UPSC CSE Why

Pre note: Chinese dams | CSEWhy blog 🚨 28th July | Saturday 🚨 GLOF revise here

Mains notes

1. 1. Ancient Voting System of the Cholas (Before Magna Carta) a) Ancient Voting System: • Kudavolai System: A ballot-based voting method used for electing representatives. • Involved inscribed palm leaves placed in pots for selection, ensuring transparency and fairness. • System emphasized collective consent and divine will, ensuring civic integrity. b). Democratic Features: • Representation through elected village assemblies (e.g., Uttiramerur). • Inscriptions of Uttiramerur detail the election process, offering evidence of a formal electoral system. • Built into the fabric of Tamil civic life; termed "Sastri wrote in Chapter VIII, 'Local Self-Government'." c) Election Process: • Candidates had to own tax-paying land and possess knowledge of Vedic texts or administration. • Eligibility criteria included age (between 35-70 years) and no record of crime or domestic abuse. • Disqualifications included alcoholism, theft, or previous office disqualification. d) Governance and Administration: • Elected representatives managed irrigation, temple management, and justice. • Annual audits were mandatory; misappropriation led to disqualification from future office. • System reflected a moral vision of public service. e) Centralized Administrative Systems: • Empowered merchant guilds like Manigramam and Ayyavole, ensuring administrative efficiency. • "Imperial rule" was constructed not just through conquest but by engineering sustainable civic systems. f) Historical Significance: • Tansen Sen notes the Chola system as a model of centralized administration (Epigraphia Indica, 1933-34). • Prefigured electoral thought, influencing democratic ideals. • Far from egalitarian, it excluded women, labourers, and landless groups. g) Key Evidence: • Inscriptions at Uttiramerur and Sastri’s work (1935) document the system. • 1025 CE act (memorialized in copper plates) described as building a "liquid pillar of victory (ganga-jalamayam jayastambham)," merging military triumph with governance.

@CSEWhy Recommendations

Indian Express 📰 1. The creativity curriculum (Note down for good phrases & keywords in Mains answers) 2. Israel, Palestine & the west (Take a note of what's being spoken here) The Hindu 🗞 1. Understanding Russia's Taliban gauntlet (read for a fair idea on the real game behind the curtain) PS: Revise Chola's here

Friends, in todays' newspaper, the FAQ section of TH has good articles. take a read for awareness Also, an imp. update: new imp. videos upcoming on CSEWhy Instagram. Join at Instagram.com/CSEWhy_ if not already :)

Pre note: India-UK FTA Blog | All notes in one place 🚨 24th July | Thursday 🚨

Daily Notes🗒

1. E3 Countries: • Group of Britain, France & Germany • In news due to Iran's Nuclear talks w/ E3 countries

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

Indian Express 🗞 1. Start-up at the policy table (Important pointers for GS3 & GS2) 2. Big Picture: Fault in our SALT (Fun read on salts, do read for food & nutrition knowledge in processed foods too) 3. Minimum standards for handling diagnostic samples are important (Focus reading on loopholes & how to cover them) 4. Why renewables alone can't help? (do note trend shown in images/graphs) 5. Why coconut oil prices are on fire? (PYQs seen from such topics in Pre) The Hindu 🗞 1. Kargil, Pahalgam and a revamp of the security strategy PS: What's new? How are you? Sab thik hai?

Pre note: did you kill your screen time? 🚨 25th July | Friday 🚨

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

Indian Express 🗞 1. Entire explained page [One of the best articles today!] (- FTA, Sports bill, ICJ Environment ruiling, strong ruble) 2. The neighborhood dog (Read for stray dogs rules, take notes for GS1 Urbanization) The Hindu 🗞 1. Decoding ECI’s counter affidavit on SIR (read for awareness, don't lose your sleep over it in Bihar) PS: Work with an MP, learn more on @CSEPlanB

Pre note: Hello ji, kya haal chal? 🚨 24th July | Thursday 🚨

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

Indian Express 🗞 1. The critical minerals contest (important read on a mineral of future) 2. The silent epidemic (good read on obesity) 3. Entire EXPLAINED page (Durand Cup, Paika, Malaria, Kanwar) The Hindu 🗞 1. Spare live animals, move to biological models (GS3 & GS2 mix important read) 2. Reality of changing dimensions of warfare (read for awareness) 3. Can Presidential Reference change a judgement? (Learn both: constitution articles & SC cases) 4. Vit D deficiency linked to neurodevelopmental issues (VERY important article) PS: An important opportunity on @CSEPlanB with last date tomorrow

4. Kamchatka Peninsula • Located on Pacific Ring of Fire & tectonically active w/ 5 recent earthquakes • Home to active volcano of Klyuchevskoy (UNESCO World Heritage Site) • Region: Low population, Kamchatka is river & hosts disputed archipelago of Kuril (b/w Russia-Japan)

Pre note: new job openings live at @CSEPlanB :) 🚨 23rd July | Wednesday 🚨

Daily Notes🗒

1. Biostimulants • Overview: Substances enhancing plant growth; under scrutiny by Agri Ministry due to forced sales + doubts on efficacy • Legal: Defined u/ Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985, they stimulate physiological processes in plants & regulated separately insecticides & fertilizers • Market: Indian market $470mn (2025) to $1136mn (2032) at CAGR 15.64% • Biostimulants Committee: Agri ministry initiative to oversee regulation addressing issues like cheating & ensuring compliance via testing protocols 2. Polygamy & Polyandry • Polygamy & Polyandry both outlawed by Special Marriages Act (SMA), the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA) 195 and criminalized under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) • Exception to STs - sec 3 of HMA: customs = observed for a long time has obtained force of law - sec 2(2) of HMA: STs exempted [unless govt directs] - Uttarakhand UCC doesn't apply to STs - Constitution: customary laws u/A 342 • SC cases - Triple Talaq held unconstitutional u/A 13(2) as inconsistent w/ Fundamental Rights - Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937 deemed arbitrary, unreasonable & violative of A14/21 - Ram Charan & Ors. versus Sukhram & Ors. reaffirmed principle of A14/15/21 and that customs can't remain stuck in time depriving citizens of rights [Implication] This Polyandry norm can be challenged now that it is in news and verdict depends on merits of the arguments 3. National Flag Day • Adoption and Significance: July 22 adopted by Constituent Assembly in 1947; P. Venkayya designed this flag! • Evolution and Design: 1906 Kolkata hosting first ever evolved to one by Madame Cama (1907), Gandhi's charkha (1921) till 1947 final design with Ashok Chakra embodying cultural heritage • Regulations and Observance: Governed by the Flag Code of India (2002, amended 2021-22), the flag can now be polyester-based and flown anytime with respect. Celebrated with hoisting ceremonies, it promotes patriotism, safeguarded by the 1971 Honour Act. • CSEWhy Note: Do you remember a UPSC PYQ on dimensions of flag? (Let's see who all can recall!)

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

Indian Express 🗞 1. A bridge to London (Never miss Rajamandal for Geopolitics) 2. Science at the final frontier (Fun read for a fresh pov on Shubhashu Shukla's leap) 3. Tracking India's climate goals (An evaluation of where we stand) The Hindu 🗞 1. China, India & conflict over Buddhism (Read for a reference on the topic) 2. Redeeming India's nuclear power promise (MUST Read, make a one pager note) 3. A beetle-fungi combo threatens plantations in rubber capital Kerala (Rubber plantation of Kerala has been in news for 3 years now!) PS: Easier newspaper today. spend time revising via blog.csewhy.com

Discuss: Post of VP & Governor shall be abolished Yes or No?

Pre note: Did you check new job opportunities on @CSEPlanB? 🚨 22nd July | Tuesday 🚨

Daily Notes🗒

1. What next after India's VP resignation? • 3rd VP to resign: VV Giri & R Venkataraman stepped down (both to fight Presidential elections) • VP Duties: by Dept. Chair Harivansh Narayan Singh till next VP elected • Elections: No fixed deadline, "as soon as possible" since the post fall vacant • Term of new VP: Complete 5 yrs since day of office • Eligibility: min 35 yrs + voter in any constituency + no office of profit • Elected by: - Electoral college of MPs of both LS/RS (nominated members included) - Proportional Representation w/ Single Transferable Vote

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

Indian Express 🗞 1. The game is on (Read for The Resistance Front inclusion in terror list & Indian pov) 2. How to create champions? (Don't miss this imp. one for National Sports Policy 2025) 3. Why do so many 'snake rescuers' in India get bitten on the job (Read for basic awareness) 4. Why do runways show unwearable clothes? (Read for the sociological impacts of it relevant for UPSC) The Hindu 🗞 1. What's the legal status of Right to Vote? (VERY Important read from Ranga sir) 2. What have courts ruled with respect to AI and copyright? (Must know topics in today's time) 3. The working behind TV Screens (PYQs seen on this topic, read diligently; will also share a blog on this) 4. Water, energy demand spotlights risk of human-induced quakes (Read for awareness) PS: Join blog.csewhy.com👇🏻

Most important article today from Constitution pov Note (already highlighted) - Article 217 & 124 (4) - Judges (Inquiry Act) 1968 - Min. numbers needed to impeach a judge

VP Dhankar resigns citing health reasons. One of the rare events in Indian polity!

Pre note: Both TH & IE have articles today on doom-scrolling, read & adapt! 🚨21st July | Monday🚨

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

Indian Express 🗞 1. The flaw in the exam (Read for children's exam pattern) 2. The soil of a nation (Important article on soil health G3) 3. Relief from food inflation (GS3 important topic covered very well!) 4. Why 78% coal plants won't need to add anti-pollution devices (important ongoing topic makes up for a good read) The Hindu 🗞 1. India can reframe the AI debate (masterclass from Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin) PS: Easier newspaper today. spend time revising at blog.csewhy.com

Just yesterday we were deliberating on screen time here and we get this in today's Indian Express We still don't know how the screens are impacting our bodies or what alterations are done in the mind due to screen usage! Be mindful, VERY mindful while doom scrolling. 😄

In last 4 days, I’ve suddenly become super conscious of what I’m doing on my screen Not sure what prompted this behaviour but it feels scary to be overspending time here In last 4 days, I’ve been able to • read an entire book (first this year in short span as this) • more mindful of work • spent more time in important conversations at home & at work Screen time down by ~77% Time to build a healthier self sticking to core of Bal Buddhi Vidya ♥️ What’s your avg daily screen time?

Pre note: What's it that you can do today better than yesterday? THINK and tell me! 🚨20th July | Sunday🚨

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

The Hindu 🗞 1. Universe's antimatter mystery (Wanted to share note but this one needs you to read it by self!) 2. Sugar & salt labelling 3. What has Preliminary crash report revealed? PS: Are you sleeping well?

Pre note: Are you on @CSEPlanB? 😄 🚨19th July | Saturday🚨

Daily Notes🗒

1. Soft diplomacy : Use of cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges for positive international relations & influence without coercion. 2. Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) • Causes: Condition where leg veins fail to return blood to heard due to damaged valves or other reasons • Symptoms & Complications: Symptoms include leg swelling, pain, and skin changes, with complications like venous ulcers and infections. 3. Diagnosis & Management: Diagnosed via ultrasound; managed with compression therapy, lifestyle changes, or procedures like sclerotherapy. 3. Feeding Strays in streets • SC Ruling: Animal Welfare Board of India v/s A. Nagaraja: Animal life falls within ambit of Article 21 • Constitution: 51A(g) A fundamental duty on citizens to have compassion for living creatures • ABC Rules 2023: u/ Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 - seek to control dog population through sterilisation, vaccination etc. - onus on RWA (or similar org) to make arrangements for feeding 'community animals'

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

Indian Express 🗞 1. Respect thy neighbor (Imp. read in context of India-China relations) 2. A turnaround for banks (Banking NPAs & repercussions) 3. Saving lives in the deep-sea (Read about the INS Nistar; imp. in defence) PS: get your CA revisions at blog.csewhy.com👇🏻

One of biggest failures of Independent India is now being rectified: Rail in North-East. Important note from today's IE :)