UPSC CSE Why

These lowkey maps from Newspapers gives you extra marks in exam, Some pointers from map Indira Point • Southernmost tip of India (Great Nicobar). • Near Six Degree Channel (strategic sea route). • Subsided after 2004 tsunami. Galathea Bay • SE coast of Great Nicobar. • Leatherback turtle nesting site. • Proposed transshipment port site. Campbell Bay National Park • North Great Nicobar. • Part of Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve. • Tropical evergreen forests. Galathea National Park • South Great Nicobar. • Part of Biosphere Reserve. • Mangroves & turtle habitat. Save this for #UPSCPRELIMS2026

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@CSEWhy Times - Feb 20, 2026

Pre & Mains Notes

1. ISRO fire-detection algorithm What happened • ISRO to test modified algorithm for monitoring farm fires during rabi (wheat) harvest • Pilot to assess improved accuracy in fire detection Issue raised • Satellite data not accurately capturing number and extent of farm fires • Peak burning time shift leading to under-detection • Mismatch between satellite imagery and ground reports Current context • CAQM extended farm fire monitoring to rabi season • 2023 wheat season: 10,207 fires (Punjab), 1,832 (Haryana), 259 (UP-NCR) • Fire data based on Terra/Aqua MODIS and Suomi-NPP VIIRS • States directed to implement Action Plans for wheat stubble elimination (2026) Why it matters • Stubble burning linked to seasonal PM2.5 spike in Delhi-NCR • Better detection strengthens enforcement and air pollution control • Enhances tech-based environmental governance --- 2. Gold demand and economy What happened • Gold ETF inflows reached record 15.52 tonnes in Jan 2026 • Inflows ₹4,040 crore; 22% of gold imports • Gold imports pushed goods trade deficit near $35 billion Issue raised • Rising gold investments increasing import dependence • Pressure on trade deficit and capital outflow concerns Current context • Shift in household savings toward mutual funds and ETFs • Silver ETFs formed 52% of silver imports • Sovereign Gold Bond scheme discontinued in 2024 Why it matters • Gold imports impact current account balance • Household savings patterns affect macroeconomic stability • Policy implications for gold monetisation and external sector management

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express 🗞 None today The Hindu 📰 1. How do graphics processing units work? (Read this article for basic context only) 2. Sleep deprivation and the toll it takes on your brain, body. (V.Important article to read) 3. Why begin-early mantra is a key prevention strategy in dentistry. (Read this for awareness)

I have spent decent time at AI summit (going again tomorrow) and everyone I have met speaks about how distribution is now the only moat, code/engineering resources are reducing on the balance sheet I had some realizations: - I started CSEWhy as a random side gig as an aspirant. Now an audience of 4 lac+ across internet - Whatever I want to test (any tech product), it barely takes 24 hour to have first 1000+ testers - On this journey, I had 3 events where I could have walked away with a lot of money by selling what we now call 'distribution' Idk what in me kept saying no but with AI, I am certainly glad I did not! There's so much more to do with audience in any niche than JUST money. Time to build great products with strong ethics for UPSC aspirants. Let's all win, together.

Friends, the annual CA Magazines of CSEWhy (subject-wise) are coming soon In last 2 years, these have helped many rankers. Why, you ask? • concise (as against bulky compilations) • in sync with PYQs • most comprehensive • picks notes ONLY in sync with UPSC Pre requirements Must get these, coming soon! :)

@CSEWhy Times - Feb 19, 2026

Pre & Mains Notes

NA

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express 🗞 1. Nicobar project’s strategic & ecological consequences. (Important read for GS-2 and GS-3) 2. When SC reviews 2018 Sabarimala ruling, the issues on the table. (A good read for GS-2) 3. Maharashtra’s 5% Muslim quota: Legally greenlit, never availed of. (Just basic read for awareness) The Hindu 📰 1. New rootstocks promise better apple yields for Kashmir farms. (Just skim through it for basic contextual understanding) 2. The need for diversity in the judiciary. (Beautifully written article) 3. Are Indian firms intent on moving to Venezuelan oil?. (Read it for understanding the current developments)

Everyone is sharing this #IndiaAIImpactSummit2026 logo, But do you know what it actually represents?👀

@CSEWhy Times - Feb 18, 2026

Pre & Mains Notes

1. DPDP Act, RTI Amendment & Press Freedom - SC Constitutional Review What happened • Three PILs challenge constitutionality of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 in Supreme Court • Filed by NCPRI, Venkatesh Nayak, and The Reporters’ Collective • SC referred matter to five-judge Constitution Bench; no interim stay Issue raised • Section 44(3) amends RTI Act Section 8(1)(j), removing public interest override for personal information • Alleged violation of proportionality test (Puttaswamy, 2017) • Journalists may be treated as “data fiduciaries” requiring consent • Section 36 allows Centre to seek data; termed vague and unchecked • Concerns over independence of Data Protection Board Current context • Earlier RTI allowed disclosure if larger public interest justified • DPDP Act prescribes penalties up to ₹250 crore • Data Protection Board to enforce Act; no appellate review against Centre’s orders cited Why it matters • Impact on RTI framework and investigative journalism • Possible chilling effect due to compliance burden and penalties • Expands executive data-access powers • Raises issues of privacy–transparency balance and institutional autonomy

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express 🗞 1. Delhi and Paris reach out across traditional divides, advocate third way. (A must read for IR) The Hindu 📰 1. The new world disorder, from rules to might. (Read this article slowly) 2. Taxes prove futile to burn out cigarette use in India. (Important read especially for Mains)

@CSEWhy Times - Feb 17, 2026

Pre & Mains Notes

1. SC affirms women’s choice, reproductive autonomy What happened • Supreme Court allowed a teenager to terminate a 30-week pregnancy, setting aside Bombay High Court order • Rejected a 2023 plea of a 27-year-old married woman for 26-week termination Issue raised • Scope of late-term abortion under Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 2021 • Consideration of mental health and “danger to health” • Differential outcomes based on age and marital status Current context • MTP Act permits abortion up to 24 weeks under conditions • Court prioritised minor’s unwillingness and mental trauma • Earlier 2023 case of married woman was denied Why it matters • Reinforces reproductive autonomy • Recognises mental health in abortion decisions • Highlights inconsistency in judicial approach --- 2. AI-powered Bharat-VISTAAR launch What happened • Centre to launch Bharat-VISTAAR, an AI-based multilingual agri advisory tool • Announced in Union Budget 2026-27 with ₹150 crore allocation Issue raised • AI-enabled scheme access and advisory services • Multilingual digital outreach to farmers Current context • Accessible via mobile and 155261 helpline • Covers crop planning, pests, weather, markets, and 10 major Central schemes • Initially in Hindi and English; 24×7 availability Why it matters • Strengthens tech-driven agricultural governance • Improves last-mile scheme delivery • Promotes inclusive digital access --- 3. NGT clears Great Nicobar project What happened • NGT cleared ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar mega project • Upheld 2022 environmental clearance; disposed of challenges Issue raised • Compliance with EC conditions • Coral reefs, shoreline erosion, turtle nesting protection • Scope of High-Powered Committee (HPC) review and EIA concerns • Forest clearance and local consent issues Current context • Project includes port, airport, power plant, township • Environment Ministry directed to ensure safeguards • Forest clearance under challenge before Calcutta High Court Why it matters • Balances strategic development and environmental safeguards • Highlights NGT’s role in environmental governance • Raises concerns on ecology and community rights

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express 🗞 1. Bhabha, Cold War, nuclear technology, 1955: Dos and don’ts for India in AI. (Beautifully written article) 2. Whole explained section. (All articles are important) The Hindu 📰 1. A separate classification for denotified tribes. (A decent read for mains) 2. How district cooling can ease India’s climate and urban planning troubles. (Important article for GS-3, Evnironment)

@CSEWhy Times - Feb 16, 2026

Pre & Mains Notes

1. ‘Anupam’ waste management model What happened • NDMC piloted decentralised waste management in six ‘Anupam’ colonies • Source segregation into wet, dry, sanitary waste • Wet and horticulture waste composted on-site; e-waste to CPCB-authorised recyclers • Dedicated sanitation inspectors and mechanised systems deployed Issue raised • Earlier segregation limited to 60–70% • Mixed waste and need for behavioural change • Need to avoid transport to NDMC plants Current context • 100% segregation reported in select colonies • RWA/NGO-led door-to-door collection in some areas • 13 wire-mesh composters, 10 horticulture pits; ~800 kg compost produced Why it matters • Promotes decentralised solid waste management • Reduces transport burden and centralised processing • Strengthens local governance and sustainable urban practices --- 2. Bio-based chemicals and enzymes What happened • Bio-based chemicals and enzymes prioritised under DBT’s BioE3 policy • Produced from biological feedstocks via fermentation/enzymatic processes • Leading firms: Praj Industries, Godrej Industries, Godavari Biorefineries, Jubilant Ingrevia • Enzyme market highly consolidated (top players >75% share) Issue raised • Higher cost vs petrochemical alternatives • Feedstock availability and scaling infrastructure • Market adoption and private investment barriers Current context • Strong agricultural base and fermentation expertise • Significant acetic acid imports • EU, U.S., China, Japan supporting bioeconomy initiatives Why it matters • Reduces petrochemical import dependence • Supports circular bioeconomy and sustainable growth • Creates value for agricultural produce

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express 🗞 1. Trade pact opens doors with caution, and with quota systems, in agriculture. (Important article related to agriculture) The Hindu 📰 NA

Great energy at AI Summit Literally so much is happening in our country. UPSC aspirants MUST NOT skip AI, at any cost Upskill and make great side income 💯

Cricket ads are best indicator of where tech investors are putting money Over the years we’ve seen • Crypto • Ed-tech • Betting apps • AI What did I miss?

@CSEWhy Times - Feb 15, 2026

Pre & Mains Notes

1. AI Labelling & Social Media Rules What happened • IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2025 notified • Mandatory labelling of “synthetically generated” content/deepfakes • Takedown timeline reduced (72 hrs → 36 hrs for sensitive content) • Effective from February 20 Issue raised • Misinformation, privacy harm, threat to national integrity • Compliance burden and detection feasibility Current context • Platforms to deploy technical measures for AI-content detection • Provenance requirements introduced; reference to C2PA participation • Enhanced grievance reporting frequency Why it matters • Strengthens intermediary accountability • Addresses deepfake and AI misuse risks • Improves user protection framework --- 2. Inhaled Nitric Oxide & Drug-Resistant Pneumonia What happened • Study in Science Translational Medicine: high-dose inhaled nitric oxide reduced drug-resistant Pseudomonas in animal ICU model • Phase-1 human trial showed no serious adverse effects Issue raised • Safety concerns: toxicity, methemoglobinemia, nitrogen dioxide formation • Feasibility in hospital settings Current context • 300 ppm doses tested; 99% bacterial reduction in animals • Experts caution long-term efficacy unproven Why it matters • Potential adjunct in antimicrobial resistance management • Raises safety and regulatory considerations --- 3. Indus vs Ganga Basin Water Trends What happened • Study (Earth’s Future): Indus flow +8%; Ganga flow –17% (1980–2021) • IIT Gandhinagar analysis Issue raised • Groundwater over-extraction impacting river flows • Aquifer–river flow reversal in stretches Current context • Indus rise linked to precipitation increase • 60–80% Ganga sub-basin decline tied to groundwater pumping • Relevance to Indus Waters Treaty (1960) Why it matters • Implications for water security and irrigation • Highlights climate change and human extraction impacts --- 4. RBI Lending Norms for Stockbrokers What happened • RBI mandates 100% collateral for bank lending to CMIs • Norms effective April 1 Issue raised • Bank risk exposure in capital market financing • Collateral adequacy concerns Current context • Eligible collateral specified; CPs/short-term NCDs excluded • 50% cash collateral for certain guarantees • Acquisition finance cap set at 20% of tier-1 capital Why it matters • Strengthens banking prudential regulation • Reduces systemic risk in capital markets

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express 🗞 1. Green light to first road-cum-rail tunnel under Brahmaputra river. (Read this for basic context of current news) The Hindu 📰 1. IIT-Delhi, Germany team makes ‘chiral valve’ to sort current. (Important S&T news)

@CSEWhy Times – Feb 14, 2026

Pre & Mains Notes

NA

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express 🗞: none today The Hindu 📰: none today

@CSEWhy Times - Feb 13, 2026

Pre & Mains Notes

1. Tangkhul Hui & Kombai breeds in Assam Rifles What happened • 2025 MHA directive to induct indigenous dog breeds • Tangkhul Hui (Manipur) and Kombai (Tamil Nadu) identified • Full induction likely by March 2027 Issue raised • Phasing out foreign breeds by 2050 • 15-year breeding and deployment plan Current context • Tangkhul Hui: disease-resistant, hunting lineage • Initial induction: 2 males, 8 females (Kombai) • Training at ARDTC, Jorhat • Deployment as guard dogs and trackers Why it matters • Boosts indigenous capability in paramilitary operations • Supports arms and narcotics seizures in northeast --- 2. New CPI series and retail inflation What happened • Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released CPI (2024 base); Jan 2026 inflation at 2.75% • Basket expanded to 358 items • 12 online platforms added Issue raised • No historical comparison yet • Revised weights based on Household Consumption Expenditure Survey(HCES) 2023-24 Current context • Goods: 308; Services: 50 • Groups expanded from 6 to 12 • Food weight cut to 36.75% (from 45.86%) • Housing weight raised to 16.67% • Coverage: 1,465 rural; 1,395 urban markets Why it matters • Reflects updated consumption patterns • More granular inflation tracking • May reduce headline inflation volatility • Aids monetary and fiscal policy calibration

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express 🗞 1. Whole explained section. (Articles are decent read for understanding of current developments) The Hindu 📰 1. Whole text and context section. (Beautifully written articles) 2. The many lives of breast cancer: understanding special subtypes. (Important article for GS-3) 3. Bacteria are multilingual, can talk to each other, says biologist. (Interesting read)

Don't miss this important map of India's Coal Reserves and Mines. Save it for revision😊

Nagara, Dravidian and Vesara temples: all in one place for you to revise for UPSCPrelims2026