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UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Revision Notes – Last Week of February 2026 + 1 March 2026 Analysis

UPSC Prelims Current Affairs Notes (1 March 2026 – Weekly Revision)

1. India–Brazil Relations



Background

Trade

  • Current trade: about 12–15 billion dollars.

  • Target: 30 billion dollars by 2030.

India exports to Brazil

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Organic chemicals

  • Textiles

  • Engineering goods

India imports from Brazil

  • Crude oil

  • Soybean oil

  • Gold

  • Iron ore

  • Sugar

  • Manganese

Prelims trap: Brazil is one of the world’s largest producers of soybeans, sugarcane and iron ore.

Strategic Platforms with India

  • BRICS

  • G20

  • IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa)

IBSA is important for South-South cooperation.

MERCOSUR

  • Regional trade bloc of South America.

  • Members: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia.

  • India signed Preferential Trade Agreement with MERCOSUR in 2004.

Note: PTA gives tariff concessions but is not full free trade agreement.

Critical Minerals Cooperation

  • Brazil has large unexplored rare earth reserves.

  • Important for EV batteries, semiconductors, renewable energy and defence.

  • Strategic to reduce dependence on China.

Biofuel Cooperation

  • Brazil is global leader in ethanol production.

  • India learning ethanol blending technology from Brazil.

2. Global Capability Centres in India

Concept

Earlier India was used mainly for back-office services and call centres.
Now India hosts advanced Global Capability Centres performing high-value work.

What GCCs Do

  • Research and development

  • Artificial intelligence design

  • Product engineering

  • Financial analytics

  • Cybersecurity operations

Facts

  • More than 1800 GCCs in India.

  • Around 2 million jobs created.

  • Major cities: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune.

Examples include Google, Microsoft, IBM and Dell.

Prelims point: GCCs represent shift from cheap labour outsourcing to innovation hubs.

3. Women Reservation Act 2023

Key Provision

Not Applicable To

  • Rajya Sabha

  • Legislative Councils

Implementation Conditions

  • Census to be completed.

  • Delimitation of constituencies.

Likely implementation after 2031 Census, possibly from 2034 elections.

Important Constitutional Articles

  • Article 82: Delimitation of Lok Sabha.

  • Article 170: Delimitation of State Assemblies.

  • Article 15(3): Special provisions for women.

Major criticism: No separate quota for OBC women.

4. Freedom of Speech of Members of Parliament

Articles to Remember

  • Article 105: Freedom of speech and parliamentary privileges.

  • Article 121: Restriction on discussion of judges.

  • Articles 102 and 191: Disqualification of MPs and MLAs.

Expunction

  • Speaker (Lok Sabha) or Chairman (Rajya Sabha) can remove unparliamentary words.

  • Should not remove entire speech unless necessary.

Purpose is to protect dignity of Parliament while preserving free debate.

5. Prahar Counter-Terror Strategy

Definition

Prahar is India’s new National Counter-Terrorism Policy.

Focus Areas

  • Cyber terrorism

  • Drone attacks

  • Cross-border infiltration

  • Sleeper cells

  • Terror financing

It aims to coordinate army, navy, air force and intelligence agencies.

6. Green Ammonia

Definition

Green Ammonia = Nitrogen + Green Hydrogen.

Green Hydrogen is produced by electrolysis using renewable energy.

Uses

  • Fertiliser production

  • Shipping fuel

  • Power storage

  • Clean industrial fuel

Indian Agency

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).

Prelims trap: Grey ammonia uses natural gas and emits carbon.

7. Election Commission of India

Constitutional Basis

  • Article 324 gives powers to Election Commission.

  • Article 326 provides adult franchise.

Appointment Reform 2023

Committee includes:

  • Prime Minister

  • Union Minister

  • Leader of Opposition

Debate exists whether Chief Justice should be included.

Tenure

Six years or until age of 65.

ECI conducts elections for Parliament, State Assemblies, President and Vice-President.

8. Global Pesticide Toxicity

Major Contributors

India, China, USA and Brazil together contribute around 70 percent of global pesticide toxicity.

Crops with Highest Use

  • Fruits

  • Vegetables

  • Rice

  • Soybean

  • Cereals

Many pesticides banned in developed countries are still used in developing regions.

9. Indigenous TD Vaccine

Diseases Covered

Tetanus and Diphtheria.

Causes

  • Tetanus: Clostridium tetani bacterium.

  • Diphtheria: Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium.

Vaccine Type

Toxoid vaccine.

Tetanus spreads through wounds; diphtheria spreads through respiratory droplets.

10. Tetrodotoxin Poisoning

4

Source

Features

  • Powerful neurotoxin.

  • Heat stable; cooking does not destroy it.

  • No antidote.

Can cause paralysis and respiratory failure.

11. Lapis Lazuli

4

What It Is

Blue metamorphic rock used in jewellery and pigments.

Major Source

Badakhshan province in Afghanistan.

Composition

  • Blue colour due to lazurite mineral.

  • Golden streaks due to pyrite.

Historical Importance

  • Used in Harappan trade.

  • Used in ancient Egyptian cosmetics and jewellery.

Prelims trap: It is metamorphic rock, not igneous.

12. Wheat Important Facts

New Variety

Shalimar wheat is an early-maturing variety suitable for Kashmir conditions.

Crop Details

  • Wheat is a rabi crop.

  • Sowing: October to November.

  • Harvest: March to April.

  • Needs cool climate and dry harvest period.

Top Wheat Producers

China, India, Russia and USA.

Major Indian states: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh.

13. Cassava or Tapioca

Origin

Native to South America.

Introduced to India by Portuguese traders in the 17th century.

Major States in India

Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Uses

  • Sabudana

  • Starch industry

  • Animal feed

Prelims trap: Cassava is not native to India.

14. Smew Bird

Scientific Name

Mergus albellus.

Type

Migratory water duck.

Seen Recently

Kaziranga National Park.

IUCN Status

Least Concern.

15. Hoysala Temples

4

Dynasty

Hoysala Dynasty ruled parts of Karnataka between 10th and 14th centuries CE.

Capitals

Belur and Halebidu.

Architectural Features

  • Star-shaped platform called Jagati.

  • Soapstone used for carving.

  • Highly detailed sculptures.

UNESCO Sites

  • Chennakeshava Temple

  • Hoysaleswara Temple

  • Kesava Temple

16. CAFE-III Norms

Meaning

Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency norms.

Objective

Improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions of vehicles.

Implementation

Planned from 2027 to 2032.

Implementing Agency

Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

17. Critical Minerals Mission

Key Facts

Importance

Needed for:

  • Electric vehicles

  • Renewable energy

  • Semiconductors

  • Defence electronics

Partner Countries

Australia, European Union, Japan, UK and USA.

Final Rapid Revision List

  • India-Brazil trade target: 30 billion dollars by 2030.

  • MERCOSUR PTA signed in 2004.

  • Prahar is counter-terror policy.

  • Green ammonia = nitrogen plus green hydrogen.

  • TD vaccine is toxoid type.

  • Lapis lazuli source: Afghanistan.

  • Shalimar is wheat variety.

  • Cassava introduced by Portuguese.

  • Smew is migratory duck.

  • Hoysala temples use soapstone.

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