World is changing fast today: The world of today is evolving rapidly. Structurally, we are seeing a re-emergence of great power contestation (now between the US and China) unlike any we have seen since the end of the Cold War (when it was between the US and Soviet). Fragmented world emerging: A rising China is challenging the fundamentals of the
Read moreIndia and Paris Agreement: The Paris agreement that India signed in 2015, was India’s inflexion point (moment of dramatic change) in its fight against pollution. Specifically, under the Paris agreement, India committed to meet three targets by 2030: Cut greenhouse gas emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35% (vs 2005 levels) Increase non-fossil fuel-based power capacity to 40% Create an
Read moreGlobal efforts at diversifying supply chains: Global companies have stepped up efforts of diversifying their supply chains in the wake of the Covid-19-induced disruptions and US-China trade tensions. They are looking to implement the ‘China Plus One’ strategy i.e., not depending on China alone for any supplies, and looking for more locations. For example, large companies like HP have taken
Read moreCovid-19 impacted the economy hard: Given India’s population density and modest health infrastructure, the government had no option but to order a complete lockdown when coronavirus reached India’s shores. As the country stayed indoors, the economy was dealt a crushing blow. Preparing for post-Covid world: While both the central government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have announced mega
Read moreAbout: Locusts Locusts are a group of short-horned grasshoppers, that are about the length of 6-8 centimeters. According to the FAO, eggs can hatch in about two weeks, with locusts maturing to adulthood in two to four months on average. They multiply in numbers as they migrate long distances in destructive swarms (up to 150 km in one day), which can contain as
Read moreHeadline : Retributive justice Editorial 6th Dec’19 TheHindu Details : Outcry for women’s safety after Hyderabad incident: The heinous rape and murder of a veterinarian in Hyderabad in late November shook the collective conscience of India. It resulted in an outcry for justice for the victim and outrage over the persisting lack of safety for women in public spaces. Creates societal
Read moreHeadline : An independent fiscal watchdog for Parliament Editorial 21st Sep’19 TheHindu Details : Access to all of good quality analysis on economic, fiscal or financial matters is important for democracy: For an effective democracy, it is important for our electorate and the representatives to have an independent, non-partisan source for these hard facts and evidence. This is particularly important for our Parliament,
Read moreHeadline : Price controls can do more harm than good Editorial 3rd Sep’19 Livemint Details : Logic behind pricing of pharmaceutical products: Many healthcare products such as pharmaceutical drugs require years of research and millions of dollars to develop. Even after that, there is always the risk of a new medicine failing to pass human trials. As an incentive for research and
Read moreHeadline : Putting the pedal to the metal Editorial 6th Sep’19 TheHindu Details : Automobile industry: The automobile industry is notoriously cyclical (that is, it sees frequent cycles of ups and downs). It is also a lead indicator for economic growth. The industry is also a lead indicator for economic growth. It has been slowing down for about an year, indicating the
Read moreHeadline : Bank merger announcement is a needless distraction Editorial 5th Sep’19 IndianExpress Details : Public Sector Bank (PSB) merger: In a major reform measure, the Union Finance Ministry has announced the merger of 10 public sector banks (PSBs) into four entities. Seen as a response to slowdown: The announcement comes in the wake of growth sinking to a six-year low,
Read moreHeadline : Science for disaster management Editorial 31st Aug’19 TimesOfIndia Details : Managing disaster and emergency risks: In an increasingly interconnected world, disaster and emergency risks are becoming more complex and difficult to manage. Therefore, it is critically important to optimise the application of scientific and technological capabilities to understand, reduce and manage disaster and emergency risks. Telegram: https://t.me/UpscExpress http://www.upscexpress.com Use
Read moreHeadline : A road map to transforming India’s energy Editorial 30th Aug’19 HindustanTimes Details : India progressing: Forty years ago, India barely had a car manufacturer, was way behind in the space race, and had an insignificant IT sector. Today, India is the world’s fourth largest car manufacturer, and is set to become only the fourth country to land on the moon.
Read moreHeadline : India’s water crisis: All stakeholders must come together Editorial 29th Aug’19 HindustanTimes Details : Water stress in India: India is home to 17% of world’s population, but has only 4% of the world’s fresh water resources. At present, 75% of Indian households do not have access to drinking water, and close to 90% of rural households have no access to
Read moreHeadline : Appointment of CDS will fill a void in India’s defence system Editorial 16th Aug’19 IndianExpress Details : PM announcing the creation of CDS: One of the most significant announcements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day in 2019 is the creation of a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). The CDS is expected to be a four-star military
Read more1) Incisive interventions that blunt the RTI’s edge Editorial 10th Aug’19 TheHindu https://upscexpress.com/2019/08/10/incisive-interventions-that-blunt-the-rtis-edge-editorial-10th-aug19-thehindu/ 2) While the frequency of forest fire appears to have increased in the country, India’s approach towards forest fire management has significant gaps. Elucidate. (10 marks) https://upscexpress.com/2019/08/10/while-the-frequency-of-forest-fire-appears-to-have-increased-in-the-country-indias-approach-towards-forest-fire-management-has-significant-gaps-elucidate-10-marks-2/ 3) What is the significance of the UN Security Council? Discuss the need for reforms in the UNSC. (15 marks)
Read moreHeadline : RBI has done its bit, now over to the government Editorial 9th Aug’19 HindustanTimes Details : Rate cut by RBI: Inflation is within control. The economy is slowing down. RBI has lowered its growth projections for the first half of the year sharply. The RBI’s projections indicate that it expects growth to improve in the second half of the year,
Read moreHeadline : Five actions to turbocharge India’s public healthcare Editorial 7th Apr’19 IndianExpress Details : India’s rising population has great health services need: India has the world’s second largest population which went from 760 million in 1985 and doubled in size by 2015. This rapid rise in population has not seen an appropriate increase in health services for the population. But Budgetary allocation
Read moreHeadline : Languages and civilisation Editorial 5th Apr’19 IndianExpress Details : Importance of language: Language is a tool for intellectual and emotional expression. Language is a vehicle for the transmission of culture, scientific knowledge and a worldview across generations. It is the vital, unseen thread that links the past with the present. The great Indian poet Acharya Dandi had said that if
Read moreHeadline : Time for India to relook the agricultural sector Editorial 30th Mar’19 FinancialExpress Details : India’s progress in agriculture: India has made significant strides in agriculture and food security since independence. It has transformed from a food deficit nation to ensuring its food security despite an almost four-fold increase in population. But time has come to relook at agriculture in India:
Read moreHeadline : A-SAT tech gives India diplomatic bargaining power Editorial 28th Mar’19 LiveMint Details : Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile test: India has successfully conducted an Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile test. Conducting the test under Mission Shakti, India demonstrated the capability to destroy a satellite in the low earth orbit (LEO) at about 300 km above the earth’s surface, using an anti-satellite missile. The Defence Research
Read moreChina slowdown presents India an opportunity to shine Editorial 20th Feb’19 LiveMint Details : Middle income trap: Many countries that have succeeded in moving out of mass poverty (through rapid economic growth) have struggled in their effort to move to mass prosperity. Research by economists showed that the most common point when inertia sets in (that is per capita income
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