Prelims Mantra – (20/03/2026)

Indian Polity & Governance

Anti-Defection Law – Judicial Interpretation:

Context

Debates continue regarding delays in disqualification decisions under anti-defection law.

• • Based on Tenth Schedule (52nd Amendment).
  • Applies to:
    • MPs
    • MLAs.
  • Grounds:
    • Voluntarily giving up membership
    • Voting against party whip.
  • Decision made by:
    • Speaker/Chairman.
  • Supreme Court allows judicial review.
  • No strict timeline → delays controversial.
  • Exception:
    • Merger (2/3 members).

 

(TH)

Parliamentary Privileges:

Context

Debate over scope of parliamentary privileges and freedom of speech.

• • Provided under:
    • Article 105 (Parliament)
    • Article 194 (State legislatures).
  • Includes:
    • Freedom of speech in House
    • Immunity from legal proceedings.
  • Not absolute — subject to:
    • Constitutional provisions.
  • Breach of privilege can lead to:
    • Punishment by House.
  • Based on British parliamentary traditions.
  • Courts can examine constitutional validity.

 

(TH)

Economy

Bioeconomy and Biotechnology Growth:

Context

India’s bioeconomy sector shows rapid expansion.

• • Bioeconomy includes:
    • Biotech
    • Biopharma
    • Bio-agriculture.
  • Driven by innovation in:
    • Genomics
    • Vaccines.
  • India is a major vaccine producer globally.
  • Sector contributes to:
    • GDP
    • Employment.
  • Bio-based products reduce environmental impact.
  • Linked with:
    • Sustainable development.
  • Requires:
    • Skilled workforce
    • R&D investment.

 

(PIB)

Geography, Mapping, Ecology & Environment and DM

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC):

Context

Discussion on potential of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) as renewable energy.

• • OTEC uses temperature difference between surface and deep ocean water.
  • Works best in tropical regions.
  • Requires at least 20°C temperature difference.
  • Produces:
    • Electricity
    • Desalinated water.
  • Continuous energy source (unlike solar/wind intermittency).
  • Limited deployment due to:
    • High cost
    • Technological challenges.
  • Environmentally cleaner compared to fossil fuels.

 

(IE)

Lithium Resources and Energy Security:

Context

India is exploring lithium resources for strengthening energy security and EV ecosystem.

• • Lithium is critical for:
    • Batteries
    • Electric vehicles.
  • Classified as critical mineral.
  • Major global producers:
    • Australia
    • Chile
    • China.
  • India exploring domestic reserves.
  • Lithium-ion batteries dominate EV sector.
  • Supply chain concentration poses risk.
  • Strategic for:
    • Energy transition
    • Storage solutions.

 

(ET)

Science & Technology

India’s Semiconductor Design Ecosystem:

Context

Focus on India’s strength in chip design (fabless ecosystem).

• • Fabless companies design chips but do not manufacture them.
  • India has strong:
    • Software
    • Chip design talent.
  • Fabrication (fabs) requires:
    • High capital
    • Advanced tech.
  • Global hubs:
    • Taiwan
    • South Korea.
  • Design ecosystem is key to value addition.
  • Semiconductor supply chain is geopolitically sensitive.
  • Government incentives aim to boost ecosystem.

 

(ET)

History, Art & Culture

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag Expansion:

Context

New products were granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags, highlighting regional uniqueness.

• • GI tags are governed under:
    • Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999.
  • GI identifies goods originating from a specific region.
  • Ensures:
    • Quality
    • Reputation linked to geography.
  • Registered by:
    • Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks
  • Valid for 10 years (renewable).
  • Examples:
    • Darjeeling Tea
    • Kanchipuram Silk.
  • GI protection prevents unauthorized use.
  • Promotes:
    • Local economy
    • Exports.

 

(TH)

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