Know Your GK: UPSC Current Affairs & General Knowledge

  History of Indian Currency: From Ancient Coins to Digital Rupee Currency is more than just a means of payment — it is a reflection of a nation’s history, showcasing political authority, trade relations, cultural influences, and technological progress. The Indian currency has undergone a remarkable journey, beginning with the earliest punch-marked coins in the 6th century BCE and evolving into today’s Digital Rupee issued by the Reserve Bank of India. 1. Before Currency – The Barter System In early human settlements across the Indian subcontinent, trade took place through the barter system , where goods were exchanged directly without a common medium of exchange. For example, farmers might trade grain for tools, while potters exchanged earthenware for cloth. Although functional in small communities, this system had several drawbacks, such as the absence of a standard value, difficulty in storing wealth, and challenges in finding matching needs between two parties. These limit...

  Soil of India – Types, Characteristics and Importance for Exams Have you ever wondered why some regions of India grow golden wheat, while others are famous for black cotton soil? Soil is not just dirt – it is the foundation of life, agriculture, and human civilization. In this blog, we will explore the types of soil in India, their characteristics, and their importance – a topic that is frequently asked in UPSC, EPFO, SSC, and State PCS exams. 1. What is Soil? Soil is the uppermost layer of the Earth’s crust which supports plant life . It is formed due to the weathering of rocks over thousands of years under the influence of wind, water, temperature, and biological activities . In simple words: Soil is a mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and air . Importance: It provides nutrients to plants , which in turn sustain all living beings on Earth. Key Components of Soil: Minerals – Sand, silt, clay Organic Matter – Humus from dead plants and anima...

   New UPI Rules from 1 August 2025 – Everything You Need to Know UPI (Unified Payments Interface) has become a part of our daily life. From paying at tea stalls to sending money to friends, most of us rely on apps like PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, BHIM and others. But from 1 August 2025 , some new rules for UPI users have started. These changes have been introduced by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to reduce system load, avoid failed transactions, and make UPI safer . Don’t worry—UPI is still free for you , but now you need to be a little smarter about how you use it. Why the Rules Were Changed UPI is now used for billions of transactions every month . Many users repeatedly check balances or transaction status , which increases server load. Autopay mandates like EMIs and subscriptions often crowd the system during peak hours. These new rules reduce pressure on servers , speed up transactions , and improve reliability . Key Changes in UPI...