UPSC CSE Why

Pre note: app.csewhy.com will give you much needed revision & practice MCQs! 🚨 04th May | Sunday 🚨

Pre Notes 🗒

1. Crypto has PMLA back in news: Detailed explainer on PMLA here 2. Bitcoin Mining Process by which specialised computers are used to execute complex mathematical problems to validate, secure, create, and launch new coins into circulation

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 📰: No recos today The Hindu 🗞 1. What are the key objectives of the caste count? (GS2: Policy, PSIR optional) 2. Marxism, Market & nationalism (GS2: ideology, IR, GS3: Economy, security) PS: invest your time and energy in revising ONE Previous Year Question Paper daily

Eastern rivers of IWT & their dams Ravi: Ranjit Sagar Dam Satluj: Bhakra-Nangal Dam Beas: Pong Dam & Pangoh Dam

Pre note: What if? if that's on your mind, KILL THE WHAT IFs, you will win!! 🚨 03rd May | Saturday 🚨

Pre Notes 🗒

1. Bhakra Beas Management Board • History: statutory body u/ Punjab Reorganization Act 1966 (formation of Haryana) • Functions: - Manage the admin, maintenance & operation of Bhakra Nangal & Beas projects. - Generate hydroelectric power for PB, HR, RJ, HP, DL, & Chandigarh

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 📰: 1. Story of Bagram, strategic air base in Afghanistan (GS2: IR) The Hindu 🗞 1. Strengthening parliamentary oversight in India (GS2: Parliament) 2. Can Ethics keep pace with the rapid evolution of AI? (GS4: Ethics, Page 8) PS: invest your time and energy in revising ONE Previous Year Question Paper daily

enroll link: csewhy.com/prelims-mastery

Notice Kurdistan spread across multiple countries

Pre note: Make the most of your Friday. Revise 2023 Pre PYQ here 🚨 02nd May | Friday 🚨

Pre Notes 🗒

1. Orange Economy, WAVES Summit 2025 & IICT - Orange Economy: creative economy; leverages creativity, cultures & IP to generate wealth & jobs - WAVES • What: Global platform to position India as media, entertainment & creative innovation hub. • Fund size: $1bn fund for Indian creative economy - Indian Institute of Creative Technology • What: National excellence centre in Mumbai w/ ₹400 crore fund • Aim: Nurture talent & strengthen India’s global creative industry leadership

Mains Notes ✍🏼

1. Vizhinjam Port: Wrote a detailed X post for you to learn!😉 2. Caste Census: Detailed blog post covering all you need to learn here 3. FATF: Detailed Telegram post here to revise

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 📰: No recos today The Hindu 🗞 1. China's strategic push - Asia ties amid tariff tensions (GS2: IR) 2. How can India tap its Natural Hydrogen potential? (GS3: Env./S&T + GS2: Policy) PS: invest your time and energy in revising ONE Previous Year Question Paper daily

Revise these ranks; Q seen in 2024

Pre note: CSAT Test this weekend on app.csewhy.com, download!! 🚨 01st May | Thursday 🚨 Caste Census covered on blog here

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 📰 1. Ready, Steady, Esports 2. Raghuji Bhonsle's Story The Hindu 🗞 1. Is natural Hydrogen the fuel of future? PS: invest your time and energy in revising ONE Previous Year Question Paper daily

It will take you JUST 3 days to go through PYQs with CSEWhy - 2009-2024 GS1 PYQs - 2015-2024 CSAT PYQs Both on video lectures w/ deep analysis & PDF notes. Waste no time in last 30 days to Pre25, get them at csewhy.com/prelims-mastery

Pre note: What can you do in 3 days to clear UPSC 2025? CSEWhy PYQs!😍 🚨 30th April  | Wednesday 🚨

Pre notes

1. Digha Jagannath Temple (📍Purba Medinipur, West Bengal) • Replicates Puri’s Jagannath Temple, linking Bengal-Odisha Vaishnava traditions • Kalingan architecture, follows Vaishnavism 2. Golconda Blue (Held by Yashwant Rao Holkar of Indore) • largest fancy vivid blue diamond ever to be offered at an auction ● Foreign travellers & diamonds • French merchant Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (1605-89): "diamond mining in the Golconda district grew at an explosive rate in the mid-17th century. At the Kollur mine, 60,000 diggers and washers were employed." • French traveller Jean de Thévenot (1633-77): "noted there was no uniformity in diamond prices, and the king at the time established a monopoly in mining." • French Gabriel Dellon: "Suratte (Surat) is a place of great Commerce; Their Diamonds are brought thither out of the Kingdom of Golconda"

@CSEWhy recommendations

Indian Express 📰 1. The General's Gamble (GS2: Raja Mandala) The Hindu 🗞 1. Expanding tree cover is crucial (GS3: Environment & Ecology) 2. High temperature and mango production (GS3: Agri) 3. Starlink’s India struggle: spectrum, surveillance, and connectivity (GS2: Policy, GS3: S&T) PS: Get CSEWhy PYQs at Prelims Mastery Plan

Attempt this PYQ on Padma Awards :)

Pre note: AITS GS Test 7 (Full length) is live. PRACTICE on CSEWhy app. 🚨 27th April  | Sunday 🚨

Pre notes

1. India's fighter jets (Defence Sector) ● Why in News: India and France formally concluded an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA), to procure 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for the Indian Navy. ● Fifth Generation Fighter Jets: India does not have any operational fifth-generation fighter jets. (CSE 2024) ● Indigenous Fighter Jet: Tejas is India’s indigenous fourth-generation light combat aircraft developed by HAL. ● Rafale Induction: The Dassault Rafale is a 4.5-generation omnirole fighter aircraft inducted from France India has inducted thirty-six Rafale jets. ● Sukhoi Su-30MKI: backbone of the IAF’s fighter fleet. It is a twin-jet multirole air superiority fighter jointly developed by Russia's Sukhoi and HAL. ● Mirage-2000: acquired from France, played a key role in the Kargil War and has been upgraded with modern avionics and weapons. ● MiG-21 Bison: upgraded version of the MiG-21. Despite being old, it was operational till recent years but is now being gradually phased out. ● AMCA Project: India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is under development by DRDO and HAL. ● Air Dominance vs Multirole: Su-30MKI and MiG-29UPG are primarily air superiority fighters; Rafale, Mirage-2000, and Tejas are multirole fighters. 2. Padma Awards ● Why in News: The award ceremony for the Padma Awards 2025 took place at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan in Delhi. ● Institution and Objective: Instituted in 1954 to recognize achievements in all fields of activities where public service is involved. ● Three Categories - Padma Vibhushan: Exceptional and distinguished service - Padma Bhushan: Distinguished service of a high order - Padma Shri: Distinguished service ● Eligibility: All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex are eligible. Foreign nationals, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) are also eligible. ● Fields Recognized: Art, literature and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil services, trade and industry, others. ● Announcement and Conferment: Announced every year on Republic Day. Conferred by the President of India at a ceremonial function at Rashtrapati Bhavan. ● Posthumous Awards: Can be awarded posthumously. ● No Titles: Award does not amount to a title. Use of the award name as a prefix or suffix is prohibited under Article 18(1) of the Constitution. ● Revocation and Restoration: Awards can be revoked or restored by the President of India.Based on the recommendation of the Padma Awards Committee. ● Cancellation History: Padma Awards have been cancelled and restored three times. ● Nomination Process: Open to all citizens. Anyone can nominate another person (or even self-nominate) through an online portal maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs. ● Padma Awards Committee: An annual Committee is constituted by the Prime Minister. Composed of Home Secretary, Secretary to the President, and eminent persons from different fields. ● Recent Trends: In recent years, focus has shifted to recognizing unsung heroes, grassroots social workers, and selfless contributors.

@CSEWhy recommendations

Indian Express 📰 1. The Pahalgam Moment... (The Editorial Page) (GS3: Internal Security) 2. Emissions intensity targets... (Explained) (GS3: Environment) The Hindu 🗞 1. The post of Deputy Speaker is not symbolic or optional...(Editorial) (GS2: Polity and Governance) 2. Role in a risk society: how women bear a disproportionate burden .... (Text and Context) (GS1: Indian Society) PS: Clear Prelims basics with Prelims Mastery Plan

Pre note: Clear CSAT basics with Prelims Mastery Plan 🏆 🚨 28th April  | Monday 🚨

Pre notes 📔

1. GLOBAL PANDEMIC TREATY (World Health Organisation) • Why in NEWS: WHO member states agreed on a draft of a legally binding treaty for global preparedness to future pandemics. • Legal Nature: proposed to be a legally binding agreement under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution. • Key Objective: strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response with a focus on equity. • Equitable Access Clause: mandates that WHO should hold 20% of pandemic-related products like vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics for global equitable distribution. • Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) System: for timely sharing of pathogens and fair distribution of benefits arising from their use. • Dispute Settlement Mechanism: An arbitration and mediation framework included to resolve disputes arising from treaty obligations. • Withdrawal by Some Countries: United States and Argentina withdrawn from WHO and not participating in the treaty. • Importance for India: to support equitable vaccine distribution and resilience in health systems.

Mains Notes 📔

Solar Energy Sector in India • Potential: around 748 GWp, based on three percent of the available wasteland area. • Installed Capacity: As of March 2025, installed solar capacity stands at 105.65 GW, contributing about 22 percent of total power capacity. • Key Segments: Ground-mounted installations form 81 GW, rooftop solar 17 GW, hybrid projects 2.87 GW, and off-grid systems 4.74 GW. • 2030 Target: aims to achieve 500 GW non-fossil fuel-based capacity by 2030, with solar contributing about 280 GW. • PM Surya Ghar Yojana: Targets rooftop solar systems for 10 million households with free electricity provisions. • Production Linked Incentive Scheme: domestic manufacturing of high-efficiency solar photovoltaic modules. • PM-KUSUM Scheme: installation of solar pumps and small solar power plants for farmers. • International Solar Alliance: India-led alliance with 105 countries to mobilize USD 1000 billion in solar investments by 2030; OSOWOG Initiative: global interconnected solar power grid across countries. • Challenges: Delays in project execution due to land acquisition issues, tender delays, supply chain constraints, and financing gaps.

@CSEWhy recommendations 🧑‍🏫I

Indian Express 📰 1. A volatile standoff...(The Editorial Page) (GS3: Internal Security) 2. A revolution of clean energy .. (The Ideas Page) (GS3: Environment) The Hindu 🗞 1. The Trump turmoil in bond markets...(Text & Context) (GS3: Economy) 2. India’s AI compute conundrum (Opinion) (GS3: Science and Technology) PS: Jitna revise karoge, utna yaad rahega - simple! Revise CA here

CSE 2024 marksheets are now live Check your score 👇🏼 https://upsconline.gov.in/marksheet/exam/marksheet_system/

Pre note: AITS GS Test 7 (Full length) is live. PRACTICE on CSEWhy app. 🚨 27th April  | Sunday 🚨

Pre notes

1. KAILASH MANSAROVAR ● Why in News: Six years after the pilgrimage was last flagged off, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will restart with about 750 pilgrims travelling to Tibet. ● Sacred Geography: Mount Kailash (6,638 m) in southwestern Tibet Trans-Himalayan Region; source of Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo), Karnali rivers. ● Religious Significance: Sacred to Hindus (Lord Shiva's abode), Jains (Rishabhadeva’s nirvana), Buddhists (Buddha Demchok's home), Bon followers. ● Mansarovar Lake: Altitude 4,590 m; one of the highest freshwater lakes; created by Brahma (mythology); near Rakshastal. ● Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: Conducted via Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim); under Indian government suervision. 2. UN Commission on Limits of Continental Shelf (CLCS) • Why in News: India increased its claim in the central Arabian Sea, as part of its “extended continental shelf” at UN CLCS. ● Establishment: Under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 to define states’ extended continental shelves beyond 200 nautical miles. ● Composition: Consists of 21 experts elected by State Parties to UNCLOS for five-year terms. ● Functions: Examines submissions by coastal states on limits of continental shelf; ensures scientific validity. ● Legal Nature: Recommendations are final and binding if accepted; but CLCS decisions do not settle territorial disputes. ● India's Involvement: India filed its extended continental shelf submission in 2009; actively participates through nominated members.

Mains Notes 📔

3. BIOTECHNOLOGY SECTOR IN INDIA ● Growth of India’s Bioeconomy: Expanded from $10 billion (2014) to $165.7 billion (2024), contributing 4.25% to GDP,aims to reach $300 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 17.9%.​ ● Key Government Initiatives: BioE3 Policy (2024), National Biopharma Mission: $250 million initiative supporting over 100 projects and 30 MSMEs, BioSaarthi (2025): Mentorship program to support biotech startups with global outreach. ​ ● Expanding Startup Ecosystem: Over 8,500 biotech startups and 600+ biotech companies operating across India. ● India Innovations: India developed the world’s first DNA COVID-19 vaccine,Genome India Project. ● Policy Support: Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), National Biotechnology Development Strategy (NBDS)

@CSEWhy recommendation

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Indian Express 📰 1. Between Scylla and Charybdis... (Opinion) (GS2: Neighbourhood Relations) The Hindu 🗞 1. Assessing temperature-related deaths in urban heat islands...(Science) (GS3: Science and Technology) 2.How did WHO nations strike a pandemic deal? .... (FAQ) (GS2: International Organisations) PS: Clear Prelims basics with Prelims Mastery Plan 🏆

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Important Straits: Dardanelles Strait, Bosporus Strait, Kerch Strait.