UPSC Prelims Current Affairs Notes (28 Feb 2026 – The Hindu Analysis)
1. GDP New Series and India’s Economic Growth
(General Studies Paper-3: Economy)
A. What is GDP?
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total monetary value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period.
Used to measure:
Economic performance
Development trend
Comparison with other countries
Does not include intermediate goods to avoid double counting.
GDP Formula
GDP = C + I + G + (X – M)
Where:
C → Private Consumption
I → Investment
G → Government Expenditure
X → Exports
M → Imports
Net exports = X – M
This formula helps understand which sector drives growth.
B. Real GDP vs Nominal GDP
Nominal GDP
Measured at current market prices.
Includes inflation.
Shows higher growth numbers.
Useful for comparing debt ratios.
Real GDP
Adjusted for inflation.
Shows actual growth.
Used for policy and planning.
Important Concept:
If inflation is high, nominal GDP rises even without real growth.
C. GDP Base Year Revision
Old Base Year: 2011–12
New Base Year: 2022–23
Released by:
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI)
Why Base Year Changed?
Economy structure changed after digitalisation.
New sectors like fintech, e-commerce, gig economy added.
Updated consumption patterns.
Better accuracy in measurement.
Base year revision happens periodically in many countries.
D. GDP Growth Estimate
Estimated growth for FY 2025-26: about 7.6 percent.
Important Note for UPSC:
Exact number less important.
Concept of estimation and methodology important.
E. Sector-Wise Growth Pattern
India’s economy divided into three sectors.
Primary Sector
Agriculture, fishing, mining.
Weak performance due to weather variability.
Secondary Sector
Manufacturing and construction.
Showing improvement due to Make in India, PLI schemes.
Tertiary Sector
Services like IT, finance, tourism, trade.
Major contributor to India’s GDP.
India is a service-led economy.
F. Impact of Base Year Change on Fiscal Indicators
If new base year reduces nominal GDP:
Fiscal deficit/GDP ratio increases.
Debt/GDP ratio increases.
Government performance appears weaker statistically.
Important for statement-based questions.
G. Estimated Size of Economy
Estimated size around 345 lakh crore rupees for FY 2025-26.
UPSC focuses on concept rather than number.
2. INS Anjadip and Anti-Submarine Warfare Ships
(General Studies Paper-3: Defence and Security)
A. INS Anjadip
Type: Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC)
Built by: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata.
Indigenous content: about 80 percent.
Commissioned at Chennai.
B. Role of ASW-SWC Ships
Detect enemy submarines.
Track submarine movement.
Neutralise submarines using torpedoes and rockets.
Protect coastal waters and sea lanes.
Important in Indian Ocean Region security.
C. Key Equipment
Advanced sonar systems.
Lightweight torpedoes.
Anti-submarine rockets.
Indigenous combat management system.
D. Other Ships in Same Series
INS Arnala
INS Androth
INS Mahe
INS Anjadip
These ships strengthen coastal defence capability.
E. Strategic Importance
Counter Chinese submarine activity.
Protect maritime trade routes.
Strengthen Indian Navy surveillance.
F. Name Origin
Named after Anjadip Island near Karwar coast in Karnataka.
UPSC often asks location-based naming questions.
3. UN Charter Article 2(4) and International Law
(General Studies Paper-2: International Relations)
A. UN Charter Article 2(4)
States that countries must not use or threaten force against territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
This is a core principle of international law.
B. Importance
Maintains global peace.
Prevents aggression.
Basis of UN peacekeeping operations.
C. Exceptions
Use of force allowed only when:
Self-defence under Article 51.
UN Security Council approval.
This concept is frequently asked in Prelims.
D. Editorial Insight
International law still exists despite violations.
Countries justify wars legally.
Shows importance of global norms.
Useful for Mains answers.
4. Congo Basin Lakes and Climate Change
(Geography and Environment)
A. Lakes in News
Lake Tumba
Lake Mai-Ndombe
Located in Democratic Republic of Congo.
B. Why in News
Peatlands releasing stored carbon.
Climate change concern.
C. Key Features
Black-water lakes.
High organic matter.
Low oxygen content.
Part of Tumba-Ngiri-Maindombe Wetland (Ramsar site).
D. Environmental Importance
Peatlands store ancient carbon.
Drying peatlands release carbon dioxide.
Accelerates global warming.
Important topic under climate change.
5. Israel Mapping and Strategic Facts
(Geography and International Relations)
A. Location
Region: West Asia (Levant region).
Coastline along Mediterranean Sea.
B. Neighbouring Countries
North: Lebanon
North-East: Syria
East: Jordan
South-West: Egypt
C. Important Places
Capital: Jerusalem
Major city: Tel Aviv
Important port: Haifa
Desert: Negev Desert
Freshwater lake: Sea of Galilee
Border lake: Dead Sea
D. Other Important Facts
Only Jewish-majority country.
Global leader in desalination technology.
Major defence partner of India.
Barak missile supplied to India.
Israel mapping is frequently asked in UPSC.
6. Anjadip Island Mapping
A. Location
Near Karwar coast.
Arabian Sea.
State: Karnataka.
Important because INS Anjadip named after this island.
High-Revision Facts for Prelims
GDP Base Year → 2022-23
INS Anjadip → Anti-Submarine Warfare ship
UN Charter Article 2(4) → Prohibits use of force
Congo Lakes → Tumba and Mai-Ndombe
Israel Freshwater Lake → Sea of Galilee
Israel Desert → Negev Desert
8. Possible UPSC Prelims Questions
INS Anjadip belongs to which category of ships?
UN Charter Article 2(4) is related to which principle?
Lake Tumba is located in which country?
Sea of Galilee lies in which country?
New GDP base year in India is which of the following?
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