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Type: Prelims Only

  • Bharat Taxi 

    Why in the News?

    Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah launched Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative based ride hailing platform, on 5 February 2026.

    About Bharat Taxi

    • India’s first cooperative led ride hailing platform
    • Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002
    • Established on 6 June 2025
    • Conceptualised under the Ministry of Cooperation

    Core Philosophy

    • Drivers are called sarathis and are owners of the platform
    • Principle of sarathi hi malik meaning driver is the owner
    • Designed to free drivers from aggregator driven and commission based models

    Operational Model

    • Zero commission for drivers
    • Surge free pricing for passengers
    • Profits distributed directly to drivers
    • No exclusivity clause allowing drivers to work on other platforms

    Driver Welfare Measures

    • Personal accident insurance cover of ₹5 lakh
    • Family health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh
    • Retirement savings support
    • Dedicated driver support centres at seven locations in Delhi
    • Rapid emergency assistance and verified ride data

    Women Empowerment Initiative

    • Bike Didi programme for women drivers
    • Over 150 women drivers enrolled so far
    [2021] With reference to casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers are entitled to Employees Provident Fund coverage

    2. All casual workers are entitled to regular working hours and overtime payment

    3. The government can, by notification, specify that an establishment or industry shall pay wages only through its bank account

    Which of the above statements are correct? 

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

  • AI Workplace Automation and Tech Stock Crash 

    Why in the News?

    Global technology stocks fell sharply in early February 2026 after Anthropic launched an AI driven workplace automation suite, triggering fears that artificial intelligence could replace traditional software platforms and IT services.

    What Triggered the Selloff

    • Anthropic launched new workplace automation tools for its AI agent Claude
    • Tools can independently perform tasks in legal, sales, marketing, finance and data analysis
    • AI agents can now bypass traditional Software as a Service platforms
    • Investors feared large scale disruption of the global software and IT services industry

    Market Impact

    • United States
      • S&P 500 fell about 0.8 percent
      • Nasdaq Composite declined over 1.4 percent
      • Major technology firms like Microsoft, Meta Platforms and Nvidia saw sharp losses
      • SaaS firms such as Salesforce and ServiceNow fell significantly
    • India
      • Nifty IT index dropped nearly 3 percent
      • Major IT firms including Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, HCLTech, Wipro declined sharply

    Why Indian IT Is Vulnerable

    • Indian IT model depends on service based outsourcing
    • AI tools can automate contract review, compliance, customer support and data processing
    • Reduced dependence on human intensive IT services threatens revenue streams

    Economic Survey Link

    • Economic Survey 2025–26 warned about concentration of AI data and compute
    • Highlighted risks of technological dependence and loss of comparative advantage
    • Called for rapid adaptation to sustain India’s IT competitiveness
    [2020] With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? 1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units 

    2. Create meaningful short stories and songs 

    3. Disease diagnosis 

    4. Text-to-Speech Conversion 

    5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

    (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

  • BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) 

    Why in the News?

    India joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) on 4 February 2026 at an event organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade in New Delhi.

    About BCIC

    • BCIC is a one stop integrated support platform for manufacturing companies and MSMEs across BRICS countries
    • It focuses on strengthening Industry 4.0 competencies
    • Launched in partnership with United Nations Industrial Development Organization

    India’s Participation

    • India’s participation formalised through a Trust Fund Agreement
    • Agreement signed between Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and UNIDO
    • BCIC engagement aligns with India’s manufacturing and MSME competitiveness goals

    India Centre for BRICS Industrial Competencies

    • National Productivity Council designated as India Centre for BCIC
    • NPC operates under policy guidance of DPIIT
    • Receives technical support from UNIDO
    • Responsible for capacity building, productivity enhancement and advanced manufacturing adoption

    Key Stakeholders Involved

    • DPIIT under Ministry of Commerce and Industry
    • Ministry of MSME
    • Ministry of External Affairs
    • Industry partner Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

    Significance for Prelims

    • Strengthens India’s role in BRICS industrial cooperation
    • Supports MSMEs in adopting Industry 4.0 technologies
    • Enhances global manufacturing competitiveness
    • Example of international institutional collaboration in industrial policy
    [2025] Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS: I. The 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan

    II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS

    III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

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

  • SabhaSaar 

    Why in the News?

    As of 29 January 2026, 1,11,486 Gram Panchayats across States and Union Territories have used SabhaSaar, an AI enabled tool, for automated summarisation of Gram Sabha and Panchayat meetings.

    About SabhaSaar

    • AI based voice to text meeting summarisation platform
    • Launched on 14 August 2025
    • Implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj
    • Used for Gram Sabha and Panchayat level meetings

    Key Functionalities

    • Converts live speech into structured Minutes of Meeting
    • Records meeting type, date, attendance and deliberations
    • Documents resolutions and action points for follow up
    • Enables validation of records by Panchayat functionaries

    Technology Backbone

    • Runs on AI and cloud infrastructure via the IndiaAI Compute Portal
    • Part of the IndiaAI Mission under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
    • Data processed entirely within Government systems
    • No sharing with external third party service providers

    Data Protection

    • Data governance regulated under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
    • IndiaAI Mission acts as nodal agency for AI infrastructure and data governance
    [2020] With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? 1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units 

    2. Create meaningful short stories and songs 

    3. Disease diagnosis 

    4. Text-to-Speech Conversion 

    5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

    (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

  • UNIFIL Suspends Activities Along the Blue Line in Southern Lebanon

    Why in the News?

    United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon temporarily suspended patrols and other activities along parts of the Blue Line in southern Lebanon after the Israeli military indicated it would release a non toxic chemical substance near the frontier.

    What is UNIFIL?

    • United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is a UN peacekeeping mission deployed in southern Lebanon
    • Established in 1978 by UN Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426
    • Mandate expanded after the 2006 Israel Hezbollah conflict under Resolution 1701

    What is the Blue Line?

    • A UN demarcated line of withdrawal between Israel and Lebanon
    • Stretches for about 120 kilometres along southern Lebanon
    • Established in 2000 to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon
    • Not an international border but a technical reference line monitored by UNIFIL
    [2017] Mediterranean Sea is a border of which of the following countries? 1. Jordan 

    2. Iraq 

    3. Lebanon 

    4. Syria 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

  • Removal of the Chief Election Commissioner: Constitutional Procedure

    Why in the News?

    West Bengal Chief Minister stated that the Trinamool Congress is open to working with the Indian National Congress and other Opposition parties to initiate impeachment proceedings against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

    Who is the Chief Election Commissioner?

    • Head of the Election Commission of India
    • Responsible for superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, President and Vice President
    • Constitutional authority under Article 324 of the Constitution of India

    Appointment of the CEC

    • Appointed by the President of India
    • As per the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023
    • Selected by a three member committee
      • Prime Minister
      • Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
      • Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister
    • Tenure is 6 years or till 65 years of age, whichever is earlier

    Constitutional Basis for Removal

    • Article 324(5) governs removal of the CEC
    • CEC can be removed in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court
    • This links the process to Article 124(4) of the Constitution

    Grounds for Removal

    • Proved misbehaviour such as abuse of office, corruption or failure to discharge constitutional duties
    • Incapacity meaning physical or mental inability to perform official functions
    [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

  • Project Vault: US Critical Minerals Stockpiling Initiative

    Why in the News?

    Donald Trump announced Project Vault, a 12 billion dollar US initiative to stockpile critical minerals and rare earth elements to protect American industries from global supply disruptions and reduce dependence on China.

    What is Project Vault?

    • A public private partnership to buy and store critical minerals
    • Focuses on rare earths and key metals used in defence, technology and manufacturing
    • Combines 1.67 billion dollars private funding with 10 billion dollars from the Export Import Bank of the United States
    • Aims to shield US companies from supply chain shocks

    Key Minerals Covered

    • Cobalt used in rechargeable batteries and military jet engines
    • Gallium essential for semiconductors and advanced electronics
    • Other rare earths critical for EVs, aerospace, smartphones and energy systems

    How the Stockpiling System Works

    • Companies commit in advance to purchase minerals at a fixed inventory price
    • Project Vault procures and stores minerals on their behalf
    • Firms pay upfront fees and carrying costs including storage and interest
    • In emergencies, companies can access their full stockpile
    [2023] About three-fourths of world’s cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by: (a) Argentina 

    (b) Botswana 

    (c) the Democratic Republic of the Congo 

    (d) Kazakhstan

  • NAMASTE Scheme and Waste Pickers Enumeration Data 2026

    Why in the News?

    Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment tabled data in Parliament on February 03, 2026 revealing the social profile of 1.52 lakh waste pickers enumerated under the NAMASTE Scheme across 35 States and Union Territories.

    Social Category Breakup

    • Scheduled Castes: 60.3 percent or 92,089
    • Scheduled Tribes: 10.5 percent or 16,077
    • Other Backward Classes: 13.7 percent or 20,954
    • General category: 10.7% or 16,329 workers

    State and UT Level  

    • Delhi and Goa show majority of waste pickers from General category
    • In Delhi, 4,289 of over 6,500 workers were from General category (65.9%)
    • In Goa, 729 of 1,286 workers were from General category (56.6%)
    • West Bengal recorded 42.4 percent General category waste pickers

    Related Data on Sanitation Workers

    • About 89,000 sewer and septic tank workers enumerated so far
    • 95.8 percent of them are men
    • 859 deaths reported due to hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning since 2014
    • 43 deaths recorded in 2025 alone

    About NAMASTE Scheme

    • Implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
    • Focuses on enumeration and formal recognition of waste pickers, sewer and septic tank workers
    • Provides protective equipment and safety measures
    • Aims to eradicate deaths due to hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning
    [2016] ‘Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan’ is a national campaign to: (a) rehabilitate the homeless and destitute persons and provide them with suitable sources of livelihood 

    (b) release the sex workers from their practice and provide them with alternative sources of livelihood 

    (c) eradicate the practice of manual scavenging and rehabilitate the manual scavengers 

    (d) release the bonded labourers from their bondage and rehabilitate them

  • Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Technology Test 2026

    Why in the News?

    Defence Research & Development Organisation successfully demonstrated Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology on February 03, 2026 from Integrated Test Range, marking India’s entry into an elite group of nations with this advanced missile propulsion capability.

    About Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR)

    • An advanced air breathing propulsion system for long range air to air missiles
    • Uses solid fuel with controlled airflow for sustained thrust
    • Allows missiles to maintain high speed during terminal phase
    • Significantly increases range and no escape zone

    Key Highlights of the Test

    • All subsystems including nozzle less booster, SFDR motor and fuel flow controller performed as expected
    • Missile was boosted to the required Mach number before ramjet ignition
    • Performance validated through tracking instruments along the coast of the Bay of Bengal
    • Successful data capture confirmed stable combustion and thrust control

    Strategic Significance

    • Enables development of next generation long range air to air missiles
    • Provides major tactical advantage against hostile aircraft
    • Strengthens indigenous defence research and manufacturing
    • Reduces dependence on imported propulsion technologies
    [2023] Consider the following statements: 1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, 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-fuelled 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

  • Pennaiyar River Inter State Water Dispute

    Why in the news?

    The Supreme Court of India has directed the Union Government to constitute an Inter State River Water Disputes Tribunal within one month to resolve the Pennaiyar water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The case was filed by Tamil Nadu under Article 131 of the Constitution, invoking the Inter State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.

    About Pennaiyar River

    • Also known as Thenpennai / Ponnaiyar in Tamil and Dakshina Pinakini in Kannada
    • A major east flowing inter state river of southern India
    • Crucial for irrigation, drinking water, and water security

    Origin

    • Originates in the Nandi Hills, Chikkaballapura district, Karnataka
    • Part of the Eastern Ghats system

    States Through Which It Flows

    • Karnataka as the upper riparian state
    • Tamil Nadu as the lower riparian state
    • Tamil Nadu is more dependent on downstream flows, making the dispute politically and economically sensitive

    Major Tributaries

    • Markandeya River
    • Varaha Nadhi
    • Pambar River
    • Pampar River
    • Markandeya River is central to the present inter state dispute
    [2014] The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its: (a) advisory jurisdiction 

    (b) appellate jurisdiction 

    (c) original jurisdiction 

    (d) writ jurisdiction