I was quite happy to know that India regained its No. 1 spot in the Test Ranking after beating New Zealand by 178 runs in the second Test at Eden Gardens when I heard this news – BCCI is so frust with the Justice Lodha committee’s decisions that it might just cancel the ongoing series against New Zealand.  The risk… Continue reading Lodha Panel v/s BCCI – What’s the fate of India/ NZ series going to be?

The 2016 BRICS summit will be the eighth annual BRICS summit, an international relations conference attended by the heads of state or heads of government of the five member states Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The summit will be held in Panaji, Goa in India, from 15th to 16th October 2016. India will… Continue reading 5 Oct | Explainer: All that you need to know about BRICS

Yesterday came reports that the Lodha committee, angry at the defiance of its recommendations, asked banks to “freeze” BCCI accounts. BCCI countered by saying that this would result in cancellation of the ongoing India-New Zealand series due to lack of funds. Do you think that Lodha committee over-reacted and is a pattern of SC exceeding its… Continue reading 5 Oct 2016 | DEBATE: Lodha Committee freezes BCCI accounts

GS1 (Consolidation within the country) India is a land of diversity. People speak different languages, have different beliefs etc, but are still united as Indians. What are the factors responsible for this unity? Demand – Explain elements which unite India and build a common identity. Approach – – Brief mention of differences (2 marks) – Historical, cultural… Continue reading 5 Oct 2016 | Target Mains: GS Questions & DNA Framework

GS4 (Case study) A member of your team has to take frequent leaves due to the health problems of her child. This results in more work load on her team members leading to anger. The team member is otherwise an ideal employee. How would you deal with this situation if you were the manager of… Continue reading 5 Oct 2016 | GS4 | A member of your team has to take frequent leaves due to the health problems of her child. This results in more work load on her team members leading to anger. The team member is otherwise an ideal employee. How would you deal with this situation if you were the manager of this team?

GS3 (Indian economy) Countries such as China have used SEZ’s to develop manufacturing zones and promote exports. What has India’s experience been with SEZ’s? What are the reasons for their success or failure? Best answer Aman Chauhan wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 5/10 (if the best answer is an… Continue reading 5 Oct 2016 | GS3 | Countries such as China have used SEZ’s to develop manufacturing zones and promote exports. What has India’s experience been with SEZ’s? What are the reasons for their success or failure?

GS2 (Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies) There are many regulatory bodies in India, such as SEBI, TRAI etc. Why are they necessary? Discuss issues relating to their independence given that the government appoints their heads and there may be a conflict of interest. Best answer Ashutosh Namdeo wrote the best answer for this question… Continue reading 5 Oct 2016 | GS2 | There are many regulatory bodies in India, such as SEBI, TRAI etc. Why are they necessary? Discuss issues relating to their independence given that the government appoints their heads and there may be a conflict of interest.

GS1 (Consolidation within the country) India is a land of diversity. People speak different languages, have different beliefs etc, but are still united as Indians. What are the factors responsible for this unity? Best answer Shashank Pander wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4/10 (if the best answer is an… Continue reading 5 Oct 2016 | GS1 | India is a land of diversity. People speak different languages, have different beliefs etc, but are still united as Indians. What are the factors responsible for this unity?

I will maintain a link list of all post written under this theme, here –  #1. Indian Agriculture 101 – What’s NPF, PMKSY, CCEA and CACP? #2. Indian Agriculture 102 – India’s Green Revolution and National Food Security Mission #3. Indian Agriculture 103 – What is Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) and is it any good? #4. Indian Agriculture… Continue reading First timers to IAS Prep? Prepare Indian Agriculture for GS Mains with me!

Dummy's guide to mastering Indian Agriculture for GS Mains. First post on the economics and policies around Indian Agriculture in India

[Update] Starting today, we have launched a Daily Debate Module – CD Pe Charcha Hi, after more than a month of 4 GS questions everyday, and with a great response from people we would like some feedback. Here are some questions for you, please leave the feedback in the comments. 1. Is the DNA (the Demand and… Continue reading [IMP] Feedback on Target Mains Initiative

GS1 (Indian Geography) The IMD recently got its forecast for this year wrong. India will now get 3% less rain than normal. What are the phenomena that result in variations in Indian monsoon. Demand – Discuss all phenomena which can bring variations in monsoon such as La Nina etc. Approach – – Discuss Indian monsoon (4… Continue reading 4 Oct 2016 | Target Mains: GS Questions & DNA Framework

GS4 (Ethics in public administration) “Living up to the public trust is much more than just an act of compliance”. Explain with suitable examples. Best answer Kunal Aggarwal wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here, hence scroll down… Continue reading 4 Oct 2016 | GS4 | “Living up to the public trust is much more than just an act of compliance”. Explain with suitable examples.

GS3 (Disaster and disaster management) Pakistan has threatened first use of its nuclear weapons in the case of war with India. Throughout the 20th century the US and USSR did everything possible to avoid using nuclear weapons. What damage would nuclear weapons result in? How would we contain such damage? Best answer Simran Bains wrote the… Continue reading 4 Oct 2016 | GS3 | Pakistan has threatened first use of its nuclear weapons in the case of war with India. Throughout the 20th century the US and USSR did everything possible to avoid using nuclear weapons. What damage would nuclear weapons result in? How would we contain such damage?

GS2 (Government policies) The government announced that it has gotten almost USD 10 billion in the recent Income Declaration Scheme. What is this scheme? Is this only a short term measure? Best answer Aman Chauhan wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 5/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot… Continue reading 4 Oct 2016 | GS2 | The government announced that it has gotten almost USD 10 billion in the recent Income Declaration Scheme. What is this scheme? Is this only a short term measure?

GS1 (Indian Geography) The IMD recently got its forecast for this year wrong. India will now get 3% less rain than normal. What are the phenomena that result in variations in Indian monsoon. Best answer Shashank Pander wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4/10 (if the best answer is an… Continue reading 4 Oct 2016 | GS1 | The IMD recently got its forecast for this year wrong. India will now get 3% less rain than normal. What are the phenomena that result in variations in Indian monsoon.

If op-eds are like human beings then I mostly find that environment op-eds are like ARTS students and economics op-eds are like ENGINEERS. Confused Billi for one, is an engineer by training. Why I make such an observation is because I always felt that environmentalists are rarely bothered about the developmental concerns. And the thing is that… Continue reading Do you also find E&B op-eds boring? Me too but I found an interesting one!

GS1 (Indian geography) India is a rich source of renewable energy. What are these sources and what are the geographic factors which make it so rich? Demand – Discuss sources of energy such as solar, wind etc and why India is rich in them. Approach – What are the sources of renewable energy? (4 marks)… Continue reading 3 Oct 2016 | Target Mains: GS Questions & DNA Framework

GS1 (Indian Geography) India is a rich source of renewable energy. What are these sources and what are the geographic factors which make it so rich? Best answer Rahul Jain wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 5/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here,… Continue reading 3 Oct 2016 | GS 1 | India is a rich source of renewable energy. What are these sources and what are the geographic factors which make it so rich?

GS2 (International relations) The recent surgical strikes by India in PoK mark a watershed moment in India’s Pakistan policy. Critically comment. Best answer Kunal Aggarwal wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 5/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here, hence scroll down to see… Continue reading 3 Oct 2016 | GS2 | The recent surgical strikes by India in PoK mark a watershed moment in India’s Pakistan policy. Critically comment.