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Type: Prelims Only

  • GI(Geographical Indicator) Tags

    Tamil Nadu Adds Five New GI-Tagged Products 

    4 December 2025 | 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      • First application by Tamil Nadu Handicrafts (Poompuhar) withdrawn (2019)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

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  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Assam Day & Chaolung Sukapha 

    4 December 2025 | 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

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  • Tribes in News

    Hornbill Festival 2025

    3 December 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

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  • Masala Bonds

    ED Notice to Kerala CM: KIIFB Masala Bonds Case 

    3 December 2025 | 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

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: United Nations

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

    3 December 2025 | 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

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

    India Expands Heron Mk II UAV Fleet

    3 December 2025 | Prelims Only | Internal Security
    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

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-Africa

    Coup in Guinea-Bissau (2025)

    3 December 2025 | Prelims Only | International Relations
    Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    Why in the news? 

    Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s most coup-prone nations, witnessed yet another military takeover on 26 November 2025, overthrowing President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. The coup was led by members of the Presidential Guard, marking the latest in a long line of disruptions to democratic governance in West Africa.

    Geography & Country Profile

    • Location: West Africa, bordered by
      • Senegal (North)
      • Guinea (East & South)
      • Atlantic Ocean (West)
    • Language: Portuguese (Lusophone Africa).
    • Population: Approx. 2.25 million.
    • HDI Rank: 174 / 193 (UNDP).
    • Economy: Dominated by agriculture, especially cashew nuts
      • Cashew = 80%+ of export earnings (World Bank).
    • Known as a hub for drug trafficking (Latin America → Europe).

    Political Background

    • Independence from Portugal in 1974.
    • One of the most unstable countries globally:
      • Has had more successful coups than peaceful transfers of power.
    • Termed the “Coup Trap” country – chronic cycle where military becomes the dominant political actor.
    In the recent years Chad, Guinea, Mali and Sudan caught the international attention for which one of the following reasons common to all of them? (2023)

    (a) Discovery of rich deposits of rare earth elements 

    (b) Establishement of Chinese military bases 

    (c) Southward expansion of Sahara Desert 

    (d) Successful coups

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Svalbard

    2 December 2025 | Prelims Only | Environment
    Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

     Why in the News?

    • Scientists recently observed an unexpected large gathering of walruses on the remote shores of Svalbard, indicating shifting wildlife behaviour in the Arctic due to changing climatic conditions.

    About Svalbard 

    Location

    • A Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean.
    • Lies between mainland Norway and the North Pole (about halfway).
    • Northernmost permanent human settlement in the world.

    Discovery & Status

    • Discovered by Willem Barentsz (Dutch explorer) in 1596.
    • Svalbard Treaty (1920) → established Norwegian sovereignty.

    Geography

    • ~60% glacier-covered; marked by mountains, fjords.
    • Surrounding seas:
      • Arctic Ocean, Greenland Sea, Norwegian Sea.
    Consider the following countries: (2014)

    1. Denmark 

    2. Japan 

    3. Russian Federation 

    4. United Kingdom 

    5. United States of America 

    Which of the above are the members of the ‘Arctic Council’? 

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

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  • Tribes in News

    Khiamniungan Tribe

    2 December 2025 | Prelims Only | Environment
    Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    • The Prime Minister of India recently mentioned the Khiamniungan tribe of Nagaland in his Mann Ki Baat episode, highlighting their traditional practice of cliff-honey hunting and rich cultural heritage.

    About the Khiamniungan Tribe

    • One of the major Naga tribes inhabiting both:
      • Eastern Nagaland (India)
      • North-Western Myanmar
    • Their homeland lies along the Indo-Myanmar border.
    • The term “Khiamniungan” means “source of great water/river”.
    • Language: Khiamniugan, a Sino-Tibetan Naga language.
    • Social Structure: Traditionally based on a clan system.

    Festivals

    • Tsokum Sumai: Celebrated in September–early October.
      • Purpose: Invoke blessings for a rich harvest.
    • Khaotzao Sey Hok-ah Sumai: Marks the end of agricultural activities for the year.

    Economy & Livelihood

    • Agriculture is the primary occupation.
    • Traditionally practiced jhum cultivation.
    • Renowned for cliff-honey hunting, practiced for centuries.
    Consider the following pairs: Tribe State (2013)

    (1). Limboo (Limbu) : Sikkim 

    (2). Karbi : Himachal Pradesh 

    (3). Dongaria Kondh : Odisha 

    (4). Bonda : Tamil Nadu 

    Which of the above pairs are correctly matched? 

    (a) 1 and 3 only 

    (b) 2 and 4 only 

    (c) 1, 3 and 4 only 

    (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

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  • Ramban Sulai Honey Gets National Spotlight 

    2 December 2025 | Prelims Only | Agriculture
    Mains Paper 3: Agriculture and related issues

    Why in the News?

    In the 128th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the Prime Minister highlighted Ramban Sulai Honey from Jammu & Kashmir, noting that the product has gained national recognition after receiving a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2021.

    Origin

    • Produced in Ramban District, Jammu & Kashmir.
    • Derived from Sulai (wild basil) plants growing naturally in the Himalayan region.

    Distinct Features

    • Taste & Aroma: Naturally sweet with aromatic floral undertones.
    • Colour: Crystal-clear; ranges from white to amber.
    • Season of Production: Bees forage on snow-white Sulai blossoms from August to October.
    • Nutritional Profile: Rich in enzymes, vitamins, and essential minerals.
    • Medicinal Value: Known for high purity and therapeutic benefits.
    • Superior bee strains native to the region.
    • Ideal climatic conditions, giving higher yields than other honey-producing areas of India.
    • Recognised as the district’s One District, One Product (ODOP).

    What is a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag?

    A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products that: Originate from a specific geographical region, and Possess qualities, reputation, or characteristics exclusive to that region.

    Key Points

    • GI is a type of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
    • Recognized under: Paris Convention and TRIPS Agreement (WTO)

    Indian Legal Framework

    • Governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
    • Key provisions:
      • Prevents unauthorized use of GI-tagged names.
      • Valid for 10 years, but can be renewed indefinitely.
      • Provides legal protection and helps preserve traditional knowledge.
    India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in order to comply with the obligations to (2018)

    (a) ILO

    (b) IMF

    (c) UNCTAD

    (d) WTO

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