Pre note: Learn mapping for both Pre & Mains here

🚨 5th August | Monday 🚨

Mains Keywords

1. Substantive Equality

Principle that law must account for diff backgrounds & historical injustices faced by persons/groups

2. Climate Trauma

Informal term to symbolize negative mental health effects of extreme weather events due to climate change

Pre facts

1. Glacier Du tour

• It is experiencing significant retreat due to global warming
• Situated in the Haute-Savoie region of France
• It is classified as an Alpine glacier

Reading Recommendations

Indian Express 🗞

1. Quota in quota may set off political churn.. (Neerja Chowdhury article pg 8)

2. J&K task isn't finished (The opinion page)
(GS3: Internal Security)

3. In SC Verdict, how CJI underlined concept of substantive equality (Explained page)
(GS2: SC Judgements)

4. Going after the weeds (Explained page)
(GS3: SnT)

The Hindu 📰

1. Balancing competition and sustainability for India (The ideas page)
(GS3: Economy)

2. What do scientists make of the Budget? (Text&Context)
(GS3: Budget & Science)

PS: Hit ❤️if you are studying newspaper daily!

PM Haseena did not flee on her own

She lost to deep state apparatus😮

How, you ask? The 'ZO' State

She unveiled 🇺🇸plan of creating a Christian state in South Asia akin to East Timor

The green area is proposed area of so called 'zo' state!

Pre note: Follow my Instagram for regular supply of high value resources

🚨 6th August | Tuesday 🚨

Pre facts

Types of clocks ⏰

1. Quartz Clocks: Clocks that use an electronic oscillator regulated by a quartz crystal.

2. Atomic Clocks: Highly accurate clocks regulated by the vibrations of atoms.

3. Nuclei Clocks: Clocks that measure time based on the vibrations of atomic nuclei, providing extremely high precision.

Reading Recommendations

Indian Express 🗞

1. Watching Dhaka (Editorial)
(GS2: IR)

2. Partners in food security (Opinion page)
(GS2: Food security)

3. India & Hasina: a 50 year bond
(read carefully for GS2)

The Hindu 📰

1. Issue of institutional violence, addressing it (Editorial)
(GS2: Social issues)

2. Powering India's future (The Ideas page)
(GS3: Energy)

3. On doorstep delivery of Alcohol (Text&Context)
(GS2: Policies and Social issues)

4. Why was custom duty hike imposed on Lab Chemicals? (Text&Context)
(GS3: Economics)

PS: Join @CSEWhyPlanB

Pre note: Subscribe to my free blog here & receive Current Affairs on your email

🚨 7th August | Wednesday 🚨

Mains facts

1. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

• Chair: PM, formed in 2006 u/ DM Act 2005

• Comprises a National Executive Committee to assist in its functions

• Role: coordinate responses to natural/man-made disasters, ensuring effective disaster management

• Approves the National Disaster Plan, lays down policies, and provides guidelines for state authorities and ministries

Pre facts

1. Cryoconite

• Powdery dust on glaciers comprising of small rock particles, soot & microbes

• Accumulates on snow & absorbs solar radiation → melting underlying ice

2. Revise Ayushman Bharat and other flagship schemes here

Reading Recommendations

Indian Express 🗞

1. Govt. Spent 14% of funds under Ayushman Bharat on those over 70 years (Express network)
(GS2: Schemes)

2. Realpolitik can be green (The ideas page)
(GS3: Renewable energy)

3. The Rawalpindi factor (The ideas page)
(GS2: IR)

4. GST on health insurance (Explained page)
(GS3: Budget and Tax)

5. In water starved Punjab, plans for new canal....(Explained page)
(GS3: Development)

The Hindu 📰

1. Powering up to get to the $30 trillion economy point (Editorial)
(GS3: Economics)

2. Counting the 'poor' having nutritional deficiency (Opinion page)
(GS2: Social issues)

3. On U.P's strict anti-conversion law (Text&Context)
(GS2: Acts and Policies)

4. Earthquake 2,500 years ago abruptly changed Ganga river's course (Science page)
(GS1: Geography)

PS: Avoid any form of stress that eats you up! Your mind over anything. :)

Pre note: Get started for UPSC 2025 with CSEWhy Pre Mastery Kit here

🚨 8th August | Thursday 🚨

Pre facts

1. Rashtriya Vigyan Awards

• Vigyan Ratna
Life time achievements & contributions made in science

• Vigyan Shree
Distinguished contributions in science

• Vigyan Yuva: Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar
Encourage young scientists who’ve made distinguished contribution

• Vigyan Team
Scientific team of 3 or more who’ve made exceptional contributions

Mains notes

1. Pyrocumulonimbus cloud

• Thunderstorm clouds resulting from intense heat of large wildfires & volcanic eruptions

• Hot air rises rapidly in atmosphere and cools leading to condensation of vapor forming a cloud

• If this updraft is strong w/ strong moisture, cloud can develop into pyrocumulonimbus

Environmental Impact:

1. Aerosol pollution

Presence of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in the atmosphere, which can originate from both natural and anthropogenic (human-made) sources

Reading recommendations

Indian Express 🗞

1. Policing piety (Editorial)
(GS2: Policies)

2. A crime against Women (Opinions page)
(GS2: Social issues)

The Hindu 📰

1. A close look at beefing of Jammu’s counter-terror grid (Editorial)
(GS3: Internal security)

2. Court shifts the tide on stray dogs policy (Ideas page)
(GS2: SC Judgement)

PS: Keep smiling. Keep your morale high.

Pre note: Today's IE's 'The Explained page' is a gem-mine. Dig it hard.

🚨 9th August | Friday 🚨

Pre facts

1. Kantaji Temple ( Kantajew Temple)

• Built by Maharaja Pran Nath (1704 AD to 1752 AD) and completed by his adopted son Ram Nath, the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his wife, Rukmini.

• It reflects the artistic creativity of Bengal's late-medieval period

• It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005

Mains related terms

1. Just transition

• A framework for securing workers' rights during shifts to sustainable production

• In respect to climate change: It refers to a framework aimed at ensuring that the shift from a high-carbon economy to a low-carbon economy is fair and inclusive, particularly for workers and communities affected by this transition

Reading recommendations

Indian Express 📰

1. Doing well on well being (The Ideas page)
(GS2/GS3: Social issues and Budget)

2. Govt's proposed curbs on online content....(The explained page)
(GS2: Policies)

3. Proposed changes to Waqf law (The explained page)
(GS2: Laws and acts)

4. What's causing Antarctica's deep water heatwave...(The explained page)
(GS3: Climate)

The Hindu 🗞️

1. A moment for just transition litigation to take wing (Editorial)
(GS2/GS3: Policies and Climate change)

2. Change in Bangladesh, the challenges for India (Editorial)
(GS2: IR)

3. On monetary policy and financial markets (Text&Context)
(GS3: Economy)

4. Why Himalayan towns need a different kind of development (Text&Context)
(GS3: Development)

P.S: New to prep? DM me on Instagram with your queries 😉

Pre note: Light Newspaper today! Focus on revision!

🚨 10th August | Saturday🚨

Pre facts

1. Govt: ‘creamy layer’ not applicable to SC, ST quota

Reading recommendations

Indian Express 📰

1. Sub-Quota red hearings (Editorial)
(GS2: SC Judgement and reservation)

The Hindu 🗞

1. Refugee rights, the gendered nature of displacement (Editorial)
(GS2: Social issues)

2. India to roll out new treatment regimen for drug-resistant TB (PG: 10)

P.S: Which book do you think is a must read for aspirants (other than UPSC centric)? LMK on my Instagram :)

Pre note: A good Sunday morning; plan tight; prepare best!

🚨 11th August | Sunday 🚨

Pre facts

1. Vishalgad fort

• Built in 1058 by Shilahara king Marsinh and was initially known as Khilgil

• In 1209, the Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri defeated Shilaharas and captured the fort

• Allauddin Khilji defeated King Ramchandra of the Seuna Yadavas in 1309 and the fort came under the Khilji dynasty

Reading recommendations

The Hindu 🗞️

1. Glacial lakes multiply in Himachal and Tibet, poses threat to lives and infra downstream (PG: 8)
(GS3: Climate change)

2. Why are India’s ‘Gaganyatris’ going to the ISS? (Editorial)
(GS3: SnT)

3. How will Sheikh Hasina’s exit impact India? (Editorial)
(GS2: IR, Understand complete story here)

P.S: Did you plan your next week? Here’s the perfect time-table template to plan your week.

Pre note: Still waiting for your chance to get Mentorship? Apply here

🚨 12th August | Monday 🚨

Pre facts

1. Megaquake advisory by Japan

• An earthquake with magnitude > 8 is Megaquake

• Nankai trough has produced a megaquake every 100-150 years

• Japan is predicting another megaquake in next 30 years

Reading Recommendations

Indian Express 🗞

1. Modi releases 109 high yield, climate resilient crop varieties (Govt&Politics)
(GS3: Climate change and SnT)

2. Provision to keep local trials for certain drugs: regulator's rationale (Explained)

3. How centre's clean plant programmes plans to boost production of fruits (Explained page)
(GS2: Policies)

The Hindu 📰

1. On amendments to the Waqf act (Text&Context)
(GS2: Acts and Laws)

PS: What challenge are you facing regarding your UPSC prep? Help me help you

Pre note: if you think you can, you can. if you can't, you can't.

🚨 13th August | Tuesday 🚨

Mains facts

1. Collision avoidance system

• Collection of technologies which coordinate together to clear the path of vehicle

• They calculate the distance b/w two moving bodies and their speed. If it anticipates sudden drop in the distance b/w two bodies, it automatically deploys emergency brakes

• Kavach is an Indian CAS. It has 3 xomponents i.e Computer, Communication and Control

Reading Recommendations

Indian Express 🗞

1. After Olympics, a question (The ideas page)

2. How Tungabhadra dam swept away, why farmers are fearful (Explained page)
(GS3: Infra development)

The Hindu 📰

1. Disinformation, AI and ‘cyber chakravyuh’ (Editorial)
(GS2/GS3: IRs and internal security)

PS: Did you join @CSEWhyPlanB?

Pre note: Big news coming today! 😄

🚨 14th August | Wednesday 🚨

Pre facts

1. DDoS attack

• Distributed Denial of Service attack
• Artificially flooding mass users on online server to fulfill maligned intentions

Mains facts

1. Ballast Water (BW)

• Water that ships use to maintain balance while loading/off-loading cargo
• In news: Reported to transport invasive species
• BW Management convention of IMO governs it
• India isn't a signatory to this convention

Reading Recommendations

Indian Express 🗞

1. A caveat in the jobs data (The ideas page)

The Hindu 📰

1. The shock effect of south asia tumult (Editorial)
(GS2: IR)

2. An overview of governance in Delhi (Text&Context)
(GS2: Governance)

3. The melting of polar ice due to climate change...(Science page)
(GS3: Climate change)

PS: Maps, Pre & Mains PYQs in one place. Coming soon!

Opportunity for those who have given a UPSC CSE interview

• Short term paid project (7-10 days)
• 📍Delhi-NCR

If interested, pls fill the following details

a) Name:
b) Interview year:
c) Location:

and send it to @leadingthegame

78th Independence Day 🇮🇳

Sending best wishes to all ♥️🫡

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Pre note: Make most of the Independence Day Sale 😁🫰🏻

🚨 15th August | Thursday 🚨

Pre facts

1. SC allowed states to collect Mineral Tax dues from April 1, 2005

2. WHO: Monkeypox is now a global public health emergency

3. City of Pompeii

• It is an ancient Roman city near Naples, Italy, buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE

• The city, home to 10,000-20,000 inhabitants, was remarkably preserved under volcanic ash, revealing insights into Roman life, architecture, and culture.

• Rediscovered in 1748, it earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997

• In news coz of discovery of skeletol remains of victims of destruction in 79AD

Reading recommendations

Indian Express

1. Our freedom, our constitution (The Ideas page)
(GS2: Constitution)

2. A plan for the young (The Ideas page)
(GS2: Policies)

3. Why Delhi HC is hearing plea against….(Explained page)
(GS2: Laws and acts)

The Hindu 🗞️

1. The trial that progressed rapidly towards Independence (Editorial)
(GS1: Freedom struggle)

P.S: Which freedom fighter’s ideology inspired you the most? LMK on Instagram

Sale ends by 11pm. Last 10 slots left. Enroll now 😁

Pre note: Get WHYPower to master Pre/Mains PYQs, Constitution & Mapping for UPSC25

🚨 16th August | Friday 🚨

Mains facts

1. The Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

• It aims to replace personal laws based on religious customs with a common set of laws

• Article 44 mandates the state to secure a UCC to promote equality and justice

• It seeks to enhance gender equality, simplify legal procedures, and promote national integration by ensuring uniformity in personal laws related to marriage, inheritance, and divorce

• Implementation faces resistance due to concerns over minority rights, cultural diversity, and the patriarchal mindset prevalent in society

Reading Recommendations

Indian Express 🗞

1. Why latest mpox outbreak is 'Emergency of International concern' (Explained page)

2. A financing challenge (Editorial)
(GS3: Economy)

The Hindu 📰

1. How can traffic which causes air pollution be controlled (Text&Context)
(GS2: Social issues)

PS: Subscribe to my free CA blog: blog.csewhy.com

Pre note: Subscribe blog.csewhy.com

🚨 17th August | Saturday 🚨

Mains facts

1. The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)

• Its a lightweight launch vehicle developed by ISRO, designed to transport satellites weighing < 500 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at 500 km altitude

• 34m long, 2m in diameter, and weighs approximately 120 tons

• Comprises three solid propulsion stages and a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) for precise orbit insertion

• Efficiency: Integrates in just 72 hours with minimal personnel, compared to PSLV's 70 days

• Aims to meet the growing demand for small satellite launches, particularly from developing countries and private sectors

Reading Recommendations

Indian Express 🗞

1. Making it right (Editorial)
(GS2: Social issues and Policies)

2. Questions in cosmic history (Explained page)
(GS3: Science and space)

The Hindu 📰

1. The essence of India's inflation problem (Editorial)
(GS3: Economics)

PS: Join @CSEWhyPlanB

Pre note: Give a headstart to your day, plan your week!!

🚨 18th August | Sunday 🚨

Mains notes

1. Mpox (Monkey Pox)

• Mpox is zoonotic (Animals → Humans)

• Monkeypox virus belongs to Orthopoxvirus genus from Poxviridae family

• Symptoms include Rashes, Blisters, Fever, Sore throat, Headache, Muscle ache, Back pain, Swollen Lymph Nodes

• No available treatment contemporarily

*In the news due to recent outbreaks in Pakistan, Sweden and Africa.

Reading recommendations

The Hindu 🗞️

1. India needs to lift job growth via reforms: IMF’s Gopinath (Business page)
(GS3: Economy)

2. Do doctors need a central protection act? (Editorial)
(GS2: Policies and Social Issues)

P.S: Follow @CSEWhyPlanB

Pre note: Celebrate Rakhi, Gift yourself much needed UPSC 2025 mentorship 💪🏻

🚨 19th August | Monday 🚨

Mains notes

1. Lateral entry in bureaucracy

• Lateral entry into bureaucracy refers to the recruitment of specialists from outside the traditional civil services, primarily aimed at enhancing the expertise and efficiency within government departments

• It began in 2018, the current recruitment includes 10 posts for Joint Secretaries and 35 for Directors/Deputy Secretaries

• Appointments are typically for a period of three to five years

• Candidates for Joint Secretary positions must have at least 15 years of relevant work experience, while those applying for Director roles need a minimum of 10 years

• These positions are unreserved for SC, ST or OBC

Rationale Behind Lateral Entry

• Recommendations from NITI Aayog in 2017

• Fresh Talent and Expertise

• Addressing Skill Gaps

Criticisms and Challenges

• Lack of Reservation

• Transparency Issues

• Internal Resistance

• Cultural Transition

2. Hurricane Ernesto

Hurricane Ernesto, which formed in August 2024, has had significant impacts on the Caribbean and Bermuda. Here are the key facts regarding this storm:

• Ernesto was first identified as a tropical storm on August 14, 2024, and quickly intensified into a hurricane by August 16, making landfall in Bermuda early on August 16

• The storm caused significant disruptions, with over 50% of Bermuda's population (approximately 26,100 out of 36,000 customers) losing power due to the storm's intensity

• Ernesto dumped between 7 to 9 inches (175 to 225 mm) of rain on Bermuda, resulting in considerable flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas

Aftermath and Current Status

• Following its impact on Bermuda, Ernesto was downgraded to a tropical storm on August 18, 2024. However, it was expected to regain hurricane strength as it moved northeast into the Atlantic

• The National Hurricane Center warned of hazardous surf and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast, with alerts issued from Florida to Maine due to the storm's residual effects

• Prior to reaching Bermuda, Ernesto caused significant damage in Puerto Rico, where it left over 180,000 people without power and water

• The storm has been linked to at least 11 fatalities across the Caribbean

Reading recommendations

Indian Express 📰

1. The path runs through field (The ideas page)

2. Why districts created in 2016 are now under spotlight in Manipur (Explained page)
(GS2: Policies)

The Hindu 🗞️

1. New migrant realities in Karnataka’s gig sector (Editorial)(GS2: Social issues and Policies)

2. How a foreign covert group was using ChatGPT to influence U.S. elections (Text&Context)
(GS3: Internal Security)

P.S: What is one more thing you wish you had in your mentorship program. LMK here and you'll have it.