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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on March 04, 2025

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On building resilient telecom infrastructure

For Preliminary Examination:  Current events of national and international importance

For Mains Examination: GS III - Disaster Management

Context:

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), a multilateral organisation launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, put out a report earlier this month studying Indian telecom networks’ preparedness in the event of disasters. The report suggests ways in which State governments can better prepare for calamities that may impact telecom networks

Read about:

 International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI)

What is the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?

Key takeaways:

• The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), a multilateral organization established by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, recently released a report assessing the preparedness of India’s telecom networks in disaster scenarios.
• The report outlines strategies for State governments to strengthen their response to calamities that could impact telecom infrastructure.
• Telecom networks play a vital role in disaster management by enabling swift communication between the State and National Disaster Management Authorities, local municipalities, and different levels of government—an essential factor in protecting lives and property.
• However, these networks are particularly vulnerable due to above-ground cabling, towers that may not withstand extreme wind speeds, and their dependence on an uninterrupted power supply, which is often disrupted by disasters like cyclones and earthquakes.
• Coastal regions face additional risks, as they serve as landing points for undersea cables connecting India to the global internet. If these landing stations are damaged, major network disruptions can occur as telecom operators struggle to reroute traffic.
• Repairing undersea cables is a time-intensive process, requiring specialized vessels to reach the affected areas and reconnect the severed cables. However, since power failures are a primary cause of disruptions, maintaining or restoring electricity to telecom towers and network operating centers can significantly enhance resilience.
• Most telecom operators do not assume round-the-clock power availability—except potentially in Mumbai—and instead rely on battery and fuel backups.
• To build a more resilient telecom network, the CDRI report suggests several measures, including improved data collection, better coordination among officials, and the strengthening of power infrastructure—an area of significant focus for CDRI.
• It also recommends designing telecom towers to withstand stronger winds, particularly in coastal areas prone to hurricanes.
• Additionally, the report advocates for a "dig-once" policy, which encourages the simultaneous construction of underground utilities such as water and gas pipelines, drainage systems, and fiber optic cables to minimize the risk of damage during future infrastructure projects. Pre-existing damage to underground cables can further exacerbate network failures when other components of the system collapse.
• Enhancing telecom resilience requires both large-scale structural improvements and smaller, cost-effective interventions that can have a significant impact. For example, during heavy rains, diesel generators can fail even in knee-deep flooding.
• A simple yet effective solution is installing these generators at a higher elevation on telecom towers, ensuring backup power remains functional even in flood conditions

• The Union government is set to announce emissions intensity targets for nine industrial sectors by the end of February, marking a significant step in implementing India’s carbon trading framework.
• Once these targets are established, industries will have a year to adopt necessary compliance measures to reduce emissions, with carbon credit trading expected to commence by October 2026
• Although the BEE introduced a carbon credit trading scheme in June 2023 and issued notifications in March 2024 outlining the industries required to participate, specific emissions intensity targets have yet to be determined. Without these targets, generating and trading carbon credits remains unfeasible.
• India’s carbon market provides a structured approach to lowering, offsetting, or preventing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the economy. It does so by assigning a monetary value to emission reductions, enabling the trading of carbon credit certificates.
• Globally, different types of carbon markets exist. In European emissions trading systems, each carbon credit signifies a metric ton of carbon dioxide prevented from being released into the atmosphere.
• The value of these credits fluctuates based on whether companies comply with government-imposed emission limits or choose to purchase credits from firms that have reduced emissions beyond their required levels. These credits can be traded similarly to stocks.
• In contrast, India's approach does not mandate industries to directly cut emissions. Instead, companies must improve the efficiency of their production processes—for instance, reducing the amount of coal used to produce a kilogram of steel or capturing and reusing heat generated in the process.
• Emissions intensity refers to the volume of greenhouse gases emitted per unit of production. The nine industrial sectors in India that must adhere to emissions intensity targets include iron and steel, aluminium, chlor-alkali, cement, fertilizers, pulp and paper, petrochemicals, petroleum refineries, and textiles

 

Follow Up Question

 

1.In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index? (UPSC 2016)

1. Carbon dioxide
2. Carbon monoxide
3. Nitrogen dioxide
4. Sulfur dioxide
5. Methane

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A. 1, 2 and 3 only     

B. 2, 3 and 4 only   

C. 1, 4 and 5 only     

D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Answer (B)   The Air Quality Index (AQI) in India is calculated based on the concentrations of the following eight pollutants: Particulate Matter (PM10) Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Nitrogen Dioxide (NOâ‚‚) Sulfur Dioxide (SOâ‚‚) Carbon Monoxide (CO) Ozone (O₃) Ammonia (NH₃) Lead (Pb)   Carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) is not considered in AQI calculations because it is not classified as a direct air pollutant affecting short-term human health. Instead, it is a greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Methane (CHâ‚„) is also not included in the AQI, as it primarily contributes to global warming rather than directly affecting urban air quality

 

 

Article 101(4)

 

For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international Importance

 

For Mains Examination: GS II - Indian Polity & Constitution

 

Context:

 

Incarcerated Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh on Wednesday moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court to attend the ongoing Parliament session, lest he lose his seat because of his prolonged absence from the House.

 

Read about:

 

What is Article 101(4)?

 

 

Key takeaways:

 

Legislative Research Data

According to Article 101(4) of the Constitution, if a Member of Parliament (MP) is absent from all sessions of either House for 60 days without permission, their seat may be declared vacant. However, this period excludes any time when the House is prorogued or adjourned for more than four consecutive days.

In practical terms, only the actual sitting days of Parliament count toward the absence period. For example, Amritpal has attended only one session of the Lok Sabha—his swearing-in last July. Since then, he has been in detention in Assam, leading to nearly 50 missed sessions.

Seeking Leave for Absence

The key phrase in Article 101(4) is “without permission of the House.” MPs who anticipate prolonged absences can formally request leave through the Committee on Absence of Members from the Sittings of the House, which evaluates such requests and makes recommendations. These recommendations must be approved by the House, though in most cases, such applications are rarely denied.

According to parliamentary expert Achary, Amritpal, as an MP, has the right to apply to the committee for permission to remain absent, citing his imprisonment and inability to secure bail as valid reasons.

Suspension of MPs

• It is the role and duty of the Presiding officer- Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairman of Rajya Sabha to maintain order so that the House can function smoothly.
• In order to ensure that proceedings are conducted in the proper manner, the Speaker/Chairman is empowered to force a member to withdraw from the House.

 

Follow Up Question

1.Regarding the office of the Lok Sabha speaker, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2012)

1. He/She holds the office during the pleasure of the President.

2. He/She need not be a member of the House at the time of his/her election but has to become a member of the House within six months from the date of his/her election.

3. If he/she intends to resign, the letter of his/her resignation has to be addressed to the Deputy Speaker.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.  1 and 2 only                 

B.  3 only                 

C.  1, 2 and 3                 

D. None

 

Answer (B)   Incorrect: The Lok Sabha Speaker does not hold office at the pleasure of the President. Instead, the Speaker remains in office until the House dissolves or until they resign or are removed by a resolution passed by a majority of Lok Sabha members as per Article 94 of the Constitution. Incorrect: The Speaker must be an elected member of the Lok Sabha at the time of election. There is no provision allowing a non-member to be elected as Speaker and then become a member within six months. This rule applies only to ministers, not the Speaker. Correct: If the Speaker intends to resign, the resignation letter must be addressed to the Deputy Speaker, as per Article 94(b) of the Constitution

 

 

 

Global warming has reached remote Greenland ice sheets

For Preliminary Examination:  Global Warming, Greenhouse effect

 

For Mains Examination: GS III - Environment & Ecology

 

Context:

 

Global warming has reached Greenland, with a new study showing that remote high elevations of its ice sheet are facing the warmest decade in the last thousand years.

 

Read about:

Greenhouse effect

Global Warming

 

Key takeaways

 

• Global warming has made its way to Greenland, with a recent study revealing that the remote high-altitude areas of its ice sheet have experienced the warmest decade in the past thousand years. According to research published in the journal Nature, the period from 2001 to 2011 was 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than the 20th-century average.
• An ice sheet is a vast expanse of glacial ice covering more than 50,000 square kilometers. These sheets hold approximately 99% of the Earth's freshwater and are sometimes referred to as continental glaciers, as noted by National Geographic.
• Currently, only two ice sheets exist on Earth—the Antarctic ice sheet and the Greenland ice sheet. Like other glaciers, ice sheets develop through the accumulation of snow over time.
• As layers of snow build up and undergo partial melting, they compact and harden. Data from NASA satellites indicate that both the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets have been losing mass since 2002.
• This ice loss is primarily caused by rising temperatures on the Earth's surface and in the oceans. According to NASA, meltwater from these ice sheets has contributed to approximately one-third of the global average sea level rise since 1993.
• Due to its vast size, its role in reflecting solar radiation, and its ability to store freshwater, the Greenland ice sheet plays a crucial role in the global climate system.
• However, the impact of global warming on its central region remains uncertain due to the lack of long-term observational data. Instrument-based air temperature records are often too short to capture significant trends, and while climate models can estimate long-term changes, they tend to struggle with accurately reflecting regional climate variations.
• To better understand Greenland’s past climate, researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute drilled into the ice sheet to analyze historical climate conditions. The deeper they drilled, the more evidence they found of how past environmental temperatures influenced the ice.
• According to AntarcticGlaciers.org, a knowledge-sharing platform by the University of Cambridge, ice sheets provide a window into the past by preserving records of snowfall, air temperature, and atmospheric composition. By analyzing greenhouse gas concentrations in ice core layers, scientists can compare modern levels of carbon dioxide and methane to historical values and assess their relationship with temperature changes.
• An ice core is a cylindrical sample extracted from an ice sheet or high-altitude glacier. The study highlighted that the ice cores retrieved by the Alfred Wegener Institute researchers were of exceptional length and quality.
• Their analysis allowed them to reconstruct temperature patterns and melting rates in central and northern Greenland from the year 1000 AD up to 2011 with remarkable precision

 

Follow Up Question

 

1.In the context of mitigating the impending global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, which of the following can be the potential sites for carbon sequestration? (UPSC 2017)

1. Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams

2. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs

3. Subterranean deep saline formations

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2, and 3 only

 

Answer (D)   Carbon sequestration refers to the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) to mitigate global warming. Several geological formations can serve as potential sites for long-term carbon storage. Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams – ✅ Correct Deep, unmineable coal seams can be used for COâ‚‚ sequestration because COâ‚‚ can be injected and adsorbed onto the coal surface, effectively trapping it underground. Some methods also involve enhanced coalbed methane recovery, where injecting COâ‚‚ helps release methane, which can be utilized as fuel. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs – ✅ Correct These reservoirs have proven capacity to store gases for millions of years, making them ideal sites for carbon sequestration. COâ‚‚ injection into depleted reservoirs can also aid in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), improving oil extraction efficiency. Subterranean deep saline formations – ✅ Correct Deep saline aquifers are among the most promising sites for long-term COâ‚‚ storage because they are vast and widespread. Injected COâ‚‚ dissolves into the saline water or reacts with minerals to form stable carbonates, preventing leakage

 

 

A planet on the edge: are Saturn’s rings older than they look?

 

For Preliminary Examination:  Planets and their Satellites

 

For Mains Examination: GS III - Science & Technology

 

Context:

 

The Solar System is constantly bombarded by dark pieces of fine dust. Astronomers expected this dust to be omnipresent in Saturn’s rings, but this is not the case, so they surmised the rings are 100 million years old. This was a simple explanation, but it had a catch: scientists did not know how the rings could have formed so recently

 

Read about:

 

Saturn Rings

 

Icy moons of Saturn

 

 

Key takeaways:

 

 

• The age of Saturn’s magnificent rings has been a subject of scientific debate for decades, with no definitive conclusion. However, a recent study by researchers from the Institute of Science Tokyo and the Paris Institute of Planetary Physics introduces new insights that could reshape the discussion.
• Saturn’s rings, visible even through basic telescopes, create a striking contrast with the planet itself. While Saturn is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, its rings consist of billions of bright-white ice and rock particles, varying in size from tiny grains of salt to massive house-sized chunks.
• So far, four NASA-launched spacecraft have explored Saturn—Pioneer 11, Voyagers 1 and 2, and Cassini, which orbited the planet between 2004 and 2017. Cassini’s observations revealed that the rings are remarkably clean, with minimal dust accumulation.
• This finding is puzzling because, throughout the Solar System, planets and celestial bodies are continuously bombarded by fine, dark dust—tiny fragments of larger space rocks. While Earth’s atmosphere burns up most of this incoming debris before it reaches the surface, scientists expected Saturn’s rings to contain a significant amount of this material.
• This led researchers to propose that Saturn’s rings are relatively young, around 100 million years old—too recent for them to have collected much dust.
• While this explanation seemed plausible, it raised another question: How could the rings have formed so recently?
• According to models, particles in the rings are either absorbed by Saturn, overcome its gravitational influence, or get pulled into the planet’s turbulent atmosphere. This suggests that the rings’ bright appearance is not necessarily a sign of youth but rather a result of their ability to expel foreign matter efficiently. Consequently, older rings would not necessarily appear darker.
• Determining the age of Saturn’s rings is more than just an academic pursuit. “The significance of studying the age of Saturn’s rings goes beyond the rings themselves—it has broader implications,” noted researcher Hsu.
• For instance, Enceladus, one of Saturn’s geologically active moons, is a key target for studying habitability and astrobiology due to the plumes of water erupting from its subsurface ocean.
• The evolution of Saturn’s rings is closely linked to the development of Enceladus and other icy moons, making this research vital for understanding their dynamic interactions

 

 

Saturn

 

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun in our solar system and the second-largest, after Jupiter. It is a gas giant with a prominent ring system that consists of nine continuous main rings and three discontinuous arcs. The planet is easily visible with the naked eye, and its rings make it one of the most iconic objects in our night sky.

Key Characteristics of Saturn:

Physical Characteristics:

• • Saturn is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, similar to Jupiter.
  • It has a diameter of about 116,464 kilometers (72,366 miles) and is known for its low density.

Ring System:

• • Saturn's ring system is one of the most extensive and complex in the solar system.
  • The rings are made up of numerous particles, ranging in size from tiny dust grains to larger boulders.
  • The exact origin of the rings is not fully understood, but they are thought to be the remnants of moons, comets, or other objects that were shattered by tidal forces.

Moons:

• • Saturn has a diverse array of moons, with over 80 confirmed natural satellites.
  • The largest moon, Titan, is the second-largest natural satellite in the solar system, after Jupiter's Ganymede.
  • Titan is unique among Saturn's moons because it has a thick atmosphere, and it has been studied extensively by spacecraft, including the Cassini-Huygens mission.

Exploration:

• • The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft, a joint NASA-ESA-ASI mission, provided valuable data about Saturn and its moons. The Cassini orbiter studied the planet and its system for over 13 years, and the Huygens probe landed on Titan in 2005.
  • Other missions, such as Voyager 1 and 2, also provided significant information about Saturn during their flybys in the early 1980s.

 

Follow Up Question

 

1.Consider the following statements regarding Saturn’s rings:

1. Saturn’s rings are composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, similar to the planet itself.
2. The Cassini spacecraft found that Saturn’s rings contain a significant amount of dark cosmic dust.
3. The brightness of Saturn’s rings may be due to their ability to expel foreign dust particles rather than their age.
4. Understanding the evolution of Saturn’s rings is important for studying Saturn’s moons, including Enceladus.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 and 4 only
C. 1, 3, and 4 only
D. 2, 3, and 4 only

Answer (B)   Statement 1 is incorrect: While Saturn itself is mostly made of hydrogen and helium, its rings are composed mainly of bright-white ice and rock, not gases. Statement 2 is incorrect: Cassini’s observations revealed that the rings are unexpectedly clean, with very little dark cosmic dust accumulation. Statement 3 is correct: Recent research suggests that the rings remain bright not necessarily because they are young but because they can eject dust and other foreign particles. Statement 4 is correct: The study of Saturn’s rings is crucial for understanding the evolution of its moons, especially Enceladus, which has active water plumes and is a key target for astrobiology research

 

 

What are sovereign green bonds? Why is demand for such bonds weak in India?

For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

For Mains Examination: GS III - Economy

Context:

While green bonds help governments raise capital for clean energy and infrastructure, India’s issues have struggled to secure a meaningful ‘greenium’— lower borrowing costs typically associated with such bonds

 

Read about:

What are green bonds?

 Why green bonds?

 

 Key takeaways:

 

What Are Green Bonds?

• Green bonds are financial instruments issued by governments, corporations, and international financial institutions to raise capital for environmentally sustainable projects. These projects focus on reducing emissions or improving climate resilience.
• Green bonds generally offer lower yields compared to traditional bonds, ensuring investors that the funds will be directed toward eco-friendly initiatives.
• The difference in yield, referred to as the green premium or greenium, determines the cost advantage of these bonds. A higher greenium enables issuers to secure funds at reduced costs, making such investments more attractive.
• Investors in green bonds typically seek stable, long-term returns and may also be guided by internal or external mandates that require a portion of their funds to be allocated toward sustainable finance.
• Despite their advantages, green bonds form a relatively small segment of the debt market and overall climate finance. However, governments are enhancing reporting standards and introducing incentives to encourage greater investor participation.

Why Green Bonds?

• Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs) are green bonds issued by national governments, such as the Government of India, which introduced a framework for their issuance in 2022.
• According to this framework, "green projects" are defined as those that enhance energy efficiency, lower carbon emissions, promote climate resilience, and contribute to ecosystem restoration.
• Since 2022-23, India has issued SGrBs eight times, raising nearly ₹53,000 crore. Approximately 50% of these funds are allocated annually to the production of energy-efficient three-phase electric locomotives under the Ministry of Railways.

For the 2024-25 financial year, the revised allocations for projects eligible under SGrBs include:

• ₹12,600 crore for electric locomotive manufacturing
• ₹8,000 crore for metro infrastructure
• ₹4,607 crore for renewable energy projects, including the National Green Hydrogen Mission
• ₹124 crore for afforestation initiatives under the National Mission for a Green India

Why Is Investor Interest Low?

• Despite efforts to promote SGrBs, investor demand in India remains weak, making it challenging for the government to secure a greenium. Although regulations have been eased to encourage foreign investment, auctions have witnessed low participation, often leading to bonds being devolved to primary dealers.
• Globally, greenium has been observed at around 7-8 basis points, whereas in India, it remains limited to 2-3 basis points, reducing the attractiveness of SGrBs as a funding mechanism.
• One major concern is liquidity—green bonds in India tend to have small issue sizes, and many investors hold them until maturity, restricting secondary market activity.
• Additionally, the country lacks a well-developed ecosystem of social impact funds and responsible investment mandates, which are key drivers of green bond demand in international markets.

Why Does This Matter?

The government's inability to raise sufficient funds through SGrBs affects financing for eligible projects, increasing dependence on general revenue to compensate for funding gaps.

Initially, the projected funding requirement from SGrB proceeds for 2024-25 was estimated at ₹32,061 crore. However, due to challenges in selling these bonds at favorable yields, the revised estimate has been reduced to ₹25,298 crore. As a result, funding for grid-scale solar projects has been significantly reduced from ₹10,000 crore to ₹1,300 crore.

 

Follow Up Question

1.Which of the following statements regarding the Green bonds is NOT true? (UPPSC RO/ARO 2020)

A. Green Bond investment is only for climate friendly projects

B. Green bonds were first introduced by European Investment Fund in 2007

C. Green Bonds are Financial Market Innovation

D. Green Bonds are fixed interest loan is short date maturities

 

Answer (D)   (A) True – Green bonds are issued to finance climate-friendly and environmentally sustainable projects. (B) False – Green bonds were first introduced by the European Investment Bank (EIB) in 2007, not the European Investment Fund. However, the statement is close to being correct. (C) True – Green bonds are considered a financial market innovation, as they provide a new way to raise funds for sustainable projects. (D) False – Green bonds typically have long-term maturities, not short-term ones. They are structured like traditional bonds but are used specifically for green projects. Thus, option D is NOT true regarding Green Bonds. ✅

 

 

Stubble burning contributes only 14% PM2.5 in Delhi-NCR: study

 

For Preliminary Examination:  Stubble Burning, PM2.5, PM10, Air Quality Index (AQI)

 

For Mains Examination: GS III - Environment & Ecology

 

 

Context:

 

The amount of biomass burned in Punjab and Haryana does not always determine the air quality of heavily urbanised Delhi-NCR even during the core rice-stubble burning period in October-November

 

Read about:

 

What is particulate matter (PM2.5)?

 

What is Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)?

 

 

Key takeaways:

 

 

• A study published in January 2025, based on field measurements, airmass trajectories, and particle dispersion simulations, concluded that there is no direct relationship between stubble-burning events in Punjab and Haryana and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in Delhi-NCR.
• The research also highlights that crop residue burning in these states contributes only about 14% of PM2.5, making it a minor factor in the particulate matter concentration in the Delhi-NCR region.
• Despite a more than 50% reduction in stubble-burning events from 2015 to 2023, PM2.5 levels in Delhi-NCR remained stable, suggesting other factors at play. The findings were published in the journal Climate and Atmospheric Science.
• Since 2015, high-quality PM2.5 measurements have been conducted at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. While stubble-burning events in Punjab and Haryana decreased by 31% and 37% respectively in 2023 compared to the previous year, there was still a 20% rise in PM2.5 levels at the embassy.
• This further underscores the lack of a linear connection between stubble-burning and PM2.5 levels in Delhi-NCR. In August 2022, a network of 30 sensors was deployed across rural and urban areas of Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.
• Data from these sensors aligned closely with those from the U.S. Embassy’s instrument. While stubble burning nearly ceases after November, the air quality index in Delhi-NCR has consistently been in the "very poor" to "severe" category from December to February since 2016, indicating that factors beyond stubble burning are significant contributors to air pollution.
• The authors note that the volume of biomass burned in Punjab and Haryana does not always correlate with the air quality in urbanized areas like Delhi-NCR, especially during peak rice-stubble burning months (October-November). 
• While there is some correlation between stubble burning and PM2.5 levels in Delhi-NCR when wind conditions are favorable, wind patterns alone do not explain PM2.5 levels.
• Other meteorological factors and local emissions play a significant role, as noted by Dr. Poonam Mangaraj from RIHN, Kyoto, Japan, the paper's first author. She explains that when dispersion conditions are unfavorable—such as low wind speeds or temperature inversions—pollutants may not disperse effectively, weakening or eliminating the correlation.
• Data from sensors recording PM2.5 and carbon monoxide (CO) show a persistent accumulation of fine particulate matter and CO in Delhi at night, suggesting local emissions as a significant factor.
• If stubble burning were the primary cause of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, CO levels would not increase at night. The study observed that day-night differences in PM2.5 levels in Delhi-NCR were about 20%, while CO concentration was about 67% higher at night in 2023 compared to the daytime, and 48% higher in 2022.
• In contrast, day-night variations were more distinct in Punjab and Haryana during intense stubble-burning periods.
• Therefore, the higher CO levels at night in Delhi-NCR suggest that sources other than stubble burning contribute significantly to air pollution

 

Follow Up Question

 

1.In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index? ( UPSC 2016)

1. Carbon dioxide
2. Carbon monoxide
3. Nitrogen dioxide
4. Sulfur dioxide
5. Methane

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only   

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only     

(c) 1, 4 and 5 only         

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Answer (b)   The Air Quality Index (AQI) typically considers the following atmospheric gases for calculating air quality: Carbon monoxide (CO) Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Sulfur dioxide (SO2) These pollutants are important indicators of air quality, and their concentrations are used to calculate AQI. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4) are not directly included in the AQI calculation since they are not major contributors to immediate health risks associated with air quality in urban areas. CO2, for example, is primarily associated with climate change, and methane is a greenhouse gas

 

 

Subject and Subject Wise Notes for the Sunday Exam (Free)

 

Subject	Topic	Description
Polity	Fundamental Duties	Fundamental Duties
Environment & Ecology	Biodiversity in India	Biodiversity
History	Modern Indian History	Constitutional Development in India
History	Modern Indian History	Peasants, Tribal and other movements

 

 

UPSC EXAM NOTES will be conducting both Prelims and Mains exams every Sunday as part of the Integrated Mains and Prelims (IMPM) Program. This program provides a comprehensive approach to UPSC exam preparation, ensuring that candidates are well-prepared for both stages of the exam. Program Highlights: Daily Study Keys: Each day, we will provide keys that outline what to read, focusing on the most relevant topics and current affairs. Subject Notes: In addition to daily keys, we will supply detailed subject notes to help you build a strong foundation in all necessary areas. Sunday Exams: Every Sunday, a combined exam will be held, encompassing the daily keys' content and subject notes, along with a culmination of current affairs from various sources. These exams will cover both Prelims and Mains syllabi. Format: Exams will be available in both online and offline formats to cater to different preferences and situations. Duration: The IMPM plan is a one-year program, ensuring continuous and structured preparation over 12 months. With regular testing and consistent study guidance, this program is designed to maximize your chances of success in the UPSC exams

 

Previous IMPM Keys

 

INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) KEY (03/03/2025)

 

INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) KEY (28/02/2025)

 

INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) KEY (27/02/2025)

 

INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) KEY (24/02/2025)

 

INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) KEY (22/02/2025)

 

INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) KEY (21/02/2025)

 

INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) KEY (20/02/2025)

 

INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) KEY (20/02/2025)

 

INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) KEY (18/02/2025)