RSTV: THE BIG PICTURE – ELECTION COMMISSION: COLLEGIUM SYSTEM & APPOINTMENTS

RSTV: THE BIG PICTURE – ELECTION COMMISSION: COLLEGIUM SYSTEM & APPOINTMENTS Introduction: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear after four weeks a public interest litigation seeking that the chief election commissioner and election commissioners be appointed by a three-member collegium. The collegium will comprise the Prime Minister, the leader of opposition in Lok …

Disha Bill

Topics Covered:Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. Disha Bill What to study? For Prelims: Key features of the bill. For Mains: Significance and the need for the law, issues surrounding death sentence. Context: The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly has passed the Andhra Pradesh Disha Bill, 2019 (Andhra Pradesh Criminal …

Accessible India Campaign

Topics Covered:Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. Accessible India Campaign  What to study? For Prelims and mains: Key features, need for and significance of the scheme. Context: …

Drug prices control order

Topics Covered:Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.   Drug prices control order What to study? For Prelims: About NPPA, DPCO and scheduled drugs. For Mains: Issues involved and the need for drug price monitoring, relevance of DPCO.   Context: National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority …

UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Topics Covered:Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate. UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage What to study? For Prelims: About UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Indian entries in the list, about Reggae. For Mains: Significance of the list and the need for conservation.   Context: UNESCO has recognised the “Nuad” Thai massage …

QUIZ – 2019: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 14 December 2019

QUIZ – 2019: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 14 December 2019   The following quiz will have 5-10 MCQs. The questions are mainly framed from The Hindu and PIB news articles. This quiz is intended to introduce you to concepts and certain important facts relevant to UPSC IAS civil services preliminary exam 2018. It is not …

International Geological Congress

Topics Covered:Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate. International Geological Congress What to study? For Prelims and mains: About IGC- significance. Context: India is gearing up to host the 36th International Geological Congress (IGC) in March, 2020. Key facts: India is the only Asian country to host the event twice. In 1964, India had …

Insights into Editorial: Iraq’s autumn of discontent

Insights into Editorial: Iraq’s autumn of discontent Introduction: Iraq has endured four decades of near ceaseless depredations with three ‘Mother of All Battles’, economic sanctions, occupation, and existential duels with al Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS). Recently, it has been crippled by agitations led by youth railing against an inapt and corrupt leadership. They …

[Insights Secure – 2020] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 14 December 2019

[Insights Secure – 2020] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 14 December 2019 Click on EACH question to post/upload you answers. How to Follow Secure Initiative? How to Self-evaluate your answer?  INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2020: YEARLONG TIMETABLE General Studies – 1 1. “Reservation for Dalits is not to undo economic backwardness, but as remedy for …

Japan has emerged as India’s primary geo-economic partner, at a time of geopolitical uncertainty, if each country were to absorb the best strategic attributes of the other; it would be the best guarantee of peace and prosperity in this half of the world. Explain.

1. Japan has emerged as India’s primary geo-economic partner, at a time of geopolitical uncertainty, if each country were to absorb the best strategic attributes of the other; it would be the best guarantee of peace and prosperity in this half of the world. Explain. Reference: Hindustan Times