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Caste Survey and Stubble Burning and its significance for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Minimum Support Price (MSP), Unified Payments Interface (UPI), World Health Organisation (WHO) important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for April 28, 2025 |
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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on April 28, 2025
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The chaos of Karnataka’s caste survey
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and internartional Significance
For Mains Examination: GS II - Indian Polity & Governance
Context:
On April 11, a nearly 10-year-old Socio-Economic and Educational Survey (popularly called the Caste Census) prepared by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes was dusted off and accepted by the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Cabinet. Two days prior, the listing of the Caste Census in the Cabinet’s agenda for discussion had surprised many. For the Chief Minister had on multiple occasions announced a discussion only to rescind it as political implications were believed to be far-reaching and difficult to handle.
Read about:
Bihar caste Survey
Significance of Caste Survey
Key takeaways:
Although the survey results and recommendations were finalized by late 2017, Mr. Kantharaj was unable to submit the report because the member-secretary had not signed it. As a result, the report was not received by either the Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress coalition government or the BJP government that followed.
As the population data became clear to the Cabinet, political tensions surged, revealing a divide between the politically dominant Vokkaliga and Veerashaiva-Lingayat communities and other backward classes. The Cabinet convened again on April 17 to discuss the recommendations but did not make a decision. Although further deliberations have been scheduled for May 2, no concrete resolution on the commission's recommendations is expected. Meanwhile, the matter has been taken to the Karnataka High Court.
Key Findings of the Survey:
- The survey, closely monitored for its caste-specific population data due to its political implications, was initially intended to analyze "backwardness" for the development of policies aimed at uplifting these communities.
- According to the survey, approximately 70% of the population in the state belongs to backward classes.
- Muslims represent the largest group, with around 75.25 lakh or 12.58% of the total population. The Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, a dominant political and land-owning group in North and Central Karnataka, follows with 66.35 lakh or 11%.
- The Vokkaliga community, another politically influential and land-owning group from the Old Mysore region, accounts for 61.58 lakh or 10.29%.
- Scheduled Castes make up 18.2% of the population (about 1.09 crore), and Scheduled Tribes comprise 7.1% (43.81 lakh). Together, these groups represent 24.1% of the state's population.
- The general category, which includes Brahmins, Arya Vaishyas, Mudaliars, Nagartharu, and some Jains, constitutes about 4.9% of the population (29.74 lakh).
Recommendations of the Hegde Commission:
- The Hegde Commission has proposed increasing the total reservation for backward classes from 32% to 51%. It also recommends a reclassification of castes into six categories instead of the current five. The commission has suggested removing the exemption from the creamy layer policy for the most backward castes in Category 1.
- Kurubas, seen as politically influential and educationally advanced among the backward classes, have been moved from the ‘more backward’ to the ‘most backward’ category, along with several other castes. The Kuruba community comprises 43.72 lakh or 7.31% of the population, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah belongs to this group.
- The government has not yet made the socio-economic and educational data of the communities public. Only the survey methodology, questionnaire, population data, and reclassification recommendations have been shared with Cabinet Ministers, with the full report yet to be released for public discussion.
Reactions from Politically Dominant Communities:
- The politically dominant communities have strongly rejected the report's findings, calling them "unscientific." Both the Rajya Vokkaligara Sangha and the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha have demanded a new survey, questioning the accuracy of the population data.
- They argue, based on previous commissions’ data, that the Vokkaliga population should be around 12% to 14%, and the Veerashaiva-Lingayat population should range from 17% to 22%.
- They claim that many households from these communities were excluded from the survey and that confusion over sub-caste enumeration led to inaccuracies. Additionally, they contend that the data is too outdated to be reliable.
- Cabinet Ministers from these communities have already convened to voice their opposition, and efforts are underway for joint meetings and protests. Legal action is also being considered. Other communities, such as Brahmins, Christians, and Yadavas/Gollas, have similarly complained that their population numbers were under-reported
Follow Up Question
1.Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, who shall be the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both? (UPSC 2013)
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Answer (D)
Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, the Gram Sabha (village assembly) is the authority responsible for initiating the process to determine the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights. The Gram Sabha plays a central role in the recognition and management of forest rights for forest-dwelling communities
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Farmers burning stubble won’t get govt. aid, MSP for crops: Madhya Pradesh CM
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international Significance
For Mains Examination: GS III - Environment & Ecology, Economy
Context:
Farmers in Madhya Pradesh who engage in stubble burning will not receive benefits under the CM Kisan Kalyan Scheme and their crops will not be purchased at the minimum support price (MSP), Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said.
Read about:
Minimum Support Price (MSP)
Stubble Burning
Key takeaways:
- Stubble burning is a practice that involves setting fire to the remains of crops, particularly after the harvesting of rice and wheat. This method is commonly used by farmers, especially in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in India, as a quick way to clear the fields for the next crop cycle.
- The process typically takes place during the post-harvest season, when the residual crop stubble, which is left behind after harvesting, is burned to save time and labor that would otherwise go into manually removing or managing the waste.
- While stubble burning offers immediate economic benefits by reducing the time required to prepare the land for the next sowing season, it has significant environmental and health consequences.
- When the stubble is burned, it releases large amounts of particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and other harmful gases into the atmosphere. This pollution contributes to the worsening air quality, particularly in the northern regions of India, and is a major factor in the annual smog crisis that blankets cities like Delhi, especially during the winter months.
- The fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, released by stubble burning is particularly dangerous to human health, as it can penetrate deep into the lungs and exacerbate respiratory diseases, allergies, and heart conditions.
- The practice also contributes to soil degradation. While it clears the fields quickly, burning stubble removes valuable organic matter from the soil, which can lead to reduced soil fertility over time. Moreover, it causes the loss of essential nutrients and disrupts the biodiversity in the area, impacting the ecosystem.
- Efforts have been made to address the problem, such as promoting alternative methods of stubble management like using machines to chop the stubble or incorporating it into the soil. However, the high cost of these methods and the lack of awareness and resources for many farmers make it difficult to fully phase out stubble burning.
- In response to the environmental and health impacts, various state and central government initiatives, as well as awareness campaigns, have been introduced to reduce the occurrence of stubble burning. However, challenges remain in enforcing these measures due to the widespread practice and the socio-economic pressures on farmers.
- Ultimately, stubble burning remains a complex issue, caught between the immediate practical needs of farmers and the long-term environmental and public health costs.
- The transition to more sustainable farming practices will require a combination of policy interventions, technological advancements, and support for farmers to adopt alternative methods of crop residue management
1.In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index? ( UPSC 2016)
- Carbon dioxide
- Carbon monoxide
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Methane
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
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Answer (b)
In calculating the Air Quality Index (AQI) in cities, the following atmospheric gases are considered:
These gases are significant contributors to air pollution and are measured to assess air quality. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are not typically included in the AQI calculation as they do not have a direct and immediate impact on human health in the same way as the other gases listed |
How UPI Functions:
- UPI (Unified Payments Interface) operates on an architecture inherited from the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS). To use UPI, banks need to integrate with the system, allowing their customers to access accounts via a linked phone number through Payment Service Provider (PSP) apps, such as PhonePe or Google Pay. Nearly all public and private commercial banks in India are part of the UPI system.
- Designed to be interoperable, UPI enables account holders from any bank to register on any app, and even use multiple apps simultaneously. This creates a system where banks interact with each other, but all transactions are routed through the NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India).
- Srikanth Lakshmanan, a member of the Cashless Consumer project, explained that the NPCI plays a crucial role by encrypting PIN information, which only the bank knows, and forwarding payment details to the payer's bank for transaction execution. He highlighted that any downtime in the NPCI system would prevent a bank from receiving the PIN, creating a single point of failure.
Reasons Behind NPCI's Outages:
- The NPCI, governed by a group of banks, predominantly public sector banks, is structured as a collective. This arrangement is mandated by the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, which requires organizations involved in clearing bulk transactions to be majority-owned by public sector banks.
- Although the NPCI is involved in system design and oversight, its implementation largely depends on the banks. Recently, individual banks reportedly overwhelmed the system with numerous "check transaction" requests, which are used to verify the completion of payments.
- This overload impacted the NPCI, causing brief downtimes. In response, the NPCI introduced UPI Lite, a system that allows users to make payments of up to ₹2,000 without entering a PIN.
- However, even these transactions pass through the NPCI system, as UPI remains fundamentally interoperable. Despite not needing PIN authentication, the system still requires NPCI's involvement to verify the transaction's origin.
Banks' Discontent:
- Banks have had a challenging relationship with UPI. While the system has transformed India's payment landscape—processing over 58 crore transactions worth ₹73,000 crore in a single day—they do not earn substantial fees from these transactions, even though there are associated costs.
- The RBI has estimated that banks spend about ₹0.80 per transaction, accounting for SMS notification charges (paid to telecom operators) and the costs of maintaining transaction records.
- Despite these costs, banks cannot levy a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions, leaving them with limited incentives to maintain rigorous service uptime. As a result, individual banks experience more frequent outages than the NPCI, which leads to a rise in payment failures.
- Unlike UPI, commercial card networks like MasterCard and Visa generally experience fewer and shorter downtimes due to stringent monitoring and service level agreements that enforce performance standards
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Answer (D)
UPI enables seamless, real-time payments and direct bank-to-bank transactions, which can greatly improve the efficiency of subsidy transfers to individuals, especially the poor, by ensuring that the funds reach the intended recipients without delays or intermediaries
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- The central element of the newly adopted agreement is the proposed Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS), which aims to streamline the sharing of pathogen data between countries and pharmaceutical companies.
- This system is anticipated to be vital in speeding up the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments during future pandemics. The agreement establishes a framework where cooperation is not only encouraged but also necessary for scientific collaboration at an unprecedented speed.
- It also includes measures to ensure fair and equitable access to pandemic-related health products, particularly for low- and middle-income nations, which were underserved during the COVID-19 response.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, wealthier countries managed to secure large quantities of vaccines, testing kits, and protective gear, while poorer nations faced severe shortages and delays. This new agreement directly addresses such disparities by implementing guidelines designed to prevent these imbalances in the future.
- One of the most debated aspects of the agreement was technology transfer. Developing nations advocated for mandatory sharing of critical health technologies during pandemics, but countries with powerful pharmaceutical industries resisted these mandatory provisions, arguing that they would undermine intellectual property rights and disincentivize innovation.
- Ultimately, a compromise was reached, and the final agreement states that technology transfers must be “mutually agreed upon,” striking a balance between global equity and the practical realities of pharmaceutical development. The document, marked entirely in green, indicates full consensus among the participating countries.
What gaps did the pandemic expose?
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted significant shortcomings in the global response to health crises, including fragmented and delayed data sharing, unequal access to vaccines and medical tools, a lack of standardized protocols, and limited international accountability.
- Many countries acted unilaterally, hoarding resources or closing borders in panic, which undermined collective efforts and prolonged the impact of the pandemic. Although initiatives like COVAX aimed to ensure more equitable vaccine access, they were hindered by underfunding, logistical challenges, and insufficient global cooperation.
- Public health experts had long warned that, without a globally accepted legal framework, the world would be prone to repeating these mistakes in future outbreaks. In a world where viruses can spread rapidly across borders, pandemics are no longer national issues but global threats.
What were the key challenges?
- Negotiations were complex and often stalled due to differing national interests. A major point of contention was Article 11 of the agreement, which addresses the transfer of pandemic-related technologies.
- Low- and middle-income countries argued that equitable access to essential innovations like vaccines, antivirals, and diagnostic tools could only be achieved with a mechanism for sharing intellectual property and manufacturing knowledge.
- However, countries with large pharmaceutical industries, particularly in Europe, opposed any mandatory technology transfers, fearing that it could undermine financial incentives for innovation and conflict with international trade laws. The compromise was to allow “mutually agreed” transfers, though some critics argue that this lack of enforceability may not protect vulnerable populations.
Will it shape global cooperation?
- A key feature of the agreement is its emphasis on equity. The WHO chief noted that the agreement reflects a broader commitment to fairness in access, particularly for nations that are disproportionately affected by health crises and lack the resources to respond adequately.
- The agreement recognizes that pandemic preparedness is not just about stockpiling vaccines or hospital beds; it’s about building a transparent, trusted, and responsive framework for action. For low-income countries, the agreement promises support to improve health infrastructure and logistics. While equity is a central theme of the agreement, its success will depend on political commitment and effective implementation.
- Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, stated that this agreement shows global multilateralism is still possible, even amid geopolitical fragmentation. David Reddy, head of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), emphasized that while the agreement is a useful first step, the conditions necessary for continued industry participation in pandemic preparedness, such as legal certainty and protection of intellectual property, must be met.
- The industry is concerned that poorly designed policies could discourage innovation and delay the development of critical medical solutions
1.Consider the following statements regarding the recently adopted agreement on pandemic preparedness and the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS):
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The PABS system is intended to facilitate swift sharing of pathogen data among nations and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments.
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The agreement mandates mandatory technology transfer during pandemics, with no conditions attached.
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The agreement includes provisions to ensure equitable access to pandemic-related health products, particularly for low- and middle-income countries.
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A key challenge in the negotiations was the disagreement over mandatory intellectual property sharing, which led to the clause that technology transfer must be “mutually agreed.”
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1, 3, and 4 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3, and 4
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Answer (B)
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What does the Simla Agreement entail?
- The Simla Agreement was signed on July 2, 1972, following three days of discussions between Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had emerged victorious in the 1971 Bangladesh War, and Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who had suffered a major defeat and witnessed the division of Pakistan.
- These talks were largely facilitated by the Soviet Union, which conducted preparatory discussions between Indian and Pakistani envoys in Moscow. The main focus of the talks was twofold: first, to address post-war relations between India and Pakistan, including the return of over 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war; and second, to resolve the long-standing dispute over Jammu and Kashmir, where both nations agreed to “settle their differences through peaceful means, either through bilateral negotiations or any other mutually agreed peaceful method.”
- Additionally, the agreement marked the first formal recognition of Bangladesh as a sovereign nation in a bilateral treaty.
What was the reaction in both countries?
- The Simla Agreement drew severe criticism in both India and Pakistan. In India, there was discontent with Mrs. Gandhi for not insisting that the ceasefire line be designated as the International Border, choosing instead to call it the Line of Control (LoC).
- In Pakistan, Prime Minister Bhutto faced criticism for agreeing to resolve the Kashmir dispute peacefully without involving the United Nations or other third-party mediators.
- In Kashmir, Sheikh Abdullah criticized the agreement for not consulting the Kashmiri people, highlighting the lack of representation for them in the process.
How has Pakistan violated the pact?
- Over the years, Pakistan has violated the Simla Agreement multiple times, primarily by supporting and arming terrorist groups in Kashmir and sending troops across the LoC, which escalated into the Kargil conflict in 1999.
- Pakistan’s actions, including appealing to the UN and other international actors regarding the Kashmir issue, have breached the terms both countries had agreed upon. The Indian Parliament's declaration in 1994 that Kashmir, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, is an integral part of India, and the 2019 modification of Article 370, have made the Simla Agreement largely irrelevant.
- According to former diplomat Avtar Singh Bhasin, the original intent of the agreement, such as the return of prisoners of war and the restoration of trade and transport links, was meant to happen immediately after its signing, and the clauses regarding Jammu and Kashmir were more symbolic than substantial.
What will be the impact?
- On April 24, Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s office issued a statement declaring that Pakistan would hold all bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement, in abeyance, though it remains unclear whether any formal notification was issued.
- India has not received any official communication on this matter. The immediate impact of this decision would be on the Kashmir dispute and whether Pakistan will now reject the LoC, which was originally established in the Simla Agreement.
- Analysts suggest that if Pakistan attempts to cross the LoC, India may also disregard it and take actions to claim parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
What are the ‘other agreements’ that Pakistan referred to that could be affected?
- Although Pakistan did not specify which agreements it was referring to, the reference to “all other” bilateral agreements likely includes a range of accords signed between the two countries after their numerous conflicts, such as the Nehru-Liaquat pact of 1950, which addressed the treatment of minorities in both countries.
- The Bilateral Protocol on Religious Pilgrimages, signed in 1974, facilitates pilgrimages for Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims between the two countries. Additionally, there are confidence-building measures and information-sharing agreements, such as the annual exchange of information on nuclear installations (1988), agreements on missile flight testing (1991), and a ceasefire agreement established in 2003, which has been in place since February 2021.
- Any military operations by India, particularly targeting terror camps in Pakistan, could lead to Pakistan retaliating and potentially causing the collapse of the ceasefire agreement. Moreover, India’s potential decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty could escalate tensions, with Pakistan threatening legal action at international courts, labeling the stoppage of water as an "act of war." All neighboring countries, including China, will closely monitor India’s actions regarding the Indus Waters
1.With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus directly. Among the following, which one is such a river that joins the Indus direct? (2021)
(a) Chenab
(b) Jhelum
(c) Ravi
(d) Sutlej
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Answer (b)
Among the four rivers of the Indus River System, the Jhelum is the river that joins the Indus directly. The other rivers — Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej — pour into the Chenab river, which subsequently joins the Indus River. So, while the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers feed into the Chenab, it is the Jhelum that directly merges with the Indus River. |
For Preliminary Examination: Buddhist Circuits, Tipatikas
For Mains Examination: GS I - Art & Culture
Context:
In a first, the government is organising a two-day conclave starting April 21 in Arunachal Pradesh to highlight the spread and impact of Buddhism in India’s Northeast. It is organised jointly by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.
Read about:
International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)
Impact of Buddhism in India’s Northeast
Key takeaways:
Essence and Significance of Buddhism in Northeast India
An event titled ‘Buddha Dhamma and the Culture of Northeast India’ seeks to underscore the vital role that the northeastern region of India plays in the preservation and propagation of Buddhist heritage, monastic traditions, and spiritual culture. According to Abhijit Halder, Director-General of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)—a global body headquartered in New Delhi—the Northeast has been a cradle for various strands of Buddhism, notably TheravÄda, MahÄyÄna, and VajrayÄna.
This region is home to numerous indigenous communities who have deeply woven Buddhist philosophy into their cultural and spiritual practices. Halder emphasized that the narrative of TheravÄda Buddhism in Namsai district is a striking example of enduring faith, cultural strength, and a contemporary revival of ancient traditions. One of the key goals of the conclave is to bring such inspiring stories to the attention of the global community.
The Origins and Core Teachings of Buddhism
Buddhism originated in India around the 5th or 6th century BCE, during a transformative period often described by historians as India’s “second urbanisation.” This era saw significant socio-cultural shifts in the Gangetic plains. Arising alongside other non-Vedic belief systems like Jainism, Buddhism served as a response to the orthodox and ritual-heavy practices of Vedic Hinduism.
At the heart of the Buddha’s teachings are the Four Noble Truths, which outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation:
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The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha): Life is fundamentally marked by suffering, whether in the form of pain, loss, or dissatisfaction.
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The Cause of Suffering (Dukkha-samudaya): Suffering originates from a chain of twelve interconnected causes, known as the twelve links of dependent origination (dvÄdaÅ›a nidÄnacakra or bhÄvacakra). These links include:
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AvidyÄ (ignorance)
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SamskÄra (karmic formations)
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VijñÄna (consciousness)
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NÄmarÅ«pa (name and form)
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SadÄyatana (six sense bases)
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Sparśa (contact)
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VedanÄ (sensation)
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TrsnÄ (craving)
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UpÄdÄna (clinging)
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Bhava (becoming)
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JÄti (birth)
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JarÄ-marana (old age and death)
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The Cessation of Suffering (Nirodha): Freedom from suffering is attainable. When ignorance—the root cause—is eliminated, the entire chain of suffering collapses.
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The Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering (Magga): The Eightfold Path offers a systematic approach to ending suffering and achieving enlightenment
The Eightfold Path: A Roadmap to Liberation
Detailed in the MahÄparinibbÄṇa Sutta of the DÄ«gha NikÄya within the Sutta Piá¹aka, the Eightfold Path provides practical guidance to attain ultimate insight and extinguish suffering by removing ignorance. The components include:
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Right View (SammÄ diá¹á¹hi)
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Right Intention (SammÄ saá¹…kappa)
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Right Speech (SammÄ vÄcÄ)
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Right Action (SammÄ kammanta)
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Right Livelihood (SammÄ ÄjÄ«va)
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Right Effort (SammÄ vÄyÄma)
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Right Mindfulness (SammÄ sati)
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Right Concentration (SammÄ samÄdhi)
1.With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2020)
1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism
2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of the Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism
3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered Mahayana Buddhism
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer (b)
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| Subject | Topic | Description |
| Polity | Municipalities | Municipalities |
| Polity | Emergency Provisions | Emergency Provisions |
| History | Medieval History | Harshavardhan |
| Environment | Protected Area | Protected Area |
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