Paper 1:

1. ISO — an international organisation that defines the characters that Unicode encodes — has recommended that the Bengali script be renamed as “Bengali-Assamese”. However, the move has been opposed by Assamese. Why Assamese script wants it's own slot? Critically analyze.

Why Assamese script wants its own slot, and what it has got instead: related to the issue of renaming of Bengali script as ‘Bengali-Assamese’.
Key points:
•    ISO recommends renaming of Bengali script as ‘Bengali-Assamese’.
•    For years, prominent Assamese individuals, now backed by influential organisations and the state government, have been campaigning for recognition of the Assamese script as separate.

What to study? Similarities between both the scripts, why Assamese script wants its own slot?
Source: The Indian Express.

Paper 2:

1. The proposed Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will bring substantial and much required reform in the higher education regulation in India. Discuss.

Reforming higher education: Related to the draft Higher Education Commission of India (HECT) Bill.
Key Points:
•    The draft Higher Education Commission of India (HECT) Bill is now in the public domain. 
•    The HECI will replace UGC to “provide for more autonomy and facilitate holistic growth” of this sector and offer “greater opportunities to Indian students at more affordable cost”. 
•    HECT will cover all fields of education except medical and, presumably, agriculture, and institutions set up under the Central and State Acts, excluding those of national importance.
What to study? Need for HECT, performance analysis of UGC and reforms in higher education.
Source: The Hindu

2. There is a rise in pendency of cases lying with High Courts. What factors are contributing to this rise? Critically comment on the judicial reforms necessary in this context.

How to list cases better: related to rising pendency in appeals lying with High Courts.
Key points:
•    There is a rise in pendency in appeals lying with High Courts. This observation is based on the findings of the Supreme Court’s Arrears Committee. 
•    In this context, the Supreme Court has directed High Courts to prepare action plans for disposal of five and 10-year-old cases and has also asked for High Court Arrears Committees to periodically review the situation. 
•    While it is crucial that a disposal review mechanism is put in place, the manner in which judicial performance is measured and accountability is exercised must be carefully revisited.

What to study? Why there is rise in number of pending cases,review mechanism to be put in place, the manner in which judicial performance is measured and accountability is exercised, how delayed appointments and vacancies affect this.
Source: The Hindu.

Paper 3:

1. Particulate matter that exists as fine dust in the air can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, particularly in low-income countries such as India. Discuss.

Triggered by bad air: related to air pollution.
Key points:
•    Particulate matter that exists as fine dust in the air can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, particularly in low-income countries such as India.
•    Estimates suggest that in 2016, air pollution resulted in as many as 3.2 million new cases of diabetes. This is 14% of all new diabetes cases for that year, and India’s share was 20% of new cases. 
•    Annually, the researchers estimated that pollution-linked diabetes caused more than 2 lakh deaths in 2016.

What to study? Air pollution and diabetes, how high economic growth contributes to increased air pollution.
Source: The Hindu.
 

2. What is Quantum Optics. Write a note on it's potential applications.

Linked by light: related to quantum physics.
Key points:
•    The scope of quantum optics is still unknown, and plans for future research are vast.
•    Albert Einstein won a Nobel prize in 1921 for his paper on the photoelectric effect, in which he developed the idea of light as quanta, or photons.
•    The development of laser science made possible the study of light as governed by quantum theory.
•    Today, quantum optics powers many discoveries and its full potential can only be guessed at.

What to study? Quantum theory of matter- historical developments, applications and competition among countries in this branch.
Source: The Hindu.
 

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