Note:
This is not a generic NCERT summary. All the points written here are carefully curated for the sake of acting as a precise guide for all three stages of UPSC: Prilims, Mains and Interview. The meanings of the most basic words are often asked in the Interview before asking a question about how the candidate would go about solving that issue.
Ex: Explain what prejudice means. Then, Should we eradicate the Stereotypes? or Can the stereotypes be sometimes good?
As a general rule of thumb, use the Concepts section for answer writing and interviews and Facts section for Prilims.
Equality
Concepts:
| Phrase | Meaning |
| Universal Adult Franchise | Means that all the citizens above 18 have the right to vote irrespective of their social or economic backgrounds |
| Franchise | an authorization granted by the government |
| Dignity | Refers to the thinking that one is worthy of self respect |
| Civil Rights Movement | Started in 1950s in USA to end racial discrimination and demand equal rights for African American people |
Facts:
- In 2001, Tamilnadu came up with midday meal scheme that improved attendance of the poor children to schools.
- Article 15 of Indian constitution -> Prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of race, caste, religion, sex or place of birth.
Role of Government in Health
Concepts:
- Health is our ability to remain free of illness or injuries, both physical and mental.
- According to our Constitution, it is the primary duty of the government to ensure welfare of the people.
- Government must also safeguard the Right to life of every person.
Facts:
- India produces almost 30,000 doctors every year.
- Number of government hospitals are roughly 20,000
- India gets a large number of medical tourists from other countries.
- India is the third largest producer of medicines and one of the largest exporters as well.
- In 1996, Kerala allocated 40% of the state budget to the panchayats which eventually led to the proper planning for food, water and women’s development.
- Costa Rica is considered to be one of the healthiest countries in central America. The reason is in their constitution. They don’t have an army and all that money is spent on wellness of their people.
How the State Government works
Concepts:
- Constituency is an area from which all the voters choose their elected representatives. This could be, for example, a panchayat ward or an area that chooses MLA.
- A state is divided into several constituencies. An MLA for each constituency is elected. An MLA is associated with a political party. And say in a state of 68 constituencies, 35 BJP MLAs, then that’s called a majority and they become the ruling party and others become opposition.
- All the MLAs form the Legislative body of the government.
- The ruling members then form a government and appoint some MLAs as ministers of certain departments. Whatever work is done by these departments have to be approved by the MLAs.
- The head of the state is Governor. They are appointed by the central government to make sure that the state government is following the rules and regulations of our constitution.
Facts:
- At this time of writing Feb 2nd 2022, Tamilisai Soundararajan is the Governer of Telangana.
- Ginning mill is a factory where cotton seeds are separated from cotton balls and threads are weaved