Selected Civil Service Candidates Advised To Be Mindful On Social Media, Maintain Public Decorum
In the advisory issued by Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), the training institution for India's civil servants, candidates were reminded that "your past actions also will be a reflection of your character and personality throughout your career." It stressed that the journey of becoming a civil servant begins not with training, but from the moment of selection.
"You should start displaying exemplary conduct that befits an officer right from this day and not wait for your training to start," it stated, highlighting their future roles in governance and public service.
Stressing the role of civil servants as visible representatives of the State, the note said, "Civil servants are the public face of the State and their conduct is under constant public scrutiny." Candidates were urged to maintain "courteous, respectful, dignified and appropriate" interactions with the public, government personnel, elected representatives, civil society organisations, and vulnerable sections of society.
The institution also reinforced its guiding motto: "Sheelam Param Bhushanam - Character is the supreme embellishment," calling on candidates to demonstrate "integrity, dignity, humility and rectitude at all times."
Among the detailed behavioral expectations are:
Rejecting all forms of inducement, such as gifts and hospitality
Demonstrating gender sensitivity, punctuality, and compassion
Adhering to civic manners and personal hygiene
Abstaining from public consumption of intoxicants
Dressing in modest and occasion-appropriate attire
Social media conduct received special attention. The advisory warned that posts and online behavior, even at this early stage, can impact the reputation of the service. "Any posts made or facilitated by you on social media will also reflect on the service," it cautioned.
Candidates were advised to avoid impulsive online activity: "Pause and reflect on the possible impact of what you are going to post." It further added that avoiding potentially misinterpreted or controversial content is advisable.
While the use of technology was encouraged for improving service delivery, the message underlined the need for ethical and responsible digital behavior. "The Academy promotes the use of technology and AI for improving the speed and quality of services delivered to the citizens," it said, but with clear boundaries on self-promotion and conduct.
Candidates were also encouraged to begin adopting a healthy lifestyle in preparation for the intensive physical and academic training that lies ahead.
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Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
UPSC Key: Alaska summit, GST reforms and Eco-sensitive Western Ghats
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for August 17, 2025. If you missed the August 16, 2025, UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here. Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. What's the ongoing story: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Ukraine should make a deal to end the war with Russia because 'Russia is a very big power, and they're not', after a summit where Vladimir Putin was reported to have demanded more Ukrainian land. Key Points to Ponder: — Know about the Russia-Ukraine war and its impact. — Read about Alaska. — What is the geopolitical significance of the Alaska summit? — What is the history of India's bilateral relations with Russia and the US? — What are the areas of cooperation between India and Russia? — What are the areas of cooperation between India and the US? — What is India's stand in the Russia-Ukraine war? — Map work: Locate Alaska, Ukraine, Russia and other places in the news in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war on map. Key Takeaways: — In a subsequent briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a source familiar with the discussion cited Trump as saying the Russian leader had offered to freeze most front lines if Kyiv's forces ceded all of Donetsk, the industrial region that is one of Moscow's main targets. — Zelenskyy rejected the demand, the source said. Russia already controls a fifth of Ukraine, including about three-quarters of Donetsk province, which it first entered in also said he had agreed with Putin that a peace deal should be sought without the prior ceasefire that Ukraine and its European allies, until now with US support, have demanded. — Zelenskyy said he would meet Trump in Washington on Monday, while Kyiv's European allies welcomed Trump's efforts but vowed to back Ukraine and tighten sanctions on Russia. The source said European leaders had also been invited to those talks. From Economy Page- 'No deal or ceasefire: What the 'failed' Trump-Putin Alaska summit could mean for India' — US President Donald Trump's push for a ceasefire in Ukraine did not yield results, with Russian President Vladimir Putin clearly not yielding. — The apparent failure of the talks may come as a relief for Ukrainian and European leaders, who were worried that Trump would yield to Putin's demands and follow up on his earlier talk of swapping land. New Delhi too had one eye on America's frigid outpost over 15,000 kilometers away, to see if anything came out of the spectacle that could impact India's prospects. — There was some hope in India that if Trump and Putin reached a deal of some kind, that outcome would provide relief to New Delhi with respect to the secondary tariffs imposed on India. There was a belief here that the 25 per cent additional punitive tariff could possibly go away if the Trump administration believed that it was making some kind of progress with Putin on stopping the war. — That hope, although relatively diminished, may still be there to some extent as both Trump and Putin—while saying there was no deal yet—indicated some progress in the Alaska talks. New Delhi would still be hoping for the best-case scenario—rollback of the 25 per cent additional tariff, or at least the postponement of the August 27 deadline when the extra tariff is slated to take effect. Do You Know: — New Delhi has called the targeting of India over the purchase of Russian oil 'unjustified and unreasonable' and said these imports began as its traditional supplies were diverted to Europe, with the US having 'actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability'. — India has maintained over the years that as a country that depends on energy imports, it will buy oil from wherever it gets a good deal, as long as the oil is not under sanctions. To be sure, Russian oil is not under sanctions, and is only subject to a price cap imposed by the US and its allies that applies if Western shipping and insurance services are used for transporting the oil. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Caught in the Trump-Putin game of chicken: India's Russian oil imports' future and options 📍An Expert Explains: Russia-Ukraine war Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (UPSC CSE 2020) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance, Economic and Social Development, Indian Polity and Governance Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development, and employment. What's the ongoing story: The Group of Ministers (GoM) on Rate Rationalisation is set to meet in the coming week to discuss the proposal on next-generation GST reforms Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday. The GoM has ministers from six states: Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar and Karnataka. Key Points to Ponder: — What is Goods and Services Tax (GST), and how does it work? — What are the different types of GST? (Thought Process: Know the differences between Central GST (CGST), State GST (SGST), Union Territory GST (UTGST) and Integrated GST (IGST). — What is the purpose of introducing GST? How is it an example of cooperative federalism? — GST Reforms – What do you know so far? — What is the GST Council? (Thought Process: Know the Key Provisions of Article 279A of the Constitution, the composition and role of the GST council) — What are the issues associated with the GST? — What does the term 'rate rationalisation' in the context of GST in India refer to? — How does the process of GST rate rationalisation align with the principle of cooperative federalism in India? Key Takeaways: — While the proposal was shared with the ministers from the six states a day before the PM's Independence Day address, the Department of Revenue in the Union Ministry of Finance will make a presentation to the GoM when it meets, sources said. — Sources in the Union Finance Ministry said they were confident the GoM and later the GST Council would find merit in the proposal. Internal calculations by the Department of Revenue in the Finance Ministry suggest that gross GST revenues under the proposed two-pillar rate structure of 5 per cent and 18 per cent will not be lower than what it is now. — Giving a broad idea of the proposal, sources said most of the products and services would be placed in either of the two rates — 5 per cent or 18 per cent. Goods and services used by the common man, or as inputs by farmers, small entrepreneurs and MSMEs, will attract the lower 5 per cent duty. This will reduce the tax burden and is expected to drive consumption. Most other goods and services will attract the 18 per cent rate, they said. — At present, there are multiple rate slabs — 5 per cent, 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 28 per cent — and a compensation cess ranging from 1 per cent to 290 per cent that is levied on sin and luxury goods such as cars, refrigerators, air conditioners, pan masala, tobacco and cigarettes. — With loans taken by the Centre to pay compensation cess to states getting recouped and fully repaid by November-December, the cess rates on goods are proposed to be subsumed at this special rate of 40 per cent, sources said. But on some goods like tobacco, the tax incidence is substantially higher than 40 per cent; the government is aware of this, and a separate mechanism may be arrived at in due course, the sources said. — Though there might be an initial impact on revenues, the gains from higher compliance and consumption are expected to offset the losses, they said. — Against a tight timeline, the Centre is learnt to have factored in at least three meetings of the GoM before a final proposal is put before the GST Council, the apex decision-making authority on aspects of the indirect tax regime that was introduced in 2017. Indications are that a rollout is being targeted well ahead of Diwali, since the industry needs time to reconcile to the new rate structure and any disruption ahead of the festive season would need to be avoided. — The Centre, sources said, is convinced of the buoyancy from the rate rationalisation taking care of the worries stemming from revenue loss, unlike an earlier attempt in 2018 when rate cuts did not result in revenue gains. Do You Know: — GST, the biggest indirect tax reform in recent years, came into force after the Constitutional (122nd Amendment) Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament in 2016. More than 15 Indian states then ratified it in their state Assemblies, after which then-President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent. — It came into effect in 2017 and was billed as an attempt to simplify the existing tax structure in India, where both the Centre and states levied multiple taxes, and to make it uniform. — The President set up the GST Council as a joint forum of the Centre and the states, under Article 279A (1) of the amended Constitution. It said that members of the Council include the Union Finance Minister (chairperson), and the Union Minister of State (Finance) from the Centre. Each state can nominate a minister in charge of finance or taxation or any other minister, as a member. — According to Article 279, the GST council is meant to 'make recommendations to the Union and the states on important issues related to GST, like the goods and services that may be subjected or exempted from GST, model GST Laws'. It also decides on various rate slabs of GST, whether they need to be modified for certain product categories, and so on. — The proposed rationalisation of GST rates and doing away with multiple rates will ease compliance and lower the tax burden on ordinary people. As the complexity of the GST structure has made its administration unwieldy. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Explained: What is the GST Council, and what does it do? 📍Next-gen GST reforms by Diwali, says PM Modi; just two rates: 5% & 18% Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (1) What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing 'Goods and Services Tax (GST)'? (UPSC CSE 2017) 1. It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India. 2. It will drastically reduce the 'Current Account Deficit' of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves. 3. It will enormously increase the growth and size of the economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in the goods and services tax (GST) in India. Also, comment on the revenue implications of the GST introduced in India since July 2017. (UPSC CSE 2017) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. What's the ongoing story: Opposing the Supreme Court's decision to fix a timeline for the President and Governors to act on Bills forwarded by State Legislatures, the Centre has underlined the separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary, and said the order has the potential to 'destabilise the constitutional balance between (the) organs of State'. It has emphasised that 'gubernatorial assent is a high prerogative, plenary, non-justiciable power'. Key Points to Ponder: — In Tamil Nadu v. Governor case, what specifically has the Supreme Court said about the president's and governor's power? — What is the doctrine of separation of powers? — What are the constitutional provisions with regard to the office of President and Governor? — Read about Articles 200 and 201. — What is Article 142? What are the limitations to Article 142? — Can the Supreme Court undermine the President's powers? — What are judicial encroachment and judicial overreach? — Administrative Reforms Commission of 1968, the Rajamanar Committee of 1969, the Sarkaria commission of 1988 and Punchhi Commission-What were their recommendations in the context of role of Governor? Key Takeaways: — In a written submission to the court on August 12 — a five-judge bench is hearing a reference made by the President on whether timelines can be fixed for the actions of the President or Governors — Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the judiciary does not hold answers to all problems in a democracy, and 'if any organ is permitted to arrogate to itself the functions of another, the consequence would be a constitutional disorder not envisaged by (Constitution) framers.' — In April, a two-judge bench had set a timeline for Governors to act on pending Bills, and, for the first time, prescribed that the President should take a decision on the Bills reserved for consideration by the Governor within three months from the date on which such reference is received. In a reference to the Supreme Court in May, President Droupadi Murmu had posed 14 crucial questions on the verdict. — Mehta, in his submission, said though separation of powers is part of the constitutional framework, 'over the years, a certain degree of overlap and checks and balances or fusion of powers have come to form…in practical application.' Despite this, he said, 'there are certain zones which remain exclusive to either of the three organs…and cannot be trenched upon by the others. The high plenary positions of Governors and President fall within that zone. While they are political positions, they are also representations of democratic will.' — He said Governors 'are thus not to be treated as alien/ foreigner in the federating units of the Union. Governors are not just emissaries of the Centre, (but) rather representatives of the entire nation in each and every federating unit. They represent national interest and national democratic will in the States as part of the larger Indian constitutional brotherhood.' — Mehta said 'despite the expanding contours of judicial review, there are some zones like assent that remain non-justiciable. The classical notion of judicial review cannot be lifted and applied to assent as the factors at play during the grant or withholding of an assent have no legal or constitutional parallel.' — 'Each organ of the State in the Constitution has certain core functions, one organ interfering with the core functions of another would breach the separation of powers which is a fundamental feature of Indian Constitution.' he said. — 'Exercise of Article 142 is not a supervening judicial power which can override the constitutional provisions or run contrary to them. The apex court, even under Article 142, is bound by constitutional provisions and principles,' he said. Do You Know: — Article 163 of the Constitution deals with the powers of the Governor generally. Article 200 specifically deals with the issue of granting assent to Bills. Both provisions are read together to determine the contours of the Governor's power on this issue. — When a Bill passed by the legislature of a state is presented to the Governor, the Governor has four options: (1) grant assent to the Bill; (2) withhold assent to the Bill; (3) return the Bill for reconsideration; or (4) reserve the Bill for the consideration of the President. — Article 200 reads: 'When a Bill has been passed by the Legislative Assembly of a State or, in the case of a State having a Legislative Council, has been passed by both Houses… it shall be presented to the Governor and the Governor shall declare either that he assents to the Bill or that he withholds assent therefrom or that he reserves the Bill for the consideration of the President.' — Under Article 201 of the Constitution, the Governor has the power to reserve a Bill – passed by both Houses of the State Legislature – for the consideration of the President. — In its ruling, the apex court invoked its special power under Article 142 and called for a decision within three months and added, 'in case of any delay beyond this period, appropriate reasons would have to be recorded and conveyed' to the state concerned. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Governor vs. State: Supreme Court draws the line 📍Knowledge Nugget: SC Verdict on TN Governor — Why it matters for UPSC Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (2) Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense political links or should not have taken part in politics in the recent past? (UPSC CSE 2019) (a) First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966) (b) Rajamannar Committee (1969) (c) Sarkaria Commission (1983) (d) National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2000) (3) Which one of the following statements is correct? (UPSC CSE 2013) (a) In India, the same person cannot be appointed as Governor for two or more States at the same time (b) The Judges of the High Court of the States in India are appointed by the Governor of the State just as the Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President (c) No procedure has been laid down in the Constitution of India for the removal of a Governor from his/her post (d) In the case of a Union Territory having a legislative setup, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Lt. Governor on the basis of majority support Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. What's the ongoing story: C. Raja Mohan writes- 'If India was counting on a clear and positive outcome from the Alaska summit to avert the additional 25 per cent US tariff on Indian exports, it will be disappointed by the inability of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to deliver last night.' Key Points to Ponder: — What is the significance of the Alaska summit for India? — What are tariffs? Why are tariffs imposed? — Why the U.S. imposition of a 25% tariff plus penalty against India represented a significant departure from prior U.S. trade strategy regarding tariff differentials. — What can be the implications of the higher tariff imposed by the US on India? — What strategies is India using to navigate potential trade negotiations with the U.S.? — What can be the implications of the reset of US-Russia ties for India? — Know about the status of India's relations with the US and Russia. Key Takeaways: — 'The unfinished US-Russian talks in Alaska leave a cloud of uncertainty over India's trade negotiations with Washington. On the upside, though, there was no breakdown of engagement, and the two leaders remain hopeful of an accommodation. As the details of the summit conversations come into public view, India will have to look beyond the tariff question at the implications of a potential reset in Russia's relations with the US and the West.' — 'At their joint press appearance, Putin spoke of the 'agreement' between the two leaders that 'will pave the path toward peace in Ukraine'. — 'While the initial assessments of the summit focused on the lack of an agreement on ceasefire in Ukraine, Trump and Putin appear to have elevated their ambitions to sketch out the terms of a broader peace deal. As Trump said in a social media post on Saturday, 'the best way to end the horrific war in Ukraine is to go directly to Peace Agreement' and not a mere pause or a ceasefire.' — 'Putin put special emphasis on improving bilateral ties with Washington. He noted that Russia and the US are neighbours across the Northern Pacific, evoked their wartime cooperation during the Second World War, and highlighted the potential for broad commercial and strategic engagement – including in the areas of high tech, outer space and Arctic.' — ' Delhi's immediate concern is centred on the punitive measures against India that Trump has inserted into his Ukraine strategy. As part of the effort to pressure Putin into accepting a peace deal, Washington announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports — explicitly linked to Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil.' — 'Since the 2022 invasion, India has become a major buyer of discounted Russian crude, a move that has improved its energy security but drawn sharp criticism from the West. The US administration argues that targeting India, among other large importers, will cut into Moscow's revenues and push it toward compromise in Ukraine.' — 'For now, Delhi must await greater clarity on the summit's outcome, the future trajectory of the Ukraine talks, and the next steps from the US and Europe. One conclusion though is hard to avoid: India's big turn to discounted Russian oil over the last three years has tied it, if indirectly and unwittingly, to the geopolitics of war and peace in Ukraine.' — 'The Modi government will hope that Washington and Moscow will arrive at a final agreement on how to deal with Ukraine, sooner than later, and Trump will discard the 25 per cent additional tariff. At the minimum, Delhi would want Trump, who continues to be optimistic about a breakthrough, to postpone the deadline of August 27 for implementing the additional tariffs against India.' Do You Know: — US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, along with a penalty for procuring military equipment and energy from Russia, has key consequences. — One, it puts India at a disadvantage in comparison to competitors. Two, it put the onus back on the Indian side to fast-track its negotiations for an interim deal with the US. Indications are that the outer limit for a deal, currently pegged at around October from New Delhi's perspective, might need to be brought forward. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Alaska Summit: Trump and Putin call for deeper economic ties despite 25% US tariff on India over Russian oil imports 📍The Alaska Report Card: First assessment of who won what, and how 📍UPSC Issue at a Glance | Tariff war: 4 Key Questions You Must Know for Prelims and Mains Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies III: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights. What's the ongoing story: The gigantic antenna reflector on earth observation satellite NISAR, a joint Isro-Nasa mission, has successfully 'bloomed' in space, marking a significant milestone in the satellite's deployment phase. Confirming the successful antenna deployment, Nasa said in a statement that the step-wise unfurling of the antenna reflector with a diameter of 39 feet was completed Friday. Key Points to Ponder: — Know about the NISAR mission in detail. — What is the significance of the NASA–ISRO collaborative model in the NISAR mission? — How does NISAR complement India's existing earth observation systems? — What are the advantages of dual frequency SAR (L band and S band) in studying Earth surface processes? — What are the geopolitical and scientific significance of the ISRO-NASA collaboration on NISAR? Key Takeaways: — NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is the first collaboration satellite of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the United State's National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NISAR is the most expensive earth observation satellite ever built, weighing over 2.8 tonnes and costing $1.3 billion. — ISRO launched NISAR on July 30 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota, and it was later successfully inserted into a sun-synchronous orbit. NISAR is the first-of-its-kind space mission, which will study the earth's solid, liquid and frozen landforms. It is designed to track even the smallest changes in ice sheets, glaciers, forest coverage, oceans, soil moisture, earthquakes, and volcanic activity. — NISAR is equipped with high-end dual radars that will be used to image the earth, once every twelve days. The onboard sophisticated radar systems form a combination of two synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems: an L-band system and an S-band system, capable of peering through clouds and facilitating an all-weather imaging of the earth. — Both the ISRO and NASA teams are currently focusing on fine-tuning the antenna and other components of the satellite. — After the deployment of the antenna, NISAR will continue to remain in its calibration and testing phase. NISAR will remain under a 65-day engineering phase, during which the preliminary tests and calibration will be performed. On day 65 (tentatively early October), the first, full-frame scientific data will be taken and the science teams will check for its quality and other parameters. Do You Know: — NISAR will be the first satellite ever to observe the Earth in two frequencies — NASA's L-band and ISRO's S-band. Putting two radar systems on a single satellite is a unique engineering feat because the two systems require different sets of hardware, and yet have to function in a complementary fashion without interfering with one another. — This would mean that the satellite would be able to provide very high-resolution data, in all types of weather conditions, and both during the day and the night. The satellite is powerful enough to capture changes as small as one centimetre in size during its repeated observations over the same terrain. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Knowledge Nugget | NISAR in focus: Why is this NASA-ISRO mission relevant for UPSC Exam UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme: (4) With reference to the NISAR satellite, consider the following statements: 1. This satellite is developed by the Indian Space and Research Organisation in partnership with NASA. 2. It will measure the motion of the entire planet's land and ice-covered surface every 28 days. 3. The satellite will work only during the daytime. 4. The satellite will be able to predict earthquakes. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialisation. Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Government policies and interventions, Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. What's the ongoing story: The Environment Ministry's Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has, for now, declined Stage-II or final approval for Hindalco Industries Ltd's bauxite mine in Maharashtra's Kolhapur, as it falls under the eco-sensitive areas (ESA) of the Western Ghats, according to the minutes of the FAC meeting. Key Points to Ponder: — Read about the Western Ghats. — What are eco-sensitive areas (ESA)? — What is the purpose of demarcating the ESAs? — What is the significance of ESAs in the context of wildlife conservation in India? — What is the Kasturirangan Committee Report? — Know the 2011 guidelines on eco-sensitive zones? — What are the challenges faced by states in implementing the ESZ guidelines?. Key Takeaways: — The committee also noted that no valid mine lease exists for the proposal as of now, and it is a part of a conservation reserve that was declared in March 2021. Elephants, Indian gaur, sambhar, deer, porcupine, leopard, and tiger 'are found in this patch', the ministry's regional office in Nagpur submitted to the FAC. — The mining project was granted in-principle forest approval in 2009 and environmental clearance from the Centre in January 2014. However, since the company had not obtained the Rights of Forest Resources certificate, it got delayed in seeking final approval for the forest diversion of about 16 hectares. The company has not commenced any mining activity yet on the lease. — The committee noted in the minutes of its July 30 meeting that it had a detailed discussion and deliberation with the deputy director general of forest, regional office, Nagpur and nodal officer, Government of Maharashtra, on the proposal. The FAC cited the issue of the mining lease validity, prohibition of mining proposed in the Western Ghats eco-sensitive areas, and the location of the mining lease in a conservation reserve as the reasons for not considering the proposal at this stage. — As per the Environment Ministry's 2024 draft notification on protection of Western Ghats, 'there shall be a complete ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining' in ESAs, and all existing mines have to be phased out from the date of final notification or on expiry of the mining lease. — In 2024, the Centre had issued a sixth iteration of a draft notification declaring 56,825.7 sq km of the Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area across the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Do You Know: — The Western Ghats are a 1,600-km-long mountain chain running the western coast of the country covering six states — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. It has been accorded the World Heritage status by UNESCO. — In August 2012, then Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan constituted a High-Level Working Group on Western Ghats under former Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chief Dr K Kasturirangan. — While the Gadgil panel recommended 64 percent area in the Western Ghats, a report by a panel led by Dr K Kasturirangan notified only 37 percent of the area as ecologically sensitive. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Western Ghats: States' submission on ESAs to Centre's committee based on old surveys Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (5) 'Gadgil Committee Report' and 'Kasturirangan Committee Report', sometimes seen in the news, are related to (UPSC CSE 2016) (a) constitutional reforms (b) Ganga Action Plan (c) linking of rivers (d) protection of Western Ghats ALSO IN NEWS Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
UPSC Key: PM's Independence Day Speech, Deep Ocean Mission and Critical technology
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for August 16, 2025. If you missed the August 15, 2025, UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here. Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. What's the ongoing story: In his Independence Day address that held out promises of change and reform and reflected his ideological beliefs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday highlighted the 'threat' of infiltration or illegal immigration and announced a mission to check 'demographic change', flagged self-reliance as the path to development and prosperity while urging the youth to come forward with innovative ideas to power the change. Key Points to Ponder: — How does demographic change happen? — Know about the history of RSS — The bedrock of a Viksit Bharat is also a self-reliant Bharat. How? — What do you understand by rationalisation of GST? — Who was the founder of Bhartiya Jana Sangh? — How is India increasing its self-reliant capabilities in various sectors like defence and energy? — Know about the various schemes or mission mentioned in the speech: National Manufacturing Mission, Mission Green Hydrogen — What do you understand by- 'the one who has broken the steel rocks, is the one who has bent the time. This is the time to bend the time, this is the right time.' Key Takeaways: — Modi's 103-minute address, his 12th from the ramparts of the Red Fort and the longest so far, also saw him lavishing fulsome praise of the RSS. — Amid the shadow of the US-imposed tariffs which could impact the economy, Modi put a lot of stress on self-reliance in all spheres saying 'the bedrock of a Viksit Bharat is also a self-reliant Bharat' and 'the greater a nation's reliance on others, the more its freedom comes into question'. — Modi said his government has decided to set up a task force for undertaking next generation reforms. — Amid the stalled trade talks with the US, Modi declared that his government would never 'compromise' the interests of farmers, livestock rearers and fisherfolk. — Infiltration or illegal immigration from Bangladesh has always been high on the BJP's agenda. It has also been an emotive issue in Assam and West Bengal, which are among the states headed to elections next year… Modi touched upon the topic, saying he wanted to warn the nation of the 'grave concern and challenge.' — He signalled that the much-awaited rationalisation of GST may be rolled out soon, linking it to cutting the tax burden impacting people. — He also mentioned Jan Sangh leader Syama Prasad Mookerjee and said he was the 'first great personality' to sacrifice his life for the Constitutions. — Weeks after Indian air defences successfully intercepted Pakistani missiles and drones during the hostilities that followed Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday announced the launch of Mission Sudarshan Chakra. — It is learnt to be an advanced, multi-tiered air defence system, aimed at creating a nationwide security shield to thwart enemy attacks across domains and strengthen the country's deterrent and offensive capabilities. — A statement issued by the government said all public places will be covered by the expanded nationwide security shield by 2035, ensuring comprehensive protection for the nation and demonstrating India's commitment to self-reliance in defence. — India has manufactured the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, but efforts to make aero engines indigenously have so far not succeeded. — The Defence Research and Development Organisation's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) first worked on developing the GTX-37 engine for the LCA. This was followed by the ambitious Kaveri engine project, sanctioned in 1989. — At present, India is in discussions with global firms to jointly develop engines that could power its advanced fighter jets in the future. — DOING away with multiple rates will ease compliance and lower tax burden on common people. The complexity of GST structure has made its administration unwieldy. THE IDEAS PAGE — PM Modi writes: This grand festival of Independence is a celebration of the 140 crore resolutions of our people. This festival of Independence is a moment of collective achievements, a moment of pride, and our hearts are filled with joy. — After Independence, feeding crores of people was a formidable challenge. And it was none other than the farmers of my country who, by toiling hard, filled the granaries of the nation. The bedrock of a Viksit Bharat is also a self-reliant Bharat. — Self-reliance is not confined merely to imports and exports, or to rupees, pounds, and dollars. Self-reliance is linked to our capability, and when self-reliance begins to diminish, capability too continually declines. — None can deny that the 21st century is a technology-driven century. When we speak of various dimensions of technology, I wish to draw your attention to semiconductors. — It is essential to make the country self-reliant in energy. We took up this resolve, and in the last 11 years, solar energy has seen a thirty-fold increase. We are building new dams to expand hydropower so that we may obtain clean energy. — With Mission Green Hydrogen, Bharat is today investing thousands of crores of rupees. In the field of nuclear energy, 10 new reactors are progressing rapidly. — Today, the National Manufacturing Mission is progressing at great speed. There is always some tool or component that comes from our country's MSMEs in the making of some of the biggest products globally. — I want to appeal to every small trader and shopkeeper, you too have a responsibility. In our childhood, we used to see shops simply labelled as 'Ghee Shop,' but over time, people began writing 'Pure Ghee Shop'. — I wish to warn the nation of a grave concern and challenge. As part of a deliberate conspiracy, the demography of the country is being altered. These infiltrators are snatching away the livelihoods of our youth. — Therefore, today I announce that we have decided to launch a High-Power Demography Mission. Through this mission, the severe crisis will be addressed in a deliberate and time-bound manner. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍How Syama Prasad Mookerjee fought for J&K's integration with India 📍How PM's 'Demographic Mission' promise aligns with BJP, RSS narratives Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: It is argued that the strategy of inclusive growth is intended to meet the objectives of inclusiveness and sustainability together. Comment on this statement. (UPSC CSE 2019) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. What's the ongoing story: Clean energy to semiconductors, defence to medicines, space to deep sea, information technology to nuclear energy — Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the importance of self-reliance in critical technologies and scientific research and development in India achieving the objective of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Key Points to Ponder: — What is the significance of self-reliance in critical technologies? — What is India's Deep Ocean Mission? — What is the status of GDP share on R&D? — What are the areas that need extra attention to become a developed nation by 2047? — What is the significance of the Samudrayaan mission? Key Takeaways: — Addressing the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, the PM highlighted the technology initiatives that are underway, like in clean energy and space, and emphasised the need to develop capabilities in areas like semiconductors and fighter jets. — He said a made-in-India chip would be available in the market by the end of the year. — Modi spoke about the progress being made in harnessing renewable energy sources like solar and wind, the efforts to mine and develop critical minerals, and stressed on the importance of nuclear energy. — The Prime Minister also mentioned India's Deep Ocean Mission aimed at exploring resources under the sea. His remarks came just a day after it was revealed that two Indian divers, 'aquanauts', recently completed trips up to the depth of about 5,000 metres in the Atlantic Ocean. — This is in preparation for the country's 'Samudrayaan Mission' in which three Indian divers are supposed to travel in an India-made vessel to about 6,000 metres below the ocean surface. — Modi also spoke about astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's recent journey to the International Space Station, and India's own Gaganyaan mission which is supposed to send humans into space by 2027. — He asked the youth to put in similar energy into other complex technological areas to strengthen the nation as well as generate jobs and revenues. Do You Know: — Samudrayaan is India's manned deep ocean mission envisioned for deep sea mineral exploration. It is a project under the Deep Ocean Mission. — It is aimed at developing a self-propelled manned submersible to carry 3 human beings to a water depth of 6000 metres in the ocean with a suite of scientific sensors and tools for deep ocean exploration. Under the mission, MATSYA 6000 manned submersible design has been completed. — Matsya-6000, the submersible vehicle set to transport three Indians into the deep sea in 2026, has successfully completed wet tests and facilitated multiple manned dives in the Bay of Bengal. — The intense oceanic activity around the world over the past two decades has focused on the deep ocean exploration for its economic resources. India's deep ocean mission also focuses on the same. — Countries manage their own maritime territory and exclusive economic zones, while the high seas and the international ocean floor are governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). It is considered to apply to states regardless of whether or not they have signed or ratified it. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Expert Explains: Why India needs to develop its deep sea capabilities UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (1) With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: (2022) 1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention. 2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea. 3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development and employment. What's the ongoing story: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, called for India to become self-reliant in energy and critical minerals, pointing to the opportunity cost of a high petroleum import bill. Modi also said the government has 'opened the doors' of nuclear energy to the private sector, and aims to grow nuclear generation capacity tenfold by 2047. Key Points to Ponder: — What are critical minerals? — What is the status of petroleum import in the country? — What are the opportunities and challenges related to Nuclear energy? — What is the National Critical Mineral Mission? — What are Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs)? — What is the significance of Nuclear energy? Key Takeaways: — In 2024-25, India's crude oil imports were valued at $137 billion, petroleum products at $24 billion, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) at $15 billion. Altogether, they accounted for 22.3 per cent of India's total imports, compared to 23 per cent in 2023-24, according to the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. — PM Modi said critical minerals have taken centre stage globally, underpinning technologies across sectors — from energy to industrial to defence. — So far, the Ministry of Mines has auctioned 24 critical mineral blocks — some requiring further exploration and others ready for development into mines — and aims to auction 100 more by 2030. — Mining sector experts caution, however, that operationalising auctioned mines could take several years. To address bottlenecks, the ministry has set up a Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) to streamline regulatory processes and expedite clearances. — In the meantime, the Centre is also doubling down on the exploration and acquisition of critical mineral blocks abroad. — 'India is taking big initiatives on nuclear energy. Ten new nuclear reactors are currently operational. We have also resolved to increase our nuclear energy capacity by 10 times by 2047,' PM Modi said in his address. — India's installed nuclear capacity stood at roughly 8.8 gigawatts (GW) as of June 30, accounting for just under 2 per cent of its total electricity generation capacity. — In the 2024-25 Budget, the government proposed partnering with the private sector to finance and build Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) for captive use, to be commissioned and operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL). — Full-scale private participation, however, will require amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, currently under internal discussion. — In his speech, PM Modi also noted that India has met a key climate target five years early, with non-fossil fuel sources accounting for 50 per cent of the country's installed electricity capacity as of June 30. Do You Know: — India's renewable energy sector has made significant strides in recent years. Its renewable energy capacity crossed the 200 GW milestone as of October 2024, representing a 13.5 per cent year-on-year increase. This includes 92 GW of solar power, 52 GW of Hydro power, 48 GW of wind energy and 11 GW of bio-energy. — Nuclear power provides high-capacity, base-load electricity with minimal carbon emissions, operating independently of weather and seasonal fluctuation. India has set an ambitious target to increase nuclear capacity to 22,800 MW by 2031-32 and 100 GW by 2047. A diversified energy portfolio is a strategic necessity for India's development and energy independence. — Nuclear technology is one of the few innovations that have changed the modern world profoundly and controversially. It involves harnessing nuclear reactions of atomic nuclei through the processes of nuclear fission and fusion. — On 29th January, the government approved a Rs 16,300-crore National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM) to promote the exploration of critical minerals within the country and at offshore locations. The NCMM encompass all stages of the value chain, including mineral exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, and recovery from end-of-life products. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍How India's nuclear vision supports a sustainable tomorrow 📍Understanding nuclear technology in the wake of US attack on Iran Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (2) India is an important member of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor'. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India? (UPSC CSE 2016) (a) It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation (b) It can attain a global role in satellite navigation (c) It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation (d) It can build fusion reactors for power generation Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation What's the ongoing story: In the last two weeks, the Supreme Court has twice intervened in instances in which High Courts allowed criminal proceedings to continue in what were essentially civil disputes. Key Points to Ponder: — If a law resolves disputes between private individuals or organisations, is it a criminal law or civil law? — What do you understand by – loss of liberty? — How preponderance of probabilities and beyond a reasonable doubt are a crucial difference between civil and criminal law? — Civil proceedings are significantly more time-consuming than criminal trials. Why? — What is the history of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)? — What are the new criminal and civil laws in India? Key Takeaways: — On Wednesday, a Bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan set aside a Rajasthan HC order that had denied pre-arrest bail to a couple in a case involving an unpaid sum for a plywood consignment. — On August 4, the same Bench stripped a judge of the Allahabad HC of his criminal roster for allowing criminal proceedings in a case of an unpaid business transaction. The apex court had called the HC's reasoning 'shocking' and a 'mockery of justice'. — After the Chief Justice of India intervened, the Bench on August 8 recalled its directive that the Allahabad HC judge never be assigned a criminal case. — The distinction between civil and criminal law is fundamental in India's legal system. They differ in terms of their purpose, parties involved, and procedure. — Civil law is designed to resolve disputes between private individuals or organisations. Civil cases, known as suits, typically involve disagreements over rights and duties of the parties to the case towards each other. — The goal is not to punish but to provide a remedy, usually in the form of monetary compensation (called damages) or a specific action ordered by the court to a party to do or not to do something (called an injunction). — Examples of civil cases include property disputes, contract breaches, family law matters like divorce and child custody, and cases for recovery of money. — Criminal law deals with acts that are considered offences against the state or society as a whole. The objective is to punish the offender and deter others from committing similar crimes. — The state, represented by a prosecutor, initiates criminal proceedings against the accused. If found guilty, the accused can face penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment and even death. — A key distinction between civil and criminal cases is with regards to the burden of proof. In a civil case, the plaintiff must prove their case on a 'preponderance of probabilities', meaning their version of events is more likely to be true than the defendant's. — In a criminal case, the prosecution has the much higher burden of proving the guilt of the accused 'beyond a reasonable doubt'. This higher standard reflects the serious consequences of criminal conviction, which can involve the loss of liberty. — A common perception — one that was noted by the Allahabad HC judge in his subsequently overruled order — is that civil proceedings are significantly more time-consuming than criminal trials. — As of August 14, 2025, 70.17% of criminal trials were disposed of within a year, while only 37.91% of civil suits were resolved in the same timeframe. — Data from the NJDG also shows variations depending on the specific type of case. For instance, while civil suits take an average of 4.91 years for disposal, execution petitions, filed to enforce a court order in a civil case, take about 3.97 years to conclude. — Bail applications in criminal cases are decided in about 6.12 months on average. However, criminal sessions court cases involving allegations of serious criminal offences take an average of 4.65 years, which is comparable to the time taken for civil suits. Do You Know: — Before the arrival of the East India Company, the Indian legal system consisted of a patchwork of laws, administered by kings or village tribunals. Even during the Mughal rule, local administration of justice was largely ignored, except when it concerned the collection of revenue or the repression of crimes affecting the stability of the state. — According to Motilal Setalvad, the first Attorney General of India, the Company's judicial hold over India coincided with the cession of Bombay by the Portuguese to the English in 1668. — Across the rest of India, the laws were a complex array of parliamentary charters, Company regulations, English Common law, Hindu law, Muslim law, and other regional customs. — According to author David Skuy, in Macaulay and the Indian Penal Code of 1862 (1998), this chaotic legal mixture convinced legal thinkers such as Thomas Babington Macaulay that India needed a uniform set of laws. — The IPC was enacted in 1860 and came into force on January 1, 1862. It was discontinued on July 1, 2024. This makes it the longest-surviving common law code in the world. — The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), passed in Parliament last December, has replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 respectively. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Supreme Court's warning must be heeded: Civil disputes cannot become criminal cases 📍Explained: New crimes under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, and some grey areas Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: Mob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable examples, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence. (UPSC 2015) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialisation Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment What's the ongoing story: At least 65 people have been killed after torrential rain triggered a flash flood at a remote village in Jammu & Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Thursday. The incident took place at Chasoti, the last motorable village on the way to the Machail Mata temple. More than 50 people are missing. Key Points to Ponder: — Know about the location of Machail Mata temple — What are the reasons for the increase in frequency of flash floods and wildfires? — What is Western Disturbances? — What is Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOFs) and how is it related to climate change? — Why are the Himalayas more vulnerable to disasters? — What are the anthropogenic activities responsible for these increases in these climate-induced disasters? — What are the steps needed to be taken to address these challenges? Key Takeaways: — While experts hesitate to attribute a single extreme weather event solely to climate change, they point out that flash floods and wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense due to the global rise in temperatures and changes in weather patterns. — In J&K as elsewhere, the incidence of extreme weather events has increased with rising average temperatures, leading to the deaths of thousands of people in recent years. — Between 2010 and 2022, J&K witnessed 2,863 extreme weather events in which 552 deaths were reported, according to a 2024 study, 'Extreme weather events induced mortalities in Jammu and Kashmir, India during 2010-2022', published in Mausam, the quarterly journal of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). — Other frequent extreme weather events included flash floods (triggered by intense rainfall over a very short duration) and landslides, which occurred 168 and 186 times respectively. — While there were just 42 instances of heavy snow (when a station receives more than 30 cm of snowfall in 24 hours) during this period, they killed 182 people, the heaviest toll extracted by any extreme weather event. — The analysis also showed that the largest number of deaths due to flash floods occurred in Kishtwar (where Thursday's disaster occurred), Anantnag, Ganderbal, and Doda. — Although several factors contribute to the occurrence of extreme weather events in J&K, the three significant drivers behind these events are rising temperatures, the changing pattern of Western Disturbances, and the region's topography. — J&K is located in the western Himalayas, a region that has experienced a two-fold increase in temperature compared to the Indian subcontinent as a whole post-2000. — Due to this, the western Himalayas have witnessed increased mean and extreme precipitation. This is because warmer temperatures allow the atmosphere to hold more water vapour — for every 1-degree-Celsius rise in average temperature, the atmosphere can hold about 7% more moisture. — Also, increased temperatures have shrunk glaciers in the region, resulting in an increase in the number of glacial lakes. Their water, when released, can cause major flooding in downstream areas. — Experts suggest that J&K could be witnessing more flash floods and rain due to global warming-induced changes in the nature of western disturbances. — These are east-moving rain-bearing wind systems that originate beyond Afghanistan and Iran, and pick up moisture from the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea and Arabian Sea. — While western disturbances are most common during the boreal winter months (December to March), they have now begun to impact weather outside the winter season. This has increased the risk of floods and heavy rain in India's Himalayan states. — J&K's hilly terrain makes it more vulnerable to extreme weather events. Do You Know: — GLOFs are disaster events caused by the abrupt discharge of water from glacial lakes — large bodies of water that sit in front of, on top of, or beneath a melting glacier. As a glacier withdraws, it leaves behind a depression that gets filled with meltwater, thereby forming a lake. — Incorporating local geology and hydrology into planning can significantly reduce vulnerability, ensuring infrastructure remains functional even during severe events. Additionally, promoting sustainable land-use practices, such as afforestation and slope stabilisation, can help prevent soil erosion and landslides that often accompany heavy rains. — Constructing strategically placed reservoirs and rainwater harvesting systems can regulate water flow and reduce flood peaks. Implementing early warning systems powered by advanced weather forecasting technologies enables communities to prepare just in time, saving lives and minimising property damage. — Governments should prioritise community-based disaster preparedness programmes, including education campaigns that inform residents about risks and safety procedures. Training local populations to respond effectively during floods can significantly enhance resilience, turning vulnerable communities into active participants in disaster mitigation. — On a broader scale, adopting climate-smart agricultural practices can help farmers adapt to unpredictable weather patterns. This includes shifting to flood-tolerant crops, adjusting planting schedules, and promoting soil conservation methods. Such measures reduce economic losses and ensure food security despite increasing climatic uncertainties. — Only through coordinated action at all levels — global, national, and local — can the Himalayan region safeguard its people, heritage, and ecosystems from the increasing threat posed by climate change. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Himachal floods: How can Himalayan region safeguard its people, heritage, ecosystems from climate change? Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (3) With reference to the glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), consider the following statements: 1. These are sudden and catastrophic floods caused by the failure of natural dams, usually formed by glacial moraines or ice. 2. Thawing of permafrost decreases the risk of GLOFs. 3. Melting of glaciers increases the risk of GLOFs. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None ALSO IN NEWS India persisted with its stance that any treaty should be agreed through consensus, and said that the text arrived at through negotiations during the previous talks in Busan, Korea, should be the basis for future negotiations. Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at
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2 days ago
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UPSC Key: Bihar SIR, E1 plan, and Alaska Summit
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for August 15, 2025. If you missed the August 14, 2025, UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here. Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures. What's the ongoing story: The Supreme Court, in an interim order Tuesday, directed the Election Commission of India to make available online a searchable list of approximately 65 lakh voter names omitted from the draft electoral roll for Bihar with reasons for deletion such as death, migration, duplication etc. Key Points to Ponder: — What is the purpose of introducing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar? — 'Transparency will help create voter confidence'. How? — Through this ruling the SC has underlined a citizen's fundamental right to know why he or she has been deleted from the voter list. How is it significant? — What is the purpose of Form 6? — What key reforms are implemented by the Election Commission to strengthen the electoral process? — What is the role and function of the Election Commission? Key Takeaways: — 'Since this action can have some civil consequences of depriving a citizen or a person of the right to franchise, a fair procedure is required,' Justice Surya Kant, heading the bench also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, observed. — The bench said the list of deletions be made searchable and directed the EC to give wide publicity on its website. It asked the EC to file a status report by August 19 and said it would monitor the issue again on August 22, the next date of hearing. — This essentially enables individuals and political parties to check if a voter from the constituency has been removed from the rolls, and whether this exclusion is justified. — It asked the EC to give wide publicity to the exercise through public notices in vernacular and English dailies with maximum circulation in Bihar, and be broadcast on Doordarshan and All India Radio. — The Supreme Court, he said, upheld the Commission's powers and rejected the prayer for a return to paper ballot. From Explained: Push for transparency – What Supreme Court's order on Bihar SIR says — The ECI had said that those whose names have not been included in the draft roll can submit Form 6, the ECI's form for registration of new electors, by September 1. — Incidentally, Form 6 allows Aadhaar, both as proof of identity and residence for enrolment. The Electoral Registration Officer verifies the information submitted in Form 6, and enrols a new voter. Do You Know: — With the state set to head to polls in November, the ECI announced the Bihar SIR late in June. It said that demographic changes in the last 20 years meant that current electoral rolls contained many 'repeated entries', and 'the situation [warranted] an intensive verification drive to verify each person before enrolment as an elector'. — The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a permanent, independent, and constitutional authority responsible for conducting free and fair elections in the Union and the States of India. — The ECI is empowered to supervise, oversee, and manage elections to Parliament, state legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice President of India. Since the ECI does not oversee elections to state-level urban bodies like municipalities and panchayats, there is a separate State Election Commission. — The Constitution has the following articles (Articles 324–329) to empower the Election Commission and provide insight into the potential roles and functions of the commission. — Article 325: No individual to be excluded from electoral rolls on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex or any of them. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Citizenship is in Parliament's domain, but ECI can include citizens and exclude non-citizens as voters: SC 📍Election Commission of India: Composition, powers and functions Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (1) Consider the following statements: (2017) 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections. 3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 3 only Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc. Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development and employment. What's the ongoing story: S&P Global Ratings on Thursday upgraded its assessment of India to BBB from BBB-, with a stable outlook, saying India is 'among the best performing economies in the world'. Key Points to Ponder: — How significant is this upgrade? — What is fiscal consolidation and why is it important for a country? — What are the major global rating agencies? — The rating upgrade will lead to more foreign capital inflows into India. – What do you understand by this? — What is headline retail inflation? — According to S&P, what is the combined fiscal deficit of the Central and state governments? — As per Union Budget 2025-26 what is target set by the Centre for capital expenditure? Key Takeaways: — The upgrade by the American rating agency – the world's largest – comes 18 years after it had last raised its India assessment in January 2007 to BBB- in the rating scale. — S&P rates countries based on its assessment of five key areas: institutional, economic, external, fiscal, and monetary. BBB rating indicates 'adequate capacity to meet financial commitments, but more subject to adverse economic conditions', as per the rating scale of the agency. — The S&P analysts took a far more sanguine view of the 25 per cent tariff on India that US President Donald Trump had announced first, and later doubled to 50 per cent because of New Delhi's import of Russian arms and energy. While some economists estimated the tariffs to pull growth down by up to 50 basis points, S&P analysts said the effect on the Indian economy will be 'manageable'. — The government has over the last several years aggressively pursued the three global agencies — S&P, Moody's Ratings, and Fitch Ratings —for higher ratings that, in its opinion, better reflect the country's fundamentals — While still at the lowest investment-grade rung, the upgrade brings India one step closer to the coveted 'A' category of ratings, which is an indicator of higher creditworthiness to investors globally. — The rating upgrade will lead to more foreign capital inflows into India and be a 'major positive rub on currency exchange rate'. 'This can also cause the overall borrowing costs for the government as well as private sector to go down.' — While India's GDP growth has edged lower recently — the 6.5 per cent rate recorded in 2024-25 was the lowest in four years, with growth in the current fiscal also seen at the same level, as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) — S&P said the economic expansion was now 'normalising toward a more sustainable level with good momentum'. — On the inflation front, S&P said the RBI's record of inflation management had been burnished by headline retail inflation staying broadly within the 2-6 per cent target range. — According to S&P, the combined fiscal deficit of the Central and state governments is seen at 7.3 per cent of GDP in 2025-26, which it expects to decline to 6.6 per cent by 2028-29. — Even as the fiscal deficit declines, the quality of government expenditure is seen improving, continuing the trend of the last half decade over which the funds allocated for creation of new infrastructure has increased. — As per Union Budget 2025-26, the Centre has targeted a capital expenditure of Rs 11.21 lakh crore for the current fiscal, up from the Rs 3.36 lakh crore spent in 2019-20. — In terms of debt, S&P expects India's net Central plus state debt to decline to 78 per cent of GDP by 2028-29 from 83 per cent in 2024-25, bringing it closer to pre-pandemic levels. — The Centre has targeted a reduction in its debt-to-GDP ratio to 49-51 per cent by 2030-31 from 57.1 per cent in 2024-25. States do not have a debt target. Rating agencies view government debt on a consolidated basis – Centre plus states. Do You Know: — Madan Sabnavis writes: The upgrade of India's rating to BBB from BBB (-) by S&P is significant for two reasons. First: It was long overdue. On several forums, it has been argued that India deserves a higher rating given its consistent high level performance on all scores before and after the pandemic. — Second: The timing is appropriate. It vindicates the view that India is one of the best performing large economies in the world. And this has been the story for the last three to four years. — The main areas of delight have been the following. First, India's growth has been stable and the path for the year is well placed. — Second, fiscal consolidation has been carried out quite aggressively. The fact that there was no large scale largesse during the pandemic has made it easier. — Third, inflation has largely been under control which is important as it guarantees stability. Fourth, monetary policy has been streamlined and has effectively navigated the growth-inflation tradeoff. — Fifth, the external sector has been an epitome of resilience as seen in the strong balance of payments and the buildup of forex reserves. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍India's rating upgrade comes at the right time UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: 📍Is inclusive growth possible under market economy? State the significance of financial inclusion in achieving economic growth in India. (UPSC CSE 2022) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment; Disaster and disaster management What's the ongoing story: At least 50 people were killed and more than 100 were injured on Thursday after a cloudburst struck the remote village of Chositi in Paddar area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, officials said. More than 50 people are missing. Key Points to Ponder: — What is cloudburst? — What is the difference between Cloudburst and flash floods? — How did the interplay between extreme weather events and fragile Himalayan topography lead to increased disasters in the region? — What is the role of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) during rescue operations? — What are the reasons for cloudbursts in hilly regions? Key Takeaways: — The incident took place during the Machail Mata pilgrimage, for which Chositi is the last area where yatris can park their vehicles before resuming their journey on foot. — Rescue operations by teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), security forces, police, and locals are underway. — The Army has moved five columns, comprising 60 personnel each, and medical detachments to carry out relief and rescue operations, the White Knight Corps said. — When the cloudburst occurred, a large number of them were either standing in the nullah or sitting inside the langer set up nearby, locals said, adding that within seconds, many got washed away as the nullah suddenly saw a massive rise in water level. Do You Know: — A cloudburst is an extreme weather event. In simple words, it refers to intense rainfall occurring over a short duration within a small area. It is called an extreme weather event because the frequency of cloudbursts has increased due to global warming across the world. — The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines it as unexpected precipitation exceeding 100mm (or 10 cm) per hour over a geographical region of approximately 20 to 30 square km. Significant amounts of rainfall such as this can result in floods. — Frequently, flash floods are accompanied by landslides, which are sudden movements of rock, boulders, earth or debris down a slope. It is common in mountainous terrains, where there are conditions created for it in terms of the soil, rock, geology and slope. — In December last year, the Lok Sabha passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 that amended the existing Disaster Management Act, 2005. — The Act provided a statutory body for disaster management – National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister, and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by respective Chief Ministers, to spearhead and implement a holistic and integrated approach to Disaster Management in India. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Knowledge Nugget: Why Cloudbursts and Flash Floods matter for your UPSC exam 📍Why is Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) important for UPSC exam? Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (2) Which of the following statements with regard to cloudburst is/are correct? (UPSC CDS 2017) 1. It is defined as sudden localized very heavy downpour with cloud thunder and lightning. 2. It mostly occurs in the hilly areas. 3. It results into very high intensity of rainfall, i.e., 250 mm-300 mm in a couple of hours. 4. It occurs only during the daytime. Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1, 2, and 3 (b) 1, 3, and 4 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 2 only Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: 📍Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats. (2021) 📍The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.' Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation. (2016) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora What's the ongoing story: US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet soon in Anchorage, Alaska, for a closely watched summit, expected to focus on the war in Ukraine. Putin's trip marks the first visit by an elected Russian leader to Alaska, a territory that the United States purchased from Moscow in 1867 for $7.2 million. Key Points to Ponder: — Where is Alaska located? — Who sold Alaska to the USA and in which year? — What is the objective of the Alaska Summit? — What is the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the global economy? — What are the areas of cooperation between India and Russia? — What is India's stand in the Russia-Ukraine war? Key Takeaways: — According to USA Today, the meeting is scheduled to start at 11:30 am Alaska time (3:30 pm ET), which will be midnight in India on August 16. — This will be the first in-person meeting between the leaders of the US and Russia since June 2021, when Putin met then President Joe Biden in Geneva. The meeting did not go well, and Russia invaded Ukraine eight months later. — Putin will be the first Russian leader to visit Alaska, which was sold to the US in 1867 for $7.2 million. He last visited the US in 2015 to attend events at the United Nations. — The meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson will be Putin's first with Trump after he returned to the White House this January. The two leaders met in person on six occasions during Trump's first term (2017-21), the last meeting being the one on June 28, 2019 at the G20 leaders' summit in Osaka, Japan. — For Putin, the meeting will be a victory from the moment he lands in Alaska. He has been declared an outcast by the West, and he will be on American soil at a time he has charges of war crimes against him. — Zelenskyy's immediate objective is a ceasefire, a stop to the attacks on Ukrainian cities and the killings of Ukrainians. Do You Know: — The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year since Russia's full-scale invasion, will dominate the discussions. Trump has described the meeting as 'setting the table' for a possible follow-up that could include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. — There has to be movement on two fronts — the Russia-Ukraine war and the Indo-US trade deal. Negotiations are underway on both fronts and Delhi is closely following the meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15 to discuss a resolution to the war in Ukraine. — Modi has already spoken to Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the last few days. A resolution to the conflict is in India's interest, sources said, and it has been conveyed to both leaders. — Trump has floated a 'land swap' deal requiring both Russia and Ukraine to cede territory to one another — an idea firmly rejected by Kyiv. 'Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier,' Zelenskyy declared in an August 9 video posted on X. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍India underlines 'substantive agenda' to mend strained ties with US over tariffs, Russia oil 📍An Expert Explains: Russia-Ukraine war Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (UPSC CSE 2020) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora What's the ongoing story: Israeli settlement building, a point of contention at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has come back into focus after Israel's far-right finance minister revived a plan that would divide the West Bank and cut it off from East Jerusalem. Key Points to Ponder: — Map location: Israel, West Bank, East Jerusalem — What is India's stand on the Israel-Palestine conflict? — What is the role of international agencies in this conflict? — How major crises are responding to the recent escalation in the region? — What is the two-state solution? — What is the Oslo Accord? — What is the E1 plan? Key Takeaways: — The land is home to Palestinians who seek a future independent state. — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nationalist government has backed settlers, and building and settler incursions have ramped up since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 triggered the Gaza war. — Palestinians have accused heavily armed Israeli settlers of stealing their land and destroying their olive trees, a symbol of Palestinian identity. — Palestinians say Israeli forces do not protect them from settler violence. The Israeli military says soldiers are often dispatched to deal with any trouble. — Israel says it has historical and biblical ties to the area that it calls it Judea and Samaria, though most world powers consider all the settlements illegal. — A 1993 agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), known as the Oslo Accords, was designed to pave the way for the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip alongside Israel. — The U.N. and most world powers say settlement building is eroding the viability of that two-state solution by fragmenting Palestinian territory. — Israel's allies, including France, Britain and Canada, have said they may move to recognise Palestinian statehood in September. — Israel has expanded and consolidated settlements in the West Bank as it continues its war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to a UN report that was based on research between November 1, 2023 and October 31, 2024. — About 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed in a move not recognised by most countries. — Israel refuses to cede control of the West Bank, a position it says has been reinforced since the Hamas-led militant attack on its territory, launched from Gaza October 7, 2023. Do You Know: — Standing at the site of the planned settlement in Maale Adumim on Thursday, Smotrich said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had agreed to the revival of the E1 development, though there was no immediate confirmation from either. — The construction on a tract of land east of Jerusalem named E1 has been under consideration for more than two decades, and is especially controversial because it is one of the last geographic links between the major West Bank cities of Ramallah and Bethlehem. — The two cities are 22 kilometers (14 miles) apart by air. But once the E1 settlement project is completed, it will destroy the possibility of a direct route and will force Palestinians traveling between cities to continue taking a wide detour several kilometers (miles) out of their way, passing through multiple checkpoints, a process that adds hours to the journey. — Development in E1 was long frozen, largely due to U.S. pressure during previous administrations. On Thursday, Smotrich praised President Donald Trump and U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee as 'true friends of Israel as we have never had before.' — The E1 plan is expected to receive final approval on Aug. 20, capping off 20 years of bureaucratic wrangling. The planning committee on Aug. 6 rejected all of the petitions to stop the construction filed by rights groups and activists, according to Peace Now, which tracks settlement expansion in the West Bank and filed opposition. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍How Israel's Gaza war has thrown future of IMEC up in the air 📍Conflicts in West Asia: A brief history of the Israel-Palestine conflict UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (3) The term 'two-state solution' is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of (2018) (a) China (b) Israel (c) Iraq (d) Yemen UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: 📍'India's relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.' Discuss (2018) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. What's the ongoing story: A day before the 79th Independence day, the Shipping Ministry inducted Sahyadri, a very large gas carrier (VLGC), which will transport LPG between the Persian Gulf and India, securing a vital energy lifeline. Key Points to Ponder: — Where is the Sahyadri mountain range located? — What is the purpose of VLGC? — 'The acquisition is a step towards building a self-reliant and globally competitive shipping sector.' What do you understand about this? — What are the properties of this Sahyadri-VLGC? Key Takeaways: — The vessel, named after the mountain range along India's western coast, is now part of the fleet of state-run Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. It is after a gap of eight years that an Indian public sector unit has acquired a VLGC. — The hoisting was carried out atop the vessel at Hamad port in Qatar on Thursday in the presence of the Indian crew of the ship, who were there to take charge of it. — Officials said the acquisition is a step towards building a self-reliant, globally competitive shipping sector and reducing dependence on foreign tonnage for strategic cargo. — Sahyadri meets stringent international safety and environmental standards, said a ministry note. — 'The South Korea built 225-metre-long, 36-metre-wide carrier can transport up to 82,000 cubic metres of LPG. The induction raises SCI's deadweight tonnage to 5.2 million and its owned fleet to 57 vessels, including crude and product tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, gas carriers and offshore vessels,' it said. — The acquisition is the first under a July agreement to purchase two VLGCs of the same capacity. The second vessel, to be renamed Shivalik, will join later this financial year. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍How India can become a global maritime power by 2030 The CAG noted that these vehicles, which were not fit for the transportation of minerals, were used in carrying minerals multiple times per day—like a three-wheeler up to 47 times and a motor car up to 122 times. Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at
