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2022
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Contents
Topics of the day

GS Paper I
● Indian History-Relation between Harappan civilization
and Vedic age
GS Paper III
● Indian Economy-Issues of Freebies
● S&T-James Webb Telescope
GS Paper IV
● Ethics-Idam-Na-Mama
GS Paper V
● Assam Issues-Assam State Pollution Control Board
1. Relation between Harappan civilization and Vedic age

Syllabus-
● GS Paper I-Indian History
● Prelims

Source -The Indian Express

1. Relation between Harappan civilization and Vedic age
Harappan civilization

● The Indus River Valley Civilization,

3300-1300 BCE, also known as the
Harappan Civilization, extended from
modern-day northeast Afghanistan
to Pakistan and northwest India.
● Important innovations of this
civilization include standardized
weights and measures, seal carving, Pictographic script of IVC
and metallurgy with copper, bronze,
lead, and tin. Current development-
● Little is understood about the Indus ● The NCERT recently made a major addition to the
script, and as a result, little is known Class 12 History textbook, indicating that the
about the Indus River Valley Harappans were an indigenous people.
Civilization’s institutions and systems Basis for such assertion:-based on DNA evidence from
of governance. the 4,600-year-old remains of a woman.
● The civilization likely ended due to ● The NCERT has added a disclaimer that more
climate change and emigration. research is required to establish this relationship.
1. Relation between Harappan civilization and Vedic age
The Vedic Age (1500 - 600 BCE)

● It is the period in the late Bronze

Age and early Iron Age of the
history of India when the Vedic
literature, including the Vedas was
composed in the northern Indian
subcontinent.
● It lies between the end of the
urban IVC and the second
urbanisation, which began in the
central Indo-Gangetic Plain
(c. 600 BCE), also known as age
of Mahajanpadas.
1. Relation between Harappan civilization and Vedic age
Current developments
● Some historians believe that the
Vedas date farther back to 2,500 BC/
4,500 years ago, which would
coincide with the IVC.
● Archaeologists are now working to test
the hypothesis that the Harappans
and the Vedic people were the same.
1. Relation between Harappan civilization and Vedic age
Current developments

What are evidences to substantiate the relation between IVC and

Vedic age?
1. Excavation findings
● While excavating the IVC site of Rakhigarhi(Haryana), the
archaeologists found evidence of ritual platforms and fire altars
of Vedic culture.
2. Significance of the river Saraswati for both
● The mention of the river Saraswati (modern Ghaggar-Hakra
river) is recorded at least 71 times in the Rigvedic text.
● During archaeological excavations, a majority of Harappan
settlements were discovered along the banks of river
Saraswati. What inference could be drawn,if
3. Set of animal bones relation between Harappan
● A set of animal bones found and studied by archaeo-zoologists civilization and Vedic age is
in the Surkotada region of Kutch(IVC site), Gujarat. established?
● Some researchers stated that these bones belonged to a ● Rejection of Aryan Invasion
proper domesticated horse (which finds mention in Rig Vedic theory as myth
texts)
1. Relation between Harappan civilization and Vedic age
Aryan Invasion theory
● It has always been understood that
the Aryans migration from the
Steppe region happened after 2000
BCE.
● It is proposed that the invasion of an
Indo-European tribe from Central
Asia, the “Aryans”, caused the
decline of the Indus Civilization. Counter to Aryan Invasion theory-
● Max Muller(German philologist) was ● Historian R. C. Majumdar’s argued that we just don’t
the first to proposed it. know what really happened between the so-called
Basis of this theory Aryans and the Indus Valley people.
● Similarities between Sanskrit and the ● Aryans were perhaps not invaders but people of
major European languages claimed by Harappan civilization only.
linguistic historians. ● Many Orientalist historians believe Aryan Invasion
● A group of 37 skeletons found in theory is tool was used by the colonizers to legitimize
various parts of Mohenjo-daro were their rule in India.
presented as evidence.
1. Relation between Harappan civilization and Vedic age
Hints
● The official historian of the Indian independence
Prelims Practice Question movement was Dr. SN Sen.
Q1. The official historian of the ● RC Majumdar was appointed by the Government of
Indian independence movement India to write the history of the Revolt of 1857.
was
● But due to differences with the government
a. R. C. Majumdar
committee, he refused to do this work and
b. Tarachand
independently published The Sipay Mutiny and the
c. VD Savarkar
Rebellion of 1857 in 1957 AD.
d. S N Sen
● After RC Majumdar's refusal, the Government of
India appointed Dr. SN Sen who wrote the book
Eighteen Fifty Seven.
● In VD Savarkar's book The Indian War of
Independence 1857 it has been called planned
freedom struggle.
1. Relation between Harappan civilization and Vedic age

Prelims Practice Question-UPSC 2017

Q2. With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus
Valley people, which of the following statements correct?
1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people
of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them.
2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew
only copper and iron.
3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of
Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a. Only 1
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3
Q. What is Aryan Invasion Theory? What is the significance of the theory in
understanding India’s past? 10 marks/150 words

Hints
● The Aryan Invasion Theory is a hypothesis developed in the 20th century that states that a group of people
called Aryans invaded northern India and destroyed the Indus Valley Civilization.
● German “orientalist and philologist”, “Friedrich Max Müller developed the theory in 1850’s.The “Aryan
invasion theory” firmly caters to generating a hypothesis, that during the year 2000, the tribe known as
Aryans had either migrated or invaded the subcontinent of Asia.
Basis of Aryan Invasion theory
● Similarities between Sanskrit and the major European languages claimed by linguistic historians.
● A group of 37 skeletons found in various parts of Mohenjo-daro were presented as evidence.
But the critics of this theory argue that this hypothesis was created to justify British conquest of India and has no
archaeological or genetic basis.
● Historian R. C. Majumdar’s argued that we just don’t know what really happened between the so-called
Aryans and the Indus Valley people.
● Aryans were perhaps not invaders but people of Harappan civilization only.
Recent developments-
● Some historians believe that the Vedas date farther back to 2,500 BC/ 4,500 years ago, which would
coincide with the IVC.
Evidences to substantiate the relation between IVC and Vedic age?
1. Excavation findings 2. Saraswati River 3. Horse bones
2. Issues of Freebies

Syllabus-
● GS Paper III-Indian Economy
● Prelims

Source -The Assam Tribune

2. Issues of Freebies
Current context

● With Lok Sabha elections underway, the

issue of freebies and their political and
economic impact is under discussion.
What are freebies?
● Freebies are short-term, populist
measures without a long-term vision.
● According to the Reserve Bank of India
report in 2022, freebies are “a public
welfare measure that is provided free of
charge” for political gains.
● It has distinguished freebies from
long-term welfare measures like
Health,Education etc.
2. Issues of Freebies
Revri Culture

● In 2022 Speaking at the inauguration of

Bundelkhand Expressway in Jalaun in Uttar
Pradesh, PM Modi said the “revri culture” would
take the new India towards darkness.
Revri culture
● Rewari is a delicious sweet but it is also used as
an idiom/slang.
● Revri culture means freebies politics.
Please note-
● Link this discussion with issues discussed in
the class about FRBM Act etc.
● Issues of rising-
1. Debt to GDP ratio
2. Issues of rising revenue expenditure
2. Issues of Freebies
Analysis of Freebies

Arguments in Favour of Freebies

1. Facilitates Growth
● Initiatives like NFSA, Public Distribution System, Mid Day
Meal scheme increased the productive capacity of the
population.
2. Addressed gender inequality and Poverty
● States like Tamil Nadu and Bihar are known for giving women
sewing machines.
● It created employment opportunities for women.
3. Helps Lesser Developed States Biggest issue with freebies-
● With the states that have comparatively lower level of ● Difficult to determine
development with a larger share of the population suffering from objective distinction between
poverty, such kind of freebies become need/demand-based freebies and welfare
and it becomes essential to offer the people such subsidies for measure.
their own upliftment.
4. In line with the constitutional mandate under Part IV DPSP
● Part IV of the constitution directs the state to be a ‘welfare state’.
2. Issues of Freebies
Challenges associated with Freebies

Economic challenges
1. Economic Burden
● This places a huge economic burden on the exchequer
of the state as well as centre.
2. Unsustainable
● Provision of free power, water, etc. distracts outlays from
environmental and sustainable growth, renewable
energy and more efficient public transport systems.
● Eg unsustainable extraction of groundwater and
excessive use of fertilizers by farmers.
3. Bounties to well off(Economic Survey-2016)
● It discusses how subsidies which leak to relatively well
off sections of society.
4. Irresponsible budgetary management
● High revenue deficit/rising debt to GDP ratio
● Many states demand to return to Old Pension Scheme, as
per RBI this will increase fiscal burden of 0.9% of GDP
annually.
2. Issues of Freebies
Challenges associated with Freebies

Political challenges
1. Against Free and Fair Election
● The promise of irrational freebies Way ahead-
from public funds before elections 1. Fiscal Responsibility:
unduly influences the voters, ● The Election Commission of India has proposed that
disturbs the level playing field. political parties disclose the financial impact of their
2. Reducing Credibility manifesto promises.
● Overemphasis on freebies can 2. Clear Distinction:
diminish a party’s credibility as ● Make a clear distinction between what constitutes a
parties engage in fiscal race. public good and a freebie. This distinction is crucial to
● Political parties appears like avoid misuse of public funds for short-term electoral
salesperson with and lose gains.
credibility.
2. Issues of Freebies
Q. Critically examine the economic political implications of
providing freebies by political parties to the voters. 10
marks/150 words

● Hints
● Briefly explain what are freebies.
● Give RBI definition
Analyse Freebies issue-
● Arguments in favour
● Arguments against
a. Economic challenges
b. Political challenges
Conclusion
● Supreme Court said “Freebies will continue to destroy the
economy unless there is a conscious decision taken by
all political parties to stop such handouts”.
● Political parties and economic experts need to come
forward and define the distinction between freebies and
welfare policies.
3. James Webb Telescope

Syllabus-
● GS Paper III-S&T
● Prelims

Source -The Indian Express

3. James Webb Telescope
James Webb Telescope

● It is a joint venture of NASA (US), ESA (Europe),

and CSA (Canada).
● Is planned to succeed the Hubble Space
Telescope.
● It is expected to be 100 times stronger than
Hubble Telescope.
● NASA launched the James Webb Space
Telescope (JWST) was on December 24, 2021.
What will it try to find?
1. Provides a look into the past-James Webb can
see backwards in time to just after the Big Bang If this Galaxy is 13.8 Billion Light
by looking for galaxies that are so far away that years away- the light to JWT is also
the light has taken many billions of years to 13.8 billion years old(created just
get from those galaxies to the telescope. after Big Bang)
2. Will help in knowing mysterious elements of the
Universe like Dark Matter, Dark Energy etc(
explained on 10th April 2024)
3. James Webb Telescope
Current development

● James Webb Space Telescope spots

earliest-known galaxy.
● This galaxy, called JADES-GS-z14-0,
measures about 1,700-light years across(A
light year is the distance light travels in a year,
which is 9.5 trillion km).
● JWST, which by peering across vast cosmic
distances is looking way back in time, observed
the galaxy as it existed about 290 million
years after the Big Bang event that initiated the
universe roughly 13.8 billion years ago.
UPSC 2022-GS Paper III-S&T
Q. Launched on 25th December, 2021, James Webb Space Telescope has been much in the news since
then. What are its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor Space Telescopes? What are
the key goals of this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race? (250 words, 15
marks)
Hints
● NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), joint collaboration among
NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency,
was launched at the L2 by an Ariane 5 rocket.
Unique features of James Webb Space Telescope-
1. 100 times powerful than Hubble Telescope
● It is the most powerful infrared telescope, 100 times more sensitive than the
Hubble telescope (HT). The James Webb
● It can see through the dust of clouds. It is only at infrared wavelengths that we Telescope
can see the first stars and galaxies forming after the Big Bang.
2. Size of the Hubble Telescope
● Tennis-court-sized deployable sunshield will keep JWST in perpetual shadow.
3. Location
● It is placed at L2. L2 is a cool place, increasing the sensitivity of the telescope.
4. Use longer wavelength to see far side of universe
● It works in the longer wavelength region (far infrared) than HT. So the James
Webb Space Telescope will enable us to see the far side of the universe,
unknown till date, formation of early galaxies, the beginning of time.
Hints

Potential benefits of JWST

● Scientific developments
● Search of an answer to questions of origin of earth
● Boost to the satellite launch system, sensors, semiconductor industry etc
● Detect atmospheric changes and understand the impact of global warming and climate change.
● Predicting solar flares and sunspots.
● Mineral exploration.

JWST’s primary aim is to shed light on our cosmic origins: it will observe the Universe’s first galaxies,
reveal the birth of stars and planets, and look for exoplanets with the potential for life.
JWST is expected to reveal new and unexpected discoveries, and help humanity understand the origins of
the universe and our place in it.
4. Idam-Na-Mama
Syllabus-
● Paper I- Essay
● GS Paper IV-Ethics

Source - The Indian Express

4. Idam-Na-Mama
Current context
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited and
meditated at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial
in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu marking the
culmination of the Lok Sabha election
campaign.
About Vivekananda Rock
● Vivekananda Rock Memorial is located in
Historic Significance of Kanyakumari:
Kanyakumari’s Vanathurai beach, Tamil Nadu.
● Swami Vivekananda is said to have meditated
● It is situated on a rock island at the
on this rock for two days in December 1892,
southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula, where
as he journeyed across India after his return
the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the
from the West.
Indian Ocean meet.
● The foundation stone for the memorial was laid
● The rock has a memorial structure in reverence on September 1, 1964, by then-President of
of Swami Vivekananda. India, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
The memorial consists of two main structures: ● The memorial was inaugurated on September
a. the Vivekananda Mandapam 2, 1970, by then-President of India, V. V. Giri.
b. the Shripada Mandapam.
4. Idam-Na-Mama Key ideas in the article-
1. India needs to dream new dreams
● Reform has not to be one dimensional.We integrate
three goals-
a. Economic Progress- Focus areas Speed,
Scale,Scope and Standards
b. Environmental protection- “Zero defect-zero effect”
c. Moral Development- by realising “Idam-na-mam”
2. Ideas that can be used in Essay conclusion
● Swami Vivekananda had said in 1897 that we must
dedicate the next 50 years solely for the nation.
● Exactly 50 years after this call, Bharat gained
independence in 1947.
● Today, we have the same golden opportunity. Let’s
dedicate the next 25 years solely for the nation. Our
efforts will create a strong foundation for the coming
generations and the coming centuries, taking Bharat
to new heights. Looking at the energy and enthusiasm
of the country, I can say that the goal is not far away
now. Let us take swift steps… let us come together
and create a Viksit Bharat.
4. Idam-Na-Mama

Idam-Na-Mama
● The Sanskrit phrase ‘Idam-na-mama’ meant ‘This is not mine’.
● “Idam-na-mama” – “this is not mine; it is for collective well-being.”
( similar to the concept of Trusteeship of Mahatma Gandhi)
The phrase promotes 2 ideas-
a. Abhyasa(Practice) of focus
● Abhyasa means practice, not just a one hour practice but living a
life of practice.
● Consistent, dedicated, sincere efforts we put in everyday, every
moment, every situation to be a better version of ourselves.
b. Vairagya(detachment)
● It is the act of detachment from the fruits of action, rising beyond
the attachments and aversions. It is not easy.
● Vairagya seems logical because it will protect us from
disappointment and the pain of unfulfilled expectations.
5. Assam State Pollution Control Board

Syllabus-
● GS Paper V-Assam Issues
● Prelims

Source - The Assam Tribune

5. Assam State Pollution Control Board
Principal Functions of the Assam
Current news? SPCB:
1. to promote the cleanliness of
● Established on June 2, 1975, by the State government,the streams and wells in different
Pollution Control Board, Assam has completed 49 years areas of the States by
and entered in to its 50th years. prevention, control, and
Assam State Pollution Control Board abatement of water pollution
● Created under section 4 of the Water (Prevention & 2. to improve the quality of air and
Control of Pollution) Act 1974. to prevent, control or abate air
pollution in the country.
Note
● Central Pollution Control Board also has been created
under Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act 1974
Role of CPCB-
1. CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under
the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
2. It provides technical services to the Ministry of
Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MOEFCC) of
the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
5. Assam State Pollution Control Board

Prelims Practice Question

Q3. Assam State Pollution Control Board has been
constituted under-
a. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
b. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
c. Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act 1974
d. Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Answers

Prelims Practice Question

Q2. Regarding the Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient,
Prelims Practice Question
consider the following statements:
Q1. Which of the following
1. There are two major methods of calculating
statements are true about UN
income inequality- the Lorenz curve and the
Peacekeeping force?
Gini Coefficient.
1. UN Peacekeepers are
2. The Gini coefficient can vary from zero to one.
applied as offensive forces
3. As a nation moves closer to a perfect equality
by UNSC in case of any
in its income distribution, the Gini coefficient
international aggression.
will approach zero and in the case of perfect
2. UN peacekeepers are also
inequality, it is 1.
referred to as Blue Berets.
Select the correct answer using the codes given
a. 1 only
below:
b. 2 only
a. 1,2 only
c. Both
b. 2,3 only
d. None
c. 1,3 only
d. 1,2,3 all
Answers Prelims Practice Question
Q4. With reference to National Green Tribunal (NGT),
consider the following statements:
1. It is a statutory body set up for effective and
expeditious disposal of cases relating to
Q3. Which one of the following
environmental protection and conservation of
currencies has been most recently
forests.
added to the basket of IMF’s SDR?
2. NGT is mandated to make disposal of
applications or appeals finally within 6 months
a. Rouble
of filing of the same.
b. Rand
3. NGT does not have suo motu powers to take
c. Indian Rupee
up environmental issues across the country.
d. Renminbi
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3
Hints-The Supreme Court has empowered the National
Green Tribunal (NGT) with suo motu(on its own) power
to initiate proceedings on its own in case of
environmental exigencies.