03-05-2021

03-MAY-2021

The Hindu News Analysis – 3rd May 2021 – Shankar IAS Academy
S. Page Number*
News Articles
No. C B D H T

1 Past year Preliminary Questions Session Prelims 2020

2 Centre faces questions over how it plans to use foreign aid 14 12 12 12 12

3 Somali President reopens talks of fresh elections 16 14 16 14 16

4 Merchandise exports touch $30.21 billion 15 13 13 13 15

5 Image can’t be better than reality 15 13 13 13 15

6 Prelims Practice Questions

@ end of the video
7 Mains Practice Question
*C – Chennai; B – Bengaluru; D – Delhi; H – Hyderabad; T – Thiruvananthapuram

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Siachen Glacier
• Source for the Nubra River.
• Part of India - situated in the Karakorum range.
• Glacier region - glacier, the
• Nearly 50 miles long.
Saltoro Ridge and the area
• Elevation - ranging from 22,000 to 11,000 feet. around.

• Climate: Temperatures - -60oC + strong winds + lack of oxygen.

An inhospitable terrain.
Image source: https://idsa.in/askanexpert/strategicimportanceofSiachen

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• Highest Militarized zone: Siachen dispute

potentially a dangerous flash point • Siachen Glacier and adjacent regions - part of the
on the disputed Northern borders. larger territorial dispute between India and Pakistan

Pakistani and Indian militaries Karachi Agreement, 1949 - the ceasefire line (CFL)
occupying for decades. from Pt NJ 9842 running Northwards to the Glaciers.

Highest and coldest battlefield in Shimla Agreement, 1972 - no mention about CFL.
the world.

Strategic importance to India

Operation Meghdoot
1. Saltoro Ridge overlooks the area of Gilgit–Baltistan of
• India occupied the glacier by
Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
launching Operation Meghdoot in
1984. 2. Region guards the routes leading to Leh.

• To secure control of the heights 3. Region overlooks and dominates the Shaksgam Valley.
predominating the Siachin
4. Region close to Karakoram Pass - Karakoram Highway passes
glacier.
connecting Gilgit-Baltistan to China’s Xinjiang Province.
• More casualties have resulted
from the extremely adverse
conditions than from combat.

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• Aksai Chin is east of Siachen.

• Leh is south of the glacier.

• Gilgit is to the left/west of Siachen.

Previous Year Question – Prelims 2020

Q. Siachen Glacier is situated to the
(a) East to Aksai Chin
(b) East of Leh
(c) North of Gilgit
(d) North of Nubra Valley

• Right against Exploitation (Articles 23 and 24)

- Protection from any kind of forced labor.

Previous Year Question – Prelims 2020 • Right to Freedom (Articles 19-22) - freedom of
Speech and expression, Assembly, Association,
Q. Which of the following categories of
Fundamental Rights Incorporates Movement, Residence, Profession etc.
protection against untouchability as a • Right to Constitutional Remedies - protection of
form of discrimination?
Fundamental rights against their violation.
a) Right against exploitation
• Right to Equality (Articles 14 - 18)
b) Right to freedom
Equal treatment of everyone before the law
c) Right to Constitutional remedies
Prevents discrimination on various ground
d) Right to equality
Treats everybody as equals - public
employment.

Abolishes untouchability and titles.

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Previous Year Question – Prelims 2020 • Statutory Liquidity Ratio - minimum

percentage of deposits maintained in the form
Q. If the RBI decides to adopt an expansionist
monetary policy, which of the following it of liquid cash, gold or other securities by

would NOT do? commercial banks.

1. Cut and optimize the statutory liquidity • Marginal standing facility - banks to borrow
ratio. from the RBI in an emergency situation when

2. Increase the Marginal Standing Facility interbank liquidity dries up completely.

Rate. • Bank rate - interest rate at which a
3. Cut the Bank Rate and Repo Rate. nation’s central bank lends money to domestic

Select the correct answer using the given banks.

code below: • Repo rate - central bank of a country (RBI)

a) 1 and 2 only lends money to commercial banks in the event
b) 2 only of any shortfall of funds.
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

• Alma-Ata Declaration - field of public health -

identified primary health care as the key to
Previous Year Question – Prelims 2020
Health for All.
Q. Consider the following pairs
International - Agreement/setup • Hague Convention - protects children and their
Subject families against the risks of illegal, irregular,
1. Alma Ata declaration - Healthcare of the people premature or ill-prepared adoptions abroad.

2. Hague convention - Biological and Chemical • Talanoa Dialogue - help countries implement and
Weapon
enhance their NDCs - mandated by Parties to
3. Talanoa dialogue - Global Climate Change
United Nations Framework Convention for
4. Under2 Coalition - Child Rights Climate Change
Which of the pairs above is/are correct?
• Under2 Coalition - global community of state
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 4 only and regional governments committed to
(c) 1 and 3 only ambitious climate action in line with the Paris
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Agreement.

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Pg: 14 – C, T; Pg: 12 – D, B, H

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Indo-France Relations
Part A—Preliminary Examination
• Historical ties
Paper I - (200 marks)
Current events of national and international 17th century - Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb had a
importance. French physician - François Bernier.

French colonial trade - 17th century.

Part B—Main Examination
PAPER-III Last French colony - Puducherry
General Studies- II: Governance,
Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and Established diplomatic relations with India in 1947.
International relations.
August 1962 - French ceded all their possessions in
• Bilateral, regional and global groupings and
India - Treaty of
agreements involving India and/or affecting
India’s interests. Cession (1956).
• Effect of policies and politics of developed
and developing countries on India’s interests,
Indian diaspora.

Image Source: https://www.123rf.com

• 1998 - Strategic Partnership • Space field

Emblematic of their convergence of First space agreement - 1964

views.
Cooperation in Gaganyan Mission - France
3 pillars - defence & security training the physician astronauts in micro
cooperation, space cooperation and civil
gravity conditions.
nuclear cooperation
ISRO will also be launching the joint Oceansat
• Nuclear Cooperation
3-Argos mission for France.
France was the first country with which
TRISHNA - Thermal infra-red Imaging Satellite
India entered into an agreement on civil
for High resolution Natural resource Assessment.
nuclear cooperation following the waiver
given by the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group. CNES and ISRO are partnering on the
development of an infrared observation system
Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant - product
with high thermal resolution and high revisit
of this cooperation.
capability.

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Megha-Tropiques and SARAL. P-75 Scorpene Project - Contract for six

Scorpene submarines - built under technology
2018 - unveiled a joint vision for space
transfer at the Mazagaon Docks Ltd.
cooperation.
First submarine INS Kalvari -
Agreed to work on inter-planetary
commissioned in 2017
missions to Mars and Venus.
Military exercises
• Defence cooperation
Shakthi
Rafel fighter jets and other military
equipments from France. Garuda

Patrol the Indian Ocean Region together. Varuna

Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited • Climate collaboration: International Solar

manufacturing facility at Mihan, Alliance

Maharashtra. • Economic Cooperation - France has emerged as

a major source of FDI for India.

Practice Question – Mains

GS – II
Q. Both India and France are eager to forge a
deeper partnership between them. Discuss
the mutual benefits of such a partnership
for India and France.
(150 words, 10 marks)

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Part A—Preliminary Examination

Paper I - (200 marks)
Current events of national and international
importance.

Part B—Main Examination

PAPER-III
General Studies- II: Governance,
Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and
International relations.
• Bilateral, regional and global groupings and
agreements involving India and/or affecting
India’s interests.
• Effect of policies and politics of developed
Pg: 16 – C, D, T; and developing countries on India’s interests,
Pg: 14 – B, H; Indian diaspora.

Somalia

• Easternmost country of Africa - Horn of Africa.

Gulf of Aden
• Borders:

Gulf of Aden - north

Indian Ocean - east

Kenya and Ethiopia - west

Djibouti - northwest

• Important geopolitical position - sub-Saharan

Africa and countries of Arabia and
southwestern Asia.

• Capital - Mogadishu - North of the Equator on Source: https://cdn.britannica.com/

the Indian Ocean.

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Climate

• Dry and hot - thornbush savanna & semidesert. • Impaired animal habitats and reduced
forage.
• Coastal areas - hot, humid, and unpleasant
weather. Affected Somalia’s livestock (goats, sheep,
camels, and cattle) and wildlife.
Vegetation and Animals
Giraffes, zebras, oryx, hippopotamuses,
• Southern and northwestern - dense thornbush
rhinoceroses, elephants - decimated.
savanna.
• Creation of nature reserves and national
• High plateaus of northern Somalia - wide, grassy
parks - neglected since the collapse of the
plains.
central government in 1991.
• Northeastern Somalia and northern coastal plain
- almost devoid of vegetation.

Original vegetation cover - heavily degraded

and entirely destroyed.

History

• Republic of Somalia.
Polity
• Mohamed Siad Barre - dictatorial rule from
• Federal parliamentary representative
October 1969 until January 1991.
democratic republic.
Overthrown in bloody civil war - clan-based
• President of Somalia - head of state
guerrillas.
• Prime Minister - head of government.
• De facto government - Republic of Somaliland
in north. Appointed by President with Parliament’s
approval.
• Puntland (Puntland State of Somalia) - self-
• Federal Parliament of Somalia - Bicameral
proclaimed in northeast.
legislature - Senate (upper house) and
• Somalia’s transitional administration handed National Assembly of Somalia (lower house).
power to new government - Federal Republic
of Somalia.

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Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Which of the following countries do not
border the Indian Ocean?
(a) Kenya
(b) Ethiopia
(c) Somalia
(d) Tanzania

Previous Year Question – Prelims 2020

Q. With reference to the international trade of India at
present, which of the following statements is/are
correct?
1. India’s merchandise exports are less than its
merchandise imports.
2. India’s imports of iron and steel, chemicals,
fertilisers and machinery have decreased in recent
years.
3. India’s exports of services are more than its imports
of services.
4. India suffers from an overall trade/current account
defcit.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
Pg: 15 – C, T;
Pg: 13 – D, B, H (c) 3 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

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Merchandise Exports

• Merchandise -Goods to be bought and sold.

• Total merchandise exports (April-December, 2020-

21) - 200.8 billion US dollars.

Contraction by 15.7%.

• Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) exports -

contributed negatively to export performance Merchandise Trade Balance, Exports and Imports

Softening of international crude oil prices.

• Non-POL exports turned positive.

Agriculture & allied products, drugs &

pharmaceutical and ores & minerals - resilient
and recorded expansion.

Organic and inorganic chemicals, electronic

goods, textiles, engineering products, gems and
jewelry - reduced the export growth. Relative Contribution in Exports Growth

Relative Contribution in Non-POL Exports Growth in 2020-21 (April-November)

• Drug formulations and biologicals -

consistently registered positive growth.

Second largest exported commodity

India - ‘pharmacy of the world’.

• Iron and Steel - share has increased.

• Sharp fall in exports of Motor Vehicles/

Cars.

• USA - largest export market

• China - 2nd position

• Malaysia - new entrant among top 10

export destinations.

• Nepal no longer occupies a position.

Top 10 export commodities in April-November 2020 and April-November 2019 [By Share in Percent]

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Top 10 Export Destinations in April-November 2020 and April-November 2019

[By Share in Percent]

Merchandise Imports

• Total merchandise imports - 258.3 billion US

dollars.

• Contraction by (-) 29.1 per cent.

• Sharp decline in POL imports

• Positive growth in gold and silver imports &

narrowing contraction in non-POL, non-gold & Relative Contribution in Exports Growth

silver imports.

Rise in international gold and silver

prices.

• Fertilizers, vegetable oil, drugs &

pharmaceuticals and computer hardware &
peripherals -contributed positively to the
growth of non-POL, non gold & Silver imports.

Relative Contribution in Non-POL and Non-Gold & Silver Imports in 2020-21 (April-November)

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• Crude Petroleum - Highest imported

commodity.

• Share of gold imports - slipping to third

position from second earlier.

• Computer hardware and peripherals - new

additions

Increased demand due to more people Top 10 Import Commodities in April-November 2020 and April-November
2019 [By Share in Percent]
working from home.

• China continues to be the largest import

source.

• Switzerland - no longer in the top 10 import

sources.

• Germany has entered the list.

Top 10 Import Sources in April-November 2020 and April-November 2019 [By Share in Percent]

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements:
1. As far as the top export destinations are
concerned, the China continues to be the
largest export market for India in April-
November, 2020.
2. As far as the top import sources are
concerned, the USA continues to be the
largest import source for India in April-
November, 2020.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Part A—Preliminary Examination

Paper I - (200 marks)
Current events of national and international
importance.
Part B—Main Examination
PAPER-III
General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity,
Social Justice and International relations.
• Structure, organization and functioning of the
Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and
Departments of the Government; pressure groups and
formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
• Development processes and the development
industry—the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and
associations, donors, charities, institutional and other
stakeholders.
Pg: 15 – C, T;
Pg: 13 – D, B, H

UNESCO - United Nations Educational,

Scientific and Cultural Organization.
World Press Freedom day
• Specialized agency of the United Nations
• Call by African journalists in 1991 -
Windhoek declaration. • 1942 - The governments of the European
countries met in the United Kingdom - Conference
• Recommendation adopted at 26th session -
of Allied Ministers of Education(CAME)
UNESCO’s general conference - 1991.
• In 1945 - London - UN Conference -establishment
• 1993 - World Press Freedom day -
of an educational and cultural organization.
Proclaimed by UN General Assembly.
• 16th November 1945 - UNESCO was founded.
• Anniversary of Windhoek declaration -
celebrated worldwide as world press • Purpose - building peace through international
freedom day. cooperation in Education, the Sciences and
Culture.

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Significance of World Press Freedom day: Criticism

• Reminder to governments - to respect • Statements of Network of Women in Media, India
commitment to press freedom. - mourns the loss of more than a hundred

• Pay tribute to journalists - lost their lives journalists.

in exercise of their profession. Indicates the underperformance in governance.

• Theme for 2021: “Information as a Public • Government of India busy attacking international
Good”. media rather than providing infrastructural
support necessary to fight the pandemic.
WPF day 2021 - importance of
information within our online media Lack of measures to improve the welfare
environment. delivery system required during the pandemic.

• Global conference - an opportunity to • Suggestion - extending the facilities provided to

journalists and the broader public - frontline workers to the journalists and Media
challenges to press freedom and journalists ’ professionals.
safety.

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements with
respect to UNESCO.
1. It is a specialized agency of United
Nations.
2. It is a member of the United Nations
Sustainable Development Group.
3. All the UN member states are members
of UNESCO.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) All the above

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Practice Question – Prelims

Q1. Which of the following countries do not
border the Indian Ocean?
(a) Kenya
(b) Ethiopia
(c) Somalia
(d) Tanzania

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Practice Question – Prelims

Q2.Consider the following statements with
respect to UNESCO.
1. It is a specialized agency of United
Nations.
2. It is a member of the United Nations
Sustainable Development Group.
3. All the UN member states are members
of UNESCO.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) All the above

Practice Question – Prelims

Q3. Consider the following statements:
1. As far as the top export destinations are
concerned, the China continues to be the
largest export market for India in April-
November, 2020.
2. As far as the top import sources are
concerned, the USA continues to be the
largest import source for India in April-
November, 2020.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Practice Question – Prelims

Answers

Q1. Option (b) – Ethiopia

Q2. Option (a) – 1 and 2 only
Q3. Option (d) – Neither 1 nor 2

Practice Question – Mains

GS – II
Q. Both India and France are eager to forge a
deeper partnership between them. Discuss
the mutual benefits of such a partnership
for India and France.
(150 words, 10 marks)

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