National Events and Issues

National Events and Issues

Overview

National Events and Issues forms a crucial component of Current Affairs in APPSC Group 2 Prelims, carrying significant weightage in the General Studies paper. This section tests your awareness of developments in governance, policy, economy, social issues, and major events that have shaped India over the past 12 months.

Success in this area requires systematic tracking of government schemes, constitutional amendments, judicial pronouncements, economic reforms, and socially significant events. Questions often link current developments to static portions—for instance, a question about a new amendment may test both the news event and underlying constitutional provisions.

For APPSC specifically, national events with implications for Andhra Pradesh receive heightened attention. Students must focus on Central government schemes implemented in the state, national policies affecting regional development, and Centre-State relations.

Key Concepts

• Government Schemes and Flagship Programs: Central schemes like PM-KISAN, Ayushman Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission, PM Awas Yojana, and their implementation targets, funding patterns, and achievements.
• Constitutional and Legislative Developments: Recent amendments, important bills passed by Parliament, ordinances promulgated, and their implications for governance and rights.
• Judicial Pronouncements: Landmark Supreme Court verdicts on fundamental rights, federalism, electoral reforms, environmental protection, and social justice.
• Economic Policy Changes: Budget announcements, RBI monetary policy decisions, GST Council modifications, disinvestment targets, and inflation management measures.
• Centre-State Relations: Disputes over resource sharing, GST compensation, river water sharing, and implementation of centrally sponsored schemes.
• Defence and Internal Security: Major defence acquisitions, indigenization efforts under Atmanirbhar Bharat, border developments, and internal security operations.
• Awards and Appointments: Padma Awards, National Awards, key appointments to constitutional posts, and international recognition of Indians.
• Social Issues and Movements: Developments in education policy, healthcare reforms, women's safety initiatives, and tribal welfare measures.

Formulas / Key Facts

Worked Examples

Example 1: Scheme-Based Question

Question: Which of the following statements about PM-KISAN is/are correct?

1. It provides Rs. 6000 per year to all farmer families
2. The amount is transferred in three equal installments
3. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with State contribution

Solution Approach:

• Statement 1: Incorrect. PM-KISAN covers only landholding farmer families, not all farmers. Excludes institutional landholders, constitutional post holders, income tax payers.
• Statement 2: Correct. Rs. 2000 each in April-July, August-November, December-March.
• Statement 3: Incorrect. It is a Central Sector Scheme—100% funded by Centre.

Answer: Only Statement 2 is correct.

Example 2: Constitutional Development

Question: The 127th Constitutional Amendment Act relates to: (a) GST Council formation (b) OBC reservation in local bodies (c) States' power to identify OBCs (d) Delimitation of constituencies

Solution:

• 127th Amendment (2021) restored the power of State governments to prepare their own OBC lists for reservation purposes.
• This was passed after Supreme Court's Maratha reservation verdict questioned states' power.
• The amendment clarified that only Parliament can identify SEBCs for central list, but states retain power for state lists.

Answer: (c)

Example 3: Current Event Analysis

Question: Regarding the Semiconductor Mission, which ministry is the nodal agency?

Solution:

• India Semiconductor Mission launched under Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)
• Rs. 76,000 crore outlay under Digital India
• Focus on fab units, display fabs, packaging units
• Key projects: Micron (Gujarat), Tata (Assam and Gujarat)

Answer: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Common Mistakes

• Confusing Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes → Central Sector = 100% Centre funded (PM-KISAN); CSS = shared funding (MGNREGA at 60:40 for most states). Check funding pattern, not just launch authority.
• Mixing up Amendment numbers → Students confuse 101st (GST), 103rd (EWS reservation), 104th (SC/ST reservation extension), 106th (Women's reservation). Create a timeline or mnemonic for amendments post-100.
• Ignoring implementation dates vs announcement dates → A scheme announced in Budget may launch months later. Questions often test when something became operational, not when it was announced.
• Overlooking sunset clauses and extensions → Provisions like EWS reservation validity (10 years from 2019), Sixth Schedule areas' special provisions have time limits. Track these carefully.
• Assuming all Supreme Court verdicts are final → Review petitions, curative petitions, and larger bench references can modify earlier rulings. Note if a verdict is "pending review."

Quick Reference

• Three new criminal laws (July 2024): BNS replaces IPC; BNSS replaces CrPC; BSA replaces Evidence Act
• One Nation One Election: High-Level Committee under Kovind submitted report March 2024; recommends simultaneous elections
• Chandrayaan-3: Soft landing August 23, 2023; India 4th country for moon landing, 1st at South Pole
• G20 Presidency: India held Sept 2022–Nov 2023; New Delhi Declaration adopted; African Union became permanent member
• UCC in Uttarakhand: First state to enact Uniform Civil Code (February 2024)
• Article 370 Verdict: Supreme Court upheld abrogation (December 2023); directed statehood restoration and elections by September 2024