IAS PCS Mission 2026: Daily Study Material – 30 Jan 2026
NCERT History: Class 8 Chapter-4 (Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age)
This chapter, “Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age,” focuses on the impact of colonial rule on tribal communities in India and the subsequent resistance led by figures like Birsa Munda.
1. Tribal Livelihoods in the 19th Century
Before the full impact of British rule, tribal groups followed diverse ways of life:
- Jhum Cultivation: Also known as shifting cultivation, practiced on small patches of land, primarily in the forests of North-East and Central India.
- Hunters and Gatherers: Groups like the Khonds of Orissa lived by hunting animals and collecting forest produce such as fruits, roots, and medicinal herbs.
- Animal Herders: Many tribes were pastoralists who moved with their herds of cattle or sheep according to the seasons, such as the Van Gujjars of the Punjab hills and the Labadis of Andhra Pradesh.
- Settled Cultivation: Some groups, like the Mundas, Gonds, and Santhals, had begun settling down and using the plough to cultivate fields in one place year after year.
2. Impact of Colonial Rule on Tribal Lives
The British administration brought significant and often disruptive changes:
- Loss of Authority for Chiefs: Tribal chiefs, who previously enjoyed economic and administrative power, lost their authority and were forced to follow laws made by British officials.
- Problems for Shifting Cultivators: The British were uncomfortable with moving groups and tried to settle Jhum cultivators into peasant cultivators to ensure a regular revenue income for the state.
- Forest Laws: The British declared forests as state property, classifying some as “Reserved Forests” where tribals were not allowed to move freely or practice cultivation. This led to a shortage of labor for the Forest Department, resulting in the creation of “forest villages”.
- Exploitation by Traders and Moneylenders: Tribals often had to take loans from moneylenders at high interest rates to buy goods or pay for essentials, leading to a cycle of debt and poverty.
3. Tribal Rebellions
Oppressive laws and exploitation led to several uprisings across the subcontinent:
- The Kols Rebellion: Occurred in 1831-32.
- The Santhal Rebellion: Took place in 1855.
- The Bastar Rebellion: Occurred in Central India in 1910.
- The Warli Revolt: Took place in Maharashtra in 1940.
4. Birsa Munda and the “Ulgulan”
Birsa Munda led a major movement in the late 1890s in the Chottanagpur region.
- Vision of a Golden Age: Birsa urged his followers to recover their past glory—a “golden age” or sat-yug—when Mundas lived a good life, built embankments, and lived in harmony with nature.
- Targeting “Dikus”: The movement identified “dikus” (outsiders like moneylenders, traders, and Hindu landlords) and the British government as the cause of their misery.
- Political Aim: The movement aimed to drive out missionaries, moneylenders, and the government to establish a Munda Raj with Birsa as its head.
- Outcome: Birsa was arrested in 1895 and released in 1897. He died of cholera in 1900, after which the movement faded out. However, it forced the colonial government to introduce laws so that the land of tribals could not be easily taken away by dikus.
Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age
Dikus
A term used by tribals for outsiders like moneylenders and British officials who exploited them.
Reserved Forests
Forests controlled by the state where tribals were forbidden from gathering or cultivating.
Ulgulan
Meaning “The Great Tumult,” it refers to the massive rebellion led by Birsa Munda.
Class-8 History Chapter-4 PDF
Complete Study Notes: Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age
⚖️Indian Polity: Central Council of Ministers: Categories and Roles
The Council of Ministers (CoM) is a larger body that performs the executive functions of the Union. According to the 91st Constitutional Amendment (2003), the total strength of the CoM cannot exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
1. Categories of Ministers
The Council is organized into a three-tier hierarchy based on rank and responsibility:
- Cabinet Ministers:
- Status: The most senior members who head crucial ministries like Home, Defence, Finance, and External Affairs.
- Role: They attend Cabinet meetings and are the primary policy-makers of the Union Government.
- Ministers of State (Independent Charge):
- Status: They head smaller ministries/departments but do not report to a Cabinet Minister.
- Role: They are invited to Cabinet meetings only when matters related to their specific departments are discussed.
- Ministers of State (MoS):
- Status: Junior ministers who are attached to Cabinet Ministers.
- Role: They assist Cabinet Ministers in their administrative, political, and parliamentary duties. They do not attend Cabinet meetings.
- Deputy Ministers (Rarely appointed now):
- Status: Lowest in rank, attached to either Cabinet Ministers or Ministers of State.
- Role: They provide purely administrative and parliamentary assistance.
2. Council of Ministers vs. The Cabinet
Students often confuse these two. Use this table for your website’s “Key Differences” section:
| Feature | Council of Ministers (CoM) | The Cabinet |
| Size | Large (60–80 Ministers). | Small (15–25 Senior Ministers). |
| Status | Constitutional Body (Art 74-75). | Mentioned in Art 352 (added by 44th Amd). |
| Meetings | Rarely meets as a whole body. | Meets frequently to decide policy. |
| Function | It is the body that formally advises. | It is the body that actually decides. |
Cabinet Committees: The “Extra-Constitutional” Support
Cabinet Committees are specialized groups created to reduce the workload of the Cabinet and allow for in-depth examination of complex issues.
1. Key Features
- Extra-Constitutional: They are not mentioned in the original Constitution; they are established under the Rules of Business.
- Two Types: 1. Standing Committees: Permanent in nature.2. Ad Hoc Committees: Temporary, created for specific tasks (e.g., a specific crisis).
- Composition: Usually consist of 3 to 8 Cabinet Ministers. The Prime Minister chairs most of them.
2. Most Important Committees
| Committee | Chaired By | Responsibility |
| Political Affairs Committee | Prime Minister | Deals with domestic and foreign policy. Called the “Super-Cabinet.” |
| Economic Affairs Committee | Prime Minister | Directs and coordinates government activities in the economic sphere. |
| Appointments Committee | Prime Minister | Decides all higher-level appointments in the Central Secretariat. |
| Parliamentary Affairs Committee | Home Minister | Oversees the progress of government business in Parliament. |
| Security Committee (CCS) | Prime Minister | Deals with law and order, internal security, and defense matters. |
Ministerial Hierarchy & Roles
Political Affairs
Chaired by PM; deals with domestic/foreign policy. Known as the “Super-Cabinet.”
Economic Affairs
Chaired by PM; directs and coordinates all government activities in the economic sphere.
Security (CCS)
Chaired by PM; handles national defense, law and order, and internal security matters.
“The Hindu” Editorial Analysis (30-January-2026)
Here is a detailed analysis of the The Hindu Editorials for January 30, 2026, categorized by syllabus relevance for UPSC preparation.
1. Economic Survey 2025-26: Upbeat India, Troubled World
Syllabus: GS Paper 3 (Indian Economy; Growth and development; Mobilization of resources).
Context: The Economic Survey 2025-26, authored by CEA V. Anantha Nageswaran, raises India’s medium-term growth forecast to 7% while warning of severe global economic risks.
Key Points:
- Domestic Upgrade: Domestic growth outlook was raised to 7% (from 6.5%) due to improved capital growth, labor participation, and production efficiency.
- Global Crisis Risk: The survey estimates a 10%-20% chance of a global crisis in 2026 worse than the 2008 financial crash.
- AI Investment Bubble: A major emerging risk is the level of “highly-leveraged” investments in Artificial Intelligence, which could trigger intense risk aversion if corrected.
- FY27 Forecast: The survey predicts a growth range of 6.8%-7.2% for the next financial year (2026-27).
UPSC Relevance: Vital for “Economic Planning,” “Macroeconomic Stability,” and “Global Financial Risks.”
Detailed Analysis:
- Three World Scenarios: The survey outlines three probabilistic scenarios: Scenario 1 (Business as usual – 40%-45%), Scenario 2 (Multipolar breakdown – 40%-45%), and Scenario 3 (Worst-case systemic stresses – 10%-20%).
- Impact on Rupee: All scenarios pose a common risk to India through the disruption of capital flows and consequent pressure on the Rupee.
- Defensive Responses: Geopolitical escalation could lead to contracted global liquidity and a shift toward defensive economic responses across various regions.
2. Devolution, Not Debt: Strengthening State Finances
Syllabus: GS Paper 2 (Federalism; Centre-State relations; Fiscal federalism).
Context: An editorial analysis of the increasing reliance of States on State Development Loans (SDLs) as central tax devolution becomes less stable.
Key Points:
- Borrowing Surge: SDLs now account for nearly 35% of revenue receipts in Tamil Nadu and 26% in Maharashtra, levels considered fiscally exceptional a decade ago.
- Erosion by Cesses: While the divisible pool share is fixed at 41%, the Centre’s increased use of cesses and surcharges (which lie outside the pool) has eroded effective resource flow to States.
- Crowding Out: High borrowing for welfare commitments (pensions/health insurance) limits funds for public capital expenditure and private investment.
- Horizontal Reworking: The piece calls for a reworking of devolution criteria to give greater weight to tax effort and efficiency rather than just population.
UPSC Relevance: Essential for “Fiscal Federalism,” “State Debt Management,” and “Governance Finance.”
Detailed Analysis:
- Fiscal Autonomy Erosion: Industrialized States with large tax bases are facing a steady erosion of fiscal autonomy as they fund routine expenditures through debt.
- Structural Dependency: States like West Bengal remain structurally dependent on Central devolution (averaging 47.7% of receipts) while continuing to borrow heavily.
3. India-Arab League: Bridging Cultures and Opportunities
Syllabus: GS Paper 2 (Bilateral and global groupings involving India; International Relations).
Context: The 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers Meeting in Delhi (Jan 30-31, 2026) highlights India’s deep strategic outreach to the 22-member Arab League.
Key Points:
- Economic Bedrock: Bilateral trade currently exceeds $240 billion, with the region catering to 60% of India’s crude oil and 70% of its natural gas imports.
- Fintech Convergence: India’s UPI is now accepted in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, while the Rupee is legal currency at Dubai airports.
- Strategic Chokepoints: Most of India’s external trade passes through the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aden, making regional maritime security a top priority.
- Defence Exports: Arab countries are showing increasing interest in joint production and Indian platforms like the Tejas fighter, BrahMos, and Aakash missiles.
UPSC Relevance: Significant for “West Asian Geopolitics,” “Energy Security,” and “Maritime Domain Awareness.”
Detailed Analysis:
- Fault Lines: India must navigate new tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE (primarily over Yemen) while formulating its own regional strategy.
- IMEC Connectivity: The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) remains a focal point for long-term speed and collective prosperity.
4. Quick Pill: Fast-Tracking Pharma Research
Syllabus: GS Paper 2 (Governance; Health policy) and GS Paper 3 (Science & Tech).
Context: The government has amended the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, to replace mandatory test licenses for research with a prior intimation mechanism.
Key Points:
- Ease of Doing Business: Mandatory licenses for non-commercial drug manufacture are replaced by online intimation via the SUGAM Portal.
- Timeline Reduction: The move is expected to fast-track drug development timelines by at least three months.
- Speed vs. Quality: Statutory processing for high-risk psychotropic drugs is being reduced from 90 days to 45.
- Research Focus: Companies are free to begin drug synthesis for research once the ‘notice of intent’ is acknowledged online.
UPSC Relevance: Important for “Pharmaceutical Regulations,” “Research & Development Support,” and “Public Health Efficiency.”
Detailed Analysis:
- Abolishing ‘Licence Raj’: The editorial hails the dismantling of hurdles but warns that quality control must not be compromised.
- Fatal Lapses: Recent cough syrup-related deaths highlight that poor oversight in pharmaceutical manufacturing can be fatal.
5. SC Keeps in Abeyance 2026 UGC Campus Equity Rules
Syllabus: GS Paper 2 (Polity; Social Justice; Higher Education).
Context: The Supreme Court has stayed the new UGC regulations (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions, 2026) following claims they are “too sweeping.”
Key Points:
- Caste-centric Bias: Petitioners argue the 2026 rules recognize only discrimination against SC/ST/OBC students while failing to protect general category students.
- Divisive Potential: CJI Surya Kant observed that the regulations have “sweeping consequences which will divide the society.”
- Ragging Remedies: The Court noted that under the new rules, a general category fresher resisting ragging by an SC/ST senior might have no remedy.
- Inclusive Scope: Justice Bagchi suggested that regulations should focus on “all-inclusive discrimination” rather than exclusively on caste.
UPSC Relevance: Key for “Social Justice in Education,” “Judicial Oversight,” and “Constitutional Equality.”
Detailed Analysis:
- Unity in Education: The Court emphasized that the “unity of India must be reflected in its educational institutions,” warning against segregated schools or hostels.
- Status Quo: For now, the older 2012 Equity Regulations will remain in force while the 2026 version undergoes a closer examination.
Editorial Analysis
JANUARY 30, 2026Domestic growth forecast raised to 7%. Warnings of AI Investment Bubbles triggering a 2008-style global systemic crisis.
Bilateral trade exceeds $240 Billion. Focus on Maritime Security in Gulf chokepoints and defense exports like Tejas/BrahMos.
SC keeps 2026 rules in abeyance. Warnings against Sweeping Consequences that could divide society; 2012 rules to remain in force.
Justice & Unity
Mapping:
For today’s mapping notes, we focus on Border Infrastructure and Newly Recognized Conservation Sites as of January 2026.
1. Border Infrastructure (The “Himalayan Defense” Belt)
Mapping border roads and tunnels is critical for the “Internal Security” and “Infrastructure” sections of your syllabus.
- Arunachal Frontier Highway (NH-913): A massive 1,840 km highway currently under construction.
- Mapping Point: Trace it along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, connecting Mago-Thingbu to Vijaynagar.
- Shinku La Tunnel: Set to be the world’s highest tunnel (at 15,800 ft), connecting Lahaul Valley (HP) with Zanskar Valley (Ladakh).
- Sela Tunnel: Already operational at 13,000 ft; it provides all-weather connectivity to Tawang.
- DS-DBO Road: The 255 km Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie road in Ladakh, leading to the world’s highest airstrip.
2. Newly Added Conservation Reserves (2025–2026)
Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu have been the most active in expanding protected areas.
| Feature | State | Significance |
| Ganga Bherav Ghati | Rajasthan (Ajmer) | Declared in February 2025; critical for arid-zone biodiversity. |
| Sorsan I, II, & III | Rajasthan (Baran) | New reserves for the Great Indian Bustard and Blackbuck. |
| Kopra Reservoir | Chhattisgarh | Designated as a Ramsar site in late 2025; vital for migratory birds. |
| Nanjarayan Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu | A key wetland in the Tiruppur district added to the Ramsar list. |
3. Geographical Indication (GI) Tags (The 2026 “Show-and-Tell”)
For your website, mapping these allows users to see the “Product-to-Place” connection.
- Arunachal Yak Churpi: A unique cheese from the yak milk of the Tawang and West Kameng regions.
- Meghalaya Garo Dakmanda: A traditional textile of the Garo tribe.
- Kachchhi Kharek: A date palm variety from the Kutch region of Gujarat.
- Majuli Mask & Manuscript Painting: Traditional crafts from the river island of Majuli, Assam.
Summary Mapping Checklist
| Category | Mapping Highlight | Key Location |
| Highest Tunnel | Shinku La | HP-Ladakh Border. |
| Longest Frontier Road | Arunachal Frontier Hwy | LAC, Arunachal. |
| Bustard Habitat | Sorsan Reserves | Baran, Rajasthan. |
| Textile GI Hub | Tripura Risa | Tripura. |
Mapping Brief
BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE & CONSERVATIONA massive 1,840 km artery running parallel to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), linking Mago-Thingbu to the eastern tip of Vijaynagar.
Ganga Bherav Ghati (Ajmer) and the Sorsan Reserves (Baran) provide critical habitats for the Great Indian Bustard and Blackbuck.
Chhattisgarh’s Kopra Reservoir and Tamil Nadu’s Nanjarayan Sanctuary are the newest vital organs in India’s wetland network.