Today’s Prelims Topics
- 1. Hunger Strike — GS PAPER II — Polity, Fundamental Rights & Constitutional Law
- 2. Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 — GS PAPER II — Polity, National Symbols & Constitutional Law
- 3. Hydrogen-Powered Train — GS PAPER III — Energy, Technology & Sustainable Development
- 4. GLP-1s (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists) — GS PAPER III — Health, Medicine & Biotechnology
1. Hunger Strike
GS: GS PAPER II — Polity, Fundamental Rights & Constitutional Law
A form of non-violent protest where a person voluntarily abstains from food. No explicit constitutional right, but protected under Article 19 (freedom of speech/assembly) and Article 21 (right to life).
Key Points to Remember
- Definition: Non-violent protest by voluntary abstention from food to press for demands or draw attention to causes.
- Constitutional Basis: No explicit constitutional right to hunger strike. Protected under Article 19(1)(a) [freedom of speech] and Article 19(1)(b) [peaceful assembly], subject to reasonable restrictions.
- Right to Life (Article 21): State has positive obligation to protect life of a person, including indefinite hunger striker.
- Supreme Court View: State cannot remain passive if hunger strike endangers life; may intervene to preserve life while respecting constitutional rights.
- Distinction: Different from attempted suicide as primary objective is expressing dissent/seeking redress, not ending life.
- Famous Examples: Mahatma Gandhi, Potti Sriramulu (Andhra Pradesh formation), Irom Sharmila (14-year fast against Armed Forces Special Powers Act).
Exam Significance
- Tests understanding of Article 19 (freedoms) and Article 21 (right to life) intersection.
- Examines balance between constitutional rights and state’s duty to protect life.
- Important for questions on non-violent protest and civil disobedience in India.
- Related to landmark Supreme Court judgments on constitutional protection of protest.
Prelims MCQ Practice
With reference to hunger strikes in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Constitution explicitly recognizes the right to undertake an indefinite hunger strike as a Fundamental Right. 2. The Supreme Court has held that the State has a duty to protect the life of a person undertaking an indefinite hunger strike. 3. The right to peaceful protest under Article 19 is subject to reasonable restrictions.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is incorrect — the Constitution does not explicitly recognize a right to hunger strike. 2 nd statement is correct — SC emphasized State’s obligation under Article 21 to protect life. Statement 3 is correct — freedoms under Article 19 are subject to reasonable restrictions.
→ Related: Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (upsc-prelims-upsc-prelims-national-honour-bill)
2. Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026
GS: GS PAPER II — Polity, National Symbols & Constitutional Law
Amends 1971 Act to make intentional insult to or obstruction of ‘Vande Mataram’ punishable offence, matching protection given to National Anthem. Linked to Fundamental Duty under Article 51A(a).
Key Points to Remember
- Purpose: Extend legal protection to ‘Vande Mataram’ (National Song) against insult/disruption, making it punishable offence.
- Existing Act (1971): Protects National Flag, Constitution of India, and National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana) from intentional insult.
- Proposed Amendment: Intentional insult to or disruption during singing of Vande Mataram punishable with imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both.
- Vande Mataram: Composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in novel Anandamath (1882). First two stanzas enjoy status of National Song.
- National Anthem: Jana Gana Mana, written by Rabindranath Tagore, adopted 24 January 1950.
- Constitutional Link: Reinforces Fundamental Duty under Article 51A(a) — to abide by Constitution and respect its ideals, National Flag, and National Anthem.
- Penalty for Repeat Offence: Minimum imprisonment of 1 year for conviction under Sections 2 or 3.
Exam Significance
- Tests knowledge of national symbols and their constitutional protection.
- Examines distinction between national anthem, national song, and other symbols.
- Important for questions on Fundamental Duties under Article 51A.
- Relevant for understanding legislative amendments to protect national dignity.
Prelims MCQ Practice
With reference to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, consider the following statements: 1. It seeks to make intentional insult to or obstruction during the singing of Vande Mataram a punishable offence. 2. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 currently provides legal protection only to the National Flag and the National Anthem. 3. Respect for the National Flag and the National Anthem is a Fundamental Duty under Article 51A(a) of the Constitution.
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct — the amendment extends legal protection to Vande Mataram. 2nd statement is incorrect — the 1971 Act already protects the National Flag, Constitution of India, and National Anthem. Statement 3 is correct — Article 51A(a) makes it a Fundamental Duty to respect these symbols.
→ Related: Hunger Strike (Constitutional Protection of Protest) (upsc-prelims-upsc-prelims-hunger-strike-constitutional-rights)
3. Hydrogen-Powered Train
GS: GS PAPER III — Energy, Technology & Sustainable Development
Trains using hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity. Zero tailpipe emissions (only water vapour). Emerging technology for decarburizing rail transport, especially non-electrified routes.
Key Points to Remember
- Definition: Uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity for electric traction motors. Only direct emission is water vapour.
- Working Principle: Hydrogen in onboard tanks reacts with oxygen in fuel cell, producing electricity, water and heat. Electricity powers train or charges onboard batteries.
- Types of Hydrogen: Green (electrolysis via renewable energy — preferred), Blue (steam methane reforming with carbon capture), Grey (conventional steam methane reforming).
- Advantages: Zero direct carbon emissions, suitable for non-electrified routes, reduces diesel dependence, lower noise and air pollution.
- Challenges: High production cost of green hydrogen, limited storage/refuelling infrastructure, safety/transportation of hydrogen, lower efficiency vs direct electrification.
- India’s Initiative: Developing hydrogen-powered trains under National Green Hydrogen Mission to decarburize rail transport on heritage and non-electrified routes.
- Global Leaders: Germany first to introduce commercial hydrogen trains, followed by France, Italy, Japan, China.
Exam Significance
- Tests knowledge of emerging green energy technologies.
- Important for understanding hydrogen economy and production methods.
- Relevant for questions on India’s climate commitments and sustainable transport.
- Examines difference between green, blue and grey hydrogen production.
Prelims MCQ Practice
With reference to hydrogen-powered trains, consider the following statements: 1. Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity through the reaction of hydrogen with oxygen, producing water as the primary by-product. 2. Hydrogen-powered trains emit carbon dioxide during normal operations. 3. Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy through the electrolysis of water.
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct — fuel cells generate electricity combining hydrogen and oxygen, producing water and heat. 2nd statement is incorrect — hydrogen trains have zero tailpipe carbon emissions, emitting mainly water vapour. Statement 3 is correct — green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis powered by renewable energy.
→ Related: GLP-1s and Healthcare Innovation (upsc-prelims-upsc-prelims-glp1-diabetes-obesity)
4. GLP-1s (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists)
GS: GS PAPER III — Health, Medicine & Biotechnology
Class of medicines for Type 2 Diabetes and obesity. Mimic natural GLP-1 hormone. Regulate insulin, suppress appetite, slow gastric emptying. Examples: Semaglutide, Liraglutide.
Key Points to Remember
- Definition: Class of medicines (GLP-1 receptor agonists) used for Type 2 Diabetes and obesity treatment.
- Natural Hormone: Mimic Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), incretin hormone naturally released by intestine after meals.
- Mechanism: Stimulate insulin secretion (when glucose high), suppress glucagon (reduce liver glucose production), slow gastric emptying (prolonged satiety), reduce appetite (promote weight loss).
- Major Uses: Type 2 Diabetes management, obesity/overweight treatment, reduce cardiovascular event risk in high-risk diabetic patients.
- Examples: Semaglutide, Liraglutide, Dulaglutide, Exenatide, Tirzepatide (dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist).
- Common Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort; rare risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease.
- Significance: Transformed diabetes and obesity management by addressing both blood sugar control and weight reduction.
Exam Significance
- Tests knowledge of modern pharmacological treatments for metabolic diseases.
- Important for understanding mechanism of action of drug classes.
- Relevant for questions on obesity and diabetes epidemiology in India.
- Examines distinctions between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes treatment approaches.
Prelims MCQ Practice
With reference to GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s), consider the following statements: 1. They stimulate insulin secretion only when blood glucose levels are elevated. 2. They delay gastric emptying and help reduce appetite. 3. They are primarily used for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct — GLP-1s stimulate glucose-dependent insulin secretion, reducing hypoglycaemia risk. 2nd Statement is correct — they slow gastric emptying and suppress appetite, contributing to weight loss. Statement 3 is incorrect — mainly approved for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and obesity, not as primary therapy for Type 1 Diabetes.
→ Related: Hydrogen-Powered Trains (Sustainable Technology) (upsc-prelims-upsc-prelims-hydrogen-powered-trains)
Key Takeaways for UPSC Prelims
Quick Recall Points
- Article 19: Freedoms of speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, profession — all subject to reasonable restrictions.
- Article 21: Right to life includes right to dignity, privacy, and State’s duty to protect fundamental interests.
- Article 51A: Fundamental Duties bind every citizen — respect Constitution, national symbols, sovereignty.
- Hunger Strike: Protected as protest under Arts 19 & 21, but State can intervene if life endangered.
- National Symbols: Flag (Tricolour), Anthem (Jana Gana Mana), Song (Vande Mataram), Constitution — all legally protected.
- Green Hydrogen: Produced via renewable energy + water electrolysis. Cleanest, most sustainable form.
- GLP-1s: Glucose-dependent insulin stimulation (safe), slows stomach emptying, reduces appetite — dual action for diabetes & obesity.
All topics cover high-yield Prelims concepts. Focus on MCQ options carefully — statement accuracy and constitutional links are key.
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