1. India’s Push Towards Renewable Energy
Key Highlights:
- National Solar Mission: India has been aggressively expanding its solar power capacity, aiming to reach 100 GW by 2022. Though ambitious, substantial progress has been made.
- International Solar Alliance (ISA): India co-founded the ISA, promoting solar energy utilization globally, particularly in solar-rich countries.
Why It Matters for UPSC:
- Reflects on sustainable development goals.
- Showcases India’s commitment to combating climate change.
- Relevant for questions on energy policies and international cooperation.
2. Relations with Neighboring Countries
Key Highlights:
- India-China Border Tensions: The ongoing stand-offs in Ladakh brought attention to border management and foreign policy strategies.
- Strengthening Ties with Bangladesh and Nepal: Efforts have been made to enhance connectivity, trade, and cultural exchange.
Why It Matters for UPSC:
- Crucial for international relations and security topics.
- Impacts regional stability and economic development.
3. Economic Reforms and Policies
Key Highlights:
- Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan: A self-reliant India initiative focusing on boosting local manufacturing and reducing import dependency.
- GST Reforms: Ongoing adjustments to the Goods and Services Tax system aim to simplify taxation and increase compliance.
Why It Matters for UPSC:
- Essential for understanding India’s economic strategies.
- Relevant for topics on fiscal policy and economic development.
4. Social Movements and Legislation
Key Highlights:
- Farmers’ Protests: Widespread protests against new agricultural laws sparked debates on farmers’ rights and agricultural reforms.
- New Education Policy 2020: A comprehensive overhaul aiming to make education more holistic and skill-oriented.
Why It Matters for UPSC:
- Impacts social justice, government policies, and reforms.
- Relevant for essays and ethics papers.
5. Technological Advancements
Key Highlights:
- Digital India Initiative: Pushing for digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and e-governance.
- Advancements in Space Technology: ISRO’s missions like Chandrayaan-2 have kept India at the forefront of space exploration.
Why It Matters for UPSC:
- Shows India’s growth in science and technology.
- Important for questions on innovation and infrastructure.
6. Environmental Concerns and Policies
Key Highlights:
- Climate Action: India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and efforts in afforestation and pollution control.
- Conservation Efforts: Projects like Project Dolphin and Project Lion aim to protect endangered species.
Why It Matters for UPSC:
- Crucial for environmental ecology and biodiversity topics.
- Reflects on sustainable development and conservation efforts.
1. India’s Renewable Energy Initiatives
Question 1: Which of the following statements about the National Solar Mission is incorrect?
a) The mission aims to achieve 100 GW of solar power capacity by 2022. b) It focuses solely on photovoltaic solar energy technologies. c) It is a part of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). d) It encourages both grid-connected and off-grid solar applications.
Answer: b) It focuses solely on photovoltaic solar energy technologies.
Explanation: The National Solar Mission encompasses both photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies, not just photovoltaic.
2. International Solar Alliance (ISA)
Question 2: The primary objective of the International Solar Alliance initiated by India is to:
a) Promote the use of solar energy among solar-rich countries. b) Develop nuclear energy infrastructure jointly. c) Establish a global carbon credit trading platform. d) Coordinate oil production to stabilize global prices.
Answer: a) Promote the use of solar energy among solar-rich countries.
Explanation: The ISA aims to mobilize efforts against climate change through the deployment of solar energy solutions in countries lying fully or partially between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
3. India-China Border Tensions
Question 3: The recent India-China border tensions in Ladakh are primarily associated with which of the following lines?
a) Line of Control (LoC) b) Radcliffe Line c) Line of Actual Control (LAC) d) McMahon Line
Answer: c) Line of Actual Control (LAC)
Explanation: The LAC demarcates the territory controlled by India and China, and disputes have arisen due to differing perceptions of this line.
4. Economic Initiatives
Question 4: The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan focuses on:
a) Encouraging foreign investments by liberalizing market regulations. b) Enhancing self-reliance by boosting local manufacturing and reducing imports. c) Expanding outsourcing opportunities to global companies. d) Promoting the usage of cryptocurrency in the financial sector.
Answer: b) Enhancing self-reliance by boosting local manufacturing and reducing imports.
Explanation: Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is an initiative to make India a self-reliant economy by strengthening domestic industries.
5. Goods and Services Tax (GST) Reforms
Question 5: One of the key objectives of the GST reforms in India is to:
a) Eliminate all direct taxes and rely solely on indirect taxes. b) Simplify the tax structure by unifying various indirect taxes under one system. c) Increase the tax rates on essential goods to boost revenue. d) Decentralize taxation power to individual states.
Answer: b) Simplify the tax structure by unifying various indirect taxes under one system.
Explanation: GST combines multiple indirect taxes into a single system, making compliance easier and fostering a unified national market.
6. Social Movements
Question 6: The Farmers’ Protests that started in 2020 were primarily against:
a) New environmental regulations restricting the use of fertilizers. b) Amendments in labor laws affecting agricultural workers. c) Newly enacted agricultural laws related to market access and pricing. d) Land acquisition policies for industrial development.
Answer: c) Newly enacted agricultural laws related to market access and pricing.
Explanation: Farmers protested against laws they believed would deregulate crop pricing and reduce their bargaining power.
7. New Education Policy (NEP) 2020
Question 7: Which of the following is a significant feature of the NEP 2020?
a) Extension of the Right to Education Act to include higher education. b) Introduction of a uniform curriculum across all states. c) Establishment of the 5+3+3+4 curricular structure in school education. d) Mandatory instruction in Sanskrit at all levels of education.
Answer: c) Establishment of the 5+3+3+4 curricular structure in school education.
Explanation: NEP 2020 restructures school education to align with cognitive development stages of children.
8. Technological Advancements
Question 8: The Digital India Initiative seeks to:
a) Provide universal access to mobile connectivity and internet services. b) Nationalize all technology companies operating in India. c) Limit foreign technology investments to protect domestic companies. d) Replace traditional education with entirely online schooling.
Answer: a) Provide universal access to mobile connectivity and internet services.
Explanation: Digital India aims to enhance digital infrastructure and digital literacy across the country.
9. Space Exploration
Question 9: Chandrayaan-2, a mission by ISRO, was significant because it intended to:
a) Be the first mission to land on the far side of the Moon. b) Deploy a rover to explore the lunar South Pole region. c) Send the first Indian astronaut to space. d) Establish India’s first space station.
Answer: b) Deploy a rover to explore the lunar South Pole region.
Explanation: Chandrayaan-2 aimed to study the Moon’s South Pole, an area with potential water ice deposits.
10. Environmental Conservation
Question 10: Project Dolphin was launched to conserve which of the following species in India?
a) Ganges River Dolphins and Indus River Dolphins b) Blue Whales along the western coast c) Olive Ridley Turtles in Odisha d) Coral reefs in the Lakshadweep Islands
Answer: a) Ganges River Dolphins and Indus River Dolphins
Explanation: Project Dolphin focuses on both river and marine dolphins to enhance biodiversity and ecological balance.