UPSC CSE Why

Friends, I have observed something VERY interesting about UPSC PYQs based on an African country. Wanna take a look?

Pre note: Pay more attention to today's recommendations 🚨30th June | Saturday🚨

Daily Notes🗒

1. GPS Interference centric terms • GPS Interference: (Un)intentional disruption of Global Positioning System signals impacting navigation, timing often caused by jamming/spoofing and cause risk to maritime, aviation & military operations • Jamming: Transmitting radio signals on GPS frequencies to overpower weaker signals, blocking or disrupting reception of accurate GPS data, commonly used to impair navigation systems. • Spoofing: technique where device transmits fake GPS signals deceiving receivers into providing incorrect location/time/data leading to manipulation of critical systems • Global Positioning System (GPS): A satellite-based navigation system that provides geolocation and time information to users worldwide, essential for navigation, mapping, and synchronization in civilian and military applications. 2. Synthetic Genome Overview • Synthetic Genome Overview: Creating DNA from scratch exemplified by Human Genome Project that sequenced entire human genome • SynHG Project: Synthetic Human Genome led by UK researchers to synthesize large human DNA segments enhancing scientific knowledge & tech (raises ethical concerns) • Ethical and Societal Implications: Controversy in 'designer babies', potential eugenics & engineered microbes escaping into ecosystems, impacting values & safety • Scientific and Policy Impact: Potential to revolutionize healthcare & policy decisions on IP rights & genome-wide association studies (need careful regulation)

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

Indian Express 🗞 1. The Pachgaon way (GS3: Ecological balance in W. Ghats) 2. Tale of two nationalisms (Constitutional Nationalism v/s Hindutva Nationalism) 3. Needed, a clear trade strategy (Read to take right lessons from China) 4. China's fertilizer squeeze (Read to learn dependencies on China in fertilizer supply chain) PS: Apogee/perigee samajh aaya?

Sharing to help you learn diff b/w Perigee & Apogee and Aphelion & Perihelion

Pre note: Haanji, sab theek? Need any help? Talk to me directly at whycse@gmail.com 🚨29th June | Sunday🚨

Daily Notes🗒

2. Legality of UN attack on Iran • Legality of Self-Defense under UN Charter: Article 51 permits a country to exercise self-defense against an armed attack, but only after the attack has occurred, unless imminent. The U.S. strike on Iran following an Al-Udeid attack (June 24, 2025) is debated under this provision. • Imminent Threat Criteria: The 2004 High-Level Panel on Threats report defines an imminent threat as immediate and highly likely, contested in the case of pre-emptive strikes. The U.S. justification of an imminent Iranian threat requires scrutiny. • Pre-emptive vs. Anticipatory Self-Defense: Pre-emptive strikes (before an attack) are controversial, while anticipatory self-defense (based on an imminent threat) has been endorsed in UN reports. The U.S. action’s legality hinges on proving imminence. • International Law and NCAP: The UN Security Council’s response and the role of nuclear watchdog IAEA inspections highlight the balance between self-defense and non-proliferation obligations, relevant to India’s NCAP and global security policies. 3. Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950 • Historical Context: Enacted to address immigrants influx from East Bengal in aiming to protect state's economic, cultural & political identity. • Legal Provisions: Powers to expel individuals detrimental to public interest or STs of Assam w/ Central Govt; authority delegable to DCs for direct expulsion orders bypassing courts. • Relevance and Evolution: Though initially tailored for Assam, the Act predates the Foreigners Act (1946), Citizenship Act (1955), and Assam Accord (1985), which set a 1971 cut-off for identifying foreigners; its revival in 2025 reflects ongoing illegal immigration concerns. • Judicial Oversight: SC upheld validity in 2024 alongside section 6A of Citizenship Act PS: On days you feel like you need rest, take a step back and rest. :)

Pre note: India's new coastline details on CSEWhy blog here 🚨28th June | Saturday🚨

Daily Notes🗒

1. MSME Day (June 27) • Global & Indian Role: Drive 50% of global GDP, 60-70% jobs in India. In India, ~30% to GDP, 46% to exports & employ 11 crore people • 2024 Theme: “MSMEs and the SDGs” emphasizes SDG 8 (jobs) & SDG 9 (innovation). Promotes policies for credit, tech, and market access. • Indian Efforts: ‘Udyami Bharat – MSME Day’ features CHAMPIONS 2.0, Udyam Portal (4.63 crore units), PMEGP, Mudra Yojana to boost entrepreneurship. • Challenges: Delayed payments, limited credit (16% met), low digital access. MSME Samadhaan, Credit Guarantee Scheme aim to resolve; reforms needed for 50% GDP target by 2025. 2. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (1958) • Purpose and Scope: Aim is to protect & preserve ancient monuments, archaeological sites & remains over 100 years old of national importance, managed by ASI • Key Provisions: Protects 3,695 monuments; prohibits construction within 100m (prohibited area) and regulates within 200m (regulated area); governs excavations and artifact preservation • Amendments: 2010 amendment established National Monuments Authority (NMA) and defined protected zones; 2023 proposal seeks to ease construction rules for minor monuments while safeguarding UNESCO sites • Challenges: Faces issues like encroachments (highest in UP, Tamil Nadu), resource diversion to minor sites, and balancing heritage conservation with infrastructure development

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

Indian Express 🗞 1. A new nuclear deal (GS2 & GS3: Diplomacy & Energy w/ JCPOA in centre) 2. A multilingual classroom (Good read for learning in vernacular) 3. GLP-1 drugs & weight loss (Tricky topic, read for awareness on weight loss & health) PS: Are you studying these days ya fir mauj masti?

India's coastline measure: Don't remember exact number, do remember a) order of top 3-4 b) order of bottom 2-3

Pre note: Did you checkout upschub.org? 🚨27th June | Friday🚨

Daily Notes🗒

1. Dragon docks at ISS • Event & Process: Astronaut Shukla docked w/ ISS involving orbital adjustments, final approach & soft capture + hard capture • Technology: Laser ranging & thermal images for precision to dock with ISS International Docking Adapter (IDA) • Challenge & significance: Complex docking due to extreme control & precision but marks milestone in Indian space program fostering international cooperation 2. Seville Commitment • Overview: Launched Global Leaders Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) • Focus: Reforming global financial architecture, addressing tax evasion & mobilising resources for climate-focused funding • Target: Increase Official Development Assistance (ODA) TO 0.7% of gross national income, emphasizing debt relief & sustainable development frameworks • Participants: Leaders of UN, G20, World Bank, France, S. Africa, Barbados • Challenges: Addresses US absence, global debt crisis, need to bridge $4.4tn finance gap w/ focus on debt sustainability & climate action funding amidst geopolitical tensions 3. Keezhadi Controversy • Event: Excavation in Keezhadi (TN) uncovered 7500 artifacts w/ sophisticated drainage systems & brick structures dating back to Sangam period • Significance: Advance urban civilization in TN dating to over 2600 years ago w/ potential links to Vaigai River Civilization • Controversy: ASI accused of process delay which was then fast paced by Madras HC order on ASI's plea • Implications: Potential to redefine TN's historical narrative, attracting significant attention, underscoring the relevance for understanding ancient Indian civilization 4. 3rd Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration & Vital Statistics (CRVS) • Event: Held in Bangkok, Thailand to improve registration systems for birth, deaths, marriages & vital events addressing gap affecting over 150 million children. • Aim: To enhance CRVS system to ensure universal registration, supporting governance, legal ID & data for sustainable development • Key Issues: 50mn+ children under 5 lac birth registration globally w/ Asia-Pacific regions showing significant gaps, necessitating digital transformation & legal reforms to protect rights & monitor population trends • Initiatives: Introduced regional action plan, emphasizing digital tools, inter-country cooperation & capacity building w/ India’s Minister of State for Home Affairs highlighting ongoing efforts to digitize CRVS data • Challenges: Political commitment varies w/ some national lagging in implementation while digital transformation faces hurdles like data security & resource allocation, critical for achieving the UN SDGs. • India’s Role: India is advancing CRVS through CRS to achieve complete coverage with conference underscoring need for legal & admin reforms to align with global standards

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

Indian Express 🗞 1. A rules-free order (GS2: IR; Text on war as a national security measure) 2. WB says 5.75% Indians live in abject poverty: How to read this data (GS3: Economy; read WB report functioning) 3. Revision of Bihar electoral rolls: Why, how (GS2: Election Commission; note imp. details) 4. A space beyond earth (GS3: S&T; a look at what follows in Indian space mission post Shukla's ISS flight) PS: Big news on CSEPlanB today here

Found 2 new FREE tools to make your UPSC prep more efficient😍 Checkout both here👇🏻 1. UPSC Flashcards Loved playing with it and impressed with vast knowledge! Try yourself👇🏻 https://upscquestions.com/ 2. UPSC Hub You can not JUST practice Qs here but also compete with aspirants online one-on-one Love how vast the Q bank is! Check yourself at https://upschub.org/

Pre note: Subscribe for FREE with your email at blog.csewhy.com 🚨26th June | Thursday🚨

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

Indian Express 🗞 1. Turning point in Eurasia (GS2: IR- Europe-Asia relations) 2. A different middle east (GS2: Middle east in Iran-Israel conflict) 3. Entire Explained page: NATO Defence spending, War in mid-east, Lawyer summoning, Shubhanshu Shukla's trip to ISS, Alzheimer's -> inflammation. PS: CSEWhy blog on CAR-T Cell Therapy

Pre note: Are you reading my free blog? blog.csewhy.com 🚨25th June | Wednesday🚨

Daily Notes🗒

1. Shah Commission (1977) • Overview: Formed to investigate excesses during the 1975–77 Emergency, chaired by Justice J.C. Shah. • Objective: Probe abuse of power, forced sterilizations, press censorship, and arbitrary detentions. • Findings: Confirmed misuse of Emergency for political gain; criticized administrative complicity. • Impact: Led to the 44th Amendment to prevent Emergency misuse; special courts proposed but later dissolved. • Challenges: Faced non-cooperation from Indira Gandhi; report suppressed after Congress’s 1980 return.

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

Indian Express 🗞 Everything about Emergency today, practice your own discretion in what you want to read & skip! PS: CSEWhy blog on CAR-T Cell Therapy

50 years to emergency. Here's a Constitutional look

vPre note: Get yourself a space of your own among aspirants, join CSEWhy 🚨24th June | Tuesday🚨

Daily Notes🗒

1. Judges' Impeachment • Grounds: Misbehavior/Incapacity u/A 124(4) [SC] & 217 [HC] • Initiation: Motion in parliament. If LS, 100 MPs sign & if RS 50 MPs sign needed to be admitted by Speaker/Chairman • Inquiry: An Inquiry Committee (Supreme Court judge, High Court Chief Justice, eminent jurist) investigates charges and submits a report • Parliamentary Approval: Special majority (majority of total members + 2/3 of those present) • Removal: President issues order to remove judge (if passed) [No judge impeached in India till date] 2. Tesla Robotaxi • Overview: Self-driving taxis in Texas; use case: emergency response eyeing global expansion • Operational Limits: Robotaxis rely on cellular data with human oversight, facing challenges on public roads 3. Beej Utsav • Overview: across RJ/MP/GJ showcasing role of indigenous seeds to teach preservation to tribals • Activities & Roles: Featured seed dialogue ('Beej Samvad'), seed ball making, and plantation drives, with Beej Mitra and Beej Mata roles awarded to seed-preserving farmers. • Purpose & Impact: Aim to rebuild seed systems, promote biodiversity with emphasis on reliance for indigenous seeds 4. Evaporative demand • Measure of how thirsty the atmosphere is! • determines near-maximum of how much water will evaporate from given piece of land if sufficient water is available

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

Indian Express 🗞 1. Iran's limited options -AND- On Tehran, what shall Delhi do? (Both in editorials(s)/Ideas page) 2. Agri Industry & India-US deal (Mix of GS3 & GS2, read for the connect) PS: Mains GS resources & strategy in a single place

Looking at how IE Explained section sees direct Qs in UPSC on animals, sharing the article for your reference on SHARKS

All GS 2021-2024 Mains PYQs👇🏼 GS1: t.me/csewhy/2839 GS2: t.me/csewhy/2847 GS3: t.me/csewhy/2868 GS4: t.me/csewhy/2876

Pre note: Mains GS resources & strategy in a single place 🚨23rd June | Monday🚨

Daily Notes🗒

Not much in today's update, invest time to revise CA from my blog: blog.csewhy.com

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

Indian Express 🗞 1. EU-India isn't just a relationship, it's become a tangible commodity (GS2: India-EU relations, read interview w/ EU Ambassador to India) 2. Entire explained Page: all 3 articles keeping Indian interest in mind. PS: Get yourself a space of your own among aspirants, join CSEWhy

#CSEWhyQuickTip Both Tea & Coffee are acidic in nature Coffee is more acidic than Tea, tho!

Pre note: Leave behind WHAT IFs, teach yourself to I WILL! 🚨22nd June | Sunday🚨

Daily Notes🗒

1. e-Rakt Kosh🩸 • Overview: u/ M-o-Health u/ National Health Mission to streamline blood bank ops, donor management & availability • Key Features: Centralized database for real-time blood stock, donor registry, and rare blood group integration (2025); accessible via e-Rakt Kosh portal and UMANG app. • Significance: Enhances health governance, aligns with Digital India, promotes voluntary donation • Challenges & Way Forward: Faces infrastructure and awareness issues; needs rural connectivity, campaigns, and data security to improve reach and efficiency. 2. Quantum entanglement based communication • Overview: Possible to send secure info. over 1km+ w/o wires but by JUST light through open space (free space optical link); an IIT-D & DRDO collab • Importance: Quantum entanglement is powerful connection b/w tiny particles (like photons) where changing one particle instantly affects the other (even if they are apart) • Use case: Exchanging messages which are very hard to hack; use in ultra-secure communication • CSEWhy Note: This lays foundation for quantum based internet in the future 3. Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) [DNA Analysis] • Repetitive DNA sequences (e.g., 2-6 base pairs) used in forensic science; highly variable, enabling individual identification. • Significance of STR: Genetic marker aiding in paternity test, forensic cases & disaster victim identification • Importance of Quality, Analysis, and Interpretation: Ensures accuracy in identifying individuals (up to 99.9% reliability); poor quality or contamination can lead to errors, critical for legal and medical contexts. • Overcoming Contamination/Degradation: Use of clean collection methods, advanced DNA extraction techniques, and reference samples (e.g., teeth) to verify degraded samples PS: Revise this week's CA for FREE on my blog at blog.csewhy.com

Pre note: You might want to checkout @CSEPlanB 🚨21st June | Friday🚨

Daily Notes🗒

1. Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) • Overview: signed 1968 effective 1970; (191 countries) to prevent nuclear proliferation, promote peaceful nuclear energy & pursue disarmament • 3 Pillars: Non-Proliferation, Disarmament, Peaceful use • Nuclear Weapon States (NWS): 5 recognized (US, Russia, UK, France & China) tested before 1967, No-members: India, Pak, Israel, S. Sudan; N. Korea withdrew in 2003 • Role of IAEA: Verifies compliance via inspections & safeguards to ensure no misuse • Criticisms: Seen as discriminatory (NWS v/s NNWS), slow progress on disarmament, weak enforcement & challenges w/ emerging nuclear tech • Indian stance: Non-signatory citing discriminatory nature; advocates for universal & non-discriminatory disarmament while pursuing peaceful nuclear energy + maintaining credible minimum deterrent 2. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) • Overview: 2000 launched to give all-weather connectivity to rural habitations (500+ population in plains, 250+ in hills/tribals) to reduce poverty & boost socio-economic growth • Objectives: Aims to connect rural areas to market, schools & healthcare • Implementation: Managed by State Govt via Programme Implementation Units w/ funding routed through District Rural Development Agencies; it uses green tech like waste plastic. • Significance & Challenges: Enhances rural access, income & services in remote areas but comes with funding gaps, delays & slow progress

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations📰

Indian Express 🗞 1. Pak's Iran balancing act (GS2: IR) 2. MP CM's unfeasible wish: counting snakes, rearing king cobras (GS3: Environment; species to be read for counting, dynasties, issues & plan) PS: Get yourself a space of your own among aspirants, join CSEWhy