GS–2 | INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS 1. New Country Partnership Framework (NCPF) Subtopic: India–World Bank Cooperation, Development Financing Value Addition: Framework Nature: A strategic medium-term engagement framework between India and the World Bank Group. Time Period: 2026–2031 , aligned with India’s long-term development roadmap. Strategic Alignment: Explicitly linked to India’s national vision of Viksit Bharat . Financial Commitment: Annual financing of USD 8–

GS–1 | GEOPHYSICAL PHENOMENA 1. Shiveluch Volcano (Russia) Subtopic: Volcanism, Pacific Ring of Fire Value Addition: Location: Kamchatka Peninsula, far-eastern Russia . Global Context: Kamchatka lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire , one of the world’s most seismically and volcanically active belts. Volcano Type: Stratovolcano with steep slopes formed by alternating layers of lava, ash, and pyroclastic material. Elevation: ~ 3,283 m above sea level. Activity Profile: Among

GS–2 | GOVERNANCE & AWARDS 1. Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards Subtopic: Civil Honours, Humanitarian Recognition Value Addition: Purpose: Recognises exceptional bravery and humanitarian acts in saving lives, often at grave personal risk. Instituted By: Government of India. Awarding Authority: Final approval by the Prime Minister and the President of India . Eligibility: Open to all civilians , irrespective of profession. Can be awarded posthumously . Categories: Sarvottam Jeev

GS–1 | INDIAN GEOGRAPHY / RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 1. India’s First Tailings Policy for Critical Minerals Subtopic: Mining Waste Management, Critical Minerals Strategy Value Addition: Tailings Defined: Residual materials left after ore processing. Contain finely crushed rock, unrecovered metals, chemical reagents, organic matter, and liquid effluents. Physical Nature: Mostly exist as liquid slurry formed during crushing, grinding, and beneficiation. Storage Methods: Site-specifi

GS–1 | INDIAN SOCIETY & TRIBES 1. Lambadi Tribe (Banjara / Sugali) Subtopic: Tribal Identity, Constitutional Status & Culture Value Addition: Geographical Distribution: Primarily found in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka . Alternate Names: Also known as Banjara or Sugali in different regions. Language: Speak Gor Boli (Lambadi) , an Indo-Aryan language . No written script , transmitted orally across generations. Religious Practices: Majority follow Hinduism . Hindu ritu

GS–1 | MODERN INDIAN HISTORY 1. Ras Behari Bose Subtopic: Revolutionary Nationalism, Overseas Freedom Movement Value Addition: Birth: 25 May 1886, Subaldaha village, present-day Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal. Early Career: Worked at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun , while actively participating in underground revolutionary networks. Ideological Influence: Strongly inspired by the French Revolution (1789) ideals of liberty and republicanism. Exposure during studies

GS–1 | GEOPHYSICAL PHENOMENA 1. G4 (Severe) Geomagnetic Storm Subtopic: Solar–Terrestrial Interaction, Space Weather Value Addition: Definition: A geomagnetic storm is a large-scale disturbance of Earth’s magnetosphere caused by efficient transfer of solar wind energy into near-Earth space. Storm Classification: Rated on a G1–G5 scale (NOAA); G4 = Severe . Primary Trigger: Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) ejecting up to 1 billion tonnes of plasma from the Sun. Key Physical

GS–1 | INDIAN DIASPORA & CULTURAL HISTORY 1. Shree Ambalavaanar Alayam (Durban) Subtopic: Indian Diaspora, Cultural Heritage Abroad Value Addition: Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Established: 1875 by indentured Indian labourers brought to Natal plantations. Historical Distinction: Oldest Hindu temple on the African continent . Alternate Name: Cato Manor Second River Temple . Geographical Setting: Located on a hill amid lush vegetation in the Cato Manor

GS–1 | WORLD GEOGRAPHY 1. Dardanelles Strait (Turkey) Subtopic: Strategic Straits, Maritime Geography & Geopolitics Value Addition: Geographic Location: Narrow strait in north-western Turkey . Separates Europe (west) from Asia (east) . Sea Connectivity: Connects the Aegean Sea (Mediterranean system) with the Sea of Marmara . Along with the Bosphorus Strait , forms the only maritime link between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea . Dimensions: Length: ~ 61 km . Width:

GS–1 | WORLD PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1. Chatham Islands Subtopic: Island Geography, Marine Ecology & Cultural History Value Addition: Location: South Pacific Ocean, ~ 800 km east of New Zealand ; forms New Zealand’s easternmost territory . Composition: Archipelago of 10 islands ; only Chatham Island and Pitt Island permanently inhabited. Geological Origin: Predominantly volcanic origin . Presence of limestone deposits suggests earlier geological linkage with New Zealand. Phy

GS–1 | WORLD PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1. Finke River (Australia) Subtopic: Ancient River Systems, Arid-Zone Hydrology Value Addition: Indigenous Name: Larapinta , as known to the Arrernte people. Location: Central Australia; flows mainly through the Northern Territory , extending towards South Australia . Origin & Course: Originates in the MacDonnell Ranges . Formed by the confluence of Davenport Creek and Ormiston Creek . Flows ~ 600 km southwards towards the Simpson Desert

GS–1 | INDIAN GEOGRAPHY / PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1. Zanskar River Subtopic: Himalayan Rivers, Glacial Geomorphology & Adventure Tourism Value Addition: River System: Major left-bank tributary of the Indus River . Location: Flows entirely within Ladakh (UT) , draining the remote Zanskar Valley in the north-western Himalayas. Origin & Course: Formed by two main branches: Doda River (origin near Pansi-La Pass ). Kargyag River (origin near Shingo La ) + Tsarap River (origin ne

GS–1 | WORLD GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENT 1. Argentina (Patagonian Wildfires) Subtopic: Physical Geography, Climate Vulnerability & Wildfires Value Addition: News Context: Large-scale wildfires in Patagonia burned ~ 12,000 hectares of scrubland, plantations, and native forests. Location & Boundaries: Southern part of South America . Borders: Chile (W, S), Bolivia & Paraguay (N), Brazil & Uruguay (E). Maritime boundaries: South Atlantic Ocean (E) and Drake Passage (S) . Capital

GS–1 | ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL INDIAN HISTORY 1. Bhadrakali Inscription Subtopic: Temple History, Epigraphy & Dynastic Patronage Value Addition: Location: Prabhas Patan, Gujarat; engraved on the wall of the Bhadrakali Temple . Chronology: Dated 1169 CE (Valabhi Samvat 850; Vikram Samvat 1255). Dynastic Context: Linked to the Solanki dynasty of Anhilwad Patan. Nature of Inscription: Eulogistic inscription praising Param Pashupata Acharya Shriman Bhavabrihaspati . Bhavabrihasp

GS–1 | ASTRONOMY / PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1. Wolf Supermoon Subtopic: Lunar Phases, Orbital Mechanics & Atmospheric Optics Value Addition: Definition: A Wolf Supermoon occurs when the January full moon coincides with the Moon’s perigee (closest point to Earth). Orbital Science: The Moon follows an elliptical orbit , not a circular one. Perigee makes the Moon appear larger and brighter . Size & Brightness: Appears up to 14% larger than at apogee. Can be nearly 30% brighter t

GS–1 | PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY / CLIMATE CHANGE 1. Thwaites Glacier (Antarctica) Subtopic: Polar Geography, Ice Shelves & Sea-Level Rise Value Addition: Located in West Antarctica , east of Mount Murphy , along the Walgreen Coast of Marie Byrd Land . Drains into Pine Island Bay , part of the Amundsen Sea . Commonly called the “Doomsday Glacier” due to its destabilising potential. Named after Fredrik T. Thwaites , American glaciologist. Physical Scale: Width: ~ 120 km (widest gl

GS–1 | PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1. Mayon Volcano (Philippines) Subtopic: Stratovolcanoes, Plate Tectonics & Volcanic Hazards Value Addition: Location: Albay province, Luzon Island , Philippines. Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire , formed due to subduction-related volcanism . Classified as an active stratovolcano with alternating layers of lava and ash. Known as the “world’s most perfect volcanic cone” due to its near-symmetrical shape. Height: ~2,462 m above sea level; base cir

GS–1 | INDIAN GEOGRAPHY & CULTURAL LANDSCAPE 1. Sagar Island (Gangasagar) Subtopic: Deltaic Geography, Pilgrimage Centres & Infrastructure Value Addition: News Context: Foundation stone laid for a 5-km bridge over the Muriganga River , connecting Sagar Island to the mainland. Location: Situated in the Ganga delta region , West Bengal. Around 100 km south of Kolkata . Part of South 24 Parganas district . Physical Geography: Lies at the mouth of the Hooghly River , a major dis

GS–1 | WORLD GEOGRAPHY & INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT 1. Liechtenstein Subtopic: European Political Geography & Trade Relations Value Addition: News Context: Visit by India’s Commerce & Industry Minister to facilitate implementation of the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) . Political Geography: Only country in Europe that is doubly landlocked (landlocked by landlocked countries). Not a member of the European Union . Boundaries: Austria: north and east Swi

GS–1 | PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY / VOLCANOLOGY 1. Popocatépetl Volcano Subtopic: Stratovolcanoes, Plate Tectonics & Volcanic Hazards Value Addition: Meaning of Name: “Popocatépetl” means “Smoking Mountain” in the Aztec Nahuatl language, indicating persistent activity. Location: Central Mexico, about 72 km southeast of Mexico City . Lies along the border of México and Puebla states . Geological Setting: Part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt . Formed due to subduction of the Cocos