Daily Practice Sheet 7 October 2021

Road accidents

According to a study conducted by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 1, 51,113 persons were killed and 4, 51, 361 injured in road accidents across the country in 2019. NHs and State Highways, which account for about 5% of the total road length, claimed 61% of the deaths related to accidents. Around 35,606 deaths were reported on the NHs, which come under the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
According to a World Bank report India tops the world in road crash deaths and injuries. It has 1 per cent of the world’s vehicles but accounts for 11 per cent of all road crash deaths, witnessing 53 road crashes every hour; killing 1 person every 4 minutes.

Urbanization:

From a population of 377 million in 2011, Indian cities are projected to house 870 million people by 2050, according to the UN’s projections — by far the highest among all nations.
Estimates by a high-powered expert committee and by the McKinsey Global Institute indicated in 2011-12 that nearly Rs 39-60 lakh crore are to be invested in urban infrastructure in the next 30 years.
Despite having 18 per cent of the world population, India has only 2.5 per cent of the world’s landmass and 4 per cent of the world’s freshwater

GS 1: History

Critically review the two Chinese revolutions. [Reference: Indian Express]

GS 1: Geography

Discuss the problem of water scarcity in India. [Reference: DownToEarth]

GS 1: Society

With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, discuss the need for urbanization policy. [Reference: Indian Express]
Discuss women’s movement in India in post-independence India. Do you think it has become more inclusive? [Reference: Indian Express]

GS 2: Polity

Account for high number of road fatalities in India. Assess the measures taken to curb them. [Reference: The Hindu]

GS 2: IR

Discuss the challenges facing WTO? Is its existence under threat? [Reference: The Hindu]

GS 4: Ethics