What is the duration of the IAS Exam Preparation Course?

The IAS Exam Preparation Course lasts for 6 months.

What are the prerequisites for enrolling?

There are no prerequisites for enrolling in the IAS Exam Preparation Course.

Aaj Ka Quality Enrichment Program 19th June 2023 Save

KEYWORDS

Collective harm to society:

Meaning: The negative consequences or impact that affects a society as a whole rather than being limited to specific individuals or groups.
It occurs when actions, policies, or behaviors lead to detrimental effects on the well-being, progress, or functioning of the community or society at large.
Usage: It can be used in polity & democracy (failure of democratic or constitutional values, authoritarianism), environment (climate change/global warming, pollution), society (lack of harmony, intolerance, communalism), social media, Cybersecurity (Data Privacy) etc.

Double threat: Along Border:

Meaning: It refers to the challenges and complexities arising from two front war (China & Pakistan) and the intersection of traditional border conflicts and emerging forms of warfare in contemporary times.
Usage: It can be used in Internal and border security, Defense forces, cyber warfare, bilateral relations (China) etc.
Extended usage: Nutrition (Double threat of Malnutrition & Obesity), Climate change (Double threat of Climate Change & Food Insecurity; Climate Disaster & Poverty), Pandemic (Double threat of loss of lives & livelihood).

Culture of Authority to Culture of Justification to Culture of Collaboration & Empowerment:

Meaning: Culture of Authority: Describes a Top-down approach to governance wherein the decisions are unilaterally taken and communicated to the people, without regard to their needs or participation.
Culture of Justification: Describe a mindset in which decisions, actions, or policies are expected to be justified through reasoned arguments, evidence, and adherence to established norms or values.
Culture of Collaboration: Decision-making processes emphasize the involvement and cooperation of individuals and groups.
Culture of Empowerment: Focuses on decentralizing decision-making authority and empowering individuals or teams.
Usage: In policy making & implementation, Inclusion (Social, economic and political), governance (Civil services reforms), citizen empowerment (participation, capacity building) etc.

Gender-affirming Policy/ Schemes/ Initiatives:

Meaning: The policy which does not discriminate against people based on gender in accessing social services such as education, employment, and healthcare and recognizes the right to self-perceived gender identity.
Usage: Women empowerment & LGBTQ+ rights (Social, economic & political, international policies/agreements), policy formulation and implementation, Social Inclusion, Skill development, Governance, Technology etc.

CASE STUDIES/ EXAMPLES

Collective and Individual efforts for water harvesting/conservation:
Banda district of UP: The Pradhan of Luktara Gram Panchayat, built more than 40 ponds in the area, taking the people of the village along with him.
Result: The ground water level in his village is improving.
Hapur district in U.P: People collectively have revived an extinct river named Neem.
Significan

KEY FACTS
IPCC report (2023 Climate Change Synthesis Report) on global warming and GHG emission:

Governments are not doing enough to tackle the crisis.
At the current pace of remedial measures: Global average temperature will rise to 2.7 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels by 2100.
All the international net-zero targets put together would still warm the planet by 2.2 degrees Celsius.
10% of the world’s richest countries emit 50% of the greenhouse gases, while the poorest account for 12%.

Wealth Drain from India:

India is expected to lose more than 6000 high net-worth individuals (HNWIs), worth $1 million or more in 2023 (second biggest loser of millionaires, after China).
Reasons: Prohibitive tax legislation and complex rules relating to outbound remittances.
Top destination: The US, Canada and Australia not just for the rich but for Indians from lower income brackets as well.

PM/VP/PRESIDENT SPEECHES
Vice-President Speech on conservation of nature.

There is a need of reinvigorating our traditional water harvesting structures such as johads (ponds) through renewed commitment to the “3Rs of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.”
Conservation of water has always been an inalienable facet of India’s civilizational ethos.
It is the responsibility of every citizen to ensure the wise use of nature’s gifts.
Natural resources utilisation has to be as per our optimum necessity,”.

JUDGEMENTS/ COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
HC judgment on ‘Right to change one’s name or surname’:

The right to change one’s name or surname is a part of the right to life under Article 21, the High Courts of Allahabad and Delhi recently said.
The fundamental right to keep or change one’s name is vested in every citizen under Articles 19(1)(a), 21, and 14 of the Constitution.

DEFINITION
Greenwashing:

Definition: It is a term used to describe a false, misleading, or untrue action by an organization about the positive impact that a company, product, or service has on the environment.
Blue washing: The practice of issuing false or unverified claims connected to the social aspects of a product.

Philosophy of trusteeship:

Definition: Trusteeship is a socio-economic philosophy developed by Mahatma Gandhi which refers to the idea that individuals and institutions have a responsibility to manage and utilize resources in the best interest of society as a whole.
Trusteeship provides a means of transforming the present capitalist order of society into an egalitarian one.

QUOTES
Quote on Human Rights: “To deny people their human right is to challenge their very humanity”. -NELSON MANDELA

Meaning: It highlights the importance human rights for an individual.
Human rights are universal entitlements that are inherent to all individuals by virtue of being human. They encompass fundamental principles such as dignity, equality, freedom, and justice.

Quote on Motivation: “Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” - ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Meaning: It encourages individuals to consider their actions and choices carefully, ensuring that they align with their values, principles, and moral compass.
Putting your feet in the right place: It implies making choices that are morally sound, just, and in line with one's beliefs.
Need to stand firm: Once a decision has been made. It encourages resilience, determination, and the ability to hold steadfastly to one's convictions, even in the face of challenges, opposition, or doubt.