Search results for: “”

Nikaalo Prelims Spotlight || Agriculture
Dear Aspirants,

This Spotlight is a part of our Mission Nikaalo Prelims-2023.

You can check the broad timetable of Nikaalo Prelims here

Session Details

YouTube LIVE with Parth sir – 7 PM – Prelims Spotlight Session

Evening 04 PM – Daily Mini Tests

Join our Official telegram channel for Study material and Daily Sessions Here

26th Apr 2023

Agriculture

Context
- Indian agricultural sector, though having some major achievements, face a number of challenges that impacts its productivity severely.
- In this context, this edition of the Burning Issue will analyze the agricultural sector of India, its challenges, and relevant solutions.
Indian Agriculture: A backgrounder

While agriculture’s share in India’s economy has progressively declined to less than 15% due to the high growth rates of the industrial and services sectors, the sector’s importance in India’s economic and social fabric goes well beyond this indicator as:
- Population dependency: Nearly three-quarters of India’s families depend on rural incomes.
- Rural sector: The majority of India’s poor (some 770 million people or about 70 percent) are found in rural areas.
- Food Security: India’s food security depends on producing cereal crops, as well as increasing its production of fruits, vegetables and milk.
Major Achievements of the Indian Agriculture Sector
- Record Production of Food grains: Indian agriculture witnessed a distinct step up in the growth of output following the green revolution in the 1960s driven by the intensive use of inputs and technological advancement, which was sustained during the seventies and eighties.
- Diversification towards Horticulture Crops: Horticulture production has outpaced food grains production since 2012-13 and it currently accounts for around 35 per cent of the total value of crop output in the agriculture sector.
- Growing Importance of Allied Activities: The allied sector has steadily gained importance in the last decade led by strong growth in animal husbandry and fish production. Indian livestock sector attained a record growth of 6.6 per cent during the last decade (2010-19) with India emerging as a major producer of milk, egg and meat in the world.
- Changing Dynamics of Agriculture Trade: As India has emerged as a leading producer of various agricultural commodities in the world, its share in the global trade of agricultural and allied sector products has doubled from 1.1 per cent in 2000 to 2.2 per cent in 2018.
- However, despite all these achievements, the Indian agriculture sector is going through multiple challenges as well.
Challenges to Indian Agriculture Sector

(A) Small and Fragmented Land Holdings:
- Small and scattered land holdings apply to a small plot of land that is uneconomical.
- An agricultural farm must have a certain amount of land in order to be cost-effective in terms of purchasing and utilizing inputs, as well as harvesting.
(B) Inferior Quality seeds
- The seed is a vital and essential input for the crop’s yields and for maintaining agricultural production growth.
- The delivery of high-quality seeds is just as important as its processing.
- Unfortunately, good superiority seeds are out of reach for the majority of the farmers, marginal farmers and particularly small, due to exorbitant seed rates.
(C) Manures, Fertilizers and Biocides
- For hundreds of years, Indian soil was used to produce crops with no regard for replenishment. As a result, soils have been depleted and exhausted, leading to low productivity.
- Almost all of the crop has among the lowermost average yields in the world.
- It is a critical concern that can be resolved by increasing the use of fertilizers and manures.
(D) Irrigation challenges
- Despite the fact that India is the world’s 2^nd largest moistened country after China, only one 3^rd of the crop production is irrigated.
- In a rainy climate country like India, where rainfall is unpredictable, unreliable, and erratic, irrigation is the most significant agricultural input.
- India will not be able to make sustainable development in agriculture until and unless much than half of the collected area is irrigated.
(E) Lack of Mechanization
- Despite the large scales mechanization of agriculture in few parts of the world, most agricultural operations are still carried out manually.
- Irrigating, sowing, thinning, plowing and pruning, harvesting threshing, weeding, and transporting the crops all make little or no use of machines.
- This is particularly true for small and marginal farmers. It leads to a significant waste of labor and human labor yields per capita.
(F) Weak Marketing
- In rural India, agricultural marketing is still in poor shape. Farmers have to rely on local traders and middlemen to dispose of their farm products, which are sold at a loss because there are no reliable marketing facilities.
- Trading companies and middlemen predominate in the advertising and trading of agricultural products in the absence of a formalized marketing framework. The middlemen’s compensation increases the consumer’s burden for their services, but the farmers do not gain anything comparable.
(G) Poor Storage Infrastructure
- Storage facilities are either non-existent or woefully inadequate in rural locations. In such circumstances, the farmers are obligated to sell their food as soon as it is harvested at the going market rates, which are invariably low.
- The farmers lose their rightful income as a result of these distressed sales. The Parse Committee calculated that 9.3% of post-harvest losses were attributable to poor storage conditions alone, accounting for approximately 6.6 per cent of those losses. Hence, it is crucial to use efficient storage to prevent losses and benefit both consumers and producers.
(H) Low Capital Infusion
- Agriculture is a significant industry; much like other industries, it needs money to operate. With the development of agricultural technology, the importance of capital input is growing.
- The agriculturalist must borrow money to increase the pace of agricultural output because his capital is tied up in his lands and stocks. Even now, the money lenders, traders, and commission agents that charge exorbitant interest rates and buy agricultural products at extremely low prices are the main funding sources for farmers in rural areas.
Consequences of the above challenges
- Highest number of farmers suicides: The National Crime Records Bureau of India reported that a total of 296,438 Indian farmers had committed suicide between 1995-2014. High debt burden and crop failure remain the major reasons for it.
- High wastage of agricultural products: A rough estimated figure by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) – Approximately 40% of the food produced in India is wasted every year due to fragmented food and inefficacious supply chain system. The irony is that loss occurs even before the food reaches the consumer
- Low income of farmers: a report released by the National Statistical Office in 2021 reveals the pathetic income level of Indian farmers. The average monthly income from different sources per agricultural household from July 2018 to June 2019 comes to only ₹10,218, where a net receipt is obtained considering the ‘paid out expenses’ approach. This amount of income further reduces to ₹8,337 when net receipt is obtained considering both the paid-out and imputed expenses.
- High Disguised Unemployment: As per Census statistics, the rural population in India stands at 833 million, constituting almost 68 per cent of the total. While the agriculture sector engages 49 per cent of the total labour force in the country, its contribution to overall GVA is only 17 per cent which shows the overdependence of the Indian labour force on agriculture resulting in significant hidden or disguised unemployment in the sector and thus lower labour productivity.
- Increasing chemical and pesticide usage: since the availability of agricultural land is decreasing in India, the pressure on existing agricultural land is increasing to produce more food. In this quest, chemicals and pesticide usage is increasing in India. 275 pesticides were registered for use in India, of which about 255 are chemical poisons. In total pesticide consumption, insecticides occupy the highest share in India. However, India shares only 1% of the global pesticide use.
- High dependence on government and MSP: As agricultural production in India is still heavily dependent on rainfall and its spatial distribution, adverse climatic conditions like drought, flood and market factors, Indian farmers are highly dependent on government support schemes and policies such as MSP during every stage of growing a crop.
- Low private participation: due to price uncertainties, low confidence of farmers in private players and weak supply chains in the agriculture sector, the private sector is largely uninterested in investing in the agriculture sector, which leads to low capital formation, poor technologies penetration and high dependence on government.
Some solutions to tackle these challenges

(A) Promoting new technologies and reforming agricultural research and extension:
- Major reform and strengthening of India’s agricultural research and extension systems is one of the most important needs for agricultural growth.
- These services have declined over time due to chronic underfunding of infrastructure and operations, no replacement of aging researchers, or broad access to state-of-the-art technologies.
- Research now has little to provide beyond the time-worn packages of the past.
(B) Improving Water Resources and Irrigation
- Agriculture is India’s largest user of water.
- However, increasing competition for water between industry, domestic use and agriculture has highlighted the need to plan and manage water on a river basin and multi-sectoral basis.
- As urban and other demands multiply, less water is likely to be available for irrigation. Ways to radically enhance the productivity of irrigation (“more crop per drop”) need to be found.
- Piped conveyance, better on-farm management of water, and the use of more efficient delivery mechanisms such as drip irrigation are among the actions that could be taken.
(C) Facilitating crop diversification to higher-value commodities
- Encouraging farmers to diversify to higher-value commodities will be a significant factor for higher agricultural growth, particularly in rain-fed areas where poverty is high.
- Moreover, considerable potential exists for expanding agro-processing and building competitive value chains from producers to urban centers and export markets.
- While diversification initiatives should be left to farmers and entrepreneurs, the Government can, first and foremost, liberalize constraints to marketing, transport, export and processing.
(D) Promoting high-growth commodities
- Some agricultural sub-sectors have a particularly high potential for expansion, notably dairy.
- The livestock sector, primarily due to dairy, contributes over a quarter of agricultural GDP and is a source of income for 70% of India’s rural families, mostly those who are poor and headed by women.
- Growth in milk production, at about 4% per annum, has been brisk, but future domestic demand is expected to grow by at least 5% per annum.
- Milk production is constrained, however, by the poor genetic quality of cows, inadequate nutrients, inaccessible veterinary care, and other factors.
(E) Developing markets, agricultural credit and public expenditures
- India’s legacy of extensive government involvement in agricultural marketing has created restrictions in internal and external trade.
- Even so, private sector investment in marketing, value chains and agro-processing is growing, but much slower than potential.
- While some restrictions are being lifted, considerably more needs to be done to enable diversification and minimize consumer prices.
- Improving access to rural finance for farmers is another need as it remains difficult for farmers to get credit.
(F) Climate change mitigation
- More extreme events – droughts, floods, erratic rains – are expected and would have the greatest impact in rain-fed areas.
- The watershed program, allied with initiatives from agricultural research and extension, maybe the most suited agricultural program for promoting new varieties of crops and improved farm practices.
(I) Marketing reforms
- In the absence of a properly organized market and sufficient transportation facilities, Indian farmers face the problem of low incomes from their vendible surplus crops.
- As a result, farmers have fallen prey to distributors for the fast discarding of their crops at the lower price and uneconomic.
- Price fluctuations in agricultural products are also a significant threat to Indian agriculture.
- Price stability is important not only for farmers, but also for buyers, exporters, and agro-based industries.
- The price movements of agricultural products in India are neither smooth nor uniform, resulting in a fluctuating pattern.
(J) Minimizing Post-Harvest Losses
- Wastage of food products due to inefficient postharvest practices is one of the important factors behind high food inflation in India. Wastages take place at all levels of the food value chain – starting from the level of farmers to the levels of transporters.
- Agricultural economists have recognized that there is tremendous potential to increase the availability of agricultural produce, particularly horticultural crops like fruits and vegetables, by reducing wastage through the build-up of cold storage, warehousing, packaging and cold transport chain infrastructure.
(K) Developing Food Processing Industry
- Food processing is a sunrise industry and the demand for processed food in India is likely to increase steadily with rapid urbanization, rising per capita income and more women joining the workforce.
- Despite having huge growth potential, the food processing industry in India is currently at a nascent stage – accounting for less than 10 per cent of the total food produced in the country
Steps taken by the government in this regard

The Government of India has taken several steps which include:
- Improvement in soil fertility through the Soil Health Card scheme.
- Providing improved access to irrigation and enhanced water efficiency through Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY).
- Supporting organic farming through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).
- Support for the creation of a unified national agriculture market to boost the income of farmers.
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has been launched to mitigate the risk of crop loss in the agriculture sector.
- Launch of e-NAM portal for online trading in agricultural products.
- Ashok Dalwai committee was formed to suggest measures to double income of Indian farmers.
- Government accepted the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan commission to provide MSP at 1.5 times the cost of production of the crop.
- Multiple schemes have been launched for the allied agriculture activities like Matsya sampada yojna for fisheries, Rashtriya Gokul mission for livestock sector etc so as double income of farmers.
Conclusion
- Indian agriculture scaled new heights with record production of various food grains, commercial and horticultural crops, exhibiting resilience and ensuring food security during the COVID period. The sector, however, confronted various challenges, mitigation of which requires a holistic policy approach.
- Addressing these challenges would require a second green revolution focussed on the agriculture water-energy nexus, making agriculture more climate resistant and environmentally sustainable.
April 26, 2023

Genome Sequencing and the Genome India Project

genome

The Department of Biotechnology recently said that the exercise to sequence 10,000 Indian human genomes and create a database under the Centre-backed Genome India Project is about two-thirds complete.

What is the Genome India Project?

The Genome India Project has been described by those involved as the “first scratching of the surface of the vast genetic diversity of India”.
It involves over 20 scientists from institutions including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru and a few IITs.
It is inspired by the Human Genome Project (HGP 1990-2003) an international programme that led to the decoding of the entire human genome.

About Human Genome Project (HGP)

	Description
Description	HGP was a global research effort aimed at mapping and sequencing the entire human genome, which is the complete set of genetic instructions for building and maintaining a human being.
Timeframe	Began in 1990 and was completed in 2003.
Collaborators	A collaborative effort involving scientists from many countries.
Coordinators	Institutes of Health (NIH) and the US Department of Energy (DOE), US
Achievements	Scientists were able to identify the location of many human genes and provide information about their structure and organization.
Impact	It has led to the development of new diagnostic tools and therapies for a wide range of genetic disorders and has provided valuable insights into the basic biology of human development and evolution.
Fields affected	Medicine, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.

What is a Genome?

Every organism’s genetic code is contained in its Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid (DNA), the building blocks of life.
The discovery that DNA is structured as a “double helix” by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953, started the quest for understanding how genes dictate life, its traits, and what causes diseases.
A genome is all the genetic matter in an organism. It is defined as “an organism’s complete set of DNA, including all of its genes.
Each genome contains all of the information needed to build and maintain that organism.
In humans, a copy of the entire genome contains more than 3 billion DNA base pairs.
Each pair consists of 23 pairs of chromosomes for a total of 46 chromosomes, which means that for 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell, there are roughly 20,500 genes located on them.

What does genome mapping tell us?

Some of the genes are lined up in a row on each chromosome, while others are lined up quite close to one another and this arrangement might affect the way they are inherited.
For example, if the genes are placed sufficiently close together, there is a probability that they get inherited as a pair.
Genome mapping, therefore, essentially means figuring out the location of a specific gene on a particular region of the chromosome and also determining the location of and relative distances between other genes on that chromosome.

How did it help during the pandemic?

Genomic sequencing became a crucial tool in the fight against COVID-19 to track emerging variants, conduct further studies, and develop vaccines.
In January 2020, Chinese scientist Yong-Zhen Zhang sequenced the genome of the novel coronavirus and shared it online, allowing researchers to study the virus’s genetic code.
India also implemented a sequencing framework, the Indian SARS-COV-2 Genomics Consortia (INSACOG), to scan coronavirus samples from patients and flag the presence of variants.

What is the significance of GIP?

HGP has a major diversity problem as most genomes (over 95%) mapped under HGP have been sourced from urban middle-class white people.
Thus, HGP should not really be seen as representative of the human genome.

In this context, the GIP aims to vastly add to the available information on the human species and advance the cause, both because of the scale of the Indian population and the diversity here. This diversity can be depicted by:

Horizontal Diversity: The Indian subcontinent has been the site of huge migrations, where the first migrations were from Africa. Also, there have been periodic migrations by various populations from all around the world, making this a very special case of almost all races and types intermingling genetically.
Vertical Diversity: There has been endogamy or inter-marriage practised among distinct groups, resulting in some diseases passed on strictly within some groups and some other traits inherited by just some groups.

Its applications

Personalized Medicine: Genome sequencing can help in the development of personalized medicine. By analyzing a patient’s genetic makeup, doctors can determine the best course of treatment for a particular disease. This approach can help in the early detection of diseases, identifying the risk of inherited diseases, and providing targeted therapies.
Disease Diagnosis: Genome sequencing can be used to diagnose genetic disorders that are caused by mutations in a single gene, such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia. It can also help in identifying the genetic causes of complex diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes.
Drug Development: Genome sequencing can help in the development of new drugs by identifying targets for drug therapy. It can also help in the identification of biomarkers that can be used to monitor the effectiveness of drugs.
Agriculture: Genome sequencing can help in the development of improved crops and livestock by identifying genes that control traits such as yield, disease resistance, and quality.
Forensics: Genome sequencing can be used in forensic investigations to identify suspects by analyzing their DNA. It can also help in identifying missing persons and victims of disasters.

Challenges involved

Fear of Scientific Racism: In India, a nation divided by identity politics, scientific work in mapping genetic groups may further strengthen the divisions in the society based on the prevalent notion of race.
Data & Storage: India is yet to pass a Data Privacy Bill with adequate safeguards and launching the GIP before the privacy question is settled could give rise to another set of problems.
Medical Ethics: In a project that aims only to create a database of genetic information poses a risk of doctors privately performing gene modification.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your personal mentor for UPSC 2024 | Schedule your FREE session and get Prelims prep Toolkit!

April 26, 2023

Understanding Temperature Anomalies
Central idea: Global warming does not mean that each month or each year will be warmer than the previous month or the previous year.

What is Temperature Anomaly?
- This is a measure of how much the actual temperature deviates from the long-term average temperature for a particular location and time period.
- Anomalies are calculated by taking the difference between the actual temperature and the long-term average temperature, and then averaging this difference over a specified period.
- The anomalies are due to land-ocean-atmosphere processes that dynamically determine the weather and climate.
- It is a useful tool for understanding changes in climate over time, as they allow scientists to compare temperatures from different time periods and locations.
- For example, a temperature anomaly of +2°C in a particular region in a given year means that the temperature in that region was 2°C higher than the long-term average for that region and time period.
Why study this?
- Long-term trend: By analyzing temperature anomalies over time, scientists can identify long-term trends in climate change and predict future changes.
- Track extreme weather event: These are also used to monitor extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods, which can have significant impacts on human health, agriculture, and natural ecosystems.
Recent context: Second warmest March on record
- The fact that March 2023 was the second warmest March on record suggests that the planet is experiencing long-term warming.
- It is a clear indication of the impact of human activities on the planet.
- The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation have led to an increase in greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and contribute to global warming.
- This warming trend is expected to continue and worsen in the coming years, leading to more extreme weather events, sea level rise, and other negative impacts on the planet.
What does this mean for local weather?
- The second warmest March on record can have significant impacts on local weather patterns.
- As mentioned earlier, the warming over the northwest to the west of India caused cooler than normal weather over Mumbai and excess pre-monsoon rains over the northwest.
- On the other hand, Kerala and Odisha experienced scorching heatwaves.
- These weather anomalies can have serious implications for agriculture, water resources, and public health.
Implications
- Crop yields decline: This can be affected by extreme weather events, and changes in precipitation patterns can lead to water shortages or flooding.
- Heatwaves: This can cause heat stress and other health problems, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and young children.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your personal mentor for UPSC 2024 | Schedule your FREE session and get Prelims prep Toolkit!
April 26, 2023

Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct

banglore

The Supreme Court of India has directed the Registrar General of the Calcutta High Court to investigate an alleged interview given by a judge to a news channel in which he made remarks against a politician. This is cited against Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct.

What are Bangalore Principles?

The Bangalore Code of Judicial Conduct was drafted in 2001 for the Judicial Group on Strengthening Judicial Integrity and presented to the Round Table Meeting of Chief Justices in November 2002.
Resolution 23 of the United Nations Social and Economic Council promotes implementation of the Bangalore Principles by the judiciaries of Member States.
The principles are intended to establish standards for ethical conduct of judges.
They are designed to provide guidance to judges and to offer the judiciary a framework for regulating judicial conduct.

Six core values recognized

S. No.	Principle	Description
1.	Independence	Judges must be free to make impartial decisions based on the law and facts, without any influence or pressure from external sources.
2.	Impartiality	Judges must be unbiased and treat all parties equally, without any favoritism or discrimination.
3.	Integrity	Judges must have high moral and ethical principles, be honest, and act with transparency and fairness.
4.	Propriety	Judges must avoid any impropriety or appearance of impropriety, such as conflicts of interest or inappropriate behavior.
5.	Equality	Judges must uphold the principle of equality before the law, treating all people with respect and dignity.
6.	Competence and diligence	Judges must have the necessary knowledge, skills, and qualities to perform their duties effectively, and must work diligently and efficiently.

Significance of these principles

The principles define their meaning and elaborate in detail on what kind of conduct is to be expected in concrete terms of the persons concerned in order to put the respective value into practice.
A number of specific instructions are given under each of the values.
Not only have some States adopted the Bangalore Principles but others have modelled their own Principles of Judicial Conduct on them.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your personal mentor for UPSC 2024 | Schedule your FREE session and get Prelims prep Toolkit!

April 26, 2023

Places in news: Thirunelly Temple
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has urged the government to conserve the historically significant structures, including the 600-year-old ‘Vilakkumadom’, an exquisite granite structure, at the Sree Mahavishnu Temple at Thirunelly in Wayanad district.

About Thirunelly Temple
- The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is also known as Sahyamala Kshetram.
- It is also referred to as the ‘Kashi of the South’ and is considered as an important pilgrimage center for Hindus.
- It is located at the confluence of three rivers – Papanasini, the holy river, which is believed to have the power to wash away sins, Kudamurutti, and Koothappuzha.
- The temple has a unique circular structure made of granite stones, which is believed to have been constructed by Lord Brahma himself.
- It has beautiful architecture and features intricate carvings, mural paintings, and sculptures.
- The temple celebrates several festivals throughout the year, including Vishu, Navaratri, and Thirunelli festival.
Renovation plan
- The renovation works include the reconstruction of the chuttambalam or the structure around the sanctum sanctorum, except for the balikkalpura structure on the front side.
- The renovation work also includes the completion of the vilakkumadam, an exquisite granite structure that has a history dating back to the 15th century AD.
- The renovation works also include the renovation of the panchatheertham pond and the pathway to the papanasini bath ghat where devotees perform the bali ritual.
Why in news?
- The temple structure has a history dating back to the 15th century AD, and stories related to the architecture and style of the temple are associated with it.
- In guise of renovation, there is a concern over the loss of valuable precincts and the destruction of heritage.
- The incomplete structure that stood as testimony to a rich cultural heritage has been remodelled in an insensitive way.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your personal mentor for UPSC 2024 | Schedule your FREE session and get Prelims prep Toolkit!
April 26, 2023
2-Days FREE Webinar/Seminar for UPSC 2024 | Decoding past 5-year UPSC Trend for IAS 2024 l Join LIVE- Pravin sir, and Shubham sir | Get Prelims & Mains Prep toolkit worth Rs.7999
To fulfill the High-Demand of Students, We’re re-conducting the most important Seminar for UPSC Preparation 2024 by Senior IAS Mentors, Pravin Garje, & Shubham Jatte sir Limited entry | Get Prelims & Mains Prep toolkit worth Rs.7999 on Registration

Book your seat for FREE | 2-Day UPSC 2024 Seminar with Senior IAS Mentors

As the renowned strategist Sun Tzu once said, “Know thyself, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.”

This holds true for UPSC Civil Services Examination as well. Knowing the exam pattern and trends is vital to prepare and succeeding in the exam.

By analyzing the past 5 years’ UPSC exam pattern and changing trends, UPSC aspirants can understand the nuances of the exam, adapt to the changing trends, and prepare in the right direction.

It becomes critically important for an aspirant to analyze and delve deeper into the past UPSC exam patterns and trends to strategize their preparation for the upcoming UPSC 2024 exam.

Only when you know what UPSC expects, can you prepare effectively and in the right direction! This will be your first small step & giant leap for concrete preparation.

However, this is easier said than done. To save you time and effort we are conducting a 2-Day Seminar

Toppers’ Mentors Pravin Garje sir, and Shubham Jatte sir will take LIVE sessions on ‘How to decode UPSC Past 5-Year Trend for Prelims & Mains 2024’

Day 1: Prelims session

Day 2: Mains session

Book your seat for FREE | 2-Day UPSC 2024 Seminar with Senior IAS Mentors

Decoding past 5-year UPSC Trend for IAS 2024

Past year papers are like a radar of preparation that provides direction and orientation to your preparation. Apart from enhancing your knowledge base, last year’s trends will help in forming your mental outlook. This increases your common sense and helps you in eliminating options in prelims and write on-demand answers in Mains.

Day 1: Past 5-Year Trend Analysis for UPSC Prelims 2024

27th April (Thursday) 2023, 7:30 P.M

Senior IAS mentor, faculty & Civilsdaily Pune Branch Head, Pravin Garje sir will take a LIVE workshop where he will be demonstrating LIVE how to actually start analyzing Past 5 Year Trends for UPSC Prelims 2024.

Important takeaways:
- How had previous toppers started the Past 5 Years Trends analysis?
- What is the exact way to decode Past Trends and understand the current trends, and guess the most probable upcoming trends?
- Apart from PYQs, what are the other sources for trend analysis?
- How to prioritize static topics for Prelims 2024?
- How to prioritize Current Affairs topics for Mains 2024?
- Proper understanding of how UPSC Prelims Trend has been changing.
- How to beat UPSC unpredictability by following Trends?
- How many approx Offbeat Ques. can you expect in Prelims 2024?
- According to changing trends, Predicting Cut-Off marks
- Overall Strategy for UPSC Preparation 2024
Don’t miss out on this super important workshop. Register below for a 1-1 LIVE Session

Click & Register for 1-1 Practical Demonstration Session by Pravin sir

UPSC Preparation 2024: FREE Seminar

Day 2: Past 5-Year Trend Analysis for UPSC Mains 2024

28th April (Friday) 2023, 7:30 P.M

Senior IAS mentor, Shubham Jatte sir will take a LIVE workshop where he will be demonstrating LIVE how to effectively analyze Past 5 Year Trends for UPSC Mains 2024.

Important takeaways:
- How to better comprehend UPSC Mains Past 5 Years Trends?
- How to start Answer Writing as per the trends?
- How to predict Essay topics as per the changing trends?
- GS papers wise topic prioritization
- What are The most common areas in 5 years of Mains Question papers?
- How to compare Mains Questions Papers Year-to-Year?
- According to changing trends, Predicting Cut-Off marks
- Overall Strategy for UPSC Mains Preparation 2024
Don’t miss out on this super important workshop. Register below for a 1-1 LIVE Session

CivilsDaily’s FREE Webinar package UPSC 2024

Post-webinar we will share important PDFs, timetable framework, and notes.

Other than this a strategy package will be emailed to you.

What The Hindu opined about Civilsdaily Mentorship

Karishma Nair, AIR 14 was also Sajal sir’s student

AIR 65, Pranav mentored under Sajal sir for UPSC 2020

The most important Seminar for UPSC Preparation 2024 by Senior IAS Mentors, Pravin Garje, and Shubham Jatte sir Limited entry

Book your seat for FREE | 2-Day UPSC 2024 Seminar with Senior IAS Mentors
April 25, 2023
25th Apr 23 | Nikaalo Prelims- Mini test 20 (Current Affairs developments in security and disaster in last one year)

[WpProQuiz 1345]

[WpProQuiz_toplist 1345]

UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

April 25, 2023
25th Apr 23 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

[WpProQuiz 1343]

[WpProQuiz_toplist 1343]

UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

April 25, 2023
Rural Real Wage Growth In India: The Importance of Accurate Data analysis
Central Idea
- Rural real wage growth is a crucial indicator of the well-being of individuals, particularly the poor, in India. Jean Dreze, a respected economist claims that rural real wage growth in India has been sluggish despite rapid economic growth. However as per Surjit Bhalla another economist, Dreze’s findings are based on weak statistical analysis and incomplete data. Surjit Bhalla’s and presents his own findings, which suggest higher wage growth rates for construction workers, non-agricultural laborers, and agricultural laborers.
Contrast results for instance
- For construction workers, Dreze obtains a rate of growth (CAGR) of just 0.2 per cent (actually 0.15 per cent); However, CAGR stands at eight times larger at 1.2 per cent.
- For non-agricultural labourers (porters and loaders) the same yawning divergence: Dreze obtains 0.3 per cent, whereas it stands 1.2 per cent, and for agricultural labourers, 0.9 per cent vs 1.5 per cent.
What is CAGR?
- CAGR stands for Compound Annual Growth Rate. It is a measure used to calculate the average growth rate of an investment over a certain period of time, assuming that the investment has grown at a steady rate each year.
- It takes into account the effect of compounding, which means that the investment’s growth in one year is added to the base value of the investment, and the total amount is then used to calculate growth for the next year.
- CAGR is often used in finance to compare the performance of different investments or to forecast future growth.
Why are the two results so different?
- Differences in Method of Estimation: Dreze uses semi-log regression on eight observations to estimate the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for each of three male occupations. His estimate of CAGR is not even significant at the 11 per cent level of confidence for two of these occupations – construction and non-agricultural laborers. Dreze does not uses a population-weighted average of year-on-year growth for each of the 38 sex-occupation categories to estimate CAGR accurately.
- Differences in Time Period of Analysis: Surjit Bhalla also criticizes Dreze’s chosen time period of analysis, 2014-2021. As per Surjit Bhalla, that no study combines pre-Covid and Covid years without even a mention of the difference. Surjit Bhalla presents data for three time periods, including the normal 2014-2018, Covid 2019-2021, and all years 2014-2021.
Why accurate rural wage data is important?
- Poverty alleviation: Rural wage data is used to determine the poverty levels in a country, and accurate data is essential for effective poverty alleviation policies.
- Income inequality: Accurate rural wage data can help policymakers understand the level of income inequality in rural areas and design policies to reduce it.
- Agricultural productivity: Rural wage data is used to assess the productivity of the agricultural sector, which is a key source of income for rural households.
- Labor market trends: Accurate rural wage data helps policymakers understand the trends in the rural labor market, such as changes in demand for different types of labor, and design policies to support employment growth.
- Minimum wage determination: Accurate rural wage data is necessary for determining minimum wages for rural workers, which is important for protecting the rights of workers and reducing labor exploitation.
- Social protection: Rural wage data is used to design social protection programs such as cash transfers, food subsidies, and public works programs to support the poorest households in rural areas.
- Macro-economic policy: Rural wage data is used to inform macro-economic policies such as inflation targeting and monetary policy, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of such policies on rural households.
Conclusion
- The issue of rural real wage growth in India is complex and requires a nuanced understanding of data selection, treatment, intensity, and estimation. There is need for a more comprehensive set of data and a different method of estimation.
Mains Question

Q. What is Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). Why do you think, accurate rural wage data is so important?

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your personal mentor for UPSC 2024 | Schedule your FREE session and get Prelims prep Toolkit!
April 25, 2023
Same Sex Marriage: Marriage Equality for LGBTQ+ Persons is A Fundamental Right
Central Idea
- The Supreme Court of India recently started hearing petitions from LGBTQ+ petitioners seeking marriage equality. While marriage equality for LGBTQ+ persons is a controversial issue in India, it is essential to understand that denying them the right to marry excludes them from participating fully in family and community life, including gaining recognition and respect.
LGBTQIA+ community
- Sexual orientations or gender identities: LGBTQIA+ is an acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Ally. The plus sign is often added to include other identities and orientations that are not explicitly mentioned in the acronym. It is a term used to refer to individuals who identify as any of these sexual orientations or gender identities.
- Equal rights and acceptance: The community is made up of individuals who may face discrimination, marginalization, and stigma based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The community advocates for equal rights and acceptance, and works towards achieving societal and legal recognition and protection
What is mean by Same-sex marriage?
- Same-sex marriage is the legal recognition of a marriage between two individuals of the same sex.
- It grants same-sex couples the same legal and social recognition, rights, and privileges that are traditionally associated with marriage, including property rights, inheritance rights, and the ability to make decisions for each other in medical emergencies.
- The recognition of same-sex marriage varies around the world, with some countries legalizing it while others do not.
- The issue has been the subject of much debate and controversy, with arguments for and against same-sex marriage based on religious, cultural, social, and legal considerations.
Same-sex marriage in India
- Decriminalized homosexuality: Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalized homosexuality, was struck down by the Supreme Court of India in 2018, which was a landmark decision for LGBTQ+ rights in the country.
- Same sex marriage is not yet legal: However, there is still no law that allows same-sex couples to legally marry or have any legal recognition of their relationships. Same-sex marriage is currently not legally recognized in India.
What are the implications of not recognizing Same sex marriage legally?
- Infringement on individual freedoms: Denying same-sex couples the right to marry can be seen as an infringement on individual freedoms and a violation of human rights. It can limit the ability of individuals to express their identities and form meaningful relationships.
- Exclusion from family and community life: Marriage is a fundamental institution in Indian society, and remaining unmarried is looked down upon by the entire family. However, excluding LGBTQ+ persons from marriage denies them full benefits of participating in family and community life, including acceptance in society.
- Social stigma: The lack of legal recognition for same-sex marriage can contribute to negative attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals and relationships. This can perpetuate social stigma and discrimination.
- Discrimination: Despite same-sex attraction being a natural part of human society, some people of the same sex fall in love with each other and want to get married. Marriage benefits a couple in tangible and intangible ways, including essential protections, such as the ability to own and share financial assets, joint ownership of property, and access to health and life insurance. Denying these rights to LGBTQ+ persons is discriminatory.
Arguments against recognizing same sex marriage legally in India
- Marriage is a union between a man and a woman: Many people believe that marriage is meant to be a union between a man and a woman, and that allowing same-sex couples to marry goes against traditional values.
- It is against Indian culture: Many opponents of same-sex marriage argue that it goes against Indian culture and Hindu values, and that such unions are not recognized in traditional Indian society.
- It could lead to social instability: Some people believe that allowing same-sex marriage could lead to social instability and moral decay, and that it would have a negative impact on family and societal values.
- It is against the law: While homosexuality is no longer a criminal offence in India, same-sex marriage is not recognized under Indian law. Opponents argue that allowing same-sex marriage would be against the law and would undermine the institution of marriage.
- It could have negative impact on children: Some people argue that children raised by same-sex couples could face social stigma and could be negatively impacted psychologically. They believe that children should have both a mother and a father.
Other developments and challenges
- Many corporations have applied core HR principles of fairness, equality, and non-discrimination to their LGBTQ+ employees and have re-written their equal opportunity and anti-discrimination policies to protect them from discrimination, bullying, and harassment.
- However, inclusive policies have been challenging to implement with insurance companies as same-sex partners are not legally recognised as spouses. Being allowed to marry will help to gain the acceptance that LGBTQ+ citizens are seeking in society.
Way ahead with a balanced approach
- Increase awareness and education: It is essential to increase awareness and education among the general public regarding the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of equal rights for all individuals.
- Dialogue and debate: There need to be an open and respectful dialogue and debate between people who support same-sex marriage and those who oppose it. This will help to address concerns and misunderstandings and lead to a greater understanding and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. A wide-ranging consultation process could be initiated with stakeholders from different communities, including religious leaders, civil society organizations, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, to build consensus on the issue.
- Legal reforms: The Indian government should consider legal reforms to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community has equal rights and protections under the law. This includes legal recognition of same-sex marriage and the extension of benefits and protections to same-sex couples, such as inheritance rights and access to healthcare.
- Inclusive workplace policies: Corporations and employers can play a significant role in promoting inclusivity and diversity by implementing policies that explicitly protect LGBTQ+ employees from discrimination, bullying, and harassment.
- Sensitization of government officials: Sensitization programs should be conducted to sensitize government officials to the needs and rights of the LGBTQ+ community. This will help to ensure that government policies are more inclusive and considerate of the needs of all citizens.
- Balancing Interests: The government could take a cautious approach to legalizing same-sex marriage, considering the positive effects such as social inclusion and individual rights, and the potential negative effects, such as religious sensitivities and family values. This could involve striking a balance between individual rights and social cohesion, taking into account the unique cultural and social contexts of India.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: The government could set up an independent body to monitor the implementation of same-sex marriage legislation and evaluate its impact on society. This could help to identify areas of success and potential areas for improvement, and ensure that the legal recognition of same-sex marriages is a positive step forward for Indian society as a whole.
Conclusion
- Inclusive policies have resulted in more loyalty and engagement from employees, and it is now time to extend this sense of belonging to the LGBTQ+ community in India. The LGBTQ+ individuals deserve the right to participate in one of society’s major institutions and to be treated equally under the law. Allowing same-sex marriage would enable LGBTQ+ individuals to feel a sense of belonging and gain the acceptance they are seeking in society.
Mains Question

Q. Issues over the Same sex marriage has been one of the hot topics for some time now. Analyze the issue recognizing same sex marriage legally in India and suggest a balanced way ahead.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your personal mentor for UPSC 2024 | Schedule your FREE session and get Prelims prep Toolkit!
April 25, 2023