Crux of Vision IAS (Monthly)

Specially curated for

71st BPSC Prelims (2025)

December 2024
BPSC Repository
https://t.me/bpscrepository
Author’s Note
Dear BPSC Aspirants,

Welcome to this special magazine series — a crisp and focused compilation of the crux from VisionIAS
Monthly Magazines, one of the most trusted sources for current affairs in exams like UPSC, BPSC, and other
State PCS.

We understand the challenge: monthly magazines are often bulky, loaded with too many dimensions, and
not always tailored for Prelims-specific needs. For the Prelims stage, what truly matters is clarity — the core
idea, key facts, and highly relevant information.

This magazine is our humble attempt to cut through the clutter and offer you a precise, concise, and exam-
oriented resource — one that saves your time without compromising on quality.

Stay focused. Stay consistent. And may your preparation always be smarter than your syllabus.

P.S. In case you do not understand any of the short-forms used in this magazine, you can always ask me on
telegram https://t.me/bpscrepository

Warm regards!

Table of Contents
Author’s Note ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
Polity.................................................................................................................................................................... 2
International Relations ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Economy (Macro) ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Economy (India) .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Security................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Environment ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
Social Issues ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
Science & Tech................................................................................................................................................... 10
Modern Indian History...................................................................................................................................... 11
Arts & Culture ................................................................................................................................................... 11
Schemes ............................................................................................................................................................ 11
Places in News................................................................................................................................................... 12

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 Polity
1. One Nation, One Election Bill – 129th amendment bill
a. Articles to be amended – Art. 83, 172 (next LS, state legislature only for unexpired term),
327 (add “conduct of simultaneous elections to legislatures”)
b. Art 82A to be inserted – simultaneous election
2. Atrocities against SC
a. Art 366 defines SC.
b. Art 341 – President may notify SC for a state/UT after consulting state governor (of
respective state).
3. Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 (to replace Aircraft Act 1934)
a. Retains previous structure (DGCA>BCAS…) but power to issue radio telephone operator
license transferred from D/o Telecom to DGCA.
b. Covers mfg, use, operation, & trade - & now design of aircrafts also
India – 3rd largest domestic air passenger market
4. Overseas citizen of India – refer Laxmikanth
5. No-confidence motion against RS Chairman (Vice-President)
a. Art 67(b) – VP-removal – majority of RS members & agreed to it in LS with simple maj.
6. E-Courts Mission Mode Project Phase III – components – S3WAAS, e-Seva Kendra, CLASS
System, etc.
a. Central Sector scheme for 4 years (2023-27); funds to HCs by D/o Justice on
recommendation of e-Committee (SC of India)
7. Amrit Gyan Kosh Portal on iGOT – by Capacity Building Commission & Karmayogi Bharat.
8. E-Daakhil Portal – D/o Consumer Affairs – first launched by NCDRC (Nat. Consumer Dispute
Redressal Commission 2020)

International Relations
1. India-Sri Lanka: SL’s new president visited India – talks
on Kankesanthurai Port in SL, India-funded project of
Unique Digital Identity, Trincomalee as regional
industrial hub
a. Joint exercises like SLINEX (Naval) and MITRA
SHAKTI (Army) are held annually.
2. India-Bhutan
a. Bhutan King visited India – PM Modi reassured
of India’s support for Gelephu Mindfulness City
Project (2500km zero-carbon)
b. Other projects – 1020 MW Punatshangchhu-II hydro power project
3. India-Kuwait – PM of India’s first trip in 43 years – received ‘Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’

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 4. UK joins CPTPP (Comprehensive & Progressive
Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) – FTA in 12
members (not US, Russia, China, India).
5. China-Nepal signed BRI Cooperation Framework – for
trans-Himalayan connectivity network.
6. Phewa Dialogue – between Nepal & China [Phewa
lake in Pokhara Valley]
7. UN Sec-Gen paid tribute to Brigadier Amitabh Jha
who was serving with UNDOF at Golan Heights
a. UNDOF – HQ at Camp Faouar (Syrian Side) –
mandate to maintain ceasefire
8. Crossroads of Peace Initiative – trilateral consultation between India-Iran-Armenia – regional
transport related
9. Kerch Strait – in eastern part of Crimean Peninsula connecting Black Sea, Sea of Azov
10. UN Peacebuilding Commission (est. 2005 as inter-govt advisory body) – India re-elected for
2025-26.

Economy (Macro)
1. State Finances – RBI’s report – states contained their gross fiscal deficit within 3% of GDP
during 2021-22 to 2022-23; also maintained revenue deficit at 0.2% GDP
a. Debt of states remained above 20% (recom. By FRBM)
2. Cumulative amount of FDI inflows into India crossed $1 trillion milestone in April 2000 – Sept
2024 period
a. 2014-24 – FDI inflows saw increase of 119%.
b. 2000-24 – Service sector attracted highest FDI equity inflow
c. FDI Sources – Mauritius (25%) > Singapore > UK > US
d. State wise FDI received: MH > Karnataka > Gujarat
3. Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024 – seeks to amend RBI Act, Banking Reg. Act 1955 etc
4. Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for Decade 2024-2034 – by
UNGA
a. Builds on Vienna PoA (2014-24), Almaty PoA
b. 5 priorities – Sustainable growth, integration of regional trade, etc.
c. Targets: boost labour productivity, eliminate non-tariff barriers, implement WTO
Agreement
5. SMILE Program – India & ADB recently signed $350 million policy-based loan under this.
6. Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024
a. 2024 edition launched – theme was “Building a Digital Tomorrow: Public-Private
Investments and Global Collaboration for Digital Readiness”
b. India ranks 49th (climbed 11 ranks)

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 Economy (India)
1. Committee on National Accounts Statistics (NAS) to update GDP Base Year from 2011-12 to
2022-23: Chairman Biswanath Goldar
a. Previously changed in 2015.
2. World Bank’s report Benchmarking Infrastructure Development – only 19 economies have
adopted public fiscal management system.
3. MFN status – Most Favoured Nation – Switzerland suspended MFN clause in DTAA with India
a. TEPA (Trade & Economic
Partnership Agreement)
in 2024 – India and EFTA
signed it
b. TEPA aims for 1 million
direct jobs in India over
15 years.
4. India, South Africa opposed
China-led IFDA proposal at WTO:
a. IFDA – Investment
Facilitation for Development Agreement – 2017 est. – by China and other LDCs WTO
members
b. Aim – create legally binding provisions to increase global flows for FDI
5. mBridge Project – launched in 2021 – cross border, decentralized, multiple CBDC platform.
a. By BIS Innovation Hub + 4 central banks (China, Thailand, UAE, Hong-Kong)
Project Nexus: Bank for International Settlements (BIS) initiative that aims to connect
multiple domestic instant payment systems (IPS) globally.
6. Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024 – repeals Indian Railway Board Act 1905 & incorporates its
provisions into Railways Act 1989.
7. Insurance Sector – India is 10th largest insurance sector globally & 6th largest insurance
market by 2032 (Swiss Re Report)
a. 4.2% insurance penetration in India in 2021 (Global avg 7%)
b. $91 insurance density in India in 2021.
8. Tourism sector – India at 39th rank in Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024 by WEF.
a. India at 24th in international tourist arrivals 2023 (UN World Tourism Barometer)
th
9. 55 GST Council Meeting – in Jaisalmer – recommended to fully exempt GST on gene
therapy, reduce GST rate on fortified Rice Kernal to 5%.
10. All-India House Price Index (HPI) – RBI – Base 2010-11
11. Consumer Confidence Survey by RBI
12. SFBs allowed to extend credit line through UPI
a. SFBs announced in Budget 2014-15 – similar provisions for CRR, SLR like Sch. Banks
b. Rs. 200 crores – minimum paid-up voting equity capital; 75% of its ANBC to priority
sectors as per RBI
13. UPI Lite – refer Crux of October 2024 (Page 6)
14. World Bank’s Annual International Debt Report 2024.

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 15. State of Tax Justice 2024 – by Tax Justice Network
16. Global Wage Report by ILO
17. Windfall tax was abolished by govt – for crude oil, ATF, petrol, diesel exports
18. Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Program – ADB & India signed a $98 million loan agreement for
developing regulatory framework, institutional systems.
a. Approved under MIDH (Mission for Integrated Dev of Horticulture - CSS).
19. CGS-NPF (Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR Based Pledge Financing) – e-NWR is digital
version of traditional warehouse receipt.
a. M/o Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
b. Total Corpus: Rs 1,000-crore for post-harvest finance
c. Coverage: Loans up to Rs. 75 lakhs for agricultural purpose and up to Rs. 200 Lakhs
for non-agricultural purpose.
d. Eligible Institutions: All scheduled banks and cooperative banks.
e. Eligible Borrowers: Small and marginal farmers, women, SC/ST/PwD farmers, MSMEs,
traders, FPOs, and farmer cooperatives.
20. Kisan Kavach – D/o Biotech – anti-pesticide suit
21. National Legal Metrology Portal – D/o Consumer Affairs to develop e-Maap for unified
system to streamline process for issuing licenses, conducting verifications, etc.
22. Merchant Shipping Bill 2024 – National Shipping Board to be setup.
23. Jalvahak scheme to boost inland waterways – incentivize modal shift of 800 million tonnes
kms – time-frame 3 years
24. First ever auction of minerals in offshore areas – by M/o mines

Security
1. The NIA investigates offences under the following laws:
a. The Explosive Substances Act, 1908.
b. Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
c. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
d. Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016.
e. Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982.
f. Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms
on continental shelf Act, 2002
g. Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful
Activities) Act, 2005
h. The SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act, 1993
i. Offences under—
i. Chapter VI of the Indian Penal Code.
ii. Sections 370 and 370A of Chapter XVI of the Indian Penal Code.
iii. Sections 489-A to 489-E (both inclusive) of the Indian Penal Code.
iv. Sub-section (1AA) of section 25 of Chapter V of the Arms Act, 1959.
v. Section 66F of Chapter XI of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
2. UN Convention on Cybercrime – first legally binding UN instrument on cybercrime – 193 UN
members – UNODC as secretariat

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 3. Smuggling in India Report 2023-24 – by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (CBIC)
4. India has been chosen to chair the 68th Session of the UNCND for the 1st time.
a. UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs – est. by UN ECOSOC in 1964
5. UNODC – Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2024
6. Kaveri Engine – DRDO – to power LCA Tejas
a. Current Capability – produces 49-51 kN of thrust, suitable for UAV like Ghatak stealth
UCAV.
7. Satan 2 – Russia is set to deploy RS-28 Sarmat Intercontinental ballistic missile – equipped
with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles); 10,000-18,000 km range
& 10-ton payload capacity
8. Search & Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT) – INCOIS developed its advanced version

Exercises Description
SAREX-24 11th ed by Indian Coast Guard at Kochi
Desert Knight India+France+UAE over Arabian Sea – air-forces
Harimau Shakti 2024 India-Malaysia Annual Joint Military Exercise at Umroi
Cantonment, Meghalaya 2023
Agni Warrior 13th edition of Joint Mil. Ex. (XAW-2024) in Maharashtra – Indian
Army & Singapore
CINBAX 1st ed of Joint Table Top Exercise between India and Cambodia in
Pine

Environment
1. Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 – prepared by Forest Survey of India – every 2 years
since 1987.
a. Classifications: Very Dense (Canopy density > 70%), Moderately dense (40-70%),
Open (10-40%), Scrub (<10%)
b. Forest & Tree Cover in India = 25.17 % total area (21.76% forest cover + 3.41% tree
cover)
c. The total mangrove cover = 4,992 sq km

Forest & Tree Cover Forest Cover

Max. Increase Chhat > UP > Odisha> Raj. Mizo > Guj > Odisha
Largest (area wise) MP > Arunachal > Maha MP>Arunachal>Chhat
% area wise forest cover Lakshadweep (91.33%) > Mizo > A&N

2. Sacred Groves – managed by local communities – Piplantari Model (planting 111 trees on
girl child birth).
3. Ken-Betwa River Linking Project – 2 phases: Daudhan Dam in Panna TR for irrigation, power
generation & Lower Orr Dam, Bina complex, Kotha Barrage
4. World Cities Report 2024: Cities and Climate Action of UN-Habitat – Urban air pollution
accounted for 6.7% million premature deaths in 2019.

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 a. UP – first Indian state to adopt airshed management to reduce PM2.5 levels to 45
micrograms/m3 by 2027.
b. Air Quality Dashboard by ICIMOD – combines ground sensor data with satellite.
5. FAO’s first major assessment of soil ‘Global Status of Salt-Affected Soils’.
a. Most affected country – Australia (area wise) & Oman (% wise)
6. Business4Land Initiative – at COP16, UNCCD [UNCCD is sole legally binding international
agreement linking environment & development to sustainable land management].
a. Aim: restore 1.5 billion ha land by 2030
7. Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations failed in Busan, South Korea
8. Champions of Earth Award 2024 by UNEP to Madhav Gadgil (lifetime achievement)
9. India launched world’s first Green Steel Taxonomy.
a. Green Steel = CO2 equivalent emission intensity of <2.2 tons of CO2e per tonne of
finished steel.
b. Star rating based on emission intensity
10. India’s 1st ever Ganges River Dolphin tagging in Assam – by MoEFCC & Wildlife Institute of
India.
a. Funded by National CAMPA Authority
11. Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary declared as TR – 8th TR of MP & 57th of India – encompasses
Bhimbetka rock shelters
12. Madhav National Park – 9th TR of MP & 58th of India – hunting ground for Mughals.
13. Sponge City – to solve flash floods
14. Denali Fault – major strike-slip fault in Alaska, USA
15. Kilauea Volcano – erupted on Hawaii’s Big Island.

Social Issues
1. Australia - first country to pass a law banning social media use for children under 16.
2. "Brain rot" has been named the Oxford Word of the Year 2024
3. South Korea becomes ‘Super-Aged’ Society – population aged 65 or more – surpassed 20%
a. Only 2nd nation in Asia after Japan to be so
4. JJM – CSS by M/o Jal Shakti – safe & reliable tap water by 2024.
5. Global One-Stop Centres – 9 approved for Indian women in distress by MEA.
a. 7 in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia & 2 in Toronto, Singapore
6. Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign – M/o WCD – focus on 7 states of high burden.
7. Domestic Migration Report by EAC-PM – “400 Million Dreams”
a. Major routes – UP-Delhi, Guj-MH, Bihar-Delhi
b. Increasing migrant share in West Bengal, Rajasthan, Karnataka
8. ‘Right to Disconnect’ in India – employees can ignore calls of employers after work hours.
9. No detention policy – M/o Edu scraps this for class 5 & 8 for schools under Centre.
a. Now, schools are allowed to fail students who do not pass their year-end exams
under new rules.
10. Anna Chakra Tool – by M/o Consumer Affairs – tool for PDS Supply Chain optimization

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 Science & Tech
1. ISRO’s CE20 cryogenic engine passed a critical sea-level test – for nozzle protection system
a. tested in Mahendragiri, TN
2. Google’s quantum chip – Willow – reduce errors exponentially.
3. Avishkar Hyperloop (by IITM + TuTr) completed 410-meter Hyperloop
test track.
4. 10th anniversary of M/o Ayush
a. National AYUSH Mission – promote, develop traditional
medical system – till 2026
5. As per WHO, Rare diseases - lifelong disease or disorder with a
prevalence of 1 or less, per 1000 population. For E.g. Fanconi Anemia,
Osteopetrosis etc.
6. ESA’s Proba-3 satellites by ISRO on PSLV-C59
7. Axiom Mission 4 – 4th private astronaut mission to ISS (Space Station) – on Dragon spacecraft
aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
8. Dark Comet – Oumuamua-like object discovered – look like asteroids but act like comets &
have less surface area for material to form tails.
9. FSSAI has classified packaged drinking water as ‘High Risk Food Category’.
10. Snakebite cases and deaths as a ‘notifiable disease’ – MoHFW – hence, it is required by law
to be reported to govt authorities.
11. World Malaria Report by WHO
a. Five Plasmodium species cause malaria in humans: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P.
malariae, P. ovale, P. knowlesi
b. P. falciparum & P. Vivax – greatest threat
c. Vaccines: RTS, S/AS01 (1st vaccine), R21/Matric-M (2nd vaccine in 2023)
12. Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) – small circular DNA fragments that float freely in the
nucleus, separate from chromosomes
13. Marburg Virus Disease – in Rwanda – Virus (Marburg, Ravn) – infection from prolonged
exposure to mines or caves inhabited by Rousettus fruit bat colonies
14. World’s first carbon-14 diamond battery – uses fast moving electrons from radioactive decay
of C-14.
15. Milkweed Fiber – unique natural fibre extracted from seed pods of milkweed plants – native
to North America.
a. Oily material, lignin
16. Bio-Bitumen – India’s first National Highway made with it in Nagpur-Manser Bypass on
NH44.
a. Bio-bitumen is petroleum free alternative to bitumen, manufactured from organic
elements.

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 Modern Indian History
1. CPI – 100th foundation day in 2025.
a. 1920 – Communist Party formed outside India in Tashkent by MN Roy, Md. Ali,
Mohd. Shafiq, etc. – inspired from October Revolution 1917.
b. In India, Kanpur Communist Conference in Dec. 1925 – resolution for CPI adopted
c. 1st President – Singaravelu Chettiar (May 1923 – 1st May Day celebration in India).
d. Marxist-Leninist ideas
2. 1924 Belgaum Session (39th)- Gandhi presided.
3. Shri Tulsi Gowda - Encyclopedia of the Forest

Arts & Culture

a. GI Tag – Gharchola (traditional wedding sari from Gujarat)
b. Indira Gandhi Prize – Michelle Bachelet (former Chile President) for peace, disarmament,
development, 2024 – award of Rs. 10 million & trophy.
c. Sahitya Akademi 2024 – Naga writer Easterine Kire’s “Spirit Nights” wins this

Schemes
1. Samarth Scheme (2017-26, M/o Textile) – training across textile sector, skilling/ upskilling/
reskilling.

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 Places in News

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