Things are changing fast.

On one side, we are creating new age private universities like Ashoka, OP Jindal, Shiv Nadar, JIO, Azeem Premji and Krea. They are trying to offer world class education.

On the other side, IITs are also opening their foreign branches in Arabia and Africa.

Thirdly, this is another trend of India opening up to foreign universities (see the news image). So far, these are second and third tier universities which are entering India. I hope that soon enough some actually first grade universities from top 20 or top 50 too open up India branches.

All in all, this is a new avatar of globalization in higher education, much more profound than mere export of Indian students.

Nikhil

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/02/11/groups-support-needed-for-over-40000-civil-servants-identified-as-being-at-high-risk-for-mental-health-issues

Mental Health of IAS

Last year there was a major debate about mental health of civil service officers in India. Some voices from within the officers community also had opened up with some essays/articles.

At it turns out, this issue is not limited to India alone. This report is from Malaysia. The officers there are also struggling with mental health issues so much that it is recognized formally and officially.

In India there is some murmur but no official acceptance of it as a problem that needs some action.

Recently there were some initiatives at local level. In Pune Municipality, a contract was awarded to develop some App for helping the staff of the Municipality. However this merely is a beginning and with no proven efficacy.

Still, at the level of Class 1 officers this subject is still is not spoken out. There was a statement a few weeks ago by Economic Advisor that the young generation is facing major issues of stress and anxiety after Covid and as they enter the labour force with diminished capacity it will impact the GDP. He even had given estimated impact on GDP due to this. Even then, the topic of Class I officers in India suffering from mental health was not opened up. Somehow it is still treated as an individual problem of particular officers and not a situation needing some systemic intervention.

“The mental health of civil servants must be a government priority as it directly impacts public service performance" as the article quotes.

Nikhil

Two new books. Just arrived. World Book Fair doesn't mean you don't buy books outside it.

Let's hope they are good...:)

#bookreview

If you want to get personal guidance from Nangia sir, who has been one of the longest serving UPSC interview panelists (he served at Dholpur house for about 12-13 years), this is a good opportunity.

Call the institute to book your slot.

https://youtu.be/Nb-QIBLGW4M

Out of about 8 hours of wandering in the World Book Fair, these are about 9 mins of glimpses. This year, I bagged around 45 books. Some of them are directly useful for our preparation.

Credits: I was feeling very awkward with a camera and mic moving around. Camera in classroom ki aadat ho gayi hai Covid ke baad, lekin this is something of a new experience. Still our Ravi sir did manage to get this footage without a hint of awkwardness.

Nikhil

Understand the latest Iron Age debate. Was South India more advanced than North India during the prehistoric era? Or it is merely a political stance??

https://youtu.be/WL4llKeR8tU

For UPSC CSE 2025 Preliminary examination, we are starting our Free Daily Telegram MCQ Practice for History and Culture.

1. Find here the schedule for the next 11 weeks with theme-wise syllabus.
2. Every day, you will receive 5 MCQs for practice on our telegram channel.
3. At the end of the week, we will also release weekly compilations.

This is the Youtube video describing features of the initiative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ozw0eVOCeg

2025 is the third year of our initiative. For practicing earlier questions, press on #MCQ and #PYQ. You will be able to find the archive of more than 1700 questions and all PYQs here.

Telegram Channel Link: https://www.tg-me.com/nikhilhistoryculture

Nikhil

With this, humanity will enter a new stage. The age old struggle to cope with death and to conquer death.. through philosophies and pyramids, are nothing in front of it. This is the conquest of death. Society will change, emotions will change, even religions will have to change with this technology.

Humans are one step closer to become immortal with this. What will be the next step afterwards - to become Gods?

Nikhil.
#musing

1715.
#MCQ

1716. Consider the following statements with respect to the Pre-historic period.

1. Homo sapiens started appearing during the Lower Palaeolithic period.
2. Mesolithic and Neolithic cultures belonged to the Pleistocene era.

#MCQ

1717. Which of the following activities were practiced during Mesolithic Age?

1. Food gathering
2. Rock-Art
3. Domestication of animals
4. Burials

#MCQ

1718. Which of the following developments are associated with Neolithic Revolution?

1. Food Production
2. Beginning of self-sufficient villages
3. Use of Iron
4. Discovery of fire

#MCQ

1719. Consider the following statements regarding Chalcolithic Period.

1. Chalcolithic settlements could be seen during pre-Harappan, Harappan as well as post-Harappan phase.
2. They knew about copper smelting.
3. They traded with Harappans.

#MCQ