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.

Gallantry Awards 2026: President Honours Security Personnel and Armed Forces

June 9, 2026

Source: The Hindu | Page 12 | Tags: 9 June 2026, Defence, GS3, internal security

Context: Gallantry Awards
President Droupadi Murmu conferred gallantry awards during the Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Awards were presented to personnel of the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces and State / Union Territory Police Forces for exceptional bravery and self-sacrifice.

2026 Awards and Major Recipients

7 Kirti Chakras, including 2 posthumous
15 Vir Chakras, including 3 posthumous
29 Shaurya Chakras, including 1 posthumous

Major Recipients

Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair

Indian Air Force
Awarded Kirti Chakra
Gaganyatri under Gaganyaan Mission

Lt Commander Dilna K.

Indian Navy
Awarded Shaurya Chakra

Lt Commander Roopa A.

Indian Navy
Awarded Shaurya Chakra

Navika Sagar Parikrama-II

Indian Navy’s all-women global circumnavigation expedition.

Gallantry Awards: Basics

Who Confers?

President of India

Awarded For

Conspicuous courage
Exceptional bravery
Self-sacrifice
Devotion to duty

Eligibility

Armed Forces
Central Armed Police Forces
Police Forces
Peacetime awards may also be given to civilians.

Posthumous Award

Permitted

Wartime Gallantry Awards

Param Vir Chakra — Highest
Maha Vir Chakra — Second Highest
Vir Chakra — Third Highest

Peacetime Gallantry Awards

Ashoka Chakra — Highest
Kirti Chakra — Second Highest
Shaurya Chakra — Third Highest

UPSC PYQ Link: National Sports Awards

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award — Highest sporting honour
Arjuna Award — Outstanding performance in sports
Dronacharya Award — Eminent coaches
Dhyan Chand Award — Lifetime achievement in sports
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar — Promotion of sports by institutions / corporates

India Oman CEPA: Key Features, Benefits and Significance for Trade

June 9, 2026

Source: The Hindu (Editorial) | Page 8 | Tags: 9 June 2026, Economy, GS2, GS3, International Relations

Context: India Oman CEPA
The India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement came into force on 1 June 2026.

India–Oman CEPA: Basics

Oman became the 2nd Gulf country after the United Arab Emirates to sign a CEPA with India.
It is India’s 15th Free Trade Agreement.
Bilateral trade increased from $8.94 billion in FY 2023–24 to $11.18 billion in FY 2025–26.
Strengthens cooperation in trade, investment, services, professional mobility and energy security.

Key Provisions

Duty-free access on 98.08% tariff lines covering 99.38% of India’s exports by value.
Recognition of National Programme for Organic Production and halal certification.
Faster customs clearance.
Easier movement of professionals in:
- Information Technology
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- Education
- Consultancy
- AYUSH

Major Beneficiary Sectors

Goods

Textiles
Apparel
Chemicals
Engineering goods
Automobiles
Pharmaceuticals
Processed food

Services

IT
Accounting
Engineering
Healthcare
Education
Consultancy
AYUSH

Significance of Oman for India

Trade and Connectivity

Gateway to Gulf Cooperation Council and East Africa.
Helps integration into Global Value Chains.

Strategic Importance

Located near Strait of Hormuz.
Key partner in the Indian Ocean Region.

Energy Security

Important source of crude oil and LNG.

Important Ports

Duqm
Salalah
Sohar

Geoeconomic Importance

Supports India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor.
Provides access to Gulf logistics and industrial hubs.

GCC, MFN, SPS and TBT Basics

Gulf Cooperation Council

Established: 1981
Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Members

Saudi Arabia
UAE
Oman
Kuwait
Bahrain
Qatar

PYQ Point

Iran is not a GCC member.

Most Favoured Nation Status

WTO principle of non-discrimination.
Trade benefit given to one WTO member must be extended to all WTO members, except under Free Trade Agreements or Customs Unions.

SPS — Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

WTO rules relating to food safety, animal health and plant health.
Example: Pest-free certification and disease-control standards.

TBT — Technical Barriers to Trade

WTO rules on product standards, testing, certification and labelling.
Aim: Prevent standards from becoming hidden trade barriers.

Enforcement Directorate Gets Access to SFIO Documents in CMRL Case

June 9, 2026

Source: The Hindu | Page 6 | Tags: 9 June 2026, Governance, GS2, Polity

Context: Enforcement Directorate
A Kochi court allowed the Enforcement Directorate to access documents collected by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office in the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited pay-off case. The ED is investigating alleged money laundering aspects, while the SFIO had examined the corporate fraud dimension of the case.

PYQ Link: Economic Investigation Agencies

Enforcement Directorate

Ministry

Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue

Status

Non-statutory

Function

Investigates money laundering under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
Investigates Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 violations.

Serious Fraud Investigation Office

Ministry

Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Status

Statutory body under Section 211 of the Companies Act, 2013

Function

Investigates complex corporate frauds.

Central Economic Intelligence Bureau

Ministry

Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue

Status

Non-statutory

Function

Economic intelligence coordination.

Central Bureau of Investigation

Ministry

Department of Personnel and Training

Status

Non-statutory, under Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946

Function

Corruption
Economic offences
Special crimes

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: Subsidised LPG Refills Reduced to 4

June 9, 2026

Source: The Hindu | Page 14 | 9 JuneTags: 9 June 2026, GS2, Welfare Schemes

Context: Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
Subsidised Liquefied Petroleum Gas refills under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana were reduced from 9 to 4 cylinders per year. The ₹300 per cylinder subsidy continues.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

Launched

2016

Ministry

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Type

Central Sector Scheme

Objective

Provide clean cooking fuel to poor households.
Reduce indoor air pollution.

Beneficiaries

Adult women from poor households.
SECC beneficiaries and other eligible categories.

Benefit / Data

Free LPG connection.
10.55 crore LPG connections released.

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Implemented in West Bengal Through MoU

June 9, 2026

Source: PIB | Tags: 9 June 2026, GS2, Health

Context: Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
West Bengal became the 36th State / Union Territory to implement Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana through an MoU with the National Health Authority.

Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana

Launched

2018

Ministry

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Type

Centrally Sponsored Scheme

Nodal Agency

National Health Authority

Objective

Universal Health Coverage
Protection from high hospital expenses

Coverage

Secondary hospitalisation
Tertiary hospitalisation
Primary care is under Health and Wellness Centres.

Beneficiaries

Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 poor and vulnerable families
Citizens aged 70+
Accredited Social Health Activists
Anganwadi Workers
Anganwadi Helpers

Benefit / Data

₹5 lakh per family per year
Cashless
Paperless
Portable
62+ crore beneficiaries
44+ crore cards
12+ crore hospital admissions

Zojila Tunnel Nears Completion for All-Weather Kashmir-Ladakh Connectivity

June 9, 2026

Source: The Hindu | Page 1 | Tags: 9 June 2026, GS3, Infrastructure, internal security

Context: Zojila Tunnel
The 13.14-km Zojila Tunnel witnessed its final breakthrough, bringing India closer to achieving all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh. The tunnel connects Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir with Drass–Kargil in Ladakh by bypassing the snow-bound Zojila Pass.

Zojila Tunnel: Basics

Location

On NH-1, Srinagar–Kargil–Leh route

Length

13.14 km

Altitude

11,578 ft

Feature

World’s longest single-tube bi-directional road tunnel at this altitude.

Pass Bypassed

Zojila Pass, prone to snowfall and landslides

Significance

Ensures year-round connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.
Improves logistics and troop movement towards Line of Actual Control areas.
Boosts tourism, trade and regional integration.
Reduces travel time between Ganderbal and Kargil from about 3 hours to 20 minutes.

SIPRI Yearbook 2026: India Expands Nuclear Arsenal and Defence Spending

June 9, 2026

Source: The Hindu | Page 16 | Tags: 9 June 2026, Defence, GS3, Security

Context: SIPRI Yearbook 2026
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Yearbook 2026, India modestly expanded its nuclear arsenal and continued developing new nuclear delivery systems.

SIPRI: Key Findings

India’s nuclear warheads increased from around 180 in 2025 to around 190 in 2026.
India’s military expenditure in 2025 was $92.1 billion, up 8.9% over 2024.
India ranked as the 5th-largest military spender after:
- United States
- China
- Russia
- Germany
India remained the 2nd-largest importer of major arms during 2021–25, with 8.2% global share.

Top 5 Arms Importers

Ukraine
India
Saudi Arabia
Qatar
Pakistan

9 Nuclear-Armed States

United States
Russia
United Kingdom
France
China
India
Pakistan
North Korea
Israel

Global Nuclear Warheads

12,187 total nuclear warheads
Around 9,745 in military stockpiles

H-1B Visa: US Court Strikes Down Proposed $100,000 Fee

June 9, 2026

Source: The Hindu | Page 16 | Tags: 9 June 2026, GS2, Indian Diaspora, International Relations

Context: H-1B Visa
A U.S. federal court struck down the $100,000 H-1B visa fee proposed by President Donald Trump, ruling that it amounted to an unauthorised tax not approved by Congress.

H-1B Visa: Basics

Purpose

Non-immigrant work visa for highly skilled foreign workers.

Issued By

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

Validity

Usually 3 years, extendable up to 6 years.

Annual Cap

65,000 visas
Additional 20,000 visas for holders of U.S. Master’s or higher degrees

Major Sectors

Information Technology
Engineering
Healthcare
Finance
Research

India and H-1B

Indians receive about 70–75% of all H-1B visas annually.
Indian technology professionals are the largest beneficiary group.
H-1B is a key route for skilled migration from India to the United States.

9 June 2026 | Daily Current Affairs

2026 Awards and Major Recipients

Major Recipients

Gallantry Awards: Basics

Wartime Gallantry Awards

Peacetime Gallantry Awards

UPSC PYQ Link: National Sports Awards

India–Oman CEPA: Basics

Key Provisions

Major Beneficiary Sectors

Significance of Oman for India

GCC, MFN, SPS and TBT Basics

Gulf Cooperation Council

Most Favoured Nation Status

SPS — Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

TBT — Technical Barriers to Trade

PYQ Link: Economic Investigation Agencies

Enforcement Directorate

Serious Fraud Investigation Office

Central Economic Intelligence Bureau

Central Bureau of Investigation

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana

Coverage

Beneficiaries

Benefit / Data

Census 2027: Key Information

Legal and Constitutional Basis

New Feature

Data Points

Why Census 2027 Matters

Zojila Tunnel: Basics

Significance

SIPRI: Key Findings

Top 5 Arms Importers

9 Nuclear-Armed States

Global Nuclear Warheads

H-1B Visa: Basics

Major Sectors

India and H-1B

Student Desk

Free Resources

Support

Download New App

Download Old App

About the UPSC Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE)

How to Prepare Effectively for UPSC CSE

Why Choose UnderStand UPSC?

Join the UnderStand UPSC Learning Community

Start Your UPSC Journey

Start Your
UPSC Journey