(Practice Questions: Q.1. Highlight the differences between 'conventional' and 'unconventional' hydrocarbons. What are the challenges faced by India in the extraction of unconventional hydrocarbons? - 250 words. Q.2. Elucidate upon the nature and features of 'shale gas'. How far has India been successful in its shale gas exploration and extraction efforts? - 150 words. Q.3. … Continue reading Shale Gas in India

(Practice Question: There has been a significant increase in Chinese footprint in South Asia. Do you agree? What should be the course of action to be adopted by India? - 200 words.)   How China's influence in the South Asian Nations is rising vis-a-vis India: Nepal: Nepal has signed an agreement with China to use four … Continue reading Rising footprint of China in South Asia

Practice Questions: Q.1. Ensuring remunerative prices to farmers in India is intricately related to marketing of agricultural products. What reforms to the current framework of Agricultural Produce Market Committees are required to ensure higher prices to farmers? - 200 words. Q.2. The framework of Agricultural Produce Market Committees required wide ranging changes. Comment. - 150 words … Continue reading Agricultural Marketing Reforms and Remunerative Prices for Farmers

Practice Question: What do you understand by the term 'social audit'? How is 'social audit' different from 'development audit'? Highlight the objectives and advantages of 'social audits'.  - 200 words What is a social audit? A social audit is a way of measuring, understanding, reporting and ultimately improving an organization’s social and ethical performance. A … Continue reading Social audits.

Practice Questions: Q.1. What do you understand by the term 'electoral bonds'? What are the benefits of introduction of electoral bonds compared to earlier methods of electoral funding? - 150 words. Q.2.  The government has recently introduced electoral bonds as a method of funding to political parties. Do you think electoral bonds would successfully tackle … Continue reading Electoral Bonds and associated issues.

Background - On June 6, 1997, a new sub-regional grouping was formed in Bangkok under the name BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation). On 22 December 1997, Myanmar became a full member, resulting in the renaming of the grouping to BIMST-EC. In 1998, Nepal became an observer. In February 2004, Nepal and Bhutan became full members. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical … Continue reading BIMSTEC – Prelims Data

(Practice Questions: Q.1. Highlight the necessary elements of the concept of 'compensatory afforestation'. Also comment on the existing legal framework in this regard in India. - 250 words. Q.2. Do you think the Compensatory Afforestation Act, 2016 adequately addresses the concerns of the village and tribal population of India? - 150 words.) (Why in news … Continue reading Compensatory Afforestation Fund

Authors: Harsha V Pant and K. Yhome (Practice Questions: Q.1. India has taken a renewed interest in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). What are the reasons? What are the challenges to India's involvement in the BIMSTEC? - 200 words Q.2. India's involvement in BIMSTEC would face challenges both … Continue reading Summary – The Hindu – Challenges at BIMSTEC

Author: The Hindu (Practice Questions: Q.1 - What is the process of the creation of bicameral legislature in the states which currently have an unicameral legislature? What are the advantages of having a bicameral legislature in states? - 150 words. Q.2. - Recently, there has been an increased demand for the creation of a bicameral … Continue reading Summary – The Hindu -Council Conundrum

Practice Question: Q.1. Mental health has been a challenge not only in India but on a global scale. What are the challenges faced by the mentally ill people? What actions must be taken to improve the situation? - 250 words Authors: Vikram Patel and Shekhar Saxena Mental health is the most valued asset we have, … Continue reading Summary – The Right to Mental Health – The Indian Express