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.

Helicopter Final Assembly Line Inaugurated in Kolar by India and France

February 19, 2026

Source: The Hindu, Tags: 19 Feb 2026, Defence, GS3, Manufacturing, Technology

Context
India and France inaugurated India’s first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) at Vemagal, Kolar (Karnataka). Built by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) with Airbus for Airbus H125.

Key Features
• First private-sector helicopter FAL in India.
• Marks private entry into high-end aerospace manufacturing.
• Manufacture, integration, testing & maintenance under one roof.
• First Indian-made H125 expected in 2027.
• Planned export hub for South Asia.
• Possible future military variant (H125M).

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Proposes New Rules on Unruly Passengers

February 19, 2026

Source: The Hindu, Tags: 19 Feb 2026, Aviation, Governance, GS2, Regulation

Context
DGCA proposes allowing airlines to impose up to a 30-day flying ban on unruly passengers without referring cases to independent committee.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
• Statutory regulatory body for civil aviation safety.
• Established under Aircraft (Amendment) Act, 2020.
• Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• Regulates airline operations, licensing, airworthiness, passenger safety norms.

Rajya Sabha Elections Scheduled for March 16 Across 10 States

February 19, 2026

Source: The Indian Express, Tags: 19 Feb 2026, Elections, GS2, Parliament, Polity

Context
Election Commission announced Rajya Sabha elections on March 16 for 37 seats across 10 States.

Constitutional Articles
• Article 80 – Composition of Rajya Sabha (Max 250, currently 245).
• 238 elected by State/UT legislatures.
• 12 nominated by President.
• Article 84 – Qualifications.
• Article 99 & 104 – Oath & disqualification.
• Fourth Schedule – Allocation of seats.

Election Method
• Indirect election by MLAs.
• Proportional Representation (PR) by Single Transferable Vote (STV).
• Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Forest Rights Act: Odisha Shuts FRA Cells Amid Pending Claims

February 19, 2026

Source: The Hindu, Tags: 19 Feb 2026, Governance, GS2, Rights, Tribals

Context
Odisha government has been shutting down Forest Rights Act (FRA) Cells and removing support staff over the past six months. Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sought explanation and directed clearance of pending FRA claims by March-end.

Key Points
• Closure of 50 Sub-Divisional FRA Cells.
• Odisha has ~20% pendency in individual forest rights claims (second highest after Chhattisgarh).
• ~1.22 lakh pending claims (as of August 2025).
• Related to new Central scheme DA-JGUA (Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan), launched 2024.

Forest Rights Act, 2006
Recognises historical rights of:
• Scheduled Tribes (STs)
• Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs)

FRA Cells – Role
• Process claims filed by STs & OTFDs.
• Assist verification of land/community rights.
• Maintain records of approved & pending claims.
• Coordinate between Gram Sabhas and State authorities.

Project Cheetah: Cheetah Cubs Born at Kuno National Park

February 19, 2026

Source: The Indian Express, Tags: 19 Feb 2026, Conservation, Environment, GS3, Wildlife

Context
Three new African cheetah cubs were born at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, raising India’s total cheetah count to 38. This continues India’s cheetah reintroduction effort under Project Cheetah.

Cheetah Characteristics
• World’s fastest land animal (up to 110 km/h).
• Lightweight, long-legged, with black “tear marks” on face.
• Hunts by sprinting, not endurance.
• Prefers open grasslands/savannas.

India’s Cheetah Reintroduction Sites
• Kuno National Park, MP – First translocation: Sept 2022 (African cheetahs).
• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, MP – Second site: April 2025 (for population expansion & habitat diversification).

African vs Asiatic Cheetah

Feature	African	Asiatic
Location	Wide range in Africa	Iran (critically small population)
Build	Larger, robust	Smaller, slimmer
Coat	Brighter, denser spots	Paler, sparser spots
Status	Vulnerable	Critically Endangered (~50–70 left)
Genetics	Greater diversity	Very low diversity

19 Feb 2026 | Daily Current Affairs

Helicopter Final Assembly Line Inaugurated in Kolar by India and France

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Proposes New Rules on Unruly Passengers

Rajya Sabha Elections Scheduled for March 16 Across 10 States

Forest Rights Act: Odisha Shuts FRA Cells Amid Pending Claims

Project Cheetah: Cheetah Cubs Born at Kuno National Park

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19 Feb 2026 | Daily Current Affairs

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