UPSC CSE Why

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 - To promote tourism amid improved security - Extensions lasted till 2027, but this was withdrawn on December 17, 2024 Why Reimposed Now?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?

Two of the world’s prominent drug circuits; sandwiching India in the middle!

Pre note: Sunday ko instagram chodh ke current affairs bhi scroll krlo dost:) 🚨 15th December | Sunday 🚨

Species in news 🐵🌍

1. Grey Junglefowl [ Junglee Murga / Gallus sonneratii; endemic to India] • Habitat: Forests, scrublands; range: Peninsular India • Males = grey, black-barred, red comb; Females = smaller, duller • Status: LC (IUCN); protected under WPA Schedule IV • Threats: Habitat loss, poaching

Mains notes 📙

1. VP impeachment (Article 67)? Constitutional Basis: Powers from Art. 63; role as ex-officio RS Chair under Art. 64 Term & Resignation: VP serves 5 yrs but can resign mid-term to the President How can he be removed? (Art. 67(b)): - RS passes a resolution (majority needed); LS must agree - Requires 14-day notice before discussion - Passed by a simple majority in both Houses Twist in No-Confidence Motion: - Needs 14-day notice - Lapses only if unresolved but can return in the next session Presiding Over Motion (Art. 92): - VP barred from presiding but can participate - Voting is not allowed for the Chairperson/Deputy Chairperson In Case of Motion: - Deputy Chairperson presides over the proceedings - Provisions kick in only if Dy. Chairperson accepts the motion

@CSEWhy Recommendations 📑

The Hindu 🗞 1. Bovine H5N1 displays pronounced neurotropism in many mammals (Science page) (GS3: SnT) 2. What lies ahead for Syria after Assad’s exit? (FAQ) (A good read for GS2 mains) 3. How can gene therapy cure haemophilia A? (FAQ) (GS3: SnT, health) PS: Sunday afternoons are the best, remember?

Polite Reminder: If you are in OBC (NCL)/EWS category, UPSC will require you to have certificates of latest Financial Year. Get them done in your local tehsil/taluka to avoid any last minute hassle!😁