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India.com
4 days ago
- General
- India.com
Meet man, worked as coolie, used railway station Wi-Fi to study, became IAS officer after clearing UPSC exam, his AIR was...
IAS Sreenath K once worked as a coolie at a railway station. (File) IAS Sreenath K Success Story: The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), arguably the toughest recruitment test in India, requires extensive preparation and dedicated coaching for aspirants who wish to crack the formidable exam. However, there are some who lack resources to purchase books for self-study, forcing them to rely on innovative methods to prepare for the UPSC exam. One such heartwarming example is that of IAS Sreenath K, an IAS officer from Kerala, who once worked as a coolie (porter) at a railway station, and used the free Wi-Fi service at the station to study for UPSC on his mobile phone. Who is IAS Sreenath K? Born in a poverty-ridden family in Munnar, Kerala, Sreenath K worked as a porter at the Ernakulam railway station, earning a modest Rs 400-500 daily, which was barely enough support his family. But despite his adverse financial situation, Sreenath persevered and did not give up on his dreams of becoming an IAS officer. However, the path towards success was arduous and filled with challenges as he did not even have enough money to buy the recommended study material for UPSC examination. Yet, the enterprising man devised a way to turn his dire situation into opportunity. How Sreenath K prepared for UPSC exam? In several interviews post his UPSC success, IAS Sreenath K revealed how he used free Wi-Fi available at the railway station to prepare for UPSC exams on his mobile. Sreenath would toil hard during the day to earn a livelihood, and study for almost the entire night with the help of YouTube videos, mock tests and free online study material. Sreenath K's hard work and perseverance ultimately paid off when he cracked the UPSC CSE in 2018, scoring an impressive 82% in the written part of the CSE, according to reports. While his exact All-India Rank (AIR) is not known, logic dictates that Sreenath K achieved a good rank as he was accorded the prestigious IAS cadre. The heartwarming success story of IAS Sreenath K serves as an inspiration to millions of young aspirants who lack resources to fund their preparation for tough competitive examinations such as the UPSC CSE.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
UPSC Key: Ad valorem duty, Phone Tapping and Sylheti
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for August 7, 2025. If you missed the August 6, 2025 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here FRONT PAGE Trump doubles India tariff to 50%, opens 21-day window 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: Ramping up pressure ahead of the expected arrival in India of US trade negotiators on August 25, President Donald Trump Wednesday doubled the tariffs on India to 50 per cent, but opened a 21-day window before the additional tariff of 25 per cent kicks in. Key Points to Ponder: • What do you mean by ad valorem duty? • What you understand by the term tariff of 50 per cent or tariff of 25 per cent? • What reasons did the U.S. government cite for imposing the additional tariffs on India? • In response to rising U.S. tariffs, how India is considering to respond? • What can be the economic implications of the 50% tariff for India's GDP? • What are the diplomatic and policy challenges facing India in navigating the 21 day window offered for negotiations with the U.S.? • How India's energy diplomacy and dependence on Russian oil complicate its trade relations with the U.S.? Key Takeaways: • A White House statement said the US will impose 'additional 25 per cent ad valorem duty' above the 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs announced on August 1 to 'deal with the national emergency stemming from Russia's actions in Ukraine'. This tariff is deemed necessary and appropriate due to India's 'direct or indirect import of Russian Federation oil', which the President judges will more effectively address the national emergency, the executive order said. • The additional tariff dramatically raises pressure on India as most of its competitors such as Vietnam, Bangladesh and now China are at lower tariffs. However, exporters said that the US tariff-related uncertainty is already disrupting trade. About half of India's total exports of $80 billion are, however, in the exemption list that include products such as pharma and electronics goods. • While the fresh order takes the total US tariffs to its highest on any country globally, it also offers a fresh window for discussion. Last Saturday, The Indian Express reported that key economic ministries had been asked for inputs to sweeten the trade deal stuck on India's resistance to US demand for access to the Indian agriculture market. • Hours before the announcement of additional tariff, Trump, while responding to a question from news agency ANI on US import of Russian chemicals and fertilisers, said: 'I don't know anything about it. I'd have to check, but we'll get back to you on that.' Do You Know: • While Delhi has called the targeting of India over the purchase of Russian oil 'unjustified and unreasonable' and vowed to take 'all necessary measures' to safeguard its 'national interests and economic security', Indian exporters are in a fix, scrambling to retain access to the US, their most valuable export market, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of India's total outbound shipments. • Reacting to higher than expected US tariffs, Indian exporters said they are not in a position to absorb such high tariffs. Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) president, S C Ralhan, said: 'This (US) move is a severe setback for Indian exports, with nearly 55 per cent of our shipments to the US market directly affected. The 50 per cent reciprocal tariff effectively imposes a cost burden, placing our exporters at a 30-35 per cent competitive disadvantage compared to peers from countries with lesser reciprocal tariff,' he said. • CITI Chairman Rakesh Mehra said, 'The US tariff announcement of August 6 is a huge setback for India's textile and apparel exporters as it has further complicated the challenging situation we were already grappling with and will significantly weaken our ability to compete effectively vis-a-vis many other countries for a larger share of the US market.' • Incidentally, China is the largest buyer of Russian oil, at about 2 million barrels per day, followed by India (just under 2 million barrels a day) and Turkey. The US had agreed to lower tariffs on Chinese goods to 30 per cent from 145 per cent in May. • New Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that in 2024 alone, China bought $62.6 billion of Russian oil – more than India's $52.7 billion. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍To secure US trade deal, key ministries told to list what they can bring to talks table 📍Agri a stumbling block in talks, but India-US trade in sector sees surge PM likely to be in China for SCO meet, his first visit in 7 yrs 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: Preparations are underway to schedule a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China where leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation will gather for the Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, sources said Wednesday. Key Points to Ponder: • What is Shanghai Cooperation Organisation? • What kind of a grouping is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation? • Know the members and observer countries in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation • Map Work-Mark Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member countries with their capital • When did India become permanent member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation? • What is the importance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation for India? • Under what circumstances did India enter the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation? • How does membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation help India? • How does global geopolitics play out for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and India? • How does it play out in the India-Pakistan or India-China relationship? • Why PM Modi's China visit is significant? • How India-China ties have improved recently? • How India-China engagement at the SCO summit intersects with India's broader strategic interests? Key Takeaways: • On the sidelines of the Summit, if the visit materialises, Modi is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a meeting that will take place amid rising tensions with the US over trade tariffs and purchase of Russian oil. • The two leaders last met on October 23, 2024 on the margins of the BRICS Summit in the Russian city of Kazan, setting the stage for the disengagement of troops at two friction points along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh and resumption of patrolling. • The Prime Minister's visit, which sources said is still being planned, will be his first to China in seven years – the last visit was in 2018. The military standoff along the LAC in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020 following Chinese incursions. The disengagement process was completed in November 2024, days after the meeting in Kazan. • The two countries have since sought to repair ties, resuming the Mansarovar Yatra, visas for Chinese tourists and looking at revival of direct flights. But these efforts took a hit in May when India came across evidence of active Chinese assistance to the Pakistan military during the hostilities that followed Operation Sindoor. Do You Know: • Incidentally, Modi's last visit to China in 2018 was also for a Summit of the SCO leaders in Qingdao in June that year. Xi travelled to India in October 2019, months before the Chinese incursions in eastern Ladakh. • According to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's website, 'the SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organization established on June 15, 2001 in Shanghai (PRC) by the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan. Its predecessor was the mechanism of the Shanghai Five.' • In 2002, the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was signed at the meeting of the Council of Heads of States in St. Petersburg, which entered into force on September 19, 2003. It is a statute that stipulates the goals, principles, structure and major areas of activities of the organization. The goals of the SCO are: —To strengthen mutual trust, friendship and good-neighbourliness between the Member States; —To encourage the effective cooperation between the Member States in such spheres as politics, trade, economy, science and technology, culture, education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection, etc; —To jointly ensure and maintain peace, security and stability in the region; and —To promote a new democratic, fair and rational international political and economic international order. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit? Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: 📍Terrorist activities and mutual distrust have clouded India-Pakistan relations. To what extent the use of soft power like sports and cultural exchanges could help generate goodwill between the two countries? Discuss with suitable examples.(UPSC CSE GS2, 2015) Top-secret letters by telecom providers blew lid off 'illegal surveillance' during BRS regime Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance Main 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: On December 6, 2023, a routine letter from a telecom service provider reached Telangana's Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) office in Hyderabad. Called a reconciliation letter in official parlance, it was marked 'top secret' and addressed to the then DIG of SIB. Key Points to Ponder: • How are phones tapped in India? • Who can tap phones? • What laws govern this? • Who authorises phone tapping? • Indian Telegraph Act, 1885-Historical Background and Present Relevance • Reforms needed or Revoking Indian Telegraph Act 1885? • Phone Tapping and Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 • Legality of Phone Tapping and Article 21 of the Indian Constitution • Authenticity of An Intercepted Conversation as an Evidence-know in brief • How anti Naxal surveillance has been the misused for political ends? Key Takeaways: • The accused in the case are former SIB chief and IPS officer T Prabhakar Rao, Deputy Superintendent of Police D Praneeth Rao, Additional Superintendents of Police M Thirupathanna and N Bhujanga Rao, former Superintendent of Police P Radhakishan Rao, and a TV channel owner, A Shravan Kumar Rao. • While the Supreme Court had given Prabhakar Rao protection from arrest until August 5, Praneeth Rao, Thirupathanna, Bhujanga Rao and Radhakishan Rao were arrested and are out on bail. A Shravan Kumar Rao is lodged in a Central prison in Hyderabad in connection with a different case. • The BRS, which was earlier called Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), was in power in the newly formed state of Telangana for 10 years starting 2014. BRS leader and two-time Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao also held the state intelligence portfolio. It was when the BRS lost elections to the Congress on December 3, 2023, that the case against the six blew open. On December 4, a day after the election results were announced, SIB chief Prabhakar Rao resigned from his official post. • According to investigators, in the destroyed and formatted electronic devices, some of which were recovered from the Musi river in Hyderabad, were 'political profiles of BRS opponents generated through intelligence gathered illegally using SIB's resources or the state's resources'. • Under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, surveillance in the interest of public safety, in case of a public emergency or in cases of incitement against the state is allowed with due authorisation. According to investigators, in this case, the designated authority for authorisation was Prabhakar Rao, and the review committee comprising the Chief Secretary, Secretary of the General Administration Department and the Law Secretary followed his lead. • The allegations of illegal phone tapping first surfaced on March 10, 2024, when an Additional Superintendent of Police of the SIB lodged a complaint at Hyderabad's Punjagutta police station, accusing DSP Praneeth Rao of using illegal means to gather intelligence and then destroying the evidence. Do You Know: • In the era of fixed-line phones, mechanical exchanges would link circuits together to route the audio signal from the call. When exchanges went digital, tapping was done through a computer. Today, when most conversations happen through mobile phones, authorities make a request to the service provider, which is bound by law to record the conversations on the given number and provide these in real time through a connected computer. • In the states, police have the powers to tap phones. At the Centre, 10 agencies are authorised to do so: Intelligence Bureau, CBI, Enforcement Directorate, Narcotics Control Bureau, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, National Investigation Agency, R&AW, Directorate of Signal Intelligence, and the Delhi Police Commissioner. Tapping by any other agency would be considered illegal. Phone tapping in India is governed by the The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. • Section 5(2) says that 'on the occurrence of any public emergency, or in the interest of the public safety', phone tapping can be done by the Centre or states if they are satisfied it is necessary in the interest of 'public safety', 'sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of an offence'. • Rule 419A of the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2007, says phone tapping orders 'shall not be issued except by an order made by the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs in the case of Government of India and by the Secretary to the State Government in-charge of the Home Department in the case of a State Government'. The order has to conveyed to the service provider in writing; only then can the tapping begin. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Telangana phone tapping case: 2 more senior police officers held IN PARLIAMENT Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill clears House 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: Rajya Sabha Wednesday passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, by voice vote, amidst protests by the members of the Opposition demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision(SIR) of electoral rolls currently underway in poll-bound Bihar. Key Points to Ponder: • The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025-know its key features • India's Maritime Sector-what you about the same? • The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 seeks to replace which pre independence legislation? • What is the significance of replacing the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 with the new Bill? Key Takeaways: • The House was adjourned for the day, just half an hour after the afternoon proceedings began, soon after the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill was passed. • When the members of the Opposition tried to raise a point of order, the Chair, Bhubaneswar Kalita, said he would allow a point of order only when there was order in the house. He then asked all the members to return to their seats. • Lok Sabha passed the Bill, which replaces the 1925 Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, in March this year. The Bill aligns India's maritime law with international conventions and seeks to modernise provisions governing the transport of goods by sea. • The Bill, which replaces the 1925 Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, aligns India's maritime law with international conventions and seeks to modernise provisions governing the transport of goods by sea. Do You Know: • The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024 was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 9, 2024. The Bill seeks to replace the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925. The Act establishes the responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities in case of goods carried from a port in India to another port in India or any other port in the world. The Act is in conformance with the International Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules of Law relating to Bills of Lading of August 1924 (Hague Rules) and subsequent amendments to it. • The Bill empowers the central government to: (i) issue directions for carrying out provisions of the Bill, and (ii) amend the schedule specifying rules applicable to bills of lading. A bill of lading refers to a document issued by a freight carrier to a shipper. It contains details such as the type, quantity, condition, and destination of goods being carried. The rules outline the responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities of goods carriers. • The bill adopts the Hague-Visby Rules, a globally accepted maritime standard also followed by countries like the United Kingdom. By replacing complexity with clarity, the legislation is expected to simplify maritime trade laws, reduce litigation risks, and enhance transparency and commercial efficiency in cargo movement by sea. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Lok Sabha passes Bill to simplify maritime regulations for shippers THE IDEAS PAGE Absence is abdication Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Salient features of the Representation of People's Act. What's the ongoing story: S Y Quraishi Writes: In the wake of controversial electoral roll revision, a boycott would be an abdication and a political blunder. Key Points to Ponder: • What you know about Special Intensive Revision (SIR)? • What is the controversy about Special Intensive Revision (SIR)? • Under which provision does the Election Commission of India (ECI) conduct a 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) of electoral rolls? • What is the primary objective of the 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) of electoral rolls? • How does Special Intensive Revision (SIR) impacts the credibility of elections? • What challenges are associated with maintaining accurate and inclusive electoral rolls in India? • How the SIR of electoral rolls can affect marginalized and migrant populations in Bihar? • What is the role of the Supreme Court in overseeing election matters and its response to petitions against the SIR? Key Takeaways: S Y Quraishi Writes: • In the festival of democracy that elections represent, participation is both a right and a responsibility. Yet, from time to time, political actors withdraw from this arena, hoping that their absence will make a louder statement than their presence. • The tactic of boycotting elections — either by political parties or segments of the electorate — has become a recurring feature across democracies, old and new. But history offers a sobering lesson: Election boycotts rarely succeed. Instead, they often backfire, weakening opposition forces and strengthening incumbents. • Calls for boycotting the upcoming elections in Bihar have gained ground in recent weeks, driven by serious apprehensions about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) ordered by the Election Commission (EC). • Critics allege that the SIR is being used as a tool for mass deletion of voter names, disproportionately affecting the poor, minorities and migrants. Reports of a lack of transparency in verification processes have fuelled public distrust. While concerns about electoral integrity must be addressed seriously — and urgently — by the EC, the call for a boycott as a political response deserves deeper scrutiny. • India, too, has witnessed its share of election boycotts — Punjab's 1992 assembly elections, for example. With the Shiromani Akali Dal boycotting, turnout plunged to as low as 13 per cent in some districts, and Beant Singh won on the votes of a tiny fraction of the electorate. The boycott handed Congress an easy victory and left democracy poorer for the lack of real competition. Do You Know: • The nomenclature 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) indicates that the ECI is exercising its discretionary powers under Section 21(3) of the 1950 law, which permits it to revise electoral rolls 'in such manner as it thinks fit'. For this exercise, the ECI has adopted a hybrid approach — combining door-to-door field verification that is characteristic of an intensive revision with elements of a summary revision, such as the reliance on existing electoral rolls to distribute enumeration forms. • According to the EC's June 24 order, all electors of Bihar had to submit enumeration forms by July 25 to make it to the draft roll to be published on August 1. From August 1 to September 1, the electors would have to submit documents, from a list of 11 specified by the EC in its order, to establish their eligibility. These documents would then be scrutinised and the final roll published on September 30, as per the schedule. • For those on the 2003 electoral roll, when the last intensive revision was done, the EC order says the extract of the roll would do. The 11 documents include caste certificate, matriculation/ educational certificate, passport and birth certificate, but not the widely held Aadhaar, Voter ID and ration card. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Bihar special roll revision: Volunteers will help electors get govt documents, says EC Previous year UPSC Main Question Covering similar theme: 📍Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees with particular reference to 'one nation – one election' principle. (2024) Nuclear dialogue, sans politics Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies II: India and its neighbourhood- relations. What's the ongoing story: Arun Prakash Writes: Since 1998, the Subcontinent has seen a few sporadic attempts at evolving confidence-building measures and nuclear risk reduction measures. But these are not enough, and a sustained dialogue is essential. Key Points to Ponder: • The 1999 Lahore MoU primarily aims what? • According to the article, what is described as not enough without sustained dialogue? • How the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima serves as a platform to reassess nuclear norms and risk in the Indo Pacific region, especially post Operation Sindoor? • 'Sustained dialogue is essential in the nuclear domain for South Asia'-discuss • How does the role of historical memory and symbolic anniversaries like Hiroshima's influences modern nuclear policy discourse in India? • In light of the article, how can renewed nuclear conversations contribute to preventing escalation in future India Pakistan crises? Key Takeaways: Arun Prakash Writes: • Lost in the thrust and parry of the parliamentary debate on Operation Sindoor were PM Narendra Modi's several references to Pakistan's 'nuclear threats' and 'nuclear blackmail'. They reflected a deliberate articulation of India's more assertive security doctrine, representing a calculated move to redefine the deterrence equation in South Asia. That India is prepared to act against terrorism regardless of Pakistan's 'nuclear bluff' is ostensibly intended to enhance India's deterrent credibility. • The three-way China-India-Pakistan nuclear relationship has created a complex web of interlocking deterrence. All three countries are modernising and expanding their nuclear arsenals and delivery systems. • Given the lack of transparency regarding nuclear arsenals and doctrines, and a marked reluctance to engage in a dialogue on measures to mitigate nuclear risk, the ongoing arms race can further destabilise the region, especially in a crisis such as Pahalgam. • August 6, the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, was a reminder of the horrors of a nuclear holocaust. We need to focus on the management of this complex dynamic and on the prevention of accidental or intentional escalation. • Since 1998, the Subcontinent has seen a few sporadic attempts at evolving confidence-building measures and nuclear risk reduction measures (NRRMs), including the 1999 Lahore MoU on measures to prevent accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons, the 2005 Agreement on Pre-Notification of Missile Tests, and the 2007 Agreement to Reduce Nuclear Risks. But these are not enough, and a sustained dialogue is essential. • In the context of NRRMs, serious note needs to be taken of media reports citing open-source intelligence that during Operation Sindoor, some of the Indian missiles that targeted Mushaf air base in Pakistan's Sargodha region and the Nur Khan air base near Rawalpindi had impacted in the close vicinity of either nuclear warhead storages or Pakistan's nuclear command and control nodes. Do You Know: • Hiroshima Day, observed on August 6 every year, marks the tragic anniversary of the atomic bombing of the Japanese city, Hiroshima, by the United States during World War II in 1945. • The bombing had been carried out by the B-29 bomber Enola Gay, nicknamed 'Little Boy', which exploded about 600 metres above Hiroshima, releasing an intense blast wave, high temperatures and lethal radiation, fatally killing an estimated 70,000-80,000 people instantly and about tens of thousands more dying from injuries and radiation exposure. • The city's infrastructure was destroyed, and survivors, known as Hibakusha, experienced long-term health problems and significant psychological trauma. • This year, in 2025, the day marks its 80th anniversary and will be observed on Wednesday, August 8 with this anniversary considered the last milestone event for many of them, as the number of survivors is rapidly declining, and their average age is now exceeding 86. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Hiroshima Day 2025: Date, history, significance — all you need to know 📍Man survived Hiroshima bombing, took a train out of the city, survived Nagasaki as well; James Cameron is going to make a movie on him EXPLAINED Rise of the herbicides Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies III: Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, – different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers. What's the ongoing story: Crop protection chemicals are commonly known as 'pesticides'. These are basically substances sprayed on crops to protect against insects ('pests') that cause damage, whether directly (by feeding on them) or indirectly (by transmitting disease). Key Points to Ponder: • What is herbicide? • What is the difference between a herbicide and a pesticide? • What is cited as the primary reason for the rising demand for herbicides in India? • Which two pesticide categories are losing market growth momentum compared to herbicides? • What traditional agricultural practice's decline is influencing herbicide demand? • What is the implication of switching to herbicides in terms of labour dynamics on Indian farms? • Know the socio-economic consequences of reduced demand for manual weeding in Indian agriculture. Key Takeaways: • India's organised domestic crop protection chemicals market is valued at roughly Rs 24,500 crore. • Take the white-backed plant hopper, a pest that both feeds on rice plants and also spreads the Fiji virus disease, resulting in their stunted growth. This 'dwarfing' disease has been reported by many paddy farmers in Punjab and Haryana during the current kharif growing season. The vector insect here injects the virus while sucking the sap from mostly young plants. • But crop protection chemicals aren't limited to insecticides. They also include fungicides (to control fungal diseases such as blast and sheath blight in rice or powdery mildew and rusts in wheat) and herbicides (to kill or inhibit the growth of weeds). • The largest segment within that is insecticides (Rs 10,700 crore), followed by herbicides (Rs 8,200 crore) and fungicides (Rs 5,600 crore). As the accompanying chart shows, it is the market for herbicides that's growing at the highest rate – over 10% annually. • Much of that is controlled by multinational companies: Bayer AG (which has an estimated 15% market share), Syngenta (12%), ADAMA (10%), Corteva Agriscience (7%) and Sumitomo Chemical (6%). While Bayer is German, Corteva is from the US and Sumitomo is Japanese, the Basel (Switzerland) and Ashdod (Israel)-headquartered Syngenta and ADAMA respectively are both owned by the Chinese state-owned Sinochem Holdings Corporation. • However, the herbicide segment has Indian players, too, such as Dhanuka Agritech (estimated 6% share) and Crystal Crop Protection Ltd (CCPL: 4%). CCPL recently purchased the rights to Ethoxysulfuron, a herbicide used against broad-leaved weeds and sedges in rice and sugarcane, from Bayer AG for sales in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Southeast Asian countries. • The deal, announced in January 2025, also covered the latter's 'Sunrice' trademark for mixture products containing this active ingredient. Earlier, in December 2023, CCPL had acquired 'Gramoxone', a broad-spectrum herbicide containing the active ingredient Paraquat, from Syngenta for sale in India. Do You Know: • Weeds, unlike insect pests and disease-causing pathogens, don't directly damage or destroy crops. Instead, they compete with them for nutrients, water and sunlight. Yield losses happen because the crops are deprived of these essential resources. Besides growing at their expense, weeds sometimes even harbour pests and pathogens inflicting further harm. • Weed control has traditionally been through manual removal by hand or simple lightweight short-handled tools with flat blades such as khurpi. There are also power weeders with 3-10 horsepower engine capacity that can be run between rows of standing crops to remove weeds in and around those spaces. • Farmers generally spray insecticides and fungicides only when they physical observe and assess the pest population or disease incidence to be significant enough to impact crop yield and quality/marketability. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Explained: Biostimulants that aid plant growth, now under the Centre's scrutiny Why Sylheti, spoken by millions in Northeast, is not a 'Bangladeshi language' Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies I:Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. What's the ongoing story: Amid a roiling controversy triggered by a Delhi Police letter seemingly referring to Bengali as the 'Bangladeshi national language,' a social media post by BJP leader Amit Malviya has sparked an outcry in Assam's Barak Valley. Key Points to Ponder: • What is Sylheti? • What is the history of its speakers? • Which unique script is historically associated with Sylheti, though termed 'esoteric' by some scholars? • The article highlights that Sylheti is spoken in Assam's Barak Valley and which two other Indian regions? • What is the role of mutual intelligibility in determining whether Sylheti is a language or a dialect? • Know the sociolinguistic status of Sylheti vis-à-vis Standard Bengali within Bangladesh. • Why have Malviya's comments touched a raw nerve in Assam? Key Takeaways: • In his defence of the letter, Malviya claimed it was referring to 'a set of dialects, syntax, and speech patterns that are distinctly different from the Bangla spoken in India', and gave the example of 'Sylhelti' as being 'nearly incomprehensible to Indian Bengalis'. • Sylheti is spoken on both sides of the border, in the Sylhet Division of Bangladesh as well as the Barak Valley Division of southern Assam. There is also a sizable presence of Sylheti-speakers in neighbouring Meghalaya and Tripura. • The primary argument for referring to Sylheti as a dialect of Bengali — and not a language in its own right — is mutual intelligibility, that is, speakers of both tongues understand each other. However, there is scholarly disagreement on the matter. • 'The claim of mutual intelligibility by some speakers of both Sylheti and Bengali may be more an effect of the speakers' exposure to both languages,' linguists Candide Simard, Sarah M Dopierala, and E Marie Thaut wrote in their paper 'Introducing the Sylheti language and its speakers' (2020). • 'Sylheti-speaking areas of Bangladesh and India are characterised by diglossia, where standard Bengali is the language of education and literacy and Sylheti is the vernacular variety used in everyday interactions,' the linguists wrote. • Speakers on both sides of the border nonetheless have a strong affinity to the Bengali language, and often identify as Bengali themselves. Do You Know: • Tapodhir Bhattacharjee, a former vice-chancellor of Assam University Silchar and a Bengali literary theorist, said that the primary difference between the Sylheti dialect and standardised Bengali is phonetic, while the two are almost identical in morphology and syntax. • While Bhattacharjee recognises that there was once a Sylhet-Nagri script — the existence of a unique system of writing is often seen as a marker of a language — he refers to it as an 'esoteric script'. • Historian Ashfaque Hossain refers to Sylhet as historically being 'a frontier of Bengal'. • The present-day Sylhet Division in Bangladesh, comprising the districts of Habibganj, Sunamganj, Sylhet, and Moulvibazar, was made a part of Assam soon after it was split from Bengal in 1874. • Geographically contiguous with Cachar in the Bengali-majority Barak Valley, between 1874 and 1947, Sylhet witnessed a sustained churn over the question of whether it should be a part of Assam or Bengal. 'On one side, this was a matter of Bengali versus Assamese, and on the other, Hindu versus Muslim,' Hossain wrote. • Historian Anindita Dasgupta wrote in 'Remembering Sylhet: A Forgotten Story of India's 1947 Partition', '… the Hindus of Sylhet demanded for a return to the more 'advanced' Bengal, whereas the Muslims by and large preferred to remain in Assam where its leaders, along with the Assamese Muslims, found a more powerful political voice…' • The story of Sylheti migration to parts of present-day Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura, however, is even older. Dasgupta wrote about 'Sylheti Hindu bhodrolok' who were 'economic migrants' across the region. • Malviya's claim of the dialect being 'a shorthand for the linguistic markers used to profile illegal immigrants from Bangladesh' has thus drawn strong reactions not only from the BJP's political opponents in the Barak Valley but from within the party. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Letter from Delhi Police refers to Bangla as 'Bangladeshi language', TMC demands apology For any queries and feedback, contact 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. Priya Kumari Shukla is a Senior Copy Editor in the Indian Express (digital). She contributes to the UPSC Section of Indian Express (digital) and started niche initiatives such as UPSC Key, UPSC Ethics Simplified, and The 360° UPSC Debate. The UPSC Key aims to assist students and aspirants in their preparation for the Civil Services and other competitive examinations. It provides valuable guidance on effective strategies for reading and comprehending newspaper content. The 360° UPSC Debate tackles a topic from all perspectives after sorting through various publications. The chosen framework for the discussion is structured in a manner that encompasses both the arguments in favour and against the topic, ensuring comprehensive coverage of many perspectives. Prior to her involvement with the Indian Express, she had affiliations with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) as well as several coaching and edutech enterprises. In her prior professional experience, she was responsible for creating and refining material in various domains, including article composition and voiceover video production. She has written in-house books on many subjects, including modern India, ancient Indian history, internal security, international relations, and the Indian economy. She has more than eight years of expertise in the field of content writing. Priya holds a Master's degree in Electronic Science from the University of Pune as well as an Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from the esteemed Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, widely recognised as one of the most prestigious business schools in India. She is also an alumni of Jamia Milia Islamia University Residential Coaching Academy (RCA). Priya has made diligent efforts to engage in research endeavours, acquiring the necessary skills to effectively examine and synthesise facts and empirical evidence prior to presenting their perspective. Priya demonstrates a strong passion for reading, particularly in the genres of classical Hindi, English, Maithili, and Marathi novels and novellas. Additionally, she possessed the distinction of being a cricket player at the national level. Qualification, Degrees / other achievements: Master's degree in Electronic Science from University of Pune and Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta ... Read More
Indian Express
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
UPSC Mains 2025 Revision Checklist : Top 15 Polity and Governance topics aspirants shouldn't miss
Are you UPSC Mains Ready? The UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2025 will be conducted from August 22. Every subject has its challenges, especially with the growing bank of topics they incorporate. In General Studies Paper II, the challenges seem even greater, as the vast syllabus is highly dynamic. Connecting the dots between the syllabus and current developments becomes an essential (yet exhausting) part of preparation. To make your Mains preparation journey easier, here's a checklist of important Polity and Governance current affairs topics with PYQ insights based on the syllabus of General Studies-II, to better understand why the given topic is relevant. Are they part of your revision plan yet? 📌 Why in News? In September, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to conduct simultaneous elections in India, as a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind recommended. This reignited the debate over 'One Nation One Election' (ONOE). Some believe that simultaneous elections would benefit the citizens, while others argue that it would undermine the basic structure of the Constitution of India. Key dimensions to cover: • What does 'One Nation, One Election' mean? • History of simultaneous elections in India. • Recommendations of the Kovind committee. • Benefits of implementing simultaneous elections. • Challenges and concerns associated with simultaneous elections. PYQ Insight: 📍Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees with particular reference to 'one nation – one election' principle. (UPSC CSE 2024) 📍'Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government's accountability to the people' Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2017) 📌 Why in News? On 1st January 2025, Niti Aayog During the 10th NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting held on May 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the goal of Viksit Bharat and urged state governments to focus on sectors like manufacturing and services, tourism, and to find ways to leverage the Free Trade Agreements India is signing with several countries. NITI Aayog drives this vision forward by actively supporting states through various initiatives and mechanisms, premised on the belief that strong States make a strong nation. But how does this premier policy think tank of the Government of India advance this vision? In what ways does it foster cooperative and competitive federalism? What are the significant initiatives it has launched since its inception? Key dimensions to cover: • How does NITI Aayog reflect the principle of 'Strong States, Strong Nation' in its functioning? • What are the four broad areas under which NITI Aayog's activities are classified? • Initiatives or programmes launched by Niti Aayog to improve delivery of centrally sponsored schemes. • In what ways does NITI Aayog promote federal cooperation while maintaining competitive development among states? 📌 Why in News? An amendment to a section in the Right to Information (RTI) Act proposed by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 restricting access to personal information about public officials has drawn criticism from the opposition, civil society groups and from within as well. The RTI Act, which came into force in October 2005, was seen as a significant development towards freedom of information. It gave ordinary citizens the right to request information from government bodies, making authorities accountable for their actions and decisions. As a result, RTI is seen as a tool for citizens' empowerment, promoting democratic participation, and improving the transparency and accountability of public officials. As RTI completes 20 year this year, it becomes important to cover this topic for exam. Key dimensions to cover: • What is RTI? • What led to the establishment of the RTI Act in 2005, and how has it influenced freedom of information in India? • Significance of RTI • RTI Amendments • How might the amendment proposed by the data protection law further affect the RTI Act's effectiveness, particularly in terms of information disclosure? • What challenges or limitations does the RTI Act face in ensuring full transparency and accountability? PYQ Insight: 📍The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens' empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability.' Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2018) 📌 Why in News? The Emergency was imposed 50 years ago on June 25, 1975. The 21-month period that followed was marked by the suspension of civil liberties, curtailment of press freedom, mass arrests, cancellation of elections, and rule by decree. Thus, it becomes important to cover this topic for mains exam. Key dimensions to cover: • What is meant by 'the Emergency' in modern Indian political history and what does the Constitution say about emergencies? • How many types of emergencies are recognised by the Indian Constitution? • Historical & social context that led to the proclamation of the National Emergency in 1975? • What were the major constitutional implications during and post-1975 National Emergency? • Constitutional lessons from the 1975 national emergency? PYQ Insight: Revisiting different types of emergency provisions under the Constitution UPSC has previously asked questions on financial emergencies and President's Rule; the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Emergency makes national emergency a probable area for GS Paper-II. 📍Account for the legal and political factors responsible for the reduced frequency of using Article 356 by the Union Governments since mid-1990s. (UPSC CSE 2023) 📍Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force? (UPSC CSE 2018) 📌 Why in News? The government has formally announced that the 16th Census of India will take place in two phases, with the reference dates set as March 1, 2027, for most of the country and October 1, 2026, for snow-bound and remote regions such as Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. This census marks a significant milestone: it will include the first nationwide caste enumeration since 1931. Notification under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948, came out in the Gazette on June 16 with house-listing and housing enumeration running for several months before the population count begins in early 2027. This Census is connected to two significant outcomes: the delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies, which has been on hold for the last fifty years, and the implementation of women's reservation in Parliament. Key dimensions to cover: • What is the census? Why does the census matter? • How has the census evolved historically in India? • How is the census conducted in India? • How will the 16th Census be different from the 2011 Census? • Census' importance for the economy and policymaking. • What is delimitation? • How are census data and delimitation related? • History of delimitation in India • How does the process of delimitation work? • Is the Delimitation Commission's decision beyond judicial review? • Why is delimitation needed? PYQ Insight: The topics of census and delimitation are relevant for the UPSC CSE as they pertain to governance, population dynamics, and electoral processes. Additionally, UPSC has previously asked questions on delimitation multiple times in prelims; thus, it becomes essential to cover this topic for mains. 📌 Why in News? The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) on April 30 approved the inclusion of caste data in the upcoming population census. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made the announcement, underscoring the constitutional framework that makes Census a Union subject. The move revives a long-standing debate over caste-based enumeration and its use in governance, policy, and politics. In this context, it becomes essential for aspirants to understand caste and census from a broader perspective. Key dimensions to cover: • What is caste? • What is the historical basis of caste in India? • What is the history of caste census in India? • What are the potential benefits and issues associated with a caste census? 📌 Why in News? On December 10, 2024, the Opposition submitted a notice for a motion of no confidence against Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar. It was the first time that a no-confidence motion was present against a vice president in India's parliamentary history. Although the motion was not passed, still it becomes important to know about the office of Vice President of India. Key dimensions to cover: • What are the constitutional provisions regarding the office of the Vice-President of India? • How is the Vice-President of India elected? • What are the powers and functions of the Vice-President of India, especially as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha? • What is the procedure for the removal of the Vice-President of India? • Is there any precedent of a no-confidence resolution being moved against the Rajya Sabha Chairman? PYQ Insight: The Office of the Vice-President holds significance for the UPSC CSE as it is an important constitutional position. Previously, UPSC has asked questions related to this topic. 📍Discuss the role of the Vice-President of India as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. (UPSC CSE 2022) 📌 Why in News? The election of Om Birla as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha drawn attention to the different aspects of the office of the Speaker in our parliamentary democracy. In this context, it is important to understand the office of the Speaker in Lok Sabha from a broader perspective. Notably, the presiding officer of India's Lower House of Parliament, the Lok Sabha Speaker, is the constitutional and ceremonial head of the House. Key dimensions to cover: • What are the constitutional mandates related to the Speaker? • How is the Speaker elected? • What are the roles and powers of the Speaker? • Is a speaker always a speaker? • Why should the speaker rise above party loyalties and be 'neutral'? PYQ Insight: 📍'Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker'! Do you think this practice should be adopted to impart objectivity to the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha? What could be its implications for the robust functioning of parliamentary business in India? (UPSC CSE 2020) The Election Commission of India (ECI) plays a crucial role in ensuring transparent, free and fair elections. But what is the ECI, how did it come into existence and evolve? What is the composition and responsibilities of the body? Most importantly, what does the Constitution say about it? As ECI is an important topic of UPSC CSE syllabus covering it for Mains becomes important. Key dimensions to cover: • Discuss the functions of the Election Commission of India? • How does the Election Commission of India manage the election process? • Evaluate the functions of the Election Commission of India in the light of the Model Code of Conduct. • What do you understand by the delimitation? Discuss the constitutional provisions which deal with it? • What are the challenges for the Election Commission of India in conducting elections and how should it deal with them? PYQ Insight: 📍Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct. (2022) 📌 Why in News? There are numerous examples available in the history of Parliament and State Assemblies where Members of Parliament (MPs) or Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have changed their party. These activities led to the frequent falling of governments. In this context, it is important to cover this topic. Key dimensions to cover: • What is the anti-defection law? What are its major features? • How effective it is. Is there a need to reform the law? • Anti-defection law and nominated members • Process of disqualification • Three-test formula of the Supreme Court • Limitations of the anti-defection law • Major recommendations of various committees on reforming the anti-defection law. PYQ Insight: 📍The role of individual MPs (Members of Parliament) has diminished over the years and as a result healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law which was legislated but with a different intention? (UPSC CSE 2013) 📌 Why in News? The Supreme Court recently reprimanded the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for 'crossing all limits' and 'violating the federal structure' by conducting raids on government-run liquor retailer Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC). Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai described the central agency's actions against the State corporation as a violation of the Constitution's federal structure. Notably, the TASMAC case is not the first time the apex court has pulled up the ED. Earlier this month, the Court criticised the body for making 'allegations without any reference to anything' in a liquor scam case in Chhattisgarh. In another case in Chhattisgarh, it had called out the agency for paying scant heed to the 'fundamental rights of the accused'. These developments warrant revisiting the formation and evolution of India's economic intelligence agency, and its role in enforcing economic laws and combating financial crimes. Key dimensions to cover: • Evolution of India's economic intelligence agency • Mandate to enforce laws • ED's power and federal structure • Concerns over operational independence • Key laws enforced by the Enforcement Directorate. • How does the Enforcement Directorate's role intersect with federal principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution? • What is the significance of the Enforcement Directorate's powers to attach and confiscate property under different laws like PMLA, FEMA, and FEOA? 📌 Why in News? As India remains committed to achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, efforts to strengthen governance through collaborative federalism and technological integration have acquired greater momentum. In this pursuit, e-governance has emerged as an effective tool as it helps promote transparency, efficiency, and citizen-centric service delivery through digital tools. Key dimensions to cover: • What is e-governance? • Evolution of e-governance • Principles of e-governance • Describe its four pillars of e-governance evaluating how they interact to make governance more efficient. • E-governance: benefits and challenges • E-governance has the potential to bridge the gap between the state and society. Evaluate in the context of rural-urban digital divides. • How far has e-governance addressed the issue of corruption and inefficiency in Indian public administration? Explain with examples. • Evaluate the role of initiatives like Digital India, UMANG, and BharatNet in enhancing the reach and effectiveness of e-governance. • How does the emphasis on governance and best practices during recent meetings such as NDA conclaves reflect the growing importance of e-governance in India's development model? 📌 Why in News? Recognising the significant role of panchayats in local governance, the government on April 9 launched the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) – 'a key metric for assessing progress at the grassroots level and aiding in the formulation of localised strategies and targets for inclusive rural development'. Additionally, the 2024 index published by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the effort towards addressing the practice of 'Pradhan Pati' or 'Mukhiya Pati' speaks volumes about the significance attached to the Panchayat Raj Institutions in strengthening an inclusive grassroots governance. Key dimensions to cover: • Evolution of Panchayati Raj Institutions • Evaluating local governance. • What were the earliest references to local self-governance? How did colonial administrative reforms, such as Lord Mayo's resolution of 1870, shape the early structure of village governance? • The 73rd and 74th amendment to the Constitution. • How does the Ministry of Panchayati Raj assess the performance of these institutions across different states? What are the core dimensions of the Panchayat Devolution Index, and how has it evolved since its inception in 2004? • How does the e-Gram Swaraj application aim to improve Panchayat functioning? • Despite constitutional backing and digital interventions, why do Panchayati Raj Institutions still struggle with financial autonomy and transparency? Suggest the way forward. • Urban local bodies. Devolution of powers to urban local bodies. • Significance of empowering local bodies for effective urban governance in India. • How did the introduction of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) change urban governance in India? • Key challenges faced by urban local bodies. What steps can be taken to further empower these local bodies to address complex urban challenges? • How can municipal governance reforms help cities respond more effectively to urban challenges? PYQ Insight: 📍To what extent, in your opinion, has the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots? (UPSC CSE 2022) 📍Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources can the Panchayats look out for financing developmental projects? (UPSC CSE 2018) 📌 Why in News? The Supreme Court in March sought the Centre's response on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the current practice of appointing the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) – India's apex audit body. The PIL argues that the existing executive-controlled process violates the Constitution and seeks an independent selection committee for appointing CAG. This comes amid recent CAG reports, such as on the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy and on the Functioning of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), which have highlighted irregularities in public fund management and led to debates about the CAG's independence and its relationship with the executive branch. Key dimensions to cover: • Which constitutional article governs the appointment of the CAG, and how does the PIL regarding the appointment of the CAG argue that the current process violates it? • Constitutional Provisions related to the duties, and audit reports of the auditor general. • CAG as a key pillar of financial administration. • Why have concerns about political or executive influence over CAG appointments been raised? What could be possible ways to address this? • What are the main criticisms of CAG? • Why is the CAG remains a crucial institution? • How to address tensions between CAG and the executive? PYQ Insight: 📍'The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very vital role to play.' Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as well as the range of powers he can exercise. (UPSC CSE 2018) 📍Exercise of CAG's powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and the States is derived from Article 149 of the Indian Constitution. Discuss whether audit of the Government's policy implementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction.(UPSC CSE 2016) 📌 Why in News? On October 21, Sonam Wangchuk, a Ladakh-based activist, ended his indefinite fast after receiving a letter from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs regarding future discussions on the administration of the Union Territory. Wangchuk and other activists are advocating for increased autonomy in Ladakh's governance. Their demand for greater autonomy is an example of regionalism, where specific regions seek to assert their identities, governance structures, and resources. Moreover, the recent discussions on One Nation, One Election have further resurfaced debates about regionalism, highlighting the necessity of finding a balance between national unity and regional aspirations. Key dimensions to cover: • What is regionalism? What has been the basis for it in pre- and post-independent India? • Causes and types of regionalism. • Difference between regionalism and nationalism. • Regionalism in post-independent India • How do cultural, ethnic, religious, or linguistic identities influence regionalist aspirations in India? • Constitution and regionalism • How did the concept of regionalism evolve in India following independence, particularly in relation to linguistic identity? • Impacts of regionalism. PYQ Insight: 📍Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural assertiveness? Argue. (UPSC CSE 2020) 📍What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer. (UPSC CSE 2020) 📍Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in the generation of demand for a separate state. Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2013) 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 Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
India.com
02-08-2025
- General
- India.com
Meet UPSC topper Taruni Pandey, quit MBBS, cracked UPSC with just 120 days preparation and no coaching, her AIR was..., she is now...
IAS Taruni Pandey (File) UPSC Success Story: The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is arguably one of the toughest recruitment tests in India, and requires years of preparation and dedicated coaching classes to prepare aspirants for the formidable examination. However, there a few who, on the back of their sheer dedication and singular focus, are able to achieve the impossible by acing the tough exam with just a few months of self-study and zero coaching. One such inspirational story is that of UPSC topper IAS Taruni Pandey, who quit her MBBS studies to pursue her dream of becoming a civil servant, an achieved that goal with just four months of dedicated preparation. Who is IAS Taruni Pandey? Born in middle-income household in Chittaranjan, West Bengal, but raised in Jamtara, Jharkhand, Taruni Pandey had an education-oriented and studious environment at home as both her parents are government employees. Growing up, Taruni was always an exceptional student in school and desired to become a doctor. After her schooling, Taruni Pandey earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English literature from IGNOU, and later pursued her dream of becoming a doctor, but fate had something else in store for her as health issues forced her to quit her MBBS studies during her second year, and prompting the young woman to explore new career avenues. How a tragic event inspired Taruni Pandey for UPSC? A crucial moment, which changed Taruni's perspective on life, and inspired her to become an IAS officer, came when her brother-in-law, a CRPF captain, was martyred in action. The event took a toll on her, but also served as an inspiration as she witnessed IAS officers and top bureaucrats coming forward to help her family. Taruni made up her mind and immediately engrossed herself in preparation for UPSC CSE by relying on self-study, online resources such as YouTube, and her own notes. Unlike majority of aspirants, Taruni Pandey did not opt for coaching classes and instead trusted her own study plan to crack the tough exam. What was her All-India Rank (AIR)? After just four months or 120 days of preparation, Taruni Pandey was ready to appear in the 2020 UPSC Prelims, but COVID-19 outbreak derailed her plans. This was a major setback as Taruni realized that her next UPSC attempt would be her last because of the age limit for Open Merit or general category candidates. However, Taruni's hard work and dedication bore fruit when she aced the UPSC CSE in 2021 with an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 14, and achieved her dream of becoming an IAS officer.
India.com
10-07-2025
- General
- India.com
Meet IAS Sreenath K, worked as coolie, used free railway station Wi-Fi to study, cracked UPSC with AIR..., he is now...
IAS Sreenath K once worked as a coolie at a railway station in Kerala. (File) IAS Sreenath K Success Story: The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is arguably the toughest recruitment test in India, and often requires extensive preparation and dedicated coaching for aspirants to crack the formidable exam. However, there are some who do not even have enough resources to purchase books for self-study, and have to rely on innovative methods to prepare for the UPSC exam. One such heartwarming example of IAS Sreenath K, an IAS officer from Kerala, who once worked as a coolie (porter) at a railway station, and used the free Wi-Fi service at the station to study for UPSC on his mobile phone. Who is IAS Sreenath K? A resident of Munnar in Kerala, Sreenath K came from a poverty-ridden background, and worked as a porter at the Ernakulam railway station, earning a modest Rs 400-500 daily which was barely enough support his family. But despite his adverse financial situation, Sreenath persevered and did not give up on his dreams of becoming an IAS officer. However, the path was arduous as he did not even have enough money to buy the recommended study material for UPSC examination. Yet, the enterprising man devised a way to turn his dire situation into opportunity. How Sreenath K prepared for UPSC CSE? In several interviews post his UPSC success, IAS Sreenath K revealed how he used free Wi-Fi available at the railway station to prepare for UPSC exams on his mobile. Sreenath would toil hard during the day to earn a livelihood, and study for almost the entire night with the help of f YouTube videos, mock tests and free online study material. Sreenath K's hard work and perseverance ultimately bore fruit when he cracked the UPSC CSE in 2018, scoring an impressive 82% in the written part of the CSE, according to reports. While his exact All-India Rank (AIR) is not known, logic dictates that Sreenath K achieved a good rank as he was accorded the prestigious IAS cadre. The heartwarming success story of IAS Sreenath K serves as an inspiration to millions of young aspirants who lack resources to fund their preparation for tough competitive examinations such as the UPSC CSE.
