Blog

1. Goods and Services Tax (GST) was launched on 1 July 2017, replacing multiple indirect taxes with a unified tax system based on the principle of “One Nation, One Tax.”

2. GST subsumed 17 different taxes and 13 cesses into a common indirect tax framework.

1. Between 2014 and 2025, India recorded 181.25 million International Arrivals (IAs) and 93.35 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs).

2. International Arrivals (IAs) include both foreign nationals and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), whereas Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) include only foreign nationals.

1. The definition of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) was revised with effect from 1 April 2025 based on investment and annual turnover.

2. As of January 2026, the MSME sector contributes about 31.1% to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 35.4% to manufacturing output, and 48.58% to exports.

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) is India’s premier national award recognising exceptional achievements of children aged 5 to 18 years.

2. The award is presented annually by the President of India on Veer Bal Diwas, observed on 26 December.

1. The Digital India Programme, launched in 2015, laid the foundation for India’s emerging technology ecosystem by expanding digital infrastructure and connectivity.

2. Optical fibre coverage increased from 19.35 lakh route kilometres in 2019 to 42.36 lakh route kilometres in 2025.

1. The North-East is collectively known as Ashtalakshmi and includes eight states: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim.

2. The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) provides financial assistance to the eight North-Eastern states through five Central Sector Schemes.

1. India’s counter-terrorism policy has shifted from a reactive response to a proactive prevention-based approach, with a zero-tolerance position against terrorism.

2. The counter-terrorism framework is built around stronger laws, better intelligence-sharing, modern police systems, action against terror financing, and cross-border deterrence.

1. On 31 March 2026, India became effectively free from Left-Wing Extremism after nearly six decades of Naxal-related violence.

2. The transformation towards Naxal-Free India was guided by three pillars: Vishwaas, Nirman, and Jan Kalyan.

1. Latin America includes Mexico, Central and South America, parts of the Caribbean, and Puerto Rico.

2. Latin America comprises 20 countries and contributes approximately 6% of nominal global GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

1. In 2025, Africa witnessed major political, economic, security, diplomatic, and climate-related developments.

2. India intensified high-level diplomatic engagement with African countries throughout 2025.