💥UPSC 2026, 2027, 2028 UAP Mentorship (March Batch) + Access XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Type: Prelims Only

  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    Three Gorges Antarctic Eye Telescope

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the news?

    China has unveiled the Three Gorges Antarctic Eye telescope in Antarctica.

    About the Three Gorges Antarctic Eye Telescope

    • The Three Gorges Antarctic Eye is a 3.2m wide radio/millimetre-wave telescope located at China’s Zhongshan Station in Antarctica.
    • It was developed by China Three Gorges University (CTGU) and Shanghai Normal University (SHNU).
    • This telescope can detect radio waves and millimeter waves, types of invisible light, allowing scientists to study phenomena like neutral hydrogen and ammonia molecules, essential for understanding star formation and gas movement in space.
    • Unlike most telescopes, it works with both radio and millimeter waves, providing a more comprehensive view of space.
    • It is built in one of the harshest environments on Earth, with operating temperatures below -60°C and strong winds, making construction particularly challenging.
    [UPSC 2015] The term ‘IndARC’, sometimes seen in the news, is the name of:

    (a) an indigenously developed radar system inducted into Indian Defence

    (b) India’s satellite to provide services to the countries of Indian Ocean Rim

    (c) a scientific establishment set up by India in Antarctic region

    (d) India’s underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Promoting Science and Technology – Missions,Policies & Schemes

    Preliminary Findings of the Genome India Project

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    The preliminary findings of Genome India Project, based on the whole genome sequencing of 10,074 healthy and unrelated Indians from 85 populations across the country, were published recently.

    About Genome India Project

    • The Genome India Project was launched in January 2020 to map the genetic diversity of India’s population.
    • It is a collaborative project supported and funded by the Department of Biotechnology, GoI, involving multiple institutions across the country.
    • Objectives:
      • Decode the genetic diversity of India’s population through large-scale genome sequencing.
      • Create an exhaustive catalog of genetic variations, including common, low-frequency, rare, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and structural variations.
      • Develop a reference haplotype structure for Indians, which can be used to impute missing genetic variation in future studies.
      • Design genome-wide arrays for research and diagnostics at an affordable cost.
      • Establish a biobank for DNA and plasma collected for future research use.
    • The Genome India Database, which houses the genetic data, is now available to researchers worldwide and is stored at the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) in Faridabad, Haryana.

    Preliminary findings of the Study

    • The project genotyped 10,074 individuals from 85 populations, including 32 tribal and 53 non-tribal groups across India.
    • Blood samples were collected from around 20,000 individuals, with DNA samples from 10,074 individuals subjected to whole genome sequencing.
    • A total of 180 million genetic variants were identified, of which 130 million are in non-sex chromosomes (22 autosomes) and 50 million are in sex chromosomes X and Y.
    • Variant Significance:
      • Variants associated with diseases.
      • Rare variants.
      • Variants unique to India or specific communities.
    [UPSC 2016] In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term ‘transcriptome’, sometimes seen in the news, refers to

    (a) a range of enzymes used in genome editing

    (b) the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism

    (c) the description of the mechanism of gene expression

    (d) a mechanism of genetic mutations taking place in cell

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

    Navkar Mahamantra Divas

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Navkar Mahamantra Divas

    Why in the News?

    Prime Minister has inaugurated and participated in Navkar Mahamantra Divas at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

    What is Vishwa Navkar Mahamantra Divas?

    • The event is observed annually on April 9 to promote peace, non-violence, and spiritual harmony globally by chanting the Navkar Mantra collectively.
    • The mantra venerates the 5 supreme beings:
      1. Arihants: Represent those who have attained “Keval Gyan” (perfect knowledge) and guide “Bhavya Jeevas” (souls destined for liberation). They possess twelve divine qualities.
      2. Siddhas: Those who have eradicated all karmas and attained Moksha. They are endowed with eight pure qualities.
      3. Acharyas: The leaders who follow Mahavrat and guide others on the spiritual path. They embody 36 virtues.
      4. Upadhyayas: Scholars who impart knowledge related to the path to Moksha, with 25 virtues.
      5. Sadhus: Renunciants who refine themselves through penance, with 27 significant qualities.

    Key Jain Principles Associated:

    • Ahimsa (Non-Violence): The Navkar Mantra embodies the principle of Ahimsa, advocating for peace and harmony by acknowledging the interconnectedness of all life forms, thus promoting Maitri (friendliness) towards all beings.
    • Anekantavada (Non-Absolutism) and Syadvada: This principle promotes appreciating diverse perspectives and truths, which was emphasized as a solution to global challenges like terrorism and environmental degradation, reflecting the Jain concept of Syadvada (conditional truth).
    • Tapas (Self-Discipline) and Vairagya (Detachment): The mantra is seen as a spiritual tool for self-realization, mental stability, and fostering inner peace, encouraging Tapas and Vairagya as means to achieve spiritual growth.
    • Samyak Darshana (Right Faith) and Samyak Jnana (Right Knowledge): The teachings of the Navkar Mantra were connected to building a developed India rooted in heritage while embracing progress without losing cultural values, emphasizing the importance of Samyak Darshana and Samyak Jnana.
    • Svadhyaya (Self-Study) and Sadhana (Spiritual Practice): The mantra encourages self-discipline and truth as guiding principles for personal growth and societal harmony, promoting Svadhyaya and Sadhana as essential practices.
    [UPSC 2011] The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by:

    (a) Universal Law (b) Universal Truth (c) Universal Faith (d) Universal Soul

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Extinct Dire Wolf species returns after 12,500 years

    Prelims OnlySpecies | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    Colossal Biosciences, a biotech firm based in US, has successfully bred the extinct Dire Wolf pups using gene-editing technologies.

    About Dire Wolf (Aenocyon dirus)

    • The dire wolf lived during the Pleistocene Epoch, approximately 6 million to 11,700 years ago, and went extinct around 13,000 years ago.
    • Physical Characteristics and Behaviour:
      • It was larger than the modern gray wolf, standing about 5 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing up to 150 pounds, significantly heavier than the average gray wolf.
      • It had a stockier body, a robust skull, and powerful jaws, adapted for hunting and consuming large prey. It likely had light or white fur, unlike the gray, black, or white coats of modern wolves.
      • As an apex predator, the dire wolf primarily preyed on large mammals like bison and horses.
      • While it did not hunt in packs as effectively due to its size, it was capable of cooperative hunting when needed.
    • Extinction:
      • The species went extinct likely due to a combination of prey depletion, climate change, and the impact of human activities.
      • Fossils have been found across a wide geographical range, from the La Brea Tar Pits in California to the Mississippi River Valley.
    • Genomic Comparison:
      • The gene-edited pups share 99.5% DNA of gray wolves but differ in the remaining 0.5%, which accounts for the dire wolf traits.
      • These pups are not exact clones of the dire wolf but are considered “dire wolves” based on their physical resemblance.

    Extinct Dire Wolf species returns after 12,500 years

    Technologies Used for Resurrection:

    • Ancient DNA Extraction & Analysis: DNA from 13,000 to 72,000-year-old fossils was sequenced to identify key genetic traits.
    • Gene Editing (CRISPR): Scientists used CRISPR to edit gray wolf DNA, introducing features like size, fur color, and muscular traits to resemble the dire wolf.
    • Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT): Edited somatic cells from gray wolves were used to create embryos implanted in dog surrogates. Genetically modified pups were born after 62 days.
    • Embryo Implantation: The gene-edited embryos developed into the first de-extinct dire wolf pups.
    [UPSC 2018] The term “”sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction”” is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of:

    (a) Widespread monoculture practices in agriculture and large-scale commercial farming with indiscriminate use of chemicals in many parts of the world that may result in the loss of good native ecosystems.

    (b) Fears of a possible collision of a meteorite with the Earth in the near future in the manner it happened 65 million years ago that caused the mass extinction of many species including those of dinosaurs.

    (c) Large scale cultivation of genetically modified crops in many parts of the world and promoting their cultivation in other parts of the world which may cause the disappearance of good native crop plants and the loss of food biodiversity.

    (d) Mankind’s over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    Iron inside the Sun is more opaque than expected

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Iron Inside the Sun

    Why in the News?

    Recent findings have revealed that iron’s opacity inside the Sun may be much higher than previously predicted, challenging current solar models.

    Iron Inside the Sun:

    • Iron makes up approximately 0.14% of the Sun’s mass, which is significantly less than hydrogen (~74%) and helium (~24%).
    • Despite its small percentage, iron plays a crucial role in the Sun’s opacity. In the Sun, opacity influences how energy moves from the core to the surface.
    • The higher the opacity, the more energy is trapped, impacting the Sun’s temperature, density, and fusion rates.

    Highlights of the New Study:

    • A 2025 study published in Physical Review Letters revealed that iron’s opacity in the Sun’s interior is 30-400% higher than previously predicted by models.
    • Researchers exposed a thin iron sample to X-rays and used spectrometers to measure the shadow cast by the sample.
    • By analyzing how strongly the iron absorbed the radiation, they were able to infer the element’s opacity.
    • Significance:
      • This discovery has important implications for how solar models are constructed.
      • By correcting the opacity of iron, models of the Sun’s temperature profile, fusion rates, and energy distribution may need to be revised.
      • This will lead to a more accurate understanding of stellar behaviour and energy transfer.

    Back2Basics: Composition of the Sun

    • The Sun primarily comprises hydrogen and helium, but other elements such as oxygen, carbon, neon, and iron also play significant roles.

    Element

    Composition by Mass (%)

    Key Role
    Hydrogen (H) 74% The primary fuel for nuclear fusion in the Sun’s core. It undergoes fusion to form helium, releasing energy that powers the Sun.
    Helium (He) 24% A byproduct of hydrogen fusion, helium helps maintain the Sun’s stability and supports continued fusion processes.
    Oxygen (O) ~0.8% Oxygen contributes to the Sun’s opacity, assisting in the transport of energy within the star. It also plays a role in nucleosynthesis, where heavier elements are formed in the Sun’s core.
    Carbon (C) ~0.3% Carbon is involved in nucleosynthesis and plays a significant role in determining the Sun’s opacity and energy transport mechanisms.
    Neon (Ne) ~0.2% Neon is found in the Sun’s atmosphere and is involved in the absorption of radiation, affecting the Sun’s energy output and behavior.
    Iron (Fe) ~0.14% Although small in mass, iron significantly impacts the Sun’s opacity, scattering and absorbing radiation, which influences energy transfer. Iron’s opacity affects the Sun’s temperature, density, and fusion rates.

     

    [UPSC 2002] Which one of the following statements is correct with reference to our solar system?

    (a) The Earth is the densest of all the planets in our solar system

    (b) The predominant element in the composition of Earth is silicon

    (c) The Sun contains 75 per cent of the mass of the solar system

    (d) The diameter of the Sun is 190 times that of the Earth

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    ESA’s Biomass Mission

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Biomass Mission

    Why in the News?

    The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to launch Biomass Mission to map the world’s forests and enhance our understanding of their crucial role in the global carbon cycle.

    ESA's Biomass Mission

    About the Biomass Mission by ESA

    • The ESA will launch the Biomass mission on April 29, 2025, aboard the Vega C rocket from French Guiana.
    • The mission aims to map the world’s forests, gathering data on their role in the carbon cycle and how they change over time.
    • It will be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) at around 666 km, optimizing sunlight for observations.
    • It is the 7th mission in ESA’s Earth Explorer Program, focusing on data related to Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, and land surface.

    Features of the Biomass Mission:

    • Biomass uses a P-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensor (70 cm frequency), capable of penetrating forest canopies to measure carbon storage in trees and the forest floor.
    • It will be the first satellite to use this cutting-edge P-band SAR technology, offering unprecedented forest biomass data.
    • Equipped with a 12-meter antenna, the satellite will deploy upon launch to conduct broad Earth observations.
    • It will create 3D images of forests, from canopy to roots, providing detailed insights into forest health and carbon storage.

    Significance of the Biomass Mission:

    • The mission will fill critical gaps in forest biomass and height data, improving understanding of forests’ role in the carbon cycle and climate change.
    • Biomass will measure carbon storage in forests and track changes due to deforestation and human activity.
    • The mission’s data will aid climate change mitigation strategies by tracking carbon fluxes between forests and the atmosphere.
    • It will support environmental monitoring, assist policymakers, and contribute to global climate change strategies.
    [UPSC 2010] Consider the following statements:

    The Satellite Oceansat-2 launched by India helps in

    1. estimating the water vapour content in the atmosphere.

    2. predicting the onset of monsoons.

    3. monitoring the pollution of coastal waters.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1,2 and 3

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Innovation Ecosystem in India

    [pib] Cu-Phen Metallo-Nanozymes and its Applications

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Metallo-Nanozymes

    Why in the News?

    Researchers from the CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai has developed a new nanozyme, Cu-Phen, using a catalyst-by-design strategy. A nanozyme is a type of synthetic enzyme made from nanomaterials (extremely tiny particles) that can mimic the function of natural enzymes in biological systems.

    About the Metallo-Nanozymes 

    • Cu-Phen (Copper-Phenylalanine) is a type of metallo-nanozyme developed by Indian researchers.
    • It is a synthetic enzyme that mimics the functions of natural enzymes in the body, particularly in controlling the flow of energy at the cellular level.
    • It is made by combining copper ions (Cu²⁺) with phenylalanine, an amino acid, using a special design method called “catalyst-by-design”.
    • It forms a self-assembled nano-structure with a well-defined active site, which is where the enzyme’s function occurs.
    • This structure helps Cu-Phen control the electron transfer process, which is important for many biological functions.
    • Unlike traditional nanozymes, which often have poorly defined active sites, Cu-Phen has a precisely structured active site, allowing it to work more efficiently like natural enzymes in the body.
    • Cu-Phen interacts with cytochrome c, a protein that plays a key role in the electron transport chain, which is part of how our body generates energy.
    • It helps reduce oxygen to water without producing harmful substances called reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage cells.

    Potential Applications

    • Cu-Phen could be used to make energy systems more efficient, like in bioenergy (energy from living things), by mimicking natural energy-making processes.
    • It could help treat diseases like neurodegenerative diseases and cancer by controlling energy production in cells and reducing harmful effects on the body.
    • These nanozymes can help clean water and make energy systems work better, while reducing pollution and harmful by-products.
    • Cu-Phen can also be used in factories to help make useful products like medicines and chemicals by working like artificial enzymes.
    • This new nanozyme is a step forward in creating artificial enzymes that could be used in many areas like medicine, energy, and manufacturing.
    [UPSC 2022] Consider the following statements :

    1. Other than those made by humans, nanoparticles do not exist in nature.

    2. Nanoparticles of some metallic oxides are used in the manufacture of some cosmetics.

    3. Nanoparticles of some commercial products which enter the environment are unsafe for humans.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    (a) 1 only (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 2 (d) 2 and 3

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Global Geological And Climatic Events

    What are Mesoscale Convective System (MCS)?

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Salient Features Of World’S Physical Geography

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Mesoscale Convective System

    Why in the News?

    A recent study in Nature Geoscience suggests that soil moisture levels could help predict severe thunderstorms, like mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), especially in regions like India.

    About Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS):

    • MCSs are larger than individual thunderstorms but smaller than larger weather systems like cyclones.
    • They typically cover areas between 100 to 1,000 km in diameter.
    • They form when warm, moist air rises, creating storms that feed off each other, growing in size and intensity as they move across the region.
    • They can cause flash floods, damaging winds, and severe thunderstorms, and are often responsible for large-scale weather events.
    • In tropical regions, MCSs account for 50 to 90 % of total rainfall, making them a major cause of severe weather-related damage.
    • A notable example is the March 2024 thunderstorm in West Bengal, which caused significant property damage and loss of life.

    Soil Moisture’s Role in MCS as per the Study:

    • Shifts in soil moisture can be detected two to five days before the formation of storms, providing critical lead time for early warnings in vulnerable regions.
    • Contrasting soil moisture levels over large areas (hundreds of kilometers) lead to changes in atmospheric conditions, including A notable example is the March 2024 thunderstorm in West Bengal, which caused significant property damage and loss of life.
    • Larger contrasts in moisture content between dry and wet regions cause greater temperature differences, which in turn lead to changes in wind direction and speed.
    • These variations contribute to turbulence, making storms more intense and spreading rainfall over a wider area.
    [UPSC 2013] During a thunderstorm, the thunder in the skies is produced by the

    1. meeting of cumulonimbus clouds in the sky 2. lightning that separates the nimbus clouds 3. violent upward movement of air and water particles

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) None of the above produces the thunder

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Global Geological And Climatic Events

    Hadean Protocrust

    Prelims Only | Geography | Mains Paper 1: Salient Features Of World’S Physical Geography

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Hadean Protocrust

    Why in the News?

    A study from Macquarie University, Australia, suggests that plate tectonics may have started earlier than previously thought, with signs of it possibly existing in the Hadean protocrust even before the plates began to move.

    What is Hadean Protocrust?

    • The Hadean protocrust is the Earth’s first crust, formed within the first 200 million years of the planet’s creation.
    • During this time, the surface was mostly molten and constantly hit by space rocks, making it very hot and unstable.
    • Over time, parts of the molten surface began to cool and solidify, creating the first crust.

    Hadean Protocrust

    Back2Basics: Hadean Aeon

    • The Hadean Aeon is the earliest geological eon in Earth’s history, lasting from about 4.6 billion to 4 billion years ago.
    • The surface was incredibly hot and volcanic activity was widespread, often described as “hellish.”
    • It was followed by the Archean Eon (about 4 billion to 2.5 billion years ago), characterized by the formation of Earth’s first stable crust, the beginning of plate tectonics, and the earliest known forms of life.
    • As the surface cooled, the thick parts of the crust formed the first continents, which moved on the hot, semi-fluid layer beneath them called the asthenosphere.

    Key Findings of the Recent Study:

    • The researchers found that the chemical signatures linked to plate tectonics might have appeared earlier, even when the Earth’s crust was still forming in the Hadean protocrust.
    • This discovery suggests that early movements of the Earth’s crust, similar to plate tectonics, could have happened before plates began to move as we know them today.
    • The study used models and experiments to support these ideas, but further research is needed to confirm these findings.
    [UPSC 2013] Which of the following are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the earth?

    1. Electromagnetic radiation 2. Geothermal energy 3. Gravitational force 4. Plate movements 5. Rotation of the earth 6. Revolution of the earth

    Which of the above are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the earth?

    (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 2, 4 and 6 only (d) 2 and 4 only

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now

  • Historical and Archaeological Findings in News

    PM Modi at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree

    Why in the News?

    PM Narendra Modi recently visited the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple in the historic city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

    About the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree

    • The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree is considered the oldest living cultivated plant globally.
    • It is believed to have grown from a branch of the original Bodhi Vruksha in Bodhgaya under which Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment.
      • This branch was carried to Sri Lanka by Sanghamitra, eldest daughter of Emperor Ashoka and his first wife, Queen Devi.
      • The original tree under which Buddha meditated was reportedly destroyed, possibly by Ashoka’s wife Tishyarakshita in some legends.
    • Sanghamitra’s arrival in Sri Lanka with the tree is commemorated during the Uduvapa Poya, a festival observed annually on a full moon night in December.

    Legend of Sanghamitra’s Journey to Sri Lanka

    • Sanghamitra, originally named Ayapali, lived from 282 BC to 203 BC.
    • Following the Third Buddhist Council (held in 250 BC in Pataliputra) during Ashoka’s reign, it was decided to send missionaries to various regions, including Sri Lanka, to spread Buddhism.
    • The mission to Sri Lanka was led by Mahinda (Mahendra), Ashoka’s son, who converted King Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura to Buddhism.
    • After several royal ladies expressed interest in joining the Buddhist monastic order, Mahinda sent for his sister, Sanghamitra, to initiate them.
      • Both siblings lived in Anuradhapura for the rest of their lives.
    • She played a pivotal role in establishing the Order of Nuns (Bhikkhuni Sangha or Meheini Sasna) in Sri Lanka, which later spread to other Theravada Buddhist countries like Burma, China, and Thailand.
    [UPSC 2020] With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

    1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. 2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. 3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

    Attend Now