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Type: Prelims Only

  • Manufacturing PMI Drops to 53.9 Amid West Asia Crisis

    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

  • Amaravati Declared Capital of Andhra Pradesh After 12 Years

    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.

  • CSIR Develops Bio Bitumen: Turning Farm Residue into Roads

    Why in the News? 

    The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) transferred Bio Bitumen Technology that converts farm residue into road construction material, promoting sustainable infrastructure and reducing stubble burning.

    What is Bio Bitumen

    • Bio bitumen:
      • Renewable alternative to petroleum based bitumen
      • Made from agricultural biomass
      • Used in road construction
    • Developed by:
      • CSIR Central Road Research Institute (CRRI)
      • CSIR Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP)

    How Bio Bitumen is Made

    • Raw Material: Crop residue, Agricultural biomass, and Farm waste
    [2025] Consider the following statements: Statement I: Circular economy reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases. Statement II: Circular economy reduces the use of raw materials as inputs. Statement III: Circular economy reduces wastage in the production process. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I (b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement I explains Statement II (c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I (d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

  • Digital Push in Rural India: eGramSwaraj & SabhaSaar Milestones

    Why in the News?

    The Ministry of Panchayati Raj announced major milestones:

    • ₹3 lakh crore digital payments via eGramSwaraj
    • SabhaSaar AI tool expanded to 23 Indian languages

    These developments strengthen digital governance and transparency in rural India.

    What is eGramSwaraj?

    • Digital platform for Gram Panchayat governance
    • Part of e Panchayat Mission Mode Project
    • Integrated with Public Financial Management System (PFMS)

    What is SabhaSaar? 

    • AI powered voice to text meeting summarisation tool
    • Launched: 14 August 2025
    • Used for Gram Sabha meetings
    [2017] Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in: (a) Federalism (b) Democratic decentralization (c) Administrative delegation (d) Direct democracy

  • IRDAI Approves Ind AS Framework for Insurers From April 1, 2026

    Why in News

    The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has approved Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) framework for insurers, effective April 1, 2026.

    What is Ind AS

    • Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS):
    • Accounting rules for financial reporting
    • Based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
    • Ensures:
      • Transparency
      • Comparability
      • Global alignment

    Who Will Follow Ind AS

    • Applicable to all insurers: Life insurance companies, General insurance companies, Standalone health insurers, and Reinsurers
    [2019] In India, which of the following review the independent regulators in sectors like telecommunications, insurance, electricity, etc.?
    1 Ad Hoc Committees set up by the Parliament 
    2 Parliamentary Department Related Standing Committees 
    3 Finance Commission 
    4 Financial Sector Legislative 
    5 Reforms Commission NITI Aayog 
    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 
    (a) 1 and 2 (b) 1, 3 and 4 (c) 3, 4 and 5 (d) 2 and 5

  • RBI Tightens Forex Rules, Bans Non Deliverable Rupee Contracts

    Why in the News?

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has tightened foreign exchange rules and banned non deliverable rupee derivative contracts to curb speculation and stabilize the Indian rupee, which recently weakened amid West Asia conflict.

    What is Non Deliverable Derivative (NDF)

    • Non Deliverable Derivative:
      • Contract settled in cash
      • No actual currency exchange
      • Often used for speculation
    • Deliverable Derivative:
      • Actual currency exchange occurs
      • Used mainly for hedging

    Key RBI Decisions

    1. Ban on Non Deliverable Rupee Contracts

    • RBI directed Authorised Dealer (AD) banks to:
      • Stop non deliverable rupee derivative contracts
      • Applies to residents and non residents
    • Aim:
      • Reduce speculation
      • Increase transparency
      • Stabilize rupee

    2. Deliverable Contracts Allowed (With Conditions)

    Banks can offer: Deliverable forex derivatives

    But only if:

    • Used for genuine hedging purposes
    • Clients cannot hold opposite positions in non deliverable markets

    3. Documentation Requirement

    Authorised dealers can:

    • Ask for documents
    • Verify purpose of forex transactions
    • Ensure no speculative trading

    4. Ban on Rebooking of Contracts

    RBI also:

    • Prohibited rebooking of cancelled forex contracts
    • Applies to:
      • Deliverable contracts
      • Non deliverable contracts
    • Purpose: Prevent misuse and speculative loopholes

    5. Restrictions on Related Party Transactions

    • Banks cannot undertake forex derivatives with related parties
    • Definition based on: Ind AS 24 and IAS 24
    • What is Ind AS 24
      • Ind AS 24 is Indian Accounting Standard 24 that deals with Related Party Disclosures in financial statements.
      • Issued by: Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Based on International Accounting Standards
    • What is IAS 24
      • IAS 24 is International Accounting Standard 24 issued by:
      • International Accounting Standards Board (IASB)
    [2019] Which one of the following is not the most likely measure the Government/ RBI takes to stop the slide of Indian rupee? (a) Curbing imports of non-essential goods and promoting exports. (b) Encouraging Indian borrowers to issue rupee denominated Masala Bonds. (c) Easing conditions relating to external commercial borrowing. (d) Following an expansionary monetary policy.

  • Samrat Samprati: Ashoka’s Grandson Who Helped Spread Jainism

    Why in the News?

    The Samrat Samprati Museum was inaugurated in Koba, Gandhinagar on Mahavir Jayanti, highlighting the role of Samrat Samprati, grandson of Ashoka, in spreading Jainism.

    Mauryan Dynasty and Religion

    Ashoka and Buddhism

    • Ashoka ruled: 269–232 BCE
    • Adopted Buddhism after Kalinga War
    • Spread Buddhism:
      • Sri Lanka
      • Southeast Asia
      • Central Asia
    • Promoted ethical kingship and Dhamma

    Jain Connections in Mauryan Dynasty

    Chandragupta Maurya

    • Founder of Mauryan Empire
    • According to Jain tradition:
      • Converted to Jainism
      • Migrated to Shravanabelagola (Karnataka)
      • Practised Sallekhana (fast unto death)
    • Ashoka’s First Wife
      • Padmavati believed to be Jain

    Who Was Samrat Samprati

    • Grandson of Ashoka
    • Son of Kunala
    • Ruled: c. 230–220 BCE
    • Associated with Shvetambara Jain tradition
    • Often called: “Ashoka of Jainism”
    [2018] With reference to the religious practices in India, the “Sthanakvasi” sect belongs to: (a) Buddhism (b) Jainism (c) Vaishnavism (d) Shaivism

  • Rajya Sabha Passes CAPF Bill Amid Opposition Walkout

    Why in the News?

    The Rajya Sabha passed the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, while the Opposition staged a walkout alleging that their concerns were not addressed.

    What are Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)

    CAPFs under Ministry of Home Affairs:

    • CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force)
    • BSF (Border Security Force)
    • CISF (Central Industrial Security Force)
    • ITBP (Indo Tibetan Border Police)
    • SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal)
    • Assam Rifles (operational control with Army)

    Key Objective of the CAPF Bill

    The Bill aims to:

    • Create umbrella administrative structure
    • Remove inconsistencies in service rules
    • Improve cadre management
    • Streamline appointments and promotions
    • Improve coordination with state police

    Government stated:

    • It will strengthen national security
    • Boost efficiency and morale of forces

    Why Government Introduced the Bill

    Over time:

    • CAPFs developed different service rules
    • Lack of clarity in: Promotions, Appointments, Deputation, and Cadre management
    • The Bill aims to standardise administration.

    Opposition’s Concerns

    Deputation Issue

    • Institutionalising IPS officers’ deputation
    • May affect career progression of CAPF officers
    [2023] With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements: 1 Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government. 2 The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in maintenance of internal security. 3 To prevent infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some States. How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None

  • Supreme Court: Voter Roll Exclusion Does Not End Voting Rights Permanently

    Why in the News

    The Supreme Court of India ruled that voters excluded from electoral rolls during Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal do not lose their voting rights permanently.

    Key Observations by Supreme Court

    • Voting rights cannot be “washed away forever”
    • Excluded voters must be given fair opportunity to appeal
    • Tribunal process must ensure fair adjudication
    • Electoral authorities must provide reasons for deletion

    Case Background

    • Special Intensive Revision (SIR) conducted in West Bengal
    • Many voters removed from electoral rolls
    • 19 tribunals constituted by Election Commission
    • Tribunals headed by:
      • Former High Court Chief Justices
      • Former High Court Judges
    • Purpose: Hear appeals of excluded voters

    Supreme Court Directions

    The Court directed:

    • Election Commission must provide:
      • Reasons for deletion
      • Remarks of adjudicating officers
    • Ensure transparent review process
    • Tribunal hearings to ensure justice for wrongly excluded voters

    Supplementary Electoral Lists

    • Final voter list published: Feb 28, 2026
    • Supreme Court allowed:
      • Supplementary lists to include eligible voters
    • Fourth supplementary list already published

    Constitutional Significance

    • Voting Rights linked to:
      • Article 326 — Adult Suffrage
      • Representation of the People Act, 1950
    • Key Principle: An eligible voter cannot be denied voting rights arbitrarily
    [2017] Right to vote and to be elected in India is a (a) Fundamental Right (b) Natural Right (c) Constitutional Right (d) Legal Right

  • Exercise Dweep Shakti: India Conducts Tri Service Military Drill

    Why in the News?

    The Indian Armed Forces concluded Exercise Dweep Shakti, a high intensity tri service exercise conducted in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to strengthen India’s island defence and maritime security.

    What is Exercise Dweep Shakti

    • Type: Tri Service Military Exercise
    • Forces involved:
      • Indian Army
      • Indian Navy
      • Indian Air Force
    • Focus: Island defence and amphibious warfare
    • Conducted under: Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC)

    About Andaman and Nicobar Command

    • India’s only Tri Service Theatre Command
    • Established in 2001
    • Headquarters: Port Blair
    • Strategic location near:
      • Malacca Strait
      • Indo Pacific sea routes
    [2024] Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023’ are correct? 1 This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2 It commenced in Aundh (Pune). Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation. 3 Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 4 (c) 1 and 4 (d) 2, 3 and 4