UPSC CSE Why

You can also ignore the newspaper noise by following these CSEWhy blogs on India-US: 1. PM Modi in USA 2. USA's new weapon against India 3. US-China Truce | India to be careful! 4. What Trump 2.0 means for India? Do subscribe to this blog with your email for Free to get blogs in your email.

Pre note: Too much Trump focused newspaper today, skip it to find UPSC centric pointers here 🚨 7th November | Thursday 🚨

Mains keywords 🧾

1. Particulate matter • PM: solid/liquid mixture; Key catgories: PM10 (≤10µm) & PM2.5 (≤2.5µm) • Major sources: Vehicles, industries, construction, crop burning; natural sources like dust storms, forest fires • Health risks: Respiratory, cardiovascular diseases; PM2.5 can penetrate deep into lungs

Pre notes ✍🏻

1. Mango kernel (disrupts cellular respiration by inhibiting O2 use in cells) • What is it?: Contains cyanogenic glycosides, releasing hydrogen cyanide (HCN) during digestion • Symptoms: Mild (headache, dizziness) to severe (respiratory distress, cardiac arrest) • Diagnosis: Clinical symptoms, metabolic tests; Treatment: Oxygen, antidotes (e.g., sodium thiosulfate) • Note: FSSAI guidelines discourage raw use 2. PM - Vidyalaxmi Scheme (for access to education loan) • Launched: 2015 under MoF, IBA, and MoE • For who?: Students in recognized courses in India & abroad; interest subsidies for E.W.S • Coverage: Covers 30+ banks, supports CSIS, Padho Pardesh schemes 3. Sagarmala Parikrama (for maritime economy) • Ministry: MoPSW, focusing on port-led development, coastal connectivity • Key aims - Port modernisation, connectivity, job creation, sustainable practices - Enhances coastal roads, rail, waterways, and develops industrial zones near ports - Reduces logistics costs, strengthens India's blue economy • Environmental focus: Eco-friendly ports, erosion control, marine conservation • Achievements: Expanded port capacity, created coastal economic zones (CEZs) • Future goals: Multimodal connectivity with Bharatmala, tech upgrades at ports

@CSEWhy Recommendations 📑

Indian Express: No reco today! The Hindu 🗞 1. Why did SC uphold U.P. madrasa Act? (Text&Context) (GS2: Laws and Judgements) 2. What explains the deadly Spain floods? (Science page) (GS3: Climate and disasters) PS: Trump 2.0 meaning for India, find UPSC centric pointers here

Pre note: updated blog on Khalistan at blog.csewhy.com 🚨 6th November | Wednesday 🚨

Pre notes ✍🏻

1. UP Madarsa Education Board Act, 2004 It’s significance: • Standardises Madarsa education across UP; Sets up a Madarsa Board to oversee operations • Covers madarsas up to secondary level, balancing Islamic studies with general subjects • Inclusive curriculum; Provides financial aid 💰 Legalities: • Registration under the Board is mandatory for funding and grants • State can inspect registered madarsas for compliance • Board exams give equivalency with state boards for further studies 2. A Letter of Intent (LoI) • Expresses formal interest in hosting Olympics (either in 2036 or 2040) • Proposed host city - Ahmedabad; to boost India's global image & economic growth • Aligns with India's goal to inspire youth and boost sports culture 3. Korean script in Indonesia Language at Risk: The Cia-Cia tribe’s language, spoken by ~93,000 people on Buton Island, Indonesia, lacked a script, risking extinction Indonesia has 700+ languages, with many at risk due to lack of written scripts Hangul Adoption: In 2009, Korean script Hangul was introduced for Cia-Cia after attempts to use Arabic script failed; Hangul suits Cia-Cia's syllabic structure better

Mains notes 📙

1. Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) WHY DFCs? • Improve freight capacity, reduce transit times, and cut costs, boosting Indian Railways’ revenue • Contribute 2.94% to Indian Railways’ revenue growth (FY 2018-23); reduced freight costs⬇️ goods prices by up to 0.5% • Ease congestion on overused routes of the Golden Quadrilateral that handle 52% passenger and 58% freight traffic FACTS: • Western DFC (1,506 km) and Eastern DFC (1,337 km) are key routes connecting industrial hubs and ports; WDFC completion target is Dec 2025 • Currently, 325 trains/day operate on DFCs at 60% capacity • National Rail Plan targets increasing rail’s freight share to 45% by 2030; DFCs play a crucial role in achieving this Future DFC plans: • East Coast (Kharagpur-Vijayawada), East-West, and North-South sub-corridors to expand network benefits 2. Chalo India Drive • Initiated my MoT in World Travel Mart, London • OICs are allowed to nominate 5 friends for free Visas • Total OICs are 5 mill; Limit on free visas is 1 Lac 3. Patent monopoly What is it? • Grants exclusive rights to inventors for 20 years • Encourages R&D by protecting IP, allowing recovery of innovation costs Criticism: Patent monopoly can lead to high costs, innovation blockage 4. Revise India-Canada diplomatic ties for Mains

@CSEWhy Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 📰 1. Why the supreme court upheld constitutional validity of UP Madarsa Act, 2004 (Explained page) (GS2: SC Judgements) The Hindu 🗞 1. Rising STEM research demands revitalised education (Editorial) 2. Aadhaar biometric data access will aid forensics (Editorial) (GS2: Policy) PS: Need any help? Talk to me directly at whycse@gmail.com

https://open.substack.com/pub/csewhy/p/288-khalistan-issue-pestle?r=1prj68&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true This blog covers everything you need to know about Khalistan issue and Mains notes Read, save, and share :)

Pre note: Big blog on an imp. CA coming today. Subscribe: blog.csewhy.com 🚨 5th November | Tuesday 🚨

Mains keywords 🗒

1. HotSpot tech. In Cricket 🏏 (since 2006) • Detects ball impact using infrared heat-sensing cameras • Essential for LBW, caught behind; first use in 2006 Ashes 2. Consciousness • Class Consciousness: Awareness of one's socio-economic position; roots in Marxism. It's key for class to recognize shared interest & mobilise collectively • False Consciousness: Individuals misinterpreting class interests hindering true awareness of exploitation

Mains notes 📙

1. Dutch gravity canal (GS3 Irrigation) • What?: - Manage water in low-lying areas to prevent flooding; uses tides for drainage & reduces reliance on pump energy - Advanced smart drainage uses predictive tech for tide/weather syncing • Need: Climate change adaptations include reservoirs and green-energy pumps

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations 📝

The Hindu 🗞 1. Does data justify subdivision of quotas? (Text&Context) (GS2: Policies) PS: Check next message for Ind-US elections from Indian POV.

Friends, changed the newspaper delivery format. Going forward, you can expect better coverage in concise format. In short, your newspaper problem will disappear starting today for UPSC 2025. Do share the above post with your friends and in other groups inviting them to join @CSEWhy :)

Pre note: youtube.com/@CSEWhy 🚨 4th November | Monday 🚨

Pre notes ✍🏻

1. Gangetic Dolphins (aka Susu, IUCN: Endangered) • Feature: Nearly blind, uses echolocation • Location📍: Ganges-Brahmaputra basin + Karnaphuli-Sangu rivers (🇧🇩) • Conservation: Project Dolphin (2020) by MoEFCC; Vikramshila Sanctuary (Bihar) is a key site • In news: Habitat under threat at Kulsi and Morakolohi rivers in Kamrup district (Assam) 2. Diffraction limit • Concept: Optics concept; any instrument has principal limit to its resolution due to physics of diffraction • Purpose: Sets min distance to distinguish two points, defined by wavelength of light & lens aperture size 3. Floods in Spain (result of DANA) • Place in news📍: Valencia (received year's worth rain in 8 hours)

Mains notes 📔

1. Challenges with urbanisation • Stat: ~58% of global population in urban areas, 2x by 2050 • Challenges🇮🇳: Housing shortage, poor water & sanitation and climate vulnerability • Urbanization Reason🇮🇳: Rural poverty & migration • Issues: Poor spatial planning, inequality, social segregation, limited governance, pollution 2. ORT (Oral Rehydration Therapy) • What: Cost effective dehydration treatment serving salt+sugar solution • Mechanism: Enhances water absorption in small intestine via sodium-glucose co-transport • Impact: Reduced dehydration & mortality rates globally • India🇮🇳: Promoted u/ National Health Mission & Integrated Management of Neonatal & Childhood Illnesses Program

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 📰 1. A new tryst with destiny (Editorial) (GS3: Economics) 2. Paradox of stagnant rural wage (Explained page) (GS3: Economics) 3. Worsening impact of climate change (Explained page) (GS3: Climate; note stats) The Hindu 🗞 1. The BRICS summit boost to India-Iran ties (Editorial) (GS2: IR) 2. On the new coastal zone plan of Kerala (Text&Context) (GS2/GS3: Policies and Climate) 3. How cyber scams use social engineering and malicious APKs to swindle users (Text&Context) (GS2: Social issues) PS: Festive over, are you set to be back to studies? React ❤️to affirm!

Pre note: Its weekend; How far have you come? How far shall you go? 🚨 3rd November | Sunday 🚨

Pre Facts 📝

1. Revise Heatwaves

Pre notes ✍🏻

1. Belt & Road Initiative (since 2013; 140+ countries involved) • Connects Asia, Europe, and Africa through trade routes & infrastructure projects • Rail, port & energy projects for trade & economic growth • Criticism: debt trap diplomacy w/ as some partners struggle for repayment 2. Tibetan wild ass (China, India & Nepal • Reddish-brown coat, white underparts & distinctive black stripe down back • Near Threatened due to habitat loss, competition w/ livestock, and limited range • Protected under Indian Wildlife Protection Act and in reserves like Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary (Ladakh)

Mains notes 📔

1. Sendai framework (adopted 2015 succeeding Hyogo Framework) • Focus: reduce disaster risk, enhancing resilience, proactive over-reactive approach • 4 Priorities: "understand risk, strengthen governance, invest in Disaster Risk Resilience, enhancing preparedness and "build back better." • 7 Targets by 2030: Reduce disaster mortality, affected population, economic losses, infrastructure damage, increase national DRR strategies, enhance global cooperation, improve multi-hazard early warnings

@CSEWhy Recommendations 📑

The Hindu 🗞 1. Glacial lakes rise as glaciers retreat (Science page) (GS3: Climate) 2. What are the key takeaways from COP-16? (FAQ page) (GS2: IR) 3. Why is Brazil weighing options on BRI? (FAQ page) (GS2: IR) PS: Join @CSEWhyPlanB

Pre note: Easy newspaper today, invest time in revision at blog.csewhy.com 🚨 2nd November | Saturday 🚨

@CSEWhy Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 📰 1. Consumption & Food inflation (Explained page) (GS3: Economics) 2. First ‘Black Hole Triple’ system discovered: what does it mean? (Explained page) (GS3: Science) 3. Invisible sanitation worker (Editorial) (GS2: Social issues) The Hindu 🗞 1. Zeroing in on methane diplomacy, at COP29 (Editorial) (GS3/GS2: IR and Climate) PS: Join @CSEWhyPlanB

Pre note: How's life? How're the studies? 🚨 1st November | Friday 🚨

Pre Facts 📝

1. Light Detection and Ranging • It uses pulsed laser light to map the Earth’s surface in 3D • It generates high-res models with up to 10 cm vertical accuracy • It uses laser, scanner, GPS to capture ground info by measuring light reflection & travel time • Data is processed with GPS/IMS to create elevation maps; forms a “point cloud” of surface reflections • Enabled discovery of “Valeriana,” a potential Mayan capital in Campeche, Mexico

Pre notes ✍🏻

1. Revise  Bandhavgarh here

@CSEWhy Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 📰 1. Why 1.5°C goal is unrealistic (Explained page) (GS2/GS3: Climate and policies) 2. Rules to get disability certificates tweaked: what has changed and why? (Explained page) (GS2: Laws and Acts) 3. Fraternity upheld (Editorial) (GS2: SC judgements) P.S: Diwali khatm; Padhai shuru!

Diwali 🪔♥️ Share your Diwali pictures in replies to spread happiness 😁

Attempt this Q from today's Hindu Quiz P = International Treaty Q = Entity it protects P named for city in Iran where it was adopted in 1971 India has 85 sites of Q. Name P & Q

Pre note: Happy Diwali, Doston! :) 🚨 31st October | Thursday 🚨

Pre Facts 📝

1. 31st October: National Unity day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) • Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's b’day; Established in 2014 by GoI • Aim: foster nat'l pride, unity, & remind citizens of Patel's contributions

Pre notes ✍🏻

1. Gota fría” (cold drop) aka "DANA" (isolated Depression At high Altitudes) • Cold air from the polar jet stream moves over warm Mediterranean Sea, causing atmospheric instability, leading to dense clouds & heavy rains. • DANA linked to polar jet stream - separates cold polar air from warm tropical air • Cold air pockets collide w/ warm air over Mediterranean sea, creating intense rain events • DANA events are now more intense & frequent due to rising global temps, warmer air holds more moisture, & Med Sea hit record temps in Aug

@CSEWhy Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 📰 1. AI plus and minus (Editorial) (GS2: Social issues) 2. Towards a new federalism (Opinion page) (GS2: Constitution and SC judgements) 3. SC ruling on child marriage…. (Explained page) (GS2: SC judgements) The Hindu 🗞 1. Tackle the issue of adjournments, case pending (Editorial) (GS2) 2. The politics of data-based policymaking (Opinion page) (GS2) 3. Recognising the economic value of unpaid work in India (Text&Context) (GS3: Economics) PS: Diwali best hai bro! Aaj kitna bhi dukh dard ho, sab bhool kar better future manifest karo.

This is a manifestation post ✨ Write down in replies on how you want your Next Diwali to be 👇🏼 Don’t ignore

Happy Diwali doston! 🪔 Spend good time with your family. No matter how hard it is today, do touch feet of your parents and give them a big hug :)

Pre note: Diwali is around the corner, ek break le lena bhai. parivar zaruri hai! 🚨 30th October | Wednesday 🚨

Pre Facts 📝

1. National Ayurveda day (29/10, since 2016) • On Dhanvanthri Jayanti: Puranic god of Ayurveda; believed to be incarnation of Vishnu • 2024 Theme: Ayurveda innovation for global health

Pre notes ✍🏻

1. Bandhavgarh Reserve (📍Vindhya Hills, MP) • Highest Bengal tigers density in the world; both National Park & Tiger Reserve • Deciduous forest housing Rare White Tiger & Ancient Bandhavgarh Fort • Vegetation: Dry deciduous forests, bamboo thickets, and grasslands 2. UNWRA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) • since 1949 for Palestinian Refugees • Offers education, healthcare, social services in Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria • Alleged bias, mismanagement & efficiency charges; Israel says its exploited by militants • Israel banned UNWRA in East Jerusalem, accusing it of undermining Israeli sovereignty 3. PM’s internship scheme [Oct 2024, 1 cr internships in 5 years] • Top 500 firms enlisted • Eligibility Criteria: 21-24 yrs, diploma (ITI/Polytechnic) or grad degrees (BA/BCom/BSc/BCA/BBA). IIT/IIM grads ineligible • Intern Perks: ₹5K monthly aid, ₹4.5K govt + ₹500 CSR, ₹6k one-time joining grant • Covered under PMJJBY & PMSBY insurance schemes

@CSEWhy Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 📰 1. Delimitation, women’s quota (Ideas page) (GS2: Policies) The Hindu 🗞 1. A picture of a growing economic divide in India (Editorial) (GS2: Social issues) 2. A collective effort towards peace in Myanmar (Opinion page) (GS2: IR) PS: Join @CSEWhyPlanB

Pre note: 🚨 29th October | Tuesday 🚨

Pre notes✍🏼

1. Right to privacy • R2 protect your info, decisions, & life choices from public/state interference. • KS Puttaswamy vs UoI (2017): R2Privacy = Fundamental Right u/A 21 • Overruled MP Sharma (1954) and Kharak Singh (1962) • Linked to Arts 14, 19, 21 (Golden Triangle) • Impact: Aadhaar, digital privacy, data laws like DPDP Act 2023 • Affirmed control over personal data, autonomy, and dignity (DAD) 2. Aadhar not for DOB • SC validates only School Leaving Certificate are available • Aadhar Aim: establish ID (not age) • SC reiterated UIDAI’s 2023 circular: Aadhaar isn’t proof of DoB • SC upheld Aadhaar Act in 2018 for ID purposes but limited its mandatory use for SIMs, bank a/cs, and admissions

@CSEWhy Recommendations🗞

Indian Express 📰 1. The next census (Explained page) (GS2: Policies) The Hindu 🗞 1. The under representation of women in judiciary (editorial) (GS2: Social issues) 2. Solar, a game changer in women’s empowerment (editorial) (GS2: Social issues) 3. What challenges does India face in fertilisers import? (Text&Context) (GS2/GS3: Economics) PS: Need help? Drop your Qs in reply to this text