Syllabus: General Studies Paper 1
Context:
The story of Falguni Nayar’s Nykaa can inspire much more women to become job creators. India needs much more entrepreneurs especially for small towns and hinterlands to dismantle patriarchy.
DATA/REPORTS
CAUSES OF LESS NUMBER OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
Lack of education
Unconscious gender bias
Business is not women’s world
Self-doubt among women
Financial hurdles
Alienation of women in corporate culture
Business is a man’s domain
Child care
Safety at workplaces
NITI AAYOG’S WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP PLATFORM (WEP)
NITI Aayog in partnership with SIDBI has launched this platform to provide an ecosystem for budding and existing women entrepreneurs across the country
It is based on three pillars
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE
Access to education
Awareness of unconscious bias and disadvantage to women
Sharing success stories
Safe work environment
Syllabus: General Studies Paper 2
Context:
The revelations about the misuse of Pegasus spyware have shaken the world and India has also felt its reverberations. There has not been any investigation on the matter and also a parliament session was allowed to be washed away as discussion on the issue was denied. The issue resembles the Watergate scandal in the 1970s which brought down US President, Richard Nixon.
PEGASUS
About Pegasus
Pegasus in 2019
NEED OF SURVEILLANCE
Surveillance state- when all actions, locations etc of citizens are surveilled legally by the state to prevent crimes and to solve the cases at a faster pace
To prevent organized crime – there has been increasing use of media to facilitate organised crime, provocation of extremism, money laundering etc
Combat Terrorism- Surveillance can help in getting prior information about terrorist activities and thus help to counter the potential terror attacks
Misinformation by Fake News- There have been many incidents of riots, mob lynching due to the spread of odd fake messages across social media platforms
LAWS FOR SURVEILLANCE IN INDIA
Telegraph Act (1885)
Indian Telegraph Rules
Information Technology Act (2000)
Indian Post Office Act (1898)
CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH STATE SURVEILLANCE
Freedom of the press-
The chilling effect on the right to Freedom of Speech
Right to privacy
Lack of oversight mechanism
Violation of Articles 32 and 226
Syllabus: General Studies Paper 2
Context:
The 60th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement prompts a reflection on Jawaharlal Nehru’s major contribution to the field of international relations. The concept of not aligning a country’s policy with others can be traced to the Congress of Vienna of (1814-15) when the neutrality of Switzerland, by which it would keep out of others’ conflicts, was recognised.
NAM & ITS PRINCIPLES
Largely Guided By Panchsheel Principles
NAM IN COLD WAR ERA
Shortcomings of NAM
NAM AND INDIA
Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3
Context:
Recently, the CBI filed two charge sheets against serving and retired naval officers, and some others, for allegedly sharing details of the ongoing modernisation project of India’s Kilo Class submarines.
Indian Submarine Squad
The history of India’s submarine acquisition
Delays in modernisation
The current projects
China’s capability, and worry for India
Nuclear Submarine coveted nature
Syllabus: General Studies Paper 1
Context:
The Supreme Court reserved its judgment on an appeal by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for relaxing its order specifying road width under the CharDhamMahamargVikasPariyojana (Char Dham Highway Development Project) of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
CHAR DHAM HIGHWAY PROJECT
NEED OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION
THREATS TO HIMALAYAN ECOSYSTEM
Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3
Context:
India will achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, Prime Minister said in CoP Glasgow. He was speaking at the ‘High-Level Segment for Heads of State and Government’ during the UNFCCC’s 26th Conference of Parties (COP).
Key takeaways from COP26
Global Methane Pledge: The United States and the European Union have jointly pledged to cut emissions of the greenhouse gas methane by 2030.
Reviewing India’s goals:
The new policy paradigm asserted that although India was not a part of the problem, it was now willing and able to contribute to reduction efforts in global emissions. India’s pledge at Glasgow adheres to the Paris Agreement decision to increase emission cuts to tackle the rapidly escalating climate crisis.
These commitments may prove difficult as currently witnessed in the coal shortage crisis, combined with the need for storage and grid stability.
Read MoreSyllabus: General Studies Paper 1
Context:
Tamil Nadu is suffering the fury of the northeast monsoon with heavy floods forcing a near shutdown in Chennai.
Concerns:
The impact of climate change is worsened due to poor reservoir management. The root cause of the city’s distress during rains lies in mismanagement of its water bodies. The unplanned growth of the city has led to the filling up of lakes and tanks and shrunk wetlands.
Chennai will have to reclaim at least a part of its lost water spaces and preserve whatever is left, including its two rivers which have been reduced to large drains, in order to better withstand the vagaries of climate-change-induced weather events.
Way forward for urbanisation in India:
We need to urgently rebuild our cities such that they have the sponginess to absorb and release water. Doing so will not just help control recurring floods but also respond to other fault lines, provide for water security, more green spaces, and will make the city resilient and sustainable.
Read MoreSyllabus: General Studies Paper 3
Context:
Recently, the Reserve Bank of India gave license to National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL), popularly known as a bad bank.
About National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL)
Initiatives for NPAs recovery in India
Need for a Bad bank
Challenges for Bad Bank
Way forward:
While setting up a bad bank in the form of NARCL is a step in the right direction towards financial sector reforms; NARCL is just a palliative; it is neither a cure nor does it prohibit bad loans. Unless there is a strong political will to recognise bad loans and support legal infrastructure to address wilful defaulters, setting up a bad bank may become a moot point.
Read MoreSyllabus: General Studies Paper 2
Context:
Recently the Defence Secretary of India stated that a free, open and inclusive maritime region, where legitimate interests of all nations must be respected, is imperative to achieving high growth.
Background
Concerns raised in the conclave
India’s request to the nations of the region
Read More
© 2025 Civilstap Himachal Design & Development