www.upscguide.in

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED Birds in India 1️⃣ Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) • One of the heaviest flying birds, the GIB inhabits dry grasslands and scrublands. • Its population has declined drastically due to habitat loss, hunting, and overhead power cables. • Estimates suggest fewer than 150 individuals remaining. 2️⃣ Jerdon's Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus) • A nocturnal bird endemic to the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, it was thought extinct until its rediscovery in 1986. • Threat: Habitat destruction and human disturbance. 3️⃣ White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) • Found in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas, they prefer undisturbed rivers and wetlands. • Estimated global population - fewer than 250 mature individuals. • Threat: Habitat degradation and human disturbance. 4️⃣ Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) • They suffered decline due to poisoning from the veterinary drug diclofenac. • Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect the remaining populations.

Target Prelims With UPSC Guide. Daily Syllabus-Focused Quiz to boost your Prelims 2025 preparation. Improve Your Score | Attempt Now - https://bit.ly/404JRyE

POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF CHIEF MINISTER □ In Relation to Council of Ministers The Chief Minister enjoys the following powers as head of the state council of ministers: ◇ The governor appoints only those persons as ministers who are recommended by the Chief Minister. ◇ He allocates and reshuffles the portfolios among ministers. ◇ He can ask a minister to resign or advise the governor to dismiss him in case of difference of opinion. ◇ He presides over the meetings of the council of ministers and influences its decisions. ◇ He guides, directs, controls and coordinates the activities of all the ministers. ◇ He can bring about the collapse of the council of ministers by resigning from office. Since the Chief Minister is the head of the council of ministers, his resignation or death automatically dissolves the council of ministers.

27 December 2024 Current Affairs ➼ 'Veer Bal Diwas' is celebrated every year on 26 December in India . This day is celebrated to pay respect to the unique sacrifice and courage of the four brave sons of the tenth Guru of the Sikhs -Guru Gobind Singh Ji. भारत में हर वर्ष 26 दिसंबर को ‘वीर बाल दिवस’ मनाया जाता है। यह दिन सिखों के दसवें गुरु – गुरु गोबिंद सिंह जी के चार वीर पुत्रों के अद्वितीय बलिदान और साहस के प्रति सम्मान व्यक्त करने के उद्देश्य से मनाया जाता है। ➼ President Draupadi Murmu will give away the ' Prime Minister National Children's Award' to 17 children for their exceptional achievements in 7 categories on December 26 in New Delhi . The children to be awarded are from 14 states and union territories. राष्‍ट्रपति द्रौपदी मुर्मु ने 26 दिसंबर को नई दिल्‍ली में 7 वर्गों में असाधारण उपलब्धियों के लिए 17 बच्‍चों को ‘प्रधानमंत्री राष्‍ट्रीय बाल पुरस्‍कार’ प्रदान किए। बता दें कि पुरस्‍कृत होने वाले बच्‍चे 14 राज्‍यों और केंद्रशासित प्रदेशों से हैं। ➼ Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute more than 58 lakh asset cards under the 'Svamitva Scheme ' on December 27. प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी 27 दिसंबर को ‘स्‍वामित्‍व योजना’ (Svamitva Scheme) के अंतर्गत 58 लाख से अधिक परिसम्‍पत्ति कार्ड वितरित करेंगे। ➼ Arunish Chawla, a 1992 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Bihar cadre, has been appointed Revenue Secretary in the Ministry of Finance. He is currently working as Secretary Pharmaceuticals in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. बिहार कैडर के 1992 बैच के भारतीय प्रशासनिक सेवा के अधिकारी ‘अरुनिश चावला’ (Arunish Chawla) को वित्त मंत्रालय में राजस्‍व सचिव नियुक्त किया गया हैं। वे वर्तमान में रसायन और उर्वरक मंत्रालय में सचिव फार्मास्यूटिकल्स के पद पर कार्यरत हैं। ➼ The number of members of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation(EPFO) has increased by 13 lakh 41 thousand members during the month of October this year. कर्मचारी भविष्य निधि संगठन(EPFO) के सदस्‍यों की संख्‍या में इस वर्ष अक्टूबर माह के दौरान 13 लाख 41 हजार सदस्यों की वृद्धि हुई है। ➼ The torch rally of the 38th National Games is starting from December 26. This rally will start from Haldwani and cover a distance of 3 thousand 823 kilometers in thirty-five days and will go to 99 places in all the thirteen districts of the state. 38वें राष्ट्रीय खेलों की मशाल रैली का आयोजन 26 दिसंबर से शुरू हुआ है। यह रैली हल्द्वानी से शुरू होकर पैंतीस दिनों में 3 हजार 823 किलोमीटर का सफर तय करेगी और राज्य के सभी तेरह जिलों के 99 स्थानों पर जाएगी। ➼ The Central Government has released the 15th Finance Commission grants for the year 2024-25 for rural local bodies of Rajasthan and Odisha . केंद्र सरकार ने राजस्‍थान और ओडिशा के ग्रामीण स्‍थानीय निकायों के लिए वर्ष 2024-25 के 15वें वित्त आयोग अनुदान जारी कर दिए हैं। ➼ The central government has appointed ' Arif Mohammad Khan' as the new Governor of Bihar. He was earlier the Governor of Kerala. केंद्र सरकार ने ‘आरिफ मोहम्मद खान’ को बिहार का नया राज्यपाल नियुक्त किया है। वे पहले केरल के राज्यपाल थे। ➼ Now ' Bharatpol' will be launched in India on the lines of the world's second largest organization Interpol . This project has been prepared by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and its aim is to create better synergy between the police of all the states of India. Along with this, it will also help in arresting criminals hiding abroad. भारत में अब दुनिया के दूसरे सबसे बड़े संगठन इंटरपोल की तर्ज पर ‘भारतपोल’ लॉन्च किया जाएगा। यह परियोजना केंद्रीय अन्वेष्ण ब्यूरो (CBI) के द्वारा तैयार की गई है और इसका उद्देश्य भारत के सभी राज्यों की पुलिस के बीच बेहतर सिनर्जी बनाना है। इसके साथ ही विदेशों में छिपे अपराधियों की गिरफ्तारी में भी मदद मिलेगी। Credit - Bhanwar

Which among the following matches of passes and the state they are situated in are correct? 1. Zoji La Pass– Jammu and Kashmir 2. Bara Lacha Pass– Himachal Pradesh 3. Niti Pass– Uttarakhand 4. Jelep La Pass– Sikkim

TERM OF CM ◇ The term of the Chief Minister is not fixed and he holds office during the pleasure of the governor. ◇ However, this does not mean that the governor can dismiss him at any time. ◇ He cannot be dismissed by the governor as long as he enjoys the majority support in the legislative assembly. ◇ But, if he loses the confidence of the assembly, he must resign or the governor can dismiss him.

Mains Practice Questions on Important Topics from Current Affairs: (26.12.2024) 1.Describe the geographical processes responsible for the formation of a tsunami. Also analyze the impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on the development of India's early warning systems. (250 Words,10 Mark) #GS1 - #indiangeography Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/how-the-2004-indian-ocean-earthquake-transformed-tsunami-science/article69025686.ece 2. Explain how regenerative farming can safeguard the soil health in Indian agriculture. (150 Words,10 Mark) #GS3 - #agriculture Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/how-regenerative-farming-can-safeguard-our-soil-9743021/

OATH OF CHIEF MINISTER ◇ Before the Chief Minister enters his office, the governor administers to him the oaths of office and secrecy. ◇ In his oath of office, the Chief Minister swears: • to bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India, • to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, • to faithfully and conscientiously discharge the duties of his office, and • to do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without fear or favour, affection or ill will. ◇ In his oath of secrecy, the Chief Minister swears that he will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person(s) any matter that is brought under his consideration or becomes known to him as a state minister except as may be required for the due discharge of his duties as such minister.

Target Prelims With UPSC Guide. Daily Syllabus-Focused Quiz to boost your Prelims 2025 preparation. Improve Your Score | Attempt Now - https://bit.ly/404JRyE

Consider the following statements: 1. In this type all the houses in the villages are concentrated on one single site. 2. The Sites of such type in the plain are located in alluvial plains. 3. Availability of water is a very important factor in the location of such settlements. 4. This type of settlements sometimes formed for defense and security reasons.