THE HINDU 09.05.2025 :
General Studies Paper 1: Indian Heritage, Culture, History & Society
1. Preservation of Partition Memories in Punjab
- Topic: Modern Indian History
- Details: Punjab is establishing heritage villages and memorials to commemorate the trauma and displacement caused by Partition. This move reflects a state-driven effort to institutionalize historical memory.
- Relevance: Demonstrates the importance of remembering historical tragedies, public history, and post-independence consolidation. It can be used in essay and ethics papers as well.
2. Urbanization & Eviction of Street Vendors
- Topic: Urbanization, Informal Sector
- Details: The National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) protested against mass evictions in Delhi, demanding proper enforcement of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.
- Relevance: Highlights challenges in inclusive urban development, right to livelihood, and the need for balancing urban cleanliness drives with informal workers’ rights.
3. Bihar’s Neera Scheme
- Topic: Social Empowerment, Rural Livelihood
- Details: Bihar launched the Mukhyamantri Neera Samvardhan Yojana to support toddy tappers from the Dalit Pasi community by offering DBT incentives and setting up Neera sales centers.
- Relevance: Touches upon caste-based empowerment, rural economy, alternatives to alcohol post-prohibition, and targeted welfare delivery.
General Studies Paper 2: Governance, Constitution, Polity & International Relations
1. India-Pakistan Conflict: Operation Sindoor
- Topic: India’s Foreign Policy, Strategic Affairs
- Details: India conducted air strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK using loitering munitions, following Pakistan’s missile and drone attacks.
- Relevance: Demonstrates India’s evolving security doctrine, international legal frameworks (UN Charter), and defence diplomacy in action.
2. All-party Meeting on National Security
- Topic: Governance & Political Coordination
- Details: The Defence Minister briefed opposition parties, achieving bipartisan support for military operations. Production of defence equipment was also expedited.
- Relevance: Reinforces the importance of political unity during crises and constitutional roles of the executive and legislature in national security matters.
3. Supreme Court on Rohingya Deportation
- Topic: Refugee Rights, Constitutional Morality
- Details: The SC stated that deportation can proceed under the Foreigners Act; non-citizens do not have the right to reside under Article 19.
- Relevance: Highlights tensions between humanitarian law (non-refoulement), constitutional protections (Articles 14, 21), and national security.
4. Delhi Ordinance Row
- Topic: Federalism, Separation of Powers
- Details: Conflict over control of services between Delhi government and the Centre continues under the GNCTD (Amendment) Act.
- Relevance: Critical for understanding Centre-State relations, legislative competence, and powers of the LG in Union Territories.
5. Caste Census and Social Justice
- Topic: Welfare Policies, Social Empowerment
- Details: The Centre supports caste census as a step toward inclusive development and social justice.
- Relevance: Links data-driven policy formulation with OBC representation and equitable governance.
General Studies Paper 3: Economy, Environment, Science, Technology, Security
1. Cross-Border Tensions & Internal Security
- Topic: Internal Security, Counter-Terrorism
- Details: India intercepted Pakistani missiles and retaliated using drones and loitering munitions. Air defence systems were activated.
- Relevance: Signifies India’s readiness for asymmetric threats, development in military technology, and strategic deterrence.
2. Operation Abhyaas: Mock Drills and Blackouts
- Topic: Disaster Management, Civil Defence
- Details: Nationwide mock drills involved sirens, blackouts, and emergency simulations in Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan.
- Relevance: Strengthens understanding of NDMA protocols, public awareness, and emergency responsiveness.
3. OTT Platforms Banned from Streaming Pakistani Content
- Topic: Information Security, Digital Regulation
- Details: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting invoked IT Rules 2021 to direct OTT platforms to remove Pakistani-origin content.
- Relevance: Raises issues about digital sovereignty, content regulation, and balancing national security with freedom of expression.
4. CSE Report on Yamuna River Pollution
- Topic: Environmental Pollution & Water Management
- Details: Najafgarh and Shahdara drains contribute 84% of Yamuna pollution. CSE recommends faecal sludge treatment, re-engineered STPs, and boosting river flow.
- Relevance: Exemplifies river rejuvenation models, urban sewage management, and environmental sustainability.
5. Vacant Pollution Control Posts: SC Contempt Notice
- Topic: Governance, Environment
- Details: Supreme Court issued contempt notices to NCR states for failing to fill over 50% vacancies in pollution boards.
- Relevance: Illustrates judicial oversight in environmental governance and administrative accountability.
6. Drone Technology & Warfare
- Topic: Defence Tech, National Security
- Details: Indian forces used drone swarms and loitering munitions to neutralize Pakistani threats.
- Relevance: Signifies the future of defence capabilities, drone countermeasures, and indigenous military tech advancement.
General Studies Paper 4: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
1. Ethics of Military Response & Just War Theory
- Topic: Moral Decision-Making in Statecraft
- Details: India’s response to Pakistan was limited to military targets, showing proportionality and restraint.
- Relevance: Exemplifies ethical dilemmas in state conflict, justice in warfare, and moral responsibility.
2. Mock Drills and Administrative Duty
- Topic: Ethics in Public Administration
- Details: Civil servants had their leaves cancelled to ensure full preparedness and emergency response.
- Relevance: Illustrates commitment to duty, self-sacrifice, and ethical conduct in public service.
3. Media Ethics in Crisis Reporting
- Topic: Ethical Journalism
- Details: Restrictions on content and panic coverage during crises raise questions about responsible journalism.
- Relevance: Balancing public interest, accuracy, and ethical media behavior during national emergencies.
4. SC Upholding Constitutional Morality in Rohingya Case
- Topic: Justice, Fairness, and Rule of Law
- Details: The SC balanced individual rights with security needs, emphasizing constitutional supremacy.
- Relevance: Demonstrates the judiciary’s ethical role in protecting the Constitution while considering broader implications.
Summary Table of Key Issues:
| GS Paper | Topic | Key Themes |
|---|---|---|
| GS1 | Urbanization, Social Movements | Informal sector rights, caste empowerment |
| GS2 | Governance, IR, Constitution | India-Pakistan conflict, refugee policy, Centre-State relations |
| GS3 | Internal Security, Environment | Drone warfare, Yamuna pollution, mock drills |
| GS4 | Ethics in Governance | Proportional retaliation, media ethics, duty in public service |