India Year Book - v16

India
India Year Book 2024

A Recap
Summary Booklet
2024
PREFACE
Every year, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) to recruit for
various Civil Services of the Government of India, including
the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service
(IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS) and other Central Services.
India Year Book is an indispensable resource for UPSC aspirants,

offering a wealth of information, analysis, and insights across
various subjects relevant to the exams. Its comprehensive coverage,
authenticity, and relevance to current affairs make it an essential
companion for aspirants on their UPSC preparation journey
Therefore, we at Unacademy have designed this India Year Book

Summary Booklet including relevant Previous Year’s Questions
and value addition content. We understand the value of time and
the need for efficient access to information. Therefore, this booklet
strives to distill complex data and analysis into easily understandable
narratives, enabling readers to grasp the essence of each subject swiftly.
While due care has been taken to ensure accuracy in the preparation
of this book. Nonetheless, if there are any corrections, feedback or
suggestions, email us at learnersupport.upsc@unacademy.com.
ANUJ GARG DR. MRUNAL PATEL
Director, Senior Vice President,

Unacademy Unacademy
Contents
1. The Land & People 4
2. National Symbols 9
3. Polity 17
4. Defence 53
5. Law and Justice 60
6. India and the World 76
7. Basic Economic Data 94
8. Finance 100
9. Corporate Affairs 116
10. Commerce 120
11. Industry 130
12. Labour, Skill Development and Employment 149
13. Health and Family Welfare 159
14. Education 171
15. Welfare 178
16. Agriculture 188
17. Food, Civil supplies and Consumer Affairs 195
18. Planning 204
19. Rural Development 215
20. Housing and Urban Affairs 226
21. Transport 230
22. Energy 235
23. Water Resources 242
24. Environment 253
25. Communications and Information Technology 278
26. Mass Communication 288
27. Culture and Tourism 293
28. Scientific and Technological Developments 300
29. Youth Affairs and Sports 314
30. States and Union Territories 323
31. Diary of National Events 367
India At a Glance-2024 4
1 The Land & People

India is bounded by the Great Himalayas in the north, the Indian Ocean to the south, with the Bay of Bengal on
the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. It shares land borders with seven countries including Nepal, Bangladesh,
Myanmar, Bhutan, China, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It also shares maritime boundaries with Sri Lanka and
Maldives.
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Physical Features of India Self Note

y The physical features of India encompass four main regions namely, the
Himalayas, the plains of the Ganga and the Indus, the desert region, and the
southern peninsula.
y High Himalayan altitudes allow travel only through a few passes, notably the
Jelep La and Nathu La on the main Indo-Tibet trade route.
y The plains of the Ganga, Indus and Brahmaputra are one of the world’s greatest
stretches of flat alluvium and also the most densely populated areas on earth.
y The Peninsular Plateau is marked off from the plains by a mass of mountains
and hill ranges varying from 460 to 1,220 meters in height.
y The Desert Region can be divided into 2 parts- The ‘Great Desert’ and the
‘Little Desert’.
y The Great Desert extends from the edge of the Rann of Kutch beyond the
Luni River northwards. The whole of the Rajasthan- Sind frontier runs
through this.
y The Little Desert extends from the Luni between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur up
the Northern west.
y Between the great and the little deserts lies a barren zone, consisting of rocky
land, cut up by limestone ridges.
Geological Structure of India

y The present configuration of India is attributed to the collision of the Indian
Plate with the Eurasian Plate around 4-5 crore years ago.
y This collision and later subduction of the Indian plate has resulted in the
formation of most picturesque mountain chains in the world.
y Plains are youngest in age, highly fertile in nature and mainly consist of
alluvium deposited by the rivers draining from the Himalayas and the
peninsular regions.
y The peninsular region is shaped like an inverted triangle and considered a
storehouse of economic minerals for India.
River Systems
River Systems can be classified into four groups, namely: Himalayan rivers,
deccan rivers, coastal rivers and rivers of inland drainage basin.
y Himalayan Rivers: Himalayan Rivers are formed by melting snow and
glaciers and are perennial in nature.
y Deccan Rivers: Deccan Rivers are rainfed and therefore fluctuate in volume.
Many of these are non-perennial.
y Inland drainage basin: Streams of Inland Drainage Basin of western Rajasthan
are few and far apart.
6 India At a Glance-2024
y Coastal Streams are short in length and have limited catchment areas.
Self Note
y Rivers and Major Tributaries:
○ The Indus rises near Mansarovar in Tibet and has tributaries like Jhelum,
Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.
○ The Yamuna, the Ramganga, the Ghaghra, the Gandak, the Kosi, the
Mahananda and the Sone are important tributaries of the Ganga.
○ The Brahmaputra rises in Tibet, where it is known as Tsangpo and
crosses over into India in Arunachal Pradesh under the name of Dihang.
○ The Debang and Lohit join the river Brahmaputra and the combined river
runs all along the Assam valley. It crosses into Bangladesh downstream of
Dhubri. The Brahmaputra in Bangladesh is fed by Teesta and finally falls
into the Ganga.
○ Major tributaries of Brahmaputra include Subansiri, Jiri, Bhareli
(Kameng), Dhansiri, Puthimari, Pagladiya, Manas, Dibang, Lohit etc
○ Teesta River originates from the Pahunri glacier.
○ Before going to the Bay of Bengal through Bangladesh, Teesta flows
through West Bengal and Sikkim.
○ The Barak river, the headstream of Meghna, rises in the hills of Manipur.
○ Major Tributaries of Barak include Makku, Tuivai, Jiri, Sonai, Rukni,
Katakhal, Dhaleshwari, Langachini, Maduvu and Jatinga.
Q. With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements: (UPSC

CSE 2017)
1. The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it
flows through Sikkim.
2. River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and is a tributary of river Teesta.
3. River Teesta flows into the Bay of Bengal on the border of India and
Bangladesh.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)

Q. Which of the following is/are tributary/ tributaries of Brahmaputra? Self Note

(UPSC CSE 2016)
1. Dibang
2. Kameng
3. Lohit
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
India’s Climate
y India’s climate is influenced by the oceans, the Himalayas, and the Thar desert,
resulting in diverse climatic conditions across the country.
y The four principal seasons are winter, pre-monsoon/summer, southwest
monsoon, and post-monsoon/northeast monsoon. The monsoon, a
prominent feature, brings heavy rainfall from June to September and plays a
crucial role in the country’s agriculture and hydrology.
Population Demographics
India’s Population Related Data:

y As per Census of India 2011, the Population of India stood at 121.09 crore
comprising 62.33 crore males and 58.76 crore females.
y Out of this 83.38 crore (68.9%) lived in Rural areas and the rest 37.71 crore
(31.1%) stay in Urban areas.
y With a population of 102.87 crore in 2001, the decadal growth rate of
Population in India between 2001 and 2011 was 17.7%.
y Population Density of India in 2011 was 382 per square km with a decadal
growth rate of 17.7%.
y Among the bigger states, Bihar was the most thickly populated state with a
population density of 1106 persons per square km followed by West Bengal at
1028 and Kerala at 860.
Literacy:
y A person aged seven and above who can both read and write with
understanding in any language is treated as Literate as per the Census of India
2011

y A person who can only read but cannot write, is not literate
Self Note
y As per Census 2011, the literacy rate in India stood at 73%, an increase from
64.8% in 2001 (80.9 per cent for males and 64.6 per cent for females).
y Kerala retained its top position with 94% whereas Bihar with a literacy rate
of 61.8% ranked the lowest in the country
Crude birth rate and death rates:

y The Crude Birth Rate is a measure of birth rates and is defined as the total
number of live births in a year divided by total mid-year population
multiplied by 1000. It was 19.5 per 1000 in 2020.
y The Crude Death Rate is a measure of mortality rates and is defined as
the total number of deaths in a year divided by total mid-year population
multiplied by 1000. It was 6.0 per 1000 in 2020.
Infant Mortality Rate:

y It is defined as the number of deaths in a year per 1000 live births of children
under one year of age.
y India has drastically reduced the IMR from 47 in 2010 to 28 in 2020.

2 National Symbols
National Flag
y The National Flag is made of three rectangular panels with saffron, white and
green panels of equal width.
y Ashoka Chakra in navy blue with 24 equally spaced spokes at the centre of the white
panel. It shall preferably be screen printed or stencilled or suitably embroidered
and completely visible on both sides of the Flag in the centre of the white panel.
y The ratio of the length to the height of the National Flag shall be 3:2.
Flag size Width and height (mm) Diameter of Ashoka Chakra (mm)
1 6300 × 4200 1295
2 3600 × 2400 740
3 2700 × 1800 555
4 1800 × 1200 370
5 1350 × 900 280
6 900 × 600 185
7 450 × 300 90
8 225 × 150 40
9 150 × 100 25
Q. Consider the following statements in respect of the National Flag of India according to the Flag Code of
India, 2002: (UPSC CSE 2023)
Statement-I: One of the standard sizes of the National Flag of India is 600 mm * 400 mm.
Statement-II: The ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the 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
Answer: (b)

y The design of the flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on
Self Note
July 22, 1947.
y Display of National Flag: As per provisions of Flag Code of India, 2002, there
is no restriction on the display the National Flag by members of the general
public, private organisations, educational institutions, etc., except to the
extent provided in the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use)
Act, 1950 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and any
other law enacted on the subject.
State Emblem
y It is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath.
y In the original, the Lion Capital has four lions mounted back to back, on a
circular abacus.
y The frieze of the Abacus is adorned with sculptures in high relief of an
elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening
Dharma Chakras.
y The motto “Satyameva Jayate”- Truth alone triumphs-
written in Devanagari script below the profile of the
Lion Capital is part of the State emblem of India.
The Mundaka Upanishad is the source of the phrase
Satyameva Jayate, which is the national motto of India.
y The State emblem is used as the official seal of the
Government of India.
y Its use is regulated by the State emblem of India
(Regulation of Use) Rules, 2007.
Q. The national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the

Emblem of India is taken from: (UPSC CSE 2014)
(a) Katha Upanishad
(b) Chandogya Upanishad
(c) Aitareya Upanishad
(d) Mundaka Upanishad
Answer: (d)
National Anthem
y The song Jana Gana Mana, composed originally in Bangla by Rabindranath
Tagore was adopted in its Hindi version by the Constituent Assembly, as the
National Anthem of India on January 24, 1950.
y It was first sung on December 27, 1911 at the Calcutta Session of the Indian
National Congress.
y Playing time of the full version of the Indian national anthem is 52 seconds.
Self Note
y Rabindranath Tagore Translated the National Anthem from Bengali to
English at Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh.
Q. With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the

following statements is correct? (UPSC CSE 2021)
(a) Pingali Venkayya designed the tricolour Indian National Flag here.
(b) Pattabhi Sitaramaiah led the Quit India Movement of Andhra region
from here.
(c) Rabindranath Tagore translated the National Anthem from Bengali
to English here.
(d) Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott set up headquarters of
Theosophical Society first here.
Answer: (c)
National Song
y The song Vande Mataram has been adopted as the National Song of India.
y It was composed in Sanskrit by Bankim Chandra Chatterji and was a
major source of inspiration to the people in their struggle for freedom.
y This has an equal status with Jana Gana Mana (The National Anthem).
y The first political occasion when it was sung was the 1896 Cultutta session
of the Indian National Congress.
National Calendar
y It is based on the Saka Era, with Chaitra as its first month and a normal
year of 365 days was adopted from March 22, 1957 along with Gregorian
calendar for the following purposes:
o Gazette of India
o News broadcast by All India Radio
o Calendars issued by the Govt of India
o Govt communications addressed to the public
y Dates of the National Calendar have a permanent correspondence with
dates of the Gregorian Calendar, i.e., 1 Chaitra falls usually on 22nd March
and on March 21 when it is a Leap Year.
Saka Era:
y The Saka Era, also known as the Shalivahana Saka, is an ancient Indian
calendar system that began in 78 AD. Initiated under King Shalivahana's
rule, this era is pivotal for historical dating in India.

y It marks the victory over the Sakas and is widely used in India and Southeast
Self Note
Asia, influencing the Hindu and Buddhist calendars.
y At the time of independence, the Government of India followed the calendar
based on the Saka era.
y The National Calendar commenced on Chaitra 1 Saka, 1879 corresponding
to March 22, 1957 AD.
y Dates of the National Calendar have a permanent correspondence with dates
of the Gregorian calendar. 1 Chaitra falls on 22 March normally and on 21
March in leap year.
Q. Consider the following statements (UPSC CDS-II, 2007)

1. At the time of independence, the Government of India followed the
calendar based on the Saka era.
2. The National Calendar commenced on Chaitra 1 Saka, 1879
corresponding to March 22, 1957 AD.
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Q. Consider the following statements about National Calendar of India

(UPSC CDS-I, 2009)
1. The National Calendar is based on the Saka era with Chaitra as its first
month.
2. Dates of the National Calendar have a permanent correspondence
with dates of the Gregorian calendar.
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
National Animal and Bird

y Tiger and Peacock were re-notified as National Animal and National Bird
respectively by the Wildlife Division of the Ministry of Environment and
Forests in 2011.

Self
SelfNote
Note
Constituent Assembly of India:
Aspect Details
Formation Date 6th December 1946
To draft the Constitution of India and to lay the

Purpose
foundation of governance in independent India.
Initially 389, later reduced to 299 after the partition of

Total Members
India in 1947.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Chairman of the Drafting

Key Figures Committee), Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Rajendra
Prasad (President of the Constituent Assembly)
First Meeting 9th December 1946
Major Sources Inspired by constitutional developments from Britain,

for Draft the United States, Ireland, and other countries.
Duration of
Approximately 3 years, from 1946 to 1949
Work
Significant Fundamental Rights, Federal Structure, Directive

Features Drafted Principles of State Policy
The Constitution was adopted on 26th November 1949.

Adoption Date Constitution Day is celebrated on 26th November to
promote Constitutional values among citizens.
Enforcement
Came into effect on 26th January 1950
Date
Number of The Assembly met in sessions open to the public over

Sessions 11 sessions
Working Several committees on Fundamental Rights, Union

Committees Powers, Minority Rights, etc.

Involved debates and discussions reflecting a wide

Drafting Process Self Note
range of ideologies and perspectives
Q. Consider the following statements in respect of the Constitution Day:

(UPSC CSE 2023)
Statement-I: The Constitution Day is celebrated on 26th November every year to
promote constitutional values among citizens.
Statement-II: On 26th November, 1949, the constituent Assembly of India set up a
Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to prepare a
Draft Constitution of India.
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the 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
Answer: (c)

Self Note

Self Note

3 Polity
INDIA, a union of states, is a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic with a parliamentary system
of government. The Republic is governed in terms of the Constitution, which was adopted by the Constituent
Assembly on November 26, 1949 and came into force on January 26, 1950.
y The Constitution as adopted on November 26, 1949, contained a Preamble, 395 Articles and 8 Schedules.
y The Preamble was enacted after the entire Constitution was already enacted.
y Some provisions of the Constitution pertaining to citizenship, elections, provisional parliament, temporary
and transitional provisions, and short title contained in Articles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 60, 324, 366, 367, 379, 380, 388,
391, 392 and 393 came into force on November 26, 1949, itself.
y The remaining provisions (the major part) of the Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950.
Union and its Territory

India comprises 28 states and 8 union territories. The parliament reorganized Jammu and Kashmir into two UTs
via the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019. This abolished the State Legislature and Legislative Council,
replacing them with the “Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Citizenship
The Constitution of India provides for a single citizenship for the whole of India. The Citizenship Act, 1955, deals
with matters relating to acquisition, determination and termination of Indian citizenship after the commencement
of the Constitution.
Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019

y It makes foreign illegal migrants of 6 religious communities i.e, Hindus, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and
Christian from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan eligible for Indian Citizenship.
y It is applicable to those who have taken shelter in India due to persecution on grounds of religion or fear of such
persecution in their countries and have entered into India on or before December 31,2014.
y The provisions of the Act, however, do not apply to tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura
and the areas where ‘ The Inner Line Permit ‘ is applicable including the states of Arunachal Pradesh,
Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.
y In India, people have single citizenship, i.e., a person can have only one citizenship. Also, at a particular time, a
person can have only one domicile. Any citizen of India (Citizen by birth or Naturalised Citizen) can become
the Head of State, i.e., the President, in India.
y A foreigner, once granted citizenship, can be deprived of citizenship under the circumstances like registration
is done by fraud, a person is disloyal towards the constitution, voluntarily acquiring citizenship of another
country, etc.

Q. With reference to India, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE Self Note
2021)
1. There is only one citizenship and one domicile.
2. A citizen by birth only can become the Head of State.
3. A foreigner once granted citizenship cannot be deprived of it under
any circumstances.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Fundamental Rights
y Enshrined in Part III of the Indian Constitution, from Article 12 to 35 of the
Indian Constitution.
y Aimed at guaranteeing basic freedoms to all citizens.
y These rights are justiciable, meaning they can be enforced by courts.
y Article 14 of the Indian Constitution mandates equality before the law and
equal protection of laws to all persons within India. This principle, integral
to the Rule of Law, entails absence of arbitrary power and equal subjection
to the law. Equality signifies the absence of special privileges and ensures all
individuals have adequate opportunities without discrimination.
y Article 17 of the Constitution of India abolishes the age-old practice of
Untouchability and forbids its practice in any form. Untouchability refers
to a social practice that looks down upon certain oppressed classes solely on
account of their birth and makes any discrimination against them on this
ground. This comes under the Right to Equality (Article 14- 18).
y Article 21 declares that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal
liberty except according to procedure established by law. It is available to
both citizens and non-citizens. The protection under Article 21 is available
not only against arbitrary executive action but also against arbitrary legislative
action.
y In 2018, the Supreme Court in the Hadiya Marriage case held that the Right
to Marry a person of one’s choice is integral to Article 21 (Right to Life and
Liberty) of the Constitution.
y In K. S. Puttaswamy Case (2017), the Supreme Court of India has held that
the right to privacy is a Fundamental Right and is protected under Article 21
of the Constitution of India. Privacy is a constitutionally protected right that
deals with a guarantee of life and liberty in Article 21 of the Constitution.
o Privacy is a constitutionally protected right that deals with a guarantee of
life and liberty in Article 21 of the Constitution.
y Article 23 prohibits trafficking in human beings, beggars (forced labour) and

Self Note
other forms of forced labour. This right is available to both citizens and non-
citizens.
o It protects individuals not only against the state but also against private
persons.
o Exception to Article 23: It permits the state to impose compulsory service
for public purposes, for example, military service or social service, for
which it is not bound to pay.
y Right to Property is not a Fundamental Right. The Right to Property is a
legal right available to any person.
o In the year 1977, the 44th amendment eliminated the right to acquire,
hold and dispose of property as a fundamental right.
o However, Article 300 (A) was inserted to affirm that no person shall be
deprived of his property save by authority of law.
Q. What is the position of the Right to Property in India? (UPSC CSE 2021)
(a) Legal right available to citizens only
(b) Legal right available to any person
(c) Fundamental Right available to citizens only
(d) Neither Fundamental Right nor legal right
Answer: (b)
Q. ‘Right to Privacy’ is protected under which Article of the Constitution

of India? (UPSC CSE 2021)
(a) Article 15
(b) Article 19
(c) Article 21
(d) Article 29
Answer: (d)
Q. A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority

an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of
application of law violates which one of the following Articles of the
Constitution of India? (UPSC CSE 2021)
(a) Article 14
(b) Article 28
(c) Article 32
(d) Article 44
Answer: (a)

Q. Which one of the following categories of Fundamental Rights Self Note

incorporates protection against untouchability as a form of
discrimination? (UPSC CSE 2020)
(a) Right against Exploitation
(b) Right to Freedom
(c) Right to Constitutional Remedies
(d) Right to Equality
Answer: (d)
Q. Which Article of the Constitution of India safeguards one’s right to

marry the person of one’s choice? (UPSC CSE 2019)
(a) Article 19
(b) Article 21
(c) Article 25
(d) Article 29
Answer: (b)
Q. Which of the following are envisaged by the Right against Exploitation

in the Constitution of India? (UPSC CSE 2017)
1. Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labor.
2. Abolition of untouchability.
3. Protection of the interests of minorities.
4. Prohibition of employment of children in factories and mines.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (c)
Q. One of the implications of equality in society is the absence of: (UPSC

CSE 2017)
(a) Privileges
(b) Restraints
(c) Competition
(d) Ideology
Answer: (a)

Q. Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Self Note
Personal Liberty. Which of the following in the Constitution of India
correctly and appropriately imply the above statement? (UPSC CSE
2018)
(a) Article 14 and the provisions under the 42nd amendment to the
Constitution.
(b) Article 17 and the Directive Principle of the State Policy in Part IV.
(c) Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III.
(d) Article 24 and provisions under the 44th Amendments to the
Constitution.
Answer: (c)
Fundamental Duties
y Added to the Constitution via the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976.
y Intended to remind citizens of their responsibilities towards the nation.
y Currently, there are 11 fundamental duties listed in Article 51A.
y Fundamental duties serve as moral obligations and guiding principles for
citizens.
y The Parliament can provide for the imposition of appropriate penalties or
punishment for failure to fulfil any of the fundamental duties. However, these
duties are non-justiciable.
Q. Which of the following statements is/are true of the Fundamental

Duties of an Indian citizen? (UPSC CSE 2017)
1. A legislative process has been provided to enforce these duties.
2. They are correlative to legal duties.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs)

y Enshrined in Part IV of the Indian Constitution, from Article 36 to 51 of the
Indian Constitution.
y Provide guidelines for the government to establish a just society.
y Includes principles such as providing equal opportunities for livelihood,
promoting the welfare of the people, securing social, economic, and political
justice, etc. Overall it promotes the idea of the welfare state.
y Though not enforceable by courts, they are considered fundamental in the
governance of the country and the formulation of policies.

Self Note
y DPSPs are classified into socialistic, Gandhian, and liberal-intellectual
principles.
o Socialist principles focus on social and economic justice, such as equal
pay for equal work.
o Gandhian principles emphasize decentralized administration, village
panchayats, and rural development.
o Liberal-intellectual principles include equality before the law,
protection of cultural heritage, and free and fair elections.
Ideological Views:
y For Mahatma Gandhi, in an ideal state, there is no State which he
wanted to achieve through non-violent means.
y On the contrary, Karl Marx, who saw the State as an instrument
of oppression and an organ of the bourgeoisie that only works for
maintaining the class dominance, wanted a stateless society by striving
for class struggle and revolution.
y The concentration of wealth violates the Directive principles of state policy.
Under Article 39 of the Constitution of India, the State shall direct its policy
towards ensuring that the operation of the economic system does not result
in the concentration of wealth and means of production to the common
detriment.
y DPSPs guide the government in policy making across various sectors,
including education, health, agriculture, labor, and environmental
protection.
Q. Which part of the Constitution of India declares the ideal of a Welfare

State? (UPSC CSE 2020)
(a) Directive Principles of State Policy
(b) Fundamental Rights
(c) Preamble
(d) Seventh Schedule
Answer: (a)
Q. One common agreement between Gandhism and Marxism is: (UPSC

CSE 2020)
(a) the final goal of a stateless society
(b) class struggle
(c) abolition of private property
(d) economic determinism
Answer: (a)

Q. Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of wealth violates (UPSC Self Note
CSE 2021)
(a) the Right to Equality
(b) the Directive Principles of State Policy
(c) the Right to Freedom
(d) the Concept of Welfare
Answer: (b)
Q. Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2017)

With reference to the Constitution of India, the Directive Principles of
State Policy constitute limitations upon
1. legislative function.
2. executive function.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Directive Principles of

State Policy: (UPSC CSE 2015)
1. The Principles spell out the socioeconomic democracy in the country.
2. The provisions contained in these Principles are not enforceable by
any court.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Doctrine of Harmonious Construction

y When there are inconsistencies, we should try to reconcile the conflicting
parts so that one part doesn’t negate the purpose of another.
y It is rooted in the fundamental legal principle that every statute is created
with a specific purpose and intent. Therefore, it should be understood as a
whole. The intention of the legislature is that every provision should remain
operative.
y But when two provisions are contradictory, it may not be possible to effectuate
both of them, and as a result, one will be rendered futile as against the settled
basic principle of ‘ut res magis valeat qauam pereat’ (that a thing is better
understood so that it may have an effect than that it should be made void).
y Therefore, the court should interpret the laws in a way that removes the
inconsistency and allows both provisions to remain in force, working together

Self Note
harmoniously.
y The goal is to give effect to all the provisions. To avoid conflicts, the
interpretation of the statute should be consistent with all its parts.
President
y The President of India is the ceremonial head of state and the highest
constitutional authority in the country.
y He/She exercises executive powers, including the appointment of the Prime
Minister, Governors of states, and other high-ranking officials.
y He/She plays a vital role in the legislative process, including summoning and
proroguing sessions of Parliament, addressing both Houses, and giving assent
to bills passed by Parliament.
y He/She has certain judicial powers, including granting pardons, reprieves,
and remissions of punishment.
y The Constitution provides for the impeachment for violation of the
Constitution. The process involves charges being preferred by either House
of Parliament, followed by investigation and a two-thirds majority vote for
impeachment.
y He/She must be a citizen of India and not less than 35 years of age.
y Article 71 of the Constitution explicitly states that any acts done by the
president or vice president in their official capacity shall not be invalidated
just because the Supreme court has declared their election to be invalid.
y The Presidential and Vice Presidential Election Act, 1952 empowers the
election commission of India to conduct elections to these offices without
any provision allowing for changes to election cycles due to non functional
legislative assemblies.
The Electoral College to elect the President of India = elected members of Lok Sabha &
Rajya Sabha + elected members of each state's Legislative Assembly + elected members
of each union territory possessing a Legislative assembly
y The value of each MLA's vote varies across states, determined by dividing
the state's population by the number of MLAs, then dividing the result by
1000. This calculation accounts for population disparity, ensuring fair
representation in legislative assemblies.
Q. Consider the following statements : (UPSC CSE 2023)

1. If the election of the President of India is declared void by the Supreme
Court of India, all acts done by him/her in the performance of duties
of his/her office of President before the date of decision become
invalid.

2. Elections for the post of the President of India can be postponed on

the grounds that some Legislative Assemblies have been dissolved Self Note
and elections are yet to take place.
3. When a Bill is presented to the President of India, the Constitution
prescribes time limits within which he/she has to declare his/ her
assent.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (d)
Q. Consider the following statements in respect of election to the President
of India: (UPSC CSE 2023)
1. The members nominated to either House of the Parliament or the
Legislative Assemblies of States are also eligible to be included in the
Electoral College.
2. Higher the number of elective Assembly seats, higher is the value of
vote of each MLA of that State.
3. The value of vote of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh is greater than that
of Kerala.
4. The value of vote of each MLA of Puducherry is higher than that
of Arunachal Pradesh because the ratio of total population to total
number of elective seats in Puducherry is greater as compared to
Arunachal Pradesh.
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (a)

Q. With reference to the election of the President of India, consider the Self Note
following statements: (UPSC CSE 2018)
1. The value of the vote of each MLA varies from State to State.
2. The value of vote of MPs in Lok Sabha is more than the value of the
vote of MPs of the Rajya Sabha.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)

1. The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of
the business of the government of India, and for the allocation among
Ministers of the said business.
2. All executive actions of the government of India shall be expressed to
be taken in the name of the Prime Minister.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
Vice President:
y The Vice President of India is the second-highest constitutional office in the
country.
y He/She serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Council of
States).
y In the absence of the President, He/She acts as the Acting President.
y He/She is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both
Houses of Parliament.
y He/She serves a term of five years.
Rajya Sabha
y Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Parliament of India.
y It consists of representatives elected by the elected members of the Legislative
Assemblies of states and Union territories, and nominated members by the
President.
y It represents the states and Union territories in the Parliament and ensures
that the states have a voice in the legislative process.

y It shares legislative powers with the Lok Sabha, including the power to initiate
Self Note
and pass bills, except for money bills, which can only be introduced in the
Lok Sabha.
y The members of the It serve a term of six years, with one-third of the members
retiring every two years.
y A money bill or finance bill dealing with taxation cannot be introduced in the
Rajya Sabha, it must be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.
y The Rajya Sabha has no power either to reject or to amend a Money Bill.
It should return the Money Bill (or Finance Bill) to the Lok Sabha within
fourteen days. Lok Sabha can either accept or reject the recommendations
made by Rajya Sabha in this regard.
Q. Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in (UPSC CSE 2020)
(a) the matter of creating new All India Services
(b) amending the Constitution
(c) 0.25 inthe removal of the government
(d) making cut motions
Answer: (c)

1. The Rajya Sabha has no power either to reject or to amend a Money
Bill.
2. The Rajya Sabha cannot vote on the Demands for Grants.
3. The Rajya Sabha cannot discuss the Annual Financial Statement.
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Lok Sabha
y Lok Sabha is the lower house of the Parliament of India.
y It consists of members directly elected by the people of India, as well as
nominated members. Article 75(3) says that the Council of Ministers shall be
collectively responsible to the House of the People.
y Any citizen of India whose name appears in the electoral roll of a constituency
can contest elections for Lok Sabha.
y It exercises control over the executive by approving budgets, scrutinizing
policies, and holding the government accountable through various means
such as questions, debates, and discussions.
y India employs the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, where the candidate
with the most votes in a constituency wins. Used in Lok Sabha and State

Legislative Assembly elections, it may yield winners with less than half the
Self Note
votes, potentially leading to representation gaps in electoral outcomes.
y The Speaker or Deputy Speaker can resign from their position by submitting
their resignation to the Deputy Speaker or, in the absence of a Deputy Speaker,
to the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha. They can also be removed from
office by a resolution passed by a majority of all the members of the Lok Sabha.
y The Speaker and Deputy Speaker hold office until the dissolution of the Lok
Sabha. If they cease to be a member of the House for any reason, they also
cease to be Speaker or Deputy Speaker, respectively.
y Up to the 10th Lok Sabha, both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were
usually from the ruling party. After the 11th Lok Sabha, there was a consensus
(no provisions) that the Speaker comes from the ruling party (or ruling
alliance), and the post of Deputy Speaker goes to the main opposition party.
y Leader of the Opposition function involves providing constructive criticism
of government policies. In 1969, when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister,
the Congress split to form the Indian National Congress (Requisitionists) and
the Indian National Congress (Organisation). The Leader of INC(O), Ram
Subhag Singh, became the first person to be formally recognised as LoP in
the Lok Sabha. Leaders of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were
accorded statutory recognition in 1977.
y The leader of the largest opposition party having not less than one-tenth
seats of the total strength of the house is recognised as the Leader of the
Opposition in that house.
Q. With reference to Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following

statements : (UPSC CSE 2022)
1. As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha,
the election of Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the
Speaker may fix.
2. There is a mandatory provision that the election of a candidate
as Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha shall be from either the principal
opposition party or the ruling party.
3. The Deputy Speaker has the same power as of the Speaker when
presiding over the sitting of the House and no appeal lies against his
rulings.
4. The well established parliamentary practice regarding the appointment
of Deputy Speaker is that the motion is moved by the Speaker and
duly seconded by the Prime Minister.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 2 and 4 only
Answer: (a)

Q. Which of the following is/are the exclusive power(s) of Lok Sabha ? Self Note
(UPSC CSE 2022)
1. To ratify the declaration of Emergency
2. To pass a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers
3. To impeach the President of India
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Answer: (b)

1. In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was
the Swatantra Party.
2. In the Lok Sabha, a “Leader of the Opposition” was recognised for the
first time in 1969.
3. In the Lok Sabha, if the party does not have a minimum of 75 members,
its leader cannot be recognised as the leader of opposition.
Which of the following statements given is/ are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)

1. In the election for Lok Sabha or State Assembly, the winning candidate
must get at least 50 per cent of the votes polled to be declared elected.
2. According to the provisions laid down in the Constitution of India,
in Lok Sabha, the Speaker’s post goes to the majority party and the
Deputy Speaker’s to the Opposition.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)

Q. For election to the Lok Sabha, a nomination paper can be filed by ((UPSC Self Note
CSE 2017)
(a) anyone residing in India.
(b) a resident of the constituency from which the election is to be
contested.
(c) any citizen of India whose name appears in the electoral roll of a
constituency.
(d) any citizen of India.
Answer: (c)
Powers of Parliament
y Parliament has the exclusive authority to make laws on matters enumerated
in the Union List and share authority on Concurrent List of the Seventh
Schedule of the Constitution. It can also legislate on matters in the State List
in certain circumstances, such as during a national emergency.
y It has the power to approve government budgets, taxation, and expenditure.
Money bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha, and they require the
President’s assent to become law.
y It exercises oversight over the executive branch by holding it accountable
through various mechanisms such as question hour, debates, discussions,
and Itary committees. It can also censure the government through motions of
no confidence and adjournment motion.
y It has the power to amend the Constitution of India. Certain amendments
require a special majority (two-thirds majority of members present and
voting) in each House of Parliament, while others require a simple majority.
y It has the authority to impeach the President, Vice President, Judges of the
Supreme Court, and High Courts for violating the Constitution or for gross
misconduct.
Parliamentary Committees
y Parliamentary Committees are specialized bodies constituted by Parliament
to examine and analyze specific issues related to legislation, administration,
finance, and other matters. They assist Parliament in its functions of
legislation, oversight, and scrutiny of the executive.
y Parliamentary Committees can be broadly categorized into Standing
Committees, Ad Hoc Committees, Joint Committees, and Select Committees.
Standing Committees are permanent and examine bills, budgets, and other
matters referred to them. Ad Hoc Committees are temporary and formed for
a specific purpose or inquiry.

Examines the appropriation of funds granted by Self Note

Public Accounts
Parliament to ensure that public money is spent
Committee (PAC)
efficiently and effectively.
Committee on
Examines the reports and accounts of public sector
Public Undertakings
undertakings to ensure that they are run efficiently.
(COPU)
Examines the estimates included in the budget and

suggests economies in public expenditure.
The Committee of Estimates is the largest
Estimates committee of the Parliament.
Committee All members of the Committee are from Lok Sabha
only.
The Rajya Sabha has no representation in this
Committee.
Examines petitions received from individuals

Committee on
regarding grievances or issues related to the
Petitions
government.
Examines and scrutinizes the delegated legislation

Committee on
to ensure that it is within the scope of the parent
Subordinate
Act and does not exceed the powers delegated by
Legislation
Parliament.
Examines cases of breach of parliamentary

Committee on
privileges by members or outsiders and
Privileges
recommends appropriate action.
Determines the business to be taken up by the

Business Advisory
House during each session and allocates time for
Committee (BAC)
various items of business.
Committee on Examines the assurances, promises, undertakings,

Government etc., given by ministers from time to time and
Assurances reports on their implementation.
Investigates specific issues such as corruption,

Joint Parliamentary
irregularities, or matters of public importance
Committee (JPC)
referred to it by Parliament.
Examines cases of unethical conduct of members

Committee on
and suggests guidelines for ethical behavior in
Ethics
Parliament.

Q. With reference to the Parliament of India, which of the following Self Note
Parliamentary Committees scrutinizes and reports to the House whether
the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws, etc. conferred
by the Constitution or delegated by the Parliament are being properly
exercised by the Executives within the scope of such delegation? (UPSC
CSE 2018)
(a) Committee on Government Assurances
(b) Committee on Subordinate Legislation
(c) Committee on rules
(d) Business Advisory Committee
Answer: (b)
Q. Which of the following committees is the largest Committee of the

Parliament? (UPSC CSE 2014)
(a) The Committee on Public Accounts
(b) The Committee on Estimates
(c) The Committee on Public Undertakings
(d) The Committee on Petitions
Answer: (b)
National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA)

y It is designed to modernize legislative processes.
y Guided by ‘One Nation - One Application’ principle.
y Core aim is to digitalize the operations of all state legislatures.
y It contributes to transparency in the delivery of legislative services and
information, promoting openness in governance.
Ministries and Department
Department of Agriculture, Cooperation, and

Farmers Welfare: Formulates and implements
agricultural policies, promotes crop production,
provides agricultural credit, and supports farmers'
welfare.
Ministry of y Statutory body: Coconut Development Board,
Agriculture and National Cooperative Development Corporation,
Farmers Welfare Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights
Authority, Registrar of Multi State Cooperative
Societies.
y Attached Office: National Rainfed Area
Authority, Commission for Agricultural Costs &
Prices (CACP)

y CPSE: National Seeds Corporation Ltd. (NSC) Self Note

y Autonomous / Cooperative bodies: NAFED,
Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC).
Various boards / institutes for horticulture, plant
health management, Agro marketing etc.
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying:
Promotes animal husbandry, livestock development,
and dairy farming, including breed improvement,
disease control, and fodder management.
y Statutory: National Dairy Development Board
(NDDB), created to promote, finance and support
producer-owned and controlled organisations.
Department of Fisheries: Develops and regulates
fisheries and aquaculture, promotes marine and
inland fisheries, and supports fishermen's welfare
and sustainable fishing practices.
Department of Agricultural Research & Education

(DARE): It provides the necessary government
linkages for the Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR), the premier research organisation
for co-ordinating, guiding and managing research
and education in agriculture including horticulture,
fisheries and animal sciences. It has four autonomous
bodies:

y Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Self Note

y Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal
y Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural
University, Pusa, Bihar
y Rani Laxmi Bai Central Agricultural University,
Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
y Department of Commerce: Formulates foreign

trade policy, promotes exports, regulates imports,
and facilitates trade facilitation measures like
customs procedures and export promotion
schemes.
Ministry of
Consumer Affairs y Department for Promotion of Industry and
Internal Trade: Promotes industrial development,
facilitates investment, supports small and
medium enterprises (SMEs), and implements
policies for intellectual property rights (IPR)
protection.
y Department of Defence: Formulates defence

policy, manages defence forces (Army, Navy, Air
Force), and oversees defence acquisitions and
modernization.
y Department of Defence Production: Promotes
indigenous defence production, supports defence
research and development, and regulates defence
Ministry of Defence industries.
y Department of Defence Research and
Development: Conducts research, development,
and innovation in defence technology and
weapons systems.
y Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare:
Addresses the welfare and resettlement needs of
retired armed forces personnel and their families.
y Department of Internal Security: Ensures internal

security, law and order, counter-terrorism, and
intelligence agencies’ coordination.
Ministry of Home
Affairs y Department of Border Management: Manages
India’s international borders, including border
security and coordination with neighboring
countries.

y Department of States: Handles center-state Self Note

relations, union territories, and administrative
issues related to states.
y Department of Official Language: Promotes
the use of Hindi as the official language and
implements the Official Languages Act.
y Department of Home: Overarching department
responsible for overall policy formulation and
coordination of various functions related to
internal security, law enforcement, and disaster
management.
Statutory Bodies:
y National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA)
y National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
Autonomous Bodies:
y Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police
Academy, SVNPA, Hyderabad
y National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
y National Foundation for Communal Harmony
(NFCH)
Note: The Ministry of Home Affairs also looks after
the administrative matters related to Padma Awards
and legislative matters related to Passport Act.
y Legislative Department: Responsible for drafting

legislation, vetting bills, and providing legal
advice to various ministries and departments. It
also oversees the publication of central acts and
regulations.
Ministry of Law y Department of Legal Affairs: Provides legal
and Justice advice to the government, represents the
government in legal proceedings, and handles
legal matters concerning central government
ministries and departments. It also deals with
appointments of judges to the Supreme Court
and High Courts.

y Department of Justice: Administers various

schemes for legal aid and access to justice, Self Note
including the National Legal Services Authority
(NALSA) and State Legal Services Authorities
(SLSAs). It also coordinates the implementation
of policies related to judicial reforms and
infrastructure development in courts.
Statutory Tribunals:
y FEMA Act’s Appellate Tribunal for Foreign
Exchange (ATFE)
y Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT)
y National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and
SALSA @State.
y Delimitation Commission under its act of 2002:
Commission is a powerful body. Its orders have
the force of law and cannot be challenged in any
court. They (orders) come into force on a date
specified by the President of India. They are laid
before the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative
Assembly concerned. But, modifications are not
permissible therein by them.
y Bar Council of India
Department of Economic Affairs (DEA): Formulates

and implements economic policies, including fiscal
policy, monetary policy, and international financial
relations.
y Functions: It prepares the union budget, budget
for union territories without a legislature, budget
for States under president rule. It decides the
interest rates of small saving schemes.
y The Chief Economic Adviser: The Chief
Ministry of Finance Economic Adviser (CEA) is not a constitutional
or statutory head. He/she works under the DEA.
CEA is responsible for preparing economic
surveys and supervising the cadre of agents of the
Indian Economic Services (IES).
y Public Sector Undertaking: Secure Printing
and Minting Corporation of India (SPMCIL),
registered under the Companies Act, responsible
for printing banknotes, coins, commemorative
coins, checks, stamps, extra-legal stamps,
passports/visas and other travel documents, etc.

y Financial Stability Development Council Self Note

(FSDC): Neither a constitutional nor a statutory
body. The Finance Minister is the chairman.
Members include the heads of all financial
regulators such as RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, etc. and the
head of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of
India (IBBI), a statutory body under the Ministry
of Commerce.
y The International Financial Sevices Centres
Authority (IFSCA) is also a statutory unified
regulatory body under the Department of
Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.
Department of Revenue: Administers tax laws,

customs, central excise, service tax, and prevention of
money laundering. Statutory/Quasi-judicial bodies
include:
y Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) →
Department of income tax
y Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
(CBIC). Before-2018-March, it was known as
Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).
It implements GST from 1st July 2017, under the
101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016.
y Authorities for Advance rulings under IT,
Customs & Central Excise, GST
y Other attached subordinates: Enforcement
Directorate (for PMLA and FEMA Act
enforcement), Central Economic Intelligence
Bureau, Central Bureau of Narcotics, and
Financial Intelligence Unit.
y Associated PSU: Goods and Service Tax Network
(GSTN) is a non-profit company. Originally 51%
with HDFC, ICICI etc but in 2018- Government
decided to make it 100% owned by Union & State
Governments.
Department of Expenditure: Manages government
expenditure, budget preparation, and implementation
of the Union Budget.
y Attached/Subordinate offices: Controller General
of Accounts, Central Pension Accounting Office
are the attached/subordinate offices.

y Web Portals:
o Public Financial Management System Self Note
(PFMS) for disbursing money to Various
Ministries and departments at Union and
State level.
o Bharatkosh Non Tax Receipts Portal
(NTRP): For selling India yearbook Yojana
Kurukshetra another products and services
by the government of India
Department of Financial Services: Regulates and

supervises financial institutions like banks, insurance
companies, and pension funds.
y FInancial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB):
An autonomous body of the Government of
India, set up in 2022 by replacing the Bank Board
Bureau (BBB).
o It recommends persons for appointment
as whole-time directors and non-executive
chairpersons on the Boards of financial
services institutions
o It is also responsible for advising on matters
relating to personnel management in these
institutions.
o Note: Actual appointment done by the
Department of Financial Services.
y National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company
Ltd (NCGTC): For providing credit guarantee for
Mudra Loans and Stand up India, loans related to
education and skill development.
o a private limited company incorporated
under the Companies Act 1956 as a wholly
owned company of the Government of India.
o Established by the Department of Financial
Services, Ministry of Finance.
o It acts as a common trustee company for
multiple credit guarantee funds.
y Department of Investment and Public Asset

Management (DIPAM): It deals with all matters
relating to management of Central Government
investments in equity including disinvestment of
equity in Central Public Sector Undertakings.

o The three major areas of its work related to

Strategic Disinvestment and Privatisation, Self Note
Minority Stake Sales and Capital
Restructuring.
y Political and Security Affairs: Formulates and

implements foreign policy, conducts diplomacy,
and handles political and security matters.
y Economic Diplomacy and States Division:
Promotes economic relations with other
countries and coordinates with Indian states on
international matters.
y Public Diplomacy: Manages public diplomacy,
cultural exchanges, and outreach programs to
enhance India’s image abroad.
y Administration: Handles administrative matters
within the ministry, including human resources,
budgeting, and infrastructure.
y Consular, Passport, and Visa Services: Provides
Ministry of consular services to Indian citizens abroad,
External Affairs issues passports, and manages visa services for
foreigners visiting India.
y Autonomous bodies under the Ministry of
External Affairs:
o India Centre for Migration (ICM)
o India Development Foundation of Overseas
Indians
o Indian Council for Cultural Relations
y Important Portals:
o Madad Portal for consular grievances.
o Passport India Portal
o Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Portal
o e-Sanad for online verification and attestation
of documents of Indian citizens abroad.
y Department of School Education and Literacy:

Formulates policies and programs for school
education, including curriculum development,
Ministry of teacher training, and infrastructure improvement.
Education
y Department of Higher Education: Oversee higher
education institutions, including universities,
colleges, and technical education institutes.

y Department of Technical Education and Skill Self Note

Development: Promotes technical education,
vocational training, and skill development
initiatives to enhance employability.
y Department of Health and Family Welfare:

Formulates health policies, plans, and programs,
manages public health services, disease control,
and family welfare initiatives.
y Department of Health Research: Promotes
medical and health research, funds research
Ministry of Health
projects, and supports scientific institutions.
and Family Welfare
y Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy,
Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH):
Regulates traditional systems of medicine,
promotes research, education, and healthcare
services in Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani,
Siddha, and Homoeopathy.
y Department of Rural Development: Implements

rural development programs, poverty alleviation
schemes, and infrastructure projects in rural
areas, including rural employment programs like
MGNREGS.
Ministry of Rural y Department of Land Resources: Manages land
Development resources, land reforms, land records, and land
conservation measures.
y Department of Panchayati Raj: Supports
and strengthens Panchayati Raj institutions,
decentralizes governance, and empowers local
self-government bodies in rural areas.
y Department of Women and Child Development:

Ministry of Formulates policies and programs for women
Women and Child and children’s welfare, including nutrition,
Development education, health, protection from violence, and
empowerment initiatives.
y Department of Environment: Formulates and

implements environmental policies, regulates
Ministry of pollution control, biodiversity conservation, and
Environment, environmental impact assessments.
Forest and Climate
Change y Department of Forests and Wildlife: Manages
forest resources, wildlife conservation, protected
areas, and afforestation programs.
y Department of Climate Change: Addresses Self Note

climate change issues, implements climate
mitigation and adaptation strategies, and
represents India in international climate
negotiations.
Subordinate/Attached offices:
y Forest Survey, Dehradun
y Botanical Survey, Kolkata
y Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata
y Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy,
Dehradun
y Directorate of Forest Education, Dehradun
y National Institute of Animal Welfare, Haryana
y National Zoological Park, New Delhi
y National Museum of Natural History, New Delhi
y National River Conservation Directorate, New
Delhi
Statutory Bodies:
y Central Zoo Authority, under Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972, New Delhi
y National Biodiversity Authority, under Biological
Diversity Act (2002), Chennai
y National Tiger Conservation Authority under
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, New Delhi
y National Green Tribunal, under National Green
Tribunal Act 2010, New Delhi
y Animal Welfare Board of India under Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, Haryana
y Central Pollution Control Board to implement
Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974,
and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1981, New Delhi
y Wildlife Crime Control Bureau under Wild Life
(Protection) Act, 1972, New Delhi

y Department of Road Transport and Highways: Self Note

Formulates policies for road infrastructure
Ministry of Road
development, national highways, rural roads, and
Transport and
road safety. It also oversees the implementation
Highways
of flagship road projects like the Bharatmala
Pariyojana.
y Department of Power: Formulates policies and

plans for electricity generation, transmission,
distribution, and pricing. It also promotes
Ministry of Power
renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and
hydroelectric power, and oversees the functioning
of power regulatory bodies.
y Department of Telecommunications: Regulates

telecommunications services, licenses telecom
operators, allocates spectrum, and promotes
Ministry of digital connectivity across India.
Communications y Department of Posts: Manages postal services,
including mail delivery, financial services (like
savings schemes and money transfers), and
postal savings banks.
y Department of Urban Development: Formulates

policies and programs for urban development,
urban planning, and infrastructure development
in cities and towns.
y Department of Housing and Urban Poverty
Alleviation: Implements housing programs for
urban poor, slum development projects, and
schemes for affordable housing.
y Department of Land Resources: Manages land
Ministry of resources, land records, and land-use planning in
Housing and Urban urban areas.
Affairs
Attached Offices:
y Central Public Works Department (CPWD)
y National Buildings Organisation (NBO)
Statutory Bodies:
y Delhi Development Authority, Rajghat Samadhi
Committee,
y Delhi Urban Arts Commission, National Capital
Region Planning Board

Autonomous Bodies: Self Note

y National Institute of Urban Affairs
y Building Materials & Technology Promotion
Council (BMTPC)
y Central Government Employees Welfare Housing
Organisation
y National Cooperative Housing Federation of
India (NCHFI)
PSUs:
y Housing and Urban Development Corporation
Ltd. (HUDCO)
y Hindustan Prefab Limited (HPL)
y National Buildings Construction Corporation
Limited
Attached Offices:
y Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi
y National Archives of India, New Delhi
Autonomous Bodies:
y Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi
y National School of Drama, New Delhi
y Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi
Ministry of Culture
y Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi
y Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh
y Central Universities of Tibetan Studies, Sarnath,
Varanasi
y The Asiatic Society , Kolkata
y Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust
y Zonal Cultural centers
The Department for Promotion of Industry and

Internal Trade (DPIIT):
Ministry of y It is responsible for formulation and
Commerce and implementation of promotional and
Industry developmental measures for growth of the
industrial sector, keeping in view the national
priorities and socio-economic objectives.

y It is also responsible for facilitating and increasing Self Note

the foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to the
country.
Attached Offices:
y Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) for
promotion of foreign trade.
y Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR)
to impose anti-dumping duty on foreign products.
PSUs:
y Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation
Limited (MMTC) ltd. Gold-coin minting using
the Gold Monetization Scheme; import of
fertilizers etc.
y Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India
(ECGC) ltd.
Statutory Bodies:
y Agricultural and Processed Food Products
Export Development Authority ( APEDA)
y Statutory Commodity Boards → Coffee, Rubber,
Tea, Tobacco, Spices Board.
Autonomous Bodies:
y National Institute of Design (NID) - Ahmedabad,
Bengaluru and Gandhinagar
y Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)- a
“Deemed University” that offers MBA, PHD &
other programs.
y Indian Institute of Packaging
y National Industrial Corridor Development
and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) with the
Finance Minister as chairman. Implements
industrial corridors namely,
o Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)
o Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor
(CBIC)
o Amritsar Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC)

o Bengaluru Mumbai Industrial Corridor
(BMIC)
o Vizag Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC).

Subordinate Offices:
Self Note
y Controller General of Patents, Designs and
Trademarks. (CGPDTM): Copyright, Design,
Patent and Trademarks.
y CGPDTM’s Geographical Indication Office,
Chennai looks after GI.
y It regulates the functioning of the corporate

sector in India.
y Primarily concerned with administration of the
Companies Act 2013, the Companies Act 1956,
the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008. &
other allied Acts and rules & regulations.
y It exercises supervision over the three
professional bodies, namely, Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India(ICAI), Institute
of Company Secretaries of India(ICSI) and the
Ministry of Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI).
Corporate Affairs Affiliated Offices/Statutory Bodies:
y Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO)
y Competition Commission of India (CCI)
y Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs
y Company Law Board
y Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)
y Investor Education and Protection Authority (IEPFA)
y National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)
y Registrar of Companies
Attached Offices:
y Director General Employment
y Chief Labour Commissioner
y Labour Bureau: It publishes Consumer Price
Index Numbers for industrial and agricultural
Ministry of Labour rural workers.
and Employment Statutory Bodies:
y Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)
y Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
y Central Government Industrial Tribunal-cum-
Labour Courts (CGITs) under the Industrial
Disputes Act 1947
Statutory Bodies: Self Note

y Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) from
1985
y Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) setup
in 60s based on the Santhanam Committee on
Prevention of Corruption, given statutory status
Ministry Of in 2003.
Personnel, Public y Central Information Commission (CIC) under
Grievances & the Right to Information Act (2005)
Pensions
y Lokpal act in 2013, 1st Lokpal Justice Pinaki
Chandra Ghose in 2019.
Constitutional Body: The Union Public Service
Commission (UPSC) is a constitutional body under
Article 315-323 Part XIV, responsible for conducting
direct recruitment of officers to the All India Services
and the Central Civil Services (Group A and B).
Attached offices/institutions:
y Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of
Administration (LBSNAA) for training IAS
Probationers.
y Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
y Institute of Secretariat Training and Management
(ISTM)
y Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB)
y Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
obtains powers from the Delhi Special Police
Establishment Act (1946)
Attached Office/Subordinate:
y Coal Controller Organization: It collects and
maintains coal production data of all private and
public sector coal mines in the country.
PSUs:
Ministry of Coal y Coal India Ltd (CIL) & its subsidiaries. HQ:
Kolkata, Maharatna company, single largest coal
producing company.
y Neyveli Lignite Corporation, Tamil Nadu.
y Singareni Collieries Company Limited: Telangana
Govt 51%: Union: 49%

Attached/Subordinate offices: Self Note

y Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH):
Regulator for the upstream oil and gas exploration
and production activities.
y Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board:
Regulator for the downstream activities like
laying of pipelines and fuel marketing.
Ministry of PSUs:
Petroleum and y Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
Natural Gas
y Engineers India Limited
y Gas Authority of India Limited
y Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
y Indian Oil Corporation Limited
y Oil India Limited
y Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), ONGC-
Videsh
Not under any Ministry
Independent Departments Apex/Independent Office
1. Department of Atomic Energy: 1. Cabinet Secretariat

Various nuclear energy plants 2. President’s Secretariat
and PSUs under it.
3. Prime Minister’s Office →
o Statutory body: Atomic National Security Advisor,
Energy Regulatory Board Research and Analysis Wing
(AERB) (RAW)
2. Department of Space: The 4. NITI Aayog
Indian Space Research
Organization (ISRO), Bengaluru
and National Remote Sensing
centre, Hyderabad.
Note: These above mentioned
departments directly report to the
Prime Minister.
Governor
y Governors are the constitutional heads of the states in India and act as
representatives of the President of India at the state level.
y Governors are appointed by the President of India for each state and Union

Territory. The President appoints Governors on the advice of the Prime

Self Note
Minister and the Council of Ministers. A Governor holds office for a term of
five years from the date on which he enters upon his office.
y State Governors hold executive powers, appointing Chief Ministers and
Council of Ministers. They can dissolve state assemblies and recommend
President’s rule during constitutional breakdowns.
y Governors play a role in the state legislative process. They summon and
prorogue the sessions of the state legislature, address the legislature, and give
assent to bills passed by the state legislature.
y Governor’s have some discretionary powers, like particularly in situations
where there is no clear majority or in matters relating to the appointment of
the Chief Minister, sending a report to the President of India for imposing the
President’s rule, and reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for
consideration of the President of India etc.
y The Sarkaria Commission, officially known as the “Commission on Centre-
State Relations,” was a body set up by the Government of India in 1983 to
examine and recommend changes in the relationship between the central
government and the state governments. While the primary focus of the
commission was on various aspects of Centre-State relations, it also delved
into the role and powers of the Governor, who is the constitutional head of
each state in India.
y Governors hold personal immunity from legal liability for official acts
during their term. They can’t face criminal proceedings or be arrested. Civil
proceedings against them for personal acts are allowed with a two-month
notice during their tenure.
Q. Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an

eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure
without intense political links or should not have taken part in politics
in the recent past? (UPSC CSE 2019)
(a) First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966)
(b) Rajamannar Committee (1969)
(c) Sarkaria Commission (1983)
(d) National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution
(2000)
Answer: (c)

Q. Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2018) Self Note

1. No criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the Governor of a
State in any court during his term of office.
2. The emoluments and allowances of the Governor of a state shall not
be diminished during his term of office.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Q. Which of the following are the discretionary powers of the Governor of

a State? (UPSC CSE 2014)
1. Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President’s
rule.
2. Appointing the Ministers.
3. Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration
of the President of India.
4. Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government.
Select the answers using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Legislative Council
y Members of the Legislative Council are elected by various methods, including
indirect elections by members of local bodies, graduates, teachers, and other
special interest groups. Some members are also nominated by the Governor.
y The Legislative Council performs functions similar to those of the Rajya Sabha
(the upper house of the Indian Parliament), such as reviewing and revising
legislation passed by the Legislative Assembly, providing representation to
specific interests, and serving as a forum for intellectual and specialized
debates.
y The Legislative Council has the power to introduce and pass bills, except
money bills, which can only be introduced in the Legislative Assembly. It can
also suggest amendments to bills passed by the Legislative Assembly.
y The Constitution provides for the abolition or creation of Legislative
Councils in states through a resolution passed by the state Legislative
Assembly and with the approval of Parliament.
y The maximum strength of the Council is fixed at one-third of the total
strength of the Assembly, and the minimum strength is fixed at 40. The size
Self Note
of the Council depends on the size of the Assembly of the concerned state.
y At present, only six states of our country have a legislative council. They
are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Uttar
Pradesh.
y The Chairman is elected by the Council itself from amongst its members.

1. The Legislative Council of a State in India can be larger in size than
half of the Legislative Assembly of that particular State.
2. The Governor of a State nominates the Chairman of the Legislative
Council of that particular State.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Initiatives taken by the DoPT

y Discontinuation of Interview for Grade B and C posts : To simplify the
hiring process and reduce bias, interviews have been eliminated for certain
government jobs, making selections based on written exams.
y Switching from OMR based exam to computer: Transitioning to computer-
based testing enhances efficiency, accuracy, and security of examinations,
while also providing instant results.
y Self Certification for appointments: Candidates can self-attest their
documents instead of notarization, streamlining the verification process and
reducing bureaucracy.
y Accelerated filling up of Divyangjan vacancies: Special drives are conducted
to expedite recruitment and ensure inclusivity for persons with disabilities in
government jobs.
y Anti corruption strategies: Measures like increased transparency,
accountability, and vigilance have been adopted to combat corruption within
government services.
y Intensive Review for Premature Retirement: Regular assessments are
conducted to identify non-performing employees, who may be considered
for early retirement to maintain a competent workforce.
y Use of iGOT i.e Integrated Government Online Training Programme: This
platform offers online training to government employees, enhancing skills
and knowledge for better service delivery.

Administrative Reform Commission (ARC) Reports

Self Note
y The Administrative Reform Commission is a high-level advisory body
tasked with examining the functioning of the administrative machinery and
suggesting reforms to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
y One of the significant reports by the ARC was the “Report on the Right to
Information” in 2006, which advocated for the enactment of comprehensive
legislation guaranteeing citizens’ right to access information held by public
authorities.
y Another notable report was the “Second Administrative Reforms
Commission: Ethics in Governance,” which focused on promoting ethical
conduct among public officials and enhancing accountability mechanisms.
y ARC reports influence policy and may spur legislative reforms. Judicial
activism, exemplified in “Vineet Narain v. Union of India (1998)”, has
led to actions like directing CBI autonomy based on ARC corruption
recommendations.
Right to Information (RTI)

y The Right to Information Act, 2005, provides for the right to access information
held by public authorities in India. It aims to promote transparency and
accountability in the functioning of government institutions.
y Notable provisions of the RTI Act include the designation of Public Information
Officers (PIOs), the requirement for proactive disclosure of certain categories
of information, and the establishment of Information Commissions at the
central and state levels to adjudicate disputes related to RTI requests.
y In “Union of India v. Namit Sharma (2013)”, the Supreme Court held that
the right to information is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a)
of the Constitution, and the RTI Act is a tool to enforce that right. The court
emphasized the importance of transparency in governance and the need
to balance the right to information with other legitimate concerns such as
privacy and national security.
y There have been discussions about amending the RTI Act to address
certain issues such as the appointment process and tenure of Information
Commissioners, fees and costs associated with filing RTI applications, and
the scope of exemptions for certain categories of information.
y Civil society organizations and activists have raised concerns about potential
amendments that could dilute the provisions of the RTI Act and undermine
its effectiveness.
Election Commission
y The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority
responsible for conducting free and fair elections at various levels of
government.

y According to Article 324, the Election Commission shall consist of the Chief
Self Note
Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners,
if any, as the President may form a time-to-time fix. At present, there are two
members apart from the Chief Election Commissioner.
y It oversees the entire electoral process, including voter registration, candidate
nomination, campaign regulation, polling, and the counting of votes.
y The Commission also resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers
of recognized political parties. However, the decision of the ECI can be
challenged in the Courts.
y The Election Commission enforces the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during
elections to ensure a level playing field for political parties and candidates.
y In “Mohinder Singh Gill v. The Chief Election Commissioner (1978)”, the
Supreme Court held that the Election Commission has plenary powers under
Article 324 of the Constitution to conduct elections and ensure their fairness.
y The Election Commission has been leveraging technology to improve
various aspects of the electoral process, such as voter registration, polling
management, and result dissemination.
y Initiatives such as the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Voter
Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), and online voter registration portals
have been introduced to enhance transparency and efficiency in elections.

1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body.
2. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for
the conduct of both general elections and by-elections.
3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers
of recognized political parties.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
Answer: (d)

4 Defence
The defence industry in India is strategically significant. With one of the world’s largest military forces, India boasts
over 1.44 million active personnel and an additional 5.1 million volunteers. India’s domestic defence industry, of
which 60% is government-owned, includes organisations like Defence Research & Development Organisation
(DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and 12 defence PSUs.
Ministry of Defence and its Departments

y Chief of Defence Staff: The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is a high-ranking military officer who serves as the
principal military advisor to the government of India and coordinates between the three branches of the Indian
Armed Forces. They play a crucial role in integrating and synergizing the capabilities of the Army, Navy, and
Air Force.
y Department of Defence: It is responsible for formulating policies related to the defence of India, including
matters concerning the Indian Armed Forces, defence production, and procurement. It plays a pivotal role in
ensuring national security and safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.
y Controller General of Defence Accounts: It is the apex accounting authority of the Ministry of Defence,
responsible for maintaining and auditing the financial accounts of the Indian Armed Forces. They oversee
budgetary allocations, expenditure, and financial management to ensure transparency and accountability in
defence spending.
y Border Roads Organization: It is tasked with the construction and maintenance of road infrastructure in border
areas of India. It plays a critical role in enhancing connectivity, facilitating troop movement, and supporting
socio-economic development in remote and inaccessible regions.
y Indian Coast Guard: It is a maritime law enforcement and search and rescue agency responsible for protecting
India’s maritime interests and enforcing maritime laws. It conducts maritime surveillance, rescues operations,
and prevents maritime pollution to ensure maritime safety and security.
y Directorate of Public Relations: It is responsible for managing public relations and communications for the
Indian Armed Forces. It disseminates information, manages media relations, and conducts outreach activities
to enhance public understanding and support for the armed forces.
y Department of Military Affairs: It is a newly created department under the Ministry of Defence, headed by
the Chief of Defence Staff. It is responsible for promoting jointness among the three armed forces, prioritizing
procurement, and fostering integration and synergy in military operations.
Commissioned Ranks

Fostering Gender Equity

Self Note
y More and more women officers are working in the Indian Army and Women
officers are also included in all branches and streams of the Indian Air Force.
y Strength of women officers in the Indian Navy is more than 750 including
Medical and Dental officers.
y Armed forces have opened entry for women candidates in NDA with 19
cadets joining the academy every 6 months.
y 1st Batch of women cadets has started training in National Defence Academy
(NDA) from July 2022.
New Frontiers of warfare

y New domain of space warfare added to the existing domains of land, water,
air, and cyber warfare.
y The Defence Space Research Agency ( DSRA ) has been set up to facilitate the
development of space based weapons.
y New startups are coming up in cyber security, quantum technologies,
Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality.
y The Army Design Bureau is a facilitator entity providing financial support to
startups and MSMEs. The 100th contract of iDex has been recently signed.
Promoting Indigenization
y Procurement of capital items from domestic sources under Defence
Acquisition Procedure 2020.
y 18 major defence platforms for industry led design and development in
March 2022.
y 74 percent FDI under automatic route.
y SRIJAN portal started to facilitate the Indigenization of Indian industry.
Capability Development and Force Modernization

y Creation of Integrated Theatre Command
y Creation of Tri-services Agencies across land, air and maritime domains
y Joint Services Study Groups: to enhance all supply chain functions. Pilot
projects at Mumbai, Guwahati and Port Blair have been already rolled off.
y Inter Services Organisation ( Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023
y Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff
Army
y The Army is involved in effectively countering both military and non-military
facets of asymmetric and sub conventional threats emerging from within and
outside india.
y For UN peacekeeping forces, India has contributed around 275000 troops

Self Note
to peacekeeping missions with around 5900 troops currently deployed in
twelve UN missions.
y India has deployed women peacekeeping forces to MONUSCO and UNISFA
( the second largest women contingent after Liberia ).
y Operation Sadbhavana has been undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir and
Ladakh and north eastern states to address the basic needs of the local
population mostly in rural areas and remote areas.
Navy
y The main objective of the Indian Navy is to avoid any military attack against
the country and also includes interventions in India’s affairs and subversive
strategies, against national interest and the ability to inflict a crushing defeat
on the adversaries in the event of hostilities.
y Operation Sankalp, an Indian Navy maritime security initiative, responded
to rising tensions in the Persian Gulf. It safeguarded Indian-flagged vessels
in the region, ensuring safe passage and protecting maritime interests. The
operation showcased India’s dedication to stability in critical maritime routes
and global efforts against piracy and threats in the Persian Gulf.
y INS Vikrant, India’s inaugural indigenous aircraft carrier, constructed by
Cochin Shipyard Limited, pays homage to its predecessor pivotal in the 1971
Indo-Pak conflict. With a displacement of 40,000 tonnes, it accommodates
fighter jets, helicopters, and UAVs. Its commissioning bolsters India’s naval
prowess, safeguarding maritime interests in the Indian Ocean.
Air Force
y The Indian air force is working to support indigenization and manufacturing
of defense equipment, thus reducing the import of the above equipment.
y It has light combat aircraft, Akash missile, Advance high helicopters, Medium
power radar, Labour tracking radars etc and is also working collaboratively
with DRDO for technological upgradation along with support of Make in
India Campaign.
Recruitment
The recruitment in the defence services is through the UPSC and non upsc
entry mechanism along with 10+2 Cadet entry scheme, University entry scheme,
women officers, Permanent Commission to SSC Officers, Recruitment through
NCC, Special Naval Architects Scheme and Recruitment of Sailors.
Agnipath Scheme
y New recruitment scheme for youth to serve in the Armed forces for a period
of 4 years.
y Agniveers will be given an attractive customized monthly package along with
risk and hardship allowances period of 4 years, they will be paid one time.
Self Note
y Income tax free ‘ SevaNidhi’ package of approximately 11.71 lakhs.
y No entitlement to gratuity.
y Life Insurance Cover of 48 lakhs for duration of engagement period.
y The individuals selected as regular cadre would be required to serve a
minimum of 15 years.
Territorial Army
y This was raised by C Rajagopalachari , the 1st Governor General of free India.
y The Territorial Army (TA) of India is a part-time volunteer force established
to relieve the regular army from static duties and assist in civil administration
during emergencies.
y It is composed of individuals who are gainfully employed in civilian professions
but undergo military training to serve as a reserve force when called upon.
y The Territorial Army recruits personnel from various backgrounds, including
civilians, ex-servicemen, and government employees.
y It provides opportunities for citizens to serve their nation in a military
capacity while continuing with their civilian careers.
y The TA’s role encompasses tasks such as internal security, disaster relief, and
assisting the regular army during times of war.
y Training and exercises are conducted regularly to ensure readiness and
effectiveness in fulfilling its mandate.
y The Territorial Army plays a vital role in augmenting India’s defense
capabilities and contributing to national security.
Defence Production
y The department of defense production was set up in 1962, with the objective of
promoting the industrial base production of weapons, equipment, platforms
and materials required by armed forces for the defense of the country.
y The department promulgated the defence production policy, which aims at
achieving substantive self-reliance in design development and production of
weapons systems in a scheduled time frame.
Defence PSUs
y Munitions India Limited
y Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited
y Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited
y Troop Comforts Limited
y Yantra India Limited
y India Optel Limited

Self Note
y Gliders India Limited
y Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
y Bharat Electronics Limited
y BEML Limited
y Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited
y Goa Shipyard Limited
y Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited
Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA)

y DGQA is an agency under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry
of Defence, India.
y It ensures the quality of equipment and stores supplied to the Indian Armed
Forces through various quality assurance measures.
y DGQA is responsible for formulating and implementing policies related to
quality assurance in defence production.
y It conducts quality audits, inspections, and tests to verify compliance with
established standards and specifications.
y DGQA plays a crucial role in maintaining the operational readiness and
effectiveness of the Indian Armed Forces by ensuring the reliability and
performance of defence equipment.
Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA)

y DGAQA is an organization within the Ministry of Defence, Government of
India, responsible for quality assurance of aeronautical products.
y It oversees the manufacturing, maintenance, and overhaul of aeronautical
equipment to ensure compliance with established standards and specifications.
y DGAQA conducts audits, inspections, and tests to verify the quality and
airworthiness of aeronautical products, including aircraft, engines, and
related components.
y The organization plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and reliability of
aeronautical equipment used by the Indian Armed Forces and other agencies.
y DGAQA also collaborates with national and international agencies to
exchange best practices and enhance the quality of aeronautical products.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

y DRDO is India’s premier research and development organization in the field
of defence technology and systems.
y It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, Government
of India.
y DRDO is responsible for developing indigenous technologies and systems to

Self Note
strengthen the country’s defence capabilities.
y The organization undertakes research, design, and development in various
domains, including missiles, aeronautics, electronics, and materials.
y DRDO collaborates with academic institutions, industry partners, and
other defence research organizations to achieve technological self-reliance
and enhance the combat readiness of the Indian Armed Forces.It plays a
crucial role in innovation, testing, and deployment of cutting-edge defence
technologies to meet the evolving security challenges faced by the nation.

5 Law and Justice

The Ministry of Law and Justice is one of the oldest arms of the Government of India dating back to 1833 when the
Charter Act, 1833 was enacted by the British Parliament. It vested for the first time legislative power in a single
authority, namely the Governor General of Council. Ministry of Law and Justice comprises three departments namely:
y Department of Legal Affairs
y Legislative Department
y Department of Justice.
Sources of Law
y The main sources of law in India are the Constitution, Statutes (legislation), Customary Law and Case Law.
y The Parliament is competent to make laws on matters enumerated in the Union List. State legislatures are
competent to make laws on matters enumerated in the State List.
y Parliament makes laws for matters not in State or Concurrent Lists.
y Both Parliament and state legislature can make laws on Concurrent List matters.
Judiciary
y At the apex of the entire judicial system exists the Supreme Court of India with a High Court for each state or
group of states and under the High Courts there is a hierarchy of subordinate courts.
y Panchayat Courts also function in some states under various names like Nyaya Panchayat, Panchayat Adalat,
Gram Kachehri, etc., to decide civil and criminal disputes of petty and local nature.
y Different state laws provide for jurisdiction of these courts. The highest court in each district is that of District
and Sessions Judge
National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms

y Set up in 2011 with the twin objective of increasing access by reducing delays and arrears in the system and
enhancing accountability through structural changes and by setting performance standards and capacities.
y The Department of Justice has hosted a web portal on its website for reporting and monitoring of sanctioned
and working strength, and vacancies of judicial officers of district and subordinate courts on a monthly basis.
Gram Nyayalayas
y Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 was enacted to provide doorstep justice to citizens and to establish Gram Nyayalayas
(GN) for every Panchayat at intermediate level or a group of contiguous Panchayats.
y Gram Nyayalayas are deemed to be a Court of Judicial Magistrate of First Class and exercise both civil and
criminal jurisdiction as per Schedules. Central and state governments have the power to add or omit any item
in Schedules.
y The Gram Nyayalayas try to settle the disputes as far as possible by bringing about conciliation between the
parties and for this purpose, it makes use of the mediators or conciliators (preferably Social activists and people
involved in NGOs) to be appointed for this purpose.

Self Note
Q. With reference to “Gram Nyayalayas Acts”, which of the following
statements is/are correct? (UPSC CSE 2016)
1. As per the Act, Gram Nyayalayas can hear only civil cases and not
criminal cases.
2. The Act allows local social activists as mediators/conciliators.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Digitisation Initiatives Through e-Courts

y e-Courts Project is an integrated mission mode project under implementation
since 2007 for the ICT development of the Indian Judiciary based on the
‘National Policy and Action Plan for Implementation of Information and
Communication Technology in Indian Judiciary’.
y The objective of the e-Courts project is to provide designated services to
litigants, lawyers and the judiciary by universal computerization of district
and subordinate courts.
y National Service and tracking of Electronic Processes (NSTEP) was
developed for process serving and issue of summons and is currently
functional in 28 states/UTs.
y A new ‘Judgment & Order Search’ portal has been inaugurated to provide a
repository for Judgments and Final Orders of the High Courts.
Different phases of e Courts projects:

y Phase I: Implemented during 2007 to 2015.
y Phase II: of e-Courts project was undertaken.
y Phase III: approved by GOI in September 2023, introduces new ICT measures
such as establishment of 1150 virtual courts, 4400 fully functional e-Sewa
kendras, paperless and online court proceedings etc.
Access to Justice
y A unified pan-India Scheme namely ‘Designing Innovative Solutions on
Holistic Access to Justice in India’ (DISHA) for the period 2021-2026 that
endeavors to provide comprehensive, integrated, technology-based citizen-
centric solutions on Access to Justice.
y It merges various programmes that include Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu, Nyaya
Mara and legal literacy and awareness being implemented by the Department.

y The Tele-Law programme enables the poor and needy through technology
Self Note
(via video conference and telephone) facilities available in their villages,
through the Common Service Centres (CSCs), to seek legal advice and
consultation from the panel lawyers stationed at the state level.
y Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) programme aims to establish a
framework for dispensation of pro bono legal services across the country.
y Pro Bono Club Scheme was initiated in 2020 to provide assistance to pro
bono advocates from competent law students and instill pro bono culture in
budding lawyers.
y The Nyaya Mitra programme has been introduced in district courts to
facilitate reduction of more than a decade old pending court cases.
Speedy Justice Delivery for Marginalized

y The 14 Finance Commission endorsed the proposal of this Department for
establishing 1800 Fast Track Courts (FTCs) to deal with cases of heinous
crimes involving senior citizens, women, children, disabled and litigants
affected with HIV/AIDS and other terminal aliments; and civil disputes
involving land acquisition and property/rent disputes pending for more than
five years.
y In November 2017 , Supreme Court of India in Ashwini Kumar Upadhayay
Vs Unionof India & Others WP (C), Twelve Special Courts were constituted
for expeditious trial of criminal cases involving elected MPs/MLAs. Presently,
10 such Special Courts are functional in 9 states.
Difference between Law and Justice:
Law Justice
y Law refers to a system of rules

y Justice refers to the quality of
that society or government
being fair, which is based on
develops in order to govern
equality and morality.
behavior.
y Law is always according to rules

y Justice has moral backing.
and regulations.
y Laws are enacted,repealed and

y Justice is a universal value.
modified.
y The nature of law is concrete. y The nature of Justice is abstract.
Department of Legal Affairs

y The Department of Legal affairs has been allocated items as per the
Government of India (Allocation to Business) Rules,1961 that includes-
Advice to ministers on legal matters etc.
y It has been allocated administration of the following acts: The advocates act
Self Note
1961, The notaries act 1952, The commercial courts Act 2015, The India
international arbitration centre act 2019 .
Litigation, its assessment & legal information management

y According to the National judicial data grid , approx.. 4.4 crore cases are
pending in various courts in India (dec 2023).
y The Department of Legal Affairs is the government department which is
responsible for litigation assessment.
y The legal information management and briefing system ( LIMBS) is a web
based application for monitoring all courts where the Union of India is one
of the parties.
Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

y Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms like arbitration,
conciliation and mediation etc. are aimed at being cost effective and time
bound methods for resolution of disputes.
y These ADR mechanisms are less adversarial and are capable of providing a
better substitute to the conventional methods of resolving disputes.
The Mediation Act 2023

y This Act paves the way for a standalone law on mediation that will enable
settlement of disputes amicably between the parties.
Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanism: Arbitration, Mediation and

Conciliation.
Difference between Arbitration, Mediation and Conciliation as follows:
Arbitration Mediation Conciliation
Arbitration is a court- Conciliation is a

Mediation is an ADR
like process where voluntary proceeding
method where a
a third party hears where parties in
neutral third party
the case and makes a dispute agree to resolve
helps parties reach a
binding decision. their dispute through
voluntary agreement.
a neutral third party.
A mediator facilitates A conciliator can

An arbitrator reviews
communication for suggest solutions to
evidence from both
parties to reach their help parties reach
parties and issues
own solutions; they agreement, acting as a
a typically binding
don’t suggest solutions third-party to resolve
decision.
themselves disputes.

The outcome of Self Note

mediation isn’t No binding
The decision rendered
binding, but parties agreement. The
by an arbitrator is
can choose to turn acceptance of
known as an arbitral
any agreements into settlement is needed
award and is binding.
a legally binding by both of the parties.
contract.
Law commission of India

y The Law commission of India is Constituted every three years by a notification
of the department of legal affairs.
y The National Law Commission is not a constitutional body.
y It is a statutory body that was established in 1955 by an executive order of the
Government of India.
y The commission’s primary role is to study and review existing laws, suggest
reforms, and propose new legislations to promote justice and legal reforms in
the country.
y 22nd law commission was constituted in February 2020 for a period of three
years.
Q. Consider the following organizations/ bodies in India: (UPSC CSE 2023)

1. The National Commission for Backward Classes
2. The National Human Rights Commission
3. The National Law Commission
4. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
How many of the above are constitutional bodies?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (a)
Bar council of India

y The Bar Council of India visits and inspects Universities/Law colleges in the
country as part of its statutory function of promoting legal education and
laying down standards in consultation with the Universities in India and the
State Bar Councils.
y The process of appointment of the Chairman and Members of LC1 is under
active consideration of the government.
y The Bar council of India has control over state bar councils.
y Bar council of India conducts the all India Bar examination for advocates
who graduated from 2010.
Q. With reference to India, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE Self Note
2022)
1. Government law officers and legal firms are recognised as advocates,
but corporate lawyers and patent attorneys are excluded from
recognition as advocates.
2. Bar Councils have the power to lay down the rules relating to legal
education and recognition of law colleges.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Civil Defense
y Civil defense was properly reorganized soon after November 1962 chinese
aggression.
y Directorate General of Civil Defence (DGCD) was established in 1962 with
its headquarters at New Delhi in the Ministry of Home Affairs to handle all
policy and planning matters related to civil defense, home guards and fire
services.
y Civil Defense is primarily organized on voluntary basis except for a
small nucleus of paid staff and establishment which is augmented during
emergencies
Home Guards
y Home Guards is a voluntary force, first raised in India in December 1946, to
assist the police in controlling civil disturbances and communal riots.
Fire Services
y Fire Services is a state subject and has been included as a municipal function
in the XII Schedule of the Constitution of India in terms of Article 243-W.
Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit

Trail (VVPAT)
y EVM and VVPAT being used by the ECI to conduct elections to the
parliamentary and assembly constituencies are manufactured by two
public sector undertakings, Bharat Electronics Limited and Electronics
Corporation of India Limited.
y EVMs were first used on pilot basis in 70-Parur Assembly Constituency of
Kerala in 1982.
y VVPAT was first used in Noksen Assembly Constituency of Nagaland in
2013.
y VVPAT was introduced to provide even greater transparency to the poll

Self Note
process.
Enforcement agencies
Police
y The police force in the country is entrusted with the responsibility of
Maintenance of public order and prevention and detection of crimes. Police
is a state subject so it is being controlled by states. The police force instead is
headed by the Director General of police/Inspector General of police.
y The central government maintains central police forces, intelligence bureau,
Central bureau of investigation, institutions for training of police officers and
forensic science institutions to assist the state in gathering intelligence, in
maintaining law and order.
Indo Tibetan border police(ITBP)

y The Indo Tibetan border police was raised in the wake of Chinese aggression
in 1962 under an integrated “guerilla-cum-intelligence-cum-fighting force”,
self contained in supplies, communication and intelligence collection.
y ITBP also conducts relief and rescue operations as ‘first responders’ for
natural Calamities in the Himalayan region.
Border security force(BSF)

y Border security force was raised in 1965 with the strength of 25 battalions and
three coys.
y The major role of BSF is to guard the international border which India shares
with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Assam Rifles
y The Assam Rifles raised as Cachar Levy in 1835 is the oldest Central
ParaMilitary Force in India.
y The force was raised primarily to guard the alluvial plains of Assam from the
wild and unruly tribes inhabiting the surrounding hill tracts.
y It has its headquarters at Shillong and the force is completely deployed in
the North East for guarding the Indo-Myanmar Border, spread over 1,631
kilometers.
y The force comprises a Directorate General headquarter, three Inspectorate
General headquarters, 12 sector headquarters, 46 battalions, one training
center.
y Their long association with the region reflects in the force being fondly called
“The Sentinel of the North-East” and “Friends of the Hill People”.

National Security Guard (NSG)

Self Note
y NSG was raised in October 1985, as a Federal Contingency Force under the
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
y It consists of selected and highly motivated personnel from the Army as well
as the central armed police forces.
y The need for creating a special force for executing surgical operations based
on tactical intelligence was felt in India when Operation Blue Star was carried
out by the Army at the Golden Temple, Amritsar in 1984.
y NSG was conceptualized and created after studying and analyzing Special
Forces like SAS in the United Kingdom, GIGN in France, GSG-9 in Germany,
Shar-et-matkal in Israel and Delta Force in the USA.
y About 53 per cent of the personnel are drawn from the Army while the central
armed police forces like BSF, CRPF and ITBP contribute 47 per cent.
y Since raising, its commandos have been employed in 114 major successful
counter terrorist operations, earning numerous awards and rewards including
three Ashok Chakras, two Kirti Chakras, three Shaurya Chakras and 10
PPMG.
y The NSG’s motto is Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha.
Central Reserve Police Force:

y The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was formed in July 1939 at Neemuch
as the Crown Representative’s Police. After independence, it was renamed as
the Central Reserve Police Force.
y As a tribute to the saga of our brave men, 9th April is now befittingly
celebrated as “Valour Day” in the force.
y The CRPF has also been deployed internationally. Now, for the first time in
the history of the UN, a fully formed women’s unit is posted in Liberia as a
part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission.
y From a single battalion in 1939, the force has now grown to four Zones.
y It is the only Central Armed Police Force in the country which has 3 Mahila
Battalions. The Cobra battalions have been deployed strategically in the naxal
affected areas.
y CRPF always plays a significant role in times of natural disasters. We now
have two battalions of CRPF designated as Disaster Management battalions
and they have been located in Pune and Ahmedabad.
Rapid Action Force

y Rapid Action Force , a Specialized Force, was raised In oct 1992, with 10
Battalions which has now been increased to 15 battalions.The personnel in
RAF are trained and equipped to be an effective strike force in communal
riots and similar situations.

y All these battalions are organized on an unattached pattern and are working
Self Note
under the supervision of an Inspector General.
y RAF Is zero response force which gets to the crisis situation with a minimal
time, thus enthuses an immediate sense of security and confidence amongst
the general public.
Commando Battalion for Resolute Action

y In order to effectively tackle the Maoists, the need for a Special Force, capable
of striking at the core of Naxal heartland was felt. With this idea, ten CoBRA
(Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) battalions were raised between
2008 and 2011.
Central Industrial Security Force

y Raised in 1969, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is providing security
cover to over 350 units including domestic and international airports and fire
protection cover to industrial undertakings.
y The force is also one of the largest fire protection service providers in the
country and provides for production services to 100 establishments.
y The CISF also has a specialized VIP security vertical providing round-the-
clock security to important protectees.
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

y The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is the newest border guarding force of the
Union of India entrusted with the guarding of Indo-Nepal and lndo-Bhutan
borders.
y SSB has been guarding the Indo-Nepal border since 2001 and was also given
the additional responsibility of guarding the Indo-Bhutan border in 2004.
y SSB came into existence under the name Special Service Bureau in early 1963
in the wake of the Indo-China conflict.
y SSB is now spread along the international border across Uttarakhand, UP,
Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
y SSB’s present charter of duties is to safeguard the security of assigned borders
of India and promote sense of security among the people living in border
areas; prevent trans-border crimes, smuggling and any other illegal activities.
Personal Law
y The people of India are of different religions and faiths. They are governed by
different sets of personal laws in respect of matters relating to family affairs,
i.e., marriage, divorce, succession, adoption, wills, etc.
y Personal laws fall under Entry 5 of List III - Concurrent List in the Indian
Constitution. Both the Union Legislature (Parliament) and State legislatures
can make laws on this subject, subject to Article 254 provisions.
Marriage
Self Note
y Laws relating to marriage and divorce have been codified in different
enactments applicable to people of different religions. These are:
o The Converts Marriage Dissolution Act, 1866
o The Divorce Act, 1869
o The Indian Christian
o Marriage Act, 1872
o The Kazis Act, 1880
o The Anand Marriage Act, 1909
o The Indian Succession Act, 1925
o The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936
o The Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act,1939;
o The Special Marriage Act, 1954
o The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
o The Foreign Marriage Act,1969
o The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986.
y The Special Marriage Act, 1954, provides for a special form of marriage and
the registration of such marriages, extends to the whole of India except the
former state of Jammu and Kashmir, but also applies to the citizens of India
domiciled in Jammu and Kashmir.
y An attempt has been made to codify customary law which is prevalent among
Hindus by enacting the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. This Act, which extends
to the whole of India, except the former state of Jammu and Kashmir, applies
also to Hindus domiciled in territories to which the Act extends and those
who are outside the said territories.
y It applies to Hindus (in any of its forms or development) and also to Buddhists,
Sikhs, Jains and also those who are not Muslims, Christians, Parsis or Jews by
religion.
y However, the Act does not apply to members of any scheduled tribes unless
the central government by notification in the official Gazette otherwise
directs. Provisions as regard to divorce are contained in Section 13 of The
Hindu Marriage Act and Section 27 of The Special Marriage Act.
y Common grounds on which divorce can be sought by a husband or a wife
under these Acts are: adultery, desertion, cruelty, unsoundness of mind,
venereal disease, leprosy, mutual consent and being not heard of as alive for
seven years.
y As regards Christians, provisions relating to marriage and divorce are
contained in the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, and in Section 10 of
the Indian Divorce Act, 1869, respectively.

y In the Divorce Act, 1869, comprehensive amendments were made through

the Indian Divorce (Amendment) Act, 2001, to remove discriminatory
Self Note
provisions against women in the matter of divorce and to provide for
dissolution of marriage by mutual consent.
y As regards Muslims, marriages are governed by the Mohammedan Law
prevalent in the country. As regards divorce, a Muslim wife had a much
restricted right to dissolve her marriage.
y Unwritten and traditional law tried to ameliorate her position by permitting
her to seek dissolution under the following forms:
y This is a form of delegated divorce. According to this the husband delegates
his right to divorce in a marriage contract which may stipulate, on his taking
another wife, the first wife has a right to divorce him; This is a dissolution
of agreement between the parties to marriage on the wife’s giving some
consideration to the husband for her release from marriage ties.
y Terms are a matter of bargain and usually take the form of the wife giving up
her or a portion of it; and This is divorce by mutual consent.
Adoption
y Although there is no general law governing adoption, it is permitted by the
Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, amongst Hindus and by custom
amongst a few numerically insignificant categories of persons. Since adoption
is the legal affiliation of a child, it forms the subject matter of personal law.
y Muslims, Christians and Parsis have no adoption laws and have to approach
the court under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890.
y Foreigners, who want to adopt Indian children,have to approach the court
under the aforesaid Act. A guardian may be a natural guardian, testamentary
guardian or a guardian appointed by the court.
y In deciding the question of guardianship, two distinct things have to be taken
into account—the person of the minor and his property.
y The Personal Laws (Amendment) Act, 2010 amended the Hindu Adoptions
and Maintenance Act, 1956, allowing married women to adopt children
regardless of their marital status. It also gave equal rights to both parents to
give consent for adoption.
y The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956 ! , has codified laws of
Hindus relating to minority and guardianship.
y As in the case of uncodified law, it has upheld the superior right of father. It
lays down that a child is a minor till the age of 18 years.
y Prior right of the mother is recognised only for the custody of children below
five.
y In case of illegitimate children, the mother has a better claim than the putative
father. The Act makes no distinction between the person of the minor and
his property and therefore guardianship implies control over both. Under the
Muslim Law (Shariat), the father enjoys a dominant position.
y It also makes a distinction between guardianship and custody. For

Self Note
guardianship, the father is preferred and in his absence his executor.
y Mother is not recognized as a natural guardian even after the death of the
father. As regards rights of a natural guardian, there is no doubt that father’s
right extends both to the property and person of the child.
y Even when a mother has custody of a minor child, the father’s general right of
supervision and control remains. The Muslim law recognizes that a mother’s
right to custody of minor children is an absolute right.
y Even the father cannot deprive her of it. The general law relating to guardians
and wards is contained in the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890.
y The Personal Laws (Amendment) Act, 2010, the Guardians and Wards Act,
1890, was amended so as to include the mother along with the father as a fit
person to be appointed as a guardian of a child.
Maintenance
y Obligation of a husband to maintain his wife arises out of the status of the
marriage; right to maintenance forms a part of the personal law.
y Under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, right of maintenance extends
not only to the wife and dependent children, but also to indigent parents and
divorced wives.
y Claims of the wife, etc., however, depend on the husband having sufficient
meAnswer:
y Inclusion of the right of maintenance under the Code of Criminal Procedure
has the advantage of making the remedy both speedy and cheap.
y Under the Hindu Law, the wife has an absolute right to claim maintenance from
her husband. But she loses her right if she deviates from the path of chastity.
y Her right to maintenance is codified in the Hindu Adoptions and
Maintenance Act, 1956. In assessing the amount of maintenance, the court
takes into account various factors like position and liabilities of the husband.
y It also judges whether the wife is justified in living apart from husband.
Justifiable reasons are spelt out in the Act.
y Under the Muslim Law, the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on
Divorce) Act, 1986, protects rights of Muslim women who have been divorced
by or have obtained divorce from their husbands and provides for matters
connected therewith or incidental thereto.
y This Act provides that a divorced Muslim woman shall be entitled to:
y Reasonable and fair provision and maintenance to be made and paid to her
within the period by her former husband;
y Where she herself maintains children born to her before or after her former
husband for a period of two years from the respective dates of birth of such
children;
y An amount equal to the sum of or dower agreed to be paid to her at the time
Self Note
of her marriage or at any time thereafter according to the Muslim Law;
y All property given to her before or at the time of marriage or after her
marriage by her relatives or friends or by husband or any relatives of the
husband or his friends.
y The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019, was
enacted as for prevention of divorce by way of talaq-e-bidat by certain Muslim
husbands in spite of the same having been set aside by the Supreme Court.
y This Act is in force from September 19, 2018, (i.e. the date from which the first
Ordinance, namely, the Muslim Woman (Protection of Rights on Marriage)
Ordinance, 2018.
y The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936, recognises the right of the wife to
maintain both alimony and permanent alimony.
Succession
y The Indian Succession Act was enacted in 1925 to consolidate the law
applicable to intestate and testamentary succession which was in existence
at that time.
y The Act does not apply to the residents of the union territory of Puducherry.
y While consolidating the law in respect of succession, two schemes, one
relating to succession to property of persons like Indian Christians, Jews
and persons married under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 By the Indian
Succession (Amendment) Act, 1991, the Act was amended to provide equal
shares for both sons and daughters in their parental properties, irrespective of
the fact that it was that of the father or that of the mother.
y It also enables the Parsis to bequeath their property to religious or charitable
purposes, etc., without any restrictions.
y The law relating to testamentary succession among Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs
or Mins, subject to certain restrictions and modifications is carried in Section
57 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, The law relating to intestate succession
among Hindus is codified in the Hindu Succession Act, 1956.
y It extends to the whole of India except the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.
y The remarkable features of the Act are the recognition of the right of women
to inherit property of an intestate equally with men and abolition of the life
estate of female heirs.
y Further (vide The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005), the Hindu
Succession Act, 1956, was amended so as to provide for the equal share to a
coparcener daughter in a joint Hindu property.
y A vast majority of Muslims in India follow Hanafi doctrines of Sunni
law. Courts presume that Muslims are governed by Hanafi law unless it is
established to be the contrary.

Anand Marriage (Amendment) Act, 2012

Self Note
y The Anand Marriage Act, 1909 was enacted to remove doubts as to the validity
of the marriage rights of the Sikh called “Anand” and it does not provide for
the provisions of registration of marriages.
y However, vide the Anand Marriage (Amendment), Act, 2012, The Anand
Marriage Act, 1909 was amended to provide for registration of Anand
marriages commonly known as Anand Karaj.
y The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, applies to all Hindus, Buddhists, Jains or
Sikhs by religion.
y It also applies to all other persons who are not Muslims, Christians, Parsis or
Jews unless they establish that they were not governed by Hindu law, custom
or usage prior to the Act.
y Section 8 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, provides for registration of
Hindu marriages and as Sikhs were included in the definition of Hindu,
under Section 2 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, a Sikh Marriage performed
according to the Sikh marriage ceremony called “Anand” or other customary
ceremonies could be registered here under the provisions of Section 8 of the
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
Electoral reforms in India

Electoral reforms in India refers to the evolution and modification of the electoral
system in India. The Electoral Reforms seek to promote clean politics, free and
fair elections, and ideal legislators.
Electoral reforms have been undertaken since independence. However, the
reforms can be further subdivided into following timelines:
Electoral Reforms in India before 1996

y The EVMs were introduced for the first time for conducting general elections
in Kerala in May 1982. In 2004, in the General Election to the Lok Sabha, the
EVMs were used in all 543 Parliamentary Constituencies in the country.
y Lowering of voting age: The minimum age for voting was made 18 years from
21 years after the 61st Amendment act of the constitution.
y Deputation of Election Commission: Personnel working on the task of
preparing, revising and correcting electoral rolls for the elections were
considered to be on a deputation basis under the supervision of the Election
Commission for the period of employment.
y Increase in the number of proposers and the security deposit: The number
of electors to sign in as proposers in the nomination paper for elections to
the Rajya Sabha and state legislative council was increased to 10% of electors
of the constituency. The security deposit was also increased to prevent non-
serious candidates from applying for nomination.

Electoral Reforms in India After 1996

Self Note
y Allocation for sharing of time on media and cable to each candidate was
made by Election Commission. Introduction of Braille Signage features in
EVM.
y The number of proposers and seconders increased for the post of President
and Vice-President: The number of proposers and seconders for the post of
President increased to 50, and for the post of Vice-President, the number
increased to 20.
y Voting through postal ballot: For persons who cannot come to polling booths,
the postal ballot system was introduced. This provision was also extended to
persons in the armed forces.
y Declaration of criminal records and assets: A candidate contesting elections
has to provide a declaration for any criminal case registered against him. He
also needs to declare all the assets and liabilities during the nomination.
y Domicile and residency requirements changed for contesting elections from
any constituency from 2003 onwards.
y An open ballot system in Rajya Sabha was introduced.
y Under section and other laws Amendment Act 2003, traveling expenses were
not included in election expenditures.
y Parties are entitled to receive donations for their election campaigns from
any private organization or individual. A single individual needs to report to
the Election Commission for donating more than 20000.
Electoral Reforms in India Since 2010

y The Election Commission introduced VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit
Trail) for verification of voters’ vote in 2013 .
y Restriction on exit polls: The Election Commission of India declares a
particular time period during which exit polls cannot be conducted or
declared.
y The amount of security deposit was further increased to 25000 for general
category individuals contesting for Lok Sabha elections and 12500 for SC/ST
category individuals. For contesting state legislative assembly elections, the
amount was also increased to 10000 for the general category and 5000 for SC
ST category individuals.
y The Representation of the People Act, 1951 was amended in 2013 to allow
the persons in jail or police custody to contest elections.
y Appellate authorities within the district: If a person is dissatisfied with the
decision of the electoral registration officer, then an appeal first needs to
be filed to the District Magistrate, Additional district magistrate, executive
magistrate or district collector and later to the electoral officer.
y Voting rights to citizens of India living abroad: This was introduced by the

Representation of the People Amendment Act 2010. Persons living abroad

Self Note
who have not acquired citizenship in another country are eligible to vote in
India.
y The Election Commission made the provision for Online filling of the
application form in the electoral roll.
y The Supreme Court, in the Lily Thomas case (2013), held that convicted MPs
and MLAs will be immediately disqualified from holding membership of the
House without being given three months’ time for appeal.
y In 2013,The supreme court of India directed the election commission to add
NOTA ( None of the above) option in EVM’s.
Electoral reforms in India after 2013

y The Election Commission passed the order that EVM will carry the picture /
photo of candidate, his/her name and symbol of the party to avoid confusion
amongst the common people.
y The Government raised the maximum ceiling on election expenditure of Lok
Sabha from Rs.40,00,000 to Rs.70,00,000. In bigger states assembly seats was
increased from Rs.16,00,000 to Rs.28,00,000.
Reforms related to electoral bonds (2017)

y Ceiling on cash donations lowered- The limit for anonymous cash donations
by any individual to a political party was lowered from ₹20,000 to ₹2,000.
y Cap on corporate contributions lifted- The limit on corporate contributions
from 7.5% of the net profit of a company’s past three financial years was
removed.
y Broadcasting Election Results: In 2019, this electoral reform from EC
stopped broadcasting the results before the final phase in order to avoid
misleading voters in any way possible.
Electoral Bonds Scheme

y An Electoral bond is an instrument similar to a promissory note that one
can purchase to make donations to eligible political parties. In more simple
terms,electoral bonds are an instrument through which anyone can donate
money to political parties.
y Electoral bonds were introduced by the Finance Bill 2017 and notified on
January 29, 2018.
y Supreme court’s verdict on Electoral Bonds in February 2024
o In February 2024, The electoral Bonds scheme was held as
“unconstitutional” in a unanimous judgement by the five-judge bench
of the Supreme Court (SC) headed by the CJI, which was examining the
legality of the electoral bonds scheme. SC held that anonymous electoral

bonds are violative of right to information and Article 19(1)(a).
o Along with the Electoral Bonds Scheme (EBS), the Supreme Court struck
down amendments in the The Representation of the People Act, 1951 Self Note
(RPA), The Income-tax Act, 1961, and The Companies Act, 2013, which
were brought to facilitate corporate donations to political parties.
Right to Privacy vs Right to Information:

y Right to information (RTI) ensured participation of Indian citizens in political
and economic processes leading to good governance. Many cases have shown
that RTI enabled more accountability and transparency in government
administration.
y In terms of concept, the RTI and the Right to Privacy are both complementary
and antagonistic. On the one hand, RTI expands access to information; on
the other hand, the right to privacy safeguards it. Furthermore, they both
protect citizens’ rights from government overreach.
Right to privacy vs Right to Information

y Under Article 14, 19, and 21 of the constitution, the right to privacy is a
fundamental right (Justice Puttaswamy vs Union of India case). As a result,
when revealing information under RTI, the government must guarantee that
it does not jeopardize an individual’s liberty or dignity.
y The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits
and Services) Act 2016, the Personal Data Protection Bill 2019, the DNA
Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill 2019, and other acts
protect the right to privacy.
Q. ‘Right to Privacy’ is protected under which Article of the Constitution of

India? (UPSC CSE 2021)
(a) Article 15
(b) Article 19
(c) Article 21
(d) Article 29
Answer: (c)
Q. Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and

Personal Liberty. Which of the following in the Constitution of India
correctly and appropriately imply the above statement? (UPSC CSE
2018)
(a) Article 14 and the provisions under the 42nd amendment to the
Constitution.
(b) Article 17 and the Directive Principle of the State Policy in Part IV
(c) Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III
(d) Article 24 and provisions under the 44th Amendments to the
Constitution
Answer: (c)

6 India and the World

The Ministry of External affairs is the government agency responsible for the conduct of India’s foreign relations.
MEA continued its pragmatic and outcome oriented engagements, to enhance India’s security, uphold its territorial
integrity, while promoting rule based international order. Further , in 2023 , India hosted the G20 presidency
culminating with its summit in New Delhi.
Overview of India’s Foreign Policy

y India has fortified its foreign relations through high level dialogues and engagements with key global players.
y Operation Kaveri in Sudan India evacuated 4000 people from the conflict zone.
y India Hosted SCO summit in 2023. Varanasi was nominated first ever SCO tourism and cultural capital.
y Cultural diplomacy Ensembles of Hoysalas and Shantiniketan earned UNESCO world heritage status in 2023.
y World hindi conference organized in fiji
y India was amongst first responders in crises when devastating earthquake struck Turkey and syria
G-20 presidency
y India assumed the G-20 presidency for the first time on Dec 1 , 2022.
y India focused on addressing global challenges faced by humanity – Mission LiFE aimed at democratizing
climate action and empowering to adopt climate friendly lifestyles, and popularization of millets.
y India advocated for an inclusive human centric approach for development.
y Redoubled efforts towards multilateralism.
Key objective of India’s presidency:

y To take the international forum closer to the people of India and make it a “People’s G20” through the spirit of
Janbhagidari.
y G20 Presidency theme “one earth , one family , one future” resonated with our “ Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”
y India accommodated views and aspirations of the Global south while shaping the G20 agenda.
y The New Delhi Declaration was reached. Reflected collective viewpoint of the leaders on pressing global topics
such as food security , energy, fiscal balance.
y In line with the 2030 agenda, pointed out issues faced by MSMEs and acknowledged the role of critical digital
public infrastructure.
y India initiated the India Middle East- European Economic corridor to foster economic integration.
y India launched Global biofuel alliance ( 19 countries and 12 international organisations participated )
Outcomes of G20 summit 2023: The New Delhi Declaration
1. Inclusion of African union

y The 55-member African Union was formally made permanent member of the G20, on par with the European
Union, in order to make the grouping more representative.
y Until now only South Africa was a member of the G20.

Self Note
2. India - Middle East Europe Economic Corridor
y A multinational rail and shipping project linking India with the Middle East
and Europe has been announced.
y The corridor would include India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates,
Jordan, Israel and the European Union.
3. Climate Change
y The G20 leaders agreed to pursue tripling renewable energy capacity globally
by 2030 and accepted the need to phase-down unabated coal power.
y It stressed the urgency of mobilizing “US$5.8-5.9 trillion in the pre-2030
period for developing countries” and “US$4 trillion per year for clean energy
technologies by 2030.
y It will help countries to attain net-zero emissions by 2050.
4. Global Biofuel Alliance

y It is an alliance driven by India, the United States, and Brazil, is a concerted
effort to address pressing energy and economic challenges through sustainable
biofuels.
y The inauguration of the Global Biofuel Alliance at the G20 Summit signifies
a pivotal moment in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.
5. Russia Ukraine war

y G20 nations agreed that states cannot grab territory by force and highlighted
the suffering of the people of Ukraine, but avoided direct criticism of Russia
for the war.
y India along with Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa, played a key role in
avoiding a fracturing of the G20 over the Ukraine conflict, reflecting the
growing power of the Global South developing nations in the group.
6. Green Development Pact

The declaration
y Envisages a green development pact.
y Endorses high-level principles on lifestyle.
y Voluntary principles of hydrogen.
y Chennai principles for a sustainable resilient blue economy.
y Deccan principles on food security and nutrition among others.
7. G20 Satellite Mission

y India has proposed to launch the G20 satellite mission for environment and
climate observation
Self Note
y It aims to help the countries of the Global South for environment and climate
observation.
8. Multilateral Development Banks Reforms

y It aims to help the countries of the Global South for environment and climate
observation.
y The Capital Adequacy Frameworks (CAF) recommendations are focused on
enabling MDBs to use the existing resources effectively.
9. Digital Public Infrastructure

y A G20 Framework for Systems of Digital Public Infrastructure, a voluntary
framework for the development, deployment and governance of DPI has
been unanimously accepted.
y The declaration also mentions the approval of India’s plan to build and
maintain Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository.
y The declaration takes note of the proposal to create One Future Alliance, a
voluntary initiative.
Q. Consider the following statements about G-20: ( UPSC CSE 2023)

1. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance
Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss international
economic and financial Issues.
2. Digital public infrastructure is one of India’s G-20 priorities.
Which of the statements given above is/are Correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Q. With reference to the “G20 Common Framework”, consider the

1. It is an initiative endorsed by the G20 together with the Paris Club.
2. It is an initiative to support Low Income Countries with unsustainable
debt.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)

Q. In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members Self Note
of G20? (UPSC CSE 2020)
(a) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey
(b) Australia, Canada, Malaysia, and New Zealand
(c) Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam
(d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea
Answer: ( a )
Neighborhood First
y Neighbourhood first policy(Since 2014) – an effort to accord institutional
policy priority across all relevant arms of government towards partners in
immediate neighborhoods: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan , Maldives,
Myanmar, Nepal , Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
y India shares civilizational bonds of history, culture, language, and geography
with its neighbors in the region.
y It strives to build cordial and synergetic relations with the South Asian
neighbors.
y India hosted the 10th meeting of the BIMSTEC Joint working group on
counter terrorism and transnational crime in New Delhi.
Afghanistan
y India & Afghanistan connected together by centuries of historical , people
to people & cultural relations and their developmental partnership centered
around five pillars;
y Human resource development and capacity building , humanitarian
assistance, high impact community development projects, enhancing trade
and investment through air and land connectivity.
y India hosted the first India central asia joint working group in march 2023,
in new delhi ,to discuss the humanitarian and security issues in Afghanistan.
Bangladesh
y Prime ministers of both the countries jointly inaugurated the India-
Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline (IBFP) in March 2023 in virtual mode.
y About India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline
y IBFP is the first cross-border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh
with a capacity to transport 1 million Metric Ton Per Annum (MMTPA) of
High-Speed Diesel (HSD) to Bangladesh.
y The foundation stone for the construction of this pipeline was laid by both
Prime Ministers in September 2018.
y This is the second cross-border energy pipeline between India and its
neighbors.
o Numaligarh Refinery Limited has been supplying petroleum products to

Bangladesh since 2015.
Self Note
y The pipeline will bring diesel from a marketing depot in Siliguri to Dinajpur
of Bangladesh.
y The Indian leg of the pipeline project will be implemented by Assam-based
Numaligarh Refinery Limited and the Bangladeshi leg will be implemented
by Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation.
y The IBFPL project aims to facilitate the transportation of imported fuel oil
and reduce its transport costs for Bangladesh.
y Bangladesh remains one of India’s biggest trading partners in the
subcontinent, with a bilateral trade of USD 14.22 billion (2022-2023).
Bhutan
y The king of Bhutan visited India in 2023.
y Hydropower cooperation - cornerstone of India-Bhutan Bilateral economic
partnership.
y Bilateral meetings for review of the Punatsangchhu-II Hydro Project and
Mangdechhu Hydro Project was held.
y Bilateral cooperation in Space technology witnessed a milestone moment
with the launch of ISRO Nano satellite 2 for Bhutan (INS - 2 B ) in 2022 with
inauguration of the ground station for the India-Bhutan SAT at THIMPHU
in March 2023.
Maldives
y Maldives is India’s key maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean region (IOR)
and occupies special place in PM’s Vision of “SAGAR” (Security and Growth
for all the region ) & the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’.
y The Defence Minister of India visited Maldives in May 2023 and met
maldivian president, his counterpart and Foreign Minister of Maldives.
y The Defence Minister handed over a fast patrol vehicle and a landing craft
to maldivian site. Foundation laying stone for MNDF coast guard ‘Ekatha
Self Note
Harbour’.
Myanmar
y Myanmar is an important neighboring country sharing an approximately
1700 km long border with India. Myanmar Myanmar is India’s land link to
ASEAN and vital component of India’s Neighbourhood first POLICY.
y Special focus on regional connectivity initiatives through projects such as
Kaladan multimodal transit transport project and India Myanmar Thailand
trilateral highway.
y Sittwe port was inaugurated in May 2023 these projects will enhance
connectivity of India’s Northeast States and will help in augmentation of
bilateral trade between India and Myanmar.
y Operation Karuna India had launched “operation karuna” to provide
humanitarian assistance to people in Myanmar which was devastated by
cyclone “Mocha” in the year 2023.
Nepal
y India-Nepal shares close and friendly relations characterized by a joules
historical and cultural linkages, an open border and deep rooted people to
people contacts.
y The Prime Minister of Nepal paid an official visit to India in 2023 where he
held bilateral talks with PM Modi.
y The PM noted the excellent cooperation between two countries in the
aftermath of Covid-19 pandemic and welcomed the signing of the revised
Treaty of transit, the agreement for long term power trade.
Pakistan
y India desires normal neighborly relations with Pakistan. India’s consistent
position is that issues, if any, between both the countries should be resolved
bilaterally and peacefully, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence.
y Since the inauguration of Sri Kartarpur corridor in november 2019,more
than 2 lakh indian pilgrims visited Gurudwara Darbar sahib Kartarpur in
Narowal , Pakistan.
Sri Lanka
y India Sri Lanka relations progressed in 2023 in line with New Delhi’s
neighborhood first and Sagar security and growth for all in the region policies.
y The Sri Lankan president visited India in July 2023 the meetings culminated
in the signing of an MOU on renewable energy requirement development
initiatives in trincomalee (Sri Lanka) cooperation in animal husbandry and
dairying.
y The Indian Prime Minister announced projects worth Rs. 75 crores for
Indian origin Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Self Note
y India continued to engage on security issues by participating in the Colombo
security Conclave hosted by Maldives in July 2023.
y The two countries enjoy a comprehensive economic and trade partnership
and India continues to assist the latter in overcoming its economic challenges.
Relations with other countries
United States Of America

y India-U.S. bilateral relations have developed into a “global strategic
partnership”.
y People-to-people ties maintained their vibrancy with the US continuing to be
a favored destination for Indian students and professionals.
y India and the USA continue to maintain robust cooperation through India-
US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, G20, I2U2,QUAD and other bilateral and
multilateral mechanisms.
y PM Modi paid an official visit to the USA in June 2023 at the invitation
of President Biden. Visit saw the announcements of several outcomes
and initiatives across sectors critical Technologies , Defence, Commerce,
renewable energy and people to people ties.
Russia
y India and Russia have a strong, long standing partnership across various areas
like politics, security, defense, trade, economy, science, technology, culture,
and people-to-people ties, creating a special and privileged relationship.
y The External Affairs Minister co-chaired the 24th session of India Russia
intergovernmental commission for trade, economic, science and cultural
cooperation along with the Russian Deputy Prime Minister during the
leaders visit to India.
y EAM also chaired the SCO Council of foreign ministers in Goa.
Europe and the European Union

y During PM‘s visit to Greece, India Greece relations were elevated to level of
strategic partnership.
y In May 2023, external affairs Minister attended second EU-Indo Pacific
ministerial form in Sweden.
y He took part in the first session of the India trilateral forum comprising India
and Europe and the US.
y In the meeting of India EU trade and technology Council, that facilitate
exchange of critical technologies leading to artificial intelligence quantum
computing semiconductors and cyber Security.
y Italian Prime Minister Georgia Melanie visited India during March 20 23,
Self Note
India Italy ties were elevated to strategic partnership.
y Chancellor of Germany Mr Olaz Scholz, Was on a state visit to India in
February 2023 both of them emphasized on enhancing economic and
technology and cooperation.
y The Prime Minister met the President of the European council and president
of Europe on commission on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Delhi.
Japan
y Indian Japan shares special strategic and global partnership.
y There is a long history rooted in spiritual affinity and strong cultural and
civilisational ties between India and Japan.
y In March 2023, the Japanese PM visited India for the Japan India Summit.
y The Indian PM visited Hiroshima, Japan to participate in the G7 summit in
May 2023.
y PM also participated in QUAD leaders summit which focused on new
initiatives of infrastructure programme ,clean energy diversification
,partnership for cable connectivity and QUAD investors network where
announced.
Australia
y India and Australia are Comprehensive Strategic Partners and have been
rapid expansion of bilateral relations in recent times.
y Areas of cooperation trade and investment ,defense and security ,renewable
energy ,migration and mobility ,rare earths and critical minerals.
y The strategic dialogues India Australia annual summit, 2+2 ministerial
dialogue, Foreign ministers framework dialogue, foreign ministers cyber
framework dialogue.
y Operationalisation of India Australia economic cooperation and trade
agreement (ECTA) in 2022.

Pacific region
Self Note
y India’s engagement in pacific region is an important part of India’s act East

policy and Indo Pacific vision.
y India jointly con-hosted the FIPIC-III summit(forum for India Pacific
Islands cooperation) with Papua New Guinea In May 20 23 which included
well state action plan focusing upon developmental initiatives in areas of
cyber security ,health, space, climate change, sustainable development,
capacity building and infrastructure development.
y Pacific island countries have been a major focus for India’s Humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief activities (HADR).
y International solar alliance and coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure
and infrastructure for resilient island states complement the development
needs of India as well as the Pacific region.
Association of Southeast Asian nations

y India’s relation with ASEAN is a key pillar of India’s foreign policy and
foundation of its Act East Policy.
y Indian ASEAN has seven ministerial engagements in foreign affairs, commerce,
tourism,agriculture, environment, renewable energy and telecommunication
decides official level dialogues in other areas of cooperation.
y In 2023 the Indian Prime Minister attended the 20th ASEAN India Summit
held in Jakarta.
y India and Singapore launched integration of India’s real-time retail payment
system unified payments interface and Its equivalent network in Singapore
call pay now in February 2023.
y India- ASEAN organized their first maritime exercise in the South China
Sea in May 2023.

Q. India is a member of which of the following? (UPSC CSE 2015) Self Note
1. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
2. Association of South-East Asian Nations
3. East Asia Summit
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) India is a member of none of them
Answer: (b)
West Asia
y India’s relation with Gulf countries and the related areas of cooperation are
Energy, security, defense, culture, education and health and food security.
Gulf countries continue to be among the top trading partners of India.
y Indian PM Modi visited UAE in 2023 to strengthen ties and reinforce
commitments to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership.
y In September 2023 Saudi Arabia and India had the first leaders meeting of
the India Saudi strategic partnership council, which focused on enhancing
bilateral relations in various domains.
y Saudi Arabia played a key role in facilitating India’s operation Kaveri through
Jeddah.
y During the G20 summit, the Indian Middle East Europe economic corridor
is proposed to bolster economic development by fostering connectivity and
economic integration betweenAsia ,Persian Gulf and Europe.
y India Iran relations both reviewed the progress made at Shahid Beheshti
terminal, Chabahar port.
y Significance of Chabahar Port for India: India will not depend on Pakistan
for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Q. What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India? (UPSC

CSE 2017)
(a) India’s trade with African countries will increase enormously.
(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.
Answer: (c)

Africa
Self Note
y India and Africa have a lot of convergence and India aims to facilitate
cooperation with the African continent. India’s efforts ensure that the African
union becomes a permanent member of G20 during Delhi Summit 2023.
y India for more than 200 lines of credit. Bilateral trade between India and
Africa stood approximately $98 billion in 2022-23.
East and south Africa

y India maintains its multifaceted and vibrant relations with all 15 countries in
eastern Southern Africa throughout the year.
y India’s INS Tabar visited Mombasa port, Kenya , only country in Africa to
have an Indian Naval ship deployed for hoisting the Indian National Flag on
independence day 2022 to celebrateAKAM.
Central and West Africa

y The region is home to Africa’s largest population and fastest growing
economies with huge reserves of energy , resources and minerals.
y India sources about 18th percent of its crude oil requirement from this region.
y India witnessed several high-level delegations with these nations in 2023,
such as defence Expo 2022 (DEFEXPO-2022) organised by India’s Ministry
of defence ,held in Gujarat and the Indian Africa defence dialogue which was
attended by over 15 countries from the region.
West Asia and North Africa (WANA)

y WANA continues to remain important for energy security, food security and
for global peace and security.
y In 2023 ,Indian bolstered its relationship with UAE and Egypt through series
of strategic engagements.
y The collaboration with the UAE was initiated with the I2U2 Business forum
in Abu Dhabi in February 2023 followed by foreign ministers meeting at the
BRICS summit.
y Indian Egypt partnership was underscored by reciprocal state visits in
January and June 2023,Featuring the Egyptian President as the chief guest at
India’s 74th Republic Day parade.
South Asian Association for regional cooperation (SAARC)and

BIMSTEC
y India is a founding member of SAARC. Activities under Sir compliment
India’s ‘neighborhood first’ and ‘act east ‘policies.
y Bay of Bengal initiative for multi sectoral technical and economic cooperation
(BIMSTEC ) is a unique regional organization connecting South Asia with
Southeast Asia while focusing on India’s core concerns in the region,fulfilling
India’s key foreign policy priorities of neighborhood first policy and ‘Act
Self Note
East’.
Indian Ocean region(IOR)

y India’s relation with island countries in western Indian Ocean deepened in
2023. India continued its developmental assistance and capacity building
support to IOR .
y India is a founding member of Indian Ocean rim Association(IORA).
y IORA Is the largest organization in the Indian Ocean region with 23 numbers
and 10 dialogue Partners.
y India is strongly committed to strengthening IORA, In order to promote
peace, security and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.
y India is carrying out developmental projects in Mauritius and Seychelles .
Seychelles is a key Strategic partner for India in the Indian Ocean region.
y The main areas of cooperation between two countries are development
partnership, difference population, capacity building ,scholarship
programmes and diaspora engagement.
Southeast Asia and Indo Pacific

y India’s engagement with Southeast Asian countries and Oceania takes place
and the framework of the Act East policy.
y Key elements of the policy continue to gain momentum with growing

Self Note
economic cooperation, cultural ties and development of strategic relationships
with the countries in the region through continuous engagement at bilateral,
regional and multilateral levels.
y India seeks to increase multifaceted engagement with regional countries to
foster security and growth for all in the region(SAGAR).
y Recently, India intensified its collaboration with various passive frameworks
such as ASEAN, East Asia Summit and IORA .
East Asia
China
y India’s engagement with China is complex. The issues between two countries
still pending are final settlement of boundary questions, maintenance of peace
and tranquility in the border areas.
y Since April-May 2020, China’s unilateral attempts to change the status quo
along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector have disrupted
peace and tranquility, impacting the bilateral relationship.
y The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a long-term infrastructure and economic
integration program along the historic Silk Road route, launched by China in
2013.
Q. ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ is sometimes mentioned in the news in the

context of the affairs of: (UPSC CSE 2016)
(a) African Union
(b) Brazil
(c) European Union
(d) China
Answer: (d)
Republic of Korea (ROK)

y India Republic of Korea , as special strategic partners continued to have high-
level engagements in 2023.
y Indian PM and Republic of Korea President met twice notably at the G20
summit in New Delhi.
y Republic of Korea companies are expanding their manufacturing footprint
in India and they have shown keen interest in investing in areas of trade and
investments,science and technology, education, energy.
Eurasia
y India hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in July 2023.
The bilateral relations with Eurasian countries are reinforced by intensive
engagements under the multilateral forums such as the United Nations,
BRICKS ,SCO, G20 and CICA .
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Self Note

y It is an intergovernmental political, economic, and security alliance founded
in 2001 by Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
The first summit was held in Shanghai, China, in 2001.
y At a historic summit in Astana, Kazakhstan (2017) , India and Pakistan
became full-fledged members of SCO.
y India’s decision to become a full member of the SCO is in line with its current
policy of multi-alignment and maintaining its strategic autonomy.
y Headquarters- Beijing(China)
y Since its inception, the SCO has mainly focused on
o Regional security issues
o Regional terrorism
o Ethnic separatism
o Religious extremism
o Regional development
y Member Countries- 9 members- Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia,
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, and Iran (latest member).
Q. Consider the following : (UPSC CSE 2022)

1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
2. Missile Technology Control Regime
3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
India is a member of which of the above?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
The Americas
Canada
y India and Canada share a strategic partnership underpinned by growing
economic ties and strong people to people linkages.
y The Prime Minister met his Canadian counterpart on the sidelines of the G20
summit in September 2023 in Delhi.
Latin America and Caribbean(LAC)

y LAC Region remained an important area of focus for India’s foreign policy.
y In 2023, India ranked its diplomatic and economic engagement with the Latin
American and Caribbean region.

y The Indian PM held a bilateral meeting with the President of Brazil on the
Self Note
sidelines of the G20 summit External affairs Minister the bilateral meetings
with foreign ministers of Panama, El Salvador, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and
Honduras.
United Nations and International Organizations

y At the United nation General assembly, India showed its support for United
nation Security council reforms and advocated for multilateralism.
y The Indian Prime Minister and the UN Secretary General launched Mission
LiFE (lifestyle for environment )in October 2022. It was endorsed by over a
hundred countries and supported by a wide range of stakeholders including
businessmen, civil society organizations etc.
y India has been removed from the United nation Secretary General’s 2023
report on Children and Armed Conflict after 12 years.
Q. With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the

following statements : (UPSC CSE 2022)
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-
member States.
2. Inter-governmental organizations can seek observer status in the UN
General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain
missions at the UN headquarters.
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
Answer: (d)
India and peacekeeping

y India continued to be the largest cumulative contributor of United Nations
peacekeeping troops having provided approximately 2,75,000 troops
peacekeeping missions so far.
Climate change
y India has actively contributed to the global fight against climate change and
its impacts.
y India consistently made ambitious commitments under UNFCCC Framework
lead and example bit ambitious domestic actions to meet its climate change
commitments.
y Indian enhanced its nationally determined contributions in August 20 22 and
submitted long-term lower mission development strategy for a net zero by

2070 to UNFCCC in 2022.

Self Note
y The Indian Prime Minister along with leaders of Singapore, Bangladesh,
Italy, USA, Brazil, Argentina,Mauritius and UAE, launched the global
biofuel alliance in September 2023, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in
Delhi.
Counter terrorism
y As one of the founding members of conference on interaction and confidence
building measures in Asia (CICA), India has been a supporter of CICA’s
initiatives.
y During the G20 presidency high priority was given to the subject of
counterterrorism.
y In March 2023 during the G20 foreign ministers meeting, India was
successful in controlling a separate section on counterterrorism in the
outcome document.
Disarmament and international security affairs

y India participated actively in disarmament, non-proliferation and
international security, taking into account its national security interest and
priorities.
y In January 2023, India’s young for a period of one year, the plenary
chairmanship of the Wassenaar Arrangement , which is a multilateral export
control regime for conventional arms and dual use goods and technologies.
Development partnership
y Partnering countries to help restore heritage monuments with the help of the
Ministry of culture, is a unique initiative of India’s international development
partnership. India was the first country to respond to calls for restoration of
the Angkor Wat.
Diplomacy for development

y India’s approach to foreign relations aligns with its domestic renewal vision of
achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047, emphasizing human-centric development as
a key element in its diplomatic strategy.
Overseas Indian affairs

y The Indian Diaspora has expanded vertically and horizontally across the
world, and engagement with the Indian diaspora remains a central priority to
leverage our interests abroad.
Safe and legal migration

y To promote awareness on safe and legal migration for the impetus on visibility
of ministries unique campaign on ‘Surakshit Jayen Prashikshit Jayen’ ( Go
Safe, Go Trained).
Self Note
y The e-Migrate system, MADAD portal, Indian Community Welfare Fund,
Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana, and Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras
helpline are key mechanisms to swiftly aid Indian migrants abroad.
Consular,passport and visa services

y In 2023, eSEWA digital portal to render miscellaneous consular services
by Indian missions through an online perform by missions become fully
operational.
y In 2015, the Ministry of external affairs launched an online consular
assistance management system(MADAD) with an aim to give a digital
platform to understand what are the blue answers with a view to make the
entire process quick and transparent.
India’s flagship international conferences

The Ministry of external affairs posted several international conferences both
in India and abroad in partnership with prominent think tanks and academic
institutions,Such as Raisina dialogue, global technology Summit, Asian economy
dialogue and the Indian Ocean conference.
India’s Flagship
International Brief descriptions
Conferences
y The Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship conference

on geopolitics and geo-economics, committed to
addressing the most challenging issues facing the
international community.
y Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated
the Dialogue on 21 February 2024
y Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic (Greece),
1.Raisina
H.E. Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, joined the inaugural
Dialogue,2024
session as the Chief Guest, and delivered the
keynote address.
y The theme of the 2024 edition is “Chaturanga
Conflict, Contest, Cooperate, Create”.
y Delhi-based think tank Observer Research
Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of
External Affairs, hosts the conference.

y The Global Technology Summit (GTS) is India’s Self Note

flagship event on geo-technology, co-hosted by
the Policy Planning & Research Division of the
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
and Carnegie India.
y The 8th edition of the GTS will be held from 04-
2.Global 06 December 2023 in New Delhi. The theme for
Technology this year’s Summit is “Geopolitics of Technology.”
Summit ,2023 y GTS-2023 had discussed the vital questions
related to technology, its impact on geopolitics and
policy issues related to new, critical and emerging
technologies, digital public infrastructure, export
controls, data protection, as well as cross-cutting
policy issues related to innovation and national
security.
y The Asian Economic Dialogue is an annual geo-

economics conference that will feature 46 speakers
from 11 countries participating in 12 sessions over
three days.
y The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Pune
3.Asian Economic International Centre are jointly hosting the event.
Dialogue
y The theme of the 8th Asia Economic Dialogue
(AED) 2024 is “Geo-economic Challenges in an
Era of Flux”.
y The conference will be held in Pune from February
29 to March 2, 2024.
y The Indian Ocean Conference is a flagship

consultative forum for countries in the Indian
Ocean Region, organized annually by the Ministry
of External Affairs, in association with the India
Foundation.
y The 7th edition of the Indian Ocean Conference
4.Indian Ocean
was held in Perth, Australia on 9-10 February,
conference
2024 in association with the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade, Government of Australia, along
with S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies,
Singapore and Perth-US Asia Centre in Australia.
y The theme of this edition of the conference is
“Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean”.

7 Basic Economic Data

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation came into existence as an Independent Ministry in
1999 after the merger of the Department of Statistics and the Department of Programme Implementation. The
Ministry has two wings, the National Statistics Office (NSO) and the Programme Implementation Wing.
National Statistical Commission

y It was established in 2005 based on the Rangarajan Commission’s review of the Indian Statistical system in
2001.
y The Commission includes one part-time Chairperson and four part-time members, each expert in distinct
statistical areas.
y The Chief Statistician of India serves as both the Secretary to the Commission and the Secretary to the
Government of India in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
Central Statistical Office (CSO)

y It is an attached office of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
y Its activities include compilation of National accounts, Index of Industrial Production, Consumer Price Indices,
Human Development Statistics etc.
Index of Industrial Production (IIP)

y It is an index that indicates the performance of various industrial sectors of the Indian economy. It is calculated
and published by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) every month.
y The industry groups that it measures are classified under Broad sectors like manufacturing, mining, and
electricity and Use-based sectors like capital goods, basic goods, intermediate goods, infrastructure goods,
consumer durables, and consumer non-durables.
y The current base year for the IIP series in India is 2011-12.

Core Industries
Self Note
y The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 % of the weight of items included
in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
y They include Cement, Coal, Crude Oil, Electricity, Fertilizers, Natural Gas,
Refinery Products and Steel.
y The weightage of the sectors may vary over time. Highest weightage is
currently possessed by the Refinery Products Industry (28.04 %).
Q. In the ‘Index of Eight Core Industries’, which one of the following is

given the highest weight?(UPSC CSE 2015)
(a) Coal production
(b) Electricity generation
(c) Fertilizer production
(d) Steel production
Answer: (b)
National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)

y It is responsible for conducting large scale surveys of all-India basis. It collects
data on rural and urban prices and functions with requisite autonomy in data
collection.
y It works under the guidance and supervision of the National Statistical
Commission.
Price Statistics
y NSO compiles the Consumer Price Index (CPI) separately for Rural, Urban
and combined sectors on a monthly basis. The base year was revised from
2010 to 2012.
y The weightage of items in CPI is based on average household expenditure
taken from consumer expenditure surveys.
y Inflation rates are based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) which is
released by the Office of Economic Advisor under the Ministry of Commerce
and Industry.
y The weightage of food in CPI is far higher (approx. 46%) than in WPI (approx.
24%).
y A significant proportion of the WPI items basket represents manufacturing
inputs and intermediate goods like minerals, basic metals, machinery, etc.
y CPI captures the changes in price levels of both goods and services. However,
WPI only captures changes in goods and not in services.
y In April 2014, the RBI adopted the CPI or retail inflation as a key measure of
inflation to set the monetary and credit policy

Q. Consider the following statements : (UPSC CSE 2020) Self Note

1. The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than
that in Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
2. The WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which
CPI does.
3. The Reserve Bank of India has now adopted WPI as its key measure of
inflation and to decide on changing the key policy rates.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Statistics Day
y It is observed every year on 29th June to commemorate the contributions
made by Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in the field of Economic
Planning and Statistical Development.
Project Monitoring Group

y It was initially set up as a Special Cell in Cabinet Secretariat to remove
bottlenecks in Infrastructure Projects and accelerate their execution.
y It came under the administrative control of the PMO in 2015. Since 2019, it
has been merged with DPIIT.
Monitoring of Environment
y The Social Statistics Division collates and compiles information related to
different aspects of the environment and challenges to its sustainability.
Sustainable Development Goals

y UNGA in its 70th Session adopted a Document titled “Transforming our
World- The 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development” consisting of 17
SDGs and associated 169 targets which are universal, interconnected and
comprehensive. Niti Aayog is the Nodal Institution to coordinate all SDG
efforts.

Self Note
MPLADS scheme
y It was launched in 1993 as a Central Sector scheme fully funded by the central
government. Its objective is to enable Members of Parliament to recommend
works of development nature with emphasis on the creation of durable
community assets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc based
on locally felt needs.
Salient Features of MPLADS

y Annual entitlement per MP/constituency is Rs 5 crore.
y Responsibility of the District Authority to sanction, execute and complete the
recommended works within the stipulated time period.
y MP’s can also recommend works for calamities affected areas and provide
assistance to differently-abled persons.
y MPs are to recommend every year, works costing at least 15 percent of the
MPLADS entitlement for the year for areas inhabited by SC population and
7.5 percent for areas inhabited by ST population.
y Funds released to the District Authority by the Government of India are non-
lapsable. Funds left in the district can be carried forward for utilization in the
subsequent years.
y The District Authority would be responsible for overall coordination and
supervision of the works under the scheme at the district level and inspect at
least 10% of the works under implementation every year.
Recent Changes
y A new web-solution has been launched to implement the revised fund flow
procedure.

y The entire process of fund flow now operates on an IT platform through the
Self Note
Web Solution, which allows all the stakeholders to monitor in real time the
status of funds and works.
Q. With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area

Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements are
correct? (UPSC CSE 2020)
1. MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical
infrastructure for health, education, etc.
2. A specified portion of each MP’s fund must benefit SC/ST populations.
3. MPLADS funds are sanctioned on yearly basis and the unused funds
cannot be carried forward to the next year.
4. The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under
implementation every year.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 4 only
Answer: (d)

8 Finance
The Ministry of Finance is concerned with all economic and financial matters that include mobilization of resources
for development and other purposes. It also deals with taxation, financial legislation, Capital Markets, Center-State
Finances and the Union Budget. Its various departments include Department of Economic Affairs, Department
of Expenditure, Department of Financial Services, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management and
Department of Revenue.
Department of Economic Affairs

y It is the nodal agency to formulate and monitor economic policies.
y It also prepares the Union Budget. It formulates macroeconomic policies relating to Fiscal Policy, Public
Finance and Public Debt Management.
Annual Financial Statement

y Commonly referred to as the Budget, this financial statement is presented in Parliament by the Finance Minister
under Article 112.
y It details the government’s receipts and expenditures across the Consolidated Fund, Contingency Fund, and
Public Account.
y Alongside the Budget, the Finance Minister submits additional documents, including the Macro Economic
Framework Statement, as required by the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act of 2003.
y While the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) can discuss the Budget, it cannot vote on the Demands for Grants
and can only propose amendments to a money bill, which the Lok Sabha (House of the People) may accept or
reject.

The Rajya Sabha has no power either to reject or to amend a Money Bill
The Rajya Sabha cannot vote on the Demands for Grants.
The Rajya Sabha cannot discuss the Annual Financial Statement.
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Demand for Grants

y Estimates of Expenditure from Consolidated Fund of India are required to be voted by Lok Sabha under Article
113.
y In regard to union Territories without legislature, a separate demand is presented for each of the union
territories.

Finance Bill
Self Note
y A Finance Bill, classified as a Money Bill under Article 110 of the Constitution
y It outlines the government’s tax proposals including new levies, alterations to
existing taxes, or the extension of current taxes as approved by Parliament.
y It forms a part of the Budget, introduced under Article 112, and can only be
presented in the Lok Sabha. While the Rajya Sabha may suggest amendments,
it cannot reject the bill.
y Parliament must pass the bill within 75 days of its introduction, and no
joint session of the two houses is permitted for a Finance Bill, as stipulated
by Article 108.
Q. With reference to Finance Bill and Money Bill in the Indian Parliament,
consider the following statements (UPSC CSE 2023)
1. When the Lok Sabha transmits the Finance Bill to the Rajya Sabha, it
can amend or reject the Bill.
2. When the Lok Sabha transmits the Money Bill to the Rajya Sabha, it
cannot amend or reject the Bill, it can only make recommendations.
3. In the case of disagreement between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya
Sabha, there is no joint sitting for Money Bill, but a joint sitting
becomes necessary for the Finance Bill.
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (a)
Appropriation Bill
y After the demands for grants are voted upon, Expenditures Charged on
Consolidated Fund are sought through the Appropriation Bill.
y Under Article 114(3) of the Constitution, no amount can be withdrawn from
the Consolidated Fund of India except through passing of an Appropriation
Bill.

Supplementary demands for grants

Self Note
y When the allocated budget for a specific service proves inadequate within a
financial year, or unforeseen expenses arise for a new service not included in
that year’s budget plan, a supplementary demand for grants proposal is given
before the parliament.
Public debt and other liabilities

y India’s public debt is divided into three main categories of union government
liabilities: internal debt, external debt, and other liabilities. Internal debt
primarily comprises government securities with fixed tenures and rates,
issued via auctions.
y External debt includes loans from foreign governments and international
organizations. Other liabilities consist of various interest-bearing government
obligations, such as post office savings deposits, small savings scheme
deposits, and loans obtained through post office cash certificates.
Q. Consider the following statements (UPSC CSE 2019)

(1) Most of India’s external debt is owed by governmental entities.
(2) All of India’s external debt is denominated in US dollars.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Gender and child budgeting

y Also referred to as gender-sensitive budgeting. Gender budgeting means
preparing budgets or analyzing them from a gender perspective.
y A total budget provision of Rs 88044.21 crore has been provided for 100%
women specific programs and Rs 1,35,175.54 crore for schemes where at least
30% allocation is made for women specific programs.

Welfare of SC’s and ST’s

Self Note
y From 2005 – 06, a separate statement on the schemes for the welfare
of Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes was introduced in the budget
documents.
y It shows actual expenditure of previous year, year-wise budget estimates etc.
Economic growth
y As per the provisional estimates (PE) of national income released by the
National Statistical Office, real GDP growth for 202-23 stood at 7.2%,
higher than the 7% GDP growth projected growth based on second advance
estimates.
y The real GDP growth for 2022 23 is higher compared to the growth projections
by various international agencies reflecting the strong resilience of the Indian
economy.
Climate finance
y India has primarily funded its climate initiatives using domestic resources,
such as government budgets and various market mechanisms.
y At the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen,
developed nations pledged to jointly raise $100 billion annually by 2020 to
support climate actions.
y This commitment was extended until 2025 at the COP 21 summit in Paris.
Sovereign green bonds

y The Union Budget 2022-23 introduced the issuance of sovereign green bonds
to support India’s commitment to a low-carbon economy.
y These bonds will enable the government to attract investments for public
sector projects specifically designed to decrease carbon emissions.
Foreign exchange reserves

y India’s foreign exchange reserves stood at 578.45 billion US dollars as of
March 2023 as compared to 607.3 billion US dollars as of March 2022.
GIFT IFSC
y The Government of India operationalised India's first International Financial
Services Centre (IFSC) in the GIFT city in 2015.
y It has a natural advantage of a large hinterland economy with a huge talent
pool of skilled resources both in financial and IT sectors and over 30 million
from diaspora looking at opportunities to participate in India’s growth story.
Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Framework

y The Central Government is tasked with ensuring fiscal management that
supports inter-generational equity and long-term macroeconomic stability.

Self Note
y It must present several key documents to both houses of Parliament:
o the Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement,
o the Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement,
o the Macroeconomic Framework Statement, and
o the Medium Term Expenditure Framework Statement.
Q. Along with the Budget, the Finance Minister also places other
documents before the Parliament which include ‘The Macro Economic
Framework Statement’. The aforesaid document is presented because
this is mandated by (UPSC CSE 2020)
(a) Long standing parliamentary convention
(b) Article 112 and Article 110(1) of the Constitution of India
(c) Article 113 of the Constitution of India
(d) Provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act,
2003
Answer: (d)
Financial Stability and Development Council

y Established in 2010, the Financial Stability and Development Council
(FSDC) operates under the Ministry of Finance to fortify financial stability
and promote sectoral development.
y This non-statutory apex body is chaired by the Finance Minister and comprises
the leaders of major financial regulators (RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, IRDA), alongside
the Finance Secretary, Secretaries of the Departments of Economic Affairs
and Financial Services, and the Chief Economic Adviser. The FSDC aims to
solidify financial frameworks, enhance regulator coordination, and oversee
the macroprudential surveillance of the economy, ensuring robust oversight
of key financial conglomerates.
Q. With reference to ‘Financial Stability and Development Council’,

consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2016)
1. It is an organ of NITI Aayog.
2. It is headed by the Union Finance Minister.
3. It monitors macroprudential supervision of the economy.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)

Computer Security Incident Response Team- Finance Sector (CSIRT-

Self Note
Fin)
y It was established with intent to fortify the financial sector’s cyber security
landscape and enhance the robustness of cyber security measures.
Infrastructure finance secretariat

y The DEA has set up the Infrastructure Finance Secretariat to align policies
and initiatives for financing and developing infrastructure.
y The primary objectives of the IFSC include mobilizing private investment,
advancing infrastructure financial reforms, and bridging gaps between
implementing agencies through targeted capacity building.
Public Private Partnership

y In India, Private participation in Infrastructure programs embraces various
models like Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM)
and Toll-Operate-Transfer etc.
National Monetisation Pipeline

y It aims to unlock capital from various sectors, tapping private sector
investment for new infrastructure.
y The estimated aggregate monetisation potential under NMP is Rs 6 Lakh
Crore over a four-year period from FY20-25.
National infrastructure pipeline

y It was initiated by the government with a forward looking approach, projecting
an investment of around Rs 111 lakh crore from financial year 2020–25.
y Aimed at sustaining economic growth and achieving broader social objectives,
the NIP encompasses 8,964 projects with a total investment exceeding Rs 108
lakh crore.

National logistics policy

Self Note
y It AIIMS to reduce India’s logistics costs, currently at 14 to 18% of GDP,
against the global benchmark of 8%.
y It’s aim is to integrate existing government initiatives like UDAN, Bharatmala,
and others and create a comprehensive framework for the logistics sector.
PM Gati Shakti
y It is a national master plan aimed at integrated infrastructure project
planning.
y It creates a comprehensive database in compassing various ministries and
departments for real time planning and implementation.
y The goal is to emphasize connectivity, logistics efficiency and minimize
disruptions in project completion.
Infrastructure Investment Trust/ Real Estate Investment Trusts

y The Government of India introduced InvITs and REITs as financial vehicles
to fund infrastructure projects. Both are established as trusts under the
Indian Trusts Act, 1882, and are regulated by SEBI, following the SEBI
(Infrastructure Investment Trust) Guidelines, 2014 for InvITs.
y Like InvITs, REITs are business trusts regulated by SEBI.
y The interest income InvITs receive from their Special Purpose Vehicles
(SPVs) and distribute to unitholders is subject to taxation.
y Additionally, dividends paid by InvITs are also taxed according to the
recipient’s income tax slab. Moreover, InvITs are classified as borrowers under
the SARFAESI Act, 2002.

Statement-I Interest income from the deposits in Infrastructure
Investment Trusts (InvITs) distributed to their investors is exempted
from tax, but the dividend is taxable.
Statement-II InvITs are recognized as borrowers under the ‘Securitization
and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security
Interest Act, 2002’.
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is
the 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
Answer: (d)

National Investment and Infrastructure Fund

Self Note
y It is a collaborative investment platform for International and Indian
investors, anchored by the Government of India, which manages funds with
investments in different asset classes and diversified sectors that generate
attractive risk-attached returns.
y It has its own governing council chaired by the Finance Minister of India.
NIIF has a planned corpus of Rs. 40,000 Crore.
Q. With reference to ‘National Investment and Infrastructure Fund’, which

of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC CSE 2017)
1. It is an organ of NITI Aayog.
2. It has a corpus of Rs 4,00,000 crore at present.
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
Answer: (d)
Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited

y It is the only PSU under the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA).
y It was incorporated in 2006 under Companies Act, 1956.
y It is engaged in manufacturing of security paper, minting of coins, printing of
currency and banknotes, postage stamps etc.
Department of Revenue
y It exercises control in respect of revenue matters relating to Direct and
Indirect Union Taxes.

y It is also entrusted with the administration and enforcement of regulatory

Self Note
measures provided in the enactments concerning Central Sales Tax, Stamp
duties etc.
Central Board of Direct Taxes

y It is the apex body entrusted with the responsibility of administering direct
tax laws in India.
y It is the cadre controlling authority for the Income Tax Department.
Major Citizen Friendly Initiatives

e-Verification Scheme
y It encourages voluntary tax compliance and facilitates a transparent and non-
intrusive tax administration.
y The scheme has a mismatch reconciliation process, where the mismatches
detected are communicated to the taxpayer for reconciliation and the
taxpayer can make reconciliation by filing an updated return and also can
make payment of any underpayment of tax.
Aadhaar Linking
y Provisions for Quoting Aadhaar Number in PAN application and ITR have
been made mandatory under Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act.
y Deadline to link PAN with Aadhaar ended in June 2023.
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs

y It deals with formulation of policy concerning the levy and collection of
Customs, Central Excise Duties etc.
Goods and Services Tax

y It was implemented in the country in 2017, leading to the subsuming of
various central indirect taxes and levies.
y GST has replaced the complex indirect tax structure with a simple,
transparent and technology-driven tax regime and thus integrated India into
a single common market.

Self Note
Directorate of Enforcement
y It implements the provisions of FEMA which provides for measures to
deter the fugitive economic offenders from evading the process of law in the
country by staying outside the jurisdiction of Indian Courts.
Financial Intelligence Unit- India

y It is the central national agency for receiving, processing, analyzing and
disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions.
Central Bureau of Narcotics

y Its functions include survey, detection and eradication of illicit Opium Poppy
and suppress trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
Reserve Bank of India

y It commenced its operations on April 1, 1935 in accordance with RBI Act,
1934.
y It controls the country’s monetary policy and is the custodian of forex
reserves.
y The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central
Government. He draws his power from the RBI Act.

Q. Consider the following statements (UPSC CSE 2021) Self Note

1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the
Central Government.
2. Certain provisions in the Constitution of India give the Central
Government the right to issue directions to the RBI in the public
interest.
3. The Governor of the RBI draws his power from the RBI Act.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer:( c)
Digital Banking Initiatives

Digital Banking Units
y These were announced in Union Budget 2022-23 with an objective to ensure
benefits of Digital Banking reached every corner of the country.
y 75 DBU’s in 75 Districts had been dedicated to commemorate Azadi ka Amrit
Mahotsav.
e-DRT Project
y It aims to digitize the functioning of all 39 Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs). It
has automated the Full cycle of workflow of DRTs to bring efficiency.
Enhanced Access and Service Excellence (EASE) Reforms

y This initiative envisages a comprehensive initiative for restructuring of the
PSB’s through risk assessment, NPA management, financial inclusion and
good governance.
Rural Banking
Regional Rural Banks
y They aim to create an alternative channel to the cooperative credit structure
and ensure sufficient institutional credit for the rural and agricultural sector.

y They are jointly owned by the government of India, concerned state

Self Note
government and sponsor banks with the issued capital share in the proportion
of 50%, 15% and 35% respectively.
NABARD
y It regulates credit and provides support for the development of agriculture,
small scale industries, rural craft and allied economic activities.
y NABARD offers loans to state governments and entities and provides
refinance to various banking institutions.
Kisan credit card

y It is a flexible and cost effective credit delivery mechanism for farmers
providing timely support for cultivation needs.
y Banks are directed to issue KCC to eligible farmers, and the scheme has been
simplified with one time documentation, credit limit and debit card issuance.
Rural Infrastructure Development Fund

y It was instituted in NABARD during 1995-96 with an annual Corpus of Rs 2000
crore with the main objective of providing loans to the State Governments for
completing ongoing rural infrastructure projects.
Insurance Sector
Pradhan Mantri Vyay Vandana Yojana

y It is offered by the Life Insurance Corporation to provide Senior Citizens of
age 60 or more, an assured minimum pension for a term of 10 years.
Pradhan Mantri Jeewan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima
Yojana
y They were launched to widen the ambit of Insurance coverage and to provide
social security.
y PMJJBY is an Insurance scheme offering Life insurance coverage for death
due to any reason. PMSBY is an accident insurance scheme.
Atal Pension Yojana

y It was launched in 2015 to address the longevity risk among workers in the
unorganized sector. It focuses on all citizens in the unorganized sector who
joined the National Pension System.
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority

y It promotes and protects the interests of the subscribers of pension funds and
ensures security of pension assets and optimizing of returns.

Self Note
National Pension System
y The National Pension System (NPS), launched by the Central Government on
January 1, 2004, excludes the armed forces but has been adopted by various
State Governments on subsequent dates.
y It is compulsory for government recruits from its inception date and optional
for all other citizens, including non-residents.
y NPS offers a low-cost, market-driven pension scheme with a range of
investment choices.
y Any Indian citizen, resident or non-resident, aged between 18 to 60 years can
enroll.
y Once a member reaches 60, contributions to their NPS account are no longer
permitted.
Q. Who among the following can join the National Pension System (NPS)?
(UPSC CSE 2017)
(a) Resident Indian citizens only
(b) Persons of age from 21 to 55 only
(c) All State Government employees joining the services after the date of
notification by the respective State Governments
(d) All Central Governments Employees including those of Armed
Forces joining the services on or after 1st April, 2004
Answer: (c)
Department of Investment and Public Asset Management

y Established in 1999, the Department of Disinvestment, later renamed the
Ministry of Disinvestments in 2001, has operated under the Ministry of
Finance since 2004.
y Renamed as DIPAM in 2016, it oversees the management of Central
Government equity investments, disinvestment recommendations,
independent external disinvestment monitoring, and the financial policies
governing the use of disinvestment proceeds.
New Public Sector Enterprise Policy

y It was approved for Atmanirbhar Bharat in 2021 with a view to unlock
economic potential of PSEs.
y The New PSE Policy delineates 4 strategic sectors based on the criteria of
National security, Energy security, Critical Infrastructure, Financial Services
etc.
y All PSE’s in non-strategic sectors shall be considered for privatization.

Bharat Bond
Self Note
y Bharat bond ETFs are a kind of debt fund that invests in bonds issued by
India’s leading PSUs.
y As is the nature of an ETF, it replicates an underlying index.
y It was launched in December 2019 and is a first instrument of its kind based
on high quality public sector bonds.
y So far, 4 tranches have been launched and more than 32000 crore realized.
y All these tranches received a huge response from all sections of Investors,
particularly Retail Investors.
Department of Expenditure
y It is the Nodal department for overseeing the Public Financial Management
System.
y It implements the recommendations of the Finance Commission and
Central Pay Commission, monitors audit comments and prepares Central
Government Accounts.
Public Finance Management System

y It is a web based Online Software Application designed, developed and
implemented by Comptroller General of Accounts (CGA) to provide a sound
Public Financial Management System by establishing a Comprehensive
Payment and Accounting Network.
SNA Model for Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS)

y It aims to streamline fund allocation and prevent unaccounted float outside
the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI).
y Under this, each CSS is now implemented by a Single Nodal Agency which
would significantly reduce the number of accounts in commercial banks.
CNA Model for Central Sector Schemes

y It aims to minimize unaccounted float outside the Consolidated Fund of India
and enhance fund flow oversight for Central Sector Schemes.

Self Note
Comptroller General of Accounts (CGA)

y He is the Principal Accounting Advisor to the government and is responsible
for maintaining a Sound Management Accounting System.
International Interface of India
G20
y It was formed in 1999 as a forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank
Governors.
y It was later elevated to a forum of 19 Economically Important Countries and
the EU in the wake of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.
y It discusses issues through the Finance track and the Sherpa Track.
y India took over its Presidency for the year 2023 with the theme Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam or “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.
y In the recent summit, India pitched its digital infrastructure at G20 as an
open-access platform that can aid in improving development outcomes.
Q. Consider the following statements about G-20: (UPSC CSE 2023)

1. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for
the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss
International economic and financial issues.
2. Digital public infrastructure is one of India’s G-20 priorities.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)

BRICS
Self Note
y The partners in Brics form 5 key pillars of South-South Cooperation and are
representative voices of emerging markets.
y In the 2014 Fortaleza Summit, they collectively established the New
Development Bank for resource mobilization.
y Recently, the Group extended its membership to Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi
Arabia and UAE.
Q. The ‘Fortaleza Declaration’, recently in the news, is related to the affairs

of: (UPSC CSE 2015)
(a) ASEAN
(b) BRICS
(c) OECD
(d) WTO
Answer: (b)
SAARC
y It came into existence in 1985 and works for promotion of Economic, Social,
Cultural, Technical cooperation in South Asia.
y Recently, framework on Currency Swap Arrangement was formulated to
provide a Line of Funding to its members
SAARC Development Fund (SDF)

y SDF was established in 2008 by the SAARC member countries to improve the
livelihood of the people and to accelerate economic growth, social progress
and poverty alleviation in the region.
y It aims to contribute to regional cooperation and integration through project
collaboration and serves as an umbrella financial institution for all SAARC
projects and programmes.
International Investment Treaties and Frameworks (IITF)

y India began negotiating Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) and Bilateral
Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements with various countries as
a key element of its comprehensive economic reforms launched in 1991.
y A BIT is an international treaty designed to enhance investor confidence
by guaranteeing minimum standards of treatment and non-discrimination,
along with providing access to independent arbitration for dispute resolution.
International Monetary Fund

y India is a founder member of the IMF which was established to promote a
cooperative and stable global monetary framework.
y At present, 188 nations are members of the IMF.

y Reports published by the IMF include World Economic Outlook, Global

Self Note
Financial Stability Report, Fiscal Monitor etc.
Q. Global Financial Stability Report is prepared by: (UPSC CSE 2016)

(a) World Economic Forum
(b) International Monetary Fund
(c) World Bank
(d) European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Answer: (b)
World Bank
y India is a founding member of the International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (IBRD) which along with International Development
Association (IDA) is referred to as the World Bank. IBRD has 189 members.
y It provides loans, guarantees, risk management products and advisory
services to middle income and credit worthy low income countries.
y IDA has 173 members and helps the world’s poorest countries with loans and
grants for programs that boost economic growth and reduce inequalities.

9 Corporate Affairs
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is primarily concerned with the administration of The Companies Act 2013,
The Companies Act of 1956 and the limited liability partnership Act 2008. It is also entrusted with the work of
administration of insolvency and bankruptcy code 2016. To prevent the activities related to competition and its
adverse effects it is also responsible for administering the Competition Act of 2002.
Administrative structure
y The Ministry has three tear organization structures with the headquarters at New Delhi and many offices at
Ahmedabad, Chennai ,Hyderabad ,Kolkata, Mumbai and Shillong.
y The official liquidators function under the overall administrative control of the Ministry and are attached to
the corresponding High court. They are responsible for implementing court orders regarding liquidation and
final dissolution of the companies.
Major Initiatives
y Section 233 of the Companies Act 2013, amended by the Companies (Compromises, Arrangements and
Amalgamations) Amendment Rules 2023, introduces a Fastrack process for specific mergers and amalgamations
involving startup companies, small companies, and holding-subsidiary arrangements. If objections aren’t
raised within 30 days, the Central Government can issue a confirmation order within 15 days thereafter.
y Central Registration CentreThe project to transform the processing of a company into a corporation was
undertaken. The applications for name reservation and incorporation of a company that could be processed
and completed within D+1 Days ( D: Date of Payment Confirmation).
Ease of Doing Business

y The Ministry of corporate Affairs has notified and deployed a new web form called SPICePlus replacing and
upgrading the existing SPICe form. It would offer 11 services by 3 Central Ministries and Department.
y The ‘Ease of Doing Business Index’ is published by the World Bank every year.
The index has been created to evaluate the impact of the economic policies or
reforms implemented by the government in the respective countries to promote
and make it easier to do business.
y After evaluating the performance of countries under various parameters or
subindexes which are Starting a Business, Dealing with Construction Permits,
Getting Electricity, Registering Property, Getting Credit, Protecting Minority
Investors, Paying Taxes, Trading across Borders, Enforcing Contracts and
Resolving Insolvency.

Q. Which one of the following is not a subindex of the World Bank’s ‘Ease Self Note
of Doing Business Index’? (UPSC CSE 2019)
(a) Maintenance of law and order
(b) Paying taxes
(c) Registering property
(d) Dealing with construction permits
Answer: (a)
Companies Act 2013

y This Act was enacted in 2013 to consolidate and amend the laws relating to
companies. It replaced the Companies Act 1956.
y It introduced many changes related to disclosure to stakeholders,
accountability of directors, auditors and key managerial personnel, investor
protection and corporate governance.
y Many statutory bodies like Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority,
National financial reporting authority and Serious Fraud Investigation Office
have been established under this act.
y In 2017 the amendments achieved harmonization with the accounting
standard, SEBI Act 1992 and the RBI Act 1934. It also carries out amendments
in the provisions relating to qualification and selection of members of NCLT.
y In 2019 the act was again amended to facilitate ease of doing business and
strengthen the corporate compliance management.
y In 2020, amendments to the Companies Act aimed at decriminalization by
reclassifying 23 of 66 compoundable offenses for in-house adjudication.
Additionally, reforms were made in corporate social responsibility and for
listed companies, including exemptions and reduced requirements.
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016

y This code was enacted with the objective of consolidating and amending laws
related to reorganization and insolvency resolution of corporate persons,
partnership firms and individuals in a time bound manner.
y It also established the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India as the
regulator and was amended recently in the year of 2021.
y The amended code also sets a shorter timeline of 120 days for completing the
resolutions related to MSME’s.
National Company Law Tribunal

y The NCLT and NCLAT were constituted on 1st June 2016. They were
constituted for faster resolution of corporate disputes and reducing the
multiplicity of agencies thereby promoting ease of doing business in the
country.
y It was replaced by erstwhile company Law board, BIFR ( The Board for
Industrial and Financial Reconstruction) and AAIFR(Appellate Authority

Self Note
for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction) . 16 benches of distribution have
been set up so far, the major one being at New Delhi.
NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal)

y Established under the Companies Act, 2013, the National Company Law
Tribunal (NCLT) is a pivotal quasi-judicial body in India’s legal framework.
y Tasked with adjudicating corporate disputes, insolvency cases, and matters
pertaining to company law, the NCLT plays a critical role in maintaining the
integrity and functionality of India’s corporate sector.
y With its jurisdiction extending to cases under the Companies Act and the
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, the NCLT serves as a forum for resolving
intricate legal issues affecting companies, creditors, and stakeholders.
NCLAT (National Company Law Appellate Tribunal)

y As the appellate authority over decisions made by the NCLT, the National
Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) ensures judicial oversight and
consistency in corporate dispute resolution.
y Empowered to hear appeals against NCLT rulings, the NCLAT provides an
avenue for aggrieved parties to seek redressal and fair treatment.
y By upholding the principles of justice and fairness, the NCLAT contributes to
the efficiency and credibility of India’s corporate legal system.
CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)

y CSR in India, mandated by the Companies Act 2013, necessitates companies
meeting financial thresholds to allocate resources for societal well-being,
spanning education, healthcare, environment, and poverty alleviation.
y By integrating sustainable practices into their operations and contributing to
the welfare of communities, Indian companies play a pivotal role in driving
positive social change and sustainable development.
y CSR was introduced in the Companies Act 2013, effective from 2014, with
Section 135 outlining its framework. Amended in 2021, it mandates the
transfer of unspent funds and deems non-compliance a civil offense.
y The ministry has also launched an e-compendium on CSR as a one stop
destination for information related to CSR to bring all existing knowledge
resources in one place.
LLP (Limited Liability Partnership)

y Introduced through the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008, the Limited
Liability Partnership (LLP) structure offers a unique blend of liability
protection and operational flexibility to businesses in India.
y LLPs provide partners with limited liability, shielding their personal
assets from business liabilities, while also allowing for simpler compliance
Self Note
requirements compared to traditional corporations.
y With its appeal to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and
professional service providers, LLPs have gained popularity as an efficient
and scalable business model in India’s ever-evolving corporate landscape.
y Limited liability partnerships shield individual partners from joint liabilities.
Partner liabilities are limited to business assets; LLPs can contract and hold
property independently.
y LLP structure and disclosure requirements facilitate increased credit access.
Amendments in 2021 reclassified certain offenses as civil defaults, altering
their punishment nature.
Competition Commision of India

y It was established in 2003 under the Competition Act of 2002 with the objective
of eliminating practices having an adverse effect on competition promoting
and sustaining competition, protecting the interest of the consumers and
ensuring freedom of trade in India.
y Some of the major amendments related to this competition act is like
reduction in time limit for review of merger and acquisitions from 210 days
to 150 days and broadening the scope of anti competitive agreements along
with the introduction of a settlement and commitment for faster market
corrections and also limiting the period of 3 years for filing informations

10 Commerce
India’s diverse economy, buoyed by startups and initiatives like Digital India and Make in India, attracts foreign
investment with policy reforms. Infrastructure projects enhance connectivity, while sustainability addresses
income inequality challenges.
Trade Performance
y India’s global trade net 1674.4 billion USD in the financial year 2022-23. India’s overall exports witnessed a
positive growth of 14.76% over the same period last year.
y The overall imports also witnessed a positive growth of 18.15% over the same last period.
Merchandise Exports
y According to WTO global trade Outlook and statistics in 2022 India ranked 18th in the leading exporter of
merchandise trade in the world with a share of 1.8 percent.
y In 2022-23 India’s merchandise exports reached a peak of 451.07 billion registering growth of 6.89%. The
major product categories are petroleum products, pearl ,precious and semi precious stones drugs, biological
components iron and steel and telecom instruments.
Merchandise Imports
y According to the WTO global trade Outlook and status into 2022 India ranks 9 in the leading importer of
merchandise trade in the world with the share of India’s merchandise input valued at 715.97 billion USD.
Services Trade
y According to the WTO Global Trade Outlook in statistics in 2022 India ranks 7th in the leading exporter of
commercial services in the world with a share of 4.4% and Rank 8 in the leading importer commercial service
in the world with a share of 4%. Over the year study surplus is being maintained in the services sector.
Trade Balance
y Taking merchandise and services together over a trade deficit was USD 121.62 billion in the financial year
2022 - 23 as compared to USD 83.53 billion during the previous financial year.
Definitions:
y Trade Balance: The trade balance, also known as the balance of trade (BOT), is the difference between
the value of a country’s exports and imports over a given period. It is the largest component of a country’s
balance of payments.
y Current Account: The current account records a nation’s transactions with the rest of the world, specifically
its net trade in goods and services, its net earnings on cross-border investments, and its net transfer
payments over a defined period, such as a year or a quarter.

Global Perspective
Self Note
y According to the IMF world economic Outlook 2023 update the global
growth is estimated to fall from 3.5% in 2022 to an estimated 3% in 2023 and
2.9% in 2024 which is well below the historical average of 3.8%.
y The advanced economies are expected to grow from 2.6% in 2022 to 1.5% in
2023 and 1.4% in 2024 as policy tightening starts to bite.
y The amazing market and developing economies are projected to grow from
4.1% in 2022 to 4% into 2023-24.
y The global inflation is forecast to decline Delhi from 8.7% in 2022 to 6.9% in
2023 and 5.8% in 2024 due to tighter monetary policy by lower International
commodity prices.
o The Reserve Bank of India, the nation’s central bank, is entrusted with
the responsibility of ensuring monetary stability and operating the
currency and credit system of the country to its advantage. One of its
chief functions is to keep a check on inflation by use of monetary policy
in the form of qualitative and quantitative measures.
o Inflation controlling by RBI in past years:

Self Note
Q. In India, which one of the following is responsible for maintaining price

stability by controlling inflation ? (UPSC CSE 2022)
(a) Department of Consumer Affairs
(b) Expenditure Management Commission
(c) Financial Stability and Development Council
(d) Reserve Bank of India
Answer: (d)
Q. Which reference to inflation in India, which of the following statements

is correct? (UPSC CSE2015)
(a) Controlling the inflation in India is the responsibility of the
Government of India only
(b) The Reserve Bank of India has no role in controlling the inflation
(c) Decreased money circulation helps in controlling the inflation
(d) Increased money circulation helps in controlling the inflation
Answer: (c)
Foreign Trade Policy

y The foreign trade policy 2023 was launched in April 2023 which lays down
a blueprint to integrate India with the global market and make it a reliable
interested partner.
y The approach of the new policy is to gradually move away from the incentive
based region and create an enabling ecosystem to support the philosophy
Atmanirbhar Bharat and Local goes Global.
y The policy also highlights the need for a collaborative partnership with state
governments to build and encourage export promotion and the district level
to awareness, capacity building and infrastructure upgradation.
y The main highlights of the new policy includes the shift from incentive to

tax remission, greater trade facilitation through Technology, E-Commerce

Self Note
exports and developing districts as export hubs.
y The policy AIIMS to take India’s goods and services export to USD to trillion
by 2030.
Atma Nirbhar Bharat

y “Self-Reliant India,” is a significant economic initiative launched by the
Government of India. Introduced in 2020 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
this visionary campaign aims to promote self-sufficiency, resilience, and
growth across various sectors of the Indian economy.
y The program seeks to reduce reliance on imports and enhance the utilization
of high-quality domestic products, fostering India’s self-reliance. It operates
on the principles of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, emphasizing the idea of a
single global family.
y The five key pillars of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan are the economy,
infrastructure, our system, demography, and demand
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)

y The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) organization is an
attached office of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and is headed by
the Director General of Foreign Trade.
y Right from its inception till 1991, when liberalization in the economic policies
of the Government took place, this organization has been essentially involved
in the regulation and promotion of foreign trade through regulation.
y Keeping in line with liberalization and globalization and the overall objective
of increasing exports, DGFT has since been assigned the role of “facilitator”.
The shift was from prohibition and control of imports/exports to promotion
and facilitation of exports/imports, keeping in view the interests of the
country.
Major Schemes for Export Promotion

y District As export hub initiative is a pioneering effort by the Government of
India to drive export promotion, manufacturing, and employment generation
at the grassroots level.
y The goal is to identify products and services with export potential in every
district across the country. In consultation with stakeholders, including
States/Union Territories (UTs), products and services (such as Geographical
Indication (GI) products, agricultural clusters, and toy clusters) have been
identified in all districts.

Self Note
y Export promotion capital good scheme which intends to facilitate import of

capital goods for producing quality goods and services and enhance India’s
manufacturing. Launched in the 1990s, the EPCG Scheme aims to enhance
India’s international manufacturing competitiveness.
o Manufacturer exporters (with or without supporting manufacturers),
merchant exporters tied to supporting manufacturers, and service
providers (including Common Service Providers) can benefit from the
scheme. Capital goods imports are allowed duty-free, subject to an export
obligation.
o Requests for export obligation extension should be made within 6
months of expiry (with a late fee thereafter). Block-wise export obligation
extensions are also streamlined.
o Second-hand capital goods can be imported without age restrictions. It
facilitates the import of capital goods (such as machinery, equipment,
and vehicles) without attracting customs duty.
y Interest equalization scheme to give benefit in the interest rate being charged
by the banks to the exporters on their pre and post shipment rupee is port
credits.
o The scheme has been extended up to March 31, 2024 or until further
review.
o The telecom instruments sector (except for MSME manufacturer
exporters) is now excluded from the scheme.
o Beneficiaries availing benefits under any Production Linked Incentive
(PLI) scheme are not eligible
y Advance authorisation scheme which allows duty free import of inputs
which are physically incorporated in an export product subject to fulfilment
of export obligation within specified time and subject to achievement
prescribed value edition.
y Special economic zones : The salient features of the SEZ Policy as per the
Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 include: SEZ is a designated duty-free

Self Note
enclave to be treated as a territory outside the customs territory of India : no
license will be required for import of inputs for operations in SEZ; no routine
examination by customs authorities of export/import cargo; etc. There were
275 operational SEZs in the country till June, 2023. Out of this, 166 are IT
ITES and the rest 109 are multi sector SEZs.
y Niryat Bandhu scheme which was started in 2013 and is being implemented
in person and online mode to get to the initial scaling needs of new individuals
or firms who planned to enter into international trade.
o Certification Course: Participants undergo a certification course that
covers the intricacies of international trade.
o Business Plan Assistance: Aspiring exporters receive guidance on
preparing a robust business plan.
o Live Sessions: The program is conducted through live online sessions,
allowing attendees to learn from the comfort of their homes.
o Technical Prerequisites: Participants need a Windows-based desktop or
laptop, reliable internet connectivity, and good-quality headphones.
y Remission of duty and taxes and trade infrastructure for export schemes
along with focus on the plantation sector. The RoDTEP Scheme, initiated
by the Government of India, aims to enhance export competitiveness by
refunding various embedded taxes and duties on exported products.
o Since its inception in January 2021, the RoDTEP Scheme has already
provided support amounting to ₹42,000 Crores to more than 10,500
export items at the 8-digit ITC HS Code level.
o Recently, the scheme was extended to additional export sectors, including
Advance Authorisation holders, Export Oriented Units (EOUs), and
Special Economic Zones (SEZ) export units.
o These sectors contribute significantly to India’s exports, constituting
approximately 25% of the total. By extending RoDTEP to these uncovered
sectors, the government aims to enhance India’s export competitiveness in

Self Note
international markets, create employment opportunities, and contribute
to overall economic growth.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export

Development Authority (APEDA)
y The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development

Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of India under the
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority
Act, 1985.
y It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Authority
has its headquarters in New Delhi.
y APEDA is mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and
development of the scheduled products viz. fruits, vegetables and their
products, meat and meat products, poultry and poultry products, dairy
products, confectionery, biscuits and bakery products, honey, jaggery and
sugar products, cocoa and its products, chocolates of all kinds, alcoholic and
non-alcoholic beverages, cereal and cereal products, groundnuts, peanuts and
walnuts, pickles, papads and chutneys, guar gum, floriculture and floriculture
products, herbal and medicinal plants.
y APEDA has been entrusted with the responsibility to monitor import of sugar.
Q. With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following

statements: (UPSC CSE 2018)
1. ‘The National Programme for Organic Production’ (NPOP) is
operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry
of Rural Development.
2. ‘The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development
Authority (APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the
implementation of NPOP.
3. Sikkim has become India’s first fully organic State.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Marine Products Export Development Authority

y It is a statutory body entrusted with the primary task of promotion of export
of marine products.
y It was set up by an act of Parliament during 1972.

y It is mandated to develop a conducive ecosystem for marine products and

Self Note
their export from India.
Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Scheme:

y The initiative was launched in August 2016, by the Ministry of Commerce
and Industry, Government of India.
y Its mission is to democratize access to procurement markets, utilize taxpayers
money judiciously and promote a corruption free governance.

11 Industry
Department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) was established in 1995 and was reconstituted
in 2000 with the merger of Department of Industrial Development. The mandate for integrated development of
the logistics sector, e-commerce, internal trade, welfare of traders and their employees and start-up are the part
of DPIIT. The DPIIT Department handles matters related to PM Gati Shakti Master Plan to integrate all the
multimodal connectivity projects.
PM Gatishakti National Master Plan

y PM GatiShakti launched in 2021 as a response to improve logistics efficiency, reduce logistics cost, break inter
departmental silos which rests on the premise of a “whole of government approach”.
y PM GatiShakti has broadly two components:
o The development of GIS based technology platform called National Master Plan
o The administrative arrangement to integrate efforts of various line ministries/departments for development
of multi modal infrastructure
Institutional Framework
y An Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGo5) under the Cabinet Secretary has been constituted to oversee the
implementation of PM GatiShakti.
y An integrated Multimodal Network Planning Group (NPG) has been operationalized with representation
from various connectivity infrastructure ministries/departments.
y To implement PM GatiShakti at federal level, each state has replicated the institutional mechanism of the
programme.
National Master Plan

y National Master Plan (NMP) portal contains details of existing infrastructure, logistics facilities, planned/
proposed projects and identifies critical infrastructure gaps.
National Logistics Policy

y The National Logistics Policy complements the PM Gatishakti National Master Plan.
y Launched in September, 2022 National Logistics Policy complements the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan,
the Policy is envisaged to bring efficiency in logistics services, and human resources through streamlining
processes, regulatory framework, skill development.
y Objective: To develop a technologically enabled, integrated, cost-efficient, resilient, sustainable and trusted
logistics ecosystem for accelerated and inclusive growth.
Logistics Ease
y Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) was conceptualized in 2018 to assess logistics efficiency across
states / UTs.

y Major objectives:
Self Note
o To rank states / UTs based on.
o Logistics ecosystem performance.
o Facilitate stakeholder interactions.
o Plan on action points.
y The index consists of three major indicators ; infrastructure, services and
regulatory environment for the assessment of the state logistics ecosystem.
Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP)

y ULIP is an initiative that aims to bring ease of doing business in the logistics
sector by simplifying the logistics processes, improving efficiency,reducing
logistics cost and time.
y The ULIP platform will enable the industry players to get secure access to
the information related to logistics and resources available with various
ministries.
Foreign Direct Investment Policy

y DPIIT is the nodal department for formulation of the policy on Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI). It is also responsible for maintenance and management of
data on inward FDI into India.
y The Department is a single point interface of the government to facilitate
investors for FDI through approval routes.
y With a view to attract higher levels of FDI, up to 100 per cent FDI is permitted
under the automatic route in most sectors/activities.
y Since August 2022, FIF Portal has been integrated with the National single
window system and FDI proposals requiring government approval are filed
through NSWS portal.
Make in India(MII)
y MII Launched in 2014 to facilitate investment, foster innovation, build best
in class infrastructure, and make India a hub for manufacturing, design, and
innovation.
y It is one of the unique ‘Vocal for Local’ initiatives that promoted India’s
manufacturing domain to the world. “Make in India” presently focuses on
27 sectors under Make in India 2.0.
Invest India
y Invest India was Set up as a joint venture (not for profit) company between
the erstwhile Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, now DPIIT.
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI),CII,
NASSCOM and various state governments.

y Invest India is the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency

Self Note
and acts as the first point of reference for investors. It is transforming the
country’s investment climate by simplifying the business environment for
investors.
y This venture provides multiple forms of support such as market entry
strategies, partner search and location assessment policy advocacy with
decision makers.
One District One Product(ODOP)

y The central government initiated the ODOP in different states /UTs of the
country.
y Motto: to convert each district into a manufacturing and Export Hub by
identifying products with export potential in the district.
y ODOP is taking us to the goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat by realizing the true
potential of a district, fueling economic growth, generating employment and
rural entrepreneurship.
y ODOP initiative is operationally merged with ‘Districts as Export Hub (DEH)’
initiative of the DGFT,Department of Commerce, with the Department for
Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as a major stakeholder.
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme

y Keeping in view India’s vision of becoming “Atmanirbhar”, PLI scheme
for 14 key sectors were announced with an outlay of Rs.1.97 lakh crores t o
enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities and export.
y PLI scheme Major Objectives: attract investment in sectors of core
competency and cutting edge technology; make Indian companies globally
competitive , integrate global value chains.
Indian Industrial Land Bank

y The department has developed a national level land bank by integrating State
industrial GIS systems with India industrial land bank.
y It provides a GIS enabled database of industrial areas including clusters,
parks, nodes,zones across the country.
Industrial Park Rating System

y It is an exercise which recognises best performing parks, identifying
interventions and serving as a decision support system for investors and
policymakers.
y This exercise is being undertaken by DPIIT,invest India and Asian
Development Bank. DPIIT released the pilot phase report in 2018 on the
Industrial Park rating system.

Public Procurement
Self Note
y The public procurement order 2017 was issue for enabling provision to
promote domestic value addition in public procurement.
y The order is applicable for procurement of goods,services and works by the
Central Ministry/Department as defined in the companies act.
Industrial Policy
y Two watershed industrial policies were the 1956 industrial policy resolution
which aimed at the socialistic pattern of society and the 1991 industrial
policy aimed at economic and industrial liberalization.
y The ‘Statement on Industrial Policy, 2023’ aligns with the Make in India for
the world theme and the vision of India @2047. It emphasizes an action-
oriented approach to foster a progressive, innovative, and competitive
industrial ecosystem.
The six core objectives indicated are:

y focus on competitiveness and capability,
y economic integration and moving up the global value chain,
y Promoting India as an attractive investment destination in the world,
y nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship — knowledge— economy,
y achieving global scale, standards and competitiveness in products and
services.
y Promoting a circular and sustainable economy.
Startup India
y Start up India was launched in 2016. Initiative aimed at fostering
entrepreneurship and promoting innovation by creating an ecosystem
conducive to start up.
y Start up India strives to provide an impetus to the entrepreneurs for setting
up across three major pillars:
o a.simplification and handholding
o b.funding support and incentives
o c.industry academia partnership and incubation.
Fund of Funds for Start-ups Scheme

y DPIIT Established fund of funds with the purpose of INR 10,000 crores to
meet funding needs of start-ups.
y Objective of the scheme: accelerating innovation driven entrepreneurship
and mobilizing larger equity like resources for startups.

Seed Fund Scheme

Self Note
y DPIIT Created start up India seed fund scheme with an outlay of INR
94500,00,000 to provide financial assistance to start up for proof of concept,
prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialisation.
Credit Guarantee Scheme for Start-ups

y DPIIT Notified credit guarantee scheme for start-ups for providing credit
guarantees to loans extended by scheduled commercial banks, non-banking
financial companies, SEBI registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)
Start up India Portal

y This online portal serves as a single platform for start-ups and stakeholders
from start up ecosystem to network and exchange knowledge (serves as a
knowledge repository).
y The portal also provides an opportunity for Startups and stakeholders to
participate in various innovation challenges and programs.
ASCEND
y Accelerating start-up caliber and entrepreneurial drive (ASCEND) it is a
program dedicated to boosting entrepreneurship and innovation spirit in the
north-eastern states to enable more start-ups from this region.
Ease of Doing Business

y DPIIT Spearheading the exercise for improving the overall business
regulatory environment in the country.
y Ministries and departments have been advised to make separate tabs for ease
of doing business on their websites.
Research Parks
y Research Parks are being established at IIT Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kanpur,
Kharagpur, IISc Bangalore, Gandhinagar, Delhi and Bombay to propel
successful innovation through incubation and joint R&D efforts between
academia and industry.
Promoting Startups in Biotechnology

y With the aim to foster and facilitate Bio-entrepreneurship, Bio-clusters, Bio
Incubators, Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) and Bio-Connect offices are
being established.
y Seed fund and Equity Funding support is also provided to Bio-tech Startups
under the initiative.

Jan Vishwas (amendment of provisions)act 2023

Self Note
y The Act will contribute to rationalizing criminal provisions And ensuring
that citizens, business and government departments operate without fear of
imprisonment for minor, technical or procedural defaults.
Intellectual Property Rights

y DPIIT is the nodal department for administration of various laws related
to Intellectual Property Rights: patents; trademarks; industrial designs;
geographical Indications of goods; copyrights; and semiconductor integrated
circuit layout designs.
y The Department is also the nodal department for vetting of MoUs for
the Cabinet, etc., entered into by various ministries/departments of the
Government of India from IPR angle, as also international negotiations on
IPRs.
y It also is the nodal department for dealing with World Intellectual Property
Organisation (WIPO).
y The Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB), established in 2003, is
the appellate tribunal to hear appeals against decisions of the Controller of
Patents as also Registrar of TradeMarks and Geographical Indications.
National IPR Policy

y The National IPR Policy lays the future roadmap for intellectual property in
India.
y It is a vision document that aims to create and exploit synergies between all
forms of intellectual property (IP), concerned statutes and agencies.
y It reiterates India’s commitment to the Doha Development Agenda and the
TRIPS agreement.
y The Policy recognizes that India has a well-established TRIPS-compliant
legislative, administrative and judicial framework to safeguard IPRs, which
meets its international obligations while utilizing the flexibilities provided in
the international regime to address its developmental concerns.
Productivity and quality

y The National productivity Council (NPC) represents India in the Tokyo
based Asian Productivity Organisation of which India is a founder member.
y DPIIT is the nodal Department for promotion Of productivity and quality
in the industrial sector.
Quality Council of India (QCI)

y It is an autonomous body under which this department was set up to
establish and accreditation structure in the country to create a mechanism
for independent third-party assessment of products, services and processes.
National institute of Designs

Self Note
y The national Institute of designs functions as an autonomous body under
DPIIT.
y Based on the recommendations made in the ‘India Report’ in 1958, the first
National Institute of Design was established at Ahmedabad in the State of
Gujarat.
y National Institute of Designs (NIDs) are internationally acclaimed as one of
the foremost multi- disciplinary institutions in the field of design education
and research.
y These institutes function as autonomous bodies under DPIIT, Ministry of
Commerce & Industry, Government of India.
National industrial corridor programme

y This is aimed at development of greenfield industrial smart cities which
can compete with the best manufacturing and investment destinations in the
world.
y Objective of the corridor: to expand the industrial output ,increasing
employment opportunities,provide better living and social facilities for new
and growing workforce.
y Government of India approved a Total 32 projects under 11 industrial
corridors in four phases as a part of the national industrial corridor programme:
Delhi Mumbai industrial corridor, Chennai Bangalore industrial corridor.
Industrial performance
y Index of industrial performance (IIP)measures performance of industrial
production in manufacturing, mining and electricity sectors and also in
use-based categories such as primary, capital, intermediate, infrastructure/
construction, consumer durables and consumer nondurables.
y IIP registered growth of 4.8 percent (2023-24) over previous year.
Performance of Eight Core Industries

y The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) monitors production of eight core
industries i.e., coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel,
cement and electricity every month.
y These eight industries have a combined weight of around 40.27 per cent in
the Index of Industrial Production (HP).
Heavy industries
y The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) promotes the development and
growth of automobile, capital goods and heavy electrical equipment sectors
and administers 29 Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) engaged in
manufacturing, consultancy and contracting services and four autonomous
organizations.
Self Note
y In 2021, the Department of Public Enterprises was shifted to the Ministry
of Finance.
Central Public sector Enterprises

y The Ministry of Heavy Industries Administers 36 CPSE’s out of which sixteen
are operational. The rest are under various stages of closure and liquidation
.They played a vital role in the industrial development of the country.
y Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd: BHEL is a leading power equipment
manufacturer globally and one of the earliest and leading contributors
towards building an Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
y Cement Corporation of India Ltd: Established in 1965 with the principal
objective of setting up cement factories in the public sector to achieve self-
sufficiency in cement production and to remove regional imbalances.
y Engineering Projects (India) Ltd: Mini Ratna category-II CPSE, was
incorporated in 1970 with the main objective to undertake turnkey projects
and consultancy services in India and abroad.
Indian MSME Sector

y The MSME sector in India is vibrant, providing significant growth
opportunities, supporting industrialization in rural and backward areas, and
reducing regional imbalances for a more equitable distribution of national
income and wealth.
y The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act
was notified in 2006 to address policy issues affecting MSMEs as well as the
coverage and investment ceiling of the sector.
y The Act provides the first-ever legal framework for recognition of the concept
of “enterprise” which comprises both manufacturing and service entities.
y In 2007, subsequent to an amendment of the Government of India (Allocation
of Business) Rules, 1961, erstwhile Ministry of Small Scale Industries and the
Ministry of Agro and Rural Industries were merged to form the Ministry of
Micro, Small and Medium enterprises.
New Definition of MSMEs:

y The new classification for manufacturing and service enterprises was notified
in 2020, along with guidelines to facilitate entrepreneurs.
y Micro enterprise:where the investment in plant and machinery or equipment
does not exceed one crore rupees and turnover does not exceed five crore
rupees.
y Small enterprise: the investment in plant and machinery or equipment does
not exceed ten crore rupees and turnover does not exceed fifty crore rupees.
y Medium enterprise: the investment in plant and machinery or equipment
does not exceed fifty crore rupees and turnover does not exceed two hundred
Self Note
and fifty crore rupees.
y The Ministry of MSME launched Udyam Assist Platform in January 2023 To
bring informal micro enterprises under the formal ambit of MSME’s.
Q. Consider the following statements with reference to India: (UPSC CSE

2023)
1. According to the ‘Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development
(MSMED) Act, 2006’, the ‘medium enterprises’ are those with
investments in plant and machinery between Rs. 15 crore and Rs. 25
crore.
2. All bank loans to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises qualify
under the priority sector.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Number of MSME’s
y As per the 73rd round National Sample Survey conducted in 2015-16, there
were 633.88 lakh unincorporated non-agricultural MSMEs in the country.
MSME Samadhan
y Section 15 to 24 of MSME act 2006 are actually issues relating to delayed
payments to micro and small enterprises by buyers to the MSME suppliers.
y To further the objective of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Development (MSMED) Act, 2006 Ministry of MSME launched a portal
MSME Samadhaan in 2017.
y The portal gives information about individual CPSEs/central ministries, state
governments, etc., and other buyers regarding the payments pending with
them in respect of the MSEs
Sambandh and Sampark

y MSME Sambandh: Ministry of MSME launched “MSME-SAMBANDH
Portal” in 2017. The portal helps in monitoring the procurement by central
government ministries, departments and CentralPublic Sector Enterprises
(CPSEs) and also enables them to share the list of required products/services
from MSEs.
y MSME Sampark :This portal is a digital platform wherein jobseekers (i.e.,
passed out trainees/students of MSME Technology Centres) and recruiters
can register themselves for mutually beneficial interaction.

Creation of Modern Processes for Increasing the CHAMPIONS:

Self Note
y It is an ICT based technology system for making the smaller units big by
helping and hand holding them.
y The portal provides guidance to grab the new business opportunities.
‘Udyam Registration’ Portal:

y The portal has linkages with Government e-Marketplace (GeM), Income
Tax, GST, TReDs and NCS (National Career Service) portals.
y Government has provided exemption from having mandatory GSTIN as per
the provisions of the CGST Act, 2017.
Khadi and Village Industries Commission

y Established under the Act of Parliament and subsequently amended, it’s a
statutory organization under the Ministry of MSME, focused on promoting
Khadi and Village Industries (KVI) to generate rural employment and
strengthen the rural economy.
Coir Board
y The Coir Board is a statutory body established under the Coir Industry Act,
1953.
y The Functions of the Board for the development of coir industry, inter-alia,
include undertaking scientific, technological and economic research and
development activities.
Textiles

y The Indian textile industry is one of the largest in the world with the raw
Self Note
material to use and manufacturing strength across the value chain.
y The uniqueness of the industry lies in its strength both in the hand-woven
sector as well as in the capital-intensive mill sector.
y The textile industry contributes 7% to industry output, 2% to India’s GDP,
and 15% to export earnings. It employs over 45 million people, making it a
significant source of employment in the country.
Technical Textiles
y Technical textiles are engineered products with a definite functionality.
y Textile Research Associations (TRAs) have developed carbon fibre based
space communication systems. Low cost modular toilets using jute fibres
have been developed.
y Eleven Focus incubation centers have been established on plug and play
models.
Integrated processing and development scheme:

y The Ministry has been implementing an integrated processing development
scheme since the 12th five-year plan to help the textile industry meet
environmental standards.
y The scheme will continue from 2021 to 2026 To complete the ongoing
projects.
Scheme for integrated textile parks:

y This has been under implementation since the 10th five year plan to provide
the textile industry with world-class infrastructure facilities.
y The scheme is being implemented it will be 2025-26 to complete ongoing
projects.
Silk
y Silk In the Indian subcontinent is a luxury item.
y In India, about 97 percent of the raw mulberry silk is produced in the states
of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Jammu and
Kashmir. Three other commercially important types of silk: Eri, Tasar and
Muga.
y The Central Silk Board, under the Ministry of Textiles is the apex body to
undertake, assist, and encourage scientific, technological and economic
research aiming towards improving the quality and productivity of silk
through implementation of a Central Sector Scheme ‘Silk Samagra’- an
integrated scheme for development of silk industry.

Cotton
Self Note
y Cotton accounts for around 22 percent of the total global fiber production.
India has the largest area under cotton in the world with around 126 lakh
hectares under cotton cultivation which is around 38 per cent of the world
area.
y To support the cotton industry, the Government of India announces
Minimum Support Price (MSP) for two basic staple groups, viz., medium
staple and long staple cotton.
y Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), a Public Sector Undertaking under the
Textile Ministry, is the principal agency for undertaking MSP operations in
the event of prevailing seed cotton (kapas) price touching the MSP level.
Jute
y India is the largest producer of jute in the world with an average production
of about 80 lakh bales of raw jute annually. This is a major support not only to
the jute farmers but also to jute mill workers.
y A software platform “Jute-SMART” was implemented for procurement of
jute sacking from 2016.
y Jute-ICARE aims to increase jute farmers’ income by 50% through certified
seeds, improved agronomic practices, and microbial retting of jute plants.
y Various initiatives under Jute Diversified Products are being implemented
under National Jute Development Program and Umbrella Scheme for the
period of 2021-22- to 2025-26.
Wool
y India is the 9th largest wool producing country having 33.13 million kg of
raw wool production in 2020-21.
y The Ministry of Textiles has formulated a new Integrated Wool Development
Programme (IWDP) for implementation from FY 2021-22 to 2025-26 with
100 per cent funding pattern.
New initiatives:
y Weavers’ Mudra Scheme: launched to provide concessional credit to the
handloom weavers.
y e- Dhaga App: Launched to bring efficiency in service delivery to the
handloom weavers and help them to access information on a 24x7 basis.
PM MITRA (PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and apparel parks

scheme)
y The PM MITRA scheme shall be implemented on pan India basis and is
intended For holistic development of the textile sector.
y The government has finalized seven sites for setting up of PM MITRA Parks
viz . Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar

Self Note
Pradesh, Maharashtra.
Man Made Fibre

y Polyester Staple Fibre (PSF) and Polyester Filament Yarn (PFY) are the raw
materials for the MMF textile value chain and Purified Terephthalic Acid or
PTA is a key ingredient in the manufacture of PSF.
Promoting Fashion Technology

y National Institute of Fashion Technology (NWT) is the pioneering institute
of fashion education in the county. It was made a statutory institute in 2006
by an Act with the President of India as ‘Visitor”.
y NIFT takes up research projects, such as Project India Size, VISIONXT to
name a few,for the government in the fields of textiles and fashion.
y Project India Size intends to develop size charts on the lines of US and UK
sizes that are currently prevalent in the industry.
y VISIONXT is a ‘Trend insight and Fashion Forecasting Lab’ to forecast
India’s fashion to suit future trends.
y NIFT Foundation for Design Innovation (NIFT) was established to nurture
innovative design and potential business/entrepreneurial ventures through
pre-incubation, incubation, and acceleration by creating a fashion and textile
startup ecosystem.
Steel
y The Ministry of Steel is responsible for planning and development of the iron
and steel industry.
y Indiahas become the world’s second largest producer of steel. Crude steel
production has shown a sustained rise since 2013-14 along with capacity.
National Steel Policy:

y Launched in 2017, NSF was defined with the vision to create a technologically
advanced and globally competitive steel industry that promotes economic
growth.
y The Policy also envisages 100 percent indigenous fulfillment of demand for
high grade automotive steel so as to reduce dependence on coking coal from
about 85 per cent to around 65 percent by 2030-31.
y Key features of the policy:
o Establishing self-sufficiency and steel production by providing policy
support and guidance to private manufacturers, MSME steel producers
and CPSE’s.

Key initiatives for ensuring raw material security :

Self Note
Iron ore
y The industry faces challenges both in short and long term in terms of material
security across iron ore and coal.
y As per national steel policy 2017, there is a need for 37,000,000 tonnes of iron
ore and 161,000,000 tonnes of coking coal to produce 2 55,000,000 tonnes of
crude stick with the crude capacity of 300,000,000 tonnes by 2030-31.
Coking coal
y The Indian steel industry has been largely dependent on imports of cooking
pot.
y Most of the coking coal produced mystically in the country had a very high
ash content making it redundant in the manufacturing of steel which resulted
in the import of good quality coking coal..
Steel scrap recycling policy

y It was notified in 2019. It provides a framework to facilitate and promote
establishment of metal scrapping centers in the country for scientific
processing and recycling of ferrous scrap generated from various sources.
y This policy works out a model for collection, dismantling and shredding
activities in an organized, safe and environmentally friendly manner.
y The shredded scrap produced by recycling is used as a raw material for
making Steel.
Production linked incentive scheme:

y PLI scheme first speciality steel is in place from 2021.
y The scheme provides incentives in different slabs wearing between 4% to
12% on incremental production identified in five product categories.
Q. In India, the steel production industry requires the import of ( UPSC

CSE 2015)
(a) saltpetre
(b) rock phosphate
(c) coking coal
(d) All of the above
Answer: (c)
Fertilizers
y The Department of fertilizers is under the Ministry of chemicals and
fertilizers.
y Main objective of the department is to ensure adequate and timely availability
of fertilizers for maximizing agricultural production in the country.
Decarbonising the Heavy Industries using Green Hydrogen Application:

Self Note
y Fertilizer plants: Green hydrogen can be used as a clean source of energy
for the production of fertilizers. Hydrogen is a key component in the
manufacturing of ammonia, which is used as a primary raw material in the
production of nitrogen-based fertilizers.
y Oil refineries: Green hydrogen can be utilized in oil refineries as a clean energy
source for various processes. It can be used in hydrogenation processes to
produce cleaner fuels with lower sulfur content, as well as for desulfurization
and hydrocracking operations.
y Steel plants: Green hydrogen has the potential to revolutionize the steel
industry by replacing the conventional use of coal in blast furnaces. By using
green hydrogen as a reducing agent instead of coal, it becomes possible to
produce “green steel” with substantially lower carbon emissions.
Q. Consider the following heavy industries: (UPSC CSE 2023)

1. Fertilizer plants
2. Oil refineries
3. Steel plant
Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing
how many of the above industries?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
New urea policy

y The New Urea Policy-2015 was notified with the objectives of maximizing
indigenous urea production; promoting energy efficiency in urea production;
and rationalizing subsidy burden on the government.
y Neem Coating Urea: Neem coating of urea (NCU) has been made mandatory
for all the indigenous producers. Neem coating slows down the rate of
dissolution of urea in the soil.
y By curbing illegal diversion of urea for non-agricultural purposes, the
government aims to prevent subsidy leakages.
y New Investment Policy: launched in 2013 to facilitate fresh investment in the
urea sector and to make India self-sufficient in it.

Q. Why does the Government of India promote the use of ‘Neem Coated Self Note
Urea’ in agriculture? (UPSC CSE 2016)
(a) Release of Neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil
Microorganisms.
(b) Neem coating slows down the rate of is solution of urea in the soil.
(c) Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into the
atmosphere by crop fields.
(d) It is a combination of a weedicide and a fertilizer for particular crops
Answer: (b)
Chemicals and Petro-chemicals

y The Department of Chemicals and Petro-chemicals is the Ministry of
Chemicals and Fertilizers.
y TheDepartment is entrusted with the responsibility of planning, development
and regulations of the chemicals, petro-chemicals and pharmaceutical
industry sector, inducting: drugs and pharmaceuticals.
New scheme:
Setting up of Plastic Parks:
y Objective: To contribute to the economy by increasing investment,
production, export in the sector and also generation of employment.
y Mechanism: Government of India provides grant funding up to 50 per cent of
the project cost, subject to a ceiling of 40 crore per project.
y The Remaining project cost is funded by the state government or state
industrial development corporation.
Pharmaceutical Sector
y The Indian pharmaceutical sector is the world’s third largest by volume.
y The Department is entrusted with the responsibility of planning, development
and regulations of the chemicals, petro-chemicals and pharmaceutical
industry sector.
National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Policy

y Objective of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy-2012: ensure availability
of required medicines — “essential medicines” — at reasonable prices, even
while providing sufficient opportunity for innovation and competition to
support the growth of industry.
y New Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013: Notified in 2013, to implement
NPPP, 2012 to control the prices of specified dosages and strengths as under
National List of Essential Medicines-2011(NLEM2011).

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

Self Note
y Jan Aushadhi Scheme Launched in 2008 with the aim of selling affordable
generic medicines through dedicated sales outlets, i.e., Jan Aushadhi Stores
in various districts across the country.
y Broad objectives of the Scheme include: ensure access to quality medicines;
extend coverage of quality generic medicines create awareness about generic
medicines through education and publicity
Mines and Minerals

y The Ministry of Mines is responsible for survey and exploration of all
minerals, other than natural gas,petroleum and atomic minerals; for mining
and metallurgy of non-ferrous metals like aluminum, copper, zinc, lead, gold,
nickel, etc.
Mineral legislation and reforms:

y Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957: regulates the
mining sector in India and mandates the requirement for granting leases for
mining operations.
y Mineral Concession Rules, 1960: The State Governments grant the mineral
concessions for all the minerals located within the boundary of the State,
under the provisions of the MMDR Act, and Mineral Concession Rules
(MCR), 1960 framed there under.
y Prior approval of the Central Government is required in the rest of the cases.
y Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988: It empowers state
governments to frame rules for regulating the grant of quarry leases, mining
leases or other mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals.
Mineral Laws (Amendment) Act, 2020

y The MMDR Act, 1957 was amended through Mineral Laws (Amendment)
Act, 2020 to sustain supply of minerals due to the large number of mineral
blocks expiring in March 2020.
y Accordingly, a provision was introduced for vesting of all clearances/ approval
to the new mining lease holder of such expiring mineral blocks allocated
through auction.
National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET)

y NMET also notified a scheme for partial reimbursement of expenses from
NMET for composite license holders through auction to facilitate and
encourage private sector participation in exploration.
y Objective: to promote regional and detailed mineral exploration in the
country to increase overall mineral production and achieve sustainable
development of the mineral sector.

The MMDR Amendment Act 2023

Self Note
y The Ministry of Mines amended the mines and minerals (Development and
regulation ) (MMDR) act 1957 through MMDR Amendment Act , 2023.
y Some measures of new Act:
y Introduction of license for deep-seated and critical windows.
y Auction of blocks explored by the exploration license holder for mining lease
within the prescribed timeline.
Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana
y This scheme is Implemented by the district mineral foundations of the

respective districts.
y PMKKKY will help in creating a congenial mining environment, ameliorate
the condition of the affected person and create a win-win situation for the
stakeholders.
y A national portal for DMF is being developed which will help monitor the
implementation of projects under the PMKKKY scheme.
y The monitoring would be done under “DISHA”, the District Development
Coordination and Monitoring Committee of the Ministry of Rural
Development, to promote synergy and convergence for greater impact.
National Mineral Exploration Policy

y National Mineral Exploration Policy, 2016 (NMEP), outlines the action plan
that the government will adopt to ensure comprehensive exploration of the
country’s mineral resources (non-fuel and non-coal).
y Aim: accelerating the exploration activity in the country through enhanced
participation of the private sector.
Mining Surveillance System

y To curb the menace of illegal mining, a satellite-based monitoring system
namely Mining Surveillance System (MSS), was launched.

Self Note
Use of Drone Survey
y IBM has also introduced Drone Survey in the mining industry by carrying
out necessary amendments in MCDR, 2017.
y It is mandatory for the lessees having an annual excavation plan of 1 million
tonne or more or having lease area more than 50 hectares, to carry out drone
surveys of the lease area.
Digitization of Land Use

y The GIS and Remote sensing centre of IBM is operational from 2018.
y The digitization of all the leasehold maps is being carried out on the
ARCGIS platform. An activity of plotting of RP & PL areas from the available
documents is undertaken.
Geological Survey of India

y GSI is the principal provider of basic earth science information to the
Government, Industry and the Geo scientific sector.
y The present activity domains of GSI include surface mapping; aerial and
remote sensing surveys; offshore surveys; exploration for mineral and
energy resources; engineering geology; geotechnical investigations; geo
environmental studies; geology of water resources; geo hazard studies;
research and development; training and capacity building; and information
services etc.
y GIS was awarded the “WCDM-DRR awards” in 2022 , 5th world congress
on disaster management for contribution in multifarious geotechnical, geo-
environment and natural Hazard studies.
Indian Bureau of Mines

y Established in March 1948, the Indian Bureau of Mines is under the Ministry
of Mines. It is responsible for conserving and systematically exploiting
mineral resources excluding coal, petroleum, natural gas, atomic minerals,
and minor minerals.
y IBM provides technical consultancy services to the mining industry for the
geological appraisal of mineral resources, and the preparation of feasibility
reports of mining projects, including beneficiation plants The Ministry of
Mines has three Public Sector Undertaking (PSUs) under its administrative
control.
y National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), (Navratana) Hindustan
Copper Limited (HCL) are operating in the field of mining and mineral
processing. (Miniratna) Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL)
(Miniratna).

12 Labour, Skill Development and Employment
The Ministry of labour and employment is one of the important and oldest ministries of the government of India.
Main responsibilities
o To protect and safeguard the interest of workers in general and Poor, deprived and disadvantaged sections
of society in particular.
o To create a healthy work environment, score higher production and productivity.
o To develop and coordinate vocational skill training and employment services.
o To keep itself in tandem with the process of liberalization, “ on promotion of welfare of labour and for
leading social security to the labour force in both organized and unorganized sectors.
o Labourers being the subject in concurrent list under constitution of India, the state governments are also
empowered to enact legislations.
New initiatives
Prime Minister Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan yojana (PM-SYM)

y PM-SYM Introduced by the government of India is a pension scheme to insure old age protection for
unorganized workers.
y The unauthorized workers mostly engaged as home-based workers, street vendors, midday meal workers, head
loaders, brick kiln workers, cobblers, ragpickers, Washer man, rickshaw pullers, domestic workers and those
engaged in similar occupations, whose monthly income is Rs.15,000 per month Or less are eligible to end all
under the same scheme.
y PM-SYM is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme on a 50-50 basis, where prescribed age-specific
contribution shall be made by beneficiary and a matching contribution by central government.
National Career Service (NCS)

y The Ministry of labour and employment is implementing the National career service .
y NCS is a one-stop solution that provides a wide array of employment and career related services to the citizens.
The Directorate General of Employment (DGE) under the Ministry is implementing the NCS.
y NCS Portal also provides online career counseling and vocational guidance services to its registered users.
Features
y Network of 1000+ employment exchanges and model career centers.
y Around 1100+ a prude counselor providing career guidance.
y Toll free call centre in seven languages.
y DigiLocker, linkage with government recruiting bodies-UPSC ,SSC,INDIAN RAILWAYS etc.
y Achievements of NCS The CS portal offers online employability training in digital skills and soft skills.
Government jobs and postings from PSU organizations can be accessed through the government job module
on the NCS portal.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY)

Self Note
y ABRY Was announced as a part of Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 package to boost
the Economy, increase employment generation in the post Covid recovery
phase.
y Implemented through the EPFO, this scheme aims to reduce employers’
financial burden across sectors/industries and promote increased hiring.
y Under ABRY benefits are provided to every establishment registered with
EPFO and their new employees (earning wages less than 15,000/- per month).
Shram Suvidha Portal

y It is a unified web portal ‘Shram Suvidha Portal’, to bring transparency
and accountability in enforcement of labour laws and ease complexity of
compliance.
Single Unified Annual Return

y The Ministry started Single Unified Annual Return for eight Labour Acts.
This facilitates filing of simplified Single Online Return by the establishments
instead of filing separate Returns.
Common registration
y Under the Shram suvidha Portal ,the facility for Common Registration under
five Central Labour Acts has been developed.
Labour Codes
y The Government has simplified laws into four Labour Codes; namely, the
Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on
Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working
Conditions Code, 2020.
y This will reduce multiplicity of definitions and authorities, facilitate
implementation and use of technology in enforcement of labour laws and
bring transparency and accountability in enforcement.
y With these Codes a statutory concept of ‘Floor Wage’ is introduced, a “Re-
skilling Fund” for training of retrenched employees has been set-up among
other provisions.
Social Security
Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)

y ESIC’s major function is to provide medical care in cash benefits in case of
sickness, maternity facilities and employment injuries, and the Employees
State Insurance Act was enacted in 1948.
y The main areas of health. Such as the online ability of electronic health
records of ESI beneficiaries, Abhiyan Indra Dhanush.

Self Note
y Some of the salient features of ESIC 2.0
y Upgrading dispensaries to 6 bedded hospitals in phases.
y Providing appropriate cancer detection; cardiology, treatment.
y Yoga facilities ,dialysis facilities.
Digital India-e-initiatives of ESIC

e-biz Platform
y ESIC was the first organization of the central government to integrate
its services for registration of employers through the e-biz portal of the
Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion to Promote ease of doing
business and curb transaction cost .
e-Pehchan
y The process of establishing the identity of the insured person through Aadhaar
number has been set up by seeding the Aadhaar number to the insurance
number.
ABHA Number creation

y The Ayushmann Bharat health account number is on schedule to introduce
a unified single identifier, and vision to facilitate the use of digital health
records of a beneficiary.
y The other remaining e-initiatives of ESIC are Mobile app for IPs,GIS based
Maps,Management dashboard etc.
Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)

y EPFO is one of the World’s largest Social Security Organisations in terms of
clientele and the volume of financial transactions undertaken.
y The Employees’ Provident Fund came into existence with the promulgation
of the Employees’ Provident Funds Ordinance on the 15th November, 1951.
It was replaced by the Employees’ Provident Funds Act, 1952.
y The Act and Schemes framed there under are administered by a tri-partite
Board known as the Central Board of Trustees, Employees’ Provident
Fund,consisting of representatives of Government (Both Central and State),
Employers, and Employees.
y The Central Board of Trusteesadministers a contributory provident fund,
pension scheme and an insurance scheme for the workforce engaged in the
organized sector in India.
y The EPFO is under the administrative control of Ministry of Labour and
Employment, Government of India
y The Board operates three schemes – EPF Scheme 1952, Pension Scheme
1995 (EPS) and Insurance Scheme 1976 (EDLI).

Self Note
y Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation has a vision to reposition itself as a
world class Social Security Organisation providing futuristic services meeting
the growing requirements of all categories of its stakeholders.
y EPFO Vision 2030 envisages
y Universal Social Security Coverage on mandatory basis by way of Provident
Fund, Pension and Life Insurance for all workers of the country
y Online Services for all EPFO benefits with State-of-the-Art Technology
y Implementation of policies for a benefit structure with adequate support
level of social security.
Labour Bureau
y Labour Bureau, established in 1920, is an attached office under the Ministry
of Labour & Employment and is responsible for the collection, collation and
dissemination of labour, employment and price statistics.
y It is also a major source of primary data pertaining to several important
economic indicators.
y The Bureau also collects administrative statistics under the 11 Labour Acts.
y The functions/activities of Labour Bureau can be classified under five major
heads
y 1. Labour Intelligence 2. Labour Research 3. Monitoring and evaluation. 4.
Regular Publications 5. Training
y With the formulation of the four Labour Codes, the Bureau is also proposed
to be designated as the nodal agency for collection of statistical returns under
all the four Labour Codes.
y The Labour Bureau is discharging its functions by implementing a continuing
Central Sector Scheme called the “Labour & Employment Statistical System”
(LESS).
y The activities carried out under the scheme generate useful price, labour
and employment statistics which have wide-ranging users nationally and
internationally.
y The data provided by the Bureau has immense utility in formulation of
evidence based policies and plans in the field of labour and employment.
Pension reforms
Face authentication technology for digital life certification

y This technology was launched in 2022 for facilitating pensioners in hasslefree
submission of Jeevan praman Patra.

Universal account number

Self Note
y The facility of Universal Account Number (UAN) for EPF subscribers was
formally launched in 2014. Portability is an inherent feature of the UAN
programme.
y It provides automatic portability of Provident Fund account on change of
employment if the employee has activated his UAN by seeding his Know Your
Customer details (through the employer).
Industrial Relations
y The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E) prioritizes protecting
workers’ interests and has implemented safeguards like the Central
Industrial Relations Machinery (CIRM) for harmonious industrial relations,
and the Software Application for Monitoring and Disposal, Handling of
Apprehended/Existing Industrial Disputes (SAMADHAN) for workmen to
file and monitor disputes.
y Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 makes provisions for the investigation and
settlement of industrial disputes in organizations, for which the central
government is the appropriate authority, through mediation by the CIRM
and by referring the industrial disputes to Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour
Courts for adjudication.
y Twenty two such CGIT cum Labour courts have been set up under the ID
Act.
Child Labour
y As per the Indian Constitution, Article 24 prohibits employment of children
in factories.
y Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution also strongly reiterate
this commitment.
y According to 2017 statics India is one of the leading countries in Asia has a
whopping 33 million children employed in various forms of child labour.
y Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act It prohibits employment of
children below the age amended in 2016, the Act covers complete prohibition
on employment or work of children below 14 years of age in all occupations
and processes;
y linking the age of the prohibition of employment with the age for free and
compulsory education under Right to Education Act, 2009.
y PENCIL (Platform for Effective Enforcement of No Child Labour)
implementation of the Act.
y National Child Labour Project (NCLP) portal It is aimed at effective Under
the scheme, children in the age group of 9-14 years, are withdrawn from work
and put into Special Training Centers, where they are provided with bridge
education, vocational training, mid-day meal, stipend, health-care facilities,
etc.
Self Note
y Alignment of RTI Act with NCLP The NCLP Schools could now serve
as special training centers for un-enrolled and out-of-school children in
accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of the RTE Act.
y To reiterate the commitment towards ‘ no child labour’, the government has
also ratified ILO convention No.138 and 182 .
Q. International Labour Organization’s Conventions 138 and 182 are

related to: (UPSC CSE 2018)
(a) Child Labour
(b) Adaptation of agricultural practices to global climate change
(c) Regulation of food prices and food security
(d) Gender parity at the workplace
Answer: (a)
Bonded Labour
y The government of India fully committed to complete eradication of bonded
labour.
y The bonded labour system was abolished Throughout the country by an
ordinance from 1975 which was later replaced by the bonded labour system
(abolishing )act 1976.
y Under it, Identification, release and rehabilitation of freed bonded labour is
the direct responsibility of the concerned state/union territory governments.
As per the scheme,

y The central government bears hundred percent expenditure and the states are
not required to make any contribution for the purpose of cash rehabilitation
assistance, evaluation studies, surveys and awareness campaigns for bonded
labour.
y Bonded labour rehabilitation fund is created at the district level by each state
with a permanent corpus of at least Rs.10,00,00 at the disposal of the district
magistrate.
Wages and Bonus

The Minimum Wages Act, 1948

Self Note
y It was enacted to safeguard the interests of the workers mostly in the
unorganized sector.
y Under the provisions of the Act both Central and State Governments are
appropriate Governments to fix, review and revise the minimum wages of
the workers employed in the scheduled employments under their respective
jurisdictions.
y In order to protect the minimum wages against inflation, the central
government has introduced Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) linked to
the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Payment of Wages Act, 1936

y The Act ensures timely payment of wages and that no unauthorized deductions
are made from the wages of the workers.
y The Act was amended in 2017 to enable payment of wages in cash or by
cheque or by crediting in the bank account of the employee.
Payment of Bonus Act, 1965

y It imposes a legal obligation on the employer to provide for payment of
bonus. The Act was amended in 2015 to revise the statutory eligibility limit
from 7 10,000 to t 21,000 per month.
Occupational Safety and Health

y The provisions on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) of workers as
provided for in the Constitution of India are being implemented through the
offices of Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS).
y The DGMS enforces the safety and health provisions for the workers in the
mining industry through its Inspectors appointed under the Mines Act, 1952.
Skill Development
y India is paving the way towards becoming the skill capital of the world.
y Considering the demographic opportunity, the Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has taken up various schemes to skill the
population. Skill India Programme is benefitting more than 1 cr. youth
annually.
y Other skilling schemes and projects, namely PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri
Kaushal Vikas Yojana), NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation),
NCVT (National Council for Vocational Training), JSS (Jan Shikshan
Sansthan), NIESBUD (National Institute for Entrepreneurship & Small
Business Development), and IIE (Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship) have
also been taken.

Self Note
National Skill Development Mission

y Launched in 2015 on World Youth Skills Day, the Mission aims to facilitate
cross-sectoral decisions, create pathways for transitioning between vocational
training and formal education via a credit transfer system.
National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

y The objective of the National Policy on Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship, 2015 is to meet the challenge of skilling at scale with speed
and standard.
y It aims to provide an umbrella framework to all skilling activities being
carried out within the country, to align them to common standards and link
the skilling with demand centres.
Pradhan Mantri Yuva Udayamita Vikas Abhiyaan (PM-YUVA)

y Objective of the scheme is to create an enabling ecosystem for entrepreneurship
development through entrepreneurship education and training across the
country in the institutes of higher learning, the scheme was started by this
ministry in 2017.
Schemes and initiatives
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

y PMKVY Was launched as a pilot scheme in 2015 to encourage and promote
still development by providing free short duration skill training programmes
and incentivising it by providing monetary rewards to youth for obtaining
skill certification.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKK)

y National skill development Corporation implements Pradhan Mantri
Kaushal Kendra scheme for setting up model skill center in every district of
the country while ensuring coverage of all the Parliamentary constituencies.

Self Note
Q. With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the
1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
2. It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills,
entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy.
3. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the
country to the National Skill qualification Framework.
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer:(c)
National skill development Corporation

y It is a public private partnership firm set up by the Ministry of Finance,
under Section 25 of the Companies Act 1956 (corresponding to Section 8 of
The Companies Act, 2013).
y The main objectives of NSDC are
o to catalyze the creation of market-based, scalable business by providing
funding through a combination of debt, equity and grants;
o iImplementing skills voucher programme;
o to promote centres of excellence for training of trainers in coordination
with states and SSCs, etc.
y Through National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), the ministry
implements Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK) Scheme for setting
up model skill centre in every district of the Country.
Major objectives of the NSDC are

y To catalyze the creation of market-based scalable business by providing
funding through a combination of debt, equity and grants.
y Implementing skills voucher program.
y Promoting centres of excellence for training of trainers in coordination with
States.
Rozgar Mela
y NSDC under the aegis of MSDE has been organizing Rozgar Melas across
the nation for providing suitable job opportunities in the private sector to the
youth.

Udaan
Self Note
y The special industry you can schedule for Jammu and Kashmir is funded
by the Ministry of home affairs and implemented by the National skill
development Corporation.
y The program is addressing the economic issues in the union territory and is
focused on improving and providing skills and job opportunities to the youth.
y Also its aim is to provide exposure to corporate India towards the rich talent
pool available there.
Q. In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial

disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing
workers? (UPSC CSE 2022)
(a) Central Statistics Office
(b) Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
(c) Labour Bureau
(d) National Technical Manpower Information System
Answer (c)

13 Health and Family Welfare

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare formulates various programmes in the area of health and family welfare,
prevention and control of major communicable and non-communicable diseases as well promoting research across
the country.
Management of COVID-19
y India’s Covid Vaccination programme was launched in 2021. During its journey of more than 2 years,
unparalleled milestones were created by administering more than 220.67 crore vaccine doses (both first and
second dose) across the country among the eligible population aged 12 years and above.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme

y Under the Whole of Government approach, the Central Government has extended the Pradhan Mantri
Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme for health workers battling Covid-19 through April 2022. Originally
launched in March 2020 for 90 days, the scheme offers a comprehensive personal accident cover of ₹50 lakh to
healthcare providers.
National Health Mission

y It encompasses its 2 sub-missions, the National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban Health Mission.
Main programme components include Health System Strengthening, Reproductive-Maternal-Neonatal-Child
and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) and control of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
The NHM envisages achievement of universal access to equitable, affordable and quality health care services.

Maternal and Child Health Self Note

Mission Indradhanush
y It was launched in 2014 with the aim to increase immunization coverage to
90%, targeting unvaccinated and partially vaccinated pregnant women and
children in areas of low immunization coverage and in hard-to-reach areas.
By 22 September 2023, 5.04 crore children and 1.25 crore pregnant women
were vaccinated.
Q. ‘Mission Indradhanush’ launched by the Government of India pertains

to: (UPSC CSE 2016)
(a) Immunization of children and pregnant women
(b) construction of smart cities across the country
(c) India’s own search for the Earth-like planets in outer space
(d) New Educational Policy
Answer: (a)
New vaccines
y Inactivated Polio Vaccine, Rotavirus Vaccine, Rubella Vaccine as Measles
Rubella Vaccine, Adult Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine, Pneumococcal
Conjugate Vaccine and Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria Vaccine.
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram

y This program provides Child Health Screening and Early Intervention
Services, focusing on the early detection and management of the Four Ds:
defects at birth, diseases, deficiencies, and developmental delays, including
disabilities.
y It offers comprehensive, free treatment for 32 specific health conditions,
including surgeries at tertiary care facilities.
Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram

y This approach broadens the focus of adolescent health programs in India,
extending beyond sexual and reproductive health to include health promotion
and disease prevention in environments like schools and families, rather than
just clinics.
y Key initiatives include the Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation Program,
the Menstrual Hygiene Promotion Scheme for adolescent girls, and the Peer
Educator Program.
Mother’s Absolute Affection (MAA) Programme

y It is an intensified programme to bring undiluted focus on promotion of
breastfeeding and other infant and young child feeding practices.

Lactation Management Centres

Self Note
y These are being established at high delivery load facilities to provide
comprehensive support for lactation management.
y There is a provision of Donor Human Milk collected from the mothers who
voluntarily donate their excess breast milk free of cost for the newborns who
have no access to their own mother’s milk.
Janani Shishu Surasha Karyakram

y It entails all pregnant women and sick infants up to 1 year of age attending
public health facilities without them having to incur any out of pocket
expenditure.
Surakshit Matritva Ashvasan

y This aims to provide dignified, respectful and quality health care services at no
cost and zero tolerance for denial of services for every woman and newborn
visiting Public health facilities.
MusQan Initiative
y It intends to improve child friendly health service delivery in the public health
facilities. Major objective is to reduce preventable mortality and morbidity of
children.
Janani Suraksha Yojana

y It is a safe motherhood intervention under the National health mission.
The objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting
institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.

Self Note
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan
y It aims to provide assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care free of
cost universally to all pregnant women on the 9th day of every month.
y It focuses on improving the quality of care during ante-natal visits besides
identification and line listing of high risk pregnancies based on medical
history and existing clinical conditions.
National Deworming Day

y To combat Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections, a single dose of
Albendazole tablet is administered to children and adolescents of age 1-19
years bi-annually using platforms of school and Anganwadi centers.
Anaemia Mukt Bharat

The Anaemia Mukt Bharat initiative is a strategic approach to reduce anaemia
across different sections of the population. The six interventions under it include:
y Prophylactic Iron folic acid supplementation for children, adolescents and
women of reproductive age and pregnant women irrespective of anaemia.
y Periodic deworming.
y Intensified year-round behavior change communication campaign including
delayed cord clamping.
y Testing and treatment of anaemia using digital methods and point of care
treatment.
y Mandatory provision of iron folic acid fortified foods in public health
programmes.
y Addressing non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets, with
special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.

Self Note
Q. Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being

undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat (UPSC CSE 2023)
1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for pre-school
children, adolescents and pregnant women.
2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of childbirth.
3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.
4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets
with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (c)
Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres

y They are facility based interventions to provide medical treatment and
nutritional management to under 5 year old children suffering from severe
acute malnutrition with medical complications. These Centres also impart
skills to mothers and careers on child rearing practices.
Vitamin-A Supplementation
y Under this programme, all children below 5 years of age are given Vitamin-A
supplementation bi-annually.
Social Awareness and Actions to Neutralize Pneumonia Successfully

Self Note
(SAANS)
y This initiative was launched in 2019 to accelerate action to reduce deaths due
to child pneumonia.
y This encompasses a three-tiered strategy to ensure greater awareness on
childhood pneumonia among families and parents in order to trigger behavior
changes and improve care seeking.
ANM on Line (ANMOL)

y This is a tablet based application which empowers ANMs- the frontline
healthcare workers in carrying out their day to day work efficiently and
effectively by entering and updating service records of beneficiaries on real
time bases.
y They also act as job aid to the ANMs by providing them with readily available
information such as due list and guidance based on data entered.
Family Planning
y India was the first country in the world to adopt a population policy and
launch a National Programme for Family Planning way back in 1952.
Ayushman Bharat
y It provides healthcare cover of Rs 5 Lakh per family for secondary and tertiary
care hospitalization to poor and vulnerable sections of the population.
y Around 10.7 crore poor and vulnerable families are entitled for cashless and
paperless access to services at the point of service, i.e., empanelled hospitals.
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

y The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) will establish a user-friendly
online platform, offering diverse data, information, and infrastructure
services.
y It prioritizes open, interoperable, and standards-based digital systems while
safeguarding personal information. Participation in ABDM by healthcare
facilities or institutions is voluntary.
y Citizens are not required to obtain an Ayushman Bharat Health Account
(ABHA) Number; those interested in digital record availability may opt to
create one.
y ABDM will ensure nationwide coverage and facilitate seamless portability
with a Health ID.

Q. With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the Self Note
following statements (UPSC CSE 2023)
1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it.
2. As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India
should be part of it ultimately.
3. It has seamless portability across the country.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
PM- Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission

y This is the largest pan-India scheme for strengthening healthcare
Infrastructure since 2005 which has a centrally sponsored scheme with some
central sector components.
y It aims to fill critical gaps in health infrastructure, surveillance and health
research.
Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana

y It envisages the creation of tertiary healthcare capacity in the medical
education, research and clinical care, in the underserved areas.
y It aims at correcting regional imbalances in the availability of affordable
tertiary healthcare services.
National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme

y It is an ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme implementing tuberculosis
prevention and control activities in a mission mode to achieve a rapid decline
in the burden of tuberculosis, morbidity and mortality, towards ending TB in
India by 2025.
National Policy for Rare Diseases

y It was launched in 2021. The rare diseases have been identified and categorized
into 3 groups and financial support is provided up to Rs 50 lakh to the patients
suffering from any category of the rare diseases.
National Leprosy Eradication Programme

y It is a centrally sponsored scheme under the umbrella of the National health
mission.
y The program provides technical and financial assistance to States for all
activities related to detection, diagnosis, treatment and post treatment care of
persons affected by leprosy.
National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme

Self Note
y It is aimed at target management of 5 crore people possibly harboring the
infection.
y Under the programme, free diagnostics and drugs are being made available to
all in need, not only for treatment of Hepatitis C but also lifelong management
of Hepatitis B.
National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme

y It is an umbrella program for prevention and control of vector borne diseases
namely Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, Dengue, Chikungunya, Kala Azar
and Lymphatic Filariasis.
Non-Communicable Diseases
National Programme for Prevention and Control of Fluorosis

y Fluorosis is caused by excess intake of fluoride mainly through drinking
water. Desirable limit for fluoride in drinking water is 1.0 mg per litre and the
permissible limit is 1.5 mg per litre.
National Oral Health Programme

y It was initiated in 2014-15 to strengthen the public health facilities for an
accessible, affordable and quality oral healthcare delivery.
y eDant Seva, an interactive website and mobile application for oral health, has
been developed.
Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme

y Under this, dialysis services are provided free-of-cost to poor patients for
which financial support is given to all the states and union territories under
the National Health Mission.
y In 2022, this was launched with the objective of achieving the goal of ‘One
Nation One Dialysis’ to facilitate dialysis services anywhere in the country.
National Programme for Tobacco Control and Drug Addiction

Treatment
y This aims to streamline the tobacco cessation facilities and provide seamless
services for control of all substance abuse including tobacco and drugs.
Medical Education
y The National Medical Commission Bill, 2019 was passed for setting up a
National Medical Commission and to repeal the Indian Medical Council
Act, 1956 with the aim to improve access to affordable and quality medical
education.

National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Act, 2023

Self Note
y This replaces the existing Indian nursing council, introducing key provisions
to elevate standards of nursing in India and enhancing professional conduct.
y The act also emphasizes a uniform admission process, competence and
maintenance along with development of soft skills among registered
professionals.
Indian Council of Medical Research

y For over a century, it has spearheaded planning, formulation, coordination,
implementation, and promotion of biomedical research both in India and
internationally.
y Initiatives like Malaria Elimination Research Alliance India, India TB
Research Consortium (ITRC) are bringing multiple stakeholders under one
umbrella to achieve the aim of disease elimination.
Centre for Non-Communicable Diseases

y In response to the increasing burden of non communicable diseases, Centre
for Non-Communicable Diseases was set up in 2015. It aims to bring technical
support, capacity building and advocacy for better policy implementation.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

y The FSSAI Act of 2006 streamlined food safety and nutrition laws into a
unified policy framework, enhancing oversight and efficiency by replacing
multiple regulatory layers with a single command structure.
y It repealed several outdated acts and orders, including the Prevention of Food
Adulteration Act, 1954, and the Fruit Products Order, 1955.
y The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare oversees the implementation, with
the FSSAI’s leadership appointed by the Government of India.
y The Chairperson and CEO, holding the rank of a Secretary to the Government,
operates independently.

Q. Consider the following statements (UPSC CSE 2018) Self Note

1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of
Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the
charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana

y Its objectives include access to quality medicines for all sections of the
population, creating awareness about generic medicines through education
and publicity and generating employment by engaging individual
entrepreneurs in opening of PMBJP Kendras.
e-Health
National Digital Health Blueprint

y Its key features include a 5 layered system of architectural building blocks;
Unique Health ID (UHID); Privacy and consent management etc.
Sanjeevani and eSanjeevani OPD

y It was rolled in November 2019 and aims to implement tele-consultation in
all the 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness Centres in a ‘hub-and-spoke’ model
Ministry of Ayush
y The Ministry is responsible for policy formulation, development and
implementation of programmes for the development and propagation of
Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy. Sowa
Rigpa is the recent addition to the existing facilities of AYUSH systems.
Ayurveda
’Ayurveda’ literally means “Science of Life”. Ayurveda evolved from the various
Vedic hymns rooted in the fundamental philosophies about life, disease and
health. The Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita developed around 2500
BC are the main treaties of Ayurveda fully available today.

Yoga Self Note

Yoga is essentially spiritual and it is an art and science of healthy living which
focuses on bringing harmony between body and mind. The word ’Yoga’ has
two meanings; the first comes from the root ‘Yujir’ or ‘Union’, the second
is derived from a different root ’yuja’ which means ‘Samadhi’—the highest
state of mind and the absolute knowledge. These two are the most important
meanings of the word Yoga according to Panini, the most well-known Sanskrit
grammarian.
Naturopathy
Naturopathy is a science of health and healing and a drug-less therapy based
on a well-founded philosophy. It has its own concept of health and disease and
principles of treatment. Naturopathy is a system of medicine that advocates
harmonious living with constructive principles of nature on physical, mental,
moral and spiritual planes. It has great health promotive and restorative, and
disease preventive as well as curative potential.
Unani
The Unani system of medicine, with roots in ancient Greece, evolved through
contributions from Egypt, Arabia, Iran, China, Syria, and India before becoming
established in medieval India. This holistic approach focuses on promoting
health and preventing disease, primarily using natural, herbal remedies, and
occasionally incorporating animal, marine, and mineral-based treatments.
Siddha
The Siddha system is an ancient and holistic form of medicine originating
from the Tamil/Dravidian culture in South India, flourishing during the Indus
Valley civilization. Dating back to 4000-10000 BC, this comprehensive medical
system covers a wide range of topics including life sciences, pharmacology,
rejuvenation therapies, anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnostics, surgery,
alchemy, astrology, and atomic theory. Siddha medicine offers preventive,
promotive, curative, and rehabilitative health care, emphasizing a holistic
approach.
Sowa Rigpa
It is among the oldest surviving health traditions with a living history of more
than 2500 years. It is practiced in Himalayan regions particularly in Leh and
Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh etc.
NABH accreditation
y It encompasses relevant and comprehensive quality assurance standards for
each system i.e. Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha etc.
y These are in natural alignment to the Hospital Standards, with a community
focus.
Self Note
Ayush Drug Quality Control
y Several steps have been taken in this regard like Strengthening and up-
gradation of Ayush Pharmacies and Drug Testing Laboratories to achieve
higher standards; Pharmacovigilance of ASU&H drugs including surveillance
of misleading advertisements and Strengthening of Central and State
regulatory frameworks including Technical Human Resource & Capacity
Building programs for Ayush drugs.

14 Education
Education is fundamental for achieving full human potential, developing an equitable and just society and
promoting national development. Providing Universal access to quality education is the key to India’s continued
ascent and leadership on the global stage in terms of economic growth and social justice.
Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009

y The Constitution (86th Amendment) Act, 2002 inserted Article 21A to provide free and compulsory education
to all children in the age group 6 to 14 years as a Fundamental Right.
y The act provides a justifiable legal framework that entitles all children between the age of 6-14 years, free and
compulsory admission as well as completion of elementary education.
National Education Policy 2020

y It has come after 34 years replacing the New Education Policy of 1986. It lays emphasis on bridging out the
unique capabilities of each student, promoting ethical values and encouraging critical thinking.
y An important feature of the policy is the unprecedented consultation process at every stage from pre-formulation
to formulation and implementation.
SARTHAQ
y Student and Teacher’s Holistic Advancement through Quality Education (SARTHAQ) is a detailed
implementation plan by compiling sub-plans on major actionable areas of National Education Policy.
National Mission for Mentoring

y It talks about the creation of a large pool of outstanding senior/retired professionals willing to provide mentoring
to school teachers.
NISHTHA
y This integrated teacher training programme is aimed at empowering teachers, heads of schools, and educators.
y It extended its scope to include Foundation literacy and numeracy reaching out to about 35 lakh pre-primary
and secondary level teachers.
Centrally Sponsored Schemes
Samagra Shiksha
y It is a comprehensive approach to school education. From 2021-22, financial assistance up to Rs 2000 per annum
is provided for Out of School Children, particularly migrant children aged 16-19, from socioeconomically
disadvantaged groups.
Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan

y It acts as a convergent framework that aims at nurturing a spirit of enquiry and creativity, love for science and
mathematics and effective use of technology amongst children of age group

Self Note
6-18 years.
Pariksha Pe Charcha
y Prime Minister conceptualized this unique interactive programme wherein
students, parents, teachers etc interact with him to discuss and overcome the
stress emerging out of examinations.
PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI)

y The PM SHRI Schools will be developed as green schools incorporating
environment friendly aspects like solar panels and LED lights, nutrition
gardens with natural farming, waste management etc.
PM Poshan Shakti Nirman

y Its objectives include addressing pressing problems like Hunger and
Malnutrition and encouraging poor students to attend school more regularly
and help them concentrate on classroom activities.
Tithi Bhojan
y It is a community participation programme introduced by Gujarat
government as part of Mid-Day Meal Scheme, drawing inspiration from
the Indian tradition of providing food on special occasions like festivals,
birthdays, marriages etc.
School Nutrition Garden

y It is a place where herbs, fruits and vegetables are grown in school premises
for use in preparation of meals. The objective is to address malnutrition and
micronutrient deficiency.

Social Audit
Self Note
y Conducting social audits in a minimum of 20 schools is mandatory under the
PM Poshan Scheme.
ULLAS-Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram

y The program targets adults aged 15 and older who missed out on formal
education, aiming to integrate them into society through volunteer-led efforts.
y It focuses on five key areas: foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life
skills, basic education, vocational training, and continuing education.
Central Sector Scheme
National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme

y It was launched with the objective to award scholarships to meritorious
students of EWS to arrest their drop out at Class VIII and encourage them to
continue their education at secondary stage.
Autonomous Institutions
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan

y The Sangathan is wholly funded by the Government of India with the primary
aim to provide, establish, maintain, control and manage the Kendriya
Vidyalayas located over India and abroad.
National Council for Teacher Education

y It has integrated various programmes like National Professional Standards
for Teacher Education, National Mission for Mentoring etc.
NCERT
y It is an autonomous organization set up in 1961 to assist and advise the
central and state governments on policies and programmes for qualitative
improvement in school education.
National Institute of Open Schooling

y It is an Open School to cater to the needs of a heterogenous group of learners
up to pre-degree levels.
National Bal Bhavan

y It is an autonomous body under the Department of School Education and
Literacy.
y Its objective is to develop the child’s creative ability by working on a common
platform.
National Institutional Ranking Framework

Self Note
y It was launched in 2015 to meet the need for a framework that would enable
parents, students, teachers and other stakeholders to rank institutions on the
basis of a set of objective parameters and a transparent process.
World Class Institutions Scheme

y The initiative was launched to equip the country’s higher educational
institutions with world-class academic and research facilities, establishing
them as premier entities in the higher education sector.
y A key goal is to propel these selected institutions into the top 500 global
educational rankings.
Malaviya Mission Scheme

y It aims to address all issues related to teaching pedagogy, curriculum design
and evaluation methodology.
Vidyanjali
y Under this initiative by the Ministry of Education, Government of India,
Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) are tasked with offering remedial
classes and training programs.
y These sessions are led by faculty members, retired scientists, armed forces
personnel, NRIs, PIOs, and others. The aim is to enhance school education by
involving community members and the private sector nationwide.
y Volunteers from the Indian Diaspora, including young professionals, retired
teachers, government officials, and representatives from NGOs, private and
public companies, and corporations, will be connected with schools to bolster
this effort.
Q. What is the purpose of Vidyanjali Yojana’? (UPSC CSE 2017)

1. To enable the famous foreign educational Institutions to open their
campuses in India.
2. To increase the quality of education provided in government schools
by taking help from the private sector and the community.
3. To encourage voluntary monetary contributions from private
individuals and organizations so as to improve the infrastructure
facilities for primary and secondary schools.
(a) 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (a)

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan

Self Note
y The initiative was launched to link higher education institutions with society
and rural areas, providing students and faculty with practical knowledge and
traditional wisdom.
y Inspired by the vision of transforming rural development, the mission aims
to harness academic resources to support the creation of an inclusive India.
y It seeks to connect educational institutions with at least five villages to enhance
their social and economic conditions. Building on this, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan
2.0 was introduced in April 2018.
Q. What is the aim of the programme ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’? (UPSC CSE
2017)
(a) Achieving 100% literacy by promoting collaboration between
voluntary organizations and the government’s education system and
local communities.
(b) Connecting institutions of higher education with local communities
to address development challenges through appropriate technologies.
(c) Strengthening India’s scientific research institutions in order to make
India a scientific and technological power.
(d) Developing human capital by allocating special funds for health
care and education of rural and urban poor, and organizing skill
development programmes and vocational training for them.
Answer: (b)
Digital Library
y It is envisaged as a national knowledge asset which will provide a ubiquitous
digital knowledge source.
y It will support and enhance education, research and innovation catering to
needs of all types of learner groups.
SAMVAY
y Skills Assessment Matrix for Vocational Advancement of Youth (SAMVAY)
allows vertical and lateral mobility within the vocational education system
and between the current education system.
Yukti- Yogya Kalakriti ki Takneek

y It aims at skill development and upgradation of design and technologies
enhancing the economic prospects of those engaged in traditional crafts and
arts as a means of livelihood.
SAKSHAM
y Scholarship Scheme for Differently abled Students- aims at encouraging and
supporting them to pursue technical education. This is to help them achieve

college goals despite learning issues, medical bills etc.

Self Note
Ishan Uday- for Students of North-East Region
y The UGC launched a special scholarship scheme for students of the North-
east region from the academic session 2014-15.
Ishan Vikas
y This has been launched with a plan to bring selected college and school
students from the north-eastern states into close contact with IITs, NITs and
IISERs during their vacation period for academic exposure.
Pragati
y It is a scheme of AICTE aimed at providing assistance for the advancement of
girls and their participation in technical education.
Study Web of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM)

y It is aimed at offering all the courses from school (Class 9) to post-graduation
level for free of cost for residents of India.
y The platform has been developed collaboratively by the erstwhile Ministry of
Human Resource Development (MHRD) and All India Council for Technical
Education (AICTE) with the help of Microsoft.
Q. ‘SWAYAM’, an initiative of the Government of India, aims at: (UPSC

CSE 2016)
(a) promoting the Self Help Groups in rural areas
(b) providing financial and technical assistance to young start-up
entrepreneurs
(c) promoting the education and health of adolescent girls
(d) providing affordable and quality education to the citizens for free
Answer: (d)
Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan

y It is a central sector scheme for providing financial assistance to meritorious
students across the country.
National Apprenticeship Training Scheme

y It aims to raise the standards of skill level by strengthening the skill ecosystems
and thereby providing employment to around 7 lakh youths in the next 5
years.
Prime Minister’s Research Fellow

y It has been designed to improve the quality of research in various higher
educational institutions in the country.
y With attractive fellowships, the scheme seeks to attract the best talent into
Self Note
Research and thereby realizing the vision of development through innovation.
Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN)

y The GIAN Initiative enhances higher education in India by leveraging the
expertise of international scientists and entrepreneurs.
y Its goal is to bolster India’s academic resources, speed up quality improvements,
and elevate the nation’s scientific and technological capabilities to world-class
standards.
y GIAN aims to transform higher education institutions across the country.
National Knowledge Network

y It is a multi-gigabit national research and education network, whose purpose
is to provide a unified high speed network backbone for educational and
research institutions in India.
y The network is managed by the National Informatics Centre.
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

y This is a unique initiative of the Government of India to build empathy
between people of different regions of the country and develop strong bonds
between them.
y Important Initiatives include Student Exchange Programme, Kashi Tamil
Sangamam, Dekho Apna Desh Series etc.
Copyright
y Acquisition of copyright is automatic and it does not require any formality.
The copyright office was established in 1958.
y It functions under the administrative control of the Department of Higher
Education.
y The e-filing facility was started in 2014 wherein copyright offices are providing
registration facilities to all types of works and applications.

15 Welfare
The Ministry of Welfare split in 1985-86, forming the Department of Women and Child Development and the
Department of Welfare. Renamed as the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 1998, it oversees the
Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

y The constitution contains several provisions and safeguards for Scheduled Castes.
y The following acts specifically aim to address untouchability and atrocities against SCs and STs, making them
crucial for the Scheduled Caste community.
Protection of Civil Rights

y In pursuance of Article 17 of the Constitution of India, the Untouchability Offences Act 1955 was enacted.
y It was again amended and renamed in 1976 as the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955. Further, the Scheduled
Caste and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 came into force in 1990.
y This legislation aims to prevent offenses by persons other than scheduled caste and scheduled tribes against the
scheduled caste and scheduled tribe. In 2015 and 2018, this act was again amended to insert Section 18, which
aims at preliminary inquiry.
y This section states that a preliminary inquiry should not be required for the registration of a first information
report against any person, and investigating officers should not require approval for arrest if necessary. No
procedure other than that provided under this act or code shall apply.
National Commission for Scheduled Castes:

y The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is a constitutional body in India established under
Article 338 of the Constitution.
y Its primary mandate is to safeguard the rights and interests of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and ensure their socio-
economic development.
y The commission investigates and monitors matters related to the implementation of constitutional safeguards,
recommends measures for their effective implementation, and inquires into specific complaints regarding
deprivation of rights or atrocities against SCs.
y It also evaluates the progress of SCs in various sectors and advises the government on policies and programs
for their welfare. The NCSC consists of a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and other members appointed by the
President of India.
Educational Empowerment:
y Scholarship schemes for SC and others focus on the pre-matric Scholarship Schemes for SC students and pre-
matric Scholarship schemes for the children whose parents/guardians are engaged in clean and hazardous
occupations.
y Post-matric Scholarship schemes for SC students are also available by the Government of India for students
whose parents’ annual income does not exceed 2.5 lakhs per annum.

y The funding pattern under the scheme is a 60:40 ratio across various states
Self Note
and 90:10 in the case of northeastern states between the center and the states.
Overseas education scholarship schemes are also available for students.
Special Central Assistance:

The Schedule Caste plan focuses on Special Central Assistance to the Schedule
Caste Sub Plan to central sectors which was started in 1980, under which 100%
grant was given to the state and union territory as an additive to the schedule
caste subplan. Other assistance is through the following:
y Schedule Castes Development Corporations
y National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation
y Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes
y Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for Scheduled Castes
Tribal Affairs:
y The Ministry of Tribal Affairs was set up in 1999 after the bifurcation of the
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment within the objective of social-
economic development of the scheduled tribes in a coordinated and planned
manner.
y The 5th schedule under Article 244 (1) of the constitution defines schedule
areas as areas as a President may by order declare to be the schedule areas
after consultation with the Governor of the state. The 6th schedule under
article 244(2) of the constitution relates to those areas in the state of Assam,
Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram which are declared as tribal areas and
provide for district councils/regional councils as such areas.
Fifth Schedule:
y Objective:
o The Fifth Schedule deals with provisions related to the administration
and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes.
o It aims to protect the rights and interests of tribal communities.

o It would prevent the shifting of the land of tribal people to non-tribal Self Note
people. A leading decision on the subject was passed by the Supreme
Court in Samatha vs. the State of Andhra Pradesh. The Court was
asked to rule on whether the grant of a mining lease, in a Scheduled
Area to a non-tribal, was in violation of laws preventing alienation of
Adivasi lands.
y Criteria for Declaring Scheduled Areas:
The Dhebar Commission (1960-61) laid down the following criteria:
o Preponderance of tribal population (not less than 50%).
o Compactness and reasonable size of the area.
o Underdeveloped nature of the area.
o Marked disparity in economic standards compared to neighboring areas.
o Viable administrative entity (district, block, or taluk).
y Provisions:
o The President of India can declare an area a Scheduled Area.
o The executive power of the State extends to Scheduled Areas.
o A Tribes Advisory Council is established in each State with Scheduled
Areas.
o The President can alter the boundary lines of Scheduled Areas.
o The Fifth Schedule applies to all States except Assam, Meghalaya,
Tripura, and Mizoram.
Sixth Schedule:
y Objective:
o The Sixth Schedule deals with the administration of Tribal Areas in
the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
o It aims to protect the rights and culture of tribal communities.
y Features:
o Provides autonomy to tribal areas.
o Establishes autonomous district councils.
o Empowers these councils to make laws on specified subjects.
o Ensures tribal representation in legislative bodies.
y Safeguards tribal land rights and customs.

Q. If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Self Note
Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects
the consequence of it ? (UPSC CSE 2022)
(a) This would prevent the transfer of land of tribal people to non-tribal
people.
(b) This would create a local self-governing body in that area.
(c) This would convert that area into a Union Territory.
(d) The State having such areas would be declared a Special Category
State.
Answer: (a)
Q. Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer

of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void?
(UPSC CSE 2019)
(a) Third Schedule
(b) Fifth Schedule
(c) Ninth Schedule
(d) Twelfth Schedule
Answer: (b)
Q. The provisions in the Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the

Constitution of India are made in order to (UPSC CSE 2015)
(a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes
(b) determine the boundaries between states
(c) determine the powers, authorities, and responsibilities of Panchayats
(d) protect the interests of all the border States
Answer: (a)
y It also focuses on the development of Tribes Advisory Council, which has the
role of advising the state government on matters pertaining to the welfare and
advancement of the scheduled tribes in the state as may be referred to by the
governor. This council may also be established in any state having scheduled
tribes but not in areas on the direction of the President of India. This council
will consist of not more than 20 members of whom about ¾ are to be from
the ST-MLAs.
y The District Councils are empowered to make rules with the approval of
the Governor with regard to matters like the establishment, construction, or
management of primary schools, dispensaries, markets, etc., in the district.
y The autonomous council of the North Cachar hills and Karbi Anglong have
been granted additional powers to make laws with respect to other matters
like secondary education, agriculture, social security, social insurance, and
public health, etc.
y The term Scheduled Tribes is defined in the constitution in India under article
366 as such types of tribal communities or parts of groups within such tribes
or tribal communities as a team under article 342 of the Scheduled Tribes. It
also prescribes the procedure to be followed in the matter of specification of

Self Note
Scheduled Tribes.
y The first specification of scheduled tribes in relation to a particular state or
union territory is by the notified order of the President after consultation
with the state government concerned. The criteria are related to indications
of primitive traits, distinctive culture, shyness of contact with the community
at large, and geographical isolation.
y Welfare schemes for tribals include tribals subplan, TRIFED, Pradhan
Mantri Janjatiye Vikas Mission, Forest Rights Act, Vanbandhu Kalyan
Yojana, Scholarships, Adivasi Grant Management System, Eklavya Model
Residential Schools, 1000 Springs Initiative, PM Vishwakarma Scheme, etc.
y Objective: TRIFED aims to enhance the marketing

development for the tribal population. It acts as both
a market developer and a service provider.
y Details:
o TRIFED provides tools, training, and support
to boost market access and production for tribal
TRIFED communities.
o It focuses on systematic and scientific approaches
for tribal development, empowering them with
knowledge and resources.
o TRIFED collaborates with Central and State
Government agencies to create sustainable
marketing opportunities for tribal products.
y Objective: PMJVM aims to facilitate and promote

livelihood opportunities and entrepreneurship for
tribal populations.
y Details:
Pradhan Mantri o It focuses on creating quality social and
Janjatiye Vikas civil infrastructure, sustainable livelihoods,
Mission employment, and entrepreneurship in tribal
areas.
o The mission doubles the income of tribal
families, improves literacy levels, provides tap
water connections, ensures 24x7 power supply,
and develops urban areas in tribal regions.

y Objective: The FRA recognizes the rights of Self Note

traditional forest-dwelling communities, correcting
historical injustices caused by colonial-era forest
laws.
y Details:
y It empowers tribal communities by granting land
tenure, livelihood resources, and food security.
y The FRA promotes higher education among
Scheduled Tribe students and bridges gaps in
Forest Rights sectors like housing, health, sanitation, and cultural
Act heritage preservation.
y Under Section 6(1) of the Scheduled Tribes and
Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of
Rights) Act, 2006, the Gram Sabha is the authority
to initiate the process for determining the nature
and extent of individual or community forest rights
or both, then, pass a resolution to that effect and
thereafter forward a copy of the same to the Sub-
Divisional Level Committee.
y At the national level, the nodal ministry is the
Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
y Objective: VKY focuses on integrated, holistic, and

inclusive development of tribal communities.
y Details:
Vanbandhu o VKY aims to double the income of every
Kalyan Yojana tribal family through sustainable livelihoods,
employment, and entrepreneurship.
o It addresses critical gaps in sectors like housing,
health, sanitation, education, and infrastructure
through resource convergence.
y Objective: To empower Adivasi students by

providing financial assistance for higher education.
y Details:
Adivasi Grant
Management o Scholarships reduce the financial burden,
System promote higher education, and bridge literacy
gaps.
o Various scholarship schemes exist at the national
and state levels to support Adivasi students

y Objective: Self Note

o To provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe
(ST) students in remote tribal areas.
o Empower tribal students with access to
education.
y Details:
o EMRSs are model residential schools specifically
for ST students.
Eklavya Model
Residential o Established by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs,
Schools Government of India.
o Set up in states/UTs with grants under Article
275(1) of the Constitution.
o Aims to improve access to quality education for
tribal students.
y Provides infrastructure, skill development, and
holistic development.
y Affiliated with CBSE and functional across the
country.
y Objective:
o Improve access to safe and adequate water for
tribal communities in difficult and inaccessible
rural areas.
y Details
o Online portal on GIS-based Spring Atlas with
1000 Springs hydrological and chemical properties of springs.
Initiative o Focuses on harnessing the potential of perennial
springs to address water scarcity.
o Provides infrastructure for piped water
supply, irrigation, sanitation, and livelihood
opportunities for tribal people.
o Trains tribal youths as barefoot hydrogeologists
for spring identification and rejuvenation.

y Objective: Self Note

o Enhance traditional artisans’ and craftspeople’s
products and services.
o Integrate them into local and global value
chains.
PM
y Details:
Vishwakarma
Scheme o Provides financial assistance for skill
development and business growth.
o Offers loans up to ₹3 lakhs without guarantees.
o Covers 18 traditional trades, including
carpentry, blacksmithing, goldsmithing, and
pottery.
Q. At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure

effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional
Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006? (UPSC CSE
2021)
(a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
(c) Ministry of Rural Development
(d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Answer: (d)
Q. Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers

(Recognition of Rights) Act, 2006, who shall be the authority to initiate
the process of determining the nature and extent of individual or
community forest rights or both? (UPSC CSE 2013)
(a) State Forest Department
(b) District Collector/ Deputy Commissioner
(c) Tahsildar/ Block Development Officer/ Mandal Revenue Officer
(d) Gram Sabha
Answer: (d)
Welfare of Persons with Disabilities:

y The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has formulated
the Accessible India campaign as a Nationwide Campaign for achieving
universal accessibility for PwDs. The campaign targets three separate verticals
for achieving universal accessibility: the built environment, transportation
ecosystem, and information and Communication ecosystem.
y The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016 was enacted in 2016,
replacing the earlier Persons with Disability Act 1995. The new act is rights-
based, whereas the earlier Act was welfare-based and provides for various

rights and entitlements for persons with disabilities.

Self Note
y Schemes include aid for appliances, scholarships, skill development, and
recognition of mental illness under the Mental Health Act.
y Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities has been created under
the act and its functions to identify suo moto or otherwise the provisions
of any law policy program and procedure which are inconsistent with this
act and recommend necessary characteristics tips suo moto or otherwise
deprivation of rights of persons with disabilities.
Women and Children

y The Sexual Harassment of Women and Workplace Act 2013 focuses upon
working spaces for women and to build an enabling environment that respects
women rights of equality status and opportunity. The act covers all women
respective of their age for employment status and protects them against sexual
harassment at all work places whether organised or unorganised.
y To eliminate child marriage the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 was
enacted to punish those who promote perform or abet child marriages.
y Many steps against domestic violence, dowry prohibition, indecent
representation of women, prevention of sati, trafficking of persons, POCSO
2012, Poshan Abhiyan, Juvenile Justice ( Care and Protection of Children)
Act have been taken.
y Mission Vatsalya has been adopted with aims to foster a sensitive, supportive,
and synchronized Ecosystem for children as they translate different ages
and stages of the development. It provides preventive, statutory care and
rehabilitation services to children who are in need of care and protection and
those in contract with the law as defined under the Juvenile justice act.

Self Note
POCSO Act 2012

y The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 is a
comprehensive legal framework in India aimed at safeguarding children
from sexual assault, harassment, and pornography.
y The POCSO Act provides protection to children below 18 years of age. It
defines various sexual offences and outlines stringent penalties for offenders.
The Act ensures child-friendly mechanisms throughout the judicial process,
including reporting, evidence recording, investigation, and speedy trials.
y The Act designates Special Courts to handle cases related to child sexual
offences. These courts ensure child-friendly procedures, in-camera trials, and
expert assistance during evidence recording.

16 Agriculture
Agriculture plays an important role in the Indian economy. About 54.6% of the population is increased in agriculture
and allied activities according to the census of 2011 and it contributed 17.8% to the country’s gross value added for
the year of 2019-20.
Production
Food grain production increased from 265.05 million tons in 2013-14 to 2329.69 million tons in 2022 - 23 which
is the highest ever production. The horticulture production is 351.92 million tonnes which is the highest ever.
Composition of Agriculture income:
Major Programmes
PM KISAN
y It is a central sector scheme with 100% funding from Government of India and it became operational from
2018. Under the scheme, income support of Rs. 6000 rupees per year in 3 equal instalments is provided to all
land holding farmers’ families.
y Definition of the family for the scheme is husband wife and minus children. Eligible for support as per the
scheme.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund

y This scheme was launched with the objective to mobilize a medium to long term debt financing facility for
investment in viable projects for post harvest management.
y All loans under this financing facility have interest subvention of 3% per annum up to a limit of 2 crores.
y This subvention is available for a maximum period of 7 years. In case of loans beyond 2 crores the interest
subvention is limited up to 2 crores.
Promotion of FPOs
y Central sector scheme for formation and promotion of new 10000 FPOs was launched in 2020 which is valid
till 2027 – 28. So far 7597 FPOs have been registered in 34 states and UTs.

Soil Health Card

Self Note
y National mission for sustainable agriculture is being implemented with the
objectives to make agriculture more productive, sustainable and primate
resilient, to conserve natural resources, to adopt comprehensive soil Health
Management practices to optimize utilization of water resources etc.
y Soil health management promotes integrated nutrient management,
combining chemical, organic, and biofertilizers to enhance soil fertility and
productivity. It includes soil testing and recommendations, and regulates
fertilizers under the Fertilizer Control Order 1985.
Promotion of Organic Farming

y The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana is the first comprehensive scheme
launched in 2015 – 16 by the central government as a centrally sponsored
program to promote organic farming in India.
Fixing of MSPs
y The government increased the MSP for all mandated kharif, Rabi and other
commercial crops with the return of at least 50% over all India weighted
average cost of production from 2018-19.
o A2+FL & C2 formula : A2+FL:
Definition:
•A2 represents the actual paid-out costs incurred by the farmer
out of their pocket for buying various inputs (such as seeds,
fertilizers, pesticides, hired labor, machinery, or leased-in land).
• FL stands for Family Labor. It includes the imputed value of
unpaid family labor.
Explanation:
• A2+FL considers both the actual expenses and the value of family
labor contributed to farming.
• It provides a more comprehensive view of the costs borne by the
farmer.
o C2 (Comprehensive Cost):
Definition:
•C2 includes the imputed costs of family labor (FL), imputed rent
of owned land, and imputed interest on owned capital.
Explanation:
• C2 accounts for the full range of costs, including family labor,
land ownership, and capital investment.
• It provides a more holistic understanding of the total expenses
incurred in agricultural production

Self Note
Agricultural Mechanization
y During the period of 2014-15 to December 2023 an amount of 7265 crores
have been allocated for agricultural mechanization.
y To support the governments of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to
address air pollution due to crop residue burning, around 3791 crores have
been released during the period of 2018 to 2024 for crop residue management
through mechanization interventions.
y Standard crop specific operating procedure released for the use of drones
in pesticide and nutrient application in public domain in April 2023 which
provided concise instructions for effective and safe operations of drones.
y In order to make this technology affordable to the farmers and other
stakeholders of the sector, financial assistance at 100% cost of the drone
together is extended under submission on agriculture mechanization.
y To promote productivity and irrigation support Pradhan Mantri Krishi
Sinchayee Yojana, Agricultural Credit, Per drop more crop, Pradhanmantri
Fasal Bima Yojana, e – National agriculture market (eNAM) have been
promoted.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

y Government initiative aimed at enhancing irrigation efficiency, expanding
cultivable land under irrigation, improving water use efficiency, and ensuring
the availability of water to every farm.
y Launched in 2015, it integrates various existing irrigation schemes and
emphasizes the implementation of water-saving technologies.
y The scheme encompasses components like the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit

Self Note
Program (AIBP), the Har Khet Ko Pani initiative, and the Per Drop More
Crop component, all geared towards sustainable water management in
agriculture.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

y It is a crop insurance scheme launched by the Government of India to provide
financial support to farmers in case of crop failure due to natural calamities,
pests, or diseases. Launched in 2016, PMFBY aims to mitigate the financial
risks faced by farmers and ensure their livelihood security.
y Under this scheme, farmers pay a nominal premium, while the government
provides subsidies to make insurance affordable. It covers all food crops,
oilseeds, and annual commercial/horticultural crops, benefiting millions of
farmers across the country.
y The premium rate for Kharif Crops is 2%, for Rabi Crops it is 1.5% and for
annual commercial and horticulture crops it is 5%.
y The scheme under its ambit covers Yield Losses, prevention of sowing due
to bad weather, post-harvest losses and localized problems like landslide,
hailstorm etc.
y Earlier under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, it was mandatory for
loanee farmers to obtain crop insurance under the scheme.
Q. With reference to ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’, consider the

following statements: ( UPSC CSE 2016)
1. Under this scheme, farmers will have to pay a uniform premium of
two percent for any crop they cultivate in any season of the year.
2. This scheme covers post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and
unseasonal rains.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Commision on Agricultural Costs and Prices

y This Commission was set up with a view to evolve a balanced and integrated
price structure to advise on price policy of 23 crops. These include seven cereal
crops that are paddy, wheat jowar, Bajra, maize ragi and barley. The Other are
5 pulses which are gram, tur, moong, urad, and lentil. It also includes seven
oil seeds, copra, cotton, raw jute and sugarcane.
y MSP determination considers production costs, demand-supply dynamics,
market prices, and inter-sectoral parity. It also weighs the impact on
consumers and rational resource use, eschewing a cost-plus approach for a
comprehensive pricing policy.

Self Note
Indian Council of Agricultural Research
y It has played many roles in making agriculture sustainable through the use of
eco-friendly management and innovative technology which help the country
to achieve food grains four times, horticulture crops six times and eggs 27
times since 1951.
y This has enabled the nation not only to be food and nutrition secure but also
improved the livelihood of the farmers.
Genetic Resources
y Major explorations were taken and 1532 germplasm accessions were collected,
comprising 1095 cultivated plants and 437 wide accessories.
y The population of Momordica Cochinchinensis, collected from middle
Andaman Island was described as the new subspecies which was valid
through DNA barcoding.
y National agriculture Research and education system is a huge depository
of knowledge and information on crop sciences, horticulture, resource
management, animal sciences agriculture engineering, fisheries agriculture
extension and agricultural education.
y The FAO of the United Nations decided that 2023 was to be the International
year of millets; earlier the Government of India had sponsored the proposal
for international years of millets which was accepted by the United Nation.
Millets were among the first crops to be domesticated in India with several
evidence of its consumption during Indus Valley Civilization. It is grown in
more than 130 countries at present and considered traditional food for more
than half a billion people across Asia and Africa.
Ministry of Cooperation
This ministry was created in the year of 2021 and has focused upon multiple
initiatives which is as follows:
y Strengthening of primary cooperative societies
y To provide level playing field to cooperative societies
y Federation of various difficulties faced by cooperative banks
y National cooperation policy and national cooperative database
Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries

y The livestock production according to the centre statistics office was about
122766 crore which was about 30.19% of the gross value added from
agriculture and allied sectors.
y India continues to be the largest producer of milk in the world full stop
several measures have been initiated by the government of India to increase
productivity of livestock which resulted in increasing milk production

Self Note
significantly. It has witnessed an annual growth of 5.29%.
y India ranks third in egg production in the world. Full stop poultry production
has taken a Quantum leap in the last 4 digits emerging from a scientific
farming practice to commercial production system. Egg production has
increased from 78.48 billion to 129.60 billion with an annual growth rate of
4.99% during 2014-15 after it has witnessed a growth of 5.62% in 2021 – 22.
y In addition to that multiple development programmes like Rashtriya Gokul
mission , Program on Dairy Development, National livestock mission ( which
includes submission on Bee development and feed and for the development
along with research and development of the livestock area) , livestock health
and disease control and infrastructure development fund for the animal
husbandry sector.
y Rashtriya Gokul mission: The Rashtriya Gokul Mission aims to conserve and
develop indigenous cattle breeds. It focuses on enhancing milk productivity,
promoting sustainable breeding, and preserving genetic diversity. The
mission establishes Gokul Grams (breeding centers) for indigenous cattle. It
encourages farmers to rear and conserve native cattle breeds. The mission
contributes to rural livelihoods, dairy farming, and overall agricultural
sustainability.
y National livestock mission: aims to achieve employment generation and
increase per animal productivity. It focuses on breed improvement, feed and
fodder development, and extension services. NLM promotes entrepreneurship
in small ruminant, poultry, piggery, and fodder sectors. It contributes to meat,
egg, goat milk, wool, and fodder production.
y Program on Dairy Development: enhances the quality of milk and milk
products. It increases the share of organized milk procurement.
o Components:
Component A: Strengthens infrastructure for quality milk testing
and primary chilling facilities.
Component B: Focuses on dairying through cooperatives with
external funding from Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA).
Fisheries
y Indian fisheries is considered as the sunrise sector with immense potential
for equitable, sustainable and inclusive growth towards transforming the oral
economy. The sector provides sustainable incomes and like the woods to over
2.8 crores fishes and fish farmers in the country.
y With 8% Global share India is third largest producer, second largest
aquaculture producer, largest shrimp producer and one of the top exporters
of seafood products in the world.

y The countries whose production has almost doubled in the inland fisheries
Self Note
and agricultural production and fishery export have also more than doubled
during the last several years. Pradhan Mantri Matasya Sampada Yojana
focused on these areas mentioned above.
Pradhan Mantri Matasya Sampada Yojana

y Pradhan Mantri Matasya Sampada Yojana is a flagship scheme launched by
the Government of India to boost the fisheries sector.
y It aims to enhance fish production, productivity, and ensure better returns
for fishers. The scheme includes various components such as infrastructure
development, modernization of fishing harbors, aquaculture, and post-
harvest management.
y Additionally, it focuses on promoting sustainable fisheries management
and improving the livelihoods of fishers and coastal communities across the
country.

17 Food, Civil supplies and Consumer Affairs
The Department of Food and Public Distribution, is responsible for management of the food economy of the
nation. It undertakes activities like procurement of food items, their storage, movement and delivery to the
distributing agencies.
The main focus is on incentivising farmers by giving them fair value of their produce, by the way of MSP mechanism
and also focus on distribution of food gains to below poverty line people and also covering the households which
are at the risk of hunger under Antyodaya Anna Yojana in the Public Distribution System.
Consumer Affairs
y The Department of Consumer Affairs has been conducting nationwide awareness campaigns like jaago grahak
jaago. The department also has launched Jagriti as a mascot for empowering consumers and making them
aware of their rights.
y Consumer welfare fund has also been provided for giving financial assistance to promote and protect the
welfare of the consumers and strengthen the consumer movement in the country. For this, the funds are given
to the states and Union Territories on a 75:25 ratio basis and 90:10 ratio for the special category states.
y For protection of consumer the Consumer protection act, 2019 has been enacted for better administration and
settlement of consumer disputes in India. It provides for strict penalties, including jail terms for adulteration
and misleading advertisement. Most importantly, it now prescribes rules for the sales of goods through
ecommerce.
Salient features of the Consumer Protection Act:

y Establishment of a central consumer protection authority, which helps in filing a complaint for the consumer
having jurisdiction over the place of work or residents of the consumer, irrespective of the place of transaction.
y e-filing and e-Payment
y Deemed admissibility of complaints, if admissibility is not decided within twenty one days of filing.
y Penalties regarding sale of adulterated products
y Provision for making rules for prevention of unfair trade practices in e-Commerce and direct selling.
y Data on Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (CDRC):
National consumer helpline

y It has set up an integrated grievance redressal mechanism for bringing all stakeholders like consumers, central
and state government agencies, private companies and regulator, call centers on a single online information
technology platform for a receipt of grievances from consumers across the

Self Note
country.
y The department has also launched a Umang app wherein citizens can access
the service on the mobile platform.
Other features of Consumer Protection Act( including Bureau of

Indian Standards)
y The act designates the Bureau of Indian Standards as India’s national standard
body and allows the government to mandate certification for goods, industries,
processes, or services deemed essential for public interest or protection.
y The new act also allows multiple types of simplified confirmatory assessment
schemes including self declaration of conformity against standard, which will
give simplified options to manufacturers to adhere to the standards and give
certificate of conformity.
y The act includes a Price Monitoring Division that establishes a Price
Stabilization Fund to address inflation in agriculture/horticulture. It procures
and stores commodities like onions and potatoes for regulated release during
price volatility.
Bureau of Indian Standards

The Bureau of Indian Standards was set up as a statutory organisation taking
over the assets and liabilities of the Indian Standards Institution (ISI) that
came into existence in 1947. The Bureau has its headquarters in New Delhi. It
has a network of 5 regional offices, 32 branch offices and 8 laboratories which
act as an effective link between BIS, government, industry and consumers.
Food and Public Distribution
Food Subsidy
y The government policy of procurement of food grains has broad objectives
of ensuring minimum support prices to the farmers and availability of food
gains to the weaker sections at affordable prices.
y It also ensures effective market interventions, thereby keeping the prices
under check and also adding to the overall food security.
Food Corporation of India

y For above, the Food Corporation of India has been made the nodal central
agency of the government of India, along with various state agencies to
undertake procurement of wheat and paddy under the price support scheme.
y Coarse grains are procured by state agencies for central pool, as per the
direction issued by the government of india on a time to time basis.
y The food corporation of India has its own covered godowns in all states for

safety stock. And in addition, it hires capacity from central warehousing

Self Note
corporations and state agencies as well as private parties.
y In order to cope with the increasing production and procurement of food
grains, the department has implemented a Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee
Scheme for augmenting the covered storage capacity in the country.
y Under the scheme, the godowns are constructed in PPP mode and the land
and construction cost is borne by the selected partners.
y The states are allocated food grains at subsidized rates under National
Food Security act 2013, and other welfare Schemes. The difference between
economic cost and the Central issue price at which food grains are issued to
the states are reimbursed to the Food Corporation of India as a subsidy.
Q. The economic cost of food grains to the Food Corporation of India is

Minimum Support Price and bonus (if any) paid to the farmers plus:
(UPSC CSE 2019)
(a) Transportation cost only
(b) Interest cost only
(c) Procurement incidentals and distribution cost
(d) Procurement incidentals and charges for godowns
Answer: (c)
National Food Security

y The National Food Security Act was enacted and came into force in 2013.
y The act aims to provide for food and nutritional security in the human life
cycle by ensuring access to adequate quantities of food at affordable prices to
people to live with dignity.
y The act provides for coverage of 75% of the rural population and up to fifty
percent of the urban for receiving subsidized food grains under a targeted
public distribution system.
y It is done under 2 categories. The households covered under the Antyodaya
Anna yojana and remaining households as priority households. Under the
first category, the households are entitled to receive 35 kgs of food grains per
household per month at Rs 1/2/3 per KG. The priority households are entitled
to receive 5 kg of food grains per person per month at the above mentioned
highly subsidized prices.
y In 2023, the government introduced an integrated food security scheme,
offering free food grains to 81.35 crore beneficiaries. It aims for uniform
pricing and distribution nationwide. Additionally, free grains are provided
under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for five years from Jan
2024.

Q. With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Self Note
Act, 2013, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2018)
1. The families coming under the category of ‘below poverty line (BPL)’
only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains.
2. The oldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be
the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a ‘take-home
ration’ of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months
thereafter.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
Answer: (b)
Global Trade in Grains:

y India plays a significant role in global grain trade, both as an exporter and
importer.
y The country exports various food grains to international markets, contributing
to its economy.
y Similarly, India imports specific grains to meet domestic demand and
supplement its food security.
Major Food Grains Exported by India:

India exports several food grains, including rice, wheat, and other cereals.
y Rice:
o India is a major exporter of rice. Basmati rice, in particular, enjoys global
demand due to its aroma and quality.
o Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the price at which the government
purchases crops from the farmers. MSP increases the overall price of
rice in the market as the traders have to buy near MSP value otherwise
farmers have the option to sell to government appointed agencies at MSP.
MSP helps to incentivize the farmers and thus ensures adequate food
grains production in the country.
o Government’s trading also affects the price of rice as the government
carries out an auction of the excess stockpile or intervenes when market
prices soar to stabilize them.
o Government also gives subsidized food to poor consumers at Fair price
Shops, which reduces the overall demand in the open market and prices
fluctuate.

Q. Which of the following factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in Self Note
India in the recent past? (UPSC CSE 2020)
1. Minimum Support Price
2. Government’s trading
3. Government’s stockpiling
4. Consumer subsidies
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d)
y Wheat
o India exports wheat to neighboring countries and beyond. It is an
essential staple crop.
o Other Cereals: Besides rice and wheat, India also exports millets,
sorghum, and maize.
Import of Food Grains:

o India occasionally imports food grains to address shortages or stabilize
prices.
o Pulses (Legumes): Pulses like lentils, chickpeas, and beans are imported
to meet protein requirements.
o Edible Oils: While not a grain, edible oils are crucial for cooking. India
imports oils like palm oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil.
Reforms in Public Distribution System

y To bring in transparency, the end to end computerization of the public
distribution system has been done of the highly subsidized food grains across
the country.
y For integrated management of the public distribution system, the
implementation of nationwide portability in food grain distribution has
been done through use of advanced data analytics techniques for better
improvement.
y Under the targeted public distribution system, the department is implementing
one nation one ration card aimed at nationwide portability of ration cards
and beneficiaries. It has also launched ’ Mera Ration’ mobile application to
bring in reforms.

Other Welfare Schemes Self Note

PM POSHAN Scheme
y To improve the nutritional status of children in the school-age group and
pregnant and lactating women. Covers activities such as Poshan Pakhwada,
Tele MANAS (mental health helpline), and Mass Drug Administration
(MDA) campaigns.
National Nutrition Mission, also known as POSHAN Abhiyaan

y It is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development
(MWCD).
y It aims to achieve improvement in the nutritional status of Children from 0-6
years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers in a time-
bound manner during the next three years beginning 2017-18.
y The mission targets to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anaemia (among
young children, women, and adolescent girls) and reduce low birth weight by
2%, 2%, 3% and 2% per annum, respectively, by 2022.
y Promotion of the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished
rice and the consumption of poultry eggs are not objectives of the National
Nutrition Mission.
Q. Which of the following are the objectives of the ‘National Nutrition

Mission’? (UPSC CSE 2017)
1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women
and lactating mothers.
2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent
girls, and women.
3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals, and unpolished
rice.
4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 3 and 4 only
Answer: (a)
Wheat Based Nutrition Program:

y Allocates wheat, rice, and other coarse grains at subsidized rates under the
National Food Security Act (NFSA). Supports preparation of supplementary
food in Anganwadi Services.
o Beneficiaries:
Welfare institutions (e.g., beggar homes, nari-niketans) not covered
under TPDS or other welfare schemes.

Self Note
SC/ST/OBC hostels for residents/students.
Scheme for Adolescent Girls:

y Empower out-of-school adolescent girls (11-14 years old) and improve their
nutritional, health, and hygiene status.
o Nutrition provision: Take-home ration or hot cooked meal (600 calories,
18-20g protein, and micronutrients).
o Non-nutrition components: IFA supplementation, health check-ups,
nutrition and health education, life skills education, and accessing public
services.
Supply of food grains to welfare institutions

y Provide food grains (wheat, rice, millets) to charitable institutions (e.g beggar
homes, nari-niketans) not covered under TPDS.
y Strengthen food security and mitigate financial hardship for vulnerable
populations.
Supply of food grains for SC/ST//OBC Hostels

y Ensure adequate nutrition for residents/students of SC/ST/OBC hostels.
Allocation of food grains at BPL prices (maximum 15 kg per beneficiary per
month).
Annapurna Scheme
y Provides food security to senior citizens who are eligible for National Old
Age Pension. Distributes free food grains (10 kg rice/wheat per month) to
beneficiaries.
Post Harvest Management

y The quality standards of food grains are maintained with the help of Indian
Grain storage management and research institute and Central Grain analysis
laboratory, which is established in Ludhiana and Hyderabad, and New Delhi,
respectively.
Ethanol Blending Petrol Programme

y The government has achieved the target of ten percent blending of fuel grade
ethanol with petrol by 2022 and a fixed target of twenty percent blending by
2025. Till 2013, the supply of ethanol to the agencies was only 38 crore. Litres
with blending levels of one point 53 percent in ethanol supply here, 2013-14.
y Keeping in view of molasses based feedstock constraints, the government
is also promoting the ethanol production from various feedstocks such as
maize and damaged food grains.
International Cooperation
Self Note
y India has been associated with SAARC Food Bank, Food and Agricultural
Organization and Committee on World Food Security, International Grains
Council etc.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development

Authority (APEDA)
y The authority is mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and
development of the following schedule Products like fruits, vegetables and
their products meat and meat products.
y Poultry and poultry products, Dairy products, biscuits products, honey
etc. Basmati Rice has been included in the second schedule of this act. In
addition to this, the authority has been implemented with the responsibility
of monitoring the import of sugar as well.
Warehouse Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA)

y It is a statutory body established under the Warehousing (Development and
Regulation) Act of 2007 in India. Its core mandate is to regulate and foster the
development of the warehousing sector.
y This involves ensuring the efficient storage and preservation of agricultural
produce, minimizing post-harvest losses, and facilitating the use of
agricultural commodities as collateral for financing.
y WDRA oversees the accreditation of warehouses, sets standards for storage
infrastructure and practices, and monitors the issuance of negotiable
warehouse receipts (NWRs).
y By promoting transparency and efficiency in warehousing operations, WDRA
contributes significantly to improving market access, facilitating trade, and
augmenting farmers’ income along the agricultural value chain.
Food Processing Industry

y It is one of the largest sectors in terms of production, consumption, export,
and growth prospects. It encompasses a wide range of activities, including
agriculture, horticulture, plantation, animal husbandry, and fisheries.
y Key segments of the Indian food processing industry include fruits and
vegetables, dairy, grains and cereals, meat and poultry, fisheries, beverages,
and packaged foods.
y The industry has seen significant growth due to various factors such as
increasing urbanization, changing lifestyles, rising disposable incomes,
and growing demand for processed and convenience foods. India’s rich
agricultural diversity and vast raw material base provide a strong foundation
for food processing activities.
y Despite its substantial growth, the Indian food processing industry still faces

challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of cold chain facilities,

Self Note
inefficient supply chain management, and low levels of food processing
technology adoption.
y However, with continued government support, technological advancements,
and increasing consumer demand, the industry is poised for further
expansion and modernization, contributing significantly to India’s economic
development and employment generation.
y The Mega Food Park Scheme is based on the “Cluster” approach and
envisages creation of state of art support infrastructure in a well-defined
agri/ horticultural zone for setting up of modern food processing units in
the industrial plots provided in the park with a well-established supply chain.
y The Scheme of Mega Food Park aims at providing a mechanism to link
agricultural production to the market by bringing together farmers,
processors, and retailers so as to ensure maximizing value addition,
minimizing wastage, increasing farmers income and creating employment
opportunities particularly in the rural sector.
Q. With what purpose is the Government of India promoting the concept

of “Mega Food Parks”? (UPSC CSE 2011)
1. To provide good infrastructure facilities for the food processing
industry.
2. To increase the processing of perishable items and reduce wastage.
3. To provide emerging and eco-friendly food processing technologies
to entrepreneurs.
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)

18 Planning
The Planning Commission defines Economic planning as the utilization of a country’s resources for developmental
activities in accordance with national priorities. It is a consciously and judiciously carried out process for optimum
utilization of existing resources in order to fulfil some well defined objectives. It is neither a Constitutional nor
a Statutory Body. (Even the National Development council and Zonal councils do not find its mention in the
constitution. The Planning Commission was established in 1950 to promote a rapid rise in the standard of living
by efficient exploitation of resources, increasing production, and providing opportunities for employment.
Q. Which of the following bodies does not/ do not find mention in the
Constitution? (UPSC CSE 2013)
1. National Development Council
2. Planning Commission
3. Zonal Councils
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
History of Planning in India :

y The idea of a planned economy was crystallized in the 1930s when our national leaders came under the
influence of socialist philosophy.
y India’s Five-year plans were very much impressed by the rapid strides achieved by the USSR through five-year
plAnswer:
y In 1934, Sir M. Visvesvaraya published a book titled “Planned Economy in India”, in which he presented a
constructive draft of the development of India in the next ten years.
y In 1938, the National planning committee was set up under the chairmanship of Jawaharlal Nehru by the
Indian national Congress.
y Its recommendations could not be implemented because of the beginning of World War II and changes in the
Indian national situation.
y It stated that the object of planning was to ensure an adequate standard of living for the masses. It emphasized
on heavy industry and land reforms.
y In 1944, the Bombay plan was presented by eight leading industrialists of Bombay including JRD Tata, GD
Birla and others.
y It’s all future progress based on textile and consumer industries & important role for state in post-independent
India.
y In 1944, the Gandhian plan Was given by Shriman Narayana Agarwal. It emphasized decentralization,
agriculture development, cottage industries etc.
y In 1945, People’s plan was given by MN Roy. This plan was based on Marxist socialism.

y This plan was for a 10 year period and gave greatest priority to agriculture
Self Note
with nationalization of agriculture and production as the main feature of this
plan.
y In 1950, the Sarvodaya plan was drafted by Jai Prakash Narayan. This planet
itself was inspired by Gandhi and the plan and Sarvodaya idea of Vinoba
Bhave.
y A few points of this plan were accepted by the government such as emphasis
on agriculture and small and cottage industries.
First Five year Plan (1951-56)

y The first five year plan accorded the highest priority to agriculture including
irrigation and power projects.
y The First Plan (1951-56) allocated 44.6% of public sector investment to
agriculture, aiming to increase investment to 7% of national income.
Second Five year Plan (1956-57 to 1960-61)

y The second five-year plan sought to Promote the pattern of development,
which would ultimately Lead to the establishment of a socialistic pattern of
society in India.
y Main Aims:
1. An increase of 25% in the national income.
2. Rapid industrialisation with specific focus on basic and heavy industries.
3. Large expansion of employment opportunities.
4. Reduction of inequalities in income and wealth and more even
distribution of economic power.
Third plan (1961-62 to 1965-66)

y The Third Plan (1961-62 to 1965-66) was aimed at securing a marked advance

towards self-sustaining growth.

Self Note
y Its immediate objectives were to: Secure an increase in the national income of
over 5 per cent per annum and at the same time ensure a pattern of investment
which could sustain this rate of growth in the subsequent plan periods.
y Achieve self-sufficiency in food grains and increase agricultural production
to meet the requirements of industry and exports.
y Expand basic industries like steel, chemicals, fuel and power and establish
machine building capacity so that the requirements of further industrialisation
could be met within a period of about 10 years mainly from the country’s own
resources.
y Fully utilize the manpower resources of the country and ensure a substantial
expansion in employment opportunities.
y Establish progressively greater equality of opportunity and bring about
reduction in disparities of income and wealth and a more even distribution
of economic power.
y The Plan aimed at increasing the national income by about 30 per cent from
14,500 crore in 1960-61 to about 19,000 crore by 1965-66 (at 1960-61 prices)
and per capita income by about 17 per cent, from 330 to 386, over the same
period.
Annual Plans
y The Fourth Five Year Plan was delayed due to the Indo-Pakistan conflict
1965 , drought, devaluation, currency devaluation, inflation, and resource
depletion, leading to three Annual Plans between 1966 and 1969.
Fourth Plan (1969-74)

y The Fourth Plan aimed at accelerating the tempo of development by reducing
fluctuations in agricultural production as well as the impact of uncertainties
of foreign aid.
y The programmes were designed to promote equality and social justice.
y This plan also laid emphasis on Improving the conditions of less privileged and
weaker sections especially through provision of employment and education.
Fifth Plan (1974-79)

y The fifth plan was Formulated against the backdrop of inflationary pressures.
y Major objectives of the plan: To achieve self-reliance and adopt measures
for raising the consumption standard of people living below the poverty line.
y Plan gave high priority to bring inflation under control to achieve stability in
the economic situation.

Sixth Plan (1980-85)

Self Note
y Removal of poverty was the foremost objective of this plan.
y Focus on strengthening the infrastructure for both agriculture and industry.
Seventh Plan (1985-90)

y The seventh plan emphasized policies and programmes, which aimed at
growth in foodgrain production, increased employment opportunities and
productivity within the framework of basic tenets of planning, namely,growth,
modernisation,self-reliance and social Justice.
Annual Plans
y The eighth Five year plan could not take up due to the fast changing political
situation at the center.
y The eighth Five year Plan commenced in 1992 and 1990-91 and 1991-92 were
treated as separate Annual PlAnswer:
y Basic thrust areas of these annual plans were on maximization of employment
and social transformation.
Eighth Plan (1992-97)

y The Eighth Five-Year Plan (1992-97) was launched to address the worsening
Balance of Payments position and the position of inflation during 1990-91.
It aimed at an average annual growth rate of 5.6% and an average industrial
growth rate of 7.5%.
y There was a central sector expenditure shortfall due to insufficient internal
and extra-budgetary resource mobilization, and a state sector resource gap
due to a decline in current revenue balance.
y The total expenditure during the entire plan stood at 74,95,669 crore, resulting
in a 14.2% increase in nominal terms.
Ninth Plan (1997-2002)

y The Ninth Plan (1997-2002) was launched to achieve a targeted GDP growth
rate of 7 per cent per annum and focus on the seven identified Basic Minimum
Services (BMS).
y It also pursued a policy of fiscal consolidation to reduce the revenue deficit
of the government.
y The Plan aimed to prioritize agriculture and rural development, boost
economic growth with stable prices, ensure food and nutritional security,
provide basic services like water, healthcare, education, shelter, and connectivity
to all, control population growth, mobilize people’s participation, empower
women and marginalized groups, promote participatory institutions, and
enhance self-reliance.

Tenth Plan( 2002-07)

Self Note
y The Tenth Plan was Approved by the National Development Council in
December 2002.
y The plan further develops the NDC mandate objectives of doubling the per
capita income in 10 years and achieving a growth rate of 8% of GDP per
annum.
y It also aimed to reduce poverty, reduce decadal population growth, increase
gainful employment, reduce gender gaps in literacy and wage rates, provide
potable drinking water to all villages,increase forest/tree cover, and clean
major polluted river stretches.
y The Tenth Plan aimed to create 50 million job opportunities by focusing on
employment intensive sectors of agriculture, irrigation, agroforestry, small
and medium enterprises, information and communication technology and
other services.
Eleventh Plan(2007-12)
y The 11th five-year plan (2007-12) Provided a comprehensive strategy for
inclusive development, building on the growing strength of the economy,
while also addressing weaknesses that had surfaced.
y It set a target of 49% growth in the five year period with acceleration during
the period to reach 10% by the end of the plan.
Twelfth Plan (2012-17)

y The 12th plan fully recognises the objective of development in broad-based
improvement in the economic and social conditions of our people.
y The approach paper to the 12th plan, had set a target of 9% average growth
rate of GDP over the plan period.
y The 12th plan was the last of the five-year plAnswer:
y The Prime Minister’s Office advised the NITI Aayog to prepare a Fifteen Year
Vision, Seven Year Strategy and Three Year Action Agenda framework to
better align the development strategy with the evolving reality of the country.

Q. With reference to the Indian Economy after the 1991 economic Self Note
liberalization, consider the following
statements: (UPSC CSE 2020)
1. Worker productivity (rupees per worker at 2004-05 prices) increased
in urban areas while it decreased in rural areas.
2. The percentage share of rural areas in the workforce steadily increased.
3. In rural areas, the growth in the nonfarm economy increased.
4. The growth rate in rural employment decreased.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 4
Answer: (b)
Q. With reference to India’s Five-Year Plans, which of the following

statements is/are correct?
(UPSC CSE 2019)
1. From the Second Five-Year Plan, there was a determined thrust
towards substitution of basic and capital goods industries.
2. The Fourth Five-Year Plan adopted the objective of correcting the
earlier trend of increased concentration of wealth and economic
power.
3. In the Fifth Five-Year Plan, for the first time, the financial sector was
included as an integral part of the Plan.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Q. Which of the following have occurred in India after its liberalization of

economic policies in 1991?
(UPSC CSE 2017)
1. Share of agriculture in GDP increased enormously.
2. Share of India’s exports in world trade increased.
3. FDI inflows increased.
4. India’s foreign exchange reserves increased enormously.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)

Atal Innovation Mission

Self Note
y The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a flagship initiative of the central
government to promote innovation and entrepreneurship across the
country. Atal Innovation Mission is a flagship scheme by the Government of
India, set up under NITI Aayog (National Institute for Transforming India),It
is setting up Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in schools across all 700+ districts,
setting up world-class.
y Atal Incubators (AICs) at university, NGO, SME and Corporate Industry
levels, providing scale-up support to existing incubators, and providing
a grant of up to 10 crore to successful applicants for setting up green-fi eld
incubators or scaling up existing ones.
y The idea is that every one of the 110 named smart cities and the top 5-10
educational/industrial institutions of every state should aspire to have a
world-class incubator that will provide the youth/ start-up communities in
the universities/industries opportunity to create new start-ups.
Q. Atal innovation mission is set up under the (UPSC CSE 2019)

(a) Department of science of technology
(b) Ministry of labour and employment
(c) NITI Ayog
(d) Ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship
Answer: (c)
Atal Tinkering Labs

y Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) is a flagship initiative of Atal Innovation Mission
(AIM) to nurture an innovative mindset amongst high-school students.
y ATLs encourage students to come up with innovative ideas and equip them
with skills such as design thinking, critical thinking,computational thinking,
and digital fabrication.
Mentor India
y Mentor India is a path-breaking initiative to catalyze the academia-industry
partnership, with strong partnerships forged with stakeholders to ensure
success.
y The different stakeholders include Mentors, industry professionals and
alumni.
y Mentors are expected to be enablers rather than instructors, providing technical
know-how, innovation and design, and business and entrepreneurship.
Atal Incubation Centres (AIC)

y AIC programme Was launched in 2017 with a vision to build a system of
business in queue better where intrapreneurs can gain access towards
achieving the sustainable development goals.
y It seeks to come out and support the benefits of technology led innovations
Self Note
to solve SDG problems by developing PPP based participatory models.
Asset Monetisation
National Monetisation Pipeline

y The NITI Aayog prepared the National Monetisation Pipeline in consultation
with the infrastructure line ministries .
y The National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) is a pioneering initiative to
establish a medium-term pipeline and roadmap for monetisation-ready
assets listed under various Ministries.
y It aims to raise 6 lakh crore through core assets of the central government and
unlock value from brownfield infrastructure assets.
y Asset monetisation is a paradigm shift in infrastructure operations,
augmentation and maintenance by tapping into the private sector’s resource
efficiencies and ability to dynamically adapt to the evolving global and
economic realities.
y New models, such as Infrastructure Investment Trusts and Real Estate
Investment Trusts, will enable the public to participate in this asset class,
opening new avenues for investment.
Initiatives and Reforms

y Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) DMEO ,an
attached office of NITI Aayog , is the apex monitoring and evaluation of the
Government of India which was established in 2015.
y Its role is to monitor progress and efficacy of policy and programme
frameworks and initiatives,and actively monitor and evaluate the
implementation of programmes and initiatives.
y It has advisory powers across ministries and departments, and technical
advisory to states.
Global Innovation Index (GII)

y The Global Innovation Index (GII) is an influential annual publication that
assesses and measures the innovation performance of economies around the
world.
y It serves as a valuable benchmarking tool used by policymakers, business
leaders, and various stakeholders to evaluate and track a country’s progress
in the field of innovation.
y The GII was published by the World Intellectual Property Organization
(WIPO) in partnership with Cornell University, INSEAD, and other
organizations and institutions.
y The S&T Vertical is the nodal division of the Aayog in respect of improving
Global Innovation Index ranking and has been continuously working towards
Self Note
improving India’s ranking in the index.
y The NITI Aayog has constituted an Inter-ministerial Coordination
Committee to monitor the progress of updating the Global Innovation Index
and suggest reform actions to improve India’s Ranking.
India Improves GII Ranking

y India improved Its position over the years retaining 40th rank out of 132
economies in the global innovation index (GII) in 2023 Rankings published by
the world intellectual property organization (WIPO) which is headquartered
at Geneva, switzerland.
y The improvement in the rankings is a result of immense knowledge capital,
vibrant start-up ecosystem, and the amazing work done by the public and
private research organization’s.
y Atal innovation mission has played a major role in expanding the innovation
ecosystem.
About World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)

y A self-funding agency of the United Nations, WIPO is a global forum for
intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information, and cooperation,
having 193 member states, about 250 non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), and inter-governmental organizations (IGOs), having the status of
an official observer at WIPO meetings.
y Governments, inter-governmental organizations, industry groups and civil

Self Note
society come together at this global policy forum, known as the WIPO, to
address evolving intellectual property (IP) issues.
y Established in 1967 under the WIPO Convention, headquartered in Geneva,
Switzerland, WIPO works on promoting a balanced international IP system
that fosters innovation and creativity globally.
NITI Aayog
y The national institution for transforming India came into existence in 2015
replacing the planning commission which was established in 1950.
y NITI Aayog serves as the think tank of the Government of India, with the
Prime Minister of India as the Chairperson. It is built on the principle of
cooperative federalism, a knowledge hub of internal and external resources,
and a repository of good governance best practices.
y It works closely with state governments, serves as a knowledge hub, and
monitors progress in the implementation of policies and programmes.
y NITI Aayog advises governments, shares best practices, promotes cooperative
federalism, designs policies, monitors implementation, publishes research,
develops model laws, organizes events, and compiles governance research.
y Composition of the NITI Aayog:

o The Prime Minister of India is the Chairperson of the Governing Council,
which consists of Chief Ministers of all states, Chief Ministers of union

territories with legislatures, and Lt. Governors of other union territories.

Self Note
o The full-time organizational framework consists of the Prime Minister
as Chairperson, a ViceChairperson, full-time and part-time members
from leading universities, research organizations and other relevant
institutions, and an ex-officio member of the Union Council of Ministers.
o The Chief Executive Officer is appointed by the Prime Minister for a fixed
tenure, in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India/Secretariat.
Source: PIB.NIC.IN

19 Rural Development
INDIA has been a welfare state since independence and its policies and programmes have been designed to
reduce rural poverty. It was realized that a sustainable strategy of poverty alleviation has to be based on increasing
the productive employment opportunities in the process of the growth itself. The Community Development
Programme, inaugurated in 1952, was an important landmark in rural development and was handled by different
ministries. In 1974, the Department of Rural Development was elevated to the status of a new Ministry of Rural
Reconstruction. In 1991, the Department was upgraded as the Ministry of Rural Development and in 1999, it was
renamed as the Ministry of Rural Development. Presently, the Ministry of Rural Development consists of two
departments, namely, Department of Rural Development and Department of Land Resources.
Major Programmes for Rural Development
Rural Employment
y The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGS) ,2005 has become the lifeline
to millions of households in rural areas of the country.
y The act aims to provide up to 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every household
whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
Objectives:
y The aim is to offer up to 100 days of unskilled manual work per household in rural areas annually, create
durable assets, enhance rural livelihoods through infrastructure development, empower women, and boost
the local economy.
y The government has taken steps to strengthen the implementation of MGNREGA, such as eFMS, Aadhaar
seeding, geo-tagging of assets, and strengthening of the Social Audit System.
y Strengthening of social audit system and gram panchayats (GP) planning of works through geographical
information system (GIS)based tools with the help of remote sensing technology are some steps towards
bringing in more transparency and accountability in the programme implementation.
y Out of the total 2,69,540 g panchayats in the country, a total of 2,64,846 such GIS-based gram panchayats plans
have been prepared by October 2023.
Direct benefit transfer (DBT) system

y DBT system in wage payment was adopted under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA.
y The Ministry of Rural Development has implemented the National Electronic Fund Management System
(NeFMS) to streamline the fund flow mechanism and reduce delay in payment of wages.
y The NeFMS Has been implemented in the 27 states and the union territories.
New Initiatives
y The Ministry has taken several initiatives for the betterment of livelihood of individual beneficiaries and
promoted the involvement of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) compliant Cluster Level Federation
(CLF) as Programme Implementing Agency (PIA).

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana—National Rural Livelihoods Mission

Self Note
(DAY-NRLM)
y The DAY-NRLM Mission was launched in 2011 to reach out to 8-9 crore rural
poor households and organize one woman member from each household
into affinity based women SHGs and federations at village level and at higher
levels.
y It ensures adequate coverage of vulnerable sections of the society, such as
50% of the beneficiaries are members of the scheduled castes and scheduled
tribes, 15% from minority groups and 3% from persons with disability,
while keeping in view the overall target of 100% coverage of the rural poor
households identified through Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC).
y The key components of the mission include promoting institutions of the
poor, training, capacity building and skill building, and providing community
investment support funds.
y Convergence is provided to help states mainstream convergence as an
effective method to reduce poverty and empower rural poor.
y Nonfarm livelihoods: startup Village intrapreneurship programmes supports
entrepreneurs in rural areas to set up local enterprises by pouring access
to Loan Finance and scaling up the existing enterprises. By 2023 the total
number of individual enterprises set up under the programme is 2.67 lakh.
Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin

The Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) aims to achieve the
objective of “Housing for All” by providing 2.95 crore pucca houses with basic
amenities to all houseless households and households living in kutcha and
dilapidated houses in rural areas by 2024. The unit assistance of 1.20 lakh is
provided in plain areas and 1.30 lakh in hilly areas, difficult areas and IAP districts.
Major Initiatives
y Convergence with other schemes: PMAY-G Provides beneficiaries with various
I’m in a discharge and skilled labour under MGNREGA for 90 to 95 days,
piped drinking water,electricity connection,LPG Gas connection,renewable
energy source, and construction of toilets through convergence with other

Self Note
programmes.
y e-governance in PMAY-G : For seamless implementation of PMAY-G across
the states and UTS government makes use of new technology and e-governance
reforms like single nodal account (SNA), Awaas soft MIS, Awaas App, Direct
benefit transfer, Geo-tagging images,GIS based Dashboard,etc.
y Woman empowerment: The program prioritizes woman empowerment by
giving preference to female headed households and households with a single
girl child among eligible beneficiaries.
y PMAY-G Dashboard : The dashboard provides end-to-end insights to track
the physical and financial progress of the scheme, including single screen
visualization, state level reports, gap/ delays in release of installments, speed
of house construction, age-wise, category-wise data analysis, and trend
analysis for sanction and completion progress.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

y The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) launched in 2000 to
provide connectivity by way of an all-weather road to eligible unconnected
habitations with a population of 500 persons and above in plain areas.
y Special Category States (North-East, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, former state
of Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand), desert areas, tribal (Schedule V)
areas and 88 selected tribal and backward districts are also included.
y The ministry has implemented the electronic maintenance of rural roads
under PMGSY (eMARG) in all states since 2020.
y eMARG is an end-to-end solution for ensuring maintenance of rural roads,
and a mobile app called Meri Sadak has been launched for citizen feedback
and complaints.
National Social Assistance Programme

y Article 41 of the Constitution of India directs the state to provide public
assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and
disablement.
y NSAP is a centrally sponsored scheme providing 100% central assistance to
states/UTs according to prescribed norms. States can enhance coverage as per
their discretion.
Presently NSAP comprises the following schemes for Below Poverty

Line (BPL) households:
y Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Under the
scheme, Assistance is provided to those who are 60 years and above and
belong to a family living below poverty line,with central assistance of 200 per
month and 500 per month for those over 80. Indira Gandhi

y National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): The scheme provides central

Self Note
assistance of 300 rupees per month to widows in the age-group of 40-79 years
and belonging to a family living Below Poverty Line.
y After 80 years, the beneficiary is shifted to IGNOAPS for a pension of 500
rupees.
y Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): The scheme
provides central assistance of 300 rupees per month to persons aged 18-79
with severe or multiple disabilities and belonging to a family living BPL.
y After attaining 80 years, the beneficiary is shifted to IGNOAPS for a pension
of 500 rupees.
y National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): Under the scheme, a BPL
household is entitled to a lump sum amount of money on the death of primary
breadwinner aged between 18 and 59 years.
y The amount of assistance is 20,000 rupees.
y Annapurna: Under the scheme, 10 kg of foodgrains per month is provided
free of cost to those senior citizens who, though eligible under IGNOAPS, are
not receiving pension under IGNOAPS.
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)

y The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is a
flagship placement linked skill-training programme under the Ministry of
Rural Development (MoRD). This scheme was announced in 2014.
y The ultimate aim is to convert India’s demographic surplus into a demographic
dividend by providing sustainable employment to 55 million poor rural youth.
y It is a pioneer in standards-led delivery of skilling, Aadhaar-linked biometric
information on attendance, and geo-tagged time-stamped record of training
centres and classes.
Key Features
y Placement in wage employment is mandated for 70% of successful candidates,
with a minimum salary of 6,000 per month or the minimum wages, whichever
is higher.
y The programme promotes the economic strategies - Make in India ,
champion employer policy and industrial internship policy.
Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM)

y The SPMRM was launched in 2016 to deliver catalytic interventions to rural
areas on the threshold of growth.
y Rurban clusters are identified across the country’s rural areas showing
increasing signs of urbanization i.e. increase in population density, high levels
of non-farm employment and other socio-economic parameters.

Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana

Self Note
y Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) was launched in 2014 with the aim to
develop one village by each Member of Parliament as a model village by 2016
and two more by 2019. Five more villages are to be selected and developed
by 2024.
y This scheme aims at integrated development in various areas like agriculture,
health, education, sanitation, environment, and livelihoods in selected
villages.
y It also emphasizes national values like pride, patriotism, unity, and self-
confidence alongside infrastructure development.
National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR)

y The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR)
is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Rural Development,
recognised internationally as one of the UNESCAP Centres of Excellence.
y The institute is located in the historic city of Hyderabad in Telangana and
has a North-Eastern Regional Centre in Guwahati, Assam.
Land resources:
y The Department of land resources is implementing two schemes namely
1. Digital India land records modernisation programme (DILRMP)
2. Watershed development component Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai
Yojana( WDC-PMKSY)
y The Department of land Resources administers the following two acts,
namely, the right to fair compensation and transparency England acquisition,
rehabilitation and resettlement act, 2013 and Registration act, 1908.
Digital India land records modernisation programme(DILRMP)

y The DILRMP , The east while National Land records modernisation
programme launched in 2008-09,as a central sponsored scheme ,was
converted to central sector scheme from 2016 with hundred percent funding
by the Centre.
y Substantial progress has been made in the basic components of
Computerisation of Land Records, including Record of Rights (RoR),
Cadastral Maps, Computerisation of Registration, and Integration of SROs
with Land Records.
y Besides these, some more innovative initiatives have also been taken under
DILRMP as detailed here:
Integrated Land information Management System (ILIMS)

y The ILIMS is being implemented under the Digital India Land Records
Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) to improve real-time information on
land, optimize use of land resources, benefit both landowners and prospectors,
Self Note
reduce disputes, check fraudulent/benami transactions, and enable timely
credit support to farmers.
y It provides online single-window access to all available, relevant information
to give a fair comprehensive position of any plot of land to land owners,
concerned officers/agencies, and interested persons/ entrepreneurs.
Components include linking with banks, courts, circle rates, registry, Aadhaar
number, etc.
Unique Land Parcel identification Number (ULPIN)

y The Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) system is a 14-digit
unique ID for each land parcel based on geo-coordinates of vertices and a
general boundary geometry.
y It is used to provide integrated land services to citizens.
Linkage of e-Court with Land Record/Registration Database

y Pilot test for linking of e-Court with land record and registration database has
been undertaken successfully in three states namely, Haryana, Maharashtra
and Uttar Pradesh in association with the Department of Justice.
y The benefits include:
y The court will have first-hand information on substantive and authentic
evidence of Record of Rights, Cadastral map including Geo-referenced and
legacy data.
y This information will greatly benefit courts in deciding and resolving
disputes related to property, helping them quickly determine if any related
case is pending.
y This will lead to a reduction in land disputes.
y Prospective buyers can check property dispute status, making informed
decisions. Litigants can access case status online, reducing visits to courts.
This system improves ease of doing business and promotes a better quality
of life.
Transliteration of Land Records in Scheduled languages :

y Currently, the records of rights in state and union territory are maintained
in local languages.
y The government has undertaken an initiative to transliterate the Records
of Rights to 22 languages recognised by the Constitution, with a pilot test
underway in some states/UTs.
y The government took the technical support from CDAC (Centre for
development of advanced computing,Pune) for transliteration of land records
in scheduled languages (22 languages).

Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi

Self Note
Sinchayee Yojana (WDG-PMKSY)
y Watershed is a topographically delineated area that is drained by a stream
system.
y The Department of Land Resources has been implementing area development
programmes on watershed-basis to address the concerns of land degradation
and wastelands and enhance productivity in rainfed areas.
y Management of a watershed entails rational utilization of land and water
resources for optimum productivity, with minimum hazards to human
settlements.
y Watershed management is the process of guiding and organizing land use
and use of other natural resources in a watershed.
y It is a multi-disciplinary field for sustainable natural resource management
and contributes towards mitigation and adaptation to global warming.
y The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) and the
Watershed Development Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee
Yojana (WDC-PMKSY) aim to restore the ecological balance by harnessing,
conserving and developing degraded natural resources such as soil, vegetative
cover and water.
y The outcomes are prevention of soil erosion, regeneration of natural
vegetation, rain water harvesting and recharging of the ground water table.
Bhoomi Samman (Platinum Grading certificate scheme for DILRMP

for states/UTs)
y The Department of land resources sent a target for saturation of basic
components of the Program.
y There was a lack of schemes to incentivize and recognize good practices
and excellent performance in land, revenue administration, and registration
departments at the state and district levels.
y Department has initiated grading among the districts and states on the basis
of data fed by states/districts.
Panchayati Raj ( Democratic Decentralization)

y The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) was set up in 2004 to ensure
compliance with the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution, District
Planning Committees, and PESA.
y Its mission is empowerment, enablement, and accountability of PRIs to
ensure inclusive development, social justice, and efficient delivery of services.
Constitutional Mandate
y The Constitution of India provides for the setting up of three tiers of
Panchayats: The system includes gram panchayats at the village level, districts
at the district level, and intermediate panchayats at the sub-district level.

Self Note
y It also facilitates direct participation of villagers/people in local governance
through gram sabha meetings.
y The reservation of seats for women and marginalized sections (scheduled
castes and scheduled tribes) is in proportion to their share in population, and
many states have increased the reservation of seats and chairperson posts for
women to 50 per cent.
y State legislatures have a critical role in determining various aspects of
Panchayati Raj in their states, and states play a crucial role in devolution of
powers.
y Panchayats will function as institutions of local government and prepare
plans and implement schemes for economic development.
y State finance commission are to make recommendations to the governor
regarding distribution between the state and panchayats of the net proceeds
of taxes, duties, tolls and fees etc such as The grant aids the panchayats from
the consolidated fund of the state as well as measures needed to improve the
financial position of panchayats.
Q. Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in (UPSC

CSE 2017)
(a) Federalism
(b) Democratic decentralization
(c) Administrative delegation
(d) Direct democracy
Answer: ( b )
Q. The fundamental object of the Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which

among the following? (UPSC CSE 2015)
1. People’s participation in development
2. Political accountability
3. Democratic decentralization
4. Financial mobilization
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: ( c )
Fifteenth Finance Commission

y The Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) has recommended devolution
to all tiers of the Panchayati Raj, including the Traditional Bodies of Non Part
IX States and Fifth and Sixth Schedule areas.
y Grants are divided into two parts: Basic (Untied) Grant and Tied Grant.
y Health Grants for 2021-2026 will establish block-level public health units,
Self Note
fund the construction of sub-centres, primary health centres, and community
health centres, and convert rural primary health centres into Health and
Wellness Centres.
Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)

y The government has implemented the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan
(RGSA) w.e.f. 2018-19, which aims to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions
(PRIs) for achieving sustainable development goals.
y The scheme has both central and state components, with the state component
being 60:40.
y The central components include National Plan for Technical Assistance
(NPTA), collaboration with academic institutions/institutions of excellence,
Mission Mode Project (MMP) on e-Panchayat, and Incentivisation of
Panchayats.
y State components include capacity building, HR support, enhancing Gram
Sabhas in PESA areas, IP-based distance learning, and phased saturation
mode with basic training for elected representatives.
y For all North eastern states and Union territories ,the central state share is
100 percent.
Revamped RGSA (Rashtriya Gram Swaraj abhiyan)

y RGSA has been revamped for implementation from 2022 to March 2026
(co-terminus with 15th finance commission).
y The focus of the scheme is on reimagining Panchayati Raj institutions as
vibrant centres of local self governance with special focus on localisation of
sustainable development goals at grassroots level.
Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP)

y The Gram Panchayats are constitutionally mandated to prepare GPDPs for
economic development and social justice.
y The Ministry of Panchayati Raj prepared model guidelines for GPDP and
launched the People’s Plan campaign to accelerate participation.
y Campaigns were implemented in partnership with state and local governments
to make the process participatory and convergent.
y The 15th finance commission also allocated funds for all three tiers of the
panchayats.
SVAMITVA
y SVAMITVA (Survey of villages and Mapping with improved
Technology in Village Areas ) :
SVAMITVA, launched on April 24, 2020, aims to provide ‘Record of Rights’
and property cards to rural household owners, facilitating monetization of

Self Note
rural residential assets for credit and financial services.
y Drone-based survey of properties in rural habitations is done, which is turned
into geo-referenced property parcel maps.
y The objectives of the SVAMITVA aims to provide people with property cards,
create accurate land records, GIS maps, and reduce property disputes in rural
India.
Drinking Water and Sanitation

y The Department of Drinking Water Supply was created in the Ministry of
Rural Development in 1999 and renamed in 2010. In 2011, the Government
of India created the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation as a separate
Ministry.
y In June 2019, the Ministry was renamed as the Department of Drinking water
and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
y The Ministry is responsible for policy, planning, funding and coordination
of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) , Jal Jeevan
Mission and the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) ESBM (G)1 for sanitation
in the country.
Swachh Bharat Mission

y The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in 2014 to provide everyone access
to sanitation facilities, including toilets, solid and liquid waste disposal
systems, and village cleanliness.
y The Mission was initiated with an aim to increase the access to sanitation
from 39% in 2014 to 100% by October 2019.
y To enhance rural delivery, steps include MoUs with states, timely funding,
small loans via NABARD/SIDBI, Swachhagrahis for sanitation, and rigorous
household monitoring via the ministry’s system.
Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin)

y Around 55,00,00,000 people in rural areas were without access to toilet
facilities till 2014.
y To accelerate the efforts to achieve universal sanitation Coverage and to make
the country open defecations free, Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in
2014.
y The government introduced the Central Rural Sanitation Programme
(CRSP) in 1986 to improve the quality of life of the rural people and provide
privacy and dignity to women.
y The “Total Sanitation Campaign” (T5C) and the “Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan”
(NBA) were launched in 2012 and 2014 respectively.
y The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) was launched in 2014 to provide
flexibility to state governments to decide on their implementation policy

Self Note
and mechanisms, taking into account state-specific requirements.
y SBM(G) aims to enhance rural quality of life by promoting cleanliness,
hygiene, ending open defecation, expanding sanitation coverage, and
adopting eco-friendly and sustainable sanitation technologies.
GOBARdhan
y GOBARdhan is an integral component of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen)
insuring cleanliness in villages by converting biodegradable/organic waste
including animal waste, kitchen leftovers etc. into biogas and bioslurry to
improve the lives of villagers.
y Financial support up to Rs50 lakh per district is available under GOBARdhan
for setting up of the community biogas plants.
Jai Jeevan Mission – Bridging the Water Gap

y The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) was announced in 2019 to provide Functional
Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural home by 2024.
y The objective is to improve quality of life and enhance ‘ease-of-living’ in
rural areas, with 15.70 crore households to be provided with tap water by
2024.
y This will benefit more than 19 crore rural families, bridging rural-urban
divide and improving public health.
y The Mission is not about infrastructure creation, but rather ensuring
long-term drinking water security in such a way as to avoid emergency
arrangements.
Namami Gange
y The Namami Gange Programme is an initiative of the Ministry of Jal Shakti
aimed at making villages on the bank of river Ganga ODF and interventions
dealing with solid and liquid waste management.
y The Ministry has taken up 25 villages to transform them as Ganga Grams in
coordination with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).
y Gram Panchayats are empowered for Ganga Gram activities’ ownership and
upkeep, with Ganga Gram Swachhta Sammelans boosting the initiative.
y Launched in 2017, the Ganga Gram Project declared participating villages
open defecation free at a sarpanches’ gathering.

20 Housing and Urban Affairs

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is the Nodal Ministry for planning and coordination of urban
transport matters at the central level. Today, urban India contributes 65% to India’s GDP which is estimated to
rise to 70% by 2030.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Housing for All

y Its aim is to provide all weather pucca houses with basic amenities including water supply, electricity to all
eligible beneficiaries in urban areas covering entire statutory towns of the country including areas under
development authorities.
y The scheme represents a policy shift from Slum Centric to Housing for all with a universal coverage approach.
Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban)

y It was launched in 2014 and has resulted in an open defecation free India.
y To promote bio-methanation of wet organic waste, the provisions for linkages under Sustainable Alternatives
towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) and GOBARdhan scheme is being done to develop 75 Waste to
Biomethanation plants and generate compressed biogas on a commercial scale from Municipal solid waste.

Smart Cities Mission

Self Note
y The mission aims to drive the comprehensive development of the necessary
physical, institutional, social, and economic infrastructure to support urban
growth.
y Key initiatives focus on ensuring reliable water and electricity supply,
effective sanitation and waste management, efficient urban mobility, public
transport, and affordable housing. To facilitate these developments, each of
the 100 smart cities has set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to manage
approximately 8,000 multi-sectoral projects valued at over Rs 1.7 lakh crore,
all targeted for completion by June 2024.
y Significant progress includes the establishment of Integrated Command and
Control Centres (ICCCs) in every city, leveraging AI, IoT, and data analytics
to enable smart, data-driven governance.
Climate Smart Cities

y This was launched for the 100 Smart cities in order to incentivise a holistic,
climate responsive development.
y This is a first of its kind assessment framework aimed at creating a green
mindset in cities while they plan and undertake various projects.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)

y Initially, 500 cities were identified for the Mission. It is a centrally sponsored
scheme with a total outlay of Rs 1 Lakh Crore including a Central Assistance
of Rs 50,000 crore spread over 5 years.
y It is a centrally sponsored scheme with a total outlay of Rs 1 Lakh crore
including a central assistance of Rs 50 thousand crores spread over 5 years.

y Amrut 2.0 was launched in 2021 with the target of making cities water secure
Self Note
and providing functional tap water connections to all households in all
statutory towns.
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana

y It was launched for reducing poverty and vulnerability of urban poor
households. The mission covers all the statutory towns in the country which
are to be decided as per local needs and capabilities.
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016

y RERA was passed by the Parliament in March 2016, heralding a new era of
transformation in the real estate sector.
y The core objective is to ensure regulation and promotion of the real estate
sector in an efficient manner and to protect the interest of home buyers.
SVANidhi Se Samriddhi
y This was introduced in 2021, in 127 cities to link the eligible PM SVANidhi
beneficiaries and their family members with 8 central sector schemes.
y These schemes are PM Jeewan Jyoti Bima Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana,
PM Jan Dhan Yojana etc.
y The PM SVANidhi scheme is available to all street vendors who are engaged
in vending in urban areas as on or before March 24, 2020.
National Mission on Sustainable Habitat

It is a part of National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) and aims
at promoting low carbon urban growth towards reducing GreenHouse Gas
emissions intended for achieving India’s NDCs and building resilience of cities to
climate change impacts and strengthening their capacities to bounce back better
from climate related extreme events.
National Urban Transport Policy

y It seeks to promote integrated land use and transport planning, greater use of
public transport and non-motorised modes of travel along with use of cleaner
technologies.
y It encourages capacity building at Institutional level, innovative financing
mechanisms and need for public awareness and cooperation.
Metro Rail Policy

y This envisages a focused approach towards the selection and implementation
of metro rail projects to maximize the overall benefits to the city and minimize
cost.
y The policy aims to evolve metro projects from being just transportation
projects to transformational projects.
PM e-Bus Sewa
Self Note
y It was launched in 2023 with an objective to increase modal share of public
transport and reduce GreenHouse emission by promoting electric buses for
the city bus population.
Miscellaneous Initiatives in Urban Sector
Central Vista
y The government has undertaken development/redevelopment of Central
Vista while retaining its original aesthetic spirit and basic architectural
character. As part of this, the Kartavya Path was redeveloped.
New Parliament Building

y It was inaugurated in May 2023 and is a reflection of the aspirations of new
India.
y The overall design and architecture of the new Building embodies India’s rich
historical and cultural traditions.
y The Constitution Hall captures the profound significance of the founding and
adoption of our constitution.
Kartavya Path
y It symbolized a shift from erstwhile Rajpath being an icon of power to
Kartavya Path being an example of Public ownership and empowerment.
y It also aims to reduce the pressure of increasing traffic of visitors.
y The redevelopment has been done bearing these concerns in mind while also
ensuring the integrity and continuity of architectural character.

21 Transport
The Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways are responsible for the formation and
implementation of policies and programmes for the development of various modes of transport.
Railways
The size of Indian Railways’ Fleet of locomotive stocks as in March 2022 consisted of 4747 diesel and 8429 electric
locomotives. The network is divided into 17 zones. Divisions are the basic operating units.
Central Public Sector Enterprises

y There are 12 CPSE under the administrative control of the Ministry of Railways. Some of them include IRCON
International Limited, Container Corporation of India Limited, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited etc.
Rail Tourism
y Indian Railways has taken various initiatives to promote tourism such as operation of tourist trains on popular
tourist circuits, offering tour packages etc.
y The Railways has been operating the luxury tourist train ‘Palace on Wheels’ since 1982.
Catering Services
y The Catering Policy 2017 mandates the service of meals in trains from the base kitchen owned, operated and
managed by IRCTC.
Vande Bharat Express

y It is a semi high speed intercity train. It is considered to be India’s first Engine-less train and the fastest train in
the country. It is capable of reaching a top speed of 160 km/h.
Road Network
y India has about 63.32 lakh km of road network, which is the 2nd largest in the world.
y The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has been entrusted with the responsibility of development and
maintenance of National Highways.

Bharatmala Pariyojana
Self Note
y 27 Greenfield Expressways and Access-controlled corridors of length around
10,000 kms are being developed to improve connectivity and economic
prosperity.
Multi Modal Logistics Park

y Under the Gati Shakti National Master Plan formulating modal connectivity,
the GoI aims to create an efficient logistics network and herald a new era of
Infrastructure development and multi-modal logistics.
Bhoomi Rashi
y This portal is aimed at digitizing the land acquisition notification process
and avoiding parking of public funds with the Competent Authority for Land
Acquisition (CALA).
Voluntary Vehicle Fleet Modernization Programme

y It was launched in 2021. It is aimed at creating an ecosystem for phasing out
of unfit and polluting vehicles in an eco-friendly manner.
y The policy targets voluntary scrapping of unfit commercial and personal
vehicles strictly based on their fitness, irrespective of vehicle age.
Shipping
Sagarmala Pariyojana
y To harness the coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways and
strategic location on key international maritime trade routes, the GoI has
embarked on the ambitious Sagarmala Programme to promote port-led
development.
y Its objectives include port modernisation, new port development, port
connectivity and coastal community development etc.
Major Ports
y Major ports in India are designated under Section 3(8) of the Indian Ports
Act 1908, where the Central Government has the authority to declare any
port a major port. Examples include Kandla, JNPT, and Cochin.
y Kamarajar Port stands out as the sole corporatized major port and operates
as a registered company. Mundra Port, located in Gujarat, is India’s largest
privately owned port.
y The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), also known as Nhava Sheva, ranks
as the largest container port in the country.
y According to the Indian Ports Association (IPA), cargo traffic at these major
ports saw a significant increase of 11.79% in February 2023, reaching 65.45
million tonnes, up from 58.55 million tonnes the previous year.

Self Note
y All major ports, with the exception of Visakhapatnam, Kamarajar, and
Chennai, reported positive growth in cargo traffic.
Q. Consider the following pairs : (UPSC CSE 2023)

Port Well Known as
1. Kamarajar Port : First major port in India registered as a
company
2. Mundra Port : Largest privately owned port in India
3. Visakhapatnam Port : Largest container port in India
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) All three pairs
(d) None of the pairs
Answer: (b)
Jal Vikas Marg

y Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) is a project for the development of National
Waterways in India.
y The main objective of this project is the development of a fairway between
Varanasi and Haldia with a depth of 3 meters and covering a distance of 1380
km.
Inland Water Transport
y India has about 14,500 km long navigable IWT network. However, cargo
transport is presently less than 2% of the total cargo movement.

National Waterways Act, 2016 The Act merges 5 existing Acts which have Self Note
declared the 5 National Waterways and proposes 101 additional National
Waterways. The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill states that
while inland waterways are recognised as a fuel efficient, cost effective and
environment-friendly mode of transport, it has received lesser investment as
compared to roads and railways. Since inland waterways are lagging behind
other modes of transport, the central government has evolved a policy for
integrated development of inland waterways.
Indian Maritime University

y It was set up in 2008 in Chennai as a central university with campuses at
Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam.
Lighthouses and Lightships

y Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) provides service
to enable the mariners to know their position with respect to a fixed point on
the land with the help of visual aids to navigation such as lighthouses, light
vessels, buoys, beacons etc.
Civil Aviation
Greenfields Airports Policy

y It was formulated in 2008 and provides guidelines, procedure and conditions
for establishment of new Greenfield airports in the country.
National Civil Aviation Policy

y The National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016 aims at creating an ecosystem to
make flying affordable to masses while ensuring safe, secure, affordable and
sustainable travel for air passengers and transportation of cargo with access to
various parts of India and the world.

Airport Authority of India

Self Note
y It is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining, and managing civil
aviation infrastructure in India.
y It provides Communication Navigation Surveillance / Air Traffic Management
(CNS/ATM) services over Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas.
National Air Sports Guidelines

y It aims to make India one of the top air sports nations by 2030 by providing
a safe, affordable, accessible, enjoyable and sustainable air sports ecosystem
in India.
y The policy will cover activities like aerobatics, aeromodelling, amateur-built
and experimental aircraft, ballooning, drones, etc.
GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN)

y It is a collaborative system developed jointly by Airports Authority of India
and Indian Space Research Organization to improve the accuracy, reliability
of GPS signals, specifically for precision approaches in civil aviation.
Krishi Udan 2.0

y It was launched in 2021 for facilitating and incentivising movement of cargo
by air transportation by providing full waiver of Landing, Parking, Terminal
Navigation Landing Charges (TNLC) for Indian passengers. It covers a total
of 58 airports in the country.
Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign)

y It would help people providing the services at airports in understanding
the needs of persons with reduced mobility, old people, children, expecting
mothers etc.
y It reflects efforts to make air travel more equitable and accommodating by
supporting the rights and dignity of all passengers.

22 Energy
Energy is an essential input for economic development and improving the quality of life. The development of
conventional forms of energy for meeting the growing energy needs of the society at a reasonable cost is the
responsibility of the government.
Power
y Over 175 GW Generation capacity has been added since 2014, transforming the country to power surplus. The
whole country has been connected to one grid by adding 173459 circuit kilometers of transmission lines in the
last 8 years and the power transmission capacity.
y In the interstate, transmission systems are now 112250 MW resulting in one nation-one grid- one frequency.
The Indian power grid has now emerged as the largest integrated grid in the world.
y This transformation from Power deficit country to a situation of demand being met except for the extremely
marginal shortfall of less than 1% on account of constraints in distribution network has been made possible by
relentless efforts of the government to send all the stakeholders.
y The country has pledged that by 2030, more than 40% of the installed electricity generation capacity will be
from non fossil fuel sources.
y This target was achieved 9 years ahead of the schedule. India’s non-fossil field capacity is already 42%. The
country is currently on the path to honor the pledge COP26 at Glasgow that fifty percent of the electricity
generation installed capacity will be made from non fossil fuels sources by 2030.
y The power generation area has seen an increase in generation capacity from 248 GW to 425 GW, from 2014
to 2023. This generation capacity has been achieved through conventional sources. Add renewable sources of
energy.
y As per the national electricity plan, 2023 India will have 66.22 percent of non fossil based energy sources. India
currently stands 4th globally in renewable energy installed capacity, 4th in wind power, 5th in solar power.
y In the power transmission area, the evolution of the national grid has seen an upgrading by connecting the
remotest area of ladakh to the northern grid, making the defining movement when the entire country was
connected through the national grid.
y On the similar line, a transmission and distribution system has also been developed in the northeastern state
as well.
y Deendayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) is an Indian government initiative aimed at electrifying
rural areas and providing continuous power supply.
Key features include:

o Objective: To provide electricity to all rural households and ensure 24x7 power supply.
o Implementation launched in 2015, the scheme focuses on strengthening and augmenting the distribution
infrastructure in rural areas.
o Components: It includes feeder separation, system strengthening, metering at the village and household
levels, and rural electrification.
o Funding: It’s primarily funded by the government, with additional support from financial institutions and
state governments.
Self Note
Saubhagya Scheme
y The scope of the scheme includes providing electricity connection to all
unelectrified households in rural areas. The above poverty line households
will get electricity connections at ₹500.
UDAY Scheme
y It is a voluntary scheme for participation and twenty six states and one union
territory have joined the scheme.
y The scheme is monitored by an inter ministerial committee and a state level
committee.
y It has a portal attached to it, which provides basic analytics and progress. For
performance of various state DISCOMS.
Q. Which one of the following is the purpose of ‘UDAY’, a scheme of the

Government? (UPSC CSE 2016)
(a) Providing technical and financial assistance to start-up entrepreneurs
in the field of renewable sources of energy.
(b) Providing electricity to every household in the country by 2018.
(c) Replacing the coal-based power plants with natural gas, nuclear, solar,
wind and tidal power plants over a period of time.
(d) Providing for financial turnaround and revival of power distribution
companies.
Answer: (d)
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Evam Utthan Maha Abhiyan Scheme

y It aims to provide energy security to consumers. The scheme provides funding
support to promote installation of solar energy installations for provision of
electricity to agriculture pump sets.
y Reforms in the transmission sector include climate adaptation and real
time market scenario adaptation along with security constrained economic
dispatch to reduce the cost of power procured by the distribution licenses.
y The go electric campaign was also launched throughout the country in 2021
to educate the general public on the benefits of e- mobility and inform the
potential of electric vehicle owners about the incentives of the electric vehicle
adoption.
Energy Conservation
y The initiatives In this area include a target of 500GW of energy generation
from non fossil resources. In addition to this various initiatives like Unnat
Jyoti by affordable LEDs, all street lighting programmes, star labeling program
for solar modules etc have been initiated.

y For removing the barriers in availability and utilization of renewable energy

Self Note
and to address the issues that have hindered the growth of open access for a
long time, the Green Open access Rules 2022 were notified. The rule reduces
the open access limit from 1 MWs to 200 KWs. Which paves the way for small
consumers to purchase renewable energy and there is no limit for captive
customers. Any customers can demand supply of green power from discoms.
y To counter stubble burning and reduce carbon footprint of thermal power
plants while supplementing farmer income, the ministry has taken a major
step by establishing a national mission on use of biomass in thermal power
plants also known as SAMARTH.
Petroleum and Natural Gas

y India has become the third largest energy consumer in the world after China
and USA. Oil and gas accounted for thirty five percent share in India’s energy
consumption.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

y The primary objective was to provide clean cooking fuel LPG to BPL
households thereby protecting their health by reducing hazards associated
with use of conventional cooking fuel.
y The eligible families are identified through Socio-Economic caste Census list
and other seven categories, i.e.,
o beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri AwasYojana (PMAY-Gramin);
o beneficiaries of Antyodaya Anna Yojana;
o SC/ST households;
o most backward classes;
o forest dwellers;
o tea/ex-tea garden tribes, and
o residents of islands/river islands subject to fulfilling other terms and
conditions.
y Ujjwala 2.0 was launched in 2021 to provide an additional one crore LPG
connections to adult women of poor households under PMUY.
PAHAL Scheme
y The government introduced a well targeted system of subsidies delivery to
LPG consumers through this scheme.
y This initiative was aimed at rationalizing subsidies. It’s based on an approach
to cut subsidy leakages, but not subsidies per se.
Sahaj
y It was a digital initiative launched by oil marketing companies for release of
LPG connection with online payment and issuance of ‘e-sv’ under the digital
Self Note
India initiative and the facility is now available on Pan India basis.
Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga

y It is a major natural gas pipeline project aimed at providing piped natural gas
(PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure across several states
in India launched by the Government of India.
y It primarily focuses on the eastern region of the country.
y The project aims to promote the use of cleaner and more efficient natural gas
as a fuel, thereby reducing pollution and promoting economic growth in the
region.
y The pipeline network will connect various cities, industrial hubs, and major
consumption centers with domestic and industrial users, fostering energy
security and sustainable development.
Indian strategic petroleum reserves

y The Indian strategic petroleum reserves are located at three locations, which
are Visakhapatnam, Mangalore and Padur.
y These three reserves can meet approximately 9.5 days of national demand.
y The ministry is also exploring possibilities to lease strategic reserves outside
India and USA is one of the options being considered.
y This will increase the country ‘s strategic oil stockpile and boost India’s energy
security.
Energy Diplomacy
y India is the third largest consumer of energy resources in the world, next
only to the USA and China. It is also the 3rd largest importer of crude oil and
largest importer of LNG in the world. Dependency on imported crude oil and
natural gas was 85 per cent and 53 per cent respectively for the year 2019-20.
y High dependency on imports and over reliance on the Middle East and the
OPEC has major implications on the energy security of India.
y Through energy diplomacy, energy security has been strengthened through
the level of strategic partner relationship. Both Saudi Arabia and UAE are
partners in the strategic reserve programme.
Ethanol Blending
y Ethanol blending involves mixing ethanol, typically derived from crops like
sugarcane or grains, with petrol. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on
fossil fuels, decrease vehicular emissions, and promote renewable energy
sources.
y It’s a sustainable strategy to enhance fuel quality and mitigate environmental
impact in transportation.
y The Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) in India is a government initiative

Self Note
aimed at blending ethanol with petrol to reduce the country’s dependency on
fossil fuels, promote renewable energy sources, and curb vehicular emissions.
y Under this program, ethanol, which is derived from sugarcane, molasses,
grains, and other biomass sources, is blended with petrol at designated
blending facilities.
y The programme aims to achieve a target blending percentage of ethanol in
petrol, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air
quality, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
y The program also provides economic benefits by creating additional revenue
streams for farmers through the sale of ethanol-producing crops.
y To incentivize ethanol production and encourage participation from
stakeholders, the Indian government offers various policy measures, including
subsidies, grants, tax incentives, and procurement guarantees.
New and Renewable energy

y The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the nodal Ministry
at the federal level for all matters relating to new and renewable energy.
y The Ministry has been facilitating the implementation of broad spectrum
programmes including harnessing renewable power, renewable energy to
rural areas for lighting, cooking and motive power, use of renewable energy in
urban, industrial. and commercial applications and development of alternate
fuels and applications.
y In 1982 a separate Department of Non-Conventional Energy Sources
(DNES) was created in the Ministry of Energy to look after all aspects relating
to New and Renewable Energy. The Department was upgraded into a separate
Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) in 1992 and was re-
named as Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), in 2006.
y A total of 177.73 GW Renewable Energy capacity has been installed in the
country by July 2023. This includes 70.10 GW solar power, 46.85 GW large
hydro, 43.77 GW wind power, 10.81 GW bio-power and 4.96 GW small
hydro power capacity. India now stands fourth globally in Renewable Energy
Installed Capacity (including large hydro) (as per REN21 Renewables 2022
Global Status Report), fourth in wind power capacity and fifth in solar power
capacity.
y Steps Taken to Promote Renewable Energy:
o permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 per cent under the
automatic route;
o waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state
sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by June
2025;
o schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan
Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), solar rooftop Phase 2, 12,000 MW CPSU

Self Note
Scheme Phase ll;
o standard bidding guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding process
for procurement of power from grid connected solar PV and wind
projects;
o launching of National Green Hydrogen Mission with the aim to make
India a global hub for production, utilization and export of Green
Hydrogen and its derivatives, etc.
y IREDA is a Public Limited Government Company established as a
NonBanking Financial Institution in 1987 engaged in promoting, developing,
and extending financial assistance for setting up projects relating to new and
renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency/conservation with the
motto: “ENERGY FOR EVER”.
Q. With reference to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency

Limited (IREDA), which of the following statements is/are correct?
(UPSC CSE 2015)
1. It is a Public Limited Government Company.
2. It is a Non–Banking Financial Company.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Ongoing Schemes
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for High-Efficiency Solar

PV
y Government initiative in India aimed at incentivizing domestic manufacturing
of high-efficiency solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.
y Under this scheme, manufacturers are provided financial incentives based on
the efficiency and domestic value addition of their solar PV modules.
y The goal is to boost domestic production capacity, reduce dependence on
imports, create employment opportunities, and accelerate the adoption of
solar energy in the country’s energy mix.
National Green Hydrogen Mission:

y India’s initiative to promote green hydrogen production through electrolysis
powered by renewable energy sources, aiming to reduce carbon emissions
and transition to a sustainable energy economy through applications in
multiple areas like fertilizers, oil industries, steel plants etc.

Q. Consider the following heavy industries: (UPSC CSE 2023) Self Note
1. Fertilizer plants
2. Oil refineries
3. Steel plants Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in
decarbonizing how many of the above industries?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
y PM KUSUM Scheme: A government program promoting decentralized solar
power generation by installing solar pumps, solarization of grid-connected
agricultural pumps, and setting up solar power plants on barren lands.
y Rooftop Solar Programme: Government initiative encouraging the
installation of solar panels on rooftops of buildings to generate clean energy,
reduce electricity bills, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
y Solar Parks Scheme: Aimed at facilitating large-scale solar power generation
by providing land, infrastructure, and regulatory support to developers,
fostering renewable energy adoption and boosting India’s solar capacity.
y Green Energy Corridor: An infrastructure project enhancing the transmission
and evacuation of renewable energy by establishing dedicated transmission
corridors, enabling efficient integration of renewable power into the national
grid and reducing transmission losses.

23 Water Resources
Water is a limited natural resource, India has more than 80% of the world’s population but has only 4% of the
world’s blue water resources and 2.5% of the world’s land area. India’s current water requirement is estimated to
be 1100 billion m3 per year which is projected to touch 1447 BCM by 2050. The Ministry of water resources is
renamed in 2019 as the Ministry of Jal Shakti with two departments that are the Department of water resources,
River development and Ganga rejuvenation and the Department of drinking water and sanitation. The ministry
lays down policies and programmes for development and regulation of water to sources of the country.
Water Availability
y The average annual water availability of any region or country is largely dependent upon hydro meteorological
and geological factors.
y India receives mean annual precipitation of about 3,880 Billion Cubic Metre (BCM).
y The average annual water availability, after evaporation, is assessed at 1,999.20 BCM. Due to geological and
other factors, the utilizable water available is limited to 1,122 BCM per annum, comprising 690 BCM of surface
water and 432 BCM of groundwater.
y Out of this, the water potential utilized is around 699 BCM, comprising 450 BCM of surface water and 249
BCM of groundwater. For India, the average annual per capita water availability of water for the years 2001 and
2011 was assessed at 1,816 cubic meters and 1,545 cubic meters, respectively.
y According to the Falkenmark Indicator, annual per capita water availability below 1,700 cubic meters is water-
stressed, while below 1,000 cubic meters is considered water scarcity.
National Water Policy

y The national water policy, 2012 was adopted by the National water resources council.
y The policy calls for a national water framework law, comprehensive legislation for inter-state rivers, benchmarks
for water use efficiency, state water regulatory authorities, and incentives for water recycling and reuse.
y This policy also lays emphasis on community participation in management of water resources products and
services, incentivising water saving in irrigation methods of micro relations, and admitted irrigation operation.
y This policy also caters for undertaking conservation of rivers, river corridors, water bodies and arresting
declining groundwater levels in over-exploited areas.
National Water Mission

y The National Water Mission (NWM) was set up as per the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
The main objective of the NWM is “conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable
distribution both across and within states through integrated water resources development and management”.
NWM Web Portal

y The NWM launched an independent web portal for comprehensive water resource information. It’s studying
climate change impact in eight river basins with research institutes like IITs, NITs, DSc, and NIH under the
Ministry’s R&D scheme.

Jal Shakti Abhiyan Self Note

y Ministry of Jal Shakti has taken up the “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain”
(JSA:CTR) with the theme “Catch the Rain - Where it Falls When it Falls”
to cover all the blocks of all districts (rural as well as urban areas) across the
country.
y This initiative was launched on March 22,2021 , the World water Day.
y The five major interventions of the campaign include water conservation and
rainwater harvesting; renovation of traditional and other water bodies/tanks;
reuse and recharge of bore wells; watershed development; and intensive
afforestation.
y Other activities proposed : Rainwater harvesting structures (RWHS) on all
buildings, for harvesting pits in all compounds etc.
Sahi fasal campaign:

y Sahi Fasal campaign was launched in 2019 by the National Water Mission
To push farmers in the water-stressed areas to grow crops which are
not water intensive, but use water very efficiently and are economically
remunerative,are healthy and nutritious,suited to the agro-climatic-hydro
characteristics.
National Mission for Clean Ganga

y The Ganga basin is the most populous in the world, with more than 400
million people in the country alone living around it. It accounts for 28 per
cent of India’s water resources, holds about 26 per cent of landmass and
hosts 43 per cent of the population.
y The major source of pollution in the river is untreated domestic and industrial
liquid waste thrown into it.
y 70% of pollution comes from untreated domestic sewage, 20% from toxic
industrial wastewater, and 10% from non-point sources like agricultural
runoff and solid waste.
y The NGRBA was replaced by the National Council for Rejuvenation,
Protection, and Management of River Ganga in 2016. NMCG has been
converted into an authority.
y In 2015 , the “Namami Gange”- integrated Ganga conservation mission
programme was launched with an indicative cost of Rs 20000 crore,an
umbrella programme with an aim to integrate previous and ongoing projects
and new initiatives planned as its part.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana

y In 2015-16,The PMKSY was launched with an aim to enhance physical
access of water on farms and expand cultivable areas under assured

irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water

Self Note
conservation practices, etc.
Command Area Development and Water Management

y The Command Area Development Program, launched in 1974-75, aims to
develop efficient irrigation delivery systems to improve water use efficiency
and crop productivity, thereby enhancing farmers’ socio-economic
conditions.
y The programme is under implementation as a sub-component of Har Khet
Ko Pani (HKKP) component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
(PMKSY) from 2015-16 onwards.
y The ongoing CAD&WM programme has been restricted to the implementation
of CAD works of 99 prioritized AIBP projects from 2016-17 onwards.
Participatory Irrigation Management

y The National Water Policy stresses participatory approach in water resource
management.
y It has been recognised that participation of beneficiaries helps greatly in the
optimal upkeep of the irrigation system and effective utilization of irrigation
water.
y One-time functional grant at 1,200 per hectare to be shared by the centre,
state and farmers in the ratio of 45:45:10, respectively is being paid to outlet
level Water Users Associations as incentive, the interest from which is to be
used for maintenance.
Flood Management
Flood Management Programme

y During the XI Plan, the government launched the Flood Management
Programme to provide central assistance to states for river management, flood
control, anti-erosion, drainage development, flood proofing, restoration, and
anti-sea erosion works.
y The states/UTs Are provided promotional financial central assistance
through flood management program and River management activities and
work related to border areas schemes of the department, which have been
merged into single scheme Flood management and Border Areas Programme
(FMBAP).
Ganga Flood Control Commission

y With the objective to effectively tackle critical and chronic flood problems
in the Ganga Basin, Ganga Flood Control Board (GFCB) was set up in 1972.
y GFCC, a subordinate office of the Ministry of Jal Shakti headquartered in
Patna, was created in 1972 to serve as the secretariat and executive body of
Self Note
GFCB, focusing on flood management in Ganga Basin states.
y There are 11 states in the Ganga basin, namely, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar
Pradesh, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan,
Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and NCT Delhi.
Ground Water Management and Regulation Scheme (GWMRS)

y GWMRS is the central sector scheme, which deals exclusively with
groundwater and has been implemented by the Central ground water board
since 2007-08.
y Major objective of the scheme is to provide scientific inputs for ground
water management.
y Under this scheme, activities like aquifer mapping, groundwater level
monitoring, quality assessment, dynamic resource estimation, innovative
projects for aquifer rejuvenation, spring shed mapping, and groundwater
extraction regulation are undertaken across different regions.
Ground Water Development

y There is considerable variation in groundwater potential in different parts
of the country. While some areas like Indo-Gangetic Alluvium have huge
groundwater potential, many hard rock areas have limited groundwater
resources.
y The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) carries out periodic assessment
of groundwater resources jointly with the state groundwater departments.

Aquifer Mapping and Formulation of Aquifer Management Self Note

Plan
y Aquifers are natural rock formations which can store and economically yield
water .
y In the XII Plan, CGWB has taken up the National Project on Aquifer
Management (NAQUIM) to facilitate identification, delineation,
characterisation and effective management of aquifers to ensure sustainability
of groundwater resources.
y The major activities envisaged under the project include compilation of
existing data, data gap analysis, generation of additional data for preparation
of aquifer map and formulation of aquifer management plAnswer:
Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)

y CGWA has been entrusted with the responsibility of regulating and
controlling groundwater development and management in the country and
issuing necessary directives for the purpose.
y CGWA was formed to regulate groundwater development and management
under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. India boasts the world’s
largest groundwater-based irrigation system, covering 39 million hectares
(67% of total irrigation).
y India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are, respectively, the first, fourth and sixth
largest users of groundwater globally. India pumps more than the US and
China combined - the second and third-largest users, respectively.
Central Water Commission

y Central Water Commission (CWC) is headed by a chairman, with the status
of an ex-officio Secretary to the Government of India. The work of the
Commission is divided among 3 wings, namely, Designs and Research Wing
(D&R), Water Planning and Projects Wing (WP&P) and River Management
Wing (RM).
y In order to achieve better management in the water resources sector and
have better coordination with the state government departments, the Central
water commission has established 14 regional offices.
Q. Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986? (UPSC CSE 2022)
(a) Central Water Commission
(b) Central Ground Water Board
(c) Central Ground Water Authority
(d) National Water Development Agency
Answer: (c)

Q. Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2020) Self Note

1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or “critical” by
the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.
3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
Answer: (c)
Water Quality Monitoring

y The Central water commission is monitoring water quality at 782 key
locations covering all important river basins of the country (as in January
2023) .
y It is maintaining a three-tier laboratory system for analysis of various physio-
chemical and biological parameters of the water.
Flood Forecasting
y CWC has been modernizing and expanding its flood forecasting network
in order to have an automatic system of data collection and real time data
transmission.
y CWC is providing flood forecasting service at 333 stations, of which 199
are level forecasting stations on major rivers and 134 are inflow forecasting
stations on major dams/barrages.
Morphological Studies
y The study of river morphology and implementation of suitable river training
work as appropriate have become imperative as large areas of the country
are affected by floods every year causing severe damage to life and property
in spite of existing flood control measures taken both by central and state
governments.
Planning and Design of Water Resources Projects

y Central Water Commission is actively associated with design of large water
resources projects in India and neighboring countries, viz., Nepal, Bhutan,
Myanmar, and African countries by way of design consultancy or in the
technical appraisal of the projects.
Dam Safety Act

y The Dam safety Act 2021 provides for surveillance, inspection, operation
and maintenance of the specified dam for prevention of dam failure related
Self Note
disasters and to provide for institutional mechanisms to ensure their safe
functioning.
y The National Committee of Dam Safety (NCDS) was also constituted in 2022
and established the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA).
y As per the provisions of the act, the state governments are required to constitute
a State committee on Dam safety (SCDS)and state Dam safety organizations
(SDSO) within a period of 180 days from the date of commencement of the
act.
Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project

y The ministry implemented a World Bank funded dam rehabilitation and
improvement project for rehabilitation of selected dams, located in 7 states
- Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu,
Uttarakhand.
y Under the scheme, 221 dams were rehabilitated, Emergency Action Plan
(EAP), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) manual prepared for all DRIP
dams, 13 guidelines/ manuals published, design flood review of 250 dams
and dam safety review panel inspection of 260 dams carried out, web-
based management tool called Dam Health and Rehabilitation Monitoring
Application (DHARMA) developed, and 191 customized national and
international trainings conducted for about 5,500 officials.
National Water Academy

y National Water Academy (NWA) is an institute established under Central
Water Commission at Khadakwasla, Pune. NWA conducts training
programmes on the water resources development and management,
including an induction training programme for Central water engineering
services officers.
Central Water and Power Research Station

y It is an apex research and development institution in the field of hydraulics
and allied research in the water and power sector.
y For over 100 years, it has met the nation’s needs through safe and cost-effective
planning of water structures, river engineering, hydropower, and port
projects, upholding the mandate of ‘Service to the Nation through Research.’
y The research activities include river engineering,river and reservoir systems
modeling, coastal and offshore engineering, applied earth sciences etc.
National Water Informatics Centre

y National Water Informatics Centre was set up as a subordinate office of the
Ministry of Jal Shakti in 2018 to act as a central repository of water resources
data and allied themes.

Self Note
The India Water Resources Information System
y It is a single-window platform for the dissemination of data on water
resources and allied themes.
y The India-WRIS portal provides the users with information that is
segmented based on simplified themes such as surface water, groundwater,
land resources, hydro-meteorological, allied themes and projects.
Farakka Barrage Project

y The Farakka Barrage Project Authority was set up in 1961 with the mandate
to execute and thereafter operate and maintain the Farakka Barrage Project
Complex comprising Farakka Barrage, Jangipur Barrage, Feeder Canal,
Navigation Lock, and associated structures.
Narmada Water Dispute Tribunal

y The Narmada Water Dispute Tribunal (NWDT) was constituted in 1969 to
adjudicate upon the water dispute pertaining to river Narmada. Accordingly,
the central government framed the Narmada Water Scheme interalia
constituting the Narmada Control Authority (NCA).
Indo-Bangladesh Water Resources Cooperation

y An Indo-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) has been functioning
since 1972 with a view to maintain liaison in order to ensure most effective
joint efforts in maximizing the benefits from common river systems.
y As per the treaty, the Ganga water is being shared at Farakka (which is the
last control structure on river in India ) during lean period , from 1st January
to 31st May every year as per the Formula provided in the treaty. The validity
of the treaty is 30 years.
Indus Waters Treaty

y Under the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960, India and Pakistan have each created a
permanent post of Commissioner for Indus Waters.
y The waters of Western rivers—Indus, Jhelum and Chenab averaging were
allocated to Pakistan except for specified domestic, non-consumptive and
agricultural use permitted to India as provided in the treaty.
y Under the treaty, all the water rivers,Ravi,sutlej and Beas (Eastern Rivers of
the Indus river system) were allocated to India for exclusive use.
National Water Development Agency

y The National Water Development Agency was set up in 1982 to study the

feasibility of the links under the peninsular component of the national

Self Note
perspective plan.
y Its functions were subsequently modified from time to time and the present
functions includes:
o To carry out detailed surveys and investigations of possible reservoir sites
and inter-connecting links in order to establish feasibility of the proposal
of peninsular river development and himalayan river development
components.
o To carry out detailed studies of total quantum of water in various
Peninsular and Himalayan river systems
National Institute of Hydrology

y The National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), established in 1978 as an
autonomous organization under this Ministry, is a premier R&D institute
in the country to undertake, aid, promote and coordinate basic, applied and
strategic research on all aspects of hydrology and water resource development.
y The Institute has its headquarters at Roorkee (Uttarakhand)
North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land

Management
y The North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management
(NERIWALM) was established at Tezpur, Assam by North Eastern Council
(NEC) in 1989.
y The main objective of the Institute is to provide capacity building, undertake
research and provide technical services to the line departments in order to
improve agricultural production and socioeconomic status of the people in
the north east.
Minor Irrigation and Water Bodies Census

y A centrally sponsored scheme, Rationalisation of Minor Irrigation Statistics
(RMIS) was launched in 1987-88 in the Ministry of Water Resources, with
cent per cent assistance to the states/UTs.
y In 2017-18,the scheme was renamed as “Irrigation Census” and brought
under the umbrella scheme, Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.
y The Main Objective of the irrigation census is to build up a comprehensive
and reliable database in the minor irrigation sector for effective planning
and policy-making.

24 Environment
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is the nodal agency in the central
government for overseeing the implementation of India’s environment and forest policies and programmes
relating to conservation of the country’s natural resources including lakes and rivers, its biodiversity, forests and
wildlife, ensuring the welfare of animals and prevention and abatement of pollution. The Ministry is also the nodal
agency for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Centre for Integrated Mountain
Development (ICIMOD) and the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The
Ministry also coordinates with multilateral bodies such as the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD),
Global Environment Facility (GEF) and regional bodies such as Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific
(ESCAP) and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on matters pertaining to environment.
Botanical Survey of India

y Botanical Survey of India (BSI) is the apex research organization under Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change (MoEF&CC), for carrying out taxonomic and floristic studies on wild plant resources of the
country.
y It was established in 1890 with the basic objective of exploring the plant resources of the country and to
identify Plant species with specific economic virtues.
Zoological Survey of India

y The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), a premier research institution under the Ministry has completed 100
years of service to the nation, undertaking survey, exploration and research leading to the advancement of our
knowledge on the exceptionally rich faunal diversity of the country since its inception in 1916.
y Indian landmass has been classified into 10 biogeographic zones and ZSI documented the faunal resources in
eight biogeographic zones, Himalayas with 30,377 species, Trans-Himalayas with 3,324 species, islands with
11,009 species, north-east with 18,527, desert with 3,346, semi-arid with 7424, coasts with 11,883 species, and
Western Ghats with 17,099 species.
y ZSI has contributed towards revision of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and has advised on matters related
to faunal diversity and conservation in different international forums viz., UNCBD, UNCCD-COP, UN-CMS-
COP, BOL, BOBLME, IUCN and CITES and at national level, viz., for MoEFCC, ESZ, wetlands conservation,
curbing wildlife crime, etc.
y New Discoveries:A total of 233 new discoveries were published of which 126 are new species whereas 107 are
new records to Indian fauna.
Q. Invasive Species Specialist Group’ (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one
of the following organizations? (UPSC CSE 2023)
(a) The International Union for Conservation of Nature
(b) The United Nations Environment Programme
(c) The United Nations World Commission for Environment and Development
(d) The World Wide Fund for Nature
Answer: (c)

Forest Survey of India

Self Note
y The forest survey of India was established 1981.
y The Forest Survey of India succeeded the “Pre Investment Survey of Forest
Resources” (PISFR), a project initiated in 1965 by Government of India with
the sponsorship of Food and Agriculture Organization and United Nations
Development Programme.
y The main objective of PISFR was to ascertain the availability of raw material
for establishment of wood based industries in selected areas of the country.
y In its report in 1976, the national commission for agriculture recommended
the creation of a national Forest survey organization for collection of reliable
data through countrywide comprehensive forest resources survey at regular
intervals.
Biodiversity Conservation
y The convention on biological diversity is one of the key agreements adopted
during the Earth summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
y India enacted the Biological Diversity (BD) Act in 2002 to give effect to the
provision of this Convention.
y India also prepared a National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) in 2008,
and an Addendum to NBAP in 2014 with 20 national targets on biodiversity.
y The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) adopted under
the aegis of CBD in 2010, is aimed at fair and equitable sharing of benefits
arising from the utilization of genetic Resources.

1. In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees are key to the
realization of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.
2. The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions
in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to
levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its
jurisdiction.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Biosphere Reserves
y The idea of ‘Biosphere Reserves’ was initiated by UNESCO in 1973-74 under
its Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
y The Indian National Man and Biosphere (MAB) Committee identifies and

recommends potential sites for designation as Biosphere Reserves, following

Self Note
UNESCO’s guidelines and criteria.
y Out of 18 Biosphere Reserves, 10 Biosphere Reserves have been included in
the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO.
Biodiversity Conservation Scheme
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):

y The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was adopted
during the Earth Summit on June 5, 1992.
y It is the most comprehensive international agreement covering different
aspects of biodiversity.
y The three objectives of the CBD are the conservation of biological diversity,
sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the
benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
y India enacted the Biological Diversity Act in 2002 to achieve the three
objectives of CBD.
y The Act is implemented through a three-tier institutional mechanism, at
national, state and local levels: the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
at the national level, State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs)/ Union Territory
Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs) set up by the state/UT governments, and
Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) set up by the elected bodies
at the local level.
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB):

y It was negotiated under the aegis of the Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD) and adopted in 2000. India is a party to the Protocol.
y The main objective : To ensure safe transfer, handling and use of living
modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology.
y The Protocol establishes specific procedures to govern the import and export
of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) between countries.
y It mandates Parties to ensure the safe handling, packaging, and transportation
of LMOs during cross-border movements.

Q. Consider the following pairs: (UPSC CSE 2016) Self Note

Terms sometimes seen in the news :Their origin
1. Annex-I Countries : Cartagena Protocol
2. Certified Emissions Reductions : NagoyaProtocol
3. Clean Development Mechanisms : KyotoProtocol
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Forest Policy
y The Forest Policy Division deals with the National Forest Policy, 1988, Indian
Forest Act, 1927, and its amendments including policy matters and legislative
matters of other ministries and state governments related to forests.
y As per Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, the total forest cover of
the country is 7,13,789 square kilometers which is 21.71 per cent of the
geographical area of the country.
y The tree cover is estimated as 95,748 square kilometers which is 2.91 per cent
of the geographical area.
y The total forest and tree cover of the country is 8,09,537 square kilometers
which is 24.62 per cent.
Forest Conservation
y The Forest Conservation division of the Ministry deals with the proposals
seeking approvals for use of forest land for non-forestry purposes under
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
y The Act provides a regulatory mechanism to permit only unavoidable use
of forest land for various developmental purposes such as for drinking water
projects, irrigation projects, transmission lines, railway lines, roads, power
projects, defense related projects and mining.
Forest Protection
y Forest Protection Division deals with protection related issues like illegal
felling of trees, deforestation, encroachment of forest land, invasive weeds,
forest fires etc.
y Forest Protection Division is the nodal Division for disaster management
related matters.
y The Division administers Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme
(FPM) which is a centrally sponsored scheme which deals within forest fire
management, to address the growing concern over adverse effects of forest
fire.
Self Note
Forest (Conservation) Rules - 2022
y The central government, in suppression to Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2003,
notified new Rules namely the Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022.
Salient Features:
y Introduction of project screening committee at state level for participatory
and parallel examinations of proposals to replace the existing linear
examinations.
y Clear delegation of power integrated regional offices.
y All linear proposals, proposals involving forest land up to 40 hectares except
cases of de-reservation, mining proposals of more than 5 hectares and
regularization of encroachment will be explicitly dealt with by the IROs.

1. As per recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forest
dwellers have the right to fell the bamboos grown on forest areas.
2. As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is a minor forest
produce.
3. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forests Rights) Act, 2006 allows
ownership of minor forest produce to forest dwellers.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Wildlife Conservation
y There is a Wildlife Division of the Ministry that has two sub-divisions,
namely, Project Elephant Division and Wildlife Division. In addition, there
are three autonomous bodies.
y Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for wildlife research and training, Central
Zoo Authority (CZA) for conservation and zoo management and National
Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
y The NTCA has been constituted by converting the project Tiger directorate
into an autonomous body for Tiger conservation.
y The centrally sponsored scheme, ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife
Habitats’.
y The scheme has the following three components:
o support to Protected Areas (national parks, wildlife sanctuaries,

Self Note
conservation reserves and community reserves);
o protection of wildlife outside protected areas; and
o recovery programmes for saving critically endangered species and
habitats.
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

y Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) is a statutory multi-disciplinary
body established under the Ministry, to combat organized wildlife crime in
the country.
y The Bureau, constituted in 2007, has its headquarters in New Delhi and 5
regional offices.
y It is mandated to collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife
crime activities and to disseminate the same to state and other enforcement
agencies for immediate action so as to apprehend the criminals.
y WCCB advises the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes
having national and international ramifications and on relevant policy and
Laws.
Central Zoo Authority

y The main objective of the Central Zoo Authority formed under the Wild
Life (Protection) Act, 1972 is
o to enforce minimum standards and norms for upkeep and healthcare of
animals in the Indian zoos;
o to control the mushrooming of ill-conceived, ill-planned zoos;
o to monitor and evaluate the existing zoos and
o to suggest ways and means for the improvement of zoos in the country so
that they can be transformed into potent centers for ex situ conservation
of endangered wild fauna.
National Zoological Park

y The main objective of the Park is to complement and strengthen the national
efforts in conservation of the rich biodiversity of the country, particularly the
wild fauna.
Project Elephant
y Project Elephant (PE) was launched by the Government of India in 1991-
92 as a centrally sponsored scheme with the objectives: to protect elephants,
their habitat and corridors; to address issues of man-animal conflict; and
ensure the welfare of domesticated elephants.

National Tiger Conservation Authority / Project Tiger

Self Note
y The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body
under this Ministry constituted under enabling provisions of the Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006, for strengthening tiger
conservation.
y NTCA’s Mandate : Retaining an oversight and oversight through adversities/
normative guidelines,based on appraisal of Tiger status.
y ‘Project Tiger’ is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme providing funding support
to tiger range states, for in-situ conservation of tigers in designated tiger
reserves, and has put the endangered tiger on an assured path of recovery by
saving it from extinction.
Project Tiger
y Project Tiger was launched in 1973 for conserving the tiger. From 9 tiger
reserves since its formative years, the Project Tiger coverage has increased to
50, spread out in 18 of tiger range states.
y These reserves are constituted on a core/buffer strategy.
y Due to the concerted efforts under the Project, India has the distinction of
having the maximum number of tigers in the world - 2,967 - to be precise, as
per the results of the 4th cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation.
y International Tiger’s Day is held every year on 29th July. It was also decided
that 29th July would be known as Global Tiger Day.
y The Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA), 1972 identifies ‘Critical Tiger habitats’
(CTHs), also known as core areas of tiger reserves.
y They are based on scientific evidence that “such areas are required to be kept
as inviolate for the purpose of tiger conservation, without affecting the rights
of the Scheduled Tribes or such other forest dwellers”.
y Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the largest tiger reserve in India.
The reserve spreads over five districts, Kurnool District, Prakasam District,
Guntur District, Nalgonda District and Mahbubnagar district.
Q. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area
under “Critical Tiger Habitat”? (UPSC CSE 2020)
(a) Corbett
(b) Ranthambore
(c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam
(d) Sunderbans
Answer: (c)
Cheetahs in India
y Under the world’s first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation,
project wild cheetahs have been relocated in India.

y Wild Cheetahs - which had become extinct from India were released in Kuno
Self Note
National Park of Madhya Pradesh.
Animal Welfare
Animal Welfare Board of India

y AWBI is a statutory body and its basic mandate is to advise the government
on animal welfare issues, and create awareness in animal welfare and to
implement the regular schemes of AWBI and also the central sector schemes
for the welfare of animals.
y AWBI headquarters is in Chennai.
Environmental Impact Assessment

y Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), is a planning tool to integrate
environmental concerns into the developmental process from the initial stage
of planning.
y It was first used in India as early as 1978 with river valley projects, and
was subsequently extended to large public sector projects requiring Public
Investment Board (PIB) clearance.
y These practices were qualified for the first time in the EIA notification 1994.
This made the requirement of environmental clearance mandatory for 37
categories of projects/Processes, listed there in.
Pollution Control
Air Pollution
y Air quality regulation and actions for abatement of air pollution is undertaken
under various provisions of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1981 and Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986 which prescribes the
mechanism and authorities for handling the issue.
y As per the available data for Delhi and NCR for the last five years, Particulate
Matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5) concentrations are a major concern for the entire
area; and a few violations are observed in NO2 concentrations in Delhi,
Meerut and Faridabad.
y The concentration of SO, has been within the standard limit at all the locations
in the last five years. Acid rain results when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen
oxides (NOX) are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and
air currents. The SO2 and NOX react with water, oxygen and other chemicals
to form sulfuric and nitric acids.
y PM10 are inhalable coarse particles, which are particles with a diameter
between 2.5 and 10 micrometers (pm) and PM 2.5 are fine particles with a
diameter of 2.5 pm or less.

Q. Consider the following : ( UPSC CSE 2022) Self Note

1. Carbon monoxide
2. Nitrogen oxide
3. Ozone
4. Sulphur dioxide
Excess of which of the above in the environment is/are the cause(s) of acid
rain?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Measures to Combat Air Pollution

y National Ambient Air Quality Standards have been notified for 12 pollutants
under the EPA, 1986 along with 115 emission/effluent standards for 104
different sectors of industries, besides 32 general standards.
y Government is executing a nation-wide programme of ambient air quality
monitoring known as National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP).
y National Air Quality Index (AQI) was launched in 2015 starting with 14 cities
and then extended to 34.
y A Graded Response Action Plan for control of air pollution in Delhi and
NCR region has been notified.
y This plan specified actions required for controlling particulate matter (PM)
emissions from various sources and prevent PM 10 and PM 2.5 levels to go
beyond ‘moderate’ national Air Quality Index (AQI) category.
y The Common Carbon Metric is supported by the United Nations Environment
Program.
y The purpose of a Common Carbon Metric for buildings is to give the sector
a way to measure, report, and verify reductions consistently and comparably.
This sector consumes 40% of the world’s energy and releases 1/3rd of global
greenhouse gas (GHG).

Q. The ‘Common Carbon Metric’, supported by UNEP, has been developed Self Note
for (UPSC CSE 2021)
(a) assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the
world.
(b) enabling commercial farming entities around the world to enter
carbon emission trading.
(c) enabling governments to assess the overall carbon footprint caused by
their countries.
(d) assessing the overall carbon footprint caused by the use of fossil fuels
by the world in a unit time.
Answer: (a)
National Clean Air Programme

y It is implemented under the Control of Pollution Scheme from 2019. It is
a national-level strategy outlining the actions for reducing the levels of air
pollution at city and regional scales in the country.
y The NCAP is implemented to achieve a 20 to 30 per cent reduction in
Particulate Matter concentrations by 2024 (base 2017) across the country
in 131 identified non-attainment cities . NCAP focuses on preparation And
implementation of national level action plans, state-level action plans and city
level action plans of targeted 131 cities.
y The Ministry also launched “ PRANA” , a portal for monitoring the
implementation of NCAP. This portal will be a platform for monitoring and
feedback on all efforts made for air quality improvement.
Noise Pollution
y As per National Environmental Policy (NEP)- 2006, ambient noise has been
included as a regular parameter for monitoring in specified urban areas.
y Central Pollution Control Board in association with state pollution control
boards established Real Time National Ambient Noise Monitoring Network
in 7 metropolitan cities and installed 70 noise monitoring systems in Mumbai,
Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Lucknow and Hyderabad.
y Steps to reduce noise pollution include Diwali noise monitoring advisories,
banning fireworks from 10 PM to 6 AM, publicizing firecracker harms,
integrating noise education into school curricula, and raising public awareness
against firecracker use.
Plastic Waste
y The Ministry notified the phase out of 12 Single-Use Plastics (SUP) items
from July, 2022 through amendment in the Rules in August, 2021: earbuds
with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-
cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol] for decoration; plates, cups, glasses,
cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packaging
films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or
Self Note
PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.
y The Ministry launched an Awareness Mascot ‘Prakriti’ for spreading
awareness among the citizens and youth on green initiatives for protection of
the environment.
Scheme of Common Effluent Treatment Plants

y The concept of the Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) CETPs aim
to reduce individual treatment costs and maximize environmental protection
through a cooperative pollution control approach.
y A centrally sponsored scheme has been undertaken by the government for
enabling small scale industries (SSI) to set up new and upgrade the existing
common effluent treatment plants to cover all the states in the country.
y Salient features of revised scheme includes:
y The Central Sub city enhanced from 25% to 50% of the project cost.
y All the three levels of treatment, primary, secondary, tertiary to be covered
for assistance.
Hazardous Substance Management

y The Hazardous Substances Management Division (HSMD) is the nodal
point within the Ministry for management of solid waste including hazardous
substances and chemical emergencies.
y The activities of the Division are carried out under three main thrust areas,
viz., hazardous waste management, solid waste management and chemical
safety in order to avoid damage to health and environment.
Hazardous Waste Management

y To address the issue of ensuring environmentally sound management of
hazardous waste for safety of health and environment during handling of
such waste, Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling & Transboundary
Movement) Rules, 2008, were notified under Environment (Protection) Act,
1986.
y It also provides for establishment of Treatment Storage and Disposal Facility
(TSDF) for disposal of hazardous wastes.
y The rules have an important provision and regulation of import/export of
Hazardous waste in pursuance to our obligation under basal convention on
the control of transboundary movement of hazardous waste and the disposal.
y India’s party to the convention.

International Conventions pertaining to Hazardous waste management

Self Note
International
Description about the Convention
Convention
y Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous

Wastes and their Disposal was adopted in 1989 in
Basel, Switzerland. Its scope of application covers a
1.The Basel wide range of wastes defined as “hazardous wastes”
Convention based on their origin and/or composition and their
characteristics, as well as two types of wastes defined
as “other wastes” (household waste and incinerator
ash).
y The Rotterdam Convention on the prior informed

consent procedure for certain Hazardous Chemicals
and Pesticides in International Trade came into force
in 2004.
y The Official Contact Points (OCPs) are designated
2.Rotterdam
in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Convention
Change.
y There are 47 chemicals listed in Annex III to this
Convention, which include 33 pesticides and 14
industrial chemicals that have been banned or severely
restricted for health or environmental reasons.
y The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic

Pollutants (POPs) is a global treaty to protect human
health and the environment from POPs.
3.Stockholm
y The Convention sought initially 12 chemicals, for
Convention
restriction or elimination of the production and
release.
y Now, the Convention covers 23 chemicals.
y At the Conference of Plenipotentiaries held in 2013

4.Minamata in Minamata and Kumamoto, Japan, the “Minamata
Convention on Convention on Mercury”, a global treaty to protect
Mercury human health and the environment from the adverse
effects of mercury, was formally adopted.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution: (UPSC Self Note
CSE 2023)
1. Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.
2. Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.
3. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
e-Waste Management
y The e-waste rules apply to e-waste generated from IT and telecommunication
equipment and consumer electrical and electronics namely television
sets (including LCD & LED), refrigerators, washing machines and air-
conditioners.
y Producers are required to set up a collection system and meet the cost
involved in the environmentally sound management of a waste generated
from the ‘end of life’ of their own products.
y The e -Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 gives an important
feature of ‘extended producer responsibility’ .
Q. In India, ‘extended producer responsibility’ was introduced as an

important feature in which of the following? (UPSC CSE 2019)
(a) The Bio -medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998
(b) The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999
(c) The e -Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011
(d) The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011
Answer: (c)
Solid Waste Management
Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016

y The new rules are now applicable beyond municipal areas and extend to
urban agglomerations; census towns; notified industrial townships; areas
under the control of Indian Railways; airports, airbase; port and harbor;
defense establishments’ special economic zones; state and central government
organizations, places of pilgrimage, religious and historical importance.
y The Rules mandate local bodies to frame their bye-laws to impose a ‘User Fee’,
to be paid by the generator to waste collectors and a ‘Spot Fine’ for littering
and non-segregation.
y Resident welfare associations, market associations, gated communities,
institutions >5,000 sq.m., new townships, and group housing societies must
develop in-house biodegradable waste handling and processing setups.

Self Note
y The 2016 rules Were amended in 2022 into villages with a population more
than 3000.
Q. As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of
the following statements is correct? (UPSC CSE 2019)
(a) Waste generators have to segregate waste into five categories.
(b) The Rules are applicable to notified urban local bodies, notified towns
and all industrial townships only.
(c) The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification
of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.
(d) It is mandatory on the part of the waste generator that the waste
generated in one district cannot be moved to another district.
Answer: (c)
Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016

y The Plastic Waste Management Rules 2011 aimed at scientific plastic waste
management but had limited effectiveness.
y The Ministry introduced the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 to
establish a self-sustainable waste management system.
y The Rules provide for :
o increase in minimum thickness of plastic carry bags from 40 to 50
microns;
o first time cover and stipulate minimum thickness of 50 microns for plastic
sheets being used for packaging and wrapping commodities to facilitate
collection and recycle of plastic waste;
o revamped pricing mechanisms for plastic carry bags by introducing
plastic waste management fee to be paid by retailers/street vendors
willing to provide carry bags as pre-registration charge;
o ways and means to promote gainful utilization of plastic waste such as
energy recovery, in road construction, etc.;and introducing user charge
and spot fines by the local authority.
Fly Ash Utilisation

y The fast-increasing demand of power coupled with its dependence on coal
for about 2/3rd of its energy requirement is leading to generation of large
volumes of fly ash.
y The utilization of fly ash has increased from 6.64 million tons in 1996-97 to a
level of 107.77 million tons in 2015-16.
y The objectives of this notification are to protect the environment, conserve
the topsoil, prevent dumping of fly ash from thermal power stations on land
and to promote utilization of ash in the manufacture of building materials

and construction activity ( such as making fly ash bricks).

Self Note
y As a part of the concrete Fly ash saves water it lowers the heat of hydration;
reduces the corrosion of steel and makes the concrete strong quickly. Due to
this fly ash reaches its maximum strength more slowly than concrete made
with only Portland cement.
y Fly Ash and is made of Silica, Aluminumoxide, calcium oxide and some
potentially toxic elements such as arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, barium,
chromium, copper, lead, molybdenum, nickel, radium, selenium, thorium,
uranium, vanadium, and zinc, etc
Q. With reference to ‘fly ash’ produced by the power plants using the coal as
fuel, which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC CSE 2015)
1. Fly ash can be used in the production of bricks for building
construction.
2. Fly ash can be used as a replacement for some of the Portland cement
contents of concrete.
3. Fly ash is made up of silicon dioxide and calcium oxide only and does
not contain any toxic elements.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
Answer: (a)
International Conventions
Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management

y In 2006, over 190 countries including India acceded to the Strategic Approach
to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), an international policy
framework to foster sound management of chemicals.
National River Conservation Plan

y The river conservation programme was initiated with the launching of the
Ganga Action Plan (GAP) in 1985.
y It was expanded to cover other rivers under the National River Conservation
Plan (NRCP) in 1995.
y The objective of NRCP is to improve the water quality of rivers, which are
major water sources in the country, through implementation of pollution
abatement works in various towns along identified polluted stretches of rivers
on cost sharing basis between the central and state governments.

Conservation of Wetlands
Self Note
y To control degradation and conserve wetlands, the National Wetland
Conservation Programme (NWCP) was initiated in 1987 and financial
assistance is being provided to the state governments for implementing action
plans for conservation and management of identified wetlands.
Ramsar Convention
y As per this Convention, India is committed for international cooperation and
to take national action for conservation and wise use of wetlands. At present
there are 75 Ramsar sites in India.
Paris Agreement
y India ratified the Paris Agreement to the UNFCCC in 2016. The action plan
for implementation of the Paris Agreement and its components are being
developed.
Green Climate Fund

y Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the operating entity of the financial mechanism
of the UNFCCC.
y It aims to deliver a 50:50 balance between mitigation and adaptation
allocations in its portfolio. So far, three projects have been approved to India
with a total cost of USD 177.8 million GCF funding.
Climate Change Knowledge Portal

y India’s Climate Change Knowledge Portal (www.cckpindia.nic.in) was
launched in 2020.
y The portal is a single point information resource which captures sector-
wise adaptation and mitigation actions that are being taken by the various
line ministries in one place including updated information on their
implementation.
Ozone Cell Ozone Layer Protection

y The UV-B radiation has the potential to cause skin cancer, cataract, suppress
body’s immune system, decrease crop yield etc., which led to the adoption of
the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer in 1985 and the
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987.
y The mandate of the Montreal Protocol is to phase out the production and
consumption of the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs).
y India is a party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone
Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
and all its amendments/adjustments.
y The MoEFCC has set up the Ozone Cell as a National Ozone Unit (NOU)
to render necessary services for effective and timely implementation of the

Self Note
protocol and its ODs phase-out programme in India.
Vienna Convention
y The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and its Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer are the international
treaties specific for the protection of the Stratospheric Ozone.
y All the 197 UN member countries of the world are the parties to the Vienna
Convention and its Montreal Protocol.
y In the 34 years of operation of the Montreal Protocol, extraordinary
international cooperation under this agreement has led to phase-out of
production and consumption of several major ODSs such as CFCs, CTC and
halons globally from 2010.
Q. Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and
phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances? (UPSC CSE 2015)
(a) Bretton Woods Conference
(b) Montreal Protocol
(c) Kyoto Protocol
(d) Nagoya Protocol
Answer: (b)
Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules

y To implement the objectives of the convention, a regulatory mechanism was
put in place through Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules in
December 2010 vide GSR-951(E).
y Central Wetland Regulatory Authority (CWRA) has been constituted under
the Wetlands Rules, 2010.
y About 25 wetlands spread over 14 states have already been notified under
these Rules.
World Wetlands Day

y Each year, Wetland day is celebrated on 2nd February for increasing
awareness about the need for conservation and wise use of clans all over the
world.
y In 2021 the Ministry announced the launch of a Centre for Wetland
Conservation and Management as part of the National Centre for Sustainable
Coastal Management, Chennai.

Q. Consider the following statements: ( UPSC CSE 2019) Self Note

1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the
Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the
territory of India.
2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were
framed by the Government of India based on the recommendation of
the Ramsar Convention.
3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also
encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as
determined by the authority.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board

y In order to promote afforestation, tree planting, ecological restoration and
eco-development activities in the country, the National Afforestation and
EcoDevelopment Board (NAEB) was set up in 1992.
y Special attention is also given by NAEB to the regeneration of degraded
forest areas and lands adjoining forest areas, national parks, sanctuaries and
other protected areas as well as the ecologically fragile areas like the Western
Himalayas, Aravallis, Western Ghats etc.
y Objectives of NAEB: Evolve mechanisms for ecological restoration of the
degraded forest areas through natural regeneration. Sponsor research and
extension of findings to disseminate new and proper technologies for the
regeneration and development of degraded forest areas.
National Afforestation Programme

y National Afforestation Programme (NAP) is a major afforestation scheme of
the NAEB in the Government of India launched in 2000-02.
y The programme is now implemented through a three- tier system of State
Forests Development Agencies (SFDAs) at the state level, Forest Development
Agencies (FDAs) at the district/forest division level and Joint Forest
Management Committees (JFMCs) at the village level.
y Objective of the scheme: Protection and conservation of natural
resources through active involvement of the people, checking land
degradation,deforestation and loss of diversity.
National Mission for Green India

y The National Mission for a Green India ,one of the eight missions under the
National action plan for climate change aims at Protecting and enhancing
India’s diminishing forest cover to counter the perils of climate change.
Self Note
y The Mission embarks on meeting the challenge of climate change adaptation
and mitigation through sub-missions and a cross-cutting intervention:
(a) enhancing the quality of forest cover and improving ecosystem services;
(b) ecosystem restoration and increase in forest cover;
(c) agroforestry and social forestry; and
(d) promoting alternative fuel energy.
Declaring Eco-Sensitive Areas in Western Ghats

y The concept of Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) provides a mechanism
to conserve biological diversity of an area while allowing for sustainable
development to take place.
y The Western Ghats is a global biodiversity hotspot and a treasure trove of
biological diversity harboring many endemic species of flowering plants,
fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and invertebrates.
Forestry Research
y Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education ICFRE Dehradun, is an
apex body in the national forestry research system, has been undertaking the
holistic development of forestry research, education and extension covering
all aspects of forestry.
y The council deals with solutions based In forestry research in tune with the
emerging issues in the sector,including concerns such as climate change,
conservation of biological diversity, combating desertification.
Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy

y The Academy imparts professional training to the Indian Forest Services
(IFS) Probationers and has been accorded the status of “Staff College” for
imparting mid-career training for officers of the Indian Forest Service (IFS).
Wildlife Institute of India (WII)

y The Wildlife Institute of India was established in 1986 in Dehradun as an
autonomous Institute of the ministry .
y The Institute has emerged as a premier training and research institution in the
field of wildlife and protected area management in South Asia and SouthEast
Asia.
y Mandates of WII:
o To carry out scientific and applied research on various issues of wildlife
and biodiversity conservation.
o To Provide technical inputs to MoEFCC and other international
organizations.
National Green Tribunal

Self Note
y The National Green Tribunal NGT, established in 2010 under the NGT
Act, expedites environmental protection cases, conserves natural resources,
enforces environmental rights, and provides relief and compensation for
damages.
y It is a specialized body equipped with necessary expertise to handle
environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues.
y The tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under code of
civil procedure, 1908 but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
Q. How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? (UPSC CSE 2018)
1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been
created by an executive order of the Government.
2. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the
burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes
cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air
in the country.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Climate Change
y Earth’s climate is dynamic, with changes influenced by both natural factors
and human activities like deforestation and industrial emissions. Bilateral
and multilateral meetings, like the 26th Conference of Parties, address these
issues regularly.
National and State Action Plans on Climate Change

y The NAPCC is being implemented through the nodal ministries in specific
sectors/areas including eight national missions in the area of solar energy,
enchanted energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, sustainable habitat,
water, Himalayan ecosystem, Green India and Strategic knowledge for climate
change forms the core of NAPCC.
National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change

y National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) is a central sector
scheme under implementation in the 12th Five Year Plan with National
Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) as National
Implementing Entity (NIE).
y The overall aim of the fund is to support concrete adaptation activities which
are not covered under ongoing activities.
Climate Change Action Programme

Self Note
y The objective of CCAP is to create and strengthen the scientific and analytical
capacity for assessment of climate change in the country, putting in place
appropriate institutional framework for scientific and policy initiatives and
implementation of climate change related actions in the context of sustainable
development.
y The National Carbonaceous Aerosols Programme (NCAP) is a major multi-
institutional and multi agency study.
y MoEFCC, in collaboration with Ministries and agencies like Earth Sciences,
ISRO, and Science & Technology, will study black carbon’s climate impact
using monitoring, assessment, and modelling techniques.
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification:

y The concern for arresting and reversing land degradation and desertification
gets reflected in many of the national policies [for e.g., National Water Policy
2012; National Forest Policy 1988;
y National Agricultural Policy 2000; Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980;
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, National Environmental Policy, 2006;
National Policy for Farmers, 2007; National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA)-
20071 which have enabling provisions for addressing these problems.
India became a signatory to the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD) in 1994.
y MoEFCC is the nodal ministry in the Government of India for the UNCCD,
and Desertification Cell is the nodal point within MoEFCC to coordinate all
issues pertaining to the convention.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

y India is a member of UNEP and provides an annual financial contribution of
USD 1,00,000 to UNEP Environment Fund.
y Three of the thirty-three members on UNEP’s International Resource Panel
(IRP) are currently from India. The Ministry is a member of the IRP Steering
Committee.
Global Environment Facility

y India is a founding member of Global Environment Facility (GEF). Set up in
1991, GEF is the designated multilateral funding mechanism of 183 countries
to provide incremental finance for addressing global environmental benefits
which are also identified as national priorities.
y The GEF mandate is decided as per the guidance provided by the Conference
of Parties of the multilateral environmental conventions namely convention
on Biological Diversity (CBD),UNFCCC,UNCCD,Stockholm convention
on PoPs and Minamata convention on Mercury.

y The GEF grants are available under five focal areas, namely, biodiversity,
Self Note
climate change, land degradation, international waters and chemicals and
waste.
India Launches Mission LiFE

y India launched the ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) Movement’ in 2022
on the World Environment Day.
y The idea of life was introduced during the 26th United Nations climate change
conference of parties in Glasgow.
y The idea promotes and environmentally conscious lifestyle that focuses
on mindful and deliberate utilization ‘ instead of ‘mindless and wasteful
consumption.’
y The mission plans to create and nurture a global network of Individuals,namely
‘Pro-Planet People’.
COP-27
y The 27th Session of Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 27) was held
in Sharm EL- Sheikh, Egypt in November 2022. The India Pavilion hosted a
side event on Transformative Green Education: Experiences from India.
y The Parties at the Conference came together to advance global collective
action on mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, climate finance, etc. with
a view to achieve the goals under the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement.
y NMNH and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), jointly
launched “In Our LiFEtime” campaign to encourage youth between the ages
of 18 to 23 years to become message bearers of sustainable lifestyles.
y In the Session India also presented its document for rational utilization of
national resources, increased use of biofuels, especially ethanol blending in
petrol, the drive to increase electric vehicle penetration, and the increased use
of green hydrogen fuel, etc.
y COP 27 has been termed as an ‘Implementation COP’.
y Major outcomes of COP 27 inter-alia include decision on establishing a
loss & damage fund and work programs for mitigation, just transition and
climate action in agriculture.
y The ‘Sharm EL-Sheikh Implementation Plan’ urges the developed countries
to provide enhanced support, including through financial resources,
technology transfer and capacity-building.
y The NDC update is also a step towards achieving India’s long term goal of
reaching net-zero by 2070; for which India prepared and submitted a separate
framework document titled ‘India’s Long-term Low Carbon Development
Strategy’ to the secretariat of the UNFCCC in November 2022.

COP28
Self Note
y The 28th session of conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations
Framework convention on Climate change (UNFCCC) was held between
November 30-December 12,2023 in Dubai ,UAE.
y The INDC submitted by India highlights eight key goals - Sustainable
lifestyle, cleaner economic development,reducing emission intensity of GDP,
enhancing carbon sink, adaption and mobilizing finance, technology transfer
and capacity building.
y Leaders adopted the “UAE Declaration on a New Global Climate Finance
Framework “ delivering on commitments and achieving ambitious outcomes
and widening the sources of concessional finance for climate action.
Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB)

y UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) is an
intergovernmental scientific programme that was launched in 1971.
y It aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships
between people and their environments.
y It proposes interdisciplinary research, demonstration and training in natural
resources management.
y MAB helps national governments with the planning and implementation of
research and training programmes with technical assistance and scientific
advice.
y India is a signatory to the landscape approach supported by UNESCO’s MAB
programme.
Types of Forests (Based on density) in India:
Top 5 states/UTs with most forest cover area

y Madhya Pradesh: 77,493 sq km
y Arunachal Pradesh: 66,431 sq km
y Chhattisgarh: 55,717 sq km
y Odisha: 52,156 sq km
y Maharashtra: 50,798 sq km
Top 5 states/UTs with the most forest cover percentage (of their
Self Note
geographical area)
y Lakshadweep: 90.33 %
y Mizoram: 84.53 %
y Andaman and Nicobar Islands: 81.75 %
y Arunachal Pradesh: 79.33 %
y Meghalaya: 76.00 %
States/UTs with forest cover less than 10% of their geographical area
y Ladakh: 1.35 %
y Haryana: 3.63 %
y Punjab: 3.67 %
y Rajasthan: 4.87 %
y Uttar Pradesh: 6.15 %
y Gujarat: 7.61 %
y Bihar: 7.84 %
Map source: NCERT

India, a land known for
its diverse ecosystems,
boasts a rich expanse
of forests covering
approximately 21% of
its geographical area.
Among these, several
significant forest types
dominate the landscape:
1. Tropical Rainforests:
Found mainly along
the Western Ghats,hills of the north-eastern region (Assam, Arunachal
Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, West Bengal) and the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These forests are biodiversity hotspots,
housing numerous endemic species of flora and fauna.
2. Tropical Deciduous Forests: Spanning across central and southern India,
these forests shed their leaves during the dry season, supporting a variety of
wildlife including tigers, elephants, and deer.
3. Tropical deciduous forests are the most widespread forests in India. They are
also called the monsoon forests.These forests are found in the northeastern
states along the foothills of Himalayas, eastern slopes of the Western Ghats
and Odisha. Teak, sal, shisham, hurra, mahua, amla, semul, kusum, and
sandalwood etc.are the main species of these forests.
4. Mangrove Forests: Thriving along the coastal regions, particularly in the

Self Note
Sundarbans, these salt-tolerant forests provide crucial habitat for unique
species like the Bengal tiger and numerous migratory birds.
5. Coniferous Forests: Predominantly located in the Himalayan region, these
forests are characterized by conifer trees like pine, cedar, and fir, providing
essential ecosystem services such as soil stabilization and water regulation.
India is predominantly covered by tropical deciduous forests, which are found
across central and southern regions of the country. These forests are vital for the
conservation of biodiversity and provide habitat to numerous species of wildlife.
Q. Consider the following states: (UPSC CSE 2019)
1. Chhattisgarh
2. Madhya Pradesh
3. Maharashtra
4. Odisha
With reference to the States mentioned above, in terms of percentage of
forest cover to the total area of the State, which one of the following is the
correct ascending Order?
(a) 2-3-1-4
(b) 2-3-4-1
(c) 3-2-4-1
(d) 3-2-1-4
Answer: (c)
Q. Consider the following States: (UPSC CSE 2015)

1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Himachal Pradesh
3. Mizoram
In which of the above States do ‘Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests’ occur?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)

25 Communications and InformationTechnology
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) promotes e-governance and sustainable
growth of the electronics, IT and ITeS industries, enhancing India’s role in Internet governance while the Ministry
of Communications looks after the Department of Posts and Department of Telecommunications.
Posts
y The modern postal system was established by Lord Clive in 1766 and it was further developed by Warren
Hastings in 1774.
y Besides providing communication facilities, the post office network has also provided facilities for remittances
of funds, banking and insurance services since the latter half of the 19th century.
Postal Circles
y The country has been divided into 23 postal circles, each circle headed by a Chief Postmaster General. Each
circle is divided into regions, headed by a Postmaster General and comprising field units known as Divisions.
These divisions are further divided into subdivisions.
Post Office- Common Service Centers

y They are backed by the government of India and it act as a one-stop-shop to get all kinds of service facilities like
obtaining Passport, PAN card, Birth and Death Certificates, Aadhaar Card Enrollment, Insurance Services, Bill
Payments, Online Bookings, Internet Browsing, DTP, Printing and so on.
Financial Services
y The Department of Posts operates Small Savings Schemes on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, which frames
and modifies rules relating to these schemes and pays remuneration to the Department of Posts.
y The National Pension Scheme for common citizens was introduced in 2009. India Post is a point of presence for
the NPS. Subscribers in the age group of 18 to 55 can join NPS and contribute till the age of 60.
y The Core Banking Solution is part of the India Post IT Modernisation project that aims to bring in various IT
solutions with the required infrastructure to the post offices.
Payment Bank:
y Payments Banks are established as public limited companies under the Companies Act, 2013, and operate
with a license from the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
y Their primary goal is to enhance financial inclusion by offering small savings accounts and payment/remittance
services to migrant workers, low-income families, small businesses, and other unorganized sector groups.
y Eligible promoters for Payments Banks include existing non-bank Pre-paid Payment Instrument issuers,
individuals, professionals, Non-Banking Finance Companies, corporate Business Correspondents, mobile
phone companies, supermarket chains, resident-owned real sector cooperatives, and public entities.
y Payments Banks are authorized to issue ATM and debit cards but cannot issue credit cards or engage in lending,
meaning they cannot provide loans or use their funds for lending purposes.

Q. The establishment of ‘Payment Banks’ is being allowed in India to Self Note

promote financial inclusion. Which of the following statements is/are
correct in this context? (UPSC CSE 2016)
1. Mobile telephone companies and supermarket chains that are owned
and controlled by residents are eligible to be promoters of Payment
Banks.
2. Payment Banks can issue both credit cards and debit cards.
3. Payment Banks cannot undertake lending activities.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
India Post Payments Bank

y It was set up in 2016 with a mandate to build the most accessible, affordable
and trusted bank for the common man by removing the barriers for the
unbanked and promoting the adoption of cashless transactions.
y It has become the biggest bank in the country in terms of physical presence of
1.36 Lakhs access points along with a large force of 3 lakh trained and certified
postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) to offer banking at doorstep.
Postal Life Insurance

y It was introduced in February 1884 as a welfare scheme for the benefit of postal
employees and later extended to the employees of the telegraph department
in 1888.
y It now covers employees of central and state governments.
Philately
y Philately is the hobby of collecting and studying Postage stamps. It also
entails the collection, appreciation and research activities on stamps and
other related philatelic products.
Public Grievances
Computerised Customer Care Centres

y A monitoring mechanism to ensure the quality of services and prompt
redressal is in place.
y The Department of Posts rolled out SAP based platform in 2019 and moved
out from legacy Computerized Customer Care Centers to advanced SAP
based platform.

Information Technology
Self Note
y MeitY deals with policy matters relating to Information Technology,
electronics, internet and cyber security. The aim is to promote e-governance
for empowering citizens promoting the inclusive and sustainable growth of
electronics IT and ITeS Industries etc.
Digital Public Infrastructure

y DPI refers to blocks or platforms such as digital identification, payment
infrastructure and data exchange solutions that help countries deliver
essential services to their people, empowering citizens and improving lives by
enabling digital inclusion.
Digital India
y It was launched in 2015 with an aim to transform India into a knowledge-
based economy and a digitally empowered society by ensuring digital services,
digital access, digital inclusion and bridging the digital divide.
y It aims to make government services available to citizens electronically
by online infrastructure improvement and also by enhancing internet
connectivity.

Q. Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of the “Digital India” Plan of Self Note
the Government of India? (UPSC CSE 2018)
1. Formation of India’s own Internet companies like China did.
2. Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational
corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centres
within our national geographical boundaries.
3. Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many
of our schools, public places and major tourist centres.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Digital Infrastructure
Digital Identity Aadhaar

y Aadhaar is the world’s largest digital identity programme that provides
biometric and demographic-based unique digital identity; which can be
authenticated anytime, from anywhere and also eliminates duplicate and
fake identities. By June 2023 more than 137 crore Aadhaar numbers were
generated.
National Knowledge Network

y It interconnects all institutions of higher learning and research with a high
speed data communication network to facilitate knowledge sharing and
collaborative research.
National Data Centres

y To address the continuous need to set up strategic infrastructure that facilitates
high availability, quick scalability, efficient management and optimized
utilization of resources, NIC setup state of the art National Data Centres at
Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar.
GI Cloud (Megh Raj)

y This Cloud Computing Initiative of the government focuses to accelerate
delivery of e-services in the country while optimizing ICT spending of the
government.
NICNET
y NIC, MeitY through its ICT network- NICNET, provides institutional
linkages across all the ministries/departments of the state governments,
union territories and district administrations.
Command and Control Centre

Self Note
y It aims to provide a nation-wide view of the ICT infrastructure to effectively
monitor the performances of all critical government services.
My scheme
y It is a Schemes Marketplace, where users will be able to discover eligible
schemes based on their demography.
y It will help reduce the time and effort of users by doing away with the
requirement of searching multiple websites of government departments and
studying multiple scheme guidelines to check for their eligibility.
Digilocker
y Digilocker is a Digital India initiative by the Ministry of Electronics &
Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.
y It offers citizens a secure cloud-based platform to access, store, share, and
verify documents and certificates digitally, directly from the original issuers.
y This initiative eliminates the need for physical documents, streamlining
service delivery and making processes more citizen-friendly.
y Users can conveniently store critical documents like PAN cards, mark sheets,
insurance policies, driving licenses, and more in an electronic format.
Q. Regarding DigiLocker, sometimes seen in the news, which of the

following statements is/are correct? (UPSC CSE 2016)
1. It is a digital locker system offered by the Government under Digital
India Programme.
2. It allows you to access your e-documents irrespective of your physical
location.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
OpenForge
y It promotes collaborative ways of application development through sharing
and reuse of e-governance related source code.
UMANG
y Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) has been
developed as a unified platform to deliver major government services through
mobile.
y It enables residents to access primarily G2C services from government and
agencies through a single mobile app.
Electronic transaction Aggregation and Analysis layer (eTaal-3.0)

Self Note
y In view of the rapid growth in the number of services delivered through
electronic means, MeitY and NIC identified the number of end to end
electronic transactions as the best indicator for measuring the real time
performance of e-governance services in terms of service delivery to citizens.
PRAGATI 2.0
y It is to strengthen the central video conferencing infrastructure with robust,
state of the art technology for conferences and enhancement of Video
Conferencing set up at the office of Prime Minister, Cabinet Secretary and
others.
S3WaaS
y Secure, Scalable and Sugamya Website as a Service is a website generating
and deployment product hosted on a National Cloud of NIC, which leverages
technology to generate secure websites using GIGW compliant templates for
deployment on a scalable software defined Infrastructure.
Digital Skilling
Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan

y PMGDISHA aims to usher in digital literacy in rural India by covering 6 crore
rural households (one person per household).
y Under the scheme more than 6.93 crore candidates have been registered out
of which 5.97 crore have been trained.
National Supercomputing Mission

y Under the Mission, 28 supercomputers were built and installed across the
nation, which are manufactured in the country with indigenous software
stack having compute capacity of 24 Peta Flops.
Cyber Security
y Cybersecurity involves safeguarding cyberspace and critical information
infrastructure from attacks, damage, misuse, and economic espionage.
y India ranks among the top 10 countries for cybersecurity posture as of 2020,
a substantial improvement from its 47th position in 2018.
y This leap highlights India’s enhanced cyber preparedness. The Computer
Emergency Response Team (CERT) plays a pivotal role by collecting,
analyzing, and disseminating information on cyber incidents, as well as
implementing emergency measures to manage these incidents.
y CERT rule 12 obligates service providers, intermediaries, data centers, and
corporate bodies to promptly report various types of cyber incidents.

Q. In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on Self Note
cybersecurity incidents? (UPSC CSE 2017)
1. Service providers
2. Data centres
3. Body corporate
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Cyber Surakshit Bharat

y It was initiated by MeitY in partnership with Industry consortium in Public-
Private Partnership (PPP) mode with the objective to educate and enable the
Chief Information Security Officers and broader IT community to address
challenges associated with cyber security.
Centre of Excellence for Data Analytics

y It provides quality data analytic services to various government departments
at all levels as well as public sector units at the centre and states.
Cyber Swachhta Kendra

y It is providing detection of malicious programs and free tools to remove the
same for organisations as well as common users.
y The centre setup and operated by CERT-In covers about 94% of Indian
internet users as well as 668 organisations across sectors.
Attached Offices
National Informatics Centre

y It was established in 1976 and has emerged as a promoter of digital
opportunities for sustainable development.
y It has also built a large number of digital solutions to ensure last-mile delivery
of government services.
Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification

y It provides quality assurance services in electronics and IT through a
countrywide network of laboratories and centers.
y The services include testing, calibration and certification and recognitions in
the area of testing and calibration.

Statutory Organizations Self Note

Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)
y It serves as the national agency to perform various functions in cyber security
such as collection, analysis and dissemination of Information in Cyber
Security Incidents; forecast and alerts; emergency measures etc.
y It also issues white papers related to information security practices, procedures
and prevention.
Unique Identification Authority of India

y UIDAI was established in 2009, as an attached office to the Planning
Commission.
y A key objective of the Aadhaar programme is to provide an identity
infrastructure for delivery of various social welfare programmes and for
effective targeting of welfare services.
Telecommunications
y The Indian Telecom sector has grown exponentially and has become the
second largest network in the world, next only to China.
Department of Telecommunication
y It is responsible for grant of licenses for various telecom services like Unified
Access Service Internet and VSAT service.
y It also looks after frequency management in the field of radio communication
in close coordination with the international bodies.
y It enforces wireless regulatory measures by monitoring wireless transmission
of all users in the country.
Internet Penetration
y The number of Internet Subscribers jumped from 25.15 crore in March 2014
to 88.12 crore in March 2023, registering a growth of 250.37 percent.
y Internet Density increased from 24.09 percent in March 2015 to 63.53 percent
in March 2023.

National Broadband Mission

Self Note
y It was launched in 2019 with a vision to fast track growth of digital
communication infrastructure, bridge the digital divide, facilitate digital
empowerment and inclusion, and provide affordable and universal access to
broadband for all.
PM-WANI Scheme
y It was launched for the proliferation of broadband services across the country.
Production LinkedIn Incentive Scheme

y Its guidelines were amended in June 2022 to introduce the design lead
manufacturing with additional incentive rates. It has been effective for 5 years
from April 2021.
PM-Gatishakti National Master Plan

y The Department of Telecommunications is using the National Master Plan
for planning in advance for fiberization of unfiberized towers and planning of
towers for uncovered villages under Universal Service Obligation Fund.
Call Before u Dig

y This is to facilitate smooth coordination between excavating agencies and
underground utility asset owners to save utilities from damages.
Sanchar Saathi Portal

y This is to curb the menace of misuse of telecom resources for cyber-crimes,
financial frauds and to empower mobile subscribers, strengthen their security
and increase awareness about citizen centric initiatives of the government.
India’s Ranking on Global Indices

y India jumped 6 spots in Network Readiness Index 2022 and reached 61st
position.
y The report released in November 2022 reveals that India not only improved
its ranking but also improved its score from 49.74 in 2021 to 51.19 in 2022.
Public Sector
Undertakings under
Description
Department of
Telecom
Bharat Sanchar BSNL provides both fixed line telephones and

Nigam Limited mobile telephony services on the GSM platform.

Mahanagar MTNL provides fixed line telephones and WLL Self Note
Telephone Nigam services. It also provides mobile services on GSM
Limited and CDMA platforms.
It has multi-locational electronic assembly and

Indian Telephone
mechanical manufacturing facilities, countrywide
Industries
marketing and customer support centers etc.
It was incorporated for the establishment,

management, and operation of the National
Bharat Broadband Optical Fibre Network to provide a minimum of
Network Limited 100 Mbit/s broadband connectivity to all 250,000-
gram panchayats in the country, covering nearly
625,000 villages.

26 Mass Communication
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is the nodal agency for free flow of information through media like
the radio, television, films etc. The Ministry is functionally divided into 3 sectors, viz, Information, Broadcasting
and Films.
y The Information sector is responsible for information dissemination and awareness creation of the policies
and activities of the government of India through print, electronic and digital media.
y The Broadcasting sector aids the Ministry in the far-reaching dissemination of Government schemes and
initiatives via Akashvani and Doordarshan.
y The Films sector is responsible for production and distribution of documentaries, preservation of films and
promotion of good cinema by institution of awards.
Prasar Bharati
y It is the public service broadcaster in the country, with Akashvani and Doordarshan as its two constituents.
It came into existence with a mandate to organize and conduct public broadcasting services to inform, educate
and entertain the public and to ensure a balanced development of broadcasting on radio and television.
Akashvani
y All India Radio came to be known as Akashvani from 1957. It has evolved a three-tier system of broadcasting
namely national, regional and local.
y It aims
o to provide Information, Education and Entertainment,
o to promote the welfare and happiness of masses and
o to present a fair and balanced flow of Information.
y The three-tier system of broadcasting of AIR caters to the information, education and entertainment needs of
the audiences through its stations in the country.
FM Rainbow
y It was launched at a time when radio listening was declining, especially in big cities. FM radio filled this gap
effectively by ensuring disturbance-free high quality music to its listeners.
DTH Service
y It is a satellite service meant for listeners who own a TV set. The service is available through the DTH platform
of Prasar Bharati with uplinking facilities at Todapur, Delhi.
Vividh Bharati
y The popular Vividh Bharati Service provides entertainment for 24 hours. It is relayed through 79 Local Radio
Stations.

News Services Division of Akashvani

Self Note
y It provides news and analysis of current happenings in India and abroad.
y It broadcasts over 550 bulletins per day in around 80 languages/dialects.
y It has a website in 9 languages namely English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi,
Urdu, Tamil, Dogri, Assamese and Rajasthani.
Mann ki Baat
y For this, live webcasting is done on website news. Special windows and pages
are created for the purpose.
Prasar Bharti Archives

y It is a treasure trove of memorable performances of artists and other important
broadcasts since the advent of broadcasting in India.
y These are in the form of music, dances, drama, interviews, short films etc.
Doordarshan
y The literal meaning, seeing from far- is the symbol of India’s metamorphosis
from a modest experiment in telecasting to being a global leader in digital
communications.
y It is headed by a Director General who is assisted by Additional Director
Generals in Programme, Administration and Finance Wings and an Engineer-
in-Chief in the Engineering Wing.
DD National
y It is the flagship channel of the Doordarshan network.
y The channel is making significant contributions to accelerate social economic
changes, promote National integration, inculcate a sense of unity and
fraternity and stimulate scientific temperament in the people of the country.
DD News
y It is the news channel of Doordarshan which is operational on a 24*7 bases
bringing news and current affairs programs, primarily in Hindi, to the people.
y It has 30 functional Regional News Units which are broadcasting over 145
news bulletins in more than 22 languages.
Electronic Media Monitoring Centre

y It monitors the private satellite TV channels for violations of both programme
and advertising codes.

Press and Print Media Self Note

Register of Newspapers for India
y It verifies and approves titles of Newspapers, registers them, checks and
establishes circulation claims. It also issues eligibility certificates for import
of newsprints.
The Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867

y It is to regulate printing presses and newspapers, preservation of copies of
books and periodicals printed in India, and for registration of such books and
periodicals containing news.
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023

y It was enacted with the objective to amend certain enactments for
decriminalizing and rationalizing offences to further enhance trust-based
governance for ease of living and doing business.
y The new act has replaced and amended a few sections in the existing Press and
Registration of Books act ,1867 and decriminalized imprisonment provisions
for most of the offences prescribed under the act.
Press Information Bureau

y It is the nodal agency to disseminate information to the print, electronic
and digital media on government policies, programs, initiatives and
achievements.
y It functions as an interface between the government and the media and also
provides feedback to the government regarding its initiatives as reflected in
the media.
y It also undertakes special campaigns for events like G20 Leaders Summit,
Swacchta hi Sewa, Meri Maati Mera Desh etc.
Press Council of India

y It is a statutory quasi-judicial autonomous authority mandated by the
Parliament for the twin objectives of preserving the freedom of the press
and maintaining and improving the standards of newspapers and the news
agencies in India. It comprises a chairman and 28 members.
Central Bureau of Communication

y It aims to provide 360 degree communication solutions. This is ensured
through print media, audio visual, new media etc.
y It has been instrumental in creating awareness and effecting behavioural
change among masses in fields like health, education, voter participation etc.

Publications Division
Self Note
y It is a repository of books and journals highlighting subjects of national
importance and India’s rich cultural heritage.
y It is among the premier publishing organizations of the government of India
involved in the production, sale and distribution of popular books and
journals on matters of national importance.
National Film Development Corporation Limited

y It is the central agency established to encourage the good cinema movement
in the country.
y Its primary goal is to plan, promote and organize an integrated and efficient
development of the Indian Film Industry and foster excellence in cinema.
National Museum of Indian Cinema

y It was set up at the Films Division Complex in Mumbai to showcase the rich
cinematic history of India as well as to encapsulate socio-cultural history of
India as revealed through evolution of cinema.
International Film Festival of India

y The 54th edition of the IFFI was held in Goa and screened 270 films with 198
international and 25 in the Indian Panorama section.
National Film Awards

y They are the highest awards in the field of cinema and have been administered
by the Directorate of Film Festival (DFF). They are administered by the
Directorate of Film Festival.
The Himalayan Film Festival

y It celebrates the best of Indian Cinema beyond the mainstream. It champions
fresh and distinctive points of view, projected through the lenses of Himalayan
Film-makers.
The Central Board of Film Certification

y The Central Board of Film Certification is a statutory film-certification body
in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India.
y It is tasked with “regulating the public exhibition of films under the provisions
of the Cinematograph Act 1952.”.
y It operates under the aegis of National Film Development Corporation. The
certification process also adheres to the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules,
1983 and guidelines issued by the Central Government.

National Film Heritage Mission

Self Note
y It is a prestigious mission of the Government of India set up in November
2014, for restoring and preserving the film heritage of India. Its objectives
include undertaking film condition assessment and construction of archival
and preservation facilities for preservation of material restored under NFHM.
Film and Television Institute of India

y It was set up in 1960. Designed for a new generation of storytellers, as well
as visual and performing artists, FTII takes pride in the talent that it attracts
from all corners of the country.
y It collaborates with many renowned Film, TV and media schools. The institute
offers a 2 year diploma course in acting along with many other courses.
Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute

y It is the second National level film training institute to be established by the
government of India.
y The institute offers 3 year postgraduate diploma courses in direction and
screenplay writing, cinematography, editing and audio graphy.
Indian Institute of Mass Communication

y Apart from training officers of the Indian Information Service, the Institute
conducts a number of Post-Graduate Diploma Courses in print journalism.
y It was established with the objective of undertaking training and research in
the area of mass communication. The government of India provides financial
support to the institute.
News Agencies
Press Trust of India

y It is a news cooperative agency owned by the country’s newspapers with a
mandate to provide efficient and unbiased news to all subscribers.
y Its correspondents are based in leading capitals and important business and
administrative centers around the world. It commands 90 percent of news
agency market share in India.
United News of India

y It was incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 and started functioning
effectively from 1961.
y It has grown into a vibrant news organization along with much needed spirit
of competition in areas of news gathering and dissemination.
y It also has a full-fledged Hindi wire service ‘UNIVARTA’ since 1982.

27 Culture and Tourism

The Ministry of Culture focuses upon preservation and conservation of ancient cultural heritage and promotion of
art and culture, both tangible and intangible in the country. It has four missions, National Mission on Manuscripts,
National Mission for Monument and Antiquities, National Mission on Libraries and Gandhi Heritage Sites
Mission. The ministry is the custodian of all major libraries in the country.
Recent Updates
y Recently India was elected to UNESCO’s intergovernmental panel for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage
for 2022-2026.
y Garba of Gujarat has been nominated for inclusion into UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural
Heritage of Humanity, Gwalior and Kozhikode have been included into UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network as
creative cities of music and literature respectively.
Azadi ka Mahotsav
y It is an initiative by the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate years of independence and the
glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.
y Till date more than 2 lakhs programmes have been held under the initiative. Programmes under this are
characterized by people’s participation.
y In 2023, 2nd edition of Har Ghar Tiranga had more than 10 crore people posting their selfies on Har Ghar
Tiranga Website.
Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat

y Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat is a program launched by the Government of India to actively enhance interaction
and promote mutual understanding between people of different states and Union Territories (UTs). The
primary objective is to strengthen unity and integrity by fostering cultural exchange and bonding among
diverse cultures within the country.
y Under this initiative:
o State/UT Pairing: Different states and UTs are paired together.
o Activities: These paired states engage in various activities, including language learning, cultural exchanges,
traditions, music, tourism, cuisine, sports, and sharing of best practices.
o Cultural Connect: The program aims to create a sustained and structured cultural connection between
people from different regions.

Madhavpur festival celebrates the beautiful moments Self Note

Madhavpur Mela
of Lord Krishna and Rukshmani’s journey which starts
(Gujarat )
from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat.
Envisages celebrating the narratives of Jhelum ( Vitasta

) across multiple cities of India . The first event related
Vitasta(
to this was held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu which is a
Kashmir)
paired state of Jammu and Kashmir under the ESSB
model. The 2nd event was held in Pune.
Helped in creating public awareness, and stakeholder

participation and helped to devise a framework for the
Dhara initiative:
promotion and revival of multiple domains of Indian
Knowledge Systems.
Offering of art at Kartavya Path at India Gate Lawns,

Central Vista, New Delhi on weekends. The event
Kalanjali entails multiple cultural performances to celebrate and
commemorate the diversified identity of India’s culture,
people and achievements.
Lalit Kali Akademi

y Lalit Kala Akademi, located in New Delhi, was officially inaugurated on
August 5, 1954, by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, then Minister for Education.
y It was later registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 on March 11,
1957. As the youngest of the three Akademies established by the Government
of India, Lalit Kala Akademi focuses on activities within the realm of Visual
Arts.
y It offers scholarships, fellowship programs, organizes exhibitions both
domestically and internationally, and publishes a bilingual journal. The
institution is financially supported by the Union Ministry of Culture.
Sangeet Natak Akademi

y Sangeet Natak Akademi, established in 1952, is India’s National Academy
of Music, Dance, and Drama. It was created by the Indian government to
promote and preserve traditional Indian performing arts.
y The Akademi recognizes and supports outstanding artists, scholars, and
organizations in the fields of music, dance, and theatre through awards,
fellowships, and scholarships.
y It organizes various cultural programs, seminars, workshops, and festivals to
showcase the rich diversity of Indian performing arts.
y The Sangeet Natak Akademi also publishes journals, books, and other
publications related to Indian performing arts. It is funded by the Ministry of
Culture, Government of India, and is headquartered in New Delhi.
National School of Drama

Self Note
y The National School of Drama (NSD) stands as a premier institution for
theatre education in India. Established in 1959 under the auspices of the
Sangeet Natak Akademi, NSD is dedicated to offering comprehensive
training in various facets of theatre, encompassing acting, direction, design,
and related disciplines.
y Its flagship program is a three-year full-time diploma course in dramatic arts,
known for its selectivity and rigorous training regimen.
y Situated in New Delhi, NSD boasts a distinguished faculty comprising
seasoned theatre practitioners, scholars, and artists, who deliver instruction
through a structured curriculum.
y Additionally, the school hosts esteemed theatre professionals from India
and abroad as visiting faculty, enhancing the learning experience through
workshops and masterclasses.
y NSD fosters a vibrant theatre community by organizing productions, seminars,
workshops, and festivals. These initiatives serve to cultivate theatre culture
and facilitate dialogue among practitioners. Many illustrious alumni of NSD
have made significant contributions to both Indian theatre and cinema.
y NSD operates under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, Government
of India, and remains pivotal in nurturing and advancing the art of theatre
across the nation.
Kalashetra Foundation
y The Kalakshetra Foundation is a renowned cultural institution located in
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Established in 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale
and her husband Dr. George Arundale, it is dedicated to the preservation,
promotion, and teaching of Indian classical arts, particularly Bharatanatyam,
Carnatic music, and various traditional crafts.
y The foundation operates a world-class performing arts academy where
students undergo rigorous training in dance, music, and allied disciplines
under the guidance of experienced gurus. Kalakshetra follows a holistic
approach to education, emphasizing not only technical proficiency but also
the spiritual and cultural aspects of the arts.
Sahitya Akademi
y The Sahitya Akademi, established in 1954, is India’s National Academy of
Letters. Its primary objective is to promote and develop Indian literature
across various languages and genres.
y The Akademi recognizes outstanding literary works and authors through
prestigious awards such as the Sahitya Akademi Award, which is conferred
annually in multiple languages for outstanding literary contributions.
y The Sahitya Akademi confers several awards to recognize outstanding literary

works and contributions across various Indian languages. Some of the major
Self Note
awards instituted by the Sahitya Akademi include:
o Sahitya Akademi Award: This prestigious award is given annually to
writers for their outstanding literary works in various Indian languages.
o Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize: Instituted to promote literary
translation, this award recognizes translators for their exceptional
translations of literary works from one Indian language to another or
from Indian languages to English.
o Sahitya Akademi Fellowship: This honor is bestowed upon eminent
writers who have made significant contributions to Indian literature over
the years. The fellowship acknowledges their lifetime achievements and
literary excellence.
o Yuva Puraskar: This award is specifically designed to encourage young
writers below the age of 35 for their outstanding literary works in various
genres such as novels, poetry, short stories, essays, and plays.
o Bal Sahitya Puraskar: Dedicated to children’s literature, this award
recognizes exceptional literary works for children in various Indian
languages, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and folklore.
Centres of Art and Culture

y Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts: established in 1987, is a premier
cultural institution in New Delhi, India. Dedicated to the preservation and
promotion of Indian art, culture, and heritage, IGNCA conducts research,
organizes exhibitions, performances, and outreach programs, fostering
interdisciplinary understanding and appreciation of Indian civilization.
y Centre for Cultural Resources and Training: founded in 1979, is a
government organization in New Delhi, India. It aims to promote and
preserve India’s diverse cultural heritage through various training programs,
workshops, scholarships, and publications, fostering a deeper understanding
and appreciation of the country’s rich cultural traditions.
y Zonal Cultural Centres: to raise awareness of local culture and rich diversity
across India. There are 7 centres at Patiala, Kolkata, Thanjavur, Udaipur,
Prayagraj, Dimapur and Nagpur.
y Buddhist and Tibetan Institutes to promote the teachings and philosophy of
Lord Bhuddha.
Archeological Survey of India

y Archaeological and historical pursuits in India started with the efforts of Sir
William Jones, who put together a group of antiquarians to form the Asiatic
Society on 15th January 1784 in Calcutta.
y The efforts put by Jones had a long backing, of enthusiasts and dilettantes like
Tavernier, Finch and Bernier, Thevenot, Careri, Fryer, Ovington, Hamilton,

Anquetil du Perron, Joseph Tieffenthaler, William Chamber, to name a few,

Self Note
who carried out survey of monuments in various parts of India, earlier.
y It is the nodal agency for World Heritage matters and has submitted two
nominations namely, Santiniketan( West Bengal ) and Sacred Ensembles
of The Hoysala ( Karnataka). It also submitted the nomination dossiers for
Moidams: The Mound Burial System of Ahom Dynasty, Assam.
y Publications by them include , Burzahom Excavation Report, Catalogue on
Heritage for Humanity, A Glimpse of India’s World Heritage etc.
Indian Council for Cultural Relations

y The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is a government organization
that promotes cultural exchange and diplomacy globally. Founded in 1950, its
mission includes fostering mutual understanding between India and other
nations through cultural exchange programs, scholarships, and exhibitions.
y It is divided into 2 segments: academic and Visual & performing arts.
National Museum
y The National Museum of India, located in New Delhi, is one of the largest
and oldest museums in the country.
y Established in 1949, it houses a vast collection of artefacts, spanning over
5,000 years of Indian history and culture.
y The museum’s exhibits include sculptures, paintings, manuscripts, and
archaeological artefacts from various periods and regions of India. Its
mission is to preserve and showcase the rich cultural heritage of India for the
education and enjoyment of visitors.
y Blueprint for preparing this museum was done by the Maurice Gwyer
Committee in 1946.
Other Museum’s and Centres
y NCSM is an autonomous scientific organization

under the Ministry of Culture, Government of
India. It operates a network of science museums
and centers across India, promoting science
National Council of communication and education.
Science Museum
y The NCSM administers 26 science centers/
museums, emphasizing conservation, research,
and public awareness in the field of science and
technology
y Oldest and largest museum of India founded

Indian Museum in 1814 by Dr. Nathaniel Wallich. It is the first
Museum in the Asia Pacific region.

y Established in 1931, the Allahabad Museum is Self Note

located in a picturesque park (Chandrashekhar
Azad Park) in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. It
Allahabad Museum
houses a rich collection of art, artefacts, and
historical exhibits, including miniature paintings,
sculptures.
y Located in Kolkata, the Victoria Memorial is a

grand marble monument built between 1906
Victoria Memorial and 1921. It commemorates Queen Victoria
Hall and houses a museum with a vast collection of
artefacts, art, and historical exhibits. The lush
gardens surrounding it add to its allure.
y Situated in Hyderabad, Telangana, the Salar

Jung Museum is one of India’s largest one-man
collections of antiques. It showcases artefacts
Salar Jung Museum
sourced from the Salar Jung family and offers
insights into art, history, archaeology, and
literature.
y The IIH aims to safeguard India’s tangible

heritage—its ancient monuments, artefacts,
Indian Institute of manuscripts, and artistic expressions. By
Heritage employing cutting-edge techniques and
interdisciplinary approaches, it seeks to prevent
the erosion of our cultural legacy.
y Established in 1976 under the Ministry of

Culture, is a premier organization dedicated to
research in the conservation of cultural property.
This includes monuments and sites, as well as
museums, libraries, and archive collections.
y NRLC achieves its mission through scientific
National Research
research, education and training, field projects,
Laboratory for
collaborations, and dissemination of information
Conservation of
via articles in journals, conferences, workshops,
Cultural Property
publications, and public participation.
y Located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, NRLC is
well-equipped with adequate infrastructure and
laboratories for material analysis and testing, as
well as for developing sustainable conservation
solutions.

Anthropological Survey of India

Self Note
y It has been mandated to study the bio-cultural attributes of the Indian
population since its establishment.
y Recently, it has completed a National Project “ Ethnographic Study of 227
Denotified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Communities entrusted by NITI
Aayog.
Asiatic Society
y Established in 1784 by Sir William Jones and other scholars, the Asiatic
Society, based in Kolkata, is among Asia’s oldest learned societies. Its primary
objective is to promote the study of Asian languages, history, and culture.
y The society boasts an extensive library featuring rare manuscripts, books, and
documents in languages like Sanskrit, Persian, Tibetan, and Chinese.
y It publishes academic journals, hosts lectures, seminars, and conferences, and
supports research across various disciplines such as linguistics, archaeology,
and philology. Additionally, the Asiatic Society operates a museum displaying
artefacts and artworks that reflect Asia’s cultural heritage.
y Throughout its long history, the society has been instrumental in preserving,
studying, and disseminating knowledge about Asian civilizations, contributing
significantly to the understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures
and traditions of Asia.
Tourism
y Foreign Tourist Arrivals: 6.44 million with a growth rate of 321.5 percent.
y Foreign Exchange Earnings : USD 17.61 billion with growth rate of 100.19
percent.
y E-visa facility: with 7 sub categories at Tourist, business, medical, conference,
medical attendant, Ayush and Ayush attendant.
y Multi Lingual Tourist Infoline.
y Promoting niche products and hospitality education.
y Incredible India website, app and Tourist Guide development.
y Nirbhaya Fund: under Ministry of Finance to be utilized for projects designed
to improve the safety and security of women.
y International Advertisement Campaign.
y Dekho Apna Desh, Launched in 2020 to create awareness among citizens
about the heritage and culture of their country.
y Swadesh Darshan Scheme and PRASHAD scheme to promote growth of
domestic Tourism.
y Nidhi Portal for integrated database of the hospitality industry.

28 Scientific and Technological Developments
Established in 1971, India’s Department of Science and Technology promotes R&D, funds projects, and fosters
collaborations for technology development and commercialization. It also engages in science communication and
policy formulation, driving socio-economic progress.
Policy and Guidelines

y National Quantum Mission: implemented over 8 years and focused on 4 broad domains which are quantum
computing, quantum communications, quantum sensing and metrology and quantum materials and devices.
o In Quantum Technology, a qubit, short for quantum bit, is the basic unit of quantum information, analogous
to the classical bit in classical computing. However, unlike classical bits, which can exist in one of two states
(0 or 1), qubits can exist in a superposition of both states simultaneously due to the principles of quantum
mechanics.
Q. Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is
mentioned? (UPSC CSE 2022)
(a) Cloud Services
(b) Quantum Computing
(c) Visible Light Communication Technologies
(d) Wireless Communication Technologies
Answer: (b)
y Anusandhan National Research Foundation: is to be established in the next five years ( 2023-2028). It will
act as the apex body to provide high level strategic direction for scientific research in the country as per the
recommendations of National Education Policy.
y Teachers Associate for Research Excellence ( TARE ) mobility scheme : launched in 2016-17 to facilitate
mobility of faculty members working in a regular capacity.
y (KIRAN)(Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing scheme: provide
opportunities and avenues for women scientists to pursue research and advance their careers in science and
technology. The scheme consists of various components like,
o Fellowship schemes for women scientists at different career stages,
o Research grant schemes to support research projects led by women scientists,
o Capacity building and training programs to enhance skills and competencies,
o Networking and mentorship opportunities to connect women scientists with established researchers.
y To attract young talents, the department is implementing the Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration
and Knowledge ( MANAK) scheme under its flagship scheme called INSPIRE which focuses on promoting
innovation.
y Water Technology Initiative : launched in 2007 is a government effort in India focusing on research,
development, and deployment of innovative water technologies.
o Led by the Department of Science and Technology, it aims to address water scarcity, pollution, and
management challenges through sustainable solutions.
o The initiative promotes collaboration between academia, industry, and government to develop cutting-
edge technologies for efficient water use, treatment, and conservation,

Self Note
contributing to water security and environmental sustainability
nationwide.
National Missions
y Climate Change: Two national missions were launched under the National
Action Plan for Climate Change, which were National Mission for Sustaining
the Himalayan Ecosystem and National Mission for Strategic Knowledge on
Climate Change.
y National Supercomputing Mission: Supercomputers were deployed
at eighteen institutions with a total capacity of 24 PF providing access
to 99 institutions through NSM Phase 1 and Phase 2. Indigenising of
supercomputing subsystems by own designs and enabling domestic
supercomputer manufacturing ecosystem in the country are significant steps
taken under national supercomputing missions that will make India one of
the supercomputing nations in the world.
y National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical System: It is an
initiative launched by the Government of India in 2018 to promote research
and development in the field of Cyber Physical Systems (CPS). It aims to
address the convergence of information technology and physical systems,
fostering interdisciplinary research and innovation. NM-ICPS focuses on
areas like healthcare, agriculture, smart infrastructure, transportation, and
manufacturing to drive technological advancements and socioeconomic
growth.
y Clean Energy Initiative: It is an initiative focusing upon development of
research to bring down the cost of clean energy through precompetitive
translation research and solution oriented reserve led disruptive innovations.
y Nano Science and Technology: Nano Mission Programme initiated in 2007 to
foster, promote and develop all aspects of nano science and nano technology
that have the potential to benefit the country technologically in strategic and
societal areas.
o Nanoparticles are microscopic particles with dimensions typically
less than 100 nanometers. Due to their small size, they exhibit unique
physical, chemical, and biological properties.
o In various fields such as medicine, electronics, and environmental
science, nanoparticles have transformative impacts. In medicine, they
enable targeted drug delivery, imaging, and diagnostics, revolutionizing
treatment methods.
o In electronics, nanoparticles enhance the performance of devices and
enable miniaturization. Moreover, they facilitate pollution remediation
and water purification. Despite their potential benefits, concerns
regarding their environmental and health impacts necessitate careful
study and regulation of their usage.

o Nanotechnology has revolutionized healthcare by enabling precise

diagnostics, targeted drug delivery, and advanced treatment methods.
Self Note
o Nanoparticles, with their unique properties, facilitate the development of
innovative medical devices and therapies. In diagnostics, nanotechnology
enhances imaging techniques, enabling early disease detection with
higher sensitivity and specificity.
o Additionally, nanoparticles functionalized with therapeutic agents can
selectively target diseased cells, minimizing side effects and improving
treatment efficacy. Moreover, nanomaterials are used in tissue engineering
and regenerative medicine for creating biocompatible scaffolds and
controlled release systems.
o Overall, nanotechnology holds immense promise for improving patient
care, disease management, and medical outcomes in the healthcare sector.
Q. Consider the following statements : (UPSC CSE 2022)

1. Other than those made by humans, nanoparticles do not exist in
nature.
2. Nanoparticles of some metallic oxides are used in the manufacture of
some cosmetics.
3. Nanoparticles of some commercial products which enter the
environment are unsafe for humAnswer:
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Q. With reference to the use of nanotechnology in the health sector, which

of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC CSE 2015)
1. Targeted drug delivery is made possible by nanotechnology.
2. Nanotechnology can largely contribute to gene therapy.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research

y It is responsible for promoting research and development in industrial and
scientific sectors.
y It provides support for technological innovation, patents, grants, and
collaborations, fostering growth and competitiveness in the industrial
landscape through various initiatives and programs.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Self Note
y It is India’s premier research and development organization, established in
1942.
y It operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology and comprises 37
research laboratories across the country.
y CSIR focuses on multidisciplinary research in areas such as aerospace,
biotechnology, materials science, and environmental science.
y It plays a crucial role in driving innovation, technology development, and
industrial competitiveness.
y CSIR’s efforts range from fundamental research to applied technology
solutions, collaborating with academia, industry, and government agencies
to address national challenges and promote sustainable development and
economic growth.
y It has created and is the custodian of Traditional Knowledge Digital Library
( TKDL ).
Survey of India
y It was set up in 1767 and is the National Principal Mapping Agency.
y The primary responsibility is to maintain topographical map coverage on
1:250K, 1:50 K and 1:25 K scales.
y It has undertaken creation of a digital cartographic database of topographical
maps on various scales.
y The digital data is being used by various agencies for planning and geographical
information systems application.
y It also undertakes large-scale service of development projects like hydro
electric, irrigation canals, cantt area etc.
y It is also maintaining the National Spatial Reference Frame ( NSRF ) which
consists of the Horizontal Spatial Reference Frame ( HSRF ) and Vertical
Spatial Reference Frame ( VSRF ).
Atomic Energy
y The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is an Indian government
department tasked with researching and developing nuclear energy. Founded
in 1954 by Presidential order, it manages nuclear power generation, atomic
research, and nuclear weapons programs.
y DAE oversees numerous nuclear power plants, research reactors, and facilities
for nuclear fuel production and waste management, alongside conducting
fundamental research in nuclear physics and related disciplines.
y It has 6 research centres : Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Indira Gandhi
Centre for Atomic Research, Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced

Technology, Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Atomic Minerals Directorate

Self Note
for Exploration and Research, Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership
y India’s Nuclear Power Programme involves harnessing nuclear energy for
electricity generation. Initiated in the 1950s, it aims to diversify the energy
mix, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and meet growing electricity
demands sustainably. The programme includes the operation of 22 nuclear
power plants, research on advanced reactor technologies, and ensuring safety
and security measures.
y The Atomic Energy Commission focuses upon research in atomic sciences
in the country and trains atomic scientists in the country. It also promotes
nuclear research in the commission’s own laboratories and undertakes
prospecting of atomic minerals to extract such minerals for use on industrial
scale.
y Tata Memorial Centre leads in cancer treatment. Department of Atomic
Energy’s AKRUTI project, under ATAL Innovation Mission, launches
technology incubators for rural empowerment in food preservation, water,
and waste management.
y The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), a Government of India
organization, plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and responsible use of
ionizing radiation and nuclear energy. Let’s explore the societal benefits of
radiation technology and its applications:
o Radiation Therapy: Used for cancer treatment, delivering precise
radiation doses to cancer patients using radioactive sources, high-energy
X-rays, or proton beams.
o Nuclear Medicine: Utilizes radio-pharmaceuticals for molecular imaging,
aiding in diagnosis and treatment.
o Radiation Processing Plants: Extend the shelf life of vegetables, fruits
(e.g., onions, potatoes, mangoes), and sterilize healthcare products
(cotton swabs, sutures).
o Industrial Radiography: Evaluates weld quality, castings, and critical
engineering components.
o Investigate fertilizer absorption by plants.
o Seed Mutation: Enhance crop yield.
o Well Logging: Explores geological repositories for coal, gas, and oil.
Department of Space
y It has the primary objective of promoting development and application
of space, science and technology to assist in all round development in the
country. In 1962, the space activities in the country were initiated and
also TERLS was set up in the same year. ISRO was set up in 1969 and the
Department of Space in 1972.

Indian Space Research Organization

Self Note
y The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India’s space agency, is a
prominent part of the Department of Space and was formerly known as the
Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR).
y Established in 1969, ISRO’s primary objective is to harness space technology
for the nation’s benefit and contribute to scientific advancement.
y As the global space sector transitions from being solely government-driven
to involving private entities, India introduced reforms in 2020 to encourage
private sector participation in space exploration and services.
y ISRO not only focuses on technological progress but also contributes to
science education through dedicated research centers and institutions under
the Department of Space.
y These centers cover remote sensing, astronomy, astrophysics, atmospheric
sciences, and space sciences. ISRO’s lunar and interplanetary missions, along
with other scientific projects, promote science education and inspire future
generations.
Roles :
y Enhancing the Role of Newspace India Limited: It is a central public sector
enterprise under Department of Space and the commercial arm of ISRO was
incorporated in 2019. It has bought demand driven space activities evident
by recent launches of 72 OneWeb satellites exemplifying “Atma Nirbharta”.
y Creation of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre as
the single window agency to facilitate and authorize private space sector
activities.
y The Indian Space Policy 2023 was formulated and lays down the framework
for the space sector of the 21st century, with active participation of various
stakeholders in a level playing field.
y A fleet of 18 communications satellites are operating over India with
communication transponders in C Band, Extended C Band, Ku Band, Ka/
Ku Band and S Band providing 317 transponders and 25 Gbps of High
Throughput Satellite ( HTS ) capacity.
y Bhoonidhi Vista is the data visualization service providing full resolution
mosaicked data visualization capability through WMS ( Web Map Service )
enabled for ResourcesSat-2/2A, Sentinel-1 & 2 satellites.
y Small Satellite Launch Vehicle is an all solid 3 Stage vehicle capable of
launching mini, micro or nano class satellites into 500 km planar orbit.
y ISRO has around 178 active patents, 71 copyrights and 13 number of
trademarks. Around 25 patent applications and 5 copyright applications are
filed. 34 fresh patents were filed.
y With respect to First Unmanned Mission, the circularization maneuver is
planned to be carried out in third orbit apogee instead of fourth orbit in order
to reduce the residence period of the perigee to a lower altitude of 170 kms.
y Geoportal platform of ISRO, with a host of wide Self Note

ranging services that cover visualization of multi
Bhuvan
date, multi platform, multi sensor of satellite data,
thematic map display etc.
y Launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation

(ISRO), aimed to test the vehicle’s capabilities.
y It successfully deployed the GSAT-19 communication
satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, marking
a significant milestone for India’s space program and
paving the way for future missions.
GSLV Mk-III y The GSLV Mk-III G1 mission featured India’s heaviest
G1 mission launch vehicle, capable of carrying payloads up to 4
tons to geosynchronous transfer orbit.
y It employed a cryogenic upper stage powered by
liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, demonstrating
India’s indigenous cryogenic technology.
y The mission showcased ISRO’s progress in developing
advanced launch capabilities.
y India’s ambitious project to send humans into space.

y It will utilize the GSLV Mk-III launch vehicle to
carry a crew module, accommodating up to three
astronauts, into low Earth orbit.
Gaganyaan y The spacecraft will be equipped with life support
mission systems, navigation, and communication equipment.
y The mission aims to demonstrate India’s human
spaceflight capabilities, paving the way for future
manned missions and enhancing scientific research
and international collaboration in space exploration.
y Made a soft landing towards the south pole of the lunar

surface on Aug 23,2023. With this India joins USA,
Chandrayaan 3
China and Russia who have successfully landed a space
vehicle on the lunar surface. It used an LVM3 rocket.
y Launched by PSLV C57 into orbit to study the sun.

Aditya Mission With this, India’s first solar observatory has begun
( Aditya L1 ) its journey to the destination of sun-earth L1 (
Lagrange) point.
Earth Sciences
y It deals with all the 5 components of the earth systems which are atmosphere,
biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and their complex interactions.
y The Ministry of Earth Sciences holistically addresses all these aspects.

Self Note
y There are 5 major umbrella schemes:
o Atmospheric and Climate Research-Modelling, Observing Systems and
Services (ACROSS );
o Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources and Technology (
O- SMART);
o Polar and Cryosphere Research ( PACER ) ;
o Technology and Geosciences ( SAGE) ;
o Research, Education Outreach and Training (REACHOUT ) ; and Deep
Ocean Mission ( DOM).
y The Earth System Science Organization (ESSO), a government agency,
oversees research institutions like INCOIS and NCAOR, studying Earth’s
processes. It focuses on oceans, atmosphere, and polar regions to aid weather
forecasting, climate research, and environmental monitoring for sustainable
development.
y The objective of ACROSS ( Atmospheric and Climate Research,
Observations Science Service) is to improve and provide reliable weather and
climate forecasts through sustained observations and intensive research and
development.
y UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) is developed
by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and
National e-Governance Division (NeGD) to drive Mobile Governance in
India. UMANG provides a single platform for all Indian Citizens to access
pan India e-Gov services ranging from Central to Local Government bodies.
y The DAMINI app is monitoring all lightning activity which are happening
specifically for all india. and alert you if lightning is happening near you by
GPS notification under 20KM and 40KM.
y MoES issues timely warnings of cyclones that help minimize loss of lives and
property. There are seven cyclone warning centers in the country to provide
cyclone alerts and warnings for the entire coastline of india.
y In collaboration with Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the IMD
provides Agromet Advisory Services(AAS), which are weather and climate
related information services for the benefit of the agriculture community.
y The Centre for Climate Change Research (CCCR) is a multidisciplinary
institution dedicated to advancing understanding of climate change and its
impacts.
o Through research, education, and collaboration, CCCR strives to develop
innovative solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change challenges.
o Its work spans various fields, including atmospheric science, ecology,
economics, and policy analysis.
o By fostering partnerships with academia, industry, and governments,
CCCR aims to inform evidence-based decision-making and drive
meaningful action towards a sustainable future.
y The SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research)
Self Note
initiative is an ambitious project by the Government of India aimed at
providing real-time air quality data and forecasts. Developed by the Indian
Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, SAFAR monitors air quality
in major Indian cities, issues pollution alerts, and offers health advisories to
help citizens make informed decisions. It plays a crucial role in addressing air
pollution and promoting public health.
o Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool for effective communication of air quality
status to people in terms, which are easy to understand. It transforms
complex air quality data of various pollutants into a single number (index
value), nomenclature and colour.
o There are six AQI categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately
Polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. Each of these categories is decided
based on ambient concentration values of air pollutants and their likely
health impacts (known as health breakpoints).
o Overall, WHO’s new guidelines recommend air quality levels for six
pollutants — particulate matter (PM), ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide
(NO₂) sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO) — that are not
just health hazards but they also give rise to other damaging pollutants.
o The recommendation for PM 2.5 is that the annual average should not
exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter or 15 micrograms per cubic meter
in a day.
Q. In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following

statements : (UPSC CSE 2022)
1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 μg/m3 and annual
mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 5μg/m3.
2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the
periods of inclement weather.
3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.
4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 3 and 4
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 2 only
Answer: (b)

Q. In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric Self Note
gases are normally considered in calculating the value of the Air Quality
Index? (UPSC CSE 2016)
1. Carbon dioxide
2. Carbon monoxide
3. Nitrogen dioxide
4. Sulphur dioxide
5. Methane
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (b)
y A Global Ensemble Forecast System ( GEFS) for short and medium range
prediction at 12km using 21 members of the model was commissioNed in
2018.
y O-SMART (Ocean Services, Modelling, Applications, Resources, and
Technology) is an integrated initiative launched by the Indian government to
harness the potential of oceans for sustainable development. It encompasses
various components such as ocean observation systems, modeling and
forecasting, marine bio-resources, technology development, and capacity
building.
y O-SMART aims to provide timely and accurate oceanographic information
to support sectors like fisheries, shipping, coastal management, and disaster
management. It plays a vital role in enhancing maritime safety, promoting
economic growth, and conserving marine ecosystems.
Ocean Services: Technology and Observations

y INCOIS provides Potential Fishery Zone ( PFZ ) advisories to 7 lakh
fishermen on a daily basis to help them to easily locate the areas of abundant
fish in the ocean.
y Large-scale fish production to agriculture is the viable alternative to cope
with the ever increasing demand for fish proteins.
y Ocean state forecasts are given to fishermen , shipping industries, Oil and
natural gas industry ,navy, coastguard and other stakeholders. This forecast
service was also extended to Sri Lanka and Seychelles on various parameters.
y The SARAT (Search and Rescue Aid Tool) is a software application used
for search and rescue operations in maritime environments. It integrates
data from various sources, such as distress signals, vessel information, and
environmental conditions, to aid in locating and rescuing distressed vessels
or individuals at sea.
y SARAT assists search and rescue authorities in efficiently coordinating
rescue efforts by providing real-time information and visualization of search

Self Note
areas. It plays a crucial role in enhancing maritime safety and saving lives in
emergency situations.
y India has been granted a license to explore 10000 km2 of the area by the
International Seabed Authority for exploring hydrothermal systems in the
mid oceanic regions of the Indian Ocean. Extensive survey and sampling
operations are also done in the Central Indian Ridge ( CIR ) and Southwest
Indian Ridge ( SWIS ).
y Low temperature thermal desalination plants, each with the capacity of 1.5
lakh litres of water every day, are being established by National Institute of
Ocean Technology in Lakshadweep, with the help of a Ministry of Drinking
Water and Sanitation.
y A Coastal Water Quality Index (CWQI ) map was prepared for the Andhra
Pradesh Coast based on the results obtained from the cruise conducted in
2020.
y NIOT has restored the lost beaches in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu using
innovative coastal engineering techniques. It designed and implemented
a submerged offshore dyke using sand filled geo-synthetic tubes for
beach restoration at Kadalur fishing villages, Tamil Nadu. This was first
demonstration in open coastal waters resulting in coastal stakeholders
requesting for such innovative solutions.
y Polar and Cryosphere Research (PACER) is being chiefly implemented by
National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa. It has
four sub-schemes: Antarctic, Arctic, Southern Ocean, and Cryosphere and
Climate Programmes. Major objectives of PACER are to
o ensure the country’s strategic and scientific interests in the Polar Region
and the surrounding oceans;
o to continue the long-term frontline scientific programmes in Antarctica,
Arctic, Himalaya and Southern Ocean.
o PACER has also established 3 permanent Indian research bases in
Antarctica and Himadri in Svalbard, Norway in 2008.
y Seismology and Geoscience Research (SAGE) is a comprehensive research
initiative focused on understanding seismic activity and geological processes.
o SAGE integrates various disciplines such as seismology, geology,
geophysics, and earth sciences to study earthquakes, tectonic activity,
and geological hazards.
o Through data collection, analysis, and modeling, SAGE aims to advance
knowledge of the Earth’s structure, seismic behavior, and natural
phenomena.
o The research conducted under SAGE contributes to better understanding
and mitigating the risks associated with earthquakes and other geological
hazards.
Biotechnology
Self Note
y A multi-agency board namely National Biotechnology Board (NBTB) was
set up in 1982 with participation of DST, UGC, ICMR and CSIR to promote
activities in biotechnology. Subsequently, the Board was upgraded to a full
fledged Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science
and Technology in 1986.
y The mandate of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), is to make India
globally competitive in biotechnology research, innovation, translation,
entrepreneurship and biotech industrial growth with an aim to achieve
National Development Programmes and Sustainable Development Goals.
o In part of the human body, T cells and B cells are part of a specialized
network of immune cells that specifically respond to pathogens and fight
off infections. B cells and T cells are the white blood cells of the immune
system that are responsible for adaptive immune response in an organism.
Both the cells are made in the bone marrow.
o B cells mature in the bone marrow while the T cells travel to the thymus
and mature there. These cells are structurally similar and are involved in
adaptive immune response in an organism
y The Bioenergy programme aims to make available cost effective and sustainable
biofuel technology by improving or developing feed stock and also through
improvement of bio-fuel production technologies. Demonstration plants
were commissioned to convert municipal solid waste to organic fraction and
energy in various forms.
y Environmental biotechnology is providing biotechnology-based innovative
clean and green solutions for the management of environmental issues of
national and global concerns in the area of climate and environment. Forest
Biotechnology programme was initiated in 201 8-19 to facilitate application
of biotechnology for forest conservation, resource utilization, and scientific
management of invasion, T studying ecosystem services, and climate change.
y Dare2eraD TB, was launched as an umbrella tuberculosis programme which
includes setting up of Indian TB Genomic Surveillance Consortium in line
with the government’s vision of TB Mukt Bharat. An enzyme immunoassay
with PPE17 (Rv11 68c) as candidate antigen was developed with potential to
serve as a serodiagnostic marker for primary screening of latent TB infected
subjects.
y The Science Setu Programme is for ‘discovering possibilities’ and aims to
build awareness about the importance of science through engagements
with practitioners, showcases the excitement, the challenges as well as the
opportunities arising from a career in science. Under it, DBT autonomous
institutes have been linked with Star Colleges for providing exposure to
contemporary research to undergraduate students and college faculty.
y GARBH-Ini (interdisciplinary Group for Advanced Research on Birth
outcomes), under the Atal Biotech Mission, is a pregnancy cohort with over
8000 participants, studying PreTerm Birth using interdisciplinary methods.

Self Note
It includes a bio-repository (Rakshita) with 1 million specimens and 600,000
ultrasound images.
y National Biopharma Mission (NBM) - an industry-academia collaborative
mission, being implemented by GARBH-Ini BIRAC, a public sector
undertaking of DBT. The availability of affordable and accessible vaccines
in the country is a priority area of the Mission and is supporting vaccine
candidates in different stages of development.
y Recombinant vector vaccines are live replicating viruses that are engineered
to carry extra genes derived from a pathogen like Bacteria and viruses. These
extra genes produce proteins against which we want to generate immunity.
These vaccine genomes may evolve to lose the extra genes during the process
of manufacture of the vaccine or replication within an individual, and there is
a concern that this evolution might severely limit the vaccine’s efficacy.
y Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) prevents us from pneumococcal
disease. In the 1980s the first pneumococcal vaccine was developed. Under
the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) the government is planning
for the nationwide rollout of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV).
Q. Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells
and T cells in the human body? (UPSC CSE 2022)
(a) They protect the body from environmental allergens.
(b) They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.
(c) They act as immunosuppressants in the body.
(d) They protect the body from diseases caused by pathogens.
Answer: (d)
Q. With reference to recent developments regarding ‘Recombinant Vector

Vaccines’, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2021)
1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines.
2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)

Q. What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in Self Note

India? (UPSC CSE 2020)
1. These vaccines are effective against pneumonia as well as meningitis
and sepsis.
2. Dependence on antibiotics that are not effective against drug-resistant
bacteria can be reduced.
3. These vaccines have no side effects and cause no allergic reactions.
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)

29 Youth Affairs and Sports

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports was bifurcated into two departments in 2008 Department of Youth
Affairs and Department of Sports. The Department of Youth Affairs acts as a facilitator and catalytic agent for youth
development, focusing on topics such as youth affairs/youth policy, voluntary youth organizations, Commonwealth
Youth Programme and United Nations Volunteers, youth welfare activities, National Youth Festival, assistance
to scouting and guiding organizations, National Youth Awards, and exchange of youth delegations with foreign
countries.
National Youth Policy

y The National Youth Policy, 2014 proposes a holistic vision for the youth, which is to empower them to achieve
their full potential and enable India to find its rightful place in the community of nations.
y To achieve this vision, the NYP-2014 identifies five clearly defined objectives and priority areas under each of
them.
y These objectives include creating a productive workforce, developing a strong and healthy generation, instilling
social values, facilitating participation and civic engagement at all levels of governance, and supporting youth
at risk and creating equitable opportunity for all disadvantaged and marginalized youth.
Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan

y Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) is a major global youth organization with a presence in 623 districts.
It emphasizes literacy, health, sanitation, environment, social awareness, women’s empowerment, rural
development, skills, entrepreneurship, civic education, and disaster relief.
y The youth associated with NYKS are socially aware and motivated and are inclined towards social development
work through voluntary efforts.
National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development

y The National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD) was introduced in 2008 and
provides financial assistance to government/non-government organizations for taking up youth and adolescent
activities.
y It has five components: youth leadership and personality development training, promotion of national
integration, promotion of adventure, development and empowerment of adolescents, and technical and
resource development.
y A National Youth Festival is organized in January every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami
Vivekananda, which is celebrated as National Youth Day.
National Young Leaders Programme

y The National Young Leaders Programme (NYLP) was launched in 2014 to develop leadership qualities among
the youth and contribute to the nation-building process.
y It aims to motivate the youth to strive for excellence in their respective fields and bring them to the forefront
of the development process.
y The programme beneficiaries are the youth in the age group of 15-29 years, in line with the definition of
‘youth’ in the National Youth Policy, 2014.

y The scheme has four components: Neighbourhood Youth Parliament (NYP),

Self Note
Youth for Development Programme (YFDP), National Young Leaders Awards
(NYLA), National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC) and National Youth
Development Fund (NYDF).
National Service Scheme

y The National Service Scheme (NSS) was introduced in 1969 with the primary
objective of developing the personality and character of the youth through
voluntary community service.
y The motto of the NSS is “not me, but you”. The NSS aims to develop the
following qualities/ competencies among the volunteers:
y To understand the community in which the N5S volunteers work and to
understand themselves in relation to their community .
y To identify the needs and problems of the community and involve themselves
in problem-Solving exercises.
y NYKS aims to foster social and civic responsibility, solve community problems
practically, mobilize community participation, promote national integration,
and encourage social harmony.
y The NSS attempts to establish meaningful linkages between ‘Campus and
Community’, ‘College and Village’ and ‘Knowledge and Action’.
Sports
India at the Hangzhou Asian Games, China:

y With an unprecedented haul of 107 medals that includes 28 gold,38 silvers
and 41 bronze medals, India set a new benchmark for themselves at the 19th
Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou , the People’s Republic of China.
y In Men’s Field Hockey , India won a bronze Medal. This medal comes after a
gap of 41 years ,having last won a gold medal in Moscow 1980.
Para Asian Games 2023:

y Indian Para-athletes created history with the highest ever medal tally in the
Para Asian Games with 111 medals, including 29 gold medals (India was
ranked 5th in the overall medal tally).
FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup,2023

y India hosted the 15th edition of FIH Men’s Hockey world cup January 2023
(hosted by Orissa). Germany won the tournament and Belgium had settled
for the silver.

India at World Athletics Championships,2023

Self Note
y India’s Olympic Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra struck gold in the Men’s
Javelin throw event of World Athletic championship 2023 held in Budapest,
Hungary 2023,becoming the first Indian athlete to win a gold in world
championship.
y Neeraj had won the silver in Men’s Javelin throw event in the 2022 edition of
the championship while Anju Bobby George won bronze in the women’s long
jump in 2003.
Target Olympic Podium Scheme:

y To enhance India’s Performance at Olympics and Paralympics, the Ministry
started the Target olympic podium scheme (TOPS) in 2014.
y This was revamped in April 2018 to establish a technical support team for
managing the TOPS athletes and Providing holistic support.
Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)

y Mera Yuva Bharat platform for youth was launched in October 2023 on the
National Unity day.
y This Autonomous body is envisioned as a pivotal,technology-driven
facilitator for youth development and youth led development ,with the aim
of providing equitable opportunities to empower the youth in realizing their
aspirations and contributing to creation of Viksit Bharat.
Objective:
y Leadership development in the youth, better alignment between aspirations
of youth in the community needs, and has deficiency through convergence of
existing programmes.
y This body aims to benefit the youth in the age group of 15 to 29 years, in line
with the definition of youth in the national youth policy.
Sports Authority of India

y The Sports Authority of India (SAI) was established in 1984 to ensure
effective maintenance and optimum utilization of the sports infrastructure
built in Delhi during ASIAD, 1982.
y It is now the nodal agency in the country for broadcasting sports and for
training of sportspersons to achieve excellence in national and international
events.
y It has also set up centers of excellence for elite sports persons at each of its
regional centres and one at the National Institute of Sports, Patiala.
y National Sports Academies have been set up by SAI, in collaboration with
the National Sports Federations to attract sports talent in the respective sports
discipline in the age group of 14-25 years.
National Sports University

Self Note
y The Government of India has decided to set up a National Sports University
in Manipur to promote sports education in the areas of sports sciences, sports
technology, sports management and sports coaching.
y The University imparts Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral programmes in
sports coaching, sports sciences and physical education in various disciplines.
y Specialized degree programmes in various sports education and coaching
disciplines are envisaged in the future. From the academic session 2018-19,
M.Sc. (Sports Coaching) and M.A. (Sports Psychology) have been introduced.
Khelo India
y The central sector scheme, namely, khelo India-national program for
development of sports or khelo India scheme was implemented in 2016-17
by merging the existing erstwhile Schemes of Rajiv Gandhi Khel abhiyan
(RGKA),urban sports infrastructure scheme (USIS)national sports talent
search scheme(NSTSS).
y These 12 verticals include play field development, community coaching
development, state level Khelo India centers, annual sports competitions,
talent search and development, utilization and creation/upgradation of
sports infrastructure, support to national/regional/state sports academies,
physical fitness of school-going children, sports for women, promotion of
sports among persons with disabilities, sports for peace and development,
and promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games.
y The Khelo India Programme has been revamped for a further period of five
years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Basic objectives:
y Vision and structure of extant Khelo India scheme retained.
y To infuse sports culture and achieve sporting excellence.
y To encourage sports all over the country.
Fit India Programme

y The Fit India Movement was launched in 2019 to create awareness amongst
Indians about the importance of fitness.
y To celebrate its First Anniversary, an online event was held in 2020 to launch
Age Appropriate Fitness Protocols named GOALS (Goals for Active Lifestyle)
for different age groups categorized as 05-18 years, 18-65 years and 65+ years.
Promotion of Excellence in Sports
National Centre for Sports Coaching

y The purpose of the National Centre for Sports Coaching (NCSC) under the
National Institute of Sports, Patiala is to enhance sports coaching education in
the country and create a comprehensive coaching development framework.

Self Note
y Its aim is to meet the demand for high performance sports coaches and
implement a long term Athlete Development Plan.
y The services of the coaches qualifying from NCSC will be utilized in Sports
Authority of India (SAl), state governments, Sports Council, National Sports
Federations (NSFs) and various sports academics and educational institutions
across the country.
National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research

y The National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR) is being set up
at the Administrative Block of the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex, Sports
Authority of India New Delhi, to support high level research, education and
innovation with respect to high performance of elite athletes.
y This central sector scheme is focused on sports science, including sports
medicine.
y The NCSSR will provide sports science equipment to SAI’s 11 National Centres
of Excellence and 2 High Performance Centres at Patiala and Bengaluru.
National Sports Development Fund

y The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) was instituted to mobilize
resources from the government and non-governmental sources, including
the private/corporate sector and non- resident Indians, for the promotion of
sports and games in the country.
y To make contributions to the fund attractive, 100% exemption from income
tax is available on all contributions.
y The funds available under NSDF are used for promotion of sports in general
and specific sports disciplines, imparting special training and coaching
in relevant sport disciplines, building and maintaining infrastructure,
providing equipment to governmental and non-governmental organizations
and individuals, and identifying problems and taking up research and
development studies for providing support to excellence in sports.
Incentive Schemes for Sportspersons

Various schemes to give incentives to sportspersons to take up sports are also
implemented by the Ministry. Every year by way of an incentive awards are given
to Sportspersons, institutions of the field and coaches/trainers.
y The 44th Chess Olympiad is being held in Chennai from July 28 to August 9,
2022. The prestigious competition, which has been organized since 1927, is
being hosted in India for the first time and in Asia after 30 years.
y Thambi is a brown horse who is the official mascot of the 44th Chess Olympiad.
y The trophy for the winning team in the open section is the Hamilton-Russell
Cup, which was offered by the English magnate Frederick Hamilton- Russell
as a prize for the 1st Olympiad (London 1927). The cup is kept by the winning
Self Note
team until the next event, when it is consigned to the next winner.
y The trophy for the winning team at the Women’s Chess Olympiad is named
the Vera Menchik Cup in her honor.
Awards Descriptions
y The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratan Award was launched

in 1991-92 to honor sportspersons and give them
1.Major Dhyan greater dignity and place of honor in society.
Chand Khel
Ratna Award y Under It , an amount of 7.5 lakh is awarded for the
most spectacular and outstandingperformance by a
sportsperson over four years prior to the award being
given.
y The award was instituted in 1961 and requires a

sportsperson to have good performance for the
previous four years at the international level with
2.Arjuna Award excellence for the year for which it is recommended.
y The awardee is given a statuette, certificate,
ceremonial dress and a cash award of Rs 15 lakh.
3.Dhyan y This award was instituted in 2002 to honor

Chand Award sportspersons who have contributed to sports and
for Lifetime continue to promote it after retirement.
Achievement y The awardee is given a statuette, certificate,
ceremonial dress and a cash award of Rs. 10 lakh.
y This award was instituted in 1985 to honor eminent

coaches who have successfully trained sportspersons
or teams and enabled them to achieve outstanding
4.Dronacharya results in international Competitions.
Award y The awardee is given a statuette of Guru Dronacharya,
a certificate, ceremonial dress and a cash award of 15
lakhs in lifetime category and Rs.10 lakh in regular
category.
y This trophy was instituted in 1956-57.

5.Maulana y The top overall performing university in the inter-
Abul Kalam university tournament is given the Maulana Abul
Azad Trophy Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy, which is a rolling
(MAKA) trophy.
y A small replica of the MAKA Trophy is also awarded
for retention by the university.

y The government has instituted a new award called Self Note

‘Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar’ to recognize
the contribution made to sports development by
entities other than sportspersons and coaches.
y It has four categories:
6.Rashtriya y identification and nurturing of budding/young
Khel Protsahan talent,
Puraska
y encouragement to sports through corporate social
responsibility,
y employment of sportspersons and
y sports welfare measures, and sports for development.
y The award consists of a citation and a trophy in each
category, with no cash award.
Q. Consider the following pairs with regard to sports awards: (UPSC CSE
2023)
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (b)

Q. Consider the following statements in respect of the 44th Chess Olympiad, Self Note
2022:(UPSC CSE 2023)
1. It was the first time that the Chess Olympiad was held in India.
2. The official mascot was named ‘Thambi’.
3. The trophy for the winning team in the open section is the Vera
Menchik Cup.
4. The trophy for the winning team in the women’s section is the
Hamilton-
Russell Cup.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (b)
Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund

y The name of the National welfare Fund for sportspersons was changed to
Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Welfare Fund for sportspeople in 2017.
y The National Welfare Fund for sportspersons was set up in 1982 to assist
outstanding sportspersons of yesteryears living in indigent circumstances
who had won glory for the country in sports.
y Assistance is given in the form of lump sum financial assistance to sports
persons or their families in case of sustaining a fatal injury during training or
participation in an international competition.
y The Scheme was reviewed and revised in July 2009 and again revised in 2016.
y The amount of annual income for eligibility for financial assistance from
the Fund has been raised from the existing 2 lakh to 4 lakh, and the scope
of the Scheme has been expanded to include more sportspersons for being
considered for financial assistance. Quantum of assistance from the Fund has
also been substantially enhanced.
Assistance for Anti-Doping Activities

y Doping is the deliberate or inadvertent use of a substance or method banned
by the Medical Commission of the International Olympic Committee/ World
Anti Doping Agency (WADA) by Sportspersons.
y India is no exception to this malaise, and the Government of India has
become one of the members of the Foundation Board of WADA, set up with
the initiative of the International Olympic Committee.
y Recognising the urgent need for embarking upon a concerted effort to check
doping in collaboration with the global anti-doping community.

National Anti-Doping Agency

Self Note
y National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), set up in 2009, is the national
organization responsible for promoting, coordinating, and monitoring the
doping control programme in sports in the country. The Anti-Doping rules
of NADA are compliant with the Anti-Doping Code of WADA.
National Dope Testing Laboratory

y The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) is an autonomous body
under the Ministry and accredited by NABL and WADA.
y It has state-of-the-art facilities for both routine and research activities.
y It was registered in 2008 under the Registration of Society Act, 1860 and has
diversified in the area of horse dope testing and proficiency testing.

30 States and Union Territories

Andhra Pradesh
Historical Background
y Earliest mention is said to be in Aitereya Brahmana (2000 BC).
y Later Satavahanas, Sakas, Ikshvakus and Kakatiyas ruled in the later centuries.
y Dhanyakataka, also known as Amaravati, was an important Buddhist centre that flourished under the
Mahasanghika sect. It was situated in present-day Guntur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
Dhanyakataka was renowned for its Buddhist stupas and monastic complexes.
y Other dynasties that ruled were Qutubshahis followed by Mir Qamaruddin and his successors, known as the
Nizams.
Q. In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist
centre under the Mahasanghikas, located? (UPSC CSE 2023)
(a) Andhra
(b) Gandhara
(c) Kalinga
(d) Magadha
Answer:(a)
Geographical Facts
y It is the 8th largest state in the country, having the second longest coastline of 974 km.
y Rice is the major food crop and staple food and contributes a large chunk to the food grain production.
y It is well known for crude oil, barytes, bauxite, copper ore etc and is also called Ratna Garbha.
y There is one major port at Visakhapatnam and 10 minor ports.
y Major Rivers of the state include Godavari, Krishna, Pennar, Nagavali and Vamsadhara.
Culture and Heritage

y The State celebrates festivals like Ugadi, Srirama Navami, Vinayaka Chavithi etc.
y Major Tourist centers include Buddha Stupa at Nagarjunakonda, Kanaka Durga Temple at Vijayawada, Araku
Valley, Horsley Hills etc.
Arunachal Pradesh
y It became a full-fledged state on February 20, 1987.
y It was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) till 1972.
y It finds mention in the literature of Kalika Purana and Mahabharata.

Agriculture and Horticulture

Self Note
y ‘Jhum’ (shifting cultivation) is practiced on hill slopes.
y The secondary sector accounts for 6.66 percent of the total working population.
Natural Resources
y Forests cover around 80.99 percent of the total area of the state.
y Landscape and forests vary with changing altitudes, which comprise alpine,
temperate, Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests, and semi-evergreen forests.

1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Himachal Pradesh
3. Mizoram
In which of the above States do ‘Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests’ occur?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Wildlife
y Prominent protected areas include Mouling National Park, Pakhui Wildlife
Sanctuary and Namdapha National Park.
y The Mithun (bos frontalis) is found both in wild and semi-domestic
environments.
Q. In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary

located? (UPSC CSE 2018)
(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Manipur
(c) Meghalaya
(d) Nagaland
Answer: (a)
Festivals
y Important festivals include Mopin of the Galos, Losar of the Monpas, Dree of
the Apatanis and Reh of the Idu Mishmis.
Major Tribes
y Major tribes include Nyishis, Apatanis, the Mijis, the Akas, the Sulungs and
the Khowas.

Assam Self Note

History and Geography
y It was known as Pragjyotishpur during the epic period and was later named
as Kamrup.
y Hiuen Tsang visited Kamarupa on invitation of its monarch, Kumara Bhaskar
Varman and left an elaborate account.
y It covers an area of 78,438 square km. It is also called the gateway to the north-
eastern states.
Agriculture
y It is blessed with rich fertile soil, plenty of water and natural resources.
y Rice is the most important crop.
y Assam Millets Mission (AMM) has been taken by state government to ensure
inclusion of millets in nutrition programmes.
Festivals
y Major festivals include Rangoli Bihu, Bhogali Bihu, Magh Bihu and Kangali
Bihu.
y The Bodos, the largest group of the state, perform Kherai Puja which assumes
the shape of a fair in most places.
Tourism
y Major Tourist centers include Kamakhya Temple, Doul Govinda Temple,
Madan Kamadeva Temple etc.
y Lust Green Tea Gardens and the heritage colonial bungalows, the Vaishnavite
culture of Majuli Islands are other majestic tourist sites.
Bihar

y The name Bihar has been derived from Sanskrit word ‘Vihara’ meaning
abode.
y It finds mention in the Vedas, Puranas and was the main scene of activities of
the Buddha and 24 Tirthankaras.
y It was in Bihar that the ancient universities of Nalanda and Vikramshila were
established that convey the educational richness of the state.
y It is bound on the north by Nepal, on the east by West Bengal, on the west by
Uttar Pradesh and on the South by Jharkhand.
y Son, Punpun, Falgu, Kosi, Gandak etc are major rivers.

Agriculture
Self Note
y The principal food crops are paddy, wheat, maize and pulses.
y Main cash crops are sugarcane, potato, tobacco, oilseeds, onion, chillies, jute
and mesta.
Tourism
y Patna, Bodhgaya, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Kesariya Stupa etc are prominent tourist
sites.
y Other places of interest include the birthplace of Goddess Sita, Barabar caves,
Kesaria Stupa etc.
Chattisgarh

y It was carved out of Madhya Pradesh and came into being in November 2000
as the 26th state of the Union.
y In ancient times, this region was known as Dakshina-Kosala and Dandakar-
Arya.
y It is believed to be the birth place of Lord Rama’s mother Kaushalya.
y Tropic of Cancer and Indian Standard Time Line intersect at Surajpur District.
y The plateau of Baghelkhand is in the northern part of the state in the shape
of a seahorse.
Agriculture
y Eighty Percent area produces Rice. Thus, it is called the Rice-Bowl of Central
India.
y It is divided into 3 climatic zones- Northern Hills, Plains and Southern
Plateau.
Industry
y The key sectors where the state has a competitive advantage are cement,
mining, steel, aluminium and power.
y Chattisgarh e-marketing portal ‘e-manak (E-MaNe-C)’ has been made
operational for promotion of Industries.
Goa

y In early times, it was known as Gomanchal, Gopakapattam, Govapuri etc.
y In 1510, Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa for the Portuguese from the
Bijapur Sultanate.
y Even after India’s independence, Goa continued to be in the hands of the

Self Note
Portuguese.
y On December 19,1961, Goa was liberated and made a composite union
territory with Daman and Diu.
y In May 1987, Goa was conferred statehood and Daman and Diu was made a
separate union territory.
Q. With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:

(UPSC CSE 2022)
1. The Dutch established their factories/ warehouses on the east coast on
lands granted to them by the Gajapati rulers.
2. Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate.
3. The English East India Company established a factory at Madras on a
plot of land leased from a representative of the Vijayanagara empire.
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
Answer: (b)
Education
y The state has implemented the R.T.E. Act, 2009 to ensure that no child in the
age group of 6-14 years remains out of school.
y It has 88.70 percent literacy rate as per the Population census, 2011.
Power
y The Total Rooftop Solar generation is 33.7 megawatt and ground mounted
solar generation is 14.47 megawatt.
Health
y It is the 5th state in the country to have a state level Palliative Care Policy.
y The state is implementing Tele-Manas which is a digital mental health service
connecting distressed individuals with mental health professionals.
Forests
y It has a forest coverage of 34.63% and nearly 65% of tree cover.
Gujarat

y It was earlier known as Okha Mandal as Lord Krishna had settled here.

y Somnath Temple at Somnath, Gujarat is one of the most sacred pilgrimage

sites for Hindus and is believed to be first among the twelve Jyotirlinga
Self Note
shrines of Lord Shiva. A description of the temple by Al-Biruni is found.
Then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, did the Pran Pratishtha at the
Somnath temple on 11 May 1951.
y Bahadur Shah signed the Treaty of Bassein with the Portuguese. By this, he
ceded Diu to the Portuguese, as well as other territories of his empire such as
Vasai and the islands that today form Mumbai.
y Gujarat officially became a state on 1st May, 1960 as the 15th state of the
Indian Republic.
y The state is bounded by Arabian Sea on the west, Pakistan and Rajasthan on
the north and north-east respectively, Madhya Pradesh in the south-east and
Maharashtra in the south.
Q. Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu

to the Portuguese? (UPSC CSE 2023)
(a) Ahmad Shah
(b) Mahmud Begarha
(c) Bahadur Shah
(d) Muhammad Shah
Answer: (c)
Q. The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near
Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are
correct regarding Somnath Temple? (UPSC CSE 2022)
1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.
2. A description of the Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.
3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present-day
temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Agriculture
y It has 5% of India’s population and contributes 19.5% towards National
Agriculture Production.
y Horticulture Crops are cultivated in 19% of total areas. Gujarat is 1st in cotton
and groundnut production.
Irrigation
y Under Sardar Sarovar Yojana, 69 Lakh Hectare Inland area has been provided
with Irrigation facilities.
y SAUNI yojana is being implemented to deliver one million acre feet flood
Self Note
water of Narmada in drought prone Saurashtra region.
Industry
y The state contributes 8.11% to National GDP, 20% to export and 17% to
Industrial Output.
y As per Good Governance Index, 2021 the state is on top in the composite
index.
Transport
y 80% of Total Traffic on Non-major Ports is done through Ports of Gujarat.
y There are 41 minor and intermediate and 1 major port- the Kandla Port.
Festivals
y Major Fairs include- Tarnetar fair, Shamlaji Fair, Bhavnath Fair. Vautha Fair
etc.
y Ambaji Fair is dedicated to Goddess Amba and is celebrated in Banaskantha
district.
Wildlife
y The state has 8.71% of its total area under National Parks and Wildlife
Sanctuaries.
Haryana

y It is believed that Ved Vyasa wrote the Mahabharata in the land of Haryana
and it was also the ground for the Battle of Mahabharata.
y In Haryana, Rakhigarhi is one of the biggest townships of the Indus Valley
Civilization.
y It is also home to the town of Panipat which witnessed 3 decisive battles.
Power
y It is the 1st state in the country to have achieved 100% Rural Electrification
in 1970 itself.
y The total installed capacity available at present is around 13,654 MW.
Sports
y 30 out of 107 medals in Asian Games 2022 were won by players from Haryana.

Tourism
Self Note
y Geeta Mahotsav, an annual fair at Kurukshetra, is a popular tourist event.
y Major tourist complexes include Surajkund Fair, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary,
Karna Lake etc.
Health
y Under the Mukhya Mantri Muft Ilaaj Yojana (MMMIY), 7 types of services
are provided free of cost.
y It has launched the comprehensive Health Insurance of Antyodaya units
(Chirayu) in 2022.
Himachal Pradesh

y It is also known as Dev Bhumi The abode of Gods and Goddesses.
y Himachal derives its name from the Himalayas which literally means “Land
of Snowy Mountains”.
y Himachal Pradesh was established as the 18th state of the Indian Union.
y It is divided into 3 topographical regions: Shivalik Hills, Mountains and
Valleys.
Agriculture
y Agriculture provides direct employment to 70% of its working population.
y It shelters wild plants like meconopsis, roscoe, primula etc.
y It is counted among the nation’s prominent tea-producing states.

1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Kerala
3. Himachal Pradesh
4. Tripura
How many of the above are generally known as tea-producing States?
(a) Only one State
(b) Only two States
(c) Only three States
(d) All four States
Answer:(d)
Natural Resources
y Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Yamuna rivers flow from the state.
y 68.16% of its total geographical area is covered with forests.

y The forests can be classified into 9 forest types- dry alpine, moist alpine scrub,
Self Note
subalpine, Himalayan temperate, wet temperate, subtropical pine etc.
y The state is the sole holder of the country’s rock salt resources. Barytes,
limestone, salt (rock) and shale are the important minerals produced here.
Horticulture
y It is also known as the ‘Fruit Bowl’ of the country with Fruit production
reaching up to 8.15 Lakh MT.
y The state has favorable climate for the production of apple, pear, peach, plum,
apricots etc.
Water Supply
y All the rural households have been provided with functional household tap
connections under Jal Jeevan Mission.
y Under AMRUT 2.0, the work of providing 24*7 water supply is in progress.
Tourism
y Himachal Pradesh is a major tourism destination and the contribution of the
tourism sector significantly contributes to the state’s GDP at about 7 per cent.
Jharkhand

y Jharkhand came into being in November 2000 as another state of the Union.
y It largely comprises forest tracks of Chotanagpur Plateau and Santhal Pargana
and has distinct cultural traditions.
y It is bounded by West Bengal in the east, Uttar Pradesh and Chattisgarh in the
west, Bihar in the north and Odisha in the south.
Irrigation and Power

y Damodar, Maurakshi, North Koel, Sankh etc are major water resources.
y The net sown area is 1.8 million hectares of which 8 percent is irrigated.
Forests
y There are 3 forest types- Tropical Moist Deciduous, Tropical Dry Deciduous
and Sub-tropical Broad leaved Hill Forests.
y Sal (Shorea Robusta) is a major forest tree species.
Festivals
y Karma, Sarhul, Bhagta Parab, Rohin etc are important tribal festivals.

Industry and Minerals

Self Note
y Major industries include Bokaro Steel Plant in the Public Sector, and TISCO
in Jamshedpur in the Private Sector.
y Coal, Iron Ore, Limestone, Bauxite, Dolomite, Gold etc are important
minerals mined here.
Q. Consider the following statements: ((UPSC CSE 2018)

1. In India, State Governments do not have the power to auction non-
coal mines.
2. Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand do not have gold mines.
3. Rajasthan has iron ore mines.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Answer: (d)
Karnataka

y The Mysore state was created in 1953, wherein all the Kannada dominant
areas under different dispensations were unified and the enlarged Mysore
state carved in 1956 and was renamed Karnataka in 1973.
y The great religious reformed Basaveshwara was a minister in the court of
Chalukyas of Kalyana.
y It is bounded by Goa and Maharashtra in the north, Telangana and Andhra
Pradesh in the east, Tamil Nadu in the south east and Kerala in the south.
Agriculture
y It has 66% rural population and 55% workers are agricultural laborers.
y The net sown area of the state constitutes 51.7 percent of the total land.
Biotechnology
y Bengaluru City has become the largest Bio-cluster in the country.
Transport
y It has a maritime coastline of 300 kilometers.
y Karnataka- “One State Many Worlds” has become a hub of tourist attraction
due to its multicultural composition.
y It has one major port, i.e., New Mangaluru Port along with 10 minor ports.

Kerala Self Note

y It emerged as a conglomeration of chieftaincies with Calicut in the north and
Venad in the south as important ones.
y Lakshadweep and Mahe are part of Kerala both in terms of language and
culture.
y It has hills, valleys, coastal areas, thick forests and evergreen rainforests.
Agriculture
y Due to its green paddy fields, cool coconut groves, spice garden etc, it is often
dubbed as “God’s Own Country”.
y It is home to crops like black pepper, turmeric, jackfruit, coconut etc.
Power
y It became the first state in the country to attain 100% household electrification.
y It has a target to become a 100% renewable energy dependent state by 2040
and Net Carbon Neutral by 2050.
y Kerala’s Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) is the first airport in the
world that would be running fully on solar power.
Q. Consider the following statements : ((UPSC CSE 2022)

1. Gujarat has the largest solar park in India.
2. Kerala has a fully solar powered International Airport.
3. Goa has the largest floating solar photovoltaic project in India.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Answer: (b)
IT Infrastructure
y It runs a digital connectivity project called Kerala Fibre Optic Network
(KFON) to connect 30,000 government and education institutions and 20
Lakh economically backward households.
y Kerala’s Internet Penetration Rate is the 2nd highest in the country.
Art and Culture

y Kudiyattam, Kathakali, Kanniyarkali, Mohiniyattam, Keralanatanam etc are
unique performing arts.
y Traditional musical instruments include Panchavadyam, Chendamelam, and
Thayambaka.
Madhya Pradesh Self Note

y It came into existence in November 1956 and was later bifurcated in November
2000.
y Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, the Gond Maharani Kamalapati and
Queen Durgawati etc were women rulers who have left an indelible mark on
Indian history for their outstanding rule.
Economy
y In 2021-22, the economic growth rate was 19.74% which was the highest in
the country.
y The growth rate of the state has been higher than the national GDP growth
rate in the last 10 years.
Irrigation
y Presently, 27 major, 46 medium and 370 minor irrigation projects are under
construction.
Agriculture
y It has more than 40% area in Organic Farming.
y It is a leading producer of pulses, soybean, oilseeds and black gram.
Power
y India’s Largest 750 MW Solar energy plant has been established in Rewa.
Self Help Group for Women

y About 42 Lakh women have been empowered with Self Help Groups.
y These women have been provided bank loans worth 4,157 crores for
agricultural and non-agricultural work.
Department of Happiness
y A Department of Happiness has been set up to ensure a Happy and Blissful
Life.
Maharashtra

y The first well-known rulers were Satavahanas who were practically the
founders of Maharashtra and have left a plethora of art, literature and
archaeological evidence.

y It was at the forefront of the Indian National Movement and it was here that
Self Note
the Indian National Congress was born.
y The administrative evolution of Maharashtra is the outcome of Linguistic
Reorganization of states of India.
y The Satpura Range spans the north, with the Ajanta and Satmala Ranges
across the center. To the west, the Arabian Sea forms the boundary, while
Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh lie to the north. The eastern borders are shared
with Chhattisgarh and Telangana, and Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to the
south.
Agriculture
y Principal crops are Rice, Maize, Bajra and Jowar.
y Sugarcane and cotton are the primary cash crops.
Industry
y It contributes 50% of Industrial Output in the Manufacturing sector.
y It is the 3rd largest producer of Sugar.
y It is the leader in manufacturing with 15 percent of the Industrial output in
the country.
y There is an emphasis on ethanol production, for which the government is
focusing on empowering the cooperative sector.
Faunal Wealth:
y Maharashtra was the first state that declared Blue Mormon as its state butterfly.
y Maharashtra is home to 225 varieties of butterflies and accounts for 15 percent
of the country’s estimated butterfly population.
Q. Recently, for the first time in our country, which of the following States
has declared a particular butterfly as ‘State Butterfly’? ((UPSC CSE 2016)
(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Himachal Pradesh
(c) Karnataka
(d) Maharashtra
Answer:(d)
Tourism
y It has 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites that are- Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves,
Elephanta Islands, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and
Victorian Art Deco at Mumbai.

Manipur Self Note

y Political history can be traced back to 33 A.D. with the coronation of Nongda
Lairen Pakhangba.
y It initially became a Part C state under the purview of the Chief Commissioner.
y It became a full-fledged state in 1972 with a legislative assembly of 60
members.
y 9/10 of the total area of the state is covered with hills. The hill ranges are
higher on the north and gradually diminish towards the south.
Culture:
y Manipuri Nat-Sankirtana is an Indian art form recognized by UNESCO as an
intangible cultural heritage. It is a song and dance performance. In a typical
performance, two drummers and about ten singer-dancers perform in a hall
or domestic courtyard encircled by seated devotees. It is performed to narrate
the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.
Q. With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following

statements: ((UPSC CSE 2017)
1. It is a song and dance performance.
2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.
3. It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.
(a) 1, 2 and 3.
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 only
Answer: (b)
Agriculture
y It is known as ‘Rice Bowl’ and 70% of the population depends on agriculture
and allied activities.
y Jhuming or Shifting Cultivation is widely practiced.
y The prospects of agriculture in the state depend largely on timely occurrence
of rains.
Commerce and Industries

y It has registered 2.1 Lakh Handloom Weavers which is 3rd position among
the top states of the country.
y Handloom sector has helped improve the socio-economic conditions of
handloom weavers and has attained a high degree of excellence.

Transport
Self Note
y Indian Railways is constructing the world’s largest Bridge Pier in Manipur as
part of Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal Railway line.
y Bir Tikendrajit International Airport is the 2nd largest International Airport
in the North-east region with postal air cargo services.
Natural Resources and Wildlife

y It has 2 major river basins that are the Barak and the Manipur river basins.
y It hosts Keibul Lamjao National Park which is home to brow-antlered deer
called Sangai.
Meghalaya

y It was initially created as an autonomous state within Assam in 1970 and was
converted to a full-fledged state in 1972.
y Khasis, Jaintias and Garos are predominant tribes of Meghalayas.
y Meghalaya is spread over an area of 22,429 square km.
Agriculture
y Rice is the dominant crop occupying 60% of the cultivated area.
y Important oil seeds grown include castor, sesame, rapeseed and mustard,
linseed, soybean and sunflower.
Rivers and Wildlife

y Manda, Damring and Janjiram are major rivers flowing through the state.
y It has 2 National Parks- Nokrek and Balpakram and 2 Wildlife Sanctuaries-
Nongkhyllem and Siju.
y The Jing Kieng Jri or living root bridges — aerial bridges built by weaving
and manipulating the roots of the Indian rubber tree — have been serving as
connectors for generations in Meghalaya. A root bridge uses traditional tribal
knowledge to train roots of the Indian rubber tree.
Q. In a particular region in India, the local people train the roots of living
trees into robust bridges across the streams. As the time passes, these
bridges become stronger. These unique ‘living root bridges’ are found in:
((UPSC CSE 2015)
(a) Meghalaya
(b) Himachal Pradesh
(c) Jharkhand
(d) Tamil Nadu
Answer: (a)
Industry
Self Note
y Cement is the most important non-agro based industry.
y Coal and limestone are the 2 major minerals found in the state.
Power
y The average annual rainfall is around 12,000 mm with potential of generating
3000 MW of hydropower.
y The state operates 8 hydro-electric power plants with a rated capacity of 355
MW and draws 228 MW from central generating stations.
Mizoram

y The mizos came under the influence of the British missionaries in the 19th
century.
y Mizo language has no script of its own. The British introduced the Roman
script for the Mizo language and formal education.
y It is the 23rd state of the Indian Union that came into being in 1987.
Agriculture and Horticulture

y Around 63% of total crop area is under Jhum Cultivation.
y Anthurium, Bird of Paradise, Orchid etc are important seasonal flowers.
y Main horticulture crops are mandarin oranges, bananas, passion fruit, grapes
etc.
Forests
y 85.53% of its total area is under Forest Cover.
y Bamboo covers around 57 percent of the geographical area.
Festivals
y Chapcharkut, Mimkut and Thalfavangkut are important cultural festivals.
y Kut is the Mizo term for festivals.
Tourist Centres
y Tam Dil, Vantawng Falls and Tuirihiau Falls are major tourist attractions.
y Champai is a beautiful resort on the Myanmar border.

Q. Consider the following pairs: ((UPSC CSE 2018) Self Note

Tradition State
1. Chapchar Kut festival Mizoram
2. Khongjom Parba Ballad Manipur
3. Thang-Ta dance Sikkim
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (b)
Nagaland

y The Nagas belong to the Mongoloid race and established sovereign village
states.
y Nagaland was guaranteed special protection under Article 371(a) of the
Indian Constitution to safeguard the tribal law, traditional institutions and
practices of the Nagas.
Forests and Wildlife

y Puliebadze, Fakim and Singhpan wildlife sanctuaries; Intanki National Park
and Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar are important natural reservoirs.
y Blythe’s Tragopan Pheasant and Mithun are state bird and state mascot
respectively.
Tourism
y Relaxation of Restricted Area Permit (RAP) has enabled tourist mobilization.
y Sekrenyi, Monyu and Moatsu are important festival destinations.
y The Hornbill festival conceived by the Tourism department and held in the
first week of December is an annual event.
Tribes
y Major tribes include Angami-Sekrenyi, Ao-Moatsu, Chang-Naknyulem,
Kuki-Mimkut etc.
Industries
y An industrial growth center has been established at Ganesh Nagar, Dimapur
to facilitate entrepreneurs and educated unemployed youth to promote
industries.

Odisha Self Note

Historical background
y Most famous old names of Odisha are Kalinga, Utkal and Odra.
y Mauryan Emperor Ashoka’s invasion of Kalinga was an epoch-making event
of ancient times of far reaching consequences.
Geographic boundary
y The state is surrounded by West Bengal on the north-east, Jharkhand on the
north, Chhattisgarh and Telangana on the west and Andhra Pradesh on the
south.
y Its diverse landscape comprises coastal plains, mountainous terrain,
plateaus, verdant river valleys and slopes dotted with watersheds, springs,
lakes and forest cover of varying density.
Agriculture
y The state government has taken various schemes like Biju Krushak Kalyan
Yojana (BKKY), Krushak Assistance for Livelihood & Income Augmentation
(KALIA) Yojana to support the farming sector.
y The state has been a pioneer to launch Odisha Millet Mission for promotion
of climate resilient and nutritionally rich crop millets which is expected to
play a decisive role in nutritional security.
y The flagship initiative has been extended to 142 Blocks spread over 19
districts.
Natural resources
y The state has recorded a forest area of 64,627 sq.km which is 39.30 percent of
its total geographical area.
y Odisha is drained by six important rivers namely Subarnarekha,
Budhabalanga,Baitarani,Brahmani, Mahanadi , Rushikulya.
y The state is rich in natural resources with huge resources of chromite, nickel,
bauxite, and manganese ores.
y The state accounts for 33% of iron ore and 24% of coal in the country.
Mission Shakti
y It is a flagship programme for the empowerment of women self-help group
members through which more than 70 lakh women members in the state
have been covered.
y To promote entrepreneurship among women the state government has
collaborated with Delhi based Apparel made-ups and home furnishing sector
skill council for skill development of Mission Shakti Odisha SHG members.

Health
Self Note
y Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana provides free health service for all state
government healthcare facilities. The smart card has enabled treatment of
patients with critical ailments in private hospitals.
Fisheries
y Odisha is the fourth largest fish producing state in the country. There are
several initiatives by the state government like Odisha Fishery Policy-2015,
Matsya Pokhari Yojana, adoption of new technology like biofloc, cage culture
to promote the sector.
Wildlife
y Two national parks (Similipal and Bhitarkanika) and 19 wildlife sanctuaries
constitute the protected area network of the state.
y It has taken up preservation work of 14 elephant corridors. 480 Kms. the long
coastline is very rich and houses preferred habitats of marine and estuarine
flora and fauna.
Art and culture,Tourism

y The rock cut caves of Khandagiri and Udayagiri, are some of the earliest art
marvels of the state.
y The world famous Sun temples, a UNESCO heritage site at Konark (12th
century), the temple city of Bhubaneswar (9th century) and Puri (11th
century) are some other major tourist attractions.
y The Car Festival or the Rath Yatra at Puri, the grandest festival on earth as
widely acclaimed, is the sojourn of the Holy Trinity. Centuries of myth and
legends blend into harmony in the worship of the Lord of the Universe, Sri
Jagannath.
y The Orissa State government organizes Mukteshwar Dance Festival , Rajarani
Music Festival, Dhauli Kalinga Mahotsav etc.
Punjab
y Ancient Punjab formed part of the vast Indo-Iranian region.
y In later years, It saw the rise and fall of the Mauryas, Bactrians, Greeks, Sakas,
Kushans and Guptas.
y Fifteenth and sixteenth centuries marked a period of watershed in the history
of Punjab.
y The fight against British rule had begun long before Mahatma Gandhi’s arrival
on the scene.

y The revolt found expression through the movement of a revivalist or reformist

Self Note
character.
y The modern state of Punjab was created in 1966 when Haryana was carved
out.
y Situated in the north-western corner of the country, Punjab is bound on the
west by Pakistan; on the north by Jammu and Kashmir; on the north-east by
Himachal Pradesh; and on the south by Haryana and Rajasthan.
Agriculture
y Punjab has been a star performer in agriculture during the heydays of the
Green Revolution.
y The state has about 4.2 million hectares of cultivable area, which is 3 % of the
net area sown in the country.
y But, in the last few years the sector has now reached a sort of plateau in terms
of productivity and profitability.
y Horticulture is a high value segment of agriculture.
Education
y Punjab bagged the first position at the national level in “Performance
Grading Index 2019-20”. Punjab is the first state to formally universalise
pre-primary education.
Wildlife
y The state government is undertaking innovative steps to add to the richness
of its wildlife so as to maintain the ecological balance.
y As part of this plan, the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Department
has acquired wild dog, hyena, grey pelican, and bonnet macaque from
Visakhapatnam.
Rajasthan

y Rajasthan is the largest state in India,area wise.
y The history of Rajasthan dates back to prehistoric times. Around 3000 and
1000 BC, it had a culture akin to that of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
y The present state of Rajasthan formally came into being in 1958, with Ajmer
state, the Abu Road Taluka and Sunel Tappa joined it.
y The entire western flank of the state borders with Pakistan, while Punjab in
north, Haryana in north-east, Uttar Pradesh in east and Madhya Pradesh in
southeast and Gujarat lie in the south-west of the state.

Agriculture
Self Note
y Principal crops in the state are wheat, barley, jowar, millet, maize, gram,
oilseeds, kharif pulses and cotton. Cultivation of vegetable and citrus fruits
such as orange and malta have also picked up over the last few years. Red
chilies, mustard, cumin seeds and methi are commercial crops.
Minerals
y The state is one of the leading mineral-producing states in the country.
y Rajasthan is the sole producer of lead-zinc,ball clay , rock phosphate ,
cadmium and feldspar in the country.
y Important nonferrous metals are such as zinc, copper; ferromagnesian
metals such as tungsten, a number of industrial minerals and different
varieties of dimensional and decorative stones are found in the state.

1. In India, State Governments do not have the power to auction non-
coal mines.
2. Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand do not have gold mines.
3. Rajasthan has iron ore mines.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Answer: (d)
Forests and Wildlife

y The total recorded forest area in the state is 32,862.50 sq km which is 9.6% of
the geographical area.
y The State animals are Chinkara and camel.
y The state has three national parks (Ranthambore, (Sawai Madhopur),
Keoladeo (Bharatpur) and Mukundra Hills (Kota, Chittorgarh); 3 tiger project
(Ranthambore, Sariska and Mukundra Hills), 27 sanctuaries and 2 Ramsar
sites (Keoladeo National Park) (Bharatpur) and Sambhar Lake (Jaipur) are in
the state for the protection of wildlife.
Tourists Centres
y Some of the most important tourist attractions are Amber Palace, Mehrangarh
Fort, City Palace of Udaipur, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal,Ranthambore
National park “Tiger Reserve”etc.

Sikkim Self Note

History
y The early history of Sikkim starts in the 13th century with the signing of a
blood- brotherhood treaty between the Lepcha Chieftain Thekong Tek and
Bhutia Chieftain Khye-Bumsa at Kabi Lungtok in North Sikkim.
y The state became an integral part of the Indian union in 1975 through a
referendum.
Agriculture
y In the agriculture sector, the state has made an immense breakthrough with
the introduction of crops like baby corn, sweet corn, etc.
y Focus is on crops which can grow under moisture stress conditions and
which have high global demands of the likes of buckwheat, millet and such
other cereals. Horticulture is also important in the state.
Forest and Wildlife

y The world’s third highest mountain , Khangchendzonga ,is regarded as the
guardian deity of sikkim.
y The state is a part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, one of the 4
biodiversity hotspots in India.
y Rare and globally threatened snow leopard, Tibetan argali sheep, red panda,
as well as highest altitude domesticated bovid, the yak, black-necked crane
and fairrieanum orchid are some of the important species found here.
Tourism
y The state is home to the third highest mountain in the world, and attracts
tourists from around the world.
y The state offers Mt. Khangchendzonga which includes adventure activities
like trekking, river rafting, bird watching, mountain biking, rock climbing,
paragliding and angling as well as the mountain flights for experiencing the
snowclad mountains.
Tamil Nadu

y Though the early sangam classics throw historical references , it is only from
the Pallavas we pass to recorded history.
y They were the originators of the famous Dravidian style of temple architecture.
y At the end of the 11th century, Tamil Nadu was ruled by several dynasties like
the Chalukyas, Cholas and Pandyas.

y In the two centuries that followed, the imperial Cholas gained paramountcy
Self Note
over South India.
y Later the region came under the influence of Vijayanagar Empire and Deccan
Sultanate.
y In modern times, the state became part of one of the earliest settlements of
the British. The state is the successor to the old Madras Presidency which in
1901 covered the bulk of the southern peninsula.
y The composite Madras state was later reorganized and the present Tamil
Nadu was Formed.
y Tamil Nadu is bounded on north by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, on west
by Kerala, on east by the Bay of Bengal and south by the Indian Ocean.
Agriculture
y ’Collective Farming’ a revolutionary concept of the state government made
remarkable achievements in the agriculture sector wherein farmers could
purchase/borrow farm machinery.
y The major crops of the states are rice, cotton, groundnut, mungbean, urad
bean and sugarcane etc.
y The state is also a producer of plantation crops such as Cashew, Coffee, Tea,
Rubber, Betel vine, Areca nut, Coconut, Bamboo and Cocoa etc.
y The state has done well implementing ‘Per Drop More Crop’ as a component
under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana to augment the irrigation
facilities. It is also a frontier state in the country in delivering agricultural
information services.
Tourism
y The state has some of the most remarkable temple architecture in the country
and a living tradition of music, dance, folk arts and fine arts.
y It has UNESCO World Heritage sites, namely, Shore Temple, Five Rathas,
Arjuna’s Penance - Mamallapuram, Brihadeeswarar Temple -Thanjavur,
Iravatheeswarar Temple - Darasuram, Brihadeeswarar Temple -Gangaikonda
Cholapuram and Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
Natural Resources
y The state is endowed with several industrial minerals like lignite, limestone,
garnet sand, silica sand, quartz and feldspar, graphite, oil and natural gas,
magnesite, iron ore, etc., and also common use of minor mineral deposits
including world-famous black granite and multi-colour granite deposits
which enabled the setting up of cement, refractory, glass, ceramic and granite
polishing industries.

Telangana Self Note

y The region has been ruled by dynasties such as Sathavahanas, Kakatiyas,
Chalukyas, Mughals, Qutubshahis, Asafjahis.
y The Kakatiyas contributions to architecture are considered very impressive.
y The modern state was a part of Andhra Pradesh as per the linguistic
reorganization of states in 1956.
y Sustained demand for a separate state resulted in Andhra Pradesh
Reorganisation Bill, 2014 which paved the way for Telangana.
y Telangana is situated on the Deccan plateau in the central stretch of the
eastern seaboard of the Indian Peninsula and it is drained by Krishna and
Godavari rivers.
y The state is surrounded by Maharashtra on north and north-west; Karnataka
on the west; Chhattisgarh on the north-east; Odisha lies on its west; and
Andhra Pradesh on the south-east.
Agriculture
y Rice is the major food crop of the state. Other important crops are tobacco,
mango, cotton and sugarcane.
y The major Kharif coarse cereals maize, jowar, bajra, ragi are produced in the
state.
y Agriculture production depends upon the distribution of rainfall and
irrigation projects. The influence of south-west monsoon is predominant.
Tourism and festivals

y Charminar, Salarjung Museum, Golconda Fort in Hyderabad, Thousand
Pillar Temple and Fort in Warangal, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
at Yadagirigutta are some of the prominent tourist destinations of the state.
y ‘Bathukamma’ is a colorful and vibrant festival and this unique festival of
flowers stands as a symbol of cultural identity.
y “Bonalu” is an annual Hindu festival celebrated in the state in which Goddess
Mahakali is worshiped. Dussehra, Samakka Saarakka jaathara, Peerla
Panduga, Ramzan are also largely celebrated in Telangana.
Power
y Telangana is one of the few states in the country with 100 percent electrification
of households.
y The total installed capacity of renewable energy, including solar energy, was
3,944 MW in 2019-20. The state has vast solar potential with more than 300
sunshine days in a year.
Health
Self Note
y As per NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals India Index 2020-21,
the state emerged as a ‘frontrunner’ on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).
The state is following the ‘End TB Strategy’ to make the state TB-free with
zero deaths, disease and poverty due to TB.
Natural Resources
y The state has a total forest cover of 26,969 sq. km, which accounts for 24 per
cent of its total geographical area (greater than the national average of 21.3
percent). It also has dense forests along the banks of River Godavari.
Arts and Crafts

y Handicrafts have been an integral part of the state. The region offers many
astounding handicrafts like bidri crafts, banjara needle crafts,dokra metal
crafts,nirmal arts, bronze castings, lacquerware, etc.
y Be it an intricate needle craft or the surprising bronze castings, metal craft or
the classic stone craft, Telangana has a wide assortment of handicrafts.
Tripura

y The history of Tripura can be learnt from the Rajmala chronicles of King
Tripura.
y There are references of Tripura even in the Mahabharata and the Puranas.The
state was merged with the Indian Union in 1949.
y Initially a part ‘C’ State, it became a centrally administered territory with the
Reorganisation of States in 1956.
y In 1972, Tripura attained the status of a full-fledged state.
y Tripura is strategically situated between the river valleys of Myanmar and
Bangladesh. Encircled almost on three sides by Bangladesh, it is linked with
Assam and Mizoram in the north-east.
Art and Culture

y Tripura has a great legacy of art and culture. The impressive sculpture of
Devtamura, the terracotta of Pilak and the rock sculpture of Unakoti has a
historical significance.
y The royal court painting of the state has given birth to two most prominent
trends in art, that is, the traditionalistic and modernistic.
y The art practice, which started from the royal family, gradually spread in
society.

Agriculture
Self Note
y Tripura is primarily an agrarian economy. More than 44% of the work force
directly depends on agriculture and allied activities.
y The favorable agro-climatic conditions, fertile soil, subtropical climate, and
abundance of rainfall of about 2,100 mm, well distributed across the season,
really offer immense scope for development of the horticulture sector.
Forests
y The forests in Tripura are mainly tropical evergreen, semi evergreen, and
moist deciduous. A sizable area is covered with bamboo which virtually form
a sub climax resulting from shifting cultivation from time immemorial.
y The total recorded forest area of the state is 6,294, 287 km, which is 59.09 per
cent of its geographical area.
Tourism
y Major tourist destinations such as Sepahijala, Udaipur, Chhabimura,
Neermahal, Ujjayanta Palace, Dumboor Lake are targeted to be provided with
better tourist facilities under Swadesh Darshan Project.
Q. Consider the following pairs: (UPSC CSE 2022)

Wetland/Lake Location
1. Hokera Wetland Punjab
2. Renuka Wetland Himachal Pradesh
3. Rudrasagar Lake Tripura
4. Sasthamkotta Lake Tamil Nadu
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs
(d) All four pairs
Answer: (b)
Uttarakhand

y Uttarakhand finds mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand,
Manaskhand and Himavant.
y It is often called the Land of the Gods because of its various holy places and
abundant shrines.
y Uttarakhand was earlier a part of the United Province of Agra and Awadh
which came into existence in 1902.
y In 1935, the name of the state was shortened to the United Province.

y In January 1950, the United Province was renamed as Uttar Pradesh and
Self Note
Uttaranchal remained a part of Uttar Pradesh before it was carved out in
2000.
y Later, in 2006 the name was changed to Uttarakhand. Located in the foothills
of the Himalayas, the state has international boundaries with China (Tibet)
in the north and Nepal in the east.
y On its northwest lies Himachal Pradesh while on the south is Uttar Pradesh.
Agriculture
y About 90 per cent of the population depends on agriculture. The total
cultivated area in the state is 7,67,459 hectares.
Irrigation and Energy

y Agricultural land under irrigation is 5,61,733 hectares.
y The state has excellent potential for hydropower generation.
y There are a number of hydroelectric projects on the rivers Yamuna,
Bhagirathi,Bhilangana, Alaknanda, Mandakini, Saryu, Gauri, Kosi and Kali
generating electricity.
Minerals
y The state is rich in mineral deposits like limestone, marble, rock phosphate,
dolomite, magnesite, copper graphite, gypsum, etc
Festivals
y The world-famous Kumbh Mela/Ardh Kumbh Mela is held at Haridwar
at every twelfth/sixth year interval. Other prominent fairs/festivals are
Devidhura Mela (Champawat); Purnagiri Mela (Champawat); Nanda Devi
Mela (Almora); Gauchar Mela (Chamoli); Baisakhi (Uttarkashi); Magha Mela
(Uttarkashi); Uttaraini Mela (Bageshwar); Vishu Mela (Jaunsar Bhabar);
Peeran E-Kaliyar (Roorkee); and Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra held every twelfth
year.
Tourist Centres
y Prominent places of pilgrimage/tourist interests are Gangotri, Yamunotri,
Badrinath, Kedarnath, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Hemkund Sahib, Nanakmatta,
etc. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra can be performed through the Kumaon region.
y The world-famous Valley of Flowers, Pindari Glacier, Roop Kund, Dayara
Bugyal, Auli and hill stations like Mussoorie, Dehradun, Chakrata, Nainital,
Ranikhet, Bageshwar, Bhimtal, Kausani, Lansdowne, etc., are the other tourist
destinations.

Uttar Pradesh Self Note

y Uttar Pradesh has a very rich history and was associated with two new
religions— Jainism and Buddhism.
y It was at Sarnath that Buddha preached his first sermon and laid the
foundations of his order and it was in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh where
Buddha breathed his last.
y Several centres in Uttar Pradesh like Ayodhya, Prayag, Varanasi and Mathura
became reputed centres of learning.
y In the medieval period Uttar Pradesh passed under Muslim rule and led the
way to new synthesis of Hindu and Islamic cultures.
y During British rule, Agra and Oudh were merged into one province and was
named the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh.
y The name was shortened to the United Provinces in 1935.
y In January 1950, the United Provinces was renamed as Uttar Pradesh.
Agriculture
y Agriculture is the main occupation of 66 percent of the population. The net
cultivated area is 165.64 lakh hectare.
Industry and Minerals

y There are 6,12,338 small-scale industries involving a total investment of ₹
7,172 crore. Under the public sector, mining of limestone, magnesite, coal,
rock phosphate, dolomite and silicon sand is carried out.
Festivals
y The biggest congregation, perhaps of the world, Kumbha Mela is held at
Prayagraj every twelfth year and Ardh Kumbh Mela every sixth year.
y Magh Mela is also held at Prayagraj in January when the people come in large
numbers to have a dip in the holy Sangam.
Tourist Centers
y The state has UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and
Fatehpur Sikri which attracts millions of tourists every year.
y Besides ancient places of pilgrimage like Varanasi, Vindhyachal, Ayodhya,
Chitrakoot, Prayag, Naimisharanya, Mathura, Vrindavan, Dewa Sharif,
Dargah of Sheikh Saleem Chisti in Fatehpur Sikri,Sarnath, Shravasti,
Kushinagar, Sankisa, Kampil, Piprahwa and Kaushambi, places like Agra,
Ayodhya, Sarnath, Lucknow, Jhansi, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Mahoba,
Devgarh, Bithur, and Vindhyachal have rich treasures of Hindu and Islamic
architecture and culture.
West Bengal Self Note

y Bengal was referred to as Gangaridai by the ancient Greeks around 100 BC,
meaning, speculatively, a land with the river Ganga in its heart.
y The first recorde independent King of Bengal was Shashanka, reigning
around the early 7th century.
y After a period of anarchy, the Buddhist Pala dynasty ruled the region for 400
years, followed by a shorter region of the Hindu Sena dynasty.
y History of modern Bengal begins with the advent of Europeans, more
precisely, with the English trading companies.
y The Battle of Plassey in 1757 changed the course of history when the English
First gained a strong foothold in Bengal and India as well.
y Bengal was partitioned in 1905 to achieve some political returns.
y The land frontiers touch Bangladesh in the east and are separated from Nepal
in the west; Bhutan lies in the north-east; while Sikkim is in the north. On
the west are the states of Bihar and Jharkhand, while in the south lies Odisha.
Agriculture
y Agriculture accounts for 21% of West Bengal’s GDP and 57% of the state’s
workforce are employed in the agricultural sector.
y Paddy, jute, potato, pulses and oilseeds are the principal agricultural crops
along with tea, maize, tobacco and sugarcane.
y Besides, different fruits, vegetables, betel vines and plantation crops are also
grown here.
y The state is the largest producer of rice, vegetables, pineapple, jute and cut
flowers in the country and ranks second in the production of potato, tea and
honey.
Industry
y The thrust areas are petrochemicals and downstream industries, electronics
and information technology, iron and steel, metallurgical and engineering,
textile, leather and leather products, food processing, medicinal plants, edible
oil, vegetable processing and aquaculture.
Tourism
y West Bengal is one of the most culturally diverse states in the country with
the footprints of multiple civilisations left behind in the past.
y It boasts of different ethnicities,cultures, religions, people and languages
which add to its variety.
y Major tourism destinations are Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Bishnupur
Terracotta Temples, Darjeeling Hill Station and Tea Gardens, Forests of

Self Note
Dooars, Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, heritage structures of Murshidabad,
Forests of Jhargram, Chhau mask makers’ village in Purulia, Patachitra
Painters’ village in Naya West Midnapore etc.
Festivals
y The state celebrates myriad festivals like the Durga Puja, Poila Baishakh (the
Bengali New Year), Rathayatra, Dolyatra or Basanta-Ursab among others.
Andaman and Nicobar

y The UT of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is situated between 6° and 14°
latitude and 92° and 94° longitude.
y The climate of the Islands can be defined as a humid, tropical coastal climate.
y The Islands receive rainfall from both the south-west and north-east
monsoons and maximum precipitation is between May and December.
y The original inhabitants of the Islands lived in the forests hunting and fishing.
y There are four Negrito tribes, viz., Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa and
Sentinalese in the Andaman Group of Islands and two Mongoloid tribes, viz.,
Nicobarese and Shompens in the Nicobar Group of Islands.
Agriculture
y Paddy, the main food crop, is mostly cultivated in Andaman Group of
Islands, whereas coconut and areca nut are the cash crops of Nicobar Group
of Islands.
y Field crops, namely, pulses, oilseeds and vegetables are grown followed by
paddy during rabi season.
Forests
y Many types of forests are found, such as tropical wet evergreen, tropical semi-
evergreen, moist deciduous, littoral mangrove and swamp forests. A large
variety of timbers are also found.
y The most valuable timbers are padauk and gurjan. These species are not found
in Nicobar.
Wildlife
y There are 96 wildlife sanctuaries, 9 national parks and 1 biosphere reserve in
these Islands. Out of 55 terrestrial and 7 marine mammal species reported so
far, 32 species are endemic.
y Some of the notable species found in the islands are vertebrates, dugongs,
dolphins, whales, saltwater crocodiles, sea turtles, sea snakes, etc are common.
Industry
Self Note
y There are 1,841 registered MSMEs and handicrafts units.
y Two units are 100 percent export oriented in the line of fish/prawn processing
activity.
y Apart from this, there are shells and wood-based handicraft units.
Tourism
y Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been recognised as an eco-friendly
tourist destination.
y A tourist’s paradise, these Islands have something very special to offer like
historic Cellular Jail, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, Swaraj Dweep,
Shaheed Dweep and Viper Island.
y Islands like Swaraj Dweep where Radha Nagar beach has been awarded blue
flag certification, Shaheed Dweep, Cinque Island, Jolly bouy, Little Andaman
(waterfall) etc. are major tourist attractions.
Chandigarh

y The city nestles in a picturesque setting in the foothills of Shivalik hills and
enjoys the popular epithet “City Beautiful”.
y Representative of modern architecture and town planning, the city is a
creation of the French architect, Le Corbusier.
y Chandigarh and the areas surrounding it were constituted as a Union
Territory on November 1, 1966. It serves as the joint capital of both Punjab
and Haryana states.
Transport
y The electric vehicle policy was notified in 2022 , with an objective to make
the UT as “Model EV city”.
Information Technology
y Chandigarh has become a role model in using Information Technology to
provide fast and user-friendly services to the masses.
y The Chandigarh administration introduced various Sampark centres to
make services more accessible to the citizens.
Power
y North India’s largest floating solar power plant of 2000 kWp has been
installed.
y Chandigarh topped amongst all UTs in solar power generation during the
FY 2022-23.
Tourism
Self Note
y Administration has taken many innovative and novel measures like ’wedding
tourism’.
y With the focus on extending efficient medical educational and entertainment
oriented facilities, administration is promoting cinematic tourism, sports
tourism and medical tourism in a big way.
Health
Chandigarh has 5 government hospitals and one hospital each for Homoeopathy
and Ayurveda. Apart from these, there are various other hospitals in the private
sector.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

y These territories were earlier ruled by the Koli chiefs who were defeated by
the Hindu kings of “Jawhar” and “Ramnagar”.
y The Marathas conquered and annexed these territories to their kingdom.
y Portuguese rule over the Union Territory lasted until August 2, 1954.
y Daman and Diu, which was earlier a separate union territory, was merged
with Haveli in January 2020.
y Dadra and Nagar Daman is bound on the east by Gujarat, on the west by the
Arabian Sea, on the north by the Kolak River and on the south by Kalai river.
y The neighborhood district of Daman is Valsad in Gujarat.
y Diu is an island connected by two bridges. The neighboring district Diu is
Junagadh of Gujarat.
Agriculture
y Major crop is paddy (Kharif) while Nagli and hill millets are the other crops
of the area. Among fruits mango, chiku, banana, etc., are also produced.
y Forests cover 40 per cent of the total geographical area.
y Sugarcane cultivation has also been taken up in a big way in the UT.
y Important field and garden crop are paddy, ragi, bajra, jowar, groundnut,
pulses and beans, wheat, banana, sapota, mango, coconut and sugarcane.
Industry and Power

y Prior to 1965-66 there was no industry. There were a few traditional craftsmen
who used to make pots, leather items, viz., chappals, shoes and some other
items of bamboo.
y Industrial development started on a low-key basis during 1967-68 with the
establishment of an industrial estate under the cooperative sector by Dan
Udyog Sahakari Sangh Ltd.
Tourist centres
Self Note
y Important tourist places in Daman are Boni Jesus Church; Our Lady of Sea
Church; Our Lady of Remedies Church; Forts of Moti Daman and Nani
Daman; Jampore and Devka Beaches; Public Garden at Nani Daman and
Moti Daman Jetty; Pergola Garden; Moti Daman; Amusement Park, Devka;
Daman Ganga Tourist Complex, Kachigam; Satya Sagar Udyan; Mirasol
Garden Mirasol Water Park.
Festivals
y Normally all festivals of Hindus, Muslims and Christians are celebrated in
the territory, while tribals celebrate their own festivals. Diwaso is celebrated
by Dhodia and Varli tribes and Raksha Bandhan is celebrated by the Dhodia
tribe.
y Other festivals include Bhawada amongst Varlis, Koli tribes and Khali Puja
by all tribes after harvesting of crops and Gram Devi before harvesting of
crops.
Delhi

y Delhi finds prominent reference right from the times of the epic Mahabharata.
y Its control passed from one ruler/dynasty to another, beginning with the
Mauryas, Pallavas, Guptas of Central India and then going on to the Turks
of Afghan during the 13th to 15th centuries, and finally to the Mughals in the
16th century.
y In 1911, Delhi became the centre of all activities after the capital was shifted
from Kolkata (Calcutta). It was made a Union Territory in 1956.
y Lying in the northern part of the country, Delhi is surrounded by Haryana on
all sides except the east where it borders Uttar Pradesh.
y The 69th constitutional amendment is a milestone in Delhi’s history as it got
a Legislative Assembly with the enactment of the National Capital Territory
Act, 1991.
Agriculture
y The principal food crops are wheat, bajra, jowar, gram and maize.
y However, emphasis has now shifted from food crops to vegetables and fruits,
dairy and poultry farming, floriculture, etc.
Industry
y Delhi is not only the largest commercial centre in northern India, but also the
largest centre of small industries.
y These units manufacture a wide variety of items like television, tape recorders,
light engineering machines and automobile parts, sports goods, bicycles and
Self Note
PVC goods including footwear, textiles, fertilizers, medicines, hosiery, leather
goods, software, etc.
Tourist areas
y The capital is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites Humayun’s
Tomb, Qutub Minar and Red Fort apart from other major tourist places like
Purana Qila (Old Fort), Jama Masjid, India Gate, Birla Mandir, Lotus Temple,
Akshardham Temple, Nizamuddin Durgah, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, etc.
Jammu and Kashmir

y According to the most popular legend that is also recorded Rajtarangini and
Nilamata Purana, two most authoritative books, Kashmir was once a large
lake and it was Kashyap Rishi who drained off the water, making it a beautiful
abode.
y The name ofJammu figures in the Mahabharata.
y The finds of Harappan remains and artifacts of Mauryan,Kushan and Gupta
periods at Akhnoor have added new dimensions to its ancient character.
Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization

y The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, was enacted to provide
for reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into the two
union territories—one to be eponymously called Jammu and Kashmir, and
the other Ladakh.
y Accordingly, the “State Legislature including Legislative Council of the
State” has been abolished and shall now onwards be construed as“Legislative
Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir”.
Agriculture
y Agriculture constitutes an important sector of the UT economy as around
70 per cent of the population derive greater part of their income directly or
indirectly from this sector.
y Agriculture has a significant contribution in the export of rare produce like
saffron, honey and basmati and remains an important source of raw material
for many industries.
Horticulture
y Jammu and Kashmir is well known for its horticulture produce both in India
and abroad.
y It offers good scope for cultivation of all types of horticulture crops covering
a variety of temperate fruits like apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot, almond,
Self Note
cherry and subtropical fruits like mango, guava, citrus, litchi, etc.
y Apart from this, well-known spices like saffron and zeera are cultivated in
some parts of the state.
Handloom
y It is a labour-intensive cottage industry having considerable potential for
generation of employment opportunities.
y To give boost to this industry the state government is laying focus on product
design and diversification, providing credit facilities, enhancing weavers’
productivity through upgradation of skills and use of efficient looms, market
access to handloom products.
Tourism
y The UT is an important tourist destination and has been a place of attraction
for tourists for centuries.
y The lush green forests, sweet springs, perennial rivers, picturesque alpine
scenery and pleasant climate of Kashmir valley—’the paradise on earth’—
has remained an internationally acclaimed tourist destination, whereas the
Jammu region—’the land of temples’ attract a large number of pilgrim
tourists and the important destination being Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
Ladakh

y Ladakh occupies the westernmost extension of the high and dry Tibetan
Plateau in the extreme north of India.
y The region undoubtedly has been endowed with unique geographical features.
y Sandwiched between the Karakoram and Zanskar ranges, almost running
parallel in a southeast to north-west direction, it is one of the largest districts
in the country bordered by Sinkiang in north; Tibet in east; Himachal
Pradesh to the south; union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan
administered Gilgit-Baltistan to the west.
Agriculture
y Barley, wheat, buckwheat and black peas are grown primarily and consumed
by locals as staple food of the region.
y Mission organic development Initiative for Ladakh is an important mission
mode project supported by UT administration to turn Leh district into an
organic region by 2025 focusing to achieve sustainable development in the
region.

Irrigation
Self Note
y With the launch of the first solar lift irrigation plant at Kargil with five kilowatt
(KW) solar plant and 3 horsepower submersible pump at yak breeding farm
at Bodh- Kharboo, new technology has been introduced for irrigation.
Horticulture
y Horticulture crops possess the potential to contribute directly and indirectly
to the economy and food security of the UT. Apricot and apple are two major
fruit crops of Ladakh.
y It is the biggest apricot producer in India with 62 per cent share
Handloom
y Ladakh has been known for being self-sufficient in the past, wherein the
people would grow their own food, build their houses and create their own
textiles—be in apparels, carpets, tents and so forth.
Fairs and Festivals

y Ladakh has a rich culture of celebrating fairs and festivals.
y Losar festival marks the beginning of the New Year and is the most important
winter festival. During the festival a medley of cultural events, ancient
rituals and traditional / folk singing and dance performances are performed
collectively by the villagers.
y Hemis (monastic) festival among other ritualistic monastic festivals attracts
thousands of tourists from around the world to Ladakh.
Lakshadweep

y It is believed that the islands were originally inhabited at Amini, followed by
Andrott, Kavarati and Agatti.
y But archaeological evidence unearthed indicates that there were Buddhist
settlements around the 6th or 7th century.
y Earliest Muslim converts or settlers pre-date the year 139 AH of the Hijri year
(eighth century) of which period gravestones have recently been discovered
in Agatti.
Agriculture
y Coconut is the only major crop with a production of 60 million nuts per year.
The area under cultivation is about 2,689 hectare.
y Lakshadweep coconut is branded as an organic product.
y In India, Lakshadweep stands first in coconut production and productivity
per hectare is 20,600 and average yield per palm per year is 82 coconuts.
Fisheries
Self Note
y Fishing is another major activity. The sea around the Islands is highly
productive.
Industries
y Coconut fibre extraction and conversion into fibre products is the main
industry in the Islands.
y Under the government sector, there are 7 coir fibre factories, 5 coir production-
cum-demonstration centres and 7 fiber curling units, functioning under coir
sector.
Tourist Centres
y Tourism is developing into an important industry. Important tourist places
are Agatti, Bangaram, Kalpeni, Kadmat, Kavaratti and Minicoy, etc.
Puducherry

y The Union Territory of Puducherry, an ex-French enclave, comprises four
isolated regions of Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.
y Puducherry, the capital of the territory, was once the original headquarters
of the French Government in India.
y The French Government handed over the administration of their territories
in November 1954.
y The territories thus handed over were constituted into the Union Territory of
Puducherry.
Agriculture
y The government of Puducherry has launched a mission mode project “Millet
Mission” aimed at increasing farmers’ income through value addition and
marketing by farmers’ producer organizations.
Culture
y The unique dance form pertaining to Puducherry is “Masquerade” dance
that has been left behind by the French as a legacy of their rule over the region.
y Masquerade dancers are a feature of religious societies in many areas.
y Animal masks are a common feature of masking.
y The type of mask influences the style of the masquerade dance.
y Masqueraders who perform as entertainers have emerged from the rituals
societies.
y They usually start with popular aerobatic dances and then display their
prowess by changing into a series of animal and masked figures.
Art and Crafts

Self Note
y Puducherry paintings rose to prominence at national and international level
with a distinctive style.
y Puducherry’s Terracotta art is recognised for its magnificent horses and
ayanaar.
Power
y The present power requirement of the UT of Puducherrry is met by the
power allocations from various Central Generating Stations (CGS) and from
purchase of power from a gas-based power plant of capacity 32.5 MW at
Karaikal region, to meet the partial requirement of the region.

31 Diary of National Events

January 2023
y 108th Session of the Indian Science Congress held in Nagpur.
y 21 unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands named after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees.
y World’s first Intranasal COVID19 vaccine “iNNCOVACC” unveiled.
February 2023
y India gets its revised Drone Policy.
y Aadi Mahotsav, the mega National Tribal Festival, organized in New Delhi.
y First Snow Marathon organized in Jammu.
y KAVACH 2023, a national level Hackathon launched in Greater NOIDA. Similarly, Smart India Hackathon
2017 was a pan India 36-hour nonstop digital programming competition. This initiative aims to build Digital
India and to engage the youth of the nation directly with nation-building. It is an initiative to identify new
digital technology innovations for solving real-time challenges faced by the nation. It will also harness creativity
among millions of bright young minds.
Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India Hackathon 2017? (UPSC CSE
2017)
1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of our country into Smart Cities in a decade.
2. It is an initiative to identify new digital technology innovations for solving the many problems faced by
our country.
3. It is a programme aimed at making all the financial transactions in our country completely digital in a
decade.
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (b)
March 2023
y One World TB Summit 2023 inaugurated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
y Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference held in New Delhi.
y Sagar Setu mobile app of National Logistics Portal (Marine) launched.
y Asia’s largest 4-meter International Liquid Mirror Telescope (ILMT) unveiled in Devasthal, Uttarakhand.
April 2023
y First Global Buddhist Summit hosted in New Delhi.

y Indian Space Policy detailing Public and private cooperation guidelines

Self Note
introduced.
y Seven-day SCO Millets Food Festival held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
May 2023
y The Indian Pavilion at Cannes film festival inaugurated.
y The Khelo India University Games 2022 gets underway in Uttar Pradesh.
y Rail Vikas Nigam Limited gets Navratna Status.
June 2023
y Prime Minister of India conferred with the ‘Order of Nile’, the highest civilian
award of Egypt.
y Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2021 conferred on Gita Press, Gorakhpur.
y First ‘Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav’ was organized in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.
July 2023
y The ISRO successfully launches LVM3-M4 rocket carrying Chandrayaan 3
from the second launchpad of India’s spaceport at Sriharikota.
y International Para Swimmer Satendra Singh Lohia felicitated for scripting
history by crossing the English Channel to and fro.
y The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 passed by the Parliament
amending the Cinematograph Act after 40 years.
y Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi conferred with The Grand Cross
of the Legion of Honour, in Paris.
August 2023
y ‘Unmesha’- International Literature Festival and ‘Utkarsh’- Festival of Folk
and Tribal performing arts inaugurated at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
y Chandrayaan 3 soft lands on the surface of the moon in the south pole area.
y Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was conferred with The Grand
Cross of the Order of Honour by the President of Greece.
September 2023
y ISRO successfully launches India’s first solar mission, Aditya L-1 from
Sriharikota Range.
y First Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus flagged off in New Delhi.
y The first ever drone exhibition cum display ‘Bharat Drone Shakti 2023’
organized at Air Force Station, Hindon in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, featuring
over 75 drone start-ups from across the country.

October 2023 Self Note

y India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) flagged off in Ghaziabad,
Uttar Pradesh. The Namo Bharat Rapid X train connecting Sahibabad to
Duhai is also inaugurated.
y Mera Yuva Bharat (MY BHARAT), a technology-driven platform for youth
of the country is launched.
y Dhordo Village in Kutch District of Gujarat bags the Best Tourism Village by
the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.
November 2023
y The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN)
approved.
y Kozhikode and Gwalior are included in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network
as ‘City of Literature’ and ‘City of Music’ respectively.
y Viksit Bharat Yatra is inaugurated from Khunti, Jharkhand.
December 2023
y ‘Garba of Gujarat’ declared as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
y The Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2023 was inaugurated in Varanasi, Uttar
Pradesh.
y The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) meeting was held in
New Delhi.
Awards and Honours
Name of the
About
Awards
y Highest civilian Award of the country, was instituted

in the year 1954.
y It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/
performance of the highest order in any field of
human endeavour.
y The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by
Bharat Ratna
the Prime Minister himself to the President.
Award
y On conferment of the award, the recipient receives
a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a
medallion. The Award does not carry any monetary
grant.
y The number of annual awards is restricted to a
maximum of three in a particular year.
o Note: In 1999 the rule was broken and the award Self Note
was given to four people -Jayaprakash Narayan,
Amartya Sen, Gopinath Bordoloi, and Ravi
Shankar. The rule was broken again in 2024,
when five recipients were conferred the award.
o Recipient of Bharat Ratna Award (2024):
Karpoori Thakur (former Chief Minister of
Bihar), Lal Krishna Advani (Renowned political
leader), PV Narsimha Rao (Former Indian Prime
Minister), Chaudhary Charan Singh (Former
Indian Prime Minister), and MS Swaminathan
(Father of Green Revolution).
y One of the highest civilian Awards of the country,

are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma
Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
o ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional
and distinguished service.
o ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of
high order.
Padma Award
o ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field.
y The awards are announced on the occasion of
Republic Day every year by the President of India.
y For the year 2024, the President has approved
conferment of 132 Padma Awards including 5 Padma
Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 110 Padma Shri
Awards.
y Oldest and the highest Indian literary award presented

annually by the Bharatiya Jnanpith to an author for
their "outstanding contribution towards literature".
y Instituted in 1961, the award is bestowed only on
Indian writers writing in Indian languages included
Jnanpith
in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India
Award
and English, with no posthumous conferral.
y Recipient of Jnanpith Award, 2024: Renowned
Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru
Rambhadracharya have been named the recipients of
the 58th Jnanpith Award.

y India's highest award in the field of cinema, presented Self Note

first in 1969 to commemorate Dadasaheb Phalke's
contribution to Indian cinema.
y Presented annually at the National Film Awards
Dadasaheb
ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an
Phalke Award
organisation set up by the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting.
y The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus)
medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹1,000,000.
National Sports Awards
Name of the
About
Awards
y It is a lifetime achievement sporting honour of the

Republic of India, named after hockey wizard Major
Dhyan Chand.
y Awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs
Major Dhyan and Sports.
Chand Khel
Ratna Awards y The award comprises a statuette, a certificate,
ceremonial dress, and a cash prize of ₹10 lakh.
y Recipients (2023): Chirag Chandrashekhar Shetty
(Badminton)and Rankireddy Satwik Sai Raj
(Badminton)
y Introduced and established in 1961,named after

the great Arjuna, the important proponent of the
Mahabharata.
y It was given to players after hard work and appreciative
performance of 4 or more years.
Arjuna Award y The winners were awarded with the statue of Arjuna,
a cash prize, and a certificate.
y Recipients (2023): Given to 26 sportspersons -
Mohammed Shami (Cricket), R Vaishali (Chess), and
other sports persons associated with Hockey, Kho-
Kho, Shooting, Squash, Golf, Booxing, etc.
y Introduced in 1985 for the coaches of India it is the

Dronacharya highest honor sport.
Award y It is given to people who receive medal winners at
reputable international competitions and events.

y The award is named after Arjuna's guru or coach Self Note

whose name is Drona or Dronacharya in the epic
Indian Mahabharata.
y The deserving one receives the statue of Drona which
is made of bronze, cash prize, and a certificate.
y Recipients (2023): 5 persons from regular category
and 3 persons from lifetime category has received the
award.
y Given to honour sportspersons who have contributed

Dhyan Chand to sports by their performance and who continue to
Award for contribute to promotion of sports events after their
Lifetime retirement.
achievement
in Sports and y Recipients (2023): Manjusha Kanwar (Badminton),
Games Vineet Kumar Sharma (Hockey), Kavita Selvaraj
(Kabaddi)


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India

India Year Book 2024

Every year, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

India Year Book is an indispensable resource for UPSC aspirants,

Therefore, we at Unacademy have designed this India Year Book

ANUJ GARG DR. MRUNAL PATEL

Director, Senior Vice President,

1 The Land & People

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Physical Features of India Self Note

Geological Structure of India

Q. With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements: (UPSC

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Q. Which of the following is/are tributary/ tributaries of Brahmaputra? Self Note

India’s Population Related Data:

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Crude birth rate and death rates:

Infant Mortality Rate:

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1 6300 × 4200 1295

2 3600 × 2400 740

3 2700 × 1800 555

4 1800 × 1200 370

5 1350 × 900 280

6 900 × 600 185

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Q. The national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the

Q. With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the

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Q. Consider the following statements (UPSC CDS-II, 2007)

Q. Consider the following statements about National Calendar of India

National Animal and Bird

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Constituent Assembly of India:

Formation Date 6th December 1946

To draft the Constitution of India and to lay the

Initially 389, later reduced to 299 after the partition of

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Chairman of the Drafting

First Meeting 9th December 1946

Major Sources Inspired by constitutional developments from Britain,

Significant Fundamental Rights, Federal Structure, Directive

The Constitution was adopted on 26th November 1949.

Number of The Assembly met in sessions open to the public over

Working Several committees on Fundamental Rights, Union

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Involved debates and discussions reflecting a wide

Q. Consider the following statements in respect of the Constitution Day:

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Union and its Territory

Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019

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y Article 23 prohibits trafficking in human beings, beggars (forced labour) and

Q. ‘Right to Privacy’ is protected under which Article of the Constitution

Q. A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority

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Q. Which one of the following categories of Fundamental Rights Self Note

Q. Which Article of the Constitution of India safeguards one’s right to