Course Content
GS1
All topics given below
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1. Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
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2. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
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5. History of the world will include events from the 18th century such as Industrial revolution, World wars, Redrawal of national boundaries, Colonization, Decolonization, Political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism, Socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.
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7. Role of women and women’s organizations, Population and associated issues, Poverty and developmental issues, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
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10.2. Introduction to Maps
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GS2
All Updates topics given below
6. Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary; Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
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10. Government Policies and Interventions for Development in Various Sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.
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12. Welfare schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the Population by the Centre and States and the Performance of these schemes; Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections.
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13. Issues relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
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14. Issues relating to Poverty and Hunger.
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16. Role of Civil Services in a Democracy
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GS3
2. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
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4. Major crops – cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems – storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
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5. Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
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6. Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
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11. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
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12. Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
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13. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
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16. Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
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19. Security challenges and their management in border areas; -linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
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GS3: ENVIRONMENT
UPSC Full Course [English]
About Lesson
iv. Renewable Energy Resources
  • Solar Energy: Regions close to the equator, including parts of South Asia, have abundant solar energy resources. India has been actively harnessing solar energy through solar power projects.
  • Wind Energy: Wind energy potential is significant in regions like the United States, China, and India. India has made substantial investments in wind energy.
  • Hydropower: Electricity produced from hydropower is known as hydroelectricity or hydroelectric power (water power). In 2020, approximately 4500 TWh, or one-sixth of the world’s electricity, was generated by hydropower, surpassing both nuclear and all other renewable energy sources.

Hydropower

  • North America: Great Lake Region, Niagara Falls, British Colum­bia region, the Appalachian region, North-West region of the USA, Niagara.
  • Europe: Norway, Sweden, France(Central Massif and Pyr­enees Alps), Russia( Dnieper Combine Scheme on Dnieper River, Kuybyshev dams on Volga River, Krasnoyarsk on Yenisei River, Kama Project on Volga River).
  • Africa:  Kariba Dam on the Zambezi, Owen project in Uganda, Aswan Dam in Egypt, Sennar Dam in Sudan, Kafui Dam in Zambia.
  • Australia: New South Wales and Victoria.

Asia:

  • China: The Yangtze Kiang, Sinkiang, and Hwang Ho rivers are where the majority of China’s hydropower projects are situated. Example Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River.
  • India: Damodar Valley Project(Bihar & W. Bengal), Bhakra-Nangal Project(Punjab), Hirakud Project (Orissa), Nagarjuna Sagar Project(Tamil Nadu), Mettur Project(Tamil Nadu), Idukki Project(Kerala).

Wind Energy

Wind energy is a pollution-free, inexhaustible source of energy. Through the use of turbines, wind energy’s kinetic energy is transformed into electrical energy. Trade winds, westerlies, and seasonal wind patterns like the monsoon have all been employed as energy sources.

  • North America: USA( Iowa, Texas, California, Oklahoma, etc.), Canada(Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, etc.).
  • South America: Brazil(Piauí), Chile(Antofagasta), Uruguay( Tacuarembó, Maldonado).
  • Europe: Germany(126,000 GWh), United Kingdom(63,468GWh), Spain(54,212 GWh), France(34,100 GWh), Italy(20,200 GWh), Sweden(19,902 GWh) etc are the leading producers of wind energy.
  • Africa: South Africa( Chaba, Coega, Darling, etc. wind farms), Morocco(Tarfaya Wind Farm), Egypt(West Bakr Wind Project, Ras Ghareb Wind Farm), etc.
  • Australia: Wind farms of Victoria and New South Wales.
  • India: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka have favorable conditions for wind energy generation.

Solar Power

In 2021, solar PV generation surpassed 1000 TWh and rose by a record 179 TWh (up 22%). Of all renewable technologies, it showed the second-largest absolute generation growth in 2021, right behind wind.

In most of the world, solar PV is quickly becoming the most affordable alternative for new power generation, which is anticipated to spur investment in the years to come.

World distribution of Solar Power:

  • North America: Canada – Ontario(Arnprior, Belmont), Alberta(BUR1 Burdett, Coaldale); USA – California(MaCoy,Solar star I & II), Arizona(Solana), Nevada(El Dorado).
  • South America: Brazil(Usina São Gonçalo in Piauí, Pirapora solar complex in Minas Gerais), Argentina ( Cauchari in Jujuy, Altiplano I in Salta), Uruguay( La Jacinta Solar Power Project in Salto), etc.
  • Europe: Germany(Doellen, Lake Hainer in Leipzig), Austria(Burgenland- Nickelsdorf solar park ),  Tagus solar complex in the town of Alcantara, Spain, UK(Sutton Bridge Solar Farm).
  • Africa: South Africa(De Aar, Prieska), Algeria(Adrar, Souk-Ahras), Egypt(Siwa), Kenya(Changi Tea Farm).
  • Australia: Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland.
  • Asia: China(Qinghai, Zhongwei, Ningxia, Xinjiang), Egypt(Aswan), UAE(Sweihan), Vietnam(Dau Tieng Solar Power Project), Saudi(Sakaka PV IPP
  • India: India was the second-largest market in Asia for new solar PV capacity and third globally (13 GW of additions in 2021). It ranked fourth for total installations (60.4 GW), overtaking Germany (59.2 GW) for the first time. Bhadla Solar Park(Rajasthan), Pavagada Solar Park(Karnataka), NP Kunta and Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park(Andhra Pradesh), and Rewa Ultra Mega Solar(MP), etc are some of the solar parks in India.
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