1. Indian Heritage

• Culture

• Modern Indian history

• The Freedom Struggle

• Post-independence

• Indian Society

A. population and associated issues

B. poverty and developmental issues

C.urbanization

   7. Geographical features

8.Indian Constitution

9. Polity

India constitutes Sixteenth Finance Commission with Dr. Arvind Panagariya as its Chairman

The Government of India, with the approval of the President of India, has constituted the Sixteenth Finance Commission, in pursuance to Article 280(1) of the Constitution.

Dr Arvind Panagariya, former Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog, and Professor, Columbia University will be the Chairman.  Members of the Sixteenth Finance Commission would be notified separately. Shri Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey has been appointed as Secretary to the Commission.  Detailed terms of reference for Sixteenth Finance Commission have also been spelt out in the notification issued today.

The Sixteenth Finance Commission shall make recommendations as to the following matters, namely: —

(i)        The distribution between the Union and the States of the net proceeds of taxes which are to be, or may be, divided between them under Chapter I, Part XII of the Constitution and the allocation between the States of the respective shares of such proceeds;

(ii)       The principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the States out of the Consolidated Fund of India and the sums to be paid to the States by way of grants-in-aid of their revenues under article 275 of the Constitution for the purposes other than those specified in the provisos to clause (1) of that article; and

(iii)      The measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the Panchayats and Municipalities in the State on the basis of the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State.

The Sixteenth Finance Commission may review the present arrangements on financing Disaster Management initiatives, with reference to the funds constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (53 of 2005), and make appropriate recommendations thereon.

The Sixteenth Finance Commission has been requested to make its report available by 31^st day of October, 2025 covering a period of five years commencing on the 1^st day of April, 2026.

 

LAWS/GUIDELINES

1. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and decisive guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, a decision was taken to review and revise colonial-era outdated Prison Act in tune with contemporary modern day needs and correctional ideology (12 MAY 2023)
2. Along with ‘The Prisons Act, 1894’, ‘The Prisoners Act, 1900’ and ‘The Transfer of Prisoners Act, 1950’ have also been reviewed by the MHA and relevant provisions of these Acts have been assimilated in the ‘Model Prisons Act, 2023’.
3. ‘Model Prisons Act, 2023’ aims at reforming prison management and ensuring the transformation of inmates into law-abiding citizens and their rehabilitation in society.
4. The new Prisons Act will lay more emphasis on the safety of women & transgender prisoners and bring about transparency in prison management and provide for the correction and rehabilitation of prisoners.
5. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah replied to the discussion on the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha, the Bill passed by the house (03 AUG 2023)
6. This bill is completely constitutional and has been brought only for the welfare of the people of Delhi, there is no political objective of the central government.
7. Since 1993, a proper system was running in Delhi because no one had any intention to usurp the power, but in 2015 a government came in Delhi whose aim is not to serve but to quarrel.
8. Politics of supporting or opposing any Bill should not be done to win elections or to get someone’s support, Bills and Laws are brought in the interest of the country, they should be opposed or supported for the good of the country and Delhi.

3. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah replied to the discussion on the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha, after discussion the house passed the bill by 131-102 (07 AUG 2023)
4. The purpose of the bill is to ensure corruption-free and people-oriented governance in Delhi, not a single provision of the bill will change the existing system.
5. The problem is that Delhi Government want to enjoy the rights of the state after contesting the elections for UT, the solution to this problem is that they have to change their mindset.
6. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah introduced the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha (11 AUG 2023)
7. One of the five PRAN taken by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi before the country on August 15 was – to end all signs of slavery – the  three bills are going to fulfil this one vow of Shri Modi.
8. The soul of the three new laws will be to protect all the rights given to Indian citizens by the constitution, and, their purpose will not be to punish but give justice.
9. These three laws made with Indian thought process will bring a huge change in our criminal justice system.
10. Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved the proposal for promulgation of (i) The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Tenancy Regulation, 2023 (ii) The Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Tenancy Regulation, 2023 (iii) The Lakshadweep Tenancy Regulation, 2023 under Article 240 of the Constitution of India (04 OCT 2023)
11. These bills will provide a legal framework for creating an accountable and transparent ecosystem for renting premises in the Union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu; and Lakshadweep by balancing the interests and rights of both the landlord and tenant.
12. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah replied to the discussion on Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha, later the bills were passed in Lok Sabha (06 DEC 2023)
13. These bills will add another pearl to the chain of hundreds of progressive changes brought under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
14. These bills are going to provide rights and justice to those who were treated unjustly and insulted and ignored for 70 years.
15. This is a bill to give rights and representation to displaced Kashmiris, by giving reservation to displaced Kashmiris, they will have voice in the Kashmir Assembly and if a situation of displacement arises again, they themselves will stop it.
16. Kashmir and the country had to bear the brunt of mistakes committed by former PM Jawaharlal Nehru for years.

7. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah replied to the discussion on Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha, the house passed the bills after discussion (11 DEC 2023)
8. This day will be marked in golden letters in the history of J&K and India when the Supreme Court has upheld the intention and process of decision taken by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji to abrogate Article 370 and reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir, as constitutional.
9. Questions raised on these bills were not for the sake of justice but with the intention of delaying the decision taken by PM Modi.
10. Supreme Court upheld that Jammu and Kashmir never had internal sovereignty and Article 370 was a temporary provision.
11. No one has the right to let go of a part of the country just to show his big heart, we will fight for every inch of our land.
12. Those who say that Article 370 is permanent are insulting the Constitution and the Constituent Assembly.
13. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah replied to the discussion on the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha, the house passed the bills after discussion (20 DEC 2023)
14. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, for the first time, changes have been made in the three laws governing nearly 150 years old criminal justice system, concerning Indianness, Indian Constitution and people of India.
15. Purpose of punishment should be to give justice to the victim and establishing an example in the society.
16. These three laws made with the Indian soul will bring a huge change in our criminal justice system
17. Modi government has a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism, these laws also have such provisions so that no terrorist can escape punishment.

9. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah replied to the discussion on the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 in Rajya Sabha, the house passed the bills after discussion (21 DEC 2023)
10. A new era in India’s Criminal Justice System will start now, which will be completely Indian
11. Our criminal judicial system will be governed by India, for India and the system created by the Indian Parliament.
12. Modi ji has freed the country’s criminal justice system from the chains of slavery, the soul, thought and body of the new laws are all Indian.
13. These laws brought by Modi government will tighten the noose on organized crime.
14. After the introduction of new laws, the poorest of the poor will get speedy justice.

10. Governance

A. institutions

B. regulatory

National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC

45. New schemes for Cooperative Societies started by NCDC

New schemes for Cooperative Societies have been started by NCDC in various sectors such as ‘Swayamshakti Sahakar’ for self-help groups; ‘Dirghavadhi Krishak Sahakar’ for long term agricultural credit; ‘Dairy Sahakar’ for dairy and ‘Nandini Sahakar’ for women’s cooperative institutions etc. In the financial year 2022-23, NCDC disbursed financial assistance of Rs.41,025 crore which is almost 20% higher than the disbursement of Rs.34,221 crore in 2021-22. The target is to disburse Rs 50,000 crore loan in the year 2023-24. All States and State Cooperative Societies can avail loan schemes of NCDC.

C. Government policies

48. Formulation of New National Cooperation Policy
49. In order to realize Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Prosperity through Cooperation’, Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah has decided to formulate a new Cooperation Policy in the country. A Multidisciplinary and National level committee consisting of 49 members comprising experts and stakeholders from different States and across the Country has been constituted under the leadership of former Union Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu to formulate the New Cooperation Policy to realize the concept of ‘Prosperity through Cooperation’. So far, 17 meetings of the Expert Committee have been held, during which detailed discussions were held with the stakeholders and the new National Cooperation Policy is expected to be ready soon.
50.  

D. role of NGOs

E. measures

11. Social Justice

A. Welfare schemes

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

The scheme “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)” was launched by the Department of Fisheries; Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying; to bring about ecologically healthy, economically viable, and socially inclusive development of the fisheries sector of India.

PMMSY shall bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector in India at a total investment of ₹ 20,050 crore for holistic development of the fisheries sector including the welfare of fishers. PMMSY is implemented in all the States and Union Territories for a period of five years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25. In the Union Budget 2023-24, a new sub-scheme under the PMMSY has been announced with an investment of Rs.6,000 crore to enable activities of fish vendors, fishermen, and micro and small enterprises for improving value chain efficiencies and expanding the market.

Objectives of PMMSY

1. Harness the potential of the fisheries sector in a sustainable, responsible, inclusive, and equitable manner.

2. Enhance fish production and productivity through expansion, intensification, diversification, and productive utilization of land and water.

3. Modernize and strengthen the value chain including post-harvest management and quality improvement.

4. Double fishers and fish farmers’ incomes and generate meaningful employment.

5. Enhance the contribution of the fisheries sector to Agricultural GVA and exports.

6. Ensure social, physical, and economic security for fishers and fish farmers.

7. Build a robust fisheries management and regulatory framework.

6. PM-YASASVI

The DoSJE devised an umbrella scheme namely; PM-YASASVI for OBC, EBC and DNT students with five sub-schemes to streamline scholarship schemes for students from OBC, EBC and DNT communities to ensure timely disbursement to them. The erstwhile Schemes of Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarship for Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship for DNTs have been subsumed in the umbrella Scheme of PM YASASVI with effect from 2021-22.

6. 1. Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC/EBC & DNT Boys and Girls
   2. Post- Matric Scholarship for OBC/EBC & DNT Boys and Girls
   3. Construction of hostels for OBC Boys and Girls
   4. Central Sector Scheme of Top Class Education in College for OBC,EBC and DNT students
   5. Central Sector Scheme of Top Class Education in Schools for OBC,EBC and DNT students

National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Eco-system (NAMASTE).

Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) has been modified during the FY 2023-24 with a new nomenclature i.e. National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Eco-system (NAMASTE). NAMASTE is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and NSKFDC is the implementing agency.

The primary target of NAMASTE is the sewer and septic tank sanitation Workers (SSWs) involved in hazardous cleaning operations and directly dealing with human faecal matter. Interventions for rehabilitation of manual scavengers under SRMS will continue under NAMASTE.

1. Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY)

The department under Integrated Programme for Older People (IPOP) component of the scheme provides basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing through providing support for capacity building of Government/ Non-Governmental Organisations/Panchayati Raj Institutions/ local bodies and the Community at large. Assistance under the scheme will be given to the Panchayati Raj Institutions/local bodies and eligible Non-Governmental Voluntary Organisations.

 

B Health

C. Education

D. Human Resources

E. poverty and hunger

12. International relations

A. India and its neighbourhood

B. groupings and agreements

C.Indian diaspora

13. Economic Development

A. Government Budgeting

B. industrial

E.issues

14. Technology

 

15. Environment

2023 – Air Quality Perspective

he Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), since its inception in 2021, through a series of firm steps, has initiated various policy measures and field actions towards abatement of air pollution in Delhi-NCR. 

Continual and concerted efforts of all the stakeholders round the year also in 2023 have further helped to improve the general air quality parameters in Delhi as compared to the past few years (barring the periods of very low anthropogenic, industrial and commercial activities during the Covid affected year 2020, owing to complete lockdowns and other restrictions), pursuant to various preventive and mitigative field actions through numerous statutory directions and orders of the Commission, covering all major sectors contributing to the overall air quality.

The year 2023 also witnessed much lower levels of episodic events like farm burnings during paddy harvesting season, bursting of crackers during religious festivals and marriages/celebrations etc.  However, the benefit attributable to the same in Delhi’s AQI, was nullified owing to much adverse climatic, meteorological, low temperature and calm wind conditions in the region, impeding effective dispersion of the pollutants and resulting in a spike in the daily average AQI during the winter months in particular.  Despite these factors, the overall daily average AQI during the year has been the best so far. 

     With persistent field level efforts and targeted policy initiatives for quantified results in the short/ medium/ long term, it is expected that air quality scenario over Delhi will see further gradual but marked improvement, year on year.

16. Security

LEFT WING EXTREMISM

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah chaired the meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Left Wing Extremism of Ministry of Home Affairs, in New Delhi (07 FEB 2023)

● Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Ministry of Home Affairs has three main pillars of the policy made to deal with Left Wing Extremism – Ruthless Approach to curb extremist violence, Better coordination between Centre and State and Development through public participation to end support for Left Wing Extremism.

● For the first time in 4 decades, the number of deaths of civilians and security forces has been brought under 100 in 2022.

2. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah along with the Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers and other concerned officials of Left Wing Extremism affected states, chaired a review meeting on Left Wing Extremism in New Delhi (06 OCT 2023)

● Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, success has been achieved in curbing left wing extremism in the last few years and now this fight has reached to a decisive phase.

● Left Wing Extremism will be completely uprooted in next 2 years.

● Vacuum areas have been shrinking since 2019, we have established 195 new camps of CAPFs, 44 more new camps will be established.

● There has been a decline of more than 52 per cent in Left Wing Extremism related violence, 69 per cent in deaths, 72 per cent in security forces deaths and 68 per cent in civilian deaths between 2014 and 2023 compared to the period from 2005 to 2014.

 

 

17. Disaster Management

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Deployment of two NDRF Teams for Search and Rescue operation in the earthquake affected areas of Turkiye (07 FEB 2023)

• As per the directions of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, two teams consisting of 101 personnel of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with specially trained dog squads and all the necessary equipment were sent to Türkiye by special Indian Air Force flights for undertaking search and rescue operations in the affected areas of Türkiye, which had been devastated on 06.02.2023 by massive earthquakes.
• The teams were self-contained in all respects and equipped with all the necessary state-of-the art search and rescue, and personal safety equipments.
• The NDRF team assisted the local authorities of the Türkiye in relief and rescue operations.

2. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated 3rd Session of National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (10 MAR 2023)

• “After the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, the world has recognised and appreciated the role of India’s disaster management efforts”.
• “The way India has expanded the technology and human resources related to disaster management has served the country well”.
• “We have to develop models of housing or town planning at the local level. We need to encourage use of advanced technology in these sectors.”
• “Recognition and Reform are the two main components for strengthening disaster management”.

3. High Level Committee meeting, chaired by Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah approved Rs. 1,816.162 crore of additional Central assistance to five States (13 MAR 2023)

• This shows the resolve of the Union Government under the leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to help the people of the five States who faced natural disasters.
• Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Meghalaya and Nagaland to get funds for floods/ landslides, cloudburst that occurred during 2022.

4. Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah chaired high level meeting in New Delhi to review overall preparedness for flood management in the context of upcoming monsoon (02 JUN 2023)

● Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, efforts are being made in the field of disaster management to help minimize the loss of lives and livelihoods during disasters.

● 5 days rain/ flood forecast currently being given by India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) to be expanded to 7 days forecast by next monsoon season so that the flood management can be further improved.

● Specialized institutions like IMD and CWC to continue to upgrade their technologies for more accurate weather and flood forecasts.

5. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah chaired a meeting with Ministers of Disaster Management of the States/Union Territories, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi(13 JUN 2023)

● Under the vision @2047 of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the main objective of the meeting was to further strengthen the disaster risk reduction system in the country to make India disaster resilient.

● Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah announced 3 major schemes worth more than ₹8000 crore for disaster management in the country. 

• Rs. 5,000 crore project to expand and modernize fire services across the states, Rs. 2,500-crore project to reduce the risk of urban flooding in the seven most populous metros-Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune and Rs. 825 Crore National Landslide Risk Mitigation Project for Landslide Mitigation for 17 States and Union Territories.