Simplifying UPSC Prelims preparation
Plovaram project has been in news because opposition party BJD has warned of protests if the interests of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Odisha’s Malkangiri district are compromised by the Polavaram irrigation project. The core allegation is that the project’s revised parameters (increasing flood discharge capacity) lack valid environmental…
A groundbreaking study published in People and Nature (a journal by the British Ecological Society) has used ancient Marathi literature to prove that the savannas of Western Maharashtra are ancient natural ecosystems, not “degraded forests” as previously believed. Savannas vs. Degraded Forests The central debate is about Biome Identity: Is…
Recent geopolitical tensions have seen major global powers restricting the export of Rare Earth Elements (REEs). These elements are often called the “vitamins of modern industry” because, like vitamins in the human body, they are needed in tiny quantities but are absolutely essential for the “health” (functioning) of high-tech devices…
Trade agreements with various countires like UK, Oman, EU, USA etc have remained in news in 2025. India and the United States engaged in multiple rounds of talks for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). However, negotiations for an India–US trade deal continue to be complex and largely stalled due to…
What is Bond ? Suppose Reliance needs ₹1,00,000 to expand its business. Instead of taking a bank loan, it decides to borrow this money from the public. Reliance issues 100 documents, each worth ₹1,000, and tells the public that anyone who buys this document will get ₹1,000 back after 2…
India is now the world’s largest producer of RIce. India’s rice production has reached 150.18 million tonnes compared to China’s 145.28 million tonnes. The recent focus on India becoming the world’s largest rice producer draws attention to a core agricultural geography concept: the physical and hydrological requirements of rice cultivation.…
Great Nicobar Island has been in the news due to the discovery of a new species of snake. The island is extremely rich in biodiversity, which is why discoveries of new species frequently keep it in the news. For the UPSC Prelims, you do not need to remember the complex…
The Government of India announced the annual licensing policy for opium poppy cultivation for farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh for crop year 2025-26. When the word opium comes to mind, illegal is another word that often follows. However, opium cultivation is not always illegal. The Central Bureau…
US administration ordered a naval “quarantine” (blockade) of Venezuelan oil exports to cut off government revenue. This has led to a massive US military buildup in the Caribbean and the interception of tankers, sparking emergency UN Security Council meetings. Designation as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” The US government recently designated…
While malaria is often viewed as a rural disease associated with forests and stagnant natural water bodies, recent trends highlight a shift towards Urban Malaria. The core concept here isn’t just the disease itself, but the biological adaptation of its vector (the mosquito) to human-made environments. The Pathogen (The Cause)…
