Prelims Mantra – (16/12/2025)

Indian Polity

How a Bill becomes an Act:

• • A Bill is a draft law presented for deliberation in Parliament.
  • Becomes an Act after approval by both Houses of Parliament and the President’s assent.
  • Types of Bills:
    • Ordinary Bill: Can be introduced in either House (except Money Bills).
    • Money Bill: Related to taxes, expenditure, borrowing; can only be introduced in Lok Sabha.
    • Financial Bill: Related to revenue/expenditure but not fully a Money Bill.
    • Constitution Amendment Bill: Alters Constitution provisions; requires special majority.
  • Introduction (First Reading):
    • Member introduces the Bill in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.
    • Title is read, copies circulated, and Bill published in Gazette.
    • Notice of motion is required for private member bills; government bills are scheduled by the Ministry.
  • Consideration (Second Reading):
    • Detailed discussion of principles and clauses.
    • Can be sent to Parliamentary Committee for scrutiny.
    • Committee reports presented and debated.
  • Passing (Third Reading):
    • House votes clause-by-clause or full Bill.
    • If passed, Bill moves to other House for similar procedure.
  • Special Procedures:
    • Money Bill: Rajya Sabha can recommend amendments within 14 days; Lok Sabha can accept/reject.
    • Constitution Amendment Bill: Requires 2/3rd majority of members present & voting + majority of total membership.
  • President’s Assent:
    • Bill sent to President for approval.
    • President can give assent, withhold, or return (ordinary Bills only).
    • After assent, Bill becomes an Act and is published in Gazette.
  • Private Member Bill: Rarely becomes law; discussed on Fridays.
  • Money Bill cannot be introduced in Rajya Sabha.
  • Joint Sitting: If ordinary bill is rejected or amended differently, Lok Sabha prevails (Lok Sabha has greater strength).

 

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International Developments

Biological Weapons Convention (BWC):

• • Context: bioweapons development.
  • BWC is the first multilateral disarmament treaty banning an entire category of weapons: biological and toxin weapons.
  • Adopted: 10 April 1972; Entered into force: 26 March 1975.
  • Objective: Prohibit the development, production, stockpiling, and use of biological and toxin weapons.
  • India is a signatory and ratified it in 1974.
  • Verification: No formal verification mechanism exists; confidence-building measures (CBMs) are used.
  • Linked to UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (non-proliferation of WMDs).

 

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Economy

Trade Deficit:

• • Context: Trade deficit falls to $6.6 bn. in Nov. due to merchandise export growth
  • Trade deficit occurs when a country’s imports exceed its exports of goods.
  • It is a component of the Current Account Deficit (CAD) of the Balance of Payments.
  • India’s trade deficit is driven mainly by crude oil, gold, electronics and chemicals imports.
  • A persistent trade deficit can put pressure on the exchange rate and foreign exchange reserves.
  • Depreciation of domestic currency may reduce trade deficit in the long run (via J-curve effect).
  • Trade deficit is not inherently bad if financed by stable capital inflows and productive imports.

 

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Geography, Mapping, Ecology & Environment

Kandhamal district in Odisha:

• • Kandhamal district is located in central Odisha, in the Eastern Ghats region.
  • It is predominantly a Scheduled Tribe–dominated district, with a large Kondh (Khond) tribal population.
  • Known for turmeric cultivation; “Kandhamal Haldi” has Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
  • The district has significant forest cover and forms part of Eastern Ghats biodiversity landscape.
  • It has been in news for tribal welfare, forest rights, and agro-based livelihoods.

• • Kandhamal Turmeric:
    • Kandhamal Turmeric (Kandhamal Haldi) is a GI-tagged agricultural product from Kandhamal district, Odisha.
    • Known for high curcumin content, strong aroma, and deep yellow colour.
    • Cultivated largely by tribal farmers (Kondh tribe) using traditional, low-chemical practices.
    • Grown in Eastern Ghats agro-climatic conditions with forest-based, rainfed farming.
    • GI tagging helps in price premium, export potential, and livelihood security for tribals.

 

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Bondi Beach (Sydney, Australia):

• • Context: Recent shooting killing 15 people.
  • Bondi Beach is a world-famous urban beach located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
  • Famous for surfing, tourism, and beach culture.
  • Located about 7 km east of Sydney’s central business district (CBD).
  • It is part of the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, highlighting coastal biodiversity and scenic views.
  • Recognized globally as a major tourist attraction and hosts annual events like the City to Surf marathon.

 

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Donetsk and Luhansk Regions:

• • Donetsk and Luhansk are regions in eastern Ukraine, collectively called the Donbas region.
  • They are industrial and coal-rich regions, historically significant for heavy industry and mining.
  • In 2014, pro-Russian separatists declared independence in both regions, leading to conflict with Ukraine.
  • Recognized globally as part of Ukraine, but Russia has claimed and annexed these regions in 2022, escalating geopolitical tensions.
  • Key in global security, energy, and geopolitical studies due to:
    • NATO–Russia tensions
    • European energy supply (coal and gas transit)
    • Impact on Ukraine’s territorial integrity

 

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History, Art & Culture

Angkor Wat:

• • Context: Thailand’s air strikes hit home province of heritage temples.
  • Angkor Wat is a temple complex located in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
  • Built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II of the Khmer Empire.
  • Originally dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu, later transformed into a Buddhist temple.
  • It is the largest religious monument in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Architectural significance: classical Khmer architecture, extensive bas-reliefs, symbolic representation of Mount Meru.
  • Major tourism and cultural symbol of Cambodia, appearing on the national flag.

 

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Terms in news

Biosecurity:

• • Biosecurity refers to measures to prevent the introduction, spread or misuse of harmful biological agents affecting humans, animals, plants or ecosystems.
  • It covers natural outbreaks, accidental releases, and deliberate misuse (bioterrorism).
  • Key components: biosafety, bio-surveillance, border quarantine, and early warning systems.
  • In India, biosecurity is relevant to public health, agriculture, livestock, and invasive alien species control.
  • Internationally linked with Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and One Health approach.
  • Biosecurity differs slightly from biosafety, which is a set of practices meant to prevent the accidental leakage of pathogens. A robust biosafety protocol feeds into biosecurity.

 

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Miscellaneous

International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP):

• • The 2025 ICTP Prize has been awarded to Titas Chanda of IIT-Madras and Sthitadhi Roy of the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Bengaluru.
  • For exceptional and original contributions to the theory of quantum many-body systems, at the interface of condensed matter and quantum information science.
  • The ICTP Prize is an annual affair and has been awarded since 1982 to young scientists from developing countries. It carries a certificate and a cash component.
  • Past winners from India include Mohit Kumar Jolly, Narendra Ojha, Aninda Sinha, Shiraz Minwalla, Ashoke Sen, and G. Baskaran.
  • The ICTP was founded by Pakistani physicist and Nobel laureate Abdus Salam in 1964 to support scientists from developing countries.

 

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