Explanation :

Vilayati kikar or vilayati babool, as the name suggests, is an imported plant variety hailing from Mexico, where it is known as ‘Mesquite’. Taxonomists know it as Prosopis juliflora, and in 1970s, international agencies like the UN hailed it as the “Wonder Tree” as it helped the farmers. But, now it has caused such a problem by eliminating other species along with depleting water table that, it is now being termed as ‘Devil Tree”.

Why the Question?

Puzzle type question has now become the trend in UPSC (e.g. in 2018), so we are framing the question in such a manner to make the students aware of the same.

Source Name : Down to Earth

Explanation :

Uighurs are Muslims who find themselves more close to Central Asian (as Xinjiang province shares its border with countries like Kazakhstan, Krygstan, etc.) people rather than Chinese. This region of China was neglected, but the Chinese government has decided to start CPEC corridor from Kashgar to Gwadar so that it can bring prosperity and jobs to its most neglected province. There always exists the tension in this province due to ethnic and religious issues.

Why the Question?

The main purpose of asking this question is to make the students aware about the area through which CPEC passes and make them aware about the problems faced by Uighurs.

Source Name : The Hindu

Explanation :

It is used for the treatement of TB, as it significantly reduces the treatement time for multi drug resistant TB. Recently, it has been rolled out in the state of Telangana.

Explanation :

‘SWAYAM’ is an initiative of MHRD where, free online courses are provided by the best professors and thus, help the students. It is a platform by which students can study from the best minds of the country.

Source Name : PIB​

Explanation :

Scientists are of the view that if rate of climate change continues in the same fashion then the time is not far when the Earth will reach a “tipping point”, i.e. the state from which it can’t return back to its original state due to climate change. ‘Hothouse’ like scenario means it will melt the ice caps along with other green house conditions that will make the Earth unfit for living.

Source Name : The Hindu

Explanation :

NASA has launched Solar Parker Probe which will give insight into the corona of the Sun, solar winds, etc. The astonishing thing about corona is that its temperature is more than the core of the Sun which is usually not the case, as we move from inside to outside temperature decreases.

India has planned to launch ADITYA L1 mission to study the Sun. In 1974, NASA had launched Helios Spacecraft to know about the Sun but Solar Parker Probe will look into the details from a closer distance.

Source Name : IE

Explanation :

Mouse Deer (also known as Spotted Chevrotain) looks like weird mash-up of a deer, mouse and pig. Because of their small size they are smallest ungulates (large mammals) in the world. Nehru Zoological Park in collaboration with Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) of Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology and Central Zoo Authority, Delhi were carrying out a breeding programme and has finally reintroduced them into the forest of Nallamala, i.e. Amrabad Tiger Reserve.

Why the Question?

In UPSC 2018, the wildlife reserve in news was asked, so we are covering important reserves and national parks which are frequently in the news.

Source Name : PIB

Explanation :

Antigua and Barbuda are the countries where getting citizenship is very easy as you have to show the investment in their countries and will have to live there for 5 days in 5 years and then you become the citizen of that country. These countries are in news as people like Mehul Choksi has taken their citizenship; and it has become quite difficult for India to get him back.

Why the Question?

It is always advisable to look into the maps of the countries which are in the news. So, we have framed this question keeping that in mind.

Source Name : IE

Explanation :

Solar Winds are generally emitted from the outer atmosphere of the Sun called as Corona. They are generally charged particles and when this is emitted in huge quantity, we call it as Coronal Mass Ejection.

Source Name : IE

Explanation :

“Tholu” means leather and “Bommalata” means puppet dance. Various epics from Mahabharat, Ramayan are depicted by this in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The musical instruments consist of harmonium, mrindangam, etc.

Why the Question?

If we start going through all the puppetry of all the states, it becomes difficult to memorise them, instead the better way is to focus on those things which are in news, so we have brought this to the attention of the students.

Explanation :

In this global era, all economies are linked. So, disturbance of one economy will impact the other for sure. Due to depreciation of Lira, the FIIs started losing their faith in emerging economies. As a result of this, they started withdrawing their money i.e. supply of Dollars decreased, so Rupee is ought to depreciate. FDI is a long term investment, so it has nothing to do with depreciation at present.

Due to panic situation, importers started to demand more to have buffer and if the demand of Dollar increases, Currency is ought to depreciate. Exporters have nothing to do with this as they earn Dollars, so they can help us in appreciating our Currency.

Why the Question?

We have asked the applied concept of ‘Depreciation of Currency’ to help students understand the things better; also in UPSC 2018, the questions on Economy section were highly conceptual.

Source Name : The Hindu, IE

Explanation :

A UNSC resolution was passed so that stability can be restored in Yemen. Saudi Arabia said that ‘Houthis’ tried to destablise the government of President Hadi, who had asked for the help; so, Saudi Arabia had to intervene. Houthis are the armed militia present in Yemen having the backing of Iran. So, Yemen has become the playground for the two regional players namely- Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Why the Question?

In upsc 2018, UNSC resolution on child was asked. So, it is very important to cover the important resolutions which are in the news.

Source Name : The Hindu

Explanation :

Operation ‘Maitri’ was for Nepal earthquake, Operation ‘Rahat’ was for evacuation of citizens in Yemen, Operation ‘Madad’ is being done by the Navy not the Army, and Operation ‘Sahyog’ is being done by Army in flood hit Kerala.

Source Name : PIB

Explanation :

“Pitch to MOVE” is launched by NITI Aayog in collaboration with Invest India and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. NITI Aayog has launched “Pitch to MOVE” - a mobility pitch competition that aims to provide budding entrepreneurs of India a unique opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a distinguished jury. Startups working in various fields of mobility can pitch their ideas to industry leaders and Venture Capitalists for raising investments.

Source Name : PIB

Explanation :

Chilika Lake is present in the state of Odisha and is a brackish water lake. It was the first lake to be listed in Ramsar Convention. Nalbana in Odia means “Weed covered Island” and it was declared a bird life sanctuary because of large number of birds coming here.

Why the Question?

We are covering important parks and lakes which are in news, so intricate details are being asked to provide some more information to the students so that if puzzle type question is asked they can make out easily.

Source Name : The Hindu, Down to Earth​

Explanation :

The answer to this question will be relative, as we will have to look into how the currency of that importing country is behaving. If currency of that country too depreciates at the same rate, we can’t gain from it, but on broader terms, it has been found that depreciated currency helps the textile sector, inbound tourism, gems but not the petroleum products as we first import it and then that gets refined or value is added to get the final product so depreciation fails to add to our exports in petroleum sector.

Why the question?

Instead of asking direct questions, we are focussing on the analytical part to make the concepts clear to the students.

Source Name : Economic Times

Explanation :

Ease of Living framework comprises four pillars namely Institutional, Social, Economic and Physical. Evaluation of cities has been done on a 100-point scale across the 4 Pillars with the institutional and social pillars carrying 25 points each, 5 points for the pillar on economic and 45 points for the physical pillar.

Source Name : PIB

Explanation :

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV Mk 3), the heaviest rocket ever made by India and capable of carrying large payloads. GSLV-Mk III is capable of launching four-tonne satellites in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit and 8 tonnes in low earth orbit.

Source Name : The Hindu, IE

Explanation :

‘Cryogenic’ means use of material at extremely low temperature. The main purpose of asking this term is to make student aware about cryogenics, as in GSLV Mk III, upper stage is cryogenic engine that uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen at extremely low temperature. We need cryogenic engine in Rockets to carry heavy load into space, especially for the mission like “Gaganyaan”.

Source Name : The Hindu

Explanation :

NPCI is an umbrella organisation of PSBs, Private Banks and Foreign Banks, but it was an initiative of RBI and IBA. It was created as per the provisions of Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.

Why the Question?

NPCI is in news because of malware attack on Cosmos Co-operative Bank; so we thought of giving insight about NPCI to the students.

Explanation :

P-Notes are issued by those FIIs who are registered with the sebi to those overseas investors who don’t want to invest directly into the Indian stock exchanges. So, it is not issued by SEBI, but by those entities which are registered with SEBI. The overseas investors say that they don’t want to get themselves registered directly in India because of the complexity and complication involved in SEBI bureaucracy. Money invested through P-notes is decreasing due to tightening of the rules by SEBI. So, both the statements are wrong.

Why the Question?

Last two years’ pattern of UPSC depict that trend based questions are being asked; so students are supposed to know about some important trends of the Indian economy.

Source Name : IE

Explanation :

Prime Minister is the chairman of NGRBA, and Cabinet Secretary works directly under the Prime Minister. NCMC which is in the news because of Kerala floods, is led under the Cabinet Secretary and has other members too. Cabinet Secretary is also the chairman of NCTC.

Why the Question?

The main purpose of asking this question is to make the students aware about the organisation of NCMC.

Source Name : The Hindu

Explanation :

Mullaperiyar Dam is the “bone of contention” between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is located in the Cardamom Hills of Western Ghats (or Sahyadri) not the Anaimalai Hills. It is located in Kerala but is regulated by Tamil Nadu. The main bone of contention was that it is very old and small triggers can lead to catastrophe. So, the SC in its landmark judgement has fixed the water level height to 142 ft, to quell the notions of danger.

Why the Question?

The main purpose of asking this question is to make the students aware about the geographical location and SC judgement about this dam, as it is in news constantly due to Kerala flood.

Source Name : The Hindu, IE​

Explanation :

This national park is listed under ‘Ramsar Site’ and is located between Brahmani and Baitarni River. The beauty of this Wetland is that, it is home to 55 of the 58 known mangrove species. Wetlands usually act as defence against the natural calamities. Kalibhajdia Island is spread over 8.5 km² and has attracted the attention of scientists all across the world due to its reserves.

Source Name : The Hindu

Explanation :

Gondhala Music and Dance is performed by the Gondhali people of Maharashtra with the use of ‘Sambal’, a set of drums tied to their neck and rested on their thighs. Gondhala music is the fusion of patriotic flavor and social issues.

Why the Question?

We are covering the important dances and folk music which are coming in the news, so that it becomes easy for students in the end as they can focus on only those folk dances and music which were in the news.

Source Name : The Hindu

Explanation :

Periyar &pamba both originates from the western ghat &in the region of periyar national park.this periyar river is the lifeline of kerala as important cities are situated on the bank of this river along with that it is source of hydro electricity .The topography consists of steep &rolling hills that are thickly wooded.among all the peaks KOTTAMAL is the highest.

Why the question?

The main purpose of asking this question is to relate the periyar river with the environmental aspect,as due to mullaperiyar dam issue this is frequent in news.

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

Virus are the malicious software ,but this can spread only if the user runs/execute the infected files,if the user don’t run the file virus wont affect the system.so human help is must to spread the virus,but in the case of Worms they don’t need the help of human,they can infect the system even without executing the files,so it is generally concluded that WORMS are more dangerous than virus.Trojan horse on the other hand are the files that looks useful but are not legitimate,

Source Name : IE

Explanation :

Gangetic dolphin is called as “Tiger of Ganges” as it hasthe same importance in the ecosystem of ganga as tiger is to forest.Gangetic dolphins catch their prey by the process of echolocation & they are blind.Guwahati is the only city that has made dolphin as its city animal &ganges dolphin is the national aquiatic animal too.

The only sanctuary of Gangetic Dolphin is in the state of Bihar, Vikramshila Dolphin sanctuary, Bhagalpur.

Source Name : Down to earth

Explanation :

The dam diverts the west flowing river to the east via vaigal dam so that it can be used for the irrigation &drinking need of the people of Tamil nadu.It was leased to madras province by the maharaja of travancore(present day kerala) for 999 years.

Why the question?

The main purpose of asking this question is to test the student whether they have seen on map the flow direction of periyar river or not(We expect them that they should see the map of important rivers which are in news).also the aim is to make them aware about how the water is diverted towards TN.

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

This Index is released by Economist Intelligence unit ,research &analysis wing of ‘THE ECONOMIST”,Which is headquartered at london.It ranks 140 cities on the basis of their living conditions under 5 broad parameters namely stability,healthcare,environment,education& infrastructure.Delhi &mumbai were the two cities from india ,Delhi was ranked 112 &mumbai was at 117.

Source Name : TH, IE