OnlyIAS July 2025 Current Affairs - Flashcards (Vocabulary)

250 vocabulary flashcards drawn from the provided lecture notes across polity, governance, economy, environment, science, and international relations. Each card presents a term and a concise definition suitable for exam preparation.

Three-Language Policy in NEP 2020

Policy that retains two Indian languages and one foreign language; encourages mother tongue/home language as medium up to at least Grade 5; allows flexibility for states.

Munshi-Ayyangar Formula

Early compromise for Official Language in post-independence India proposing Hindi as official language with English as associate language.

Kothari Commission (1964–66)

Education Commission that formalized the Three-Language Formula: first language = mother tongue/regional language; second language = Hindi/English in Hindi-speaking states or English/modern Indian language elsewhere; third language = English/modern Indian language.

Official Language Act, 1963 (amended 1967)

Formalized continued use of English alongside Hindi for official purposes.

National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020)

Framework retaining the Three-Language Formula but with flexibility; emphasis on mother tongue till at least Grade 5; states can choose any two Indian languages and one foreign language.

Rationale for Three-Language Formula under NEP 2020

Promotes national integration while preserving linguistic diversity and reducing regional imbalances.

Article 351 (Hindi Promotion)

Constitutional clause urging promotion of Hindi while protecting other languages; supports multilingual policy.

Language Diversity Index (LDI)

Proposed metric to monitor and report the use of different Indian languages in education.

Mother-Tongue/Regional Language in Early Education

NEP 2020 provision to prioritize mother tongue/regional language as medium of instruction till at least Grade 5.

Three-Language Formula Concerns

Resistance in some states (e.g., Tamil Nadu) to heavy Hindi imposition; calls for flexible implementation.

Three-Language Policy in Maharashtra (2025)

State attempted to make Hindi default second language till Class 5, triggering political backlash.

Kothari Commission’s Educational Equity Goal

Aim to balance national unity with regional linguistic autonomy through language choices.

Scrutiny of Implementation Uniformity

Noted uneven implementation of the Three-Language Formula across states.

Three-Language Formula Benefits

Promotes mutual understanding of languages, fosters intercultural exchange, and supports national integration.

Inadequate Infrastructure in Language Education

Shortage of teachers and materials in regional languages hinders three-language implementation.

Linguistic Autonomy (Scheduled Languages)

Eighth Schedule languages promoted equitably; implementation fosters linguistic autonomy.

Educational Equity Across Regions

NEP 2020 seeks to level playing field by allowing regional language choices in two Indian languages.

Promotion of Minority/Classical Languages

Three-language formula fosters demand for minority and classical language learning.

Resistance to Hindi Imposition (Tamil Nadu)

Historical opposition leading to two-language policy (Tamil + English) in Tamil Nadu.

Policy Flexibility in NEP 2020

States may choose any two Indian languages and one foreign language.

Impact of Early Language Policy on Exams

Three-language choices influence national exams and cultural exchange.

Economic Implications of Language Policy

Language policy can affect educational access and regional language employment opportunities.

National Integration through Multilingual Education

Three-language policy aims to align diverse linguistic groups under a shared national framework.

Central vs State Role in Language Policy

Centre can set broad guidelines; states implement language choices per NEP 2020.

Three-Language Policy: Implementation Challenges

Diverse linguistic realities, resource constraints, and regional politics affect rollout.

Educational Reforms under NEP 2020

Broad reforms including multilingual pedagogy and flexible language choices.

PEDAGOGY OF Language Learning

NEP 2020 emphasizes mother tongue-based education and multilingual competence.

LOCB–Language Policy Governance

Governance framework to monitor and implement language policy across states.

PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development)

National body under NCERT (established 2023) to standardize student assessments across boards.

PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan (NAS) Report (2024)

Foundational learning levels below pre-Covid benchmarks; concern over Class 3 learning levels.

TALASH Initiative

NESTS-UNICEF program to support all-round development of tribal EMRS students; life skills, self-esteem.

NRER SDG Index (NER SDG Index 2023–24)

A regional SDG localization index by NITI Aayog tracking 15/17 SDGs across 121 districts in 8 NE states.

Parakakh Rashtriya Sarvekshan (NAS) Coverage

NAS/PARAKH surveyed 21.15 lakh students across Classes 3, 6, 9 in 74,229 schools.

North Eastern Region (NER) SDG District Front Runner Status

All districts in Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura are Front Runner; improvement in health, education, water and sanitation.

Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)

A critically endangered crocodilian with long narrow snout; habitat in Indian rivers like Chambal, Yamuna, Ganga; Schedule I; CITES Appendix I.

Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve

UNESCO World Heritage site; hosts two-thirds of global Indian one-horned rhinoceros; major bird diversity.

Sariska Tiger Reserve

Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan undergoing plan to rationalise CT-Habitat; proximity to mines under regulatory review.

Rath Yatra (Jagannath)

Major Odia festival; chariot festival from Jagannath temple to Gundicha temple; sacred journey.

UNESCO World Heritage Criteria (Cultural/Natural)

Criteria i–vi (cultural) and vii–x (natural) used for World Heritage List nominations.

Chola Legacy 1.1 (Rajaraja Chola I, Rajendra Chola I, Kulottunga I)

Chola rulers known for naval power, temple building (Brihadesvara Temple), and governance reforms.

Chola Naval Power & Cultural Diplomacy

Chola naval expeditions to Sri Lanka, Maldives, SE Asia; support for Buddhist sites; cultural diplomacy.

Maratha Military Landscapes UNESCO Listing

Recognition of 12 forts spanning 17th–19th centuries; Maratha strategic & architectural practices.

UNESCO & Maratha Landscapes Significance

Cultural site demonstrating strategic terrain use and self-governance legacies (kudavolai).

Shivaji’s Shaivite Legacy

Modular cultural leadership emphasizing Shaivism and naval prowess as modern governance models.

Three-Language Formula in Practice (NEP 2020)

Policy permits two Indian languages and one foreign language; two Indian options may be any languages chosen by state.

Maharashtra Language Policy Backlash (2025)

Backlash against Hindi imposition as default second language; advocates for two-language policy.

Three-Language Formula: Federation and Federalism

Policy is designed to balance linguistic federalism with national unity objectives.

Three-Language Formula: Concerns and Adaptations

Address implementation gaps and tailor language choices to regional demography.

Three-Language Formula: Implementation Gap Analysis

Examine political, infrastructural and social barriers to uniform policy adoption.

Prop rights for Women (2.2)

SC affirmed equal inheritance rights for tribal women under ancestral property; HSA applicability clarified.

Hindu Succession Act (1956) & Amendments (HSAA 2005)

Legal evolution granting coparcenary rights to daughters; equal inheritance rights for Hindu women.

Dhaiya Case (SC)

SC affirmed tribal women's equal inheritance in ancestral property, overruling 2022 Chhattisgarh HC order.

Customary Laws vs Constitutional Rights

Customs may conflict with equality and dignity; constitutional rights restrict unjust customary practices.

Chhattisgarh HC 2022 Ruling on Tribal Inheritance

Court denied tribal woman's inheritance citing lack of customary law; SC overruled this in Ram Charan v Sukhram.

Test of Hinduisation

Historical doctrine requiring tribal status to be converted to Hindu status to access HSA provisions.

Legal Reforms for Inheritance (Way Forward)

Extend HSA to all tribal communities; improve awareness and access to legal aid.

Dowry Deaths (2.3)

Section 304B/BNS: deaths within 7 years of marriage due to dowry demands; punishable with 7+ years or life imprisonment.

Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961

Lays down the illegality of dowry; used to criminalize dowry-related offenses.

Root Causes of Dowry Deaths

Cultural entitlement, patriarchy, patrilocality, hypergamy, social acceptance, economic greed.

Economic Factors in Dowry System

Demand for cash, vehicle, property; consumerism fueling dowry expectations.

Legal Enforcement Challenges in Dowry Cases

Low conviction rates; delayed justice; underreporting; police–judiciary disconnect.

RTE Act & PCMA (Prohibition of Child Marriage Act)

Legal tools to delay early marriages; empowerment and education for girls.

Role of Social Organisations (2.4)

Non-state actors (NGOs/CSOs/CBOs) provide policy advocacy, service delivery, governance watchdog roles.

Goonj (NGO)

Relief organization providing essential goods and disaster relief; community-based service delivery.

Micro-Overview of PARAKH TALASH etc.

PARAKH standardizes assessment; TALASH supports tribal EMRS education with life-skills.

ODR (TA) ND-SDG Localization (NER SDG)

NER SDG Index helps align regional development with SDGs for more targeted action.

NDMA & Earthquake Guidelines

NDMA provides hazard-specific earthquake risk mitigation guidelines; NBC 2016, IS 1893 Seismic Code.

BhooKamp App (Earthquake Alerts)

Mobile app for real-time earthquake updates; geotargeted alerts.

OSH Code 2020

Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code; risk-based inspections consolidating 13 labor laws.

National Disaster Management Plan 2019 Revision

Plan includes retrofitting, preparedness, and response for earthquakes; NDMP revision in 2019.

DDKY (Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana)

Six-year scheme (2025–31) for 100 districts to improve agricultural productivity; convergence of 36 schemes.

Prime Minister Professorship Scheme (ANRF)

ANRF program to hire retired scientists/experts as Professors of Practice; high fellowship and grants.

SASCI Scheme (Iconic Tourism)

Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment in iconic tourist centres; funding through 2025–26.

RECLAIM (Mine Closure)

National framework for community engagement and development post-mine closure.

AMENDMENTS TO Plant Treaty MLS (ITPGRFA)

India objects to Annex expansion to cover all PGRFA; concern over farmers’ rights and state autonomy.

3 by 35 Initiative (Public Health)

WHO initiative to increase taxation on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks to fund health outcomes.

UNFCCC Reforms (COP30)

Discussion of climate finance, CBDR, representation; reform agenda for global climate governance.

Global South Outreach (India’s role)

India’s leadership in BRICS, G-77, and South-South diplomacy; push for inclusive multilateralism.

CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism)

EU import duty on carbon-intensive goods; BRICS criticisms emphasize fairness & differentiated responsibilities.

TEPA (India–EFTA)

Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with EFTA; Switzerland ratified TEPA with India; broader market access.

BRICS 2025 Rio Summit (55th BRICS)

Expanded BRICS membership; Rio declaration; focus on Global South governance; UNSC reform agenda.

BRICS Multilateral Finance (NDB/CRA)

New Development Bank and Cross-Border Payments Initiative to diversify finance; challenges include governance.

NISAR Satellite (NASA-ISRO)

Dual-frequency SAR mission; L-band and S-band radars; high-resolution, all-weather Earth imaging.

INS Tamal (Project 1135.6)

Second stealth frigate in Project 17A; enhanced stealth, weapon systems, and indigenisation.

INS Udaygiri (Stealth Frigate)

Modern stealth guided-missile frigate; part of Project 17A; enhanced ISR and sea control.

Akash Prime

Upgraded Akash air defence system with indigenous RF seeker; higher altitude and longer range.

Astra BVRAAM

Indigenous Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile; range >100 km; precision targeting.

Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) Programme

India-ISRO collaboration to deploy 52 satellites for space surveillance and border monitoring.

INS Nistar (DSV)

Indigenously built Diving Support Vessel; supports deep-sea rescue with ROVs.

Operation Storm Drone (R&D)

AI-enabled drone systems for battlefield ISR and potential combat applications.

MALE Drones (India)

Medium Altitude Long Endurance drones; long-endurance unmanned aircraft with extended missions.

CET (Vera Rubin Observatory)

LSST project; 10-year southern sky survey; named after Vera Rubin, dark matter advocate.

Earth Intelligence (EI)

AI-driven analytics on Earth observation data for decision-making.

UPI (Unified Payments Interface)

Real-time interbank payments system linking 675 banks; NPCI-led; widespread adoption in India.

RuPay–UPI Integration

RuPay cards integrated with UPI enabling card payments via mobile payments ecosystem.

CCTS (Carbon Credit Trading Scheme)

India’s market-based mechanism to reduce GHG emissions intensity; 8 sectors initially; BEE administers CCCs.

CCS (Energy Conservation) Act & MRV

Legal framework for energy efficiency and monitoring/reporting/verification of carbon credits.

Global Climate Finance (GCF) & NCQG

Global financial mechanisms under UNFCCC; NCQG aims for financing to meet climate targets.

CITES (50 Years)

International treaty on endangered species trade; three Appendices; India Party since 1976.

Gharial (Gavialis) Conservation

Critically endangered crocodilian; habitat in river systems; protected under Schedule I.