THE CONTEXT:

While the conflict rages in Gaza amidst allegations and counter allegations, and in the midst of unabashed American partiality, it is relevant to recall what the senior leader of Hamas, Mousa Abu Marzouk, told to The New Yorker magazine about the political approach.

MORE ON THE NEWS:

• Abu Marzouk added that in earlier conflicts, the Israelis waged wars outside their borders, and this is the first time that the Palestinians are crossing the borders and fighting in their historic land.
• The Israeli response to the Hamas attack has been to order the evacuation of the northern half of Gaza, to enforce it by a blockade, by the cutting off of food, water and electricity as also by the massing of 3,00,000 troops on Gaza’s border.
• Israel’s objectives for the Gaza operation have been officially identified- Toppling Hamas and destroying its military capabilities, eliminating the threat of terrorism emanating from the Gaza strip, exerting maximum pressure to find a solution to the hostage issue and defending the borders of the state and its citizens.

ABOUT ISRAEL HAMAS CONFLICT:

• The Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented assault on Israel on 7 October, with hundreds of gunmen infiltrating communities near the Gaza Strip.
• More than 5,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in air and artillery strikes carried out by the Israeli military.
• Israel has also cut off electricity and most water and stopped imports of food and medicine, although it has allowed in several dozen aid lorries through Egypt’s Rafah crossing since Saturday.

HISTORY:

Israel is small country in the Middle East, about the size of New Jersey, located on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea and bordered by Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The nation of Israel, with a population of more than 9 million people, most of them Jewish, has many important archaeological and religious sites considered sacred by Jews, Muslims and Christians alike, and a complex history with periods of peace and conflict.

• The word Israel comes from Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, who was renamed “Israel” by the Hebrew God in the Bible. More than 100 years ago, on November 2, 1917, Britain’s then-foreign secretary, Arthur Balfour, wrote a letter addressed to Lionel Walter Rothschild, a figurehead of the British Jewish community.
• It committed the British government to “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people” and to facilitating “the achievement of this object”. The letter is known as the Balfour Declaration.
• A European power promised the Zionist movement a country where Palestinian Arab natives made up more than 90 percent of the population.
• A British Mandate was created in 1923 and lasted until 1948. During that period, the British facilitated mass Jewish immigration, many of the new residents were fleeing Nazism in Europe, and they also faced protests and strikes.

• In April 1936, the newly formed Arab National Committee called on Palestinians to launch a general strike, withhold tax payments and boycott Jewish products to protest British colonialism and growing Jewish immigration. In second half of 1939, Britain had massed 30,000 troops in Palestine. In those three years of revolt, 5,000 Palestinians were killed, 15,000 to 20,000 were wounded and 5,600 were imprisoned.

The wars on the Gaza Strip:

• In 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2021-Israel has launched four protracted military assaults on Gaza: Thousands of Palestinians have been killed, including many children, and tens of thousands of homes, schools and office buildings have been destroyed.
• Rebuilding has been next to impossible because the siege prevents construction materials, such as steel and cement, from reaching Gaza.
• The 2008 assault involved the use of internationally banned weaponry, such as phosphorus gas.
• In 2014, over a span of 50 days, Israel killed more than 2,100 Palestinians, including 1,462 civilians and close to 500 children.

ISSUES:

 Israel and the Palestinians cannot agree on:

• What should happen to Palestinian refugees?
• Whether Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank should stay or be removed?
• Whether the two sides should share Jerusalem?
• Whether a Palestinian state should be created alongside Israel?

Abraham Accords -The Abraham Accords are bilateral agreements on Arab–Israeli normalization signed between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on September 15, 2020. It is held that the normalisation process between Israel and these Arab nations has forced the Hamas to launch an attack on Israel to safeguard the Palestinian cause.

Significance of Abraham Accord:

• Promotes stability in West Asia.
• Regional and Multinational Cooperation – The accords have laid the foundation for expanded regional and multinational cooperation.
• Trade Cooperation – Trade between Israel and other West Asian countries increased 74% between 2021 and 2022. Tourism, mostly non-existent in the past, has skyrocketed. In 2021, visits from Israel to the UAE increased by 172%.
• The Prosperity Green & Blue agreement between Israel, the UAE, and Jordan determined that a solar field to supply 600 megawatts of electricity to Israel and a desalination plant in Israel would deliver 200 million cubic meters of water to Jordan.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR INDIA:

• It has led to substantial increase in the commercial collaborations between companies from the UAE, Israel, Bahrain, and the U.S., partnering with the Indian private sector.
• The vibrant Indian diaspora in the Gulf now has the convenience of direct flights between the UAE and Israel, as well as between Israel and Bahrain.
• Indian students are enjoying increased ease of travel, gaining improved access to universities and the opportunity to explore international study programmes.
• India’s engagement in the new “Quad” in the Middle East, bridging the Arab-Israeli rift, served as a nonideological engagement with the Middle East.
• The Abraham Accords made the I2U2 Group possible, and its primary focus will be on joint investments in critical areas such as water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Immediate ceasefire needs to be enforced to save the civilian populations in Gaza as advocated by the UN Secretary General. This requires the Hamas to release the hostages immediately.
• The two-state solution calls for establishing an independent state for Palestinians alongside that of Israel.
• The issue of equal rights for both Palestinians and Israelis can no longer be ignored. We need a new paradigm that emphasizes a rights-based approach, regardless of solution.
• In 2003, The European Union, UN, US, and Russia had released a road map for peace in which outlined a clear timetable towards a Palestinian state.

THE CONCLUSION:

Hoping to arrive at a solution today is unrealistic. But approaching the issue from a rights-based perspective ensures that both sides can lay down a solid basis for a democratic and sustainable solution.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION:

Q.1 “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. (2018)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q.1 As the Israel-Palestine crisis spirals to unprecedented levels, discuss the Impact on Global Economy and Challenges in Achieving Peace. Question should be on the article.

Q.2 “ The two-state solution appears to have reached a dead-end”. Examine in the context of current developments.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/warming-ties-the-hindu-editorial-on-bhutan-china-relations-and-indias-concerns/article67458318.ece

THE CONTEXT: Mumbai is facing severe air pollution levels worse than that of Delhi’s at a four-year high mark for the October in particulate matters as well as temperature after the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon.

MORE ON THE NEWS:

• The Air Quality Index (AQI) in several places of the city had breached the 200-mark in the October, 2023 which is considered ‘poor’ and causes serious health hazards.
• In the first few days of this month, the pollution was much more intense than what the AQI indicated because a layer of haze blanketed major parts of the Mumbai sky, leading to reduced visibility.

CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION

• Wind patterns: The direction and strength of winds are often the key factor in determining Mumbai’s air quality. Winds usually alternate between moving from the sea towards the land and moving from the land towards the sea, and this cycle repeats every three to four days. This year, instead of alternating every 3-4 days, the winds were sometimes changing directions after eight or ten days, which impacted the city’s air quality.
• Diminshing effect of sea breezes: The effect of sea breezes is weakening because of adverse meteorological conditions, triggered by climate change. This has negated the natural cleansing advantages of the city by the sea.
• Climate change: The dip in La Nina and cooling of the ocean surface and change in wind patterns partially caused a sudden spike in the particulate matter in the coastal city. The dip in the periodic cooling of the sea surface leads to a defers the strong wind reversal from across the sea, keeping the pollutants hanging in the lower atmosphere for longer period.
• Dust from road and construction sites: There is high level of construction activity ongoing in the city. City officials concluded dust from construction sites as the key contributor of this pollution. Another cause of pollution in the city is found to be the displacement of dust particles from roads and vehicles carrying construction debris.
• Use of unclean oils for cooking in eateries: Cooking at several restaurants, dhabas and other eateries using unclean oils emit ultrafine particles including oil droplets and condensed organic compounds. Unclean kitchens also produce nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde in harmful concentrations.

STEPS TAKEN BY AUTHORITIES:

• Officials decided to operate anti-smog guns on 50 to 60 major roads. A sensor-based air pollution monitor to be installed at work sites.
• Vehicles transporting construction debris will be covered properly with tarpaulin sheets and not carry more than the prescribed load.
• The transport commissioner has also been directed to take stringent action against vehicles which are past their service life, do not have a Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate or are overloading.
• BMC formed task forces to conduct weekly drive to identify those restaurants, bakeries and banquet halls those were using unclean oils as well as fuels to fire the ovens.
• BMC issued a warning to halt construction activities at all sites if dust and pollution control measures were not being implemented in response to deteriorating air quality in Mumbai.
• Earlier, BMC had released Mumbai Air Pollution Mitigation Plan(MAPMP) guidelines that laid down procedures to be followed during construction and other activities that cause dust and pollution.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Robust air quality monitoring: Air quality monitoring needs to become robust and regular, with real-time updates about the critical air pockets and sources of pollution along with health information. Data dissemination should be quick, sorted and effective so that analysis becomes easier for mitigation and policymaking.
• Addressing root cause of the pollution: There is a need to address the root cause of the pollution which is not the natural cause but anthropogenic. For that, the government needs to run awareness programmes and prioritise long-term mitigation of pollution by using scientific techniques.
• Inclusive approach: There is a need to have a more inclusive approach by involving everyone in the decision-making step. The government can form a city-level committee under the National Clean Air Program, including citizen stakeholders and experts from civil society. The inputs from the committee and collectives can be taken into consideration while addressing different sources of air pollution.

THE CONCLUSION:

Geographical advantage of Mumbai has protected the city from bad quality air but the recent rise in pollution is rising concerns among the residents. However, given the seriousness of climate change, it is time to take serious steps for effective measures to improve the city’s air quality.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1 What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India? (2020)

Q.2 Enumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies which may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions of the management and handling of hazardous wastes in India? (2013)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.1 Despite having natural cleansing air mechanism, Mumbai is facing severe air pollution. Discuss the causes and suggest measures to tackle the pollution.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/why-mumbai-is-witnessing-more-poor-air-quality-days-8998070/#:~:text=Long%2Dterm%20trends%20show%20a,more%20consumptin%20and%20more%20emissions.

1. THE GIR COW

TAG: GS 3: AGRICULTURE

THE CONTEXT: Under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, only the Gir indigenous cow breed is being promoted.

WHY GIR IS BEING PROMOTED UNDER RGM:

• There are a number of reasons why only the Gir indigenous cow breed is being promoted under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM).
• High milk yield:
  • The Gir cow is known for its high milk yield, which can reach up to 18-20 liters per day.
  • It one of the most productive indigenous cow breeds in India.

• Hardiness:
  • The Gir cow is a very hardy breed and is well-suited to the harsh climatic conditions of India.
  • It is also resistant to a number of diseases.

• Adaptability:
  • The Gir cow is also very adaptable to different climates and feed conditions.
  • This makes it a good choice for farmers in different parts of India.

• Demand:
• • There is a high demand for Gir milk and Gir cattle in India and abroad.
  • So, it a profitable breed for farmers to raise.
  • The RGM is focused on increasing milk production and improving the income of farmers.
  • The promotion of the Gir cow breed is seen as one of the most effective ways to achieve these goals.

DRAWBACKS OF PROMOTING ONLY GIR COW UNDER RGM:

• Reduced adaptability:
  • The Gir cow is a breed that is well-suited to the climate of Gujarat, but it may not be as well-suited to other parts of India.
  • This could lead to problems for farmers who raise Gir cows in areas where the climate is different.

• Increased susceptibility to diseases:
  • The Gir cow is more susceptible to certain diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease.
  • This could increase the cost of raising Gir cows and make farmers more vulnerable to losses.

• Reduced genetic diversity:
• • The promotion of a single breed of cow can lead to a decrease in genetic diversity.
  • It will make the cattle population more vulnerable to diseases and pests.

RASHTRIYA GOKUL MISSION (RGM):

• It is under the ambit of Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• RGM is being implemented for development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds since December 2014.
• The scheme is important in enhancing milk production and productivity of bovines to meet growing demand of milk and making dairying more remunerative to the rural farmers of the country.
• The scheme is also continued under umbrella scheme Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojna from 2021 to 2026 with a budget outlay of Rs.2400 crore.
• The RGM will result in enhanced productivity and benefit of the programme, percolating to all cattle and buffaloes of India especially with small and marginal farmers.
• This programme will also benefit women in particular since over 70% of the work involved in livestock farming is undertaken by women.

OBJECTIVES OF THE RGM:

• To enhance productivity of bovines and increasing milk production in a sustainable manner using advance technologies.
• To propagate use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding purposes.
• To enhance Artificial insemination coverage through strengthening breeding network and delivery of Artificial insemination services at farmers doorstep.
• To promote indigenous cattle & buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.

COMPONENTS OF RGM:

• Availability of High genetic Merit Germplasm
  • Bull Production Programme
  • Support to semen stations: Strengthening of existing semen stations.
  • Implementation of IVF Technology
  • Breed Multiplication Farms
• Extension of Artificial Insemination Network
  • Nationwide AI programme
  • Using sex sorted semen for getting assured pregnancy
  • Implementation of National Digital Livestock Mission (Livestack)

• Skill Development
• Farmers Awareness
• Research Development and Innovation in Bovine Breeding
• Development and Conservation of indigenous Breeds
  • Assistance to Gaushalas, Gosadans and Pinjarapoles
  • Administrative expenditure/ operation of Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/only-the-gir-indigenous-cow-breed-is-being-promoted-under-rashtriya-gokul-mission-here-is-why-92366

2. AUTOMATED PERMANENT ACADEMIC ACCOUNT REGISTRY (APAAR)

TAG: GS 2: GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: To create the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR), a new student identity card, state governments requested schools to seek parental consent.

EXPLANATION:

• It is a part of the ‘One nation, One Student ID’ initiative of the Union government, stemming from the new National Education Policy of 2020.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF APAAR?

• It is envisioned as a special ID system for all students in India, starting from childhood.
• Under the initiative, each student would get a lifelong APAAR ID, making it easy for the learners, schools, and governments to track academic progress from pre-primary education to higher education.
• It would also serve as a gateway to Digilocker, a digital system where students can store their important documents and achievements, and use them in the future for, say, pursuing higher education or finding a job.

WHAT IS THE NEED TO INTRODUCE?

• The goal behind introducing APAAR is to make education hassle-free and reduce the need for students to carry physical documents.
• This initiative was launched as part of the National Education Policy 2020 by the Education Ministry.
• The vision is to create a positive change, allowing state governments to track literacy rates, dropout rates, and more, helping them make improvements.
• APAAR also aims to reduce fraud and duplicate educational certificates by providing a single, trusted reference for educational institutions.
• Only first party sources that issue certificates will be allowed to deposit credits into the system, ensuring authenticity.

HOW DOES THE GOVERNMENT ENVISION APAAR ID TO WORK?

• Every individual will have a unique APAAR ID, which will be linked to the Academic Bank Credit (ABC), which is a digital storehouse that contains information of the credits earned by students throughout their learning journey.
• With the APAAR ID, students would be able to store all their certificates and credits, whether they come from formal education or informal learning.
• When a student completes a course or achieves something, it’s digitally certified and securely stored in her account by authorised institutions.
• If the student changes schools, whether within the state or to another state, all her data in the ABC gets transferred to her new school just by sharing the APAAR ID. No need to provide physical documents or transfer certificates.

CONCERNS REGARDING APAAR:

• Parents and students have concerns about sharing their Aadhar details because they worry that their personal information could be leaked to outside parties.
• The government says that the information shared by students will be kept confidential.
• It will not be shared with any third party except for entities engaged in educational activities, such as the Unified District Information System for Education Plus or the UDISE+ database.
  • It is the government’s catalogue that contains data related to schools, teachers and students, scholarships, maintenance academic records, educational institutions and recruitment agencies.
• At any given time, students have the option to stop sharing their information with the mentioned parties, and their data processing will be halted.
• However, any personal data already processed will remain unaffected if consent is withdrawn.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/one-nation-one-student-id-apaar-explained-9000086/

3. ANAMALAI TIGER RESERVE (ATR)

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: A committee headed by Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) field director visited the enclosure at the Manthirimattam reserve forest area of the Manamobolly forest range to assess the progress of the rewilding of a sub-adult tiger.

EXPLANATION:

• The committee assessed the health of the tiger and analysed CCTV footage to know the hunting talents of the sub-adult tiger.
• The committee also discussed:
  • The selection of sites where the tiger could be released in future,
  • The fixing of a radio-collar during the release of the tiger, and
  • Constituting a squad to monitor the animal after its release.
• The tiger was rescued from a tea estate near Valparai in September 2021.
• It is claimed that the committee would submit a detailed report to the Chief Wildlife Warden, after which a decision will be taken on releasing the animal into the wild.

WHAT IS REWILDING?

• Rewilding is a conservation strategy used to promote biodiversity in ecosystems by reintroducing plant and animal species that have been driven out, largely due to humans.
• Bringing these species back into a certain environment can help struggling ecosystems self-regulate and return to their natural processes.
• For many conservationists, or those who work to protect and preserve the natural environment, rewilding is as much an activity of the heart as of the land.

ANAMALAI TIGER RESERVE (ATR):

• Anamalai Tiger Reserve was declared as a Tiger reserve in the year 2007.
• There are two Divisions and six ranges in this Reserve.
• The ranges found in this reserve include Amaravathi and Udumalpet falling in Thiruppur Division and Pollachi, Ulandy, Valparai and Manamboli in Pollachi Division.
• It is located on the southern side of the South Western Ghat landscape.
• It is surrounded by Parambikulum Tiger Reserve on the East, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulum National Park on the South Western side.
• The reserve is also surrounded by Nenmara, Vazhachal, Malayattur and Marayur reserved forests of Kerala.
• The Kariyan shola, Grass hills and Manjampatti of Anamalai Tiger Reserve has been identified as a world heritage site by the UNESCO.

FLORA:

• Around 2500 species of angiosperms are found in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, with several species of Balsam, Crotalaria, Orchids and Kurinchi.
• The reserve is rich in wild relatives of cultivated species like mango, jackfruit, wild plantain etc.

FAUNA:

• The reserve supports several species of endangered wild animals.
• There are 70 species of fishes, more than 70 species of amphibians, 120 species of reptiles, 300 species of birds and 80 species of mammals.
• The important mammals include: Asiatic elephant, Sambar, Spotted deer, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Gaur, Nilgiri tahr etc.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/committee-assesses-progress-of-tamil-nadus-first-tiger-rewilding-programme/article67462247.ece/amp/

4. GREEN HYDROGEN

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: As per a study by environmental and energy think-tank, Climate Risk Horizons (CRH), India’s plans to produce ‘green hydrogen’ might end up worsening pollution if proper checks and balances are not in place.

EXPLANATION:

• India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, piloted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) expects to manufacture five million tonnes by 2030.
• It would require the installation of renewable energy capacity worth 125 GW and the use of 250,000 gigawatt-hr units of power, equivalent to about 13% of India’s present electricity generation.
• As of August 2023, India’s total renewable energy (RE) capacity (excluding hydropower dams bigger than 25 MW) stood at 131 GW; the 2030 green hydrogen plan thus envisages adding an equivalent RE capacity by 2030.
• This is over and above the 500 GW of RE capacity that India has committed to install by 2030 as part of its Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement.
• India installed only 15 GW of new solar and wind capacity in 2023, against the 45 GW per year needed to reach the 2030 target.

COAL-BASED POWER USAGE:

• The MNRE has defined green hydrogen as hydrogen produced in a way that emits no more than 2 kg of carbon dioxide per kg of such hydrogen.
• Currently, producing 1 kg of ‘grey hydrogen’ ends up emitting 9 kg of carbon dioxide.
• The main concern is that if electrolysers, which split water to produce hydrogen and oxygen, were run 24×7, they would be expected to operate even at night when no solar power is available.
• This would then mean tapping into conventional coal-fired electricity.
• If electricity comes from India’s coal-powered grid in general, it will increase carbon emissions, since about 70% of the electricity on the grid is coal.
• Most projects have not disclosed their source of electricity. It is also not clear if those few projects that have committed to meet 100% of their requirement from these sources.

COSTLY DIVERSION:

• Another challenge is that India’s standards allow the use of biomass which also results in carbon emissions when burnt for the production of green hydrogen.
• Moreover, diverting scarce renewable energy capacity towards the production of green hydrogen might mean inadequate clean electricity being made available for consumers.
• India’s ambitious renewable energy target of 450 GW by 2030 already requires huge investment.
• The green hydrogen mission will require an additional 125 GW of RE.
• The MNRE needs to guard against the risk that finance for RE projects that would otherwise decarbonise the electricity grid will instead be diverted to produce green hydrogen.
• This would delay India’s journey to net zero, undermine a nascent industry, and deny States and electricity consumers the cost benefits that cheap renewable energy has to offer.
• Several large power utilities in India have announced ambitious plans to scale up green hydrogen production.
• The Centre’s green hydrogen mission has committed nearly ₹20,000 crore to develop and expand the industry.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/indias-green-hydrogen-mission-runs-risk-of-pollution-sans-accounting-study/article67462156.ece

5. REFERENCE FUEL

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY, GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Indian Oil launches country’s first reference fuel.

EXPLANATION:

• The Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) launched India’s first gasoline and diesel reference fuels to meet the demand of the country.
• These fuels have higher specifications, are critical for calibrating and testing by automobile manufacturers and testing agencies like the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) and the Automotive Research Association of India.
• These reference fuels are used by automobile manufacturers for testing vehicles and ensuring their operability under various global climatic conditions.
• These are essential for the development of engines and the assessment of vehicle performance.
• These reference fuels are required by automobile manufacturers to meet international benchmarks.

REDUCING DEPENDENCE ON IMPORTS: 

• India has relied on imports for decades to meet the demand for these specialized fuels. These indigenously developed products will replace imports ensuring a reliable supply at lower cost for vehicle manufacturers and testing agencies.
• The production of these specialized reference fuels by Indian Oil aims to reduce India’s dependence on imports from European and US companies.

DOMESTIC DEMAND AND EXPORT POTENTIAL: 

• The current demand for gasoline reference fuel in India is approximately 120 kilo litre (KL) per annum, while the demand for diesel reference fuel is around 15 KL per annum.
• Indian Oil intends to fully meet the domestic demand and also explore the possibility of exporting these fuels in the future by expanding its production capacity.

GOVERNMENT’S VISION:

• The production of these reference fuels aligns with the Indian government’s vision of “AtmaNirbhar Bharat” or self-reliant India, as promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• It signifies a step toward reducing reliance on imports and enhancing domestic capabilities.

SOURCE: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/indian-oil-launches-countrys-first-reference-fuel-to-fully-meet-domestic-demand-11604911.html

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1. Seeking soul solutions to world woes READ MORE
2. Do more by doing less READ MORE
3. Now is the time for harmony READ MORE

1. Climate crisis is already affecting the Brazilian Amazon READ MORE
2. Moral anchoring for a global climate policy is a must READ MORE
3. Air quality remains a concern READ MORE

1. Was partition really a mistake? READ MORE
2. Women, marriage and labour market participation READ MORE
3. Marriage equality order is not just about LGBTQ+ READ MORE
4. Do not tinker with national pension scheme READ MORE

1. Granting marriage equality is beyond Supreme Court’s power READ MORE
2. Status quo: EC needs a year to prepare for simultaneous polls, effectively ruling out such an exercise in 2024 READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. RCS- UDAN Completes 6 Successful Years READ MORE
2. What does Supreme Court’s abortion verdict mean for reproductive justice in India? READ MORE
3. Indian Oil launches country’s first reference fuel; to fully meet domestic demand READ MORE
4. Supreme Court allows surrogacy, strikes down rule banning use of donor gametes READ MORE  
5. India’s green hydrogen move may worsen pollution if steps are not in place, says study READ MORE
6. Panel assesses progress of tiger rewilding project READ MORE
7. What is the ‘One nation, One Student ID’ initiative of the Union govt? READ MORE
8.  World on brink of 6 interconnected risk tipping points: UN report READ MORE
9. Only the Gir indigenous cow breed is being promoted under Rashtriya Gokul Mission; here is why READ MORE
10. Cotton Curse: How pink bollworm developed resistance to Bt Cotton READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Was partition really a mistake? READ MORE
2. Women, marriage and labour market participation READ MORE
3. Marriage equality order is not just about LGBTQ+ READ MORE
4. Do not tinker with national pension scheme READ MORE
5. Climate crisis is already affecting the Brazilian Amazon READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Granting marriage equality is beyond Supreme Court’s power READ MORE
2. Status quo: EC needs a year to prepare for simultaneous polls, effectively ruling out such an exercise in 2024 READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Beyond compliance for disability inclusion READ MORE
2. Right to work: A far cry for women READ MORE
3. Beyond compliance for disability inclusion READ MORE
4. Rev up Anganwadi workers to fight NDDs READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Warming ties: On Bhutan-China relations and India’s concerns READ MORE
2. China-Bhutan amity: India needs to be wary of the developments READ MORE
3. Signs of thaw READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Renewed risks: On the RBI and how global uncertainties have compounded READ MORE
2. What’s the ideal repo rate for India? READ MORE
3. Ports hold the key to growth, employment READ MORE
4. Status and rights of platform and gig workers READ MORE
5. Crypto surge: Global regulatory framework imperative READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Moral anchoring for a global climate policy is a must READ MORE
2. Air quality remains a concern READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. India’s space industry needs more private players READ MORE
2. Not humans, India should send less risky, cheaper AI-powered robots to space READ MORE
3. ISRO: Propelling India’s space industry READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Synergising International Cooperation and National Strategies to Combat Ransomware READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Seeking soul solutions to world woes READ MORE
2. Do more by doing less READ MORE
3. Now is the time for harmony READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The concept of “One Nation, One Election” holds great promise in streamlining the electoral process and improving governance efficiency though there would be a lot of issues to be settled before it can be effectively implemented without bruising the Indian democratic system itself. Critically examine.
2. He who lives in harmony with himself, lives in harmony with the world. Justify with some real life examples.
3. The present status of people with disabilities in India’s employment ecosystem is a mixed bag of challenges and opportunities. How far do you agree that 2016 is able to these challenges?
4. Success in agriculture is linked to increased use of pesticides but pesticide must be used in a safe manner. Discuss how pesticides affect the health of consumers of farm produce and the farmers?
5. The bureaucracy has the duty to implement the policies and programmes of a government but should not be seen as supportive of or aligned to any particular government. Discuss how the neutrality of the bureaucracy can be ensured?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.
• The same-sex marriage judgment could influence the upcoming anti-conversion hearings. It holds clues for the State to assert its legal and moral compass.
• The methods of war in Gaza have been shameful as many innocent lives have been lost. Humanity must survive the madness of war.
• Capacity-building programs for Anganwadi workers is important to lessen the burden of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs).
• Partition was accompanied by rivers of blood and the displacement of millions of people. But turns out, it has helped India in many ways.
• With the planet facing the climate crisis, it’s time we re-evaluate our motivations towards development and shun anything detrimental to the environment.
• There is need to develop mechanisms to ensure access to affordable and safe menstrual hygiene products, especially for those from low-income groups.
• The road to equality for disabled individuals in the workplace has been paved with both promise and pitfalls. Differently abled must be given their dignity to work.
• The increase in life expectancy and rise in the cost of living further reinforces the need for assured monthly income for a decent life in old age.
• The pesticides not only affect the health of those who consume these farm produce, but also the farmers who use them.
• While the concept of simultaneous elections has garnered support for its potential to save public funds and reduce administrative burden, it faces constitutional complexities.
• As India’s democracy further evolves, the feasibility of simultaneous elections remains an important talking point.
• The concept of “One Nation, One Election” holds great promise in streamlining the electoral process and improving governance efficiency though there would be a lot of issues to be settled before it can be effectively implemented without bruising the Indian democratic system itself.
• One of its main objectives is to foster innovative practices with social entrepreneurs and the private sector to address issues of access and affordability, equity and inclusivity by leveraging research and expertise.
• Expanding ISRO’s collaborations with start-up products to more remote institutes and research labs is necessary. Additionally, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and customs exemptions can cost-effectively encourage indigenous manufacturing capacity.
• The present status of people with disabilities in India’s employment ecosystem is a mixed bag of challenges and opportunities.
• Awareness campaigns and strategies based on incentives and disincentives and even penalties have been tried but they have touched only a fringe of the problem.
• The bureaucracy has the duty to implement the policies and programmes of a government but should not be seen as supportive of or aligned to any particular government.

50-WORD TALK

• The present status of people with disabilities in India’s employment ecosystem is a mixed bag of challenges and opportunities. We have a long way to go to create a truly inclusive workforce, but the path is illuminated by promising initiatives and the potential of disabled individuals to contribute meaningfully to society and the economy. By embracing reasonable accommodation and promoting an inclusive culture, organizations can unlock the untapped potential of persons with disabilities and build a more inclusive India.
• The visa services resumption is a positive step towards easing tensions and fostering diplomatic relations between the nations. Both India and Canada need to engage in diplomatic dialogue and cooperation to address the concerns surrounding the Nijjar case and work towards a resolution that respects international law and diplomatic norms; otherwise, common people would suffer, especially students and old people who are waiting eagerly for this issue to be resolved.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.