What is the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)?

The UPSC CSE is India’s most prestigious exam conducted to recruit IAS, IPS, IFS, and other Group A & B officers. It has three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.

Who is eligible to apply for UPSC CSE?

Any graduate between 21–32 years of age (with relaxation for reserved categories) can apply. Both final-year students and professionals are eligible.

How many attempts are allowed in UPSC?

General: 6 attempts (till 32 years); OBC(NCL): 9 attempts (till 35 years); SC/ST: Unlimited attempts (till 37 years).

What is the exam pattern of UPSC?

Prelims: Objective (GS & CSAT); Mains: 9 Descriptive Papers (Essay, 4 GS, 2 Optional, 2 Qualifying Language Papers); Interview/Personality Test: Final stage.

How should a beginner start UPSC preparation?

For self-learners: Start with NCERTs (Class 6–12), followed by standard reference books, daily newspaper reading, and consistent answer writing practice. Students associated with 'UnderStand UPSC': Follow the guidance provided by the team of mentors led by Satyam Jain Sir.

Which books are best for UPSC preparation?

Polity: Laxmikanth; History: Spectrum + NCERTs; Geography: NCERT + GC Leong; Economy: Ramesh Singh + Current Affairs; Environment: Majid Husain.

Is coaching necessary for UPSC?

Not compulsory. With the right strategy, self-discipline, and resources, many toppers have cleared UPSC without coaching. Coaching, however, can provide structured guidance.

How important is Current Affairs in UPSC?

Extremely important. Questions in Prelims, Mains, and Interviews are linked to current issues. Reading newspapers like The Hindu/Indian Express or using monthly compilations is essential.

How much time is required to prepare for UPSC?

On average, 1.5 to 2 years of focused preparation with 8–10 hours daily study is ideal. Consistency matters more than duration.

What is the role of NCERTs in UPSC preparation?

NCERTs build strong conceptual clarity in subjects like History, Geography, Polity, and Economy. They are the foundation of UPSC preparation.

How can I manage UPSC preparation with a job?

Follow a time-blocking strategy, prioritize weekends for deep study, and focus on smart notes & revision. Many working professionals have successfully cleared UPSC.

Does UPSC preparation require English medium only?

No. UPSC allows candidates to write Mains in any of the 22 scheduled languages. Many toppers have cleared UPSC in Hindi and regional languages.

What is the cut-off for UPSC Prelims (General Category)?

The cut-off changes every year but usually ranges between 75–98 marks depending on difficulty, vacancies, and number of applicants.

How should I prepare for UPSC answer writing?

Practice daily or weekly answer writing, focus on structure (Intro–Body–Conclusion), and include facts, examples, and current affairs.

Where can I get free UPSC resources?

You can download NCERTs, UPSC Previous Year Papers, Daily Current Affairs PDFs, and Notes for free from the Understand UPSC Free Resources section.

Is CSAT qualifying in UPSC Prelims?

Yes. Candidates need to score at least 33% (66 marks) in CSAT to qualify.

What is the exam pattern of UPSC Prelims?

Two papers: General Studies (200 marks) and CSAT (200 marks, qualifying). Both are objective type.

What is UnderStand UPSC and how is it different from other coaching institutes?

UnderStand UPSC is a mentorship-driven EdTech platform for UPSC aspirants focusing on personalized guidance, affordability, and credibility — unlike traditional coaching setups.

What courses do you offer for UPSC preparation?

We offer Conquer Program (Mains Mentorship), UpSurge Mains Test Series, Transform (Foundation), CSAT by Saransh Gupta Sir, Prelims MAD Execute, Prelims Test Series, Answer Writing Programs, and Optional Subject Mentorship.

How does the mentorship program work?

Each group on Telegram is assigned a mentor who reviews test copies, provides feedback, tracks progress, and conducts sessions via Zoom or Google Meet.

Do you provide online or offline classes?

Yes, both modes are available. Offline has limited seats; online ensures access across India with live mentorship and test feedback.

How can I enroll in a course?

You can register via our website (www.understandupsc.com), mobile app, or contact team. Enrolled students receive LMS access with all resources.

Do you provide free resources?

Yes. Free resources include NCERT PDFs, UPSC Academic Calendar, Syllabus, PYQs, and Daily Current Affairs — available in the Free Resources Section.

How do your test series work?

Our test series mirror UPSC standards, are evaluated by mentors, and come with personalized feedback to ensure continuous improvement.

What is the fee structure for your programs?

Fees vary by program but are designed to remain affordable while maintaining quality. Check the latest pricing on the Courses Page.

Can working professionals also join your programs?

Yes. Our mentorship is flexible and personalized, helping working aspirants balance jobs with preparation.

Do you provide guidance for the UPSC Interview/Personality Test?

Yes. We conduct mock interviews, DAF-based guidance, and personality development under the ANTIM-PAG program.

Do you provide study material and notes?

Yes. Students receive curated notes, strategic value additions, and daily/weekly study targets complementing NCERTs and standard books.

How can I contact the team for queries?

You can contact us via email at support@understandupsc.com or call our helpline at +91 8377072252.

Does UnderStand UPSC provide online classes?

Yes, we offer live online sessions, recorded lectures, and continuous mentorship support.

Are test series available separately?

Yes. We provide separate Prelims and Mains test series with detailed evaluation and feedback, aligned with our classroom programs.

Section 44(3) of DPDP Act: Supreme Court to Review Impact on RTI

February 17, 2026

Source: The Hindu, Tags: 17 Feb 2026, Polity, RTI

Context
Supreme Court has referred petitions to a Constitution Bench to examine whether Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 undermines citizens’ Right to Information (RTI) by overriding Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, thereby limiting access to “personal information”.

Key Sections & the Conflict

Section 44(3) — DPDP Act, 2023
• Imposes a blanket prohibition on disclosing any “personal information”.
• Gives the government wide discretion to deny information.
• Applies broadly, without the earlier balancing test of “public interest vs privacy”.
Section 8(1)(j) — RTI Act, 2005
• Allowed disclosure of personal information if:
• There was no relation to public activity, OR
• Public interest outweighed privacy concerns.
• Maintained a balance between transparency and privacy.

How they conflict
• DPDP Section 44(3) → Treats all personal information as protected, no public-interest exception.
• RTI Section 8(1)(j) → Allowed disclosure when public interest justified it.
• Petitioners argue the DPDP has amended/overridden this RTI safeguard, delivering a “body blow” to transparency.

Indian Natural Gas Futures: SEBI Approves NSE for Gas Derivatives Trading

February 17, 2026

Source: The Hindu, Tags: 17 Feb 2026, Markets, Regulation

Context
SEBI has approved the NSE to launch Indian Natural Gas Futures, creating a market-based mechanism for price discovery, hedging, and long-term planning in the natural gas sector. These will be monthly futures contracts, backed by NSE’s derivatives infrastructure and IGX’s natural-gas trading ecosystem.

What is IGX?
Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) — India’s first nationwide gas trading platform where buyers and sellers trade spot and forward natural gas.
It provides transparency in gas pricing and facilitates market-driven transactions.

SEBI

Regulates & Protects:
• Securities markets
• Investor interests
• Market intermediaries (brokers, mutual funds, rating agencies, etc.)

Controls & Approves:
• Stock exchanges
• New products (like futures/options)
• Mergers, acquisitions, and takeover regulations

Prime Editing–mediated Readthrough: Single Genome-Editing Strategy for Genetic Disorders

February 17, 2026

Source: The Hindu, Tags: 17 Feb 2026, Genome, Science & Technology

Context
Scientists have found a single genome-editing method that can correct many genetic disorders caused by nonsense mutations (a type of DNA error that stops protein production too early).

Key Idea: One Strategy for Many Disorders
Researchers from Harvard, Broad Institute, and University of Minnesota developed a method called Prime Editing–mediated Readthrough (PERT).
It reprograms the cell’s own machinery so it can ignore the faulty stop signal and make the full, correct protein.

What is tRNA?
• tRNA (transfer RNA) is a small molecule that reads mRNA code and brings the correct amino acids to build proteins.
• It acts like a translator during protein synthesis.
• Scientists engineered a special suppressor tRNA that can override premature stop codons, allowing cells to finish making the protein.

Why it matters
• Nonsense mutations cause ~25% of all genetic disorders (e.g., cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs).
• Each mutation usually needs a different therapy — slow and expensive.
• This single strategy could treat multiple diseases with the same toolkit.

Bodhan AI: Government Platform to Integrate AI in School Education

February 17, 2026

Source: The Indian Express, Tags: 17 Feb 2026, Education, Technology

Context
Bodhan AI is a new government-backed platform launched to integrate AI tools across school education, developed at IIT Madras’ AI Centre and supported by the Education Ministry.

Applications of Bodhan AI

AI-Enabled Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
• Builds Bharat EduAI Stack for scalable, low-cost AI services.
Indian-Language AI Tools
• Speech recognition for Indian languages.
• Reading-fluency support.
• Language-specific diagnostic tools.
Classroom Tools
• Voice-based assessments (phone/tablet/laptop).
• AI-generated feedback for students.
• Personalised, teacher-ready worksheets.
Policy Support
• Data-driven insights to track learning levels and guide policy.
Plug-and-Play for EdTech
• Models hosted on sovereign infrastructure; can integrate into existing apps easily.
Future Ecosystem
- Collaboration with state governments & startups to expand AI-based education solutions.

Great Nicobar Project: NGT Clears ₹92,000-cr Mega Infrastructure Plan

February 17, 2026

Source: The Hindu, Tags: 17 Feb 2026, Environment, GS3–Infra

Context

2022 — Environmental clearance (EC) granted for the Great Nicobar mega-infrastructure project.
2023 — National Green Tribunal orders formation of a High-Powered Committee (HPC) to examine issues: coral protection, turtle nesting sites, and ecological zones.
2023–24 — Applicants challenge the EC, alleging inadequate review and ecological risks.
HPC Review — Committee examines concerns; Ministry directed to ensure strict safeguards (coral regeneration, no shoreline erosion, no harm to nesting beaches).
Feb 2026 — NGT rules:
• Safeguards in the EC + HPC review are adequate.
• No “good ground” to interfere considering the project’s strategic importance.

17 Feb 2026 | Daily Current Affairs

Section 44(3) of DPDP Act: Supreme Court to Review Impact on RTI

Indian Natural Gas Futures: SEBI Approves NSE for Gas Derivatives Trading

Prime Editing–mediated Readthrough: Single Genome-Editing Strategy for Genetic Disorders

Bodhan AI: Government Platform to Integrate AI in School Education

Great Nicobar Project: NGT Clears ₹92,000-cr Mega Infrastructure Plan

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17 Feb 2026 | Daily Current Affairs

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