TGPSC Daily Current Affairs - 18th December 2025
Source: Telangana today
Relevance:
Issues in School Education, Learning Outcomes,
Important Key Concepts for Prelims and Mains:
For Prelims:
- CBSE Affiliation, State Board Curriculum, NEP 2020, NCERT Alignment, Skill-Based Courses (AI, Coding), Private Unaided Schools, School Education Governance, Affiliation Policy, Learning Outcomes, Competitive Exams (JEE/NEET/CUET)
For Mains:
- Educational Inequality, Curriculum Flexibility, Market-Driven School Choice, Decline of State Boards, Skill-Based Learning, Parental Aspirations, Regulatory Challenges, Public vs Private Schooling Gap, NEP Implementation, Quality of Education
Why in News?
Private schools in Telangana are increasingly shifting from the State Board curriculum to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Recent data from the State Education Department shows a sharp rise in CBSE affiliations over the last five years.
Rise in CBSE Demand: Key Data
• CBSE-affiliated private unaided schools in Telangana increased from 354 (2021–22) to 467 (2025–26).
• Nearly 35–40 schools per year have switched from the State Board to CBSE.
• Highest growth is seen in private unaided urban schools.
• State Board enrolment is stagnating, especially in competitive academic segments.
Why Are Schools Switching to CBSE?
1. Flexible and NEP-Aligned Curriculum
• CBSE offers skill-based electives such as AI, Coding, Data Science, Robotics, Entrepreneurship.
• Promotes experiential learning, project-based assessments, and reduced rote learning.
2. Competitive Exam Alignment
• CBSE’s NCERT syllabus is closely aligned with JEE, NEET, CUET, boosting parental preference.
• Schools find CBSE more suitable for national-level exam preparation.
3. Parent and Market Demand
• Increasing number of parents demand CBSE admission for better mobility and uniform curriculum across states.
• Schools perceive CBSE branding as enhancing student outcomes and reputation.
4. Administrative Ease and Policy Push
• State permissions to switch curricula have become smoother.
• Telangana’s reforms under NEP 2020 encourage skill-based learning.
Concerns and Implications
1. Weakening of State Board System
• Decline in State Board enrolments may reduce curriculum relevance and resource allocation.
2. Widening Inequalities
• Shift is mostly in private unaided schools, increasing the learning gap between government and private schools.
3. Cost Burden on Parents
• CBSE schooling is costlier; economically weaker students may remain limited to State Board schools.
4. Loss of Local Academic Content
• State Board includes Telangana-specific history, geography, culture, and society—areas which may weaken with CBSE dominance.
Conclusion
The shift towards CBSE reflects evolving expectations around competitive exams, modern curricula, and NEP-driven reforms. While this enhances academic flexibility and skill-based learning, Telangana must ensure the State Board is modernised, pedagogically strengthened, and capable of delivering equitable and high-quality education to prevent widening inequalities.
CARE MCQ
Q. Which committee’s recommendations form the basis of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020?
(a) Dr. Raghuram Rajan Committee
(b) Dr. K. Kasturirangan Committee
(c) Dr. Y. V. Reddy Committee
(d) Prof. Yash Pal Committee
Answer: (b) Dr. K. Kasturirangan Committee
The Committee chaired by Dr. K. Kasturirangan submitted the Draft National Education Policy in 2019. The policy is anchored on five foundational principles: Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability, aiming to transform India’s education system across all levels.
Key Recommendations
1. Promotion of Sanskrit
Sanskrit should be available as an optional language at all stages of school and higher education, treated at par with the languages listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution. For younger learners, Sanskrit textbooks at the Foundational and Middle stages may be rewritten in Simple Standard Sanskrit (SSS) to facilitate the “Sanskrit through Sanskrit” teaching approach.
2. Expansion of the Right to Education (RTE)
The RTE Act, which currently covers Classes I–VIII, is proposed to be extended from pre-school to Class XII, effectively covering children aged 3 to 18 years, ensuring universal schooling across all stages.
3. New School Structure: 5+3+3+4 Design
The draft recommends a complete restructuring of the school curriculum into four developmental stages:
- Foundational Stage (ages 3–8): Three years of pre-primary plus Grades 1 and 2
- Preparatory Stage (ages 8–11): Grades 3 to 5
- Middle Stage (ages 11–14): Grades 6 to 8
- Secondary Stage (ages 14–18): Grades 9 to 12
Schools will be reorganized into school complexes to improve resource sharing and academic coordination.
4. Flexible Board Examinations
The policy proposes a semester system for Classes 10–12, allowing students to take board exams in specific subjects when they feel best prepared. Students may also reappear in subjects to improve performance, supporting continuous and flexible learning.
5. Restructuring Higher Education
Higher education institutions will be grouped into three categories:
- Research-intensive universities
- Teaching universities with significant research output
- Undergraduate colleges focused mainly on high-quality teaching
Four-year undergraduate programmes with multiple entry and exit options are recommended, replacing the traditional 3-year model.
6. Governance Reforms
A Rashtriya Shiksha Aayog (National Education Commission) is proposed as a constitutional body to oversee the education system, chaired by the Prime Minister. States may establish corresponding State Education Commissions.
A single regulator for higher education, the National Higher Education Regulatory Authority (NHERA), is recommended to replace bodies like UGC and AICTE, ensuring unified standards.
7. Faculty Development
A national programme is proposed to facilitate continuous professional development of faculty members across higher education institutions.
Source: Indian Express
Relevance:
GS Paper 3: GS-2 (Government Policies), GS-3 (Rural Development, Employment, Inclusive Growth)
Important Key Concepts for Prelims and Mains:
For Prelims:
- VB-G RAM G Bill, MGNREGA Repeal, 125 days guarantee, 60-day agriculture pause, Centre–State funding 60:40, Labour Budget, Rural female LFPR , Wage data Labour Bureau
For Mains:
- Rural livelihood security, Demand-driven design, Fiscal federalism, Labour market distortions, Agricultural labour shortage debate, Gendered labour supply , Rights-based vs target-based welfare
Why in News?
The Union Government introduced the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill to replace MGNREGA (2005) with a new statutory rural employment framework. This is the largest structural change in 20 years.
Background: MGNREGA’s Role
MGNREGA guaranteed 100 days of unskilled work, ensured rural wage floors, and functioned as India’s largest rights-based social security net.
BUT criticisms arose regarding:
- alleged farm labour shortages,
- wage-price distortions,
- leakages,
- delays in payments,
- and sustainability of funding.
What is Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM G) Bill?
A restructured employment guarantee legislation that:
- Increases guaranteed days,
- Changes funding model,
- Introduces agricultural-season pause,
- Integrates planning with national infrastructure systems,
- Replaces job card architecture.
Key Features of the VB-G RAM G Bill
1. 125 Days of Guaranteed Employment
- Section 5(1): Each rural household eligible for 125 days of unskilled manual work.
- Under MGNREGA: Only 100 days are guaranteed (expandable to 150 under special conditions).
- However, average employment per household is only ~50 days, and very few reach 100 days.
2. States Must Share Wage Burden (Major Change)
- MGNREGA: Centre pays 100% of wages.
- New Bill:
- 90:10 Centre-State for NE, Himalayan states.
- 60:40 for all other states.
- Centre estimates ₹95,692 crore central cost; total scheme cost ₹1.51 lakh crore.
- Estimated extra burden on states: ₹30,000 crore/year.
3. Normative Allocation (Top-Down)
- Centre will unilaterally decide each state’s annual allocation → reducing state autonomy.
- Under MGNREGA: States prepare a bottom-up labour budget starting at Gram Panchayat level.
4. 60-Day Pause During Peak Agriculture Seasons
- The scheme cannot run for 60 days during sowing/harvesting.
- Justified to ensure farm labour availability.
- Issue: Significantly reduces actual working window for workers.
- Agriculture calendar varies widely → different impacts across states.
5. New Planning Structure: Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans
Works will align under four thematic areas:
- Water security
- Core rural infrastructure
- Livelihood-related infrastructure
- Extreme weather mitigation
Integrated with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
6. New Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards
- Replace existing job cards.
- Valid for 3 years (MGNREGA cards lasted 5 years).
- Special cards for:
- Single women
- Persons with disabilities
- Elderly
- Released bonded labourers
- PVTGs
- Transgender persons
7. Higher Penalties
- Section 27 of the new Bill provides for a higher penalty for violation of its provisions. The penalty was earlier Rs 1,000; now it is proposed to be Rs 10,000.
Wage Trends: What the Numbers Show (2015–25)
Labour Bureau wage data shows:
- Nominal rural wages grew only 3.6–6.4% per year.
- In 4 years, wage growth below inflation → real wages fell.
- Only 1 year (2017–18) saw >1% real wage growth.
Agricultural wages grew faster than rural wages in 8 out of 10 years BUT
→ still barely kept pace with inflation.
→ No evidence of a wage surge due to MGNREGA.
Rising Rural Female LFPR (Game-Changer)
Rural female LFPR:
- 2017–18: 24.6%
- 2023–24: 47.6%
Why?
Government schemes:- Ujjwala
- Har Ghar Jal
- Saubhagya
- Swachh Bharat
Freed women’s time → moved to paid work → expanded labour supply.
Result?
Wage pressures softened
→ contradicting claims of MGNREGA-driven wage inflation.
Did MGNREGA Cause Farm Labour Shortage?
The article’s evidence says NO.
Why?
- Increased rural workforce (especially women).
- Real wages stagnant.
- Labour shortages likely episodic, crop-specific, and localised.
- Not systemic enough to blame MGNREGA.
Farmers may face timing issues (e.g., paddy transplanting), but
no macro-level evidence that MGNREGA pulled labour away in large numbers.
Benefits & Risks of VB-G RAM G Bill
Benefits
- More guaranteed days (125)
- Better integration with climate-resilient planning
- Stronger infrastructure focus
- Modernised data systems
- Some predictability during agriculture peaks
Risks
- Fiscal burden on states
- Weakening of rights-based approach
- Reduced operational window (60-day pause)
- Top-down allocation may hurt high-demand states
- Potential delays in works due to funding caps
- Marginalised groups may lose continuous support
Conclusion
The VB-G RAM G Bill represents the most significant shift in rural employment policy since 2005. While it modernises planning structures and increases guaranteed days, it fundamentally alters the rights-based, demand-driven, and Centre-funded characteristics that made MGNREGA a robust social security net. Evidence suggests MGNREGA did not cause farm labour shortages, indicating the need for caution before restructuring a flagship livelihood guarantee mechanism.
UPSC PYQ
Q. Among the following who are eligible to benefit from the “Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act”? (2011)
(a) Adult members of only the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe households
(b) Adult members of below poverty line (BPL) households
(c) Adult members of households of all backward communities
(d) Adult members of any household
Ans: (d)
CARE MCQ
Q. Which of the following best describes the change in wage-sharing pattern proposed under the VB-G RAM G Bill compared to MGNREGA?
(a) Centre continues to bear 100% wage cost
(b) States bear full wage responsibility
(c) Shared Centre–State wage contribution replaces full central funding
(d) Wages are funded entirely through local bodies
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
- Under MGNREGA, the Centre pays 100% of wages.
- The new Bill introduces cost-sharing:
- 90:10 for NE and Himalayan states
- 60:40 for other states
- This results in an estimated additional ₹30,000 crore annual burden on states, raising concerns about fiscal stress.
Source: THE HINDU
Relevance:
GS Paper 1 (Geography – Geomorphology);
GS Paper 3 (Environment, Conservation, Mining Governance, Desertification)
Important Key Concepts for Prelims and Mains:
For Prelims:
- Aravalli Range, Desertification, UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Central Empowered Committee (CEC), Forest Survey of India (FSI), Sustainable Mining, Aravalli Green Wall Project, Groundwater Recharge, Stone-Crushing Units, Ecologically Sensitive Zones
For Mains:
- Ecological Barrier Function, Desertification Control, Landscape Continuity, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Sustainable Mining Governance, Biodiversity Preservation, Climate Regulation, Water Security, Illegal Mining, Habitat Fragmentation
Why in News?
The Supreme Court has recently adopted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and has paused all fresh mining leases across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. The move comes amid growing concerns over environmental degradation, desertification risks, and declining groundwater levels in the region.
What Are the Aravalli Hills?
- The Aravallis are nearly two billion years old, making them India’s oldest mountain range.
- Stretching 650 km from Delhi to Gujarat, they form a unique ecological spine across northwest India.
- They function as:
- A natural barrier preventing the eastward spread of the Thar Desert into the Indo-Gangetic plains.
- A key groundwater recharge zone for multiple States.
- A biodiversity-rich habitat supporting flora, fauna, and river systems such as the Chambal, Sabarmati, and Luni.
- Rich in minerals: sandstone, limestone, granite, marble, zinc, copper, gold, tungsten.
Why Does India Need to Protect the Aravallis?
. To Stop Desertification
- Prevent the advance of the Thar Desert into Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Western UP, and Rajasthan.
- Illegal and excessive mining has opened breaches, enabling desert dust to blow eastward.
2. To Prevent Ecological Collapse
- Aravallis regulate temperature, humidity, rainfall, and act as a pollution sink for NCR.
- They stabilise local climate and reduce heatwaves.
3. To Safeguard Groundwater
- Weathered rocks enable high aquifer recharge.
- Mining has caused groundwater levels to drop to 1,000–2,000 feet in areas like Mahendergarh.
4. To Preserve Biodiversity
- Habitat for leopards, hyenas, jackals, langurs, honey badgers, jungle cats, and 200+ bird species.
- Fragmentation of forests increases human–wildlife conflict.
5. To Fulfil International Commitments
- India is obligated under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to protect fragile dryland ecosystems such as Aravallis.
India’s Current Framework for Aravalli Protection
Supreme Court Interventions
- 2009: Blanket ban on mining in Gurugram, Faridabad, Mewat.
- 2024 (May): Halt on new mining leases pending review.
- 2025 (Nov): Adoption of uniform 100-m definition; pause on all fresh leases.
Central Empowered Committee (CEC) Recommendations (2024)
- Scientific mapping of the entire Aravalli system.
- Macro-level Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of mining.
No mining in
- Protected habitats
- Water bodies
- Tiger corridors
- Aquifer recharge zones
- NCR ecological zones
Regulate stone-crushing units.
No new lease until mapping + impact assessment completed.
Government Initiative
- Aravalli Green Wall Project (2025)
- 5-km green buffer in 29 districts of four States.
- Supports India’s goal to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
Issues with the New Uniform Definition
1. Narrow 100-metre Height Rule
- Only hills above 100 m elevation qualify as Aravallis.
- Excludes 90%+ of the Aravalli landscape:
- Low hills
- Ridges
- Grasslands
- Scrub forests
- These areas may become open for mining.
2. Ecological Risk
- Breaks continuity of the mountain chain.
- Creates more gaps for the Thar Desert to advance.
- Threatens water recharge patterns and wildlife corridors.
3. Disagreement Among Experts
- Amicus Curiae argued the definition is too narrow.
- Additional Solicitor General argued FSI’s earlier definition (slope/buffer-based) was too restrictive.
What Are the Supreme Court’s New Directions?
- Prepare a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli range.
- The plan must:
- Map prohibited/no-go mining zones
- Identify tightly regulated zones
- Evaluate cumulative ecological impacts
- Assess ecological carrying capacity
- Outline restoration and rehabilitation pathways
Why Has the SC Not Completely Banned Mining?
- Past experiences show that:
- Total bans → illegal mining
- Rise of sand mafias
- Lack of monitoring in remote terrain
- Hence, the Court chose a calibrated approach:
- Existing legal mining under strict regulation
- No new/renewed leases for now
- Absolute ban only in sensitive areas
- Full ban only after scientific mapping and MPSM are complete
Risks Ahead
- Faster desertification into NCR.
- Decline in agriculture due to water scarcity + dust deposition.
- Permanent loss of forests and wildlife.
- Further collapse of water bodies.
- Worsening pollution and public health stress.
Conclusion
The Aravallis are a foundational ecological barrier protecting North India’s climate, groundwater, biodiversity, and public health. While the SC aims to regulate mining scientifically, the 100-metre definition risks excluding most of the range, exposing fragile landscapes to exploitation. A scientifically robust, ecologically sensitive definition, coupled with strong enforcement and restoration efforts, is essential to secure the long-term sustainability of the region.
UPSC PYQ
Q. The approximate age of the Aravallis range is: (IAS/2001)
(a) 370 million years
(b) 470 million years
(c) 570 million years
(d) 670 million years
Correct Answer: (a) 370 million years
CARE MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Aravalli Range:
1. The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest fold mountains in the world and contains the highest peak Guru Shikhar in Gujarat.
2. Major rivers originating from the Aravalli include the Banas, Sahibi and the Luni River which flows towards the Rann of Kutch.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
Statement 1: Incorrect
- The Aravalli Range is indeed one of the world’s oldest fold mountains formed during the Proterozoic era.
- However, Guru Shikhar (1,722 m)—the highest peak of the Aravallis—is located in Rajasthan (Mount Abu region), not Gujarat.
- Hence, the statement becomes incorrect due to the wrong location.
Statement 2: Correct
- Three major rivers and tributaries originate in or flow from the Aravalli system:
- Banas River – tributary of the Chambal/Yamuna system
- Sahibi River – tributary of the Yamuna
- Luni River – flows southwest into the Rann of Kutch
