Meet IAS Smita Sabharwal, India's youngest IAS officer, recently landed in controversy for posting..., now transferred to...
Meet IAS Smita Sabharwal, India's youngest IAS officer, recently landed in controversy for posting..., now transferred to...
Clearing the Civil Services Examination is no small feat. It demands years of focused preparation, consistent effort, and unwavering patience. Organized by the Union Public Service Commission(UPSC), the exam is held in three phases(prelims, mains, and interview). Once candidates successfully clear all three phases, they are ranked based on their scores. IAS officers have gained widespread attention on the internet, not just for their professional achievements but for their personal life choices. IAS Tina Dabi, IAS Ria Dabi, and IAS Smita Sabharwal are among the civil servants who have gained massive popularity on social media for both their accomplishments and their style.
IAS officer Smita Sabharwal has been an active voice on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where she has addressed various issues and sparked discussions. Earlier, Senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Smita Sabharwal had requested the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of India to intervene in the release of convicts involved in the killing of IAS officer G. Krishnaiah in Bihar.
Previously, Sabharwal sparked controversy with her remarks during the debate on reservation for UPSC aspirants under the PwD category. This discussion was ignited by the controversy surrounding the recruitment of IAS probationary officer Puja Khedkar under the disability quota. She questioned the necessity of a disability quota in the IAS and suggested that individuals with disabilities might struggle to meet the demands of the service.
'With all due respect to the Differently Abled. Does an Airline hire a pilot with a disability? Or would you trust a surgeon with a disability? The nature of IAS/IPS/IFoS is field work, long taxing hours, and listening first-hand to people's grievances-which requires physical fitness. Why does this premier service need this quota in the first place!,' She questioned.
Once again, the senior IAS Officer has been at the center of a significant controversy. The event revolves around reposting an AI-generated Ghibli image on social media regarding the bulldozing of the 400-acre land near Hyderabad Central University. In fact, Cyberabad Police have served notice under section 179 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to Smita Sabharwal, principal secretary of Youth Advancement, Tourism and Culture, as reported by news agency IANS.
The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer on March 31 had reposted a tweet from the 'Hi Hyderabad' handle with an image depicting bulldozers in front of the Mushroom Rock on Kancha Gachibowli land, with a peacock and two deer looking on in Ghibli style.
The 2001-batch IAS officer had re-posted the content amid the protests by HCU students, environment activists and opposition parties over alleged destruction of the forest on the Kancha Gachibowli land.
According to the news agency IANS report, Senior Indian Administrative Service officer Smita Sabharwal, who was recently summoned by the police for reposting an AI-generated Ghibli image on social media regarding the cutting of trees on 400-acre land near Hyderabad Central University, is among 20 officers transferred by the Telangana government on Sunday.
Sabharwal, who had appeared before Cyberabad police a week ago, had questioned the 'selective targeting'. It is to be noted that the 2001-batch IAS officer had asked if the same action was initiated against 2,000 individuals who reshared the same post.
Sabharwal, currently Special Chief Secretary, Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture (YAT&C) and Director, Archaeology, has been transferred and posted as Member Secretary, Telangana Finance Commission, a post she was holding before her transfer to YAT&C in November 2024.
As the secretary to the Chief Minister, she was a powerful officer under the previous BRS government. After the Congress came to power, she was transferred out of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) and posted as Member Secretary, Telangana Finance Commission.
'Karmanye vadhikaraste, ma phaleshu kadachana'#IAS
Spent 4 months in Tourism. Did my best! 1.Brought in the long pending Tourism Policy 25-30, a first for the State. Will create a solid frame for direction & investment in neglected tourist circuits.
2. Revamped the working… pic.twitter.com/2nUlVQO4W3
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UPSC Key: G7 summit invite to India, RBI slashed repo rate, and Poverty line
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for June 7, 2025. If you missed the June 6, 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-III: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate What's the ongoing story: IN A diplomatic outreach towards mending bilateral ties after a year-and-half of acrimony and hostility, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney Friday invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit on June 15-17. Key Points to Ponder: — What is the G7 summit? — Who are the members of the G7? — Why was the G7 formed? — What are the recent developments in the India-Canada relationship? — How is India invited to the G7 summit even though it is not a member of the G7? — What are the challenges of the G7 group in the geopolitical scenario? — Learn about the major groupings: G20, BRICS, SAARC Key Takeaways: — Following a phone call from Carney, Modi, in a post on X, said, 'Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister Mark J Carney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month.' — The invitation, less than 10 days before the Summit, is a major breakthrough after the chill in ties. — India has been invited to every G7 Summit since 2019. Barring 2020 when the G7 huddle was cancelled by the US, the host country, Modi has attended every Summit since August 2019. — This May 25, Canada's new Foreign Minister Anita Anand had a phone conversation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. It was the first official political-level contact between Delhi and Ottawa after Carney won the Canadian elections and became Prime Minister, raising hopes for a reset in ties. Do You Know: — This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Group of 7 (G7) meeting. Canada is hosting the 2025 G7 Leaders' Summit, which will be held in Kananaskis, Alberta, from June 15 to 17, 2025. Canada has hosted 6 summits to date: 1981, 1988, 1995, 2002, 2010, and 2018. — The Group of 7 (G7) is an informal group of seven countries that consists of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Together these countries represent 40% of global GDP and 10% of the world's population. — It has no legal existence, permanent secretariat or official members. There is no binding impact on policy, and all decisions and commitments made at G7 meetings need to be ratified independently by the governing bodies of member states. — History: The G7 originated from a 1973 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in Paris, France. This meeting was convened in response to major economic challenges of at time – an oil crisis, rising inflation and collapse of the Bretton Woods system. US Treasury Secretary George Schultz decided that it would be beneficial for the large players on the world stage to coordinate with each other on macroeconomic initiatives. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Knowledge Nugget: G7 summit in Canada — Historical evolution and importance for UPSC 📍Explained: Who are the G7, whose Summit in Germany India has been invited to? Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (1) With reference to the G7, consider the following statements: 1. It is a formal grouping of advanced democracies that meets annually to coordinate global economic policy and address other transnational issues. 2. The presidency of G7 meetings is held by each of the seven countries in turn, along with the European Union. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues Mains Examination: General Studies-I: Salient features of the world's physical geography General Studies-III: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.; Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security. What's the ongoing story: Modi was speaking after he flagged off two Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar and inaugurated the world's highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab as well as the country's first cable-stayed bridge of the Indian Railways over Anji Khad. Key Points to Ponder: — Know about the Indus River system — Chenab River passes through which regions? — Know about the Himalayan mountain range — Why is the construction of bridges and tunnels difficult in the Himalayas? — How are the Chenab and Anji bridges living symbols of India's strength and its roar of a bright future in the hostile Pir Panjal ranges? Key Takeaways: — The 272 km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway link (USBRL) Project is designed to provide all-weather connectivity by eventually linking the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country. — The event comes over a month after 26 people – mostly tourists but also a local – were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22. It also comes on the eve of Eid. — Referring to the rail link, Modi said several generations had died even before seeing it, quoting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as saying that he was in Class 8 when the foundation stone of the project was first laid in 1983-84. — While talking about the Chenab and Anji bridges, he said these were not mere structures of steel and concrete but 'living symbols of India's strength and its roar of a bright future in hostile Pir Panjal ranges'. — In addition to flagging off the Vande Bharat trains and inaugurating the bridges, Modi also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated Rs 46,000 crore-worth of development projects at Katra — the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district. — The first railway line in the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was built by the British in 1897 over a distance of 40-45 km between Jammu and Sialkot in the plains. — After Partition, Sialkot went to Pakistan, and Jammu was disconnected from the rail network of India. Until the inauguration of the Pathankot-Jammu line in 1975, the railway station nearest to Jammu and Kashmir was Pathankot in Punjab. — In 1983, work began on a railway line between Jammu and Udhampur. This 53-km line was supposed to be completed in five years, but ultimately took 21 years. With work still underway, the central government announced, in 1994, the extension of this line from Udhampur to Srinagar, and onward to Baramulla. — This was the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project, which was approved in March 1995 at an estimated cost of Rs 2,500 crore. In 2002, the USBRL was declared a national project, and sections of the line became operational over the years that followed. — The USBRL is finally complete now —272 km of tracks built at a cost of Rs 43,780 crore, passing through 36 tunnels and over 943 bridges, bringing Katra and Srinagar within 3 hours of each other. Do You Know: — The Himalayas are young, and the geologically unstable Shivalik Hills and Pir Panjal mountains lie in the seismically most active Zones IV and V. The terrain is difficult and sees heavy snow in winter, and presents serious challenges in the construction of bridges and tunnels. — Among the several firsts of this remarkable achievement of railway engineering are the world's highest railway arch bridge, its arch rising 359 metres above the bed of the Chenab in Reasi district; the first cable-stayed bridge of the Railways on the Anji Khad, also in Reasi district; and the country's longest transport tunnel, 12.77 km long, in Ramban district. — The Chenab rail bridge runs over the Chenab River in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. Located between Katra and Sangaldan on the Jammu-Baramulla line, the bridge was built at a cost of around Rs 1,400 crore. — The Chenab railway bridge is a steel-and-concrete marvel spanning 1,315 meters across the river gorge. It consists of a 530-meter-long approach bridge and a 785-meter-long deck arch bridge (the part of the bridge on which vehicles run). Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍All you need to know about world's highest Chenab railway bridge inaugurated today 📍Bridge to the Kashmir Valley: Lives along the line UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (2) With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct. Among the following, which one is such river that joins the Indus direct? (a) Chenab (b) Jhelum (c) Ravi (d) Sutlej 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: The Reserve Bank of India's six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has slashed the repo rate by a bigger-than-expected 50 basis points to 5.50 per cent, marking the third consecutive reduction since February 2025. The MPC move aims to boost growth prospects as inflation remains below the 4 per cent target. Key Points to Ponder: — What is MPC? — What is the role and function of MPC? — What is inflation? — Why does the government need to control inflation? — How is inflation measured in the economy? — What are the various instruments used by the RBI to control inflation? — How does a reduction in the repo rate impact various variables of the economy? — What is the Flexible Inflation Targeting (FIT) framework? — The MPC has signalled a recalibrated approach by shifting its policy stance from 'Accommodative' to 'Neutral'. What does it mean? Key Takeaways: — The rate cut will benefit borrowers, especially home loans, while depositors and savers can expect lower returns on their bank deposits in the coming months. — The central bank also cut the cash reserve ratio of banks by 100 basis points to 3 per cent, releasing Rs 2.5 lakh crore of lendable resources to the banking system. — The MPC, headed by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, has changed its policy stance from 'accommodative' to 'neutral' in a bid to support economic growth. This RBI's rate cut decision is expected to stimulate borrowing and investment, leading to a higher growth rate. The policy panel retained growth estimate at 6.5 per cent but projected a lower inflation of 3.7 per cent in the current fiscal. — The main factor that led to the 50 bps rate cut is the fall in retail inflation. Headline inflation, as measured by year-on-year changes in the all-India consumer price index (CPI), moderated to 3.2 per cent in April, the lowest since July 2019, from 3.3 per cent in March. The easing in CPI has been driven by the sustained fall in food prices. — Economists said that with inflation remaining below the 4 per cent target in the last three months (February, March and April), and a sharp fall in food inflation, CPI is likely to durably align with the 4 per cent target over a 12-month period, paving the way for further rate cuts. — Under the flexible inflation targeting (FIT) framework, the RBI has been mandated by the government to maintain CPI at 4 per cent with a band of +/-2 per cent. — Further, the RBI had estimated the GDP growth to be at only 6.5 per cent in the current fiscal at a time when the trade tariff issues with the US have created some uncertainty on the economic front. — As the Repo rate has been reduced by 50 bps, all external benchmark lending rates (EBLR) linked to it will decline by a similar margin. It would be a relief for borrowers as their equated monthly instalments (EMIs) on home and personal loans will drop by 50 bps. — Banks are also expected to reduce the deposit rate in the wake of the reduction in lending rate. This will impact savers and depositors who will see their returns declining. — The rate cut is likely to benefit the bond market, as falling interest rates typically lead to a rise in bond prices. Yields, especially on government securities, may decline further, enhancing returns for existing bondholders and boosting demand for fixed-income assets. Do You Know: — Under Section 45ZB of the amended RBI Act, 1934, the central government is empowered to constitute a six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to determine the policy interest rate required to achieve the inflation target. The first such MPC was constituted on September 29, 2016. — Section 45ZB says the MPC shall consist of the RBI Governor as its ex officio chairperson, the Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy, an officer of the Bank to be nominated by the Central Board and three persons to be appointed by the central government. The last category of appointments must be from 'persons of ability, integrity, and standing, having knowledge and experience in the field of economics or banking or finance or monetary policy'. — The interest rate that the RBI charges when commercial banks borrow money from it is called the repo rate. The interest rate the central bank pays commercial banks when they park their excess cash is called the reverse repo rate. — Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): It is the percentage of a bank's net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) that is required to be maintained in liquid cash with the RBI as a reserve. The CRR percentage is determined by the RBI from time to time. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Knowledge nugget of the day: RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) 📍RBI's Monetary policy instruments—From Repo Rate to CRR, UPSC must-know Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (3) If the RBI decides to adopt an expansionist monetary policy, which of the following would it not do? (UPSC CSE 2020) 1. Cut and optimize the Statutory Liquidity Ratio 2. Increase the Marginal Standing Facility Rate 3. Cut the Bank Rate and Repo Rate Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (4) Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)? (UPSC CSE 2017) 1. It decides the RBI's benchmark interest rates. 2. It is a 12-member body including the Governor of RBI and is reconstituted every year. 3. It functions under the chairmanship of the Union Finance Minister. Select the correct answer using the code given below : (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 3 only (d) 2 and 3 only Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Issues relating to poverty and hunger What's the ongoing story: With the World Bank raising its threshold poverty line to $3 a day (daily consumption of less than $3) from the earlier $2.15 a day, the extreme poverty rate for India declines sharply to 5.3 per cent in 2022-23 from 27.1 per cent in 2011-12. In absolute terms, people living in extreme poverty fell from 344.47 million to just 75.24 million, latest data from the World Bank shows. Key Points to Ponder: — What is the poverty line? — What is poverty? — What is extreme poverty? — How is poverty estimated in India? — What are the reasons for poverty in India? — What are the initiatives taken by the government to tackle poverty? — What is the status of India in the World Bank's multidimensional poverty index (MPI)? — What is the status of poverty in India according to NITI Aayog? — Learn about: Alagh Committee (1979), Lakdawala Committee (1993), Tendulkar Committee (2009), and Rangarajan Committee (2014) Key Takeaways: — At $2.15 daily consumption — the earlier poverty line based on 2017 prices— the share of Indians living in extreme poverty is 2.3 per cent, which is significantly lower than 16.2 per cent in 2011-12, according to the World Bank's estimates. The number of people living below the $2.15-per-day poverty line is recorded at 33.66 million in 2022, down from 205.93 million in 2011. — Despite the World Bank revising its extreme poverty line to adjust for global inflation in 2021 prices, India seems to have fared well, with the poverty numbers holding good. At $3 a day threshold, India's extreme poverty rate for 2022-23 rises from 2.3 per cent (at a poverty line of $2.15 a day) to 5.3 per cent, the World Bank estimates. — Adjusting the earlier $2.15-per-day line for domestic inflation from 2017 to 2021, according to sources, brings the threshold poverty line to roughly $2.60—still lower in real terms than the new $3 a day benchmark. — The share of Indians living below the revised lower-middle-income category (LMIC) poverty line of $4.20 per day (from $3.65 in 2017 prices) also fell from 57.7 per cent in 2011-12 to 23.9 per cent in 2022-23. — The World Bank estimates India's population at 1438.07 million in 2023, using its World Development Indicators database and the official Household Consumption Expenditure Survey. — According to the World Bank's multidimensional poverty index (MPI), non-monetary poverty in India declined from 53.8 percent in 2005-06 to 15.5 per cent in 2022-23. The index comprises six indicators, namely consumption or income, educational attainment, educational enrolment, drinking water, sanitation, and electricity. The NITI Aayog has estimated that India's population living in multidimensional poverty fell to 11.28 per cent in 2022-23 from 29.17 per cent in 2013-14. Do You Know: — According to the World Bank, poverty is 'pronounced deprivation in well-being'. The poor are those who do not have enough income or consumption to put them above some adequate minimum threshold. It is not only about the absence of financial resources but also the deprivation of various dimensions of life. — The 2024 Multidimensional Poverty Index was published on 17th October on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the Human Development Report Office of the United Nations Development Programme. It was first launched in 2010. — The Global MPI uses 10 indicators covering three main areas: (i) health, (ii) education, and (iii) standard of living. These three dimensions have one-third weight each in the final index. — NITI Aayog in collaboration with the UNDP and OPHI developed the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) in November 2021 that offers a multi-dimensional perspective on poverty. It uses the internationally acclaimed Alkire Foster methodology with the difference that National MPI covers 12 indicators while global MPI covers 10 indicators. — Six official committees have so far estimated the number of people living in poverty in India — the working group of 1962; V N Dandekar and N Rath in 1971; Y K Alagh in 1979; D T Lakdawala in 1993; Suresh Tendulkar in 2009; and C Rangarajan in 2014. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍International Day for Eradication of Poverty: Understanding poverty debates in India 📍Knowledge Nugget of the day: Global Multidimensional Poverty Index Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (5) In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some States than in others because (UPSC CSE 2019) (a) poverty rates vary from State to State (b) price levels vary from State to State (c) Gross State Product varies from State to State (d) quality of public distribution varies from State to State Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: Though there have been several different estimates of poverty in India, all indicate reduction in poverty levels over time. Do you agree? Critically examine with reference to urban and rural poverty indicators (UPSC CSE 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: Eyeing long-term conservation and research projects, the National Zoological Park (NZP) in Delhi is exploring the possibility of setting up an on-site wildlife biobank in collaboration with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad. Key Points to Ponder: — What is the power and function of CZA? — What is a Zoological Park? — What is a biobank? — What are endangered species? — How is a zoological park different from a botanical park? — What is the purpose of preserving DNA, tissues, organs, and gametes of endangered or vulnerable species? — What is the role of Zoological Parks in Ex-situ Conservation and Wildlife Protection in India? Key Takeaways: — The proposed facility is expected to collect and preserve genetic material — DNA, tissues, reproductive cells — from animals at the zoo. The initiative is part of a broader effort led by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to strengthen ex-situ conservation in Indian zoos. — The biobank at the zoo in the Capital is expected to follow a model already implemented at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling, which became the first to establish such a facility under the initiative earlier this year. — While the process is in its early stages, officials involved in the project said the proposed biobank in the city could contribute to building a national repository of genetic material for conservation science. — In 2021, the Delhi zoo was among six zoos that had been identified by the CZA to join the Consortium of Indian Zoos for Biobanking of Wildlife Genetic Resources under a pilot project. — The programme was built on a tripartite agreement signed in 2019 between the CZA, CCMB-LaCONES (Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species), and the selected zoos. — Under this agreement, zoos, including Delhi's NZP, have been encouraged to collect biological samples from deceased animals, as well as from live animals during health interventions, for submission to the National Wildlife Genetic Resource Bank (NWGRB) at the CCMB's laboratory. — As per the October-December 2024 quarterly inventory report of the National Zoological Park, it is home to several endangered species listed under Schedules I and II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. — These include the Asiatic Lion, Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant, Indian Rhinoceros (Greater One-Horned Rhino), Sloth Bear, Lion-tailed Macaque, Indian Wolf, Indian Bison (Gaur), Dhole (Asiatic Wild Dog), Eld's Deer, Four-horned Antelope, Himalayan Black Bear, Marsh Crocodile, Gharial, Indian Rock Python, and Spectacled Cobra. — At present, samples collected from zoos are sent to the CCMB facility in Hyderabad. According to officials, this has posed logistical challenges. 'Bringing samples to the CCMB facility after postmortem is a challenge. They need to be preserved within four hours. That's the reason for the need for localised facilities,' Dr Govindha-swamy Umapathy, Chief Scientist, the CCMB, told The Indian Express. Do You Know: — Biobanks are of immense importance in the conservation of critically endangered species. With environmental change and other factors many species of animals may go to the brink of extinction. The aim is to store the cells and the germ plasm (genetic material) of such animals that if needed the species could be brought back to life again. — According to the website of the CZA, the Indian Board for Wildlife re-constituted its Zoo Wing as 'the Expert Group on Zoos' at its 9th session held on 18th November, 1972 at New Delhi to make detailed study for setting up and maintenance of zoos in the country. — The report recommended setting up of a central agency (Zoo Grants Commission), and to give effect to this recommendation, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 was amended through an amendment Act in the year 1991. — A separate chapter, Chapter IVA contain Section 38 A to 38 J was added to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for establishment of the Central Zoo Authority in India. — Accordingly, the Central Zoo Authority was established as a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment & Forests by the Government of India in the year 1992. The Authority consists of a Chairman, ten members and a Member Secretary. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Remember Jurassic Park — in a first in the country Darjeeling Zoo gets 'bio bank' to collect DNA materials Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (6) Consider the following statements: 1. CZA is a statutory body established in the year 1995. 2. CZA consists of the Chairman, ten members and a Member Secretary. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 1 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-I: Salient features of the world's physical geography General Studies-II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate; India and its neighbourhood- relations. What's the ongoing story: The Foreign Ministers of Central Asian countries Friday unequivocally condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and stressed that the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terror acts must be held accountable and brought to justice. Key Points to Ponder: — What is the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism? — What is the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)? — What is the strategic significance of Chabahar Port? — What are the areas of cooperation between India and Central Asian Countries? — What is the India-Central Asia Rare Earth Forum? — What is the significance of Central Asia for rare earth minerals? — What is the significance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation? — Know the geographical location, water bodies surrounding these countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan Key Takeaways: — External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hosted the India-Central Foreign Ministers dialogue, which took place after more than three-and-half years. — 'They stressed that perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorist acts must be held accountable and brought to justice. In this context, they called for early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism,' it said. — The ministers, as per the statement, reiterated their 'strong support for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan which is free from terrorism, war and drugs… The Ministers agreed to continue close coordination and consultations on matters related to Afghanistan'. — Earlier in the day, Jaishankar appreciated the Central Asian nations that 'stood by India and condemned the heinous terrorist attack' while reaffirming that it would be a 'trusted development partner' for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. — According to the joint statement, 'The ministers emphasized optimum usage of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to enhance connectivity between India and the Central Asian countries' while 'India reiterated its support for the membership of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in INSTC'. — As per the statement, they also 'expressed interest in joint exploration of rare earth and critical minerals. Appreciating the outcomes of the first India-Central Asia Rare Earth Forum held in September 2024 in New Delhi, they called upon the relevant authorities to hold the second India-Central Asia Rare Earth Forum meeting at the earliest convenience. Do You Know: — Engagement with Central Asia The Silk Route connected India with Central Asia from the 3rd century BC to the 15th century AD. From the export of Buddhism to the lasting influence of Bollywood, India has shared old and deep cultural ties with the region. — In 1955, during a 16-day visit to the erstwhile Soviet Union, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru travelled to Almaty, Tashkent, and Ashgabat, all of which became capitals of newly-independent countries after the 1991 collapse of the USSR. — Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in 1992, and Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan in 1995. In 2003, Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the first Prime Minister to visit Tajikistan; he had travelled to Kazakhstan in the previous year. Manmohan Singh visited Uzbekistan in 2006, and the Kazakh capital Astana in 2011. — Focussed engagement began with the 'Connect Central Asia policy' in 2012, which received a fillip with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to all five Central Asian countries in July 2015 — the first by an Indian Prime Minister. — Central Asia is extremely rich in mineral and natural resources. Kazakhstan has one of the biggest reserves of uranium, besides stores of coal, lead, zinc, gold, and iron ore. The Kyryz Republic is rich in gold and hydro-power, and Turkmenistan has one of the world's largest reserves of natural gas. Tajikistan has huge hydro-power potential and Uzbekistan has gold, uranium, and natural gas. — For India, engagement with the Central Asian countries is important because of a range of reasons — security cooperation after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan; to counter China's influence in the region; plans for connectivity with Europe including the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC); to meet its energy needs (Turkmenistan is part of the proposed TAPI gas pipeline); and for reasons of old cultural links and trade potential. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍India's Central Asia outreach Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (7) Consider the following pairs: (UPSC CSE 2019) Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched? (a) 1, 2 and 4 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 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 May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
CLAT 2025 Topper: Meet Saksham Gautam; a humanities student with a love for Math
At a time when the counselling process of the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) UG is underway, with the second merit list out and the third expected by June 20, The Indian Express caught up with the CLAT 2025 exam topper, Saksham Gautam. A humanities student from Delhi Public School, Faridabad, Gautam also aced his boards with a stunning 98.6 per cent. Speaking to this publication, Gautam shared his preparation strategy, mindset, and advice for future aspirants. Inspiration to choose law For Gautam, the decision to pursue law was rooted in both intellectual curiosity and a deeper civic aspiration. 'I began looking beyond Engineering and Medical as early as Class 7,' Gautam said, noting that despite coming from a family of engineers, STEM never quite clicked for him. 'Social Sciences, especially English and History, fascinated me. By Class 9 and 10, law emerged as a compelling avenue,' he added. He also emphasised his interest in public engagement. 'I don't want a corporate job. Many of our national leaders and freedom fighters were lawyers. Even in UPSC, law graduates have a good selection ratio,' he explained, hinting that public service remains a long-term option. Balancing CLAT with Class 12 boards 'It was challenging to balance CLAT with Class 12 boards,' Gautam admitted candidly. While attending regular school, he simultaneously prepared for CLAT with Legal Edge by Toprankers in Delhi. 'Prioritisation was key. If CLAT demanded more time, school took a backseat and vice versa,' he said. He began serious preparation in Class 11 by keeping 2-3 hours daily for CLAT. 'In 12th, I didn't track hours. I followed a task-based schedule. My goal was to complete all tasks by night,' he added. Challenging sections Reading comprehension, Gautam said, was 'one of the most demanding aspects of CLAT' since the exam is heavily passage-based. 'I wasn't an avid reader, so developing reading habits – especially newspapers and long-form articles – was hard at first,' he said. Logical Reasoning also posed challenges. 'Critical reasoning is dominant in CLAT. Being thorough with assumptions, arguments, and conclusions is essential,' he said, recommending consistent practice and attention to previous year questions. Speaking on Legal Reasoning, Gautam busted a common myth: 'You don't need to be legally literate. Familiarity with current legal developments is more important than rote learning legal jargon.' Importance of mock tests and coaching 'Mocks are non-negotiable. They show where you stand and how to adjust your preparation. CLAT changed drastically post-2020, so being aware of evolving patterns through mocks is crucial,' the CLAT topper said. While Gautam strongly benefited from coaching, he emphasised its purpose. 'Coaching doesn't make you successful – your effort does. What coaching gives is structure, discipline, and mentorship,' he said, noting that Legal Edge provided helpful material and guidance, particularly in General Knowledge. 'Mentorship, for me, meant someone analysing my mock scores, helping identify weak areas, and showing how to work on them,' he added. Tips on staying focused Addiction to social media, Gautam revealed, was his biggest challenge during preparation. 'I was distracted in Class 11 and even into 12th. The turning point was admitting to myself that it was hurting my preparation,' he shared. Deleting apps and seeking his parents' and teachers' supervision helped him regain control. 'Distractions will vary, but the first step is honest acceptance,' he said. Advice for future aspirants 'Start reading newspapers, editorials, anything,' he advised. 'Focus on improving reading speed and comprehension. Simultaneously, begin basic maths: percentages, averages, ratios,' Gautam added. He also urged aspirants not to ignore maths. 'Many fear it irrationally. But CLAT maths is of Class 8-9 level. You must tackle it. Maths and GK are game-changers in top ranks,' he said. Delay in CLAT results Calling the five-month delay in publication of CLAT results from December 2024 to May 2025 'distressing', Gautam said uncertainty was the real burden. 'At one point, it seemed the counselling process had been pushed indefinitely. Aspirants shouldn't be the ones suffering due to others' errors,' he said. The road ahead Gautam has not yet committed to a legal specialisation but is keeping his options open. 'College will help me figure that out,' he said. He's currently reading Dr B R Ambedkar's Annihilation of Caste and prefers spending leisure time walking or talking to friends rather than engaging in sports. In his words, 'CLAT may be unpredictable, but with consistency, mentorship, and self-discipline, it's absolutely conquerable.'
The Print
3 hours ago
- The Print
Railway services merger caused ‘acute shortage' of specialised officers, affected ops & safety—Centre
In its reply to the Central Administrative Tribunal, a copy of which ThePrint has accessed, the government has now admitted that the 2020 reform caused much confusion over how to recruit officers to the new, united service. Only four years later, the Centre made a U-turn on the reform, and last year, de-linked the Indian Railways Management Service (IRMS) into civil and engineering services and divided them further into sub-cadres. In March this year, 40 service officers in the railways challenged the 2024 decision before the Central Administrative Tribunal. New Delhi: The Modi government's ambitious 2020 reform, merging the eight railway services into one united Indian Railways Management Service, caused an 'acute shortage of specialised manpower' in the railways, 'negatively impacting train operations and safety', the Centre has officially admitted for the first time. In 2022, the government decided to recruit IRMS officers through the Civil Service Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). However, it soon became clear that the 'mandate of the Union Cabinet was not being fulfilled' through the process, the government has said in its reply. Both in 2022 and 2023, the number of candidates with specialised engineering skills required in the railways was 125 per year. However, only 46 and 45 skilled officers were recruited in 2022 and 2023, respectively, according to the government reply. 'This gap in the required specialised manpower was negatively impacting train operations and safety,' the government has now said. It admitted that it soon realised that the 'recruitment of IRMS cadre only through UPSC (CSE) would not serve the purpose for specialised technical needs for railways as an organisation, which was the basic premise mentioned in the Union Cabinet decision, dt. 24.12.2019'. 'No reversal of reform' The government, however, has not reversed the 2019 Cabinet decision, it has claimed. According to its reply, the government took a policy decision to address the issue of a shortage of technical service officers by recruiting technical and non-technical service officers separately through UPSC to the unified new service as created by the Union Cabinet, i.e., the IRMS. The move, the government reply said, would offer equal opportunities to officers in both categories in their career progression. Since 2025, the government has been recruiting officers separately through engineering and non-engineering exams. The exam for the latter is the Civil Service Exam, taken for recruitment for other civil services, such as IAS and IPS. The engineering and non-engineering services have been further divided into subcadres of traffic, accounts, personnel, civil, electrical, mechanical, signal, telecommunications and stores. Railway service officers opposed to the government's U-turn have maintained that the sub-cadres render the 2019 Cabinet decision meaningless, effectively splitting up the railways again into eight different services. However, in its response, the government has said that the division into sub-cadres 'will enable the officers to acquire specialisation in a particular functional area of the railways'. The specialisation will further be honed during their service in the sub-cadre, giving them 'an all-round perspective'. The same does not in any way affect the career progression of officers, as contended by the complainants, the government has said. 'The only purpose behind this is to enable the officers to acquire specialisation in a particular functional area of the railways, as they remain an inherent member of the unified, new service, i.e., IRMS, governed by a single Recruitment Rules.' Further, the officers recruited from 2025 onwards will 'exercise such option[s] for specialisation at the time of their recruitment itself', the government has said. The government has further noted that having sub-cadres within the same service does not amount to the fragmentation of the service, as some officers have alleged. The government has so far not allotted any one of the three sub-cadres of civil services—traffic, accounts, and personnel—to the probationers recruited through the 2022 and 2023 exams. However, since the probationers will continue to serve in the IRMS only, that will not impact their career prospects, the government has further stated. Based on its claim that it had not infringed on any statutory or legal rights of the applicants, the government said, 'The applicants have no cause of action to maintain the application under reply.' Confusion persists There is still no clarity among officers about the fate of their service. According to sources in the railways, an officer of the Indian Railways Traffic Service is tipped to become Railway Board Member (Finance)—a break from the tradition of having only officers of the Indian Railways Accounts Service hold the finance-related position. Similarly, a few months ago, an engineering service officer was appointed Railway Board Member (Operations and Business Development)—a position hitherto always held by an Indian Railways Traffic Service officer. 'If they have created sub-cadres again, why are they appointing officers from outside their respective domains at the highest levels?' asked an officer. 'You now have a situation where, for example, at the lower levels, you have officers who have served in the accounts sub-cadre throughout their careers, but the member heading that sub-cadre will not be from accounts,' the officer said. 'There is utter confusion at the level of policy-making in the railways.' (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Facing a shortage, Modi govt tweaks empanelment criteria to attract more IAS officers to Centre
