Note: Learn 100+ Articles of Indian constitution here

🚨 11 January 2024 | Thursday 🚨

Mains Keyword ✍️🏼

1. Caucus System

• Process in US Presidential Election
• Voters select their top choice for party's presidential nomination
• How different from a primary?
a) Overseen by state party, not govt
b) No voting at a polling place

2. Cosmic Rays

• Streams of energetic particles & clusters
• Includes protons & alpha particles
• Only ones w/ low-intensity reach earth surface
• 2 types:
a) Galactic cosmic rays (from beyond our solar system)
b) Solar cosmic rays (mainly protons)


Pre-related 📄

1. Darjeeling Zoo

• Also called Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
• Has world's largest no (14) of Snow Leopards in captivity
• Conservative breeding programme for snow leopards, red pandas, mountain orals, pheasants

2. Places in News: Ecuador

• Internal Security issues
• Due to drug trafficking gangs

3. Amaterasu

• 2nd highest energy cosmic-ray event (2021)


Quote 💭

• That government is the strongest of which every man feels himself a part ~ Thomas Jefferson


Reading Recommendations 🗞️

IE

1. Missing a maritime doctrine (GS2, IR)
2. Maldives row: 3 key issues (GS2, IR)
3. Income vs price support: price deficiency payment option for MSP (GS3, Agri)

TH

1. The laws around remission policy (GS2, Policy)
2. Why did north India fog heavily in last weeks of 2023? (GS1, Geography)


PS: Hit ❤️ to appreciate my consistent efforts! :)

Bhai sunn, Darr Matt

Exam me courage sabse zaruri hai
Answer mark karte hue,
haath shake na karein bass!

Ye confidence lekar aa apne aap me.

Kaise laaega?

Successful athletes aur business people ki stories paddh, movies dekh

Kaam aaega. Darr Matt!

Note: Africa based questions Prelims PYQ analysis coming on YouTube today. Subscribe here

🚨 12 January 2024 | Friday 🚨

Mains Keyword ✍️🏼

1. Bacteriophages

• Viruses that specifically target & annihilate bacteria
• Benefits across human health to animals, agri & food processing


Mains Key 🗝
(Use as examples in Mains answers)

• Pfizer Covid 19 vaccine developed by small German startup BioNTech (Startups in Health)


Pre-related 📄

1. Amalekites

• Descendants of Amalek
• An Ancient biblical nation
• Hebrew Bible: Were first to attack Israeli (Jewish) children after their escape from Egypt to Sinai Peninsula
• Contemporary usage: To refer to nations & groups that allegedly threaten continued existence of Jewish people

2. Atal Setu

• Atal Setu Nhava Sheva Sea Link
• Connecting Sewri, South Mumbai to Nhava Seva, Navi Mumbai
• To be inaugurated on 12 Jan
• Longest sea bridge in India

3. Congo River (Zaire)

• 2nd longest in Africa
• Context: Causing floods across Democratic Republic of Congo & Congo Republic

4. Gangasagar Mela (Kolkata)

• Annual visit by lakhs of pilgrims
• During Makar Sakranti
• For holy dip at confluence of Ganga & Bay of Bengal (Sagar Island)


Quote 💭

• When religion & politics ride in the same cart, the whirlwind follows ~ Frank Herbert


Reading Recommendations 🗞️

IE

1. Sea link & viaducts (Look at the map for visual memory)
2. Open up the playing field (GS2, Policy)


TH

1. Indian Parliament, a promise spurned (GS2, Polity)
2. A Bangladesh 'one party state' & India's options (GS2, IR)
3. Are antibiotics over-prescribed in India? (GS2, Health)
4. Strained ties in India-Maldives relations (GS2, IR)


PS: Hit ❤️ for yourself if you’re reading newspaper daily! :)

Note: Revise 5 species in news here

🚨 13 January 2024 | Saturday 🚨

Pre-related 📄

1. Kala Ram Temple

• On banks of Godavari
• In Panchavati area, Nashik, Maharashtra (Imp events in Ramayana)
• Built in 1792, with efforts of Sardar Rangarao Odhekar
• Also site of Dalit Satyagraha, led by BR Ambedkar & PS Sane for access of Dalits to Hindu temples

2. Thirty Meter Telescope Project

• Joint collaboration involving US, Japan, China, Canada, India
• Conceived as a 30 m diameter primary-mirror optical & infrared telescope
• Prospective site: Mauna Kea, Hawaii


Reading Recommendations 🗞️

IE

1. A green fiscal blueprint (GS3, Economy)
2. With Hasina, without Hasina (GS2, IR)
3. CPI data (GS3, Economy)
4. Why HPV vaccine push matters (GS2, Health)
5. Taiwan's presidential election (GS2, IR)

PS: Hit ❤️ to appreciate my consistent efforts! :)

2022-2023 saw 10 Questions in Africa

Find PYQ Analysis in this PDF

Explained this PDF in detail in a YouTube video here

Note: Did you download Free PDF to revise Bhakti Saints?

🚨 14 January 2024 | Sunday 🚨

Mains Keywords ✍️🏼

1. Egg b/w rocks

• For small countries with big neighbours
• Example: Bhutan (India & China)

2. Economic Pilgrimage

• Journey/quest with primary purpose of seeking economic opportunities/growth


Pre-related 📄

1. India's oldest living city

• Evidence of human settlement
•~ 800 BCE found in Vadnagar, Gujarat
• Contemporary to late Vedic/pre Buddhist Mahajanpadas/oligarchic republics
• Signifies cultural continuity
• About Vadnagar:
- 7 cultural stages
- Multi-cultural & multi-religious (Buddhist, Hindu, Jain & Islamic) Centre
- Coin moulds of Greek King Appollodatus during Indo-Greek rule found
- One of oldest Buddhist Monastries


Reading Recommendations 🗞️

TH

1. What are the complaints about Digi Yatra (GS3, S&T)
2. Why has South Africa dragged Israel to ICJ? (GS2, IR)
3. Justice without power (GS2, IR)


PS: Hit ❤️ for yourself if you’re reading newspaper on a Sunday :)

Note: Learn 100+ Articles of Indian Constitution here

🚨 15 January 2024 | Monday 🚨

Mains Keyword ✍️🏼

1. Global Surgery

• Focus on equitable access to emergency & essential surgery
• Challenges like inaccessibility, disease burden, economic burden etc


Pre-related 📄

1. Kapil Muni Temple

• Located on Sagar Island, WB
• Holy pilgrimage site for Hindus
• Dip on occasion of Makar Sakranti, during Ganga Sagar Mela
• Context: Rising sea level & coastal erosion affecting celebrations

2. Army Day

• Celebrated on 15 January
• To mark the taking over of General K M Cariappa as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army
• Theme for 2024: In Service of the Nation

3. Volcanic eruptions

a) Mt Marapi, Sumatra, Indonesia
b) Southwestern Iceland (near Grindavik)

4. Bamuni Lake

• Guwahati, Assam
• Community fishing events
• As part of harvest festival, Bhogali Bihu


Reading Recommendations 🗞️

IE

1. A truth forsaken (Read as per your discretion & prep level)
2. The pirate resurgence (GS2, IR)

TH

1. A Speaker's flawed move to determine the real faction (GS2, Polity)
2. The delusion of eliminating 'the last terrorist' (GS3, Terrorism)
3. Regulating India's online gaming industry (GS3, Economy)


PS: Hit ❤️ to appreciate my efforts :)

UPSC repeats not just themes but questions.

How to use this for 2024?

Learn 👇🏼

https://youtu.be/DKJm_oaDhFA

Note: Repeated questions & themes in Prelims, watch PYQ analysis here

🚨 16 January 2024 | Tuesday 🚨

Mains Keywords ✍️🏼

1. Stakeholder Capitalism

• Form of capitalism
• Companies optimise short term profits for shareholders
• And seek long term value creation
• By taking into a/c needs of all their stakeholders & society at large
• Concept introduced by World Economic Forum

2. Minilateralism

• IR concept that involves small groups of nations collaborating
• To tackle problems/pursue mutual goals


Pre-related 📄

1. World Economic Forum

• Founded by German prof Klaus Schwab
• In 1971 as European Management Forum
• Introduced system of membership after 1973 collapse of Bretton Woods Exchange & Arab Israeli War
• Reports: Global Competitiveness Report, Global Gender Gap Report etc
• Davos Summit: Annual meeting being held in Switzerland


Stats 📈

India's multidimensional poverty rate (NITI Aayog)
• 2013-14: 29.17%
• 2022-23: 11.28%


Reading Recommendations 🗞️

IE

1. What latest inflation data say (GS3, Economy)
2. Darjeeling zoo's snow leopards success (GS3, Environment)
3. A jab in time (GS2, Health)
4. A tectonic shift (GS2, IR)

No TH published today.


PS: Need any help wrt UPSC prep? Talk to me directly at whycse@gmail.com

Art & Culture Prelims 2023 PYQ Analysis

Watch at 1.25x 👇🏼

https://youtu.be/0-wgYvriXHw

Note: Download list of 20 Bhakti saints, Committees, SC Cases etc. here

🚨 17 January 2024 | Wednesday 🚨

Pre-related 📄

1. Diode

• ~5mm wide electric component
• Has 2 points of contact/terminals: anode & cathode
• Primary purpose: Allow flow of current in only 1 direction
• Uses p-n junction
• LED: Diode that emits light through electroluminescence

2. Prior approval to probe officials

• Sec17A u/ Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
• If public servant commits offence while discharging official duties
• Prior approval from central/state govt or competent authority reqd

3. Places in news: Erbil

• Capital of Kurdistan (Iraq's semi-autonomous region)
• Air strikes by Iran's Revolutionary Guards
• Hitting "Israeli espionage centre"

4. Jaish al-Adl

• Pakistan's Sunni militant group
• Largely operates across border
• Context: Air strikes by Iran on "bases"


Reading Recommendations 🗞

IE

1. Dealing with unruly passengers on flights (read for awareness)
2. Why Kashmir is without snow (GS3, Environment)
3. Defence upgrade roadmap (Page 1)
4. Davos Man & Global South (GS2, IR)

TH
1. Understanding the Tenth Schedule (GS2, Polity)
2. What it will take to make science communication work for India (GS3, S&T)
3. What're LEDs & why are they prized as light sources? (GS3)


PS: Hit ❤️ if you’re reading newspaper daily!

Prelims ke liye shuru kar rahe ho toh ek baar booklist cross check kar lo👇🏼

All the best :)

https://youtu.be/bIaQCZsiyxY

Note: Learn 100+ Articles of Indian Constitution here

🚨 18 January 2024 | Thursday 🚨

Pre-related 📄

1. Pran Pratishtha

• Act to transform an idol into a deity
• Giving it capacity to accept prayers & grant boons
• Mentioned in Vedas, elaborated in Puranas like Matsya/Vaman/Narad Puran etc
• Steps involved: Shobha Yatra, Adhivaas, Ritual Bath, Opening of eyes

2. Human Microbiome

• Community of trillions of microbes
• That reside in our body, esp digestive tract
• Plays pivotal role in regulating our health & diseases


Reading Recommendations 🗞️

IE

1. The genocide question (GS2, IR)
2. Classroom at a click (GS2, Education)
3. Inequality & social mobility (GS3, Economy)
4. Gaps in learning persist, but tech access offers avenues beyond school (GS2, Education)

TH
1. A search for deterrence in the Red Sea (GS2, IR)
2. On delisting some Kuki-Zome tribes (GS2, Polity & Policy)
3. Where do China-Taiwan relations stand? (GS2, IR)


PS: Hit ❤️ to appreciate my efforts!

Places of Conflicts & Rebel groups in news for Prelims 2024👇🏻

Watch at 1.25 or 1.5x to make best use

https://youtu.be/7ENtV8BKov0

Note: Read all about 10th schedule from UPSC perspective here

🚨 19 January 2024 | Friday 🚨

Pre-related 📄

1. Cervical Cancer

• 2nd most common cancer among Indian women
• Develops in cervix (entrance to uterus from vagina)
• Caused by persistent infection by human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Almost all sexually active people infected at some point, but virus cleared up by immune system
• In some cases, cancer caused due to high-risk virus strains
• January: Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
• 2 vaccines in India:
- Merck's Gardasil
- SII's Cervavac

2. Panama Canal

• One of world's most imp maritime trade routes
• Context: Dipping water levels due to severe drought, thus slashed ship crossings

3. Harni Lake

• Location: Vadodara, Gujarat
• Context: Boat capsizing incident causing death of school children & teachers on picnic

4. Solar Reflectance

• Ratio of amount of solar energy reflected by a surface & amount of solar energy incident on it

5. Indian weather satellites

• INSAT 3D & 3DR: Currently active in geostationary orbits
• Use radiometres (to make spectral measurements) & atmospheric sounders


Quote 💭

• Peace can't be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson


Reading Recommendations 🗞️

IE

1. Young & struggling (GS2, Education)
2. Compete to thrive (GS3, Regulatory Bodies)
3. History of Somnath temple (GS1, History & Prelims PYQ)

TH
1. Beleaguered Indian media: Quo Vadis? (GS2, Polity)
2. Crafting a new phase in India-UK defence ties (GS2, IR)


PS: Hit ❤️ if you’re reading newspaper daily!

Africa based question source in Prelims? Yahan milega 👇🏼

https://youtu.be/hgEx3Z-WzGE

Note: Maldives vs Lakshadweep - Read here

🚨 20 January 2024 | Saturday 🚨

Mains Keywords ✍️🏼

1. Theocracy

• Govt deriving authority from religion
• Usually invoking the authority of a religious deity

2. Airshed

• Area where local topography & meteorology limit pollutant dispersion


Pre-related 📄

1. Ayodhya

• World's largest 'solar powered street lights line' estbd
• ~10km stretch from Guptar Ghat to Nirmali Kund

2. North Eastern Council

• u/ Ministry of Development of NE Region
• Nodal agency for eco & social development of 8 State region
• Chaired by Union Home Minister

3. Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center

• State-of-the-art campus in Bengaluru
• American aerospace major's largest such investment outside US
• Boeing Sukanya Programme: To help more girl children join aviation sector

4. Mule Accounts

• Revise here


Reading Recommendations 🗞️

IE

1. The capex push (GS3, Economy)
2. A green blueprint (GS3, Environment)
3. Use & overuse of antibiotics: why regulator has stepped in (GS2, Health)
4. Nagara style of temple architecture (GS1, Art & Culture; Prelims)

TH
1. The problem with India's science management (GS3, S&T)


PS: Hit ❤️ if you’re reading newspaper daily!

Note: Revise Ramsar Sites for Pre2024 here

🚨 21 January 2024 | Sunday 🚨

Add imp tourism keywords to your Mains notes from here

Mains Keyword ✍️🏼

1. Nature Tourism

• Tourism based on natural attractions of an area
• Focus on environment conservation & local welfare


Pre-related 📄

1. Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme

• To promote unique conservation values of Ramsar sites
• To enhance livelihood opportunities for local communities
• Through harnessing nature-tourism potential of such sites
• Training facilitators:
- Tourism Ministry
- MoEFCC

2. Free Movement Regime

• With Myanmar, since 2018
• Allow residents of both countries living along border to travel upto 16 km into each other's territory without a visa


Reading Recommendations 🗞️

TH
1. Urbanisation in Bhubaneswar impacts winter temperatures (GS3, Environment)
2. Why are conflicts spreading in West Asia (GS2, IR)
3. What are the labour rules for workers abroad? (GS3, Economy)


PS: Hit ❤️ if you’re reading newspaper even on a Sunday!

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🚨 22 January 2024 | Monday 🚨

Mains Keyword ✍️🏼

1. Quasi-pedagogical

• Used by sociologist Basil Bernstein
• For digital technology in context of Education
• Wherein education becomes a process of transmission
• And provider is often unaware of consequences of such transmission


Mains Key 🗝
(Use as examples in Mains answers)

1. NAMO Drone Didi Scheme

• Rural women as drone pilots
• Use of an e-vehicle to spray fertilisers & pesticides in agri fields
(GS3, Agri)


Pre-related 📄

1. Madhika

• Unique language of 'untouchables' Chakaliya community, Kerala
• Blend of different languages, largely influenced by Havyaka Kannada
• Context: No script, just 2 speakers, on brink of extinction

2. "Watch" group antibiotics

• Group classified by WHO
• Medicines reserved for only severe infections
• Context: India among nations overusing these

3. Mosquitofish

• US-origin Gambusia species, introduced in India (1928)
• Used in biological control of mosquitoes by govtal org like ICMR
• Has become invasive in India

4. Mpemba effect

• Hot water can freeze faster than cold water in similar conditions

5. Places in News:

(i) Arichal Munai Point

• Dhanushkodi, Tamil Nadu
• At tip of Indian mainland
• Said to be place from where Ram Setu was built

(ii) Russia-Ukraine conflict region

a) Donetsk
• City in Russian-occupied Ukraine

b) Ust-Luga
• Russian port in Baltic Sea

(iii) Zambia
• Copper-rich southern African country


Reading Recommendations 🗞️

IE
1. Under the Digital Gloss (GS2, Education)

TH
1. Post Office Act, its unbridled powers of interception (GS2, Policy)
2. The growth of India-Bangladesh ties (GS2, IR)


PS: Hit ❤️ if you’re reading newspaper daily!

Friends, it is an auspicious day to shift gears for Prelims 24

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