Note4Student: UDAN (‘Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik’) is a first-of-its-kind scheme globally to stimulate regional connectivity through a market-based mechanism. It is also linked to UPSC mains Syllabus (Infrastructure). Every year UPSC is asking 1-2 questions on infrastructure related issues. Therefore, this scheme is important for the exam. Need for schemes like Udan: There are… Continue reading UDAN scheme : Opportunities and Challenges

Note4Students As the focus of the Government is on black money, looking at agriculture for enhanced tax collection appears a logical corollary. This issue is definitely politically sensitive with several vested interests involved. The Government has been bold enough to operate the National Agricultural Market which breaks the traditional stronghold. The next step would be… Continue reading Should Agriculture be taxed

Note4Students: High speed rail is one of the most ambitious project of the Modi Government. It is also related to Infrastructure topic in the GS paper 3 Context The government of India recently decided to build a high-speed rail (HSR) corridor between Mumbai and Ahmadabad at a cost of Rs 97,636 crore with Japanese financial… Continue reading Do India require High speed rail

Note4Students: Cashless Economy has been in news frequently since Government has taken number of initiatives in last few years to promote cashless transaction. This makes it a probable topic for mains 2017 Introduction India continues to be driven by the use of cash; less than 5% of all payments happen electronically however the finance minister,… Continue reading All about Cashless Economy

Note4Students The Cabinet recently approved the disinvestment plan for Air India and its five subsidiaries. It is being seen as Government’s one of the boldest reform moves till date. The Government is hopeful that the decision will attract a positive response and will revive Air India. The carrier has already been surviving on a bailout… Continue reading Air India disinvestment: Need & Challenges

Attempt the questions individually by clicking on them. Q.1) What hurdles exist in making India a cashless economy? Discuss benefits of becoming a cashless economy and suggest how government can speed of this transformation. Source: https://www.civilsdaily.com/story/cashless-society/ Answer: A cashless economy is one in which all the transactions are done using cards or digital means. The circulation of… Continue reading 10 Sep 2017 | Target Mains | 3rd Weekly Test

Q.12) A state was affected by an unprecedented flood which has caused wide spread damage to infrastructure and loss of private properties. Almost 10,000 (Ten thousand) people were washed away in the flood. After the flood, epidemic engulfed the state. The local people experienced the livelihood problems. State bureaucracy was badly demoralized due to apparent… Continue reading 10 Sep 2017 | Target Mains | Question 12

Q.10) Judicial activism and judicial overreach are separated by very thin line, and the judiciary has to be careful of it. If that line is crossed, judicial activism may be considered an encroachment on legislature? Discuss. Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/judicial-overreach-it-s-the-order-of-the-day/story-a24UnXJ2AST3aAxqnES39H.html http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/Judicial-activism-romanticism-amp-overreach/article15177963.ece

Q.9) The Union cabinet’s decision to merge-and-consolidate India’s public sector banks (PSUs) is in direct opposition to the post-2008-crisis consensus that big banks are a systemic risk to their national economies. In the light of the above statement discuss the pros and cons of merger of Banks in India? Source: https://thewire.in/173425/bank-mergers-risky-crisis-imf-india/ http://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/will-a-merger-of-banks-lead-to-too-big-to-fail/308004/  

Q.8) What do you understand by Fake news. Discuss its dangers in multi-cultural and democratic country like India.  What needs to be done to prevent this phenomenon? Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-40657074 http://www.firstpost.com/india/how-alt-news-is-trying-to-take-on-the-fake-news-ecosystem-in-india-3513879.html

Q.6) “Transgender Rights Bill 2016 is grossly ignorant of the very issues it is attempting to address” Critically comment. Source:  http://www.prsindia.org/billtrack/the-transgender-persons-protection-of-rights-bill-2016-4360/ http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/transgender-bill-does-not-address-important-issues-parliamentary-panel/story-kXubecBoWjC6dZH9AGL22L.html

Q.4) The government’s idea of providing proxy voting rights to NRIs is seen as a historic decision in the field of providing voting rights to its citizens. Discuss the pros and cons of this decision. Source:  http://indianexpress.com/article/india/government-clears-proxy-vote-move-for-nris-4779759/ https://thewire.in/165868/nri-proxy-voting/

Q.3) It is commented that Criminal defamation law have a chilling effect on freedom of expression. In the light of the above statement do you think that Criminal defamation should be amended. Critically comment. Source: http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/simply-put-the-what-why-of-defamation/ http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/explained-supreme-court-verdict-on-defamation-law-its-implications/story-sCH7oeumka5daGHJGp5u9L.html

Q.2) Discuss the salient features of the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016? It is considered that the bill will provide women with much needed work life balance. Critically analyse. Source: http://www.prsindia.org/billtrack/the-maternity-benefit-amendment-bill-2016-4370/

Q.1)  What hurdles exist in making India a cashless economy? Discuss benefits of becoming a cashless economy and suggest how government can speed of this transformation.

Q.1) Do you think failure of SAARC can be offset by a strong BIMSTEC? Critically comment. Source: http://www.indiaglobalbusiness.indiaincorporated.com/bimstec-viable-alternative-saarc/ http://www.livemint.com/Politics/4JsOSUC4N81BK0T7zNYecK/Why-is-Bimstec-so-important-for-India.html The cancellation of SAARC summit at the behest of growing bilateral differences between India and Pakistan has reinvigorated the potential of BIMSTEC to take forward the geo-politic discourse in the subcontinent. The South Asian regional cooperation and… Continue reading 3 Sep 2017 | Target Mains | 2nd Weekly Test

Video Explainers:   Q.1) Supreme court recently ruled that privacy was part of the fundamental right to life and personal liberty guaranteed to all citizens under Article 21 of the Constitution. Critically examine the significance of this Judgement and its consequences on various contemporary bills, statues and laws. Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/what-happens-to-aadhaar-section-377/articleshow/60217328.cms http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/privacy-verdict-to-have-some-bearing-in-beef-ban-matters-supreme-court-1742200 https://www.thequint.com/india/2017/08/25/key-points-of-right-to-privacy-judgment A nine-judge Constitution Bench… Continue reading [Answers + Video Explainers] 27 Aug 2017 | Target Mains | 1st Weekly Test