A parliamentary device to draw attention to a matter of urgent public importance. It interrupts normal business and requires the support of at least 50 members to be admitted.
The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (52nd Amendment, 1985) that disqualifies legislators who defect from their party. The Speaker/Chairman decides disqualification petitions.
A former constitutional provision granting special autonomous status to Jammu & Kashmir. It was abrogated in August 2019 and the state was reorganised into two Union Territories.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations — a regional bloc of 10 Southeast Asian countries. India's Act East Policy prioritises ASEAN engagement for trade, security, and connectivity.
A flagship government health insurance scheme (PM-JAY) providing coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization to over 10 crore vulnerable families.
A biogeographic region with significant biodiversity that is threatened by human activity. India has four hotspots: Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, Indo-Burma, and Sundaland.
An intergovernmental grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (expanded in 2024) that promotes cooperation on economic, political, and security issues among emerging economies.
Comptroller and Auditor General of India — a constitutional authority (Article 148) that audits all receipts and expenditure of the Union and State governments and reports to Parliament.
A parliamentary motion expressing disapproval of government policy. Unlike a no-confidence motion, it must state reasons and can target individual ministers.
A constitutional writ (Article 32/226) issued by a higher court to a lower court or tribunal to transfer a pending case or quash an order passed without jurisdiction.
Conference of the Parties — the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC where nations negotiate climate action targets, emissions reductions, and climate finance commitments.
Cash Reserve Ratio — the percentage of total deposits that commercial banks must hold as reserves with the RBI. It is a key monetary policy tool to control liquidity in the economy.
Civil Services Aptitude Test — Paper II of the Preliminary Examination. It is qualifying in nature with a 33% minimum cutoff and tests comprehension, logical reasoning, and decision-making.
Recent national and international events relevant to the UPSC syllabus. Current affairs form a significant portion of both Prelims and Mains questions.
A trade metric where a country's total imports of goods, services, and transfers exceed total exports. A high CAD can put pressure on the exchange rate and foreign reserves.
Detailed Application Form — a comprehensive form filled by candidates after qualifying Prelims, before the Mains examination. It captures service preferences, hobbies, and personal details used during the Interview.
Non-justiciable guidelines (Part IV, Articles 36-51) for the state to establish a just society. They complement Fundamental Rights and guide legislation and governance.
Department of Personnel and Training — the central government department that oversees recruitment, training, and career management of civil servants in India.
A constitutional body (Article 324) responsible for administering elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice President of India.
A periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean that disrupts normal weather patterns, often causing weaker monsoons and drought in India.
A constitutional body (Article 280) constituted every five years to recommend the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and State governments and grants-in-aid to states.
The difference between the government's total expenditure and total revenue (excluding borrowings). It indicates the extent to which the government must borrow to finance its operations.
A joint training programme at LBSNAA for newly recruited IAS, IPS, IFS, and other All India Services officers. It covers administration, law, public policy, and team-building.
Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003 — a law mandating the central government to reduce fiscal deficit and eliminate revenue deficit to ensure fiscal discipline and macroeconomic stability.
Eleven duties of citizens listed under Article 51A (Part IVA), added by the 42nd Amendment (1976). They are non-justiciable but serve as moral obligations for citizens.
Justiciable rights guaranteed under Part III (Articles 12-35) of the Constitution, including Right to Equality, Freedom, Against Exploitation, Religion, Culture, and Constitutional Remedies.
Gross Domestic Product — the total monetary value of all finished goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period. India uses both constant and current price GDP measures.
General Studies — the core Mains papers (GS Paper I through IV) covering history, geography, polity, governance, economy, environment, science, ethics, and international relations.
Goods and Services Tax — a unified indirect tax (101st Amendment, 2017) replacing multiple central and state levies. The GST Council decides rates and is a key topic in Indian economy and federalism.
A parliamentary procedure where all outstanding demands for grants are put to vote together without discussion when the allotted time for budget debate expires.
A constitutional writ (Article 32/226) directing a person who has detained another to produce the detained person before the court and justify the detention.
Indian Administrative Service — the most sought-after All India Service. IAS officers serve as District Magistrates, Secretaries, and heads of key government departments.
International Monetary Fund — a global financial institution that promotes international monetary cooperation, exchange rate stability, and provides financial assistance to member countries facing balance of payments crises.
A constitutional body (Article 263) established to investigate and advise on disputes between states and recommend measures for better coordination of policy and action between the Union and states.
The final stage of the UPSC selection process, carrying 275 marks. A board assesses the candidate's intellectual qualities, social traits, leadership, and suitability for a career in public service.
Indian Police Service — an All India Service responsible for internal security, law enforcement, and police administration at the state and central levels.
The power of the judiciary (Articles 13, 32, 226) to examine the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions and declare them void if they violate the Constitution.
A periodic cooling of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, often associated with above-normal monsoon rainfall in India.
Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration — the premier training institute for IAS officers located in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. It conducts the Foundation Course and professional training programmes.
The Main Examination — the second stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It comprises 9 written papers (including 4 GS papers, 1 Essay, 2 Optional Subject papers, and 2 qualifying language papers) with a total of 1750 marks.
A constitutional writ (Article 32/226) issued by a court commanding a public authority to perform a duty it is legally bound to perform but has failed or refused to do.
A statistical process used by UPSC to standardise scores across different Optional subjects so that candidates choosing different subjects are compared fairly.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 — guarantees 100 days of wage employment per year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
A bill dealing with taxation, government borrowing, or expenditure from the Consolidated Fund (Article 110). It can only be introduced in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha cannot reject it.
A seasonal reversal of wind direction that brings heavy rainfall to the Indian subcontinent, primarily from June to September (Southwest Monsoon). It is critical for Indian agriculture and water resources.
A specialised judicial body (established 2010) for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection, conservation of forests, and enforcement of environmental laws.
National Institution for Transforming India — a policy think tank replacing the Planning Commission (2015). It fosters cooperative federalism and formulates development strategies.
A parliamentary motion moved under Rule 198 of Lok Sabha to test whether the government commands majority support. If passed, the Council of Ministers must resign.
A temporary law promulgated by the President (Article 123) or Governor (Article 213) when Parliament/Legislature is not in session. It must be ratified within six weeks of reassembly.
One subject chosen by the candidate for Mains Papers VI and VII (250 marks each, 500 total). There are 48 optional subjects including Literature, Sciences, and Humanities.
The three-tier system of local self-governance in rural India (73rd Amendment, 1992) comprising Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad with constitutionally mandated elections.
A legally binding international climate treaty (2015) under the UNFCCC committing nations to limit global warming to well below 2°C. India pledged net-zero emissions by 2070.
Public Interest Litigation — a judicial mechanism allowing any citizen to file a petition in the High Court or Supreme Court on behalf of the public interest, even without personal grievance.
The scientific theory that Earth's lithosphere is divided into large plates that move, float, and interact, causing earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain formation.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi — a central government scheme providing ₹6,000 per year in three instalments directly to the bank accounts of small and marginal farmer families.
The Preliminary Examination — the first stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It consists of two objective-type (MCQ) papers: General Studies Paper I (200 marks) and CSAT Paper II (qualifying). Only Paper I marks count for merit.
Imposition of direct central government rule in a state (Article 356) when the constitutional machinery fails. The state assembly is suspended or dissolved and the Governor administers the state.
A constitutional writ (Article 32/226) issued by a higher court to a lower court or tribunal to prevent it from exceeding its jurisdiction or usurping jurisdiction it does not possess.
Quadrilateral Security Dialogue — a strategic forum comprising India, USA, Japan, and Australia focused on a free and open Indo-Pacific, maritime security, and cooperative development.
The first hour of a parliamentary sitting devoted to questions by members to ministers. It includes starred questions (oral answers) and unstarred questions (written answers).
A constitutional writ (Article 32/226) that questions the legal authority of a person holding a public office. It prevents usurpation of public offices by unqualified persons.
An international treaty (1971) for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. India has over 80 designated Ramsar Sites of international importance.
The rate at which the RBI lends short-term money to commercial banks against government securities. It is the primary tool of monetary policy to control inflation and liquidity.
The rate at which the RBI borrows money from commercial banks. It is used to absorb excess liquidity from the banking system and manage short-term interest rates.
The RTI Act, 2005 empowers citizens to seek information from public authorities, promoting transparency and accountability in governance. It applies to all constitutional authorities and public bodies.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation — a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance with India, China, Russia, Pakistan, and Central Asian states as members, focusing on regional stability and counter-terrorism.
Sustainable Development Goals — 17 global goals adopted by the UN in 2015 to be achieved by 2030, covering poverty, hunger, health, education, climate action, and institutional strength.
Statutory Liquidity Ratio — the minimum percentage of deposits that a commercial bank must maintain in the form of liquid assets like cash, gold, and government securities before providing credit.
Static General Knowledge — factual, non-changing knowledge covering history, geography, Indian polity, economics, science, and art & culture that forms the backbone of UPSC preparation.
A national cleanliness campaign launched in 2014 aiming to eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste management. Phase II focuses on ODF-Plus status and waste management in rural and urban areas.
United Nations — an international organization founded in 1945 with 193 member states, dedicated to maintaining international peace, security, and cooperation. India has been a non-permanent UNSC member multiple times.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change — the parent treaty (1992) under which the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement operate, providing the framework for international climate negotiations.
Union Public Service Commission — a constitutional body (Articles 315-323) that conducts examinations for appointments to All India Services and Central Services, including the Civil Services Examination.
An international financial institution providing loans and grants to developing countries for capital projects. India is both a major borrower and a shareholder.
World Trade Organization — the global body governing international trade rules among 164 member nations. Key UPSC topics include dispute settlement, agricultural subsidies, and TRIPS.
An informal parliamentary device (not mentioned in rules) starting at noon, where members raise matters of urgent public importance without prior notice.