Asteroids are rocky, airless remnants from the early solar system, primarily orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the Asteroid Belt. There are around 1.3 million known asteroids, and in recent years, tracking efforts have intensified due to the potential threats they pose to Earth. Threat of Asteroids Causing Extinction Counter Argument Strategies developed to prevent… Continue reading What are asteroids? How real is the threat of them causing extinction of life? What strategies have been developed to prevent such a catastrophe?

The world population is projected to reach approximately 9.7 billion by 2050, significantly increasing demand for freshwater resources. UNESCO notes that, 30% of the world’s aquifers are being over-exploited, particularly in regions like the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Reasons for Shortage of Clean and Safe Fresh Water: Alternative Technologies which can solve… Continue reading The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe freshwater. What are the alternative technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies citing their key merits and demerits

Buffer stocks are reserves of essential commodities, aimed at stabilizing agricultural prices and ensuring food security. India currently maintains over 80 million tonnes of buffer stock, well above the norm set by the Buffer Stocking Policy (around 30-40 million tonnes), managed primarily by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).  Importance of buffer stocks for stabilizing… Continue reading Elucidate the importance of buffer stocks for stabilizing agricultural prices in India. What are the challenges associated with the storage of buffer stock? Discuss

Irrigation is critical to Indian agriculture, which accounts for 80% of the country’s freshwater consumption. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, about 52% of India’s net sown area is irrigated, but inefficiencies in the system have hampered agricultural productivity.  Major challenges faced by Indian irrigation system in recent times: Measures taken by the government for… Continue reading What are the major challenges faced by Indian irrigation system in recent times? State the measures taken by the government for efficient irrigation management

India’s vast geography and diverse regions make efficient air connectivity a critical element in driving economic growth, enhancing national integration, and ensuring equitable development across the country. The UDAN Scheme was launched with the objective of connecting small and medium cities with big cities through air service. Need for expanding the regional air connectivity in… Continue reading What is the need for expanding the regional air connectivity in India? In this context, discuss the government’s UDAN Scheme and its achievements

As per recommendations of 2nd National Commission on Labour, 29 labor laws in India have been consolidated into Four comprehensive labor codes which aim at boosting the ease of doing business, while also extending social security to millions of workers, particularly in the informal and gig economy. Merits of Labour Codes: Demerits of Labour Codes:… Continue reading Discuss the merits and demerits of the four ‘Labour Codes’ in the context of labour market reforms in India. What has been the progress so far in this regard?

Data has emerged as ‘New Oil.’ As  technology has become the defining paradigm of the 21st century, the DPDP Act, India’s first data protection act, establishes a framework for the processing of personal data in India. Context of the DPDP Act, 2023: Salient Features of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: Issues Way Forward… Continue reading Describe the context and salient features of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

‘Narcoterrorism’ refers to the use of drug trafficking networks—routes, funding mechanisms, and incomes—by terrorist organizations. According to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), more than 100 instances of drone incursions reported in the India-Pakistan border alone in 2023, with most carrying heroin and weapons meant for terrorists operating in India. Narco-terrorism has emerged as a serious… Continue reading Explain how narco-terrorism has emerged as a serious threat across the country. Suggest suitable measures to counter narco-terrorism

“World today is economically richer & environmentally poorer the ever”  The UN Department of Public Information (DPI) defines the NGO as “a not-for-profit, voluntary citizen’s group that is organized on a local, national or international level to address issues in support of the public good.”  Role of environmental NGO’s: Examples Issues: Way Forward NGOs are… Continue reading What role do environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important details

As per CPCB report, 46 percent of the 603 Indian rivers are polluted based on indicator of organic pollution i.e. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) (3mg/L) with the discharge of untreated industrial affluents as one of the major reasons. Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue: Mitigation Measures to deal with this problem:… Continue reading Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government’s initiatives in this regard

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had introduced RFID-based FASTag as the primary technology used for electronic toll collection (ETC) in 2014. In February 2021, the government made FASTags compulsory for all vehicles, ensuring a cashless and more efficient toll collection system across the country. Advantages: Limitations: Proposed changes to make the process seamless:… Continue reading What is the technology being employed for electronic toll collection on highways? What are its advantages and limitations? What are the proposed changes that will make this process seamless? Would this transition carry any potential hazards?

As per WIPO, Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the context of life materials, such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), plant varieties, and biotechnological inventions, is a complex and ethically charged… Continue reading What is the present world scenario of intellectual property rights with respect to life materials? Although, India is second in the world to file patents, still only a few have been commercialized. Explain the reasons behind this less commercialization

In a country like India, where malnutrition, food insecurity, and lifestyle diseases coexist, millets, often termed “Nutri-cereals,” offer a powerful solution as they are not only nutritionally superior but also climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable.  Role of millets in ensuring health security: Role of millets in ensuring nutritional security: Government initiatives for promoting millets: By focusing… Continue reading Explain the role of millets for ensuring health and nutritional security in India

Land reform refers to the systematic alteration of laws, regulations, and practices governing land ownership, distribution, and use to achieve social and economic justice. Despite being major policy initiative it has remained an ‘Unfinished Agenda’ Factors responsible for successful implementation in some parts of the country: However, some more challenges need to be addressed including:… Continue reading What were the factors responsible for the successful implementation of land reforms in some parts of the country? Elaborate.

As per data by RBI, in the period 2016-2020, the average food inflation was 2.9 percent. This has more than doubled in the 2020s to an average of 6.3 percent. It reached as high as 8.7 percent in April 2024.     Causes of persistently high food inflation in India: Effectiveness of the monetary policy of the… Continue reading What are the causes of persistent high food inflation in India? Comment on the effectiveness of the monetary policy of the RBI to control this type of inflation.

Indian constitution envisions a welfare state under Article 38 of the constitution which is reflected in public expenditure on social services. In the post-reforms period the public expenditure on social services increased from 5.49% of GDP in 1990-91 to 8.3% in 2021-22. Patterns and trends of public expenditure on social services: Consonance with achieving the… Continue reading Examine the pattern and trend of public expenditure on social services in the post-reforms period in India. To what extent this has been in consonance with achieving the objective of inclusive growth?

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “India and the Maldives are not just neighbors; we are natural partners. Our destinies are intertwined, and we share the same vision of peace and prosperity.”   Geopolitical and Geostrategic Importance of Maldives for India: Focus on Trade and Energy Flows Challenges Way forward Sustained Diplomacy and strengthening People to… Continue reading 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?

Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) was established under UNSC resolution 1373 to enhance the capacity of UN member states to prevent and combat terrorism.… Continue reading “Terrorism has become a significant threat to global peace and security.’ Evaluate the effectiveness of the United Nations Security Council’s Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) and its associated bodies in addressing and mitigating this threat at the international level.

The World Bank defines e-governance as the use by government agencies of information technologies (such as Wide Area Networks, the Internet, and mobile computing) that can transform relations with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government.” Application of digital technology in service delivery process e-Governance being multifarious interactions for ensuring transparency and accountability Interactive service… Continue reading e-governance is not just about the routine application of digital technology in service delivery process. It is as much about multifarious interactions for ensuring transparency and accountability. In this context evaluate the role of the ‘Interactive Service Model’ of e governance.