Table of Contents
(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)
Prelim and Main
1. EC tells Telangana govt to stop disbursal of Rythu Bandhu, cites model code READ MORE
2. Webb space telescope spies precocious ‘teenage’ galaxies READ MORE
3. Lightning strikes kills 24 persons in Gujarat, as sudden rains and thunderstorms batter the State READ MORE
4. As deaths due to work-related factors increase, ILO report calls for countries to strengthen safety net READ MORE
5. SC rejects undertrial’s plea to use its powers to club 30 FIRs arraigned against him across seven States READ MORE
6. Fibre optic cables: its origins, working and different functions READ MORE
7. COP, carbon market, loss and damage: A glossary of climate terms READ MORE
8. How Napoleon’s failed Egypt expedition gave birth to Egyptology READ MORE
9. What is rat-hole mining, being done to rescue trapped Uttarkashi tunnel workers READ MORE
10. North India can tackle smog using eco-friendly farm practices from the South, say experts READ MORE
Main
GS Paper- 1
1. Why do Nepal, Bangladesh beat India in social indicators? Starts with caste READ MORE
2. Tropical cyclones cause more damage than we think — and India among countries facing high social cost of carbon READ MORE
GS Paper- 2
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. It’s time to revamp the structure of the Supreme Court READ MORE
2. In international law, government cannot override Parliament READ MORE
3. Judicial service: President’s pitch can help build consensus READ MORE
4. Governor-govt discord and the power of the unwritten word READ MORE
5. Governors must now fall in line with definition of role READ MORE
6. Governing the Governors READ MORE
SOCIAL ISSUES
1. For government schemes, a path to dignity for the poor READ MORE
2. Bihar’s quixotic battle against alcohol READ MORE
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
1. The many grave risks confronting the world today READ MORE
2. Delhi must be firm with Maldives’ new leader READ MORE
GS Paper- 3
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
1. Can dollarisation save an economy? | Explained READ MORE
2. Producing more from less: How Indian agriculture has grown with limited ‘factors of production’ READ MORE
3. The revenue record READ MORE
4. Onionomics: Peeling back the layers READ MORE
5. ‘Jobs for locals only’ laws are unjust READ MORE
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. Winter blues READ MORE
2. Can the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund make a difference? READ MORE
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Is AI an ally in fight for gender equality? READ MORE
2. Deepfake crackdown: Need to create robust regulatory framework READ MORE
INTERNAL SECURITY
1. 15 years after 26/11: A tragedy that could have been averted READ MORE
2. Review internal security challenges READ MORE
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
1. A touchstone of risk: On the rescue efforts in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi READ MORE
2. Mining tragedy: Joint task force a must to curb illegal quarrying READ MORE
GS Paper- 4
ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY
1. A padlocked gate in the middle of an open field READ MORE
2. Formless divinity READ MORE
3. Towards A Harmonious Milieu READ MORE
Questions for the MAIN exam
1. DBT ended the poverty parade with the government reaching the poor rather than the other way around. Discuss how, apart from the effective delivering of subsidies, DBT has become an effective tool to preserve the dignity of the poor?
2. How far do you agree with this view that the Governor enjoys a unique position In India as he is neither answerable to the legislature nor Parliament? Justify your view with some cases.
3. Critically examine the discretionary power of the Governor. How far do you agree with this view that the state executive’s concept of ‘aid and advice’ to the Governor has lost its relevance, and discretionary power has become a significant guide for the Governor?
4. The role of the governor is not clearly defined in Indian Constitution and the time has come to strengthen the Constitution and bring more clarity to the roles and responsibilities of the governor. Critically comment on the statement in the light of recent state governments governor tussle.
5. Deepfake technology not only poses a threat to the privacy of individuals but can be a challenge to national security. In the light of the statement do you think that a robust regulatory framework should be implemented?
QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS
- If the freedom of speech is taken away, dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
- The work of the Supreme Court could be split so that there is a Final Court of Appeal and a permanent Constitution Bench. This would ensure greater judicial stability and consistency by explicitly distinguishing cases filed under constitutional authority from those filed under appellate and review jurisdiction.
- Despite several instances of roads being washed away and dams breached, there is still the lack of an awareness that infrastructure development in fragile terrain requires much greater scrutiny, expertise and project-monitoring skills.
- In a civil and humane society, it is essential to recognise that all individuals, irrespective of their economic and social circumstances, have equal rights to dignity.
- DBT ended the poverty parade with the government reaching the poor rather than the other way around.
- Tax-to-GDP ratio, a critical economic metric, has increased over the last few years. That’s very good news. Govt’s next goals should be a simple tax code & a system to tax self-employed professionals.
- Better regulation, adequate de-addiction centres, health and safety checks, and more government attention on policing could curb ill-effects of prohibition.
- The Governor also enjoys a unique position as he is neither answerable to the legislature nor Parliament. The President of India can be impeached, but there is no such provision in respect of a Governor. He serves only at the pleasure of the President, which actually means the Central Government.
- Ironically, our forebears could not have foreseen that this humble, tear-inducing vegetable would influence politics and economics alike to the surprise of economists and policymakers, drawing worldwide attention.
50-WORD TALK
- Election Commission’s ground for withdrawal of permission to Telangana government to make disbursals under Rythu Bandhu is flimsy. Calling minister’s announcement of disbursal time MCC violation but keeping silent on PM Modi declaring free foodgrain scheme’s extension is blatant partisanship. Poll watchdog losing credibility is bad news for Indian democracy.
- It must be remembered that it is the right of the citizens to benefit from the laws passed by the legislatures. It is hence incumbent upon the apex court, armed under Article 142 with the discretionary power to “pass such decree or make such order as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it” to remove every impediment that stands between the citizen and legislative actions. Fixing a time limit for the governors to decide on giving assent to bills will remove one such impediment.
- The rescue mission to take out the 41 labourers stuck inside the collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand is benefitting from the accumulated knowledge of six different government agencies. The first breakthrough has been made with food and essential medicines sent inside. India is rooting their valiant efforts to bring them home.
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.