GS Paper 3 – Economy Withholding Tax 📰 Why in News • To attract greater overseas investment, the Government of India is considering reducing the withholding tax rate from 20% to 5%. 📘 What is Withholding Tax? 📌 Definition • Withholding tax is a tax deducted at the source on income earned by foreign investors from Indian financial assets such as bonds. • The tax is collected before the payment is transferred to the recipient. ⚙ How Does Withholding Tax Work? 🔄 Mechanism •

GS Paper 1 – Geography Agalega Islands 📰 Why in News • The Agalega Islands are emerging as a significant part of India’s strategy to strengthen maritime presence and monitor vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean region. 📍 Location and Geography • The Agalega Islands are a group of two islands situated in the Indian Ocean. 🌐 Surrounding Regions • Seychelles lies to the north. • Maldives, Diego Garcia, and the Chagos Islands are located towards the east. • Madagascar, the M

GS Paper 1 – Geography Fjord 📰 Why in News • A massive 500-metre megatsunami, considered the second tallest ever recorded, recently hit Alaska’s Tracy Arm Fjord following a landslide. 📖 What is a Fjord? • A fjord is a long, narrow, and deep inlet of seawater that extends inland from the coast. 🧊 Formation of Fjords ❄ Glacial Origin • Fjords are created when glaciers carve deep U-shaped valleys through repeated glaciation over long periods. 🌊 Seawater Inundation • After gl

GS Paper 1 – History & Culture Rabindranath Tagore 📰 Why in News • On the occasion of Poila Boishakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Rabindranath Tagore. 📖 About Rabindranath Tagore • Rabindranath Tagore was born on 7 May 1861 in Calcutta. • He was popularly known by titles such as ‘Gurudev’, ‘Kabiguru’, and ‘Biswakabi’. • Tagore was a renowned poet, philosopher, musician, and litterateur who deeply influenced Indian literature and culture. • He shared a close

GS Paper 1 – Geography Ulsoor Lake 📰 Why in News • Environmental activists have expressed concerns over the desilting activities at Ulsoor Lake after the lake was drained for restoration for the first time more than 30 years. 📍 Location and Identity • Ulsoor Lake, also known as Halasuru Lake, is a man-made lake located in Bengaluru, Karnataka. • It is regarded as the oldest and one of the largest lakes in Bengaluru city. 🏛 Historical Background • The lake was constructed

Suriname 📰 Why in News • India’s External Affairs Minister recently reviewed bilateral relations with Suriname during the 9th Joint Commission Meeting held in Paramaribo, the capital city of the country. 📍 Location and Geographical Setting • Suriname is situated in the northern part of South America, slightly above the Equator, within the Guiana Shield region. • The country is also considered a part of the Caribbean and the West Indies region. • It is the smallest country i

GS Paper 1 – Geography Mahi River 📰 Why in News • Two persons, including an eight-year-old child, went missing after a boat overturned in the Mahi River in Rajasthan’s Banswara district. 📖 About the River • The Mahi is an important west-flowing interstate river of India. • It flows through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. • Due to its wide spread, the river is also popularly known as “Mahisagar.” 🏔 Origin and Course • The river originates from the nort

GS Paper 1 – History & Indian Diaspora Girmitiya 📰 Why in News • India’s External Affairs Minister is on a three-nation Caribbean visit aimed at strengthening ties with countries connected through the Girmitiya heritage. 📖 Definition • Girmitiyas were Indian indentured labourers who migrated to British colonies during the mid and late nineteenth century for employment. • Their migration increased after the British Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which created labour shortage

GS Paper 1 – Geography Mayon Volcano 📰 Why in News • Mayon Volcano has recently erupted. 📍 Location and Type • It is an active stratovolcano located in Albay province on Luzon Island, Philippines. • It lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone known for intense volcanic and seismic activity. • Geographically, it is situated on the eastern side of Luzon, close to the Philippine Trench, where the Philippine Sea Plate subducts beneath the Philippine Mobile Belt. GS Paper 2

GS Paper 1 – Art & Culture 🌿 Ru-Soam (Traditional Cane Bridges) 📰 Why in News • UNESCO, in collaboration with the Sikkim government, is documenting the indigenous engineering practice known as Ru-Soam. 📖 Meaning and Concept • Ru-Soam refers to traditional cane suspension bridges built by the Lepcha community. • In Lepcha language: • “Ru” = cane/rattan • “Soam” = bridge 📍 Location and Context • Found mainly in Sikkim • Closely linked to the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserv

GS Paper 1 – History & Culture 🏛 Preah Vihear Temple 📰 Why in News • Rising tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have brought attention to the historic Preah Vihear Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. 📍 Location • Located in Preah Vihear Province, northern Cambodia. • Built atop a cliff in the Dangrek mountain range, along the Cambodia–Thailand border. 🛕 Religious Importance • Originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. 📜 Historical Background • Constructed during

GS Paper 1 – Geography 🌍 Kyrgyzstan 🌍 Why in News • India’s Defence Minister recently attended the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Bishkek. 🌍 Location • A landlocked and mountainous country in Central Asia. • Often called the “Switzerland of Central Asia” due to its rugged terrain and scenic beauty. 🌍 Borders • Shares boundaries with Kazakhstan (north), Uzbekistan (west), Tajikistan (south), and China (east). 🌍 Capital • Bishkek 🌍 Climate • Experiences a continental c

GS Paper 2 – International Relations ⭐ Science Panel for the Global Energy Transition (SPGET) ⭐ Why in News • The Science Panel for the Global Energy Transition was launched on 24 April 2026 in Santa Marta, Colombia to accelerate the global phase-out of fossil fuels. ⭐ Nature of the Panel • SPGET is a global, science-driven body that provides policy-relevant guidance to support the transition away from fossil fuels. ⭐ Origin & Background • The idea emerged during discussions

GS Paper 3 – Science & Technology ⭐ Artemis Accords ⭐ Why in News • Jordan has recently signed the Artemis Accords at NASA headquarters. ⭐ Launch & Nature • Introduced in 2020. • A non-binding international framework that lays down guiding principles for civil space exploration. ⭐ Purpose • To create a shared set of norms for the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. ⭐ Founding & Leadership • Jointly led by NASA and the U.S. Department of State. • Initially signed by s

GS Paper-3: Economy / MSME ⭐ Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) ⭐ Why in News • The Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) recently hosted a Global Symposium on Credit Guarantees. ⭐ Establishment • The trust was established in 2000. ⭐ Objective • To facilitate and promote access to institutional credit for micro and small enterprises (MSEs). ⭐ Institutional Setup • Jointly set up by: • Ministry of Micro, Small an

GS Paper-2: Social Justice ⭐ NAMASTE Scheme (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) ⭐ Why in News • The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment highlighted that the NAMASTE Scheme is producing tangible results through targeted measures aimed at ending unsafe manual cleaning practices. ⭐ Nature of the Scheme • A major initiative to tackle challenges faced by sewer and septic tank sanitation workers in India. ⭐ Objectives • Enhance safety, health, and di

GS Paper-3: Agriculture / Economy ⭐ Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) ⭐ Why in News • The Ministry of Agriculture has announced procurement of ~20 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes under MIS. ⭐ Nature of the Scheme • MIS operates under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM- AASHA). ⭐ Scope & Coverage • Implemented on the request of States/UTs. • Covers perishable crops like tomato, onion, and potato. • Applicable to commodities not covered under Minimum Support P

GS Paper-3: Agriculture / Environment ⭐ Jamun (Syzygium cumini) ⭐ Why in News • A recent study suggests that jamun evolved much earlier than previously believed, with India playing a key role in its origin and diversification. ⭐ Identity & Nomenclature • Jamun is an indigenous minor fruit crop with significant commercial and nutritional value. • It is known by various names such as black plum, Indian blackberry, and Ram jamun across regions. ⭐ Distribution • India is consider

GS Paper-3: Science & Technology / Health ⭐ Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE) ⭐ Why in News • The Maharashtra government informed the Bombay High Court that no dedicated policy has yet been framed to address SSPE. ⭐ Nature of the Disease • SSPE (also called Dawson disease) is a progressive and fatal neurological disorder. • It is linked to a previous measles (rubeola) infection. ⭐ Onset & Progression • Develops years after recovery from measles. • Occurs despite the

GS Paper-3: Environment & Ecology ⭐ Veli–Akkulam Estuary ⭐ Why in News The Veli–Akkulam estuary is facing gradual ecological degradation. ⭐ Location • Situated along the Thiruvananthapuram coast, Kerala. ⭐ Type & Nature • A small, shallow, bar-built estuary. • Part of the Kerala backwater system. • Connected to the Lakshadweep Sea. ⭐ Structure • Divided into two parts by a man-made bund: • Western Veli estuary • Northeastern Akkulam estuary ⭐ Sea Connectivity • Connection wit