Self Preparation for UPSC IAS

Geneva Conventions  Why in News: Gaza attacked suddenly on Israel. In this retaliation, Israel (ratified Geneva Conventions in 1951) is bombing on North Gaza where more civilians were killed and this is violation of Geneva Conventions. Important Key Points related to Geneva Conventions: The  Geneva Conventions (1949)  and  their Additional Protocols  are  international treaties  that contain the most important rules  limiting the barbarity of war. They  protect people who do not take part in the fighting  (civilians, medics, aid workers) and those  who can no longer fight  (wounded, sick and shipwrecked troops, prisoners of war). The  first Geneva Convention  protects wounded and sick soldiers on land during war. The  second Geneva Convention  protects wounded, sick and shipwrecked military personnel at sea during war. The  third Geneva Convention  applies to prisoners of war. The  fourth Geneva Convention  affords protection to civilians, including in occupied territory . Article 3,  

Vienna Convention: Why in news: Canada’s inability to provide safety and security to Indian diplomats challenges the “most fundamental aspect” of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Important Key Points related to Vienna Convention: What is the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations? The Convention was adopted on  14 th  April 1961 by the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse  and Immunities held in Vienna, Austria. India has ratified the convention. It entered into  force on April 24, 1964, and is nearly universally ratified,  with Palau and South Sudan being the exceptions. It sets out the  special rules – privileges and immunities  – which enable diplomatic missions to act without fear of coercion or harassment through enforcement of local laws and to communicate securely with their sending Governments. It makes  provision for withdrawal of a mission  – which may take place on grounds of economic or physical security – and for breach of diplomatic relatio

Supreme Court recently replied that Same Sex Marriage regulation is not a judicial matter but it is a matter of legislature. SC also argued that right to marry is not a fundamental rights but it is a social right. LGBTQIA+ community especially queer community was being 

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Differences between Kula, Potlatch and Moka system of Exchange Distribution, gift giving and exchanging constitute a big issue for archaic societies. In the Western world the natural monetary economy is based on the principle of achieving a material profit during every transaction. That does not mean, however, that it is applicable in all cultures that in an exchange trade both sides must obtain the same economic benefit.  In the 1950’s the economic historian Karl Polanyi developed a system for classifying the different modes of the distribution of commodities.  He identified three different types: reciprocity, redistribution and trade exchange .  Both redistribution and the existence of market are subject to the activities of the central power organisations and therefore these categories are typical of those societies with advanced power and economic hierarchies.  More interesting for us therefore will be the reciprocal relationships in archaic societies. Reciprocity refers to trans

  What is Melanin? Melanin is a major pigment present in vertebrates. The type and rate of melanin synthesized determines both skin and hair color. Melanin is a light absorbing polymer derived from the essential amino acid tyrosine, which scatters UV light and converts it into heat. Melanin’s ability to absorb light has many protective functions in vertebrates, including camouflage, protection from damaging solar UVA and UVB irradiation, and thermoregulation. Populations producing higher levels of epidermal melanin have lower rates of skin cancer, due to its photoprotective qualities. Human Skin: Melanin also acts as an antibiotic and free radical sink. Due to its wide range of functions, melanin is expressed in several areas of the human body, including the skin, hair, eyes and the brain. However, melanin’s specific roles within these tissues are poorly elucidated. The major types of melanin are: Pheomelanin – an orange to red pigment, expressed in the hair and skin. Low protective p

  T he true beauty of India is not found in towns and cities. It belongs to the indigenous people. One of the most remarkable aspects of their culture is their tribal lifestyle, arts, crafts, and architecture. The multiplicity of tribals in India provides a profound insight into the ethnography and anthropology of these mystic tribes, fulfilling your ideological curiosity. Many of these tribes have their own customs, festivals, music, and ways of expressing themselves artistically. Tribal tourism allows visitors to learn about these varied cultures and their traditions. The tribal trips in India are extremely revitalizing and energizing. Tribal tourism in India is a method to learn about the rich and diverse cultures of the indigenous peoples that reside throughout the country. There are around 600 tribal groups in India, each with its own language, religion, customs, and art forms. Some of India's most prominent tribal tourism locations include: Odisha:   Odisha has the most indig

The events before and after Operation Polo in Hyderabad post-Independence After the country won its freedom, Indian Army forces were sent in to overcome the kingdom’s troops.  The aftermath of this event on September 13, 1948, is still being researched, investigated and written about The Partition of India and Pakistan is a dark chapter in the history of humanity that led to the death, displacement and destruction of property of millions of people. A much more complex story, albeit on a smaller scale, unfolded in the princely kingdom of Hyderabad. Ruled by Nizam Osman Ali Khan who was as whimsical and unpredictable as they come, the kingdom had 81.17% Hindus and a 12.83% Muslim population according to the 1941 Census. When India became free on August 15, 1947, Hyderabad remained independent. Rather, it tried to stay independent citing the communal bonhomie, size of the kingdom and its infrastructure. But it was not to be. Beginning on September 13, 1948, at 4.30 a.m. the Indian Army at

 

Physical Features : Classical and Progressive Neanderthals  Increased Cranial capacity: The skull from Shanidar (Iraq) and Amud (Israel) have been estimated to upto 1700 to 1740 cc. Dolichocephalic skull - narrow and long  Skull wall and brow ridges thick Heavy jaw, chin receding backward Dentition is parabolic with no diastema  Sylurian fissure in brain signifies more developed brain with possibility of existence of language. However, pharynx is less developed. Some facial prognathism Strong femur with large head. Strong ribs, erect posture, foramen Magnum Geographical Distribution of Neanderthals: Cultural Characteristics of Neanderthals: Nousterian Culture: flake tools became more popular. The industry of these tools is found in Le Mouster, hence the name given to the culture, which is unique to Neanderthals.  Strong social organisation: otherwise La Chappelle Aux man, as also handicapped Shanidar man could not have survived in old age without social support. Rituals : first direc

  Neanderthal Man: The evolution of Neanderthals is a complex and long process that unfolded over hundreds and thousands of years. Some evolutionary history about Neanderthals. Common Ancestor: The common ancestor of Neanderthals and Modern humans lived around 800,000 years ago. This ancestral species was likely Homo Heidelbergensis. Divergence and adaptations : Around 400,000 years ago, some Population of this common ancestor began to adapt to the colder climates of Europe and Asia. Overtime, these populations developed distinctive traits, such as a robust body and skull, which are characteristics of Neanderthals. Spread and Isolation: Neanderthals spread across Europe and parts of Asia, adapting to their specific environments. Geographical Isolation led to the development of regional variations.  Cultural and Technological Advancements: Neanderthals developed sophisticated tool making techniques, controlled fire, and created symbolic artifacts, indicating cognitive abilities and cul

  The state of India’s Scheduled Areas How are such areas identified and governed? What did the Bhuria committee in 1995 recommend? How have the provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, or PESA, in 1996 changed governance of Scheduled Areas? Scheduled Area States under 5th scheduled: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat. Tribal Area States under 6th scheduled: Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizorum Background of the article: India’s 705 Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities — making up 8.6% of the country’s population — live in 26 States and six Union Territories. Article 244, pertaining to the administration of Scheduled and Tribal Areas, is the single most important constitutional provision for STs. Article 244(1) provides for the application of Fifth Schedule provisions to Scheduled Areas notified in any State other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. The Sixth Schedu