Pre note: Ideas of October are here! Did you earn your power?

🚨 2nd October | Wednesday 🚨

Pre notes

1. Rivers increase Everest's length

• Mt. Everest has risen 15-50 m due to erosion from the Arun River over 89,000 years

• Everest is 8,849 m, growing about 2 mm annually

• Arun River's erosion reduces crust weight, causing isostatic rebound, contributing ~10% to Everest's uplift rate

• Isostatic rebound: Occurs when surface weight decreases, allowing land to rise—like a boat rising as cargo is unloaded

• River merger effect: Merging of the Arun and Kosi rivers increased erosion and sediment transport, enhancing the gorge and boosting Everest's height

• Some geologists doubt the study's conclusions, citing uncertainties in river dating and geological assumptions

Mains notes

1. 10 yrs of SBM

• Launched by PM Modi in 2014, aims for a "Clean India" as tribute to Gandhi

• Divisions: SBM-Gramin for rural areas; SBM-Urban for cities, managed by respective ministries

• Focus Areas: Individual/community toilets, solid waste mgmt, awareness campaigns

• Main Goal: Achieve ODF status by Oct 2, 2019; ODF = no open defecation at any time

• Achievements: 10 crore toilets built; 6 lakh villages declared ODF by 2019

• Funding: Increased from ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 per toilet; ₹57,469.22 crore released for SBM-G

• SBM 2.0: Launched in 2021; focuses on garbage-free cities and waste management

• Impact: Estimated 3 lakh diarrheal deaths averted; reduction in infant mortality linked to SBM

• Current Status: Census 2021 results pending; 53.1% lacked latrines in 2011

@CSEWhy Recommendations

Indian Express 📰

1. How India's temple are run (Explained page)
(GS2: Policies)

2. A regime change fantasy (Ideas page)
(GS2: IR)

The Hindu 🗞

1. Swallowtail butterflies in key Assam habitat face a citrus worry (Science page)
(GS3: Science)

PS: Take some break today! Need ANY help? I am at whycse@gmail.com

21 days PYQ Challenge | Day 13

UPSC examiner will ALWAYS give you hints

Deputy Speaker, Speaker are the two themes that you are required to look at, thanks to these two Qs

Now, answer these 2!

Reminder: LBSNAA’s me jo LBS hai, aaj unka birthday hai

Is PYQ challenge helping you?

Give feedback here 👇🏼

Pre note: learn 50+ imp. Maps of India & world here

🚨 3rd October | Thursday 🚨

Mains keywords

1. Red diplomacy

• Strategic use of "red lines" in international relations, which are boundaries that a country sets regarding unacceptable actions by others.

@CSEWhy Recommendations

Indian Express 📰

1. A mission's next step (Ideas page)
(GS2: Schemes)

2. New SEBI rules to curb F&O...(Explained page)
(GS2)

3. Food safety laws in states (Explained page)
(GS2: Laws)

4. langurs vs monkeys
(Explained page, GS3 Environment)

The Hindu 🗞️

1. A case of nothing but patent censorship (Editorial)
(GS2: Laws & Acts, SC Judgements)

2. What special status is Ladakh seeking? (Text&Context)

PS: sign up for free on blog.csewhy.com

21 Days PYQ Challenge | Day 14

I am most fascinated by the question around Constitution. So much so that while studying constitution, I tend to imagine myself sitting in the Constituent Assembly.

Today's Qs will expose you to how UPSC is asking Qs on Schedules of Constitution

Find these Qs compiled in one place with answers here

Subject wise Marks breakdown of #UPSC Mains

M = Marks
Q = Question

1. General Studies 1

• World History: 2Q - 30M
• History (A&M): 3Q - 35M
• Geography: 7Q - 85M
• Society: 7Q - 90M
• Modern: 1Q - 10M

2. General Studies 2

• Governance & Social Justice: 6Q - 75 Marks
• Polity: 10Q - 125M
• IR: 4Q - 50M

3. General Studies 3

• Disaster Management: 2Q - 30M
• Internal Security: 4Q - 50M
• Environment: 2Q - 20M
• Economy: 8Q - 100M
• S&T: 4Q - 50M

2024 Q Paper GS1 GS2 GS3 GS4 here

Pre note: Big day, big power! Get WHYPower

🚨 4th October | Friday 🚨

Pre notes

1. Status of SBM 2.0

• Launched: Oct 2021 to manage legacy waste until 2026

• Goal: Convert all dumpsites -> green zone + garbage free cities by 2026

• Till now: ~20% dumpsites fully remediated

Health & Environmental Risks from Legacy Dumpsites

Health Hazards:

• Irritated throat & nausea from emissions

• Risk of TB, asthma, diabetes etc. for residents nearby

• Ragpickers face skin allergies & respiratory issues from long term exposure

Environmental Impact:

• GHGs like methane and CO2

• Leachate: contaminates air & water

• Long term ecological risks contribute to urban development challenges

Current Situation

• 3k+ dumpsites in India covering valuable land

• Govt Action: Plans worth ₹23,226 crore approved for remediation efforts

• State Performance: TN leads in area reclaimed; several states lag with <10% remediation progress

Mains keywords

1. Chagos Island & Diego Garcia

• UK cedes sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius

• Retains control of Diego Garcia for 99 years, vital for military ops of UK/US

• Historical Background:

- Uninhabited until 18 century, Britain acquired in 1814

- 2k+ residents removed in 1970 who will now be resettled here

• India supports Mauritian claims to promote regional security

@CSEWhy Recommendations

Indian Express 📰

1. The American alternative (Ideas page)
(GS2: IR)

2. Inevitable, inescapable: why North Bihar sees flood every year (Explained)
(GS3: Climate and development)

3. India and W Asia crisis (Explained)
(GS2: IR)

The Hindu 🗞

1. Should EC ensure internal democracy in political parties? (Opinion)
(GS2: Bodies)

2. Why Italy matters to India?
(GS2: IR)

PS: Wanna make money on the side with UPSC Prep? Join @CSEWhyPlanB

Friends, Classical Languages are back in news

We saw a Q on languages in 2024 Prelims as well

This blog will teach you everything about Classical Languages that you need to know

21 Days PYQ Challenge | Day 15

Friends, today we are going to learn Simple Tips & Tricks to remember all Articles of Constitution important for UPSC.

Coaching institutes charge over a lac to teach what you will learn today for Free

Visit: https://x.com/CseWhy/status/1595410622166237185

Pre note: Less in paper today, revise Prelims PYQs 2020-2024 here

🚨 5th October | Saturday 🚨

Pre notes

1. Blog on Classical Languages here

@CSEWhy Recommendations

Indian Express 📰

1. Plugging the global skill gap
(GS2: Policy)

2. Feeling the heat
(GS3: Disaster Management)

3. How elephants are counted
(GS3: Environment, Qs on elephants seen in 2020)

The Hindu 🗞

No recos in TH today

PS: Apply for these govt. internships while preparing for UPSC on side

21 Days PYQ Challenge | Day 16

Since Languages are in news, here's a 2024 PYQ for you to attempt.

Answer below

Pre note: Sunday is to revise from blog.csewhy.com :)

🚨 6th October | Sunday 🚨

Pre notes

1. Halari donkeys (Halar region, Saurashtra, Gujarat)

• White colored endangered species with <500 population

• Consumes bajra (millets) & forms good social bond with humans

• Price ₹1 lac+; gives sweet milk fetching upto ₹7,000 in int'l market

• Needs extensive research & more of state resources to increase their numbers

2. Shompen tribe ( PVTG w/ 229 population on Great Nicobar, India)

• Semi nomadic patriarchal hunter gatherers relying on hunting, gathering & horticulture

• Diet: Staple food is pandanus fruit (larop)

• Language: Unique dialects, often unintelligible to outsiders

@CSEWhy Recommendations

The Hindu 🗞

All 3 articles on Page 12 FAQ

PS: Join @CSEWhyPlanB

21 Days PYQs challenge | Day 17

Today, we look at 10 Qs on Money Bill, Ordinary Bill & Constitution Amendment Bill

Find them all listed here

PS: You will find 2009-2024 (1600+ PYQs) video explanations & PDF notes in CSEWhy course here

Guys, you will thank me for compiling this blog

All about Great Indian EV Saga here