Day: January 1, 2019

Topics covered: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent). Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.   Establishing Gas Trading Hub/Exchange in the country   It has been agreed to establish the gas trading hub(s)/exchange(s) in the country wherein the …

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Topics covered: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.   Indo – US 2+2 Dialogue   Content: Recognizing their two countries are strategic partners, major and independent stakeholders in world affairs, the Ministers committed to …

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Topics covered: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Awareness in space.   Space Activities Bill, 2017   What to study? For Prelims and Mains: Key provisions and significance of the bill, the need for legislation on outer space.   Context: The government is …

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Topics covered: Awareness in space.   NASA New Horizons   What to study? For Prelims and Mains: Ultima Thule and New Horizons- Key facts.   Context: On January 1, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft became the first explorer to fly past the mysterious object- Ultima Thule, located some 4 billion miles from Earth. This is a …

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Topics covered: 1.Awareness in space.   NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex   What to study? For Prelims and Mains: OSIRIS-Rex mission and facts on asteroid bennu.   Context: NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex spacecraft has set a new milestone in cosmic exploration by entering orbit around an asteroid, Bennu, the smallest object ever to be circled by a human-made spaceship. Significance: …

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Topics covered: Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate. Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.   Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)   What to study? For Prelims: Key facts on CBD, National Biodiversity Targets, Aichi Targets. For Mains: India’s efforts towards achievement of these targets, challenges ahead and the need for …

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Topics covered: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies …

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Topics covered: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human …

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Topic– Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service , integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections. 8) What is empathy and why is it important in public services. How can we increase empathy among civil servants. Discuss.(250 words) Reference Reference Directive word Discuss- this is an …

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Topic-Part of static series under the heading – “Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service” 7) Many civil servants have left a huge impact in the areas they have worked in. What do you think are the qualities which enable such civil servants to excel? Give an example of a civil servant who inspires you …

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Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. 6) A small cohort of technology firms now guards the door to the modern economy. Discuss why information technology markets of today are highly concentrated. Also discuss the need to adapt our regulatory policies to new business models.(250 words)  Livemint Why this …

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Topic-Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. 5) Repeated loan waivers may be in the interest of political parties but are not in the interest of farmers. Critically examine.(250 words) The hindu Why this question Farm loan waivers introduced recently by several state governments have been criticized time and again on many accounts. It is …

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Topic –  Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. 4) The era of specialisation has its own achievements but it has also created narrow reductionist viewpoints on environment and nature. Comment.(250 words) The hindu Why this question Specialization of fields of education and profession is an ever-growing …

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Topic– Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. 3) Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana has a number of challenges to contend with as it seeks to improve the status of healthcare in India. Discuss.(250 words) Financial express   Why this question The article delves deep into the …

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Topic – India and its bilateral relations 2) The recent political results in Bangladesh will provide a fillip to India Bangladesh bilateral relations. Comment(250 words) Economictimes Why this question The recent elections in Bangladesh will have a bearing on the relationship between India and Bangladesh as has been seen earlier. It is important to understand …

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