Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for December 29, 2021. If you missed the December 28, 2021 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here. FRONT PAGE As Omicron surge looms, Govt clears two more Covid vaccines and an anti-viral pill Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Key Points to Ponder: • What is Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and What is the process of getting an Emergency Use Authorization in India? • Molnupiravir- World’s first Covid-19 pill • Corbevax, India’s first indigenously developed RBD protein sub-unit vaccine against Covid-19 • Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)-Role, Nodal Ministry Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍 Worries remain, but India and the world are better prepared 📍 Two New Vaccines, An Oral Pill Against Covid-19, And How They Work 📍 Explained: What is emergency use Authorization firms are seeking for Covid-19 vaccines? 📍 Explained: What is Molnupiravir, the Covid-19 pill approved by India? EXPRESS NETWORK Added by British for stability, sand inside Sun Temple may be cleared Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: History of India Main Examination: General Studies I: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times Key Points to Ponder: • Konark Temple- Architecture • Ganga Dynasty (1238-1250 CE) and King Narasimhadeva I (AD 1238-1264) • Significance of Preservation of Cultural Heritage • Safety of Heritage Structures in India- Issues and Challenges • UNESCO World Heritage Site-Importance and Benefit • Archaeological Survey of India Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍 Explained: How ASI conserves, why Odisha is upset 📍 Konark Sun Temple Why counselling for NEET-PG medical courses remains suspended Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources Key Points to Ponder: • What is National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and it is Conducted by whom? • National Testing Agency (NTA) and National Board of Examinations (NBE) • Supreme Court on National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) • The economically weaker sections reservation-103rd Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2019 • Indira Sawhney case 1992 • Supreme Court on EWS Reservation Criteria Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍 Explained: The All India Quota for NEET, and OBC, EWS reservation THE EDITORIAL PAGE A Blurred Focus Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance Main Examination: General Studies II: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies. Key Points to Ponder: • National Film Development Corporation (NFDC)- Role, Vision, Mandate • Reasons for Merging Films Division (FD), National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF), and Children’s Films Society of India (CFSI) into National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and How far it is Justified? Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍 National Film Development Corporation of India Explained Digital Public Goods Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. General Studies III: Infrastructure Key Points to Ponder: • What are Digital Public Goods? • Potential of Digital Public Goods in India? • Physical infrastructure vs Digital infrastructure • Digital India post Pandemic • Digital India programme-Various Schemes Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍 How to create a truly digital public 📍 India as a startup nation is built on the foundation of its digital public goods THE IDEAS PAGE The farm stalemate Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc. Main Examination: General Studies III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. Key Points to Ponder: • Reforms in Agriculture-Why and Current Status • Agriculture Reforms at Various Levels in India • Model APMC laws and e-NAM • Contract farming • Recommendation of National Commission on Farmers, chaired by Prof. M. S. Swaminathan and Ashok Dalwai Committee on doubling of Farmer’s Income Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍 Tackling agricultural reforms after farm laws repeal EXPRESS NETWORK Lanka readies oil tank farm deal with India; Wang to visit Colombo after spat, may offer sweeteners Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies II: India and its neighborhood- relations. Key Points to Ponder: • India and Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations • Trincomalee oil tank farm • 1987 India-Sri Lanka Accord • India-Sri Lanka and China-Geopolitics and Geo-economics • Map Work- Sri Lanka, Water Bodies between India and Sri Lanka Get an e-paper subscription via our special offer – click here For any queries and feedback, contact priya.shukla@indianexpress.com