographical origin, possessing qualities/ reputation due to that origin.
    • Governed by:
      • Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999
    • Validity: 10 years, can be renewed
    • India’s first GI: Darjeeling Tea
    Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication’ status? (2015)

    (1) Banaras Brocades and Sarees

    (2) Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma

    (3) Tirupathi Laddu

    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

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Assam Day & Chaolung Sukapha 

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture,Modern Indian History

    Why in the News?

    Assam Day was celebrated in New Delhi on 2 December 2025, led by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, paying tribute to Chaolung Sukapha, founder of the Ahom Kingdom and architect of “Greater Assam.”

    About Chaolung Sukapha

    • Founder of the Ahom Kingdom (established c. 1228 CE).
    • Migrated from present-day Yunnan region (original Tai-Ahom lineage).
    • Crossed the Patkai Hills to enter Assam.
    • Known for integrating diverse communities through:
      • Goodwill
      • Empathy
      • Just and inclusive administration
    • Believed in winning the “hearts of people” as the basis for stable governance.
    • Sukapha is revered as the architect of “Greater Assam.”
    • Sukapha Divas / Assam Day is celebrated on 2 December.
    • First official celebration in 2016 at Charaideo, during Sonowal’s tenure as CM.

    Ahom Kingdom

    • Ruled Assam for nearly 600 years (1228–1826).
    • Capital at various times: Charaideo, Sibsagar, Garhgaon, etc.
    • Famous for:
      • Efficient land revenue system (Paik system)
      • Strong military organisation
      • Architecture: Maidams (Ahom burial mounds)
    • Successfully resisted Mughal expansion (Battle of Saraighat, 1671).
    In the context of Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2021)

    1. The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad State.

    2. The Mysore Kingdom emerged out of Vijayanagara Empire.

    3. Rohilkhand Kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 and 2

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 2 and 3

    (d) 3 only

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Tribes in News

    Hornbill Festival 2025

    Prelims Only | Art and Culture | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture,Diversity Of India

    Why in the news?

    The 26th edition of Nagaland’s iconic Hornbill Festival has begun with great enthusiasm, reaffirming its status as one of India’s most vibrant cultural events. The festival has grown into a major platform for showcasing the cultural diversity of Nagaland’s tribes and promoting tourism in the Northeast.

    What is the Hornbill Festival?  

    • First organised: 2000
    • Also called: “Festival of Festivals”
    • Purpose:
      • Promote inter-tribal interaction
      • Preserve indigenous Naga heritage
      • Blend traditional and contemporary art forms
    • Organised by:
      • Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland
      • Department of Art & Culture, Government of Nagaland
    • Venue: Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, ~12 km from Kohima, Nagaland
    • Named after: The Hornbill bird, which is deeply associated with the socio-cultural identity of the Nagas
    Consider the following pairs: Tradition State (2018)

    1. Chapchar Kut festival — Mizoram 

    2. Khongjom Parba ballad — Manipur 

    3. Thang-Ta dance — Sikkim 

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correct? 

    (a) 1 only 

    (b) 1 and 2 

    (c) 3 only 

    (d) 2 and 3

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Masala Bonds

    ED Notice to Kerala CM: KIIFB Masala Bonds Case 

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Government Budgeting,Indian Economy

    Why in the news?

    The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) notice to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and senior officials in the KIIFB masala bond case has revived debates on FEMA compliance, off-budget borrowings, and Centre–State fiscal relations. As local body polls approach, the issue has also acquired political significance.

    What is KIIFB?  

    Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)

    • Statutory body established under KIIF Act, 1999
    • Revived in 2016 as Kerala’s key infrastructure financing arm
    • Raises funds outside the State budget, mainly through long-term borrowing
    • Functions as an off-budget financing mechanism

    What is Off-Budget Borrowing?

    • Debt raised by state entities (SPVs, boards) instead of the government directly
    • Not reflected in the official fiscal deficit
    • CAG has criticised such borrowings for reducing transparency

    What Are Masala Bonds?  

    Masala Bonds =

    • Rupee-denominated bonds issued in overseas markets
    • Borrowing risk is borne by the investor, not the issuer
    • Governed by RBI’s External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) Framework

    KIIFB Masala Bond:

    • Issued in 2019 on the London Stock Exchange
    • Total amount: ₹2,150 crore
    • First sub-national entity in India to issue such a bond

    Why Did ED Issue Notices?

    ED’s probe relates to alleged violations under:FEMA, 1999 – Foreign Exchange Management Act

    ED claims: Part of the masala bond funds was used for land purchase. RBI prohibits land purchase using ECB/masala bond proceeds

    Kerala’s defence:

    • Land was acquired, not purchased
    • Public land acquisition does not violate FEMA or RBI norms

    Enforcement Directorate (ED)

    • Established under DOF Notification (1956)
    • Investigates:
      • PMLA, 2002
      • FEMA, 1999
      • Economic offences referred by other agencies
    • Works under Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance

    CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General of India)

    • Constitutional body under Article 148
    • Criticised KIIFB borrowings as off-budget liabilities
    With reference to ‘IFC Masala Bonds’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the statements given below is/are correct? (2016)

    1. The International Finance Corporation, which offers these bonds, is an arm of the World Bank. 

    2. They are the rupee-denominated bonds and are a source of debt financing for the public and private sector. 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below. 

    (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Foreign Policy Watch: United Nations

    India calls for Stronger Global Biosecurity at 50 Years of the BWC

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

    Why in the news? 

    At the Conference on 50 Years of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) held in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar warned that global biological threats—natural, accidental, or deliberate are growing due to rapid scientific advances. He emphasised the rising risks of bioterrorism and highlighted structural weaknesses in the BWC.

    About the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

    • Came into force: 1975
    • Objective: Prohibits development, production, acquisition, stockpiling & use of biological and toxin weapons.
    • Depositaries: Russia, UK, USA
    • India: Founding State Party

    Structural Gaps Jaishankar Highlighted

    • No verification/compliance mechanism
    • No permanent technical secretariat
    • No system to monitor new scientific developments
    • Reliance on voluntary confidence-building measures (CBMs)

    Rising Biological Threat Landscape

    • Misuse of biological agents by non-state actors is a serious concern.
    • Emerging technologies increasing risks:
      • Synthetic biology
      • Genome editing (CRISPR)
      • AI-driven biological design

    India’s Strengths in Biosecurity

    • Produces 60% of global vaccines
    • Supplies 20% of world’s generic medicines (including 60% for Africa)
    • 11,000 biotech startups (3rd largest globally; 50 in 2014 → 11,000 now)
    • Advanced BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs under ICMR & DBT

    India’s Global Health Contributions

    • Vaccine Maitri: ~300 million vaccine doses, aid to 100+ countries
    • Stressed that biological crisis assistance must be “fast, practical and humanitarian”
    Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances? (2015)

    (a) Bretton Woods Conference 

    (b) Montreal Protocol 

    (c) Kyoto Protocol 

    (d) Nagoya Protocol

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Defence Sector – DPP, Missions, Schemes, Security Forces, etc.

    India Expands Heron Mk II UAV Fleet

    Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields,External State & Non-State Actors: Challenges To Internal Security.

    Why in the news? 

    In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy have initiated emergency procurement of satellite-linked Heron Mk II Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from Israel. This marks the first induction of Heron Mk II by the Indian Navy.

    What is Emergency Procurement?

    • Covered under Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP).
    • Allows armed forces to procure weapons/systems worth up to ₹300 crore per case.
    • Meant for urgent operational requirements.
    • Fast-tracked contracting and delivery timelines.

    About Heron Mk II (MALE UAV)

    Category: MALE – Medium Altitude Long Endurance.
    Manufacturer: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

    Key Features (Prelims Points):

    • Endurance: > 24 hours continuous flight.
    • Payload Capacity: ~ half a tonne.
    • Sensors:
      • Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
      • Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR)
      • SIGINT (Signals Intelligence)
    • SATCOM-enabled:
      • Encrypted satellite communication
      • Enables Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) operations.
    • Fully automated Take-off & Landing (ATOL).
    • All-weather ISR platform (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance).

    Current Indian Operators:

    • Indian Army (deployed in northern sector).
    • Indian Air Force.
    • Indian Navy (first time induction now).
    With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2014)

    1. It is surface-to surface missile. 

    2. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only. 

    3. It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500km away. 

    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 only

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now