Subject: Science & Tech – Parasitology; Agriculture – Livestock Health; Rumen Fluke; Amphistome; Paramphistomosis; Odisha.
Why in News?
What is Rumen Fluke?
Definition
Scientific Name
Intermediate Host
Location in Host
Cause of Disease
Transmission
How Animals Get Infected
Life Cycle (Simplified)
Symptoms (Key Signs)
Treatment and Management
Treatment
Key Terms for Prelims
Possible Prelims MCQs
Q1: Rumen flukes are parasites that primarily infect:
Q2: Which organism acts as the intermediate host for rumen flukes?
Q3: What is the classical sign of rumen fluke disease (submandibular oedema) commonly called?
Q4: Which class of medicines is used to treat rumen fluke infection?
Q5: The disease caused by rumen flukes is known as:
Q6: What is the local name for rumen fluke disease in Odisha?
Source/Reference:
Subject: Geography – Mineral Resources; Science & Tech – Sulfide Minerals; Environment – Acid Rain; Coal Quality; Gujarat.
Why in News?
What is Pyrite?
Definition
Appearance
Etymology
Historical Use
Rare Sunflower-Structured Pyrite
What is it?
How it Forms
Significance (Understanding Ancient Environment)
Key Terms for Prelims
Possible Prelims MCQs
Q1: Pyrite is commonly known as:
Q2: What is the chemical formula of pyrite?
Q3: Which institutes collaborated on the discovery of sunflower-structured pyrite?
Q4: The process where larger, flat, geometric crystals grow around an existing framboid pyrite core is called:
Q5: Which gas released from burning sulfur-rich coal is the primary cause of acid rain?
Q6: The Greek word “pyr” from which pyrite derives its name means:
Q7: Which countries are currently the world’s largest producers of pyrite?
Source/Reference:
Subject: Defence – Indigenous Missile Technology; DRDO; UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile; Drone Warfare; Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Why in News?
Evolution of ULPGM (V1 to V3)
Significance of V3: Generational leap – from basic drone-launched weapon to highly versatile, multi-role precision missile suited for modern drone warfare.
Key Technical Features
Guidance and Control
Operational Capabilities
Target Types
Three Warhead Options
| Warhead Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Anti-Armour Warhead | Destroy heavily protected tanks and armoured vehicles (including RHA and ERA – Rolled Homogeneous Armour and Explosive Reactive Armour) |
| Penetration-cum-Blast Warhead | Pierce and destroy bunkers and fortified structures (critical for counter-insurgency and conventional warfare) |
| Pre-Fragmentation Warhead | Disperses high-speed metal fragments over large area to maximise damage (effective against personnel and light vehicles) |
Production and Development Ecosystem
Indigenous Development (Aatmanirbhar Bharat)
Nodal Development Lab
UAV Integration
Key Terms for Prelims
Possible Prelims MCQs
Q1: ULPGM-V3 is a drone-launched precision guided missile developed by which organisation?
Q2: Which DRDO laboratory served as the nodal development lab for ULPGM-V3?
Q3: The ULPGM-V3 can engage targets in which two modes?
Q4: Which warhead is designed specifically to penetrate and destroy bunkers and fortified structures?
Q5: The two-way data link on ULPGM-V3 enables:
Q6: The pre-fragmentation warhead is most effective against:
Q7: Which Bengaluru-based private company integrates ULPGM-V3 on its UAVs?
Q8: ERA (Explosive Reactive Armour) is a protection system used on:
Source/Reference:
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/drdo-ulpgm-v3-drone-launched-missile-10703365/
Subject: International Relations – QUAD; Indo-Pacific Security; India-US-Japan-Australia Cooperation; Maritime Domain Awareness; FOIP.
Why in News?
What is QUAD?
Full Name
Members (4 countries)
Origins
Nature
QUAD’s Core Objectives
Key Initiatives Under QUAD
India’s Position in QUAD
QUAD and Indo-Pacific
Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) Vision
Countering China’s Influence
Key Terms for Prelims
Possible Prelims MCQs
Q1: The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) consists of India, Japan, Australia, and which other country?
Q2: The concept of QUAD was first proposed by which Japanese Prime Minister in 2007?
Q3: Which QUAD initiative shares satellite data to track illegal fishing and enhance maritime security?
Q4: The legal framework for freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific is primarily based on:
Source/Reference:
Subject: Environment – Invasive Species; Social Justice – Women Empowerment; Conservation – Community-Based Livelihoods; Assam – Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary.
Why in News?
About Water Hyacinth
Scientific Name: Eichhornia crassipes
Origin: Native to South America (Amazon basin)
Type: Free-floating perennial aquatic plant
Reputation
Impact on Ecosystems
Spread
Laokhowa-Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary (LBWLS) – Context
Location: Central Assam (contiguous with Kaziranga National Park landscape)
Area: 114.19 sq km (approximately)
Key Biodiversity
History of Degradation
Reclamation (2023)
Key Terms for Prelims
Possible Prelims MCQs
Q1: Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is native to:
Q2: Which Assam-based biodiversity conservation group implemented the water hyacinth craft project?
Q3: The water hyacinth craft project was supported by which international organisation?
Q4: Laokhowa-Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous with which protected area?
Q5: Which animal returned to Laokhowa after 40 years following reclamation of encroached land?
Q6: One of the major ecological concerns about water hyacinth is:
Source/Reference:
Subject: Tribal Culture | Environment | Conservation
Why in News?
About the Tribe
Conservation Ethos
Prelims Significance
UPSC frequently asks questions on
Themes similar to sacred groves, Bishnoi conservation ethics, and tiger reserve conflicts have appeared in previous prelims trends.
The Idu Mishmis exemplify how indigenous belief systems can complement formal conservation frameworks, highlighting the growing UPSC focus on tribal ecology, cultural geography, and community-led biodiversity protection.
Source/Reference:
Oreshnik Missile: Russia’s Hypersonic MIRV-Capable Weapon
Subject: Defence – Missile Technology; Russia-Ukraine War; Hypersonic Weapons; MIRV; Ballistic Missiles.
Why in News?
About Oreshnik Missile
Type
Derivation
Warhead Capability
Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs)
Speed
Range
Dimensions
Deployment
Name Meaning
Key Terms for Prelims
Possible Prelims MCQs
Q1: The Oreshnik missile is a hypersonic ballistic missile developed by which country?
Q2: What does “Oreshnik” mean in Russian?
Q3: What is the reported speed of the Oreshnik missile?
Q4: The Oreshnik missile is based on which Russian missile system?
Q5: What is the reported range of the Oreshnik missile?
Source/Reference:
GS Paper III – Economy (Fiscal Policy; Subsidies) | GS Paper II – Governance
Fertiliser Subsidy; Food Subsidy; Fiscal Deficit; Energy Crisis; Structural Reforms
Introduction
The Indian rupee is weakening against the US dollar as rising Middle East tensions push up energy and fertiliser costs. Petrol price hikes reflect only partial global price pass-throughs, while foreign investors are pulling out and domestic sentiment remains weak. With a strong El Niño forecast adding to economic stress, India faces mounting risks. In this context, major structural reforms—similar to those of 1991—appear essential, though the growing culture of freebies at both central and state levels remains a key obstacle.
Main Body
The Current Crisis: Multiple Stressors
External Sector:
Energy and Fertiliser Costs:
Fiscal Deficit:
Capital Flows:
Growth and Inflation Projections:
Tokenism vs. Real Reform
What Has Been Done:
Why Tokenism Does Not Work:
Fertiliser Subsidy: Leakages and Arbitrage
The Scale of Subsidy:
The Arbitrage Problem:
Bihar Example:
Fiscal Impact:
The Solution (Brahmastra):
Second-Best Option:
Third Option:
Food Subsidy: Rationalise Coverage
The Scale:
The Contradiction:
Potential Savings:
The Political Economy of Reform
The Biggest Hurdle:
What Is Required:
The 1991 Moment:
Conclusion
India faces a 1991-like economic challenge as the rupee weakens, subsidies surge, inflation rises, and investor confidence declines. Fertiliser subsidies have become highly inefficient, with large leakages and smuggling due to huge gaps between import and retail prices. Reforming subsidies through direct benefit transfers linked to PM-Kisan and rationalising food subsidies could save nearly ₹1 lakh crore annually. However, the entrenched culture of freebies remains the biggest obstacle. What India needs now is decisive political will, not policy timidity.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
GS Paper III – Environment & Ecology (Renewable Energy) | GS Paper III – Economy (Energy Security)
Installed Capacity vs. Actual Generation; Coal Dependence; Intermittency; Storage; Grid Modernisation
Introduction
The rise in global energy prices due to the West Asia conflict has highlighted India’s continued dependence on external energy supplies, especially through the Strait of Hormuz. Although renewables account for 42.4% of installed power capacity, they generated only 15.8% of electricity in April 2026, while coal contributed 71.8%. India’s energy transition, therefore, still remains heavily coal-dependent.
Main Body
Installed Capacity vs. Actual Generation: The Critical Gap
Impressive Capacity Growth:
The Generation Reality (April 2026):
The Key Insight:
Why Coal Persists: Structural Reasons
Intermittency of Solar and Wind:
Baseload Requirement:
No New Fossil Fuel Capacity, But No Retirement of Old Coal:
The Consequence: Vulnerability to External Shocks
Electricity Prices Tied to Fossil Fuels:
Transmission Mechanism:
West Asia Conflict Impact:
Comparative Examples: China and Spain
China:
Spain:
India:
The Wrong Benchmark: Focus on Installed Capacity
Why the Focus on Installed Capacity?
Why It Is Misleading:
What the Next Phase Requires: System Transformation
Moving Beyond Capacity Creation:
Key Investments Needed:
Recognition:
The Core Challenge
Not Just Producing More Green Power:
Until That Happens:
Conclusion
India’s renewable energy transition is significant but incomplete. While renewables formed 42.4% of installed power capacity by March 2026, they generated only 15.8% of electricity in April 2026, with coal still supplying 71.8%. Limited battery storage, inflexible grids, and the need for baseload reliability keep India dependent on coal and fossil fuel-linked electricity prices. The next phase of transition requires major investments in storage, grid modernisation, transmission, and market reforms; otherwise, external energy shocks will continue to expose India’s coal dependence.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
