Current Affairs 2025–26 – Live Feed + Curated Notes
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Banking
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State PSC
Defence
Mock Test Mitra provides daily current affairs — Economy, Awards, Appointments, Government Schemes, Rankings & Important Days — automatically updated with the latest news relevant for ESE, GATE, SSC JE, UPSC and other government exams.
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Current Affairs — Complete Curated Notes
This curated section distils Economy & Finance, Awards & Honours, Appointments, Government Schemes, Important Days, Rankings & Reports, International Relations, Polity & Governance, Environment & Ecology, Science & Technology, History/Art/Culture and Geography & Disaster Management into exam-ready notes for the 2025–26 cycle. The live news feed above tracks breaking stories hour-by-hour; these 12 chapters hold the longer-shelf-life facts — data, appointments, rulings, rankings, and events — that repeatedly show up in UPSC, SSC, Banking, RRB and State PSC prelims.
What's Inside
- Ch 1–2: Economic indicators, RBI/SEBI data, national & international awards
- Ch 3–4: Key appointments (India + Global) and government schemes/Acts
- Ch 5–6: Important days & themes, global rankings and flagship reports
- Ch 7–8: India's foreign policy and constitutional/governance developments
- Ch 9–10: Environment/climate commitments and ISRO/defence/AI & tech
- Ch 11–12: History, art & culture, and physical geography/disaster management
Facts that change often (RBI rates, appointments, rankings) are marked with the date/edition they were last verified — always cross-check anything appointment- or rank-related against a primary source (PIB, RBI, ECI, official ministry sites) within a week or two of your exam.
Where This Fits
Once you've gone through the chapters below, head to Study Material to revise the underlying static subjects, or Mock Tests to practice full-length papers.
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1. Economy & Finance – Key Data
India's Key Economic Indicators
| Indicator | Value / Status |
|---|---|
| GDP Growth (FY 2025–26, 2nd Advance Estimate) | 7.6 % (up from initial 7.4 % estimate; FY 2024–25 was 7.1 %) |
| RBI Repo Rate (Jul 2026) | 5.25 % — held at Feb & Apr 2026 MPC meetings after a 125 bps easing cycle (Feb 2025 → Dec 2025); next MPC 3–5 Aug 2026 |
| Fiscal Deficit Target (Budget 2026–27) | 4.3 % of GDP (from 4.4 % RE in 2025–26) |
| CPI Inflation Trend (2025–26) | Within RBI's 2–6 % target band; easing supported the rate-cut cycle |
| India Nominal GDP (FY 2024–25) | ≈ ₹324 lakh crore (~US$ 3.9 trillion); 5th largest economy globally |
| Forex Reserves (Jun 2026) | ~US$ 666.9 billion (down from an all-time high of ~US$ 728.5 billion reached earlier in 2026; figure moves weekly) |
| Capital Expenditure (Budget 2026–27) | ₹12,20,000 crore (up from ₹11,21,000 crore in 2025–26) |
| Zero income-tax slab (new regime) | Up to ₹12 lakh/year (₹12.75 lakh with standard deduction); carries over unchanged from Budget 2025 |
| India's Gini Coefficient (2024) | ~0.35 (NSSO); inequality concern flagged by Oxfam |
| Unemployment Rate (PLFS) | ~3.2 % (urban: 6.7 %) |
| Current Account Deficit FY25 | ~1.0 % of GDP |
RBI Key Rates (Jul 2026): Repo: 5.25 % · Reverse Repo: 3.35 % · Bank Rate/MSF: 5.50 % · SDF introduced: 2022. Total easing since Feb 2025: 125 bps across four cuts.
Budget — Allocation Trend Reference (2025–26 base figures)
| Scheme / Sector | ₹ crore |
|---|---|
| Defence (Total) | 6,81,210 |
| Education | 1,28,650 |
| Health & Family Welfare | 98,311 |
| MGNREGS | 86,000 |
| Jal Jeevan Mission | 67,000 |
| PM Kisan Samman Nidhi | 63,500 |
| PM Awas Yojana (Urban + Rural) | 54,500 |
| National Health Mission | 38,520 |
Budget 2026–27 (presented Feb 2026) is the current budget: fiscal deficit target cut to 4.3 % of GDP; capex raised to ₹12.2 lakh crore; zero-tax slab carries over unchanged; the Income Tax Act 2025 replaces the Income Tax Act 1961, effective 1 Apr 2026.
Important Economic Bodies & Their Heads
| Body | Head | Key Role |
|---|---|---|
| RBI | Sanjay Malhotra (since 11 Dec 2024) | Monetary policy, banking regulation |
| SEBI | Tuhin Kanta Pandey (since 1 Mar 2025) | Capital markets regulator |
| NITI Aayog (CEO) | B.V.R. Subrahmanyam | Policy think-tank; replaced Planning Commission 2015 |
| Finance Commission (16th) | Arvind Panagariya | Devolution of taxes; 2026–31 |
| CAG | K. Sanjay Murthy | Public accounts audit |
| PFRDA | Deepak Mohanty | NPS, pension regulation |
| GST Council | FM Nirmala Sitharaman (Chair) | Indirect tax harmonisation |
Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences 2025
Economics Nobel 2025: Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion & Peter Howitt — for explaining innovation-driven economic growth. (2024 winners: Acemoglu, Johnson & Robinson, for work on institutions and prosperity.)
Quick Recall — India's "Firsts" in Economy: 1st country to launch Unified Payments Interface (UPI) · PM GatiShakti NMP launched 2021 · National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP): ₹6 lakh crore target 2021–25 · India Stack — digital public infrastructure model
Mini Quiz — Economy & Finance
Q1. What is the RBI repo rate as of July 2026?
The RBI held the repo rate at 5.25 % through the Feb and Apr 2026 MPC meetings after a 125 bps easing cycle from Feb–Dec 2025.
Q2. Who won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences?
Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt won the 2025 Economics Nobel for explaining innovation-driven growth.
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2. Awards & Honours
Bharat Ratna 2024 (5 Awardees — Most Recent Batch)
| Recipient | Field | Note |
|---|---|---|
| M.S. Swaminathan (posthumous) | Agriculture | Father of Green Revolution in India |
| L.K. Advani | Public Affairs | BJP veteran; former Deputy PM |
| Karpoori Thakur (posthumous) | Public Affairs | Former Bihar CM; "Jan Nayak"; OBC icon |
| P.V. Narasimha Rao (posthumous) | Public Affairs | Father of LPG economic reforms (1991) |
| Chaudhary Charan Singh (posthumous) | Public Affairs | Former PM; farmer leader; RLD founder |
No Bharat Ratna was conferred in 2025 or 2026 — the 2024 batch of five remains the most recent.
Padma Awards 2026 (Announced Republic Day 2026)
| Award | Recipient | Field |
|---|---|---|
| Padma Vibhushan (5 total) | Dharmendra (posthumous) | Cinema — Hindi film industry |
| Padma Bhushan (13 total) | Mammootty | Arts — Malayalam cinema |
| Padma Bhushan | Alka Yagnik | Music — playback singing |
| Padma Bhushan | Rohit Sharma | Sports — cricket |
| Padma Bhushan | Uday Kotak | Trade & Industry — banking |
| Padma Shri (113 total) | Harmanpreet Kaur, Piyush Pandey (posthumous), others | Sports, advertising & various fields |
Nobel Prizes 2025 — Full List
| Prize | Winner(s) | For |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | John Clarke, Michel Devoret & John Martinis | Quantum mechanical tunnelling in electric circuits |
| Chemistry | Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson & Omar Yaghi | Development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) |
| Medicine | Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell & Shimon Sakaguchi | Discoveries on peripheral immune tolerance |
| Literature | László Krasznahorkai | Hungarian novelist |
| Peace | María Corina Machado | Venezuelan pro-democracy leader |
| Economics | Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion & Peter Howitt | Explaining innovation-driven economic growth |
Other Major International Awards (2024–25, Last Confirmed Editions)
| Award | Winner | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Man Booker Prize 2024 | Percival Everett (James) | USA |
| Oscar Best Film 2025 | Anora (Sean Baker) | Also Palme d'Or Cannes 2024 |
| Ballon d'Or 2024 | Rodri (Spain) | Manchester City midfielder |
| Goldman Environmental Prize 2025 | Alok Shukla (India) | Hasdeo Aranya forest conservation, CG |
| Ramon Magsaysay 2024 | Pooja Mistry (India) | Waste management – The Ugly Indian project |
| Saraswati Samman 2024 | Swaroop Dhruv | Gujarati literature — novel Je Che Te Che |
| Jnanpith Award 2023 | Gulzar (Hindi/Urdu) & Jagadguru Rambhadracharya | 58th Jnanpith; dual winners |
Sports Awards
| Award | Winner(s) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna 2024 | D. Gukesh (Chess), Harmanpreet Singh (Hockey) | India's highest sports honour |
| Arjuna Award 2024 | Jyothi Yarraji, Annu Rani, Salima Tete, M. Shami | MoYAS |
| ICC Men's Player of Year 2024 | Jasprit Bumrah (India) | Test bowling dominance |
Note: Sports-award naming/year conventions for the 2025–26 cycle are inconsistent across sources at the time of writing — verify the current Khel Ratna/Arjuna/Dronacharya winners directly on yas.gov.in close to your exam date rather than relying on any single secondary source.
Mini Quiz — Awards & Honours
Q1. Who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize?
María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan pro-democracy leader, won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
Q2. How many Padma Vibhushan awardees were named in the Padma Awards 2026 list?
Padma Awards 2026 comprised 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awardees.
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3. Key Appointments
India – Constitutional & Key Appointments (as of Jul 2026)
| Post | Person | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| President of India | Droupadi Murmu (Jul 2022) | 15th President; 1st tribal woman President |
| Vice-President | C.P. Radhakrishnan | 15th VP; succeeded Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned 21 Jul 2025 citing health reasons |
| Prime Minister | Narendra Modi (Jun 2024) | 3rd consecutive term; NDA government |
| Chief Justice of India | Justice Surya Kant (24 Nov 2025) | 53rd CJI; succeeded B.R. Gavai (~6-month tenure); retires 9 Feb 2027 — Justice Vikram Nath slated next |
| RBI Governor | Sanjay Malhotra (Dec 2024) | 26th Governor; succeeded Shaktikanta Das; 3-year term |
| Chief Election Commissioner | Gyanesh Kumar (Feb 2025) | 1st CEC appointed under CEC Act 2023 |
| SEBI Chairperson | Tuhin Kanta Pandey (Mar 2025) | Succeeded Madhabi Puri Buch; 3-year term |
| CAG | K. Sanjay Murthy (Nov 2024) | Succeeded Girish Chandra Murmu |
| National Security Advisor | Ajit Doval | 3rd consecutive 5-year term since 2014; key in Operation Sindoor |
| Foreign Secretary | Vikram Misri (Jul 2024) | Tenure extended 1 Jul 2026 to 14 Jul 2027 for continuity ahead of India's BRICS chairmanship |
| Army Chief (COAS) | Gen. Dhiraj Seth (30 Jun 2026) | 31st COAS; succeeded Gen. Upendra Dwivedi |
| ICC Chairman | Jay Shah (Dec 2024) | Youngest-ever ICC Chairman |
| Attorney General | R. Venkataramani | Highest law officer of India |
Global – Key Appointments (as of Jul 2026)
| Post | Person | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 47th US President | Donald Trump | Jan 20, 2025; JD Vance – VP; term runs to Jan 2029 |
| World Bank President | Ajay Banga | 1st person of Indian origin; since Jun 2023 |
| IMF Managing Director | Kristalina Georgieva | 2nd 5-year term since Oct 2024; Bulgaria |
| WTO Director-General | Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala | Nigeria; 1st African & 1st woman DG |
| Pope (Catholic Church) | Pope Leo XIV (Robert Prevost) | 1st American Pope; elected 8 May 2025 |
| UN Secretary-General | António Guterres | Portugal; term ends 31 Dec 2026 — formal selection of a successor is underway since Nov 2025 (candidates include Rafael Grossi, Michelle Bachelet, Macky Sall); new SG takes office Jan 2027 |
| NATO Secretary-General | Mark Rutte | Netherlands; since Oct 2024; succeeded Stoltenberg |
| WHO Director-General | Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus | Ethiopia; 2nd term; pandemic management |
High-value recent changes: VP Dhankhar → C.P. Radhakrishnan (Jul 2025) · CJI Gavai → Justice Surya Kant (Nov 2025) · Army Chief Dwivedi → Gen. Dhiraj Seth (Jun 2026) — these three are the most likely appointment questions for exams held in the second half of 2026.
Mini Quiz — Appointments
Q1. Who is the current (53rd) Chief Justice of India as of July 2026?
Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd CJI on 24 November 2025.
Q2. Who succeeded Jagdeep Dhankhar as Vice-President of India after his July 2025 resignation?
C.P. Radhakrishnan became the 15th Vice-President after Dhankhar's resignation on 21 July 2025.
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4. Government Schemes & Policies
Major Schemes — Quick Reference
| Scheme | Ministry | Key Numbers & Features |
|---|---|---|
| PM Internship Scheme | MoCA | 1 crore internships in 5 yrs; ₹5,000/month stipend; age 21–24 |
| PM E-Drive (FAME-III) | MHI | ₹10,900 crore; EV subsidy for 2W, 3W, buses; replaces FAME-II |
| PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli | MNRE | 1 crore rooftop solar; 300 free units/month; ₹75,021 crore outlay |
| Jal Jeevan Mission (ext. 2028) | Jal Shakti | ₹2.3 lakh crore; ~80 % HH functional tap water 2025 |
| PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan | MoTA | 63,000 tribal villages; ₹79,156 crore; ST welfare |
| Mission Mausam | MoES | ₹2,000 crore; 60 Doppler radars; 5-day precision forecast by 2026 |
| One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) | DST/MoE | 13,000+ journals free to all researchers; ₹6,000 crore / 3 yr |
| National Quantum Mission | DST | ₹6,003 crore; 50–1000 qubit computer in 8 years; 4 hubs |
| PM Vishwakarma Yojana | MSME | ₹13,000 crore; artisan recognition; 18 traditional crafts |
| Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam | MoEFCC | 140 crore trees campaign; plantation linked to maternal honour |
| Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan (PMJDY) | MoF | 53+ crore accounts; zero-balance; DBT backbone |
| Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) | DOPPW | Effective Apr 2025; assured 50 % pension after 25 yrs service |
Mission-Mode Missions (Quick List): Mission LiFE · Atmanirbhar Bharat · Make in India · Digital India · Skill India · Startup India · PM GatiShakti NMP · PLI Schemes (14 sectors) · National Green Hydrogen Mission · Semiconductor Mission · Deep Ocean Mission · Mission Shakti (Women) · Mission Vatsalya (Children)
Key Acts & Legal Reforms (2024–26)
| Act | Year | Key Provision |
|---|---|---|
| Waqf (Amendment) Act — UMEED Act | 2025 | Non-Muslim member; women representation; Waqf portal |
| Unified Pension Scheme | 2025 | Replaces NPS for central govt employees; assured pension |
| Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) | 2024 | Replaced IPC 1860; sedition removed; organised crime added |
| Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) | 2024 | Replaced CrPC; trial timeline fixed; CCTV mandatory |
| Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) | 2024 | Replaced Evidence Act 1872; electronic records primary |
| Digital Personal Data Protection Act | 2023 | First India data privacy law; Data Protection Board |
| CEC & EC Appointment Act | 2023 | PM-led panel; CJI removed from selection committee |
| Income Tax Act 2025 | 2025 | Replaces Income Tax Act 1961; simplified language and structure; effective 1 Apr 2026 |
Mini Quiz — Schemes & Policies
Q1. Which Act replaces the Income Tax Act 1961, effective 1 April 2026?
The Income Tax Act 2025 replaces the 1961 Act with simplified provisions, effective 1 April 2026.
Q2. The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) assures what pension after 25 years of service?
UPS, effective April 2025, assures 50 % of last-drawn pay as pension after 25 years of qualifying service.
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5. Important Days & Themes
Important Days — Dates & Most-Recently-Confirmed Themes (2025)
Dates are fixed every year; themes below are the last officially confirmed edition. Re-check the current year's theme for the specific day close to your exam.
| Date | Day | Theme / Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Jan | Republic Day | 76th (2025); Chief Guest: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto |
| 28 Jan | Data Privacy Day | Significant post-DPDPA 2023 |
| 4 Feb | World Cancer Day | "United by Unique" — UICC |
| 20 Feb | World Day of Social Justice | "Strengthening Social Justice Through Climate Justice" |
| 21 Feb | International Mother Language Day | "Multilingual Education — A Pillar of Learning" — UNESCO |
| 8 Mar | International Women's Day | "Accelerate Action" — UN Women |
| 22 Mar | World Water Day | "Glacier Preservation" — UN |
| 23 Mar | World Meteorological Day | "Closing the Early Warning Gap" — WMO |
| 7 Apr | World Health Day | "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures" — WHO |
| 22 Apr | Earth Day | "Our Power, Our Planet" |
| 5 Jun | World Environment Day | "Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience" — UNEP; Host: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
| 8 Jun | World Oceans Day | "Awaken New Depths" — UN |
| 21 Jun | International Yoga Day | 11th edition 2025; theme: "Yoga for One Earth, One Health" |
| 11 Jul | World Population Day | India ~144 crore — world's most populous nation (surpassed China 2023) |
| 15 Aug | Independence Day | 2047 target → Viksit Bharat centenary |
| 5 Sep | Teachers' Day (India) | Dr. S. Radhakrishnan's birthday; 2nd President of India |
| 16 Sep | International Day for Ozone Layer | Montreal Protocol anniversary; 1987 |
| 2 Oct | Gandhi Jayanti | Also UN Int'l Day of Non-Violence |
| 24 Oct | UN Day | Established 1945 |
| 14 Nov | Children's Day (India) | Nehru's birthday; also World Diabetes Day |
| 10 Dec | Human Rights Day | UDHR adopted 1948 |
International Year 2025: the UN declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) — directly relevant to India's National Quantum Mission.
Mini Quiz — Important Days
Q1. Which international year was 2025 declared by the UN?
2025 was declared the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ).
Q2. World Environment Day 2025 was hosted by which country?
World Environment Day 2025 (theme: land restoration & drought resilience) was hosted by Saudi Arabia.
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6. Rankings, Reports & Indices
India's Global Rankings
| Index | India's Rank | Publisher | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Innovation Index 2025 | 38th | WIPO | Up from 39th (2024) and 81st (2015); 1st among lower-middle-income economies |
| Human Development Index (HDR 2025) | 130th/193 | UNDP | Score 0.685 (2023 data); verify exact HDR edition against your source before quoting |
| Global Hunger Index 2024 | 105th/127 | Concern Worldwide / Welthungerhilfe | India contested methodology |
| Press Freedom Index 2024 | 159th | RSF (Reporters Sans Frontières) | Norway 1st |
| Corruption Perception Index 2025 | 91st/182 | Transparency International | Score 39/100 (up from 38); released 10 Feb 2026 |
| Global Firepower Index 2025 | 4th | GFP | USA 1st, Russia 2nd, China 3rd |
| SIPRI Military Expenditure 2024 | 4th (US$ 86.1 bn) | SIPRI | USA 1st, China 2nd, Russia 3rd |
| Henley Passport Index (Feb 2026) | 75th | Henley & Partners | Visa-free/on-arrival to 56 destinations (up from 82nd); index updates monthly |
| Logistics Performance Index 2023 | 38th | World Bank | Up from 44th (2018) |
| Global Peace Index 2024 | 116th | IEP | Iceland most peaceful |
| Swachh Survekshan 2024 – Cleanest City | Indore (8th time) | MoHUA | Maharashtra – cleanest state; Surat 2nd |
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | IIT Bombay – 118th | Quacquarelli Symonds | Best Indian university globally |
"India is 4th" Quick Recall: Economy (PPP basis) · Global Firepower · Military Spending · Forex Reserves · Steel Producer · Renewable Energy Capacity
Key Reports & Their Publishers
| Report | Publisher | Frequency | Latest Key Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Economic Outlook | IMF | Biannual (Apr & Oct) | India ~6-7 % growth range projected for FY26–27 |
| Human Development Report | UNDP | Annual | India 130th (HDR 2025); Medium HDI |
| Global Risks Report | WEF (Davos) | Annual (Jan) | Misinformation & climate top risks |
| India State of Forest Report (ISFR) | FSI, MoEFCC | Biennial | ISFR 2023 (18th edition): forest cover 21.76 % — still the current authoritative figure; no confirmed newer edition as of Jul 2026 |
| Economic Survey | MoF / CEA | Annual (pre-Budget) | CEA V. Anantha Nageswaran |
| SIPRI Yearbook | SIPRI | Annual | Global military spending $2.4 trillion (2024 edition) |
| ASER Report | Pratham | Annual | Learning outcomes in rural India |
| World Development Report | World Bank | Annual | 2024 edition: Middle Income Trap |
Mini Quiz — Rankings & Reports
Q1. India's rank in the Global Innovation Index 2025 (WIPO)?
India climbed to 38th in the GII 2025 edition, up from 39th in 2024.
Q2. What is India's rank in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2025?
India ranked 91st out of 182 countries in CPI 2025 (score 39/100), released Feb 2026.
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7. International Relations
India's Key Foreign Policy Events
| Event | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Operation Sindoor | May 7, 2025 | India strikes 9 terror camps in PoK & Pakistan post Pahalgam attack; tri-service precision strikes; Indus Waters Treaty suspended |
| India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement | Finalised Feb 2026 | "Historic trade deal": US reciprocal tariff on India cut 25 % → 18 %; India committed to ~US$ 500 billion in US purchases over 5 years (energy, aircraft, tech) |
| India–UK Free Trade Agreement | Signed May 2025 | 8 yrs of negotiations concluded; Scotch whisky, cars vs Indian textiles |
| SCO Summit 2025 | Tianjin, China (31 Aug–1 Sep) | Chaired by Xi Jinping; PM Modi attended; 2026 summit to be hosted by Kyrgyzstan |
| G20 Presidency (India) | Dec 2022 – Nov 2023 | "One Earth One Family One Future"; New Delhi Declaration; AU joins G20 |
| India's BRICS Chairmanship 2026 | 2026 | Theme: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability"; India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit, New Delhi, 12–13 Sep 2026 (Brazil hosted the 17th in 2025) |
| India–Maldives Relations | 2024–25 | Muizzu govt sought Indian troop withdrawal; ties improved after reset |
| Pahalgam Terror Attack | Apr 22, 2025 | 26 tourists killed; Pakistan-based TRF blamed; triggered Op. Sindoor |
India and Multilateral Groupings
| Grouping | Members | India's Role / Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| QUAD | India, USA, Japan, Australia | Maritime security; tech cooperation; cancer moonshot; no military alliance |
| SCO | 9 members (India, China, Russia…) | India full member since 2017; counter-terror; Eurasian connectivity |
| BRICS (expanded) | 9 full members + partners | De-dollarisation push; India chairs the grouping in 2026 |
| SAARC | 8 members | Stalled due to India–Pakistan tensions; replaced by BIMSTEC focus |
| BIMSTEC | 7 members | India prioritises over SAARC; Bay of Bengal connectivity |
| I2U2 (West Asia Quad) | India, Israel, UAE, USA | Food security, energy, technology |
| IPEF | 14 countries led by USA | Indo-Pacific Economic Framework; trade, supply chains, clean energy |
India's Neighbourhood Policy — Doctrine & Updates
Neighbourhood First Policy — India's foreign policy priority. Key: Act East Policy (ASEAN, Japan), Connect Central Asia, Arctic Policy 2022, Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as strategic priority.
| Neighbour | Status (2026) | Key Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | Hostile, with cautious Track-II opening | Op. Sindoor fallout; unofficial dialogue resumed 2026 (e.g. IISS Colombo) on terrorism, Indus Waters, crisis management — no official normalisation; India's line: "terror and talks can't go together" |
| China | Partial normalisation | LAC patrolling agreement Oct 2024; Depsang, Demchok; CPEC concerns |
| Bangladesh | New govt (Yunus-led) | Sheikh Hasina exile; Teesta river water sharing pending; minority protection |
| Nepal | Stable | Power export agreement; hydropower cooperation; Kalapani dispute pending |
| Sri Lanka | Improved | President Dissanayake; India-assisted IMF bailout; Katchatheevu |
| Maldives | Improving after reset | India troop withdrawal done; India resumes aid; strategic importance |
Mini Quiz — International Relations
Q1. India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit in September 2026 in which city?
India holds the 2026 BRICS chairmanship and hosts the 18th Summit in New Delhi (12–13 Sept 2026).
Q2. The India-US trade deal finalised in Feb 2026 cut the US reciprocal tariff on India from 25 % to what?
The reciprocal tariff was cut from 25 % to 18 %, alongside an Indian commitment to ~$500 billion in US purchases over 5 years.
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8. Polity & Governance
Constitutional Amendments (Recent)
| Amendment | Year | Key Provision |
|---|---|---|
| 106th Constitutional Amendment | 2023 | Women's Reservation Bill — 33 % seats in Lok Sabha & State Assemblies; effective after next delimitation |
| 105th Amendment | 2021 | Restored State/UT power to identify OBCs for reservations |
| 104th Amendment | 2020 | Extended SC/ST reservations in Parliament by 10 years (to 2030) |
Key Supreme Court Judgements
| Case | Ruling | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-classification within SC/ST quotas | Allowed (7:0) | States can sub-classify SC/STs for reservation; overrules E.V. Chinnaiah (2004) |
| Electoral Bond Scheme | Struck down (5:0) | Violated Art. 19(1)(a) right to information; SBI ordered to disclose data to EC |
| PMLA & ED Powers | Upheld | Arrest without written grounds challenged; SC holds ED powers constitutional |
| Bulldozer Action | Restrained | SC lays down guidelines; demolitions without due process unconstitutional |
| Same-sex Marriage | Not a fundamental right (5:0) | Left to Parliament; no right to marry under Art. 21 |
| Article 370 Abrogation | Upheld (5:0) | J&K reorganisation constitutional; statehood to be restored |
Governance Reforms & Bodies
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| One Nation One Election | Ram Nath Kovind Committee report submitted Jan 2024; simultaneous Lok Sabha + Assembly + local body elections proposed |
| Delimitation | Next delimitation post-2026 census; southern states fear reduced seats due to lower population growth |
| Lateral Entry into IAS | UPSC advertised 45 posts; cancelled Aug 2024 after political opposition; reservation concerns |
| Chief Minister Immunity | SC holds sitting CMs/governors do not have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution |
| 16th Finance Commission | Arvind Panagariya; 2026–31; vertical & horizontal devolution |
| Parliamentary Committees | JPC on WAQF amendment; PAC scrutiny of MGNREGS; Privileges Committee recommendations |
Constitutional Basics (Prelims Quick Recall): Articles 12–35 (FRs) · Art. 36–51 (DPSPs) · Art. 51A (FDs added 1976 by 42nd Amdt.) · Art. 352/356/360 (Emergency) · Art. 368 (Amendment) · Schedules: 9 (land reform immunity) · 10 (Anti-defection) · 11 (Panchayati Raj) · 12 (Municipalities)
Mini Quiz — Polity & Governance
Q1. The Supreme Court's ruling on the Electoral Bond Scheme held that it violated which Article?
The Electoral Bond Scheme was struck down 5:0 for violating Article 19(1)(a), the citizen's right to information.
Q2. Who chairs the 16th Finance Commission (tenure 2026-31)?
Arvind Panagariya chairs the 16th Finance Commission, covering the 2026–31 award period.
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9. Environment & Ecology
Climate Change – India's Commitments (NDC 2022)
| Target | Commitment |
|---|---|
| Non-fossil energy capacity | 500 GW by 2030 |
| Renewable share in electricity mix | 50 % by 2030 |
| Emission intensity reduction | 45 % below 2005 levels by 2030 |
| Carbon sink (forests) | 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent by 2030 |
| Net zero target | 2070 (announced COP26, Glasgow) |
Important Environmental Conventions & India's Status
| Convention / Protocol | Focus | India's Status |
|---|---|---|
| UNFCCC + Paris Agreement | Climate change | Ratified 2016; NDC updated 2022 |
| Montreal Protocol | Ozone-depleting substances | Ratified; Kigali Amendment (HFCs) ratified 2021 |
| Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) | Biodiversity | Ratified; Kunming-Montreal GBF 2022 — 30×30 target |
| CITES | Trade in endangered species | Ratified; 3 appendices; tiger, elephant protection |
| Ramsar Convention | Wetlands | India: 85 Ramsar sites (most in world) |
| Nagoya Protocol | Access & Benefit Sharing (biodiversity) | Ratified 2012; ABS under Biological Diversity Act |
Protected Areas & Conservation
| Category | Numbers | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Tiger Reserves | 56 | Project Tiger 1973; India holds 75 % world tigers |
| National Parks | 106 | Jim Corbett – 1st NP (1936) |
| Biosphere Reserves | 18 (12 UNESCO-designated) | Nilgiri – 1st BR; Sundarbans, Gulf of Mannar among UNESCO BRs |
| Ramsar Wetlands | 85 sites | Highest in world; Chilika Lake – 1st Ramsar site (1981) |
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 43 (34 cultural, 7 natural, 1 mixed) | Hoysala temples & Moidams — latest additions |
Recent Environmental Events
| Event | Key Outcome |
|---|---|
| COP30 (Belém, Brazil, Nov 10–22, 2025) | "Belém Political Package" — 195-party consensus; pledge to mobilise US$ 1.3 trillion/yr climate finance by 2035; adaptation finance to triple by 2035; Tropical Forests Forever Fund raised $5.5 bn (53 countries); no fossil-fuel phase-out language agreed |
| COP29 (Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov 2024) | New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG): $300 bn/yr by 2035 from developed to developing nations; Loss & Damage fund operationalised |
| India's Forest Cover (ISFR 2023) | 21.76 % of geographical area — still the current authoritative figure; no confirmed newer edition as of Jul 2026 |
| Great Nicobar Island Project | NGT orders fresh EIA; biodiversity concerns — leatherback turtles, indigenous Shompen tribe |
| Cheetah Reintroduction | Kuno NP, MP; 8 from Namibia (2022), 12 from South Africa (2023) |
Environment Quick Mnemonics: CITES = "CITEs wildlife trade" · Ramsar = wetlands (Ra-water) · CBD = biodiversity (B for Bio) · UNFCCC = climate (C-C) · Montreal = ozone (M-O-zone)
Mini Quiz — Environment & Ecology
Q1. COP30 (Nov 2025) was held in which city?
COP30 was held in Belém, Brazil, producing the "Belém Political Package."
Q2. As per ISFR 2023, India's forest cover is what percentage of its geographical area?
ISFR 2023 (18th edition) recorded forest cover at 21.76 % — still the authoritative figure as no newer edition is confirmed.
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10. Science & Technology
ISRO Missions — Status as of Jul 2026
| Mission | Status | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Chandrayaan-3 | Success (Aug 23, 2023) | 1st soft landing near lunar South Pole; Vikram lander + Pragyan rover; 23 Aug = National Space Day |
| Aditya-L1 | Operational (Jan 2024) | 1st Indian solar observatory; Lagrange point L1; SUIT, VELC instruments |
| NISAR | Launched 30 Jul 2025; fully operational since Jan 2026 | NASA–ISRO joint synthetic aperture radar; ~$1.5 bn mission; launched on GSLV-F16, commissioned Nov 2025 |
| Chandrayaan-4 | Pre-launch — subsystem development | Sample-return mission; cabinet-approved Sept 2024 (₹2,104 crore); launch now expected ~2028; 2 × LVM3 launches |
| Gaganyaan | No crewed launch yet | Gaganyaan-1 uncrewed orbital test (carrying humanoid robot Vyommitra) scheduled H2 2026; crewed flight slipped to 2027 |
| XPoSat | Launched Jan 1, 2024 | X-ray Polarimeter Satellite; 2nd in world after NASA IXPE; black hole study |
Defence Technology
| System | Type | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Agni-V (MIRV) | ICBM | Mission Divyastra (Mar 2024); Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicles; range 5,000+ km |
| BrahMos-ER | Cruise missile | Extended range 450+ km; supersonic; India–Russia joint; Philippines export deal |
| Tejas Mk-2 | Fighter aircraft | Prototype unveiled 2024; twin-engine; AESA radar; HAL Bengaluru |
| Pralay | Ballistic missile | Quasi-ballistic; surface-to-surface; range 150–500 km; inducted 2023 |
AI & Emerging Technology
| Initiative | Detail |
|---|---|
| IndiaAI Mission | ₹10,372 crore; 10,000 GPUs compute infrastructure; AI startups, safe AI regulation |
| National Quantum Mission | ₹6,003 crore; 50–1000 qubit systems; 4 Technology Hubs (T-Hubs) |
| Semiconductor Mission | ₹76,000 crore incentive; Tata Electronics (Assam), CG Power (Gujarat), Micron (Gujarat) |
| 5G/6G Rollout India | 5G launched Oct 2022, 700+ cities covered; 6G policy vision announced |
| Digital Public Infrastructure | UPI, Aadhaar, DigiLocker, ONDC, ABDM — India Stack exported to 50+ countries |
Physics Nobel 2025 (Clarke, Devoret & Martinis — quantum tunnelling in electric circuits) and Chemistry Nobel 2025 (Kitagawa, Robson & Yaghi — metal-organic frameworks) are directly relevant to Science & Technology GS-III paper.
Mini Quiz — Science & Technology
Q1. What is the current status of the NISAR satellite as of July 2026?
NISAR launched on GSLV-F16 on 30 July 2025 and has been fully operational since Jan 2026.
Q2. As of July 2026, has India's Gaganyaan crewed spaceflight happened?
No crewed launch has occurred; Gaganyaan-1 (uncrewed, with robot Vyommitra) is planned for H2 2026, with the crewed flight now expected in 2027.
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11. History, Art & Culture
UNESCO World Heritage Sites — India (Recent Additions)
| Site | State | Type | Year Inscribed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoysala Sacred Ensembles (Belur, Halebid, Somnathapura) | Karnataka | Cultural | 2023 |
| Moidams — Mound-Burial System of Ahom | Assam | Cultural | 2024 |
| Santiniketan | West Bengal | Cultural | 2023 |
| Dholavira (Harappan City) | Gujarat | Cultural | 2021 |
| Kakatiya Rudreswara Temple (Ramappa) | Telangana | Cultural | 2021 |
Archaeological Finds & Culture Events
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ram Mandir Consecration (Prana Pratishtha) | Jan 22, 2024; Ayodhya, UP; PM Modi presides; construction began 2020 post SC verdict (Nov 2019) |
| Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2024 | Varanasi; cultural exchange between Tamil Nadu & Kashi; deepens cultural integration |
| Surajkund Crafts Mela 2025 | 38th edition; Faridabad; theme state — Telangana; partner nation — Malaysia |
| Pashupati Seal re-analysis | IIT Kharagpur study 2024 — links Harappan proto-Shiva to later Vedic traditions |
| Nataraja statue repatriation | Chola-era bronze returned to India from USA via repatriation; diplomatic success |
Classical Dance Forms — Quick Recall
| Dance | State | Scripture / Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Bharatanatyam | Tamil Nadu | Devadasi tradition; Natyashastra |
| Kathak | UP / Rajasthan | Lucknow & Jaipur gharanas; Mughal fusion |
| Odissi | Odisha | Mahari & gotipua tradition; Jagannath temple |
| Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh | Village Kuchipudi; male-dominated historically |
| Manipuri | Manipur | Vaishnavism; Ras Leela; circular movements |
| Mohiniyattam | Kerala | Lasya style; feminine; temple tradition |
| Kathakali | Kerala | Elaborate makeup; Navarasas; male performers |
| Sattriya | Assam | Vaishnava monastic tradition; recognised 2000 |
GI Tags (Selected, 2024): Toda Embroidery (TN) · Pochampally Ikat (Telangana) · Kolhapuri Chappal (Maharashtra) · Nagpur Orange · Mizo Puanchei textiles · Tawang Monastery Thangka paintings (Arunachal)
Mini Quiz — History, Art & Culture
Q1. The Moidams (mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty) inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024 are located in which state?
The Moidams of the Ahom dynasty are in Assam and were inscribed as a UNESCO cultural heritage site in 2024.
Q2. Kathakali, known for elaborate makeup and the Navarasas, belongs to which state?
Kathakali originates from Kerala.
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12. Geography & Disaster Management
India — Physical & Economic Geography Quick Facts
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Area | 32.87 lakh km² — 7th largest country |
| Coastline | 7,516.6 km (mainland); 11 coastal states + 2 UTs |
| Highest Peak (within India) | Kangchenjunga — 8,586 m |
| Longest River | Ganga (2,525 km within India); Indus overall longest originating in Tibet |
| Largest State (area) | Rajasthan (3.42 lakh km²) |
| Smallest State (area) | Goa (3,702 km²) |
| Largest UT (area) | J&K (42,241 km² after reorganisation) |
| Tropic of Cancer | Passes through 8 states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, WB, Tripura, Mizoram |
| Standard Meridian | 82°30'E (Mirzapur, UP) — IST = UTC+5:30 |
Important Passes — Prelims Focus
| Pass | State / Region | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Zoji La | J&K | Connects Srinagar–Leh; Z-Morh tunnel under construction |
| Rohtang Pass | Himachal Pradesh | Atal Tunnel (Rohtang) — world's longest high-altitude tunnel (8.8 km) |
| Nathu La | Sikkim | India–China trade route; Silk Road branch |
| Lipulekh | Uttarakhand | Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route; tripoint India-Nepal-China |
| Banihal Pass | J&K | Connects Kashmir Valley to Jammu; Banihal Tunnel |
Disaster Management — Key Events & Frameworks
| Disaster / Framework | Detail |
|---|---|
| Wayanad Landslide (Jul 2024) | Kerala; 300+ deaths; Mundakkai village devastated; NDRF deployed; rehabilitation ongoing |
| Cyclone Remal (May 2024) | Bangladesh–Myanmar–WB coast; severe cyclone; IMD early warning credited |
| Sikkim Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) | Oct 2023; South Lhonak Lake; 4 dams damaged; Teesta disruption |
| NDMA (National Disaster Mgmt Authority) | Statutory body under DM Act 2005; PM as Chairperson; state level — SDMA |
| Sendai Framework 2015–30 | 7 global targets; reduce mortality, economic losses; disaster risk reduction (DRR) |
| Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) | India-led; launched at UN Climate Summit 2019; member nations & international organisations |
| Tsunami Early Warning System | India Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) — INCOIS, Hyderabad; Indian Ocean focus |
Ken–Betwa Link Project (approved 2022) — 1st interlinking-of-rivers project; MP & UP; 10.62 lakh hectares irrigation; Panna Tiger Reserve & environmental concerns. National River Linking Authority (NRLA) set up to fast-track remaining links.
Mini Quiz — Geography & Disaster Management
Q1. India's standard meridian (82°30'E) passes through which city?
India's standard meridian (82°30'E) passes through Mirzapur, UP.
Q2. The Ken-Betwa Link Project connects rivers across which two states?
The Ken-Betwa Link Project, India's first river-interlinking project, connects Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.