B
Badruddin Tyabji

First Muslim President of Indian National Congress.UPSC Pointers: President in 1887; symbol of Hindu–Muslim unity.

Baisakhi

Definition: Harvest festival of Punjab.Prelims facts: Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred on Baisakhi day (13 April...

Bali

Definition: A religious or voluntary tax paid by subjects to the state or king; Ashoka...

Balisadhaka

Special officers appointed by the King to collect compulsory taxes (formerly voluntary Bali) from peasants,...

Banawali

A site located on the Saraswati river in Haryana. Prelims Pointer: While Kalibangan has the field,...

Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha

Early political organization formed in 1836 by associates of Raja Ram Mohan Roy.UPSC Pointers: Promoted...

Bank Rate

Definition: The rate at which the RBI re-discounts bills of exchange and extends long-term credit...

Barchan

Definition: Crescent-shaped sand dunes.Prelims Pointers: Formed under unidirectional winds.PYQ: UPSC Prelims 2013Current Affairs: Thar desert...

Bardoli Satyagraha

Definition: No-tax agrarian movement.Year: 1928Prelims facts: Led by Vallabhbhai Patel.

Barren Island

Definition: India’s only active volcano.Prelims Pointers: Andaman Sea; No tribes inhabiting.PYQ: UPSC Prelims 2021Current Affairs:...

Base Effect

Definition: Base effect refers to the influence of last year’s price level on the current...

Basel III Norms

Definition: International banking regulations designed to strengthen bank capital and liquidity buffers.Key Points for Prelims:•...

Batholiths

Definition: Massive intrusive igneous rock body formed deep underground. Prelims Pointers: Mostly granite; Forms mountain cores. PYQ:...

Batta

Definition: Extra allowance paid to soldiers during war.• Time Period: Company rule• UPSC Prelims Pointers:...

Battle of Bedara

Definition: Battle between Mysore and British forces.• Time Period: 1759• UPSC Prelims Pointers: Haider Ali...

Battle of Buxar

Definition: Decisive battle establishing British rule in Bengal.• Time Period: 1764• UPSC Prelims Pointers: Fought...

Battle of Plassey

Definition: Battle establishing British dominance.• Time Period: 1757• UPSC Prelims Pointers: Robert Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah.

Bauxite

Definition: Chief ore of aluminium.Key Facts: Lateritic origin; India—Odisha, Jharkhand.PYQ Year: 2020.

Belagavi Session

Definition: Indian National Congress session.Year: 1924Prelims facts: Presided over by Mahatma Gandhi; held at Belgaum.

Bengal Famine

Severe famine caused by revenue pressure and administrative failures.UPSC Traps: Occurred in 1770; led to...

Benioff Zone

Definition: A zone of inclined seismic activity corresponding to a subducting plate.UPSC Pointers: Depth up...

Bethune School

Founded in 1849 for women’s education in Calcutta.UPSC Pointers: First girls’ school in India.

Bhaga

Definition: The king’s share of agricultural produce, generally fixed at one-sixth of the total yield;...

Bhagat Singh

Definition: Revolutionary socialist freedom fighter.Prelims facts: Associated with HSRA; executed in 1931.

Bhagirathi River

Definition: Headstream of Ganga.Prelims Pointers: Origin—Gangotri Glacier.PYQ: UPSC Prelims 2016Current Affairs: Ganga rejuvenation.

Bharatmala Pariyojana

Definition: A highway development programme focusing on economic corridors and border roads.Key Prelims Traps:Focus on...

BharatNet

Definition: A flagship programme to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats.Key Prelims Traps:Implemented by...

BHASKAR

Definition: (Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry) - A centralized digital registry connecting startups, investors, mentors,...

Bhil Uprisings

Definition: Tribal revolts by Bhils against British rule and local oppression.Time period: 1817–19, later phases...

Bhumisparsha Mudra

Definition: A symbolic hand gesture depicting the Buddha touching the earth to bear witness to...

Bicameralism

Definition: Legislature with two houses.Prelims facts: Introduced at the Centre by Government of India Act,...

Big Bang Theory

Definition: Theory explaining origin of universe from a hot, dense state.• UPSC Pointers: Proposed by...

BioE3 Policy

Definition: Biotechnology policy for economy, environment and employment.Key Pointers:• Emphasises biofoundries.• Linked to net-zero goals.•...

Biofortification

Definition: Biofortification is the process of enhancing the nutritional content of crops during their growth...

Bipin Chandra Pal

Definition: Nationalist leader and extremist thinker.Prelims facts: Member of Lal-Bal-Pal; advocated passive resistance.

Bird’s Foot Delta

Definition: Delta with finger-like distributaries.Prelims Pointers: Example: Mississippi Delta.PYQ: UPSC Prelims 2013Current Affairs: Sediment starvation...

Black Hole Tragedy

Definition: Incident involving imprisonment of British prisoners.• Time Period: 1756• UPSC Prelims Pointers: Occurred at...

Blizzards

Definition: Severe snowstorm with strong winds and low visibility.Region: Polar & temperate regions.PYQ: 2021

Blood Rain

Definition: Rain colored red due to dust or algae.India Case: Kerala (2001).PYQ: 2018

Blue Water Policy

Definition: A Portuguese naval strategy emphasizing control of open seas rather than land territories.• Time...

Bodhisattva

Definition: In Mahayana Buddhism, a being who postpones personal liberation (Nirvana) in order to help...

Borra Caves

Definition: Limestone caves in Andhra Pradesh.Prelims Pointers: Eastern Ghats; Tribal folklore.PYQ: UPSC Prelims 2018Current Affairs:...

BOT Model

Definition: Build-Operate-Transfer model where private entity builds and operates asset for concession period.Key Prelims Traps:Ownership...

Brahmavadini

Definition: Learned women in the Vedic period who had access to education and composed hymns...

British East India Company

Definition: A British trading company established in 1600 that gradually transformed into a territorial power...

Bronze Dancing Girl

- A masterpiece of Harappan art found at Mohenjodaro. Prelims Pointer: It was made using the...