Topics of General Interest:

1. Indian Polity and Governance:

a. Corruption- 85th rank in Corruption perception index, UN Convention against
Corruption → Coercive and Collusive
■ Auditing/ accounting/recording by blockchain technology, QR codes/
anonymous forms in offices, Citizen report cards- annual confidential
report, performance linked incentive
■ Faceless assessment and appeals (IT)--vivad se vishwas
■ e-RUPI (voucher based digital payment system) → cashless

l
■ GeM (govt e-marketplace)(for public procurement)
■ PRAGATI → transparency

ya
■ Compulsory retirement
■ The Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in Rajasthan, a

Go
well-known NGO, started uncovering corruption in local public works by
gaining access to employment rolls, vouchers, beneficiary lists, and
completion and utilization certificates and then, handing them over to
the concerned villagers for scrutiny in public hearings called Jan
ha

Sunwai.
■ Mission karmyogi–role based approach
Ne

■ 2nd ARC: Ethics in Governance

● Limit on party expenditure during elections
● False declaration during election should be subject to
disqualification
.

● Code of ethics for Ministers and representatives and

Dr

independent oversight for the same (currently only code of

conduct)

b. Ladakh Issue
■ Land
■ Employment
■ Statehood
■ Schedule -6 –already recommended by NCST
■ POTENTIAL
1. DARK SKY RESERVE (devoid of light pollution)
2. Food processing
3. Ayush- sowa rigpa
4.
 c. Collegium System for Judicial Appointment
■ Collegium system remains the law of the land → but needs reform
■ Judiciary needs to be more transparent (reasoned argument needed in all
cases and not on case by case basis)
■ Judiciary and the executive need to iron out differences
■ Way ahead:
1. An independent body, line in UK, Sri Lanka → with membership
from executive, legislature, however with judicial primacy
d. Public Data Protection Bill, Right to privacy
e. Election related issues: Remote voting, electoral bonds
f. Governance: Passport Seva Kendras (good implementation of citizen charters)
g. Online Gaming, e-sports

l
h. In what ways has Nepal’s porous border impacted your state ?
i. Hindi should be the national language .What is your opinion?

ya
■ Considering the linguistic diversity of India, imposition may lead to
alienation of people
■ To promote use of Hindi → constitutional mandate (article 351)

Go
■ Rather, promote the usage of Hindi (like in of Kendriya Vidyalayas of
different states), as is the constitutional duty
2. Indian Economy:
Report card
ha
● India is expected to grow 5-7%(This is real and not nominal) as per various
reports, poised to be world’s fastest economy (as compared to global growth rate
of 1-2%)
Ne

● By 2047→ $26 tn (currently $ 3.7 tn-NSO DATA) and per capita income $15,000
(currently $1900)
● Indirect and direct tax collections saw healthy growth
● Agriculture continue to be growing 3-4% even during the pandemic
.

● Demographic dividend for alteast mid 2030s

● Share of exports in GDP has increased
Dr

● Inflation came down below the 6% (5.7%)

Challenges
● CAD rose to 4.4%
● Non-tax revenue revenue (disinvestments proceeds etc.) targets not realised
○ Reasons: Pandemic induced deleveraging, foreign outflows→ haste not
required otherwise value of public assets may not be realised
● Appreciation of $ (due to tightening monetary policy by US Feds,making imports
costlier)
● Global recession; making exports prospects dim (although FTAs with UAE,
Australia might help)
a. Amrit Kaal (4 I)-
■ Innovation
■ Inclusive Development
■ Infrastructure
 ■ Investment
b. Expectations from Budget for FY24-
■ Sustained capex required
1. SOCIAL SECTOR+ PHYSICAL
2. All the while maintaining the road map of fiscal consolidation
■ Industrial sector (Solar panels, mobiles, textiles etc.)- inverted duty
structure
■ EV hub
1. Battery scrappage and allied stuff→ eventually the entire supply
chain to promote circular economy
2. Norway (70% EVs) –> electricity subsidy,
■ Multi-state cooperatives- to promote export

l
1. Eg: → multiple companies/cooperatives →like for dairy, sugar,
spices, fertilizers etc → along with handholding → to promote

ya
export
2. (https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1890313)
■ Agriculture:

Go
1. Millet(Intl. Year of millets)→ Crop diversification, FPI (Superfoods,
exports), drought resistance, micronutrients (to tackle hidden
hunger)
2. Last year: ZBNF, Drone-as-a-service (Kisan drones?),
ha
NMEO(Edible oil), Kisan Rail(for better price realisation for
farmers), Krishi Udaan (in 58 airports for perishable goods →1.95
L mt of perishables)
Ne

a. Ministry of Civil Aviation → UDAN, Krishi Udan, Drone

rules, DigiYatra (online check-in, facial recognition for
security)
3. Agri entrepreneurship and startups (Agriwave→Supply chain,
.

Dehat→ forward and backward linkages)--> some kind of

impact-linked incentive
Dr

4. Innovative→ Farm-to-plate on lines of ONDC(like Tarkari Mart of

Bihar govt.) (for better supply chain management and involvement
of pvt. sectors and startups )
5. Hawker network may be used for supply chain → to reduce cost
along the supply chain

c. Should allocation and sectors of PLI be increased?

■ Already allocation of Rupees 2L crore in 14 sectors
■ Widening the scope further may not lead to efficient allocation of
resources
■ To develop of comparative advantage (especially labour intensive)
■ Akin to Design-linked incentive scheme→ Impact linked incentive scheme
to foster private R&D
■ Also National Semiconductor Mission (other than PLI)
 ■ >95% mobiles used in India → made in India (TN, UP major players)
■ Foxconn and Vedanta planning semiconductor plant in Gujarat
d. IPO ISSUE
e. MSME - 40% gdp,30% export, employs >10 cr people
f. SUBSIDY-NFSA, PMGKY → Now free food under NFSA for the year 2023
g. FARMER LAWS
h. E-COMMERCE
■ 3% Penetration in indian market ( e -retailing )
i. Economic Goals of Next 25 years (Amrit Kaal)

out flow of FPI --59000 cr rs in 1st week of jan 23

● FEAR OF remergence of covid

l
● gdp growth concern

ya
● high global interest rate
● fear of recession
● opening of china

Go
ha

however , net inflow in dec and nov 22 almost of 47 000 cr rs

total net out flow in 22 -- 1.21 lakh cr -- worst in last 3 yr preceding
Ne

reason --
● rate hike globally eg - fed reserve usa
● crude oil price
.

● inflation due to R-U crisis

Dr

discom doing well

reason --

● implementation of late payment surcharge rule 2022

● EMI for burden payment to gencom.

asset monetisation slow -- NMP-- trget for fy 23 1.63lakh cr rs but 50k cr

shortfall expected by fy end .
 ● railway , telecom, petrolium sector missd target
● however mining sector generated more than trget -- bcs of loyality ,
upfront payment due to leasse, annual royalities.

investment --

indian investor in industry sector showing optimism as investment

increased by 71% ..
reason --
so IPO is about to do better as now promoter would nto leave the

l
company through offer of the sale but new shareholder would come

ya
.... positive sign

Go
● Tourism
○ India Tourism Statistics 2022: Top domestic tourist sites:
→ TN (Mammalapuram and other) and UP (Agra)
○ For foreign visits → Maharashtra, TN
ha
○ Reduced(~45%) foreign footfall in 2021 (Covid)
○ In 2021 → ~5% GDP contribution (ranks 6th in the world)
and created 80 mn jobs
Ne

○ In 2021, Domestic tourists → 677 mn and foreign → 1.5

mn
○ Estimated contribution → $250bn to GDP by 2030 and
.

$1tn to GDP by 2047

○ Dharamshala Declaration (2022) → for sustainable and
Dr

responsible tourism
○ Schemes :
■ Swadesh Darshan (2014) → now Version 2.0 →
development of theme based circuits (Buddhist and
Ramayan circuits, rural circuits etc)
■ PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual
Heritage Augmentation drive)--> beautification and
integrated development of pilgrim sites
■ Dekho Apna Desh Initiative
■ NIDHI portal → Hospitality industry database

● Limitations:
 ○ Connectivity (as less days for tourist)
○ Safety issues/perception
○ Poorly managed information centres for tourists
○ Lack of qualified tour guides
● Way ahead:
○ One India one tourist map → integrated approach
○ National Tourism council for integrated management
(Ganga cruise across state → cooperation in such cases)
○ Tourism police → to address the issues of tourist
expediently (should have different police)
○ Tourism in concurrent list (currently in state list)

l
○ Implementation of draft Tourism Policy (currently obsolete

ya
policy of 1982)
■ Features of draft policy

Go
● Industry status to tourism and hospitality
sectors (for fast tracking approvals etc)
● Supporting tourism related MSMEs
● Green tourism and Digital Tourism
ha
● Destination management (last mile
connectivity, skilled personnel etc)
● Tax breaks and other SOPs
Ne
.

fertilizer prices
Dr

● 2021 dec and jan 22 on higher side as covid lockdown eased an demand
shored up but shortage is not visible
● nutrient based subsidy scheme -- obj to to discourage use of too much
urea ( 46% NITROGEN) , DI AMMONIUM PHOSPATE ( 46% PHOSPHATE )
AND MURIATE OF POTASH (60% POTASSIUM)
● NEEM COATING UREA -GRADUAL RELEASE OF UREA .
● USE OF DAP AND UREA INCREASED IN THIS FY 22-23 AS urea cheaper now
● nbs decontrolled non urea but in recent past control on DAP is put that
made under control of dap and over application.
 ● ultimate aim to make soil health good and gradual move toward natural
farming that would also help to control import burden.

APR TO DEC 2022 --- CONSUMPTION 40.146 million metric tonnes (mmt),
production of 32.076 mmt and imports of 12.839 mmt
● Egypt a major exporter of fertilizer → cooperate with India

STEP TAKN 2022

l
● Assessment of state-wise requirement every month;

ya
● 100% neem coating of urea, which increases nutrient efficiency;
● monitoring of crop yield and soil health;

Go
● and online monitoring of the movement of fertilizers through the
integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System.
● The gap between demand and production was met through timely
imports.
ha

IMPACT
Ne

Heavy subsidies have prompted many farmers to use chemical fertilizers

like urea, which leads to higher productivity, but affects soil fertility in the
.

long run. Excessive and inefficient use of fertilizers leads to nutrient losses
Dr

to the environment and could also result in drinking water contamination

and impact human lives as a result of unsafe storage practices, as per a UN
report

EXPENDITURE

Ukraine war spiked the government’s spending on food, fertilizer and fuel
subsidy by nearly 70%.
For 2023-24, the fertilizer ministry might seek budgetary support of ₹2.5
trillion subsidy—outgo for FY23 has already crossed ₹2 trillion.( FURTHER
 NEED 40K CR ) Russia being a major exporter of liquefied natural gas
—critical input for manufacturing of urea—has also led to higher prices
disbursed subsidies for urea and nutrient-based subsidy, and implemented
direct benefit transfer. It also implemented the ‘One Nation One Fertilizers’
scheme which aims to ensure timely supply of fertilizers. This
also eliminates the dilemma of choosing from the many brands
available,

l
SUGGESTIONS ------Lower duty on imported phosphoric acid to raise the

ya
competitiveness of local fertilizer manufactures, and an incentive for
promoting organic fertilizers, could be proposed.
A task force on bio-fertilizer and organic fertilizers has already been set up
under NITI AYOG
Go
ha

COST EFFICIENCY
● NANO-UREA is 100 times more efficient than conventional urea
Ne

● ThE nanotech-based product will shrink the quantity of fertilizer usage

● ThE reduced usage of fertilizers is expected to cut govt’s subsidy burden

3. International Relations:
.

a. G20:
Dr

■ Founded → 1999 (for Finance ministers and Governors) → from 2008 :

Head of States
● Motto: Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam:ONE EARTH ONE FAMILY ONE
FUTURE → to signify the interconnectedness of the countries in the
backdrop of recent geopolitical developments and issues like climate
change
● First time troika will have 3 developing countries
● Agenda of India
○ Green development, Climate finance and LiFE (Lifestyle 4
Environment ),
○ Accelerated inclusive and resilient growth
○ Progress of SDGS
○ Digitisation
○ Reforms in Multilateral institutions
 ○ Women led development
● India can act as a bridge between the developed and developing
countries due to common issues like supply chain disruption, climate
crisis etc which have disproportionate impact on developing countries
● Global South Summit preceding the G20 presidency to weave
opinion/interests of the Global south to guide the global policy making
● As a platform to discuss terrorism, crypto-regulations etc whose solution
could not be found in isolation.
● 3 D- Democracy, Diversity, Development
● India’s presidency would be Inclusive, Ambitious, Decisive and
Action-oriented

l
b. Indo-Pacific:
■ AUKUS

ya
■ QUAD-
1. Militarisation?(preparation/organisation for violence or conflict)-
Shouldn’t; India only country among QUAD which shares land

Go
border; historical stand against military alliance; Malabar exercise
(military and technical cooperation)
2. Economic- IR 4.0, Digital Economy
■ IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework)-
ha
1. Supply Chain, tax and anti-corruption; clean energy +
(commitments required on environment, labour, digital trade and
public procurement → NOT part of Trade pillar as of now (high
Ne

standards)
2. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1858243 )
3.
c. UNSC
.

d. Future FTAs → UK, EU, Israel etc

e. Egypt
Dr

■ Also now Strategic Partner

■ Trade (wrt India): $3.7 export and $3.5 import
■ Chief guest for Republic Day (Al-Sisi) → Cooperation on Security,
Defence, Cybersecurity, Agriculture (Egypt major exporter of fertilizer)
■ Co-founder of NAM along with India

f. Japan
■ CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement)- still not much
trade (15 bn $- total trade; 3.85 bn $- India’s export)
1. Great scope for textile exports (Japan imports $23 bn → India
contributes only $0.22 bn)
2. India already enjoys duty free access under CEPA
■ Bullet project, North-east (2 bn $ investment by Japan), Official
Development Assistance; Delhi-Mumbai corridor; West freight corridor
 ■ Asia- Africa Growth Corridor→ to counter BRI
■ Japanese semiconductor companies like Toshiba exploring option to
invest in india
■ India can address the labour deficit of ageing Japan
g. China
■ Issue-based coalition
■ Increasing trade- ~136 bn $ (Trade deficit- 101 bn $)
■ Border issues- diplomatic and military level talks
h. Nepal – Bilateral trade of $7bn, India largest FDI source;
● Developments
○ Energy security: Motihari-Amlekhganj pipeline
○

l
● Issues:
Hydel-power

ya
Boundary issues
● Way ahead

Go
Strengthen cultural ties: Buddhist circuit, Ramayan circuit
More official and informal visits
Connectivity projects so that Nepal can use Indian ports for
exports (As Nepal landlocked)
i. Pakistan-
ha

● Talks on one side and terror on the other side cannot continue (invited the
Pakistan FM to SCO summit)
Ne

● We can change our friends but not our neighbours→ Thus door should be
always be open for talks, however strict stand against terrorism
● Faltering economy (India should help on humanitarian grounds if Pakistan
asks for it but terror and talks can’t go together)
● CPEC (Sovereignty issue, logistical access to military of Pak and China-
.

two front war)

Dr

j. Sri- Lanka-
■ Debt-restructuring to seek IMF package (largest borrowers like
India.China has to coordinate in this regard) → India sent assurances to
IMF (First of SL’s creditors to do so)
■ India provide assistance worth $4 bn in terms of currency swap, essential
supply, credit lines, high impact community development programs (also
in Maldives)deferment of payments etc (Gujral Doctrine)
■ Trade- 3.6 bn $

k. Afghan Dilemma- wrt recognition of Taliban

■ In short term: India should try to engage with Taliban for national interests
and to safeguard Indian assets and people in Afghanistan
■ In long term: India should adopt wait and watch policy
■ Threats from Afg : Terror, Narco-terrorism, Threat to Indian investments
like INSTC
 l. Lessons from neighbourhood
● Refugee issues (throwback to 1971)
● Over-leveraging (BRI) should be avoided
● Rapid change in agriculture may have impact on food and income
security of the people (wrt SL) → Key is gradual change
● Overdependence on remittances (SL, Nepal, Bangladesh)
Labor-intensive industries (Bangladesh model)
Eco-tourism , rural tourism, Health and wellness tourism(Especially in
Kerala, A&N islands)
Integrated-tour packages to attract tourists from across the world to the
IOR (Kochi-Maldives cruise → India-maldives and recently Ganga Cruise)

l
Regional initiatives to weather such crises, like using platforms like

ya
SAARC,BIMSTEC(different countries given different mandates; India:
Disaster management, Counter-terrorism, Security etc)
Use of NAVIC, GSAT-9 for soft power

Go
4. Defence and Internal Security
a. Export: Major exporter → 2021-22 (Rupees 13k crore) from 1.5k crore in last 5
years, 70% contribution of pvt. Sector (exports) , Philippines (Brahmos), Armenia
(Pinaka),major destinations include more than 75 countries (Philippines,
Indonesia)
ha

b. Indian companies like HAL, BEL(EVM),OFB are in top 100 exporters in the world
c. Weapon locating RADAR, Lightweight Torpedo etc being major exports
Ne

d. India and Russia → JV for AK-203 assault rifles in UP(Amethi)

e. SIPRI imports (India one of the prominent importers→ Second after Saudi
Arabia)
f. India’s Defence expenditure
■ $75 bn for India ($300 bn China and $800 bn for USA)
.

■ Defence R&D also very low for India

Dr

5. Agnipath scheme: Age 17.5 to 21 (for this year 23)→ only 25% will be retained,
Seva Nidhi for those not inducted (Corpus rs 12L) and also benefits in recruitment
in CAPFs etc
a. Average age of recruits in the armed forces will reduce
b. Revenue exp will reduce → so that can be used in the defence
modernization
c. Disciplined youth will join the society even if they are relieved after 4 years
d. Social and human capital could be developed

Way ahead
● No need to worry about those not inducted→Economy also
growing→ entrepreneurial and disciplined youth can also contribute
in this regard
 6. Science and Technology
a. An app → where particulars can tell the consumer which schemes they can avail
b. Relevance of AI
■ Judiciary:
1. AI (app by Argentine company) → has studied all
cases/judgments → can pass judgements if already there is a
precedence (96% accuracy→1000 cases in 5 days instead of 80
days)
2. Even for research for the judges→ so that quality judgements
maybe passed
■ Education
1. NCERT → to identify the kids with disabilities in schools

l
(PRASHAST mobile app) (kind of survey)
2. Course customization (like in National Digital University) → for

ya
better learning outcomes
3. For teacher training → DIKSHA App (evaluation COULD be
through AI)

Go
■ Administration
1. ArogyaSetu → ABHA app (National Digital health mission → one
place for all health records)
2. Virtual Position System → wrt smart cities
ha
3. Call before U Dig (CBUD) → for coordination of different bodies
for digging (gas pipelines, telephone lines etc) → utility in
PM-GatiShakti
Ne

■ Health
1. For cancer treatment → for early screening
2. AlphaFold → to predict how protein fold (diff structure → different
functions) → for genome sequencing
.

(pharmaco-genomics(customises drugs for diff genes) and

vaccine development)
Dr

3. Big Data Anlaytics → to find the prevalence of diseases

■ Agriculture
1. Startups and Agri entrepreneurship →
2. Smart agri: using sensors, drones(drone-as-a-service, custom
hiring centre), satellite data → for soil health, weather alerts
Technological interventions for road safety:
● 4Es → Education, Engineering, Enforcement and Emergency
● India needs to adopt Integrated Traffic Management Systems (ITMSs) or adopt
initiatives like computerised testing and remote supervision of driving tests.
● The 2019 Motor Vehicle Amendments act introduced a nation-wide integrated,
digitised licensing system that will involve linking of the driving permits with
unique identifications (UIDs), meaning one license per person.
● The section 25A focuses on establishment of the National Register for Driving
Licenses which will include entries from all the state-owned registers to create a
consolidated database of new authorizations or renewals of driving licenses.
● As per the MVA Act 2019, all state governments will now need to comply with the
electronic monitoring and enforcement rules defined by the Centre. This will bring
consistency in enforcement and make these initiatives more efficient and accurately
measurable in term of success.
● Implementing ITMSs, for instance, will help minimise congestion using intelligent
cameras to track traffic movement at the busiest junctions in real-time.
● Use of sensor technology, automation and advanced video analytics will allow
instant identification of irresponsible drivers for generating computerised penalty
tickets.

l
● These systems will not only capture a much larger number of violations than

ya
humans, but also help in maintaining electronic proofs of the fines collected.
● And negligible to no human involvement would mean greater accuracy, reliability and
elimination of associated bribery.

Go
● high-tech devices like body-worn cameras, LIDAR (Light Detection and
Ranging) guns, alcometers (breath analysers) can keep contributing towards
effective and ethical enforcement.
● The state-of-the-art body-worn cameras are capable of live streaming visuals even at
ha
night, using infra-red technology and can exchange voice or text messages
internally. E.g.: Kerala
● GPS based system to replace FastTag
Ne

○ GPS data to replace toll

○ To reduce congestion and long line at toll booth
○ Non-personal data to be leveraged
■ To analyze real-time traffic → could be used to make indigenous GPS (to
.

replace Google maps etc)

■ For asset monetization → empirical data to estimate revenue for
Dr

transparency
■ Meta data analysis → to identify blackspots → for better design and
integrated traffic system
c. Deep fakes
■ Liar’s dividend → always leverage to criminal
■ Integrity of information compromised
■ Psychological warfare : To spread propaganda, to radicalize people
■ China’s example: Law: Users must give consent for deep-fakes, no fake
news, authenticate real identity, notification to users whether doctored
footage or not
■ Way ahead: Some sort of digital signature by service provider to be able
to trace back(Dall E, ChatGPT)
■ What about creativity: through competition→ human creativity can also
improve
d. ISRO RECENT PROJECT
■ Upcoming missions:
1. Aditya L1: to study solar storms and solar corona and placed on
1st Lagrange point (June-July 2023)
2. Chandrayan-3 : Lander and rover (orbiter already there from C-2)
(window in June-July)
3. Reusable launch vehicle → to reduce cost (RLV : Glided landing)
4. Private sector in Space: Skyroot became first Indian space
company to launch rocket (Vikram S) → next Vikram-1
a. Space tourism: Blue Origin(Bezos), Space-X(Musk), Virgin
Atlantic (Richard Branson)
b. Liberalization of Space tech → scope in India as well

l
i. More economic activities and more funds to ISRO
for R&D

ya
ii. R&D of ISRO → to be leveraged by the private
sector
5. Why so economical vis-a-vis NASA:

Go
a. Slingshot strategy instead of powerful thrusters → less fuel
b. Frugal technology (2/3rd of MOM with Indigenous tech)
c. Economic labour (cheap engineers)
6. Unmanned mission for Gaganyaan (2023)
ha
a. Before sending humans to lower earth orbit (LEO)
b. 2 Abort missions and uncrewed mission
Ne

■ Shukrayan may be delayed to 2031 (next window this year 2023)

e. HEALTH NEW VACCINE→ Cervavax (For cervical cancer) to be part of UIP, to
be given to girls at school
f. Cancer prevalence: Need better diagnosis and screening at early stages (use of
.

AI etc) → So that relevant interventions; otherwise diagnosis in later stages

complicate things
Dr

g. Quantum computers(Quantum → Probabilistic, Superposition, Quantum

entanglement): Google’s Sycamore
■ QUEST →Quantum enabled Science and technology
■ National Mission on Quantum technologies and applications
h. Supercomputers: (Floating operations per second(FLOP) → works in parallel
operations and deterministic )
■ CDAC (Center for Development of Advanced Computing)
■ Most powerful in India: Param Siddhi AI (6.5 peta FLOPS)
■ US has the most powerful (Frontier:1.102 exa FLOPS)
i. Geospatial mapping
■ Govt plans high resolution topographical mapping using LiDAR by
2030
 ■ Various uses: How infra will function during issues like
crowd-control, disaster management, waste management (Like
Singapore smart city)
■ Even for drone-delivery (Virtual positioning system)
j. CHATGPT(Generative Pre-trained Transformer): AI which can do almost
anything it is asked to do;Ethical problems (AI for homework)
k. ONDC (trial stages)
■ Open Network for Digital Commerce (trial run in Banglore)
■ To democratise the digital commerce
■ Such models can be emulated in other sectors →farm to plate for better
supply chain management in agriculture
■ Also for marketing of tribal’s MFP → TriFood by TRIFED, PM Van Dhan

l
Yojana
7. Environment:

ya
COP 27 (Sharm-El Sheikh)
● Agreement on Loss and Damage fund (L&D) for developing and LDCs,
which are disproportionately affected by climate disasters

Go
● However no finalisation of the framework to attain it.

COP 28 --UAE
ha

PRESIDNET NOMINATE -SULTAN AHMAD AL JABER

Ne

1ST GLOBAL STOCKTAKE -- GAP BETWEEN ACTION AND EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE

TARGET
FINALISATION OF LOSS AND DAMAGE FUND
.

SO CALLED SOLUTION COP

Dr

IDEA -- BUILDING CONCESNUS ON MORE EQUITALBE AND BETTTER AND EFFICIENT

ACCESS TO CLIMATE FINANCE
STRENTHEN VOICE FOR UNDER REPRESENTED AND VULNERABLE COMMUNITY

1ST GULF COUNTRY TO RATIFY PARIS CLIAMTE AGRREEMENT

1ST TO DECIDE TO NET ZERO TARGET BY 2050
OVER 16 YR , UAE INVESTED 50B $ FOR RENEWABLE INFRA IN 70+ COUNTRIES

HELP TO INDIA
UAE -BECOMING GLOBAL COMPETETIVE HYDROGEN SUPPLIER AND EXPAND
HYDROGEN SUPPLY CHAIN
INDIA'S COMMITMENT TO ACHIEVE 500 GW CAN BE SUPPORTED BY UAE
 MANGROOVE ALIANCE FOR CLIMATE -- STARTED BY UAE

● NATURAL CARBON CAPTURE TO PLANT 100 MILLION MANGROOVE BY 2030

● INDIAN JOINED IN IN COP27
● UAE WORKING WITH INDONESIA FOR AWARENESS CAMPAIGNING

a. Issue of Joshimath
● Preliminary analysis points to the fact that being built on the landslide
debris, Joshimath was always vulnerable

l
● This was aggravated natural issues like seismicity and anthropogenic
reasons like infrastructure, hydel power(Tapovan project) etc. beyond the

ya
land’s load bearing capacity
● Puncture of aquifer → making it more unstable
● Alaknanda river changing course and erosion → moisture content

Go
reducing –. Making the soil loose and unstable
● This is a stark reminder for sustainable development/infrastructure in
ecologically fragile areas
b. Panchamrita,
ha
Ne
.
Dr

■
■ Renewables → 35%
■ Non-fossil fuels → 40%
 c. Carbon Border tax → by EU to offset the lower cost of exports by developing
countries made using carbon intensive processes
d. Green corridor → to integrate renewable energy to the power grid (In phases)
e. Green Hydrogen (10-12% in the energy mix by 2030) → Cabinet approved ~20k
crore
■

l
ya
■

Go
■ Oil India Ltd is running hydrogen buses in Kaziranga National Park,
Assam
■ India to launch hydrogen-powered trains on heritage routes by Dec 2023
■ Hydrogen filling centres in Kerala
ha
■ EVOLVE → e-mobility global conference in Trivandrum
f. LiFE Mission (Lifestyle for Environment)- 3P (Plants, People, Planet)
■ Pro-Planet people
Ne

■ One Health Approach

■ Terrace greening → China, Nagar Van scheme (India)
■ Use of public tpt, traditional rainwater harvesting, Earth Hour , 3R
(Reduce, reuse, recycle)
.

■ Vocal for Local →(local to global →) leaf plates instead of styrofoams,

banana leaves for food packaging, Millets, sustainable tourism
Dr

■ Circular economy— recycling .

g. Plastic Waste-
■ PWM Rules (2022) → EPR, banning Single use plastic
■ Hazards→ Carcinogenic substance in processing, seepage on ground
water, choking by animals and birds, microplastics, garbage patches in
oceans, choking of drains → urban flooding
■ Ideas: Plastic waste for public tpt tokens, road construction(In Banglore),
startup→shoes from plastic waste, SHG (cloth bags), involvement of
informal rag-pickers for collection→ SHG, govt and pvt sector
8. Security and Disaster Management
a. DM -IN RESIDUARY LIST
b. DMA(2005)
■ NDMA→National Executive Council(bureaucratic body to advise NDMA),
SDMA, DDMA, Domain specific knowledge by ministries
 l
ya
Go
ha
Ne

c. DROUGHT
d. FLOOD
■ Urban Flood- Miyawaki Forest, Sponge City (Ahmedabad), Early Warning
System (eg.- C-Flows in Chennai, M -FLOWS IN MUMBAI)
e. Indo-China Border Issue
.

f. Cybersecurity: AIIMS Server Attack

Dr

■ National helpline→ 1930 helpline

■ Cyber police stations in some states
■ National Cyber security strategy 2020
■ NCIIPC (Critical info infra) and CERT-IN
■ National Cyber security coordination centre
■ Cyber surakshit Bharat Abhiyan
■ Digital Personal Data protection Bill→ onus on Data fiduciary
9. Society and Social Justice
a. Child Labour
■
b. LWE
■ Govt strategy(SDGRP)→ Security(GreyHounds), Development (infra,
PHCs, electricity), Governance (Lunch with DM in Chhattisgarh, rehab
package), Rights and awareness (FRA, 5th and 6th schedule),
Perception management (Counter-propaganda, community policing)
 ■ MHA→ 47% reduction in the 2015-2020 wrt 2009-14
c. North-East
■ PAUSED strategy (Perception, Accessibility, Under-developed to
developed, Security, Economy , Diversity)
■ Peace Accords→ Naga, Bodo (2020),
■ State border issues → Assam-Meghalaya, Assam-Mizoram
■ PM DeVINE (Budget) → Social and economic infrastructure in NE India
■ Science and Technology interventions in NE region (STINER)
■ NMEO also in North-East
■ Idea for integration (Bezbaruah Committee)
1. Cultural integration→ at schools, understanding culture,
mainstreaming NE culture (JLN stadium → cultural event to

l
promote tribal dance)
2. Perception management

ya
3. Law and fast-track courts
4. Compensation and rehab corpus

Go
d. J&K
■ Village Defence Guards (extraordinary circumstances require
extraordinary measure→ to justify)
■ Development and infrastructure
ha
■ Progressive laws brought by abrogation of 370→ reservation, LSG etc
■ Perception management → to reduce trust deficit among people
1. Operation Sadbhavana → by Indian army to build social capital
Ne

2. Economic development→ like eastern German people wanting to

join west through development (wrt integration of PoK &GB)
3. Super 50 (for teaching), CSR activities schools, hospitals
4. Mingling of security forces and civil society and institutions → to
.

reduce trust deficit (Army’s band performed on Dal Lake during

Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, supporting student’s higher education)
Dr

5. Cultural programs and media (New INOX cinema hall after 30

years in Srinagar)
6. G20 summit also planned in Srinagar → to change people’s
perception → to attract more investment (On lines of Russia’s
Eastern Economic Forum (Russia’s far east))

e. Tribal Issue
■ PVTG (75, Sentinelese, Jorawa, Bodo, Baiga) VS OTHER TRIBE→
■ Denotified tribes → Criminal tribes Act (1871) → stigma attached to them
→ then in 1952 habitual offenders Act
■ ST status: State govt recommendation → MoTA → Registrar General of
India → NCST (Approval) → Cabinet → Parliament → President
■ TKDL (safeguard against biopiracy)- AYUSH
 ■Triple burden of diseases: NCD(cultural smoking, drinking), CD and tribal
specific disease (sickle cell traits)
■ PM Van Dhan Yojana, PM Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana
■ Tribal Sub Plan, PESA, FRA, Schedule-5 and 6, National Forest Policy
(Joint Forest Management Committee)
■ Eklavya Model Residential Schools
■ Goal Scheme- to promote leadership among Tribal Women
■ National Scheduled Tribe Financial and Development Commission
■ Xaxa committee (2014)- Land alienation (9000 acres, 86%- outsiders
transfer), indebtedness, poverty (40.6% BPL as compared to 20%
Non-tribals), low literacy level (literacy-59% (National avg- 74%)), poor
health indicators, poor livelihood opportunities(80% ST workforce in

l
primary sector and 44% of these as agri labours), development induced
displacement, loss of culture

ya
■ Way Forward- Strict implementation of laws, Revision of National Policy
on Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Land for Land, return unutilised
land), Article 23, Namath Basai (Teaching in their own language, Kerala),

Go
Teach Gajpati (Odisha), NEP (Mother Tongue), 1000 Spring Initiative,
Gene Card, Aspirational District program,
f. WOMEN
■ G20 focus- Women led development, Republic Day- Women
ha
Empowerment, Atmanirbhar
■ Gender Stereotyping
1. Restricted to Care sector
Ne

2. Considered emotional→ Not enough leadership roles (Glass

ceiling)
3. Pink collarisation: Women specific jobs like nurses, hostesses
4. At the receiving end of abuse and violence as they are considered
.

defenceless
■ Women Entrepreneurs- Falguni Nayar (Nykaa), Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
Dr

(Biocon),
■ Son-meta preference→ Around 60 mn girls are unwanted
■ Economy (Vis-a vis work)
1. Global gender gap index→ 135/146
2. Agriculture: Feminization of agriculture ,(47% women → 14% land
ownership): Way ahead: Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran
Pariyojana, Gender Budgeting
3. Feminization of informal sector→ Lack of social security
■ Women in STEM: 43% STEM graduates are women→ However only 15%
makes of STEM workforce
1. Lack of female scientists/ role models
a. Ira Singhal mam (IAS), Nirmala Sitharaman
b. MOM mission leadership
c. Kalpana Chawla, Sunita Williams
 2. Machismo effect/ Masculine culture→ Male preference
3. Cultural reproduction of patriarchy
4. Gender gap
5. Schemes→ Vigyan Jyoti(for meritorious girl children in 9-12),
KIRAN, CURIE (To enhance infra), Biocare(Biotech), Women
Entrepreneur QUEST program, Women Start-Up Program by DST,
6. Scheme for adolescent girls(earlier SABLA) →to fight anaemia
among them (NHFS-5 → 56%), SUkanya Samridhi Yojana, Beti
bachao Beti padhao, Matru vandana yojana, STEP (Support to
Training an Employment programme),One stop Center, Swadhar
greh (for rehab for women subjected to violence), UJJWALA
(for trafficking), Udhyam Sakhi Portal (for women

l
entrepreneurs )
■ Anti-Witchcraft

ya
1. No national level laws; Laws in 8 states (Bihar (Prevention of
Witch (Daain) Practices Act)-1st, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand,
Odisha, Rajasthan, Assam, Maharashtra and Karnataka)

Go
Women in Defence
Overall <5% representation in the armed forces
Babita-Punia case→ For permanent commission to women
Even in Agnipath→ around 10% are women
ha

Women in Workplace
Ne

Inclusive workplace for ESG funding

Maternal leave→ So need paternal leave as well to avoid
stereotyping
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobs/want-to-work-again-aft
.

er-long-break-pull-out-your-cv-companies-are-hiring/articleshow/9
6931363.cms?from=mdr (Airtel, L&T)
Dr

● ASER Report
○ 57% households residing in pucca houses in 2022 (47% in 2014)
○ Kerala (91.5%) and Bihar (49%)
○ Households with toilets → 45% in 2014 and now 78.3% in 2022
(Swatch Bharat Mission)
○ Electricity in Households → 80.5% in 2014 and now 94.6% in
2022 (Saubhagya Har Ghar Bijli, UJALA (for LEDs))
○ Power availability in households → 86% in 2014 and now 93.5%
in 2022
g. SENIOR CITIZEN
■ 2011 Census- 8.6 % of population (2036- 16%)
■ UN World Population Prospects report-
■ Problems- Ruralisation of old age (71 % of elders- rural); Feminisation;
Regional (Kerala- 12%)
 ■ Active ageing→Healthy ageing (health + psychological + community
participation etc)
■ Longevity dividend; silver economy
■ Challenges of old age- Isolation and neglect, financial dependence,
health, rapid changing world- tech adoption, abuse, stereotyping of old
widow, Govt.( lack of preparedness, lack of data, old age home issues)
■ Govt schemes- Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens
Act, 2007- Tribunals (for maintenance cases), step-child, adopted child,
legal guardian, child-in-law, maintenance, safety, security; Integrated
programme for older person;
■ Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (Umbrella scheme-
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1844991 )

l
■ PM Vaya Vandana Yojana (LIC)- insurance policy-cum-pension scheme
■ National Programme for Healthcare for Elderly

ya
■ SACRED→ Employment portal for senior citizens to change the
productivity perception
■ SMILE 75 → to make 75 municipal corporations beggar free → rehab

Go
■ 2020-30→ Decade of Healthy Ageing(to develop and maintain
functional ability) by MoHFW
■ Way Forward-
1. Accessibility (Sugamya Bharat), Promote geriatric care,
ha
Mainstream old age issues,
2. Multi generational care homes (for infants and senior citizens)
3. SACRED→ Employment for senior citizens
Ne

■
h. CASTE BASED CENSUS
i. View on rising communalism, hindutva ideology
j. Cancel Culture
.

10. Csr
■ require certain companies to mandatorily undertake CSR
Dr

activities and spend at least 2% of their average net profit of

the immediately preceding three financial years on CSR
activities.
■ a net worth of Rupees 500 crore or more; or (ii) a turnover of Rupees
1000 crore or more; or (iii) a net profit of Rupees 5 crore or more,
b. Social scientific responsibility
c. Social impact bond
d. Social stock exchange
e.
11. Biotechnology
a.
b.
c.
 d. CBD
■ COP15 (Kunming-Montreal Protocol) → Biennial
■ Global Biodiversity fund → framework not finalised yet (as a stepping
stone for new fund) → for developing countries
■ Global Biodiversity framework (2021-2030)(replacing the Aichi targets) →
30 by 30 target (Protect 30% and regenerate 30% land, sea and
coasts by 2030)
■ Reduce risk from pesticides by at least 50% by 2030
■ Reduce negative impact of pollution
■ Stop the extinction of known species, and by 2050 reduce
tenfold the extinction risk and rate of all species (including

l
unknown)

ya
■ Reduce nutrients lost to the environment by at least 50% by 2030
■ Reduce pollution risks and negative impacts of pollution from all

Go
sources by 2030 to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity and
ecosystem functions
■ Reduce global footprint of consumption by 2030, including
ha

through significantly reducing overconsumption and waste

generation and halving food waste
Ne

■ Sustainably manage areas under agriculture, aquaculture,

fisheries, and forestry and substantially increase agroecology
.

and other biodiversity-friendly practices

Dr

■
e. GM CROP: HT Crops issue (specific impact on women?)
f. AMR
12. SCHEME

a. MGNREGA
● Recent study shows most states have over 40% of workers of
MGNREGA as women (over the 33% mandated under the Act), with
states like Kerala,TN having 80-90% women
● This is good as it contributes to socio-economic upliftment of women,
giving them a better say in home and society
● However, the other side points to the fact that most women have to take
up unskilled work, at wages which are much lower than the market wages
 ● Tech : Geotagging of assets, mobile app based attendance (Issues:
women not able to take part)
● General issues : Fake beneficiaries and muster rolls, lack of funding
(backlogs), wages less than market wages → demand<supply
● Way ahead: Skilling and upskilling(Kaushal Vikas Yojana)→ SHGs,NRLM
(MGNREGA should only act as a safety net), integration/convergence
with schemes like PM-Awas Yojana, PM-Sadak Yojana, Jal Jeevan
mission etc. for efficient allocation of resources
● Such schemes in urban areas: Job Token, for schemes like JJM(U),
waste management and promotion of Gig economy

b. SMART CITIES: Of the 100 smart cities(have about 35% population) envisaged,

l
51% project completion and 49% are at various stages of development
■ Sustainable cities → driven by technology for efficient service delivery

ya
c. NAMAMI GANGE
■ Launched in 2015 → rs 20k(13k used) crore budget for 5 years
■ Pollution control and rejuvenation of the Ganga river

Go
■ Centrally funded, non lapsable corpus→ STPs, river front development,
river surface cleaning, biodiversity conservation, afforestation, public
awareness (Ganga Praharis), industrial effluent monitoring, Ganga
grams(ODF status to reduce run offs to Ganga)
ha
■ Ganga corridor (organic farming corridor in Gangetic plains→ to reduce
seepage of chemicals)
■ As per reports, 27 STPs not working the state of UP
Ne

■ The number of polluted stretches in India’s rivers has fallen from 351 in
2018 to 311 in 2022 though the number of most polluted stretches is
practically unchanged, according to a report from the Central Pollution
Control Board (CPCB)
.

■ As per CPCB data for 2021, the observed water quality of river Ganga
indicates that Dissolved Oxygen (DO), which is an indicator of river
Dr

health has been found to be within acceptable limits of notified primary

bathing water quality criteria and is satisfactory to support the ecosystem
of the river for almost the entire stretch of the river Ganga. As a result of
multi sectoral interventions, as per comparison of median data of water
quality parameters viz., DO and Faecal Coliforms (FC) of year 2014 and
2021; DO (Median) has improved at 34 locations and FC at 25 locations,
respectively.
(https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1849945 )
■ Thames was once biologically dead river → now one of the cleanest
rivers of the world (agricultural runoff need to be tackled→ organic
farming)
■ UN has recognised Namami Gange programme as one of the top 10
restoration flagship to revive the natural world
 ■ Govt. of India has further approved Namami Gange Mission –II with
a budgetary outlay of Rs 22,500 Cr. till 2026 for projects for existing
liabilities and new projects/interventions
d. JAL JEEVAN
■ envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual
household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India.
■ Both rural(functional tap water connection(FTWC)) and urban
(FTWC+SLWM in 500 AMRUT cities) by 2024
■ Also aim of circular water economy in JJM(U)
■ In rural households, 56% households now have tapped water
connections from <20% in 2019
■ States like Gujarat, Haryana and telangana has 100%

l
■ Bihar → 95% and UP (28%)
■ Issues: Potable water not there, inefficient resource allocation, poor

ya
quality product, in some villages→ used for agri purposes
e. Jal Shakti Abhiyan → holistic water conservation through practices like rain water

Go
harvesting
f. Atal Bhujal Yojana → For community based ground-water management in 7
state’s water-stressed districts
g. Aspirational district programme
■ Launched in 2018→ 112 under-developed districts (UP→ 8)
ha
■ aimed at localizing Sustainable Development Goals, leading to the
progress of the nation
■ Convergence, Collaboration and Competition
Ne

■ 5 broad socio-economic themes - Health & Nutrition, Education,

Agriculture & Water Resources, Financial Inclusion & Skill
Development and Infrastructure.
■ ADP aims to quickly and effectively transform under-developed districts
.

across the country.

■ work done in Sitamarhi, Bihar–it has made considerable improvement
Dr

across various socio-economic indicators and the district is one of the top
performers from the State under the Education Scheme. In education, the
district has strived to improve the ‘pupil-teacher ratio in elementary
schools’ from 16% to 35% in the last 4 years, indicating improvement
in governance and capacity building. Sitamarhi is also nearing saturation
in indicators related to school infrastructure and it has also initiated
innovative best practices such as initiation of Modern Libraries,
initiating a mass movement to have wholehearted participation from
students, teachers and parents, which can be replicated in other
districts.
1. progress made in key indicators related to pregnant women health
and child nutrition that address issues like MMR and IMR.
 2. good improvement in indicators such as ‘percentage of
institutional deliveries’ ¾ ‘percentage of children fully immunized,
‘percentage of underweight children under 6 years
■ Govt. also planning → Aspirational blocks development programme
h. Swatchh bharat (Minstry of Jal Shakti and MoHUA)
■ ODF+ → maintaining of ODF status
■ ODF++ → Solid liquid waste management
■ Phase 2.0(Rural) → 2020-21 to 2024-25, with focus in sustaining ODF
status and to cover all villages with SLWM
■ Urban → to make cities 100% garbage free (currently 70%), grey and
black water management in all cities, to make all ULBs ODF+, for ULBs
<1L → ODF++, source segregation of solid waste, promote circular

l
economy
■ MUZZAFRPUR – 247

ya
■ PATNA-38
■ NOIDA -05
■ GBAD -12

Go
■ TVM-305
■ PEOPLE PERCEPTION-35% WEIGHTAGE
i. PMGSY
■ Phase 3(2019-20 to 2024-25):Priority to PHCs, GraM, and LWE areas;
ha
20k km road length and 822 bridges (7L km road length and 1.4k brides
overall since 2000 )
■ More than 99% eligible habitations have been provided with connectivity
Ne

under the scheme

■ Challenges: lack of dedicated funds,limited involvement of PRIs,
inadequate implementation, scarcity of construction materials,
security concerns in LWE areas
.

j. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

■ Mainly Perception management
Dr

■ Yielded results → Increased sex ratio at birth(929 as per NFHS-5, as

compared to 919 in NFHS-4), reduction in drop-our rates of girls,
increased FLFPR
■ Campaigns → Selfie with daughter, social media campaigns
k. PMAY-G
■ 2.11CR/2.5 CR HOUSE APPROVED
l. PM KUSUM: Target of 30.8 GW by March 2026→ increase farmer’s income,
increase irrigation efficiency (canal irrigation)
m. ONE SUN ONE WORLD ONE GRID→ International Solar Alliance
n. GATI SHAKTI → Integrated work of various ministries aided by technology such
as geotagging, online portals etc for multi-modal connectivity
■ 6 pillars (COPSAD) → Comprehensiveness, Optimization, prioritisation,
Synchronisation, Analytic and dynamic
■ Logistic cost for India high (14% of GDP) → need to reduce it
 1. Way ahead: Use of tech/AI : Route optimization for reduced cost,
Virtual Positioning system
2. Multimodal logistic park (PM Gati Shakti)
■ National Logistic Policy (to reduce it to <10% ASAP)
■ Some concerns : Low credit offtake, structural problems (land acquisition,
criminal justice delays etc)
o. SAGAR MALA
■ 7,500 km coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways
■ Approximately 95 % of India’s merchandise trade (by volume) passes
through sea ports.
■ Turnaround time (TAT) at major ports was approximately 2.5 days in
2018-19, whereas global average benchmark is 1-2 days.

l
ya
■
■
Go
Vision of Sagarmala is to reduce logistics cost for both domestic and
EXIM cargo with optimized infrastructure investment.
ha
■ leading to overall cost savings of INR 35,000 to 40,000 cr. per annum.
■ Sagarmala aspires to reduce carbon emissions from transportation
sector by 12.5 MT/annum
Ne
.
Dr

■
p. BHARAT MALA
■ Highways and connectivity
■ India’s road network is 2nd largest in the world
 ■ Expressway vs Highways; Former has controlled access(limited entries
and exits) → less chances of accidents and on peripheries; while in latter
multiple intersections
■ Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I was approved for a length of 34,800 km
with an outlay of Rs. 5.35 Lakh Crore. As on March, 2022, expenditure to
the tune of Rs. 2.2 Lakh Crore has been incurred on projects under
Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I.
■ Projects in a length of about 3,181 km amounting to Rs. 43,519 crore was
sanctioned during 2021-22 for improvement of connectivity of National
highways (NHs) passing through the tribal districts. Works in a length of
about 2,229 km have been completed and expenditure of Rs. 22,464 crore
has been incurred during 2021-22

l
■ As part of Phase-I of the programme, 27 Greenfield corridors are planned

ya
with an overall length of 9,000+ kms. As a part of Bharatmala Pariyojana,
India’s largest expressway, i.e.,1,386 km long Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
is being developed and some sections such as Delhi – Dausa (Jaipur),

Go
Vadodara – Ankleshwar sections of the Expressway are nearing
completion. Other key corridors which have already been
completed/nearing completion are Ambala – Kotputli Corridor & Amritsar
– Jamnagar Corridor.
ha

■ In Bharatmala Pariyojana, 60% projects on Hybrid Annuity Mode, 10%

projects on BOT (Toll) Mode and 30% projects on EPC mode have been
Ne

envisaged respectively.

q. PARVATMALA (sustainable development of mountain ecosystem → after

Joshimath, LifE)
.

■ contracts for 8 ropeway projects for a length of 60 km would be

Dr

awarded in 2022-23.
■ regions like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir
and the other North Eastern states.
■ PPP mode, which will be a preferred ecologically sustainable alternative
in ⅔ place of conventional roads in difficult hilly areas, The idea is to
improve connectivity and convenience for commuters, besides
promoting tourism.
■ benefits
1. Economical mode of transportation
2. Faster mode of transportation
3. Environmentally friendly:
4. Last mile connectivity:
 r. NATIONAL MONETISATION PIPELINE
■ For brownfield investments like highways, airports etc
■ To monetise the assets (target of Rs 6L crore) to unlock the value of
public assets
■ Govt will get lumpsum/ UPFRONT → to be invested in other projects
■ Pvt sector gets a source of revenue
■ National Land Monetization Corporation → to monetize land only
s. NRLM
■ NPA FROM 22% TO 2.2% – IMPROVED
■ COVERED 723 DISTRICT
■
t. National infrastructure pipeline

l
■ 111 lakh crores → Energy, Road, railways etc
1.

ya
u. PM POSHAN 2.0 | Malnutrition
13. Education
a. Kerala- People’s attitude towards education,

Go
b. Delhi- 25% of state expenditure in education
■ School of Eminence (also proposed in Punjab) → 5 pillars : state of art
infra, academics, HR Management, Sports and co-curricular activities,
community engagement
ha
■ Happiness curriculum(The Curriculum is a path-breaking initiative that
questions and challenges the traditional pedagogy and practice. The
curriculum believes that the purpose of education is to create confident,
Ne

mindful, responsible, and happy individuals who collectively build a happy

and harmonious society), Deshbhakti curriculum(Patriotic),
Entrepreneurship mindset curriculum/Mind Blaster scheme(Seed funding
of startups), Desh ke Mentor
c. PM-SHRI→ Model NEP schools
.

d. Animation/Experiential learning (on the lines of Digitisation of Anganwadis)

Dr

e. Competency test , Oral exams (ChapGPT conundrum)

f. Adoption of govt school by private school –Modi under CSR
g. Higher Education- Foreign HEIs, IoE,
h. Teacher’s training (NISHTA, Samagra Shiksa Abhiyan)
i. Mental Health integration into curriculum
■ Ayushman Bharat School Health and Wellness Programme
■ 2 teachers as Health & Wellness Ambassador (HWA)
■ Include managing emotional and mental health
■ Also to help navigate interpersonal relations (which may in long term aid
in healthy relations and respect for the opposite sex/gender)
j. Suicides- 1.6 lakh (NCRB, 2021)- National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
k. Data-
 l. NEP— aims to facilitate an inclusive, participatory and holistic approach,
which takes into consideration field experiences, empirical research, stakeholder
feedback, as well as lessons learned from best practices.
■ 5(Baal vaatika-1, Baal-vaatika-2, Baal vaatika-3,1,2) + 3(3,4,5) + 3(6,7,8)
+ 4(9,10,11,12)
■ HECI (UGC + AICTE + NAAC)
■ 6% of GDP (around 3.1% currently)
■ Kasturirangan committee
■ Gender Inclusion Fund" will be available to states to implement
priorities determined by the Central government critical for assisting
female and transgender children in gaining access to education
■ Academic Bank of Credit, National Digital University, MOOC

l
■ Mainstreaming Vocational education
■ Primary education in mother tongue, UGC- approved technical education

ya
in regional language
m. NIPUN Bharat- Foundational Literacy and Numeracy

Go
n. National Assessment Centre- 'PARAKH
o. Entry of Foreign HEIs
■ Agreed: Should be allowed with administrative autonomy and
independence of curriculum design
■ Reducing foreign outflows, Indian HEIs can compete and collaborate
ha
with foreign HEIs→ Both will benefit
■ Reduce regional disparity
Ne

Concerns: Inclusivity, fee structure, FEMA, Quality, Over-reliance on

Foreign HEIs not feasible
Way ahead:
1. IoE→ integrate so that both can compete and collaborate
.

2. Industrial linkage→ Quality of job creation has to follow this

other-wise students may still choose to settle abroad
Dr

14. Health
● Current spending 1.5% GDP (As per Economic Survey, increasing it to 2.5-3
% GDP can reduce OOPE by 35-65%)
● AB-Health Infrastructure Mission
● AB- Digital Health Mission
● PM-SUMAN for maternal health care
● Current focus more on curative, need to be more on preventive (More focus on
primary healthcare → Health and Wellness centres in rural and urban areas,
AYUSH for preventive health)
● Need to bridge doctor-patient ratio (we have 1 doc for 1456 patients instead of
WHO recommended 1000)
● Also 60-70% docs in urban areas despite India having more rural population
 ● 15th FC recommended All-India Health services for quality, an independent
health regulator (Economic Survey)
● NMC for medical education as an apex policy making body
● Insurance→ Address the concerns of Missing-middle, increase insurance
penetration as well (life →3.2% and in non-life 1%)
● Technology→ Digitization of health sector, telemedicines(e-Sanjeevni), ABHA
app (Digital health mission), e-consultancies to address the accessibility (800 mn
internet subscribers)
● AYUSH→ for preventive healthcare (Kadha), bridge-course to address
doc-patient ratio

l
ya
Go
State related topics:

1. Bihar:
a. Mid-Day Meal Issue
ha
b. Hooch Tragedy/ Prohibition
c. Bihar-Jharkhand division, was it useful?
d. Caste and Naxalism/ LWE
Ne

e. Caste Census
i. Bottom up approach
ii.
f. Prohibition
.

g. Backwardness
h. Corruption
Dr

i. Conduction of Exams (paper leak)

j. Water Resources: Flooding, Har Ghar Ganga Jal
k. Commissionerate System in Bihar? Has also been implemented in 3 districts in
UP
l. Agnipath
m. Examples of growth: Sitamarhi, Gopalganj Sex Ratio
n. Logistics Connectivity: National Waterway1, East West corridor, Golden
Quadrilateral
o. Buddhist Circuit | Tourism in Bihar | Glass Bridge
2. UP
a. New engine of growth
● Sectoral policies like for MSMEs, textiles, dairy etc to attract investment
● Global Investor Summit in Lucknow (Feb 2023) to attract investment
(Paradiplomacy)
 ● Infrastructure: Highways and metro expansion, and connectivity projects like
RRTS (Regional Rapid Transit system, Delhi-Meerut-Ghaziabad)
● 3 international airports (2 under construction)
b. Tourism
○ Longest river cruise: MV Ganga Vilas from Kashi to Dibrugarh, for spiritual
and natural experiences across the destinations
○ Buddhist circuit(Buddhist circuit is a route that follows the footsteps
of Gautama Buddha starting from his place of birth to his place
of death.) → Development of Kushinagar airport to make UP an
international destination
c. Miscellaneous
● Commissionerate system completes 3 years in UP for better law and order

l
situation in the state (Various committees recommended this high population
areas)

ya
● This in 7 districts
● IPS officer Laxmi Singh the first woman officer to head a Police

Go
Commissionerate in the state in Gautam Buddh Nagar
3. Delhi
a. Central Vista Project (~Rs 20k crore): Apart from new Parliament building,
New office complexes
i. Need:
ha
1. In the long term → Parliament need to accommodate new
represents
2. Office complexes → for easier inter-ministerial and bureaucratic
Ne

functioning and coordinations (Matrix organisation like)

3. Earthquake-resistant and platinum rated green building
4. As a new model of sustainable urban development and planning
b. Mohalla clinic
.

i. Provision of essential/primary health services including medicine,

consultation and diagnosis → addressing accessibility issue
Dr

ii. Yogashala programme → Yoga practised in public places → teachers will

be sent to such places
c. CAQM Report 2022→ Fire count (satellite images)from stubble burning in
Punjab, Haryana and NCR saw 31.5% reduction compared to 2021
i. Reasons: Variety of Basmati rice such that the residue nutritious → used
in fodder (otherwise high silica content)
ii. Better implementation of rules and regulations
iii. Better coordination: as farmer alone not responsible → district
administration also responsible (through fines and other penal actions)
iv. In-situ management of crop residues, and better awareness
d. Should immigration to Delhi be banned?
i. No → rather development of satellite town
ii. Peripheral highways → so many tpt have to come to Delhi
iii. BS-4 to BS-6 (50 ppm sulfur → <10 ppm sulfur)
e. Lg issues:
● 69th CAA →239AA
● 2021 GNCTD amendment was done to streamline decision making in the
NCT of Delhi (wrt Union and the Delhi SLA)
● Lt. Governor should act as a neutral umpire by balancing representative
government in Delhi and Constitutional interests
○ Proper communication required among all stakeholders
● Such systems also prevalent in Washington,Canberra (Thus complete
statehood not required)
● Way ahead: a spl committee with representatives from Union and state →
to harmonise decision making furthe
f. Pollution

l
i. Air pollution
1. Causes-

ya
a. Geography of Delhi- landlocked (less dispersion), wind
slows down, western disturbance leading to dust particles
from Central Asia

Go
b. Stubble burning (~10%) from outside Delhi
c. Within cities pollution (construction (fugitive dust emission),
hotel)
2. IIT Kanpur study (Mukesh Sharma, Omkar Dixit- 2016)- PM2.5
ha
annual average concentrations- Roadside dust (38%), Vehicular
emission (20%), Industries (10%), Household (12%); Winter
season- Stubble burning (30%);
Ne

3. Measures:
a. Commission for Air quality management (CAQM) →
coordination among various authorities in the NCR region
.

b. Real-time source apportionment study (real time source

contribution→evidence based policy making)
Dr

c. GRAP, Smog towers, happy seeder, bio-ethanol, stubble to

cardboard making
d. Green crackers, e-vehicles (electric buses, hydrogen
buses,FAME scheme)
e. Startup- Kriya Labs (Stubble to fibres)
ii. Yamuna (Delhi stretch of 22(Wazirabad to Oakhla barrage)/48 km is most
polluted)
1. Yamuna pollution Causes & control
2. BOD(only the measure of organic waste) ranges from 5-50 mg/L
(ideally less than 3 mg/L → that fit for bathing) and to maintaining
ecological flow
a. Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier of Uttar
Kashi in Uttar Pradesh.
b. Causes:
 i. The barrages formed on the river are playing a
major role in escalating the river pollution.
ii. Source of pollutants- Industrial Effluents,
iii. Domestic Waste Water, Pollution from Agriculture,
Solid Wastes, open defecation,immersion of idols
and cremation.
3. Way Ahead:
a. Proper Management and Treatment of Wastewater
(effluent management,STP, in-situ bioremediation,
super-absorbant material by IISER→ 93% in 30
seconds)
b. Promote Wastewater Treatment & Technologies ()

l
c. Drainage Water Management and Treatment (grey and
black water management)

ya
d. Recycling and Reuse of Wastewater (circular economy of
water as in JJM(U))
e. Improving the Sewerage System

Go
f. Formation of public toilet (Google maps shows public
toilets)
g. Strict laws, fines and implementation.
h. Awareness among people.
ha
i. Riverfront beautification
Ne

iii. Solid waste management

1. Landfills in Delhi : Okhla(no new waste), Bhalaswa, Ghazipur
2. Waste to energy plants (3 already- Okhla, Ghazipur, Bawana, 1
under construction- Tehkhand)
.

3. Refuse-derived fuel → Bhalaswa→ Pellets to cement industries

4. SWM rules → apart from implementation, but also need waste
Dr

segregation at source
5. Indore (Cleanest city) → Wet waste(majority of solid waste) to
Bio-CNG → to run buses
6. Sanitary landfills → so that the seepage (leachate) from the
waste do not contaminate the groundwater
g. Water shortage
i. Issue of quality and quantity
ii. Source of water- External (Haryana-Yamuna, UP-Upper Ganga Canal,
Himachal Pradesh), Internal (Yamuna, Groundwater, Rainwater,
Wastewater)
iii. Demand(1150 million gallon per day) > Supply (935 mgpd)→ water
tankers brought in certain localities
iv. Way ahead → Rain water harvesting, recharge of ground waters
h. Earthquake
i. Delhi, UP, Bihar lies in Zone-4 → making it vulnerable to quakes
ii. Lack of implementation of building/safety codes
iii. Lack of sustainable urban planning
i. Rape capital
i. 200% rise in cases since 2012 and 41% increase in crimes against
women compared to last year (making it one of the most unsafe metro
cities of the country)
ii. Reasons:
1. Few female police personnel (only 7% personnel are women) →
Bihar has 35% reservation
2. Inadequate police →150 per 100,000 people instead of UN

l
recommended 222
3. Vulnerable/ isolated stretches

ya
4. Inadequate criminal justice system→Sluggish courts (not
enough fast-track courts) → 15 judges for 1 million people
5. Sociological issues → thrusting the will on women, patriarchal

Go
mindset

iii. Remedies
1. Section 354 IPC → violence against women / outrages her
ha
modesty
2. POSH Act (35% Indian companies and 25% MNCs NOT
complying wrt Internal Complaints Committee)
Ne

3. National database of sexual offenders (already there)

4. Nirbhaya fund → fast track courts
5. Helpline (1091 for women 1098 for children), all-women PCR vans
6. Delhi specific → Himmat App (for sending SOS, live location to
.

police control room), Panic buttons in DTC buses along with

marshals, increased streetlights and CCTV
Dr

7. Self-defence camps in schools by Delhi police

8. In long terms → school curriculum should integrate value
education, navigating interpersonal relations

j. Urban flooding
i. Causes: Encroachment of wetlands, river basins or flood plains,
inadequate storm drains/ choking of storm drains → further aggravated by
climate change (high intensity rainfalls etc)
ii. Best practices/ Way ahead:
1. Green-Blue Policy of Delhi (under Masterplan 2041) → to maintain
storm drains (grey), green spaces, blue (water bodies)
2. Sponge cities (Ahmedabad)
3. Ensure gradient of the road matches with drainage system
 4. Emergency crews near hotspots (like near Sarai Kale Khan)
5. Retaining walls for minimising the flooding (impact)
k. Urbanisation- slums (Munirka (near IIT), Mahipalpur, Seelampur, Shadipur )

l
i.

ya
ii. Population- 30 lakh (estimate)
iii. Behavioural issues need to be addressed → cluster based approach for
provision of sustainable jobs, education etc

Go
iv. Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board → for rehabilitation of slum
dwellers and improvement of living conditions
v. Kathputli colony in Delhi → affordable houses in PPP mode to
rehabilitate the slum dwellers
ha
vi. Similar in Mumbai (Dharavi redevelopment project)
vii. Jagga mission of Odisha → recognition of slum dwellers, with drone
mapping and provision of basic amenities
Ne

4. Kerala
a. Environmental issue– rising of sea levels
b. Ignite Kollam investment meet on January 28,2023
c. Kerala’s Wayanad becomes first district in country to provide basic documents to
.

all tribal people

Dr

d. School Education Vs. Higher Education in Kerala:

i. School education in Kerala has seen a tremendous change over the
recent years. School infrastructure has been upgraded and as many as
141 higher secondary schools have been made ‘centres of excellence’
using the KIIFB fund of Rs 5 crore each. Infrastructural facilities in 395
schools have been upgraded with the allocation of KIIFB funds of Rs 3
crore each.
ii. However, the performance of the State in higher education is not as
impressive as in the case of school education. The main problems related
to higher education in Kerala are quality, cost and graduate
unemployment level. The enrolment in higher secondary education in
2020-21 had been 3.81 lakh, which was down at 3.32 lakh at the college
level. This has created a situation conducive for more investment in
emerging areas of education in the state.
 iii.
Draft policy on higher education: proposal for massive private investment
in the state’s higher education sector.
iv. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/how-kerala-new-push-in-highe
r-education-is-a-sea-change-for-ruling-cpim-7799829/
e. Draft Kerala Small Hydro Policy 2022 published, eyes doubling capacity in 8
years
f. Kudumbashree Day to be observed on May 17 every year
g. Success of PRIs in Kerala
5. PUNJAB
a.

l
ya
Go
ha
Ne
.
Dr