CIVIL SERVICE INFO

  The Hidden Costs of Ultra-Processed Food: Why Personal Discipline Remains Key Modern dieting is often a journey filled with setbacks and frustration. Studies show that although many strive to lose weight, only 20% manage to keep it off after the first year. This ongoing struggle isn’t unique and points to wider issues within our food environment.  The Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods Ultra-processed foods—yogurts, snacks, packet mixes—dominate grocery shelves. They replace natural ingredients with starches, sweeteners, emulsifiers, and artificial flavors. These foods aggressively erode individual autonomy, directly influencing how much control people have over their eating habits. Unlike traditional whole foods, industrial formulas have been designed for addictiveness. They hijack the body’s natural hunger and satisfaction signals, pushing people towards compulsive consumption. When you reach for a snack marked “healthy,” you may still be falling for processed marketing—rarel...

The Constitutional Role of the Governor The role of a Governor, as outlined by the Indian Constitution, is meant to be an apolitical bridge between the Centre and the state governments, with a mandate mainly to safeguard constitutional propriety and advise the elected state executives within the bounds of law[1]. Article 361 of the Constitution grants immunity to the President and Governors from court proceedings for their official acts, reaffirming the principle that these offices serve constitutional, rather than political, ends.  Judicial Scrutiny and Political Neutrality Recent Supreme Court adjudications have addressed several instances where governors were accused of political bias or exceeding their mandate, usually in the context of government formation, dismissal of Chief Ministers, or summoning and dissolving assemblies[1]. While the judiciary maintains that governors must remain neutral and not be used as political tools, in practice, interventions by governors have ofte...

  Unpacking the Real Meaning Behind Global ‘Happiness’ Rankings Why is Finland crowned the happiest country in the world for the eighth year in a row, while India lingers at 126th and Pakistan fares slightly better at 109th? The latest World Happiness Report 2025, produced by Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, places Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden at the top. India’s score, averaging just 4.389, stands against Pakistan’s 5.287. This contrast seems puzzling, especially considering India’s booming economy, infrastructural strides, and global visibility.   Beyond Economic Metrics The rankings rely on the Gallup World Poll’s Cantril Ladder, where people rate their lives from 0 to 10. This metric blends variables like GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption perception. Yet, these scores often diverge from economic realities. Countries with low expectations and higher life satisfaction, such as Pakistan, can appear “happier” than ...