DAILY PRACTICE SHEETCOMPILATION AUGUST 2021

“A Flagship Initiative of OPTIMIZE IAS ”

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OPTIMIZE IASDAILY PRACTICE SHEET COMPILATION - 2021

Table of Contents

Prelims Topics................................................................................................................................................. 3General Studies - 1.......................................................................................................................................14

History...................................................................................................................................................... 14Geography................................................................................................................................................16Society...................................................................................................................................................... 18

General Studies-2......................................................................................................................................... 19Polity......................................................................................................................................................... 19International Relation................................................................................................................................23

General Studies-3......................................................................................................................................... 25Economics................................................................................................................................................ 25Science and Technology...........................................................................................................................28Internal Security........................................................................................................................................ 32

General Studies-4......................................................................................................................................... 33Ethics........................................................................................................................................................ 33

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Prelims Topics

1st August 2021

Daily Prelims Topic India will take over the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) The Food and Agriculture Organization warns Hunger Hotspots Light pollution Herd immunity Controller General of Account ASI breathes life into 17th century Dutch cemetery Vanishing Permafrost End to end genome sequencing Stellar mid-life crisis Reverse gear in some bacteria that can be mimicked for bio imaging Dholavira

2nd August

Daily Prelims Topic

e-RUPI Ashwagandha Breastfeeding Policy Stance of RBI Indian economy recovery Schemes by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports PARAKRAM DIWAS Gilgit-Baltistan

Daily Mapping

Gilgit-Baltistan

3rd August

Daily Prelims Topic

Krishna River Water Dispute Concept of Welfare State Virtual Reality National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme Covaxin against Delta Gilgit-Baltistan High-altitude Tigers Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) scheme AYUSH-64 Creating awareness among farmers for Nutri Cereals (Millets)

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4th August

Daily Prelims Topic

‘NET ZERO’ Carbon Targets: Tracking new SARS-COV2 variants The Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021 and The Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2021 were passed

separately by voice vote Keeladi The R-number Hydrogen as fuel CST-100 Starliner

5th August

Daily Prelims Topic

Sabarmati Ashram Current account CERT-In observed more than 6.07 lakh cyber security incidents 50% of funds allotted for ongoing MPLADS projects lapses. Right to strike Rare Diseases crowd-funding 7.The Samagra Shiksha scheme IAC-1 Extreme weather events will become more frequent and more intense- IMD Lok Sabha passes Air Quality Commission Bill for NRC, Adjoining Areas Floods in West Bengal mRNA Vaccines Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012

6th August

Daily Prelims Topic

Biologics & Biosimilar drugs Circular Economy: Major and Minor Ports: Long Term Repo Operation (LTRO) Anti-dumping duty Island of Agalega Nano Urea Sunset clause of the Essential Defence Services Bill 2021 Polyhouse Measures to stabilize population growth PM-DAKSH Non-tax revenue State Finance Commission

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7th August

Daily Prelims Topic

IPCC Assessment Report Arabian Sea Cyclones Art & Culture: Painting She-cession Disengagement and De-escalation along the Line of Actual Control DGP Appointment National Commission for Women Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Government Securities Acquisition Programme (G-SAP) Factors to boost export

8th August

Daily Prelims Topic

Ladakh glacier retreat due to warming low winter precipitation Absorption Spectroscopy Dravidian Languages Plastic Pollution in Sundarbans No-patrolling zone Perseverance rover Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog NCLT July 2021 was the third-warmest July on record globally Quit India Movement Declaring any natural disaster as a ‘National Calamity’ Foreign exchange reserves

9th August

Daily Prelims Topic

The Constitutional 127th Amendment Bill Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) Battery Cell Technologies IPCC Sixth Assessment Report The world’s climate change progress Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) 8888 Uprising  Immunogenicity Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee Human rights

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The employment & unemployment status of India Variants of Covid 19 National Policy on Biofuels

10th June

Daily Prelims Topic

IPCC’s SIXTH ASSESSMENT REPORT Neera & coconut sap chiller Rising cost in tea industry UN Security Council adopts first-ever outcome document on maritime security underIndia’s presidency National Edible Oil Mission – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)

11th August

Daily Prelims Topic

Greece wildfires Inflation Carbon Budget Inland Vessel Bill 2021 Heterologous boosting Bitcoin mining Prices of petrol and diesel Illegal migrant Census Ujjwala 2.0 Quality of Life for Elderly Index SMILE – Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP)

12th August

Daily Prelims Topic

Punja Bhil A conflicting picture between fundamental right of children and right of minority

communities Anti-inflammatory drugs Asset monetisation Adjournment Sine Die Booster Doses Eponyms in Economy Secondary Market

14th August

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Daily Prelims Topic

Regulation of GM food subject to life inside it: Activists decry Centre’s strange decision National Automobile Scrappage Policy and Circular economy Warning of oceans NCPCR Karez system of irrigation Arunachal Pradesh ST list GIFT to investors AB-PMJAY Intranasal vaccine Balwant Moreshwar Purandare  14th August will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day. Chattrapti Shivaji Maharaj.Hindavi Swaraj New Ramsar sites Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) initiative of DPIIT.

15th June

Daily Prelims Topic

Indian Flag July 2021 – Hottest month on record Yasukuni shrine PM Gati Shakti Master Plan Incel Movement Zika Virus Genome Sequencing End-to-End Encryption Anti-Dumping Duty Sunset review investigation Karmapa Sedition Law Legislative Council Presiding Panel or the Vice-Chairman’s Panel Nano-Robots Rice Fortification Objectives Resolution Justice Verma Committee BRICS Agriculture Research Platform Monuments of Victory & Valour  Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana Usha Mehta  Herbert Baker Parliament design

16th August

Daily Prelims Topic

Wild Balsams

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Two-Nation Theory Doha Peace Talks Cyclones Rani Gaidinliu Sainik School National Hydrogen Mission Indian Diaspora Collegium System Procedure established by law Poland Restitution law Subhadra Kumari Chauhan Fall of Saigon Breakthrough Infections Goods and Services Tax (GST) Tribunals Super app Semiconductor Tribal Research Institute (TRI) Earthquake

17th August

Daily Prelims Topic

Opposition Party Ad valorem tax Oil Bonds The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act 2019 CERT-In World Drug Report The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation Uttar Pradesh Population Bill 2021 WPI Inflation Tajikistan Haiti The Taliban TOP to TOTAL’ Scheme – Mega Food Park Scheme RoDTEP Scheme Gene banks National Start-up Advisory Council International Monsoons Project Office

18th August

Daily Prelims Topic

The Bhalki Conspiracy Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam Scheme Albert Einstein

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Sub-Mission on Fodder and Feed Operation Sadbhavana LCA Tejas Cabinet Committee on Security Enforcement Directorate Gurkhas Hirakud Reservoir Right to be forgotten Maharaja Ranjit Singh Financial Inclusion Index Small Finance Bank Ransomware Blood Clotting Colorado River Basin 180nm CMOS

19th August

Daily Prelims Topic

National Defence Academy Sharia law Tumakurense Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Tiwa Tribes UNITE Aware National Edible Oil Mission – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) G-sec Acquisition Programme (GSAP 2.0) Carbon Neutrality Fortified Rice Jal Jeevan Mission ArogyaNandana Initiative Sugarcane Nuclear Fusion IATA’s Travel Pass Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol Declining Pollinators

21st August

Daily Prelims Topic

Somnath Temple Indian SARS-CoV2 Genomics Sequencing Consortium (INSACOG) DNA-based Vaccines Nagarhole National Park Generalised System of Preferences Quota Benefit in Reorganized States Habeas Corpus Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BKSY)

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Hallmarking Geo-Heritage Sites Three-Child policy in China Monetary Policy Committee

Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) (Second Amendment) Rules2021

Misconduct in Rajya Sabha Hydrogen Steel-making Narayankoti Temple Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) Indian Coastline Land degradation and Desertification Greenland Summit Golden Crescent Onam

22nd August

Daily Prelims Topic

The National Ignition facility demonstrated fusion energy equal to about 1.3 megajoule Krishna River Water Dispute Hampi Ubharte Sitare Fund Article 370 Kashmir Carpet Madur mats Asian Elephants Storm Henri Herd immunity Turmeric AERA Act HIV Administration of Taliban Double blind trial

Daily Mapping: Gwadar port

23rd August

Daily Prelims Topic

Jan Shikshan Sansthan Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme (SSSPS) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 Polio

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Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara Parliamentary Committees Malabar Naval Exercise Shankaracharya Temple Civil Reserve Air Fleet Bubble Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) Non-Deliverable Forward (NDF) Markets  Antibiotic Resistance Industry Status WHO’s Vaccine Redressal Venture capital and Private Equity National Monetisation Pipeline

24th August

Daily Prelims Topic

Competition Commission of India Sree Narayana Guru e-Emergency X-Misc National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Ujjwala Scheme Bhima Koregaon Corbett Tiger Reserve Natural Gas Urban Co-operative Banks Potash Hallmark Unique Identification The Major Port Authorities Act, 2020 Cabinet Minister Arrest Procedure in India Delhi’s New Smog Tower Delta variant of Covid-19 Delimitation Greece and Turkey

25th August

Daily Prelims Topic

Guru Granth Sahib Clinical Trials Havana Syndrome E-Shram Portal BRICS UNHRC Light Pollution Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012 Brown filed vs Greenfield projects

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Anti-Google Law United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Hair follicle drug test MGNREGA Mekedatu Project Creamy Layer Vidya Pravesh Module Nidhi companies Fatah-1 Automated Facial Recognition System Arctic Council

26th August

Daily Prelims Topic

Gorakhnath China’s Missile Silos Dr Gail Omvedt Deficit Rainfall Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Section 321 CrPC Sujalam Campaign Fair and Remunerative Prices for Sugarcane Manthan 2021 Be Internet Awesome Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Industry 4.0

27th August

Daily Prelims Topic

Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano Blue Dot Network Covid-19 become endemic in India E-Waste management in India Organic Farming Hydel Projects in Uttarakhand PM – CARES Unique Identification Authority of India Hemavati River Bandipur Tiger Reserve National Institute of Disaster Management First-Past-the-Post System Action Plan for Vulture Conservation for 2020-2025 Drone Rules 2021 Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP)

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Universal Postal Union RBI’s Resolution Framework 2.0 Emergency Credit Linked Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Conviction of MPs and MLAs

28th August

Daily Prelims Topic

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Hari Singh Nalwa Islamic State Khorasan Electoral Bonds Environment Impact Assessment 2020 Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) Financial Stability and Development Council Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs ) Deepar Beel Krishna Raja Sagar Dam Parliamentary Outreach Programme for the Empowerment of Panchayati Raj

Institutions Black Holes Animal Discoveries 2020 Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme Tapering

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General Studies - 1

History

1st August

1.Dholavira was the first such “excellent example of town planning with mathematicalprecision, both arithmetic and geometry”. [Reference: The Hindu]

2.Why did English succeeded over other Europeans? [Reference: The Hindu]

2nd August

1. Discuss the contribution of Subhash Chandra Bose and INA in the freedom struggle movement.

7th August

1. Abindranath Tagore ushered a modern art movement in Bengal. Comment. [Reference: TheHindu , Visvabharti ]

8th August

1. Analyze the major differences between Indo Aryan language and Dravidian language?[Reference: The Hindu]

9th August

1. Discuss the significance of Quit India Movement.

10th August

1. Examine the dynamics of Dalit Movement in post-independent India with special focus onBahujan Movement. [Reference: Indian Express ]

14th August

1. Critically review the events unfolding in 1940 which eventually led to India’s partition.https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-says-august-14-will-be-observed-as-partition-horrors-remembrance-day-2510186

2. What do you understand by Two Nation Theory? How was it responsible for India’s partition?https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-says-august-14-will-be-observed-as-partition-horrors-remembrance-day-2510186

15th August

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1. Discuss the contribution of Herbert Baker to Indian architecture especially focusing on IndianParliament. [Reference: DeshGujarat, Indian Express]

2. What do you understand by Two Nation Theory? Who propounded it and who all advanced it?Was partition a validation of two nation theory?

3. Discuss the challenges faced by India at the eve of independence.

16th August

1. Freedom fighters understood independence from British rule as freedom from all forms ofexploitation and oppression, which was deeply embedded in the social structures indigenous toIndia. Comment. [Reference: Indian Express]

24th August

1. Discuss the contribution of Sree Narayana Guru.

25th August

1. Discuss the historical situation during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries which influencedthe development of the Sikh movement. [Reference: Indian Express]

26th August

1. Write a short note on the Dalit movement in India. [Reference: The Wire]

27th August

1. Discuss the implications of partition for India. What would be present state of the country if itwould not have been divided? [Reference: Indian Express]

28th August

1. Discuss the significance of Jallianwala Bagh in freedom struggle movement. [Reference: IndianExpress]

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Geography

5th August1. What are manmade floods? What causes them? [Reference: Indian Express]2. The weather in the tropical zones is a little less predictable than extra tropical zones. Explain.

[Reference: Indian Express]

6th August

1. Why Bihar is the most flood prone state in India? [Reference: The Hindu] 2. Why eastern coast doesn’t have many good ports? [Reference: Business Line]

7th August

1. Why Arabian Sea is experiencing more cyclones more frequent in recent years? [Reference:Indian Express]

8th August

1. What are glaciers? How are they formed? Discuss various threats to glaciers? [Reference:National Geographic, DNA India]

2. What are deltas? How are they formed? Discuss various threats to deltas with example ofSundarbans Delta. [Reference: The Hindu]

12th August

1. What do you understand by landslides? Which regions of India are more vulnerable tolandslides? Discuss the factors responsible for landslides? [Reference: Hindustan Times]

14th August

1. India as a country, according to the World Resources Institute (WRI), has the highest numberof people exposed   to river flood risk. In this context, explain what are floods? Will climatechange increase the frequency and intensity of floods in India?

16th August

1. Why are earthquakes so devastating in Hiati? [Reference: AP News]

17th August

1. Explain the phenomenon of monsoon in India. [Reference: Indian Express]

21st August

1. Hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh are vulnerable to landslides due to geological, meteorologicaland anthropogenic factors. Discuss. [Reference: The Hindu]

2. Critically assess the potential of hydro power in Himalayan region. Will it put communitiesliving there at risk? [Reference: The Hindu]

24th August

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1. The African continent has gained greater importance for India since the 1990s. [Reference: TheHindu]

25th August

1. What has led to a rise in the frequency of devastating cyclones in the coastal States of India?[Reference: The Hindu]

27th August

1. What is volcano? Discuss its type with examples. Also discuss distribution of volcanothroughout the world. [Reference: Indian Express]

28th August1. Why land degradation in India is increasing? What is its possible impact? How to deal with

land degradation. [Reference: DownToEarth]

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Society

2nd August

1. Socio-economic empowerment is more effective in regulating fertility. Explain with examples.[Reference: FrontLine]

25th August

1. Do we need for population laws? Argue with relevant data. [Reference: Indian Express]

28th August

1. The relation between land and caste, between caste and labour has not been broken yet.Comment. [Reference: Indian Express ]

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General Studies-2

Polity

2nd August1. What do you understand by Uniform Civil Code? Do you think it is right time to implement it?

Discuss the hurdles in implementing it. [Reference: FrontLine, FrontLine]2. To remove poverty rather than subsidies government should invest in education and skill. Do youagree? Give arguments. [Reference: Indian Express]

3rd August

1. Why Parliamentary Committees are called as Mini Parliament? Assess their effectiveness.[Reference: Indian Express]

2. Do you think Indian Parliament has declined over the years? Discuss the reasons and suggestremedies. [Reference: Indian Express]

4th August

1. The launch of the National Education Policy 2020 marked remarkable progress in the areaof education and learning. Discuss. [Reference: Indian Express]

2. Is poverty rising in India? [Reference: The Hindu]

3. What are vertical and horizontal reservations? Why do we need both of them? Discuss withrelevant examples. [Reference: The Hindu]

5th August

1. Is there fundamental right to strike under the constitution of India? [Reference: The Hindu] 2. What is MPLAD scheme? Do you think it should be abolished? Give your arguments.

[Reference: The Hindu]

6th August

1. Discuss the state of food insecurity in India. Do we need to universalize the PDS to combat thissituation? [Reference: Indian Express]

7th August

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1. The role of individual MPs Members of Parliament) has diminished over the years and as aresult healthy constructive debate on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can thisbe attributed to the anti-defection law which was legislated but with a different intention?[Reference: Indian Express]

2. Non-functional legislatures are of no use to the country. In the light of the statement discuss therelevance of Indian Parliament. [Reference: Indian Express]

3. Do you think Anti-defection Law has achieved its desired purpose? [Reference: Indian Express]

9th August

1. What are human rights? Discuss the various threats to human rights in India. Also criticallyexamine the legal and institutional architecture of human rights in India. [Reference: IndianExpress]

10th August

1. Discuss the challenges of mental illness in India. Enumerate the measures taken to alleviate.[Reference: Indian Express]

2. Discuss the need for an urban job guarantee scheme in India. [Reference: Business Line] 3. What do you understand by sporting culture? Discuss measures taken by GOI to revive

sporting culture in India. [Reference: Business Line]

11th August

1. What do you understand by nutritional security? Suggest changes in the present PDS toachieve this. [Reference: The Hindu]

2. Examine the impact of climate change and pandemic on food security in India.

3. Discuss the role of MNREGA in enhancing the livelihood security in rural India especiallyduring pandemic. [Reference: Business Line]

12th August

1. What do you understand by criminalization of politics? Analyze the reasons behind increasingcriminalization of Indian Politics in the last 50 years. Also examine efforts by the SC to check thistrend. [Reference: Financial Express, Indian Express, The Hindu]

14th August

1. Discuss the role of Indian Parliament? On what parameters its productivity can be judged?Has the productivity of Indian Parliament declined? What has resulted in this decline?https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/parliament-monsoon-session-disruption-pegasus-spyware-farners-protest-covid-situation-7449694/

15th August

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1. To what extent goals in the preamble have been achieved in the last seven decades?

19th June

1. How far lack of independence and impartiality of the Speaker is responsible for decline inproductivity of Indian Parliament and State Assembles? Suggest measures to make speakermore independent. [Reference: Indian Express]

2. What do you understand by food fortification? Discuss its significance in achievingnutritional security in India. [Reference: Indian Express]

21st August

1. Article 21 (and its many interpretations) is the perfect example of the transformative

character of the Constitution of India. [Reference: The Hindu]

2. Examine the impact of return of Taliban for India’s foreign policy? [Reference: The Hindu]

22nd August

1. Indian parliament is suffering from political, institutional and moral deficit. Comment.[Reference: EPW]

2. The Indian federal structure is largely symmetric albeit with some asymmetricfeatures. Discuss. [Reference: EPW]

3. Examine the status of Union Territories in the Indian federal set up. [Reference: EPW] 4. Discuss the role played by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in dealing with

violation of human rights. Do you think it is a toothless tiger? Give your arguments.[Reference: EPW]

23rd August

1. Critically examine the collegium system of judicial appointment. [Reference: The Hindu]

24th June

1. What do you understand by gender digital divide? How does it impact women

empowerment? [Reference: The Hindu]

2. Article 1 describes India as a” Union of States”. Discuss the reasons behind this term in the

constitution. [Reference: The Hindu]

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3. Both the Union and the States are created by the Constitution, both derives their respectiveauthority from the Constitution. The one is not subordinate to the other in its own field. Theauthority of one is coordinate with that of the other. Comment. [Reference: The Hindu]

4. Discuss the challenge of exclusion

25th August

1. Discuss the role and function of Competition Commission of India. [Reference: HindustanTimes]

2. Assess various schemes of urban governance in India. [Reference: Indian Express]

27th August

1. Differentiate between first-past-the-post (FPTP) systems of elections from proportionalrepresentation? Examine the impact of FPTP system in India. Is it the right time to shiftto proportional representation? [Reference: The Hindu , The Wire , Orfonline ]

28th August

1. Electoral funding remains the heart of electoral reforms in India. How far electoral bondscan be termed a step in the right direction? [Reference: Scroll In

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International Relation

1st August1. Discuss the mandate of UNSC. How long India has to wait for the permanent seat?[Reference: Hindustan Times]2. Discuss the role India can play at UNSC as a non-permanent member. [Reference: BusinessLine]

3rd August

1. India has the largest Discuss the role of Indian diaspora. [Reference: Business Line]

5th August

1. Is US vs China the new cold war? [Reference: Indian Express]

6th August

1. Do you think in the light of climate change challenge GOI should renegotiate the Indus WaterTreaty of 1960 with Pakistan? Give your arguments. [Reference: DownToEarth]

2. Discuss India-Nepal cooperation in flood management. [Reference: The Hindu]

7th August

1. Analyse the strategic significance of Iran for India

9th August

1. Act East Policy (AEP) provides an interface between North East India and the ASEAN region.[Reference: Indian Express]

2. In the context of economic and strategic importance of Indian Ocean, discuss Mission SAGAR.

17th August

1. Why USA failed in Afghanistan? What will be the implications of Taliban capture of Kabul?[Reference: Newyorker]

25th August

1. With regards the increasing rates of melting of Arctic Sea ice the interests of the Arctic Councilnations may not coincide with those of the wider world. Explain. [Reference: The Hindu]

28th August

1. What do you understand by soft power? Examine India’s soft power potential with relevantexamples. [Reference: Indian Express]

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General Studies-3

Economics

1st August1. What is Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)? What are the risks in adopting CBDCs?

[Reference: The Hindu]

3rd August1. What are Nutri-Cereals? Discuss their significance in attaining food and nutritional security in

India. [Reference: Financial Express]2. 1991 Economic Reform have certainly ushered in major changes in India’s economic

architecture, however, they have also highlighted important issues like inequality andunemployment. Discuss. [Reference: Business Line]

4th August1. Net Zero Targets will lead to energy transitions around the world. Comment. [Reference: Indian

Express]2. Can rupee become one of the global reserve currency? [Reference: Indian Express]

5th August1. The National Logistics Policy Policy’s prime objective was to bring down cost of logistics from

the existing 14 per cent of GDP to 9 per cent. Discuss how it intends to achieve it. [Reference:Business Line, Vahak]

6th August1. Assess the impact of economic reform in last 30 years. [Reference: Indian Express] 2. Despite being self-sufficient in the production of major food commodities, problems of hunger

and food insecurity are grave in India. Explain this irony. [Reference: Indian Express]

7th August1. What do you understand by digital economy? What are the challenges posed by it? [Reference:

PRS India] 2. What do you understand by digital dividend? Analyse the challenges in realizing it in India.

[Reference: The Hindu]

9th August1. Are famers reaping the benefits of PMFBY? Discuss the challenges in the implementation of the

PMFBY. [Reference: Business Line]2. Critically examine various facets of employment challenge faced by the economy. [Reference:

Indian Express]

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11th August

1. Discuss trade as a growth engine. [Reference: The Hindu] 2. Even after having a diverse agro-climatic conditions, abundant land and large sections of

population depending on agriculture, why does India have to import edible oils? What is theburden of importing edible oils on the government’s exchequer? What can we do to boost thedomestic production of edible oils? How will the recent National Edible Oil Mission-Oil Palm(NEMO-OP) make India self-sufficient? [Reference: Business Line]

12th August1. What are PPPs? Discuss the need for PPPs in Indian railways. [Reference: Indian Express] 2. Discuss the challenges faced by MSMEs in India. [Reference: Financial Express]

14th August1. What do you understand by green finance? How will it help in fighting climate change?

https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/green-financing-transitioning-to-the-new-green-world/2309761/

15th August1. Is GDP a good indicator of human progress? Argue your case. Suggest a better indicator of

human progress? [Reference: Indian Express]

16th August1. Infrastructure deficit is the biggest hurdle in achieving a $5 trillion economy. In this context,

discuss the Gati Shakti master plan announced on Independence Day. [Reference: EconomicTimes]

2. Do you think transition to E –Vehicle is the best solution to the problem of air pollution andhigh energy import dependence. Critically analyze.

3. What do you understand by energy independence? Discuss the challenges for India in thisregard. How will Green Hydrogen Mission achieve it? [Reference: Business Standard]

4. Assess the economic progress of India in the last 75 years and compare it with its neighboursespecially China. [Reference: Indian Express]

18th August1. The dream of a $5-trillion Indian economy by 2025 is not possible without robust MSME sector.

Discuss the main challenges faced by MSME sector and suggest remedies. [Reference:TheOutReach]

2. Differentiate between Universal Banks and Small Finance Banks. In this context, discuss therole of small finance banks in achieving financial inclusion.

3. “The success of the ‘Digital India’ initiative by the Government of India has underpinningsin our country’s ability to manufacture electronic hardware. 

4. What do you understand bio economy? Discuss India’s potential in this regard. [Reference:Financial Express]

5. Analyse the major challenges faced by the livestock sector in India. [Reference: The Hindu]

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22nd August1. Income inequality has been consistently increasing since the mid-1980s and has reached a

historical high in India. Discuss the reasons for this rising inequality in recent times and alsosuggest remedies to alleviate this problem. [Reference: EPW]2. How does a tax affect income inequality? In this context, discuss how top marginal taxrate (TMTR) can solve the problem of income inequality in India. [Reference: EPW]

26th August1. What is a development bank? What role does it play in the economy? [Reference: Business Line]2. What do you understand by Industry 4.0? Are Indian MSMEs ready for it? [Reference: The

Hindu]

27th August1. Discuss the impact of corona pandemic on economic inequality in India. [Reference: Indian

Express] 2. What are social enterprises? Discuss its role in achieving inclusive growth? [Reference: Business

Line]

28th August1. Why national-level food self-sufficiency did not result in household-level food security?

[Reference: Indian Express] 2. What were the objectives of land reform? Were they achieved? [Reference: Indian Express]

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Science and Technology

1st August1. What do you understand by genome sequencing? In this context discuss the potential benefit of

Human Genome Project. [Reference: The Hindu, Web Ornl]

3rd August

1. What do you understand by Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)?

5th August

1. What is m RNA technology? How it has revolutionized the vaccination? [Reference: The Hindu,CDC, Stat news, The Hindu]

25th August

1. What is GIS technology? Discuss its application in governance. [Reference: Business Line]

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Environment

1st August1. Is climate change a real threat? Illustrate with example. [Reference: DownToEarth]

5th August

1. Bio fuels contribute to sustainable decarbonisation through circular bio-economy. Explain.[Reference: Business Line]

2. Extreme weather events will become more frequent and more intense. Give reasons. [Reference:Indian Express]

6th August

1. What do you understand by circular economy? How can it make our development moresustainable and resilient? [Reference: Fortune India, Social Innovation]

7th August

1. What is river linking? Do we really need river linking in India? Will it be a fruitful exercise?Explain with example of Ken Betwa Project. [Reference: Business Line, Down-to-earth]

8th August

1. What is a disaster? Discuss the legal and institutional architecture of disaster management inIndia. [Reference: Down-to-earth]

10th August

1. What is a circular economy? How can it be used to manage huge plastic waste? [Reference: TheHindu]

2. What do you understand by global warming? What has caused it? How far human activities areresponsible for it? [Reference: Down-to-earth]

11th August

1. What do you understand by carbon budget? How much carbon budget is left to limit the globalwarming to 1.5 degree? [Reference: Carbon Brief, Down-to-earth]

2. What are wildlife fires? Analyse the causes of wild life fire? Is increasing frequency of wildlifefires linked to climate change? [Reference: Indian Express]

12th August

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OPTIMIZE IASDAILY PRACTICE SHEET COMPILATION - 2021

1. Discuss the impact of climate change on Indian cities. How can we build climate change resilientcities? [Reference: Down-to-earth]

14th August

1. Discuss how circular economy works? How the recent National Automobile Scrappage Policywill help in furthering circular economy in India.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/air/leverage-scrappage-investments-for-bigger-gains-78460

2. What are wetlands? What role do they perform? Examine various threats to urbanwetlands.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/environment/the-state-of-india-s-urban-wetlands-and-why-they-need-to-be-protected-urgently-78456

3. Discuss the significance of indigenous communities in fight against of the climate change.

4. Examine the impact of climate change on the marine ecosystem.https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-will-happen-fish-oceans-warm-7452142/

16th August

1. Examine the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region andAdjoining Areas Bill, 2021 passed by the parliament. How far this will be able to solve the acutepollution problem of NCR. [Reference: Indian Express]

19th August

1. What do you understand by bio diversity? Discuss the risk posed by reduction of pollinators tobio diversity. [Reference: DownToEarth]

21st August

1. Examine the cause and the extent of Land degradation and ‘desertification’ in India and suggestremedial measures. [Reference: DownToEarth]

2. What do you understand by desertification? Why it is considered as the greatest environmentalchallenge? How will climate change affect it?

24th August

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OPTIMIZE IASDAILY PRACTICE SHEET COMPILATION - 2021

1. Discuss the science of smog? What are the implications of smog? How will smog tower help thecities? [Reference: News18]

25th August

1. What do you understand by light pollution? Impact of light pollution on plants, animals andhuman beings. Also suggest mitigating measures. [Reference: Indian Express]

26th August

1. Circular economy is key to combat climate change. In this context discuss the challenges increating circular economy with emphasis on E –Waste. [Reference: Business Line] 2. In the wake of recent IPCC report discuss the need for a new global climate changetreaty. [Reference: The Hindu]

27th August

1. How big is threat of climate change for India? Is it prepared for it? [Reference: Indian Express]2. The unprecedented generation of e-waste is a cause of concern in India. Discuss. [Reference:

DownToEarth]

28th August

1.What do you understand by light pollution? Impact of light pollution on plants, animals andhuman beings. Also suggest mitigating measures. [Reference: Indian Express]

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OPTIMIZE IASDAILY PRACTICE SHEET COMPILATION - 2021

Internal Security

9th August1. What is maritime security? Why it is significant? How big is presence of China a concern for

maritime security of India? [Reference: India Times]

19th August

1. Discuss the need for police reform in India. [Reference: The Hindu]

25th August

1. How National Automated Facial Recognition System will help in fighting crime? Criticallyexamine various legal, ethical and technological issues involved in it. [Reference: The Hindu]

26th August

1. What is cybercrime? Discuss its types and laws governing cybercrime in India. [Reference:Business Line, News18, Cyber Crime]

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OPTIMIZE IASDAILY PRACTICE SHEET COMPILATION - 2021

General Studies-4

Ethics

1st August

1. Why common man doesn’t have trust and confidence in police? How can it be instilled?[Reference: Indian Express, OJP]

5th August

1. What do understand by fairness and justice? Why it is important?2. A good knife is the one that cuts sharp and smooth. A good man is the one that strives to

moderation (Aristotle) What does the quote mean to you?3. The institution of a judge’s recusal and removal is an element of a fair trial. Explain. [Reference:

India Times]

6th August

1. Is state paternalism justified? [Reference: The Hindu] 2. Should state legislate moral laws?

9th August

1. Explain the difference between inequality and inequity.

10th August

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OPTIMIZE IASDAILY PRACTICE SHEET COMPILATION - 2021

1. What do you understand by misinformation? [Reference: The Hindu]

15th August

1. Peace, unity and social harmony were the pillars on which a self-reliant India. Discuss.[Reference: Live Mint]

16th August

1. Why power corrupts? [Reference: The Hindu]

17th August

1. What do you understand by environmental ethics?

19th August

1. What do you understand by democratic values? [Reference: Indian Express]2. What do you understand by integrity? Why integrity in civil services and police services has

been declining in India? [Reference: The Hindu] 3. What is your conception of an ideal police officer?

15th June

1. What do you understand by fair play? [Reference: Hindustan Times]

21st August

1. What do you understand by scientific temper? How can it be inculcated in the population?Discuss its significance. [Reference: Business Line]

25th August

1. Discuss the relevance of teaching of guru granth sahib. [Reference: Indian Express]

26th August

1. What do you understand by climate justice? What implications it has for the combatingclimate change. [Reference: The Hindu]

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OPTIMIZE IASDAILY PRACTICE SHEET COMPILATION - 2021

27th August

1. Why power corrupts? [Reference: The Hindu]

28th August

1. The right to speak truth to power by the citizens is integral to the functioning of a moderndemocracy. In the light of this statement, discuss the duties of citizen in a democracy.[Reference: Indian Express]

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