Harshita Goyal's UPSC Preparation Strategy: From CA to AIR 2 with VisionIAS Foundation
Harshita Goyal, who scored All India Rank 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, has shown that a strong basis, constant effort, and clear of intent can turn an aspirant into a topper. Her path from a Chartered Accountant to among the top civil services achievers in the nation captures the core of inner drive and targeted ambition.
She discussed in great detail her method in a recent Topper's Talk session, a proud student of the VisionIAS Classroom Foundation Course, offering useful UPSC guidance for aspirants at every stage of their UPSC journey.
Watch: Talk of VisionIAS Topper Harshita Goyal (AIR 2)
Foundation: Establishing the Groundwork with VisionIAS
Having passed her Chartered Accountancy, Harshita enrolled in the VisionIAS Classroom Foundation Course in 2022. She says that her preparation has been much aided by this choice:
'Foundation Course, as the name suggests, created a foundation for me for my further studies.' – Harshita Goyal (AIR 2), at VisionIAS Toppers' Talk
At first unsure of how to start, VisionIAS's structure and direction guided her across the large UPSC syllabus. She made sure she was actively involved even though she studied online by consistent searches and careful assignment writing. Her three attempts were supported by classroom notes, which she found to be rather relevant.
Her preparation gained consistency and clarity from regular answer writing, class-based assignments, and revision tools including QRM and monthly magazines, reflecting the reach of the best UPSC coaching in Delhi, even in remote learning.
From Toppers' Talk: Strategy, Setbacks, & Smart UPSC Preparation
Organized Resources and Fundamental Materials
Harshita stressed the need of depending on set, ordered resources. VisionIAS classroom notes anchored her preparation; additional tools for conceptual grounding included Quick Revision Materials (QRM), Monthly Magazines, PT365, and NCERTs. She refined rather than replaced these materials throughout her efforts.
Prelims Strategy: Consistency and Accuracy
After two setbacks in first two attempts, Harshita went to her third Prelims with a more strategic approach:
● Her compass was PYQs: She analysed PYQ's not only for improvement but also for the identification of recurrent themes and direction of concentrated study.
● CSAT was taken seriously: She especially used PYQs and classroom tests to address her weak areas by regular practice.
● Current Affairs: Read newspapers daily (non-negotiable!). Supplemented with monthly magazines/PT 365 smartly. Focused on revising factual information.
● Smart revision: She avoided using fresh materials near the test and instead repeatedly going over familiar notes.
● Mocks for Confidence: Exams like the All India Prelims Test Series and Abhyaas helped her to shape test attitude.
● Attempt Strategy: She tried 98 questions on the real test and observed that strategy has to match personal risk-taking capacity.
'The more mistakes you make in mocks, the more you learn—and the less likely you are to repeat them in the real exam,' Harshita says.
Mains Strategy: Practice, Presentation, and Completion
The Mains approach of Harshita was quite practice-oriented:
● She solved the PYQs for the past five years, learning answer structure by comparing them with topper copies.
● Emphasizing structure and coherence, she stressed finishing all answers—including writing even when unsure.
● Early on, classroom assignments helped develop writing discipline.
● Especially in difficult areas, note-making was smart like digital for reading and reference, handwritten for memory retention.
● Budget/Eco Survey summaries, Mains 365, and high-frequency theme use of diagrams drove GS3 preparation.
● Essay and Ethics: Regular essay practice for Harshita came from copies of toppers, newspapers, and peer reviews. In Ethics, for values like integrity and empathy, she drew on stakeholder diagrams, tables, and clear, concise examples. Further, VisionIAS Ethics lectures and toppers' answers formed her basis; applied with structure and clarity.
Interview: presence of mind over perfection
● Harshita stressed thorough DAF-based preparation—that is, practicing questions for every keyword.
● She brainstormed using ChatGPT and peer review.
● Her interview readiness centered mostly on personality qualities including empathy, calmness, and articulation Attitude, Drive, and Handling Obstacles
● Early setbacks notwithstanding, Harshita stayed grounded and optimistic.
● She stayed close to her basic inspiration: family support and social responsibility.
● Equipped with interests (painting, movies, Ludo) and exercise for balanced preparation.
Harshita Quotes: 'UPSC is a part of life- not life itself; Ordinary efforts done consistently leads to extraordinary results.'
In essence, a blueprint for resilient and introspective preparation. The UPSC strategy and path of Harshita shows the value of consistent self-belief, timely mentoring, and disciplined learning. Her focus on classroom UPSC study material, rigorous practice, early answer writing, and emotional fortitude provides aspirants preparing for the Civil Services Examination with a clear, practical road map.
✅ FAQs: Harshita Goyal UPSC AIR 2, 2024
1. How did Harshita Goyal begin UPSC prep after CA?
Answer: She joined the VisionIAS Foundation Course (2022) to build a structured base and navigate the vast syllabus.
2. What resources did Harshita Goyal use?
Answer: She relied on VisionIAS notes, QRM, Monthly Magazines, PT365, and NCERTs, focusing on consistent revision.
3. How did she crack Prelims after two failures?
Answer: By analyzing PYQs, strengthening CSAT, taking mock tests, revising familiar notes, and refining her attempt strategy.
4. What was Harshita Goyal Mains strategy?
Answer: She focused on daily answer writing, structured presentation, using Mains 365, topper copies, and peer feedback.
5. How did she prepare for the Interview?
Answer: Through DAF-based questions, mock practice, and emphasizing calmness, clarity, and empathy over perfection.
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UPSC Key: India's Defence Sector, United Nations Security Council and Brahmaputra
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for June 6, 2025. If you missed the June 5, 2025 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here FRONT PAGE Made-in-India Rafale fuselage from 2027-28: Tata, Dassault ink pact for Hyderabad facility Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. What's the ongoing story: In a boost to defence and aerospace manufacturing in India, the country is set to become the first nation other than France where the fuselage of the Rafale fighter aircraft will be manufactured. Key Points to Ponder: • India's Defence Sector-What you know about the same so far? • What are the some important developments in India's Defence Sector? (Assess before and after operation Sindoor) • What are the key issues and challenges with India's Defence Sector? • What is fuselage? • How the fuselage manufacturing in India will boost aerospace manufacturing in India? Key Takeaways: • Under a partnership between France's Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems (TASL), the later will set up a 'cutting-edge' production facility in Hyderabad for the manufacture of key structural sections of the Rafale, including the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the complete rear section, the central fuselage, and the front section. • The first fuselage sections are expected to roll off the Hyderabad assembly line in the financial year 2027-28, with the facility expected to deliver up to two complete fuselages per month. The facility will cater to India as well as other global markets of the medium multi-role combat aircraft. Fuselage is the outer body or shell of the aircraft and holds all the pieces of the aircraft together. • The Indian Air Force already operates 36 Rafales. The Indian Navy will induct 26 Rafale Marine jets by 2030 as part of the Rs 63,000-crore deal between India and France inked in April this year. • The deal included provisions for technology transfer and the establishment of maintenance and production facilities in India. Apart from France and India, the Rafale—a 4.5th generation fighter aircraft—is deployed in or on order from various countries, including Egypt, Qatar, the UAE, Greece, Indonesia, Croatia, and Serbia. Do You Know: • Dassault Aviation and TASL have signed four production transfer agreements to manufacture the Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage in India, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the country's aerospace manufacturing capabilities and supporting global supply chains. This facility represents a significant investment in India's aerospace infrastructure and will serve as a critical hub for high-precision manufacturing, Dassault and TASL said in a joint release. The companies did not provide information on the financials and other specifics of the proposed project. • India has been pushing for local defence and aerospace manufacturing and TASL is a key private sector player in the sector, with presence in segments including aerostructures and aero-engines, airborne platforms and systems, defence and security, and land mobility. • The company has a strong portfolio of partnerships and joint ventures with leading global aerospace and defence firms. Among its key projects is the final assembly line for made-in-India Airbus C295 tactical airlift aircraft for the Indian Air Force. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Expert Explains: Why induction of 26 new Rafale M aircraft matters for the Indian Navy GOVT & POLITICS Unease in India as Pak to chair, co-chair UNSC anti-terror panels Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. What's the ongoing story: Pakistan's appointment to key counter-terrorism bodies at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) — chair of the sanctions committee against Taliban, vice-chair of counter-terrorism panel formed after 9/11, and a working group on the UN sanctions regime — has left many red faces in New Delhi. Key Points to Ponder: • Pakistan's appointment to key counter-terrorism bodies at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)-know in detail • What are the key counter-terrorism bodies at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)? • Discuss the role of the 1267 and 1540 Committees in global counter-terrorism. • What is the Security Council? • Non-permanent members and permanent members-compare and contrast • Who are the 15 members of the UNSC? • How the monthly presidency of the Council is selected? • How Voting System works in United Nations Security Council • On what basis was Security Council permanent membership granted? • How are the non-permanent members of the Security Council selected? • Are UN resolutions binding? • How does the Security Council determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression? • 'Veto power was granted in the UN Charter 77 years ago to encourage each other, but it has turned out that the power is being used to block'-Analyse • 'UN Security Council (UNSC) has become 'paralysed' and 'dysfunctional' in its 'present form', as it has not been able to take any decision since the Russia-Ukraine war started'-How far you agree with the given statement? • India and United Nations-Know in detail • What has been India's stand on UN reformation? Key Takeaways: • According to sources, there is a 'sense of disquiet' and 'unease' in South Block, since this goes contrary to India's efforts to portray Pakistan as the epicentre of terrorism — just over a month after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which was followed by Operation Sindoor that led to four days of military confrontation between India and Pakistan. • Last month, India sent multi-party delegations to various foreign capitals, including all current and upcoming members of the UNSC, in an attempt to rally support for its war against terror emanating from Pakistan. • Sources said Pakistan was appointed to these key panels on May 29, but the matter was made public in the last couple of days, while the Indian teams were touring these countries. An Indian delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor visited New York last month, and is again in Washington DC for engagements with the US Congress, think tanks and media. • Appointment to these panels must have the concurrence of both permanent and non-permanent members of the UNSC. The development signals that Pakistan has been able to get its way, with the help of China and other members of the UNSC. • Significantly, a high-level Pakistani parliamentary delegation, led by Senate Chairman and former Pakistan PM Yousuf Raza Gilani, concluded a visit to the UN headquarters in New York earlier this week. The delegation held a series of meetings with senior UN officials and diplomats from various member states. • Pakistan has also sent a high-level multi-party political delegation to New York, Washington DC, London, Brussels and Moscow, led by its former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, to canvas for support in its favour. Do You Know: • Islamabad will now chair the UNSC committee established under Resolution 1988 (2011), which oversees the implementation of sanctions against the Taliban. It has also been named vice chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), which monitors implementation of Resolution 1373 (2001), a core component of the UN's global counter-terrorism architecture. • India has friends on the Taliban sanctions committee, too, where Guyana and Russia are vice-chairs. The working group on sanctions has Greece as a co-chair. This is important since India has been trying to get a number of Pakistan-based terrorists sanctioned, while Beijing and Islamabad have been blocking such moves. • New Delhi is hoping that these co-chairs and vice-chairs will act as a counter-balance and counter-weight to keep Pakistan's anti-India propaganda moves in check. • Sources said the most important counter-terrorism committee, under UNSC Resolution 1267, is, however, led by Denmark as chair and Russia and Sierra Leone as co-chairs. Earlier, India chaired the UNSC 1267 ISIL and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee in 2022, responsible for monitoring and implementing sanctions against individuals and entities associated with the two outfits. 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Key Points to Ponder: • What is the Jal Jeevan Mission? • Jal Jeevan Mission comes under which Ministry? • Why Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is conducting an extensive performance audit of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)? • What are the issue highlighted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)? • What is a horizontal audit? • What is a vertical audit? • The CAG is conducting a horizontal audit of the Mission-Why? • What is the funding pattern of Jal Jeevan Mission? • Is the Jal Jeevan Mission a centrally sponsored scheme? Key Takeaways: • According to sources, the JJM audit exercise is in an advanced stage and reports are expected soon. The process began about one and a half years ago after the CAG included the subject in its audit plan. 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But only 75 per cent of the target could be achieved over five years, and the remaining 4 crore tap connections are now proposed to be installed by extending the mission by four years till December 31, 2028. • This is the first major audit of the JJM since its launch in 2019. The CAG had conducted a performance audit of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) of which a report was presented in 2018. It covered the period from 2012 to 2017. In 2019, the Centre subsumed the NRDWP to launch the JJM. Since then, this is the first audit exercise conducted by the CAG. • The Centre has deployed over 100 teams of Central Nodal Officers (CNOs) for 'ground inspection' of the JJM schemes across the country. The move followed a meeting chaired by the Cabinet Secretary on May 8 to review the JJM schemes. • Since the launch of the Mission in 2019, around 6.4 lakh water supply schemes with total estimated cost of Rs 8.29 lakh crore — more than double of the scheme's original outlay of Rs 3.6 lakh crore (Centre: Rs 2.08 lakh crore, States:1.52 lakh crore) — have been approved by the states. • To meet the additional requirement of funds, the Jal Shakti Ministry had approached the Expenditure Finance Committee, headed by the Expenditure Secretary, to approve Rs 2.79 lakh crore additional Central funding over and above Rs 2.08 lakh crore. However, the EFC recommended only Rs 1.51 lakh crore as the Central share, which is 46% lower than Rs 2.79 lakh crore sought by the Jal Shakti Ministry, as reported by The Indian Express on April 21, 2023. • The sources said the CAG has also initiated a horizontal audit of several other central schemes like Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, Welfare of Building and other Construction Workers, Green India Mission and Smart City Mission. The JJM audit will be similar to that. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Jal Shakti wants `2.79 lakh cr more for flagship water scheme, panel clears half Previous year UPSC Main Question Covering similar theme: 📍What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India? (2019) EXPLAINED 'Muslim ban' to US security: Trump's no-entry signs, 2017-25 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. 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Key Takeaways: • The move also comes on the heels of a terror attack by an Egyptian man in the state of Colorado earlier this week, which left 12 people injured. 'The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted, as well as those who come here as temporary visitors and overstay their visas,' Trump said while announcing the ban. 'We don't want them.' • Citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen will be banned. The proclamation also partially restricts people travelling from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. • A White House Fact Sheet said the country-specific bans would 'encourage cooperation with the subject countries in recognition of each country's unique circumstances'. Each country could seek talks with the US to ease the restrictions — a process similar to the trade deals being negotiated after Trump's tariff announcements. Do You Know: • The countries were identified based on: —A perceived threat to US national security from their limited screening and vetting processes —A 'disregard' for US immigration laws through high visa overstay rates —Presence of terrorist actors (some even state-sponsored) —Unwillingness to accept their removable nationals. The fact sheet explicitly termed Iran and Cuba 'state sponsors of terrorism', and Somalia a 'terrorist safe haven'. It mentioned that Afghanistan is controlled by the Taliban – a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group'. • Further, the document claimed that 'hundreds of thousands of illegal Haitian aliens flooded into the United States during the Biden Administration', and cited 'national security threats.' During his election campaign last year, Trump had said immigrants were 'eating the pets', including cats, in the city of Springfield, Ohio. Unsubstantiated claims of Haitian immigrants 'abducting' pets were also repeated by his running mate and now Vice President, JD Vance. • Legal experts told The New York Times that the ban could withstand legal scrutiny better. 'They seem to have learned some lessons from the three different rounds of litigation we went through during the first Trump administration,' Stephen Vladeck, a professor at Georgetown University Law Center, told The NYT. 'But a lot will depend upon how it's actually enforced — and whether it's applied in ways that are themselves unlawful or even unconstitutional.' Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍What to know about Trump's new travel ban on 12 countries Hydrology of the Brahmaputra Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies II: India and its neighborhood- relations. What's the ongoing story: In recent days, discussions around water sharing and regional water security have taken a new turn in South Asia, especially following India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. Key Points to Ponder: • Map Work-Brahmaputra (Origin, Course and Drainage pattern) • Know about Medog (or Motuo) Hydropower Project • What interventions does China plan? • How much of the Brahmaputra's water yield is generated in India? • To what extent can upstream interventions reduce the Brahmaputra's flow? • How is India using the water potential of the Brahmaputra system? • What should India do in regard to China and the Brahmaputra? • Could Chinese dam-building activity interfere with flows in the Indus river system, specifically the flow of the Sutlej? Key Takeaways: • India has been monitoring Chinese infrastructure interventions on the river. Most are hydropower projects with minimal storage, and are located far upstream of Arunachal Pradesh, with no significant impact in Arunachal or Assam. • A major concern is the planned Medog (or Motuo) Hydropower Project, a massive dam in Medog County near the 'Great Bend' where the river makes a U-turn and plunges into a canyon before entering Arunachal Pradesh. • According to reports, the planned 60,000-MW Medog project will be the world's largest hydropower facility, with a generation capacity three times that of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze, currently the world's largest hydropower station. • Concerns have also been raised over China's massive, multi-decade South-North Water Diversion (SNWD) project, the Western Route of which apparently involves diverting water from the Yarlung Tsangpo (and other rivers) to the country's dry northern regions. However, no official sources or studies are available on these reported plans. Do You Know: • The Brahmaputra is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet. Pakistan, historically reliant on the Indus waters, is now attempting to stoke fears about India's water security through the Brahmaputra, asserting that China's actions could threaten Indian stability and sovereignty. • There is an inherent myth in this as there is misrepresentation of a comprehensive hydro-geographical data. The Brahmaputra is primarily a rain-fed river system, with only approximately 30-35 per cent of its flow coming from China, mostly through glacial melt and rainfall that happens in the Tibetan region which is scanty. This covers the base flow of the river but the majority of the river's water — about 65-70 per cent — arises within India itself, thanks to the monsoon rains that pour over the Northeast's hilly terrains and the numerous tributaries feeding the river. • India's flood mitigation strategies should be aligned with this reality, focusing on improving infrastructure and resilience rather than worrying about threats that are largely hypothetical. In fact, if China were to modify its water flow, it could potentially alleviate some of these flood risks, as excess water often results from uncontrolled monsoon runoff and not upstream flow restrictions. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Dissecting the myth of China's control over the Brahmaputra IN JHARKHAND, WHERE PM LAUNCHED AYUSHMAN BHARAT IN 2018, THE SCHEME HAS STALLED: HERE'S WHY Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies II: Government policies and interventions What's the ongoing story: The promise of Ayushman Bharat seems to be unravelling in Jharkhand. The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), meant to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to low-income families, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ranchi in 2018. More than 23 lakh people in Jharkhand have availed treatment under the scheme since then. Key Points to Ponder: • What is Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)? • What are the key features of the AB PM-JAY? • What are the administrative and governance challenges leading to the stalling of Ayushman Bharat payments in Jharkhand? • Recently, the Union Cabinet expanded the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to provide health coverage to people up to what age? • Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is a Central scheme or Centrally sponsored scheme? Key Takeaways: • But pending payments to the tune of Rs 190 crore and mounting are jeopardising the future of Ayushman Bharat in Jharkhand. Some 212 hospitals have not received payments since last June, and the rest 538 hospitals empanelled under the scheme await reimbursement since February this year. • Hospitals in the districts of Hazaribagh, Koderma, Palamu, and Deoghar have already pulled out of the scheme citing the hold up in payments. And this may just be the beginning. • AB PM-JAY is the largest health insurance scheme in the world. • It provides a cover of Rs 5 lakhs per family per year to eligible beneficiaries for hospitalisation expenses in both government and empanelled private hospitals. At the moment, some 750 hospitals in Jharkhand are registered under the scheme, according to the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) and the Indian Medical Association (IMA). • Current eligibility extends to the bottom 40% households, which is calculated based on deprivation and occupational data from the Socio-Economic Caste Census of 2011. The Prime Minister last year announced that coverage will soon be extended to all citizens aged 70 years and above. • The cost of implementation of AB PM-JAY is shared between the Central and State Governments in a 60:40 ratio. Do You Know: • According to Jharkhand officials, around 28 lakh families (some 1.5 crore people) are enrolled under AB PM-JAY in Jharkhand, with another 38 lakh families (roughly 2 crore people) covered through the state-run Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana, for which the state bears the full cost. • The way these schemes work is that beneficiaries are issued insurance cards, using which they can avail healthcare services in empanelled hospitals. These hospitals are then reimbursed on actuals by the government from the funds allocated under the scheme. • Officials have confirmed to The Indian Express that there is no shortage of funds under the AB PM-JAY scheme, with Rs 2,284 crore allocated to the hospitals over the last 7 years. The problem is that beginning last year, the disbursement of these funds to hospitals has stalled. • Dr Sinha said that non-payment of Ayushman Bharat dues has meant that he has been unable to pay his staff since March. He added that if the payments did not come in, he would stop taking Ayushman Bharat card holders as patients. 'The real loss is to the government and the public,' Sinha warned. AHPI and IMA have claimed that 60 of the 212 NAFU-flagged hospitals have shut down under financial duress. More closures may be on the way if the situation is not sorted out soon. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Most private hospitals in Delhi not on board to roll out Ayushman Bharat, rates a sore point State of the ungulates: why health of tiger is dependent on that of its prey Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. What's the ongoing story: For the first time, a detailed assessment of the status of ungulates (hoofed mammals), including deer, pigs, antelopes, and bison, has estimated their abundance across India. It has revealed a decline in their populations in several states and highlighted conservation challenges, such as habitat loss and deforestation. Key Points to Ponder: • Which is the major prey species for tigers in India? • The detailed assessment of the status of ungulates (hoofed mammals), including deer, pigs, antelopes, and bison-what report says? • Which factor most directly affects the population of tiger prey species? • What is the ecological link between tiger conservation and the population of their natural prey. Why is a healthy prey base essential? • What are the policy and governance gaps in ensuring habitat security for tiger prey species in India? • 'Status of Tigers in India' report-Key Highlights • What is India's tiger population? • What is the purpose of tiger reserves? • What is the distribution of tigers in India? • What are the areas of concern regarding tiger conversation? • National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body under which Ministry? • Who is the Chairman of National Tiger Conservation Authority? • What are the persisting threats facing the tiger across its habitats? Key Takeaways: • The findings are crucial for the conservation of India's tigers and forests, as ungulates form the core prey base of the striped cat and other large predators. India currently has more than 3,600 tigers, accounting for 70% of the world's tiger population. Additionally, the animals help regulate forests and soil health with their feeding habits. • The National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Institute of India prepared the assessment report, using data from the 2022 All-India Tiger Estimation exercise to estimate the animals' distribution and density. • India's tiger prey base, mainly comprising the chital (spotted deer), sambar (large deer), and the vulnerable gaur (Indian bison), presents a highly uneven distribution across forest landscapes. The report drew on extensive direct and indirect evidence, like field surveys, camera traps, and dung signs collected during the 2022 estimation exercise. • According to the findings, spotted deer, sambar, and gaur populations are thriving in large parts of the country, but declining in east-central India in Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. The signs of prey decline and low density are due to severe habitat degradation, infrastructure development and mining that fragments forests, left-wing extremism, and subsistence hunting by residents. • Forests in Uttarakhand, Western Ghats, central India and the northeast have a fairly healthy population of ungulates. However, small and isolated populations of species such as barasingha, wild buffalo, pygmy hog, and hog deer face bottlenecks in their genetic diversity, with habitat fragmentation preventing the intermixing of different animals. • The core tiger prey species are abundant, especially within tiger reserves and national parks, but not so much in sanctuaries that receive a comparatively lower level of protection, and even less in forest divisions abutting tiger reserves. Do You Know: • Loss of habitat, especially quality habitat, competition with livestock and humans, conflict with humans, deforestation, development projects and subsistence hunting are some of the key challenges to the ungulate population. A fall in their numbers affects the ecological balance of forests both inside and outside tiger reserves. • Secondly, tiger-abundant regions such as Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are nearing their capacity to sustain their wildlife population with available resources (what is known as 'carrying capacity'). As a result, tigers often wander towards the east-central states, but struggle to occupy the forests due to poor prey base and other pressures on the ecosystem. These states have a high potential to harbour a substantial tiger population, but it will be contingent on improvements in habitat and prey, and stepping up their protection. • Another direct fallout of low prey base is tigers moving beyond the reserves to hunt livestock, putting them in closer contact with humans, who kill tigers in retaliation for livestock depredation. In states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, ungulates such as wild pigs and nilgai often damage crops, adding another dimension to the human-wildlife conflict due to the loss of wild habitats. A major concern is the conversion of swampy grasslands, seasonal wetlands, and floodplains into urban settlements or farmlands. • Linear infrastructure, such as highways, railways and power lines, can fragment the contiguity of ungulate habitats, disturbing the survival of wildlife, as well as forest dynamics. The report prescribes augmenting prey populations through on-site breeding in enclosures to protect them from predators. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Report flags tiger-human conflict risk as prey base shrinks in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha For any queries and feedback, contact Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Hans India
PhysicsWallah's acquisition of Drishti IAS called off: Report
New Delhi: The much-talked-about acquisition of UPSC coaching institute Drishti IAS by edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah has reportedly been called off. The deal was in advanced stages but ultimately fell through due to multiple reasons, according to a report by Entrackr. In April this year, multiple reports said that PhysicsWallah was actively exploring acquisitions to strengthen its position in the civil services preparation segment. The proposed acquisition of Drishti IAS was estimated to be worth between Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000 crore. Drishti IAS, a well-known name in UPSC coaching, especially among Hindi-medium aspirants, was one of the leading players being considered by PhysicsWallah, along with other institutes like Chaitanya Academy, Rau's IAS Study Circle, and Sarrthi IAS. According to the report, Drishti IAS evaluated the proposal after being approached by PhysicsWallah. However, considering its strong financial performance and independent growth, the company decided not to go ahead with the deal. The report added that Drishti IAS is currently not looking to raise external funds or be acquired. Founded in 1999, Drishti IAS has built a strong presence in the civil services coaching space. In the financial year 2023–24, the Delhi-based institute reported revenue of Rs 405 crore and a profit after tax of Rs 90 crore. The report indicate that the institute is also expected to post healthy growth in FY25. PhysicsWallah, originally focussed on online coaching for engineering and medical entrance exams, has recently been expanding into UPSC and other competitive exams. The acquisition of Drishti IAS was seen as a strategic step to strengthen its offline footprint and diversify its educational offerings -- particularly ahead of its planned stock market debut. However, as of now, both PhysicsWallah and Drishti IAS have not officially responded to the matter. Meanwhile, reports indicate that PhysicsWallah filed its draft IPO papers confidentially in March 2025, aiming to raise around Rs 4,600 crore. If successful, it will become the first Indian edtech unicorn to be listed on the stock exchange.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Govt planning 40 more knowledge centres: Min
Trichy: Municipal administration minister K N Nehru on Thursday inspected the functioning of Trichy corporation's knowledge and study centre at Kuthupapallam near Birds road in Cantonment. After interacting with the aspirants preparing for competitive examinations, the minister said the govt is planning to expand smart knowledge and study centres to 40 more locations across the state. The minister along with mayor Mu Anbalagan and commissioner V Saravanan enquired about the facilities such as study space and toilets available for aspirants preparing for TNPSC and UPSC examinations. As the centre provides free wifi for students to access online study materials, the minister asked them whether the internet was good enough to download e-books. Officials told the minister that four aspirants including a youth from a village in Madurai district have cleared TNPSC group IV examination and secured govt jobs with the help of two knowledge and study centres. "During the discussion, students said the facilities are sufficient. Some of them requested to conduct free coaching classes by the district employment exchange at the centres to clear TNPSC exams. The demand will be explored," an official said. The corporation has been maintaining two knowledge centres built under smart cities mission at Rs5 crore each in Cantonment and Palakkarai.
