UPSC PIB NEWS current affairs polity geography science economy government schemes ir prelims mains

🔆 POLICIES ON SCHEDULED TRIBES + CRITERIA FOR IDENTIFICATION 📍 Why Special Policies? ✅ Constitutional framers recognised extreme social, educational & economic marginalisation among certain communities due to isolation, limited infrastructure & primitive livelihoods. ✅ Reservation in education, employment & political representation was provided to uplift SCs & STs. 📍 How Scheduled Tribes Are Identified (PIB Update, 2025) The Government follows five criteria for specifying a community as an ST: ✅ Indications of primitive traits ✅ Distinctive culture ✅ Geographical isolation ✅ Shyness of contact with the larger community ✅ Backwardness 📍 Process & Modalities (GoI Guidelines: 1999, amended 2002 & 2022) ✅ Proposals must be recommended by State/UT government. ✅ Must be concurred by Registrar General of India (RGI). ✅ Must be approved by NCST. ✅ Only after these steps can Parliament amend the ST list. ➡️ State recommendation is mandatory to begin the process. 📍 Constitutional & Legal Provisions ✅ Art. 366(25): Defines Scheduled Tribes. ✅ Art. 342: President notifies STs for each State/UT. ✅ 705 ST groups across 30 States/UTs notified so far. ✅ Art. 46: State must promote educational & economic interests of SCs/STs. ✅ Arts. 15 & 16: Allow special provisions & reservation. ✅ SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 protects against discrimination & violence. ✅ Forest Rights Act, 2006 recognises forest land & livelihood rights of STs/OTFDs. 📍 Institutional Safeguards ✅ NCST (Art. 338A)—constitutional watchdog for ST rights. ✅ Composition: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson & three Members appointed by President. ✅ Powers of a civil court + 6 regional offices. ✅ Govt must consult NCST on all major tribal policy matters. 📍 NCST Focus Areas ✅ Forest rights, R&R & mining issues ✅ Financial inclusion & welfare schemes ✅ Atrocities & grievance handling ✅ Health, nutrition & education ✅ Inclusion/exclusion in ST lists ✅ Monitoring ST Component in govt schemes 📍 Grievance Redressal ✅ NCST’s online portal: ncstgrams.gov.in ✅ Ensures faster complaint processing & outreach. 📍 Characteristics of Tribal Communities ✅ Typically altruistic (aparmaarthi), community-centric rather than individualistic. ✅ Strong cultural identities; diverse social systems. ✅ Practice nature-linked, ecologically balanced livelihoods → Sustainable Development in modern terms. #prelims #mains

🔆 Multi-Pronged Government Approach for Education, Safety & Economic Empowerment of Girl Children 📍 Mission Shakti: Umbrella Framework ✅ Govt’s flagship integrated programme with two verticals: • Sambal → Safety & protection (OSC, WHL-181, BBBP, Nari Adalat). • Samarthya → Empowerment (Matru Vandana, Palna, SANKALP). 📍 Safety, Protection & Social Empowerment ✅ Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): • Corrects CSR imbalance + combats gender stereotypes. • Mass mobilisation through govt, civil society & media. ✅ One Stop Centres & Women Helplines: • Provide immediate support, rescue, legal & psychological aid. 📍 Health & Nutrition Support ✅ PM Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): • Cash incentives: ₹5,000 (1st child), ₹6,000 (2nd girl child). • Encourages positive health-seeking behaviour in pregnant/lactating mothers. 📍 Financial Security & Savings ✅ Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): • High-interest small savings scheme exclusively for girl children. 📍 Education & Inclusion Measures ✅ Samagra Shiksha: • Pre-school to Class XII; holistic curriculum; bridging gender gaps; Right to Education alignment. • 11.99 crore rural toilets built under Swachh Bharat → boosts girl attendance. ✅ Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV): • Residential schooling for SC/ST/OBC/minority/BPL girls (ages 10–18). ✅ SAG (now SAKSHAM Anganwadi): • Nutrition, health & education for girls 14–18 in aspirational & NE states. 📍 STEM & Talent Development ✅ Vigyan Jyoti: • Encourages girls (Class IX–XII) to pursue STEM through counselling, academic support, exposure visits & tinkering labs. 📍 Skill Development & Economic Empowerment ✅ Skill India Mission: • Vocational training for women & girl children. • PM Kaushal Kendras under PMKVY offer structured skill pathways. ✅ PMKVY 4.0: • Priority to women-led training projects → boosts participation & workforce entry. 📍 Livelihood & Entrepreneurship Support ✅ DAY-NRLM (Self-Help Groups): • Drives rural women’s income, enterprise & self-reliance. ✅ NULM: • Urban livelihood support for women. ✅ Stand-Up India, Start-Up India, PM SVANidhi, MGNREGS: • Provide credit, self-employment & livelihood security. 📍 Why This Matters ✅ The government is building a full-spectrum empowerment model: Safety → Education → Health → Skills → Livelihood → Financial independence. 📍 Mains Question Q. Discuss the multi-pronged strategy adopted by the Government of India for the empowerment of girl children. How far has it succeeded in addressing educational, social and economic vulnerabilities? #GS1 #GS2 #society

✅Join Now:- Click Here 🔑Sample Paper:- Click Here ❓Any Doubt :- Let's Talk ✅Downloadable Pdf Will Also Be Provided

PRELIMS TEST SERIES 2026 With AIR 63, AIR 77, AIR 96 & Team Delhi UPSC Secrets 🔰 Test Series Schedule : Click here 🔰 Access Free Demo : Click here 🔰 Register Now : Click here 🔰 Dashboard Test + Printable Test & Solutions + Discussion Videos by Toppers & Experts. 1- 25 Students : 100% Off (FREE) 26-100 students : 95% Off Offer Ending Soon..Hurry up !!! Join Us : @DelhiUpscSecrets_official

🔆 ‘Your Money, Your Right’ Campaign 📍 What It Is ✅ Nationwide drive (Oct–Dec 2025) to help citizens claim unclaimed financial assets: bank deposits, insurance, dividends, shares, mutual funds, pensions. 📍 3A Framework 1️⃣ Awareness 2️⃣ Accessibility 3️⃣ Action ➡️ Camps held in 477 districts with digital demos, FAQs, SOPs & multilingual outreach. 📍 Institutions Involved 🤝 RBI (UDGAM), SEBI (MITRA), IRDAI (Bima Bharosa), PFRDA, IEPFA ➡️ All major regulators coordinating to simplify tracing & settlement. 📍 Impact 💰 In the first two months alone, ₹2,000 crore worth of unclaimed funds were returned to rightful owners. 📍 Why It Matters → Enhances financial inclusion → Reduces dormant funds → Strengthens trust in financial systems 📍 Mains Question How does the 3A framework improve efficiency and inclusivity in settling unclaimed financial assets? #GS2 #GS3 #Governance

🔆 Branding Indian Textiles 📍 India’s Global Position ✅ 6th-largest textile & apparel exporter; USD 37.75 bn exports (2024–25). ➡️ Strong international demand + diverse, reliable supply chain. 📍 Export Promotion Mission (EPM) 1️⃣ Niryat Protsahaan → MSME trade finance (interest subvention, factoring, credit guarantees, e-commerce exporter credit). 2️⃣ Niryat Disha → Branding support, packaging, trade fairs, warehousing, logistics, capacity building. 📍 Market Access Boost ✅ 15 FTAs signed, including India–UK FTA + CETA → reducing tariffs & making Indian exporters more competitive. 📍 Building ‘Brand India’ 🌾 Kasturi Cotton trademark → premium Indian cotton with traceability. 🧵 Silk Mark → purity & quality assurance for global silk buyers. 🎪 BHARAT TEX 2025 → mega event showcasing India as top textile investment hub. 📍 Schemes Strengthening Competitiveness 🔹 RoSCTL / RoDTEP → rebate taxes/levies. 🔹 PM MITRA Parks → world-class integrated textile parks. 🔹 PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions & Apparel → scale + efficiency boost. 📍 Innovation & Design Push ⚡ National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) → R&D in carbon fibre, aramid fibre, nylon, composites, geotextiles, medtech, etc. ⚡ VisioNxt @ NIFT Chennai → AI-enabled design lab; forecasting + fashion innovation. ⚡ Handloom R&D → revive traditional designs, organic dyes, new fibres; DRCs for design-led excellence. 📍 Core Insight Unified branding + FTAs + finance + design innovation = India’s strategy to position textiles as globally competitive, premium, and future-ready. 📍 Mains Question How do branding and innovation initiatives strengthen India’s global textile competitiveness? #GS3 #Manufacturing

◾️ UPSC NDA (I) 2026 Notification Out Total Post : 394 Qualification : 10+2 Age Limit : 16 to 19 Years Apply Online : 10 Dec to 30 Dec Exam Date : 12 April, 2026 https://t.me/CSE_EXAM

🔆 Digital & Sustainable Governance: Key Steps for Efficient, Paperless Government 📍 Why in News? Government detailed major digital systems and best practices improving transparency, efficiency, and citizen-centric governance.  📍 Key Highlights (Ultra-Short) ✅ e-Office: Used by 74 Ministries/Departments → faster file movement, digital signatures, full transparency. ✅ CPGRAMS: 24×7 grievance platform with tracking & appeal facility. ✅ Best practices under Special Campaign 5.0: • Dak Chaupal (last-mile postal service) • Amrit Samvaad (citizen–railway dialogue) • Clean Toilet Picture Challenge (NH sanitation reporting) • QR-based file management app • Facial attendance in post offices • Cyber security awareness drives • National e-waste recycling initiative • Krishi Rakshak Portal for PMFBY grievances 📍 Implications Boosts paperless governance, public accountability, faster service delivery, and sustainable administrative practices. 📍 Mains Question Examine how digital governance tools such as e-Office and CPGRAMS are transforming administrative efficiency in India. #GS2 #Governance

🔆 India’s Counter-Terrorism Measures 📍 Strengthened Intelligence & Coordination ✅ MAC–SMAC network expanded to district level with faster networks + AI/ML analytics. ✅ Seamless data-sharing across NIA, NATGRID, IB, ATS. 📍 Better Investigation & Forensics ✅ NIA issued UAPA investigation handbook → improves prosecutions. ✅ National Terror Database (NTDFAC) + OCND on NATGRID for big-data analysis. ✅ Major forensic upgrades: new labs, DNA machines, mobile vans; NFSU campuses at 16 locations. 📍 Operational Preparedness ✅ NSG expanded mandate → multi-city terror drills, counter-hijack & hostage-rescue exercises. ✅ Capacity-building for State CT forces via MoUs + training. 📍 Countering Online Radicalisation ❗ Large number of extremist URLs blocked; cyber-patrolling intensified. ➡️ Significant arrests/chargesheets in online radicalisation cases. 📍 Border Security Boost ✅ CIBMS + drones, sensors, thermal imagers, smart fencing → fewer infiltration attempts & more drone interceptions. ➡️ Large recovery of arms, ammo & narcotics. 📍 Police & CAPF Modernisation 💰 ₹21,710 crore (2021–2026) for CAPF infrastructure. 💰 ₹350 crore for India Reserve Battalions. ➡️ Upgraded weapons, comms, surveillance tech, training. 📍 Core Insight India’s CT strategy now rests on tech-enabled intelligence, forensic strengthening, border tech, and inter-agency synergy. 📍 Mains Question How do recent technological and institutional reforms strengthen India’s counter-terrorism architecture? #GS3 #InternalSecurity

UPSC CDS 2026-I Notification Tomorrow Exam date - 12 April. https://t.me/CSE_EXAM

🔆 Impact of Coal Mining – Key Government Updates 📍 Coal Production Targets ✅ 2025–26 target: 1157 MT (CIL: 875 MT, SCCL: 72 MT, Others: 210 MT) ✅ Long-term target: 1.5 BT by 2029–30 📍 Environmental Measures by Coal PSUs ✅ Mandatory EIA & EMP, strict Air/Water/Mine rules ✅ Land reclamation, green belt development ✅ Air quality monitoring, PARIVESH compliance ✅ Promotion of sustainable + green mining technologies 📍 Cleaner Coal Technologies ✅ New washeries with zero-effluent discharge ✅ Tech: Heavy Media Cyclone, Teeter Bed Separator, Spiral Concentrator, Froth Flotation ✅ Renovation of old washeries for lower environmental impact 📍 Coal Gasification Push ✅ Govt approved ₹8,500 crore scheme (2024) ✅ 7 projects underway; expected to use 11.75 MT/year of coal for gasification 📍 Coal Mine Auctions & Revenue ✅ 133 coal mines auctioned in 5 years → annual revenue ₹38,710 crore ✅ Employment potential: 3.73 lakh people 📍 Reviving Abandoned Mines ✅ Revenue Sharing Model: 32 discontinued mines identified ✅ 28 mines received LoAs; 2 mines restarted in FY 2025–26 📍 Mains Question Q. Discuss the environmental challenges of coal mining in India and evaluate recent government measures to promote sustainable coal extraction. 📍 #GS3 | #Environment

🔆 Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered REPMs 📍 Why in News? ✅ Union Cabinet approves ₹7,280 crore scheme to boost domestic production of Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs). 🔆 About the Scheme ✅ First-ever national initiative to create a full domestic REPM supply chain → Oxides → Metals → Alloys → Finished Magnets ✅ Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Mines (with DAE + NITI Aayog oversight) 📍 Targets ✅ 6,000 MTPA integrated REPM manufacturing capacity ✅ 5 beneficiaries, each up to 1,200 MTPA, via global competitive bidding 📍 Financials ✅ Total: ₹7,280 crore • ₹6,450 crore → sales-linked incentives (5 yrs) • ₹750 crore → capital subsidy for capacity creation 📍 Duration: 7 years (2-yr setup + 5-yr incentives) 🔆 India’s Current REPM Status 📍 Reserves: ✅ 6.9 million tonnes (5th largest globally) ➡️ Found in coastal placer sands (Odisha, AP, TN, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat) ➡️ Hard-rock deposits: Rajasthan, Gujarat 📍 Production & Demand ✅ India contributes only ~1% to global rare-earth output ✅ Consumption: 4,000–5,000 TPA ➡️ Expected to double by 2030 (EVs, renewables, electronics) ⚠️ Almost fully import-dependent #goverment_schemes Join @PIB_UPSC @upsc_government_scheme

🔆 UPI Recognized as World’s Largest Real-Time Payment System 📍 Why in News? IMF and ACI Worldwide confirm that UPI accounts for 49% of all global real-time payment transactions, the highest worldwide. 📍 Key Highlights (Ultra-Short) ✅ India processed 129.3 billion real-time payments — far ahead of Brazil, Thailand & China. ✅ PIDF-backed infra → 5.45 crore digital touchpoints deployed in tier-3 to tier-6 centres. ✅ 56.86 crore QR codes enabled for 6.5 crore merchants. ✅ Incentives for BHIM-UPI & expansion of RuPay-UPI deepen merchant adoption. 📍 Implications Strengthens India’s global leadership in digital payments and accelerates inclusive financial digitisation. 📍 Mains Question How has UPI transformed real-time digital payments in India and globally? #GS3 #Economy

✅Join Now:- Click Here 🔑Sample Paper:- Click Here ❓Any Doubt :- Let's Talk ✅Downloadable Pdf Will Also Be Provided

🔺️UPSC Prelims Accelerator Program 2.0🔺️ • Daily 9 PM Quiz | 30 MCQs • Saturday CSAT | Sunday OFF • UPSC + CDS + CAPF + State PSC PYQs • Full syllabus schedule included • MCQs available anytime for revision. ☆ ₹899 999 Pre-enroll | ₹999 Post 10 Dec Demo que CLICK HERE DM -@studytoday_bot Special offer - You will get access to all the MCQs posted after 22 September(course launch date)

🔆 Reduction in CO₂ Emissions: Government Update 📍 Why in News? India’s latest BUR-4 report shows a 7.9% drop in national GHG emissions from 2019 to 2020. 📍 Key Highlights (Ultra-Short) ✅ Emission intensity of GDP reduced 36% (2005–2020). ✅ Achieved NDC target of 50% non-fossil power capacity ahead of time. ✅ Added 2.29 billion tonnes CO₂ forest carbon sink. ✅ Major push via solar, wind, hydrogen, EVs, green energy corridors, and battery storage. ✅ GST on EVs cut to 5%, green plates & tax waivers to boost adoption. 📍 Implications India is progressing toward its 2070 net-zero pathway with clean energy expansion and lower carbon intensity. 📍 Mains Question Discuss India’s key strategies for reducing carbon emissions in line with its NDC and long-term climate goals. #GS3 #Environment