Climate change has long been discussed in terms of rising temperatures and carbon emissions, but historian Sunil Amrith reframes it as a moral and historical crisis. His work The Burning Earth explores how human ambition, industrialisation, and inequality have shaped the Anthropocene. The interview highlights that solving the crisis requires not just technology, but a transformation in values, governance, and global justice.
Central Ideas and Dimensions
Human Ambition and the Roots of the Climate Crisis
Moral Dimension: Amrith draws from Mahatma Gandhi’s dictum, “The world has enough for everyone’s need but not enough for everyone’s greed.” Industrialisation, driven by greed rather than necessity, transformed humanity’s relationship with nature.
Historical Continuity: Post-industrial societies viewed nature as a source of endless exploitation; colonised nations inherited these extractive systems.
Colonial Legacy: European colonial powers intensified extraction in Asia and Africa, embedding global inequalities in resource use and emissions.
Industrialisation and Technological Faith: A Limited Solution
Technological Optimism: Many assume industrial progress can “fix” climate problems through innovation and decarbonisation.
Historical Warning: Industrialisation was never morally neutral; it was driven by moral ambition and economic expansion.
Inequality in Transition: The Global South is now being asked to decarbonise rapidly despite having contributed less to historical emissions.
Example: The ‘Green Transition’ narrative often benefits rich economies while transferring economic burdens to poorer ones.
Climate Change as a Political, not Merely Technical, Problem
Political Process: Climate negotiations are shaped by historical responsibility and inequality in emission shares.
Distribution of Responsibility: Developed countries hold disproportionate responsibility, yet developing countries bear heavier adaptation costs.
Injustice of Geography: Those least responsible like communities in the Global South face the worst climate impacts.
Global Debate: The question of who should pay and who should adapt is as pressing as the question of how to reduce emissions.
Humanities and the Ethics of Climate Discourse
Beyond Science: Amrith calls for humanities’ involvement, history, anthropology, and moral philosophy, to interpret climate change as a human story.
Changing Relationship with Nature: Understanding industrialisation’s moral and emotional roots can help reshape our relationship with the planet.
The Limits of Techno-fixes and the Role of Human Values
Bill Gates’ View: Technology can solve climate change even if temperatures rise by 1.5°C.
Amrith’s Counterpoint: Even if emissions stopped tomorrow, warming would continue due to locked-in carbon cycles.
Moral Reorientation: Sustainable future demands restraint, compassion, and fairness, not mere efficiency or profit.
Systemic Realisation: Human welfare, not human power, should guide policy; prosperity cannot be measured by GDP alone.
Conclusion
Amrith’s argument reframes the climate crisis as a mirror to human civilization reflecting not just carbon levels, but our collective morality. The path ahead demands ethical reawakening, equitable governance, and historical responsibility, not just green technology. Climate change is not a scientific failure; it is a civilizational test of whether humanity can outgrow its own greed.
PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2017] ‘Climate Change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? Linkage: Climate change is a recurring UPSC theme in GS 3 and Essays. This article adds depth by linking human greed and moral failure to India’s climate vulnerability, especially in Himalayan and coastal regions.
Introduced in 2017, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) replaced multiple indirect taxes at both Central and State levels, including excise duty, service tax, and VAT, creating a unified national tax framework. The recent data released by the Central Government for October 2025 indicates a 4.6% year-on-year increase in total revenue collection to ₹1,95,936 crore. However, the state-wise analysis has revealed an emerging concern: while some states have achieved strong revenue growth, others are struggling to reach even pre-GST revenue-to-GDP ratios.
Why in the News
The latest data on GST revenue collection highlights contrasting fiscal trajectories across Indian states. Despite record-high GST collections nationally, several states’ tax-to-GDP ratios remain lower than before 2017, indicating a possible erosion of state fiscal autonomy. The issue has gained attention because:
Sixteen states and Union Territories now earn a smaller share of revenue from GST than pre-GST taxes.
The aggregate revenue from subsumed taxes has declined from 6.1% of GDP in 2015-16 to 5.5% in 2023-24.
The average GST-to-GDP ratio over the past seven years is 2.6%, below the pre-GST average of 2.8%.
This reversal is significant as it questions the efficacy of India’s largest tax reform and the viability of fiscal federalism under GST.
How did GST Change the Tax Landscape?
Unified Tax Framework: GST subsumed indirect taxes such as excise duty, VAT, and service tax under a single national structure, simplifying compliance.
Revenue Flow Shift: Revenue previously collected by states under independent taxes now flows through a shared GST mechanism, altering fiscal control.
Increased Central Dependence: States became dependent on GST compensation cess and Centre’s transfers for revenue stability, altering fiscal autonomy.
Short-term Gains: Initially, GST led to better compliance and formalization, resulting in short-term revenue surges.
How Are States Performing After GST?
Diverse Outcomes: According to PRS Legislative Research, state-level GST revenues continue to trail the pre-GST levels as a share of GSDP.
Declining Tax-to-GDP Ratio: Aggregate revenue from subsumed taxes fell from 6.1% (2015-16) to 5.5% (2023-24).
Below-Average GST Performance: The seven-year average GST-to-GDP ratio (2.6%) is lower than the pre-GST average (2.8%).
Top Performers: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Haryana have shown robust post-GST growth in tax collection.
Lagging States: J&K, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha recorded revenue decline from subsumed taxes as a percentage of GSDP.
Which States Have Been Worst Affected?
Northeastern States: Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Manipur saw an improvement in tax-to-GSDP ratios.
Northern and Central States: Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha saw a decline in subsumed tax revenues.
Urban-Rural Divide: Industrial and service-oriented states benefited, while agrarian and resource-dependent states witnessed fiscal compression.
GST Compensation End: After 2022, when the GST compensation guarantee ended, fiscal stress intensified for states heavily reliant on the compensation mechanism.
What Does the Data Reveal About Fiscal Federalism?
Centre-State Revenue Imbalance: 20 out of 36 states/UTs now collect less than 40% of their revenue from GST, deepening fiscal asymmetry.
Medium-term Fiscal Impact: The 15th Finance Commission projected a GST-to-GDP ratio of 7%, but current data reflects underperformance.
Long-term Fiscal Risks: Declining state revenue autonomy may affect social spending and capital expenditure, widening regional disparities.
Compliance Inefficiency: Multiple tax slabs, refund delays, and compliance burdens continue to affect smaller states’ GST efficiency.
Conclusion
The GST has achieved its unification objective but has not yet ensured revenue equity across states. While high-compliance, industrial states have benefited, smaller and agrarian states remain fiscally strained. The data underscores the need for recalibrating the GST architecture, simplifying slabs, improving IT infrastructure, and enhancing fiscal transfers, to align with the spirit of cooperative federalism and fiscal balance.
PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2019] Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. Also, comment on the revenue implications of the GST introduced in India since July 2017.
Linkage: It evaluates the impact of GST on Centre-State revenue balance and indirect tax structure post-2017.
PIB has provided an update regarding the progress of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).
About National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP):
Overview: Launched on 15 August 1995, NSAP is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development.
Objective: To provides financial and food security to individuals living below the poverty line (BPL), fulfilling the Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 41) by supporting the elderly, widows, persons with disabilities, and families suffering the loss of a breadwinner.
Coverage: It operates across rural and urban India, covering over 3.09 crore beneficiaries.
Components of NSAP:
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Provides ₹200/month to citizens aged 60–79 and ₹500/month to those 80+, with States adding top-up support.
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): Offers ₹300/month to widows aged 40–79 and ₹500/month for those 80+.
Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): Extends ₹300/month to persons aged 18–79 with severe disabilities; ₹500/month for those 80+.
National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): Grants a one-time ₹20,000 to BPL families on the death of a breadwinner aged 18–59.
Annapurna Scheme: Supplies 10 kg of free food grains/month to senior citizens eligible for IGNOAPS but not receiving pension.
Implementation and Monitoring Framework:
Selection: Eligible beneficiaries identified by Gram Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies.
Disbursement: About 94% through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to bank or post office accounts; cash-at-doorstep allowed in special cases.
Monitoring: Each State/UT appoints a Nodal Secretary; quarterly progress reports are mandatory, and failure to submit can lead to withholding of funds.
Transparency Measures: Integration with Public Financial Management System (PFMS) ensures real-time tracking, Aadhaar linkage, and prevention of duplication.
Recent Update (2024–25):
NSAP disbursed funds of ₹6,143.92 crore (IGNOAPS), ₹2,150.03 crore (IGNWPS), ₹243.74 crore (IGNDPS), and ₹394.29 crore (NFBS & Annapurna).
2.5 crore+ beneficiaries have Aadhaar-linked accounts ensuring transparent payments.
Budget for 2025–26: ₹9,652 crore, with IGNOAPS receiving the largest share (₹6,645.9 crore).
Digital Life Certification (DLC) mobile app launched in July 2025, enabling Aadhaar-based verification and reducing manual procedures.
The programme continues to serve as a core pillar of India’s social safety net, enhancing welfare delivery and inclusion through digitisation, DBT, and Aadhaar authentication.
A recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) revealed that over half of registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs) linked to Bihar have failed to comply with mandatory financial disclosure norms for FY 2023–24.
Key Findings of ADR Report:
Non-Compliance: Over 59% of registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs) linked to Bihar failed to file either their audit reports or donation statements for FY 2023–24, violating Election Commission of India (ECI) norms.
Scope: Of 275 RUPPs reviewed, 184 were from Bihar and 91 from other states. Only 67 parties (24.36%) disclosed both audit and contribution reports.
Political Funding in India:
Overview: Political funding refers to financial resources raised by political parties or candidates to sustain organisational operations and election campaigns.
Purpose: Ensures participation in democratic processes, electoral competitiveness, and mass outreach.
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) chaired by Union Environment Minister has recommended reinstating the Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Back2Basics: Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Objective: Provides legal protection to species requiring conservation monitoring but not critically endangered.
Protection Scope: Hunting, capture, or trade prohibited except under extraordinary conditions such as disease or threat to human life.
Legal Provision: Section 11 authorises Chief Wildlife Wardens to grant permissions for justified exceptions.
Penalties: Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine up to ₹25,000, or both; slightly lower than Schedule I provisions.
Species Included: Assamese macaque, Indian fox, Himalayan black bear, Indian cobra, large Indian civet, etc.
Distinction from Schedule I: Offers near-equivalent protection but allows limited regulation and control measures.
Authority: Central Government empowered under Section 61 to amend species inclusion or exclusion
About Rhesus Macaque:
Scientific Name: Macaca mulatta, a species of Old World monkey native to South, Central, and Southeast Asia.
Distribution: Widest-ranging non-human primate, found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, and Afghanistan.
Physical Traits: Brown or grey fur; body length 47–53 cm, tail 20–23 cm, weight 5–8 kg; strong sexual dimorphism.
Habitat: Highly adaptable; lives in forests, grasslands, riverine zones, agricultural lands, and even urban settlements.
Behaviour: Diurnal, semi-terrestrial, and social; organised in matrilineal troops (20–200 members) with complex vocal and gestural communication.
Diet: Omnivorous, feeds on fruits, seeds, roots, cereals, and occasionally invertebrates; uses cheek pouches for temporary food storage.
IUCN Status: Least Concern, due to wide distribution and high adaptability.
Legal Reclassification: Previously listed under Schedule II of the WPA, 1972, offering stringent protection against hunting, cruelty, illegal trade, and exploitation. After the 2022 amendments, it was shifted to Schedule IV (mid-level protection category with lesser punishments).
Scientific Relevance: Extensively used in biomedical research, instrumental in developing polio, rabies, smallpox vaccines, and in HIV/AIDS and neuroscience studies.
Human Conflict: Increasing crop raids, urban aggression, and food theft; declared vermin in Himachal Pradesh (2019) for selective culling in non-forest zones.
How is the Culling of Vermin allowed in India?
Definition: Animals declared harmful or nuisance-causing, legally permitted for hunting to safeguard life, crops, or property.
Legal Provision: Section 62 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 empowers the Central Government to declare species (excluding Schedule I) as vermin for specific regions and timeframes.
Earlier Classification: Schedule V (pre-2022) listed vermins such as rats, fruit bats, and common crows.
2022 Amendment: Schedule V removed; Centre can now issue direct notifications declaring vermin status.
Declaration Process:
State government submits request citing local damage or risk.
MoEFCC evaluates ecological and administrative justification.
Centre issues notification for specified region and duration.
Examples:
Wild boar (Uttarakhand, Kerala, Goa)
Nilgai (Bihar, Uttar Pradesh)
Rhesus macaque (Himachal Pradesh, 2019)
Fruit bats and crows (select farming regions)
Legal Consequence: Once notified, the species loses protection, and hunting incurs no penalty during the declared period.
Ecological and Ethical Concerns: Risks of ecosystem imbalance and animal cruelty; experts advocate contraception, relocation, and scientific management instead.
[UPSC 2022] If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?
Options: (a) A licence is required to cultivate that plant. *
(b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.
(c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant.
(d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.
In 2025, Bangladesh became the first South Asian nation to join the UN Water Convention (Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes).
About UN Water Convention:
Overview: Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, adopted in Helsinki (1992) and enforced in 1996 under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
Globalisation: Originally regional (Europe, Central Asia); opened to all UN Member States in 2016 after a 2013 amendment, becoming a global treaty for transboundary water governance.
Objective: Promotes sustainable management of shared water resources and conflict prevention through cooperative mechanisms.
Key Goals: Implements SDG-6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG-16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) via equitable water sharing and joint management.
Obligations for Parties:
Prevent and reduce transboundary pollution and unsustainable extraction.
Use shared waters equitably and reasonably.
Coordinate national and transboundary water management policies.
Establish joint bodies or commissions for shared basins.
Institutional Mechanism: Managed by the UNECE Secretariat, which organises meetings, facilitates implementation, and promotes basin-level cooperation among signatories.
Legal Character: Functions as a framework convention, complementing rather than replacing bilateral treaties (e.g., Indus Waters Treaty, Ganga Treaty).
Significance: Serves as a legal and institutional mechanism for Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), regional peacebuilding, and climate-resilient governance.
Related Instruments: Inspired the UN Watercourses Convention (1997); both operate in complementary scopes within international water law.
Why did Bangladesh join (2025):
First in South Asia: Became the first South Asian nation to ratify the Convention amid escalating water stress and climate vulnerability.
Hydrological Dependence: Over 90% of river inflows come from outside Bangladesh, mainly India and China, making Dhaka highly vulnerable to upstream interventions.
Upstream Projects: Concerns over China’s Motuo Hydropower Project (Yarlung Tsangpo/Brahmaputra) and India’s unresolved Teesta water-sharing dispute drove the decision.
Environmental Risks: 60% of population exposed to floods; half live in drought-prone areas, heightening need for cooperative governance.
Legal Context: Bangladesh’s 2019 High Court ruling granting rivers legal personhood reinforced its institutional focus on water rights.
Strategic Motivation: Seeks global legal recourse, access to data-sharing mechanisms, and international funding for climate adaptation and water security.
Implications for India:
Shift from Bilateralism: India prefers bilateral river treaties (e.g., Indus, Ganga). Bangladesh’s multilateral engagement introduces scope for third-party mediation, contrary to India’s stance.
Ganga Treaty Renewal (2026): Bangladesh may invoke “equitable utilisation” to seek a higher share of Ganga waters under Convention norms.
Teesta River Pressure: The stalled Teesta agreement could face renewed international pressure, citing fairness and sustainability principles.
Regional Domino Effect: Likely to motivate Nepal and Bhutan to join, potentially transforming South Asia’s hydro-diplomatic architecture.
Strategic Concerns: Bangladesh’s simultaneous trilateral cooperation with China and Pakistan raises apprehensions of a Beijing-influenced hydro-bloc.
The Supreme Court has ordered all States and Union Territories to remove stray dogs from public areas and relocate them to shelters after sterilisation and vaccination under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.
About Animal Birth Control (ABC) Program:
Purpose: Humane, scientifically proven method to control stray dog populations and reduce rabies.
Legal Basis: First under Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 (under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960); updated as Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.
Development: Created with support from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Core Method: “Catch–sterilise–vaccinate–release” model; prohibits relocation or culling.
Implementation: Managed by municipalities, municipal corporations, and panchayats.
Authorisation: Only organisations recognised by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) can conduct programs.
Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023:
Implemented to comply with Supreme Court guidelines in Writ Petition No. 691 of 2009.
Assigns responsibility to local bodies (municipalities, corporations, panchayats) to conduct ABC programs for sterilisation and immunisation of stray dogs.
Prohibits relocation of stray dogs as a means of population control; instead, they must be sterilised and returned to the same area.
Only organisations recognised by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) can conduct ABC programs.
Key Features:
Sterilisation Target: Minimum 70% of stray dogs in an area within one reproductive cycle (~6 months).
Focus: Female sterilisation at a 70:30 female-to-male ratio.
Rabies Control: Mandatory rabies vaccination (ABC–ARV) for every sterilised dog.
Infrastructure: Kennels, veterinary facilities, vehicles, and hygienic shelters required.
Recordkeeping: Detailed records for catching, surgery, vaccination, and release.
Monitoring: State and local committees ensure compliance and handle complaints.
Legal Protection: Mass relocation or killing prohibited under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
[UPSC 2010] Consider the following statements:
1. Every individual in the population is equally susceptible host for Swine Flu.
2. Antibiotics have no role in the primary treatment of Swine Flu
3.To prevent the future spread of Swine Flu in the epidemic area, the swine (pigs) must all be culled.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only* (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has successfully removed Senna spectabilis, a highly invasive tree species, from 1,963 hectares of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR).
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Location: Situated in Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
Area: Covers 321 sq. km, forming part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India’s first biosphere reserve.
Terrain: Undulating landscape ranging from 960–1266 m elevation.
Rivers: The Moyar River flows through the reserve, supporting rich biodiversity.
Vegetation: Includes evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forests, teak, bamboo, and grasslands (vayals).
Flora: Contains wild relatives of cultivated plants like rice, turmeric, and ginger.
Fauna: Home to tigers, elephants, gaurs, sambars, leopards, blackbucks, wild dogs, and 8% of India’s bird species.
Boundaries: Shares borders with Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala).
Cultural Note: The Oscar-winning documentary “The Elephant Whisperers” was filmed at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp inside MTR.
About Senna spectabilis:
Origin: A fast-growing deciduous tree native to tropical America, introduced in India as an ornamental and shade plant.
Why Civilsdaily’s UPSC Mentorship Program Is Unique? UAP is NOT your regular course. This isn’t just a program, it’s an ecosystem built to deliver ranks. The core of UAP is – Fault Finding & Course Correction. While other mentorships feel like blackboxes-random calls, vague advice, zero accountability & mere doubt solving-ours is a precision system built to spot your faults and fix them fast. No fluff, no guesswork. Real mentorship means real corrections.
We follow 5 steps: The Approach → Weekly Targets → Note-Building → Testing → Test Discussions. Every step sharpens you. Every step pulls you closer to the list. From crafting your strategy to squeezing out every last mark in Mains, UAP goes all in. In 2023, AIR 2 came from UAP. Many cleared in their first attempt. Others cracked it in their final shot.
What’s common? Grind, Focus, Clarity, and UAP. This alone is a strong enough reason why UAP is a unique program.
The heart of the Civilsdaily is the Ultimate Assessment Program (UAP). For years, aspirants have enrolled here because they couldn’t find such depth and passion towards quality content and Mentorship anywhere. Their search for Mentorship inevitably ends at Civilsdaily.
What You Need to Crack UPSC-CSE in One Attempt
To succeed in UPSC-CSE in a single attempt, it’s essential to have a well-structured, strategic approach. Here’s a breakdown of the key program inclusions that will help you achieve that:
Goal Setting: The Foundation of Preparation Every month, you’ll have a clear timeline of what needs to be covered and by when. This ensures consistent progress, avoids burnout, and keeps you on the right track throughout your preparation.
Assessment-Based Approach A comprehensive strategy that focuses on covering the entire syllabus in the shortest time possible, while still allowing room for multiple revisions. This approach ensures you stay on top of every subject while reinforcing your understanding.
Concise & Comprehensive Notes Access to crisp, ranker-recommended notes on relevant micro themes, based on trends from previous years’ questions (PYQs). These notes will help you focus on high-priority topics without getting overwhelmed.
Practical & Effective Revision Strategy A tailored revision plan focused on one goal: qualifying both Prelims and Mains. This strategy ensures you’re not just learning but retaining information effectively for the exams.
Mastering the Theme & Demand of Mains Questions Understand how to approach Mains questions with the right “Theme-Demand” analysis. Build a ready reference of “Intro-Body-Conclusion” structures for repeated themes, helping you develop muscle memory for answering questions efficiently.
Sharp Feedback from Mentors Consistent, detailed feedback on every mock test you attempt for Prelims and Mains. The goal is to make all your mistakes during the mocks, so you go into the final exam fully prepared and confident.
By mastering these elements, you’ll build the skills, mindset, and preparation necessary to clear UPSC-CSE in one attempt.
Schedule a 1-1 call with Civilsdaily’s Mentorfor focused UPSC Prep
Secondly, Let’s Understand Why Traditional Methods Fall Short
Relying solely on traditional methods attending 1:many classes, reading model answers, and taking a few mock tests-often creates the illusion that this is the core of Prelims and Mains preparation. In reality, these approaches make up only about 10% of a comprehensive strategy. When your goal is to secure a rank in the least number of attempts, the stakes are even higher. Here’s how UAP Mentorship elevates your preparation to the next level:
Personalized Study Plan: Sit down with a mentor to craft a detailed, fortnightly study schedule that covers the syllabus systematically. After each cycle, attempt a mock test to evaluate your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Expert Feedback: Practicing mocks is great, but imagine receiving sharp, actionable feedback from a mentor who has guided toppers like AIR 2, 22, 48, and others. Learn how to gain those crucial extra marks for each question and unlock the X-factor in your preparation.
Mapping Mains Themes: Solving Prelims and Mains PYQs is just the beginning. With UAP, you’ll work with mentors to map the UPSC syllabus onto key Mains themes, using PYQs to prioritize your revision efforts efficiently.
Crafting Concise Notes: Already created your Mains revision notes? Let’s take it further by refining them into concise one-pagers for each theme, complete with updated examples and multiple dimensions for deeper understanding.
Actionable Evaluation: Receiving an evaluated mock test copy is crucial-but what’s next? With UAP, we provide clear, actionable points to work on before you attempt your next mock, ensuring continuous improvement.
If you’re relying on outdated methods, UAP Mentorship might not be for you. But if you’ve tried those approaches and seen their limitations, now’s the time to level up. Apply for UAP Mentorship and experience the difference in your UPSC preparation journey.
What is the Ultimate Assessment Program (UAP)?
UAP is far from your typical course-it’s a complete ecosystem designed to handle every aspect of your UPSC preparation, from refining your strategy to significantly boosting your rank. In 2023, AIR 2 was one of the top ranks produced by UAP, alongside several other rankers. Many of these aspirants cleared the exam in their first attempt, while others succeeded in their final or second-to-last attempts.
These aspirants not only cleared Prelims with ease but also scored 400+ marks in their GS Mains papers. If your goal is to secure a top rank-be it IAS, IPS, or IFS-scoring 400+ in Mains is essential. To make your rank “interview-proof,” you should aim for nothing less than 450+. This is where UAP truly stands out.
UAP cuts through the overwhelming chaos of conventional preparation, bringing intense focus and clarity to your journey. With UAP, you’re not just preparing for an exam-you’re setting yourself up for success. The result? Your name on the final list next year.
Our program goes beyond generic study plans and superficial guidance. We believe that every aspirant is unique, and so are the challenges they face. Our mentorship is focused on providing personalized support that ensures you remain focused, disciplined, and efficient in your preparation.
Three Pillars of UAP
1. Mentorship:
Each student will be assigned a dedicated mentor who will track your progress, understand your strengths and weaknesses, and design a roadmap specific to your needs. Your mentor will provide continuous monitoring, regular check-ins, and feedback, helping you stay on track with your goals. Whether it’s time management, overcoming distractions, or mastering specific subjects, our mentors will be there to guide you.
Year-long Mentorship that’s all encompassing
Ensure you hit your next milestone
Subject strategy, target setting – providing base schedule.
Post test discussion
Phases of Mentorship
One-on-one mentor calls every week to provide the target and planner for the first 2 months. Mentor calls will thereafter be held every 10 days after that.
Weekly Report Card
Macro-strategy & macro targets for every three months
Test-related 1-on-1 detail disucssion.
Philosophy: Every Student Is A Batch
2. Core Programs:
Five Core Programs that are industry standards in themselves:
Samachar Manthan
Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series
Essay Test Series
Dominate Prelims Crash Course
3. Pre-Acceleration Phase
We combine the knowledge and best practices from all rankers and present the learning in the prep acceleration sessions. This includes
ܳDedicated Monthly CA Test: Focus on Risk-Taking, Logical Problem Solving
Monthly CA Magazines (News, Op-Ed,PIB, Govt. Reports)
ܳDetailed Explainations
ܳAll India Rankings
2. Samachar Manthan:
Civilsdaily is renowned for its Samachar Manthan Program, an intensive current affairs initiative that will ensure you are fully prepared to tackle the dynamic aspects of the UPSC syllabus. With expert analysis, structured explanations, and discussions on major national and international issues, you’ll be equipped to handle both Prelims and Mains questions related to current affairs with confidence.
ܳ Weekly News Analysis (Video + Notes)
ܳ Mains Level Q&A Evaluation To Compliment The Lectures
ܳ Checked Copy Discussion On Phone/In-Person
3. Mains TS
Mock tests are crucial for success, and our test series is designed to simulate the actual exam environment. From day one, you’ll have access to a structured test series, including:
With detailed feedback on every answer you write, ensuring you develop a strong, exam-oriented answer writing style.
Custom Test Plans tailored to your progress, providing just the right amount of challenge to improve performance steadily.
Civilsdaily’s 1.5-Year Mentorship Program for UPSC CSE 2026 is your ticket to success in this prestigious exam. Limited seats are available, ensuring each student gets personalized attention and mentorship. Enroll today to kickstart your journey toward becoming a future civil servant.
Schedule a 1-1 call with Civilsdaily’s Mentorfor focused UPSC Prep
[UPSC 2015] In what way could replacement of price subsidy with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) change the scenario of subsidies in India? Discuss.
Linkage: The shift from price subsidies to Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) improved efficiency and targeting in welfare delivery. Universal Basic Income (UBI) is the next step in this evolution, moving from targeted transfers to universal, unconditional income support that ensures inclusion and economic stability.
Mentor’s Comment
As automation, artificial intelligence, and widening inequality reshape global economies, India faces an urgent need to rethink its welfare model. Universal Basic Income (UBI) , once dismissed as utopian, is emerging as a viable economic tool to balance growth with inclusion, stabilize consumption, and future-proof citizens against technology-driven disruptions.
Introduction and Why in the News
India’s wealth gap is at a 75-year high, and technological transformation is outpacing job creation. The article argues that a Universal Basic Income could act as a stabilizer for an economy characterized by automation-led job loss, consumption inequality, and welfare fragmentation. UBI thus represents both an economic necessity and moral evolution, a reform that can ensure social security while sustaining demand in an AI-driven economy.
Understanding UBI in the Economic Context
Concept: A periodic, unconditional cash transfer to all citizens, regardless of income or employment.
Economic Foundation: Acts as a floor for consumption and stabilizer of demand during economic downturns.
Rationale in India: Addresses inefficiencies, leakages, and exclusions in existing welfare subsidies and improves fiscal targeting through direct transfers.
Global Relevance: Countries like Finland, Kenya, and Iran have experimented with variants of basic income to address automation shocks and inequality.
Why India Needs a New Welfare Model
Automation and Jobless Growth:
India’s labour-intensive sectors are losing relevance as AI and robotics replace routine work.
A 2023 McKinsey Report estimates 40-45% of Indian jobs risk automation by 2030.
Consumption Inequality: The top 10% hold over 40% of total income, weakening demand from lower strata, a key factor behind India’s K-shaped recovery post-COVID.
Fragmented Welfare Spending:
Over 950 central schemes exist; only 20% reach intended beneficiaries (NITI Aayog, 2022).
Rationalizing and merging subsidies could free 1-2% of GDP, enough to fund a phased UBI.
Fiscal Feasibility and Implementation Models
Budgetary Realignment: A UBI costing ₹7,500 per person annually = ~1% of GDP, fiscally manageable by pruning inefficient subsidies.
Digital Readiness: India’s JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) enables transparent Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) to 450+ million beneficiaries.
Phased Approach:
Start with vulnerable groups (elderly, women, informal workers) and expand gradually.
Link with automation tax or digital economy levy to ensure sustainability.
Behavioral Economics View: Unconditional transfers improve human capital investment (nutrition, education) without creating disincentive to work, proven in Madhya Pradesh SEWA UBI Pilot, 2013.
UBI as an Economic Stabilizer
Counter-Cyclical Tool: Maintains aggregate demand in economic slowdowns; ensures liquidity among lower-income households.
Productivity Boost: Financial security allows workers to upskill and pursue entrepreneurial ventures instead of insecure subsistence jobs.
Gender Dividend: Recognizes unpaid care work and enhances female labour participation, a major economic multiplier.
Rural Resilience: Ensures income continuity against climate shocks, agrarian distress, and market failures.
Challenges in Adopting UBI
Fiscal Trade-offs: High recurring costs could strain the fiscal deficit if not balanced by rationalization of subsidies.
Inflationary Pressure: Sudden increase in liquidity may spike prices unless accompanied by supply-side reforms.
Exclusion Risks via Aadhaar/DBT: Digital divide and authentication errors can replicate old exclusion patterns.
Political Economy Resistance: Targeted benefits create patronage networks; universalization dilutes control, making reform politically sensitive.
Global Insights for India
Country
Nature of UBI Trial
Lessons
Finland (2017-18)
€560/month for unemployed
Improved well-being, not joblessness
Kenya
Cash transfer for 12 years
Increased small business formation
Iran (2010)
Universal transfer replacing subsidies
Reduced poverty without fiscal collapse
Brazil (Bolsa Família)
Conditional transfer, near-universal
Boosted literacy, health, consumption
India can blend these experiences into a hybrid model: quasi-universal, fiscally prudent, and tech-enabled.
Conclusion
A Universal Basic Income is no longer a moral luxury, it is an economic inevitability in a future where automation, inequality, and climate shocks converge. By realigning subsidies and leveraging digital infrastructure, India can embed economic dignity into fiscal policy. UBI is not about welfare dependency, it is about stabilizing markets through empowered citizens.
