Month: May 2019

Topic: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration. 7) Examine the relevance of Probity and Integrity to civil services. Justify your answer using a suitable case study. (250 words) Ethics by Lexicon publications   Why this question: The question is from the static portions of the syllabus, it aims to evaluate the significance of …

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Topic:  Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life 6) “The fear of AI and autonomous machines as a threat to humanity is misguided.” Critically analyse the statement with respect to the Indian Scenario.(250 words) Livemint Why this question: The article captures effects of digitization on Jobs, it critically analyses whether …

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Topic :Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. 5) What is gene editing, should it be allowed? Give your opinion while you weigh the associated pros and cons.(250 words)   Why this question: The question is to evaluate the pros and cons of the concept of gene editing. …

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Topic:    Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. 4) What do you understand by Biotherapeutic medicines? Elaborate on the need for guidelines to regulate the accessibility and affordability of this new class of medicines. (250 words) The hindu   Why this question: The article discusses in detail upon …

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Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations. 2) Discuss in detail the issue of displacement of Rohingya community. What are controversies associated and highlight role of India in addressing the issue. (250 words) The hindu   Why this question: The article discusses the case of Rohingya repatriation in detail. It narrates briefly the issue on a broader …

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Topic:   Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. 1) Discuss in detail the doctrine of hot pursuit which emerged as an exception to the fundamental principle of freedom of the high seas. (250 words) The hindu   Why this question: Recently Heroin worth ₹600 crore were seized …

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Topic covered: Conservation related issues.   Effects of plastics on environment   What to study? For prelims and mains: effects of plastics on the environment and the need for global consensus on limiting its use.   Context: Newly published research calculates that across their lifecycle, plastics account for 3.8 per cent of global greenhouse gas …

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Topic covered: Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.   WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism   What to study? For prelims: WTOs dispute settlement mechanism- objectives, how it operates? For mains: issues associated and the need for reforms.   Context: The World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) dispute settlement mechanism is going through a “crisis”: the …

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Topic covered: Conservation and pollution related issues.   ‘Room for the River’ project   What to study? For prelims and mains: key features and significance of the project.   Context: At his recent European tour, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had made a stop at Noordward in the Netherlands, the site of the ‘Room for …

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Topics Covered: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies. Transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.   Competition Commission of India (CCI)   What to study? For prelims: objectives, composition and functions of CCI. For mains: issues associated with its functioning and the need for reforms. …

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Topic covered: Awareness in space.   RISAT-2B   What to study? For prelims and mains: key features, objectives and significance of the mission.   Context: ISRO successfully launched radar imaging satellite RISAT-2B on-board PSLV-C46 from Sriharikota. RISAT-2B was placed into an orbit of 555 km with an inclination of 37 degree to the equator. This …

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Topic covered: economics of animal-rearing.   Ongole cattle   What to study? For prelims and mains: Ongole cattle- significance and the need for conservation.   Context: Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu has called for protecting Ongole cattle breed.   About Ongole cattle: It is an indigenous cattle breed that originates from Prakasam District …

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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. 7) Define the terms – Sympathy, Empathy and compassion. How are they different from each other? Justify with suitable examples.(250 words) Ethics by Lexicon publications   Why this question: The …

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