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Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for June 1st, 2024. If you missed the May 31st, 2024 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here.
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance
Mains Examination: GS-II: Polity, Governance
What’s the ongoing story- Justice M S Sonak, who serves on the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court, on Friday became the first person in Goa to register a “living will” – an advance medical directive for his family for when he cannot make his own decisions.
Prerequisites:
— What is the status of living will in India?
— What is Euthanasia?
Key takeaways:
— The Supreme Court had in 2018 legalised passive euthanasia, contingent upon the person having a “living will”, or a written document that specifies the actions to be taken if the person is unable to make their own medical decisions in the future.
— The Supreme Court had allowed passive euthanasia while recognising the living wills of terminally-ill patients who could go into a permanent vegetative state and issued guidelines regulating the procedure.
— Officials said Goa is the first state to implement and operationalise advance medical directives. As per the guidelines, a person who wants to make a living must draft it per the reference format in the presence of two witnesses.
— The will then has to be duly certified by a gazetted officer or a notary, and forwarded to the main Mamlatdar of the taluka, who shall then send it to the nodal officer appointed by the District Collector for safe custody.
For Your Information:
— The Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium allow both euthanasia and assisted suicide for anyone who faces “unbearable suffering” that has no chance of improvement.
— Switzerland bans euthanasia but allows assisted dying in the presence of a doctor or physician.
— Canada had announced that euthanasia and assisted dying would be allowed for mentally ill patients by March 2023; however, the decision has been widely criticised, and the move may be delayed.
— The United States has different laws in different states. Euthanasia is allowed in some states like Washington, Oregon, and Montana.
— The United Kingdom considers it illegal and equivalent to manslaughter.
Points to Ponder:
— What is active and passive euthanasia?
— Evolution of the concept of living will in India
— What are the ethical issues concerning euthanasia?
Post Read Question:
What does living will entail? What are the challenges associated with its implementation?
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
What is a living will, and the new Supreme Court order for simplifying passive euthanasia procedure?
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Economy
Mains Examination: GS-III: Economy
What’s the ongoing story- The Union government’s fiscal deficit for the last financial year came in at 5.6% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), lower than the revised estimate (RE) of 5.8%, on the back of better than anticipated revenues and some expenditure compression.
Prerequisites:
— What is fiscal deficit?
— What is the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)?
— What are revenue receipts and capital receipts?
— What are capital expenditure and revenue expenditure?
Key takeaways:
— For the current financial year the fiscal deficit target has been set at 5.1% of GDP. The fiscal consolidation path of the government has put the target of deficit below 4.5% by 2025-26.
— The performance on the tax and non-tax revenue front at the close of the year was better than even the revised estimates that were put out in February in the interim budget when the 10-month performance on the government income and expenditure was known. The biggest jump came in non-tax revenue receipts due to higher dividends.
Points to Ponder:
— What are the sources for government receipts?
— What are the various components of the budget?
— How are fiscal deficit, revenue deficit, and primary deficit calculated?
Post Read Question:
Prelims
Which of the following is/are included in the capital budget of the Government of India? (UPSC CSE 2016)
1. Expenditure on acquisition of assets like roads, buildings, machinery, etc.
2. Loans received from foreign governments
3. Loans and advances granted to the States and Union Territories
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Mains
Distinguish between Capital Budget and Revenue Budget. Explain the components of both these Budgets. (UPSC CSE 2021)
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
India’s economy: From stable to positive
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
Mains Examination: GS-I, II: Society, Laws associated with sexual assault
What’s the ongoing story- Prajwal Revanna, who returned to Bengaluru from Germany on Friday, has been taken into custody by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT which is investigating sexual assault allegations against Prajwal is likely to have him take medical tests, including a potency test.
Prerequisites:
— How is sexual harassment defined in India?
— What are the Laws Related to Rape in India?
Key takeaways:
— A potency test is conducted to examine whether a male has the capacity to develop or maintain a penile erection to be able to perform a sexual act. This medical ‘evidence’ is brought in cases involving sexual assault, divorce, and even in paternity suits. In divorce and paternity cases, a fertility test along with a potency test is commonly done.
— Section 53 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) allows the examination of “blood, blood-stains, semen, swabs in case of sexual offences…”, on the accused for investigation.
— In sexual assault cases, the prosecution brings a potency test report to the court to counter any potential defence from the accused that he is incapable of sexual intercourse. Such a defence, however, is far from foolproof.
— This is similar to the ‘two-finger’ test done for the prosecutrix to determine the laxity of the hymen, that is, whether a woman is habituated to sex.
— After the 2013 criminal law amendments, the definition of rape was expanded. Now, under the law, rape includes penetration of “any object”, “mouth” to “any part of body” of a woman. A non-peno-vaginal contact does not necessarily need a test of potency at all.
For Your Information:
— The two-finger test, carried out by a medical practitioner, involves the examination of assaulted women’s vagina to check if she is habituated to sexual intercourse. The practice is unscientific and does not provide any definite information. Moreover, such ‘information’ has no bearing on an allegation of rape.
Points to Ponder:
— What are the laws associated with sexual assault in India?
— What are the major Legal Frameworks for the Welfare of Women?
— What are the Important Judgements Related to Rape in India?
— National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data on sexual assault
Post Read Question:
We are witnessing increasing instances of sexual violence against women in the country. Despite existing legal provisions against it, the number of such incidences is on the rise. Suggest some innovative measures to tackle this menace. (UPSC CSE 2014)
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
‘Two-finger test’ of sexual assault victims: What SC said, past attempts to stop it
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental Ecology, and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialisation.
Mains: GS-I, GS-II, GS-III: Important Geophysical Phenomena, Climate Change Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Government Policies & Interventions.
What’s the ongoing story- Large parts of the country are witnessing a searing and longer-than-usual heatwave, with record-breaking day temperatures. Over the past few days, the heat has claimed lives in multiple states including Delhi, Bihar, Odisha, and Gujarat.
Prerequisites:
— Why is humidity an important aspect when measuring heat exposure?
— What is the impact of urbanisation on climate change?
— What is an urban heat island?
Key takeaways:
— Studies have shown that cities, in particular, are getting warmer and more humid due to urbanisation and declining green cover. This, in addition to higher nighttime temperatures, makes heatwaves more intense and deadly, especially for the poor, who get little respite from heat fatigue.
— The IPCC has noted that the urban heat island effect leads to cities experiencing air temperatures that are several degrees warmer than surrounding areas, especially during the night, “reducing [their] adaptive capacity”.
— Structures made of concrete — buildings, pavements, roads, and other infrastructure — absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat more than natural features like trees and water bodies.
— “Urbanisation alone has led to an overall 60% enhancement in warming in Indian cities,” the study published in the journal Nature stated.
— Long-term solutions such as planting more trees and reducing the density of built areas are important to combat the urban heat island effect.
— The rise in temperatures, humidity, and warmer nights together make the summer more deadly for human beings. Humans regulate their body temperatures by sweating — the evaporation of sweat from skin cools our bodies. But high humidity prevents this from happening, which can exact a toll on the body.
— In humid conditions, the body continues to sweat with little avail. This not only leads to dehydration and salt imbalances, but also takes a toll on organs due to reduced blood flow. And of course, it leads to the body overheating as its temperature-regulation mechanism is not working.
For Your Information:
— According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)- “Heatwaves amplify many risks, such as health-related or economic risks, including increased human mortality, drought and water quality, wildfire and smoke, power shortages and agricultural losses.”
Points to Ponder:
— Is a heatwave recognised as a natural disaster in India?
— What are the impacts of heatwaves on human health?
— What measures should be taken to mitigate the impacts of heatwaves?
Post Read Question:
Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. (UPSC CSE 2013)
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
Heatwave deaths: Why a heat stroke kills, and how to stay safe
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Economy
Mains Examination: GS-III: Economy
What’s the ongoing story- C. Rangarajan and D K Srivastava write: The expectations of the people are clear, we want to become a developed country by 2047, that is, when India completes 100 years since Independence. But what does it mean to become a developed country?
Prerequisites:
— What is per capita income?
— What is the incremental capital-output ratio (ICOR)?
— What is gross fixed capital formation (GFCF)?
— What is job-less growth?
— What is the Gini coefficient?
Key takeaways:
— “International financial organisations currently classify countries with per capita income of $13,845 and above as developed countries. In 2047, this would be higher. India’s per capita income as of now is $2,500 (IMF, April 2024), which shows the distance we have to travel.”
— “The recent increase in the real GFCF rate has been largely due to an increase in government capital expenditures especially of the central government.”
— “This growth in government capex cannot be sustained because it has been accompanied by a high fiscal deficit of the Centre, which was in the range of 6.7 percent, 6.4 percent, and 5.9 percent in the three post-covid years.”
— “What is needed is a pickup in private investment by one to two percentage points of GDP.”
— “After World War II, many East Asian countries adopted an export-led growth strategy and made rapid progress. Subsequently, China adopted a similar policy. China’s share in world exports was 0.6 percent in 1970. By 2022, it went up to 11.9 percent. In contrast, although India’s share in world exports was also 0.6 percent in 1970, it only increased to 2.5 percent by 2022.”
— “Broadly speaking, the strategy should be multi-dimensional: Emphasise exports, services, manufacturing, agriculture etc. It would be useful to identify our “sunrise” industries.”
— “Another critical issue is the creation of adequate jobs… In this context, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Gen AI and machine learning is causing both alarm and excitement.”
— “Considerations related to equity have assumed importance. The benefits of growth must be distributed equitably.”
— “We cannot sequence growth and equity favouring growth first and equity later. Without growth, equity will be a distant dream. On the other hand, without equity, growth cannot be sustained. Equity also requires an emphasis on health and education as part of public expenditure in terms both of quantum and quality.”
For Your Information:
— “India’s development strategy should be multidimensional. Growth may be stimulated by raising investment rates, emphasising manufacturing, services and exports, absorbing new technologies and promoting a mix of sectors that are employment-friendly.”
Points to Ponder:
— What is the significance of private investment in the growth of the economy?
— What is the role of the export-led growth strategy in the development of the nation?
— Role of the sunrise industry like the food-processing industry in India’s development
Post Read Question:
Consider the following pairs:
| Economic curve | Purpose |
| 1. Ginni Coefficient | : measurement of equal or unequal income or wealth |
| 2. Laffer curve | : depicts the relationship between tax rates and revenue |
| 3. Phillips Curve | : describes how the spending on a certain good varies with household income. |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) All three pairs
(d) None of the pairs
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
On road to Viksit Bharat, India should target per capita, not aggregate, GDP. Here’s why
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Economy
Mains Examination: GS-III: Economy
What’s the ongoing story- Surpassing even the most optimistic projections, the Indian economy grew at a robust 8.2 percent in the just concluded financial year (2023-24), as per the provisional estimates released by the National Statistical Office.
Prerequisites:
— What is Gross Value Added (GVA)?
— What is a GDP deflector?
— What is Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF)?
Key takeaways:
— The disaggregated data shows that agriculture continues to fare poorly. After growing at 0.4 percent in the third quarter, the sector grew at a mere 0.6 percent in the fourth quarter, indicating the continuing impact of last year’s unfavourable monsoon.
— Manufacturing, however, fared better, even though it has fallen from the highs observed in the second and third quarters.
— Construction activity remains healthy — this can also be seen in proxies for the sector, such as cement production and steel consumption, which grew last year at 9.1 percent and 13.6 percent respectively.
— However, trade, hotels, transport, and communication — segments that employ a large section of the informal workforce — have slowed down.
For Your Information:
— The wide divergence between GVA and GDP rates is being seen on account of a sharp jump in net taxes, primarily indicating higher taxes and lower subsidies outgo in the last quarter.
Points to Ponder:
— How GDP is calculated?
— What are the issues related to GDP growth in India?
Post Read Question:
Define potential GDP and explain its determinants. What are the factors that have been inhibiting India from realizing its potential GDP? (UPSC CSE 2020)
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
GDP crosses 8% in FY24 as services, manufacturing power Q4 growth to 7.8%
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance
Mains Examination: GS-II: Polity, Governance and Constitution
What’s the ongoing story- Madhurima Dhanuka writes: “The Pune car crash case has once again brought systemic inadequacies in relation to the treatment of juveniles in India’s criminal justice system to the fore. While it is a crime that deserves punishment, it is also crucial to turn our attention to the inadequacies of the juvenile justice system. Bail policies, orders for stay in an observation home, procedures for trying minors as adults, liability of parents for actions of their children, are issues being discussed all around.”
Prerequisites:
— Who is considered a Juvenile in India?
— What is public interest litigation?
Key takeaways:
— A recent nationwide study published by iProbono has revealed that between 2016 to 2021, at least 9,681 children in conflict with the law were transferred from prisons to child-care institutions.
— The only legally permitted institution for the detention of a child in conflict with law is either an observation home or a place of safety, but not a prison. Additionally, the Juvenile Justice Board was mandated to conduct regular inspections of prisons to ensure that no such alleged juveniles were detained.
— Our Constitution guarantees the right to consult and to be defended by a legal practitioner to any person who is arrested. The Supreme Court has extended this right to suspects at the time of questioning, too. Yet, neither the Constitution nor statutory provisions outline how this right would be implemented in practice.
— Even in the context of children in conflict with the law, rules mandate the police officer to immediately inform the district legal services authority to provide legal services upon the apprehension of a child. Here also the rules remain silent on the procedure to be followed till the lawyer is assigned, and before he visits and interacts with the child.
— Pre-trial safeguards are crucial for protecting rights, especially of children. When the police fail in their duty, it is upon the lawyer to seek compliance with legal procedures and hold the police accountable.
— It is the lawyer who can defend the child before the judicial magistrate at the time of production and present necessary evidence to establish the age of a child.
For Your Information:
— The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, allows for children between 16-18 years of age who are accused of heinous crimes to be tried as adults under the Indian Penal Code.
Points to Ponder:
— What are the concerns related to the Juvenile Justice Act?
— What are the problems in the criminal justice system of India?
— What are the various initiatives taken by the government to address these concerns?
Post Read Question:
Prelims
Consider the following pairs:
| Committee | Purpose |
| 1. V.S. Malimath Committee | : Reform in the criminal justice system |
| 2. Hanumant Rao Committee | : Prison reform |
| 3. Bimal Jalan committee | : OBC subcategorisation |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Mains
Critically analyse the recent amendments to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Economic and social development
Mains Examination: GS-II, III: Issues relating to poverty and hunger, Inclusive growth, and issues arising from it.
What’s the ongoing story- Amitabh Kundu and Mehebub Rahaman write: “The release of the factsheet of the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) has sparked a flurry of activity, with everyone trying to push a narrative about the trends and causalities”
Prerequisites:
— What is the Uniform Reference Period (URP)?
— What is the mixed reference period (MRP)?
— What is the modified mixed reference period (MMRP)?
Key takeaways:
— In 2011-12, alongside URP and MRP, NSSO adopted the MMRP. The latest HCES fact sheet suggests a shift to MMRP.
— The fall in the percentage of poor during 2004-2011 from 37.2 percent to 21.9 percent, an annual decline of 2.2 percentage points, works out to be higher than the annual decline of 1.6 percentage points during 2011-22, from 21.9 percent to about 6 percent (average figure emerging from the projections).
Points to Ponder:
— What was the purpose of the Lakdawala Committee and Tendulkar Committee?
— How is the poverty line estimated in India?
— What are the various indicators used to estimate poverty?
— What are the various schemes of the government for poverty reduction?
Post Read Question:
Though there have been several different estimates of poverty in India, all indicate a reduction in poverty levels over time. Do you agree? Critically examine with reference to urban and rural poverty indicators. (UPSC CSE 2015)
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
A roadmap to eliminate poverty in India
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
Mains Examination: GS-II: Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests.
What’s the ongoing story- Major Sen, who served with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), received the prestigious ‘2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award’ from Guterres during a ceremony at the world body’s headquarters on Thursday on the occasion of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
Prerequisites:
— What is a UN peacekeeping mission?
— Role of India in the UN peacekeeping mission
Key takeaways:
— Major Sen has served in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from March 2023 to April 2024 as the Commander of MONUSCO’s Engagement Platoon for the Indian Rapid Deployment Battalion (INDRDB).
— “A gender perspective in UN peacekeeping is essential for an effective, inclusive and sustainable peace process. Women and girls are disproportionately affected in conflict, facing increased risk and abuse. The need of the hour is to mainstream the women in nation-building, particularly in sectors of security and governance,” she said.
For Your Information:
— A total of 119 countries have contributed military and police personnel to UN peacekeeping. Currently, 72,930 of those serving are troops and military observers, and about 8,890 are police personnel.
— India has a long history of service in UN Peacekeeping, having contributed more personnel than any other country. To date, more than 2,53,000 Indians have served in 49 of the 71 UN Peacekeeping missions established around the world since 1948.
— Currently, there are around 5,500 troops and police from India who have been deployed to UN Peacekeeping missions, the fifth highest amongst troop-contributing countries.
Points to Ponder:
— Impact of war on women and child
— What are the concerns with the UN peacekeeping forces?
— What are the proposed reforms?
Post Read Question:
Consider the following statements:
1. The UN Security Council authorises every peacekeeping mission.
2. India is one of the largest contributors of troops to UN Peacekeeping operations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
Explained: India’s role in UN Peacekeeping Missions over the years
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