29th October 2026

Explanation - The refusal of the British East India Company to recognise Shivalingappa as the legitimate heir under the doctrine of lapse led to the Kittur Rebellion, spearheaded by Rani Channamma. During the initial battle in October 1824, British official St. John Thackeray, who led the attack on Kittur, was killed by Kitturu forces. Although Rani Channamma initially resisted the British, they later captured Kittur Fort. She was imprisoned and eventually died in captivity in 1829, without establishing independent rule.

Explanation - It is a flagship initiative launched in 2019 under the Startup India initiative to recognise innovation and entrepreneurship and strengthen India’s startup ecosystem. It provides a national platform to recognise entrepreneurial excellence and showcase innovative solutions addressing critical challenges across sectors. It recognises startups demonstrating outstanding performance in innovation, scalability, sustainability and socio-economic impact. Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Explanation - It is a UNESCO multilateral treaty by which States agree to adopt national and international measures to prevent and eliminate doping in sport. Background: The Convention was adopted during the 33rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference (19 October 2005) and entered into force on 1 February 2007. It is the only legally binding international instrument committed to promoting integrity and eliminating doping in sport globally. Members: It consists of 192 States Parties, making it UNESCO’s second most ratified treaty. India is a signatory to the International Convention Against Doping in Sport. Aim: The Convention aims to harmonise anti-doping legislation, guidelines, regulations, and rules internationally in order to provide a level and safe playing environment for all athletes. Governance: The Conference of Parties (COP) is the sovereign body of the Convention, meeting in ordinary session biennially. It has overall responsibility for its implementation and evolution. Features of International Convention against Doping in Sport — The convention allows governments to formally recognise the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Code. It works under a positive implementation approach, providing guidance, financial support, skill-training and capacity-building to empower States Parties aiming to enhance their implementation of the Convention. It also provides a global forum for public and private stakeholders of the sport integrity ecosystem. Funding mechanism: Anti-Doping Fund was formed to create awareness about doping.

Explanation - A Council created by Act of Parliament could perform three core functions — Develop offence-specific guidelines using a three-stage framework: Assess seriousness via culpability and harm (planning, violence, weapon use, victim vulnerability, demonstrable harm). Set an indicative starting point and range within the statutory envelope. Individualise and justify the sentence using recognised purposes like rehabilitation. Build a national sentencing database, using the National Judicial Data Grid’s infrastructure — anonymised data on offence type, harm/culpability factors, starting points, adjustments, and final sentences — enabling Parliament, courts, and the public to identify disparities. Issue guidelines as delegated legislation, placed before Parliament for approval — advisory but strongly presumptive. Courts must consider them in every case and give reasons when departing, preserving judicial independence while making discretion accountable.

Explanation - The Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2026 brought together scientists, Nobel laureates, industry leaders, startup founders and young researchers to discuss India’s scientific and technological priorities. The central objective highlighted at the conclave was to move beyond discussions and establish measurable targets for innovation. Researchers and entrepreneurs were encouraged to identify technologies, prototypes, pilot projects or products they could develop over the next three years in support of Viksit Bharat. India’s scientific ambitions are increasingly focused on developing indigenous capabilities, creating globally competitive technologies and addressing domestic and international challenges.