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

1. Why the Tonga Volcano Was So Violent, and What It Tells Us About Future Eruptions READ MORE
2. Sundarbans is cyclone capital of India: IMD report READ MORE
3. Middle East: Running Out of Water READ MORE

1. Tribals and their Religion READ MORE
2. Cover-up: A few Karnataka colleges are debating whether girl students should be allowed to wear hijab READ MORE
3. The devastating impact of school closure READ MORE

1. Rights-duties conundrum READ MORE
2. FSSAI GM regulation puts health in a soup READ MORE
3. Why a Gender Sensitisation Training is the need of the hour READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Houses of Parliament to work in shifts READ MORE
2. The US Fed’s Aggressive Monetary Policy Tightening and New Headwinds for Emerging Markets READ MORE
3. Sundarbans is cyclone capital of India: IMD report READ MORE
4. Explained: What Australia hopes to achieve with its unique Online Safety Bill READ MORE
5. What are subsidies and why countries need it? READ MORE

Main Exam    

GS Paper- 1

1. Tribals and their Religion READ MORE
2. Cover-up: A few Karnataka colleges are debating whether girl students should be allowed to wear hijab READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Rights-duties conundrum READ MORE
2. FSSAI GM regulation puts health in a soup READ MORE
3. Why a Gender Sensitisation Training is the need of the hour READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

4. The devastating impact of school closure READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India’s challenge in European geopolitics READ MORE  
2. Testing time ahead for Indian diplomacy READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Dealing with the macroeconomic uncertainties: The Union Budget needs to maintain an accommodative fiscal stance to support the sustainability of economic growth READ MORE
2. Helping Indian economy down the road to recovery READ MORE
3. Wanted: A job guarantee scheme for cities READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY  

1. Why the Tonga Volcano Was So Violent, and What It Tells Us About Future Eruptions READ MORE
2. Sundarbans is cyclone capital of India: IMD report READ MORE
3. Middle East: Running Out of Water READ MORE

SECURITY

1. India needs a national security document too. But don’t do a Pakistan READ MORE

TECHNOLOGY

1. Avoidable delay: India would have gained from an early 5G roll-out READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

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

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The right and the duty are meaningful only in conjunction. Do you agree with the statement? Justify your view.
2. Prolonged school closure in India during pandemic is unreasonable and unscientific. Critically analyse.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The good that violence seems to do is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.
• Education is a constitutional right. By closing schools for this long and providing a poor substitute with online education, we have violated children’s right.
• Rising unemployment needs to be addressed through an urgent policy response that strengthens job guarantee programmes. The welfare models of the Government in providing food security to poor households and designing gender budgeting in energy infrastructure are also welcome.
• The Union Budget needs to maintain an accommodative fiscal stance to support the sustainability of economic growth.
• Greater engagement with Europe and dealing with its multiple contradictions must necessarily be important elements of India’s international relations today.
• Public investment in infrastructure is a major growth driver. Bringing down the fiscal deficit to threshold levels can be detrimental to the recovery.
• The Constitution allows the freedom to practice religion, but the law limits the protection to practices found essential and integral to religion.
• India’s soft power has not only been its ancient achievements such as yoga but also its modern democratic traditions which flow from the Indian renaissance. The country will pay an external cost too if these traditions are diluted.
• The government must use fiscal policy to the best of its ability to push growth & create jobs.

50-WORD TALK

• As Subhas Chandra Bose’s statue rises at India Gate, his rightful status as freedom movement icon must not devolve into idol-worship. Was his silence on Nazi and Japanese war-crimes justified? How important was his armed struggle to winning freedom? Enough time’s passed to discuss the truth, with all its greys.

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. A dirge for secularism in India READ MORE

1. Brrr…: La Nina is mainly responsible for the freezing dip in temperature across northern India READ MORE
2. A stellar fallacy: Assessment of environmental costs, benefits of projects should not be done in haste READ MORE
3. S.R Subramanian committee recommendations READ MORE
4. All-India environment service: More powers to existing agencies a better step READ MORE

1. Remove All Weaknesses READ MORE
2. An attempt to criminalise compassion READ MORE

1. False dichotomy: The top court’s view that quotas ensure equal opportunity is a blow for affirmative action READ MORE
2. Why police should be less creative to be more efficient READ MORE
3. Combative federalism: Proposed IAS rule change weakens Centre-state relations READ MORE
4. Who Should Control Where IAS Officers Serve? READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. PM interacts with DMs of various districts on the implementation of key government schemes READ MORE
2. Two species of fungi associated with basal stem rot found READ MORE
3. Kerala gets its first ever scientific bird atlas READ MORE
4. Peru declares environmental emergency following oil spill READ MORE
5. Fund ‘Statue of Equality’ gets final touches READ MORE
6. Explained: Why thousands of anganwadi workers are protesting in Haryana READ MORE
7. Plastic Park project gets final approval READ MORE

Main Exam   

GS Paper- 1

1. Brrr…: La Nina is mainly responsible for the freezing dip in temperature across northern India READ MORE
2. A dirge for secularism in India READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. False dichotomy: The top court’s view that quotas ensure equal opportunity is a blow for affirmative action READ MORE
2. Why police should be less creative to be more efficient READ MORE
3. Combative federalism: Proposed IAS rule change weakens Centre-state relations READ MORE
4. Who Should Control Where IAS Officers Serve? READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Under Biden, stability in ties READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Striking a balance between big data analytics and confidentiality READ MORE

 ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY  

1. A stellar fallacy: Assessment of environmental costs, benefits of projects should not be done in haste READ MORE
2. S.R Subramanian committee recommendations READ MORE
3. All-India environment service: More powers to existing agencies a better step READ MORE

SECURITY

1. India needs a national security document too. But don’t do a Pakistan READ MORE

TECHNOLOGY

1. Avoidable delay: India would have gained from an early 5G roll-out READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Remove All Weaknesses READ MORE
2. An attempt to criminalise compassion READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘Despite being a fundamental right, freedom of expression can’t be allowed for adverse impacts on society’. In the light of the statement, discuss whether the government should regulate social media platforms for the well-being of society? Argue your view.
2. How far do you agree with this view that banning Cryptocurrency is not a viable solution and there is need for the regulating them? Analyse your view.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.
• The competitive examination may be necessary for distribution of educational opportunities, but it does not enable equal opportunity for those competing without the aid of social and cultural capital, inherited skills and early access to quality schooling.
• Good performance in an examination does reflect hard work, but does not always reflect “merit” solely of one’s own making.
• Too much religion and religiosity would destroy our nation.
• It’s high time that our interpersonal and social conduct is regulated by a uniform system of rules and regulations.
• The objectives of using big data must be clearly spelt out, as also its cost of operation and maintenance.
• The progress of development works has raised the question of sustainability and minimising man-made disasters.
• Environmental issues may need an active approach which includes harnessing of resources, ensuring sustainability, creating awareness and an early warning system to minimise risks.
• Targeting NGOs that are providing humanitarian service to the most needy sections has more than financial implications and can have grievous consequences.
• While posting all-India service officers to the Centre, approval of the state government should not be done away with.

50-WORD TALK

• The impact of backwardness, the court has said, does not simply disappear because a candidate has a graduate qualification and does not create parity between advanced classes and backward classes. The latest judgment marks another notable addition to the body of affirmative action jurisprudence.
• Calculating the risks and the benefits of industrial projects vis-à-vis their environmental impact is understandably hard. The way forward is to take steps to increase trust in the system and ensure that all States have competent experts who can conduct appraisals without fear or favour. A list of empty rankings is the least advisable way to bring about this.

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.