UPSC CSE Why

Shared some of my personal notes via personal Twitter here on Economic Survey. Do read! :) https://x.com/phimaanshu/status/2016798549745545228

Extreme most points of mainland India #UPSC - Western: Sir creek - Southern: Cape Comorin - Eastern: Diphu pass - Northern: Indira Col (of currently administered India) Have you been to any of these?

If you’re a Delhi based female aspirant and have been creating video content, I’m offering a paid internship. Kindly dm @leadingthegame with link to your Instagram or past work.

@CSEWhy Times – Jan 27, 2025

Pre & Mains Notes

1. How is China framing its Antarctic ambitions? What happened • China proposed a draft *Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law* to regulate all Chinese-related activities in Antarctica. Issue raised • Whether China’s expanding Antarctic presence signals scientific governance or long-term strategic positioning. Current context • Draft law covers scientific research, tourism, fisheries, and shipping. • Emphasises peaceful use, environmental protection, and bans military activities. • China operates five research stations and polar icebreakers (Xuelong, Xuelong-2). • Aligns domestic regulation with the Antarctic Treaty System. Why it matters • Indicates China’s shift from participant to rule-shaper in Antarctic governance. • Reinforces treaty-based compliance through national legislation. • Raises implications for future monitoring of major power behaviour in polar regions. 2. How will U.S. exit affect the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? What happened • The U.S. announced withdrawal from climate-related international organisations, raising concerns over its role in the ISA. Issue raised • Impact of U.S. disengagement on global solar cooperation and climate finance. Current context • ISA is headquartered in India and jointly led by India and France. • U.S. contribution forms a small share of ISA funding. • Most solar projects in India are domestically driven by utilities and central agencies. • ISA’s major work focuses on Africa and developing countries through concessional finance. Why it matters • Limited financial impact on ISA operations and India’s solar expansion. • Reinforces India’s leadership role in Global South climate diplomacy. • Highlights resilience of multilateral climate platforms amid geopolitical shifts.

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express 1. In China's series of purges, why latest one stands out? (read for awareness) The Hindu 📰 1. India’s biggest climate gap could be language (interesting pov)

Many don’t know it even today 🥲 Did you know?

Brief @CSEWhy notes on Ashok Chakra & VSM

Pre & Mains Notes

1. William Foege, leader of smallpox eradication, dies What happened • Dr William Foege, a key public health leader associated with global smallpox eradication, died at the age of 89. Issue raised • Role of leadership, coordination, and public health institutions in achieving disease eradication. Current context • Played a central role in global smallpox eradication efforts. • Former director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). • Co-founder of the Task Force for Global Health. • Awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. Why it matters • Highlights importance of global cooperation in public health. • Relevant for pandemic preparedness and disease elimination strategies. • Reinforces value of strong public health institutions and leadership. --- 2. In times of Trump, what India and the EU can offer each other What happened • India and the EU are seeking to deepen ties amid geopolitical uncertainty and strained US relations under Donald Trump. Issue raised • Strategic recalibration of India–EU relations in a multipolar global order. Current context • India–EU diplomatic relations date back to 1962. • Republic Day 2026 features the EU leadership as Chief Guests. • India–EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations expected to conclude. • Cooperation spans trade, security, defence, and mobility. Why it matters • Strengthens India’s strategic options beyond the US and China. • Enhances trade, investment, and technology access. • Relevant for India’s foreign policy and economic diplomacy. --- 3. When can courts interfere in an ongoing investigation? What happened • The Supreme Court clarified limits on judicial interference in ongoing police investigations. Issue raised • Balance between individual liberty and police autonomy during criminal investigations. Current context • Supreme Court ruling in *Neeharika Infrastructure v. State of Maharashtra (2021)* reiterated. • Courts may quash investigations only in exceptional circumstances. • Interim orders must clearly define terms like “coercive measures”. • High Courts cannot routinely stay investigations or usurp police jurisdiction. Why it matters • Clarifies separation of powers between judiciary and executive. • Prevents misuse of judicial orders to stall investigations. • Important for criminal justice administration and rule of law. --- 4. Issues surrounding Governors’ address to State legislatures What happened • Repeated controversies have arisen over Governors delaying, altering, or skipping addresses to State legislatures. Issue raised • Constitutional role of Governors vis-à-vis elected State governments. Current context • Article 176 mandates Governors to address State legislatures at session commencement. • Article 175 allows messages to the House, but not substitution of the address. • Supreme Court rulings stress Governor acts on aid and advice of Council of Ministers. • Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions recommended restraint and constitutional propriety. Why it matters • Affects federal balance and democratic functioning of States. • Raises concerns of politicisation of the Governor’s office. • Relevant for Centre–State relations and constitutional morality. subscribe to my free Current Affairs Blog with your email: blog.csewhy.com

@CSEWhy Times – Jan 26, 2025

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express 1. Camel, ponies, raptors at R-day parade: Role of Army Animal wing (fun & imp. read) The Hindu 📰 1. The Donroe Doctrine, Venezuela’s fragile pragmatism (read for awareness) 2. India-UAE ties — stability, substance, strategic union (must read)

Small Pox eradicator passed away. Go to ChatGPT and paste the following prompt to make a small note on this topic for UPSC Pre26: "I am a UPSC aspirant who's preparing for UPSC Prelims 2026. I learnt that William Foege, the man who eradicated smallpox passed away at 89 age. I need your help in developing 4-5 imp. pointers on Small Pox for my UPSC preparation. Keep in mind: you're an expert UPSC educator with 15+ years of current affairs and science and tech faculty experience. I want you to teach me things about Small pox keeping the following things in mind: - share brief about causes and effects of small pox - parse through small pox or related viral/bacterial diseases asked in UPSC Pre - reflect on things I missed asking"

Happy Republic Day, doston! May y'all serve the grand Indian republic in your own best ways, always! 🇮🇳

For Jan 25, sharing clips directly to read.

UPSC aspirant life in one frame🥲

CSAT cheat sheet, Save this for prelims 2026.

things likely in 2026👀 Russia takes part of Ukraine🫠 China takes Taiwan🫣 USA takes Greenland🥺 UPSC takes Your attempt🙃 (resist and own your attempt with 3 basics: resources + revision + PYQs)

most courses sell hope while i bring pattern memory to upsc prelims via my PYQs. see this link to understand how: csewhy.com/upsc

@CSEWhy Times – Jan 21, 2025

Pre & Mains Notes

1. Who pays for Trump tariffs? Almost exclusively Americans What happened • A study finds that U.S. tariffs under Donald Trump operated as a consumption tax borne mainly by American consumers and importers. Issue raised • Who ultimately bears the economic burden of tariffs and their effectiveness as a trade policy tool. Current context • U.S. customs revenue rose by about $200 billion by 2025. • Import prices increased; foreign exporters largely did not absorb tariffs. • Import volumes declined, especially from China. • High tariffs on Brazil and India led to volume reduction rather than price cuts. Why it matters • Questions the assumption that tariffs hurt foreign producers. • Shows inflationary impact on domestic consumers. • Relevant for future trade and protectionism policy choices. --- 2. How reusability can lead to sustainable, cost-effective access to space? What happened • Reusable rocket technologies are lowering launch costs and increasing mission frequency in the commercial space sector. Issue raised • Role of technological innovation in enabling sustainable and cost-effective access to space. Current context • Reusability reduces costs compared to expendable rockets. • Rocket staging addresses fuel-weight constraints. • Engine wear, thermal stress, and refurbishment limit reuse cycles. • India is exploring recovery options including RLVs and stage recovery. Why it matters • Improves affordability and frequency of space missions. • Strengthens strategic and commercial space capabilities. • Impacts India’s competitiveness in the global space market. --- 3. Trump slams U.K.’s move to hand over Chagos Islands What happened • Donald Trump criticised the U.K.’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Issue raised • Balancing decolonisation claims with strategic military and security interests. Current context • U.K. and Mauritius agreed to transfer sovereignty after prolonged dispute. • Diego Garcia to remain under U.K.–U.S. control on a 99-year lease. • UN has supported Mauritius’ sovereignty claim. • Chagossians were displaced in the 1960s; legal challenges persist. Why it matters • Affects U.S. military positioning in the Indian Ocean. • Highlights tension between international law and strategic interests. • Relevant for geopolitics and decolonisation norms.

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express 1. A Q at Davos: Are we back to the era of kings? (wtf even happens at Davos?) 2. The Gutkha nation and the welfare state (read it slowly for a fun repercussion) 3. Trump's great trade reset made China great again (most imp. article to read today) The Hindu 📰 1. The importance of Pax Silica for India (read this article to understand how the world works behind the scenes)

@CSEWhy Times – Jan 20, 2025

Pre & Mains Notes

1. US annexation of Greenland – implications What happened US President Donald Trump reiterated interest in acquiring Greenland, triggering diplomatic and strategic debate. Issue raised How US annexation of Greenland would affect NATO unity, Russia’s strategy, and Arctic geopolitics. Current context - Greenland is an autonomous territory under Denmark (a NATO member). - Any US move would involve Denmark, NATO consultations, and international law. - Arctic region is gaining importance due to melting ice, new sea routes, and resources. Why it matters NATO: Internal friction if a member’s territory is pressured by another member. Russia: Increased militarisation of the Arctic; Russia already expanding bases. Global order: Sets precedent of territorial acquisition rhetoric in a rules-based system. 2. Blockbuster cancer drug Nivolumab may get cheaper What happened Delhi High Court ruling opens the door for biosimilar versions of Nivolumab after patent-related litigation. Issue raised Access vs innovation debate in life-saving cancer drugs. Current context - Nivolumab is an immunotherapy drug used against multiple cancers. - Current treatment cost is extremely high and largely unaffordable in India. - Indian pharma companies may soon produce cheaper biosimilars. Why it matters Public health: Wider access to advanced cancer treatment. Pharma policy: Balancing patent protection with compulsory licensing / biosimilars. Healthcare costs: Significant reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure. 3. Digital currency link on BRICS agenda What happened RBI recommended including linkage of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) on the BRICS agenda. Issue raised Reducing dependence on the US dollar in cross-border payments. Current context - India will host the BRICS summit in 2026. - All BRICS members are running CBDC pilot projects. - Proposal focuses on interoperability, not a single BRICS currency. Why it matters Geopolitics: Dollar dominance vs multipolar financial order. Payments: Faster, cheaper cross-border settlements. India’s role: Positions digital rupee as a global settlement instrument.

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express 1. Many questions in Trump's Board of Peace invite (read to be self aware) The Hindu 📰 1. In a changing world, it is ‘small tables, big dividends (never miss anything from this author) 2. Why SIR verification needs to be completely digitised? (MUST READ)

How to use AI to win UPSC Pre26 and UPSC overall (make best use of these prompts)