THE HINDU 18.05.2025
GS Paper 1: Indian Society, Geography, and Cultural Heritage
1. Social Dynamics: Challenges to Community Identity
- Context: An article highlights the concerns of a Tamil community in South Delhi’s Madrasi Camp, fearing loss of cultural cohesion due to urban changes.
- UPSC Relevance: Social Empowerment, Regionalism, Urbanization (GS 1: Indian Society)
- Original Analysis:
- The Tamil community’s apprehensions underscore the struggles of migrant groups to maintain cultural roots in urban settings. Urban redevelopment projects can marginalize such communities, leading to social alienation.
- This issue reflects regionalism, as migrants from different states navigate integration while preserving their heritage.
- Government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) aim to address housing needs but may disrupt community structures if not implemented inclusively.
- UPSC Application:
- Understand the impact of urbanization on social cohesion for essay and mains questions.
- Link to policies promoting inclusive urban development, such as the Smart Cities Mission.
- Prepare for questions on balancing modernization with cultural preservation.
2. Natural Disasters: Urban Vulnerability
- Context: A dust storm in Delhi led to fatalities from collapsing walls and damage to a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) station.
- UPSC Relevance: Disaster Management, Urban Geography (GS 1: Geography)
- Original Analysis:
- Dust storms, common in North India during summer, reveal weaknesses in urban infrastructure, including substandard construction and inadequate disaster preparedness.
- The damage to the RRTS station emphasizes the need for resilient infrastructure to withstand natural calamities, a key aspect of sustainable urban planning.
- Fatalities from wall collapses highlight lax enforcement of building codes, a systemic issue in urban governance.
- UPSC Application:
- Study the role of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in mitigating urban disasters.
- Explore how urban planning can incorporate disaster risk reduction, referencing global frameworks like the Sendai Framework.
- Prepare for questions on improving urban resilience to natural disasters.
GS Paper 2: Polity, Governance, and International Relations
1. Innovative Governance: Punjab’s Fellowship Initiative
- Context: Punjab launched a Good Governance Fellowship Programme in collaboration with the Indian School of Business (ISB), engaging young professionals for grassroots reforms.
- UPSC Relevance: Governance Models, Civil Services Role, Social Justice (GS 2: Governance)
- Original Analysis:
- This initiative aims to transform Punjab’s governance by involving talented youth in a two-year program with a monthly stipend of ₹1.2 lakh, focusing on development at the grassroots level.
- Partnering with ISB leverages academic expertise to enhance administrative efficiency, reflecting a modern governance approach.
- The program promotes inclusivity by engaging professionals in policy implementation, addressing regional disparities.
- UPSC Application:
- Compare with initiatives like NITI Aayog’s Development Support Partners or the Aspirational Districts Programme for governance innovation.
- Analyze how public-private partnerships can improve administrative capacity.
- Prepare for questions on strengthening governance for equitable development.
2. Electoral Integrity: Challenges in West Bengal
- Context: An official in West Bengal was suspended for allegedly manipulating electoral roll forms, raising concerns about election fairness.
- UPSC Relevance: Electoral Reforms, Election Commission’s Role (GS 2: Polity)
- Original Analysis:
- Tampering with voter lists undermines the democratic principle of free and fair elections.
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) is pivotal in upholding electoral integrity, and such incidents highlight enforcement challenges.
- This case underscores the need for robust mechanisms to prevent electoral malpractices and ensure transparency.
- UPSC Application:
- Study ECI tools like Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) and the legal framework under Article 324.
- Discuss reforms like digitizing voter rolls or stricter penalties for violations.
- Prepare for questions on safeguarding electoral democracy.
3. Local Governance: Political Shifts in Delhi
- Context: Fifteen Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors formed a new political group before the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections.
- UPSC Relevance: Urban Local Bodies, Political Dynamics (GS 2: Polity)
- Original Analysis:
- The split within AAP could influence MCD election outcomes, impacting urban governance in Delhi.
- Municipal bodies like the MCD are essential for managing city services such as sanitation and infrastructure, but political fragmentation can hinder efficiency.
- This development reflects the dynamic nature of local politics and its effect on governance delivery.
- UPSC Application:
- Study the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, which empowers urban local bodies.
- Analyze challenges like financial constraints and political interference in local governance.
- Prepare for questions on strengthening urban administration.
4. India-Pakistan Relations: Border Tensions
- Context: Jammu and Kashmir sought central assistance for residents affected by Pakistani shelling along the Line of Control (LoC).
- UPSC Relevance: India’s Neighborhood Relations, Border Security (GS 2: International Relations)
- Original Analysis:
- Frequent shelling along the LoC disrupts civilian life and infrastructure, posing humanitarian and security challenges.
- Central-state collaboration is crucial for providing relief and ensuring security in border regions.
- This issue is part of the complex India-Pakistan relationship, marked by disputes over Kashmir and cross-border tensions.
- UPSC Application:
- Study initiatives like the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) for border region development.
- Analyze India’s diplomatic strategies to manage LoC tensions.
- Prepare for questions on India’s foreign policy challenges with Pakistan.
GS Paper 3: Economic Development, Environment, and Security
1. Disaster Resilience: Infrastructure Challenges
- Context: (Repeated from GS 1) A dust storm caused wall collapses and damaged an RRTS station in Delhi.
- UPSC Relevance: Disaster Management, Infrastructure Development (GS 3: Disaster Management)
- Original Analysis:
- The incident exposes gaps in urban infrastructure’s ability to withstand natural disasters, emphasizing the need for resilient designs.
- Poor construction standards contribute to preventable losses, highlighting enforcement issues.
- The RRTS, a flagship project, must incorporate disaster-proofing to ensure long-term functionality.
- UPSC Application:
- Reference the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) for urban disaster preparedness.
- Discuss the role of infrastructure audits and global standards like the Sendai Framework.
- Prepare for questions on sustainable infrastructure development.
2. Inclusive Development: Punjab’s Governance Reform
- Context: (Repeated from GS 2) Punjab’s fellowship program aims to drive grassroots development.
- UPSC Relevance: Inclusive Growth, Governance for Development (GS 3: Economic Development)
- Original Analysis:
- By engaging young professionals, Punjab fosters inclusive growth, ensuring development reaches rural and urban areas.
- The partnership with ISB highlights the value of expertise in policy implementation, addressing administrative capacity gaps.
- This initiative aligns with the goal of equitable development, a key focus of India’s economic policies.
- UPSC Application:
- Compare with schemes like Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
- Analyze the role of human capital in economic development.
- Prepare for questions on inclusive growth strategies.
3. Agriculture and Livestock: Modern Gaushala in Delhi
- Context: A ₹47 crore modern gaushala is planned in Delhi to enhance animal husbandry.
- UPSC Relevance: Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Rural Economy (GS 3: Economic Development)
- Original Analysis:
- Modern gaushalas support dairy production and sustainable agriculture by improving livestock management and utilizing waste for biogas.
- This initiative reflects the cultural and economic significance of cattle, contributing to rural livelihoods.
- Investments in animal husbandry can boost rural economies and promote eco-friendly practices.
- UPSC Application:
- Link to schemes like the Rashtriya Gokul Mission for livestock development.
- Discuss the role of animal husbandry in India’s agricultural GDP.
- Prepare for questions on sustainable rural development.
4. Internal Security: Economic Offences in Chhattisgarh
- Context: Raids were conducted in Chhattisgarh over a liquor scam linked to a Congress MLA.
- UPSC Relevance: Corruption, Internal Security (GS 3: Security)
- Original Analysis:
- Liquor scams involve illegal trade and tax evasion, often tied to organized crime, undermining state revenues and public trust.
- Enforcement actions by agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) demonstrate efforts to combat financial irregularities.
- Such cases highlight the nexus between corruption and internal security threats.
- UPSC Application:
- Study the roles of ED, CBI, and state anti-corruption bodies.
- Analyze the impact of economic offences on governance and security.
- Prepare for questions on anti-corruption measures.
GS Paper 4: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
1. Ethical Governance: Electoral Malpractices
- Context: (Repeated from GS 2) An official’s suspension for electoral roll tampering in West Bengal.
- UPSC Relevance: Ethics in Public Administration, Accountability (GS 4: Ethics)
- Original Analysis:
- Manipulating voter lists breaches ethical principles of integrity and impartiality, eroding public trust in democracy.
- The suspension reflects accountability but exposes vulnerabilities in electoral systems.
- Ethical governance demands transparency and adherence to legal standards to uphold democratic values.
- UPSC Application:
- Discuss the ECI’s ethical guidelines for public servants.
- Analyze case studies on electoral ethics and accountability mechanisms.
- Prepare for questions on strengthening ethical governance.
2. Public Service Values: Punjab’s Fellowship
- Context: (Repeated from GS 2) The Punjab governance fellowship promotes grassroots reforms.
- UPSC Relevance: Public Service Values, Ethical Leadership (GS 4: Ethics)
- Original Analysis:
- The program encourages young professionals to embrace public service, fostering values like dedication and innovation.
- Its focus on grassroots development reflects empathy and a commitment to inclusive governance.
- Such initiatives inspire ethical leadership by involving skilled individuals in public administration.
- UPSC Application:
- Discuss values like empathy and service in public administration.
- Analyze how programs like this cultivate ethical leaders.
- Prepare for questions on fostering integrity in governance.