I am available on YT to answer live queries in chatbox right now. For those watching the above lecture.

Sources for History Optional:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRY4mFD-4D6sYznfYEHs3muaCOK64jbXH

Watch here: https://youtu.be/pkjW4RgwtJY

https://youtu.be/r0QcWLlEQ7Q?si=vsYi1Z0glpWUeQQZ

It seems to be a movie based on someone named Neeraj Atri. I have never heard of him before. In the coming time, we might get to read more about him.

From the trailer, the movie seems very sensational and I am sure as the movie comes out it will cause some debate and uproar. I only hope that the debate is fact-based and not merely ideology-based. Such fact based debate would Enlighten all of us.

Nikhil

UPSC released 2026 calender. Mark the date.

A new book. Extremely exciting. Linguistics is really a facinsting subject.

We in UPSC get to read only a part of the larger story i.e. how Proto Indo European evolved into Sanskrit. This book gives the whole picture.

#bookreview

My overall assessment on Operation Sindoor after things have cooled down.

Our net gains have been military and tactical.

1. We proved our precision attack capacity. We strike in Punjab heartland. We showed that we can demobilize part of their their airforce, destroy swarm of drones and we can even attack their nuke bases and force them to peace. But we neither destroyed terror infra capacity nor their military power. Whatever losses they faced, they can repair and recover very shortly.

2. All we proved that next time they have to think long and hard as it might lead to more escalation pretty fast. Our new three point doctrine (response in their land, no nuke blackmail and no difference between terror and it's sponsors) have added the risk for Pakistan but also for us. This is a necessary strategy, I am not against it at all because Pakistan has to bear the cost, but this is a high risk strategy.

There was one domestic achievement and one setback for us.

1. After initial communal polarization, we were able to unite as one nation against Pakistan, despite its attempts otherwise. That I think is a major achievement domestically.

2. Our attempts to improve Kashmir situation may have received some setback. We have taken massive efforts since 2019 but now things need to be rebuilt tenuously.

On the other hand, Pakistan net gains are much more in diplomatic arena.

1. Asif Munir's position has become stronger. People in Pakistan were turning against him and army due to Imran Khan but things suddenly changed now.

2. Kashmir got internationalized. This is against our position of bilateralism.

3. India-Pakistan got hyphenated. The world doesn't focus on terrorism but on two nuclear states fighting. Our diplomats couldn't stop this. Pakistani ecosystem was able to get its narrative out louder.

4. China and Turkey came to help Pakistan openly. We have no such friend. Russia is weak while America didn't remain even neutral. We are in the situation all alone.

5. Moreover it proved that in air dominance, the Chinese military hardware that Pakistan uses can withstand western military hardware that India uses. So we dont have a very clear and decisive edge in air. Our upper hand may be marginal.

Conclusion:

We have again proved that we may succeed in war but in diplomacy and narrarive dominance, we have a long way to learn.

But our only tangible gain is the suspension of IWT. This is a major strategic gain for us. But everything else is mosty positioning.

Nikhil

This is the second part of the Art and Culture Current Affairs 2025.

You can download the handout here.

https://youtu.be/2kJ20aL1RpU

A simple answer from World History. Conceptual clarity, analytical approach, simple language, a tadka of historiography...

One more answer, this time from Modern India.

Again, conceptual clarity, analytical approach, simple language and historiography swad-anusar, wherever required.

Never make historiography as the main meal, unless specifically asked in the question. The meal tastes good with only pinch of salt.

All of you know well what does excessive salt do to the meal.

Just after Prelims, we are coming with three History Optional courses:

1. Sunday Live Mentorship for 2026 (updated version)

2. Crash course and Test series for 2025 (targeted for 2025 with historiography, imp topics and theme wise discussion lectures)

3. Mapping module and mapping book (exhaustive coverage)

All the details will be announced soon.

It has been about 3 decades since the end of apartheid in South Africa. The generation that fought against apartheid in 60s and 70s is now old and new leaders are replacing them.

Now, the ANC is losing its steam and finding elections harder. The promise of development and peace and prosperity is still the promise. The romanticism and idealism of 1990s built by Mandela has now lost its sheen.

And to all that, add the Trumpian dimension. Isne to pura game ulta kar diya. Is this called as Ulta Chor Kotwal Ko Daante?

For History Optional, this year in 2025, prepare this topic for the exam. That is our takeaway.

UPSC had asked this question twice in the Optional paper. In 2000 and in 2018.

Students always wonder what is there to 'critically examine' in this one single factual statement. Read the answer to know.

Such questions have hidden historiography. These are my fav types. One liner perspective in the end gives away the whole political underpinning of the question.