GS Paper 1 — Heritage, History, Geography, Society
Today’s sole GS 1 item demands removal of derogatory caste names from official documents. The trap is to treat this as a routine social justice demand; the better answer will link it to the upcoming caste census, the Census Act 1948, and the foundational dignity guarantee under Article 21. It is a society question that requires a governance spine.
Demand to Remove Derogatory Caste Names from Census and Official Documents
VCK MP D. Ravikumar urged the Union government to eliminate the use of derogatory caste names in the Census and official documents, including Scheduled Caste certificates. This demand brings to the fore the ongoing debate on caste enumeration, social justice, and the dignity of marginalized communities. The next Census, delayed since 2021, is expected to include a caste count, making this issue critical.
Why UPSC cares: GS-1: Salient features of Indian Society, Caste issues. GS-2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections, Census, Social justice. Connects to debates on caste census, Patna High Court order on caste survey, and constitutional provisions for SC/ST.
Probable question: Discuss the sociological significance of removing derogatory caste names from official records. How does it relate to the dignity of marginalized communities? (150 words)
Related previous-year questions: GS-1 2020: Caste Census debate; GS-2 2018: Welfare of SC/ST
Primary source
GS Paper 2 — Polity, Governance, International Relations
Polity, Governance, and IR cluster heavily today. The common thread is state accountability and rights protection: the Supreme Court’s protocol for livestream archives tests open justice, its DNA testing order for Indians in Russia-Ukraine extends consular welfare, India’s diplomatic urging to Iran safeguards maritime trade, and the government’s summons to Meta over algorithmic bias demands platform responsibility. The examiner expects you to weave these into a narrative of a responsive state balancing rights and order.
Supreme Court Directs Centre to Facilitate DNA Testing of Indians Killed in Russia-Ukraine Conflict
The Supreme Court has ordered the Centre to appoint a nodal officer to facilitate the identification of mortal remains through DNA testing of Indian nationals killed or missing in the Russia-Ukraine war. The court also directed the government to ensure families receive legal aid for compensation claims. This highlights the humanitarian dimension of the conflict, as many Indians have been serving as support personnel or fighting in the war zone. The ruling underscores the state’s responsibility towards its diaspora in conflict areas.
Why UPSC cares: Primary GS Paper 2 (Indian Diaspora, Consular Services, Judiciary). Secondary: GS Paper 3 (Security, Role of MEA). Connects to 'India’s Diaspora Policy' and Laxmikanth Ch. 15 (Union Executive, Role of MEA).
Probable question: Discuss the challenges faced by the Indian diaspora in conflict zones and the role of Indian consular services in providing assistance. (150 words)
Related previous-year questions: GS-2 2022: Indian diaspora in Gulf and Ukraine evacuation; GS-2 2017: Indian diaspora and soft power
Primary source
Supreme Court Moots Protocol for Accessing Livestream Archives to Prevent Misuse
The Supreme Court is considering formulating a protocol to regulate access to the archives of its livestreamed proceedings, aiming to balance open justice with preventing commercial exploitation and misuse. A recent interim order had barred the circulation of such recordings on digital platforms, drawing criticism from activists as a reversal of the open justice principle. The court’s move seeks to establish clear guidelines for public access while safeguarding the integrity of judicial processes. This development has significant implications for judicial transparency and the right to information.
Why UPSC cares: Primary GS Paper 2 (Judiciary, Open Justice, Transparency). Secondary: GS Paper 2 (Fundamental Rights, Article 21, Right to Information). Connects to Laxmikanth Ch. 27 (Supreme Court) and Ch. 5 (Fundamental Rights).
Probable question: ‘Livestreaming of court proceedings is a step towards strengthening open justice, but it also raises concerns of misuse.’ Discuss. (250 words)
Related previous-year questions: GS-2 2021: Judicial transparency and livestreaming; GS-2 2019: E-Courts project and judicial reforms
Primary source
India Urges Iran to Avoid Attacks on Merchant Vessels, Raises Concern over Maritime Security
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conveyed to his Iranian counterpart that India is deeply concerned about the safety of commercial shipping in the region and urged that merchant vessels not be targeted. The communication comes amid heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies and India’s energy imports. India’s diplomatic engagement highlights its stake in regional stability and the protection of Indian diaspora and maritime trade. This aligns with India's broader strategic interests in West Asia.
Why UPSC cares: Primary GS Paper 2 (International Relations, India-Iran Relations, Maritime Security). Secondary: GS Paper 3 (Energy Security, Oil imports). Connects to 'India's Foreign Policy' by Muchkund Dubey and Rajiv Sikri (Chapters on West Asia).
Probable question: Analyze the significance of the Strait of Hormuz for India’s energy security and the steps taken by India to ensure maritime safety in the region. (150 words)
Related previous-year questions: GS-2 2021: India-Iran relations and Chabahar port; GS-2 2018: Indian diaspora in Gulf and West Asia
Primary source
Government to question Meta over algorithmic bias and impact on public order
The Indian government summoned Meta after Prime Minister Modi’s post addressing youth and paper leaks was briefly restricted on Facebook. It will question Meta’s global team on algorithmic bias and the platform’s role in public order, raising concerns about content moderation practices and their influence on democratic discourse.
Why UPSC cares: GS-2: Government policies and interventions, IT Act, digital governance; GS-4: Ethics in technology, impartiality, accountability of tech companies. Connects to social media regulation and intermediary guidelines under Section 79 of IT Act.
Probable question: Examine the ethical and regulatory challenges posed by algorithmic bias on social media platforms, with reference to recent government action against Meta. (250 words)
Related previous-year questions: GS-2 2022: Discuss the role of social media in influencing public discourse.; GS-4 2021: Case study on ethical issues in artificial intelligence.
Primary source
GS Paper 3 — Economy, Environment, Science & Tech, Security
Economy, Environment, and S&T items converge on resource management. The floating solar scheme addresses land scarcity and water conservation, PM-KISAN’s extension sustains rural income through direct transfers, and the hornbill genome sequencing reveals how genetic data can sharpen conservation strategies. The trap is treating these as standalone policy announcements; link them to India’s net-zero ambitions, agrarian welfare, and biodiversity commitments.
Government Launches Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana to Promote Floating Solar Plants
The Union Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana, a new scheme targeting 5,000 MW of floating solar installations on water bodies by 2030-31. This initiative aims to harness the potential of reservoirs, lakes, and canals for solar power generation, saving land resources and reducing water evaporation. The scheme aligns with India’s renewable energy targets and climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. It is expected to attract investments, create jobs, and contribute to energy security.
Why UPSC cares: Primary GS Paper 3 (Energy, Environment, Renewable Energy). Secondary: GS Paper 2 (Government policies and interventions). Connects to Ramesh Singh Ch. 14 (Energy Sector) and Shankar IAS Environment (Renewable Energy).
Probable question: Discuss the potential of floating solar technology in India’s renewable energy mix and the challenges in its large-scale deployment. (250 words)
Related previous-year questions: GS-3 2022: India's renewable energy targets and challenges; GS-3 2019: Floating solar energy potential in India
Primary source
Cabinet Approves Extension of PM-KISAN Scheme for Five More Years
The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme for another five years, ensuring continued income support of ₹6,000 per year to eligible farmer families. The decision reaffirms the government's commitment to direct benefit transfer (DBT) in agriculture and rural welfare. The extension is expected to benefit over 11 crore farmers, providing financial stability and boosting rural demand. This move aligns with the broader objective of doubling farmers' income and leveraging digital infrastructure for efficient delivery.
Why UPSC cares: Primary GS Paper 3 (Agriculture, Government Schemes). Secondary: GS Paper 2 (Welfare schemes, DBT). Connects to Ramesh Singh Ch. 17 (Agriculture and Food Management) and Laxmikanth Ch. 39 (Central Social Welfare Schemes).
Probable question: Discuss the role of direct benefit transfer schemes like PM-KISAN in addressing agrarian distress and promoting rural prosperity. (150 words)
Related previous-year questions: GS-3 2020: PM-KISAN and its impact on farmers' income; GS-2 2019: Direct Benefit Transfer and its role in governance
Primary source
Genetic blueprint decoded for four iconic hornbill species to aid conservation
Researchers from CCMB-Hyderabad and NCF-Mysore have decoded the complete genomes of four hornbill species, revealing their evolutionary history and population dynamics influenced by past climatic shifts. This genomic data is critical for conservation strategies, as hornbills are keystone species for seed dispersal and forest ecology in India.
Why UPSC cares: GS-3: Science & Technology (genomics, biotechnology) and Environment (biodiversity conservation). Hornbills are an endangered keystone species in Indian forests. Links to NCERT Biology Class 12 (Biodiversity and Conservation) and Shankar IAS Environment (Species Conservation).
Probable question: Explain how genomics can be utilized in the conservation of endangered species, citing the recent hornbill genome project as an example. (150 words)
Related previous-year questions: GS-3 2021: Explain how biotechnology can help in conservation of biodiversity.; GS-3 2019: Discuss the significance of genome sequencing in biology.
Primary source