Prelims Mantra – (25/12/2025)

Indian Polity

Good Governance Day:

• • Observed every year on 25 December to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
  • Objective: To promote accountability, transparency, citizen-centric governance, and efficient public service delivery.
  • Good Governance Index (GGI):
    • Developed by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
    • Measures governance across States and Union Territories.
    • Focuses on 10 sectors with 58 indicators for benchmarking performance.

• • Framework & implementation:
    • States/UTs are classified into groups for fair comparison.
    • Helps identify best practices, gaps, and reform areas.
    • Activities include workshops, citizen feedback, and district-level programs.
  • Significance:
    • Encourages evidence-based governance reforms.
    • Promotes efficient, accountable, and participatory administration.
    • Reinforces Vajpayee’s legacy of inclusive development and leadership.
  • Current relevance:
    • Helps India track progress on SDGs and public service delivery outcomes.
    • Strengthens citizen trust in government institutions.

 

(PIB)

Economy

Dutch disease:

• • The Dutch disease refers to a phenomenon where an economic windfall can often translate into negative outcomes in other sectors, such as manufacturing.
  • It is an economic phenomenon where a resource boom leads to decline of manufacturing and other tradable sectors.
  • Origin of the Term: Coined after the 1959 natural gas discovery in the Netherlands that weakened its industrial base.
  • Foreign exchange inflows: Large inflows from resource exports increase demand for domestic currency.
  • Currency appreciation: Excess foreign exchange inflows cause real exchange rate appreciation.
  • Export competitiveness: Appreciated currency makes manufacturing and agricultural exports costlier globally.
  • Sectoral resource shift: Labour and capital move from tradable sectors to resource and non-tradable sectors.
  • De-industrialisation: Manufacturing output and employment decline due to reduced profitability.
  • Economic vulnerability: Over-dependence on a single resource exposes the economy to global price shocks.
  • Non-resource triggers: Foreign aid, remittances and capital inflows can also cause Dutch Disease.
  • Policy mitigation: Sovereign wealth funds, fiscal discipline and export diversification reduce risks.

 

(TH)

Science & Technology

Russia’s Lunar Nuclear Power Plant:

• • Russia’s state space agency Roscosmos plans to build a power plant on the Moon by around 2036 to support its lunar space programme and a joint Russian Chinese research base.
  • Purpose: The plant is intended to provide long term, reliable energy for lunar rovers, scientific instruments, infrastructure, and a future lunar station, enabling sustained lunar operations beyond short missions.
  • Involvement of Nuclear Entities: While Roscosmos did not explicitly call it “nuclear”, the project involves Rosatom (Russia’s nuclear corporation) and the Kurchatov Institute, indicating use of nuclear technology for power generation.
  • Collaborative framework: The effort is linked to the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a joint Russia China initiative aimed at establishing a long-term scientific presence on the Moon.
  • Global space context: This announcement comes amid renewed space competition where major powers, including the United States and China, are accelerating plans for lunar bases, nuclear power systems, and long duration infrastructure.
  • Why Nuclear on the Moon:
    • Solar power limitations: Solar panels face challenges during the 14-day lunar night and dust accumulation.
    • Nuclear power can provide continuous, high-density energy needed for habitats and scientific stations.

 

(IE+TH)

LVM3:

• • LVM3, also known as GSLV Mk III, is India’s heaviest and most powerful launch vehicle, developed by ISRO to carry heavier payloads to GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit) and low Earth orbit.
  • Development objective:
    • To launch heavier communication satellites (up to 4 tons to GTO).
    • To support India’s human spaceflight programme (Gaganyaan).
    • To reduce dependency on foreign launch vehicles.
  • Structure & stages: Three-stage vehicle:
    • Two solid rocket boosters (S200)
    • Core liquid stage (L110)
    • Cryogenic upper stage (C25)
  • Payload Capacity:
    • Up to 4 tons to GTO and 10 tons to LEO.
    • Largest payload capacity among Indian launch vehicles.
  • Significant Missions:
    • Chandrayaan-2 (2019) – lunar orbiter launch.
    • Gaganyaan – India’s planned human spaceflight.
    • HEO and communication satellites launch capabilities.
  • Technological highlights:
    • Uses indigenous cryogenic engine (CE-20) in upper stage.
    • First ISRO launcher capable of heavy-lift missions with high reliability.
    • Designed for future deep space missions.
  • Strategic & national significance:
    • Enhances India’s self-reliance in space.
    • Strengthens India’s regional and global space credibility.
    • Key component of India’s Human Spaceflight and Lunar programs.
  • Current status:
    • Fully operational and successfully tested multiple times.
    • Integral to Gaganyaan human spaceflight program.

 

(PIB)

Defence & Security

Indian Coast Guard’s First Pollution Control Vessel – Samudra Pratap:

• • The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) inducted its first indigenously designed and built Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) named Samudra Pratap on 23 December 2025.
  • Constructed by: Built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) under the 02 PCV project with over 60 % indigenous content, reinforcing Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
  • Significance: It is the largest ship in the ICG fleet, significantly enhancing the Coast Guard’s operational reach and capability for maritime pollution control.
  • Dimensions & specs:
    • Length: 114.5 m
    • Breadth: 16.5 m
    • Displacement: 4,170 tonnes
  • Key features:
    • Advanced onboard technology: Integrated Bridge System, Platform Management System, Automated Power Management System.
    • Dynamic Positioning (DP 1): First ICG ship with this capability.
    • Equipped with firefighting systems and naval guns (30 mm CRN 91, 12.7 mm remote controlled guns).
  • Pollution control capabilities:
    • Tools for oil spill detection and recovery, contaminant analysis, and separation of oil from water.
    • Advanced detectors like Oil Fingerprinting Machine and Gyro stabilised Chemical Detector.
  • Strategic Importance:
    • Enhances ICG’s ability to respond to marine pollution incidents within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and beyond.
    • Strengthens nation’s maritime security and environmental protection efforts.

 

(PIB)

History, Art & Culture

Keezhadi:

• • Keezhadi is an archaeological site near Madurai, Tamil Nadu, on the southern banks of the River Vaigai.
  • Historical significance:
    • Dates back to Sangam era (6th century BCE – 3rd century CE).
    • Provides evidence of urban settlements, trade, and culture in ancient Tamil Nadu.
  • Major excavations:
    • Excavations started by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department.
    • Findings include brick structures, streets, pottery, beads, and burial urns.
  • Cultural insights:
    • Evidence of writing (Tamil-Brahmi script) on pottery.
    • Suggests highly organized urban settlement, planning, and craft specialization.
    • Indicates trade with Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and Roman Empire.
  • Economic & technological evidence:
    • Presence of pottery kilns, grinding stones, and beads workshops.
    • Suggests advanced craft and trade networks.
  • Significance in Sangam Studies:
    • Confirms continuity of Tamil culture, language, and social organization from Sangam literature.
    • Challenges earlier belief that early Tamil civilization was mostly rural.
  • Current status:
    • Excavation is ongoing, supported by ASI and local authorities.
    • Declared as protected site with ongoing efforts to preserve and study findings.

 

(TH)

Personalities in news

Atal Bihari Vajpayee:

• • Born on 25 December 1924 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Studied English and Hindi literature at Victoria College, Gwalior.
  • Early interest in poetry and politics.
  • Political Career:
    • Joined Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in youth.
    • Elected to Lok Sabha in 1957 from Balrampur (U.P.).
    • Served as Member of Parliament multiple times, representing BJP later.
  • Prime Ministership: 10th Prime Minister of India, served three terms:
    • 16 May – 1 June 1996 (13 days)
    • 19 March 1998 – 22 October 1999
    • 13 October 1999 – 22 May 2004
  • Major Achievements:
    • Nuclear Tests: Conducted Pokhran-II (1998), establishing India as a nuclear state.
    • Economic Reforms: Introduced privatization, infrastructure development, Golden Quadrilateral project.
    • Foreign Policy: Improved relations with Pakistan (Lahore Summit), China, and promoted Look East Policy.
    • Peace & Governance: Advocated good governance, inclusive development, and national integration.
    • Poet & Orator: Known for literary contributions in Hindi poetry and exceptional oratory skills.
  • Awards & Honors:
    • Bharat Ratna (2015) – India’s highest civilian award.
    • Celebrated for statesmanship, vision, and political moderation.
  • Death & Legacy:
    • Passed away on 16 August 2018 in New Delhi.
    • Good Governance Day (25 Dec) commemorates his birth anniversary.
    • Remembered as a visionary leader balancing development, diplomacy, and democracy.

 

(PIB+TH)

Swami Shraddhanand:

• • Born in 1867 in Talwan, Punjab, as Munshi Ram.
  • Early education in Sanskrit and traditional Indian learning.
  • Philosophy & ideology:
    • Prominent Arya Samaj leader and social reformer.
    • Advocated Vedic values, education, and social upliftment.
    • Strongly opposed caste discrimination and superstitions.
  • Contributions:

1. Education:

• • • • Founded Gurukul Kangri University (1902) in Haridwar to revive Vedic education system.
      • Promoted nationalist education alongside traditional learning.

2. Social Reform:

• • • • Actively campaigned against child marriage, untouchability, and caste barriers.
      • Encouraged women’s education and empowerment.

3. Nationalism:

• • • • Worked for Indian independence by spreading awareness and promoting national unity.
      • Played a role in propagating Arya Samaj values in nationalist movements.
  • Death: Assassinated on 23 December 1926 by a religious fanatic opposed to his social and reformist ideas.
  • Legacy:
    • Gurukul Kangri University continues to be a centre of Vedic education and Indian philosophy.
    • Remembered as a social reformer, educationist, and nationalist.
    • Inspired educational and reformist movements in northern India.

 

(PIB)

Miscellaneous

Sanskrit Subhashitam emphasising the importance of hard work:

• • The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, shared a Sanskrit Subhashitam-

“यस्य कृत्यं न विघ्नन्ति शीतमुष्णं भयं रतिः।

समृद्धिरसमृद्धिर्वा स वै पण्डित उच्यते।।”

• • The Subhashitam conveys that only the one whose work is not hampered by cold or heat, fear or affection, wealth or poverty is called a knowledgeable person.

 

(PIB)

Spread the Word