Indian Festivals Kumbha Mela Held at all 4 places every 3 years by rotation (Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik, Ujjain) Associated rivers : Ganga at Haridwar, the Sangam of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati at Allahabad,  Godawari at Nashik, and Shipra at Ujjain Ardha Kumbh Mela  : Haridwar and Prayag every 6 years Purna Kumbh… Continue reading [Prelims Spotlight] Festivals , Dances, Music

Dear students, We understand that the UPSC exam is a generalist exam. It’s more important to cover more issues than to cover one issue in more depth. Hence, through Samachar Manthan, we are trying to maintain a fine balance of covering many important news items and having a detailed discussion on selected topics which require… Continue reading Gear up for This week’s Samachar Manthan lecture on 12th May Sunday

      Details of the program + timetable can be found here – Mission Nikaalo Prelims – Keep the Josh High > 60 Day Revision Course with Prelims Spotlight and Free Tests

1.ASEAN ( Association of South East Asian Nations) · It is a political and economic organisation of 10 South-East Asian nations · Formed in 1967 · Founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand · HQ : Jakarta, Indonesia   Current members are: 1. Indonesia 2. Malaysia 3. Philippines 4. Singapore 5. Thailand 6.… Continue reading [Prelims Spotlight] Important regional organisation

1.Asteroid ‘99942 Apophis’ On April 13, 2029, a near-Earth asteroid will cruise by Earth, about 31,000 km above the surface. The asteroid, called 99942 Apophis, is 340 m wide. At one point, it will travel more than the width of the full Moon within a minute and it will get as bright as the stars… Continue reading [Prelims Spotlight] International Satellites/telescope/missions

International NGOs Global Footprint Network Established When: In 2003, Mathis Wackernagel, PhD, and Susan Burns founded Global Footprint Network. Headquarter: California, USA Objective of the body: Global Footprint Network’s goal is to create a future where all humans can live well, within the means of one planet Earth. Key Functions:   It develops and promotes… Continue reading [Prelims Spotlight] International NGOs, regional organisations and their initiatives related to environment conservation

NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES IN INDIA         NATIONAL PARKS                                                           STATES Papikonda National Park — Andhra Pradesh Rajiv Gandhi National Park — Andhra Pradesh… Continue reading [Prelims Spotlight] National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Background Founded by Alexander Cunningham, who is also revered as the “Father of Indian Archaeology” He was the protege of James Prinsep <who was he, post in comments> It was Lord Canning who helped pass a statute for ASI’s establishment in 1861 Post Independence, it’s a Statutory body that now works under Ancient… Continue reading [Prelims Spotlight] Arts & Heritage Institutions

Dear students, We understand that the UPSC exam is a generalist exam. It’s more important to cover more issues than to cover one issue in more depth. Hence, through Samachar Manthan, we are trying to maintain a fine balance of covering many important news items and having a detailed discussion on selected topics which require… Continue reading Gear up for This week’s Samachar Manthan lecture on 5th May Sunday

WORLD BANK  GROUP The World Bank Group (WBG) is a family of five international organizations that make leveraged loans to developing countries. It is the largest and most famous development bank in the world and is an observer at the United Nations Development Group. Its five organizations are the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC),… Continue reading [Prelims Spotlight] Important international economic organisations

1.Indian Naval ship Sahyadri reaches Darwin, Australia for exercise KAKADU 2018 Exercise KAKADU After having been deployed to the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean for over four months, which included representing Indian Navy in multinational exercises MALABAR 18 at Guam and RIMPAC 18 at Hawaii, INS Sahyadri entered the Port of Darwin, Australia… Continue reading [Prelims Spotlight] Important Submarines and Naval Ships