Free Magazine For UPSC/IAS/PCS Exams - UPSC IQ

Table of Content
A). Topper’s Talk 9. World's Bank's "a glass half full report” 55
10. Sikkim Becomes World's First Organic 56
B). Policy and Governance State
11. Problem with Mudra Loans, Rising NPA 58
1. What is PM-AASHA ? 7 12. Challenges In Metro Rail Planning 59
2. Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana. 8 13. Mariculture Policy (Draft) of India: 60
3. BCCI is now covered under the RTI Act 9 14. Infusing liquidity through OMOS 61
4. Concerns around Corporate governance 10 E). Environment
5. Electricity Amendment Bill. 11
6. Food Security Scheme of Odisha. 12 1. IPCC Report On Global Warming 62
7. Google to help the Election Commission 2. Construction and Demolition Waste 63
in 2019 13 Management
8. Section 377 14 3. Arunachal Mega Dam Controversy 64
9. 27 Crore people out of poverty in India in 4. Windmill Pose Threat to Wildlife 65
the last 10 years 16 F). Science and Technology
10. Oxfam World Inequality Index. 17
11. Choice Based Approach in PDS. 18 1. 1st Ethics Code On A.I. 66
12. The Criminalization of Politics Supreme 2. China To Launch Own Moon 67
Court Verdict 19 3. Digi Yatra initiative 68
13. Status of Poverty in India according to 4. H1NI Virus 69
latest report 20 5. ISRO Launched Two British Satellites 70
14. Sabarimala Temple Verdict by Supreme Court 6. Electric Vehicles: Jharkhand Modl 71
21 7. India's First Missile Tracking Ship 72
15. SC/ST Promotion Supreme Court Verdict 23 8. Mission to Mercury 73
16. Status of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan or SBA in 9. Discovery Of Two New Planets 74
Rajasthan 25 10. India's First Anti-Nuclear Medical Kt 75
C). International Relations 11. ISRO Mystery Case 76
G). Disasters 79
1. 7 Rohingya deported to Myanmar 26
2. AGARTALA-AKHAURA Rlwy Project 27 H). Miscellaneous 83
3. U.S Sanctions on Chinese Military 28
4. INDO-BANGLA Pipeline Project 29 I). UPSC Prelims Capsule 87
5. India-Russia New Defence Deal 30
6. VLADIMIR PUTIN Visit In India 31 J). Practice UPSC Mains Writing 96
7. Why China Heavily Investing In Africa? 32
8. World's Longest Sea Bridge 34
9. India and China to Sign Internal Security 35
Cooperation Agreement
10. US Federal Reserve Hikes Interest Rate 36
11. Why Is Iran Important To India 37
12. India-Japan First Ever Joint Military 38
13. Maldives Election Good News for India 39
14. CHAGOS ARCHIPELAGO Controversy 40
15. NAFTA-USMCA 42
16. RCEP 43
17. India Wins Election to UNHRC with Highest
Votes 44
18. Why is Uzbekistan Important for India 45
D). Economy
1. Revival of Air India by GOI 46

2. Bank Merger of Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank
and Vijaya Bank 47
3. Banning Import of Pet Coke 49
4. India China Bullet Train Plan- BCIM 50
Economic Corridor
5. Constitutional Validity of compensation law
under GST 51
6. Increase in customs duty and Impact 52
7. Internationalization of Indian Rupee 53
8. What Are Unicorn Start-Ups 54

So please dedicate enough time to it, whether you are
A. Topper’s Talk 6.
giving a mock test or the actual exam.
Many aspirants commit one fundamental mistake:
they read and revise, over and over, but never
How to conquer GS in UPSC practiced. Remember that the examiner checking
your copy will have no idea about the number of
Mains, Explained: books you’ve read or the number of hours you’ve
slogged. Your answers are all that he has to judge
By Anudeep Durishetty – RANK 1 ,UPSC CSE 2017 you. So it makes sense to learn it, practice it and
perfect it.
With 1000 marks spanning across four papers in Mains, GS 7. Mains exam demands not only our memory and
feels like one giant, insurmountable mountain. The point of intelligence, but also endurance. If you lack prior
this article is to convince you that those fears are unfounded. practice, writing relentlessly for 6 hours a day and do
this for 5 days will cause both mental and physical
I’ve written this post assuming someone who had already fatigue. The only way to overcome it is to practice
read the foundational books for GS Prelims. If you haven’t enough before the final exam.
read them as yet, you should first read my post on GS 8. General Studies demand only a peripheral
Prelims. At the end of this article, I embedded download understanding of an expansive set of topics. So it’s
links to my complete GS notes and answer copies. There I important that you try to gain minimum sufficient
had marked two particular answer booklets that accurately knowledge over a diverse set of subjects rather than
represent my writing style in Mains. I hope aspirants who obsessively focussing on one topic. For instance, it
are struggling with answer writing find them useful. I had doesn’t make sense to read World History for three
also written previously about my UPSC journey here and on months at the expense of all other subjects. Always
how to prepare for the Essay in this post. maintain that fine balance between all the topics and
don’t get imprisoned in one.
Marksheet 9. In GS, there will be very few questions where you
will have absolutely no clue. Even if you only have a
vague idea, write those generic points. For instance,
in last year’s GS-1 paper, for the question on the
Malay peninsula, I knew no specific fact, except a
vague idea that Singapore had a partial story similar
to India. So I just wrote a generic answer comprising
of problems such as ethnic strife, insurgency, and
economic collapse. The examiner checking my copy
might have given 2-3 marks for it, which I am sure
any aspirant would gladly take.
10. You must develop the skill to speed read a committee
or an organisation’s report on your computer (reading
online saves you a lot of time) and highlight
important lines as you read along. In the second
reading, this highlighted portion is what you need to
revise. It should look something like this.
11. In GS papers, map of India is your most effective tool
for illustration. For example, I drew India maps and
labelled relevant parts for questions on river linkage
As you start reading the books I mention here for GS mains,
(GS-3), North-East insurgency (GS-3), Inland
please keep the following points in mind:
navigation (GS-1), India’s 18th-century fragmented
polity (GS-1) etc. Practise it enough so that you are
1. Along with these books, get a printout of the syllabus
able to draw and label it under 60 seconds.
and read it carefully. Your final aim must be: for each
12. If you are taking a test series, please give those tests
topic mentioned in the syllabus, you should have
with all the seriousness of the final UPSC exam. In
enough content to write a 250-word answer.
the mock test, if you take 10-15 additional minutes to
2. Go through the past five years’ question papers to
finish the paper, you are cheating no one except
understand the breadth and depth of questions UPSC
usually asks. It’ll give you a good perspective of yourself. Observe strict time limits.
what’s important and what’s not. 13. You will never feel content with your Mains
preparation and there is always a nagging tendency to
3. Use the internet extensively, especially for topics like
just keep reading and procrastinate writing answers or
Science and Tech. Your target must be to gain
knowledge, be it through books or through the skip an upcoming test. You have to overcome this
reluctance through conscious effort. Suppose before a
internet.
mock test if you were unable to finish the syllabus,
4. For all subjects, you have to superimpose current
you can postpone your test by a day or two, but don’t
affairs over it, especially for GS-2 and GS-3. For both
skip it altogether.
these papers, current affairs form the nucleus. You
14. Perfectionism is your enemy. If you keep referring to
will inevitably do a lot of reading on the internet, so
countless sources to make that “perfect notes”, if you
use Evernote to organize and highlight content
like this. keep postponing your mock tests in order to write
“perfect tests”, this mentality will bring you to ruin.
Getting a good score in Mains is about attempting all
5. Give adequate time for revision. Without it, you will questions to which some answers are excellent, some
not be able to recollect whatever you may have read. good and many above average. So instead of waiting
Page 2 of 111 For Free Download visit www.upsciq.com

for that elusive perfection, start imperfect and then fundamentals are correct. For example, in Warli art,
keep improving. human bodies are represented by triangles, heads by
15. When you are buying coaching material, always ask circles and hands by simple lines. Just get these
yourself: “what's new is this material, adding to my basics right. Link to download diagrams is given at
preparation?” If you can’t answer that question the end of the article.
convincingly, then the material probably isn’t really ▪ Art and Culture requires a ton of memorization and
useful. there’s really no shortcut to mastering it except
16. Just because I am AIR-1, it does not mean that my through multiple revisions.
notes are the best or that this book list is the last
word. If you have been studying some other material, Modern Indian History
that’s fine, too. To succeed in this exam, the source of 1. A Brief History of Modern India- Spectrum
material is not important. What’s important is you to Publications.
understand the concepts, memorize the facts well and 2. India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra
have a firm grip over the entire syllabus. (Read selectively for topics not covered in the
Spectrum book)
▪ Questions on Indian history are something that every
serious aspirant will answer well, so you really
cannot afford to let go of these questions. If you had
done your prelims preparation for this topic well, that
is good enough. You just need to practise answer
writing.
India’s Post Independence History

Stiffer the climb, better the view. 1. India Since Independence by Bipan Chandra
2. For certain topics, I made notes from this book.
Download link is given at the end.
The list of books for GS Mains:
World History
I prepared entirely for this topic from this outstanding
GS 1 book: Download
▪ Since revising this big book before the exam was
Indian Art and Culture difficult, I prepared concise notes from it. I also
practised maps to demonstrate major world historical
1. An Introduction to Indian Art – Class XI NCERT events.
2. Chapters related to culture in Ancient and Medieval ▪ Link to download my notes and maps is given at the
India NCERTs end of the article.
3. Centre for Cultural Resource and Training (CCRT)
material Geography
4. Heritage Crafts: Living Craft Traditions of India - ▪ The study plan is the same as for prelims, which I’ve
NCERT explained here.
▪ For someone who is starting just now, this topic can
overwhelm them. So I suggest beginners read this Indian Society
section after they get acquainted with other GS ▪ This is a generic, nebulous topic with no style or
topics. structure. Questions are sometimes vague,
▪ In Art and Culture, questions asked by UPSC in philosophical and the challenge we face is not so
recent years are more analytical— which requires much in lack of content as in presenting it concisely
both the factual content and good analysis to answer in 200 odd words. To understand the basics, read
the why and how. You can answer such questions NCERT Sociology Std XI and XII. Make concise
well only when you understand the historical notes on each topic that includes: a crisp definition,
background in which such art was produced. This is latest statistics, govt schemes, criticism of these
why it’s important that you read NCERT XI Ancient schemes; causes of issues such as communalism and
India for it gives you that historical context. regionalism, historical and current examples, their
▪ For instance, don’t just memorise features of say, impact on our society, and your suggestions as the
Sangam literature or Chola architecture, but way ahead. (You can get these suggestions from the
understand the social, political, religious and internet or ARC 2 or some committee report). In case
economic context in which such grand art was if you find good coaching material for these topics,
produced. They will form the analysis part and will that’ll do as well.
help you write great answers. ▪ For this topic, a generic answer with proper structure
▪ Make good use of the internet to watch both visual and subheadings that cover multiple dimensions is
and performing arts to understand how they actually good enough to fetch you marks. You can find my
look in real life. You will be able to recollect such notes at the end of the article.
visuals more easily. They will help you write a decent
answer for questions which you only have a vague GS 2
idea about. Polity, Governance and Social Justice
▪ Wherever relevant, draw diagrams to illustrate your Static Portion:
answers. For instance, you can draw a rough sketch to
show the features of a Stupa, Dravida, and Nagara 1. Laxmikanth
style architecture, Paleolithic art, Folk arts such as 2. Polity Notes (this will provide analytical content.
Warli, Harappan pottery, etc. You don’t need to be a Download link is given at the end of the article)
Michelangelo for this, but you must ensure that the

3.ARC 2 (One of the best reports ever written for the Goals, Preamble, DPSP is also another good way to
government. It’s been more than ten years since the end your answers.
reports were published, but the content is still
priceless. Read complete reports, memorise only International Relations
recommendations) ▪ Any good book that adequately covers the historical
Current Affairs: aspect of India’s bilateral relations.
▪ Current affairs: The Hindu, India’s World on RSTV,
1. The Hindu CivilsDaily or Insights or ForumIAS depending upon
2. The Big Picture on RSTV the topic.
3. CivilsDaily current affairs material ▪ Questions on IR will be almost, always be about the
4. I also referred to Insights/ForumIAS current affairs current happenings in the world. But before you run
material for topics not covered well by CivilsDaily after the Hindu or some other latest magazine for this
5. PRS India for latest legislation section, it’s important that you understand the
6. All India Radio – Spotlight (used to listen during my historical background of India’s relationship with
commute to the office) other countries. This is indispensable because every
▪ Open your answers with Constitutional articles. bilateral issue that you see in the news can be traced
Question on Governor? Art 153 must be there in the back to history. Once you understand this historical
first line. Question on Civil Services? Art 312 is context, this topic becomes uncomplicated.
where you begin. If there’s a technical term like ▪ For example, let’s take India China relations. Don’t
‘Parliamentary Sovereignty’, ‘Political democracy’ or merely focus on Doklam crisis and troop positioning,
‘Social Audit’ — define them in your introduction but understand the larger context of our border
telling the examiner what you understand by those dispute with China, the agreements we had signed
terms. starting with the Simla Accord of 1914. For India-Sri
▪ Supreme Court judgements are very important. Make Lanka, don’t just concentrate that India voted for or
a list of important judgements (both historical and against Sri Lanka at the UN, but understand how
current) and quote them to substantiate your answer. India always championed peace between the Tamils
For example, when you are answering a question on and the Sinhalese, the 1987 accord, its fallout, Sri
Free speech, quoting SC judgement in Shreya Singhal Lankan civil war and what India did during these
vs Union of India case will add tremendous value to times. When you have that bigger picture in mind,
your answers. each part of the puzzle becomes easier to fit in.
▪ For a debatable topic, always write both sides of the ▪ For miscellaneous topics like diaspora and
issue even if not explicitly asked in the question. international institutions, refer to any good coaching
Example: A question might ask: Do you agree that material.
Civil Services is in need of drastic reforms? For this, ▪ Draw map wherever relevant. Example: for India-Iran
explain under a subheading why drastic reforms are relations, you can draw a rough map to show how the
needed. And in the next paragraph, counter by saying Chabahar port helps us to bypass Pakistan and reach
why drastic reforms are harmful. In the end, you can Afghanistan. Act East policy can be demonstrated
add the view of ARC 2/Hota/Surendranath committee with arrows pointing from India and showing our
to convey your view and end on a balanced note. specific relationship with Vietnam, Japan, South
▪ For miscellaneous topics like the comparison of Korea, Singapore, Australia and ASEAN, MGC,
Constitutions, RPA Act, SHG, e-Governance etc. BIMSTEC etc.,
refer to any good coaching material to have 200-word ▪ Each bilateral relationship or a global grouping is
worth content. Source latest examples and issues multi-faceted. To make your answers comprehensive,
from newspapers and quote them in your answers. always write a multidimensional perspective that
▪ Prepare thoroughly on Govt policies and bills. PRS includes: the strategic dimension, defence co-
India is an excellent resource for all the latest operation, technology, education, culture, diaspora,
legislation in the offing and The Hindu for policy trade and investment, co-operation in global fora etc.
criticism. But the newspaper is patently leftist and
they publish articles incessantly and nauseatingly GS 3
ranting on policies they don’t like (Eg: Aadhar). But Economy
as someone aspiring to be a civil servant, you need to Static part:
be more dispassionate. This is why you must actively 1. Standard resources I already mentioned in my prelims
pursue articles with a contrarian and balanced post
opinions like this and this. 2. Budget (any coaching material compilation)
▪ Cram latest statistics pertaining to health, 3. Economic Survey (gist)
employment, women, education, poverty etc. Also 4. Niti 3-year Action Plan report (a good resource for
apart from committees, you may quote authentic policy recommendations that come in handy while
reports from reputed organisations such as Lancet, you write conclusion)
Transparency International, UNICEF, FAO etc to Current Affairs:
substantiate your point. I made notes on important
statistics that can be used for all papers of GS and 1. The Hindu
essay. Download link is given at the end of the 2. CivilsDaily
article. 3. I referred to Insights/ForumIAS current affairs
▪ Conclusion: Wherever possible, end with a material for topics not covered well by CivilsDaily
committee/ commission recommendation or
observation. For instance, a question on Centre-State Indian Agriculture, Land reforms, PDS, Food
relations should invariably end with Punchhi Processing, LPG, Infrastructure
Commission, a question on death penalty with Law
Commission and a question on Indian Constitution 1. Mrunal.org
with NCRWC. Referring to Sustainable Development 2. Vision IAS

3. The Hindu and CivilsDaily for current affairs breeder reactor, Uranium enrichment, Nuclear fission
▪ You need to remember that for GS-3, questions and fusion etc.), Defence (Cruise missile, Ballistic
revolve around current affairs and there is no dearth missile, Stealth Bomber etc), Biotech (Gene editing,
of material. It may sound counter-intuitive, but the Stem Cells, GM food etc), Communication (LIDAR,
trick is to restrict yourself to material that’s good RADAR, LiFi, 5G etc). Any comprehensive material
enough for you to write a 250-word answer for all of a coaching institute will be sufficient for this (I
topics. It’s very important that you don’t get sunk referred to Vajiram printed notes).
under the heap of current affairs and coaching ▪ Whatever S&T topic you are learning, always focus
material. on the concept, why is it in news, practical
▪ So for each topic mentioned in the syllabus, make applications, potential threats, benefits far into the
concise notes from the resources mentioned above. I future etc. Just do this and you will easily handle this
also found Niti Aayog’s 3-year Action Plan report topic in the final exam.
really helpful for this paper. And just as I had GS 4
mentioned for GS-2, statistics and committee reports ▪ 2nd ARC reports: Ethics in Governance, Promoting
are very important. E-gov, RTI, Citizen-centric Administration,
Personnel Administration. Read all ARC reports
Security completely, memorise only recommendations.
▪ Vajiram and Vision IAS material ▪ For moral thinkers, Google them to read about their
▪ The Hindu and CivilsDaily for current affairs major contributions and for misc topics such as
▪ Prepare crisp and clear definitions of technical terms corporate governance, I referred to Vajiram printed
such as cybersecurity, terrorism, organised crime, material. I also prepared some notes for certain topics
money laundering, left-wing extremism etc. (download link at the end of the article)
▪ For questions on border security, draw India map to ▪ I went through the syllabus and tried to define each
illustrate. term in clear words and simple sentences. I found this
exercise very useful because these definitions
Disaster Management inevitably formed the introduction to most of my
▪ Fundamental reading: CBSE book answers. For all of ethics paper, the essence can be
▪ Prepare concise notes on NDMA (structure, distilled as just this: a clear and simple definition of
functions, rules etc), international agreements such as the term and a real-life example to illustrate the
Sendai Framework, latest current affairs from concept. You can draw flowcharts and schematics
newspapers, internet and coaching material. wherever apt.
▪ Draw diagrams to illustrate concepts like river ▪ It’s important to understand that each question is an
embankment, land zoning, watershed management opportunity to display your ethics. This will be best
etc. demonstrated by the actions you did or some other
personalised/ real-life examples you quote. Reflect on
Environment and Ecology your childhood, school life, college time, professional
▪ Shankar IAS book career etc and glean examples that are simple,
▪ The Hindu and CivilsDaily for current affairs unpretentious and at the same time bring out your
▪ My handwritten notes (Download link given at the ethical values clearly. For some questions, you can
end) also quote historical examples from the lives of great
leaders.
Science & Tech ▪ For case studies, my aim was not so much in writing
1. The Hindu ingenious, extraordinary solutions, but to write
2. Vision IAS Mains 365 something that’s realistic and practicable and finish
3. YouTube the paper no matter what.
▪ This topic terrifies many aspirants, and for good ▪ I always started with Q1 and not with case studies
reason. There’s no single book or resource to help because I could not see how one mark in Section B
one navigate this section and it all feels like one big (case studies) is superior to one mark in Section A. I
haze. But there’s good news: the questions asked in gave equal importance and dedicated equal time to
S&T are mostly from current affairs and you are both the sections.
expected to have only a general understanding of the ▪ Rest of the GS papers have 20 questions each, Ethics
topics. has only 14. But don’t let that number 14 fool you.
▪ During my preparation, I used to note down in my I’ve always found GS-4 to be the lengthiest paper of
book whatever scientific term or technology that’s all. Every question in Section A has many subparts
frequently talked about in news. For instance, these that drain an inordinate amount of your time. In fact,
days we repeatedly encounter terms such as Artificial if we go by the absolute numbers, we write
General Intelligence, Blockchain, Machine Learning, more words in GS-4 than in other papers. So to
Cryptocurrency, CRISPR-CAS9 in news and on the manage your time well: Abide by the rule that you
internet. must complete at least 80 marks worth of questions in
▪ Note down all such scientific concepts that are in each hour, irrespective of whether you start with
news and then scour the internet (especially Youtube) Section A or Section B.
to understand them. There are many explainer videos ▪ Just before GS-4, you would have had written three
on Youtube that explain the concept so well that even stressful GS papers that would put your body
a school student can understand it. For instance, take condition under severe mental and physical strain.
this excellent video on blockchain technology. Once But it’s important to stay mentally tough during this
you see it, it’s impossible for you to miss a question crucial period and push your endurance limits so as to
on blockchain and its practical applications. survive another 3 hours of relentless writing.
▪ Apart from the above, you need to learn fundamental Remember that it’s all in the mind— it can be your
terms and technologies used in Space (PSLV, GSLV, biggest enemy or your greatest strength.
Cryo Engine etc), Nanotech, Nuclear Research (Fast

GS may look insurmountable at first, but remember that it’s

always the small steps towards the summit that count.
Through effective planning and adequate practice, anyone
can conquer it.
My best wishes.
Until next time,

Anudeep.
Read More : https://anudeepdurishetty.in

It is an apex organization of the marketing cooperatives for
B. Policy and agriculture production.
Governance It comes under the Ministry of Agriculture and It was

founded in October 1958 with its Head Quarter in New
Delhi.
It has four regional offices at Delhi ,
Mumbai , Chennai and Kolkata with 28
zonal offices in different states.
FCI
It stands for Food Corporation of India. It was set up on
14th Jan,1965. Its HQ is now in New Delhi ,but previously
it was at Chennai.
(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) or Bhavantar
Will it help our Farmers?? Bhugtan Yojana
Giving a major boost to the pro-farmer initiatives of the PDPS is proposed to cover all oilseeds for
government, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime which minimum support price (MSP) is
Minister Narendra Modi, approved a new Umbrella notified.
Scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan In this, direct payment of the difference between the
Abhiyan’ (PM-AASHA) on September 12, 2018. MSP and the selling/modal price will be made to pre-
Umbrella Scheme big scheme under which many registered farmers selling their produce in the notified
other small schemes are present. market yard through a transparent auction process.
BASICS All payments will be done directly into the registered
bank account of the farmer.
The government has already increased the MSP (minimum
support price) of kharif crops by following the principle PILOT OF PRIVATE PROCUREMENT &STOCKIST
of 1.5 times the cost of production. SCHEME (PPPS)
NOTES The cabinet also decided that the participation of private
sector in procurement operation needs to be piloted on the
According to a survey conducted by the National Sample basis of the learnings the ambit of private participation in
Survey Office (NSSO) in the 70th round in 2013, only 6% procurement operations.
of farmers are able to sell their produce at MSP.
EXPENSES CONCERNING THE SCHEME
According to a 2016 NITI Ayog evaluation report 79%
farmers responded with ‘no’ when asked if they were The cabinet has decided to give additional government
satisfied with the MSP regime. guarantee of Rs..16,550 crore, making it Rs.45,550
crore in total.
Reasons for their dissatisfaction were delay in
payments, lack of infrastructure at procurement CONCLUSION
centres, distance to procurement centres and delayed
The NITI Ayog recommended that steps be taken to
announcement of MSP rates.
improve “facilities at procurement centres, such as drying
PROBLEMS WITH MSP yards, weighing bridges, etc. should be provided to the
farmers.
MSP is presently (September 2018) is declared
for 23 crops. Shanta Kumar report on FCI- More Storage should be set up and maintained
restructuring, Buffer stock, PDS & Food properly for better storage and reduction of wastage.
security & Direct Benefit Transfer. The procurement centres should be in the village itself
THE NEW SCHEME to avoid transportation costs.
The scheme is aimed at ensuring lucrative price to However, the government’s announcements to ensure
the farmers for their produce as announced in the that farmers get the benefit of the MSP have done little to
Union Budget 2018. reinforce the procurement infrastructure which was a key
The new Umbrella Scheme – 3 components recommendation of the Centre’s NITI Aayog.
Price Support Scheme (PSS) – Under the scheme, the

physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds, and ‘copra’
(kernel of coconut) will be done by Central Nodal Agencies
with the proactive role of the state governments.
Further, in addition to NAFED, the Food Cooperation of (Scan the QR code to watch video.)
India (FCI) will take up PSS operations in states and
districts. The procurement expenditure and losses due to
procurement will be borne by the Union Government as per
norms.
NAFED
It stands for National Agriculture Cooperative Marketing
Federation of India.

Tribute to former PM Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee . A new (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
scheme named ‘Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna’ for
Insured Persons (IP) covered under the Employees’ State
Insurance Act, 1948 has been approved by the ESIC.
NOTES :
ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation)
The person who is insured under ESIC can avail Atal
Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana.
Its aims are to the financial aid people who lost jobs
because of the changing employment patterns.
Insured persons covered under the Employees’ State

Insurance Act, 1948 for the period of two years
continuously.
Details of the scheme:

The benefit of the scheme will be payable in cash directly to
the bank account of insured persons in case of
unemployment.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ONGOING SCHEME

The ongoing Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan
Yojana(RGSKY) benefits formal sector workers registered
with the ESIC.
RGSKY introduced in 2005.
Difference between RGSKY and Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan

Yojana is that RGSKY will help when the industry is
stopped working while in Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana
it will help a person's when it's contract is terminated from
the industry and the person is unemployed again.
The money will be paid from their own contribution towards
ESI scheme, in cash through bank account transfer.
The scheme will be applicable to all factories and

establishments employing at least 10 workers.
Workers will be able to draw 47% of their total

contributions towards ESIC after remaining unemployed for
at least three months from the date of leaving their previous
jobs.
About Employee State Insurance (ESI)

It is a self-financing social security and health insurance
scheme for Indian workers.
It is managed by Employees’ State Insurance

Corporation (ESIC) according to rules and regulations
stipulated there in the ESI Act 1948.
It is a statutory autonomous corporation under the Ministry

of Labour and Employment.

went through the law, orders of the Supreme Court, the Law
Commission of India report, submissions of the Central
Public Information Officer in the Ministry of Youth Affairs
and Sports to conclude that the status, nature and functional
characteristics of the BCCI fulfill the required conditions of
Section 2(h) of the RTI Act.
INFORMATION COMMISSIONER SRIDHAR

( Click on the image above to watch the video)
ACHARYULU
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is now • The matter came before him as the Ministry of Youth
covered under the RTI Act and answerable to the people Affairs and Sports did not give a satisfactory response to an
of the country under its mechanism, the Central RTI applicant, Geeta Rani, who had sought to know the
Information Commission ruled recently. provisions and guidelines under which the BCCI has
This decision is taken by the Central Information been representing India and selecting players for the
Commission (CIC) country.
CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION (CIC) • Acharyulu directed the BCCI to put in place, within 15
days, online and offline mechanisms to receive applications
•The Central Information Commission has been constituted for information under the RTI Act.
with effect from 12-10-2005 under the Right to
Information Act, 2005. THE VERDICT
POWERS OF CENTRAL INFORMATION • “The BCCI should be listed as an NSF(National Sports

COMMISSION (CIC) Federation) covered under the RTI Act.
• The Commission has certain powers and functions •The RTI Act should be made applicable to the BCCI along
mentioned in sections 18, 19, 20 and 25 of the RTI Act, with its entire constituent member cricketing associations,
2005. provided they fulfill the criteria applicable to the BCCI, as
discussed in the Law Commission’s report,” he said.
• These broadly relate to adjudication in the second appeal
for giving information, direction for record keeping, suo Note :
motu disclosures receiving enquiring into a complaint on We can't expect much from BCCI on the RTI Act.
the inability to file RTI etc;
imposition of penalties and Monitoring and Reporting This is a brave decision by CIC and it should be
including preparation of an Annual Report. appreciated.
• The decisions of the Commission are final and binding.
BCCI IS NOT HAPPY
•The BCCI has always held the opposite view: that it did
not come under the ambit of RTI.
•Lodha Committee (for BCCI) Recommended that BCCI

should come under RTI.
(Scan the QR code to watch video.)
SOME FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
• The Government of India does not administer the Indian

cricket team.BCCI develops it. NOTES:
• BCCI does not depend on the Government of India for
its finances.
• BCCI had avoided taxes on its income, claiming

exemption as a
charitable organization.
• Although the Income Tax Department withdrew this

exemption in 2007-08, BCCI only paid tax amounting to
₹41.9 crore (US$5.8 million) against its tax liability of
₹413 crore (US$58 million) in the 2009-10 financial year.
On 12 September 2006 BCCI, announced that it will spend
₹ 1,600 crores over the subsequent one year to upgrade
the cricket stadiums around the country.
HOW did IT happen?
•The commission, the top appellate body in RTI matters,


Augmenting board strength and diversity- board of
Directors, top 2000 listed companies have to mandatorily
have a six-director board, 1000 companies should have a
woman director in six.
Number of directorships- maximum is 8 listed companies.
Way Ahead-
Rating of audit firms: it is because of improper auditing that

(Click on the image above to watch the video) the over or under statement happens, audit firms should be
rated which will result in list of preferences. Low
Concerns around the corporate governance-
performing firms can perform better
Refers to a set of rules y which a firm is controlled or Audit reports- provided value added reports, financial
governed. The frim will benefit out of it. If not, the govt will positions, performance of the company will be known
loose
Independent Audit committees: help in overcoming the
What is the issue-
corporate shocks, preparing for shocks professionally
● Growing concerns around companies of private and
Missing talent in critical positions- this issue needs to be
public sectors- addressed, filled by talented and skilled managers to better
● Calls for a greater examination of the roles of govern the firm.
directors and audit firms. Some incidents to show
Tenure of top management- long tenures of top management
the challenges
can be damaging, top posts should be re-examined, proper
● ICICI bank- the manager and CEO requested for an mechanisms should be found out
early retirement, was based on allegations against
her regarding the conflict of interest between
Videocon group.
● ILNFS- a subsidiary has incurred a large loss, the

audit report did not mention the name, disclosure
was not made
● Corporate governance is weak
● Status of the firm (Scan the QR code to watch video)
Concerns-
NOTES:
Turmoil in private sector banks- top banks of private sectors
are facing problems, weaker bank boards, they derive rules
for the banks, when it is weak corporate governance will be
weak
Bad loan crisis in PSBs- mounted with NPAs, serious bank

loan crisis, chronic capitalism and weak governance.
Overstating and understating in books- profit and loss

account and bank sheets, it is here that the company’s
profile is accessed, reflects the financial position of the
banks, overstating means in case of profit, books will show
more than the actual amount; understating happens with bad
loans, grown 5-10 times but not reflected in the book of
accounts. Major challenges to the governance
Audit reports- must picture original reflection, ILNFS was

an issue of cash-flow but reports showed improper audits
Uday Kotak Committee-
Separation of roles: listed companies on stock exchange

with more than 40% shareholding, there should be separate
roles of MD and CEO. Roles and responsibilities should be
properly defined, no duplication should be there. Part of the
promoter cannot be adopted as director.
Mandatory disclosure- consolidated quality results should be

disclosed

Increase in tariffs to households and the farmers

(Scan the QR code to watch video)
Electricity Amendment Bill-
Expected to come up in the Winter session
Union cabinet has already prepared the draft bill NOTES:

Aim is to revive the power sector
There are shortcomings in the sector
This bill will amend the 2003 Electricity Act
About the Bill-
Changes to the Act of 2003- some provisions would be

changed,
Increase reliability-
Reduce risk-
Failing of PPAs- Power Purchase Agreements, address these

issues as well, PPA is a contract between the generator and
purchaser, price of the purchase, time and term of the
contract are important things. Distribution company
The agreement is broken by the distribution company,

sometimes. When the agreement is broken, sufferers will be
generators. Power producing will be at loss.
Investment become NPAs- loans for which the due is more

than 90 days. Mounting of NPAs will create bank crisis.
Key changes made in the bill-
Penalties for failure to honor PPAs- PPA will be broken, in

such cases penalties will be awarded to companies, penalty
can be up to 10 million bucks per day
Phasing out of cross subsidization- because of subsidy there

will be some losses arising. Second group will be highly
charged, industrial purchases of power are highly charged,
some loses will arise out of households. This is an issue for
the industrial sectors.
Government is planning to phase out the subsidization for

the households. This is highly apolitical call. The houses
will end up paying high bills.
Fairer pricing system will be one advantage.
More output generation
Sustainable power sector will be generated
Impact

Leakages- PDF has its own leakages. The food scheme of

Odisha might also incur loss. The intention will get diluted.
What is the news-

Odisha govt. launched its own food security scheme on
Gandhi Jayanti, 2018- not a part of NFSA.
Targets to benefit 25 lakh people who were left out at the

NFSA – only 78% is benefitted out from the NFSA.
NOTES:
Details-
Background:
2008- 1kg of rice for INR 2/month
2013- Price of rice reduced to INR 1.
2014- NFSA implemented but many people were denied the

right
Present state government in 2014 election campaign had

promised to introduce the state’s own food security scheme
Highlights of the scheme-
Beneficiaries will get 5 kg of rice per person per month at 1

rupees/kg- same provision like the NFSA in 2013
Distribution is carried out through e-POS device- designated

fare price shop
25 lakh beneficiaries under SSFS
443.5 crore per year government spending
Significance of the scheme-
Universal coverage- provide food security to the left out

category
Food and nutrition security
Criticism- vote bank politics because election is due next

year. Odisha govt. should have better scheme to include
those 25 lakh in NFSA.
Concerns regarding SFSS-
Fiscal consolidation- to bring down the expenditure of state

or central govt. here it is state govt. of Odisha. Narrow the
fiscal deficit, such a scheme will add on to the concern.
Centre is providing subsidy. Expenses on cost of
procurement, on distribution, on storage, on administration,
etc. all the expenses will come to the state as well.
Identification of beneficiary- the 25% has to be covered.

The identification is difficult. Might lead to
duplication.Widening of fiscal deficit for the state govt.

Apart From the Google, the Election Commission
committee"Umesh Sharma" talked to Them.
They are supporting the Election Commission

and will remove all kinds of political
advertisements.
Online Advertising Market Share (Worldwide

(Click on the image above to watch the video) data)
Google to help the Election Commission in Google 44.1%

2019 Facebook 3.1%
Yahoo/Microsoft 12.3%
This is an important topic for Mains General Studies Paper 2 Aol. 1.5%
under the topic : Others 39%
Salient features of the Representation of People's Act. India's Online Advertising Market Share data is not yet
released but it is said that Google has a 60% sharein Indian
WHAT JUST HAPPENED? Advertisement.
Our current Chief Commissioner O.P.Rawat recently said Google will bring great transparency to political
"How Google can help election commission" Advertisements.
Google Representatives met a committee which is Google assurance was very much required as it covers a
under election commision of India. very large part of Online Advertising Market Share in
India.
Under the act of Section 126 (election silence)
Section 126 (election silence) is part of Representation

of the People Act, 1951.
BASICS :
The Election Commission (EC) has set up a 14-member

committee to suggest changes in Section 126 of the
Representation of the people(RP) Act, which prohibits poll
campaign in the last 48 hours leading to voting, in the
wake of media expansion. (Scan the QR code to watch video)
The committee chaired by Deputy Election

Commissioner Umesh Sinha.
NOTES:
Name of committee: Umesh Sinha Committee.
The INTERNET has a very big role to play in our daily

life and Election Commission (EC) of India has said that
any kind of new campaign or advertisement should not
take place before 48 hours. It is quite possible to stop the
campaign offline but doing this online is a difficult task .
Umesh Sinha Committee took help from Google .
Google said it will help election commission.
Notes
The candidate has to declare to the Election

Commision about how much money he/she is going
to spend on the campaign.(Online /Offline both)
Candidate should give detail about the there advertisements

to EC's Media Certification and Monitoring
Committee.EC's Media Certification and

Monitoring Committee will certify the political
advertisements whether it should run or not.
It is said that advertisements certified or not certified both

should not run before 48 hours of the election.

make it imperative for their recognition as an the
identity of their own.
WHAT DOES ‘QUEER’ MEAN AND HOW IS IT

DIFFERENT FROM LGBT IDENTITIES?
Now, when the bracket is extended, you arrive at ‘Q’ or

Questioning/Queer/Genderqueer. People who identify as
queer feel their gender and/or sexual identities falls outside
the categories of man or woman.
They would either consider themselves as falling

( Click on the image above to watch the video) between the two or wholly different from them.
SECTION 377 OBSERVATIONS (Imp For Mains Exam)
Very important for Mains Paper 2 and for Prelim. The court recognized sexual orientation as a “natural and
inherent” biological phenomena, and not a matter of
Governance - mechanisms, laws, institutions & Bodies choice.
constituted for the protectio& betterment of these
vulnerable sections. (Imp) As per Section 377 , it was a punishable act to
have intercourse with any man, woman or animals against
6 SEPTEMBER 2018 has been a historic date for our the order of nature, meaning homosexuality and
country. bisexuality were both outlawed.
HISTORIC DECISION BY SC Section 377
India joins 125 nations where homosexuality is legal as The rule was first enacted in 1861 under the British rule,
SC decriminalizes gay sex. previous to that there was no law governing sexual
intercourse in India.
The Supreme Court decriminalized consensual intercourse
between persons of the same sex and read down Section What the verdict means is that the LGBT community
377 of the Indian Penal Code, thus providing a huge would be able to indulge in consensual sex freely.
boost to the LGBTQ community of India.
There is an exception though, the supreme court has
Important for prelims. rightfully protected animals under against attempts by
humans who have intercourse with them, that shall still
In this case Navtej Singh Johar(petitioner) v. Union of
remain under the purview of crime.
India homosexuality is legal.
WHAT THE JUDGES SAID :
72 countries and territories worldwide still continue to
criminalize same-sex relationships Writing for himself and Justice Khanwilkar, the Chief
Justice has raised the individual’s identity to the pedestal
LGBTQ??
of divinity— sans identity, the name is only a denotative
Lesbian – Refers to a homosexual woman or a term and the sustenance of identity is the filament of life.
woman who is sexually attracted to other women.
Means an identity of the individual should not be
Gay – Refers to a homosexual man or a man who is crushed.
sexually attracted to other men.
The destruction of individual identity would tantamount to
Bisexual – A person who experiences the crushing of dignity, which encapsulates privacy,
sexual attraction to both men and choice,freedom of speech and other expressions.
women. Attitudes and mentalities have to change to accept distinct
identities of individuals, who must be respected for who
Transgender - a person who is assigned to the male sex they are, and not compelled to become who they are not.
but identifies as a woman may be a transgender person.
NOTES
Conversely, a person who has been assigned
the female sex at birth and who identifies as a The sexual orientation of each individual in the
man instead is also a transgender person society must be protected on an even platform, for
ISN’T ‘HIJRA’ JUST THE INDIAN TERM
the right to privacy and the protection of sexual
FOR TRANSGENDER?
orientation lies at the core of the fundamental
The Indian Hijra community itself is rights guaranteed by Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the
over 4,000 years old. Constitution.
Although many of them have biological and sexual Judgment

identities same as the above-mentioned globally recognized
The Court found that the criminalization of sexual acts
LGBT identities. Cultural and behavioral differences
between consenting adults violated the Right to Equality
guaranteed by the Constitution of India.

While reading the judgment, Chief Justice Misra
pronounced that the Court found that "criminalizing carnal
intercourse" to be"irrational, arbitrary and manifestly NOTES:
unconstitutional.“
The court ruled that LGBTs in India are entitled to all

constitutional rights, including the liberties
protected by the Constitution of India.
INDIAN EQUAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS HAVE

UNDERTAKEN A LONG AND ARDUOUS
JOURNEY TO DECRIMINALISE SAME-SEX
RELATIONSHIPS.
They had tasted their first victory when the Delhi

High Court in July 2009 decriminalized
homosexuality among consenting adults. However,
in December 2012 the Supreme Court, quashing the
High Court order, held that the order was legally
unsustainable.
In 2015, the Lok Sabha voted against the introduction of a

private member's Bill to decriminalize homosexuality,
proposed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, indicating that
the BJP led NDA
Government was not in a hurry to legalize

homosexuality.
NOTES
Soon after a group of well known LGBT rights activists, N

S Jauhar, journalist Sunil Mehra, chef Ritu Dalmia,
hotelier Aman Nath and business executive Ayesha
Kapur approached the
SC which agreed to reconsider the issue.
The petition claimed their rights to sexuality, sexual

autonomy, choice of sexual partner, life, privacy,
dignity, and equality, the other fundamental rights
guaranteed under Part- III of Constitution, are violated
by Section 377.
(Scan the QR code to watch video))

East Asia and the Pacific 8.8%
Latin America and the Caribbean 3.9%
Europe and Central Asia 0.3%
MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY INDEX How It Is

Made!
Health
Child Mortality
Nutrition
(Click on the image above to watch the video) Education

Years of schooling
THE 2018 MPI (Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index) School attendance
Paints a picture of multidimensional poverty across 104 Living Standards

developing countries, covering 74 per cent of the global Cooking fuel
population. Toilet
Water
ABOUT MPI Electricity
Floor
Jointly developed by the United Nations Development Assets
Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human
Development Initiative (OPHI) at the University of Govt have initiated many programmes to help poor like
Oxford, the 2018 global MPI casts light on who is Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Pradhan Mantri UJJWALA Yojana
multidimensionally poor, where do they live and how .
they are deprived.
A new report shows the percentage of Indians living in

poverty is half what it was a decade ago.
But child poverty around the world is still rife, affecting

nearly two-thirds of those under 18 in sub-Saharan
Africa.
MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY INDEX 2018 (Scan the QR code to watch video)
In the decade between 2005-06 and 2015-16, India has

halved its Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) from
NOTES:
54.7 per cent to 27.5 per cent.
According to MPI 2018 released by the United Nations

Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty
and Human Development Initiative, there are 271 million
fewer poor people in India in this period.
FINDINGS OF THE REPORT
364 million Indians continue to experience acute

deprivations in health, nutrition, schooling and
sanitation
About 196 million MPI poor people in India, accounting

for more than half of all multidimensionally poor in India,
live in the four states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh
and Madhya Pradesh.
Just over one in four multidimensionally poor people in

India are under ten years of age.
Traditionally disadvantaged groups, in terms of castes,
religions etc, continue to be the poorest though they have
experienced the biggest decadal reduction in MPI About
the world report
Maximum to minnimum poor people in different

regions :
Sub Saharan Africa (41.6%)
South Asia 40.6%
Arab states 10%

Contract-based works are highly informal
Lesser social spending than the average- in health,

education, well-being, more inequality, bring vulnerable
into the mainstream
Global picture-
Topped by Denmark- high and progressive taxation

(click on the image above to watch the video)
Japan- top-ranking Asian country
Oxfam World Inequality Index
South Korea- 56
What is the news
Progressive countries- S.Korea, Namibia, Uruguay,
India has been ranked among the bottom 10 countries in the Ethipoia, Chile and Indonesia
latest report- UK has released the report
Recommendations-
147/157- current rank of India, among bottom most 10
countries, inequality index is very high All countries should develop national inequality action plans
to achieve the UN’s SDGs on reducing inequality.
What is the Oxfam World Inequality Index-?
UK based charity organization
Commitment to reducing inequality index
Based on three indicators- government’s social spending,

tax and labor rights
Critical in reducing inequality
Highlights about India-

Ranked 147/157 countries analyzed
Less commitment to reduce inequality

NOTES:
If inequality reduced by a one-third, more than 170 million
will move out of poverty
Government spending on health, education and social

protection is low
Relatively higher subsidies are provided to the private sector
Giving more focus on development than growth, aimed at

increasing the well-being and improvement
Tax structure of India-
Looks reasonably progressive on paper- tax rate would

increase with taxable amount increase
Under collection- due to tax evasion, taxes are a major form

of revenue, government can make more expenditure,
inequalities will come down
Govt can spend more on education, health and well-being.

Social sector can be improved
Labor Rights- poor performance of labor rights and respect

for women is very less in workplace, firms prefer to employ
male, gender disparity
Women are engaged in agricultural and informal activities
Lacks union organization
Lack of enforcement of human rights
Enabling working environments, proper payments for work

done, due to informalization

Reduction in the impact of policy goals- providing food

commodity, ensure food security, it is assured through
availability and accessibility of food grains, the money
credited can be used to purchase of non-food grains.
Dissolve the entire policy
Inflation- prices may vary, inflation is not taken into account

in DBT, prices are constant, lesser purchase of food grain
because market prices are higher, DBT process will get
complicated, food and fuel have volatile prices, entire
(Click on the image above to watch the video) process would become complicated
Comparison- DBT and PDS

What is PDS-
DBT- quality and choice; money is transferred, choices will
Flagship food security program- govt. will procure from be increased
farmers and store it for later purpose. It is then transferred to
the people. Food grains are available to the people at PDS- lower price, higher quality- households will get food
affordable prices grains at lower price and the quantity will be high
Suffers from various insufficiencies- Choice based PDS can be an answer to both DBT and PDS
One major criticism- leakages Features of choice based PDS-
Target is to reach out to the lower classes of the economy Choice for e-POS- electronic point of sale, choice of
households can be captured in these machines and
It is not reaching actual beneficiary, idea of DBT was allocations can be made easily, govt. can provide MSP to
implemented, and subsidy amount will be credited to the households, risks are also there
beneficiaries
Choice based approach-people living in different parts
DBT- require different commodities, food requirements are
different, govt. can address this issue
Cut administrative cost
Beneficiary welfare- improves this welfare, more choices
Reduce leakages than PDS, and lead to welfare
Food of choice Reduce political and ethical risks- dilemma will be resolved
between PDS and DBT
Monthly transfers are made to the credit of the beneficiaries.
Economic viability of PDS dealers improve- more
Targeted beneficiaries will directly get amount on their
economically viable, allow them to stock other food
credit
products too, will have more food grains available for them
Beneficiaries can buy food grains of their choice
Impact of food consumption and nutrition- huge impact on
Risks in DBT- food consumption, pattern will improve
Poor implementation- sometimes the vulnerable households

can be excluded, benefits may not be reaching the
beneficiaries
Inadequate transfers- transfer is made in rupees so it can be

adequate, market prices will be higher than the subsidized
price.
Financial inclusions- many bank accounts are not functional,

around 60% are non-functional, there should be formal bank (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
account for beneficiary
NOTES:

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
Attorney General K K Venugopal had submitted that fast-

track courts to try the charges against the candidates were
“the only solution”.
The Representation of People Act also recognizes this in

principle, requiring the high courts to decide on election
petitions within six months.
COURT'S LOST CHANCE?
Section 8 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, bans

convicted politicians.
The Criminalization of Politics Supreme Court Verdict But those facing trial, no matter how serious the charges, are
free to contest elections.
Above topic is important for PRELIMS Exam but very
important for MAINS perspective for the topic NOTES
CIVIL SERVICES MAINS GENERAL STUDIES PAPER An affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court in March by
2 the Centre also testifies to the shortcomings of the
Topic: Indian Constitution -historical underpinnings, RPA's(Representation of People Act ) disqualification
evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and clause:
basic structure.
Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People's Act There are more than 3800 criminal cases against 1765
MP's and MLA's across the country, of which 3045 cases
SUPREME COURT ON CRIMINALISATION OF are pending.
POLITICS
The Supreme Court's constitutional bench, in its judgment in

CASE NAME: PUBLIC INTEREST FOUNDATION &
OTHERS vs UNION OF INDIA.
WHAT SUPREME COURT SAID
Supreme Court delivered its much-awaited pronouncement

on the petitions asking it to bar politicians facing heinous (Scan the QR Code to the watch video)
criminal charges — like rape, murder, and kidnapping —
from contesting elections.
NOTES:
A five-judge bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said
that the Court cannot play the role of Parliament.
The bench pronounced that it is not in a position to enable

disqualification of candidates who face criminal charges.
It has, however, provided a slew of directions to curb the
criminalization of politics.
First, while filing their nominations, the candidates must

declare if there are pending criminal cases against them in
courts.
Second, political parties are also responsible for putting up

details of criminal cases filed against their candidates on
their websites.
Third, Parliament must legislate on the matter to ensure

that candidates with criminal antecedents do not enter public
life or become lawmakers.
Fourth, while filling the nomination forms, candidates must

declare their criminal past and the cases pending against
them in bold letters.
Lastly, political parties should publicise the background of

their candidates via the electronic media and issue
declarations.
The recommendations, though welcome, have practical

issues.

Measures to be taken-
Skill development- job and skill mismatch has to be

rectified
Digitization- better targeting is possible, leakage can be

minimized.
Welfare programs
Focus on outcomes
Improve HH income- with household improvement, SOL is
Status of Poverty in India according to latest report- improved.
MDPI- It stands for Multi-dimensional poverty index. it is a

measurement of poverty, developed by UNDP and OPHDI
OPHDI- Oxford poverty and human development initiative
Takes into account many dimensions, measures beyond the

income- deprivation of households
Dimensions involved- health, education and standard of

living (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
Indicators that measure-
Health- nutrition and child mortality

NOTES:
Education- adult literacy and child enrolment
Standard of living- cooking fuel, drinking water, electricity,

toilet floor assets.
Recent findings- MDI has been updated
● More than 270 million Indian moved out of

poverty.
● Poverty rate has almost reduced to half between
2006-2016
● High economic growth, economic liberation
adopted since 1991
● Real MPCE increased
● Monthly per capita consumption expenditure-
expenditure of household increased.
Health and Education parameters- policies like
BetiBachaoBetiPadhao, Mid-day meal
Standard of living- policies like SBM, MNGREGA,

UJJWALA have uplifted standard of living
Concerns-
Lesser share of spending on health and education as a share

of GDP
In 2016-17, 364 million individuals were living in multi-

dimensional poverty (MDP)
19% vulnerable to MDP and 9% vulnerable to severe MDP
Existing issues in measuring poverty-
Suresh Tendulkar committee report of 2009
Income based
Poverty can be based on health, education and SOL.
Govt. has introduced BPL + programs
Govt. has the income plus approach


•A group of five women lawyers has challenged Rule
3(b) of the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship
(Authorisation of Entry) Rules, 1965, which authorises
restriction on women “of menstruating age”.
•Senior Advocate Indira Jaising, who represented the

petitioners, said the restrictions went against Articles 14,
15 and 17 of the Constitution.
• She argued that the custom is discriminatory in nature

(Click on the image above to watch the video) and stigmatised women, and that women should be
allowed to pray at the place of their choice.
Sabarimala Temple Verdict by Supreme Court
KERALA GOVT’S STANCE
Sabarimala While the Kerala government had opposed the entry
Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage centre located at the of women in 2016, it told the SC during the hearing this
Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghat mountain year that it was in favour of allowing women to pray at
ranges of Pathanamthitta District. the temple.
It is very important Hindu pilgrimage specially in
southern part of India. Advocate Jaideep Gupta, representing the state
It is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world government, said it would support the entry of women of
with an estimated 45–50 million devotees visiting every all ages to the temple.
year. SABARIMALA VERDICT
The Supreme Court in September 2018 allowed women
BASICS of all ages in the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in
The shrine at Sabarimala is an ancient temple of Kerala.
Ayyappan also known as sasta and Dharmasasta.
In the 12th century, Manikandan, a prince of The five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief
Pandalam dynasty, meditated at Sabarimala temple and Justice Dipak Misra, in a 4:1 verdict, said banning the
became one with the divine. entry of women in Sabarimala temple is gender
Manikandan was an avatar of Ayyappan. discrimination and the practice violates the rights of
AYYAPPAN – HINDU GOD Hindu women.
Belief - the deity is a ‘naishtika brahmachari’ (eternal
celibate) OBSERVATIONS
While Justices R F Nariman and D Y Chandrachud
PURITY concurred with the CJI and Justice A M Khanwilkar,
• The devotees are expected to follow a Vratham (41- Justice Indu Malhotra gave a dissenting verdict.
day austerity period) prior to the pilgrimage.
• This begins with wearing of a special Mala (a chain
made of Rudraksha or Tulasi beads is commonly used, OBSERVATIONS OF JUSTICE INDU MALHOTRA
though still other types of chains are available.). •Justice Malhotra, the only woman on the bench, said that
• During the 41 days of Vratham, the devotee who has the petition does not deserve to be entertained.
taken the vow, is required to strictly follow the rules that
include follow only a lacto-vegetarian diet • She was of the view that it is not for courts to determine
(In India, vegetarianism is synonymous with lacto- which religious practices are to be struck down except in
vegetarianism), follow celibacy, follow teetotalism, not issues of social evil like ‘Sati’.
use any profanity and have to control the anger, allow
the hair and nails to grow without cutting. Adding that the issue is critical to various religions, she
said, “Issues of deep religious sentiments should not be
WHO RUNS THE TEMPLE? ordinarily be interfered by the court.
•The temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, is one of the
most famous temples in Kerala. The Sabarimala shrine and the deity is protected by
•The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) manages the Article 25 of the Constitution of India and the religious
temple. practices cannot be solely tested on the basis of Article
•They argued that only women of a certain age are barred 14.”
from entering the temple and that it is okay to wait till 50
to enter the holy shrine. “Notions of rationality cannot be invoked in matters
of religion,” said Justice Malhotra, adding: “What
THE ISSUE OF DISCRIMINATION - 1991 constitutes essential religious practice is for the
In 1991, the Kerala High Court restricted entry of women religious community to decide, not for the court.
above the age of 10 and below the age of 50 from
offering worship at Sabarimala Shrine as they were of NOW WHAT?
the menstruating age. The temple is open for worship only during the days of
Mandalapooja (approximately 15 November to 26
THE SABARIMALA CASE December), Makaravilakku or"Makara Sankranti"

(14 January) and Maha Vishuva Sankranti (14 April),
and the first five days of each Malayalam month.
(Scan the QR Code to watch video)
NOTES:

VERDICT 2018
1. The person is really backward or not . (State has no need
to show this)
2. Department's condition is deteriorating or not is also not
important.
3. However, states will have to back it with data to show
their inadequate representation in the cadre
Supreme Court :Quota in the promotion, OK but keep out

creamy layer among SCs, STs
SC/ST Promotion Supreme Court Verdict
UPSC PERSPECTIVE
Civil Services Mains General Studies Paper 2 under the
topic Indian Constitution - historical underpinnings,
evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and
basic structure.
BOOST TO SC/ST QUOTA IN PROMOTIONS (Scan the QR Code to watch video)

Constitution Bench made it easy for SC/ST to get
reservation in promotion for government job.
BACKGROUND OF THE PREVIOUS JUDGEMENTS NOTES:

1992 CASE
(Indra Sawhney & Others Vs Union Of India (Mandal
case)(OBC Reservation))
Supreme Court said SC/ST will get reservation in promotion
for government job. No creamy layer test for SC/ST.
Creamy layer test is present in OBC .
RESERVATION IN PROMOTIONS
Supreme Court Article 16 (4) .
Stopped the reservation in the promotion for SC/ST in the
job.
Since 1950 there is reservation in promotion.
Indra Sawhney & Others Vs Union Of India
Why Reservation?
SC/ST should get a good start at the institute.
The reasoning was that reservation exists to create a level -
playing field, to remedy unequal starting positions, thereby
removing the justification for promotion quotas.
The court used the light of Article 335 to justify this.
So, in 1992 reservation in promotion for government job for
SC/ST got stopped.
GOVERNMENT CAME INTO ACTION

Article 16 (4A)
1995 again reservation in promotion in the job again
started .
M NAGARAJ CASE
2006: 77th Amendment .Reservation in JOB promotion
will continue.
Supreme Court THE CONDITIONS
Article 16(4A) is fine but
Three conditions must be followed
1. The state has to show that the person is really backward.
2. The state have to show that the top admin of beaurocracy
has lack of SC/ST people.
3. Proof that administration's efficiency is not disturbed
while providing reservation in promotion for SC/ST in
government job .
PRESENT JUDGEMENT SEPTEMBER 2018

Supreme court in the present judgement
(Jarnail Singh vs Lachhmi Narain Gupta)
There is no need to revisit the judgment of M Nagaraj case
by 7 judge bench.

NOTES:
National database on sexual offenders-
India has launched the National Database on Sexual

Offenders.
It has become the 9th country in the world to implement this
Objectives of the NDSO-
● NDSO will maintain the database of convicted

sexual offenders
● Database includes names, photographs, residential
addresses, fingerprints, DNA samples, PAN and
Aadhar numbers
● The data is maintained by National Crime Records
Bureau
● Made available to only Law enforcement agencies
Features of NDSO-
● Database- contain more than 4.5 lakhs cases, first-

time offenders along with repeat offenders, details
compiled from prisons across the country
● Classification of offenders- according to criminal
history
● Period of data storage- depend on category a
convicted falls, period depends on crime
● Juvenile offenders
● System
● Appeals
● Data
● Arrested and charge sheeted- the information will
be stored except a limited access to the data
What are the concerns?
● Access- general public will not have access. The

only law enforcement agency can know the records
● Classification- sexual offenses are classified.
● Under-reporting: offenses are committed by people
known to the victim. According to NCRB, in 2015,
out of 34,651, 33,098 are cases of offenders who
are known to the victims. This leads to under
reporting of the issues.
● Violence- data breach
● Discrimination- the details included and the data is
breached, this is against the law. All these concerns
need to be addressed.
(Scan the QR code to watch the video)

NFHS- evaluation in Ajmer. Found out that open defecation
is 39% in 2018. But this was declared ODF in the month of
July 2016. The data contradicts.
Indian Institute of Health Management and Research

University- 4893 household survey was taken in October
2016. 49% was open defecation in Jaipur. Six months later,
the state govt. declared the state ODF. Usage was not taken
into account, only construction was considered.
What steps should be taken-

Proper enforcement of laws on municipal solid wastes,
protection of water sources and pollution control- according
Status of Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan or SBA in Rajasthan- to SBA, 3/4th households have door-to-door municipal
collection. But ground reality is different, more chances of
Implementations of SBA in Rajasthan show that there are its
waste generation, waste volumes continue to grow in reality
own limitations in the state. There is a long way to go in
achieving the goal. Manual scavenging- many areas of Rajasthan are not ODF.
Funds should be given for rehabilitation.
According to Ministry of Drinking water and Sanitation-
Open defecation- govt. should reach out to areas where
86.8 million Household now has latrines- constructed under
people defecate in the open. More focus should be given in
SBA. Subsidies were provided to construct latrines
these areas. Vision should be broader and target should be
Sanitation access is provided to 94% in rural areas- achieved.
5, 07,369 open defecation free villages
Swacch Bharat cess- 16, 400 crore fund was collected by the
govt. and utilized for implementing SBA
25 states and UTs free of open defecation
Ground Reality in Rajasthan-
ODF- Open defecation free, people use latrines instead of

open defecation, every household has toilets. Target has to
be met within a particular period. Many vulnerable
households did not get toilets, the usage is in questions
Inclusion- houses constructed after 2012 were exempted NOTES:

from providing subsidies
Self-declaration: it is the local officials who make this

declaration. Pressure was there from high officials.
Coercions-built toilets out of compulsions and did not use it

later. Construction and usage should be met. There was a
pressure from the govt. to construct toilets but no usage was
there
Awareness creation-5% should be used for spreading

information. Only 0.5% was used for spreading information.
Very poor
Manual Scavenging- this has been reported. Some areas are

not open defecation free
Issues with survey of Ministry-
Ministry’s MIS- Management Information System, the

latrine construction survey is evaluated and not the usage.
According to this survey, it is very high. But no usage
according to the survey
National Annual Rural Sanitation Survey-
Quality Council of India- the latrine use was 90%. PHR has
different opinions

C. INTERNATIONAL People(illegal immigrant) from Mexico enter into the USA

for getting jobs and other services (of the local people), s the
RELATIONS president of USA is planning to build the wall against them.
Similarly, Rohingya people entered India.
NUMBERS?
Rohingya people are having bad intentions?? are they
linked to any terrorist activities.
REFUGEES AND INDIA
● Most of the Rohingya Muslims living in India are

registered with the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), better known as
UN Refugee agency.
● International organisations have appealed to India not to
deport the Rohingyas.
But, the government has stated that its decision to deport
STATUS OF ROHINGYAS Rohingyas concerns the state of security.
7 Rohingya deported to Myanmar, Supreme Court gave the NOTES

approval of the deportation. India does not have a refugee specific law and the matter
falls under the Foreigners Act of 1946, enacted by the
BASIC - WHO ARE ROHINGYA Central Legislative Assembly.
The Foreigners Act makes undocumented physical presence
Rohingya are Muslims living in Arakan region of of a foreigner in India a crime. It also empowers the
Myanmar. government to detain a foreigner living illegally in the
country till that person is deported.
Myanmar government don't see them as a proper citizen
hence they have not been given proper citizenship in PROBLEM
Myanmar.
Myanmar have not registered them as the citizen of
40,000 Rohingya don't have citizenship in Myanmar Myanmar .How will Indian government deport them.
hence they have difficulty in finding the job and in other
services too. ISSUES OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS :
WHY ROHINGYAS FLED MYANMAR? An illegal immigrant ( without any document)

Refugee (At the time of calamity)
They have Indo- Tabitayan(facial features) ethnicity India has fundamental rights for foreigners too.
causes the problem here, developing countries are Under the article :protection of life and personal liberty
frequently seen with the problem of ethnicity which creates (Article 21)
fighting among the individuals.
WHY 7 ROHINGYAS WERE DEPORTED?
Fighting in people due to there Race causes difficulty in The Rohingya Muslims from Rakhine province on
finding the job and in other services too for them. Myanmar’s western coast started arriving in sizeable
numbers in India’s northeast in late 2011.
The Whole Rohingya case:(Violence case (spark))
Rape of an Indo Tabitayan ethnicity girl happens and the

rumours are spread that Rohingya's people raped her .so,
there is clash/riots.
Rohingya are running from their country after this clash
Rohingya ran to Bangladesh because they have ancestral

roots in Bangladesh. NOTES:
They ran to different countries as well.
They entered India through boats via West Bengal.
40,000 Rohingya are presently in India.
They are mainly spread all over India but the ratio is quite
high in Jammu.
Rohingya in India are mainly living in the states of Jammu
and Kashmir, Telangana, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and
Rajasthan.
Rohingya's illegally entered India.

For example :

Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. 1
Observer – Papua New Guinea.
BIG PLANS(UPSC MAINS ANSWER WRITING)

Tripura would be turned into ‘HIRA’, which is acronym
for development in Highways, i-ways or Internet
Services, Roadways and Airways.
NOTES
Referring to eight states of the northeast, PM had said the
region would be developed into ‘Astalaxmi’.
GS2
UPSC PERSPECTIVE
MAINS GENERAL STUDIES PAPER 2 under the topic (Scan the QR code to watch video)
India and its Neighbourhood- Relations.
AGARTALA-AKHAURA
RAILWAY PROJECT
NOTES:
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his
Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina, Chief Minister
of Tripura Biplab Kumar , Chief Minister of West Bengal
Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the commencement of work
for the Agartala-Akhaura railway project through video
conferencing.
A HUGE PROJECT
FOR BOTH
COUNTRIES
It will get over by 2019 very good project for the

north eastern part of our country.
NOTES
500 MW additional power supply from

India to Bangladesh: It will be
transferred through existing Bheramara
(Bangladesh)-Baharampur (India)
interconnection. With completion of this
project, India will be supplying around
1.16 Gigawatts of power to Bangladesh.
This project announced during his PM
Modi’s visit to Bangladesh in 2015.
AKHAURA–AGARTALA RAIL LINK(Very important

for prelims UPSC )
The railway project was conceptualized in 2010. Later, both

the countries had signed MoU on this railway project in
2013. It is expected that railway line will become
operational in 2019. The railway project consists of
constructing 15.054 km long railway line.
It will provide another link in the cross-border

connectivity between two countries by connecting
Akhaura in Bangladesh with capital city of Tripura,
Agartala through Nischintapur in Indo-Bangla
border.
It will help to develop socio-economic as well as

cultural bond between two neighbouring countries
TRIPURA TO BECOME GATEWAY TO ASEAN

COUNTRIES

On August 2, 2017, President Donald Trump signed it into

law while issuing two statements simultaneously that he
believed the legislation was "seriously flawed"
THE CHINESE RESPONSE
"We strongly urge the US side to correct the mistakes

immediately and revoke the so-called sanctions.
Otherwise, the US has to bear the consequences of it."
( Click on the image above to watch the video) WHAT OTHER REACTION HAS THERE BEEN?
U.S Sanctions on Chinese Military • Russia has also criticised the sanctions on the Chinese
military, warning the US against "playing with fire".
The U.S has imposed a sanction (Punishment) on China
because it bought military weapons from Russia. • "It would be good for them to remember there is such a
concept as global stability which they are thoughtlessly
A DANGEROUS SCENARIO undermining by whipping up tensions in Russian-American
ties," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in a
The US imposed sanctions Thursday against China's statement.
military for its purchases of Russian military equipment in a
move US officials said is meant to punish Moscow for its The US do not have any official power to put sanctions on
"malign activities," including attacks on American any country, but US is doing this because it has a lot of
elections. gold deposits and the value of the dollar is very high.
The USA is doing this because Russia took the side of the
Republican party in the elections and recently China has US economy is the biggest .
bought equipment from Russia ,so sanction on China. Dollar is used in every transaction.
NOTES The US is misusing its power.

The US has given warning to India. US may put sanction on
"Today's actions are not intended to undermine the military India if India deals with Russia for S-400.
capabilities or combat readiness of any country," the State Not to buy defence system from Russia.
Department said in a statement, "but rather to impose costs
on Russia in response to its interference in the United States What India can do?
election process, its unacceptable behaviour in eastern 1. Not to buy S-400
Ukraine, and other malign activities." 2. Stand with Russia and China.
The punishment is given to Russia but the pain is felt by India needs help from the US.
China . If the US puts sanction on India then it will be very bad
for the Indian Economy.
What will happen after sanction?
The growth of the Chinese military will stop.

Big companies(like Google , Apple) were about to trade in
China but now they are stepping back for any trade in
China.
REASON FOR PUTTING SANCTION ON CHINA

• The US says China has contravened US sanctions on
Moscow introduced over Russian actions in Ukraine and
alleged interference in US politics. (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
• China recently bought 10 Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter

jets and S400 missiles. NOTES:
• Beijing has not joined in the sanctions imposed on
Moscow by the US and its Western allies since 2014.
• Its forces took part in giant Russian war games held earlier
this month.
COUNTERING AMERICA'S ADVERSARIES

THROUGH SANCTIONS ACT
The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions

Act, CAATSA is a United States federal law that imposed
sanctions on Iran, North Korea, and Russia. The bill was
passed during the 115th Congress, 98–2 in the Senate.

use its Chittagong and Mongla ports to transport cargo
to and from its North eastern states.
AGREEMENT ON SEA PORTS FOR

TRANSPORTING GOODS
• Under this agreement, India can transport goods as per

capacity of two sea ports.
NOTES :
• Under it, India will have to follow General Agreement on
Tariff and Trad (GATT) and Bangladeshi regulations, pay
( Click on the image above to watch the video) customs duties and buy tax equivalent bonds to transport
freight. India will also pay fees for using infrastructure of
INDO-BANGLA PIPELINE PROJECT Bangladeshi land ports. To keep track of cargo new modern
tracking system will be used.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh
counterpart Sheikh Hasina on September 18, 2018 jointly • The agreement will be effective for five years, but it can be
launched the construction of India-Bangladesh Friendship extended for another five years automatically. However, any
Product Pipeline. side can cancel the agreement after giving six months’
notice and suspend deal. Standard Operational Procedure
Pipeline is from India to Bangladesh (SOP) will be prepared for implementing this agreement.
The SOP will be prepared after consulting with various
Project through video conferencing. stakeholders.
• The project will go a long way in strengthening the Indo- IMPORTANCE OF BANGLADESH
Bangla ties. It is a new milestone in the history of
cooperation between India and Bangladesh. According to global firepower index ECONOMY OF
BANGLADESH
• Both the sides had entered into an agreement for the
construction of the pipeline in April 2018 during Foreign The market-based economy of Bangladesh is the 42nd
Secretary Vijay Gokhale's visit to Dhaka. largest in the world in nominal terms, and 31st largest
by purchasing power parity; it is classified among the
INDIA-BANGLADESH FRIENDSHIP PRODUCT Next Eleven emerging market middle income economies
and a Frontier market.
PIPELINE PROJECT
• The 130-kilometre pipeline will connect Siliguri in West

Bengal in India and Parbatipur in Dinajpur district of
Bangladesh.
• The six-kilometre Indian leg of the pipeline project will
be implemented by the Assam-based Numaligarh Refinery
Limited and the remaining 124kilometres of the pipeline
project will be implemented by BangladeshPetroleum
Corporation.
•The capacity of the pipeline will be 1 million metric tons
per annum.
MAJOR MILESTONE NOTES:

• Bangladesh would initially receive 2.5 lakh tonnes of
diesel every year and it would gradually be increased to 4
lakh tonnes.
• The project will replace the existing practice of sending

diesel by rail covering a distance of 510 kilometres.
• The estimated project cost will be Rs 346 crore and it will

be completed in 30 months time.
• This will be the first such pipeline through which refined

diesel will be supplied to Parbatipur depot from
Numaligarh of Assam in India.
BANGLADESH TO PROVIDE INDIA ACCESS TO

KEY PORTS
• Bangladesh Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh

Hasina has approved draft agreement allowing India to

•An alternative arrangement, to pay in Indian rupee instead

of the standard US dollar, is being worked out to partly deal
with the matter.
DETAILS OF THE DEAL

• The agreement will allow India to procure four new
warships from Russia for the Navy.
• The deal will also involve building two of the ships at the
Goa shipyard.
• The deal has been processed as 2+2 scheme. (2 will come
from Russia and two will be made in India(from
(Click on the image above to watch the video) scratch))
• In this scheme, the technology will be transferred to Goa
India to buy Four Russian Frigates for 2.2 Billion dollars Shipyard to construct two of the frigates from scratch.
- Made in India • The Indian-made warships are expected to cost 30-50%
more than the direct Russian import due to the cost of
INDIA RUSSIA HIGH IN INVESTMENT building infrastructure and transfer of technology.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that India and THE DETAILS
Russia should consider raising the overall investment target
to $50 billion because the target of $30 billion set for After Crimea fallout, Russia and Ukraine suspended all
2025 has already been met. defense ties which rendered the underconstruction
Admiral Grigorovich class frigates of limited operational
MAJOR PROJECTS IN PREVIOUS YEARS use to Russian Navy until they were re-engined with
Russian alternative which is expected to be ready only by
• ONGC Videsh Ltd in 2001 bought a 20 per cent stake in 2020.
the Sakhalin-1 project in Far East Russia.
NOTES
OVERCOMING THE TRADE GAP BY INVESTMENT
•India’s defense acquisition council has sanctioned$75
SUSHMA SWARAJ VISIT million for acquiring M7N.1E gas turbine engines from
Ukraine for powering the two Grigorovich class frigates
• Meeting prepared the groundwork for the annual India- that are expected to soon arrive in India from Russia.
Russia bilateral summit between Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, •India had agreed to purchase the two frigates Admiral
to be held in New Delhi next month. Butakov and Admiral Istomin.
• Russia is one of only two countries with which India holds

annual bilateral summits, the other being Japan.
• The Indian Minister also said that both sides have agreed
to organise the first-ever India-Russia Business Summit
involving major companies from both countries in early
October in India.
THE PARTNERSHIP
•The India-Russia bilateral relationship was elevated to
Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership in 2010.
•Modi and Putin have already met twice this year -- at an NOTES:
informal summit in the Russian resort city of Sochi in May
and then on the sidelines of the BRICS (Brazil,Russia,
India, China and South Africa) Summit in SouthAfrica
in June.
Major defence deal between India and Russia.
NOTES
• Two weeks after India significantly upgraded its defence
ties with the United States through the Comcasa
(Communications Compatibility and Security
Agreement), the Modi government has cleared the way for
one of the biggest purchases from Russia — $2.2-billion
frigates deal.
• Financial sanctions by the US have complicated purchase

of weapons from Moscow as Indian banks are unable to
transfer money to defence companies in Russia.

installation of a single traffic-control centre for efficient
management of rail traffic at the local level, efficient
practices in freight and cargo operations, development of
multi-modal terminals and a mutual exchange of the
advanced technologies used by the two countries.
AGRICULTURE
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Indian
Potash Ltd and producers of phosphate-containing fertilisers
PhosAgro Friday announced joint investments in mineral
fertiliser production in Russia and India.
ECONOMY
Russia and India also agreed upon encouraging the use of
Putin In India | S-400 | Space Exploration national currencies while engaging in bilateral trade.
Trade between Russia & India will reach $30bn by 2025
VLADIMIR PUTIN VISIT TO INDIA
THE BIG INVITATION (significant)
Vladimir Putin is the second most powerful person in the
world according to the Forbes magazine. Vladimir Putin invites Modi to 2019 Vladivostok
Economic Forum also known as the Eastern Economic
UPSC PERSPECTIVE Forum.
Above topic is essential for both prelims and mains under

the topic Civil services mains general studies paper 2
Sub Topics : Bilateral, regional and global groupings and

agreements involving India and /or affecting India's
interests.
IMPORTANCE
Russian President(Vladimir Putin) visits more frequently to (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
India and this is the 3rd meeting in 2018.
India finally signed the deal to purchase s-400 .

NOTES:
LOW KEY ANNOUNCEMENT
The deal for S-400 missile system was signed by Joint

Secretary (Land Systems) from Indian Defence Ministry
and Director General ROE (Rosoboronexport).
Under COMCASSA, USA has warned countries not to

do any deal with Russia, whoever will do the deal with
Russia, the USA will put sanction on that country.
Previously it was seen that China did deal with Russia and
the USA have put sanction on China.
India has friendly relations with the USA.

USA did not put sanctions on India after this deal.
This is a huge diplomatic victory for India.
RELIANCE OFF-SET CLAUSE?
S-400 is a NO Offset clause.

It is government to the government initiative.
LIST OF PACTS SIGNED
Space Exploration
More on Space – Along with assistance to India ‘s ambitious
‘Gaganyaan’ project, Russia has also agreed to set up data
collection ground stations for India’s recently developed
navigation system NaVIC.
RAILWAYS
The MoC includes the implementation of a ‘speed-
upgradation project’ in the Nagpur-Secunderabad section,

WHY IS CHINA BETTING ON AFRICA?
● Because of excellent growth opportunities (raw

materials required for manufacturing) available in
African countries China is emphasizing to
increase its investment.
● If the product is manufactured then China requires
different markets where it can export those
products in African countries.
● In 2015, China’s President Xi Jinping announced
a plan to invest $60billion in development projects
across Africa.
● The benefits for African nations include the
reduction of poverty, an increase in health
infrastructure and industrialisation.
Why China investing
● By investing in such a development project China

increases the influence in the region and control
the political power, Economic power of a
particular country. 1.2
● China also increases its presence in African
countries. China emerged as African’s largest trading partner
Amount of investments made by China
● Before the 21st century, there is less priority to

African countries.
● Early 21st century China emphasizing more in
African countries both Saharan & sub-Saharan
countries.
Foreign Direct Investment in Africa (2005)
● China has made an investment of over $300 1.3

million One Built One Road
● China investment is seeing not only in
infrastructures like coastal railway or One Built One Road initiative is China wants to explore the
Hydropower dam but also emphasize promoting markets available in different part of the world.
industrialization in African countries like Cement
plants. The purpose is to improve the level of Earlier China is an export-oriented economy. China mainly
industrialization. exports the products to the developed world (U.S.A,
Europe).
Because of adoption or protest nest policy i.e. country are

increasing tariff and non-tariff barrier. If China has a
dependency on this developed world then its economy
would be affected. So, China is searching for an alternative.

Raw Material in African Countries -> Petroleum, Oil,
Natural Gas, Coal, Diamond etc
NOTES:
Strategic point of view
● Some African countries have an important

strategic location because some of the sea routes
are used by ships to reach to different countries.
● If China has a presence/influence in the countries
then China can easily control the sea route which
again provides a huge strategic advantage to
China.
● If China able to control the sea route then it can
impact on India’s economy because by controlling
China limit the exporting in India.
● Increase in China presence in African countries
will result in neo-colonialism.
● China is investing in infrastructure in African
countries because Africa provides minerals to
China that increase dependency of African
countries on China.
● The Chinese-African relationship looks simple and
based on Chinese exploitation of African resources;
however, the relationship is very complex and
multi-layered.
● By increasing the economic activities in African
countries China is trying to connect different
developing economies across the world.
(Scan the QR Code to watch video

CRITICISM
The critics called the bridge a 'white elephant' and a

'blood and sweat project', as more than 600 workers were
injured and 10 died during construction.
World's Longest Sea Bridge

CHINA IN THE NEWS AGAIN (Scan the QR Code to watch the video)
In 2018 China President Xi Jinping officially disclose the
world’s longest sea bridge connecting with Hong Kong,
Macau and mainland China. It hooks with three important
regions Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge(HKZMB or NOTES:
HZMB).
STRUCTURE
Government start working according to China’s People
decision. The bridge starts from Zhuhai and Macau
Boundary, passes from Dual 3-lane carriageway then go to
undersea tunnel (7km long) that comprises of two circles
which are basically an Island chained with dotted line i.e
underwater tunnel and reach to Hong Kong link road. Main
bridge and tunnel length are 30 km.
CHINESE ENGINEERING
● The submerged tunnel is 6.7-kilometer (4-mile) to

avoid the busy shipping paths over the Pearl River
Delta.
● The tunnel runs between two artificial islands,
each measuring 100,000 square meters (1 million
square feet) and located in relatively shallow
waters.
SOME POINTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
It will shear the travel time between Hong Kong and Zhuhai
from three hours to just 30 minutes The bridge designed
in such a way that it deals with a magnitude eight
earthquake, a super typhoon and strikes by super-sized
cargo vessels was built using 400,000 tonnes of steel,
enough to build 60 Eiffel Towers.
ARE HONG KONG AND MACAU PART OF CHINA?
The Special Administrative Regions are Hong Kong and

Macau, two relatively independent regions within the
People's Republic of China that maintain separate
administrative, legal and judicial systems from the rest of
the country.

( Scan the QR code to the watch video )
India and China to Sign Internal Security Cooperation

Agreement. NOTES:
NOTES
Zhao Kezhi, China’s Minister of Public Security and

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh are slated to discuss
various aspects of security cooperation between the two
countries.
For the first time, India and China will sign an internal
security cooperation agreement next week, marking a new
beginning in bilateral relations.
While Mr. Singh is the head of eight central armed police

forces with a combined strength of about 10 lakh
personnel, Mr. Zhao is responsible for day-to-day law
enforcement in China and commands about 19 lakh
personnel.
The scheduled meeting may lead to a future India-China

agreement on the exchange of sentenced prisoners, another
official said.
Currently, India does not have an extradition treaty with
China, nor a pact to exchange each other’s sentenced
prisoners.
There are at least 10 Indians in Chinese prisons and an

equal number of Chinese citizens in Indian prisons.
This will help in the improvement of relations between

India and China hence we can see more agreements
between India and China in the coming future.
THE AGREEMENT
The proposed pact is expected to cover areas of intelligence

sharing, exchange programme, sharing of best practices,
cooperation in disaster mitigation.
INTERESTING TIMES - CLOSER INDIA CHINA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi

Jinping held an informal summit in Wuhan, China, in April
this year which helped repair bilateral ties.
CHINA NEEDS INDIA IN THE TRADE WAR
China seeks help from India to fight US trade

protectionism.
GOLDEN RULE OF GEOPOLITICS
There are no permanent enemies, and no permanent friends,

only permanent interests.


US Fed Rate Hike NOTES:

The current affair was that-
US federal Reserves raised interest rates for a 3rd time this

year
It is a rising cause of concern for India
Effects of interest rise-
Investment- investing in dollar will give more return. Since

interest rates are high. The return and the risk in concerned.
US economy is providing more return. Foreign companies
invest in equity. It can be withdrawn anytime. Foreign
portfolio investors will put out their capital from Indian
market and invest in Indian market. Because of more return.
Indian economy is providing low return. Demand of Indian
rupee will fall. Leads to deprivation of Indian economy.
Imports- the value of dollar increases. Leads to

strengthening of dollar. Import bills will be expensive.
Crude oil price will increase. Expensive imports.
CAD- excess of value of imports over exports. Weakening

of rupee bill will lead to widening of CAD
Domestic inflation- it will lead to cost-push inflation. Cost

of production increases as supply comes down. It leads to
negative impact on the economy. GDP will come down.
Economic Scenario-
● RBI/MPC- meet the differential in US economy

and Indian economy. Reserve bank will increase
the interest rate. Provide better returns. Loans will
become expensive. Negative impact on economy.
Private investment comes down. Fiscal burden for
government. Production comes down because of
absence of capital.
● Reserves- there are obligations from RBI. Further
bring down the reserves RBI holds
● Balance of payment- chances of increase in capital
flow. Negative impact on country’s finance
situation.
● Protectionism- increase in custom duty and imports
will become expensive. Reduce the supply of
imported commodities. Cost of commodities will
increase. Focus on enhancing the capacity of
domestic producers.
RBI must make smart policies to control the economy.

The United States indicated that it would expect India to
reduce dependence on Iranian crude and ‘zero out’ energy
ties with Tehran.
NO VIOLATION OF SANCTIONS?
India had earlier rushed some of its important ministers to

Iran to launch the initiative on various development
projects and the two sides did so despite the US warning.
NOTES:
(Click on the image above to watch the video) Iran also has its plan to benefit from the port.
WHY IS IRAN IMPORTANT TO INDIA? As India is Iran’s largest customer hence the memorandum
will help to increase economic growth and investment.
UPSC PERSPECTIVE
It will provide regional growth and
Above topic is important for Mains General prosperity by employment
Studies Paper 2 (Under India and its generation and GDP growth.
neighbourhood-International Relations)
THE DEAL
India: Chabahar port hand-over on Track.
IRAN, RUSSIA, TURKEY Discussed Non-Dollar
Sep 2018 Trade At Summit Tehran.
"As per the agreement, we are now ready to hand over the Not to trade in dollar rather than use GOLD for trade.
(Chabahar) to the Indian company. We have moved a step OIL
in the right direction already. We have provided a banking
channel to India and India has accepted that formally,” The USA told India not to trade of oil from Iran.
Abbas Akhoundi, the visiting Iranian minister told
Indian media. Mr. Akhoundi held discussions with his India is the second largest buyer from Iran after China.
Indian counterpart Nitin Gadkari.
Iran has provided may premiums to India for the trade of oil.
The first phase of Iran’s Chabahar port (Shahid
Beheshti Port) holds significant strategic and economic It can also help to reduce the import cost of oil to India.
importance for India. It is located on the Makran coast,
Chabahar in southeastern Iran. Its location lies in the THE TRUMP FACTOR
Gulf of Oman.
The trump administration is imposing serious economic
It is Iran’s only oceanic port located on the Gulf of costs on India through its misguided policies.
Oman, southeast of Iran near the Pakistani border.
It has been jointly developed by India, Iran, and
Afghanistan.
The port will allow India to bypass Pakistan to transport

goods to Afghanistan and Central Asia using a sea-land
route. Chabahar Port lies in the Persian Gulf in Iran and
will help India in expanding its maritime commerce in
the region.
IMPORTANCE ( Scan the QR code to watch video.)
From Chabahar, the existing Iranian road network can link

up to Zaranj in Afghanistan, about 883 km from the port.
The Zaranj- Delaram road constructed by India in 2009 can NOTES:
give access to Afghanistan’s Garland Highway, setting up
road access to four major cities in Afghanistan — Herat,
Kandahar, Kabul, and Mazar-e-Sharif.
CENTRAL ASIA (ASHGABAT AGREEMENT)
No need for checking at check-post.
THE NORTH-SOUTH TRANSPORT

CORRIDOR Improve trade of Russia and
India.
INDIA WENT ON WITH THE PORT

DEVELOPMENT DESPITE US'S WARNING
INDIA PLANS TO OPEN CHABAHAR PORT BY 2019


• For its part, India is giving Japan exclusive access to its
sensitive northeast region and the Andaman Islands for
the development of infrastructure facilities.
UPSC PERSPECTIVE
India–Japan relations are solid so expect some questions. (Scan the QR code to watch video)
Under the section :

“Special Strategic Global Partnership”
NOTES:
With Russia we have
“Special privileged strategic partnership”
WHAT HAPPENED RECENTLY?
To promote Military cooperation, India and Japan are all set

to hold the first-ever joint military exercise.
‘DHARMA GUARDIAN-2018’ involving the Indian

Army and Japan Ground Self Defence Force. In Japan,
they call their army Japan Ground Self Defense Force.
EXERCISE DHARMA GUARDIAN- 2018
6/1 GORKHA RIFLES will represent the Indian

contingent while the Japanese contingent will be
represented by 32 Infantry Regiment of the Japanese
Ground Self Defence Force.
During the 14 days long exercise, due emphasis will be

laid on increasing interoperability(synchronization
between both ) between forces from both countries.
Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of

well developed tactical drills for neutralization of likely
threats that may be encountered in urban warfare scenario.
INDIA AND JAPAN HAVE CLOSE MILITARY TIES
The two nations have frequently held joint military exercises

and co-operate on technology. India and Japan concluded a
security pact on 22 October 2008.
ABOUT THE SECURITY PACT
Japan and India have declared themselves “special strategic

and global partners”.
Japan signed a security declaration agreement with India
in 2008, only the second of its kind, outside the Japan-US
security treaty, after the security declaration agreement
made with Australia in 2007.
INDIA – JAPAN FRIENDSHIP
• Japan is heavily involved in India’s infrastructure

development projects. More than US$10 billion in Japanese
aid – the most significant sum Tokyo has ever invested in a
single project through its foreign aid program – has been
committed to building the first high-speed railway in
India.

ELECTION RESULT IN MALDIVES
With Ibrahim Mohamed Solih now set to replace Abdulla

Yameen, there may be a new dawn on the horizon.
They want to balance trade between India and China.
(Click on the image above to watch the video) During his door-to-door campaign, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
promised that he would repair relations with the neighbours
Maldives Election Good News for India? and India First foreign policy would be reinstated.
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih defeated Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih won the presidential election, TROUBLE FOR CHINA
defeating President Abdulla Yameen who is known to be
close to China. Under Mr Yameen, the Maldives has also welcomed
Solih has been a long-standing aide of pro-India politician Chinese money for major projects and signed a free trade
and former President Mohamed Nasheed. agreement. More tourists from China now visit the Maldives
Yameen Abdul Gayoom (former President) backed by than from any other country.
China loses in the election.
Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party has taken an anti -
ABOUT MALDIVES China stance.
Maldives is important country in Indian ocean region.
It group of small islands. Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed previously
Small country. claimed China has pilled his County into a "debt trap".
Because of its strategic location in the Indian ocean it is
important to India. Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed supports
Member of SAARC(not active) India.
The Maldives was a Commonwealth republic from July
1982 until its withdrawal from the Commonwealth in The Maldives is a key battleground in the rivalry between
October 2016. China and India.
Left commonwealth group
NOTE:
INDIA- MALDIVES TENSION Maldives is not part of RCEP.
Now, with the win, Maldives can set an free trade agreement
INDIA- MALDIVES needed each others help. with India.
Maldives now can do Naval and Military exercise with
INDIA- MALDIVES were good friends until Yameen India.
Abdul Gayoom came in power in 2013.
Historic victory for Maldives.
PM Modi in 2014 called him in his swearing ceremony.
WAS IT A FAIR ELECTION?
Yameen made many step against India.
The US and European Union had threatened sanction
Yameen Abdul was pro-China and pro-Pakistan. Yameen and Members of his govt it they were seen to be
interfering in the polls .
Yameen Abdul Gayoom officials were opposing him so, he
put them(opposition leaders) in jail.
DIFFICULTIES FOR INDIA
Yameen Abdul took many steps against India and signed

MoU with Pakistan.
Cancelled work permits of Indians working in the

Maldives.
Free trade agreement of the Maldives with China ,resulting (Scan the QR code to watch video.)
china market overcoming the Maldives market.
India helped the Maldives a lot. NOTES:

China was seen as dictating the foreign policy of
Maldives under Yameen Abdul Gayoom making India’s
strategic position vulnerable in the Indian Ocean.
ABDULLA YAMEEN
6th president to the Maldives.

Political party -Progressive Party of Maldives. (lost the
elections)

3. The UK declared a Marine Protected Area
around Chagos in 2010, which prohibits fishing
and extractive industry and has the effect of
preventing any resettlement.
Therefore Mauritius claims sovereignty over the

islands and the states that Britain claim is a
violation of the law and of UN resolutions.
(Click on the image above to watch the video) MISUSE
CHAGOS ARCHIPELAGO CONTROVERSY In 2015, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled this
move as illegal under the United Nation
Above topic is very important for Mains General
Studies Paper 2. Convention on the Law of The Sea (UNCLOS).
International Relations - India and its neighborhood- “Mauritius holds legally binding rights to fish in
relations. the waters surrounding the Chagos Archipelago, to
the eventual return of the Chagos Archipelago to
(Imp) Effect of policies and politics of developed Mauritius when no longer needed for defense
and developing countries on India's interests, purposes, and to the preservation of the benefit of any
Indian diaspora. minerals or oil discovered in or near the Chagos
Archipelago pending its eventual return,” the ruling on
WHAT IS THE ISSUE? March 19, 2015 in The Hague stated.
The CHAGOS ARCHIPELAGO(a group of According to PCA, Mauritius holds legally binding
islands) is a group of seven atolls comprising more rights.
than 60 islands in the Indian Ocean about 500 km
south of the Maldives. NOTES :
1. It has been part of Maldives since the 18th century In June 2017, the United Nations General Assembly
when French first settled the island. voted in favor of asking the court to provide an
advisory on UK & Mauritius over Chagos
archipelago.
2. All of the islands of French colonial territory in
the region were ceded to the British in 1810. Mauritius(very small in front of UK) further moved
to INTERNATION COURT OF
The Chagos Islands — referred to by the British as JUSTICE, NETHERLANDS(ICJ) for it rights .
British Indian Ocean Territory, but which is not
recognized as such by Mauritius — is home to the U.S. INTERNATION COURT OF JUSTICE,
military base Diego Garcia(PART OF CHAGOS NETHERLANDS is the UN's principal Judicial
ARCHIPELAGO ) Organ.
Diego Garcia(PART OF CHAGOS The voting was done whether Mauritius should take
ARCHIPELAGO) was given on lease for 50 UK in ICJ or not
years to the British because Mauritius desperately
wanted independence. VOTING RESULT :
1. Lease got over in 2016, as it completed its 50 years. 94 Countries supported Mauritius.
But Britishers are not returning it.
In the 1960s and 1970s, inhabitants(2000) were 15 Countries supported the UK
removed from the islands. 65 Countries abstained from voting (EG: China)
Mauritius maintaining that the archipelago Mauritius won.
remains its integral part. India supported the draft resolution on the same
NOTES. matter in favor of Mauritius.
1. When Mauritius was not independent, the UK Indian Permanent Representative to the UN had
took away the part of the land from Mauritius. said, "As part of our long standing support to all
(which is illegal) peoples striving for decolonization, we have also
2. The UN resolution baned the dismemberment of consistently supported Mauritius, a fellow #
colonial territories before independence. developing country from Africa with whom we have
age-old people to people bonds, in their quest for the

restoration of their sovereignty over the Chagos
Archipelago."
September 2018 news

NOTES:
India is supporting Mauritius in
INTERNATION COURT OF JUSTICE,
NETHERLANDS. India’s Ambassador Venu
Rajamony said the historical survey indicates
that the Chagos
Archipelago throughout the pre- and post-

colonial era has been a part of the Mauritian
territory.
India is going to stick to its earlier stand and stand by

Mauritius in this fight against UK's colonial history
and the rights of exiled islanders to return.
WHY IS INDIA DOING THIS?
India, as a country that has gone through the throes

of decolonization, since its own independence in
1947, has always been in the forefront of the
struggle against colonialism and apartheid.

Safety- given preference
Dispute settlement- USA has agreed to restate ch 19 and 20

of older mechanism of NAFTA. This provides for
settlement of disputes. Allows three countries to challenge
each other’s anti-dumping and countervailing duty.
Intellectual property – deals with stringent protection for

trademarks
Drugs- can sell the drugs. Can be reviewed by three

countries after implementations.
Review
Concerns in the agreement-
What is the news? Not all the amendments that are being made will have
positive effect on the free trade
The US, Mexico and Canada have arrived at a revised trade
agreement- Tri-lateral agreement. USMCA is the new Many hard compromises are made by Canada and Mexico.
agreement. Canada is giving higher diary production to US, producers
in Canada will be harmed, increased competition, will get
This revised agreement replaces NAFTA-USMCA will
less price.
replace NAFTA
Labor regulation- minimum wages should increase the cost
What is NAFTA-
of production. Produce will be made globally less
North-American free trade agreement productive. North America will become tough investment
area.
Before, Canada-US free trade agreement, need to arrive at a
tri-lateral agreement then the NAFTA come into being.
NAFTA-
Came to effect on 1994
Successor of USA FTA
Trilateral agreements (Scan the QR code to watch video)
Lower tariff
Trade expansion- encouraged big business to supply chains NOTES:

around North America, expanded more than three times
Deep political relationship
New Deal-
Will be known as US-Mexico- Canada Agreement or

USMCA
Several changes will be made to the earlier NAFTA and

replace the NAFTA
Does not play an important role in in promoting the cause of

free trade
Achieves the objective of avoiding any significant damage

to the international trade system.
Key changes made-
Canada- changes in production quotas applied to Canada’s

diary industry. Canada will have to allow local producers to
compete with other, production was restricted earlier and
now it will benefit the consumers, more choices for
consumers.
Cars and trucks- 75% work of components and 30% work

on vehicles: clear the zero tariffs and 75% of its components
must be manufactured in these three countries. 62.5 to 75
will be the improve. Should benefit the laborers, who work
for 16$ per hours. Mexico has low labor cost.

To solve this PMO asked for the advice of Suresh
Prabhu(Trade Minister)
Suresh Prabhu puts these two concerns in front of the

RCEP members
1.India's concern regarding China.
2.Regarding skilled professionals movement.
This meeting happened in Singapore.

RCEP members have agreed to them.
The victory of India at RCEP meeting.
FOR India RCEP is Postponed for one more
This topic is very important for General Studies Mains year.
Paper 2 under the topic IR (International Relations)
There has been an inevitable linkage between services and
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. goods negotiations, because RCEP is not a goods
agreement alone, and services must be an integral part of
It is an idea of a free trade agreement for countries like
the agreement.
ASEAN Members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,Thailand, India is very good in service sector like IT etc
Vietnam) and the six Asia-Pacific states(Australia, China, as campared to goods.
India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand).
SKILLED WORKERS (gift for India)
Some countries should be united under the free trade
agreement in terms of market access. Diminishing all RCEP countries will open up opportunities for India’s
the borders in terms of the market. skilled professionals seeking gainful
Lets us take a hypothetical example regarding it employment."MODE 4" of RCEP says that skilled ,
and know more about the RCEP. talented and educated youth can go to RCEP countries for
work.
Eg : Suppose one of the Australian company manufactures
soap and they want to sell their soap in India. Let the cost TRADE DEFICIT
of the soap be 100.
India has a trade deficit with other 10 RCEP countries
India will protect its own soap manufactures (eg lux, including China, South Korea, and Australia also.
dove etc) and will put the tariff of 20 Rs on the
Australian soap. People from the agriculture and dairy sector are telling
to be not a part of RCEP countries, cause in coming time
Hence, Indians will have to pay 120 rs for the these countries can capture our market aggressively and
Australian soap and Indian soap be of 100 rs. we will have to face the problem and it will not be
possible to put tariff at that time.
Under RCEP any country can sell its product in another
country at the minimum tariff. India's exports to RCEP account for about l5% of its total
exports and imports from RCEP comprise 35% of the total
RCEP is a revolutionary idea and when it gets imports.
successful there will be a positive drift in the economy for
a respective country hence providing a economic stability.
WHAT WORRIES INDIA?
Some hurdles are there in RCEP because there are

some issues between India and China like trade
deficit between them.
We buy a lot from China. Eg: solar panels bought from

China are not tariff-free. (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
In RCEP china can get a direct access to the Indian
market and that worries the Indian government. China will NOTES:
capture the Indian market in a decade and this will not
be good for our country in the long-term.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
India is planning to pull itself out from RCEP and

this is itself a big news.
Is it a loss of opportunity?

● Western European and other States: 7 seats
● Eastern European States: 6 seats
WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNHRC,

OHCHR AND HRC IN UN ?
WHAT IS UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS

COUNCIL (UNHRC)
The Human Rights Council was established by the UN

General Assembly in 2006 to replace the UN Commission
(click on the image above to watch the video) on Human Rights.
India Wins Election to UNHRC with Highest Votes. The United States, which withdrew from the Council earlier
this year, received a symbolic one write-in vote.
ABOVE TOPIC IS IMPORTANT UNDER THE OHCHR is the Office of the United Nations High
SECTION INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Comissioner for Human Rights. It's mandate is to promote
and protect human rights. The UN High Commissioner for
WHAT HAPPENED RECENTLY Human Rights is the principal human rights official in the
UN.
India has been elected to the United Nation’s top human
rights body, UNHRC for a period of three years HOW IS THE UNHRC SEAT OF ANY USE TO INDIA
beginning January 1, 2019, by getting 188 votes in the ?
Asia-Pacific category, the highest number of votes among
all candidates. India has won the seat with the highest number of votes
which clearly reflects the country’s standing in the
KEY-HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ELECTION international community.
When it nominated itself for the Council, the country
● The 193-member United Nations General Assembly showcased its position as “the world’s largest democracy
(UNGA) held an election for new members to the and India’s secular polity”.
United Nations Human Rights Council. In the nomination pledge, India presented a broader
approach to human rights, emphasizing climate, justice,
● The seats are allocated based on “equitable regional health and poverty alleviation.
distribution” giving the Asia-Pacific region a total of
13 seats, with some coming up for election every year,
where Pakistan and China are already members in the
group.
CONTROVERSY
● Bahrain, Bangladesh, Fiji and India and the

Philippines stake claim to 5 seats for Asia-Pacific region
at UNHRC.
● In the Asia Pacific category, India got 188 votes
followed by Fiji with 187 votes, Bangladesh 178,
Bahrain and Philippines 165 each. NOTES:
● India got the highest number of votes amongst all the
18 countries in the five regional categories.
HOW ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED
● The Human Rights Commission has 47 members,

selected each year by the UN General Assembly for
staggered 3-year terms on a regional group basis.
● No member country may occupy a seat for more than

two consecutive 3-year terms.
● To get elected to the Council, countries needed a

minimum of 97 votes.
The seats are distributed among the United Nation’s

regional groups as follows:
● African States: 13 seats

● Asia-Pacific States: 13 seats
● Latin American and Caribbean States: 8 seats

of which $1 billion is with Kazakhstan.
Uzbekistan is a distant second.
MUST ESTABLISH CONNECTIVITY

North-South Transport Corridor (NSTC)
will deepen trade relation between India and Uzbekistan
17 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOUS)
Modi also said that India has decided to extend a line of credit
(LoC) of $200 million to Uzbekistan for housing.
Agreement between the Government of the Republic of

(Click on the image above to watch the video) Uzbekistan and the Government of the Republic of India for
visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders.
Why is Uzbekistan Important for India? Memorandum between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic
of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of
Above topic is Important under the topic International Relations India on cooperation in the field of military education.
for UPSC Mains Paper 2.
SOME OF THE MAIN MOUS
WHAT HAPPENED EXACTLY. • Memorandum of Understanding between the Hakimian of
Samarkand City, Samarkand region, the Republic of Uzbekistan
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev is and the Municipal Corporation of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Republic
on the visit to India for two days. of India.
This is Mirziyoyev’s first visit to India since assuming office in • Agreement on cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce
2016. and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Confederation
of Indian Industry on the establishment of the India- Uzbekistan
About Uzbekistan business council.
In the capital of Uzbekistan , Tashkent peace treaty happened
between India and Pakistan in the year 1966.
Uzbekistan Was part of USSR in 1991.
Uzbekistan is dependent on other countries for trade, especially
on Nepal.
Billions of wealth are present in their land.
They are having rare minerals.
Uzbekistan is making their economy strong slowly.
Several excellent opportunities exist for Indian investment in the
non-ferrous and rare-earth metals industry.
Uzbekistan wants to export its minerals to India which would (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
ultimately be better for there economies.
NOTES :
India has been citing obstructions of physical connectivity,
NOTES:
Pakistan’s hostility and the instability in Afghanistan for its
desultory attitude towards Central Asia.
But such excuses can no longer hold true as distant countries like
South Korea are doing enough business with the region.
ASHGABAT AGREEMENT
The Ashgabat agreement is a multimodal transport agreement
between India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan,
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for creating an international
transport and transit corridor facilitating transportation of
goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf.
Because of this agreement truck can pass easily through the border
of each others country without any paperwork.
India and Uzkebistan trade will increase.
India and Uzbekistan set an annual bilateral trade target of $1

billion to be achieved within two years and agreed to boost
connectivity as the two sides
NOTES
Member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
China Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia,
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan,
Uzbekistan's trade with India is a paltry $323 million.

Under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
India’s current trade figure of about $100 billion with the SCO
under which
India’s current trade $90 billion with China,
$8 billion with Russia
only $1.5 billion with the Central Asian states,

Government’s role- around 250 billion is infused in AI
D. ECONOMY equity share by the Govt, repair done to the loss incurred in
buying expensive aircrafts
SPV- 7 billion rupees loss on 22 billion rupees, 466

billion debt burden is huge, transfer 300 billion rupees to
SPV. Illusionary improvement will be created. The debt
does not cease to exist
Board Autonomy- the chairman as well as MD will be IAS

officers, two members from Ministry of Civil Aviation, rest
independent directors may or may not have knowledge
about the aviation business market.
What can be done to resolve the problems-?

Air India should cease to be an airline for government
UPSC Perspective – Important for GS3 servants and their families- because they don’t make
payment
What is the news-
Union power needs to be curtailed
Central government has proposed some measures to pave
the way for revival of Air India. Over-staffing- there are more staff than the operations
required
What are the proposals made-
Managerial talents from the Market- professionals with
Autonomy: planning to take steps to give significant aviation knowledge should be hired
autonomy to the board of directors who control the policies
and guidelines of Air India. Taking independent decisions, Larger issues need to be addressed properly.
capital expenditure, commercial decision making without
much government interference.
Special purpose vehicle- total debt of around 500 billion,

15 billion annually is spent for interest burdens. Not able to
attract investors. The govt is planning to restructure the debt
of Air India.
Support- 500 billion rupees to Air India as a sovereign

guarantee to Air India to raise money from the lenders at
cheap rate. After 2018-19, Air India should not seek (Scan the QR code to watch video)
financial aid from government
Empowerment- empowering the Board of Directors for

buying or leasing of new aircrafts. Mortgaging the assets to
raise the capital, hiring professionals at the senior NOTES:
managerial post, rationalizing the work force without govt
interference
Other plans- selling of Air India subsidiaries, monitoring

core assets, holds a huge quantum of non-core assets.
Operations- Air India will hire Chief Operating Officer

who will be responsible for day-to-day activities of the
Airline. Implementing strategies for cost implications.
Focus- on increasing the efficiency of the Airline.

Navaratna and Maharatna companies don’t need govt
approval, autonomy in power is given to the company
Board- the board should have professionals regarding deep

understanding of airline business. Planning is very important
so that in future losses will be minimized. Top industrialist
will be inducted as high professional officers. Govt
representation will be minimized to just one nominee.
Problems associated-

PCA: Bank cannot give the loan to the private
organisation, only to the government organisation.
Of the three banks, Dena Bank is currently under the

Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework and has been
restrained from further lending.
It has a gross NPA ratio of 22 per cent - among the highest

across the industry.
( Click on the image above to watch the video) Vijaya Bank, on the contrary, is among the better
performing public sector banks with a gross NPA ratio of
Bank Merger of Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Vijaya 6.9 per cent.
Bank :
Bank of Baroda, the largest of the three, has a bad loan
The merger of two strong banks (BoB and Vijaya) with a ratio of 12.4 per cent.
weak bank (Dena Bank) seems like a bailout package for
Dena Bank, keeping aside strong bank’s minority Banks under PCA are prohibited from fresh lending,
shareholder’s interest. paying dividends, and distributing profits. They are also
required to keep an eye on provisioning on bad loans.
The Alternate Mechanism (headed by Arun Jaitley ),
comprising Jaitley, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman RAGHURAM RAJAN WON’T HAVE LIKED THE
and railways and coal minister Piyush Goyal, was set up as IDEA.
an approval framework for proposals to merge state-run
banks. The merger of two (or more) unhealthy banks in the
financial system will create an unhealthy entity that would
2 STRONG + 1 WEAK BANK lead to the creation of a bigger problem in the economy.
Vijaya Bank is the only profit-making state-run bank and Secondly, even in the case of the merger of an unhealthy
the only one that paid a dividend to the government in 2017- bank with a large healthy bank, the merger would bring
18. problems to the acquiring bank.
Dena Bank, on the other hand, is facing restriction on Thirdly, in the event of a merger of a weak bank with a
lending and expanding business under PCA and is heavily strong bank, the acquirer will have to deal with the cultural
dependent on the government for capital support. problems that arise out of the merger, besides dealing with
the primary challenge — the bad loan pile in the weak bank,
The government announced the amalgamation of three thereby creating difficulties for the strong bank.”
banks — Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank —
aimed at creating the country’s third-largest bank with a He wanted that strong banks should merge together.
business of Rs 14.82 lakh crore and over 9,600 branches
across the country. THE RESULT OF THE MERGER
About banks : With a combined business of Rs 14.82 lakh crore, 9,560

Vijaya Bank: Mangalore based has its presence in south branches, and an employee strength of 85,675 would be
India. India's third largest globally competitive bank.
Dena Bank: Base in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The merger of Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank
will create a lender which will be the third largest in India.
Bank of Baroda: Strong in western and northern India.
NOTES : Banks will stop competing with each other.
BACKGROUND ON MERGER OF BANKS

It will have a deposit base of Rs 8.41 lakh crore.
Consolidation of state-run banks was first mooted by the first
Narasimhan committee in 1991. In absolute terms, the gross non-performing assets(NPAs)
Three categories of bank will be at roughly Rs 80,000 crore.
1.Three large banks with the international presence That suggests that the gross NPA ratio will work out to be
2.Around 8-10 national banks about 13 per cent.
3.Several other regional banks
MERGER IN PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS
What The New Bank Will Look Like
The combination of Bank of Baroda-Dena Bank-Vijaya The current proposal to merge all the state PSB's comes in
Bank will create a lender with a nationwide reach. While the backdrop of increasing NPA's and consequent
Bank of Baroda already has a widespread network, Dena deteriorated asset quality and lower earnings.
Bank and Vijaya Bank are more regionally focused.
The merged bank will have an advances base of Rs 6.4 lakh

crore.

NOTES:

IMPACTS
● It impacts on Cement industries like Ambuja

Cement, JK Cement, and India Cement etc. because
it contains a huge amount of pet coke.
● Company try to find the other alternatives or use
coal. Because of this cost of production is increasing
BENEFITS OF BANNED ON PETCOKE
● It is benefit for LNG Importers, city gas

(Click on the image above to watch the video) distribution (CGD) etc those who are depend on
Industrial Units, pet coke use LNG or finds other
alternatives such as natural Gas.
Banning Import of Pet Coke
● Foreign Exchange of Rs 15,000 Crore has been
saved.
● Petroleum coke or pet coke is a solid carbon-rich
material contains 90% of carbon and 3% to 6%
sulphur extracted from oil refining.
● Extract oil from oil will be known as Crude Oil.
● Crude oil contains lots of impurities in order to
remove dirt refining process is used.
● The process of refining includes Crude Oil,
Desalting, Distillation, Coking then Petroleum
Coke. Petroleum Coke is a kind of by-product.
● Uses of Pet Coke -> Cement industries,
Gasification, batteries, steel, aluminium etc.
● Petroleum Coke contains carbon, sulphur (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
● Burning of sulphur release harmful gases such as
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Ozone depletion gases.
NOTES:
For Example - Above Troposphere layer, Stratosphere layer
is present between both Ozone layer exist. The ozone layer
protects from UV rays. Sulphur Dioxide gases impact on the
Ozone layer and create holes.
● Because of emission of gases it depletes the

environment and also responsible for climate
change & global warming.
● Lower grade pet coke contains a higher
concentration of sulphur and use in coal-fired
power plants.
● Coal-fired power plants -> Production of
electricity are done by burning coal then boil the
water and the steam produced. That steam is used
for rotating the turbines.
● India is the world’s largest consumer of pet coke.
The demand of pet coke in India is continuously
increasing cross over the past 10 years at a rate of 16
per cent.
● S.A try to furnish the pet coke in other countries
as there is some negative impact.
● Pet Coke release 11% more greenhouse gases as
compared to Coal.
● Pet Coke is a source of fine dust which impact on
lungs as well.
● Pet Coke contains toxic metal known as
Vanadium.
● Seeing these disadvantages Government decided to
banned the import of Pet coke.
● Environment Protection (Prevention & Control)
Authority (EPCA) in April 2017 has asked to ban
on the use of pet coke in NCR Region.
● In October, 2017 Supreme Court had banned its
use in Delhi NCR.
● Pet Coke banned only for the fuel purpose. It is
used only in cement, lime Kiln, Calcium Carbide
and gasification industries

China gave a positive sign.
BANGLADESH- CHINA- INDIA-MYANMAR (BCIM)

ECONOMIC CORRIDOR
Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar ( BCIM) Economic

Corridor is a multi-modal transport corridor with the aim to
connect India ( Kolkata ) and China (Kunming) via
Bangladesh (Dhaka) and Myanmar (Mandalay).
The idea was given a shape in the form of the BCIM forum
in 1999 in the first ‘Kunming Initiative’, the capital of
(Click on the image above to watch the video) Chinese Yunnan province.
It is intended to advance multi-modal connectivity, promote

India China Bullet Train Plan- BCIM Economic Corridor
investment and trade and facilitate people-to-people contacts
Above t opic is important for MAINS through a combination of road, rail, water and air
GENERAL STUDIES PAPER 2 under linkages in the region.
topic India and its Neighborhood-
Relations. The multi-modal corridor will be the first express
way between India and China and will pass
Bilateral, regional and global groupings through Myanmar and Bangladesh.
and agreements involving India and/or
IMPORTANCE OF BCI
affecting India's interests.
1.Economic potential for North-eastern states.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
2.India and China can improve their relationships.
CHINESE CONSUL-GENERAL in Kolkata, Ma Zhanwu on
September 12, 2018, announced that China is looking 3.Massive Boost in tourism.
forward to plan bullet train Kolkata to Kunming City of
China. 4.BCIM can not only be a game - changer for this region in
Asia but is also pivotal for India's "Act East"
The train is expected to traverse through Myanmar and
Bangladesh. 5.BCIM can be a substitute CPEC.
CHINESE CONSUL-GENERAL(Similar to Finally, his can be the reaction of
CHINESE GOVERNER views) China for COMCASA.
CHINESE CONSUL-GENERAL solves the problem of
people on the local level (state wise)-like visa issues etc.
CHINESE Embassy in New Delhi-solve problem on the

national level .
THE PROPOSAL
2800 km -long high -speed rail

link between Kunming(China) and
Kolkata. ( Scan the QR code to watch video)
LACK OF CLARITY ON THE PROPOSAL
Chinese envoy has not revealed the exact information. NOTES:

Envoy did not clarify whether this project falls under the
One Belt, One Road initiative of Chinese President Xi
Jinping or will be a stand alone initiative.
Earlier China wanted India to become a part of One Belt, One

Road(OBOR), but India officials did not supported this
project.
If this bullet train project comes under One Belt, One

Road(OBOR), then it will be a huge strategic win for
China and strategic loss for the USA.
TIMINGS OF THIS PROJECT
Comes at a time when India wants Chinese investments in

North-eastern states.

If compensation cess is removed, many states will revolt
against it.
Example of petroleum products can be looked upon this light.

Revenue of states will come down. Leads to depletion of
funds.
Constitutional Validity of compensation law under GST
What is the news?

SC has put its stamp in the constitutional validity of the
GST law permitting collection of a cess to compensate the
states.
NOTES:
The law is constitutionally valid. Cess is a tax on tax. This is
levied for a specific purpose. It is to compensate the State for
revenue incurred.
Compensation cess-
Introduced last year in the wake of GST rollout- collected for

a specific purpose
Aimed at compensating the states that may suffer revenue

loss – purpose is compensating states. Old tax regime is
shifted as GST and state incurred certain loss.
Implemented for five years- center and state agreed upon

it
Background to the news-
Mohit Minerals has earlier approached Delhi HC- regarding

the compensation cess
Delhi HC ruled in favor of the firm
Centre moved against the Delhi HC in SC
Details of the SC judgment-
Compensation law does not violate provisions of the 101st

constitutional amendment- implementation of GST. Other
indirect taxes would be included. Constitutional act is levied.
Not violating the provision of the constitutional act.
Not a colorable legislation- power confirmed on one purpose,

the legislature cannot use the power to achieve some other
purpose
Incremental to the GST- permissible under the law
Clean energy cess and compensation cess are different- two

different unique purposes. Payment of one cess does not
mean the other cess is not paid
Why is compensation tax significant-
Created a consensus over GST mechanism
Revenue loss issue by different industrial states, direct taxes

are subsumed, in order to overcome this a consensus was
implemented. There will be a compensation cess.

● Dampen consumption- affect the growth of
economy because demand leads to growth. The
competitiveness of the domestic producer will come
down.
● Stress to domestic airlines- increase in prices of
airfare.
● Steps to be taken are-
● Adopt wide ranging measure to boost exports- like
in Make in India initiative, different wide ranging
measures should be increased. Reduce the import
( Click on the image above to watch the video) intensity of the economy.
● Invest in alternative source of energy- majority of
import is composed of crude oil. Has huge impact
Increase in customs duty- on Indian Rupees. Govt. must invest in alternate
source of energy.
● Recently decided to increase customs duty is non- ● Value addition- policy measures should be
essential items. employed- working capital availability
● To narrow down the CAD-current account deficit. ● When demand for rupees in increase, economy will
● Central govt. has taken the decision. improve
● Customs duty- a tax imposed by govt. on the
Imports and Exports
● What happens on increase in custom duty- price of
the commodities go up
● CAD- it is a measurement of a country’s trade where
import is greater than exports
● Exports should be more than imports
● Since there is a downfall, the govt. has decided to
increase the custom duty
● Micro-economics module- price increased, quantity
demand will be decrease and vice-versa
● The demand for imported commodities come down.
Value of imports come down. Exports will overtake
the import or become equal. This will narrow down
the CAD NOTES:
● Essential- crude oil, imported commodities as raw
materials- no substitute available in the market
● Essential commodities price cannot be increased
● Non-essential- substitutes are found and not
important for the economy. Example- gold
● Market has to maintain equilibrium of supply and
demand
● Quantity demands come down- supply also comes
down
● Why decision taken- uncertain global environment
prevailing. Trade dynamics, money tightening
policies of the US.
● Depreciation of rupee- value of rupees come down;
demand for rupee is less
● Items for increase in custom duty- acs, refrigerator,
washing machine, footwear, jewelry, furniture
fittings, tableware.
● Substitutes are available. Supply will not reduce.
Availability in the domestic market.
● Even if supply comes down, it will not hamper the
economy.
● 5% customs duty on Aviation Turbine Fuel
● Positive side- these 19 non-essential items have
amounted to 86 crore in the financial year 2017-18
● Import bill on these items will come down
● Prices would increase leading to lesser demands
● Lowering imports- supply would come down
● Would benefit local producers
● Increase in the revenue of government- with
increase rate of customs duty the government
revenue will increase and govt. can invest in utility
and productive purposes.
● Protection against dumping.
● Negative side- the 19 items constitute only 3% of
country’s merchandise bill. Lesser impact on the
country’s import

Political instability
Volatile price of Oil was a shock
Higher oil prices are the reason for current depreciation,

affects the economy
FII outflows- can be taken away from the economy, outflow

of Indian Rupee
On-going US-China trade war has also affected the Indian

rupee
( Click on the image above to watch the video) What needs to be done-
Increase demand for rupee- curb the depreciation, demand

What is the news- must be strengthened, formalization of Indian money, curbing
black money, improving cashless economy, improve the
Value of Indian Rupee is declining gradually remittances, etc.
Going through depreciation- when the demand comes down, We should take inspiration from Chinese Yuan because it is
the price of Rupee comes down increasingly becoming an alternate reserve currency. This is
done through multilateral scheme, Asian infrastructure bank,
Very important to arrest its fall- crossed 74 mark against the improvement of trade across the borders. The Chinese govt
dollar took many steps to increase the value of Yuan.
What is internationalization- widespread use of a Progress made by India-
currency outside its country of issue
Masala bonds: rupee denominated bonds, issued outside India
Indian rupee is issued by RBI, so India is the country of
issue. Managed floating: was non-convertible before 1991, now
managed floating is implemented, Indian Economy has
Other countries using the Indian rupee for trade is called improved in convertibility. There will be some regulation by
internationalization RBI.
Background-
Multilateral currency once-
Historic trade- between India and other countries
Sindh, Ceylon and Burma-annexation by Britishers

increased the use of Indian rupee
Dubai and other Gulf States- using RBI minted gulf rupee, in
1965 underwent a devaluation, because of this they stopped (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
the usage of Indian rupee. Devaluation is a deliberate process
done by the Central Bank of a country. There were
restrictions in usage of Indian Rupee
1965 war NOTES:
Nepal and Bhutan- only these two countries that are engaged
in regular bilateral trade in terms of rupees
History of Depreciation-
1947- value was 3.3 INR against $1
1966- 7.50 INR value
1995- 32.4 INR
Led to different problems.
Factors behind depreciation
Wars- Indo-Pak war and Indo-China war
Five-year plans
Loans were burdened on Rupee, led to depreciation

car to transport them to another location (just like
Uber).
● China base
● Founding Date: 2012
● Market: Transportation
● Headquarters: Haidian District, Beijing, China
Xiaomi
● Current Valuation: $45 billion (July 2017)

● Xiaomi is a Chinese electronics company that has
(Click on the above image to watch the video) become the 5th largest Smartphone maker in the
world.
UPSC PERSPECTIVE ● Founding Date: 2010
● Market: Hardware
Preliminary: ● Headquarters: Haidian District, Beijing, china
Airbnb
What is decacorn?
● Current Valuation:$31 billion (December 2017)
What is hectocorn? ● Airbnb, is a property-sharing, online marketplace
company that lets the consumers have short-term
● A unicorn is a privately held startup company lodging in a variety of vacation rentals, apartment
valued at over $1 billion. The term was coined in rentals, hotel beds, or hotel rooms. Airbnb has over
2013 by Aileen Lee, choosing the mythical animal 3 million lodging listings in 65000 cities and 191
to represent the statistical rarity of such successful countries.
ventures. ● Founding Date:2008
● A decacorn is a word used for those companies ● Market: Travel Accommodation
over $10 billion, while hectocorn is the appropriate ● Headquarters: San Francisco, California.
term for such a company valued over $100 billion. All these companies we discuss are kind of startup and their
● What is the meaning startup? valuation is more than $1 billion so we called this is Unicorn
● Startup is start to resolve the problems and needs of startups
any market place . This type of startup is
generally used digital technology
● Total Number of Unicorn Companies: 282
● Total Cumulative Valuation: $883B
● The valuation that lead these start-up companies to
become unicorns and decacorns are unique
compared to more established companies.
● A valuation for an established company stems from
past years’ performances, while a start-up
company’s valuation is derived from its growth
opportunities and its expected development in the (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
ling-term for its potential market.
Some unicorn startup
Uber NOTES:
● Current Valuation: $69 billion( December 2017)
● Uber, formerly known as UberCab, is a car-
sharing, transportation network company that lets
the consumers use its mobile app to order a car to
transport them to another location (like a taxi
service). Uber services are active in a total of 81
countries and 581 cities around the world.
● Founding date: 2009
● Market: Transportation
● Headquarters: San Francisco, California
ANT Financial
● Current valuation:$60 billion(February 2018)

● Total Equity Funding:$4.5 billion
● ANT Financial, formerly known as Alipay, is a
payment to payment company that runs the
payment platform of Alibaba
● Founding Date: 2014
● Market: Financial services
● Headquarters: Xihu District, Hangzhou, China
Didi Chuxing
● Current Valuation:$56 billion(December 2017)

● It is a car sharing, transportation network company
that lets the consumers use its mobile app to order a

● Power and pharmaceuticals
● Infrastructure and connectivity- building
railway trade connectivity
● Local borders markets
● Automobile
● Medical tourism
2) Sri Lanka-
Airline connectivity- huge impact on tourism for Sri Lanka,
visa on arrival, India is the first country with maximum
number of tourists going to Sri Lanka
3) Nepal and Bhutan- hydroelectric power, already

obtaining from Bhutan
4) Pakistan- huge trade potential, 1/18th is utilized,
Regional trade in South Asia. tariffs need to be harmonized, cement and agro
products can be obtained.
How does it impact India? Challenges India is facing with its neighboring countries are-
What is the news released- Troubled political climate- makes Indian investors to invest
less, trouble for investors, investments should be improved
World Bank has released “A glass half-full report”- for better trading
Some of the challenges and limitations faced in South Asia Regional power status of India- china factor adversely
are in the reports. There are potentials to complete it. affecting,
Focuses on regional trade in South Asia SAFTA- South Asian Free Trade Area, each country has a
long-list of trading restrictions, efficiency of SAFTA has
Highlights of the report- come down, and some countries have implemented
protection policy.
Potential of India’s trade with SA is $62 billion. Actual is
$19 billion.- potential and actual trade is widened. It is only
one-third of its potential. Rest is not utilized.
India-Pak trade value potential is 37billion dollar; actual is $2

billion- actual potential is 37 billion dollar. Trade barriers are
important limitations.
Negligible intra-regional trade: this trade is negligible.

Trading between South Asian countries. Only up to 5% is
utilized.
Recommends open regionalism- trade barriers will be
minimized. Complimentary to deeper global integration.
Highlights India’s critical role- mutual economic welfare

game, India’s role is crucial for setting up of border between NOTES:
India and Bangladesh, liberalization of India Sri Lanka air
services, will lead to improved connectivity and several
others.
Impact for India-
Reduce isolation for North East- by enhancing trade through

this are, economic corridor, infrastructure availability will
improve
Better access to markets in South Asia and East Asia- better

market access, competition will increase and SOL will
improve with increased exports
Fossil fuels substitutions- by cleaner hydro-electric power,

can be obtained from Nepal and Bhutan, enhance production
by providing power, GDP will increase.
Benefits consumers- commodities will be cheaper and

consumers will benefit
India should respond-
Trade relations with neighboring countries-
1) With Bangladesh-

ORGANIC FARMING IN THE WORLD
● As data suggested by IFOAM and Research

Institute Of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) 2015
land under organic farming, Australia hold first
position & India nine.
SIKKIM BECOME WORLD FIRST ORGANIC STATE
WHAT IS ORGANIC FARMING?
Organic farming is used to avoid chemical fertilizers and to

keep the soil in a good condition by the use of organic THE PRODUCERS
wastes (crop, animal and farm wastes, aquatic wastes) along
with beneficial microbes for releasing nutrients to crops for
increased sustainable production. It is an eco-friendly The number of products produces in India is 585’200 which
technique to grow crops and reduce pollution. It is easier for is high as compared to developing countries ex-Ethiopia,
farmers because they don’t have to pay for fertilizers. Mexico etc.
WHAT HAPPENED RECENTLY?
Sikkim was awarded the UN Food and Agriculture

Organisation’s (FAO) Future Policy Gold Award (Gold
Prize). The award was given for the achievement in
becoming the world’s first totally organic agriculture
state.
Food and Agriculture Organization Headquarters -

Rome, Italy
OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

ORGANIC FOOD MARKET IN INDIA
Sikkim beat out 51 other nominees from around the world
for the award. Policies from Brazil, Denmark and Quito
(Capital of Ecuador) were shared Silver Awards. ● Organic food is fertilizer free & safe according to a
report there is a higher chance of nutrients.
FUTURE POLICY GOLD AWARD ● Organic produce is an emerging market in India,
turnover of Rs 3,350 crore in 2016.
● This award in nicknamed the “Oscar for best ● According to a report jointly produced by
policies”. Previously it was honoured for Assocham and Ernst & Young found that there is a
desertification, violence against women and girls, huge demand of Organic food and is expected to
nuclear weapons and pollution of the oceans. touch ₹10,000- ₹ 12,000 crore by 2020 from the
current market size of ₹ 4,000 crore
2018
LOT OF $$$ TO BE MADE
Award was presented by FAO, World Future Council
(WFC) and IFOAM – Organics International. ● Size of Organic food valued to $90 billion because
of higher demand in developing countries as peoples
knew organic products are better than Using
SIKKIM’S ACHIEVEMENTS
fertilizers for a long run cause affect in human’s
body.
● Sikkim starts their promotion for organic farming ● Even though India has the highest number of
in 2003 and starts an organic mission in 2010. farmers currently engaged in organic farming at
● Government hold their policy till now and provide 8,35,000, the country accounts for less than 1 per
organic certification to Sikkim. cent the global organic market pie.
● It’s greatly benefited the tourism sector and the
numbers of tourists have increased by over 50% MAJOR PROBLEM - CERTIFICATION PROCESS
between 2014 and 2017.

● At the farmer level, getting certification and
auditing done was still a complicated process,
which takes up to 3-4 years, initially farmers have
to pay itself. A farmer who is switching from
conventional farming to organic farming has to bear
a huge cost in the initial years.
● Central & state government jointly works.
● Provide awareness in farmers about the whole
farming process
● Available support to farmers in initial investment.
(Scan the QR Code to watch the video)
NOTES:

OBJECTIVES OF MUDRA
MUDRA scheme aims to reduce the unemployment by

providing micro enterprises with credit facility which will not
only increase the country's GDP but also create jobs.
The scheme also aims to boost the financial inclusion by

taking the last mile credit delivery to micro businesses.
WHAT EX RBI GOVERNOR SAID : INDIA CAN

PREVENT RECURRENCE OF NPA CRISIS IN
FUTURE
Public sector bank boards are still not adequately

professionalized, and the government rather than a more
Problem with Mudra Loans and Rising independent body still decides board appointments, with the
NP(NON PERFORMING ASSET(MONEY NOT inevitable politicization. Eventually strong boards should be
COMING)) WHAT EX RBI GOVERNOR SAID entrusted with all decisions but held responsible for them.
Rajan said "...a larger number of the Compensation structures in PSBs also need rethinking,
bad loans originated in the period [of] especially for high level outside hires. Internal parity will
2006-2008." need to be maintained. There will be internal resistance,
but lakhs of crores of national assets cannot be held hostage
That will likely be used as ammunition (bomb/danger) by to the career concerns of a few.
the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to target the
opposition Congress. RISING NPA :The NPAs of the 38 listed banks collectively
crossed Rs 10.17 lakh crore in the fourth quarter of the last
ISSUEFormer RBI Governor Raghuram fiscal, with the 21 public sector banks (PSBs) accounting
Rajan has cautioned that the next crisis in for the bulk of it.
India’s banking sector could come from
loans given to the unorganized micro and WHY DID THE NPAS OCCUR?
small businesses, called MUDRA loans, and
Over-optimism by banks :low Growth - Unfortunately,
credit extended through the Kisan credit
growth does not always take place as expected. The years of
card.MUDRA loans are offered under the
strong global growth before the global financial crisis were
Prime Minister Mudra Yojana or PMMY,
followed by a slowdown, which extended even to India.
launched in 2015 by the NDA government.
Loss of Promoter and Banker InterestOnce projects got
A total of Rs. 6.37 lakh crore has been
delayed enough that the promoter had little equity left in
disbursed under the scheme by public and
the project, he lost interest.
private sector banks, regional rural banks
and micro-finance institutions till date, as per
data from the Micro Units Development and
Refinance Agency (MUDRA) website.
According to PM Modi banks have given Rs lakh crore

Mudra loans to 12 crore beneficiaries.
WHAT IS MUDRA YOJANA OF NARENDRA MODI- (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
LED CENTRAL GOVERNMENT?
THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF LOANS

UNDER PMMY: NOTES:
Loans up to Rs 50,000 are categorized as SHISHU
Loans from Rs 50,001 to Rs 5 lakh are categorized

asKISHORE
Loans from Rs 5,00,001 to Rs 10 lakh are categorized as

TARUN
THE OBJECTIVE OF MUDRA SCHEME
MUDRA loans are available for non-agricultural

activities and activities allied to agriculture such as
dairy and poultry.
PMMY scheme also puts in place MUDRA Bank

which monitors the network of microfinance
institutions and also helps to register new
institutions as well.

Conclusion-
When and how to build- must be carefully analyzed by the

government before implementing metro rail projects,
integrated metro system can do wonders!
Fiscal burden- public and coming generation when there are

losses there will be fiscal burden, taxpayers money are
utilized for it, future payments will be bore by future
generations.
(Click on the above image to watch the video)
Metro Rail Planning
What is the current affair-
Gurugram’s rapid metro has sought a compensation of

nearly Rs 1500 crore from the Haryana Government-
( Scan the QR -code to watch the video)
first privately built metro, losses incurred due to
apparent breach of contract condition, Haryana govt
rejected the charges
Similar incidents in the past- with regard to Delhi airport

metro line, private player has pulled out due to it NOTES:
Significance of metro rail planning-
Mobility mix
Public transport- can also reduce the pollution issues
Significant in rapid urbanizing of the country
Analysis of cost during setting up process-
Elevated metro-250cr/km Underground line-500cr/km
Cost of operations and maintenance- apart from the setting up

cost
There should be careful and judicious planning
Public money should be judiciously used.
Major issues-
Used as a status symbol of the city- Gurugram does not have

a bus transport system, Jaipur did not need a metro till 2025
according to CAG.
Over-estimating demand- projects proponents often

justify with huge estimation, helps to get approval but in long
terms it incurs loss which becomes fiscal burden later, even
after five years the goals are not met
Opposite infrastructure planning- transit oriented

development, comes from land uses and activities, the land
around it should be able to sustain it, provide enabling
environment and encourage the development of metro.
In many cases, just the opposite takes place and metro

becomes inaccessible.
Some other issues-
Hike in fair- should be able to encourage more and more

public to use it
First and last mile connectivity- many cities are working on it

NOTES:
Draft Mari culture Policy
What is the news
Centre recently released a draft policy on Mari culture
Analysis
Agriculture is a state subject and under certain circumstances

Union govt. can make certain changes, it has released a draft
and depends on the state to adopt the policy. State
government will have to legislate on the policy drafted
What is Mari culture-
Specialized branch of agriculture
Cultivation of economically important marine plants and

animals in the sea/water body having tidal influence- Mari
culture is for commercial purpose, this cultivation has three
phases
Involves three phases- hatchery involves land-based facilities

like production of seeds, nursery involves rearing, grow-out
stage involves culture of marine plants and animals in the sea
Provision of draft policy-
It aims to enhance production, income and employment.
Focuses on Mari culture zones- special areas in the sea

demarcate for Mari culture, based on scientific criteria,
genetically modified species can take place in closed Mari
culture zones, not permitted in open sea culture
Identifies through satellite remote sensing data and GIS- used

to identify particular sons for Mari culture on various
environmental parameters, protect the livelihood of local
fishing community, off-shore technology for trading also,
ecological sensitive areas not considered as Mari Culture
sons, marine protected areas, ecologically sensitive areas are
excluded
Financial assistance- technical and financial help, promotion

of Mari culture, investment subsidies, formulate certain
schemes
Role of states- state govt should implement it, leases should

be given by the local self-government
Efficient market logistics- should be enhanced, minimize the

post-harvest losses, technical support should be provided.

( Scan the QR code to watch the video)

NOTES:
Infusing liquidity through OMOS
What is the Affair
RBI announced recently that it will inject Rs. 12000 crore

liquidity into the system through purchase of government
security(OMOS)
Purchase bonds with maturity ranging from 2020-2030.
Increase the money supply in the market through Open

Market Operations.
What is the meaning of OMOS-
Buying or selling of government securities in the open market

to expand/contract the amount of money in the banking
system.
It can be both expansionary or contractor, RBI will indulge in

buying and selling
Expansionary- expanding the money supply in the market,

RBI will purchase government securities, liquidity goes up
Contractionary- reducing the money supply in the market,

RBI will sell govt securities, liquidities come down
It can either sell or buy government securities from the

market.
Liquidity crunch situation- debt defaults by IL&FS.
Had an impact on Indian NBFCs. Spill over effect was seen

through NBFC channels. Difficult for small borrowers.
Quantum of operation comes down, when the output is less

then demand is also less.
Demand is more than produce so prices will go up.
RBI is trying to infuse liquidity.
How will OMOS work-
Through purchase, money can be injected into banking

system- RBI purchases from public and thus money is
injected into the system. People get some money in return.
This will stimulate growth. The aggregate demand will go up,
more money supply. Producers will get better credit facilities.
The sales of govt security will contract the money- govt

securities are sold and liquidity is absorbed from the market.
Reduction in money supply. Liquidity will come down. Lack
of liquidity in the market now.

DIFFICULT TIMES AHEAD
E. Environment • The IPCC climate change report makes it clear that the world will
witness greater sea level rise, higher frequency of droughts and
floods, and heatwaves and countries like India with large
populations dependent on the agricultural and fishery sectors would
be profoundly impacted.
NOTES
• The US is the biggest obstacle to forming a global coalition to
fight climate change. The world needs to unite against the
obstructive approach of the US.
• Paris Agreement and UNFCCC cannot be the only way ahead to
address climate change. The world needs a ‘Plan B’ to address
climate change.
WHAT NEXT?
IPCC comes under UNITED NATIONS . • The report points out that “climate-related risks to health,
livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security, and
WHAT HAPPENED RECENTLY? economic growth” are projected to increase with global warming of
The Inter governmental Panel on Climate Change releases its 1.5 degrees Celsius and increase further with 2 degrees Celsius.
‘special report’ on limiting global temperatures recently. • Thus all these will serve as a key scientific input in the upcoming
WHAT IS IPCC? Katowice Climate Change Conference in Poland, where every
country should keep this report as a base and revise their targets
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a accordingly.
scientific and intergovernmental body under the auspices of the
United Nations
It was first established in 1988 by two United Nations organizations,
the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and later endorsed by
the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 43/53.
FACT ABOUT IPCC (VERY IMPORTANT)

Won the Nobel Prize in 2007. (Scan the QR code to watch the video.)
Nobel Peace Prize was shared, in equal parts, between the IPCC and
Al Gore(Have fought may fights for saving the environment)
THEIR ASSESSMENT REPORTS ARE IMPORTANT? NOTES:
Assessment Reports Year of Publication
First 1990
Second 1995
Third 2001
Fourth 2007
WHAT IS THE 1.5-DEGREE QUESTION?
Previous Periodic Assessment Reports produced by the IPCC
seemed to suggest that the impacts of climate change could be
“irreversible” and “catastrophic” if the rise in temperature was
allowed to go beyond the 2°C ceiling.
Natural disaster hazard can take place .
NOTES
The Paris Agreement sought to ‘hold’ the increase in global average
temperature to “well below” 2°C, while it also promised to keep
“pursuing efforts” to attain the 1.5°C target.
WHAT DOES THE REPORT SAY?
• The report predicts the possibility to keep the increase in global
average temperatures to within 1.5 degrees Celsius of pre-industrial
times.
• The world would need to bring down its greenhouse gas to about
half of its 2010 levels by 2030, and to net zero by about 2050.
• As of now, the aim is to reduce greenhouse gases by only 20%,
from 2010 levels, by the year 2030 and achieve a net-zero emission
level by the year 2075.

International example- Singapore recycles 98% of the waste
according to the data given in 2007.
Hong Kong recycled the C&D waste to produce recycled aggregate.
Taiwan had developed a comprehensive plan in 1999 against the

earthquake they faced.
What can be done to manage the C&D waste-
Promoting green buildings- environmental friendly buildings using

recycled materials for construction. Incentives should be given for
using recycled materials.
( Click on the image above to watch the video) Role of BIS and IRC- recycling units must be developed. Reduces
the housing cost.Positive environmental impact.
Construction and Demolition Waste Management
Recycling- minimize the waste
Urbanization and demand of infrastructure is leasing to the
accumulation of construction and demolition waste management. Environmentally sustainable ecosystem- the construction should
have minimum impact on the environment.
What is the issue-
SC has stayed construction activity in states that do not have a solid

waste management policy.
What is construction and demolition waste-?
Wastes generated during construction, demolition and renovation.

These wastes include concrete, roofing, bricks, lumber, etc.
Rapid urbanization is leading to construction of infrastructure.
Negative impacts on the environment. (Scan the QR code to watch video)
Construction and demolition waste management rules, 2016
● Released by the Ministry of Environment NOTES:

● Defines the duty of waste generator, service providers,
contractors, state government, local authorities, and
pollution control boards
● Reuse of C&D wastes
● Affordable housing and lesser environmental impact
Existing guidelines-
● In 2012- ministry of Urban Development and Wellness

urged states to set up of C&D waste management policies
● In 2017- central pollution control board: came up with
guideline on C&D waste management
Observations-
Construction accounted for nearly 65% of total investment in

infrastructure.
Construction plays an important role. Management should be

effectively known.
Waste collected should be processed.
Provided for commissioning of the waste
These guidelines were not followed up. Policies were not

formulated. Commissioning of the waste was very poor.
Concerns-
● Performance of the industry and State PCB- around 25-30

million tons construction waste is generated. Only 5% of
the waste is processed. A good proportion is of soil, sand
and gravel. Impact the soil fertility
● Absence of recycling policy. Urgent policies should be
implemented. Recycling units is absent in most states of
India
● Rampant sand mining-destroyed river beds and making
bad impacts on floods. More worsening of ecological
balance. Against sustainable development as well.

STORY BEHIND IT
•On the orders of his father Rishi Jamadagni ,beheaded his
mother Renuka with his axe. Since he had committed one of
the worst crimes of killing one's mother, the axe got stuck to
his hand.
His father pleased with his obedience decided to give him a
boon to which he asked for his mother to be restored back to
life.
• Even after his mother was brought back to life the axe could
( Click on the image above to watch the video) not be removed from his hand. This was a reminder of the
heinous crime he had committed. He repented for his crime
WHAT JUST HAPPENED? and on taking the advice of eminent rishis of that time, he
arrived at the banks of Lohit River to wash his hands in its
The controversial 1750 MW Lower Demwe hydroelectric pure waters. It was a way to cleanse him of all the sins. As
project in Arunachal Pradesh, which had been cleared by as soon as he dipped his hands into the waters the axe
Congress led UPA’s environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan immediately got detached and since then the site where he
and then later struck washed his hands became a place of worship and came to be
down by National Green Tribunal, has got an all-clear known by sadhus as Parashuram Kund.
from the government.
ABOUT THE PROJECT

• Demwe HEP is part of Arunachal Pradesh’s Lohit river
cascade development scheme.
Lohit river is entering India from China.
Lohit is one of the major tributaries of the mighty
Brahmaputra that flows through India’s verdant North-
East region.
It is Hydro Electric Power Project is being developed in
two stages with a generation capacity of 1,750 MW (Demwe (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
Lower) and 1,080 MW (Demwe Upper) respectively.
NOTES :
The standing committee of National Board for Wildlife NOTES:
(NBWL), the apex wildlife protection body chaired by
environment minister Harsh Vardhan, has given a go
ahead to the controversial project, which environmental
activists have long feared would completely alter the
habitat of river water dolphins in Lohit district of
Arunachal Pradesh.
PROBLEMS
•The project’s 124-metre high dam is proposed to be
constructed on river Lohit jointly by Athena Energy
Ventures and the Arunachal Pradesh government.
•The project site, greens and local activists say, is extremely

close to cultural heritage site Parshuram Kund, a major
Hindu pilgrimage.
PARSHURAM KUND
• Born as a brahmin, Parshuram carried traits of a Kshatriya
and is often regarded as a Brahmin-Kshatriya.
• He carried a number of Kshatriya traits, which included

aggression, warfare and valor.
• Lord Parashuram the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu
PARSHURAM KUND, A MAJOR HINDU

PILGRIMAGE
•Dedicated to sage Parshuram, the popular site attracts

pilgrims from Nepal, from across India, and from nearby
states of Manipur and Assam.
• Over 70,000 devotees and sadhus take a holy dip in its

water each year on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, in the
month of January.

2. Proper environment impact assessment required.
( Click on the image above to watch the video) (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
Windmill Pose Threat to Wildlife

NOTES:
There are two sources of Power Production
● renewable (wind, solar energy)

● non-renewable (coal).
The Wind Potential Energy is 102778 MW and installed

capacity is 19565 which is less. To utilize the wind energy
windmills are used. The graph of Annual India Wind Power
Capacity Additions (MW) is continuously increasing means
that windmills are placed in a different region including
forest this cause threat to wildlife through collisions and
noise.
A windmill is a source to generate green energy i.e. it

doesn’t produce harmful gases.
A study by researchers Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology

and Natural History (SACON) found that windmills killed
birds due to the collision. Birds and animals moved away
because of noise.
Salim Ali Centre is an autonomous organization established

in 1990 as a public NGO partnership between MoEF
&CC, and the Bombay Natural History
Society(BNHS)Head Quarters are located at Anaikatti,
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and India.
Around windmills, noise levels go up to 85 decibels(dB)

which is equivalent to large trucks. The drone of the turbine
when operating in day and night makes 70dB noise more as
compared to urban area 55db, industrial area below75db.
Ambient noise in forests is less than 40dB which is relatively
high that cause impact to the ecosystem.
Windmills are responsible for human and animals conflict.

Mainly in the Karnataka region where more than 3000
windmills are placed and noise are produced so, the
herbivorous avoid the windmill area and moved towards the
fringe area. Carnivorous also go in order for looking
them. In the fringe area, there is human habitation where
animals enter in that area cause-effect to humans.
According to research in Karnataka around 37.80 sq.km

forests covered from windmills and more than 3,857 wind
turbines generating 4,730 MW of electricity. The demand
for electricity is increasing and the dependency on renewable
energy in the future will be increasing.
Solution
1. Proper guidelines should be generated.


cannot make decision.
F. Science & Tech Creator of these machines like Google, Microsoft, and
German companies(SAP) SHOULD INDULGE ANY
KIND OF MORALS AND ETHICS INTO THESE
MACHINES.
These company should apply these ethics codes.
German Company (SAP), based in Walldorf, Germany

makes AI software for around 400 000 firms globally to
manage data on everything.
Europe's biggest software(SAP) maker will craft its

first " ethics code" for research into Artificial Intelligence
( Click on the image above to watch the video) (AI)
Ethics Code:
Above Topic can be asked in UPSC Gs Paper 3 under the The code is aimed at preventing the technology from being
topic (Science and Technology Section) abused, either violating people's rights.
The firm wants to address issues such as transparency,
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an area of computer science . safety and privacy.
Focusing on making the machine which can work as a
humans. AI should run better in future and improve people’s
E.g.: speech recognition. lives.
But to make an AI certain moral conducts should be
followed.
For eg :if Google is making any artificial intelligence

machine then it should follow some moral ethics.
AI machines are based on a certain algorithm and

programming and the maker should follow certain moral
codes.
Ethics.. certain set of principals through which we can tell
if something is right or wrong.
Artificial Intelligence machines under the ethics code. NOTES:

Unemployment : What happen if jobs end for humans?
AI machine can replace humans and work can be done fast.
Inequality: How do we distribute the wealth created by

machines?
Wealth will be concentrated in one place no distribution will
take place.
Security: How do we keep AI safe from adversaries?

If AI is held by a terrorist or someone.
Evil genius: How do we protect against unintended

consequences?
If they are used excessively then how we will protect humans
from them .
Humanity: How do machines affect our behaviour and

interaction?
Artificial Stupidity: How can we guard against mistakes?
If there is some mistake in the algorithm of the AI machine.
Racist Robots: How do we eliminate AI bias?
Can Artificial Intelligence Be Moral?
No, because they are not free will , humans have a free will.
Machines are programmed using the software.
Machines should develop a free will but they can't be free
will.
Machines don't have the capacity to values things , they

creating problems for Chengdu's residents who are
unable to differentiate the unwanted light.
THE RUSSIANS CAME UP WITH THE IDEA
● In 1993, Russian scientists released a 20m-wide

reflector from a supply ship pointed to the Mir
Space Station, which was orbiting at between
200km and 420km.
● Znamya 2 briefly beamed a spot of light about 5km
in diameter to Earth. The light marched across
Europe at 8km/hr, before the satellite burned up on
(click on the image above to watch the video) re-entry.
BASICS
● Scientist of China is planning to launch its own

‘artificial moon’ in 2020.
● The distance between the real moon and earth is
3,84,400km. China objective is to launch a mirror in
500km away from the real moon. Sunlight reflects that
mirror back to earth and makes China region shine. The
shape of the moon may be a plate or sphere that reflects
only the particular area of china which makes China
eight times brighter than the real moon.
ILLUMINATION SATELLITES
● The first man-made moon will launch from Xichang

Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan, with three more to
follow in 2022 if the first test goes fine.
● The first launch will be experimental; the 2022 satellites
will be the real deal with great civic and commercial
potential.
● It would orbit 500km about Earth - roughly the same
height as the International Space Station. Launching
moon requires higher precision (accuracy) i.e it reflects (Scan the QR Code to watch the video)
with a proper angle in China region.
NOTES:
ADVANTAGE
● To relieve streetlamps and lower electricity costs

in urban areas.
● Increase the tourism facility.
WHAT IMPACT WOULD THIS HAVE ON THE

ENVIRONMENT?
● If the light is too strong it will break the life cycle

of nature and this could possibly affect nocturnal
animals. who wake up at night.
● Impact on light pollution.
● The moon would significantly increase the night-
time brightness of an already light-polluted city,

IATA anticipates India will be the third largest aviation

market by 2024 . To make this reality , airport capacity needs
to be augmented.
Airport should not come to standstill.
Digi Yatra initiative.
UPSC PERSPECTIVE
Above topic is important for PSC CSE Syllabus for General (Scan the QR code to watch the video )
Studies Mains Paper 3 under the subsection Science and
Technology - developments and their applications and
effects in every day life .
NOTES:
WHAT IS DIGI YATRA INITIATIVE
Air passenger can soon use facial recognition technology to

enter any airport in the country under the recently unveiled.
It is an initiative to make boarding pass and security check-
ins digital at airports.
Under Ministry of Civil Aviation.
GRADUAL ROLL OUT
With this initiative, the civil aviation ministry is looking to

make ticket booking, airport entry and boarding pass
security check-in digital.
The technology will soon be operational at Bengaluru and

Hyderabad airports.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to roll out the

initiative at Kolkata, Varanasi, Pune and Vijayawada
airports by April next year, as per the ministry.
Key features of the initiative and how it works:
1. Centralised registration system for passengers and each of

them would get a unique ID on booking the tickets
2. ID can be created by sharing name, e-mail id, mobile

number and details of any identity proof, including
Aadhaar
3. The airline would share the passenger data and the ID

with the airport from where the passenger would be flying
out
THE SOFTWARE USED WILL BE PRIVATE

This software is of the portugal private company.
WHY WE NEED THIS

The initiative seeks to promote paperless and hassle-free air
travel.
Population of India is growing rapidly .
Long ques are there in the airport line.
Middle class population is growing rapidy cause many people
are travelling by Air.
2006 : 4 Cr People travelled by air.
2017 : 13.9 Cr People travelled by air.
WHAT IATI SAID (Iternational Air Transport

Association)

● coughing
● sore throat
● runny or stuffy nose
● body aches
● fatigue
● diarrhea
● nausea and vomiting
What is a Virus?
Swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, is a relatively

new strain of an influenza virus that causes symptoms
( Click on the image above to watch the video) similar to the regular flu. It originated in pigs but is spread
primarily from person to person.
Justification: Viruses are known to infect almost any kind of
host that has living cells. Animals, plants, fungi, and This virus can mutate.
bacteria are all subject to viral infection. After swine flu, H3N2 spreads its tentacles.
A bacteriophage is a virus that infects and replicates within HOW TO STAY SAFE FROM SWINE FLU
a bacterium. My coviruses are viruses that infect fungi. A
host of other Viruses affect plants. • Wash your hands frequently using clean water and soaps -
practising good personal hygiene can help prevent the
H1N1 Virus Spreading Fast spread of swine flu infections.
•A 31-year-old man died of swine flu, the first H1N1
fatality reported in Uttar Pradesh. • Avoid touching your face, including your nose, eyes,
mouth - as touching these areas can bring viruses that are
•The man succumbed to H1N1 virus which he had on the hands.
contracted in Dubai, where he worked in a company.
• Do not go to school or work if you’re ill or experiencing
REASON symptoms related to swine flu.
• H1N1 flu is also known as swine flu. It's called swine flu
because in the past, the people who caught it had direct • Avoid large crowds, especially during swine flu season.
contact with pigs.
• Eat a healthy diet, focusing on foods that are rich in
• That changed several years ago, when a new virus emerged vitamin C -such as Amla and other citrus fruits - to boost
that spread among people who hadn't been near pigs. your immunity.
WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW? • Drink plenty of fluids and water, including warm liquids
• With sporadic cases of H1N1 (Influenza) being reported to stay well hydrated and help your system functions
from across Kerala, especially in districts such as properly.
Kozhikode, doctors have sought for greater caution against
the acute respiratory infection.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) says travellers

visiting countries in the opposite hemisphere during the
influenza season are at special risk, particular if they do not
have some degree of immunity through recent infection or
regular vaccination. The elderly, people with pre-existing
chronic diseases and young children are most susceptible to
complications.
( Scan the QR code to watch the video )
H1N1 VIRUS / SWINE FLU :
In 2009, H1N1 was spreading fast around the world, so the
World Health Organization called it a pandemic.
NOTES:
Since then, people have continued to get sick from swine flu,
but not as many.
CAUSES OF SWINE FLU :

Swine flu is contagious, and it spreads in the same way as
the seasonal flu. When people who have it cough or sneeze,
they spray tiny drops of the virus into the air.
If you come in contact with these drops or touch a surface

(such as a doorknob or sink) that an infected
person has recently touched, you can catch H1N1 swine flu.
Symptoms of Swine Flu

● chills
● fever

The first stage at the very bottom is solid fuelled
having six strap-on solid rocket boosters wrapped
around it.
The second stage is liquid fuelled.
The third stage has a solid-fuelled rocket motor.
At the fourth stage, the launcher uses a liquid propellant to

boost in the outer space.
Antrix Corporation Limited is Mini Ratna.
ISRO Launched Two British Satellites
PSLV-C42 LAUNCHES
TWO FOREIGN
SATELLITES
It will carry two earth observation satellites of Britain’s

Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), NovaSAR
and S1-4, weighing 450kg each.
The Indian Space Research Organisation has
launched two British satellites tonight for which India
will earn upwards of Rs. 200 crore.
No Indian satellite is being launched as this is a fully NOTES:

commercial launch contracted through Antrix Corporation
Limited ISRO's commercial arm.
It is the 44th launch of the Indian rocket the Polar Satellite

Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at Sriharikota.
Describing it as a "fully commercial launch by ISRO", Dr

S Somnath, Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space
Centre,Thiruvananthapuram said, "India will earn money
by this launch".
Mr Somnath explains "this is the fifth fully commercial

launch of PSLV where the whole rocket has been hired by
a foreign company".
He says "PSLV has a very special slot hence foreign

companies prefer it because it is highly reliable and
India's offers timely launches without much of a waiting
period".
USE OF THIS SATELLITE
NovaSAR satellite has day and night viewing

capability for resource mapping, disaster management
and ship detection.
NovaSar is equipped to track ships in high seas and if

used effectively it can detect unauthorised boats sailing the
seas since each ship is supposed to carry equipment by
which it can be identified by security agencies using
satellite-based tracking systems. S1-4 satellite is meant for
environment monitoring and urban management.
PSLV POLAR SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is a third-

generation rocket launcher designed, manufactured
andoperated by the Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO)
FOUR STAGES OF PSLV
PSLV has a four-stage system comprising a combination

of solid and liquid-fuelled rocket stages.

NOTES:
Jharkhand state govt. has introduced electrical vehicles

for official use
Significance of the model-
Let us first see the Jharkhand model-
1st phase there are 20 vehicles acquired
More 30 vehicles to be added soon
In ranchi, there are 12 stations being set up
Significance of the plan-
Hiking prices in fuel- put an additional burden on fuel bills.

CAD increases and Inflation also increases. Increase demand
for dollar and demand for rupees come down. Alternatives
should be found in domestic grounds.
Climate change
Official use- bureaucrats taking undue advantage of their

vehicle. It will be a model for the ordinary population as well.
Lessons for other states of the country-
Spread of a transportation infrastructure specific to e-vehicles
Early adoption of e-vehicles by first time buyers
Electric vehicles are an important component of smart cities-

enhance smart transportation
Countries like Norway and France have achieved substantial

stats of converting the personal vehicles into e-vehicles
Role of central government-
Speed of formulation of rules for e-vehicles as a category
Should introduce various schemes and incentives to motivate

people in using e-vehicles

Operational Base at Rambilli, the second naval base after
Eastern Naval Command headquarters, a training centre
for Marine Commandos and headquarters

of the submarine arm.
INDIA'S FIRST MISSILE TRACKING SHIP

UPSC PERSPECTIVE
Above topic is important for UPSC CSE for General

Studies Mains Paper 3 under the topic Various Security
forces and Agencies and their mandate. NOTES:
MainsPaper 3: Science & Technology Indigenization
of technology & developing new technology.
Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) is gearing up to

undertake sea trials of India’s first missile tracking ship by
the first week of next month.
It is being built under a Confidential programme for the

National Technical Research Organisation, the technical
intelligence agency working directly under the supervision of
the Prime Minister’s Office and the National Security
Adviser.
National Technical Research Organisation
It was set up in 2004.
Have same norms of conduct as the Intelligence Bureau(IB)

and the Research and Analysis Wing(R&AW)
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Considered a “topmost secret project”, a lot of

confidentiality is being maintained in executing the project
costing about ₹750 crore.
It has the capacity to carry 300 personnel and will carry a

single helicopter.
TRACKING SHIP
Used worldwide to increase the range of a missile.
DUAL PURPOSE FOR INDIA
From tracking enemy missiles to accurately giving data on

tests that are routinely carried out of indigenous strategic
missiles.
The VClll84 is one of the largest warships to be built at an

Indian yard, Weighing in at over 15000 tonnes.
NOTES
Visakhapatnam is considered a strategic location on the

East Coast for the Indian defence forces as it is home for
Ship Building Centre to build nuclear-powered
submarine INS Arihant class, Naval Alternate

MERCURY THE PLANET

Mission to Mercury ● Mercury is the smallest and innermost planet in the

Solar System.
BEPICOLOMBO ● Its orbital period around the Sun is 87.97 days is the
shortest of all the planets in the Solar System.
● It is named after the Roman deity Mercury, the
● BepiColombo is a joint mission of the European messenger of the gods.
Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace
Exploration Agency (JAXA) to explore the planet
Mercury.
● European Space Agency Headquarters is located in
France.
● The mission comprises of two satellites launched
concurrently the Mercury Planetary Orbiter
(MPO) and Mio (Mercury Magnetospheric
Orbiter, MMO)
THE MISSION (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
●The mission will perform a comprehensive study of

Mercury, including its magnetic field,
magnetosphere, interior structure and surface. NOTES:
● The closest planet to Sun is Mercury. Even though,
mercury is very closer to Sun but not the hottest
planet of Solar System.
● Venus is the hottest planet because the atmosphere
of Venus traps the Sun’s heat. Venus is a classic
case of Green house gases.
● Mercury not have its natural satellite.
IT’LL TAKE A WHILE
The spacecraft will have a seven-year between cruise to

Mercury using solar-electric propulsion (ion thrusters)
and gravity assists from Earth, Venus and eventual
gravity capture at Mercury.
WHAT’S WITH THE NAME?
● BepiColombo is named after Giuseppe "Bepi"

Colombo (1920–1984), a scientist, mathematician
and engineer at the University of Padua, Italy.
● Implemented the successful interplanetary
manoeuvre mission.
● Manoeuvre mission is send to Study about Venus.
● To give him a privilege BepiColombo is kept on his
name.
● Scientist died in 1984.

Liquid water is essential for life as we know it. Where we
find liquid water on Earth we also find life.

Discovery Of Two New Planets
TESS ( Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite )

NOTES:
NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite is an all-
sky survey mission that will discover thousands of
exoplanets around nearby bright stars.
TESS launched April 18, 2018 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9
rocket.
TESS is launced by NASA.

TESS aims at finding planets beyond our solar system not
within.
NOTE
Pluto can be added again.
Current planet 8
If pluto added then 9
A planet-hunting orbital telescope designed to detect

worlds beyond our solar system discovered—two planets.
TESS has made its first new discovery of two new planets.
NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, better known

as TESS, made an early discovery of “super-Earth” and
“hot Earth” planets.
Both are Exoplanet.
1. The discovery of Pi Mensae c, a “super-earth” planet 60

light-years away orbiting its sun every 6.3 days.
A super-Earth is an extrasolar planet with a mass higher

than Earth's, but substantially below the masses of the
Solar System's ice giants, Uranus and Neptune, which
have masses of 15 and 17 times Earth's, respectively.
2. The discovery of LHS 3844 b, a “hot-earth” planet 49

light-years away that orbits its sun every 11 hours.
Very close to sun and have a very high temperature as
campared to earth. It is difficult for the planet to survive.
What Is an Exoplanet?
All of the planets in our solar system orbit around the Sun.
Planets that orbit around other stars are called exoplanets.
GOLDILOCKS ZONE
The Goldilocks Zone refers to the habitable zone around a

star where the temperature is just right - not too hot and not
too cold - for liquid water to exist on an planet.

The kit has been developed after 20 years of work
by INMAS scientists.
It has 25 items which include radioactive protectors which

can absorb 80-90% of radiation, nerve gas agents, bandages
that absorb radiation as well as tablets and ointments.
The kit is seen as potent alternative to similar imported kits

that were till now procured from US and Russia at much
higher prices.
It has been developed for armed, paramilitary and police

(click on the image above to watch the video) forces only as they are first ones likely to get exposed to
radiation during nuclear, chemical and biomedical
India's First Anti-Nuclear Medical Kit (NCB) warfare or rescue operation after nuclear
accident.
RADIATION EFFECT ON HUMANS
FEW IMPORTANT ITEMS OF KIT
1.
The losing of hair quickly and in clumps occurs
with radiation exposure at 200 rems or higher. ● Prussian blue tablet: Reduces radiation
2. The thyroid gland is susceptible to radioactive ● Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) injection
iodine. In sufficient amounts, radioactive iodine ● Ca-EDTA Respiratory Fluid: helps in breathing
can destroy all or part of the thyroid. ● Radioactive Blood Mopping Dressing
3. Intense exposure to radioactive material at 1,000 to ● Radioactive urine/biofluid collector
5,000 rems would do immediate damage to small ● Anti-gamma ray skin ointment
blood vessels and probably cause heart failure and ● Amifostine injection
death directly. ● Indranil 150 mg tablet
Many other harmful effects.
USEFULNESS
CHERNOBYL DISASTER 26 April 1986 : On April 26,
1986, the world’s worst nuclear accident happened at the “Such medicines will help everyone and not just soldiers.
Chernobyl plant near Pripyat, Ukraine, in the Soviet Union. This will also help the victims affected in terrorist attacks,
The number of deaths directly caused by the Chernobyl Rajesh Malhotra, head of Trauma Centre at All India
disaster is usually estimated to be between 31 and 56, but Institute of Medical Sciences, said, adding that the kits will
the long-term effects of the disaster have impacted a benefit civilians in case of a nuclear accident
much larger number of people.
India is surrounded by two countries

China and Pakistan WHICH HAVE
nuclear weapon.
Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Science

(INMAS) develops India’s first indigenous anti-nuclear
medical kit (Location: New Delhi)
INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE & (Scan the QR Code to watch the video)
ALLIED SCIENCES (INMAS)
INMAS is laboratory of Defence Research and Development

Organisation (DRDO).
NOTES:
It was established in 1961 and is located in New Delhi.
It is involved in nuclear medicine research and

responding to nuclear accidents and
explosions.
Since 1968, Department of Nuclear Medicine in

INMAS is offering two-year diploma in radiation
medicine.
It is first formal training program in nuclear medicine in

the world.
NOTE:
India’s first indigenous medical kit for

protection against nuclear warfare or
radioactive leakage.
ANTI-NUCLEAR MEDICAL KIT

1. The Vikas engine is used by the ISRO to
launch its rockets including the Polar Satellite
Launch Vehicle (PSLV) that took
Chandrayaan-1 to the moon in 2008.
2. The Vikas engine is also used as the second and the
four strap-on stages of Geo-Synchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
FALSE CASE
Apr 1996:
(click on the image above to watch the video) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) files report before
a Kerala court, says espionage case is false and there was no
An Indian space scientist accused of spying finds closure evidence to back the charges.
after 24 years
May:
AN UNUSUAL STORY
Court accepts the CBI’s report and discharges all accused.
Oct 1994: Maldivian national Mariam Rasheeda arrested in
Thiruvananthapuram for allegedly obtaining secret May 1998:
drawings of ISRO rocket engines to sell to Pakistan.
Supreme Court awards compensation of 1 lakh to Mr.
Nov 1994: Nambi Narayanan, director of cryogenic Narayanan and others, who were discharged in the case;
project at ISRO, arrested along with deputy director of directs the state government to pay the amount.
ISRO D. Sasikumaran and Indian representative of a
Russian space agency K. Chandrasekhar. S.K. Sharma, a Apr 1999:
labour contractor, and Fousiya Hasan, Maldivian friend of
Rasheeda are also arrested. Mr. Narayanan approaches the National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC) claiming compensation from the state
THE CASE for the mental agony and torture suffered by him.
Defense officials said the secrets pertained to highly SUPREME COURT
confidential “flight test data” from experiments with rocket
and satellite launches. Apr 2017:
Nambi Narayanan was among two scientists (the other The Supreme Court begins hearing on Mr.
being D Sasikumaran) that were accused of selling Narayanan’s plea, seeking action against former
ISRO secrets for millions. However, his house seemed Kerala DGP Siby Mathews and others who had probed
nothingout of the ordinary and did not show signs of the the matter.
corrupt gains he was accused of.
May 3, 2018:
Narayanan was arrested and was lodged in jail for
50 days. Three-judge bench comprising of Chief Justice Dipak
Misra, Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y.
THE DIFFICULT TIMES Chandrachud says it is considering awarding Mr.
Narayanan a compensation of ?75 lakh and restoring
According to him, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and state his reputation.
police officials who were interrogating him in connection
with the case, wanted him to make false accusations against EVENTS
the top brass of ISRO.
November 1994
But when he refused to comply, he was tortured by the
officials until he collapsed and was admitted to hospital. In Kerala police arrest Narayanan.
his statement, Narayanan had later said that his main
complaint was against ISRO because it did not support him. December 1994
WHO IS NAMBI NARAYANAN? Kerala government transfers case to the CBI.
In the early 1970s, Narayanan had introduced the liquid May 1996
fuel rocket technology.
A Kerala court accepts the CBI’s report absolving the
He said that the liquid-fuelled engines will be required to accused and recommending action against investigating
execute ISRO’s civilian space programmes in the future. officers.
He invited praise from then ISRO chairman Satish Dhawan June 1996
and his successor UR Rao for this invention.
Kerala government takes the case back from the CBI and
CONTRIBUTIONS Kerala police move to reopen the investigation against
Narayanan and the other accused.
Narayanan along with his team, with French assistance,
developed the Vikas engine. November 1996

Kerala high court upholds the state government’s decision
to reopen the investigation.
April 1998
The supreme court quashes the state government’s decision

to reopen the investigation.
May 1998
The supreme court orders the state government to pay (Scan the QR Code to watch the video)
Narayanan Rs1 lakh as compensation.
March 2001
NOTES:
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
orders the state government to pay Narayanan
Rs10 lakh as compensation.
June 2011
Kerala government decides not to pursue disciplinary action

against the investigating officers. The government has not
paid the compensation ordered by NHRC.
September 2012
The high court orders the state government to pay the

compensation of Rs10 lakh which had been pending.
October 2014
The high court directs the state government to

reconsider disciplinary action against the investigating
officers.
March 2015
The high court approves of the state government’s decision

to not pursue disciplinary action against the investigating
officers.
September 2018
The supreme court orders the state government to pay

Narayanan Rs50 lakh as compensation, and sets up a
committee to decide disciplinary action against the
investigating officers.
WHEN HE WAS ASKED WHO DID THIS
In 1992, India had signed an agreement with Russia for

transfer of technology to develop cryogenic-based fuels The
agreement was signed for Rs 235 crore, when the US and
France were offering the same technology for Rs 950 crore
and Rs 650 crore respectively.
Documents show that US president George H. W. Bush

wrote to Russia, raising objections against this agreement
and even threatening to blacklist the country from the select-
five club. Russia, under Boris Yeltsin, succumbed to the
pressure and denied cryogenic technology to India.
To bypass this monopoly, India signed a new

agreement with Russia to fabricate four cryogenic
engines after floating a global tender without a formal
transfer of technology.
ISRO had already reached a consensus with Kerala Hitech

Industries Limited (Keltch) which would have provided the
cheapest tender for fabricating engines. But this did not
happen as the spy scandal surfaced in late 1994

● Zika virus diagnosis can only be confirmed by
laboratory testing for the presence of Zika virus RNA in the
blood or other body fluids, such as urine or saliva.
● Infection with Zika virus may be suspected based

on symptoms and recent history (e.g. residence or travel to
an area where Zika virus is known to be present).
BE SAFE
● Using insect repellent regularly.
● Wearing clothes (preferably light-coloured) that
cover as much of the body as possible;
● Using physical barriers such as window screens,
What is Zika Virus? closed doors and windows;
WHAT IS HAPPENING THESE DAYS? ● If needed, additional personal protection, such as
According to a Health Ministry official, 29 people have so sleeping under mosquito nets during the day.
far been tested positive for the disease in Rajasthan. There ● It is extremely important to empty, clean or cover
was no need to panic and everything was under control, the containers regularly that can store water, such as buckets,
ministry said. drums, pots etc.
● Other mosquito breeding sites should be cleaned or
ICMR, National Centre for Disease Control and DGHS removed including flower pots, used tyres and roof gutters.
are monitoring this. I assure people that everything is under Communities must support the efforts of the local
control. There’s no need to panic,” Nadda said. government to reduce the density of mosquitoes in their
locality.
WHAT IS ZIKA VIRUS ? ● The World Health Organization (WHO) said
Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an sexual transmission is “relatively common” and has advised
infected mosquito from the Aedesgenus, mainly Aedes pregnant women not to travel to areas with ongoing outbreaks
aegypti in tropical regions. of Zika virus.
This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue,
chikungunya and yellow fever.
However, sexual transmission of Zika virus has been
described in 2 cases, and the presence of the Zika virus in
semen in 1 additional case.
SHOULD INDIA WORRY ?
● The guidelines call for pregnant women who have

travelled to Zika-affected areas to mention their travel (Scan the QR Code to watch the video)
during antenatal visits in order to be assessed and monitored
appropriately.
● For enhancing surveillance, the Integrated Disease NOTES:

Surveillance Programme (IDSP), through its community
and hospital-based data gathering mechanism, would keep
track of areas where a large number of cases of acute fever
are reported.
● There are no vaccines or cure for Zika virus.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ZIKA VIRUS

• The incubation period (the time from exposure to
symptoms) of Zika virus disease is not clear, but is
likely to be a few days.
• People infected with Zika may have a mild fever,
skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain
and fatigue that can last for two to seven days.
But as many as 80 percent of people infected never
develop symptoms.
• The symptoms are similar to those of dengue or
chikungunya, which are transmitted by the same
type of mosquito.
These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2-7 days.
SEXUAL TRANSMISSION POSSIBLE

The virus can be transmitted through anal, oral or vaginal
sex.
ZIKA VIRUS DIAGNOSIS

Significant roofing loss and structural damage. Many
G. Disasters caravans destroyed and blown away. Dangerous airborne
debris. Widespread power failures.
A Category 4 cyclone's strongest winds are VERY
DESTRUCTIVE winds with typical gusts over open flat
land of 225 - 279 km/h.
These winds correspond to the highest category on the
Beaufort scale, Beaufort 12 (Hurricane).
● CATEGORY 5 (severe tropical cyclone)

Extremely dangerous with widespread destruction.
A Category 5 cyclone's strongest winds are VERY
DESTRUCTIVE winds with typical gusts over open flat land
of more than 280 km/h.
These winds correspond to the highest category on the
(click on the image above to watch the video) Beaufort scale, Beaufort 12 (Hurricane).
HOW WILL THIS IMPACT ODISHA? WHY THIS CYCLONE IS NAMED 'TITLI'
Government of Orissa said no death should take place. In South East Asia, tropical cyclones are given names by
different countries that are located in the region (including
● Cyclone Titli intensified into a very severe cyclonic South).
storm(CATEGORY 5) over the Bay of Bengal on Titli was named by Pakistan and the next will called Gaja
Wednesday and is moving towards the Odisha coast, - named by Thailand.
triggering rainfall in several parts of the state, the India The process of naming cyclones is done under the
Meteorological Department (IMD) said. supervision of the World Meteorological Organisation.
For the area in and around Indian Ocean, the talks over
● IMD has predicted that the cyclonic wind will badly naming cyclones started in 2000 and in 2004, a formula was
hit the Andhra Pradesh districts of Visakhapatnam, agreed upon.
Vizianagaram and Srikakulam, and the Odisha districts Eight nations in South and South-East Asia, namely,
of Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri and Kendrapara. Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan,
It has advised fishermen to suspend operations and coastal Sri Lanka and Thailand have come up with their respective
hutment dwellers to shift to safe places. sets of names that are assigned to the cyclone storm in a
sequence.
● As many as 15 teams of the National Disaster
Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed along with the
Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) at several The names of some future cyclones are: Gaja (Thailand),
places across the state Phethai (Sri Lanka), Fani (Bangladesh), Vayu (India), Hikaa
(Maldives), Kyarr (Myanmar), Maha (Oman), Bulbul
(Pakistan), Pawan (Thailand) and Amphan (Sri Lanka).
Tropical Cyclone Category System
WHY IT IS NECESSARY TO NAME CYCLONES?
● CATEGORY 1 (tropical cyclone) World Meteorological Organization said :
Negligible house damage. Damage to some crops, trees and The naming helps the weather forecaster and general
caravans. Craft may drag moorings. people for an easy communication.
A Category 1 cyclone's strongest winds are GALES with The main purposes of naming a tropical cyclone or hurricane
typical gusts over open flat land of 90 - 125 km/h. are for people to easily remember the storm in a region and
These winds correspond to Beaufort 8 and 9 (Gales and to better facilitate risk awareness and preparedness.
strong gales).
GUIDELINES FOR NAMING CYCLONES :
● CATEGORY 2 (tropical cyclone)
Minor house damage. Significant damage to signs, trees and ● Name should be short and readily understood
caravans. Heavy damage to some crops. Risk of power when broadcast.
failure. Small craft may break moorings. ● Name should be neutral,'not culturally sensitive
A Category 2 cyclone's strongest winds are DESTRUCTIVE and not convey some unintended and pottentially
winds with typical gusts over open flat land of 125 - 164 inflammatory meaning.
km/h. These winds correspond to Beaufort 10 and 11 ● Suppose a cyclone came and many people killed
(Storm and violent storm). (was very disasterous for that country) then that name is
retired and never used again.
● CATEGORY 3 (severe tropical cyclone) Not without controversy

Some roof and structural damage. Some caravans ● Cyclone Mahasen, which hit in 2013 and was
destroyed. Power failures likely. named by Sri Lanka, was changed to Viyaru after protests by
A Category 3 cyclone's strongest winds are VERY nationalists and officials in Sri Lanka.
DESTRUCTIVE winds with typical gusts over open flat land
of 165 - 224 km/h. ● They said Mahasen was a king who had brought
These winds correspond to the highest category on the peace and prosperity to the island, and it was wrong to
Beaufort scale, Beaufort 12 (Hurricane). name a calamity after him.
● CATEGORY 4 (severe tropical cyclone) WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

HURRICANES , CYCLONES AND TYPHOONS ?

● They're all the same, officially tropical cyclones.
● But they just use distinctive terms for a storm in
different parts of the world.
● Hurricane is used in the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea,
central and northeast Pacific.
● They are typhoons in the northwest Pacific.
● In the Bay of Bengal and the Arabia Sea, they are
called cyclones. Tropical cyclone is used in the southwest
India Ocean.
● In the southwestern Pacific and southeastern India
Ocean they are severe tropical cyclones.
Titli Cyclone will primarily hit Oman .
(Scan the QR Code to watch the video)
NOTES:

National Disaster Management Authority
National Disaster Management Authority comes under
home ministry whose purpose is to coordinate response to
natural or man-made disasters and for building the
capacity in danger situation.
Guidelines
NDMA’S guidelines on crowd management
1. Crowd management plays a vital role as the

population is very high.
2 2. NDMA had released a document in a detailed
(click on the image above to watch the video) manner for crowd management.
3. As per the document, crowd management is based
3 What Exactly Happened? on capacity planning, improved preparedness
On 19 October 2018, a huge crowd were garnered to watch planning, risk assessment and capacity
celebrations of Hindu Festival Dussehra in Joda Patak, building(local administration should take care of the
Amritsar and approach towards the railway track to see the celebrations should not be close to railway track )
nice view of Dussehra festivities. There were two tracks and 4. High-level Safety Review Committee
both were on the height. Almost 500 peoples sat around the 5. Ministry of railways had appointed a High-level
track and stood to see the blazing of Ravan when peoples Safety Review Committee under the chairman of
were busy watching it they couldn't see the train coming from Dr.Anil Kakodkar to show the safety for Indian
behind because of crackers explosion nobody noticed the Railways.
train. The train has risen over many peoples. Around 60
peoples died and more than 100 peoples were badly injured Way Forward
by the terrible incident. It’s quite shocking how it happens. NDMA should focus on the central repository of incidences
1. According to the analysis, the train was a

passenger train and driver was not played the
horn.
2. The crowd on the track was a disaster.
There were two tracks but the strange thing happen is a few
minutes ago the train goes on the second track but nothing
happens even peoples saw that train. At blazing time peoples
mind were divert to see the attractive view of Ravan blaze but
when the second train came it cause the major damage. (Scan the QR Code to watch the video)
If precautionary measure subsists, the disaster can be
avoided.
1.If we show concern towards Guidelines of crowd NOTES:
management that minor is followed in India.
After that awful accident, the driver immediately reports to
Amritsar Junction Stationmaster and kept by the police for
questioning.
Railway Minister Piyush Goel disclaim of laxness on
driver part and no action was taken against him.
Details
1. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh

announced the compensation of 5 lakh rupees for
the family whose members were killed in the
accident, and provide free treatment for those who
were injured.
2. The central government also announced the
compensation of 2 lakh rupees for each family
who were killed and 50,000 for the injured.
3. The state announced a mourning day for the
victims and schools, colleges were closed for one
day.
If you want to become an I.A.S Officer or either go into

Civil Services Exam you must know about Disaster and
Disaster Management to avoid these kinds of incident. As
UPSC prospective Disaster and Disaster Management
comes under Civil Services main General Studies Paper 3.

megathrust earthquake of 9.1-magnitude in Sumatra.
The tsunami resulted in at least 227,898 fatalities.
WHAT IS THE PRESENT INDONESIA CASE?
Horizontal earthquake
Indonesia experiences earthquakes every day, but the scale

of the quake and tsunami which hit Palu took local people
and scientists by surprise.
More than 1,000 people have died, but the final figure
First Earthquake then Tsunami. could be much higher.
INDONESIA DOUBLE SEMESTER That's because the two plates are moving horizontally, not
with the vertical thrust usually required to set off dangerous
1407 lives have been lost in it more than 70,000 people have waves.
been displaced from their homes.
"We have been trying to figure out what was going on,"
OPERATION SAMUDRA MAITRI says Prof Liu.
Indian Aircrafts C-130 & C-17 landed in Indonesia with the It could be that the quake kicked off a landslide underwater,
relief material along with this Three Indian Navy ships- which in turn disturbed the water, he says, or there could be
INS Tir, INS Sujatha, and INS Shardul have also been inaccuracies in describing the fault, but "we don't know yet".
carried out for
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). ‘Horizontal’ earthquakes - The recent 7.5-magnitude quake in
Indonesia was triggered by what is called a ‘strike-slip fault’.
RING OF FIRE
In this type of quake, the earth’s movement is mostly
Over 226,000 People have died due to the earthquake in horizontal which would not usually trigger a tsunami.
the Ring Of Fire region in the last 10 years.
However, it is possible for a strike-slip fault to also have
WHAT HAPPENED(2018) some amount of vertical motion that could displace water.
Or the fault’s rupture zone may pass through an area where
After a significant 7.5 - magnitude earthquake, Tsunami hit the seafloor rises or drops off.
Palu, a city in the Indonesian Island Of Sulawesi. In such cases, when the fault moves during the quake, it
pushes seawater in front of it.
WHAT CAUSED THE 2004 TSUNAMI? Notably, in Indonesia's case, the fault’s rupture zone was
estimated to be about 70 miles long, suggesting a significant
The epicenter of the 9.0 magnitude quake was located in the possibility for the above.
Indian Ocean near the west coast of Sumatra.
The violent movement of the Earth’s tectonic plates displaced

an enormous amount of water, sending powerful shock waves
in every direction.
This kind of sizeable vertical displacement happened because

the magnitude of the earthquake was more significant than 9
and it occurred at a shallow depth of less than 30km below
the ocean.
Vertical earthquakes - Catastrophic tsunamis are often (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
triggered by ‘megathrust earthquakes’.
These occur at subduction zones when one tectonic plate is

NOTES:
forced under another.
It causes massive chunks of the earth’s crust to move

vertically.
Such movements on the ocean’s floor cause vast volumes of

water to be displaced suddenly.
They thus throw up giant waves that can travel very fast
across vast distances.
E.g. the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
It had waves up to 100 ft high which was triggered by a


REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES ( Can
H. MISCELLANEOUS accommodate around 200 to 300 people)
Drawbacks: Local people protested about it.As local

boats were there one of the ways for the livelihood. It
will certainly affect their livelihood.
It will certainly affect: TRAVEL AND TOURISM

COMPETITIVENESS INDEX India was ranked 40th
among the 136 economies across the world in 2017 Travel
and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) released by the
World Economic Forum(WEF).
In this edition of the index, India has jumped 12

places from an earlier 52nd position in 2015. But it
lagged behind its other Asian peers like Japan (4th)
( Click on the image above to watch the video) and China (13th)
GS 3 15TH PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS TO BE

WHAT IS ALAKNANDA LUXURY HELD IN VARANASI IN JANUARY 2019. The
CRUISE? 15th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas will be held in a holy city
if Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) from January 21 to
Alaknanda Cruise is the first cruise in Varanasi it will January 23, 2019. Its theme will be “Role of Indian
give a tour in the Ghats of Varanasi. Diaspora in building a New India”.
It is an important addition to the Varanasi Tourism. Uttar

Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched
Alaknanda, a five-star luxury cruise, from the Khirkiya
ghat in Varanasi.
PM Modi's constituency is in Varanasi ( PM Modi fight

Lok Sabha election from here)
Alaknanda Cruise will be very good for tourism.

( Scan the QR code to watch the video)
Alaknanda Cruise has two decks Lower and Upper. The
lower one is air-conditioned and in the upper one, we have
a restaurant.
WHAT IS ALAKNANDA LUXURY CRUISE NOTES:

TOURIST BOAT?
It is the first of its kind luxury boat in Varanasi which is

developed at a cost of Rs.. 1 crore by a Kolkata-based
company operated by the non-government organization
(Nordic Cruise Line) with the support of the government.
The boat can accommodate a total of 90 passengers and

it has a space of 2000 sq.-feet.
According to reports, the cost of a trip aboard the luxury

boat will be around Rs. 750 per head.
As part of safety provisions onboard, the boat is

equipped with life jackets and the passengers will be
under the supervision of lifeguards life jackets and
other facilities are provided.
THE HOLY RIVER GANGA FACTOR
Nordic Cruise Line announced that "All kinds of NON-

VEGETARIAN FOOD and
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS are STRICTLY PROHIBITED

on board Alaknanda
Because it is a holy area.
TOP LUXURY CRUISES IN THE

WORLD (DATA FROM CRUISE
CRITIC'S 2018 RANKINGS)

the invasion by Mughals and now is the time to give these
places their original identity.
In the same interview, he proclaimed that is required he will
not hesitate to change the name of 'Taj Mahal' to 'Ram
Mahal'. He also proposed that Article 1 of the Constitution
be amended to replace the word 'India' with 'Hindustan'.
Allahabad is now Prayagraj
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced days ago
that the historic Uttar Pradesh city would become
"Prayagraj" as it was what people "wished".
WHAT IS PRAYAGRAJ EXACTLY.

NOTES:
Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh is not only the leading
educational centre in the state but also the seat of High
Court and hosts the Uttar Pradesh Public Service
Commission.
The Sangam place also holds religious importance for
many. The association of Kumbh Mela with Allahabad
dates way back.
FACT ABOUT ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT

Allahabad High Court was one of the first high courts to be
established.
HISTORY WHY NAME IS CHANGED
Before 1575, it was known as Prayag.

Some medieval texts including Akbar's court historian
Abul Fazl called it Piyag.
In 1575, the city was named Illahabas meaning 'abode of
God' by the then Mughal Emperor Akbar when he visited
the place.
Later in the time, it came to be known as Allahabad.
IMPORTANCE IN HINDU RELIGION
The age-old name of the city was Prayag which in literal

translation means "a place of sacrifice".
Prayag finds its mention in the Rig Veda and is recognized
as the place where Brahma (the creator of the universe in
Hindu mythology) attended a ritual sacrifice.
Allahabad is more famously known as Triveni Sangam or
Sangam Nagari as it is in this city that the confluence of
three most pious rivers, the Ganges, Yamuna, and
Saraswati occur. It is also believed that during the Kumbh
Mela, all the gods descend from their holy abode to the
Earth, to take a dip at the holy confluence or the Sangam.
OTHER NAME CHANGES IN UTTAR PRADESH

In October last year, the Yogi government renamed
Mughal Sarai railway station to Deen Dayal Upadhyay
(DDU) station.
More recently, Hazratganj Chauraha in Lucknow was
renamed “Atal Chowk” to commemorate former PM Atal,
Bihari Vajpayee.
WHAT VALUE DOES IT HOLD?

In an interview with India TV, Yogi Adityanath defended his
actions by arguing that these places were renamed only after

WHAT IS AN OIL BASIN?
Also known as the sedimentary basin is a depression in the

Earth's crust that is formed by plate tectonics over the
years.
INDIA HAS 26 SEDIMENTARY BASINS(only 7 are the

category -I basin i.e ( have commercial production of oil
and gas
Above topic is important for prelims point of view.

Category of SEDIMENTARY BASINS ARE -
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
Category-I
State-owned Oil and natural gas corp (ONGC) has made
Category-II
oil and gas discoveries in Madhya Pradesh and West
Bengal that may potentially open up two new Category-III
sedimentary basins in the country.
Category-IV
First is in Madhya Pradesh: Vindhyan basin this is
3000 -plus meters deep and is being tested now.
Second is in West Bengal(southern part): Ashok

Nagar of Parganas district.
There are different types of category basins. They(found

in Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal) are the
category -III sedimentary basins, having hydrocarbon and

are considered geologically prospective for exploration. (Scan the QR code to watch video)
NOTES:

" Rs. 657 Crore – Maintenance cost for coming 15
years.
All the costs cumulatively make it 2,989 Crore
INR.
Shrestha Bharat Bhavan:
Analogous to a 3-star hotel, this Bhavan has been

constructed to attract the tourists and let them know that
journey of Saradar Patel along with the statue.
Objectives of the Statue:
About the Statue:
§ Livelihood Generation
§ Located on a river island – Sadhu Bet near § Social Infrastructure
Rajpipla, Gujarat, facing the Narmada Dam, § Tribal Development
whose official name is Sardar Sarovar Dam. § Employment Generation
§ Height – 182m (tallest in the world) § Research & Education
2nd – Spring Temple of Buddha (153m), Lushan § Environment Protection
County, Henan, China
3rd – Usiku Daibutsu (120m), Ibaraki Prefecture, Saliency of the Statue:
Japan
4th – Statue of Liberty (92m), Liberty Island, New § 550panels of bronze plates which were made in
York, USA China, used in making
§ SVPRET – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya § Bronze cladding on the Statue
Ekta Trust – A special purpose vehicle for its § 3,400 laborers and 250 engineers involved
construction. § Deadline of inauguration -Oct 31, which was
§ Built by the company Larsen and Toubro, the Sardar Patel's 143rd birth anniversary
company won the contract in October 2014 on § 237.35 meters above sea level
the lowest bidding of INR 2,989 Crore (USD 420 § Able to withstand wind velocity up to 60 m/sec,
million) for design, construction and maintenance. vibration and earthquake — at Sardar Sarovar
§ Work on the statue started in December 2013 and Dam.
was proposed to complete within 42 months, which § Will have a viewing gallery at 153 m, which can
was extended further by four months accommodate up to 200 visitors
because the critical design phase took
longer than expected.
§ It was expected that the cost of the project may be
about INR 3,001 Crore by GoI.
Cost-fragmentation:
" Rs. 1347 Crore – Main Statue

" Rs. 235 Crore – An Exhibition hall and Convention
Centre are also proposed to construct. (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
" Rs. 83 Crore – For a bridge to connect the area via
roads and other commutation. The area is quite
underdeveloped and not very much urbanized one.
NOTES:

UPSC Prelims Capsule :

1) With reference to recently launched Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), consider the
following statements:
1. It is an umbrella scheme and has subsumed all the agricultural produce procurement schemes of the central
government.
2. Food Corporation of India is the only nodal agency under this scheme.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
2) In which of the following areas can Artificial Intelligence be used?

1. Speech recognition
2. Algorithmic trading
3. Logic Programming
4. Medical diagnosis
5. Remote Sensing
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 1, 3 and 5
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
3) With reference to recently launched ‘Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna’, consider the following statements:
1. It is Only for Insured Persons (IP) covered under the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948.
2. The scheme will be applicable to all factories and establishments employing at least 10 workers.
3. It is an improved version of the previous scheme, Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana(RGSKY).
(a) 1 and 2 Only

(b) 2 and 3 Only
(c) 1 and 3 Only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 Only
4) Consider the following statements with respect to recent merger of Banks in India:
1. RBI has ordered for the merger of Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank.
2. This has been done on the under the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework of RBI.
3. This merger will drastically reduce the gross NPAs accruing in the banking sector.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
(a) 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3
(c) Only 2
(d) 1, 2 and 3
5) Consider the following statements:

1. Petroleum coke has been banned for all the purposes as it contains toxic metal vanadium and is a potent
greenhouse gas.
2. India is the largest consumer of pet coke as well as largest importer of it.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

6) Consider the following statements with respect to recent discovery of oil and gas by ONGC in Madhya Pradesh and West
Bengal:
1. Sedimentary and Igneous rocks are the main sources of oil and gas.
2. India has 26 inland sedimentary basins spread across its geographical area.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
7) With reference to ‘Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI)’, consider the following statements:
1. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the national governing body for cricket in India.
2. Lodha committee and Mudgal Committee are related to BCCI.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
8) The Blended Finance is a/an:

(a) New fund to finance blending of ethanol in petrol and diesel, recent instrument introduced in new biofuel policy.
(b) World Bank fund that seeks finance and facilitate increase in reduction of oil imports for developing countries.
(c) It implies the mixing of both public and private funds through a common investment scheme or deal, with each
party using their expertise in a complementary way.
(d) None of the above.
9) The term ‘Blood Rain’ is sometimes seen in the news with reference to:
(a) A type of rain normally seen near north and south pole due to temperature inversion.
(b) Red colored rain seen mostly in Europe due to dust and sand of Sahara desert.
(c) Rain occurring in Kerala which is red in color due to blue green algae and fungi in Western Ghats.
(d) None of the above
10) Consider the following statements with respect to BCIM Economic Corridor:
1. It is basically a multimode transport system connecting Kunming in China to Kolkata in India via Dhaka
and Mandalay.
2. This corridor is associated with BIMSTEC grouping.
3. The idea was given a shape in the form of the BCIM forum in 1999 in the first ‘Kunming Initiative’, the
capital of Chinese Yunnan province.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
11) With reference to CAATSA(Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) of USA, Consider the following
statements:
1. CAATSA Sanctions were imposed on China and India recently.

2. It is against those countries which procure defense equipment from Russia Only.
3. CAATSA came into being during the reign of Donald Trump.
Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?
(a) 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 1, 2 and 3
12) With reference to IPCC(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ) recent report on Climate Change, consider the
following statements:
1. This is the 6th Assessment Report after 5th released in 2014.

2.It predicts the possibility to keep the increase in global average temperatures to within 1.5 degrees Celsius of
pre-industrial times.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
13) Consider the following statements with reference to Construction and demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016:
1. Construction and demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016 are applicable in all the states of India
automatically.
2. These rules are framed for the first time in 2016 since 1950 by Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate
Change.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
14) Regarding Corporate Governance in India, which of the following statements are true?
1. Corporate Governance is the only element in improving economic efficiency and growth as well as
enhancing investor’s confidence.
2. Narayan Murthy and Uday Kotak committee are related to reforms in corporate governance in India.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
15) With reference to recent cyclone Titli, consider following statements regarding tropical cyclones:
1. Cyclones are named by the country that they actually hit.
2. Cyclones are categorized based on their speed.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
16) With reference to ‘DigiYatra Inititaive’, consider the following statements:

1. It is the Sub-part of the Regional connectivity scheme of Ministry of civil aviation.
2. UIDAI Aaadhar card is mandatory for creation of identity through this platform at Airport.
(e) 1 Only
(f) 2 Only
(g) Both 1 and 2
(h) Neither 1 nor 2
17) What is ‘Deep Ecology’, sometimes seen in the news?

(a) It is the relation between organism, plants and their environment found deep in the oceans and seas.
(b) It is an ecological and environmental philosophy promoting the inherent worth of living beings regardless of
their instrumental utility to human needs, plus a radical restructuring of modern human societies in
accordance with such ideas.
(c) It studies share characteristics and methodological approaches with other areas of terrestrial ecology.
(d) None of the above.

18) With reference to Geographical Indication tag (GI tag) often seen in news, Consider following statements:
1. Different states can adopt their products under Geographical Indications tag.
2. WTO (World Trade Organization) rules on Geographical Indications are mandatory for all the members
of WTO.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

1. Election Commission of India has partnered with Google to regulate online advertisements at the time of
election.
2. The Representation of People act 1951 regulates the functions of Election Commission of India.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
20) Consider the following statements with respect H1N1(Swine Flu) Virus:
1. Massive spread of Swine flu (H1N1) has been declared as epidemic status by the WHO recently.
2. H1N1 virus can mutate and become more virulent and resistant to conventional treatment.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
21) Which of the following statements are correct regarding the World Bank(WB) and International Monetary Fund(IMF):
1. WB provide Loans for Economic Stability and IMF for the Economic Growth of a country
2. IMF loans mean the growth of the country is doing well and similarly WB loan means country is progressing
well.
3. The size of the World Bank is more than three times larger than the size of the International Monetary Fund.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 Only
(d) 2 Only
22) Consider the following statements with reference to Customs Duty:

1. Increase in Customs duty will definitely reduce Current Account Deficit.
2. Customs duty has been subsumed under Good and Services Tax (GST).
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
23) With reference to ‘India-Bangladesh Pipeline Project’, consider the following statements:
1. The 130-kilometre pipeline will connect Siliguri in West Bengal in India and Parbatipur in Dinajpur district
of Bangladesh.
2. This is the first time in India will receive Diesel from Bangladesh through this pipeline.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only

(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
24) Consider the following statements with respect to India-Russia relationship:

1. Russia is one of the only two countries with which India holds annual bilateral summit.
2. The India-Russia bilateral relationship was elevated to Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership in
2010.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
25) With reference to Internationalization of Indian Rupee, consider the following statements:
1. Internationalization of Rupee will facilitate greater degree of integration of Indian economy with rest of
the world in terms of foreign trade and international capital flows.
2. Internationalization of Indian currency would require full capital account convertibility.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
26) Consider the following statements with reference to Open Market Operations of RBI:
1. It is a Qualitative measure used by RBI to inject liquidity into the economy.
2. It refers to direct sales and purchase of securities and bills in the open market by Reserve bank of India.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
27) What is/are the consequence/consequences of the Internal Security Cooperation Agreement between India and China?
1. It will provide access inside areas of each other boundaries of disputes.
2. This is the first time when both the countries have signed such type of agreement.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

1. International Criminal Court (ICC) is known as Official court of U.N, commonly known as “World Court”.
2. The ICC has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against
humanity, and war crimes.
3. India and USA are signatories of ICC.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
(a) 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3
(c) Only 2
(d) 1, 2 and 3
29) Consider the following statements with reference to Zika Virus:

1) Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedesgenus, mainly Aedes
aegypti in tropical regions.

2) The virus can be transmitted through anal, oral or vaginal sex.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
30) Consider the following statements with reference to World Bank’s latest report ‘A glass half-full report’ :
1. This report is based on the people living in poverty and their regional variation in South Asia.
2. It recommends increase in regional trade as a solution to achieve greater economic growth.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
31) Consider the following statements with reference to UNHRC(United Nations Human Rights Council):
1. The UNHRC has 193 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis.
2. India has been elected to the United Nation’s top human rights body, UNHRC for a period of three years.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
32) With reference to Wind Mills, Consider the following statements:

1. Windmills are responsible for human and animals conflict.
2. They produce sound of less than 20 decibels (DB) and are one of the best renewable source of energy.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

1. United States Federal reserve hike in rates corresponds to Quantitative easing by its central bank.
2. This hike has a positive impact on Indian economy as dollar liquidity is increased globally.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
34) What are the advantages of Organic Farming:

1. In the long term , organic farms save energy and protect the environment
2. Increase in productivity
3. Least or no presence of chemical fertilizers
4. Fewer residues in food
5. It can slow global warming.
Select the correct codes given below:
(a) 1, 3 and 5
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2, 4 and 5
(d) 1, 3, 4 and 5


1. Sikkim is awarded the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Future Policy Gold
Award (Gold Prize)
2. Sikkim has become the only state in the World to achieve fully Organic status.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
36) With reference to recently proposed National database on sexual offenders(NDSO), consider the following statements:
1. This is an maiden attempt by any country in the world
2. The data will be maintained by National Crime Records Bureau
3. NDSO will be available for general public to find out details of the person of any living around them.
(a) 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 Only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
37) Consider the following statements with reference to the recent Supreme Court’s Judgment on SC/ST promotions:
1. Supreme Court upheld the reservation of SC/ST in promotions
2. SC/STs will be provided a reservation in private sector is the main order of the Supreme court through this
judgment.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
38) Often seen in news Sabarimala temple is located at which Tiger reserve:
(a) Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
(b) Periyar Tiger Reserve
(c) Bandipur Tiger Reserve
(d) Biligirirangana Tiger reserve
39) Consider following statements with reference to Multidimensional Poverty Index(MPI):

1. MPI is calculated based on Living standards, Health and Education.
2. Higher the MPI value lesser the poverty.
3. Recent MPI report shows an improvement in condition of India from the previous one.
(a) 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 1, 2 and 3

1. 'Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index' is released by UNDP and Oxfam.
2. CRI Index has ranked India among the bottom 10 countries.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

1. Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Science (INMAS) has developed India’s first indigenous anti-nuclear
medical kit.
2. INMAS is laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
42) Pi Mensae c and LHS 3844 b, are sometimes seen in the news in the context of:
(a) Solar planes tested by NASA
(b) Space Observatory launched by China
(c) New planets discovered by TESS satellite.
(d) Two new telescopes launched by European Union.

1. USMCA is the new trade agreement between USA, Canada and Mexico.
2. It is a new version of NAFTA (The North American Free Trade Agreement).
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
44) With reference to Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, consider the following statements:
1. Mudra scheme aims to reduce the unemployment by providing micro enterprises and farmers with credit
facility.
2. There are three types of loan under the scheme, namely Shishu, Kishore and Tarun.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
45) Which of the following best describes ‘Mariculture’:

(a) The method of fish farming in which fishes are raised in artificial way for breeding and transportation.
(b) Practice involves the cultivation of only marine organism unlike any aquatic organism.
(c) Inland farming of fishes in rivers and ponds.
(d) None of the above
46) Arrange the following islands/countries in the direction from south to north:
1. Maldives
2. Mauritius
3. Vctoria, Seychelles
4. Reunion island
5. Chagos Archipelago
6. Comoros
Select the correct answer from the following codes given below:
(a) 6-5-4-3-2-1
(b) 5-6-3-4-2-1
(c) 4-2-6-5-3-1
(d) 3-4-6-5-1-2
47) ‘VClll84’ recently seen in news, is a:

(a) A new planet discovered by PRL laboratory in India.
(b) Inter-continental Missile launched by China.
(c) one of the largest warships to be built at an Indian yard
(d) Recently bought helicopter by India from USA.

(a) BepiColombo is a joint mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration
Agency (JAXA) to explore the planet Mercury.

(b) The mission comprises of two satellites launched concurrently the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and Mio
(Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter, MMO) and a Lander.
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

1. PSLV is known as Workhorse of ISRO, as it has done all the successful flights till now.
2. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is a third-generation rocket launcher designed, manufactured and
operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
3. PSLV has a four-stage system comprising a combination of solid and liquid-fuelled rocket stages.
(e) 2 and 3
(f) 1 and 3
(g) 1 and 2
(h) 1, 2 and 3
50) Consider the following Countries:

1. Japan
2. India
3. Indonesia
4. Myanmar
5. China
6. Thailand
Which of the above Country/ies are member of both ASEAN (Association of South-east Asian Nation) and RCEP
(Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership)?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 3, 4 and 6
(c) 1, 3, 4, and 5
(d) All of the above

Mains Practice Questions:

1) Why didn't India allow Rohingyas to take shelter in India? Does India s internal security concerns override humanitarian
impulses. Comment.
2) What is artificial intelligence. Examine its scope. Is AI a danger to humanity.
3) Examine the potential and prospects of revival of air India. Also examine whether there is a need to relook the policy of
disinvestment
4) India needs a mix of PSBs and private banks . In the light of the above statement was the recent merger of PSBs a right
decision. Critically comment.
5) What reforms India needs to bring in disaster management policy keeping in mind the Amritsar train accident?
6) Building heavy cost infrastructure like Arunachal mega dam must be examined through a proper cost benefit analysis.
Critically comment.
7) In recent times, India-China relationship has come a long way. discuss the developments in recent period and how will it
lead to meaningful engagement with south East Asian countries.
Submit your Answers at https://www.upsciq.com/category/discussion/
Or scan the code to submit answers

Solutions to the Prelims Capsule:

Question - 1
Solution: (d)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: PM-AASHA, the new Umbrella Scheme includes the mechanism
of ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers and is comprised of Price Support Scheme
(PSS),Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS),Pilot of Private Procurement & Stockist
Scheme (PPPS).
The other existing schemes of Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) for
procurement of paddy, wheat and nutri-cereals/coarse grains and of Ministry of Textile for
cotton and jute will be continued for providing MSP to farmers for these crops.
● Statement 2 is INCORRECT: There is no single Nodal agency for this scheme. Government
has allowed private participation of private sector in procurement operation, so that
procurement can be increased. FCI, NAFED and other Central Nodal Agencies with the
proactive role of the state governments for procurement of the produce is notified.
Question - 2
Solution: (d)
● Artificial Intelligence defined as intelligence exhibited by machines, has many

applications in today's society. AI is a tool to tackle some of the world's greatest
economic and social challenges. It has applications ranging different areas from social,
economic, scientific, medical, and programming. Recently NITI Aayog has published a
National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence.
Question-3
Solution: (a)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: The ESI Corporation has approved a Scheme named Atal Bimit
Vyakti Kalyan Yojana, for Insured Persons (IP) covered under the Employees’ State
Insurance Act, 1948. This scheme is a relief payable in cash directly to their Bank
Account in case of unemployment and while they search for new engagement.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: The scheme will be applicable to all factories and
establishments employing at least 10 workers.
● Statement 3 is INCORRECT: The ongoing Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana(RGSKY)
benefits formal sector workers registered with the ESIC. Difference between RGSKY and
Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana is that RGSKY will help when the industry is stopped
working while in Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana it will help a person's when it's contract
is terminated from the industry and the person is unemployed again. Considering the
change in employment pattern and the current scenario of employment in India which
has transformed from a long term employment to fixed short term engagement in the
form of contract and temping, ESI has introduced this scheme.
Question-4
Solution: (d)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: The Alternate Mechanism (headed by Arun Jaitley ),

comprising Jaitley, Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and railways and coal
minister Piyush Goyal, was set up as an approval framework for proposals to merge

state-run banks. RBI has not issued any order regarding their merger. It is the sole
decision of the government.
● Statement 2 is INCORRECT: PCA (prompt corrective action) is a framework of RBI to
maintain sound financial health of banks. It facilitates banks in breach of risk
thresholds for identified areas of monitoring, viz., capital, asset quality (which is
tracked in terms of the net Non-Performing Assets ratio) and profitability, to take
corrective measures in a timely manner, in order to restore their financial health.
Merger has no direct relation to PCA framework.
● Statement 3 is INCORRECT: It is a positive step to merge banks in good condition and
bad condition with respect to holding Non-performing assets(NPAs) such that this
may reduce an overall pressure on the banking system and improve functioning of
larger merged new bank. But this is will not reduce drastically the gross NPAs in the
banking system.
Question – 5:
Solution: (b)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: Petroleum coke has been banned only for fuel purpose.
Petroleum coke is a solid carbon rich material contains 90% of carbon and 3% to 6%
sulphur extracted from oil refining.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: India is the world’s largest consumer of pet coke. The
demand for pet coke is continuously rising from the last 10 years. India has surpassed
China in the year 2016 as the world’s largest importer of pet coke.
Question-6:
Solution: (d)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: The types of rocks that contain oil and natural gas are all
sedimentary rocks, rocks formed when grains and mineral particles deposited by
running water fuse together.
● Statement 2 is INCORRECT: India has 26 sedimentary basins, of which only seven
have commercial production of oil and gas. The existing 26 Sedimentary Basins have
an area of approximately 3.14 million Sq. Kms. These basins are spread over inland
and coastal areas. The sedimentary basins of the country have been classified into
four categories as below:
Category-I Basins with established commercial production. Cambay, Mumbai
Offshore, Rajasthan, Krishna Godavari, Cauvery, Assam Shelf and Assam-Arakan Fold
Belt
Category-II Basins with known accumulation of hydrocarbons but no. commercial
production achieved so far Kutch, Mahanadi-NEC (North East Coast) Basin,Andaman-
Nicobar, Kerala-Konkan-Lakshadweep Basin.
Category-III Basins having hydrocarbon shows that are considered geologically
prospective Himalayan Foreland Basin, Ganga Basin, Vindhyan basin, Saurashtra
Basin, Kerela Konkan Basin, Bengal Basin
Category-IVBasins having uncertain potential which may be prospective by analogy
with similar basins in the world. Karewa basin, Spiti-Zanskar basin, Satpura–South
Rewa–Damodar basin, Chhattisgarh Basin, Narmada basin, Deccan Syneclise, Bhima-
Kaladgi, Bastar Basin, Pranhita Godavari basin, Cuddapah basin.

Question-7:
Solution: (c)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: This statement is correct as BCCI is the only national body
that govern cricket in India.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: Both the committees are related to BCCI. Justice R.M.
Lodha committee was formed to recommend to overview functioning of BCCI and
revamp its functions. Mudgal committee was formed to enquire BCCI-IPL
functioning over match mixing charges in IPL.
Question-8:
Solution: (c)
● Blended Finance: The term blended finance implies the mixing of both public and
private funds through a common investment scheme or deal, with each party
using their expertise in a complementary way. The concept and model was
developed within the Redesigning Development Finance Initiative from the World
Economic Forum. Popularly used in development finance world- in the context of
developmental activities, Merging of public and private finance- PPP model,
investment in infrastructure is done, lead to maximization of development
finance, public and private partnership, sustainable goals, blended finance is the
probable question- merging of public and private finance to meet sustainable
finance goals. Used about meeting SDGs and Reduce investment risks- investment
done by govt. and private sector
Question-9:
Solution: (b)
● Blood Rain: Blood Rain or red rain is an observable fact in which blood is noticed
fall from the sky in the form of rain. It occurs when red colored particles or dust
get mixed into the rain with very high concentrations that give the reddish
appearance.
Question-10:
Solution: (c)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: The Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar Economic

Corridor is an initiative conceptualized for significant gains through sub-regional
economic cooperation within the BCIM. The multi-modal corridor will be the first
expressway between India and China and will pass
through Myanmar and Bangladesh.
● Statement 2 is INCORRECT: There is no direct relation between BIMSTEC and
BCIM Forum.
● Statement 3 is CORRECT: The concept of economic cooperation within the BCIM
region was first developed by Professor Rehman Sobhan. Professor Sobhan’s
pioneering ideas would eventually lead to the development of the platform in the
1990s which came to be known as the ‘Kunming Initiative’. The first meeting of
the Initiative was convened in 1999 in Kunming.
Question-11:
Solution: (c)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: The U.S has imposed a sanction (Punishment) on China
because it bought military weapons from Russia. Presently not on India.

● Statement 2 is INCORRECT: The Countering America's Adversaries through
Sanctions Act (CAATSA), is a US federal law that imposed sanctions on Iran, North
Korea, and Russia. The US imposed sanctions Thursday against China's military for
its purchases of Russian military equipment in a move US officials said is meant to
punish Moscow for its "malign activities," including attacks on American elections.
The USA is doing this because Russia took the side of the Republican party in the
elections and recently China has bought equipment from Russia, so sanction on
China.
● Statement 3 is CORRECT: The bill, after being revised to address some of the
Donald Trump administrationʹs concerns, passed in the House 419 to 3 on 25 July.
On 27 July 2017, the bill was passed overwhelmingly by the US Senate.
Question-12:
Solution: (b)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: This is not the 6th Assessment report but a special report
on limiting global temperature. This report basically highlights the potential capacity of
the world to still limit the average increase in temperature of1.5C by the end of this
century.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: The report predicts the possibility to keep the increase in
global average temperatures to within 1.5 degrees Celsius of pre-industrial times; The
world would need to bring down its greenhouse gas to about half of its 2010 levels by
2030, and to net zero by about 2050 and As of now, the aim is to reduce greenhouse
gases by only 20%, from 2010 levels, by the year 2030 and achieve a net-zero emission
level by the year 2075.
Question-13:
Solution: (b)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: Supreme Court has stayed construction activity in states that
do not have a solid waste management policy. These rules are not suo-motu applicable to all
the states . States can frame their own rules, or follow these Central government rules.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: The Government has notified Construction & Demolition Waste
Management Rules, 2016 for the first time.
Question-14:
Solution: (b)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: Corporate Governance is one key element in improving

economic efficiency and growth as well as enhancing investor’s confidence. There are
other elements like policies of government, investment environment, market
conditions etc.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: Uday Kotak committee - SEBI had in June constituted a 25-
member panel headed by Uday Kotak to make recommendations to
improve corporate governance practices. Narayan Murthy 2003
on Corporate Governance was formed to improve corporate governance in India.
Question-15:
Solution: (b)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: Tropical Cyclones are named not on the country they
hit but these names are given before their occurrence. In South East Asia, tropical
cyclones are given names by different countries that are located in the region

(including South). The process of naming cyclones is done under the supervision of
the World Meteorological Organisation. For the area in and around Indian Ocean,
the talks over naming cyclones started in 2000 and in 2004, a formula was agreed
upon.Eight nations in South and South-East Asia, namely, Bangladesh, India,
Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand have come up with
their respective sets of names that are assigned to the cyclone storm in a sequence.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: Tropical cyclones are officially ranked on one of
five tropical cyclone intensity scales, according to their maximum sustained winds
and which tropical cyclone basin(s) they are located in. They are categorized in 5
different categories.
Question-16:
Solution: (d)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: Air passenger can soon use facial recognition

technology to enter any airport in the country under the recently unveiled DigiYatra
Inititaive. It is an initiative to make boarding pass and security check-ins digital at
airports under Ministry of Civil Aviation. It has no relation with regional connectivity
scheme.
● Statement 2 is INCORRECT: Centralised registration system for passengers and each
of them would get a unique ID on booking the tickets. ID can be created by sharing
name, e-mail id, mobile number and details of any identity proof, including Aadhaar.
The airline would share the passenger data and the ID with the airport from where
the passenger would be flying out.
Question-17:
Solution: (b)
● “Deep Ecology” was first introduced by Norwegian activist and philosopher Arne
Naess in the early 1970’s. Deep ecology is an ecological and environmental
philosophy promoting the inherent worth of living beings regardless of their
instrumental utility to human needs, plus a radical restructuring of modern human
societies in accordance with such ideas. Deep ecology argues that the natural world
is a subtle balance of complex inter-relationships in which the existence of
organisms is dependent on the existence of others within ecosystems.[1] Human
interference with or destruction of the natural world poses a threat therefore not
only to humans but to all organisms constituting the natural order.
Question-18:
Solution: (d)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration

and Protection) Act, 1999 (GI Act) is a Act of the Parliament of India for protection
of geographical indications in India. India, as a member of the World Trade
Organization (WTO), enacted the Act to comply with the Agreement on Trade-
Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. A GI is registered for an initial
period of ten years, which may be renewed from time to time. States cannot
themselves adopt their any product as GI tag.
● Statement 2 is INCORRECT: The WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights (“TRIPS”) defines “geographical indications” as

indications that identify a good as “originating in the territory of a Member, where
a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially
attributable to its geographic origin.” In 1994, when negotiations on the WTO TRIPS
were concluded, governments of all WTO member countries had agreed to set
certain basic standards for the protection of GIs in all member countries. There are
two basic obligations on WTO member governments relating to GIs in the TRIPS
agreement: Article 22 of the TRIPS Agreement says that all governments must
provide legal opportunities in their own laws for the owner of a GI registered in
that country to prevent the use of marks that mislead the public as to the
geographical origin of the good. Article 23 of the TRIPS Agreement says that all
governments must provide the owners of GI the right, under their laws, to prevent
the use of a geographical indication identifying wines not originating in the place
indicated by the geographical indication.
Question-19:
Solution: (a)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: The Election Commission has set up a 14-member

committee to suggest changes in Section 126 of the Representation of the
people(RP) Act, which prohibits poll campaign in the last 48 hours leading to voting,
in the wake of media expansion. Google has met a committee formed by EC and
assured help during elections.
● Statement 2 is INCORRECT: Detailed provisions regarding elections are present in
the RPA act 1951. Election Commission of India through the RPA act 1951 regulates
Election Procedure.
Question-20:
Solution: (b)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: In 2009, H1N1 was spreading fast around the world, so
the World Health Organization called it a pandemic. Since then, people have
continued to get sick from swine flu, but not as many.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: The H1N1 influenza (swine flu) virus is undergoing genetic
mutations, making it more virulent and resistant to conventional treatment. Several
studies have found evidence of genetic mutation of the virus and of new strains. The
new viral morphology prevents the antibodies, which were developed against the
older strains, from recognizing the new strains and binding them against the virus.
Question-21:
Solution: (c)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: WB is a global financial institution and IMF is a controller

of the world’s monetary system. WB laid emphasis on economic growth of the
developing nations and IMF focuses on bringing economic stability.
● Statement 2 is INCORRECT: IMF gives loans when a country desperately needs
money. IMF loans mean the growth of the country is not doing well. World Bank is
Created to facilitate lending
● Statement 3 is CORRECT: The size of the World Bank is more than three times larger
than the size of IMF. The major objective of the IMF is to deal with matters related to

the financial sectors and macroeconomics. WB is to reduce the poverty and to
promote economic development.
Question-22:
Solution: (a)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: Centre has recently increased Customs duty on non-

essential items. This will reduce the Current account deficit as CAD occurs when the
total value of goods and services a country imports exceeds the total value of goods
and services it exports.
● Statement 2 is INCORRECT: Customs Duty is still with Central Government, Only
Additional Customs duty has been subsumed under GST.
Question-23:
Solution: (a)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh

counterpart Sheikh Hasina on September 18, 2018 jointly launched the
construction of India-Bangladesh Friendship Product Pipeline. The 130-kilometre
pipeline will connect Siliguri in West Bengal in India and Parbatipur in Dinajpur
district of Bangladesh. The six-kilometer Indian leg of the pipeline project will be
implemented by the Assam-based Numaligarh Refinery Limited and the remaining
124kilometres of the pipeline project will be implemented by Bangladesh
Petroleum Corporation.
● Statement 2 is INCORRECT: This will be the first such pipeline through which
refined diesel will be supplied to Parbatipur depot from Numaligarh of Assam in
India. India will supply Diesel to Bangladesh.
Question-24:
Solution: (c)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: Russia is one of only two countries with which India
holds annual bilateral summits, the other being Japan.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: The India-Russia bilateral relationship was elevated to
Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership in 2010.
Question-25:
Solution: (c)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: Internationalization- widespread use of a currency
outside its country of issue. Key benefits of internationalization of Rupee
include savings on foreign exchange transactions for Indian residents, reduced
foreign exchange exposure for Indian corporate, reduction in dependence on
foreign exchange reserves for balance of payment stability etc.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: India’s percentage share in the global trade is still on
the lower side and it limits the pricing ability of domestic businesses in Indian
Rupee. Moreover, the share of Indian Rupee in the Global foreign exchange
market turnover at present is also very low. Internationalization of Indian
currency would also require full capital account convertibility. As a policy, we
have followed a gradual and cautious approach in opening up the capital
account. The capital account is being progressively liberalized in accordance
with the evolving macro-economic conditions and requirements of the Indian

industries, individuals and financial sectors. Government has been taking
measures to promote the internationalization of the Indian Rupee.
Question-26:
Solution: (b)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: Open market Operations of RBI is a quantitative

measure to increase as well as decrease liquidity in the economy.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: Through purchase, money can be injected into banking
system- RBI purchases from public and thus money is injected into the system.
People get some money in return. This will stimulate growth. The aggregate
demand will go up, more money supply. Producers will get better credit facilities.
The sales of govt security will contract the money- govt securities are sold and
liquidity is absorbed from the market. Reduction in money supply. Liquidity will
come down.
Question-27:
Solution: (b)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: The Agreement will strengthen and consolidate

discussions and cooperation in the areas of counter-terrorism, organized
crimes, drug control and other such relevant areas. There is no any access
clause in the agreement.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: For the first time, India and China will sign an
internal security cooperation agreement next week, marking a new
beginning in bilateral relations.
Question-28:
Solution: (b)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE- ICJ is known
as Official court of U.N, commonly known as “World Court”.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT – ICC is
Independent. Not governed by U.N. Can receive referrals from UNSC. Can
initiate prosecution without UN action. The jurisdiction to prosecute individuals
for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war
crimes.
● Statement 3 is INCORRECT: Both are non-Signatories.
Question-29:
Solution: (c)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: Zika virus (ZIKV) is a member of the virus family

Flaviviridae. . It is spread by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes. Its name comes
from the Ziika Forest of Uganda, where the virus was first isolated in 1947.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: Sexual transmission is possible through anal, oral and
vaginal sex.
Question-30:
Solution: (b)

• Statement 1 is INCORRECT: World Bank released ‘A Glass Half Full: The Promise of
Regional Trade in South Asia’ report recently. The report estimates India’s
potential trade in goods with South Asia at $62 billion against its actual trade of
$19 billion
• Statement 2 is CORRECT: The report recommends an approach of open
regionalism, and views intraregional trade as complementary to deeper global
integration. As Trade between South Asian nations hasn’t been improved with
SAFTA, where each country has a long list of trading restrictions.
Question-31:
Solution: (b)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is

a United Nations body whose mission is to promote and protect human
rightsaround the world. The 193-member United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) held an election for new members to the United Nations Human Rights
Council. The UNHRC has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on
a regional group basis.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: India has been elected to the United Nation’s top
human rights body, UNHRC for a period of three years beginning January 1, 2019,
by getting 188 votes in the Asia-Pacific category, the highest number of votes
among all candidates.
Question-32:
Solution: (a)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: A study by researchers Salim Ali Centre for

Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) found that windmills killed birds due
to the collision. Birds and animals moved away because of noise. Windmills are
responsible for human and animals conflict. Mainly in the Karnataka region
where more than 3000 windmills are placed and noise are produced so, the
herbivorous avoid the windmill area and moved towards the fringe area.
Carnivorous also go in order for looking them. In the fringe area, there is
human habitation where animals enter in that area cause-effect to humans.
● Statement 2 is INCORRECT: Around windmills, noise levels go up to 85
decibels(dB) which is equivalent to large trucks. The drone of the turbine when
operating in day and night makes 70dB noise more as compared to urban area
55db, industrial area below75db. Ambient noise in forests is less than 40dB
which is relatively high that cause impact to the ecosystem.
Question-33:
Solution: (d)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: US Fed is the central bank for the US, like RBI is for
India. US Fed rate hike refers to the raising (hike) of interest rates that the US Fed
is willing to provide to the banks of US for lending and borrowing activities.
Quantitative easing is an unconventional monetary policy in which a central bank
purchases governmental securities or other securities from the market in order to
lower interest rates and increase the money supply.

● Statement 2 is INCORRECT: This in turn increases the interest rates of everything
else in the US - of government bonds, of bank savings deposits by customers, of
consumer loans etc. Similar to how when RBI raises or cuts interest rates in India,
it affects the interest rates of your loans and deposits (FDs). It primarily affects
India by decreasing the value of India’s currency against the US dollar.
Question-34:
Solution: (d)
▪ Organic Farming Advantages:

- Farmers can reduce their production costs because they do not need to buy
expensive chemicals and fertilizers. Healthier farm workers. In the long term ,
organic farms save energy and protect the environment. It can slow down global
warming. Fewer residues in food. More animals and plants can live in the same place
in a natural way. This is called biodiversity. Pollution of ground water is stopped.
Question-35:
Solution: (c)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: Sikkim was awarded the UN Food and Agriculture

Organisation’s (FAO) Future Policy Gold Award (Gold Prize). The award was given
for the achievement in becoming the world’s first totally organic agriculture state.
Award was presented by FAO, World Future Council (WFC) and IFOAM – Organics
International.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: Sikkim receives UN award for becoming world's first
100% organic state.
Question-36:
Solution: (c)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: India has launched the National Database on Sexual

Offenders. It has become the 9th country in the world to do so.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched
India’s National Database of Sexual Offenders (NDSO). The data will be
maintained by NCRB.
● Statement 3 is INCORRECT: NDSO will maintain the database of convicted sexual
offenders. NDSO will not be available for general public but only to law
enforcement agencies for effectively tracking and investigating cases of sexual
offences.
Question-37:
Solution: (a)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: Supreme Court three conditions with reservation: The state
has to show that the person is really backward, The state have to show that the top
admin of beaurocracy has lack of SC/ST people and Proof that administration's efficiency
is not disturbed while providing reservation in promotion for SC/ST in government job.
● Statement 2 is INCORRECT: Constitution Bench made it easy for SC/ST to get reservation
in promotion for government job.

Question-38:
Solution: (b)
● Sabarimala is a Hindu temple complex located at the Periyar Tiger

reserve in Kerala, India, considered to be one of the holiest in Hinduism.
Question-39:
Solution: (b)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: The index uses the same three dimensions as the Human
Development Index: health, education, and standard of living.
● Statement 2 is INCORRECT: The calculation of MPI comes down to value between 1 and
0. An MPI value of 1 indicates the highest deprivation level, while 0 indicates the lowest.
● Statement 3 is CORRECT: More than 270 million Indian moved out of poverty. Poverty
rate has almost reduced to half in 2006-2016. Monthly per capita consumption
expenditure- expenditure of household increased.
Question-40:
Solution: (b)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: UK-based charity Oxfam International's

'Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index' ranks India 147th among
157 countries analyzed, describing the country's commitment to reducing
inequality as a "a very worrying situation" given that it is home to 1.3
billion people, many of whom live in extreme poverty.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: India has been ranked among the bottom 10
countries in the latest report- UK has released the report.
Question-41:
Solution: (c)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: India’s first medical kit developed by INMAS,
after 20 years of work by INMAS scientists. It is an indigenous kit. India is
surrounded by two countries China and Pakistan WHICH HAVE nuclear
weapon, it is a prerequisite. It has 25 items which include radioactive
protectors which can absorb 80-90% of radiation, nerve gas agents,
bandages that absorb radiation as well as tablets and ointments. The kit is
seen as potent alternative to similar imported kits that were till now
procured from US and Russia at much higher prices.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: INMAS is laboratory of Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO). It was established in 1961 and is
located in New Delhi. It is involved in nuclear medicine research and
responding to nuclear accidents and explosions.
Question-42:
Solution: (c)
● TESS has made its first new discovery of two new planets. NASA’s Transiting
Exoplanet Survey Satellite is an all-sky survey mission that will discover
thousands of exoplanets around nearby bright stars. A planet-hunting
orbital telescope designed to detect worlds beyond our solar system
discovered—two planets. The discovery of Pi Mensae c, a “super-earth”
planet 60 light-years away orbiting its sun every 6.3 days. The discovery of

LHS 3844 b, a “hot-earth” planet 49 light-years away that orbits its sun
every 11 hours. Very close to sun and have a very high temperature as
compared to earth. It is difficult for the planet to survive.
Question-43:
Solution: (c)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: The US, Mexico and Canada have arrived at a
revised trade agreement- Tri-lateral agreement. USMCA is the new
agreement.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: This revised agreement replaces NAFTA-USMCA
will replace NAFTA. NAFTA came to effect on 1994.
Question-44:
Solution: (b)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) is a
flagship scheme of Government of India to “fund the unfunded” by bringing
such enterprises to the formal financial system and extending affordable
credit to them. It enables a small borrower to borrow from all Public Sector
Banks such as PSU Banks, Regional Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks,
Private Sector Banks, Foreign Banks, Micro Finance Institutions (MFI) and
Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFC) for loans up to Rs 10 lakhs for non-
farm income generating activities. The scheme was launched on 8th April,
2015 by the Hon'ble Prime Minister.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: Under the aegis of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana,
MUDRA has already created the following products / schemes: Shishu :
covering loans up to 50,000, Kishor : covering loans above 50,000/- and up to
5 lakh, and Tarun : covering loans above 5 lakh and up to 10 lakh.
Question-45:
Solution: (b)
● Mariculture involves the cultivation of only marine organism unlike any aquatic
organism. This is the method of fish farming which is done usually on very broader
scale means by forming an enclosed section in the ocean. Mariculture is done
mostly to obtain commercial products by marine organisms like cosmetics, fish
meal, cultured pearls etc. Fisheries is a term that is used to describe the
department that deals with all other ranches of fish that involve in its cultivation
and harvesting on commercial basis. it deals all the technical and non-technical
matters that involve all types of fish farming. However, Pisciculture, Aquaculture
and Mariculture are the classes of fish farming in which Pisciculture deals with only
raising methods for fish that are adopted for its breeding, rearing and
transportation. However, Aquaculture deals with fish farming on usually smaller
scale mean below ocean level. it does not deal with farming of ocean animals
unlike Mariculture that is the only branch which deals with farming of ocean
organisms.
Question-46:
Solution: (c)

Question-47:
Solution: (c)
● The VClll84 is one of the largest warships to be built at an Indian yard, Weighing in
at over 15000 tonnes. Considered a “topmost secret project”, a lot of
confidentiality is being maintained in executing the project costing about ₹750
crore. It has the capacity to carry 300 personnel and will carry a single helicopter.
Question-48:
Solution: (a)
● Statement 1 is CORRECT: BepiColombo is a joint mission of the European Space
Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to explore the
planet Mercury. The mission will perform a comprehensive study of Mercury,
including characterization of its magnetic field, magnetosphere and both interior
and surface structure.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: The mission involves three components, which will
separate into independent spacecraft upon arrival at Mercury: Mercury Transfer
Module (MTM) for propulsion, built by ESA, Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) built
by ESA and Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) or Mio built by JAXA. There is
no Lander in this mission.
Question-49:
Solution: (a)
● Statement 1 is INCORRECT: PSLV has a very special slot hence foreign companies prefer
it because it is highly reliable and India's offers timely launches without much of a
waiting period. All the flights haven’t been successful.
● Statement 2 is CORRECT: The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is a third-generation
rocket launcher designed, manufactured and operated by the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO).
● Statement 3 is CORRECT: PSLV has a four-stage system comprising a combination of
solid and liquid-fuelled rocket stages. The first stage at the very bottom is solid fuelled
having six strap-on solid rocket boosters wrapped around it. The second stage is liquid
fuelled. The third stage has a solid-fuelled rocket motor. At the fourth stage, the
launcher uses a liquid propellant to boost in the outer space

.
Question-50:
Solution: (b)
● The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP) bloc comprises 10 ASEAN
group members( Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore,
Thailand Philippines, Laos and Vietnam) and six FTA partners- India, China, Japan,
South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
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Table of Content

1. Revival of Air India by GOI 46

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India’s Post Independence History

GS may look insurmountable at first, but remember that it’s

Until next time,

Read More : https://anudeepdurishetty.in

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Governance It comes under the Ministry of Agriculture and It was

Price Support Scheme (PSS) – Under the scheme, the

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Insured persons covered under the Employees’ State

Details of the scheme:

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ONGOING SCHEME

RGSKY introduced in 2005.

Difference between RGSKY and Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan

The scheme will be applicable to all factories and

Workers will be able to draw 47% of their total

About Employee State Insurance (ESI)

It is managed by Employees’ State Insurance

It is a statutory autonomous corporation under the Ministry

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INFORMATION COMMISSIONER SRIDHAR

POWERS OF CENTRAL INFORMATION • “The BCCI should be listed as an NSF(National Sports

• The decisions of the Commission are final and binding.

BCCI IS NOT HAPPY

•Lodha Committee (for BCCI) Recommended that BCCI

• The Government of India does not administer the Indian

• BCCI had avoided taxes on its income, claiming

• Although the Income Tax Department withdrew this

HOW did IT happen?

•The commission, the top appellate body in RTI matters,

Number of directorships- maximum is 8 listed companies.

Rating of audit firms: it is because of improper auditing that

● ILNFS- a subsidiary has incurred a large loss, the

● Corporate governance is weak

● Status of the firm (Scan the QR code to watch video)

Bad loan crisis in PSBs- mounted with NPAs, serious bank

Overstating and understating in books- profit and loss

Audit reports- must picture original reflection, ILNFS was

Uday Kotak Committee-

Separation of roles: listed companies on stock exchange

Mandatory disclosure- consolidated quality results should be

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(Click on the image above to watch the video)

Expected to come up in the Winter session

Union cabinet has already prepared the draft bill NOTES:

There are shortcomings in the sector

This bill will amend the 2003 Electricity Act

About the Bill-

Changes to the Act of 2003- some provisions would be

Failing of PPAs- Power Purchase Agreements, address these

The agreement is broken by the distribution company,

Investment become NPAs- loans for which the due is more

Key changes made in the bill-

Penalties for failure to honor PPAs- PPA will be broken, in

Phasing out of cross subsidization- because of subsidy there

Government is planning to phase out the subsidization for

Fairer pricing system will be one advantage.

More output generation

Sustainable power sector will be generated

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Leakages- PDF has its own leakages. The food scheme of

( Click on the image above to watch the video)

What is the news-

Targets to benefit 25 lakh people who were left out at the