Modern tools, age-old wisdom: on India-Sri Lanka relations (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2:International Relations 
Prelims level:Non-alliance foreign policies
Mains level: India and its neighbourhood- relations

Context:

• The unique India-Sri Lanka relationship, de jureis between equals as sovereign nations. 
• But it’s asymmetric in terms of geographic size, population, military and economic power, on the one hand, and social indicators and geographical location, on the other. 
• It is steepedin myth and legend, and influenced by religious, cultural and social affinities. 
• This is an opportune time for Sri Lanka and India to nourish the roots of the relationship using modern toolkits, but leveraging age-old wisdom and experience.

Historical ties:

• History reveals that the advent of Buddhism to Sri Lanka during the time of Emperor Ashoka was the result of cross-border discourse.
• For many centuries in the first millennia, the ancient capital city of Anuradhapura housed an international community which included traders from India, China, Rome, Arabia and Persia. 
• Later, Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka travelled to India, China, Cambodia and Java leaving behind inscriptions. Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, to this day, contain shrines for Hindu deities. 
• The colonial expansion of European maritime nations reshaped the Sri Lankan economy. 
• Labour from south India was brought to Sri Lanka to work in plantations. 
• The Indian freedom struggle had its influence on Sri Lanka as well. 
• There was cross-border support for the revival of culture, tradition, local languages, spiritual practices and philosophies, and education. 
• Both countries transformed into modern nations with constitutional and institutionalised governance under colonial rule.

 Emergence of separatist ideologies: 

• Most aspects of today’s globalisation existed in a different form in the pre-colonial era with free exchange of ideas, trade and intellectual discourse. 
• However, process engineering by colonial powers for identification and categorisation of people was a factor in the emergence of separatist ideologies based on ethnicity, language and religion. 
• This mindset is now ingrained and accentuatedin politics. 
• Episodic instances of communal hostility are referenced often to suit tactical political gain. 
• Around the world today, and not just in South Asia, policies and thinking are becoming communally exclusive, localised and inward-looking. 
• The COVID-19 hit the world against this backdrop, allowing some leaders an opportunity to double down on insular thinking, ostensiblyfor providing local communities with better economic and social prospects, and security.

 In line with non-alliance foreign policies:

• Meanwhile, governance models favoured by nations keep vacillating between fundamental freedoms-based democratic systems and quasi democratic, socialist authoritarian systems. 
• In this regard, the people of Sri Lanka and India have been served well by long years of uninterrupteddemocratic governance. 
• This has provided long-term stability for both countries and must not be vitiated.
• Sri Lanka’s strategic location makes it apparent that not only economic fortunes but the security of both countries are inextricablylinked. 
• Therefore, it is heartening that India and Sri Lanka constantly strive for excellence in neighbourly relations, recognising that a calamity in one country can adversely impact the other. 
• Though robust partnerships with other countries must be sought in line with the non-alliance foreign policies of both countries, such efforts must be bounded by an atmosphere needed for peace, prosperity and stability. 
• Among others, freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific together with a rules-based international order and peaceful settlement of disputes are of common interest. 
• While avoiding advocacy of zero-sumsolutions on crucial issues, both countries must seek to harmonise strategic and other interests in line with common values and socioeconomic compulsions.

Addressing issues and imbalances:

• The socioeconomic development of Sri Lanka has remained linked to India. 
• But there are many options available to address issues of imbalance and asymmetries. 
• For instance, Sri Lanka can encourage Indian entrepreneurs to make Colombo another business hub for them, as logistical capacities and facilities for rest and recreation keep improving in Sri Lanka. 
• Integrating the two economies but with special and differential treatment for Sri Lanka due to economic asymmetries can be fast-tracked for this purpose. 
• There is immense potential to accentuate or create complementariness, using locational and human resource potential, for harnessing benefits in the modern value chains. 
• Robust partnerships across the economic and social spectrum can promote people-to-people bonhomie. 
• And engagement of legislatures is essential for promoting multiparty support.

Conclusion:

• With many countries recedinginto cocoons due to the pandemic, this is an opportunity for both countries to focus on the renewal and revitalisation of partnerships.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the Kuwait’s draft residency bill, consider the following statements:
1. The draft bill proposes to reduces the number of expats in Kuwait from over 70% to 30% of the population.
2. The bill specifies country-wise caps designating a quota for how many people of a certain nationality can be allowed to work in Kuwait.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Mains Questions:
Q.1) Highlighting about India- Sri Lanka relations. What are the key areas of cooperation? Describe it significance of the relations and areas of sourness in the relations. 

Needed, a map for India’s foreign policy (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2:International Relations 
Prelims level:SAARC
Mains level: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Context:

• Not long ago, India was seen as a natural rising power in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region. 
• It was the de factoleader of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). It has historical and cultural ties with Nepal. 
• It enjoyed traditional goodwill and influence in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. 
• It had made investments worth billions of dollars in Afghanistan and cultivated vibrant ties with the post-Taliban stakeholders in Kabul. 
• It had committed itself to multilateralism and the Central Asian connectivity project, with Iran being its gateway. 
• It was competing and cooperating with China at the same time, while the long border between the two countries remained largely peaceful.

Present times:

• India is perhaps facing its gravest national security crisis in 20 years, with China having changed the status quoalong the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector in its favour. 
• The border saw violent clashes last month, leading to fatalities for the first time in 45 years. 
• SAARC is out of joint. Nepal has turned hostilehaving adopted a new map and revived border disputes with India. 
• Sri Lanka has tilted towards China, which is undertaking massive infrastructure projects in the Indian Ocean island. 
• Bangladesh is clearly miffedat the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. When Afghanistan is undergoing a major transition, India is out of the multi-party talks. 
• Iran has inaugurated a railway link project connecting the Chabahar port, on the Gulf of Oman, to Zahedan (which India was to have constructed) without India. 
• How did we get here? Specific reasons can be found for these setbacks. Also, foreign policy need not be static. 
• There will be ups and downs depending on the changes in policy as well as the changes in global politics. 
• But what makes the current downturn serious is that there is a relative decline in India’s smart power, especially in the neighbourhood and the extended neighbourhood, which demands a deeper perusalof the foreign policy trajectory itself. 
• And when we dig deep, three problems can be found which are more or less linked to this decline — a closer alignment of policy with the U.S. line, coupling of foreign policy with domestic politics and hubris.

 The U.S. line:

• India’s official policy is that it is committed to multilateralism.
• Even after India started moving away from non-alignment, which it calls irrelevant in the post-Cold War world order, New Delhi maintained that strategic autonomy would remain the bedrock of its policy thinking. 
• But there has been a steady erosion in India’s strategic autonomy, which predates the current government. 
• When India started deepening its partnership with the United States (which was a historical necessity), New Delhi began steadily aligning its policies with U.S. interests. The case of Iran is the best example. 
• The agreement to develop the Chabahar port was signed in 2003. 
• But India, under pressure from the U.S., was moving slowly, despite the fact that the project offered India an alternative route to Central Asia bypassing Pakistan. 
• India voted against Iran at the United Nations; scuttledan ambitious gas pipeline project and cut down trade ties drastically. 
• After the Iran nuclear deal was signed in 2015, India immediately stepped up oil purchases and expanded works at Chabahar. 
• In 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Tehran and signed a trilateral connectivity project with Afghanistan and Iran. 
• But when U.S. President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Iran deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on the country, India toed the U.S. line, bringing down its oil imports to zero.

Changing Beijing’s Assessment of India:

• This dilly-dallying to the tunes of policy changes in Washington co-existed with India’s deepening defence and military ties with the U.S. 
• Washington wants India to play a bigger role in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific region to contain China’s rise. 
• While India has been cautious of becoming an ally, it has steadily deepened military-to-military cooperation in the recent past — the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) is one example. 
• These developments probably altered Beijing’s assessment of India. 
• The border aggression at different points on the LAC could not be a localised conflict; it is part of a larger strategic move, initiated by the top brass of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). 
• One of the reasons for the shift could be Beijing’s assessment that India has already become a de facto allyof the U.S. 
• The forceful alteringof the status quo on the border is a risky message as much to New Delhi as it is to Washington.

Domestic politics:

• At least two decisions taken by the government mainly keeping its domestic audience in mind have had foreign policy consequences. 
• First, the passing of the CAA. The official narrative has been that India is offering citizenship to the persecuted minorities of select countries in its neighbourhood. 
• There were two problems. 
• One, this is regionalisation of the domestic problems of the countries in India’s neighbourhood, some of which are its long-time friends. These countries are genuinely upset with India’s move. 
• Two, Muslims, including those sub-sects persecuted in neighbouring countries, were by design excluded from the citizenship programme. 
• This drove new wedgesbetween India and the countries that had a Muslim majority and were friendly to India in the neighbourhood. 
• Forget Pakistan, which is a traditional rival. 
• Bangladesh took offence at the CAA and the National Register of Citizens (from which the government has temporarily backed off) and the political rhetoric in India against the “termites” from other countries. 
• Bangladeshi media reported recently that the Indian envoy in Dhaka had tried to fix an appointment with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for four months but did not get one. 
• There were anti-India protests even in Afghanistan.

 Abrogation of A-370:

• The abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. This was another popular move among those who form the support base of the ruling party. 
• But it led to the suspension of fundamental rights in the Kashmir Valley for a prolonged period that damaged India’s reputation as a responsible democratic power and gave propaganda weapons to Pakistan. 
• The move did not help India quellmilitancy either as the Valley continues to see violence nearly a year after the decision. 
• More importantly, the change of status quo in Jammu and Kashmir, including the bifurcation and reduction of the erstwhile State into Union Territories, could be another factor that prompted the Chinese to move aggressively towards the border in Ladakh.

The perils of hubris:

• Misplaced confidence does not do good for rising powers. Great powers wait to establish their standing before declaring that they have arrived. 
• The Soviet Union started acting like a superpower after it won (with allies), the Second World War. 
• China bided its time for four decades before it started taking on the mighty U.S. Since the 1970s, its focus has almost entirely been on its economic rise. 
• India should learn from at least these modern examples. If it did, it would not have used high-handedness in Nepal during the country’s constitutional crisis and caused a traditional and civilisational ally to turn hostile. 
• The updated political map which India released in November rubbed salt into the woundon the Nepal border.

Conclusion:

• To address the current crises, India has to reconsider its foreign policy trajectory. It is a big power with one of the world’s biggest militaries. 
• It is a natural naval force in the Indian Ocean. 
• It does not lack resources to claim what is its due in global politics. What it lacks is strategic depth.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), consider the following statements:
1. India’s largest commercial shipbuilder Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) has signed contracts for construction of two autonomous electric ferries for Norway-based ASKO Maritime. 
2. This Autonomous Electrical vessel project, partially funded by the Norwegian Government, is aimed at emission-free transport of goods across the Oslo fjord.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Mains Questions:
Q.1) Relevance of India’s Foreign Policy at contemporary times and need for its reconsideration in the backdrop of setbacks, especially in the neighbourhood. Critically comment.

In reverse gear: on draft EIA notification(The Hindu)

Mains Paper 3:Environment 
Prelims level:Environment Impact Assessment
Mains level: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Context:

• The Union Ministry of Environment has been in the spotlight on more than one occasion during the pandemic, as it worked to push through retrogradeenvironmental decisions in an atmosphere of general paralysis. 
• In April, Environment Minister used a virtual conference to ensure that the National Board for Wildlife’s Standing Committee stampedits approval on several projects, with serious implications for conservation. 
• He now wants to hurriedly make a fundamental change to the process of project approvals, by introducing a new Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification. 
• Now in draft, it seeks to replace the existing EIA notification of 2006. 

New proposal:

• The proposed provisions show that the Ministry has gone to great lengths to reduce or even remove public participation, and by extension independent expert opinion. 
• Public reporting of violations may also not be taken cognisanceof before granting environmental clearances.
• While there can be no argument about the importance of development projects, it has resorted to sophistryin classifying activity for exemptions. 
• Section 26 provides a list of projects that would not attract environmental clearance or permission, including coal mining and seismic surveys for oil, methane and shale gas on some lands. 
• Section 14 provides exemption for these and some other projects from public consultation, also limiting the scope of public involvement to the districts concerned, in the case of national parks and sanctuaries where pipeline infrastructure will pass. 
• Roads and highways get liberal concessions. 
• Further, it retains the clause that if a public agency or authority considers the local situation not conducive to participation by citizens, the public consultation need not include a public hearing.

Checks and balances:

• In spite of the far-reaching nature of its proposed actions, the Centre has displayed unseemly haste to get them in place and Mr. Javadekar has not aided credibility by trying to shut down public responses to the draft early. 
• It took a Delhi High Court order to extend the deadline to August 11. 
• The exercise has been further muddiedby the mysterious blocking of some activist websites calling for the EIA proposal to be dropped, and demanding a new approach towards conserving natural resources for future generations. 
• Clearly, the Centre’s attempts at weakening checks and balances are not new. 
• A study of coal mining clearances shows that 4,302 hectares of forest were diverted during 2014-18, favouring extraction over conservation. 

Conclusion:

• COVID-19 has powerfully demonstrated the value of nature for well-being: of lost forests and captured wildlife bringing virus reservoirs closer to humans and foul air destroying their health. 
• While there might be a case for some changes, much of the proposed EIA system can only make things worse, and should not be pushed through.
• The draft EIA notification needs wider consultation and progressive changes.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the plague, consider the following statements:
1. Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, a zoonotic bacteria, usually found in small mammals and their fleas. 
2. Any person with pneumonic plague may transmit the disease via droplets to other humans.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Mains Questions:
Q.1) What do you mean by environment impact assessment? Describe its process, and what is the recent dispute related to the proposed draft?

UPSC MAINS TOPIC WISE PAPER : Modern History

1. Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long-term implications on the national movements. (UPSC 2020)
2. Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss. (UPSC 2020)
3. The 1857 Uprising was the culmination the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule. Elucidate. (UPSC 2019)
4. Examine the linkages between 19th centuries ‘Indian Renaissance’ and the emergence of national identity. (UPSC 2019)
5. Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. Elaborate. (UPSC 2019)
6. Assess the role of British imperial power in complicating the process of transfer of power during the 1940s. (UPSC 2019)
7. Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times. (UPSC 2018)
8. Clarify how mid-eighteenth-century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity. (UPSC 2017)
9. Why did the ‘Moderates’ fail to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed ideology and political goals by the end of the nineteenth century? (UPSC 2017)
10. Examine how the decline of traditional artisanal industry in colonial India crippled the rural economy. (UPSC 2017)
11. The women’s questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th century social reform movement. What were the major issues and debates concerning women in that period? (UPSC 2017)
12. Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian independence since twenties of the last century. (UPSC 2017)
13. Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.(UPSC 2016)
14. Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase. (UPSC 2016)
15. Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom. (UPSC 2016)
16. How different would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi? Discuss.(UPSC 2015)
17. It would have been difficult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task of drafting the Constitution for Independent India in just three years but for the experience gained with the Government of India Act, 1935. Discuss.(UPSC 2015)
18. The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat?(UPSC 2014)
19. Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from mideighteenth century till independence.(UPSC 2014)
20. In what ways did the naval mutiny prove to be the last nail in the coffin of British colonial aspirations in India?(UPSC 2014)
21. Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.(UPSC 2013)
22. Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom.(UPSC 2013)
23. In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate.(UPSC 2013)
24. "The Indian independence movement was a mass-based movement that encompassed various sections of society. It also underwent the process of constant ideological evolution? Critically examine.(UPSC 2012)
25. The significance of Patharughat in the Indian freedom struggle(UPSC 2012)
26. Trace the salient sequence of events in the popular revolt that took place in February 1946 in the then, 'Royal Indian Navy' and bring out its significance in the freedom struggle. Do you agree with the view that the sailors who took part in this revolt were some of the unsung heroes of the freedom struggle?(UPSC 2011)
27. Evaluate the influence of the three important women's organizations of the early twentieth century in India on the Country's society and politics. To what extent do you think were the social objectives of these organizations constrained by their political objectives?(UPSC 2011)
28. Explain about:(UPSC 2011)

(a) 'Benoy-Badal-Dinesh' martyrdom
(b) Bharat Naujawan Sabha
(c) 'Babbar Akali' movement

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A demand problem (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 3: Economy
Prelims level: Trade surplus
Mains level: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment

Context:  

• The latest trade data released by the ministry of commerce paints a worrying picture. 
• While the contraction in exports observed over the past few months appears to be easing slowly, the implications of the continuing deep contraction in imports on end-demand are disquieting. 

Key Findings:

• This growing chasmbetween export and import growth has led to India registering a trade surplus of nearly $800 million in June — this is the first time in almost two decades that the country has registered a trade surplus. 
• However, this is indicative, not of a robust turnaround in exports, but of a collapse in domestic demand, despite the easing of restrictions on domestic activities during the “unlocking” phase.
• At the aggregate level, India’s merchandise exports continue to witness an upward swing with the pace of contraction falling to 12.4 per cent in June, from 36.2 per cent in May and 60 per cent in April. 
• A closer look at the data reveals that exports of items such as iron ore, drugs and pharmaceuticals, chemicals and various agricultural commodities saw an expansion in June. 
• However, 18 of the 30 major export product categories contracted in June, including some labour intensive ones such as gems and jewellery, leather, and textiles — though some of these sectors have seen a healthy recovery from the April levels.

Impact of the domestic slowdown:

• This upswing in exports could be indicative of a faster recovery of India’s export partners and probably because of the rush by Indian exporters to ship out orders to meet their seasonal deadlines. 
• On the other hand, imports continue to remain deep in negative territory, contracting by 47.6 per cent in June, as compared to a decline of 52.4 per cent in May, and 59.6 per cent in April. 
• Even more worrying, the contraction in non-oil exports has actually worsened — from 36.4 per cent in May to 41.4 per cent in June — with decline observed in both consumer and investment/industrial goods imports. 
• Some movement is visible in imports of electronic goods, but those of machinery and transport equipment have not moved significantly.
• Of the 30 main import items, while all items have contracted in the April-June quarter, only four registered mildly positive growth in June — indicative of the pace of the domestic slowdown. 

Conclusion:

• As economic activities across the world will take time to return to normalcy, India’s exports will take time to reach pre-COVID levels. 
• It seems that the chasm between exports and imports could persist, given the plateauing of the post-lockdown spurt in demand/production on account of the spread of infection.

Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the India Cycles4Change Challenge, consider the following statements:
1. The Challenge aims to help cities connect with their citizens as well as experts to develop a unified vision to promote cycling. 
2. The Challenge is open to all cities under the Smart Cities Mission, capital cities of States/UTs, and all cities with a population of more than 5 lakh population.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Mains Questions:
Q.1)India registered a trade surplus. What are the major findings? What growing exports and falling import indicate?

State of deluge (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 3:Disaster and disaster management
Prelims level: Kaziranga National Park
Mains level: Kaziranga National Park, its location and significance

Context: 

• In the last week of April, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal took stock of the state’s flood preparedness. 
• Less than a month later, the river Brahmaputra swelled up and has been in spate ever since. 
• In spite of the CM’s directives, the state administration seems to have been caught unawares.
• At least 65 people have lost their lives. More than 35 lakh people in 26 districts of the state have been affected. Nearly 90% of the Kaziranga National Park is reportedly submerged.

Flood control measure:

• Floods are a recurrent feature during the monsoons in Assam. 
• In fact, ecologists point out that flood waters have historically rejuvenated croplands and fertilised soil in the state’s alluvial areas. 
• But it’s also a fact that for more than 60 years, the Centre and state governments have not found ways to contain the toll taken by the raging waters. 
• The state has primarily relied on embankments to control floods. 
• This flood control measure was introduced in Assam in the early 1950s when the hydrology of most Indian rivers, including the Brahmaputra, was poorly understood.
• There is, today, a substantial amount of scholarly work that has highlighted the problems of using large walls to check the Brahmaputra’s flow. 
• The river changes course frequently and it’s virtually impossible to contain it within embankments. 
• Moreover, the pressure of the surging water takes a toll on these walls and they need constant reinforcement — by all accounts, that hasn’t happened in Assam. 
• Several of the state’s embankments were reportedly breached by the floods this year.

Unplanned expansion:

• Large parts of Guwahati are under water. The city has been getting flooded during the monsoons since the past seven years. 
• Its problems have less to do with the vagariesof nature. Guwahati’s topography — it’s shaped like a bowl — does make it susceptibleto water logging. 
• But, as a document of “Mission Flood Control Guwahati” correctly points out, “the unplanned expansion of the city… has led to severe encroachments in the wetlands, low lying areas, hills and shrinkage of forest cover. 
• The denudedhills and loss of wetlands lead to artificial floods”. 
• The document also notes that rainwater from Meghalaya and the surrounding hills often causes flash floods in Guwahati. 
• However, recognition of the problem has not led to any meaningful conversation between the two states on flood control. 
• In fact, authorities in all the states that share the Brahmaputra basin need to urgently put their heads together to resolve the perennialproblem of floods in Assam.

Conclusion:

• Assam’s flood problem cannot be entirely blamed on vagariesof nature. It needs to jettisonoutmodedflood control measures.

Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the types of F visa by United States of America, consider the following statements:
1. F-1 visas are granted only to nationals of Mexico or Canada and these visa holders may study part- or full-time.
2. F-2 visas are for spouses and children of F-1 visa holders — these are technically called "dependents”. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: B

Mains Questions:
Q.1) Describe the Assam’s flood problem and how it affects on people and environment? What are the key concerns associated with this? Explain.

University examination guidelines that score low (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2:National 
Prelims level: University Grants Commission
Mains level: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education

Context: 

• The University Grants Commission’s (UGC) guidelines of July 6, 2020 on conducting final-year examinations for university students have created a storm.
• The commission’s insistence on online or pen-paper or a blendof the two modes in conducting examinations, albeitwith a much-delayed timeline, has been widely criticised. 
• Punjab, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Odisha and Tamil Nadu have already raised objections. Uttar Pradesh has announced that its universities will hold examinations. 
• Delhi University students have termed the decision arbitrary and discriminatory, and have challenged it in the Delhi High Court.
• The guidelines state that performance in examinations is necessary for “reflection of competence, performance and credibility that is necessary for global acceptability”. 
• In the latest UGC communication, 182 universities have already conducted the examinations and 234 are planning to hold them in August and September.

Ground realities:

• It is a matter of concern that our education system continues to be examination-centric and these guidelines fail to take into account the fact that the validity of examinations fundamentally depends on their reliability. 
• Most examinations in India merely test an ability to recall facts or information rather than an understanding of those facts or an ability to use them in practical situations. 
• Most teachers too are not trained in setting good papers particularly for online open-book examinations. 
• Certification through examination is important but cannot and should not be the sole goal of education. 
• Hundreds of our students every year take unfortunate steps because of examination stress. 
• A one size fits all cannot apply to our universities as we have all kinds of universities, i.e. unitary, affiliating, private and subject specific.

University Grants Commission:

• There is nothing like the UGC in the United States. The UGC was fundamentally meant to be the fund granting institution as is clear from its nomenclature. 
• But the UGC Act 1956 does confer on it the power of ‘coordination and determination of standards’ in universities as well and, therefore, it has become the regulator of higher education.
• Today, the higher education sector is overregulated and underfunded. 
• The present government at the Centre wants to replace the UGC with a higher education commission. 
• The United Progressive Alliance too had introduced a bill on similar lines. 
• Since universities are autonomous bodies, in these testing times this autonomy can help us in finding solutions keeping in view the specific situation of each university.

Guidelines:

• The first set of guidelines regarding examinations and academic calendar was issued by the UGC on April 29.
• It was demonstrative of UGC Chairman’s flexible and inclusive approach. 
• It allowed universities to promote students in their final year, on the basis of a combination of internal evaluation and marks/grades in previous semesters. 
• These guidelines gave much flexibility to universities and were welcomed. However, this scheme was not extended to final-year students.
• Before the new UGC guidelines were released, Rajasthan, Haryana and Maharashtra had already cancelled examinations for final-year students.
• Let the cooperative federalism rather than ego guide us in this matter.
• While the decision has been justified by reference to other universities across the world, the systems that these universities are following are largely accommodative of students’ concerns. 
• In foreign universities, each teacher has the freedom to devise his own evaluation mechanism. 

More discrimination possible:

• In case the infection does not subside, it would mean that the UGC either extends the deadline further or universities are forced to conduct online exams. 
• In the latter case, the UGC would have imposed a patently discriminatory policy on the students.
• Issues with access to the Internet, electricity and study materials, as well as a lack of a study environment in homes would go unaddressed.
• And it would only manifest the disparity prevalentin the education system. 
• In the former case, it only furthers the uncertainty, and even if the UGC decides to allow universities not to conduct examinations, this entire exercise would be pointless.
• In any case, the period of four to six months would have impacted students differently. 
• The elite, with the privilege of being unaffected by the crisis caused by the infection as well as its economic ramifications will be much better placed than their peers without the same level of assuredness. 
• The whole purpose of university acting as an equaliser will be lost. 
• Students from a humble background, from remote areas and those with doctors/health workers as parents or are coronavirus positive in families would be at a disadvantage.

 Conclusion:

• Finally, what is baffling is the idea that just one semester of examinations will be determinative of the integrity and value of a degree for which students would have worked hard for 6-10 semesters. 
• It is difficult to understand why the last semester examination is so sacrosanctwhen our curriculum follows the cumulative rather than the hierarchical system.
• We expect that better sense will prevail and the UGC will eventually take the decision that would be equitable, fair, pragmatic and beneficial and not one that is risky and exclusionary of any set of students. 
• Unprecedented times call for bold steps and unprecedented decisions, and the UGC must act accordingly. 
• Let the voices of sanity be taken into account and results be declared taking into account student performance in earlier semesters and internal evaluation of the final semester. 
• Let the mental health of students and their anxieties be taken into account. 
• Heavens are not going to fall if we discard the examination-centric view, at least in this emergency for just one semester.

Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the World Population Day, consider the following statements:
1. World Population Day, which is annually observed on 11 July, seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues. 
2. It was established by UNESCO. 
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Mains Questions:
Q.1) What are the ground realities of our higher education system maintained by UGC?

Iran ties need quiet diplomacy (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2:International Relations 
Prelims level: Ircon International Limited
Mains level: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Context: 

• Recent reports that Iran had launched the track laying programme for the 628 km long rail link between Chabahar and Zahidan last week sparked concerns that India was being excluded from the project. 
• Iran has since clarified that it is not the case and India could join the project at a later stage. 
• This keeps the door open for Ircon International Limited (IRCON) which has been associated with the project even as India continues with the development of Chabahar port.

Connectivity for Afghanistan:

• Providing connectivity for Afghanistan through Iran in order to lessen its dependence on Karachi port has enjoyed support in Delhi, Kabul and Tehran since 2003. 
• Chabahar port on Iran’s Makran coast, just 1,000 km from Kandla, is well situated but road and rail links from Chabahar to Zahidan and then 200 km further on to Zaranj in Afghanistan, need to be built. 
• With Iran under sanctions during the Ahmadinejad years (2005-13), there was little progress. 
• IRCON had prepared engineering studies estimating that the 800 km long railway project would need an outlay of $1.6 billion. 
• Meanwhile, India concentrated on the 220 km road to connect Zaranj to Delaram on the Herat highway. This was completed in 2008 at a cost of $150 million.
•  Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action:
• The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, known commonly as the Iran nuclear deal or Iran deal, is an agreement on the Iranian nuclear program reached in Vienna on July 14, 2015, between Iran and the P5+1 together with the European Union. P5- US, UK, France, China, Russia + Germany + EU.

 Sanctions:

• Things moved forward after 2015 when sanctions on Iran eased with the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or the Iran nuclear deal. 
• A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with Iran during Prime Minister’s visit to Tehran in 2016 to equip and operate two terminals at the Shahid Beheshti port as part of Phase I of the project. 
• Another milestone was the signing of the Trilateral Agreement on Establishment of International Transport and Transit Corridor between Afghanistan, Iran and India. 
• In addition to $85 million of capital investment, India also committed to provide a line of credit of $150 million for port container tracks. 
• Phase I was declared operational in 2018 and India’s wheat shipments to Afghanistan have been using this route. 
• A special economic zone (SEZ) at Chabahar was planned but re-imposition of U.S. sanctions has slowed investments into the SEZ.

 Delay in clearance:

• India was given a waiverfrom U.S. sanctions to continue cooperation on Chabahar as it contributed to Afghanistan’s development. 
• Despite the waiver, the project has suffered delays because of the time taken by the U.S. Treasury to actually clear the import of heavy equipment such as rail mounted gantry cranes, mobile harbour cranes, etc.
• In fact, the railway tracks currently being laid are those supplied by IRCON. Iranian responsibility was for local works of land levelling and procurement. 
• The MoU between IRCON and Iran’s Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructures Company (CDTIC) expired last year. 
• Further, Khatab al Anbiya, the Iranian company undertaking some of the works, was listed by the U.S. as special designated entity, leading IRCON to suggest to the Iranians to appoint another contractor.

 Extension:

• Meanwhile, Iran has ambitious plans to extend the railway line from Zahidan to Mashad (about 1,000 km) and then another 150 km onwards to Sarakhs on the border with Turkmenistan. 
• Another plan is to link it with the International North-South Transport Corridor towards Bandar Anzali on the Caspian Sea. 
• In 2011, a consortium of seven Indian companies led by Steel Authority of India Limited had also successfully bid for mining rights at Hajigak mines in Afghanistan that contain large reserves of iron ore. 
• However, developments at Hajigak remain stalledbecause of the precarioussecurity situation in Afghanistan continues.

 Why Iran needs China?

• In January 2016, just as sanctions were eased, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Tehran and proposed a long-term comprehensive, strategic partnership programme. 
• Such partnership would involve Chinese investment in Iranian infrastructure and assured supplies of Iranian oil and gas at concessional rates. 
• Reluctant to be tied into too close a Chinese embrace, Iran kept the negotiations going for years. 
• China patiently permitted a limited barter trade.
• Meanwhile, tensions in the region have been growing since last year with missile strikes in Saudi Arabia claimed by the Houthis and a U.S. drone strike in January killing Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) chief.
• During the last four weeks, there have been more than half-a-dozen mysterious explosions including at the ballistic missile liquid fuel production facility at Khojir, the advanced centrifuge assembly shed in Natanz and the shipyard at Bushehr. 
• Reports attribute these to U.S. and Israeli agencies in an attempt to provoke Iran before the U.S. elections.
• In May, the U.S. announced that it wanted the UN Security Council (UNSC) to continue the ban on Iranian acquisition of conventional weapons. 
• UNSC Resolution 2231 was adopted in July 2015 by consensus to endorse the JCPOA and contains a five-year restriction on Iran’s importing conventional weapons that ends on October 18. 
• Even though the U.S. unilaterally quit the JCPOA, it is threatening to invoke the automatic snapback of sanctions provisions of JCPOA. 
• The United Kingdom and France have criticised the U.S.’s duplicity but are unlikely to exercise a veto. 
• At the same time, Iran hopes that November (US elections) may bring about a change in the White House that opens options for dialogue.

 Tehran’s balancing Act:

• For India, it has been a tricky exercise to navigate between the U.S. and Iran to keep the Chabahar project going.
• Similarly, for the Rouhani administration has found it a difficult balancing act to manage the hardliners at home while coping with Trump administration’s policy of ‘maximum pressure’.
• Russia and China are the only countries to veto the U.S.’s moves in the UNSC. 
• Even so, the Iran- China comprehensive, strategic partnership road map has run into opposition in the Majlis.  
• Hard liners have accused Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif of undue secrecy surrounding the agreement amid rumours that China may be taking over Kish island and that Chinese troops would be stationed in Iran to secure Chinese companies and investments.

Advantages and a lesson:

• Iran may well be considering a long-term partnership with China, but Iranian negotiators are wary of growing Chinese mercantilist tendencies. 
• It is true that China has greater capacity to resist U.S. sanctions compared to India but Iran realises the advantage of working with its only partner that enjoys a sanctions waiver from U.S. for Chabahar since it provides connectivity for land-locked Afghanistan. 
• Iran and India also share an antipathyto a Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. 
• This is why Iran would like to keep the door open. 
• Nevertheless, India needs to improve its implementation record of infrastructure projects that it has taken up in its neighbourhood. 
• There are numerous tales of Indian cooperation projects in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, etc suffering delays and cost overruns that only make it easier for China to expand its footprint in India’s neighbourhood. 

 Conclusion:

• The key is to continue to remain politically engaged with Iran so that there is a better appreciation of each other’s sensitivities and compulsions.

Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPR), consider the following statements:
1. The Panel will be co-chaired by former Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark and former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
2. At the historic 73rd World Health Assembly in May, Member States adopted a landmark resolution that called on WHO to initiate an independent and comprehensive evaluation of the lessons learned from the international health response to COVID-19.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Mains Questions:
Q.1) What is the Chabahar project? What are the key implications with India Iran relations and why Iran dropped the project after finalising a sweeping 25-year economic and security partnership with China?

Milestone of a million: On India’s COVID-19 numbers (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2:Health 
Prelims level: COVID-19 numbers
Mains level: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health

Context: 

• India was hoping that the extended lockdown alone might help it win the battle against the novel coronavirus, but the microbe has been spreading with renewed vigour.
• So much so that on July 16, the number of confirmed infections and deaths crossed grim milestones — one million and 25,000, respectively.  

About:

• If a positivity rate is too high, that may indicate that the state is only testing the sickest patients who seek medical attention, and is not casting a wide enough net to know how much of the virus is spreading within its communities. 
• A low rate of positivity in testing data can be seen as a sign that a state has sufficient testing capacity for the size of their outbreak and is testing enough of its population to make informed decisions about reopening.
• A rapid antibody test or serology test looks for antibodies in your blood. These immunity agents develop in a body to fight an infection, in this case, COVID-19. The antibody test isn't looking for the virus but to ascertain whether your immune system, the primary line of defence in any human, has responded to the infection.
• Current antibody tests cannot tell with certainty whether one is immune to COVID-19 as further research is needed to ascertain how long these antibodies might protect one against the virus.

Wide spread:

• While the rising fresh cases reported each day could be ascribed(linked) to increased testing, the underlying reason for the case rise is undoubtedly the wide spread of the virus in the community. 
• With surveillance not being commendable, the 10.3% test positivity rate nationally in the last few days shows that a very large pool of infections remains undiagnosed. 
• Though the number of tests done daily has now crossed three lakh, the high test positivity rate underscores the need to increase the number of daily tests, by at least a few-fold. 
• Any delay in tracing, testing and isolating the infected and their contacts will only lead to an unimaginable spread of the virus. 
• As already seen in a few Indian cities, a cascadeof events beginning with a delay in disease detection can overwhelmthe health-care system.

Comparison between cities:

• Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, which initially appeared to have contained the virus spread, have seen sharp surges.
• If Bengaluru buckedthe trend in the early stage, it has now witnessing surge in cases and the system is not fully geared for the challenges. 
• Aggressive tracing and testing helped Chennai reduce the surge. But the coming days will reveal if its 12-day lockdown in June had greatly contributed to this. 
• While Delhi appears to have hammered down the test positivity rate in recent weeks, over-reliance on rapid antigen tests, which have low sensitivity, raises concerns about true case detection. 
• Maharashtra appears to have pulled off a coupin Dharavi through outstanding work, but like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the State has been witnessing a spike in other districts. 
• With a 9.1% test positivity rate, Gujarat has made no attempts to greatly increase daily tests but instead appears to be disingenuously limiting the number of daily tests to keep fresh cases per day under check. 
• Telangana too, with a test positivity rate of 18.4%, has made no great effort to increase daily tests, which have crossed 13,000 only in the last couple of days. 
• Telangana defies the trend of rising cases during the pandemic, raising serious concern about its numbers. 

Conclusion:

• Examples such as New York have shown that it is never too late to bend the curve. But for that, States need to fight the virus, not manage the data.
• Deaths remain low, but India must fight the virus, not manage the data.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the draft of 'Aids to Navigation Bill, 2020', consider the following statements:
1. The draft bill is proposed to replace the Lighthouse Act, 1927 to incorporate the best global practices, technological developments and India's International obligations in the field of Aids to Marine Navigation.
2. It does not provide for the identification and development of heritage lighthouses.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Mains Questions:
Q.1) What is community transmission of the virus means? What are different tests used to detect the COVID-19 like one is Rapid-Antigen Test?

UPSC MAINS TOPIC WISE PAPER : Environment

1. How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006? (UPSC 2020)
2. What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India? (UPSC 2020)
3. What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security? (UPSC 2020)
4. Define the concept of carrying capacity of an ecosystem as relevant to an environment. Explain how understanding this concept is vital while planning for sustainable development of a region. (UPSC 2019)
5. Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to our environment. Analyse the impact of sand mining along the Indian coasts, citing specific examples. (UPSC 2019)
6. What are the impediments in disposing the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (UPSC 2018)
7. What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India.  (UPSC 2018)
8. How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna? (UPSC 2018)
9. ‘Climate Change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (UPSC 2017)
10. Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment. (UPSC 2017)
11. Rehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts which always attracts controversy while planning major projects. Discuss the measures suggested for mitigation of this impact while proposing major developmental projects. (UPSC 2016)
12. Give an account of the current status and the targets to be achieved pertaining to renewable energy sources in the country. Discuss in brief the importance of National Programme on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). (UPSC 2016)
13. The Namami Gange and National mission for clean Ganga (NMCG) programmes and causes of mixed results from the previous schemes. What quantum leaps can help preserve the river Ganga better than incremental inputs?(UPSC 2015)
14. Should the pursuit of carbon credit and clean development mechanism set up under UNFCCC be maintained even through there has been a massive slide in the value of carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India's energy needs for economic growth.(UPSC 2014)
15. Environmental impact assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before project is cleared by the government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal plants located at Pitheads.(UPSC 2014)
16. What are the consequences of illegal mining? Discuss the ministry of environment and forests' concept of "GO AND NO GO" zones for coal mining.(UPSC 2013)
17. Enumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies which may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions for management  and handling of hazardous wastes in India?(UPSC 2013)
18. What do you understand by run of the river hydroelectricity project? How is it different from any other hydroelectricity project?(UPSC 2013)
19. Explain the concepts "Environmental Sustainability" and "Sustainable Development of People".(UPSC 2012)
20. Explain briefly the "Clean Development Mechanism" as provided under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).(UPSC 2012)
21. What is Permaculture? Give at least three common examples where permaculture concepts are being put to use.(UPSC 2012)
22. Given the accelerated pace of development and demand for energy, would you consider renewable energy as a viable option for India's future?(UPSC 2012)
23. Analyse critically the interlinkages between the Convention on Biological Diversity and FAO Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.(UPSC 2012)
24. Examine the causes and the extent of 'desertification' in India and suggest remedial measures.(UPSC 2012)
25. In the context of the growing demands for the ban of Endosulfan in the country, critically examine the issues involved. What, in your view, should be done in the matter?(UPSC 2012)
26. The issue of tourism in core areas of tiger reserve forests in the country is a subject matter of debate. Critically examine various aspects of this issue, keeping in view relevant recent judicial pronouncements.(UPSC 2012)
27. The impact of climate change on water resources in India.(UPSC 2011)
28. Phase-IV of the tiger monitoring programme in India.(UPSC 2011)
29. The diminishing population of vultures(UPSC 2011)
30. 'Billion Acts of Green(UPSC 2011)

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UPSC MAINS TOPIC WISE PAPER : Internal Security

1. Human rights activists constantly highlight the view that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is a draconian act leading to cases of human rights abuses by the security forces. What sections of AFSPA are opposed by the activists? Critically evaluate the requirement with reference to the view held by the Apex Court.(UPSC 2015)
2. Religious indoctrination via digital media has resulted in Indian youth joining the ISIS. What is ISIS and its mission? How can ISIS be dangerous for the internal security of our country? (UPSC 2015)
3. The persisting drives of the government for development of large industries in backward areas have resulted in isolating the tribal population and the farmers who face multiple displacements with Malkangiri and naxalbari foci,  discuss the corrective strategies needed to win the left wing extremism (LWE) doctrine affected citizens back into the mainstream of social and economic growth.(UPSC 2015)
4. Considering the threats cyberspace poses for the country, India needs a "Digital Armed Force"to prevent crimes. Critically evaluate the National Cyber Security Policy, 2013 outlining the challenges perceived in its effective  implementation.(UPSC 2015)
5. The diverse nature of India as a multireligious and multi-ethnic society is not immune to the impact of radicalism which has been in her neighbourhood. Discuss along with the strategies to be adopted to counter this environment.(UPSC 2014)
6. International civil aviation laws provide all countries complete and exclusive severity over the airspace above the territory. What do you understand by airspace? What are the implications of these laws on the space above this airspace? Discuss the challenges which this poses and suggests ways to contain the threat.(UPSC 2014)
7. How illegal transborder migration does pose a threat to India's security? Discuss the strategies to curb this, bring out the factors which give impetus to such migration.(UPSC 2014)
8. In 2012, the longitudinal marking of the high-risk areas for piracy was moved from 65° East to 78° east in the Arabian Sea by International Maritime organisation. What impact does this have on India's maritime security concerns?(UPSC 2014)
9. China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for development of an economic corridor. What thread does it dispose for India's security? Critically examine.(UPSC 2014)
10. Money laundering poses a serious threat to country's economic sovereignty. What is its significance for India and what steps are required to be taken to control this menace?(UPSC 2013)
11. What are social networking site and what security implications do these sites present?(UPSC 2013)
12. Cyber warfare is considered by some defense analysts to be a larger threat than even Al Qaeda or terrorism. What do you understand by Cyber warfare? Outline the cyber threats which India is vulnerable to and bring out the state of the country's preparedness to deal with the same.(UPSC 2013)
13. Article 244 of Indian Constitution relates to Administration of Scheduled areas and tribal areas.Analyze the impact of non-implementation of the provisions of fifth schedule on the growth of Left Wing Extremism.(UPSC 2013)
14. How far are India's internal security challenges linked with border management, particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar?(UPSC 2013)

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• आत्मनिर्भर भारत के लिए नैतिक धन सृजन (डॉ कृष्णमूर्ति वी सुब्रमण्यन सुरभि जैन)
• निर्यात रणनीति (डॉ अजय सहाय)
• "जनधन, आधार व मोबाइल' तिकड़ी का कमाल (अंकिता शर्मा, हिंडोल सेनगुप्ता)
• आत्मनिर्भर किसान (डॉ जगदीप सक्सेना)
• ग्रामीण विकास (डॉ नकुल पराशर)
• विशेष आलेख स्वास्थ्य में निवेश (डॉ मनीषा वर्मा सिद्धार्थ कुमार)
• विनिर्माण में आत्मनिर्भरता (ऋषभ कृष्ण सक्सेना)
• महात्मा गांधी की दृष्टि में आत्मनिर्भरता (डॉ डी पी सिंह मोनी सहाय)
• स्वच्छ और स्मार्ट शहर (डॉ कृष्ण देव)
• कोविड-19 से डिजिटल सुरक्षा (सौरभ गौड़, ऋचा रश्मि)
• सत्यजित राय की फिल्में: शक्तिशाली पुरुष छवि की पड़ताल (डॉ देवजानी हाल्दार)

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UPSC MAINS TOPIC WISE PAPER : Polity 

1. Indian constitution exhibits centralising tendencies to maintain unity and integrity of the nation. Elucidate in the perspective of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897; The Disaster Management Act, 2005 and recently passed Farm Acts. (UPSC 2020)
2. Which steps are required for constitutionalization of a commission? Do you think imparting constitutionality to the National Commission for Women would ensure greater gender justice and empowerment in India? Give reasons. (UPSC 2020)
3. The judicial systems in India and UK seem to be converging as well as diverging in the recent times. Highlight the key points of convergence and divergence between the two nations in terms of their judicial practices. (UPSC 2020)
4. “Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution is a limited power and it cannot be enlarged into absolute power.” In the light of this statement explain whether Parliament under Article 368 of the Constitution can destroy the Basic Structure of the Constitution by expanding its amending power? (UPSC 2019)
5. What can France learn from the Indian Constitution’s approach to secularism? 2019 6. India and USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenants on which the two political systems are based. (UPSC 2018)
6. Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force? (UPSC 2018)
7. Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in the light of the latest judgement of the Supreme Court on Right to Privacy. (UPSC 2017)
8. Discuss each adjective attached to the word ‘Republic’ in the preamble. Are they defendable in the present circumstance’s stances? (UPSC 2016)
9. Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizens a uniform civil code as provided for in the Directive Principles of State Policy.(UPSC 2015)
10. The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasized in recent years.Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and the extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings.(UPSC 2015)
11. In absence of a well-educated and organized local level government system, `Panchayats' and 'Samitis' have remained mainly political institutions and not effective instruments of governance. Critically discuss.(UPSC 2015)
12. Khap Panchayats have been in the news for functioning as extra-constitutional authorities, often delivering pronouncements amounting to human rights violations. Discuss critically the actions taken by the legislative, executive and the judiciary to set the things right in this regard.(UPSC 2015)
13. Resorting to ordinances has always raised concern on violation of the spirit of separation of powers doctrine. While noting the rationales justifying the power to promulgate ordinances, analyze whether the decisions of the Supreme Court on the issue have further facilitated resorting to this power. Should the power to promulgate ordinances be repealed?(UPSC 2015)
14. What are the major changes brought in the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 through the recent Ordinance promulgated by the President? How far will it improve India's dispute resolution mechanism? Discuss.(UPSC 2015)
15. Does the right to clean environment entail legal regulations on burning crackers during Diwali? Discuss in the light of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and Judgement(s) of the Apex Court in this regard.(UPSC 2015)
16. Starting from inventing the 'basic structure' doctrine, the judiciary has played a highly proactive role in ensuring that India develops into a thriving democracy. In light of the statement, evaluate the role played by judicial activism in achieving the ideals of democracy.(UPSC 2014)
17. Though the federal principle is dominant in our Constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, but it is equally true that federalism under the Indian Constitution leans in favour of a strong Centre, a feature that militates against the concept of strong federalism. Discuss.(UPSC 2014)
18. The 'Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and its Members' as envisaged in Article 105 of the Constitution leave room for a large number of un-codified and un-enumerated privileges to continue. Assess the reasons for the absence of legal codification of the 'parliamentary privileges'. How can this problem be addressed?(UPSC 2014)
19. What do you understand by the concept "freedom of speech and expression"? Does it cover hate  speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss.(UPSC 2014)
20. Instances of President's delay in commuting death sentences has come under public debate as denial of justice. Should there be a time limit specified for the President to accept/reject such petitions? Analyse.(UPSC 2014)
21. The size of the cabinet should be as big as governmental work justifies and as big as the Prime Minister can manage as a team. How far the efficacy of a government then is inversely related to the size of the cabinet? Discuss.(UPSC 2014)
22. The role of individual MPs (Members of Parliament) has diminished over the years and as a result healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law, which was legislated but with a different intention? (UPSC 2013)
23. Discuss Section 66A of IT Act, with reference to its alleged violation of Article 19 of the Constitution.(UPSC 2013)
24. Recent directives from Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are perceived by the `Nagas' as a threat to override the exceptional status enjoyed by the State. Discuss in light of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.(UPSC 2013)
25. The Supreme Court of India keeps a check on arbitrary power of the Parliament in amending the Constitution.' Discuss critically.(UPSC 2013)
26. Many State Governments further bifurcate geographical administrative areas like Districts and Talukas for better governance. In light of the above, can it also be justified that more number of smaller States would bring in effective governance at State level? Discuss.(UPSC 2013)
27. Constitutional mechanisms to resolve the inter-state water disputes have failed to address and solve the problems. Is the failure due to structural or process inadequacy or both? Discuss. (UPSC 2013)
28. Discuss the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission which have been a departure from the previous commissions for strengthening the local government finances.(UPSC 2013)
29. What are the Rights within the ambit of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution?(UPSC 2012)
30. Comment on the significance of the Preamble contained in the Right to Information Act.(UPSC 2012)
31. Determining the 'value' assigned to the vote of a Member of a State Legislative Assembly and of a Member of Parliament in the Indian Presidential elections. (UPSC 2012)
32. 'Essentially all that is contained in part IV-A of the Constitution is just a codification of tasks integral to the Indian way of life.' Critically examine this statement.(UPSC 2011)
33. 'The exercise of executive clemency is not a privilege but is based on several principles, and discretion has to be exercised in public considerations.' Analyse this statements in the context of the judicial powers of the President of India. (UPSC 2011)
34. Evolution of 'Green Benches' in our higher judiciary.(UPSC 2011)
35. Distinction between 'Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committees' and 'Parliamentary Forums (UPSC 2011)

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UPSC MAINS TOPIC WISE PAPER : Society 

1. Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural assertiveness? Argue. (UPSC 2020)
2. Has caste lost its relevance in understanding the multi- cultural Indian Society? Elaborate your answer with illustrations. (UPSC 2020)
3. “Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” Comment. (UPSC 2018)
4. How the Indian concept of secularism is different from the western model of secularism? Discuss. (UPSC 2018)
5. ‘Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation. Argue by giving suitable illustrations. (UPSC 2018)
6. The spirit tolerance and love is not only an interesting feature of Indian society from very early times, but it is also playing an important part at the present. Elaborate. (UPSC 2017)
7. Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the former has got transformed into the latter in independent India. (UPSC 2017)
8. In the context of diversity of India, can it be said that the regions form cultural units rather than the States? Give reasons with examples for your viewpoint. (UPSC 2017)
9. What are the two major legal initiatives by the State since Independence,addressing discrimination against Scheduled Tribes (STs)? (UPSC 2017)
10. Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened the cause of Indian Unity? (UPSC 2016)
11. Why are the tribals in India referred to as the Scheduled Tribes? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment. (UPSC 2016)
12. What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer. (UPSC 2016)
13. Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate. (UPSC 2015)
14. Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative significance in building a national identity.(UPSC 2015)
15. Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is the main cause of population increase in India.(UPSC 2015)
16. How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes in India is more favourable to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes?(UPSC 2015)
17. Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the last four decades.(UPSC 2015)
18. Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India.(UPSC 2015)
19. Debate the issue of whether and how contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit identity work towards annihilation of caste.(UPSC 2015)
20. How does patriarchy impact the position of a middle class working woman in India?(UPSC 2014)
21. Why do some of the most prosperous regions of India have an adverse sex ratio for women? Give your arguments.(UPSC 2014)
22. The life cycle of a joint family depends on economic factors rather than social values. Discuss.(UPSC 2014)
23. Discuss the various economic and socio-cultural forces that are driving increasing feminization of agriculture in India.(UPSC 2014)
24. How do the Indian debates on secularism differ from the debates in the West?(UPSC 2014)
25. Discuss the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanization in India.(UPSC 2013)
26. 'Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women's organization free from gender bias. "Comment.(UPSC 2013)
27. Critically examine the effect of globalization on the aged population in India.(UPSC 2013)
28. Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in generation of demand for a separate State. Discuss.(UPSC 2013)
29. The Union Cabinet recently cleared the proposal to rename and amend the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. What are the salient features of the proposed amendments?(UPSC 2012)
30. In the context of Assisted Reproductive Technologies, India has emerged as a hub of commercial surrogacy. What key biological, legal and ethical issues merit consideration while framing the regulation to govern surrogacy in India?(UPSC 2012)
31. Discuss the extent, causes, and implications of the 'nutrition transition' said to be underway in India.(UPSC 2011)
32. Bring out the salient features of the PCPNDT Act, 1994, and the implications of its amendment in 2003.(UPSC 2011)

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Notification) UPSC Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination, 2020

No.12/2/2019-E.I(B) : A combined competitive examination for recruitment to Junior Time Scale of the Indian Statistical Service will be held by the Union Public Service Commission commencing from 16th October, 2020 in accordance with the Rules published by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation in the Gazette of India dated the 10th June, 2020.

Post Details:

The Services to which recruitment is to be made on the results of this examination and the approximate number of vacancies in Junior Time Scale of the Services are given below :-

(i) Indian Statistical Service - 47

NOTE : 01 vacancy has been kept reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in the category of Blindness or Low Vision. 

Minimum Educational Qualifications :

A candidate for the Indian Statistical Service must have obtained a Bachelor's Degree with Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics as one of the subject or a Master's degree in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics from a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other Educational Institutes established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or a Foreign University approved by the Central Government from time to time.  

• Medium: ENGLISH
• E-BOOK NAME : YOJANA MAGAZINE PDF -JUL 2020
• Total Pages: 68
• PRICE: 49/- FREE/- (only for few days)
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Content Table

• Ethical Wealth Creation for a Self-Reliant India (Dr Krishnamurthy V Subramanian Surbhi Jain)
• Export Strategy (Dr Ajay Sahai)
• Jam Trinity (Ankita Sharma, Hindol Sengupta)
• Making Farmers Self-Reliant (Dr Jagdeep Saxena)
• Rural Development (Dr Nakul Parashar)
• Resilient Health Systems (Dr Manisha Verma Siddhartha Kumar)
• Effective Reasource Management
• Harnessing Skills of Incoming Migrants (Rajeev Kumar)
• Improving Livelihood Opportunities (Shipra Saxena, Narendra Singh Chouhan)
• Ganthiji's Approach of Self-Reliance (Dr D P Singh, Moni Sahay)
• Swachh and Smart Cities (Dr Krishna Dev)
• Digital Defence Against COVID-19 (Saurabh Gaur Richa Rashmi)
• Technology and Learning (Dr Abhay Kumar)
• Satyajit Ray's Films: Deconstruction of Men and Masculinities (Dr Debjani Halder)

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