UPSC Prelims Current Affairs Notes
Date: 26 February 2026
Sources Covered: The Hindu + Indian Express
Focus: Prelims-relevant facts, concepts, keywords, and revision value
1. PM Modi Israel Visit – Complete Prelims Notes
A. Basic Facts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel in February 2026.
Addressed Israel’s Parliament called Knesset.
Second visit to Israel after 2017.
Exam Trap
Knesset = Parliament of Israel (UPSC Prelims favourite static fact).
B. Key Statements Made
India supports Zero Tolerance for Terrorism policy.
Condemned Hamas attack of 7 October 2023.
India stands firmly with Israel during crisis.
Expressed condolences for civilian deaths.
Keywords
Zero tolerance policy
Counter-terrorism cooperation
Strategic partnership
C. India–Israel Relations (Prelims Static + Current Mix)
1. Diplomatic Relations
Formal diplomatic relations established in 1992.
Before 1992 → India supported Palestine strongly.
2. Major Areas of Cooperation
Defence and Security
Missiles, drones, surveillance systems.
Israel among top defence suppliers to India.
Agriculture
Drip irrigation technology.
Centres of Excellence in Indian states.
Water Management
Desalination technology.
Wastewater recycling.
Innovation & Startups
AI, cybersecurity, fintech.
Intelligence Sharing
Counter-terrorism cooperation.
D. IMEC Corridor
Full name: India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor
Announced during G20 Summit 2023.
Aim:
Connect India → UAE → Saudi → Israel → Europe.
Key Israeli port: Haifa Port
Importance
Reduce shipping time.
Counter China’s BRI.
Improve supply chains.
Challenges
West Asia instability.
Israel–Hamas conflict delays.
E. India’s West Asia Policy
India follows Strategic Autonomy + Balance Approach.
India maintains relations with:
Israel
Iran
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
Palestine
India’s Palestine Position
Supports Two-State Solution.
Humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
2. Hexagonal Alliance – Complete Concept
A. What is Hexagonal Alliance
Proposed security grouping discussed during Israel visit.
Possible Members
Israel
India
Greece
Cyprus
Some Arab/African countries (not confirmed)
B. Purpose
Counter extremist networks.
Strategic security cooperation.
Regional intelligence sharing.
C. Why Important for India
India has strong relations with:
Iran
Saudi Arabia
Qatar
Turkey
Joining alliance may:
Affect energy security.
Impact diplomacy.
Create geopolitical pressure.
D. Exam Angle
New alliances often appear in UPSC questions.
Remember:
Quad
AUKUS
I2U2
Hexagonal Alliance (possible future grouping)
3. Kerala → Keralam Name Change – Complete Notes
A. News
Proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam.
Reason:
Malayalam speakers call state “Keralam”.
Linguistic identity demand.
B. Constitutional Process for Renaming State
Under Article 3 of Constitution.
Step-by-Step Process
State Assembly passes resolution.
Union Govt examines proposal.
President refers Bill to State Legislature.
Bill introduced in Parliament.
Passed by Simple Majority.
Amendment made in First Schedule.
President assent → Official name change.
C. Important Prelims Facts
Article 3 powers Parliament to:
Form new states
Alter boundaries
Change names
State opinion → Not binding on Parliament.
D. Linguistic States in India
States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
Based on language identity.
Examples:
Andhra Pradesh
Maharashtra
Gujarat
Kerala
E. Similar Name Change Demands
West Bengal → Bangla (not approved).
Orissa → Odisha (approved earlier).
F. Possible Questions
Which schedule lists states and UTs? → First Schedule
Which article deals with state reorganisation? → Article 3
4. Lapis Lazuli – Blue Gemstone
A. What is Lapis Lazuli
Deep blue metamorphic rock.
Semi-precious gemstone.
Used in jewellery and pigments.
B. Composition
Lazurite → Blue colour.
Calcite → White streaks.
Pyrite → Golden sparkles.
Exam Trap
Blue colour due to Lazurite.
C. Major Locations
Best quality → Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan
Other countries:
Chile
Russia
USA
D. Historical Importance
Used in Indus Valley Civilization ornaments.
Shows trade links between:
Harappans and Afghanistan.
Other imported items in Harappan trade:
Gold
Silver
Copper
Tin
Turquoise
Steatite
Carnelian
E. UPSC Relevance
Questions from:
Ancient trade networks.
Mineral composition.
Geography sources.
5. Sabarimala Case – Complete Prelims Notes
A. Background
Temple: Sabarimala Temple
Deity: Lord Ayyappa
Earlier rule → Women aged 10–50 not allowed.
B. Case
Indian Young Lawyers Association vs State of Kerala (2018).
Bench size: 5 judges.
Decision: 4:1 majority.
C. Supreme Court Judgment
Allowed entry of women of all ages.
Reason → Violation of Fundamental Rights:
Article 14 → Equality
Article 15 → Non-discrimination
Article 25 → Freedom of religion
Article 21 → Dignity
D. Important Doctrines
1. Essential Religious Practices (ERP) Test
Court checks:
Is practice essential to religion?
If essential → Protected.
If not → Can be regulated.
Also called Doctrine of Essentiality.
2. Anti-Exclusion Test
Proposed by Justice D. Y. Chandrachud.
Court should check:
Does practice harm dignity or equality?
Focus on constitutional morality instead of tradition.
E. Current Update
Some related issues to be reviewed again in future hearings.
F. Prelims Keywords
ERP Test
Anti-Exclusion Test
Fundamental Rights vs Religious Freedom
Constitutional Morality
6. Quick Revision One-Look Facts
| Topic | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| Israel Parliament | Knesset |
| India–Israel relations start | 1992 |
| IMEC Corridor | India–Middle East–Europe |
| Kerala rename article | Article 3 |
| Schedule listing states | First Schedule |
| Lapis Lazuli blue colour | Lazurite |
| Best Lapis source | Badakhshan, Afghanistan |
| Sabarimala deity | Lord Ayyappa |
| ERP Test | Essential Religious Practice doctrine |
7. Likely Prelims Questions
Q1. Which mineral gives Lapis Lazuli its blue colour?
Answer → Lazurite.
Q2. Parliament can change state names under which Article?
Answer → Article 3.
Q3. Knesset is Parliament of which country?
Answer → Israel.
Q4. Sabarimala temple is dedicated to which deity?
Answer → Lord Ayyappa.
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