Introduction

The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 will test not only factual knowledge but also conceptual clarity, analytical ability, and awareness of current developments. Over the past decade, the trend of the Prelims examination has shifted towards integrating static subjects with current affairs, requiring aspirants to prepare in a focused and strategic manner.

This blog post highlights the most important topics for UPSC 2026 Prelims based on previous year question analysis, emerging national and international developments, and core foundational areas that consistently carry weightage. Aspirants should use this structured outline to prioritize their revision, strengthen weak areas, and align preparation with evolving exam patterns.

1. Military Exercises in News

India-France Strategic Exercises: The “Big Three”

India and France conduct three major bilateral exercises, one for each branch of the armed forces. They are biennial (held once every two years) and alternate between India and France.

1. Exercise SHAKTI (Army)

• Concept: Focuses on Counter-Terrorism (CT) and Counter-Insurgency (COI) operations, especially in semi-urban and mountainous terrain.
• In the News (2024): The 7th Edition was held in May 2024 at Umroi, Meghalaya. It involved high-intensity tactical drills, including “House Clearing” and “Cordon and Search” operations.
• Significance: Enhances interoperability in UN-mandated peacekeeping missions.

2. Exercise VARUNA (Navy)

• Concept: A high-level naval exercise covering surface, sub-surface, and air domains.
• In the News (2024/2025): * 22nd Edition (Sept 2024): Conducted in the Mediterranean Sea. Notably, the Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft participated in its first-ever European deployment.
  • 23rd Edition (Scheduled Mar 2025): Slated for the Arabian Sea, focusing on carrier battle group operations (featuring INS Vikrant and Charles de Gaulle).
• Significance: Vital for maritime security in the Indo-Pacific and Western Indian Ocean.

3. Exercise GARUDA (Air Force)

• Concept: Focuses on Large Force Employment (LFE), air defense, and air-to-air refueling.
• In the News (2025): The 8th Edition concluded in November 2025 at Mont-de-Marsan, France.
• Latest Data: The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Su-30MKI fighters, supported by IL-78 tankers and C-17 Globemasters. It involved “Dogfighting” and advanced air combat maneuvers.

Why are these in the news?

1. Strategic Autonomy: Both nations value strategic independence and a multipolar world.
2. Indo-Pacific Engagement: France is the only European power with a permanent military presence in the Indian Ocean (via its overseas territories).
3. Defense Acquisitions: These exercises often serve as a backdrop for equipment familiarization (e.g., India’s procurement of Rafale-M for its aircraft carriers).
4. Multilateral Shifts: In 2024, India hosted Tarang Shakti, its largest ever multilateral air exercise, where France was a key participant.

2. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016

What is the IBC?

Before 2016, India had a fragmented legal system for recovering bad loans (NPAs) through various acts like SARFAESI and RDDBFI. The IBC was introduced to provide a single, time-bound framework for resolving insolvency for companies, individuals, and partnership firms.

Unlike earlier laws where the debtor (business owner) stayed in control while the case dragged on, the IBC shifts control to the Financial Creditors (banks/lenders).

• Adjudicating Authorities: * NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) for Companies and LLPs.
  • DRT (Debt Recovery Tribunal) for Individuals and Partnerships.
• The Regulator: IBBI (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India) oversees the process.
• The Pillars: 1. Insolvency Professionals (IPs): Licensed experts who manage the company during the resolution process. 2. Information Utilities (IUs): Repositories that store financial data to prove “default” instantly. 3. Committee of Creditors (CoC): A body of financial creditors that decides the company’s fate.

Why is it in the News? (Latest Updates 2025-26)

The IBC is frequently in the news due to its evolving nature and significant impact on the economy:

1. The IBC (Amendment) Bill, 2025: Introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2025, this bill proposes a major overhaul:
   • Cross-Border Insolvency: Adopting the UNCITRAL model to handle companies with assets outside India.
   • Group Insolvency: Allowing proceedings for a group of related companies (like the Videocon case) to be handled together for better value.
   • CIIRP: A new Creditor-Initiated Insolvency Resolution Process that allows an out-of-court mechanism to start proceedings, speeding up admission by the NCLT.
2. Economic Survey 2025-26 Data:
   • Recovery Rate: Improved to 36.6% in FY25 (up from 28.3% in FY24).
   • Rescue Rate: 57% of closed cases resulted in “Going-Concern” rescues (saving the business), rather than liquidation.
   • Realization: Creditors realized ₹3.99 lakh crore from resolved cases as of late 2025.
3. Global Upgrade: In December 2025, S&P Global Ratings upgraded India’s insolvency regime from ‘Group C’ to ‘Group B’, acknowledging faster timelines and better creditor rights.

3. Great Nicobar Island project

The Great Nicobar Island (GNI) Holistic Development Project is one of India’s most ambitious and controversial infrastructure undertakings. Valued at approximately ₹81,000 crore, it aims to transform the southernmost tip of India into a global maritime and strategic hub.

Holistic Development of GNI

Conceived by NITI Aayog and implemented by ANIIDCO, the project spans 166 sq. km (about 18% of the island). It rests on four key pillars:

1. International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP): Located at Galathea Bay, it aims to rival Singapore and Colombo by capturing cargo from the Malacca Strait.
2. Greenfield International Airport: A dual-purpose facility for both civilian tourism and defense (Indian Armed Forces).
3. Integrated Township: Planned to house a population of ~3.5 lakh people over the next 30 years.
4. Gas & Solar Power Plant: A 450 MVA hybrid plant to ensure energy self-sufficiency.

Why is it in the News? (2025-26 Updates)

The project remains a focal point of debate due to the conflict between Strategic Imperatives and Ecological Conservation:

• Strategic Shield: As of 2026, the project is being fast-tracked to counter China’s “String of Pearls.” GNI is just 40 nautical miles from the Malacca Strait, through which much of global trade passes.
• Indian-Only Participation: In late 2025, the government decided that the ICTP will be built and operated exclusively by Indian private entities (majority stake) to maintain strategic control over the asset.
• Legal & Tribal Hurdles: The project has faced scrutiny from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Concerns involve the diversion of 130 sq. km of forest and the impact on the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups – PVTGs).
• Environmental Impact: Critics point out that Galathea Bay is a major nesting site for the Giant Leatherback Turtle and home to the endemic Nicobar Megapode.

4. PM KISAN

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a flagship Central Sector Scheme aimed at providing income support to all landholding farmer families in India.

What is PM-KISAN?

Launched on February 24, 2019, PM-KISAN is a direct income support program designed to supplement the financial needs of farmers in procuring inputs like seeds and fertilizers.

• Financial Benefit: ₹6,000 per year is provided to eligible farmer families.
• Mode of Payment: Disbursed in three equal installments of ₹2,000 every four months (April-July, August-November, and December-March).
• Mechanism: Funds are transferred directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Funding: It is a 100% Central Sector Scheme (entirely funded by the Government of India).
• Identification: The responsibility of identifying eligible farmer families rests with the State/UT Governments.

Exclusion Criteria (Who is NOT eligible?)

The scheme excludes higher-income status individuals even if they own land:

• Institutional landholders.
• Constitutional post-holders (former/current).
• Former and current Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and Mayors.
• Serving or retired government employees (except Multi-Tasking Staff/Group D).
• Professionals (Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, CAs) and income tax payers.

Why is it in the News? (Latest Updates 2026)

As of February 2026, PM-KISAN remains a centerpiece of the government’s rural strategy:

1. 22nd Installment Update: The 22nd installment of PM-KISAN is tentatively scheduled for release in mid-February 2026.
2. Farmer ID Mandate: In a major digital push, the government has made Farmer IDs mandatory for new registrations in 14 states (including UP, Bihar, and Maharashtra) to streamline the “Farmer Registry” and reduce leakages.
3. eKYC Saturation: As of early February 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that over 30 lakh farmers still have pending Aadhaar-bank seeding. A nationwide saturation drive is currently active to ensure these farmers don’t miss the upcoming payment.
4. Budget 2026-27: The Union Budget presented on February 1, 2026, maintained the annual benefit at ₹6,000, focusing on technological integration rather than a hike in the payout amount.

5. Agri Infrastructure Fund

The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is a central pillar of India’s strategy to move from “production-centric” to “value-chain-centric” agriculture. 

What is AIF?

Launched in July 2020 (as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Package), the AIF is a Central Sector Scheme designed to provide medium-to-long-term debt financing for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.

How it Works:

• The Corpus: A total of ₹1 lakh crore is provided by banks and financial institutions as loans.
• Interest Subvention: All loans under this facility get an interest subvention of 3% per annum for a limit of up to ₹2 crore.
• Duration: The subvention is available for a maximum period of 7 years.
• Credit Guarantee: For loans up to ₹2 crore, credit guarantee coverage is provided under the CGTMSE (Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises) and NABSanrakshan.
• Eligible Entities: Individual farmers, FPOs, SHGs, JLGs, Agri-entrepreneurs, Startups, and even Central/State agencies or PPP projects.

Why is it in the News? (Latest Updates 2026)

The AIF has seen significant policy shifts and performance milestones in the 2025-26 period:

1. Scope Expansion (Cabinet Approval): The government recently expanded the scheme to include integrated primary and secondary processing projects. Previously, only primary processing was covered.
2. PM-KUSUM Convergence: In a major push for “Green Energy in Ag,” AIF can now be converged with Component-A of PM-KUSUM, allowing farmers to seek interest-subvented loans for installing solar plants on their lands.
3. Sanction Milestones (As of Feb 2026): According to the latest PIB data (Feb 3, 2026), ₹80,224 crore has been sanctioned for over 1.5 lakh projects, mobilizing a total investment of over ₹1.27 lakh crore in the sector.
4. Top Performing States: Punjab recently moved to the No. 1 spot in utilization (100% of allocated funds), followed closely by Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
5. Budget 2026-27: The latest budget proposed an additional ₹1 trillion infusion over the next five years to specifically target “first-mile” logistics—reducing the annual post-harvest loss which still stands near ₹92,000 crore.

6. PM Awas Yojana

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is India’s flagship initiative to achieve “Housing for All.” With the launch of PMAY 2.0 in late 2024, the scheme has moved from just “slum clearance” to a broader “affordable housing” mission.

PMAY 2.0 (2024–2029)

In August 2024, the Union Cabinet approved PMAY 2.0, aiming to build an additional 3 crore houses (2 crore in rural and 1 crore in urban areas).

1. PMAY-Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0

Administered by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), it targets the EWS, LIG, and Middle Income Group (MIG).

• Income Slabs: * EWS: Up to ₹3 lakh
  • LIG: ₹3 lakh to ₹6 lakh
  • MIG: ₹6 lakh to ₹9 lakh
• Four Verticals:
  • Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC): Assistance for individual house construction.
  • Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP): Public-Private partnership for mass housing.
  • Affordable Rental Housing (ARH): Rental homes for migrants/students.
  • Interest Subsidy Scheme (ISS): 4% interest subsidy on loans up to ₹25 lakh (for houses worth up to ₹35 lakh).

2. PMAY-Gramin (PMAY-G)

Administered by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).

• Target: Focuses on households living in kutcha/dilapidated houses based on SECC 2011 data and the Awaas+ survey.
• Support: Financial aid of ₹1.20 lakh (plains) and ₹1.30 lakh (hilly/difficult areas).
• Convergence: Includes ₹12,000 for toilets (Swachh Bharat) and 90-95 days of labor under MGNREGA.

Why is it in the news? (Latest Updates 2026)

• 10 Lakh Sanctions Milestone: As of January 2026, PMAY-U 2.0 has already sanctioned over 10 lakh houses across 14 states since its revamped launch.
• Angikaar 2025 Campaign: Launched in late 2025, this last-mile outreach initiative focuses on social behavior change (water conservation, waste management) for PMAY beneficiaries.
• Women Empowerment: Under PMAY-U 2.0, the government is prioritizing sanctions for women. As of 2026, roughly 35% of total urban sanctions are exclusively in the name of women or joint owners.
• Climate Resilient Housing: The Technology Innovation Sub-Mission (TISM) is now mandatory for new projects to ensure “Green Housing” that can withstand climate-induced disasters.

7. Polavaram Irrigation Project

The Polavaram Irrigation Project (also known as the Indira Sagar Project) is a multipurpose terminal reservoir project on the Godavari River.

Why is it a “National Project”?

The project is being constructed where the Godavari River emerges from the last range of the Eastern Ghats and enters the plains in Andhra Pradesh.

• Multipurpose Nature: It aims to provide irrigation to 2.91 lakh hectares, generate 960 MW of hydropower, and supply drinking water to over 540 villages and the city of Visakhapatnam.
• National Status: Under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, it was declared a National Project. This means the Central Government funds 100% of the irrigation component from the date of declaration.
• Inter-basin Transfer: A crucial part of the Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) program, it facilitates the transfer of 80 TMC of surplus Godavari water to the water-deficit Krishna River basin via its Right Main Canal.

Why in the News? (Latest Updates 2026)

As of February 2026, the project is at a critical juncture:

1. Fast-Track Deadline: The Andhra Pradesh government has set a target to dedicate the project to the nation before the 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu.
2. Construction Milestones: As of February 2025, the project reached 55.9% completion. The construction of the new Diaphragm Wall (essential after the 2020 floods damaged the old one) is currently underway, with a target completion of June 2026.
3. Budgetary Support: In the Andhra Pradesh Budget 2026-27 (presented Feb 2026), ₹6,105 crore was specifically allocated to accelerate the headworks and R&R (Rehabilitation and Resettlement).
4. Inter-State Meeting: The Prime Minister recently chaired high-level meetings with the CMs of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh to resolve pending issues related to backwater submergence and R&R packages for tribal communities like the Konda Reddis and Koyas.

8. Data Localization

Data localization is a cornerstone of India’s evolving digital landscape.

What is Data Localization?

Data localization refers to the legal requirement that data generated within a country must be stored and processed on servers physically located within that country’s borders. It is essentially an assertion of Data Sovereignty.

Types of Localization

1. Hard Localization: A strict mandate that no data can leave the country (e.g., China’s approach).
2. Soft Localization: Permits data transfer but requires a copy to be kept locally (Data Mirroring).
3. Conditional/Sector-Specific: Localization mandated only for specific sectors like Banking (RBI) or Healthcare.

Why is it in the News? (Latest Updates 2025–26)

The data localization debate has shifted from “if” to “how,” following the full operationalization of India’s digital laws.

1. DPDP Rules, 2025-26

In November 2025, the government notified the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, which completed the framework for the DPDP Act, 2023.

• The “Blacklist” Approach: Unlike previous drafts that restricted all data, the 2023 Act and 2025 Rules allow data to flow out by default, unless the country or category of data is specifically “blacklisted” (restricted) by the government.
• Significant Data Fiduciaries (SDFs): Large platforms (like social media giants) have stricter obligations. Under the 2026 guidelines, the government can mandate that certain sensitive categories (e.g., biometric or genetic data) must remain in India.

2. RBI’s Stance (The Gold Standard)

While the general law is more flexible, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) remains firm on its 2018 mandate: All payment-related data must be stored exclusively in India. This continues to affect global giants like Visa, Mastercard, and Google Pay.

3. AI Model Localization (2025)

As of April 2025, the government is considering mandating the localization of AI models. This aims to prevent “data leaks” of Indian linguistic and cultural data being used to train foreign LLMs (Large Language Models) without oversight.

Rationale vs. Challenges

9. Navika Sagar Pariakram-II

Navika Sagar Parikrama-II is a landmark event in India’s maritime history, representing a significant leap from the first edition. 

What is Navika Sagar Parikrama-II?

Navika Sagar Parikrama-II (NSP-II) is a global circumnavigation expedition undertaken by the Indian Navy. While the first edition (2017–18) featured a six-member all-women crew, NSP-II raised the stakes by using a “double-handed” mode—meaning only two officers handled the entire vessel.

Key Details of the Voyage:

• Vessel: INSV Tarini, a 56-foot indigenously built sailing vessel (a testament to Aatmanirbhar Bharat).
• The Crew: Lt Cdr Roopa A. and Lt Cdr Dilna K. (popularly known as “DilRoo”).
• Mode: Double-handed circumnavigation (only two people onboard).
• Distance: Approximately 25,500 nautical miles (over 50,000 km).
• Duration: ~8 months (Flagged off Oct 2, 2024; Flagged in May 29, 2025).
• The Route: Navigated through three major oceans (Indian, Pacific, Atlantic) and rounded the three “Great Capes”: Cape Leeuwin (Australia), Cape Horn (South America), and Cape of Good Hope (Africa).

Why was it in the News? (Latest Updates 2025-26)

1. Historic Completion (May 2025): The duo successfully returned to Goa on May 29, 2025. They became the first Indian pair to complete a circumnavigation in double-handed mode.
2. Point Nemo Crossing: In early 2025, they crossed Point Nemo—the “Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility.” It is the location on Earth farthest from any land (the closest humans are often astronauts on the ISS).
3. Drake Passage & Cyclones: The crew famously navigated through the Drake Passage (the most treacherous water on Earth) and survived three major cyclones during the third leg of their journey.
4. Scientific Contribution: Throughout the voyage, the officers collaborated with the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) to study marine microplastics and water quality across the globe.
5. Successor – Samudra Pradakshina (Sept 2025): Building on the success of NSP-II, the government flagged off ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ in September 2025—the first-ever tri-service all-women circumnavigation on the vessel IASV Triveni, scheduled to return in May 2026.

10. Mega Dam on Yarlung Tsangpo

The Yarlung Tsangpo Mega Dam is set to be the world’s largest hydropower project, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region. 

What is the Mega Dam?

Originating near Mount Kailash, the Yarlung Tsangpo flows through Tibet before taking a sharp “U-turn” at the Great Bend (Medog County) to enter India as the Siang (and eventually the Brahmaputra).

Key Project Details:

• Scale: Planned capacity of 60,000 MW (60 GW)—nearly three times the capacity of China’s Three Gorges Dam.
• Cost: Estimated at approximately $168 billion (₹1.2 trillion yuan).
• Location: Situated in the Lower Reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo, very close to the McMahon Line (Arunachal Pradesh border).
• Strategy: It involves a “cascade” of five dams and utilizes a dramatic 2,000-meter altitude drop at the Great Bend for maximum power generation.

Why in the News? (Latest Updates 2025–2026)

The project has moved from theoretical planning to active construction:

1. Groundbreaking Ceremony (July 19, 2025): China officially commenced construction at the Great Bend, marking a shift from the planning phase under the 14th Five-Year Plan.
2. Presidential Confirmation (January 2026): In his New Year address, President Xi Jinping highlighted the project as a cornerstone of China’s “Clean Energy” and “Carbon Neutrality 2060” goals.
3. India’s Counter-Response: In response, the Government of India is fast-tracking the Upper Siang Multipurpose Project (11.2 GW) in Arunachal Pradesh to act as a “buffer” to regulate water flow and establish “user rights” under international law.
4. Diplomatic Tension (2025): India registered formal concerns regarding the lack of a water-sharing treaty and the expiration of the 2002 MoU on hydrological data sharing, which China has been reluctant to renew fully.

Conclusion

The journey toward UPSC Prelims 2026 is not merely a test of how much you can memorize, but of how effectively you can connect the dots. As we have seen across these ten critical topics—ranging from the high-tech nuances of Data Localization to the grand engineering of the Polavaram Project—the common thread is the integration of static fundamentals with dynamic shifts.

To excel, your preparation strategy must evolve:

• The “Link-Note-Revise” Mantra: Never study a current event in isolation. Always anchor it to its static root (e.g., linking PMAY-G to the Social Justice segment of the syllabus).
• Prioritize High-Yield Areas: Use the 80/20 principle. Subjects like Economy, Environment, and Polity often yield a higher density of questions; mastering their core principles will provide a safety net against the unpredictable nature of other sections.
• Consistency over Intensity: With the exam scheduled for May 24, 2026, success lies in a disciplined revision cycle. Aim for at least three full revisions of the syllabus, supplemented by weekly mock tests to build exam temperament.

Ultimately, the UPSC 2026 Prelims will reward the “informed generalist”—an aspirant who can look at a military exercise like Varuna and see not just a drill, but a reflection of India’s strategic autonomy and maritime security goals. Stay focused, remain curious, and keep refining your analytical lens.