Manas Srivastava leads the UPSC Essentials section of The Indian Express (digital). He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than five years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called ‘Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik’ and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called ‘LIVE with Manas’.His talks on ‘How to read a newspaper’ focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University’s Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women’s Studies by the Women’s Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on ‘Psychological stress among students’ at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More
UPSC Essentials: One word a day – ICSE
What is ICSE? Recently in news as India joins, this term is relevant for addressing a serious issue. Aspirants must know it for prelims and GS mains. Do not miss to solve the MCQ below the article.

Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, and phenomena from the static and current parts of the UPSC-CSE. Also, check the answer to the previous MCQ.
Word: ICSE
Subject: Social Issues
(Relevance: This topic has a news point. Extremely important for GS I and II social issues. You might find it relevant on topics related to use and abuse of technology, crime against children etc. Use it as an example wisely.)
Why in news?
—Central Bureau of Investigation has joined Interpol’s International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) initiative.
What is ICSE ?
—It is Interpol’s initiative against child sexual abuse.
—The ICSE database uses video and image comparison to analyse Child Sex Exploitation Material (CSEM).
— It makes connections between victims, abusers and places.
— Using the image and video comparison software, the investigators attempt to identify locations of markers visible in a piece of media.
— This can be through the signage nearby, the kind of artwork, photos on a wall, etc.
—The detectives in all 68 countries of the grouping can further exchange information across the world.
What has ICSE achieved?
—As of July 2022, over 30,000 victims of child abuse and over 13,000 criminals have been identified by Interpol using this database and software.
Why is CBI’s joining Interpol’s ICSE significant?
—India is the 68th country to have access to this database and software.
—Interpol’s website said that on average, the database helps identify seven child victims everyday globally.
—ICSE initiative will help CBI to collaborate with investigators in other countries for detecting child sex abuse online identifying abusers, victims, and crime scenes from audio-visual clips using specialized software.
—India reported over 24 lakh instances of online child sexual abuse from 2017 to 2020, with 80% victims being girls below the age of 14 years, according to Interpol data.
—More than 60% unidentified victims were prepubescent, including infants and toddlers. Around 65% of unidentified victims were girls, but severe abuse images were more likely to have boys, the Interpol said on its website.
What is Interpol?
—Interpol is the world’s largest international police organisation with 195 member countries, and is headquartered in Lyon, France.
—Each member country hosts an Interpol National Central Bureau that connects their national law enforcement to it and in India, the CBI is that nodal agency.
Point to ponder: What has been India’s few steps to fight online child sex abuse?
UPSC Essentials: One word a day – CERN – (c)
MCQ
With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, consider the following: (UPSC 2010)
1. The Right to Development
2. The Right to Expression
3. The Right to Recreation
Which of the above is/are the Rights of the child?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer for the previous MCQ-
Photos




- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05