On April 26, 2026, the historic Thrissur Pooram was celebrated at the Thekkinkadu Maidan in Kerala. However, this edition was notably scaled-down and held without its signature fireworks display (Vedikettu) following a tragic accident at Mundathikode earlier in the month that claimed 15 lives.
About Thrissur Pooram
One of the grandest temple festivals of Kerala
Held at: Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple
Venue: Thekkinkadu Maidan
[2014] Consider the following pairs: 1 Garba : Gujarat 2 Mohiniattam : Odisha 3 Yakshagana : Karnataka Which of the pairs given above is / are correctly matched? a) 1 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3
Following a prolonged stalemate and violent unrest in 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is set to resume formal talks with Ladakh’s civil society groups on May 22, 2026. This coincides with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the region for the Buddha Purnima holy relics exposition.
Core Demands of Ladakh (UPSC Focus)
The dialogue involves two major socio-political groupings: the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). Their “Four-Point Agenda” includes:
Statehood for Ladakh: Transition from a Union Territory (UT) to a full-fledged State.
Sixth Schedule Inclusion: Granting constitutional safeguards under Article 244 to protect land, employment, and cultural identity.
Exclusive Public Service Commission (PSC): A dedicated recruitment body for Ladakh to ensure local preference in government jobs.
Enhanced Parliamentary Representation: Increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats from one to two (one each for Leh and Kargil).
Significance of the Sixth Schedule
The Sixth Schedule provides for the administration of tribal areas through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).
Powers: ADCs have legislative, judicial, and administrative autonomy to make laws on land, forests, water, and social customs.
Current Status: Currently applies to tribal areas in four Northeastern states: Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram (AMTM).
Ladakh’s Argument: Over 90% of Ladakh’s population is tribal, making it a fit candidate for these safeguards to prevent demographic changes and environmental degradation.
[2015] The provisions in the Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to: (a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes (b) determine the boundaries between States (c) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats (d) protect the interests of all border States
Anthropic is in high-level talks with the Indian government to safeguard Critical Information Infrastructure (CII)—including banking, energy, and telecom—against cybersecurity risks posed by its latest and most powerful AI model, Mythos.
What is Mythos?
Mythos is an advanced AI model developed by Anthropic that possesses “unprecedented” capabilities in identifying and exploiting software vulnerabilities.
Cyber-Weapon Potential: Unlike standard AI, Mythos can autonomously find deep-seated flaws in widely used operating systems and infrastructure.
Controlled Release: Due to its risk profile, Anthropic has withheld public release, opting instead for a “defense-first” strategy.
Project Glasswing: A defensive initiative by Anthropic to help major tech firms (Apple, Nvidia, etc.) and governments build AI-native shields before the model is widely deployed.
India’s Response
The Indian government has initiated a multi-ministerial response to mitigate potential AI-driven threats:
Finance Ministry Action: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman directed banks to maintain “high-level vigilance” and develop coordination mechanisms against AI-weaponized vulnerabilities.
Diplomatic Engagement: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is leading talks with Anthropic’s leadership to secure India’s financial and energy sectors.
Vulnerability Assessment: Indian agencies are seeking access to study the system’s risks and prepare defensive measures specifically for the financial sector.
[2020] With the print 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
For the first time as the 2026 BRICS Chair, India convened a meeting of Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys from BRICS and MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries to address the escalating U.S.-Israel war against Iran.
What is BRICS-MENA?
A specialized consultative platform within the BRICS framework that brings together member states and key regional players from the Middle East and North Africa to coordinate on regional security and diplomacy.
BRICS Member Countries (2026):
Founding: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
Expanded Members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Indonesia.
MENA Region Participants:
Beyond the BRICS members from the region (Iran, Egypt, UAE, Saudi), the MENA delegation includes key regional stakeholders such as:
Gulf: Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq.
Levant: Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria.
North Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya.
[2025] Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS; I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairmanship 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
In a major political shift, seven out of ten Aam Aadmi Party (Aam Aadmi Party) Rajya Sabha MPs have resigned from the party to merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), citing a departure from the party’s founding principles.
What is the Event?
Seven Rajya Sabha MPs, led by Raghav Chadha, have exercised the “merger” provision of the anti-defection law to join the BJP without losing their seats in the Upper House.
Constitutional & Legal Framework (UPSC Focus)
The move hinges on the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution (Anti-Defection Law):
The Two-Thirds Rule: Under the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act (2003), a split in a party is no longer recognized. However, a merger is valid if at least two-thirds of the members of the legislative party agree to it.
Status of AAP MPs: Since 7 out of 10 MPs (70%) have moved together, they meet the two-thirds threshold, potentially exempting them from disqualification.
Voluntary Membership Relinquishment: The remaining AAP leadership (Sanjay Singh) has argued for disqualification under Paragraph 2(1)(a) of the Tenth Schedule, claiming the MPs “voluntarily gave up” membership before a formal merger.
[2025] Consider the following statements: I. If any question arises as to whether a Member of the House of the People has become subject to disqualification under the 10th Schedule, the President’s decision in accordance with the opinion of the Council of Union Ministers shall be final. II. There is no mention of the word ‘political party’ in the Constitution of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [A] I only [B] II only [C] Both I and II [D] Neither I nor II
The Karnataka Cabinet has officially approved a new internal reservation matrix for Scheduled Castes (SCs), following the landmark 2024 Supreme Court ruling that permits states to sub-classify reserved categories.
What is the Decision?
A strategic redistribution of the 15% SC reservation into three distinct categories to ensure equitable opportunities among 101 different sub-castes.
The Internal Reservation Matrix
Category
Targeted Communities
Allocation (%)
Category 1
Madigas and allied castes (Dalit Left)
5.25%
Category 2
Holeyas and allied castes (Dalit Right)
5.25%
Category 3
Bhovi, Lambani, Korama, Koracha & 59 nomadic groups
4.5%
Note: Dalit Left and Right refer to the internal sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) in India, particularly in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, categorized for internal reservation purposes.
Timeline & Legal Context
1992:Indira Sawhney Case – SC caps total reservation at 50%.
2004:E.V. Chinnaiah Case – SC initially rules that states cannot sub-classify SCs.
2024:State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh – SC 7-judge bench overrules Chinnaiah, allowing sub-classification based on empirical data.
2024 (Oct): Karnataka Cabinet approves the new 5.25 : 5.25 : 4.5 formula.
Objectives & Challenges
Social Justice
Addresses the long-standing grievance that “advanced” sub-castes within the SC list were cornering most benefits.
Focuses on the “creamy layer” principle within SCs to reach the most marginalized.
Legal Hurdles
Quantifiable Data: The state must prove under-representation with empirical evidence to survive judicial review.
50% Ceiling: The state’s total reservation (including ST and OBC) currently pushes to 56%, which is under challenge in the High Court.
[2023] Consider the following statements: Statement – I:The Supreme court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16 (4) of the constitution of India would be limited Article 335 for maintenance of efficiency of administration. Statement – II:Article 335 of the Constitution of India defines the term ‘efficiency of administration’. Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? [A] Both statement – I and Statement – II are 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.
Affected Population: Mostly males are affected, and Females are carriers.
Mutation Cases: ~1/3 cases: Occur due to spontaneous mutations
[2009] In the context of genetic disorders, consider the following: A woman suffers from colour blindness while her husband does not suffer from it. They have a son and a daughter. In this context, which one of the following statements is most probably correct? (a) Both children suffer from colour blindness. (b) Daughter suffers from colour blindness while son does not suffer from it. (c) Both children do not suffer from colour blindness. (d) Son suffers from colour blindness while daughter does not suffer from it.
The Curiosity Rover has detected organic molecules on Mars, strengthening evidence about the planet’s past habitability.
What is Curiosity Rover
A robotic rover sent by NASA
Part of: Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission
Objective: Explore Mars’ surface and assess habitability
Launch & Landing
Launch: November 26, 2011
Launch vehicle: Atlas V rocket
Landing: August 5, 2012
Landing Site
Located in: Gale Crater
Explores: Mount Sharp
Unique Landing Technology
Used: Sky Crane technique
Process:
Parachute descent
Rocket-powered hovering
Rover lowered gently to surface
[2016] Consider the following statements: The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO 1. is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission 2. made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA 3. made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [A] 1 only [B] 2 and 3 only [C] 1 and 3 only [D] 1, 2 and 3
Government has constituted the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) under a new legal framework to regulate the online gaming ecosystem.
What is OGAI
Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) is a central regulatory body for online gaming
Established under: Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Operational from: May 1, 2026
Key Functions
Acts as: Central authority for online gaming
Covers: Online games and Esports
Categorises games into: Money games and Non-money games
Maintains: Official registry of games
Handles: User complaints and Public grievances
Enforcement Coordination Works with: Financial institutions and Law enforcement agencies
[2019] In India, which of the following bodies/mechanisms review the functioning of independent regulators like PFRDA, IBBI, AERA, and PNGRB? 1.Ad Hoc Committees appointed by the Parliament. 2.Parliamentary Standing Committees. 3.NITI Aayog. 4.Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission (FSLRC). 5.Finance Commission. Select the correct answer using the code given below: [A] 1 and 2 only [B] 1, 3, and 4 [C] 2, 4, and 5 [D] 2 only
Revised guidelines of the Technology Development and Investment Promotion (TDIP) Scheme released by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia
Aim: Strengthen India’s global telecom presence and boost next-gen technologies
What is the TDIP Scheme?
A Department of Telecommunications (DoT) initiative
Focus:
Promote indigenous telecom technologies
Enhance India’s role in global telecom standards
Key Features
Financial Outlay
Total allocation: ₹203 crore
Period: 2026 to 2031
Focus Areas
Participation in: Global standard-setting bodies
Promotion of: Innovation and R&D
Development of: 5G Advanced and 6G ecosystem
[2019] With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution)? 1. LTE is commonly marketed as 3G and VoLTE is commonly marketed as advanced 3G. 2. LTE is data-only technology and VoLTE is voice-only technology. 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
