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

Civilsdaily

Login

Type: Prelims Only

  • Trade Sector Updates – Falling Exports, TIES, MEIS, Foreign Trade Policy, etc.

    India-Middle-East-Europe-Economic Corridor (IMEEC)

    Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    Why in the News?

    India and Italy have decided to enhance cooperation in trade, defence, clean energy, and high technology while working jointly on the India-Middle-East-Europe-Economic Corridor (IMEEC).

    imeec

    About IMEEC Project:

    • IMEEC is a key initiative under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), aimed at infrastructure development in developing regions.
    • It was formally endorsed on September 10, 2023, during the 2023 G20 New Delhi summit.
    • Signatories include: India, United States, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union.
    • Objective: To integrate Asia, Europe, and the Middle East to boost economic cooperation, trade, and regional connectivity.
    • IMEEC consists of two main corridors:
      1. East Corridor: Connecting India to the Arabian Gulf.
      2. Northern Corridor: Connecting the Gulf region to Europe.
    • Key Ports to be Connected:
      • India: Mundra, Kandla, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (Mumbai).
      • Middle East: Fujairah (UAE), Jebel Ali (Dubai), Dammam (Saudi Arabia).
      • Israel: Haifa Port.
      • Europe: Piraeus (Greece), Messina (Italy), Marseille (France).

    Significance of the Project:

    • IMEEC will create a cost-efficient ship-to-rail transit network, enhancing existing transport links.
    • The project will transform regional trade dynamics and foster sustainable economic growth.
    [UPSC 2023] With reference to India’s projects on connectivity, consider the following statements:

    1. East-West Corridor under Golden Quadrilateral Project connects Dibrugarh and Surat.

    2. Trilateral Highway connects Moreh in Manipur and Chiang Mai in Thailand via Myanmar.

    3. Bangladesh-China -India -Myanmar Economic Corridor connects Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh with Kunming in China.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

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

  • Global Geological And Climatic Events

    What is Atmospheric River?

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

    Why in the News?

    Earlier this month, severe weather in the United States, including heavy rainfall, strong winds, and thunderstorms, was caused by an Atmospheric River.

    What is an Atmospheric River?

    • An atmospheric river is a narrow, fast-moving band of moisture and wind that transports large amounts of water vapor across vast distances.
    • They form when large-scale weather patterns align, creating channels of moisture transport from tropical oceans, guided by low-level jet streams toward the coast.
    • They typically span 402-606 km in width and can extend over 1600 km in length.
    • The most powerful atmospheric rivers transport moisture equivalent to the Mississippi River’s flow.
    • Example: The Pineapple Express, a well-known atmospheric river, transports moisture from Hawaii to the West Coasts of the U.S. and Canada.
    • The intense rainfall from atmospheric rivers leads to flooding, mudslides, and infrastructure damage, with wind speeds comparable to hurricanes.

    Impact and Climate Change:

    • Rising global temperatures cause more water to evaporate, and warmer air can hold more moisture.
    • For every 1°C increase, the atmosphere can hold 7% more moisture, leading to stronger storms.
    • Research indicates such events will likely grow longer and more intense.
    [UPSC 2023] With reference to the Earth’s atmosphere, which one of the following statements is correct?

    (a) The total amount of insolation received at the equator is roughly about 10 times of that received at the poles.

    (b) Infrared waves are largely absorbed by carbon dioxide that is concentrated in the upper atmosphere.

    (c) Infrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.  

    (d) Ultraviolet rays are absorbed by the ozone layer lying in the ionosphere.

     

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

  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Who was Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (1827-1890)?

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

    Why in the News?

    On April 11, 2025, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule on his 199th birth anniversary.

    Who was Jyotiba Phule (1827-1890)?

    About Mahatma Phule

    • Jyotirao Govindrao Phule, born on April 11, 1827, near Pune, was from the Mali caste.
    • His father was a vegetable vendor, and his mother died when he was young.
    • He pursued education at the Scottish Mission High School in Pune despite caste-based discrimination.
    • He was inspired by Western thinkers like Thomas Paine and John Stuart Mill, fuelling his social justice dedication.
    • At 13, he married Savitribai Phule, who became his partner in social reforms, particularly promoting education for women and marginalized communities.

    His Contributions as a Social Reformer:

    Educational Reforms:

    • In 1848, Phule and his wife established India’s first girls’ school in Pune.
    • He focused on educating Dalits and lower-caste groups, traditionally excluded from education.
    • He founded night schools for working-class individuals, especially women.

    Fighting Caste Discrimination:

    • Phule criticized the caste system, calling it a means of oppression.
    • In 1873, Phule’s book Gulamgiri condemned caste discrimination, comparing Dalits’ plight to slavery.
    • Phule coined the term ‘Dalit’ to describe those outside the caste system.

    Women’s Welfare and Empowerment:

    • Phule advocated for widow remarriage and provided a dignified life for widows.
    • In 1863, he opened homes to help pregnant widows.
    • He co-founded an infanticide prevention center, tackling the killing of female infants.

    Social Justice and Equality:

    • Phule founded Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873 to promote social equality, rational thinking, and religious reform.
    • The Samaj rejected idolatry and supported a more rational spiritual approach.
    • He broke the social stigma of untouchability by opening his house and water-well to the oppressed.

    Religious and Philosophical Contributions:

    • Phule was an advocate for critical thinking of religion, rejecting superstition and blind faith.
    • He believed in equality and justice across religions and cultures.
    • He was influenced by Bhakti saints like Sant Kabir and Sant Tukaram in his fight against social oppression.

    His Literary Contributions:

    • Gulamgiri (Slavery) (1873): Critiqued the caste system and called for Dalit liberation.
    • Shetkaryacha Asud (Farmer’s Whip) (1881): Addressed the exploitation of farmers and advocated for land reforms.
    • Sarvajanik Satya Dharma Poostak: Promoted rationalist thought and social justice.
    • Tritiya Ratna (1855): A significant work in advocating for social equality.
    • Brahmananche Kasab (1869): Criticized the exploitation by the Brahmin class.
    • Powada: Chatrapati Shivajiraje Bhosle Yancha (1869): A work celebrating the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj.
    • Satsar Ank (1885): Another rationalist work addressing societal issues.
    • Akhandadi Kavyarachana: A literary contribution reflecting Phule’s thoughts on social justice.
    [UPSC 2016] Satya Shodhak Samaj organized:

    (a) a movement for the upliftment of tribals in Bihar’

    (b) a temple-entry movement in Gujarat

    (c) an anti-caste movement in Maharashtra

    (d) a peasant movement in Punjab

     

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

  • Air Pollution

    [pib] Indian researchers introduce ‘Toxicity Standard’ of PM2.5 Pollution

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

    Why in the News?

    A recent study conducted in Kolkata shows that the toxicity value of PM2.5 experiences a sudden jump when the pollution level reaches around 70 µg/m³.

    About PM2.5

    • PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller.
    • It is a major air pollutant linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Long-term exposure increases the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, asthma, and other health issues.
    • Major sources include vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, construction dust, biomass burning, and solid waste burning, contributing to both outdoor and indoor pollution.
    • WHO recommends that the annual average PM2.5 concentration should NOT exceed 5 µg/m³, and the 24-hour average should not exceed 15 µg/m³ for more than 3-4 days per year.

    PM2.5 on Govt. Focus: National Clean Air Program (NCAP)

    • Launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the NCAP aims to reduce particulate matter by 40% by 2026 compared to 2017 levels.
    • It targets 131 non-attainment cities across India, focusing on improving air quality and addressing sources of pollution.

    About the Notified Toxicity Standard for PM2.5 

    • A new toxicity standard for PM2.5 in Kolkata sets the critical threshold at 70 µg/m³.
    • Below this level, toxicity remains stable, but it sharply increases once the concentration exceeds 70 µg/m³.
    • It emphasizes reducing pollution sources, particularly biomass and solid waste burning, which contribute significantly to high PM2.5 levels and increased toxicity in Kolkata.
    • Policy Recommendation: To reduce health risks, air quality control measures should aim to keep PM2.5 levels below 70 µg/m³.
    [UPSC 2022] In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements:

    1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 µg/m3 and annual mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m3.

    2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the periods of inclement weather.

    3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.

    4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

     

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

  • Indian Navy Updates

    INS Varsha Naval Base

    Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Various Security Forces, Agencies & Their Mandates

    Why in the News?

    India is set to operationalise INS Varsha, a highly strategic naval base designed specifically to house nuclear-powered submarines, on the eastern coast near Rambilli in Andhra Pradesh by 2026.

    About INS Varsha

    • INS Varsha is being developed as a specialized base to house India’s growing fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, including both Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs) and Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine (SSNs).
    • It will be situated near the coastal village of Rambilli, about 50 km south of Visakhapatnam, home to the Eastern Naval Command.
    • The naval bases lies on the confluence of Sarada and Varaha rivers.
    • The facility will have underground pens and tunnels to ensure stealthy operations for nuclear submarines.
    • This design will allow submarines to enter and exit the base undetected, maintaining their stealth, particularly important for SSBNs which carry nuclear missiles during long patrols.
    • The base will cover an area of 20 square kilometers and is designed to accommodate at least 10 nuclear submarines.
    • Like China’s nuclear submarine base at Hainan Island (in the South China Sea), INS Varsha will be situated in waters that allow submarines to operate without detection from satellite surveillance.

    Project Varsha

    ins varsha

    • INS Varsha is part of Project Varsha, a top-secret initiative aimed at bolstering India’s maritime deterrence capabilities by building a dedicated facility for its nuclear-powered submarines.
    • This project is crucial to countering the growing naval presence and strategic expansion of China in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
    • It will support the fleet of Arihant-class submarines, which are crucial for India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent

     

    [UPSC 2016] Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently?

    (a) Amphibious warfare ship

    (b) Nuclear-powered submarine

    (c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel

    (d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

     

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

  • Waste Management – SWM Rules, EWM Rules, etc

    CPCB revises Classification of Industries

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

    Why in the News?

    The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recently updated its classification of industries, introducing a new category known as the ‘Blue Category.’

    Classification of Industries by CPCB:

    • The CPCB classifies industries based on their environmental impact, focusing on air pollution, water pollution, and hazardous waste generation.
    • Industries are classified using the Pollution Index (PI), which is calculated by considering air, water, and waste pollution, with equal weight given to each factor.
    • PI Categories:
      1. White: PI < 25 (least polluting industries)
      2. Green: 25 ≤ PI < 55
      3. Orange: 55 ≤ PI < 80
      4. Red: PI > 80 (most polluting industries)
    • This system helps determine industry locations, inspection norms, and pollution-related health impacts.
    • It is regulated by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to improve environmental standards.
    • Presently 419 industrial sectors are categorized into Red, Orange, Green, White, and Blue.

    About the ‘Blue’ Category (Newly Introduced):

    • The Blue Category was introduced for industries providing Essential Environmental Services (EES) like pollution management and waste control.
    • It recognizes industries involved in critical environmental management, such as waste-to-energy plants, sewage treatment plants, and landfill management.
    • Industries in the Blue category receive a 2-year extension on their consent to operate as an incentive for their role in managing pollution.
    • Scope: Includes industries that manage waste from both domestic and industrial sources, such as:
      • Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Plants: Now in the Blue category despite their high PI, due to their role in waste energy recovery.
      • Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plants: Classified as Blue for their low environmental impact when processing municipal waste and agro residue.
      • Sewage Treatment Plants & Landfills: These facilities manage environmental hazards through controlled waste disposal.
    • Blue category industries must comply with all environmental norms, and their Pollution Index is still calculated as per the standard formula.
    • Industries showing successful management may receive extended operating permits and other incentives.
    [UPSC 2021] With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements:

    1.It is a product of oil refineries. 2.Some industries use it to generate power. 3.Its use causes sulfur emissions into the environment.

    (a) 1 and 2 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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