13-09-2020

© Shankar IAS Academy

13-SEPTEMBER-2020

The Hindu News Analysis – 13th September 2020 – Shankar IAS Academy
S. Page Number*
News Articles
No. C B D H T
1 A counter-coalition of Eurasian powers 17 13 13 13 13

2 Foreign funds & NGOs (FAQ) 16 12 12 12 12

3 Any non-political body can get FCRA exemption 12 8 8 8 8

4 Are there re-infection fears around COVID-19? (FAQ) 16 12 12 12 12

5 Singapore Convention on Mediation comes into force 14 10 10 10 10

6 Science behind air-breathing scramjet engine 15 11 11 11 11

7 As Bahrain says it’s time to embrace Israel, the Gulf hears a Saudi voice 13 9 9 9 9

8 More logistics pacts on the cards 11 7 7 7 7

9 Prelims Practice Questions

@ end of the video
10 Mains Practice Question
*C – Chennai; B – Bengaluru; D – Delhi; H – Hyderabad; T – Thiruvananthapuram
 13-09-2020

Pg: 17 – C; Pg: 13 – B, D, H, T

Part A—Preliminary Examination

Paper I - (200 marks)
 Current events of national and international importance.
 Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights
Issues, etc.
Part B—Main Examination
PAPER-III
General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations
• India and its neighborhood- relations.
• Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s
interests.
• Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian
diaspora.
• Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
 13-09-2020

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

• An inter-governmental multilateral platform.

• Previously - the Shanghai Five.

 Five members - China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,

Russia and Tajikistan.

 Established in 1996 - to deal with the

boundary issues between China, Russia and the
newly independent five states of Central Asian
region. • Eight full members - India, China, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and
• Shanghai Five evolved into SCO after the
Uzbekistan.
inclusion of Uzbekistan in 2001.
• 4 observer states - Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran
and Mongolia.

• Dialogue partners - Azerbaijan, Armenia,

Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey and Sri Lanka.
 13-09-2020

• India - Member since June 2017.

 SCO Charter
• Heads of State Council - highest decision-making
body.  Strengthening the mutual trust and
neighbourliness among member states;
• Provides for meetings at the level of heads of
parliament, security councils’ secretaries,  Promotion of cooperation including in
ministers of foreign affairs, defence, etc. politics, trade, energy, transport, tourism,
economy, education, research, technology,
• 2 permanent bodies.
culture and environmental protection.
 SCO Secretariat – Beijing.  Making joint efforts to maintain and
 Executive Committee of the Regional Anti- ensure peace, security and stability in
Terrorist Structure (RATS), Tashkent. the region.

 Facilitates coordination and interaction  Moving towards the establishment of a

between competent authorities of the SCO democratic, fair and rational new
Member States, in the fight against international political and economic order.
terrorism, extremism and separatism.

• Western and NATO countries placed heavy

Conflict resolution and platform for Eurasian
cooperation
1. China, Russia and Central Asian Republics.
• A meeting of the Shanghai Five in 1996,
sanctions against Russia for its actions in
Crimea - China came to aid - signed a 30-
year, $400 billion gas pipeline framework
agreement with Russia.

resulted in an ‘Agreement on Confidence- • Russia supports BRI

Building in the Military Field Along the Border
 all members of SCO except India joined
Areas’.
BRI
 Provided for the mutual reduction of military
 BRI became a part of the SCO
forces on their common borders in 1997.
declarations.
 Subsequently helped to push the Central Asian
3. India - SCO has been a comfortable platform
countries to resolve some of their boundary
for resolution of disputes with Pakistan.
disputes.
• Joining SCO is part of India’s “strategic
2. Developed a personal bond between Russia and
autonomy and multi-alignment” principle.
China.
 13-09-2020

• India and Pakistan - both counties’ leadership • 2015 - Indian Prime Minister met then
have consistently attended all meetings of Pakistani PM at the SCO summit in Ufa -
SCO’s three councils - Heads of State, Heads resulted in a joint statement.
of Government, Council of Foreign Ministers.
• 2019 - After the Pulwama attack, SCO
• Indian and Pakistani armed forces even take officials often expressed the hope to resolve
part in military and anti-terrorism exercises issues between India-Pakistan through
together, as part of SCO-RATS. dialogue.

• Both are part of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact • 2020 - SCO also played an important role in
Group - to discuss the course of Afghanistan’s the five-point consensus agreement between
future. India and China.

4. SCO hosts encouraged members to use the  disengagement process between Indian and
platform to discuss differences on the sidelines. Chinese troops along Line of Actual Control
(LAC).
• 2009 - India and Pakistan held the first
talks after the Mumbai attacks on the  Meeting happened in Moscow, hosted by
sidelines of the SCO summit in Astana. Russia.
 13-09-2020

Pg: 16 – C; Pg: 12 – B, D, H, T

Part A—Preliminary Examination

Paper I - (200 marks)
 Current events of national and international importance.
 Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Part B—Main Examination
PAPER-III
General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations
• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design
and implementation.
• Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and
associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
• Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes,
limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
PAPER-IV
General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster
Management
• Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in
internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money laundering and its prevention.
 13-09-2020

FCRA Licence Cancellation Norms

The Central Government may, if it is satisfied after making • Any person whose certificate got cancelled not
such inquiry as it may deem fit, by an order, cancel the eligible for registration/grant/prior permission for
certificate if a period of 3 years from the date of cancellation
(a) the holder of the certificate has made a statement in, of certificate.
or in relation to, the application for the grant of
registration or renewal thereof, which is incorrect or • Government must give the person concerned, a
false; or reasonable opportunity of being heard, before
(b) the holder of the certificate has violated any of the cancellation of certificate.
terms and conditions of the certificate or renewal
thereof; or
(c) in the opinion of the Central Government, it is
necessary in the public interest to cancel the
certificate; or
(d) the holder of certificate has violated any of the
provisions of this Act or rules or order made
thereunder; or
(e) if the holder of the certificate has not been engaged in
any reasonable activity in its chosen field for the
benefit of the society for two consecutive years or has
become defunct.

FCRA licence Suspension Norms

1. Where the Central Government, for reasons to be
recorded in writing, is satisfied that pending
consideration of the question of cancelling the
certificate on any of the grounds mentioned in sub-
section (1) of section 14, it is necessary so to do, it
may, by order in writing, suspend the certificate for
such period not exceeding 180 days as may be specified
in the order.

2. Every person whose certificate has been suspended shall

(a) Not receive any foreign contribution during the
period of suspension of certificate: Provided that
the Central Government, on an application made by
such person, if it considers appropriate, allow
receipt of any foreign contribution by such person
on such terms and conditions as it may specify;
(b) Utilise, in the prescribed manner, the foreign
contribution in his custody with the prior approval
of the Central Government.
 13-09-2020

News:

• MHA clarified that it has the power to exempt

any person or association or organisation other
than a political party or candidate for election
from provisions of the FCRA, 2010 in public
interest.

• Exemptions given in past -> Prime Minister’s

National Relief Fund(PMNRF).

• Recent exemptions -> Entities created by

Central or State government orders or any
entity “fully controlled and owned” by the
Central or State governments; PM CARES Fund.

Pg: 12 – C; Pg: 8 – B, D, H, T
 13-09-2020

Pg: 16 – C; Pg: 12 – B, D, H, T

Human immune system

• Fights germs and foreign substances on the

skin, in the tissues of the body and in bodily
fluids.

• Two parts of immune system- innate/general

immune system and adaptive/specialized immune
system.
 13-09-2020

Innate immune system Adaptive immune system

First line of defense against germs entering the Takes over if innate immune system is not able
body. to destroy the germs.

Responds in the same way to all germs and Specifically targets the type of germ that is
foreign substances (non-specific). causing the infection.

Acts very quickly, but only limited power to stop Slower to respond, but more accurate. Able to
germs from spreading. "remember" germs - faster response next time.

Made up of,
Consists of,
1. T lymphocytes in the tissue between the body's
1. Protection offered by the skin and mucous cells.
membranes.
2. B lymphocytes in the tissue between the body's
2. Protection offered by the immune system cells cell.
(defense cells) and proteins.
3. Antibodies in the blood and other bodily fluids.
 13-09-2020

Singapore Convention on Mediation

• Has come into force on 12th September 2020.

• Also known as United Nations Convention on

International Settlement Agreements Resulting
from Mediation.

• A uniform and efficient framework for

international settlement agreements resulting from
mediation.

Mediation

A process whereby parties attempt to reach an amicable

settlement of their dispute with the assistance of a third
person (mediator) lacking the authority to impose a
solution upon the parties to the dispute.
Pg: 14 – C; Pg: 10 – B, D, H, T

• Applies to international settlement agreements • Businesses seeking enforcement of a mediated

resulting from mediation, concluded by parties settlement agreement across borders, can apply
to resolve a commercial dispute. directly to the courts of countries that have
signed and ratified the treaty.
• Will facilitate international trade and commerce
by enabling disputing parties to easily enforce • Benefits:
and invoke settlement agreements across
 Mediated settlement agreements can be
borders.
enforced more readily by the Courts of
 Additional dispute resolution option to contracting parties and may also be
litigation and arbitration, in settling cross- invoked by a party as a defence against
border disputes. a claim.

• 53 signatories - India is a signatory.  Will facilitate the growth of international

commerce.
 Ratified by six countries –Singapore, Fiji,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Belarus and Ecuador.  Will promote the use of mediation around
the world.
 13-09-2020

Pg: 15 – C; Pg: 11 – B, D, H, T

Hypersonic Missile

• Minimum speed  more than Mach 5.

• Two types  Boost glide and scramjets.

• Scramjet engine:

 A ramjet-engine in which the airflow

through the engine remains supersonic.

 Uses “air-breathing” technology.

 Collect air from the atmosphere and

mix it with fuel, which creates the
supersonic combustion.

 Cruiser’s flight will be at a hypersonic

speed.

 Other advantages: Scramjet technology also

helps in faster civilian aviation and low
cost satellites launches.
 13-09-2020

Hypersonic Missile

• Minimum speed  more than Mach 5.

• Two types  Boost glide and scramjets.

• Scramjet engine:

 A ramjet-engine in which the airflow

through the engine remains supersonic.

 Uses “air-breathing” technology.

 Collect air from the atmosphere and

mix it with fuel, which creates the
supersonic combustion.

 Cruiser’s flight will be at a hypersonic Source: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/images/content/142861main_x43a_intscramjet_550.gif

speed.

 Other advantages: Scramjet technology also

helps in faster civilian aviation and low
cost satellites launches.

HSTDV Mission

• Aim:

 To develop a scramjet engine and its

ignition

 To sustain the ignition and ethylene fuel

 To generate maximum energy from the

engine.

 To develop materials to protect leading

edges of the cruiser’s wings, tail-surface and
nose tip etc. from high temperatures that
occur due to air friction.

 To control the HSTDV with minimum drag and

maximum thrust.
 13-09-2020

How it worked ?
• Launch vehicle used derived from Agni-1 missile.

• After attaining required speed, the cruise

vehicle ejected out of the launch vehicle.

• At, altitude of 30km, the air intake ducts in the

scramjet engine opened.

• Launch vehicle separated from the HSTDV cruise

vehicle.

• Cruise vehicle’s nose cone split in two and fell

off.

• Heat shield covering was discarded.

• Air from the atmosphere was sucked into the
scramjet engine’s combustion chamber which
ignited the fuel.

• The HSTDV flew for the next 20 seconds at a

hypersonic speed and fell in Bay of Bengal.
 13-09-2020

Practice Question – Prelims

Q1.Consider the following statements with
reference to Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation (SCO):
1. Its member states are eight South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation
(SAARC) members.
2. India is its founding member.
Which of the statements given above
is/are incorrect?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
© Shankar IAS Academy
 13-09-2020

Practice Question – Prelims

Q2.Consider the following statements with reference
to Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.
1. The Government of India can suspend the
certificate of FCRA for a period not exceeding
360 days.
2. A person whose FCRA certificate got cancelled
is not eligible for registration or grant or prior
permission for a period of 3 years from the
date of cancellation of certificate.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

© Shankar IAS Academy

Practice Question – Prelims

Q3.Consider the following statements with reference
to Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.
1. Both Prime Minister’s National Relief
Fund(PMNRF) and PMCARES fund are
exempted from all FCRA provisions, making
them eligible to receive Foreign contributions.
2. Entities “fully controlled and owned” by the
Central or State governments are not
exempted from FCRA requirements.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

© Shankar IAS Academy

 13-09-2020

Practice Question – Prelims

Q4.Consider the following statements regarding
the immune system in human body:
1. The innate immune system is body's first
line of defense against germs, which
responds in the same way to all germs and
foreign substances.
2. The adaptive immune system, made up of T
lymphocytes and B lymphocytes, specifically
targets the type of germ that is causing the
infection.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
© Shankar IAS Academy

Practice Question – Prelims

Q5.Which of the following statements with
reference to United Nations Convention on
International Settlement Agreements
Resulting from Mediation, are correct?
1. It is known as Singapore Convention.
2. It does not apply to settlement agreements
relating to family, inheritance or
employment law.
3. India has ratified the convention.
Select the correct answer using the code given
below.
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
 13-09-2020

Practice Question – Prelims

Q6.Consider the following statements with
reference to hypersonic technology
demonstrator vehicle (HSTDV) mission
recently seen in news:
1. It used an HSTDV with bipropellant system
of liquid fuel and liquid oxidizer.
2. It is a programme of Defense Research and
Development Organization of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Practice Question – Prelims

Q7.Which of the following countries share their
border with Persian Gulf?
1. Syria
2. Iran
3. Bahrain
4. Israel
Select the correct answer using the codes
given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
 13-09-2020

Pg: 13 – C; Pg: 9 – B, D, H, T

Practice Question – Prelims

Q8.Which of the following countries are part of
neither Quadrilateral Security Dialogue nor
Malabar trilateral naval exercise?
1. USA
2. China
3. Australia
4. Russia
Select the correct answer using the codes
given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 4 only
 13-09-2020

Pg: 11 – C; Pg: 7 – B, D, H, T

Practice Question – Prelims

Answers
Q1. Option (c) - Both 1 and 2
Q2. Option (b) - 2 only
Q3. Option (a) - 1 only
Q4. Option (c) - Both 1 and 2
Q5. Option (b) - 1 and 2 only
Q6. Option (b) - 2 only
Q7. Option (d) - 2 and 3 only
Q8. Option (d) - 2 and 4 only
 13-09-2020

Practice Question – Mains

GS – II
Q. “Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
(SCO) is a grouping which works for
regional stability and cooperation and
provides a platform for member states to
discuss their differences”. Explain with
suitable examples.
(10 marks, 150 words)