UPSC CSE Why

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

Pre note: AITS GS Test 6 (Full length) is live. PRACTICE on CSEWhy app. 🚨 26th April  | Saturday 🚨

Pre notes 📔

1. CRIMEA PENINSULA • Why in News: US President has claimed that Crimea would stay with Russia, as a new pressure tactic on Ukraine to make concessions to end the war. • Location: Located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, almost entirely surrounded by water. (Map attached in next Image) • Strategic Importance: It controls access to the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, making it a crucial naval hub. • Annexation by Russia: In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, leading to widespread international condemnation. • Demographics: Major ethnic groups include Russians, Ukrainians, and Crimean Tatars. • Geography: The peninsula is connected to mainland Ukraine via the Isthmus of Perekop and to Russia via the Crimean Bridge (built in 2018). 2. World Food Programme (WFP) (HQ: Rome,Italy) • Why in News: WFP has run out of food in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues to block the entry of all humanitarian aid. • Establishment: Founded in 1961 by the United Nations and FAO as an experiment, became a permanent program in 1965. • Mandate: Its primary aim is to combat hunger and achieve food security globally, especially during emergencies. • Nobel Peace Prize: WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its efforts to combat hunger and promote peace. • Funding: WFP is entirely funded by voluntary donations from governments, companies, and individuals.

Mains Notes 📔

3. CYBERSECURITY IN INDIA • Data: Cyberattacks on India are projected to rise to a staggering 1 trillion per annum by 2033, reaching 17 trillion by 2047 • Definition: technologies, processes, and rules that protect systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access and misuse. • Recent events: Aadhar data leak (2018), Air India passenger data breach (2021), AIIMS Delhi ransomware attack disrupting servers and data (2022). • Steps taken: CERT-In (MHA), National Cyber Security Policy 2013, Cyber Swachhta Kendra, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023

.

@CSEWhy recommendation

s

Indian Express 📰 1. The implosion next door... (The Editorial Page) (GS2: Neighbourhood Relations) 2. IWT,Simla Agreement 'in abeyance'......(Explained) (GS2: International Relations) The Hindu 🗞 1. A gathering storm...(Editorial) (GS2: India and its neighbourhood) 2. A chance for India's creative ecosystem to make waves.... (Editorial) (GS3: Economy) PS: Clear Prelims basics with Prelims Mastery Plan 🏆

Pre note: Clear CSAT basics with Prelims Mastery Plan 🏆 🚨 25th April  | Friday 🚨

Pre notes 📔

1. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 • Why in News: Issue abround mandatory reporting of voluntary sexual activity under POCSO leading to the criminalisation. • When: Nov '12 after India ratified the UN Child Rights Convention( 1992) • Objective: Special law  to address offences of sexual exploitation & abuse of children (<18yo) • Features: Gender-Neutral Nature, Ease in Reporting Cases, Explicit Definition of Terms. • POCSO Rules 2020 - Interim Compensation and Special Relief to abused child - Can use funds from District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) or Juvenile Justice Act 2015. • 2019, the Department of Justice  launched 389 POCSO Fast Track Courts (2018 Amendment Act) 2. SIMLA Agreement,1972 • Why in NEWS: Pakistan suspended Simla Agreement as reaction against measures taken by India over terrorist attack in Pahalgam. • When: 2nd July 1972, after the Indo-Pak War of 1971. • Between Whom: Indira Gandhi (India) and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Pakistan). • Objectives: Establish peace and resolve disputes through bilateral dialogue only. • Key Provisions: -Both countries to respect each other’s territorial integrity. -All issues, including Kashmir, to be solved bilaterally. -Ceasefire Line became Line of Control (LoC) post-war. -Resume diplomatic ties, trade, communications, and people-to-people contact. -India agreed to release 93,000 Pakistani war prisoners.

Mains Notes

📔

1. Horticulture Sector in India: • Output: Horticulture production in 2024–25 estimated at 362.09 million tonnes. • Land Efficiency: Uses 13.1% of cropped area but gives 33% agri GVA. • Global Rank: India leads in banana, mango, papaya; second in total produce. • Infra Push: 20,000+ AIF projects sanctioned in Punjab for post-harvest infra,National Horticulture Mission 2005

@CSEWhy

recommendations 🧑‍🏫I

Indian Express 📰 1. The Pahalgam Abyss...(The Editorial Page) (GS3: Security) 2.Remake the government school (The Ideas Page) (GS2: Education) The Hindu 🗞 1. Is the WTO still relevant?...(Opinion) (GS3: Economy) 2. The chaos of Karnataka's caste suvey? (Text an Context) (GS1: Indian Society) PS: Jitna revise karoge, utna yaad rahega - simple! Revise CA here

Image1: Indus Water Treaty 1960 explained

Pre note: CSEWhy Subject wise tests are Live. ↗️ 🚨 24th April  | THURSDAY 🚨

Pre notes 📔

1. Indus Water Treaty,1960 • Why in News: Indian Government announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan following recent Baisaran Valley Terrorist Attack. • What: Refer next image1 to understand IWT, 1960 • IWT Dispute Resolution Mechanism: Permanent Indus Commission-->Neutral expert appointed by the World Bank-->  Forum of arbitrators 2. SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) • Why in News:  Indian government has announced that Pakistan nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). • What:  Refer • SAARC group: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, a regional intergovernmental organization established in 1985 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. • Member Nations: See the map in next image2. 3. SVAMITVA Scheme • Why in News: SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme completed its first 5 years today on National Panchayati Raj Day. • Objective: legal ownership of rural residential land using drone-based surveys, empower rural citizens with property cards, enabling access to credit and dispute resolution. • Ministry: Ministry of Panchayati Raj with Survey of India and National Informatics Centre Services Inc. (NICSI).

@CSEWhy

recommendations

The Indian Express 🗞 1. A turning point in Valley.....(Editorial Page) (GS3: Security) 2. Hard to Stomach......(Editorial Page) (GS2: Health) 3. The right price.....(The Ideas Page) (GS3: Economy and Infrastructure) The Hindu 🗞 1. Talking Mode...(Editorial) (GS2: International Relations) 2. Is India witnessing judicial despotism? (Text & Context) (GS2: Polity and Governance ) PS: Only One Mantra for All- PRACTICE! PRACTICE! & PRACTICE!

Imp. pointers on SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for UPSC ALL SVES now cancelled by India, read what do they mean & their history here

Indus Water Treaty is kept in abeyance by India :)

Pre note: CSEWhy Subject wise tests are Live. ↗️ 🚨 23rd April  | WEDNESDAY 🚨

Pre notes 📔

1. Arctic Council • What: intergovernmental body set up in 1996 by the Ottawa declaration. • Objective: promoting cooperation and interaction among Arctic States, Arctic indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants. • Members: Image attached (Mnemonic->CURD-FINS) 2. Three Language Formula • Why in News: Maharashtra government rolls back order making Hindi compulsory third language in schools. • What: language learning policy introduced in 1968 National Policy on Education which mandated that students across India learn three languages: their regional language (mother tongue), Hindi, and English. • Constitution Article: Article 351 makes the Union duty bound to promote the spread of the Hindi language. • NEP 2020: retained formula with difference- it doesn't impose any language on any State. Languages to be learnt will be the choice of States, regions and the students, so long as at least two of the three languages are native to India.

Mains Notes 📔

3.

Research and Development Sector in India

•

Low Budget Allocation: India’s R&D expenditure is among the lowest globally, at just 0.6%-0.7% of GDP.

•

This is significantly lower than major economies such as the U.S. (2.8%), China (2.1%), Israel (4.3%), and South Korea (4.2%), limiting large-scale innovation.

•

In 2020, India had only 260 researchers per million inhabitants, compared to 1,602 in China, highlighting a significant gap in scientific manpower.

•

In 2021-22, total Ph.D. enrollment stood at only 2.12 lakh, reflecting limited participation in high-level research.

@CSEWhy

recommendations

The Indian Express 🗞 1. A Global Trade Reset.....(Editorial Page) (GS3:Economy) 2. Not without the factory......(Editorial Page) (GS3:Economy) 3. Partners for present and future.....(The Ideas Page) (GS2: International Relations) The Hindu 🗞 1. Matters that count...(Editorial) (GS2: Polity and Governance) 2. India's political infodemic: notes from five State elections (Text & Context) (GS2: Governance ) PS: Only One Mantra for All- PRACTICE! PRACTICE! & PRACTICE!

2024 is best year for CSEWhy in terms of officers finding name in the final list. Humbled by multiple DMs, emails and word of thanks. Onto 2025, bigger and better 💯

Cut off 2024 :)

Pre note: AITS GS Test 6 (Full length) is live. PRACTICE on CSEWhy app. 🚨 22nd April  | Tuesday 🚨

Pre notes 📔

1. AXIOM-4 MISSION • Why in News: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla set to travel to International Space Station under Axiom-4 mission. • What: Private spaceflight to the ISS operated by Axiom Space, using the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. • Objective: enabling commercial activities like space tourism in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), establish first commercial space station, transitioning from ISS operations to an independent orbital platform. 2. Sahyog Portal • Why in News: Under Sahyog portal, the government issued 130 content notices to online platforms like Google, YouTube, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft • Nodal Agency: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) • Objective: streamlines the reporting and removal of unlawful content under the IT Act, 2000, integrates authorized agencies (like police) and intermediaries on a single platform for swift action against illegal digital activities.

Mains Notes 📔

3. Electoral Statistics: • 46% of current Members of Parliament have pending criminal cases. • 31% of MPs face serious charges including murder and rape. • Over ₹1,00,000 crore was spent in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. • Data highlights ongoing concerns about criminalization and cost in Indian politics. 4. Cryosphere and Glacier Status: • Since 1975, glaciers have lost 9,000 billion tonnes of ice globally. • Global snow cover has declined by 7.79% in recent measurements. • UN declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation

@CSEWhy recommendations🧑

Indian Express 📰 1. Dhaka must take heed... (The Editorial Page) (GS2: Neighbourhood Relations) 2. A bridge to the Gulf......(The Ideas Page) (GS2: International Relations) The Hindu 🗞 1. Judiciary’s place atop the pyramid...(Text & Context) (GS2: Polity and Governance) 2. New pathways for India’s creative economy.... (Editorial) (GS3: Economy) PS: Clear Prelims basics with Prelims Mastery Plan 🏆

Everyone to UPSC toppers today 😂

Pre note: This week, start tough with Prelims Mastery Plan 🏆 🚨 21st April | Monday 🚨

Pre notes 📔

1. Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary (Mandsaur and Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh) - Why in News: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister released two cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. • River: Chambal River passes through the sanctuary dividing it into two parts • Vegetation Type: Sanctuary is in the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion. • Flora:  Khair (Acacia catechu), Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu, Palash. • Fauna:  Chinkara/Indian gazelle, Nilgai and Sambar,Indian leopard, langur, Indian wild dog, otter, and Mugger crocodile • Also Refer: Image of major Rivers and associated Protected Areas of Madhya Pradesh. 2. Heat Waves in India • Why in News: Resurface of debate about adding heat waves to the list of notified disasters under Disaster Management (DM) Act of 2005 instead of only a natural disaster. • What: period of abnormally high temperatures that occurs during the summer season in India. • IMD Criteria: Refer • Notified Disasters under DMA, 2005: Cyclones, Drought, Earthquakes, Fire, Flood, Tsunami, Hailstorm, Landslide, Avalanche, Cloudburst,Pest attack, Frost and Cold waves. 3. Jal Jeevan Mission (🗓 August 15, 2019) • Why in News: Jal Shakti Ministry seeks Rs 2.79 lakh crore more for Jal Jeevan Mission, likely to get just half • Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti • Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme • Objective:  Provide tap connections to 16 crore rural households to achieve saturation coverage by December end 2024. • Achievement: 75 per cent of the target could be achieved over five years, • Extension: Remaining 4 crore tap connections now proposed to be installed till December 31, 2028.

Mains Notes 📔

4. Sea Level Rise Impacts (GS3: Environment) • Global sea level rising at 0.59 cm/year in 2024, up from previous 0.43 cm rate. • 32% of India's coastline experienced erosion between 1990-2018 (NCCR data). • 3.6 million people in India are at risk from rising sea levels. • MISHTI program targets restoration of 540 sq. km of mangroves over 5 years.

@CSEWhy recommendations 🧑‍🏫

Indian express 📰 1. Work in the machine age (The Editorial Page) (GS3: Economy) 2. Court of hope (The Ideas Page) (GS2: Polity and Governance) 3. Why food inflation is softening (Explained) (GS3: Economy) The Hindu 🗞 1. Enabling legislation (Editorial) (GS2: Social Justice) 2. Diving into SC's verdict on Governors (Opinion) (GS2: Polity and Governance) PS: Practice UPSC level mocks on CSEWhy App, daily!

Civil services day today. Good to answer for yourself 👇🏼 Why do you want to become a civil servant? Answer below