(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Definition under State of Forest Report READ MORE
2. FLOOD MANAGEMENT SCHEME READ MORE
3. Chandrayaan-3 set for August launch READ MORE
4. Indian diplomats to boycott Beijing Winter Olympics READ MORE
5. Asteroid Sharing Earth’s Orbit Discovered – Could It Help Future Space Missions? READ MORE
6. New Research on Ring-Shaped Molecules Advances Clean Energy Solutions READ MORE
7. Explained: How NASA plans to retire International Space Station by late 2030 READ MORE

Main Exam    

GS Paper- 1

1. National afforestation programmes to improve the forest cover READ MORE
2. India needs to check population growth READ MORE
3. India’s compensatory afforestation push is cutting off Adivasi women from forests and livelihoods READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. A disjointed response: Regulatory clarity on crypto assets should have accompanied the tax on traders’ profits READ MORE
2. How to step clear of the IAS quagmire READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Need to boost labour income and consumption expenditure READ MORE
2. Fiscal management during a pandemic READ MORE
3. Digital rupee: Can help India make the most of virtual finance ecosystem READ MORE
4. Does Economic Inequality Matter? Indian policymakers must know markets cannot solve all problems. Without state intervention, India cannot reduce inequality, poverty or malnourishment. READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY  

1. Why India values wetland conservation READ MORE
2. Biodiversity Act: Do recent changes consider climate concerns, commitments? READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. SCHEME FOR GOOD SAMARITAN READ MORE
2. Uncover the inner strength to overcome problems READ MORE
3. For today’s India, lessons from Gandhi READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘It is imperative to make national population control laws for the unity and integrity of the entire country and implement these equally’. Analyse the statement.
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

• A vote is like a rifle: Its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.
• Indian policymakers must know markets cannot solve all problems. Without state intervention, India cannot reduce inequality, poverty, or malnourishment.
• Regulatory clarity on crypto assets should have accompanied the tax on traders’ profits.
• There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. The direction of consolidation rather than a specific quantified path in an unprecedented time is the most appropriate consideration.
• We will uncover the inner strength to overcome our difficulties and stay happy and peaceful despite the turmoil surrounding us.
• The Government of India accords high significance to wetlands conservation and seeks to mainstream its full range of values at all levels of developmental planning and decision-making.
• Making the most of the virtual finance ecosystem can bring Indian economy closer to the $5-trillion dream.
• The Govt should begin by replacing those who are in non-bureaucratic assignments, with people of appropriate professional qualifications.
• The forest restoration drive is affecting the communities that rely on firewood and other natural products they gather and sell.

50-WORD TALK

• India rejected calls to boycott the Winter Olympics in China. China has responded with an event where a PLA officer injured in Galwan carried the Olympic torch. India hoped to overcome the toxic nationalism caused by the clash. Beijing seems determined never to miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

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. About Ethnocentrisms READ MORE
2. Consciousness is not located in the brain READ MORE

1. Artificial intelligence technologies have a climate cost READ MORE  
2. Frequent marine heatwaves in Indian Ocean disrupt India‘s monsoon patterns READ MORE

1. Liberal ideology and gender stereotypes READ MORE
2. Children’s share in Budget is lowest in 11 years READ MORE
3. Strengthen state-level elementary education architecture READ MORE

1. US Imperial excess: On Governors and limits- Governors must work within constitutional parameters, not as agents of the Centre READ MORE
2. Make courts more accessible READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. FDI Inflow READ MORE
2. Strengthening of PESA Act READ MORE
3. World Wetlands Day celebrated at Sultanpur National Park READ MORE
4. Export Import Bank of India, Sri Lanka sign $500-million loan agreement READ MORE
5. Philosopher-saint Ramanujacharya, and the Statue of Equality in his honour READ MORE
6. Two more Ramsar sites announced on World Wetlands Day READ MORE
7. India, Nepal sign MoU on construction of motorable bridge over Mahakali river READ MORE

Main Exam   

GS Paper- 1

1. Liberal ideology and gender stereotypes READ MORE

GS Paper- 1

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. US Imperial excess: On Governors and limits- Governors must work within constitutional parameters, not as agents of the Centre READ MORE
2. Make courts more accessible READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Children’s share in Budget is lowest in 11 years READ MORE
2. Strengthen state-level elementary education architecture READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Ink India-Britain free trade, unlock new opportunity: There are good economic and strategic reasons for an FTA that will spell many opportunities for both countries READ MORE
2. Explained: The India-Israel relationship READ MORE

GS Paper- 1

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Make haste slowly: Digital rupee can have many implications for RBI. Best to take time over it, like other countries READ MORE
2. Repo rate cannot be the basis for bank loans READ MORE
3. Fiscal constraints: India needs to boost tax-to-GDP ratio READ MORE
4. The Bad Bank READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY  

1. Artificial intelligence technologies have a climate cost READ MORE  
2. Frequent marine heatwaves in Indian Ocean disrupt India‘s monsoon patterns READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Border infrastructure: India out to counter China’s development overdrive READ MORE

GS Paper- 1

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. About Ethnocentrisms READ MORE
2. Consciousness is not located in the brain READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘CBDCs may be inevitable but the need for RBI to cover for all the possible risks is non-negotiable’. In the light of the statement discuss the implications of the digital currency for the banking system and how the RBI can fix them.
2. Governors must work within constitutional parameters, not as agents of the Centre. Analyse the statement with reference to recent developments in certain states.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Aggression is not the problem, it is the outcome of a problem.
• There are good economic and strategic reasons for an FTA that will spell many opportunities for both India and Britain.
• The AI-climate change link is understudied, not least because the largest companies working in this space are neither transparent nor meaningfully committed to understanding it.
• Governments of developing countries, India included, should also assess their technology-led growth priorities in the context of AI’s climate costs.
• There is a wide variation in the extent of integration among administrative bodies overseeing school administration at the state level.
• More food means less hunger. But reducing food waste and foodgrain storage losses also means more food which means less hunger, and it also compensates for any yield gap because of the shift to natural farming.
• Both the direct and indirect tax systems need comprehensive review. Rationalisation of rates and improvement in compliance will help create the much-needed fiscal space.
• Ultimately the bad bank may be a good opportunity for loan evaders and for those eager to acquire cheap the units set up with huge borrowing.
• It is also imperative to update our weather models to skilfully predict the challenges presented by a warming world.

50-WORD TALK

• The rollout of ZyCov-D vaccine is a very welcome addition to India’s Covid vaccine basket. India has done brilliantly with its vaccine coverage but there is still much ground to cover, especially with third shots and considering variants like Omicron. India should also follow the science now on mixing boosters.
• The Delhi High Court’s right: It’s “absurd” for the state government to fine people not wearing masks inside their own cars. Government counsel Rahul Mehra agrees—but the mandate, upheld by a judge last year, will stand until officially reviewed. Also absurd: making rules that defy science and common sense.
• Modi government’s announcement to tax crypto assets without creating a regulatory framework for their transactions is baffling. The temptation to dip into the digital goldmine is understandable, but the lack of regulations in a highly risky asset category can hurt investors. Rules should be framed before this becomes a reality.

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. Believe to Succeed READ MORE
2. Gandhi is remembered, but Gandhi-ism? READ MORE

1. What’s civic versus cultural nationalism? READ MORE
2. What about the bottom half of Indian households? READ MORE

1. In just two years, Indian forests the size of Nagaland were either chopped or thinned down READ MORE
2. How Auroville can teach us all a thing or two about offsetting carbon READ MORE

1. Budget’s missed healthcare opportunity READ MORE
2. EC errs on side of caution: As Omicron cases mild, extending ban on rallies harsh step READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. A NEW SCHEME, PRIME MINISTER’S DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE FOR NORTH EAST ‘PM-DevINE’ ANNOUNCED; Rs. 1500 CRORE ALLOCATED READ MORE
2. SUMMARY OF UNION BUDGET 2022-23 READ MORE
3. INTRODUCTION OF CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY ‘DIGITAL RUPEE’ ANNOUNCED READ MORE
4. NARI SHAKTI THE HARBINGER OF WOMEN-LED DEVELOPMENT DURING THE ‘AMRIT KAAL’ READ MORE
5. Longest lightning bolt record: 477 miles over 3 US states READ MORE
6. 5 months after nod, ZyCov-D set for rollout in 7 states. Bihar starts getting 1st set of shots READ MORE
7. Over 9,000 tree species on Earth remain undiscovered, says new international study READ MORE
8. Launch Of The Global Center Of Excellence In Affordable And Clean Energy (GCoE-ACE) At IIT Dharwad READ MORE

Main Exam   

GS Paper- 1

1. What’s civic versus cultural nationalism? READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Budget’s missed healthcare opportunity READ MORE
2. EC errs on side of caution: As Omicron cases mild, extending ban on rallies harsh step READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. What about the bottom half of Indian households? READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. China looks for ways to revive ties with US READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Big on hopes, short on ideas: On Union Budget 2022-23 READ MORE
2. Great on growth, not on jobs: Credit for avoiding populist giveaways, but job-creating MSMEs needed more READ MORE
3. Hits and misses of Budget 2022-23 READ MORE
4. Budget 2022 shows agriculture under change. Gone are talks about doubling farmers’ income READ MORE
5. Time for India to Set Up a Fiscal Council READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY  

1. In just two years, Indian forests the size of Nagaland were either chopped or thinned down 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. Gandhi is remembered, but Gandhi-ism? READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘The pandemic makes forecasts of growth and fiscal variables challenging. So, it is the right time to create a fiscal council that will provide independent forecasts on macro-variables’. Comment.
2. Discuss the need for ease credit availability for the priority sector. Can changes in the co-lending model ease credit availability for the priority sector? Analyse your view.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Used correctly, a budget doesn’t restrict you, it empowers you.
• The resource crunch manifest in the proposed higher debt issuance is ultimately bound to get more acute in the days ahead, given the Budget’s lack of growth-invigorating proposals.
• During this year, if government cash balances keep rising, and states are unable to scale up spending even after lockdowns are lifted, the government having to reduce its borrowing targets remains a possibility.
• Little has been done to address inequality and insecurity of the poorest in the budget.
• The Budget is notable for its big capex push, ultra-conservative projections and absence of populist proposals.
• It is essential for making informed choices in exercising their franchise.
• It is time democratically elected leaders threw away their masks, stepped out of their ivory towers, moved beyond their own shadows and gave a little more importance to Gandhism.
• Indeed, with income disparities having grown exponentially, there was a case for innovative tax reforms, but clearly, adventurism was not on the Finance Minister’s agenda.

50-WORD TALK

• Modi government’s announcement to tax crypto assets without creating a regulatory framework for their transactions is baffling. The temptation to dip into the digital goldmine is understandable, but the lack of regulations in a highly risky asset category can hurt investors. Rules should be framed before this becomes a reality.
• Chinese analysts were careful to subtly express their views about Xi’s US policy. However, in a thinly veiled criticism, Jia Qinggua, an America expert and member of China’s highest political advisory body, warned China not to unduly focus on national security as it would be self-destructive. These comments will have disconcerted Xi Jinping, coming as they do just months before the crucial 20th Party Congress, where his third term will be decided.

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

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

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

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

(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.

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