General Studies Paper -2  Context: Recently, the Supreme Court has reserved the decision on sub-caste reservation for SC/STs, —a topic that stirs debates and raises important questions about social justice and equity. Historical Context and Rationale B. R. Ambedkar, a key architect of India’s Constitution, advocated for policies to address historical injustices faced by marginalized communities. The Constitution of India, under Articles 15(4) and 16(4), allows for reservations in education and public employment to uplift these historically disadvantaged groups. The goal is to provide them with equal opportunities and representation. Main Components Legal Safeguards Against Caste Discrimination: Ambedkar proposed legal....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context: The Union government has stopped funds of Punjab, West Bengal, and Delhi under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), as the three states have refused participation in the PM-SHRI scheme. PM SHRI scheme Aim: The scheme aims to turn existing government schools into model schools. The scheme is for existing elementary, secondary, and senior secondary schools run by the central government and state and local governments around the country. Funding: It is a Centrally sponsored scheme with a total project cost of 27,360 crore for the period of five years from 2022-23 to 2026-27 for transforming nearly 14,500....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context: Recently, it was found that there is a need to amend the Census Act of 1948 to make enumeration by caste mandatory, instead of leaving it to the whims of the Union Executive. About India, with its rich cultural diversity, has a complex social structure that includes various castes and communities. Caste-wise enumeration was introduced during British Colonial Rule (1881-1931). However, independent India abandoned full caste enumeration due to concerns about perpetuating caste divisions. Census Authority Union Subject: While Census is a Union subject, the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 empowers States and even local bodies....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the successful completion of nine years of the Digital India initiative. About Digital India programme It was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on July 01, 2015 with an aim to transform India into a knowledge-based economy and a digitally empowered society by ensuring digital services, digital access, digital inclusion, digital empowerment and bridging the digital divide. It is coordinated by MeitY with the Ministries and Departments in the Central and State Governments partnering it in their respective domain areas. Digital India symbolises an empowered India which boosts....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: With a large and diversified population, India faces persistent obstacles to health equity. Health Equity Equity is the absence of avoidable, unfair or remediable differences among groups of people due to their social, economic, demographic or geographic circumstances. Health equity is the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. Importance of Health equity It ensures that every person has an equal opportunity to achieve their highest health potential, no matter what their circumstances. It addresses the root causes of inequities such as poverty, discrimination, limited....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context: India is among a select few countries that have not conducted the latest Census. The last census conducted in India was in 2011 and has been postponed indefinitely since 2021. About India shares distinction of not conducting the census with conflict-ridden countries such as Ukraine, Yemen, Syria and Myanmar — impacted by civil wars, the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, the economic crisis-affected Sri Lanka besides several sub-Saharan African countries that have also undergone turmoil. What is the Census? The Census refers to a periodic and systematic collection of demographic, economic, and social data of a population within a....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: In 2002, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) established June 12th as the World Day Against Child Labour to raise awareness about the global issue of child labor and advocate for its elimination. About This year, in 2024, the day is observed under the theme, “Let’s Act on Our Commitments: End Child Labour,” which emphasizes the need for collective action to eradicate child labour and protect children from exploitation. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour. It’s also a chance to encourage all....Read More

General Studies Paper- 2 Context: The Cabinet has decided to further expand the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and construct 3 crore additional rural and urban houses. About Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) The Government of India has been implementing Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana since 2015-16 to provide assistance to the eligible rural and urban households for construction of houses with basic amenities. All the houses constructed under PMAY are provided the other basic amenities such as Household Toilets, LPG connection, Electricity connection, Functional Household Tap Connection etc. through convergence with other schemes of Central Government and State Governments. It has....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context: A total of 74 women have won the recent Lok Sabha elections, a slight dip from 78 elected in 2019. About the Women in the 18th Lok Sabha India has elected 74 women Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Lok Sabha in 2024, four fewer than in 2019, but 52 more than in India’s first elections in 1952. These 74 women constitute just 13.63% of the elected strength of the Lower House, which is much less than the 33% that will be reserved for women after the next delimitation exercise. Comparison with Previous Years Over the....Read More

General Studies Paper-2 Context: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition said the new government should review the “Agnipath” scheme for short term recruitments to the armed forces. Agnipath Scheme It was introduced in 2022, and is also called the Tour of Duty scheme. It is a short-term recruitment scheme for the Indian Army. Under the policy, soldiers — called ‘Agniveers’ — are recruited for four years, at the end of which only 25 percent of recruits from a batch are retained for regular service for 15 years. Age Limit : Candidates between the age of 17.5 years to 21 years....Read More