UPSC CSE Why

Pre note: Suno, naya saal aa raha hai. sahi aur nayi app download kar lo, peeche nahi rehna iss saal 🚨 26th December | Thursday 🚨

Pre facts 📃

1. 🗓 26 Dec: Veer Bal Divas

Stats📈

• ISRO: ₹1 in space returned ₹2.52 HOW? Direct Revenue; Technology Impact; Multiplier Effect; Social Benefits • Capex investments: ₹1 in Capes makes ₹4 HOW? Domestic Manufacturing; Industrial Spin-offs; Export Growth; Cost Efficiency

Pre notes 📔

1. Revise India’s 1st River Linkage Project

Mains notes 📄

1. USA-CHINA’s renewed S&T agreement New measures added in 2024: • Amendments to enhance researcher safety, address data security & iimprove research output • Fostering cooperation in critical emerging technologies & creating mutual benefits Evolving U.S-China relationship: • Willingness to continue collaboration despite geopolitical tensions • Acknowledges China’s transformation into a global leader in R&D & its strategic importance The U.S. retains a cautious stance, ensuring the agreement aligns with national security interests U.S. benefits: • Access to China’s growing R&D capabilities • Increased shared scientific efforts • Promotes mobility of researchers

Species in news 🐵🌍

1. Red panda [Ailurus fulgens; Endangered species; Protected u/ IUCN] • Found in Himalayas, incl. Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh • State animal of Sikkim; under WPA, 1972, Sch. I • Indian conservation efforts: Project Red Panda • Nocturnal; known for "false thumb" • In news: W.B welcomed 2 Red Pandas from Netherlands 2. Australia’s Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill, 2024 • Aim: Protect children u/ sixtee16 by restricting SM access to underage aacounts • Non-compliance may incur penalties of up to $49.5 million • Concerns: Data collection for age verification w/ safeguards to destroy it & penalties for misuse under the Privacy Act, 1988

@CSEWhy recommendations 🧑‍🏫

Indian express 📰 1. Why MSP matters (Ideas page) (GS2: A good read on MSP) 2. The paradox of politics (Ideas page) (GS2: Governance) 3. Key question of religion, society, law (Explained page) (GS2: SC Judgements) The Hindu 🗞 1. The lapses in the disaster management Bill (Opinion page) (GS3: Disaster Management) 2. Surveillance reform is the need of the hour (Text &Context) (GS2/GS3: Policies and Security) 3. How the 2004 Indian Ocean quake transformed tsunami science (Science page) (GS3: SnT, Disaster Management) PS: Der matt karo, CSEWhy app abhi download karo!

One thing you’ll leave behind in 2024: Fear or Indiscipline One thing you’ll take ahead in 2025: Courage or Consistency Reply 👇🏼

Pre note: A Merry Christmas to all the aspirants in this community!! 🚨 25th December  | Wednesday 🚨

Pre notes

1. Shyam Benegal • Pioneer of Indian parallel cinema, famous for socio-political themes • Highlighted caste, gender, and rural issues in films • Padma Shri (1976), Padma Bhushan (1991), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2005) 2. History of speed of light • The speed of light is precisely 299,792,458 m/s • In 1676, Ole Roemer estimated the speed of light (~225,300 km/s) HOW? By studying delays in Jupiter's moon eclipses, linking them to Earth-Jupiter distances

Mains notes 📄

1. Quantum Computing Qubits: Basic units of quantum information that can exist in multiple states Entanglement: Links qubits, allowing state of one qubit to instantly determine the state of another, enabling faster computations How are quantum computers faster than classical ones? Parallelism: Qubits perform multiple computations simultaneously Algorithm Advantage: Quantum algorithms like Shor’s outperform classical methods Challenges in building quantum computers: Error Rates; Scalability; High Costs 2. EC's New Amendment Rules: Amendment to Rule 93(2)(a): Unlike earlier, amended rule specifies that only certain papers, will be accessible • Digital datas are excluded to ensure secrecy of votes & prevent misuse • Access to diaries containing voter turnout data & polling details is restricted to avoid misuse 3. Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant [Bangladesh’s 1st NPP; Entered testing phase] • Capacity: 2 X 1,200 MW units • Cost: $12.65 billion; Tripartite cooperation: Russia (construction), India (training, technical support), Bangladesh (host) • India’s role aligns with "Neighborhood First" policy

Places in News 📍🌏

1.Kilauea [Active shield volcano, Hawaii] • Part of Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain; formed by hotspot activity • Sacred in Hawaiian culture, associated with goddess Pele • Halemaʻumaʻu crater: Key feature, often with lava lake • USGS actively monitors for eruption predictions • In news coz of recent eruption

@CSEWhy recommendations 🧑‍🏫

Indian express 📰 1. 100 years after event presided by Mahatma Gandhi why…(Govt & Politics) (GS1: History of freedom struggle) 2. The natural way out (Ideas page) (GS3: Food security) 3. An appeal too MPs (Ideas page) (Read to get quotes for GS2 Mains) 4. Bleak forecast, adaptation way forward (Explained page) (GS3: Climate) The Hindu 🗞️ 1. An India-China reset needs bold and new thinking (Editorial) (GS2: IR) 2. Myth of meritocracy, caste-based disparities in IT sector (Editorial) (GS1/GS2: Society, Social issues) PS: My Christmas present for all of you❤🎁

Friends, I’ve a big news to share! CSEWhy started as an anonymous twitter page Last week, Google selected CSEWhy in top AI Startups of 2024 Spent couple of days at gorgeous IIM Bengaluru campus. But what did we do to be here? CSEWhy App! (You read it right, we are now Google backed for right reasons :)) Have you downloaded the app? Download here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.csewhy.app1

Pre note: 3,000+ aspirants are now learning daily on CSEWhy App. Download here 🚨 24th December | Tuesday 🚨

Pre notes

1. Miyawaki [Dense afforestation technique by Akira Miyawaki] • How? Uses native species, plants 3-5 saplings/m², and requires minimal maintenance post 2-3 years • Growth: Grows 10x faster, creating forests in 20-30 years • Benefits: Boosts biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and combats urban heat islands • Adopted in Indian cities (Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai) for urban greening 2. SVAMITVA [Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology] • 🗓2020 by Ministry of Panchayati Raj • Issues property cards for ownership rights • Uses drones to map rural lands • Aim: To digitize land records & reduce disputes • Purpose: Strengthens Panchayati Raj through clear land governance 3. Ken-Betwa [India’s first river linkage project] • Links surplus Ken River to water-deficient Betwa River • Covers MP & UP u/ India’s National River Linking Project Aims: A. Irrigate 10.62 lakh hectares and generate 103 MW power B. Provide Bundelkhand w/ drinking water for 62 lakh people • Includes Daudhan Dam and a 221 km canal • Faces ecological concerns in Panna Tiger Reserve 3. Papier-mâché (Dodo doll, Kashmir) • Crafted using paper pulp and adhesives • Originated in China, brought to India by Mughals • Kashmiri papier-mâché is renowned globally, with GI tag status • Recognized under "Make in India" and ODOP programs

Mains notes 📄

1. Why MHA impose restrictions on NE? • Protected Area Regime restricts foreigners from entering certain areas without a permit • It applies to areas near international borders 1958 Order: Foreigners require Protected Area Permit issued by the GoI for entry, residence, and duration Why was it Relaxed in 2010? - To promote tourism amid improved security - Extensions lasted till 2027, but this was withdrawn on December 17, 2024 Why Reimposed Now? Security concerns following ethnic violence in Manipur & refugee influxes 2. Google’s GenCast AI • An AI model that predicts weather using historical reanalysis data rather than NWP, which relies on physical simulations How does it work? A. It uses a neural network w/ 41,000 nodes & processes data in two refinement steps B. Each point in the network represents the weather for a specific location and time C. It predicts the next weather state by iterating over inputs, producing probabilistic forecasts

@CSEWhy recommendations 🧑‍🏫

Indian express 📰 1. Some positives, some concerns (Explained page) (GS3: Economy) 2. Why the growth of India’s overall green cover is not all good news (Explained page) (GS3: Climate) The Hindu 🗞 1. India’s ‘steel frame’ does need a check (Editorial) (GS2: A good read on India’s administrative governance) 2. India’s reliance on China for critical minerals (Text&Context) (GS2: IR) PS: Join @CSEWhyPlanB

What’s your UPSC goal for 2025? Reply 👇🏼

Pre note: Year is about to end, get serious for UPSC 2025 with CSEWhy app here, download now! 🚨 23rd December | Monday 🚨

Pre facts 📃

1. Mubarak-Al-Kabeer: Highest civilian award of Kuwait; PM Modi received! :).

Pre notes📔

1. National Farmers Day (Dec 23, Ch. Charan Singh B'day) • Focus: Farmer welfare, rural upliftment, & sustainable agriculture • His key reforms: Land redistribution, zamindari abolition • Challenges: Agrarian distress, MSP demand, climate impact • Govt schemes: KCC, e-NAM, Soil Health Cards, PM-KISAN 2. Peshwai & Chavni Pravesh • Peshwai: Procession welcoming saints at religious events like Kumbh Mela • Chavni Pravesh: Formal entry of a camp, rooted in military and spiritual setups • Historical: Related to Maratha military logistics and governance • Modern: Represents Akhada camps at religious gatherings 3. Speed gun • Function: Measures vehicle speed using radar or laser tech • Science: Radar guns use Doppler Effect; LIDAR guns use laser pulses for accuracy • Uses: Traffic enforcement, sports, automotive testing 4. SpaDeX Mission • Space Docking Experiment by ISRO; ₹124.47 crore • Advantage: Positions India among nations with docking capabilities Launch: PSLV-C60, 🗓 December 30, 2024

Mains notes 📄

1. New telecommunication rules (2024) • Procedures and Safeguards for Lawful Interception of Messages Rules, replace Rule 419A of the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951; • Allows message interception under specific conditions Authorised Authorities • Union Home Secretary, State Home Secretaries or officers above Joint Secretary rank can approve interception • IG-level officers at the state level can act in emergencies, subject to confirmation within three days Concerns: Lack of accountability, absence of safeguards and punitive measures for misuse

@CSEWhy recommendations 🧑‍🏫

Indian express 📰 1. Reversing the storm (Editorial) (GS3: Economy) 2. Farms as sites of nurturing (Ideas page) (GS3: Agri-economy) The Hindu 🗞 1. The global warming fight has a challenge for India (Editorial) (GS3: Climate) 2. Pointing the beacon at India’s undersea warfare power (Editorial) (GS3: Defence and Security) 3. Are Manipur militants using Starlink devices? (Text&Context) (GS3: Tech and Security) PS: 1million+ aspirants have seen this video? Have you? Important manifestation for all!

Puncture banaana aata hai? UPPCS pooch raha hai. Batao 👇🏼

Pre note: Scroll insightful reels only. 🚨 22nd December  | Sunday 🚨

Pre facts 📃

1. 25% of India’s total area under green cover: ISFR 2023 report • FSI: Forest cover = land with tree canopy density exceeding 10% and covering at least one hectare

Pre notes

1. H5N1 [Avian flu virus, zoonotic] • 60% fatality in humans • 2022: Major global outbreaks in birds; detected in India (wild birds) • WHO warning: High pandemic potential; limited human-to-human spread • India’s response: ICAR monitoring, culling, biosecurity measures • Global impact: 50 mil poultry deaths

@CSEWhy recommendations 🧑‍🏫

The Hindu 🗞️ 1. Why are some packaged foods under a cloud? (FAQ page) (GS3: Health) 2. What are India’s plans for a quantum satellite? (FAQ page) (GS3: SnT) PS: Hafte ki galtiyan pehchani?

Riddle: Guess the Animal! • I live in Dachigam National Park • A small group of us was recently spotted in Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary. • I am the only Asiatic survivor or sub-species of the European red deer. Who am I? 🧐

Pre note: Koi dard, dukh, duvidha ho toh mjhe btao (UPSC RELATED ONLY) 🚨 21st December  | Saturday 🚨

Pre notes ✍️

1. Revise everything about Dr. B.R Ambedkar here

Species in news 🐵🌍

1. Murder hornets (Vespa mandarinia) ["yak-killers" in Japan] Known for destroying bee colonies, crucial for pollination and agriculture Detected in the US in 2019, causing ecological concerns Target honeybees, vital for ecosystem services Prefer temperate climates, with range potentially expanding due to climate change India: No current invasion but potential threat to native bees

@CSEWhy recommendations 🧑‍🏫

Indian express 📰 1. Tech must become accessible and affordable (Govt & Politics) (GS3: SnT) 2. NYAY gone wrong (Editorial) (GS2: Policies) 3. How global crises are connected (Explained page) (GS3: Climate) The Hindu 🗞️ 1. It is for historians to dig for tell-tale remains, not bigots (Editorial) (GS2: SC Judgements, Constitution and Acts) PS: Christmas is here. Are you planning your vacation or preparation?

Babasaheb Ambedkar is in news (and PYQs) Checkout this ^

Pre note: Current Affairs Audio notes for Month of November are now live on CSEWhy App. 🚨 20th December | Friday 🚨

Pre notes ✍️

1. No-trust notice • Questions govt’s majority in the legislature • Governed by Article 75(3) in India; moved in the Lok Sabha • Needs support from 50 MPs to be admitted; simple majority vote • First motion: 1963 against Nehru

Mains notes 📄

1. Debate whether coconut oil is taxable as edible oil (5% GST) or hair care product (18% GST) • History: Before GST (2017) it was taxed u/ Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 • A circular classified smaller packs as “hair oil,” leading to higher taxes • SC in 2018: Coconut oil as edible oil regardless of packet size, applying “Common Parlance Test” • SC in 2023: Affirmed previous judgement • Common Parlance Test: Determines how public commonly understands a product for tax classification.

@CSEWhy recommendations 🧑‍🏫

Indian express 📰 1. In the house this winter (Ideas page) (A good read for GS2 mains) 2. Ambedkar and the RSS-BJP (Explained page) (GS2: Political and legislative history) The Hindu 🗞 1. Crimes against humanity and an obtuse Indian stance (Editorial) (GS2: Policies and IR) 2. The political crisis in South Korea (Text&Context) (GS2: IR) PS: Lighter newspaper today. Practice Qs on Current Affairs on CSEWhy app here

Pre note: Kindly START studying seriously! :P 🚨 19th December | Thursday 🚨

Prelims Notes 🐵🌍

1. Sacred Groves • Forest patches protected for religious reasons • Found nationwide, prominent in RJ, KL, NE states • Integral to rituals, seen as divine abodes • Governed by cultural norms; some fall under Wildlife Protection Act • Conservation through JFM, BMCs, and eco-programs • Recognized under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 2. Alaskan Seabird • In Alaska, puffins, murres, auklets dominate • Found in Pribilof, Aleutian, St. Lawrence Islands • Play a role in nutrient cycling through guano. • Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act In news: Marine heat wave killed 5 mil seabirds b/w 2014-16, acc to study

Places in News 📍🌏

1. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (📍 Mandsaur & Neemuch, MP) • A mix of deciduous forest; now has a proposed tiger corridor • Ranthambore–Mukundra Hills link; in news for Kuno Cheetah relocation

@CSEWhy recommendations 🧑‍🏫

Indian express 📰 1. From aid to trade (Ideas page) (GS2: IR) 2. The ongoing transition in Syria (Explained page) (GS2: IR) 3. High cost of financing fiscal deficit… (Explained page) (GS3: Economy) The Hindu 🗞 1. Section 6A of the Citizenship Act — why it fails Assam (Editorial) (GS2: SC Judgements and Constitution) 2. Making affordable generics more reliable (Opinion page) (GS2/GS3: Medical Policy and health) PS: Join @CSEWhyPlanB

Pre note: Haven't you joined our growing community of serious aspirants on CSEWhy app? 🚨 18th December  | Wednesday 🚨

Pre notes ✍️

1. House Panels (Parliamentary committees) • Standing Committees: Permanent (e.g., Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee) • Ad Hoc Committees: Temporary, formed for specific tasks (e.g., JPCs, Select Committees) 2. Accredited social health activist [Female health workers u/ NHM, 🗓️: 2005] • Roles: Serve rural/tribal areas; Focus on maternal/child health, immunization, family planning • Won WHO Global Health Leaders Award in 2022 3. Cyclone Chido [Category 4 storm; 📍Indian Ocean region affecting Southeast Africa] • It caused severe damage in Mayotte and Mozambique in Dec 2024

Mains notes 📄

1. Revise ONOP here

Species in news 🐵🌍

1. Wroughton's Free-tailed Bat (Otomops wroughtoni) Habitat: Roosts in caves; moderate colony sizes Distribution: Western Ghats, Meghalaya, Cambodia, Delhi (Recent) Conservation Status: IUCN Data Deficient Threats: Habitat loss, roost disturbance Protection: Listed on Schedule I of India's Wildlife (Protection) Act 2. Types of Majority in Parliamentary Undertakings A. Simple Majority: 50+% of present members; required for ordinary bills (Article 107) B. Absolute Majority: 50+% of total house strength C. Effective Majority: 50+% of current strength, excluding vacancies D. Special Majority: • Article 368: ⅔ of members present & voting + 50+% of total strength; for constitutional amendments • Article 61: For Presidential impeachment, requiring ⅔ of total membership State Ratification: For federal changes, needing approval from 50% of states

Places in News 📍🌏

1. Bodh Gaya [📍Bihar; Buddha’s enlightenment site] • Mahabodhi Temple: UNESCO World Heritage Site (2002) • Built in 5th–6th Century CE, originally by Emperor Ashoka (~260 BCE) • Sacred Bodhi Tree: Direct descendant of Buddha’s meditation tree • 1/4 holiest Buddhist sites globally

@CSEWhy recommendations 🧑‍🏫

Indian express 📰 1. Real basic structure question (Editorial) (A good read on GS2, constitution) 2. Closing the Gulf circle (Ideas page) (GS2: IR) 3. Arctic Tundra emitting more carbon than it absorbs (Explained page) (GS3: Climate) 4. One Nation, One Election Bills (Explained page) (GS2: Bills and acts) The Hindu 🗞️ 1. The legal gaps in India’s unregulated AI surveillance (Editorial) (GS2: Laws) 2. The challenge of universal health coverage (Opinion page) (GS2: Policies) 3. The Constitution on minority rights (Text&Context) (GS2: Constitution and its history) PS: What are you facing, challenges or problems? LMK by replying to this text.

Pre note: blog.csewhy.com 🚨 17th December  | Sunday 🚨

Pre notes ✍

1. Kutch of Rann 📍 Gujarat, extends to parts of Sindh (🇵🇰); b/w Thar Desert and Arabian Sea • Divided into Great Rann of Kutch (northern salt desert) & Little Rann of Kutch (eastern region) • Seasonal salt marsh in Thar Desert; becomes white salt bed in winter • Rann is part of the Indo-Pakistan Plate movement, especially post-1819 Bhuj earthquake • Becomes marshland due to heavy rains & water from Luni River & Indus tributaries Biodiversity: Little Rann is home to the Indian Wild Ass (khur), protected in the Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary • Migratory birds inhabit the region • Kutch is part of the Rann of Kutch Biosphere Reserve • Economic Importance: accounts for 30% of India's salt output • Historic sites: Dholavira (Harappan city) located here; a UNESCO World Heritage Site 2. Zakir Hussain • Tabla maestro; 9th March 1951; son of Ustad Alla Rakha • Founder of Shakti, blending Indian and global music • Winner of Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), and a Grammy Award • Key figure in the World Music movement 3. Subbulakshmi Award [Honors contributions to Carnatic music & Indian classical arts] • Named after M.S. Subbulakshmi, Bharat Ratna awardee • M.S. Subbulakshmi: First musician at UN General Assembly (1966) and Magsaysay Awardee • Promotes excellence in Carnatic and classical music 4. Revise PYQs on Syria here 5. Revise Greenwashing here 6. Revise GRAP and AQI here 7. Revise keywords of preamble here

Mains notes 📖

1. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis • Chronic lung disease causing progressive fibrosis with no known cause • Risk Factors: Age >50, smoking, genetic predisposition, and environmental exposure • Pathology: Lung tissue scarring reduces oxygen exchange capacity • Treatment: Anti-fibrotics (Pirfenidone, Nintedanib), oxygen therapy, and rehab • Prognosis: Median survival = 3–5 years; no cure available 2. Vijay Diwas  [16th December; marks India’s 1971 victory over Pak] • Led to the creation of 🇧🇩 • 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered • War highlighted Pakistan’s political and human rights oppression in East Pakistan • Swarnim Vijay Varsh (2021) celebrated 50 years of the victory 3. Victory Day [16th December; 📍 Bangladesh] • Marks victory over Pakistan & Bangladesh's independence in 1971 • War began after Operation Searchlight (March 25, 1971) and escalated with India's intervention • Mukti Bahini aided by Indian Army, defeated Pakistani forces • Led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman + Indira Gandhi • 3+ million civilians killed, and 10 million refugees fled to India • Symbolizes freedom, sacrifices, and India's role in Bangladesh's liberation 4. Removal of Judges • Article 124(4) - Supreme Court judges: A judge can only be removed on the grounds of "proved misbehavior or incapacity" through an impeachment process in Parliament • Article 217(1)(b) - High Court judges: Pertains to the removal of under the same grounds of "proved misbehavior or incapacity"

@CSEWhy recommendations

Indian express 📰 1. A crisis in the making (Editorial) (GS1: Society) 2. In constituent assembly, Ambedkar & Munshi’s view on UCC (Explained page) (A good read for GS2) 3. Religion and reservation (Explained page) (GS2: Policies, Articles and Judgements) The Hindu 🗞️ 1. How does La Niña affect India’s climate? (Text&Context) (GS3: Climate) 2. UN talks on drought deal in Saudi fail to produce pact (Science page) (GS3: Disaster and climate) PS: Download CSEWhy app to start with UPSC 2025 preparation

CSAT Q: UPSC Prelims 2025 is on 25/05/2025 (i.e. Sunday) Starting from 16/12/2024, How many total Sundays will come till 25/5/25 Reply below 😚👇🏼

Model Prisons & Correctional Services Act 2023; a brief!

Erg Chebbi dunes in Sahara

Pre note: What goes around, comes around; just like that, UPSC prep never goes waste! 🚨 16th December | Monday 🚨

Pre notes✍🏼

1. Erg Chebbi Dunes🐪 • 📍In Sahara of Merzouga, Morocco • In news: Heavy rains due to extratropical cyclone • Runoff from this created ephemeral lakes in the desert (image below) 2. Chiral Molecules🧬 • Mirror images of each other; Enantiomers • Diff enantiomer causes diff function; eg: right handed Thalidomide worked as sedative but left-handed caused severe birth defects. 3. Santa Ana Winds💨 • Winds blowing b/w Rocky Mountains & Sierra Nevada • This region is called Great Basin region in the USA

Mains notes 📙

1. POSH Act, 2013 • What? Protecting women from workplace sexual harassment • Why in news? POSH in Political Parties debate • Legal: Section 3(1) applying to women in (un)organized sectors • In political Parties: Debate in SC, result expected soon!

@CSEWhy Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 1. Unravelling in Syria (GS2: IR) 2. What Manipur needs (GS3: Internal Security; Never miss anything from this writer) 3. Wheat edible oil and inflation (GS3: Agri) The Hindu 🗞 1. One nation multiple constituencies (GS2: RPA 1951) 2. India’s firmer attempts at mineral diplomacy (GS2/GS3: Diplomacy & Minerals) 3. How would a carbon market function? (GS2/GS3: Carbon Markets & diplomacy) PS: Did you start preparing for Prelims NOW?