[26th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Nagapattinam’s journey of resilience

PYQ Relevance: Q) On December 2004, tsunami brought havoc on fourteen countries including India. Discuss the factors responsible for occurrence of tsunamis and its effects on life and economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. (UPSC CSE 2017) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC… Continue reading

[25th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Myth of meritocracy, caste-based disparities in IT sector

PYQ Relevance: Q) The caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” Comment. (UPSC CSE 2018) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC mains have always focused on the ‘Right to Equality’ (2021) and ‘Multi-cultural Indian Society’ (2020). Oxfam India Report (2022) indicates that 97% of surveyed Dalits reported experiencing… Continue reading

[24th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: The GATT-ification of the World Trade Organization

PYQ Relevance: Q) What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India? (UPSC CSE 2018) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC mains have always focused on topics like ‘WTO’ (2018) and ‘International Trading routes’ (2022). An Allianz Trade survey… Continue reading

[23rd December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Pointing the beacon at India’s undersea warfare power

PYQ Relevance: Q) What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve maritime security. (UPSC CSE 2022) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC mains have always focused on topics like ‘Indo-Pacific’ (2020) and ‘Maritime Security’ (2022). Since late 2023, the Indian Navy has responded to numerous piracy incidents in… Continue reading

[21st December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: It is for historians to dig for tell-tale remains, not bigots

PYQ Relevance: Q) Are tolerance, assimilation and pluralism the key elements in the making of an Indian form of secularism? Justify your answer. (UPSC CSE 2022) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC Mains have previously focused on the ‘Indian concept of secularism’ (2018) as well as the ‘tolerance, assimilation and pluralism’ of India (in 2022). Archaeologists typically dig… Continue reading

[19th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Section 6A of the Citizenship Act — why it fails Assam?

PYQ Relevance:Q) Consider the following statements: 1. Aadhaar card can be used as proof of citizenship or domicile. 2. Once issued, the Aadhaar number cannot be deactivated or omitted by the Issuing Authority. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (UPSC CSE 2018)(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Mentor’s Comment: UPSC… Continue reading

[18th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: The legal gaps in India’s unregulated AI surveillance

PYQ Relevance: Q) “The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated e-Governance as an integral part of government”. Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2020) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC Mains have focused on the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution)’ (in 2020), and ‘different types of cyber crimes ’ (2021). In 2019, India announced plans to create… Continue reading

[17th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Levy a higher GST rate on tobacco, sugared beverages

PYQ Relevance: Q) “Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse. (UPSC CSE 2021) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC mains have always focused on major issues like the Conflict of interest in the public sector (2017) and Life Expectancy (2022). Tobacco is responsible for approximately… Continue reading

[16th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Let’s talk about ‘one candidate, multiple constituencies’

PYQ Relevance:Q) Discuss the procedures to decide the disputes arising out of the election of a Member of the Parliament or State Legislature under The Representation of the People Act, 1951. What are the grounds on which the election of any returned candidate may be declared void? What remedy is available to the aggrieved party… Continue reading

[14th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Wounding the spirit of the Constitution of India

PYQ Relevance:Q) Do you think that Constitution of India does not accept principle of strict separation of powers rather it is based on the principle of ‘checks and balance’? Explain. (UPSC CSE 2019) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC mains have always focused on major issues like Constitutional Principles (2019) and Basic structure (2014 and 2019) of our… Continue reading

[13th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Pakistan at the UNSC, the points of its compass

PYQ Relevance: Q) Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in the UNSC. (UPSC CSE 2015) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC Mains have previously ‘ India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in the UNSC’ (in 2015). Pakistan will join the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a… Continue reading

[12th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: The long and complex road to assisted dying

PYQ Relevance: [2018] Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty. Which of the following in the Constitution of India correctly and appropriately imply the above statement? (a) Article 14 and the provisions under the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution.(b) Article 17 and the Directive Principles of State… Continue reading

[11th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Sambhal and the perils of judicial evasion

PYQ Relevance:Q) What was held in the Coelho case? In this context, can you say that judicial review is of key importance amongst the basic features of the Constitution? (UPSC CSE 2016) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC Mains have previously ‘Judicial review’ (in 2016), and ‘religiousness/religiosity and Communalism’ (in 2017). In a 2005 paper on ‘judicial inactivism,’… Continue reading

[10th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: In energy-dependent world, the issue of food security

PYQ Relevance:Q) What are the salient features of the National Food Security Act, 2013? How has the Food Security Bill helped in eliminating hunger and malnutrition in India? (UPSC CSE 2021) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC Mains have always focused on ‘Food Security’ (in 2021), ‘conventional energy generation’ (in 2020) and ‘India’s Energy Security’ (in 2017). “Food… Continue reading

[9th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: A good beginning but China negotiations must continue

PYQ Relevance:Q) The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China’s supply chain and as a strategically to counter China’s political and economic dominance.” Explain this statement with examples. (UPSC CSE 2024) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC Mains is recently focusing on growing Chinese dominance in West and Central Asia (2024) and the… Continue reading

[7th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Public health — insights from the 1896 Bombay Plague

PYQ Relevance: Q) Public health system has limitation in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that private sector can help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives do you suggest? (UPSC CSE 2015) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC Mains have asked questions around the Public Health Policies (2017) and Newer Health Challenges (2020 and 2022).… Continue reading

[6th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: A three-nation visit as a foray into summit diplomacy

PYQ Relevance: Q) “If the last few decades were of Asia’s growth story, the next few are expected to be of Africa’s.” In the light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years. (UPSC CSE 2021) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC Mains have focused on ‘India’s influence in Africa (2021), and anti-colonial struggles in… Continue reading

[5th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Cash transfer schemes for women as a new poll plank

PYQ Relevance:Q) Reforming the government delivery system through the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme is a progressive step, but it has its limitations too. Comment. (UPSC CSE 2022) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC Mains have focused on the ‘cash transfer system for the welfare schemes to minimize corruption, eliminate wastage and facilitate reforms (in 2013), and ‘Direct Benefit… Continue reading

[4th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Reflections on Baku’s ‘NCQG outcome’

PYQ Relevance:Q) Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are India’s commitments at this conference? (UPSC CSE 2021) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC Mains have focused on India’s changing policy towards climate change (2022) and COP26 (2021). The… Continue reading

[3rd December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Citizens with disabilities, making their rights real

PYQ Relevance: Q) The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment. (UPSC CSE 2022) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC Mains have focused on the ‘Challenges faced by Disables’ (in 2017), ‘Acts and Policies’ (2022). Persons with disabilities (PwDs) in India encounter… Continue reading

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