UPSC GS–1 | INDIAN GEOGRAPHY

1. Rapti River

Subtopic: Himalayan Rivers, Ghaghra Basin

Value Addition:

• Type: Major left-bank tributary of the Ghaghra River (Ganga basin).

• Ancient Name: Iravati.

• Origin: Mahabharat Range (Lesser Himalayas), Nepal (~3,050 m).

• Basin Features:

  • Mountainous region → Inner & Outer Tarai → Alluvial plains.

• Climatic Zones:

  • Temperate (mountain region).

  • Subtropical (plains region).

• Major Tributaries: Burhi Rapti, Rohini.

• Course: Flows from Nepal into eastern Uttar Pradesh.

• Recent Context: NGT directed restoration of tributary “Suav” as river (not drain).

Subject Analysis:

• Important for prelims in tributary–main river matching.

• Useful in mains for river rejuvenation & legal recognition of rivers.

2. Takeshima / Dokdo (Liancourt Rocks)

Subtopic: Territorial Disputes, Sea of Japan

Value Addition:

• Location: Central Sea of Japan.

• Relative Position: Nearly equidistant from Korean Peninsula & Japan.

• Names:

  • Dokdo (South Korea).

  • Takeshima (Japan).

  • Liancourt Rocks (French name, 1849).

• Physical Structure:

  • 2 main islets + ~30 smaller rocks.

• Dispute Nature: Sovereignty dispute between South Korea & Japan.

Subject Analysis:

• High-probability prelims topic on East Asian territorial disputes.

• Useful in mains for maritime sovereignty & EEZ conflicts.

UPSC GS–2 | INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

3. Ottawa Convention (Mine Ban Treaty)

Subtopic: Disarmament Treaties

Value Addition:

• Official Name: Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines.

• Entered into Force: 1 March 1999.

• Nature: Unlimited duration treaty.

• Core Provisions:

  • Ban on use, production, stockpiling, transfer of anti-personnel mines.

  • Destroy stockpiles within 4 years.

  • Clear mined areas within 10 years.

• Reporting Obligation: Annual transparency reports.

• Victim Assistance: Risk education + survivor rehabilitation.

• Members: 164 States Parties.

• Non-Members (Major): China, India, Pakistan, USA, Russia, South Korea.

Subject Analysis:

• Frequently asked under which country is NOT a signatory type questions.

• Useful in mains for humanitarian disarmament diplomacy.

UPSC GS–3 | BIODIVERSITY

4. Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua)

Subtopic: Antarctic Avifauna

Value Addition:

• Family: Spheniscidae.

• Closest Relatives: Adélie & Chinstrap penguins.

• Distribution: Antarctic Peninsula, sub-Antarctic islands, Falklands.

• Latitude Range: 45°S–65°S.

• Habitat: Coastal shorelines.

• Unique Feature: Fastest underwater swimmer among penguins.

• Diet: Piscivorous (fish-based).

• IUCN Status: Least Concern.

• Recent Concern: First bird infected with H5 avian influenza in Australian territory.

Subject Analysis:

• Important for prelims in species-habitat pairing.

• Useful for mains on avian influenza impact on polar ecosystems.

5. Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans)

Subtopic: Reptile Conservation

Value Addition:

• Distribution: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.

• Habitat: Dry scrub forests & arid regions.

• Unique Feature: Star-shaped radiating shell patterns (camouflage).

• Sexual Dimorphism: Females larger than males.

• Lifespan: 35–80 years.

• Behaviour: Solitary; inactive during extreme weather.

• IUCN Status: Vulnerable.

• Recent Context: Rescued from forest fire in Amrabad Tiger Reserve.

Subject Analysis:

• Frequently asked in prelims under IUCN status & native range.

• Useful in mains on illegal wildlife trade & fire ecology.

UPSC GS–3 | ECONOMY

6. Merchandise Trade Indices

Subtopic: Trade Statistics & Terms of Trade

Value Addition:

• Compiled By: DGCI&S, Ministry of Commerce.

• Purpose: Measure change in export & import unit values.

• Base Year Revised: FY 2012–13 → FY 2022–23.

• Frequency: Monthly, Quarterly, Annual.

• Classification:

  • Principal Commodity.

  • Standard International Trade Classification (SITC).

  • Broad Economic Categories.

• Coverage: Top 20 trade partners (bilateral & regional).

• Includes:

  • Gross Terms of Trade.

  • Net Terms of Trade.

  • Income Terms of Trade.

Subject Analysis:

• High-value GS-3 topic on trade competitiveness & price trends.

• Useful in mains for trade deficit analysis & external sector stability.