Q. With reference to Genetically Modified (GM) crops in India, consider the following statements:
1. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the final authority for permitting commercial cultivation of GM crops in India.
2. India’s prohibition on GM food crops extends to both cultivation and direct human consumption, irrespective of the origin of the crop.
3. Import of GM-derived products for animal feed or industrial use does not require any biosafety clearance under Indian law.
4. The regulatory framework governing GM crops in India is based on rules framed under a statute rather than on a standalone Act of Parliament.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. Only one statement is correct
B. Only two statements are correct
C. Only three statements are correct
D. All four statements are correct

**Note

Through these MCQ questions, I am trying to make students understand UPSC’s favourite themes and the importance of strong static concepts while preparing current issues.

As Telangana goes to Municipal elections tomorrow, I urge every voter to support candidates who focus on basic civic amenities good roads, Parks, proper drainage, clean drinking water, street lighting, garbage management, and other essential municipal duties.
Please do not encourage rowdyism, money power, or dynastic politics.
Every vote counts.

Don't forget the past!!

With reference to Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) in India, consider the following statements:
1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are notified using the enabling powers of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and their extent is decided on a site-specific basis rather than a uniform distance.
2. The 10 km ESZ norm around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries is a statutory mandate applicable uniformly across India.
3. Recent directions to the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) indicate that, in the absence of a draft or final ESZ notification, proposals for projects within ESZs should not be ordinarily appraised.
4. Eco-Sensitive Zones function as absolute no-development areas, permitting only conservation-related activities.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Another important topic for Prelims

Correct answer: (a) 1 and 3 only

• Statement 1 – Correct ✅
ESZs are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and their extent is site-specific, not uniform.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect ❌
The 10 km norm is not a statutory mandate; it emerged from judicial directions and is not uniformly applicable.
• Statement 3 – Correct ✅
Recent directions indicate that without a draft/final ESZ notification, proposals should not be ordinarily appraised by the SC-NBWL.
• Statement 4 – Incorrect ❌
ESZs are not absolute no-development zones; activities may be prohibited, regulated, or permitted.

Hence, (a) 1 and 3 only.

With reference to motions in the Parliament of India, consider the following statements:
1. A motion becomes the decision of the House only if it is put to vote and adopted.

2. The Constitution of India does not enumerate different kinds of parliamentary motions, leaving their classification and procedure largely to the Rules of Procedure of each House.

3. A substantive motion is distinguished from other motions primarily because it is independent of any other business before the House.

4. The moving of any motion in the House is a constitutional right of every Member of Parliament.

How many of the above statements are correct?
A) Only one
B) Only two
C) Only three
D) All four

Those students who have been messaging regarding the Mentorship Programme, please note:

I will be starting a new mentorship batch from next month.
This time, I want to provide complete Mains material (paper-wise) along with a PYQ book, so that you don’t have to worry about selecting sources for your preparation.
Work is currently in progress on all fronts. My objective is to provide quality guidance along with reliable and comprehensive study material.
I request your patience and continued support.
The detailed information will be shared very soon.
Thank you.

A small advice from me as an elder brother.

Most of you on this channel are above 19–20 years old. I understand this is the age when thoughts about relationships start coming, and that’s completely natural.
But my honest suggestion is to try to avoid all this until you are settled in life.

When I say Settle it means not just getting into government service but atleast that position where you are able to feed yourself and your parents.

If you are preparing for Civil Services, you need emotional stability more than anything else. Even a small unexpected issue can disturb your mental peace and affect both your preparation and your career.
At this age, emotions are very strong, and many times we don’t see the bigger picture of life. Please focus fully on your career. Trust me, once you are settled, everything else will fall into place on its own.

Every exam and every big achievement demands sacrifice. Nothing meaningful comes from staying in a comfort zone.

Please spend your parents money wisely and for your growth and development.

Just remember this and stay focused.

Top left picture is from 2017, when I was working as a school teacher with a salary of ₹14,000.

Top right is from 2020, during my preparation days in Ashok Nagar.
Middle left is from January 2022, just after my first Mains exam, when I was completely exhausted.

Middle right is from 2024, when I finally appeared for the UPSC interview and brought my parents to UPSC Bhavan.
The bottom picture is from April 2024, receiving a memento from the Hon’ble Governor after getting a rank.

This is not to show off anything.
It is only to tell you that growth takes time.
You may come from a poor background, you may feel tired, and progress may look slow.

But if you stay patient and keep working, you will definitely move forward in life.

Hara Hara Mahadev...Shambo Shankara 🙏

On this auspicious day, I want to share an important suggestion for UPSC aspirants.

Have you ever observed that many people who qualify Prelims or Mains, or even get ranks once, often clear the exam again with better results while those who haven’t cleared even once keep failing repeatedly?

Two concepts play a very crucial role in this exam: objectivity and emotions.

Objectivity means seeing things as they are, not as we emotionally perceive them. Those who are more objective and less emotional tend to perform better in UPSC. When you are emotional, you start feeling that everything is important. But when you are objective, you clearly differentiate between what is necessary and what is not. That clarity makes all the difference.

One of the major reasons for my initial failures was my lack of objectivity and being overly emotional about life. Whenever I saw bad roads, corruption in government offices, or poor infrastructure in government schools and hospitals, I used to get deeply emotional. But those emotions did not help me clear this exam.

What finally helped me was understanding the objectivity of the exam and its exact requirements.

Let emotions motivate you, but objectivity guide your preparation.

Your youth will vanish tomorrow.
Your strength will not remain forever.
Anger will turn into your curse,
ego will rise and overpower you.
Stand by your fellow human being
for after you are gone,
that alone will endure.
- R. Rajinikanth

Those who are giving 2027 must continue reading Newspaper.
But those who are giving 2026 attempt don’t waste time on newspaper. You have to focus on more revision of PYQ and its related concepts.

And one more thing 2027 students should learn how to read newspaper otherwise they will keep on reading every news item and information and finally forget everything.

Let us take this article … here UPSC may not ask direct question on AI summit. But if any question on AI and India or India’s achievements or initiatives then you should be able to use this as an example in your answer. So learn how to use news items in your Mains answers.

Hello everyone,
We are looking for two people to join our Content Team.
(Work from home)
Who can apply:
Those who have scored 80+ marks in GS (Mains) in previous attempts
Have given 2–3 UPSC attempts
( Preference will be given for those who have appeared for Mains)
Not appearing for the 2026 attempt
If you fit the above criteria and are interested, please WhatsApp at
93118 40789

Closed
Thank you!!

Q. Which of the following statements regarding pigeons in India is wrong?

1) The Rock Pigeon is native to India and has proliferated in urban areas largely by exploiting human-modified habitats.

2) Pigeons generally form monogamous pairs during the breeding season.

3) Pigeons are legally classified as invasive alien species under Indian wildlife and environmental laws.

4) Pigeon droppings contain uric acid, which can contribute to the deterioration of buildings and monuments..

UPSC will ask these kinds of themes or topics which are observed in our day to day life and have a huge impact on society and human beings.
So stop reading random content and focus on such themes in all subjects.

It is neither me nor anyone else who will guide you for Prelims.
Since there is no clearly defined syllabus for Prelims, it is the previous years’ questions and recurring themes that tell you what kind of content you should read. The better you understand them, the more efficiently you can study saving time and allowing for more revisions.

Consider the following statements:

1. The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
2. The Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.
3. The Dardanelles connects the Sea of Marmara and the Mediterranean Sea.
4. The Strait of Kerch connects the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea.

How many of the statements given above are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four