ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 19 April. Click Here for more information.
ForumIAS Answer Writing Focus Group (AWFG) for Mains 2024 commencing from 24th June 2024. The Entrance Test for the program will be held on 28th April 2024 at 9 AM. To know more about the program visit: https://forumias.com/blog/awfg2024
About Must Read News Articles: Must Read News Articles is an initiative by Team ForumIAS to provide links to the most important news articles of the day. It covers The Hindu newspaper. This saves the time and effort of students in identifying useful and important articles. With newspaper websites requiring a paid subscription beyond a certain number of fixed articles, we believe it is one of the best ways to cover all major newspapers in the shortest amount of time.
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GS paper 1
Understanding the debates around anarcho-capitalism : The article discusses the political philosophy of anarcho-capitalism, which advocates for the abolition of the state and the provision of law and order by private companies. It suggests that private firms could offer better policing and legal services than the state. But, critics argue this could lead to chaos and injustice, especially for the poor, but proponents counter that market competition would ensure high-quality, fair services.
Syllabus Topic – political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effects on the society
India’s extreme rainfall ‘corridor’ : The article explores the impact of global warming on the Indian monsoon, particularly focusing on large-scale extreme rainfall events. In a significant finding, a consistent ‘corridor’ from West Bengal to Gujarat where synchronized extreme rainfall events occur, which is unchanged since 1901. This discovery, derived from sophisticated network analysis of IMD rainfall data, offers potential for improved forecasting and risk reduction strategies.
Syllabus Topic – changes in critical geographical features, flora and fauna and the effects of such changes
GS paper 2
An anti-terror law and its interference with liberty : Jammu and Kashmir High Court’s judgment on November 17, 2023, which cleared the way for journalist Fahad Shah’s release. Shah, previously detained under various charges including those under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), was granted bail. The High Court’s decision highlighted the need for careful application of UAPA in matters of personal liberty. It raises questions on the broad interpretation of the law, especially in cases of alleged defamation being treated as terrorism. The judgment underscores the importance of proportionality and reasonableness in arrests and detentions under UAPA, and emphasizes the constitutional commitment to personal liberty.
Syllabus Topic – Indian Constitution – Evolution, Features and significant provisions and basic structure
74% Indians could not afford healthy diet in 2021: report :
As per the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, more than 74% of Indians could not afford a healthy diet in 2021. In 2020, the percentage was 76.2. The report highlights the challenges of rising food costs and income disparities. There is a high rate of undernourishment, stunting, wasting, and anaemia, especially among women and children. The article underscores the significant impact of economic factors on nutritional well-being in India and the region.
Syllabus Topic – Issues relating to poverty and hunger
GS paper 3
Patent exclusions — Madras High Court shows the way : The article discusses the Madras High Court’s rulings on pharmaceutical patent exclusions in India, emphasizing the need for clear guidelines in patent law. It highlights two key judgments that clarify the scope of patent protection under Section 3 of the Patents Act, aiding innovation while considering public health interests.
Syllabus Topic – issues relating to intellectual property rights
Game-changer – It discusses the recent approval of gene therapies Casgevy and Lyfgenia by the UK and U.S. FDA for treating sickle cell disease in patients over 12 years. These therapies are done using CRISPR-Cas9 and a disabled lentivirus, respectively. It marks a significant advancement in treating diseases traditionally cured only through bone marrow transplantation. But the treatments are expensive and require specialized facilities. There is also a due to potential risks of unintended genetic modifications.
Syllabus Topic – Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
Modi kicks off global AI summit: Article is already covered in yesterday’s 9 PM.
Syllabus Topic – Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
