General Studies Paper-1 Context: The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2025. International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2025 It brings together governments, organizations, institutions, the media, and infrastructure stakeholders to strengthen the global discourse on disaster and climate-resilient infrastructure. It is being hosted in Europe for the very first time. It is aligned with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) in Geneva, and third U.N. Oceans Conference (UNOC3). The theme, ‘Shaping a Resilient Future for Coastal Regions,’ highlights the vulnerability of coastal....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context: India is closely monitoring Chinese infrastructure projects on the Brahmaputra River, particularly hydropower developments, due to their potential impact on downstream regions such as Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Brahmaputra River System The Brahmaputra River originates in the Kailash ranges at 5,150 m elevation, flows 2,900 km in total, including 916 km in India. It originates as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet . Its basin spans across Tibet (China), Bhutan, India, and Bangladesh. In India, it covers Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Sikkim. It enters India near Gelling in Arunachal Pradesh. The river, which is....Read More

General Studies Paper-1 Context: The early onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala this year has caught the attention of meteorologists. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) played a significant role in this development. What is Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) The MJO is a moving system of winds, clouds, and pressure that brings rain as it circles around the equator. It was discovered in 1971 by Roland Madden and Paul Julian. The system travels eastward at 4–8 m/s and circles the globe typically every 30–60 days, though it can take up to 90 days. As it....Read More

General Studies Paper-1 Context: Bengaluru rain has led to widespread waterlogging, severe damages and traffic disruptions. Environmentalists and water conservationists have flagged the poor status of the city’s current drainage system, which is outdated and ill-equipped to handle the city’s current population and rainfall intensity. What are Floods? Floods are the most frequent type of natural disaster and occur when an overflow of water submerges land that is usually dry. Types of Floods Flash floods are caused by rapid and excessive rainfall that raises water heights quickly, and rivers, streams, channels or roads may be overtaken. River floods are caused....Read More

General Studies Paper -1 Context: The Prime Minister inaugurated Mission Mausam to mark the 150th anniversary of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). About Mission Mausam Aim: To upgrade the capabilities of India’s weather department in forecasting, modelling, and dissemination. Features: Budget allocation: Rs 2,000 crore for the first two years of its implementation. Focus areas: Weather surveillance, modelling techniques and forecasting. Beneficiary Sectors: Agriculture, aviation, defence, disaster management, tourism and health. Phases: Phase 1 (2025- March 2026): Focus on expanding observation capabilities and conducting simulation experiments. Phase 2 (2026 onwards): Introduce satellites and aircraft to enhance observational precision. Supervision: Mission....Read More

General Studies Paper -1 Context: The ambitious project of river interlinking in India, aimed at connecting surplus rivers with those facing water deficits, has been touted as a solution to the country’s water woes. However, this grandiose idea, which has been in the making for decades, is fundamentally flawed and poses significant environmental risks. Historical Context The concept of interlinking rivers dates back to the 19th century, with Sir Arthur Cotton’s designs for irrigation dams in the Godavari and Krishna river valleys. Over the years, this idea evolved, with notable contributions from engineers like M. Visvesvaraya, K.L. Rao, and Captain....Read More

General Studies Paper -1 Context: Recently, the United States has experienced one of the most severe winter storms in over a decade, largely attributed to the polar vortex. About the Polar Vortex It is a large area of low-pressure and cold air that swirls around the Earth’s polar regions. It exists in two forms: Tropospheric polar vortex, which occurs in the lowest layer of the atmosphere (up to about 10-15 km), and Stratospheric polar vortex, which occurs higher up (around 15-50 km). The tropospheric polar vortex is responsible for most weather phenomena, while the stratospheric polar vortex is strongest during....Read More

General Studies Paper -1 Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the interstate Ken-Betwa river linking project. Ken-Betwa River Linking Project In 2021, a memorandum of agreement was signed among the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to implement the Ken-Betwa Link Project. Project: Transferring water from the Ken river to the Betwa river, both tributaries of the Yamuna. The Ken-Betwa Link Canal will be 221 km in length, including a 2-km tunnel. It has two phases. Phase-I will involve building the Daudhan Dam complex and its subsidiary units. Phase-II....Read More

General Studies Paper -1 Context: The India Meteorological Department expects a La Niña to set in by late 2024 or early 2025, plus a milder winter due to this delay. Emergence of La Nina Historically, the La Niña has usually formed during the monsoon or the pre-monsoon period, and it has formed only twice between October and December since 1950. Predicting La Nina: The oceanic Niño index (ONI) compares the three-month average sea surface temperatures in the East-Central Tropical Pacific with the 30-year average. When the difference between the two is 0.5º C or higher, it is an El Niño,....Read More

General Studies Paper-1 Context: The Lok Sabha has passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024. About The Bill amends the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The DM Act establishes: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), and the District Disaster Management Authority. These authorities are responsible for disaster management at the national, state, and district level, respectively. Key Highlights of the Bill Preparation of disaster management plans: The Bill provides that NDMA and SDMA will prepare disaster management plans, which was earlier prepared by the National a State Executive Committee. Functions of NDMA and SDMA: The Bill adds....Read More