THE HINDU 23.05.2025 (Only UPSC syllabus topics)- GS Wise Split

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THE HINDU 23.05.2025

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GS Paper 1: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, Geography, and Society

Relevant Topics from the Newspaper:

Environmental Issues: Cleaning the Yamuna River (Page 3)
- UPSC Syllabus Topic: Geography – Physical Geography, Environmental Geography; Conservation, Environmental Pollution, and Degradation.
- News Context: The article mentions Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s call for a comprehensive approach to clean the Yamuna River.
- Analysis:
  - Geographical Context: The Yamuna River, a major tributary of the Ganges, is one of India’s most polluted rivers, particularly in Delhi. Pollution sources include industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and agricultural runoff. This issue ties into physical geography (river systems) and environmental geography (water pollution).
  - Environmental Degradation: The Yamuna’s pollution affects water quality, biodiversity, and public health, making it a critical case study for environmental degradation. Key pollutants include high levels of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), heavy metals, and fecal coliform.
  - Conservation Efforts: Amit Shah’s call for a “comprehensive approach” suggests multi-stakeholder involvement, including government policies, public participation, and technological interventions. Existing initiatives like the Yamuna Action Plan and Namami Gange provide context for understanding government efforts.
  - UPSC Relevance: Questions on river pollution, National River Conservation Plans, and sustainable development are common in GS 1. This news item can be linked to case studies on urban environmental challenges and the role of governance in addressing them.
- Key Points for Notes:
  - Causes of Yamuna pollution: Industrial discharge, sewage, and agricultural runoff.
  - Impact: Loss of aquatic biodiversity, health hazards, and reduced water availability.
  - Government initiatives: Namami Gange, Yamuna Action Plan, and the role of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
  - Challenges: Lack of coordination, inadequate sewage treatment capacity, and public awareness.
  - Solutions: Integrated river basin management, stricter enforcement of pollution norms, and community-driven conservation.
Urbanization and Health Infrastructure: Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Page 3)
- UPSC Syllabus Topic: Social Issues – Urbanization, Health, and Development.
- News Context: The article states that Delhi will get 1,139 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, with 968 new sites identified.
- Analysis:
  - Urbanization Context: Rapid urbanization in Delhi has increased the demand for accessible healthcare. Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Health and Wellness Centres) are part of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, aimed at providing primary healthcare in urban and rural areas.
  - Health Infrastructure: The establishment of these centres addresses the issue of inadequate healthcare access in urban slums and densely populated areas. It aligns with the goal of universal health coverage and reducing out-of-pocket expenditure.
  - Social Impact: These centres focus on preventive and promotive healthcare, addressing issues like non-communicable diseases, maternal health, and child health, which are critical in urban settings.
  - UPSC Relevance: Urbanization-related challenges, healthcare schemes, and social sector initiatives are key topics in GS 1. This news item can be used to discuss the intersection of urbanization and public health.
- Key Points for Notes:
  - Ayushman Bharat Scheme: Components (Health and Wellness Centres, PM-JAY), objectives, and implementation challenges.
  - Urban health challenges: Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited access to healthcare.
  - Role of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs: Primary healthcare, diagnostic services, and health awareness.
  - Link to sustainable urban development: Need for integrated urban planning and health infrastructure.

GS Paper 2: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations

Relevant Topics from the Newspaper:

Governance and Federalism: Cases Against Centre and L-G in AAP Rule (Page 3)
- UPSC Syllabus Topic: Polity – Federalism, Centre-State Relations, Role of Governor/Lieutenant Governor.
- News Context: The article mentions the Delhi government’s plea to the Supreme Court to drop cases against the Centre and Lieutenant Governor (L-G) in relation to AAP’s rule.
- Analysis:
  - Federalism Issues: The tussle between the Delhi government (AAP) and the Centre/L-G highlights the unique federal structure of Delhi as a Union Territory with a legislative assembly. The L-G’s role, appointed by the Centre, often leads to conflicts over administrative control.
  - Constitutional Provisions: Article 239AA governs Delhi’s administration, granting limited powers to the elected government while reserving key subjects like public order, police, and land for the Centre.
  - Judicial Role: The Supreme Court’s involvement underscores its role in resolving Centre-State disputes. Landmark cases like NCT of Delhi vs. Union of India (2018) clarify the L-G’s powers and the elected government’s autonomy.
  - UPSC Relevance: Questions on federalism, the role of the L-G, and Centre-State relations are frequent in GS 2. This news item is a case study for understanding governance challenges in Union Territories.
- Key Points for Notes:
  - Delhi’s unique status: Union Territory with partial statehood under Article 239AA.
  - Areas of conflict: Control over bureaucracy, public order, and legislative powers.
  - Role of L-G: Acts as a bridge between the Centre and Delhi government, but often a point of contention.
  - Judicial interventions: Supreme Court rulings on Delhi’s governance structure.
  - Implications: Need for clearer delineation of powers to ensure cooperative federalism.
Social Justice: Rahul Gandhi’s Visit to Delhi University and NSUI Notice (Page 3)
- UPSC Syllabus Topic: Social Justice – Education, Role of Political Parties in Social Issues.
- News Context: Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Delhi University prompted the Proctor’s Office to issue a notice to the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).
- Analysis:
  - Education as a Social Issue: Universities are key institutions for social mobility and political engagement. Political activities on campus, like NSUI’s involvement, highlight the role of student organizations in shaping public discourse.
  - Governance in Education: The issuance of a notice by the Proctor’s Office reflects the regulation of political activities in educational institutions, raising questions about freedom of expression versus institutional discipline.
  - Social Justice Angle: Rahul Gandhi’s visit likely focused on issues like access to education, reservation policies, or youth employment, which are central to social justice debates.
  - UPSC Relevance: This news item can be linked to questions on the role of education in social empowerment and the regulation of political activities in academic spaces.
- Key Points for Notes:
  - Role of student organizations: NSUI, ABVP, and others as platforms for political mobilization.
  - Issues in higher education: Access, affordability, and quality of education.
  - Governance challenges: Balancing freedom of expression with campus discipline.
  - Social justice: Education as a tool for reducing inequality and empowering marginalized groups.
Judiciary and Governance: Delhi High Court Stays CAG Audit of Ajmer Sharif Dargah (Page 5)
- UPSC Syllabus Topic: Polity – Role of Judiciary, Audit and Accountability Mechanisms.
- News Context: The Delhi High Court has stayed the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) audit of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.
- Analysis:
  - Role of CAG: The CAG is a constitutional body under Article 148, responsible for auditing public accounts. Auditing a religious institution like Ajmer Sharif raises questions about the scope of CAG’s authority and its intersection with religious autonomy.
  - Judicial Oversight: The Delhi High Court’s stay order reflects the judiciary’s role in checking executive actions and protecting institutional autonomy.
  - Governance Issues: The case highlights tensions between transparency (via audits) and the autonomy of religious institutions, a sensitive issue in India’s secular framework.
  - UPSC Relevance: Questions on the CAG’s role, judicial activism, and secularism are common in GS 2. This news item is a case study for understanding these dynamics.
- Key Points for Notes:
  - CAG’s mandate: Auditing public funds and ensuring financial accountability.
  - Ajmer Sharif Dargah: A significant religious site, managed by a trust, raising questions about audit applicability.
  - Judicial role: Delhi High Court’s intervention to protect institutional autonomy.
  - Secularism debate: Balancing state oversight with religious freedom.
  - Implications: Need for clear guidelines on auditing religious institutions.

GS Paper 3: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management

Relevant Topics from the Newspaper:

Economic Development: Nippon India Mutual Fund and SIPs (Page 4)
- UPSC Syllabus Topic: Economic Development – Indian Economy, Financial Inclusion, Investment Models.
- News Context: The Nippon India Mutual Fund advertisement emphasizes Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) for disciplined wealth creation and the power of compounding.
- Analysis:
  - Financial Inclusion: SIPs are a tool for retail investors to participate in financial markets, promoting financial inclusion. They allow small, regular investments, making wealth creation accessible to the middle and lower classes.
  - Economic Development: Mutual funds channel household savings into productive investments, contributing to capital market growth and economic development.
  - Power of Compounding: The advertisement highlights long-term wealth creation through disciplined investing, a concept relevant to understanding economic growth models.
  - UPSC Relevance: Questions on financial inclusion, investment models, and economic development are common in GS 3. This news item can be used to discuss the role of mutual funds in India’s economy.
- Key Points for Notes:
  - SIPs: Regular, small investments in mutual funds, promoting financial discipline.
  - Financial inclusion: Encouraging retail participation in capital markets.
  - Economic impact: Channeling savings into investments, boosting capital formation.
  - Challenges: Financial literacy, market volatility, and investor awareness.
  - Government role: SEBI regulations, investor education programs, and AMFI initiatives.
Science and Technology: New Drugs and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Threats (Page 23)
- UPSC Syllabus Topic: Science and Technology – Developments and Their Applications, Health.
- News Context: The article discusses the arrival of new drugs but highlights the ongoing threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
- Analysis:
  - AMR Overview: AMR occurs when microorganisms resist antimicrobial drugs, making infections harder to treat. It is a global health crisis, with India being a hotspot due to overuse of antibiotics.
  - New Drugs: The development of new drugs is a response to AMR, but their efficacy is limited if resistance continues to grow.
  - Health and Technology: Advances in pharmaceutical research are critical, but challenges include high R&D costs, regulatory hurdles, and equitable access to new drugs.
  - UPSC Relevance: AMR is a key topic in GS 3, often linked to public health, biotechnology, and international health frameworks like WHO’s Global Action Plan on AMR.
- Key Points for Notes:
  - AMR causes: Overuse of antibiotics, lack of new drug development, and poor infection control.
  - Impact: Increased mortality, higher healthcare costs, and treatment failures.
  - India’s context: High antibiotic consumption, inadequate regulation, and low awareness.
  - Solutions: National Action Plan on AMR, antibiotic stewardship, and R&D for new drugs.
  - Global frameworks: WHO’s Global Action Plan, One Health approach.
Biodiversity and Environment: Cleaning the Yamuna (Cross-referenced from GS 1)
- UPSC Syllabus Topic: Environment – Conservation, Environmental Pollution.
- Analysis: Already covered under GS 1, but relevant here for its environmental impact. The Yamuna’s pollution affects aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems, a key GS 3 topic.
- Key Points for Notes (Additional for GS 3):
  - Biodiversity loss: Pollution reduces aquatic species diversity in the Yamuna.
  - Environmental laws: Role of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
  - Sustainable development: Aligns with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

GS Paper 4: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

Relevant Topics from the Newspaper:

Discipline and Commitment: Nippon India Mutual Fund’s “SIPahi” Concept (Page 4)
- UPSC Syllabus Topic: Ethics – Attitude, Emotional Intelligence, Work Culture.
- News Context: The advertisement uses the term “SIPahi” to emphasize discipline and commitment in investing, likening it to a soldier’s dedication.
- Analysis:
  - Ethical Values: Discipline and commitment are core ethical values applicable to public service. The “SIPahi” metaphor highlights perseverance and goal-oriented behavior, qualities essential for civil servants.
  - Emotional Intelligence: Staying focused on long-term goals despite market volatility requires emotional resilience, a trait relevant to handling stress and uncertainty in administration.
  - Work Culture: The concept of disciplined investing can be extended to fostering a culture of accountability and consistency in governance.
  - UPSC Relevance: GS 4 emphasizes values like integrity, discipline, and commitment. This news item can be used as an analogy in case studies to discuss ethical decision-making and perseverance.
- Key Points for Notes:
  - Discipline: Importance of consistent effort in achieving long-term goals.
  - Commitment: Staying focused despite challenges, applicable to public service.
  - Emotional intelligence: Managing stress and uncertainty in decision-making.
  - Application: Civil servants must exhibit discipline and commitment in policy implementation and public welfare.