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Type: Prelims Only

  • Civil Services Reforms

    Sādhana Saptah 2026 Under Mission Karmayogi

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters,Government Scheme/Policies

    Why in the News?

    Sādhana Saptah 2026 has been launched under Mission Karmayogi to strengthen future ready, citizen centric civil services in India.

    What is Sādhana Saptah

    • Sādhana Saptah stands for:Strengthening Adaptive Development and Humane Aptitude for National Advancement
    • It is:
      • A capacity building initiative
      • For civil servants across India
      • Focused on citizen centric governance

    Parent Initiative

    • Under Mission Karmayogi
    • Also called: National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB)

    Key Objectives

    • Build future ready bureaucracy
    • Improve governance delivery
    • Promote citizen centric administration
    • Strengthen administrative capacity
    [2020] In the context of India, which one of the following is the characteristic appropriate for bureaucracy? (a) An agency for widening the scope of parliamentary democracy (b) An agency for strengthening the structure of federalism (c) An agency for facilitating political stability and economic growth (d) An agency for the implementation of public policy

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  • The Crisis In The Middle East

    FAO Food Price Index Rises Amid West Asia Conflict

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

    Why in the News?

    The FAO Food Price Index increased in March 2026, mainly due to rising energy costs linked to the West Asia conflict, which pushed up global food prices.

    What is FAO Food Price Index

    The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI):

    • Measures monthly change in global food prices
    • Tracks international food commodity prices
    • Published by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

    Components of FAO Food Price Index

    • The index includes five commodity groups:
      • Cereals
      • Vegetable oils
      • Dairy
      • Meat
      • Sugar
    • These are weighted based on average export shares.

    Base Year

    • Base period: 2014–2016 = 100

    About FAO

    Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

    • Specialized agency of United Nations
    • Established: 1945
    • Headquarters: Rome, Italy
    • Members: 195
      • 194 countries
      • European Union
    [2016] The FAO accords the status of ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS)’ to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of this initiative? 
    1 To provide modern technology, training in modern farming methods and financial support to local communities of identified GIAHS so as to greatly enhance their agricultural productivity.
    2 To identify and safeguard eco-friendly traditional farm practices and their associated landscapes, agricultural biodiversity and knowledge systems of the local communities. 
    3 To provide Geographical Indication status to all the varieties of agricultural produce in such identified GIAHS. 
    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 
    (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

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  • Indian Navy Updates

    INS Taragiri Commissioned into Indian Navy

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

    Why in the News?

    India commissioned INS Taragiri (F41), an indigenously built stealth guided missile frigate, at Visakhapatnam, boosting maritime security and indigenous defence capability.

    INS Taragiri: Key Details

    • Name: INS Taragiri
    • Type: Stealth Guided Missile Frigate
    • Commissioned at: Visakhapatnam
    • Fleet: Eastern Fleet
    • Indigenous content: Over 75%
    • Built by: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)

    Project 17A Frigate

    • INS Taragiri belongs to: Project 17A stealth frigates
    • Project 17A ships: INS Nilgiri
      • INS Udaygiri
      • INS Taragiri
      • INS Himgiri
      • INS Dunagiri
      • INS Mahendragiri
      • INS Surat (depending classification variations)
    [2009] Consider the following statements: 
    1 INS Sindhughosh is an aircraft carrier. 
    2 INS Viraat is a submarine. 
    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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  • INS Aridhaman Joins Indian Navy, Strengthens Nuclear Deterrence

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

    Why in the News?

    India quietly commissioned INS Aridhaman, the third indigenously built nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), at Visakhapatnam, strengthening India’s nuclear triad capability.

    INS Aridhaman: Key Details

    • Name: INS Aridhaman (S4)
    • Type: Nuclear Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN)
    • Class: Arihant Class
    • Displacement: ~7,000 tonnes
    • Built under: Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) Project
    • Built at: Ship Building Centre, Visakhapatnam

    Missile Capability

    INS Aridhaman can carry:

    • K 15 Sagarika missiles
      • Up to 24 missiles
      • Range: ~750 km
    • K 4 missiles
      • Up to 8 missiles
      • Range: ~3,500 km
    • Future capability:
      • K 5 nuclear capable missiles (under development)
    • This gives greater firepower compared to earlier submarines.

    India’s Nuclear Triad

    India now maintains Nuclear Triad:

    • Land Based: Agni missiles
    • Air Based: Fighter aircraft nuclear delivery
    • Sea Based: SSBN submarines (like INS Aridhaman)
    • Countries with Nuclear Triad: India, USA, Russia, China, and France

    India’s SSBN Fleet

    • INS Arihant — 2016
    • INS Arighaat — 2024
    • INS Aridhaman — 2026
    • S4* (likely INS Arisudan) — Under trials
    [2016] Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently? (a) Amphibious warfare ship (b) Nuclear-powered submarine (c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel (d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

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  • Tribes in News

    Great Nicobar Project: Tribal Relocation Plan Raises Concerns

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

    Why in the News

    A draft relocation plan for Nicobarese tribal communities linked to the ₹92,000 crore Great Nicobar Island (GNI) mega project has triggered fresh concerns and protests.

    Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project

    • Location: Great Nicobar Island
    • Project Cost: ₹92,000 crore
    • Objective:
      • Infrastructure development
      • Strategic maritime hub
      • Port and airport development

    Project is strategically important for:

    • Indo Pacific presence
    • Maritime trade routes
    • National security

    Tribes of Andaman & Nicobar 

    Major tribes:

    • Nicobarese
    • Shompen
    • Jarawa
    • Sentinelese
    • Onge
    • Great Andamanese
    [2014] Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the ‘Ten Degree Channel’? (a) Andaman and Nicobar (b) Nicobar and Sumatra (c) Maldives and Lakshadweep (d) Sumatra and Java

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-United States

    US Imposes 100% Tariff on Patented Pharma Imports

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

    Why in the News?

    The United States announced 100% tariff on patented pharmaceutical imports, but generic drugs remain exempt, limiting the immediate impact on India.

    Key Announcement

    • US to impose 100% tariff
    • Applies to:
      • Patented pharmaceuticals
      • Associated ingredients
    • Effective from: July 31
    • Generics excluded for now
    • Review of generics: within 12 months

    Impact on India

    Limited Immediate Impact

    • 90% of India’s pharma exports to US are generics
    • Generics currently exempt

    India exports:

    • $9.7 billion pharma exports to US (2025)
    • US accounts for 38–40% of India’s pharma exports

    Companies Likely to Be Affected

    • Sun Pharma major exposure
    • Patented drug exports may face pressure

    Sun Pharma data:

    • Global patented sales: $1.2 billion
    • US share: 85–90%
    [2018] Consider the following statements: 1 The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2 The Government does not impose any customs duty on all the imported edible oils as a special case. 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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  • Governor vs. State

    Governor Bound by Cabinet Advice in Remission of Convicts: Madras High Court

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Federalism,Parliament & State Legislatures

    Why in the News?

    A Full Bench of the Madras High Court ruled that the Governor is bound by the State Cabinet’s advice while granting remission or premature release of convicts under Article 161 of the Constitution.

    Key Ruling of Madras High Court

    • Governor cannot exercise discretion
    • Must follow advice of Council of Ministers
    • Applies to:
      • Remission
      • Commutation
      • Premature release of prisoners
    • Court held: Governor cannot take a different view from the Cabinet

    Constitutional Provision

    Article 161

    Governor has power to:

    • Grant pardon
    • Reprieve
    • Respite
    • Remission
    • Commute sentence

    Applies to: Offences under State laws

    Why the Case Was Referred

    • Two conflicting High Court rulings (2024)
    • Division Bench referred issue to Full Bench (2025)
    • Full Bench gave authoritative clarification
    [2025] Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India: 
    1 The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected to limited judicial review. 
    2 The President can exercise this power without the advice of the Central Government. 
    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

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  • The Crisis In The Middle East

    Government Exempts Customs Duty on 40 Petrochemical Products

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

    Why in the News?

    The Government of India has exempted Customs Duty on 40 petrochemical products till June 30, 2026, to reduce supply disruptions and cost pressures caused by the West Asia conflict.

    Key Highlights

    • Customs duty exemption for 40 petrochemical products
    • Valid till: June 30, 2026
    • Notification issued: April 1, 2026
    • Objective: Ensure supply stability and reduce input costs

    Major Products Covered

    Important petrochemical items include:

    • Polypropylene
    • Polystyrene
    • Polyols
    • Polybutadiene
    • Styrene Butadiene
    • Anhydrous Ammonia
    • Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA)
    • Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG)
    [2018] Consider the following statements: 
    1 The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 
    2 The Government does not impose any customs duty on all the imported edible oils as a special case. 
    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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  • Industrial Sector Updates – Industrial Policy, Ease of Doing Business, etc.

    Manufacturing PMI Drops to 53.9 Amid West Asia Crisis

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Why in the News?

    India’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell sharply to 53.9 in March 2026, the lowest level in nearly 4 years, mainly due to West Asia conflict, rising costs, and weaker demand.

    Key Highlights

    • March 2026 PMI: 53.9
    • February 2026 PMI: 56.9
    • Lowest since: June 2022
    • Source: HSBC India Manufacturing PMI

    What is PMI

    Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) measures business activity based on:

    • New orders
    • Output
    • Employment
    • Supplier delivery times
    • Inventory levels

    PMI Interpretation

    • Above 50 → Expansion
    • Below 50 → Contraction
    • India’s PMI at 53.9 still indicates growth, but at slower pace.
    [2012] In India, in the overall Index of Industrial Production (IIP), the Indices of Eight Core Industries have a combined weight of 37.90%. Which of the following are among those Eight Core Industries? 
    1 Cement 
    2 Fertilizers 
    3 Natural 
    3 Gas 
    4 Refinery products 
    5 Textiles 
    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 
    (a) 1 and 5 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

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  • Special Category Status and States

    Amaravati Declared Capital of Andhra Pradesh After 12 Years

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Federalism

    Why in the News?

    Parliament passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, officially declaring Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh, 12 years after the State bifurcation.

    Key Points

    • Parliament passed Bill to recognise Amaravati as capital
    • Amendment to Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014
    • Effective date: June 2, 2024
    • Rajya Sabha passed the Bill after Lok Sabha approval

    Background: Andhra Pradesh Bifurcation

    • Year: 2014
    • Andhra Pradesh split into: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
    • Telangana received: Hyderabad as capital
    • Andhra Pradesh:
      • No permanent capital decided
      • Amaravati proposed later

    Andhra Pradesh Assembly Resolution

    • Date: March 28, 2026
    • Andhra Pradesh Assembly requested:
      • Statutory recognition of Amaravati
    • Union government amended AP Reorganisation Act
    [2021] With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct? (a) Pingali Venkayya designed the tricolour Indian National Flag here. (b) Pattabhi Sitaramaiah led the Quit India Movement of Andhra region from here. (c) Rabindranath Tagore translated the National Anthem from Bengali to English here. (d) Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott set up headquarters of Theosophical Society first here.

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