Prelims Pinpointer 13-01-2026 -

Retail Inflation

In News

India’s retail inflation rose to 1.33%, a three-month high, but remained below RBI’s lower tolerance of 2%.
The low inflation was driven by a broad-based decline in prices across sectors.
Core inflation rose to a 28-month high of 4.8%, mainly due to precious metals (gold and silver).
Retail inflation, also called CPI inflation, measures the change in prices of goods and services consumed by households.

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

- CPI is calculated for a fixed basket of goods and services.
- The change in CPI over time is called retail inflation.

What CPI Indicates

- Cost of living
- Purchasing power of consumers
- Relative prices of goods and services
- Value of the Indian rupee

How CPI is Calculated

- CPI is measured as a percentage change from a base year.
- Base year for CPI = 2012.

Who Releases CPI Data?

- Compiled and released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
- Published monthly for Rural, Urban, and Combined sectors at All-India and State levels.

How CPI is Used

- Primary measure of inflation in India.
- Used by RBI for inflation targeting and monetary policy.
- Helps assess price stability.
- Acts as a deflator in national income accounts.
- Measures real value of wages, salaries and pensions and currency purchasing power.

RBI Inflation Targeting Framework

- Target inflation: 4%
- Tolerance band: 2% – 6%
- Retail inflation below 2% is considered below comfort level.

Context: Two persons suspected of being infected by Nipah virus in West Bengal are undergoing treatment, officials said on Monday. The Union Health Ministry responded by deploying a national joint outbreak response team to manage the situation.

Nipah Virus (NiV)

Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, spreading from animals to humans, food, and human-to-human contact.
It is an RNA virus of the Paramyxoviridae family and Henipavirus genus, closely related to the Hendra virus.
Natural host: Fruit bats (Pteropus genus); virus is present in their urine, faeces, saliva and birthing fluids.
Intermediate hosts include pigs, dogs, cats, goats, horses and sheep.
Case fatality rate: 40%–75%, making it one of the deadliest viral infections.
Disease caused: Encephalitis with fever, headache, drowsiness, disorientation, confusion, coma and death.
Diagnosis: RT-PCR from body fluids and ELISA-based antibody detection.
Prevention: No vaccine available for humans or animals.
WHO status: Listed as a Priority Disease for research and emergency preparedness.

Pax Silica

Context: India will be invited to join “Pax Silica” as incoming U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor announced on Monday.

Pax Silica Initiative: Overview

It is a U.S.-led strategic initiative
Objective: Build a secure, prosperous and innovation-driven silicon supply chain
Covers the entire value chain:
- Critical minerals
- Energy inputs
- Advanced manufacturing
- Semiconductors
- Artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure
- Logistics and transportation

Core Objectives

Reduce coercive dependencies in strategic technology supply chains
Protect materials and capabilities foundational to AI development
Ensure aligned nations can:
- Develop
- Deploy
- Scale transformative technologies

Countries Participating in Pax Silica

Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Australia

Technology Ecosystem Focus

Build trusted technology ecosystems including:
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems
- Fiber-optic cables
- Data centers
- Foundational AI models
- Technology applications

Swami Vivekananda

Basic Facts

Original name: Narendranath Datta
Born on: 12 January 1863
Birthplace: Kolkata
12 January observed as National Youth Day to commemorate his birth anniversary

Spiritual and Organizational Role

Disciple of Sri Ramakrishna
After Ramakrishna’s death in 1886, formed a monastic brotherhood
This brotherhood later became the Ramakrishna Mission
Lived as a wandering monk across the Indian subcontinent

Key Philosophical Ideas

Promoted Universal Vedanta
Advocated religious pluralism
Popularised idea: “Truth is one, expressed in many ways”
Emphasised practical spirituality based on:
- Compassion
- Discipline
- Service
Propagated the Four Yogas:
- Karma Yoga
- Bhakti Yoga
- Jnana Yoga
- Raja Yoga
Supported rational interpretation of Indian scriptures

Chicago Parliament of Religions, 1893

Spoke at the World’s Parliament of Religions
Presented Vedanta as a universal philosophy
Advocated religious tolerance and pluralism
Projected India as a civilizational contributor

Major Works

Raja Yoga
Karma Yoga
Lectures from Colombo to Almora
Interpreting the Gita

Orobanche aegyptiaca (Parasitic Weed)

About

Orobanche aegyptiaca (locally called Margoja) is a root-parasitic flowering weed that attacks mustard and other crops.
It attaches to crop roots and extracts water, carbon and nutrients, causing severe yield loss.
It is native to the Mediterranean–West Asian region and has spread to South Asia, North Africa and parts of Europe.

Distribution and Spread

It is widespread in mustard-growing areas of Rajasthan and Haryana.
Seeds remain viable in soil for up to 20 years, enabling repeated infestations.
It spreads through wind, irrigation water, farm implements and contaminated soil.

Key Biological Features

Obligate parasite – cannot survive without a host plant.
Attacks underground before emerging, making early detection difficult.
Very high reproductive capacity – one plant produces 40–45 flowers, each releasing 4,000–5,000 tiny seeds.
Moist soil after first irrigation triggers seed germination and root attachment.

Impact on Agriculture

Causes wilting, yellowing, stunted growth and heavy yield loss in mustard.
Forces farmers to shift away from mustard cultivation.
Poses a risk to India’s edible-oil security, as mustard contributes over 4 million tonnes to domestic oil output.

Operation Hawkeye

About the Operation

Operation Hawkeye is a US-led counter-terror air campaign targeting ISIS bases in Syria.
It was launched in December 2025 by the United States under President Donald Trump and executed by US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The operation involved large-scale air and precision strikes across ISIS-held locations.
It was triggered by an ISIS ambush in Palmyra that killed two US soldiers and one civilian interpreter.
The aim was to retaliate against ISIS, degrade its networks, prevent regrouping, and protect US and coalition forces.

Key Facts about Syria

- Syria is a sovereign country in West Asia on the eastern Mediterranean coast.
- It emerged from a 13-year civil war (2011–2024) and is now ruled by an interim government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
- Capital: Damascus.
- Neighbouring countries: Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel.
- Physical Geography
  - Mediterranean coastline provides strategic naval and trade access.
  - Al-Ansariyah Mountains separate the humid coast from the arid interior.
  - Anti-Lebanon Range & Mount Hermon form natural borders and water sources.
  - Syrian Desert dominates the eastern interior.
  - Euphrates River is the main irrigation and hydropower lifeline.
  - Orontes River supports fertile western plains and settlements.

Prelims Pinpointer 13-01-2026