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.
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GS3
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11. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
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GS3: BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENT
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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]

xv.4. Biodiesel: From Transesterification

What is Biodiesel?

  • Oils from oilseeds are basically straight chain hydrocarbons but long ones.
  • This is the only difference between biodiesel and diesel.
  • If we take vegetable oil and break its long hydrocarbon straight chain into 1/3rd, 1/3rd, 1/3rd you get biodiesel.
  • Biodiesel can directly replace diesel in diesel-IC engines.
  • The resultant product, i.e, biodiesel is called ester.
  • That’s why the process of breaking long straight chain hydrocarbons into short chains is called transesterification.
  • Breaking can be done by following ways:
    • Heat it: Pyrolysis
    • Apply pressure: Cracking
    • Replace double bonds with hydrogen: Hydrogenation

Feedstock

  • Any oil seed can be used to extract oil. However, better option is to use non-edible oil seeds.
  • There are more than 200 variety of oil seeds that can be used to produce biodiesel.
  • Some common examples include rice bran, sal, neem, mahua, karanja, castor, linseed, jatropha, honge, rubber seed etc.

Advantages

Fuel

Energy density] (in MJ/ kg)

Ethanol

24-25

Peirol

43-44

Biodiesel

40-41

Diesel

45.5

  • High energy density
  • Low energy input
  • Nitrogen-fixation
  • No Sulphur
  • No aromatics

A case for biodiesel

  • India uses 5 times more diesel than petrol, so an alternative for diesel is more important than that for petrol.
  • De-sulphurisation of diesel is cost intensive.
  • Rural development: growing oilseed-based crops for biodiesel will augment farmer’s income.
  • Converting degraded land
  • Improves soil fertility as most oilseed-crops are leguminous crops which helps in nitrogen fixation.