IAS PCS Mission 2026: Daily Study Material – 6 Feb 2026
NCERT History: Class 8 Chapter-10 (The Changing World of Visual Arts)
This chapter of the textbook, “The Changing World of Visual Arts”, explores how the colonial period transformed the art and architecture of India through the introduction of new Western styles, techniques, and subjects.
1. New Forms of Imperial Art
In the eighteenth century, a stream of European artists came to India, bringing with them the techniques of oil painting and the concept of realism. This allowed them to create paintings that looked lifelike and real.
The Picturesque Landscape
- This style of painting depicted India as a quaint, rugged, and untamed land that had yet to be “civilised” by British rule.
- Thomas Daniell and his nephew William Daniell were the most famous landscape artists in this tradition.
- Their work often contrasted images of traditional India (such as ruins) with symbols of British “modernisation,” like new buildings and improved transport.
Portraits of Authority
- Portrait painting was a popular way for British officials and Indian royalty to project an image of wealth, status, and power.
- Unlike the small-scale Indian miniature traditions, these portraits were typically life-size oil paintings.
- European painters like Johann Zoffany were commissioned by Indian rulers, such as the Nawab of Awadh, to paint them in colonial settings to emphasize their association with British power.
History Painting
- This genre dramatized various episodes of British military conquest.
- These paintings served as imperial propaganda, portraying the British as invincible and all-conquering.
- A famous example is the series of paintings documenting the defeat of Tipu Sultan of Mysore, which were displayed in London to celebrate British triumph.
2. What Happened to Court Artists?
The rise of British power significantly impacted traditional court painters, leading to a shift in patronage and style.
- The Decline of Traditional Patronage: As local rulers lost power, artists in regional courts like Murshidabad began to adopt European techniques, such as the use of perspective and light.
- Company Paintings: Many artists began working directly for East India Company officials.
- They produced “Company Paintings”—images of Indian plants, animals, festivals, and occupations—which the British collected as souvenirs to document the “exotic” colony.
3. The New Popular Art
In the nineteenth century, a new form of popular art emerged in growing cities like Calcutta to cater to a wider audience.
- Kalighat Paintings: At the Kalighat temple in Calcutta, traditional scroll painters (patuas) developed a new style using bold lines and vibrant colors.
- Social Satire: By the late nineteenth century, these artists began mocking “babūs” (westernized Indians) who imitated British manners and lifestyle.
- The Printing Press: The introduction of woodblock and lithographic printing allowed for the mass production of these images, making them accessible and affordable even to the poor.
- Photography: Arriving in the mid-nineteenth century, photography was used by the British to document Indian architecture and the aftermath of the Revolt of 1857.
4. The Search for a National Art
As the nationalist movement gained momentum, artists sought a style that was authentically Indian rather than a copy of Western realism.
- Raja Ravi Varma: He was among the first to combine Western oil painting techniques with Indian mythological and epic themes. His prints became immensely popular and were found in households across India.
- Abanindranath Tagore: He rejected Ravi Varma’s Western realism as “materialistic”.
- Along with his followers, he turned to Ajanta cave paintings and Mughal miniatures for inspiration, creating a spiritual and misty style known as the Bengal School of Art.
5. Architecture as Imperial Statement
Architecture in colonial India was used to physically express British cultural and political dominance.
- Bombay’s Transformation: In the mid-nineteenth century, Bombay was rebuilt using European styles such as Gothic Revival, characterized by pointed arches and stone carvings.
- Victoria Terminus: This railway station is a landmark of the Gothic style, designed to resemble a European cathedral.
- Indo-Saracenic Style: Later, the British began incorporating Indian elements like domes and minarets into their buildings to present themselves as the legitimate successors to the Mughal emperors.
The Changing World of Visual Arts
Realism
A style of painting that aimed to produce lifelike, accurate depictions of people and nature.
Gothic Revival
Architectural style with pointed arches and carvings, making buildings look like European cathedrals.
Lithography
A printing process that allowed the mass production of cheap prints for the general public.
⚖️Indian Polity: Budget (Article 112-116)
In the Indian Constitution, the word “Budget” is never used. Instead, Article 112 refers to it as the Annual Financial Statement. This is the most crucial financial event in Parliament, as no money can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without Parliamentary approval.
The Budget in Parliament (Articles 112–116)
The Budget is a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government of India for a financial year (1st April to 31st March).
1. Constitutional Provisions
- Article 112: The President shall, in respect of every financial year, cause to be laid before both Houses of Parliament the Annual Financial Statement.
- Prior Recommendation: The Budget is presented to the Lok Sabha only with the prior recommendation of the President.
- No Tax without Law: No tax shall be levied or collected except by authority of law (Art. 265).
- Expenditure: The Budget must distinguish expenditure on revenue account from other expenditure.
2. Charged vs. Made Expenditure
The Budget contains two types of expenditure:
- Expenditure Charged upon the Consolidated Fund: These are non-votable by Parliament (only discussion is allowed).
- Examples: Salaries of the President, Chairman/Speaker, Judges of the Supreme Court, and CAG; debt charges of the Government.
- Expenditure Made from the Consolidated Fund: These are votable and presented in the form of Demands for Grants.
3. The 6 Stages of Budget Passage
To become a law, the Budget must go through these specific steps:
- Presentation of Budget: Presented by the Finance Minister with the “Budget Speech.” (Earlier, the Railway Budget was separate, but since 2017, it is merged with the General Budget).
- General Discussion: A few days after presentation, both Houses discuss the Budget as a whole. No motions are moved at this stage.
- Scrutiny by Departmental Committees: Parliament adjourns for 3–4 weeks. During this gap, 24 departmental standing committees examine the demands for grants in detail.
- Voting on Demands for Grants: The Lok Sabha votes on the demands. (Note: Rajya Sabha has no power to vote on demands). This is where Cut Motions can be moved:
- Policy Cut: Demand reduced to Re. 1 (Disapproval of policy).
- Economy Cut: Demand reduced by a specific amount.
- Token Cut: Demand reduced by Rs. 100 (To ventilate a specific grievance).
- Passing of Appropriation Bill (Art. 114): This bill legalizes the withdrawal of money from the Consolidated Fund. No amendment can be made to this bill.
- Passing of Finance Bill (Art. 117): This bill legalizes the income side of the budget (taxation proposals).
4. Special Grants (Articles 115 & 116)
Sometimes, the government needs money outside the regular budget cycle:
- Vote on Account (Art. 116): Since the budget process takes time, the Lok Sabha grants 1/6th of the total estimate in advance to keep the government running for 2 months.
- Supplementary Grant (Art. 115): When the amount authorized for a service is found to be insufficient for that year.
- Excess Grant (Art. 115): When money has been spent in excess of the amount granted. It must be approved by the Public Accounts Committee before being brought to the Lok Sabha.
- Vote of Credit (Art. 116): A “Blank Check” given for meeting an unexpected demand due to national emergency (e.g., war).
Summary Table
| Term | Article | Purpose |
| Annual Financial Statement | 112 | The main Budget document. |
| Appropriation Bill | 114 | Authorization to withdraw money. |
| Finance Bill | 117 | Authorization to collect taxes. |
| Vote on Account | 116 | Advance money for 2 months. |
| Supplementary Grant | 115 | Additional money for existing service. |
The Union Budget
2. General Discussion: Both houses discuss overall figures.
3. Scrutiny: 24 Departmental Committees examine grants.
5. Appropriation Bill (Art 114): Legalizes withdrawals.
6. Finance Bill (Art 117): Legalizes taxation.
Supplementary: Additional funds for current service.
Vote of Credit: Blank check for national emergencies.
Policy Cut
Demand reduced to Re. 1; represents total disapproval of the underlying government policy.
Economy Cut
Demand reduced by a specific amount to ensure fiscal prudence and economy in expenditure.
Token Cut
Demand reduced by Rs. 100; used to ventilate a specific grievance against the government.
“The Hindu” Editorial Analysis (6-February-2026)
Here is a detailed analysis of the The Hindu Editorials for February 6, 2026, categorized by syllabus relevance for UPSC preparation.
1. Intent and Outcome: Climate Concerns in Budget 2026
Syllabus: GS Paper 3 (Indian Economy; Environment; Infrastructure).
Context: An analysis of the Union Budget 2026-27’s approach to climate ambitions and whether financial allocations match India’s declared goals.
Key Points:
- CCUS Pilot Phase: The Budget proposed a five-year outlay of ₹20,000 crore for Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS), signaling a shift into a demonstration phase for these complex technologies.
- Rooftop Solar Expansion: The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana was scaled up to ₹22,000 crore, aiming to reduce land pressure and household energy costs via decentralised systems.
- Nuclear and Solar Pumps: Zero basic customs duty on nuclear plant equipment was extended until 2035 to lower input costs, while PM-KUSUM (solar pumps) maintained its ₹5,000 crore allocation.
- Green Hydrogen Gap: Despite high policy ambition, actual spending on green hydrogen remains modest, highlighting a persistent gap between intent and ground-level execution.
UPSC Relevance: Critical for “Climate Finance,” “Industrial Decarbonization,” and “Renewable Energy Policy.”
Detailed Analysis:
- Export Competitiveness: With the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) imminent, decarbonizing sectors like steel and aluminum is now essential for trade survival, not just an environmental goal.
- Private Capital Uncertainty: While legal changes now permit private participation in nuclear energy, it remains unclear if capital will flow into a sector burdened by high safety, liability, and national security concerns.
- Mobilization Hurdles: The editorial argues that while the intent is clear, the budget remains cautious on actual allocations, leaving uncertainty about India’s ability to mobilize the private capital required for rapid decarbonization.
2. More, and Less: The Health-care Component of Budget 2026
Syllabus: GS Paper 2 (Social Sector/Health; Governance; Government Budgeting).
Context: A review of the health sector’s 10% nominal increase in the 2026 Budget and its failure to meet the long-standing target of 2.5% of GDP.
Key Points:
- Budgetary Stagnation: The total health allocation is over ₹1.05 lakh crore, but this accounts for only 0.26% of GDP and 1.9% of total government expenditure.
- Biopharma SHAKTI: A flagship ₹10,000 crore initiative designed to transform India into a global manufacturing hub for biologics and biosimilars over five years.
- Geriatric Care Focus: The government aims to train 1.5 lakh care workers for the elderly, acknowledging India’s transition toward a “grey nation” with falling fertility levels.
- Affordability Measures: Customs duties were waived for 17 cancer medicines and several rare disease treatments to lower financial burdens for patients and families.
UPSC Relevance: Significant for “Public Health Infrastructure,” “Pharmaceutical R&D,” and “Demographic Shifts.”
Detailed Analysis:
- Commitment Gap: Public health activists criticize the government’s refusal to reach the 2.5% of GDP spending target by 2025, as originally committed in the National Health Policy of 2017.
- NHM Funding Concerns: Despite high utilization rates, funding for the National Health Mission (NHM) has seen a decline, raising fears about the quality of primary healthcare.
- Federal Imbalance: There are growing concerns that as the Centre reduces its share of health funding, fiscal devolution may lead to patchy health outcomes across different states rather than national improvement.
3. The Fading of India’s Environmental Jurisprudence
Syllabus: GS Paper 3 (Environment; Conservation) and GS Paper 2 (Judiciary).
Context: A legal scholarly critique of how India’s higher judiciary is reportedly aiding the “watering down” of environmental protections in the name of development.
Key Points:
- Retrospective Clearances: The Supreme Court recently recalled its own 2025 judgment (Vanashakti vs Union of India) that had previously banned retrospective environmental clearances.
- EIA Dilution: For non-coal mining projects, policy changes now allow Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) to be conducted without specific details about location and area.
- Aravalli Definition: The Court departmented from its 2010 position by accepting a definition that protects only peaks above 100 metres, potentially exposing lower ridges to mining and exploitation.
- Mangrove Loss: Judicial sanctions allowed the destruction of 158 mangroves in Raigarh, Maharashtra, for industrial projects based on the “promise” of compensatory afforestation.
UPSC Relevance: Critical for “Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA),” “Judicial Review,” and “Constitutional Accountability.”
Detailed Analysis:
- Constitutional Implications: The editorial argues that current interpretations undermine the Right to a Healthy Environment under Article 21 and the state’s duty under Article 48A.
- Procedural Unfairness: Large-scale infrastructure projects often bypass regulatory barriers with shortened hearings, effectively treating environmental compliance as a mere “checklist.”
- Scientific Contradiction: Mature mangrove ecosystems, which act as natural flood control systems, take decades to develop and cannot be substituted by plantation drives in different locations.
4. More Money for Defence, Now Fix the Process
Syllabus: GS Paper 3 (Security; Defence technology; Indian Economy).
Context: An analysis of India’s first double-digit jump in defence expenditure in decades, reaching 2% of GDP.
Key Points:
- Modernization Thrust: The Air Force (32% hike) and Army (30% hike) received significant funding for modernization, focusing on heavy vehicles and weapons.
- Indigenization: 75% of the capital acquisition budget is reserved for domestic industries, supporting a 174% surge in domestic production since 2014-15.
- Capital vs. Revenue: In a notable shift, capital expenditure (up 22%) has outpaced the revenue budget, reversing years of neglect.
- Rising Exports: Defence exports reached ₹23,000 crore last year, showing strong growth from ₹1,000 crore in 2014.
UPSC Relevance: Vital for “Internal Security,” “Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence,” and “Strategic Planning.”
Detailed Analysis:
- The L-1 Bottleneck: The lowest-cost (L-1) rule continues to favor large industries over small-scale, high-tech innovators who are vital for a modern military.
- Interminable Delays: Programs like Project 75 for submarines (approved in 1997) and the Rafale deal highlight a bureaucratic system where delivery takes decades.
- Scatter-shot R&D: While DRDO funding has increased, India’s overall research budget remains low at 0.66% of GDP, and private sector R&D is almost entirely absent.
- Growth Multiplier: The editorial argues the budget should be seen as a tool for economic growth, noting that indigenous shipbuilding has a 6.5 multiplier effect on employment.
5. Parley: Should the Governor’s Address be Scrapped?
Syllabus: GS Paper 2 (Polity; Role of the Governor; Centre-State Relations).
Context: A debate triggered by recent instances where Governors in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala either walked out or selectively read policy addresses prepared by state cabinets.
Key Points:
- Article 176 Mandate: The Constitution requires the Governor to address the state legislature at the start of the first session of the year to outline the government’s agenda.
- Symbolism vs. Function: Proponents of retaining the address argue it recognizes the Governor as an integral part of the legislature (Article 168) and reflects the Westminster model.
- Constitutional Crisis: If a Governor declines to deliver the mandated address, it risks preventing the session from formally commencing.
- Alternative Mechanisms: Article 175 already provides a way for Governors to send messages to the House regarding pending legislation without the ceremony of Article 176.
UPSC Relevance: Essential for “Federalism Disputes,” “Constitutional Functionaries,” and “Governance Stability.”
Detailed Analysis:
- No Discretionary Power: In the Nabam Rebia case (2016), the Supreme Court clarified that the address is an executive function performed strictly on the “aid and advice” of the Cabinet.
- Pleasure Doctrine Conflict: Unlike the President, who is subject to impeachment, the Governor holds office at the “pleasure of the President” (the Union), making them more answerable to New Delhi than the state legislature.
- Systemic Reform: Experts suggest that instead of scrapping the address, the focus should be on reforming how Governors are appointed and removed to ensure their primary allegiance is to the Constitution, not the ruling party at the Centre.
Editorial Analysis
FEBRUARY 06, 2026Spending stagnant at 1.9% of Expenditure. Focus on Biopharma SHAKTI and training 1.5 lakh geriatric care workers for a “grey nation.”
Defence reaches 2% of GDP. Reservation of 75% Capital Budget for domestic industry, yet L-1 bottlenecks hinder high-tech innovators.
SC recalls ban on Retrospective Clearances. New definitions of Aravalli ridges potentially expose lower peaks to mining exploitation.
Environmental Duty
Mapping:
Todays mapping notes focus on the Evolution of Cultural Geography, Strategic Aerospace Clusters, and Trans-Regional Conservation.
1. Cultural Geography: The “Sacred Nodes” Shift
As of February 6, 2026, a significant shift in India’s tourism geography was highlighted, moving beyond the traditional “Beach vs. Hills” binary toward experience-led heritage hubs.
- Emerging Central Nodes: Trace the transition of towns like Ayodhya (UP), Ujjain (MP), Dwarka (Gujarat), and Puri (Odisha) into high-volume, year-round tourism economies.
- Mapping the Shirdi–Pandharpur Belt: Locate this major pilgrimage corridor in Maharashtra, which is now functioning as a high-density “Experience-Led” zone.
- Riverfront Development: Mark the extensive infrastructure upgrades along the ghats of Varanasi and Maheshwar, where the “sacred and the everyday” are being mapped as integrated economic spaces.
2. Strategic Aerospace Hub: Vadodara (Gujarat)
On February 6, 2026, a new Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Aerospace was inaugurated, marking Vadodara as a key point in India’s high-tech industrial map.
- The Gati Shakti Hub: Located at the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), a Central University focused on transport and logistics.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): The center is specifically mapping technologies for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)-to-SAF conversion, a critical environmental-economic link.
- Aerospace Ecosystem: Mark Vadodara as a primary node for the Airbus-GSV partnership, aimed at localizing the global aerospace supply chain.
3. Trans-Regional Conservation: Karimpuzha (Western Ghats)
While established earlier, the Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary was highlighted on this date for its role in the “Nilgiri Landscape” connectivity.
- The Linkage: Forms a critical ecological bridge between Silent Valley (Kerala) and the Mukurthi National Park (Tamil Nadu).
- River Geography: Named after the Karimpuzha River, a significant tributary of the Chaliyar River.
- Tribal Heritage: Mapped as the traditional habitat of the Cholanaikan tribe, one of the most secluded hunter-gatherer groups in the Western Ghats.
4. International Mapping: The GCC Free Trade Hub
India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) formally signed terms to resume Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks in New Delhi on February 6, 2026.
- The Six-Nation Block: For your map, identify the GCC members: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.
- Strategic Choke Point: Highlight the Strait of Hormuz as the vital energy artery connecting India to this trade block.
Summary Mapping Checklist
| Category | Mapping Highlight | Key Location |
| New Heritage Node | Ayodhya Transformation | Uttar Pradesh |
| Aerospace CoE | Gati Shakti University | Vadodara, Gujarat |
| Western Ghats Link | Karimpuzha Sanctuary | Kerala (Nilgiri BR) |
| Trade Geography | GCC Nations | West Asia / Gulf Region |
Mapping Brief
CULTURAL NODES & AEROSPACE CLUSTERSA primary node for the Airbus partnership at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya. Mapping focuses on localizing aerospace supply chains and MSW-to-SAF aviation fuel tech.
Forms an ecological bridge between Silent Valley (KL) and Mukurthi (TN). Habitat of the secluded Cholanaikan tribe in the Nilgiri landscape.
Integrating the “sacred and everyday” through infrastructure mapping along the Varanasi and Maheshwar ghats on the Ganga and Narmada rivers.