GS1

GS 1 The Ramban district in Jammu and Kashmir recently experienced severe weather, including heavy rainfall and hailstorms, leading to significant destruction in the area. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the region recorded 16.9 mm of rainfall within a 24-hour period—an astonishing 575% increase compared to the average …

GS1 – Geography Context: The India Meteorological Department (IMD), along with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune and the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) in Delhi, is collaboratively working on India’s inaugural research testbed dedicated to the study of Norwesters. This initiative focuses on the …

Context: The Ministry of Mines has released guidelines to establish Centres of Excellence (CoEs) under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) to boost innovation and research in critical mineral technologies. What is NCMM? The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) is a flagship programme launched in Union Budget 2024–25 to secure …

UPSC Relevance GS-1: Indian Society – Women’s roles, social movements GS-2: Governance – Gender empowerment, legislation GS-4: Ethics – Social sensitivity, equity, empathy Key Highlights Current Context The Women’s Reservation Bill 2023 has brought gender equity into sharp political focus. Yet, this mainstreaming has polarized discourse, making it contentious due …

UPSC Relevance GS-1: Indian History & Culture – Historical narratives GS-2: Polity & Society – Communal harmony, constitutional values GS-4: Ethics – Integrity in interpreting history Key Highlights Rising Concerns March 2025 saw politically driven revisionism in textbooks and public narratives. Certain rulers are glorified, while others, like Aurangzeb and …

UPSC Relevance GS-1: Indian Culture – Buddhist Heritage GS-2: Governance – Religious Freedom, Minority Rights, State’s Role in Temple Management GS-4: Ethics – Balancing Rights and Duties, Religious Coexistence Key Highlights Context The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, marks the site of Gautama Buddha’s enlightenment. A UNESCO World Heritage …

UPSC Relevance GS-1: Indian Society – Caste Dynamics, Social Reform Initiatives GS-2: Governance – Rights of Marginalized Groups, Civil Society’s Role GS-4: Ethics – Social Equity, Fairness, Reforms in Religious Traditions Key Highlights Historic Social Reform For the first time, the temple’s nalamabalam (inner sanctum area) welcomed all communities. Previously, …

GS 1: Geography The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently confirmed a shift to ENSO-neutral conditions in the tropical Pacific, marking the conclusion of a mild La Niña phase. The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) significantly shapes global climate patterns, making an understanding of its phases essential for forecasting …

UPSC Relevance GS-1: Society – Women’s Issues, Gender Equity GS-2: Governance and Policies – Gender Budgeting, Policy Execution GS-3: Climate Change – Adaptation Strategies, Policy Integration Key Points Neglect of Gender-Climate Nexus The 2024 Beijing India Report reveals that India’s climate policies lack gender sensitivity. Despite laws like the POSH …

UPSC Relevance GS-1: Indian Society & Modern History – Social Reformers, Caste Inequality, Education for Marginalized GS-2: Governance & Social Justice – Welfare for SCs/STs/OBCs, Educational Equity, Secularism GS-4: Ethics & Integrity – Social Reform, Humanism, Moral Leadership Key Points: Life & Context Jyotiba Phule, born April 11, 1827, into …

GS1 – Art & Culture – Archaeological Sites Ancient megalithic-era relics dating back around 2,000 years have been discovered at Manimoola, located in Kasaragod district, Kerala. About the Megalithic Period This era, classified as prehistoric, is noted for its use of large stones in constructing monuments and burial structures. Nearby, …

GS1 – Art & Culture The Indian Prime Minister recently paid homage to the revered Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Overview  Brought by Sanghamitta: The sacred sapling was brought to Sri Lanka by Princess Sanghamitta, daughter of Emperor Ashoka and a Buddhist nun, in the 3rd …

Over the past year, Kerala has witnessed a notable reduction in the number of juvenile elephants, largely due to the outbreak of Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesviruses (EEHVs). What are EEHVs? EEHVs represent a group of novel double-stranded DNA viruses belonging to the herpesvirus family. They specifically infect Asian and African elephants, …

GS 1 – HISTORY Context: Recently, a collection of copper plates from the early 15th century was unveiled in Bengaluru. Details: These plates were issued during the coronation of Devaraya I from the Sangama Dynasty. The inscriptions are written in Sanskrit, Kannada, and Nagari scripts. The records indicate that Devaraya …

GS I Art and Culture Origins and Historical Background Gotipua originated in Odisha during the 16th century, under the reign of Bhoi king Rama Chandra Dev. The term ‘Gotipua’ is derived from the Oriya language, where ‘Goti’ means single and ‘Pua’ means boy. This dance form developed as a male …

GS I-History About Hampi Located in Karnataka’s Bellary District, Hampi lies along the banks of the Tungabhadra River. It served as the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of South India’s most prominent Hindu empires, thriving between the 14th and 16th centuries. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in …

GS1 (Medieval Indian History) Causes of the Uprising Colonial Revenue System: Following the Battle of Plassey (1757), the East India Company (EIC) enforced taxation and administrative policies to strengthen its control over India. Permanent Settlement Act (1793): Introduced by Lord Cornwallis in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, this system granted landlords …

GS I-Culture The Panchamasali Lingayats, a subgroup within Karnataka’s Lingayat community, are advocating for inclusion under the OBC reservation category. Who Are the Lingayats? Lingayats are followers of Basavanna, a 12th-century philosopher and saint. They oppose the caste hierarchy and Vedic traditions, adhering to monotheistic worship centered on Linga (Shiva). …

GS I-History Karsandas Mulji has recently gained attention due to the release of the biopic Maharaj. Early Life and Education Born in 1832 in Bombay, into a Gujarati Vaishnav family. A prominent member of the Gujarati Gnan-prasarak Mandali (Gujarati Society for the Spread of Knowledge), established by students of Elphinstone …

GS I-Geography A research study conducted in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone has identified that the metallic nodules present on the ocean floor generate what is termed as “dark oxygen.” This refers to oxygen production occurring in the deep-sea abyssal region, where photosynthesis is not possible. The process takes place as polymetallic …