Course Content
UPSC Notes Samples
Full Syllabus Covered | 100% as per Official UPSC Syllabus
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1. Art & Culture Sample
Covered under topic 1. Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
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1. Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. (copy)
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2. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues. (copy)
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5. History of the world will include events from the 18th century such as Industrial revolution, World wars, Redrawal of national boundaries, Colonization, Decolonization, Political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism, Socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.
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7. Role of women and women’s organizations, Population and associated issues, Poverty and developmental issues, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
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10.2. Introduction to Maps
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GS2
All topics that need updates are given below.
2. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
All topics that need updates are given below.
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5. Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
All topics that need updates are given below.
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6. Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary; Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
All topics that need updates are given below.
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12. Welfare schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the Population by the Centre and States and the Performance of these schemes; Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections.
All topics that need updates are given below.
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GS3
All topics that need updates are given below.
11. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
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GS3: BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENT
All topics that need updates are given below.
1. Environment
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GS4
All topics that need updates are given below.
GS3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
All topics given below
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1. Motion & Measurements
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9. Metals & Non-Metals
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10. Energy
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12. Plant Organisms
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14. Life Processes
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18. Biotechnology
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19. Information Technology
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20. Space Technology
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National & International Current Affairs (CA) 2025
Current affairs of all months are given below
delete UPSC Sample Notes [English]

D.4. Eutrophication

[Classification of eutrophication]

  • Algal bloom is a visible ecological phenomenon where the surface of a water body becomes covered with dense layers of green algae, often in response to the introduction of natural or artificial nutrients. 
  • This bloom is a direct result of eutrophication, driven by an excess of nitrates and phosphates from sources such as fertilizers and sewage. These nutrients act as a catalyst for rapid growth of algae and blue-green bacteria, leading to a sudden population surge that blankets the water’s surface.
  • To help manage this, nitrogen testing is employed to determine the precise amount of fertilizer needed by crops, helping to minimize nitrogen runoff into nearby aquatic systems.

Harmful Algal Blooms

  • Algae or phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that can be found naturally in coastal waters. They are major producers of oxygen and food for many of the animals that live in these waters. Algal blooms can be any colour, but the most common ones are red or brown.
  • Most algal blooms are not harmful but some produce toxins and do affect fish, birds, marine mammals and humans.

Use of algae

  • Most species of algae or phytoplankton serve as the energy producers at the base of the food web, without which higher life on this planet would not exist.

Why is Red Tide a misnomer?

  • “Red Tide” is a common name for such a phenomenon where certain phytoplankton species contain pigments and “bloom” such that the human eye perceives the water to be discoloured. 
  • Blooms can appear greenish, brown, and even reddish orange depending upon the type of organism, the type of water, and the concentration of the organisms. 
  • The term “red tide” is thus a misnomer because blooms are not always red, they are not associated with tides, they are usually not harmful, and some species can be harmful or dangerous at low cell concentrations that do not discolour the water.

What are the causes of these blooms?

  • Two common causes are nutrient enrichment and warm waters.