1. Population Bill isn’t on the right track READ MORE
2. ABC of quality: Quotas don’t solve what’s really wrong with education READ MORE

1. When a cannonball triggered a canonisation READ MORE
2. Satisfaction & Contentment READ MORE
3. Responding to China and Taliban READ MORE
4. Living Apart, Living Together READ MORE

1. Explained: Defining the creamy layer READ MORE
2. Law and lawmakers: On criminal acts and legislative privilege READ MORE
3. Why an aggressive policy to control population makes no sense READ MORE
4. New Emigration Bill a Step Forward, But Indians Need More READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelims and Mains:

1. BRICS Counter Terrorism Action Plan finalised READ MORE
2. Punjab groundwater level dips 1m every year: Study READ MORE
3. Nagaland’s Raja Mircha exported to Europe for first time READ MORE
4. Scientists discover a new way to detect early colon cancer READ MORE
5. Action against poaching: Odisha plans DNA profiling for leopards READ MORE
6. Centre’s fiscal deficit stood at 18.2% of budget estimate for FY22 at end of June READ MORE
7. Ozone levels exceeding permitted levels: study READ MORE

Main exam:  

GS Paper- 1

HISTORY

1. Indus Waters Treaty is worth preserving READ MORE

SOCIETY

1. Population Bill isn’t on the right track READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Explained: Defining the creamy layer READ MORE
2. Law and lawmakers: On criminal acts and legislative privilege READ MORE
3. Why an aggressive policy to control population makes no sense READ MORE
4. New Emigration Bill a Step Forward, But Indians Need More READ MORE

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

1. ABC of quality: Quotas don’t solve what’s really wrong with education READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India is losing out in Afghanistan READ MORE
2. China Is Providing an Alternative Regional Framework for South Asia READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Statistical Jugglery Should not Conceal Worsening Unemployment Scenario READ MORE
2. Post-COVID-19 Paths to Fiscal Consolidation: Using the Snowball Effect READ MORE
3. India’s Recovery Stumbles, Setting Stage for Sustained Low Rates READ MORE
4. The Lost Decades: The government must reimagine the fundamentals of the economy in favour of equality. READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Meeting the challenge of new climate normal READ MORE
2. Air Pollution Patterns in the Hindu Kush Himalaya Are More Complex Than Thought READ MORE
3. Authoritarianism Can’t Beat Climate Change READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. When a cannonball triggered a canonisation READ MORE
2. Satisfaction & Contentment READ MORE
3. Responding to China and Taliban READ MORE
4. Living Apart, Living Together READ MORE

Questions for MAIN exam

1. ‘The Emigration Bill, 2021 is an opportunity to regulate and reform the recruitment process for Indians who seek employment abroad’. Examine the statement.

2. ‘Solidarity is the only bond that provides a firm foundation for political democracy and for a just society’. Justify the statement.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Legislative privilege and parliamentary free speech are necessary elements of a lawmaker’s freedom to function.
• When democratically elected governments cease to be held accountable by a society weakened by poor health, low morale and joblessness, demagogues are prone to blindness and ineptitude.
• Section 124-A needs to be wholly judicially repealed at the bar of the fundamental human right to free speech.
• Authority does not come from the loudest voice, but the wisest.
• The government must reimagine the fundamentals of the economy in favour of equality.
• If indeed there does exist a pathway out of global climate governance gridlock, the answer does not lie at the feet of authoritarian monoliths.
• The Emigration Bill, 2021, likely to be introduced in Parliament soon, is an opportunity to regulate and reform the recruitment process for Indians who seek employment abroad.
• India’s leaders need to learn from Mandela, for whom a democratic political community was not only a matter of establishing a legal relationship between the state and the people but about establishing a relationship based on fellow feeling and empathy between people.
• India should seek a stable Afghanistan that is not hostile to it and let Afghans decide the nature of their polity. That would be the path of wisdom as China is seeking to integrate the countries to India’s west in an integrated framework. Pakistan is now almost China’s client-State.
• If democracy is the self-government of social equals who freely choose their representatives, then large-scale social suffering renders the democratic principle utterly utopian.

50-WORD TALK

• We need to boost research in climate science to gain further insights. At the same time, action to save lives and property needs to be taken now. This is better done by fine-tuning weather forecasting and dovetailing forecast with administrative and community action on the ground. We need to review all relevant policies and take corrective action.
• Kerala complaining about a campaign against the state’s Covid management rings hollow. It’s accounting for about half of India’s daily cases and can’t just blame that on successfully preventing infections earlier. Vaccinations should be prioritised for those susceptible and Kerala should work closely with the Union government to ensure supplies.
• The travel advisory issued by the Assam government against Mizoram amid border tensions is regressive, unwarranted and imprudent. Political dialogue is the way forward to resolve this long-running conflict, not resorting to measures that will aggravate it further. The central government should immediately intervene and order this national embarrassment withdrawn.

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 a map work (marking those areas in maps and also exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers etc. same applies for the national places.)
• For economy related news (banking, agriculture etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related with various economic aspects, for examples if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing prices 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 occurs 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 in your writing.

1. In the interest of the public: Compulsory vaccination is legal and does not violate anyone’s fundamental rights READ MORE
2. Let’s take time out to be a friend to others READ MORE
3. The politics and ethics of surveillance READ MORE

1. Equal Opportunity Commission READ MORE
2. One nation, one police is a reform that is long overdue READ MORE
3. Lok Sabha strength to be increased to 1,000 from 543? Here’s how it can be done READ MORE

1. Does India’s population need controlling? READ MORE
2. India urgently needs a caste census – so why isn’t the Modi government allowing one? READ MORE

1. Tiger conservation: India’s strides and challenges READ MORE
2. India’s leopard count jumps 63% in just 4 years READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelims and Mains

1. Scheme for promoting education in rural areas READ MORE
2. Cabinet Approves Amendment to DICGC Act READ MORE
3. India set for record steel consumption as economy begins to revive READ MORE
4. SAFAL for CBSE students, Vidya Pravesh for preschoolers: Modi launches schemes on 1 year of NEP READ MORE
5. Digital payments up 30.2% in FY21: RBI data READ MORE
6. Jaipur’s Amagarh Fort: history, and factors leading to current conflict READ MORE
7. Parliament Passes Juvenile Justice Amendment Bill To Strengthen Child Protection; Empower District Magistrates To Authorise Adoption Orders READ MORE

Main exam 

GS PAPER- 1

HISTORY

1. Indus Waters Treaty is worth preserving READ MORE

SOCIETY

1. Does India’s population need controlling? READ MORE

GS PAPER- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Equal Opportunity Commission READ MORE
2. One nation, one police is a reform that is long overdue READ MORE
3. Lok Sabha strength to be increased to 1,000 from 543? Here’s how it can be done READ MORE

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

1. India urgently needs a caste census – so why isn’t the Modi government allowing one? READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Shared values: On India and the U.S. READ MORE
2. India-US tie-up: use Quad to the best READ MORE
3. Behind the smiles: Afghanistan’s shadow on Indo-US relations READ MORE
4. India’s integrated check posts are boosting regional connectivity but challenges remain READ MORE

GS PAPER- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. The importance of UN Model tax negotiations READ MORE
2. Disinvestment delay may affect revenue inflow READ MORE
3. Make-in-India must ‘make for the world’ READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Tiger conservation: India’s strides and challenges READ MORE
2. India’s leopard count jumps 63% in just 4 years READ MORE

SECURITY

1. What a military takeover by the Taliban could mean for Afghanistan READ MORE

GS PAPER- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. In the interest of the public: Compulsory vaccination is legal and does not violate anyone’s fundamental rights READ MORE
2. Let’s take time out to be a friend to others READ MORE
3. The politics and ethics of surveillance READ MORE

Questions for MAIN exam

1. Cyber-weapons are becoming the weapon of choice not only during a conflict but even during peace-time. In this context, analyse the nature and cope of threats from cyber-weapons.
2. Do you think that the government should come up with compulsory vaccination policy for COVID-19 while keeping the larger public interest in the view? Give justification.
3. ‘Peace and stability in multi-ethnic and diverse societies can only be ensured through coexistence, consensus and inclusion’. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Cyber is often touted as the fifth dimension of warfare — in addition to land, sea, air and space.
• With the advent of cyber weapons such as Pegasus, technology which is perceived as a friend could well become a matter of despair.
• All advances in technology tend to be a double-edged sword
• With their use not only during a conflict but even during peacetime, matters have reached a tipping point.
• State governments have the authority to mandate vaccines under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, which allows them to prescribe regulations to prevent the spread of an epidemic disease.
• Several state governments have passed Police Acts that are against Supreme Court verdict on police reforms. Centre too has failed to legislate a model Act.
• India can play a pivotal role in ensuring fair and equitable distribution of taxing rights in bilateral treaties.
• While increased protection has encouraged tigers to breed, it has also led to migration from the safety of reserves.
• India and the US need to have tacit understandings on digital commerce, technology, taxation, tariffs, and tradein order to beable to steer the global trade discourse.
• Peace and stability in multi-ethnic and diverse societies can only be ensured through coexistence, consensus and inclusion.

50-WORD TALK

• Controversy over name-calling in a ‘non-meeting’ of the IT parliamentary committee is unfortunate. These committees were envisaged to scrutinise government’s policies and legislative proposals in a non-partisan way. By political grandstanding in meetings, law-makers are failing in their duty to ensure executive accountability. They must strengthen, not undermine, parliamentary democracy.
• The Supreme Court has acted correctly by proposing a new system of electronically transmitting bail orders directly to prisons to ensure those jailed are released the same day. This should end the abhorrent police tactic of delaying the release of prisoners by booking the person under another, sometimes dubious, charge.
• The government decision to extend Covid containment measures until 31 August is wise. Although India’s cases have fallen from the second wave peak, they’ve plateaued obstinately for 37 days, causing serious concern. With slow vaccination and opening up, infection data should be watched closely to avoid a possible third wave.

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 a map work (marking those areas in maps and also exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers etc. same applies for the national places.)
• For economy related news (banking, agriculture etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related with various economic aspects, for examples if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing prices 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 occurs 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 in your writing.

1. Tropical forests losing capacity to cycle carbon and water, finds new tracking system READ MORE
2. The new normal climate: India needs to focus on adaptation READ MORE
3. The Government Is Effectively Helping Industries Bypass Environmental Safeguards READ MORE

1. The Supreme Court is right on begging READ MORE
2. Is it really a good idea to count India’s population digitally? READ MORE
3. The vision of the National Education Policy must be served by its implementation READ MORE
4. How NEP can transform higher education in India READ MORE

1. Probing Pegasus: On Bengal ordering inquiry into snooping row READ MORE
2. Oxygen for fiscal federalism: A special rate could be levied to the States to enable them to raise more resources during the pandemic READ MORE
3. To reopen schools, India must go local READ MORE
4. Centre can’t be a spectator in inter-state dispute READ MORE

1. Japanese education spells holistic development: It begins from scratch with elementary schools playing a vital role in trying to create mindful and responsible citizens READ MORE
2. Let us practise charity in its true spirit READ MORE
3. The Supreme Court is right on begging READ MORE
4. Spotlight on the homeless: Humane approach essential for uplift of the poor READ MORE
5. Making learning easier, enjoyable READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelims and Mains:

1. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) READ MORE
2. Benefit of Crop Insurance READ MORE
3. Explained: How resolution ‘pre-packs’ for MSMEs can speed up insolvency cases READ MORE
4. As told to Parliament (July 28, 2021): Bihar has the lowest score on SDG index READ MORE
5. India has 500 million tonnes of gold ore reserves: Govt READ MORE
6. Tropical forests losing capacity to cycle carbon and water, finds new tracking system READ MORE

Main exam  

GS Paper-1

SOCIETY

1. The Supreme Court is right on begging READ MORE
2. Is it really a good idea to count India’s population digitally? READ MORE

GS Paper-2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Probing Pegasus: On Bengal ordering inquiry into snooping row READ MORE
2. Oxygen for fiscal federalism: A special rate could be levied to the States to enable them to raise more resources during the pandemic READ MORE
3. To reopen schools, India must go local READ MORE
4. Centre can’t be a spectator in inter-state dispute READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. The vision of the National Education Policy must be served by its implementation READ MORE
2. How NEP can transform higher education in India READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. China Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosts Taliban, calls them ‘pivotal force’ READ MORE
2. West Asia: The parable of two Mohammeds and what it means for India READ MORE
3. Afghanistan turmoil: Peace only through talks READ MORE

GS Paper-3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Farm reforms must be oriented towards minimising risk and increasing returns for farmers READ MORE
2. Industry 4.0 is not a zero-sum game READ MORE
3. Behind the numbers: India’s policymakers need more timely unemployment data READ MORE
4. After Three Decades of Market Reforms, Where Does India Stand Compared With Bangladesh and China?READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. The new normal climate: India needs to focus on adaptation READ MORE
2. The Government Is Effectively Helping Industries Bypass Environmental Safeguards READ MORE

SECURITY

1. To deal with China on LAC, India must downsize and restructure the armed forces READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. How Effective are Embankments in Controlling Floods? READ MORE

GS Paper-4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Japanese education spells holistic development: It begins from scratch with elementary schools playing a vital role in trying to create mindful and responsible citizens READ MORE
2. Let us practise charity in its true spirit READ MORE
3. The Supreme Court is right on begging READ MORE
4. Spotlight on the homeless: Humane approach essential for uplift of the poor READ MORE
5. Making learning easier, enjoyable READ MORE

Questions for MAIN exam

1. Elementary school curriculum can play a tremendous role in building courteous and mindful societies. In this respect, explain the role played by schools in creating responsible citizenry.  
2. Empowering schools to make decisions will require giving them greater expenditure discretion and it will be an opportunity to involve local governments in school functioning. Analyse the statement.
3. ‘The progress and development of any nation is directly dependent on skilled manpower and the spirit of innovations’. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Investment in education yields both private and social returns.
• Education is everything that expands our capabilities — as individuals and as society.
• Moral education includes norms that define socially responsible and considerate behaviour towards everyone including nature.
• Elementary school curriculum can play a tremendous role in building courteous and mindful societies.
• Unlike the West, Japan is a collectivist society. Working as a group and group harmony is fundamental to this society.
• The general belief that one wins only when the group wins, generates equitable and united societies.
• Moral education includes norms that define socially responsible and considerate behaviour towards everyone including nature.
• Breaking the territorial trap, of envisioning ‘fixed’ and mutually exclusive forest reserve area could be a good place to start.
• The evolutionary nature of public policy needs to be recognised and accepted while attempts are being made to implement NEP.
• Posterity will celebrate this time in India’s history as far as educational transformation is concerned, if we are able to make efforts to implement the National Education Policy 2020.
• India cannot afford to ignore the costs of prolonged school closure. Local innovation with parents as partners is the path forward.
• Modern education systems must be conscious that both nature and nurture contribute to personality development and individual characteristics.

50-WORD TALK

• IMF says India’s economy will grow 9.5 per cent this year. Looks good, but here’s a reality check. It will merely restore our GDP to where it was two years ago. We can’t be smug. We can’t invite a third Covid wave with complacency again. Pace of vaccinations must accelerate.

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 a map work (marking those areas in maps and also exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers etc. same applies for the national places.)
• For economy related news (banking, agriculture etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related with various economic aspects, for examples if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing prices 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 occurs 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 in your writing.

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

• Prelims and Mains:

1. Scheme for Promoting Indigenous Rice READ MORE
2. India gets its 40th World Heritage Site READ MORE
3. Explained: Why South Korea’s version of Israel’s Iron Dome will be more capable READ MORE
4. In Chirgaon, Residents and Conservationists Work To Bring Back Their Vultures READ MORE
5. As Economies Reopen, IMF Forecasts 6% Global Growth This Year READ MORE
6. Explained: What is Telangana’s Dalit Bandhu scheme, and why is it facing criticism? READ MORE
7. Everything you need to know about RBI’s planned digital currency READ MORE

• Main exam:  

GS Paper: 1

HISTORY

1. Explained: What UNESCO heritage site Dholavira tells us about the Indus Valley Civilisation READ MORE

SOCIETY

1. Population populism: What led to the faster decline in fertility in recent decades? READ MORE

GS Paper: 2

Polity and Governance

1. Dangerous conflagration: On Assam-Mizoram border clash READ MORE
2. Simmering Northeast: Centre must constitute a new boundary commission to resolve the region’s internal border disputes READ MORE
3. What is data localisation & why Mastercard, Amex, Diners Club can’t add more customers in India READ MORE
4. Explained: How did the 150-year-old Assam-Mizoram dispute get so violent now? READ MORE

Social justice and social issues

1. The way forward for implementing NEP READ MORE

International Issues

1. Needed, a more unified Asian voice for Afghanistan: Afghanistan’s future will impact Central Asia and South Asia more than the distant global powers involved with it now READ MORE
2. Afghan conundrum and the road ahead READ MORE

GS Paper: 3

Economic Development

1. Strengthen the Code: Outcomes under IBC have fallen short of expectations. The process needs to be streamlined. READ MORE
2. Why has the world not warmed up to Make in India? READ MORE
3. The lockdown and its economic costs READ MORE
4. The GLOBAL MINIMUM TAX READ MORE

Environment and Ecology

1. How EU’s proposed carbon border tax will work & why India is among the nations opposing it READ MORE
2. Air Pollution Nine-Times More Likely to Kill India’s Poorest Than the Rich READ MORE
3. More livestock, more carbon dioxide, less ice: The world’s climate change progress since 2019 is (mostly) bad news READ MORE
4. Climate Change Triggering Extreme Weather Events across the World, India No Exception

Security

1. Theatre Commander under Chief of Defence Staff is not a good idea READ MORE

GS Paper: 4

Ethics Examples and Case Study

1. Needed: an anti-trafficking law READ MORE
2. Can’t take elitist view to ban begging: Supreme Court READ MORE
3. Planet Earth has a key to our spiritual growth READ MORE

Questions for MAIN exam

1. ‘A strong anti-trafficking law is the moral and constitutional responsibility of our elected leaders, and a necessary step towards nation-building and economic progress’. Discuss the statement.
2. ‘The IBC has emerged as a credible threat against errant promoters, and a stringent mechanism to usher in credit discipline in the country. But the functioning of the Code needs to be streamlined and strengthened’. Examine the statement.
3. ‘Centre must constitute a new boundary commission to resolve the region’s internal border disputes’. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Afghanistan’s story, backwards or sideways, is not confined to the Americans or the English.
• India has already been warned that monsoon rains would increase further with the rise in global temperature, and this would impact both agricultural and economy.
• Afghanistan’s future will impact Central Asia and South Asia more than the distant global powers involved with it now.
• Sectarian tribalism has been the bane of the North-eastern States, with underdevelopment acting as a catalyst in complicating knotty issues over land and other issues in the region.
• Human trafficking is a crime in itself, but it is also the propeller of several other crimes.
• A strong anti-trafficking law is the moral and constitutional responsibility of our elected leaders, and a necessary step towards nation-building and economic progress.
• The IBC has emerged as a credible threat against errant promoters, and a stringent mechanism to usher in credit discipline in the country.
• A major challenge in the implementation of any policy is the absence of relevant institutional mechanisms.
• Effective delivery of family planning services, strong incentives and disincentives led to decline in fertility rates.

50-WORD TALK

• BJP moved fast but cautiously in Karnataka, by choosing B.S. Yediyurappa loyalist, Basavaraj Bommai, as his successor. Bommai ticks many boxes: Lingayat leader, relatively young, clean image, administrative experience and shrewd consensus-builder, of a non-RSS import. His life won’t be easy though: there’s massive governance deficit and factionalism to address.
• Human trafficking is a crime in itself, but it is also the propeller of several other crimes. It creates a parallel black economy which fuels child labour, child marriage, prostitution, bonded labour, forced beggary, drug-related crimes, corruption, terrorism and other illicit businesses. The architects of our Constitution established the severity of the crime of trafficking by making it the only offence punishable under the Constitution of India itself, besides untouchability.

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 a map work (marking those areas in maps and also exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers etc. same applies for the national places.)
• For economy related news (banking, agriculture etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related with various economic aspects, for examples if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing prices 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 occurs 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 in your writing.

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

• Prelims and Mains:

1. India gets its 39th World Heritage Site READ MORE
2. Two-third Indians with non-communicable diseases fall in 26-59 age group, survey finds READ MORE
3. Philippines becomes first country to approve genetically modified ‘golden rice’ for commercial production READ MORE
4. Omid No More READ MORE
5. What is essential defence services Bill and how it will impact ordnance factories and others READ MORE
6. Israel appoints first ambassador to UAE READ MORE

Main exam:

GS Paper- 1

GEOGRAPHY

1. A climate risk: On extreme weather events READ MORE

SOCIETY

1. Why UP’s Population Control Bill Can Prove Disastrous for Women, Poor Families READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Pegasus and the laws on surveillance in India READ MORE
2. Why the monsoon session matters READ MORE
3. Administering India: The British administered India with the help of Indian Army and an institution called the ICS READ MORE
4. It’s Time for the Government To Redeem Itself and Repeal the UAPA READ MORE

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Over 35% of government schools, anganwadis do not have tap water READ MORE
2. Lessons from India’s food security response: Government measures to tackle the food crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic were effective READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Can SAARC fill the power vacuum left by US withdrawal from Afghanistan? READ MORE
2. Science and technology is central to strong and lasting Indo-US ties READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Money changer: On need for an official digital currency READ MORE
2. What a digital currency from RBI must get right READ MORE
3. Currency creation: RBI should be careful in launching a digital currency READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Is climate change to blame for the recent weather disasters? 2 things you need to understand READ MORE
2. Prepare for extreme rainfall events READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Opinion: Strong-armed majoritarianism can never solve the challenges in India’s border regions READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Why the world’s cascade of disasters is not a coincidence READ MORE

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Scientific and metaphysical thoughts on infinity READ MORE
2. Learn To Be Still READ MORE

Questions for MAIN exam

1. Increase in number of extreme weather events in India calls for climate-proofing of the most vulnerable regions. Discuss.
2. Discuss the measures required to be taken to improve access to food grains and inclusion among the missing vulnerable population.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• We are not makers of history; we are made by history. -Martin Luther King, Jr.
• “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.” -Nelson Mandela.
• “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” -Benjamin Franklin
• Only proper planning can insure against the inevitable extremities of nature.
• International climate change agreements to limit greenhouse gas emissions will yield benefits only in the very long term but what is done in the near future will mean the difference between surviving and thriving.
• The scale of India’s public food distribution systems is immense and has gone through constant navigation and improvement, which is commendable. But more needs to still be done to improve access and inclusion among the missing vulnerable population.
• India is Europe’s third-largest trading partner, and it does not have its own carbon tax or cap. So, introduction of carbon border adjustment mechanism could be a cause of concern.
• The coming together of leaders, even at the height of tensions, in a region laden with congenital suspicions, misunderstandings, and hostility is a significant strength of SAARC that cannot be overlooked.
• India and the US can be true partners through joint efforts in making the next generation of quantum computers, achieving breakthroughs in the use of AI, making genome sequencing and analysis affordable.
• Using the dangerous and reckless brush of uniformity in a complex nation like India that nurtures unprecedented diversities is a strong-armed display of majoritarianism.

50-WORD TALK

• Soldiering is a calling. It epitomises three cardinal principles of the oath: one, a soldier signs an unlimited liability contract; two, a runners-up position is unacceptable; and three, unity in diversity is non-negotiable. It is in pursuance of these principles that he delivers. In Kargil, as always, our soldiers upheld every part of the contract.
• Indian companies should invest in more renewable electricity and energy efficiency. They can adopt science-based targets for emission reduction and internal carbon pricing to incentivise low-carbon choices. The government can extend the perform-achieve-trade scheme to more industries and provide finance to MSMEs to upgrade to clean technologies.
• SAARC members are among the top troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions. With the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, a joint peacekeeping force from the SAARC region under the UN aegis could be explored to fill the power vacuum that would otherwise be filled by terrorist and extremist forces.

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 a map work (marking those areas in maps and also exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers etc. same applies for the national places.)
• For economy related news (banking, agriculture etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related with various economic aspects, for examples if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing prices 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 occurs 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 in your writing.