All posts tagged: upsc syllabus

India’s informal sector, Agni missile with MIRV system, and Labour Codes rules notified

India’s informal sector, Agni missile with MIRV system, and Labour Codes rules notified

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social development. Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.  What’s the ongoing story: India’s informal sector is becoming less indebted, with the interest they paid as well as the amount of loans they need to repay falling sharply, according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s (MoSPI) full report on its Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) conducted in 2025.  Key Points to Ponder: — What is the informal sector?  — What is the difference between the formal and informal sectors?  — What are the structural constraints of India’s unincorporated sector and their implications for employment quality and productivity? — How declining indebtedness in the informal sector does not necessarily indicate economic strength.  Story continues below this ad — What are the vulnerabilities of small, informal enterprises to input cost shocks, and what measures should be taken to enhance their resilience? — What is the significance of unincorporated enterprises in India’s economy? — What are the government initiatives …

4th April, 2026- INS Aridaman, Jan Vishwas, IBC amendments

4th April, 2026- INS Aridaman, Jan Vishwas, IBC amendments

Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology What’s the ongoing story: India Friday inducted its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridaman, significantly strengthening its sea-based nuclear deterrent capabilities. The Indian Navy also commissioned the advanced stealth frigate INS Taragiri at a separate ceremony. — What is India’s “no first use” policy? — How did the No First Use doctrine come into being? — What are the advantages and disadvantages of the nuclear submarine? — What is the significance of establishing a nuclear triad? — What are the international conventions on use of nuclear weapons? — Which countries possess nuclear weapons? Key Takeaways: — The quiet commissioning of INS Aridhaman, which will significantly strengthen India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent capabilities, is in line with how the previous two indigenous Arihant-class submarines, INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, were inducted in 2016 and 2024 respectively. Story continues below this ad — INS Aridaman, a 7,000-tonne vessel, is believed to have eight vertical launching system tubes — …

Weekly UPSC Current Affairs Quiz

Weekly UPSC Current Affairs Quiz

As UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 is just a few months away, current affairs should be your primary focus. UPSC Weekly Quiz is a current affairs–based quiz on relevant topics from the past week, curated for aspirants of competitive examinations. Attempt the weekly quiz every Saturday and find detailed answers to the MCQs with explanations. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for February 2026. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at [email protected]🚨 1. The MILAN-2026 was organised by the Indian Navy. 2. Navies of more than 50 countries participated in the exercise. 3. The first edition of the exercise was held in 2005 at Visakhapatnam. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Why this question for UPSC Prelims 2026? The multinational naval exercise MILAN was conducted recently, making it a current affairs–linked defence topic. It reflects India’s growing maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. UPSC can ask prelims questions on recent military exercises, participating countries, and organising forces. Explanation: — Iran frigate IRIS Dena—which had …

India-Seychelles relations, PMKVY, and NUDGE campaign

India-Seychelles relations, PMKVY, and NUDGE campaign

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.  What’s the ongoing story: While stressing that defence and maritime cooperation are important pillars in the relationship between India and Seychelles, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that in the coming days, the two countries would also cooperate in renewable energy and climate solutions. He was addressing a joint press meet in New Delhi along with visiting Seychelles President Patrick Herminie. Key Points to Ponder: — What is the history of India-Seychelles relations? — What are the emerging areas of cooperation between India and Seychelles? — What is the Colombo Security Conclave? — What is India’s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) Vision? — What is the strategic significance of Seychelles for India? — Map work: Locate Seychelles on world map.  Key Takeaways: — “In the areas of marine research, capacity-building and data-sharing, India will share its expertise with Seychelles. Defence cooperation and …

UPSC Key-6th feb, 2026-Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority, Retrospective tax, Road accidents

UPSC Key-6th feb, 2026-Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority, Retrospective tax, Road accidents

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Constitution of India —historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure What’s the ongoing story: The Centre on Thursday signed an agreement with the Nagaland government and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), for the formation of ‘Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority’ (FNTA) within the state. — What is the purpose of Article 371? — What are the challenges facing the state of Nagaland? — What is the Free Movement Regime? — What are the reasons for providing special provisions for the state of Nagaland? — What are the major tribes of Nagaland? — Know about the geography and important features of Nagaland Key Takeaways: — The agreement was signed in the presence of Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who said the Centre will extend all help and fulfil all its responsibilities for the development of eastern Nagaland. — “The agreement will pave the way for creation of Frontier …

What are Masala Bonds and FEMA, and why are they important for your UPSC exam?

What are Masala Bonds and FEMA, and why are they important for your UPSC exam?

Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here’s your upsc knowledge nugget on masala bonds. (Relevance: A question on masala bonds has been asked in the UPSC Prelims. Knowing about the bonds, acts regulating them become important for your UPSC exam.) Why in the news? A show cause notice has been served by the Enforcement Directorate to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former state Finance Minister Thomas Isaac and ex-IAS officer Dr K M Abraham in connection with alleged Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violations pertaining to the Masala Bond issued by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Vijayan is the chairperson of KIIFB and Isaac was its vice-chairperson in 2019, when the CPI(M) government issued a masala bond to raise funds for infrastructure development. Abraham is the chief executive officer of KIIFB, the state agency that mobilises funds for infrastructure projects beyond what is earmarked in the budgets. Key takeaways: 1. A bond is an instrument to borrow money. A bond could …

COP30, Trump-Xi ceasefire, and Indoor Air Quality

COP30, Trump-Xi ceasefire, and Indoor Air Quality

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. Story continues below this ad What’s the ongoing story: The 30th edition of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), the annual two-week climate talks beginning in Belem, Brazil, on Monday, is as much about restoring the credibility of this UN-mandated negotiating process as it is about saving global climate. Key Points to Ponder: — What is Conference of the Parties or COP? — Read about the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 2015 Paris Agreement. — What were the major outcomes of the COP29? — What do you understand about Net-zero emissions? — What is climate finance? — What are Nationally-Determined Contributions? — What is the principle of “common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities”? — How can India balance its development needs with its increasing global leadership on climate finance …

Oil Spill, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and Impeachment of Judges

Oil Spill, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and Impeachment of Judges

Cash at residence: Govt likely to bring motion to impeach Justice Varma Syllabus: ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Story continues below this ad Mains Examination: General Studies II: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. What’s the ongoing story: FOLLOWING his indictment by the Supreme Court in-house inquiry panel, the government is likely to bring an impeachment motion in the upcoming monsoon session against former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, The Indian Express has learnt. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the Procedure for Removal of a Judge in India? • What is Impeachment? • What are the constitutional provisions and procedures governing the impeachment of High court judges? Story continues below this ad • The process of impeachment of a judge of the Supreme Court is laid down in Article 124(4) of the Constitution of India-True or false? • What Article 218 of the Constitution of India says? • What are the Grounds of Impeachment? …

UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Special: Have last minute exam day strategy doubts — we have got answers | UPSC Current Affairs News

UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Special: Have last minute exam day strategy doubts — we have got answers | UPSC Current Affairs News

Are You Prelims Ready? UPSC Prelims 2025 is scheduled for May 25. As the exam approaches, aspirants are often flooded with last-minute doubts and dilemmas — ranging from anxiety and self-doubt to concerns about strategy and performance pressure. These feelings are natural, especially ahead of such a high-stakes and competitive examination. To help aspirants navigate this crucial phase, here is a comprehensive Prelims Day Strategy Guide, part of our Expert Talk series under UPSC Essentials by The Indian Express. In this edition, Rohit Pande, our expert, speaks to Manas Srivastava of The Indian Express, addressing the most common questions and mental roadblocks that aspirants face just before entering the exam hall. About our Expert: Rohit Pande brings over a decade of experience in strategy and consulting to the world of CSE examinations. His team has helped many students clear the exam using scientific framework-driven mentorship. He keeps a keen eye on the evolving patterns of the UPSC IAS exam and the changing study habits of GenZ UPSC aspirants, enabling them with deep, actionable, and unrivaled insights. Story …

UPSC Key | 18th May, 2025: ISRO’s EOS-09, Rare-earth magnets, and Left Wing Extremism

UPSC Key | 18th May, 2025: ISRO’s EOS-09, Rare-earth magnets, and Left Wing Extremism

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. What’s the ongoing story: In a rare failure, India’s main rocket PSLV developed problems a few minutes after take-off and failed to place earth observation satellite EOS-09 into the intended orbit in an early morning launch on Sunday. Key Points to Ponder: — What are the Earth observation satellites? Story continues below this ad — What are the different types of launch vehicles of ISRO? — What is the difference between PSLV and GSLV? — What are the various stages of rockets? — Learn about the important ISRO’s missions – Aditya L1, Chandrayaan 4, Chandrayaan 5, Shukrayaan-1 — What do you understand by space debris? Key Takeaways: — “Today’s 101st launch was attempted. PSLV-C61 performance was normal till second stage. Due to an observation in the third stage, the mission could not be accomplished,” ISRO said. — This was the 101st mission launched by ISRO, and the 63rd one using …