UPSC Time

🅴🅲🅾🅽🅾🅼🅸🅲🆂

DISTRIBUTION OF THE PREVIOUS 10 YEARS’ QUESTIONS ACROSS DIFFERENT TOPICS

1⃣Recently, Manipur’s Tamenglong district announced an immediate ban on hunting, catching, killing, and selling the Amur falcon.

2⃣Amur Falcon is the world’s longest-distance migrating raptor.

5 GI Tagged-ODOP Crafts

1️⃣ Telangana - Pochampally Ikat
2️⃣ Andhra Pradesh - Etikoppakka Toys, Kalamkari
3️⃣ Karnataka - Mysore’s Ganjifa art
4️⃣ Tamil Nadu - Kanchipuram Silk
5️⃣ Kerala - Screw Pine Weaving

Important for UPSC Prelims 2025

✅ MASS WASTING

➡️ Mass wasting is the mass movement of unconsolidated soil, sand, rocks, regolith (the layer of unconsolidated solid material covering the bedrock of a planet), etc. along a slope under the influence of gravity.

➡️ Mass wasting occurs when the gravitational force acting on a slope exceeds its resisting force leading to slope failure (mass wasting).

➡️ Timescales of the mass wasting process may be a few seconds (debris flows and mudflows) or hundreds of years (mass wasting along the slopes of stable mountains leaving behind alluvial fan like structures).

1⃣ The Neelakurinji was listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2024.

2⃣ The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF) listed the Neelakurinji under Schedule III of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This means that uprooting or destroying the plant is punishable by a fine of ₹25,000 and up to three years of imprisonment.

3⃣ The Neelakurinji flowers bloom once every 12 years in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu.

Places in the news- Burkina Faso

Important for UPSC Prelims

About Burkina Faso

▶️Capital
- Ouagadougou:
- Largest city and administrative hub.

▶️Geography
- Location:
- A landlocked country in West Africa.

- Bordering Countries:
- Mali (northwest), Niger (northeast), Benin (southeast), Togo, and Ghana (south), Ivory Coast (southwest).

- Terrain:
- A savanna plateau with fields, scattered trees, and brush.

- Highest Point:
- Ténakourou at 749 meters.

- Rivers:
- Includes the Mouhoun (Black Volta), Nakambe (White Volta), and Nazinon (Red Volta).

- Climate:
- Semi-arid in the north (Sahel region) to tropical in the south.

▶️History and Name
- Colonial Past:
- Known as Upper Volta during French colonial rule.
- Renaming:
- Became Burkina Faso in 1984 under President Thomas Sankara.

▶️ People and Culture
- Languages:
- Official language: French.
- Around 70 local languages are spoken, including Moore, Dioula, and Fula.
- Ethnic Groups:
- Mossi is the largest ethnic group.

1. Surface Irrigation
- Description: Water flows over the field by gravity to irrigate crops.
- Types:
1. Flood Irrigation: Water is released and allowed to flow freely over the fields.
2. Furrow Irrigation: Water flows in furrows between crop rows.
3. Basin Irrigation: Water is retained in a basin surrounding the crop.

- Advantages:
- Low-cost technique.
- Easy implementation and maintenance.

- Disadvantages:
- Leads to waterlogging and salinity.
- Wastes water due to uneven distribution.

- Suitability: Best for flat land and crops like rice that require standing water.

2. Drip Irrigation (Micro Irrigation)
- Description: Water is delivered directly to the root zone of plants through a network of pipes, tubes, and emitters.
- Advantages:
- Saves water by minimizing evaporation and runoff.
- Reduces weed growth as only targeted areas are irrigated.
- Increases crop yield by providing consistent moisture.

- Disadvantages:
- High installation and maintenance costs.
- Clogging of emitters can occur if water quality is poor.

- Suitability: Ideal for water-scarce areas and high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

3. Sprinkler Irrigation
- Description: Water is sprayed like rain over the field using a system of pipes and sprinklers.
- Advantages:
- Reduces water wastage due to controlled application.
- Useful for undulating terrains and sandy soils.
- Prevents soil erosion.

- Disadvantages:
- Expensive setup and operational costs.
- Inefficient in areas with high wind as water disperses unevenly.

- Suitability: Used for crops like maize, wheat, and pulses.

4. Subsurface Irrigation
- Description: Water is applied below the soil surface, close to the root zone.
- Advantages:
- Minimizes evaporation losses.
- Reduces weed growth as surface water is absent.
- Saves water and improves water use efficiency.

- Disadvantages:
- High installation costs.
- Difficult to monitor water levels.

- Suitability: Used in arid areas or for row crops.

5. Canal Irrigation
- Description: Water from rivers or reservoirs is distributed through a network of canals to fields.
- Advantages:
- Cost-effective for large-scale irrigation.
- Supplies water to dry and semi-arid regions.

- Disadvantages:
- Waterlogging and salinity are common issues.
- Maintenance of canal systems is expensive and challenging.

- Suitability: Common for crops like rice, wheat, and sugarcane.

6. Lift Irrigation
- Description: Water is lifted from a river, tank, or canal using pumps for irrigation.
- Advantages:
- Enables irrigation in areas without natural gravity flow.
- Useful in areas with variable topography.

- Disadvantages:
- High operational costs due to energy requirements.
- Dependency on electricity or fuel.

- Suitability: Frequently used in states like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

7. Tank Irrigation
- Description: Water is stored in tanks or reservoirs and used for irrigation during dry periods.
- Advantages:
- Reduces dependency on rainfall.
- Helps recharge groundwater.

- Disadvantages:
- Limited water availability.
- Evaporation losses can be significant.

- Suitability: Popular in peninsular India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

8. Percolation Irrigation
- Description: Water is allowed to seep into the soil through constructed structures like check dams to recharge groundwater and irrigate fields.
- Advantages:
- Improves groundwater availability.
- Reduces surface runoff.

- Disadvantages:
- Requires suitable geological conditions.

- Suitability: Common in semi-arid and arid regions.

Types of Irrigation Systems

Important for UPSC prelims

The Kannauj Triangle

South America's important regions in NEWS and in PYQs for prelims 2025

Economy 2025

Dravidian connection of IVC script:

▶️What are Sections 33 and 81 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954?

1. Section 33:
- Prohibits the sale, gift, or transfer of agricultural land if the transaction reduces the owner's holdings to less than 8 acres.
- The aim is to prevent the fragmentation of agricultural land into uneconomical holdings.
- Exceptions include transfers to religious or charitable institutions or those associated with the Bhoodan movement.

2. Section 81:
- Mandates the ejection of landowners who use agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes without proper authorization.
- Such land is vested in the Gram Sabha if misused.
- Permitted uses are limited to activities like agriculture, horticulture, and animal husbandry (including pisciculture and poultry farming).

▶️Why Do Rural Landowners in Delhi Want the Repeal of Sections 33 and 81?

1. Restrictions on Land Use:
- Landowners face severe constraints on selling or using their land for purposes like housing, education, or emergencies.
- For instance, selling a small portion of their land is prohibited under Section 33, even if necessary for personal needs.

2. Hindrance to Development:
- Section 81 prevents rural landowners from building even essential structures like houses or boundary walls on their land, leading to legal disputes.
- This restriction is particularly problematic as most of Delhi’s villages have been urbanized, making the provisions outdated and redundant.

3. Decreasing Agricultural Viability:
- With the subdivision of agricultural land across generations, holdings have become too small to farm profitably.
- The total cropped area in Delhi has decreased significantly over the past decade.

4. Urbanization of Villages:
- A significant number of Delhi's villages (308 out of 357) are now classified as urban and are governed by laws like the Delhi Municipal Act, 1957, or the Delhi Development Act, 1954, rather than the Delhi Land Reforms Act.
- For these areas, Sections 33 and 81 are considered unnecessary.

5. Demand for Practical Alternatives:
- Landowners advocate for alternative measures such as heavy penalties for genuine misuse rather than confiscation of land.
- They also seek government support to make fragmented landholdings economically viable or usable for non-agricultural purposes.

The repeal of Sections 33 and 81 is seen by rural landowners as essential for adapting to the changing socio-economic and urban landscape of Delhi.

What are Sections 33 and 81 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954?
Why do rural landowners in Delhi want to repeal them?

▶️What Are Santa Ana Winds?
The Santa Ana winds are strong, dry, and warm winds that blow through Southern California, typically between October and January. They occur due to the interaction of high pressure over the Great Basin (the area between the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada) and low pressure over California’s coastal region.

- These winds are triggered by a pressure difference, causing air to flow from the inland deserts of the Great Basin toward the Pacific Ocean.
- As these winds descend over the mountains toward Southern California, they compress and heat up, while their humidity drops significantly — sometimes below 10%.

▶️Why Are Santa Ana Winds Causing Wildfires in Southern California?
The Santa Ana winds contribute to wildfires in Southern California in the following ways:

1. Drying of Vegetation:
- The extremely low humidity in Santa Ana winds causes vegetation to dry out quickly, making it more prone to ignition.

2. Increased Fire Spread:
- The winds can blow at very high speeds (up to 70 mph or more), fanning flames and rapidly spreading wildfires across large areas.

3. Elevated Temperatures:
- As the winds descend from the mountains, they compress and heat up, increasing the temperature and creating ideal conditions for fire ignition.

4. Natural Ignition Source:
- While most wildfires are human-caused, dry lightning or electrical issues can also ignite fires during high-wind events.

5. Combination with Climate Change:
- Climate change has lengthened the wildfire season, dried out vegetation due to warmer temperatures, and created more severe fire-prone conditions. Santa Ana winds amplify these effects, making fires more intense and destructive.

▶️ Why Are These Fires Increasing in Intensity?
While Santa Ana-driven wildfires are a natural phenomenon, climate change exacerbates the problem by:
- Increasing temperatures, leading to longer dry seasons.
- Reducing moisture levels in vegetation.
- Shifting and extending the wildfire season.

These factors ensure that wildfires spread faster, burn hotter, and become more challenging to control.

What Are Santa Ana Winds?

Why Are Santa Ana Winds Causing Wildfires in Southern California?

Why Are These Fires Increasing in Intensity?

If success in UPSC is a hidden treasure in a long dark scary cave. Without any light or torch it is almost impossible to get what you want.

Syllabus is that light, the torch that will help you in your adventure.

FOR UPSC 2025 ASPIRANTS,

it is important to understand that it is the time to finish Mains GS and Optional (preferably 2 readings + notes)

By January 31st you should be done with:
✅ NCERTs (Social Studies)
- at least 9th -12th, preferably 6th-12th

✅ GS Mains- Standard books
- at least 1 reading
- preferably 2 readings + notes making + answer writing

✅ Optional
- at least 1 reading
- preferably 2 readings+ notes making

Craft your own strategy based on wherever you're right now.
- if you're still reading NCERTs. Put in extra hours. Study 12 hours a day and finish at least 9th-12th till 15-20 January. Then finish 1 reading of GS mains books till Feb 10 -15. After that start with your Prelims Preparation

- if you're reading GS Mains and yet to start Optional Preparation. Push harder. Study 2 hours extra daily and finish GS Mains till 20-25 January. After that try to finish 1 reading of Optional till 10-20 Feb.

- if you're reading Optional and yet to start GS Mains then put in extra hours and try to finish 1 reading till 25th Jan. After 25th Jan put it aside and start with GS Mains. Finish it till 20th Feb.

NO NEED TO PANIC, NEED IS TO WORK HARD. YOU STILL HAVE TIME! 👍

Bharatpol Portal

The Bharatpol Portal is an advanced platform developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to facilitate international police cooperation through INTERPOL.

▶️Key Features:
1. Streamlined Processing:
- Manages all requests for international assistance through INTERPOL.
- Handles the issuance of Red Notices and other colour-coded INTERPOL notices efficiently.

2. Real-time Information Sharing:
- Provides Indian Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) with real-time access to international police assistance.
- Enhances the speed and effectiveness of operations related to transnational crimes.

3. Empowering Field Officers:
- Enables field-level police officers to work more effectively with crimes and security challenges.

4. Combating Transnational Crimes:
- Strengthens India's efforts to address global crimes through easier and faster access to INTERPOL assistance.

▶️Developed By:
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) acts as the National Central Bureau (NCB) for INTERPOL in India.

The Bharatpol Portal is a transformative tool that modernises international cooperation and accelerates efforts to combat transnational crimes by connecting law enforcement agencies within India to global policing systems.

What is the BHARATPOL Portal?

Following points shall help in upsc mains-

1. Read and understand every topic of syllabus
2. See past year questions on respective topic
3.Make bullet point notes as per the demand of topic
4.Revise
5. Link topic to current affairs and update imp bullet points to your notes
6. Revise again

For effective Answer Writing-

1 . Understand the demand of question
2. Write answer in structured manner (point wise )
3. Start answer with definition/meaning/Recent issue/ Constitutional article etc( depending upon demand of the question)
4. In body part of answer-Substantiate few points with examples, data, schemes , judgement etc
5.Include diagrams if essential
6. conclusion of answer should be- solution oriented/optimistic/ forward looking/a case study etc ( again depending on demand of question )
7. Complete the answer in dedicated time ( Ex- 10M in about 7 minutes)
8. Complete the paper
9. Brainstorming PYQ’s shall help you to generate more points
10. Think multiple dimensions about the topic (helpful in generating more points)

UPSC asks RAMSAR sites based on:
• Rivers
• States
• Features

Signs that your UPSC preparation is on right track:-

✅ You study everyday for 8- 10 hours
✅ You take care of both your mental and physical health
✅ You don't compare yourself with others
✅ You have a timetable and strategy for yourself
✅ Revise Everyday don't wait for May
✅ Take tests regularly- do post test analysis without fail
✅ Bit nervous yet filled with positive energy and motivated
✅ You are able to explain challenging concepts to others
✅ You are seeking help when needed- mentors, friends

Artesian Well

Here's the Easiest Way to Remember:

FDI = Long-term control (Factories, Land 🌍)
FPI = Short-term profit (Stocks, Bonds 📈)
FII = Institutional Players (Mutual Funds 💼)

How to overcome anxiety and tension during UPSC Preparation:


✅ Engaging in activities that require FOCUS- solving puzzles, playing a musical instrument

✅ Mindful Breathing- Focus on sensation of air entering and leaving body

✅Social Media DETOX- Taking breaks from technology

✅ Taking a Mindful Walk- focus on sounds around

Stone Age - Palaeolithic, Mesolithic & Neolithic Age

Key Points about Golden Jackal (Common Jackal)

▶️ General Description
- A medium-sized, wolf-like canid.
- Commonly referred to as the "common jackal."

▶️ Behavior
- Activity:
- Strictly nocturnal in human-dominated areas.
- Exhibit partially diurnal behavior in less-disturbed regions.
- Mating: Monogamous, form lifelong pairs.

▶️ Diet
- Omnivorous and opportunistic foragers.
- Consume a wide range of food items.

▶️ Habitat
- Thrive in valleys, riverbanks, canals, lakes, coastal areas, and mangroves.
- Less common in foothills and low mountainous regions.

▶️ Distribution
- Found in North and East Africa, Southeastern Europe, South Asia, and extending to Burma.
- In India, inhabit diverse terrains, from the Himalayan foothills to the Western Ghats.

▶️ Conservation Status
1. IUCN: Least Concern
2. CITES: Appendix III
3. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India): Schedule I

▶️ Ecological Significance
- Crucial for the biodiversity of mangrove and grassland ecosystems, helping maintain ecological balance.

Species in the news- Golden Jackal

The Most Important resource for UPSC Preparation- The Syllabus!


I can not exaggerate the importance of Syllabus in UPSC Preparation. Better you know it easier the things get for you. To start the preparation the first thing one should do is to get a copy of the syllabus and always keep it in front of him. Paste it on the wall. Write it twice or thrice with your own hand. If possible try to remember it word by word.

You can not read newspaper efficiently without it. Notes making is useful only if you know the syllabus. It may take you forever to prepare for UPSC by only reading the recommended books without syllabus.

Few facts we need to accept before staring UPSC Prep

1. Syllabus is vast and we need to be consistent with 6-8 hours of studying daily
2. Multiple revisions are must to remember such syllabus
3. Learning to write what you have read is the most important.
4. Understand the UPSC through Syllabus and PYQs
5. Newspaper esp The Hindu is always your best friend.
6. Prelims now is all about uncertainty and how well can we handle it. The Hindu seems to be the only certainty

UPSC 2025 EXAMINATION CALENDAR

CHEMO SAPIENS-

Some Chemicals which can be important for Prelims 2025.

Some from this list are already asked in exam previously.

It is the time to finish Off your Mains GS preparation. Aim for January 31.

From Feb 1 onwards, shift all your focus to Prelims.

▶️Overview:
- Proposed legislation introduced by non-minister MPs (from ruling or opposition parties).
- Purpose: Platform for MPs to propose laws, express independent views, and raise public issues.

▶️Key Features:
1. Introduction:
- Requires a 1-month notice before introducing the Bill.
- Can address issues within Parliament's legislative competence.

2. Discussion:
- Allocated only on Fridays during Private Members’ Business hours.

3. Limitations:
- Money Bills can only be introduced by a minister.
- Constitutional Amendment Bills: Can be introduced by both ministers and private members.

▶️Challenges:
- Low Priority: Limited time (Fridays) and overshadowed by Government Bills.
- Low Success Rate:
- Only 14 Bills passed since independence.
- None passed in both Houses since 1970.
- Delays: Crowded legislative agenda leads to years of waiting.
- Low Participation: MPs often skip Friday sessions.

▶️Famous Examples of Private Member’s Bills:
1. Supreme Court (Enlargement of Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction) Bill, 1970: Expanded appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
2. The Muslim Wakf Bill, 1952: Became law in 1954.
3. H.V. Kamath’s 1966 Bill: Proposed restricting Prime Ministerial eligibility to Lok Sabha members (failed).

▶️ Proposals for Revival:
- Reschedule discussions to midweek instead of Fridays.
- Allocate more time for debates.
- Streamline procedures to reduce delays.

Private Member’s Bill

Important for UPSC Prelims

👉Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has emerged as a significant concern in global public health, particularly following reports of an outbreak in China.

👉This comprehensive analysis provides crucial insights for UPSC aspirants, covering the virus's characteristics, global impact, and India's preparedness, aligning with the syllabus requirements for General Studies Papers I, II, III, and IV.

GS Paper I: Society and Social Issues

Historical Context and Discovery

- HMPV was first identified in 2001 by Dutch scientists at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands[1].
- The virus had likely been circulating undetected in human populations for at least 50 years prior to its discovery.

Demographic Impact

- Age Distribution:
- Nearly 100% seroprevalence by age 5
- Highest risk for severe illness: Children 6-12 months old
- Significant impact on elderly populations (>65 years)
- Global Prevalence:
- Accounts for 5-7% of respiratory tract infections in hospitalized children worldwide
- 3-7.1% of winter respiratory infections in adults
- 4.5% of hospitalizations for acute respiratory infections in adults over 50

GS Paper II: Governance and International Relations

Global Health Governance

- World Health Organization (WHO) Role:
- Monitoring the HMPV situation globally
- Coordinating with national health authorities for data sharing and response strategies
- International Collaboration:
- Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) adaptation to include HMPV monitoring

India's Policy Response

- Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) Meeting:
- Convened on January 4, 2025, under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)
- Participants: WHO experts, Disaster Management Cell, IDSP, NCDC, ICMR, EMR Division, and hospital representatives
- National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Actions:
- Enhanced surveillance for respiratory and seasonal influenza cases
- Coordination with international agencies for real-time updates

Healthcare System Preparedness

- Hospital Readiness:
- Adequate bed capacity and oxygen supplies for potential surge
- Training of healthcare workers on HMPV management protocols
- Diagnostic Capacity:
- ICMR to increase the number of laboratories testing for HMPV
- Implementation of RT-PCR and antigen detection tests for rapid diagnosis

👉Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV): A Critical Analysis for Global and Indian Public Health

📜 Exploring the Sources of Indian History

➡️Literary.
➡️Archaeological.

Land Reforms in Rural Areas

Coins Of Medieval India:

✅Varahas (Pagodas)- A gold coin(vijayanagar)
✅Tara - A silver Coin(Vijayanagar)
✅Perta - Half pagoda(Vijayanagar)
✅Jital - A copper coin
✅Hun - A gold coin
✅Fanam - A gold coin (One tenth of perta)
✅Dam - A copper coin(1/40 of a silver rupee)
✅Kasu - A copper coin (Vijayanagar)
✅Ara Kani - A copper coin(Vijayanagar)
✅Kongu - A copper coin(Vijayanagar)
✅Tanka - Silver coin (Delhi sultanat)
✅Yakgani - Copper coin (Delhi sultanat)
✅Sawagani -Copper coin (Delhi sultanat)
✅Falus - Copper coin (Delhi sultanat)
✅Paika - Copper coin ( Delhi sultanat)
✅Dirham - Brass coin ( Delhi sultanat)

Varaha was also called the Hon, Gadyana, or a Pon in Vijayanagar Empire.

The most important advice for all aspirants.

Don’t study only when exams are around.

GHGs and Kyoto Protocol

Reports- released by

Nuclear Power Plants under operation in India

Key Highlights of the Cabinet Decision (January 1, 2025):
1. Extension of Crop Insurance Schemes:
- PMFBY and RWBCIS have been extended until 2025-26.
2. Creation of FIAT (Fund for Innovation and Technology):
- Corpus: ₹824.77 crore for technological innovation in crop insurance.

▶️Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY):
1. Launch:
- Introduced in 2016 to replace NAIS and MNAIS.
- Follows One Nation, One Crop, One Premium principle.

2. Eligibility:
- Coverage includes farmers, sharecroppers, and tenant farmers growing “notified crops” in “notified areas.”
- Initially compulsory for loanee farmers but made optional in February 2020.

3. Premium Structure:
- Kharif crops: 2% of sum insured.
- Rabi crops: 1.5% of sum insured.
- Horticultural crops: 5% of sum insured.

4. Subsidy Changes (2020):
- Premium subsidy capped at 30% for unirrigated and 25% for irrigated areas.
- Non-payment of state premium share within deadlines disqualifies states from implementing the scheme.

5. Objective:
- Stabilize farmers' income by covering crop losses due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases.
- Encourage modern farming practices and ensure flow of credit to farmers.


▶️Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS):
1. Focuses on proxies like adverse weather conditions (e.g., rainfall, wind, and temperature).
2. Lower participation of insured farmers compared to PMFBY.

▶️Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT):
1. Purpose:
- Supports tech initiatives and R&D for crop insurance (e.g., YES-TECH and WINDS).

2. Technological Initiatives:
- YES-TECH: Remote sensing tech for yield estimation with a minimum 30% reliance on tech-based estimates.
- Implemented in 9 states.
- WINDS: Enhances weather data with:
- Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) at block level.
- Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs) at the panchayat level.
- Aims for a 5x increase in network density for hyper-local data.

Crop Insurance Schemes

India, that is, Bharat

✅The historical and cultural roots behind the names "India" and "Bharat" ✨✨

Difference between PAN and TAN:

Brahmputra River System

SAGAR ( Security and Growth for All Region ) Vision

Supreme Court important cases back and forth these can be used in quoting as examples in answers

▶️What is the Land Acquisition Act, 2013?
- The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, 2013, commonly called the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, replaced the colonial-era Land Acquisition Act of 1894. Enacted to ensure fairness in land acquisition processes, the Act:
1. Mandates fair compensation for landowners.
2. Ensures rehabilitation and transparency during acquisitions.
3. Came into force on January 1, 2014, with amendments in 2015.

▶️ Why are farmers demanding the implementation of this Act?
Despite being in force, the Act is not implemented fully or fairly, according to farmers.

Key reasons include:
1. State Amendments: Changes by state governments dilute the Act's original provisions (e.g., removal of consent clause in specific cases).
2. Fair Compensation: Farmers often do not receive fair compensation for their land.
3. Empowerment: The consent clause gives farmers a voice, reducing forced acquisitions, which is often ignored in practice.
4. Case Examples: In Noida, farmers were arrested while protesting against the denial of proper compensation for acquired land.

▶️What are the key features of this Act?
1. Fair Compensation:
- Urban areas: 2x market value.
- Rural areas: 4x market value.

2. Consent Requirements:
- 70% consent for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.
- 80% consent for private company acquisitions.

3. Restrictions on Fertile Land:
- Acquisition of irrigated multi-crop land is restricted; alternative wasteland must be developed if acquired.

4. Social Impact Assessment (SIA):
- Mandatory to assess social, economic, and environmental effects.

5. Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) Provisions:
- A house for displaced families.
- Financial aid for livelihood loss.
- Employment/annuity for dependents.
- Infrastructure development like roads, schools, and healthcare in resettlement areas.

▶️What are the other features of this Act?
1. Narrowed Public Purpose Definition: Limits arbitrary acquisitions; including infrastructure, urbanization, and industrial corridors.

2. Return of Unused Land: Acquired land not used within 5 years must be returned to the original owners or a land bank.

3. Transparency Measures:
- Public hearings.
- Availability of SIA reports.

4. Exemptions:
- Defence, railways, atomic energy projects are exempt, but compensation and R&R still apply.

5. Benefits for SCs/STs: Special consultation processes and extra entitlements.

▶️ When the Act is already in force, why are farmers demanding its implementation?

- Farmers claim that the Act is:

1. Not implemented as intended: Diluted consent and compensation provisions due to state-level changes.

2. Unevenly Enforced: Rehabilitation and resettlement measures are often bypassed.

3. Progressive but Ignored: While the Act empowers farmers and ensures their dignity, authorities frequently favor developmental projects over farmers' rights.

▶️What challenges does the Act face in its implementation?
1. High Costs: Compensation and R&R obligations increase project costs, creating budget strains.

2. Delays: Procedural requirements, such as consent and SIA, slow land acquisition processes.

3. Development vs. Social Justice: Balancing infrastructural development and farmer welfare remains contentious.

4. Political and Bureaucratic Hurdles: Resistance from some stakeholders, leading to inadequate or selective enforcement.

What is the Land Acquisition Act, 2013?
Why are farmers demanding the implementation of this Act?

GST council

Keep putting in the effort and have patience. Best things will come to you at the right time

Three Round Table Conferences of Indian leaders and spokesmen of the British government were held in London from 1930 to 1932 to discuss the Simon Commission Report and draw a new constitution.

India State of Forest Report 2023 🌳

🔹India's total forest and tree cover is 8,27,357 sq km, which accounts for 25.17% of the country's geographical area.

🔸This includes forest cover of 7,15,343 sq km (21.76%) and tree cover of 1,12,014 sq km (3.41%).

Difference between RNA editing and DNA editing

Sacred groves of India

PRELIMS TRICKS

Committees on Centre State Relations- Chronological

[ A RAW SP ]

A- 1st ARC, 1966

R- Rajamannar Committee, 1969

A- Anandpur Sahib Resolution, 1973

W- West Bengal Resolution, 1977

S- Sarkaria Commission, 1983

P- Punchi Commission, 2007

Social security schemes in India.

Important for UPSC prelims

➡️Social Security Schemes:
- Launched eShram portal in August 2021 to create a comprehensive database of unorganized workers
- Introduced eShram "One-Stop-Solution" in October 2024 integrating 12 social security/welfare schemes
- Implemented schemes like PMJJBY, PM SVANidhi, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, and PM-SYM

➡️Labour Codes Key Provisions:
- Statutory right for minimum wage and electronic payment
- Social security fund for unorganized workers
- Portability of benefits for inter-state migrant workers
- Safety regulations aligned with international standards
- Free annual health check-ups
- Re-skilling fund for retrenched workers
- Mandatory appointment letters
- Promotes gender neutrality in employment

➡️Workers' Rights and Protections:
- State cannot set minimum wage below floor wage
- Women are allowed to work night shifts with consent and safety
- 26 weeks maternity leave with pay
- Work from-home option after maternity leave
- Crèche facilities in establishments with 50+ workers
- Career guidance through the National Career Service portal

EL Nino Explained:

⌲ Glaciers in India

- Hybrid warfare is a blend of conventional and unconventional tactics used to destabilize and weaken a target state without resorting to open military conflict.

- It combines multiple domains of conflict—military, political, economic, cyber, and informational—often in covert and deniable ways.

- The objective is to create confusion, disrupt normal functioning, and weaken the adversary’s ability to respond effectively.

▶️Key Features of Hybrid Warfare:
1. Espionage: Gathering intelligence through covert operatives, often disguised or using advanced technologies. Examples include using embassy resources or smuggling agents into target states.

2. Sabotage: Disrupting physical infrastructure, such as underwater cables, pipelines, or warehouses, often through covert operations.

3. Cyberattacks: These include disrupting critical systems, conducting ransomware attacks, or overwhelming websites through DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks.

4. Disinformation and Propaganda: Spreading false or misleading narratives to influence public opinion, often using troll factories, fake social media accounts, and deceptive news outlets.

5. Election Interference: Meddling in political processes to destabilize democratic institutions, often by funding extreme candidates or hacking and leaking sensitive information.

6. Targeted Killings: Eliminating influential or opposing figures abroad to intimidate or destabilize.

7. Economic Manipulation: Using economic leverage or disruption to weaken the target state.

▶️Russia has been actively engaging in hybrid warfare, particularly since its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

- This includes espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation, and attempts to influence political processes in various countries.

- For instance, Western intelligence agencies have linked Russia to incidents like the sabotage of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea and cyberattacks targeting European infrastructure.

- Additionally, Russia has been accused of interfering in elections and spreading propaganda to destabilize democracies.

These activities demonstrate Russia's use of hybrid warfare tactics to achieve its geopolitical goals while avoiding direct military confrontation.

What is ‘hybrid warfare’? Is Russia engaging in one?

Important for UPSC

Here’s a snapshot of the administrative government structure at Union, State, and Local levels.

▶️ Population and Demographics
- Scheduled Tribes (ST) comprise 8.6% of India's population, with over 705 distinct groups.
- They predominantly reside in remote areas, requiring targeted development efforts.

▶️Key Initiatives
1. Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (November 15):
- Celebrates tribal heritage and the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.
- Recognizes contributions of tribal freedom fighters.
- Includes launch of development projects worth ₹6,640 crore (2024).

2. Budget Allocation:
- Union Budget 2024-25 allocates ₹13,000 crore to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) funds have increased to ₹1,24,908 crore.

3. Major Schemes:
- Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (2024): ₹79,156 crore for health, education, and livelihood in 63,843 tribal villages.

- Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) (2023): Focuses on PVTGs with projects in housing, education, health, and connectivity.

- Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY): Develops 36,428 villages with significant tribal populations.

- Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): Aims to provide quality education with 728 schools approved so far.

4. Entrepreneurship and Financial Support:
- Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM): Promotes tribal entrepreneurship.

- National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC): Provides concessional loans for self-employment.
- Term Loan Scheme: Up to ₹50 lakh per unit.

- Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY): Loans for ST women (up to ₹2 lakh per unit).

5. Scholarship Programs:
- Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships: Support education from Classes IX to post-graduation.

- National Overseas Scholarship: Enables ST students to pursue education abroad.

- National Fellowship: Supports higher education through digitalized financial assistance.

6. Health Initiatives:
- Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission: Targets eradication of SCD in tribal areas.

- Mission Indradhanush: Ensures immunization for tribal children and pregnant women.

- Nikshay Mitra Initiative: Provides TB support for tribal communities.

7. Cultural Preservation:
- Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs): Promotes research, cultural festivals, and documentation.
- PVTG Development Program: Focuses on the 75 most vulnerable tribal groups under PM-JANMAN.
- TRI-ECE: Enhances awareness through festivals, exhibitions, and educational campaigns.

▶️ Conclusion
- The government emphasizes education, healthcare, socio-economic upliftment, and cultural preservation.

- Aligns with the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”, ensuring inclusivity and sustainable development for tribal communities.

Scheduled Tribes (ST) comprise 8.6% of India's population, with over 705 distinct groups.

Here are some key initiatives and schemes related to Scheduled Tribes:

Mistakes by most of the aspirants during UPSC Pre Exam preparation.

1. Lack of understanding of basic concepts.
2. Not focusing on each and every questions during examination.
3. Fear/Anxiety during attempting Qs examination.
4. Less focus on CSAT.
5. Lack of practice of MCQs

Simple Strategy for Prelims

✅ Keep reading the Basic books whichever you're reading for GS. Do it well

✅ Revise well (2-3 times)

✅ Mock tests (30-50)

✅ Analyse Mock tests

✅ Attempt PYQs (2013 onwards)

✅ Don't ignore Current affairs. Read Newspaper daily

Important for UPSC/PCS preliminary.

Even this can be useful for understanding various types of missiles.

Before you enter 2025,
Here are the 5 things that you must do to distinguish yourself from 90% of the crowd.

1. Try to finish the first thorough reading of your optional subject.

2. Make 1-page notes on every topic mentioned in the UPSC CSE syllabus.

3. Make data sets on various themes mentioned in the UPSC syllabus.
- Urbanisation
- women problems
- vulnerable section
- employment
- poverty

4. Write 2-3 mains answers daily for the next 40 days, analyze them, and note down your weaknesses.

5. Start solving Prelims PYQs,
Start with 20 questions daily; later increase it to 50.

All the best for 2025, and if you need any help in clearing your exam,
Your mentor is always here.
You can ask your doubts in DM and the comments.

▶️ Location:
- Found in the state of Kerala on private property.

▶️ Major Findings:
1. 24 pairs of prehistoric footprints carved into rock.
- Sizes range from 6 to 10 inches, representing children and adults.
2. A human figure carved at the end of the footprints.
- Surrounded by four circular pits.
3. The carvings were made using iron tools.
4. They bear similarities to prehistoric rock art in Avalakki Pera (Udupi, Karnataka).

---

▶️ Key Facts about Megaliths:
1. Purpose:
- Used as burial sites or commemorative memorials.

2. Types:
- Burial Megaliths:
- Dolmenoid cists: Box-shaped stone burial chambers.
- Cairn circles: Stone circles with defined peripheries.
- Capstones: Mushroom-shaped burial chambers (common in Kerala).
- Non-sepulchral Megaliths:
- Include menhirs (memorial sites).

3. Time Period:
- Majority trace back to the Iron Age (1500 BC to 500 BC).

4. Geographical Concentration in India:
- Found in Maharashtra (Vidarbha region), Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

A significant archaeological discovery has been uncovered at Kanhirapoil in Madikkai Panchayat, Kerala, which experts believe dates back to the Megalithic period.

Major Points from the Kanhirapoil Megalithic Site:

9 gems of Vikramaditya (Gupta king)

Vetalbhatta

Harisena

Kalidasa

Kahapanaka

Sanku

Varahamihira

Varuchi

Dhanvantri

Amarsimha

With UPSC prep

No hurry, no pause.

▶️UNSC Resolution 1701:
A UN Security Council resolution passed unanimously on August 11, 2006, aimed at ending hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Key provisions include:
- Disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon
- No foreign forces in Lebanon without government consent
- No unauthorized arms sales to Lebanon
- Full respect for the Blue Line border
- Creating a buffer zone free of armed personnel between the Blue Line and Litani River
- Authorizing up to 15,000 UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) to monitor the situation

▶️Current Ceasefire Proposal:
Aligned with Resolution 1701, the proposal includes:
- 60-day cessation of hostilities
- Hezbollah fighters to retreat 40 kilometers from the Israel-Lebanon border
- Israeli ground forces to withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory
- Lebanese supervision of Hezbollah movements south of the Litani river
- Monitoring by UN peacekeepers, Lebanese military, and a multinational committee

Israel reserves the right to resume military operations if the agreement is breached.

What is UNSC Resolution 1701 upon which the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire is based?

LOCAL WINDS

🚨India's 56th tiger reserve notified in Chhattisgarh

Recently, the Government of Chhattisgarh, on advice of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), notified the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve as the 56th Tiger Reserve in the country.

The total area of the new tiger reserve is 2,829 sq km, making it the 3rd-largest tiger reserve in India, after the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh and the Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam.

Here's everything you need to know about Pan 2.0

▪️ 10 Reasons for Failure in UPSC:  

1. Not taking the exam seriously.
2. Not analysing the previous year papers 
3. Constantly doubting yourself.
4. Choosing multiple sources for 1 subject.
5. Not practicing enough.
6. Procrastination and time wastage.
8. Giving up at the last moment.
9. Not trusting yourself and your mentor.
10. Always think you have enough time.

Remove all the distractions and focus.

Important Article in The Hindu

Chronology Of Mahatma Gandhi's Life

Since Gussadi dance is in the news, let's look at some key facts related to it:

➡️Nature and Significance:
- Gussadi is not merely a dance form but a centuries-old tradition practised by the Raj Gond tribe of Adilabad, Telangana
- It's performed during the Dandari festival, which coincides with Deepavali
- Having Gussadi performers enter a home is believed to bring prosperity
➡️Ritual Process:
- Village chieftains specifically choose performers (Gussards)
- Their appearance includes:
- Bodies and faces smeared with ash
- Distinctive peacock-feathered headgear
- Use of indigenous musical instruments
- Special accessories including masks, bags
- Garlands made of wild nuts
- A sacred wooden roller symbol

➡️Cultural Context:
- Associated with multiple tribal communities including:
- Gond
- Kolams
- Thoti
- Pardhan tribes of Adilabad

➡️Significance in Tribal Culture:
- Goes beyond simple dance movements
- Involves rhythmic movements and jumps with deeper cultural meaning
- Part of a larger tradition called Dandari-Gussadi
- Performers visit homes and temples as part of the ritual
- The tradition is considered important enough that proceeds from the documentation project go toward tribal welfare

GAGANYAAN MISSION

The majority is still on NCERTs which is not good at all if you're 2025 aspirant.

At this time of the year, ideally you should have completed NCERTs and Optional or GS (mains)...any of the two. Those who are falling behind need to speed up and work really hard to match the pace.

Those who have finished Optional (at least one reading), need to finish GS (Mains) in the next 40- 50 days and vice versa. So that you can focus exclusively on Prelims after that.

➡️Context:
- Launched by Union Minister Jitendra Singh on World Diabetes Day to address India’s diabetes epidemic.

➡️ What is the ‘PPP plus PPP’ Model?
1. Definition:
- A dual-layered collaboration model combining:
- Domestic Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Partnerships within India’s public and private sectors.
- International PPP Collaborations: Partnerships with global stakeholders for advanced solutions.

2. Objective:
- Strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
- Promote innovation and technology-driven care.
- Make diabetes care accessible and affordable.

➡️Focus Areas:
1. Innovation and Technology:
- Develop non-invasive and affordable devices for diabetes monitoring.
- Use AI-driven solutions for improved diabetes management.

2. Awareness and Adherence:
- Launch campaigns to increase public awareness about diabetes.
- Encourage treatment adherence to improve outcomes.

3. Accessibility:
- Bridge gaps in healthcare access, especially in rural and underserved areas.

➡️Key Components:
1. Domestic Partnerships:
- Collaboration between public and private stakeholders to design cost-effective, scalable healthcare solutions.
- Focus on strengthening local healthcare systems.

2. International Collaborations:
- Engage global expertise to introduce cutting-edge technologies and best practices.
- Leverage international partnerships for research, diagnostics, and treatment advancements.

➡️Significance:
- Addresses India’s growing diabetes burden, estimated at over 100 million cases.
- Bridges the urban-rural healthcare divide.
- Integrates global knowledge with local implementation for sustainable impact.

What is ‘PPP plus PPP’ Model for Diabetes?

Tips for CSAT Paper Preparation

there are 80 q in CSAT
26 from Maths
27 from reasoning
27 from english comprehension

Prepare 2 topics thoroughly (make them your strong area)

✅ Reasoning + English (RC)
or
✅ Reasoning + Math
or
✅ Maths + English.

2nd
Then solve all PYQs from 2013 to 2023. it will help you a lot.

if you are able to prepare at least 2 areas thoroughly then you can attempt min 53 Qs

once you prepare for 53 Qs then try to solve min 10 qs (which is doable ) from the 3rd area.

it works. 💪

Here are the major points:

1. Location & Area:
- Located in Chhattisgarh, covering 2829.38 sq.kms.
- Includes core/critical tiger habitat: 2049.2 sq.kms (Guru Ghasidas National Park + Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary).
- Buffer zone: 780.15 sq.kms.

2. Ranking & Status:
- 56th Tiger Reserve in India.
- Third largest in the country after Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh) and Manas (Assam).

3. Conservation Connectivity:
- Forms a 4500 sq.kms landscape complex with Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh).
- Connected to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) in the west and Palamau Tiger Reserve (Jharkhand) in the east.

4. Significance:
- Part of the Chota Nagpur Plateau and partly the Baghelkhand Plateau.
- Features diverse terrain, dense forests, and critical tiger habitats.

5. Biodiversity:
- Documented 753 species by the Zoological Survey of India.
- Invertebrates: 365 species, mostly insects.
- Vertebrates: 388 species, including 230 bird species and 55 mammal species (many threatened).

6. Approval Timeline:
- Final approval by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in October 2021.

7. Conservation Impact:
- Chhattisgarh now has 4 tiger reserves, bolstering tiger conservation efforts.
- Supported by NTCA under Project Tiger with technical and financial assistance.

Guru Ghasidas - Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve becomes the 56th Tiger Reserve of the country.

Here's everything you need to know about it:

🔆 Countries bordering Arctic Sea

Trick : Green FISH went to Norway by CAR.

✅G : Greenland.
✅F : Finland.
✅I : Iceland.
✅S : Sweden.
✅N : Norway.
✅C : Canada.
✅A : Alaska.
✅R : Russia.

⚡️Global map of Countries having their own Satellite Navigation System.

Let's understand what is Bio-Derived Foam.

Bio-derived foam is an innovative, eco-friendly material designed to replace traditional plastic foams commonly used in Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) packaging.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of its composition, environmental benefits, and market relevance:

➡️Composition and Properties
- Bio-Based Materials: The foam is made from bio-based epoxy resins sourced from non-edible oils, which are FDA-approved, along with hardeners derived from tea leaves.

- Dynamic Covalent Bonds: Its unique chemical structure includes dynamic covalent bonds that can break and reform in response to external stimuli. This allows the foam to be mechanically reprocessed or dissolved in eco-friendly solvents while maintaining its structural integrity.

➡️Environmental Benefits
- Biodegradability: Unlike conventional polystyrene and polyurethane foams, which can persist in landfills for centuries, bio-derived foam disintegrates within three hours when exposed to eco-friendly solvents at 80°C. This rapid disintegration process ensures that it does not contaminate groundwater or soil, making it a safer option for landfills.

- Sustainability in Packaging: Offering a viable alternative to conventional expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyurethane foams, bio-derived foam provides industries with an environmentally responsible packaging option.

➡️Market Significance
- Indian Foam Market Growth: The Indian foam market is currently valued at $7.9 billion and is projected to reach $11.1 billion by 2032.
- Low Recycling Rates: With less than 1% of the 2.3 million tonnes of plastic foam produced annually being recycled, bio-derived foam presents a significant opportunity to address this environmental challenge by reducing landfill waste and minimizing plastic pollution.

Bio-derived foam exemplifies a sustainable breakthrough in packaging technology, offering significant environmental advantages over traditional plastic foams and catering to the growing demand for eco-friendly materials in the expanding Indian market.

Bio-Derived Foam

Major points about the Solomon Islands:

1. Geography:
- Located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, consisting of two parallel chains of volcanic islands and coral atolls.
- Comprises nearly 1,000 islands (6 main large islands and over 900 smaller ones); 147 are inhabited.
- Neighbors: Vanuatu to the southeast, Papua New Guinea to the west.
- Total area: 461,000 sq. km., with 28,446 sq. km. as landmass.
- Terrain: Mostly mountainous and forested with some extensive plains.

2. History:
- Former British protectorate.
- Gained independence in 1978 as a republic.

3. Capital:
- Honiara, located on Guadalcanal, the largest island.

4. Demographics:
- Ethnic groups: Melanesian (93%), Polynesian (4%), Micronesian (1.5%), others (1.5%).
- Languages: English (official) and about 120 vernaculars, including Solomon Islands pidgin.

5. Government:
- Parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth.
- Unicameral Parliament with a ministerial system.
- The British monarch is represented by a governor general elected for a 5-year term.

Researchers have recently identified the world's largest coral colony in the Solomon Islands.

Some key facts about Solomon Islands:

Last 45 days before you start to shift the gear from mains to prelims preparation.

What to prioritise? A checklist:
- Complete optional: atleast 1 thorough reading
- Prepare a syllabus point wise revision material (self notes or other source)
- Essay - create structures which you can use. Gather some quotes/data
- Practice Writing At least 200 GS Questions and 5 Essays.
- Make a list of things you missed in mains prep. Start with those after prelims 2025.

Keep going, keep growing

Many people are confused about difference in constitutional, fundamental and legal rights..

Here is a crisp table clarifying the differences in them:

9 gems of Vikramaditya (Gupta king)

Vetalbhatta

Harisena

Kalidasa

Kahapanaka

Sanku

Varahamihira

Varuchi

Dhanvantri

Amarsimha

The Gotti Koya Tribe is a unique tribal community known for its multi-racial and multi-lingual characteristics, primarily located in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.

Here’s a detailed overview of their key cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic aspects:

➡️Language
- Koya Language: The Gotti Koya speak Koya, a Dravidian language closely related to Gondi and strongly influenced by Telugu.

➡️Occupation
- Shifting Cultivation (Podu): They practice Podu cultivation, a traditional form of shifting cultivation, which has long posed a dilemma between economic survival and environmental sustainability in forested areas.
- Animal Husbandry and Forest Produce: In addition to agriculture, they rely on animal husbandry and the collection of minor forest produce for their livelihood.

➡️Festivals
- Sammakka Saralamma Jatra: This is the most significant festival for the Koya, celebrated every two years on the full moon day of Magha Masam (January or February). The Jatra takes place in Medaram village in the Warangal district of Telangana and is one of the largest tribal gatherings in India.

➡️Social and Cultural Structure
- Clan System (Gotrams): The Koya society is organized into five sub-divisions, known as gotrams, into which every Koya is born and remains a lifelong member.
- Family System: The Koya practice patrilineal and patrilocal family structures. A family, or Kutum, is typically nuclear, with monogamy being the prevalent form of marriage.

➡️Legal and Political Status
- Scheduled Tribe (ST) Status: While they hold Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in Chhattisgarh, the Gotti Koya have not been granted this recognition in Telangana and other states where they have migrated. This impacts their access to certain rights and benefits associated with ST status in those states.

The Gotti Koya community, with its distinct traditions and practices, represents a rich cultural heritage but also faces challenges in preserving its way of life in the face of modern legal and environmental issues.

Important tribes in the news: Gotti Koya Tribe

The 4B movement is a feminist movement from South Korea built around 4 principles, each rejecting traditional social expectations placed on women.

The movement's name comes from four Korean words, all beginning with ‘bi’ (meaning “no”):

1⃣ Bihon: No heterosexual marriage.
2⃣ Bichulsan: No childbirth.
3⃣ Biyeonae: No dating.
4⃣ Bisekseu: No heterosexual sexual relationships.

What is the 4B Movement from South Korea?

Why is it making waves in the US after the election?

Important Article for UPSC

▪️7 Countries accepting UPI payments:

France,
UAE,
Singapore,
Bhutan,
Sri Lanka,
Mauritius, and
Nepal.

🔹What is UPI?

UPI is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing & merchant payments into one hood.

👉Developed by :
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)

👉 Regulated by:
Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Why did Putin pick Kazan for BRICS Summit 2024?

Places in News: Kazan

LOCATION:

• Kazan is located in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, at the confluence of the VOLGA and KAZANKA RIVERS. It has historically been crucial for trade and transportation.

• EASTERN EUROPEAN PLAIN: Kazan sits on the Eastern European Plain, a vast expanse of flat to gently rolling terrain.

• TEMPERATE CONTINENTAL CLIMATE: Kazan experiences a temperate continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters.

• VEGETATION: The natural vegetation around Kazan is primarily mixed forest, consisting of both deciduous and coniferous trees. The fertile soils of the region also support agriculture.

Historical Context:

SIEGE OF KAZAN (1552): This historical event, which brought Tatarstan under Muscovite rule, is significant. The destruction and subsequent rebuilding of the Kul Sharif Mosque underscore the complex relationship between Russia and Tatarstan.

Kazan's SIGNIFICANCE as the host city for the BRICS summit:

1️⃣ DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFT: Kazan reflects Russia's changing demographics, with a near-equal split between ethnic Russians and Tatars, a Muslim Turkic group. This highlights the increasing diversity in Russia's population, moving away from a predominantly ethnic Russian and Orthodox Christian identity.

2️⃣ ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE: Kazan is a major economic center with strong petrochemical, military, and IT sectors, contributing to its wealth and influence.

3️⃣ SYMBOLISM: Hosting the summit in Kazan is symbolic, showcasing Russia's evolving multi-ethnic and multi-religious identity to the world. The presence of both the Annunciation Cathedral and the Kul Sharif Mosque in the city kremlin exemplifies this blend of cultures.

Putin's Approach to Ethnic Minorities:

1️⃣ BALANCING ACT: Putin has attempted to integrate minorities while suppressing secessionist movements. His approach has involved promoting a broader Russian nationalism encompassing various ethnicities.

2️⃣ CONTROVERSIES: His policies towards Crimean Tatars after the annexation of Crimea and the reduction of Tatarstan's leader's powers have caused friction.

3️⃣ CONCILIATORY GESTURE: Hosting the BRICS summit in Kazan can be interpreted as an attempt to appease Tatarstan and project an image of inclusivity.

💠Key Points on UN Peacekeepers (Blue Helmets)

🔹 Overview and Mandate
- UN Peacekeepers (Blue Helmets): A symbol of stability in conflict zones, comprising personnel from national armies, police forces, and civilian experts.

- Operate under UN Charter principles:
- Chapter VI: Peaceful settlement of disputes.
- Chapter VII: Use of force with Security Council authorization in aggression cases.

- Core Principles: Consent of parties, impartiality, non-use of force (except for self-defense or mandate protection).

- Functions: Maintain peace, protect civilians, monitor peace agreements, support elections, and train local security forces.

💠Historical Background and Achievements
- Peacekeeping started in 1948 with military observers monitoring the Israel-Arab Armistice Agreement.
- Over 1 million peacekeepers have participated in 70+ operations globally.
- Key successful missions: Cambodia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Angola, Timor Leste, Liberia, Kosovo.
- Blue helmets and berets, introduced by Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld, distinguish UN peacekeepers.

Who are Blue Helmets?

➡️ What is a Cloud Chamber?
A cloud chamber is a scientific instrument that resembles a closed cylindrical or tubular drum into which water vapor, aerosols, and seed particles are injected.

Clouds are artificially developed inside the chamber by controlling humidity and temperature. This helps scientists study how cloud droplets or ice particles form and behave under controlled conditions.

- Globally, most cloud chambers have limited functionalities, focusing on basic studies of cloud formation.

- However, India is developing an advanced cloud chamber with convection properties at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune to suit the unique needs of the Indian monsoon system.

➡️ Why is India Building a Convective Cloud Chamber?
The convective cloud chamber is essential for understanding cloud physics under both normal and extreme weather conditions. It will allow scientists to study:
- Intra-particle interactions (how cloud droplets and ice particles behave).
- Rain and ice particle formation within clouds.
- Impact of moisture added by cyclones or low-pressure systems.
- Interactions between different cloud layers.

-Since India’s weather patterns are heavily influenced by the monsoon, the cloud chamber is designed to study convective properties, such as upward air movement that drives monsoon clouds.

-This research will help India improve weather modification strategies, enhancing the management of rainfall, hailstorms, and other extreme events.

➡️ How Are Scientists Planning to Use the Cloud Chamber?
-The cloud chamber at IITM will allow scientists to customize physical and atmospheric parameters such as temperature, humidity, and convection levels to simulate Indian weather patterns.
-Scientists will experiment with various ideas in a controlled environment to uncover insights into monsoon cloud behavior.

The focus for the next 18-24 months will be on:
- Developing advanced instrumentation and probes to monitor cloud formation.
- Conducting seed particle injection experiments to simulate various environmental conditions.
- Designing instruments that can capture minute changes in cloud behavior.

-Once fully operational, the cloud chamber will act as a testbed for ideas that could lead to breakthroughs in weather modification techniques.

➡️ How Has India’s Experience with Cloud Seeding Been?
India has experimented with cloud seeding through the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX) program, conducted in four phases over a decade.

- In the last phase (2016-2018), experiments were carried out in Maharashtra’s Solapur district, a rain-shadow region.
- Results showed that under suitable conditions, rainfall could be enhanced by up to 46% (±13%) at some locations.
- On average, a 100 sq. km area in the downwind region saw an 18% increase (±2.6%) in rainfall.

-While cloud seeding proved effective to some extent, it has limitations. It is not a universal solution to address rainfall shortages, and success depends heavily on favorable conditions.

-Mission Mausam aims to take cloud research a step further by developing better weather modification methods through insights gained from the cloud chamber.

-This advanced research through Mission Mausam will boost India’s weather forecasting capabilities and disaster management efforts while offering deeper insights into monsoon dynamics and climate science.

What is a Cloud Chamber? Why India is building a cloud chamber as part of Mission Mausam?

✅️What is Digital Biopiracy?🧬🧪🧫

Definition: Digital biopiracy involves using digital technologies, such as sequence databases, to exploit genetic resources without adhering to prior informed consent (PIC) and benefit-sharing norms.

Monopolization: It allows organizations to monopolize research and development (R&D) outcomes through intellectual property (IP) rights, bypassing ethical standards set by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Digital Sequence Information (DSI): DSI consists of genetic sequence data derived from DNA or RNA of various organisms, which can be used for research and product development without needing access to the physical materials.

Synthetic Biology Impact: Advances in synthetic biology enable the use of DSI for creating products like vaccines and therapeutics, often without consent from the original resource providers.

Concentration of Control: Major DSI databases are predominantly controlled by developed countries, limiting developing nations' ability to benefit from their own genetic resources.

Risks: The misuse of DSI poses risks such as bioterrorism and undermines national sovereignty over genetic resources, as databases often lack accountability and verification of compliance with PIC norms.

Judicial Recall

Consistent daily improvements are the recipe to success...not thinking too ahead of yourself, trying to prove other people who do not even matter

What is a just energy transition?
What are the costs associated with a just transition?

Read this in the article

What are Marine Heat Waves?
- These are events where ocean surface temperatures rise 3-4°C above average for at least 5 days
- Can persist for weeks, months, or even years
- Can occur in any season (summer or winter), defined by deviation from expected temperatures for that location and time

Why have they risen in recent years?
- Global warming has increased their frequency and intensity
- New research shows this effect extends beyond surface waters into deeper ocean layers
- Particularly concerning in the twilight zone (200-1,000 meters depth) where many fish species and crucial plankton live

Causes of MHWs:
1. Climate Change: Rising atmospheric temperatures lead to increased ocean temperatures
2. Ocean Currents: Changes in currents affect local temperature patterns
3. El Niño/La Niña Events:
- El Niño typically causes warmer ocean conditions
- La Niña can create complex temperature effects
4. Local Environmental Changes: Human activities like coastal development, pollution, and overfishing

Impacts:
1. Marine Life:
- Mass deaths of marine species
- Destruction of kelp forests
- Coral bleaching
- Forced migration of species to cooler waters

2. Economic:
- Disruption to fishing industry
- Impact on tourism
- Affects coastal economies
- Changes in fish availability

Way Forward:
1. Climate Action:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Transition to renewable energy
- Improve energy efficiency

2. Scientific Response:
- Enhanced ocean monitoring systems
- Increased research and modeling
- Development of innovative solutions like aquaculture

3. Community Measures:
- Engage local communities in conservation
- Support vulnerable communities dependent on marine resources
- Promote sustainable practices like seaweed farming

The key to addressing MHWs lies in both immediate action to reduce their impact and long-term strategies to mitigate climate change effects on our oceans.

What are Marine Heat Waves?

Z-Morth Tunnel

For Disaster Management related questions you can usethe following keywords.

Risk Assessment: Conduct thorough assessments to identify vulnerabilities and risks in communities, including natural hazards.

Early Warning Systems: Establish and maintain effective early warning systems to provide timely information about impending disasters.

Community Engagement: Involve local communities in disaster preparedness and response planning to ensure that strategies are relevant and effective.

Education and Awareness: Promote awareness and education about disaster risks and preparedness among citizens, particularly in schools and communities.

Infrastructure Resilience: Invest in resilient infrastructure that can withstand disasters, including roads, bridges, and buildings designed to endure extreme weather events.

Policy and Legislation: Develop and enforce policies and regulations that promote disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.

Emergency Response Planning: Create comprehensive emergency response plans that outline roles, responsibilities, and resources for quick and effective action during disasters.

Collaboration and Partnerships: Foster collaboration between government, NGOs, private sector, and communities to strengthen DRR efforts.

Funding and Resources: Allocate adequate funding and resources for disaster risk reduction initiatives and recovery efforts.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Implement systems to monitor and evaluate DRR activities to ensure continuous improvement and adaptation to changing risks.

🔆 Goods and Services Tax (GST) :

✅ Introduced - 101st Constitution Amendment Act, 2016
✅ Slogan -  ‘One Nation One Tax’.
✅ Legislative Basis :
🔸️In India, GST Bill was first introduced in 2014 as The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill.
🔸️This got an approval in 2016 and was renumbered in the statute by Rajya Sabha as The Constitution (101 Amendment) Act, 2016.
✅ Subsumed Indirect Taxes - Excise duty, Value Added Tax (VAT), Service tax, Luxury tax etc.
✅ 4-Tier Tax Structure - 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%.
✅ Components 4️⃣ : Central GST (CGST), State GST (SGST), Union Territories GST (UTGST), and Integrated GST (IGST).

⭕️ The Goods and Services Tax Council :

✅️ Constitutional body , Article 279A
✅️ Secretariat - New Delhi
✅️ Chairperson - The Union Finance Minister
✅️ Members :
🔸The Union Minister of State in charge of Revenue or Finance
🔸The Minister in charge of Finance or Taxation or any other Minister nominated by each state government
✅️ Vice -Chairperson - Council from the States have to choose one amongst themselves as the Vice-Chairperson of the Council.

- Mera Hou Chongba is an annual festival celebrated to strengthen the bond between the indigenous communities living in the hills and the valley people of Manipur.

Key Highlights
- Unique Gathering: It is the only festival in Manipur that brings together hill and valley communities to celebrate unity and harmony.

- Historical Significance: The festival has been celebrated since the time of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba (1st Century C.E.), marking its ancient roots.

When is it Celebrated?
- Month: Held during the month of Mera (September/October).

- Chiefs from hill areas and valley dwellers fully participate in the celebration.

Cultural Significance
- Village Chiefs (Khullakpas) from various communities—such as Mao, Kabui, Zeme, Kom, and Liangmei—share the stage with royal palace officials.

Exchange of Gifts: One of the key rituals is the exchange of gifts between the King and the village Chiefs.

Cultural Performances and Sports: The festival features vibrant cultural shows and traditional sports events, symbolizing the cooperation between diverse communities.

Purpose
It serves as a symbol of unity between different ethnic communities, promoting harmony and cordial relations.