Pre note: CSEWhy app this Diwali! 🪔

🚨 23rd October | Wednesday 🚨

Mains Notes

1. Mission Mausam

• Aim: Improve weather forecasts & manage weather events

• Cloud Chamber (cc) to come up at IITM, Pune for cloud physics research

• CC injects water vapour & aerosols to create clouds u/ controlled humidity & temperature

• Helps study cloud seed particles forming droplets or ice

2. Madarsas & Secularism

• Madarsa Act created UP Board focusing on Muslim community education offering courses from Maulvi to Fazil

• HC: Madarsa's impose religious instruction keeping mainstream subjects optional
• Govt: Madarsas deny quality eduction u/ R2Education Act

• Madarsa Board granting degrees contradicts UGC's authority over universities

• SC challenged HC March, 2004 verdict of striking down Madarsa Act (2004); reserved verdict on case

@CSEWhy Recommendations

Indian express 📰

1. An agreement, some questions (Ideas page)
(GS2: IR)

2. The biodiversity COP (Explained page)
(GS2/GS3: Multilateralism & Climate)

The Hindu 🗞

1. On Section 6A of the Citizenship Act (Text&Context)
(GS2: Laws & Acts)

2. Why are Big Tech companies such as Google scouting for nuclear power? (Text&Context)

PS: Join @CSEWhyPlanB

Pre note: Heavy newspaper today! Go slow.

🚨 24th October | Thursday 🚨

Pre facts

1. Cyclone in news: Cyclone Dana; Bay of Bengal; Will affect eastern Odissa and West Bengal

2. SC: Stubble burning goes against right to live in pollution-free space

Pre notes

1. Kambala

• Traditional buffalo race held annually in the coastal regions of Karnataka and Kerala

• Conducted by Tuluva community in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka; part of temple festivals & rural traditions to appease the gods for good harvests

• Criticized by animal rights activists; Banned by SC in 2014

• Jallikattu, a similar traditional sport in TN was banned by SC in 2014 in Animal Welfare Board of India v. A. Nagaraja case

2. Article 21: Right to life

• No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law

Mains Notes

1. Geoengineering

• Large scale efforts to change natural-cycle of earth to combat global warming

Broadly, 2 methods of Geoengineering are:

1. Solar Radiation Management (SRM): Materials are thrown off in space which reflects back sunlight

• Various elements are proposed but diamond dust tops the list

• 5 million tonnes of diamond dust is required; concerns for unforeseen damages to nature prevail

2. Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR): Capturing and stabilising CO2

@CSEWhy Recommendations

Indian express 📰

1. Indian Ocean churn (Editorial)
(GS2: IR)

2. Learning & nation-building (Ideas page)
(GS2: Social issues)

3. Taxing Industrial alcohol (Explained page)
(GS3: Economics)

The Hindu 🗞

1. The Manipur crisis, the issue of managing diversity (Editorial)
(GS2: Social issues)

2. On Boeing 737’s ‘defective’ rudder system (Text&Context)

3. Ancient meteorite was 'giant fertilizer bomb' for life on earth (Science page)
(GS3: Science)

PS: Queries? Tell me

Pre note: Started adding detailed notes from articles limiting the Reading Recommendations. Study hard! :)

🚨 25th October | Friday 🚨

Mains Keywords

1. Landfall of a Cyclone

• Cyclone Dana to landfall near Bhitarkanika National Park & Dhamra Port

• landfall = when eye/centre cross the coast (not every cyclone sees a landfall)

• Landfall duration = 5/6 hrs, cyclone loses intensity post rainfall due to lack of moisture

Pre notes

1. Artificial Insemination

• Places sperm directly into female reproductive tract; boosts fertility w/o natural mating

• Types include IUI (Intra-Uterine Insemination) & ICI (Intra-Cervical Insemination).

• Advantages: Avoid disease transfer, controls conception timing, & addresses male infertility.

• In news: Great Indian Bustard conversation, at Sudasari Great Indian Bustard breeding centre in Rajasthan

Mains Notes

1. Local weather forecast

• Panchayat-level 5-day weather forecasts, updated hourly, are now available nationwide, launched by MoPR & MoS for rural preparedness, covering 2.55L panchayats

• Data is accessible via e-GramSwaraj, Gram Manchitra, and Meri Panchayat apps

• Helps farmers with planning sowing, irrigation, and harvesting to tackle unpredictable weather changes

• Aim: boost climate resilience, safeguard livelihoods, and enhance disaster prep at the grassroots; coz predicting localised event is harder

@CSEWhy Recommendations

Indian express 📰

1. Not another BRICS in the wall (Editorial)
(GS2: IR)

2. When parliament isn’t in session (Ideas page)
(GS2: Administrative issue)

3. The India-China agreement (Explained page)
(GS2: IR)

The Hindu 🗞

1. Meal costs are rising faster than earnings (Text&Context)
(GS2/GS3: Social issues & Economics)

2. Why did the Central govt. sanction a 50% hike in prices of commonly used drugs? (Science page)

PS: blog.csewhy.com

Pre note: Do you need help regarding your optional? Let me know

🚨 26th October | Saturday 🚨

Mains Notes

1. Protected areas are losing biodiversity than non- protected ones

• NHM study shows BII fell 1.88% (2000–2020)

• CBAs: Unprotected lost 1.9%, protected 2.1%

• PAs focus on species, not ecosystems

• Degradation, mining, oil, gas in PAs (e.g., Congo park 65% occupied)

• 30x30 conservation goal must continue with better ecosystem focus

@CSEWhy Recommendations

Indian express 📰

1. A nudge towards clean air (Editorial)
(GS2: Social issues)

2. The unaspiring millions (Ideas page)
(GS3)

3. Greenback’s naysayers (Ideas page)
(GS2: IR and International policies)

4. The right to die with dignity (Explained page)
(GS2: Policies)

The Hindu 🗞

1. Sharpen the anti-defection law, strengthen democracy (Editorial)
(GS2: Policies)

2. A Nobel in hand, but where AJR’s model falls short (Editorial)
(GS3: Economics)

PS: Affirm with conviction - 'I can and will do it'

Pre note: Sunday morning calls for introspection and reflection. Don't forget that!

🚨 27th October | Sunday 🚨

@CSEWhy Recommendations

The Hindu 🗞

1. What does H5N1 virus in cattle, humans portend? (Science page)

2. How will LAC agreement pan out on border? (FAQ page)
(GS2: Agreements and Pacts)

3. What is the flight protocol for a bomb threat? (FAQ page)

PS: Revise important current affairs of the month :)

Just tested CSEWhy app chat feature

Oho, what a fun tool. Excited to see how UPSC aspirants will make best use of it :)

What shall be its name? Vote below👇🏻

Carbon Credits is in today's The Hindu

Here's a 2011 PYQ on the same topic for you to take an insight into how the examiner thinks :)

a) Kyoto Protocol
b) Who gets CC?
c) Goal of CC?
d) Trade of CC

samjhe?? ❤️react karke batao

Pre note: See above 2 texts and vote, need your help! :)

🚨 28th October | Monday 🚨

Mains Keywords🗝

1. Digital arrest

• Cyber scam impersonating official agencies
• Modus operandi: Claim of serious case against a victim threatening arrest -> bribe demands

Pre notes✍🏼

1. Appointment of CJI (by President on PM advice u/A 124(2))

• Outgoing CJI recommends senior most SC judge as per Memorandum of Procedure (MoP)

• No approval needed from Parliament or collegium

Revise 4 judges cases here

2. Cancer resisting DNA

• Genetic mechanism aiding radiation resistance spotted in a tardigrade species

• Tardigrade: aka water bear; microscopic invertebrates w/ 4 pairs of stout legs living in water/damp moss

• Exposure to gamma rays showed how the species repairs DNA and survives extreme conditions

• Three key factors for radiation survival:

1. Quick DNA repair via TRD1 protein
2. Activation of mitochondrial proteins aiding DNA repair
3. Production of betalains (antioxidants) to neutralize harmful chemicals

• Tested betalains on human cells, improving radiation resistance

• Use case: help astronauts, nuclear cleanup, and cancer treatments


3. Dinosaur park in Balasinor, Gujarat dubbed as India's Jurassic Park

• Discovered: 1980s; houses 10k+ fossilized eggs found

• Museum (2019) spans 25k sq ft with 3D films, VR zones, interactive kiosks, and life-sized dino models

Mains notes🚀

1. Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)

• 2014: launched by Ministry of Youth & Sports to enhance medal tally in global competitions

• 2018: revamped to give financial aid, training, foreign exposure + 50k monthly stipend

@CSEWhy Recommendations 🗞

Indian Express 📰

1. Significance of livestock census, species it includes (Explained page)
(GS2: Census)

2. Election & farm sector health (Explained page)

3. Top crops, price volatility 7& RBI (Ideas page)
(GS3: Economics)

The Hindu 🗞

1. The private sector holds the key to India’s e-bus push (Editorial)
(GS2: Policies)

2. Why is Delhi's air quality deteriorating? (Text&Context)
(GS3: Climate)

3. New rocket, plusmoon and Venus missions, herald new beginnings (Science page)
(GS3: SnT)

PS: blog.csewhy.com

Pre note:

🚨 29th October | Tuesday 🚨

Pre notes✍🏼

1. Right to privacy

• R2 protect your info, decisions, & life choices from public/state interference.

• KS Puttaswamy vs UoI (2017): R2Privacy = Fundamental Right u/A 21

• Overruled MP Sharma (1954) and Kharak Singh (1962)

• Linked to Arts 14, 19, 21 (Golden Triangle)

• Impact: Aadhaar, digital privacy, data laws like DPDP Act 2023

• Affirmed control over personal data, autonomy, and dignity (DAD)

2. Aadhar not for DOB

• SC validates only School Leaving Certificate are available

• Aadhar Aim: establish ID (not age)

• SC reiterated UIDAI’s 2023 circular: Aadhaar isn’t proof of DoB

• SC upheld Aadhaar Act in 2018 for ID purposes but limited its mandatory use for SIMs, bank a/cs, and admissions

@CSEWhy Recommendations🗞

Indian Express 📰

1. The next census (Explained page)
(GS2: Policies)

The Hindu 🗞

1. The under representation of women in judiciary (editorial)
(GS2: Social issues)

2. Solar, a game changer in women’s empowerment (editorial)
(GS2: Social issues)

3. What challenges does India face in fertilisers import? (Text&Context)
(GS2/GS3: Economics)

PS: Need help? Drop your Qs in reply to this text

Pre note: Diwali is around the corner, ek break le lena bhai. parivar zaruri hai!

🚨 30th October | Wednesday 🚨

Pre Facts 📝

1. National Ayurveda day (29/10, since 2016)

• On Dhanvanthri Jayanti: Puranic god of Ayurveda; believed to be incarnation of Vishnu

• 2024 Theme: Ayurveda innovation for global health

Pre notes ✍🏻

1. Bandhavgarh Reserve (📍Vindhya Hills, MP)

• Highest Bengal tigers density in the world; both National Park & Tiger Reserve

• Deciduous forest housing Rare White Tiger & Ancient Bandhavgarh Fort

• Vegetation: Dry deciduous forests, bamboo thickets, and grasslands


2. UNWRA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency)

• since 1949 for Palestinian Refugees

• Offers education, healthcare, social services in Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria

• Alleged bias, mismanagement & efficiency charges; Israel says its exploited by militants

• Israel banned UNWRA in East Jerusalem, accusing it of undermining Israeli sovereignty


3. PM’s internship scheme [Oct 2024, 1 cr internships in 5 years]

• Top 500 firms enlisted

• Eligibility Criteria: 21-24 yrs, diploma (ITI/Polytechnic) or grad degrees (BA/BCom/BSc/BCA/BBA). IIT/IIM grads ineligible

• Intern Perks: ₹5K monthly aid, ₹4.5K govt + ₹500 CSR, ₹6k one-time joining grant

• Covered under PMJJBY & PMSBY insurance schemes

@CSEWhy Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 📰

1. Delimitation, women’s quota (Ideas page)
(GS2: Policies)

The Hindu 🗞

1. A picture of a growing economic divide in India (Editorial)
(GS2: Social issues)

2. A collective effort towards peace in Myanmar (Opinion page)
(GS2: IR)

PS: Join @CSEWhyPlanB

Happy Diwali doston! 🪔

Spend good time with your family.

No matter how hard it is today, do touch feet of your parents and give them a big hug :)

This is a manifestation post ✨

Write down in replies on how you want your Next Diwali to be 👇🏼

Don’t ignore

Pre note: Happy Diwali, Doston! :)

🚨 31st October | Thursday 🚨

Pre Facts 📝

1. 31st October: National Unity day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas)

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's b’day; Established in 2014 by GoI

• Aim: foster nat'l pride, unity, & remind citizens of Patel's contributions

Pre notes ✍🏻

1. Gota fría” (cold drop) aka "DANA" (isolated Depression At high Altitudes)

• Cold air from the polar jet stream moves over warm Mediterranean Sea, causing atmospheric instability, leading to dense clouds & heavy rains.

• DANA linked to polar jet stream - separates cold polar air from warm tropical air

• Cold air pockets collide w/ warm air over Mediterranean sea, creating intense rain events

• DANA events are now more intense & frequent due to rising global temps, warmer air holds more moisture, & Med Sea hit record temps in Aug

@CSEWhy Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 📰

1. AI plus and minus (Editorial)
(GS2: Social issues)

2. Towards a new federalism (Opinion page)
(GS2: Constitution and SC judgements)

3. SC ruling on child marriage…. (Explained page)
(GS2: SC judgements)

The Hindu 🗞

1. Tackle the issue of adjournments, case pending (Editorial)
(GS2)

2. The politics of data-based policymaking (Opinion page)
(GS2)

3. Recognising the economic value of unpaid work in India (Text&Context)
(GS3: Economics)

PS: Diwali best hai bro! Aaj kitna bhi dukh dard ho, sab bhool kar better future manifest karo.

Attempt this Q from today's Hindu Quiz

P = International Treaty
Q = Entity it protects

P named for city in Iran where it was adopted in 1971
India has 85 sites of Q. Name P & Q

Pre note: How's life? How're the studies?

🚨 1st November | Friday 🚨

Pre Facts 📝

1. Light Detection and Ranging

• It uses pulsed laser light to map the Earth’s surface in 3D

• It generates high-res models with up to 10 cm vertical accuracy

• It uses laser, scanner, GPS to capture ground info by measuring light reflection & travel time

• Data is processed with GPS/IMS to create elevation maps; forms a “point cloud” of surface reflections

• Enabled discovery of “Valeriana,” a potential Mayan capital in Campeche, Mexico

Pre notes ✍🏻

1. Revise  Bandhavgarh here

@CSEWhy Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 📰

1. Why 1.5°C goal is unrealistic (Explained page)
(GS2/GS3: Climate and policies)

2. Rules to get disability certificates tweaked: what has changed and why? (Explained page)
(GS2: Laws and Acts)

3. Fraternity upheld (Editorial)
(GS2: SC judgements)

P.S: Diwali khatm; Padhai shuru!

Pre note: Easy newspaper today, invest time in revision at blog.csewhy.com

🚨 2nd November | Saturday 🚨

@CSEWhy Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 📰

1. Consumption & Food inflation (Explained page)
(GS3: Economics)

2. First ‘Black Hole Triple’ system discovered: what does it mean? (Explained page)
(GS3: Science)

3. Invisible sanitation worker (Editorial)
(GS2: Social issues)

The Hindu 🗞

1. Zeroing in on methane diplomacy, at COP29 (Editorial)
(GS3/GS2: IR and Climate)

PS: Join @CSEWhyPlanB

6-12th NCERT History Maps | @CSEWhy

Pre note: Its weekend; How far have you come? How far shall you go?

🚨 3rd November | Sunday 🚨

Pre Facts 📝

1. Revise Heatwaves

Pre notes ✍🏻

1. Belt & Road Initiative (since 2013; 140+ countries involved)

• Connects Asia, Europe, and Africa through trade routes & infrastructure projects

• Rail, port & energy projects for trade & economic growth

• Criticism: debt trap diplomacy w/ as some partners struggle for repayment

2. Tibetan wild ass (China, India & Nepal

• Reddish-brown coat, white underparts & distinctive black stripe down back

• Near Threatened due to habitat loss, competition w/ livestock, and limited range

• Protected under Indian Wildlife Protection Act and in reserves like Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary (Ladakh)

Mains notes 📔

1. Sendai framework (adopted 2015 succeeding Hyogo Framework)

• Focus: reduce disaster risk, enhancing resilience, proactive over-reactive approach

• 4 Priorities: "understand risk, strengthen governance, invest in Disaster Risk Resilience, enhancing preparedness and "build back better."

• 7 Targets by 2030: Reduce disaster mortality, affected population, economic losses, infrastructure damage, increase national DRR strategies, enhance global cooperation, improve multi-hazard early warnings

@CSEWhy Recommendations 📑

The Hindu 🗞

1. Glacial lakes rise as glaciers retreat (Science page)
(GS3: Climate)

2. What are the key takeaways from COP-16? (FAQ page)
(GS2: IR)

3. Why is Brazil weighing options on BRI? (FAQ page)
(GS2: IR)

PS: Join @CSEWhyPlanB

Pre note: youtube.com/@CSEWhy

🚨 4th November | Monday 🚨

Pre notes ✍🏻

1. Gangetic Dolphins (aka Susu, IUCN: Endangered)

• Feature: Nearly blind, uses echolocation

• Location📍: Ganges-Brahmaputra basin + Karnaphuli-Sangu rivers (🇧🇩)

• Conservation: Project Dolphin (2020) by MoEFCC; Vikramshila Sanctuary (Bihar) is a key site

• In news: Habitat under threat at Kulsi and Morakolohi rivers in Kamrup district (Assam)


2. Diffraction limit

• Concept: Optics concept; any instrument has principal limit to its resolution due to physics of diffraction

• Purpose: Sets min distance to distinguish two points, defined by wavelength of light & lens aperture size


3. Floods in Spain (result of DANA)

• Place in news📍: Valencia (received year's worth rain in 8 hours)

Mains notes 📔

1. Challenges with urbanisation

• Stat: ~58% of global population in urban areas, 2x by 2050

• Challenges🇮🇳: Housing shortage, poor water & sanitation and climate vulnerability

• Urbanization Reason🇮🇳: Rural poverty & migration

• Issues: Poor spatial planning, inequality, social segregation, limited governance, pollution

2. ORT (Oral Rehydration Therapy)

• What: Cost effective dehydration treatment serving salt+sugar solution

• Mechanism: Enhances water absorption in small intestine via sodium-glucose co-transport

• Impact: Reduced dehydration & mortality rates globally

• India🇮🇳: Promoted u/ National Health Mission & Integrated Management of Neonatal & Childhood Illnesses Program

@CSEWhy Newspaper Recommendations 📑

Indian Express 📰

1. A new tryst with destiny (Editorial)
(GS3: Economics)

2. Paradox of stagnant rural wage (Explained page)
(GS3: Economics)

3. Worsening impact of climate change (Explained page)
(GS3: Climate; note stats)

The Hindu 🗞

1. The BRICS summit boost to India-Iran ties (Editorial)
(GS2: IR)

2. On the new coastal zone plan of Kerala (Text&Context)
(GS2/GS3: Policies and Climate)

3. How cyber scams use social engineering and malicious APKs to swindle users (Text&Context)
(GS2: Social issues)

PS: Festive over, are you set to be back to studies? React ❤️to affirm!