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The UPSC Daily Chronicle

"11 Current Affairs Infographics + 1 Static Deep-Dive Infographic + Rapid Prelims Matrix & Mains Model Answer"
Friday, 13 November 2026 Vol. IV, No. 317 (Infographic Format) New Delhi & National Network
GS PAPER 1 • ART & CULTURE • MODERN HISTORY • GEOGRAPHY
INFOGRAPHIC 1 • ART & CULTURE Ministry of Tribal Affairs & Sahitya Akademi

2nd NATIONAL TRIBAL LITERARY FESTIVAL & AGRARIAN FESTIVALS

Theme
Oral to Contemporary
Tribal Scripts
Ol Chiki • Warang Citi
Harvest Links
Sarhul • Pola • Chhath
📌 Current Context & Traditions
  • Event: 2nd National Tribal Literary Festival 2026 held in New Delhi.
  • Sarhul (Jharkhand): Celebrated by Oraon, Munda & Ho tribes when Sal trees blossom; honours sacred groves (Sarna).
  • Pola (MH/CG): Bull-worshipping agrarian festival in Shravana/Bhadrapada.
  • Chhath Mahaparv: Ancient Vedic solar festival observed on riverbanks without idol worship.
🎯 High-Yield Prelims Matrix
  • Ol Chiki Script: Invented for Santali by Pandit Raghunath Murmu (1925).
  • Other Scripts: Warang Citi (Ho language) & Tolong Siki (Kurukh).
  • 8th Schedule: Santali & Bodo added via 92nd Amendment Act, 2003 (with Dogri & Maithili).
⚠ PRELIMS ELIMINATION TRAP: Santali (Ol Chiki) and Bodo are the only two tribal languages from eastern/northeastern India in the Eighth Schedule.
🔗 Static Linkage: Harvest Festivals of India | Eighth Schedule Amendments (21st, 71st, 92nd) | Sacred Groves (Sarna, Oran, Kavu)
INFOGRAPHIC 2 • MODERN HISTORY ICHR & National Archives

SIMON COMMISSION BOYCOTT (1928) & THE NEHRU REPORT

Commission
All-White (7 British)
Martyrdom
Lala Lajpat Rai (Nov 1928)
Blueprint
Nehru Report (Aug 1928)
📌 Historical Timeline & Boycott
  • Origin: Appointed Nov 1927 under Sir John Simon, 2 years ahead of the 10-yr review in GOI Act 1919.
  • Madras INC (Dec 1927): Presided by Dr. M.A. Ansari; resolved to boycott at every stage.
  • Non-Boycotters: Unionist Party (Punjab), Justice Party (Madras), Shafi faction of Muslim League.
🎯 Nehru Report & Aftermath
  • Chair: Motilal Nehru (Secretary: Jawaharlal Nehru), responding to Lord Birkenhead.
  • Core Demands: Dominion Status, 19 Fundamental Rights, universal adult suffrage, linguistic provinces.
  • Youth Dissent: Nehru & Subhas Bose formed Independence for India League (1928) for Poorna Swaraj.
⚠ PRELIMS ELIMINATION TRAP: The Nehru Report (1928) demanded Dominion Status (not Poorna Swaraj, adopted in Lahore 1929) and explicitly rejected separate electorates.
🔗 Static Linkage: GOI Act 1919 Review Clause | Nehru Report vs Jinnah's 14 Points | Lahore Session 1929
INFOGRAPHIC 3 • GEOGRAPHY & ATMOSPHERE CPCB & CREA Audit

PAN-INDIA DEEPAVALI PM2.5 SPIKE & PERSISTENT SO2 LEVELS

Severe Stations
375 / 551 (~70%)
Peak Threshold
≥ 250 µg/m³ PM2.5
NAQI vs NAAQS
8 vs 12 Pollutants
📌 Spatial & Chemical Findings
  • Nationwide Surge: 70% of CAAQMS stations hit severe PM2.5 peaks (vs 96 pre-festival).
  • Worst-Hit States: >2/3rds of stations breached severe peaks in MH, UP, RJ, HR, MP, GJ & AP.
  • SO2 Persistence: Delhi, Mumbai & Kolkata showed zero drop in SO2 over 5 years despite green crackers.
🎯 Prelims Science & Standards
  • CSIR-NEERI Green Crackers: SWAS, STAR, SAFAL eliminate Barium Nitrate, cutting particulates ~30%.
  • NAQI (8 Pollutants): PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, Pb (excludes CO2).
  • NAAQS (12 Pollutants): Adds Benzene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Arsenic & Nickel.
⚠ PRELIMS ELIMINATION TRAP: Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is NOT one of the 8 pollutants tracked in India's National Air Quality Index (NAQI).
🔗 Static Linkage: NAQI vs NAAQS | CSIR-NEERI Green Crackers | Winter Temperature Inversion
GS PAPER 2 • POLITY • GOVERNANCE • SOCIAL JUSTICE • INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
INFOGRAPHIC 4 • POLITY & JUDICIARY High Courts & UIDAI

AADHAAR EVIDENTIARY BOUNDARIES: AGE, CITIZENSHIP & LAND REGISTERS

Aadhaar Act
Section 9 (2016)
Residency Rule
182+ Days in India
Nodal Ministry
MeitY (UIDAI)
📌 Recent High Court Rulings
  • MP High Court: Aadhaar is not conclusive proof of age; medical ossification/birth/school records prevail.
  • Bombay High Court: Urged Centre to amend Aadhaar Act to help trace foreign nationals with forged IDs.
  • Jharkhand High Court: Ordered deletion of prohibited land lists after Sec 22-A Registration Act was struck down.
🎯 Constitutional & Statutory Rules
  • Section 9 (Aadhaar Act 2016): Aadhaar is NOT proof of citizenship or domicile.
  • Age Hierarchy (JJ Act Sec 94): School/Matriculation cert → Municipal birth cert → Ossification test.
  • Puttaswamy (2018): Struck down Sec 57 (private mandate); upheld Sec 7 (welfare subsidies).
⚠ PRELIMS ELIMINATION TRAP: Even foreign nationals residing in India for 182+ days are eligible for Aadhaar—making it legally invalid as proof of citizenship.
🔗 Static Linkage: Aadhaar Act 2016 (Sec 7, 9, 33) | Puttaswamy 5-Judge Bench (2018) | JJ Act Sec 94
INFOGRAPHIC 5 • SOCIAL JUSTICE Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

NASHA MUKT BHARAT ABHIYAAN (NMBA) REACHES 35.88 CRORE CITIZENS

Outreach
35.88 Cr+ Citizens
Launched
15 August 2020
Constitutional
Article 47 (DPSP)
📌 Program Reach & Geopolitics
  • Milestone: Reached 35.88 Cr people (12 Cr youth, 8.5 Cr women) across all Indian districts.
  • Umbrella Plan: Operates under National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).
  • Trafficking Sandwich: Lies between Golden Crescent (Iran-Afg-Pak) & Golden Triangle (Myanmar-Laos-Thailand).
🎯 Tri-Ministry Architecture
  • Supply Control: Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) under MHA via NDPS Act, 1985.
  • Demand Reduction: MoSJE via NMBA & Integrated Rehab Centres (IRCAs).
  • Medical Treatment: MoHFW via Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs).
⚠ PRELIMS ELIMINATION TRAP: While NCB operates under MHA, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
🔗 Static Linkage: Article 47 DPSP | NDPS Act 1985 | Golden Crescent vs Golden Triangle
INFOGRAPHIC 6 • INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS DST & Italian Foreign Ministry

2nd INDIA–ITALY SCIENCE & INNOVATION DIALOGUE IN ROME & TRIESTE

Action Plan
2025–2029 Roadmap
IMEC Gateway
Port of Trieste
Global Hubs
ICTP & TWAS (Trieste)
📌 Bilateral Tech & Corridor Links
  • Rome Dialogue: Joint protocols in quantum computing, clean hydrogen, blue economy & space.
  • Strategic Elevation: Ties elevated to Strategic Partnership in March 2023.
  • Global Biofuels Alliance: Italy is a founding member alongside India, US & Brazil.
🎯 Trieste & IMEC Geography
  • Trieste Science Hub: Houses UNESCO/IAEA's Abdus Salam ICTP and TWAS.
  • IMEC Terminus: Deep-water Port of Trieste connects Haifa (Israel) & Mundra/JNPT (India).
  • EU Synergy: Complements India–EU Trade & Technology Council (TTC) & Horizon Europe.
⚠ PRELIMS ELIMINATION TRAP: The Port of Trieste sits at the northeastern tip of Italy on the Adriatic Sea (not the Tyrrhenian Sea or Atlantic coast).
🔗 Static Linkage: IMEC Corridor Geography | Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) | India–EU TTC
GS PAPER 3 • ECONOMY • AGRICULTURE • SCI-TECH • ENVIRONMENT • INTERNAL SECURITY
INFOGRAPHIC 7 • ECONOMY & MEDTECH Department of Pharmaceuticals

PLI-MD 2.0 EXTENDED TILL FY 2035–36 WITH ₹2,700 CRORE OUTLAY

Extended Till
FY 2035–36
Available Outlay
₹2,700 Crore
Sales Incentive
5% Incremental
📌 Scope & Target Segments
  • 4 Segments: Cancer/Radiotherapy, Radiology/Imaging, Cardio/Renal Care, and Implants.
  • Value-Chain Shift: Relaxes entry barriers to boost domestic component & core part fabrication.
  • Import Context: Tackles India's ~70% import dependence in high-end diagnostic & implantable devices.
🎯 Parks & Regulatory Split
  • 4 Medical Device Parks: Nalagarh (HP), Oragadam (TN), Ujjain (MP), YEIDA (UP).
  • PLI Administration: Department of Pharmaceuticals (Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers).
  • Safety Regulation: CDSCO (MoHFW) under Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940 & Medical Devices Rules 2017.
⚠ PRELIMS ELIMINATION TRAP: PLI-MD is run by the Dept of Pharmaceuticals (Chemicals Ministry), while quality licensing is enforced by CDSCO (Health Ministry).
🔗 Static Linkage: 14 PLI Sectors | National Medical Devices Policy 2023 | CDSCO Device Classes
INFOGRAPHIC 8 • AGRICULTURE & EXPORTS PMO & APEDA

KISAN TAK AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE 2026: GLOBAL RANKINGS & DIVERSIFICATION

Rank 1st (FAO)
Milk • Pulses • Jute
Rank 2nd (FAO)
Rice • Wheat • Cotton
Agri Exports
$50 Billion+ Scale
📌 Policy Thrust & Crop Shift
  • Diversification: Shifting smallholders from water-intensive paddy to oilseeds, pulses & Shree Anna.
  • NMEO-Oilseeds: Aims to cut ₹1.3+ lakh crore annual edible oil import bill.
  • Top Exports: Marine products, Basmati/Non-Basmati rice, spices, buffalo meat & sugar (via APEDA).
🎯 Digital AgriStack
  • AgriStack DPI: Integrates Geo-referenced Village Maps, Digital Crop Survey & Farmer IDs.
  • KCC Speed: Enables instant Kisan Credit Card sanctioning via verified digital land-crop data.
  • Global Milk Share: India produces ~24% of total global milk output.
⚠ PRELIMS ELIMINATION TRAP: India is the world's largest producer AND consumer of pulses, yet still imports Tur/Masoor to bridge seasonal domestic deficits.
🔗 Static Linkage: APEDA Act 1985 | AgriStack DPI | NMEO-Oilseeds & Oil Palm
INFOGRAPHIC 9 • SCIENCE & CIRCULAR TECH DGFT & Ministry of Mines

DGFT BANS EXPORT OF LITHIUM-ION "BLACK MASS" FOR EV MINERAL SECURITY

EV Fleet (FY26)
8.7 Million+ EVs
Formal Recovery
>90% (vs 10–20% Inf.)
Lithium Demand
10–12% via Recycling
📌 Industrial & Legal Action
  • Export Ban: Notified by DGFT under Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992.
  • What is Black Mass? Shredded electrode powder from spent Li-ion cells rich in Li, Co, Ni, Mn & Graphite.
  • Domestic Synergy: Feeds plants backed by the ₹2,814 Cr Critical Minerals Processing Scheme.
🎯 Battery Waste Rules 2022
  • Legal Basis: Notified by MoEFCC under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
  • EPR Certificates: Replaces physical collection targets with tradable EPR credits on CPCB portal.
  • Recovery Mandates: Requires 70–90% material recovery by weight by 2030.
⚠ PRELIMS ELIMINATION TRAP: Battery Waste Management Rules 2022 cover ALL battery chemistries (EV, portable, industrial, lead-acid), not just EV lithium-ion batteries.
🔗 Static Linkage: FTDR Act 1992 (DGFT) | Battery Waste Rules 2022 | Hydrometallurgical Urban Mining
INFOGRAPHIC 10 • ENVIRONMENT & BIODIVERSITY Ministry of Tribal Affairs & CSIR-NBRI

MEDICINAL PLANTS CONSERVATION IN 16 TRIBAL HOTSPOTS (KORAPUT LAUNCH)

Coverage
16 Hotspots / 13 States
Pilot Site
Koraput (FAO GIAHS)
Bio-Protection
TKDL & NBA Act 2023
📌 Initiative & Koraput Heritage
  • Program: "From Tribal Knowledge to Enterprise" led by MoTA + CSIR-NBRI.
  • Koraput (Odisha): Recognized by FAO as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).
  • Tribes: Kondh, Paroja & Gadaba tribes conserve upland rice landraces, millets & medicinal flora.
🎯 Legal & IPR Safeguards
  • TKDL: CSIR + AYUSH digital library blocking foreign biopiracy patents (Neem, Turmeric).
  • 3-Tier Biodiversity Act 2002: National (NBA) → State (SBB) → Local (BMC & People's Biodiversity Registers).
  • 2023 Amendment: Streamlines AYUSH access & decriminalizes certain non-compliance offenses.
⚠ PRELIMS ELIMINATION TRAP: Under the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023, registered AYUSH practitioners are exempted from prior NBA approval for biological resources.
🔗 Static Linkage: FAO GIAHS Sites (Koraput, Kuttanad, Pampore) | TKDL | Biodiversity Act 2002/2023
INFOGRAPHIC 11 • INTERNAL SECURITY & CYBER MeitY, I4C & UP Police

FAKE HIGH COURT ORDER IN WEBSITE TAKEDOWNS & SECTION 69A IT ACT

Blocking Power
Section 69A IT Act
Safe Harbour
Section 79 & Sahyog
SC Precedent
Shreya Singhal (2015)
📌 Incident & Legal Gaps
  • Case: UP Police filed FIR after a fake Allahabad HC order was cited to block 95 websites.
  • Reform Need: Mandates cryptographically signed e-Courts API verification before executive blocks.
  • Sahyog Portal: MHA portal automating Section 79(3)(b) takedown notices to intermediaries.
🎯 Section 69A Constitutionality
  • 6 Grounds (Art 19(2)): Sovereignty, defence, state security, foreign relations, public order, incitement.
  • Shreya Singhal (2015): Struck down Sec 66A, but upheld Sec 69A due to 2009 Blocking Rules safeguards.
  • Safe Harbour (Sec 79): Protects intermediaries performing due diligence from 3rd-party liability.
⚠ PRELIMS ELIMINATION TRAP: State Governments and Police CANNOT issue direct blocking orders under Section 69A; only the Central Govt (MeitY Designated Officer) holds that power.
🔗 Static Linkage: IT Act 2000 (Sec 66A, 69A, 79) | Shreya Singhal 2015 | Article 19(2) Restrictions
📚 STATIC TOPIC DEEP-DIVE INFOGRAPHIC • INDIAN POLITY (GS-2) Articles 107–117 • High-Yield PYQ Favourite

LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE: MONEY BILL (ART 110) VS FINANCIAL BILL I & II (ART 117) VS ORDINARY BILL

🔄 MONEY BILL PASSAGE FLOWCHART (ARTICLE 109 & 110)
1. President's Prior Rec.
Introduced ONLY in Lok Sabha		 ➔ 2. Speaker Certifies
Final & binding (Art 110(3))		 ➔ 3. Rajya Sabha (14 Days)
Cannot amend or reject		 ➔ 4. President's Assent
May give or withhold; NO return
Feature Money Bill (Art 110) Financial Bill-I (Art 117(1)) Financial Bill-II (Art 117(3))
Core Content Strictly matters listed in Art 110(1)(a)–(g) (taxation, borrowing, CFI/Contingency Fund). Contains Art 110 matters PLUS other general legislative matters. Involves expenditure from Consolidated Fund of India, but NO Art 110 matters.
Introduction House Lok Sabha ONLY (Govt/Ministerial bill). Lok Sabha ONLY. Either House (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha).
President's Prior Rec. Required before introduction. Required before introduction. NOT needed for introduction; required before consideration.
Rajya Sabha Power Cannot amend/reject; must return within 14 days. Equal power with Lok Sabha (can amend or reject). Equal power with Lok Sabha (can amend or reject).
Joint Sitting (Art 108) NOT Applicable (Lok Sabha prevails). Applicable to resolve deadlocks. Applicable to resolve deadlocks.
⚠ STATIC ELIMINATION TRAPS (UPSC PYQ FAVOURITES):
1. Fines & Local Taxes (Art 110(2)): A bill is NOT a Money Bill merely because it provides for imposition of fines, pecuniary penalties, fees for licenses/services, or taxes by any local authority.
2. President's Return Power: Under Art 111, the President cannot return a Money Bill for reconsideration of Parliament (he can only assent or withhold assent), unlike an Ordinary or Financial Bill.
📰 CHRONICLE EDITORIAL & RAPID 10-POINT PRELIMS MATRIX
Closing the Circular Loop: Why Banning "Black Mass" Exports Anchors India's EV Sovereignty
With 8.7M+ EVs on Indian roads, spent Li-ion batteries hold critical reserves of Li, Co, Ni & graphite. Prohibiting black mass exports prevents value-chain drain to foreign smelters and curbs toxic informal dismantling (10–20% recovery) in favour of formal hydrometallurgical plants (>90% recovery) backed by the ₹2,814 Cr Cabinet scheme and EPR under Battery Rules 2022.
⚡ 10-POINT RAPID PRELIMS ELIMINATION MATRIX
1. Sarhul & 8th Schedule: Sal blossoms; Santali (Ol Chiki) & Bodo added via 92nd Amendment (2003). 6. Port of Trieste (IMEC): Lies on Italy's Adriatic Sea coast; hosts ICTP & TWAS.
2. Nehru Report (1928): Demanded Dominion Status (not Poorna Swaraj); rejected separate electorates. 7. PLI-MD 2.0 Split: Administered by Dept of Pharmaceuticals; safety regulated by CDSCO (MoHFW).
3. NAQI vs NAAQS: NAQI tracks 8 pollutants (no CO2); CPCB NAAQS covers 12 pollutants. 8. India FAO Rankings: 1st in Milk, Pulses, Jute, Spices; 2nd in Rice, Wheat, Cotton, Sugarcane.
4. Aadhaar Act Sec 9: Not proof of citizenship/domicile; foreign residents (182+ days) are eligible. 9. Battery Rules 2022: Covers ALL battery chemistries via tradable EPR credits, not just EVs.
5. NMBA vs NCB: NMBA run by MoSJE (demand reduction); NCB operates under MHA (supply). 10. Sec 69A IT Act: Blocking orders can ONLY be issued by Central Govt (MeitY), not State Police.
✍️ DAILY PROBABLE UPSC MAINS QUESTION • GS PAPER 3 15 Marks • 250 Words
"With electric mobility accelerating rapidly in India, spent lithium-ion batteries represent both an acute environmental hazard and a strategic mineral reserve. Analyze the significance of banning 'black mass' exports and evaluate how India's circular economy policies can transform battery waste into critical mineral security."
1. Significance of Banning Black Mass Exports:
• Value-Chain Retention: Stops foreign refiners from extracting Li/Co salts and reselling them at markups.
• Import De-Risking: Recycling can meet 10–12% of future EV lithium demand.
• Curbing Informal Harm: Ends crude open burning (10–20% yield) and groundwater leaching.
2. Policy Evaluation & Way Forward:
• Battery Rules 2022: EPR targets 70–90% weight recovery; ₹2,814 Cr scheme funds hydrometallurgy.
• Digital Battery Passports: QR-tag SoH & chemistry (LFP vs NMC) across lifecycle.
• Second-Life Storage: Repurpose 70–80% capacity EV packs for renewable micro-grids first.
The UPSC Daily Chronicle • Vol. IV, No. 317 (Infographic Edition) • Delivered to aditya.n.daw@gmail.com