CLASS NOTES OF 8TH APRIL
VOCABULARY
1.Accentuate: To make something more noticeable or
prominent.
2.Resilience: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties
or adapt to change.
3.Protracted: Lasting for a long time or longer than
expected.
4.Repugnant: In conflict with; unacceptable or offensive.
5.Stark: Severe or clear in appearance or outline; harsh.
6.Stifled: Prevented or constrained from continuing or
developing.
7.Overhaul: A thorough examination and necessary repair or
improvement.
8.Turmoil: A state of great disturbance, confusion, or
uncertainty.
9.Astounding: Extremely surprising or impressive.
10. Ruinous: Causing great damage or distress.
ARTICLE FOR READING
Shaping a future-ready workforce
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 and QS’s
World Future Skills Index contain critical insights into the state of
India’s workforce and its preparedness for the future. They offer a
roadmap for the government and universities to address the
pressing challenges and opportunities in shaping a future-ready
workforce. Their findings accentuate the urgency of aligning
educational strategies with the rapidly evolving demands of the
global economy. The Future of Jobs Report highlights the
significant forces driving global labour market changes by 2030.
Among these, technological advancements, demographic shifts,
geo-economic fragmentation, economic uncertainties, and the
green transition stand out. Technological change and digital access
are anticipated to play a crucial role, with 60% of employers
identifying them as major drivers. At the same time, 50% of
employers expect economic factors, such as job displacement, to
reshape industries. Climate change mitigation is seen as a dual
force, both creating jobs in renewable energy and environmental
fields and requiring adaptations to business models due to
geopolitical tensions. These trends point to a dynamic labour
market characterised by job creation (170 million new jobs are
projected) and job displacement (92 million roles could become
obsolete). In response to these shifts, employers have prioritised
workforce training, wage increases, and employee well-being.
Notably, 59 out of every 100 workers will require training in crucial
skills such as analytical thinking, resilience, and technological
literacy. Emerging roles such as Big Data specialists and AI
engineers are expected to see substantial growth, highlighting the
need for a workforce equipped with advanced technical and
cognitive skills. The emphasis on upskilling indicates that
educational institutions must proactively prepare students for a
competitive job market. Equally important is the integration of soft
skills, such as emotional intelligence, adaptability, and leadership,
into professional development programmes. Employers are
increasingly valuing these attributes as critical for navigating
dynamic work environments. The QS World Future Skills Index
complements these findings. Ranking second globally in terms of
preparedness for AI and green skills, India demonstrates
considerable potential. However, the report reveals stark gaps in
workforce skills, particularly on supply-side indicators. While India
excels in its ability to identify and recruit for future-focused skills,
as evidenced by its 99.1 score in the ‘Future of Work’ parameter, its
performance in ‘Skills Fit’ — the ability of the workforce to meet
these demands — lags significantly, with the country scoring just
59.1. The report also identifies deficiencies in fostering
entrepreneurial and innovative mindsets, with India’s overall
ranking in ‘Academic Readiness’ placing it at a modest 26th
position. Further, India’s performance in future-oriented
innovation and sustainability is alarmingly low, a mere 15.6 out of
100.
ARTICLE FOR SKIMMING
Inconclusive chapter: On Tamil Nadu and NEET
With President Droupadi Murmu withholding assent for the Tamil
Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill
2021, the State is bracing for another battle against National
Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)-based admissions. State Chief
Minister M.K. Stalin has convened a meeting of legislature party
leaders on April 9 to strategise the next move. With the admission
season approaching, the development is bound to cause uncertainty
and make medical aspirants anxious. Exemption from NEET now
remains an inconclusive chapter in the State’s decade-old policy
discourse. No other State effort to legislate against a central
mandate has been so protracted and unpredictable. In September
2017, two anti-NEET Bills met with a similar fate in Rashtrapati
Bhavan. Four years later, the ruling DMK — having made NEET
exemption a central electoral promise — passed the Bill in the
Assembly based on the recommendations of the Justice A.K. Rajan
Committee. Instead of forwarding it for presidential assent,
Governor R.N. Ravi returned it to the House after five months. In a
historic first, the Assembly unanimously re-adopted the Bill and
sent it back to him; the Governor subsequently forwarded it to the
President. Last week, Mr. Stalin informed the Assembly that assent
had been denied, without specifying when Rashtrapati Bhavan had
communicated the decision. This delay in the matter attaining
finality is concerning as students have been left facing a state of
perpetual uncertainty. The State remains firm in its policy of
conducting admission for government quota medical seats based on
the Class 12 Board examination scores. Early on, the Ministry of
Home Affairs had asked “whether the Bill endangered the
sovereignty, unity and integrity of the nation” to which the AYUSH
Ministry responded affirmatively. The framers of the Constitution
had incorporated Article 254 (2) empowering the President to grant
assent to Bills repugnant to central laws on Concurrent List
matters. NEET has been consistently upheld by the Supreme Court
of India too. The President is under no obligation to give assent,
although the Bill reflects the collective will of Tamil Nadu’s
legislature: it was passed unanimously. True, NEET is neither
foolproof nor an absolute measure of academic competency, but
Tamil Nadu’s legal options are limited. The judiciary is unlikely to
settle the issue with any urgency. The State must prepare for a legal
struggle, and in the interim, coach students to face NEET with
confidence.
DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
A green economy is an economic system that aims to improve
human well-being and social equity while significantly reducing
environmental risks and ecological scarcities. It promotes
sustainable development by integrating economic growth with
environmental responsibility, ensuring that development today
does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their
needs. The concept of a green economy gained prominence
following the 2008 global financial crisis, as governments and
international institutions began exploring ways to rebuild
economies while tackling climate change, pollution, and resource
depletion. In a green economy, growth is driven by investments in
renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, clean
transportation, and green infrastructure. India, like many other
countries, has recognized the importance of transitioning toward a
green economy. Initiatives like the National Solar Mission,
promotion of electric vehicles (EVs), Afforestation programmes,
and the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme for industries
are key examples of India’s commitment to green growth. The
government's focus on clean energy transitions and
climate-resilient agriculture is also helping align economic goals
with environmental protection. However, transitioning to a green
economy is not without challenges. It requires large-scale
investment, technological innovation, capacity building, and policy
reforms. There is also a need to ensure that the green transition is
inclusive, providing new opportunities for employment and
ensuring support for those whose livelihoods may be affected by the
shift away from traditional industries. A green economy offers a
holistic approach to development, balancing progress with
planetary health. It holds the potential to address pressing issues
such as climate change, pollution, resource scarcity, and
unemployment—making it an essential path forward for India and
the world.
Precis Writing:
A green economy focuses on sustainable growth that protects the
environment and promotes social equity. It emphasizes clean
energy, green infrastructure, and sustainable practices to address
issues like climate change and pollution. India is advancing through
policies supporting solar power, EVs, and climate-smart
agriculture. However, the transition demands investment,
innovation, and inclusivity. As a balanced model, the green
economy offers a solution for both economic and environmental
challenges in the long term
● You are organizing a university event and need
financial sponsorship. Write an email to a corporate
sponsor requesting support.
To: …………..@[Link]
Subject: Sponsorship Request for [Event Name] – [University
Name]
Dear [Sponsor's Name],
I hope you're well. I’m [Your Name], and I’m organizing [Event
Name] at [University Name], scheduled for [Date]. This event aims
to [briefly state purpose, e.g., promote
innovation/culture/awareness] and will attract over [number]
students and faculty. We’re seeking financial sponsorship to help
cover event costs.
In return, we’d offer your brand visibility through banners, social
media promotions, and event acknowledgments. I’ve attached a
brief proposal for your review. We’d be grateful for your support
and would love to discuss this further at your convenience. Best
regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position] |
[University Name]
[Email] |
[Phone Number]
PERFECTION VOCAB
● Coverage: The extent or scope of something, in this case,
referring to the proportion of land covered by trees.
● Environmental groups: Organizations that advocate for the
protection of the environment.
● Warned: To alert someone of potential danger or risks.
● Effort: The exertion of physical or mental energy to
accomplish something.
● Tree-planting goals: Targets set for planting a specific
number of trees or increasing the area covered by trees.
● Announced: Made something known publicly.
● Hectares: A metric unit of area, commonly used for
measuring land (1 hectare = 10,000 square meters).
● Woodland: Land covered with trees, often forested areas.
● Initiative: A new plan or project intended to solve a problem
or address a need.
● National forest: A large area of land protected by the
government for conservation and public use.
● Ambitions: Strong desires or goals for achieving something
significant.
● Economic growth: Increase in the economic output of a
region or country.
● Job opportunities: Positions or openings for work that can
be filled by individuals.
● Legally binding target: A goal or standard set by law that
must be met.
● Pledged: Officially promised or committed to doing
something.
● Funding: Financial support or resources for a project.
● Sustained: To be maintained or kept going over time.
● Conservation policy: A set of principles or guidelines aimed
at protecting natural resources.
● Financial support: Monetary assistance for carrying out a
project or activity.
● Management: The act of overseeing and coordinating the
resources and activities of a project.
● EV (Electric Vehicle): A type of vehicle that runs on
electricity rather than traditional gasoline or diesel.
● Neck and neck: In a close or equal position, typically used in
races or competitions.
● Surge: A sudden increase or rise in something, such as
revenue or demand.
● Revenue: The income generated by a company from its
business activities.
● Momentum: The strength or force gained by a company’s
activities, indicating growth or success.
● Founder: The person who started or established a company.
● Unveiled: Revealed or presented for the first time.
● Charging technology: Innovations or methods related to
how electric vehicles are charged.
● Affordable: Something that is reasonably priced and within
financial reach.
● Hybrid vehicle: A vehicle that uses both an internal
combustion engine (gasoline/diesel) and an electric motor.
● Climbed: Increased or grew steadily.
● Far ahead: Significantly in front, surpassing others in
comparison.
● Dominate: To be the most powerful or influential in a certain
field.
● Challenge: To oppose or compete against something.
● Designed: Created or planned with a particular purpose in
mind.
● Lazarus-like ability: Refers to the ability to come back to life
or recover, much like the biblical Lazarus who was brought
back to life.
● Mosses, ferns, non-flowering plants: Types of plants that
are known for surviving extreme conditions.
● Angiosperms: Flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed
within a fruit.
● Drought: A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall,
leading to water scarcity.
● Rehydrate: To restore moisture or water to something that
has dried out.
● Resurrection plants: Plants capable of surviving extreme
drought by going into a dormant state and reviving when water
becomes available.
● Tolerate: To endure or withstand something.
● Brittle: Fragile and easily broken.
● Regreen: To return to a green, healthy state after being dry or
dead.
● Photosynthesise: The process by which plants use sunlight
to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.
● Water loss: The amount of water that a plant loses through
evaporation or other processes.
● Productivity: The rate at which plants or organisms produce
useful products (e.g., oxygen or crops).
● Seemingly: Appearing to be true, although it may not be.
● Reviving: Returning to life or strength after a period of
inactivity or dormancy.
● Severe drought: An extreme lack of water for a prolonged
period.
● Flourish: To grow or develop successfully.
