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Type: Prelims Only

  • Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

    Kathputli Art of Rajasthan 

    13 January 2026 | Prelims Only | Art and Culture
    Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    Why in the News?

    The traditional Kathputli art of Rajasthan, centred in Kathputli Nagar of Jaipur, highlights India’s rich intangible cultural heritage, where nearly 250 artisan families continue a centuries old puppet tradition amid challenges from modern entertainment.

    What is Kathputli?

    • Kathputli is one of India’s oldest folk puppet traditions
    • The word derives from
      • Kath meaning wood
      • Putli meaning doll
    • Puppets are string operated wooden figures with painted faces and colourful costumes

    Region and Community

    • Practised mainly in Rajasthan
    • Kathputli Nagar (Puppets Colony) in Jaipur is a major living hub
    • Craft is hereditary, passed down across generations within families

    Historical Significance

    • Traditionally performed by travelling storytellers
    • Used to narrate
      • Tales of Rajput kings and warriors
      • Folk legends and moral stories
    • Served as a mass communication medium before print and digital media

    Current Challenges

    • Competition from digital entertainment
    • Economic insecurity for artisans
    • Dependence on tourism and cultural events

    Prelims Pointers

    • Kathputli is a string puppet tradition
    • Originated in Rajasthan
    • Major hub is Kathputli Nagar, Jaipur
    • Puppets are made of wood and cloth
    • Historically used to narrate royal and folk tales
    [2024] Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO? 

    (a) Chhau dance 

    (b) Durga Puja 

    (c) Garba dance 

    (d) Kumbh Mela

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  • Dams and Hydroprojects

    Show Cause Notice on Bargi Dam 

    13 January 2026 | Prelims Only | Geography
    Mains Paper 1: Geographical Features & Their Location

    Why in the News?

    The National Dam Safety Authority issued a show cause notice to the Narmada Valley Development Authority over serious safety lapses at Bargi Dam.

    About Bargi Dam

    • A major multipurpose dam
    • Used for irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydroelectric power generation
    • Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh
    • Constructed on the Narmada River

    Historical Background

    • Built under the Narmada Valley Development Project
    • First completed major dam among the planned series on the Narmada in Madhya Pradesh
    • Became the foundation project for the state’s Narmada basin development strategy

    Key Features

    • 21 spillway gates: Regulate flood discharge and reservoir levels during heavy rainfall
    • Bargi Diversion Project: Canal network supplying irrigation to drought prone regions
    • Rani Avantibai Lodhi Sagar Project: Large scale storage and distribution system for irrigation and water supply
    • Large reservoir supporting: Drinking water, Hydropower, Fisheries and Tourism and recreation

    Significance

    • Provides drinking water to Jabalpur and nearby districts
    • Supports agriculture through assured irrigation
    • Contributes to electricity generation
    • Boosts regional development and eco tourism

    Institutional Context

    National Dam Safety Authority

    • Apex body under the Dam Safety Act 2021
    • Responsible for surveillance, inspection, and safety compliance of specified dams

    Narmada Valley Development Authority

    • Implements and manages projects under the Narmada basin
    • Responsible for operation and maintenance of dams like Bargi

    Prelims Pointers

    • Bargi Dam is on the Narmada River
    • Located in Madhya Pradesh
    • Part of the Narmada Valley Development Project
    • NDSA acts under the Dam Safety Act 2021
    • Spillway gates are crucial for flood control
    [2016] The Narmada river flows to the west, while most other large peninsular rivers flow to the east. Why? 

    1. It occupies a linear rift valley

    2. It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras

    3. The land slopes to the west from Central India

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below

    (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) None

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  • Electoral Reforms In India

    Special Intensive Revision in Uttar Pradesh 

    12 January 2026 | Prelims Only | Polity
    Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

    Why in the News?

    The Election Commission of India published the draft electoral rolls of Uttar Pradesh after completing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), resulting in the deletion of 2.89 crore voters, the highest absolute deletion for any State or Union Territory so far.

    Key Data from Uttar Pradesh SIR

    • Total voters in 2025 list: 15.44 crore
    • Retained in draft rolls: 12.55 crore
    • Deleted voters: 2.89 crore
    • Percentage deleted: 18.70 percent

    Breakup of deletions

    • Deceased voters: 46.23 lakh (2.99 percent)
    • Permanent migration or non availability: 2.17 crore (14.06 percent)
    • Multiple registrations: 25.47 lakh (1.65 percent)

    Comparative Perspective

    • Uttar Pradesh has the highest deletions in absolute numbers
    • Andaman and Nicobar Islands recorded a higher percentage deletion
    • Other State deletion rates
      • Tamil Nadu: 15.19 percent
      • Gujarat: 14.5 percent
      • Chhattisgarh: 12.88 percent
      • West Bengal: 7.59 percent
      • Kerala: 8.65 percent
    [2017] For election to the Lok Sabha, a nomination paper can be filed by: 

    (a) Anyone residing in India

    (b) A resident of the constituency from which the election is to be contested

    (c) Any citizen of India whose name appears in the electoral roll of a constituency

    (d) Any citizen of India.

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  • Terrorism and Challenges Related To It

    National IED Data Management System (NIDMS)  

    12 January 2026 | Prelims Only | Internal Security
    Mains Paper 3: External State & Non-State Actors: Challenges To Internal Security.

    Why in the News?

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah virtually inaugurated the National IED Data Management System (NIDMS) at the National Security Guard garrison in Manesar, calling it a next generation shield against terrorism.

    What is NIDMS

    • A national online digital platform and centralised repository of data related to Improvised Explosive Device (IED) incidents
    • Designed to support investigation, pattern analysis, and deterrence strategies against terror attacks
    • Provides single click access to IED related data across India
    • Nodal Agency: National Security Guard (NSG)
    • Launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs

    Key Objectives

    • Strengthen counter terrorism investigations
    • Identify patterns in modus operandi and explosives
    • Enable scientific and evidence based prosecution
    • Improve inter agency coordination

    Key Features

    • Two way data platform
      • Agencies can upload fresh IED incident data
      • Agencies can access historical data
    • Comprehensive database: Chronicles all bomb blasts since 1999
    • One nation one data repository: Uniform access for central and state agencies
    • Fully secure national digital platform
    • Enables standardisation, integration, and secure sharing of IED data

    Agencies Covered

    • National Investigation Agency
    • State Anti Terrorism Squads
    • Central Armed Police Forces
    • State and Union Territory police forces
    • Intelligence and investigation agencies

    Integration with Other Security Databases

    NIDMS will interlink with existing national security platforms:

    • CCTNS connecting over 17,700 police stations
    • ICJS 2 integrating data from 22,000 courts
    • e Prisons database with over 2.2 crore prisoners
    • e Prosecution database with around 2 crore cases
    • e Forensics with more than 31 lakh samples
    • NAFIS with over 1.2 crore fingerprints
    [2020] In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of: 

    (a) Digital security infrastructure 

    (b) Food security infrastructure 

    (c) Health care and education infrastructure 

    (d) Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India – EU

    India Participates in the Weimar Triangle Format  

    12 January 2026 | Prelims Only | International Relations
    Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    Why in the News?

    India participated for the first time in the Weimar Triangle format, where Poland publicly supported India amid United States pressure on Russian oil imports, signalling growing strategic convergence between India and key European powers.

    What is the Weimar Triangle

    • A trilateral political and diplomatic grouping
    • Members: France, Germany and Poland
    • Created to promote European integration, political dialogue, and security cooperation
    • Established in 1991
    • Named after Weimar
    • First meeting of the three foreign ministers held in Weimar
    • Initially focused on post Cold War European reconciliation

    Aims of the Weimar Triangle

    • Build a united and secure Europe
    • Strengthen political, security, and economic cooperation
    • Coordinate responses to Russia related security challenges
    • Bridge Western Europe and Central Eastern Europe

    Significance of India’s Participation

    • Marks India’s diplomatic outreach beyond traditional EU formats
    • Indicates European strategic autonomy in engaging India
    • Public support by Poland strengthens India’s position on energy security
    • Reflects growing India Europe convergence amid global geopolitical stress

    Prelims Pointers

    • Weimar Triangle has three European members
    • Created in 1991
    • Not an EU institution but an informal strategic forum
    • Important in Russia Ukraine context
    • India participated for the first time
    [2023] Consider the following statements: 

    Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the ‘Trade and Technology Council’

    Statement-II: The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control

    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-I 

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

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

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  • Promoting Science and Technology – Missions,Policies & Schemes

    Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication Technology 

    12 January 2026 | Prelims Only | Science and Technology
    Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T, Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    The Government of India is preparing to roll out Vehicle To Vehicle (V2V) communication technology by the end of 2026 to significantly reduce road accidents, especially during fog, rear end collisions, and pile ups.

    What is Vehicle To Vehicle (V2V) Technology

    • A direct communication system that allows vehicles to exchange information with each other
    • Works without mobile network or internet
    • Vehicles send and receive real time safety alerts when another vehicle comes dangerously close
    • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

    How the V2V System Works

    • A SIM like communication device installed inside vehicles
    • Vehicles broadcast signals about: Speed, Position, Direction and Sudden braking
    • Nearby vehicles receive instant alerts and warn drivers

    Key Features

    • 360 degree communication: Alerts received from all sides of the vehicle
    • Distance warning system: Warns drivers if another vehicle comes too close
    • Stationary vehicle detection: Alerts about parked or broken down vehicles on roads
    • Fog safety: Highly effective during low visibility conditions
    • Pile up prevention: Reduces chances of multi vehicle collisions on highways
    [2023] Consider the following actions: 

    1. Detection of car crash/collision which results in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously 

    2. Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off of the hard drive

    3. Detection of the tilt of the smart phone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode 

    In how many of the above actions is the function of accelerometer required? 

    (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None

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  • Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

    Zehanpora Buddhist Site and Kashmir’s Ancient Buddhist Past  

    12 January 2026 | Prelims Only | Art and Culture
    Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    Why in the News?

    Archaeologists have unearthed ancient Buddhist stupas and settlement remains at Zehanpora in Baramulla, reviving Kashmir’s 2,000 year old Buddhist past. The breakthrough was aided by century old photographs preserved in a French museum, which guided modern excavations.

    About the Zehanpora Discovery

    • Location: Zehanpora village, Baramulla district, along the Jhelum River
    • Site lies on an ancient Silk Route corridor linking Kashmir to Central Asia and Kandahar
    • Excavations began in July 2025 after drone surveys, aerial mapping, and ground verification

    Key Archaeological Findings

    • Three Buddhist stupas
    • Urban type settlement complex likely including chaityas and viharas
    • Apsidal stupa architecture with pradakshina path
    • Kushan era artefacts
      • Pottery shards
      • Copper objects
      • Stone walls
    • Evidence of long term monastic and urban activity

    Historical Significance

    Gandhara Buddhist Network

    • Discovery firmly links Kashmir to the Gandhara Buddhist cultural network
    • Establishes Kashmir as a central hub of Buddhist learning, not a peripheral region
    • Demonstrates cultural and intellectual exchange between South Asia and Central Asia

    Chronological Context

    • Buddhist presence in Kashmir began during Ashoka’s reign (3rd century BCE)
    • Flourished under the Kushan Empire (1st to 3rd century CE)
    • Kushans promoted urbanisation, trade, and Buddhism

    Literary Corroboration

    • Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang mentioned entering Kashmir via the Silk Route
    • Zehanpora excavation provides material archaeological evidence supporting textual references

    Role of French Museum Photographs

    • In 2023, century old photographs showing three stupas in Baramulla were discovered
    • Images validated local archaeological hypotheses
    • Triggered systematic excavation and site identification

    Prelims Pointers

    • Zehanpora is located in Baramulla district
    • Site linked to Gandhara Buddhism
    • Artefacts belong mainly to Kushan period
    • Apsidal stupas allow circumambulatory worship
    • Discovery aided by foreign archival material
    [2023] With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements: 

    1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin. 

    2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics

    3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition

    How many of the statements given above are correct? 

    (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None

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  • Corporate Social Responsibility: Issues & Development

    PANKHUDI Portal  

    10 January 2026 | Prelims Only | Governance
    Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters

    Why in the News?

    The Union Minister launched PANKHUDI, an integrated digital portal to improve ease of living for women and children by streamlining CSR and voluntary partnerships.

    About PANKHUDI Portal

    • A single window integrated digital platform
    • Facilitates CSR and voluntary contributions for women and child development
    • Enables transparent funding, proposal tracking, and outcome monitoring
    • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development

    Objectives

    • Strengthen coordination among government, citizens, NRIs, NGOs, and corporates
    • Improve transparency and accountability in social investments
    • Enhance service delivery and outcomes for women and children nationwide

    Key Features

    Unified CSR Interface

    • Single platform for individuals, NRIs, NGOs, corporates, and government agencies
    • Simplifies collaboration with government programmes
    • Priority Focus Areas: Nutrition, Health, Early Childhood Care and Education,Child welfare and protection, Women’s safety and empowerment

    Support to Flagship Missions

    • Digitally strengthens
      • Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0
      • Mission Vatsalya
      • Mission Shakti

    End-to-End Transparency

    • Online registration and proposal submission
    • Digital approvals and real time monitoring
    • Non cash contributions only to ensure traceability

    Scale of Impact

    • Covers more than 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres
    • Around 5,000 Child Care Institutions
    • Nearly 800 One Stop Centres
    • About 500 Shakhi Niwas
    • Around 400 Shakti Sadan

    Significance

    • Reduces procedural friction in government partnerships
    • Enhances monitoring and convergence of welfare schemes
    • Improves measurable impact of CSR and voluntary funding
    • Strengthens digital governance in social sector delivery

    Prelims Pointers

    • PANKHUDI is a CSR facilitation portal
    • Focused on women and child development
    • Operates through non cash contributions
    • Linked with major flagship missions
    [2024] With reference to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules in India, consider the following statements: 

    1. CSR rules specify that expenditures that benefit the company directly or its employees will not be considered as CSR activities. 

    2. CSR rules do not specify minimum spending on CSR activities. 

    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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  • Textile Sector – Cotton, Jute, Wool, Silk, Handloom, etc.

    District Led Textiles Transformation (DLTT) Plan

    10 January 2026 | Prelims Only | Economics
    Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

    Why in the News?

    The Ministry of Textiles has launched the District Led Textiles Transformation (DLTT) Plan to convert 100 high potential districts into Global Export Champions and upgrade 100 Aspirational Districts into self reliant textile hubs.

    What is the DLTT Plan

    • A sector specific, district level transformation strategy for textiles
    • Uses data driven categorisation to tailor interventions
    • Covers districts at different stages, from advanced export clusters to foundation stage districts

    Objectives

    • Drive inclusive, sustainable, and export oriented growth in textiles
    • Decentralise policy execution to districts
    • Strengthen MSMEs and formalise the workforce
    • Build globally competitive textile clusters

    Significance

    • Moves India up the textile value chain
    • Diversifies export baskets
    • Strengthens MSMEs and formalises labour
    • Boosts women led and SHG led enterprises
    • Accelerates development in aspirational, eastern, and north eastern districts

    Prelims Pointers

    • DLTT follows a district first approach
    • Uses data driven classification
    • Integrates skilling, infrastructure, and exports
    • Strong focus on inclusive and regional development
    [2022] Which of the following activities constitute the real sector in the economy? 

    1. Farmers harvesting their crops 2. Textile mills converting raw cotton into fabrics 

    2. A commercial bank lending money to a trading company 

    3. A corporate body issuing Rupee Denominated Bonds overseas 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

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  • ISRO Missions and Discoveries

    Dust Experiment (DEX) 

    10 January 2026 | Prelims Only | Science and Technology
    Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

    Why in the News?

    Indian Space Research Organisation has confirmed that an interplanetary dust particle enters Earth’s atmosphere roughly every 16 minutes, based on observations from India’s first cosmic dust detector Dust Experiment (DEX).

    About Dust Experiment (DEX)

    • India’s first indigenously developed cosmic dust detector
    • Designed to detect and measure high speed interplanetary and orbital dust particles
    • Studies dust impacts in Earth’s upper atmosphere

    Developed by

    • Indian Space Research Organisation
    • Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad

    Mission Platform

    • Flown aboard PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM)
    • Part of PSLV C58 XPoSat mission

    Aim

    • Direct measurement of cosmic dust flux
    • Improve understanding of space environment
    • Enhance satellite safety and planning of future crewed deep space missions

    Prelims Pointers

    • DEX is India’s first cosmic dust detector
    • Operates from PSLV POEM
    • Measures interplanetary dust particles
    • IDPs originate from comets and asteroids
    • Critical for satellite protection and deep space missions
    [2011] What is the difference between asteroids and comets? 

    1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material

    2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and Mercury

    3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not. 

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

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

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