UPSC CSE Why

Pre note: PM Modi's message to UPSC 2025 aspirants 🚨 23rd May | Friday 🚨

Pre Notes 🗒

1. Keezhadi • Historical Significance: Sangam-era urban site (600 BCE-200 CE) with pottery, beads, & Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions • Cultural Relevance: Dravidian culture contemporary with Mauryan period • Regional Impact: Fuels TN cultural identity debates, linked to UPSC theme (regionalism) & role of archaeology in modern socio-political narratives. 2. CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) • Role & Formation: formed in 2008 u/ CRPF to target Maoist insurgency in Red corridor (now also deployed in J&K for Counter-insurgency • Specialized Training: aka "Jungle Warriors", trained in guerrilla tactics & jungle warfare • Impact: Conducted 37k ops since 2009 neutralizing ~500 Naxals & recovering arms • Challenges & Risks: High risk ops; relevant for LWE, Internal security in UPSC 3. Kirti & Shaurya Chakra • Kirti Chakra: 2nd highest peacetime gallantry award (1952); honors conspicuous gallantry, often in combat, for military and civilians. • Shaurya Chakra: 3rd-highest peacetime gallantry award (1952); recognizes bravery outside direct combat, awarded to both military and civilians. • Security Relevance: Reflects valor in counter-insurgency (e.g., CoBRA operations) and civilian bravery 4. Amrit Bharat Station Schemes (ABSS) • Aim: Redevelop 1309 rail stations into modern hubs • Features: Offers modern amenities, inter-modal connectivity, and local cultural integration w/ sustainability in focus (Net-zero by 2030) • Impact: Boosts local economies via jobs and ‘One Station One Product’ scheme. 5. Chagos Archipelago • Strategic Importance: 500km south of Maldives, hosts Diego Garcia (US-UK base monitoring routes of Indian ocean) • Sovereignty Issue: UK to handover sovereignty of Chagos to Mauritius • India's Role: India supports Mauritius’ claim, enhancing ties via projects like Agaléga airstrip, countering China’s influence. • Human Rights: Forced Chagossian eviction and their exclusion from talks raise ethical concerns on colonial legacies

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations 📑

Indian Express🗞 1. entire page - 18 PS: you need just 3 to cover PYQs; get best PYQs here

Reminder: do visit your centre either today or tomorrow eve one to be acquainted with surroundings. No point being finding Nemo on the D day

You might be feeling that exam is almost here Yes it is and yet it is not Today is 22. It’s still 2 days before you sit for the D-day Don’t lose momentum in these 2 Don’t let negativity win you in these 2 Don’t let life derail you in these 2 Most importantly, give up on screen. It doesn’t matter :)

for all those who are anxiety-struck

quick short notes for UPSC Pre 2025 are on app.csewhy.com in learn section In case you need last minute revision, get it here :)

Pre note: sab theek? kya chal raha hai? 🚨 22nd May | Thursday 🚨

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations 📑

Indian Express🗞 1. Entire page 19 PS: start fixing your sleep cycle to keep yourself functional from 8am, if not already!

UPSC Marksheet https://upsconline.gov.in/marksheet/exam/marksheet_system/index.php

UPSC Dropped these 3 Qs from 2024

UPSC Answer Key GS1 & GS2

Pre note: World Geography, Polity & Economy PYQs videos on CSEWhy YT here 🚨 21st May | Wednesday 🚨

Pre Notes 🗒

1. Shirui Lily (Manipur's state flower) • Found in Ukhrul's Shirui Hill (named after goddess Philava's daughter) • Festival: Organized by Manipur Tourism to promote Ukhrul w/ cultural events, music, beauty pageant, trash marathon etc. 2. Gangetic Dolphin • India's National Aquatic Animal, blind freshwater species in Ganga-Brahmaputra system • Status: IUCN Endangered, Schedule-I of WPA (1972), CITES Appendix I • Threats: Habitat fragmentation, pollution, poaching (<4k remain, mostly in UP) • Conservation: Project Dolphin (2020), Vikramshila Sanctuary (Bihar), National Dolphin Research Centre (Patna, 2024), and satellite tagging in Assam (Dec 2024) aim to protect the species. 3. Olive Ridley Turtle • Decline: 30-50% drop in Olive Ridley turtles nesting at Odisha's Rushikulya • Arribada Threats: Synchronized mass nesting disrupted by egg predation, artificial lights & environmental factors like geomagnetic cues. • Tourism Impact: Rising turtle tourism causing disturbances through lighting & crowds, affecting hatchling survival and nesting behavior • Conservation Needs: Local protection efforts exist, but sustainable tourism and stronger measures are crucial for the turtles’ survival. • Ecological Role: Olive Ridleys are vital for marine ecosystems, and their decline may have wider environmental consequences. 4. Jarosite (as a Martian Clock) • What? Yellow-brown mineral w/ Potassium, iron & sulphate • Acts as a natural geological clock on Mars • Future Applications: Jarosite’s durability makes it useful for dating Martian geological events, aiding future rover missions. • Luminescence Dating: thermoluminescence used to date jarosite by measuring light emitted after radiation exposure, revealing temperatures of 100°C, 150°C, 300°C, and 450°C over multiple cycles

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations 📑

Indian Express🗞 1. Trump-proofing India-US (GS2: IR) 2. Narlikar's challenge to Big Bang (GS3: S&T) PS: you need just 3 to cover PYQs; get best PYQs here

Pre note: World Geography, Polity & Economy 2020-2024 PYQs videos on CSEWhy YT here 🚨 20th May | Tuesday 🚨

Pre Notes 🗒

1. Headline v/s Core • Headline: Tracks overall price rise (CPI/WPI) and is sensitive to supply shocks, reflects cost of living guiding RBI's short term policy • Core: Excludes food/fuel, focuses on stable items aiding RBI's long term policy • Significance: Headline fluctuates while core is stable. RBI targets headline (4% ± 2%) but uses core for policy calibration 2. Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) • What? Launched 2019 to provide Functional Household Tap Connections to all rural households by 2028 (Nodal: Jal Shakti Ministry) • Key Features: Community-driven w/ Village Water & Sanitation Committees, 50-50 Centre-State funding (90:10) for NE/Himalayan states with aim to develop source sustainability and tech integration • Achievements: - ~80% rural households covered, 100% coverage in Goa, Telangana, Puducherry - WHO: Nearly 4 lac diarrhoea deaths prevented • Challenges: - Slow progress like in KL, RJ - Groundwater depletion & funding gaps - Need for better community awareness & climate resilience • Others: Aligns w/ SDG-6, promotes women empowerment, decentralized governance

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations 📑

Indian Express🗞 1. Core inflation & RBI's rate cuts (GS3: Economy) 2. Wetter & not that hot: why is summer of 2025 atypical so far? (GS3: Environment) PS: you need just 3 to cover PYQs; get best PYQs here

6 videos covering ALL ECONOMY FREE PYQs 2020-2024 went live today Watch at 1.5x 👇🏼 1. Monetary Policy | ​https://youtu.be/YZ2XrYZO6J4 2. Financial Markets | https://youtu.be/A0JlBJyXI-s 3. Banking Sector | https://youtu.be/dAPvUvtMqCs 4. Macroeconomy | https://youtu.be/Gu2YlqcQaZM 5. Agriculture | https://youtu.be/UJJOKsVUDXo 6. Infrastructure & Industry | https://youtu.be/eSkwUhkmi58 Coming up next: History, Environment and S&T, subscribe: youtube.com/@CSEWhy

Pre note: World Geography, Polity & Economy PYQs videos on CSEWhy YT here 🚨 17th May | Saturday 🚨

Pre Notes 🗒

1. detailed post on Kaladan, learn here 2. Revise Articles of Constitution Thread for UPSC PRE2025 3. New Caledonia & Independence from France • Historical Context: New Caledonia, a French territory since 1853, faced colonial tensions and a civil war in the 1980s, leading to the 1998 Nouméa Accord, which promised a unique sui generis status and a path to independence. • 1998 Nouméa Accord: Established a framework for New Caledonia’s autonomy, granting law-making powers and "New Caledonian citizenship" while retaining French sovereignty; aimed to address indigenous Kanak grievances. • Independence Referendums: Three referendums (2018, 2020, 2021) held; the final 2021 referendum rejected independence, but was boycotted by pro-independence FLNKS due to COVID-19 mourning, causing legitimacy disputes. • Recent Tensions (2024): High-stakes talks collapsed in 2024 over a French proposal to "unfreeze" electoral rolls, opposed by FLNKS; unrest led to 14 deaths and significant violence. • Current Challenges: Deep divisions between loyalists and pro-independence groups; French governance criticized; upcoming 2025 elections pivotal for New Caledonia’s future. • Geopolitical Angle: French Minister Manuel Valls aims for a new political accord by 2025, but legitimacy issues and Kanak boycott hinder progress; France’s influence in the Indo-Pacific at stake.

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations 📑

Indian Express🗞 1. US agency launching fewer weather balloons: why this has raised concerns (Read for awareness) 2. The problem with live baiting (GS3: Environment) PS: 10 days to UPSC Pre, you need just 3 to cover PYQs; get best PYQs here

UPSC threw this Q in 2023 In place of knowing who among these ruled it, the Q was to know who did not? Anyone who has seen third image map in NCERT would have answered it with ease. But alas, NCERTs aren't cool!! Nevertheless, short note on dynasties mentioned in img2

Scared of Pre25? Read this! You have lost a lot to win this 1 day. Some might have fought relatives, others quit jobs; From seniors to society, it was a long drive of losing for 1 WIN 25 May 25 is your win. It's a festival And festivals are celebrated, not spent in fear. Go, win it! You've earned this day.

4 videos covering ALL POLITY FREE PYQs 2020-2024 went live today Watch at 1.5x 👇🏼 1. Constitution of India: https://youtu.be/jviMOerxe3I 2. Federalism & Governance: https://youtu.be/jviMOerxe3I 3. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights: https://youtu.be/jviMOerxe3I 4. Parliament of India: https://youtu.be/C4LtSKwT560 PDF of today’s PYQs covered: https://t.me/csewhy/2677 coming tomorrow: ALL PYQs of Economy! Subscribe here