Prelims Mantra – (17/03/2026)

Indian Polity & Governance

Election Commission and Model Code of Conduct (MCC):

Context

With elections approaching and ongoing in certain states, the Election Commission of India reiterated enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

• • MCC is a set of guidelines, not a statutory law.
  • It comes into force immediately after election dates are announced.
  • It regulates:
    • Political parties
    • Candidates
    • Government conduct.
  • Government cannot announce new schemes or policy decisions during MCC.
  • MCC aims to ensure free and fair elections.
  • It is enforced by the Election Commission under Article 324.
  • Violations may lead to:
    • Censure
    • Campaign bans
    • FIRs under other laws.
  • MCC does not have direct legal backing but relies on moral authority and existing laws.
  • Use of official machinery for campaign purposes is prohibited.

 

(TH)

International Relations

India–Japan Strategic Cooperation:

Context

India and Japan strengthened cooperation in defence, infrastructure, and Indo-Pacific strategy.

• • India and Japan are part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD).
  • QUAD includes:
    • India
    • Japan
    • USA
    • Australia.
  • The Indo-Pacific concept emphasizes free, open and inclusive maritime region.
  • Japan is a major investor in infrastructure projects in India.
  • Defence cooperation includes:
    • Joint exercises
    • Technology sharing.
  • India-Japan ties are classified as Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
  • Both countries support rules-based international order.
  • Maritime security is a key focus due to critical sea lanes.

 

(IE)

Economy

India’s Retail Inflation Trends:

Context

Recent data indicated trends in India’s Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation, influencing monetary policy outlook.

• • CPI measures changes in retail prices paid by consumers.
  • Inflation targeting in India is governed by Monetary Policy Framework Agreement.
  • RBI aims to maintain inflation at 4% ± 2%.
  • CPI basket includes:
    • Food
    • Fuel
    • Core sectors.
  • Food inflation has a significant weight in CPI.
  • Core inflation excludes food and fuel components.
  • Inflation affects:
    • Purchasing power
    • Interest rates
    • Economic growth.
  • Persistent inflation may lead to tightening of monetary policy.
  • Disinflation refers to slowing rate of inflation, not negative inflation.

 

(ET)

Fiscal Deficit and Government Borrowing:

Context

Discussions around India’s fiscal deficit trajectory and borrowing programme gained attention amid budgetary management concerns.

• • Fiscal deficit is the difference between total expenditure and total receipts (excluding borrowings).
  • It indicates the borrowing requirements of the government.
  • High fiscal deficit may lead to:
    • Inflationary pressures
    • Higher interest rates
    • Crowding out of private investment.
  • Government borrows through:
    • Treasury Bills
    • Government Securities (G-Secs).
  • Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM Act) aims to ensure fiscal discipline.
  • Revenue deficit is a subset of fiscal deficit.
  • Primary deficit = Fiscal deficit – Interest payments.
  • Sustainable deficit depends on GDP growth and debt levels.
  • Excessive borrowing can increase public debt burden.

 

(ET)

India’s Foreign Exchange Reserves Dynamics:

Context

India’s foreign exchange reserves trends were highlighted amid global currency volatility.

• • Forex reserves include:
    • Foreign currency assets
    • Gold
    • SDRs
    • Reserve Tranche Position.
  • Managed by the Reserve Bank of India.
  • Used to:
    • Stabilize currency
    • Manage external shocks.
  • SDRs are issued by the International Monetary Fund.
  • High reserves improve investor confidence.
  • Forex reserves help manage balance of payments crises.
  • Currency depreciation may lead RBI to use reserves for intervention.
  • Gold forms a smaller but stable component of reserves.

 

(ET)

Geography, Mapping, Ecology & Environment and DM

Glacier Retreat and Himalayan Hydrology:

Context

Reports highlighted accelerating glacial retreat in the Himalayas, impacting river systems and water security.

• • Glaciers act as freshwater reservoirs.
  • Himalayan rivers like:
    • Ganga
    • Brahmaputra
      depend on glacial melt.
  • Rising temperatures accelerate glacier melting.
  • Glacial retreat can lead to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
  • GLOFs occur due to sudden release of water from glacial lakes.
  • Climate change is the primary driver of glacier retreat.
  • Initial melting increases water flow, but long-term leads to water scarcity.
  • Himalayan ecosystem is fragile and climate-sensitive.

 

(TOI)

Soil Health and Sustainable Agriculture:

Context

Government emphasized improving soil fertility through scientific interventions and sustainable practices.

• • Soil health depends on:
    • Nutrient content
    • Organic matter
    • Microbial activity.
  • Overuse of fertilizers leads to:
    • Soil degradation
    • Nutrient imbalance.
  • Soil organic carbon is crucial for soil fertility.
  • Crop rotation improves soil health.
  • Soil erosion reduces productivity.
  • Soil Health Card Scheme provides nutrient status to farmers.
  • Sustainable agriculture includes:
    • Organic farming
    • Integrated nutrient management.
  • Soil acts as a carbon sink.

 

(PIB)

Science & Technology

Advances in Quantum Computing Research:

Context

India is expanding research in quantum technologies for computing, communication, and cryptography.

• • Quantum computing uses qubits instead of classical bits.
  • Qubits can exist in superposition, representing multiple states simultaneously.
  • Quantum entanglement allows correlated states across distances.
  • Quantum computers can solve certain problems much faster than classical computers.
  • Applications include:
    • Cryptography
    • Drug discovery
    • Optimization problems.
  • Quantum communication offers highly secure data transmission.
  • India has launched National Quantum Mission.
  • Quantum systems are sensitive to decoherence and noise.

 

(TH)

India’s Nuclear Energy Expansion:

Context

India is expanding nuclear energy capacity as part of its clean energy transition strategy.

• • Nuclear energy is generated through nuclear fission.
  • India follows a three-stage nuclear programme:
    • Uranium-based PHWRs
    • Fast Breeder Reactors
    • Thorium-based reactors.
  • India has large thorium reserves.
  • Nuclear energy is considered low-carbon energy source.
  • It provides base-load power, unlike intermittent renewables.
  • Safety concerns include:
    • Radiation leaks
    • Waste disposal.
  • Nuclear reactors in India are regulated by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
  • India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
  • India is a member of Nuclear Suppliers Group? → No (important trap).

 

(IE)

History, Art & Culture

UNESCO Cultural Heritage Discussions:

Context

Discussions on preservation of cultural heritage sites under the UNESCO framework gained attention.

• • UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
  • World Heritage Sites are classified into:
    • Cultural
    • Natural
    • Mixed.
  • Sites are selected based on Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
  • The World Heritage Committee oversees inscriptions.
  • India has 40+ World Heritage Sites.
  • Sites can be placed on “List of World Heritage in Danger”.
  • UNESCO also recognizes Intangible Cultural Heritage.
  • Conservation requires international cooperation and funding.
  • World Heritage status boosts tourism and global recognition.

 

(UNESCO)

Government Schemes & Initiatives

Government Push for Start-up Ecosystem:

Context

Government highlighted initiatives to promote innovation under Startup India.

• • Startup India launched in 2016.
  • It aims to promote:
    • Innovation
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Job creation.
  • Benefits include:
    • Tax exemptions
    • Simplified compliance
    • Funding support.
  • DPIIT recognizes eligible startups.
  • Startups are defined based on:
    • Turnover threshold
    • Innovation component.
  • India has emerged as one of the largest startup ecosystems globally.
  • Startups play a key role in digital economy growth.

 

(PIB)

Miscellaneous

India’s Logistics Sector and Gati Shakti:

Context

Government reviewed progress under PM Gati Shakti for integrated infrastructure development.

• • PM Gati Shakti is a national master plan for multimodal connectivity.
  • It integrates:
    • Roads
    • Railways
    • Ports
  • Aims to reduce logistics cost in India.
  • Uses GIS-based digital platform.
  • Promotes coordinated planning among ministries.
  • Logistics efficiency is crucial for export competitiveness.
  • High logistics cost reduces industrial efficiency.
  • Infrastructure gaps lead to supply chain inefficiencies.

 

(PIB)

Spread the Word