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[pib] Universal Postal Union (UPU)

Why in the News? At the 28th Universal Postal Congress in Dubai (2025), the Union Minister for Communications has unveiled the Unified Payments Interface (UPI)- UPU Integration Project. About Universal Postal Union (UPU): Overview: A UN specialized agency and the primary forum for international postal cooperation. Establishment: Created by the Treaty of Bern (1874). It… Continue reading

[pib] Exercise ZAPAD 2025

Why in the News? An Indian Armed Forces contingent has departed for Mulino Training Ground, Nizhniy, Russia, to participate in Exercise ZAPAD 2025. About Exercise ZAPAD: Meaning: “ZAPAD” means West in Russian; a series of large-scale joint strategic military drills led by Russia and Belarus. Origins: Started during the Soviet era with Zapad-77, Zapad-81, Zapad-84,… Continue reading

What was the Harappan Language?

Why in the News? The Union Culture Ministry has invited experts to present their research on deciphering the Indus Valley script, also known as the Harappan script. Recent Efforts and Theories on the Harappan Script: Taxation & Commerce Theory: Bahata Ansumali Mukhopadhyay argues the script encodes rules of trade and taxation, not phonetic spellings. Religious… Continue reading

Langkhon Festival of Assam

Why in the News? Tiwa tribesmen recently celebrated Langkhun festival in Umsowai village in Karbi Anglong district of Assam. About Langkhon Festival: Overview: A pre-harvest thanks-giving festival of the Tiwa tribe of Assam. Timing: Celebrated in October–November, just before the Rabi crop season. Core Belief: Involves worship of bamboo, seen as a symbol of prosperity… Continue reading

[UPSC Mains 2025 Discussion] Art and Culture: Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture.

Smash Mains 2025 Q1. In what ways does Harappan art and architecture reflect both utilitarian functionality and aesthetic sensibilities? (FLT 3) PYQ Q. To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provided inputs to the present day urbanization? Discuss. (2014) Samachar Manthan: Article name: Rewriting the Keezhadi (Keeladi) Excavations… Continue reading

[9th September 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Iran and India, ancient civilizations and new horizons

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2018] In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this situation? Linkage: The article’s emphasis on Iran’s resilience against Western domination, its right to peaceful nuclear energy, and India–Iran civilisational partnership directly connects to the US–Iran Nuclear Pact controversy.… Continue reading

The ‘domestic sphere’ in a new India

Introduction Women in India continue to bear a disproportionate burden within the “domestic sphere,” both through unpaid household labour and through systemic silence around violence inside the home. Even as the government projects slogans like “nari shakti” and “women-led development,” the stark realities of dowry deaths, marital rape, unequal division of work, and undervaluation of… Continue reading

Ranking Pitfalls: India Rankings (2025) based on NIRF

Introduction India’s higher education system is one of the largest in the world, and since 2016, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) has aimed to provide a structured evaluation of institutions. With participation expanding from 3,565 institutions in its inception year to 14,163 in 2025, and categories rising from four to seventeen, the NIRF has… Continue reading

Election of the Vice-President

Why in the News? Thiru CP Radhakrishnan has been elected as Vice President of India. About Vice-President (VP) of India: Position: Second-highest constitutional post; deputy to the President. Parliamentary Role: Serves as ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Succession: Ranks second in order of precedence and first in line to become President. Membership: Is a… Continue reading

Neurogenesis in the Human Brain

Why in the News? A recent study (2025, Science) found young neurons in the adult brain, challenging the old belief that Neurogenesis (neurons formation) occur only in childhood. What is Neurogenesis? Overview: Formation of new neurons from stem or progenitor cells. Established in Animals: Well-known in mice, rats, and monkeys; also active during human childhood… Continue reading

WHO’s Model List of Essential Medicines (EML)

Why in the News? Semaglutide, a drug originally developed for type 2 diabetes but also highly effective for weight reduction has been added to the WHO’s Model List of Essential Medicines (EML). What is Semaglutide? Overview: A GLP-1 receptor agonist drug developed for Type 2 Diabetes, also effective in weight reduction. Mode of Action: Stimulates… Continue reading

US to update MTCR export control policies

Why in the News? The United States is preparing to reinterpret the 1987 Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) to expand exports of heavy attack drones, like the MQ-9 Reaper, to partner countries. About Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR): Formation: Established in 1987 by the G-7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, USA) to prevent… Continue reading

🔴Smash Conclave 2025 UPSC Mains Analysis and 2026 Strategy

UPSC Ranker Mentorship Civilsdaily

Freshwater Aquifers found beneath the Atlantic Ocean

Why in the News? The recent discovery of a massive freshwater aquifer beneath the Atlantic shelf opens new possibilities for addressing future global water shortages. About the Aquifer: Location: Offshore northeastern U.S., stretching possibly from New Jersey to Maine. Expedition 501: Drilled up to 400 m beneath the seabed, retrieving nearly 50,000 liters of water… Continue reading

[8th September 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: A complex turn in India’s FDI story

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2016] Justify the need for FDI for the development of the Indian economy. Why there is gap between MOUs signed and actual FDIS? Suggest remedial steps to be taken for increasing actual FDIs in India. Linkage: The article highlights that although India records high gross inflows ($81 bn in FY 2024–25), massive… Continue reading

The making of an ecological disaster in the Nicobar

Introduction The Great Nicobar Island Project, with an estimated expenditure of ₹72,000 crore, has sparked unprecedented controversy. Instead of strengthening India’s ecological security and inclusive growth, the project threatens to uproot indigenous communities such as the Nicobarese and the Shompen, destroy one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots, and expose the island to severe natural… Continue reading

How much is spent on children’s education in India

Introduction India has long struggled with gender inequities in education. Despite government efforts like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and steady progress in enrolment, where girls now form 48% of the school population and even surpass men in gross enrolment ratios in higher education, financial investment by families continues to tilt in favor of boys. The… Continue reading

SCO: Does India needs to rethink its regional policy?

N4S UPSC usually picks such topics when bilateral tensions affect the functioning of multilateral forums. The 2023 question on SCO shows how UPSC links current diplomatic flashpoints with deeper strategic issues. It doesn’t just ask “What happened?” but wants to know “What does it say about India’s foreign policy?” Aspirants often falter here in two… Continue reading

Katchatheevu Island Dispute

Why in the News? Sri Lankan President Dissanayake’s visit to Katchatheevu Island, the first ever visit by a head of state, revived debates on the island’s history and ownership. About Katchatheevu Island: Overview: Small uninhabited island of about 285 acres in the Palk Strait, ~33 nautical miles from Jaffna (Sri Lanka) and close to Ramanathapuram… Continue reading

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