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Type: Prelims Only

  • Start-up Ecosystem In India

    Chips to Start up (C2S) Programme

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy,Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

    Why in the News?

    The Chips to Start up (C2S) Programme has reported strong outcomes, including 56 student designed chips fabricated, 75 plus patents filed, and large scale national training in chip design, reflecting India’s growing indigenous semiconductor design capability.

    About Chips to Start up (C2S) Programme

    • The Chips to Start up (C2S) Programme is a national capacity building and innovation initiative to develop industry ready chip design talent and strengthen India’s indigenous semiconductor ecosystem through hands on training, research and fabrication exposure.
    • Launched in: 2022
    • Implemented by: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

    Aim

    • Create a strong pipeline of skilled chip designers
    • Enable hands on chip fabrication for students
    • Promote start ups, patents and IP creation
    • Support technological self reliance in semiconductors

    Key Features

    • Financial outlay: ₹250 crore for 5 years
    • Infrastructure and tools: Access to shared EDA tools, High Performance Computing (HPC), FPGA boards, and SMART laboratories across institutions
    • Hands on fabrication: Shared wafer runs provided through Semi Conductor Laboratory.
    • Chip design enablement: National ChipIN Centre and Operated by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Bengaluru
    • Innovation outcomes: Student designed ASICs and SoCs, Start up incubation, Patents, IP cores and chip prototypes
    • Industry collaboration: Training partnerships with global EDA and semiconductor firms

    Significance

    • Addresses the global semiconductor skill gap
    • Democratises chip design by providing nationwide access to advanced tools and fabrication
    • Reduces dependence on foreign design ecosystems
    • Strengthens Atmanirbhar Bharat in a strategic and security sensitive sector
    • Complements India’s broader semiconductor manufacturing and design policy

    Prelims Takeaways

    • C2S Programme launched in 2022
    • Implemented by MeitY
    • Focus on chip design plus fabrication exposure
    • Uses SCL Mohali for wafer runs
    • ChipIN Centre operated by C DAC Bengaluru
    • Key pillar of India’s indigenous semiconductor capability building
    [2025] Consider the following statements: 

    1. It is expected that Majorana 1 chip will enable quantum computing

    2. Majorana 1 chip has been introduced by Amazon Web Services (AWS)

    3. Deep learning is a subset of machine learning

    Which of the statements given above are correct? 

    (a) I and only I (b) II and III only (c) I and III only (d) I, II and III

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  • Seeds, Pesticides and Mechanization – HYV, Indian Seed Congress, etc.

    Coconut Root Wilt Disease

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    Coconut Root Wilt Disease is witnessing rapid spread across major coconut growing regions of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, affecting lakhs of coconut palms and causing severe yield losses.

    About

    • Chronic, non fatal disease of coconut
    • Caused by a phytoplasma which is a phloem limited pathogen
    • Leads to long term decline in palm health and productivity
    • Infected palms remain alive and act as persistent inoculum sources

    Origin and spread

    • First reported over 150 years ago from Erattupetta, Kerala
    • Continues as an endemic disease in southern India
    • Vector borne transmission is the primary mode of spread
    • Spread accelerates due to continuous coconut belts
    • Wind assisted vector movement enhances transmission
    • Abiotic stress such as temperature extremes and biotic stress like new sucking pests increase susceptibility

    Vector

    • Spread by sap sucking insect vectors
    • Important vectors include Stephanitis typica and Proutista moesta

    UPSC Prelims Pointers

    • Disease is non fatal but debilitating
    • Caused by phytoplasma
    • Spread through insect vectors
    • Endemic to southern India
    • Management focuses on tolerance, soil health and stress reduction
    [2018] Consider the following: 

    1. Birds 

    2. Dust blowing 

    3. Rain 

    4. Wind blowing

    Which of the above spread plant diseases? 

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

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  • Corruption Challenges – Lokpal, POCA, etc

    Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters,Laws, Institutions & Bodies Constituted For The Vulnerable Sections

    Why in the News?

    Shri Praveen Vashista, IPS (Bihar cadre, 1991 batch), has been appointed as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission and took oath on 16 January 2026.

    About Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

    • Apex integrity and vigilance institution of the Government of India
    • Mandated to promote integrity, transparency and accountability in public administration
    • Prevents corruption in Central Government organisations

    Established in

    • 1964 through an executive resolution of the Government of India
    • Granted statutory status under the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003

    Historical background

    • Originated from recommendations of the Santhanam Committee (1962 to 1964)
    • Initially functioned without statutory backing, limiting enforcement authority
    • Became an independent statutory body in 2003, strengthening supervisory and advisory powers

    Composition and members

    • Central Vigilance Commissioner as Chairperson
    • Up to two Vigilance Commissioners as Members
    • Appointed by the President of India on recommendation of a high level committee
    • Tenure of four years or up to 65 years of age, whichever is earlier

    UPSC Prelims Pointers

    • Statutory body since 2003
    • Superintendence over CBI limited to corruption cases
    • Chairperson and Members appointed by the President
    • Fixed tenure with age limit
    • Nodal authority for whistleblower protection
    [2025] Consider the following statements about Lokpal: 

    I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted outside India

    II. The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a Member of the Parliament or a Member of the Legislature of any State or Union Territory, and only the Chief Justice of India, whether incumbent or retired, has to be its Chairperson

    III. The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a person of less than forty-five years of age on the date of assuming office

    IV. Lokpal cannot inquire into the allegations of corruption against a sitting Prime Minister of India

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

    (a) III only (b) II and III (c) I and IV (d) None of the above statements is correct

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  • Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

    Global Risks Report 2026 

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

    Why in the News?

    The World Economic Forum released the Global Risks Report 2026, based on the Global Risks Perception Survey of over 1300 global experts, highlighting geoeconomic confrontation as the most severe near term global risk.

    About the Report

    • 21st edition of the Global Risks Report
    • Analyses risks across three time horizons
      • Immediate term: 2026
      • Short to medium term: up to 2028
      • Long term: up to 2036
    • Survey respondents from academia, business, government, international organisations and civil society
    • Released ahead of the annual WEF meeting in Davos

    Top Risks in 2026

    • Geoeconomic confrontation ranked number one
      • Use of tariffs, sanctions, investment restrictions and control over critical minerals
    • Followed by State based armed conflict
    • Reflects retreat from multilateral cooperation and rise of economic weaponisation

    Economic Risks Trend

    • Economic risks show the sharpest rise in rankings
    • Economic downturn up to rank 11
    • Inflation rose to rank 21
    • Asset bubble burst moved to rank 18
    • Driven by debt stress, financial fragility and geopolitical rivalry

    Technological Risks

    • Misinformation and disinformation ranked 2nd in short term
    • Cyber insecurity ranked 6th in short term
    • Adverse outcomes of AI technologies
      • Rank 30 in 2 year outlook
      • Rank 5 in 10 year outlook
    • Concerns include job disruption, social harm, mental health impacts and military use of AI

    Societal Risks

    • Rising political and social polarisation
    • Weakening trust in institutions
    • Inequality identified as the most interconnected global risk for second consecutive year
    • Growth of street versus elite narratives challenging democratic resilience

    Environmental Risks

    • Short term deprioritisation
      • Extreme weather fell from rank 2 to 4
      • Pollution dropped from rank 6 to 9
      • Biodiversity loss and earth system change declined sharply
    • Long term dominance
      • Environmental risks occupy half of top 10 risks
      • Extreme weather ranked as the top long term risk
    • Environmental category viewed with highest pessimism over 10 year horizon

    Global Order Transition

    • Movement toward a multipolar and fragmented world
    • 68 percent respondents expect a contested multipolar order over next decade
    • Only 6 percent expect revival of a unipolar rules based system
    • Institutions rooted in Bretton Woods Conference under strain
    [2019] The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the: 

    (a) International Monetary Fund 

    (b) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 

    (c) World Economic Forum 

    (d) World Bank

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  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

    Project Suncatcher

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

    Why in the News?

    Google Research unveiled Project Suncatcher, a research initiative exploring AI datacentres in low Earth orbit powered entirely by solar energy, aimed at addressing the rapidly rising electricity demand of advanced AI systems.

    What is Project Suncatcher

    • A concept and research programme
    • Proposes placing AI datacentres in Low Earth Orbit
    • Datacentres operate continuously on solar power
    • Designed to handle energy intensive AI workloads
    • Developed under Google Research

    Objectives

    • Reduce the energy footprint of AI
    • Enable round the clock clean solar power
    • Decouple AI compute growth from
      • Terrestrial power grids
      • Land constraints
      • Water intensive cooling systems
    • Support long term scalability of AI infrastructure

    Prelims Pointers

    • Orbit used: Low Earth Orbit
    • Power source: Solar energy only
    • Developed by: Google Research
    • Key orbit type: Sun synchronous orbit
    • Core challenge addressed: AI energy demand
    • Emphasis on inter satellite communication over Earth links
    [2020] With the present 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

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  • Electoral Reforms In India

    Indelible Ink 

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    During municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra, Opposition parties alleged that the indelible ink mark on voters’ fingers was easily removable, raising concerns over possible electoral malpractice. The issue gained traction after videos showed ink marks fading when marker pens were used.

    What is Indelible Ink

    • Applied on a voter’s finger after casting the vote
    • Ensures one person votes only once
    • Designed to remain visible for several days
    • Removal is possible only as the outer skin layer sheds

    When did India start using it

    • Introduced in 1962
    • Used for the first time in India’s third General Election
    • Decision taken by Election Commission of India
    • Has been in continuous use since then

    Who Manufactures the Ink

    • Manufactured exclusively by Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited
    • Karnataka government undertaking
    • Supplies ink under contract with
      • Election Commission of India
      • Union Ministry of Law and Justice

    Note: Exported to countries like Afghanistan, Cambodia, Kenya, Mongolia, Nepal and Nigeria.

    Prelims Pointers

    • Indelible ink introduced in 1962
    • Key chemical silver nitrate
    • Developed by National Physical Laboratory
    • Manufactured by Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited
    • Ink visibility on nail can last up to four weeks
    • Marker pens allowed in local body elections since 2011
    [2017] Consider the following statements: 

    1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body

    2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections

    3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognized political parties

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

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

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

    Thiruvalluvar Day 

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

    Why in the News?

    On Thiruvalluvar Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Thiruvalluvar, highlighting the timeless relevance of his ideals and urging people to read the Tirukkural.

    About Thiruvalluvar

    • Celebrated Tamil poet philosopher of the Sangam age
    • Believed to have lived around 2000 years ago
    • Associated with Mylapore in present day Chennai
    • Also known as Valluvar
    • Revered as a saint across South India
    • In some traditions regarded as an incarnation of Brahma

    Social and Religious Context

    • Lived during a period when Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism coexisted
    • Scholars associate him with Jainism or Hinduism
    • Demonstrated that householder life can lead to spiritual excellence
    • Rejected the necessity of renunciation for moral and spiritual attainment

    Prelims Pointers

    • Tirukkural has 1330 couplets
    • Official birth year recognised as 31 BCE
    • Associated with Sangam literature
    • Emphasised ethics, governance, and social harmony
    • Revered across religious traditions
    [2020] Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct? 

    (a) Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture

    (b) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets

    (c) Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethic

    (d) Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational

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  • Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

    Bio Safety Level 4 Containment Facility in Gandhinagar

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

    Why in the News?

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of a Bio Safety Level 4 Containment Facility in Gandhinagar, describing it as a national health shield and a major step towards advanced health security and biotechnology.

    What is a BSL-4 Facility?

    • Bio Safety Level 4 is the highest level of biological containment
    • Designed to handle extremely dangerous and lethal pathogens
    • Pathogens are often
      • Highly infectious
      • Transmitted via air or contact
      • Without proven vaccines or treatments
    • Work conducted under strict international biosafety protocols
    • Scientists wear positive pressure suits and work in sealed environments

    Pathogens to be Studied at Gandhinagar Facility

    • Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus, Kyasanur Forest Disease virus, and Nipah virus

    BSL Facilities in India

    • Only civilian BSL 4 lab currently operational at National Institute of Virology
    • Defence BSL 4 lab established by DRDO in Gwalior in 2024
    • High security animal disease labs
      • National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases with ABSL 3 plus
      • International Centre for Foot and Mouth Disease with ABSL 3Ag

    Prelims Pointers

    • BSL 4 is the highest biosafety level
    • Handles lethal and exotic pathogens
    • Gandhinagar lab is
      • Second civilian BSL 4 in India
      • First fully state funded BSL 4 facility
    • Supports One Health approach linking human and animal health
    • Enhances India’s pandemic readiness and biotech capacity
    [2021] Consider the following: 

    1. Bacteria 

    2. Fungi 

    3. Virus

    Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium? 

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

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  • Land Reforms

    Karnataka Land Revenue Amendment and Jamma Bane System in Coorg

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

    Why in the News?

    The Karnataka government has amended its land revenue law to modernise the Jamma Bane land record system in Coorg. The Karnataka Land Revenue (Second Amendment) Act, 2025 received assent from Governor Thawarchand Gehlot on January 7, 2025.

    About Jamma Bane Lands

    • A distinct land tenure system prevalent only in Kodagu district
    • The word Jamma means hereditary
    • Lands were granted between 1600 and 1800
      • By erstwhile Coorg kings
      • Later by British administration
    • Granted in return for military service
    • Associated closely with the Kodava community

    Nature of Jamma Bane Holdings

    • Consist of two land types
      • Wetlands used for paddy cultivation
      • Forested highlands converted into coffee plantations
    • Ownership recorded in the name of the original pattedar
    • Names of successors added but primary ownership never changed
    • Resulted in
      • No clear title for current owners
      • Difficulty in sale or purchase of land
      • Problems in securing bank loans
      • Frequent inheritance disputes
    [2024] With reference to the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, consider the following statements: 

    1. To implement the scheme, the Central Government provides 100% funding

    2. Under the Scheme, Cadastral Maps are digitised

    3. An initiative has been undertaken to transliterate the Records of Rights from local language to any of the languages recognized by the Constitution of India

    Which of the statements given above are correct? 

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

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  • Trade Sector Updates – Falling Exports, TIES, MEIS, Foreign Trade Policy, etc.

    Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024

    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?

    NITI Aayog released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024, assessing export readiness of Indian States and Union Territories. This is the 4th edition of the Index, first launched in August 2020.

    The Index aligns with India’s targets of USD 1 trillion merchandise exports by 2030

    About Export Preparedness Index

    • Evidence based framework to assess strength, resilience and inclusiveness of subnational export ecosystems
    • Recognises the critical role of States and districts in India’s global trade performance
    • Identifies
      • Structural challenges
      • Growth levers
      • Policy opportunities
    • Focus on districts as core units of export competitiveness

    Top Performing States and Union Territories

    A. Large States

    1. Maharashtra
    2. Tamil Nadu
    3. Gujarat
    4. Uttar Pradesh
    5. Andhra Pradesh

    B. Small States, North Eastern States & Union Territories

    1. Uttarakhand
    2. Jammu and Kashmir
    3. Nagaland
    4. Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu
    5. Goa
    [2020] With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following statements is/are correct? 

    1. India’s merchandise exports are less than its merchandise imports

    2. India’s imports of iron and steel, chemicals, fertilisers and machinery have decreased in recent years

    3. India’s exports of services are more than its imports of services

    4. India suffers from an overall trade/current account deficit

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

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