THE HINDU NEWS EXAM POINT Current Affairs notes organized for UPSC (General Studies) and TNPSC (Group I, II, IV)
preparation.
These notes are categorized by subject relevance
(Polity/Governance, Environment, Science & Tech, International Relations).
1. Governance
& Health: The Tamil Nadu Model (AIDS & TB)
Relevance:
·
UPSC: GS Paper II (Issues relating to Health, Governance Models).
·
TNPSC: Unit 9 (Development Administration in Tamil Nadu – Health Systems).
Key “Exam-Ready” Points:
·
The TNSACS Model: In 1994, Tamil Nadu converted its State AIDS Cell into a registered
society called the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TNSACS)1. This allowed for direct fund flow and autonomy, leading
to a steep drop in HIV infections.
·
National Adoption: The success of the TN model led the Government of India and the World Bank
to mandate this “Society model” for all states during the Second
National AIDS Control Project (1997-2002).
·
Current Statistics (HIV): India’s adult HIV prevalence dropped from a peak of 0.54% (in 2000) to
0.22% currently.
·
The Shift to TB Control: Tamil Nadu is now using this same model and ICMR-NIE software to tackle
Tuberculosis (TB).
·
TB Statistics (Important for
Prelims):
o
Global Burden: India accounts for 25% of the global TB burden (36 million infected
globally).
o
Co-infection: TB is the most common opportunistic infection in HIV patients, causing 25%
of AIDS deaths in India.
o
MDR-TB: India has 25% of the global Multi-Drug Resistant TB cases.
o
High Burden States: 5 states (UP, Maharashtra, MP, Bihar, Rajasthan) account for 56% of TB
infections in India.
·
Targets: Global target for TB elimination is 2030; India’s target is 2025
(though likely to be missed, the decline pace is faster than the global
average).
2. Economy &
Science: R&D Ecosystem in India
Relevance:
·
UPSC: GS Paper III (Science and Technology, Economic Development).
·
TNPSC: Economic trends, Science & Tech.
Key “Exam-Ready” Points:
·
Current Status: India’s Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) is approximately 0.65% of
GDP, which is low compared to advanced economies.
·
The Problem: India lacks a predictable pipeline from “Campus to Industry.” Private
research is often episodic (CSR-based) rather than structural.
·
Global Comparison:
o
USA: Private enterprises spend roughly 5% of net sales on research.
o
China (Huawei): Spends 20.8% of revenue on R&D.
·
Indian Success Stories:
o
Tata Motors: R&D intensity of 6.7%.
o
Dr. Reddy’s: Spends roughly 8.2% of sales on R&D.
o
IIT Madras Research Park: A successful model hosting over 200 companies near faculty labs17.
·
Policy Suggestions for Mains:
o
Set 3-year R&D-to-sales ratio targets for sectors
like auto and pharma.
o
Modernize tax instruments to reward measurable outputs
like patents and clinical milestones.
o
Mandate listed companies to disclose R&D investments
and their share of spending in Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
3. Environment
& Biodiversity: Great Nicobar
Relevance:
·
UPSC: GS Paper III (Environment & Biodiversity), Prelims (Species in News).
·
TNPSC: Geography and Environment.
Key “Exam-Ready” Points:
·
Context: The Great Nicobar Island is the site of a mega infrastructure project,
raising biodiversity concerns.
·
Biodiversity Richness: The island has over 1,800 species of fauna with 24% endemism (species
found only there).
·
New Discoveries (Crucial for
Prelims):
o
New Snake: Lycodon irwini (named after Steve Irwin). It is a wolf snake,
recommended to be classified as “Endangered”.
o
New Bird: A potentially new species of “Great Nicobar Crake” (Rallina
sp) has been documented.
·
Significance: Great Nicobar holds perhaps the finest tropical rainforest left in India.
4. International
Relations & Disaster Management: Operation Sagar Bandhu
Relevance:
·
UPSC: GS Paper II (India and its Neighborhood), GS Paper III (Disaster
Management).
·
TNPSC: Current Affairs (Operations).
Key “Exam-Ready” Points:
·
The Operation: Operation Sagar Bandhu.
·
Objective: To provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to Sri Lanka
following floods and landslides, and to evacuate stranded Indians.
·
Assets Deployed:
o
Indian Air Force (IAF): IL-76 and C-130J heavy-lift carriers.
o
Helicopters: Mi-17 V5 medium-lift helicopters.
o
Forces: Garud Special Force30.
·
Outcome: Over 300 Indians were evacuated to Thiruvananthapuram.
5. Science &
Technology: Baikonur Cosmodrome
Relevance:
·
UPSC/TNPSC: Prelims (Places in News, Space History).
Key “Exam-Ready” Points:
·
Location: A spaceport in Kazakhstan, leased and operated by Russia.
·
Historical Significance:
o
Launched Sputnik 1 (1957).
o
Launched Vostok 1 (1961) carrying Yuri Gagarin
(first human spaceflight).
·
Current News: A recent launch of a Soyuz-2.1a rocket (mission Soyuz MS-28) damaged the
launch pad (Site 31/6), forcing a suspension of crewed operations.
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