The Hindu 02.05.2025:
🧭 General Studies Paper 1: Indian Society, Geography, Culture, and Modern History
1. India-Pakistan Cross-Border Migration & Social Impact (Attari-Wagah report)
- Theme: Partition legacy, cross-border people-to-people ties, displacement, and identity.
- Key Issues:
- Closure of the Attari border after Pahalgam terror attack disrupts families with split citizenship.
- Cultural integration across borders, emphasizing the social cost of diplomatic breakdowns.
- Emotional, psychological, and economic impact on border communities (Amritsar, Gurdaspur).
- GS1 Relevance: Indian society (communalism, social issues), post-independence consolidation.
2. ‘Orange Economy’ & Cultural Diplomacy
- Theme: India’s creative economy and cultural soft power.
- Key Issues:
- PM Modi’s pitch for “Create in India, Create for the World” during WAVES summit.
- Emphasis on India’s historical respect for cultural diversity (Jews, Parsis as examples).
- GS1 Relevance: Indian culture and globalization, art & creative industries, Indian diaspora and cultural soft power.
⚖️ General Studies Paper 2: Governance, International Relations, Polity, and Welfare
1. India-U.S. Strategic Relations & Counterterrorism Cooperation
- Theme: Strategic autonomy and multilateral support.
- Key Points:
- U.S. Secretary of Defence supports India’s “right to defend itself” post-Pahalgam attack.
- Emphasis on global condemnation of Pakistan’s terror sponsorship.
- GS2 Relevance: Bilateral relations, global terrorism, international support frameworks.
2. India-Pakistan Relations: Diplomacy and Tensions
- Theme: Escalation and De-escalation Tools.
- Key Issues:
- Line of Control (LoC) ceasefire violations.
- Naval exercises by both nations amid speculation of surgical strikes.
- GS2 Relevance: India’s foreign policy, neighborhood first, conflict resolution.
3. Water Dispute between Punjab and Haryana
- Theme: Inter-state water conflict and cooperative federalism.
- Key Issues:
- Conflict over Bhakra Nangal dam water release.
- Legal and constitutional issues around interstate river sharing.
- GS2 Relevance: Inter-state relations, federalism, water as a public good, NITI Aayog & BBMB roles.
4. Delhi’s Civic Crisis: Governance and Accountability
- Themes: Urban local bodies, service delivery, crisis management.
- Key Issues:
- Delhi CM’s clean-up drive: accountability of DMs/DCPs.
- Fire tragedies and administrative response (Ajmer, Kolkata).
- GS2 Relevance: Urban governance, disaster management, bureaucratic responsibility.
5. Court’s Intervention in School Bomb Threat Management
- Theme: Judiciary as a guardian of public security.
- Key Issues:
- Court questions Delhi govt and police for failure to implement previous directives.
- GS2 Relevance: Role of judiciary in governance, public safety mechanisms, citizen rights.
6. Caste Census and Political Implications
- Theme: Social justice and affirmative action.
- Key Points:
- RSS changes stance to support caste enumeration.
- Veerashaiva-Lingayat demand for a separate religion code.
- GS2 Relevance: Caste and affirmative action, role of pressure groups, constitutional provisions (Articles 15, 16, 340).
💹 General Studies Paper 3: Economy, Environment, Disaster Management, Internal Security
1. GST Collection at Record High
- Theme: Economic indicators and tax compliance.
- Key Data:
- ₹2.37 lakh crore GST collection in April 2025.
- Growth due to March-end reconciliations, improved domestic consumption.
- GS3 Relevance: Indian economy, fiscal policy, indirect taxation, cooperative federalism.
2. Vizhinjam Port: Infrastructure and Strategic Development
- Theme: Strategic maritime infrastructure.
- Key Highlights:
- AI-powered, deep-water seaport; reduces reliance on transshipment via Colombo/Singapore.
- Expected to save $200–220 million annually.
- GS3 Relevance: Infrastructure, strategic security, blue economy, port-led development.
3. Wildfires in Israel
- Theme: International environmental crisis management.
- Relevance for GS3: Disaster management, climate-induced disasters, international cooperation.
4. Delhi Summer Action Plan: Worker Welfare
- Theme: Occupational health under extreme weather.
- Key Points:
- Mandatory rest period between 12–3 p.m. due to extreme heat.
- GS3 Relevance: Climate resilience, labor welfare, urban heat island effect.
🧭 General Studies Paper 4: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
1. Narrative of Navy Officer’s Widow Promoting Peace
- Theme: Ethics in public discourse and grief.
- Key Points:
- Widow of Pahalgam terror victim urges peace, rejects communal hatred.
- GS4 Relevance: Empathy, emotional intelligence, civic virtue, national integration.
2. Recognition of Civilian Heroism (Pony Ride Operator)
- Theme: Altruism and ethical recognition.
- Key Points:
- Waqf Board provides job to kin of civilian killed saving tourists.
- GS4 Relevance: Public service values, moral courage, dignity of labor.
3. Administrative Ethics in Fire Safety Failures (Kolkata & Ajmer Fires)
- Theme: Public safety, institutional responsibility.
- Key Points:
- CM Mamata demands accountability from hotel owners and officials.
- GS4 Relevance: Accountability, responsibility, leadership in crisis.
