Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Feb 2020 PDF
Feb 2020 PDF
Feb 2020 PDF
APTI PLUS
Academy For Civil Services Pvt. Ltd.
21 ST EDITION
INDIA'S
ENERGY POLICY
CORONAVIRUS
REPORT
BRU
SETTLEMENT
VYOM MITRA
FEBRUARY 2020 The IAS Gazette
A House Journal of APTI PLUS
Sources
The Hindu | The Indian Express CONTENTS
Live mint | The Economic Times
PIB | PRS | ET
Government & World Reports 1-19
(NITI Aayog, Budget, WEF
Economic Survey etc.) LAI HARAOBA FESTIVAL 1
Hindu Business Line | NCERTs
All standard reference books BHARATI SCRIPT 1
HEAD OFFICE & KOLKATA CAMPUS BIBI KA MAQBARA 2
Office no. 803, “AMP Mall Vaisaakkhi” YAKSHAGANA 3
8th floor, Salt Lake Sector – II,
Salt Lake City - AG 112, Kolkata-700091 WORLD HINDI DAY 2020 3
Ph: +91-8820341777
'PATOLA' SAREES 4
BHUBANESHWAR CAMPUS
NAGARDHAN EXCAVATIONS 5
Plot No. 2280, Biju Pattanaik
College Road,Jaydev Vihar, BOJJANNAKONDA 6
Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751013
Phone: 099383 86166 SAVITRIBAI PHULE 7
MEDIEVAL MONASTERIES AT MOGHALMARI 8
ELGIN ROAD
GURU GOBIND SINGH 9
Elgin Chambers, 3rd Floor, Room No. 302,
1A, Ashutosh Mukherjee Road, Kolkata-20 BHIMA-KOREGAON BATTLE 10
mail: apti.plus@gmail.com,
Ph: (033)-40645777, +91-8100765577 COLONIAL STRUCTURES RE-DEDICATED TO KOLKATA 10
CLASSICAL LANGUAGES 11
E-mail
apti.plus@gmail.com TRIBES IN ODISHA 12
theiasgazette@gmail.com BHIL TRIBE 13
Website: http://www.aptiplus.in
HARVEST FESTIVALS OF INDIA 14
SEKE LANGUAGE 15
Z-MORH TUNNEL 16
INDIA'S FIRST UNDERWATER METRO 17
TAAL VOLCANO 17
SEISMIC HAZARD MICROZONATION 18
TULU LANGUAGE 19
20-68
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Government & World Reports 20-68
(NITI Aayog, Budget, WEF
Economic Survey etc.) INTEGRATED ROAD ACCIDENT DATABASE 27
Hindu Business Line | NCERTs
All standard reference books CURATIVE AND REVIEW PETITION 28
HEAD OFFICE & KOLKATA CAMPUS ARTICLE 131 OF THE CONSTITUTION 28
Office no. 803, “AMP Mall Vaisaakkhi” EMPOWERED MAYORS 29
8th floor, Salt Lake Sector – II,
Salt Lake City - AG 112, Kolkata-700091 E-MOBILITY MISSION 30
Ph: +91-8820341777
CENSUS 2021 31
BHUBANESHWAR CAMPUS
DEMOCRACY INDEX 31
Plot No. 2280, Biju Pattanaik
College Road,Jaydev Vihar, CRIMINALISATION OF POLITICS 32
Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751013
Phone: 099383 86166 PHASES OF CONSTITUTIONAL INTERPRETATION 33
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS IN STATES 34
ELGIN ROAD
CANCER BURDEN 36
Elgin Chambers, 3rd Floor, Room No. 302,
1A, Ashutosh Mukherjee Road, Kolkata-20 BUDGET 2020: HEALTHCARE SECTOR 36
mail: apti.plus@gmail.com,
Ph: (033)-40645777, +91-8100765577 PREVALENCE OF OBESITY IN CHILDREN 38
INDIA FIT REPORT 2020 39
E-mail
apti.plus@gmail.com CORONA VIRUS 39
theiasgazette@gmail.com STUDENTS STRUGGLE IN CAMPUSES 42
Website: http://www.aptiplus.in
INFANT MORTALITY RATE (IMR) 42
CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN 43
VECTOR BORNE DISEASE MANAGEMENT 44
PROTECTION OF LANGUAGES UNDER 8TH SCHEDULE 44
SABARIMALA CASE TO BE EXAMINED
FOR ‘LARGER ISSUES’ 45
ANNUAL STATUS OF EDUCATION REPORT 2019 46
HALLMARKING FOR GOLD JEWELLERY 47
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN INDIA 47
SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORKPLACE 49
LEARNING FROM BRAZILIAN HEALTH SYSTEM 50
NEAT INITIATIVE 50
OBC SUB-CATEGORISATION 51
REVAMPING ICDS SCHEME 51
ISRAEL AND PALESTINE CONFLICT 53
INDIA- BRAZIL RELATIONS 55
HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX 57
FEBRUARY 2020 The IAS Gazette
A House Journal of APTI PLUS
Sources
The Hindu | The Indian Express CONTENTS
Live mint | The Economic Times
PIB | PRS | ET
Government & World Reports 20-68
(NITI Aayog, Budget, WEF
Economic Survey etc.) ROHINGYA CRISIS 57
Hindu Business Line | NCERTs
All standard reference books SAGARMATHA DIALOGUE 59
HEAD OFFICE & KOLKATA CAMPUS INDIA - MALAYSIA RELATIONS 59
Office no. 803, “AMP Mall Vaisaakkhi” INDIA- EU RELATIONS 60
8th floor, Salt Lake Sector – II,
Salt Lake City - AG 112, Kolkata-700091 INDIA- FRANCE RELATIONS 62
Ph: +91-8820341777
INDIA- UAE RELATIONS 63
BHUBANESHWAR CAMPUS
RAISINA DIALOGUE 64
Plot No. 2280, Biju Pattanaik
College Road,Jaydev Vihar, KALAPANI BORDER ISSUE 64
Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751013
Phone: 099383 86166 OPERATION VANILLA 65
US-CHINA TRADE DEAL 65
ELGIN ROAD
US-IRAN CONFLICT 66
Elgin Chambers, 3rd Floor, Room No. 302,
1A, Ashutosh Mukherjee Road, Kolkata-20 OPERATION SANKALP 67
mail: apti.plus@gmail.com,
Ph: (033)-40645777, +91-8100765577
69-128
E-mail
apti.plus@gmail.com FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND BUDGET
theiasgazette@gmail.com MANAGEMENT ACT 69
Website: http://www.aptiplus.in FINANCIAL INCLUSION STRATEGY FOR 2024 70
COAL SECTOR 72
OPERATION TWIST 74
RETAIL INFLATION 75
AGRICULTURAL AND PROCESSED FOOD
PRODUCTS EXPORT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 76
NORTH-EAST GAS GRID 76
FARMERS’ INNOVATION FUND 77
INFRASTRUCTURE AGENDA 78
E-COMMERCE IN INDIA 78
AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY SLOWDOWN 79
SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES 80
UDAY SCHEME 81
CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX (CPI) 82
ENEMY PROPERTY 83
SOVEREIGN GOLD BONDS SCHEME 83
SOCIAL MOBILITY INDEX 84
ELECTORAL BONDS 85
FEBRUARY 2020 The IAS Gazette
A House Journal of APTI PLUS
Sources
The Hindu | The Indian Express CONTENTS
Live mint | The Economic Times
PIB | PRS | ET
Government & World Reports 69-128
(NITI Aayog, Budget, WEF
Economic Survey etc.) INDIA- PAKISTAN TRADE RELATIONS 85
Hindu Business Line | NCERTs
All standard reference books YEAR-END REVIEW 2019 - MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE,
COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE 86
HEAD OFFICE & KOLKATA CAMPUS
Office no. 803, “AMP Mall Vaisaakkhi” e-NAM –ONE NATION ONE MARKET 87
8th floor, Salt Lake Sector – II,
Salt Lake City - AG 112, Kolkata-700091 IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF INDIA'S ENERGY POLICY REPORT 87
Ph: +91-8820341777 PURVODAYA IN STEEL SECTOR 88
BHUBANESHWAR CAMPUS YEAR-END REVIEW 2019 – MINISTRY OF POWER 90
Plot No. 2280, Biju Pattanaik
College Road,Jaydev Vihar, UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME (UBI) 91
Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751013 2021 CENSUS OF INDIA 92
Phone: 099383 86166
COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA 92
ELGIN ROAD MAKE IN INDIA 93
Elgin Chambers, 3rd Floor, Room No. 302,
1A, Ashutosh Mukherjee Road, Kolkata-20 VYOM MITRA 94
mail: apti.plus@gmail.com, GOLDILOCKS ZONE 95
Ph: (033)-40645777, +91-8100765577
LUNAR ECLIPSE 95
E-mail ARTIFICAL HUMAN 96
apti.plus@gmail.com
theiasgazette@gmail.com HOMO ERECTUS 97
Website: http://www.aptiplus.in BHUVAN PANCHAYAT 3.0 97
POLYCRACK TECHNOLOGY 98
107TH INDIAN SCIENCE CONGRESS 99
SUPER FAB LAB 100
GSAT 30 100
INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT ON WOMEN IN STEM 101
10 MORE WETLANDS IN INDIA GET
RAMSAR SITES TAG 104
NMCG CONSERVES WETLANDS IN GANGA
BASIN 105
GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF WETLANDS
(CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT) 106
RULES, 2017THE ONE TRILLION TREES
INITIATIVE OF WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (WEF) 107
INDIA SUCCESSFULLY PHASES OUT MOST
POTENT OZONE-DEPLETING CHEMICAL 107
FEBRUARY 2020 The IAS Gazette
A House Journal of APTI PLUS
Sources
The Hindu | The Indian Express CONTENTS
Live mint | The Economic Times
PIB | PRS | ET
Government & World Reports 69-128
(NITI Aayog, Budget, WEF
Economic Survey etc.) NEW MOEF GUIDELINES FOR ELEPHANT DEATHS
Hindu Business Line | NCERTs FROM ANTHRAX 108
All standard reference books
EASING OF CRZ RULES FOR ‘BLUE FLAG’ BEACHES 109
HEAD OFFICE & KOLKATA CAMPUS
Office no. 803, “AMP Mall Vaisaakkhi” BHITARKANIKA CENSUS INCREASE IN NUMBER OF
8th floor, Salt Lake Sector – II, SALTWATER CROCODILES 110
Salt Lake City - AG 112, Kolkata-700091
Ph: +91-8820341777 TURTLE REHAB CENTRE TO COME UP IN BIHAR 110
Sources
The Hindu | The Indian Express CONTENTS
Live mint | The Economic Times
PIB | PRS | ET
Government & World Reports GS-IV 56-94
129-132
(NITI Aayog, Budget, WEF
Economic Survey etc.) TERRORISM, STATE ACTION AND HUMAN RIGHTS 129
Hindu Business Line | NCERTs
All standard reference books ETHICAL IDEALS IN LIFE 130
HEAD OFFICE & KOLKATA CAMPUS HOMOSEXUALITY 131
Office no. 803, “AMP Mall Vaisaakkhi”
8th floor, Salt Lake Sector – II, MCQs
Salt Lake City - AG 112, Kolkata-700091
133
Ph: +91-8820341777
BHUBANESHWAR CAMPUS
Plot No. 2280, Biju Pattanaik
College Road,Jaydev Vihar,
Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751013
Phone: 099383 86166
ELGIN ROAD
Elgin Chambers, 3rd Floor, Room No. 302,
1A, Ashutosh Mukherjee Road, Kolkata-20
mail: apti.plus@gmail.com,
Ph: (033)-40645777, +91-8100765577
E-mail
apti.plus@gmail.com
theiasgazette@gmail.com
Website: http://www.aptiplus.in
Context
Recently the Lai Haraoba Festival was celebrated
in Tripura.
BHARATI SCRIPT
GS-I ART & CULTURE
What is in news?
A research team from IIT Madras has developed a
unified script for nine Indian languages. It
has been named as Bharati script.
They further developed a method for reading
documents in Bharati script using a multi-lingual
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) scheme.
The team has also created a fingerspelling method
that can be used to generate a sign language for
hearing-impaired persons.
Optical character recognition
Optical character recognition or optical character
What is Bharati Script? reader (OCR) is the electronic or mechanical
For this unified script following nine Indian conversion of images of typed, handwritten or
languages have been integrated - Devnagari, printed text into machine-encoded text.
Bengali, Gurumukhi, Gujarati, Oriya, Telugu, OCR is widely used as a form of data entry from
Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil. printed-paper data records – like passport
It is being proposed as a common script for India. documents, invoices, bank statements,
computerized receipts etc.
2
It is a common method of digitizing printed texts French, German, Italian etc. use Roman as a
so that they can be electronically edited, searched, common script. A common script eases
stored more compactly. communication across all nations that speak and
They can be further used in machine processes write different languages.
such as cognitive computing, machine translation, India is a diverse country with great many
(extracted) text-to-speech, data and text mining. languages. A common script for the entire country
will perhaps bring down many communication
Why do we need a unified script? barriers in India.
The researchers took inspiration from Europe.
Several European languages such as English,
BIBI KA MAQBARA
GS-I ART & CULTURE
Context
The domes and other marble parts of the
mausoleum- Bibi Ka Makbara would undergo
"scientific conservation", under the Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI).
3
The Archaeological Survey of India is an Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Culture
that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the
country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham who also became its first Director-General.
YAKSHAGANA
GS-I ART & CULTURE
Context
Recently, the 60th annual Yakshagana was hosted
in Karnataka.
The committee organizing it is multi-religious
consisting of Hindus, Christians and
Muslims.
About Yakshagana
Yakshagana is a traditional Indian theatre form,
developed in the state of Karnataka and Kerala.
It combines dance, music, dialogue, costume,
make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style
and form.
It is believed to have evolved during the period of
the Bhakti movement. King Kanteerava Narasaraja Wodeyar II (1704–
Yakshagana is strongly influenced by the 1714) authored 14 Yakshaganas in various
Vaishnava Bhakti movement. languages in the Kannada script.
Its stories are drawn from Ramayana, Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar (1794–1868) also
Mahabharata, Bhagavata and other epics from wrote several Yakshagana prasanga,
both Hindu and Jain. including Sougandhika Parinaya.
Early Yakshagana poets included Ajapura Noted poet, Muddana, composed several
Vishnu, Purandaradasa, Parthi Subba, and Nagire Yakshagana prasanga's, including the very
Subba. popular Rathnavathi Kalyana.
Context
Recently,the World Hindi Day was celebrated. Ministry of Home Affairs celebrate World
The Ministry of External Affairs and the Hindi Day annually.
Department of Official Language under the
4
'PATOLA' SAREES
GS-I ART & CULTURE
Context
Recently, Khadi and Village Industries
Commission (KVIC) inaugurated the first silk
processing plant at Surendranagar in Gujarat.
Issue
Patola sarees are very costly as the silk yarn used
to make them is purchased from Karnataka or
West Bengal, where silk processing units are
situated.
This increases the cost of the fabric manifolds. About Patola Sarees
Patola is a double ikat woven sari, usually made
Significance of setting up the plant from silk, made in Patan, Gujarat.
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Patola-weaving is a closely guarded family
has contended that the plant would help cut down tradition. Silk weavers of the Salvi caste weave
the cost of production of silk yarn drastically. this fabric.
It will further increase the sale and availability of It takes six months to one year to make one sari
raw material for Gujarati 'Patola' sarees. due to the long process of dying each strand
separately before weaving them together.
5
Patola is woven in Surat, Ahmedabad and In September2013, Patola Sarees received the
Patan.Velvet patola styles are also made in Surat. Geographical Indication (GI) Tag.
Patola is highly valued in Indonesia and has
become a part of the local weaving tradition there.
NAGARDHAN EXCAVATIONS
GS-I ANCIENT HISTORY
Context
Recent archaeological excavations at Nagardhan in
Ramtek, Nagpur, have provided concrete evidence
on the life, religious affiliations and trade practices
of the Vakataka dynasty.
The kingdom ruled parts of Central and South
India between the third and fifth centuries.
One of the key alliances was with Prabhavatigupta Some of the Vishnu temples identified as Keval
of the mighty Gupta dynasty, which was then Narasihma, Rudra Narasimha could be traced
ruling north India. to Ramtek, Nagpur. (Present day Maharashtra).
After marrying Vakataka king Rudrasena II,
Prabhavatigupta enjoyed the position of Chief What else has been discovered from
Queen. Nagardhan in earlier excavations?
Ceramics, ear studs of glass, antiquities, bowls and
Queen Prabhavatigupta was among a handful of
pots, a shrine and tank, an iron chisel, a stone
women rulers in India to have reigned over any
depicting a deer, and terracotta bangles.
kingdom during ancient times.
Terracotta objects depicting images of gods,
She ruled for about 10 years until her son
animals and humans, along with amulets, wheels
Pravarasena II succeeded.
and spindle whorls.
Religious affiliation revealed in the seal An intact idol of Lord Ganesha. This confirmed
The Vakataka rulers followed the Shaiva sect of that the elephant god was a commonly worshipped
Hinduism while the Guptas were staunch deity in those times.
Vaishnavites. Remains of seven species of domestic animals —
After marriage, Queen Prabhavatigupta‘s powers cattle, goat, sheep, pig, cat, horse and fowl.
allowed her to propagate Vaishnava practices in Animal rearing was one of the main occupations.
the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.
BOJJANNAKONDA
GS-I ANCIENT HISTORY
SAVITRIBAI PHULE
GS-I MODERN HISTORY
Excerpts from the travels of Huen Tsang: adjoining Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal).
The link However, he did not refer to any specific name or
Archaeologists have pointed out that Chinese location.
travelerHuen Tsang, who visited India in the 7th With the discovery of Moghalmari site and the
century CE, referred to the existence of ‗ten deciphering of the inscriptions, two out of ten
monasteries‘. He said they are present within the monasteries are now identified.
limits of Tamralipta (modern day Tamluk in
Siddhaṃ also known as Siddhamātṛkā descended from the Brahmi script of ancient India. It was precisely
derived from the Gupta script (late Brahmi Script) and is ancestral to the Assamese alphabets, Bengali
alphabet, Maithili alphabet and the Tibetan alphabet.
In News
The GOI has instituted an annual award titled Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar.
The award is to be announced every year on 23rd January on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra
Bose. All Indian Citizens and organizations, who have excelled in areas of Disaster Management; like
Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Rescue, Response, Relief, Rehabilitation, Research/ Innovations or Early
Warning are eligible for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar. In the aftermath of any
disaster, many organisations and individuals work silently but effectively to alleviate suffering of the affected
population. Their immense contribution and selfless service to humanity often goes unacknowledged. Keeping
this in view, the National Award has been instituted to recognise the efforts of such organisations and
individuals.
Context
Recently, the 353rd birth anniversary of Guru
Gobind Singh was celebrated.
Guru Amardas Institutionalised the faith. Picked the site for the Golden Temple, Amritsar.
Guru Har Kishan Was the Guru from age 5 till his death before reaching 8 years.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Was publicly beheaded by Aurangzeb for refusing to convert to Islam in 1675.
Guru Gobind Singh Established the Khalsa in 1699 and organised the Sikhs into a martial sect.
BHIMA-KOREGAON BATTLE
GS-I MODERN HISTORY
Context Details
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi re- Kolkata‘s three iconic colonial buildings –
dedicated three colonial buildings to the people of The Currency Building,
Kolkata. Metcalfe Hall and
11
CLASSICAL LANGUAGES
GS-I ART & CULTURE
Context
Recently, the Maharashtra Government passed a The Ministry then forwards the proposal
resolution demanding the declaration of Marathi along with the recommendations to the
as a ‗Classical‘ language. Prime Minister‘s Office for further action.
As per the 2011 Census, 78.1% of total population Centre of Excellence for studies in Classical
has one of the Indo-Aryan languages as mother Languages is also set up.
tongue while 19.6% of the total population has one MHRD sends a request to the University Grants
of the Dravidian languages as mother tongue. Commission to create a number of Professional
Chairs for the Classical Languages in central
Benefits of being conferred the „Classical‟ universities.
status Annually, funds are disbursed by the Central
The Ministry of Human Resources Development Government for promotion and development of
gives away two major international awards every
these languages.
year for scholars of eminence in Classical Indian
Languages.
TRIBES IN ODISHA
GS-I INDIAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE
Context
Right to Food Campaign, a platform of social Paudi Bhuyan
activists, has reported that poor implementation of The Paudi Bhuyan forms a major section of the
government welfare programmes is marginalising Bhuinya tribe and also known as the Hill
tribals like Juang and Paudi Bhuyan further in Bhuyan.
backward pockets of Odisha. One of the PVTGs of Odisha, the tribe derives its
name from the word Bhumi meaning Earth.
Juang Tribe
The Juang are an Austro-Asiatic ethnic group
found mainly in the Keonjhar district of Odisha.
Juang is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal
Group (PVTG)
The 2011 census showed their population to be
around 50,000.
The Juang language belongs to the Munda family
of the Austro-Asiatic languages.
Changu Dance, also known as Juang Dance, is a
popular of these people.
It derives its name from a kind of drum called PVTGs
Changu (Tambourine), which invariably In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created
accompanies the dance. Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate
The dance in accompaniment to the Changu is category, who are less developed among the tribal
performed by women alone. groups.
13
BHIL TRIBE
GS-I INDIAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE
Context
The Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission
(MPPSC) has landed in a controversy after passing
derogatory remarks on Bhil tribe.
Festivals
The Baneshwar fair is the main festival They worship Tiger God called 'Vaghdev'.
celebrated among the Bhils. Bhils do not have temples of their own and consult
This fair is dedicated to Baneshwar Mahadev also Badvas -the hereditary sorcerers on all the
known as Lord Shiva. occasions, as they are highly superstitious.
The famous dance among the Bhil
Culture Is Ghoomar and Gair, which is the religious dance
They worship local deities like Khandoba, drama, performed by the men only.
Kanhoba, Bahiroba, and Sitalmata.
Context
A number of Harvest festivals are being
celebrated across India.
Uttarayan Gujarat
Suggi Karnataka
Maghi Punjab
Onam Kerala
15
Nuakhai Odisha
SEKE LANGUAGE
GS-I INDIAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE
Context
Recently it was reported that the ―near-extinct‖ Seke is an endangered language under
Nepalese language Seke has just 700 speakers UNESCOAtlas of the World‟s Languagesin
around the world. Danger.
Z-MORH TUNNEL
GS-I GEOGRAPHY
Context
The government recently allotted APCO
Amarnathji Tunnelway Pvt. Ltd. to build the
crucial Z-Morh Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir.
Context
The East West Metro Tunnel Project is
expected to be completed by 2022.
The Project
East West Metro Tunnel is an under
construction underwater river tunnel of
Kolkata Metro.
The underwater line tunnel beneath the
Hooghly River is a state-of-the-art metro line.
Tunnel length is 10.8 kilometers and width is
5.5 meters .
The roof of the tunnel would be about 30 The tunnel will be first underwater river
meters from the ground level. tunnel in India.
TAAL VOLCANO
GS-I GEOGRAPHY
Context
On 12th January2020, a volcano called Taal
erupted in Phillipines.
The Volcano
Taal Volcano is the second most active volcano in
the Philippines, with 33-recorded historical
eruptions.
The Volcano is a large caldera filled by Taal Lake
on Luzon Island in the Philippines (Batanga
Province).
18
In News: Gatka
Gatka is an Indian martial art associated with the
Sikhs of the Punjab region, and with the Pathan
Tribe and Gujjar communities residing in
mountainous regions of northern Pakistan. It is a
style of stick fighting, with wooden sticks intended
to simulate swords. It originated in Punjab in the
15th century. After the Anglo-Sikh wars the art was
banned by the new British administrators of India
in the mid-19th century. During the Indian
Rebellion of 1857, the Sikhs assisted the British in
crushing the mutiny. As a consequence of this
assistance, restrictions on fighting practices were
relaxed, but the Punjabi martial arts which re-
emerged after 1857 had changed significantly. Gatka
was used mainly by the British Indian Army in the
1860s as practice for hand-to-hand combat. Then it
started declining. There has been a revival of the
Gatka during the later 20th century, with an
International Gatka Federation. It was founded in
1982 and formalized in 1987, and gatka is now
popular as a sport or sword dance performance art
which is often shown during Sikh festival.
Context Aim
Ministry of Earth Science has launched Seismic To reduce earthquake hazards.
Hazard Microzonation project in major cities of
India.
19
Seismic microzonation
Seismic microzonation is defined as the process of
subdividing a potential seismic or earthquake
prone area into zones with respect to some
geological and geophysical characteristics of the
sites.
These include ground shaking, liquefaction
susceptibility, landslide and rock fall hazard,
earthquake-related flooding.
In this way, seismic hazards at different locations
within the area can correctly be identified.
Significance
Microzonation provides the basis for site-specific
risk analysis, which can assist in the mitigation of
earthquakedamage.
TULU LANGUAGE
GS-I ART AND CULTURE
Context
Karnataka has been demanding to add Tulu as a Two Tulu epics named Sri Bhagavato and Kaveri
recognized language under the Eight Schedule from the 17th century were written in the same
Languages of the Constitution of India. script.
In modern times the Tulu language is mostly
About Tulu
written using the Kannada script.
Tulu is a Dravidian language whose speakers are
The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India
concentrated in 2 districts of Karnataka and in a
lists the official languages of the Republic of
part of the Kasaragod district of Kerala.
India. The Government is now under an
The native speakers of Tulu are referred to as
obligation to take measures for the development
Tuluva or Tulu people and the geographical area is
of these languages, such that "they grow rapidly
unofficially called as Tulu Nadu.
in richness and become effective means of
The Indian census report of 2011 reported a total communicating modern knowledge. In addition,
of 1,846,427 native Tulu speakers in India. a candidate appearing in an examination
The various medieval inscriptions of Tulu from the conducted for public service is entitled to use
15th century are in the Tigalari alphabet script. any of these languages as the medium.
20
Context
Governments have always focused on designing SBM attempted to make sanitation glamorous by
the right policies and development schemes. engaging extensively with the media, leveraging
However, over the years, many such well-designed popular culture, and associating Bollywood stars,
schemes failed to make a significant dent on the sportspersons and other influencers to promote
lack of access to basic services that a large the message of sanitation.
proportion of our population faced. There was lack The PM was our Communicator-in-Chief.
of focus on implementation of policies.
Democratise
Journey of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has thrown up It nudged people to realise that sanitation is not an
six important guiding principles, which can be individual good, but a community good, as its full
applied to any large transformation scheme — the benefits accrue only when it is universal.
ABCDEF of implementation. People constructed their own toilets and motivated
others, communities planned activities and
Align monitored progress, villages declared themselves
A goal congruence has to be achieved across the open defecation free (ODF).
administrative ecosystem.
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation Evaluate
ensured that the same message percolated down to Organisations such as the World Bank, UNICEF,
the chief ministers, 700 district collectors and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and WHO
2,50,000 sarpanches. conducted various assessments of sanitation
Team SBM-Grameen visited each state multiple coverage and usage, successes and areas of
times and also engaged directly with district improvement, as well as the health, economic and
collectors through learning workshops, informal social impacts of the SBM.
gatherings and WhatsApp groups, ensuring that Lessons from these studies were incorporated into
sanitation remained on top of everyone‘s agenda. the programme in real-time.
Believe Follow-through
Building a team of people who believed that the There is a strong focus on not declaring ―mission
goal is achievable. accomplished‖, and continuing to work towards
The SBM brought in a unique blend of young sustaining the ODF behaviour and ensuring that
professionals and experienced but driven no one is left behind.
bureaucrats, at the centre and in the states, and Released a forward-looking 10-year sanitation
each person quickly became a believer. strategy, articulating the goal of moving from ODF
to ODF Plus.
Communication It is to ensure that the change becomes the norm
An army of trained grassroots volunteers called and that things don‘t reset to what they used to be
Swachagrahis were created, who went from door to in the past.
door to communicate the message of swachhata.
ANTI-DEFECTION LAW
GS-II POLITY
The 17 rebel MLAs in Karnataka resigned, their act The law originally protected the Speaker‘s decision
aimed at ending the majority of the ruling coalition from judicial review.
and, at the same time, avoiding disqualification.
The Speaker refused to accept the resignations and KihotoHollohan Judgement:
declared them disqualified. SC upheld the Speaker‘s discretionary power, it
underscored that the Speaker functioned as a
Anti-Defection Law tribunal under the anti-defection law.
It defined three grounds of disqualification of Her/his decisions are subject to judicial review.
MLAs Enabled judiciary to become the watchdog of the
o Giving up party membership anti-defection law.
o Going against party whip
o Abstaining from voting. Balasaheb Patel Judgement
The Tenth Schedule, which is popularly known as Three-judge SC bench upheld the then Karnataka
the Anti-defection Law, was added to the Speaker‘s decision of disqualification of the 17
Constitution through the 52nd Constitutional rebel MLAs.
Amendment Act, 1985. It struck down his ban on the MLAs from
An independent candidate joins the party after the contesting elections till 2023.
election. The Supreme Court played the role of a neutral
A nominated member joins a party six months umpire in this political slugfest.
after becoming an MP/MLA.
It allowed the formation of a new party or Issues
―merger‖ with other political party if not less than Defectors treat disqualification as a mere detour,
two-thirds of the party‘s members commit to it. before they return to the House or government by
The 91st Amendment also barred the appointment re-contesting.
of defectors as Ministers until their disqualification
period is over or they are re-elected. Way Forward
This can only be stopped by extending the
Resignation not a condition disqualification period from re-contesting.
Resignation as MLA was not one of the conditions. Stopping of appointment to
This was possible as the legislation empowers the Chairmanships/Ministries to at least six years.
presiding officer of the House (i.e. the Speaker) to The minimum period limit of six years is needed to
decide on complaints of defection under no time ensure that the defectors are not allowed to enter
constraint. the election fray for least one election cycle.
Context
The Foreigners Regional Registration Office movement, stay, departure, and also for
(FRRO) under the Bureau of Immigration has recommending the extension of stay in India.
deported four Russian nationals on suspicion Nodal ministry for FRROs/ FROs across India
of having violated their visa conditions. is Ministry of Home Affairs.
Context
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will
be conducting an exclusive examination for
recruitment of officers to handle specialised
services in the newly created Indian Railway
Management Service (IRMS) following unification
of eight different railway services.
About IRMS
The Union Cabinet has approved the
organizational restructuring of the railways
through the unification of the existing eight Group
A services into one central service — the Indian
Railway Management Service (IRMS).
The move was required as there was huge Challenges
―departmentalism‖ that delayed many projects. Problem is that of retrospectively integrating
existing 8,401 officers into IRMS.
Restructuring of Railway board Posts becoming ex-cadre (no longer reserved for
specific services) increases a sense of insecurity,
Structure has remained unchanged since 1905.
especially because the average entrant through the
Board comprises eight members, each present civil service examination is older than the
representing their service, with the chairman being average entrant through the present engineering
first among equals. service examination.
15 departments will be restructured under Railway Railway works at two separate level Operations
Protection force and medical Service Department. and business. Both are big enough to be dealt
separately. Single service might not be able to do
justice rather breaking in two services technical
and non –technical would have been much better.
Even at present the ethos of coordinated working
and a broad exposure to departments other than
one‘s own is inherent in the system.
Working in silos is named as Specialisation in
bureaucratic parlance. Does the new service aims
Impact of the reform for creating an IAS structure in railway where
Remove the ‗departmentalism‘ culture, which has officers are transferred regularly and nobody
seeped all the way up to the Railway Board. develops any specialisation.
It will end turf war among the services. Some measure of departmental rivalry will always
Ensure there is ―one service and officers from one be there under the best of circumstances and in
batch should get promotion in on go‖. fact may even be beneficial as a means of
―competitive tension‖.
The recruitment of the members from a trained
Existing 8 services are
management pool into railway board will give Technical Background
them a wider perspective for corporate Indian Railway Service of Engineers(IRSE)
governance. Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers
Provide equal opportunity of reaching the top (IRSME)
posts of divisional railway managers (DRMs) and Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers
above. (IRSME)
Improve decision-making by giving CEO final Indian Railway Store Service (IRSS)
decision making authority. Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers
Earlier, focus was on departmental specific goals (IRSSE)
and broad goals of railways were sidelined.
Unification has been recommended by several Non Technical Background (Recruitment
committees—Prakash Tandon (1994), Khanna through UPSC Civil service Mains)
(1998), Rakesh Mohan (2001), Sam Pitroda (2012) Indian Railway Traffic service (IRTS)
and BibekDebroy (2015). Indian Railway Personnel service (IRPS)
Indian Railway Account service (IRAS)
23
ELECTION IN DELHI
GS-II POLITY
Context
Elections to the 70-member Delhi Legislative Party in power Official machinery cannot be used
Assembly were conducted by the Election in election campaign. Party cannot disclose any
Commission of India (ECI). last minute policies to influence the voters. Public
If an ―extraordinary situation‖ arose in the polling spaces will be used by all parties equally.
process, the ECI had the option of deferring Observers Election commission can appoint
elections. observers at polling booth for free and fair
Postal ballot facilities would be provided to election.
persons with disabilities and senior citizens over Election Manifesto Party cannot make
the age of 80 in selected constituencies in Delhi. unsubstantial promises to win the voter's vote.
Once the Model Code of Conduct had come into
effect ―No state-specific schemes‖ or Challenges with Model Code of Conduct
―achievements‖ can be announced in the general Difficult to monitor in Social Media age.
Budget. Election commission social media rules don‘t deal
with What‘s app, which is most potent source of
About Model Code of Conduct spread of fake news and rumours.
The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines Not a legal binding, thus doesn‘t inculcate fear in
that are issued by India‘s Election Commission for the minds of politicians.
candidates and political parties during elections. Fear of repercussion Recently, government of the
The guidelines have been created through the day has launched Income tax and other
consensus of all political parties, who have investigations against family members of election
agreed to follow the regulations. commissioners due to his critical observations
This code comes into effect as soon as the EC during the 2019 elections.
announces the election schedule. When there are parties who officially promote
The model code is required in order to ensure caste or religious causes, MCC guidelines of not
free and fair elections in the country. invoking religion or caste becomes insignificant.
Mainly, the code seeks to prevent communal India has not banned issue-based advertising.
clashes and the practice of corruption during the These advertise indirectly exhorts people to vote
election process. for a specific party to deal with certain issue.
It comes into enforcement the day polling date is
announced is valid until the result day. It is a set of Election Commission steps
guidelines. cVigil app can be used to highlight violation of
MCC.
Actions in MCC Political parties need to disclose details of their
Departments need to take down political posters social media account to election commission.
and images of political leaders from their websites Election commission has set up media certification
and social media accounts. and monitoring committee in every district. A
Enforcement of the anti-defacement law. Removal social media expert has also been assigned with
of defacement from Private Property. these committees.
No new development work must be started. Certain provisions of MCC can be invoked through
Government vehicles and other resources are not legal provisions in the Crpc. Like religious
misused. animosity through hate speechcan be dealt in IPC
153A.
Provisions of Model code of Conduct
General conduct Criticism of other political parties About Election Commission
can‘t be done based on unverified reports. Religion The Election Commission of India is an
and caste cannot be the basis for campaign. Voters autonomous constitutional authority responsible
can‘t be bribed or intimated for voting. for administering Union and State election
Meeting Local police needs to be informed of the processes in India.
venue or time of the meeting. The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha,
Polling day Authorised party worker are only Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies in
allowed at political booth. India and the offices of the President and Vice
President in the country.
24
Context
The Supreme Court held that the state is well Provisions of the Act were ―specially designed‖ for
within its rights to introduce a regulatory regime in madrasahs and the madrasah education system in
the ―national interest‖ to provide minority West Bengal.
educational institutions with well-qualified Act was ―not violative of the rights of the
teachers in order for them to ―achieve excellence in minority educational institutions on any count.‖
education.‖ Court comment
In the judgment, a Bench of Justices Arun Mishra
Background details and U.U. Lalit said the regulatory law should,
The judgment came on a challenge to the validity however, balance the dual objectives of ensuring
of the West Bengal Madrasah Service Commission a standard of excellence as well as preserving
Act of 2008. the right of the minorities to establish and
The State Act mandated that the process of administer their educational institutions.
appointment of teachers in aided madrasahs, The court explains how to strike a ―balance‖
recognised as minority institutions, would be done between the two objectives of excellence in
by a Commission, whose decision would be education and the preservation of the minorities‘
binding. right to run their educational institutions.
For this, the court broadly divides education into
TMA Paijudgement two categories – secular education and
A regulation framed in the national interest must education ―directly aimed at or dealing with
necessarily apply to all institutions regardless preservation and protection of the heritage,
whether they are run by majority or minority. culture, script and special characteristics of a
Essence of Article 30(1) is to ensure equal religious or a linguistic minority.‖
treatment between the majority and minority When it comes to the latter, the court advocated
institutions. ―maximum latitude‖ to be given to the
An objection can certainly be raised if an management to appoint teachers.
unfavourable treatment is meted out to an The court reasons that only ―teachers who believe
educational institution established and in the religious ideology or in the special
administered by minority. characteristics of the concerned minority would
Court verdict alone be able to imbibe in the students admitted in
Article 30(1) (Right of minorities to establish such educational institutions, what the minorities
and administer educational institutions of their would like to preserve, profess and propagate.‖
choice) was neither absolute nor above the law. However, minority institutions where the
Upheld the validity of the 2008 Act, saying the curriculum was ―purely secular‖, the intent must
Commission was composed of persons with be to impart education availing the best possible
profound knowledge in Islamic Culture and teachers.
Islamic Theology.
25
HUMAN RIGHTS
GS-II POLITY
ACCESS TO INTERNET
GS-II POLITY
Valley, because it lacked the technology to allow Upheld the freedoms of free speech, expression
selective online access. and trade or business on the Internet as
If such a contention is accepted, the government fundamental rights to be constitutionally
would have a free pass to put a complete Internet protected.
blockage every time. Review orders suspending Internet services in the
Such complete blocking/prohibition perpetually erstwhile State instantly.
cannot be accepted by this court. Any order suspending the Internet found to violate
Government‘s argument has merit that Internet the law should be revoked at once.
could be used to propagate terrorism in J&K, Instructed the government to consider restoring
thereby challenging the sovereignty and integrity government websites, localized/limited e-banking
of the nation. facilities, hospital services and other essential
Peace in J&K should be achieved without services in areas in the Union Territory.
―excessively burdening‖ the fundamental right of Mandatory for the government to publish each and
free speech. every one of its orders that crippled the
The goal behind a restriction should be legitimate. fundamental freedoms of over seven million
The degree and scope of a restriction should be Kashmiris, including the suspension of telecom
proportionate what was actually necessary to and Internet services in the Valley since August 5
combat an emergency. following the abrogation of special status of the
The State should resort to the least restrictive erstwhile State under Article 370.
measure while taking into consideration the facts Publication of these orders would now enable the
and circumstances. affected persons to challenge their legality in the
Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
Court observation on implementation of
Section 144 Need to make Internet services a basic
The orders of restriction issued under Section 144 fundamental right
of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.PC) could Recent Supreme Court judgement on suspension
not be used as a tool to suppress legitimate of internet facility in Kashmir had held that right
expressions, opinions and grievances in a expression and free speech on internet is a
democracy. fundamental right. However, it has not
Orders issued under Section 144 in Jammu and declared right to internet as fundamental
right.
Kashmir did not explain that restrictions were
Arbitrary and unreasonable Internet shutdowns by
imposed in anticipation of a threat to law and
the government is a violation of the fundamental
order or to prevent loss of life and property.
rights to information, education and free speech
Divergent views and disapproval of government
protected by the Constitution.
action could not lead to imposition of Section 144.
Suspension and shutdown of the Internet and
The power was meant to be used only in case of
communication services is an infringement of the
public emergency or in the interest of public safety.
freedom and rights guaranteed and safeguarded
Magistrates could not apply a strait-jacket formula
under Articles 19 and 21.
without assessing the objective and material facts.
Access to Internet is a fundamental right, which
cannot be taken away arbitrarily, a single bench of
Court observations on curbing basic rights
Justice PV Asha‘s of the Kerala high court has
Review ―forthwith‖ any existing orders that restrict
ruled. The Human Rights Council of the UN has
basic rights and free movement in Jammu and
also found right to access to Internet is a
Kashmir.
fundamental freedom and a tool to ensure right to
education.
The system will be first piloted in the six States Working of Integrated Road Accident Database
with highest fatalities from road crashes — (IRAD)
Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, The IRAD mobile application will enable police
Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. personnel to enter details about a road accident,
The IRAD will be improved on the basis of the along with photos and videos, following which a
learnings from the trial, following which it will be unique ID will be created for the incident.
rolled out across the country. Subsequently, an engineer from the Public Works
Department or the local body will visit the accident
Road Accidents in India site, examine it, and feed the required details, such
India sees the largest number of road fatalities in as the road design.
the world. Data thus collected will be analysed by a team at
More than 1.5 lakh people lost their lives in road IIT-M, which will then suggest if corrective
crashes in the country in 2018. measures in road design need to be taken.
Road users will also be able to upload data on road
accidents on a separate mobile application.
o Any dispute between the Indian Government and Supreme Court Judgement on Article 256
one or more States on one side and one or more State of Madhya Pradesh vs Union of India
States on the other side. States cannot challenge a central law under Article
o Disputes between States. 131.
Article 256
o The executive power of every State shall be so State of Jharkhand Vs State of Bihar
exercised as to ensure compliance with the laws Took the opposite view in 2015 and referred the
made by Parliament and any existing laws, which question of law to a larger Bench of the Supreme
apply in that State. Court for final determination.
o The executive power of the Union shall extend to
the giving of such directions to a State as may Details of the Suit
appear to the Government of India to be necessary Besides the CAA, the suit also challenges other
for that purpose. laws that affect citizenships, including Passport
Rules and Foreign Order Amendments as ―class
Details in the suit legislations, which harp on the religious identity of
States would be compelled under Article 256 to an individual, thereby contravening the principles
comply with the CAA, which was ―manifestly of secularism‖.
arbitrary, unreasonable, irrational and violative of It said that the CAA, by making concessions for
fundamental rights‖. grant of citizenship to illegal migrants who flee
There exists a dispute, involving questions of law persecution from Afghanistan, Pakistan and
and facts between the State of Kerala and the Bangladesh was discriminatory and irrational.
Union of India The law welcomes ―illegal migrants‖ into India
o Regarding the enforcement of legal rights as a selectively on the basis of their religion and
State pointedly excludes Muslims.
o Enforcement of the fundamental, statutory They have contended that the CAA shares an
constitutional and other legal rights of the ―unholy nexus‖ with the National Register of
inhabitants of the State of Kerala. Citizens (NRC) and is against principles of
secularism, right to equality and dignity of life
Challenge enshrined in the Basic Structure of the
Whether a State can file an original suit under Constitution.
Article 131 to challenge the constitutionality of a
central law.
EMPOWERED MAYORS
GS-II POLITY
Empowered mayors could steal the limelight A tenure of five years for Mayors is available only
through spectacular successes, leaving Chief in a fifth of the biggest cities.
Ministers and legislators with little direct connect Half of urban Indians live in cities where Mayors
with urban voters. can be in office for just two-and-a-half years.
States have used the excuse of poor performance of
urban local bodies as a justification to replace Impact of underpowered mayors
direct election of Mayors with an indirect system. In some States, elections to urban local bodies
Lack of authority with Mayors Subjects devolved in have not been held for years, defeating the lofty
Tamil Nadu in all these years is nine, and does not goal of decentralised governance.
include the major municipal services, which Lack of coherence in government is hindering
continue to be run by parastatal authorities that better productivity and causing losses through
answer to State governments. pollution, congestion and poor outcomes on
Newer devices used to bypass local bodies and infrastructure investments.
priorities are styled as special schemes, such as Flawed priorities
urban renewal and smart cities, directly supervised Fragmented administration.
by the Central government and partnered by State Low capacity of City administration.
governments.
Conclusion
Reality of Mayor Office In the coming decade, progress on Sustainable
The present system does not help directly elected Development Goals, the Paris Agreement on
Mayors. Climate Change and the UN Habitat New Urban
The Annual Survey of India‘s City-Systems Agenda will come under close international
(ASICS) found 33% of medium and large cities scrutiny.
with a provision for directly elected Mayors, but India‘s cities need a new deal, one that is focused
none in the mega cities. on development. Only elected, empowered and
accountable Mayors can deliver on that.
E-MOBILITY MISSION
GS-II POLITY
E-mobility Mission
Governmental apathy has violated the It is expected to save 9500 million litres of crude
fundamental rights of citizens to health and clean oil equivalent to Rs. 62000 crores savings.
environment guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21 It is a composite scheme using different policy-
of the Constitution. levers such as
The government had failed in its obligation to o Demand side incentives to facilitate
mitigate the impact of climate change and air acquisition of hybrid/electric vehicles
pollution. o Promoting R&D in technology including
Due to lack of implementation of the battery technology, power electronics, motors,
recommendations, as of January 2019, only 0.263 systems integration, battery management
million Electric Vehicles have been sold in the system, testing infrastructure, and ensuring
country so far. industry participation in the same
Total allocation by the Union of India thus far has o Promoting charging infrastructure
been woefully inadequate at Rs. 579 crores. o Supply side incentives
o Encouraging retro-fitment of on-road vehicles
E-mobility mission with hybrid kit
It is a National Mission document providing the
vision and the roadmap for the faster adoption of Implementation of E-mobility Mission
electric vehicles and their manufacturing in the As part of the National Electric Mobility Mission
country. Plan (NEMMP) 2020, Department of Heavy
There is an ambitious target to achieve 6-7 million Industry formulated a Scheme viz. Faster Adoption
sales of hybrid and electric vehicles year on year and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles
from 2020 onwards. in India (FAME India) Scheme in the year 2015 to
Government aims to provide fiscal and monetary promote manufacturing of electric and hybrid
incentives to kick start this nascent technology. vehicle technology.
31
CENSUS
GS-II POLITY
DEMOCRACY INDEX
GS-II POLITY
CRIMINALISATION OF POLITICS
GS-II POLITY
About Criminalisation of Politics things done. These candidates can get public
Criminalisation of Politics refer to a situation service delivery.
where criminals start entering politics through use
of Money or muscle power. Impact of Criminalisation of Politics
N N Vohra committee had defined it where Law breakers become the law makers. This
criminals are either given patronage by the destroys the trust in the democracy and sets a
political parties in lieu of assistance provided by wrong precedent for people.
them during the election process or criminal enter Parliamentarian needs to be ideal citizen for
the Politics through money and muscle power. development of egalitarian society. But, criminals
Current Parliament has highest no of MP with becoming the trustee of power send wrong
criminal background. 43% of elected MP in 2019, message to society and corrupts the moral fabric.
39% of elected MP in 2014 has serious criminal Continuous electoral reforms are necessary to
charges against them. Major parties are fielding ensure free and fair elections but such MPs
criminal background candidates. obstruct the process of electoral reforms.
Rise of crony capitalism as these legislatures
Reasons behind rise of Criminalisation in engage in dishonest practices to amass the wealth.
Politics It leads to wastage of public resources and poor
Supply side and demand side factors are at work. development in the country.
Politicisation of law enforcement machinery which
Supply side factors Motivation for criminals to
leads to breakdown of law and order. Rule of law is
enter the process
a mandatory condition for development and
Collapse of electoral financing Candidates who are
growth.
richer are likely to win the election.
Complete breakdown of law and order Makes Steps taken to deal with this issue
easier for criminal background to easier the Supreme Court in Alternative dispute resolution
contest elections. Judicial delays help them. (ADR) case 2002 made it mandatory for candidate
Nothing in RPA acts to prohibit them from to publish his criminal cases pending against them.
contesting election. In lily Thomas case, Supreme Court held that if a
Politics of self-preservation Any criminal winning MP is convicted for more than 2 years, then he
the election will use law enforcement machinery to would be disqualified for 6 more years. His seat
target his adversary and ensure that it does not would automatically vacant in the legislature.
chases his own case. Politicisation of CBI is Supreme court directed government to set up
testimony of it. special court to take up cases against MP and
MLA. 12 fast track courts have been set up for
Demand side Why voters elect them
cases against MP and MLA.
Honest candidates do not have money power to
fund their expenses. Contesting a MP level seat Way forward
costs around 3.5 crores to 10 crores. Needs to clear the mess around campaign finance
Major parties do not give tickets to honest State capacity to deliver public service needs to be
candidates as they would like candidate to bear strengthened. Digital India, good governance and
their own expenditure. Often they like to finance rights based approach is the need of hour. Public
party campaign also. service needs to be equitable in power.
Voters consciously elect such candidates due to Institutions dealing with rule of law needs to be
failure of governance. These candidates have strengthened. Police reform along the line of
generally good political connection and can get Supreme Court directives can go a long way to deal
with criminalisation of politics.
to life) and Art. 22 (Protection against arbitrary Reasons behind decline of reasoning within the
arrest and detention) covered different subject court
matters and were to be read as separate codes Court strength grew from 8 to 32. Court began to
rather than being read together. sit in the bench of 2 or more judges.
The Court read that the Constitution literally It effectively transformed itself into a ―polyvocal‖
concluded that there were no limitations on group of about a dozen sub-Supreme Courts.
parliament to amend the constitution. The Court began deciding cases based on a certain
conception of its own role — whether as sentinel of
Phase two- The structure democracy or protector of the market economy.
Appeals to the text of the Constitution were It side-lined reason-giving in preference to arriving
gradually overtaken by appeals to the at outcomes that match the Court‘s perception.
Constitution‘s overall structure and coherence. Different Benches adopted inconsistent
In the leading case of KesavanandaBharati vs. interpretive approaches based on their conception
State of Kerala (1973), Supreme Court concluded of the Court‘s role
that the Parliament‘s power to amend the
Constitution did not extend to altering its ―Basic Impact of failure of court
structure‖. And what constitutes basic structure is It led to serious doctrinal incoherence and
completely defined by the Court. inconsistency across the law.
Court also categorically rejected the Gopalan
approach in favour of a structuralistic one in Phase four-Purpose
Maneka Gandhi vs. Union of India (1978). The Court has acknowledged as critical to its
The Court conceived of the fundamental rights as a interpretive exercise the purpose for which the
cohesive bill of rights rather than a miscellaneous Constitution has been enacted.
grouping of constitutional guarantees. The Court is now beginning to interpret the
The right to life was incrementally interpreted to Constitution in accordance with its revolutionary
include a wide range of rights such as clean air, and transformative potential.
speedy trial and free legal aid. With about a dozen significant Constitution Bench
This phase paved the way for court to play decisions from the Supreme Court since
proactive role in governance of the country. September 2018, there has been a renaissance in
In both the phases, significant decisions involving decision-making by Constitution Benches.
the interpretation of the Constitution were It includes cases like striking down the section 377
entrusted to Constitution Benches (comprising five and the criminal offence of adultery and including
or more judges of court) and were carefully (even if the office of the Chief Justice of India within the
incorrectly) reasoned. scope of the Right to Information Act.
Context
The Andhra Pradesh Assembly passed a resolution At the state level, the equivalent of the Lok Sabha
to abolish the state‘s Legislative Council, where the is the Vidhan Sabha or Legislative Assembly; that
opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has a
of the Rajya Sabha is the Vidhan Parishad or
majority.
About legislative councils Legislative Council.
India has a bicameral system i.e. two Houses of
Parliament.
35
Constitutional Provision for legislative Not an Effective Check Powers of the Legislative
councils Councils are limited to the extent that they can
Under Article 169 of the constitution, Parliament hardly impose any effective check on the
may by law create or abolish the second chamber Assemblies. It can only delay a bill by four months.
in a state if the Legislative Assembly of that state Backdoor Entrance of the Defeated Members It is
passes a resolution to that effect by a special apprehended by the critics that a Legislative
majority. Council may be utilized to accommodate
Strength of the councils
discredited party-men who may not be returned to
Membership may vary, but the Legislative Council
must not have more than a third of the total the Assemblies.
membership of the Assembly of that state and in Costly Institution Bicameralism in the States is an
no case fewer than 40 members. expensive experiment and a big drain on the
About 1/3rd of members are elected by members State‘s exchequer.
of the Assembly, another 1/3rd by electorates A Heterogeneous Chamber A blend of direct
consisting of members of municipalities, district election, indirect election and nomination makes
boards and other local authorities in the state,
1/12th by an electorate consisting of teachers and the Council a hotchpotch of representation. A
1/12th by registered graduates. chamber so heterogeneously constituted, neither
The remaining members are nominated by the serves the purpose of a revisory chamber nor acts
Governor from among those who have as an effective brake against hasty legislation.
distinguished themselves in literature, science, art,
the cooperative movement and social service. Councils in other states
Legislative Councils are permanent Houses and Besides Andhra Pradesh, five other states have
like Rajya Sabha, one-third of their members retire
VidhanParishads — Bihar (58 members),
every two years.
Karnataka (75), Maharashtra (78), Telangana (40),
Need of the legislative councils UP (100). Jammu and Kashmir had a Council until
To act as a check on hasty actions by the popularly the state was bifurcated into the Union Territories
elected House. of J&K and Ladakh.
To ensure that individuals who might not be cut
out for the rough-and-tumble of direct elections
too are able to contribute to the legislative process.
Having a second chamber would allow for more
debate and sharing of work between the Houses.
CANCER BURDEN
GS-II HEALTH
Context
According to World Health Organization (WHO)
Report, one in 10 Indian will develop cancer
during their lifetimeand one in 15 Indians will die
of cancer.
In News
Pakistan has become the first country in the world to introduce World Health Organization-recommended typhoid conjugate
vaccine (TCV) in its national immunization program.In this big move, an India-made vaccine Typbar TCV, will play a
significant role. About 1.2 crores doses of the vaccine have been supplied by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech for this
initiative.
Typbar TCV is the world’s first clinically proven conjugate Typhoid vaccine made by India. Further, Typbar TCV is the
only approved vaccine for children and infants less than 2 years of age.
38
Context
According to the World Obesity Federation’s urbanization.
Global study, around 28 million children in
India will be obese by the year 2030. Heath Implication of Childhood Obesity
Obese children are at increased risk of
Highlights of the Report hypertension, osteoarthritis, high cholesterol and
The prevalence of obesity in Indian children triglycerides, Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart
and teenagers has increased significantly disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, respiratory
during 1990-2017. (Annual rise4.98 %.) problems, emotional disturbances, and some
250 millionchildren will be obese worldwideby cancers.
2030. Two in three obese children will remain obese as
India would continue to rank second in the adults and at risk for adult lifestyle diseases.
world in terms of the high number of obese India is projected to become the diabetes capital
people. in the world.
CORONAVIRUS
GS-II HEALTH
Context
An outbreak of a new strain of Corona It causes a respiratory illness called COVID-19,
virusaffected and killed thousands with viral which can spread from person to person.
pneumonia without any prior symptoms. The novel corona virus officially named as Covid-
19 by the WHO, has spread to 26 more countries
Corona viruses apart from China.
Corona viruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses
Amid the rising spread of Corona virus (2019-
that cause illness ranging from the common cold to
nCoV), the World Health Organization (WHO) has
more severe diseases such as Middle East
declared the virus outbreak a Public Health
Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe
Emergency of International Concern
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
(PHEIC).
A novel corona virus (nCoV) is a new strain that
has not been previously identified in humans.
40
The Integrated Disease Surveillance program (IDSP) is a disease surveillance scheme under the Ministry of Health
and Family Affairs in India, assisted by the World Bank. The scheme aims to strengthen disease surveillance for
infectious diseases to detect and respond to outbreaks quickly. The scheme seeks to set up a Central Disease
Surveillance Unit and a State Surveillance Unit in each State where data is collected and analyzed. A large amount of
data on disease reports are collected in order to be able to identify the outbreak of a disease, identify its causes and
take corresponding preventive and responsive measures. An early warning system is put into place in order to take
timely preventive steps.
In News: H9N2
Indian scientists have detected the country’s first case of infection of a baby with a rare variant of the virus called
H9N2. The virus actually causes avian influenza, or bird flu.
H9N2 is a subtype of the influenza A virus, which causes human influenza as well as bird flu. The H9N2
subtype was isolated for the first time in Wisconsin, US in 1966 from turkey flocks.H9N2 virus infections in
humans are rare, but likely under-reported due to typically mild symptoms of the infections. Cases of human
infection have been observed in Hong Kong, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Egypt.
42
Context
Every day, India witnesses the death of an Between 2014 and 2017, India‘s IMR has declined
estimated 2,350 babies aged less than one by 15.4%.
year (Infants). Among them, an average 172 are At a decline rate of 17.4%, Rajasthan has been
from Rajasthan and 98 from Gujarat. ahead of the national average in reducing IMR
while Gujarat has a decline rate of 14.3%.
Mortality Rates Arunachal, Tripura and Manipur have recorded a
The infant mortality rate (IMR) in the country negative reduction rate between 2014 and 2017,
currently stands at 33 per 1,000 live births which means child death rates there have gone up.
43
Reasons behind high Infant Mortality Rates hospitals with an annual delivery load more than
Lack of education among mother 3,000 to provide care for sick newborns.
Malnutrition (more than half of Indian women are Early identification and appropriate management
anaemic) of Diarrhoea and Acute Respiratory Infections
Age of the mother at the time of birth, spacing Improving Infant and young child feeding
between pregnancy practices including breastfeeding promotion.
Lack of institutional delivery facilities Immunisation against seven vaccine preventable
Children born to mothers with at least 8 years of diseases (Mission Indradhanush).
schooling have 32% lesser chances of dying in Vitamin A supplementation and Iron and Folic
neonatal period and 52% lesser chances in the Acid supplementation;
post-neonatal period, as compared to the illiterate Establishment of Nutritional Rehabilitation
mothers. Centres to address severe and acute malnutrition.
According to the National Family Health Survey-4, Promotion of institutional deliveries
only 78.9% births in India happen in a facility. through JananiSurakshaYojana (JSY)
Apart from the obvious infection risks in a non- Operationalization of sub-centres, Primary Health
institutional birth, vaccine compliance too is Centres, Community Health Centres and District
usually worse in these cases. Hospitals for providing 24x7 basic and
comprehensive obstetric care services
Measures undertaken Engagement of more than 8.8 lakhs Accredited
Special newborn care units (SNCUs) have been Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to generate
established at district hospitals and sub-district demand and facilitate accessing of health care
services by the community.
Context
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
published the annual Crime in India Report 2018.
Key findings
3, 78,277 cases of crime against women were
reported in the country, up from 3, 59,849 in 2017.
Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 59,445 cases,
followed by Maharashtra (35,497) and West
Bengal (30,394).
The conviction rate in rape-related cases stood at
27.2% even though the rate of filing charge sheets
was 85.3% in such cases. increase of 3.6% from 2017 when 1, 29,887 cases
Major share of crimes against women were reported.
o Cruelty by husband or his relatives (31.9%) The highest number of suicide victims were daily
o Assault on women with intent to outrage her wagers — 26,589, comprising 22.4% of such
modesty (27.6%) deaths.
The crime rate per lakh population, however, came
down from 388.6 in 2017 to 383.5 in 2018. About NCRB
The incidents registered under the Scheduled The National Crime Records Bureau, abbreviated
to NCRB, is an Indian government agency
Caste and Scheduled Tribes related Acts saw a
responsible for collecting and analysing crime data
decline from 6729 incidents reported in 2017 to
as defined by the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and
4816 in 2018.
Special and Local Laws (SLL)
Accidental Death and Suicides in India 2018 NCRB is headquartered in New Delhi and is part of
NCRB data shows that 10,349 people working in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA),
the farm sector ended their lives in 2018, Government of India.
accounting for 7.7 % of the total number of NCRB was set-up in 1986 to function as a
suicides in the country. The total number of people repository of information on crime and criminals
who committed suicide in 2018 was 1, 34,516, an so as to assist the investigators in linking crime to
44
The Constitution has 22 blue-eyed languages. They Need for Protection of language
are protected in Schedule VIII of the Constitution. According to the Yuelu Proclamation of
Under the Constitution, provision is made for the UNESCO
appointment of Special Officer for linguistic The protection and promotion of linguistic
minority with the sole responsibilities of diversity helps to improve social inclusion and
safeguarding the interest of language spoken by partnerships.
the minority groups. Helps to reduce the gender and social inequality
The language policy of India provides a guarantee between different native speakers.
to protect the linguistic minorities. Guarantee the rights for native speakers of
Need for new languages in 8th schedule endangered, minority, indigenous languages.
Many languages that are kept out of this favoured Enhance the social inclusion level and social
position are in some ways more deserving to be decision-making ability by encouraging them to
included in the Eighth Schedule. For participate in a series of actions to promote
exampleSanskrit has only 24,821 speakers (2011 cultural diversity.
Census). Manipuri has only 17, 61,079 speakers
whereas many unscheduled languages have a
sizeable number of speakers Bhili/Bhilodi has 1,
04, 13,637 speakers; Gondi has 29, 84,453
speakers; Garo has 11, 45,323.
Most of the languages and dialects are restricted to
specific regions and many of them are on the verge
FACT-FINDER
of extinction.
The language diversity is under threat as speakers
of diverse languages are becoming rare and major
languages are adopted after abandoning the
mother tongues.
Multilingualism is the way of life in India as people
in different parts of the country speak more than
one language from their birth and learns
additional languages during their lifetime.
Advantages of being in eighth schedule
Gets recognition from the SahityaAkademi.
Books are translated into other recognised Indian
languages.
Members of Parliament and MLAs could speak in
language in Parliament and State Assemblies,
respectively.
Candidates could write all-India competitive
examinations like the Civil Services exam.
Placing of all the deserving languages on equal
footing will promote social inclusion and national
solidarity.
It will reduce the inequalities within the country to
a great extent.
Context
Only 16% of children in Class 1 in 26 surveyed
rural districts can read text at the prescribed level,
while almost 40% cannot even recognise letters,
according to the Annual Status of Education
Report (ASER) 2019, released by NGO Pratham.
Context
Consumer Affairs Minister has announced that no The BIS is already running a hallmarking scheme
jeweller will be allowed to sell gold jewellery or for gold jewellery since April 2000 and around
artefacts without hallmark from the Bureau of 40% of gold jewellery is being hallmarked
Indian Standards (BIS) from January 15, 2021 currently.
onwards. Instead of 10 grades earlier, hallmarked gold
jewellery will now be available in three grades of 14
Details carat, 18 carat and 22 carat.
If jewellery or artefacts made of 14, 18 and 22-carat
gold are sold without a BIS hallmark, then the About BIS
jeweller could face a huge penalty and even The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the
imprisonment. national Standards Body of India working under
The penalty may be worth five times the cost of the the aegis of Ministry of Consumer Affairs,
object and the imprisonment up to one year. Food & Public Distribution, and Government
Jewellers have been given a year‘s time to register of India.
themselves with the BIS. The Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986,
establishes it.
About Gold Hallmarking The Minister in charge of the Ministry or
Gold hallmarking is a purity certification of the Department having administrative control of the
precious metal and is voluntary in nature at BIS is the ex-officio President of the BIS.
present.
Context
A Delhi court issued a fresh death warrant for It is 60% fewer than the 162 death sentences
Nirbhaya gang rape convict to hang all four passed in 2018.
convicts in Tihar jail at 6 a.m. on February 1. The proportion of death sentences imposed for
murders involving sexual offences was at a four-
Court observation year high in 2019 at 52.94% (54 out of 102
Why the other three convicts had not yet appealed sentences).
against the death warrant or exhausted their legal 2019 also saw the highest number of confirmations
remedies. Would it not be delaying tactics? How by High Courts in four years.
far it can be stretched? The National Law University‘s Death Penalty
Prison rule If the sentence of death has been Research Project had noted that there are no
passed on more than one person in the same case, reliable numbers of the total number of death row
and if an appeal or an application is made by or on prisoners in India
behalf of only one or more but not all of them the There is also no official record of the total number
execution of the sentence shall be postponed in the of prisoners executed since Independence.
case of all such persons (prisoner sentenced to
deaths). Supporting Arguments for Death Penalty
Two convicts have exhausted their option of a Punishment is not arbitrary because, it comes out
curative petition before the Supreme Court against of a judicial process.
the death sentence, while the other two — Pawan It is being implemented in the ―rarest of the rare‖
Gupta and Akshay Singh — are yet to approach the cases (last 13 years-only 4 people executed).
apex court. Criticizing it on arbitrariness, irreversibility and
human rights are not valid arguments.
Death penalty numbers in India
Trial courts in India delivered 102 death sentences
in 2019.
48
Recommendations of the Group of Ministers The definition of "aggrieved woman", who will get
(GoM) to strengthen the legal framework to protection under the Act is extremely wide to cover
prevent sexual harassment at the workplace: all women, irrespective of her age or employment
Addition of new provisions to the Indian Penal status, whether in the organised or unorganised
Code. sectors, public or private and covers clients,
Proposed amendments would be largely based customers and domestic workers as well.
on the Vishaka Guidelines laid down by the An employer has been defined as any person who
Supreme Court in 1997. is responsible for management, supervision, and
The Verma committee had recommended an control of the workplace and includes persons who
employment tribunal, instead of an Internal formulate and administer policies of such an
Complaint Committee , as dealing with such organisation under Section 2(g).
complaints in-house could discourage women The Committee is required to complete the inquiry
from coming out. within a time period of 90 days. On completion of
the inquiry, the report will be sent to the employer
Background of the Panel or the District Officer, as the case may be, they are
The Panel was set up in the aftermath of the mandated to take action on the report within 60
#MeToo movement after many women shared days.
their ordeal on social media. Every employer is required to constitute an
It also examined the report of the Justice J.S. Internal Complaints Committee at each office or
Verma Committee that was constituted in the wake branch with 10 or more employees.
of the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder in 2012. The District Officer is required to constitute a
Local Complaints Committee at each district, and
Shortcomings of the act if required at the block level.
Giving the powers of a civil court to the internal The Complaints Committees have the powers of
complaints committee (ICC) without specifying if civil courts for gathering evidence.
the members need to have a legal background. The Complaints Committees are required to
It only imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on employers provide for conciliation before initiating an
for non-compliance. inquiry, if requested by the complainant.
The act said the employer should provide
assistance to the woman if she chooses to file a Criticism of the act
complaint under the IPC ―against the perpetrator Bill does not protect men, saying it "is based on the
after the conclusion of the enquiry‖. premise that only female employees needed to be
safeguarded.
Sexual harassment at work place Act They called out the fact that there is no stipulated
Number of sexual harassment incidents at ―work liability for employers in cases of employee-to-
or office premises‖ registered under Section 509 employee harassment, something upheld in many
IPC (words, gesture or act to insult the modesty of other countries.
a woman) was 479 and 401 in the years 2017 and Many critics perceive that timely manner grievance
2018 respectively. redressal by the employers is problematic because
It seeks to protect women from sexual harassment of potentially uncooperative employees.
at their place of work. The law requires a third-party non-governmental
The Act defines sexual harassment at the work organisation to be involved, which could make
place and creates a mechanism for redressal of employers less comfortable in reporting
complaints. It also provides safeguards against grievances, due to confidentiality concerns.
false or malicious charges. Compliance to this statute has so far been left to
The Act also covers concepts of 'quid pro quo the vagaries of the employers and government has
harassment' and 'hostile work environment' as not taken any significant step to enforce the law so
forms of sexual harassment if it occurs in far.
connection with an act or behaviour of sexual
harassment.
50
Context Every year, the SUS covers more than two million
As Brazilian President JairBolsonaro visits New births, 10 million hospital admissions and nearly
Delhi this Republic Day, one interesting field of one billion ambulatory procedures.
cooperation to explore in the strategic partnership Brazil spends only 3.8% of its GDP on the SUS,
is healthcare. serving a population three times larger than that of
the U.K, while UK spends 8% of its GDP on NHS.
Brazilian system
The Brazilian society achieved universal coverage Community based healthcare ensures
by establishing a government-funded system. Health promotion and prevention activities
More than 100 million inhabitants have a Oversee whether family members are complying
universal health system. with any treatment they might be receiving
The Family Health Programme (Programa Saúde Effectively manage the relationship between
da Família), which relies on a community-based citizens and the healthcare system.
healthcare network, is the backbone of the rapid Help to drastically reduced IMR and increases
expansion of coverage in Brazil. adult labour supply.
The Unified Health System (SUS), which Accessibility of services to the rural areas and
guaranteed free health coverage that included poorest states of the country.
pharmaceutical services, has been written into the
new Constitution in 1988.
Learning for Indian Health system
Achievement of Brazilian system Public health expenditure is still very low in India,
Life expectancy has increased from 64 years to at around 1.3% of GDP in the 2017-2018 fiscal
almost 76 years, while Infant Mortality Rate has years. It needs to be enhanced.
declined from 53 to 14 per 1,000 live births. One-size-fits-all approach for such heterogeneous
Polio vaccination has reached 98% of the regional realities is inconceivable; hence, region
population. specific approach needs to be imagined.
95% of those that seek care in the SUS are able to Regional disparities in terms of resources and
receive treatment. institutional capabilities must be addressed.
NEAT INITIATIVE
GS-II SOCIAL JUSTICE
EdTech companies would be responsible for
National Educational Alliance for Technology developing solutions and manage registration of
(NEAT) programme learners through the NEAT portal.
It aims for using technology for better learning They would be free to charge fees as per their
outcomes in Higher Education. policy.
The objective is to use Artificial Intelligence to As their contribution towards the National cause,
make learning more personalised and customised they would have to offer free coupons to the extent
as per the requirements of the learner. of 25% of the total registrations for their solution
through NEAT portal.
There are a number of start-up companies
MHRD would distribute the free coupons for
developing this and Ministry of Human Resource
learning to the most socially/economically
Development would like to recognise such efforts
backward students.
and bring them under a common platform so that
All India Council of Technical Education would be
learners can access it easily. the implementing agency for NEAT programme.
MHRD would act as a facilitator to ensure that the Independent Expert Committees would be
solutions are freely available to a large number of constituted for evaluating and selecting the
economically backward students. EdTech solutions.
51
OBC SUB-CATEGORISATION
GS-II SOCIAL JUSTICE
Context
Cabinet approved a six-month extension in the Need for the commission
tenure of the commission to examine sub- Certain communities from OBC sections have
categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBC). received more benefits compared to the other
communities.
Cabinet decisions Perpetuity of reservation where certain
Approved an addition to the commission‘s terms of community keeps on reaping the benefits thus
reference. increasing the inequality within the OBC section. It
Study the various entries in the Central list of would ensure that reservation benefits are passed
OBCs and recommend correction of any on to deprived caste only.
repetitions, ambiguities, inconsistencies and errors However, IndraShahney judgement of the
of spelling or transcription. Supreme Court had brought concept of creamy
layer to exclude affluent class from ambit of
About the commission the reservation, but there is not provision to
It will look into the existing list of OBCs and exclude the whole caste even if it has come out of
categorise the castes that have not benefited from the social and economic backwardness.
reservation in government jobs and education. This commission will provide the parameters for
It is also expected to give its recommendations to assessing the social and economic backwardness
ensure that these marginalised communities get which will be helpful in evaluating the
the benefits of various schemes. performance of reservation policy.
The commission is headed by the G. Rohini, Populist policies pursued by the different states
former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. have increased the number of OBC caste thus
necessitating an activity to filter out the developed
Constitutionality for the OBC reservation caste.
While the term ‗OBC‘ is not mentioned in the Since Indra Shahney judgement capped the
Constitution, Article 15 allows the State to make limit for reservation at 49%, achieving the
special provisions for the advancement of any objective of social justice requires dynamism in the
socially and educationally backward classes categorisation of caste.
(SEBC) of citizens. Nine States of the country viz., Andhra Pradesh,
Article 340 allows the President of India to appoint Telangana, Puducherry, Karnataka, Haryana,
a commission to investigate into the issues related Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra and
to OBC. Tamil Nadu have already carried out sub-
National commission on backward communities categorization of Other Backward Classes. Hence,
has already been given the constitutional status. there is a need for sub-categorisation at national
level too.
Context
Urban areas are likely to receive a renewed focus population density, transportation challenges and
under the government‘s ICDS programme, which migration.
provides for anganwadis or day-care centres across Because of these issues it may not be possible for a
the country for delivery of nutrition and pre-school community worker to keep in contact with the
education. beneficiaries, which she is able to achieve in rural
settings.
Approved Paper by NitiAyog According to government data from 2018, of the 14
Health and ICDS models that work in rural areas lakh anganwadis across the country there are only
may not work in urban areas because of higher 1.38 lakh anganwadis in urban areas.
52
FACT-FINDER
53
2
Context
Palestine canceled the Oslo Accords signed Jerusalem, the most contentious issue, would
with Israel. be ―the undivided capital‖ of Israel, with
The West Asia peace plan unveiled by U.S. Palestine gaining its capital in the east of the
President Donald Trump to resolve the Israel- city.
Palestine conflict. Palestinian Authority should also crackdown
on ―terrorist‖ groups such as Hamas and the
What is the Israel-Palestine conflict? Islamic Jihad.
Israel is the world‘s only Jewish state, located
Mr. Trump has also proposed $50 billion in
just east of the Mediterranean Sea.
investment over 10 years, if Palestine accepts
Palestinians, the Arab population that hails the proposals.
from the land Israel, controls and refers it as
Palestine would get control over more land
Palestine, thus want to establish a state by that
than what it is currently controlling. The plan
name on all or part of the same land.
also proposes to enlarge Gaza and connect the
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is over the land strip with the West Bank through a tunnel. The
control. Arab towns in the southeast of Israel, which
are close to Gaza, could become part of a
The West Asia peace plan:
future Palestinian state.
It seeks to address some contentious issues
such as the border of Israel, the status of
Why it is not feasible?
Palestinian refugees, Jewish settlements on The Palestine position is that independent,
the West Bank, Israel‘s security concerns and sovereign Palestinian state should
the status of the city of Jerusalem. includeswhole of the West Bank and the Gaza
Israel will be allowed to annex the Jewish Strip. Hence, it out rightly opposed the plan.
settlements on the West Bank as well as the It is biased towards Israel.
Jordan Valley.
There is a conflict between the governing
The Palestinian refugees, who were forced out authorities of theGaza strip and West Bank,
from their homes during the 1948 Arab-Israeli the proposal of connecting them may not take
war that followed the declaration of the state off.
of Israel in historic Palestine, would not be
allowed to return.
Hamas
Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist political
organization and militant group that has waged
war on Israel since 1987.
54
Geographical locations
Golan Heights is the area captured from Syria and
occupied by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War,
territory that has been administered as part of Israel
since 1981.
West Bank is a landlocked territory bordered
by Jordan to the east and Israel on the south, west
and north. The Oslo Accords, signed between
the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel,
created administrative districts with varying levels of
Palestinian autonomy within each area.
Gaza strip is a self-governing Palestinian territory on
the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, which
borders Egypt and Israel.
Jerusalem is a city in the Middle East. It is one of
the oldest cities in the world, and is
considered holy to the three major Abrahamic
religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority claim
Jerusalem as their capital.
55
Context
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro‘s presence as Political relations
chief guest for this year‘s Republic Day Both Brazil and India are front runners of South-
parade.India and Brazil signed 15 agreements. South cooperation and opposition to Western-
dominated world order.
Innovative coalitions like IBSA and BRICS were
Agreements signed cofounded by India and Brazil to balance the world
Two countries signed investment cooperation and order.
facilitation treaty that provides a framework to
Both countries want the participation of
increase trade and investment in high growth
developing countries in the UNSC permanent
areas. The two sides agreed to set a target of $15
membership. Both countries are part of the G-4
billion in bilateral trade by 2022.
grouping.
A separate pact was signed for boosting
cooperation in the energy sector oil and natural Economic relations
gas. Brazil is one of the most important trading
Other agreements exchanged are cultural exchange partners of India in the entire LAC (Latin America
program; women and child development; field of and the Caribbean) region.
health and medicine; early childhood; traditional Bilateral trade in 2018-19 was $8.2 billion, which
systems of medicine and homeopathy; social included $3.8 billion worth of Indian exports to
security; scientific and technological cooperation; Brazil and $4.4 million as imports by India.
geology and mineral resources; animal husbandry Major Indian exports to Brazil include
and dairying. agrochemicals, synthetic yarns, auto components,
and parts, pharmaceutical and petroleum
India Brazil relations products.
Historic relations Brazilian exports to India include crude oil, gold,
Diplomatic relations between India and Brazil vegetable oil, sugar, and the bulk mineral and ores.
were established in 1948. Indian investments in Brazil were around $6
One of the major sources of tension between the billion and Brazilian investments in India US-
two nations was the decolonization process of the China at $1 billion in 2018.
Portuguese enclaves in India. Where Brazil
supported Portugal. Challenges
Changes in ideology:Brazilian President agreed
Brazil and India formally declared each other
to abandon Brazil‘s designation as a ‗developing
‗strategic partners‘ way back in 2006.
country‘ and to get Brazil admitted into the club of
Cultural relations rich countries – the Organization for Economic
In Brazil, there is enormous interest in India‘s Cooperation and Development (OECD). This may
culture, religion, performing arts and philosophy. lead to ideological differences between the
countries on global platforms.
Brazil has a strong community of Yoga and
Ayurveda practitioners. Presence of China: Brazil already counts China
Mahatma Gandhi is highly regarded in Brazil. as its number one trade partner.India may find it
Government and NGOs of Brazil are trying to challenging to compete with China in the country.
inculcate the philosophy of non-violence among Brazil‘s complaint at the World Trade Organization
students, youth and police. against New Delhi‘s subsidies to sugarcane
farmers. Brazil is the largest producer and exporter
Defense relation of sugar and claims Indian subsidies are
Brazil and India signed an agreement in 2003 for inconsistent with global trade rules.
defense cooperation, which calls for cooperation in
defense-related matters, especially in the field of Opportunities
Research and Development, acquisition and Energy security: With the humanitarian crisis
logistic support between the 2 countries. gripping in neighboring Venezuela, Brazil is well
56
BRICS
BRICS is the acronym coined for an association of five
major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, IBSA
India, China and South Africa. Forum of countries India, Brazil and South
Formed in 2009. Africa.
BRICS brings together five major emerging It is an international tripartite grouping for
economies, comprising 43% of the world population, promoting international cooperation among
having 30% of the world GDP and 17% share in the these countries.
world trade.
57
ROHINGYA CRISIS
GS-II INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Genocide Convention
Context It is a UN convention entered into force in
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) 1951.
ruled that Myanmar must take effective measures All participating countries are advised to
to protect its Rohingya Muslims. prevent and punish actions of genocide in
war and in peacetime.
What is the case against Myanmar?
The United Nations Security Council is the
The Republic of the Gambia moved the ICJ against
organization entitled to mandate
Myanmar over alleged violations of the the International Criminal
Convention on the Prevention and Court with investigations relating to
Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. breaches of the genocide convention.
The Gambia urged the ICJ to direct Myanmar to
stop the genocide, ensure that persons committing
genocide are punished and allow the ―safe and
dignified return of forcibly displaced Rohingya
Analysis
The order of the court is provisional. It does not
translate into a finding against Myanmar. The final
verdict of the court may take many years.
However, the ruling is not against Myanmar, but it
dents its image internationally. It also brings
international pressure on Myanmar to act against
the Rohingya crisis.
58
SAGARMATHA DIALOGUE
GS-II INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Context
Nepal has invited the Prime Ministers of India and is meant to promote the notions of the
and Pakistan along with several other heads of common good and collective well-being of
government and heads of state for the Sagarmatha humanity.
Dialogue. The first episode of the Sambaad is scheduled to be
held from 2 to 4 April 2020.
About the Dialogue The theme of the first Sambaad is "Climate
It is a multi-stakeholder, permanent global
Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity."
dialogue forum initiated by the Government of
Sagarmatha Sambaad will also highlight Nepal‘s
Nepal.
ability to assert its point of view before the global
It is scheduled to be held biennially in Nepal.
audience and also to build the event as a global
The Sambaad (dialogue) is named after the world's and regional diplomatic venue.
tallest mountain Sagarmatha (Mount Everest),
which is also a symbol of friendship
Context
Malaysia's PM defends criticism of India despite Political Relations
palm oil backlash India established diplomatic relations with the
Federation of Malaysia in 1957 immediately on
Cultural Relations
Malaysia‘s independence.
India and Malaysia signed MoU on cooperation in
In October 2010, a Strategic Partnership was
the field of Traditional Medicine in October 2010.
established, thus placing India – Malaysia ties at a
Malaysia has one of the largest communities of
higher level than at any time since the 1960s.
Persons of Indian Origin in the world,
Agreement on Cultural Exchange Programme for
numbering around2.7 million (about 9-10% of
2015-2020 and two Memorandum of
Malaysia‘s population).
Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the area
Economic Relations of Performance Management,Project Delivery and
Malaysia is our third-largest trading partner in Monitoring related to Government Programs&
ASEANbesides Indonesia and Singapore. India is Delivery and on Cooperation in Cyber Security
the largest trading partner for Malaysia from were signed between the countries.
among the countries of South Asia, excluding
Singapore and China. Defense relations
Defense relations between India and Malaysia
Bilateral Comprehensive
have grown steadily. MoU on Defense Cooperation
EconomicCooperation Agreement (CECA)
was signed in 1993 to improve the Defense
covering goods, services, and investment has come
relations between the two countries.
into effect from 1 July 2011.
The Indian Navy ships regularly port in Malaysia,
India is the sixth-largest source country for
which provides the opportunity to both navies to
inbound tourism to Malaysia.
60
Analysis
Singapore and Malaysia have always been at the
core of India's interests in its 'Act East' policy, and
its attempts to fortify the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) coalition. Strained
interact, understand each other,and foster bonds
relations pose a negative impact against the Act
of lasting friendship.
East Policy of India.
Following the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines
Trade and anti-terror platforms brought the two
flight MH-370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on
countries together. But the current
March 8, 2014, India extended all necessary
Malaysiangovernment‘s stand on terrorism is
assistance to the Malaysian authorities and
worrying.
deployed six ships and five aircraft to undertake
The virtual import ban on palm oil will hurt both
the search operations in Bay of Bengal region.
India and Malaysia. Malaysia losing its biggest
Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal
market leading to price crash. On the other hand,
Matters signed (March 2012) and ratified on 12
India may face food inflation.
November 2012.
India‘s act of trade ban against the ideological
differences between the countries may portray a
Issues with relationship
The new Mahathir Mohamad-led government has negative image of India against the rest of the
been implementing an assertive foreign policy world. Ideally, India should resolve the issue with
against many of the countries. This resulted in dialogue.
strained relationships with many countries along
Way forward
with India.
Both India and Malaysia are very good friends for
Recently, Malesian government criticized India‘s
more than 60 years. Current situation is a small
internal matters like the Citizenship Amendment
dent in theirlong-lasting relationship.
Act, Kashmir Issue, etc. India opposed the same
Differences between the countries need to be
stating that it went against the accepted diplomatic
addressed through diplomatic channels for the
practice of ―Non-interference in each other‘s
benefits of both countries.
internal affairs‖.
INDIA- EU RELATIONS
GS-II INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Context
European Parliament (EPs) has moved Political relations
resolutions criticizing the Citizenship India-EU bilateral relations date back to the early
Amendment Act. 1960s with India being amongst the first countries
to establish diplomatic relations with the European
Economic Community in 1962.
Trade relations A Cooperation Agreement signed in 1994 took the
The EU is India‘s largest regional trading partner. bilateral relationship beyond trade and economic
India‘s exports to the EU valued at $54.0 billion, cooperation. It opened the way for annual
whereas India‘s imports valued at 53.9 billion. ministerial meetings and a broad political
The EU continued to be the largest source of dialogue.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for India with The first India-EU Summit took place on 28 June
investment inflows of approximately 25% of the 2000 in Lisbon and marked a watershed in the
total FDI from 2000. evolution of the relationship.
61
European Union:
European Union (EU) is an
international organization
comprising European countries
and governing common economic,
social, and security policies.
RAISINA DIALOGUE
GS-II INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Context
The PM and world leaders to attend Raisina of External Affairs of India.
Dialogue The conference is structured as a multi-
stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussion,
About the Dialogue involving a variety of global policymakers
The Raisina Dialogue is a multilateral including heads of state, cabinet ministers and
conference held annually in New Delhi, India. local government officials.
Since its inception in 2016, the conference has The Dialogue has been India‘s contribution to
emerged as India‘s flagship conference on global efforts to discover solutions, identify
geopolitics and geo-economics. opportunities and provide stability to a century
The conference is hosted by the Observer that has witnessed an eventful two decades
Research Foundation, an independent Thetheme of Raisina dialogue 2020 is
think tank, in collaboration with the Ministry Navigating the Alpha Century.
Context
India, Nepal to hold talks on Kalapani. countries.
However, British surveyors subsequently
All about the dispute showed the origin of the river, which has many
Kalapani is a 372-sq km area at the China- tributaries, at different places. While Nepal
Nepal-India tri-junction. India claims claims that the river west of the disputed
Kalapani as a part of Uttarakhand while Nepal territory is the main river and so Kalapani falls
depicts the area in its map. in its territory, India claims a different origin
The border dispute flared up again recently and includes the area in its territory.
after India released its new political map, Strategically, Lipulekh Pass in Kalapani serves
following the reorganization of J&K, showing as an important vantage point for India to
the area as its own. keep an eye on Chinese movements. Since
According to the Sugauli treaty signed 1962, Kalapani has been manned by the Indo-
between Nepal and British India in 1816, the Tibetan Border Police.
Mahakali River that runs through the Both countries agreed to resolve the issue
Kalapani area is the boundary between the two through peaceful negotiations.
65
OPERATION VANILLA
GS-II INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Context
Indian Navy reaches flood-hit Madagascar, begins
medical camp.
Indian Navy launched 'Operation Vanilla' in
support of flood-hit Madagascar and diverted a
large amphibious ship to provide assistance.
Madagascar has been hit by a cyclone and
there has been heavy flooding and landslips
causing loss of lives and displacement of a
number of people. According to reports, more
than 92,000 people have been affected.
Indian Navy has been the first responder for
Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) in
the Indian Ocean Region.
Madagascar is the world's 2nd largest island
Madagascar country.
Madagascar is an island country in the Indian
Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot; over
Ocean, approximately 400 kilometers off the
90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on
coast of East Africa.
Earth.
Recently, France has agreed to discuss and sort the In other countries, it has also caused economic
trade issues with the US. damage, though some countries have benefited
China‘s unfair trade practices were criticized by from increased manufacturing to fill the gaps.
many countries even before the China-US trade It has also led to stock market instability.
war. Trade deal if successful may be a bargaining Trade war impacted the Indian economy as
chip with China for many other powerful well. It is said that the trade war is one of the
economies where China maintains a trade surplus. major reasons for India‘s poor GDP growth.
It was believed that the US-China trade war
Background of US-China trade war creates immense opportunities for India to
The China–United States tradeis an replace China. However, reports indicate that
ongoing economic conflict between the world's two India gained very little from the trade war.
largest national economies, China and the United East Asian countries are the major gainers
States. from the trade war.
The US, which accuses China of unfair trading
practices, launched a trade war. Two major Way forward
allegations of US were It is said that the next round of negotiations will
China stealing the intellectual properties of the start soon. The clear picture will be available only
US. after the results of next rounds of negotiations.
Unfair trade practices in favor of domestic The faster and effective deal is the need of the hour
companies through subsidies. to improve the global slowdown.
Because of a trade war, the US imposed tariffs on As far as India is concerned,
$250bn worth of Chinese products and Beijing has The focus should be on retaining additional
retaliated with duties on $110bn worth of exports gained due to the trade war between
American products. the countries.
The trade war between the countries impacted not Improving the export mechanism from the
only the US and China but also the entire world. route to improve the export market. As
In the United States, the trade war has brought suggested by the economic survey, India has a
struggles for farmers and manufacturers and huge scope for exports in the coming years.
higher prices for consumers.
The analysis shows that US tariffs caused a
25% export loss, to Chinese exports in the US
market.
US-IRAN CONFLICT
GS-II INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Background
Iran and the United States had no Tensions between Iran and the United States
formal diplomatic relations since 1980. escalated in May 2019, with the U.S. deploying
In 2015, Iran agreed for a long-term deal on more military assets to the Persian Gulf region
its nuclear program with a group of world after receiving intelligence reports of an alleged
powers known as the P5+1 – (the US, UK, France, "campaign" by Iran and its "proxies" to threaten
China, Russia, and Germany). U.S. forces.
Under the accord, Iran agreed to limit its sensitive Several merchant ships in the Persian Gulf were
nuclear activities and allow international damaged. Western nations blamed Iran, while Iran
inspectors in return for the lifting of crippling denied involvement.
economic sanctions. General Qasem Soleimani was killed at Baghdad
However, in May 2018, US President Donald airport by a US airstrike, personally approved
Trump abandoned the nuclear deal, before by Donald Trump.
reinstating sanctions against Iran and countries During the crisis, Ukraine International Airlines
that trade with it. This lead to the worsening of Flight 752 was shot down after departing
relations between the US and Iran. from Tehran Imam Khomeini International
Also trade between Iran and the other countries. Airport. Iranian military admitted in a statement
67
that they had mistakenly shot down the plane due last year after the lapse of the oil sanction waiver
to human error. extended by the US to India.
On 5 January 2020, Iran ended its commitments Currently, India and Iran are carrying the barter
to the nuclear deal. mechanism to carry the trade. With India forced by
the US to stop the purchase of oil from Iran, the
Analysis balance in the rupee-rial account is drying up as oil
During the Obama tenure,the US-Iran conflict was was the chief item of import from the country.
on the verge of resolution in a peaceful manner. Trade may get stopped once the rupee-rial account
Mr. Trump‘s unilateral approach to withdrawal gets dried.
from the nuclear deal created the crisis we are The killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in
facing today. a US drone attack could hurt trade further as
After withdrawal, the US also imposed sanctions India‘s exports to Iran, which have sustained
on Iran and pressurized other countries including despite the economic sanctions.
India to not conduct any trade with Iran.
US sanctions created a huge economic crisis in Way forward
Iran that forced Iran to take hasty actions in the With the end of the commitment of Iran towards
Gulf region. the nuclear deal, the tension in the region is its
The US attacked Soleimaniin Iraq without prior peak. International organizations should take step
permission is against international practices and is towards maintaining peace in the region.
sheer aggression. Such action can only increase the Other P5 countries apart from the US, and the
tension in the region.The action of the US was international community should pressurize the US
condemned on the international platform. towards the peaceful resolution of the problem
US attack on Soleimanibrought Iraq into the through negotiations.
conflict making West Asia battleground again. It is said that Iran gives backdoor support to
Tension in the region leads to oil price fluctuations Hamas and Hezbollah to carry out terror activities
in the international market. in the region. Such action of Iran should be
stopped.
Impact of tensions on India It should be noted that the current situation in the
India is one of those countries, which maintainsa Gulf region is more forcefully created.
close relationship with both the US and Iran. Definitely,the problem can be resolved in a
US-Iran crisis, especially the US sanctions on Iran peaceful manner.
impacted Indo-Iran trade significantly. India being a mutual friend of both countries
India-Iran trade declined a sharp 79.4 percent in should play a crucial role to ensure a peaceful
the first eight months of the current fiscal to $3.5 resolution of the problem.
billion from $17 billion in the comparable period
OPERATION SANKALP
GS-II INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Operation Sankalp
Indian Navy launched Operation Sankalp in Persian Gulf
the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to The Persian Gulf (one of the most critical
reassure Indian flagged vessels transiting bodies of water), is positioned in the heart of
through the area. the Middle East. Located in southwestern Asia,
The operation has been launched in the wake it separates the Arabian Peninsula
of escalating tension in the Gulf of Oman, from Iran (formerly called Persia).
where two oil tankers were attacked. It connects with the Gulf of Oman and the
The operation is being progressed in close Arabian Sea through the Strait of Hormuz,
coordination with all stakeholders including which is 30 to 60 miles (48 to 96 kilometers)
Ministry of Defense, Ministry of External wide.
Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of The Persian Gulf and its coastal areas are the
Petroleum and Natural Gas. world‘s largest single source of crude oil.
68
Gulf of Oman
The Gulf of Oman or Sea is a gulf that It borders Iran & Pakistan on the
connects the Arabian Sea with the Strait of north, Oman on the south, and the United
Hormuz, which then runs to the Persian Gulf. Arab Emirates on the west.
FACT-FINDER
69
GS-III ECONOMY
Context
The National Strategy for Financial Pension Fund Regulatory and Development
Inclusion for India 2019-2024 has been Authority of India (PFRDA).
prepared by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under
the aegis of the Financial Inclusion Advisory What is financial inclusion?
Committee Financial inclusion has been defined as ―the
The report is based on the inputs and suggestions process of ensuring access to financial
from the Government of India, other Financial services, timely and adequate credit for
Sector Regulators viz., Securities Exchange Board vulnerable groups such as weaker sections
of India (SEBI), Insurance Regulatory and and low-income groups at an affordable
Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and cost‖
COAL SECTOR
GS-III ECONOMY
OPERATION TWIST
GS-III ECONOMY
What is it?
RBI has launched its own version of It is mostly because Indian banks are failing to
―Operation Twist‖ through simultaneous transmit the cumulative rate cut passed on by
selling of short-term securities and buying of the RBI this year. It may be noted banks not
long term securities through open market succeeded in passing on lower interest rates to
operations (OMO). customers despite RBI's mandate to link
Operation Twist is the name given to a lending rates with its external benchmark.
monetary policy tool that the US Federal However, with rising inflation and fiscal
Reserve had initiated to influence the pressure, the RBI went for Operation Twist,
prevailing rate of interest in the markets. which aims to get yields of long-term bonds
lower without a cut in key interest rate.
RBI will buy Rs.10,000 crores worth of 10-
As the central bank buys more long-term
year government bonds while selling four
security and sells off short term bonds, the
shorter-term government bonds adding up to bond yield -- the return an investor gets on his
the same value. holding - comes down significantly. Since
The intent is to moderate high long-term long-term bond yield (10-year government
interest rates in the market and bring them securities) is a key market interest rate, lower
closer to the repo rate. rates can help people avail more long-term
Whenever there is a long-term investment loans. It also helps in bringing down overall
borrowing costs for the government.
deficit in the country and the investors are
hesitant to make long-term investments in the
Benefits of Operation twist
economy, the government jumps in to revive Interest rates of long-term investments will
growth by lowering the interest rate for long- come down. It will help the investors to invest
term investment ventures. in long term projects.
The move could have an overall positive
The rationale behind this move impact on the market, as lower interest rates
India's economy is reeling under pressure due will offer more space for retail spending.
to a slew of factors including a slump in This, in turn, hasa multiplier effect on the
demand and lower consumption. Indian economy. Lower interest rates
The central bank has cut 135 basis points increases the money supply, increases
economic activities, create more jobs,
throughout the year but has achieved little in
increases consumption.
terms of boosting demand.
75
RETAIL INFLATION
GS-III ECONOMY
Context
Consumer food price inflation has hit 14.12 Price Stabilisation Fund
percent year-on-year in December 2019, the
The Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) intends to
highest after it touched 17.89 percent reached
regulate the price volatility of important agri-
more than six years ago in November 2013.
horticultural commodities like onion, potatoes
Retail inflation ripped its way above the central
and pulses were also added subsequently.
bank‘s 6% ceiling in December, with the headline
number for that month rising to 7.35%. The Price Stabilization Fund Trust (PSFT) was
set up by the Department of Commerce and
NABARD to implement the PSF Scheme.
Way forward
The first and foremost duty is to contain the retail
inflation, which can be done by containing the food
price fluctuations.
In the short term, it can be done through balancing
supply-demand gap through importing required
items, strict actions against the hoarders.
However, in long term price stabilization
mechanisms should be put in place. Adoption of
modern technologies, modern storage facilities to
ensure the price stabilization in the market.
Terms Explained
Details
Inflation is defined as the sustained rise in the
Food inflation of 14.12% is the major reason for the
prices.
increase in retail inflation.
Almost all sub-categories in the official food Rate of Inflation is measured in terms of price
basket—, which constitutes 45% of the consumer indices. These are two types.
price index—recorded upturns in price levels.
Vegetables, the most volatile of the lot, saw prices Wholesale price Index (Inflation at wholesale
soar 60%. level)
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had feared when it
pause its interest rate easing cycle and warned of Consumer price index (Inflation at
rising inflationary expectations. consumer/retail level)
The surge in food inflation is largely due to uneven
Headline Inflation is the measure of total
monsoon rains that left much of the summer crop
inflation within an economy including price rise
damaged last year.
in food, fuel and all other commodities.
owned GAIL India, Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Oil and The government has been pushing for a gas-based
Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), Oil India Ltd (OIL) and economy. India plans to connect 10 million
Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL). households to piped natural gas by 2020. The grid
The gas grid will get 60% funding support from the acts as the right step in this direction. The pipeline
government and would raise the rest via equity and grid would ensure reliability and uninterrupted
debt. natural gas supplies to the consumers which
This is the second time that a gas pipeline project otherwise gets severely affected due to various
in the country will be funded by the government. reasons in this part of the country
For effective monitoring of the project The Capital Grant will provide natural gas supplies
implementation, a committee may be formed, to various types of consumer‘s viz. Industrial, PNG
which would periodically review the progress in its (Domestic), CNG (Transport), etc. and would
implementation and take steps to smoothen out immensely help in substituting the liquid fuels.
any issues in execution. The latest move is in sync with the government‘s
Act East policy, with to transform the northeast
Positive implications of this move region into a gateway to Southeast Asia.
India is the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases
after the US and China. The gas grid will reduce
the green housing emission.
INFRASTRUCTURE AGENDA
GS-III ECONOMY
E-COMMERCE IN INDIA
GS-III ECONOMY
About the study The study has helped to gather useful insights and
The Market Study on E-commerce in India (‗the information on the key features of e-commerce in
study‘) was initiated by the Competition India, the different business models of e-
Commission of India in April 2019 with a view to commerce players, and the various aspects of
better understand the functioning of e-commerce commercial arrangements between market
in India and its implications for markets and participants involved in e-commerce.
competition.
79
The study confirms that online commerce is Search ranking: Terms and conditions of search
gaining importance across the sectors studied. ranking of the items need to be put on websites.
The share of online distribution and its relative Collection, use and sharing of data: Set out a
importance vis-à-vis traditional channels varies clear and transparent policy on data that is
significantly across products. collected on the platform, the use of such data by
Issues identified with E-commerce include the platform and also the potential and actual
lack of platform neutrality, unfair platform-to- sharing of such data with third parties or related
business contract terms, exclusive contracts entities.
between online marketplace platforms and User review and rating mechanism:
sellers/service providers, platform price parity Adequate transparency over user review and rating
restrictions and deep discounts. mechanisms is necessary for ensuring information
symmetry, which is a prerequisite for fair
On the basis of the market study findings, CCI competition.
priorities following in E-commerce Revision in contract terms: Notify the
Ensuring competition on the merits to harness business users concerned about any proposed
efficiencies for consumers changes in terms and conditions. The proposed
Increasing transparency to create an incentive for changes not to be implemented before the expiry
competition and to reduce information asymmetry of a notice period.
Fostering sustainable business relationships Discount policy: Bring out clear and transparent
between all stakeholders policies on discounts, including inter alia the basis
of discount rates funded by platforms for different
The CCI urges the e-commerce platforms to put in products/suppliers and the implications of
place the following transparency measures. participation/non-participation in discount
schemes.
job losses due to the slowdown in the sector. 2. Electric Vehicles clear guidelines: It is a good move
Millions of jobs are under threat. to support EVs in India. However, the transition
Automobile companies are under crisis. Many of has to happen in a sustained manner. Abrupt
the automobile companies stopped their decisions of the government will hurt not only the
production to 3 days a week. If the scenario automobile industry but also millions of people
continues, it will worsen. dependent on it.
MSME sector is one of the major suppliers of auto 3. BS-VI clear guidelines are required. Uncertainty in
components. It is under severe threat due to the the deadlines hurt the industry a lot. The clear
slowdown in the auto sector. guideline will help to streamline automotive
production.
What needs to be done? 4. Boost consumption: The government needs to
1. It was said that the present slowdown is due to a boost consumption by consumer-friendly policies
lack of policy measures from the government. So, and measures.
clear guidelines is required.
UDAY SCHEME
GS-III ECONOMY
Context
India has slipped two spots to number 80 in the Performance of India
Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). India has been ranked at the 80th position among
180 countries and territories.
About the Index Performance of other countries
It is prepared annually by the Germany-based Major protests across the world last year signal a
“Transparency International”. growing lack of trust in government and erode
It offers a snapshot of the relative degrees of public public confidence in political leaders, elected
sector corruption by ranking countries and officials and democracy.
territories from around the world. Denmark and New Zealand have cornered the top
It gives each country a score from zero (highly spot, followed by Finland, Singapore, Sweden and
corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Switzerland in the top ten.
The 2019 CPI, released on January 23, draws on 13
surveys and expert assessments to measure public
sector corruption in 180 countries and territories.
Transparency International
Founded in 1993.
Purpose of this nonprofit organization is to take action to combat globalcorruption with civil societal anti-
corruption measures and to prevent criminal activities arising from corruption.
83
ENEMY PROPERTY
GS-III ECONOMY
Interest: Unlike physical gold, bonds will Improves the Balance of payment
gain interest. challenge by reducing gold imports
ELECTORAL BONDS
GS-III ECONOMY
Context
Pros of the Scheme
Top court seeks Govt. and Election Commission
response on plea to stay electoral bonds. This makes it possible to give political
contributions through a legitimate channel.
About electoral bonds scheme The identity of the donor will be safe.
Electoral bonds are interest-free banking Income to political parties through the electoral
instruments, which can be bought from specified bond route will be accountable.
branches of State Bank of India in multiples
of 1,000, 1 lakh, 10 lakh or 1 crores.As per Concerns with the Scheme
provisions of the Scheme, Electoral Bonds may be Removal of a cap on corporate donations that
purchased by a person, who is a citizen of India, existed earlier7.5% of the three-year average net
incorporated, or established in India. profit enables businesses to make unlimited
These can be purchased by individuals and political donations without having to disclose the
companies who have to disclose their identity recipient‟s name.
through know your customer (KYC) norms to SBI. Lack of transparency as we do not know who is
Only the Political Parties registered under Section giving what to whom and what they are getting in
29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 return. Only the government, through ministries,
(43 of 1951) and which secured not less than one has access to this information
percent of the votes polled in the last General Several NGOs, Opposition parties, and even the
Election to the House of the People or the Election Commission of India have raised concerns
Legislative Assembly of the State, shall be eligible over the use of electoral bonds.
to receive the Electoral Bonds. It was said that the majority of the amount
The Electoral Bonds shall be encashed by an received through the scheme has been donated to
eligible Political Party only through a Bank account the ruling party. Information creates skepticism in
with the authorized Bank. the scheme.
Electoral Bonds shall be valid for fifteen calendar
days from the date of issue and no payment shall Way forward
be made to any payee Political Party if the The solution to this is setting up a “National
Electoral Bond is deposited after the expiry of the Election Fund” where corporate houses and
validity period. Under the scheme, bonds not individual donors can contribute 100% tax-free
encashed within the validity period of 15 days are funds. The EC could be given the task of
to be deposited by the authorized bank with the overseeing it. The money can then be divided
Prime Minister‟s Relief Fund. among political parties mostly in kind and a part in
The Electoral Bond deposited by an eligible cash
Political Party in its account shall be credited on
the same day
The major highlights of the Department of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-
Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare KISAN)
during the year 2019 are as follows: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-
KISAN) is a Central Sector Scheme with
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM- 100% funding from the Government of India.
KMY) PM-KISAN Scheme provides for the transfer of an
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM- amount of Rs. 6000/- per year in three equal
KMY) is an old-age pension scheme for all installments each of Rs. 2000/- directly into the
landholding Small and Marginal Farmers bank account of beneficiary farmer families.
(SMFs) in the country. It covers all farmer families irrespective of
It provides the payment of minimum pension landholding size, subject to applicable exclusions.
of Rs.3000/- per month to the eligible farmers on The definition of the family for the Scheme is
attaining the age of 60 years. husband, wife and minor children.
It is a voluntary and contributory pension The entire responsibility of identification of
scheme, with an entry age of 18 to 40 years. beneficiary farmer families rests with the State /
The monthly contribution by farmer ranges UT Governments.
between Rs.55 to 200. Central Government will The Common Service Centres (CSCs) have also
contribute an equal amount in the pension been authorized to do the registration of the
scheme. farmers for the Scheme upon payment of fees.
The Life Insurance Corporation of India Farmers can also do their self-registration through
(LIC) shall be the Pension Fund Manager and the Farmers Corner in the portal.
responsible for Pension payout. If the farmer dies
after the retirement date, the spouse will receive
50% of the pension as Family Pension.
87
Context
Ministry of steel in partnership with Confederation this region, which will serve as a catalyst in the
of Indian Industry (CII) and Joint Plant transformation of Eastern India by developing a
Committee (JPC) is organized the Purvodaya- vibrant steel industry.
Accelerated Development of Eastern Region
through an Integrated Steel hub. About the scheme
Purvodaya in the steel sector is aimed at driving
Potential of Eastern States in steel accelerated development of Eastern India through
manufacturing the establishment of an integrated steel hub.
Eastern states of India (Odisha, Jharkhand, The proposed Integrated Steel Hub will include
Chhattisgarh, West Bengal) and Northern part of Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal
Andhra Pradesh collectively hold ~80% of the and Northern Andhra Pradesh, which would serve
country‟s iron ore, ~100% of coking coal and a as a torchbearer for socio-economic growth of
significant portion of chromite, bauxite and Eastern India.
dolomite reserves. The objective of this hub would be to enable swift
In addition to its rich mineral reserves, these states capacity addition and improve the overall
also have a significant locational advantage. There competitiveness of steel producers in terms of both
is a presence of major ports such as Paradip, cost and quality.
Haldia, Vizag, Kolkata, etc. with >30% of India‟s The Integrated Steel Hub would focus on 3 key
major port capacity, 3 major National Waterways elements:
as well as strong road, rail connectivity to most Capacity addition through easing the setup of
parts of the country. Greenfield steel plants
In India‟s march towards a $5 trillion economy, Development of steel clusters near integrated steel
the 5 Eastern states can play a major role where plants as well as demand centers.
the steel sector can become the catalyst. Transformation of logistics and
This Eastern belt has the potential to add more utilityinfrastructure, which would change the
than 75% of the country‟s incremental steel socio-economic landscape in the East.
capacity envisioned by the National Steel Policy. It Benefits of this scheme
is expected that out of the 300 MT capacity by Creation of such a world-class steel hub would
2030-31, over 200 MT can come from this region significantly contribute to Purvodaya by propelling
alone, driven by Industry 4.0. socio-economic development in the Eastern
These States would march ahead on the region.
development index because of which the Ministry Steel capacity addition as envisioned in the hub
of Steel has envisioned an Integrated Steel Hub in would entail capital investments of >70 Bn. $ and
89
lead to an incremental GSDP of >35 Bn. $ through This would also help to build social infrastructure
steel alone. in the form of cities, schools, hospitals, skilling
Growth of the steel industry through such a hub centers, etc. Such development, especially in the
would lead to significant employment most under-developed regions in these states, will
opportunities across the entire value chain, play a significant role in the overall socio-economic
creating over 2.5 Million jobs in the region. growth of Eastern India, thus reducing the
Thecreation of world-class logistics and utility disparity between the East and other regions of the
infrastructure would also spur the development of country.
other manufacturing industries across sectors.
Way Forward
UBI in its true sense would be very difficult to
implement due to the cost constraints.
However, „quasi‟ UBI, as laid out in the economic
survey proposing 7,620 per year to 75% of the
population maybe feasible.
The government should study further about the
possibilities and challenges of the same to proceed
further with any decisions.
92
MAKE IN INDIA
GS-III ECONOMY
VYOM MITRA
GS-III SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Context
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
has created its very own space robot called 'Vyom
Mitra'.
GOLDILOCKS ZONE
GS-III SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Context
A NASA satellite has discovered an Earth-sized
world called TOI 7020d within its star‘s
―habitable‖ zone.
"TOI 700 d," is about 100 light years away from
Earth.
LUNAR ECLIPSE
GS-III SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Total lunar eclipse, only a part of Moon, leaving the other part visible.
Total lunar eclipse happens when the Earth comes This happens when the three bodies are not
between the Sun and the Moon, ―completely‖ precisely aligned.
covering the Moon with its shadow. This happens
when the three celestial bodies are aligned to make Penumbral lunar eclipse.
a line. The Moon can also turn red during a total Penumbral lunar eclipse happens when the Earth
lunar eclipse, earning it the nickname of Blood comes between the Sun and the Moon, and the
Moon. outer part of the planet casts a faint shadow on the
Moon. This happens when the three bodies are
Partial lunar eclipse imperfectly aligned and usually this eclipse is
Partial lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth mistaken as a full moon.
comes between the Sun and the Moon, but covers
ARTIFICIAL HUMAN
GS-III SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Context
A Samsung subsidiary named STAR Labs has
unveiled
HOMO ERECTUS
GS-III SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Context
A New research shows that Homo erectus, an
ancestor of human beings, lived as recently as
108,000 to 117,000 years ago in Ngandong, on the
Indonesian island of Java.
Homo erectus
Homo erectus is an extinct species of the human
genus (Homo) and an ancestor of modern humans
(Homo sapiens).
Homo erectus arose in Africa about 2 million years
ago, and then dispersed throughout Asia and
perhaps Europe.
By about 400,000 years ago, they largely
disappeared.
The date range for the last known Homo erectus in
Ngandong is 108,000 to 117,000 years ago.
Around that same time, modern humans were
roaming in Africa, and Neanderthals lived in
Europe.
High-resolution space images based local tools Bhuvan-Bhujal: Ground Water Prospects
to enable the Panchayats with modern Information System
technology for sustainable development. School Bhuvan: An e-learning portal for the
Technology and Governance: The Panchayati students
Raj institutions could effectively use space ENVIS program of Ministry of
technology for planning, implementation, Environment, Forests & Climate Change
monitoring and management of resources, Bhuvan Ganga: Enables people participation
including governance. in providing vital information for Clean Ganga
Digital India: It can also prove to be an project
important component for ―Digital India‖ platform Srishti-Drishti: An Integrated Watershed
for reaching digital thematic maps to about 2.56 Development Program.
Lakh Gram Panchayats in the country. FACT-FINDER
Bhuvan Portal
Bhuvan (Sanskrit for Earth) is a Geoportal of
ISRO, allowing host of servicescovering -
Visualization,
Free data download,
Thematic map display and analysis,
Timely information on disaster, agriculture,
water resources, land cover and
Project specific Geographic Information
System (GIS) applications.
The portal was launched in 2009 and is available
in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
Bhuvan, as a platform, is open and can be used by
a diverse user community such as Central and
State Governments Departments, Academia and
Industry. Few examples are:
POLYCRACK TECHNOLOGY
GS-III SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Context
Indian Railways has commissioned India‘s first Thus, the only emission comes from the
governmental waste to energy plant at combustion of gaseous fuels.
Bhubaneswar. The emissions from the combustion of gaseous
These waste to energy plant uses a patented fuels are much less than prescribed
technology called POLYCRACK. environmental norms.
It is the fourth such plant in the country and is This process will produce energy in the form of
first-of-its-kind in Indian Railways. light diesel oil, which is used to light furnaces.
The footprint of the plant is small hence, the area Operates around 450 degrees, making it a low
required for installing the plant is less when temperature process when compared with other
compared with conventional method of processing. options.
All constituents are converted into valuable energy Safe and efficient system with built-in safety
thereby making it Zero Discharge Process. features enables even an unskilled user to operate
Gas generated in the process is re-used to provide the machine with ease.
energy to the system thereby making it self-reliant Low capital cost and low operating cost.
and also bring down the operating cost. Fully automated system requires minimum
There is no atmospheric emission during the manpower.
process unlike other conventional methods except
for combustion gases, which have pollutants less
than the prescribed norms, the world over.
In News: FAST
China recently, opened operations of the world's largest radio telescope,
which it will use for space research and help in the hunt for extraterrestrial life.
The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope, nicknamed as
Tianyan is located in the Dawodang depression in southwest China. The Five-
hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope, or FAST, is the size of 30 football
fields.
GSAT 30
GS-III SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
What is in news?
Recently, ISROlaunched GSAT 30 satellite. It will be a replacement for INSAT 4A launched in
GSAT-30 is an Indian geostationary 2005.
communications satellite for DTH, Television The satellite was launched on an Ariane-5ECA
uplink and VSAT services. launch vehicle.
101
INSAT-4A was a communication satellite intended The C band is a portion of the electromagnetic
for providing high quality television, spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies
telecommunication, broadcasting services. It was ranging from 4.0 to 8.0 gigahertz The C band is
the first satellite to be launched in the INSAT-4 used for many satellite communications
series.INSAT-4A was the first one in the INSAT-4 transmissions, some Wi-Fi devices, some cordless
Satellites series, providing services in the Ku and telephones as well as some surveillance and
C band frequency bands. weather radar systems.
The Ku band is the portion of the electromagnetic Ariane 5 is a European heavy-lift launch vehicle
spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies designed by the French government space agency.
from 12 to 18 gigahertz (GHz). It is used to deliver payloads into geostationary
transfer orbit (GTO) or low Earth orbit (LEO).
Context Aim
Recently an International Summit on Women in To boost the participation of women in science,
STEM–―Visualizing the Future: New Skylines‖ was technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields
organized. for the development of scientific careers.
and generate a future action plan for making a These include jobs that involve the use of
career in STEM fields. technologies such as automation, robotics, data
science and Artificial Intelligence.
What is the scenario? Without adequate knowledge, female employees
As per World Economic Forum Report, only 14.3%
will find it difficult to adapt to the future
of science researchers in India are women.
workplace.
In comparison, several West Asian countries have
Some of the highest-paying jobs in the word today
far better representation of women in STEM.
are in the technology space.
Bahrain, for example, has roughly 41.3% women
Only 28% of the students enrolling in higher
doing some kind of research in science. education in ICT are women. The skill and pay gap
will keep on widening if the situation persists. A
STEM and gender biases sheer loss to the economy.
The problem of women‘s underrepresentation in To foster 21st-century skills such as analytical and
STEM has its roots in socio-cultural as well as conceptual thinking and creative problem solving.
economic factors.
Factors responsible: Way ahead
Practice of discouraging girls from pursuing System interventions are necessary to encourage
secondary or college education in India. more girls to take up STEM education.
Schemes initiated by the government such as
A significant proportion of those who study
Vigyan Jyoti, Inspire – MANAK, Atal
drop out on the pretext of marriage. Tinkering Labs, and Skill Indiaare a welcome
Many are not encouraged taking up careers in step.
science and technology. It is important to create an enabling environment
Stereotyping women as caregivers and within schools to encourage girls to break the
homemakers has often restricted their fields of shackles and pursue a career in STEM.
study to teaching, nursing, fine arts. The need of the hour is to positively affect the
mindset of all stakeholders –parents, teachers or
Why more girls need to choose STEM as a school administrators.
career? Given the current situation, the importance of such
It will enable girls to participate in the ‗jobs of the initiatives and the International Summit cannot be
future‘. overemphasized.
India has added 10 more wetlands to sites protected by pangolin and Egyptian vulture and the
the Ramsar Convention. Out of whichone is in vulnerable leopard. It occupies a human-made
Maharashtra (its first Ramsar site), 3 are in Punjab reservoir constructed as part of the Bhakra-Nangal
and 6 are in Uttar Pradesh. Now the total number of
Project in 1961. The site is of historic importance as the
Ramsar sites in the country has increased to 37.
Indian and Chinese Prime Ministers formalized the
“Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence” there in 1954.
About Ramsar Convention
The Ramsar Convention of 1971, is one of the
oldest inter-governmental accord signed by Beas Conservation Reserve
members countries to preserve the ecological The Beas Conservation Reserve is a stretch of the Beas
character of their wetlands of international River located in the north-west of the State of Punjab.
importance. The River is dotted with islands, sand bars and braided
The aim of the Ramsar list is to develop and channels creating a complex environment supporting
maintain an international network of wetlands,
substantial biodiversity. More than 500 species of
which are important for the conservation of global
biological diversity and for sustaining human life birds are documented along this stretch, along with
through the maintenance of their ecosystem more than 90 fish species. The reserve also hosts the
components, processes and benefits. only known population in India of the endangered
Wetlands declared as Ramsar sites are protected Indus river dolphin. Further threatened species
under strict guidelines of the convention. include the endangered masher and hog deer as
well as thevulnerable smooth-coated otter.
The 10 new Ramsar sites are
Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary
It is Maharashtra's first Ramsar site. The Site is a The Samaspur Bird sanctuary is a perennial lowland
mosaic of lakes, marshes and riparian forest on the marsh typical of the Indo-Gangetic Plains in of Uttar
Deccan Plateau. Construction of the Nandur Pradesh. Its six connected lakes are heavily reliant on
Madhameshwar Weir at the confluence of the monsoon rains. The sanctuary harbours threatened
Godavari and Kadwa Rivers helped create a species such as the endangered Egyptian vulture
thriving wetland and is a biodiversity hotspot. It also and Pallas’s fish eagle, and vulnerable common
provides sanctuary to critically endangered
pochard. At least 46 freshwater fish species use the
species including Deolali minnow, Indian
vulture and white-rumped vulture. wetland, with some migrating in from nearby rivers
during monsoon flood periods. The site provides food
Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve products and agricultural fodder, as well as
The Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve is located in maintaining this biodiversity.
the State of Punjab. The Reserve is a mosaic of natural
marshes, aquaculture ponds and agricultural wetlands Sandi Bird Sanctuary
maintained by the annual rainfall runoff. It is heavily Sandi Bird Sanctuary is a freshwater marsh in Uttar
human-influenced and includes a series of managed Pradesh. The wetland is typical of the Indo-Gangetic
fishponds and cultivated crops such lotus and plains and receives most of its water from monsoon
chestnut. This site is an example of wise use of a rains. Rich in aquatic plants, the site provides a
community-managed wetland, which provides productive habitat for waterfowl. It is home to
food for people and supports local common teal, red-crested pochard and
biodiversity.Threatened species present ferruginous duckand the vulnerable sarus
includethevulnerable common pochard and the crane.
endangered spotted pond turtle.
SarsaiNawarJheel
Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary Sarsai Nawar Jheel is a permanent marsh in Uttar
It is located in the Shiwalik foothills of Punjab is the Pradesh. This typical wetland of the Indo-Gangetic
highly eco-sensitive Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, which floodplain is fed by precipitation run-off from the
supports abundant flora and fauna including South West monsoon rains. It is an example of co-
threatened species, such as the endangered Indian habitation of humans and wildlife farming practices
across most of the site play important roles in
105
sustaining the water bird habitats. A particular offer exceptional habitats for water birds, providing
beneficiary is the vulnerable sarus crane with a both roosting and breeding sites. The sanctuary is a
population of 400 individuals making up the largest refuge for some of India‟s threatened vulture species
flock in the region. The site‟s name is derived from this the critically endangered white-rumped
large non-migratory crane. Other threatened species vulture and Indian vulture, and the
present include the critically endangered white- endangered Egyptian vulture have all been
rumped vulture and endangered woolly-necked recorded. It is also critical in the maintenance of
stork. hydrological regimes, ensuring groundwater recharge
and discharge.
The Saman Bird Sanctuary
It is a seasonal oxbow lake on the Ganges floodplain in Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
Uttar Pradesh. It is heavily reliant on the arrival of the It is a shallow marshland in Uttar Pradesh, which is
south-westerly monsoon in July and August, which fed by monsoon rains and the Sarda Canal supplies
provides the vast majority of annual rainfall. The additional water. The sanctuary supports recreation
Sanctuary regularly provides refuge to over 50,000 and tourism activities as well as local biodiversity. It is
water birds and is particularly important as a a haven for birds, with 25,000 water birds regularly
wintering site for many migrants including the greylag recorded. Among these are globally threatened species
goose. Vulnerable species including sarus crane including the endangered Egyptian vultureand
and greater spotted eagleare also found. Pallas’s fish eagleas well as the vulnerable
woolly-necked stork.
ParvatiArga Bird Sanctuary
It is a permanent freshwater environment consisting of FACT-FINDER
two oxbow lakes in Uttar Pradesh. These wetlands
Importance of Wetlands
Wetlands provide a wide range of important
resources and ecosystem services such as food,
water, fibre, groundwater recharge, water
purification, flood moderation, erosion control and
climate regulation.
They are, in fact, are a major source of water and our
main supply of freshwater comes from an array of
wetlands which help soak rainfall and recharge
groundwater.
Government’s efforts
In the recent past, Ministry of Environment, Forest
& Climate Change has prepared a four pronged
strategy for the restoration of wetlands which
includes
o Preparing a baseline data,
o Wetland health cards,
o Enlisting wetland mitras and
o Preparing targeted integrated management
plans.
Context
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) initiative to conserve the wetlands in Ganga River
under its Namami Gange program has taken up an Basin.
106
Primary objectives
Importance of these wetlands It is to rejuvenate the river through increasing its
They are highly productive ecosystems that
base flow and aquifers recharge and conservation of
support rich biodiversity and provide a wide
wetlands, which shall ultimately facilitate in
range of ecosystem services such as nutrient
fulfilling the goal of 'AviralDhara' of Namami Gange
recycling, water supply, purification and
waste assimilation. program, which is to maintain the environmental
They play a crucial role in recharging flow in the river.
groundwater, flood and drought mitigation,
Way Forward
increase the base flow of rivers and help in
Thus, gradually, ecosystem-based and community-
erosion control.
led models of rejuvenation of wetlands for
They are home to key flora and fauna, enhancing 'Aviralta' and 'Nirmalta' of the river and
including migratory species. water conservation in the Ganga basin are being
integrated into the Namami Gange Programme.
These shall ultimately result in more sustainable
Present condition of these wetlands
results and are thus this integrated approach is a
Some of these wetlands are threatened by step in the right direction and is the need of the
reclamation and degradation through drainage, hour.
landfill, and over-exploitation of their natural
resources.
This has resulted in loss of biodiversity and
disruption in ecosystem services provided by the
wetlands.
Context
In order to conserve wetlands across the country, They prohibits manufacture, handling, storage or
the centre has recently launched guidelines for disposal of construction and demolition waste,
hazardous substances, electronic waste, solid
implementation of Wetlands (Conservation and
waste dumping and discharge of untreated
Management) Rules, 2017. wastes and effluent from industries, cities, towns,
villages and other human settlements, within such
Salient features of the 2020 Guidelines bodies.
They provide for setting up an authority in They prohibit the conversion for non-
each state and Union Territory(to be headed by the wetland uses including encroachment of any
state or UT's environment minister) that will kind, besides setting up of any industry and
define strategies for conservation and wise use of expansion of existing industries within the notified
wetlands within their jurisdiction. wetlands.
The authority will also include one expert each The ministry has created a web portal on its
in the fields of wetland ecology, hydrology, website for sharing information regarding
fisheries, landscape planning and socioeconomics implementation of Wetlands Rules where the
to be nominated by the state government. central government, state governments and UTs
are required to upload all relevant information and
The authority shall prepare within three months
documents pertaining to wetlands in their
from the date of publication of these rules jurisdiction.
A list of all wetlands of the State or UT,
Develop a comprehensive list of
activities to be regulated and permitted
within the notified wetlands and
Their zone of influence.
The authority shall undertake measures for
enhancing awareness among stakeholders
and local communities on values and functions of
wetland.
107
What is in news?
The WEF has launched the 'One Trillion Trees Impact of the successful implementation of
Initiative' to grow, restore and conserve 1 trillion this initiative
trees across the world by 2030. This process of locking up carbon in the world‟s
This is a global initiative and is aimed at grasslands and forests will help reduce about one-
third of the emissions required to be cut by 2030
Slowing down climate change by removing large
amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; to meet the Paris Agreement targets. The
Restoring biodiversity; remaining emissions reductions could come from
Uniting governments, non-governmental the energy, heavy industry and finance sectors.
organisations, businesses and individuals in mass-
Inspiration
scale nature restoration;
The WEF launched the one trillion trees
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
initiative after gaining inspiration from a
Key actions to be undertaken globally presentation by Swiss ecologist Thomas Crowther
To unite and promote reforestation efforts at the organization's meeting in 2019 wherein he
worldwide. had highlighted in that there is enough land to
To mobilise funds and political support. accommodate 1.2 trillion more trees. He
To plant, restore and conserve trees and forests. emphasized that that planting over 1 trillion
To lock up carbon in the world‟s forests, additional trees will help cool the earth and reduce
grasslands and wetlands. atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations to
where they stood a century back.
Role of trees and forests for meeting global climate
goals This 1t.org initiative of the WEF has been designed
According to the 2019 Intergovernmental Panel on to support the UN Decade on Ecosystem
Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report, better land Restoration 2021-2030, led by United Nations
management can contribute to tackling climate Environment Programme (UNEP) and Food and
change, including through so called nature-based Agriculture Organization (FAO). 1t.org offers a
solutions (NBS) that lock up carbon in the world‟s platform for leading governments, businesses, civil
forests, grasslands and wetlands. NBS can provide up society and ecopreneurs committed to serving the
to one-third of the emissions reductions required by global trillion trees community.
2030 to meet the Paris Agreement targets.
The IPCC is however equally clear on NBS not being a
silver bullet and those reducing emission reductions
from all sectors is essential for meeting the targets of
the Paris Agreement. Indeed, to be effective climate
solutions, NBS such as forest restoration, forest
conservation, reforestation or natural regeneration
need to be part of a broader strategy to protect nature
and tackle climate change.
India has consciously chosen a path for phasing Twin environmental benefits ofHCFC Phase
out Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs). out Management Plan (HPMP)
Alongside this, India has also been a pioneer in 1. Assisting the healing of the stratospheric ozone
some cases in the use of technologies, which are layer, and
non-Ozone Depleting and have a low Global 2. (ii)Towards the climate change mitigation due to
Warming Potential (GWP). transitioning of foam manufacturing enterprises at
this scale under HPMP to low global warming
HCFC-141b isnot produced in India and all
potential alternative technologies.
domestic requirements of HCFC-141b so far had
been met through imports. Thus, in order to move Steps taken by government
towards environment friendly technologies, the The government took timely and adequate steps to
Ministry of EFoCC prohibited import of HCFC- ensure minimal dislocation in the affected sectors
141b. The order was issued according to Ozone and for enhancing the capacities of Micro, Small,
Depleting substances (Regulation and Control) and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in converting
amendment rules, 2019. The rules were issued to low-GWP non-ODS technologies, training and
under Environment (Protection) act, 1986. awareness programmes on non ODS and low GWP
alternatives to HCFCs such as - Adequate tie-ups
HCFC Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) with system houses, laboratories for getting their
Since, close to 50 % of the consumption of ozone material tested, etc, organizing study tours, field
depleting chemicals in the country being visits, etc.
attributable to HCFC-141 b in the foam sector, the The Ozone Cell, MoEF&CC entered into a MOA
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate with the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering &
Change adopted a structured approach to engage Technology, Department of Chemicals
with foam manufacturing enterprises for providing &Petrochemicals to facilitate the transition and
technical and financial assistance in order to hand-holding foam manufacturing enterprises and
transition to non-ODS and low GWP technologies provided-Technology workshops, field trials, on-
under HCFC Phase out Management Plan site demonstration and support, practical hands on
(HPMP). training and product validation will be provided.
Because of these efforts, enterprises which have
The results have been very encouraging as the
been already assisted for stabilizing alternative
complete phase out of HCFC 141 b from India is
technologies have been able to move towards
among the first at this scale among developing
adoption of alternatives at commercial scale.
countries under the Montreal
Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol was signed by 190
countries in 1987 to phase out Ozone
Depleting Substances. In pursuance of the
targets under this protocol, India launched
a phase out plan in 2017. It is highly
commendable that India achieved the goal
in 2020
Protocol itself, which is far ahead of the
deadline of 2023 under the phase out plan.
What is in News?
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate to anthrax was in Odisha‟s eastern range. This
Change (MoEF&CC) has formulated new standard incident had acted as the trigger to form this SOP.
operating procedure (SOP) for elephant deaths due
to anthrax. Key Recommendations
Rules have been laid down for the constitution of a
The deaths of elephants due to anthrax are not
team to oversee assessment and disposal of
widespread and the last death of an elephant due
109
Context
The population of the saltwater or estuarine The Park is the second largest mangrove ecosystem
crocodile has increased in the water bodies of in India.
Odisha‟s Bhitarkanika National Park and its The site's Gahirmatha beach is said to host the
nearby areas in Kendrapara district. There has largest known Olive Ridley sea turtle nesting beach
been an increase of 15 saltwater crocodiles and this in the world.
year‟s annual reptile census pegged their numbers The site has the highest density of saltwater
at 1,757 as compared to 1,742 crocodiles in the crocodile in the country.
area. It is a major breeding and wintering place for
Under the Red List of Threatened Species of many resident and migratory water birds and is
the east coast's major nursery for brackish water
IUCN, salt water crocodile has the status of Least
and estuarine fish fauna.
Concern.
The Fauna of the park includes saltwater crocodile,
About Bhitarkanika National Park black ibis, Indian Python, wild boar, cobra, darter,
It is a Ramsar site since 2002. It was the second monitor lizard, etc.
area to get the status after Chilika Lake.
The appearance of
unusually high
numbers of dead birds
washed up on the
shoreline is referred to
as a “wreck”.
113
The report found that, for the first time in its 15- Human-made environmental damage and
year history, the environment filled the top five disasters, including environmental crime, such as
places in the list of concerns likely to have a major oil spills and radioactive contamination.
impact over the next decade. Major biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse
with irreversible consequences for the
The top five risks in terms of likelihood in the environment, resulting in severely depleted
next 10 years were resources for humankind as well as industries.
Extreme weather events with major damage to Major natural disasters such as earthquakes,
property, infrastructure and loss of human life. tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and geomagnetic
Failure of climate-change mitigation and storms.
adaptation by governments and businesses.
Report
115
Suggestions
Unless stakeholders adapt to “today‟s epochal There is an urgent need to adapt faster to avoid the
power-shift” and geopolitical turbulence – while worst and irreversible impacts of climate change
still preparing for the future – time will run out to and to do more to protect the planet‟s biodiversity.
address some of the most pressing economic, Systems-level thinking is required to confront
environmental and technological challenges. looming geopolitical and environmental risks, and
Swift multi-stakeholder action is required quickly threats that may otherwise fall under the radar
to mitigate against the worst outcomes and build
resilience across communities and businesses.
The Supreme Court order reads as follows operations, undertake re-grassing the mining
“…We are hereby directing the Union of India to area and any other area which may have been
impose a condition in the mining lease and a disturbed due to their mining activities and
similar condition in the environmental clearance restore the land to a condition which is fit for
and the mining plan to the effect that the mining growth of fodder, flora, fauna, etc…..”
lease holders shall, after ceasing mining
Context
About the FAC
The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has
The Forest Advisory Committee is a key
approved the Green Credit Scheme that could
statutory body, which considers
allow “FORESTS” to be traded as a questions on the diversion of forest land
COMMODITY. for non-forest uses such as mining,
Upon implementation, it shall allow the Forest industrial projects, townships and advises
Department to outsource one of its responsibilities the government on the issue of granting
of reforesting to non-government agencies. forest clearances.
It comprises official members, and three
independent experts, who are the non-
Current system official members.
The industry needs to make good the loss of forest It was constituted by the Forest
by finding appropriate non-forest land equal to (Conservation) Act 1980 and comes
that which would be razed. under the Ministry of Environment,
It also must pay the State Forest Department the Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
current economic equivalent, called Net Present to the Forest Department and be recorded as forest
Value of the forest land. land.
After that it is responsibility of the Forest It is called a Green „Credit‟ Scheme as the
Department to grow appropriate vegetation that, participating agency will be free to trade its asset
over time, would grow into forests. that is plantation, in parcels with project
proponents who need forest land.
AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRES
GS-III ENVIRONMENT
Context
Australia faced a devastating start to its fire season Dry leaves, grass, shrubs, deadwood etc. are easily
in late 2019, and things swiftly got worse before combustible.
rains helped contain many of the worst fires in Ignition happens naturally, from lightning strikes
February 2020. for example, or accidentally, from sources such as
cigarette stubs.
Reasons for the fires being unprecedented Suitable speed and direction of wind helps spread
a forest fire faster.
Although bushfires are common occurrences in
Australia during the summer season, but the scale
Special causes that contributed to Australian
and intensity this year had been extraordinary and bushfires
nearly 12 million acres burned by the fires. Several record-breaking weather conditions are
The three factors of very high temperatures, believed to have contributed to this unprecedented
extended drought period(driest spring on record)
wave of forest fires.
and strong winds (spreads the bushfires)
converged to create disastrous fire conditions. 2019 happened to be the warmest and driest
year for the country since 1900.
Common causes of forest fires Daytime temperatures were, on an average, 2°C
Forest fires are a routine occurrence across the higher than normal, while average rainfall for
world in hot and dry seasons. the country was 40% below normal.
Heat and dryness are the key preconditions for strong winds can badly disorient them, and mass
the ignition and spread of forest fires. bird deaths in severe bushfires are
The problem further got compounded by the common.Numerous dead birds including
presence of one of the strongest-ever positive rainbow lorikeets and yellow-tailed black-
Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events. This year,
cockatoos washed up on the beach at Mallacoota
the eastern Indian Ocean had been unusually cold,
and that contributed to the rainfall deficiency over in Victoria.
Australia.
Soil moisture levelsin the areas most affected
Damage lasts decades
by the fires were at historic lows.
Fire impacts are deeply felt in the longer term.
A rare stratospheric warming over
Many habitat features needed by wildlife, such as
Antarctica could have further contributed to the
tree and log hollows, nectar-bearing shrubs and a
unusual heat and dryness in Australia.
deep ground layer of fallen leaves, may not develop
for decades.
Impact of Australian Bushfires on In a matter of weeks, the fires subverted decades of
wildlife and threatened species dedicated conservation efforts for many
threatened species.
Animals
Koalas Way Forward
Australia may declare Koalas as an “endangered” Increasingly severe drought and extreme heat,
species after their population suffered associated with global warming, are the immediate
“extraordinary hit” in the bushfire crisis, which causes of these wildfires and their ferocity. To
destroyed 30% of their habitat across the country. prevent this fire-ravaged summer becoming the
The decision in this regard is still pending. new normal, drastic measures need to be taken to
tackle climate change.
Plants
Many threatened plants are also affected in NSW,
fires around Batemans Bay have burnt some of the Indian Ocean Dipole
few sites known for the threatened Spring It is the difference in sea-surface
midge orchid. temperatures in the eastern and western
Indian Ocean, which either aids or cuts off
Birds moisture supply to Australia, depending on
One might think birds and other fast-moving whether the western Indian Ocean is cooler
animals can easily escape fires. But smoke and or the eastern.
FACT-FINDER
119
AFSPA IN MANIPUR
GS-III SECURITY
Context
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has said
the law and order situation in the State has
improved in recent years, but it is still not
conducive to repeal the Armed Forces (Special
Powers) Act.
AFSPA in Manipur
Insurgency-related violence has decreased in the
State during the last three years. But still State will
wait for a better situation so that the AFSPA can be
repealed. Counter terrorist operations often undertaken in
It was imposed in Manipur in 1980 when the State good faith lead to a lot of collateral damage.
was a hotbed of insurgency. Act makes no distinction between a peaceful
Total of 233 insurgency-linked incidents were gathering an d a berserk mob.
reported in 2016, which came down to 167 in 2017 Decision of a govt to declare a particular area as
and 127 in 2018. disturbed cannot be challenged in court of
Special powers given under AFSPA law.
Search, seizure or arrest of anyone or any premise Violation of Article 14 (Equality before the law or
without a warrant. equal protection of the laws within the territory of
No inquiry against the members of armed forces India) and Article 21 (Guarantees the protection of
for violation of human rights without the life and personal liberty to every individual and
permission of central govt. states).
Gathering of more than 5 people can be dispersed
by armed forces using the force. (Peaceful or Arguments for retention of AFSPA
violent: non-mention of it). Supreme Court view: AFSPA is not volatile of
People residing in the AFSPA enacted areas need Indian constitution. Promulgation of AFSPA is
the permission of central govt in order to approach only carried out in circumstances when terror
Supreme Court for constitutional remedies under
groups are adversely affecting harmony in the
art 32.
society. Argument that AFSPA grants arbitrary
Provision of application and revocation powers to armed forces is an over exaggeration.
Section (3) of the AFSPA Act empowers the Misuse of assembly of people to foment trouble
governor of the state or Union territory to that AFSPA tries to address.
issue an official notification on The Gazette of Even the provision of arrest and search under the
India, following which the centre has the act is as per the constitution. As the arrested
authority to send in armed forces for civilian aid. person has to be handed over to the civil police
Once declared „disturbed‟, the region has to within a stipulated time frame.
maintain status quo for a minimum of three The provision for approval from central govt is in
months, according to The Disturbed Areas (Special good faith and not for blanked immunity.
Courts) Act, 1976.
Legal authority for army is necessary to fight
The state governments, as in Tripura‟s case, can
terrorism.
suggest whether the Act is required to be enforced
or not. Mere dilution of act can have serious repercussions
But under Section (3) of the Act, their opinion can at an operational level and can result in loss of
still be overruled by the governor or the centre. morale among the security forces.
A weak legal backing can strengthen the insurgent
Arguments for repealing AFSPA groups leading to frivolous allegations against the
Increased militarisation of an area creates a military leadership who would have to appear
detrimental atmosphere that ends up creating more often in courts than in leading the counter
people protest against the state.
terrorist operations.
Both state and non-state actors violate human
right in AFSPA controlled areas.
120
Context
The Army is likely to sign a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) in a month for the
procurement of over 7.5 lakh AK-203 assault rifles,
which are to be manufactured locally by an India-
Russia joint venture (JV).
About the JV
The rifles will be manufactured by the Indo-
Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) at Korwa
in Uttar Pradesh.
The facility is being set up between the Ordnance
Factories Board (OFB) from the Indian side and
Rosoboron Exports and Kalashnikov on the
Russian side.
The OFB owns 50.5% equity and Russian side
holds the remaining 49.5%.
Significance
100% indigenisation of the rifle. Thus, will boost
the „Make in India” in Defense sector.
Export of the rifles from IRRPL to other friendly
countries will help to earn dollars.
It will be helpful to replace the indigenous INSAS
(Indian National Small Arms System) rifles in use
with a modern rifle.
121
Context
IT ministry draft rules
In a landmark ruling earlier this month, India‟s
Rules require platforms to act on government
Supreme Court held that citizens‟ right to freedom
demands in just 24 hours, with no mechanism to
of speech and rights to carry out business using the correct mistakes or clarify confusing orders.
internet are constitutionally protected. The Rules also require platforms to build
“automated tools” to proactively police and remove
Supreme court verdict in Shreya Singhal case internet users‟ speech.
Court defined key rules for the relationship It is based on about the potential of technologies
between democratic governments and commercial like Artificial Intelligence.
internet platforms.
The case called on courts and government agencies Challenges in automated filtering
— not companies like Google or Facebook — to Software filters are no substitute for human
decide what speech and information violates the judgement — much less for proper review by
law and must be removed from public view on the courts or government authorities.
internet. Filters cannot understand the context in which
It clarified that competent public authorities, not material appears. for example — a terrorist
private platforms, should sit in judgement when recruitment video, we cannot expect it to
online speech is alleged to violate the law. understand or protect speech that uses the same
In practice, this has allowed platforms to enforce material in important new contexts, like news
their terms of service, while ensuring that only reporting or scholarship.
courts and government authorities decide what Filtering mandates raise equally serious concerns
speech and information is prohibited by law. about economic development and innovation.
It corrected a serious problem with platforms‟ Start-ups and small platforms cannot afford to
incentives to remove lawful content from the invest $100 million in filtering technologies, as
internet. YouTube says it has done.
Applying new removal obligations only to large
Issues with Platforms removing the content companies might ease some of these problems, but
Claims of illegal speech are false, intended to would distort incentives for mid-sized and growing
manipulate platforms into silencing particular platforms.
speakers.
Some seek to suppress important online speech,
like reporting on police brutality or scientific
research.
Others come from businesses trying to harm their
competitors.
BRU SETTLEMENT
GS-III SECURITY
Context
Centre and Assam governments and the NDFB‟s the Bodos.
Saoraigwra faction, or NDFB-S, signed a tripartite
Bodos — the largest plains tribe in the
agreement in New Delhi for the cessation of
Northeast.
operations. The truce was signed within a week of 50 members
of the NDFB-S crossing over to India from their
Details hideouts in Myanmar.
The National Democratic Front of Bodoland is an Bhutan used to be the base of the unified NDFB
armed separatist outfit, which seeks to obtain a until December 2003 when a joint India-Bhutan
sovereign Bodoland for the Bodo people. It is military operation flushed their cadre out.
designated as a terrorist organisation by the The peace deal with NDFB-S leaves the ULFA-
Government of India. NDFB traces its origin to Independent as the only recognised extremist
Bodo Security Force, a militant group formed in group in Assam.
1986.
The NDFB-S is the third and last faction of the
outfit that was formed more than three decades
Agofor establishing a sovereign homeland for
124
Context
India successfully test-fires 3,500-km range Organisation (DRDO) from a submerged pontoon
submarine-launched ballistic missile K-4. off the Visakhapatnam coast carried out the test.
Details of the test There are very few countries, which have managed
The Defence Research and Development to achieve this technological breakthrough.
125
SUBMARINE PROJECT
GS-III SECURITY
Now, Chief of Defense Staffs is also a member Decisions regarding Transfer of Technology
of DAC. under 'Buy & Make' category of acquisition
proposals;
The functions of the DAC include
Field Trial evaluation.
In-principle approval of 15 Year Long-Term
Integrated Perspective Plan for Defence
About Project-75i
Forces;
The Project 75I-class submarine is a follow-on
Accord of Acceptance of Necessity to
of the Project 75 Kalvari-class submarines for
acquisition proposals;
the Indian Navy.
Categorization of the acquisition proposals
Under this project, the Indian Navy intends to
relating to 'Buy', 'Buy & Make' and 'Make';
acquire six diesel-electric submarines, which
Issues relating to Single vendor clearance;
will also feature advanced air-independent
Decision regarding 'offset' provisions in propulsion systems to enable them to stay
respect of acquisition proposals above Rs. 300 submerged for longer duration and
crores; substantially increase their operational range.
All six submarines are expected to be
constructed in Indian shipyards.
A-SAT MISSILE
GS-III SECURITY
Bodo demands
They have been demanding a separate land for the
ethnic community since 1972.
They have been demanding better social, political
and economic conditions since independence.
The Bodos feel that they have been neglected and However, since Bodo villages are not contiguous,
exploited by the Assamese. the demarcation of the jurisdiction of the BAC has
remained a problem.
Bodo Insurgency Both the NDFB and the BLTF have condemned the
The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) was formed Bodo Accord, and have, since the mid-1990s, been
in 1967 to represent the Bodo cause. engaged in a campaign of violence directed against
The BSF (Bodo Security Force), later renamed the other ethnic groups within „Bodo areas‟.
National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB),
resorted to terrorism in order to secure an Challenges of Bodo Agreement
„independent Bodo nation‟ north of the river Even as the government takes a call on those
Brahmaputra. involved in heinous crimes, it has been an uphill
A very large proportion of violent activities in the task to rehabilitate other cadres.
State, including killings, explosions, arson and Peace in the region will depend on the relationship
attacks on police stations have been carried out by between Bodos and other non-bodos people
the NDFB. residing in the area.
This is an organised and well-trained militant The accord‟s success will lie in the stakeholders
group with a strength of about 900. working out a power-sharing arrangement in the
Large-scale attacks were carried out against proposed BTR that privileges equity over
Santhaltribals in May 1996, displacing tens of hegemony.
thousands of people.
Early Accord
An accord was signed on February 20, 1993,
between the Government of India, the Government
of Assam and Bodo leaders, creating the Bodoland
Autonomous Council (BAC) within Assam.
K9-VAJRA-T GUN
GS-III SECURITY
In News : Naseem-Al-Bahr:
Naseem-Al-Bahr' (or sea breeze) is a naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy
of Oman RNO, being conducted since 1993.
Indian Navy ships Beas and Subhadra are participating in it, with harbour phase in Goa followed by
sea phase off the Goa coast.
The ships will conduct subject matter expert exchanges on professional topics.
The harbour phase also includes sports activities between the Indian Navy and the RNO personnel,
reciprocal receptions and planning conferences for the sea phase of the exercise.
129
Introduction
Terrorism in its various hues is a serious problem security, a balance has to be struck between them.
plaguing the world now. India has also been in the
cross hairs of terrorists since long. To truly Administrative and Legal Fallout of
understand the meaning of terrorism, it needs to Encounters:
be differentiated from force and violence with Operations of security forces against terrorists lead
which it is often associated. Force involving to varied outcomes. A terrorist may be captured
elements of compulsion or coercion is socially during surveillance or investigations. He may be
acceptable as when a judge awards a prison charged for serious offences. Then he becomes
sentence to a criminal. Violence, which involves entitled to fair trial, due process of law and all the
force and physical injury, is justified in individual judicial safeguards available to ordinary criminals.
self-defence and or when a nation fights its The standard of evidence for proving guilt is as
invaders. However,this justification does not hold high as in ordinary crimes. However, it is natural
ground for achieving political and social ends. that few witnesses would like to risk their lives by
deposing against the accused.
Attributes of Terrorism Terrorists are not treated as enemy agents.
The main attributes of terrorism are: Although, terrorism is considered aform of
A type of violence harming people and damaging warfare, terrorists are covered (asymmetrically)
property under ordinary law like other criminals.
Specific use of violence for achieving social and Often, encounters take place between security
political ends personnel and terrorists with casualties on both
Creating great fear, alarm and a sense of panic sides. In these encounters, lives of soldiers are
among people greatly imperilled. They have to observe prescribed
Reliance on random or arbitrary use of violence rules of engagement while fighting terrorists in
Targeting innocent people or non-combatants encounters. If terrorists die, they cannot be tried.
It is noteworthy that terrorism is warfare and aims However, at times, relatives of deceased terrorists
at undermining peoples‟ will and belief in their and activists file criminal charges like murder
way of living. Ordinary people usually condemn against men conducting operations. Existing laws
terrorism. This attitude is part of common sense. partly insulate government servants, including
Virtually no ethical theory supports terrorism. security personnel, from culpability for acts done
in good faith in line of duty.
Terrorism and State Action Terrorist deaths in encounters create uproar in
In India, terrorism has diverse origins and aims. media and activist community. Encounters are
Whatever its form, terrorism questions the often depicted as brutal suppressions of human
legitimacy of the state and its instrumentalities. It rights, security forces as cold blooded killers, and
regards security forces and law and order terrorists as innocent, harmless individuals or
machinery as oppressors and enemies. Terrorists martyrs fighting for a cause. Soldiers sometimes
engage security forces in war-like operations. err and deplorably kill innocents. Army should do
Naxalites espouse what they consider as economic its best to avoid such lapses. However, critics also
justice agenda. Terrorism in J&K is externally need to place themselves in the shoes of soldiers.
sponsored. In the north-east, it is linked to local In the fire and smoke of battle, in the heat of the
identities. moment, while staring death in face and
After Independence, government took measures to remembering loved ones back home, soldiers may
tackle terrorism and secessionist movements with overreact. Only better training and experience in
almost universal support. There were occasional handling such situations can improve their
reports about the excesses of army and/or responses.
paramilitary forces in North-East. However, However, many well-meaning individuals overlook
gradually disquiet arose in some quarters over the the grave risks, which soldiers face. They have a
means being used for handling terrorists. The right to self-defence even under strict moral codes.
roots of such disquiet and the groups, which They cannot be expected to fight with hands tied
articulate it, need to be considered. Some people behind their back. They face real time situations
feel that anti-terrorist operations violate liberal, whose essence can be summed up as “Kill or be
democratic, humanist and legal norms. However, killed”. They are tackling battle hardened
as there is a trade-off between these norms and the terrorists, and not pickpockets or fellows whistling
requirements of national at girls walking on the street. They have to act fast,
and cannot calculate carefully „the quantum of
130
appropriate force‟. In such situations, soldiers are to terrorists who are captured and tried in courts.
likely to keep firing until guns on the other side However, if they are awarded death penalty after
become silent. due legal process, there should be no uproar about
Nowadays, many activists and academics argue for it.
abolition of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act
(AFSPA). However, its abolition will expose Equity and Reciprocity
soldiers to a dual risk: the risks in armed Principles of equity and reciprocity are also
encounters; and prosecutions and imprisonment. relevant in this context. John Rawls characterized
Withdrawing protection to soldiers fighting “Justice as a cooperative venture for mutual
arduous battles will be most unjust. It will prevent benefit”. All members of society, which adopts a
them from acting fearlessly. No disciplined soldier system of justice, should abide by its rules.
will „take it easy‟, and let terrorist-driven events Otherwise, besides being iniquitous, it will break
run their course. However, withdrawal of legal down. If any individuals or groups are disinclined
cover will definitely undermine his/her morale. to abide by constitutional arrangement, they
cannot still claim its benefits. They automatically
Human Rights forfeit such rights. Giving full benefits of such
There is a tendency to regard human rights and rights to them is injustice to other law abiding
civil liberties as absolute, unbridgeable and citizens.
inviolable. This amounts to impracticable moral or
legal absolutism. Rights and liberties have to be Protecting the Nation
balanced against equally valued national Obviously, no one will deny the need for individual
objectives. Our Constitution permits reasonable liberties to protect law-abiding citizens against
restrictions on fundamental rights. Accordingly, governmental overreach. However, this principle
courts watered down the right to property. The works ideally in a normally functioning democracy
right to equality is diluted for accommodating in ordinary times. However, when the even tenor
policies providing reservations and other benefits of ordinary life is disturbed and when armed
to groups considered as victims of past injustice or groups intent on insurrection challenge the state,
prejudice. Similar logic would allow reasonable restrictions on individual liberties become
restrictions on civil liberties for fighting terrorism. unavoidable. There are many historical examples,
which show that even established democratic
Moral Standing of Terrorists states had to restrict individual liberties during
Opposition of human rights groups to cruel wars and similar emergencies.
treatment of terrorists is valid though by any moral The first duty of the state is protect a nation‟s
criteria terrorists stand condemned. They integrity, and to this end, it has to take all
nevertheless have moral status or moral standing. necessary measures. If a state loses to its armed
According to Kantianism and natural law ethics, enemies, there will be nothing left---neither
the human rights of terrorists have to be respected. constitution, nor order nor citizenry. This is not an
Human rights are the rights we possess simply by alarmist view. Contemporary world has seen the
virtue of our nature or humanity and we retain disappearance of many states. In addition,
them throughout our lives. A killer acts wrongly complete anarchy and total civil disorder now
without thereby losing his moral standing. He prevail in many other nations.
should not be tortured or mutilated. This applies
realised in each of these cases; and the resembles animals in having appetites, sensations
accompanying feeling of self-realisation is and mental images. However, all these, and
therefore different. everything else in man‟s nature, are modified by
Thus, some or the other form of self-realisation, his reason. This is because man is rational, self-
i.e. some form of the development of conscious, and spiritual. This is the essential
character,constitutes the moral ideal. The end is aspect of human nature. The significance of the
seen as moral perfection than as happiness. Moral moral life consists in the constant endeavour to
life is viewed as a process of growth. According to make this principle more and more explicit - to
Green, the essential element in the nature of man bring out more and more completely our rational,
is the rational or spiritual principle. Man self-conscious, spiritual nature.
HOMOSEXUALITY
GS-IV ETHICS
Introduction
Human beings feel a natural sexual attraction for commands, homosexuality still violates moral
members of their opposite sex. This is commonly principles, which most religions uphold. Marriage
taken as a universal norm. However, some men between sexes and rearing of children within
(called homosexual or gay) are sexually attracted families are important institutions. They not only
towards other men. Similarly, some women regulate sexual behaviour but also ensure rearing
(known as lesbians) are sexually attracted not of children in congenial and moral home
towards men but to women. environment. Homosexuality will destroy these
Religious and social customs have generally anchors of stable social life.
condemned homosexuality. For example, the Bible Homosexuality sets a bad example for children by
enjoins upon men and women, “Be fruitful and undermining conventional family and cultural
multiply”. Obviously, no conception results from values. If,homosexual behaviour is instilled in
homosexuality, unlike in heterosexuality-union children, and if it becomes widespread, humanity
between persons of opposite sexes. The Bible will not survive. Even if this fear may seem
denounces homosexuality as „an abomination‟. farfetched, there are real dangers of homosexuals
Hinduism and other religions regard marriage and assaulting children.
procreation as essential stages of human life. Many people believe that homosexual practices
Although homosexuality was known from early have led to rapid spread of HIV and AIDS.
human history, it carried strong social stigma. Homosexuals are officially recognised as high risk
Many societies, consider it a crime. Homosexuals groups in spreading HIV and AIDS. Hence,
used to inhabit a dark, shadowy world. In earlier homosexuality is not merely a private but also a
times, if homosexuality of an individual became public health risk.
known, he was publicly denounced. Oscar Wilde, a We all live in society, whichis predominantly
famous literary figure, was imprisoned for his heterosexual. To be honest, most people react to
homosexual. Others such as E.M. Forester and homosexuality with revulsion and distaste.
Andre Gide had to hide their homosexuality. In Homosexuality is confined to a miniscule minority.
western society, homosexuality is no longer a There is no warrant to treat it as a main stream
taboo. To a great extent, prejudices against phenomenon.
homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender On these grounds, it is argued that homosexuality
(neither male nor female) are waning. Many states should be prohibited in order to protect children
in USA allow same sex marriages. and families, cultural and moral values and in
In spite of such changing attitudes, homosexuals order to ensure human survival.
still face many problems. In India, homosexuality
used to be a crime, but recently it is Arguments in Favour of Homosexuality
decriminalised, however, the change at the society Homosexuality is neither unnatural nor immoral.
level will only happen gradually. It is how some persons are sexually endowed by
nature. It should not be considered as aberrant or
Arguments against Homosexuality deviant behaviour. Psychologists are not agreed on
Homosexuality is unnatural and perverse. It whether homosexuality is abnormal or normal in
violates the natural mode of propagation of human some circumstances. American Psychological
species. Therefore, homosexuality is against the Association has removed homosexuality from its
laws of nature; it militates against the morals of list of mental diseases.
nature. Just because a society is predominantly
Homosexuality is against divine commands. Even heterosexual, homosexuals cannot be labelled as
if we question the divine origin of moral immoral. No such conclusion can be validly drawn.
132
No divine commands can be actually proved for homosexuals have adopted protective practices
there can never be any empirical evidence for and have greatly reduced risk of spreading HIV
them. They are matters of religious faith. They may and Aids. They acted far more responsibly than
be accepted by believers of a particular religion, drug addicts did in this regard.
but do not bind followers of other religions or Acceptance of homosexuality does not imply
agnostics or atheists. condoning sexual assaults on children. In fact,
It is true that prudent rules of behaviour or of most child sex predators are heterosexuals. This is
husbanding resources can be drawn from nature. a matter of moral depravity, which is unconnected
However, they carry no compelling force of logical with homosexuality.
demonstration. Further, it is impermissible to Homosexuality is not a threat to family values.
derive moral principles from facts of nature. This Many gay and lesbian couples in USA are adopting
is known as the error of trying to draw moral children. They are raising them in healthy home
conclusions from factual premises or values from environment. Many US States have legalized such
facts. marriages.
Homosexuality is practised between consenting Homosexuals are human beings, and part of our
adults who are supposed to know what is good for moral community. The fact that their sexual
them. As long as such behaviour does not harm orientation or behaviour differs from that of others
others, no objections can be made against it. The should be no bar to their right of humane
spread of HIV and AIDS through homosexual treatment.
contacts was due to ignorance of the homosexuals
about risks of such contacts. Thereafter,
FACT-FINDER
133
1. Provisions for the formation of “State Select the correct option using the code given
Food Commission” are inbuilt in the below.
“National Food Security Act (NFSA)”. (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only
Which of the following is/are the (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 3 only
function(s) of “State Food Commission”?
1. Suo Motu inquiry into violation of 6. Consider the following statements about
entitlement to the beneficiaries. the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting
2. Giving advice to the state government on (BEPS)
effective implementation of NFSA. 1. It is a process in which companies avoid
3. Hearing appeals against the orders of the taxes by basing themselves in low-tax
district grievance redressal officer jurisdiction.
4. Preparing annual reports that shall be laid 2. Google Tax informally aims to combat
before the state legislature by the state BEPS.
government. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Select the correct option using the codes given (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
below. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) 1 2 and 3 (b) 2 3 and 4
(c) 1 only (d) All of the Above 7. “World Population Prospects" report is
released by which of the following?
2. Arrange the following islands/countries (a) WHO
from East to West (b) International Population Foundation
1. Diego Garcia Island (c) United Nations
2. Vanuatu Island (d) Red cross
3. Tulagi Island
Select the correct option using the codes given 8. Which of the following is/are the
below. initiative(s) of FSSAI (Food Safety and
(a) 2-1-3 (b) 2-3-1 Standards Authority of India)?
(c) 3-2-1 (d) 3-1-2 1. Eat Right Movement
2. Plan Bee
3. Consider the following statements with 3. National Milk Quality Survey
reference to newly formed Department of 4. RUCO
Military Affairs (DMA). Select the correct option using the codes given
1. It is headed by Chief of the Defence Staff below.
(CDS) (a) 1 and 4 only (b) 2 3 and 4
2. It is the only department in the Ministry of (c) 1 3 and 4 (d) 1 only
Defense.
Select the correct option using the codes given 9. Consider the following statements about
below. Blue Chip stocks/funds.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only 1. These belong to the companies, which are
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 mostly focused on hiring blue collar
workers.
4. “Sunabeda Tiger Reserve” is located in 2. Such stocks give high return in normal
which of the following state? conditions.
(a) Odisha Which of the statement(s) given above is/are
(b) Assam correct?
(c) Chhattisgarh (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(d) Maharashtra (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
5. Which of the following statements about 10. Consider the following statements about
the Ilbert Bill (1883) is/are correct? the Brahmo Samaj Movement.
1. It aimed to abolish the dual system of law 1. It opposed idolatry.
courts. 2. It denied the need for a priestly class for
2. The proposed Bill generated opposition from interpreting the religious texts.
England's European subjects in India. 3. It popularized the doctrine that the Vedas
3. In spite of opposition to the Bill, it was are infallible.
passed without any modifications. 4. It accepted the doctrine of karma.
Which of the above is/are correct?
134
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 2 and 4 16. Consider the following statements about
(c) 3 only (d) All of the Above the “Ultrasonography”.
1. It uses the radio waves to diagnose the
11. Which of the following cities belong to internal body structures.
Iraq? 2. The waves utilized in the Ultrasonography
1. Mosul have frequencies higher than those audible
2. Amarah to humans.
3. Tikrit Which of the statements given above is/are
4. Raqqa correct?
Select the correct option suing the codes given (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
below. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) 1 2 and 3 (b) 2 3 and 4
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1 only 17. Which of the following is incorrect about
the “Pongal Festival”?
12. Consider the following statements with (a) It is a harvest festival
reference to “Cancun Agreement.” (b) It is celebrated in Tamil Nadu
1. It was the part of (Conference of parties) (c) Pongal also happens to be the name of a
COP 23 to the UNFCCC. dish consumed during this festive time
2. It violated the right of developing countries (d) None of the Above
to grow with an equal access to “global
carbon space”. 18. “MILAN 2020” recently in the news is?
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct? (a) A Cultural festival to showcase the rich
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only cultural heritage of tribal artisans
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (b) An International Naval Event
(c) A joint program of Ministry of tourism and
13. Consider the following statements with Ministry of culture to promote religious
reference to the concept of “Circular harmony
Economy”. (d) An initiative by the army in J&K to educate
1. Circular Economy is aimed at eliminating the young children.
waste, and the continual use of resources.
2. Source segregation, recycling and reuse, 19. Which among the following were
would help the Circular Economy. considered as part of the drain as put
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct? forward by the “Drain Theory” of Early
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only Nationalists?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 1. Salaries of British civil and military officials
working in India
14. Consider the following statements about 2. Interest on loans taken by the Indian
the “Operation Muskaan (Smile)”? Government
1. It aims to uplift the weaker section of 3. Profits of British capitalists in India
society with the help of Self-Help Groups. 4. Salaries of Indian Civil Servants serving the
2. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Social British
Justice and Empowerment. Select the correct option using the codes given
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct? below.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 2 and 3
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (c) 2 3 and 4 (d) 1 and 3 only
15. Which of the following is/are incorrect 20. Consider the following statements with
about the Geostationary Orbit? reference to the “Mining Sector in
(a) It is also referred to as a geosynchronous India”.
equatorial orbit (GEO). 1. Private companies are not allowed to sell the
(b) It lies at 35786 kilometers above Earth's coal in India.
equator 2. Foreign companies with Indian Registration
(c) A satellite in GEO covers a third of the earth are allowed in the mining sector
below 3. Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance
(d) None of the Above 2020, will help in reducing Indian coal
imports.
135
4. The companies which are not engaged in Select the correct option using the codes given
any coal-use industry can also participate in below.
auctions. (a) 1 2 3 and 4 (b) 1 2 and 5
Which of the statements given above is/are (c) 2 and 3 only (d) All of the Above
correct?
(a) 2 and 4 only (b) 2 3 and 4 only 25. Which of the following is/are the
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1 and 2 only qualifications prescribed for being “Voter
in India”?
21. Consider the following statements about 1. One must have attained 18 years of age.
the “Local Self-Government in India”. 2. One must be a citizen of India
1. Local self-government was highly successful 3. One must have an Aadhar Card
in India, after the Lord Ripon‟s effort. 4. One must not have been declared bankrupt
2. Council of India Act 1892, hiked the by a competent court.
Chaukidari tax in Bengal. 5. One must not be of unsound mind.
Which of the statements given above is/are Select the correct option using the codes given
correct? below.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (a) 1 only (b) 1 3 4 and 5
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1 2 4 and 5
22. Consider the following statements with 26. Which of the following statements is/are
reference to the “Access to Internet” in incorrect about the Round Table
India. Conference (RTC)?
1. Conducting business on the Internet is a (a) First round table conference was initially
fundamental right. between the British and the Indian as
2. United Nations has recommended that every equals
country should make access to Internet a (b) The aim of the conference was to discuss
fundamental right. the Simon Commission‟s Report.
3. A non-citizen can claim “Access to Internet” (c) In the Third Round Table Conference; Dr.
as her fundamental right. Ambedkar demanded separate electorates
4. Goa had become the first state in India to for the depressed classes.
declare “access to Internet”, "a basic human (d) The Indian National Congress did not take
right". part in the Third Round Table Conference.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct? 27. With reference to “climate change”,
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 and 4 only consider the following statements.
(c) 1 2 and 3 (d) All of the Above 1. 2010-2019 has been recorded as the hottest
decade of India since 1901.
23. Consider the following statements about 2. More than 50% of Indian population lives
the people belonging to the “Chakma and under „day zero situation‟.
Hajong” ethnicity. 3. NABARD has been accredited by the Green
1. They were among the earliest persecuted Climate Fund as a national implementing
groups to have fled the then East Pakistan. entity for undertaking climate change
2. Chakmas are predominantly Hindus, while related projects in India.
Hajongs are Buddhists. Which of the statements given above is/are
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) All of the Above
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
28. Consider the following statements about
24. Which of the following is/are the the Jupiter, a major planet in our solar
elements of good governance? system.
1. People Participation 1. According to the “Jupiter Shield Theory”,
2. Rule of Law Jupiter may be flinging objects into the
3. Executive Accountability inner solar system.
4. Separation of Power 2. Jupiter is the largest “Jovian Planet” in the
5. Complete removal of checks and balances solar system.
on private sector
136
2. “Scheme for financial assistance for patients 43. Consider the following statements with
suffering from specified rare diseases”, is reference to the latest ASER (Annual
part of RAN. Survey of Education Report).
Which of the statements given above is/are 1. There is a higher proportion of older
correct? children in the grade 1 in private schools
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only compared to government schools.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 2. Right to Education mandates that children
enter grade one at age six.
39. Consider the following dams and their 3. ASER 2019 recommends that early
respective rivers. childhood education centers should be
Dams Rivers merged with schools.
1. Hirakud Mahanadi Which of the statements given above is/are
2. Koyana Tawa correct?
3. Tilaiya Krishna (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
Which of the above-mentioned pairs is/are (c) 2 and 3 only (d) All of the Above
correctly matched?
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only 44. Consider the following statements about
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) All of the Above the “Raisina Dialogue”.
1. It is jointly organized by the Union Ministry
40. Consider the following statements about of External Affairs and Observer Research
the “Lender of Last Resort”. Foundation.
1. RBI is known as lender of Last Resort in 2. The Dialogue has been India‟s contribution
India. to global efforts to discover solutions.
2. The “Lender of Last Resort”, has an Which of the statements given above is/are
obligation to provide financial assistance to correct?
a failing bank. (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Which of the statements given above is/are (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only 45. “Yellow Cake”, a term often seen in the
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 context of which of the following?
(a) Gold
41. Consider the following statements about (b) Thorium
the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands. (c) Plutonium
1. The Andaman is separated from Nicobar by (d) Uranium
the Labyrinth island.
2. The southernmost point of India is located 46. Consider the following statements about
in the A&N Islands. the “Seekho aur Kamao (Learn & Earn)”
3. Mangrove Forests are highly developed in program.
the A&N Islands. 1. It is an initiative of Microsoft and Ministry of
Which of the statements given above is/are Skill Development
correct? 2. The scheme applies to all the people
(a) 3 only (b) 1 and 2 only belonging to below poverty line (BPL).
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 2 only Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
42. Arrange the following hills from North to (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
South. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
1. Shevaroy Hills
2. Nilgiri Hills 47. Consider the following statements about
3. Cardamom Hills the “Environment Impact Assessment
4. Nallamala Hills (EIA)”.
Select the correct option using the codes given 1. Environmental Clearances for Category A
below. projects are granted at the Central level.
(a) 4-1-2-3 (b) 4-2-3-1 2. Environmental Clearances for Category B
(c) 4-1-3-2 (d) 4-2-1-3 projects are granted at the State level.
3. Railway Projects require necessary
Environmental Clearance at the Central
Level.
138
Which of the statements given above is/are (c) 1 and 3 only (d) All of the Above
correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only 52. “Atulya Misra Committee”, which was in
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) All of the Above the news recently, is associated with
which of the following?
48. Which of the following is/are the (a) Tackling the menace of Non-Performing
functions of the Central Drugs Standard Assets.
Control Organization (CDSCO)? (b) Death of trekkers caused by Forest Fires
1. Approval of new drugs and clinical trials (c) Mining in the tribal areas of Niyamgiri Hills
2. Fixing the ceiling price of essential (d) Defence Sector Reform
medicines that are listed in Schedule I of
DPCO, 2013. 53. “Laspeyres Index” is often in the news, in
3. Regulatory control over the import of drugs context of which of the following?
Select the correct option using the codes given (a) Measurement of Environmental Pollution
below. (b) Calculation of Consumer Price Index
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) Increment in the Gold Prices
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) All of the Above (d) Indication of Diamond Prices
49. Which of the following viruses are 54. Consider the following tribes and their
considered as part of the “family of respective states.
Coronavirus”? Tribes States
1. Common Cold 1. Bru Tripura
2. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) 2. Abor Odisha
3. Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) 3. Gaddi Himachal Pradesh
Select the correct option suing the codes given Which of the above pairs is/are correctly
below. matched?
(a) 2 only (b) 1 and 2 only (a) 1 only (b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) All of the Above (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 2 and 3 only
50. Which of the following is/are the 55. Which of the following are the possible
objective(s) of the “Make in India advantages of the large Foreign Exchange
Mission”? Reserve (FER)?
1. To ensure employment to more than 90% of 1. It helps in tackling external shocks faced by
the population the economy
2. To increase the manufacturing sector‟s 2. It may help in funding the infrastructure
growth rate to 12-14% per annum projects
3. To create 100 million additional 3. It helps in maintaining liquidity in case of
manufacturing jobs in the economy by 2022 economic crises.
4. To develop 1 Lakh Kilometers of Railway 4. It helps in stabilizing the domestic currency
tracks. Select the correct option using the codes given
Select the correct option using the codes given below.
below. (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 and 4 only
(a) 1 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 3 and 4 (d) All of the Above
(c) 2 only (d) 3 and 4 only
56. Which of the following is/are the
51. With reference to the Karewa Formation applications of Indian National Satellite
consider the following statements. System (INSAT)?
1. Karewas are the lacustrine deposits of the 1. Television
Ordovician period. 2. Weather Mapping
2. The Karewa soils of Kashmir have enormous 3. Replacement of Fiber Optic cable as Fiber
agricultural potential. optic has lesser bandwidth and more
3. The Pampore and Pulwama karewas are well electromagnetic interference
known for the cultivation of saffron, 4. Data and Internet Services
almonds, and walnuts. Select the correct option using the codes given
Which of the statements given above is/are below.
correct? (a) 1 2 and 3 (b) 4 only
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 2 and 4 (d) All of the Above
139
57. Which of the following best explains the Which of the statements given above is/are
“Deepfakes”? correct?
(a) It is a technology to explore the deep ocean (a) 1 only
to protect Biodiversity. (b) 2 only
(b) It refers to AI-Driven Video-Manipulation (c) Both 1 and 2
technologies (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) It refers to the minerals which lie at the
deep ocean planes 63. Which of the following is correct with
(d) It is a new communication technology reference to the Bru-Reang Agreement,
invented to discover the earth like planets in recently in the news?
deep space. (a) It aims to settle Brue communities in
Meghalaya.
58. Consider the following statements about (b) Reang Community is recognized as
the “Coriolis Force” Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group in
1. Wind deflection due to Coriolis force is Meghalaya.
maximum at the pole. (c) It is an agreement between the center and
2. Coriolis force reduces the speed of the wind. the respective North-East Indian States.
Which of the statements given above is/are (d) None of the Above
correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only 64. Earth’s distinct seasons are caused due
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 to:
1. Revolution of Earth
59. Which of the following personalities had 2. Rotation of Earth
a deep impact on Gandhi Ji? 3. Axial Tilt
1. Leo Tolstoy 4. Sphericity
2. Henry David Thoreau Select the correct option using the codes given
3. Shrimad Rajchandra below.
4. John Ruskin (a) 1 2 and 3 (b) 2 3 and 4
Select the correct option using the codes given (c) 1 and 3 only (d) All of the Above
below.
(a) 4 only (b) 1 3 and 4 65. Consider the following rivers and the
(c) 1 2 and 4 (d) All of the Above places of their discharge.
Rivers Places of discharge
60. Which of the following lake is not among 1. Nile Atlantic Ocean
the “Great Lakes of North America”? 2. Zaire Lake Victoria
(a) Lake Huron 3. Amazon Pacific Ocean
(b) Lake Michigan Which of the above-mentioned pairs is/are
(c) Lake Titicaca correctly matched?
(d) Lake Superior (a) 1 only (b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) None of the Above
61. Which of the following is incorrect about
the “Economic Survey of India, 2019”? 66. Which of the following is/are correct
(a) It provides an outline for the year ahead. about the Tides?
(b) It highlights the performance of important 1. Tides are highest on full moon and new
government policies. moon.
(c) It highlighted that to become a $5 trillion 2. Tides help in formation of Deltas
economy by 2025; India needs to sustain a 3. Tides help in cleaning of coastal regions.
GDP growth rate of 8%.No modification 4. Gulf of Khambhat in India is a potential site
(d) None of the Above for the generation of Tidal Energy.
Select the correct option using the codes given
62. Consider the following statements about below.
the “Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients”. (a) 1 2 and 4 (b) 2 3 and 4
1. These are the raw materials used for making (c) 1 3 and 4 (d) 1 only
intermediates.
2. India is dependent on China for major 67. Consider the following statements.
essential medicines. 1. Oceanic crust is denser but less thick than
continental crust.
140
2. Continental crust is rich in iron and 72. Which of the following is/are incorrect
Magnesium. about “PRAGATI” Platform?
Which of the statements given above is/are (a) It is a robust system for bringing e-
correct? transparency and e-accountability
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (b) PRAGATI platform utilizes the Geo-spatial
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Technology.
(c) It is a 4-tier system consisting of Union
68. Which of the following is/are the government; state government; district
occasion(s) when the President addresses government and gram panchayats
the Joint sitting of the Parliament? (d) Both b and c
1. Commencement of the first session after
each general election to the Lok Sabha 73. Which of the following is/are incorrect
2. At the commencement of every session. about the Terrestrial Planets?
3. At the commencement of the first session of (a) Terrestrial planets lack a ring system
each year. (b) They have very few natural satellites or no
Select the correct option suing the codes given satellites.
below. (c) Earth and Mars both have one satellite.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (d) All of the Above
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) All of the Above
74. Consider the following statements about
69. Consider the following statements about the “Anticipatory Bail (AB)”.
the “Sharang Artillery Gun”. 1. The concept of bail flows from the right to
1. It is an upgraded version of US Howitzer. liberty
2. It has a strike range of more than 100km. 2. AB is a direction to release a person on bail,
3. Sharang upgrade is completely indigenous. issued even before the person is arrested.
Which of the statements given above is/are 3. An anticipatory bail is limited to a fixed time
incorrect? period
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only Which of the statements given above is/are
(c) 1 and 2 only (d) 3 only correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
70. Consider the following statements with (c) 2 and 3 only (d) All of the Above
reference to the “Medical Termination of
Pregnancy (MTP) (Amendment) Bill 2020” 75. Which of the following statements is/are
1. At present the upper limit for the correct about the Chotanagpur Plateau?
termination of pregnancy is 12 weeks. 1. It sprawls over parts of West Bengal and
2. A minor under the current law can‟t get an north-eastern part of Andhra Pradesh.
abortion. 2. Barakar, Damodar, Subarnarekha, and
3. Currently the provision of allowing Koels rivers drain Chotanagpur Plateau.
contraceptive failure as a basis for seeking 3. The basin of the Mahanadi River lies to the
an abortion is available to married women south of it.
only. 4. Ranchi plateau is the smallest part of
Which of the statements given above is/are Chotanagpur Plateau.
correct? Select the correct option using the codes given
(a) 2 only (b) 3 only below.
(c) 1 only (d) None of the Above (a) 1 2 and 3 (b) 2 3 and 4
(c) 1 only (d) All of the Above
71. Consider the following statements about
the “Chandrayaan-3” 76. With reference to the “Western Ghats”
1. It is a Mission by ISRO for demonstrating Consider the following statements.
hard landing. 1. Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri all rise from
2. This mission will include a lander and the Western Ghats.
orbiter like Chandrayan-2. 2. Kudermukh and Pushpagiri are among the
Which of the statements given above is/are important peaks of Western Ghats.
incorrect? 3. Thal Ghat an important pass in Western
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only Ghat that joins Mumbai with Pune.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
141
77. What is/are the reason(s) that India is 1. d 21. d 41. c 61. d
not self-sufficient in many crops? 2. b 22. a 42. a 62. b
1. The area of land which is arable in India is 3. a 23. a 43. b 63. c
very low. 4. a 24. a 44. c 64. d
2. The yield of crops in India is very low.
5. b 25. d 45. d 65. d
Select the correct option using the codes given
6. c 26. c 46. d 66. c
below.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only 7. c 27. c 47. b 67. a
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 8. c 28. b 48. c 68. c
9. b 29. b 49. d 69. c
78. Which of the following is/are the rights 10. a 30. c 50. b 70. b
available to Minorities only? 11. a 31. a 51. b 71. c
1. Special provision relating to the language 12. b 32. b 52. b 72. c
spoken under Article 347. 13. c 33. b 53. b 73. c
2. Prohibition against compelling a person to
14. c 34. b 54. c 74. b
pay taxes for promotion of any particular
15. d 35. d 55. d 75. a
religion under Article 27.
3. Provision for facilities for instruction in 16. b 36. d 56. c 76. b
mother-tongue at primary stage under 17. d 37. d 57. b 77. b
350A. 18. b 38. b 58. a 78. c
Select the correct option using the codes given 19. b 39. a 59. d 79. b
below. 20. b 40. a 60. c 80. c
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) None of the Above