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Type: Prelims Only

  • India’s first overseas Defence Facility in Morocco

    Why in the News?

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems’ plant at Berrechid, Morocco—India’s first overseas and Morocco’s largest defence manufacturing facility.

    About India’s Morocco Defence Facility:

    • Developer: Established by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) – India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility and Morocco’s largest defence plant.
    • Scale & Capacity: Spread over 20,000 sq. m. with capacity to produce ~100 armoured vehicles annually.
    • Product: Focused on the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8, jointly developed by TASL and DRDO.
    • Variants: Modular designs include Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Armoured Personnel Carrier, Reconnaissance Vehicle, Command Post, Mortar Carrier, and Ambulance.
    • Operations: First deliveries to the Royal Moroccan Army scheduled for October 2025.

    Significance:

    • Strategic Expansion: Extends India’s defence vision from Make in India to Make for the World.
    • Diplomatic Milestone: Symbolises stronger India–Morocco defence ties, marked by the first visit of an Indian Defence Minister to Morocco.
    • Economic & Employment Boost: Creates jobs in Morocco; 33% local sourcing of components (to increase to 50%).
    • Export Hub: Morocco’s location makes it a gateway to Africa and Europe, enhancing India’s defence export footprint.
    • Security Role: Enhances regional defence capacity and establishes India as a credible global supplier of armoured vehicles.
    [UPSC 2017] What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?

    Options: (a) India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase.

    (b) India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.

    (c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. *

    (d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India.

     

  • Criminal Defamation in India

    Why in the News?

    Justice M.M. Sundresh of the Supreme Court remarked that the time has come to decriminalise defamation, reflecting concern over its growing misuse.

    Free Speech and Defamation: Constitutional Provisions

    • Article 19(1)(a): Freedom of speech & expression.
    • Article 19(2): Allows reasonable restrictions in the interests of:
      • Sovereignty & integrity of India.
      • Security of the State.
      • Friendly relations with foreign States.
      • Public order, decency or morality.
      • Contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to an offence.
    • Article 21: Right to reputation is part of right to life (Subramanian Swamy v. UOI, 2016).

    What is Criminal Defamation?

    • Overview: Offence of harming a person’s character, fame, or reputation with false and malicious statements.

    • Forms:

      1. Libel: False defamatory statement in writing.
      2. Slander: False defamatory statement spoken orally.
    • Indian Context: Both libel & slander are criminal offences if made publicly.
    • Earlier IPC Section 499: Criminalised communication of false info harming reputation; punishment under IPC Section 500 – up to 2 years imprisonment.

    • Law under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023:

      • Section 354(2) – punishment up to 2 years simple imprisonment, or fine, or both, or community service.
      • Section 356 – covers words, signs, or visible representations harming reputation.
    • Scope: Applies to individuals, companies, and deceased persons if family reputation is harmed.
    • Essential Elements: False statement, harm to reputation, communication to third party, and intent/knowledge of likely harm.
    • Nature of Offence: Non-cognizable and bailable – requires a warrant for arrest; bail available.
    • Digital Extension: Covers defamatory posts on social media, websites, and messaging platforms.
    • Defences/Exceptions: Truth in public interest, fair comment on public servants, judicial proceedings, public performances, and cautionary statements made in good faith.

    Judicial Pronouncements related to Defamation:

    • Subramanian Swamy v. Union of India (2016): SC upheld constitutionality of IPC Sections 499 & 500; held that reputation is part of Article 21; criminal defamation valid under Article 19(2) restrictions.
    • Kaushal Kishore v. Union of India (2017): SC held no extra restrictions on free speech beyond Article 19(2).
    • Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015): SC struck down Section 66A of IT Act, calling it vague and violative of free speech.
    • Imran Pratapgarhi Case (March 2025): Court adopted the “reasonable person” test (Clapham omnibus standard), not that of overly sensitive individuals.
    • Recent Stays: SC stayed multiple cases (incl. against Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor) stressing courts should not be tools for political vendetta.
    [UPSC 2014] What do you understand by the concept of “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss.

    [UPSC 2021] ‘Right to Privacy’ is protected under which Article of the Constitution of India?

    Options: (a) Article 15 (b) Article 19 (c) Article 21 * (d) Article 29

     

  • Pollution in Indian Rivers: CPCB Report, 2023

    Why in the News?

    The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released its latest assessment (2022–23) on the health of Indian rivers.

    About Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): 

    • Overview: Statutory body set up in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
    • Expanded mandate: Later entrusted with powers under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
    • Umbrella role: Serves as the technical arm of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), implementing provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

    • Principal Functions:

      1. Water pollution control: Promote cleanliness of streams and wells across states by preventing, controlling, and abating pollution; Oversee the National Water Quality Monitoring Program to collect, collate, and disseminate data.
      2. Air pollution control: Improve air quality and control emissions; Run the National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP) to determine current status and trends. Regulate industrial pollution, provide baseline data for industrial siting and town planning.
      3. Data Management: Collects, collates, and disseminates technical and statistical data on air and water pollution.

    • Key Initiatives and Programs:

      • NAMP: Monitors air quality and pollution trends.
      • NAQI (National Air Quality Index): Offers real-time air quality data.
      • GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan): Measures graded interventions based on severity of pollution.
      • Clean Air Campaign: Awareness and enforcement measures for pollution reduction.

    CPCB Assessment of Pollution in Indian Rivers:

    Parameters & Definitions:

    • Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD): It is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by microbes to break down organic matter.
      • Healthy river: BOD <3 mg/L.
      • Unfit for bathing: BOD >3 mg/L.
    • Polluted River Stretch (PRS): When two or more consecutive locations in a river exceed bathing criteria (BOD >3 mg/L).
    • Priority Classification (BOD levels):
      1. Priority 1: >30 mg/L → Most polluted, urgent remediation.
      2. Priority 2: 20–30 mg/L.
      3. Priority 3: 10–20 mg/L.
      4. Priority 4: 6–10 mg/L.
      5. Priority 5: 3–6 mg/L → least polluted category but still polluted.

    Key Findings of the Report: 

    • Unfit bathing locations: 807 (2023) vs 815 (2022), shows marginal dip.
    • Polluted River Stretches (PRS): 296 stretches/locations across 271 rivers in 2023 vs 311 stretches in 279 rivers in 2022.
    • State-wise PRS (2023):
      1. Maharashtra: 54 (highest).
      2. Kerala: 31.
      3. Madhya Pradesh: 18.
      4. Manipur: 18.
      5. Karnataka: 14.
    • Most polluted states by Priority 1 (2023): Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand (5 each).
    • Most polluted states by Priority 1 (2022): Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh (6 each).
    [UPSC 2017] Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for:

    Options: (a) Measuring oxygen levels in blood

    (b) Computing oxygen levels in forest ecosystems

    (c) Pollution assay in aquatic ecosystems *

    (d) Assessing oxygen levels in high altitude regions

     

  • Optical Computing and AI with Light

    Why in the News?

    Finnish researchers showed that nonlinear optical fibres can perform AI tasks efficiently, advancing optical computing.

    About Optical Computing:

    • Overview: A computer that uses light (photons) instead of electricity (electrons) to process data.
    • Why Important: Light is faster, makes less heat, and carries more data at once.
    • Technology Used: Runs through optical fibres, the same cables that carry internet data.
    • Main Challenge: Hard to control how light behaves, especially when it gets very strong and non-linear (changes colour, merges, or spreads).

    Recent Breakthrough:

    • Research:
      • Turned images into light pulses.
      • Sent them through optical fibre where the light changed.
      • These changes acted like a hidden computing layer.
      • The system read the light at the other end to classify the images.
    • Results: Reached 91–93% accuracy, close to normal AI computers.

    How can it help AI working?

    • Energy-efficient AI hardware: Can make faster and greener AI systems in the future.
    • Tech needs: New tools like photonic chips and optical neural networks before large-scale use.
    [UPSC 2022] Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned?

    (a) Cloud Services (b) Quantum Computing* (c) Visible Light Communication Technologies (d) Wireless Communication Technologies

     

  • Super Typhoon Ragasa

    Why in the News?

    China is planning to evacuate 4 lakh people ahead of the landfall of Super Typhoon Ragasa.

    Super Typhoon Ragasa

    About Typhoon & Super Typhoon:

    • Typhoon: A tropical cyclone forming in the Western Pacific Ocean and China Sea, usually above sea temperatures of 27°C.
    • Formation: Warm, moist air rises and creates a low-pressure system with spiralling winds.
    • Super Typhoon: Defined by the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) as sustained winds of ≄240 km/h (some agencies use 185 km/h).
    • Structure:
      • Eye: Calm centre.
      • Eyewall:  Strongest winds and rainfall.
      • Spiral Rainbands: Bands of showers spreading outward.
    • Impacts: Can cause storm surges, coastal flooding, landslides, and destruction of infrastructure, agriculture, and homes.

    Back2Basics: Tropical Cyclones

    • What is it: Large low-pressure systems over warm oceans, marked by rotating winds, heavy rain, and storm surges.
    • Conditions: Form when ocean temps >27°C, with moist rising air releasing latent heat to fuel convection.
    • Rotation: Driven by the Coriolis force – anticlockwise in Northern Hemisphere, clockwise in Southern.
    • Structure: Eye (calm), Eyewall (violent winds/rains), Rainbands (widespread showers).
    • Regional Names: Typhoons (Pacific), Hurricanes (Atlantic/Caribbean), Cyclones (Indian Ocean).
    • Drivers & Frequency: Common in Southeast Asia due to warm Pacific waters, El Niño/La Niña cycles, and climate change.
    • Impacts: Loss of life, property damage, flooding, soil salinisation, displacement, and disease outbreaks.
    • Climate Change Link: Global warming is making tropical cyclones stronger, less predictable, and more frequent, raising risks for coastal populations.

     

    [UPSC 2020] Consider the following statements:

    1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only.

    2. Only some cyclones develop an eye.

    3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10°C lesser than that of the surroundings.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 2 only * (d) 1 and 3 only

     

  • Earth gains new tiny ‘Quasi-Moon’ 2025 PN7

    Earth gains new tiny 'Quasi-Moon' 2025 PN7

    Why in the News?

    Astronomers have confirmed the discovery of asteroid 2025 PN7, Earth’s latest quasi-moon.

    About Quasi-Moon 2025 PN7:

    • Discovery: First detected on 2 August 2025 by the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope in Hawaii; confirmed in September 2025 as Earth’s newest quasi-satellite.
    • Orbit: Circles the Sun, not Earth, but remains near Earth due to a 1:1 orbital resonance – meaning it completes one solar orbit in the same time as Earth.
    • Distance from Earth: At closest, ~299,000 km, similar to the Moon’s distance.
    • Physical Traits: Roughly 19 metres wide, very faint (magnitude 26.4), requiring large telescopes to track.
    • Orbital Parameters: Semi-major axis 1.003 AU (same as Earth), eccentricity 0.108 (slightly oval), inclination just under 2°.
    • Arjuna Nature: Fits the Arjuna asteroid class criteria – extremely Earth-like orbit, low eccentricity, and low inclination, making it appear as a temporary companion.
    • Stability: Expected to remain a quasi-satellite for ~128 years before shifting into another orbital configuration.

    What is the Arjuna Asteroid Class?

    • Overview: A rare group of near-Earth objects (NEOs) with orbits closely matching Earth’s path around the Sun.
    • Etymology: Originated with the discovery of asteroid 1991 VG by astronomer Robert H. McNaught at the Siding Spring Observatory in Australia in 1991.
    • Name Origin: Inspired by Arjuna from the Mahabharata – symbolising fast-moving and elusive objects.
    • Special Traits:
      • Can approach Earth more closely than most asteroid families.
      • Sometimes become temporary mini-moons or quasi-satellites.
      • Have relatively low relative velocities, making them attractive for spacecraft missions.
    • Scientific Importance:
      • Offer natural laboratories for studying orbital resonance and gravitational effects.
      • Useful for testing asteroid mining and redirection technologies.
      • Significant for planetary defence, since tracking their movements refines collision risk predictions.
    [UPSC 2023] Consider the following pairs:

    Object in space – Description

    1. Cepheids – Giant clouds of dust and gas in space

    2. Nebulae – Stars which brighten and dim periodically

    3. Pulsars – Neutron stars that, are formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse

    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

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

     

  • Centre to simplify Quality Control Order (QCO) framework

    Why in the News?

    A NITI Aayog panel has proposed easing India’s Quality Control Orders (QCOs) by simplifying certification, assessments, and inspections to support MSMEs amid domestic and global criticism.

    About Quality Control Orders (QCOs):

    • Overview: Issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016, QCOs make Indian Standards compulsory for specific products in public interest (health, environment, security, fair trade).
    • Voluntary vs. Mandatory: Normally BIS certification is voluntary, but under QCOs manufacturers/importers must obtain a BIS licence or Certificate of Conformity before production, imports, or sales.
    • Standard Mark: Products under QCOs carry the ISI mark (or Hallmark for jewellery) to indicate conformity.
    • Legal Backing: Governed by BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018; violation punishable with fines or imprisonment.
    • Imports: Applies equally to foreign manufacturers via the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS).
    • Coverage: Of ~23,000 BIS standards, only 187 QCOs covering 770 products exist; 84 QCOs covering 343 products issued in the last three years.
    • Example: QCOs for compressors & ACs (2023) boosted compressor output from <2 million (2021–22) to 8 million (2023–24); ACs to 12 million+ units.

    Challenges Related to QCOs:

    • High Costs: Certification involves inspections, documents, and assessments—burdening MSMEs.
    • Non-Tariff Barrier Issues: US, EU, UK, NZ claim India’s QCOs exceed global norms. USTR (2025) flagged BIS marks even for chemicals, requiring site visits.
    • Industry Pushback: MSMEs fear inflationary costs; imports of cheaper raw materials/components restricted.
    • Limited Enforcement: Only 187 of 23,000 standards notified, mainly steel, electronics, chemicals.
    • Implementation Delays: Licence approvals slow; procedures disrupt production and supply chains.
    • Conflicting Views: Some MSMEs benefit (e.g., Birla Aircon turnover jumped â‚č7 crore to â‚č42 crore after QCO on water coolers), others call it “malign intervention” (NITI Aayog VC Suman Berry).

    Steps Taken by Government:

    • Digitisation: Simplified certification covering 750+ products; licences granted in 30 days.
    • MSME Outreach:
      • Jan Sunwai: Online open-house thrice weekly.
      • Manak Manthan: BIS field initiative for MSME support.
      • Regional Conferences: Led by Department of Consumer Affairs to resolve issues.
    • Capacity Building: Of 50,753 BIS certifications, ~40,000 (≈80%) issued to MSMEs; 24,625 voluntarily obtained for credibility/exports.
    • Trade Readiness: Govt projects QCOs as tools to raise quality and global competitiveness.
    • WTO Consistency: Justified if linked to health, safety, environment, deceptive trade, or security, in line with WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement.
    [UPSC 2017] With reference to `Quality Council of India (QCI)’, consider the following statements:

    1. QCI was set up jointly by the Government of India and the Indian Industry.

    2. Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendations of the industry to the Government.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2* (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

  • Extreme Nuclear Transients (ENTs) and the Big Bang

    Extreme Nuclear Transient

    Why in the News?

    New research by the University of Hawaii has discovered Extreme Nuclear Transients (ENTs), the most powerful explosions since the Big Bang, surpassing even gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) in energy output.

    Back2Basics: Big Bang

    • Proponent: In 1927 by Georges LemaĂźtre.
    • Timeline: Universe originated ~13.7–13.8 billion years ago from a singularity.
    • Phases: Began with cosmic inflation, followed by expansion, cooling, and formation of matter, light, and four fundamental forces.
    • Cosmic Evolution: Led to atoms, stars, galaxies, and planets; universe still expanding.
    • Evidence: Supported by cosmic microwave background radiation and Hubble’s observations of galaxy redshifts.

    About Extreme Nuclear Transients (ENTs):

    • Discovery: First reported by astronomers at the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy (IfA).
    • Cause: Triggered when massive stars (≄3 times Sun’s mass) are torn apart by supermassive black holes at galactic centers.
    • Energy Output: Release ten times more energy than gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), earlier considered the brightest cosmic events.
    • Duration: Remain luminous in radio wavelengths for years, unlike short-lived bursts.

    How ENTs differ from other cosmic events?

    • Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs): They come from collapsing stars or mergers; short-lived but highly energetic. ENTs are more powerful and last longer.
    • Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs): TDEs also shred stars, but ENTs involve larger black holes and massive stars, making them rarer.
    • Fast X-ray Transients (FXTs): They are faint, brief X-ray bursts from trapped jets in supernovae. ENTs are brighter, multi-wavelength, and more energetic.

    Scientific Importance of ENTs:

    • Most Energetic Events: Represent the most powerful class of transients ever observed.
    • Black Hole Studies: Offer insights into supermassive black hole dynamics and their role in galactic evolution.
    • Early Universe Clues: Help probe massive stars soon after galaxy formation.
    • Future Observations: Key targets for next-generation telescopes like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
    [UPSC 2012] Which of the following is/are cited by the scientists as evidence for the continued expansion of the universe?

    1. Detection of microwaves in space

    2. Observation of redshift phenomenon in space

    3. Movement of asteroids in space

    4. Occurrence of supernova explosions in space

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 and 2 * (b) 2 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) None of the above.

     

  • How different are Supercomputers to normal computers?

    Why in the News?

    This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in The Hindu.

    What is a Supercomputer?

    • Overview: A high-performance computing system capable of trillions to quintillions of calculations per second.
    • Parallel Computing: Uses thousands of processors working together instead of relying on a single fast processor.
    • Applications: Climate modelling, nuclear simulations, black hole research, drug discovery, and artificial intelligence training.
    • Performance Measure: FLOPs (floating-point operations per second); advanced machines now achieve exaflop levels (10Âč⁞ calculations/sec).

    How Supercomputers Differ from Normal Computers

    • Speed: Laptops perform billions of FLOPs; supercomputers perform quintillions.
    • Parallelism: PCs use one or few processors; supercomputers employ thousands to millions of cores.
    • Structure: Built of interconnected nodes (processor + memory bundles) linked by ultra-fast networks.
    • Storage: Manage petabytes of data, unlike gigabytes/terabytes in personal devices.
    • Cooling & Power: Need specialised cooling (water/immersion) and consume electricity equal to a small town.
    • Usage: PCs run interactive apps; supercomputers run scheduled jobs remotely for scientists and researchers.

    India’s journey in Supercomputing:

    • Early Efforts: Began with C-DAC’s PARAM 8000 (1991) after Western import restrictions.
    • National Supercomputing Mission (2015): Jointly by DST & Ministry of Electronics and IT; implemented by C-DAC and IISc to build 70+ systems.
    • Major Systems (2025):
      • AIRAWAT-PSAI (C-DAC, Pune) – fastest in India (8.5 PF, global rank 136).
      • PARAM Siddhi-AI – global AI leader.
      • Pratyush (IITM, Pune) – weather & climate (3.76 PF).
      • Mihir (NCMRWF, Noida) – medium-range weather (2.57 PF).
      • PARAM Pravega (IISc, Bengaluru) – academic use (>3.3 PF).
    • Indigenous Push: PARAM Rudra (2024) with Indian servers and software stack.
    • Applications: Monsoon forecasting, Himalayan research, defence simulations, AI, drug design, materials science.
    • Current Capacity: 34+ supercomputers with ~35 petaflops; plans for exascale systems underway.
    [UPSC 2014] Param Padma, which was in the news recently, is:

    (a) a new Civilian Award instituted by the Government of India

    (b) the name of a supercomputer developed by India *

    (c) the name given to a proposed network of canals linking northern and southern rivers of India

    (d) a software programme to facilitate e-governance in Madhya Pradesh

     

  • Is it feasible to blend Isobutanol and Diesel? 

    Why in the News?

    The Union Transport Minister has announced that the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is studying the feasibility of blending Isobutanol with Diesel after ethanol–diesel blending attempts failed.

    About Isobutanol:

    • What is it: A four-carbon alcohol (C₄H₁₀O), clear, flammable, and traditionally used as a solvent in paints, coatings, and chemical industries.
    • Production: Derived either from petrochemical processes or by fermenting sugarcane, molasses, and grains with engineered microbes.
    • Fuel Properties:
      • Higher energy density than ethanol, closer to diesel.
      • Lower hygroscopicity (absorbs less water), reducing rust and corrosion in engines and pipelines.
      • Higher flash point than ethanol, making it safer for storage and transport.

    Isobutanol–Diesel Blending and Benefits:

    • Compatibility: Unlike ethanol, isobutanol blends well with diesel without extra chemicals.
    • Economic Feasibility: Can be produced in existing ethanol plants with minor changes.
    • Agricultural Support: Creates demand for sugarcane by-products, helping farmers and managing sugar surplus.
    • Energy Security: Reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels and saves foreign exchange.
    • Global First: Pilot studies may make India the first country to use isobutanol–diesel blends.

    Challenges and Risks:

    • Combustion Issues: Has a lower cetane number than diesel, causing poor combustion quality.
    • Engine Risks: Can trigger diesel knock (uneven burning, power loss, engine damage).
    • Mixing Limitations: Blending challenges exist but can be partly solved with biodiesel addition.
    • Cost Factor: Requires additives to restore cetane number, increasing costs.
    • Blending Limit: Experts suggest ≀10% blending to avoid harm.
    • Pilot Phase: Testing will take ~18 months before possible large-scale adoption.
    [UPSC 2020] With reference to green hydrogen, consider the following statements:

    1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion.

    2. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation.

    3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles.

    How many of the above statements are correct?

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