UPSC CSE Why

Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted first time in 10,000 years and suddenly Delhi faces trouble as plumes are expected to reach North & West of India DGCA already issued advisory asking airlines to avoid the region 🥲

funny how very few people are engaging with Daily CA Telegram message It'll be funnier when I'd post details on how direct Qs from these telegram messages are seen in Pre26 (just like Pre24 & Pre25)

1) Moss Spores Survive Nine Months in Space Key Points * Moss spores survived 283 days outside the International Space Station and retained 80% viability upon return. * Multiple spore wall layers enabled protection against radiation and space-induced stresses. * Around 11% had already germinated after returning to the lab. Why in News * Findings published in *iScience* highlight moss resilience under extreme environments. Relevance for Mains * Insights into developing sustainable life-support systems for long-duration space missions. * Potential applications in oxygen generation, humidity control, and soil formation in space habitats. Prelims Pointers * Moss is an early land plant found in damp and shady environments. * Spore walls act as passive shielding against radiation. * Study involved exposing 20,000 spores outside the ISS. 2) Tamil Nadu’s Record Paddy Harvest Turns Into a Storage Crisis Key Points * Tamil Nadu’s Kuruvaí season saw acreage rise to 6.09 lakh acres, 40% above normal. * Nearly 8 lakh tonnes of paddy were procured by Feb 1, 2025; final 2024–25 estimates touched ~47 lakh tonnes. * Bumper harvest coincided with the Northeast monsoon, causing delayed harvesting and crop bunching. Why the System Buckled * Heavy monsoon showers hit when paddy was still in the field or stacked in procurement centres. * Farmers reported germination in stored paddy bags and inadequate evacuation from district procurement centres. * Chronic infrastructure gaps: overloaded godowns, insufficient drying yards, and staff shortages. Moisture Content Issue * Fair Average Quality (FAQ) norms impose a 17% moisture cap. * Farmers argue it is unrealistic in humid monsoon conditions. * FAQ norms designed for North Indian kharif conditions, not delta-specific climatic realities. Delta Conditions * Experts recommend paddy varieties suited to delta flood patterns. * Infexible FAQ norms penalise harvest under monsoon skies. * Dependence on intermediaries and “proxy tenders” affects small farmers. Prelims Pointers * Kuruvaí: short-term paddy season in Tamil Nadu, dependent on Cauvery water. * FAQ norms determine procurement eligibility. * Thanjavur, Tiruvavur, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore major procurement districts. 3) Random Forest: Branching Possibilities Key Points * Random forest is a machine-learning method combining multiple decision trees for prediction. * Each tree is trained on a different sample of the same dataset to reduce overfitting. * For classification, the majority vote becomes the final output; for regression, it averages predictions. Why in News * *PNAS* study trained random forests to detect chemical fingerprints in fossils, helping identify ancient organic molecules. Relevance for Mains * Machine learning tools improving scientific inference in geology, palaeobiology, and natural process modelling. * Reduces errors from overfitting common in single decision-tree models. Prelims Pointers * Decision tree: hierarchical model making decisions at nodes until a final leaf is reached. * Ensemble learning reduces variance and increases generalisation. * Study reported evidence of photosynthetic microbes from 2.5 billion years ago using random forest analysis.

@CSEWhy Times – Nov 24, 2025

Pre & Mains Notes

see next text

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express🗞 1. Entire explained page (Hasina, Labor Codes) 2. If you're health conscious, checkout YOUR HEALTH page 3. Idea Exchange page has an ex-officer interview, MUST READ for GS3 Internal Security The Hindu 📰 1. Safe processing matters more than zesty flavours (GS3: Food processing) 2. How can state PSCs be reformed? (Article 312, GS2 related)

@CSEWhy Times – Nov 23, 2025

Pre & Mains Notes

1. Cloudflare Outage What happened * Global outage at Cloudflare, a key internet infrastructure provider, briefly shut down many online services. * The incident highlighted the web’s dependence on a single network provider. Issue raised * A failure in Cloudflare’s internal bot-management and traffic routing system disrupted global internet traffic. * Shows how large parts of the internet rely on a “central choke point”. Current context * Cloudflare operates hundreds of data centres in 100+ countries, handling ~81 million HTTP requests per second. * Used by 20%+ of all websites and 80%+ of high-traffic platforms. * Indian firms like HDFC, Air India, Titan, etc., also rely on it. Why it matters * Outages can impact not just websites but financial services, CDNs, DNS, security systems and major apps. * Creates systemic risk: when one provider fails, ripple effects spread across global online infrastructure. * Highlights need for internet redundancy, diversified providers, and resilient backend systems.

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express🗞 none today The Hindu 📰 1. Entire FAQ Page, understand the basics 2. The guns fall silent (one of the best articles recently written)

Interesting fact, Just read it, In future exam mein aa jaye toh sahi option mark krne mein help hogi.

@CSEWhy Times – Nov 22, 2025

Pre & Mains Notes

1. Humboldt Penguin Decline What happened • Chile declared Humboldt penguins “endangered” as their numbers dropped below 20,000 from ~45,000 in the late 1990s. Issue raised • Sharp population decline due to fishing competition, habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and bird flu. Current context • Chilean scientists warn the species may soon move from “endangered” to “critically endangered” if threats persist. Why it matters • 80% of the world’s Humboldt penguins live along Chile’s Pacific coast; their disappearance would be a major ecological loss. 2. Guidelines on ‘Obscenity’ in Online Content What happened • Union government proposed amendments defining “obscene digital content” under IT Rules, 2021. Issue raised • Current laws lack clear definition, leading to inconsistent enforcement and multiple court stays on IT Rules. Current context • The amendment seeks to add a specific definition of obscene digital content and link it to existing laws—IT Act, Cable TV Act, and IPC. Why it matters • Would expand the scope of regulation over social media, OTT platforms, and curated content providers; may raise concerns on free speech and overregulation.

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express🗞 1. Labour laws poisonous regulatory cholesterol, new codes clean up, usher in regime of trust (read for basic awareness) 2. How India's agri exports posted massive growth (read for GS3 Economy x Agri) The Hindu 📰 None today Subscribe to my free blog CA: blog.csewhy.com

Pre & Post Labour reforms comparison, note for UPSC

Implications of implementation of 4 Labor Codes • Legal social security for gig workers (Swiggy, Zomato, Uber) • 1-2% of such platforms’ annual turnover to be contributed to Social Security Fund • Benefits: health cover, accident insurance, disability cover, old age protection etc • India is among first major economies to mandate social security for gig economy at national level • 80mn people to benefit Expect your Swiggy/Zomato orders to be 3-6% expensive

4) Semeru Volcano – Why Eruptions Differ What happened • Mount Semeru in Indonesia erupted, spewing large ash clouds and debris. Issue raised • Why some eruptions are gentle (Hawaiian type) while others are explosive (Semeru type). Current context • Magma composition determines explosivity: – Runny magma lets gases escape → mild eruptions – Thick magma traps gases → violent explosions and tephra blasts Why it matters • Helps understand volcanic hazards in the Ring of Fire region. • Supports disaster preparedness in vulnerable Asian populations. 5) Expansion of Stone Quarries in Kerala What happened • After Kerala banned river-sand mining in 2016, stone quarrying increased sharply. • New research shows quarry areas expanded by over 170 percent in one year. Issue raised • Quarrying now happens near ecological hotspots and protected areas. • Concerns about biodiversity loss and river-basin instability. Current context • M-sand made from crushed rock became the dominant construction material after river sand ban. • Demand for sand keeps rising with urbanisation. Why it matters • Quarry expansions threaten sensitive Western Ghats ecology. • Highlights trade-off between development and environmental protection. 6) Pharmacogenomics – Tailored Prescriptions What happened • Article explains how genetic testing allows doctors to personalise medication based on individual metabolic differences. Issue raised • Standardised “one-dose-fits-all” prescribing causes adverse reactions, ineffective dosing and avoidable hospitalisations. Current context • Genetic variations affect how patients metabolise drugs like antidepressants, anti-clotting agents, and pain medicines. • Some countries already integrate pharmacogenomics into routine care. • India is beginning to explore adoption. Why it matters • Can reduce adverse drug reactions and improve treatment success. • Represents the shift from population-based to precision-based medicine.

@CSEWhy Times – Nov 21, 2025

Pre & Mains Notes

More in the next message 1) Colombo Security Conclave – Maritime Safety & Counter-Terrorism What happened • India hosted the 7th NSA-level Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) meeting in New Delhi with Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Seychelles and Malaysia. • Discussions focused on regional security cooperation. Issue raised • Growing challenges in the Indian Ocean: terrorism, radicalisation, trafficking, cyber threats, and maritime crimes. • Need for coordinated action among member states. Current context • Recent attacks, including attempted terror activity in Delhi and cybercrimes, pushed the need for stronger coordination. • Mauritius was accepted as a full CSC member. • Maldives attended at a high level despite strained ties. Why it matters • CSC has become a key Indian Ocean security grouping. • India uses CSC to strengthen its maritime influence and push cooperative security architecture in the region. 2) India’s Indigenous Gene-Editing Tool (CRISPR Cas9) What happened • CSIR-IGIB transferred India’s indigenous CRISPR gene-editing tool to the Serum Institute of India for clinical trials. • The first trial will target sickle cell disease. Issue raised • Imported CRISPR therapies cost over ₹18 crore, making them inaccessible. • India needs low-cost genetic treatments for tribal populations where sickle cell disease is common. Current context • The tool, named “Bira-101,” is ready for Phase I trials. • It uses a locally developed CRISPR system with Indian patents. • Works differently from the global therapy “Casgevy,” which is extremely expensive. Why it matters • Can reduce cost of genetic treatment by 10–20 times. • Strengthens India’s biotech self-reliance and aligns with affordable healthcare goals. 3) Small vs Big Car Debate – New Emission Norms What happened • India proposed Phase-III Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms from FY28. • Carmakers are split on whether the standards unfairly burden small-car manufacturers. Issue raised • Weight-based formula means small cars must improve efficiency more than heavier SUVs. • Small-car makers argue this raises costs and could hurt affordability. Current context • Maruti fears small cars like Alto or Wagon R may become unviable. • Tata argues the norms are achievable but costly. • Manufacturers want adjustments to prevent price hikes. Why it matters • India’s budget-car market is crucial for low-income buyers. • Stricter rules push the industry toward cleaner but more expensive vehicles.

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express🗞 1. How SC answered 14 questions asked? 2. Nvidia’s quarterly results stem speculation of an AI bubble, for now. Here is what to know: (read slowly but carefully!) The Hindu 📰 1. India’s fisheries and aquaculture, its promising course 2. Is air pollution a South Asian crisis?\

President asked 14 Qs to SC on articles you shall revise here quickly! Art 131 • Exclusive original jurisdiction of SC in Centre-State & inter-State disputes • Dispute must involve legal right (water disputes excluded → tribunal) Art 142 • SC can pass any order/decree for “complete justice” • Binding & enforceable throughout India Art 143 • President can seek SC’s advisory opinion on law/fact of public importance • Opinion not binding on President Art 145 • SC makes its own rules (procedure, benches, quorum) with President’s approval • Parliament can regulate manner but not curtail power Art 200 • Governor: assent / withhold / reserve for President / return (non-money bill) • After re-passage → Governor must assent (except if reservation mandatory) Art 201 • Bill reserved by Governor → President may assent/withhold/return • President not bound to assent even after re-passage Art 361 • President & Governors enjoy complete personal immunity (civil & criminal) during term • No court can issue process; can be sued only after 2-month notice post ten

7th Colombo Security Conclave, This news was published in News on Air. Some important facts are underlined in the image,do read and mark them in your notes. Also if you find these efforts useful then please share this news and CSEWhy channel with your friends too🤗

@CSEWhy Times – Nov 20, 2025

Pre & Mains Notes

1. Gustav Klimt portrait sold for $236 million What happened? * A Gustav Klimt portrait (“Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer”) sold at Sotheby’s, New York for $236.4 million, a record for a modern artwork. Issue raised * The painting helped its Jewish subject survive the Nazis by convincing them she “descended from Klimt.” * Raises questions on provenance, Nazi-era art transfers, and restitution. Current context * Only two full-length portraits by Klimt remain privately owned. * This piece came from the Lauder family collection; multiple Klimt works from the same collection were also auctioned. * High global interest in artworks rescued from wartime histories. Why it matters * Highlights the ongoing value and historical baggage of Nazi-era artworks. * Shows how art markets are strongly driven by rarity + wartime narratives. * Adds to discussions around restitution, ownership, and stolen cultural property. 2. Attribution science & linking disasters to emitters What happened? * Article explains attribution science, which studies how climate change influences extreme weather events. * Delhi’s severe air pollution and Cyclone Remal aftermath used as examples. Issue raised * It is difficult to assign exact responsibility (emitters → disasters). * Limitations in modelling, sparse local data, and overlapping pollution sources create uncertainty. Current context * India plans to expand capacity in extreme-event attribution. * Global warming is projected to exceed 2°C; more extreme events expected. * Governments, insurers, and courts increasingly rely on attribution science for accountability and compensation. Why it matters * Attribution will shape future climate litigation, liability for emissions, and compensation for victims. * Helps governments justify climate adaptation budgets. * Important for India, which faces rising climate-related losses.

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express🗞 1. Global South is redefining credible climate action. COP30 must acknowledge this! (Read this Tharoor piece) 2. Read entire EXPLAINED page on UK, CG & JH state formation day The Hindu 📰 1. The threat of digital tradecraft in terrorism (very good piece on upcoming security measures)

@CSEWhy Times – Nov 19, 2025

Pre & Mains Notes

1. ‘Parasocial’: Cambridge Word of the Year The story so far: * Cambridge Dictionary selected “parasocial” as the 2025 Word of the Year due to rising AI companionship trends. * Definition updated to include “possibility of a relationship with AI.” Key points: 1. Term coined in 1956 by sociologists Horton & Wohl for one-sided spectator–performer relationships. 2. Now includes relationships with celebrities, influencers, AI bots, and digital characters. 3. Social media deepens illusion that fans “know” the celebrity closely. 4. Parasocial ties aren’t harmful by default; issues arise when they replace real interactions. 5. AI companions and chatbots turning from novelty to social necessity is the new concern. 6. Reflects a global shift towards loneliness + digital substitutes for connection. 2. Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale Spotted The story so far: * Scientists recorded the rare ginkgo-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) in the wild near Baja California, Mexico. Key points: 1. Part of 24 species of beaked whales—2nd most diverse cetacean group after dolphins. 2. Known from very limited stranding records; rarely observed alive. 3. Grows up to 17.3 ft; both sexes look similar. 4. Has a robust, heavily scarred body**—indicating low aggression among males. 5. Beaked whales are the **deepest-diving mammals, surfacing only briefly. 6. Extremely shy & easily frightened, especially when approached by boats. 3. ‘Agentic AI’: Tech’s New Buzzword The story so far: * “Agentic AI” is the industry’s newest pitch, claiming systems that can plan, act, and learn autonomously. Key points: 1. Goes beyond chatbots—meant to behave like autonomous teammates performing multi-step tasks. 2. MIT & Boston Consulting Group report defines it as a new class of systems. 3. Tech giants (Amazon, Google, IBM) expect agents to manage tasks like shopping, bookings, scheduling. 4. Promise: break down high-level goals into steps and act on them. 5. Concern: marketing hype often exceeds actual capability; AI agents still depend on user-set preferences. 6. Researchers caution that “agentic” is being used loosely; concept has existed in academia for decades. 4. Amendments Planned for Plant Variety Act (PPV&FRA) The story so far: * Centre plans amendments to PPV&FRA Act; stakeholder consultations underway. Key points: 1. Proposed changes to definition of “variety needs” & “combination of genotypes”; aligning with draft Seeds Bill 2019. 2. Discussions include revising definition of “breeder” to include public/private sector institutions. 3. Importance of trait testing under DUS guidelines is being stressed. 4. Concerns: misuse of DUS tests for registering community-developed seeds under private names. 5. Farmers fear monopolisation of seeds & loss of community control. 6. Groups demand mandatory registration of all community-developed seeds to protect collective rights.

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express🗞 1. Between US & Saudi Arabia, Israel is the elephant in the room (Raja Mandal is IR key!) 2. What are threats to India Sea Cows? (Imp. Article, 2-3 PYQs on this) 3. How base effect, bullion prices shaped CPI inflation? (GS3 Economy: Imp. conceptual read) The Hindu 📰 1. Time to sort out India’s cereal mess (read for awareness) 2. What can local bodies expect from the 16th FC? (basic awareness)

The DRC Cobalt mine is in the News and the same was asked in UPSC 2023. This is how you should interlink the current with PYQs.

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This is UPSC web. Zoom in anywhere and comment the word you see first! 😉👇🏼

Can't emphasize how important this is!

@CSEWhy Times – Nov 18, 2025

Pre & Mains Notes

1. ICT Tribunal & Hasina Verdict What happened? • Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina convicted *in absentia* by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for “crimes against humanity”; sentenced to death. • ICT was formed in 2009 by Hasina herself to try 1971 war criminals. Issues Raised: • Critics say ICT was used politically against Hasina’s opponents. • Human Rights Watch called the trials flawed and lacking judicial independence. Current Context: • After Hasina’s ouster in 2023, ICT revived cases *against her*, alleging murder, genocide, torture. • Marks reversal of earlier stance, intensifying Bangladesh’s political instability. 2. Sentinel-6B Satellite Launched About the mission: • Launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base (U.S.). • Ocean-tracking satellite to study sea levels, temperatures, currents. Key Functions: • Measures sea-level rise: critical for climate predictions. • Aids in weather forecasting, storm predictions, coastal protection. Partnership: • Joint mission of NASA, NOAA, EU Space Agency. • Complements Sentinel-6A (operational since 2020). 3. Ambaji Marble Gets GI Tag About Ambaji Marble: • Sourced from Banaskantha district, Gujarat; known for pure white colour, high shine, and durability. • Used historically in temples, monuments (including Taj Mahal-type structures). Significance: • Exported globally (U.S., UK, NZ, etc.). • Marble mines estimated to be 1,200–1,500 years old. GI Tag Benefits: • Protects from imitation; valid 10 years. • Enhances branding, authenticates origin, supports local artisans. • Regulated by DPIIT. 4. Strait of Hormuz – Why in News Trigger: • Iran seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker passing through the strait. Importance of the Strait: • Narrow chokepoint (35–95 km wide) between Iran and Arabian Peninsula. • Carries ~20% of world’s oil supply and major LNG shipments. India’s Stake: • 40% of India’s crude imports and >50% LNG pass through this route. Geopolitical Sensitivity: • Region prone to blockades, tanker attacks (2019), U.S.–Iran tensions. • Disruption can spike global oil prices. 5. Mahe – Indigenous Anti-Submarine Vessel About the vessel: • First in Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft. • Built by Cochin Shipyard under Atmanirbhar Bharat. Key Features: • >80% indigenous components. • High-speed littoral operations: submarine hunting, coastal patrol. • Stealth + mobility + precision. • Crest features *Urumi* sword symbolising agility and strength. Significance: • Strengthens India’s coastal defence and ASW capabilities. 6. How Global Precision Medicine Market is Shaping Up What is precision biotherapeutics? • Medical interventions customised to patient’s genetic, molecular, or cellular profile. Why India needs it: • NCDs like diabetes, heart disease form 65% of deaths. • Large genetic diversity and population scale make India a key market. Current Status in India: • DoB identified precision biotech as priority sector. • Major institutions: IGIB, NIBMG, THSTI. • Indian firms producing biosimilars and monoclonal antibodies. Challenges: • High costs, limited regulations, privacy concerns. • Lack of local manufacturing capacity for advanced therapies. Opportunities: • Global market projected to exceed USD 22 billion by 2027. • India's genomic initiatives (IndiGen, GenomeIndia) can support personalised treatments.

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recos

Indian Express🗞 1. How China dealt with Air pollution, lessons for India (read with great attention to detail) 2. Why Rhesus monkeys need legal protection? (GS3: Environment species) The Hindu 📰 1. India needs to ‘connect, build and revive with Africa (loved a piece after long!) 2. The trajectory of anti-rape laws in India (imp. take a note) PS: Are you on my blog? link: blog.csewhy.com