GS Paper: Paper 2
Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India
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Foreign Policy Watch- India-Central Asia
Introduction source Five Central Asian states have significant disagreements among themselves, and development trajectories have increasingly diverged since the… Continue reading Foreign Policy Watch- India-Central Asia
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Foreign Policy Watch: India-Nepal
Brief History of Kingdom Of Nepal Gorkha rule After decades of rivalry between the medieval kingdoms, modern Nepal was reunified in… Continue reading Foreign Policy Watch: India-Nepal
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Foreign Policy Watch: India-Australia
India & the Oceans Backgrounder It is analytically sensible to divide Australia’s links to post-Independence India into four phases: The… Continue reading Foreign Policy Watch: India-Australia
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Nuclear Diplomacy and Disarmament
Here’s what we are going the explain in this writeup: The Backstory What is the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)?… Continue reading Nuclear Diplomacy and Disarmament
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Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
Mega regional trade deals are in vogue in an otherwise fragile global economy. In an environment of falling aggregate demand,… Continue reading Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
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Trans Pacific Partnership: Latest updates and developments
What is the TPP? Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a trade agreement between several Pacific Rim countries concerning a variety… Continue reading Trans Pacific Partnership: Latest updates and developments
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Foreign Policy Watch: India-Myanmar
Finally democracy triumphed in Myanmar. Can India leverage its democratic institutions to further cement its relationship with 'the land of golden pagodas'?
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Foreign Policy Watch: India-Pacific Island Nations
What are Pacific Island Nations (PINs)? These are 14 island countries in Pacific Ocean – Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall… Continue reading Foreign Policy Watch: India-Pacific Island Nations
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Foreign Policy Watch: India-SCO
India becomes a permanent member at SCO. What next?
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Foreign Policy Watch: India – EU
Timeline of EU source 19 April 1951: European Coal and Steel Community Treaty signed by Germany, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Belgium… Continue reading Foreign Policy Watch: India – EU
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Foreign Policy Watch: India-Russia
Indo-Russian revamped relationship - Get in speed with the latest developments.
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Foreign Policy Watch: India-Japan
In the context of 21st Century, among all the bilateral relations, Indo-Japan relations have all the potential to transcend this… Continue reading Foreign Policy Watch: India-Japan
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Foreign Policy Watch: India-Africa
India and the African countries are in news lately, however the ties between the two regions date back to… Continue reading Foreign Policy Watch: India-Africa
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Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC, COP, Other Conventions and Protocols
The conference seeks to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, from all the nations of the world.
Forging an agreement in Paris will take bold leadership. The people of the world look to the leaders of great powers to protect our planet before it’s too late for us.
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AIIB & The Changing World Order
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is an international financial institution proposed by China. AIIB is regarded as a rival for the IMF, the World… Continue reading AIIB & The Changing World Order
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Foreign Policy Watch: India-Middle East
WEST ASIA India’s relations with the West Asian countries are historical since the independence. India has interests in economic, political,… Continue reading Foreign Policy Watch: India-Middle East
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Nuclear Suppliers Group(NSG) Entry
The euphoria generated by the 2008 Indo-US nuclear deal and the NSG waiver has been tempered as a result of later developments. The road to finalising nuclear power plant projects is filled with obstacles and potholes, including public opposition to nuclear plant sites, liability issues, and nuclear safety concerns, as highlighted by the Fukushima disaster.
Civil Service
Comparison Of The Indian Constitutional Scheme With That Of Other Countries
Constitutional Bodies
E-Governance
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Digital India Initiatives
#VikasKaBudget
Effect Of Policies & Politics Of World On India'S Interests
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BREXIT
What has happened? A referendum – a vote in which everyone of voting age can take part was held to… Continue reading BREXIT
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The Crisis In The Middle East
Want to know how the Syrian Civil War broke out ? We know what you people will think now - It is not possible to visit the war-torn country at the moment. Why not! Come on let us travel to Syria through this article.
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Contention over South China Sea
Why in news? Background Importance of South China Sea What is the case about? Are Chinese claims valid? What next?… Continue reading Contention over South China Sea
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Italian Marines Case
In Feb 2012, two Italian Marines on board an oil tanker had opened fire on a fishing boat and killed… Continue reading Italian Marines Case
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Sri Lanka’s Constitution – Strides in the Right Direction
The 19th Amendment (19A) to the Constitution of Sri Lanka was passed by the 225-member Sri Lankan Parliament with 215 voting in favor. It is the most revolutionary reform ever applied to the Constitution of Sri Lanka since JR Jayawardene became the first Executive President of Sri Lanka in 1978.
What happens next?
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Yemen Crisis
The chaos in Yemen has, in the last few days, gone from bad to much, much worse. Here's a guide to the basics of what's going on.
Executive & Judiciary
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Judicial Pendency
Ending Tareekh pe Tareekh Syndrome
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Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism – NCA, Lok Adalats, etc.
CAN NCA BE THE PANACEA TO JUDICIAL PENDENCY?
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Judicial Appointments Conundrum Pre-NJAC Verdict
NJAC: A Triumphant Verdict
Federalism
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Interstate River Water Dispute
Importance for Exams Mains : Understand the issue, why is it not resolved yet. Steps taken this year. why they… Continue reading Interstate River Water Dispute
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Delhi Full Statehood Issue
source Should Delhi be given statehood? Why in news? Background What is the present status of Delhi? Arguments favoring statehood… Continue reading Delhi Full Statehood Issue
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President’s Rule
Get to know the historic evolution of these powers vis-a-vis daily news.
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Special Category Status and States
What is ‘Special Category’ status? What benefits do states having ‘Special Category’ status enjoy? Who accords the category status to… Continue reading Special Category Status and States
Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters
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Medical Education Governance in India
The MCI has been in the news for the wrong reasons as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health in its… Continue reading Medical Education Governance in India
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Aadhaar Card Issues
Will Aadhar enable better targeting of subsidies or will it create an Orwellian surveillance apparatus?
Government Scheme/Policies
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Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.
Importance for the exams Mains – Understand the problems with the existing water management institutions. How a new institutional framework tries… Continue reading Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.
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Coastal Zones Management and Regulations
Shailesh Nayak Committee has recently relaxed norms under coastal regulation zones. It has proposed for allowing housing infrastructure and slum… Continue reading Coastal Zones Management and Regulations
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Liquor Policy of States
Let's see the issue of liquor prohibition in states from various dimensions.
Health & Education
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Mother and Child Health – Immunization Program, BPBB, PMJSY, PMMSY, etc.
Empowering the girl child
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Swachh Bharat Mission
The mission seeks to eliminate open defecation, eradicate manual Scavenging, modern and scientific municipal solid waste management. It also seeks to effect behavioral change regarding healthy sanitation practices, to generate awareness about sanitation and its linkage with public health.
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Transition From MDG to SDG: Issues & Concern
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a proposed set of targets relating to future international development. They will replace the Millennium Development Goals, as they expire at the end of 2015.
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Higher Education – RUSA, NIRF, HEFA, etc.
In India, education is in the concurrent list, where federal states and the central government share responsibilities. Until recently, legislations in higher education prohibited profit making in the sector. Higher education was defined as a not-for-profit sector.
The UGC under the Department of Higher Education in the MHRD acts as the coordinator as well as prescriber of standards for education in the country.
Important International Institutions
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Solar Panel Dispute at WTO
All that you need to know about India & WTO's solar panel dispute
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WTO Nairobi meet: Updates on the 10th Ministerial Conference
You may be wondering, why developing countries like India are pressing for completion of Doha Development Round. Let's connect the dots for you on all that you need to know wrt WTO!
India & Its Neighborhood - Relations
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BRICS Summits
Importance for Exams Mains : This year is special because India holds chair of the BRICS Summit from February to December. Though… Continue reading BRICS Summits
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Foreign Policy Watch: India-Pakistan
Pakistan profile – Timeline A chronology of key events: source Muhammed Ali Jinnah – founding father of Pakistan Born in… Continue reading Foreign Policy Watch: India-Pakistan
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Foreign Policy Watch: India-China
Introduction On 1 April, 1950, India became the first non-socialist bloc country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s… Continue reading Foreign Policy Watch: India-China
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Foreign Policy Watch: India-Bangladesh
India’s links with Bangladesh are civilisational, cultural, social and economic. There is much that unites the two countries –… Continue reading Foreign Policy Watch: India-Bangladesh
Indian Constitution - historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
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Languages and Eighth Schedule
source Importance for exams: Mains: Understanding the pros and cons of promoting a single language in a multilingual India. Drawing… Continue reading Languages and Eighth Schedule
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Citizenship and Related Issues
What is citizenship? What does constitution say about citizenship? Special rights enjoyed by citizens Legislations in this regard Termination of… Continue reading Citizenship and Related Issues
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Freedom of Speech – Defamation, Sedition, etc.
Should a colonial era legislation that has the potential to chill free speech be allowed to remain on the statute book? Revisit a short summary of one of the most misused section of colonial era.
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Uniform Civil Code: Triple Talaq debate, Polygamy issue, etc.
Do We Want Uniform Civil Code in India?
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Jallikattu Debate
Jallikattu is a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day. Jallikattu is… Continue reading Jallikattu Debate
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Death Penalty Abolition Debate
The death penalty is eminently fallible, yet irrevocably final. It operates in a system that is highly fragile and open to manipulation and mistakes. The exercise of mercy powers under Article 72/161 has also failed in acting as the final bulwark against miscarriage of justice arising from arbitrary, unfair or wrongful exercise of death penalty. Let's map a story on what is going on in India.
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Right To Privacy
The right of privacy is well established in international law. The core privacy principle in modern law may be found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Besides this, philosophers and ethicists have described privacy as an indispensable characteristic of personal freedom.
Indian Diaspora
International Institutions
Laws, Institutions & Bodies Constituted For The Vulnerable Sections
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LGBT Rights – Transgender Bill, Sec. 377, etc.
Amid the debate on the archaic sedition law that should have no place in democratic India, President called for the thorough revision of the IPC 1860 to meet the needs of the 21st century. Let's see why is it so necessary to amend the code.
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Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act
Significant provisions and scope of the bill.
Ministries & Departments Of The Government
NGO, SHG & Civil Society
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NGOs vs. GoI: The Conflicts and Scrutinies
Last year, a much publicised leaked report by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) warned us that several NGOs, including Greenpeace India, were having a detrimental effect on India’s economic development. What does it mean? What's the background story and milestone developments in this news segment?
Panchayats & Local Bodies
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Rural Infrastructure Schemes
Has 2 departments under it – Dept. of Rural Development and Dept. of Land Resources. National level schemes under them – Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak… Continue reading Rural Infrastructure Schemes
Parliament & State Legislatures
Poverty & Hunger
Representation Of People's Act
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Electoral Reforms In India
PM Modi recently advocated for simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. This has set off the debate over the long pending electoral reforms in the country.
Schemes For Vulnerable Sections
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Pension Reforms
A brisk walk down the memory lane to understand the origins of OROP and the major milestones in its evolution.
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MGNREGA Scheme
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employee Guarantee Scheme is an Indian labour law and social security measure that aims to guarantee the 'right to work'. It has generated more rural employment than any other government scheme or private initiative in the history of independent India. At the same time, it has also generated a great deal of controversy over its merits and demerits.
Seperation Of Power
Statutory, Regulatory & Various Quasi-Judicial Bodies
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BCCI Reforms – Lodha Committee, etc.
What are the key points of Lodha committee report? Analysing the report under various dimensions.
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NITI Aayog’s Assessment
The Aayog seeks to evolve a shared vision of national development priorities sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States in the light of national objectives
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National Green Tribunal’s Role and Contributions
In the corridors of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), growing frustration is evident against NGT. Some call it a “power-hungry institution” that has failed the purpose for which it was created. But does NGT need to be reined in or do we need to give it more powers? How has it fared on various counts?
