Prelims Exam

Economy

1.Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs):

• • Agreements between tax authorities and multinational enterprises (MNEs).
  • MNEs and tax authorities agree on transfer pricing methodology for a fixed period.
  • Reduces likelihood of income tax disputes.
  • CBDT signed record 125 APAs in FY 2023-24, including most Bilateral APAs ever.

2.Sovereign Green Bonds (SGBs):

• • • Indian government debt funding low-carbon economy projects.
    • RBI recently allowed Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) to invest in SGBs.
    • Attracts foreign capital, widens funding pool for climate goals.
    • Imported Inflation:
      • Rise in domestic prices due to increase in import prices or cost.
      • Currency depreciation (e.g., rupee weakening) can cause imported inflation.
      • Asian Development Bank (ADB) warns India could face imported inflation.

Security

3.Naxalism in India:

• • Left-wing extremism (LWE) posing a major internal security challenge.
  • Concentrated in “Red Corridor” across several states.
  • Originated in 1967 with tribal-peasant uprising in Naxalbari village (West Bengal).
  • Now dominated by the Communist Party of India (Maoist).
  • Caused by marginalization, lack of development, and tribal issues.
  • Naxalism hinders economic development, increases security expenditure, weakens governance.
  • Requires a combined approach of development and security measures.
  • LWE violence has significantly declined in recent years due to government efforts.

Geography

4.Jiadhal River (Assam):

• • Northern sub-tributary of Brahmaputra River.
  • Originates in Arunachal Pradesh, flows through Dhemaji district (Assam).
  • Known as “Sorrow of Dhemaji” due to annual floods and erosion.
  • Recent excessive rainfall causing unprecedented course shifts.

5.Lake Kariba (Africa):

• • • World’s largest artificial lake and reservoir by volume.
    • Formed by damming the Zambezi River on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border.
    • Water levels at 13.52% capacity due to El Niño drought.

 

History

6.Thiruvalluvar (Tamil poet and scholar):

• • Uncertain historicity, debated period (3rd/4th CE or 8th/9th CE).
  • Considered a saint by some, religious affiliation debated (Hindu, Jain, Dravidian).
  • Best known for “Tirukkural” (couplets on ethics, politics, economics, love).

Health

7.Meningitis:

• • Inflammation of membranes surrounding brain and spinal cord.
  • Caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites.
  • Bacterial meningitis (meningococcus bacteria) a concern in Africa’s “meningitis belt.”
  • Nigeria first country to introduce new Men5CV vaccine against five meningococcus strains.

8.Chagas Disease:

• • Infectious disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite.
  • Found in Latin America, transmitted by triatomine bugs.
  • World Chagas Disease Day on April 14th.
  • Treatment available, control focuses on preventing human transmission.