Table of Contents
(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)
Prelim and Main
1. What explains India’s surprisingly fast GDP growth and the ongoing surge in Sensex? READ MORE
2. Land of Fire and Ice: Will the Grindavik eruption in Iceland be another Eyjafjallajokull? READ MORE
3. India a ‘star performer’; projected to contribute over 16% to global growth: IMF READ MORE
4. World Bank happy with Sri Lanka reforms, releases second tranche of $250 million READ MORE
5. India set to launch first-ever offshore mineral auction in Q1CY24 READ MORE
6. Lok Sabha passes Bills to replace British-era criminal laws READ MORE
7. Disinflation may pave way for interest rate reduction: RBI officials READ MORE
8. World Bank sets up task force to act on MDB reform plan READ MORE
9. Sahitya Akademi Awards for 2023 announced READ MORE
Main
GS Paper- 1
1. Inequality, Labour and Social Democracy READ MORE
2. Caste, Class and Exclusivity: Inside India’s Private Universities READ MORE
3. How Konkani idioms on climate, environment are changing with altering weather systems READ MORE
GS Paper- 2
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. Classifying Bills as Money Bills a threat to democracy READ MORE
2. Old Pension Scheme: Should it be restored READ MORE
3. A missed chance to strengthen Indian federalism READ MORE
4. Record suspensions poor optics for temple of democracy READ MORE
5. A bill for control over all communications READ MORE
6. Telecom Bill 2023 Is a Repackaged Version of the Archaic Colonial Law READ MORE
7. Judiciary vs. Executive: Turf war intensifies over judge appointments READ MORE
SOCIAL ISSUES
1. A broken education system: Apps and coaching classes are the wrong solution READ MORE
2. Why domestic workers’ rights remain in limbo READ MORE
3. End manual scavenging for good and for all READ MORE
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
1. US can’t build a meaningful strategic partnership if it stays blind to India’s core concerns over the Khalistan issue READ MORE
2. Maldives and the #IndiaOut Campaign READ MORE
GS Paper- 3
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
1. What causes inflation in India: Demand or supply issues? READ MORE
2. Explained: The FX-rated debate between IMF & RBI READ MORE
3. Indian economy charting a new growth path READ MORE
4. Unlock the potential of manufacturing sector READ MORE
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. Was the COP28 climate summit a milestone or a mirage? | Explained READ MORE
2. Outcomes of the COP-28 climate summit READ MORE
3. COP21 was a game-changer for clean energy, COP28 shows the path ahead READ MORE
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Covid resurgence: Vigil a must as cases on the rise in India READ MORE
2. New study explains why diverse gut microbiomes offer better protection against harmful microbes READ MORE
3. Bridging the learning gap in Indian schools: Is generative AI the answer? READ MORE
INTERNAL SECURITY
1. India’s defence budgeting and the point of deterrence READ MORE
2. A security breach that must lead to sweeping changes READ MORE
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
1. Turbulence in south: On the heavy rain in southern Tamil Nadu, weather forecasting and preparedness READ MORE
GS Paper- 4
ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY
1. Fruits of our karma are unavoidable READ MORE
2. The secret of progress READ MORE
3. Permissive parenting to respectful parenting READ MORE
Questions for the MAIN exam
1. Indian federalism contemplates the division of powers and responsibilities between the Union and the states and unlike in the US, Indian federalism is not spontaneous. Examine.
2. India has the potential to emerge as a major global player in manufacturing but to growing global, going local is the effective way forward to realize this potential in true manner. Comment.
3. The arbitrary power to label any Bill as a Money Bill effectively scuppers any useful role for the Rajya Sabha in making laws. Comment.
4. Collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society is imperative to develop and implement robust AI policies that prioritize ethics, fairness, and inclusivity. Discuss how ethical dilemmas and data privacy concerns can be addressed and AI benefits reach all segments of society can be ensured?
5. AI’s transformative prowess offers a novel perspective, fundamentally redefining India’s vision for the future and India must embrace this technology judiciously, leveraging its power for the greater good while safeguarding the values and ethics that define the nation. Comment.
QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS
- When states are democratically governed according to law, there are no demagogues.
- Parliament’s successful functioning is a joint responsibility of both the government and the Opposition.
- Regardless of the changing domestic realities in Male, India’s regional and geopolitical relevance will continue to keep relations with New Delhi among Male’s high-priority affairs.
- Bilateral ties are only as strong as the support that a partner government can generate in favour of a policy.
- Despite recognising asymmetric federalism, the verdict overlooks concerns about sovereignty, Parliament’s powers, and the future of statehood.
- While we have a personal data protection law, we don’t know how it will be enforced. And when AI in education is sold as a part of the broader digital public infrastructure, that law won’t really apply.
- If internet services are included in the law’s ambit, then the several alarming requirements related to surveillance, possession, suspension, authorisation, etc. will be applied to those services as well, deepening the threats to our rights and freedoms.
- A large number of services will be brought under the purview of the Telecommunications Bill, 2023 and the government will be empowered to exercise powers of surveillance over, and intrude into the privacy of, individuals and organisations.
- The Constitution is not always clear on the balance of power between the Centre and states. The Supreme Court’s J&K ruling stopped short of clarifying it.
- Indian federalism is unique. The Constitution does not use the word federalism anywhere. However, it prescribes a federal scheme of governance almost throughout.
- Indian federalism tries to strike a balance between the Union and the states. It contemplates the division of powers and responsibilities between the Union and the states. Unlike in the US, Indian federalism was not spontaneous.
- A situation of the powerful Union taking a hostile attitude to opposition-ruled states should be avoided, as it might create dissatisfaction and a feeling of dismemberment among the people.
- Selective use of the law demolishes the Rule of Law which, in the Indian context, is a dominant threat to the nation’s federal character.
- India has the potential to emerge as a major global player in manufacturing. The government has initiated various measures to strengthen the sector, and businesses must adopt successful strategies in uncertain times. One such strategy is “To grow global, go local”.
- If Parliament is rendered free of the Opposition and the Upper House circumvented by labelling any Bill as a Money Bill, India will effectively have a one-man rule.
- The arbitrary power to label any Bill as a Money Bill effectively scuppers any useful role for the Rajya Sabha in making laws.
ESSAY TOPIC
- The economy is an owned subsidiary of ecology.
50-WORD TALK
- Former US President Donald Trump’s disqualification from running in Colorado’s 2024 primary ballot might cheer his opponents. But it has just handed him an inflammable issue to fire up his base. It will now go to the US Supreme Court but will only further polarise the country in its wake.
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.