(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ECONOMIC SURVEY 2021-22 READ MORE
2. 3rd World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day READ MORE
3. PM addresses 30th Foundation Day programme of National Commission for Women READ MORE
4. How Auroville can teach us all a thing or two about offsetting carbon READ MORE
5. India’s first geological park to come up at Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur READ MORE
6. Cross border insolvency: UN model allows automatic recognition of foreign rulings READ MORE
7. Aditya – L1 First Indian mission to study the Sun READ MORE

Main Exam  

GS Paper- 1

1. Dig deep into why people indulge in hate crimes READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. The limits of the legislature’s power to suspend a member READ MORE
2. The supreme failure: By failing to decide key constitutional cases in a timely way, the apex court has not acted as the ‘sentinel on the qui vive’ READ MORE
3. The ordinary citizen’s idea of India READ MORE
4. Learning to grow: States should give school reopening priority READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. The case for vaccinating children against COVID-19: Protecting all children, especially those who have risk factors, should be a humanitarian priority for the Government READ MORE
2. Income inequalities: Tackle the root cause READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. How India can adapt to global geoeconomic churn READ MORE
2. Why UNSC joint statement on nuclear weapons is important READ MORE
3. Playing a losing game: India should turn focus from Central Asia to South Asia or Indian Ocean Region READ MORE
4. Neutrality best option for India in Ukraine crisis READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. A hazy picture on employment in India: The trends in employment have not shown any clear and consistent patterns over the years READ MORE
2. Does inequality matter? READ MORE
3. What the Economic Survey says about outlook for India READ MORE
4. In spite of global inflation, Survey signals a strong growth momentum READ MORE
5. Reforms to drive industrial recovery and growth READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY  

1. How surging oil prices threaten world’s climate goals READ MORE
2. How Auroville can teach us all a thing or two about offsetting carbon READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Believe to Succeed READ MORE
2. But the Rules Sir, I Squeaked…. READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. “The Covid-19 pandemic has made the unequal in India more unequal” Critically analyse the statement in the light of the Inequality Kills report recently released by Oxfam.
2. “A combination of a distorted tax regime, declining social sector expenditure and unbridled privatisation policy have deepened inequality in India” Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.
• The trends in employment have not shown any clear and consistent patterns over the years.
• Protecting all children, especially those who have risk factors, should be a humanitarian priority for the Government.
• The power of judicial review that the Chief Justice of India calls as critical to democracy should be exercised assiduously. Or else, India’s hard-fought constitutional democracy would be in grave peril.
• Economic Survey shows that post-Covid recovery has stabilised and projects moderate growth. But some risks will need to be addressed.
• Until now, India had the luxury of treating its foreign, economic and strategic policies as separate domains. It needs to integrate its financial, trade, technological, security and foreign policies.
• India’s selective trade arrangements and the policies to promote domestic manufacturing have drawn much criticism at home as a dangerous return to economic protectionism and deglobalisation.
• UNSC joint statement reaffirms that nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought and recommits to the principles of non-proliferation.
• India would be better off deploying its already scarce resources to shoring up its ties with countries in the South Asian or Indian Ocean Region.
• Given the long-term implications of serious learning losses, especially among the poor, states should accord priority to getting children back to school sooner rather than later. It would be no exaggeration to say India’s future depends on it.
• For India, imposition of further sanctions on Russia could be an added headache as Indian procurement of defence equipment and spares continue, apart from other economic activities. India currently has 65 per cent of its equipment of Russian origin.

50-WORD TALK

• It is imperative to shift the understanding of hate crimes to a more holistic approach which goes beyond legal definitions and uncovers fundamental causes of these crimes. The existing laws hardly prescribe any ways to preventing hate crimes and the State’s imagination is woefully limited in this regard. The absence of prevention programmes which mobilise communities speaks for itself. The laws also lack a victim-centric approach to hate crimes.
• The Economic Survey’s conservative growth forecast of 8%-8.5% for the next fiscal is sensible. The pandemic curve, imported inflation and reversal of monetary policies and central bank liquidity around the world are headwinds for the Indian economy. Modi government and RBI will have to remain agile to ensure macro-economic stability.
• Fresh claims about India buying Pegasus snooping technology make it incumbent on Modi government to come clean on this scandal. It cannot hide behind Supreme Court probe where it hasn’t been forthcoming either. The government will have only itself to blame if Parliament’s Budget session is lost to this controversy.

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 also 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.

1. J S Bandukwala: Conscience keeper & courageous crusader READ MORE
2. Between Pride and Modesty READ MORE

1. India’s elephants will suffer huge setback if proposed changes to Wildlife Protection Act are passed READ MORE
2. Climate crisis in North-East India: How geography, rainfall variations define calamity course READ MORE

1. Justice Matters | What a Dalit girl’s rape trial tell us about caste READ MORE
2. Show commitment to equity in the Budget: The Government needs to stop India’s avalanching slide into a grossly divided society, made worse by the pandemic READ MORE
3. Back to school READ MORE
4. Need to revisit global health agenda right now READ MORE

1. Limits of power: SC serves a reminder that the House should work within constitutional parameters READ MORE
2. Angst over IAS transfers is missing the point READ MORE
3. Turning India into a republic of villages READ MORE
4. AIS cadre rules issue is neither complex nor controversial. Here’s what you are missing READ MORE
5. Proposed changes to IAS rules runs unintended risk of undermining administrative ability of states READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. ‘Bomb cyclone’ hits eastern U.S., triggers transport chaos, outages READ MORE
2. Pegasus issue: CPI MP submits notice to move privilege motion against Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw READ MORE
3. The rich history of the Chalukya dynasty READ MORE
4. India-ASEAN Digital Work Plan 2022 approved at 2nd ASEAN Digital Ministers (ADGMIN) meeting READ MORE
5. Explained: What is reverse repo normalisation? READ MORE
6. $150-million India-UAE VC Fund set up to boost start-up ecosystem READ MORE

Main Exam    

GS Paper- 1

1. India needs a new social contract READ MORE Social
2. Justice Matters | What a Dalit girl’s rape trial tell us about caste READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Limits of power: SC serves a reminder that the House should work within constitutional parameters READ MORE
2. Angst over IAS transfers is missing the point READ MORE
3. Turning India into a republic of villages READ MORE
4. AIS cadre rules issue is neither complex nor controversial. Here’s what you are missing READ MORE
5. Proposed changes to IAS rules runs unintended risk of undermining administrative ability of states READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Show commitment to equity in the Budget: The Government needs to stop India’s avalanching slide into a grossly divided society, made worse by the pandemic READ MORE
2. Back to school READ MORE
3. Need to revisit global health agenda right now READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1.  Michael Brecher: Pioneering scholar of Indian foreign policy READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Go-ahead for ‘bad bank’: Tackling stressed assets a formidable task READ MORE
2. Deeper correction: Geo-politics & monetary policy have increased market risks READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY  

1. India’s elephants will suffer huge setback if proposed changes to Wildlife Protection Act are passed READ MORE
2. Climate crisis in North-East India: How geography, rainfall variations define calamity course READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Pegasus row: Govt needs to come clean on damning revelations READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. J S Bandukwala: Conscience keeper & courageous crusader READ MORE
2. Between Pride and Modesty READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. “The Covid-19 pandemic has made the unequal in India more unequal” Critically analyse the statement in the light of the Inequality Kills report recently released by Oxfam.
2. “A combination of a distorted tax regime, declining social sector expenditure and unbridled privatisation policy have deepened inequality in India” Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• I have often regretted my speech, never my silence.
• The Government needs to stop India’s avalanching slide into a grossly divided society, made worse by the pandemic.
• SC serves a reminder that the House should work within constitutional parameters.
• The Centre and States should work out out-of-the-box ways to bridge the learning gap in absolute and relative terms. The Budget must take the education crisis seriously.
• If India has established robust protocols when it comes to surveillance, as the government claims, stonewalling the damning revelations only adds fuel to the fire.
• Lending in the aftermath of the pandemic will be required to boost economic activities but safeguarding the capital and assets of banks, individuals and companies will also be a must for the economy to flourish without hitches.
• Lower liquidity and higher policy rates will mean a downgrade for risky assets and could lead to a deeper correction.
• Time has perhaps come to amend All India Services Cadre Rules, and make central posting mandatory for a specified period. But only through spirit of federalism.
• The simple fact is that aspiring students are looking for government jobs, but these have declined due to increased privatisation, digitisation and automation.

50-WORD TALK

• The Prime Minister’s meeting with five Central Asian leaders shows New Delhi wants to play the regional Great Game, with former imperial power Russia and big-spending China. Beijing has hit back with big aid promises. New Delhi can’t outspend the dragon, so it has to find ways to outsmart it.
• There is near unanimity that the Budget must signal a much higher level of healthcare spending to not just set right historical deficiencies but also address the glaring deficit in public healthcare that the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed. It is important to remember that India’s healthcare sector was severely deficient even before the pandemic came. Bangladesh, for example, is poorer than India but has a higher life expectancy.

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 also 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.

[WpProQuiz 145]

1. The pandemic showed us our collective power READ MORE
2. Why be reactive when you can be proactive? READ MORE
3. Acting in Uncertainty READ MORE

1. Solid waste management policy still suffers from niggles READ MORE
2. MoEFCC Must Withdraw Its Proposed Rating System for Impact Assessments READ MORE
3. Most vulnerable countries unable to access Green Climate Fund for adaptation READ MORE

1. Anganwadis should provide early childhood care and education READ MORE
2. Missing classes: There is still no clarity from any quarter on whether it’s okay to reopen schools READ MORE
3. India needs a new social contract READ MORE

1. To the poll booth, with no donor knowledge: Worries over the electoral bond scheme go beyond its patent unconstitutionality — it befouls democracy and elections READ MORE
2. A more meaningful commitment to the Indian republic READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Honduras gets its first woman President READ MORE
2. Centre appoints Anantha Nageswaran as CEA READ MORE
3. Explained: What is reverse repo normalisation? READ MORE
4. Explained | NeoCoV — what it is and what it is not READ MORE
5. IMF urges El Salvador to scale back its Bitcoin push READ MORE
6. Grey pelicans die in droves in Srikakulam READ MORE
7. Nepal’s Population Witnesses Lowest Growth In 80 Years: Reports READ MORE

Main Exam    

GS Paper- 1

1. India needs a new social contract READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. To the poll booth, with no donor knowledge: Worries over the electoral bond scheme go beyond its patent unconstitutionality — it befouls democracy and elections READ MORE
2. A more meaningful commitment to the Indian republic READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Anganwadis should provide early childhood care and education READ MORE
2. Missing classes: There is still no clarity from any quarter on whether it’s okay to reopen schools READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. At the Centre: India must stay in step with the changesin the Central Asian region READ MORE
2. Central Asia: Walk the talk READ MORE
3. Central Asian outreach: India needs to do far more to match Chinese efforts READ MORE
4. How India and its South Asian Neighbours Fared During the US-China Trade War READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. How budget can generate higher growth, jobs READ MORE
2. Improving public service delivery by fixing payment systems READ MORE
3. Sovereign bond move is a welcome idea READ MORE
4. Job schemes needed to address distress in informal sector READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY  

1. Solid waste management policy still suffers from niggles READ MORE
2. MoEFCC Must Withdraw Its Proposed Rating System for Impact Assessments READ MORE
3. Most vulnerable countries unable to access Green Climate Fund for adaptation READ MORE

GS Paper-

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. The pandemic showed us our collective power READ MORE
2. Why be reactive when you can be proactive? READ MORE
3. Acting in Uncertainty READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘India needs to adopt a proactive approach to further its interests and make its presence felt in the extended neighbourhood’. In the light of the statement discuss why India need to re-visit its neighbourhood first policy?
2. How India and its South Asian neighbours fared during the US-China trade war? What should be the way forward for these nations?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Leadership is about vision and responsibility, not power.
• Worries over the electoral bond scheme go beyond its patent unconstitutionality — it befouls democracy and elections.
• India will need to move nimbly to ensure it stays in step with the changes, and to make certain the future of ties more closely resembles the deep ties of the distant past.
• In the near term fiscal policy can play an important role by expanding fiscal space while fiscal deficit can be stabilised in medium term.
• In the Northeast, this means committing to the ideal of ‘equal’ and ‘group-differentiated’ citizenship rights and deepening constitutionalism and democracy.
• The pandemic exposed the horrors of the existing economic and social arrangements that privilege some but treat others as expendable.
• The first India-Central Asia Summit hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided a road map. India must now wean the five states off China’s largesse.
• India needs to adopt a proactive approach to further its interests and make its presence felt in the extended neighbourhood.
• A concession to the foreign investors while taxing the transaction in the hands of domestic investors would go against the principles of equity.
• For South Asia as a whole, one unexploited development opportunity lies in deeper regional economic integration – in the context of the current discussion.
• South Asian countries will need to do some dispassionate analysis of their trade and investment regimes.
• A common affliction in South Asia is high and rising protection, which hurts its capacity to become a core part of global value chains, even more so in a world in which reciprocity is getting to be the dominant mantra.

50-WORD TALK

• The Prime Minister’s meeting with five Central Asian leaders shows New Delhi wants to play the regional Great Game, with former imperial power Russia and big-spending China. Beijing has hit back with big aid promises. New Delhi can’t outspend the dragon, so it has to find ways to outsmart it.
• There is near unanimity that the Budget must signal a much higher level of healthcare spending to not just set right historical deficiencies but also address the glaring deficit in public healthcare that the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed. It is important to remember that India’s healthcare sector was severely deficient even before the pandemic came. Bangladesh, for example, is poorer than India but has a higher life expectancy.

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 also 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.

1. The pandemic showed us our collective power READ MORE
2. Why be reactive when you can be proactive? READ MORE
3. Acting in Uncertainty READ MORE

1. The state of India’s forests: Losing forests, gaining plantations READ MORE
2. India State of Forest Report 2021: Key takeaways READ MORE
3. Indigenous communities at higher risk of climate change-induced flooding, study shows READ MORE

1. Open the schools: Schools must reopen as severe cases dipand vaccination coverage increases READ MORE
2. The pandemic showed us our collective power READ MORE

1. Finding a way to share IAS officers READ MORE
2. Scaling up higher education in India READ MORE
3. Politics of freebies: ECI should curb menace, ensure level playing field READ MORE
4. Rethink on changes in All-India Services Rules READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. India-Central Asia Virtual Summit READ MORE
2. Drug-Resistant Malaria Is Emerging in Africa. Is the World Ready? READ MORE
3. DCGI grants conditional market approval for Covishield, Covaxin for use in adult population READ MORE
4. Climate change will force transboundary fish stocks to move from habitats, migration paths: Report READ MORE
5. Asia’s virtual banks need oversight to guard data, India could offer model, BIS says READ MORE
6. Delhi, 1st state to launch HPV vaccine for cervical cancer, sees numbers fall. Blame pandemic READ MORE
7. Gold imports by India fasten to decade-high as jewellery sales double READ MORE

Main Exam   

GS Paper- 1

1. The state of India’s forests: Losing forests, gaining plantations READ MORE
2. India State of Forest Report 2021: Key takeaways READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Finding a way to share IAS officers READ MORE
2. Scaling up higher education in India READ MORE
3. Politics of freebies: ECI should curb menace, ensure level playing field READ MORE
4. Rethink on changes in All-India Services Rules READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Open the schools: Schools must reopen as severe cases dipand vaccination coverage increases READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Diplomatic Boycott Of Beijing Olympics May Have No Serious Implication For China READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Understanding the formulation of the Budget READ MORE
2. India’s economy and the challenge of informality READ MORE
3. Rising unemployment: Joblessness, poverty leading to distress, societal tensions READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY  

1. Indigenous communities at higher risk of climate change-induced flooding, study shows READ MORE

SECURITY

1. No online targeting: New EU law should become the global benchmark READ MORE

TECHNOLOGY

2. Explained: How 5G network puts airplanes at risk READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. The pandemic showed us our collective power READ MORE
2. Why be reactive when you can be proactive? READ MORE
3. Acting in Uncertainty READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Explain the need for the formalization of the Indian economy. Do you think the steps taken by the government in this direction are effective? Justify your opinion.
2. Distinguish between Capital Budget and Revenue Budget. Explain the components of both these Budgets. (UPSC Mains 2021, GS-3)

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.
• Policy efforts to formalise the economy will have limited results as the bulk of informal units are petty producers.
• It needs to be appreciated that informality is now differentiated and multi-layered. Industries thriving without paying taxes are only the tip of the informal sector’s iceberg.
• A mere registration under numerous official portals will not ensure access to social security, considering the poor record of implementation of labour laws.
• Proposed amendment to service rules is needed to meet shortage of personnel, but Centre must dispel states’ fears about overreach.
• The role of the proposed Higher Education Commission must include both regulation and development of the sector.
• The ECI needs to frame rules that prohibit or restrict populist announcements during the last six months of a government’s tenure, and not just after the model code of conduct is enforced.
• Half-hearted measures like a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympic games will make no dent in China.
• A self-confident China does not need to prove its capabilities to the world, but the virus remains a major concern.

50-WORD TALK

• The violent protests in UP and Bihar over Railways recruitment are a tragic reflection of India’s, and more so the heartland’s, unemployment crisis. But this crisis cannot be resolved through more Railways, PSU banks or security forces jobs. Governments need to facilitate creation of more opportunities in manufacturing, services, business.
• The issue of the control of the AIS has been coming up repeatedly. The two recent examples are of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The issuance of transfer orders by the Centre to AIS officers serving in the states, without the approval of the states concerned, is rightly being seen as an infringement of the federal spirit. At the same time, the situation leading to the proposed change of rules needs attention.

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 also 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.

1. Truth is the biggest immunity booster READ MORE
2. Increase your mental power READ MORE
3. ‘Ethical Concerns Over Rich Countries’ Access to Foreign Nurses During Omicron’ READ MORE

1. Is India’s forest cover growing? Yes, but if you count coffee estates and clumps of trees in cities READ MORE
2. A possible new way to track wildlife trafficking in the Himalayas READ MORE
3. Plantations, invasive species… what all India counts as ‘forest’ READ MORE

1. For a civic solidarity: On citizenship for the Chakma/Hajong people READ MORE
2. Adult marriage isn’t the govt’s business READ MORE
3. The devastating impact of school closure READ MORE

1. Why Republic Day is celebrated: India is a republic only when its laws result from free public discussion and pass open scrutiny READ MORE
2. IAS cadre issue: Enforce central deputation rules READ MORE
3. Make governance lean & mean: The State comprises vertical hierarchies that coordinate but rarely collaborate READ MORE
4. Election Laws (Amendment) Act Threatens Sanctity of Electoral Rolls READ MORE
5. Why the Supreme Court now thinks it was wrong to claim that reservations undermine the idea of merit READ MORE
6. The Defection Game READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Padma Awards 2022 announced READ MORE
2. Spot-billed pelicans dying en masse in Naupada swamp READ MORE
3. Decommissioned INS Khukri to be converted into museum READ MORE
4. Explained: The America COMPETES Act, and how it could increase opportunities for Indians in the US READ MORE
5. Explained: India’s bilateral trade with China in 2021 READ MORE
6. India to look at Brazil, Russia for sunflower oil as invasion threat looms over Ukraine READ MORE
7. Two species of fungi associated with basal stem rot found READ MORE

Main Exam    

GS Paper- 1

1. For a civic solidarity: On citizenship for the Chakma/Hajong people READ MORE
2. Adult marriage isn’t the govt’s business READ MORE
3. Plantations, invasive species… what all India counts as ‘forest’ READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Why Republic Day is celebrated: India is a republic only when its laws result from free public discussion and pass open scrutiny READ MORE
2. IAS cadre issue: Enforce central deputation rules READ MORE
3. Make governance lean & mean: The State comprises vertical hierarchies that coordinate but rarely collaborate READ MORE
4. Election Laws (Amendment) Act Threatens Sanctity of Electoral Rolls READ MORE
5. Why the Supreme Court now thinks it was wrong to claim that reservations undermine the idea of merit READ MORE
6. The Defection Game READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. The devastating impact of school closure READ MORE

 INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Keeping the faith: On people-to-people initiatives and India-Pakistan ties READ MORE
2. India-Central Asia summit is important. Here’s why READ MORE
3. Central Asia summit needs right outlook READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. The credibility of govt accounting READ MORE
2. Indian govt can’t introduce quality reforms because it’s ignoring these three issues READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY  

1. Is India’s forest cover growing? Yes, but if you count coffee estates and clumps of trees in cities READ MORE
2. A possible new way to track wildlife trafficking in the Himalayas READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Truth is the biggest immunity booster READ MORE
2. Increase your mental power READ MORE
3. ‘Ethical Concerns Over Rich Countries’ Access to Foreign Nurses During Omicron’ READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘Apart from commerce, only a value-driven cultural policy can replace the currently rather ill-defined goals of rebuilding India-Central Asia bonds’. Comment.
2. Prolonged school closure in India during pandemics is unreasonable and unscientific. Critically analyse.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Bad governance is riskier than the woes of a civil war.
• People-to-people initiatives can help build goodwill between India and Pakistan.
• India is a republic only when its laws result from free public discussion and pass open scrutiny.
• By going beyond the mere counting of heads, the term ‘republic’ brings free public discussion to our democratic constitution. It gives depth to our democracy.
• Karma here means to do all that comes our way with all our capacities and as an offering to the Supreme, without looking at the results.
• The All India Services is in urgent need of reforms in several areas and at different levels. Deputation to the Centre is one such and must be enforced. The central government cannot be hamstrung for lack of cooperation from the states.
• Since the Central Asia region is a critical lynchpin to India’s security policy, the summit will have a waterfall impact to facilitate India’s multifaceted approach towards the region.
• Egalitarianism should aim at raising standards to the highest level achievable rather than seeking the lowest common denominator.
• Apart from commerce, only a value-driven cultural policy can replace the currently rather ill-defined goals of rebuilding India-Central Asia bonds.
• India must also maintain a proactive level of consistency in applying its Act East Policy. The lack of momentum in the past has allowed countries like China to monopolize influence over key Southeast Asian countries.
• While the government’s goal of digitising electoral rolls sounds laudable in principle, it should first address how the rights of the people would be protected and how it would control the Aadhaar database’s potential for fraud.
• Democracy demands accountability, and a move that could deprive citizens of their fundamental rights must be addressed to alleviate concerns.
• Defectors contend that anti-defection laws stifle their right to free speech, glossing over the fact that they are not individuals with a free will but representatives of an electorate that voted for them on the basis of certain assurances including that of party affiliation.
• The problem of political defections would persist till we have legislators who are of sterling character and electorates that are not well-disposed towards defectors.

50-WORD TALK

• Delhi first needs to get its big-picture of the region right. When others have drawn their perspectives: China from economic (BRI), Russia from strategic (CSTO), Turkey from ethnic (Turkic Council), and the Islamic world from the religious (OIC), it would be befitting for India to give a poignant cultural and historical perspective to the region through a summit-level annual meet.
• Although many of us may be uncertain about the joys of “veg chicken” and “vegan mutton”, the growth of Indian plant-protein products is good news. Indian people need much more protein. Plant-protein is environmentally sustainable, affordable, and a good option for vegetarians. With R&D support, Indian manufacturers could become world leaders.

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 also 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.

1. True dharma begets peace, purity and prosperity READ MORE
2. Classrooms as sites of ahimsa: Compassionate mode of listening can encourage appreciation of plurality READ MORE