Trending Topics Part 1 of 10 Prelims

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Index
Trending Topics
1. Adaptations Made for Survival Intundra Biome

2. National Anthem - Code of Conduct
3. Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems
4. National AYUSH Mission
5. Adaptations Made for Survival Intropical Region
6. Jallikattu
7. UNESCO Global Geopark
8. No Detention Policy
9. Ganga Gram Yojana
10. NFHS-4 Survey
11. Coastal Erosion
12. Rain Water Harvesting
13. Swatchh Bharat Cess
14. India Declared Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus and Yaws Free by Who
15. Law Commission of India
16. Pay Commission of India
17. Linguistic Minorities
18. Geographical Indication
19. Unesco Creative Cities Network
20. What is Defamation?
21. The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill
22. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016
23. Aadhar and its Benefits
24. National Student Startup Policy, 2016 (NSSP)
25. PESA, 1996
26. Concept of Good Samaritans
27. Blizzards
28. Cloud Bursts
29. Mental Health Policy
30. Himansh
Notes
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ADAPTATIONS MADE FOR SURVIVAL IN

TUNDRA BIOME
Adaptations made for survival in Tundra BiomeThe tundra biome is an ecosystem situated near the North Pole
in the Arctic Circle. There are three types of tundra: arctic tundra, alpine tundra and Antarctic tundra. It is
noted for its frost-molded landscapes, extremely low temperatures, little precipitation, poor nutrients, and short
growing seasons.
The winters are extremely cold with temperatures typically below -34 C. The summers last only about two
months and the temperatures are still very cold ranging from 3 to 12 C.
Plants adaptations
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Only a thin layer of soil, called the active layer, thaws and refreezes each year. This makes shallow root
systems a necessity and prevents larger plants such as trees from growing in the Arctic. (The cold climate and
short growing season also prevent tree growth. Trees need a certain amount of days above 50 degrees F, 10
degrees C, to complete their annual growth cycle.)
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Most of the plants are small, grow close together and close to the ground. This protects them from the
cold temperatures and the strong winds.
Some flowering plants have fuzzy coverings on the stems, leaves and buds to provide protection from the
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wind. Some have woolly seed covers.
Lichens grow in mats on the ground and on rocks across the Arctic. Lichens provide an important food
source for caribou in the winter.
Many Arctic species can grow under a layer of snow, and virtually all polar plants are able to photosynthesize
in extremely cold temperatures.
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During the short polar summer, plants use the long hours of sunlight to quickly develop and produce
flowers and seeds.
Flowers of some plants are cup-shaped and direct the sun's rays toward the center of the flower. Dark-
colored plants absorb more of the sun's energy.
In addition, many species are perennials, growing and blooming during the summer, dying back in the
winter, and returning the following spring from their root-stock. This allows the plants to direct less energy
into seed production. Some species do not produce seeds at all, reproducing asexually through root growth.
Small leaves help the plants retain moisture.
Animal Adaptations
The animals in these regions are usually white or light colored, e.g., polar bear, penguin. This adaptation
helps them in maintaining their body temperature, and in camouflaging.
These animals can store fat in their body as they eat a lot during the summer.
The stored fat can be consumed during the winter months because the animals hibernate for months, i.e.,
go into a state of inactivity, during severe winters.
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In hibernation, their metabolic activity is reduced to a great extent. In this state, their heartbeat, breathing
rate and temperature become very low.
Furred soles of the feet of polar bears protect them from cold and prevent them from slipping.
The small animals burrow down into the snow. The snow traps the air, and it becomes an excellent
insulator.
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NATIONAL ANTHEM - CODE OF CONDUCT

The song Jana-gana-mana, composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore, was adopted in its Hindi
version as the National Anthem of India on January 24, 1950.
It was first sung on December 27, 1911 at the Kolkata Session of the Indian National Congress.
It has five stanzas with first stanza containing the full version of the National Anthem
The duration of the National Anthem is approximately 52 seconds. A short version consisting of the first and
last lines of the stanza (playing time approximately 20 seconds) is also played on certain occasions.
The National Anthem of India is played or sung on various occasions. Instructions have been issued from time
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to time about the correct versions of the Anthem, the occasions on which these are to be played or sung, and
about the need for paying respect to the anthem by observance of proper decorum on such occasions.
Civil and Military investitures;

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The full version of the Anthem shall be played on the following occasions:
When National Salute (which means the Command "Rashtriya Salute - Salami Shastr" to the accompaniment
of the National Anthem is given on ceremonial occasions to the President or to the Governor/Lieutenant
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Governor within their respective States/ Union Territories;
During parades - irrespective of whether any of the dignitaries referred to above is present or not;
On arrival of the President at formal State functions and other functions organized by the Government
and mass functions and on his departure from such functions;
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Immediately before and after the President addresses the Nation over All India Radio;
On arrival of the Governor/Lieutenant Governor at formal State functions within his State/Union Territory
and on his departure from such functions;
When the National Flag is brought on parade;
When the Regimental Colours are presented;
For hoisting of colours in the Navy.
Recently, the Supreme Court ordered that all Indians will now compulsorily have to stand up and listen to the
National Anthem before they can watch a movie in a theatre.
The decision is in tune to the Article 51(A) of the Constitution which makes respecting the National Anthem
a fundamental duty of every citizen
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CRIME AND CRIMINAL TRACKING

NETWORK & SYSTEMS
Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) is a plan scheme conceived in the light of
experience of a non-plan scheme namely - Common Integrated Police Application (CIPA).
CCTNS is a Mission Mode Project under the National e-Governance Plan of Government of India. CCTNS
aims at creating a comprehensive and integrated system for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of
policing through adopting of principle of e-Governance and creation of a nationwide networking infrastructure
for evolution of IT-enabled-state-of-the-art tracking system around 'Investigation of crime and detection of
criminals.
An allocation of Rs. 2000 crores has been made for CCTNS Project. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
(CCEA) has approved the project on 19.06.2009.
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Objectives of 'CCTNS':
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The objectives of the Scheme can broadly be listed as follows:
Make the Police functioning citizen friendly and more transparent by automating the functioning of Police
Stations.
Improve delivery of citizen-centric services through effective usage of ICT.
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Provide the Investigating Officers of the Civil Police with tools, technology and information to facilitate
investigation of crime and detection of criminals.
Improve Police functioning in various other areas such as Law and Order, Traffic Management etc.
Facilitate Interaction and sharing of Information among Police Stations, Districts, State/UT headquarters
and other Police Agencies.
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Assist senior Police Officers in better management of Police Force.

Keep track of the progress of Cases, including in Courts.
Reduce manual and redundant Records keeping.
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NATIONAL AYUSH MISSION

India possess an unmatched heritage represented by its ancient systems of medicine like ASU&H which are
a treasure house of knowledge for preventive and promotive healthcare. The positive features of the Indian
systems of medicine namely their diversity and flexibility; accessibility; affordability, a broad acceptance by
a large section of the general public; comparatively lesser cost and growing economic value, have great
potential to make them providers of healthcare that the large sections of our people need.
The government of India has launched the National AYUSH Mission (NAM).
The proposed Mission will address the gaps in health services through supporting the efforts of State/UT
Governments for providing AYUSH health services/education in the country, particularly in vulnerable and far-
flung areas. Under NAM special focus will be given for specific needs of such areas and for allocation of higher
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resources in their Annual Plans.
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The objective of the mission is to:
To provide cost effective AYUSH Services, with a universal access through upgrading AYUSH Hospitals
and Dispensaries, co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health
Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs).
To strengthen institutional capacity at the state level through upgrading AYUSH educational institutions,
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State Govt. ASU&H Pharmacies, Drug Testing Laboratories and ASU & H enforcement mechanism.
Support cultivation of medicinal plants by adopting Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) so as to provide
sustained supply of quality rawmaterials and support certification mechanism for quality standards, Good
Agricultural/Collection/Storage Practices.
Support setting up of clusters through convergence of cultivation, warehousing, value addition and marketing
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and development of infrastructure for entrepreneurs.

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ADAPTATIONS MADE FOR SURVIVAL IN

TROPICAL REGION
Every organism is suited to live in its particular habitat. Each organism is adapted to its particular environment.
An adaptation is thus, the appearance or behaviour or structure or mode of life of an organism that allows
it to survive in a particular environment.
Tropical region Basic characteristics:
The tropical region lies very close to the equator; between 10N and 10S. So, it is referred to as the
equatorial region.
It is characterized by hot and wet climate throughout the year.
The day temperatures are high with very high humidity. At night the temperature goes down but the
humidity remains high.

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The forests are thick hence the dense roof created by leaves and branches does not allow the sunlight
to reach the ground. The ground remains dark and damp.
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Only shade tolerant vegetation may grow here. Orchids, bromeliads grow as plant parasites.
Tropical Rainforest Plant Adaptations
Drip tips and waxy surfaces on the leaves allow water to run off hence discourage growth of bacteria and
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fungi.
Buttresses and prop and stilt roots help hold up plants in the shallow soil.
Some plants climb on others to reach the sunlight.
Some plants grow on other plants to reach the sunlight.
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Flowers on the forest floor are designed to lure animal pollinators since there is relatively no wind on the
forest floor to aid in pollination.
Smooth bark and smooth or waxy flowers speed the run off of water.
Plants have shallow roots to help capture nutrients from the top level of soil which is rich in humus.
Many bromeliads are epiphytes (plants that live on other plants); instead of collecting water with roots
they collect rainwater into a central reservoir from which they absorb the water through hairs on their
leaves
Epiphytic orchids have aerial roots that cling to the host plant, absorb minerals, and absorb water from
the atmosphere
Tropical Rainforest Animal Adaptations
Many animals of the rainforest are camouflaged which aids them in avoiding predators.
Some animals like the poison arrow frog produce toxins in their skin to ward off a predator. These animals
are boldly colored as a warning for others to stay as far away as possible.
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Some animals have adaptations that enable them to eat food that other animals cant. For example parrots
have strong beaks that crack the shells of very hard nuts.
Spider monkeys live in the upper canopy layers of rainforests, preferring undisturbed habitat, almost never
coming to the ground. Their long limbs and strong tail are good examples of rainforest biome adaptations.
They swing through the rainforest canopy and hang suspended by their tails. The powerful prehensile tail
plays the role of a fifth arm and is often used for balance or just hanging out.
Many tropical rainforest animals have a diet that includes a large amount of fruit which is available year
round.
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JALLIKATTU
Jallikattuis a bulls game day event happening inTamil Naduas a part of Pongalcelebrations. Bulls are bred
specifically by some private rich persons of the village& temples for the event.
Bullfighting was common among the ancient tribes who lived in the Mullai geographical division of the
ancient Tamil country.Later, it became a platform for display of bravery and prize money was introduced for
entertainment.
The event often results in major injuries and deaths with over 200 deaths over the past two decades.
Animal activists, the FIAPO (Federation of India Animal Protection Agencies)andPETA Indiahave protested
against the practice over the years.
TheAnimal Welfare Board of Indiahas filed a case in theSupreme Court of Indiafor an outright ban on
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Jallikattu because of thecruelty to animalsand the threat to public safety involved. Protestors point out that
Jallikattu is promoted as bull taming, but that there is no taming involved at all. Jallikattu exploits the bulls
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natural nervousness as prey animals by deliberately placing them in a terrifying situation in which they are
forced to run away from those they perceive as predators. The practice effectively involves catching a terrified
animal, not taming it.
In May 2014, theSupreme Court of Indiabanned the practice, citing animal welfare issues. Recently the
Government of Indiahas passed an order exempting Jallikattu from all performances where bulls cannot be
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used, effectively reversing the ban. However, the Supreme Court of India upheld its ban on the event, leading
to protests all over Tamil Nadu.
Animal Welfare Board: The Animal Welfare Board of India is a statutory advisory body on Animal Welfare Laws
and promotes animal welfare in the country.From ensuring that animal welfare laws in the country are diligently
followed, to provide grants to Animal Welfare Organizations and advising the Government of India on animal welfare
issues, the Board has been the face of the animal welfare movement in the country since 1962.The Board consists of
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28 Members. The term of office of Members is for a period of 3 years.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals: PETA is the largest animal rights organization in the world, with more
than 5 million members and supporters. PETA India focuses primarily on the areas in which the greatest numbers of
animals suffer the most: in the food and leather industries, in laboratories and in the entertainment industry. PETA
Indias investigative work, public education efforts, research, animal rescues, legislative work, special events, celebrity
involvement and national media coverage have resulted in countless improvements to the quality of life for animals and
have saved countless animals lives.
Federation of India Animal Protection Agencies: FIAPOs main aim is to help connect up, and inform, animal
protection organizations and activists across India. The aim is to strengthen animal protection by strengthening
organizations themselves; not to become an alternative to existing organizations but on the contrary, to be an
expression of their strength and an amalgam of their collective expertise and passion.
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UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international
geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable
development.
UNESCO Global Geoparks empower local communities and give them the opportunity to develop cohesive
partnerships with the common goal of promoting the area's significant geological processes, features,
periods of time, historical themes linked to geology, or outstanding geological beauty.
A UNESCO Global Geopark enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society, such as
using our earth's resources sustainably, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing natural
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disasters-related risks.
The creation of innovative local enterprises, new jobs and high quality training courses is stimulated as

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new sources of revenue are generated through geotourism, while the geological resources of the area are
A set of criteria as established by UNESCO must first be met for a geopark, as nominated by the
corresponding government, to be included in the GGN:
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a) the existence of a management plan designed to foster socio-economic development that is sustainable
(most likely to be based on agritourism and geotourism);
b) demonstrate methods for conserving and enhancing geological heritage and provide means for teaching
geoscientific disciplines and broader environmental issues;
c) joint-proposals submitted by public authorities, local communities and private interests acting together,
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which demonstrate the best practices with respect to Earth heritage conservation and its integration
into sustainable development strategies.
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NO DETENTION POLICY
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act or Right to Education Act (RTE) passed in the
year 2009 makes education a fundamental right of every child between the ages of 6 and 14 under Article
21A and specifies minimum norms in elementary schools. The Act requires all private schools (except the
minority institutions) to reserve 25% seats for the poor and other categories of children (to be reimbursed by
the state as part of the public-private partnership plan).
Concerning the higher dropout rate due to being unable to read, write and pass, the Act under section-16,
prohibits schools from detaining or expelling any student up to Class VIII for reducing the higher dropout rate
and to have a minimum educated citizenry.
The essence of the policy is that children should not be "failed" and detained up to Class 8. This also means
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there are no "examinations" in the narrow traditional sense of the word up to Class 8. Instead, the Act
mandates a process of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) to assess and evaluate the student's
learning. CCE regularly assesses student progress in multiple ways and uses the feedback in the teaching-
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learning process. It gives a continuous progress record and specific inputs for improving learning. Unlike exams,
it can also assess things such as social attitudes, creativity, emotional development and perseverance. Research
evidence across the world suggests that such methods (called formative assessments) tend to improve student
learning.
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However, after few years of its implementation the policy has proved to be counter-productive and a wide
range of criticism on the issue has been witnessed from various factions of the society. The policy has led to
students developing a lackadaisical attitude towards their studies. Parents also didn't bother as their children
cannot be held back in the class. This has reduced the quality of education and has led to no difference
between good and bad students.
The recently appointed T. S. R. Subramanian committee has recommended that the no detention policy must
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be continued for young children until completion of class V when the child will be 11 years old. At the upper
primary stage, the system of detention shall be restored subject to the provision of remedial coaching and at
least two extra chances being offered to prove his capability to move to a higher class.
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GANGA GRAM YOJANA

Ganga is the Indian national river and it is also the longest river flowing in India. It originates from Himalayas
from the state of Uttarakhand and has a stretch of 2525 km. It ends its journey at the Bay of Bengal.
The villages and cities located along river Ganga depend on it for their day to day livelihood. But according
to international surveys, Ganga is the one of the most polluted rivers of the world.
A large number of villages, town and cities situated along the banks of Ganga dump their daily wastes in it.
All household sewerages, industrial waste drains, etc. are linked to this river Ganga, thus polluting the holy
river. There is a huge difference between the quality and color of water at the time it reaches the Bay of
Bengal, from the time it gets originated.
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Hence, as a major initiative towards fast track implementation of Namami Gange Programme, Union Minister
of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has launched Ganga Gram Yojana at Village
Puth in Hapur district of U.P.
Salient features of Ganga Gram Yojana:
a)
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1600 villages situated along the banks of river Ganga will be developed under this scheme.
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b) In these villages open drains falling into river Ganga will be diverted and alternative arrangements for
sewage treatment will be made.
c) The villages will have toilets in every household.
d) These villages will be developed under the Sichewal model. Sichewal is situated in Punjab, where cooperation
of the villagers has been solicited for the water management and waste disposal in a meticulous way.
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NFHS-4 SURVEY
NFHS-4 is the first of the NFHS series that collects data in each of India's 29 States and all 7 Union
Territories. Also, NFHS-4, for the first time, will provide estimates of most indicators at the district level
for all 640 districts of the country included in the 2011 Census.
In NFHS-4, women aged 15-49 years and men aged 15-54 years are interviewed. When the survey is
completed throughout the country, approximately 570,000 households would be covered for information.
The results from NFHS-4 in 15 States/Union Territories indicate that:
a) Fewer children are dying in infancy and early childhood.
b) All 15 States/Union Territories have rates below 51 deaths per 1,000 live births, although there is
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considerable variation among the States/Union Territories.
c) Almost all mothers have received antenatal care for their most recent pregnancy and increasing
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numbers of women are receiving the recommended four or more visits by the service providers.
d) More and more women now give birth in health care facilities and rates have more than doubled in
some States in the last decade.
e) At least 6 out of 10 children have received full immunization in 12 of the 15 States / Union
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Territories.
f) Fewer children under five years of age are now found to be stunted, showing intake of improved
nutrition.
g) While this reveals a distinct improvement since the previous survey, it is found that in Bihar, Madhya
Pradesh and Meghalaya more than 40% of children are stunted.
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h) Wasting is still very high by international standards in all of the States/Union Territories. Anaemia
has also declined, but still remains widespread.
i) Over two-thirds of households in every State/Union Territory have access to an improved source of
drinking water, and more than 90% of households have access to an improved source of drinking
water in nine of the 15 States/Union Territories.
About NFHS:
a) NFHS will provide updates and evidence of trends in key population, health and nutrition indicators,
including HIV prevalence. Moreover, the survey will cover a range of health-related issues, including
fertility, infant and child mortality, maternal and child health, perinatal mortality, adolescent reproductive
health, high-risk sexual behaviour, safe injections, tuberculosis, and malaria, non-communicable diseases,
domestic violence, HIV knowledge, and attitudes toward people living with HIV.
b) The information will enable the GOI to provide national and international agencies to monitor and
evaluate policies and programmes related to population, health, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS.
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COASTAL EROSION
The shorelines and beaches in India serve multidimensional needs such as recreational purpose, seaport for
maritime commerce, residential and commercial structures, etc. With the growth of population in the coastal
zone, more competing pressures are being put on the shores and beaches. Developmental activities along India's
coastal areas have increased extensively in recent decades and this trend is expected to continue. Due to this
the erosion rate has increased.
Causes of coastal erosion
a) lobal warming
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b) Reclamation of land in certain areas, land erosion;
c) Economic activities of construction etc. in the coastal zone areas.
d)
e)
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Abrasive action along sand and gravel moved by the waves.
Destruction of mangroves, which act as a natural safeguard.
Flooding of river during monsoon also lead to inundation and causes sea erosion.
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g) Worldwide increase in the scale and density of human occupation across shoreline.
Impact of coastal erosion
Immediate Effects
a) Removal of small islands.
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b) Loss of beach sediments.

c) Destruction of existing habitats of shore flora and fauna.
d) Weakening and destruction of sea walls, revetments, bulkheads and other coastal defences.
e) Loss of agricultural land.
f) Deposition of sediment on productive lands.
g) Damage and destruction of jetties.
h) Damage and destruction of boat-launching facilities, septic tanks, water tanks, and building foundations.
i) Disruption of communications caused by collapse of seafront, bridge, road, and railway foundations.
Secondary Effects
a) Loss of income for those who are dependent on coastal areas.
b) Reduction of protection against future storms.
c) Creation of unstable cliff slopes.
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d) Pollution of beaches caused by broken sewer lines.

e) Silting and invasion of saline water behind breached defences.
f) Flooding of land areas behind breached defences.
g) Scarcity of drinking water
Mitigation measures
a) Offshore breakwaters to reduce the face of tidal surges before these reach the land.
b) Seawalls to reduce flooding inland; including the initial surges.
c) Construct concrete floodwalls to direct floodwaters away from populated areas.
d) Bulkheads, to-hold landfill in place.
e) Revetments, usually, large- stones, on relatively flat slopes to slowdown flooding.
f) The "Soft" Engineering Approach includes: Sand fills; Sand fences; Beach grasses and Salt marshes.
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g) The "passive" or non-structural approaches include using zoning regulations to limit -development.
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h) Using building codes to reduce damage from flooding and winds.
i) Afforestation programme with suitable species.
j) In all vulnerable coastal areas the Coastal Zone Management should be effectively introduced.
k) The traditional knowledge of the local people should be tapped and used for sustainable development.
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RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Rainwater Harvesting is a process involving collection and storage of rain water (with the help of artificially
designed system) that runs off natural or man-made catchment areas e.g. roof top, compounds, rock surface
or hill slopes or artificially repaired impervious/semi-pervious land surface
Advantages:
i. The cost of recharge to sub-surface reservoir is lower than surface reservoirs.
ii. The aquifer serves as a distribution system also.
iii. No land is wasted for storage purpose and no population displacement is involved.
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iv. Ground water is not directly exposed to evaporation and pollution.
v. Storing water under ground is environment friendly.
vi. It increases the productivity of aquifer.
vii. It reduces flood hazards.
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viii. Effects rise in ground water levels.
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ix. Mitigates effects of drought.

x. Reduces soil erosion.
Rain Water Harvesting Techniques:
There are two main techniques of rain water harvesting.
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1. Storage of rainwater on surface for future use.

2. Recharge to ground water.
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Urban Areas:
Roof top rain water/storm runoff harvesting through:
(i) Recharge Pit
(ii) Recharge Trench
(iii) Tubewell
(iv) Recharge Well
Rural Areas:
Rain water harvesting through:
(i) Gully Plug
(ii) Contour Bund
(iii) Dugwell Recharge
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(iv) Percolation Tank
(v) Check Dam/Cement Plug/Nala Bund
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(vi) Recharge Shaft
Examples of Traditional water harvesting system in India
Trans-Himalayan Region
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Zing -Tanks for collecting water from melted ice in Ladakh.

Western Himalayas
Kul -Water channels in mountain areas Jammu, Himachal Pradesh.
Naula -Small ponds in Uttaranchal.
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Eastern Himalayas
Apatani -Terraced plots connected by inlet and outlet channels in Arunachal Pradesh.
Northeastern Hill Ranges
Zabo -Impounding runoff in Nagaland
Bamboo drip irrigation - Water from streams in the hills is brought to the plains via bamboo pipes
for drip irrigation in Meghalaya
Brahmaputra Valley
Dongs -Ponds in Assam
Indo-Gangetic Plain
Dighis -Small square or circular reservoir fed by canals from rivers in Delhi
Thar Desert
Baoris / bers -Community wells in Rajasthan
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Tankas -Underground tank Bikaner in Rajasthan

Central Highlands
Johads -Earthen check dams in Alwar district, Rajasthan
Rain water harvesting not only provides the most sustainable and efficient way of water management but also
opens the vista of several other economic activities leading to Empowerment of people at grass root. For this
Government should come out with appropriate incentive structure and logistics support to make it a real
success.
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SWATCHH BHARAT CESS

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has been launched with the following objectives:
a) Totally eliminate open defecation.
b) Build pit latrines in all homes of those living below poverty line, with 80% cost subsidy.
c) Total eradication of manual scavenging.
d) Recycling and processing of solid waste into energy and other by-products like fertilizer.
e) Improve peoples awareness for proper sanitation and on the importance of personal hygiene.
Thus to ensure that Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is able to meet its stated goals, the government has decided to
introduce the Swachh Bharat Cess for raising funds.
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Swachh Bharat Cess will come into effect at the rate of 0.5% on all services, which are presently liable to
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service tax. The proceeds from this cess will be used for financing and promoting Swachh Bharat initiatives.
Swachh Bharat Cess will come into effect from 15th November 2015, at the rate of 0.5% on all services, which
are presently liable to service tax. This will translate into a tax of 50 paisa only on every one hundred rupees
worth of taxable services. The proceeds from this cess will be used for financing and promoting Swachh Bharat
initiatives.
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Proceeds of the SBC will be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India, and the Central Government may,
after due appropriation made by Parliament, utilize such sums of money for the purposes of financing and
promoting Swachh Bharat initiatives or for any other purpose relating thereto.
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INDIA DECLARED MATERNAL AND NEONATAL

TETANUS AND YAWS FREE BY WHO
India has been declared Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus and Yaws Free by WHO.
Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus
Tetanus occurs when a bacterium, Clostridium tetani, enters the body through an open wound or puncture.
A newborn can be infected with tetanus due to unhygienic birthing practices, such as cutting the umbilical
cord with unsterile instruments or treating it with contaminated dressings.
Mothers can also be infected with tetanus during unsafe or unsanitary delivery if there are unsanitary
conditions where the tetanus spores are present.
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Maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) is totally preventable through immunization and hygienic birth
practices.

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India has been declared Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Free by WHO. The elimination of MNT as a
public health problem means that the annual rate is less than 1 per 1000 live births.
Reasons are:
a) Access to immunization, antenatal care services and skilled birth attendance in the most vulnerable
populations the poor, the remote and isolated communities where hygienic obstetric, postnatal practices
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and other health services were suboptimal or not accessible.
b) India has re-energized national immunization programme and the special immunization weeks.
c) Mission Indradhanush, helped ensure that children and pregnant women are reached with vaccines.
d) The National Rural Health Mission promoted institutional deliveries with a focus on the poor.
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e) The Janani Suraksha Yojana encouraged women to give birth in a health facility.
However unlike smallpox and polio, tetanus cannot be eradicated as tetanus spores remain stubbornly present
in the environment worldwide. As the risk of tetanus persists, government need to continue efforts to ensure
that MNTE is maintained - women and children are immunized and clean deliveries and proper cord care
activities get a further boost.
Yaws
Yaws is a chronic disfiguring and debilitating childhood infectious disease caused byTreponema
pallidumsubspeciespertenue.
The disease affects skin, bone and cartilage.
The disease is found primarily in poor communities in warm, humid and tropical forest areas of Africa,
Asia, Latin America and the Pacific. The majority of affected populations live at the end of the road
and therefore have limited access to basic social amenities and health care. Poor socio-economic conditions
and personal hygiene (caused by a lack of water and soap for bathing and washing), scanty clothing, and
overcrowding facilitate the spread of yaws.
WHO declared India free of yaws in May 2016.
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The ministry plans to sustain the achievements by health system strengthening; high routine immunization
coverage and promotion of institutional/clean delivery/clean cord practices and effective surveillance system.
About WHO:
TheWorld Health Organization(WHO) is aspecialized agency of the United Nationsthat is concerned with
internationalpublic health. It was established on 7 April 1948, headquartered inGeneva, Switzerland.
Since its creation, it has played a leading role in theeradication of smallpox. Its current priorities
includecommunicable diseases, in particularHIV/AIDS,Ebola,malariaandtuberculosis; the mitigation of the
effects of non-communicable diseases; sexual and reproductive health, development, and aging; nutrition, food
security and healthy eating; occupational health; substance abuse; and driving the development of reporting,
publications, and networking.
The WHO is responsible for theWorld Health Report, a leading international publication on health, the
worldwide World Health Survey, andWorld Health Day(7 April of every year).
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LAW COMMISSION OF INDIA

The Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body constituted by the Government of lndia from time to
time. The Commission was originally constituted in 1955. Since then the Commission is reconstituted every
three years and is usually headed by a retired Supreme Court judge or former Chief Justice of a high court.
The 21st Law Commission has been formed which will consist of a full-time Chairperson, four full-time
Members (including a Member-Secretary), Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs as ex-officio Member,
Secretary, Legislative Department as ex-officio Member and not more than five part-time Members.
It has been formed for the period of three years w.e.f. 1st September. 2015 to 31st August, 2018.
The Law Commission shall, on a reference made to it by the Central Government or suo-motu, undertake
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research in law and review of existing laws in India for making reforms therein and enacting new legislations.
It shall also undertake studies and research for bringing reforms in the justice delivery systems for elimination
of delay in procedures, speedy disposal of cases, reduction in cost of litigation etc. The other functions of the
Law Commission shall, inter-alia, include:
OR
Identification of laws which are no longer relevant and recommending for the repeal of obsolete and
unnecessary enactments;
Suggesting enactment of new legislations as may be necessary to implement the directive principles and
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to attain the objectives set out in the preamble of the constitution;
Considering and conveying to the government its views on any subject relating to law and judicial
administration that may be specifically referred to it by the government through ministry of law and
justice (department of legal affairs);
Considering the requests for providing research to any foreign countries as may be referred to it by the
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government through ministry of law & justice (department of legal affairs);

Preparing and submitting to the central government, from time to time, reports on all issues, matters,
studies and research undertaken by it and recommending in such reports for effective measures to be taken
by the union or any state; and
Performing such other functions as may be assigned to it by the central government from time to time.
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PAY COMMISSION OF INDIA

Pay Commissionis set up intermittently byGovernment of India, and gives its recommendations regarding
changes in salary structure of its employees.
Pay Commission
(a) Examine, review, evolve and recommend changes that are desirable and feasible regarding the principles
that should govern the emoluments structure including pay, allowances and other facilities/benefits, in
cash or kind, having regard to rationalization and simplification therein as well as the specialized needs of
various Departments, agencies and services, in respect of the following categories of employees:
(i) Central Government employeesindustrial and non-industrial;
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(ii) Personnel belonging to the All India Services;
(iii) Personnel of the Union Territories;
OR
(iv) Officers and employees of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department;
(v) Members of the regulatory bodies (excluding the RBI) set up under the Acts of Parliament; and
(vi) Officers and employees of the Supreme Court
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7th Pay Commission recommendations

In relation to an employee, the Commission proposed to increase (i) the minimum salary to Rs 18,000
per month, and (ii) the maximum salary to Rs 2,50,000 per month.
It also recommended moving away from the existing system of pay bands and grade pay, which is used
to determine an employees salary. Instead, it proposed a new pay matrix which will take into account
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the hierarchy of employees, and their pay progression during the course of employment.
The Commission also suggested that this matrix should be reviewed periodically, with a frequency of less
than 10 years.
The Pay Commission also suggested a linkage between performance and remuneration of an employee.
For this, it proposed the introduction of performance related pay which will be based on an annual
appraisal of the employee.
In addition, it recommended that annual increments of an employee should be withheld, if he is unable
to meet the benchmark required for regular promotion or career progression.
The Commission also sought to abolish or merge some of the allowances that may be given to employees
by various government departments. It suggested that, of the 196 allowances that exist, 52 should be
abolished and 36 should either be merged under existing heads, or be included under proposed allowances.
Some of these allowances involved payment of a meagre amount of close to Rs 100 per month.
In addition, the rates of House Rent Allowance (HRA) were revised. The Commission proposed a
methodology to increase the HRA rates every time the Dearness Allowance given to employees increased
to 50% or 100%. Dearness Allowance is given to employees in lieu of increases in the cost of living, on
account of inflation.
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The Commission had also proposed a new methodology for computing pension for pensioners who retired
before January 1, 2016. This is aimed at bringing parity between past and current pensioners. As part
of the new methodology, two options for calculation of pension have been prescribed, and the pensioner
may opt for either one.
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LINGUISTIC MINORITIES
Most of the States have a dominant language which is spoken by majority of the people which is called as
regional language. All those who do not speak the Regional Language belong to linguistic minorities.
Three different kinds of linguistic minorities could be identified in India and they are:
Linguistic minorities
Linguistic minorities with tribal affiliation
Linguistic minorities with religious affiliation
About 36.3 million of Indias 1.2 billion strong population (Census 2011) speak an absolute minority language,
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a language which in every of Indias 28 States forms a minority. Most of those languages are Adivasi languages.
Safeguards for Linguistic Minorities are:
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Translation and publication of important rules, regulations, notices, etc., into all languages, which are
spoken by at least 15% of the total population at district or sub-district level.
Declaration of minority languages as second official language in districts where persons speaking such
languages constitute 60% or more of the population.
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Receipt of, and reply to, representations in minority languages; scheme of safeguards.
Instruction through mother tongues/ minority languages at the Primary stage of education.
Instruction through minority languages at the Secondary stage of education.
Advance registration of linguistic preference of linguistic minority pupils, and inter-school adjustments.
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Provision for text books and teachers in minority languages; scheme of safeguards.
Implementation of Three-language Formula.
No insistence upon knowledge of States Official Language at the time of recruitment. Test of proficiency
in the States Official Language to be held before completion of probation.
Issue of Pamphlets in minority languages detailing safeguards available to linguistic minorities.
Setting up of proper machinery at the State and district levels.
The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore, a subordinate office of the Ministry of Human
Resource Development is implementing a scheme for preservation and protection of languages spoken by less
than 10000 people. Under the scheme, grammatical descriptions, monolingual and bilingual dictionaries, language
primers, anthologies of folklore, encyclopedias, etc of all the endangered languages / mother tongues, especially
those spoken by less than 10000 persons are prepared.
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GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION
A geographical indication (GI) is a sign that identifies a product as originating from a particular location which
gives that product a special quality or reputation or other characteristic.
Under the Geographical Indications Act, it is not necessary to file an application to protect the GI.
A GI is distinct from a trade mark.A GI informs consumers that a product comes from a certain place and
has special qualities due to that place of origin, while a trade mark is used to distinguish a business goods or
services from those of its competitors.A GI may be used by all producers or traders whose products originate
from that place and which share typical characteristics, while a trade mark gives its owners the right to prevent
others from using the trade mark.
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A geographical indication right enables those who have the right to use the indication to prevent its use by a
third party whose product does not conform to the applicable standards. For example, in the jurisdictions in
OR
which the Darjeeling geographical indication is protected, producers of Darjeeling tea can exclude use of the
term Darjeeling for tea not grown in their tea gardens or not produced according to the standards set out
in the code of practice for the geographical indication.
However, a protected geographical indication does not enable the holder to prevent someone from making a
product using the same techniques as those set out in the standards for that indication. Protection for a
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geographical indication is usually obtained by acquiring a right over the sign that constitutes the indication.
Geographical indications are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts,
and industrial products.
The famous goods which carry this tag include Basmati rice, Darjeeling Tea, Chanderi Fabric, Mysore Silk,
Kullu Shawl, Kangra Tea, Thanjavur Paintings, Allahabad Surkha, Farrukhabad Prints, Lucknow Zardozi and
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Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving.

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UNESCO CREATIVE CITIES NETWORK

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among
cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.
By joining the Network, cities commit to sharing their best practices and developing partnerships involving the
public and private sectors as well as civil society in order to:
Strengthen the creation, production, distribution and dissemination of cultural activities, goods and services;
Develop hubs of creativity and innovation and broaden opportunities for creators and professionals in the
cultural sector;
Improve access to and participation in cultural life, in particular for marginalized or vulnerable groups and
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individuals;
Fully integrate culture and creativity into sustainable development plans.
OR
The Network covers seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Arts, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy,
Literature and Music.
The Creative Cities Network is a privileged partner of UNESCO, not only as a platform for reflection on the
role of creativity as a lever for sustainable development but also as a breeding ground of action and innovation,
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notably for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Two Indian cities for first time have been designated as members of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network
(UCCN).
1. Varanasi City (Uttar Pradesh): It has been added in the City of Music category of network and
2. Jaipur City (Rajasthan): It has been added in the City of Crafts and Folk Art category of network.
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WHAT IS DEFAMATION?
Introduction
The term "defamation" is an all-encompassing term that covers any statement that hurts someone's
reputation.
In India, defamation can both be a civil wrong or a criminal offence.
The difference between the two lies in the objects they seek to achieve. While a civil wrong tends to
provide for a redressal of wrongs by awarding compensation, a criminal law seeks to punish a wrongdoer
and send a message to others not to commit such acts.
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In Indian laws, criminal defamation has been specifically defined as an offence under the Indian Penal Code
(IPC) whereas the civil defamation is based on tort law - an area of law which does not rely on statutes to
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define wrongs but takes from ever-increasing body of case laws to define what would constitute a wrong.
Moreover, in a criminal case, defamation has to be established beyond reasonable doubt but in a civil
defamation suit, damages can be awarded based on probabilities.
Section 499 of the IPC defines what amounts to criminal defamation and few subsequent provisions
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specify what the punishment for having committed defamation would be.
Section 499 states defamation could be through words - spoken or intended to be read, through signs, and
also through visible representations. These can either be published or spoken about a person with the
intention of damaging reputation of that person, or with the knowledge or reason to believe that the
imputation will harm his reputation.
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Section 500 stipulates an imprisonment of up to two years, with or without fine, for someone held guilty
of criminal defamation. However, criminal defamation is a compoundable offence and parties can seek
a closure of the case by reaching a compromise.
Views of the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court said that the right to free speech cannot be used to undermine an individual's right
to dignity and reputation cannot be sullied solely because another individual can have his freedom.
Protection of reputation is a fundamental right. It is also a human right. Cumulatively, it serves the social
interestit is not a restriction that has an inevitable consequence which impairs circulation of thought and
ideas.
The reputation of a person - a basic element under Article 21 - could not be allowed to be crucified at
the altar of the other's right of free speech. Right to freedom of speech and expression is not absolute.
It is subject to imposition of reasonable restrictions.
Reasonable restriction "means that the limitation imposed on a person in enjoyment of the right should
not be arbitrary or of an excessive nature beyond what is required in the interests of the public." In other
words, the restriction must be narrow and restrict only what is necessary and should not be arbitrary or
excessive. If the restriction is too broad, it will have a "chilling effect on speech" which will make it
unconstitutional.
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The Supreme Court has maintained the constitutional validity of Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal
Code, reading the right to reputation as a part of the right to life assured to citizens under Article 21 of
the Constitution.
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THE RIGHTS OF TRANSGENDER PERSONS BILL

Introduction
The definition of transgender includes: one who is partly female or male; or a combination of female and
male; or neither female nor male. In addition, the person's gender must not match the gender assigned
at birth, and includes trans-men, trans-women, persons with intersex variations and gender-queers
According to the 2011 Census, India has 6 lakh people belonging to the transgender community.
The main problems that are being faced by the transgender community are of discrimination, unemployment,
lack of educational facilities, homelessness, lack of medical facilities like HIV care and hygiene, depression,
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hormone pill abuse, tobacco and alcohol abuse, penectomy and problems related to marriage and adoption.
Thus the government of India has launched Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014.

OR
The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014 calls for equal rights and reservation to transgenders and
envisages creation of a national commission and state level commissions for transgender communities.
Key features of the Bill
a) Seeks to provide framework for the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive national policy
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for ensuring overall development of the transgender persons and their welfare.
b) Two percent reservation in primary, secondary and higher education and in government jobs.
c) Establishment of Employment Exchange, National and State Commissions for Trasngender Persons and
Special Transgender Rights Courts.
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d) No child who is transgender will be separated from his or her parents on the grounds of being a transgender
except on an order of competent court.
e) Penalty for hate speech against transgender persons includes imprisonment extending upto one year and
with fine.
f) This bill will help government take necessary steps in order to ensure that transgender persons enjoy the
right to life with dignity and to personal liberty guaranteed by the Constitution.
After the passage of the Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014 in the Rajya Sabha, the government pushed
for a heavily diluted legislation called as Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 which is still
pending with the Lok Sabha.
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THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH

DISABILITIES ACT 2016
Introduction
The definition of disability as provided by the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
states that Persons with Disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments
which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis
with others.
Salient features of the Bill
Disability has been defined based on an evolving and dynamic concept.
The types of disabilities have been increased from existing 7 to 21. It includes Speech and Language
Disability, Specific Learning Disability, Acid Attack Victims, Dwarfism, muscular dystrophy. It also included
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three blood disorders: Thalassemia, Hemophilia and Sickle Cell disease have been added for the first time.
It seeks reservation in vacancies in government establishments has been increased from 3% to 4% for
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certain persons or class of persons with benchmark disability. In addition benefits such as reservation in
higher education, government jobs, reservation in allocation of land, poverty alleviation schemes etc. have
been provided for disabilities.
The bill claimed that every child with benchmark disability between the age group of 6 and 18 years shall
have the right to free education. The government will fund educational institutions as well as the government
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recognized institutions to provide inclusive education to the children with reasonable accommodation to
disables.
Special Courts will be designated in each district to handle cases concerning violation of rights of PwDs.
The Bill provides for penalties for offences(imprisonment of 6 months to 2 years along with fine of 10000
to 5 lakh) committed against persons with disabilities and also violation of the provisions of the new law.
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The bill provides power to government to notify additional disabilities, a clear recognition of the need to
factor in conditions that may arise as a result of an ageing population, an inevitable part of the demographic
transition.
The new law will not only enhance the Rights and Entitlements of Divyang-Jan but also provide effective
mechanism for ensuring their empowerment and true inclusion into the Society in a satisfactory manner.
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AADHAR AND ITS BENEFITS

It is a 12 digit individual identification number issued by UIDAI (Unique identification authority of India)
on behalf of Government of India
It will serve as identity and address proof anywhere in India.
It is available in 2 forms, physical and electronic form i.e. (e-Aadhaar).
Any resident (a person who has resided in India for 182 days, in the one year preceding the date of
application for enrollment for Aadhaar) of India irrespective of age, sex, class can avail it.
The UID authority will authenticate the Aadhaar number of an individual, if an entity makes such a
request. A requesting entity (an agency or person that wants to authenticate information of a person) has
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to obtain the consent of an individual before collecting his information.
Benefits of Aadhar
A. Individual:

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Easy hassle free access to services (banking, LPG, phone number, etc).
Migrants: Provides identification to large number of migrant labors to avail services.
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Financial inclusion: The identification enables easy opening of bank account leading to financial inclusion
of rural folks and ease of operations for banks through Banking Correspondent.
B. Administrative:
Online cost effective verification of beneficiaries leads to Good Governance (minimum government
maximum Governance).
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Unique and robust platform to check duplication and ghost cards.

Subsidy costs can be hugely reduced by cutting down intermediaries and eliminating ghost cards.
C. Reduction in fake identity:
As only one identity card is provided to a person (linked to individual biometrics), there is incentive to
be genuine.
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NATIONAL STUDENT STARTUP POLICY,

2016 (NSSP)
Introduction
The policy aims to create 100,000 technology based student start-ups and a millionemployment
opportunities within the next 10 years (2025).
The policy plans onachieving this by developing an ideal entrepreneurial ecosystem and promotingstrong
inter-institutional partnerships among technical institutions.
The policy highlights the areas and domains tobe used, as necessary, for re-orientation in academic
curriculum as well aspedagogy to fulfil the needs of start-ups.
It emphasizes the much-desired need for an appropriate startup policy to propel the youth of India
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through and beyond the 21st century.
Aims and Objectives
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It will prepare students to gain benefits from GoIs Start-up India programme.
Guiding and grooming students to take up entrepreneurial careers andsuccessfully launch their start-ups.
Motivate students to convert their Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and projects into viable B-plans.
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To create a common virtual platform and ask institutions to submit students projects on this platform
to make the project nationwide.
To inculcate social responsive behaviours among students aspiring to launch start-ups.
To offer students, from rural regions of India, training in business opportunity identification in their local
areas.
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To orient students as to how they can conceptualize social business start-ups that will address social
issues.
The mentoring and handholdingprocesses of student start-ups are also covered in the policy. A Startup
Implementation Committee is already constituted by the Council under the Chairmanship of Shri.Sanjay
Inamdar.
To equip students with the necessary skills for managing their business enterprise.
Salient features of the policy
The formulated policy has outlined the role of the AICTE, TBI and academic institutions in creating
student entrepreneurs all along implementing the governments initiative the Start-up India.
According to the policy, the curriculum pattern followed by these institutions would include 40 per cent
skills based courses, 30 per cent knowledge related courses and 30 per cent attitude related courses
a) Courses on Basic Business Management will orient students with the fundamentals of business and other
related areas.
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The new policy has made a provision to set up a fund to support start-upeventsand fest that would be
organized at national and international levels.An amount of Rs. 10,000 crore will be invested through the
venture funds registered with SEBI and interested to support student startups.
a) Seed Fund for Student Start-up: Private, institute specific funds shall be encouraged to set up operations
in the academic institutions and for funding start-ups.
b) Student Start-up Infrastructure Fund (SSIF): A Student Start-up Infrastructure Fund with an initial
annual outflow of INR 20 crores shall be set up to support start-ups in academic institutions
This policy will also support Technology Business Incubators (TBI) in creating new number of student
startups and entrepreneurs pan India.
A national level acceleration programme could be designed to benefit students of AICTE approved/
affiliated Institutions. Through this programme, 50 selected start-ups may get Angel Funds of up-to 25
Lakhs annually. Private investors may also be used.
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The policy shall be governed by the National Resource Institution selected by AICTE, MHRD, New
Delhi and will be implemented by the Regional Hubs among the AICTE Approved Institutions. 10.5.1
There will be 4 Regional Hubs to monitor the activities across the country.

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To develop hard and soft infrastructure like testing labs, IT labs,toolsroom, design studios, data set,
laboratories, video-conferencing facilities and research and analysis labs in the academic institutes, an
initial annual outflow of Rs. 20 crore will be provided to help student start-ups in institute
Idea Lab to Nations Idea Lab: A Business Idea Lab should be set up at every campus to pool the
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business ideas of students, test their feasibility and compile and file the IPR.
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PESA, 1996
Introduction
The Provision of the Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 popularly known as PESA
was enacted to bring the Scheduled Areas in nine States of the country under the purview of national
framework of Panchayat.
Salient feature of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA)
Legislation on Panchayats shall be in conformity with the customary law, social and religious practices and
traditional management practices of community resources
Habitation or a group of habitations or a hamlet or a group of hamlets comprising a community and
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managing its affairs in accordance with traditions and customs; and shall have a separate Gram Sabha.
Every Gram Sabha to safeguard and preserve the traditions and customs of people, their cultural identity,
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community resources and the customary mode of dispute resolution.
The Gram Sabhas have roles and responsibilities in approving all development works in the village, identify
beneficiaries, issue certificates of utilization of funds
Gram Sabhas or Panchayats at appropriate level shall also have
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Powers to manage minor water bodies

Power of mandatory consultation in matters of land acquisition;
Powers to control institutions and functionaries in all social sectors and local plans.
Resettlement and rehabilitation and prospecting licenses/mining leases for minor minerals
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Power to prevent alienation of land and restore alienated land

Regulate and restrict sale/consumption of liquor
Manage village markets, control money lending to STs and
Ownership of minor forest produce.
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CONCEPT OF GOOD SAMARITANS

Introduction
Good Samaritans is a person who gratuitously gives help or sympathy to those in distress.
According to the Law Commission of India, 50% of those killed in road accidents could have been saved
had timely assistance been rendered to them.
Hence the Supreme Court had directed, all the states to follow the centres guidelines issued by Ministry
of Road Transport and Highways ( MoRTH) on helping accident victims for protection of Good
Samaritans that encouraged witnesses in road accidents to report the police and also help survivors with
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medical treatment.
Guidelines lay down for the Good Samaritans:

gender, religion, nationality and cast.
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The Good Samaritans will be treated respectfully and without any discrimination on the ground of the
Any individual, except an eyewitness, who calls the police to inform of an accidental injury or death, need
not reveal his or her personal details such as, full name, address, or the phone number.
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The police will not compel the Good Samaritans to disclose his/her name identity, address and other such
details in the police record form or log register and in procuring information or anything else.
The police will allow the Good Samaritans to leave after having provided the information available to him
or her, and no further questions will be asked of him or her if he or she does not desire to be a witness.
Guidelines if Good Samaritans agree to become witness:
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He/she will be examine with almost care and respect.

The examination will conducted at a time place of the Good Samaritans convenience and the investigation
officer will be dressed in the plain clothes.
If the Good Samaritans required by the investigation officer to visit the police station, the reason for the
requirement shall be covered by the officer in writing.
In a police station a Good Samaritans will be examined in a single examination in a reasonable time-bound
manner, without causing any undue delay.
If a Good Samaritans declared himself to be an eyewitness, she/he will allow giving her/his evidence in
the form of affidavit.
The Higher Rank holder of police that is, Superintendent or Deputy Commissioner of police is responsible
to enquire in this procedure.
Video conferencing may be used extensively during examination of Good Samaritans in order to prevent
harassment and inconvenience to Good Samaritans.
All registered public and private hospitals are not to detain Good Samaritans or demand payment for
registration and admission cost unless he/she is the family member or the relative of the injured.
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All hospitals shall publish a charter in Hindi, English and the vernacular of the state or the Union Territory.
A letter containing these guidelines shall be issued by the central and state government to all hospitals and
institute under their jurisdiction, shall publish advertisement in all national and one regional newspaper
including electronic media and the print media for spreading awareness amongst society and resulted in
to give encouragement to more Good Samaritans.
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BLIZZARDS
Introduction
A blizzard is defined as a snowstorm in which air temperatures are low (generally less than -10C) and
winds of at least 30 knots (55.6 km/hr) blow falling snow or that, which has already fallen, such that
visibility does not exceed 200 m. It lasts for a prolonged period of time typically three hours or more.
It results from interrelationships among snowfall, temperature, wind and patterns of human activity.
These winds combine with snow and blowing snow to produce extreme conditions.
The difference between a blizzard and a snowstorm is the strength of the wind, not the amount of snow.
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While severe cold and large amounts of drifting snow may accompany blizzards, they are not required.

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Blizzard conditions of cold temperatures and strong winds can cause wind chill values that can result in
hypothermia or frostbite. The wind chill factor is the amount of cooling the human body feels due to the
combination of wind and temperature.
Types of Blizzards
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1. Snowstorm-Type Blizzard
A traditional blizzard is, for all intents and purposes, a snowstorm. This means that a blizzard will
often include heavy snow and below-freezing temperatures. What makes a blizzard different than a
snowstorm is that, unlike snowstorms, a blizzard must have high winds of at least 35mph, or 56 km/
h. Additionally, a blizzard must reduce visibility to no more than 1,300 feet for extended periods of
time.
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2. Ground Blizzard
Ground blizzards are different from traditional blizzards in that they do not dump any kind of
significant snowfall. Instead a ground blizzard occurs when high winds blow snow that has already
fallen. There are three main types of ground blizzards: horizontal advection, which has wind blowing
horizontally across the Earths surface, picking up snow and blowing it; vertical advection, in which
there is an upward draft with the wind, blowing the snow high into the atmosphere to create waves
hundreds of feet in height; and thermal-mechanical, which is essentially a combination of the previous
two. While the latter is rare, it can bury a two-story house and be seen from space.
3. Lake-Effect Blizzard
Lake-effect blizzards, seen most commonly along the shorelines of larger lakes such as the Great
Lakes Region of North America, are the products of lake-effect snow combined with high winds.
Lake-effect blizzards are relatively rare due to how lake-effect snow is formed. When cold winter
winds blow across the warmer lake water, the winds lift the water vapor into the air and this is
dumped along the shoreline. Because lake-effect snow doesnt often rise when the winds blow too fast,
lake-effect blizzards are rare events.
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CLOUD BURSTS
What is cloud burst?
The cloudburst is a localized weather phenomena representing highly concentrated rainfall over a small
area lasting for few hours. This leads to flash floods/ landslides, house collapse, dislocation of traffic and
human casualties on large scale.
Meteorologists say the rain from a cloudburst is usually of the shower type with a fall rate equal to or
greater than 100 mm (4.94 inches) per hour.
Impact of Cloudburst
It cause flood, Huge distraction, destroy vegetation and loss to human life.
E
How does it form?
OR
Generally cloudbursts are associated with thunderstorms. The air currents rushing upwards in a rainstorm
hold up a large amount of water. If these currents suddenly cease, the entire amount of water descends
on to a small area with catastrophic force all of a sudden and causes mass destruction. This is due to a
rapid condensation of the clouds. They occur most often in desert and mountainous regions, and in interior
regions of continental landmasses.
SC
Prone areas
They occur most often in desert and mountainous regions, and in interior regions of continental landmasses.
The topographical conditions like steep hills favour the formation of these clouds in the mountainous
regions. And also the devastations, as water flowing down the steep slopes bring debris, boulders and
uprooted trees with great velocity damaging any structure that comes in their way.
GS
The Chhotanagpur plateau spread across north Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand is the worlds most
vulnerable spot for formation of severest thunderstorms.
Cloudburst can occur not only in the monsoon seasons but also during March to May which is known
for severe convective weather activities.
Examples of cloudburst
2010 Ladakh Floods: A major cloudburst and heavy rainfall on the intervening night of August 6, 2010
triggered mudslides, flash floods and debris flow in Jammu and Kashmirs Ladakh. 71 towns and villages
in Leh were affected in the region and at least 255 people died.
2013 Uttarakhand Floods: The multi-day cloudburst in the hill state of Uttarakhand triggered flash floods
and massive landslides.
Prediction
The large scale features, which are conducive for occurrence of severe thunderstorms associated with
cloudburst, are predictable two to three days in advance. However, the specific location and time of cloud
burst can be predicted in NOWCAST mode only, i.e. a few hours in advance, when the genesis of
Notes
38
www.iasscore.in
thunderstorm has already commenced. To detect these sudden developments, a Doppler Weather Radar
(DWR), a powerful tool for time and location specific prediction of cloudburst, can be deployed a few
hours in advance. Coupled with satellite imagery this can prove to be useful inputs for extrapolation of
cloudbursts anywhere in India.
E
OR
SC
GS
Notes
39
MENTAL HEALTH POLICY

Introduction
Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential,
can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a
contribution to her or his community.
The National Mental Health Policy is based, inter-alia, on the values and principles of equity, justice,
integrated and evidence based care, quality, participatory and holistic approach to mental health.
It enlists the comprehensive list of vulnerable groups, which include the poor (who are linked with mental
illnesses in a negative vicious cycle), the homeless (who have no provision for care and support),
persons in custodial institutions (who face a deprivation of personal liberty), orphans, children, the
E
elderly and people affected by emergencies and various natural or man-made disasters.
Its goals and objectives include the following
OR
to reduce distress, disability, exclusion, morbidity and premature mortality associated with mental health
problems across life-span of a person,
to enhance understanding of mental health in the country,
SC
to provide universal access to mental health care,

to increase access to mental health services for vulnerable groups,
to reduce risk and incidence of suicide and attempted suicide,
to ensure respect for rights and protection from harm of persons with mental health problems, and reduce
stigma associated with mental health problems
GS
to enhance availability and distribution of skilled human resources for mental health.
Other Key dimensions
It also recognizes the fact that mental health is linked to many other aspects of life, and thus recommends
allocation of funds not just to the governments health department but also to other sectors such as social
welfare, school education and women and child development.
In addition to the treatment of mental illnesses, the policy also stresses the need to prevent such problems
and promote mental health. It places the onus of such promotion on early childhood care itself, by
targeting anganwadi centres for children below six years of age.
The policy aims to train anganwadi workers and school teachers to help parents and care-givers understand
the physical and emotional needs of children to facilitate and affirmative and positive environment for
their growth. It also proposes teaching mandatory life skills education in schools and colleges that, among
other things, includes discussions on issues of gender and social exclusion.
To bring down rates of suicide in India, the policy talks of setting up crisis intervention centres, training
community leaders to recognise risk factors, restricting access to means of suicide and also framing
guidelines for responsible media reporting of the issue.
Notes
40
HIMANSH
Introduction
Himalayan region has the largest concentration of glaciers outside the polar caps, as this region is aptly
called the Water Tower of Asiais the source of the 10 major river systems that provide irrigation,
power and drinking water for over 700 million people live in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh nearly 10%
of the worlds population.Understanding the behavior of these glaciers and their contribution to the
sustainable supply of water for mankind and agriculture is one of the grand challenges of Indian scientific
community.
Thus the Ministry of Earth Sciences hasestablished a high altitude research station in Himalaya called
E
HIMANSH (literally meaning, a slice of ice), situated above 13,500 ft (> 4000 m) at a remote region in
Spiti, Himachal Pradesh.
What are key objectives of HIMANSH?
OR
The research lab, established by the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), has
automatic weather stations, ground penetrating radars, geodetic GPS systems and other sophisticated
facilities to study glaciers and their discharge.
SC
The facility will serve as the base for Terrestrial Laser Scanners and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to digitize
glacier movements and snow cover variations, said a communication from the NACOR.
Further, the researchers would be using this as a base for undertaking surveys using Terrestrial Laser
Scanners (TLS) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) that would digitize the glacier motion and snow
cover variations with exceptional precision.
GS
Notes
41

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1. Adaptations Made for Survival Intundra Biome

ADAPTATIONS MADE FOR SURVIVAL IN

NATIONAL ANTHEM - CODE OF CONDUCT

Civil and Military investitures;

CRIME AND CRIMINAL TRACKING

Assist senior Police Officers in better management of Police Force.

NATIONAL AYUSH MISSION

and development of infrastructure for entrepreneurs.

ADAPTATIONS MADE FOR SURVIVAL IN

28 Members. The term of office of Members is for a period of 3 years.

UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK

GANGA GRAM YOJANA

b) Loss of beach sediments.

d) Pollution of beaches caused by broken sewer lines.

RAIN WATER HARVESTING

ix. Mitigates effects of drought.

1. Storage of rainwater on surface for future use.

Zing -Tanks for collecting water from melted ice in Ladakh.

Tankas -Underground tank Bikaner in Rajasthan

SWATCHH BHARAT CESS

INDIA DECLARED MATERNAL AND NEONATAL

LAW COMMISSION OF INDIA

government through ministry of law & justice (department of legal affairs);

PAY COMMISSION OF INDIA

7th Pay Commission recommendations

Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving.

UNESCO CREATIVE CITIES NETWORK

THE RIGHTS OF TRANSGENDER PERSONS BILL

THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH

AADHAR AND ITS BENEFITS

Unique and robust platform to check duplication and ghost cards.

NATIONAL STUDENT STARTUP POLICY,

Powers to manage minor water bodies

Power to prevent alienation of land and restore alienated land

CONCEPT OF GOOD SAMARITANS

He/she will be examine with almost care and respect.

MENTAL HEALTH POLICY

to provide universal access to mental health care,

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