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 26th June 2023 Save

KEYWORDS
Pro-people and pro-planet growth:

Meaning: A development approach that prioritizes the well-being of both people and the environment.
It aims to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth that benefits not only the economy but also society and the planet as a whole.
Usage: It can be used in- Economy (inclusive economy, sustainable growth, green economy), Environment (pro-planet approach, international collaboration in climate change, environmental protection), polity and governance (Government policies towards pro-planet and pro-people).

From Brain drain to brain gain:

Meaning: Brain drain: Refers to the emigration or loss of highly skilled or talented individuals from one country to another.
Brain gain: Refers to the opposite phenomenon, where a country retains as well as attracts skilled individuals, leading to the enrichment of its intellectual capital and fostering economic and social development.
Usage: It can be used in international migration, diaspora, creating international standard of higher education system, R&D and startup ecosystem, competitive job market. Foreign investment etc.

From Political opportunism to statesmanship:

Meaning: Political opportunism: Attempt to maintain political support, or to increase political influence - possibly in a way which disregards relevant ethical or political principles.
Statesmanship: Ability, qualifications, or practice of a statesman; wisdom and skill in the management of public affairs.
Usage: It can be used in Indian polity & constitution (Free & Fair elections, participatory governance, electoral reforms, role of freebies), good governance (e-governance), international relations (role of diaspora) etc.

From Donor-led approach to Country-led approach:

Meaning: Donor-led approach: It involves an in-depth consideration of individual donors' interests, motivations, and propensity to contribute to a cause.
Country-led approach: It involves an in-depth consideration of a country’s interests, aspirations, and propensity to contribute to a cause.
Usage: From individual interest to interest of the country.
It can be used in polity (government polices – subsidies, reservation), good governance (transparent and accountable bureaucracy), economy (inclusive and sustainable growth), ethics (corruption and crony capitalism), concept of sarvodaya, etc.

CASE STUDIES/ EXAMPLES

Step towards reducing carbon footprint:
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), a Mini Ratna Government of India enterprise has set up a state-of-the-art Business Centre in New Delhi which incorporates cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions to eliminate the use of paper and promote efficient digital workflows throughout the organization.
Aim: To reduce its carbon footprint, minimize waste generation, and contribute to preservation of the environment.
Significan

KEY FACTS

Cost overrun of projects in India:

According to Ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MoSPI) – May 2023:
About 25% of the infrastructure projects in India have cost overrun and around 50% of the project are delayed.
Cost overrun accounts to around 5 lakh crores on government exchequer.

Status of India’s Defense Sector:

India has the world’s second-largest standing army and is its largest arms importer.
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report 2023: India is the world’s top importer of military equipment accounting for 11% of global weapon imports.

PM/VP/PRESIDENT SPEECHES
PM Speech on India-USA relationship:

There is an immense potential of harnessing India-US tech cooperation for socio-economic growth.
India’s talented youth have helped in fostering a culture of innovation.
There is a need of expanding India-US tech partnership to new fields including biotechnology and quantum.
India-US partnership would play an instrumental role in building a better future for our people and for the world.

JUDGEMENTS/ COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

Law Commission Recommendation on Uniform Civil Code (UCC): While the 21st Law Commission had suggested that a nationwide Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is neither necessary nor feasible, its successor (22nd Law commission) has sought views from the public on the issue.

DEFINITION
Affirmative Actions:

Definition: Affirmative action, also known as positive action or positive discrimination involves sets of policies and practices to include/exclude particular groups based on their gender, race, sexuality etc. in areas in which such groups are underrepresented.
For example - education and employment.
It tries to create a ‘level-playing’ field or equal opportunity or positive discrimination.
Ex: Quota or reservation policy in India.

Disaster management:

Definition: Disaster management is a process of effectively preparing for and responding to disasters.
It involves strategically organizing resources to lessen the harm that disasters cause.
It also involves a systematic approach to managing the responsibilities of disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Disaster response: According to UNDRR, disaster response is predominantly focused on immediate and short-term needs and is sometimes called disaster relief.

QUOTES

Quote on Action against injustice: “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything”. - Albert Einstein
Meaning: It carries a powerful message about the importance of taking action against injustice or wrongdoing rather than remaining passive bystanders.
Quote on Responsibility:
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” -
Abraham Lincoln
Meaning: It highlights the importance of taking responsibility for our actions and decisions in the present moment, as they directly impact our future.