13-02-2024

13-02-2024

Table of Contents
Appointing Deputy CMs not a Earth-wide telescope
breach of Constitution: SC 1 confirms black hole’s 4
(The Hindu) shadow is ‘real’ (The Hindu)

RuPay, UPI rolled out in Gandhi’s Ram is not in the

Mauritius, Sri Lanka (The 2 Ram mandir (The Hindu) 5
Hindu)

The state of the Indian A science for us (The Indian

economy today (The Hindu) 3 Express) 6

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Deputy Chief Minister:

• Article 163 & 164.

Appointment of CM & council of ministers.

NO mention - Deputy Chief Minister’s post.

• Politico-administrative post - Placate the

coalition leaders.

• Origin of the post - 1947, Sardar Patel was

made the first Deputy PM of India.

Anugrah Narayan Sinha – 1st man to hold

The Hindu the post of deputy CM post-Independence.
Pg: 12 – C, B, D;
Pg: 10 - H, T

Functions of Deputy CM:

Structure of the Post: • Considered - Second highest-ranking leader

amongst the council of Ministers.
• Appointment and removal.
• Area of Portfolios
Discretion of the Chief Minister of a state.
Deputy CM holds relatively minor portfolios.
• Tenure of Office.
Importance is based on the portfolio.
Appointed or removed - Will of CM.
• Financial Powers are also less.
No fixed tenure.
• No authority to see the files of chief minister.
• Rank.

Equivalent to the rank of a cabinet

minister in the state.

Same pay & perks as Cabinet Minister.

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Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements about
Deputy Chief ministers.
1. It is a statutory created office.
2. There cannot be more than 3 deputy
CMs in a state.
3. He has the authority to oversee the files
in the absence of CM.
How many of the statements given above
is/are correct:
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None

Unified Payments Interface:

• Instant payment system - developed by the

National Payments Corporation of India.

• Regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.

• It is built over the Immediate Payment

Service (IMPS) infrastructure.

• Instant transfer of money between the

bank accounts of two parties.

• Not dependent on the working hours of the

The Hindu banks.
Pg: 14 – C, B, D;
Pg: 12 - H, T

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• 3 main funds transfer systems in our country.

Immediate Payment Service,

National Electronics Funds Transfer,

Real-Time Gross Settlement.

• IMPS is the 24*7 system.

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. With reference to digital payments, consider
the following statements: (2018)
1. BHIM app allows the user to transfer
money to anyone with a UPI-enabled bank
account.
2. While a chip-pin debit card has four
factors of authentication, BHIM app has
only two factors of authentication.
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

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The Hindu
Pg: 9 – C, B, D;
Pg: 7 - H, T

State of Indian economy:

• Decline in India’s GDP growth rate since

2016-17.

• India’s GDP growth rate was 7% in 2016-

17 and it declined annually and fell below
3.5% in the fourth quarter of 2019-20.

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• Failed in achieving a $5 trillion economy

by 2024.
Suggestion:
• Misleading claims about economic growth.
• New economic policy - based on clearly
Actual growth rate without adding
structured & stated objectives and priorities.
pandemic recovery – less than 4% per
• Requires a strategy - with a transparent
year.
resource mobilisation plan to finance the
Government announcement - growth rate
policies.
of GDP is around 6% + annually from
• Market system should be made transparent with
2019-20 and 2022-23.
minimal regulation.
• Failure of “Modinomics” similar to the
“Hindu rate of growth” in GDP.

Practice Question – Mains

GS - III
Q. Define potential GDP and explain its
determinants. What are the factors that
have been inhibiting India from realizing its
potential GDP?
(15 marks, 250 words)

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The Hindu - Science Page

Pg: II – C, B, D, H, T

• Similar to a giant magnifying glass.

• Einstein's theory of general relativity (Mass

Gravitational Lensing
bend light).
• Natural phenomenon – Occurs as massive
celestial body bends the path of light around
it.

• Body - causes the light to curve & bend is

called a gravitational lens.

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Practice Question – Prelims

Applications of gravitational lensing. Q. Consider the following statements about
Gravitational Lensing.
• Important application - Magnification.
1. It occurs when a huge amount of matter, like
Allow us to observe objects which are very galaxy, creates a very strong gravitational
field.
far away & too faint to be seen.
2. It is based on Einstein's theory of general
• Massiveness & density of the object can be relativity.
found out.
3. It is used to verify the existence of dark
• Natural cosmic telescope to observe the matters.
distant objects in space. How many of the statements given above is/are
correct :
• Study the details of early galaxies.
a) Only one
• Helps astronomers to know about black holes, b) Only two
dark matter, etc.
c) All three
d) None

The Hindu
Pg: 8 – C, B, D;
Pg: 6 - H, T

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Part B — Main Examination

PAPER - V
Question Analysis
General Studies - IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude.
• Keywords: Evaluate, Gandhi's Rama, present-
• Indian Economy and issues relating to planning,
mobilization, of resources, growth, development and day developments.
employment.
• Directive: Examine both positive and
negative aspects, conclude optimistically.
Practice Question – Mains Introduction Hints
GS – IV
• As India navigates the complex terrain of
Q. Evaluate the impact of the politicization of
religion on the country's ethos and the religion and politics, the legacy of Mahatma
principles of democracy, taking into account Gandhi's ideology, especially his interpretation
the contrasting ideologies between Gandhi's of Rama, becomes more relevant.
Rama and the present-day developments.
(250 words, 15 marks)

Positive Impacts of Politicization of Religion

• Social Reforms: Upliftment of marginalized,

increased political representation.

• Education Promotion: Religious organizations'

role in education for underprivileged.

• Unity Against Colonial Rule: Mobilization across

faiths for national identity.

• Global Promotion of Indian Traditions: Yoga,

Ayurveda through political endorsements.

• Advocacy for Social Justice: Religious

movements pushing for rights and resources.

• Cultural Revival: Traditional arts, languages,

and practices.

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Negative Impacts of Politicization of Religion • Restriction on Individual Freedoms:

Majoritarianism imposing religious norms.
• Erosion of Secular Fabric: Departure from
constitutional ideals. • Electoral Exploitation: Political gains
prioritized over long-term unity.
• Communal Tensions: Favoring one religion
exacerbates conflicts. • Gandhi’s Rama symbolized universal moral and
ethical principles, not confined to a single
• Departure from Gandhi’s Ideals: Shift from
religion.
symbolic moral governance to politicization.

• Democracy and Equality Compromise: Biased

policies, discrimination against minorities.

• Judiciary's Impartiality: Questions raised by

linking religion with political decisions.

• Marginalization of Cultures: Diminishing

diversity in a multi-religious society.

Conclusion

• Balancing these aspects requires a nuanced

understanding and application of Gandhi's
ideals.

• With that we can ensure religion serves as a

bridge rather than a barrier in the nation's
progress.

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The Indian Express

Pg: 13 – Delhi

SWATI Portal

• Purpose: Support Indian women and girls in

STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering,
Mathematics, and Medicine).

• Developer: National Institute of Plant Genome

Research (NIPGR).

Objectives of SWATI Portal

• Include women across all career stages in

STEMM, in academia and industry.

• Facilitate research on equality, diversity, and

inclusivity through a significant database.

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• Decision Making.

• Education Emphasis - Highlight the

importance of science.

Functionality of SWATI Portal

• Provides resources such as scholarships,

mentorship, and professional networks.

• Platform for sharing experiences, research

findings, and career guidance in STEMM.

Purpose: Encourage STEM education and

Government Initiatives for Women in STEM
provide guidance for higher education and
• Gender Advancement for Transforming
careers in science.
Institutions (GATI)
• Indo-US Fellowship for Women in STEMM
By: Department of Science & Technology
(WISTEMM)
(DST)
Opportunity: Work in US research labs;
Goal: Foster gender equality in STEM;
exposure to global research and
focus on leadership and participation of
innovation.
women in research and academia.
• CURIE Programme
Phase 1: 30 institutions selected.
Focus: Enhance R&D infrastructure in
• Vigyan Jyoti Scheme
women's universities.
Target: Meritorious girls in high schools;
Aim: Establish advanced research
especially from rural areas.
facilities; support women researchers.

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Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct
regarding the field of STEMM?
1. The SWATI Portal, developed by the National
Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR).
2. Vigyan Jyoti Scheme is an initiative of the
Department of Science & Technology (DST).
3. Gender Advancement for Transforming
Institutions (GATI) initiative is launched by the
Ministry of Education.
How many of the above is/ are correct with
respect to STEMM initiatives?
a) One
b) Two
c) All the above
d) None

PRACTICE QUESTIONS
DISCUSSION

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Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements about
Deputy Chief ministers.
1. It is a statutory created office.
2. There cannot be more than 3 deputy
CMs in a state.
3. He has the authority to oversee the files
in the absence of CM.
How many of the statements given above
is/are correct:
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. With reference to digital payments, consider
the following statements: (2018)
1. BHIM app allows the user to transfer
money to anyone with a UPI-enabled bank
account.
2. While a chip-pin debit card has four
factors of authentication, BHIM app has
only two factors of authentication.
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

14
 13-02-2024

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements about
Gravitational Lensing.
1. It occurs when a huge amount of matter, like
galaxy, creates a very strong gravitational
field.
2. It is based on Einstein's theory of general
relativity.
3. It is used to verify the existence of dark
matters.
How many of the statements given above is/are
correct :
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None

Practice Question – Mains

GS - III
Q. Define potential GDP and explain its
determinants. What are the factors that
have been inhibiting India from realizing its
potential GDP?
(15 marks, 250 words)

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