UPSC Aspirant 2025-26

#Tips and #tricks for UPSC #Prelims by Anupam Sharma IFS https://www.scoopwhoop.com/career/ifos-officer-shares-tips-for-upsc-prelim-exams/

#Prelims2022 Topic-8 Subject- Environment and Ecology Some Important Animals 1. Hedgehogs -are small nocturnal spiny mammals. When they are frightened, or annoyed, hedgehogs will roll into a ball so that a predator will feel the full brunt of its sharp spines and will then leave the hedgehog alone. 2. Marmots are relatively large ground squirrels with 15 species living in Asia, Europe, and North America. They are the heaviest members of the squirrel family. 3. Malayan Giant Squirrel - It is one of the world’s largest squirrel species that has a dark upper body, pale under parts, and a long, bushy tail.Unlike the nocturnal flying squirrels, giant squirrels are diurnal (active during the day), but arboreal (tree-dwelling) and herbivorous like the flying squirrels. India is home to three giant squirrel species and the other two are Indian Giant Squirrel and Grizzled Giant Squirrel which are found in peninsular India. IUCN Status - Near threatened. 4. Pangolins- are actually mammals. They are the only mammals wholly-covered in scales and they use those scales to protect themselves from predators in the wild. Under threat, a pangolin will immediately curl into a tight ball and will use their sharp-scaled tails to defend themselves. Indian Pangolin is widely distributed in India, except the arid region, high Himalayas and the North-East. The species is also found in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Chinese Pangolin is found in the Himalayan foothills in Eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Northern India, North-East Bangladesh and through Southern China. IUCN Red List Indian Pangolin: Endangered Chinese Pangolin: Critically Endangered Both these species are listed under Schedule I, Part I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 5. Dhole- Dhole (Cuon alpinus) is a wild carnivorous animal belonging to the canine family, found in Central, South, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. They are also known as Asian wild dogs. Conservation Status: It is under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s ‘endangered’ category.The species is protected under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and under Appendix 2 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh rank high in the conservation of the endangered Dhole in India, according to a new study.

#Prelims2022 Topic-7 Subject Ancient History Important terms during Mauryan Period SamhartaTo collect Revenue both in cash and kind; helped by Bhagadhuk (collector of royal share) Amatya Administrative personnel or civil servants who filled the • highest administrative and judicial appointments. Amatyas kept in touch with all sections of the society • and made a highly skilled secretariat divided into several departments. Rajuka Ashoka appointed a class of offi cers known as the rajukas, who were vested with authority of not only rewarding people but also punishing them whenever necessary. Adhyaksha Looked after various departments. • Kautilya in the 2• nd book of his Arthasastra, Adhyakshaprachara, gives an account of the working of nearly 27 adhyakshas. Akshapataladhyaksha -Accountant General who was in charge of two offi ces of currency and accounts. SitadhyakshaSuperintendent of Agriculture Akaradhyaksha Superintendent of Mining Navadhyaksha Superintendent of Ports Panyadhyaksha Supervisor of Commerce Samshadhyaksha Supervisor of Markets Sulkadhyaksha Collector of customs and tolls Suradhyaksha Superintendent of Excise who controlled the manufacture and sale of liquor Pautavadhyaksha Super intendent of weights and measures. LakshanadhyakshaSuperintendent of the mint LavananyadhyakshaSalt superintendent, as the manufacture of salt was a government monopoly. Pradesika They were the principal police officers, whose duty was to investigate the crimes com mitted in the region within their jurisdiction Gopa Accountant to the unit of 5-10 villages which was an intermediate level of administration between district level and that of village. Sthanika The tax was collected by the sthanika who worked directly under the Pradesika.

#Prelims2022 Topic-6 Subject-Environment Important Animals and National Parks Animal/Bird Predominant in Sanctuary/Reserve State Wild Ass Rann of Kutch Wild Ass Sanctuary Gujarat One horned Rhinoceros Kaziranga National Park Assam Elephants Periyar National Park Kerala Asiatic Lions Gir National Park Gujarat Great Indian Bustard Ghatigaon Wildlife Sanctuary & Desert National Park Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan Royal Bengal Tiger Sunderbans National Park West Bengal Olive Ridley Turtle Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary Orissa Dolphins Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary Bhagalpur, Bihar Vulture Ramdevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary Karnataka Bear Daroji Bear Sanctuary Hampi, Karnataka Sangai Keibul Lamjao National Park Loktak Lake (Bishnupur), Manipur Barasingha (Swamp deer) Kanha National Park Madhya Pradesh Siberian cranes Keoladeo national park Rajasthan (Bharatpur) Jerdon’s Courser Sri Lankamaleswara Wildlife Sanctuary Andhra Pradesh Gharial National Chambal Sanctuary U.P., Rajasthan, and M.P. Grizzled Giant Squirrel Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary Virudhinagar & Madurai, Tamil Nadu Clouded Leopard Clouded Leopard National Park Tripura Snow Leopard Hemis National Park Ladakh Hoolock Gibbon Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary Assam Golden langur Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary & Raimona National Park Assam Hangul (Kashmir Stag) Dachigam Sanctuary Jammu and Kashmir Nilgiri Tahr Eravikulam National Park Kerala Red Panda Khangchendzonga National Park Sikkim

#Prelims2022 Topic-5 Subject - Polity Important amendments in the Indian Constitution Part-1 1.first amendment- The state was empowered to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and backward classes. 9th schedule was added. 2. Second amendment- The scale of representation in the Lok Sabha was readjusted stating that 1 member can represent even more than 7.5 lakh people. 3. Seventh Amendment Act, 1956 The provision of having a common High Court for two or more states was introduced. Abolition of Class A, B, C and D states – 14 States and 6 Union Territories were formed 4. Tenth Amendment Act, 1961 Dadra, Nagar, and Haveli incorporated in the Union of Indian as a Union Territory 5. 12th Amendment Act, 1962 Goa, Daman and Diu incorporated in the Indian Union as a Union Territory. 6. 14th amendment Act, 1962 Pondicherry incorporated into the Indian Union Union Territories of Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Goa, Daman and Diu and Puducherry were provided the legislature and council of ministers. 7.19th Amendment Act, 1966-System of Election Tribunals was abolished and High Courts were given the power to hear the election petitions

#Prelims2022 Topic-4 Subject - Geography Major local winds of the world Hot winds 1.Loo : Loo are hot and dry winds, which blow very strongly over the northern plains of India and Pakistan in the months of May and June. 2. Foehn Foehn is strong, dusty, dry and warm local wind which develops on the leeward side of the Alps mountain ranges. 3. Chinook Chinook is the name of hot and dry local wind which moves down the eastern slopes of the Rockies in U.S.A. and Canada. 4. The Santa Ana A hot, dry, strong, blustery, föhn-type wind which blows from the north-east or east over southern California and carries with it large quantities of dust. 5. Sirocco Sirocco is a Mediterranean windthat comes from the Sahara and reaches hurricane speeds in North Africa and Southern Europe. 6. Harmattan The warm and dry winds blowing from north­east and east to west in the eastern parts of Sahara desert are called harmattan. Cold winds 1. Mistral Mistrals are most common local cold winds. They originate on the Alps and move over France towards the Mediterranean Sea through the Rhone valley. 2. Bora A cold winter wind that occurs in eastern Europe is called the “bora.” The bora blows from the Dinaric Alps down to the Adriatic Coast. 3. Blizzard Blizzard is a violent stormy cold and powdery polar wind laden with dry snow and is prevalent in north and south Polar Regions, Siberia, Canada and the USA. 4. Pampero The name given to severe line squalls in Argentina and Uruguay, particularly in the Rio de la Plata area.

#Prelims2022 Topic-3 Subject - Ancient History Important terms during Vedic period Vedic Period Terms Meaning/Function Rajan (GopatiJanasya or Janasyagopa) King Gramini Head of the Village Kula The clan or extended family Kulapa also called Dampati Head of the family Senani Commander Vrajapati Officer in Charge of Pastoral Lands Jivagribha and Ugra Police Officers Spasa Spy Vidhatha An assembly meant for secular, religious and military purpose Sabha Assembly ( performed judicial functions) Sabhavati Women who attended the assembly Samiti Folk assembly in which people of the tribe gathered for transacting tribal business. Madhyamasi Mediator in Disputes Bhagadugha Tax Collector Sangrahitri Treasurer Mahishi Chief Queen Suta Charioteer Palagala Messenger Akshvapa Accountant Kshata Keeper of the King’s household Aranyakas These are Vedic texts composed by hermits

#Prelims2022 Topic-2 Subject- Economy Various types of Inflation 1. Demand Pull Inflation- Demand Pull Inflation is mainly due to increase in Aggregate demand. The increase in Aggregate demand mainly comes from either increase in Government Expenditure (Expansionary Fiscal Policy) or by an increase in expenditure from Households and Firms. The root cause of demand pull inflations is- Aggregate demand > Aggregate Supply. This simply means that the firms in the economy are not capable of producing the goods and services demanded by the households in the present time period. The shortages of goods and services due to increase in demand fuels inflation. 2. Cost Push Inflation- There exists a situation in an economy where inflation is fuelled up, not because of increase in Aggregate Demand but mainly due to increase in the cost of producing goods and services.It can be due to wage increase,increase in price of raw materials like crude oil or due to increase in profit of firms. 3. Stagflation- The situation of rising prices along with falling growth and employment is called as stagflation. 4. Hyperinflation- Hyperinflation is a situation when inflation rises at an extremely faster rate. The rate of inflation can increase from 50 times to 300 times.The major causes of the hyperinflation are; government issuing too much currency to finance its deficits; wars and political instabilities and unexpected increase in people’s anticipation of future inflation. 5. Structural Inflation- The Structural school argues that inflation in the developing countries are mainly due to the weak structure of their economies.Structuralist Inflation is another form of Inflation mostly prevalent in the Developing and Low-Income Countries. 6. Deflation- Deflation is when the overall price level in the economy falls for a period of time.Deflation is when, for instance, the price of a basket of goods has fallen from Rs 100 to Rs 80. It’s the reduction in overall prices of goods. 7. Disinflation: Disinflation is a situation in which the rate of inflation falls over a period of time. Remember the difference; disinflation is when the inflation rate is falling from say 5% to 3%. 8. Core inflation -excludes the highly volatile food and fuel components. 9. Headline inflation refers to the change in value of all goods in the basket.

#Prelims2022 Topic-1 Subject environment and ecology Important marine organisms 1. Copepods -are a group of small crustaceans found in nearly every freshwater and saltwater habitat. They are major primary consumers in the World Ocean. Copepods are generally herbivores, feeding only on plant plankton which they filter from the water. 2. Cyanobacteria- also called blue-green algae, are microscopic organisms found naturally in all types of water. These organisms are primary producers who use sunlight to make their own food. 3. Diatoms- are photosynthesising algae. They are found in almost every aquatic environment including fresh and marine waters. They are primary producer in oceanic food chain. 4. Foraminifera- are single-celled organisms that are found in most marine environments. They are characterized by streaming granular ectoplasm for catching food. Foraminifera are heterotrophic organisms which consumes smaller organisms and organic matter.

Daily Imp Topic for Prelims 2022

Happy Holi to everyone