UPSC Prelims Current Affairs Notes – 23 February 2026 The Hindu news paper

 UPSC Prelims Current Affairs Notes – 23 February 2026 The Hindu news paper 

1. India–Brazil Relations – Key Developments

India and Brazil are strengthening bilateral relations through trade, minerals cooperation, and renewable energy partnerships.

Basic Facts

• Diplomatic relations established in 1948.

• Brazil is India’s largest trading partner in Latin America.

• Current bilateral trade: around $12–13 billion.

• Target set by both countries: $20–30 billion trade by 2030.

Why Brazil is Important for India

• Both are major democracies of the Global South.

• Both support multilateralism and reform of global institutions.

• Important partners in:

  • BRICS

  • G20

  • IBSA Dialogue Forum

  • WTO negotiations.

Recent Agreements Signed

1. Critical Minerals Cooperation

   • Brazil has rich deposits of iron ore, rare earth elements, nickel, and bauxite.

   • These minerals are essential for EV batteries, semiconductors, solar panels, electronics, and defence equipment.

   • India wants to reduce dependence on China for mineral imports.

   • Cooperation includes joint exploration, technology sharing, and investment in mining.

2. Steel and Mining Partnership

   • Brazil supplies iron ore.

   • India has large steel manufacturing capacity.

   • Joint projects will help both countries in infrastructure development.

3. Renewable Energy and Biofuel Cooperation

   • Brazil is a global leader in ethanol production from sugarcane.

   • India and Brazil cooperate under Global Biofuel Alliance launched during G20 2023.

   • Focus areas include ethanol blending, clean energy transition, and climate change mitigation.

4. Trade Expansion

   • Cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, chemicals, IT services.

   • Goal is to diversify markets and reduce trade dependence on developed nations.

Why This Matters for UPSC

• Example of South–South cooperation.

• Important for India’s energy security and mineral security.

• Shows India’s strategy to diversify global partnerships.

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2. MERCOSUR Trade Bloc

About MERCOSUR

• MERCOSUR is a regional trade bloc in South America.

• Objective: Promote free trade and economic integration.

Member Countries

• Brazil

• Argentina

• Paraguay

• Uruguay

• Bolivia (new member)

• Venezuela (currently suspended).

India–MERCOSUR Agreement

• India signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in 2004.

• PTA allows reduced tariffs on selected goods.

• It is not a full Free Trade Agreement.

Importance for India

• Access to Latin American markets.

• Boost exports of pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, chemicals, textiles.

• Strengthens India’s presence in South America.

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3. Brazil Geography – Important for UPSC Mapping

Brazil is frequently asked in UPSC mapping and geography questions.

Basic Facts

• Capital: Brasília (not Rio de Janeiro).

• Largest country in South America.

• Official language: Portuguese.

Neighbouring Countries

Brazil shares borders with almost all South American countries except:

• Chile

• Ecuador.

Countries bordering Brazil include Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Paraguay, Uruguay.

Major Physical Features

1. Amazon River

   • Largest river system in the world by discharge.

   • Amazon Basin spreads across many countries but largest part lies in Brazil.

2. Amazon Rainforest

   • Dense tropical evergreen forest called Selvas.

   • Important for biodiversity and global climate regulation.

3. Pantanal Wetland

   • One of the largest tropical wetlands in the world.

   • Rich wildlife ecosystem.

4. Brazilian Highlands

   • Plateau region rich in minerals.

Climate

• Brazil is crossed by Equator and Tropic of Capricorn.

• Northern Brazil → Tropical climate.

• Southern Brazil → Subtropical climate.

Important Soil

• Terra Roxa

  • Fertile red/purple volcanic soil.

  • Best suited for coffee cultivation.

Major Crops

• Coffee (Brazil is world’s largest producer)

• Sugarcane

• Soybean.

Mineral Resources

• Iron ore

• Bauxite

• Copper

• Tin

• Pyrochlore → Source of Niobium.

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4. Women Reservation Act 2023

Main Provisions

• 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

• Includes reservation for SC/ST women.

Implementation Condition

Reservation will be implemented only after:

• Next Census.

• Delimitation of constituencies.

Expected Timeline

Likely implementation around 2034 general elections.

Reasons for Delay

• Census data needed for constituency restructuring.

• Delimitation must be completed before reservation.

Criticism

• Delay in implementation.

• No OBC women quota.

• Fear of federal imbalance between North and South India.

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5. Delimitation Commission

Meaning

Delimitation means redrawing constituency boundaries based on population changes.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 82 → Lok Sabha delimitation.

• Article 170 → State Assembly delimitation.

Who Forms Commission

• President appoints Delimitation Commission.

Past Commissions

• 1952

• 1962

• 1972

Important Fact

• Lok Sabha seats fixed at 543 since 1971 delimitation.

• Freeze on seat increase till 2026 (84th Amendment).

Possible Future Issues

• Northern states population increasing faster.

• Southern states may lose relative representation.

• Federal balance concerns.

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6. Freedom of Speech of MPs

Constitutional Provision

• Article 105 → Freedom of speech in Parliament.

Meaning

• MPs can speak freely in Parliament.

• Protected from court action for speeches inside House.

Restrictions

Freedom not absolute. Restricted by:

• Parliamentary rules.

• Defamation laws.

• Unparliamentary language rules.

Expunction

• Removal of objectionable words from parliamentary records.

• Done by Speaker (Lok Sabha) or Chairman (Rajya Sabha).

Purpose:
Maintain dignity of Parliament and prevent misuse.

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7. Global Capability Centres (GCCs)

Definition

Offshore centres of multinational companies performing high-value business operations.

Functions

• Research and Development.

• Artificial Intelligence.

• Product design.

• Financial services.

• Data analytics and innovation.

India’s Status

• Over 1800 GCCs in India.

• More than 2 million professionals employed.

• India is global hub for GCCs.

Major GCC Cities

• Bengaluru

• Hyderabad

• Pune

• Chennai

• Gurugram.

Importance

India shifting from low-skill outsourcing to high-skill innovation economy.

Benefits

• High-salary job creation.

• Technology transfer.

• Skill development.

• Boost to innovation ecosystem.

Challenges

• Skill gap in advanced technologies.

• Cyber security risks.

• Data privacy issues.

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8. Apple Production in India

Important Fact

• Apple is the 4th most important fruit crop in India.

Major Producing States

1. Jammu & Kashmir (about 70% production)

2. Himachal Pradesh

3. Uttarakhand.

Minor Producing States

• Nagaland

• Sikkim

• Arunachal Pradesh

• Tamil Nadu

• Punjab.

Current Issue

Cheap apple imports affecting domestic farmers, especially in Jammu & Kashmir.

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9. Last-Minute Prelims Revision Points

• Brazil Capital → Brasília

• Selvas → Amazon dense forests

• Terra Roxa → Coffee soil

• MERCOSUR PTA → 2004

• Women Reservation → 33% seats

• Article 105 → MP speech freedom

• Article 82 → Lok Sabha delimitation

• GCCs → 1800+ centres in India

• Pantanal → Large wetland in Brazil

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✔️ Conclusion

These topics are important for UPSC Prelims because they combine:

• International Relations

• Geography Mapping

• Polity Concepts

• Economy Trends

• Agriculture Facts

Focus on keywords, numbers, constitutional articles, and mapping points while revising.