Background
The Kushavati district portal of the Government of Goa states that the district comprises four administrative talukas: Dharbandora, Sanguem, Quepem and Canacona.
The district covers a total geographical area of approximately 1,962.00 square kilometres, given also as 196,199.98 hectares.
It was constituted by Official Notification No. 16/29/1/2023-Rev-I/3259, dated December 31, 2025.
The portal lists the Zuari, Talpona, Sal and Galgibag among the rivers of the district.
Talukas:
Four
Area:
approximately 1,962.00 square kilometres
Notification:
No. 16/29/1/2023-Rev-I/3259, dated December 31, 2025
Why it matters for exams: New districts and the talukas placed under them are a standing question in State administration papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Taluka Taluka — A revenue sub-division of a district in Goa and several other States.
Background
Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju was sworn in as the 22nd Governor of Goa on July 26, 2025.
The oath of office was administered by Justice Alok Aradhe, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
The ceremony was held at the New Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, the Council of Ministers, Members of Parliament and MLAs attended, along with Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Union Minister of State Shripad Naik.
Raju succeeded P. S. Sreedharan Pillai as Governor of Goa.
He had earlier served as Union Minister for Civil Aviation in 2014 and as an MLA in Andhra Pradesh.
Governor:
Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, 22nd Governor of Goa
Oath administered by:
Justice Alok Aradhe, Chief Justice of Bombay High Court
Venue:
New Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula
Why it matters for exams: Who holds a State's Governorship, and who administers the oath, are direct one-mark questions in both Kerala PSC and UPSC prelims.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Raj Bhavan Raj Bhavan — The official residence of a State Governor; Goa's is at Dona Paula.
Background
The District Mineral Foundation is a trust mechanism that directs a share of mining revenues to community welfare.
Its legal basis is an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
The DMF Trust in Goa was created in 2016.
Goa operates two District Mineral Foundation trusts: the North Goa DMF Trust, covering mining-affected areas including Bicholim and Sattari talukas, and the Kushavati DMF Trust, covering Quepem, Sanguem and Dharbandora talukas.
Funds are collected from mining leaseholders, who contribute a fixed percentage of their royalty payments.
The trusts work under the Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Goa, following Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana guidelines.
Legal basis:
amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
Created in Goa:
2016
Trusts:
North Goa DMF Trust and Kushavati DMF Trust
Why it matters for exams: The MMDR Act amendment, DMFs and the PMKKKY are a standard set, and Goa shows how the trusts are drawn on district lines.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PMKKKY Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana — The central scheme that lays down how District Mineral Foundation funds are to be spent.
MMDR Act Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 — The central law governing mineral concessions and mining royalties in India.
7 October 2026
Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda is to lead the national launch of JOSH Teams at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 8 October 2026.
JOSH stands for Joint Squad for Health, a structured mechanism to turn youth energy into organised community action for tuberculosis elimination.
In the first phase, JOSH Teams will be deployed across 55 districts in 11 States to strengthen youth-led community mobilisation.
The launch is a joint effort of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence.
Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Shri Sanjay Seth and Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta are among those taking part.
The programme includes new Information, Education and Communication materials and the launch of Khushi Avatar, an AI-powered chatbot for TB awareness.
In 2025, 67,933 panchayats across 697 districts were recognised as TB Mukt.
JOSH:
Joint Squad for Health
First phase coverage:
55 districts in 11 States
Launch venue:
Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
TB Mukt panchayats in 2025:
67,933 across 697 districts
AI chatbot:
Khushi Avatar
Why it matters for exams: TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, its figures and new named mechanisms such as JOSH Teams are standard health-scheme questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IEC Information, Education and Communication — Public-awareness material used in health campaigns.
Background
The India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) was signed in 1998 and entered into force in March 2000.
Under it, 4,150 Indian tariff lines carry zero duty for Sri Lankan goods, and 3,932 tariff lines receive reciprocal treatment.
Special quotas apply for tea, textiles and garments with preferential margins.
More than 60% of Sri Lankan exports to India use ISFTA provisions, while only about 5% of Indian exports to Sri Lanka use these benefits.
Signed:
1998
Entered into force:
March 2000
Indian tariff lines at zero duty:
4,150
Reciprocal tariff lines:
3,932
Share of Sri Lankan exports to India using ISFTA:
More than 60%
Why it matters for exams: ISFTA is the agreement behind India-Sri Lanka trade, and its tariff-line concessions and year of entry into force are repeatedly asked.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ISFTA India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement — The bilateral trade agreement in force since March 2000.
Tariff line A single product heading in a customs tariff schedule — Concessions in a trade agreement are counted in tariff lines.
Background
The Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, is known as the Outer Space Treaty.
It was adopted by the General Assembly on 19 December 1966 through resolution 2222 (XXI), following the 1963 Declaration of Legal Principles.
It was opened for signature at London, Moscow and Washington on 27 January 1967 and entered into force on 10 October 1967; three Governments (USSR, United Kingdom and United States) assumed the depositary duties.
Outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by any means.
States shall not place in orbit objects carrying nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction.
States bear international responsibility for national space activities, whether carried on by governmental agencies or by non-governmental entities.
Adopted by General Assembly:
19 December 1966, resolution 2222 (XXI)
Opened for signature:
27 January 1967
Entered into force:
10 October 1967
Depositary Governments:
3
Why it matters for exams: The treaty's no-national-appropriation and no-weapons-of-mass-destruction principles and its year of entry into force are favourite space-law questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Depositary Governments Governments with which a treaty's instruments are deposited — For this treaty they are the USSR, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Background
The National Commission for Women (NCW) was set up as a statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 (Act No. 20 of 1990).
Its purposes include reviewing the Constitutional and legal safeguards for women, recommending remedial legislative measures, facilitating redressal of grievances and advising the Government on all policy matters affecting women.
The Committee on the Status of Women in India (CSWI) recommended the establishment of the Commission.
The Bill received the assent of the President on 30th August 1990, and the First Commission was constituted on 31st January 1992.
Under Section 3 the Commission consists of a Chairperson, five Members and a Member-Secretary, all nominated by the Central Government; at least one Member each shall be from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes respectively.
Section 10 functions include looking into complaints and taking suo moto notice of matters, and inspecting a jail, remand home, women's institution or other place of custody where women are kept.
Act:
National Commission for Women Act, 1990 (Act No. 20 of 1990)
Presidential assent to the Bill:
30th August 1990
First Commission constituted:
31st January 1992
Members besides Chairperson and Member-Secretary:
Five
Why it matters for exams: The parent Act, the 1992 start, the CSWI origin and the Section 3 composition are common questions on statutory commissions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CSWI Committee on the Status of Women in India — The committee whose recommendation led to the setting up of the Commission.
Background
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India was established on 12 October, 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993, as amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019.
Section 2(1)(d) of the PHR Act defines human rights as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India.
The NHRC is in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted at the first International workshop on National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights held in Paris in October 1991.
Under Section 3, the Commission has a Chairperson who has been a Chief Justice of India or a Judge of the Supreme Court; one Member who is, or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court; one Member who is, or has been, the Chief Justice of a High Court; and three Members, at least one of whom shall be a woman, with knowledge of or practical experience in matters relating to human rights.
The Chairpersons of the National Commissions for Backward Classes, Minorities, Protection of Child Rights, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Women, and the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, are deemed Members for the functions in clauses (b) to (j) of Section 12.
A Secretary-General is the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission.
Established:
12 October, 1993
Statute:
Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
Amended by:
Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019
Definition of human rights:
Section 2(1)(d)
Composition:
Section 3
Why it matters for exams: The parent statute, the Section 2(1)(d) definition, the Section 3 composition and the deemed-Member provision are standard polity questions on statutory bodies.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PHRA Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 — The statute under which the NHRC is established.
Background
Diplomatic relations between Bhutan and India were established in January 1968; the Golden Jubilee was celebrated in 2018.
Bhutan's foreign ministry calls cooperation in hydropower the centrepiece of the economic cooperation between the two countries.
India is Bhutan's largest development and most important trading partner, both as a source and a market.
As a landlocked country, all of Bhutan's third-country imports and exports transit through India.
India is the biggest market for several Bhutanese exports, including electricity, dolomite and ferrosilicon.
India's assistance has grown substantially since 1961, when Bhutan launched its first Five Year Plan.
Diplomatic relations established:
January 1968
Centrepiece of economic cooperation:
Hydropower
Bhutan's first Five Year Plan:
1961
Why it matters for exams: India's neighbourhood relations are a core UPSC and PSC area; hydropower and transit trade are the usual hooks.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Landlocked Having no sea coast — Bhutan has no coastline, so its third-country trade passes through India.
Background
Bhutan became a member of the IMF in 1981, according to its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
It became a member of the World Bank (IBRD and IDA) in 1981. The ministry notes the IBRD Articles of Agreement require countries to join the IMF to become a member of the World Bank Group.
Bhutan became a member of the ADB, UNESCO and the WHO in 1982.
Bhutan is not a WTO member: the WTO lists it among ongoing accessions, and its accession Working Party was established on 6 October 1999.
IMF membership:
1981
World Bank membership:
1981
WTO accession Working Party established:
6 October 1999
Why it matters for exams: Memberships of international financial bodies and the WTO accession status of South Asian states are common questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development — The World Bank institution whose Articles of Agreement require IMF membership.
Accession Working Party WTO accession working party — The WTO body that examines an applicant's trade regime before it can join.
Background
SAARC was established on 8 December 1985 with the adoption of its Charter in Dhaka by the Heads of State or Government of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan joined SAARC in April 2007 as the eighth member; the SAARC Secretariat is in Kathmandu.
Bhutan hosted the 16th SAARC Summit in Thimphu in 2010.
BIMSTEC was created by the Bangkok Declaration of 1997; its current name was adopted in 2004 following Bhutan and Nepal's admission.
Bhutan joined the Colombo Plan in 1962.
SAARC established:
8 December 1985, Dhaka
BIMSTEC founding declaration:
Bangkok Declaration, 1997
Bhutan joined Colombo Plan:
1962
Why it matters for exams: Dates and places of regional groupings, and which neighbours belong to which, are recurring Country Focus and international-organisation questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation — Regional body whose Charter was adopted in Dhaka in 1985.
BIMSTEC Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation — Seven-member group of five South Asian and two South-east Asian states.
Background
The 13th Amendment to the Constitution was made in 1987 to the Sri Lanka Constitution of 1978.
Its objective, under a unitary constitution, was devolution of power to the provincial councils.
The devolved powers were placed in the Provincial Council List and the Concurrence List; the rest were given to the central government by a Reserved List.
Each provincial council and the central government may enact statutes on subjects in the Concurrence List.
The amendment makes provision for one provincial council in every province.
The nine provinces listed are Western, North West, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Eastern, Southern, North Central and Northern.
Amendment:
13th Amendment, 1987
Provinces:
9
Lists:
Provincial Council List, Concurrence List, Reserved List
Why it matters for exams: The nine provinces and the three legislative lists of the 13th Amendment are asked in comparisons with India's Union, State and Concurrent Lists.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Concurrence List The list of subjects on which both the central government and provincial councils may enact statutes — This is the spelling the ministry page uses.
Reserved List The list through which the remaining powers were given to the central government — Powers not devolved to provincial councils sit here.
Background
The Government of Sri Lanka describes the country as a free, independent and sovereign state governed by a presidential system introduced under the constitution of 1978.
Executive power of the state is vested in the President, who is assisted by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Legislative power is exercised by the Parliament, which consists of 225 members elected by the people on a proportional representation basis.
Provincial councils, elected by the people, are the governing body at provincial level.
Local authorities are responsible for administering the urban areas and the "Pradeshiya Sabha" areas.
The judicial system is described as independent of the executive and the legislature.
Members of Parliament:
225
Method of election:
Proportional representation
Presidential system introduced under:
Constitution of 1978
Why it matters for exams: Strength of the legislature, the electoral method and the constitution that created the executive presidency are standard comparative-polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Proportional representation An electoral method — Under it, seats are allotted in proportion to the votes won; the Government of Sri Lanka says Parliament is elected on this basis.
Background
The official name is the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; the short form is Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon.
The Government of Sri Lanka's country overview lists the capital as Sri Jayewardenepura.
The same overview lists Colombo as the commercial capital.
Total area is 65,610 sq km: land 62,705 sq km and inland waters 2,905 sq km.
Its history note says the capital was moved constantly until the Portuguese arrived in 1505, when the chief city was established at Kotte, in the western lowlands.
Capital (as listed):
Sri Jayewardenepura
Commercial capital:
Colombo
Total area:
65,610 sq km
Why it matters for exams: Capital versus commercial capital is a standing question in country-profile papers, and Colombo is the usual wrong answer.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Commercial capital The city that is the country's main centre of business — Sri Lanka's government overview lists Colombo under this heading, separately from the capital.
Background
A Ganga/Ganges Waters sharing Treaty was signed with Bangladesh in 1996.
It covers the sharing of Ganga/Ganges waters at Farakka.
PIB describes Farakka as the last control structure on river Ganga in India.
As per the Treaty, the waters are shared during the lean period, from 1 January to 31 May every year.
Sharing is on a 10-day period basis, as per the formula provided in the Treaty.
Treaty year:
1996
Sharing point:
Farakka
Sharing period:
1 January to 31 May
Basis:
10-day period
Why it matters for exams: India's water treaties with its neighbours are asked by year, river, location and the sharing period.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Maitri Setu is built over the Feni river, which flows between the Indian boundary in Tripura State and Bangladesh.
The 1.9 Km long bridge joins Sabroom in India with Ramgarh in Bangladesh.
It was built by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd at a project cost of Rs. 133 Crores.
PIB says Chittagong Port is just 80 Kms from Sabroom.
PIB calls the Agartala-Akhaura railway project the first railway project between the North Eastern States and Bangladesh.
The alignment is 5.46 km in India and 6.78 km in Bangladesh, at a total cost of Rs.972.52 crore.
The rail link was inaugurated on 1 November 2023.
Bridge:
Maitri Setu over the Feni river
Bridge length:
1.9 Km
Joins:
Sabroom (India) and Ramgarh (Bangladesh)
Rail link alignment:
5.46 km in India, 6.78 km in Bangladesh
Why it matters for exams: India's neighbourhood connectivity projects with Bangladesh are asked as names, rivers, places and agencies.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IRCON Indian Railway Construction Company — The firm through which Ministry of Railways built the Indian portion.
Background
The United Nations member-states list gives Bangladesh's date of admission as 17 September 1974.
The Commonwealth page for Bangladesh says it joined the Commonwealth in 1972, after independence from Pakistan.
The World Trade Organization says Bangladesh has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995.
The same WTO page says Bangladesh has been a member of GATT since 16 December 1972.
The capital city is Dhaka.
UN admission:
17 September 1974
Commonwealth:
1972
WTO member since:
1 January 1995
GATT member since:
16 December 1972
Capital:
Dhaka
Why it matters for exams: Membership years of international bodies are a staple of country-profile questions, and the UN, GATT and WTO dates are easily confused.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade — The multilateral trade agreement that preceded the WTO.
Background
The Gujarat High Court came to be established on 1st May, 1960 as a result of the bifurcation of the former State of Bombay into two States, Gujarat being one of them.
The High Court started functioning near Akashwani, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad.
It later shifted to a new building at Sola, Ahmedabad, from 16th January, 1999.
The seat of the High Court is therefore Ahmedabad.
Established:
1st May, 1960
Original location:
Near Akashwani, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad
Shifted to Sola, Ahmedabad:
16th January, 1999
Why it matters for exams: Establishment dates and seats of High Courts, and their link to State reorganisation, are standard polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Bifurcation Division of one State into two — Here it means the division of the former State of Bombay into two States.
Background
The Goa, Daman and Diu Official Language Act, 1987 makes Konkani in the Devanagari script the sole official language of Goa.
It provides that Marathi may also be used for all or any of the official purposes.
The Goa Legislative Assembly passed the bill making Konkani the official language on 4 February 1987; the day is observed as Official Language Day.
Konkani was recognised in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution on 20 August 1992.
Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali were included in the Eighth Schedule in 1992.
The Schedule now lists 22 languages.
Official Language Act:
1987
Script:
Devanagari
Eighth Schedule recognition:
20 August 1992
Languages added with Konkani in 1992:
Manipuri, Nepali
Why it matters for exams: Official languages and Eighth Schedule additions are regular polity questions, and the sole-versus-Marathi qualifier is the examinable detail.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Eighth Schedule Eighth Schedule to the Constitution — It lists the languages officially recognised by the Constitution.
Background
Goa became the 25th State of the Indian Union on 30 May 1987.
It was initially administered as a Union Territory and later conferred Statehood.
Goa Statehood Day is marked on 30 May.
The State has a 40-member Legislative Assembly, located on the Porvorim hillock overlooking the capital, Panaji.
Statehood conferred:
30 May 1987
Order among States:
25th
Legislative Assembly strength:
40
Capital:
Panaji
Why it matters for exams: State formation order and the capital and legislature of each State are staple polity and general knowledge questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Union Territory Union Territory — An area administered by the Union Government rather than being a full State.