APTI PLUS Academy For Civil Services

Bima Sugam Portal Launched! One Nation, One Insurance Platform 💡 Now access a single digital marketplace for all kinds of insurance—life, health, motor & more—simple, secure, and transparent. 🌐 A big step towards Digital India & financial inclusion for all!

Heavy Rainfall & Disasters in Uttarakhand & Himachal – Explained Recent Events: Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have seen extreme rainfall, cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods over the last month, killing at least 15 people and disrupting communication. Rainfall Pattern: Consecutive low-pressure systems from Bay of Bengal moved farther north this monsoon. 34% surplus rainfall in August in northwest India. 67% above-normal rainfall in September so far. Why Hilly Areas Are Vulnerable: In mountains, intense rainfall quickly triggers landslides, mudslides, and flash floods because water carries soil and debris downhill. Rivers often choke, forcing water into roads and settlements, worsening destruction. Topography & Rainfall: Hilly terrain favors rapid uplift of moist air, leading to towering clouds and localised heavy rain. Example: Udhampur (J&K) recorded 630 mm rainfall in 24 hrs on Aug 27 — equal to Rajkot’s annual rainfall. Climate Change Factor: Western disturbances (winds from Mediterranean) are shifting southward and interacting with monsoon systems. This is causing more frequent extreme rainfall and longer dry spells. Global warming and Arctic ice melt are seen as major contributors. Key Message: Such disasters are becoming more frequent due to climate change + topography, demanding better prediction and disaster management in Himalayan states.

STUDY SMART FOR UPSC EXAM Meet Surbhi, who studies 16 hours a day. She goes through every book under the sun relevant for UPSC but when the result comes her name is not in the list. Now meet Kanishka who believes in sharpening the axe before making the hit. She is organized, uses limited resources and spends lesser hours than Surbhi. Still she passes the exam with flying colors!!! What do you think made the DIFFERENCE???? Since childhood we have been reading the story of the thirsty crow which makes use of pebbles in order to make the water level rise. Do you think it was the right way??? Now consider the same crow making use of straw. Wouldn’t it help save time and take less effort!!! This is the difference between HARD and SMART work.

UPSC IFoS Mains 2025 Time-Table

🌊 WTO’s Fisheries Subsidies Agreement is now in force! A key milestone for ocean sustainability & vital for UPSC GS Paper-3 prep.

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From Red Corridor to Red Pockets

Excessive competition without innovation leads to involution—a challenge now facing China’s EV sector! 🚗

Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) Key Features Provides an assured pension of 50% of the average basic pay of the last 12 months before retirement (requires minimum 25 years of service). Spouse benefit: After the pensioner’s death, the spouse gets 60% of the pension. Minimum guaranteed pension: ₹10,000 per month after 10 years of service. Government contribution: 8.5% of basic pay + DA to a pool corpus. Offers a lump sum payment of 1/10th of last basic + DA for every completed 6 months of service. Employees dismissed from service are not eligible for assured payout. UPS vs NPS UPS is optional, whereas NPS is mandatory for employees who joined service after January 1, 2004. Under UPS, employee and employer each contribute 10% of basic pay + DA. Under NPS, employee contributes 10%, employer 14%, but the final pension is market-linked (no assured amount). UPS offers an assured monthly payout, while NPS depends on the accumulated corpus. UPS allows employees to switch back to NPS once before retirement or VRS, but not vice versa. Why Adoption Is Low Many employees still prefer the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), which required no employee contribution and gave 50% of the last drawn basic + DA as pension. Skepticism about UPS benefits compared to OPS. Government is trying to spread awareness — deadline to opt is September 30, 2025, but only about 40,000 of 23.94 lakh eligible employees have chosen UPS so far.

Master the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 and other reforms – it’s more than law, it’s a game-changer for Polity (GS Paper-II). Stay ahead with updated key judgments and boost your exam preparation.

India's Top Merchandise Export Destinations

16 September – World Ozone Day (International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer) 🔹 Origin: Commemorates the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987. 🔹 2025 Theme: “From Science to Global Action.”

Supreme Court’s Interim Order on Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 Context The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, passed in April, was challenged by nearly 65 petitions. Petitioners included leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM), Mahua Moitra (TMC), Manoj Jha (RJD), YSRCP, CPI, etc. They argued the law violated Article 26 (right to manage religious affairs). Supreme Court’s Key Directions (Stay Orders) 1. District Collector’s Powers (Section 3C) Stayed: Provision that removed Waqf status of a property as soon as inquiry begins. Stayed: Collector’s power to directly alter revenue/Waqf records. Directed: Waqf status continues during inquiry; no dispossession but no third-party rights until Tribunal decides. 2. Non-Muslim Representation Cap imposed: Central Waqf Council (22 members) → Max 4 non-Muslims State Waqf Boards (11 members) → Max 3 non-Muslims 3. Five-Year Practice of Islam Rule Stayed: Mandatory proof of practising Islam for 5 years to create Waqf. Condition: Stay remains till government frames rules for verification mechanism. What Was NOT Stayed 1. Abolition of ‘Waqf by Use’ The concept allowing land used for religious purposes over time to be deemed Waqf is abolished. Court saw no prima facie reason to stay this. 2. Applicability of Limitation Act Claims for encroachment must now be filed within a fixed period. Court upheld this as removing earlier discrimination. Significance Interim relief ensures Waqf properties retain protection during legal proceedings. Maintains status quo while balancing community rights with state powers. Final decision pending after detailed hearings.

Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Dunes) Now shines on the UNESCO Tentative List of World Natural Heritage Sites! 🌍👏 A breathtaking natural wonder from India, finally receiving the global recognition it deserves.