- HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE SURVEY
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- Average household spending rose by 3.5% in real terms (2023-24).
- Urban-rural MPCE (Monthly Per Capita Expenditure) gap reduced to 70% in 2023-24 (from 84% in 2011-12).
- Non-food items constitute 53%-60% of monthly expenditure.
- Consumption Inequality:
- Gini coefficient declined to 0.237 (rural) and 0.284 (urban), indicating reduced inequality.
- Trends:
- Food spending decreased (due to lower edible oil prices).
- Rise in spending on vegetables, fruits, and non-food items reflects diversification of consumption.
2. RULES THAT STILL MANACLE THE CAPTIVE ELEPHANT
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024, aim to regulate private ownership and transfer.
- Loopholes allow elephants to be transferred for “non-commercial” purposes, often leading to exploitation.
- Conservation Concerns: Microchips used for identification are being misused posthumously to legalize illegal captures.
- No post-mortem protocols for elephants dying in transfer, limiting accountability.
- Recommendations: Shift to humane alternatives like virtual/digital use of elephants in religious or tourism settings.
- Enforce stricter monitoring and digitization of ownership records.
3. HISTORY WILL COUNT DR.SINGH AS A FOUNDING FATHER OF MODERN INDIA
SUBJECT: PERSNOLITIES
- Dr. Manmohan Singh’s Contributions
- Economic Reforms (1991) : Introduced economic liberalization as Finance Minister.
- Opened Indian markets to foreign investmentand reduced trade barriers.
- Established theSecurities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)to regulate stock markets.
- Indo-US Nuclear Deal (2008) – Secured India’s access to nuclear technology without signing the NPT.
- Strengthened India-US strategic partnership.
- Rights-Based Legislation– Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
- Ensured rural employment and economic security.
- Right to Information (RTI) Act: Enhanced transparency and accountability in governance.
- Forest Rights Act: Recognized tribal rights over forest resources.
- Regional Diplomacy – Advocated the”Look East Policy”to foster ties with Southeast Asia.
- Improved relations with neighboring countries(e.g., Afghanistan, Sri Lanka).
- Promoted regional peace through SAARCand strategic dialogues.
- Social and Infrastructure Development – Spearheaded rural electrification through schemes like Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana.
- Expanded access to healthcare and education.
- Launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)for urban infrastructure development.
- Governance and Vision – Maintained political stability in coalition governments.
- Encouraged dialogue between civil society and policymakers.
- Known for humility, integrity, and focus on long-term nation-building.
- Global Recognition – Praised internationally for economic diplomacy and leadership.
- Strengthened India’s voice in global forums like G20and BRICS.
4. NEEDLE FREE SHOCK SYRINGE BY IIT BOMBAY
SUBJECT: SCIENCE
- Needle-free shock syringe uses pressurized nitrogen to deliver drugs at high speed without piercing the skin.
- Ensures painless delivery, reduces risk of blood-borne diseases, and is cost-effective for mass immunization.
- Applications:
- Particularly beneficial for vaccinations in children and mass health drives.
- Promotes safer medical practices and reduces psychological fear of needles.
5. BRAHMAPUTRA DAM WILL NOT AFFECT INDIA, BANGLADESH : CHINA
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
- Location:Lower reaches of Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmaputra) in Tibet, near India and Bangladesh borders.
- Investment:$137 billion hydropower project to generate 300 billion kWh annually.
- Features:Located in a tectonically active region; largest infrastructure project globally.
- China’s Stance: Claims the project will not impact lower riparian states (India, Bangladesh).
- Intends to use the project for climate action, clean energy, and disaster prevention.
- Concerns for India and Bangladesh: Potential for China to control water flowduring dry seasons or floods.
- Strategic risks during conflicts(water as a geopolitical weapon).
- Environmental risks due to the dam’s location in an earthquake-prone area.
- Proposed Measures:
- India building its own dam on Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Dialogue under existing bilateral mechanisms like Expert-Level Mechanism (ELM) with China.
