GS2 (International Relations) What is the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)? What is it’s importance for Pakistan and China? What are India’s views on it?

GS1 (Culture) The general perception of heritage in India is biased towards historical monuments, artifacts and scriptures. Analyze the reasons for such a perception and suggest a broad framework of scope of what heritage should constitute with reasons. For understanding how to answer this questions, see these pointers by K Siddhartha. Here is a video… Continue reading 14 Nov 2016 | GS1 | The general perception of heritage in India is biased towards historical monuments, artifacts and scriptures. Analyze the reasons for such a perception and suggest a broad framework of scope of what heritage should constitute with reasons.

The only meaning of success is living your life the way you want to. Instructions: Write the following essay in 1000-1200 words. Read this post to understand the main points for this topic. The video below contains some discussion about the essay.

Air pollution has been a constant news theme over the last two weeks. The other few being – Debate on banning of 500, 1000 rupee notes & Ease of business to some extent. We will start this write up by quickly introducing the basics of AQI (Air Quality Index) and what it measures: Here are two… Continue reading Anthropogenic & Natural Causes of Air Pollution in Delhi | Special Note on Farmers Issue of Straw Burning

GS4 (Ethics) Should our decisions be judged only according to the circumstances? Are our intentions also important? Discuss with the help of examples.

GS3 (Economics) Capitalism has guided the world economy to unprecedented prosperity. However, it often encourages shortsightedness and contributes to wide disparities between the rich and the poor. In this light, would it be correct to believe and adopt capitalism driving inclusive growth in India? Discuss. (Previous Year UPSC 2014 Question)

GS2 (Water disputes) Recently there have been many instances  of disputes over river water not only inside India, e.g. Karnataka-Tamil Nadu, Punjab-Haryana, but also between India and her neighbours such as Pakistan and China. Why do such disputes arise? Are these disputes increasing or have such problems always been present?

GS1 (Communalism) Communalism is a social problem which has socio-economic causes and which has socio-economic solutions. Critically comment

GS4 (Case Study) You are a brand manager in a fast growing food product company. Lately you and your colleagues have been assigned a project where you to have to form a branding strategy for a new product. The highlight of the product is that it contains lesser calories and is directed towards the new… Continue reading 11 Nov 2016 | GS4 | You are a brand manager in a fast growing food product company. Lately you and your colleagues have been assigned a project where you to have to form a branding strategy for a new product. The highlight of the product is that it contains lesser calories and is directed towards the new generation who are facing obesity related problems. However, you have come to know that there is a catch. The product contains an artificial low calorie sugar, which has been reported to cause severe health problems.

GS3 (Indian Economy) India’s exports have fallen for almost 2 years now. What are the reasons for such a contraction? What measures has the government taken to improve the situation?

GS2 (Polity and Governance) Recently the government has demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. The government has said that the decision will help combat terror financing and corruption. Explain how demonetisation will help achieve each of these objectives. What are the costs of the demonetisation?

GS1 (Indian Society) Critics point out that India’s population control policy is soft towards the male participant, which has led to many negative implication for women. Highlight those implications and also point out what changes are required in India’s population policy.

source In April 2016, there were more than 20 million cases pending in the Indian districts courts; two-thirds were criminal cases. 1 in 10 have been pending for more than 10 years. That means 10% cases have > 10 years of backlog! Shortage of judges in the judicial system is not the only reason for mounting pendency of cases… Continue reading What are the reasons for Judicial Pendency & What are the reforms needed?

GS4 (Ethics) Mahatma Gandhi once said “If, instead of insisting on rights, everyone does his duty, there will immediately be the rule of order established among mankind”. Do you agree with this? What does mean in today’s world?

GS3 (Science and Technology) Despite government’ s focus on the food processing industry, statistics show that many of the mega food parks announced by government have either not been opened or are on verge of shutdown. Analyse the factors for this trend and suggest what needs to be done?

GS2 (Polity and Governance) Indian prisons have been suffering from overcrowding of prisons, with a large number of undertrials. Discuss the causes for the same, the consequences and the measures needed to decongest the prisons in India.

GS1 (World History) The collapse of Soviet Union coincided with the collapse of Communism as a concept. What factors were responsible for the collapse of communism in Soviet Union and why it still does not survive in many places in the world? For a background/discussion of the topic, read this blog by K Siddhartha.

source Understanding Demonetization Demonetization is the act of stripping a currency unit of its status as legal tender. Demonetization is necessary (this happened when Euro was introduced) whenever there is a change of national currency. The old unit of currency must be retired and replaced with a new currency unit. What is legal tender? The coins… Continue reading Rs 500-1,000 notes ban: Understand Demonetization & link JAM Trinity with this announcement on curbing Black Money

GS4 (Case Study) Trupti and Pallavi are two college-friends working in the same project in a reputed Information Technology company. Both are hardworking employees and their friendship is quite strong. One late evening, while leaving office, Pallavi saw Trupti taking printouts of the software code being developed by the team. The company has strict rules… Continue reading 9 Nov 2016 | GS4 | Trupti and Pallavi are two college-friends working in the same project in a reputed Information Technology company. Both are hardworking employees and their friendship is quite strong. One late evening, while leaving office, Pallavi saw Trupti taking printouts of the software code being developed by the team.

GS3 (Agriculture) The future of India’s food security lies in genetically modified crops. Critically comment on the statement in the light of the recent GM Mustard issue.