Current Affairs for GS is an area which is by far the most important aspect of the GS

paper and also perhaps the most difficult area to master. Important, because most of the
questions whether they are in the prelims or the mains draw their inspiration from what
is happening in the current affairs, and difficult because of its vastness and difficulty in
identifying what is important and what is not.
In the main examination interdisciplinary approach is essential. It should not be matter
of concern whether the question is contemporary or traditional. What matter is your
ability to see the different dimensions of any topic! Key concepts are paramount. Thus,
preparing contemporary issues and developing interdisciplinary approach is the last
resort to give you best hope to qualify main examination.
Here we are coming up with the strategy for GS main 2015. This section is
dedicated to this year main examination. It include following segments:
1. Current Affairs issues listing: listing of all the possible topics for GS mains.
2. Topic synopsis: We will also develop structure of different topic of paper 1,2 , 3 and
4. It will help you to create a good structure of the topic in the minimum time.
3. Article Section: We are also presenting collection of articles compiled from various
sources i.e Yojana, Krushetra, EPW, Down to Earth etc.
4. Concept Builders: Easy explanation of important topics that help you to finish every
topic in 5-10 minutes. And will cover all possible dimensions in short.
5. Answer writing: answer writing is crucial these days. We would be updating quality
question for answer writing
6. Essay writing: This will be idea discussion section about developing different
dimension of any topic.
In short we are trying to develop a complete section that can extend maximum support
for GS Mains 2015 that includes current affairs listing , topic synopsis of all the papers ,
essay writing skills, key concepts of important topic, answer writing etc.

Update #13 Current Affairs Topic Listing 3: National issues

1. Juvenile justice system in India and recent changes

Whether treating juveniles as adults in heinous crimes will serve the purpose of
reducing crime level among youths.
2. Transgender recognized as third gender
Just recognizing transgender rights may not serve the purpose, society outlook
towards them need to be changed.
3. Controversy over Article 370
Whether the provisions of Article 370 is acting as roadblock in development of J&K.

4. Public engagement with law making process

Law making process should be more transparent rather than just being parliamentary
proceeding in which MPs work with short term gain policy.
5. Role of states in Foreign policy
In the sphere of cooperative federalism whether states should be indulged before
signing agreements with foreign entities.
6. Human trafficking
Human trafficking forms a lucrative illicit economy that must be attacked from every
angle.
7. Illegal immigration
Whether signing pact with
8. Civil nuclear liability Bill
Removing or diluting suppliers liability may have impact in quality of the raw materials
as they will not be held responsible for any mishap.
9. Child labour
Child labour issue is deteriorating standard of the future generation of the nation by
depriving them from education, health and skill development.
10. Surrogacy related issues
Sex-selective surrogacy should be prohibited.
Surrogacy impacting Womens rights
11. RTI and political parties issue
Pros and cons of bringing political parties under RTI
12. Government allowed NRI to vote via e-postal ballots
How to check the authenticity of the votes posted, criteria for giving voter ID.
13. Politics of opportunity based coalition
Coalition reduces the effectiveness of government functioning
14. Government advertisement and Democracy: Views of Supreme Court
Issue of Paid news
15. Regulating Real Estate Sector
Analysis of Real Estate Bill, whether it will be able to protect the rights of middle class.
16. National Judicial Appointments Commission Act
Whether NJAC will dilute the autonomy and activist powers of judiciary.
17. Disability issue in India
Government institutions and infrastructure are not diable friendly, steps needed for
improving the situation.
18. PMJDY
The opening of bank accounts did not lead to access to credit, rural and urban

development for providing employment and skill to poor so that they can earn their living
is more important.
19. One Rank One Pension Issue
What are the obstacles in implementing one pension one rank scheme and how the
issue is impacting morale of the armed persons?
20. Significance of Aadhar and NPR
Aadhar and NPR has established civil identity of the people and helped in empowering
them but what about the population not covered by it, how the beneficiaries for schemes
will be identified in absence of any identity card.
21. Prasar Bharati needs autonomy
Autonomy of media is necessary for acting as fourth pillar of the democracy.
22. Introduction of NOTA in elections
Whether Nota without Recall will be effective in India?
23. Is there a need for Second State Reorganisation Commission?
Size of state and development debate

Update #12 Concept Builder -3: FDI in insurance

Foreign Direct Investment refers to the capital inflows from abroad that invest in the
production capacity of the economy.
The FDI limit in the insurance sector has been increased to 49 percent which means
that foreign capital can flow in either as direct investment or via the portfolio route, or as
a combination of both. So foreign investors can either directly buy equity from the
company or can buy shares on the stock market.
It will lead to foreign player coming to Indian market for direct investment.
The laws will also provide for insurance companies to list on stock exchanges.
Key benefits of Increased Foreign Direct Investment Limit in Insurance Sector
a) Increased Insurance Penetration
b) Level Playing Field as So far the state owned Life Corporation of India controls
around 70 percent of the life insurance market.
c) Increased Capital Inflow.
d) Job Creation.
e) There is bound to be stringent competition leading to competitive quotes, improved
services and better claim settlement ratio.
f) The increase in the Cap will help to increase Infra Investment with the help of private
players or the foreign entities, in the Indian Market.
g) With the increase in the cap, there will be enough chances to bring in new
technologies and products in the insurance market.

Issues in FDI in insurance sector:

a) The Union Government had opened up the insurance sector for private participation
in 1999 with 26% FDI but 9 out of the 12 private companies in life insurance suffered
losses in 2002-03 (according to IRDA report) hence whether FDI will increase efficiency
if misnomer.
b) How the credibility of Foreign companies will be judged. The Economist (April 1,
2004) reports the sorry plight of Standard Life of UK (HDFCs partner in India), which is
unable to remain afloat without the possibility of raising money in debt or equity markets.
AMP closed its life operations for new business in June 2003. Royal Sun Alliance also
shut down their profitable businesses in 2002. A recent report by Mercer Oliver Wyman,
a consultancy, found that European life insurance companies are short of capital by a
whopping 60 billion euros.
c) The private or foreign participation has not been able to achieve the goal of Greater
channelization of savings to insurance earlier after liberalisation.
d) Flow of funds for infrastructure a myth.

Update #11: Direct Benefits Transfer

There are many schemes and programmes of the Government of India under which
many benefits are provided to the people such as subsidies, scholarships to students,
benefits for feeding and pregnant mothers, and micro credit to poor women. Till now the
beneficiaries were not getting this amount directly in their bank accounts. Also, there
were cases where the intermediary officers would ask for a cut or commission, and
there were leakages in the benefits reaching the true beneficiaries.
The Government of India has now started the Direct Benefits Transfer scheme. With this
scheme the money is directly transferred into bank accounts of beneficiaries having
Aadhar cards. The Aadhaar number is a unique identification number that every
resident of India (regardless of citizenship) is entitled to get after he/she furnishes
demographic and biometric information.
Direct Benefits Transfer is likely to be a game-changer in proper implementation of
schemes.
The following Articles have been selected from Yojana on Issues related to Direct
Benefits Transfer:
The direct benefits transfer: no need for hype but certainly a hope
Cash vs. in-kind
Cash transfers and social security
What can we expect from direct benefit transfers?

 Direct benefits transfer: panacea to remove poverty and inequality in India?

Direct transfer of benefits: what lies ahead
These Articles will provide a complete gist of the different dimensions on Direct
Benefits Transfer which will prove to be fruitful in writing Mains answers.

Update #10 Concept Builder -2: New Monetary Policy Framework to handle
inflation

Inflation refers to a gradual rise in the general price level in the economy and a fall in
purchasing power ofmoney over a period of time.
New Index for measuring inflation:
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had adopted the new Consumer Price Index (CPI)
(combined) as the key measure of inflation. The national CPI is meant to measure retail
inflation. This index will combine urban and rural CPIs, both under preparation and to be
released simultaneously.
Salient features of Monetary policy framework:
a) It has been signed between Union Government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
b) The Reserve Bank of India will aim to bring retail inflation below 6% by January 2016.
The target of financial year 2016-17 and all subsequent years shall be four per cent with
a band of (+/-) 2 per cent.
c) The agreement also requires the RBI to give the government a report in case the
target is missed for a specified period.
d) The RBI is also required to make public every six months a document explaining the
sources of inflation and the inflation forecast for the period between six and eight
months. In case of any dispute arising out of interpretation of the agreement, it would be
resolved through a meeting between the RBI governor and the government.
e) The new monetary policy committee, which will set the inflation target.
f) The Monetary Policy Committee will comprise
I. the Reserve Bank Chairperson as its chairperson;
II. one executive member of the Reserve Bank Board nominated by the Reserve Bank
Board;
III. one employee of the Reserve Bank nominated by the Reserve Bank Chairperson;
and
IV. four persons appointed by the Central Government.
The objective of monetary policy is to achieve price stability while striking a balance with
the objective of the Central government to achieve growth.
Criticism of mechanism:

a) The Indian economy is inflation prone and fiscal populism, is its biggest contributor.
From loan waivers to corporate give-aways, fiscal policy primes the pump needlessly on
many occasions for non-economic considerations.
b) The government works on short term basis as Political considerations like re-election
make the central government more than willing to consistently spend more than it earns
despite the risks of higher future inflation and increased interest rates. This begs the
question as to how the central government can be entrusted with conducting monetary
policy when such a task requires a long term perspective.

Update #9: Issues related to Sanitation

The World Health Organization states that: Sanitation generally refers to the provision of
facilities and services for the safe disposal of human urine and feces. Inadequate
sanitation is a major cause of disease world-wide and improving sanitation is known to
have a significant beneficial impact on health both in households and across
communities. The word sanitation also refers to the maintenance of hygienic
conditions, through services such as garbage collection and wastewater disposal.
According to Houselisting and Housing Census 2011, 58% of the households have
bathing facility within the premises, showing an Increase of 22 pts over 2001. Around
half of the households have drainage connectivity with two-third have the open drainage
and one-third have the closed drainage. 47% of the households have latrine facility
within premises with 36% households have water closet and 9% households have pit
latrine.
The above data clearly showcase the true picture of India where sanitation and hygiene
is a major issue.
The following Articles have been selected from Yojana and Kurukshetra Magazine
on Issues related to Sanitation in India:
Sanitation and Social change in India
Obstacles to Total Sanitation :Evidence from District Level Household Survey
Rural sanitation and need to encourage womens participation
Rural Saniation: a herculean task
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan : A tool for Progressive India
Swachh Bharat - Challenges & Way Forward
Biotoilets
These Articles will provide a complete gist of the different dimensions on Issues
related to Saniation in India which will prove to be fruitful in writing Mains
answers.

Update #8: GS Mains Answer writing session 4 by Manoj K Jha and Dr.
Surendra K Singh
Update #7: Tribal Issues in India
Primitive, geographically isolated, shy and socially, educationally & economically
backwardness these are the traits that distinguish Scheduled Tribes of our country from
other communities. Tribal communities live in about 15% of the countrys areas in
various ecological and geo-climatic conditions ranging from plains to forests, hills and
inaccessible areas. Tribal groups are at different stages of social, economic and
educational development.
There are over 500 tribes (with many overlapping communities in more than one State)
as notified under article 342 of the Constitution of India, spread over different States and
Union Territories of the country, the largest number of tribal communities being in the
State of Orissa. The main concentration of tribal population is in central India and in the
Northeastern States.
The Constitution of India seeks to secure for all its citizens, among other things, social
and economic justice, equality of status and opportunity and assures the dignity of the
individual. In India too, the provisions like the Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the
constitution provide a historic guarantee to the adivasis on the right over their land and
have been hailed as constitution within constitution so far as tribal rights are
mconcerned. The Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), gives
substantive powers to the tribals with regard to natural resource management and selfgovernance. The Forest Rights Act also grants community rights over common
resources apart from the individual rights to integrate the conservation and livelihood
rights of some of the poorest of the poor people of the country. But still tribals are facing
displacement and deprivation to facilitate various developmental projects such as setting
up of industries, mining operations, construction of big dams etc.
The following Articles have been selected from Yojana Magazine on Tribal Issues
in India:
Constitutional Provisions, Laws and Tribes
The Limits to Law , Democracy and Governance
The Food Bill, Wild Foods and the Adivasi people
Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan
Tribal Neglect and Limitations of Budget-centric Approach to Development
These Articles will provide a complete gist of the different dimensions related to
Tribal Issues in India which will prove to be fruitful in writing Mains answers.

Update #6 Topic synopsis -2: Linkage between Development and Spread of

Extremism

1. Political Economy of Development, development and destitution, losers and gainers,

state's role to optimize the outcomes and minimize frictions including social tension
2. Limitations of trickle down and need for state intervention
3. Role of state in ensuring growth with distributive justice and equity
4. Role of state in arbitrating between conflicting interests such as between capital and
labour, rural regions and urban regions, industrial sector and farming sector, economic
growth and social welfare etc.
5. Development deficit and loss of trust in state, alienation, fatalism
6. Big hydropower projects, dams and irrigation projects, infrastructure projects, SEZs
and displacement
7. Acquisition of land for commercial and other than farm use and issues related to
compensation and rehabilitation
8. Use of forest and mineral resources, right to ownership, livelihood and issues related
to sustainable development
9. Land and agrarian relations- conflicts of interest between the stake holders such as
land owners, tillers, landless labour, traders and commission agends, non-institutional
sources of credit, indebtedness of farmers, farmers suicide
10. Indoctrination- role of ultra left organizations, trade unions and labour movements,
peasant groups, student wings, religious groups and inability of state to counter them

Update #5 Current Affairs Topic Listing 2 : India and World

1. Major Global Developments
a. Scotland Freedom Referendum
b. UN membership for Palestinian State
c. Russia Georgia conflict Revival of Cold war
d. Ukraine Crisis/ Minks Agreement
e. Rise of racial tensions in USA after police shooting/ Black Lives Matters movement

f. USA and CUBA detente

g. Senkaku/Diaoyu islands issue among Japan and China
h. Rohingyas Humanitarian crisis
2. Multilateral Diplomatic actions and issues
a. International Yoga Day - is it of any significance for Indias International relations
b. Indias membership issue in APEC and SCO
c. UNSC reforms and Indias membership recent setback
d. Operation Rahat
e. Increasing Indian Presence in South China Sea and its payoffs
f. New MLATs signed by India
g. India Bangladesh Land boundary agreement
h. BCIM corridor
3. Economic Issues and developments
a. Black Money Recovery and Financial treaties including DTAA
b. Decline in Oil prices and explanation on cartel war between OPEC and Russia
c. IMF reforms and increase in SDR share for developing countries
d. WTO and development of Doha round
e. New Trade Blocs - Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
f. Greek Crisis Implications o n EU and international finance
g. Chinese Economic Crisis threat or opportunity
4. Global War on Terror
a. Rise of ISIS and implication for India
b. Boko Haram in Africa

c. Charlie Habdo and other attacks in western world

d. Indias role as a partner and supporter against Global war on Terror
5. Middle-East
a. Safety of Indians in Middle eastern countries
b. Yemen Crisis Major Actors and Issues
c. Syrian Crisis and Geneva-II conference
d. Deal between HAMAS and Fateh
e. Iran Nuclear Deal and Expected Arms race in region
f. Arab Spring what is the outcome in 5 yrs
g. destruction of cultural Legacy and heritage by ISIS
h. Power transfer in Arab world Saudia Arabia, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt
6. Neighbourhood
a. SAARC
Relevance of Panchsheel now
SAARC satellite
SAARC University in Delhi
SAARC yatra
b. Pakistan
Cancellation of NSA level Talks
Consistent Ceasefire violation
Increasing Chinsese influence in Pakistan and RANDI
Indias boycott of commonwealth meet in Islamabad
Ketty Lugar Bill

c. Afghanistan
Civil project assistance to Afghanistan
Impact of NATO withdrawal
d. Sri Lanka
Impact of regime change
Fishermen Issue
Increasing Chinese presence
e. Bangladesh
historic land boundary agreement
death of secular bloggers
f. CHINA
Maritime Silk Road and Indias stand
Mekong Ganga Cooperation and Chinese reaction
Uighur Militant movement and Chinese responses
Project Mausam
Hongkong Protests
g. Bhutan
h. Mauritius
i. Myanmar
j. Nepal
Earthquake and Indias humanitarian help
Political changes in Nepal and establishment of peace

Update #4 Concept Builder -1: Payment bank and financial inclusion

 The Payments Bank have been approved as a differentiated bank and shall confine its
activities to acceptance of demand deposits, remittance services, Internet banking and
other specified services.
Eligibility for opening banks:
a) NBFCs, Corporate Business Correspondents, mobile telephone companies, and
supermarket chains were allowed to apply for licences.
b) Every payments bank must have an equity capital of 100 crore to start off and
maintain a capital adequacy of 15 per cent.
c) It will need to meet cash reserve requirements and needs to invest in specific
securities to meet the statutory liquidity ratio. All these amounts are to be invested in
government securities or treasury bills.
d) Promoters holding must be at least 40 per cent for the first five years, and eventually
reduced to 26 per cent over 12 years.
Services to be provided by Payment Banks:
a) The payment banks will be allowed to accept current and savings accounts, up to
Rs.1 lakh per customer.
b) Payment banks make handling cash a lot easier.
c) They will be allowed to issue ATM/debit cards as also other prepaid payment
instruments, but not the credit cards.
d) These banks can also distribute non-risk sharing simple financial products like mutual
funds and insurance products.
e) They will not be allowed to undertake lending services and non resident Indians will
not be allowed to open accounts.
The Reserve Bank has granted in-principle approval to 11 entities, including Reliance
Industries, Aditya Birla Nuvo, Vodafone and Airtel, Department of Posts,
Cholamandalam Distribution Services, Tech Mahindra, National Securities Depository
Limited (NSDL), Fino PayTech, Sun Pharmas Dilip Shantilal Shanghvi and PayTMs
Vijay Shekhar Sharma.
The in-principle approval granted will be valid for a period of 18 months, during which
time the applicants have to comply with the requirements under the guidelines and fulfil
the other conditions as may be stipulated by the Reserve Bank.
Proposed benefits:
a) It will deepen financial inclusion by providing small savings accounts and
payments/remittance services to low-income households, small businesses and other
unorganised sector entities.
b) The banks are expected to set up branches in unbanked and under-banked areas,
with the target group primarily being individuals with low savings.

c) Payment banks make handling cash a lot easier. For example, one can transfer
money using your mobile phone and also receive amounts through device.
Criticism:
a) These banks are not allowed to undertake lending activities. This would definitely
constrict their ability to generate a profit.
b) It will be a challenge to attract deposits in rural areas where savings are low even in
PMJDY many bank accounts are stagnant.
c) Payments banks will also have to manage low-value, high-volume transactions.
d) CRR and SLR criteria will reduce the liquidity of banks.

Update #3 Topic synopsis -1: Inclusive Growth and Inclusion

India's government has made "inclusive growth" a key element of their policy platform,
stating as a goal: "Achieving a growth process in which people in different walks in life
feel that they too benefit significantly from the process." This topic is part of GS main
Paper 3. Following are the possible dimension around which you need to design you
topic synopsis notes.
Meaning and concept of Inclusion
Why inclusion and India's experience
Social section initiative and inclusion process
Ground reality and working of flagship schemes
India's growth story in this context
Why India's growth is not inclusive
Rural economy based growth.
Sustainable agriculture, food security and resilience for growth.
Public distribution schemes: Way to inclusive growth.
Financial inclusion as an instrument of inclusive growth.
Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation as a strategy for inclusive growth.
Social sector development as an instrument for inclusive growth.
Public private partnership for inclusive growth.
Industrial Integration for inclusive growth.
Sectoral and regional diversification as a tool for inclusive growth.
Conclusion on the basis Analysis of 11th and 12 five year plan document
assessment

Update #2 Manufacturing in India

Despite India's early development strategy of creating a well diversified industrial base
through extensive reforms focused on manufacturing, an acceleration of manufacturing
growth and the desired dynamism has remained elusive. The sector has not lived up to

its expected potential as evident from its stagnant share of 15% to 16% in overall GDP
since the 1980s.
Further, countries with similar levels of development, especially the East Asian
economies, have been able to make their presence felt in the global market for
manufacturing products to a far greater extent than Indian While China in particular has
achieved rapid growth fuelled by its manufacturing base, India has not witnessed a
similar scaling-up of its manufacturing capabilities, although over the years, the share of
services has risen and agriculture has declined as a percentage of overall GDP.
The recent budget of the Government has made efforts to provide favourable
environment and facilities to promote domestic as well as international industry by
simplification, rationalization and digitization of processes. Initiatives like "Make in India",
Skill India, MUDRA etc are aimed at encouraging the spirit of entrepreneurship and
making India the manufacturing hub of the world. The budget also tries to address
issues relating to lack of robust infrastructure, constraints on energy supply, importance
of innovation and technology etc.
The following Articles have been selected from Yojana Magazine:
Manufacturing In India: New Perspectives And Imperatives
Manufacturing-Led Growth, Competition And Challenges
Need For Sustainability And Innovations In Indian Manufacturing
The Need For 'Make In India'
Labour Laws And India's Manufacturing Sector: The Need For Reforms
Hi-Tech Manufacturing In India: An Unleashed Potential
Intellectual Property Issues In Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGS) In India
These Articles will provide a complete gist of the different dimensions related to
Manufacturing Sector in India which will prove to be fruitful in writing Mains
answers.

Update #1 Current Affairs Topic Listing 1: National issues

Dismantling the welfare state: Are Welfare programs really welfare in nature?
The Need for Influential State Broadcasting in India
Ethnic and Religious conflict and the role of civil society
Let the Parliament Work!
Need for a permanent National Farmer's Commission

 Whistleblowers Bill
Social Security Scenario in India: Atal Pension/ Jeevan jyoti Etc
Critical Analysis of Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana
Changes required in Criminal Justice System
Public engagement with law making process
Role & efficiency of Parliamentary Committees
Issues in appointment of Governor
Importance of Governor
Right to legal aid
NHRC analysis
Parliaments role in financial oversight
Working of social sector schemes in Tribal areas
Police reforms
Cooperative federalism
Regulation of media
Issues related to flow of funds to NGOs
Issue of undertrials in India
Caste Census
Universal Health Care issue
Frequent ordinance
Feasibility of prevention of corruption act
NGT role and recent judgements
The relevance of Radio in Internet Era etc

 Govt advertisement and Democracy: Views of Supreme Court

Freedom of expression and responsibility/ Right to Privacy
Sanitation, Health and Challenges in changing behaviours
Dismantling the welfare state: Are Welfare programs really welfare in nature?
SHG and socio-culture issues
Social Security Scenerio in India: Atal Pension/ Jeevan jyoti Etc
Critical Analysis of Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana
Building Institutions v/s Building Buildings (New Institute of excellence IITs IIMs)
Issues related to women labour
Issue related to IMR
Smart cities issue
Skill India: challenges
Street vendors bill
Public participation in law making
Autonomy of higher education institutes
Issue of low sex ratio
The race relations in India/ Bezbaruah Committee
Poor development of inland waterways

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