THE HINDU 21.05.2025 (Only UPSC syllabus topics)
General Studies Paper 1 (GS 1)
Syllabus Topics Covered: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, Geography, Society
1. Indian Heritage and Culture
- Relevant Article: “A tragedy recorded for posterity: inscription near temple in Karnataka lists drought deaths in 1539” (Page 7)
- Details:
- Content: An inscription near a temple in Karnataka records deaths due to a drought in 1539, highlighting historical documentation of environmental crises.
- UPSC Relevance: This falls under Indian Heritage and Culture, specifically the study of historical inscriptions and their significance in understanding socio-economic conditions of the past. It also connects to environmental history, showing how ancient societies dealt with natural calamities.
- Analysis:
- Inscriptions are primary sources for understanding medieval Indian history, often providing insights into governance, societal resilience, and environmental challenges.
- The mention of drought deaths in 1539 can be linked to the study of historical famines in India, such as those during the Mughal or Vijayanagara periods, which are relevant for understanding socio-economic impacts and administrative responses.
- This can be used to draw parallels with modern-day climate resilience and disaster management, a recurring theme in UPSC essays and GS 3 (Disaster Management).
- Key Points for Notes:
- Historical inscriptions as sources of socio-economic history.
- Example: Karnataka inscription (1539) documenting drought-related deaths.
- Relevance to understanding resilience and governance in medieval India.
- Link to modern environmental challenges and disaster preparedness.
2. Society
- Relevant Article: “Fall in U.P. school enrolments: Mayawati expresses concern” (Page 5)
- Details:
- Content: Mayawati, a political leader, highlights concerns over declining school enrolments in Uttar Pradesh.
- UPSC Relevance: This relates to the GS 1 topic of Social Issues, particularly education, social empowerment, and regional disparities in access to education.
- Analysis:
- Education is a critical component of social development, and declining enrolments indicate challenges in access, quality, or socio-economic factors (e.g., poverty, child labor, or gender disparities).
- Uttar Pradesh, being a populous state, faces issues like high dropout rates, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-cultural barriers (e.g., early marriages), which are key UPSC topics.
- This can be linked to government initiatives like the Right to Education (RTE) Act, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), and Samagra Shiksha, which aim to universalize education.
- It also touches on regional disparities, as U.P.’s challenges differ from those of states like Kerala or Tamil Nadu, a point often discussed in UPSC answers on inclusive growth.
- Key Points for Notes:
- Declining school enrolments in U.P. as a social issue.
- Factors: Poverty, infrastructure gaps, socio-cultural barriers.
- Relevant policies: RTE Act, SSA, Samagra Shiksha.
- Implications: Impact on human development indices (HDI), gender equality, and social empowerment.
- Compare with other states to highlight regional disparities.
3. Geography
- Relevant Article: “Kurma mela: the science of the mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles” (Page 21)
- Details:
- Content: The article discusses the Kurma Mela, focusing on the mass nesting phenomenon of Olive Ridley turtles, likely along the Odisha coast (e.g., Gahirmatha or Rushikulya beaches).
- UPSC Relevance: This falls under Physical Geography (biodiversity, ecosystems) and Environmental Geography (conservation, human-animal conflict).
- Analysis:
- Olive Ridley turtles are a vulnerable species under the IUCN Red List, and their mass nesting (arribada) is a unique ecological phenomenon studied under biodiversity conservation.
- The Kurma Mela likely refers to a festival or conservation event celebrating this phenomenon, which is significant for coastal ecosystems and marine biodiversity.
- Key issues include threats to turtles (e.g., fishing nets, coastal development, climate change) and conservation measures like the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and protected areas like Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.
- This topic also connects to GS 3 (Environment and Ecology) but is relevant here for its geographical context (coastal ecosystems, migration patterns).
- Key Points for Notes:
- Olive Ridley turtles: Vulnerable species, mass nesting (arribada) in Odisha.
- Geographical significance: Coastal ecosystems, migration patterns.
- Conservation measures: Wildlife Protection Act, Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.
- Threats: Fishing, coastal development, climate change.
- Link to environmental geography and biodiversity conservation.
General Studies Paper 2 (GS 2)
Syllabus Topics Covered: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, International Relations
1. Governance and Polity
- Relevant Articles:
- “MCD to withdraw garbage collection charges, launch amnesty scheme for property tax dues” (Page 3)
- “Delhi Cabinet clears proposal for monthly solar power subsidy up to ₹30,000 per consumer” (Page 7)
- Details:
- MCD Article:
- Content: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) plans to withdraw garbage collection charges and introduce an amnesty scheme for property tax dues.
- UPSC Relevance: Local Governance (Urban Local Bodies), 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, and public service delivery.
- Analysis:
- The MCD’s decision reflects efforts to improve urban governance and public satisfaction by reducing financial burdens on citizens.
- The amnesty scheme for property tax dues is a governance tool to improve tax compliance and clear backlogs, a common issue in urban local bodies.
- This relates to the 74th Constitutional Amendment, which mandates urban local bodies to handle waste management and taxation.
- Challenges in urban governance include inadequate funding, poor waste management systems, and low tax compliance, all relevant for UPSC answers on local self-government.
- Delhi Cabinet Article:
- Content: The Delhi Cabinet approved a solar power subsidy of up to ₹30,000 per consumer monthly.
- UPSC Relevance: Governance (public policy, subsidies), Sustainable Development, and State Government initiatives.
- Analysis:
- The solar subsidy aligns with India’s renewable energy goals (e.g., National Solar Mission, 175 GW renewable energy target by 2022, extended to 500 GW by 2030).
- It reflects state-level governance in promoting sustainable development and reducing carbon footprints.
- Subsidies raise questions of fiscal sustainability and equitable distribution, key governance issues in UPSC syllabus.
- This also connects to GS 3 (Environment and Energy Security) but is relevant here for policy implementation.
- MCD Article:
- Key Points for Notes:
- MCD Initiatives:
- Withdrawal of garbage collection charges to ease citizen burden.
- Amnesty scheme for property tax dues to improve compliance.
- Link to 74th Amendment: Role of urban local bodies in waste management and taxation.
- Challenges: Funding, waste management efficiency, tax collection.
- Delhi Solar Subsidy:
- Subsidy of ₹30,000/month for solar power to promote renewable energy.
- Aligns with National Solar Mission and sustainable development goals.
- Governance issues: Fiscal sustainability, equitable subsidy distribution.
- MCD Initiatives:
2. Social Justice
- Relevant Article: “Will provide facilities, aid to athletes, says CM” (Page 3)
- Details:
- Content: The Chief Minister (likely of Delhi, given context) promises facilities and aid for athletes.
- UPSC Relevance: Social Justice (inclusion of marginalized groups, sports as empowerment), Government Policies for vulnerable sections.
- Analysis:
- Sports development is a tool for social inclusion, especially for youth from marginalized backgrounds, aligning with social justice goals.
- Government schemes like Khelo India aim to promote sports at the grassroots level, providing opportunities for underprivileged athletes.
- This also touches on health, education, and youth empowerment, as sports infrastructure improves physical well-being and social mobility.
- Challenges include inadequate sports infrastructure, funding, and regional disparities in access to training facilities.
- Key Points for Notes:
- CM’s promise to provide facilities and aid to athletes.
- Relevance: Sports as a tool for social inclusion and youth empowerment.
- Schemes: Khelo India, National Sports Policy.
- Challenges: Infrastructure gaps, funding, and equitable access.
3. International Relations
- Relevant Article: “Indian forces hit roots of terrorism with great precision, says Rajnath” (Page 5)
- Details:
- Content: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praises Indian forces for precise strikes on Pakistani terror targets in “Operation Sinker,” ensuring no civilian casualties.
- UPSC Relevance: India’s Foreign Policy, Security and Defence, India-Pakistan Relations.
- Analysis:
- “Operation Sinker” (hypothetical, based on context) indicates India’s proactive stance against cross-border terrorism, a key aspect of its foreign policy.
- Precision strikes highlight advancements in military technology and India’s strategic doctrine of pre-emptive action (e.g., surgical strikes post-Uri, Balakot airstrike).
- India-Pakistan relations remain tense due to terrorism, with India advocating zero tolerance at forums like the UN.
- This also connects to GS 3 (Internal Security) but is relevant here for its implications on bilateral relations and India’s global anti-terrorism stance.
- Key Points for Notes:
- Operation Sinker: Indian forces’ precise strikes on Pakistani terror targets.
- India’s foreign policy: Zero tolerance for terrorism, proactive defence strategy.
- Military advancements: Precision strikes, surgical operations.
- India-Pakistan relations: Challenges due to cross-border terrorism.
General Studies Paper 3 (GS 3)
Syllabus Topics Covered: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, Disaster Management
1. Environment and Biodiversity
- Relevant Article: “Kurma mela: the science of the mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles” (Page 21)
- Details:
- Content: Discusses the mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles, a vulnerable species, likely in Odisha.
- UPSC Relevance: Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Protection, Sustainable Development.
- Analysis:
- Already covered under GS 1 (Geography), but here it relates to environmental policies and conservation efforts.
- India’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) are relevant.
- Conservation challenges include human-animal conflict, illegal fishing, and climate change impacts on marine ecosystems.
- This also connects to ecotourism (Kurma Mela as a potential conservation-awareness event).
- Key Points for Notes:
- Olive Ridley turtles: Vulnerable species, mass nesting in Odisha.
- Conservation efforts: Wildlife Protection Act, marine sanctuaries.
- Challenges: Fishing, coastal development, climate change.
- Link to CBD, SDG 14, and ecotourism.
2. Security
- Relevant Articles:
- “Indian forces hit roots of terrorism with great precision, says Rajnath” (Page 5)
- “Death row convict and parole jumper who killed 50 people, fed bodies to crocodiles, held” (Page 3)
- Details:
- Operation Sinker Article:
- Content: Rajnath Singh praises precise anti-terror strikes in Pakistan.
- UPSC Relevance: Internal and External Security, Counter-Terrorism.
- Analysis:
- Covered under GS 2 (International Relations), but here it relates to India’s internal security framework, including military modernization and counter-terrorism strategies.
- Agencies like the Indian Army, NSG, and intelligence bodies (RAW, IB) play a role in such operations.
- Challenges: Cross-border terrorism, intelligence coordination, and regional stability.
- Death Row Convict Article:
- Content: A convict who killed 50 people and fed bodies to crocodiles was apprehended.
- UPSC Relevance: Internal Security, Criminal Justice System.
- Analysis:
- Highlights challenges in the criminal justice system, particularly parole monitoring and recidivism.
- Raises questions about prison reforms, surveillance, and law enforcement efficiency.
- Links to broader security concerns like organized crime and public safety.
- Operation Sinker Article:
- Key Points for Notes:
- Operation Sinker:
- Precise anti-terror strikes in Pakistan (Operation Sinker).
- Role of military modernization and intelligence agencies (RAW, IB, NSG).
- Challenges: Cross-border terrorism, regional stability.
- Death Row Convict:
- Case of a parole jumper committing heinous crimes.
- Issues: Parole monitoring, prison reforms, law enforcement gaps.
- Relevance: Criminal justice system and public safety.
- Operation Sinker:
3. Economic Development
- Relevant Article: “Delhi Cabinet clears proposal for monthly solar power subsidy up to ₹30,000 per consumer” (Page 7)
- Details:
- Content: Delhi’s solar subsidy initiative.
- UPSC Relevance: Energy Security, Sustainable Development, Economic Policy.
- Analysis:
- Covered under GS 2 (Governance), but here it relates to economic implications of renewable energy adoption.
- Solar subsidies promote clean energy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and align with India’s INDC (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions) under the Paris Agreement.
- Economic challenges: High initial costs, subsidy burden on state finances, and need for private sector involvement.
- Links to green economy and job creation in the renewable energy sector.
- Key Points for Notes:
- Delhi’s solar subsidy (₹30,000/month) to promote renewable energy.
- Aligns with National Solar Mission, Paris Agreement INDCs.
- Economic implications: Green economy, job creation, fiscal sustainability.
- Challenges: High costs, private sector participation.
General Studies Paper 4 (GS 4)
Syllabus Topics Covered: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
1. Ethics in Governance
- Relevant Article: “MCD to withdraw garbage collection charges, launch amnesty scheme for property tax dues” (Page 3)
- Details:
- Content: MCD’s initiatives to withdraw charges and offer tax amnesty.
- UPSC Relevance: Transparency, accountability, and public trust in governance.
- Analysis:
- Withdrawing garbage collection charges reflects responsiveness to public grievances, a key ethical principle in governance.
- The amnesty scheme promotes fairness by allowing citizens to clear dues without punitive measures, fostering trust in institutions.
- Ethical challenges include ensuring transparency in scheme implementation and preventing misuse (e.g., favoritism in tax waivers).
- Links to probity in governance and citizen-centric administration.
- Key Points for Notes:
- MCD’s initiatives reflect responsiveness and fairness in governance.
- Ethical principles: Transparency, accountability, public trust.
- Challenges: Ensuring scheme implementation is free from favoritism or corruption.
2. Ethics in Law Enforcement
- Relevant Article: “Death row convict and parole jumper who killed 50 people, fed bodies to crocodiles, held” (Page 3)
- Details:
- Content: A convict’s apprehension after committing heinous crimes while on parole.
- UPSC Relevance: Integrity in law enforcement, ethical challenges in the criminal justice system.
- Analysis:
- The case highlights lapses in parole monitoring, raising ethical questions about accountability and diligence in law enforcement.
- Ethical dilemmas include balancing rehabilitation (parole) with public safety, and ensuring justice for victims.
- This can be linked to case studies in GS 4, where candidates analyze failures in institutional integrity and propose reforms.
- Key Points for Notes:
- Case of a parole jumper committing heinous crimes.
- Ethical issues: Accountability in parole monitoring, balancing rehabilitation and public safety.
- Relevance: Institutional integrity, justice delivery, and law enforcement reforms.