THE HINDU 22.05.2025
GS Paper 1: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, Geography of the World and Society
1. Indian Heritage and Culture
- Topic: Indian Literature and Awards
- Newspaper Reference: “Heart Lamp glows, story collection wins the Booker Prize for Banu and Deepa” (Page 2).
- Relevance for UPSC: The Booker Prize is a prestigious international literary award, and its mention in the context of Indian authors (Banu and Deepa) highlights the global recognition of Indian literature. This is relevant under GS 1’s focus on Indian culture, including modern literary contributions.
- In-Depth Analysis:
- The Booker Prize, awarded annually for fiction written in English, showcases the global impact of Indian authors. Banu and Deepa’s win reflects the richness of Indian storytelling, often rooted in cultural, social, and historical contexts.
- For UPSC, understanding the contributions of Indian authors to global literature can be linked to themes like cultural diplomacy and soft power. Indian literature often explores themes such as post-colonial identity, social issues, and diversity, which are relevant for essays and GS 1 answers.
- Key Points for Notes:
- Indian literature’s global reach: Authors like Banu and Deepa contribute to India’s soft power.
- Themes in Indian literature: Social justice, cultural identity, and historical narratives.
- Relevance: Enhances understanding of India’s cultural heritage and its modern expressions.
- Preparation Tip: Study other Indian Booker Prize winners (e.g., Arundhati Roy, Salman Rushdie) and their works’ socio-cultural significance for a broader perspective.
- Topic: Indian Historical Figures and Their Legacy
- Newspaper Reference: “Savarkar, Malviya portraits to grace Assembly walls” (Page 3).
- Relevance for UPSC: The mention of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Madan Mohan Malviya connects to the Indian freedom struggle and their contributions to Indian society, a key topic under GS 1’s Modern Indian History.
- In-Depth Analysis:
- Vinayak Damodar Savarkar: A prominent figure in the Indian independence movement, Savarkar was a revolutionary, writer, and ideologue associated with Hindutva. His contributions include his work in the Hindu Mahasabha and his book Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?. His legacy is debated due to his revolutionary activities (e.g., involvement in armed resistance) and ideological stance.
- Madan Mohan Malviya: A moderate nationalist, educationist, and founder of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Malviya played a key role in the Indian National Congress and educational reforms. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously.
- The decision to place their portraits in the Assembly reflects their enduring influence on Indian politics and society, as well as debates around their ideologies.
- Key Points for Notes:
- Savarkar: Revolutionary activities, Hindutva ideology, and role in shaping nationalist discourse.
- Malviya: Contributions to education (BHU), moderate nationalism, and social reforms.
- Relevance: Understanding their roles aids in analyzing the ideological diversity of the freedom struggle and contemporary political debates.
- Preparation Tip: Compare and contrast the contributions of revolutionary and moderate leaders in the freedom struggle for a nuanced understanding.
2. Geography of the World and India
- Topic: Climate Change and Cyclones
- Newspaper Reference: “Warming likely to make cyclones more destructive than ever before” (Page 19).
- Relevance for UPSC: Climate change and its impact on natural disasters like cyclones are critical under GS 1’s Physical Geography and Environmental Geography sections.
- In-Depth Analysis:
- The article highlights how climate change may intensify tropical cyclones, with potential poleward shifts in cyclone belts, threatening ecosystems in higher latitudes. It also mentions the SSP370 emissions scenario, predicting severe threats to mangroves in Southeast Asia.
- Key Concepts:
- Tropical Cyclones: Formed over warm ocean waters, cyclones are driven by heat and moisture. Climate change increases sea surface temperatures, leading to more intense and frequent cyclones.
- Poleward Shift: As global temperatures rise, cyclone belts may move toward higher latitudes, affecting regions unaccustomed to such events, leading to ecological and economic challenges.
- Mangroves: Mangroves act as natural barriers against cyclones and storm surges. Their degradation due to climate change (17% at risk in Southeast Asia under SSP370) exacerbates coastal vulnerability.
- UPSC Relevance: Questions on climate change impacts, disaster management, and environmental conservation are common. The SSP370 scenario (a high-emission pathway) underscores the need for global cooperation and India’s role in climate mitigation.
- Key Points for Notes:
- Climate change intensifies cyclones: Warmer oceans, higher wind speeds, and increased rainfall.
- Poleward shift: New regions at risk, requiring adaptive measures.
- Mangrove conservation: Critical for coastal protection and biodiversity.
- India’s context: Vulnerable coastal states (e.g., Odisha, Andhra Pradesh) face increased cyclone risks.
- Preparation Tip: Study India’s National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) and international frameworks like the Paris Agreement for a comprehensive answer.
- Topic: Marine Ecosystems and Climate Change
- Newspaper Reference: “In a marine heatwave, clownfish get small to get by” (Page 19).
- Relevance for UPSC: Marine ecosystems and their response to climate change are part of Environmental Geography under GS 1.
- In-Depth Analysis:
- The article discusses a 2023-2024 coral bleaching event affecting 84% of the world’s coral reefs, with implications for marine species like clownfish. Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) due to rising sea temperatures, leading to ecosystem collapse.
- Clownfish Adaptation: Clownfish shrinking in size is an adaptive response to marine heatwaves, reflecting stress on marine biodiversity.
- Relevance for India: India’s coral reefs (e.g., Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep) are vulnerable to bleaching, impacting fisheries, tourism, and coastal ecosystems.
- Key Points for Notes:
- Coral bleaching: Caused by rising sea temperatures, threatening marine biodiversity.
- Clownfish adaptation: Size reduction as a survival mechanism.
- India’s coral reefs: Andaman, Lakshadweep, and Gulf of Mannar are critical ecosystems.
- Policy implications: Need for marine conservation and climate adaptation strategies.
- Preparation Tip: Link this to India’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and marine conservation initiatives.
3. Society
- Topic: Urbanization and Governance
- Newspaper Reference: “MCD rolls out one-time property tax amnesty scheme for clearing dues” (Page 3).
- Relevance for UPSC: Urban governance, local self-government, and financial management are key under GS 1’s Social Issues and GS 2’s Governance.
- In-Depth Analysis:
- The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) introduced a one-time property tax amnesty scheme to help citizens clear dues, reflecting efforts to improve urban financial management.
- Urban Governance Context: Urban local bodies (ULBs) like MCD face challenges like revenue shortages, poor tax compliance, and infrastructure deficits. Such schemes aim to boost revenue for urban development.
- Key Points for Notes:
- Property tax amnesty: Encourages compliance, increases ULB revenue.
- Urban governance challenges: Financial constraints, tax evasion, and service delivery gaps.
- Relevance: Strengthens ULBs under the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act.
- Preparation Tip: Study the role of ULBs, their financial autonomy, and schemes like Smart Cities Mission for a holistic understanding.
GS Paper 2: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations
1. Governance and Polity
- Topic: Urban Local Bodies and Environmental Governance
- Newspaper Reference: “Repeat tree felling offenders to face stricter action, Delhi govt. tells NGT” (Page 3).
- Relevance for UPSC: Environmental governance, role of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), and urban local governance are critical under GS 2.
- In-Depth Analysis:
- The Delhi government’s response to the NGT on tree felling reflects the judiciary’s role in enforcing environmental laws and the state’s responsibility to comply.
- NGT’s Role: Established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, the NGT addresses environmental disputes, ensuring compliance with laws like the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
- Tree Felling Issue: Illegal tree felling in urban areas like Delhi contributes to air pollution and urban heat islands, necessitating stricter enforcement.
- Key Points for Notes:
- NGT: Specialized environmental court for speedy justice.
- Urban environmental challenges: Deforestation, pollution, and green cover loss.
- Delhi’s context: High air pollution levels require robust environmental governance.
- Preparation Tip: Study NGT’s landmark judgments and India’s environmental laws (e.g., Forest Conservation Act, 1980) for GS 2 answers.
- Topic: Role of Local Governance in Conflict Resolution
- Newspaper Reference: “Murshidabad violence: TMC leaders were present at site, says panel report” (Page 5).
- Relevance for UPSC: Communal and political violence, role of local governance, and law enforcement are key under GS 2’s Governance and Social Justice.
- In-Depth Analysis:
- The article mentions a report implicating TMC leaders in the Murshidabad violence, highlighting issues of political interference in law and order.
- Context: Murshidabad, a district in West Bengal, has a history of communal tensions. The presence of political leaders at violence sites raises questions about governance, impartiality, and accountability.
- UPSC Relevance: Questions on communal violence, role of state machinery, and political neutrality in maintaining law and order are common.
- Key Points for Notes:
- Communal violence: Threatens social harmony and governance.
- Role of state: Ensuring impartial law enforcement and preventing political interference.
- West Bengal context: History of political violence and communal tensions.
- Preparation Tip: Study case studies of communal violence (e.g., Gujarat 2002, Delhi 2020) and the role of state and central governments in conflict resolution.
2. Social Justice
- Topic: Citizenship and Identity Documentation
- Newspaper Reference: “1940 CI cards cancelled by MHA since 2014: RTI” (Page 2).
- Relevance for UPSC: Issues of citizenship, identity documentation, and RTI are central to GS 2’s Social Justice and Governance sections.
- In-Depth Analysis:
- The cancellation of 1940 Citizenship Identity (CI) cards by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) since 2014, as revealed through an RTI, points to issues of citizenship verification and statelessness.
- Context: CI cards are likely linked to schemes for verifying citizenship, especially in border states like Assam (e.g., NRC-related processes). Cancellation may indicate fraudulent claims or administrative errors.
- RTI’s Role: The Right to Information Act, 2005, enables transparency in governance, allowing citizens to access data on sensitive issues like citizenship.
- Key Points for Notes:
- Citizenship issues: Challenges in verification, especially in border areas.
- RTI: Tool for transparency and accountability in governance.
- Implications: Risk of statelessness, human rights concerns, and administrative challenges.
- Preparation Tip: Study the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC), and their socio-political implications for a comprehensive understanding.
GS Paper 3: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management
1. Internal Security
- Topic: Naxalism and Internal Security
- Newspaper Reference: “Top Maoist leader among 27 killed in Chhattisgarh” (Page 2).
- Relevance for UPSC: Naxalism is a major internal security challenge under GS 3, with implications for development and governance.
- In-Depth Analysis:
- The killing of a top Mao upor Naxalite leader and 27 others in Chhattisgarh reflects ongoing security operations against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE).
- Naxalism Context: Naxalism, rooted in socio-economic disparities, affects states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. It involves armed insurgency against the state, often in tribal and forested areas.
- Security Measures: Operations like those in Chhattisgarh involve coordinated efforts by CRPF, state police, and intelligence agencies. The government’s strategy includes security operations, development programs (e.g., aspirational districts), and surrender policies.
- Key Points for Notes:
- Naxalism: Driven by land alienation, poverty, and lack of development.
- Government response: Security operations, development initiatives, and rehabilitation.
- Chhattisgarh: A key LWE-affected state with dense forests and tribal populations.
- Preparation Tip: Study the SAMADHAN strategy for combating LWE and the role of development in addressing root causes.
2. Environment and Disaster Management
- Topic: Climate Change and Disaster Management
- Newspaper Reference: “Warming likely to make cyclones more destructive than ever before” (Page 19).
- Relevance for UPSC: Disaster management, especially cyclone preparedness, is a key GS 3 topic, closely linked to climate change.
- In-Depth Analysis:
- The article’s mention of intensified cyclones due to global warming underscores the need for robust disaster management systems.
- India’s Context: India’s 7,500-km coastline is prone to cyclones, with states like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu frequently affected. Climate change exacerbates risks through higher sea levels and storm surges.
- Disaster Management Framework:
- NDMA: The National Disaster Management Authority oversees cyclone preparedness, including early warning systems and evacuation plans.
- NCRMP: The National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project focuses on infrastructure, early warning, and community preparedness.
- Key Points for Notes:
- Climate change impact: Increased cyclone intensity and frequency.
- Disaster management: Early warning, evacuation, and infrastructure resilience.
- Policy measures: NCRMP, NDMA guidelines, and international cooperation.
- Preparation Tip: Study India’s disaster management framework, including the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and case studies of cyclone management (e.g., Cyclone Amphan).
- Topic: Biodiversity and Conservation
- Newspaper Reference: “In a marine heatwave, clownfish get small to get by” (Page 19).
- Relevance for UPSC: Biodiversity conservation, especially marine ecosystems, is a critical GS 3 topic.
- In-Depth Analysis:
- The coral bleaching event affecting 84% of global reefs highlights the vulnerability of marine ecosystems to climate change.
- India’s Marine Biodiversity: India’s coral reefs (e.g., Andaman, Lakshadweep) support diverse species and livelihoods. Bleaching threatens fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection.
- Conservation Measures: India is part of the Coral Reef Task Force under the CBD and has initiatives like the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
- Key Points for Notes:
- Coral bleaching: Threat to marine biodiversity and livelihoods.
- India’s efforts: Coral restoration, marine protected areas, and climate adaptation.
- Global context: CBD, IPCC reports, and international cooperation.
- Preparation Tip: Study India’s biodiversity hotspots and conservation initiatives like Project Tiger and Project Coral.
GS Paper 4: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
1. Ethics in Governance
- Topic: Political Neutrality and Accountability
- Newspaper Reference: “Murshidabad violence: TMC leaders were present at site, says panel report” (Page 5).
- Relevance for UPSC: Political neutrality and accountability of public officials are key ethical principles under GS 4.
- In-Depth Analysis:
- The presence of TMC leaders at the site of violence raises ethical concerns about political interference in law and order, undermining public trust in governance.
- Ethical Issues:
- Political Neutrality: Public officials and political leaders must act impartially, avoiding bias or favoritism.
- Accountability: Leaders must be held accountable for their actions, especially in maintaining law and order.
- Key Points for Notes:
- Ethical lapse: Political involvement in violence erodes public trust.
- Governance principles: Neutrality, transparency, and accountability.
- Case study: Murshidabad violence as an example of ethical challenges in governance.
- Preparation Tip: Use case studies to illustrate ethical principles in governance, citing examples like the 2nd ARC recommendations on ethics.
2. Environmental Ethics
- Topic: Responsibility Towards the Environment
- Newspaper Reference: “Repeat tree felling offenders to face stricter action, Delhi govt. tells NGT” (Page 3).
- Relevance for UPSC: Environmental ethics, including sustainable development and responsibility towards nature, is a GS 4 topic.
- In-Depth Analysis:
- Illegal tree felling in Delhi reflects a lack of environmental stewardship, a key ethical issue.
- Ethical Perspective: Public officials and citizens have a moral duty to protect the environment for future generations, aligning with principles of sustainable development.
- Key Points for Notes:
- Environmental ethics: Duty to preserve natural resources.
- Governance role: Enforcing environmental laws and promoting sustainability.
- NGT’s role: Ensuring accountability for environmental violations.
- Preparation Tip: Link environmental ethics to sustainable development goals (SDGs) and India’s environmental policies.