News: The 2020 Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), titled “The Next Frontier – Human Development and the Anthropocene” proposed a planetary pressure-adjusted Human Development Index (HDI). This adjustment has been worked out by factoring in per capita carbon dioxide (CO2) emission (production) and per capita material footprint. The purpose is to… Continue reading Treating the planet well can aid progress
Managing biomedical waste
News: Since the outbreak of Covid pandemic, there has been rise in the Safe handling and elimination of biomedical waste. Read here: 23 states at additional Covid risk due to Biomedical waste What are the challenges associated with biomedical waste? – Mixing biomedical waste with household garbage led to infection, as most wastes were disposed of in… Continue reading Managing biomedical waste
China-Sri Lanka ties: Chinese Foreign Minister’s Sri Lanka visit highlighted Beijing’s relentless drive in Indian Ocean region, and India’s challenge
News: Chinese foreign minister visit to five-nation countries- 3 African nations, Sri Lanka and the Maldives signifies its constant effort for influence over Indian Ocean region. What are the highlights of the Chinese foreign minister visit to Sri Lanka? Read here: China-Sri Lanka ties: ‘No one should interfere in China-Lanka ties’ What does the Chinese proposal signify?… Continue reading China-Sri Lanka ties: Chinese Foreign Minister’s Sri Lanka visit highlighted Beijing’s relentless drive in Indian Ocean region, and India’s challenge
Hate speech in the time of free speech
News: Over the last few years’ frequencies of hate speech has arisen in India. What are the provisions for criminalising hate speech? Black’s law dictionary defines hate speech as a speech that carries no meaning other than the expression of hatred for some group, such as a particular race, especially in circumstances that are likely… Continue reading Hate speech in the time of free speech
[Answered] UPSC Mains 2021 GS Paper 4 – Case Study 1(Q. No. 7)
Sunil is a young civil servant and has a reputation for his competence, integrity, dedication, and relentless pursuit of difficult and onerous jobs. Considering his profile, he was picked up by his bosses to handle a very challenging and sensitive assignment. He was posted in a tribal-dominated district notorious for illegal sand mining. Excavating sand… Continue reading [Answered] UPSC Mains 2021 GS Paper 4 – Case Study 1(Q. No. 7)
Vodafone Idea issue and the telecom sector in India – Explained, pointwise
For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The board of Vodafone Idea (VI) has approved the spectrum auction instalments and Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) Dues (an estimated Rs 16,000 crore) in the form of equity to the Government of India. Once done, the Union Government will own 35.8% of VI, while the Vodafone Group and Aditya Birla… Continue reading Vodafone Idea issue and the telecom sector in India – Explained, pointwise
CSAT Classes for Prelims 2022 commencing from 31st Jan. | Enroll Now
Dear Friends, We are writing to inform you that we shall be commencing with the first batch of CSAT Classes for Prelims 2022 from 31st January 2022. The Program will be available in Online Mode and it will consist of: About 50 hours of Classes + Module-wise Tests + 2 Full-Length Tests. Class to be supplemented by materials and… Continue reading CSAT Classes for Prelims 2022 commencing from 31st Jan. | Enroll Now
[Answered] Integrity is a value that empowers the human being.” Justify with suitable illustration.
Integrity in an individual indicates soundness of moral principles, the character of uncorrupted virtues, uprightness, honesty and sincerity. A person with integrity gets empowered through his/her strong character, build by consistently following ethical and moral principles: High standards of professional integrity: Professional integrity exhorts one to work in an open, transparent and responsible way, thus empowering them professionally. For example, Lal Bahdur Shastri, resigned as a railway minister,… Continue reading [Answered] Integrity is a value that empowers the human being.” Justify with suitable illustration.
[Answered] An independent and empowered social audit mechanism is an absolute must in every sphere of public service, including judiciary, to ensure performance, accountability and ethical conduct. Elaborate.
Social audit (SA) is an exercise of evaluation of performance of public services conducted jointly by service provider and public, especially the beneficiaries. MGNREGA was the first act to make SA by Gram Sabha mandatory. Further, most states have setup Social Audit Units (SAU) to facilitate SA of programmes like PMAY, MDM, etc. Meghalaya has even provided legal backing to SA. Social audit is must to ensure performance, accountability and ethical conduct because: … Continue reading [Answered] An independent and empowered social audit mechanism is an absolute must in every sphere of public service, including judiciary, to ensure performance, accountability and ethical conduct. Elaborate.
[Answered] Should impartial and being non-partisan be considered as indispensable qualities to make a successful civil servant? Discuss with illustrations
While impartiality means acting without any bias, non-partisanship is a quality of being politically neutral. These two are considered as essential/foundational values for a civil servant in discharge of his/her duties because: Non-partisanship: It entails that the civil servant will serve the government of the day faithfully without political bias. For example, a resident commissioner may have to serve under governments of differing political… Continue reading [Answered] Should impartial and being non-partisan be considered as indispensable qualities to make a successful civil servant? Discuss with illustrations
