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 Yes, You Can
What You Can Learn From Gukesh's Extraordinary Win
Dear Friend,
Like all other Indians, you must have felt immense pride when our Chennai's 18-year-
old Grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion
after beating Ding Liren of China in Singapore on December 12, 2024. The year 2024
couldn't have ended better for India. After all, Gukesh brought back the World Chess
Championship title to India, ending an 11-year wait after the five-time world champion
Viswanathan Anand lost the title to Magnus Carlsen of Norway in 2013. In a game
where experience counts more than raw talent and players are typically expected to peak
in their late 20s, if not in their 30s, an 18-year-old boy accomplishing the feat of
reaching the pinnacle of the game seems incredible even to the most avid chess minds
in the world. Gukesh's mesmerising world title win promises to place him in the league
of the likes of Gary Kasparov, Carlsen and Mikhail Tal, who went on to become chess
legends after winning their first world championship titles at the age of 22, 22 and 23,
respectively. So, Gukesh's victory is extraordinary and out of the box for Indians to feel
so much elevated and proud. “I like challenges, and I will try my
But more than that, it embodies several inspiring lessons for everyone who aspires to best to figure things out and improve
achieve the apogee of success in their chosen field. It tells you that nothing is beyond myself day by day. I want to be the
your reach if you have the right approach, relentless dedication, an appetite for hard best version of myself.”
work, single-minded focus, endearing humility, a self-critical attitude, and an enormous —D. Gukesh, the youngest-ever
capacity to learn and improve. Gukesh is a champion because he has everything one
needs to become a champion. Even among the champions, how many do we have who World Chess Champion
dream of becoming a champion at the tender age of 7 and actually become one at the teenage of 18?
The dream was born when Gukesh, a 7-year-old rookie chess player, accompanied his father to watch Anand and Carlsen
fight for the World Championship title in Chennai in 2013. The experience was inspiring enough for him to envision the
dream. Had it been someone else in place of him, more often than not, he would have forgotten that dream with the flow
of time. But Gukesh stopped attending the regular school after Class 5 to dedicate himself fully to the 64-square board game.
The dream became more profound and specific when, in an interview after winning the U11 Indian Championship in 2017,
he famously said, "I want to become the youngest world chess champion". And by the end of 2024, he proved his words
were not hollow. Just see the clarity of vision and consistency of thought Gukesh had throughout those years towards his
goal. No big success can be achieved without this fiercely focused mind.
Another lesson Gukesh's exceptional journey holds for every young success-seeker is never to get discouraged by any
setback you receive on the way to your goal. Take them as a challenge to make a comeback with more flying colours. In the
2024 FIDE Men's Candidates tournament, Gukesh did not let his loss to France's Alireza Firouzja pull him down, successfully
checkmated the challenges put up by the likes of American Hikaru Nakamura and Italian-American Fabiano Caruana, and
finally succeeded in winning the tournament to become the youngest World Championship challenger. Even in the World
Championship in Singapore, Gukesh started with a loss in the first game and then again in the 12th game. However, he
showed patience and maturity beyond his years by remaining extremely focused. That focus is an acquired art. Gukesh has
meticulously worked on mastering himself with mind and physical training. This is the secret of the calm demeanour you
see on his face, even during the challenging moments in a game. As he says, "I like challenges, and I will try my best to figure
things out and improve myself day by day. I want to be the best version of myself."
Humility is an ornament of a true champion. Gukesh won many more hearts when, in his post-win press conference, he
said, "Becoming the world champion does not mean that I am the best player in the world; that is Magnus Carlsen", and
the way Ding played "showed what a true champion he is". He was immensely grateful to his parents, who "had to face a
lot of financial struggles since we were not a very well-off family." He is known to play three sets of tennis a day, seven
days a week, to keep himself fit. A lover of the biographies of sporting greats, including Abhinav Bindra's A Shot At History,
Gukesh understands the significance of a healthy mind. You will find many inspiring insights if you go into Gukesh's
extraordinary journey. Your pride in Gukesh's victory will become more meaningful when you draw lessons from his success
and apply them in your life.
With these words, I wish you a very Happy New Year 2025 and success in all your endeavours,
Yours sincerely

(Surendra Kumar Sachdeva)

6 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 TOP NEWSMAKERS 2024
INDIA
Narendra Modi: From participating Omar Abdullah: After a shock defeat Starting as Chief Minister, he
in the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, was abruptly forced to resign after
the Ram Mandir National Conference being arrested by
in Ayodhya to leader Mr. Omar the Enforcement
securing a historic Abdullah became Directorate in
third term as the first Chief an alleged land
Prime Minister Minister of the scam. However,
of India, Union Territory he led his party
Mr. Narendra of Jammu & and coalition to
Modi dominated Kashmir. However, a fantastic victory
headlines through- he found his power in the 2024
out 2024. Though Omar Abdullah much reduced State Assembly
Narendra Modi his Bharatiya Hemant Soren
in the U.T. elections.
Janata Party could not secure a clear Devendra Fadnavis: B.J.P.’s Gautam Adani: One of India’s top
majority in Lok Sabha, he continued to Maharashtra leader, Mr. Devendra billionaires, Mr. Gautam Adani made
govern with the same vigour. Fadnavis, made a headlines in 2024
D.Y. Chandrachud: Before retiring remarkable comeback both for his
on November 10, 2024, the then Chief as the State’s 21st business and
Justice of India, Chief Minister controversies. He
Mr. Dhananjaya Y. after leading his was indicted
Chandrachud, party’s 2024 by the United
reshaped critical Assembly election States Securities
debates with campaign with and Exchange
many far-reaching calculated aggression Commission (S.E.C.)
judgements under to an unprecedented in an alleg ed
his leadership. landslide victory. Devendra Fadnavis multibillion-dollar Gautam Adani
He also courted Nayab Singh Saini: Mr. Nayab Singh bribery and fraud case.
controversies for Saini took the oath twice as the Haryana Arvind Kejriwal: Aam Aadmi Party
some of his public D.Y. Chandrachud Chief Minister in leader Mr. Arvind Kejriwal lost some
statements. 2024. For the first or more of his
Chandrababu Naidu: Telugu time, he took oath sheen by
Desam Party leader Mr. N. when he was picked becoming the
Chandrababu up by B.J.P. to first sitting Chief
Naidu made a replace Mr. M.L. Minister of a
stunning comeback Khattar in March State to be
by becoming the 2024. His second arrested. Accused
Chief Minister of oath came in in the Delhi
Andhra Pradesh Nayab Singh Saini October 2024, after Excise Policy
for the fourth he led his party to a stunning victory in scam, the then
time after securing the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections and Arvind Kejriwal C.M. of Delhi
a landslide victory emerged as a leader in his own right. spent over six months in jail and
Chandrababu in the 2024 Mohan Charan Majhi: While the resigned only after coming out on bail
Naidu State Assembly BJP stormed to power for the first time granted by the Supreme Court.
elections. He also in Odisha by Payal Kapadia: Indian filmmaker
emerged as a strong pillar of the handsomely Ms. Payal Kapadia’s film All We
National Democratic Alliance- winning the 2024 Imagine As Light,
led Central Government in New Assembly elections, an IndoFrench
Delhi. firebrand tribal production, made
Rahul Gandhi: After winning leader Mr. Mohan histor y by
99 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha Charan Majhi becoming the first
elections, Congress found his name in Indian film to
leader Mr. Rahul general knowledge Mohan Charan win the Grand
Gandhi, for the books when the Majhi Prix at the Cannes
first time, took an party anointed him Film Festival in
official position, as the first B.J.P. Chief Minister of the May 2024. The
becoming the Payal Kapadia
State. The teacher-turned-politician is Malayalam film was
Leader of the the State’s first tribal CM in 24 years. also nominated for the US-Canada
Opposition (LoP) Hemant Soren: For the Jharkhand Critics Choice Awards 2025 after
in the Lower Mukti Morcha leader, Mr. Hemant receiving two Golden Globe
Rahul Gandhi Soren, 2024 was a comeback year. nominations.
House.
8 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 TOP NEWSMAKERS 2024
WORLD
Donald Trump: The former U.S. appointed to lead the Trump for the 2024
President, Mr. Donald Trump, Administration’s proposed Department Republican Primary
dominated the of Government Efficiency. in the U.S.
global spotlight Joe Biden: Outgoing U.S. President However, he
throughout the Mr. Joe Biden suspended his
year by running was persuaded to campaign in favour
a fierce ‘Make withdraw from the of Mr. Donald
America Great 2024 Presidential Trump who later
Again’ campaign race and endorse appointed him V. Ramaswamy
for the 2024 Vice-President as co-head of
U.S. Presidential Ms. Kamala Harris’ the proposed Department of
Donald Trump election, which he candidature, owing Government Efficiency.
eventually won to serious concerns Vladimir Putin: Russian President
handsomely to become the first about his age and Mr. Vladimir Putin began his fifth term
President to secure a second non- Joe Biden mental acuity. with 88% of the
consecutive term in almost 130 years. Bashar al-Assad: Former Syrian vote, the highest
Narendra Modi: With a renewed President Mr. Bashar al-Assad will percentage in a
mandate for a historic third never forget 2024 Presidential election
term as Prime as it ended with in post-Soviet
Minister of India, the rebel groups Russia, in May
Mr. Narendra capturing all major 2024. Further
Modi made the cities, including the cementing his
first official visit capital, Damascus, grip on power, he
of his new overthrowing his Vladimir Putin fiercely countered
term to Russia. g overnment and Russia’s isolation
Soon enough, he forcing him to flee from the West. However, he faced
paid another to Russia. Mr. Assad Bashar al-Assad continuing challenges due to an
historic visit to Narendra Modi had been ruling incursion by Kyiv’s troops in his territory.
war-torn Ukraine Syria since 2000. Sheikh Hasina: The then
in a diplomatic balancing act, underlining Benjamin Netanyahu: The year Bangladesh Prime
India’s status as an emerging geopolitical 2024 saw Israeli Minister Ms. Sheikh
power. Prime Minister Hasina’s alleged
Xi Jinping: The all-powerful Mr. Benjamin involvement in
President of China, Mr. Xi Jinping, and Netanyahu not only corruption and
his regime faced continuing his war her stance on the
many challenges, against Hamas in anti-quota protests
with economic Gaza but also led to widespread
growth slowing extending it to backlash, promp-
down. Still, China Hezbollah in Leba- ting her to flee the
made significant Benjamin non. At home, his country and seek Sheikh Hasina
strides in Netanyahu leadership sparked refuge in India.
space, military widespread protests on the streets. Sunita Williams: Indian-American
innovation and Keir Starmer : After taking his Labour NASA astronaut Ms. Sunita Williams
Xi Jinping manufacturing, Party back to power in 2024 summers left Earth for an
and high-speed to end years in the eight-day trip to
transportation. wilderness, British the International
Elon Musk: Besides the pioneering Prime Minister Space Station
achievements of his SpaceX, Mr. Elon Mr. Keir Starmer (I.S.S.) in June
Musk stayed all the had a rocky first 2024. However,
time in global six months in technical glitches
limelight for his office. Mr. Starmer ensured her
staunch support staked much of sojourn stretched
to Mr. Donald his premiership on Sunita Williams beyond 2024. The
Trump in his growing the U.K. extended duration
U.S. Presidential economy, but many Keir Starmer enabled her to cast her vote for the
campaign. He of his government’s tough decisions on 2024 U.S. Presidential election from
became the first tax and spending ran counter to that. space and experience multiple New
billionaire to cross Elon Musk Vivek Ramaswamy: Indian-American Year celebrations as the I.S.S.
the $400 billion entrepreneur Mr. Vivek Ramaswamy shot completes an orbit approximately every
mark in net worth, and was finally into international fame with his candidacy 90 minutes.
10 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 TOP NEWSMAKERS 2024
SPORTS
Leon Marchand: French swimmer Rohit Sharma: Indian skipper Rohit something special and made him one of
Leon Marchand emerged as the face of Sharma led India to their second-ever the best ATP players of the year. Besides
the 2024 Paris T20 World Cup his victories at
Olympics. The 22- triumph in 2024. Roland Garros
year-old sensation The 36-year-old and Wimbledon,
drew comparisons was the only he won two more
to the legendary member of the titles at Indian
Michael Phelps by squad to have been Wells and the
winning four gold also a part of China Open. His
medals, all in the T20 World silver medal at
individual events— Rohit Sharma Cup-winning side in the 2024 Paris
the 200m breast- 2007. However, he Carlos Alcaraz Olympics made
Leon Marchand stroke, 200m continued to struggle in Tests. the year more
butterfly, 200m individual medley, and Jasprit Bumrah : Fast bowler Jasprit special for him.
400m individual medley. Another Bumrah dominated the Indian cricket arena Cristiano Ronaldo: The Portuguese
bronze took his medal haul to five. in 2024. He was the superstar achieved another remarkable
Dommaraju Gukesh: D. Gukesh 'Player Of The feat in 2024,
ruled the world of chess in 2024 in his Tournament' for his becoming the first
unique way. First, 15 wickets in eight player in history to
he won the FIDE games in T20 World reach 900 career
Candidates tour- Cup tournament, goals. He closed
nament, qualifying where India the season with
to challenge the emerged Champions. a stag gering 50
World Champion. He recorded a strike g oals in 51
Later, he was part rate of 26.9 while Jasprit Bumrah matches across all
of the Indian team claiming 86 wickets competitions. Both Cristiano Ronaldo
which won the at an average of 13.76 in 21 matches in are incredible feats
Chess Olympiad. Dommaraju Gukesh 2024—the best by any Indian bowler across for an athlete approaching 40.
By the end of the formats in a calendar year. Simone Biles: At the 2024 Paris
year, he exploded on the global chess Manu Bhaker: 2024 changed Olympics, Simone Biles won three gold
scene by becoming the youngest-ever everything for India’s ace shooter, Manu medals and one
World Chess Champion. Bhaker. At the 2024 silver medal as she
Noah Lyles: In 2024, American track Paris Olympics, she returned to her
and field star Noah Lyles emerged as earned the twin glory craft after a year
the fastest man in of becoming the first out in emphatic
the world after Indian woman fashion and
winning a gold shooter to win an became the fourth
medal, his first Olympic gold and American female
Olympic title, the first Indian to artistic gymnast to
with a personal win two medals at a
best time of single edition of the Simone Biles compete at three
Manu Bhaker Olympic Games.
9.79 seconds in the Games in Indepen-
100-metre dash dent India. The year ended on a high note Her 11 Olympic and 30 World
final at the 2024 with the country’s highest Major Dhyan Championship medals make the 27-year-
Noah Lyles old U.S.A. native the most decorated
Paris Olympics. Chand Khel Ratna Award coming her way.
Jannik Sinner: The Italian tennis Neeraj Chopra: In 2014, 90m gymnast in history.
star started the year on a high note remained elusive for the javelin thrower Rohan Bopanna: Rohan Bopanna
with his first major Neeraj Chopra, but kicked off the year with a historic
win at the 2024 consistency kept win at the 2024
Australian Open India’s golden boy Australian Open
after being down shining. The year Men’s Doubles
two sets to love. saw him win two title alongside
He picked up his silver medals, one Matthew Ebden,
second major at at the 2024 Paris marking his first
the 2024 U.S. Olympics and Grand Slam
Open, another another at the 2024 victory in Men’s
hard court surface. Diamond League Doubles. At 43,
Jannik Sinner Neeraj Chopra he became the Rohan Bopanna
He closed the year Final.
with an ATP Finals win and the No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz: Carlos Alcaraz’s oldest man to win
world ranking. historic Channel Slam in 2024 was a Grand Slam in the Open Era.
14 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 LOOKING
BACK
2025 LOOKING
AHEAD

INDIA 2024
The Year Of Big Strides
For India, 2024 was a year of remarkable achievements 2024 was a banner year for Indian sports, with victories
and hope. The country marched ahead, taking great strides, that echoed far beyond the stadiums. While Indian cricket
beating all odds. India’s resilience was on full display, from saw the end of a 13-year-long drought of World Cups as
space exploration to sporting triumphs and diplomatic Rohit Sharma’s team won a nail-biting final against South
victories to environmental successes. Whether in Science, Africa to lift the T20 World Cup, one of the most
remarkable sporting achievements of the year came from
18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju, who became the
youngest-ever FIDE World Chess Champion in 2024.

Ram Temple In Ayodhya

Marking the homecoming of Lord Ram after 500 years,
the newly built Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh,
was opened for devotees after a ritualistic Pran Pratishtha
or consecration ceremony on January 22, 2024. The
anushthan or rituals were conducted during the auspicious
muhurat under the guidance of 121 Vedic Brahmins led
by Pandit Laxmikant Dubey. The first picture of the Ram
Lalla or child Lord Ram, sculpted by Mysuru-based
sculptor Mr. Arun Yogiraj, was revealed to the world after
Sports, Culture or Governance, the country wrote stories the scarf covering the idol’s eyes was taken off. The
of triumph, serving as a testament to the people’s consecration ceremony unveiled a heavily bejewelled Ram
unbreakable spirit. For India, the Year 2024 was not without Lalla idol adorned with gold jewellery and other diamond,
its shadows, but it was also defined by extraordinary emerald and ruby ornaments. The idol holding a bow and
achievements—both on the global stage and within its an arrow made of gold was installed inside the sanctum
borders. The year was a testament that even in the most sanctorun on January 18, 2024, as part of the rituals. The
challenging times, hope can still shine through while a nation 51-inch, black-coloured idol shows Lord Ram as a five-
of 1.4 billion people makes significant strides towards a year-old child.
more glorious future.
The year began with grand celebrations across the
country. The reason was the Pran Pratishtha at the Ram
Mandir in Ayodhya, a monumental moment in independent
India’s history. In the middle of the year, India was occupied
with a long-drawn-out election campaign and the birth pangs
of a new federal government. Mr. Narendra Modi made
history by becoming India’s first Prime Minister after
Pdt. Jawaharlal Nehru to win a third successive term.
However, unlike in 2014 and 2019, his Bharatiya Janata
Party (B.J.P.) fell far short of a simple majority. This took
some sheen off their victory and left the party to rely on
its allies for governance. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya marked a spectacular
saw Indian voters delivering a powerful message that no demonstration of Hindu revival and resurgence. The Pran
party should dare to take them for granted. Significantly, Pratishtha ceremony symbolised a pivotal moment when
the year also witnessed the Union Territory of Jammu &
the long-silenced spirit of a nation finally got a voice.
Kashmir returning to democracy.
In 2024, India achieved remarkable milestones in space, There is a strong school of thought that the revival of
solidifying its status as a powerful spacefaring nation and India and the resurgence of Hinduism are intertwined.
positioning it among the top five globally. The country They say it is only fitting that the cultural expression of
also fortified its defence by further developing indigenous this civilisational revival is rooted in Hinduism, given that
technologies and completing many important projects. The nearly 80% of the population in the country identifies as

16 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 Hindu, while a significant portion of the remainder has of Mr. Patnaik and his BJD marked the end of an era in
Hindu roots. The reason why the consecration of Ram Odisha. Tribal leader and four-time M.L.A., Mr. Mohan
Mandir is seen as an epochal civilisational moment for Charan Majhi, took oath as Odisha’s first B.J.P. Chief
Hindus is that never before, anywhere in the world, has a Minister on June 12, 2024.
major Hindu religious site, devastated and converted into In Andhra Pradesh, the Telugu Desam Party-led alliance,
a mosque, been reclaimed, that, too, following comprising the Jana Sena Party (J.S.P.) of actor Mr. Konidela
Constitutional and legal means. Pawan Kalyan and B.J.P., registered a landslide victory by
winning 164 out of 175 seats. While the TDP won 135
People’s Mandate assembly seats, the JSP and B.J.P. emerged victorious in 21
The Year 2024 marked a significant turning point in and eight seats, respectively. The ruling YSR Congress
Indian politics, characterised by historic milestones and suffered severe beating and was reduced to 11 seats, down
shifting dynamics. It was a general election year. In the 2024 from 151 it won in 2019. TDP President Mr. N.
Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi Chandrababu Naidu was sworn in as the Chief Minister
won a third consecutive term, cementing his legacy as India’s on June 12, 2024—for the fourth time after holding the
only second leader to achieve this feat after the first Prime post twice in undivided Andhra Pradesh and the second
Minister, Pdt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Mr. Modi was administered time after the bifurcation of the State.
In J&K, National Conference leader Mr. Omar Abdullah
took oath as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory
of Jammu & Kashmir on October 16, 2024, following the
victory of his J&K National Conference (J&K N.C.) in
the maiden Assembly election after the abrogation of
Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile State.
Mr. Abdullah-led J&K N.C.-Congress alliance won a
comfortable majority, securing 49 seats. However, the 2024
J&K Assembly elections were a triumph for the Indian
democracy. With a record 64.45% voter turnout, no boycott
call, and even separatists joining the mainstream by
contesting polls, the elections marked a defining moment
for the State.
In Jharkhand, Chief Minister Mr. Hemant Soren took
the oath of office for the fourth time on November 28,
Mr. Narendra Modi made history as he became Prime Minister 2024, after he led his four-party alliance to a resounding
for a third consecutive term on June 9, 2024 following National
Democratic Alliance's victory in Lok Sabha elections. victory, winning 56 seats of the 81-member State Assembly.
Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Nayab Singh Saini was sworn
the oath of office and secrecy for his third term as Prime in for a second consecutive term on October 17, 2024,
Minister by the President, Ms. Droupadi Murmu, at a after he led B.J.P. to a spectacular victory with the party’s
ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 9, 2024. best-ever tally in the 2024 Assembly elections, securing
The B.J.P. experienced a slight dip in its national vote 48 seats in the 90-member State Assembly. The B.J.P. leader,
share, falling from 37.3% in 2019 to 36.6% in 2024, translating Mr. Pema Khandu, took oath as Chief Minister of
into a significant drop in seats to 240, 32 less than required Arunachal Pradesh for the third consecutive term on
for a simple majority in the 543-member Lok Sabha. June 13, 2024, after he led the party to a spectacular win,
However, Mr. Modi’s leadership and strategic alliances with securing 46 seats in the 60-member State Assembly. Sikkim
14 regional parties ensured the National Democratic Alliance Krantikari Morcha (S.K.M.) convenor Mr. Prem Singh
(N.D.A.) retained power with 293 seats, underscoring his Tamang was sworn in as Sikkim’s Chief Minister for the
enduring appeal and the B.J.P.’s adaptability in coalition second consecutive term on June 10, 2024. The S.K.M.
politics. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress nearly doubled secured a landslide victory in the State Assembly elections,
its tally to 99, with its leader, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, emerging winning 31 seats in the 32-member Assembly.
as a more assertive political force and becoming the Leader In Maharashtra, the ruling Mahayuti alliance of B.J.P.,
of the Opposition (L.O.P.) in the Lower House. Chief Minister Mr. Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena (S.S.), and
The 2024 saw intense face-offs in regional battlegrounds, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist
with State Assembly elections in at least eight States. While Congress Party (N.C.P.) retained power after sweeping the
the Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh State Assembly elections with a victory of unprecedented
State Assembly elections were held simultaneously with scale. They secured a landslide 230 of the 288 seats in the
the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, State Assembly. B.J.P. leader Mr. Devendra Fadnavis took
Maharashtra and Jharkhand went to Assembly polls later oath as Chief Minister for the third time on December 5,
in the year. Odisha and Andhra Pradesh saw major electoral 2024, while outgoing CM Mr. Shinde and N.C.P. leader
upheavals. For the first time, the B.J.P. came to power in Mr. Ajit Pawar joined the government as Deputy CMs.
Odisha by winning 78 out of 147 seats in the State Janata Dal (United) President Mr. Nitish Kumar took
Assembly, overthrowing the Biju Janata Dal’s 24-year regime oath as Chief Minister of Bihar on January 28, 2024, for
under the then Chief Minister Mr. Navin Patnaik. The fall a record ninth time after a dramatic volte-face, ditching

18 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 the incumbent Mahagathbandhan or Grand Alliance and
the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc and forming a new
government with the N.D.A., which he had dumped less
than 18 months ago. In Jharkhand, the then J.M.M. leader,
Mr. Champai Soren, briefly ruled the State as Chief
Minister, taking the oath of office on February 2, 2024,
after the incumbent, Mr. Hemant Soren, had to resign
owing to his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in an
alleged land fraud case. Aam Aadmi Party (A.A.P.) leader
Ms. Atishi was sworn in as the eighth Chief Minister
of Delhi on September 21, 2024, after the incumbent,
Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, tendered his resignation. The year
2024 saw Mr Kejriwal earning a dubious distinction by
P.S.L.V.-C60 carrying SpaDeX and its payloads lifts
becoming the first Chief Minister in the country to continue off from Sriharikota on December 30, 2024, as part
as C.M. even after his arrest by the E.D. and the C.B.I. in of ISRO's key Space Docking Experiment.
a controversial liquor policy case.
One of the highlights of the elections in 2024 was all I.S.R.O. began the year by putting its first polarimetry
political parties’ over-reliance on freebies, especially direct mission, the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite, or XPoSat, in a
cash transfers, to woo voters and win polls. Almost every precise circular orbit of 650 km, after a 21-minute flight
party in every State came up with its version of Ladli on January 1, 2024. It was India’s maiden mission dedicated
Bahin schemes. What was more ominous was that some of to analysing the polarisation of X-rays emanating from
them were successful. Even B.J.P. adopted the freebie bright celestial sources in the medium frequency band and
economics, particularly in Maharashtra, reversing P.M. the world’s second satellite-based mission dedicated to
Mr. Modi’s famous stance against ‘Revdi culture’. What making X-ray polarimetry measurements. India’s first solar
made these welfare schemes indispensable for the N.D.A. observation mission, Aditya L1, reached its final destination,
campaign was their usefulness in neutralising the at the spot in space from where it could continuously
opposition’s efforts to highlight caste and class inequalities watch the Sun, on January 6, 2024.
and call for redistributive justice. The agency successfully launched the INSAT-3DS
satellite for the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences on board
Rising To Higher Orbits its Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F14) from the
In 2024, India reaffirmed its position as a leading spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on February 17,
spacefaring nation, with I.S.R.O. achieving several significant 2024. Another milestone was the landing experiment of
milestones. The I.S.R.O. ended 2024 on high after the space the Pushpak Reusable Launch Vehicle (R.L.V.),
agency successfully launched its Space Docking Experiment, successfully conducted at the Aeronautical Test Range in
or SpaDeX, mission onboard a Polar Satellite Launch Chitradurga district in Karnataka on March 22, 2024. The
Vehicle (P.S.L.V.) on December 30, 2024. By mastering the Earth Observation Satellite 08 (E.O.S.-08) aboard the
space docking technologies, I.S.R.O. enhanced its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle D3 (S.S.L.V.-D3) was
operational flexibility and expanded its mission horizons, successfully launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre
besides putting India into a small elite club of countries, in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on August 16, 2024. India’s
comprising the United States, Russia and China, which are latest communication satellite, GSAT-N2, was successfully
launched by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral in the U.S. on
November 19, 2024.
In a historic development, India introduced four
astronaut designates for its first human-crewed space
mission, Gaganyaan, on February 27, 2024. The I.S.R.O.
achieved a key milestone in developing India’s first semi-
cryogenic engine. The space agency conducted the first
ignition trial for Semi-Cryogenic Engine-200 (S.C.E.-200)
at the Semi-Cryo Integrated Engine Test facility (S.I.E.T.) in
the I.S.R.O. Propulsion Complex (I.P.R.C.) in Mahendragiri,
Odisha, on May 2, 2024. The agency also launched the
country’s first analog space mission in Leh, Ladakh, on
capable of carrying out docking. Earlier, in another feat, November 1, 2024, to study the challenges of extraterrestrial
the I.S.R.O. took India’s solar mission to new heights by conditions that will help in future space missions. The 2024
successfully launching the European Space Agency or will also be remembered for laying of the foundation stone
E.S.A.’s Proba-3 satellites into orbit on December 5, 2024. of I.S.R.O.’s second spaceport at Kulasekharapattinam,
A collaboration between I.S.R.O. and E.S.A., the a coastal village in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu.
groundbreaking mission is set to use two advanced satellites In the private sector, Tata Advanced Systems Limited
on an Indian launch vehicle to conduct revolutionary (T.A.S.L.), in collaboration with Satellogic Inc., successfully
research on the Sun’s corona. launched India’s first privately built sub-metre resolution

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 19

 optical satellite, TSAT-1A, from Kennedy Space Centre, railway bridge. At 1,178 feet above the riverbed, the Chenab
Florida, U.S.A., as part of the Bandwagon-1 mission aboard Bridge stands 35 metres taller than the iconic Eiffel Tower
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, on April 7, 2024. A Tamil Nadu- in Paris, France. The world’s longest twin-lane tunnel, ‘Sela
based start-up, Space Zone India, successfully launched Tunnel’, was inaugurated on March 9, 2024. Constructed
the country’s first reusable hybrid rocket—RHUMI-1— at an altitude of 13,700 feet in West Kameng district on the
on board a mobile platform from Thiruvidanthai on the road connecting Tezpur in Assam to Tawang in Arunachal
East Coast Road Beach in Chennai on August 24, 2024, to Pradesh, the tunnel connects three districts of the State to
advance the research on global warming and atmospheric the rest of the country. In another engineering marvel,
conditions. India’s first underwater Metro line tunnel, on the Howrah
India’s space programme promised to enter an exciting Maidan-Esplanade section of the Kolkata Metro, was
phase, marked by ambitious missions and unprecedented inaugurated on March 6, 2024.
technological advancements, as the Union Cabinet approved Among expressway road projects, the 19-km Gurugram
four big-ticket space missions on September 18, 2024, to section of the 29-km Dwarka Expressway was opened
take the next leap in space exploration. The missions include for traffic on March 11, 2024. The elevated eight-lane access-
Chandrayaan-4 to bring a lunar sample to Earth, a Venus controlled expressway is the first of its kind in India and
Orbiter Mission (VOM) to study the transformation of includes tunnels, underpasses, flyovers and elevated
the second planet from the Sun, Bharatiya Antariksh structures. While significant stretches of the much-touted
Station (BAS), India’s own space station in the sky, and Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, as well as the Amritsar-
the development of a reusable next-generation launch Jamnagar and Bengaluru-Chennai Expressways, reached near
vehicle (NGLV), the Soorya rocket. completion, another eight National High-Speed Road
Corridor projects of a combined length of 936 km,
Rails, Roads & Bridges costing Rs. 50,655 crore, received the Union Cabinet’s nod
India’s transformative journey in infrastructure on August 2, 2024.
development reached new heights in 2024 with significant The Navi Mumbai International Airport, being
achievements in road and railway projects, driven by record- developed by Adani Group-led Navi Mumbai International
breaking investments and strategic initiatives. The Union Airport (NMIA), achieved a milestone on December 29,
Budget 2024-25 allocated Rs. 2.78 lakh crore to the Ministry 2024, with the successful completion of the first commercial
of Road Transport & Highways and Rs. 2.62 lakh crore to flight validation test. A few weeks before, the Noida
the Ministry of Railways. In 2024, the nation constructed International Airport saw the first successful validation flight
27 km of new roads every day, significantly improving landing, marking a significant milestone in its journey
connectivity across regions. toward operational readiness. The first phase of the
A new marvel was added to India’s infrastructure on Vizhinjam International Deepwater Transhipment
Seaport in Kerala, managed by Adani Ports and Special
January 12, 2024, with the inauguration of the Mumbai
Economic Zone (A.P.S.E.Z.), was operationalised with the
Trans Harbour Link (M.T.H.L.), officially the Atal Bihari
arrival of the first cargo vessel on July 11, 2024. Located
Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Setu or, in short, Atal Setu.
just 10 nautical miles from the international shipping route
The 21.8 km, six-lane, twin-carriageway, access-controlled
connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Far East, the
elevated road bridge is the longest sea bridge in India and
Vizhinjam Seaport welcomed around 100 large commercial
vessels in the first six months of its operations.
In what promises to be another game-changing
infrastructure endeavour, the foundation stone for
constructing the Vadhvan Port project, at a budget of
around Rs. 76,220 crore, in Maharashtra’s Palghar was laid
on August 30, 2024. The Vadhvan Port will be one of
India’s largest deep-water ports and is part of the Union
Government’s ambitious Sagarmala Programme that seeks
to improve the country’s logistics with a focus on the
maritime sector.
Indian Railways made significant strides in modernising
A view of Mumbai's Atal Setu, the longest its infrastructure in 2024. The Vande Bharat Express
sea bridge in India. network expanded dramatically to a fleet of more than 60
trains by December 2024. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad
the 12th longest in the world. India’s longest cable-stayed bullet train project witnessed around 70% completion of
bridge, the 4.77-km-long Sudarshan Setu, formerly known its civil work, with 100 km of viaduct and 250 km of pier
as Signature Setu, in Gujarat’s Devbhumi Dwarka district, work completed, moving closer to its operational debut.
was dedicated to the nation on February 25, 2024, The final track laying work on tunnel T-33, between Katra
connecting Okha town in Devbhumi Dwarka with Beyt and Reasi, on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link
Dwarka island in the Gulf of Kutch. (USBRL) project in Jammu & Kashmir project, was
The much-anticipated Chenab Bridge in Jammu & completed on December 13, 2024.
Kashmir was inaugurated on February 20, 2024, garnering India’s metro network also achieved remarkable
global attention for being the world’s highest single-arc milestones and transformed urban commuting. Bengaluru’s

20 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 Namma Metro Green Line extension from Nagasandra advanced combat vehicle engineering expertise. Key
to Madavara opened for commuters on November 7, 2024. acquisitions in the naval domain included INS Arighaat, a
Nagpur’s Indora Square Metro Station, part of the modern nuclear submarine, and INS Tushil, a stealth-guided
Orange Line, opened its doors to the public on December missile frigate that enhanced maritime strength. Additionally,
20, 2024. The Kavi Subhash (New Garia) to Hemanta the Indian Air Force (I.A.F.) advanced its operational
Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Crossing) section of Kolkata’s autonomy by integrating indigenous counter-drone
Orange Line officially began commercial operations on technologies, underscoring the nation’s commitment to
March 15, 2024. The Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) to self-reliance in defence.
Aarey stretch of Mumbai Metro Line 3, also known India’s second indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile
as the Aqua Line, was officially opened for public use on submarine, INS Arighaat, or S-3, was commissioned into
October 5, 2024. Pune’s Kasba Peth Metro Station, the the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on
southern terminal on the Purple Line’s north-south corridor, August 29, 2024. Months after, a successful test firing of
opened on September 29, 2024, marking the completion the 3,500 km-range K-4 ballistic missile was conducted
of the final extension of Pune Metro Phase I.
The Prime Minister Gati Shakti scheme played a big
role in monitoring the infrastructure projects. A
Compendium of PM Gati Shakti was developed and
launched on October 12, 2024, highlighting its success
stories. As it turned out, the project achieved a milestone
of assessing 208 big-ticket infrastructure projects worth
Rs. 15.39 lakh crore, involving various Union Ministries,
including the Road Transport and Railways, and making
them adhere to PM Gati Shakti principles. Infrastructure
projects in 2024 catalysed economic development, India's second indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile
generating over one crore direct and indirect jobs. submarine, INS Arighaat, was commissioned into the Indian
Navy in Visakhapatnam on August 29, 2024.
Transformative Year For Defence
The 2024 was a transformative year for India’s defence from the newly inducted INS Arighaat on November 28,
sector. The year witnessed unprecedented advancements 2024. On October 16, 2024, India quietly launched its
in self-reliance, strategic infrastructure, and global fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile (S.S.B.N.) submarine,
collaborations. The defence manufacturing sector achieved codenamed S4*, at Ship Building Centre (S.B.C.) in
remarkable growth, with indigenous production hitting Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The newest guided missile
Rs. 1,26,887 crore mark—a 16.7% increase from 2023. frigate, INS Tushil, was commissioned into Indian Navy
The private sector’s 20.8% contribution marked an era of at Russia’s coastal city of Kaliningrad in the presence of
collaborative innovation. Notable developments included Defence Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh on December 9, 2024.
Jointly built by D.R.D.O. and L&T, the light battle tank
Zorawar, named after Zorawar Singh Kahluria, the 19th-
century warrior known for his conquests in Ladakh, started
its tests in Gujarat’s Hazira on July 6, 2024, went through
preliminary automotive trials at the Mahajan Field Firing
Range near Bikaner in Rajasthan on September 13, 2024 and
completed its firepower tests in December 2024 at Nyoma,
Ladakh, achieving major milestone by firing several rounds
at different ranges at an altitude of over 4,200 metres.
India’s missile programmes made significant progress in
2024. Attaining a key milestone in military development
that puts the country in a small group of nations possessing
advanced technology, India successfully flight-tested a
domestically developed long-range hypersonic missile
from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island off the eastern coast
of Odisha on November 16, 2024. The Supersonic Missile
Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) weapon system
the inauguration of the Tata Aircraft Complex in was successfully tested on May 1, 2024. The Mission
Vadodara, poised to deliver India-made C-295 transport Divyastra, on March 11, 2024, saw the maiden flight test
aircraft by 2026. Defence exports reached Rs. 21,083 crore, of an indigenously developed new-age Agni-5 ballistic
growing 32.5% from 2023, while India delivered the first missile equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable
batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and launchers Re-entry Vehicle (M.I.R.V.) technology, which enables the
to the Philippines on April 19, 2024. carrying of multiple warheads on a single missile.
The Surface-to-Air Missile for Assured Retaliation
The Year 2024 saw the country achieve significant (SAMAR) was fired for the first time at Pokhran Range
technological milestones in defence modernisation. India’s near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on February 17, 2024. The
light battle tank Zorawar completed rigorous trials in high- Indian Air Force (I.A.F.) inducted the Rampage long-
altitude and desert terrains, showcasing the nation’s range supersonic air-to-ground missiles in its fleet on

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 21

 April 27, 2024. The Indian Army successfully conducted Medals, Champions & Glory
field trials of the indigenously developed Man-Portable
Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) weapon system on History will remember 2024 as a landmark year for Indian
April 13, 2024. An air-to-surface anti-radiation missile, sports. The biggest glory came at the end of the year when
RudraM-II, was test-fired from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI the 18-year-old prodigy from Chennai, Dommaraju Gukesh,
fighter jet of the I.A.F. off the coast of Odisha on May became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion—only
29, 2024. D.R.D.O. successfully flight-tested Phase II of
the indigenously developed ballistic missile defence system
on July 24, 2024. D.R.D.O. conducted the maiden flight
test of the Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile
(L.R.L.A.C.M.) from Integrated Test Range (I.T.R.) off
Odisha’s Chandipur on November 12, 2024.
Indian Navy commissioned its new and strategically
important base, INS Jatayu, on Minicoy Island in the
Lakshadweep Islands on March 6, 2024. This is the
country’s second naval base in Lakshadweep. The first of
two advanced frigates, under construction by the Goa
Shipyard Limited (G.S.L.) with technology transfer from
Russia for the Indian Navy, was launched into water on
July 23, 2024, in Goa. India took a significant leap in its
Indian Grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh receives a grand
maritime defence capabilities by launching two Anti- reception back home after winning the 2024 World Chess
Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) ships, Championship in Singapore on December 12, 2024.
named ‘INS Malpe’ and ‘INS Mulki’, at Cochin Shipyard
Limited (CSL), Kochi, on September 9, 2024. The the second Indian after Viswanathan "Vishy" Anand to achieve
second ship of the Survey Vessel (Large) project, INS this feat. He beat reigning World Champion Ding Liren of
Nirdeshak, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on China in the final game of the World Classical Chess
December 18, 2024. Championship 2024 in Singapore on December 12, 2024.
The Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (G.R.S.E.) Indian chess masters also created history by winning
Ltd., a Mini-Ratna P.S.U., launched the seventh Anti- their first-ever team gold medals in both men's and women's
Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (A.S.W. S.W.C.)
competitions at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad in
named ‘Abhay’ for the Indian Navy on October 25, 2024.
Budapest, Hungary, on September 22, 2024. Adding to
Indian Navy commissioned the state-of-the-art submarine
escape training facility, Vinetra, at INS Satavahana in India's chess glory, the 37-year-old Grandmaster Koneru
Visakhapatnam on September 13, 2024. The Indian Humpy became only the second woman in the world to
Coast Guard launched the indigenously developed win FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship by winning
Pollution Control Vessel (P.C.V.), ‘Samudra Pratap’, in the title in New York on December 28, 2024.
Goa on August 29, 2024. The Indian Navy launched its The Indian cricket team won the ICC Men's T20I World
first multi-purpose vessel (M.P.V.), ‘Samarthak’, at the Cup 2024 on June 29, 2024, ending a 17-year-long wait to
L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli, Chennai, on October 14, 2024. recapture the T20 World title and an 13-year wait for an
The Indian Army took a significant step toward ICC world title. India became the third team after West
integrating advanced technology by inaugurating the Indian
Army Artificial Intelligence Incubation Centre (IAAIIC)
in Bengaluru on December 18, 2024. The country’s first
indigenously manufactured suicide drone, Nagastra-1, was
inducted into the Indian Army on June 15, 2024. Flying
Wedge Defence & Aerospace Technologies, an Indian
defence and aerospace company, unveiled a new advanced
unmanned aerial vehicle (U.A.V.), FWD-200B, which is set
to become the country’s first Indigenous bomber U.A.V.
With the delivery of 107 Akashteer control and reporting
systems, the Indian Army achieved a significant milestone
in the development and phased induction of Project
Akashteer. D.R.D.O. and I.A.F. successfully carried out
the maiden flight test of the Long-Range Glide Bomb Ending a 13-year wait for an ICC World title,
(L.R.G.B.), Gaurav, from a Su-30 MKI fighter jet over Team India won the ICC Men's T20I World Cup 2024
Balasore off the coast of Odisha on August 13, 2024. on June 29, 2024.
Meanwhile, India inked another contract to import an
additional 73,000 SiG716 assault rifles from the US-based Indies and England to lift the trophy twice. After remaining
SiG Sauer arms company in addition to the 72,400 such unbeaten throughout their campaign, Rohit Sharma-led
guns brought earlier for frontline Army troops, bringing Team India mounted a late comeback to trump South
the total number of these rifles to 1,45,400 on August 26, Africa in the big final. Jasprit Bumrah was adjudged the
2024. The year also saw the United States of America Player of the Tournament.
approving the sale of MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones to Indian athletes enjoyed a stellar outing at the 2024 Paris
India in a deal worth $3.99 billion on February 2, 2024. Olympics, with six medals—one silver and five bronze.

22 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 Neeraj Chopra settled with a credible silver to add to his inside the reserved Scheduled Caste and Scheduled
gold from Tokyo 2022, becoming the only Indian athlete Tribe categories (SC/ST) on August 1, 2024. Strongly
to win two medals with a gold at the Olympics. Manu opposing the “arbitrary” demolition of people’s homes
Bhaker became the first Indian woman shooter to win an and private properties by the governments “only on the
Olympic medal and the first Indian from Independent India ground that they are accused of a crime”, the Supreme
to win two medals in a single Olympics edition. Court laid down pan-India guidelines on November 13,
Rohan Bopanna won the 2024 Australian Open men's 2024. In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court upheld
doubles title alongside partner Matthew Ebden on the constitutional validity of the Uttar Pradesh Board of
January 27, 2024. At 43 years, he became the oldest player Madarasa Education Act 2004 on November 5, 2024.
to win a Grand Slam title, his second after the 2017 French
Open mixed doubles title. Led by P.V. Sindhu and youngster New Criminal Laws
Anmol Kharb, the Indian women's team won a historic
Three new criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023,
first-ever gold medal at the Badminton Asia Team
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and the Bharatiya
Championships 2024 in Shah Alam, Malaysia, on
Sakshya Sanhita 2023—came into effect nationwide on
February 18, 2024.

Supreme Court Verdicts

In 2024, the Supreme Court of India delivered several
far-reaching verdicts. In a landmark judgement, the Supreme
Court struck down the Electoral Bond Scheme, brought
in by the Union Government in 2018, holding it
unconstitutional on February 16, 2024. In an 8-1 majority

July 1, 2024. These laws replaced the colonial-era Indian

Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)
and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively. These new
criminal laws brought widespread changes in India’s criminal
justice system. The three new legislations aim at ensuring
speedy justice, with provisions like Zero FIR, online
registration of police complaints and summoning through
judgement, a nine-judge Constitutional bench of the electronic modes such as SMS. These criminal justice
Supreme Court upheld the power of States to levy royalty reforms in India mark a significant shift in priorities, placing
on the extraction of minerals from their land while saying crimes against women, children, and the nation at the
they could also tax the lands that comprise mines and forefront.
quarries. In another landmark 4-1 majority judgement, the
Supreme Court’s five-judge Constitution bench upheld the Other Important Developments
constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship The year saw many other developments that will
Act, 1955, on October 17, 2024. The bench also called for
reverberate in the coming years. The Union Cabinet, on
stricter implementation of laws against illegal immigration
August 24, 2024, approved a new Unified Pension
and judicial monitoring of the implementation of
immigration and citizenship legislation.
Delivering a 7-1-1 majority judgement on November 5,
2024, a nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme
Court ruled that the government cannot acquire and
redistribute all privately owned properties, deeming them
“material resources of the community”, as mentioned in
Article 39(b) of the Constitution. In a 4-3 majority decision,
the Supreme Court overturned its 1967 ruling that had
denied Aligarh Muslim University (A.M.U.) minority
institution status. This landmark judgement on November
8, 2024, paved the way for A.M.U.’s minority status to be
reassessed based on its historical, administrative, and
founding context under the protective framework of Article
30 of the Indian Constitution.
In a landmark 6-1 majority decision on affirmative action
law in the country, a seven-judge bench of the Supreme The Union Cabinet approved a landmark ‘PM Vidyalaxmi’
Court recognised States’ authority to create sub-categories scheme for students on November 6, 2024.

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 23

 Scheme (U.P.S.) for Central Government employees, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) on
assuring 50% of the average salary drawn over the last 12 September 11, 2024. India launched its first-ever diabetes
months of their service as pension. President biobank in Chennai on December 16, 2024.
Ms. Droupadi Murmu sanctioned the Constitution of the President Ms. Droupadi Murmu unveiled the Sanskrit
23rd Law Commission of India for three years, from and Maithili translations of the Indian Constitution
September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2027. The Swachh in New Delhi on November 26, 2024. The Supreme Court
Bharat Mission (S.B.M.) completed its ten years on of India’s new flag and insignia were unveiled on
October 2, 2024, bringing tremendous changes to Indian September 1, 2024, while a new statue of the Lady of
society. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (O.N.G.C.) Justice was unveiled at the apex court on October 17,
made two significant back-to-back natural gas discoveries 2024, featuring significant changes to its traditional form.
in a Mahanadi basin deepwater block in the Bay of Bengal In a historic move, Port Blair, the Andaman & Nicobar
on January 14, 2024. The Union Cabinet gave the nod to Islands capital city, was officially renamed ‘Sri Vijaya
an ambitious new IndiaAI mission with a five-year Puram’ following a gazette notification on September 14,
budget outlay of Rs. 10,371.92 crore on March 7, 2024. 2024. Two halls of Rashtrapati Bhavan—Durbar Hall and
Uttarakhand became the first State in the country to Ashok Hall—were renamed Ganatantra Mandap and
give the nod to a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), with the Ashok Mandap, respectively.
State Assembly passing the landmark legislation on The Union Cabinet approved the development of the
February 7, 2024. National Maritime Heritage Complex (N.M.H.C.) at
In a significant change for the higher education system, Lothal, Gujarat, on October 9, 2024. The annual waterhole
the University Grants Commission (U.G.C.) allowed census conducted in the National Desert Park, Jaisalmer,
colleges and universities to have two academic sessions Rajasthan, on May 23-24, 2024, revealed a significant
in a year instead of one on June 11, 2024. The Union presence of the critically endangered Great Indian
Cabinet approved the PM Vidyalaxmi scheme, aimed at Bustard, also known as Godawans. The Ratapani Tiger
providing financial support to meritorious students seeking Reserve in Madhya Pradesh became India’s 57th Tiger
higher education, on November 6, 2024. Enacting a Reserve on December 3, 2024.
significant change in education policy, the Union For the first time, India proudly hosted the 46th Session
Government ended the “no-detention policy” introduced of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee Meeting,
in the Right To Education (RTE) Act for fifth and eighth
from July 21 to 31, 2024, in New Delhi, where the
Moidams, burial mounds of Assam’s Ahom dynasty, were
added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with
23 other sites. Three Indian literary works—
Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahrdayaloka-
Locana—were inscribed in UNESCO’s 2024 Memory of
the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP)
Regional Register on May 7, 2024.
A total of 10 wetlands in the country received the
Ramsar Site tags in 2024. Three sites—Ankasamudra
Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary, and
Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve—in Tamil Nadu and
two in Karnataka—Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and
Longwood Shola Reserve Forest—received the tag on
February 2, 2024. Two Bihar wetlands—Nagi and Nakti
bird sanctuaries—got it on June 5, 2024. Another three—
President Ms. Droupadi Murmu and the then Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary,
CJI Mr. D.Y. Chandrachud unveiled the Supreme Court both in Tamil Nadu, and Tawa Reservoir in Madhya
of India's new flag and insignia on September 1, 2024. Pradesh—were anointed as Ramsar Sites on August 14,
2024.
graders on December 23, 2024. The Union Cabinet
approved a new One Nation One Subscription scheme Conclusion
for providing country-wide access to scholarly research As 2024 draws to a close, India’s story emerges as a
articles and journal publications on November 25, 2024. testament to determination, unity, and a relentless pursuit
Farsi, or Persian, was included as one of the classical of excellence. From economic strides and healthcare
languages of India under the New Education Policy innovation to sporting triumphs and sustainable living,
2020 on January 15, 2024, while five other new the year laid the foundation for an even brighter future.
languages—Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali— India’s progress in 2024 is more than just a series of
were conferred the Classical Language status on milestones. It is a narrative of transformation, a vision
October 3, 2024. realised. As the nation marches ahead, it continues to
The Union Cabinet approved health coverage of inspire the world with its resilience and aspirations,
Rs. 5 lakh for all senior citizens aged 70 and above, solidifying its place as a beacon of hope and leadership
regardless of their income, under the Ayushman Bharat on the global stage.

24 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 THE WORLD 2024
The Year Of Challengers
The year 2024 unfolded as a kaleidoscope of pivotal War raged on in three continents. As the world watched
events marked by geopolitical upheavals, technological in horror the wars in Gaza and Lebanon in West Asia, or
advancements, and profound social challenges. From Middle East Asia, as it is seen and called from the other
groundbreaking advancements in technology and science side of the globe, and Ukraine in East Europe, Sudan in
to shifts in global politics and society, 2024 has been a Northeastern Africa saw the deadliest fighting. Meanwhile,
year of transformation, resilience, and new beginnings. the 13-year-old civil war in Syria came to a surprise closure
From escalating West Asia tensions to historic milestones with rebels marching into Damascus, bringing an end
in space exploration, the global stage witnessed progress to the 53-year rule of the Assad regime as President
and setbacks. As the world grappled with environmental Mr. Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia. While storms, tempests,
crises, political trials and conflicts, these defining moments floods and fires took a heavy toll, the rivalry between
countries siding with China and the American-led Western
alliance deepened. As The Economist, London, described it
succinctly: “At first sight, 2024 has amplified a growing
sense that the multilateral order which emerged from the
Second World War is coming apart.”
The one moment of respite came with the 2024 Summer
Olympics and Paralympics in Paris, the world’s most
beautiful city. The French showed they are unparalleled in
spectacle and pageantry, and the athletes showed what
dedication and sportsmanship at their very best can
accomplish. In 2024, the human potential for creation was
on full display in space. Some of the highlights in space
exploration in 2024 included: SpaceX demonstrating a new
technology for capturing returning booster rockets with
“chopstick arms”; Japan landing a SLIM (Smart Lander
Republican candidate Mr. Donald Trump won the
U.S. Presidency on November 6, 2024, in a remarkable for Investigating the Moon) on a lunar crater and
political comeback in the U.S. history. transmitting data back to Earth for three months; China
sending a mission that brought back soil samples from the
served as a reminder of humanity’s resilience and the far side of the Moon; NASA’s Perseverance rover finding
pressing need for global cooperation. The year brought possible evidence of microbial life on Mars; and a joint
triumphs worth celebrating, challenges that tested European Union-Japan mission photographing the south
humanity’s resolve, and lessons that will guide the world pole of Mercury.
into the future.
From America’s Mr. Donald Trump to Britain’s Mr. Keir Groupings & Their Summits
Starmer, from Sri Lanka’s Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake Against the backdrop of the world grappling with
to Mauritius’ Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, from Ghana’s multiple challenges, from geopolitical tensions to escalating
Mr. John Dramani Mahama to Botswana’s Mr. Duma climate crises, global summits of various groupings played
Gideon Boko, the year 2024 belonged to challengers a crucial role in bringing together leaders worldwide to
who successfully dethroned incumbents in their nations. address pressing issues and coordinate responses. Not
The year showed immense democratic resilience surprisingly, the ongoing wars dominated discourse during
worldwide as the highest-ever number of elections led most of the summits, while they also served as a playground
to peaceful political changes. The year began as the
for a full display of changing geopolitics.
mother of all election years. A total of 76 countries,
The Group of Seven (G7) leaders gathered under the
representing four billion people or over half of the planet’s
Italian Presidency from June 13 to 15, 2024, at the resort
population, went to polls. It ended as the year of
Borgo Egnazia in Fasano, a city in the picturesque
challengers. Voters around the globe punished politicians
Apulia in Italy. They agreed on an outline deal to provide
in power. Many big countries saw regime change, including
$50 billion of loans for Ukraine using interest from
the United States of America (U.S.A.), the United
Kingdom (U.K.), Mexico, Sri Lanka, and many more. The frozen Russian sovereign assets. The Group of 20 (G20)
biggest change, however, was in the U.S.A., where Summit was held under the Brazilian Presidency in Rio
Republican Mr. Donald Trump made a remarkable de Janeiro on November 18-19, 2024. The G20 Rio de
comeback as President for a second time. Electorates in Janeiro Leaders Declaration pushed for a “comprehensive
India, Japan and South Africa elected their incumbent peace” in Ukraine, called for an “immediate ceasefire” in
governments and long-dominant parties in power but with Gaza, advocated for “taxing the super-rich”, demanded
reduced strength. scaling up climate finance, and also covered topics such

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 25

 The 44th and 45th Summit of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was held jointly
under the chairmanship of Lao PDR in Vientiane from
October 6 to 11, 2024. Alongside implementing the
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (R.C.E.P.),
the world’s largest free trade agreement (F.T.A.), the
summit also saw the substantial conclusion of the
ASEAN-China F.T.A. upgrade negotiations. On the
sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, Vientiane also
hosted the 21st ASEAN-India Summit on October 10,
2024, marking a decade of India’s Act East Policy.
The ASEAN-India leaders agreed to create a new
ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2026-2030) that will help
realise the full potential of the partnership.
Leaders at the G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit 2024 in The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (A.P.E.C.)
Brazil on November 19, 2024 launched a Global
Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. Head of States Summit 2024 was held under the
leadership of Peru in Lima on November 17, 2024. The
as renewable energy, Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and 31st Summit of the 21-member grouping consisting of
gender equality. The G20 Summit also saw the the economies bordering the Pacific emphasised to “build
announcement of the Global Alliance Against Hunger an Asia-Pacific community that is prosperous, peaceful,
and Poverty to fund the anti-hunger campaigns, with and resilient, empowering our populations to reap the
82 countries signing in. benefits of the global economy.” However, the
Russia hosted the 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan from summit attracted more international attention for the
October 22 to 24, 2024, with the theme “Strengthening inauguration by Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping of a
Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security.” massive Chinese-built $1.3 billion mega Chancay
Five new members—Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the U.A.E. and Port north of Lima that promises to become South
Saudi Arabia—were inducted into the grouping. The 16th America’s biggest shipping hub. Mr. Jinping also hosted
BRICS Summit in Kazan pushed for an interbank leaders of Arab states for a China-Arab summit
cooperation mechanism, a grain exchange programme, a meeting in Beijing on May 30, 2024, where he pledged
cross-border payment system, an insurance company, and 500 million yuan ($69 million) in humanitarian aid for war-
the growth of the BRICS New Development Bank, torn Gaza.
indicating the intent to seek alternatives to the prevailing The leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum (P.I.F.) at
international governing structures. their 53rd Summit in Nuku’alofa, the capital of the
The U.S. President, Mr. Joe Biden, hosted the leaders Kingdom of Tonga, from August 26 to 30, 2024,
of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a agreed to deploy a Pacific-led mission to troubled
grouping of four countries—the U.S., India, Australia and New Caledonia, welcomed Australia’s support for a
Japan—for their fourth in-person and sixth overall summit Pacific policing initiative, and rejected pressure to shun
on September 20, 2024, at Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A. Taiwan as a development partner. The 19th Summit of
The Quad Summit announced several projects, including the Non-Aligned Movement (N.A.M.) was held in
Quad Cancer Moonshot, a groundbreaking partnership Kampala, Uganda, on January 20, 2024, with the
to save lives in the Indo-Pacific region by combating theme of “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global
cervical cancer, the Maritime Initiative for Training in the Influence”.
Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), Semiconductor Supply Chains
Contingency Network Memorandum of Cooperation to The Space Race
enhance the resilience of Quad’s semiconductor supply NASA returned to the Moon for the first time since
chains, the first Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission to 1972 with its Odysseus lander. The 14-foot-tall Nova-C,
improve interoperability and advance maritime safety, and nicknamed Odysseus after the hero of Greek mythology,
the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership. touched down on February 22, 2024, landing in the
The first-ever US-Japan-Philippines trilateral summit southernmost location of any lunar craft before it. On
was held on April 11, 2024, in Washington, U.S., to discuss October 14, 2024, NASA launched the Europa Clipper
and advance a trilateral partnership based on deep spacecraft bound for an icy moon of Jupiter that may have
historical ties and a shared vision for a free and open the conditions for life to exist.
Indo-Pacific. The summit, driven by concerns over China’s Marking an unprecedented and giant leap in space
more aggressive behaviour in the region’s maritime domain, research, Mr. Elon Musk’s SpaceX accomplished a
particularly in the South China Sea, covered everything momentous technical feat on October 13, 2024, by
from energy security to infrastructure projects and catching a booster rocket with mechanical arms on its return
maritime security. The 33rd Summit of the 32-member from a test flight. The world saw in awe when a “super
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (N.A.T.O.) was heavy booter” launched on board an unmanned Starship
held in Washington, D.C., from July 9 to 11, 2024, marking rocket from Texas, U.S.A., on October 13, 2024, after taking
its 75th anniversary. a brief flight in the atmosphere, broke away from the

26 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 spaceflight for the nation by conducting a successful orbital
test launch of its new Angara A5 heavy-lift rocket on
April 11, 2024.
Unfortunately, space is now not just a place for
commercial and scientific explorations. It is also home to
renewed geopolitical competition. The 2024 saw U.S.
officials accusing Russia of placing a nuclear space-based
anti-satellite weapon in space. China, meanwhile, greatly
expanded the number of military satellites it has in space.
The few international agreements governing space
operations do little to constrain the militarisation of space.
The U.S. continues to urge countries to sign onto the
Artemis Accords, which seek to prevent the militarisation
Mr. Elon Musk’s SpaceX achieved a momentous and of space exploration. Fifty-two countries are now
exemplary feat by catching a booster rocket with mechanical signatories, with the notable absence of China and Russia.
arms on its return from a test flight on October 13, 2024.
Wars Rage On
rocket and descended vertically to fall directly to the In the third year of the Russia-Ukraine war, the
launchpad, where it was caught by the tower’s metal arms, momentum shifted to Russia in 2024. Since July 2024,
referred to as “chopsticks”. Russian forces pushed Ukrainian troops back along the
In a pioneering mission to track climate-heating methane front in eastern Ukraine. Kyiv attacked across its northern
emissions from oil and gas companies worldwide, SpaceX border in August 2024 to seize territory in Russia’s Kursk
successfully launched a new satellite, MethaneSAT, onboard region. The move sought to force Moscow to redeploy
a Falcon9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in troops away from embattled Ukrainian forces in eastern
California, U.S.A., on March 4, 2024. The Polaris Dawn Ukraine. Russia, however, did not launch a direct attack.
Mission, launched on September 10, 2024, saw a private Instead, it secured some 10,000 North Korean troops to
crew of four astronauts flying in an elliptical orbit to take fight in Kursk. Reversing its long-standing policy in
them 1,400 km from Earth’s surface, setting a new record November 2024, Washington authorised Kyiv to use
for the farthest distance travelled by humans in space apart U.S.-made long-range missiles against Russia. In early
from missions to the Moon. One crew member, Ms. Sarah December 2024, Ukrainian intelligence assassinated a senior
Gillis, became the first person to play the violin in space. Russian general with a bomb planted outside his apartment
However, many will remember 2024 for the two NASA building in Moscow at the risk of provoking Russian
astronauts—Ms. Sunita Williams and Mr. Butch Wilmore— escalation.
who got stuck in space after Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule The events unleashed by Hamas’ October 2023 attack
suffered multiple glitches. What was supposed to be a week- on Israel reverberated across the West Asia in 2024. Israel
long mission dragged on to be more than six months long. continued its war in Gaza and notched numerous tactical
Japan became the fifth nation after the United States, victories. It invaded Lebanon. But its strategic objective—
the Soviet Union, China and India to soft-land a spacecraft defeating Hamas—remained elusive. In April 2024, Iran
on the Moon. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency or launched an unprecedented direct missile-and-drone attack
JAXA’s S.L.I.M. soft-landed on the Moon on January 20, on Israel. By eliminating several senior Hamas and
Hezbollah leaders, Israel managed to weaken the two
2024, became operative on January 29, 2024, after resolving
militant organisations to a great extent. This created an
some glitches, and sent data back for three months. Japanese opening for Turkish-backed forces in Syria to topple the
scientists launched the world’s first wood-panelled satellite, government of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, which
LingoSat, into space on November 5, 2024, aiming to test further isolated Iran in the region.
the reliability of timber as a renewable building material Sudan’s civil war continued unabated in 2024, with the
for future space travel. Also, the University of Tokyo United Nations labelling it the cause of the world’s deadliest
Atacama Observatory (T.A.O.), dubbed the highest famine in four decades. With over 1,50,000 lives lost and
observatory in the world, was officially inaugurated in Chile more than 1.4 crore people displaced, including two million
on May 1, 2024. Situated at an astounding 5,640 metres fleeing to neighbouring countries like Chad, Ethiopia and
above sea level on the summit of a mountain in northern South Sudan, Sudan epitomises a neglected global crisis.
Chile’s Atacama Desert, T.A.O. represents a pinnacle of The fighting between the two warring factions—the
human achievement in astronomical research. Sudanese Armed Forces (S.A.F.) and the Rapid Support
At the 75th International Astronautical Congress (I.A.C.) Forces (R.S.F.) militia—erupted into full-scale violence in
held in Milan, Italy, China displayed an “extraterrestrial Khartoum, the capital, in April 2023. The roots of the
material”—a greyish, seemingly unattractive piece of dirt— infighting go back to the 2019 ousting of Sudan’s long-
part of the first 1,935.3-gram sample collected from the time dictator. Year 2024 saw the R.S.F. gaining significant
far side of the Moon by its Chang’e-6 mission on territory over S.A.F.. In September 2024, the S.A.F. launched
June 25, 2024. Marking an advancement in its crewed Moon a major offensive to retake Khartoum but failed to dislodge
mission plans and the debut of a new spaceport, China the militia entirely. As Sudan’s strategic location along the
launched the maiden flight of the Long March 12, the Red Sea and its gold reserves make it a focal point for
country’s most potent single-core rocket to date. The competing powers, the two warring factions are backed by
Russian space agency Roscosmos opened a new chapter of powerful external forces enabling them to keep fighting.

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 27

 Global Economy President Mr. Joe Biden pulled out of the race after the
In 2024, the global economy showcased its resilience, buzz about his cognitive decline.
with emerging markets leading the charge. The year made
all the right noises, with global trade rebounding, inflation
easing, and central banks shrinking their balance sheets.
The growth rates across advanced and emerging economies
were 1.9% and 3.7%, respectively. To a certain extent,
growth in advanced economies was impacted by tight
monetary policies. Emerging economies fared a bit better,
with India, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and China
leading the pack as the five fastest-growing economies at
6.7%, 6%, 5.8%, 5% and 4.7% G.D.P. growth rates,
respectively. The year saw inflation reducing worldwide, as
oil prices, global demand, supply chain disruptions, and
interest rate shocks experienced in 2022 normalising. Labour Party leader Mr. Keir Starmer became the
Global merchandise trade rebounded in the first half 58th Prime Minister of U.K. on July 5, 2024, after
leading his party to a stunning victory in elections and
of 2024, with a 2.3% YoY increase. The World Trade ending 14 years of Conservative rule.
Organization (W.T.O.) estimated world merchandise trade
volume to increase by 2.7% in 2024 and 3.2% in 2025. In the U.K., Labour Party leader Mr. Keir Starmer
Military shipbuilding & submarines (12.2%), tourism (11.6%), became the 58th Prime Minister on July 5, 2024, after
cardboard box & container manufacturing (8.2%), airport leading his party to a stunning victory and power with a
operations (8.1%) and global military aircraft commanding majority, ending 14 years of Conservative
& aerospace manufacturing (7.4%) emerged as the five rule. After the electoral loss, the U.K. Conservative Party
fastest-growing industries in the world in 2024. The elected Ms. Kemi Badenoch as its new leader, the first
world’s total public debt exceeded $100 trillion in 2024 for Black Woman to lead a major British political party, on
the first time. The International Monetary Fund, or I.M.F.’s November 2, 2024, replacing former Prime Minister
latest Fiscal Monitor report on October 15, 2024, showed Mr. Rishi Sunak.
global public debt was set to reach 93% of the global President Mr. Emmanuel Macron’s centrists in France
Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P.) by the end of 2024 and lost heavily to hard-right and left-wing parties in a snap
approach 100% by 2030. Parliamentary election in July 2024. He appointed a
The beginning of the year witnessed economic moderate, Mr. Michel Jean Barnier, as Prime Minister, who
hierarchy shifting once again as Japan slipped to the lasted just three months before losing a vote of confidence
position of the world’s fourth-largest economy, trailing
on December 4, 2024, the first time the National Assembly
behind the United States, China and Germany. Official
turfed out a government since 1962. Mr. Macron appointed
data on February 15, 2024, revealed that Japan’s economy
another centrist, Mr. François Bayrou, to the job on
grew by 1.9% in 2023, slipping to the world’s fourth largest,
December 23, 2024. In Mr. Bayrou, France saw its third
overtaken by Germany. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s ZiG
Prime Minister in 2024, as Mr. Gabriel Attal, 34, graced
became the world’s newest currency in 2024. The South
the post as the youngest PM in modern French history for
African country started circulating a new currency, Zim
the first half of the year since January 9, 2024.
Gold (ZiG), in the form of banknotes on April 30, 2024,
In Finland, former Prime Minister Mr. Alexander Stubb
to replace the old one, the Zimbabwe Dollar, which had
been battered by depreciation and faced outright rejection of the centre-right National Coalition Party (N.C.P.)
assumed the office of President on March 1, 2024, after
by the people.
he narrowly won the presidential election on February 11,
2024. Centre-right leader Mr. Luís Montenegro was sworn
2024 : The Mother Of All Election Years in as Portugal’s new Prime Minister on April 2, 2024,
In the most significant electoral victory with wider after his Democratic Alliance won the Parliamentary
consequences for the U.S.A. and the world, former election by a slim margin. Mr. Vaughan Gething, the son
U.S. President and Republican candidate Mr. Donald of a Welsh father and a Zambian mother, made history by
Trump defeated Vice-President and Democrat nominee becoming Europe’s first Black Head of Government after
Ms. Kamala Harris to reclaim the White House on being elected as the First Minister of Wales on March 21,
November 6, 2024, mounting a stunning comeback in the 2024. Scottish National Party (SNP) leader, Mr. John
2024 U.S. Presidential election after his 2020 re-election Swinney, was sworn in as the seventh First Minister of
loss. He became the first Republican to win the popular Scotland on May 8, 2024, after the incumbent, Mr. Humza
vote in 20 years. Nothing deterred the majority of Haroon Yousaf, resigned from the post. Mr. Simon Harris,
electorates from voting for him, not even the court verdict 37, took office as Ireland’s youngest-ever Prime Minister
that found him guilty of falsifying business records in a on April 9, 2024, after the Irish Parliament confirmed his
hush-money case six months before the vote. He ran a nomination following the incumbent Mr. Leo Varadkar’s
spirited campaign even after an assassination attempt slightly resignation from the post.
wounding him in July 2024. Nothing worked for Ms. Harris A right-wing social democrat and former Prime Minister,
and Democrats, who also lost control of the Senate at the Mr. Peter Pellegrini, took office as President of Slovakia
election. Ms. Harris became the Democratic candidate when on June 15, 2024, after he won the Presidential election as

28 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 a Nationalist-Left Government candidate on April 6, 2024. President of Sri Lanka on September 23, 2024, after a
Lithuania’s moderate conservative President Mr. Gitanas resounding victory in the Presidential election.
Nauseda secured a second five-year term in a landslide Veteran Mauritian politician Dr. Navinchandra
victory on May 26, 2024. Mr. Nikoloi Denkov, former Ramgoolam was sworn in as Prime Minister of the
Education Minister, took office as Bulgaria’s Prime Republic of Mauritius on November 13, 2024, after his
Minister on June 6, 2024, after the GERB party, which Alliance du Changement (A.D.C.) coalition won a landslide
won the April 2024 general election, and the runner-up in the general election. Chairman of the Communist Party
pro-European liberal coalition agreed to form the of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist, Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli,
government. Moldova’s pro-Western President Ms. Maia took oath as Prime Minister of Nepal on July 15, 2024,
Sandu won a second term in a pivotal Presidential election heading a four-party coalition, after the political realignment
on November 3, 2024. Georgia’s Russia-friendly ruling ensured the fall of the incumbent government of
Georgian Dream party, which has been in power for Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachand. Bhutan’s pro-India
12 years, won the general election on October 27, 2024, liberal politician and leader of the People’s Democratic
beating pro-E.U. and pro-Western opposition, with Mr. Irakli Party (PDP), Mr. Tshering Tobgay, officially commenced
Kobakhidze continuing as Prime Minister. Denmark his second term as Prime Minister on January 28, 2024,
witnessed a historic moment on January 14, 2024, as King following his election to the post. Co-chairperson of the
Frederik X ascended the throne, succeeding his mother, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, took
Queen Margrethe II, who formally abdicated after an
oath as the 14th President of Pakistan on March 10,
impressive 52 years as monarch.
2024, to become the only civilian President of the coup-
Lawmakers at the European Parliament (E.P.) re-elected
Ms. Ursula von der Leyen to a second 5-year term as prone country for a second time.
President of the European Commission on July 18, 2024. Elsewhere in Asia, Taiwan voters chose pro-sovereignty
Her conservative centre-right bloc managed to retain its candidate Mr. Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, as
status as the largest political group in the 720-member E.P. their next President in a historic election on January 13,
in marathon polls held across 27 member states of the 2024, cementing a path increasingly divergent from China.
E.U. from June 6 to 9, 2024. Right-wing and far-right parties He assumed the role of President on May 20, 2024. Former
clocked their best performance in the legislative body’s General Mr. Prabowo Subianto took office as Indonesia’s
history, with liberals and Greens receiving a humbling blow. eighth President on October 20, 2024, after winning more
Russia’s President Mr. Vladimir Putin secured a historic than 57% votes in the Presidential election on February 14,
triumph in the Presidential election on March 18, 2024, 2024. Iran’s reformist politician, Mr. Masoud Pezeshkian,
with a staggering 87.8% vote, marking the highest-ever was sworn in as the ninth President of the Islamic Republic
recorded percentage in Russia’s modern electoral history. on July 30, 2024, after the hardliner incumbent Mr. Ebrahim
He began his fifth term in a Grand Kremlin Palace Raisi died in a helicopter crash in May 2024. After the
ceremony on May 7, 2024. fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, Syria fighters named
India witnessed political upheaval in its neighbourhoods. Mohammed al-Bashir as Interim Prime Minister of the
Two-month-long anti-reservation unrest in Bangladesh transitional government on December 10, 2024.
reached its climax when Prime Minister Ms. Sheikh Hasina Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, became Thailand’s
Wajed was forced to resign and flee the country on youngest-ever Prime Minister on August 18, 2024, after
August 5, 2024. Soon after, the country’s Nobel Peace Prize- a Constitutional court ruling removed her predecessor,
winning economist, Mr. Muhammad Yunus, flew back from Mr. Srettha Thavisin, from the post. In the first leadership
France to be sworn in as the head of an interim government change in 20 years, Mr. Lawrence Wong was sworn in as
on August 8, 2024. Ironically, Ms. Hasina was earlier sworn Singapore’s new Prime Minister on May 13, 2024, becoming
in for her fourth consecutive and fifth overall term as only the fourth PM since the nation’s Independence.
Prime Minister after her Awami League party secured an Former Defence Minister Mr. Shigeru Ishiba took over
overwhelming majority in the general election in January as the new Prime Minister of Japan on October 1, 2024,
2024. Marxist leader of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), called a snap election and, in a shocking result, his Liberal
Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, took oath as the new Democratic Party lost its majority, leaving him now to
head a minority coalition government. Egypt’s President,
Mr. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, was sworn in for a third term on
April 2, 2024, after getting re-elected with 89.6% votes in
December 2023 polls. In a frequent change at the helm,
General To Lam was sworn in as the new President of
Vietnam on May 22, 2024, only to be replaced by
Mr. Luong Cuong, another military general, on October
21, 2024. Malaysia installed Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar as its
17th King on January 31, 2024, marking a significant
moment in its unique Constitutional Monarchy system.
After a parliamentary election, Jordan’s King Abdullah II
appointed Mr. Jafar Hassan as the kingdom’s new Prime
Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake took oath as Minister in September 2024.
Sri Lankan President on September 23, 2024, In the African continent, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn
after a resounding victory in the Presidential election.
in for a second term as South Africa’s President in a

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 29

 public ceremony on June 19, 2024. His African National Bolivia President Mr. Luis Alberto Arce Catacora asserted
Congress (A.N.C.) party formed a coalition government his authority over the country’s military and government
with help from other parties for the first time in its 30-year after a failed apparent coup attempt on June 26, 2024.
rule after it lost majority in an election held in May 2024. Solomon Islands’ lawmakers elected China-friendly former
In Algeria, Africa’s larg est country, President Foreign Minister Mr. Jeremiah Manele as their Prime Minister
Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune won a second term with a on May 2, 2024. Haiti swore in Mr. Alix Didier Fils-Aime as
landslide of 84.3% votes on September 7, 2024. Senegal’s the new Prime Minister on November 11, 2024, after he
opposition leader, Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, was sworn received the official decree from the Transitional Presidential
in as the fifth President on April 2, 2024, after emerging Council of the Caribbean nation.
victorious in the Presidential election on March 24, 2024.
At 44, he became the West African nation’s youngest Climate Heats Up Further
elected President. Chad’s military leader, General Mahamat
As carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere continue to
Idriss Deby, who had been ruling as a transitional President
grow, 2024 became the hottest year on record. For the
since April 2021 when rebels killed his father, won the
first time, the average global temperature was 1.5°C hotter
Presidential election and was sworn in as President on than during pre-industrial times. It was a dangerous sign
May 23, 2024. given that the 2015 Paris Agreement seeks to keep the
Rwanda’s all-powerful President, Mr. Paul Kagame, was world from breaching that level permanently. Some
sworn in for a fourth term on August 11, 2024, after he consequences of a changing climate were easy to see in
swept to victory in July 2024 elections with a staggering 2024. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
99.18% of the votes. Tunisia President Mr. Kais Saied was Administration reported that the first ten months of 2024
sworn in for his second five-year term on October 21, 2024, produced twenty-four weather-related natural disasters
after securing a decisive victory in the Presidential election in the country, causing damages to the tune of billions of
with nearly 91% of the votes. Botswana swore in dollars. In June 2024, over 1,300 people died during the
Mr. Duma Boko as President on November 8, 2024, after Muslim Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, where temperatures
his landslide election victory kicked the incumbent Botswana hit 51.8 degrees Celsius. Conditions were so intense in
Democratic Party (B.D.P.) out of power after 58 long years. Mexico that howler monkeys dropped dead from the trees
In Namibia, Ms. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah won the as the Mercury inched above 50 degrees C. Greece recorded
Presidential election on December 3, 2024, making history its earliest-ever heatwave, forcing the closure of its famed
as the first woman to hold the highest position in the Acropolis and fanning terrible wildfires at the outset of
country. In Ghana, Mr. John Dramani Mahama made history Europe’s hottest summer yet.
as the first former President to successfully reclaim the In April 2024, the U.A.E. received two years’ worth of
highest office in the country after he was declared elected in rain in a single day, turning parts of the desert-state into a
the 2024 Presidential election on December 9, 2024. sea, and hobbling Dubai’s international airport. Kenya was
Ms. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo of the National barely out of a once-in-a-generation drought when the
Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party was sworn in worst floods in decades delivered back-to-back disasters
as the first woman President of Mexico on October 1, for the East African nation. Historic flooding killed more
2024, after she secured a landslide victory in the June 2024 than 1,500 people across West and Central Africa. Europe,
elections. El Salvador’s President Mr. Nayib Bukele, most notably Spain, also suffered tremendous downpours
that caused deadly flash flooding. Afghanistan, Russia, Brazil,
China, Nepal, Uganda, India, Somalia, Pakistan, Burundi
and the U.S. were among other countries that witnessed
flooding in 2024. Major hurricanes pummelled the U.S.
and Caribbean in a 2024 season of above-average storm
activity. The Philippines endured six major storms in
November 2024 alone, just two months after suffering
Typhoon Yagi, which tore through Southeast Asia.
In a grim milestone, Venezuela became the first country
in modern history to lose all its glaciers after the Latin
American country lost its last remaining glacier on the
Pico Humboldt peak, according to an International
Ms. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo became the first Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI) report on May 9, 2024.
woman President of Mexico on October 1, 2024, The State of the Climate in Asia 2023 report, released by
after a landslide victory in the Presidential election. the World Meteorological Organization (W.M.O.) on
April 23, 2024, highlighted the accelerating rate of key
secured a thumping victory in Presidential elections on climate change indicators such as surface temperature,
February 4, 2024, while his New Ideas Party won the super- glacier retreat and sea level rise. The effort to mitigate the
majority in Congress in the polls on February 19, 2024. effects of climate change continued to be far short of
Uruguay’s leftist opposition candidate, Mr. Yamandu Orsi, what was required. At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, from
became the new President on November 25, 2024, ousting November 11 to 24, 2024, Parties could agree only on a
the conservative governing coalition and making the South New Collective Quantified Goal for climate finance to
American nation the latest to rebuke the incumbent party. support developing countries with $1.3 trillion per year to

30 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 be “enabled” by all actors and $300 billion for developed continent south of Australia and New Zealand, on February
countries to take the lead on delivering. 7, 2024, while Chinese aviation achieved a new milestone
The COP16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity with a test flight of an unmanned civilian drone capable of
was held in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, transporting an impressive 3.2 metric tonnes of cargo on
August 22, 2024. India’s Sea6 Energy, a technology pioneer
in the Blue Economy, achieved a groundbreaking feat by
launching the world’s first large-scale mechanised
tropical seaweed farm off the coast of Ekas on the island
of Lombok, Indonesia, on March 7, 2024.
Switzerland and Italy redrew their shared border in the
Alps on October 1, 2024, forced by melting glaciers that,
along with vast snowfields, define large sections of the
territorial boundary between the Central European
neighbours. China drew a new territorial baseline in the
Delegates at the COP16 of the Convention on Biological northern part of the Gulf of Tonkin, known in China as
Diversity in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, Beibu Gulf, which it shares with Vietnam, on March 1,
2024, cheer as the summit concludes with landmark decisions.
2024. The U.K. announced on October 3, 2024, that it was
2024, which agreed on an expanded role of indigenous giving up sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius
peoples and local communities in saving biodiversity and a in a deal that would secure the future of a key U.S. military
groundbreaking agreement on the operationalisation of a base on the atoll of Diego Garcia while allowing islanders
new global mechanism to share benefits from digital genetic displaced for the past five decades a right of return. Sweden
information. Another COP16 of the United Nations became the newest and 32nd member of the N.A.T.O. on
Convention to Combat Desertification (U.N.C.C.D.) February 26, 2024. The Asia Power Index 2024 ranked
took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from December 2 to 13, India as Asia’s third most powerful nation, overtaking Japan,
2024, to address the escalating threats of land degradation on September 25, 2024. While Oxford University Press
and drought. A key highlight was the launch of the ‘Business picked ‘Brain Rot’ as its Word of the Year 2024, Australian
4 Land (B4L) Call to Action’, which encourages companies lawmakers voted into law a social media ban for children
to incorporate sustainable practices into their core operations. under 16 on November 27, 2024.
As A.I. continued to turn science fiction into science
Total Recall fact with its impressive advances in 2024, the Nobel Prize
The 2024 will also find a place in history books for Committee recognised A.I.’s importance when it awarded
many other events. Indonesia celebrated its 79th the Nobel Prize in Physics to Mr. John Hopfield and
Independence Day in its newly inaugurated capital, Geoffrey Hinton “for foundational discoveries and
Nusantara, for the first time on August 17, 2024. Jordan inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural
became the first country officially verified by the World networks” and half of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry to
Health Organization as having eliminated leprosy. Mr. Demis Hassabis and Mr. John Jumper for developing
Cambodia’s famed religious and archaeological site, Angkor an “AI model to solve a 50-year-old problem: predicting
Wat Temple, was named Asia’s most photogenic UNESCO proteins’ complex structures.”
World Heritage site. The United Kingdom achieved a
significant milestone by successfully testing its first-ever Conclusion
laser weapon, DragonFire, on March 11, 2024. Finding a single word to define a year full of disparate
China began operations at its new and fifth research events is difficult. ‘Brain Rot’ (Oxford), ‘Manifest’
station, Qinling, in the Antarctic in part of the frozen (Cambridge), ‘Polarisation’ (Merriam-Webster), ‘Brat’
(Collins) and ‘Demure’ (Dictionary.com) have been
selected as the Words of the Year 2024, offering a
window into the world’s collective consciousness in 2024.
‘Brain Rot’ denotes anxieties about digital overconsumption
and its cognitive toll, while ‘Polarisation’ highlights
deepening divides and a search for balance. ‘Manifest’
represents a “yearning for an agency in uncertain times”,
‘Demure’ reflects evolving expressions of identity, and
‘Brat’ captures the spirit of defiance and individualism.
Most of all, 2024 was a Year of the Challengers, as
they ruled the roost in several elections held worldwide.
As 2024 ends, the world reflects on a year defined
by geopolitical strife, technological advancements,
and environmental challenges. From escalating
China opened its new and fifth Qinling research station conflicts to groundbreaking achievements, these events
in the Antarctic in part of the frozen continent south of shaped the global narrative, leaving lasting impacts as
Australia and New Zealand on February 7, 2024. humanity enters year 2025.

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 31

 LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025
Promises & Challenges
The New Year 2025 unpredictable Trump 2.0
looks promising as well administration impact key
as challenging for India flashpoints, including the
and the world. With South China Sea, Taiwan,
Mr. Donald Trump taking and North Korea? Flitting
over as the 47th President between transactional and
of the United States on confrontational, Mr. Trump
January 20, 2025, this may or may not exacerbate
single change is set to have existing tensions with
wider ramifications for the Beijing over Taiwan and the
U.S. and the world. How South China Sea.
far will he go with his
campaign promises? There Politics
are two wars he wants to After the ‘mother of all
stop—one in Ukraine election years’, 2025 will
and the other in Gaza- see fewer parties and
Lebanon. There is the coalitions in power going
question of how he will deal with China. Domestically, for a renewed mandate. The countries where elections will
Mr. Trump wants to engage in mass deportations, make be held in 2025 include Germany, Canada, Australia, the
tax cuts and focus on deregulations. Leaving the ‘mother Philippines, Chile, Belarus, Gabon, Ecuador, Singapore and
of all election years’ behind, 2025 will see some nations go Croatia. Europe’s biggest economy, Germany, is the one to
to polls with an impact beyond their boundaries. There watch. Chancellor Mr. Olaf Scholz lost a historic vote of
will be bellwether elections in Australia, Canada and no confidence following the collapse of his governing
Germany on three continents. Countries worldwide will coalition in November 2024, which triggered rare early
mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. elections. The situation comes at a time of deep economic
The race to make Artificial Intelligence more useful will crisis and geopolitical uncertainty for the country. Far-right
come to a head in 2025. The 2025 ICC Women’s ODI Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is expected to perform
World Cup will be the biggest cricket tournament in India, well as 2024 saw it winning a state election for the first
while Pakistan and UAE will host the Champions Trophy. time since WW-II. Australia’s Labour Prime Minister Mr.
For the first time, Italy will host the 12th Special Olympics Anthony Albanese will be fighting for a second term, while
World Winter Games in March 2025. Singapore’s new Prime Minister Mr. Lawrence Wong will
test his popularity at the polls for the first time.
Geopolitics
The geopolitical landscape in 2025 will likely be shaped World Economy
by the evolving balance of power between major nations, The world economy is beginning to stabilise after the
especially the United States, China and Russia. Tensions pandemic, and most countries have largely got a handle on
over trade, technology, and military influence are expected rampant inflation. The International Monetary Fund (I.M.F.)
to persist, particularly as China continues to rise as a global has predicted stable yet underwhelming growth. Still,
superpower. Competition for technological dominance, economics may play an outsized role in politics. With
particularly in AI, semiconductors, and space exploration, Mr. Trump’s return to the White House, the question of
will be at the forefront of international relations. how far he will pursue a renewed trade war with China and
Trump Presidency 2.0 is likely to send geopolitical possibly the European Union looms. He has already
shockwaves across the globe. Mr. Trump has vowed to proposed a 10% universal tariff on imports and a 60% tariff
resolve major conflicts, including the war between Ukraine on all imports from China, which is estimated to cause an
and Russia and ongoing war in Gaza. While conceding 85% drop in Chinese exports to the U.S. He has also targeted
influence to Russia in Ukraine might end the fighting, it Mexico and Canada, warning a 25% levy if they fail to
risks alienating US’ Western allies and stirring domestic address cross-border crime and drug trafficking. These
dissent. Despite these complexities, Mr. Trump is expected restrictions could result in commercial turmoil that spills
to pursue efforts to de-escalate violence and push for over into the rest of the world, including the Global South,
resolutions. Ending conflict in the Middle East is unlikely where Chinese companies have been expanding their markets.
to dominate Mr. Trump’s foreign policy agenda in 2025.
However, his administration will anchor its regional strategy
around the two pillars of Israel’s security and Iranian Technology
containment. On the brighter side, the Year 2025 has been designated
At the same time, the resumption of President Trump’s The Year of Quantum Science and Technology by the
‘America First’ agenda in 2025 is expected to shrink United Nations. The Year 2025 is expected to unleash an
U.S. global defence commitments, pushing allies, such as AI-led digital transformation across the world. Artificial
Britain, the European Union and NATO, to rethink their Intelligence has already emerged as the defining technology
strategies and bolster their capabilities. How will the (Continued on page 188)

32 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 INDIA
Burning Topics

H ISRO Launches Historic

SpaDeX Mission For Space
Docking
H School Enrolments Drop
Significantly In 2023-24: I.S.R.O. launched PSLV-C60 with the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX)
UDISE+ Report and innovative payloads from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota in
Andhra Pradesh on December 30, 2024.
H Indian Ar my Unveils
Chhatrapati Shivaji Statue At
Pangong Tso ISRO Launches Historic SpaDeX
H Centre Scraps ‘No Detention Mission For Space Docking
Policy’ For 5th & 8th Standards
H India’s First Bio-Bitumen In a significant milestone, the Indian autonomous communication between
Space Research Organisation (I.S.R.O.) spacecraft with inbuilt intelligence
Highway Stretch Inaugurated launched PSLV-C60 with the Space to know the states of the other
In Nagpur Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) and spacecraft; and a GNSS-based Novel
H Advanced Survey Vessel INS innovative payloads from the Satish Relative Orbit Determination and
Nirdeshak Commissioned Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota in Propagation (RODP) processor.
Andhra Pradesh on December 30, 2024. In addition, because of its small size
Into Indian Navy The space agency’s year-end mission and mass, SpaDeX was even more
H India Conducts First-ever was historic as it sought the rare feat challenging due to the finer precision
Ganges River Dolphin of docking, merging, or joining two required for the rendezvous and docking
satellites in space. The PSLV-C60 rocket manoeuvres compared to docking two
Tagging In Assam carried two small spacecrafts, SDX01 large spacecrafts. The mission came as
H India Sets Up First Diabetes (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), to low- a forerunner for autonomous docking
Biobank In Chennai Earth orbit. The mission set the stage needed for future lunar missions like
for autonomous docking and undocking Chandrayaan-4 without the support of
H I.S.R.O. Successfully Tests technologies, positioning I.S.R.O. as the Global Navigation Satellite System
CE20 Cryogenic Engine fourth global player in this field after (GNSS) from the Earth. Like all I.S.R.O.
H Stealth Frigate INS Tushil Russia, the U.S. and China. satellites in low-Earth orbit, both the
The primary objective of the SpaDeX SpaDeX spacecrafts carried a differential
Commissioned Into Indian mission was to develop and demonstrate GNSS-based Satellite Positioning System
Navy the technolog y needed for the (SPS), which provides PNT (Position,
H Ratapani Becomes India’s rendezvous, docking, and undocking Navigation, and Timing) solutions for
57th Tiger Reserve of two small spacecrafts in a low-Earth the satellites.
circular orbit. The indigenous In SpaDeX, a novel RODP processor,
H I.S.R.O. Launches Europe’s technologies developed for enabling including the SPS receiver, allows
Proba-3 Mission For Solar this docking mission include a accurate determination of the Chaser’s
Exploration docking mechanism, a suite of four and Target’s relative position and
rendezvous and docking sensors, velocity. By subtracting the carrier phase
H Sex Ratio And Girl Child power transfer technology, an indigenous measurements from the identical GNSS
Enrolment Improves Under novel autonomous rendezvous satellites in both Chaser and Target SPS
B.B.B.P. Scheme and docking strategy, inter-satellite receivers, highly accurate relative states
communication link (ISL) for of the two satellites are determined. In
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 33
both satellites, the VHF/UHF as UP, MP, Assam, Odisha, Andhra
transceivers aid this process by Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and
transferring the GNSS satellite Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan,
measurements from one satellite to the percentage of schools available is
another. Hardware and software test more than the percentage of student
beds, including closed-loop verifications, enrolment, implying “underutilisation”
were used to characterise the RODP of resources leading to suboptimal
performance. The SpaDeX spacecraft economy to scale, the data showed. In
was designed and realised by the States like Telangana, Punjab, West
U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (U.R.S.C.) with Bengal, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra,
the support of other I.S.R.O. centres Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Union Territory
(VSSC, LPSC, SAC, IISU and LEOS). of Delhi, the percentage of available
In its orbital phase, the spacecraft will schools is significantly less than the Indian Army unveiled a statue of
be controlled from ISTRAC using percentag e of students enrolled, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Pangong
I.S.R.O. ground stations and other indicating more students per school, the Tso in Ladakh on December 26, 2024.
externally hired ground stations. report said.
UDISE+ is a platform where States unveiling aligned with India’s efforts to
School Enrolments Drop directly feed data on different fortify its presence in Ladakh amidst
parameters of school education, ongoing disengagement talks with China.
Significantly In 2023-24: including enrolment, number of teachers After completing disengagement
processes at key friction points like
UDISE+ Report and schools, social categ ories,
infrastructure and the various levels of Demchok and Depsang, the Army
School enrolments saw a significant education. It is a crucial tool to track intensified infrastructure development,
drop for the academic session 2023- school enrolment from pre-primary to signalling a continued commitment to
2024, especially post-Covid-19 secondary stages. The data collection safeguarding India’s territorial integrity
pandemic, according to the Unified and publishing of reports was started while maintaining strategic parity with
District Information System for in 2018-19 by the Union Ministry of China.
Education Plus (UDISE+) 2023-24 Education. The data covers all types of
report released by the Union Ministry schools, including government-aided, Centre Scraps
of Education on December 30, 2024. private, and private-unaided schools. ‘No Detention Policy’
The report showed that a total of 24.80 From 2022-23, a new data collection
crore students enrolled in schools in methodology was used, which does not For 5th & 8th Standards
2023-24, a drop of 38 lakh students allow “duplication” or “ghost-entries”
from the 25.18 crore enrolments in the of students and teachers. In a significant shift in school
2022-23 academic session. This was a education, the Union Ministry of
six-year low as all the previous years Indian Army Unveils Education scrapped the ‘no-detention
since 2018-19, the average total policy’ for students in Classes 5 and
enrolment stood at 26.36 crore. Chhatrapati Shivaji 8 in schools governed by the Union
Government schools across the Statue At Pangong Tso Government, reports said on
December 23, 2024. The move will allow
country were at the receiving end
compared with their private The Indian Army unveiled a statue of schools to retain students who fail to
counterparts, which have still seen an Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Pangong clear their year-end exams. The decision
uptick in admissions. The report Tso in Ladakh on December 26, 2024, will impact around 3,000 Central
revealed that the enrolment in marking a significant strategic and schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas
government schools saw a significant cultural assertion near the India-China and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas under
decrease of 88 lakh students—12.74 border. Installed by the Fire and Fury the Ministry of Education, Sainik
crore in 2023-24 and 13.62 crore in Corps at an altitude of 14,300 feet, the Schools under the Ministry of Defence,
2022-23. On the contrary, private school statue celebrates the Maratha king’s and Eklavya Model Residential Schools
enrolments saw an increase in 2023-24, legacy of valour and foresight. It stands under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
with over nine crore students as tall as a symbol of India’s unwavering According to the gazette notification,
compared to 8.4 crore in 2022-23, commitment to securing its borders, after the regular examination, if a child
indicating a shift after the pandemic. particularly in a region fraught with fails to fulfil the promotion criteria, as
This means students who joined tensions, such as the 2020 standoff at notified from time to time, he shall be
government schools under financial Pangong Tso. While the move reinforced given additional instruction and
constraints during the pandemic enrolled India’s position along the Line of opportunity for re-examination,
in private institutions. Actual Control (LAC), it also stirred conducted within two months from the
While overall enrolment remained low local debates about cultural relevance, date of declaration of results. The
across States, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, consultation, and ecological concerns. notification said, “If the child appearing
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and The installation underscored India’s in the re-examination fails to fulfil the
Karnataka saw a steep decline in 2023- strategic posturing along the LAC, promotion criteria again, he shall be held
24. Bihar and UP, where most migration including a broader infrastructure push back in fifth class or eighth class, as the
occurs, saw the biggest enrolment to improve mobility, surveillance, and case may be. During the holding back
decline of 28.92 lakh and 21.49 lakh, defensive readiness. Despite the of the child, the Class Teacher shall
respectively. Other States lagging in strategic symbolism, some local leaders guide the child as well as the parents of
school enrolments were Rajasthan (8.68 voiced concerns over the lack of the child, if necessary, and provide
lakh), Madhya Pradesh (4.24 lakh), community consultation and the statue’s specialised inputs after identifying the
Karnataka (3.15 lakh), Telangana (2.29 relevance to Ladakh’s unique heritage, learning gaps at various stages of
lakh), Haryana (2.30 lakh). In States such environment, and wildlife. However, the assessment.” However, the Government
34 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
has clarified that no child shall be and Oriental Structural Engineers, The vessel is built with over 80%
expelled from any school till completion represents a significant step forward in indigenous content. The 110-metre ship
of elementary education. India’s sustainability and self-reliance weighs around 3,800 tonnes and is
The move came five years after the goals. powered by dual diesel engines for
Government amended the Right of Mr. Gadkari highlighted that this efficient performance. It is embedded
Children to Free and Compulsory initiative paves the way for large-scale with advanced hydrographic systems
Education Act, 2009, scrapping the domestic production and a self-reliant, such as Multi Beam Echo Sounders, Side
no-detention policy in 2019. The RTE sustainable future for India. He said, Scan Sonars, Autonomous Underwater
(Amendment) Act, 2019 said, “There “There are 400 projects in the country Vehicle (AUV), Remotely Operated
shall be a regular examination in the fifth to make CNG from biomass. Forty of Vehicles (ROVs), etc. These enable
and eighth classes at the end of every them are already complete. CNG is much precise mapping for safe navigation and
academic year... If a child fails the cheaper than petrol, and the pollution planning in deep-sea operations, expand
examination, he shall be given additional caused by CNG is also less than that survey capabilities in hazardous and
instruction and granted an opportunity caused by petrol. CNG is being produced restricted zones and facilitate faster
for re-examination within two months from Parali, the agricultural waste, in and safer data collection for wreck
from the result’s declaration date.” After these projects, and this has resulted in identifications and environmental studies.
the amendment, 16 States and two the use of 60 lakh tonnes of Parali, which The ship can operate for over 25 days at
Union Territories opted out of the no- has helped reduce pollution”. sea, with a speed of more than 18 knots,
detention policy for Classes 5 and 8: The use of lignin as a sustainable ensuring its capability for extensive
Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal binder marks a significant breakthrough surveys and sustained operations.
Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, in flexible pavement technolog y, The vessel will contribute significantly
Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, addressing the challenge of bitumen to the Indian Ocean Region’s
Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, scarcity and reducing India’s dependence security and environmental health and
Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, West on imports, which currently constitute strengthen India’s leadership in regional
Bengal, Delhi, Dadra and Nagar Haveli 50% of the total supply. This innovation collaboration, scientific exploration, and
and Daman and Diu. Haryana and contributes to global sustainability goals peacekeeping missions. The ship will
Puducherry have yet to decide. by generating revenue for bio-refineries, strengthen the SAGAR (Security and
The no-detention policy was mitigating stubble burning, and reducing Growth for All in the Region) initiative
introduced by the Right of Children to greenhouse gas emissions by at least by promoting shared maritime data
Free and Compulsory Education Act, 70% compared to fossil-based bitumen. with friendly foreign countries. The
popularly known as the RTE Act, in This development aligns with the ship’s construction was a collaborative
2009. Section 16 of the Act stipulated nation’s vision for sustainable industrial endeavour of the Indian Navy’s Warship
that “No child admitted in a school shall growth by leveraging India’s abundant Design Bureau, GRSE, L&T, SAIL, IRS
be held back in any class or expelled lignocellulosic biomass. and many MSMEs, exemplifying India’s
from school till the completion of commitment to self-reliance in defence
elementary education”. The motive Advanced Survey manufacturing and maritime capabilities.
behind introducing the no-detention
policy or automatic promotion to the Vessel INS Nirdeshak India Conducts First-ever
next class was to minimise dropouts,
make learning joyful, and remove the
Commissioned Into Ganges River Dolphin
fear of failure in exams. The policy soon Indian Navy Tagging In Assam
became a contentious issue in several
States, with many wondering if it led to INS Nirdeshak, a new survey ship, In a first-ever such move of satellite
“deteriorating learning outcomes of was officially commissioned into the tagging of any species in India, scientists
students”. Some State Governments Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard in of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
wrote to the Centre to re-examine the Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on tagged a male Ganges River Dolphin
no-detention provision of the RTE Act. December 18, 2024, signifying a and released it in the Brahmaputra River
significant leap in India’s naval in Kamrup district in Assam on
India’s First Bio-Bitumen December 18, 2024, to gather critical
information about the country’s national
Highway Stretch aquatic animal. Marking an important
Inaugurated In Nagpur milestone in Project Dolphin, the
initiative was part of the WII’s plan to
India’s first bio-bitumen-based protect the iconic yet elusive species by
national highway stretch on NH-44 in better understanding its habitat needs
Mansar, Nag pur, Maharashtra, was and movement patterns. Calling it
inaugurated by Union Minister for a historic milestone for wildlife
Road Transport and Highways Mr. Nitin conservation, Union Environment
Gadkari on December 21, 2024. This capabilities. Constructed by Garden Minister Mr. Bhupender Yadav said the
stretch is a milestone in India’s road Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) project would deepen the understanding
development sector, being the first to in Kolkata, the vessel is the second ship of conserving India’s national aquatic
employ lignin-based bio-bitumen under the Survey Vessel (Large) Project. animals. The Ministry of Environment,
technology. The technology, developed It will enhance India’s maritime Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC)-
by Praj Industries, in collaboration with presence, especially in the Indian Ocean led project is funded by the National
the Council of Scientific & Industrial Region, and will continue the legacy of CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation
Research-Central Road Research the original Nirdeshak, which served the Management and Planning Authority)
Institute (CSIR-CRRI), National Navy for 32 years before its and supported by the Assam Forest
Highways Authority of India (NHAI), decommissioning in 2014. Department and Aaranyak.
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 35
 Classified as endangered by the Medical Research: the ICMR-INDIAB as interplanetary exploration and satellite
International Union for Conservation of Study and the ICMR-YDR Study. launches.
Nature (IUCN), the Ganges River Globally, biobanks have played an
Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is under enormous role in advancing medical Stealth Frigate INS Tushil
threat due to its rapidly degrading research. For example, the UK Biobank,
natural habitat, river pollution, as well which holds data from 5 lakh participants, Commissioned Into
as construction of dams and barrages.
In 2020, the Government launched
has contributed to thousands of scientific
discoveries. Similarly, biobanks in the US,
Indian Navy
Project Dolphin to conserve the vital China, and Europe focus on cancer, Indian Navy’s newest guided missile
species. Despite its wide home range, genetics, and rare diseases. India’s diabetes frigate, INS Tushil, was commissioned
there is very little information about the biobank is a much-needed addition to into the force at Russia’s coastal city of
ecological needs of the Ganges River these efforts. While biobanks are critical Kaliningrad in the presence of Defence
Dolphin. Scientists highlight that it has for research, they come with challenges. Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh on
a unique ecology, and its elusive nature Maintaining samples requires significant December 9, 2024. The warship is
compounds the challenge, as it surfaces funding, infrastructure, and skilled expected to significantly bolster the
for only 5-30 seconds at a time. The personnel. Ethical issues are equally Indian Navy’s operational capability in
tag ging exercise will help them important, primarily related to informed the Indian Ocean, which has witnessed
understand their seasonal and migratory consent and privacy. increasing forays by China’s PLA Navy
patterns, range, distribution, and habitat in the last few years. In his remarks,
utilisation, particularly in fragmented or I.S.R.O. Successfully Tests Mr. Singh described the warship
disturbed river systems, which is crucial commissioning as a “proud testament”
for scientific conservation interventions. CE20 Cryogenic Engine to India’s growing maritime strength and
The Indian Space Research
India Sets Up First Organisation (I.S.R.O.) achieved a critical
Diabetes Biobank In milestone with the sea-level hot test of
its CE20 cryogenic engine at the I.S.R.O.
Chennai Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri,
Tamil Nadu, on December 12, 2024.
In a significant step towards The test was crucial for upcoming space
understanding and tackling one of the missions and demonstrated the engine’s
country’s most pressing health concerns, restart-enabling systems under ambient
India launched its first-ever diabetes conditions. The CE20 cryogenic engine,
biobank, a repository of population- developed indigenously by I.S.R.O., is a “significant milestone” in the long-
based biological samples aimed at vital in enhancing India’s space standing friendship between the two
supporting scientific research, in exploration capabilities. countries.
Chennai on December 15, 2024. This Testing cryogenic engines at sea level The INS Tushil is a 125-metre-long,
g roundbreaking initiative is a is traditionally challenging due to the high 3,900-tonne ship, packing a lethal punch
collaboration between the Indian area ratio nozzle with an exit pressure of and “an impressive blend of Russian and
Council of Medical Research (ICMR) about 50 millibar (mbar). The CE20 Indian cutting-edge technologies and
and the Madras Diabetes Research engine’s sea-level testing involved best practices in warship construction”,
Foundation (MDRF). The biobank is set overcoming issues like flow separation, according to the Ministry of Defence.
to become a key resource for researchers which could lead to severe vibrations and INS Tushil will also be armed with eight
and healthcare professionals, enabling mechanical damage. To mitigate these BrahMos vertically launched anti-ship
deeper insights into diabetes. issues, I.S.R.O. incorporated an innovative cruise missiles, 24 medium-range and
India is home to over 10 crore Nozzle Protection System, which solved eight short-range surface-to-air missiles,
diabetes and 13.6 crore pre-diabetes these challenges and reduced the test a 100 mm gun and two close-in weapons
cases, some of the highest numbers in procedure’s complexity. The successful for last-ditch defence against incoming
the world. Despite the widespread demonstration of the multi-element missiles. In addition, it will have two
impact of diabetes, the country has igniter, essential for engine restart, was double torpedo tubes and a rocket
lacked larg e-scale repositories of another significant achievement in this launcher to deal with submarines.
biological samples that could help study test. INS Tushil is also equipped with
the disease. The new diabetes biobank The CE20 cryog enic engine various radars, navigation aids, sonar and
changes this. By storing biological significantly boosts India’s space electronic warfare suites, fire control
samples from across India, the biobank programme by enhancing the thrust and systems and decoys. The ship is also
will help scientists study the genetic, efficiency of rockets, enabling the launch capable of embarking the upgraded
lifestyle, and environmental factors of heavier payloads. This achievement anti-submarines and airborne early
behind diabetes. This can lead to positions India among the few warning helicopters, the Kamov 28 and
improved treatments, better prevention countries—the US, France, Russia, China, Kamov 31. The frigate is powered by
strategies, and more targeted therapies and Japan—that have developed an advanced gas turbine propulsion plant
for those affected. The biobank holds indigenous cryogenic engines. With a with state-of-the-art controls and can
over 1.5 lakh biological samples thrust level of 19 tonnes, the CE20 has achieve speeds over 30 knots. INS Tushil
collected from diverse regions and already powered several successful is an upgraded Krivak III class frigate
communities across India. These missions, including Chandrayaan-3, and of Project 1135.6, of which six are
samples will allow researchers to is being upgraded to a thrust level of 22 already in service—three Talwar class
understand diabetes patterns, especially tonnes for future missions like ships, built at Baltiysky shipyard, St.
its variations among Indians. The Gaganyaan. This progression strengthens Petersburg, and three follow-on Teg class
initiative builds on two critical studies India’s self-reliance in space technology ships, built at Yantar shipyard,
published in the Indian Journal of and contributes to future missions such Kaliningrad.
36 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 international trust in India’s space
Ratapani Becomes India’s I.S.R.O. Launches Europe’s capabilities. As the Proba-3 mission
progresses, it promises to unlock new
57th Tiger Reserve Proba-3 Mission For insights into space technologies and
India got its 57th Tiger Reserve in Solar Exploration study the Sun’s outer atmosphere,
further cementing I.S.R.O.’s role as a
Madhya Pradesh’s Ratapani Wildlife
Sanctuary after receiving in-principle The Indian Space Research global leader in space innovation and
Organisation’s Polar Satellite Launch collaboration.
approval from the Union Ministry of
Vehicle (P.S.L.V.) once again proved its
Environment, Forest, and Climate
Change on December 2, 2024. Also, the reliability by successfully launching the Sex Ratio And Girl Child
State’s Madhav National Park received European Space Agency’s (E.S.A.)
Proba-3 satellites into their designated
Enrolment Improves
approval to be declared a tiger reserve
on December 1, 2024, and it will orbit. The launch took place from the Under B.B.B.P. Scheme
become India’s 58th tiger reserve after Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh
official notification. on December 5, 2024. In its 61st The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
flight, the P.S.L.V. rocket undertook a (B.B.B.P.) scheme has achieved notable
high-profile mission, deploying a pair progress in improving the Sex Ratio at
of satellites as part of E.S.A.’s Birth (S.R.B.) and Gross Enrolment
groundbreaking Proba-3 project. These Ratio (G.E.R.) for girls, the Union
satellites are designed to simulate a total Ministry of Women & Child
solar eclipse using precision formation Development said on December 4, 2024.
flying in space, a technological first in Provisional data from the Health
space exploration. Management Infor mation System
The Proba-3 mission marks a (H.M.I.S.) 2023-24 shows S.R.B.
significant milestone in space improved from 918 in 2014-15 to 930
Madhya Pradesh’s Ratapani Wildlife exploration. The P.S.L.V. rocket deployed in 2023-24, while G.E.R. at the
Sanctuary became India’s 57th Tiger the Proba-3 spacecraft into a highly secondary level has risen from 75.51%
Reserve on December 2, 2024. elliptical orbit as part of a dedicated in 2014-15 to 79.4% in 2021-22, as per
commercial mission managed by UDISE+ data. Launched on January 22,
The Ratapani Tiger Reserve, located in NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), 2015, under the Ministry of Women &
the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, in I.S.R.O.’s commercial arm. The mission Child Development in collaboration with
the Vindhya Range in central India, is aimed to demonstrate the advanced the Ministry of Education and Ministry
one of the finest teak forests in the State technology of precision formation of Health & Family Welfare, the B.B.B.P.
and is less than 50 km away from the flying, carrying two mini-satellites—the scheme focuses on eliminating gender-
State capital, Bhopal. The total forest Coronagraph Spacecraft (C.S.C.) and the biased practices, ensuring girl child
area is around 824 sq. km. and the Occulter Spacecraft (O.S.C.)—flying in protection, and promoting education.
landscape is undulating, with hills, tandem. The two satellites, together B.B.B.P. is a centrally sponsored
plateaus, valleys and plains. Two large weighing 545 kgs, were carried into scheme with 100% funding from the
reservoirs, namely Barna Reservoir and space aboard the 44.5-metre-tall P.S.L.V. Central Government under the Sambal
Ratapani Dam or Barrusot Lake, are rocket, which itself weighs 320 tonnes vertical of Mission Shakti. Funds are
among the significant waterbodies at launch. After a successful lift-off, allocated to districts based on S.R.B.
adjacent to or inside the sanctuary. approximately 18 minutes into the flight,
data: Rs. 40 lakh per year to districts
The forest of Ratapani is dry deciduous the satellites were deployed at 600 km
above Earth. with S.R.B.<918; Rs. 30 lakh per year
and moist deciduous type, with teak to districts with SRB 919-952; and
(Tectona grandis) as the main tree species, The Proba-3 mission is the first in
the world to showcase precision Rs. 20 lakh per year to districts with
covering 55% of the area. Bamboo S.R.B.>952. The scheme uses the Public
(Dendrocalamusstrictus) covers about one- formation-flying capabilities at this level.
Both satellites will fly in close formation, Financial Management System (PFMS)
quarter of the forest area. Bhimbetka for fund disbursal through Single Nodal
rock shelters are located within this tiger precisely controlling their altitude and
separation. This ability to maintain a Agencies (SNA). However, West Bengal
reserve. These rock shelters were has not implemented the scheme. An
inhabited by man hundreds of thousands fixed formation, as if they were a single
rigid structure, enables them to simulate Operational Manual with a detailed
of years ago, and some of the rock Activity Calendar has been issued to
paintings from the Stone Age are more the phenomenon of a total solar eclipse.
This mission represents a milestone in ensure year-round engagement. Themes
than 30,000 years old. It has been declared are assigned monthly, often aligning with
a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. space rendezvous and formation-flying
technologies, and it is E.S.A.’s—and the significant dates like International Day
A tiger reserve in India is a designated
world’s—first precision formation-flying of the Girl Child (October 11). Regular
area established under the Project Tiger
initiative of 1973 to ensure the mission. reviews, videoconferences, and annual
conservation of tigers and their habitats. This mission also marked the second Programme Approval Board meetings
India’s 57 tiger reserves are spread across E.S.A. satellite launch aboard an Indian monitor the scheme’s progress.
around 82,000 sq. km. and account for rocket. The first, Proba-1, was launched Despite improvement in key
over 2.3% of India’s geographical area, in 2001 using the P.S.L.V. What was indicators like S.R.B. and G.E.R.,
as per the National Tiger Conservation initially intended to be a one-year challenges remain. H.M.I.S. 2023-24
Authority (N.T.C.A). According to the mission has far surpassed its expected flagged an abysmal S.R.B. of 882 in
5th cycle summary report of 2022, India lifespan, remaining operational for Bihar, which figured among the worst-
has a minimum of 3,167 tigers and is over two decades. This continued performing States. With S.R.B. at 894 in
home to more than 70% of the world’s collaboration between I.S.R.O. and 2022-23 and 914 in 2021-22, the
wild tiger population. E.S.A. highlights the growing declining trend is more alarming.
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 37
 The World
Burning Topics

★ China Unveils World’s

Fastest High-Speed Train
Prototype CR450
★ Ex-footballer Mikheil
Kavelashvili Sworn In As
Georgia’s New President China introduced world's fastest high-speed train prototype CR450
★ South Korea’s Political with test speeds reaching 450 km/h in Beijing on December 29, 2024.
Crisis Deepens With Two
Presidents Impeached In China Unveils World's Fastest High-Speed
14 Days Train Prototype CR450
★ China Approves $137 Billion
Mega Dam On Brahmaputra China introduced the CR450, the from following global trends to setting
world's fastest high-speed train prototype, them. The CR450 follows iconic projects
Near Indian Border with test speeds reaching 450 km/h, in like the Shanghai Maglev (430 km/h)
★ U.S. Declares Bald Eagle As Beijing on December 29, 2024. Surpassing and international initiatives like the Laos-
the current CR400 Fuxing trains, China Railway, which links Kunming to
National Bird After 250 Years which run 350 km/h, the CR450 marks Vientiane. Future plans include
★ Aisake Valu Eke Elected a breakthrough in rail technolog y, extending high-speed networks through
combining speed with advancements in Southeast Asia and connecting Kunming
New Prime Minister Of energy efficiency, safety, and passenger to Singapore via Laos, Thailand and
Tonga comfort. This innovation aligns with Malaysia. With over 47,000 km of high-
China's ambitious plans to expand its speed rail already operational, the CR450
★ India, France Collaborate To high-speed rail network to 70,000 km prototype reinforces China's ambition to
Establish World’s Largest by 2035, cementing its leadership in redefine rail travel by cutting significant
Museum global rail systems. travel times, such as reducing the
The CR450 surpasses its predecessors Beijing-Shanghai route from 4.5 hours
★ India, Kuwait Elevate Ties with a maximum commercial operating to just over 3 hours.
To Strategic Partnership speed of 400 km/h and test speeds of
450 km/h, achieved after rigorous Ex-footballer Mikheil
★ Francois Bayrou Appointed testing spanning 2,00,000 km, 3,000
New Prime Minister Of simulations, and 2,000 platform tests. Kavelashvili Sworn In As
France Equipped with water-cooled permanent
magnet traction systems and high-
Georgia's New President
★ U.S. Armed Forces Test stability bogie systems, the CR450 Mr. Mikheil Kavelashvili took over as
reduces energy consumption by over President of Georgia on December 29,
Long-Range Hypersonic 20% and ensures operational stability at 2024, following a tumultuous election
Missile ‘Dark Eagle’ unprecedented speeds. Featuring noise period marked by further divisions
reduction technology, expanded cabin between pro-Russian and pro-EU
★ Syria’s Assad Regime Falls spaces, and storage for items like bicycles factions of the former Soviet State. The
As Rebel Forces Take and wheelchairs, the CR450 prioritises 53-year-old Mr. Kavelashvili, an ex-
Damascus passenger comfort and accessibility. lawmaker for the right-wing ruling
Expected to debut commercially as early Georgian Dream party and former
★ Paris’ Famed Notre Dame as 2025, the rail CR450 showcases English Premier League soccer star, was
Cathedral Reopens China's pursuit of sustainable, efficient, sworn in as President, essentially a
and technologically advanced rail ceremonial post, at the country's
★ John Mahama Returns As systems. Parliament in Tbilisi. A hardline critic
Ghana's President China's high-speed rail journey, which of the West, he was the only candidate
began in the early 2000s, has transitioned in the running after opposition parties
38 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 "restoration" of the presidency's Assembly and voted against Mr. Yoon's
constitutional role, which he claims was order. About six hours after his initial
undermined by outgoing President decree, Mr. Yoon rescinded it. Events
Ms. Zourabichvili. However, many occurred since the declaration sparked
Georgians feel deep-seated resentment South Korea's gravest political crisis
towards Russia, which invaded Georgia since 1987 when protests forced the
in 2008 and occupies about 20% of its ruling party of former military generals
internationally recognised territory— to accept a direct, popular vote to elect
about the same proportion it occupies the President. The unexpected
in Ukraine. Despite recent Russian imposition of martial law and the
aggression against Georgia, Georgian ensuing political upheaval sent
Dream has long been accused of shockwaves through Asia's fourth-largest
harbouring pro-Russian sympathies, and economy. It drew concerns from allies
its billionaire founder, Mr. Bidzina in the United States and Europe who
Ivanishvili, made his fortune in the had seen Mr. Yoon as a key partner in
Soviet Union. efforts to counter China, Russia and
Mr. Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in North Korea.
as President of Georgia in Tbilisi South Korea's Political
on December 29, 2024. China Approves
Crisis Deepens With Two
boycotted the Parliamentary process to $137 Billion Mega Dam
Presidents Impeached
elect a President. The new President On Brahmaputra Near
pledged to be "everyone's President, In 14 Days
regardless of whether they like me or Indian Border
not." He urged Georgians to unite South Korea's National Assembly
around "shared values, the principles of voted to impeach Acting President China gave an official nod to the
mutual respect, and the future we should Mr. Han Duck-soo during a turbulent construction of the world's largest dam,
build together." Outgoing President Ms. General Meeting on December 27, 2024, stated to be the planet's biggest infra
Salome Zourabichvili, a pro-Western centred on his failure to appoint three project costing $137 billion, on the
opponent of the ruling party, maintained new Constitutional Court justices. Brahmaputra River in Tibet close to the
a hardline position. Lawmakers voted 192 to 0 for Indian border, raising concerns in
Mr. Kavelashvili was elected by a impeachment, with the ruling People riparian states-India and Bangladesh.
300-seat electoral college on Power Party boycotting the ballot. "The Chinese government approved the
December 16, 2024, marking a shift Mr. Han's impeachment came less than construction of a hydropower project
towards closer ties with Russia, with two weeks after President Mr. Yoon Suk in the lower reaches of the Yarlung
critics arguing that his victory Yeol was impeached on December 14, Zangbo (Yarlung Tsangpo) River" (the
undermined Georgia's E.U. aspirations. 2024, suspending him from his duties Tibetan name for the Brahmaputra), said
Mr. Kavelashvili's journey from football over his short-lived declaration of the state-run Xinhua news agency
to politics is remarkable. Starting his martial law on December 3, 2024, a quoting an official statement on
career at Dinamo Tbilisi, he won shock move that sparked spirited street December 25, 2024. The dam will be
multiple Georgian Premier League titles protests calling for his removal and built at a vast gorge in the Himalayan
and later moved to international clubs, plunging the country into political chaos. reaches where the Brahmaputra makes
including Manchester City. His football a massive U-turn to flow into Arunachal
The impeachment of Mr. Han further Pradesh and then to Bangladesh.
achievements included 46 appearances threw South Korea's once-vibrant
for the Georgian national team, scoring The total investment in the dam could
nine goals. After retiring from football, democratic success story into uncharted exceed one trillion yuan ($137 billion),
Mr. Kavelashvili transitioned to politics, territory. Finance Minister Mr. Choi which would dwarf any other single
being elected to Georgia's Parliament in Sang-mok succeeded Mr. Han as Acting infrastructure project on the planet,
2016 on the Georgian Dream ticket. In President. He convened the National including China's own Three Gorges
2022, he co-founded the People's Power Security Council, spoke with key Dam, regarded as the largest in the
movement, a group aligned with the officials, including military leaders, and world. Concerns arose in India as the
Georgian Dream known for its anti- vowed to do everything possible to dam empowered China to control the
Western rhetoric. stabilise state affairs. Mr. Yoon and water flow. Its size and scale could also
Mr. Kavelashvili's rise sparked public Mr. Han reached the Constitutional enable Beijing to release large amounts
protests, with demonstrators criticising Court against their impeachment. of water, flooding border areas during
the electoral process and his lack of Mr. Yoon shocked the countr y hostilities. India and China established
higher education. The Georgian and the world with a late-night the expert-level mechanism in 2006 to
opposition claims that his leadership will announcement on December 3, 2024, discuss various issues related to trans-
further diminish Georgia's chances of that he was imposing martial law to border rivers. China provides India with
joining the E.U., emphasising the overcome political deadlock and root out hydrological infor mation on the
growing divide between pro-Western "anti-State forces". He took this bold Brahmaputra and Sutlej during the flood
and pro-Russian factions. The and defiant step after getting frustrated seasons. India, too, is building a dam
government's crackdown on dissent, by his policies, including the crucial over the Brahmaputra in Arunachal
including the use of water cannons and budgets, being consistently blocked by Pradesh.
tear g as against protesters, drew an opposition-dominated Parliament. The massive Chinese dam on the
international condemnation from the However, within hours of the Brahmaputra presents enormous
E.U. and the United States. Despite the proclamation of martial law, 190 engineering challenges as the project site
protests, Mr. Kavelashvili remains lawmakers defied the cordons of troops is located along a tectonic plate boundary
resolute in his vision, calling for a and police, entered the National where earthquakes occur. The Tibetan
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 39
plateau, regarded as the roof of the including the presidential flag, military
world, frequently experiences insignia, U.S. currency, and government India, France Collaborate
earthquakes as it is situated over the
tectonic plates. The Chinese official
documents. However, until now, it has
lacked the official designation of the
To Establish World's
statement sought to allay concerns about national bird. The bald eagle is native Largest Museum
earthquakes, saying that the hydropower to North America. It is also protected
project was safe and prioritises ecological under the National Emblem Act of In a significant cultural initiative,
protection. It said a solid foundation had 1940, making selling or hunting the India and France signed an agreement
been laid for science-based development creature illegal. The birds were once on to establish the Yuga Yugeen Bharat
through extensive geological explorations the brink of extinction, but the National Museum, dubbed to be
and technical advancements. population has greatly increased since the largest museum in the world,
2009. located on Raisina Hill, directly across
U.S. Declares Bald Eagle from the Rashtrapati Bhavan in
As National Bird After Aisake Valu Eke Elected New Delhi. After signing the agreement
on December 19, 2024, External Affairs
250 Years New Prime Minister Minister Mr. S. Jaishankar emphasised
Of Tonga the project’s importance: “Culture, in
President Mr. Joe Biden signed a many ways, is the essence of soft
historic law officially designating the bald Tonga's Parliament elected veteran power. When the South Block and
eagle as the national bird of the United politician Mr. Aisake Valu Eke as its new North Block become the kind of
States on Christmas Eve, December 24, Prime Minister on December 24, 2024, museum envisaged, we will veritably see
2024. T he legislation, passed by after the incumbent, Mr. Siaosi Sovaleni's the inspiration for the remaking of
Congress and signed by the President, abrupt resignation. Mr. Eke was elected Bharat.” The museum is a part of
amends the U.S. Code to recognise the in a secret ballot, winning the the Central Vista Redevelopment
vote 16 to 8 against his only opponent, Project and is set to span approximately
Trade Minister Mr. Viliame Latu. The 1.55 lakh square metres, overtaking
political transition comes at a time of The Louvre in Paris, presently the
significant challenges, including strained world's biggest.
monarchy-government relations, The museum will cover 950 rooms
economic hardships, and the aftermath spread over a basement and three
of natural disasters. storeys as part of a national heritage,
Mr. Sovaleni, PM since 2021, resigned prestige, and importance project. It will
two weeks ago, hours before facing a be located on Raisina Hill, the seat of
no-confidence vote led by Mr. Eke. His the Central Government. The museum
tenure witnessed escalating tensions with will be housed in the North Block and
Tonga's monarchy, notably King Mr. South Block buildings, which are the
U.S. designated the bald eagle as the Tupou VI, who retains considerable address of the Union Ministries of
national bird on December 24, 2024. authority, including the power to dissolve External Affairs, Home, Defence,
Parliament and veto legislations. The Finance, and several other offices. The
bald eagle's status formally. The bald monarchy-government power struggle mapping work and blueprints have
eagle, recognisable by its white head, has been a recurring theme in the Pacific nearly been completed in the North
yellow beak and brown body, has been island nation since Tonga's 2010 Block and are being carried out
a symbol of the nation for over 240 constitutional reforms, which shifted throughout the South Block. As per a
years. Although it has been an emblem political control towards elected
of the country, appearing on the Great representatives. Tonga's Legislative Government statement, the Yuga
Seal of the U.S. since 1782, it was never Assembly comprises 17 elected members Yugeen Bharat National Museum aims
formally recognised as the national bird and nine nobles chosen by hereditary to redefine the museum experience,
until this legislation. Spearheaded by chiefs, highlighting its unique blend of offering a platform that celebrates
lawmakers from Minnesota, which democracy and monarchy. India's heritage while embracing
boasts a large bald eagle population, the Mr. Eke assumes leadership amid the contemporary narratives.
decision honours the bald eagle's country's ongoing socio-economic France, which wanted to be a part
symbolic representation of strength, challenges. The 2022 volcanic eruption of this mega project, has a similar
courage, and freedom while and tsunami devastated Tonga's history with its renowned museum-The
acknowledging its remarkable recovery infrastructure, while the Covid-19 Louvre-and has global expertise in the
from near extinction. This designation pandemic severely impacted its tourism- adaptive reuse of historic buildings of
grants the bald eagle the same official dependent economy. Tonga also faces a archaeological significance. The Louvre
status as the national mammal debt crisis, owing $130 million to China's (and its old wings), too, were part of a
(American bison), national flower (rose), export bank-almost one-third of its grand palatial building in France's
and national tree (oak). GDP-with repayment pressures capital, Paris, and the French Finance
In 1782, the bald eagle became a escalating. Mr. Eke's priorities will Ministry used to be housed in a wing
central part of the United States Great include economic recovery, addressing of the palatial structure, which we now
Seal, used on official documents. The climate change threats, and maintaining see as the world-famous museum and
seal includes the eagle, an olive branch, governmental stability before the landmark. Union Culture Minister
arrows, a shield, the motto "E Pluribus November 2025 elections. Tonga Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said,
Unum", and a constellation of stars. recently won the bid to host the “France's expertise in museum
Congress designated the bald eagle as 2031 Pacific Games, offering a development, exemplified by the Grand
the national emblem that same year. Its potential economic and infrastructural Louvre, will play a pivotal role in
image appears on various official items, revitalisation opportunity. shaping this project.”
40 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 Investment Treaty and strengthening 2017 amid a fraud investigation but was
India, Kuwait Elevate trade linkages by diversifying the export- later cleared of charges.
Ties To Strategic import portfolio.
Both sides agreed to expand their
Mr. Bayrou's first major task is to pass
a special law to extend the 2024 budget
Partnership energy ties beyond the buyer-seller while preparing for a fierce battle over
dynamic as it will have more potential the austerity-driven 2025 Budget Bill.
India and Kuwait marked a historic for growth. Kuwait expressed interest The 2025 Bill, aiming to save €60 billion
milestone in their bilateral relations in India's Strategic Petroleum Reserve to address France's 6% deficit, was
during Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Programme and committed to enhanced central to the collapse of Mr. Barnier's
Modi's first official visit to Kuwait on collaboration in the oil, gas, and government. With a fragmented
December 21-22, 2024. The visit renewable energy sectors. The renewal National Assembly comprising three
culminated in the elevation of their ties of the Cultural Exchange Programme rival blocs, the new Prime Minister's
to a “Strategic Partnership,” signifying (2025-2029) and Executive Programme ability to negotiate compromises
deeper cooperation across trade, on Sports (2025-2028) aimed at fostering will be crucial. Still, his close association
defence, energy, and cultural domains. deeper cultural ties. Both countries with Mr. Macron, whose popularity has
Kuwait also honoured PM Mr. Modi explored avenues for educational plummeted, may weaken his position.
with its highest civilian award, The cooperation, including digital libraries
Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer, in and EdTech platforms. U.S. Armed Forces Test
recognition of his role in fostering The centuries-old ties between India
bilateral ties. Formalising strategic and Kuwait have evolved from historical Long-Range Hypersonic
partnership, PM Mr. Modi and Kuwait's
Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber
trade relationships to strategic economic
and political cooperation. Kuwait's
Missile ‘Dark Eagle’
Al-Sabah agreed to deepen collaboration recent membership in the International The U.S. Army's Rapid Capabilities and
by establishing new Joint Working Solar Alliance (ISA) and its interest in Critical Technologies Office, in
Groups (JWGs) in trade, technology, food parks align with India's global collaboration with the U.S. Navy Strategic
education, and defence. The leaders climate and agricultural initiatives. This Systems Programs (SSP), achieved a
reiterated their commitment to partnership reflects mutual benefits and significant milestone with the successful
advancing people-to-people ties and supports regional stability, demonstrating test-fire of its Long-Range Hypersonic
sustaining high-level ministerial a modern synergy between historical Weapon (LRHW), also known as Dark
interactions. allies. This strengthened partnership, Eagle. The test, conducted from Cape
underpinned by a shared vision, aims to Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida
foster sustainable development and on December 12, 2024, marked the
enhance regional security. Both leaders culmination of over two years of effort
emphasised the need for UN reforms to deploy the weapon from its trailer-
and global cooperation to tackle based launcher, bringing it closer to being
emerging challenges effectively. fielded as a crucial asset in modern
warfare. The test demonstrated the
Francois Bayrou missile's ability to travel at speeds
Appointed New Prime exceeding 3,800 miles per hour (Mach 5)
and its capability to strike distant
Minister Of France and well-defended targ ets. This
achievement marks a major milestone in
French President Mr. Emmanuel hypersonic technology development for
Macron appointed Mr. François Bayrou the U.S. military, with future operational
as the new Prime Minister of France deployment planned by 2025 itself.
on December 13, 2024, his third in 2024, Developed by Lockheed Martin and
PM Mr. Narendra Modi with Kuwait's amidst a worsening political crisis. Northrop Grumman, Dark Eagle features
Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Mr. Bayrou, a veteran centrist and close a two-stage rocket booster designed to
Al-Jaber Al-Sabah during his visit to ally of the President, faces immediate carry the Navy's Common Hypersonic
Kuwait on December 21-22, 2024. challenges of navigating a divided Glide Body (C-HGB) to speeds exceeding
Parliament to pass critical legislation, Mach 5 before separating and gliding
The two countries signed several key particularly the contentious 2025 Budget towards its target at hypersonic speeds.
agreements and MoUs. Notably, the Bill. The appointment followed a vote Once the C-HGB separates from its
MoU in defence marked a pivotal step of no-confidence that ousted PM booster, it glides at high speed toward its
in enhancing bilateral ties. Both nations Mr. Michel Barnier's minority target, a combination of speed and
ag reed to conduct joint military government, leaving France in political manoeuvrability that renders interception
exercises, bolster maritime safety, and instability, rising borrowing costs, and a nearly impossible with current air defence
facilitate co-production of defence European leadership vacuum. systems. With a range of 1,725 miles,
equipment. The leaders condemned At 73, Mr. Bayrou is a seasoned Dark Eagle is intended to bypass long-
terrorism in all forms and called for politician and founder of the range weapon systems that could
disrupting terror-financing networks and Democratic Movement (MoDem) party, otherwise prevent U.S. forces from
fostering cybersecurity collaboration. which has been part of Mr. Macron's operating freely in contested regions like
Kuwait lauded India's efforts to create ruling alliance since 2017. He has served the South China Sea. Dark Eagle's
a conducive environment for foreign as the Mayor of Pau in southwestern underlying technology is the basis for the
investments and expressed interest France for decades and has run for Navy's Intermediate-Range Conventional
in Indian infrastructure, technology, Presidentship three times. A former Prompt Strike (I.R.C.P.S.), which will be
and food security sectors. Discussions Education and Justice Minister, deployed on the Navy's Zumwalt-class
focused on expediting the Bilateral Mr. Bayrou resigned from that post in stealth destroyers.
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 41
 The Dark Eagle's test success comes so the regime forces. Mr. Assad's
at a time when global competitors are departure signalled the collapse of the
making tremendous prog ress in Syrian regime, which Russia and Iran
developing hypersonic weapons. China had long propped up. With H.T.S.
has already deployed the DF-ZF emerging as a powerful force but facing
hypersonic glide vehicle, carried by the legitimacy challenges, Mr. Mohammad
DF-17 ballistic missile and designed for al-Bashir, previously the head of the
anti-ship missions. Russia has placed its Syrian Salvation Government in Idlib
nuclear-capable Avangard hypersonic province, was named the caretaker Prime
glide vehicle into service, which was Minister of Syria on December 10, 2024.
launched atop its RS-28 Sar mat The Assad family's domination began
intercontinental ballistic missile. with Hafez al-Assad's coup in 1970,
According to the Congressional capitalising on Syria's post-independence have been completed by 1260. Its
Research Service, the U.S. Dark Eagle instability. As a member of the Alawite architectural beauty aside, it also counts
is designed to defeat advanced “anti- minority, Hafez used sectarian divisions among the enduring symbols of French
access/area denial capabilities”, a key to solidify his rule, placing Alawites in culture.
aspect of China's defensive strategy in key positions within the military and In April 2019, a fire broke out in the
the Pacific. Just weeks before the Dark government. His violent crackdown on attic and spread across the roof and the
Eagle's test flight, Russia deployed its dissent, notably in Hama in 1982, set spire, the conical structure projecting
new Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic the tone for his reign. Upon his death upwards. The fire destroyed the wooden
missile, targeting the Ukrainian city of in 2000, his son Mr. Bashar succeeded roof beams called the forest and the
Dnipro. Reports indicated that Russia him, though not without challenges. spire. However, the valuable artefacts
could conduct another Oreshnik launch Mr. Bashar's initial years were filled with like the round-stained glass windows
in the coming days, with a former reform promises, but his rule quickly called les roses, which date back to the
Russian diplomat warning that Moscow turned authoritarian. The Arab Spring Middle Ages, were spared. Immediately
might use the missile as a signal to the uprisings in 2011 exposed Syria's after, French President Mr. Emmanuel
United States. deepening problems, including economic Macron promised to restore the
mismanagement and corruption. cathedral to its full glory. He also
Syria's Assad Regime Mr. Bashar's brutal response to peaceful announced a national fundraising
campaign, which saw €850 million
protests escalated into a civil war, with
Falls As Rebel Forces foreign powers intervening and extremist collected from 3,40,000 people in 150
groups, including ISIS, rising amidst the countries.
Take Damascus chaos.
After more than five decades of The fall of Assad shook the power John Mahama Returns
balance in the Middle East, diminishing
unbroken power, the Assad family's
Russia's and Iran's influence. Iran lost a As Ghana's President
reign in Syria came to a dramatic halt
crucial ally in Syria, complicating its Former President Mr. John Dramani
when rebel forces, spearheaded by Hayat
Tahrir al-Sham (H.T.S.), breached the regional ambitions, while Russia's Mahama made a historic return to power
heart of the regime in Damascus, strategic position in the Mediterranean after emphatically winning Ghana's 2024
is now left jeopardised. Israel and the Presidential election on December 8,
forcing President Mr. Bashar al-Assad
to flee to Russia with his family on U.S. are poised to further pressure Iran, 2024, ending an eight-year hiatus.
December 8, 2024. This marked the end with heightened tensions over nuclear Mr. Mahama secured 56.55% votes
ambitions and regional proxies. against 41.61% of his closest rival, the
of the Alawite dynasty's rule, which
began in 1970 when Hafez al-Assad However, the region faces a volatile ruling New Patriotic Party's candidate
seized control. A red, white, black and future with the potential for chaos, and Vice-President, Mr. Mahamudu
including the rise of new jihadist Bawumia. Mr. Mahama, representing
green flag flew at the historic Umayyad
Mosque in the heart of Damascus. On regimes, further displacement of Syrians, the opposition National Democratic
the other side of the Syrian capital, and the looming threat of extremist Congress, thanked Ghanaians for
groups. reposing their trust in him. This was
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's palace
burned. A TV news anchor read: "We Mr. Mahama's second electoral victory
announce to you from the Syrian news Paris' Famed Notre Dame following his 2012-17 presidency. He
channel the victory of the great Syrian Cathedral Reopens previously lost to the incumbent
revolution after 13 years of patience and President, Mr. Nana Akufo-Addo, in
sacrifice." On the streets, hundreds of The Notre Dame cathedral in Paris 2016 and 2020, but the 2024 campaign
people cheered, celebrating the stunning witnessed its first Mass service in five leveraged widespread discontent with
fall of 53 years of the Assad family's years on December 8, 2024, a day after the N.P.P. government to secure his
uninterrupted rule. it was reopened to the world in a lavish historic comeback. The NDC also
After less than two weeks of fighting ceremony featuring firefighters, world gained a parliamentary majority, with
across Syria's northwest, rebel groups, leaders and artists. Originally built in the two-thirds of the 276 seats going to the
led by H.T.S. under its leader Abu 12th century, the cathedral was closed party.
Mohammad al-Jolani, swiftly seized following a devastating fire in April 2019. Mr. Mahama's campaign resonated
control of the capital. H.T.S., with its Over the last five years, it witnessed a with voters by focusing on Ghana's
roots in Al-Qaeda, launched its offensive frenzied renovation that attracted economic crisis, characterised by
on November 27, 2024, which resulted considerable global attention. In 1160, rising inflation (peaking above 50%), a
in the fall of major cities, including Notre Dame was envisioned by Maurice depreciating currency, and soaring
Aleppo, Hama, Darra and Homs, and de Sully, the Bishop of Paris, as a grand public debt and a debt default that led
eventually, the breach of Damascus, Gothic cathedral. Construction began to a $3 billion IMF bailout, and the rising
which took many by surprise and more three years later and is believed to cost of living.
42 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 GROUP DISCUSSION

Can India And Pakistan Ever

Live In Peace And Prosperity?
—By Wing Commander Dinesh Mathur, VSM (Retd.)
Broadly speaking, Group Discussion people, with the death toll estimated to
refers to examining a subject or topic have reached between several hundred
thoroughly to reach a conclusion or find thousand and one million people as
a solution, by making a group of people Hindus and Muslims migrated in
participate in this process. This process opposite directions across the border to
means the exchange of ideas by reach India and Pakistan, respectively.
participants on a specific subject or topic. While India emerged as a secular
The whole concept is to bring together a republic, Pakistan became an Islamic
unit of people on a common platform to republic. However, their relationship was
share their ideas. At the same time, soon overshadowed by the ill effects of
Group Discussion is also a method Wing Commander Dinesh Mathur is a partition and territorial disputes, the
widely used by organisations and senior selector and trainer. He has worked major disagreement being that of Jammu
as a selector at two Services Selection Boards
educational institutions to assess whether and as Chief Instructor at Defence Institute and Kashmir. Various attempts were
the candidates who wish to join them of Psychological Research, New Delhi. He made to improve this relationship.
have certain personality traits or skills has conducted many interviews and group However, relations remained frigid
which are a must for their employees discussions during the last two decades and mainly due to acts of terrorism by
or students. These skills include has authored four books, including two on Pakistan. We need to analyse multiple
Awareness, Effective Communication, Interviews and Group Discussions. He has aspects of this fragile relationship in
Self-confidence, Assertiveness, Active received Vishisht Seva Medal awarded by detail and highlight how significant this
Listening, Leadership, Team Spirit, etc. the President of India and Commendation relationship is for the people of both
Organisations often conduct Group by the Chief of Air Staff. these countries. You may now express
Discussions after a written test as part of allotted Identification Numbers and your ideas on this topic.
the screening process to select candidates. made to sit in a semi-circular sitting Candidate No. 7 : Friends,
Group Discussions are normally arrangement. A detailed briefing was Number 10 has adequately introduced
categorised into two basic categories : then conducted by three assessors on this topic. I think that to appreciate the
Topic-based Group Discussions and the Do’s and Don’ts to be observed present state of India-Pakistan relations,
Case-based Group Discussions. While during the process of this Group we need to deal with this topic from a
conducting a Topic-based Group Discussion. Candidates were given five historical perspective. We may only
Discussion, a specific topic is given to a minutes to recapitulate and jot down cover developments of the past few
group of candidates to discuss. The topics some points which they could refer to years and need not dwell on the long
provided could be of three kinds : factual while discussing the topic. Candidates history of India-Pakistan relations. Do
topics, controversial topics, and abstract were asked to conclude the discussion you all agree?
topics. The second category of Group within 25-30 minutes. Candidate No. 1 : Yes, you are right.
Discussions is Case-based Group Subsequently, the discussion I agree with you.
Discussion. Here, instead of topics, a commenced in the following manner : Candidate No. 8 : I recall that the
case is given to the candidates, which Candidate No. 10 : Good morning, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
leads to several questions and the friends. I know, you are all set to discuss had travelled to Islamabad in January
candidates are required to discuss these this extremely significant topic for our 2004 to attend the summit of the South
questions. In this process, the problem- country. It gravely impacts the lives of Asian Association of Regional
solving capabilities of the candidates the people of India and Pakistan. The Cooperation (SAARC) hosted by
come to the fore rather easily. present tense relations between India Pakistan, which marked a powerful
The above topic, which comes in the and Pakistan are adversely impacting the breakthrough in the recurrent India-
category of factual topics, was given to entire South Asian region. After the Pakistan logjam. While regional
a group of candidates during the British-India partition in August 1947, cooperation was certainly the backdrop,
selection process of the candidates to both these countries had a complex and the bilateral significance of the visit
undergo the MBA course at a prestigious hostile relationship owing to several pushed everything else to the margins.
management institute in India. All historical and political events. The Similarly, much of this sense was
candidates arrived formally dressed and, partitioning of British India had resulted invoked in December 1988, too, when
after verifying their identity, were in the displacement of up to 15 million the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 43
visited Pakistan again for a SAARC Pakistan stumble into a large-scale war, has given an assurance that it will restore
Summit. SAARC meetings had neither side would win. An escalation Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at an
sometimes facilitated or, at the least, brings with it the risk of a full-on nuclear appropriate time. Pakistan has taken a
been the platform for an India-Pakistan exchange, which would be disastrous stand that the Constitutional changes
dialogue. and amount to mutually assured vis-a-vis Jammu and Kashmir marked a
Candidate No. 2 : Yes, I agree with destruction. Secondly, Pakistan right material change to what it considers an
you. In fact, whenever the Prime now needs food security, given the “international dispute”. Later, Pakistan’s
Ministers of India and Pakistan meet devastating floods which decimated efforts to take the issue to the UN
for any conference, people always crops. A thaw in ties would result in the Security Council proved futile, and it
speculate that they will discuss bilateral resumption of trade between the two was conveyed to it that this matter
relations to improve the present state countries and bridge the demand-supply should be resolved bilaterally.
of tense relations between the two shortfall. Pakistan could import food Candidate No. 8 : In addition to
neighbours, who have now become and other items from India at a much what has been said about the ground
realities concerning India-Pakistan
“Distant Neighbours”. We are aware lower price to meet its urgent needs.
relations, let me add that the Indus
that certain past historical and political Candidate No. 5 : I would like to
Water Treaty, which has been an
developments are responsible for the add, that South Asia is the world’s most
important landmark in the India-
present impasse. populous region and the least integrated Pakistan relationship, now faces a storm.
Candidate No. 5 : You are right, but and has the largest number of poor It appears the stage is all set for a fresh
in the past, quite a few sincere efforts people. It is suggested that it could round of bitterness and confrontation
have been made to improve things, but become a region of prosperity for all by since India has formally invoked an
obviously without much long-term jointly implementing ambitious Article of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT),
success. These important agreements connectivity projects if mutual mistrust seeking its modification. We know that
include the Indus Water Treaty, which is removed. Both countries should look IWT divided the Indus system with the
was signed in 1960 for the sharing of for opportunities that will lead to the western rivers of Indus, Jhelum and
the Indus River’s water. The Tashkent connectivity of the entire South Asia, Chenab assigned to Pakistan and the
Declaration was signed in 1966 after the benefiting all. Secondly, both countries eastern rivers of Ravi, Sutlej and Beas
1965 war. The Simla Agreement was should play more cricket and make to India.
signed in 1972 after the 1971 war. religious and cultural tourism easier. Candidate No. 5 : Yes, you are right.
Significantly, this agreement established People who have families and friends In this regard, Pakistan has filed a
the Line of Control (LoC) as the de on the other side of the border complaint with the Court of Arbitration
facto border between the two countries. should be able to travel to each others’ in The Hague that India’s Kishanganga
The Lahore Declaration was signed in countries. All said and done, both sides Hydroelectric Project violates the Indus
1999 to continue the progress made in owe it to their people to forge a peaceful Water Treaty. India’s move is not
the Simla Agreement. No War Pact path based on coexistence and friendship. surprising considering Pakistan’s
was signed in 1981 to ensure enduring Candidate No. 3 : Candidates obstructionism on projects which India
peace. I think we need to examine the Nos. 8 and 5 have nicely highlighted why considers valid under IWT. Following
factors that are responsible for the India and Pakistan must live in peace. its initial response, Pakistan seems to
continued tense relations between the Candidate No. 10 : Friends, while I have sidestepped India’s demand by
two countries. understand that both countries should stating that all issues can be addressed
Candidate No. 10 : I want to say improve their relations, we must also by the two countries’ respective IWT
that while in the present atmosphere of talk about the present ground realities. Commissioners. India is unlikely to be
distrust between the two nations, satisfied with this response. So, this issue
I want to add that despite the 2021
is likely to create more bitterness
chances of bilateral engagement seem ceasefire lasting over three years, India
between India and Pakistan soon.
rather remote, the importance of peace and Pakistan are yet to resume the
Candidate No. 10 : Historically
between the two neighbouring countries diplomatic ties that were broken after speaking, there was a hope of a positive
cannot be understated. It is felt that both Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was change in India and Pakistan relations
India and Pakistan should actively seek changed by the Indian Government in when the Indian Prime Minister
to resolve their mutual suspicions because 2019. Any substantial change in the Mr. Narendra Modi took the initiative
they share an over 3,000 km-long bilateral relations seems quite unlikely of meeting the then Pakistan Prime
border, and the present state of affairs at this point due to India’s decision to Minister Mr. Nawaz Sharif in 2015, but
adversely impacts the large population abrogate Article 370 and divide the State Pakistan army sabotaged the effort.
of India and Pakistan. Experts note that into two Union Territories of Jammu & Subsequently, there was a promise of
everything, including Kashmir, can be Kashmir and Ladakh. better relations when, in 2018, Imran
resolved if there is a will to do so in Candidate No. 2 : Yes, these Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf,
both countries. Constitutional changes were in won the election and he became
Candidate No. 8 : Yes, I agree with accordance with the traditional Pakistan’s Prime Minister. At that time,
you. I can point out why the two nations ideological position of the BJP. The it appeared that Pakistan would focus
should actively work towards a working abrogation of Article 370 has now on the path of economic stability and
relationship. Firstly, both are nuclear- received the Supreme Court’s growth. However, the Pakistan army
equipped countries. If India and endorsement, although the Government continued to indulge in terrorism as a
44 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
policy against India. This sadly resulted interest to continue having some tension aspects of this topic. I suggest we should
in the Pulwama terrorist attack in with India to justify its significance for also talk about some measures which
February 2019. It was followed by a Pakistan. could be used to improve the present
dangerous confrontation that occurred Candidate No. 4 : Yes, given this, impasse on India-Pakistan relations.
with India’s Balakot air strike. The things can only improve if the Pakistan Candidate No. 4 : It’s a good
matter was fortunately defused by Army decides to make things better suggestion.
international pressure. since the present state of India-Pakistan Candidate No. 5 : Looking at
Candidate No. 6 : Quite right. A relations is adversely impacting the previous efforts in this regard, I feel the
very grave situation was defused. people of the whole region and even relations between India and Pakistan
Candidate No. 8 : Friends, the fact beyond. cannot be improved suddenly in one go.
remains that the Pakistan military has Candidate No. 10 : Friends, I want We have seen in the past that organising
directly ruled the country for over half to discuss yet another important issue big events at the highest level with much
the time since its creation, with generals that is also a casualty of the current
hype and propaganda has not worked.
like Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, strained India-Pakistan relations. After
Therefore, there is a need to deal with
Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez the SAARC meeting in 2014 in
all contentious issues one by one with a
Musharraf ruling for about 43 years. Kathmandu, there has been a freeze on
SAARC summitry and high-level positive mindset in both countries to
Even when the military was not in power, resolve issues. To achieve this aim, the
it exercised its control over the political meetings. The organisation, though,
continues more or less unchanged as a two countries must review some
parties and the government. Pakistan’s previous agreements on trade,
military continues to be the most bureaucratic entity, and functional-level
meetings and some routine activities take investment, and territorial disputes. A
powerful and feared organisation in beginning could be made by reviewing
Pakistan. place. But in the absence of summit-
level endorsement, it appears rudderless, trade agreements and increasing trade
Candidate No. 7 : Yes, you are right. between the two countries. This will
Pakistan’s military exerts its impact devoid of ambition, and almost like
an appendage whose best days are certainly be welcomed by the people of
behind the scenes without accountability, both nations.
over. India blames Pakistan for its
while the government running the
obstructionist approach towards India Candidate No. 10 : India is firm on
administration is still answerable to its
for this impasse. its stand that unless Pakistan stops terror
people.
Candidate No. 9 : Yes, I agree with activities, there can be no bilateral talks
Candidate No. 2 : I feel strange to
you. Existing India-Pakistan relations are to resolve problems, and Pakistan insists
realise that the Pakistan army, which was
squarely responsible for rendering on discussing the Kashmir issue first.
so comprehensively defeated and SAARC redundant. This is certainly not Experts opine that unless both countries
humiliated by India in the 1971 war, has a happy situation. discuss these subjects with an open
now become so powerful in Pakistan. Candidate No. 8 : Let me add,
Candidate No. 5 : The Pakistan mind, how can a way out emerge?
against this backdrop, India joined Nothing can be achieved by not
military has become so powerful since BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for
it has received substantial support from discussing these ego issues and for how
Multi-Sectorial Technical and Economic long this impasse should be allowed to
the US and China over some time. Cooperation), whose ambit covers
Moreover, General Zia began to Islamise continue while the people of both
Nepal and Bhutan alongside Bangladesh countries continue to suffer.
the country and the army. It got a boost and Sri Lanka from SAARC nations
when Pakistan became a nuclear power, Candidate No. 3 : Yes, you have
to pursue regional connectivity and made a very valid point.
and the Soviet Union invaded economic cooperation. However,
Afghanistan. America supplied arms, Candidate No. 8 : There is a need
BIMSTEC prospects are also eroding
ammunition and F-16 fighter jets to for leaders of both India and Pakistan
mainly due to Myanmar’s internal
Pakistan to increase its military problems since 2021, which has to put aside all the misunderstandings,
capability. The US also paid $2 billion a meant that its role as a bridge between anger, distrust and sectarian and religious
year to the Pakistan army to support its South and South-East Asia stands divides. They have a golden opportunity
operations in Afghanistan for quite some compromised. to become great statesmen to be
time. As a result, the Pakistan Army Candidate No. 7 : I want to clarify remembered by generations to come.
deals not only with security but also with that India’s shift of attention away from They must seek peace and the welfare
foreign affairs, industry, and the SAARC and towards BIMSTEC was a of their people. What will future
economy. Moreover, of late, China, deliberate policy decision, mainly due generations think about us when they
which has now huge strategic and to disgust from Pakistan’s attitude. The inherit these long pending issues?
economic interests particularly in view present situation indicates that South Friends, there are a thousand reasons
of $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Asia does not seem equipped to deal why we need peace. For example,
Corridor, is another crucial impediment with matters concerning regional the fast-increasing climate crisis does
in New Delhi-Islamabad ties. cooperation, which is a sad commentary not recognise borders, race, religion,
Candidate No. 7 : Some experts feel on this state of affairs for our region. caste, or sect. It does not separate
that India-Pakistan relations cannot Candidate No. 1 : Yes, I agree with common people from the elites.
improve till such time the Pakistan Army you. Neighbouring countries must join hands
is in control of things in that country. Candidate No. 2 : Friends, I think to deal with such life-threatening global
They feel that it is in the Pakistan Army’s we have discussed some significant problems.
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 45
 Candidate No. 5 : I want to add that in 2019, India’s
military spending was $71.1 billion, while in Pakistan, the
declared military expenditure was $10.3 billion. This huge
amount of money could improve the socio-economic
conditions in India and Pakistan.
Candidate No. 9 : Friends, the time given to us to discuss
this topic is over now and we must conclude. Can some
friend come forward to conclude?
Candidate No. 5 : If you all agree, I can conclude.
Candidate No. 6 : Number 5, please go ahead.
Candidate No. 5 : Friends, we all had an interesting and
thought-provoking discussion on this significant international
topic. After a brief introduction, it was decided to deal with
this topic in its historical context covering the past few years
of developments. Then we highlighted the dire need for both
countries to cooperate. This followed a discussion on the
present ground realities in both countries. It included the
developments regarding the Indus Water Treaty, which could
become a point of conflict due to some recent developments.
After that, we talked about the political ups and downs in
Pakistan and the role of its Army, which has adversely
impacted India-Pakistan relations. Subsequently, we also
discussed how SAARC has become ineffective due to
continued tensions between India and Pakistan. Finally, we
also suggested some measures which may be taken to improve
the present stressful situation.
Thanks, friends. Have a nice day.
Critical Analysis of Candidates’ Performance :
Good : 5, 8 and 10
A Group Discussion round is a selection tool to screen or select
candidates. In the given short time, candidates have to display their
awareness and other skills, including leadership, etc. Therefore, unless a
candidate can show that he/she possesses these qualities better than
other group members, he cannot ensure a winning result. During this
GD, these three candidates displayed they had good knowledge of this
topic. They brought out quite a few new issues on this topic and other
candidates did not disagree with them. They spoke with confidence and
made a focused contribution to this GD. They also permitted others to
contribute. Given these factors, their performance has been assessed as
“Good”.
Average : 2 and 7
Looking at the performances of these two candidates, it became obvious
that they had some knowledge of this topic but did not collect sufficient
information to put up a winning performance. They lacked self-confidence
but guided the discussion to proceed in the desired direction. They spoke
a few times but their contribution remained limited only. It was felt that,
but for their lack of preparation, they were capable of putting up a much
better performance. Because of all this, their performance has been assessed
as “Average”.
Below Average : 1, 3, 4, 6 and 9
It became apparent that these candidates had decided to come for
the Group Discussion, without making much effort to prepare this
well-discussed topic. Due to their inadequate preparation, they also did
not possess the self-confidence to speak. Their contribution to this GD
was barely visible. They were seen to be only agreeing or appreciating
other candidates, who were actively participating in this discussion.
Owing to all these reasons, their performance remained “Below
Average”.
46 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 Madan Lal
Former Secretary, Staff Selection Commission, Government of India

Space And The Solar System

1. The Earth rotates on its axis from 9. The time taken by the Uranus to 16. The Sun shines vertically on the
(a) West to East revolve round the Sun is approximately Equator
(b) East to West (a) 76 years (b) 80 years (a) Throughout the year
(c) South to North (c) 84 years (d) 90 years (b) Four times a year
(d) North to South 10. Which is the brightest planet as (c) Twice a year
2. Of the total number of units of seen from the Earth ? (d) Once a year
solar radiant energy reaching the Earth, (a) Mercury (b) Mars 17. The three planets nearest to the
how many units get absorbed in the (c) Jupiter (d) Venus Sun in the correct order are
Earth’s atmosphere itself ? 11. The distance between the Earth (a) Mercury, Earth, Mars
(a) 17 units (b) 21 units and the Sun is greatest during (b) Mercury, Venus, Jupiter
(c) 34 units (d) 14 units (a) Aphelion (c) Mercury, Venus, Earth
3. Which planet rotates on its axis (b) Perihelion (d) Mercury, Venus, Mars
from East to West ? (c) Winter Solstice 18. The maximum possible angle
(a) Earth (b) Moon (d) Summer Solstice between the direction of Sun and that of a
(c) Venus (d) Mercury 12. Which of the following is planet (as viewed from the Earth) is called
4. The asteroid belt lies between the the brightest star in our Solar system ? (a) Maximum angular separation
orbits of (a) Proxima Centauri (b) Elliptical path
(a) Mars and Jupiter (b) Canopus (c) Conical movement
(b) Earth and Venus (c) Sirius (d) None of the above
(c) Mercury and Venus (d) Arcturus 19. A light year, as a unit of
(d) Jupiter and Saturn 13. The age of the solar system is measurement of distances of heavenly
5. Match the following : (a) 7.8 billion years bodies, is equal to
Planet Indian Name (b) 3.2 billion years (a) 6 million, million km
A. Jupiter 1. Shukra (c) 4.6 billion years (b) 7.5 million, million km
B. Mercury 2. Indra (d) 3.8 billion years (c) 9.5 million, million km
C. Uranus 3. Brihaspati 14. The Earth’s annual circuit round (d) 11.5 million, million km (speed of
D. Venus 4. Budha
the Sun covers a distance of light is equal to 3,00,000 km/per
(a) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
(a) 896 million km sec)
(b) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
(b) 966 million km 20. The Great Galaxy in Andromeda,
(c) A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
(d) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1 (c) 1038 million km which is the most remote heavenly body
6. When the Sun shines vertically on (d) 1098 million km that can be seen with the naked eye, is
the whole Arctic circle, it is vertical on the 15. The speed per minute at which at about how many light years’ distance
(a) Tropic of Cancer the Earth revolves round the Sun is from the Earth ?
(b) Equator (a) 800 km (a) 0.2 million light years
(c) Tropic of Capricorn (b) 900 km (b) 0.5 million light years
(d) None of these (c) 1,500 km (c) 1.0 million light years
7. Which of the following gases is (d) More than 1,600 km (d) 2.2 million light years
most predominant in the Sun ?
(a) Hydrogen
(b) Nitrogen
(c) Ozone
(d) Helium
8. If the Earth had no satellite of its
own (i.e., the moon), which of the
following phenomena will not occur ?
(a) Neap tide
(b) Ocean currents
(c) Spring tide
(d) All will not occur
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 69
 21. The planet Neptune, discovered 31. Which of the following stars 42. The Earth is believed to have
in 1846 and yet to complete its circuit, marks fairly precisely the position where condensed out of interstellar gas and
will be back at the position where it was the axis of rotation of the Earth cuts dust for about how many years ago ?
first observed until the year the celestial sphere ? (a) 3.5 million (b) 4.6 million
(a) 2001 (b) 2011 (a) Arcturus (b) Dhruva (c) 5.7 billion (d) 6.8 billion
(c) 2021 (d) 2031 (c) Gemini (d) Sirius 43. How many days does the Moon
22. The planet Jupiter takes about 32. Which of the following statements take to return to the same position
____ to complete one revolution in its about the Sun in the celestial sphere among the constellations ?
orbit around the Sun. or its role in the Solar System is (a) 28 days (b) 29 days
(a) 11.86 years (b) 248 years not correct ? (c) 26 days (d) None of these
(c) 84 years (d) 165 years (a) It is a medium-sized star of 44. Which of the following planets
23. The biggest star in our galaxy is average brightness among millions takes the least time to complete one
(a) Epsilon Aurigae of other stars revolution around the Sun ?
(b) Proxima Centauri (b) It revolves round the nine planets (a) Earth (b) Mercury
(c) Sirius in the Solar System (c) Mars (d) Venus
(d) Sun (c) The motion of all the members 45. Which planet has the maximum
24. The nearest star to Earth of the Solar System is governed number (63) of natural moons ?
(excepting the Sun) in our galaxy is mainly by the gravitational force (a) Jupiter (b) Mars
(a) Epsilon Aurigae of the Sun (c) Earth (d) Saturn
(b) Proxima Centauri (d) All the above statements are 46. Why is it very difficult to observe
(c) Sirius correct the planet Mercury most of the time ?
(d) None of the above 33. What is the distance between the (a) It is too far away from the Earth
25. Who was the first to observe Sun Earth and the Sun ? (b) The glare of the Sun usually keeps
spots? (a) 100 × 106 km it hidden, it being too close to the
(a) Galileo (b) Halley (b) 109 × 106 km Sun
(c) Newton (d) None of these (c) 125 × 106 km (c) It lies away from the Earth’s orbit
26. What are Sunspots? (d) 150 × 106 km (d) It revolves round the Sun such
(a) These are great flames of gases 34. How many times is the Sun bigger that it cannot be seen easily from
which shoot out of the Sun in size than the Earth ? the Earth
(b) These are areas of the Sun where (a) 69 times (b) 89 times 47. Name the two planets which
nuclear fission takes place (c) 99 times (d) 109 times appear as ‘morning star’ in the eastern
(c) These are areas of the Sun where 35. How many times is the Sun sky and ‘evening star’ in the western sky
the heat is most intense which heavier than the Earth ? (a) Mars and Venus
shows up as dark spots (a) 3,30,000 times (b) Jupiter and Mars
(d) These are cooler areas which (b) 3,00,000 times (c) Saturn and Uranus
move about on the Sun’s surface (c) 2,70,000 times (d) Mercury and Venus
and show up as dark spots (d) 1,50,000 times 48. Name the two planets lying
27. Which of the following planets 36. The mass of the Sun is nearly between the Sun and the Earth.
takes very nearly the same time for a (a) 1030 kg (b) 2 × 1030 kg (a) Mercury and Mars
rotation on its own axis as does the (c) 3 × 1030 kg (d) 5 × 1030 kg (b) Venus and Mars
Earth ? 37. How much of the surface of the (c) Mercury and Venus
(a) Jupiter (b) Mars Moon is visible from the Earth ? (d) Jupiter and Saturn
(c) Neptune (d) Uranus (a) More than 75% 49. Who was the first to determine
28. Which comet appears every 76 (b) Only about 40% that the day on the Mars was, like ours,
years ? (c) About 59% roughly twenty-four hours long ?
(a) Halley’s (d) None of these (a) Isaac Newton
(b) Holme’s 38. The rate of rotation of the Earth (b) Copernicus
(c) Donati’s on its axis is highest on (c) Giordano Bruno
(d) Alpha Centauri (a) January 4 (d) Christian Huygens
29. The largest number of natural (b) December 22 50. How long does a Sun ray
satellites (or moons) that a planet in the (c) July 4 take to travel from the Sun to the Earth ?
solar system has (d) It never changes (a) 400 seconds (b) 450 seconds
(a) 5 (b) 16 39. The South Pole experiences (c) 500 seconds (d) 600 seconds
(c) 63 (d) 17 continuous light at the time of 51. On the day the Sun is nearest the
30. Which of the following makes (a) Winter Solstice Earth, the Earth is said to be in
the planet Saturn unique in the Solar (b) Summer Solstice (a) Aphelion (b) Perihelion
family ? (c) Vernal Equinox (c) Apogee (d) Perigee
(a) It is the biggest among the (d) Antumnal Equinox 52. A Comet
planets 40. What is the centre of the Solar (a) has a tail always pointing away
(b) There is a well-developed system System ? from the Sun
of rings around it (a) A black hole (b) Sunspot (b) has a tail always pointing towards
(c) It sends out very strong radio (c) Earth (d) Sun the Sun
signals which sound like the noise 41. The path in which planets orbit (c) has a tail, sometimes pointing
of sea waves around the Sun is called towards the Sun and sometimes
(d) It shows phases like those of the (a) Ellipse (b) Circle away from it
Earth’s Moon (c) Parabola (d) Hyperbola (d) has no tail at all
70 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 53. What is the significance of the (c) Only the planets move around the 70. In the sixteenth century, the king
time-period 26,000 years in relation to Sun in elliptical orbits of Denmark built for the use of a
the Earth ? (d) The planets, asteroids and comets famous scientist the finest observatory
(a) It represents the time taken by the revolve round the Sun in elliptical in the world on an island near
Earth along with the Sun and orbits Copenhagen and called it the City of
other planets to complete one 60. Who was the first person to the Heavens. Who was this scientist ?
round in the Galaxy measure the size of another planet ? (a) Nicolas Copernicus
(b) It represents the time-period (a) Galileo Galilei (b) Tycho Brahe
needed for conical movement of (b) Christian Huygens (c) Isaac Newton
the Earth’s axis around a line (c) Isaac Newton (d) Galileo Galilei
joining the ecliptic poles for one (d) Giordano Bruno 71. Which of the following statements
complete round 61. Who was the first to speculate that in regard to the planets of the Solar
(c) It represents the time-period in Venus is completely covered with clouds ? System is not correct?
which Earth’s atmosphere shows (a) Christian Huygens (a) All the planets are made of rock
perceptible change in its (b) Giordano Bruno and metal
composition (c) Copernicus (b) All the planets move round the
(d) None of the above (d) Descartes Sun from West to East
54. Which of the following statements 62. Which among the following stars (c) All the planets revolve round
regarding the speed at which the flare up to greatly increased brightness the Sun in different elliptical
planets move around the Sun is not and fade away after a short time ? orbits
true ? (a) Binary Stars (d) All the planets shine because they
(a) The speed of movement of the (b) Temporary Stars reflect the light of the Sun
planets is not constant (c) Stars 72. Titan is the natural satellite of the
(b) Speed is greater when a planet is (d) Fixed Stars planet
nearer to the Sun 63. What quantity of hydrogen in the (a) Neptune (b) Mercury
(c) Speed is greater when a planet is Sun is converted into helium every (c) Saturn (d) Venus
farther away from the Sun second ? 73. What is the distance which the
(d) Speed is less when a planet is (a) 4 × 1014 grams Ear th covers in its one complete
farther away from the Sun (b) 3 × 1018 grams revolution around the Sun?
55. Johannes Kepler gave to posterity (c) 2 × 1024 grams (a) 5.8 × 106 km
three laws of planetary motions, which (d) 2 × 1040 grams (b) 9.4 × 108 km
he would not have been able to do 64. How many hydrogen nuclei (c) 15.0 × 1010 km
without astronomical observations. combine to form a nucleus of helium (d) 28.8 × 106 km
Whose observations did he make use in the Sun, with an attendant release of 74. Which of the following planets is
of ? a gamma-ray photon ? the biggest ?
(a) Nicolas Copernicus (a) 2 (b) 3 (a) Jupiter (b) Mercury
(b) Galileo Galilei (c) 4 (d) 6 (c) Earth (d) Saturn
(c) Ptolemy 65. Ganymede, the largest moon in 75. Which of the following planets is
(d) Tycho Brahe the Solar System, is also the largest farthest from the Sun ?
56. The study of motion of which moon of (a) Mercury (b) Mars
of the following planets around (a) Uranus (b) Mars (c) Neptune (d) Uranus
the Sun led Johannes Kepler to (c) Saturn (d) Jupiter 76. The temperatures at the surface
formulate his three laws about planetary 66. What name is given to the path of the Sun and its centre are,
motions ? of the Sun amongst the stars in our respectively, about
(a) Mercury (b) Mars galaxy ? (a) 6000 K and 20 million K
(c) Saturn (d) Venus (a) Celestial sphere (b) 7000 K and 10 million K
57. Light takes nearly 4 years to reach (b) Ecliptic (c) 8000 K and 16 million K
us from the nearest star. What is the (c) Elliptical path (d) 9000 K and 14 million K
distance between that star and the Earth ? (d) Zodiacal signs 77. The Sun consists mostly of
(a) 2.18 × 1016 m 67. The visible part of the Sun is (a) Helium
(b) 2.58 × 1016 m called (b) Hydrogen
(c) 3.18 × 1016 m (a) Ionosphere (c) Nitrogen
(d) 3.78 × 1016 m (b) Hydrosphere (d) Oxygen
58. “Galileo Satellites”, named after (c) Photosphere 78. Nearly what proportion of the
their discoverer, are four large moons (d) Troposphere total amount of Sun’s energy coming to
of the planet 68. The radius of which of the the Earth is directly reflected back into
(a) Jupiter (b) Neptune following is 7 × 105 kilometres ? space by its top atmosphere ?
(c) Saturn (d) Uranus (a) Jupiter (b) Saturn (a) One-tenth
59. Which of the following statements (c) Uranus (d) Sun (b) One-fifth
is correct ? 69. When and by whom were the (c) One-fourth
(a) Only asteroids revolve round the rings of Saturn discovered ? (d) One-third
Sun in circular orbits (a) Galileo; 1610 79. The number of constellations in
(b) Some comets revolve round the (b) Edmund Halley; 1682 the Milky Way Galaxy is
Sun in circular orbits while others (c) Newton; 1682 (a) 6 (b) 9
in elliptical orbits (d) Tycho Brahe; 1590 (c) 12 (d) 15
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 71
 80. Which of the following planets (a) It will continue to point at the Pole 96. What percentage of the irregular
reflects back to space the highest Star as at present surface of the Earth is covered with
percentage of light it receives from the (b) Gemini water ?
Sun compared to any other planet of (c) Proxima Centauri (a) 50 percent
the Solar System ? (d) Vega (b) 60 percent
(a) Earth 88. Triton is a natural satellite of (c) 70 percent
(b) Jupiter (a) Saturn (d) 80 percent
(c) Mars (b) Jupiter 97. The first planet to be discovered
(d) Venus (c) Uranus with a telescope was
81. All of the following planets (d) Neptune (a) Mars
have lesser diameter than the Earth, 89. Counting outwards from the (b) Uranus
except Sun, is the eighth planet of the Solar (c) Saturn
(a) Jupiter System. (d) Jupiter
(b) Mars (a) Neptune 98. Which of the following types
(c) Mercury (b) Mars of motion of the Earth has not
(d) Venus (c) Saturn produced any observable effect for
82. Who wrote the book “The (d) Uranus centuries ?
Harmonies of the World”? 90. Which of the following motions (a) Its motion in space along with the
(a) Isaac Newton of the Earth is the slowest ? Sun and other members of the
(b) Johannes Kepler (a) Its rotation on its axis Solar System
(c) Albert Einstein (b) Its revolution around the (b) Its daily rotation on its axis
(d) Giordano Bruno Sun (c) Its annual revolution around the
83. The apparent motion of celestial (c) Precession (or motion) on its Sun
objects like the stars, planets and axis (d) Its precession (or conical motion
satellites (as seen from the Earth) from (d) None of the above on its axis)
East to West is 91. Why does the Moon always keep 99. Which of the following is the
(a) due to daily rotation of the Earth roughly the same face turned towards group of terrestrial planets ?
on its axis us ? (a) Mercury, Earth, Mars, Jupiter
(b) because the celestial objects move (a) Because it has no atmosphere of (b) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
from East to West its own (c) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Jupiter
(c) due to the annual revolution (b) Because it rotates on its axis in (d) Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn
around the Sun about the same time as it takes to 100. Which of the following planets
(d) because the Earth’s left side go round the Earth has almost the same mass, size and
faces the Sun and objects (c) Because it does not rotate on its density as the Earth ?
seen from the left side always own axis (a) Venus
seem to move from East to (d) Because its surface is covered with (b) Mars
West enormous plains which look (c) Saturn
84. What will happen if the Earth identical (d) Uranus
were to stop its rotatory motion on its 92. The Earth revolves around the
axis ? Sun at a speed of ANSWERS
(a) There will be no seasons on the (a) 18.5 km/sec 1. (a) 2. (d) 3. (c) 4. (a)
Earth (b) 26.6 km/sec 5. (d) 6. (a) 7. (a) 8. (c)
(b) The half sphere on the right side (c) 29.7 km/sec 9. (c) 10. (d) 11. (a) 12. (c)
of its north pole will have day (d) 31.9 km/sec 13. (c) 14. (b) 15. (d) 16. (c)
light all the time 93. Who, amongst the following, is 17. (c) 18. (a) 19. (c) 20. (d)
(c) There will be no day and night as regarded as the first astrophysicist ? 21. (b) 22. (a) 23. (b) 24. (b)
at present (a) Johannes Kepler 25. (a) 26. (d) 27. (b) 28. (a)
(d) The Earth will become a very hot (b) Isaac Newton 29. (c) 30. (b) 31. (b) 32. (b)
planet like Mercury (c) Tycho Brahe 33. (d) 34. (d) 35. (a) 36. (b)
85. The Sun is (d) Christian Huygens 37. (c) 38. (d) 39. (a) 40. (d)
(a) made of rock and metal 94. Who, amongst the following, was 41. (a) 42. (b) 43. (a) 44. (b)
(b) a solid body the first to measure the distance round 45. (a) 46. (b) 47. (d) 48. (c)
(c) a mass of hot gases the Earth ? 49. (c) 50. (c) 51. (b) 52. (a)
(d) partly rock and metal and partly a (a) Eratosthenes 53. (b) 54. (c) 55. (d) 56. (b)
mass of hot gases (b) Euclid 57. (d) 58. (a) 59. (c) 60. (b)
86. Nebular hypothesis is a theory (c) Happarchus 61. (a) 62. (b) 63. (a) 64. (c)
about the origin of the (d) Thales of Miletus 65. (d) 66. (b) 67. (c) 68. (d)
(a) Planets 95. Who, amongst the following, 69. (a) 70. (b) 71. (b) 72. (c)
(b) Sun invented the principle of reflecting 73. (b) 74. (a) 75. (c) 76. (a)
(c) Solar System telescope, which is now used as the 77. (b) 78. (d) 79. (c) 80. (d)
(d) Galaxy world’s largest optical telescope ? 81. (a) 82. (b) 83. (a) 84. (c)
87. After about another 12,000 years (a) Nicolas Copernicus 85. (c) 86. (c) 87. (d) 88. (d)
the axis of rotation of Earth will (b) Isaac Newton 89. (a) 90. (c) 91. (b) 92. (c)
point at which of the following (c) Tycho Brahe 93. (a) 94. (a) 95. (b) 96. (c)
stars ? (d) Galileo Galilei 97. (b) 98. (a) 99. (b) 100. (a)
72 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 Indian National Movement
K. K. Bhardwaj
Eminent Author of History Books

Birth Of Trade Union Movement And Communal Politics

Working Class, Peasant and Youth increase in wages from 10 to 30 per cent. Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra
Movements To terrorise the movement, the Bose. The youth and students conferences
The working class became not only Government staged the Kanpur became an annual feature. The Communist
well organised but radicalised and Conspiracy Case. The anti-rationalisation and Socialist ideas were becoming popular.
politicised also. The Russian Revolution strike of Bombay workers in 1928 They were all working for the freedom of
(1917) gave a new impetus and broad culminated in the historic strike of 1929 the country and brought a dose of
horizon to the working-class movement. lasting for six months. In 1928, Jawaharlal militancy to the nationalist movement.
The All-India Trade Union Congress Nehru was elected as the President of Revolutionary activities were forging
(AITUC), the first central organisation AITUC, with S. A. Dange as an Assistant ahead. The revolutionary party under the
of trade unions in India, was born on Secretary. In 1929, the Government gave leadership of Bhagat Singh had captured
October 31, 1920. Its first session was another blow to the movement by arresting the minds of the people of Punjab. He
held in Bombay under the presidentship militant leftist trade union leaders under threw a bomb in the Central Legislative
of Lala Lajpat Rai. At the second session, the Meerut Conspiracy Case. Of the 32 Assembly. It was symbolic—an expression
a resolution was adopted that “the time leaders arrested, 18 were office-bearers of anger of the people of India against
has now arrived for the attainment of of the AITUC. A special ordinance, the British imperialism. The heroism of
Swaraj for the people of India”. The Public Safety Bill, was issued by the Bhagat Singh and the self-sacrifice of Jatin
fourth session was presided over by Governor-General to “curb Communist Dass electrified the political atmosphere
C. R. Das and the fifth by D. R. Thengdi. activities in India”. of India.
The working class was very active in Similarly, the peasantry was organised
the 1920s. In January 1919, there was a under the All-India Kisan Sabha. In 1925, Growth of Communal Politics
general strike in textile industry in Bombay the first conference of the Communist The Hindu Maha Sabha became
involving 1,25,000 workers. Other Party of India was held. The Workers and politically active. The Muslim League
powerful strikes took place in industrial Peasants Party was leading the working became more and more communal
centres like Kanpur, Sholapur, Calcutta, class and peasantry, particularly in Bengal. and obstructive. The emotional
Bombay, Madras and Ahmedabad. All Leftist and radical groups also developed demoralisation of the people resulted
these strikes in 1920 were followed by in the Congress under the leadership of from the failure of the Non-Cooperation

Lala Lajpat Rai Subhas Chandra Bose Mohammad Ali Jinnah

Born in 1865 in Punjab, Lala Lajpat Rai A firebrand revolutionar y freedom An ardent nationalist in the early years
was a nationalist to the core and actively fighter, Subhas Chandra Bose was born of the 20th Century, Jinnah later became
participated in the Non-Cooperation on January 23, 1897 in Cuttack. He went one of the prominent leaders of the
Movement. He went to England in 1905 to to England in 1919 and was selected Muslim League, the organisation that
explain to the British people the Indian
viewpoint. On return to India, he was for the ICS. He soon came under the claimed to be the sole spokesman of the
arrested and deported to Mandalay in spell of two g reat Indians, Swami Muslims in India and demanded Pakistan
Burma (now Myanmar) where he spent a Vivekananda and Deshbandhu Chittaranjan as an exclusive land for Muslims. The
year behind the bars. Before the First World Das. He held prominent positions as Muslim League was hell-bent on
War broke out in 1914, he went to the President of the All-India Trade supporting the two-nation theory. This
USA but was not allowed to return till the Union Congress, Mayor of Calcutta theory which stated that the Indian people
War was over. Suffering imprisonment every and President of the Indian National consisted of two nations, went against
now and then, he never lost his nerve to Congress. On July 5, 1943, he assumed the entire spirit of Indian history with
fight for the nation’s cause. Leading a leadership of the Indian Independence disastrous consequences to follow. In the
mammoth demonstration against the Simon wake of the Partition, the subcontinent
Commission in 1928, he braved the lathis League in East Asia and formed the
of the Raj and became a martyr. His Indian National Army (INA) to liberate witnessed one of the worst bloodbaths
martyrdom infused a new spirit in the India from foreign yoke. He is in the name of religion. After partition,
freedom fighters especially the believed to have died in an air crash Mohammad Ali Jinnah became the first
revolutionaries to liberate the motherland. in 1945. Governor-General of Pakistan.

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 73

 Gandhian Thought—Liberty
Freedom of speech, expression, movement, matters. Freedom of assembly is truly respected
association, assembly, profession and religion when assemblies of people can discuss
are guaranteed in our Constitution as everything including revolutionary ideas and
Fundamental Rights. All these are ingredients plans. The state should attempt to crush such
of liberty. Without them our life would be assemblies only when an actual outbreak of
meaningless; our freedom illusory and our revolution takes place and it does not truly
Constitution a scrap of paper. Rabindranath represent public opinion. Thus, he strongly
Tagore stressed the fact that liberty is a held that “the restoration of free speech, free
association and free Press is almost the whole
privilege which an individual has to defend Swaraj”.
daily for himself. Harold Laski gave a clarion He, however, warned that civil liberty is
call that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. not criminal liberty. Thus, you cannot resort
Gandhiji stated that civil liberty meant the to violence in the name of liberty whether
fullest liberty to say and do what one likes within the it is incitement of violence or indulging in violence.
framework of the ordinary law of land. He elaborated In such a situation, the State has to curb liberty and
that liberty of speech means that it is unassailed even maintain public order, even by applying force where
when the speech hurts. Liberty of Press can be truly considered inevitable. Liberty cannot thus be allowed
respected only when the Press can comment upon any to become a licence which, for one’s own sake, results
event in the severest terms and even misrepresent in deprivation of others’ liberty. o

Movement. The constructive Communists could not agree even on such even though at that time there were two
programmes of Gandhiji—temperance, a reformist Constitution as was envisaged Indian members of the British
anti-untouchability, spinning, cottage by the committee. The Hindu Maha Sabha Parliament—Lord Sinha and Saklatvala.
industries—could not satisfy the hunger was recalcitrant and Mohammad Ali Jinnah It added insult to injury. People became
of the starving millions. The British came out with his fourteen-point demand. furious. It was an all-White Commission.
Government utilised the opportunity to The efforts of political India to reach All the political elements in the country
fan the flames of communalism. communal accord failed. The spirit of 1916 boycotted the Commission except the
Communal riots became a regular feature leading to Hindu-Muslim unity had stooges of British imperialism and diehard
after 1923 leading to frayed tempers. vanished, never to come back. The political communalists. A more conservative group
The Shudhi and Sangathan movements climate soon became hot. The Indian in the Muslim League and the Hindu
of the Hindus and the Tanzim and Tabligh National Congress resolved Complete Maha Sabha welcomed it. A resolution
movements of the Muslims became Independence in 1929 as the ultimate goal was passed in the Central Legislative
strong and came into direct clash with of its national movement at its Lahore Assembly on the motion of Lala Lajpat
each other. Each provoked the other. session. The Congress started the Rai to boycott the Commission.
Bureaucracy engineered communal riots Satyagraha movement. The communalists The Commission arrived in Bombay
and fully exploited the situation. The were on the retreat. Communal riots were on February 3, 1928. It was greeted with
cunning British imperialists used Hindu conspicuous by their absence. But such hartals. Wherever it went, the city was
and Muslim fanatics to destroy the basic evils hardly die and communal discord, deserted. Cries of “Simon Go back”,
unity among Indians on the pretext of once again, emerged in its violent form black flags, anti-British processions and
issues like Azans, peepal trees, animal with the failure of the political movement demonstrations welcomed it. Things
slaughter, temple, gurdwara or mosque and treacherous designs of the British reached a pitch in Lahore. The anti-
properties, so on and so forth. Hundreds rulers. Simon demonstration was headed by Lala
of thousands of people were killed in Lajpat Rai, the Lion of Punjab. As he
such riots. Unbridgeable discord between Boycott of the Simon Commission was standing at the head of the
the two communities was created. The The dyarchy had failed. The Swarajists demonstration, he was assaulted and hit
communal problem overshadowed the did their part in wrecking it, howsoever on his chest with a baton by a young
political scene. India was thrown into a little it was. The working class, youth and English police officer. It sent a wave of
blind alley. Communalism highlighted peasants were on the move. Socialist and indignation throughout the country.
distinction, antagonism and separatism Communist ideas were spreading. The Lajpat Rai succumbed to injuries. It was
rather than unity, cooperation and All-Party Conference had appointed the another nail in the coffin of the British
commonness. Communalism divided the Nehru Committee to produce an agreed imperialism. Leaders like Jawaharlal
nation and caused permanent harm. Constitution. The Congress was moving Nehru and Gobind Ballabh Pant too
To stem the communal riots, Gandhiji from ‘dominion status’ to ‘complete received the baton blows of the police
resorted to frequent fasts and unity independence’. The Madras Congress of in Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh).
conferences were held. The most 1927 passed a resolution of ‘Complete It charged the political atmosphere in
important of such conferences were the National Independence’. Jawaharlal Nehru India with an agitational mood.
Simla Conference, the Delhi Conference and the Congress leftists became the Revolutionary activities were revived in
and the Calcutta Conference. An evil star General Secretaries of the Congress. The Bengal and Punjab. Bhagat Singh caught
seemed to haunt India’s fate, for nothing All-Party Muslim Conference of UP met the imagination of the people. The
emerged out of the apparently serious in November 1928 and declared that the English officer who beat Lajpat Rai was
efforts. The parties, on a challenge thrown Muslims stood for “the goal of complete shot dead in Lahore. B.K. Dutt and
by the Secretary of State for India, independence”. The revolutionary move- Bhagat Singh threw two bombs on the
appointed the Nehru Committee to ment was spreading. Even the Moderates floor of the Central Legislative Assembly.
produce an agreed Constitution for India were demanding further reforms. Bhagat Singh’s heroism vindicated the
acceptable to both the Hindus and the The British Government was forced to nation’s honour. It showed the resolve
Muslims. appoint a Royal Commission, known as and firm determination of the Indian
The Nehru Committee report was the Simon Commission. No Indian was youth to free the motherland from the
widely welcomed. However, the thought fit to serve on this Commission chains of the British imperialism. o
74 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 CSR ESSAY CONTESTS — 2033, 2034, 2035 & 2036*

OUR CONSTITUTION AND

LEGAL REFORMS
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief II. Bringing social reforms:
architect of the Indian Constitution, Reforms in civil law are meant to
once said, “The constitution is not a uphold justice and address the root
mere lawyer’s document. It is a vehicle cause of social evils and other
of life, and its spirit is always the spirit burning issues plaguing society. E.g.,
of age.” Hindu Marriage Act and Domestic
Constitution is the supreme law of Violence Act.
the nation. It is the sacred text or III. Promoting equality in all
guiding light that guides a democracy spheres of society: Whether it is
to work smoothly and harmoniously. promoting gender equality both at
From its first page or Preamble, our work and at home or ensuring
Constitution guarantees its citizens equal economic rights through
justice, equality, liberty and fraternity. workplace law regulation, legal
Thus, it is important that our Ms. Baijayanti Mohapatra reforms help protect the rights and
Constitution and all the laws and rules freedoms of all individuals. E.g.:
it lays down for the nation remain First prize winner of Equal Remuneration Act, Minimum
open to reforms to best represent the CSR Essay Writing Contest 2033. Wages Act, Contract Labour Act.
current situation of the nation and its Ms. Baijayanti Mohapatra is pursuing IV. Judicial procedural reforms:
citizens. Ensuring transparency, on-time court
If the Constitution is a vehicle B.Sc. (Agriculture). Hailing from hearings, and backlog reduction
meant for disseminating justice and Bhubaneswar, Odisha, she loves systems can help promote justice and
equality, then legal reforms are like Reading, Writing Poems, Crossword timely legal help to everyone. This
periodic quality checks and repairs Solving, Yoga, and Nature Trail. includes making changes in the
needed to keep this vehicle working judicial structure so as to reduce
smoothly for a long time. Legal reforms refer to changes pressure on the system and increase its efficiency. E.g.:
or amendments made to existing laws, regulations, or judicial Using technology, streamlining the litigation process
processes to improve their effectiveness, efficiency, and through Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik
fairness. These reforms aim to address ever-evolving social, Suraksha Sanhita, etc.
economic, or political issues and promote justice, equality,
and human rights for all. Notable Legal Reforms
This essay explores why legal reforms are essential, ● For providing legal aid and ease of access to justice:
notable legal reforms effected in the Indian Constitution ★ National Legal Services Authority (NALSA): It has been
in the past and possible reforms that can be made looking established to provide free legal aid to underprivileged
at present-day scenarios. sections and to improve access to justice.
Importance Of Legal Reforms ★ Public Interest Litigation (PIL): It is a major judicial
Since the day of its inception, the Constitution and its reform that allows the public to approach the court in
laws have provided a robust framework for promoting matters of public interest, even if it does not affect the
justice and equal rights for all. However, certain challenges petitioner. This has been instrumental in ensuring
remain in some areas. These challenges are met by bringing environmental and social justice.
legal reforms that can better disseminate justice in
● Civil law reforms:
accordance with today’s scenarios.
The primary goals of introducing legal reforms are: ★ IPC and criminal law reforms: IPC, enacted in the year
I. Ease of access to justice: It is necessary for 1860, has now been replaced by Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
enhancing legal aid, reducing the time taken by court All the criminal law reforms are meant to serve appropriate
procedures and making it easier for everyone to seek legal and stringent penalties as per the crime to provide justice
help, especially the weak marginalised sections. For example, to the victim.
the establishment of the National Legal Services Authority ★ Marriage and divorce laws: Hindu Marriage Act, 1955;
(NALSA) and Public Interest Litigation (PIL). Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act,

*We present here the four FIRST PRIZE WINNING ESSAYS of the CSR Essay Contests 2033,
2034, 2035 & 2036, contributed by Ms. Baijayanti Mohapatra, Ms. Vartika Verma, Mr. Tanmay
Mehta and Ms. P. Mahadhevan.

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 75

 1986; and Special Marriage Act, 1954—all these reforms ★ Forest Conservation Act, 1980: It aims to protect forests
are meant to modernise family laws while at the same from unchecked exploitation by restricting deforestation
time protecting the rights of the individuals entering into activities and promoting sustainable development.
the marriage. ★ National Green Tribunal (NGT): NGT was established
★ Domestic Violence Act, 2005: It provides protection to in 2010. It is a specialised body that handles environmental
women from domestic abuse, which includes giving them disputes and ensures environmental laws are enforced
legal help and shelter. properly.
● Economic and business legal reforms:
★ Goods and Services Tax (GST): Introduced in 2017,
Areas Requiring Urgent Reforms
GST has significantly reformed India’s indirect tax system Through the years, our Constitution and its laws have
and simplified taxation by combining various taxes into a stood the test of time because reforms have been introduced
single tax. whenever necessary to evolve and match the morals and
★ Labour law reform: Whether it is the Industrial Disputes requirements of society. However, there are certain areas
Act, Minimum Wages Act or Contract Labour Act, labour where reforms are urgently needed. These include :
law reforms have simplified compliance for businesses and ★ Judicial reforms: The system of our judiciary faces
ensured better protection for the workers. challenges like shortage of judges, lack of transparency in
● Electoral and political reforms:
appointment processes and inadequate infrastructure.
★ Election Commission reforms: The Election Commission ★ Huge number of pending cases in courts: Despite several
of India has undergone several reforms to ensure free efforts and reforms to deliver timely justice to all, the
and fair elections. This includes using of EVMs and voter problem of pending cases is acute in our country. In 2024,
verifiable paper audit trails. the total number of pending cases of all types and at all levels
★ Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005: RTI empowers rose above 5.1 crores, including over 1,80,000 court cases
citizens to seek access to information from public pending for more than 30 years in District and High Courts.
authorities. This helps promote transparency and reduce Conclusion
corruption. The Indian Constitution is a living document that evolves
★ Anti-Defection Law, 1985: It aims to reduce political with time in accordance with the needs of society and the
instability caused by defections, especially by elected nation. Legal reforms play a vital role in ensuring that the
representatives. rules and laws of the Constitution remain relevant and
● Human rights and social reforms: effective in addressing the challenges of contemporary
★ Transgender rights: Transgender Persons (Protection of society. Key legal reforms have not only addressed burning
Rights) Act, 2019, provides legal recognition to transgender political and societal issues but have also contributed towards
people and their protection against discrimination. the democratic and federal structure of our nation. The
★ SC and ST laws: Provisions such as reservation system constant evolution of the Indian Constitution stands as a
and various other laws aim to uplift marginalised sections testament to India’s commitment to assuring justice, equality,
of society. liberty, and fraternity for all its citizens. Legal reforms help
● Environmental laws and reforms: bring changes in redundant aspects of the laws. Legal
Along with safeguarding citizens and their rights, reforms are vehicles of positive changes and development.
protecting their environment is also necessary to ensure The onus is on us to stand together as a nation and enforce
quality life for all. the proper implementation of all the legal reforms and laws
★ Environment Protection Act, 1986: Enacted after Bhopal of the land to ensure justice and fairness for all. As George
gas tragedy, it empowers the government to protect and Washington once said, “The true administration of justice is
improve the environment. the firmest pillar of good government.”

SOCIAL SECURITY AND

WELFARE
“The welfare of the people is the highest law,” rightly interventions to a more nuanced, technology-enabled
said accomplished Roman statesman and philosopher approach that seeks to address the multifaceted needs of
Cicero. India, as a Welfare State, lives this saying in letter a diverse population.
and spirit. In this regard, India has been proactive in
providing social security to its citizens as an important
Roots Of India’s Social Security System
tool for reducing and alleviating poverty, promoting The roots of India’s social security system can be traced
healthcare, preventing social exclusion and facilitating social back to the profound vision of its founding fathers. The
inclusion. Social security is essential for the well-being of Constitution, drafted after Independence, is not merely a
people and society. legal document but a transformative manifesto. Articles
Social security in India represents a complex narrative 41, 42 and 43 embedded a revolutionary concept—welfare
of Constitutional promises, systemic challenges, and is not a privilege but a fundamental human right. This was
ongoing transformation. Emerging from the shadows a radical departure from the colonial approach, which had
of colonial governance, the nation’s welfare framework designed social measures primarily to serve imperial
has evolved from rudimentary post-Independence interests.

76 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 Early welfare initiatives laid the The Mahatma Gandhi National
groundwork for more comprehensive Rural Employment Guarantee Act
systems. The Employees’ Provident (MGNREGA), introduced in 2005,
Fund, introduced in 1951, provided represents another significant
workers with a financial safety net. intervention. By providing guaranteed
The Public Distribution System employment to rural households, the
emerged as a crucial mechanism for scheme addresses both immediate
ensuring food security, particularly in economic needs and long-ter m
rural areas. These were not just policies development objectives. It has been
but deliberate attempts to address the particularly crucial in providing
deep-seated economic vulnerabilities economic security during challenging
inherited from colonial times. times, especially for marginalised
Among India’s diverse welfare communities.
landscapes, Kerala stands as a beacon Ms. Vartika Verma Global Insights For
of transformative social development.
The State has crafted a development First prize winner of India’s Welfare System
paradigm that challenges conventional CSR Essay Writing Contest 2034. Global welfare models can offer
economic wisdom. With near-universal Ms. Vartika Verma has done B.Com. valuable guidance to Indian
literacy, exceptional healthcare (Hons.) from Hansraj College, Delhi policymakers with respect to how
outcomes and high life expectancy, innovative social security schemes can
Kerala demonstrates the potential for and is currently pursuing an MBA from go a long way in the comprehensive
strategic social investments. The State’s IIT Delhi. Hailing from New Delhi, and inclusive welfare of society.
Kudumbashree project is a community- she loves Art, Reading and Travelling. Brazil’s Bolsa Família programme
driven initiative that empowers women demonstrates the effectiveness of
through self-help groups and micro-enterprise programmes. conditional cash transfers in reducing poverty, linking social
Kerala’s model is particularly significant. By prioritising benefits to children’s education and health checkups.
human capital through universal education and Sweden’s comprehensive social security system illustrates
comprehensive healthcare, the State has created a virtuous how progressive taxation can support extensive welfare
cycle where education reduces poverty, and reduced poverty programmes. South Korea’s universal pension scheme
provides a model for addressing the challenges of an ageing
leads to social upliftment. Its public health system provides population.
free services to all residents, particularly marginalised groups. International comparisons provide valuable perspectives.
The emphasis on preventive healthcare and an extensive Social security in the U.K. makes up roughly 24.5% of the
network of public hospitals have enabled Kerala to maintain country's GDP while it is over 22% of GDP in the
one of the highest life expectancy rates in the country. U.S. According to the World Social Protection Report 2024,
Persistent Challenges Across India developed nations spend an average of about 17% of their
GDP on social protection (excluding healthcare),
However, the broader Indian landscape reveals persistent significantly higher than the global average of 12.9%. In
and complex challenges. Approximately 22% of the comparison, social security expenditure remains abysmally
population still lives below the poverty line, and the Gini low in India. The Government in India provides social
coefficient highlights widening economic disparities. These security only to its employees and nothing for those in
are not mere statistics but lived experiences of millions private sector. According to the World Social Protection
struggling against systemic barriers. The rural-urban Report 2024-26 by the International Labour Organization
divide remains a critical fault line, with marginalised (ILO), India spends only 5.1% of its GDP on social
communities—particularly Scheduled Castes, Scheduled protection (excluding healthcare).
Tribes, and other disadvantaged groups—continuing to face The Way Forward
significant social and economic exclusions. The way forward demands a multi-dimensional approach.
The Covid-19 pandemic dramatically highlighted the Expanding Universal Basic Income (UBI) presents a
critical importance of robust social security systems. During potentially transformative solution. Strengthening local
the nationwide lockdown in the Covid-19 times, millions governance, fostering public-private partnerships, and
of migrant workers were displaced, exposing the fragility continuously innovating technological interventions are
of existing welfare mechanisms. The pandemic served as crucial steps that must be taken sooner than later. The
a stark reminder of the need for comprehensive, adaptable focus must extend beyond monetary transactions to
social protection strategies that can respond to creating ecosystems that restore human dignity and enable
unprecedented challenges. individual potential.
One promising avenue is the exploration of more
Technology And Innovation In Welfare decentralised governance models. Kerala’s success
Technological innovations have begun to reshape the demonstrates that local-level interventions, tailored to
welfare landscape. The Aadhaar biometric identification specific regional contexts, can be more effective than top-
system has emerged as a powerful tool for direct benefit down bureaucratic approaches. This requires empowering
transfer, reducing systemic leakages and ensuring more local governments and creating more responsive, context-
transparent delivery of social security benefits. The Jan specific welfare mechanisms.
Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity has been Public-private partnerships offer another potential
transformative, with direct benefit transfers reaching pathway. By leveraging the efficiency and innovation of
millions of marginalised households. Mobile technology private sector approaches, welfare delivery can become
extends this reach, bridging geographical and social barriers more dynamic and responsive. Technology can play a
by providing unprecedented access to information and crucial role in this transformation, creating more
resources. transparent, efficient and user-friendly welfare systems.

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 77

 A Dynamic And Inclusive Future and inclusive future. Social security is not a destination
As India continues its social security odyssey, the challenge but a continuous process of collective and inclusive welfare.
lies in balancing economic pragmatism with populist It reflects a profound commitment to the belief that every
imagination. Each welfare initiative represents a brushstroke citizen, regardless of birth or circumstance, deserves a life
in a larger canvas of social transformation. The true measure of dignity, opportunity, and meaningful participation. The
of progress is not economic growth alone but the ability to path is neither straight nor simple. It requires continuous
lift the most vulnerable members of society. reimagination, adaptive strategies, and an unwavering
In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “A society is judged commitment to the fundamental principle that social
by how it treats its weakest members.” India’s social security security is not just about survival but about creating
system is more than a collection of policies—it is a living, conditions for every individual to thrive.
breathing commitment to human dignity. As the nation To conclude, it is worthwhile to revisit a quote by noted
moves forward, it continues to navigate the complex terrain American intellectual Mr. Noam Chomsky: “Social Security
between economic development and social justice, between is based on a principle. It’s based on the principle that you
individual potential and collective responsibility. care about other people. You care whether the widow
The social security-oriented initiatives in India continue across town, a disabled widow, is going to be able to have
with persistent efforts to weave a more just, compassionate, food to eat”.

TIME MANAGEMENT
“Time lost never comes back”—this relationship-building, and personal
famous proverb by noted American development. By proactively planning
polymath Benjamin Franklin for these activities, you can invest in
emphasises the importance of valuing your future and improve your overall
time and making the most of it. This well-being.
quote sums up the importance of time 3. Quadrant III: Tasks in this
management. Time is one of the most quadrant are urgent but unimportant,
essential and precious things of our such as distractions, interruptions,
life. The story of ‘Ant and the and unnecessary meetings. Quadrant
Grasshopper’ is an apt example of the III tasks should be minimised to
importance of time. The ant worked avoid wasting valuable time by setting
hard throughout the summer to collect boundaries and practising effective
food for the winter season, while the communication.
grasshopper spent his time playing, 4. Quadrant IV: This quadrant
singing and making merry. When the
Tanmay Mehta consists of tasks that are neither
winter came, the grasshopper was left First prize winner of urgent nor important, like excessive
with no food and found himself CSR Essay Writing Contest 2035. social media use, idle gossip, or
starving. However, the ant survived Mr. Tanmay Mehta is pursuing aimless web browsing. These tasks
happily as it managed its time effectively. decrease productivity and hinder
The essence of time management is Mechanical Engineering at the Army personal growth.
to prioritise our work into ‘critical’, Institute of Technology (AIT), Pune. Time management skills during
‘urgent’, ‘necessary’ and ‘routine’. Hailing from Pune, he loves Dramatics, studies or at the workplace become
Doing essential tasks first instead of Dancing and Debating. essential to handle every task
spending time and energy on non- efficiently. In other words, as Lord
essential and routine tasks helps us to manage our time Chesterfield had mentioned, “Take care of the minutes
effectively. Setting our priorities before working is a and the hours will take care of themselves.”
conventional method of time management. In this modern Time Management Strategies
era, we should implement Covey’s Time Management Matrix.
Stephen Covey, author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Set Goals: We should set goals that are achievable and
Effective People,” believed all tasks can be categorised measurable. We should set long-term as well as short-
based on urgency and importance. Urgency refers to tasks term goals to help stay productive while striving to
that require immediate attention, while importance focuses maximise time. Furthermore, they will act as a motivator
on tasks that align with our goals and values. According to to keep us going. They will help us accomplish the task we
Covey, each task can be broken down according to its set out for. At first, the targeted task will appear to be a
urgency and importance. The four quadrants of the Covey tedious, but as we persist with it irrespective of setbacks,
matrix are as follows: it becomes achievable.
1. Quadrant I: This quadrant represents urgent, Prioritise tasks: Prioritising tasks is an excellent way to
important tasks that demand immediate attention. These keep track of time. As a result, we will have a better
may include deadlines, emergencies, or pressing issues that understanding of the importance of various tasks and
require immediate resolution. Set clear deadlines, create jobs. Besides that, we will be more productive if we work
action plans, and seek support when necessary to combat in a group. Time management by setting priorities will
the stress and pressure. help us achieve greater life success.
2. Quadrant II: This quadrant focuses on important Utilise technology: In today’s digital age, technology can
but non-urgent tasks, including long-term planning, be a valuable tool for time management. Numerous apps and

78 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 software programs are available to help organise schedules, a better chance of finishing the task if we stick to the pre-
set reminders, and track progress. set timetable than starting it without a time limit.
Set SMART goals: Setting specific, measurable, (d) Reduces stress: We may become stressed out quickly
achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals is if we have a long list of things to do and not enough time to
another effective time management strategy. By setting complete them. Effective time management allows us to
clear objectives and deadlines, we can stay motivated and prioritise tasks and tackle them in order of importance.
track our progress more effectively. (e) Prevents procrastination: Procrastination is a
Take a break between tasks: When doing a lot of slippery slope that leads to stress, frustration, and poor
tasks without a break, it is harder to stay focused and grades or performance in the examination. Setting aside a
motivated. Allow some downtime between tasks to clear specific time for a task will motivate us to complete it. To
your head and refresh yourself. Consider grabbing a brief overcome procrastination, we can use techniques such as
nap, going for a short walk, or meditating. setting specific goals, breaking tasks into smaller chunks
Organise yourself: Utilise your calendar for more long- and creating conducive work environment free from
term time management. Write down the deadlines for distractions. By acknowledging procrastination tendencies
projects, or for tasks that are part of completing the overall and implementing strategies to address them, we can
project or achieving a goal. Think about which days might improve our time management skills and productivity.
be best to dedicate to specific tasks. Time management helps us in setting a timeline and
Plan ahead: Make sure you start every day with a clear better align ourselves with the goals. Furthermore, time
idea of what you need to do—what needs to get done THAT management can improve the effectiveness of current tasks.
DAY. Consider making it a habit to, at the end of each workday, A working individual may need to strike a balance between
go ahead and write out your “to-do” list for the next workday. their personal and professional lives. When there is not
That way you can hit the ground running the next morning. enough time to focus on every little detail, ‘multi-active
time’ is one of the most obvious strategies.
Advantages Of Time Management Time management is the deliberate allocation of a
There are twenty-four hours in a day. Successful people specific amount of time to carry out a task effectively.
are those who utilise this time effectively by managing it Furthermore, productivity is the top priority here. The
properly. It is easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of more productive the work, the better the results.
activities and accomplish less. Furthermore, effective time management necessitates a
The advantages of time management are: careful balancing of one’s personal, professional or social
(a) It speeds up the completion of goals: When we pursuits. Academic success for a student requires effective
manage our time well, we become more productive. time management, which helps him to allocate time for all
Effective time management can lead to achieving our subjects so that he can score well.
targets far more quickly than otherwise. Effective time management is a critical skill that can
(b) It helps prioritise workload: Time management have a profound impact on our career and overall well-
techniques help us prioritise the works at hand which results being. By understanding the importance of time
in a systematic approach to reach our ultimate goals. management, implementing effective strategies, and utilising
(c) We get more done in less time: Allotting reasonable available resources, we can optimise our productivity, reduce
fixed time to a task allows us to focus more on it. We have stress, and achieve goals more efficiently.

THERE IS NO SHORTCUT
TO SUCCESS
Noted American inventor Thomas Alva Edison once When going through the success stories in the annals of
stated, “I never did anything by accident, nor did any of history, we find it is essential to recognise personalities
my inventions come by accident; they came by work”. who have achieved great success not through shortcuts,
Indeed, success in any work does not come overnight. It but rather through significant challenges and lengthy
is a proven fact that success requires long toil, persistence, toilsome journeys. Here, I recall a young boy who was
positive outlook and never-give-up attitude. History is born in Rameshwaram to a family of boat owners. Due to
witness that there is no shortcut to success. Rather, success financial constraints, he sold newspapers after school to
is the result of sustained hard work, perseverance and the support himself. Despite his impoverished background,
courage to keep going despite challenges. he maintained a strong interest in Science. This boy
It is often appealing to read about individuals who have aspired to fly, but he faced rejection from the Indian Air
achieved success, whether in business, education, or any Force. Nevertheless, his determination to succeed remained
other domain. However, as observers, we frequently focus unwavering. He later joined Indian Space Research
solely on their accomplishments, overlooking the difficult Organisation (ISRO), where he played a pivotal role in
paths they negotiated to reach such heights. The journey India’s significant space missions. Ultimately, in 2002, he
to success is undoubtedly fraught with challenges and was elected as the President of India, receiving salutes
obstacles. To attain success, one must cultivate consistency from the heads of the three armed forces. This marked
and diligence. This journey to success invariably involves the remarkable success of Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen
long struggles and hardships. Abdul Kalam.

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 79

 This narrative serves as a powerful 5. Comprehending failure: The
reminder that “there is no elevator to path to success is undoubtedly
success; one must take the stairs.” In challenging and is often marked by
our contemporary digital age, we numerous setbacks. However, the key
often witness the phenomenon of lesson lies in how we can utilise these
overnight celebrities and success. failures as a foundation for growth.
However, such success is generally not A prominent illustration of this
long lasting. Achieving success concept is Thomas Alva Edison, the
without encountering challenges and inventor of electric bulb, who
setbacks may not result in lasting regarded his failures as valuable
fulfilment. In today’s fast-paced world, learning experiences. He famously
we often tend to take shortcuts and stated, “I have not failed; I have
quick-fixes to achieve our goals. The merely discovered 10,000 ways that
allure of instant gratification can be Ms. P. Mahadhevan do not work.”
tempting, but when it comes to true 6. Obstacles to overcome:
success and personal growth, there is First prize winner of Individuals who achieve success
no substitute for good old-fashioned CSR Essay Writing Contest 2036. often exhibit a remarkable ability
hard work. Ms. Priyadharshini Mahadhevan has to transfor m challenges into
Much like a sapling that endures done B.A. in English. Hailing from Navi opportunities. Usain St. Leo Bolt, a
harsh conditions and, through Jamaican retired sprinter who is
resilience, matures into a robust tree Mumbai, Maharashtra, she loves widely considered to be the greatest
with significant strength, we, as Reading, Playing Sitar, Kathak Dance, sprinter of all time, exemplifies this
human beings, find that facing Writing Poems and Short Stories. principle, as he understood the
adversity and hardship ultimately demands of success throughout his
fortifies our path to success. In order to achieve success career. In 2008, despite his rigorous training, he faced a
every individual must take these routes: setback when his ninth gold medal was stripped due to
1. High aspirations with a practical framework: the disqualification of his relay team following a doping
Nobel Peace laureate Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first violation. Nevertheless, this obstacle fuelled his
woman in Africa to be elected as President of her country determination, leading him to break the 100-metre sprint
(Liberia), once stated, “If your dreams do not scare you, world record with a time of 9.58 seconds, a record that
they are not yours.” This highlights that the path to success remains unbroken. This illustrates how success is often
often begins with fear. However, it is crucial to eliminate attained through perseverance. Furthermore, the difficulties
self-doubt and concentrate on the practical steps necessary encountered along the way enhance the overall journey of
to achieve your aspirations. success. Achievements that come too easily are seldom
2. Taking steps in the right direction: When regarded as significant. It is through hard work and
individuals pursue their goals or dreams, they often gain dedication, often marked by sweat and rigorous efforts,
that true success flourishes beautifully.
a clearer understanding of their current position. The The beauty of the journey of success lies in the fact
realities of any path to success may differ significantly that it does not discriminate based on caste, race, or gender;
from the prevailing opinions. Therefore, taking the right it is accessible to everyone. The story of Arunima Sinha
steps in the appropriate direction is essential for effectively exemplifies this truth. After being pushed from a train,
and continuously progressing toward success. resulting in the loss of her left leg, she faced her challenges
3. Dedication and perseverance: Once the journey with unwavering determination. She made the resolute
of success is understood, it is imperative to commit to decision to undergo prosthetic surgery, and her remarkable
diligent work. Success requires sustained effort over time. achievement as India’s first and world’s second female
Continuous practice, learning, correcting mistakes, amputee to summit the world’s highest peak underscores
evaluating progress, and improving are vital to overcoming the notion that external factors are not prerequisites for
challenges on the road to success. Pandit Birju Maharaj, a success.
renowned Kathak dancer, emphasised that “Riyaz We never know how many stones the roots had to cross
(systematic practice of music) is what you need to do to while moving deeper into the soil; we never know how
become a kalakaar (artiste),” underscoring the importance many times a bird failed before reaching the sky; we never
of practice as a key to success. Legendary French-American know the time the water took to come back as rain and
cellist Mr. Yo-Yo Ma has dedicated approximately 50,000 we can never understand the pain that the caterpillar took
hours to practice, which has significantly contributed to to turn into a beautiful butterfly. As noted scientist Albert
his achievements. Einstein wisely stated, “Success is not merely a product of
4. Vision for the long term: Humans possess the luck; rather, it is the result of diligent work, focus, precision,
unique ability to think long-term, and this capacity has and consistency applied every single day”.
often led to remarkable achievements. In addition to hard In a world where instant gratification is often glorified,
work and persistence, it is essential to cultivate a long- it is crucial to remember that there are no shortcuts to
term vision. The Indian freedom struggle exemplifies this, real success. Hard work remains the bedrock of
as it was not solely the result of hard work and sacrifices achievement and personal growth. By dedicating ourselves
to hard work and embracing challenges, we position
but also the foresight of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, ourselves for long-term success and fulfilment. So, let us
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Rabindranath Tagore, and Subhas strive to put in the necessary efforts and go the extra mile,
Chandra Bose, who envisioned an independent nation, knowing that true success comes to those willing to work
ultimately leading to their success. hard for it.

80 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 You can also become Crorepati.
By Siddhartha
Read Basu
of Kaun Banega
Crorepati
Popular T.V. Show

Questions And Answers From The

BBC World TV Quiz Game
Competition Success Review had been serialising selected questions from the book BBC :
The Complete Mastermind. Now we are proud to present different sets of questions every month from
another book—BBC Mastermind India, edited and compiled by India’s Ace Quiz Master Mr. Siddhartha Basu
and published by Teksons Bookshop, New Delhi, in association with BBC. CSR hopes that its readers
from all over India will find the series useful not only for various competitive examinations
but also in widening knowledge base about India and the World, so that
they are able to participate creditably in various Quiz Contests.
1. Which of the Sikh gurus, nominated at the age of five 11. Which powerful Hindu kingdom that arose in
by Har Rai, died of smallpox at the age of eight ? central Java in the eighth century is referred to as Zabag
2. The capital city of which Mongol ruler was known as or Zabaj in the Arabic accounts of Al Masudi and
Ta-tu or Cambalue ? Al Beruni ?
12. Under the patronage of which ruler of the Javanese house
3. Which small short-legged animal of the civet family, of Mataram, was the epic poem Arjuna vivaha written ?
native to regions of India and Sri Lanka, takes its name
from the Telugu word for ‘Pig Rat’ ? 13. Which seventeenth century Dutch mathematician,
physicist and astronomer formulated the ‘wave theory’
4. What is the International Bank for Reconstruction and of light?
Development more commonly known as ?
14. Which element, named after the Greek word for ‘hidden’,
5. Which appellation of Ali, the fourth Caliph and son-in- would you associate with a fictional super hero ?
law of Prophet Muhammad, was inscribed by Tipu on
all his weaponry ? 15. What is the nautical term for ‘STOP’ ?
16. Which Cambodian insurgent group captured the city of
6. Which European trading power came to the rescue of Phnom Penh in 1975 and established the Democratic
the Mughals in their naval battle against the Portuguese Republic of Kampuchea ?
in Surat in 1614 ?
17. What was the original name of ‘Alice in Wonderland’
7. The Meiji Restoration in 1868, returned which country when Lewis Carroll first showed it to novelist Henry
to direct imperial rule ? Kingsley in 1863 ?
8. Under the auspices of which FIFA president was the 18. In 1961, which chess player became the first Indian to
World Cup first instituted in Uruguay in 1930 ? win an International Master norm ?
9. What was found in 1799 by French engineer, 19. How do we better know the newspaper magnate, William
M. Boussard, in the Nile delta that later provided the Aitken, who served on both the British War Cabinets ?
key to Egyptian hieroglyphics ? 20. By what popular name was the coalition of various
10. To whom, in his own words, did Rudyard Kipling reformist groups that overthrew Ottoman Sultan
dedicate his collection, Plain Tales From the Hills ? Abdulhamid II in 1876 known ?

ANSWERS
20. Young Turks 16. Khmer Rouge woman in India Ghalib
19. Lord Beaverbrook 15. Avast 10. To the wittiest Asadullah-ul- 5.
18. Manuel Aaron 14. Krypton 9. Rosetta Stone World Bank 4.
Underground 13. Christian Huygens 8. Jules Rimet Bandicoot [Pandi-Kokku] 3.
Adventures 12. King Airlangga 7. Japan Kublai Khan 2.
17. Alice’s 11. Shailendra Empire 6. The Dutch Har Krishan 1.

82 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Directions (Qs. 1 to 5) : The 6. Investors are more confident proclaimed, “Each person using
sentence has a blank indicating that about economic recovery because the the road must worship the rock
something has been omitted. Choose government has announced reforms. and make an offering. The one
the word that best fits the meaning a) Investors b) confident who ignores this will turn into a
of the sentence as a whole. c) recovery d) reforms donkey!”
1. _____ you really want to grow as e) All correct (D) He examined the rock, moved it
an entrepreneur, you have to learn to 7. It is expected that RBI will slash aside, lifted out a port of gold
delegate. interest rates before the government hidden beneath it which he said
a) Accordingly b) If presence the budget. had to be used to keep the road
c) Whether d) Lately a) expected b) slash in good repair and kept his
e) Perhaps c) rates d) presence disciple cleaning cowsheds for the
2. OPEC is a group of 12 nations e) All correct remainder of the year to atone
whose members _____ approximately 40 8. Though all stories of courage are for his greed.
percent of the world’s oil requirements. unique and touching, his story especially (E) A large crowd gathered and they
a) comprise b) including has left a lasting impression on me. all had the same question so they
c) estimate d) delivers a) unique b) left decided to go to the ashram of a
e) supply c) lasting d) impression wise sage.
3. Our _____ is that a global climate e) All correct (F) The road was a very busy one
agreement to cut g reenhouse gas 9. My experience has shown that which connected a large number
emissions will be finalised at the summit. one can achiefe whatever we want to in of villages and one day a group
a) trouble b) hope life if we are motivated. of students discovered a rock.
c) support d) offer a) experience b) shown 11. Which of the following should
e) worries c) achiefe d) motivated be the fifth sentence after the
4. She is the first woman to lead e) All correct rearrangement ?
a central bank of a major developed 10. One of the responsibilities of a) A b) C
the finance commission is to make c) D d) E
economy and has predicted _______
recommendations on the distribution e) F
economic trends. of expenditure between the centre and
a) excellent b) proper 12. Which of the following should
the state. be the second sentence after the
c) correct a) responsibilities rearrangement?
d) insightful e) accurately b) recommendations a) A b) B
5. Since the government has c) distribution c) C d) D
increased funding to education the d) expenditure e) F
number of children enrolled in schools e) All correct 13. Which of the following should
has _____. Directions (Qs. 11 to 15) : Rearrange be the second sentence after the
a) fell b) growing the given six sentences/group rearrangement?
c) improved d) heighten sequence so as to form a meaningful a) A b) B
e) rise paragraph. c) C d) D
Directions (Qs. 6 to 10) : In these (A) Now when the wise sage returned e) F
questions, a sentence with four words he saw a large crowd gathered on 14. Which of the following should
in bold type is given. One of these the road and his well-fed disciple be the first sentence after the
four words given in bold may be in its midst, accepting offerings rearrangement ?
either wrongly spelt or inappropriate for the rock. a) A b) B
in the context of the sentence. Find (B) “Look!”, they exclaimed in c) D d) E
out the word which is wrongly spelt excitement, “There is something e) F
or inappropriate, if any. That word is written on the rock! What can it 15. Which of the following should
your answer. If all the words given mean?” be the third sentence after the
in bold are correctly spelt and also (C) The sage was away and his rearrangement ?
appropriate in the context of the disciple, who loved to put on an a) A b) B
sentence, mark ‘All correct’ as your air of learning, examined the c) D d) E
answer. drawings on the rock and e) F

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 151

 Directions (Qs. 16 to 20) : Read this 20. The principal rewarded/the dance 21. a) over b) with
sentence to find out whether there is teacher because teaching/ the children c) in d) because
any grammatical mistake/error in it. to/perform so well. e) of
The error, if any, will be in one part a) The principal rewarded 22. a) handle b) resolve
of the sentence. Mark the part with b) the dance teacher because teaching c) deal d) figure
the error as your answer. If there is c) the children to e) setting
no error, mark “No Error” as your d) perform so well. 23. a) stole b) hide
answer. Ignore the er r ors of e) No error c) received d) withdrew
punctuation, if any. Directions (Qs. 21 to 30) : In the e) withdrew
16. Pummy immediately realised/ given passage, there are blanks,
each of which has been numbered. 24. a) know b) curious
that her mother was trying/to c) wondered d) wished
explain the important of/giving proper Against each, five words are
suggested, one of which fits the e) confused
instructions. 25. a) immerse b) bath
a) Pummy immediately realised blank appropriately. Find out the
appropriate word in each case. c) dipped d) soaking
b) that her mother was trying e) rose
c) to explain the important of Once an oil merchant and a trader on
their way to Rangnagar had a fight 26. a) times b) ago
d) giving proper instructions.
...(21)... a bag of money. They went to c) occasion d) age
e) No error
meet Shrimant to ...(22)... their issue. e) while
17. The distance between/our eyes Shrimant asked, “What happened?” The
and /ears equals the width/of four 27. a) jumping b) ride
trader said, “This oil merchant ...(23)... c) drop d) bubbles
fingers. my money bag when I was sleeping!”
a) The distance between e) float
“It is mine. When people buy oil from 28. a) belongs b) refers
b) our eyes and me, I keep the money inside it,” said the
c) ears equals the width c) point d) shows
oil merchant. Shrimant asked the trader, e) applies
d) of four fingers. “Have you ever been to his shop?” The
e) No error 29. a) never b) may
trader replied, ‘No, never!’
18. The jeweller, along with/his staff, c) more d) cannot
Soon a crowd collected outside
went to/the village and/caught Seth Shrimant’s house. They ...(24)... how he e) perhaps
Karodia red-hand. would solve this case. Shrimant said, 30. a) cheater b) lying
a) The jeweller, along with “Someone bring me water”. A servant c) wrongly d) trick
b) his staff, went to brought some water. Shrimant ...(25)... e) mislead
c) the village and the bag in water. After a little ...(26)...,
d) caught Seth Karodia red-hand a few oil globules began to ...(27)...
ANSWERS
e) No error “This bag ...(28)... to the oil merchant 1. (b) 2. (e) 3. (b) 4. (b)
19. Once it was heard that/all the as there is oil on it. The trader says that 5. (c) 6. (e) 7. (d) 8. (e)
horses/in the village had/caught an he has been never been to the oil shop, 9. (c) 10. (d) 11. (a) 12. (b)
unknowing disease. so it ...(29)... be his! Trader, you will be 13. (b) 14. (e) 15. (d) 16. (c)
a) Once it was heard that punished for ...(30)...,” declared
Shrimant. 17. (e) 18. (d) 19. (d) 20. (b)
b) all the horses 21. (a) 22. (b) 23. (a) 24. (c)
c) in the village had The impressed crowd appreciated
Shrimant’s ability to solve the problem 25. (c) 26. (e) 27. (e) 28. (a)
d) caught an unknowing disease
e) No error within minutes. 29. (d) 30. (b)

NUMERICAL ABILITY
Directions (Qs. 1 to 5) : What c) 1294 d) 896 they earned an annual profit of Rs. 11,360,
will come in place of the question e) 1080 what is C’s share of profit?
mark(?) in the given number series ? 6. Present ages of Neha and Rashmi a) Rs. 2,520 b) Rs. 2,240
1. 369 380 402 435 ? 534 are in the ratio of 7 : 8 respectively. Six c) Rs. 2,660 d) Rs. 2,100
a) 452 b) 501 years hence, the ratio of their ages will e) Rs. 2,380
c) 528 d) 479 become 9 : 10 respectively. What is 9. The present population of village
e) 494a Rashmi’s present age ? (in years) P is 2 times the population of village Q
2. 154 158 185 201 326 ? a) 36 b) 24 a year ago. If after a year, the population
a) 424 b) 354 c) 28 d) 40 of village Q will be 3528 increasing at
c) 362 d) 380 e) 42 a constant rate of 20% every year, what
7. The compound interest (compoun- is the present population of village P ?
e) 398 a) 4200 b) 3250
ded annually) on a certain sum of money
3. 3 27 189 945 ? 2835 @ 20 p.c.p.a. for 2 years is Rs. 5,632. What c) 4900 d) 4650
a) 2835 b) 3780 is the simple interest on the same sum of e) 3850
c) 945 d) 1890 money @ 12 p.c.p.a. for 3 years ? 10. The sum of two numbers is 506.
e) 4725 a) Rs. 4,608 b) Rs. 4,464 If the second number is 5/18th of the
4. 721 361 181 91 46 ? c) Rs. 4,672 d) Rs. 4,752 first number, what is the difference
a) 22 b) 28 e) Rs. 4,536 between the 4/9 of the first number
c) 18 d) 20.5 8. A and B started a business together and 2/11 of the second number?
e) 23.5 by investing Rs. 10,400 and Rs. 14,300 a) 162 b) 156
5. 2 7 26 101 400 ? respectively. After 4 months, C joined c) 140 d) 136
a) 1595 b) 980 them with an amount of Rs. 9,100. If e) 180
152 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 11. The sum of 5 consecutive odd a) 312 b) 318 c) 324 512 u 5 2 u 3
numbers of Set-A is 185. What will be d) 328 e) 336 26. ?
45 u 32
the average of Set-B, containing 4 17. Total number of pendants sold by
consecutive even numbers, if the the given stores together in August was 1 2
a) 18 b) 14
smallest number of Set-B is 13 more 7/9th of the total number of pendants 3 3
than the highest number of Set-A sold by all the given stores together in 2 1
a) 55 b) 61 June. How many pendants were sold by c) 26 d) 21
c) 53 d) 57 all the given stores together in August? 3 2
e) 59 a) 756 b) 798 c) 826 3
12. Two cars, A and B started moving d) 784 e) 812 e) 8
4
from the same point at the same time 18. A circular lawn has an area of
towards opposite directions (A towards 154 m2. A path of 7 m width surrounds 27. (36 u 18 u (1024)) ? u 3
North and B towards South). If the the lawn. What is the area of the lawn a) 16 b) 12
speed of car A is 34.5 kmph and that including the path? (in m2) c) 24 d) 48
of car B is 41.5 kmph, after how much a) 580 b) 784 e) 32
time will they be 684 km apart? (in c) 637 d) 516 28. 24 u ( 1225 ) y ? 120
hours) e) 616
a) 7 b) 11 19. The length and breadth of a a) 7 b) 9
c) 12 d) 8 rectangle are in the ratio of 4 : 3 c) 6 d) 12
e) 9 respectively and its area is 1728 m2. Find e) 15
Directions (Qs. 13 to 17) : Study the perimeter of rectangle ? (in m) (0.8)3  (0.4)3
29. ?
the following table to answer these a) 116 b) 152 (0.8)3  (0.4)3
questions. c) 176 d) 124 a) 8/9 b) 7/11
Number of pendants sold by 5 e) 168 c) 9/11 d) 11/13
stores during 5 months : 20. A shopkeeper sold 8 chairs at a e) 7/9
profit of 20% and 6 chairs at a profit 30. [890.9 – 512.3] y 126.2 = ?
Stores o of 10%. Had he sold all the 14 chairs at
K L M N O a) 8 b) 10
Months a profit of 12%, his profit would have c) 4 d) 3
p been reduced by Rs. 442. What is the e) 12
March 154 180 156 215 237 cost price of each chair? (cost of each 31. Sushant spent 18% of his monthly
April 167 199 179 181 254
chair is same) salary on buying electronic goods and
a) Rs. 750 b) Rs. 775 32% of the monthly salary on repair
May 191 219 211 163 263 c) Rs. 825 d) Rs. 850 work in his house. Out of the remaining
June 205 198 259 165 181 e) Rs. 900 amount he invested 42% in fixed
July 215 231 230 178 250 Directions (Qs. 21 to 30) : What deposits. If he was left with Rs. 12,325,
13. What is the average number of will come in place of question how much is his annual salary ?
pendants sold by store M in all the given mark (?) in the given questions? a) Rs. 5,18,000 b) Rs. 5,02,600
months together ? 21. 120% of 750 ÷ 25 – 16 = ?% of c) Rs. 5,15,600 d) Rs. 5,00,200
a) 207 b) 213 1240 ÷ 31 e) Rs. 5,10,000
c) 215 d) 211 a) 25 b) 30 32. When 2/5 of a number is added
e) 205 c) 20 d) 45 to 169, it becomes thrice of itself. What
14. All the given stores sell only two e) 50 is the number ?
of pendants—Gold and Silver. If the 2 1 1 2 a) 50 b) 90
22. y 1  = ?  c) 45 d) 65
respective ratio of Gold and Silver 5 15 4 3
e) 80
pendants sold by store N in March, April a) 19/24 b) 4/5 33. A alone can finish a piece of work
and May together is 7 : 6, how many c) 7/24 d) 5/12 in 42 days. B is 20% more efficient than
Silver pendants were sold by store N in e) 12/25 A and C is 40% more efficient than B.
March, April and May together ? 23. 1.5% of 4600 + 2.8% of 2000 – In how many days B and C working
a) 246 b) 306 109 = ? together can finish the same piece of
c) 258 d) 282 a) 32 b) 28 work ? (in days)
e) 270 c) 12 d) 16
15. Number of pendants sold by store 5 5
e) 24 a) 11 b) 13
L, increased by what percent from 24. 452 + 312 – 16 = 34 × ? 12 12
March to July ? a) 18 b) 32 1 7
1 1 c) 26 d) 22 c) 15 d) 14
(a) 24 (b) 26 12 12
3 3 e) 14 11
2 1 3 3 e) 11
(c) 30 (d) 28 25. 2561/4 y 1 – = ? 12
3 3 5 5 34. Ashish has Rs. 10 notes and Rs. 20
2 7 5 notes only. If the number of Rs. 20
(e) 32 a) 5 b) 3 notes is twice the number of Rs. 10
3 10 8
notes and the total amount he has is
16. Number of pendants sold by store 9 3 Rs. 3,250, what is the total number of
O increased by 8%, from July to August c) 1 d) 1
10 5 notes that he has ?
and by 20% from August to September, 4 a) 180 b) 174
how many pendants were sold by store e) 2 c) 195 d) 145
O in September ? 5
e) 165
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 153
 35. Vessel A contains 36 litres of 14 17. (d) : Required number of
mixture of milk and water and vessel B C’s share = u 11360 pendants
71
contains 80 litres of mixture of milk = Rs. 2240 7
and water. The respective ratio of milk 9. (c) : Let the population of Q, an = (205+198+256+165+181)
and water in vessel A is 3 : 2 and the 9
year ago be x.
respective ratio of milk and water in 7
§ 20 ·
2 = u 1008 784
the vessel B is 7 : 3. If 18 litres of 3528 x ¨1  9
mixture is taken out from vessel B and © 100 ¸¹ 18. (e) : Let the radius of the lawn be
added to vessel A, how many litres of 3528 u 5 u 5 R.
water will be there in vessel A ? x= 2450 SR 2 =154
6u6
a) 21.4 b) 19.8 Present population of P 154 u 7
c) 17.6 d) 20.4 = 2 × 2450 = 4900 R2 = 49
e) 18.8 27
10. (b) : Let the first number be x. R = 7m.
ANSWERS Second number = 506 – x Required area
5 = S (7  7) 2 616 sq.m
1. (d) : The sequence is Ÿ (506 – x) = x.
18 19. (e) : Let the length and breath be
+ 11, + 22, + 33, + 44, + 55
435 + 44 = 479 23 4x and 3x metres respectively.
x = 506
2. (c) : The sequence is 18 4x × 3x = 1728
+ 22, + 33, + 42, +52, + 62 506 u 18 Ÿ x2 = 144
326 + 36 = 362 x= 396. Ÿ x = 12
23
3. (a) : The sequence is The numbers are 396, 110 Perimeter = 2 (48 + 36)
× 9, × 7, × 5, × 3, × 1 Required difference = 168 m.
945 × 3 = 2835 4 2 20. (d) : Let the cost of one chair be
4. (e) : The sequence is, add 1 to the = u 396  u 110 Rs. x.
9 11
number and divide by 2, to 8x u 1.2  6x u 1.1  14x u 1.12
get next number. 176  20 156 = 442
11. (d) : Let the smallest number of
46  1 set A be x. Then Ÿ 9.6x  6.6x  15.68x 442
=23.5 Ÿ 0.52 x = 442
2 185 = x + x + 2 + x + 4 +
5. (a) : The sequence is Ÿ x = Rs. 850
x+6+x+8
× 4 – 1, × 4 – 2, × 4 – 3, 21. (e) : 120% of 750 ÷ 25 – 16 = ?%
Ÿ 5x = 185 – 20 = 165 of 1240 ÷ 31.
× 4 – 4, × 4 – 5 Ÿ x = 33
400 × 4 – 5 = 1595 1.2 u 750 ? u 1240
6. (b) : Let the present ages of Neha
Smallest number of Ÿ  16
Set B = 33 + 8 + 13 = 54 25 100 u 31
and Rashmi be 7x and 8x
years respectively. Required average ? u 40
54  56  58  60 228
Ÿ 36 – 16 =
After six years. 100
=
7x  6 9 4 4 20 u 100
= 57. Ÿ ? = 50
8x  6 10 40
12. (e) : As the cars are moving in
Ÿ 70x  60 72x  54 opposite directions, 2 16 1 2
Ÿ 2x = 60 – 54 = 6 22. (a) : y  ?
Relative speed = 34.5 + 41.5 5 15 4 3
x=3
Rashmi’s age = 24 years. = 76 kmph. 2 16 1 2
684 Ÿ ? u  
7. (a) : Let the sum be Rs. P. Required time = 9 hrs 5 15 4 3
2 76 3 1 2 9  6  16 19
§ 20 · 13. (a) : Required average  
5632 = P ¨1  P
© 100 ¸¹ 156  179  211  259  230 8 4 3 24 24
23. (d) : ? = 1.5% of 4600 + 2.8% of
5 2000 – 109
Pu6u6 1035
Ÿ 5632 P 207 = 69 + 56 – 109 = 16
5u5 5
= 1.44 P – P = 0.44 P 14. (c) : Required number of silver 452  312  16
24. (d) : ? = 22.
5632 pendants 34
Ÿ P= = Rs. 12800
0.44 6 1
Simple interest = (215  181  163)
13 (256) 4 3
12800 u 12 u 3 25. (c) : ? = 
6 8 5
100 = u 559 258 5
13
= Rs. 4608 4 u5 3
15. (d) : Required percentage
8. (b) : The ratio of their shares = 
(A : B : C) in the profit is : 231  180 1 8 5
= u 100 = 28 % 5 3 25  6 19
10400 × 12 : 14300 × 12 : 180 3 =  = =
9100 × 8 16. (c) : Required number of
2 5 10 10
or 96 : 132 : 56 pendants 9
or 24 : 33 : 14 = 1
= 250 × 1.08 × 1.2 = 324 10
154 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 512 u 25 u 3 378.6 (B + C)’s one day’s work
26. (c) : ? = = 3
45 u 32 126.2 1 1 5  7 12
31. (e) : Let the monthly salary be 
38400 80 2 35 25 175 175
= 26 Rs. x. ŸThey can finish the work
1440 3 3 Money spent = 0.5 x
Money left after deposit 175 7
27. (d) : ? × 3 = 36 u 18 u 1024 in days i.e., 14 days..
= 0.29x 12 12
0.29 x = 12325  (c) : Let he has x number of
36 u 18 u 32 x = Rs. 42500 Rs. 10 notes and 2x number
Ÿ ? = Annual salary = 12 × 42500 of Rs. 20 notes.
3
144 = Rs. 510000 3250 = 10x + 20 × 2x = 50x
= 48 32. (d) : Let the number be N. x = 65
3 Total number of notes
2
24 u 1225 Ÿ 169  N 3N. = 65 + 130 = 195
28. (a) : ? = 5 35. (b) :
120
24 u 35 13N
= 7. Ÿ 169 Vessel Total Milk Water
120 5
Ÿ N = 65 3 2
(0.8)3  (0.4)3 33. (d) : A can finish the work in A 36 litres 36 u 36 u
29. (e) : ? = 5 5
(0.8)3  (0.4)3 42 days B 80 litres 56 24
(0.8  0.4 )(0.64  0.32  0.16) B can finish the work in
After the transfer, water in
(0.8  0.4)(0.64 – 0.32  0.16) 42 vessel A
35days
0.4 u 1.12 7 1.2 2 4
C can finish the work in = 36 u  u 18
1.2 u 0.48 9 5 80
890.9  512.3 35 = 14.4 + 5.4
30. (d) : ? = 25 days
126.2 1.4 = 19.8 litres.

REASONING ABILITY
1. L is the daughter of K, L is married (b) Second to the right Directions (Qs. 8 to 13) : Study the
to D. B is the son of D. T is married to (c) Fifth to the right given information and answer these
B. How is D related to T? (d) Fourth to the left questions.
(a) Father-in-law (e) Second to the left Eight people - K, L, M, N, W, X, Y,
(b) Mother-in-law 4. If all the given people are made to Z are sitting around a circular table
(c) Cannot be determined sit in alphabetical order from left to facing the centre, with equal distances
(d) Father right, the positions of how many of them between each other but not necessarily
(e) Mother will remain unchanged ? in the same order.
Directions (Qs. 2 to 7) : Study the (a) Three (b) None K is not an immediate neighbour of
following information to answer the (c) Two (d) One W and Z. M sits third to the right of W.
given questions. (e) Four L is an immediate neighbour of W. Only
B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I are seated 5. Which of the following is true with two people sit between L and X. Y sits
in a straight line facing North but not respect to E as per the given seating to the immediate right of N.
necessarily in the same order. arrangement ? 8. Which of the following pairs
Only two people sit between B and I. B (a) E sits to immediate left of G. represents the immediate neighbours of
sits at one of the extreme ends of line. (b) Both I and H are immediate M?
G sits second to the right of I. E sits neighbours of E. (a) X, Y (b) Z, Y (c) X, W
(d) Z, X (e) N, W
third to the left of H. H is not an (c) Only two people sit to the right 9. What will come in place of the
immediate neighbour of G. of E. question mark (?) in the following series
D and F are immediate neighbours (d) None of the given options is based on the given arrangement ?
of each other. Neither D nor F is an true. NX KM XZ ML ?
immediate neighbour of H. D does not (e) Only one person sits between E (a) ZK (b) ZW (c) ZY
sit at any of the extreme ends of the and B. (d) KL (e) KW
line. 6. Which of the following represents 10. Who amongst the following sits
2. Who amongst the following sits the person seated at the extreme left second to the right of M ?
exactly in the middle of the person who end of the line? (a) N (b) K (c) Z
sits third from the left and the person (a) C (b) B (d) X (e) Y
who sits second from the right? (c) H (d) I 11. Which of the following statements
(a) H (b) E (e) F is true as per the given arrangement?
(c) D (d) G 7. How many persons are seated (a) None of the given options is true
(e) C between D and G ? (b) M sits to the immediate left of N.
3. What is the position of H with (a) Three (b) Two (c) X is an immediate neighbour of Z.
respect to G? (c) None (d) Four (d) N sits second to the right of X.
(a) Third to the right (e) One (e) L sits second to the right of K.

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 155

 12. How Many people sit between X conclusions based on the given (a) RUBWBQ (b) WBQRUB
and W as per the given arrangement ? statements and select the appropriate (c) WHQXUH (d) XUHWHQ
(a) Three answer. (e) WQBURB
(b) More than three 19. Statement : Directions (Qs. 25 to 29) : In these
(c) None C < O t M > P = T > S questions, two/three statements
(d) One Conclusion I : followed by two conclusions
(e) Two S<O numbered I and II have been given.
13. Based on the given arrangement, Conclusion II : You have to take the given
four of the following five are alike in a T<C statements to be true even if they
certain way and so form a group. Which (a) Either conclusion I or II is true seem to be at variance from the
of the following does not belong to the (b) Neither conclusion I nor II is true commonly known facts and then
group? (c) Both conclusions I and II are true decide which of the given
(a) N, L (b) M, N (c) Y, Z (d) Only conclusion I is true conclusions logically follow from the
(d) L, K (e) K, Z (e) Only conclusion II is true given statements disregarding
14. If each vowel in the word 20. Statements : commonly known facts.
DOMAINS is changed to next letter in S < T t O = R; T < V 25. Statements :
the English alphabetical series and each Conclusion I : All suns are moons.
consonant is changed to previous letter RdS Some suns are planets.
in English alphabetical series and then Conclusion II : Conclusion I :
all alphabets in the word thus formed TtR All moons are suns.
are arranged in alphabetical order (from (a) Either conclusion I or II is true Conclusion II :
left to right), which of the following will (b) Neither conclusion I nor II is true At least some moons are planets.
be third from the right end of the new (c) Both conclusions I and II are true (a) Either conclusion I or II is true
arrangement thus formed? (d) Only conclusion I is true (b) Neither conclusion I nor II is true
(a) J (b) C (c) P (e) Only conclusion II is true (c) Both conclusions I and II are true
(d) M (e) B 21. Statement : (d) Only conclusion I is true
15. Which of the following will come Z=M<TtF>U (e) Only conclusion II is true
in place of the question mark(?) in Conclusion I : 26. Statements :
following series as per English Z<F All dancers are artists.
alphabetical order ? Conclusion II : No artist is a racer.
AC BE CG ? EK U<M Conclusion I :
(a) DF (b) DG (c) DJ (a) Either conclusion I or II is true No dancer is a racer.
(d) CF (e) DI (b) Neither conclusion I nor II is true Conclusion II :
Directions (Qs. 16 to 18) : These (c) Both conclusions I and II are true At least some dancers are racers.
questions are based on the five three (d) Only conclusion I is true (a) Either conclusion I or II is true
digit numbers given below. (e) Only conclusion II is true (b) Neither conclusion I nor II is true
527 749 456 188 863 22. Statements : (c) Both conclusions I and II are true
16. The sum of all the three digits of S < T t O = R; T < V (d) Only conclusion I is true
which of the following two numbers is Conclusion I : (e) Only conclusion II is true
exactly the same ? V>S 27. Statements :
(a) 527 and 749 Conclusion II : Some rails are trains.
(b) 749 and 188 R<V Some rails are locals.
(c) 863 and 456 (a) Either conclusion I or II is true Conclusion I :
(d) 863 and 188 (b) Neither conclusion I nor II is true At least some trains are locals.
(e) 527 and 188 (c) Both conclusions I and II are true Conclusion II :
17. Which of the following is the (d) Only conclusion I is true No train is a local.
second digit of the third lowest number? (e) Only conclusion II is true (a) Either conclusion I or II is true
(a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4 23. Statements : (b) Neither conclusion I nor II is true
(d) 8 (e) 5 M<AdL =V< BtT (c) Both conclusions I and II are true
18. If ‘2’ is subtracted from last digit Conclusion I : (d) Only conclusion I is true
of each of these numbers and ‘1’ is B>A (e) Only conclusion II is true
added to the first digit of each of these Conclusion II : 28. Statements :
numbers, which of the following will be TdM Some jars are cans.
the third digit of second lowest number (a) Either conclusion I or II is true No can is a box.
thus formed? (b) Neither conclusion I nor II is true Conclusion I :
(a) 6 (b) 1 (c) Both conclusions I and II are true No jar is a box.
(c) 5 (d) 4 (d) Only conclusion I is true Conclusion II :
(e) 7 (e) Only conclusion II is true Some jars are boxes.
Directions (Qs. 19 to 23) : In these 24. In a certain code, ‘DEVOTE’ is (a) Either conclusion I or II is true
questions, a relationship between coded as ‘GBYLWB’ and ‘MOSTLY’ is (b) Neither conclusion I nor II is true
different elements is shown in the coded as ‘PLVQOV’. How will (c) Both conclusions I and II are true
statements. The statements are TENURE be coded in the same (d) Only conclusion I is true
followed by conclusions. Study the code? (e) Only conclusion II is true

156 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 29. Statements : 16. (d) : 8 + 6 + 3 = 17
All solutions are problems.
ANSWERS 1 + 8 + 8 = 17
All questions are solutions. 1. (a) : 17. (b) : Third lowest number o 527
Conclusion I : Required digit o 2
No question is a problem. 18. (d) : Changing digits as required
Conclusion II : 527 o 625
All questions are problems. 749 o 847
(a) Either conclusion I or II is true 456 o 554
(b) Neither conclusion I nor II is true 188 o 286
(c) Both conclusions I and II are true 863 o 961
(d) Only conclusion I is true Second lowest number o 554
(e) Only conclusion II is true From above D is father-in-law Required digit o 4.
Directions (Qs. 30 to 34) : Study of T. 19. (d) : C < O t M > P = T > S
the following arrangement carefully Qs. 2-7 : I. S < O ... True
and answer the questions. Based on the information we II. T < C ... Not True
BS*4M@ K%9+AL$R3U5H have the seating arrangement 20. (e) : S < T t O = R
&#ZV2:W7QX6€FG£ as follows. T<V
30. If all the symbols are dropped I. R d S ... Not true
from the arrangement, then which will II. T t R ... True
be twelfth element from the right end 21. (b) : Z = M < T t F > U
of the given arrangement ? 2. (b) I. Z < F ... Not true
(a) 5 (b) R 3. (b) : H is second to the right of G. II. U < M ... Not true
(c) U (d) H 4. (c) : When seated in alphabetical 22. (c) : S < T t O = R
(e) A order the seating arrangement T<V
31. Four of the following five are alike is I. V > S ... True
in a certain way based on their positions II. R < V ... True
in the given arrangement and so form a 23. (d) : M < A d L = V < B t T
The positions of B and G I. B > A ... True
group. Which is the one that does not
remain unchanged. II. T d M ... Not true
belong to the group ?
5. (a) : E sits to the immediate left 24. (b) : The sequence is + 3 steps and
(a) R3H5 (b) S*@M
of G. – 3 steps alternately in the
(c) X€FQ (d) #Z:2
6. (b) : B sits at the extreme left end. code.
(e) %9LA
7. (a) : F, I and E sit between D and 25. (e) :
32. How many such numbers are
there in the given arrangement, each of G.
which is immediately followed by a letter Qs.8-13 : Based on the information
and also immediately preceded by a given, the seating arrangement
symbol? is as follows :
(a) One (b) None
(c) Two (d) Three
(e) More than three 26. (d) :
33. Which of the following is
fourteenth to the left of the nineteenth
from the left end of the given
arrangement ?
(a) 6 (b) M 8. (d) : X and Z are immediate
(c) 4 (d) X neighbours of M.
(e) @ 9. (b) 27. (a)
34. What should come in place of the 10. (b) : K sits second to the right of 28. (a)
question mark (?) in the following series M. 29. (e) :
based on the given arrangement ? 11. (d)
BS* 4@K 9L$ U#Z ? 12. (a) : Three persons sit between X
(a) 7FG (b) WXF and W.
(c) W€F (d) W6G 13. (d) : In all others two persons sit
(e) :6F between the pair given.
35. How many such pairs of letters are 14. (d) : Given DOMAINS
there in the word ‘BANGLE’, each of Changing letters
which has as many letters between them as required CPLBJMR 30. (a)
in the word (in both forward and backward Arranging as 31. (c)
directions) as they have between them in required BCJLMPR 32. (a) : * 4 M
the English alphabetical series ? M is the required letter. 33. (b)
(a) More than three (b) Two 15. (e) : The sequence is 34. (c)
(c) One (d) Thee First letter o +1 step 35. (a) : BA, A(NGL)E, G(L)E,
(e) None Second letter o +2 steps N(G)L
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 157
 SPECIAL FEATURE

INDIA
SOCIO-ECONOMIC UPDATE
EDUCATION AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT
EDUCATION AND
HUMAN RESOURCE GOVT. TO ESTABLISH 85 NEW KENDRIYA VIDYALAYAS,
DEVELOPMENT 28 NAVODAYA VIDYALAYAS
Today education is considered pivotal In a big boost to school education opportunities. Currently, there are
for social and economic development. infrastructure in India, the Cabinet 1,256 KVs, including one each in
Free and compulsory education for Committee on Economic Affairs Moscow, Kathmandu and Tehran,
children from 6 to 14 years of age has chaired by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra with nearly 13.56 lakh students. In
been declared as a Fundamental Right Modi on December 6, 2024 approved pursuance of the National Education
and a vigorous campaign under Sarva the opening of 85 new Kendriya Policy 2020, almost all Kendriya
Shiksha Abhiyan is on to cover the entire Vidyalayas (KVs) and 28 Navodaya Vidyalayas have been designated as
country. Vidyalayas. The Government estimated PM Shri schools.
Five thrust areas, viz., adult literacy, that the announcement would benefit The Cabinet also approved the setting
primary education, female literacy among 82,560 additional students. up of 28 Navodaya Vidyalayas in districts
minorities and marginalised groups, The total funds required for the new that do not have this type of schools so
decentralisation of management KVs are estimated at Rs. 5,872.08 crore far. The fund requirement for new
education and technical education, over a period of eight years from Navodaya Vidyalayas is estimated
have been identified to achieve 2025-26. This includes capital expenditure at Rs. 2,359.82 crore over a period of
universalisation of the Elementary component of Rs. 2,862.71 crore and five years. The Education Ministry
Education to make education relevant to operational expenditure of Rs. 3,009.37 said this could benefit 15,680 students
the needs of the community and also to crore, according to a press statement and create permanent employment
meet new challenges of liberalisation and issued by the Ministry of Education. opportunities for 1,316 individuals.
globalisation of the economy. The Ministry said that the There are 661 sanctioned Navodaya
announcement to set up new KVs Vidyalayas of which 653 are functional,
NATIONAL POLICY ON would create 5,388 direct permanent job with a total of 49,640 students.
EDUCATION, 1986
The National Policy on Education, as free tuition, free textbooks and Director of the Indian Space Research
approved by Parliament in 1986, sought uniform for SC/ST students especially Organisation (ISRO).
to establish, for the first time in have been made as also for girls and In the new policy, emphasis has been
independent India’s history, a National educationally backward minorities in the placed on Indian art and culture.
System of Education, which laid down interest of equity and social justice. Government schools will now offer pre-
an overall curricular framework and a school education, right from nursery and
core curriculum to establish comparability INDIA’s NEW KG (Kindergarten), which has so far
of competence at the end of various EDUCATION POLICY 2020 only been offered by private institutes.
stages of education all over the country. Union Cabinet approved the New The new school system will be based on
It ought to reinforce the integrative aspect Education Policy (NEP) on July 29, a 5+3+3+4 formula instead of the
of society and culture and also establish 2020. First major shift in India’s current 10+2 formula that is followed
a value system necessary for an egalitarian, education policy in more than three across schools in India. Children from
democratic and secular society. The policy decades, the NEP tries to make a clean pre-school to Classes 1 and 2 (3-8 years)
presented the problem of socio-cultural break with the past. The aim of the new will be a part of the foundational learning
inequalities in a very sharp focus and list policy is two-fold: to make India and its school, Classes 3 to 5 (8-11 years) will
the specific steps in such detail that it education system more globally aligned be a part of preparatory school, Classes
could be described as nothing less than and competitive and at the same time to 6 to 8 (11-14 years) will be in middle
a charter, not only for equality of access reduce the level of academic stress on school, and 9 to 12 (14-18 years) in
to education, but also for equalisation school students. The NEP is aligned to secondary school. The curriculum will
with regard to the status of disadvantaged the 2030 Sustainable Development be designed according to the specific
sections of society. Goals. It aims to make the Indian needs of different categories.
The revised Programme of Action education system more holistic and skill-
1992 of the NPE 1986, resolved to oriented, and addresses a long-cited EDUCATION FOR ALL
ensure free and compulsory education complaint that it encourages rote- The Government of India is
of satisfactory quality to all children up learning. The 200-page policy was committed to achieving the Sustainable
to 14 years (which is now being prepared on the basis of a draft Development Goals (SDG-4) for
implemented through an amendment to submitted by a panel headed by education, i.e. to “Ensure inclusive and
the Constitution). Special provisions such Dr. K. Kasturirangan, who is the former quality education for all and promote

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 175

life long learning” by 2030. With a view Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat School Heads’ & Teachers’ Holistic
of achieving the goal of universalisation (PBBB): Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat Advancement or NISHTHA has been
of elementary education, the Right to (PBBB) is a sub-programme of Sarva taken up with an aim to build
Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) which was competencies among all the teachers and
Act 2009 was enacted. This Act launched in 2014 to ensure quality school principals at the elementary stage.
provides for a justiciable legal framework learning at the foundational years of It is the world’s largest teachers’ training
entitling all children between the ages schooling viz., class I and II. This programme of its kind to motivate and
of 6-14 years, free and compulsory programme seeks to ensure that all children equip teachers to encourage and foster
admission, attendance and completion of are able to read with comprehension and critoical thinking in students.
elementary education. also learn basic numeracy skills.
Inclusive Education: Under the NATIONAL DIGITAL
RIGHT TO EDUCATION Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, emphasis is laid EDUCATION
ACT, 2009 on paying special attention to education
of children with special needs (CWSN). ARCHITECTURE (NDEAR)
Right of Children to Free and In a major emphasis on strengthening
Compulsory Education Act-2009, which The CWSN children, irrespective of the
kind, category and degree of their country’s digital infrastructure for
is commonly called Right To Education education, the Union Budget 2021-22
(RTE) Act became operative from disability are provided quality education.
announced to set up a National Digital
April 1, 2010. The Act provides that Educational Architecture (NDEAR)
(1) Every child of the age group of SAMAGRA SHIKSHA within the context of a ‘Digital First
6-14 years has a right to free and SCHEME (SSS) Mindset’, which aims at not only
compulsory education of satisfactory and In 2018-19, the Union Government supporting teaching and learning activities
equitable quality in a neighbourhood decided to treat the school education among students and teachers but also
school till he/she completes elementary holistically and without segmentation educational planning, governance
education, from pre-primary to class XII. In this administrative activities of the Union as
(2) It shall be the duty of every parent context, the Samagra Shiksha Scheme well as State/UT governments.
or guardian to admit his/her child or (SSS), an integrated scheme for school
ward to an elementary education education, was launched the same year PM POSHAN SHAKTI
neighbourhood school, by subsuming the erstwhile Centrally
(3) No school or person shall, while Sponsored Schemes of Sarva Shiksha NIRMAN SCHEME
admitting a child, collect any capitation Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik ‘National Scheme for Mid-Day Meal
fee or subject a child or his/her parents Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher in Schools’ or the Mid-Day Meal Scheme
to any screening process, and Education (TE). The SSS treats school has been renamed as ‘National Scheme
(4) No teacher shall engage himself or education as a continuum and conforms for PM POSHAN in Schools’ or PM
herself in private tuition or private to the Sustainable Development Goal for POSHAN (Nutrition) Scheme. The
teaching activity. Education (SDG-4). The SSS as a Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
The act provides for children’s right Centrally Sponsored Scheme provides (CCEA) on September 29, 2021
to quality education, based on principles support for the implementation of approved the new PM Poshan Shakti
of equity and non-discrimination. Further the RTE Act 2009. On August 4, 2021, Nirman Scheme, subsuming the existing
towards improving learning outcomes the Union Cabinet approved extension Mid-Day Meals Scheme, for five years
(i.e. assessment of standards indicating of the revised Samagra Shiksha from 2021-22 to 2025-26 at a cost of
the expected levels of learning that Scheme from April 1, 2021 to March over Rs. 1.31 lakh crore. PM POSHAN
students should achieve for a particular 31, 2026 with an estimated outlay of is a Centrally-sponsored Scheme which
class), Central Rules under the RTE Act Rs. 2,94,283.04 crore. The Scheme has covers about 11.80 lakh students studying
have been amended in February 2017 to now been aligned with the National in classes 1 to 8 of all 11.20 lakh
include the defined classwise, subject- Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to ensure government and government-aided
wise learning outcomes. inclusive and equitable, quality and schools across the country, providing
The RTE Act 2009 also lays down holistic school education. them one hot-cooked meal. The
the guidelines for maintaining the norms STARS Project : Strengthening Scheme in its new avatar has also
and standards relating to Pupil-Teacher Teaching-Learning and Results for States been extended to the students studying
Ratio (PTR), buildings and infrastructure, (STARS) Project was approved by the in pre-primary or Bal Vatikas of all such
school working days, teacher working Union Cabinet in October 2020, to be school, following one of the key
hours, etc. implemented as a Centrally sponsored recommendations of the National
scheme. After signing of the Loan Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
SARVA SHIKSHA Agreement, the STARS Project Among the new features of the
ABHIYAN (SSA) became effective on February 23, 2021 Scheme, the concept of Tithi Bhojan
for a period of five years i.e. up to (Food for the Day) has been introduced
The Scheme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to ensure community participation in
(SSA) evolved from the recommen- FY: 2024-25. The STARS Project is being
implemented in six identified States which people provide special food to
dations of the State Eduction Ministers’
Conference held in October 1998, to viz. Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, children on special occasions and
pursue universal elementary education in Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and festivals. The Scheme also envisages
a mission mode. The Scheme of Sarva Kerala. The STARS Programme is promoting School Nutrition Gardens in
Shiksha Abhiyan was approved by the carved out of Samagra Shiksha, with a schools to give students first-hand
Cabinet in its meeting held on November focus on those elements of the scheme experience with nature and gardening.
16, 2000. The then Planning Commission that will most directly support school Such Gardens have already been
had conveyed the gross budgetary education enhancement. developed in more than 3 lakh schools.
support allocation of Rs. 1,92,726 crore The Scheme will provide “supplementary
for SSA programme for the XII plan NISHTHA nutrition in aspirational and tribal
(2012 to 2017) in consultation with the An integrated teacher training districts and districts with high
Ministry of Finance. programme called National Initiative for prevalence of anaemia”.
176 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 The Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) 2024-25 to bridge the gap between the include 20 institutes, ten private and ten
was launched in 1995 as a Centrally- skill sets of unemployable youth and public. As of June 2024, the public
sponsored Scheme. It has been the those needed by employers. The pilot institutions declared IoE are: Banaras
world’s largest school meal programme project aims to help youth without skills Hindu University, Varanasi; Indian
aimed at attaining the goal of break into the job market after training. Institute of Science, Bengaluru; Indian
universalisation of primary education. The pilot project kicked off a process Institute of Technology Bombay; Indian
The Scheme was designed to address that is expected to result in lakhs of Institute of Technology Delhi; Indian
hunger and malnutrition, increase youngsters joining the on-the-job training Institute of Technology Kharagpur;
enrolment and attendance in schools, exercise, officially called ‘The Prime Indian Institute of Technology Madras;
improve socialisation among castes, and Minister’s Internship Scheme in Top University of Hyderabad. The private
provide employment at grass-roots level Companies’. The Ministry of Corporate institutes are: Birla Institute of
especially to women. Affairs, which is steering the scheme, aims Technology & Science, Pilani; Manipal
The Mid-Day Meals Scheme has to train one crore youth in five years. Academy of Higher Education, Manipal;
helped in retention of children in primary O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat;
education. By providing nutritious food, SPECIAL ATTENTION TO Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida.
it has improved the health and nutritional GIRL EDUCATION Scheme for Promotion of Academic
standards of the poor children. The Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya and Research Collaboration (SPARC) :
scheme has also contributed to social (KGBVs) : KGBVs are residential upper The Scheme for Promotion of Academic
and gender equity. primary schools for girls who belong to and Research Collaboration (SPARC) is
The Mid-Day Meal Rules 2015, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, a Ministry of Education initiative that
notified under the National Food Other Backward Classes, Muslim aims at improving the research ecosystem
Security Act 2013 provide for (i) communities and BPL families. KGBVs of India's Higher Educational Institutions
strengthening supervision over the food are also situated in Educationally by facilitating academic and research
quality by making testing of food samples Backward Blocks where there were no collaborations between Indian Institutions
mandatory, (ii) strengthening regularity schools or they were situated at far-off and the best institutions in the world. The
by allowing temporary use of other funds places. KGBVs were set up keeping the Government in August 2018 had
in schools in case of non-availability of security of girls in mind. Earlier, distance sanctioned the scheme at a total cost of
MDM funds, (iii) enhancing role of posed a difficulty and forced to girls to Rs. 418 crore. Indian Institute of
school management Committees in give up their education midway. Nearly Technology Kharagpur is the National
supervision of MDMS in schools, and 6,000 KGBVs are operational in the Coordinating Institute to implement the
(iv) payment of food security allowance country enrolling 3.75 lakh girls. SPARC programme. This scheme aimed
by the state government if MDM is not Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) : at improving research ecosystem of India's
provided on any school day due to non- Launched in January 2015, this is Centre’s higher educational institutions by
availability of food grains or for any flagship programme for women’s facilitating academic and research
other reason. empowerment, which focusses on collaborations between Indian Institutions
education of girl child and improving [overall top-100 or category-wise top-100
‘PM SHRI’ SCHEME sex ratio. It was announced in July 2022 in NIRF (including such Private
The Union Cabinet on September 7, that the BBBP programme, which was Institutions which are recognised
2022 approved the ‘PM schools for rising operational in 405 districts, will now be under 12(B) of UGC Act)] and the best
India’ (PM SHRI) scheme to turn extended throughout the country. institutions in the world (top-500 overall
existing government schools into model and top-200 subject-wise institutions listed
schools. The scheme is expected to in QS World University Rankings) from
benefit 1.8 million students. It will be
HIGHER EDUCATION 28 selected nations. In this regard,
implemented as a Centrally-sponsored The Higher Education System has 254 top Indian Institutes and 478 top
scheme with a total project cost of witnessed a 25-fold increase in the ranked global Institutes have been already
Rs. 27,360 crore, with the Centre’s share number of universities and a 66-fold identified.
being Rs. 18,128 crore for the period of increase in the number of colleges in Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha
five years from 2022-23 to 2026-27 for comparison to their numbers in 1950- Abhiyan (RUSA): Rashtriya Uchchatar
transforming nearly 14,500 schools 51. Indian higher education system is the Shiksha Abhiyan scheme provides
across the country. The PM SHRI third largest in the world, next to strategic funding for qualifying state
scheme also provides a “School the United States and China. As of higher education institutions to improve
Quality Assessment Framework” which January 2024, India had 54 Central efficiency and access to higher education.
will be developed for measuring key universities, 439 State universities, It is a Centrally sponsored scheme
performance indicators for carrying out 126 deemed universities, 395 private launched in 2013. In February 2022, a
quality evaluation of schools. PM SHRI universities, 7 institutes under State new phase of this scheme was launched
schools will showcase all components of Legislature Act, and 159 Institutes of for continuation till March 31, 2026.
the New Education Policy 2020, act as National Importance which include IIMs, Under this scheme, it has been envisaged
exemplary schools and also offer AIIMS, IITs, IIITs, HSERs and NITs to support around 1600 projects under
mentorship to other schools in their among others. the new phase of the scheme. It is
vicinity. Institutions of Eminence Scheme : primarily aimed at providing strategic
The Institutions of Eminence (IoE) funding to the eligible state higher
PILOT PROJECT scheme was first announced in the educational institutions.
presentation of the 2016 Union Budget
TO BRIDGE of India on February 29, 2016 by the
JOB MARKET-SKILLS GAP then Finance Minister of India, Arun CAMPUSES OF FOREIGN
The Union Government on October 3, Jaitley. The purpose of the plan was UNIVERSITIES IN INDIA
2024 initiated a pilot project consisting stated as “... to empower Higher In November 2023, India opened its
of a portal for India’s top 500 companies Educational Institutions to help them doors to foreign universities and institutes
to participate in the one-year internship become world class teaching and by permitting them to set up campuses
scheme announced in the Union Budget research institutions”. The plan was to in the country. ‘The UGC (Setting Up
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 177
and Operation of Campuses of nursing colleges, 3,697 teacher training niceties of various vocations and thus
Foreign Higher Educational Institutions institutes and around 270 management better equips people for various jobs thus
in India) Regulations, 2023’ in this institutes, that cover courses in improving their employability.
regard are in line with the commitments engineering, technology, management, The 2021 Report on National
set out in the National Education Policy, architecture, pharmacy, etc. The Ministry Policy on Skill Development and
2020, and the government’s vision of of Human Resource Development caters Entrepreneurship estimated that
internationalisation of education in India. to programmes at undergraduate, only 4.7% of the total workforce in India
The 2023 Regulations permit Foreign postgraduate and research levels. The had undergone formal skill training
Higher Educational Institution (“FHEI”) technical education system at the Central compared with 52% in the US, 80% in
to set up a campus in India. FHEI level comprises, among others, the Japan and 96% in South Korea. A skill
intending to set up a India campus shall following: gap study conducted by the National Skill
mainly fulfill the following criteria: a) The All India Council for Technical Development Corporation (NSDC)
(a) A Foreign University should have Education (AICTE), which is the indicated an additional net incremental
secured a position within the top statutory body for proper planning and requirement of 10.97 crore of skilled
500 in overall category of global coordinated development of the manpower in 24 key sectors. In addition,
rankings while applying; or technical education system; b) 23 Indian the 29.82 crore farm and non-farm
(b) Foreign Educational Institution Institutes of Technology (IITs); sector workforce needed to be skilled,
should have secured a position within c) 20 Indian Institutes of Management reskilled, and upskilled.
the top 500 in the subject-wise (IIMs); d) Indian Institute of Science In A Nutshell—Initiatives Taken
category of global rankings at the (IISc), Bangalore; e) Indian Institute of for Skill Development:
time of application or should possess Information Technology and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas
outstanding expertise in a particular Management (IIITM), Gwalior and Yojana: The flagship Pradhan Mantri
area. Indian Institutes of Information Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) scheme
On August 29, 2024, it was officially Technology (IIITs); and 31 National was launched in 2015 to provide short-
announced that UK’s University of Institutes of Technology (NITs). term training, skilling through ITIs and
Southampton has become the first Scholarships for Differently Abled under the apprenticeship scheme. Since
foreign university to set up its offshore Children—Saksham 2015, the Government has trained over
campus in India under the new National Saksham—the scheme for providing 10 million youth under this scheme.
Education Policy. According to official scholarship to differently abled children SANKALP and STRIVE: The
sources, the University of Southampton is being operated by All India Council SANKALP programme focusing on the
submitted a proposal for opening a for Technical Education (AICTE) for district-level skilling ecosystem and the
branch campus in Gurugram that was providing encouragement and support to STRIVE project aiming at improving the
approved by the UGC standing children with disability, to pursue performance of ITIs are other significant
committee. The degrees awarded by the technical education. Scholarships skilling interventions.
India campus of the University of amounting to Rs. 5 crore per annum as Initiatives from Several Ministries:
Southampton will be the same as in tuition fee and incidentals are provided Nearly 40 skill development programmes
the host university. The Indian campus to needy and meritorious students for are being implemented by 20 Central
of the University of Southampton pursuing technical education as AICTE Ministries/departments. The Ministry of
is expected to start its academic approved institutions. Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
programmes in July 2025. contributes about 55% of the skilling
ADULT EDUCATION achieved. Initiatives by all Ministries have
TECHNICAL EDUCATION The National Policy on Education, resulted in nearly four crore people being
Technical education system aims to 1986 envisages that the whole nation trained through various traditional skills
produce trained manpower in adequate must pledge itself to the eradication of programmes since 2015.
numbers for the economic development illiteracy, particularly in the 15-35 age Mandatory CSR Expenditure in
of the country. The facilities of education group. 410 districts are covered under Skilling: Since the implementation of
and training in the areas of engineering the programme. The National Literacy mandatory CSR spending under the
and technology have, therefore, been Mission, recast as Saakshar Bharat (SB) Companies Act, 2013, corporations in
expanded systematically. Training has launched by the Prime Minister on India have invested over Rs. 1,00,000
also been diversified and programmes September 8, 2009, reflects the enhanced crore in diverse social projects.
modified to take care of the needs of focus on female literacy. The literacy rate, TEJAS Initiative for Skilling:
the modern development in technology. improved from 64.83% in 2001 to TEJAS (Training for Emirates Jobs
Activities have also been extended for 74.04% in 2011. The literacy rate and Skills), a Skill India International
application of science and technology to improved more sharply among females Project to train overseas Indians, was
rural development for establishment of as compared to males. While the literacy launched at the Dubai Expo, 2020.
linkages between different groups of rate for males rose by 6.9 percent from The project aims at skilling, certification
technical education system and the 75.26% to 82.14%, it increased by 11.8% and overseas employment of Indians
development sectors. The area of for females from 53.67% to 65.46% and creating pathways to enable the
emerging technologies such as between 2001 and 2011. Indian workforce to get equipped for
informatics, telematics, education skill and market requirements in the
technology, micro-electronics, robotics, SKILL DEVELOPMENT UAE.
water resource management, energy The schooling system only improves
studies, etc., are receiving special the educational level and overall LITERACY LEVELS
attention for development. understanding capacity of the population. Ever since Independence, elimination
The Technical Education System in Skill development through technical and of illiteracy has been one of the major
the country comprises more than vocational training improves learning of concerns of successive governments.
3,239 polytechnic institutions, 2,676 specific trades, technical intricacies and However, in view of the country’s vast
178 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
size, huge population and limited Literacy rates of the highest and Foundation Literacy and Numeracy
resource position, not much progress the lowest ranking States—2011 (FLN), the National Initiative
could be made in this direction. Thus, State Literacy rate All India rate
for Proficiency in Reading with
even in 2011, the literacy rate for the Understanding and Numeracy or NIPUN
country, as a whole, was not so high, Topmost States Bharat Mission was launched on July 5,
being 73%. However, literacy recorded Kerala 94.0 1 2021. It aims to create an enabling
an increase by over 8% as the figure in Lakshadweep 91.8 2 environment to ensure universal
2001 was 64.83%. The following tables Mizoram 91.3 3 acquisition of FLN, so that every
show the literacy rates for male, female Goa 88.7 4 child achieves the desired learning
and total population since 1901 along Tripura 87.2 5 competencies in reading, writing and
with their ranking among all the States States at the bottom numeracy by the end of class 3 within five
and Union Territories. Bihar 61.8 35 years, before 2026-27. A five-tier
Rajasthan 66.1 34 implementation mechanism is being set
All India Literacy Rates (Percent) up at the National, State, District, Block
Jharkhand 66.4 33
Year Male Female Total Andhra Pradesh 67.0 32 and School levels in all States and UTs
Jammu & under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme.
1901 9.8 0.6 5.3
1911 10.6 1.1 5.9 Kashmir 67.2 31
Source: Compiled from Census of India, 2011. STRATEGIC PRIORITY
1921 12.2 1.8 7.2 With India’s one-fourth population,
1931 15.6 2.9 9.5 Even though India’s educational status, 26.31% precisely, in the age group of
1941 24.9 7.3 16.1 over the past few decades, has been 0 to 14 years, country’s education sector
1951 27.2 8.9 18.33 characterised by massive quantitative is continued to grow. India has over 250
1961 40.4 15.4 28.30 expansion at all levels, it is still faced with million school going students, more than
1971 46.0 22.0 34.45 a staggering backlog of high illiteracy any other country. It also has one of the
1981 56.38 29.76 43.57 levels of 27% as per provisional Census largest networks of higher education
1991 64.13 39.29 52.21 data 2011. The attainment of the goal of institutions in the world. Number of
2001 75.26 53.67 64.83 universal elementary education still colleges in India has reached over 40,000.
2011 82.14 65.46 73.0 remains a distant possibility. Paucity of In FY2020-21, Gross Enrolment Ratio in
There are wide variations in literacy funds and a relatively low priority to higher education in India reached 27.1%.
rates among various states of the Indian education is a major cause of slow growth Higher education institutes in India are
Union. Kerala has the highest literary of educational infrastructure in India. focussing on creating online programmes
rate while Bihar stands at the bottom. due to the increasing demand from
The following table shows the literary NIPUN BHARAT students. According to KPMG, India has
rates of the five topmost literate states As part of the series of measures taken also become the second largest market
as well as those of the lowest ranking for implementation of the NEP 2020, for E-learning after the US. The sector
ones. which gives a lot of emphasis on reached over 2 billion in 2023.

HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

Health care is an important healthcare comprises variable quality In a significant milestone, India has
component of human resource services ranging from quacks, untrained achieved landmark achievement in
development. Good health adds to midwives, unqualified medical further reduction of child mortality rates.
efficiency, productivity, willingness and practitioners on the one hand and As per the Sample Registration System
ability to work hard and produce more, some high-quality nursing homes to (SRS) Statistical Report 2020 released on
thus making the individual as well as the superspecialty hospitals on the other. In September 22, 2022 by Registrar General
nation happier, stronger and affluent. the public sector, health care services of India (RGI), the country has been
Therefore, providing accessible, are delivered through a network of witnessing a progressive reduction in
affordable and quality health care, hospitals and dispensaries and IMR, U5MR and NMR since 2014
especially to the marginalised and community health centres. towards achieving the Sustainable
vulnerable sections of society is the key In the years before Independence, the Development Goals (SDG) targets by
objective of the Government. Health of healthcare system in India was virtually 2030.
the people is affected by a number of non-existent in the rural areas, while only
factors such as diseases, nutrition, big towns and cities had some qualified INDICATOR SRS SRS SRS
pollution, water quality, hygiene, medical practitioners and a few hospitals, 2014 2019 2020
sanitation, etc. Health care, thus, poses dispensaries and other medical facilities.
innumerable challenges in India, with its Child and mother care was almost totally Crude Birth
large population and paucity of absent. The result was that death rate Rate (CBR) 21.0 19.7 19.5
resources. was high at 27.4 per thousand persons Total Fertility Rate 2.3 2.1 2.0
Healthcare infrastructure in India in 1941, infant mortality rate around 180 Early Neonatal
comprises a network of hospitals, per thousand live births, and death rate Mortality Rate
dispensaries, doctors, nurses and other of woman during childbirth was 20 per (ENMR)—0-7 days 20 16 15
paramedical staff. Besides allopathic thousand. The Government of India, Neonatal Mortality
doctors and medicines, India’s health after Independence, made extensive Rate (NMR) 26 22 20
sector also includes other system of efforts to expand and improve health Infant Mortality
medicines such as Homeopathy, care facilities, both in the urban as well Rate (IMR) 39 30 28
Ayurveda, Unani, Naturopathy, etc. as rural areas. These facilities have made Under 5 Mortality
The healthcare structure in India has some definite positive impact on life and Rate (U5MR) 45 35 32
a mix of private and public healthcare health of people, more particularly in Source: Press Information Bureau, Government
services providers. The private sector rural areas. of India
180 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 Following a steady downward trend, villages. Each sub-centre is managed by Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri
IMR, U5MR and NMR have further one multipurpose male and one Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the
declined: multipurpose female worker who provide Government scheme to make health care
H Under 5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) basic drugs for some minor ailments. facilities available and accessible to the
the country has shown significant decline These centres have mainly educative and economically weaker segment of the
of 3 points (Annual Decline Rate: 8.6%) promotional functions relating to family population, is indeed one such step. The
from 2019 (32 per 1000 live births in welfare, mother and child care, nutrition, much desirable National Digital Health
2020 against 35 per 1000 live births in immunisation etc. Mission (NDHM) helps create an
2019). It varies from 36 in rural areas Primary Health Centres (PHC’s): integrated nationwide database of health
to 21 in urban areas. The primary health centre serves to a service providers, patient records over
U5MR for Female is higher (33) than larger cluster of villages. It is a sort of care continuum and patient consent
male (31). There has been a decline of a dispensary cum mini-hospitals, that management using open API framework.
4 points in male U5MR and 3 points in takes care of common diseases and As per official sources, the doctor-
female U5MR during the corresponding ailments of the villagers. It is managed population ratio is now 1:834 - which is
period. by a qualified medical practitioner below the WHO norm of 1:1000. But
Highest decline of U5MR is observed (doctor) and a support staff of the while calculating this, the Survey makes
in the State of Uttar Pradesh (5 points) paramedicos and some other workers. It an important assumption that out of
and Karnataka (5 points). is a 30-bed patient facility that provides 13,08,009 registered 'allopathic doctors'
H Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has also curative, preventive and family welfare and 5.7 lakh 'Ayush doctors', at least 80%
registered 2-point decline to 28 per 1000 services. would remain available for patients, or
live births in 2020 from 30 per 1000 live Community Health Centres remain present.
births in 2019 (Annual Decline Rate: (CHC’s): The community health centres According to an official Press
6.7%). offer specialised medical care services Information Bureau release, dated
H The Rural-Urban difference has to the rural people. Each CHC is manned December 23, 2023, the government has
narrowed to 12 points (Urban - 19, by four medical specialists (a physician, increased number of Medical Colleges
Rural - 31). a surgeon, a gynaecologist and a and subsequently increased MBBS seats.
H No gender differential has been pediatrician), 21 paramedics and other There is an increase of 82% in Medical
observed in 2020 (Male - 28, Female - 28). administrative staff. Each CHC has a 30- Colleges from 387 before 2014 to 706
H Neonatal Mortality Rate has also bed facility, an X-ray room, a labour as of 2024. Further, there has been an
declined by 2 points from 22 per 1000 room and laboratory facilities. increase of 112% in MBBS seats from
live births in 2019 to 20 per 1000 live 51,348 before 2014 to 1,08,940 in 2024
births in 2020 (Annual Decline Rate: KEY HEALTH POINTERS and PG seats have been increased by
9.1%). It ranges from 12 in urban areas Good Health confers on a person or 127% from 31,185 before 2014 to 70,674
to 23 in rural areas. groups freedom from illness and enables in 2024.
As per SRS 2020 Report, six (6) to realise one's potential. Health is,
States/ UT have already attained therefore, regarded as the indispensable NATIONAL HEALTH
SDG target of NMR (<=12 by 2030): basis for defining a person's sense of MISSION (NHM)
Kerala (4), Delhi (9), Tamil Nadu (9), well-being. Health care is not merely National Health Mission (NHM),
Maharashtra (11), Jammu & Kashmir medical care, is aligned with cultural launched by the Union Government in
(12) and Punjab (12). Eleven (11) States/ understanding of ill health and well- May 2013, aims to ensure achievement
UT have already attained SDGs target being, extent of socioeconomic on certain health indicators and set goals.
of U5MR (<=25 by 2030): Kerala (8), disparities, reach of health services and It brings the National Rural Health
Tamil Nadu (13), Delhi (14), Maharashtra quality and costs of care along with Mission (NRHM), launched in 2005,
(18), J&K (17), Karnataka (21), Punjab current bio-medical understanding about under its overarching ambit, as a sub-
(22), West Bengal (22), Telangana (23), health and illness. Historically, the India’s mission and creates a new sub-mission
Gujarat (24) and Himachal Pradesh (24). commitment to health development has Nation Urban Health Mission (NUHM),
According to leading research platform been guided by two principles. The first
Macrotrends, India's infant mortality rate with an overall objective of focusing on
principle is 'state responsibility' for health reproductive and child health, tackling
for 2024 has been 25.799 deaths per 1000 care and the second is free medical care
live births, which is a 3.08% decrease two categories of diseases, communicable
for all, and not merely to those who are and non-communicable, and giving major
from 2023. In 2023, the infant mortality unable to pay. Our country began with
rate was 26.619 deaths per 1000 live impetus to health infrastructure facilities
a glorious tradition of public health, as at district and sub-district levels. The goals
births, a 3.89% decrease from 2022. seen in the references to the descriptions set by the Mission included reduction of
of the Indus Valley Civilisation which maternity mortality rate to 1/1000 live
RURAL HEALTH mentions "Arogya" as reflecting "holistic births; reduction of infant mortality rate
INFRASTRUCTURE well-being". to 25/1,000 live births; reduction of
Since a vast majority of people in India Today, we are a countr y with total fertility rate to 2.1; and prevention
live in villages, establishment, expansion tremendous diversity, and therefore, an and reduction of anaemia in women aged
and improvement of the rural healthcare enormous challenge to the healthcare 15-49 years.
system is of paramount importance. delivery system. This brings into sharp
The Government has set up a three-tier focus the global commitment of WHO
to achieve Universal Health Coverage till NATIONAL RURAL
structure of health care in rural areas
that comprises Sub-Centres, Primary 2030 under Sustainable Development HEALTH MISSION
Health Centres and Community Health Goals (SDGs); Target 3.8: Achieve (NRHM)
Centres, besides dispensaries and universal health coverage, including National Rural Health Mission
hospitals. financial risk protection, access to quality (NRHM) seeks to provide accessible,
Sub-Centres (SC’s): The sub-centres essential health-care services and access affordable and quality health care to
are the lowest units in the rural healthcare to safe, effective, quality and affordable rural population, especially the
infrastructure that have been set up in essential medicines and vaccines for all. vulnerable groups. The thrust of mission
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 181
is on establishing a fully functional Mortality Ratio (MMR) of India has
community-owned, decentralised health declined to 97 per 1,00,000 live births GOVT. APPROVES
delivery system. As of May 2023, more for 2018-2020 from 178 per 1,00,000 for HEALTH COVERAGE TO
than 10.4 lakh Accredited Social Health 2010-2012. The present level of Infant SENIOR CITIZENS OF
Activists (ASHAs) under NRHM were Mortality Rate (IMR) was 28 infant 70 YRS AND ABOVE
serving as facilitators, mobilisers and deaths per thousand live births, for the The Union Cabinet, on September
providers of community-level care. The year 2020 which is significantly declined 11, 2024, approved the health
WHO has recognised India’s 10 lakh from 74 infant deaths per thousand live coverage to all the senior citizens aged
ASHA workers as ‘Global Health births in 1994. 70 years and above irrespective of
Leaders’. income under the flagship scheme
INTEGRATED CHILD AB PM-JAY. This aims to benefit
NATIONAL URBAN DEVELOPMENT SCHEME approximately 4.5 crore families with
HEALTH MISSION (ICDS) six crore senior citizens with Rs. 5 lakh
(NUHM) This scheme (ICDS) aim at holistic free health insurance cover on a
National Urban Health Mission development of children upto 6 years of family basis. The senior citizens of the
(NUHM) seeks to improve the health of age as well as to meet nutritional needs age 70 years and above belonging to
the urban population, particularly the of pregnant women and lactating families already covered under
urban poor and the vulnerable sections mothers. Special emphasis is given to AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-
in urban areas. The NUHM seeks to providing toilets and safe drinking water up cover up to Rs. 5 lakh per year for
facilitate access of the urban poor to at every Anganwadi centre. themselves (which they do not have
quality healthcare at the primary to share with the other members of
healthcare level. The Urban Health PRADHAN MANTRI the family who are below the age of
Mission covers all state capitals, district UJJWALA YOJANA (PMUY) 70 years).
headquarters and other cities with a
Under the scheme LPG connections
population of 50,000 and above in a
are provided to women belonging to PRADHAN MANTRI
phased manner. SURAKSHIT MATRITVA
BPL families with the aim of
safeguarding the health of women and ABHIYAN (PMSMA)
THE NATIONAL HEALTH children by providing them green and This scheme, launched in 2016,
POLICY 2017 clean cooking fuel. provides comprehensive and quality
The New National Health Policy Ante-Natal care to pregnant women.
approved by the Union Cabinet on AYUSHMAN BHARAT Under PMSMA doctors from both
March 15, 2017 replaced the earlier The Union Government’s health public and private sector examine the
National Health Policy of 2002. The insurance scheme, the Ayushman Bharat pregnant women on 9th of every month
primary aim of the National Health Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana at Government Health Facilities.
Policy 2017 is to inform, classify, (AB-PMJAY), launched in September
strengthen and prioritise the role of the 2018 with an aim to extend universal NATIONAL AYUSH
Government in shaping health systems health coverage to 12 crore poor and MISSION (NAM)
in all their dimensions, including underprivileged families or approximately
investments in health organisation and National AYUSH Mission (NAM),
financing of health care services, 50 crore people, provides free treatment launched in September 2014, is a flagship
prevention of disease and promotion of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year on scheme of the Union Ministry of Ayush
good health. The main objective of the hospitalisation in the empanelled (earlier AYUSH), has a basic objective
new policy is to achieve the highest hospitals. This is dubbed as the world’s of promoting indigenous AYUSH
possible level of good health and largest health cover programme funded medical systems through cost effective
well-being through a preventive and by the Government. services. AYUSH (a Hindi word, derived
promotive healthcare orientation in As in September 2024, India completed from Sanskrit, meaning long and healthy
all developmental policies and to six years of AB-PMJAY. It subsumed the life) is also the acronym of Ayurveda,
achieve universal access to good quality on-going Centrally sponsored schemes— Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha,
healthcare services without anyone Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) Sowa-Rigpa, Homoeopathy, the
having to face financial hardships. The and the Senior Citizen Health Insurance ancient medical systems widely practised
Policy proposes to raise public health Scheme (SCHIS). in India. These systems are based on
expenditure to 2.5% of GDP in a time Two other similar schemes are Pradhan definite medical philosophies and
bound manner with the aim of building Mantri Suraksha Beema Yojana (PMSBY) represent a way of healthy living with
up a public healthcare system that is and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Beema established concepts on prevention
comprehensive, integrated and accessible Yojana (PMJJBY). Both PMSBY and of diseases and promotion of health.
to all. PMJJBY are social security schemes to The basic approach of all these systems
provide basic healthcare facilites to on health, disease and treatment is
Indian citizens. holistic.
NATIONAL HEALTH National Health Policy 2017 advocated
PROFILE PRADHAN MANTRI mainstreaming the potential of AYUSH
The Central Bureau of Health systems within the pluralistic system of
Intelligence (CBHI) has been releasing MATRITVA VANDANA Integrative healthcare. Accordingly,
its Annual Publication "National Health YOJANA (PMMVY) in March 2020, the Union Cabinet
Profile (NHP)" on a regular basis since It provides maternity benefits for approved the inclusion of 12,500
2005. The latest, NHP-2022 was released eligible pregnant women and lactating AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres
on January 3, 2023. As per the NHP- mothers and also ensures partial (AYUSH HWC), a component of the
2022, India's Total Fertility Rate was 2.05 compensation for wage loss so that Ayushman Bharat, in the National Ayush
in 2020 which has been gradually women can take adequate rest before Mission, in a phased manner, with an
declining from 2.3 in 2016. Maternal and after delivery. objective to establish a holistic wellness
182 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
model based on AYUSH principles and of diseases and expansion of existing outcoems across 112 aspirational
practices focusing on preventive, research institutions that study districts. It is an umberella scheme
promotive, curative, rehabilitative and pandemics. covering the Integ rated Child
palliative healthcare by integration with Development Services (ICDS),
the existing public healthcare system. The FAMILY WELFARE Anganwadi Services, Poshan Abhiyan,
first 10 AYUSH HWCs were launched PROGRAMME Scheme For Adolescent Girls and
in August 2019 in Haryana. Another India, which is the second most National Creche Scheme.
3,068 AYUSH HWCs were approved in populous country in the world next only
July 2020. to China, is headed to overtake China ACHIEVEMENT OF
by the middle of this century. India is HEALTHCARE AND
NATIONAL DIGITAL passing through a phase of high birth FAMILY WELFARE
HEALTH MISSION rate and low death rate, while China has PROGRAMME
(NDHM) controlled its birth rate by vigorously Healthcare infrastructure has made
National Digital Health Mission, also adopting ‘one child norm’. India too, huge quantitative as well as qualitative
known as the Ayushman Bharat Digital took early steps to control birth rate progress since Independence. Many new
Mission, is another flagship digital through its Family Planning Programme, hospitals and dispensaries have been set
initiative of the Union Government to but it did not meet much success due to up and healthcare facilities extended to
create a seamless online platfor m lack of proper awareness among the rural areas and far-flung places.
through the provision of a wide-range people and an element of coersion Diagnostic techniques have become
of data, information and infrastructure introduced by the Government. The more sophisticated and accessible and
services duly leveraging open, programme was therefore modified and spread of many diseases has been
interoperable, standard-based digital renamed Family Welfare Programme. successfully prevented. Dreaded diseases
systems. Launched in September 2021, Under the programme, people are like chickenpox, polio etc. have been
the Mission envisages to provide not just encourag ed to voluntarily adopt eradicated while malaria, filaria, TB etc.
a unique Health ID to every citizen of contraceptive devices to limit birth rate have been largely controlled. As a result,
the country but also a digital registry of and contribute to limiting population diseases that earlier would assume the
all healthcare professionals and facilities growth rate. Besides limiting birth rate, shape of a epidemics, now remain
across the country. It will enable all the family welfare programme is aimed at confined only to some small areas.
citizens to link their personal health holistic well-being of the family, Immunisation now covers about
records to their respective Health ID including care of pregnant woman, 60 to 80% of all children below 2 years
while Healthcare Professional Registry lactating mothers and protecting infants of age with Sikkim and West Bengal
(HPR) will work as repository of and children from diseases and having a coverage of 83 to 85%. With
registered doctors, nurses, paramedical malnourishment. all these developments in the healthcare
with their qualification, experience and sector, country’s health indicators have
other relevant details. POSHAN ABHIYAN & substantially improved.
MISSION POSHAN 2.0
AYUSHMAN BHARAT Poshan Abhiyan or National Nutrition AYUSHMAN BHAV
HEALTH Mission (NNM), launched in March CAMPAIGN
2018, was a flagship programme of the
INFRASTRUCTURE Union Government to tackle the
Hon’ble President Ms. Droupadi
MISSION Murmu on September 13, 2023 launched
problem of malnutrition prevalent in the a new Ayushman Bhav campaign. The
The Ayushman Bharat Health country. Through a number of initiatives,
Infrastructure Mission, launched in objective of the campaign is to
it attempted to improve nutritional achieve the Union Health Ministry’s
October 2021, is the largest pan-India outcomes for children, pregnant women
scheme for the creation and target of providing healthcare services
and lactating mothers. In February 2021, to every village and town in the country.
improvement of long-term public the Poshan Abhiyan and other The campaign aims at providing a
healthcare infrastructure in each supplementary nutrition programmes comprehensive nationwide healthcare
district of the country. With an outlay were merged to launch the Mission initiative to saturate coverage of healthcare
of Rs. 64,180 crore from FY 2021-22 to Poshan 2.0 as another flagship services, reaching every village and town.
2025-26, the Mission seeks to address programme, with an aim to strengthen The Health Ministry also launched
three critical gaps in India’s public health the nutritional content, delivery, outreach Ayushman Apke Dwar 3.0 programme,
sector: augmenting health facilities for and outcomes. Under the Mission which allows eligible beneficiaries enrolled
treatment, setting up of Integrated Poshan 2.0, an intensified strategy has under the PMJAY scheme to download
Public Health laboratories for diagnosis been adopted to improve nutritional their health card on their own.

NATIONAL INCOME
National income is the sum total various sectors of the economy during is equal to net national product at
of money value of all the final goods one year. factor cost.
and services produced in a country Since production generates income
during the period of one year. It to all those who participate in the TRENDS IN NATIONAL
is an aggregative measure of the production process, national income INCOME
value of all the goods and services can also be defined as the sum National Income estimates are
produced in agriculture, industry, trade total of incomes accruing to factors published annually by the Central
and all the other vocations in an of production as reward for factor Statistical Organisation of the
economy calculated without any double services rendered by the normal Government of India (CSO) in its
counting. In other words, it measures residents of a country in the course of publication ‘National Accounts Statistics’.
the gross value added (GVA) by one year. National income, therefore, The current series of national income
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 183
Table-1 : Net National Income and Per Capita Income in India 1950-51 to 2020-21 the change in base year from 2004-05 to
Year Net National Income Per Capita Income 2011-12 under the new series, national
(Rs. crore) (Rupees) income at constant prices, has gone up
At current prices At constant prices At current prices At constant prices from Rs. 77,42,330 crore in 2011-12 to
Base Year 2004-05 Rs. 1,26,41,633 crore (2nd RE) crore in
1950-51 9829 269724 274 7513 2019-20, a near 50% increase in seven
1960-61 17062 411519 393 9482 years. Though, it took a severe hit in
1970-71 44550 596470 823 11025 2020-21 due to Covid-19 pandemic
1980-81 138565 795193 2041 11711 and came down to Rs. 1,15,36,004 crore
1990-91 526017 1342031 6270 15996 (1st RE). It again bounced back to
2000-01 1947788 2291795 19115 22491 Rs. 1,28,72,132 crore in 2021-22 and
2010-11 6942089 4657438 58534 39270
2011-12 8052996 4958849 66997 41255 further increased to Rs. 1,37,46,502 crore
Base Year 2011-12 (1st AE) in 2022-23. The National
2011-12 7742330 7742330 63462 63462 Income at constant prices again surged
2015-16 12162398 9963681 94797 77659 to Rs. 1,48,90,760 crore in 2023-24 (PE).
2016-17 13623937 10782092 104880 83003 However, this growth has neither been
2017-18 (2nd RE) 15149545 11540556 115293 87828 uniform nor steady during this period.
2018-19 (1st RE) 16789288 12219693 126521 92085 As shown in the table-2, growth rate of
2019-20 (2nd RE) 17716597 12641633 132115 94270 national income has sharply varied from
2020-21 (1st RE) 17194158 11536004 126855 85110
2021-22 20652786 12872132 150906 94054 one decade to another and also from
2022-23 (1st RE) 23439442 13746502 169496 99404 one year to another. However, one thing
2023-24 (PE) 25696663 14890760 184205 106744 that clearly emerges from the growth
trend in national income is that whereas
(PE : Provisional Estimates; RE : Revised Estimates; AE : Advance Estimates) during the first three decades of
Note : National Income data for 2011-12 onward is not comparable with the earlier data due to change in the base year.
Source: National Statistical Office. development, viz., 1951-81, the growth
rate was low and revolved around 3.5%,
estimates records India's national income year for estimating national income at from 1981 onward the economy has
since 1950-51 onwards. The estimates constant prices from 2004-05 to 2011- entered a relatively high growth phase.
presented are of two types, viz. (i) those 12, and also because of some changes
based on current prices, i.e. the prices in methodology of making national
prevailing in the year to which the income estimates, the data for 2011-12 TRENDS IN SECTORAL
estimates relate and (ii) those based on onwards is not strictly comparable with COMPOSITION OF
specified base-year prices, popularly the data for the previous years. NATIONAL INCOME
known as national income at constant Trends in National Income: Broad trends in the distribution of
prices. The base year for the constant National Income of India, at 2004-05 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by
price estimate of current series of prices, has grown from Rs. 2,69,724 crore industry of origin since 1950-51 also
national income estimates is 2004-05 in 1950-51 to Rs. 49,58,849 crore in varied from tie to time.
till the year 2011-12. For years after 2011-12. This indicates over eighteen- The share of primary sector in GDP
2011-12, a new series has been published fold rise in over sixty years. Further, with showed substantial decline over the last
and estimates for the later years are
available with 2011-12 as the base year. Table-2 : Average Annual Growth Rates of National and Per Capita Income (%)
For the purpose of comparing Net National Income Per Capita Income
national income and per capita incomes at current at constant at current at constant
over different years, it is desirable to prices prices prices prices
take into account only the estimates of 2004-05 Series
national and per capita income at 1951-52 6.2 3.5 4.5 1.8
constant base-year prices. This is so, 1960-61 9.6 5.8 7.6 3.8
because the national income figures at 1970-71 6.0 4.7 3.6 2.4
current-year prices value the output of 1980-81 19.5 6.9 16.8 4.6
that year at the prices prevailing in that 1990-91 16.6 5.2 14.3 3.1
very year. May be, if output remains 2000-01 6.9 3.2 5.1 1.4
the same next year, but the prices go 2010-11 20.1 9.8 18.5 8.3
2011-12 16.0 6.5 14.5 5.1
up, then the national income figures 2011-12 Series
will show a higher estimate than what 2012-13 13.2 4.5 11.9 3.3
the real output has been during the year 2013-14 12.9 6.0 11.5 4.6
for which the estimates have been made. 2014-15 10.9 7.5 9.5 6.2
Thus, to estimate the effect of rising 2015-16 10.8 8.0 9.4 6.7
prices on the value of output, it is 2016-17 10.9 8.2 10.6 6.9
necessary to compare the national 2017-18 (2nd RE) 12.3 7.0 9.9 5.8
income figures at constant prices. This 2018-19 (1st RE) 10.8 5.9 9.7 4.8
would give an accurate idea of the 2019-20 (2nd RE) 6.0 3.4 4.9 2.3
2020-21 –2.8 –7.9 –3.9 –8.9
changes in real income, i.e., changes in 2021-22 19.7 10.4 18.6 9.3
the output of goods and services 2022-23 (1st RE) 13.5 6.8 12.3 5.7
obtaining in these two years under 2023-24 (PE) 9.6 8.3 8.7 7.4
comparison. The table-1 presents the
national income estimates in India since (PE : Provisional Estimates; RE : Revised Estimates; AE : Advance Estimates)
Note : Data for growth rate of National Income for 2012-13 onward is not comparable with the earlier data due to change
1950-51 onwards. It must be kept in in the base year from 2004-05 to 2011-16.
mind that due to change in the base Source: Compiled from Economic Survey 2022-23 and National Statistical Office.

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 185

six decades. This sector (agriculture, contributed over 28.4% of GDP. The of economic progress made during these
forestry, fishing, mining, etc.) which share of tertiary sector (Transport, years. Now the service sector (tertiary
contributed 55% of GDP in 1950-51, Communications, Trade, Banking, sector) contributes half of the GDP while
contributed only about 16% in 2011-12. Insurance, Public Administration, primary and secondary sectors contribute
However, under the new series with the Defence, etc.) has gone up from 28% in about a quarter each. An important point
base year 2011-12, share of agriculture 1950-51 to over 57% in 2011-12. Under to note is that while in the development
and allied sector was revised upwards the new series, share of the services process of the contemporary developed
to 21.6% in 2011-12 that declined to sector was placed at 48.5% in 2011-12 countries, with the decline in the share
17.2% in 2018-19. The contribution that increased to 55.3% in 2019-20. Thus, of agriculture, there was initially an
of the secondary sector comprising over the past years, there has been a increase in the share of secondary sector
manufacturing industry, construction, perceptible decline in percentage and only much later the share of service
electricity, gas and water supply has gone contribution of primary sector to the sector became predominant, in case of
up from 13% in 1950-51 to over 26% in GDP, contribution of secondary sector India, service sector has so developed
2011-12. This share was revised to about and the tertiary sector has gone up. The as to occupy the position of the
30% in 2011-12 under the new series. change in the relative share of various predominant partner in economic
In 2018-19, the secondary sector sectors of GDP is a direct consequence development.

THE BYGONE ERA OF PLANNED

DEVELOPMENT : PLANNING COMMISSION
AND THE FIVE-YEAR PLANS
Independent India inherited from country’s economic development. advanced affluent nations, while we are
its colonial masters an economy which Following this, the First Five-Year Plan still grappling with the problems of
was completely dishevelled by the was launched in April 1951. Since then, poverty, malnutrition, unemployment
discriminatory and biased policies of the eleven Five-Year plans and some and low living standards. This has
Government of British India and was intermittent Annual Plans had been happened because the planning process
further ravaged by the Second World implemented while the Twelfth Five- brought in more restrictions, controls
War and partition of the country. Year Plan, the last in the chain of and other such impediments which
Agriculture, industry, trade, employment, planning, completed its course in March stifled the spirit of enterprise and
etc. all were in tatters and the economy 2017. The accompanied table gives the innovation that are imperative for rapid
was in deep crisis. Urgent steps were summary presentation of the public economic development. Gigantic growth
therefore required to meet the immediate sector outlay, growth target and the of the public sector under the plans,
problems at hand, while long-term actual growth rate realised under various accompanied with all its flawed policies,
strategy was needed to ensure speedy Five-Year Plans. inefficiencies and corrupt practices,
reconstruction and sustained economic hindered the growth process.
growth. The Government of India PACE OF GROWTH Consequently, the first three decades of
adopted a course of planned economic UNDER THE PLANS planned development (1951-81) saw an
development, and for this, set up the India’s economic development under average annual growth rate of just about
Planning Commission in March 1950. the Plans has been slow to moderate, 3 to 3.5%. It improved a bit during the
The Planning Commission, under the and at times tardy and erratic. In fact, next decade due to some liberalisation
Chairmanship of the Prime Minister of countries that opted for free market introduced by the then Prime Minister
India (Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru at that economy (Singapore, Hong Kong, South Rajiv Gandhi. The economic reforms
time) was charged with the task of Korea, etc.) around the time when India introduced in July 1991 by the
assessing country’s actual and potential began its planned development Government headed by P. V. Narsimha
resources and preparing plans for programme, are today among the Rao, gave a further push to liberalisation
and economic growth. However, record
Table: Public Sector Outlay, Targets and Actual Growth Rates During the of economic growth under the Five-Year
Five-Year Plans plans even in the post-reform period has
Plans Period Covered Public Sector Outlay Growth Rate (%) nothing much to boast about. There has,
Actual thus, been a growing feeling that
Rs. (Crore) Target Realised planning has not been of much use in
First Five-Year Plan 1951–1956 1,960.0 2.1 3.5 India’s economic development. India, in
Second Five-Year Plan 1956–1961 4,672.0 4.5 4.2 fact, needs more doses of liberalisation,
Third Five-Year Plan 1961–1966 8,576.5 5.6 2.8 more economic freedom and much
Three Annual Plans 1966–1969 6,625.4 — 3.9 bigger and bolder economic reforms for
Fourth Five-Year Plan 1969–1974 15,778.8 5.7 3.2
Fifth Five-Year Plan 1974–1979 39,426.2 4.4 4.7 rapid development. And therefore,
Annual Plan 1979–1980 12,176.5 — –(5.2) planning which involves controls over
Sixth Five-Year Plan 1980–1985 1,09,291.7 5.2 5.5 resource allocation, and liberalisation
Seventh Five-Year Plan 1985–1990 2,18,729.6 5.0 5.6 which entails freedom of enterprise,
Two Annual Plans 1990–1992 1,23,120.5 — 3.4 cannot really go together. Convinced by
Eighth Five-Year Plan 1992–1997 4,34,100.0 5.6 6.5
Ninth Five-Year Plan 1997–2002 *8,13,997.9 6.5 5.5 this view, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra
Tenth Five-Year Plan 2002–2007 *15,25,639.0 8.0 7.7 Modi declared his intention to disband
Eleventh Five-Year Plan 2007-2012 35,82,767.0 9.0 7.9 the Planning Commission, in his
Twelfth Five-Year Plan 2012–2017 *76,69,807.0 8.2 7.0 Independence Day address to the nation
Source: Compiled from Economic Survey 2017-18. on August 15, 2014.
186 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025 India
India strides into 2025 with anticipation, poised to tackle
significant challenges and seize big opportunities. The nation
(Continued from page 32) faces a delayed census, a heated debate over the
of the decade. It promises to remain the most exciting controversial proposals of simultaneous elections and
area of interest as nearly $1.5 trillion is expected to be changes in the Waqf Act. Already facing criticism for a
spent on AI data centres to underpin the rapidly expanding four-year delay, the Narendra Modi government is set to
technology in the next three years. However, the adoption commence the census count in 2025. This will help roll
rates are low, and companies are unsure how to use them. out the 33% women’s quota and the delimitation of
Still, the AI race is upending companies, industries, and Parliament and Assembly constituencies. However, the most
the way people live and work. The next frontier of AI is important outcome would be that the Government would
Agentic capabilities, an AI that operates autonomously, have the latest statistics to expand the social security net.
making decisions and taking actions based on its In 2025, India will host the Quad Leaders’ Summit and
understanding of the environment and predefined a possible India-EU Summit. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra
objectives. Modi could travel to China for the SCO Summit. Russian
President Mr. Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India. A
meeting between Mr. Modi and Mr. Trump is likely sooner
than later in 2025. Delhi in February and Bihar towards
the end of 2025 will face Assembly elections. However,
both these elections have little possibility of disturbing the
political apple cart, whatever the outcome.
India may have to deal with the consequences of the
policy change in the U.S. under Trump 2.0. These will be
crucial on two fronts: Indian immigrants in the U.S., both
illegal and legal, and the onslaught of new U.S. tariffs on
imports. Not only has Mr. Trump threatened en masse
deportations, but there is fear he may put curbs on
legitimate H1B work visas, too, affecting Indians.
Uncertainty looms over more than 5.4 million Indian
immigrants in the U.S.
In 2025, action on global AI governance will come into However, Mr. Trump’s expected disruptive policies also
sharper focus as countries balance the urgent need for present an opportunity for India. Suppose he executes his
increased international cooperation while navigating rising threat of making Chinese imports expensive in the U.S.; in
geopolitical tensions. In February, governments, tech that case, it will be an opportunity for Indian exporters to
companies, scientists and experts will meet in Paris, France, make inroads into the lucrative American market, and it
to discuss how to build ‘public-interest’ AI at the AI Action can also help India to become an integral part of global
Summit 2025. Canada’s G7 Presidency, starting in January value chains. Experts believe the geopolitical shift away
2025, is expected to focus on a shared approach to emerging from Chinese trade could benefit India’s labour-intensive
technology, which could supercharge G7 and OECD efforts export sectors, such as textiles and agricultural produce.
to advance safe, secure and trustworthy AI development. Capital-intensive industries like pharmaceuticals and heavy
In April 2025, Rwanda will host a major summit on Africa’s chemicals could also gain from the tailwinds of the ‘China
global role in AI. Plus One’ movement.
Throughout 2025, implementing the U.N.’s Global Digital India faces daunting economic challenges in 2025. The
Compact and the proposed blueprint for AI governance GDP growth has already slowed down in the first
could allow emerging powers to rewrite the rules and gain two quarters of FY 2024-25, especially in Q2, where it
more influence. New regulations on general-purpose AI dropped to a seven-quarter low of 5.4%. Several
from the European Union’s flagship ‘AI Act’ will come rating agencies have already shaved off an average of
into effect in August 2025. This regulation, the first of its 0.5 percentage points from their earlier optimistic estimates
kind, could also help advance a globally influential ‘code of around 7% GDP growth for India in FY2024-25.
of practice’ for AI companies to abide by. Though India will remain the world’s fastest-growing
major economy, the Government and the R.B.I. will have
to take measures to accelerate growth while keeping
Space Exploration inflation in check.
Space exploration will become more commercialised by
2025, with private companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Conclusion
and others driving innovation. While a human mission to The Year 2025 promises to be a pivotal moment in
Mars will still be a few years away, plans for lunar bases humanity’s history, marked by rapid technological
and the establishment of long-term human presence on advancements, shifting geopolitical landscapes, and
the Moon may take significant steps forward. These significant climate change and sustainability challenges.
missions will serve as testing grounds for deeper space While the future remains uncertain, one thing is clear:
exploration, laying the foundation for colonising other People are on the brink of profound transformations in
planets. The commercial space sector will also foster the nearly every aspect of life, from how they work to how
growth of space tourism, with private companies offering they live and interact with the world around them. The key
suborbital flights for wealthy customers. While this will to navigating this new era will lie in people’s ability to
remain a niche market in 2025, it will pave the way for adapt, innovate, and work together to create a more
broader space accessibility in the future. sustainable and equitable global society.

188 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 10 Years Of NITI Aayog
One of the most crucial and within and outside the
path-breaking initiatives of the Government had concluded that
Bharatiya Janata Party-led the institution of Planning
National Democratic Alliance Commission no longer reflected
Government at the Centre, the the needs and structure of an
National Institution for increasingly market-driven Indian
Transforming India (NITI) economy.
Aayog, completed a decade of its NITI Aayog’s first decade has
illustrious existence as the been shaped by the steady and
country’s premier policy think wise leadership of its Chairman,
tank on January 1, 2025. Ever Prime Minister Mr. Modi, and by
since replacing Planning India’s rising profile in the global
Commission with its birth on economy. The major initiatives
January 1, 2015, NITI Aayog has taken and programmes launched
come a long way as a harbinger of by NITI Aayog since its
positive change, growth and development as a nodal body in inception include: Aspirational District Programme, SDG
the Indian polity in a relatively short span of time. Over a India Index, SATH Project, Composite Water Management
decade, it has had a proven track record of providing strategic Index, Health Index, Atal Innovation Mission, School
advice and facilitating cooperative federalism among States Education Quality Index, Agriculture Marketing and Farmer
by acting as a central point for policy development and Friendly Reform Index, District Hospital Index, Good
coordination across different Government levels. Governance Index, Strategy for New India at 75, India
Functioning under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Innovation Index, Women Transforming India Awards,
Mr. Narendra Modi, NITI Aayog, which is an executive Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), e-AMRIT
body, reflects the spirit and the changed dynamics of the new Portal, and ‘Methanol Economy’ Programme.
India. It fulfils the need of governance framework adapting
to new challenges and requirements in the present-day socio- New Principled Approach
cultural-economic contexts. The aspirations of India and its In a newspaper article, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog
citizens require institutional reforms in governance and Mr. Suman Bery noted that under PM Mr. Modi’s guidance,
dynamic policy shifts that can seed and nurture unprecedented certain principles have been established which have served
change. NITI Aayog aims to exactly serve this purpose. It the institution well over the last decade. The first principle
provides governments at the Central and State levels with envisaged extracting NITI Aayog from a direct financial
relevant strategic and technical advice across the spectrum allocation role. This is of particular relevance to India’s
of key elements of policy. This includes matters of national States, which earlier had to seek the Planning Commission’s
and international importance on the economic front, funding for part of their development expenditures.
dissemination of best practices from within the country as As such, the creation of NITI Aayog has marked a
well as from other nations, the infusion of new policy ideas, major move toward decentralisation. It has also prompted
and specific inputs based on various issues. NITI Aayog’s NITI Aayog to invent new tools to support the doctrine
primary focus is to foster inclusive and sustainable economic of “competitive and cooperative federalism”. These started
growth. It gives directional and strategic people-driven input with data-driven comparative indicators and have evolved
to Central, State and Union Territory governments with a to support States (at their request) to set up State-level
shared vision of national priorities, and shapes the country’s ‘institutions of transformation’ (SITs).
economic growth. NITI Aayog is also the nodal agency for tracking India’s
An important evolutionary change from the past, NITI performance on the UN’s Agenda 2030. In this capacity, it
Aayog replaced a Union-to-State one-way flow of policy has devised and improved the SDG India Index, promoting
by a genuine and continuing partnership with the States. competition and accountability among States. Chief Ministers
NITI Aayog is based on seven pillars of effective of all States, Administrators of Union Territories and selected
governance: pro-people, pro-activity, participation, Union Ministers are all ex-officio members of NITI Aayog’s
empowering, inclusion of all, equality, and transparency. Governing Council. The annual meeting of this Governing
Its entire gamut of activities can be divided into four main Council is the substantive embodiment of “Team India”
heads: ‘Policy and Programme Framework’, ‘Cooperative which articulates a development vision for the country that
Federalism’, ‘Monitoring and Evaluation’, and ‘Think Tank transcends political differences. An important recent
& Knowledge and Innovation Hub’. innovation is structured engagement with Chief Secretaries
of States, which makes NITI Aayog politically neutral.
Major Initiatives Taken by NITI Aayog Mr. Bery further highlights that a second principled
“We will replace the Planning Commission with a new approach, with strictly limited exceptions, is that at the
institution having a new design and structure, a new body, a Union level, NITI Aayog is encouraged to explore and
new soul, a new thinking, a new direction”. These were promote new initiatives, but hand over implementation to
the words of Mr. Narendra Modi on August 15, 2014, in Ministries which remain accountable for delivery. NITI
his first Independence Day speech as Prime Minister. The Aayog is best placed to focus on cross-Ministry issues,
many feats of NITI Aayog have proved Mr. Modi’s driving transformation and reform, fostering long-term
words right in letter and spirit. While radical, the initiative to thinking, and stimulating action-oriented debate. This
form NITI Aayog was not unexpected as much commentary positioning equips NITI Aayog to be an informed

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 189

 commentator on the progress of these schemes. There are coverage) of key Central Government programmes at the
several examples of initiatives that were led by NITI Aayog block level.
and then taken over by Union Ministries. These include Since 2016, NITI Aayog has housed the Atal Innovation
the e-mobility initiative, the Production-Linked Incentive Mission (AIM) to promote innovation and entrepreneurship
scheme, Mission LiFE and the promotion of Green through initiatives like Atal Tinkering Labs, training over
Hydrogen. Typically, these are initiatives that are located one crore school-level students in design thinking and
within a broader framework to which NITI Aayog would entrepreneurship, and Atal Incubation Centres for startups.
also have contributed, such as India’s Nationally Determined AIM 2.0 aims to expand innovation ecosystems to 22
Contributions on climate change or a broad strategy to languages and customise them for hilly and tribal regions
reduce the burden of out-of-pocket health expenditures such as Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.
for poor households. It is to be noted that Prime Minister Mr. Modi has
announced the coming two decades to be India’s “Amrit
Kaal”—an era of unprecedented opportunity that needs
Making A Difference to be harnessed to meet the aspirations of all Indians. The
Inspired by the belief of PM Mr. Modi that focused and primordial challenge facing the country is to use technology
data-driven management was at least as important as to generate better opportunities for India’s young workforce.
finance, NITI Aayog designed the Aspirational Districts
Programme in 2018 for a carefully chosen, stable cohort
of 112 underdeveloped districts to bring about concrete Conclusion
changes in health, education, agriculture, skill development If India is to grow speedily and sustainably in economic
and infrastructure. The relative performance of districts is sphere, rising labour productivity is the only sure route to
tracked monthly, and small but prestigious cash awards are better incomes. Expanding employment with abundant
distributed by NITI Aayog for well-performing districts. availability of increasingly well-educated workforce will
External evaluations have testified to the substantive facilitate faster growth. The challenges and opportunities
difference that this approach has brought about in some of the coming decade for NITI Aayog will draw upon the
of the poorest parts of the country. lessons of its last 10 years in at least three areas: NITI
The Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) launched in Aayog’s ability to work across departmental silos at the
January 2023 builds on the success of the Aspirational Centre; to engage with States as willing partners; and to
Districts Programme. It targets 500 underdeveloped blocks ensure coherence between immediate imperatives and
in India, many of which are surprisingly close to otherwise medium-term goals.
affluent regions. NITI Aayog’s role has been to train and As a young and dynamic institution which is fast coming
empower local officials to create a robust tracking system of age, NITI Aayog will have to continuously evolve to
at the block level, and support ‘saturation’ (100% household remain relevant in the years ahead.

190 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 India’s Forex Reserves Hit 8-Month G.S.T. Collections Jump 7.3% YoY To
Low To Over $640.27 Billion About Rs. 1.77 Lakh Cr In Dec. 2024
India’s foreign exchange (forex) reserves declined by The gross Goods & Services Tax (G.S.T.) collection stood
$4.112 billion to an eight-month low of $640.279 billion during at Rs. 1,76,857 crore for December 2024, marking a 7.3%
the week ended December 27, 2024, according to the latest year-on-year growth compared to Rs. 1,64,882 crore in
R.B.I. data released on January 3, 2025. In the previous week December 2023, according to the Union Finance Ministry
ending on December 20, 2024, the overall kitty had dropped data released on January 1, 2025. However, the collections
by $8.478 billion to $644.391 billion. The reserves had fallen dropped 2.97% month-on-month, reaching a three-month low.
by $1.988 billion to a six-month low of $652.869 billion in the For context, G.S.T. collections in September, October and
week ending December 13, 2024, while they dropped by November 2024 were Rs. 1,73,240 crore, Rs. 1,87,346 crore,
$3.23 billion to $654.86 billion during the week ending and Rs. 1,82,269 crore, respectively.
December 6, 2024.

In December 2024, the Central G.S.T. collection stood at

Rs. 32,836 crore, State G.S.T. at Rs. 40,499 crore, Integrated
IGST at Rs. 47,783 crore and Cess at Rs. 11,471 crore. G.S.T.
The foreign reserves have been declining for the last few from domestic transactions grew 8.4% to Rs. 1.32 lakh crore,
weeks, and the drop has been attributed to revaluation along while revenues from tax on imports rose about 4% to
with forex market interventions by R.B.I. to help reduce Rs. 44,268 crore. Refunds worth Rs. 22,490 crore were issued,
volatilities in the rupee. The forex reserves reached an all-time registering a 31% increase over the year-ago period. After
high of $704.885 billion at the end of September 2024. Experts refunds were adjusted, net G.S.T. collection increased by
say the R.B.I. bought dollars from the NDF (non-deliverable 3.3% to Rs. 1.54 lakh crore.
forwards)/futures to close its month-end maturing open short The year-to-date (Y.T.D.) G.S.T. collections now stand at
dollar positions. Rs. 16,33,569 crore, reflecting a 9.10% increase over the same
For the week ended December 27, 2024, Foreign Currency period from April to December 2023. Despite this growth,
Assets, a major component of the reserves, decreased by collections are 18.98% short of the total projected collections
$4.641 billion to $551.921 billion. Expressed in dollar terms, for the fiscal year 2024-25.
the Foreign Currency Assets include the effect of appreciation
or depreciation of non-US units like the euro, pound and yen 98.12% Of Rs. 2,000 Notes Returned
held in the foreign exchange reserves. Gold reserves increased
by $541 million to $66.268 billion during the week. The The Reserve Bank of India said on January 1, 2025, that
Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) were down by $12 million to 98.12% of the Rs. 2,000 banknotes have been returned to the
$17.873 billion. India’s reserve position with the I.M.F. was banking system, and only Rs. 6,691 crore worth of such notes
unchanged at $4.217 billion in the week under review. are still with the public. The R.B.I. announced the withdrawal
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 191
of Rs. 2,000 denomination banknotes from circulation on
May 19, 2023. At that time, the total value of these notes in ECONOMY INDICATORS
circulation was Rs. 3.56 lakh crore. By December 31, 2024,
this amount had decreased to Rs. 6,691 crore, indicating a Bank Rate : 6.75%
significant currency return to the banking system. Repo Rate : 6.50%
The R.B.I. provided facilities for depositing and exchanging Reverse Repo Rate : 3.35%
Rs. 2,000 banknotes at all bank branches until October 7, Cash Reserve Ratio : 4.00%
2023. After this date, the facility was available only at the 19
Statutory Liquidity Ratio : 18.00%
issue offices of the R.B.I. From October 9, 2023, these offices
began accepting Rs. 2,000 banknotes from individuals and Base Rate : 9.10%–10.40%
entities for deposit into their bank accounts. Additionally, (As January 6, 2025)
people could send Rs. 2,000 banknotes through India Post
from any post office within the country to any of the R.B.I. Net foreign direct investment (F.D.I.) recorded an outflow
issue offices for credit to their bank accounts. The R.B.I. of $2.2 billion in Q2 FY25 compared to an outflow of
continues to accept these notes at its 19 issue offices. $0.8 billion in Q2 of 2023-24. Net inflows under foreign
portfolio investment (F.P.I.) surged to $19.9 billion in
R.B.I. Projects 6.6% G.D.P. Growth Q2 FY 2024-25 from $4.9 billion in Q2 FY 2023-24. In
April-September 2024, net F.P.I. inflows stood at $20.8 billion
In FY25 compared to net inflows of $20.7 billion in H1 FY24.
Non-resident deposits (N.R.I. deposits) recorded net inflows
According to the Financial Stability Report (F.S.R.) for of $6.2 billion in Q2 FY25, higher than $3.2 billion in
December 2024 by the Reserve Bank of India (R.B.I.) released Q2 FY24. The R.B.I. data showed an accretion of $18.6 billion
on December 30, 2024, the Indian economy is demonstrating
to the foreign exchange reserves (on a balance of payment
strength and stability. The report projects that the country’s basis) in Q2 FY25, higher than $2.5 billion in Q2 FY24.
G.D.P. will grow 6.6% in the fiscal year 2024-25. This growth
is expected to be driven by a resurgence in rural consumption,
increased government spending and investment, robust services R.B.I. Constitutes Expert Panel To
exports, declining non-performing assets and adequate capital Craft Ethical A.I. Framework
and liquidity buffers. The F.S.R. presents the joint evaluation
of the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and The Reserve Bank of India (R.B.I.) constituted a high-level
Development Council (F.S.D.C.) on the robustness of India’s committee to develop a Framework for Responsible and Ethical
financial system and potential risks to its financial stability. Enablement of Artificial Intelligence (FREE-AI) in the financial
The report also indicated that macro stress tests show that sector on December 26, 2024. The initiative, announced in the
most scheduled commercial banks (S.C.B.s) possess sufficient Monetary Policy Statement on December 6, 2024, underscores
capital buffers compared to the regulatory minimum limit, the central bank’s focus on fostering responsible A.I. innovation
even under severe stress conditions. These stress tests further while addressing associated risks. The committee, chaired by
confirm the robustness of mutual funds and clearing Mr. Pushpak Bhattacharyya, Professor at I.I.T. Bombay, brings
corporations. “The soundness of scheduled commercial banks together leading experts from academia, industry, and
(S.C.B.s) has been bolstered by strong profitability. Return on government.
assets (RoA) and return on equity (RoE) are at decadal highs, The committee’s key objective is to establish a governance
while the gross non-performing asset (G.N.P.A.) ratio has fallen framework to guide ethical A.I. adoption across financial
to a multi-year low,” the report said. On inflation, the report institutions, including banks, non-banking financial companies
suggests that in the future, the price-lowering impact of a (N.B.F.C.s), Fintechs, and Payment System Operators (P.S.O.s),
plentiful kharif harvest and promising rabi crop prospects are the circular issued by the R.B.I. noted. It has been tasked with
anticipated to reduce the cost of food grains. assessing the current state of A.I. adoption in financial services,
both globally and domestically, and reviewing international
India’s Current Account Deficit Narrows regulatory and supervisory practices. It will identify risks
associated with A.I., propose risk evaluation and mitigation
To 1.2% Of G.D.P. In Q2 FY25 mechanisms, and recommend a comprehensive governance
framework for ethical A.I. use in the Indian financial sector.
The country’s Current Account Deficit (C.A.D.) moderated The high-level committee comprises Ms. Debjani Ghosh,
marginally to $11.2 billion, or 1.2% of G.D.P., in the
Distinguished Fellow at NITI Aayog and former NASSCOM
July-September 2024 quarter (Q2 FY25) from $11.3 billion, or
President; Mr. Balaraman Ravindran, Head of the Wadhwani
1.3% of G.D.P., in Q2 FY24. During the April-September School of Data Science and A.I. at I.I.T. Madras; Mr. Abhishek
2024 period (H1 FY25), the Current Account Deficit was
Singh, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and
$21.4 billion (1.2% of G.D.P.) as compared with $20.2 billion
I.T.; Mr. Rahul Matthan, Partner at Trilegal; Ms. Anjani Rathor,
(1.2% of G.D.P.) in H1 of 2023-24, the Reserve Bank of Chief Digital Experience Officer at HDFC Bank; and Mr. Hari
India (R.B.I.) balance of payment (BoP) data showed on
Nagaralu, Head of Security A.I. Research at Microsoft India.
December 27, 2024. The Current Account Deficit is the
Mr. Suvendu Pati, C.G.M. of R.B.I.’s FinTech Department,
difference between exports and imports of goods and services. will be the Member Secretary.
It is a key indicator of the country’s external sector.
In Q2 FY25, the merchandise trade deficit increased to
$75.3 billion from $64.5 billion in Q2 FY24. Net services G.S.T. Council Levies 18% Tax On
receipts rose to $44.5 billion in Q2 FY25 from $39.9 billion Used E.V.s, Clarifies Popcorn G.S.T.
in Q2 FY24. Services exports have increased year-on-year
across major categories such as computer, business, travel, and Union Finance Minister Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman-led Goods
transportation services. Private transfer receipts, mainly & Services Tax (G.S.T.) Council Meeting in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan,
representing remittances by Indians employed overseas, increased on December 21, 2024, decided to levy an 18% G.S.T. rate on
to $31.9 billion in Q2 FY25 from $28.1 billion in Q2 FY24. the margin value on the sale of used electric vehicles (E.V.s)
192 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
by businesses and on old vehicles, while G.S.T. will be exempted
on the sale of used cars between individuals. The G.S.T.
Council clarified the taxability of popcorn, saying caramel
popcorn will continue to attract tax at 18%. The panel also
clarified that pre-packed and spiced popcorn will attract a
12% tax rate, while 5% will be levied on unpacked and
unlabeled ones.
The Council cut the tax rate on fortified rice kernels used
for public distribution to 5% from 18%. However, it deferred
the much-awaited decisions on reducing tax rates over life and
health insurance premiums and levying tax over food delivery
by app-based platforms such as Swiggy, Zepto, and Zomato.
G.S.T. has a four-tier tax structure with 5%, 12%, 18% and
28% slabs. Luxury and demerit goods are taxed at the highest
bracket of 28%, while packed food and essential items are at
the lowest 5% slab. G.S.T. rates and exemptions are prescribed
at the suggestion of the G.S.T. Council, a constitutional body
comprising representatives from States/ UTs and the Centre.

Net Direct Tax Collection Jumps

16.45% YoY To Rs. 15.82 Lakh Crore The non-food articles reported W.P.I. inflation at (–)0.98%
India’s net direct tax collection grew 16.45% year-on-year in November 2024 against (–)1.71% during October 2024.
to Rs. 15,82,584 crore by December 17, 2024, in the Minerals inflation stood at 5.89% in November 2024, up
FY 2024-25, according to the Income Tax Department data from 1.87% in October 2024. Crude Petroleum & Natural
on December 18, 2024. Advance tax collection rose 21% to Gas posted wholesale inflation at (–)8.11% in November 2024,
Rs. 7.56 lakh crore. On a gross basis, India’s direct tax and crude petroleum was at (–)7.72%.
collections in the FY 2024-25 till December 17, 2024, stood
at Rs. 19,21,508 crore, a 20.32% jump compared to the R.B.I. Raises Collateral-Free
corresponding period in FY 2023-24. The collection included Agricultural Loan Limit To Rs. 2 Lakh
corporate tax of over Rs. 7.42 lakh crore and non-corporate
tax mop-up of Rs. 7.97 lakh crore. Securities Transaction Tax The Reserve Bank of India (R.B.I.) has asked all banks to
(S.T.T.) of Rs. 40,114 crore was collected between April 1, waive collateral, mortgage and any margin deposits against
2024 and December 17, 2024. Refunds worth Rs. 3.39 lakh farm loans up to a limit of Rs. 2 lakh, the central bank said
crore were issued during the period, registering a growth of on December 14, 2024. The new rule came into effect from
42.49% year-on-year. Income tax return filings increased, with January 1, 2025. The central bank said agricultural loans would
over 8.09 crore returns filed for FY24, up from 7.40 crore in be collateral-free up to Rs. 2 lakh in keeping with current
FY23. However, only 6.68% of India’s population filed income inflation levels and the farm sector’s credit requirements. Earlier,
tax returns, with a notable number of individuals reporting loans of up to Rs. 1.6 lakh did not require a mortgage but, in
zero taxable income. certain cases, attracted margin-money deposits.
An R.B.I. letter to all commercial banks said: “Keeping in
view the overall inflation and rise in agriculture input cost
W.P.I. Inflation Eases To 1.89% over the years, it has been decided to raise the limit for
In November 2024 collateral-free agricultural loans, including loans for allied
activities, from the existing level of Rs. 1.6 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh
India’s Wholesale Price Index (W.P.I.)-based inflation eased per borrower.” It further stated, “Accordingly, banks are advised
to 1.89% in November 2024, data released by the Union to waive collateral security and margin requirements for
Commerce & Industry Ministry showed on December 16, agricultural loans, including loans for allied activities, up to
2024. In November 2023, W.P.I. inflation was 0.39%, and in Rs. 2 lakh per borrower.”
October 2024, it was 2.36%. The month-on-month change in The farm economy accounts for nearly 18% of India’s
W.P.I. for November 2024 stood at (–)0.06% compared to G.D.P., and almost half of the population depends on a farm-
October 2024. derived income. In February 2019, the central bank had raised
The wholesale inflation for food articles eased to 8.63% in the limit for collateral-free agricultural loans from Rs. 1 lakh
November 2024 compared to 13.54% in October 2024. The to Rs. 1.6 lakh. As per the R.B.I.’s extant guidelines on lending,
inflation rate for primary articles dropped to 5.49% in 40% of adjusted net bank credit (A.N.B.C.) or credit equivalent
November 2024 from 8.09% in October 2024. The fuel and amount of off-balance sheet exposure (O.B.E.), whichever is
power inflation was at (–)5.83% in November 2024 against higher, of any scheduled bank must go to priority sectors.
(–)5.79% in October 2024. Manufacturing product inflation
rose 2% from 1.5% in October 2024. Centre Receives Rs. 8,625 Crore
Under the food articles category, vegetable inflation dropped Through Disinvestment
to 28.57% in November 2024, posting a huge dip from 63.04%
in October 2024. Pulses inflation during November 2024 was The Union Government realised Rs. 8,625 crore through
at 5.97%, while the inflation for wheat stood at 8.35% during various minority stake sale disinvestments during the current
November 2024 against 8.04% in October 2024. Eggs, financial year 2024-25, the Minister of State for Finance
Meat & Fish inflation was 3.16%. Potato and onion reported Mr. Pankaj Chaudhary informed Lok Sabha in a written reply
inflation at 82.79% and 2.85%, respectively. Onion wholesale on December 16, 2024. The Government was asked to spell
inflation witnessed a drastic m-o-m drop from 39.25% in out details of disinvestment targets set and achieved by it
November 2024. during the last five financial years. The Minister informed
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 193
that the separate disinvestment target or estimate has been (43.58%), and coconut oil (42.13%) saw the highest
discontinued since 2023-24. year-on-year inflation. Conversely, items such as jeera
The Union Government typically carries out disinvestment (–35.04%), ginger (–16.96%), LPG (excluding conveyance,
through a minority stake sale and strategic disinvestment of –10.24%), and dry chillies (–9.73%) registered negative inflation.
C.P.S.E.s. Strategic Disinvestment implies the entire or In the housing sector, calculated only for urban areas, inflation
substantial sale of government shareholding of a C.P.S.E. increased slightly to 2.87% in November 2024, compared to
along with the transfer of management control. In the 2.81% in October 2024.
case of privatisation, the government equity in C.P.S.E.
and its management control is transferred to private India’s All-Time F.D.I. Inflows
strategic buyer(s); in other strategic disinvestment cases, the
government equity is transferred to another C.P.S.E. along Cross $1 Trillion
with control. India has achieved a significant milestone, with foreign direct
The Minister’s reply in Lok Sabha reads: “The policy on investment (F.D.I.) inflows surpassing the $1 trillion mark during
strategic disinvestment/privatisation is based on the economic the April 2000 to September 2024 period. This achievement
principle that Government should discontinue in sectors, underscores the nation’s position as a reliable and prominent
where competitive markets have come of age and economic investment hub on the global stage. Data from the Department
potential of such entities may be better discovered in the for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (D.P.I.I.T.) on
hands of strategic investor due to various factors such as December 12, 2024, revealed that the total F.D.I. inflows,
infusion of capital, technological upgradation and efficient encompassing equity, reinvested earnings, and other capital,
management practices.” Since 2016, the Government has reached $1,033.40 billion between April 2000 and September
given ‘in-principle’ approval for the strategic disinvestment of 2024 period.
36 proposals of PSEs and/or Subsidiaries/Units/Joint Among the major contributors, Mauritius accounted for 25%
Ventures of PSEs/Banks. of the inflows, followed closely by Singapore at 24%. The
United States contributed 10%, the Netherlands 7%, Japan
Retail Inflation Declines To 5.48% 6%, and the United Kingdom 5%. Other notable sources
In November 2024 included the U.A.E. (3%) and the Cayman Islands, Germany,
and Cyprus, each contributing 2%. Specifically, India received
India’s retail inflation, based on the Consumer Price Index $177.18 billion from Mauritius, $167.47 billion from Singapore,
(C.P.I.), eased to 5.48% in November 2024, declining from and $67.8 billion from the United States. This investment inflow
6.21% recorded in October 2024, according to data released spans 31 States and 57 sectors, driving growth across diverse
by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation industries, with the largest investments seen in services,
on December 12, 2024. The inflation rate for November 2024 computer software and hardware, telecommunications, trading,
remained within the Reserve Bank of India’s target range of construction development, automobiles, chemicals, and
2-6%. Reduced prices within the food and beverages category pharmaceuticals. Most sectors, except strategically important
primarily drove the decline in C.P.I. inflation in the month ones, are open for 100% F.D.I. under the automatic route.
under review. Items such as vegetables, pulses, fruits, sugar, India’s F.D.I. inflow witnessed substantial growth in the
eggs, milk, spices, and personal care products showed lower decade following 2014. Between 2014 and 2024, cumulative
inflation rates in November 2024. F.D.I. inflows reached $667.4 billion, reflecting a 119% increase
Inflation trends over the past 13 months show a decline in compared to the $304.3 billion recorded in the preceding
rates after December 2023, with the lowest levels reached in decade (2004-2014). The manufacturing sector has emerged
July 2024. However, inflation rose from August 2024 to as a key beneficiary. F.D.I. equity inflows into the manufacturing
October 2024 before declining again in November 2024. sector over the past decade (2014-2024) reached $165.1 billion,
Despite challenges posed by rising food prices, policymakers marking a 69% increase over the $97.7 billion recorded in the
aim to achieve a long-term inflation target of 4%. previous decade (2004-2014).

Industrial Output Growth Slows to

3.5% In October 2024
India’s industrial production, measured by the Index of
Industrial Production (IIP), slowed to 3.5% in October 2024,
the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
said on December 12, 2024. The factory output growth was
3.1% in September 2024 and 11.9% in October 2023. Industrial
or factory output is the closest approximation for measuring
the economic activity of the country’s business landscape. The
data showed that the growth in the factory output, measured
in terms of the IIP, in April-October 2024 worked out to be
4% against 7% in the April-October 2023 period.
As per the data, the mining output growth decelerated to
0.9% in October 2024 from a 13.1% expansion in October
2023. The manufacturing sector’s growth decelerated to 4.1%
in October 2024 from 10.6% in October 2023. Similarly, in
The data showed that the rural inflation rate for November power generation, the output growth slowed sharply to 2% in
2024 stood at 5.95%, while urban inflation was recorded at October 2024 from 20.4% in October 2023. As per use-based
4.83%. Food inflation, a major contributor to overall inflation, classification, the capital goods segment growth decelerated to
was 9.04% in November 2024, down from 10.87% in October 3.1% in October 2024 from 21.7% in October 2023.
2024. The data highlighted that among food items, garlic In October 2024, consumer non-durable output growth
(85.14%), potato (66.65%), cauliflower (47.70%), cabbage slowed to 2.7% compared to a 9.3% growth in October 2023.
194 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 banks has shown promising results in improving detection
accuracy. MuleHunter.AI uses machine learning to analyse
transaction data and account information, identifying the flow
of illicit funds more precisely and swiftly than traditional
systems. This A.I./M.L.-driven approach helps banks and
financial institutions spot fraudulent activities and prevent
further damage quickly. The tool is expected to bolster fraud
detection efforts across India’s banking sector by concentrating
on illicit money flows.

R.B.I. Cuts C.R.R. By 50 BPS To 4%,

Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged
The R.B.I.’s Monetary Policy Committee cut the Cash Reserve
Ratio (CRR) by 50 basis points to 4% while keeping the Repo
Rate unchanged at 6.5% in its bi-monthly (M.P.C.) meeting on
December 4-6, 2024. The Standing Deposit Facility (S.D.F.)
rate and the Marginal Standing Facility (M.S.F.) rate were also
retained at 6.25% and 6.75%, respectively. The decision to
keep the repo rate at 6.5% was taken by a 4-2 majority. The
cautious approach reflected the R.B.I.’s focus on balancing
inflation and growth while aligning with the central bank’s
Consumer durable goods production grew by 5.9% during neutral policy stance to ensure economic stability without
October 2024 against a 15.9% expansion in October 2023. disruptive interventions. The last M.P.C. meeting under the
According to the data, infrastructure/ construction goods then Governor, Mr. Shaktikanta Das, took several other crucial
reported a growth of 4% in October 2024, down from a decisions to address the current economic challenges while
12.6% expansion in October 2023. The data also showed that maintaining stability.
the output of primary goods logged a 2.6% growth in October The R.B.I. revised the G.D.P. growth forecast for FY25 to
2024 against 11.4% in October 2023. The expansion in the 6.6%, down from the earlier projection of 7.2%. The then
intermediate goods segment was 3.7% in the month under Governor Mr. Das attributed the adjustment to weaker-than-
review, lower than the 9.5% a year ago. expected Q2 growth and specific challenges in the
R.B.I. Unveils MuleHunter.AI
To Fight Digital Frauds
The Reserve Bank of India (R.B.I.) has developed and
launched MuleHunter.AI, a cutting-edge AI/ML tool designed
to detect and flag mule bank accounts involved in illicit financial
activities, particularly money laundering. This innovative model,
developed by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (R.B.I.H.) in
Bengaluru, aims to tackle the growing challenge of money
mule accounts—a key enabler of cybercrime. The initiative
came in response to the increasing concerns over online
financial fraud, which constitutes 67.8% of cybercrime cases
in India.
R.B.I.’s Monetary Policy Statement on December 6, 2024,
announced: “R.B.I.H. has developed an in-house A.I./
M.L.-based solution which is better suited than a rule-based
system to identify suspected mule accounts. Advanced M.L.
algorithms can analyse transaction and account detail-related
datasets to predict mule accounts with higher accuracy and
greater speed than typical rule-based systems. This machine
learning-based approach has enabled the detection of more
mule accounts within a bank’s system.” Mule accounts are
bank accounts used by criminals to funnel illegally obtained
money. These accounts are often controlled by individuals,
typically from lower-income groups or with limited technical
knowledge, who are coerced or tricked into facilitating the manufacturing sector. Despite this, high-frequency indicators
laundering of illicit funds. The interconnected nature of mule suggest potential stabilisation ahead. The central bank forecast
accounts makes them difficult to track, increasing the risk of an inflation rate of 4.8% for FY25. Food inflation is expected
financial fraud and cybercrime. to persist during Q3 but may ease from Q4 onward. Private
MuleHunter.AI was developed in collaboration with financial consumption growth slowed to 6% in the July-September
institutions to enhance the identification of mule accounts. 2024-25 quarter from 7.5% earlier, reflecting a decline in urban
Traditional detection systems struggled with high false positives demand. Fixed investment growth also dipped to 5.4%.
and slow processing times, leaving many mule accounts However, government consumption rebounded by 4.4%, driven
undetected. By analysing 19 specific behaviours associated with by election-related activities. R.B.I.’s quarterly GDP growth
mule accounts, the R.B.I.H. has created a more efficient, projections are 5.7% for Q3 FY25, 4.5% for Q4 FY25, 4.6%
AI-powered solution. Early pilot testing at two public sector for Q1 FY26, and 4% for Q2 FY26.
COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 195
 Word Power
OBJECTIVE TYPE
Against each key word are given five suggested meanings.
Choose the word or phrase which is opposite in meaning to the key word.
(1) Antediluvian—A : transported. B : subtle. C : isolated. (16) Assiduous—A : unremitting. B : penetrating.
D : celebrated. E. modern. C : inconstant. D : continuous. E : remedial.
(2) Antipathy—A : profundity. B : objection. C : willingness. (17) Associate—A : one who shares in an enterprise.
D : abstention. E : fondness. B : link. C : colleague. D : accompany. E : adversary.
(3) Antithesis—A : velocity. B : maxim. C : similarity. (18) Attain—A : gain. B : secure. C : miss. D : accomplish.
D : acceleration. E : reaction. E : reach.
(4) Anxious—A : concerned. B : confident. C : eager. (19) Callous—A : soft. B : hardened. C : sensitive.
D : worried. E : troubled in wind. D : religious. E : compact.
(5) Apathetic—A : not interested. B : indifferent. (20) Calm—A : without rough motion. B : placid.
C : emotional. D : thorough. E : indignant. C : tempestuous. D : self-possessed. E : superior.
(6) Apparent—A : discernible. B : visible. C : manifest to (21) Candid—A : vague. B : secretive. C : experienced.
understanding. D : ostensible. E : obscure. D : anxious. E : shallow.
(7) Appease—A : to satisfy. B : enrage. C : to concede to
(22) Capacious—A : militant. B : capable of holding much.
belligerent demands. D : shorten. E : urge.
C : positive. D : voracious. E : confining.
(8) Apposite—A : inappropriate. B : diagonal.
(23) Capital—A : prime. B : accumulated wealth or goods.
C : exponential. D : unobtrusive. E : discouraging.
C : excellent. D : trivial. E : bitter.
(9) Apprehend—A : obviate. B : set free. C : shiver.
D : understand. E : contrast. (24) Capricious—A : satisfied. B : insured. C : photographic.
D : steadfast. E : scattered.
(10) Aptitude—A : sarcasm. B : inversion. C : adulation.
D : lack of talent. E : gluttony. (25) Captious—A : tolerant. B : capable. C : frivolous.
D : winning. E : recollected.
(11) Arduous—A : easy. B : requiring exertion. C : difficult.
D : propulsive. E : make circular. (26) Captivate—A : seize. B : repel. C : to enthrall.
(12) Arrogant—A : proud. B : insolent. C : meek. D : subjugate. E : dangerous.
D : profound. E : one who makes unwarranted claims. (27) Carnal—A : not spiritual. B : spiritual. C : lecherous.
(13) Artless—A : unsophisticated. B : free from deceit. D : pertaining to flesh. E : ornamental.
C : uncontrived. D : simple. E : cunning. (28) Carnivorous—A : gloomy. B : tangential.
(14) Ascetic—A : good-natured. B : puritan. C : one who C : productive. D : weak. E : vegetarian.
wagers. D : self-indulgent. E : one who leads simple (29) Carousal—A : awakening. B : sobriety. C : acceleration.
life. D : direction. E : productive.
(15) Assert—A : deny. B : to state with confidence. (30) Carping—A : acquiescent. B : mean. C : limited.
C : predicate. D : asservate. E : inverse. D : farming. E : racing.

ANSWERS
(1) E: modern. (11) A: easy. (21) B : secretive.
(2) E: fondness. (12) C: meek. (22) E : confining.
(3) C: similarity. (13) E: cunning. (23) D : trivial.
(4) B: confident. (14) D: self-indulgent. (24) D : steadfast.
(5) C: emotional. (15) A: deny. (25) A : tolerant.
(6) E: obscure. (16) C: inconstant. (26) B : repel.
(7) B: enrage. (17) E: adversary. (27) B : spiritual.
(8) A: inappropriate. (18) C: miss. (28) E : vegetarian.
(9) B: set free. (19) C: sensitive. (29) B : sobriety.
(10) D: lack of talent. (20) C: tempestuous. (30) A : acquiescent.

COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025 197

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198 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025

 Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh Becomes
Youngest-ever World Chess Champion
Indian Grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh, the 18-year-
old prodigy from Chennai, became the youngest-ever—and
only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand—World
Chess Champion by beating reigning World Champion Ding
Liren of China in the final match of the FIDE World
Classical Chess Championship 2024 in Singapore on
December 12, 2024. He sealed a 7.5-6.5 victory in a dramatic
Game 14 of classical chess, winning the $2.5 million battle.
The decisive match came after a tense battle that left the
two players tied going into the game's final classical match.
Gukesh left Ding gasping in Game 13, with the reigning
champion admitting that he almost gave up but survived
to end the game in a draw that tied the two players at 6.5
points. However, Ding made a sensational blunder in the
deciding Game 14 when he moved his rook, leading it to
be trapped and lose the game as Gukesh had an extra pawn
in the king-pawn ending. The challenger nearly leapt out of
his chair, took a pause, settled his nerves, claimed the rook,
sealed the victory, and won his dream crown.

BADMINTON Koneru Humpy Wins World Rapid

Championship 2024
Lakshya Sen Finishes Third In King Cup Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, the pioneering force in
International Open 2024 Indian women's chess, beat Indonesia's Irine Kharisma
Lakshya Sen finished third in King Cup Sukandar in Round 11 with 8.5/11 to win FIDE World
International Open 2024 after beating Rapid Championship 2024 in Wall Street, New York on
French opponent Alex Lanier 21-17, 21-11 December 29, 2024. This was Humpy's second World Rapid
in Shenzhen, China, on December 29, 2024. title after claiming the top spot in 2019 in Moscow. At 37,
Denmark's Anders Antonsen triumphed her remarkable journey from contemplating retirement to
over China's rising star Hu Zhe An 18-21, reclaiming the world crown underscores her resilience and
21-11, 21-18, securing the inaugural passion for the game.
championship title. The King Cup, initiated
by Chinese legend Lin Dan to elevate men's Aarit Kapil Becomes Youngest Indian to
singles badminton, focuses exclusively on Beat A Chess Grandmaster
Lakshya Sen
men's singles players. Nine-year-old Delhi boy Aarit Kapil became the youngest
Indian to beat a chess Grandmaster (GM) as he emerged
CHESS victorious against Raset Ziatdinov, a 66-yer-old Grandmaster
from the United States in the ninth and penultimate round
Carlsen And Nepomniachtchi Share 2024 World of the KIIT International Open tournament in Bhubaneswar,
Blitz Championship Title Odisha on December 9, 2024. Just 9 years, 2 months, and
Norway's Magnus Carlsen and Russia's Ian 18 days old, Aarit not only set a national record but also
Nepomniachtchi shared the title at the 2024 World Blitz became the third-youngest player globally to achieve this
Championship in Wall Street, New York, on January 1, 2025, feat under classical time control.
after the final ended in a tie. The decision came after three
sudden-death games failed to produce a winner. Carlsen CRICKET
started strong in the final, winning the first two games. He
needed only a draw in the third game to win the India Clinches Women's U19 T20
championship, but Nepomniachtchi fought hard and made Asia Cup 2024 Title
a comeback. He won two games in a row, levelling the score India clinched the inaugural U10 Women's Asia Cup T20
at 2-2 and forcing a tiebreak. Neither player managed to title after a commanding 41-run victory over Bangladesh in
secure a win in the sudden-death games, with all three games the final at the Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on
ending in draws. Carlsen then suggested sharing the title December 22, 2024. The triumph marked a significant
with his opponent. After some discussion and delay, FIDE achievement for the young Indian women's cricket team, led
approved the decision. by skipper Niki Prasad. Batting first after losing the toss,
202 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 Bangladesh Successfully Defends
Sachin Tendulkar Accepts Its U19 Asia Cup Title
M.C.C.'s Honorary Club Membership Bangladesh defeated India by 59 runs in the 11th ACC
Indian batting great Sachin U19 Men's Asia Cup final in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,
Tendulkar accepted an on December 8, 2024, to successfully defend its title.
invitation to become an Bangladesh, which won the previous edition in 2023, clinched
honorary Melbourne Cricket its second consecutive U19 Men's Asia Cup title. Despite a
Club (M.C.C.) member, the solid start by India's bowlers, Bangladesh set a challenging
organisation announced on target of 199 runs, and India faltered in their chase, getting
December 27, 2024. M.C.C. is bowled out for 139 in 35.2 overs. Key performances of
one of the oldest sports clubs Mohammad Shihab James, Rizan Hossan, and Azizul Hakim
in Australia and is responsible helped Bangladesh post a competitive total. On their part,
for managing the Melbourne Hakim, Iqbal Hossain Emon, and Rizan Hossan bagged three
Cricket Ground (MCG). The wickets each to dismantle India's batting line-up.
M.C.C. posted on X: "An icon
honoured. The M.C.C. is pleased to announce that former FOOTBALL
Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar has accepted an Honorary
Cricket Membership, acknowledging his outstanding Real Madrid Clinches
contribution to the game." Tendulkar has an impressive FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024
record at the MCG, with 449 runs from five Tests at an Real Madrid triumphed in the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental
average of 44.90, including a century and three fifties. Cup, defeating Mexico's Pachuca 3-0 in a dominant
Earlier in 2012, the Indian batter was awarded the Order
of Australia, one of the country's highest honours.
India posted a competitive total of 117/7 in their 20 overs.
The highlight of the innings was Gongadi Trisha's brilliant
knock of 52 runs off 47 balls. Farjana Easmin finished as
Bangladesh's standout bowler with figures of 4/23. In
response, Bangladesh struggled against India's disciplined
bowling and sharp fielding, eventually courting defeat.
Indian Women Win Home T20I Series 2-1
Against West Indies
Indian women's cricket team clinched the three-match T20I
series 2-1 against West Indies after defeating the visiting
team by 60 runs in the third and final match at D.Y. Patil
Sports Stadium in Navi Mumbai on December 19, 2024.
Batting first, India posted their highest-ever total of 217 for performance at Lusail Stadium, Qatar, on December 18,
four. Richa Ghosh smashed a record-equalling fastest fifty 2024. The Spanish giants were in control throughout the
off a mere 18 balls, while Smriti Mandhana, too, contributed match, with Kylian Mbappe (37th minute), Rodrygo (57th),
with a graceful fifty. Ghosh struck a 21-ball 54 (3×4s, 5×6s), and Vinicius Jr (83rd) all contributing to the scoreline. Despite
and Mandhana made a robust 77. In reply, West some early threats from Pachuca, Real Madrid's offensive
Indies crumbled against a mountainous target and crawled power and defensive stability ensured a comfortable victory.
to 157/9 in their 20 overs, as left-arm spinner Radha Yadav HANDBALL
returned with a four-wicket haul. Richa won the Player of
the Match award. India won the first match by 49 runs, Kerala Clinches Historic Senior Men's
while West Indies won the second by nine wickets. With a Handball National Championship
pile-up of 193 runs in three matches, Mandhana was adjudged Kerala created history by clinching their maiden Senior
the Player of the Series. Men's Handball National Championship after defeating
Chandigarh 34-31 in the final played in the State's
Mumbai Clinches Syed Mushtaq Ali Changanassery on December 29, 2024. Kerala's Devender
Trophy 2024 and Rahul were adjudged the Best Player and Best
Mumbai registered a comprehensive five-wicket victory Goalkeeper, respectively, in the championship. Sujith was
over Madhya Pradesh to win the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy declared the Best Left-Wing Player of the Tournament.
2024 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on
December 15, 2024. Opting to bowl first, the Mumbai cricket Japan Wins 2024 Asian Women's Handball
team restricted Madhya Pradesh to 174/8 in 20 overs Championship
before chasing the target in 17.5 overs. Rajat Patidar top- In a thrilling climax, Japan edged out the defending
scored for Madhya Pradesh with a 40-ball 81, while Suryakumar champion South Korea with a score of 25-24 to clinch the
Yadav's 48 off 35 was the top score by a Mumbai batter. 20th Asian Women's Handball Championship at the Indira
Suryansh Shedge's unbeaten late blitz, 36 off 15, allowed Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, on December 10, 2024.
Mumbai to win the match comfortably. This was Mumbai's Japan's victory marked a historic moment as they ended
second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy after their first in 2022. South Korea's dominance in the competition, which had
204 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 Uttarakhand Unveils Mascot, Logo, Anthem
seen them win the title seven times in a row. It was Japan's And Tagline Of 38th National Games
second final victory in the tournament's history, with their
first championship title win dating back to 2004.

KABADDI
Haryana Steelers Clinch Miden P.K.L. Title
The Haryana Steelers achieved a historic milestone by
clinching their first-ever Pro Kabaddi League (P.K.L.) title,
defeating the Patna Pirates with a commanding victory
32-23 in a thrilling final at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports
Complex in Pune, on December 29, 2024. Haryana Steelers'
Shivam Patare (9 points), Mohammadreza Shadloui Uttarakhand Chief Minister Mr. Pushkar Singh Dhami
(7 points), Vinay (6 points), Jaideep and Rahul Sethpal unveiled the mascot, logo, jersey, anthem, and tagline
(defence) were the top performers. for the 38th National Games at Maharana Pratap Sports
College in Raipur, Dehradun, on December 15, 2024.
HOCKEY The mascot, named “Mauli”, is inspired by the Monal,
the State bird of Uttarakhand, symbolising the
India Wins 5th Junior Hockey Asia Cup region's uniqueness and encouraging young athletes to
In a thrilling showdown, the Indian men's junior hockey aim high. The logo, also inspired by the Monal,
team defeated arch-rival Pakistan 5-3 to secure their third highlights the natural beauty and diversity of the State.
consecutive and 5th overall Junior Asia Cup title in Muscat, The tagline for the Games is “Sankalp Se Shikhar Tak”
Oman, on December 4, 2024. The Men's Junior Asia Cup (From Resolve to Zenith). Uttarakhand is set to host
the 38th National Games, which has received IOA
approval to include traditional sports like yoga and
mallakhamb. CM Mr. Pushkar Singh Dhami called the
day historic for Uttarakhand's sporting journey and
thanked Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi for
entrusting the State with hosting the Games. He also
announced a Rs. 500 crore investment in sports
infrastructure.
National titles to 15, making him the country's most
decorated motorsport athlete.
Kush Maini Makes History With
F2 Constructors' World Championship Win
Marking a monumental achievement in
Indian men’s junior hockey team members rejoice after lifting the motorsport, Indian driver Kush Maini made
Junior Asia Cup in Muscat on December 4, 2024. history by becoming the first and only
This victory adds another feather to India's illustrious hockey cap, Indian to win the FIA Formula 2
with previous title wins in 2004, 2008, 2015 and 2023. Constructors' World Championship 2024 at
2024 victory adds another feather to India's illustrious Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, on
hockey cap, with previous title wins in 2004, 2008, 2015 and December 8, 2024, with his team Invicta
2023. The match's hero was Araijeet Singh Hundal, who Racing. Earlier, Kush became the first
scored four remarkable goals, leading India to a historic Indian to claim an F2 pole position. In the
triumph. 2024 season, Kush played a pivotal role in
Invicta's success, securing five podiums, Kush Maini
including a race win in Hungary.
MOTOR RACING
Norris Wins Abu Dhabi GP,
Muddappa Clinches Three National Tittles To Ends McLaren's 26-Year Wait
Take His Overall Tally To 15 Lando Norris delivered an
Hemanth Muddappa of Mantra Racing exceptional performance at the Abu
reinforced his status as the "Drag King" Dhabi Grand Prix on December 8,
by notching up a triple crown in the fourth 2024, claiming victory in a race marked
and final round of the MMSC FMSCI by incidents, penalties, and emotional
Indian National Motorcycle Drag Racing moments. His triumph ended
Championship 2024 at the Madras McLaren's 26-year wait for a
International Circuit (M.I.C.) in Chennai constructors' championship title, a feat
on December 29, 2024. With winning races last achieved in 1998. The win also
in all three categories he contested in overshadowed a challenging race for
Hemanth Muddappa Chennai, Muddappa took his tally of Lando Norris other drivers.
206 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025
 Persons In News
Narendra Modi Aisake Valu Eke Sanjay Malhotra
Besides staying in the limelight for his Veteran politician Mr. Aisake Valu Eke An Indian Administrative Service
spree of inaugurations or laying was elected Tonga’s new Prime Minister officer of 1990 Batch Rajasthan
foundation stones of new projects and on December 24, Cadre, Mr. Sanjay
taking major 2024 in a Malhotra, took
policy decisions, secret ballot in over as the 26th
Prime Minister Parliament. He Governor of
Mr. Narendra was first elected to the Reserve Bank
Modi visited Parliament in 2010 of India on
Kuwait on and served as December 11,
December 22, Finance Minister 2024, for the next
2024, where he was between 2014 and three years. The
conferred the Aisake Valu Eke 2017. Mr. Eke Sanjay Malhotra 56-year-old has
Narendra Modi country’s highest earned a Ph.D. vast and diverse
civilian honour, from the University of Southern experience across various key sectors,
the Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer, by Queensland in 2013 and is better known including power, finance and taxation,
the Emir of Kuwait, in recognition of for his research on the quality of public information technology, etc., and has
his contributions to fostering global sector services in the South Pacific Island held key positions both at the State
partnerships and India’s growing nation of over one lakh people. and the Central Government, apart
influence on the world stage. from having a stint with a United
Yoon Suk Yeol Nations agency.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah South Korea’s President Mr. Yoon
Nicknamed NNN, Ms. Netumbo Suk Yeol was impeached after intro- Dommaraju Gukesh
Nandi-Ndaitwah made history by ducing a contro- After becoming the 18th World
getting elected as versial martial law Chess Champion in Singapore,
Namibia’s first to curb anti-State Dommaraju Gukesh
female President activities. Faced returned to a grand
on December 5, with wide-spread welcome in his
2024. It was just criticism, he homeland. When
the latest episode revoked the law he landed in
in the 72-year-old just six hours Chennai on
politician’s life later. However, an December 16,
packed with impeachment 2024, hundreds
striking events. Netumbo Nandi- motion was passed Yoon Suk Yeol of cameras and
Ms. Nandi- Ndaitwah in the opposition-led Parliament, the thousands of Dommaraju Gukesh
Ndaitwah fought National Assembly, after days of people were
against occupying powers, fled into exile political turmoil on December 14, waiting to welcome him. The Indian
and established herself as one of the 2024, stripping him of his post and teenager made a brief statement at the
most prominent women in Namibian powers, and plunging the country into airport before he was taken away in a
politics. Her Elevation from the post of grave upheaval and uncertainty. specially decorated car.
Vice-President to the President marks
the pinnacle of her career. Veronica Michelle
Abu Mohammad al-Jolani
John Dramani Mahama The militant leader of Syria, Mr. Abu Bachelet Jeria
Mohammad al-Jolani, shot into global Former President of Chile
Mr. John Dramani Mahama returned
as Ghana’s President after winning the fame after his Islamist rebel group, Hayat Ms. Veronica Michelle Bachelet Jeria
general election Tahrir al-Sham, was awarded the
on December 7, toppled the 54- Indira Gandhi
2024. The 65-year- year-old Assad Prize for Peace,
old led Ghana regime and Disarmament and
from 2012 to forced President Development 2024
2017 and is one Mr. Bashar for her advocacy
of the West al-Assad to flee. for peace, gender
African country’s Immediate after, equality, democracy,
most experienced Mr. Jolani was seen development, the
John Dramani politicians. He has Abu Mohammad trying to shed his Veronica Michelle rights of vulnerable
served at all levels jihadist past, even Bachelet Jeria populations, and
Mahama al-Jolani significantly contri-
of office as an using his real
M.P., Deputy Minister, Minister, Vice- name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in his official buting to India’s relations with Chile.
President and President. Mr. Mahama’s communique, adopting a more Western Ms. Michelle Bachelet is a founding
book of memoirs, My First Coup D’etat, wardrobe in place of traditional jihadist member of UN Women and has served
won praise from many quarters, militant attire and bolstering his as the UN High Commissioner for
including African literary greats. legitimacy in a new context. Human Rights.
214 COMPETITION SUCCESS REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2025