Insights into Editorial: Delhi air pollution: Why graded action is a good idea, but tough to implement

    Insights into Editorial: Delhi air pollution: Why graded action is a good idea, but tough to implement   Summary: The EPCA, empowered by the Centre to roll out the graded response action against air pollution in Delhi and NCR towns, may come out with the first set of directives shortly. The union Environment …

AIR Brief: Prime Minister’s address at Indian Science Congress

    AIR Brief: Prime Minister’s address at Indian Science Congress Introduction The 104th edition of Indian Science Congress was held recently at Tirupati. This year the theme of the congress is “Science and Technology for National Development”. Prime Minister addressed the issue of infrastructure and investment. He said that tomorrow’s experts will come from …

AIR spotlight summary on “Election Commissions proposal against 200 nonexistent political parties”.

Election Commissions proposal against 200 nonexistent political parties Introduction The Election Commission of India (ECI) is proposing to Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to delist 200 political parties. Election Commission has been saying from quite some time that it needs to be equipped and given more teeth to deal with the issue of delisting …

Lok Sabha TV- Public Forum: Promoting Scientific Excellence

    Lok Sabha TV- Public Forum: Promoting Scientific Excellence   https://youtu.be/XwDaXXRM_bE Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi inaugurated the 104th Indian Science Congress recently in Tirupati. Tirupati was hosting the Science Congress for the second time, the first being in 1983. While addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister spoke at length about scientific excellence and …

Last Lap : Preparing for the Interview – By Artika Shukla IAS, Rank 4 CSE-2015

    Last Lap : Preparing for the Interview – By Artika Shukla IAS, Rank 4 CSE-2015   “Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.” – Shel Silverstein   …

[Insights Secure – 2017] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Affairs: 18 January 2017

[Insights Secure – 2017] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Affairs: 18 January 2017 Click on EACH question to post/read  answers. General Studies – 1; Topic: Role of women; Social empowerment 1) In India violence against women in various forms has continued unabated. What are the economic costs of violence against women? Critically examine. (200 Words) Livemint …

9) The US President Obama has decided to commute sentences of a person who had leaked sensitive national security information to Wikileaks. Critically examine what impact does pardon, clemency or commutation of sentences will have on convicted individuals? Also justify whether these actions are ethical or not.

Topic: Ethics in human actions 9) The US President Obama has decided to commute sentences of a person who had leaked sensitive national security information to Wikileaks. Critically examine what impact does pardon, clemency or commutation of sentences will have on convicted individuals? Also justify whether these actions are ethical or not. (150 Words) NYTimes NYTimes

7) A flurry of videos has emerged in the social media in recent days showing jawans of both the paramilitary forces and the Army complaining against a host of issues from diet to colonial-era practices. Analyse these issues. Also comment critically how these complaining jawans should be treated by the military and government.

Topic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate 7) A flurry of videos has emerged in the social media in recent days showing jawans of both the paramilitary forces and the Army complaining against a host of issues from diet to colonial-era practices. Analyse these issues. Also comment critically how these complaining jawans should be …

6) The Goods and Services Tax Council has made some breakthroughs on outstanding negotiables that were holding up the introduction of the indirect tax regime. What are these breakthroughs? Discuss their significance.

Topic: Resource mobilization 6) The Goods and Services Tax Council has made some breakthroughs on outstanding negotiables that were holding up the introduction of the indirect tax regime. What are these breakthroughs? Discuss their significance. (200 Words) The Hindu

5) Critically examine various views of the Supreme Court on the precondition of “sanction” for prosecution of a public servant under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, 1988. Also comment how these views have impacted fight against corruption among public servants.

Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, 5) Critically examine various views of the Supreme Court on the precondition of “sanction” for prosecution of a public servant under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, 1988. Also comment how these views have impacted fight against corruption among public servants. (200 Words) The Indian …

4) What is an orphan drug? It is said that there is a need for a nationwide policy on the treatment of rare diseases that incentivizes the development of orphan drugs. Elaborate.

Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, 4) What is an orphan drug? It is said that there is a need for a nationwide policy on the treatment of rare diseases that incentivizes the development of orphan drugs. Elaborate. (200 Words) Livemint

3) In your opinion, how should Trump try to resolve Afghanistan problem? In the light of an assessment of Obama’s Afghanistan policy, discuss critically. Also discuss what role could India play in Afghanistan during Trump Presidency.

Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. 3) In your opinion, how should Trump try to resolve Afghanistan problem? In the light of an assessment of Obama’s  Afghanistan policy, discuss critically. Also discuss what role could India play in Afghanistan during Trump Presidency. (200 Words) The Hindu …