UPSC preparation with Kunal

Guys did you submitted the UPSC CSE form ?

Edit, Sign and Share PDF files on the go. Download the Acrobat Reader app: https://adobeacrobat.app.link/Mhhs4GmNsxb

Important editorial on Air safety and Condition of Air traffic controllers of India.

Few important things for Prelims.

1. Solve pyqs 2013 onwards

2. Solve various coaching classes mock papers.

3. Make your basic strong.

4. Analyse the questions and do brainstorming.

5. Read solutions of the mock papers carefully and make note of it.
6. Try to solve maximum questions with logic and don't take any questions lightly.

7. Read newspapers and current affairs regularly.

8. Revision of Current affairs and basic syllabus.

9. Peer group can help to clear doubts.

All the best

@upscwithkunal

These facts are very important for Main answer...

Mental health is important for this exam.

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.

-Mahatma Gandhi

ISRO achieves the landmark milestone of #100thLaunch from #Sriharikota.

ISRO successfully launches the NVS-02 navigation satellite aboard the launch vehicle GSLV-F15 from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

| #GSLV | #NAVIC | #ISRO |

Happy Republic Day guys 🇮🇳

Starting from 26 January

Schedule - https://t.me/upscsupersimplified/11240

Sample paper - https://t.me/upscsupersimplified/11241

📚PRACTICE 40+ TESTS

🖥️ MODE: ONLINE 🌐

🔎 Special Focus: PYQs 📜 & NCERTs 📘

Downloadable Question paper & explanation pdfs

🎯 Targeted Revision Tests
📖 Don’t miss out – level up your preparation! 💪

Test Series Joining Link - https://upscsupersimplified.classx.co.in/new-courses/51-upsc-cse-prelims-2025-test-series-26-january-2025-batch


Helpline - 7827779142 / @dr_gjsontake

UPSC CSE notification is out,
All the best gusys

I believe you will secure a place in top 979.

@upscwithkunal

@upscwithkunal

Importantpoints on Millets


Millets" -important for UPSC

Where can we write on Millet in UPSC CSE

History:
It is mentioned in
A.Kalidasa masterpiece "Abhijnan Shankumtalam"
B.Yajur Veda
C.Sushrutas "Samhita"
D.Purandara Dasa's "Ragi thandheera"
Kautilyas Arthashastra
Abul Fazl's Ain-i-Akbari

Environment:
Millets are climate resilient, water efficient crops, it is also helpful for preserving biodiversity and counter monoculture.

Agriculture : Millets can be useful for generating economic activities of small and marginal farmers.


Health: millets having nutritional value, addition of Millets in Mid Day Meal scheme can be helpful for cognitive and physical development of children, it can prevent Life style diseases lik Diabetes, Heart Problem.


Economic
By using a supply chain network and proper Branding it can be helpful to generate lots of employment in rural areas.
Through SHG various products can be made from Millets which will be directly helpful for women empowerment.

@upscwithkunal

Important article on Radicalism, democracy

Important for GS 2
IR

Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPCs):


What is a JPC?
Ad-hoc bodies: Formed by Parliament for a specific purpose, usually to scrutinize a particular subject or Bill in detail.

Bipartisan composition: Include members from both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) and typically have members from both the ruling and opposition parties.
Flexibility in size and composition: The number of members and their selection process are determined by Parliament.
Key Functions:
Detailed Scrutiny: JPCs go beyond the initial debate in Parliament to conduct in-depth investigations. They examine evidence, hear from experts, and analyze the subject matter thoroughly.
Consensus Building: By involving members from different parties, JPCs can foster consensus and bridge divides on contentious issues.
Recommendations: JPCs submit reports with their findings and recommendations to Parliament. These recommendations are not binding on the government but carry significant weight and influence policy decisions.


Example:
The 2G Spectrum Scam led to the formation of a JPC, One naton one election.

This post has been shared by more than 100 times by you guys.. thank you for your love and support.. keep supporting and I will bring more relevant content for this year exam.
😊😊


Yours
@upscwithkunal

It is not enough to win a war; it is more important to organize the peace.

-Aristotle

Demand-pull inflation is like a game of musical chairs where there are too many players and not enough chairs. Imagine everyone wants the same chair, but there aren't enough to go around.


In economics, demand-pull inflation happens when there's too much money chasing too few goods. This means people have more money to spend, but there aren't enough products or services available. As a result, businesses can raise their prices because they know people are willing to pay more.


Think of it like this:

* Too much money: People have more money to spend, maybe because they got a raise or the government gave them a stimulus check.

* Not enough stuff: There aren't enough products or services to meet the increased demand. This could be because factories can't produce things fast enough or there's a shortage of raw materials.

* Prices go up: Businesses see that people are eager to buy, so they raise their prices. This makes things more expensive for everyone.
So, demand-pull inflation is basically when everyone wants to buy something, but there's not enough to go around, so prices go up.

Cost push inflation

Cost-push inflation is like a domino effect where rising production costs force businesses to increase their prices.

Here's the simple breakdown:

* Imagine a bakery:
* The cost of flour, eggs, and butter suddenly goes up.

* To make a profit, the bakery has to raise the price of its bread.

* Now imagine this happening across many industries:

* If wages for workers rise, companies have to pay more, leading to higher prices for their products.

* If the cost of raw materials like oil or metals increases, manufacturers have to charge more for their goods.

This chain reaction of rising costs pushes prices up for consumers.

Key takeaway: Cost-push inflation happens when the increased cost of making things forces businesses to pass those higher costs on to you in the form of higher prices.

Major military exercises conducted by India, which are important for UPSC preparation:

Bilateral Exercises
* With the United States:
* Yudh Abhyas: Army exercise focusing on counter-terrorism operations.
* Vajra Prahar: Special Forces exercise.
* Tiger Triumph: Tri-service exercise.

* With France:
* Shakti: Army exercise.
* Garuda Shakti: Air Force exercise.
* Varuna: Naval exercise.

* With Russia:
* Indra: Joint military exercise.

* With China:
* Hand-in-Hand: Joint military exercise.

* With Japan:
* Dharma Guardian: Army exercise.
* JIMEX: Naval exercise.

* With Australia:
* AUSINDEX: Naval exercise.

* With Indonesia:
* Garuda Shakti: Air Force exercise.
* Samudra Shakti: Naval exercise.

* With Sri Lanka:
* Mitra Shakti: Army exercise.
* SLINEX: Naval exercise.

* With Bangladesh:
* Sampriti: Army exercise.

* With other countries:
* NOMADIC ELEPHANT (Mongolia), MAITREE (Thailand), LAMITIYE (Seychelles), EKUVERIN (Maldives), PRABAL DOSTYKK (Kazakhstan), KHANJAR (Kyrgyzstan)
Multilateral Exercises
* Malabar: Naval exercise with the United States, Japan, and Australia.

Different Drainage patterns of River

Imagine a map of a river and its smaller streams. The way these rivers and streams are arranged on the map is called a drainage pattern. It's like the unique fingerprint of a region, influenced by the landscape and how the land was formed.
Here are a few common types:

Dendritic Pattern: This is the most common type, looking like the branches of a tree. The main river is like the trunk, and smaller streams branch off like twigs. This happens in areas with gently sloping land.


Trellis Pattern: Imagine a vineyard with rows of vines. This pattern resembles that, with parallel streams joined by short, straight tributaries. It's often found in areas with folded mountains.


Rectangular Pattern: This pattern looks like a grid, with rivers and streams meeting at right angles. It's common in areas with lots of faults and fractures in the rocks.


Radial Pattern: Picture a volcano. Rivers flow outwards from the central peak like spokes on a wheel. This happens in areas with a central high point.

Andrott Island, also known as Androth, is a captivating gem nestled within the Lakshadweep archipelago in the Arabian Sea, off the western coast of India. Here's a glimpse into its unique features:

Largest Island: Andrott holds the distinction of being the largest island in the Lakshadweep group, offering a generous expanse of land for exploration.
Unique Orientation: Unlike most islands in the archipelago that run north-south, Andrott stretches in an east-west direction, adding to its distinctive character.
Natural Beauty: The island is blessed with lush coconut groves, pristine beaches, and a calm lagoon, creating a serene and idyllic environment.
Cultural Heritage: Andrott boasts a rich cultural heritage, evident in its traditions, customs, and the revered tomb of Saint Hazrat Ubaidullah at the Jumaat Mosque.
Limited Tourism: While not yet a major tourist destination, Andrott offers a tranquil escape for those seeking a peaceful and authentic island experience.
Key Points:

Location: Arabian Sea, off the western coast of India
Size: Largest island in Lakshadweep
Orientation: East-west direction
Features: Coconut groves, beaches, lagoon, cultural heritage

Wish you a very happy makar Sankranti, happy Pongal, happy bihu, happy uttaraayan

* Guerilla Warfare Tactics: Rani Velu Nachiyar employed guerrilla warfare tactics, including ambushes and surprise attacks, to disrupt British supply lines and weaken their forces.

* Legacy: She is celebrated as a symbol of resistance against colonial oppression and a pioneer of women's empowerment in Indian history.

* Veeramangai: Rani Velu Nachiyar is often referred to as "Veeramangai" (brave woman) by Tamils.

Queen of Sivaganga: Rani Velu Nachiyar was the queen of the Sivaganga estate in Tamil Nadu, India.

* First Woman to Fight the East India Company: She is renowned as the first Indian queen to wage war against the British East India Company.

* Early Life: Born as the princess of Ramanathapuram, she married Muthu Vaduganatha Periyavudaya Thevar, the king of Sivaganga.

* Military Resistance: After her husband's death, she organized a powerful resistance movement against the British.

* Key Collaborators: She formed alliances with Hyder Ali's army, feudal lords, the Maruthu Brothers (Katta Bomman and Kattayamma), Dalit commanders, and Thandavarayan Pillai to fight the British.

Happy new year guys 🥳

Let's understand what Docking is.

Docking in Space: A Simple Explanation
Imagine two spaceships floating in space, each like a tiny island in a vast ocean.  Docking is like them carefully maneuvering and joining together, creating a bridge or connection between them.

Why is docking important?
* Sharing Supplies: It allows astronauts to transfer supplies like food, water, and fuel between spacecraft.

* Crew Exchange: It enables astronauts to move between different spacecraft, like changing from one ship to another.

* Building Space Stations: Docking is crucial for assembling large space stations, where many modules are connected together.

* Space Exploration: It's essential for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, where spacecraft may need to dock with landers or other vehicles.

How does it work?
* Precise Maneuvering: Both spacecraft use thrusters to carefully adjust their positions and speeds to get very close to each other.

* Docking Mechanism: Special mechanisms, like hooks or clamps, are used to physically connect the two spacecraft.

* Safety Systems: Many safety systems are in place to ensure a safe and controlled docking process.

The Parker Solar Probe:

* The Parker Solar Probe is a NASA spacecraft designed to study the Sun.
* It was launched in 2018 on a mission to revolutionize our understanding of the Sun.
* Getting Closer to the Sun Than Ever Before:
* The probe is designed to fly closer to the Sun than any spacecraft before it.
* It will eventually reach a distance of just 3.8 million miles from the Sun's surface.
* Withstanding Extreme Heat:
* The probe is equipped with a special heat shield to protect it from the Sun's intense heat.
* This heat shield is made of a carbon-composite material that can withstand temperatures of up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Unraveling the Mysteries of the Sun:
* The Parker Solar Probe will collect data on the Sun's atmosphere, magnetic fields, and solar wind.
* This data will help scientists to better understand how the Sun works and how it affects Earth.
* A Mission of Discovery:
* The Parker Solar Probe is a groundbreaking mission that will help us to learn more about our closest star.
* It is a testament to human ingenuity and our desire to explore the unknown.

Important article on Higher education and difficulties facing marginalised groups.

Social justice
Higher education
Demographic dividend

Antariksha Abhyas 2024

Antariksha Abhyas 2024 was India's first-ever space exercise conducted by the Defence Space Agency from November 11 to 13, 2024.



Purpose: The exercise aimed to address the growing threats to and from space-based assets and services, and to integrate India's space capabilities into military operations.
Participants: Key participants included the Defence Space Agency, along with units from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Defence Cyber Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency, and Strategic Forces Command were also involved. Representatives from ISRO and DRDO played crucial roles.

Focus: The exercise focused on war-gaming space-related threats, ensuring national security in space, and understanding the operational dependencies on space-based services and assets

Significance: Antariksha Abhyas 2024 marked a significant milestone in India's efforts to secure national strategic objectives in space and integrate space capabilities into military operations.

Various Educational Committees formulated by British India Govt

Macaulay's Minute (1835): Advocated for English education as the medium of instruction in higher education, emphasizing Western literature and science.

Wood's Despatch (1854): Laid the foundation for a modern education system in India, emphasizing the importance of primary education, teacher training, and the establishment of universities.

Hunter Commission (1882-83): Investigated the progress of education in India and recommended improvements in primary education, teacher training, and vocational education.

Indian Universities Commission (1902): Examined the state of universities in India and recommended reforms to improve their standards and governance.

Saddler Commission (1917-19): Investigated the entire range of education in India, from primary to university level, and made recommendations for improvements in all aspects of the education system.

Hartog Committee (1929): Focused on primary education, highlighting issues such as high dropout rates and low literacy levels.

Sargent Plan (1944): Proposed a comprehensive plan for the development of education in post-war India, emphasizing universal primary education and the expansion of secondary and higher education.

Rest in peace Sir. 🙏

Your unparalleled contributions have significantly impacted Indian society and driven the nation's economic growth.

Outcomes of COP29.

COP29, held in Azerbaijan, saw several key outcomes:

New Global Climate Finance Goal: A landmark agreement was reached to triple climate finance for developing countries, setting a new target of $300 billion annually by 2035. This significantly increases the previous goal of $100 billion.

Loss and Damage Fund Operationalized: The long-awaited Loss and Damage Fund was fully operationalized, providing a crucial mechanism for assisting developing countries in addressing the irreversible impacts of climate change.

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement Finalized: After years of negotiations, the rules governing international carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement were finalized. This paves the way for countries to trade carbon credits and collaborate on emissions reductions more effectively.

Focus on Just Transition: COP29 emphasized the importance of a just transition, ensuring that the shift to a low-carbon economy benefits all, particularly workers and communities impacted by the transition away from fossil fuels.

These outcomes represent significant progress in the global fight against climate change, but further action is urgently needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

@upscwithkunal

The PM Vidyalakshmi Scheme is a financial aid initiative designed to help students pursue higher education in India. Here's a summary:
Eligibility: Any student admitted to one of the top 860 quality higher educational institutions (QHEIs) in India.
Benefits:
Collateral-free, guarantor-free loans: Students can access loans without the need for collateral or a guarantor.
Interest subvention: For students with a family income of up to ₹8 lakhs per year, the government provides a 3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹10 lakhs.
Credit guarantee: The government provides a 75% credit guarantee to banks for loans up to ₹7.5 lakhs, encouraging them to expand loan coverage.
Purpose: To ensure that financial constraints don't prevent meritorious students from pursuing quality higher education.
Implementation: The scheme is administered through a digital platform, making the application process simple and transparent.
The PM Vidyalakshmi Scheme aims to make higher education more accessible and affordable for students across India.

Coral Triangle
 
The Coral Triangle is a vast marine region spanning across six countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.

It's famous for being the global center of marine biodiversity, boasting an incredible variety of coral species, fish, and other marine life. Think of it as the Amazon of the ocean!

Key features of the Coral Triangle:
High biodiversity: It's home to over 76% of the world's coral species and 37% of its reef fish species.

Unique ecosystems: Coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and deep-sea habitats create a complex and interconnected environment.

Importance for people: Millions of people depend on the Coral Triangle for food, livelihoods, and coastal protection.

Challenges facing the Coral Triangle:

Climate change: Rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification threaten coral reefs.

Overfishing: Unsustainable fishing practices deplete fish stocks and damage habitats.

Pollution: Land-based pollution and marine debris degrade water quality.

Conservation efforts:

Regional cooperation: Governments and organizations are working together to protect the Coral Triangle.

Marine protected areas: Establishing and managing marine sanctuaries helps conserve biodiversity.

Sustainable fisheries: Promoting responsible fishing practices can help ensure healthy fish populations.

The Coral Triangle is a vital ecosystem that needs our protection. By understanding its importance and supporting conservation efforts, we can help ensure its health and the well-being of the millions of people who depend on it.

https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?222870/Coral-Triangle-Day-highlights-need-to-protect-ocean-for-food-and-livelihood

Read about piplantri village. You can quote such examples in gs, essay paper.

Sacred groves.. GS3
Environment and ecology.

Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 'Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav' at Bharat Mandapam
- Purpose: The festival is dedicated to showcasing the rich culture and economic potential of Northeast India

- Focus Areas:
- Textile industry
-Traditional craftsmanship
- Tourism
- Unique Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products

- Significance: First-time celebration of the event, bringing together the eight Northeastern states.

- Key Features:
- Handmade exhibitions: Displaying local handicrafts and handlooms.
- Grameen haats: Rural markets to showcase traditional goods.
- State-specific pavilions: Highlighting regional art and culture.

-Special Sessions:
- Technical sessions promoting regional development.
- Investors' roundtable and buyer-seller meets for networking and partnership opportunities.

-Fashion & Design Focus:
- Design conclave and fashion shows showcasing Northeast India’s traditional handlooms and crafts.

-Cultural Experiences:
- Musical performances.
- Indigenous culinary showcases offering a taste of the region’s diverse culture.

@upscwithkunal

"Gussadi" Dance performed by the Gond Tribes in Telangana. (Folk Dance, Art and culture)

PRAGATI
Pro Active Governance and Timely Implementation.

The scheme was launched by GoI to fast track the infrastructure projects and bring synergy between Center and State.

Now Oxford Study also lauded the scheme.

Important for GS 3 (Infrastructure)
GS 2 (Governance and Centre State relationship)

@upscwithkunal

Tribal communities in India.

Urban India is the engine of India's growth.

This article is based on the challenges facing by Urban local bodies.

👆This article is very informative to understand the problems of ULB.

Important for GS2 ULB.

#upsc2025

@upscwithkunal

Recent ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon came into effect.

Hezbollah is supposed to withdraw to the north of the Litani river, Israel to the south of the Blue Line, with the Lebanese Army remaining as the only armed force allowed between the two in South Lebanon.

Hence the Litani river is important for UPSC CSE Pre exam.


The Litani River is passing through Lebanon only.

@upscwithkunal

NCAP.... Air pollution... GS3

Judiciary

Greetings to all on the occasion of Constitution Day

2016 UPSC CSE Question

Plastic pollution is one of the challenges facing the entire world.

This article is important for topics related to pollution in Environment and ecology.

data furnished in this article is useful for writing mains answer.
GS 3

UPSC CAPF Question

Watch this beautiful video of 4.45 min.

Special Offer For First 250 students. Get this test series for ₹499/- only. ₹999/-

For complete schedule - CHECK THIS LINK

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⏰ Test Timings: Same as UPSC (🕤 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM)

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Will continue the same in coming weekend

Thank you for the short discussion on upsc preparation strategy.

Do and donts for UPSC preparation

Do's
Strengthen your basics from various sources which are available in the market.


Solve mock papers
Analyse the wrong answers and difficult questions

Solve pyq

Read current affairs from any one magazine and news paper


Revise the topics

Solve pyq
For GS and csat

Consistency

Strategy

Donts

Over confidence
Over thinking
Rely on multiple sources for the same subjects
Not analysing the wrong answers in pyq and mocks.
Wastage of time on reading unnecessarily

@upscwithkunal

Strategy for prelims

Prelims ke liye basic books Jo bhi padh rhe ho wo padho acche se.

2nd

Revise Karo acche se


3rd

Mock test series lagao


4th
Analysis karo mocks me jo questions galat hote hai or Jo questions pata nahi.


5th
2011 onwards pyq attempt karo

6th
Current affairs and newspaper padho

Noble 8 fold path of Buddha

1 Right View

2 Right Intention

3 Right Speech

4 Right Action

5 Right Livelihood

6 Right Effort

7 Right Mindfulness

8 Right Concentration

@upscwithkunal

9 gems of Vikramaditya (Gupta king)

Vetalbhatta

Harisena

Kalidasa

Kahapanaka

Sanku

Varahamihira

Varuchi

Dhanvantri

Amarsimha

@upscwithkunal

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

prepare 2 topics thoroughly (make it as your strong area)
reasoning + english comprehension
or
reasoning + math
or
maths + english.

2nd
solve all pyqs 2013 to 2023. it will help you a lot.

if you able to prepare atleast 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 3rd area.

this approach i used in my prep since last 2 3 attempts

and it works.

Trick to clear csat paper 👆

https://youtu.be/v-bZzlhgKY0?si=slJnSHTMPnDzryNA

few topics in the subjects are very imp like polity (FR,DPSP, Constitutional bodies, PRI, 5th and 6th schedule), economy (Regulatory bodies, bank, CAD, PSL, Agriculture, industry especially msme), environment (Climate summits, basics, species, biodiversity hostspots  area like Wstern ghats, A&N, North East in india, geography (various Climates , physical geo, earth quake, tsunami, volcano, ocean currents, indian rivers, crop, soils, topography, minerals) ,  history (Buddha, jaia, imp dynasties (maurya, gupta, satvahna, harsha, sangam in south ,pallava, chola (mostly art and architecture), delhi sultante, mughals, later mughal, marathas, social reformers, various acts 1860,1892,1909,1919,1935, various GG , QIM,  imp congress session, gandhi ji, various other movements and uprising)

Important article on BRICS, it's importance and India's perspective..


GS2

Handle

Guys follow me on my Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DB33WKoycCj/?igsh=dXh3c201Z3Jjd25w

This article is very important for GS 3
Environment conservation.

India’s new biodiversity strategy aims to protect 30% of ecosystems, restore degraded habitats by 2030 - https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/policy/indias-new-biodiversity-strategy-aims-to-protect-30-of-ecosystems-restore-degraded-habitats-by-2030/article68818256.ece, For the best experience read this on BusinessLine App. https://thbl.news/mobileapp

Wish you and your family a prosperous Diwali 🎇🪔

आपको और आपके परिवार को दीपावली की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। 🪔🎇

As per CNN Indian airlines have received more than 100 bomb hoax threats in a span of few days.

Recently the Ministry of Electronics and IT also informed social media companies to curb such posts.

This is a concern of internal security of India.

This is important for GS 3 also.

Internal security, role of technology, social media related topics.

#UPSC

@upscwithkunal

'AB form' is in news because of regular elections taking place either in parliament or legislation assembly.
But what is AB form ?
AB form is a communication sent by political parties to the Returning officer(RO) or Chief Electoral officer.

Form A : it is related to communication from a recognised political party to RO about the name of office bearers of the political parties.
The form must come from either president or secratary of political party.

The form must be signed and must have party seal.

Form B : this is communication from the authorised office bearers (discussed in Form A) of Political party to RO of the constituency.

This form informs the RO about the name of authorised candidate of the party, who should alloted the party symbol.

You can quote such examples in the Ethics paper.

For GS 2

Read: India-China resolve patrolling issues along Line of Actual Control ahead of BRICS Summit
https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/good-news-india-china-resolve-patrolling-issues-alongnbspline-of-actual-controlnbspahead-of-brics-summit/3645710/
Shared by Financial Express android app click here to download
https://financialexpress.page.link/fe_app

Important for Internal Security GS 3.

Infrastructure GS 3

@upscwithkunal

Read: What is the Z-Morh project in Kashmir, where 7 were killed by militants? Why is it strategic?
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-the-z-morh-project-kashmir-attack-9630983/

Shared by Indian Express android app.
Click here to download
https://indexpress.page.link/shareDL

Local winds and their locations.

@upscwithkunal

Which of the following statements accurately describes karst topography?

A) It is formed primarily by volcanic activity and is characterized by the presence of lava tubes.

B) It results from the dissolution of soluble rocks, primarily limestone, leading to features such as sinkholes and caves.

C) It is typically found in arid regions and is characterized by sand dunes and sparse vegetation.

D) It is formed by the accumulation of glacial deposits and features prominent moraines and drumlins.

Extract of todays article on "What are the stress factors for Indian Railways?"

Accidents: Recent derailments (Agartala-Lokmanya Tilak Express) and a rear-end collision near Chennai, both with no casualties.
Balasore Accident: On June 2, 2023, more than 275 casualties, highlighting safety pressures against operational strains.

Frequency of Accidents
Trend: Railway accidents decreased from 1,390/year in the 1960s to 80/year recently.

Consequential Accidents:
34 in 2021-2022
48 in 2022-2023
40 in 2023-2024

Causes:
55.8% due to railway staff failure
28.4% due to non-staff failures
6.2% due to equipment failure

Signaling Issues: Blamed for recent accidents.

‘Kavach’ System
Purpose: Automatic train protection system to prevent collisions.
Current Status: Installed on 1,465 route km (2% of total).

Cost: ₹50 lakh/km; overall cost less than 2% of Railways’ annual capex.
Implementation Pressure: Accelerated post-Balasore accident.

Limitations: Might not have prevented some accidents; operational thresholds may exceed Kavach’s effectiveness.

Financial Aspects
Operating Ratio (OR): Estimated at ₹98.2 for 2024-2025 (improvement from ₹98.7 in 2023-2024 but decline from ₹97.8 in 2016).

Budget Dependence: High OR limits capital expenditure and increases reliance on budgetary support and Extra-Budgetary Resources (EBRs).

Revenue Growth: EBRs have risen to 17% of revenue receipts (from 10% in 2015-2016).

Freight Services

Revenue Contribution: Freight accounts for 65% of internal revenue; rates have increased faster than passenger rates (2009-2019).

Network Utilization: Nearly 30% of the network is over 100% capacity, leading to slow freight movement.

Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs): Only one fully operational; others in planning phases.

Reliance on Coal: Coal represents half of freight revenue, amid shifts towards renewable energy.

Passenger Services Revenue

Losses: Significant losses from passenger services (e.g., ₹68,269 crore in 2021-2022).
Projected Revenue: Estimated at ₹80,000 crore for 2024-2025.

Traffic Growth: Anticipated increase due to new trains; shift towards more expensive AC coaches.

Safety Challenges

Competing Goals: Balancing affordable travel with profitability.
Cost Pressures: Increasing wage, pension, and fuel costs.
Work Conditions: Stressful 12-hour shifts for locomotive pilots; operational challenges in congested networks.

Alert System Failures: Ineffectiveness of homegrown alert systems for trackside workers.

Conclusion

Indian Railways faces ongoing pressures to improve safety and capacity while managing financial constraints, operational inefficiencies, and growing demand for services.

@upscwithkunal

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.

@upscwithkunal

Guys if you are planning to appear for the mains 2025 or even started preparing for the 2026 UPSC CSE examination then you can register with the webinar organised by Dr Gaurav Sontakke Sir.
I will also be part of this webinar.

We will have a brief discussion on Mains oriented strategy in general and QnA session post discussion on Mains strategy.

Registration link
https://rzp.io/rzp/vwwFXHBs


@upscwithkunal

Register Now - https://rzp.io/rzp/vwwFXHBs

(Limited Seats Available)

हिन्दी माध्यम से तैयारी करने वाले छात्रों के लिए The Hindu के आर्टिकल्स/एडिटोरियल अब हिन्दी में भी है ।