Mitra's IAS General Studies

🔆 Groundwater Revival in India: Securing the Nation’s Water

📍 Progress in Groundwater Management (2017–2024)
✅ Recharge Increase: Groundwater recharge rose by 15 BCM between 2017 and 2024.
✅ Less Extraction: Annual groundwater extraction decreased by 3 BCM in the same period.
✅ Safer Groundwater Zones:
- Safe assessment units increased from 62.6% in 2017 to 73.4% in 2024.
- Over-exploited units reduced from 17.24% to 11.13%.
✅ Role of Conservation Structures:
- Recharge from tanks, ponds, and water control systems rose from 13.98 BCM in 2017 to 25.34 BCM in 2024—an increase of 11.36 BCM.
📍 Challenges in Groundwater Quality
✅ Major Pollutants: Arsenic, fluoride, chloride, uranium, and nitrate pose health risks.
✅ Sources of Contamination:
- Industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and saline intrusion increase Electrical Conductivity (EC).
- Iron contamination impacts water quality, causing potential health issues.
✅ Positive Trends in Agriculture:
- 81% of groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation.
- 100% of samples from northeastern states are rated "excellent" for agricultural use.
📍 Key Government Initiatives
✅ Jal Shakti Abhiyan (2019): Now in its fifth phase ("Catch the Rain" 2024), this program emphasizes rainwater harvesting and conservation in rural and urban districts.
✅ Atal Bhujal Yojana (2020): Participatory groundwater management in 80 water-stressed districts across 7 states.
✅ Mission Amrit Sarovar (2022): Aims to create or rejuvenate 75 waterbodies per district for rainwater harvesting.
✅ National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM): Mapped over 25 lakh sq. km to support groundwater recharge and conservation.
✅ Master Plan for Artificial Recharge (2020): Proposes 1.42 crore rainwater harvesting and recharge structures to harness 185 BCM of rainfall.

📍 Achievements in Groundwater Management
✅ Improvements in 128 groundwater units were noted between 2023 and 2024, reflecting the success of policy initiatives.
✅ Recharge from water bodies like tanks and ponds has consistently increased, demonstrating the effectiveness of local interventions.
📍 The Path Forward
✅ Use advanced technologies like AI and GIS to monitor groundwater quality and optimize conservation efforts.
✅ Strengthen community involvement through programs like MGNREGS, which builds water conservation structures in rural areas.
✅ Promote excellence through the National Water Awards, encouraging innovative water-saving practices.
📍 Conclusion
India’s groundwater revival journey reflects the success of sustainable practices and collaborative efforts. By following the ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recharge, and Recycle’ approach, India is working toward securing its water future and meeting global sustainability goals.

🔆 Key Facts on the Indus Script: Unraveling an Ancient Mystery

📍 Overview of the Writing System:
✅ The Indus Valley Civilization (2600–1900 BCE) developed an advanced writing system primarily seen on seals and pottery.
✅ Over 3,500 artifacts featuring 676 distinct symbols have been discovered, highlighting the complexity of this ancient culture.

📍 Challenges in Decipherment:
✅ No Rosetta Stone: The absence of a bilingual text like the Rosetta Stone has hindered efforts to decode the script.
✅ Short Inscriptions: Most inscriptions average only five characters, providing limited context for interpretation.
✅ Purpose of the Script: Scholars are divided on its function—whether it represents a language or a symbolic system for trade and administration.
✅ Unknown Language: The language behind the script remains uncertain, with theories linking it to Dravidian languages, an unknown linguistic family, or even multiple languages.

📍 Key Scholarly Efforts:
✅ Finnish scholar Asko Parpola has conducted extensive research, exploring links between the Indus script and Dravidian languages.
✅ Modern approaches, including AI-based pattern recognition and computational linguistics, are being applied to analyze the script's structure and meaning.

📍 Importance of Deciphering the Script:
✅ Deciphering the script could unlock valuable insights into the culture, economy, and governance of the Indus Valley Civilization.
✅ It could reveal details about their social structure, belief systems, and linguistic connections to modern South Asia.

📍 Recent Developments:
✅ In 2024, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a ₹8 crore (~$1 million) prize for anyone who can successfully decipher the script.
✅ This initiative underscores the global significance of decoding the Indus script and its potential to deepen understanding of India’s historical and linguistic heritage.

🔍 The Path Forward:
✅ The Indus script remains one of the greatest challenges in archaeology and linguistics.
✅ Advances in technology, AI, and interdisciplinary research bring hope that this ancient mystery will one day be solved.

#IndusScript #Ancient_History #GS1 #Archaeology #history

🔆Year End Review – Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti

✅Over 95% Villages In India Declared ODF Plus (as on 27th December, 2024) and Over 69% Villages in India Declared as ODF Plus Model Under Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen
✅A remarkable 460% surge in ODF Plus villages, from 1 Lakh villages in December 2022 to over 5.61 Lakh ODF Plus Villages in December 2024

#prelims #mains #Yearreview
#mitra@philosopy_1000combo #mitrasgs

🔆Year End Review 2024: Department of Fisheries (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying)

✅"Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) Sets Ambitious Target of 1.12 Million Tonnes of Seaweed Production by 2025"
✅"Digital Revolution in Fisheries: MoU Signed with ONDC to Empower Fishermen with E-Market Platform"
✅"Rs. 1,200 Crore PMMSY and FIDF Projects Launched to Transform India’s Fisheries Infrastructure"
✅"Safety at Sea: Rs. 364 Crore PMMSY Initiative to Provide 1 Lakh Fishing Vessels with Transponders"
✅"Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages: Rs. 200 Crore Initiative to Strengthen Coastal Communities

#prelims #mains #Yearreview #mitrasgs #mitra@philosopy_1000combo

⏳139 Only days left CSP25[ 25-05-25]
⏳228 days left CSM25 [ 22-08-25]

⏳ 27 days RAS prelims (2 feb )
⏳ 34 days cgpsc prelims 9 feb
⏳ 41 days left Mppsc prelims 2025 16 Feb
⏳154 days left ESE Prelims

#mitrasir
#mitra@philosopy_1000combo
#mitrasgs

LEADS: Logistics Ease Across Different States.
✅Launched In: 2018.
✅Ministry: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
📍Aim:
✅Assess logistics infrastructure and services across states/UTs.
✅Provide actionable insights for logistics reforms.
✅Foster competitive federalism to enhance logistics efficiency.
📍Parameters:
✅Logistics Infrastructure.
✅Logistics Services.
✅Operating and Regulatory Environment.
📍Methodology:
✅Based on over 7,300 responses from a pan-India survey conducted.
✅Includes inputs from 750+ stakeholder consultations and associations

#Government_schemes
#mitrasgs #mitra@philosopy_1000combo #mitrasir

Important things for CSE Interview D-day:

1. e-Summon letter

2. Few passport size photos (3-6) - mandatory 2 photos for interview, (10 for medical)

3. Photo ID card (as mentioned in e summon letter)

4. 10th certificate/marksheet original

5. Graduation degree / provisional degree / 8th sem summary marksheet + rest semester marksheet just for reference purpose - original
(Post grad degree if required)

6. Caste /EWS /PwD certificate

7. One set of self attested documents ( if possible take another spare set also)

8. Affidavit-(In case there is discrepancy- if any, check your mail for the same, upsc must have communicated to you if any undertaking or Affidavits is needed)

9. T.A. bills related stuff if you are claiming it like Flight tickets etc


10. Do not panic if you have missed on some of the documents or if some issue have been raised by the document examiner/UPSC deligate with your documents. Remember this is a preliminary document verification only, you will get ample time for required original documents submission.
Focus more on the essential i.e. the interview.

Mobile phones / bag etc will be duly submitted/placed in safe custody at the UPSC bhawan so don't worry about it. You can keep your diary with you in Circular Hall.


Lastly,

Do bring your 3Cs with you ie CONFIDENCE, CALMNESS AND COMMON SENSE before entering into Dholpur House. It's the last leap in this CSE cycle but not the last of your life. Treat it like that only. Give your best and leave rest to GOD.

#mitras #mitrasir #mitra@philosopy_1000combo #mitrasgs


All the best to all PT candidates❤️

https://m.economictimes.com/news/economy/indicators/rural-poverty-falls-faster-than-urban-sbi-research/articleshow/116925010.cms

🔆 The article discusses the concerning trend of slowing GST receipts and other economic indicators, suggesting a potential slowdown in India's economic growth.
Key Points:
✅Slowing GST Growth
✅Weak Consumption
✅Factory Output Slowdown
✅Impact on Budget Estimates: The slowing GST collection may impact the government's revenue projections and make it difficult to achieve the 11% growth target set in the budget.
✅Regional Variations: Revenue growth from major consumer states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat is also slowing down, raising concerns about regional economic disparities.

✅Possible UPSC Prelims Question: What is the primary concern highlighted in the article regarding the Indian economy?
A. Rising inflation
B. Slowing GST revenue growth
C. High unemployment rate
D. Current account deficit
✅Possible UPSC Mains Question: Discuss the factors contributing to the slowdown in economic growth in India. Analyze the impact of slowing GST collections on government revenues and the implications for the upcoming Union Budget.

🔆The article reports on the ongoing hunger strike by farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and the government's response.
Key Points:
✅Hunger Strike: Farmer leader Dallewal continues his indefinite hunger strike for the 37th day, demanding the government meet his demands.
✅Government's Stance: Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the government will abide by the Supreme Court's decision on the matter.
✅Farmer Unions' Stand: The Samyukt Kisan Morcha has rejected the government's invitation for discussions and vowed to continue the protest until their demands are met.
✅Key Demands: Farmers are seeking a legal guarantee for the purchase of their crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP) and a farm loan waiver.
😁Delhi March Planned: Farmers' organizations are planning a "Delhi march" in the coming days to press their demands.

✅Possible UPSC Prelims Question: What is the primary demand of the farmers protesting in Punjab and Haryana?
A. Withdrawal of the farm laws
B. Legal guarantee for MSP
C. Compensation for losses due to crop failure
D. Resignation of the Agriculture Minister

✅Possible UPSC Mains Question: Discuss the ongoing farmers' protests in Punjab and Haryana and their implications for agricultural policy in India. Analyze the government's response to the protests and suggest measures to address the concerns of farmers and ensure their economic well-being.

Kashish Bakshi
AIR 54

Opens her heart to UPSC aspirants about technicalities of UPSC preparation.

A must watch.

https://youtu.be/3rvPXJP6vAc?si=vo87e4X9GKj0x5VN

"Understanding is one thing,
Revision is another. All most every student understands all the topics but few often revise. Revision sheets help you scientifically remember and reproduce content."

-Mitra Sir

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