UPSC 2026 prelims: space–astrobiology and planetary habitability
Dear IAS/CSE Aspirants, 🔖 this details for your prelims 2026 🪐 UPSC 2026 Space–Astrobiology Focus: Minimum Conditions for Planetary Habitability What makes a world potentially life-supporting? 🌍✨ ➡️ Liquid Water: The planet must lie in the habitable zone, allowing stable liquid water on its surface. ➡️ Stable Atmosphere: Presence of an atmosphere to regulate temperature, protect from radiation, and support chemical processes. ➡️ Energy Source: Continuous energy supply — typically from a star (solar radiation) or internal geothermal activity. ➡️ Essential Elements: Availability of key life elements like carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur (CHNOPS).