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

Type: Prelims Only

  • LGBT Rights – Transgender Bill, Sec. 377, etc.

    Article 142 of the Indian Constitution

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Article 142

    Why in the News?

    The Supreme Court declined a PIL seeking directions under Article 142 to include sexual offences against men, trans-persons, and animals in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

    Supreme Court’s Observations:

    • The petitioner argued that the new BNS omitted Section 377 of the IPC, which previously criminalized ‘unnatural sex’ and carnal intercourse involving a man, woman, or animal.
    • In the Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) case, the Supreme Court struck down Section 377 to the extent that it criminalized consensual sexual acts between adults.
    • Non-consensual homosexual acts remained punishable under this provision.
    • The BNS does not include provisions criminalizing sexual offences against men, trans persons, and animals.
    • During the hearing, the bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra stated that:
      • The Court cannot direct Parliament to create or reintroduce an offence.
      • The creation of offences falls within the parliamentary domain, not under the court’s jurisdiction, even with Article 142.

    About Article 142:

    Details
    Definition • Grants discretionary power to the Supreme Court to pass orders or decrees necessary for complete justice in matters before it.
    • Allows the court to act beyond the limits of statutory law if required.
    Purpose • Ensures justice is delivered in cases where regular laws may not provide adequate remedies.
    • Aims to empower the Supreme Court to address extraordinary situations effectively.
    Key Clauses Article 142(1): Allows the Supreme Court to pass enforceable orders across India for doing complete justice.
    Article 142(2): Empowers the court to secure attendance, discovery of documents, or punishment for contempt.
    Notable Cases Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1989): Supreme Court awarded $470 million compensation, bypassing limitations of ordinary law.
    Ayodhya Case (2019): Directed the formation of a trust for Ram Mandir construction.• Liquor Sale Ban (2016): Imposed a 500-metre ban on liquor shops along highways using Article 142, extending it beyond central government orders.
    Constructive Application • Invoked for environmental protection, such as in the Taj Mahal cleanup.
    Justice for undertrials by addressing systemic delays in the judicial process.
    Controversies • Accusations of judicial overreach in certain cases, where actions have seemingly breached the separation of powers principle.
    Supreme Court Bar Association v. Union of India: Clarified that Article 142 should supplement, not replace the law.
    Impact on Governance • Empowers the Supreme Court with a tool for upholding justice, but raises debates over checks and balances in a democratic system.

     

    PYQ:

    [2019] With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations on the constitutional powers under Article 142. It could mean which one of the following?

    (a) The decisions taken by the Election Commission of India while discharging its duties cannot be challenged in any court of law.

    (b) The Supreme Court of India is not constrained in the exercise of its powers by laws made by the Parliament.

    (c) In the event of grave financial crisis in the country, the President of India can declare Financial Emergency without the counsel from the Cabinet.

    (d) State Legislatures cannot make laws on certain matters without the concurrence of Union Legislature.

  • Nobel and other Prizes

    Nobel Prize in Economics, 2024

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Nobel Prize in Economics

    Why in the News?

    The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics for 2024 was awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson for their research into why some nations are more prosperous than others.

    What is the Nobel Economics Prize?  

    • Officially called the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, established in 1968.
    • It is not part of the original Nobel Prizes created by Alfred Nobel in 1895.
    • Created by the Swedish central bank to honor Alfred Nobel’s legacy.
    • Although not an original Nobel Prize, it is presented alongside the other Nobel Prizes on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death.
    • Includes a diploma, gold medal, and a one-million-dollar prize for the laureates.

    This Year’s Nobel for Economics:

    • The 2024 Nobel awardees’ research focused on the role of societal institutions in determining a country’s economic prosperity.
    • The laureates distinguished between inclusive institutions, which promote democracy, rule of law, and protection of property rights, and extractive institutions, where power is concentrated and resources are exploited for the benefit of a few.
    • Their study explains how inclusive institutions foster long-term economic growth by providing stability and incentives, while extractive institutions undermine growth by discouraging investment and innovation.
    • The researchers also explored how European colonization shaped current economic disparities by establishing either inclusive or extractive institutions, with decisions influenced by factors such as mortality risks during colonization.

    Significance of the study

    • The study highlights the critical role of societal institutions in determining a country’s prosperity.
    • It distinguishes between inclusive institutions that foster growth and extractive institutions that hinder it.
    • It explains how colonial history shaped modern economic disparities.
    • The research offers policy insights for building inclusive institutions to promote long-term prosperity.
    • It has global implications for reducing inequality and promoting sustainable development.

    PYQ:

    [2019] The long-sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised nations has disappeared on account of its new found role in the emerging global order.’ Elaborate.

  • Tuberculosis Elimination Strategy

    Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Bacteria

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Bacteria

    Why in the News?

    • Due to increasing antimicrobial resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), many existing antibiotics are becoming less effective.
      • As a result, researchers are studying Mtb to identify key proteins and design new drugs to target them.

    What is Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)?

    • Mtb is the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB), affecting the lungs and sometimes spreading to other organs.
    • It spreads through airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing by an infected person.
    • Mtb can remain dormant in the body for years without causing active disease.
    • It infects macrophages, immune cells designed to destroy invaders, but instead, Mtb survives and multiplies inside them.

    What do various studies say?

    • A 2024 CSIR-CCMB study showed that Mtb uses cysteine synthase enzymes to survive oxidative stress.
    • A 2017 Karolinska Institute study identified 71 compounds that inhibit these enzymes, improving the effectiveness of antibiotics like isoniazid.
    • Researchers found that Mtb’s ability to evade the immune system is due to its long evolution with humans.
    • Other studies focus on Mtb’s phosphate and carbon metabolism, critical for its survival in hostile environments.
    • Ways for effective medicine development:
      • Target enzymes like CysK2 and CysM to weaken Mtb’s defence mechanisms.
      • Study Mtb’s metabolic pathways to identify vulnerabilities for new drug development.
      • Explore how Mtb develops antibiotic resistance and find ways to overcome it.
      • Investigate how Mtb evades immune responses by manipulating immune cells.
      • Combine new inhibitors with existing antibiotics to enhance treatment efficacy.

    PYQ:

    [2014] Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without Doctor’s prescription, be contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved.

  • The Crisis In The Middle East

    What is THAAD?

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: THAAD Defense System

    thaad

    Why in the News?

    The US has announced that it will send its advanced THAAD (Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense) missile system to Israel, along with US troops to operate it.

    What is THAAD?

    • THAAD is an advanced missile defense system developed by Lockheed Martin Corporation in the 1990s.
    • It is designed to intercept and destroy short-range (up to 1,000 km), medium-range (1,000–3,000 km), and intermediate-range (3,000–5,000 km) ballistic missile threats during their terminal phase of flight.
    • Key Features of THAAD:
      • Uses “hit-to-kill” technology to destroy missiles.
      • Can defend a larger area than the older Patriot Air and Missile Defense System.
      • Provides a rapidly deployable capability both inside and outside the atmosphere.

    India’s AD-1 missile interceptor under the Phase 2 Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system, is similar to the THAAD missile system used by the US.

    • AD-1 and AD-2 interceptor missiles are developed to intercept ballistic missiles, including ICBMs, with ranges over 2,000 km.
    • Swordfish LRTR, derived from Israel’s Green Pine radar, has an upgraded detection range of 1,500 km for enhanced missile tracking.
    • The system intercepts both exo-atmospherically and endo-atmospherically, creating a comprehensive missile defence shield.
    • It can manage multiple missile threats simultaneously, ensuring defence against complex attack scenarios.
    • A floating test range is being developed for missile trials over the sea, enabling tests at higher altitudes and ranges up to 1,500 km.
    • INS Dhruv, equipped with advanced radars, monitors missile tests and supports surveillance during defense operations.

    Significance of Sending THAAD to Israel

    The decision to send THAAD to Israel is significant for several reasons:

    • It is part of broader US military adjustments in the region to support Israel’s defense and protect Americans from attacks by Iran and Iranian-aligned militias.
    • The deployment signals increased US involvement in the conflict.
    PYQ:

    [2018] What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news?

    (a) An Israeli radar system

    (b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme

    (c) An American anti-missile system

    (d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea

  • The Crisis In The Middle East

    Nile nations agree on Water-Sharing without Egypt’s nod

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Nile River System

    nile river

    Why in the News?

    A regional partnership of 10 countries announced that an agreement on the equitable use of Nile River water resources has come into effect, despite Egypt’s opposition.

    Why discuss this?

    • The legal status of the “cooperative framework” was confirmed by the African Union after South Sudan joined the treaty.
    • The treaty is backed by the Nile Basin Initiative.
    • Countries Involved:
      • Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania have ratified the agreement.
      • Egypt and Sudan have refused to sign.
      • Congo abstained, while Kenya has yet to submit its ratification documents.

    About Nile River:

    Details
    Length Approximately 6,650 km (4,130 miles), making it the longest river in the world.
    Tributaries White Nile (originating from Lake Victoria in Uganda) and Blue Nile (originating from Lake Tana in Ethiopia).
    Countries Traversed 11 countries: Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt.
    Source
    • White Nile from Lake Victoria,
    • Blue Nile from Lake Tana.
    Mouth Mediterranean Sea, forming the Nile Delta in Egypt.
    Major Cities Includes Cairo, Khartoum, and Alexandria.
    Key Dams
    • Aswan High Dam (Egypt), controls flooding, generates hydroelectric power, and forms Lake Nasser.
    • Built in 1970 across the Nile in Aswan, Egypt; helps in irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation but also disrupts silt flow.
    Economic Importance Provides over 90% of water for Egypt and Sudan; vital for agriculture, fishing, industry, and energy production.
    Disputes Between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan over water rights, particularly due to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
    Historical Treaties
    • 1929 and 1959 Nile Water Agreements allocated water mostly to Egypt and Sudan; upstream countries seek revision.
    • Nile Basin Initiative (NBI): Established in 1999, it is a partnership among Nile Basin countries aimed at promoting cooperation, development, and sustainable management of the Nile’s resources.

     

    PYQ:

    [2020] Consider the following pairs:

    River Flows into
    1. Mekong Andaman Sea
    2. Thames Irish Sea
    3. Volga Caspian Sea
    4. Zambezi Indian Ocean

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 3 only

    (c) 3 and 4 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 4 only

  • The Crisis In The Middle East

    What is the UNIFIL?

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: UNIFIL, UN Peacekeeping Mission

    Why in the News?

    • India has expressed concerns about the safety of UN peacekeepers stationed in south Lebanon, after they came under fire from Israeli forces.
      • Among the peacekeepers are 600 Indian soldiers, who are part of the UN peacekeeping mission and are stationed along the 120-km Blue Line on the Israel-Lebanon border.

    What is UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon)?

    Details
    Established March 1978, following Israel’s invasion of Lebanon
    UN Resolutions Established under UNSC Resolutions 425 and 426
    Primary Objectives
    • Confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon
    • Restore international peace and security
    • Assist the Government of Lebanon in regaining control over southern Lebanon
    Area of Operation Southern Lebanon, near the border with Israel (Blue Line)
    Personnel Over 10,000 peacekeepers from 50 countries (both civilian and military personnel)
    Mission
    • Prevent hostilities and maintain peace along the 121-km Blue Line
    • Ensure that no weapons or fighters are present in the region
    • Report violations to the UN Security Council
    Rules of Engagement Peacekeepers are armed but are only allowed to use force when their safety or civilian safety is at risk
    Headquarters Naqoura, southern Lebanon
    Peacekeeper Status Not soldiers but impartial peacekeepers, present with the consent of the host country, Lebanon

    Significance of UNIFIL

    • Conflict Prevention: UNIFIL monitors the Blue Line and prevents escalations between Israel and Lebanon.
    • Civilian Protection: It safeguards civilians and supports humanitarian aid efforts in conflict zones.
    • Support for Lebanon: UNIFIL helps the Lebanese government extend control in the south alongside the Lebanese Armed Forces.

    PYQ:

    [2015] Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in UN Security Council.

  • Wetland Conservation

    In news: Wular Lake

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Wular Lake

    Why in the News?

    The harvest of water chestnuts, locally known as goer has begun around “Wular Lake” in Kashmir.

    About Wular Lake:

    Details
    Location Bandipore district, Jammu and Kashmir
    Size Largest freshwater lake in India, second-largest in Asia
    Area Covers 200 sq. km, with a length of 24 km and breadth of 10 km
    Source Fed by the Jhelum River; Streams Madhumati and Arin.
    Formation Formed due to tectonic activity; possibly a remnant of the ancient Satisar Lake
    Island formation Features a small island called Zaina Lank, constructed by King Zainul-Abidin
    Ecological Significance Ramsar Wetland Site (since 1990), supports wintering, staging, and breeding of many bird species
    Wildlife Important for bird species like black-eared kite, Himalayan monal, Himalayan golden eagle
    Fish Habitat Accounts for 60% of the fish production in Jammu and Kashmir
    Wetland status Designated as a Wetland of International Importance in 1990 under the Ramsar Convention
    Tulbul Project Located at the mouth of Wular Lake, aims to regulate the flow of water from the lake into the Jhelum River to enhance navigation and ensure year-round water availability.

    Controversial due to objections raised by Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty. Currently, the project remains stalled.

     

    PYQ:

    [2018] Which one of the following is an artificial lake?

    (a) Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu)

    (b) Kolleru (Andhra Pradesh)

    (c) Nainital (Uttarakhand)

    (d) Renuka (Himachal Pradesh)

  • Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

    What is Wayanad’s new X-band Radar?

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Doppler, X-Band Radar, NISAR

    Why in the News?

    After the floods and landslides in Wayanad in July 2024, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences approved the installation of an “X-band radar” in the district.

    What is an X-Band Radar?

    • An X-band radar is a type of radar that operates in the 8-12 GHz frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum, with wavelengths of 2-4 cm.
    • This radar is particularly useful for detecting smaller particles like raindrops, fog, and other fine materials due to its shorter wavelengths, which allow for higher resolution images.

    Key Features of X-Band Radar:

    • High Resolution: The shorter wavelength provides more detailed images, making it ideal for tracking weather phenomena, including precipitation and particle movements.
    • Limited Range: They have a relatively shorter range compared to other types like S-band radars because higher frequency signals get attenuated (weakened) faster as they travel through the atmosphere.

    Applications: In weather forecasting, X-band radars are used for short-range weather monitoring, such as predicting rainfall intensity and landslides. They are also used in air traffic control and military applications.

    What is a Doppler Radar?  

    • A Doppler radar is a type of radar used primarily in meteorology to measure the velocity and movement of weather formations, such as clouds and storms.
    • It works on the principle of the Doppler effect, which refers to the change in frequency of waves as their source moves relative to the observer.

    It’s applications: 

    • Velocity Measurement: By measuring these changes in frequency, Doppler radar can determine how fast the object (e.g., rain cloud) is moving and in which direction.
    • Weather Monitoring: Doppler radar helps in tracking rainfall intensity, detecting wind patterns, and predicting the formation of storms or tornadoes.

    India’s Radar Network

    • The India Meteorological Department (IMD) began using radars in weather applications in the 1950s.
      • The first indigenously designed X-band storm detection radar was installed in 1970 in New Delhi.
    • In 1996, the IMD replaced 10 outdated X-band radars with digital X-band radars.
    • India’s radar network includes both wind-finding and storm-detecting X-band radars. The country also uses S-band radars (2-4 GHz) for long-range detection. The first S-band cyclone detection radar was installed in Visakhapatnam in 1970.

    Recent Developments:

    • In September 2024, the Ministry of Earth Sciences announced that India would install 56 additional Doppler radars over the next few years.
    • On September 11, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the ₹2,000-crore ‘Mission Mausam’, which aims to upgrade meteorological infrastructure, including the installation of up to 60 radars by 2026.
    • The Wayanad radar initiative also includes the installation of a C-band radar (4-8 GHz) in Mangaluru, with an observational range of 250 km.

    About the NISAR

    • NISAR, short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, is a joint satellite mission being developed by NASA and ISRO.
    • NISAR will use radar imaging to create a high-resolution map of the earth’s landmasses, tracking changes in natural processes.
    • Its payload consists of an L-band radar (1.25 GHz, 24 cm) built by NASA and an S-band radar (3.2 GHz, 9.3 cm) built by ISRO.
    • NISAR is expected to launch in 2025 aboard an ISRO GSLV Mk II rocket, with a total cost of $1.5 billion, primarily funded by NASA.

     

    PYQ:

    [2016] Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development?

  • OBOR Initiative

    China’s ‘Anaconda Strategy’

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Anaconda Strategy

    Why in the News?

    Taiwanese authorities recently stated that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is using an ‘anaconda strategy’ to put pressure on Taiwan.

    China’s Military Maneuvers around Taiwan

    • China has been steadily increasing its military activities around Taiwan, both by air and sea:
    1. Air incursions into the Taiwan Strait have increased significantly, from 36 incursions in January to 193 in September.
    2. Chinese ships operating around Taiwan has also risen, from 142 in early 2024 to 282 by August.
    • These maneuvers seem designed to wear down Taiwan’s navy and air force, creating constant pressure.

    What is the Anaconda Strategy?

    • The ‘anaconda strategy’ involves a combination of military tactics, psychological pressure, and cyber warfare.
    • The goal is to weaken Taiwan’s defenses and force the island into submission without the need for a full-scale invasion.
    • China’s approach is one of relentless pressure.
    • It is trying to tire out Taiwan and force it into making mistakes, which could then be used as a pretext to launch a blockade.
    • Its ultimate goal appears to be to make Taiwan vulnerable without resorting to direct military conflict, keeping Taiwan’s forces on the defensive.

    Other Unconventional Strategies used by China:

    • Wolf Warrior Diplomacy: A confrontational and assertive style of diplomacy used by Chinese officials, characterized by aggressive rhetoric and nationalistic stances, often aimed at defending China’s interests and countering foreign criticism.
    • Gray-Zone Tactics: A set of covert strategies that fall between war and peace, including actions like cyberattacks, propaganda, and incremental territorial gains, aimed at advancing a nation’s goals without triggering a full-scale military conflict.
    • Salami Slicing: A strategy where small, incremental actions are taken over time to achieve a larger goal without triggering a strong reaction. It is often used to gain control or advantage bit by bit, avoiding immediate confrontation.

     

    PYQ:

    [2021] The US is facing an existential threat in the form of a China that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union. Explain.

    [2017] “China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia”. In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbour.

  • Nobel and other Prizes

    Literature Nobel, 2024

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Nobel Prize of Literature

    nobel

    Why in the News?

    The 2024 Nobel Prize has been awarded to South Korean writer Han Kang for her “intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.

    Who is Han Kang?

    • Han Kang is a South Korean writer born in 1970 in Gwangju, South Korea.
    • She is known for her poetic and experimental writing style that confronts themes of historical trauma, violence, grief, and the fragility of human life.
    • After starting her literary career with poetry, she became widely recognized for her novels that address complex human emotions and the consequences of social and political structures.

    Her Literary Works:

    • The Vegetarian (2007): This novel, which won the Man Booker International Prize in 2016, revolves around a woman who decides to stop eating meat and faces extreme reactions from her family. The story explores themes of control, independence, and violence. It was her breakthrough novel, translated into English in 2015.
    • Human Acts (2016): Set against the backdrop of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, this novel tells the story of the massacre of protesting students by the South Korean military. Han Kang gives voice to the victims of history with a style that is both experimental and visionary.
    • The White Book (2017): An elegy dedicated to a sibling who passed away shortly after birth. The novel is a meditation on grief, narrated through white objects, symbolizing loss and memory.
    • Greek Lessons (2023): This novel, first published in Korean in 2011, tells the story of a woman who loses her ability to speak and her teacher, who is losing his sight. The novel explores loss, intimacy, and the connection between language and identity.
    • We Do Not Part (2025, forthcoming): This upcoming novel focuses on two women confronting a hidden massacre in Korean history from the 1940s. It explores how trauma can be transformed into art.

    Citation for Nobel Prize 2024

    • The Swedish Academy’s official bio-bibliography highlights her ability to create universal narratives using a poetic and radical imagination. 
    • Han Kang is praised for addressing patriarchy, violence, and historical injustices, while also examining the connections between body and soul and the living and the dead.
    • The academy notes that she has become an innovator in contemporary prose, showing how literature can speak the truth through her powerful and experimental style.

    Recent Nobel Prizes in Literature:

    • 2023: Jon Fosse (Norway) for his innovative minimalistic plays and prose, focusing on the human condition.
    • 2022: Annie Ernaux (France) for her courageous exploration of personal and collective memory.
    • 2021: Abdulrazak Gurnah (Tanzania) for his compassionate depictions of colonialism and migration.
    • 2020: Louise Gluck (USA) for her deeply personal poetry that resonates universally.
    Rabindranath Tagore: Won the Nobel Prize in 1913 for “Gitanjali,” becoming the first non-European laureate in Literature, recognized for his sensitive and spiritual poetry.