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Author: CD Staff

  • [RSTV Archive] UNSC Presidency: India’s Agenda

    India has assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of August and is set to organise key events in three major areas of maritime security, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism. In this article we will discuss and analyse all aspects of this issue.

    Key agendas on the table

    During its Presidency, India will be organizing high-level signature events in three major areas:

    • Maritime security
    • Peacekeeping and
    • Counterterrorism

    However, in the closed meeting, Afghanistan is the first item on the agenda of the Security Council.

    About United Nations Security Council

    • The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security.
    • Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization of military action through Security Council resolutions.
    • It is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.
    • The Security Council consists of fifteen members. Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, and the United States—serve as the body’s five permanent members (P5).
    • These permanent members can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of new member states or candidates for Secretary-General.
    • The Security Council also has 10 non-permanent members, elected on a regional basis to serve two-year terms. The body’s presidency rotates monthly among its members.

    India and UNSC Presidentship

    • This is India’s eighth tenure as a non-permanent member in UNSC.
    • India had been elected as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85, 1991-92 and 2011-12.
    • Each non-permanent member gets the opportunity to operate as president of the UN Security Council during the two years it is part of the grouping.
    • The presidency of UNSC changes hands every month between its members in the English alphabetical order of the member states’ names.
    • India will be in line for the presidency again in December 2022.

    Powers of the UNSC President

    • The presidency derives responsibility from the Provisional Rules of Procedure of the UNSC’s practice.
    • The holder of the presidency is considered to be the ‘face’ and spokesperson of the UNSC.
    • The UNSC president is also authorized to issue both presidential statements (subject to consensus among Council members) and notes, which are used to make declarations of intent that the full Security Council can then pursue.

    Responsibilities of the UNSC president include:

    • Calling meetings of the UN Security Council
    • Appealing to parties in a conflict to “exercise restraint”
    • Reading statements of the UN Security Council to the press
    • Approving provisional agenda (proposed by the secretary-general)
    • Presiding at UNSC meetings and deciding questions relating to policy and overseeing any crisis

    Issues with UNSC

    (1) Non-representative

    • UNSC in its current form is not representative of the developing world and global needs — with the primacy of policy being a political tool in hands of P5.
    • By 1992, India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan (referred as G4) had put up their claims and logic for demanding inclusion as permanent members.
    • India has been part of UN since its inception and has contributed maximum peacekeepers to UN so far, has a strong case.
    • Brazil is the largest country in Latin America (unrepresented continent) and fifth-largest in the world. Japan and Germany are one of the largest financial donors to UN.

    (2) Rivalry with G4

    • The pitch for reforms of G4 was lowered by their regional rivals like Italy, Pakistan, Mexico and Egypt.
    • They started formulation of another interest group, known to be “Uniting for Consensus” opposing G4 becoming permanent members with veto power.

    (3) Rigid framework

    • Reforms in the UNSC also require an amendment to the UN charter, in accordance with Article 108.
    • This highlights that any reform of the Security Council not only requires the support of at least two-thirds of UN member states but also all the permanent members.

    (4) Veto power

    • The stance of P5 members to expansion has been varying as per their national interest, like most P5 members agree to Indian inclusion, except China.
    • It becomes obvious that even if one member of P5 doesn’t agree to any reform, the UNSC cannot be reformed.
    • There have been many proposals since its inception from totally abolishing veto power to selectively using it for vital national security issues.

    (5) No consensus

    • It has been seen in past that the UNSC, in some of the major global security issues, could not arrive at a consensus and interventions that happened by countries mainly from P5 without UNSC resolution.
    • US entry in Iraq war or Warsaw Pact war in Afghanistan are few cases in point.
    • The UNSC has thus become an organization, which can pass strong resolutions against weak countries, weak resolutions against strong countries and no resolution against P5 countries.

    Suggested reforms

    • Expansion: Besides the existing P5 members, an expansion of UNSC from five to 10 permanent members, with the addition of G4 and South Africa. This will provide equitable regional representation besides balancing the developing and developed world to meet the aspirations of humanity.
    • Abolition of veto: The expansion of P5 without veto power makes very little impact on the problems, because of which the reforms are required. Ideally the veto power should be abolished.

    Conclusion

    • Under the given charter, articles and structures, there is very little hope for UNSC reforms in near future.
    • The lack of reforms can push the credibility crisis of UN to a degree that it becomes unsustainable for it to function, or incidences of side-lining the UN increase manifold.
    • If the UNSC does not appoint new permanent members then its primacy may be challenged by some of the new emerging countries.
    • There is also a possibility that if UN doesn’t reform itself, it may lose relevance and alternate global and regional groupings may assume greater importance.
    • No P5 member is likely to compromise this power in its own national interest, which is generally prioritized before global interest, thus making the reformation process a mirage.

  • Socio-Cultural Reform Movements and Leaders

    05th Aug, 2021
     
     

    (1) Raja Rammohan Roy and Brahmo Samaj

    • Raja Rammohan Roy (1772-1833) is often called the the ‘father of Indian Renaissance’ and the maker of Modern India.
    • His writings: Gift to Monotheists (1809) and translated the Vedas and the five Upanishads into Bengali to prove his conviction that ancient Hindu texts support monotheism.
    • In 1814, he set up the Atmiya Sabha in Calcutta to propagate the monotheistic ideals of the Vedanta and to campaign against idolatry, caste rigidities, meaningless rituals and other social ills.
    • Strongly influenced by rationalist ideas, he declared that Vedanta is based on reason and that, if reason demanded it, even a departure from the scriptures is justified.
    • In his Precepts of Jesus (1820), he tried to separate the moral and philosophical message of the New Testament, which he praised, from its miracle stories.
    • Raja Rammohan Roy founded the Brahmo Sabha in August 1828; it was later renamed Brahmo Samaj.
    • The Samaj was committed to – “the worship and adoration of the Eternal, Unsearchable, Immutable Being who is the Author and Preserver of the Universe”.
    • Forms of worship: Prayers, meditation and readings of the Upanishads and complete absence of graven image, statue or sculpture, carving, painting, picture, portrait, etc.,
    • Long-term agenda of the Brahmo Samaj – to purify Hinduism and to preach monotheism—was based on the twin pillars of reason and the Vedas and Upanishads.
    • The Samaj also tried to incorporate teachings of other religions and kept its emphasis on human dignity, opposition to idolatry and criticism of social evils such as sati.
    • Roy’s progressive ideas met with strong opposition from orthodox elements like Raja Radhakant Deb who organised the Dharma Sabha to counter Brahmo Samaj propaganda.

    Truth and Virtue do not necessarily belong to wealth and Power and distinctions of big mansions.

    – Raja Rammohan Roy

    Features of Brahmo Samaj

    • it denounced polytheism and idol worship;
    • it discarded faith in divine avataras (incarnations);
    • it denied that any scripture could enjoy the status of ultimate authority transcending human reason and conscience;
    • it took no definite stand on the doctrine of karma and transmigration of soul and left it to individual Brahmos to believe either way;
    • it criticized the caste system. His ideas and activities were also aimed at political uplift of the masses through social reform and, to that extent, can be said to have had nationalist undertones.

    Raja Rammohan Roy’s Efforts at Social Reform

    • He was a determined crusader against the inhuman practice of sati. He started his anti-sati struggle in 1818 and he cited sacred texts to prove his contention.
    • His efforts were rewarded by the Government Regulation in 1829 which declared the practice of sati a crime.
    • He condemned the general subjugation of women. He attacked polygamy and the degraded state of widows and demanded the right of inheritance and property for women.
    • He supported David Hare’s efforts to found the Hindu College in 1817, while Roy’s English school taught mechanics and Voltaire’s philosophy.
    • In 1825, he established a Vedanta college where courses in both Indian learning and Western social and physical sciences were offered.
    • He also helped enrich the Bengali language by compiling a Bengali grammar book and evolving a modern elegant prose style.
    • Rammohan was a gifted linguist. He knew more than a dozen languages including Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, English, French, Latin, Greek and Hebrew.
    • Roy brought out journals in Bengali, Hindi, English, Persian to educate and inform the public and represent their grievances before the government.
    • Roy condemned oppressive practices of Bengali zamindars and demanded fixation of maximum rents, abolition of taxes on tax-free lands, judicial equality between Indians and Europeans and that trial be held by jury.
    • He called for a reduction of export duties on Indian goods abroad and abolition of the East India Company’s trading rights, the Indianisation of superior services and separation of the executive from the judiciary.
    • Roy had David Hare, Alexander Duff, Debendranath Tagore, P.K. Tagore, Chandrashekhar Deb and Tarachand Chakraborty as his associates.

    Keshab Chandra Sen and the Brahmo Samaj

    • Keshab Chandra Sen (1838-1884) was made the acharya by Debendranath Tagore in 1858.
    • He was instrumental in popularizing the movement, and branches of the Samaj were opened outside Bengal—in the United Provinces, Punjab, Bombay, Madras and other towns.
    • Debendranath did not Sen’s radical ideas, such as cosmopolitanisation of the Samaj’s meetings by inclusion of teachings from all religions and his strong views against the caste system even open support to inter-caste marriages. Keshab Chandra Sen was dismissed from the office of acharya in 1865.
    • Keshab and his followers founded the Brahmo Samaj of India in 1866, while Debendranath Tagore’s Samaj came to be known as the Adi Brahmo Samaj.
    • After 1878, the disgusted followers of Keshab set up a new organisation, the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj. The Sadharan Brahmo Samaj was started by Ananda Mohan Bose, Shibchandra Deb and Umesh Chandra Datta.
    • It reiterated the Brahmo doctrines of faith in a Supreme being, one God, the belief that no scripture or man is infallible, belief in the dictates of reason, truth and morality. A number of Brahmo centres were opened in Madras province.
    • In Punjab, the Dayal Singh Trust opened of Dayal Singh College at Lahore in 1910 to implant Brahmo ideas.

    (2) Prarthana Samaj

    • In 1867, Keshab Chandra Sen helped Atmaram Pandurang found the Prarthana Samaj in Bombay.
    • A precursor of the Prarthana Samaj was the Paramahansa Sabha, something like a secret society to spread liberal ideas and encourage the breakdown of caste and communal barriers.
    • Mahadeo Govind Ranade (1842-1901), joined the samaj in 1870. Other leaders of the samaj were G. Bhandarkar (1837- 1925) and N.G. Chandavarkar (1855-1923).
    • The Prarthana Sabha was very attached to the bhakti cult of Maharashtra.
    • Four-point social agenda

    (i) disapproval of caste system,

    (ii) women’s education,

    (iii) widow remarriage, and

    (iv) raising the age of marriage for both males and females.

    • Dhondo Keshav Karve and Ranade founded the Widow Remarriage Movement as well as Widows’ Home Association with the aim of providing education and training to widows.

    (3) Young Bengal Movement and Henry Vivian Derozio

    • A young Anglo-Indian, Henry Vivian Derozio (1809-31), who taught at the Hindu College, was the leader and inspirer of the progressive, radical, intellectual trend among the youth in Bengal trend.
    • Derozio inspired his pupils to think freely and rationally, question all authority, love liberty, equality and freedom, and oppose decadent customs and traditions.
    • The Derozians also supported women’s rights and education. Also, Derozio was perhaps the first nationalist poet of modern India.
    • Derozio was removed from the Hindu College in 1831 because of his radicalism.
    • Reason for limited success – the prevailing social conditions at that time, which were not ripe for the adoption of radical ideas and no support from any other social group or class.
    • The Derozians lacked any real link with the masses; for instance, they failed to take up the peasants’ cause.
    • Demands: induction of Indians in higher grades of services, protection of ryots from oppressive zamindars, better treatment to Indian labor abroad in British colonies, revision of the Company’s charter, freedom of press and trial by jury.
    • Surendranath Banerjea described the Derozians as ‘the pioneers of the modern civilization of Bengal, the conscript fathers of our race whose virtues will excite veneration and whose failings will be treated with gentlest consideration’.

    (4) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

    • Vidyasagar’s ideas were a happy blend of Indian and Western thought. He believed in high moral values, was a deep humanist and was generous to the poor.
    • In 1850, he became the principal of Sanskrit College and opened the Sanskrit College to non-Brahmins.
    • Vidyasagar started a movement in support of widow remarriage which resulted in legalization of widow remarriage. He was also a crusader against child marriage and polygamy.
    • He did much for the cause of women’s education. As government inspector of schools, he helped organize thirty five girls’ schools many of which he ran at his own expense.
    • As secretary of Bethune School (established in 1849, Calcutta), he was one of the pioneers of higher education for women in India.

    (5) Balshastri Jambhekar

    • Balshastri Jambhekar (1812-1846) was a pioneer of social reform through journalism in Bombay; he attacked brahminical orthodoxy and tried to reform popular Hinduism.
    • Newspaper: Darpan (1832).
    • Known as the father of Marathi journalism. In 1840, he started Digdarshan which published articles on scientific subjects as well as history.
    • Jambhekar founded the Bombay Native General Library and started the Native Improvement Society of which an offshoot was the Students Literary and Scientific Library.
    • He was the first professor of Hindi at the Elphinston College, besides being a director of the Colaba Observatory.

    (6) Paramahansa Mandali

    • Founded in 1849 in Maharashtra as a secret society that worked to reform Hindu religion and society in general.
    • Founders – Dadoba Pandurang, Mehtaji Durgaram and others
    • The ideology of the society was closely linked to that of the Manav Dharma Sabha. The founders of the mandali were primarily interested in breaking caste rules.

    (7) Satyashodhak Samaj and Jyotiba or Jyotirao Phule

    • Jyotiba Phule (1827-1890), born in Satara, Maharashtra, belonged to the mali (gardener) community and organised a powerful movement against upper caste domination and brahminical supremacy.
    • Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth Seekers’ Society) in 1873, with the leadership of the samaj coming from the backward classes, malis, telis, kunbis, saris and dhangars.
    • Aim: (i) social service, and (ii) spread of education among women and lower caste people.
    • Books: Sarvajanik Satyadharma and Gulamgiri
    • Phule used the symbol of Rajah Bali as opposed to the brahmins’ symbol of Rama. Phule aimed at the complete abolition of the caste system and socio-economic inequalities; he was against Sanskritic Hinduism.
    • He was a firm believer in gender equality, was a pioneer in women’s education; he with the help of his wife, Savitribai, opened a girls’ school at Poona; he was a pioneer of widow remarriage movement in Maharashtra and also opened a home for widows in 1854.
    • Phule was awarded the title ‘Mahatma’ for his social reform work.

    Lack of education lead to lack of wisdom,  which leads to lack of morals, which leads to lack of progress, which leads to lack of money, which leads to the oppression of the lower classes. See what state of the society one lack of education can cause!

    – Mahatma Jyotirao Phule

    (8) Gopalhari Deshmukh ‘Lokahitawadi’

    • Gopalhari Deshmukh (1823-1892) was a social reformer and rationalist from Maharashtra.
    • He wrote for a weekly Prabhakar under the pen name of Lokahitawadi on social reform issues.
    • He said, “If religion does not sanction social reform, then change religion.”
    • He started a weekly, Hitechhu, and also played a leading role in founding the periodicals, Gyan Prakash, Indu Prakash and Lokahitawadi.

    (9) Gopal Ganesh Agarkar

    • Gopal Ganesh Agarkar (1856-1895) was an educationist and social reformer from Maharashtra. He criticized the blind dependence on tradition and false glorification of the past.
    • He was also the first editor of Kesari, the journal started by Lokmanya Tilak.
    • Periodical: Sudharak, which spoke against untouchability and the caste system.

    (10) The Servants of India Society

    • Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866-1915), a liberal leader of the Indian National Congress, founded the Servants of India Society in 1905 with the help of G. Ranade.
    • Aim: to train national missionaries for the service of India; to promote, by all constitutional means, the true interests of the Indian people; and to prepare a cadre of selfless workers who were to devote their lives to the cause of the country in a religious spirit.
    • In 1911, the Hitavada began to be published to project the views of the society. After Gokhale’s death (1915), Srinivasa Shastri took over as president.

    (11) Social Service League

    • Founder: Narayan Malhar Joshi (Bombay)
    • Aim: to secure for the masses better and reasonable conditions of life and work
    • Joshi also founded the All India Trade Union Congress (1920).

    (12) The Ramakrishna Movement and Swami Vivekananda

    • The teachings of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (1836- 1886) found many followers on the outskirts of Calcutta.
    • Objectives of the Ramakrishna movement:

    (i) to bring into existence a band of monks dedicated to a life of renunciation and practical spirituality, from among whom teachers and workers would be sent out to spread the universal message of Vedanta

    (ii) lay disciples to carry on preaching, philanthropic and charitable works, looking upon all men, women and children, irrespective of caste, creed or color, as veritable manifestations of the Divine.

    • Paramahamsa laid the foundations of the Ramakrishna Math as a nucleus to fulfill the first objective.
    • The second objective was taken up by Swami Vivekananda after Ramakrishna’s death when he founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897 (headquarters at Belur near Calcutta).
    • He used to say, ‘Service of man is the service of God.’

    Swami Vivekananda

    • Narendranath Datta (1862-1902), who later came to be known as Swami Vivekananda emerged as the preacher of neo-Hinduism.
    • Certain spiritual experiences of Ramakrishna, the teachings of the Upanishads and the Gita and the examples of the Buddha and Jesus are the basis of Vivekananda’s message to the world about human values.
    • Mission: to bridge the gulf between paramartha (service) and vyavahara (behaviour), and between spirituality and day-to-day life.
    • Vivekananda believed in the fundamental oneness of God and said, ‘For our own motherland a junction of the two great systems, Hinduism and Islam, is the only hope.’
    • He pointed out that the masses needed two kinds of knowledge – secular knowledge about how to work for their economic uplift and the spiritual knowledge to have faith in themselves and strengthen their moral sense.
    • At the Parliament of Religions held at Chicago in 1893, he envisaged a new culture for the whole world and called for a blend of the materialism of the West and the spiritualism of the East into a new harmony to produce happiness for mankind.
    • Vivekananda advocated the doctrine of service—the service of all beings.

    Forget not that the lower classes, the ignorant, the poor, the illiterate, the cobbler, the sweeper are thy flesh and blood, thy brothers.

    – Swami Vivekanand

    (13) Dayananda Saraswati and Arya Samaj

    • The Arya Samaj Movement, revivalist in form though not in content, was the result of a reaction to Western influences.
    • Its founder, Dayananda Saraswati or Mulshankar (1824-1883) has wandered as an ascetic for fifteen years in search of truth. The first Arya Samaj unit was formally set up by him at Bombay in 1875 and later the headquarters of the Samaj were established at Lahore.
    • Book: Satyarth Prakash (The True Exposition). He took inspiration from the Vedas and considered them to be ‘India’s Rock of Ages’, the infallible and the true original seed of Hinduism.
    • He gave the slogan “Back to the Vedas”. He criticised later Hindu scriptures such as the Puranas and the ignorant priests for perverting Hinduism.
    • Swami Dayananda once lamented the Hindu race as ‘the children of children’.
    • He strongly criticized the escapist Hindu belief in maya (illusion) and the aim of human life as a struggle to attain moksha (salvation).
    • Instead, he advocated that God, soul and matter (prakriti) were distinct and eternal entities and every individual had to work out his own salvation in the light of the eternal principles governing human conduct.
    • The Arya Samaj fixed the minimum marriageable age at twenty-five years for boys and sixteen years for girls.
    • The ten guiding principles of the Arya Samaj are – (i) God is the primary source of all true knowledge; (ii) God, as all-truth, all-knowledge, almighty, immortal, creator of Universe, is alone worthy of worship; (iii) the Vedas are the books of true knowledge; (iv) an Arya should always be ready to accept truth and abandon untruth; (v) dharma, that is, due consideration of right and wrong, should be the guiding principle of all actions; (vi) the principal aim of the Samaj is to promote world’s well-being in the material, spiritual and social sense; (vii) everybody should be treated with love and justice; (viii) ignorance is to be dispelled and knowledge increased; (ix) one’s own progress should depend on uplift of all others; (x) social well-being of mankind is to be placed above an individual’s well-being.
    • The Dayananda AngloVedic (D.A.V.) College was established in 1886 at Lahore. The work of the Swami was carried forward by Lala Hansraj, Pandit Gurudutt, Lala Lajpat Rai and Swami Shraddhanand.

    (14) Seva Sadan

    • A Parsi social reformer, Behramji M. Malabari (1853- 1912), founded the Seva Sadan in 1908 along with a friend, Diwan Dayaram Gidumal.
    • It was his efforts that led to the Age of Consent Act regulating the age of consent for females. Seva Sadan specialised in taking care of those women who were exploited and then discarded by society.

    (15) Dev Samaj

    • Founded in 1887 at Lahore by Shiv Narayan Agnihotri (1850- 1927).
    • Its teachings were compiled in a book, Deva Shastra. Agnihotri spoke against child marriage.

    (16) Dharma Sabha

    • Radhakant Deb founded this sabha in 1830. An orthodox society, it stood for the preservation of the status quo in socio-religious matters, opposing even the abolition of sati.

    (17) Bharat Dharma Mahamandala

    • Other organizations created to defend orthodox Hinduism were the Sanatana Dharma Sabha (1895), the Dharma Maha Parishad in South India, and Dharma Mahamandali in Bengal.
    • These organizations combined in 1902 to form the single organisation of Bharat Dharma Mahamandala, with headquarters at Varanasi.
    • This organization sought to introduce proper management of Hindu religious institutions, open Hindu educational institutions, etc. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya was a prominent figure in this

     (18) Radhaswami Movement

    • Tulsi Ram known as Shiv Dayal Saheb, founded this movement in 1861. The Radhaswamis believe in one supreme being, supremacy of the guru, a company of pious people (satsang), and a simple social life.

    (19) Sree Narayana Guru Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Movement

    • The SNDP movement was an example of a regional movement born out of conflict between the depressed classes and upper castes.
    • It was started by Sree Narayana Guru Swamy (1856- 1928) among the Ezhavas of Kerala. The Ezhavas were the single largest caste group in Kerala constituting 26 per cent of the total population.
    • Narayana Guru, took a stone from the Neyyar river and installed it as a Sivalinga at Aruvippuram on Sivaratri in 1888.
    • The movement (Aruvippuram movement) drew the famous poet Kumaran Asan as a disciple of Narayana Guru.
    • In 1889, the Aruvippuram Kshetra Yogam was formed. Thus the Aruvippuram Sree Narayana Guru Dharma Paripalana Yogam (in short SNDP) was registered in 1903 under the Indian Companies Act.
    • Sree Narayana Guru held all religions to be the same and condemned animal sacrifice besides speaking against divisiveness on the basis of caste, race or creed.
    • The SNDP Yogam took up several issues for the Ezhavas, such as (i) right of admission to public schools, (ii) recruitment to government services, (iii) access to roads and entry to temples, and (iv) political representation.
    • The movement as a whole brought transformative structural changes such as upward social mobility, shift in traditional distribution of power and a federation of ‘backward castes’ into a large conglomeration.

    (20) Vokkaliga Sangha

    • The Vokkaliga Sangha in Mysore launched an anti-brahmin movement in 1905.

    (21) Justice Movement

    • Started by – N. Mudaliar, T.M. Nair and P. Tyagaraja to secure jobs and representation for the non-Brahmins in the legislature.
    • In 1917, Madras Presidency Association was formed which demanded separate representation for the lower castes in the legislature.

    (22) Self-Respect Movement

    • This movement was started by V. Ramaswamy Naicker in the mid-1920s.
    • Aim: rejection of the brahminical religion and culture which Naicker felt was the prime instrument of exploitation of the lower castes

    (23) Temple Entry Movement

    • K. Madhavan, a prominent social reformer and editor of Deshabhimani, took up the issue of temple entry with the Travancore administration. Vaikom became a centre of agitation for temple entry.
    • In 1924, the Vaikom Satyagraha led by P. Kesava, was launched in Kerala demanding the throwing open of Hindu temples and roads to the untouchables. Gandhi undertook a tour of Kerala in support of the movement.
    • Again in 1931 when the Civil Disobedience Movement was suspended, temple entry movement was organized in Kerala.
    • On November 12, 1936, the Maharaja of Travancore issued proclamation throwing open all government-controlled temples to all Hindus.
    • A similar step was taken by the Rajagopalachari administration in Madras in 1938.

    (24) Indian Social Conference

    • Founded by – M.G. Ranade and Raghunath Rao
    • It could be called the social reform cell of the Indian National Congress.
    • The conference advocated inter-caste marriages, opposed polygamy and kulinism. It launched the ‘Pledge Movement’ to inspire people to take a pledge against child marriage.

    (25) Wahabi/Walliullah Movement

    • The teachings of Abdul Wahab of Arabia and the preaching of Shah Walliullah (1702-1763) inspired this essentially revivalist response to Western influences.
    • The degeneration which had set in among Indian Muslims called for a return to the true spirit of Islam.
    • Two-fold ideals of this movement:

    (i) desirability of harmony among the four schools of Muslim jurisprudence which had divided the Indian Muslims (he sought to integrate the best elements of the four schools);

    (ii) recognition of the role of individual conscience in religion where conflicting interpretations were derived from the Quran and the Hadis

    • The Wahabi Movement fizzled out in the face of British military might in the 1870s.

    (26) Titu Mir‘s Movement

    • Mir Nithar Ali, popularly known as Titu Mir, was a disciple of Sayyid Ahmed Barelvi, the founder of the Wahabi
    • Titu Mir adopted Wahabism and advocated the Sharia. He organised the Muslim peasants of Bengal against the landlords, who were mosly Hindu, and the British indigo planters.

    (27) Faraizi Movement

    • The movement, also called the Fara’idi Movement because of its emphasis on the Islamic pillars of faith, was founded by Haji Shariatullah in 1818.
    • The movement survived merely as a religious movement without political overtones after the death of Dudu Mian in 1862.

    (28) Ahmadiyya Movement

    • The Ahmadiyya forms a sect of Islam which originated from India.
    • Founded by – Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in 1889.
    • It was based on liberal principles. It described itself as the standard-bearer of Mohammedan Renaissance, and based itself, like the Brahmo Samaj, on the principles of universal religion of all humanity, opposing jihad.
    • The Ahmadiyya community is the only Islamic sect to believe that the Messiah had come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad to end religious wars and bloodshed and to reinstate morality, peace and justice.
    • They believed in separating the mosque from the State as well as in human rights and tolerance.

    (29) Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and the Aligarh Movement

    • A section of Muslims led by Syed Ahmed Khan (1817-1898) was ready to allow the British patronage to stimulate a process of growth among Indian Muslims through better education and employment opportunities.
    • Syed Ahmed Khan was a member of the judicial service of the British government. After retirement, he became a member of the Imperial Legislative Council in 1878. His loyalty earned him a knighthood in 1888.
    • He wanted to reconcile Western scientific education with the teachings of the Quran. He advocated a critical approach and freedom of thought and not complete dependence on tradition or custom.
    • He opened schools in towns, got books translated into Urdu and started the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College (the Aligarh Muslim University) at Aligarh in 1875.
    • Magazine: Tahdhib-ul-Akhlaq (Improvement of Manners and Morals)
    • Aim: (i) modern education among Indian Muslims without weakening their allegiance to Islam; (ii) social reforms among Muslims relating to purdah, polygamy, widow remarriage, women’s education, slavery, divorce,

    (30) The Deoband School (Darul Uloom)

    • The Deoband Movement was organized by the orthodox section among the Muslim ulema.
    • The Deoband Movement was begun at the Darul Uloom (or Islamic academic centre), Deoband, in Saharanpur district (United Provinces) in 1866 by Mohammad Qasim Nanotavi (1832-80) and Rashid Ahmed Gangohi (1828-1905) to train religious leaders for the Muslim community.
    • Aim: moral and religious regeneration of the Muslim community
    • Deoband school welcomed the formation of the Indian National Congress.
    • Mahmud-ul-Hasan gave a political and intellectual content to the religious ideas of the school. He worked out a synthesis of Islamic principles and nationalist aspirations.
    • Shibli Numani favoured the inclusion of English language and European sciences in the system of education. He founded the Nadwatal Ulama and Darul Uloom in Lucknow in 1894-96.
    • He believed in the idealism of the Congress and cooperation between the Muslims and the Hindus of India to create a state in which both could live amicably.

    (31) Parsi Reform Movements

    • The Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha (Religious Reform Association) was founded in 1851 by a group of English educated Parsis for the “regeneration of the social conditions of the Parsis and the restoration of the Zoroastrian religion to its pristine purity”.
    • The movement had Naoroji Furdonji, Dadabhai Naoroji, R. Cama and S.S. Bengalee as its leaders. The message of reform was spread by the newspaper Rast Goftar (Truth-Teller).
    • Aim: to uplift the status of Parsi women through removal of the purdah system, raising the age of marriage and education. Gradually, the Parsis emerged as the most westernized section of the Indian society.

    (32) Sikh Reform Movements

    • The Singh Sabha Movement was founded at Amritsar in 1873.
    • Two-fold objective: (i) to make available modern western education to the Sikhs, and (ii) to counter the proselytizing activities of Christian missionaries as well as the Brahmo Samajists, Arya Samajists and Muslim maulvis
    • The Akali movement (also known as Gurudwara Reform Movement) was an offshoot of the Singh Sabha Movement. It aimed at liberating the Sikh gurudwaras from the control of corrupt Udasi mahants.
    • The government tried its repressive policies against the non-violent non-cooperation satyagraha launched by the Akalis in 1921, but had to bow before popular demands;
    • It passed the Sikh Gurudwaras Act in 1922 (amended in 1925) which gave the control of gurudwaras to the Sikh masses to be administered through Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) as the apex body.

    (33) The Theosophical Movement

    • A group of westerners led by Madame H.P. Blavatsky (1831- 1891) and Colonel M.S. Olcott, who were inspired by Indian thought and culture, founded the Theosophical Society in New York in 1875.
    • In 1882, they shifted their headquarters to Adyar, on the outskirts of Madras in India. The society believed that a special relationship could be established between a person’s soul and God
    • In India, the movement became somewhat popular with the election of Annie Besant (1847-1933) as its president after the death of Olcott in 1907.
    • She laid the foundation of the Central Hindu College in Benaras in 1898. The college became the nucleus for the formation of Benaras Hindu University in 1916.

    Significance of Reform Movements

    Positive Aspects

    • Liberation of the individual from the conformity born out of fear and from uncritical submission to exploitation by the priests and other classes.
    • The translation of religious texts into vernacular languages, emphasis on an individual’s right to interpret the scriptures and simplification of rituals made worship a more personal experience.
    • The reform movements gave the rising middle classes the much needed cultural roots to cling to, and served the purpose of reducing the sense of humiliation which the conquest by a foreign power had produced.
    • A realization of the special needs of modern times, especially in terms of scientific knowledge, and thus promoting a modern, this-worldly, secular and rational outlook.
    • Socially, this attitude reflected in a basic change in the notions of ‘pollution and purity’ and aimed at modernization rather than outright westernization based on blind imitation of alien Western cultural values.
    • Ended India’s cultural and intellectual isolation from the rest of the world.

    Negative Aspects

    • They had a narrow social base, namely the educated and urban middle classes, while the needs of the vast masses of peasantry and the urban poor were ignored.
    • The tendency of reformers to appeal to the greatness of the past and to rely on scriptural authority encouraged mysticism and fostered pseudo-scientific thinking.
    • Insufficient emphasis on other aspects of culture—art, architecture, literature, music, science and technology.
    • Compartmentalizing Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Parsis and also alienating high caste Hindus from low caste Hindus.
    • Rise of another form of consciousness – communal consciousness – along with national consciousness among the middle classes.

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  • [Yojana Archive] Governance in North-East Region

    Introduction

    • Northeast India (officially North Eastern Region, NER) is the easternmost region of India representing both a geographic and political-administrative division of the country.
    • It comprises eight states – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.
    • The region has its own unique challenges and opportunities.

    An overview:

    Persistence of regional peace

    • The region is populated by a number of different communities, with diverse cultures, languages and customs.
    • It is also marked by difficult terrain, backward areas, and limited connectivity. This area was known for the active presence of a number of militant groups.
    • However, peace has been achieved to a large extent, with notable recent examples being the Nagaland Peace Accord and the Bodo Peace Accord.

    Connectivity with mainland

    • The NER is connected to mainland India only through a narrow stretch of land (about 22 km wide) in West Bengal called the ‘Siliguri Corridor’, sometimes known as the “Chicken’s Neck”.
    • Except for this narrow Siliguri Corridor, the entire northeastern part of the country is bound by international borders.

    Institutional Support

    • The Department of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) was established in the year 2001.
    • It became a full-fledged Ministry of the Government of India in 2004.
    • The Ministry of DoNER functions as the nodal Department of the Central Government to deal with matters related to the socio-economic development of the eight states of Northeast India.
    • It handles the Non-Lapsable Control Pool of Resources (NLCPR) Scheme, which has been followed by the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS).
    • The North Eastern Council (NEC) is a statutory regional planning body for North East India constituted under the North Eastern Council Act 1971.
    • All the Governors and the Chief Ministers of the eight states in the North East are members of the NEC.
    • The Union Home Minister is the Chairman, and the DoNER Minister acts as the Vice-Chairman.

    A case study of Mizoram

    Introduction

    • Mizoram literally translates as “Land of the Mizo people”.
    • ‘Mizo’ is an umbrella term for a number of tribes and clans, such as Lusei (formerly Lushai), Lai Mara, Hmar, Paite, etc.
    • The area that was known to the British as the Lushai Hills formally became a part of British India in 1895.
    • After India attained independence, Lushai Hills (later changed to Mizo District) became a District under Assam. In 1972, it became a Union Territory as Mizoram.
    • And after two decades of insurgency, Mizoram became a full-fledged state within the Union of India in 1987.

    International Borders

    • Mizoram shares a 318 km – long hard border with Bangladesh on its western side, which is guarded by the Border Security Force (BSF).
    • Fencing is done along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
    • Along the eastern side of the State, the 404 km border with Myanmar is being manned by the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force.
    • Due to the cultural and ethnic affinity of residents at the border, under normal times, India agrees to a Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar, allowing residents within 16 km on either side of the border to travel freely without visa restrictions for 72 hours.
    • Being sandwiched on either side by Myanmar and Bangladesh, Mizoram has the strategic advantage of acting as a ‘land-bridge’ between the two countries.
    • It has a real potential to become India’s ‘Gateway to South East Asia’ under our Act East Policy.

    Culture & Religion

    • Before the British, the tribes were primarily animistic. There was no written script.
    • There were a few tribal dances, such as Cheraw (bamboo dance), Sarlamkai Chheihlam, Khuallam, etc.
    • They observed three festivals called Pawl Kut, Chapchar Kut and Mim Kut.
    • The British annexation was followed by the arrival of Christian missionaries, who invented a script and an alphabet for the Mizo language.
    • All the ethnic Mizo population have converted to Christianity, making up around 87% of the total population of the State.
    • Around 8% of the population of Mizoram are Buddhists, primarily from the Chakma tribe along the Indo-Bangladesh border.

    Mizo Insurgency (1966-1986)

    • In 1959, the Mizo Hills, which was then a District under the State of Assam, was hit by a famine called ‘Mautam’ locally.
    • This was a phenomenon of bamboo flowering after every 48 years or so, followed by plagues of insects and rats, leading to agricultural famine.
    • Mizo National Famine Front was formed, spearheaded by Laldenga.
    • In 1961, the Mizo National Famine Front became a political party called the Mizo National Front (MNF), with Laldenga as its President.
    • On 28 February 1966, the MNF launched an armed uprising against the Union of India, followed by a declaration of independence on 1 March 1966.
    • After being swiftly suppressed by the Indian armed forces, the MNF retreated and continued its operations from East Pakistan and Burma (Myanmar), with training and support from China.
    • Resolving the insurgency, Mizoram became the 23rd State of the Union of India on 20 February 1987.

    Minorities and Backward Areas

    • Under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, there are three Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Mizoram called the Lai ADC, Mara ADC and Chakma ADC.
    • Lai, Mara and Chakma are the names of the tribes found in the majority in each corresponding ADC.
    • The Governor of Mizoram is entrusted with special roles and responsibilities in these areas by the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, which includes certain discretionary powers.

    Agriculture

    • Mizoram is primarily an agrarian State with a large section of the population especially in the rural parts, engaged in agriculture and allied activities.
    • An overwhelming majority of the farmers still practice the ecologically unsustainable shifting cultivation, also called ‘Jhumming’ or ‘slash and burn’ farming.
    • Various programmes have been undertaken in pursuance of the aim of Doubling Farmer’s Income by 2022, including the introduction of high yielding varieties of crops, intervention by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), integrated farming system, horti-based farming, etc.

    Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP)

    • The Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP) is the flagship policy of the current Ministry in Mizoram.
    • The SEDP is envisaged to bring about sustainable development with both short-term and long-term implications.
    • The Policy has been divided into various components, including political, administrative, economic and social development.

    Strengths: A vibrant community

    • Mizoram is the best State in India in terms of forest cover.
    • It has the third-highest literacy rate in the country at 91.58%, behind only Kerala and Lakshadweep (2011 Census).
    • A potential oil and natural gas reserve has been found in southern Mizoram, close to Arakan in Myanmar.
    • There is the presence of a classless society in Mizoram, with a strong sense of community. People are generally good at heart, and am law-abiding citizens.
    • To illustrate the discipline of the residents, the capital city of Aizawl has often been called a ‘honk-free city’, with drivers avoiding unnecessary honking of vehicles.

    Major challenge: Connectivity

    • Being a landlocked State, connectivity in all its dimensions remains a challenge for Mizoram. The State of Mizoram has only one airport, named Lengpui Airport.
    • It has only one railhead at Bairabi, situated along the border with Assam.
    • Mizoram has two National Highways (NH) – one connecting to Assam, and one NH running into Tripura.
    • The NH connecting to Assam is the lifeline of the State.

    Conclusion

    • For a long time, the North East was a neglected and forgotten part of the country.
    • However, upon the initiative of the present government has now been frequently visiting the region at regular intervals.
    • It has the potential to become the growth engine of our country.
    • In the midst of these expectations and optimism, all the stakeholders have to play their part.
  • Power Politics Is India: Using Energy Ties to Redraw Its Global Role ?

    Power Politics Is India: Using Energy Ties to Redraw Its Global Role ?

    N4S: UPSC often frames questions on India’s bilateral relations through a current affairs lens and asks aspirants to connect them with broader themes like regional stability or strategic autonomy (as seen in 2020’s Indo-US vs Indo-Russia defence question or the 2024 Maldives question on maritime security). Aspirants usually falter in one key area—they either focus too much on generic facts or fail to weave in current, evolving trends like the energy-defence convergence or how diplomacy has become issue-specific. This article helps bridge that gap. It takes two concrete anchors—energy cooperation (like green hydrogen collaborations and clean tech tie-ups) and defence collaboration (like GE-HAL engine co-development, foundational pacts like LEMOA)—and explains how these are not isolated moves but part of a deeper strategic shift. It also brings a fresh structure by showing how India’s diplomacy has been “re-engineered”—no longer driven by ideology, but by sectors like health (Vaccine Maitri), technology (iCET for semiconductors), or digital diplomacy (exporting UPI). The real win for students is the “table of transformation” that compares India’s diplomacy then and now. This gives a ready-made, analytical framework to tackle any mains question—not just about the U.S., but about how India is positioning itself globally. 

    PYQ ANCHORING

    GS2 :  What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. [2020]

    GS 2:  Discuss the geopolitical and geostrategic importance of Maldives for India with a focus on global trade and energy flows. Further also discuss how this relationship affects India’s maritime security and regional stability amidst international competition? [2024]

    MICROTHEMES:  Bilateral Relations

    In a significant signal of strengthening strategic ties, U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance recently affirmed that the United States is prepared to deepen its partnership with India, with a particular focus on energy cooperation and defense collaboration. This statement reflects not just shared geopolitical interests but also a recognition of India’s growing role as a key player in global stability and technology-driven development. As both nations navigate an increasingly complex Indo-Pacific and energy landscape, what could closer cooperation look like—and what opportunities and challenges lie ahead? And is the emerging energy-defense axis the foundation of a new India–U.S. era?

    The Emerging India–U.S. Energy-Defense Axis: A Strategic Convergence

    As geopolitical uncertainties mount and global power dynamics shift, the India–U.S. relationship is entering a new phase marked by deepening ties in two high-stakes sectors: energy and defense. This evolving “energy-defense axis” is not merely transactional—it’s strategic, with long-term implications for regional security, technological collaboration, and the global energy transition.

    1. Energy Cooperation: Securing Futures, Greening Growth

    1. Oil and Gas Trade Expansion
      – The U.S. has become one of India’s top suppliers of crude oil and LNG, helping India diversify away from Middle East dependence.
    2. Clean Energy Partnerships
      – Joint initiatives like the U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) and India–U.S. Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 aim to promote cleaner fuels and technologies.
    3. Green Hydrogen Collaboration
      – Both countries are cooperating on R&D and infrastructure for green hydrogen, a key future fuel for decarbonisation.
    4. Solar and Battery Supply Chain Integration
      – The U.S. is helping India reduce dependence on Chinese solar imports by boosting domestic solar and battery ecosystems.
    5. Carbon Capture and Climate Finance
      – Pilot projects and policy dialogues focus on carbon capture and climate-resilient infrastructure, especially in high-emission sectors like cement and steel.
    6. Strategic Energy Dialogue Platforms
      – Institutional mechanisms like the India–U.S. Energy Dialogue ensure regular government-to-government coordination on energy policy, technology transfer, and financing.

    2. Defense Cooperation: From Buyer–Seller to Strategic Partners

    1. Major Defense Partner Status
      – India was granted “Major Defense Partner” status in 2016, unlocking access to advanced U.S. defense technology and systems.
    2. Foundational Defense Agreements
      – India has signed LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA, and GSOMIA, which enable logistics sharing, encrypted communications, and geospatial intelligence exchange.
    3. Bilateral and Multilateral Military Exercises
      – Regular joint exercises like Yudh Abhyas (Army), Malabar (Navy), and Cope India (Air Force) improve interoperability and combat coordination.
    4. Defense Co-Development Initiatives
      – Projects like the GE-HAL jet engine deal and potential drone manufacturing partnerships indicate a shift from arms buyer to co-producer.
    5. Technology Transfer & Industrial Tie-ups
      – U.S. companies are entering joint ventures with Indian firms to manufacture defense equipment locally under Make in India.
    6. Indo-Pacific Security Convergence
      – Shared concerns over China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific have brought India and the U.S. closer in maritime surveillance and strategic planning.

    Re-engineering of India’s Diplomacy over the years


    Indian diplomacy no longer pivots on a single axis. In the age of climate risk, digital public goods, contested supply chains and a revisionist China, New Delhi has morphed from the champion of non-alignment into a hyper-pragmatic power that builds different coalitions for different problems. Whether it is shipping vaccines to 70-plus countries, co-developing jet engines with the United States or pitching India’s UPI stack in Africa, the Ministry of External Affairs now treats every sector—energy, technology, defence, health—as a separate theatre of influence. The table below captures this subject-wise evolution at a glance.

    Subject AreaPrimary Focus (1950s – 1990s)Current Focus (2000s – 2020s)Flagship Examples & Platforms
    Political & Security DiplomacyDecolonisation, non-alignment, UN peace speechesIndo-Pacific strategy, Quad, foundational defence pacts, counter-terror outreachLEMOA / COMCASA / BECA with the U.S.; Quad Leaders’ Summits; BIMSTEC security dialogue
    Economic DiplomacyImport substitution, aid seeking, rupee tradeFTAs, supply-chain resilience, investment pitching, PLI incentivesIndia-UAE CEPA; Australia-India ECTA; Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (observer)
    Energy DiplomacySecure Gulf oil, Soviet assistance for refineriesGreen hydrogen, LNG from U.S., nuclear deals, solar alliancesInternational Solar Alliance; U.S.–India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership; Kudankulam & Kovvada nuclear projects
    Technology & Development DiplomacyTechnical training for neighbours, limited IT exportsExport of digital public goods, space launches, chip-research tie-upsVaccine Maitri; deployment of UPI in Nepal, France & UAE; iCET semiconductor cooperation with the U.S.
    Diaspora & Cultural DiplomacyProtect Indian workers abroad, cultural troupesDiaspora as economic & political lobby; Yoga Day; OCI card reformsLarge-scale diaspora events in Madison Square Garden, Sydney, Abu Dhabi; Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
    Climate & Global GovernanceLow-profile participant in climate talksLead voice of Global South on equity & finance, host of G20, CDRI championG20 Delhi Declaration 2023; Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure; “LiFE” initiative
    Health & Humanitarian DiplomacyLimited medical aid, WHO cooperationPharmacy of the World, vaccine exports, traditional medicine hubSupply of generic ARV drugs to Africa; WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Gujarat
    Space & Cyber DiplomacyScientific launches, INSAT for telecomCommercial launches, space situational norms, cyber norms advocacyContract launches for OneWeb; Artemis Accords sign-on; India-France space-security dialogue


    India’s external relations are no longer a single narrative of East-West balancing; they are a portfolio of mini-strategies tailored to energy security, digital supremacy, climate leadership and strategic deterrence—each with its own partners, platforms and playbook.

    Assessment of India’s policies

    India’s diplomacy has grown bolder, broader, and more issue-driven in the 21st century. It has made significant strategic gains, but challenges persist in converting ambitions into sustained outcomes. Below is a structured analysis of both successes and challenges in this evolving journey.

    Major Diplomatic Successes

    AreaSuccesses
    Global Leadership RecognitionHosted a landmark G20 Summit in 2023, positioning India as a voice of the Global South and a key player in global governance.
    Strategic PartnershipsSigned foundational defence agreements with the U.S., deepened defence ties with France, and balanced ties with Russia amid shifting power equations.
    Technology DiplomacyPioneered digital public infrastructure diplomacy (e.g. UPI, Aadhaar), earning praise from nations across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
    Energy & ClimateChampioned the International Solar Alliance and Mission LiFE, securing credibility as a green energy partner while balancing fossil fuel needs.
    Health DiplomacyExecuted Vaccine Maitri, supplying over 250 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to 100+ countries—soft power at its peak.
    Diaspora & Soft PowerTransformed the diaspora into a diplomatic asset through emotional connect, political lobbying, and economic investment channels.

    Key Diplomatic Challenges

    AreaChallenges
    Strategic BalancingManaging contradictions between deepening ties with the U.S. and continuing defence cooperation with Russia, especially post-Ukraine war.
    Neighbourhood First PolicyStressed ties with Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka at various points due to internal politics, Chinese influence, and delivery gaps.
    Trade Negotiation CapacityIndia walked out of RCEP, and several FTA negotiations (e.g., with EU) have faced delays or limited ambition.
    Institutional CapacityIndia’s diplomatic machinery (limited number of IFS officers, under-resourced embassies) often struggles to match global ambitions.
    China ChallengeDespite growing global influence, India faces an aggressive China on its borders and in strategic regions like the Indian Ocean and South Asia.
    Climate & Energy DilemmaBalancing between green transition commitments and domestic energy security remains tricky, especially with rising power demand.

    India has successfully redefined its diplomacy from being merely reactive and moralistic to becoming assertive, agenda-setting, and diversified. But to become a true global power, India will need to:

    • Build institutional depth in foreign policy,
    • Manage great power tensions deftly,
    • Deliver on-the-ground impact in its neighbourhood,
    • And maintain credibility as a reliable, rule-based partner in an increasingly turbulent world.

    Way Forward for India’s Evolving Diplomacy

    1. Strengthen Institutional Capacity: Expand the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) cadre, improve training in tech, trade, and crisis diplomacy, and empower missions abroad with better resources and coordination.
    2. Bridge Strategy with Delivery in the Neighbourhood: Ensure faster implementation of infrastructure, energy, and connectivity projects in South Asia to counter Chinese influence and restore trust in India’s leadership.
    3. Diversify Strategic Autonomy Playbook: While deepening ties with the U.S., India must maintain a pragmatic balance with Russia, Middle Eastern powers, ASEAN, and Africa to preserve diplomatic flexibility.
    4. Leverage Diaspora as Economic Connectors: Move beyond cultural events—use diaspora networks to channel investments, startup capital, and tech partnerships into Indian innovation ecosystems.
    5. Lead on Global South Issues: Champion fair climate finance, equitable digital infrastructure, and food-energy security for the Global South to build long-term strategic goodwill.
    6. Invest in Issue-Specific Diplomacy Cells: Set up dedicated units within MEA and other ministries for climate, cyber, maritime, and space diplomacy to respond rapidly to emerging global issues.

    BACK2BASICS: IMPORTANCE OF INDIA’S ENERGY DIPLOMACY

    As the world’s third-largest energy consumer and a rapidly growing economy, India’s energy needs are massive and urgent. From securing oil in the Gulf to leading the green energy transition, India’s energy diplomacy has evolved into a strategic pillar of its foreign policy. It now cuts across geopolitics, climate goals, and technological cooperation, reflecting the country’s twin priorities: energy security and energy transition.

    Key Pillars of India’s Energy Diplomacy

    1. Oil and Gas Diplomacy

    • Objective: Ensure uninterrupted supply of crude oil and LNG to power India’s economy.
    • Engagements:
      • Long-term contracts with Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq.
      • Strategic investments in Russian and African oil blocks.
      • Sourcing LNG from Qatar, Australia, and the U.S..
    • Institutions: Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve (ISPR), OVL (ONGC Videsh Ltd), GAIL.

    2. Energy Security through Strategic Partnerships

    • With the U.S.: India–U.S. Strategic Energy Partnership (SEP) focuses on oil, gas, clean energy, and innovation.
    • With Russia: Cooperation on nuclear energy, oil & gas investments (e.g., Sakhalin-I).
    • With IEA: India is an Associate Member, giving access to global energy data and best practices.

    3. Nuclear Energy Cooperation

    • Civil nuclear deals with the U.S., France, and Russia post-2008 Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) waiver.
    • Kudankulam (Russia) and Jaitapur (France) nuclear power projects.
    • India now promotes nuclear energy as a clean base-load source for energy transition.

    4. Renewable Energy and Climate Diplomacy

    • India is a major global player in solar and wind energy:
      • International Solar Alliance (ISA) founded by India to unite tropical countries around solar.
      • Global leader in pushing green hydrogen, offshore wind, and battery storage.
    • Partnering with Germany, Denmark, Japan, and UAE for clean tech.

    5. Green Hydrogen & Future Tech Diplomacy

    • India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission has international tie-ups with EU, Australia, and Japan.
    • Aim: Become a hub for low-cost, exportable green hydrogen by 2030.

    6. Multilateral Energy Engagements

    • Active in IEA, OPEC+ dialogues, G20 energy track, and BRICS energy platforms.
    • Pushes for “just energy transitions” in the Global South, linking development with clean growth.

    Challenges

    • Over-dependence on fossil fuel imports (85% of oil is imported).
    • Vulnerability to geopolitical shocks (e.g., Russia-Ukraine war, West Asia tensions).
    • Technology gap in clean energy manufacturing (e.g., solar modules, batteries).
    • Financing issues in scaling renewable infrastructure and transmission.

    Successes

    • Diversification of suppliers and fuel types.
    • Global leadership in solar diplomacy and green transition.
    • Smart use of energy diplomacy in strengthening bilateral ties (e.g., with UAE, U.S., Saudi Arabia).
    • Progress in building strategic petroleum reserves.

    Conclusion:

    India’s energy diplomacy today is no longer just about importing oil—it is about shaping global energy trends. From influencing climate finance conversations to pioneering solar coalitions, India is positioning itself not just as a consumer—but a leader of energy transition for the developing world.

    SMASH MAINS MOCK DROP

    India’s evolving partnership with the United States, driven by energy and defence convergence, marks a shift from ideological diplomacy to sectoral strategic alignment. Critically analyse this transformation in the context of India’s broader foreign policy objectives.

  • [RSTV Archive] Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill, 2021

    The government has introduced in the Rajya Sabha the Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to encourage the startup ecosystem and further boost ease of doing business in the country.

    Key changes as proposed in the bill includes as viz. introduction of the concept of ‘small companies’, decriminalization of certain offences, empowering Govt. to establish special courts etc.

    What are LLPs?

    • A Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) is a partnership in which some or all partners have limited liability. It therefore exhibits elements of partnerships and corporations.
    • In an LLP, one partner is not responsible or liable for another partner’s misconduct or negligence.
    • This is an important difference from that of an unlimited partnership.
    • In an LLP, some partners have a form of limited liability similar to that of the shareholders of a corporation.

    Liability. But against whom?

    • Limited liability means that if the partnership fails, then creditors cannot go after a partner’s personal assets or income.
    • LLPs are common in professional business-like law firms, accounting firms, and wealth managers.

    Benefits offered by an LLP

    • Risk avoidance: For a long time, a need has been felt to provide for a business format that would combine the flexibility of a partnership and the advantages of limited liability of a company at a low compliance cost.
    • Flexibility: The LLP format is an alternative corporate business vehicle that provides the benefits of limited liability of a company but allows its members the flexibility of organizing their internal management on the basis of a mutually arrived agreement.
    • Startup-promotion: This format would be quite useful for small and medium enterprises in general and for the enterprises in services sector in particular.
    • Service-oriented: Internationally, LLPs are the preferred vehicle of business particularly for service industry or for activities involving professionals.  
    • Investment promotion: The hybrid structure of LLP will facilitate entrepreneurs, service providers and professionals to organize and operate in an innovative and efficient manner for effectively competing in the global market.
    • Ease of Doing Business: The cost of forming an LLP is low and there’s’ less compliance and regulatory burden. It has no requirement of minimum capital contribution.

    Limitations of LLP

    • Penalty on non-compliance: The compliance that is to be followed by LLP is minimal. But, if these compliances are not completed on time, then the LLP will have to pay a heavy penalty.
    • Winding up and dissolution of LLP: A minimum of two partners is required to form an LLP. If the minimum number of partners is below two for six months, then the LLP will be dissolved. It may be dissolved if the LLP is unable to pay its debts. 
    • Difficulty to raise capital: The LLP does not have the concept of an IPO (equity or shareholders like a company). Angel investors and venture capitalists cannot invest in the LLP as shareholders.

    LLPs in India

    • The concept of the Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) was introduced in India in 2008.
    • An LLP has the characteristics of both the partnership firm and company.
    • The Limited liability Partnership Act, 2008 regulates the LLP in India.
    • Minimum two partners are required to incorporate an LLP. However, there is no upper limit on the maximum number of partners of an LLP. 

    Setting up of an LLP

    • Minimum two partners are required to incorporate an LLP. However, there is no upper limit on the maximum number of partners of an LLP.
    • Among the partners, there should be a minimum of two designated partners who shall be individuals, and at least one of them should be resident in India.
    • The rights and duties of designated partners are governed by the LLP agreement.
    • They are directly responsible for the compliance of all the provisions of the LLP Act, 2008 and provisions specified in the LLP agreement.
    • The rights and duties of designated partners are governed by the LLP agreement.
    • They are directly responsible for the compliance of all the provisions of the LLP Act 2008 and provisions specified in the LLP agreement.

    LLP Amendment Bill, 2021

    Key Highlights:

    • Total of 12 offences to be decriminalized under LLPs. The decriminalized offences will then get shifted to an internal adjudication mechanism to help unclog criminal courts from routine cases.
    • The government has also approved creation of a class of small LLPs to encourage entrepreneurs. These LLPs will be subject to fewer compliances, reduced fee or additional fee, and smaller penalties in the event of default.
    • The changes, including removing criminal action for failure to comply with provisions of the Act, will help about 2.30 lakh such firms in the country.
    • A penalty in the form of a fine has been decided for violations of general trends. This boosts Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

    New Concepts:

    • Definition of Small Company:  The government will also introduce a new definition of small LLPs based on their turnover size and contributions by partners or proprietors. At present, there are relaxations for thresholds up to turnover size and partner’s contribution of Rs 40 lakh and Rs 25 lakh, respectively.
    • Lower compliance: It will incentivize unincorporated micro and small partnerships to convert into the organized structure of an LLP and derive its benefits. The corporate affairs ministry is also working towards setting up an e-adjudication platform as part of the new version of the MCA21 portal.

  • [Burning Issue] Climate Change: Degrading Himalayan Ecology

    We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it.

    Barack Obama

    The Himalayan ecosystem is vulnerable and susceptible to the impacts and consequences of changes on account of natural causes, climate change resulting from anthropogenic emissions, and developmental paradigms of modern society.

    The tragic death of nine tourists in a landslip in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh is an alarming pointer to the fragility of the ecology of the Himalayan States. This article focuses on the impacts of climate change on the Himalayan ecosystem and causes of climate change and other related issues.

    What is climate change?

    • Climate Change is a periodic modification of Earth’s climate brought about due to the changes in the atmosphere as well as the interactions between the atmosphere and various other geological, chemical, biological and geographical factors within the Earth’s system.
    • Climate change can make weather patterns less predictable. These unforeseen weather patterns can make it difficult to maintain and grow crops, making agriculture-dependent countries like India vulnerable.
    • It is also causing damaging weather events like more frequent and intense hurricanes, floods, cyclones, flooding etc.
    • Due to the rising temperature caused by climate change, the ice in the Polar Regions is melting at an accelerated rate, causing sea levels to rise. This is damaging the coastlines due to the increased flooding and erosion.
    • The cause of the current rapid climate change is due to human activities and threatening the very survival of humankind.

    What are the factors that cause climate change?

    Earth’s temperature is influenced by the energy entering and leaving the planet’s system. Both natural and anthropogenic factors can cause changes in Earth’s energy balance.

    Natural Factors

    (1) Continental drift

    • The continents are formed when the landmass began gradually drifting apart millions of years back, due to Plate displacement.
    • This drift also had an impact on the climate because it changed the physical features of the landmass, their position and the position of water bodies like changed the flow of ocean currents and winds, which affected the climate.

    (2) Variation in the earth’s orbit

    • The seasonal distribution of sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface is directly related to Earth’s Orbit and a slight variation in Earth’s orbit leads to variation in distribution across the globe.
    • This leads to the strong changes in the geographical and seasonal distribution.

    (3) Plate tectonics

    • Due to temperature variation in the core of the Earth, the mantle plumes and convection currents force the Plates of the Earth to adjust which causes the reconfiguration of the earth Plate. This can affect both global and local patterns of climate and atmosphere.

    (4) Volcanic activity

    • When the Volcano erupts, the outburst of gases and dust particles partially block the incoming rays of the Sun which lead to the cooling of the weather.

    (5) Ocean currents

    • Ocean currents are the major component of the climatic system which is driven by the horizontal wind forces causing the displacement of the water against the sea surface. Due to temperature variation of the water, the climate of the region is largely influenced.

    Anthropogenic (Human Caused) Factors

    (1) Greenhouse Gases

    • Increased emission of huge amount of Green House Gases led to more absorption of heat being retained in the atmosphere thus an increase in global Temperature.
    • Green house gases while largely transparent to incoming solar radiation, absorbs most of the infrared emitted by the earth’s surface.

    (2) Atmospheric Aerosols

    • Atmospheric aerosols affect climate in two important ways:
    • They cause scattering and absorbing the solar and infrared radiation.
    • They change the microphysical and chemical properties of clouds and possibly their lifetime and extent.
    • Aerosols have the ability to influence climate directly by absorbing or reflecting incoming solar radiation, but they can also produce indirect effects on climate by modifying cloud formation or cloud properties.

    (3) Land-use change

    • Cutting down forests to create farmland led to changes in the amount of sunlight reflected from the ground back into space which greatly affected the climate.

    What are the effects of climate change?

    Global warming has caused a change in the climatic and weather conditions like change in the rainfall pattern, increased flooding, drought, heatwaves, etc. Some of the current impacts of rapid climate change are as follows:

    How climate change is impacting the Mountain ecosystem and how it is impacting human livelihood?

    Source: WWF
    • Climate change has a strong influence on the precipitation over the Himalayas as well as melting response of glaciers or snow cover in Himalayas.
    • This, in turn, affects the runoff pattern of rivers draining from the glaciated catchments of Himalayas.
    • These rivers support the life and livelihood of more than 500 million people living downstream in Indo-Gangetic plains, but also support several industries located in these plains.
    • The melting of glaciers threatens water sustainability for hundreds of millions of people in counties, including India.
    • These impacts become severe due to the increase in pressure on water resources for irrigation and food production, industrialization, and urbanization.
    • Glacier melting, resulting in an abrupt rise in water causes floods and impacts the local society. Increased incidences of forest fire are also linked with warming of Himalayan region.
    • Almost 33% of the country’s thermal electricity and 52% of hydropower in the country is dependent on the water from rivers originating in Himalaya.

    Building dams: Choking up the Himalayas

    • By planning hydropower projects, India and China are placing the region at great risk. Recently China announced that it is planning to build a major hydropower project on the Yarlung Zanbo River, in Tibet.
    • On Indian side, there are two hydropower projects being built in Arunachal Pradesh on the tributaries of the Brahmaputra: the 600 MW Kameng project on the Bichom and Tenga Rivers and the 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectricity Project.
    • High seismic zones coincide with areas of high population concentration in the Himalayan region where landslides and glacial lake outburst floods are common.

    Havocs created due to these earthquakes

    • About 15% of the great earthquakes of the 20th century occurred in the Himalayan region.
    • The northeast Himalayan band has experienced several large earthquakes of magnitude 7 and above in the last 100 years, more than the share from other parts of the Himalayas.
    • The 2015 Gorkha earthquake of magnitude 7.8 in central Nepal resulted in huge losses in the hydropower sector. Nepal lost about 20% of its hydropower capacity consequent to the earthquake.
    • About 30 projects with a capacity of 270 MW, mostly located along the steep river valleys, were damaged.

    What are the issues of high concern?

    • Seismic sensitivity: The main mechanisms that contributed to the vulnerability of hydropower projects were found to be landslides, which depend on the intensity of seismic ground shaking and slope gradients.
    • Siltation: Heavy siltation from giant landslides expected in the project sites and headwater region from future earthquakes will severely reduce the water-holding capacity and life expectancy of such dams.
    • Land degradation: Even without earthquakes, the steep slopes made of soft rocks are bound to slide due to deforestation and road-building. These activities will get intensified as part of the dam-building initiatives.

    Melting of Himalayan glaciers

    • The number of glaciers in the Himalayan area has increased in the last five decades and this is an indicator of how severe glacier melting has been due to global warming.
    • The increase in the number of glaciers is primarily due to glacier fragmentation. This is happening due to consistent loss in areas the glaciers occupy. It has ramifications for the global climate.
    • Along with the Tibetan Plateau, this influences the Indian summer monsoon. So, any changes in this region would have a bearing on the monsoon itself that already shows signs of changes in spread and distribution.
    • It could trigger a multitude of biophysical and socio-economic impacts, such as biodiversity loss, increased glacial melting, and less predictable water availability—all of which will impact livelihoods and well-being in the region.
    • Faster snow and glacier melting due to warming is already manifesting in formation of glacial lakes. Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) are becoming frequent and causing huge casualties and loss to local infrastructures.
    • Most of the lakes in high altitudes have also reported water level rise by 0.2 m/year besides their surface areas expanding.

    Threat to the Himalayan Ecology

    (1) Increased intensity and frequency of natural disaster

    • The Himalayan landscape is susceptible to landslides and earthquakes.
    • Formed due to the collision of Indian and Eurasian plates, the northward movement of the former puts continuous stress on the rocks, rendering them weak and prone to landslides and earthquakes.
    • This, combined with steep slopes, rugged topography, high seismic vulnerability, and rainfall, makes the region one of the most disaster prone areas in the world.

    (2) Unsustainable Exploitation

    • From the mega road expansion project in the name of national security (Char Dham Highway) to building cascading hydroelectric power projects, from unplanned expansion of towns to unsustainable tourism, the Indian States have ignored warnings about the fragile ecology.
    • Such an approach has also led to pollution, deforestation, and water and waste management crises.

    (3) The threat of Development Activity

    • Mega hydropower could alter several aspects of ecology, rendering it vulnerable to the effects of extreme events such as cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides and earthquakes.
    Natural disasters in States of the Himalayan region

    The tragic death of nine tourists in a landslip in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh is an alarming pointer to the fragility of the ecology of the Himalayan States. Extraordinarily heavy rain hit the State recently, leaving the hill slopes unstable and causing floods in built-up areas including Dharamshala. The descending boulders from destabilized terrain, which crushed a bridge like a matchstick, are a source of worry even for cautious local residents, and for unwary visitors.
    Earlier, heavy rain-triggered flash floods in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh swept away three people, buildings, and vehicles.
    Uttarakhand too has been affected by natural disasters with the massive flash flood in Chamoli in February 2021 that killed more than 80 people.

    What is stopping us from mitigating climate change?

    The 5th Assessment Report of the IPCC has comprehensively identified the economic barriers that are preventing government decisions on adaption to climate change. These are as follows:

    1. Transitional costs – These are broadly divided into information and adjustment costs. The former refers to the costs that occur while acquiring information and the latter are the costs for replacing the long-lived capital.
    2. Market failures and missing markets – These include externalities, information asymmetries, and moral hazards. These cases are especially seen when one economic unit harms another unit. It also occurs when there aren’t sufficient incentives for the change.
    3. Behavior obstacles to adaption – Irrational decisions, social norms, and cultural factors also pose as obstacles to adaption decision making.
    4. Ethical and distributional issues – These issues connect to the differences in vulnerability and adaptive capacity. Though sometimes a decision could ensure cost-effective and sustainable solutions, ethical constraints hinder these decisions.
    5. Coordination, government failures and politics – Though the governments must ensure the removal of the aforementioned barriers, they themselves face similar barriers like limited knowledge or resources. Also, coordination among various departments, though important, is highly difficult to obtain.
    6. Uncertainty is the largest barrier to adaptation as it expands to different dimensions like future developments of demographics, technologies and economics and the future of climate change.

    Way forward

    • Early Warning System – It is important to have early warning and better weather forecast systems in order to forecast the disaster and alert the local population and tourists.
    • Regional Cooperation – There is a need for a trans-boundary coalition of Himalayan countries to share and disseminate knowledge about the mountains and preservation of the ecology there.
    • Area Specific Sustainable Plan – Projects that are incompatible with the local environment and ecology should not be promoted just by giving due consideration to development or economic growth.
    • Hydro projects should be confined to the areas with the least impact in the Himalayas. Also, the government needs to build more low-impact run-of-the-river power projects rather than building destructive large dams and reservoirs.
    • Promote Ecotourism – Initiating a dialogue on adverse impacts of commercial tourism and promoting ecotourism.
    • Sustainable Development – Government must strive for achieving sustainable development not only development that is against the ecology.
    • Detailed Project Reports (DPR), Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) are needed before implementing any project.

    Conclusion

    • The upper Himalayas should be converted into a nature reserve by an international agreement.
    • There is a need to understand that – ‘’Carbon neutrality should not be at the expense of the environment’’.
    • It is impossible to assign a real value to the costs to people and communities, together with the loss of pristine forests that weak forestation programmes cannot replace.
    • From the mega road expansion project in the name of national security to building cascading hydroelectric power projects, from unplanned expansion of towns to unsustainable tourism, the Indian State has ignored warnings about the fragile Himalayan ecology.
    • The need of the hour is that governments have a changing course to help preserve natural riches including human lives.

  • Zoom Link Inside || Join Now || Samarth 2022 – Live Webinar by Ajay Verma || How to crack the UPSC IAS exam on the very first attempt? || Register here

    Webinar Date: 1st August 2021

    Timings: Join Now for Free

    Webinar Joining Link: https://zoom.us/j/94501231468?pwd=eVlUMnhmbnQ2MFhEaVIzdWJWdmpXdz09

    Meeting ID: 945 0123 1468
    Passcode: 632515

    REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR ( CLICK HERE )

    As complicated as it may appear, the UPSC Civil services exam is more about carrying nerves. It’s also about maintaining discipline for the time being and till you succeed. Nor the subjects are esoteric or unheard of. But the character for one to be able to sacrifice the beauty called life and family is rare. Your stay in the game with the zeal to come out winning is very important.

    Philosophy aside, but keeping the practical elements in mind, let’s dig a little deeper.  Also, find out what it takes for one to jump that threshold and what our toppers have said. Why have they not been able to clear earlier and what changes have they made to succeed?. These are the most sought-after info and are available on the internet. But from an individual’s perspective, one can not ignore his/her inconclusiveness due to lack of a distinct plan or direction.

    Hence, we are coming up with an open session. To counter myths and give some facts which will help you see the light on the other side of the tunnel about the exam.

    In this open session, we are going to give a clear insight which is important for one to save time, energy, and effort. Which might otherwise be getting wasted in the wrong direction? This is important because for an individual the first year is the year with maximum energy, expectation from self, go-getter attitude, etc..

    Register for the webinar ( Click here )

    We tend to get lost in the sea of advice and sources of studies. To save one from such torrents of information, it’s sometimes said that we need to better know “what not to follow than what to follow”.

    Anyways such hypotheses aside, your time in this open session is going to be full of interaction. Some previous year aspirants are also expected to be present. We do expect that all your confusion about the exam will get clear.

    Attendees can expect some takeaways too in the form of softcopies relevant to the exam. They will be available to you via email once you have done the registration for the open session.

    In this webinar, Ajay Verma, Mentor Head at Civilsdaily will give you an overview:

    – What UPSC expects out of you?

    – Avoiding Mistakes that can cost you an attempt?

    – What to do to master the IAS-Exam?

    – How to clear the exam -Step-by-Step learning plan?

    – An interactive Q&A session with Current Students at Civilsdaily

    – How to clear the exam on the very first attempt?

    – Important Civilsdaily softcopies takeaway for exam preparation.

    A quick bit about Ajay :

    Ajay has firsthand experience with 6 Mains and 3 interviews of UPSC. He has gathered experience working as Mentor-Head at CivilsDaily for the past 3 Yrs and helped many cross the threshold.

    REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR ( CLICK HERE )

  • Registration Closing at 5 PM Today || Samarth 2022 – Live Webinar by Ajay Verma || How to crack the UPSC IAS exam on the very first attempt? || Register here

    Webinar Date: 1st August 2021

    Timings: 7 PM

    REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR ( CLICK HERE )

    As complicated as it may appear, the UPSC Civil services exam is more about carrying nerves. It’s also about maintaining discipline for the time being and till you succeed. Nor the subjects are esoteric or unheard of. But the character for one to be able to sacrifice the beauty called life and family is rare. Your stay in the game with the zeal to come out winning is very important.

    Philosophy aside, but keeping the practical elements in mind, let’s dig a little deeper.  Also, find out what it takes for one to jump that threshold and what our toppers have said. Why have they not been able to clear earlier and what changes have they made to succeed?. These are the most sought-after info and are available on the internet. But from an individual’s perspective, one can not ignore his/her inconclusiveness due to lack of a distinct plan or direction.

    Hence, we are coming up with an open session. To counter myths and give some facts which will help you see the light on the other side of the tunnel about the exam.

    In this open session, we are going to give a clear insight which is important for one to save time, energy, and effort. Which might otherwise be getting wasted in the wrong direction? This is important because for an individual the first year is the year with maximum energy, expectation from self, go-getter attitude, etc..

    Register for the webinar ( Click here )

    We tend to get lost in the sea of advice and sources of studies. To save one from such torrents of information, it’s sometimes said that we need to better know “what not to follow than what to follow”.

    Anyways such hypotheses aside, your time in this open session is going to be full of interaction. Some previous year aspirants are also expected to be present. We do expect that all your confusion about the exam will get clear.

    Attendees can expect some takeaways too in the form of softcopies relevant to the exam. They will be available to you via email once you have done the registration for the open session.

    In this webinar, Ajay Verma, Mentor Head at Civilsdaily will give you an overview:

    – What UPSC expects out of you?

    – Avoiding Mistakes that can cost you an attempt?

    – What to do to master the IAS-Exam?

    – How to clear the exam -Step-by-Step learning plan?

    – An interactive Q&A session with Current Students at Civilsdaily

    – How to clear the exam on the very first attempt?

    – Important Civilsdaily softcopies takeaway for exam preparation.

    A quick bit about Ajay :

    Ajay has firsthand experience with 6 Mains and 3 interviews of UPSC. He has gathered experience working as Mentor-Head at CivilsDaily for the past 3 Yrs and helped many cross the threshold.

    REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR ( CLICK HERE )

  • Registration Closing at 5 PM Today || Samarth 2022 – Live Webinar by Ajay Verma || How to crack the UPSC IAS exam on the very first attempt? || Register here

    Webinar Date: 1st August 2021

    Timings: 7 PM

    REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR ( CLICK HERE )

    As complicated as it may appear, the UPSC Civil services exam is more about carrying nerves. It’s also about maintaining discipline for the time being and till you succeed. Nor the subjects are esoteric or unheard of. But the character for one to be able to sacrifice the beauty called life and family is rare. Your stay in the game with the zeal to come out winning is very important.

    Philosophy aside, but keeping the practical elements in mind, let’s dig a little deeper.  Also, find out what it takes for one to jump that threshold and what our toppers have said. Why have they not been able to clear earlier and what changes have they made to succeed?. These are the most sought-after info and are available on the internet. But from an individual’s perspective, one can not ignore his/her inconclusiveness due to lack of a distinct plan or direction.

    Hence, we are coming up with an open session. To counter myths and give some facts which will help you see the light on the other side of the tunnel about the exam.

    In this open session, we are going to give a clear insight which is important for one to save time, energy, and effort. Which might otherwise be getting wasted in the wrong direction? This is important because for an individual the first year is the year with maximum energy, expectation from self, go-getter attitude, etc..

    Register for the webinar ( Click here )

    We tend to get lost in the sea of advice and sources of studies. To save one from such torrents of information, it’s sometimes said that we need to better know “what not to follow than what to follow”.

    Anyways such hypotheses aside, your time in this open session is going to be full of interaction. Some previous year aspirants are also expected to be present. We do expect that all your confusion about the exam will get clear.

    Attendees can expect some takeaways too in the form of softcopies relevant to the exam. They will be available to you via email once you have done the registration for the open session.

    In this webinar, Ajay Verma, Mentor Head at Civilsdaily will give you an overview:

    – What UPSC expects out of you?

    – Avoiding Mistakes that can cost you an attempt?

    – What to do to master the IAS-Exam?

    – How to clear the exam -Step-by-Step learning plan?

    – An interactive Q&A session with Current Students at Civilsdaily

    – How to clear the exam on the very first attempt?

    – Important Civilsdaily softcopies takeaway for exam preparation.

    A quick bit about Ajay :

    Ajay has firsthand experience with 6 Mains and 3 interviews of UPSC. He has gathered experience working as Mentor-Head at CivilsDaily for the past 3 Yrs and helped many cross the threshold.

    REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR ( CLICK HERE )

  • Samarth 2022-Webinar by Ajay Verma || How to crack the UPSC IAS exam on the very first attempt? || Register here

    Webinar Date: 1st August 2021

    Timings: 7 PM

    REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR ( CLICK HERE )

    As complicated as it may appear, the UPSC Civil services exam is more about carrying nerves. It’s also about maintaining discipline for the time being and till you succeed. Nor the subjects are esoteric or unheard of. But the character for one to be able to sacrifice the beauty called life and family is rare. Your stay in the game with the zeal to come out winning is very important.

    Philosophy aside, but keeping the practical elements in mind, let’s dig a little deeper.  Also, find out what it takes for one to jump that threshold and what our toppers have said. Why have they not been able to clear earlier and what changes have they made to succeed?. These are the most sought-after info and are available on the internet. But from an individual’s perspective, one can not ignore his/her inconclusiveness due to lack of a distinct plan or direction.

    Hence, we are coming up with an open session. To counter myths and give some facts which will help you see the light on the other side of the tunnel about the exam.

    In this open session, we are going to give a clear insight which is important for one to save time, energy, and effort. Which might otherwise be getting wasted in the wrong direction? This is important because for an individual the first year is the year with maximum energy, expectation from self, go-getter attitude, etc..

    Register for the webinar ( Click here )

    We tend to get lost in the sea of advice and sources of studies. To save one from such torrents of information, it’s sometimes said that we need to better know “what not to follow than what to follow”.

    Anyways such hypotheses aside, your time in this open session is going to be full of interaction. Some previous year aspirants are also expected to be present. We do expect that all your confusion about the exam will get clear.

    Attendees can expect some takeaways too in the form of softcopies relevant to the exam. They will be available to you via email once you have done the registration for the open session.

    In this webinar, Ajay Verma, Mentor Head at Civilsdaily will give you an overview:

    – What UPSC expects out of you?

    – Avoiding Mistakes that can cost you an attempt?

    – What to do to master the IAS-Exam?

    – How to clear the exam -Step-by-Step learning plan?

    – An interactive Q&A session with Current Students at Civilsdaily

    – How to clear the exam on the very first attempt?

    – Important Civilsdaily softcopies takeaway for exam preparation.

    A quick bit about Ajay :

    Ajay has firsthand experience with 6 Mains and 3 interviews of UPSC. He has gathered experience working as Mentor-Head at CivilsDaily for the past 3 Yrs and helped many cross the threshold.

    REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR ( CLICK HERE )