Key Features of Budget 2025-2026

Important for #Prelims 2025

Geo-economic fragmentation
Definition:

Geo-economic fragmentation is characterized by a shift away from global economic integration, driven by strategic national policies, towards the formation of economic blocs and restrictions on trade, capital flows, and investment.

Key Characteristics:

- Trade Restrictions
- Capital Flow Restrictions
- Supply Chain Reorganization
- Rising Protectionism

Underlying Factors:

- Geopolitical Rivalries
- Strategic Considerations
- Technological Decoupling

Impacts:

- Reduced Global Trade and Investment
- Increased Economic Volatility
- Challenges for Emerging Markets

Examples:

- The US-China trade war and the imposition of tariffs on each other's goods.
- Restrictions on technology exports from the US to China.

#economicsurvey #prelims #important

UN Watercourses Convention
- The Watercourses Convention entered into force on 17 August 2014.
- China and India are not signatories to the UN Watercourses Convention.
#IR #Prelims #Important

List of critical minerals for UPSC Prelims 👉

Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, PGE, Phosphorous, Potash, REE,Rhenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium,Zirconium, Selenium and Cadmium.
#Important #Prelims

Great Events with Symbols

● Avakranti (conception or descent) - White Elephant Jati (birth)

● Lotus and Bull Mahabhinishkramana (leaving home) - Horse

● Nirvana/ Sambodhi (enlightenment) - Bodhi tree

● Dharmachakra Parivarthana (first Sermon) - Wheel

● Mahaparinirvana (passing away) - Stupa

#prelims #history

India's first "frozen zoo"

What is frozen zoo?
- A frozen zoo is like a deep freezer for animals’ genetic material. It stores things like DNA, sperm, eggs, and embryos from animals — especially those that are rare or endangered and may go extinct in the future.
- Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling is India's first "frozen zoo".

#Prelims #Environment

What is Teal carbon?

Teal carbon refers to carbon stored in freshwater (non-tidal) wetlands, including marshes, lakes, rivers, and peatlands. In contrast, carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems like mangroves and seagrasses is termed blue carbon.


#Terms #Environment #Prelims

Ezulwini Consensus

The Ezulwini Consensus, adopted in 2005 by the African Union (AU), represents the common African position on reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), advocating for Africa to have "not less than two permanent seats" and five non-permanent seat.

#prelims #important

Industrial Committes

✅ Hazari Committee (1967) – Industrial Policy

👉Appointed by Planning Commission to examine industrial licensing.
👉Highlighted concentration of economic power.
👉Recommended rationalization of licensing and equitable resource distribution.

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✅ Subimal Dutt Committee (1969) – Industrial Licensing

👉Set up to reform industrial licensing system.
👉Recommended eliminating unnecessary licenses, categorizing industries, and improving approval timelines.
👉Emphasized transparency and reducing red tape.

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✅ Abid Hussain Committee (1997) – Small Scale Industry

👉Suggested modernization, removal of item reservation, increased investment limits.
👉Advocated cluster development and easier credit access.
👉Played a key role in redefining SSI policy in liberalized economy.

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✅ C. Rangarajan Committee (1993) – Disinvestment

👉Recommended partial disinvestment in PSUs (up to 49%).
👉Supported listing PSUs on stock exchanges, use of funds for deficit reduction, and strategic sales.
👉Led to the creation of a Disinvestment Commission in 1996.

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✅ Arjun Sengupta Committee – MoU for PSUs

👉Arjun Sengupta was key in introducing the MoU system in the 1980s.
👉Designed to improve PSU accountability and performance while granting autonomy.
👉MoUs became a performance management tool for public enterprises.

#prelims #economy

Padma Awards

👉 instituted in 1954
👉announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day.

The award is given in three categories-
1) Padma Vibhushan,
2) Padma Bhushan and
3) Padma Shri.


👉The awards fall in line after the Bharat Ratna.

👉These awards are not given to government employees except doctors and scientists.

Padma Vibhushan

The second highest National Award given for exceptional and distinguished service in any field.

Padma Bhushan

The third highest National Award given for distinguished service in any field.

Padma Shri

The fourth highest award given for distinguished service in any field.

#prelims #awards

Trick to remember Saptanga theory of Kautilya

For more - https://amzn.to/3YqiwFE

#prelims #upsc

Important Ramsar Sites in News
- Udhwa Lake in Jharkhand,
- Theerthangal and Sakkarakottai in Tamil Nadu
- Khecheopalri in Sikkim.

#Prelims #Current affairs

European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
India has signed a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with EFTA, which is a regional group consisting of four countries.

European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – comprises of -
1) Switzerland,
2) Norway,
3) Iceland, and
4) Liechtenstein

#Prelims #IR

Learn this order of events
1. August offer 1940
2. Individual Satyagraha 1940 (after august offer)
3. Cripps Mission March 1942
4. QIM August 1942
5. CR Formula 1944
6. Desai Liaqat Pact 1945
7. Wavell's plan 1945
8. RIN Mutiny 1946
9. Cabinet Mission 1946
10. Tebhaga Movement sep 1946
11. Atlee's declaration feb 1947
12. Dickie-Bird's man Plan
13. June 3rd Plan 1947

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#prelims #important

Climatic zones chart

#geography
#prelims

Mughal-era travellers to India Handout #UPSC #Prelims #History

#Prelims Notes 👉
Important Inscriptions

List of Grassland Bird Species Found In Kaziranga NP -
1. Bengal florican (Critically Endangered)
2. Finn’s weaver (Endangered)
3. Swamp grass babbler (Endangered)
4. Black-breasted parrotbill (Vulnerable)
5. Marsh babbler (Vulnerable)
6. Swamp francolin (Vulnerable)
7. Jerdon’s babbler (Vulnerable)
8. Slender-billed babbler (Vulnerable)
9. Bristled grassbird (Vulnerable)

#Prelims #Environment