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Exam Prep — Current Affairs & GS Coverage
📅 10 Aug 2026
🎯 Quiz Progress
0 / 13 AnsweredSonamarg Tunnel & Zoji La Tunnel
Geography • Infrastructure • GS-I / GS-III
▼
🔹 Sonamarg Tunnel
- Located in Jammu & Kashmir
- Provides all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg
- Overcomes disruptions from heavy snowfall and harsh winters
- Important for tourism, defence logistics and regional economy
🔹 Zoji La Tunnel
- Under construction between Kashmir and Ladakh
- Will provide all-weather Kashmir Valley–Ladakh connectivity
- Located on the Srinagar–Leh route
- High strategic importance due to Ladakh's proximity to India's international borders
🏔️ Zoji La Pass — Geographical Importance
Location
Himalayas — connects Kashmir Valley with Ladakh
Challenge
Heavy snowfall disrupts road connectivity — making tunnel strategically essential
🔗 UPSC Connection Chain
Himalayan Infrastructure → Border Connectivity → Defence Logistics → Strategic Geography → Tourism → Regional Development
🎯 Practice MCQ — 1
Consider the following pairs of Mountain Passes and their connectivity:
- Zoji La — Kashmir–Ladakh connectivity
- Nathu La — Sikkim–Tibet connectivity
- Shipki La — Himachal Pradesh–Tibet connectivity
- Bomdi La — Arunachal Pradesh
✅ Correct Answer: D — All four correctly matched
All four are important Himalayan passes associated with India's northern border geography. Zoji La (Kashmir–Ladakh), Nathu La (Sikkim–Tibet), Shipki La (HP–Tibet), Bomdi La (Arunachal Pradesh).
Naxalism / Left-Wing Extremism — Towards a Naxal-Free India
Internal Security • Governance • GS-III
▼
📊 Major Changes — 2014 vs 2026
66
2014
→
663
2026
Police Stations Fortified
126
2014
→
0
2026
Naxal-Affected Districts
870
2014
→
33
2026
Naxal-Related Incidents
310
2014
→
11
2026
Fatalities
⚔️ Major Operations (Post-2022)
Operation Thunderstorm
June 2022
Operation Octopus / Double Bull / Chakrabandha
September 2022
🔥 Operation Black Forest
April 2025
30+ Maoists neutralised including top leader Basavaraju — General Secretary-rank leader neutralised for first time in ~30 years
Operation Bhimbarg
March 2026
🔹 Why LWE Emerged?
🏛️ Government's Comprehensive Approach
Security + Development + Governance + Rights + Connectivity
🔗 Important UPSC Connections
🎯 Practice MCQ — 2
With reference to Left-Wing Extremism in India, consider the following statements:
- LWE is primarily concentrated in India's Himalayan states.
- Development deficits and governance challenges can contribute to the persistence of LWE.
- Counter-LWE policy involves both security measures and development interventions.
✅ Correct Answer: C
LWE has historically been associated with central and eastern India, NOT the Himalayan region (Statement 1 is wrong). Both security and development are essential pillars of counter-LWE strategy.
Asiatic Lion — Conservation Success in India
Environment • Biodiversity • GS-III
▼
🔹 Key Facts
891
Lion Population
Gujarat
State
70%
Population Increase (2015–25)
59%
Range Expansion
🌍 Only Wild Population in the World
The Greater Gir Landscape, Gujarat is home to the world's only wild population of Asiatic Lions.
🧬 Scientific Classification
Scientific Name
Panthera leo persica
IUCN Status
Endangered (NOT Critically Endangered)
CITES
Appendix I
WPA 1972
Schedule I
🌳 Barda Wildlife Sanctuary — Second Home
192.31 km²
Protected Habitat
17
Total Lions
6
Adults
11
Cubs
🔬 Modern Conservation — ₹180 Crore Initiative
🦁 Asiatic Lion vs Tiger
| Feature | Asiatic Lion | Tiger |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Population | Gujarat only | Several states |
| Scientific Name | Panthera leo persica | Panthera tigris |
| Social Behaviour | More social | Generally solitary |
| Major Habitat | Gir landscape | Forests/grasslands/wetlands |
🎯 Practice MCQ — 3
Consider the following statements about the Asiatic Lion:
- Its only wild population occurs in India.
- The Gir landscape is its principal habitat in India.
- Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is being developed as an additional habitat.
- The Asiatic Lion is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
✅ Correct Answer: B — Statements 1, 2 and 3 correct
The Asiatic Lion's only wild population is in India (Gir). Barda is emerging as an additional habitat. Its IUCN category is Endangered, NOT Critically Endangered — so Statement 4 is wrong.
Government e-Marketplace (GeM) — 10 Years
Economy • E-Governance • GS-II / GS-III
▼
🔹 What is GeM?
Government e-Marketplace
India's digital public procurement platform making government procurement — Transparent, Efficient, Inclusive, Competitive, Digital & Faster
📊 Key Statistics
10 Years
GeM Milestone
350
Services Available
₹4.17 L Cr
MSME Service Orders
44%
MSME Share (Value)
75%+
MSME Share (Volume)
~40×
Service Order Growth
~11,000
FY 2018–19
→
4.34 lakh
FY 2025–26
Service Orders
🌱 Grassroots Connect
- Cooperatives, Local sellers, Self Help Groups, MSMEs — all empowered through GeM
- SHGs fulfilled orders worth over ₹3.86 lakh crore
- Integration with e-Gram Swaraj (EGS) for Panchayat procurement
🔗 UPSC Connection Chain
GeM → E-Governance → Public Procurement → MSMEs → SHGs → Digital India → Transparency → Rural Entrepreneurship
🎯 Practice MCQ — 4
Consider the following statements about the Government e-Marketplace (GeM):
- It is a digital platform for government procurement.
- It facilitates participation of MSMEs and local sellers.
- It is exclusively meant for procurement by private companies.
✅ Correct Answer: B
GeM is a government procurement platform enabling MSMEs, SHGs and local sellers. It is NOT meant exclusively for private companies — Statement 3 is incorrect.
India–US Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exercise 2026
Defence • International Relations • GS-II / GS-III
▼
10–14 Aug
2026 Dates
🏛️ Kochi
SNC Venue
Indian Navy
Participant 1
US Navy
Participant 2
🔹 EOD = Explosive Ordnance Disposal
🔹 Exercise Objectives
- Subject Matter Expert Exchanges
- Cross-training between Indian & US naval teams
- Equipment demonstrations
- Practical exercises
- Enhanced Interoperability
🔗 Strategic Significance
India–US Defence Cooperation → Interoperability → Maritime Security → Counter-IED Capability → Professional Military Exchanges
🎯 Practice MCQ — 5
The India–US EOD Exercise 2026 is associated primarily with:
✅ Correct Answer: A
EOD stands for Explosive Ordnance Disposal. The 2026 exercise involves Indian and US naval EOD teams at Southern Naval Command, Kochi (10–14 August 2026).
Ancient Stone Boards of the Sindhu-Saraswati Civilisation
Ancient History • Art & Culture • GS-I
▼
🔹 Key Archaeological Finds
~3rd Mil. BCE
Dating Period
Geometric
Grid Pattern
Cubical
Dice Type 1
Elongated
Dice Type 2
⚠️ Important Exam Note
The exact rules of the games played on these boards remain UNKNOWN. Do not confuse archaeological evidence of gaming with complete understanding of the games.
📜 Rig Veda Connection
- Rig Veda contains references to dice, games of chance
- Term: Akṣa — suggesting gaming traditions in ancient India
- Shows continuity of gaming culture from Harappan to Vedic period
🏙️ Other Important Harappan Features
🎯 Practice MCQ — 6
With reference to ancient stone boards associated with the Sindhu-Saraswati Civilisation, consider the following:
- Some of the boards contain geometric grids.
- Cubical and elongated dice have been found associated with them.
- Archaeologists have conclusively established the exact rules of the games played on them.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Geometric boards and different forms of dice have been found (Statements 1 & 2 correct). However, the exact rules of the games remain unknown — making Statement 3 incorrect.
Women Who Fought for India's Freedom
Modern History • Freedom Struggle • GS-I
▼
⚔️
Rani Velu Nachiyar — "Veeramangai"
▼👑 Queen of Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu
- Known as "Veeramangai"
- Fought against the British East India Company
- Resistance predates the Revolt of 1857
- One of the earliest Indian rulers to resist British expansion
⭐ Exam Formula
Rani Velu Nachiyar → Sivaganga → Tamil Nadu → Early resistance → Veeramangai
🎯 MCQ — 7
Rani Velu Nachiyar is primarily associated with:
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rani Velu Nachiyar was the Queen of Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu — an early Indian ruler who resisted British expansion.
🇮🇳
Tileswari Barua — Dhekiajuli Martyr
▼🌺 Assam — Quit India Movement
- Associated with Dhekiajuli, Assam
- One of the youngest martyrs of the Quit India Movement
- Martyred while attempting to hoist the Indian flag at Dhekiajuli
🎯 MCQ — 8
Tileswari Barua is associated with which of the following?
✅ Correct Answer: B
Tileswari Barua participated in the Quit India Movement and was martyred at Dhekiajuli in Assam.
🏳️
Tara Rani Srivastava — Carrier of the Tricolour
▼💪 Quit India Movement — 1942
- Participated in the Quit India Movement
- During a protest, her husband was shot — she bandaged his wounds and continued marching
- Continued carrying the Tricolour and participating in the protest — symbol of extraordinary courage
🎯 MCQ — 9
Tara Rani Srivastava is associated with:
✅ Correct Answer: A
Tara Rani Srivastava was associated with the Quit India Movement of 1942.
🕊️
Matangini Hazra — "Gandhi Buri"
▼🏅 Bengal — Quit India Movement 1942
- Popularly known as "Gandhi Buri" (Old Lady Gandhi)
- Associated with Bengal
- Actively participated in the Quit India Movement of 1942
- Became a symbol of courage during the freedom struggle
🎯 MCQ — 10
Matangini Hazra was popularly known as:
✅ Correct Answer: B
Matangini Hazra was popularly remembered as "Gandhi Buri" (Old Lady Gandhi) and participated in the Quit India Movement in Bengal.
👩🌾
Bhogeshwari Phukanani — 60-Year-Old Martyr
▼🌺 Assam — Quit India Movement
- Associated with Assam
- Known as Assam's "60-year-old martyr"
- Inspired her family to participate in the freedom movement
- Martyred during the Quit India Movement
🎯 MCQ — 11
Bhogeshwari Phukanani is associated with:
✅ Correct Answer: A
Bhogeshwari Phukanani was a freedom fighter from Assam martyred during the Quit India Movement.
🌍
Madam Bhikaji Cama — Revolutionary Nationalist
▼🌍 International Socialist Congress — Stuttgart 1907
- Pioneer of India's revolutionary nationalist movement
- Internationalised India's freedom struggle
- Unfurled an early version of India's national flag at the International Socialist Congress, Stuttgart, Germany, 1907
🎯 MCQ — 12
Madam Bhikaji Cama is particularly associated with:
✅ Correct Answer: B
Bhikaji Cama unfurled an early version of the Indian national flag at the International Socialist Congress in Stuttgart in 1907.
⚔️
Captain Lakshmi Sahgal — INA / Rani of Jhansi Regiment
▼🎖️ Indian National Army — Azad Hind Government
- Associated with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
- Officer of the Indian National Army (INA)
- Led the Rani of Jhansi Regiment — women's regiment of INA
- Served as Minister of Women's Affairs in the Azad Hind Government
- Regiment named after Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi
🎯 MCQ — 13
Consider the following pairs:
- Captain Lakshmi Sahgal — Rani of Jhansi Regiment
- Subhas Chandra Bose — Indian National Army
- Bhikaji Cama — International Socialist Congress, Stuttgart
✅ Correct Answer: D — All three correctly matched
All three associations are correct and important for Modern Indian History — especially for UPSC Prelims.
0/13
Quiz Complete! 🎉
🔥 10 August 2026 — Quick Revision
🛣️ Tunnels & Infrastructure
Sonamarg TunnelAll-weather Srinagar–Sonamarg
Zoji La TunnelKashmir–Ladakh all-weather
🛡️ Left-Wing Extremism
Fortified Police Stations66 → 663
Naxal-Affected Districts126 → 0
Naxal Incidents870 → 33
Fatalities310 → 11
Op. Black ForestApril 2025 — 30+ Maoists
Op. BhimbargMarch 2026
🦁 Asiatic Lion
Population891 — Greater Gir, Gujarat
Scientific NamePanthera leo persica
IUCN StatusEndangered (NOT Critically)
Population Increase70% (2015–2025)
Range Expansion59%
Barda Sanctuary17 lions — 192.31 sq km
Conservation Fund₹180 crore
🛒 GeM
Full FormGovernment e-Marketplace
Anniversary10 Years
Services350
MSME Orders (Value)₹4.17 lakh crore
Growth11,000 → 4.34 lakh (~40×)
⚓ EOD Exercise
ParticipantsIndian Navy + US Navy
VenueSNC, Kochi
Dates10–14 August 2026
EODExplosive Ordnance Disposal
🎲 Ancient Games
CivilisationSindhu-Saraswati
Period3rd Millennium BCE
ObjectsGeometric boards + Dice
RulesUNKNOWN
👩 Women Freedom Fighters
Rani Velu NachiyarSivaganga, TN — Veeramangai
Tileswari BaruaDhekiajuli, Assam — QIM
Tara Rani SrivastavaQuit India Movement 1942
Matangini HazraGandhi Buri — Bengal
Bhogeshwari PhukananiAssam — QIM Martyr
Bhikaji CamaStuttgart 1907 — Flag unfurled
Capt. Lakshmi SahgalINA — Rani of Jhansi Regt.
⭐ High-Priority Topics for Prelims — 10 Aug 2026
Zoji La: Kashmir–Ladakh all-weather tunnel connectivity
LWE: Security + Development + Governance approach
Asiatic Lion: Gir + Panthera leo persica + Project Lion + Endangered
Barda WLS: Second habitat for Asiatic Lions — 17 lions
GeM: Govt procurement + MSMEs + SHGs + 10 years
EOD Exercise: Indian Navy + US Navy + SNC Kochi
Stone Boards: Sindhu-Saraswati + 3rd mil. BCE + Dice + Rules Unknown
Rani Velu Nachiyar: Sivaganga — Veeramangai
Bhikaji Cama: Stuttgart 1907 — Early Indian flag
Lakshmi Sahgal: INA + Rani of Jhansi Regiment + Azad Hind Govt
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Government Website for UPSC Preparation – 07 July 2026
Government Website for UPSC Preparation brings you official UPSC Current Affairs Notes prepared directly from PIB releases, ministry notifications and verified government websites. Every topic is presented in an exam-oriented format covering Why in News, What is It, Key Highlights, Importance, Prelims Facts and UPSC MCQs to help aspirants prepare efficiently for both UPSC Prelims and Mains.
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