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!

Friends, Jan 22 is an auspicious day to shift to Prelims 2024 journey

To help you here, I have a news:

From 10am to 10pm on Jan 22,

You can get CSEWhy PYQs, Constitution & all valuable study materials at 22% OFF!

Use code BBV22 and set the ball rolling for PRE24

Got any queries?
Write to me at whycse@gmail.com

Note: Use code BBV22 for 22% OFF on all study materials today!

🚨 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

Does not matter if you read/solve one PYQ today but do it!

Further, to aid your prep:

I am giving 22% off on CSEWhy 15 years PYQ Analysis Notes & my New Courses today

Click here and get notes at 22% OFF using BBV22 Code

Mark a fresh start on this auspicious day!

Any query? Talk to me at whycse@gmail.com

Indian Express today had an article on History of Ram Mandir

I had made a video 3 years ago documenting the story since 1528

This video will give you entire chronology of things leading to January 22.

Watch at 1.5x :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbilFUrr9Sc

Note: Did you check out this new development on PlanB?

🚨 23 January 2024 | Tuesday 🚨

Mains Key 🗝
(Use as examples in Mains answers)

1. Pradhan Mantri Suryoday Yojana: to install rooftop solar systems in 1 crore houses (GS3, Environment)


Pre-related 📄

1. Batadrava Than

• Sacred site for Assamese Vaishnavites
• Birthplace of reformer-saint Srimanta Sankardeva
• Ek Saran Naam Dharma:
- Sankardeva's philosophy
- worship in form of bhakti to Lord Krishna
- through singing & congregational listening of His name & deeds
- instead of idol worship
- estbd monastic institutions: Thans/Sattras

2. Kumki Elephants

• Trained captive elephants
• Help to trap, rescue, tranquilise wild elephants
• Can be deployed for forest patrolling & rescue operations
• Context: Odisha has sought assistance from Tamil Nadu (has successful model)

3. A23a

• World's oldest & largest iceberg
• Broke off Antarctic coast in 1986
• Currently drifting b/w Elephant Island & South Orkney islands
• Heading north, where it may melt away


Reading Recommendations 🗞️

IE
1. Drivers of food inflation (GS3, Economy)
2. Free Movement Regime along Myanmar border (GS3, Internal Security)
3. WEF meeting in Davos 2024 (GS2, IR)

TH
1. Tax contribution by States needs to be revisited (GS2, Polity & Policy)
2. Fired up and plugged in (GS3, Environment)
3. On equal access to benefits for all SCs (GS2, Social Justice)
4. Why was FCRA registration for several NGOs cancelled? (GS2, Role of NGOs)
5. Intersectionality of gender & caste in women's participation in labour force (GS1, Society; GS3, Economy)


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

Note: Read about temples recently visited by PM Modi here

🚨 24 January 2024 | Wednesday 🚨

Mains Keywords ✍️🏼

1. Horizon 2047

• Framework for India-France cooperation
• In defence, nuclear energy & other areas

2. Rent-seeking

• Term by Anne Krueger
• Manipulating public policy or economic conditions to increase profits


Mains Key 🗝
(Use as examples in Mains answers)

• DK Basu judgement (1996) against police abuse & custodial violence (GS2, Polity)


Pre-related 📄

1. Karpoori Thakur

• Former Bihar CM, socialist leader & freedom fighter
• Son of a marginal farmer from Nai community
• Named 'Jannayak', seen as architect of social justice plank in politics
• Implemented reclassification of backward classes as per Mungeri Lal Commission in Bihar
• Context: Would be awarded Bharat Ratna ( & birth centenary)

2. Gini coefficient

• Standard measure of inequality
• Ranges from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality)

3. Torkham Border

• A key trade crossing B/w Pakistan & Afghanistan
• Context: Reopened after talks; visa, passport not needed


Reading Recommendations 🗞️

IE
1. Karpoori Thakur Ji's vision as effective governance model (Pg8, by PM Modi)
2. Challenge for Modi Macron (GS2, IR)
3. The most powerful safeguard (GS2, Polity)
4. The rooftop solar plan (GS3, Environment)

TH

1. The larger message to New Delhi from Red Sea (GS2, IR)
2. Analysing the rising gap in incomes (GS3, Economy)
3. Gender equity in education (GS2, Education)


PS: Hit ❤️ to appreciate my consistent efforts!